Smile:)

Often something happens that can turn into a major setback AND a bad or bitter attitude. Ever the optimist, I try to look on the bright side of things and find the silver lining in what appears to be a very dark, dark cloud! At that point you have two options: laugh or cry. I usually (usually!) choose laughter. Because crying really isn't going to help at all, and you still have to take care of the problem!

At the beginning of summer, Sarah joined our staff at church to work with the printing ministry. Having just graduated from the Christian school in June, Sarah was an asset from the beginning. Her dad (also the school principle) did warn me beforehand that Sarah is very literal and blonde:o). Over these past 3 months, I've seen that *literal-ness* and *blonde-ness* come to the surface in lots of funny ways that have kept me laughing time and time again. To make matters more interesting, I also tend to be literal and blonde... so maybe that's why we hit it off so well;).

Anyway, over the past month or so, there was a lot of talk about whether we (we as in all the men on staff:D... so maybe *they* would be a better word to use!) would move some machines into one room or whether we would just move the one room to a completely different room to make more room for a classroom (it's a long story..:D). During that time, Sarah and I waited patiently for the end results because the outcome probably affected us the most. After we were told something new that was going to Sarah would glance at me and say "We're smiling, right?!?". Plans changed so much we weren't sure whether we were coming or going! But always, always, we managed to keep a sense of humor though it all and remind ourselves to smile!

You see, whether it was:

• printing 500 copies of the wrong thing (that's happened lots of times to all sorts of ladies who have worked in the church office...it just keeps the scrap paper pile well stacked:D I won't even tell the story about the time I printed an entire book wrong!)
• typing up 30 labels before realizing they were all blank
• moving everything out of a room to give it a good cleaning before moving it all back in.... only to realize we had to move it all back out to another room up two flights of stairs(!)
• printing 750 copies on 60# paper instead of 20# paper
• not being able to find some boxes in the stock room that we needed in order to do inventory correctly... we must've looked for a good hour:).

No matter what the situation is, we've learned to *smile*. Because in the big picture, it really doesn't matter what happened as much as how I respond to what happened. My attitude is what really come shining through at the moment. And if it's stinky, others will pick up on that quickly.

Sad to say, I know I've responded wrong time and time and time and time (!) again. Which goes to show that I will never be able to conquer the flesh in my own strength. But it's been helpful to keep an optimistic outlook through it all and to tell myself to *smile*. It really does make a difference!

Today Sarah and I had another *smile* moment. When we exchanged knowing glances, I just shrugged my shoulders and figured: it'll all come out of the wash somehow ... eventually! Why worry, when you can smile!!!!!!

Home.

It's funny how perspective changes in 5 short days. Up until now, Indiana was "that state we drove through in 2003 that was so flat and boring and hardly worthy of attention". Not anymore. As I flew home today, I left behind 5 special people in Northwest Indiana who are confident they are following God's will. In the process though, I think they've managed to take my heart with them (smile).

I began to tear up today as I drove home from the airport when I heard the words "Auntie Anne" from Tiffany as she talked to Dillon. Just thinking about this week and my little guy Trevor made me a little sad because Trevor is the only one who calls me "Auntie Anne"...

• Trevor was such a good boy he slept from 11 PM on Monday until 11 AM on Tuesday (as did his 14-year-old sister but we won't mention that:D) That was great because we only traveled for 3 more hours and he handled it very well.
• Jack and Kim hardly took any furniture with them so there was this big empty house with a china hutch, a computer table, and filing cabinet in it. Trevor and I ran around and around the cabinet so much just laughing and scaring one another. Finally I flopped on the floor because I was tired. Trevor peeked his head around the cabinet and said, "Roaah!". I just laid there and didn't act scared like I normally did. He came over, looked at me, and then nodded his head while saying, "Okie... I'll do it again!":D
• Trevor has a one-track mind.... literally. When we got there on Tuesday, J & K were going to settle on the house while I took the kids to K-Mart to get sneaks for Trevor. He was so anxious to get out of the car that he didn't realize we had one stop to make before we could get out. So he kept saying over and over, "we go to house? we go to house?". Uh, yeah, as soon as you sit down in your car seat and we go get sneakers! Finally he sat down, we got sneakers, and we were all very happy once we got out of the car;).
• I promised the kids I would take them to the sand dunes on Lake Michigan since it was about 5 minutes away. Someone told Trevor we were going to go swimming so (here's the one-track mind again!) "we go swimmies? we go swimmies? we get on swim-min trunks" and with a shake of the head, he walked away, knowing that we were going to do his one passion: swimming.
• One evening I was lying down and Trevor came over and said, "Come on! Wake up Awntie Awne!".
• An amazing thing happened on Thursday night during church: Trevor actually sat through the whole service without making noise! Lest you think it's no big deal, he never did that at LVBC. But we think it was because it was something new and unfamiliar to him so I'm sure we'll hear about future church services;).

It was a good week full of fun times. Well, except for Tiana sitting straight up in the backseat at 4 AM shouting "Wait! No, no, don't!" while I was driving. I thought I was going to hit someone or something like that! Or that we thought for sure the cat was going to have her kittens in the car (she kindly waited until 36 hours after we arrived!). Or that Trevor escaped from the house about 20 times (someone forgot to keep the door locked) and we thought for sure he was going to run into the street with a car coming. Or leaving at 6:15 AM this morning because J thought there would be major traffic on the way to Chicago (there wasn't PTL!) and arriving at the airport 2 1/2 hours early and then having my plane delayed for 2 hours and hitting rush hour Philly traffic on the way home. Or trying to call Tiffany from a pay phone for 45 minutes to let her know that I haven't even left Chicago yet so she shouldn't leave for Philly.

But you know, come to think of it, it was a fun week after all, even with all those mishaps. Because without those mishaps happening, I wouldn't have funny memories to share with my mom and friends... I wouldn't have something to tuck away in my mental filing cabinet and pull out when I think of my family out in the mid-west... I wouldn't be able to thank the Lord for the time He had given me throughout the years.

As I sat in church last night, I enjoyed the preaching and the singing. I enjoyed the laughter and the chatter. I enjoyed the smiles and friendly "hellos". I enjoyed the bantering and joking. But in my heart of hearts, I realized that wasn't home... for me. As much as I love my mid-west family (ha ~ now I can call them that:D), I know that my home is right here at LVBC. If there ever comes a day that I'm to leave, God will have to show me that clearly. Until that day, I ain't movin;). Vacations put it all in perspective for me. There has never been a time that I've come home from vacation that I don't thank the Lord for where HE has put me: right at LVBC. And I know like usual, come Sunday morning, I'm going to enter those church doors and smile at those around me and heartily join in the singing and listen to my Pastor preach and know that I am home. And you know what? It sure feels good to be home:)...

And We're Off!

We head out tonight for Indiana around 10ish:). Please pray for safety on the road. I say that because last June my sister and brother-in-law drove up from Florida to attend my brother's wedding. They left on the following Wednesday and about 3:30 Thursday morning we got a phone call saying they were in a car accident in Georgia that totaled their car. Thankfully no one was injured, but I always tense up when I hear *night driving* because of that accident. But I know the Lord gives perfect peace!

Last night I overheard one of the young ladies in the youth group say to my niece, "Now I'm gonna cry tomorrow just so you are prepared." I think that pretty much sums up the feelings of today. It's hard to believe after being here for 20 years they're leaving. But as missionaries like to say, they would rather be in the center of God's Will hundreds of miles away from everyone, than with everyone and completely outside of God's Will... I'll be back next week:o).

Today.

So little time, the harvest will be ended.

Our reaping done, we reapers taken home.

Report our work, to Jesus Lord of Harvest.

And hope He'll smile and that He'll say "well done".

Today we reap, or miss our golden harvest.

Today is given us lost souls to win.

Oh then to save, some dear ones from the burning.

Today we'll go to bring some sinner in.

FYI.... If You Care:-)

Do you remember a couple of posts ago when I said I like to do things spontaneously?!?! I convinced my sister-in-law & brother within an hour that I would come help them move into their new house in Indiana:D. So that means between now (Thursday) and then (Monday), there's a lot to get done...


Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

But God's timing is good:

• My last day at my early (early, early) job - working for a lady in my church with cerebal palsy - is tomorrow morning. (Yay ~ sleep will return:D).
• I only had two *small* things planned for next week that were easily rearranged. (Three if Rachel considers a pedicure *small*;)).
• My office job is flexible so I can take off the time.
• We found a ticket for me to return in time on Friday to do a 12-hour babysitting job on Saturday.
• I get to fly out of Chicago O'Hare Airport! This one is neat because I always want to fly out of *big* airports, and this one is on my list:P. (Not that I have anything against smaller airports:D... I just like to go to well-known airports because that usually means I'm going to a very exciting destination.)
• Caffeine will actually work in my favor during the night drive. If I drink a soda at 2:30 in the afternoon, I'm still zinging around at midnight (last night's a good example!).
• I'll get to have that *girl talk* a lot sooner than I expected:o).

So, I said all that to say this: my little home here will be quiet for several days. But don't worry! I'm sure I'll have plenty of Trevor stories to tell, blonde moments to share, and funny happenings from along the way;). Oh and Tiff, I still like my week idea better... it's so much easier;).

A Last(ing) Memory.

Last evening I went out to my brother and sister-in-law's house to help them out with packing their house for probably the last time, or the second last time. As I sat there scrubbing the counter and listening to my dearest, sweetest, sister-in-law, I couldn't help but feel the tears well up in my eyes. I couldn't help but think about all that needs to be done in a week (a week!) and sigh, knowing that time is indeed coming to a close. I couldn't help but think that I'm saying good-bye to some of the dearest people to my heart.

Yet it is totally exciting to think about God moving in my life in one direction and moving in their life in another direction. For God is so faithful, and of course He is working and moving, for that's Who He is.

The first "good-bye" is always the hardest, for it's the closing of a door that has been, up to this point, consistently open. But it's the brand new beginning of something new, something unknown, something different. And that's exciting to me! I like routine, for the most part. But then there are times that I just itch to do something a different way... take a different road... explore a different place!

I told Kim that last evening was probably our last "girl talk" for a long time... "Oh don't say that!" she exclaimed. It might've been the last time in that dining room of hers, but I choose to think that there's a *first* time awaiting us in a new house in Indiana:D. My last memory in their row home is going to be a lasting memory I treasure for a long time.

I experienced another last and lasting memory with my nephew Trevor. This sweet kid is over 4 years old, but just started talking within the past year. Before that he spoke what we affectionately called Chinese:). A typical sentence was this: "You andoseidsndileo me?"

Huh?:D

So as soon as I got there, he jumped up onto me and said, "We goes swimmin inz the pool Awntie!" I wasn't sure I heard him correctly, so I asked him again. "Wes goes swimmin inz the pool Awntie Awne!!!"

Wow... someone was pretty adamant about what we were going to do! But the amazing part was he specifically said my name. That's happened once before, and I think it was more wishful thinking on my part than anything else:D. But all throughout the evening, he kept calling me Awntie Awne.

I know, (I know!), Trevor is a handful many times. To his autistic mind, he needs to get what he wants or else he has a meltdown. Part of it is that Trevor's got a sin nature like every other kid I know (let's see: at least 3 people reading this blog should be vigorously shaking their head in agreement after working with him:D).

But one thing I never thought about until last night was something Kim shared with me. You see, Kim is very outgoing, energetic, fun, enthusiastic, talkative, bubbly, hilarious, and a prankster. But Jack (her husband ~ my brother)on the other hand, is not. He is quiet... she is loud. He likes the indoors... she prefers the outdoors. He loves going out for dinner... she would rather stay home. He likes to dress up... she is most comfortable in her culottes and t-shirt. He's night... she's day:). She is a crazy multi-tasker... he is methodical.

For the longest time, whenever people thought about the Hammonds, the first person that came to mind was Kim, not Jack. You know, it's Kim Hammond and her husband Jack. But once Trevor and his autism came along, God convicted Kim of the fact that the Proverbs 31 lady's husband was the one who was known in the gates, not her.

Slowly, slowly God used this wonderful child in Kim's life to show her that she needs to build her husband up and point to him, not her. He was the one who is supposed to come to mind first. Many times Kim couldn't go to a ladies gathering or agree to do some creative project because of Trevor. What seemed like a trial at first became a sweet blessing as she encouraged her husband, built him up, and pointed to him *sitting in the gate*.

Now as they prepare to move to Indiana in a week (a week!), Kim knows that at Fairhaven her position will be different than it was here at Lehigh Valley. While her husband will get involved with the church and the activities, and Tiana and Tyler will become active in the school and youth group, Kim will be homeschooling Trevor. Oh she'll get to know ladies and participate in services, but she does not want to be the one that's known; she would rather her husband is honored and lifted up. This lesson did not come easy; and in the days ahead it will be a tough reminder at times. But each time she looks at Trevor as he bounces around the room or says, "You want me", she'll be reminded of the valuable lesson God taught her about her husband through her son.

You know, I walked away from our conversation last night thinking it was one of the sweetest we have ever had. And as I prepare for my own home, I know I can look back on that Monday evening spent at 515 Locust Street and remember the lesson that was taught on honoring my husband... and just in case I forget, I have a Godly example in my brother and sister-in-law.

Post Scripts.

Andrew

I got to spend last night and today with this little guy and I'm so excited!!!! He gets to go home with me tonight and stay over until tomorrow:-D. We're having a big family picnic tomorrow after church for my brother and sister-in-law before they head out to Indiana, so my sister and brother-in-law will pick up Andrew before they head out on vacation in northern PA. So it's gonna be a fun evening tonight!

The doctors called my sister to let her know the problem with Andrew is he has a digestive problem and major acid reflex. He eats his food so fast that it just sits in his stomach and he doesn't get any of the nutrients to the rest of his body. So it's back to the hospital on Thursday to find out what they can do to try to solve the problem.

Stupid Things, Part 2

After I wrote the last post, I went out to my sister-in-law's house to help her pack and watch my nephew (who gets into everything!!!) As I carried my nephew up the basement stairs, I forgot about the pots and pans she has hanging on the walls so clunk! My head hit a pot and it dropped right on my head. Oww!!!

Bible Institute

I am officially taking my last two courses!!!! This is a very exciting week for me as I attempt to finish the 33 remaining lectures. My goal is to finish them before the end of August, and then finish my *senior project* by the end of September. It is so exciting to see this chapter in my life close. I have learned so much about the Bible, history, and personal application through these last five years. Most people usually ask me what I'm going to *get* at the end of Bible Institute... I choose to think I *got* one of the best educations around: being taught in my local church by teachers who love the Lord and know so much about the Bible. These past five years have been long, and at times challenging, but it's been so rewarding.

Moving Forward

I'm not quite sure what's "around the bend", but I do have some goals for this fall: teaching at my church's Christian school, coaching volleyball, learning how to sew (I gave my sewing machine to my sister-in-law to use four years ago - I just got it back:D), scrapbooking my siblings' weddings and my nephews births, and being available for whatever and whoever needs me! But until then, I'm going to enjoy these fading summer nights and look forward to the crunch, crunch, crunch of the fall leaves.... Happy Saturday to y'all!:-)

Did You Do Your Dumb Thing For The Week?

Honestly, sometimes I wonder if I subconsciously think, "You need to do something totally dumb and painful today... you have yet to accomplish that this week!" It just must be a Hammond family trait. You know: run into a closed door, stick your elbow out as you pass an object so you hit your funny bone, or kick something with flipflops on (boy, did that one hurt!). All of my siblings do it; it just seems that my brother Tom and I are really good and never miss a week:

"Oooh... it's Saturday night. I didn't do my stupid thing for the week. I know, why don't I drop this box on my foot?" And wham! the box falls, on cue, and connects with the foot. Of course the next thing that happens is "oww!!! Why was I so stupid?" Well, it's really not a fault; like I said, it's just a trait and we seem to be drawn to hurting ourselves in the most (un)natural way.

So, in case you are wondering, I did my stupid thing for the week right smack dab in the middle of the week. Hey, I like to maintain evenness.

Yesterday my sister-in-law pulled up outside of church with two tables sticking out of her back window and with a bungee cord keeping them in place. Being the nice, sweet, kind, loving sister-in-law that I am, I went over to help her with the tables. I stood there trying to figure out how to get the bungee cord off the car so we could get the tables out, so I first pulled at the top one but it didn't move a centimeter. So (being the very smart blonde girl that I am) I tugged at the bottom one. Not only did it move a centimeter, it came completely off.

WHAP!!!

The bungee cord smacked me right in the chin, hook first.

Of course my first reaction was, "Owww... why am I so stupid?!?!?!"

My second reaction was, "Is it bleeding???" (I do not handle blood too well, not even my own). After being assured I wasn't bleeding, we carried the tables inside. Then I gingerly touched my chin and felt something moist....

"Uh... uh... Kim? Is it... uh... (gulp) bleeding?"

It was, so I went and got a tissue to stop the bleeding. Later on I told Rachel about it (she promptly laughed, sweat dear friend that she is:D) and at dinner I told my mom about it. The ironic part was less than an hour later we were sitting in church waiting for the service to start when my mom said, "What did you do to your chin?" Then she laughed and remembered the incident:o). I walked into the bookstore after the service, and when Rachel saw my chin, she just started laughing too. Oh yeah, I feel the love!

Well, lest you think I am the only klutzy Hammond out there; take heart! I am not alone.

You see, two of my brothers work for a man at church who is a general contractor. So they've had lots of chances to hurt themselves...

• Tom has put at least 5 nails through his fingers.
• Phil managed to shoot himself in the toe with a nailgun and he thought he could cover it up with a bandaid.:-)
• Someone was throwing a can of soda for Tom to catch and he nearly fell off the roof trying to catch it!
• Both boys have jammed their fingers countless times and have broken some of them too.
• Tom has a t-shirt that says "Yes I do all of my own stunts"! It's a pefect fit for him;).
• Staple gun and Hammond shouldn't be said in the same sentence:D
• Likewise sledgehammers...
• My mom ran over Tom's knee three times with our 3 ton station wagon... and my sister was directing my mom as she went forward, reverse, forward. (Hmmm, I wonder if Mary was mad at Tom that day...:D)
• In 1994, we had several feet of snow fall over a period of two days. At that time we lived in a ranch-style house. My dad was concerned about all the snow on top of the roof, so he and the boys got up there to shovel it off. That made for about 10-12 feet of snow for us to jump into from the roof. Tom, Phil, and I all got a running start and landed far away from the house, but my sister Michelle just jumped off the roof and landed directly below in a couple of feet of snow! No broken bones, just a crying and terrifed Michelle!

So you see, we can't help it... it's our tendency. The funny thing is, Tom married a girl who is sorta klutzy herself:o). Pity their kids:D. Actually, pity the poor man that marries me... he's in for a lot of "owws", "stupid me!", and bumps and bruises. Oh well.... that's just the way it is:)!

Influence.

My sister had given me a desk-sized day calendar entitled Always My Sister for Christmas this past year. I'm not always faithful at turning the pages of the calendar, but eventually I get caught up! Today I turned the page (surprisingly I was on track!) and I read this quote...

"Many women... have buoyed me up in times of weariness and stress.

Each friend was important...

Their words have seasoned my life.

Influence, just like salt shaken out, is hard to see,

but its flavor is hard to miss."

Pam Farrel

I thought about that, especially the line Influence, just like salt shaken out, is hard to see, but its flavor is hard to miss. I have several special ladies in my life, all who have influenced me:

• My mom
• Mary, Michelle, Sherrie, Kim, Sarah, Anne (sisters and sisters-in-law)
• Amy, Terri, Cindy (co-workers)
• Bev, Debbie, Debbie, Debra, Amy, Michelle, Kristin, Sue, Shannon, Joyce, Gayle, Sue, Donna, Katie (Pastor/Missionary wives)
• Denise, Paula, Donna, Gina, Tiffany, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah:), Rachel, Becky, Melissa, Gina, Jen, Stacia, Katina, Carol, Mary Ann, Raichelle, Barb, Debbie, Tina, Katie, Tiffany, Jen, Robin, Johanna, Priscilla, Ilona, Abbi, Janet, Elizabeth, Gail, Michelle, Connie, Karen (some of the many wonderful friends and ladies at church:D)

This is not an exhaustive list by an means... I could even list some names of people I met just by blogging that have been a great encouragement to me. I've been affected by many, many ladies that it's just too much to list. Just recently I encountered a situation where I could go to no less than 10 ladies within a day asking them to pray for me. Some I told what the situation was about and some I did not; but I know all will pray because that's who they are.

So thank you all for being there for me. Thank you for being:

• a shoulder to cry on
• a laugh-until-the-sides-ache buddy
• a yard saling/thrift shop/crazy adventure companion
• a smile passing in the hallway
• a rebuker and corrector in love
• an enjoyer of sleepovers, parties, and "girl time"
• a guiding hand on this pathway to being a woman after His own heart
• a sympathizer who understands frustrations with the folding machine, cutting machine, jogging machine, and the Riso:)
• a walking partner
• a fellow blogger serving the Lord
• an optimistic voice
• a faithful example
• a practical instructor of Proverbs 31 and Titus 2
• a fellow-spontaneous-seeker-of-what's-new-around-the-bend
• a faithful laborer on a mission field
• a light on a dreary day
• an encourager of faithfully waiting for God's best
• a friend to me.

Each friend is important. Each friend has touched my heart and life in some way, and has left an imprint on my heart. So thank you for touching my life.

I'm Part Yankee.

I am part Yankee after all... I was accused of being a yankee by one of the teenagers that went on the missions trip to the Czech Republic in May (I went with a church from Maryland). I denied it, but I guess my speech betrayeth me! Here's a survey I got from Kristi at Thimble Thoughts... try it! You might be surprised:D

Your Linguistic Profile:

40% General American English

30% Yankee

20% Dixie

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?