Janet Perez Eckles's Blog – April 2008 Archive (9)

Here it is. This past Saturday afternoon, a warm day, sunny and bright, I decided to eat my lunch outside. While settled in a lounge chair, safe inside the huge screen that surrounds our swimming pool, munching on a crisp salad, I listened to birds’ high-pitched melodic songs while a soft breeze played with my hair. When suddenly, a muffled squeal with a loud thud startled me. But it was the scratching that sent a chill up my spine A zillion options zipped through my head—a yucky snake, a… Continue

While visiting with friends, and after delighting in a plate of homemade spaghetti, our conversation turned to rice. You know...the rice shortage. Some grocery stores already ration the amount sold. The panic button pressed and its sound spread through the media.



Rice shortage, controversial issues re election candidates, stock market going through concerning fluctuation, real estate industry facing dark times, the war.



What a perfect playground for the enemy. Doesn't he… Continue

I just got a new computer; and you'd think I'd be cheering with gratitude. Instead, I’m crawling up the learning curve, sweating through every step, panting as frustration reaches heights that cannot be measured.



The problem is that my screen reader operates with specific key commands - which worked beautifully with my previous operating system. Those same key commands instead of allowing me to navigate through different applications now spark a most annoying "ding"… Continue

If you read my previous post, you learned the details of an experience about a snake.



A reader brought up the point that this scenario could not have taken place because of strict Air Traffic violations/security/ strict laws about carry-on’s. And when clarifying this, my friend writes: “P. S. This story happened in the ‘70s and quarantine had been enforced after my friend was able to bring his "pets" home.”



Isn’t that like life? Rules change, different measures are taken… Continue

This next story will make you cringe, turn your stomach or just amuse you. My friend, Bob Chaffart, relates the following experience:



"Although all of my friends are distinctive, I have a friend who is even more unique than most. He has a passion that most over-the-hill parents hate! He has an obsession for snakes! The bigger the better; the fatter, the more appealing; the longer, the more delightful!"



Is it any wonder that when he went to South America as a student… Continue

Have you experienced this? When things you counted on just vanish, leave, evaporate with no trace. And, on top of it all, you receive discouraging news?



Waving my hand in the air, "I’ve been there!"



Actually it feels like life is a roller coaster. The only thing is I didn’t buy a ticket, didn’t even volunteer to visit the attraction park...but still here I am—seated in place, hair flying in the wind as I go up, up. But suddenly, with no warning, with the speed of a rocket… Continue

You probably know a friend, a family member who's asking the question: Where did I go wrong? When our kids turn the wrong corner and head down the path you never thought they would.



Here's an awesome book, anew release for you to check out. (Please see Allison's photo along with one of her Book cover in my own photo section.)



You'll find enlightening and logical insights to keep going and still be the parent God wants you to be.



Janet





The book… Continue

Here's a sobering truth from my friend Cheri. Check it out.



Doubting Faithful

Have you ever felt like a hypocrite at church? I have. People see me as this super spiritual person, but I'm just like everyone else. I have days when doubt overtakes me. The mountains seem bigger than my faith, the road is filled with more obstacles than I can imagine, and I feel so small. I'm tired.



That is when the voices of doubt are louder than my voice of faith. I hear the voices say… Continue

We have the handiest man ever. Anything we point out - a corner of the railing which my son’s puppy chewed, painting, repairing a tiny hole on the screen around our swimming pool, or filling a crack on the cement. Yep, he can do it all!



Anything I point to fix, with a reassurance of a CEO in charge, he announces. "That’s what I do."



What a great guy! Repairs are a cinch for him.



But how about the repairs in my life? You know which ones I mean: broken dreams,… Continue