My Latest Painting Class and My New Heroine

First of all, I would like to HIGHLY recommend the newly-opened Center for Lifelong Learning, sponsored by Athens State University. It is located in the beautifully-renovated building that years ago housed the Ben Jaffe's Department Store where I got my new school clothes and shoes when I was in elementary school. It's on Marion Street, right across from the Courthouse. The CLL already has many classes in the works -- all kinds of computer-related courses, financial advice, genealogy, books and authors, photography, yoga, etc. etc. But, my first choice was "Painting with Acrylics." The teacher was delightful and so were my fellow classmates, ranging in age from 13 to 80.

One in particular is my new heroine, the 80-year-old lady sitting next to me named Barbara. What an inspiration!! She has been a widow for several years, but she is most certainly not planning on sitting down in her rocker and feeling sorry for herself until it's her turn to die. No sir-ree. She's out among people, learning new skills and making new friends. She and "20 of her friends" just returned from a cruise. And, she and her sister will be driving to Georgia for a watercolor workshop next week. When her children questioned the wisdom of her driving that far, she said, "Well, I drove you everywhere you needed to go, didn't I?"

Oh, how I want to be like Barbara as I get older. Spunky. Curious. Friendly. Interesting. Enthusiastic. Inspirational. Happy.

I do NOT want to sit around waiting on someone else to figure out how to make me happy. I want my children to be envious of my social schedule. I want to be the one causing others to laugh and not just the one daring someone to make ME laugh. Get the picture?

I know it won't be easy. Already my body rebels against some great activities that my mind wants me to do. I want to reach down deep and keep going.

Just last night we had dinner with some friends whose only granddaughter was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of two. She's eight now and has become adept at "pushing through her pain." She might not be able to tap dance, but she can play soccer and loves to swim.

Well, when I'm 80, the list might be pretty long of things I can no longer do, but if I still have my mental capacities, then I PRAY that I will continue to seek out and fulfill God's daily purposes for my life. Because each day that I wake up in the morning, I have to assume it's because God has an assignment for me.

The painting I created during this class might not be museum quality, but I'm going to find a place to hang it, and every time I see it, I want to remember Barbara and live my life fully and well.

Week Four -- Day One

I am happy to report that a new habit seems to be forming, and I am actually becoming a "regular exerciser." Yay! I have now completed 3 whole weeks of spending 6 out of 7 days per week on the treadmill, only taking off on Sundays.

The most notable improvement this week has been the increased total time on the treadmill -- now I'm averaging about 40 minutes. This actually happened in a way I wouldn't necessarily recommend. I started on several mornings only to be interrupted by phone calls -- my son, my sister-in-law, my brother-in-law, Steve -- because Steve's mom has been going through a very critical health crisis. I would stop long enough to talk and then get back on. And, since I would want to get back to my same momentum level, etc. my total time inched upward.

My average speed is climbing back up, too, after needing to decrease and go more gradually because of burning calves that were plaguing me last week. I looked back at my log from Week 1, Day 1 and saw that I only made it for 18 1/2 minutes. Today I went for 45 minutes. Woo hoo!!! Now THAT'S progress. :)

I'm expecting some interruptions during this week with Grandbaby #9 pushing to make his appearance and the continued crisis with Steve's mom. But, I'm still committed to my goal.

And, oh yeah. I received some great advice and a huge boost of support from my friend Debi last week. She suggested that I go ahead and pick out a 5k event for next spring AND she promised to come and join me when I undertake this feat. How's that for added motivation?? Thanks, Debi.

Any suggestions for a nice FLAT 5k event in North Alabama in March or April of 2012? I'm determined to wear my 5k t-shirt to the bank when I cash that first Social Security check in May. There WILL be pictures made, of course.

Before long I've got to address the whole diet issue, too, but as Scarlet O'Hara said so beautifully, "I'll think about that tomorrow."

BUZZARD BAPTISTS!!

Steve and I had a delightful time last Friday night riding in a pontoon boat just after sunset with some of our wonderful new neighbors. The river was smooth, and the light breeze made it a perfect setting for laughter and conversation. The subject got around to the different churches that they had visited lately and the pros and cons of each (in THEIR opinions). Then, unexpectedly, our new friend Johnny (not his real name) said, "I'm just a Buzzard Baptist, you know." Steve and I looked startled and said, "What in the world is a Buzzard Baptist?" He said, "I just go to church when somebody dies and there's something to eat!" Of course, we hooted with laughter, since both of us have been SOUTHERN Baptists for over 60 years and have never heard that term. Aren't those words both humorous and accurate? Don't we all know people who fit the description "to a T?" Then yesterday, throughout the hours that I was in my church, fully experiencing all that it means to be a member of the Body of Christ, I kept thinking about the vast benefits that a Buzzard Baptist misses.

A Buzzard Baptist has probably heard many funeral sermons based on John 14 -- "Let not your heart be troubled . . . I go to prepare a place for you . . . ." and Psalm 23 -- "The Lord is my Shepherd . . . ." But what about the other thousands of verses and truths in the Bible? Does a Buzzard ever hear those? Yesterday, for example, the message was on spiritual warfare, and before I went to bed last night, I found myself fighting just such a spiritual battle. What if I hadn't known what it was or what to do about it? Our pastor is such a powerful communicator of God's Word. I never fail to learn from him. And, what about all of those multi-week series of messages that go into depth on issues of vast importance? Our son Matt pastors in Arkansas. He recently concluded FIVE YEARS worth of messages going verse by verse through the Book of Luke. How much deeper now is that congregation's knowledge of the life and words of Jesus!

A Buzzard Baptist never gets to soak in the joy of Christian fellowship, known as koinonia. Oh yes, he/she might get to taste the casseroles and cakes that are brought to feed bereaved families, but that's not the same as learning the heart of your fellow Christian and benefiting from the depth of love and concern. A week or so ago, I was in a small-group setting with fellow believers on a Sunday morning (something we full-timers call Sunday School), and I felt compelled to share some of the burdens we had been carrying as a family in recent weeks. One of the members of the class then voiced a prayer lifting those specific burdens in intercessory prayer to the Father. The peace and comfort that prayer brought to my soul was inexplicable apart from the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and the confidence in the Bible built from years of study and belief.

A Buzzard Baptist probably DOES get to have access to the ministerial staff of a church, especially when it comes to weddings and funerals, but what about having spiritual brothers and sisters come running during crisis times? I remember with such clarity the day that Steve, his Mom, and his brother were waiting on the river bank while the rescue squad recovered the body of his dad who had drowned. I had a caring minister and his wife by my side when Steve called to give me the sad news. Another time I received one of those dreaded diagnoses that we all hope we'll never get. In a meeting shortly afterwards, I quoted an old spiritual and said "It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer." And, my sisters gathered around and prayed fervently. God heard those prayers, and that diagnosis changed to something very good.

Oh, and how could I ever forget the support our family received when the children got married. It turned into something of a marathon event because all three children were married within 16 months of each other. There were 30 teas, showers, luncheons, and parties during those months and MOST were hosted by our fellow church members. Those same church members also filled the pews during those weddings, smiling and wiping tears during the tender moments and laughing, drinking punch and dancing (yes, we're the dancing kind of Baptists) during the celebration receptions afterwards.

I would guess that a Buzzard Baptist has never hosted a DiscipleNow Weekend, an Afterglow, or a Hayride/Bonfire with a speaker. He's probably never gone on a youth choir tour or a volunteer mission trip. He might not have ever worked in Vacation Bible School, taught a class of squirmy, giggling children or sat on a committee researching a crucial decision involving the future of the church. "In my humble, accurate opinion" (as former pastor Bro. Mark used to say), a person who calls himself a Baptist and yet sits on the sidelines waiting for the big meal to be served when someone dies is missing the best parts of his/her status as a Child of God. Yes, it's a comical term, but I really hope I don't ever become one. I need my brothers and sisters, and I WANT them to need me, too.

I pray that our neighbors will find a church that fits them best and that they will be drawn in by the fellowship, the worship, and the loving spirit of the members. Before long I look forward to hearing them tell about the meaningful times they are experiencing, the people they are meeting, and the places of service they are filling. They have talents, personalities and resources that would make great contributions to most any church. It sure is tempting to pass out their names and number. Instead, just pray with me for them, will you? Just say this: "Dear Father, you know those Buzzard Baptists that are friends with the Pearsons? Will you please draw them to a church where they can know You better, love You more and serve You in a way that matches with the way You created them? Thank you, God. Amen."

End of Week 2 Report

Just so I can have a record of this journey AND keep myself accountable to any interested friends, here is where I stand as Week 2 of my "quest to participate in a 5k event before I cash my first Social Security check" ends.

1) As in Week 1, I was on the treadmill 6 out of 7 days, this week averaging 31+ minutes each time.

2) I have found myself actually looking forward to my morning treadmill sessions -- a new feeling.

3) I experienced several days of badly burning calves about 8 minutes into my session. I kept going, but it was painful. After consulting friends for solutions, I a) was more deliberate with before and after stretches, and b) realized that I had increased my speed too quickly and needed to go back down a notch or two and build up more gradually. Today was pain-free again.

4) I have enjoyed a real increase in my daily energy level.

5) I've had some surprisingly creative days, which I credit to my better blood flow and higher metabolism. For example, I painted a picture for my bathroom, I posted several blogs, and I experimented with some new recipes.

6) One day I got on the scales and noticed that I'd lost a couple of pounds, but that must have been a fluke because I found them again the next day. Oh well. Hmmm. I wonder if the last phrase of #5 might be the culprit.

7) I also found another motivational Bible verse. 1 Timothy 4:7 "Have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."

How long, according to the experts, does it take to form a new habit? I can't remember, but I'm heading into Week 3 of this project. Maybe it won't take much longer.