...But You Can NEVER Take My Dreams!

After 4 days of return to work from my week-long vacation I am FINALLY caught up. The overflowing in-box has been reduced to two letters of appeal and current posting only…PRAISE GOD! It amazes me how the company I work for really endorses week long vacations though I know and already KNEW a weeks worth of work to come BACK to, is no fun and no way to come back in after resting. The mind and body are now moving at a much slower pace because they’ve been ‘taking it easy’ for a week…then WHAM…Monday morning hits and the proverbial “fan is flying”. Suffice to say, I am no longer rested, but I AM READY…I am prepared for battle!

In celebration of FRIDAY and only a half day of work…I will list the 100 Places I’d Rather Be cause you can take my free-time, but you can NEVER take my dreams (how's that for overly dramatic):

Home
On a Beach in Mexico
At a coffee shop with comfortable chairs
Reading a book
Reading a newspaper
In Greece
Any of the Smithsonian Buildings
MOMA
National Gallery
An Aquarium
A Lush Garden
A Therapist’s Couch
My friend’s house
At the Mall of America
Lying in a field making shapes of the clouds
Photographing interesting people
People Watching at Central Park
Walking leisurely through the little shops in any small, downtown area…
At a movie (Romantic Comedy preferably)
At a Stand-Up Comic Show
Praying to God in Peace and Quiet
Talking to God Face to FACE!
Building my Dream Home
Decorating Any Home
Playing Pool
Floating on a Raft in a Warm Pool (different pool)
Parasailing
Daydreaming and Doodling
Lying in a Bathtub of Bubbles
Holding my Husband’s Hand
Sculpting
Throwing Clay on a Pottery Wheel
Learning to Quilt
Garage Sale-ing
Beading Bracelets
Surfing the Web
“Blog” Surfing
Reading famous Quotes
Pondering Martin Luther’s writing
Studying Urban Anthropology
Learning a Foreign Language
Playing Hopscotch
Playing Hookie from Work (more than just mentally)
Writing Cards of Encouragement
Creating Photographic Postcards
Writing “cards” for Hallmark
Scrapbooking
Designing Flower Arrangements
Getting a Manicure AND a Pedicure
Trying on Shoes
Listening to a Baby ‘Talk’
Teaching a Child to Tie His/Her Shoes
Working in a Bookstore
Going on a ‘Treasure Hunt’
Listening to Seniors talk about the “old days”
At a Professional Debate, (not political in nature)
Reliving my Wedding Day
Making my husband dinner
Creating Some New Delicioso’ Dessert
Illustrating a Children’s Book
Visiting with a Genetic Engineer
Helping Find a Cure for Cancer
Performing in a Play
Writing the Ultimate “Book of Questions”
At the Ballet
Cutting/Styling Hair
Having a HUGE Snowball fight
Visiting the “Twin Towers” Memorial
At a Peace Summit
At a Space Launch
Walking Barefoot in Soft Green Grass
Tasting Chocolate at a Competition
Producing Music Videos
Having a Pillow Fight
Visiting With all the Wise Women I Know
At a Book Club Meeting
Teaching a “Crafting” Class
Riding Horseback
Measuring 0-120 mph at a Motor-Speedway in a MAJOR Sports Car
Being a “PAID” Movie OR Restaurant Critic
Watching Movies I LOVE, all day long…
Buying My Husband a Pool Table
On a Cruise Anywhere Warm
At Disneyworld
Experiencing Time Travel
Speaking to a Christian Dream Interpreter
Putting my “Dreams” into Artwork
Controlling a Wrecking Ball
Teaching Pre-Teen Girls about Destiny
Updating my Home Files
On a Rollercoaster
Taking Ballroom Dance Classes with my Husband
Learning to Whistle LOUDLY (the 2 finger-taxi-hailing kind)
Seeing the GLORY of God as Moses Did
Writing a Love Letter to God
Helping Fulfill Someone’s Dream
Finding the PERFECT Lipstick
Bird Watching
Accepting Miracles as EVERYDAY, not the Exception
Obviously…anywhere but here

With all this in mind, I’ll reflect over to what God tells me…

Philippians 4:8, 11-13 “…dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

…I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”

Lord, give me strength today as I am trying to find your face in this place!