NYMC Reflections (Post 3 of 4)

I went to Cathy Fields learning track for the first session but decided to change to another one for the rest of the conference. I chose Hope and Healing for Kids Who are Hurting with Dr. Marv Penner. I was floored by everything that I learned and by what God did in my own heart through these 3 sessions. After each session, I walked away feeling exhausted and broken from how much I hurt for these kids, but at the same time I felt a sense of empowerment. I'm still processing everything I learned but here are some key points.

• There are 4 kinds of helping styles including the preacher, the teacher, the hugger, and the surgeon. Determining your style depends on how extroverted or introverted you are and then your perspective on how kids get into trouble. I tend to be a teacher, believing that kids are active agents in the decisions they make (as opposed to bystanders) and I believe in pursuing relational intimacy in ministry. No one style is necessarily better than another, although all depend on the extent of your relationship with a hurting kid.


• Dr. Penner describes self-injury as the "act of attempting to altar a mood state by inflicting physical harm serious enough to cause tissue damage to one's body." He also asserts that self-injury is not a "half-hearted attempt at suicide" but instead it is an attempt to stay alive. We heard many accounts of gut-wrenching testimony of young teens who cut just to see their blood and know that they are still alive. One girl said that as a result of long-lived suppression that cutting was the only way she could cry. It broke my heart and brought me to tears. For many years, I had been so insensitive to kids with this type of disorder. Ignorance was my cry.


• Learn to tell the difference between issues that need your intentional intervention and the generic developmental "chaos" of adolescence. The truth is, kids will be kids, but if they are "crying for help" the reality is that they probably need it!

For whatever reason, I feel so grateful that through all the crap I experienced through having an abandoning alcoholic father somehow, God's grace allowed me not to respond in such a way as I heard so many do. Wopsle, in the same regard, was protected as well. How? God's grace is sufficient.

Sick Time

Well, here I am. Day 3 of sickness and my butt is still glued to my couch. My house looks like a the Oklahoma wind came sweeping through it and my hair is greasy enough to coat a cookie sheet. I'm thankful that I'm finally starting to feel better and move on from the monotony of the past three days.

I have watched at least 30 hours of television. My new favorite show is called Vacation Home Hunters on the Travel Channel. I watched a couple purchase a home, a vacation home that is, for 4 million dollars. E-Gad.

I have logged a stupid 22 hours playing Paper Mario. This role playing game is better than any drugs the doctor gave me. And yes, mom, my eyes are now crossed for good. Woops!

I've read most of Every Woman's Marriage. A great book for wives in all stages of marriage to read. Yesterday, I spent alot of time praying about what the phrase "Until we are parted by death." I got particularly sad in thinking about several losses I have endured over the past few years and not that I wasnt grateful before, but I realized how much Wopsle had sacrificed these past few days to care for me. I love him because he is so much more than a loving husband, he is my best friend.

REALLY?!...new petnames

The Leave it to Beaver Christmas Story:

I've already had a few inquiries, so here goes, because I think it's just that gosh darn funny. The following conversation happened on December 24, 2007.

• Wopsle: (rolls over as we were waking up) "Happy Merry Christmas Eve."
• Amy: (somewhat puzzled look) "Merry Christmas Wally."
• Wopsle: (really confused look) "Wally?"
• Amy: "Yeah, didn't you say 'Happy Merry Christmas Beav'? I thought you were trying to be corny and cute."
• Wopsle: "Who says that? Or for that matter, who makes Leave It to Beaver references? You're the weirdest person I know."
• Amy: "I know, I love you Wally."
• Wopsle: "I love you too, Beav."

X2 - As an extra added bonus laugh, here's what happened last Christmas.

• Amy: (we're at Target) "Oh, look! They sell Chi Straighteners at Target now!"
• Wopsle: (moment of realization) "Ohhhhh, CHIIIIII, space, STRAIGHT-EN-ERS. That makes a lot more sense."
• Amy: "What do you mean?"
• Wopsle: "Well, I heard you say that you wanted one and so I came in here the other day asking if they had a 'Cheese Straightener.' I thought maybe it was something for the kitchen. I even tried to search for it online. This makes so much more sense now!"

COUGH ON, COUGH OFF

I received an early Christmas gift last night from my wonderful husband. I have secretly wanted this item for awhile now and my wish came true at the clap of my hands. The Clapper! You know the 1990's gadget with the "Clap On! Clap Off!" commercial! It really does work and significantly contributes to my laziness of getting up to turn off the light. But you know, after a long hard day of work, it's nice to just give a little clap and POW! the lights are off!

So, last night we tried it out. We said goodnight and I clapped twice to turn out the lights. Well, I have been very sick for about a week now with all sorts of congestion, cough, and sinus issues. I still have a lingering annoying cough that worsens when I'm laying down. Each night I have fallen asleep with a tickle in the throat that causes a raucous of a cough. Just as we were both about to fall asleep though, I must have coughed hard enough to trigger the clapper and, what do you know, LIGHTS ON!

Wopsle: Age 26

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOPSLE!!!

(This was Wopsle's Birthday surprise from our youth. Wopsle's quote was "This is 'Ava Heard' style!")