TECHY – I’M NOT!

computer
Monday was the most “technically-challenged” day of my life! I was ready to through away computers, GPS systems, VCRS, DVDS, my cell phone…Wait, I couldn’t go that far! But it was a frustrating day!

On Saturday, I had tried to upgrade my GPS system. It should have been a simple process…Order it online; pay online; download to your computer; Upload to the GPS system. After 7 hours of downloading, uploading, and stress…IT STILL DIDN’T WORK! I ended up calling the Tech Support on Monday morning. (They don’t have Tech Support on the weekends…I guess if the GPS takes you to the wrong place on Saturday, or it blows up on Sunday, you MUST wait until Monday morning!) Anyway, after waiting on hold for 35 minutes, the Tech walked me through it. He told me I had to have the GPS system turned on the entire time. A simple prompt on the download would have saved me HOURS of frustration. So two hours and a bunch of money later, I was updated and upgraded!

Next issue: In an effort to be more financially wise, two weeks ago I called and cancelled one of the two landline phone lines that was coming into our house. However, our DSL was on that line, so it had to be transferred to the second line. They told me a service tech would come and take care of it for me. Great! I don’t want to be responsible for that kind of “techy” stuff! (Mistake Number 1 – No tech was needed nor was ordered.) I waited most of the day for the tech to arrive. Finally around 3 pm, I called to find the status of the arrival of the Techy. After 5 or 6 phone calls, they informed me the NO ONE WAS COMING! I HAD TO DO IT MYSELF! (One lady on the phone asked me what state I was calling from. I told her before I answered that question, she needed to tell me what state she was in…the Philippines! That is not a state!) On the final call, I reached a man in southern India. (I know you think you know where this is going…just wait.) I began the conversation with, “I am very frustrated and angry at Verizon…I know it’s not your fault, but….!” Mr. Sanya remained calm and assuring throughout the entire process. He even laughed a number of times. (His laugh was very similar to my son’s laugh! Freaky – but comforting!) Mr. Sanya told me exactly what to do. He worked with me and my computers for an hour and a half. At two different times, he was able to “share” the screen with me and fix it for me. When I made a mistake (hit the wrong button), Mr. Sanya would reply, “No problem!” When it was all done, he congratulated me on getting it all fixed. He made me feel like I had done the work. Before Mr. Sanya and I parted ways, he reminded me that I had initially told him of my frustration and anger towards Verizon. He then asked me if I was satisfied with the outcome of our “conversation”.

Relief, Joy, Excitement! That is what I felt. If Mr. Sanya had been anything but kind with me, I think I would have just blown up! But he showed me that it was do-able. He walked me through my difficulty, and made me feel good about it.

Kind of makes me want to walk others through their difficulties and show them Relief, Joy and Excitement!

GETTYSBURG

gettysburg 4I had the privilege of touring the Gettysburg Battlefield and Visitors Center the past two days.  What an emotional and inspiring place to visit.  Emotions and feelings swung to both ends of the spectrum.  It is one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania.  The view from Little Round Top was breathtaking.  And yet the mental images of young men losing their lives in brutal fighting until the land was described as fields of blood was ever present. 

 

The newly opened Visitors Center is a “must-see”.  Throughout the many rooms, quotes from Presidents, Generals, Privates, and Civilians are highlighted.  Some of my favorites are listed below.

 

“There never were such men in an army before.  They will go anywhere and do anything if properly led.”

Confederate General Robert E. Lee

May 21, 1863 (6 weeks before the Gettysburg Battle)

 

“There is no better way of defending a long line than by moving into the enemy’s territory.”

Confederate General Robert E. Lee

March 1863

 

“We must extinguish our resentments if we expect harmony and union.”

President Abraham Lincoln

April 14, 1865 (the day he was assassinated)

 

“I felt … sad and depressed at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly and had suffered so much for a cause, though the cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought.”

Union General U.S. Grant

1885

 

“Who can write the history of a battle whose eyes are immovably fastened upon a central figure of transcendingly important interest – the dead body of an oldest born?”

Samuel Wilkerson

New York Times Correspondent reporting on the death of his son, 1863

SELFLESSNESS

Let me tell you a love story from the 1930’s.  Two young people, Bill and Merinda, met and fell in love.  Knowing that they were “right” for each other, Bill proposed. 

However, the 1930’s were an impoverished time.  Both Bill and Merinda were fortunate to have employment.  Each family relied upon their income.  If they married, the loss of their earnings would cause a hardship at home. 

But their love for each other was real – and it was strong.  And so they did what they thought was best.  Bill and Merinda were married in a private ceremony.  It was so private, that only the Pastor and his wife were in attendance.  In fact, it was so private that even their parents were not invited or even told of the nuptials.  

For an entire year they were married, but continued to live in their respective parents home.  It was not an easy year.  But it was what they felt had to be done.

After the news of their marriage accidentally leaked out, Bill and Merinda were able to “set-up” house.  They began what they hoped would be many happy years together.

 Soon they were blest with three healthy sons.  It was a wonderful life!  The boys grew and the family was happy. 

A month after the oldest graduated from high school, tragedy struck.  While at work, Bill was electrocuted.  He died immediately.  Merinda and the boys were devastated. 

But Merinda did what needed to be done.  She went to Nursing School and became a nurse.  She worked for years as a Pediatric Nurse.  

When I was 6, I had to have my tonsils removed.  In the hospital the night before surgery, I was really nervous.   Then in walked  Nurse Merinda, or should I say, Aunt Merinda.  You see, Merinda’s husband Bill was my father’s brother.   I knew that I would be okay because, if Aunt Merinda worked at that hospital.  Everything would be fine. 

Aunt Merinda was a “gem of a woman”. She was sweet, strong, determined and godly.  She was a wonderful example of selflessness.  She had the attitude that you do what needs to be done. 

Monday Aunt Merinda passed away.  She was 93 years old.  We have lost a great model for women today.  What we need in our world today are examples like Aunt Merinda.  I will miss “Nurse Merinda”.

HE MADE ME CRY!

teardrop

Yesterday my son did something that caught me off guard.  It actually caused me to cry…

Nick has been “on his own” for about four years.   He is an incredible young man of God and I am VERY proud of him.  But, as is the way things are supposed to be, Nick has become his own man. 

Yesterday he went back to Latrobe, Pennsylvania where he and his sister were raised.  He was taking a day to read and pray.  While there, he went to the high school where he had lead a successful Bible Club.  They were actually hosting a large Christian Rally.  It was a moving time for Nick to see how far the Bible Club has gone. 

 After leaving the Rally, Nick called me.  He told me where he was and what he had done.  And then (let the tears begin), Nick said to me, “I had a blest childhood.  Thank you for what you did.” 

 It has been 27 ½ years since I brought him into this world.  Yesterday, more than ever, it was worth it.

LOOK-A-LIKES

paulsharonA few days ago our local Humane Society had a Rabies Clinic. I took our 12 pound Shih Tzu to get his shot. I arrived about 3 minutes before the clinic opened. I was already about 50th in line! There were ALL kinds of dogs; big, little, mangy, yappy, ugly, cute. You get the picture. As I waited in line, I began to compare the dogs to the owners. It really is funny how much they resembled each other! The lady behind me had a beautiful, fluffy, gentle Great Pyrenees. While she wasn’t fluffy, she was beautiful and had a very gentle way. The two young men in front of me each had a German shepherd. The one dog had a large leash that was held together by just a few threads. The other’s leash was a thick chain. Both of the young men looked shifty and a bit shady. I was concerned for my little Bosley! Further up in the line was a disheveled man with a dirty looking dog. The dog had a rash on his face. (How can you a dog have a rash????) On his back, there were large patches without any fur. I held sweet little Bosley closer to me, hoping that whatever disease was afflicting this dog would not become airborne. I continued in the line, watching each step, making sure I did not step into any “piles” left behind by those big, bad dogs! I listened in on the conversations. Not only did the dogs look like their owners, the conversations matched the look! Do you look like your dog????

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATASHA!

tasha-relaxin1I remember well where I was 25 years ago today – right now.  I was in the hospital giving birth to my daughter, Natasha.  Happy Birthday, Baby!  I LOVE YOU!

MY DAD, FRANK KASPAREK

 

 

dadkasparek1Four years ago today I visited my Father in Westmoreland Hospital three times in one day.  Dad had been in for 2 ½ weeks because of congestive heart failure and complications from Alzheimer’s disease.  It was a difficult time for my sisters and me.  Mom was in a nursing home for rehabilitation for a broken hip.  Then Dad got worse and had to be hospitalized.  We were being pulled in so many directions physically and emotionally…

The first visit that day was really kind of bittersweet.  Nick and Tasha were on Springbreak. Dad’s doctor had told me that he probably only had at the most 6 months to live.  Dad was quite animated and laughed some.  He always enjoyed having people around…

The second visit was just me!  I had purchased a re-chargeable electric razor.  Dad hadn’t been shaved for a few days and he looked terrible.  I tried to do my best, but the razor hadn’t had enough time to charge…

The nurse had written Dad’s name on the board in his room.  He looked up and said with such emotion, “Frank Kasparek.  That’s a good name.” 

Before I left, for what I believed to be the last time that night, I turned to Dad and said, “I love you very, Very, VERY much!”  He repeated it back to me…

Just a few short hours later, I was back with Dad.  This time, his body was there, but his soul was where he had hoped and lived for most of his life.  He was with his Lord.

I am really missing him today.  But I wouldn’t wish him back for anything in this world!  He is where he wanted to be! 

Dad, I love you very, Very, VERY much!!

Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad

ECO-FRIENDLY, ECO-CONVENIENT?

recycleToday I had the chance to re-connect with a young woman that I had worked with for about a year when she was a freshman in college.  She is now married and well into her career (teaching).  I always find it interesting to see how college has molded (changed?) a young person. 

 

We began to talk about her lifestyle.  She is a self-proclaimed eco-friendly activist.  She and her husband only have one bag of trash each week.  Their goal is to have only one large bag PER YEAR!  She shared with me the waste of buying and using bottled water.  (What a waste of landfill space!)  Vegetable skins, egg shells, etc. should be composted.  It is so important not to waste the earth that God has given us.

 

I was really impressed with her eco-education and her commitment!  She was adamant about preserving the world that God gave us. 

 

And then, somehow, the conversation turned to having babies.  As a 51 year old, I understand her mother’s desire for grandchildren.  In the midst of this conversation, I innocently asked if she was going to use cloth or disposable diapers.  (Disposable diapers make up 3% of landfills according to the Fall 1988 edition of The Earth Review).   Immediately she said to me, “I will not use cloth diapers.  I don’t want to have to rinse a ‘poopy diaper’!”  In that one moment, her eco-credibility bottomed out (pun intended).  If it involved something unpleasant, forget about it! 

 

So how often do I blow my Christian credibility because I am not willing to do something unpleasant???  How about you?

 

diaper

RANDOMOCITY

1. It is what it is, but it isn’t always what it appears!
2. Being a Pastor’s Wife is a difficult journey to travel. Many love the “authority” that you have, UNTIL you disagree with them. Then you are just “overstepping your bounds”.
3. I love Winter! The snow is beautiful. But I am so ready for Spring!
4. I hate cancer and what it does to others!
5. Never underestimate the power and importance of loyalty to a friend.
6. Reality TV isn’t really!
7. Paul Harvey was the best! He will be missed!
8. There is nothing better than cuddling a newborn.
9. Why can I never remember my login passwords?
10. No matter how old you are, no matter how long it has been, you never get over losing your parents.

MERCY!

pa-state-trooperOkay, quick, answer this question: What is mercy? If you are a regular student of the Bible, you will have a “pat” answer. Mercy is “unmerited favor”. See, I have a pat answer. But, what is unmerited favor???

Have you experienced mercy lately? I have. Here’s the story…

January 4th I was on my way to the mall. (I had to exchange a pair of shoes from Christmas.) As I was getting onto the ramp to the highway, a State Trooper pulled me over. (What was I doing wrong? I knew I could not have been speeding. I had my seat belt on. I wasn’t driving erratically. I wasn’t even talking on my cell!) As I handed the Trooper my license and registration card, he said to me, “I pulled you over today because your Inspection expired the end of September.” (WHAT??? Are you serious? That’s not my “area” in our marriage! That is Paul’s! How could this be? September? That was 3½ months ago!) “Expired?”, I said. “I am so very sorry. I really had no idea!”

To make a long story short, I ended up with a ticket! I knew I was guilty, but I really wanted to fight it! So I sent in the necessary $50 “bond” and I plead “not guilty”. Today was my hearing…

I stood before the Magistrate. I was really nervous. He seemed nice (but that could just be a trick). Finally he asked me what had happened. I explained that it had been a hard year; that I had 6 surgeries because of breast cancer. I told him that my mother passed away at the beginning of September. And I went to India for two weeks at the end of September. And then I had surgery October 13. He finished the story for me. “And somewhere in the middle of it all, you lost track of the Inspection.” “Yes, sir,” I said. “Somehow we lost track of it.”

And then he asked me a most important question: “So what were you expecting from this hearing today?” “Well, sir,” I said most carefully, “I was hoping for mercy.”

There it was. The reason I was there. I was guilty. I had driven my car without a valid inspection. I had broken the law. I really didn’t mean to, but I was guilty. But it was easy to break that law. I was too busy with other things (funeral, missions trip, surgery). Those items were all very important and worthy reasons. But I still broke the law.

“Mercy.” The judge seemed to contemplate all that the word meant. “Yes, I think I can show you mercy,” he said. “In fact, we can just make this disappear.”

WOW! Just like that, it was gone! It was all over! All I had to do was ask…MERCY!

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