Zippity Do Dah!

So yesterday, our Fearsome Family of Four (Jonathan and Bethany were far, far away), had an adventure.

We did six Zip Lines near the New River Gorge, had all the gear on. The longest one boasted speeds of 45 - 50 mph, 200 feet off the ground.
Was not really sure if I was 'man enough' to do this, even though I scheduled this to happen.
We had a blast.

I could not 'do' my roller coaster routine -- close eyes, pray, it will be over eventually.
We were clearly instructed to keep eyes open (duh! the view is part of the reason you're paying for it, chicken!)
We had to keep the guide in view at the end for him to signal if we needed to 'brake' or come in on our own.

So, with eyes open, the strategy was -- keep my eyes on the goal. Do not look down. Do not look anywhere else. Look straight ahead. You will be at the end before you know it. Enjoy the ride.

And you know what?
The ride was amazing!

Nothing to be afraid of.

Once the tour guide asked us if we trusted him -- not in some serious mood, but that the equipment was 'done' and we did not need to fear.
Okay, so why be afraid?

I think the Lord helped me re-learn a neat lesson yesterday.

And yes indeedy, why do this if you don't pay the fee for the photos at the end to enjoy seeing what you did?

Life is an adventure!

So next year, should the non-swimmer initiate a white water rafting trip for the family?

Make a memory today -- no matter how simple, extravagant, or cheap.
Even if it involves a phone call or text if they're far away.

Life is too short to be routine too much of the time.

This was my first zip experience.
Absolutely loved it.

How Could I Be So Dumb?

or perhaps let's title this -- How Can I Be So Forgetful?

No, I'm not talking about an anniversary, birthday, Bastille Day.

But a computer PhotoShop shortcut. Since 2005, I've been doing the digital stuff. Okay, so I guess that's six years. And in that time, I've probably been in PhotoShop at least a gazillion times, and the shortcuts don't change. The little elves may sneak in the refrigerator to make ice cubes, but they don't sneak in the computer to change shortcuts.

In order to put an image on the page of the album layout, it's "control A," "control C," and then "Control V." And ta da, the digital image is now on the layout page ready for me to do whatever I want to. . .
until yesterday morning.

I had decided to get up a little earlier and get to work. I was working away. And then, it hit me. I couldn't remember the three shortcuts. I had two, the "C" an the "V," but that's not enough.

So, I tried another letter or two that made sense. No success. I tried another sequence or two. No success. I googled PS shortcuts and found a list. No success -- at least for a while. Finally! I found what I needed.
And from that time on, work proceeded, and I finished Phase Two of the Album Design in relative peace.

But I felt to dumb, so forgetful. How on earth could the brain not recall what it has used repeatedly over and over and over again? Even within the previous 24 horus, even within the previous five minutes?

SIGH! Okay, you probably see where I'm headed.
When the circumstances of life can get a bit unknown, uncertain, unpredictable, it can be really easy to 'forget' what we know to be true.

For instance, no matter how low the stock market may go (it's just money), is my trust really in the God of the universe who is orchestrating the details of life (yours and mine and everyone else, too) to accomplish His will? It had better be. Cause if I put my trust in a n y t h i n g else, I am headed for reasons to worry, get frustrated, and feel insecure.

And when Microsoft Word politely replies -- "Not Responding" to when I want to look up the verse to add to end this, I have to smile once again at the reality of the moment and the reality of eternity.

I love you!


" I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints . . . " Ephesians 1:18