I Love It. I Love It Not . . .

This week has been quite a roller coaster ride for me and my new city.

As I'm sure you're aware, our home has been filled with some playful rivalry in the present Stanley Cup playoffs.  I wish I could say that I've been perfectly calm and fun about everything, but honestly I was getting pretty annoyed to live here at the beginning of the week.  I wouldn't read the newspaper until Thursday.  All those cocky articles about their "so great" hockey team . . . and what kind of city has a sadistic game called "Whack a Penguin" on their newspaper's website?!?  And an even better question . . . what kind of person would actually play it?!?

Needless to say, things got a little more fun on Thursday.  This was by far my favorite quote in the Detroit Free Press.  "Red Wings fan Dave Thurman, 49, of Novi said security guards frisked him at the entrance and asked: 'Do you have any octopus?' He didn't. 'But they were serious about it,' Thurman said. 'They searched me.' A Mellon Arena usher, who declined to give his name said he had orders to boot any octopus-thrower out of the arena."  Ahhhhh, Pittsburgh.  

Last night however, was one of my first real connections that I felt with the city as I went to my first NBA game, watching the Pistons in Game 6.  Brad and I went along with his parents and I confess that while I had previously found the NBA to be my least favorite professional sport, it's WAAAAAAAY better in person.  Sadly, there was somewhat of a meltdown in the 4th quarter leaving the Pistons with a loss, but the experience was still a positive one for me.  It's a foundation at least that me and the city can work on.  Now, if only they'll get rid of their sequel game "Chuck a Penguin . . ."

Deal or No Deal

So I'd like to confess one of the guilty pleasures of the Leach family.

Deal or No Deal.

I remember when it first aired and my dad and sister tried to explain the plot for me.  (For those of you that have never experienced the show, here's a summary of the rules on NBC's website.)  Needless to say, when I first heard the explanation I was flabbergasted.  The show requires no skill.  Absolutely nothing can make you better or worse at the game.  It's really all just based on random chance.  What could possibly be intriguing about that?  And yet, it doesn't take too many viewings to get sucked into the black hole of entertainment piloted by the brilliant Howie Mandel.

What I find to be truly fascinating is the way the contestants talk on the show.  They plead with the models to open up a small number (as if the model has ANY control over the outcome).  No matter what the first offer is, they always say, "It's a lot of money . . ." but they never take the deal.  And they always, always KNOW that their suitcase has $1,000,000 in it.  But I've never seen anyone go all the way with their deal.  They always sell their case back to the banker (and in most cases make a good deal).

I guess what really struck me is the discontinuity between what people are saying with their mouths and what they're really believing in their hearts.  They may say they are certain that their case holds $1,000,000 but if they really believed that with 100% certainty, why would they ever settle for anything less?  What they are saying and what they are doing don't add up.

Of course I had to ask myself that same question.  I have been given a suitcase that holds way more worth than $1,000,000.  The case of salvation that God has given to me provides me with innumerable blessings both now and for all of eternity.  I know that.  I say that to other people.  And yet, I can think of some ways that I choose to settle for less, making a deal that just doesn't add up.  I choose to be anxious or stressed or discontent instead of holding on to my case that's a guaranteed fortune.  

I'll probably have to come back and read this blog again sometime in the distant (or more likely not-so-distant) future.  I'm blessed to have family and friends that I brought with me to cheer me on when I might be tempted to compromise.  I need to remind myself that no matter what the other cases that are opened in my life's circumstances my response always needs to be, "No Deal!" as I hold on to the case Christ has bought for me.  I think Howie would be proud.

Kick in the Teeth

So I went back to the gym yesterday.  Sadly to say first time in about 2 weeks.  

I took a pilates class (first one in about 3 weeks) and what was even worse than the "I'm going to throw up feeling" that I felt as my core was being turned inside out, was the lack of that feeling by anyone else in the room.  Seriously, this class was really hard and everyone seemed perfectly okay about the regimen that we were under.

Finally, the lady sitting behind me groaned at the apex of one of the hardest sets we were doing.  She groaned!  I was so happy!  A kindred spirit!  Someone else who understands that this was an unusual form of bodily torture.

I looked at her with a smile and said, "Wow, this class is really hard, isn't it?"

She looked back at me with a similar expression of anguish and said, "Yeah, I just don't have anything left in my legs because I just finished doing the two classes before this one, too."

Bubble of glee quickly deflated to bitter humiliation.  So much for finding camaraderie in the face of trials.

IT'S OFFICIAL

Let's be honest.  Hockey is probably the only sport that I would ever see this happen.

Gotta love those Pirates, but until we see some new management, it's gonna be hard to see them play the Tigers in any World Series.

And the Lions???  Well, do we really need to say anything more?

So how excited am I to see the Pittsburgh Penguins playing the Swedish, I mean Detroit Red Wings?

You can see that Brad has already thrown down the gauntlet on his blog and the Pittsburgh fans are coming out strong!!!  We're trying to come up with a friendly wager on the series.  Any suggestions?

The Little Friendly Restaurant

So we made it to the booming metropolis of Springfield after a drive from Tulsa, OK (cheaper to fly there and rent a car).  My first trip to either of these states (and I thought Detroit was flat!?!).  

Yesterday, while Brad was in class, Aunt Debbie, Jonathan and his friend Heather and I went exploring the city.  Aunt Debbie took us to a restaurant that she said we just HAD to try called Casper's (no little, friendly ghosts that I could see).  I'm not sure that the pictures can do it justice.  

The whole place literally sits maybe 25 people.  25 skinny people.  And it's set up in a facility that looks like an old army barracks, circa 1964.  When you walk inside, however, it's unlike any barracks that has been seen by a soldier.  It reminded me of what I imagined Rainbow Brite's house to look like.  It's comprised of pictures that have been collected throughout the restaurant's 100 year history and is known for a secret chili recipe that has been around that long as well.  

The food was great, cooked by Etta who has probably been working there throughout most of the restaurant's history.  What really impressed me, however, was the make-up of the restaurant's patrons.  There were Lexus-driving, Armani-suit wearing businessmen sitting right beside the Missouri farmer who brought in pictures of the most recent renovations to his barn.  And they all enjoyed the camaraderie.  

It made me really wonder what was it about Casper's that made it so popular and endearing to it's variety of customers.  While the aesthetics and food certainly add to its charm, I really think it's the people that make the difference.  The wait staff and owner treated all their customers the same, rich or poor, fat or skinny, business deals or farm weddings . . . they were all treated with the same attitude of value and respect.  

I think when it comes to ministry, I tend to really think a lot about getting externals right . . . brochures, environment, decorations.  They're definitely important and something to be considered.  Even more, however, I need to be concerned with how I am going to be a part of a person's experience.  Am I going to make them feel valued, loved, and unique as Jesus certainly would or am I too busy getting everything ready that I miss out on the reasons why.  My trip to the "little friendly restaurant" was one that made this Springfield trip something to remember.  

First Trip!

I get to leave today for my first trip to Springfield, MO.  Brad has another week of his grad classes down there and I get to go with him this time!  Yay!

I'm excited to spend some time with some more members of my new family (Uncle John, Aunt Debbie, and cousins Bethany and Jonathan) and to see the city where my husband spent 4 years of college.  Every time I tell people that I'm going they say, "Is this your first trip?" and when I say that it is, they look at me with this knowing look that says, "Wow!  Wait 'til you see it!" 

I'm so intrigued.

Nephew Update

Here are a few recent pics from the world's cutest nephew.  He just turned 6 months old in April and we just had a celebration on Sunday after Betsy and Rob dedicated him in church. (Don't worry.  Uncle Brad was sure to explain the theological implications of dedication to his nephew before the event.) :-)

Dream Final?!?

How great would this be for a Stanley Cup Final?!?  It's hard to keep up with Penguin news here (gotta watch a lot of ESPN for that), but the Red Wings fans are pretty excited and sure care a lot about octopuses (or is it octopi)?  New, local customs here in Detroit . . . Four more wins for each of them and it can happen!