What's on your mind?

[.Mikha'el.]

Plush walrus!

I really like that.

 

[bèlla]

*returns to @public hermit's cave* It's scary out there!

 

[GodDoesListen55]

If it's not one thing, it's another... sighs!

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Jars of Clay, in my opinion, is one of the best band names out there. Speaking on which, I wish they would make a new album. The last record they put out was several years ago.

I used to love Jars of clay and listen to them all the time.

 

[bèlla]

@public hermit Look what I found!

The Hermit’s Cookie

And The Hermit’s Cave. You’ve been holding out on us!

 

[public hermit]

@public hermit Look what I found!

The Hermit’s Cookie

View attachment 305113

And The Hermit’s Cave. You’ve been holding out on us!

View attachment 305114

The cookie, yes. But the cave seems extravagant.

 

[bèlla]

The cookie, yes. But the cave seems extravagant.

Indeed! A hermit in Dubai is pretty hilarious.

 

[sampa]

My mother is the lone one amongst her siblings who had children. That's why were were so indulged.

Ahh, that makes sense.

I don't mind growing my own food. I know how to do it. But I don't want the upkeep. I'd have to hire someone to manage it. In some areas they have services that'll tend the garden, harvest food, etc. when you're away.

I would have someone else do it in a heartbeat if I had the money. I even know how I would organize everything and still be part of the process. I'd have a koi pond too if I had people helping.

I'm very adamant about children being kids and carefree. It's the only time you can. You don't have the worries and responsibilities of adulthood. It should be enjoyed.

Yes, I might agree. I came to an interesting bit of information yesterday. My uncle was visiting to look at somebody work at my car he's going to do. As he was leaving I said something like "work hard.." and I asked him how Grandma used to say it. He said that she would always say God bless and work hard or study hard when leaving. And he sighed and said that Grandpa used to know how to make the boys work.
I think it's from that tradition where my upbringing came in of the hard work. Their childhood consisted of hard work and sometimes I might hear stories about some kind of teasing.

Don't get me wrong, I did get time to play. And I was very fortunate with the things that I had compared to other kids. Especially that my step dad built Me a two-story playhouse. Where I had a bed in the upstairs. It was better than the fort that the neighbor boys had.

Then I went to him. He did interesting things. I'd hangout in his workshop. That's where the woodworking comes from. I'd watch him. I liked to put things together and I could get dirty and not get in trouble.

That sounds interesting and kind of what I like doing with my grandfather.

If you look at old books on household management you may see the same. Everything related to the household including staff was a woman's domain.

That makes sense

I hope you enjoy your time away.

I pull back as the mood strikes or reduce my activity on a site. I've done that here since I'm on another. I'm getting inundated with messages 'in spite of my profile' and that gets tiresome. But I don't respond. I don't want want to spend my time doing that.

Actually a total media break is kind of a health thing too with rewiring and resetting the brain. I pull away from different sites from time to time, but I've set aside certain days for media breaks ahead of time so as to keep myself healthy. This year I put it in my 6-month training schedule with half marathon training.

I ended up having a good hour long conversation with a neighbor that I brought flowers over to. It started off with her thinking about the pioneers that came to America and where we are today. That's when I got into technology and how many of our brains have been wired in such a way that affects everything even our driving. Started also thinking about if the government ever was to shut down our communication/acess and you could only do it if you had some kind of card or something... Anyways we got into deep topics talking about revelation post-trib pre-trib and such. She's closer to my mother's age and it's the first time that we actually seem to get on some good level of conversation. Just sitting down in her backyard.

More than anything I got back into the word which was really good during the media break. Everyone is different how they approach things and anyone that I've known that has tried to do the same as me just can't... At least I haven't met anyone else that totally abstains from internet, tv, radio and such.

We're leaving next year. I play it by ear and keep an eye on things overseas. I have other options in place in case of future lockdowns. I have to be flexible. Everything changed.

I totally understand. These are uncertain times. And one of my friends has been in a 2-year holding pattern for the sabbatical her husband was supposed to take in France. I'll actually get to visit her since they know for sure they won't be in France this year.

I'm building a connection with someone who lives where I'm heading. The Lord put her in my path and that's encouraging. School is great but I'm tired. Our breaks are short. When you add up the classes over a year I've taken more than someone attending full-

It's good that you've been building a connection. I really hope that works out when the time opens for that.

Now I know why I've never married. What was holding me back and why I said no. Some of it came out with @sampa and the rest through written reflections to another. I don't want to be in a cage or confined to a life of drudgery. Work, home, and friends from time to time. I need more than that.

I'm glad that I could help bring some of that out.

I'm not looking for a pastor (behavior wise) or someone with a regimented approach. I don't want to be micromanaged spiritually.

same here I made that decision sometime ago. Same with missions work. I don't like the pressure in spiritual matters. I'm sort of okay with the living in a glass house (for example mayor's wife or a police officer's wife) and being in a position where others see me publicly, but the spiritual life is very private.

=/ On the plus side, I may be able to spend a night or two on the same shift as my crush here in a week or so. That will be something to look forward to.

That's at least something to look forward to.

On days off at home, which I have 96 hours off coming up when I get out of work this afternoon, I have been journeying through an old PS1 game Wild Arms 2, which I attempted two or three times in th

Sounds like a project that you've been wanting to do for some time.

 

[sampa]

@bèlla so I had some discussions the other day with the apologist, and I'm hoping to visit and save money by 2023. I told my friend that I'd like to meet his friends but I really would like to learn some of the things of Southern life. That's not if we're both still not married. But either case I want to learn more about Southern culture.

I mentioned southern belles and cooking. He told me about charm School. Which I guess is kind of pricey. He said he would look into it because he would like to learn some etiquette too. I'm also curious to see this one city he said get has a nickname of Botox City. I've never seen something like that.

On another thought, during our conversation he was asking me if I wanted to have children. That led to questions why he'd ask when I am 48 about to be 50. Especially with my health complications. I can't remember if I've been asked this before, but I can't imagine anyone expecting someone my age to have kids. I'm still scratching my head at this one.

 

[bèlla]

I mentioned southern belles and cooking. He told me about charm School. Which I guess is kind of pricey. He said he would look into it because he would like to learn some etiquette too.

Charm schools were a mainstay during my childhood. They would have been a big thing during his too. Some were standalone programs or a course of study offered through modeling schools. Today, you can find etiquette programs of different durations. Some are one day, weekend, or a few weeks. Most cover the basics and may include regional nuances depending where you take them.

On another thought, during our conversation he was asking me if I wanted to have children. That led to questions why he'd ask when I am 48 about to be 50. Especially with my health complications. I can't remember if I've been asked this before, but I can't imagine anyone expecting someone my age to have kids. I'm still scratching my head at this one.

Just because you've never married doesn't mean you didn't want children. Health issues notwithstanding. Technological advances make it possible. Perhaps he was giving you an opportunity to share your heart without judgment.

I've had similar discussions too. I'd do it for one person. He'd be a great father. But it isn't a must at this point. I'm content.

 

[GodDoesListen55]

Too much... everything is just too much.

 

[bèlla]

I would have someone else do it in a heartbeat if I had the money. I even know how I would organize everything and still be part of the process. I'd have a koi pond too if I had people helping.

The pond sounds nice.

I can't do it myself. It's too much work and I don't want to be overwhelmed. I like old places but I love modern conveniences. I prefer eco-friendly buildings. I'll see what I find. A combination of growing my own food and a farming collective is a goal.

I think it's from that tradition where my upbringing came in of the hard work. Their childhood consisted of hard work and sometimes I might hear stories about some kind of teasing.

We had to work hard in school. But we got a pass elsewhere. My parents had chores growing up. But my grandparents softened when we came. That was true on both sides.

Anyways we got into deep topics talking about revelation post-trib pre-trib and such. She's closer to my mother's age and it's the first time that we actually seem to get on some good level of conversation. Just sitting down in her backyard.

That was kind of you. I'm sure she enjoyed the visit.

More than anything I got back into the word which was really good during the media break. Everyone is different how they approach things and anyone that I've known that has tried to do the same as me just can't... At least I haven't met anyone else that totally abstains from internet, tv, radio and such.

It depends on how much you use them and why you're using it. But I could see how it's necessary if you're interacting with others. When you're vetting and getting acquainted you spend more time on the Internet.

It's good that you've been building a connection. I really hope that works out when the time opens for that.

It doesn't feel like that. There's a natural flow to our interactions. She's a young bella. Sometimes I laugh at the our similarities. Maybe she'll be a muse. We'll see.

same here I made that decision sometime ago. Same with missions work. I don't like the pressure in spiritual matters. I'm sort of okay with the living in a glass house (for example mayor's wife or a police officer's wife) and being in a position where others see me publicly, but the spiritual life is very private.

I don't want someone who feels he has to pastor his wife or be her bible instructor. It's heavy handed. But if I respect his leadership and he desired to deepen our spiritual growth I'd be on board. It's all about the "L."

I don't mind being on display and providing an example for others. I enjoy that. But I don't want a religious man. Once you present yourself as a holy roller you've gotta keep it up. There's no perfect Christian, wife, or family. I won't play the role. That's a recipe for disaster and scandal.

 

[bèlla]

@sampa I've had an interesting exchange with someone and I thought of you. He's very polite and gentlemanly. 50, 6ft, 175-180, tall and slender, appears attractive based on the crops. Well spoken, intelligent, loves to travel, hike, cycle, and plays guitar and lives in a cool place. Polished and complimentary. But not excessively. Uses honorifics too. He's definitely old fashioned. He seems really nice. I don't know what he does for a living.

 

[DragonFox91]

"Who the Son sets free is free indeed. Yes I am a child of God"

I've had this stuck in my head for a couple weeks now.

 

[DragonFox91]

Watching & listening to more police interrogation videos. Moral of the story is: no matter what, if you're innocent or guilty, shut up & demand to speak to an attorney. The interrogators will refuse & try to talk you out of it but don't give in.

 

[URA]

@Unofficial Reverand Alex

Any updates on the job search?

Impressive; I always lose track of threads after it gets past the third page or so. Frankly, I forgot I posted on this one!

The job search thus far has continued to show itself is an interesting journey that I keep forgetting to appreciate. The latest development is that I found an opening in Plainfield, a southwest suburb that's remarkably close to a lot of my extended family. I was approved for an interview, which went really well, and I thought, "God, if you want me to prioritize family in the job search, here's your chance to make it happen."

He didn't.

Two different jobs now, one closer to extended family on my dad's side, and this Plainfield one closer to my mom's side, were both golden opportunities for God to let me be close to a lot of relatives I haven't been able to be close to before. Twice, God said, "Not here."

 

[bèlla]

Two different jobs now, one closer to extended family on my dad's side, and this Plainfield one closer to my mom's side, were both golden opportunities for God to let me be close to a lot of relatives I haven't been able to be close to before. Twice, God said, "Not here."

You're making progress and that's encouraging! That's what we want. Where do you think you're heading? To the city or elsewhere?

 

[URA]

You're making progress and that's encouraging! That's what we want. Where do you think you're heading? To the city or elsewhere?

I still have a shot at a Youth Ministry position in the north suburbs (Palatine area). At some point, they will get back with me about a weekend I can spend up there. They want me to interact with teens, check out the area, and get a good feel for what I'd be getting into before I make a commitment, which is a very intelligent way to do it, but of course it takes more time to plan.

Otherwise, I have reopened my search in the Cleveland area. Maybe if my Northern Indiana or Chicagoland family is into what God wants me to prioritize, being in Cleveland could make me a halfway point between my Pennsylvania family & Indiana. In any case, Cleveland seems to have a lot of what I'm looking for, with abundant Ministry programs & job openings--Catholic Charities alone has 97 openings in that area! It has a heavy Eastern European influence, along with abundance of other ethnicities, which I think would make it a very cool place to live. Jewish, Polish, Romanian, a good selection of Byzantine Catholic churches, and because so many highways and train lines go directly there, the distance from my house is substantial, but my nuns in Chicago say it's only 6 hours to get there!

I will be looking more into their youth programs later today; need food first! Get up & eat, the angel said, lest the journey be too much for you...God made food good, and eating what I need whilst focusing on gratitude for a variety of foods, spices, and refrigeration that not even King Solomon had is a very good spiritual exercise, a necessary complement to fasting.

 

[bèlla]

I still have a shot at a Youth Ministry position in the north suburbs (Palatine area). At some point, they will get back with me about a weekend I can spend up there. They want me to interact with teens, check out the area, and get a good feel for what I'd be getting into before I make a commitment, which is a very intelligent way to do it, but of course it takes more time to plan.

I'll pray about that and Cleveland. Keep me in the loop please. I trust the Lord's leading and know you'll land where you're meant. The process is part of the journey. As my snippet from Sister shows.

I will be looking more into their youth programs later today; need food first! Get up & eat, the angel said, lest the journey be too much for you...God made food good, and eating what I need whilst focusing on gratitude for a variety of foods, spices, and refrigeration that not even King Solomon had is a very good spiritual exercise, a necessary complement to fasting.

Enjoy your food. We'll catch up soon!

 

[SarahsKnight]

"Who the Son sets free is free indeed. Yes I am a child of God"

I've had this stuck in my head for a couple weeks now.

A nice sentiment to have stuck in one's mind, though, I do say.