Patience is a Virtue

I’ve been finding moral/spiritual meaning in all kinds of things lately. I don’t know what that’s about. But I feel if I can make a moral application from an everyday situation, why not?

Don’t ask me why, but for some reason yesterday I opened my Dad’s Buckmaster Tip of the Week. On the rare occasion I read them, it’s usually just to chuckle at the hunting lessons, like Don’t Kick That Deer!

But today’s tip hit me in a very different light. I know this sounds crazy, but I actually saw it as an allegory. (Did you know that the word allegory is in the Bible?) To me the simple hunting tip can be taken as a lesson in sitting still and being patient. I’m excerpting it below:

"Tip Of The Week: Patience, Patience and More Patience
Taking bucks consistently is an art; anyone can luck into a big buck, but it takes work to harvest bucks year after year. Even for veteran hunters, patience is the key.

Deer don't always do what we expect them to. If you have scouted a particular buck and have a good setup, don't force a bad situation. If he comes in from the wrong angle, or even if he just catches you off guard, chances are he'll nail you if you try to move and force a shot.

In many cases the right call is to sit tight and hold still. There are exceptions, of course, and small movements when a buck's head is behind a tree is one. Remember that many things have to come together just right to take a big buck. Don't panic. If you've done your homework, there will be another day."
--Buckmasters.com Tip of the Week 06.08.06

Exalting Him 2006: The Christian American Idol?

Exalting Him 2006
With all the music buzz in the air, how nifty is it that the Exalting Him Christian talent search is about to kick off?

If that rings a bell, it's because Ninetyandnine featured the exclusive interview with Karen Harding, an Apostolic music minister who won the competition in 2003.

So What Is It?
Exalting Him is an annual talent competition for Christian artists. Promotional materials tout the contest as a venue for bringing attention to the work of Christian artists and providing an opportunity for growth, interaction, and encoruagement.

If you were among those who had strong feelings about American Idol, you should track this year's Exalting Him. It's great to see a Christian counterpart.

Why Not You?
They're not paying me for promotions (unfortunately), but you should enter. That's right. Why not another A/P getting some widespread publicity and a national forum? Hurry--the deadline is June 16.

Karen Harding winning Exalting Him 2003
Source: Exaltinghim2006.com

The Animal Issue Part XXVII: "Pray for My Baby"

It's what I get, really. Usually when I make dramatic, emphatic statements about stances on issues I think I'm immovable on, something happens to make me eat my words. So someone pass the tabasco, please.

Background
I've spent the last several months bemoaning the way animals are treated as humans. I've cited my childhood with animals and our small working ranch to back my position that animals are just implements or work or pleasure, nothing more than a tractor or the bouncy toy they chase.

But....
Today my dear friend and co-worker came to my office visibly upset. She announced shakily, "Rosie [her elderly Scottish Terrier] has cancer." She cried, and I wanted to. I've never seen a pet mean so much to someone. She talked about the condition, went through several tissues, and concluded with "Please pray for my baby."

And guess what? I agreed. And I will. My friend never had children, and this pet is, in her mind, her child. It's something I couldn't have understood a year ago, but I find myself getting it today.

Do Animals Have Souls?
Now I'm not suddenly going to start laying hands on every kitty I see. And I don't think little Fifi is going to join us on the other side, yapping around our ankles for leftovers under the table at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. But I can see that if this means so much to a person, there's no reason we can't pray, right? It can't hurt anything.

Does God Heal Animals?
How do you pray for an animal? Really? "God, heal Rosie of cancer and kidney stones. Amen." Is that okay? Somebody help me out here. Have you ever prayed for an animal? Is there a such thing as an animal victory report?

My Plan
Well, more than the animal, I’m going to pray for my friend. That’s my plan. I still can’t say that I really care about the dog, but I’m moved to see my friend so extremely upset. She literally is acting as someone who has just found our their (human) child has cancer because to her the dog is her child. And just as I would pray for a friend in the human situation, I’ll pray for my friend.

Setting the Record Straight
Oh, and for the record, this doesn't change how I feel about PETA. We're still at war, just so you know.

Happy National Chocolate Ice Cream Day!

June 7 is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. I've always been more of a vanilla fan. (Anyone who claims vanilla is "just too plain" is just plain missing the boat.) But in an effort to try something new and to join in the celebration, I vow to try some chocolate ice cream. After all, I do love it in spumoni.

Lagniappe
Previously Roomy and I have questioned the difference between neopolitan and spumoni. Finally, I have found the explanation and the history behind it!

Your Duct Tape Fix for the Day
An MIT honor student is using duct tape to make the world better. I can't find pictures, but she has developed a laptop case out of duct tape that has gained a lot of attention. I want one!

Youth Camp is Here!

Well, the first week of June is here, and that can only mean one thing: youth camp. Whether you're an attendee or on the other side of the fence sending your kiddos off, it's a big deal for everybody.

I've already had my revelation that perhaps I'm too old for camp. But I still remember the excitement brimming in the heart of every good (and not-so-good) A/P kid about this time of year.

Dress to Impress
Whether as camper or parent, the hottest topic was always the clothes. What teenage girl didn't stay up all night the night before leaving for camp, planning, re-planning, and consulting all her best girls about the wardrobe choices? Only five days to look your absolute most smashing. Fortunately these days there are great online galleries, such as Girls of Class, that A/P ladies can check out. But back in the day, youth camp simply meant an all-day shop-till-your-feet-swell two or three mall experience the Saturday before camp. It's better now, but you youngsters wouldn't believe how hard it was to find a decent, cute skirt back in the mid eighties.

Good Luck
Alas, I've re-lived my glory days enough. Suffice to say, good luck to campers (and Moms) preparing for the big week!

Tips
- Don't assume concession stand french fries at 11:15 p.m. each night will suffice as adequate nutritional value for the week.

- Gentlemen, there is life outside of the all-important basketball tourney championship game the final night. I promise.

- Your Mommy packed multiple garments a reason. Please take advantage of the option to change clothes each day.

- At least consider your (former) best friend's feeling when swapping badges (do campers still do that?!) with the guy from Dorm A.