To buy or not to buy the Killers album...that is the question...

Friends

I have been thinking quite a bit lately about what makes a true friend different from an aquaintance in my book. In doing so, I have discovered a few things I had never really thought about.

Those I consider true friends are those that are all of the obvious things...trustworthy, caring, invested in the relationship, encouraging, etc. However, they all have done a couple of very important things. Most of them have walked with me through one or several trying periods in my life. Not one of them has ever failed to offer gentle correction when needed. The writer of Proverbs states that wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Proverbs 27:6) Wounds from my true friends are those I can trust since they come out of love and concern for me. It is the example given to us in the Bible. Isaiah said that God wounds but He also heals. He wounds us to heal us...to grow us...and those friends who are willing to do the same also want to see us grow. This is characteristic I have realized that I value above all else. They don't correct me out of a need to "run" everyone elses business because even if I didn't accept their correction, they would love me anyway. And they expect the same thing from me. These are the straight shooters that possess honesty that should be prized. They don't worry about what it may do to the relationship...but they have also made deposits enough into that relationship account that they can make those kind of withdrawls. And it is that characteristic alone that earns my respect and unending devotion above all else. Anyone I consider a close friend has this quality.

I am so very private and guarded that most people never really get to know me. There are precious few who have that priviledge...but I know I can be real and sometimes real ugly with them with the security of knowing that they love me anyway. And they can be the same with me...no pretentions, no judgements...just freedom to be emotionally, spiritually naked. In fact, I can almost count them on one hand.

So...those of you that I know read this and fall into that catagory (you know who you are)...thank you for letting me bare my heart and loving me enough to offer correction when I need it. I wish I was perfect so I wouldn't need it, but it is comforting to know that I have you. Everyone needs an Aaron and Hur to hold up their arms sometimes. You better believe I would do it for you. Some of you are actual family, most of you aren't, but you are all family to me.

the 80s are still alive

while driving back to work from lunch this afternoon, i saw the most fabulously dressed guy mosey down south hulen...looking like a circa 1980s don johnson groupie. the guy was wearing a white v-neck t-shirt and ridiculously short shorts...sporting the kicks and a mullet...plus a baseball cap that appeared to be left over from the 1980ish green bay packers. it was amazing. oh how i wish i had a camera at that moment...

coldplay...september 23rd...dallas...

my day has been made.

Saturday I discovered the magical world of gelato.

Amazing in every fantastic way.

Emily...dear friend.
Happy Birthday to you! Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Today...Cinco de Mayo...the fifth of May...is Emily's birthday. And in honor of Cinco de Mayo being your birthday, I shall wish you happy birthday in Espanol. (cue birthday song music)
Feliz Cumpleanos a ti!
Feliz Cumpleanos a ti!
Feliz Cumpleanos a Emily!
Feliz Cumpleanos a ti!

People of America!!! Or at least those who read this blog...
REPORT CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT! Don't think it isn't your business. If your child reports seeing things in the house that make it unsafe (ie. drugs, weapons, etc), don't discount it or gripe them out. Encourage them to tell you what's going on.

I say this because I just got gripped out by an angry mother. Her son was in my office helping my fill out a CPS report on the mother of a friend of his. He's seen drugs and weapons in the house as well as the filthy state of the house. He reports it to me...we fill out a report...he calls to get the exact address...and voila. I'm in hot water with his mom. She's yelling at him and me on the phone...and he's probably going to be in trouble when he gets home.

If you even think something isn't right with a child, ask them, listen to them, and REPORT it. If you don't, you are just as responsible for whatever happens to that child. Every child deserves a chance. Don't take it away from them.

That is all.

So I'm in my office talking with my co-worker, Jimm, when we here running and a bang. My locked door flies open followed by retreating footsteps and laughter. Yes...the high school challenge class (aka any kid on campus who is too out of control to leave in the regular JJAEP classroom) has kicked in my door, ruining the door, and breaking the lock. Kids have broken into my office before, but this is the first time they've kicked in my door. Of course, they all develop amnesia as soon as they are faced with someone owning up to the crime. The class tried to blame it on this "vertically challenged" kid. He's an African American teenager who is only about 3 feet tall. Some other kids in that class abuse the poor kid. For instance, they were seen by Jimm, following this incident, holding him by the back of the neck, kicking him, and telling him to confess to kicking in my door. Honestly, I'm not sure if he could get his leg up that high. So here I am...waiting for my door to get measured so they can order a new one that will probably take 6 months to get here and installed. Whatever...but the state of Texas requires that counselors keep their confidential records behind two locked doors. I've only got one locked door now. Hopefully we don't get surprised with an audit. Yeah. It's only Tuesday.

...lunches with amy and one guy from italy
...singing really loud in the car for five straight hours and getting really hoarse
...hanging out with my fabulous mom, sister, and brother-in-law
...being the only single person in the young married adult bible study class because you are playing third wheel to your sister and brother-in-law
...chai cream frappuchinos from starbucks
...watching hours of law and order on tnt
...my grandad's hamburgers
...my grandad's outlandish stories
...seeing old friends
...sunday afternoon thai food
...friday's with no work
ah yes...weekends in lubbock.

**I neglected to mention the run in Amy and I had with the elfvator in FBC, Lubbock. It was amazing in every way. However, I am sad to report that the elfvator is now more. It has been renamed the elevator.