Ottumwa Softball

My Brother, Matt, is an assistant softball coach for the Ottumwa Softball team. While I was home, I was able to go to one of their games. They are pretty good. Last night they won their game and now are on their way to state tournaments. Solon, the school where I grew up, also has made it to the tournaments. Check out the Iowa link on the side to see the tournament bracket. Ottumwa is a 4A school. Solon is a 2A school. Go Bulldogs and Spartans. In the team picture, Matt is the guy on the left.

Getting Old

While I was home in Iowa I found out that I'm getting old. Not that I didn't know that already but I was catching myself saying things that I never thought I would say or at least not for a while. The line is "I remember when..." Don't you all remember your parents or grandparents saying that and you thinking, "Not a story again" Well I'm doing that now!! I was sitting in the car with Molly and we were talking about the gas prices and how high they are getting. It was then that it slipped out. "I remember when gas prices were under a dollar." I caught myself saying it many times while I was home. So if you were wondering how you can tell if your getting old, if you hear yourself saying "I remember when..." that is when you know your getting old. By the way, one of the places that we got gas in Iowa was $2.00. Iowa is looking better everyday.

Father Daughter Golf Tournament

This Saturday was a start of a good trend. Well maybe not. Every year my sister, Dad and I play in a father/daughter golf tournament. Always in the past my sister does better than me. She is a better golfer than I am. I have to give her that one. But not this year!! My Dad and I got a 79. My sister and Dad where not that far off. I only got her by two strokes. I was a good sport. Well at least I tried to be. No hard feelings Maggie. The game is on for next year. :)

Balloon Ride

They did it!!! My Mom and Rich rode in the hot air balloon without falling out. They only hit a couple of trees. :) They had a great time. Maybe next time I will go with them. Well maybe not. I found it was hard to follow in the car. Driving and watching the balloon at the same time can be hard. Its kind of like me driving and talking on my cell phone at the same time. It should not be done but sometimes I do it anyways.

Only in Iowa

Molly just moved back to Iowa from Illinios and since I live in Maryland we decided to come up with our list of things you can only find in Iowa. So here it goes:
1. You can leave your car on when your at the gas station and go in and no one takes it.
2. You can leave your car unlocked at night.
3. The universal sign for hello is the index finger, one finger wave.
4. You can eat corn for every meal. (grilled corn, baked corn, broiled corn, steamed corn, fried corn, popped corn, I think thats about it)
5. You can find the Field Of Dreams.
6. You can find the best college ever. University of Northern Iowa. Go Panthers!!!
7. You can find the best Pizza. Happy Joe's Canadian Bacon

Water Park

Today my friend Molly and I went to the Lost Island Water Park in Waterloo Iowa. We had a great time. Talk about getting some good sun (sun burn).

Time to Retreat and Recharge

This reading is from a devotional that I read the other day.

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and what they had taught. Then Jesus said, "Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest." Mark 6:30-31

In The Unquenchable Worshipper, Coming Back to the Heart of Worship, Matt Redman observes: "So often my worship has dried up, it's because I haven't been fueling the fire. I haven't set aside any time to sock myself under the showers of God's revelation. Often, time is the key factor. But if we can find space to soak ourselves in God's Word, His presence, His creation and spend time with other believers, then we'll find that the revelation floods back into our lives; and our hearts will respond with a blaze of worship once more."

The fact is we were designed by God to need a regular amount of down time. Jesus knew this. After sending his disciples out on a ministry tour, what did Jesus do? He told them it was time to get away and get some rest. And actually there is a work-rest rhythm built into the fabric of the universe. How else do we explain the seasons, hibernating animals, and dormant fruit trees? Sometimes the most fitting and God-honoring act is to simple be (with God) rather that to do (for him).

Ah, but we are a hyper-efficient, get it done, type-A generation with places to go, people to see, and things to do. Armed with our Palm Pilots and assorted "to do" lists, we launch into our days with a vengeance. Is it any wonder that our souls are weary and burned out?

When our hearts are exhausted and drained, chances are we're thinking about anything but God. Today look at your schedule and ask God if you need a break from activity to focus on intimacy with him.

Sit down with your calendar and plan out a day with God - Just you and Him. If that's not possible, plan at least a half-day personal retreat. Tell a friend your plan and ask for some healthy accountability.

Hot Air Balloon Rides

For my Mom's 50th birthday she wanted to go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride. To tell you the truth, I will not be wanting a hot air balloon ride ever!!! I don't like heights. I don't care that you are standing in a basket. You can still feel the fresh air and there is still that chance of falling out. I don't think my mom will fall out or anything but just the thought of only a basket keeping me safe is enough of a reason to keep me from going in one. I was looking more into what a looks like to go in a hot air balloon ride. Here is what I found:

What should we wear?
You should wear casual clothing along with comfortable shoes. We suggest to wear light layers so that you can easily adjust to the temperature as the sun comes up. The coolest you will be is on the ground. Once you're in flight, the burners tend to keep the baskets nice and warm.

Hot air balloons are something special in comparison to other forms of flight. You don’t feel the wind, you are a part of it, almost not even realizing you are moving. Hot air balloons drift gracefully above the ground at heights of up to 10,000 feet. Typically, though, most Hot air balloon flights are 500 to 2,000 feet above ground where peace and tranquility reign as you float over the tree tops

Slowing down

Lately I have been so busy that it really has caused me to look at what I do with my everyday life. I get up in the morning about 20 minutes before I have to leave for work. I run around all day. When I get home, all my roommates are in bed. Well if Taegan is home she might still be up. :) It makes me really think more about what I'm doing with my time. Don't you wish we could just hop on a plane sometimes and go to a place you have never been to just to slow down? I have been thinking a lot about this. I want to go to Seatle. I have never been to Seatle. I don't even know what is there. All I know is that it is on the other coast and I could see my self relaxing. Leaving my stessfull life behind for a few day. Who wants to go with me?

Laura Mishler