Check One Off His Bucket List

Crazy has always drummed.  Since he developed any sort of his own identity and personality, he was pounding out rhythms.  It is cute when a little preschool boy asks for a drum set, so for Christmas ‘04, we went off to Toys R Us and got him this high end model for $50 and thought we had done our fair share.  He shredded it by beating on the drum heads with JP’s wrestling trophies.  He wasn’t easy on things.  

If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum. – Ancient Proverb 

Once upon a time, this Crazy Man decided to stick his middle finger through the hole of his cymbal.  Yup, warranted a trip to the ER where a staff of wonderful doctors, nurses, and maintenance men cut the cymbal off for us.  They had never seen such a thing.  He was pretty impressed with himself. 

 

I guess 8 year olds don’t drum on broken baby drums, so a few years later, we got Crazy his bigger set.

(He decks it all out for Christmas.)

Over the years, we have added a few new pieces.  But now he wants a whole new set.  Guess the tweener set isn’t going to cut it now that he is going pro.  He wants this one but in white:

White, yes, that makes perfect sense for a pig.  “Black shows dust,” he says.  My answer, “Dust is the least of your stink hole of a bedroom concerns.”  We got him this sign last year.  He hangs it on the music side and JP changes it to the biohazard  side – both are truths.

 

We have poured into his drumming passion with all the extra drumming we could sign him up for, knowing that some day, he would be able to use his gift to play at church.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:"

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

We had no idea that this would happen at the young age of 13.  Today, I played percussion next to my son, who played the trap set.  It was pretty much awesomeness for this mom – worshipping with my kid knowing his heart was also thrilled because one of his goals had been accomplished.  It is really cool how God uses different gifts, personalities, and willing hearts to make His church what we are, and that age doesn’t matter at all.

And that, my listening audience, is how this drumming thing seems to go for Crazy.

Crazy’s favorite drum jokes:

• How can you tell when the drum riser is level?
Drool comes out of both sides of the drummer’s mouth.

• What do you call a drummer with half a brain?
Gifted.   

• What’s the best way to confuse a drummer?
Put a sheet of music in front of him.

 

Drum jokes came from drumjokes.com. 

Church Done Our Way

So this weekend, our family attended Catholic Mass.  We are not Catholic.  Not even Lutheran.  Which around here is pretty much saying we are freaks.  Ok, maybe not around here, here like as in where we live, but down in Southern Minnesota where the hubster grew up, you have two choices.  Here, where we live, is a cultural mecca so we have lots of choices.  We can be anything, and we chose our church family because:

1.  Our church is really happenin’:  we have a Facebook page and this is our latest posting on the wall (Jan 1) Unfortunately, Heartland IS NOT HAVING CHURCH TOMORROW due to the fact we cannot get the snow removed in time and the lot is covered with ice. I mean really…what is not to love about that?  And a Happy New Year’s to you all!!

2.  Our church serves donuts every single Sunday, which is super great with a hypoglycemic child.  Our church is playing a very pivotal role in teaching the Crazy Man self control.  After all, it is one of the fruits of the spirit, but he would rather have a donut of the spirit.

3.  We, the Piepers,  are the ultraconservatives in the church because we are not tatted nor are we pierced all over.  We didn’t have piercings in our wild days that we have allowed to grow shut.   In fact, my earring holes have always been just that – little holes, not tunnels big enough to drive a car through.  And hubster has no piercings and never has had one – gasp.  But guess what?  I love seeing all the new body art every week.  Someone has always added something, and I live vicariously through them.  I am too chicken.

4.  About once a month, I am allowed to go all tambourine with the worship team.  Yep, you heard me.  I am a tambourine specialist.  I am also known to play the egg shaker and that cool box thing I sit on.  This thing:

(Once, when I was in high school, I got run over by the guy playing bass drum when we were playing in the Memorial Day Parade.   And, I would love to play the crash cymbals some day for church. What song would that work with?)

5.  Our church is family.  Period.  I can have a good melt down there.  Or I can tell KO to just hand over the baby and no one will get hurt.  It is where I am Auntie Deb even though I am not really related.  It is where my kids have heroes who drum like mad or decorate their homes with Lego’s.  It is where I can tell my buddy, RT, that her shoes are hoochie boots while she is collecting offering.  It is where I write something like “the table flyers at the strip joint” on my card every week where it asks if I am a first time visitor, where I heard about my church.  Really, I do.  It embarrasses the hubby.  Which is mostly why I do it.

This past Easter morning, when we sat in pew # 39 at Catholic Mass (in other words, way towards the back) I decided to sit next to Crazy Man.  Wasn’t sure his meds had time to kick in yet, so a little one-on-one attention was deemed necessary.  It was the best decision of the morning.  He was so entertained by the church decorations and what happened through out the service, that I hardly noticed there was a sermon. 

First, the priest walked up and down the aisle with a branch of some sort dipping it in water and sprinkling it on the parishioners.  If I heard correctly, it was because we were renewing the vows we made at our baptism.  Crazy Man took one look at this sprinkling method and immediately thought of an awesome upgrade. 

“If this guy really wanted to get us all wet, and wanted to get it done quicker, he should just get himself a super soaker.”

I think my little man is a getting pretty smart.

Moving on.

“Hey Mom, see those gold-painted pictures up there on the wall?”

“Yep”

“That one on the top right.  What is that? That water sprinklin’ man had one of them too.”

“A smokin’ thing that keeps evil spirits away”  (I know, not a good answer, but it was the best I had on the fly.  I looked it up now, it is a thurible.)

“Very cool.  Does it have fire in it?”

“Yep, sir, it does.”

“Awesome.  I am getting one for my room.  It will keep JP out.”

I am thinking that this kid’s brain never shuts off!!  He is working his way up the genius ladder pretty quickly. 

I myself might look into getting a thurible to smoke out the boys’ bathroom.

And then I will let Crazy Man go all Super Soaker cleaning the tub again.

 

The New Bible Translation…

Authors:  Curly and Princess  (some of their ideas are pretty good!)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is ugly to be praised.  Prov 31:30

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he isn’t crushed he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not steal watch over my sheep want. Psalm 23:1

I can do all things through Christ as Christ can do things through me and nothing without him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar high on the clouds spiritually on wings like eagles; they will run with perseverance for the race that is set before us and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and also seek to read the Bible all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be a true Christian prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight – they knew this one 100% Proverbs 3:5-6

This is the day the LORD has made; let us preserve it worship him in his house rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is abstract is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

A merry heart does good like a medicine; but a broken spirit does bad like a germ dries the bones.  Proverbs 17:22

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one should be mad comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet cant go to the bathroom  forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16: 26

No one can serve two masters. Either he will go down or up hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.  Matthew 6: 24

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and want to have it are safe. Proverbs 18:10

Deals with God

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…

Ok, so when I was a child, I put a lot of thought into the second coming of Christ.  Most likely because I was raised in a home where these things were discussed and studied, I pondered on this topic.  I pretty much knew how it was going to look too.  When the sun sets behind clouds and creates all those rays of light – that is what it was going to look like, and then Jesus’s hands would be outstretched above the rays and He would still be wearing the old school robe and sandals.  Like this:

Now I think He just might come back wearing jeans and flip flops.  (Of course, if He is practical,  He would need to wear Sorels if He comes back to ND in the winter.)  He very well could be wearing a Billabong T-shirt and could be sporting Tats and piercings (besides that hands and side thing He has going on.)  And I no longer think He will appear backlit and accompanied by trumpeting angels, who also wont be wearing white robes or have wings.  I present Modern Day Jesus:

Over the years, I have made deals with God about this whole returning thing.  It started something like,

“Dear God, I just want to know what it is like to be married before You come back.”

And then, “Dear God, I just want to know what it is like to be a mom before You come back.”

I got both those wishes.

Moving on, “Dear God, I want to see my kids grow up before you come back.”

And these days, “Dear God, I want to see what my kids become.”  Soon to be followed by, “I want to see my kids get married.”  and “I want to be a grandma.”

And then I stop to listen to my foolishness.  And I repent of my selfish thoughts.  And then I offer up my true prayer.

“Dear God, please don’t come right after I have cleaned all the bathrooms.  Come right before I start scrubbing the toilets please.  Please do not come just after I have pulled all the thistles out of the gardens.  Come right before I start to weed them.  Just after we pick up the six months of winter dog poop out of the yard is not great timing for me; I prefer before.   Please come just after I slurp down the last of my coke from McDonalds but just before I get a wild idea to go for a jog.  Please come when all the laundry, dishes, and grocery shopping need to be done ASAP but after I eat a snack at Tutti Frutti.  Just before the bills get paid is great.  Just before my annual exam but after I polish off a pound bag of M&M’s.”

Psalms 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  (pretty sure this verse is taken slightly out of context here.)

“Dear God, ignore all the gibberish, just make sure the people I love come with me when I go, or if I die before you take them, of course after I go is fine as long as in the end we all end up in heaven together.”  Love, Me

This little light of mine

So the writer’s workshop prompts this week got me to thinking.  I couldn’t just pick one ~ nope, I gotta kill two birds with one stone on this one.  They mesh too much to pull them apart.  Like sticky buns.  Like hair after spraying with Helmet Head.  Like my girls and an episode of Full House.

Last night was date night for Mr. and Mrs. Pieper.  Remember, the marriage ministry that the local church provides for our family unbeknownst to them?  We drop the kids off for Wednesday night church and the two of us head off for some luxurious date, like go to Wal-mart (or if we are feeling like living large, Sam’s Club), or a walk, or if we are throwing all caution to the wind, dinner? 

So last night’s date was a most memorable one.  I dropped the kids off at church, and then I sauntered back to the Yukon, not knowing what I should do.  I found myself driving through the Arby’s drive through.  Then I got all nostalgic and drove past our old house.  Yep, it is still there.  After wandering the hood a little, I drove back to the church parking lot and sat there eating my roast beef sandwich and curly fries while reading a biblical smutty book.   It was a little chilly, but I sat in that dark parking lot with my reading light illuminating my book for an entire hour.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.  

And that is how I did date night without my hubby…it just plain old…boring.  It is not good for woman to be alone.  That is Genesis 2:18, loosely.

Remember I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions…but I am working on a eating life style change.  So on that note…Arby’s with a coke.  Yep, the first step to overcoming an addiction is by admitting you have one.  I have been drinking a lot of coke.   A LOT.  (No Mt dew, though, ‘cause I overcame that addiction.) I also have been eating horrible food.  Processed food.  Unhealthy food.  Food in too large of serving portions.  I can tell.  My body is in revolt.  It has pretty much shut down all digesting processes and is on strike.  I look like I have gained a bunch of weight, but I haven’t.  I am just bloated.  And my skin is yucky.  And I have no energy.  I feel like, well, Grimace.

I feel it appropriate to tell you that this image is from gagworks.com

Bill comes home this weekend, and we go all hard core healthy on Monday.  (I need to start things on a Monday because then I have a fresh start.)  Because we both plan to run the 5K (me) and the 1/2 marathon (him) this spring, we gotta get this party started.  Or else, I might puke up some McDonalds while running and that wouldn’t be pretty.  Back on the clean eating band wagon.  I found recipe #1.  Looks yummy!!

So just like that, I took on #4 and #5 all at once. 

4.) A memorable date.
5.) How’s that New Years Resolution treating you?

Oh Happy Day!

Sang this in church on Sunday…been stuck in my head ever since.  Let it get stuck in yours.

Sunday = spiritual rest and hopefully some physical rest

For those of you who only want to hear the funny stuff with no deep meaning, skip to the horizontal line.  You know who you are.       

After I think 7 weeks of missing our home church, this morning felt like I was home.  Songs I hear every day brought tears as I stood during worship in a safe place, a place I don’t have to pretend to have it all together.  Home.  Friends I haven’t seen for a long time surrounded us in support and God met me there and provided spiritual and emotional healing. Thanks, church family, today you were Hebrews 10 people for me.

Hebrews 10:23 – 25

²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

---

I found a new church blog that I find very entertaining and funny, Soiled Wings.  This link is to an entry called Church Rules #1.  Follow that lead and enjoy reading about her take on church issues.  I think she is spot on.  I also like her God, Facebook, and Lady Gaga post.  I  spent much of the first half of my football watching time also perusing her blog.  I can multi-task, I am a female and besides, watching the Vikes this year without some sort of mental distraction is not good for my stress level.

What I cant seem to do today is get inspired to do anything but veg.  So now I think I will take a nap.    Because I can.  Today I am thankful for a soft safe bed.  So many go without those things.