Thursday, September 6, 2007

Football, Floss, & Faith

Fantasy Football has begun! Our live draft for the church league was on Monday and I think the knots are beginning to work their way out of my shoulders. It was fun, but now I have a sliver of understanding at to why the real thing is so intense! I think I'm happy with my team, but I'll let you know in a couple of weeks after they have played a bit. Tonight is game one: Colts vs. Saints and we actually get to watch the game. We don't get a lot of Colts games out here - just mostly the "donkeys"!

I know a lot of you think I'm a little crazy, but really I have always liked football. I remember the Jim McMahon days of the Bears and Mike Singletary. I lived in Tamp Bay when the Super Bowl was played there and remember watching the fireworks from my back yard. When I was younger, I would sit with a spiral notebook writing down each players name and number and position. See, even when I was 10 I was longing for fantasy football! Only now I care more about their career stats than how cute they are...really!

But fantasy football is not the only thing consuming my life right now, flossing my teeth is as well. Not what you expected me to say, huh? I hate when you go to the dentist and they ask if you have been flossing. Who really ever answers "yes, everyday!" That's really reserved for the chronic OCD people...like me. I have recently observed that even after I brush my teeth, there is still a bunch of food between my teeth! Okay, I know that's gross, but I deal with gross everyday. I'm becoming immune. I'm thinking I should try a new toothbrush, but really the multi-pack at Costco just makes sense. Especially since I change my toothbrush every other month.


Before you are amazed at my incredible dental hygiene, let me tell you I replace my toothbrush because I brush so hard and chew on my toothbrush while I do my make-up, brush a child's hair, pick up dirty towels, that the brush is destroyed in 8 weeks. My husband however, could use the same toothbrush from the dentist until the dentist gives him a new one for free.

But back to the flossing...I am one of those weirdos that actually like going to the dentist. However, I have not been pleased with our current dentist. And for some reason here in the laid back world of Montana, I can not make an appointment for six months later, so I'm suppose to remember to call 30 days before I want the appointment. Now they nicely remind me with a post card - one for each member of the family. That's a lot of postage! So I have not made new appointments and our last cleanings were in December. In some odd way I think if I floss every morning and every evening I can prolong going back. (You'd be amazed what gets between your teeth while you sleep. I don't know how, but it does!)


Meredith has taken it upon herself to daily remind me to make a dentist appointment for her, and Jarrett loves to floss his teeth as well. And with Mikalah in braces, she brushes like five times a day! I know my kids are "covered", but really I need to find a new dentist.

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In other news, the building we were about to lease for our church has fallen through. The city has said that there are $250,000 worth of improvements that need to be made before it can be classified as "a place of assembly" (meaning it can hold over 200 people). That's just not something the landlord is willing to consider doing even if we are paying the full bill. And paying the full bill doesn't appear to be an option. So we are looking elsewhere.

My question is at what point do we say, "God wants us to look at something else." or "God has something better for us." instead of saying, "We don't have the funds, but God does." or "The church is God's so it's His job to fund the improvements." How do you know which one is the right attitude? Faith that there will be something better in the right timing or faith that God will orchestrate a miracle. We want to patient, but not complacent; proactive but not reckless.

8 comments:

Heasleye said...

I think it's so funny that you wrote about dental stuff today...I've been trying to figure out how to incorporate a flossing picture into my photo journal! I have an appointment coming up in about 3 weeks...need to start flossing every day - now!

So sorry the church building fell through. I empathize with your questions. Praying for clarity...

Deanne said...

Dental woes.....me too! Unlike you, I don't care to go to the dentist. I always end up having to make at least one more appt before I can leave. I haven't been to the dentist in over a year, but I go next Wednesday. I have a question about flossing: how soon, or late, can you begin flossing so that 'the question' will not be asked ('how often do you floss?')?? hee hee I know, there is no magical answer, aside from 'everyday', duh. :)

Sorry to hear about the church lease falling through. I'd like to give advice on your situation, but I, like you, don't know where the Lord is leading you in this. I can suggest that you continue to seek Him as you try to figure it out. I think He likes hide-n-seek....and he also likes to be found!

Fantasy football....sorry, dont' relate to that either. Glad you're having fun!

Deedee said...

You are on your own with the football stuff! As for the dental, at least kids dental (and all medical) is FREE here in the UK! You would be making out like a bandit girl!! LOL! I almost want to have a bunch more just to make the most of it! :o) I just got these really neato flossing sticks that have all the floss tight between two ends of a u shaped stick. They are really cool and I don't have to cut off the circulation in my fingers trying to hold onto the floss anymore! As for the building - I'm so sorry about that. Maybe the best thing is simply to hold out your hands before God and ask Him to do whatever is best. When we surrender to His will it always turns out for the best, even when it doesn't turn out the way we want. (((HUGS)))

Trish D said...

Ooh, dental woes. I *DO* floss daily, and still have five crowns. There's an awfully nice car parked in my mouth...

Will be praying for the church situation - that you'll have clear direction on what to pursue. Wouldn't it be nice if there were just two paths, one clearly marked "God's Way"? But then I guess my prayer life would be pretty lousy!

E Jill Riley said...

I'll be praying with you guys. I know of a building on the corner of 17th and Parkhill that could use YOU. . .

Remington Townsend . . .GREAT dentist, a stone's throw from your house. LOVE him.

Unknown said...

Pray, pray and pray some more until you know which attitude He's leading you toward, I guess. That's such a hard question. In response to Deanne, I think it's 2-3 weeks. In response to DeeDee's comment, National Healthcare didn't serve me very well my five years in England. Loved the country and people, not the healthcare though (albeit free). Just ask and I'll gladly share my horror stories. I'm not near your caliber, but I'm proud to share that I'm becoming a regular flosser as of late. Instead of just before the dental appt. I'm up to 3-4 times a week! It does shock me when I do that I don't do it more often, it really is gross what you find. Guess I'm not as obsessive. I'm something else though, don't worry. Thanks for your comments, you made my day!

Ivymamma said...

Thank you all for all of your prayers and encouraging words. We still do not know what the plan is, but I will definitely keep you up to date.

Jill: Funny, I know a church at BWH that could use YOU!

I think you can start flossing as little as five days before going to the dentist as long as you floss 2x/day! (in my expert opinion!)

Unknown said...

I'm too tired to make a witty intelligent comment on all that you have posted here, but know that I am praying for God's guidance in the church location situation. Miss you.