The Heart of Her Husband Safely Trusts Her - - The P31 Woman

This week we took a look at trust.

The one thing that stood out to me in today's study was this little factoid:

"Throughout the book of Proverbs, trusting in any person or pursuit other than God equates to foolishness. The one exception God makes in Proverbs is in verse 31:11. In this verse a man's profit is the result of the value of his wife, in whom he trusts."

Ms. George points out that God wants us to be women whom our spouse can trust just as he trusts in God. First of all, this is kind of scary - - I mean, those are big shoes to fill. One gal pointed out that we women have to trust in God and rely on Him to make us that trustworthy, because we aren't capable of doing it in our own power.

George's commentary expounds on the word "heart" from the verse. She says the Hebrew word for heart actually refers to the mind where doubt and anxiety originate. I had never thought of it that way but it makes complete sense. I mean, an anxiety attack feels like a heart attack. If people around us don't trust us, it causes anxiety. In my single life, this virtue can be cultivated in the work place. With deadlines and many moving parts to what I do, if I don't give off the perception that I have it under control - - than that causes my supervisors to stress out. I've been struggling giving that perception at work lately - - and I can tell by all the questions my manager asks me that she is lacking in confidence in me.

The chapter listed 10 areas of daily life where we are to develop trustworthiness. Those areas are:

• Money
• Children
• Home
• Reputation
• Fidelity
• Emotions
• Happiness
• Wisdom
• Conduct
• Love

My strengths are reputation and fidelity, I think these go hand-in-hand. I would never cheat and I know I would never engage in anything that could harm my spouse personally or professionally.

My weaknesses are money, home and happiness. I definitely think I need to work on having more savings and less debt. At home, I could be a lot more organized, it isn't exactly an oasis for me sometimes. I know if I were married, a spouse wouldn't want to come home to a crazy, messy home. So I need to work on this. Finally happiness, this kind of ties into last week with being a jewel. I'm not very sparkly and am far from a fountain of joy. I need work on choosing to be more up beat and positive about things.

New Museum Acquisitions - - Pack Howitzers

This January the National Museum of the Marine Corps acquired twin 75mm Howitzers. One from MARCORSYSCOM (Marine Corps Systems Command) and the other from DLA (Defense Logistics Agency).

The Howitzer pictured above is Charity, the other was named Faith. What I want to know is, where are Hope, Grace and Love?

The pack howitzers were developed in the 1920s and were designed to be taken apart in several pieces and then packed on mules for transport. The big debate among the once active duty Marine docents was just how many parts the pack howitzer can be broken into. The signage says six. Some of the docents wondered if in reality it is four. My suggestion was they just take the darn things apart to find out.



Now, I would have to say that Faith was in much better condition then Charity. Both weapons have a lot of corrosion, rust and flaking paint. The men were admiring the very shiny "brass" parts.

"That can't be brass, they had to have painted that on." One of the men commented.

"That is unless they clear coat it with something." the other male docent replied.

Which is what they do in restoration. They will not paint over any brass parts, they will leave it natural, but will clear coat it to keep it from corroding. I confirmed for them that the brass was actually brass and not paint and that it was clear coated.



However, they kept saying that these weapons had been restored. Right away, I put that notion to rest with, "There is no way these could have been restored, look at the corrosion on the brass pieces and all that rust and pealing paint."

I got under the rope and took some of these photos to show you the rust. There is NO WAY the restoration division would release these to you and say they were restored. They are in need of restoration. In addition, restoration would NEVER use gold film (sticker) letters to put the names on these weapons - - they would have used a letter template and actual paint. Who the heck uses sticker letters on a weapon?



Restoration would require removal of all the paint as well as sanding or sandblasting off the rust and corrosion from the parts. They weapons would be completely taken a part (like every piece undone -- not just the 6 pieces for a pack)

During WW2 these were given to the Chinese and believe it or not, during the Vietnam war, the Marines captured a few of them from the Viet Cong who had received them from the Chinese. Boy talk about "What goes around, comes around"!

A Wedding Reception at The Museum

There was a wedding reception in the Museum's Mess Hall this afternoon.  The unusuall thing about it, it was during operational hours.  It is less expensive if you do it this way.  And as you can tell, it was a small wedding reception, so people could still eat in the other half of the mess hall while the reception was going on.

The groom was a Lance Corporal, so they were a young couple. 

The bride was very cute.  She had long, dark brown hair which was pulled back on the sides.  Her dress was a strapless a-line (which I'm sure makes no sense to any men reading this) with simple beading.  The bridesmaids wore really pretty royal blue satin, knee length dresses. 

Above is the cake, minus the cake topper.  The family brought the cake in from an outside baker.  I didn't realize that you could do this, but according the museum catering, this is the only outside thing you can bring in. 

Now, I didn't take any photos of the bride and groom - - just of the room set-up so I can send these to the catering department. 

Yes, museum catering set everything up.  The Bride's family provided all of the table settings, the roses on the head table, the rose petals, the guest book and the card box (by the way, whoever did that card box did an amazing job - - I wonder if there is a real mailbox under the white satin).  The additional flower arrangements are silk flower arrangements provided by Museum catering.

So, what you see below is the view of the Mess Hall from its entrance.

This photo really shows the detail of that gift card box.  Isn't it pretty.

Below, the museum catering manager, sets up the buffet table.  The rose bushes are silk and are what the catering office used spruce the table up.  And yes, they were using plastic plates and table ware.  It still looks very nice for a wedding reception on a budget.

Below, all set and waiting for the guests to arrive. 

I believe the photographer was the brother of the Bride or Groom.  He was a family member.  I asked them if they had had any photos taken in the galleries in front of anything.  I pointed out the best place to take a photo in front of the HRS-1 and also coming off the CH-46 in the Vietnam gallery.  Yes, this is the first bride and groom to be photographed coming off the CH-46.  I hope it turns out to be a cool picture. 

There really are some cool places for photos in the museum.  If you are marrying a Marine, and having the reception in the museum, you gotta get your photo taken by some of the displays - - you have to - - I mean why have your reception there if you don't get some photos.

If you are interested in holding an event here - - they do promotions, changing of commands, awards presentations, weddings, birthdays...you name it, they can do it and catering will work with you to stay within a budget.  For information, check out the Museum's special events site.

I feel like this jeep

 

Yes, I feel rusty, and dirty and tired and in some places broken - - but luckily no eyes knocked out.

It was a long Saturday to a long week. 

I'm starting to stress out at work.  Implementation is coming up quickly.  We hired someone to help me test - - but she's not familiar with the system so I am showing her step by step how to do what we have to do.  She looked at the dates on my white board and freaked and was very discouraged. 

"How are we going to meet those deadlines?"  Well, we don't have a choice.  Its called working really late nights.  She has 12 tests that she has to conduct (I also have 12 - - I took the more difficult ones because, for the most part, I know what I'm doing).  ARGH!

I'm praying for supernatural intervention from God, because there is no way I can get this all done.  None.

The positive - - I have been REALLY good with my workouts.  Even if I've put in a 10 hour day, I still go to the gym.  I'll have to see if I can still do it after a 12 hour day.

Today I labored long and hard on the yard.  I decided that I am going to buy a cultivator to help me dig up my side yard so that I can expand my garden.  After only getting about 4 inches into the red clay soil that was rock hard, I said "ENOUGH!"

I then attempted to fix my toilet (I broke the ballcock trying to get the darn thing to stop running).  Well, I got a new ballcock in but can't get the freakin' washer that seals water supply to thread into the fitting from the ballcock.  Very frustrating.  I'm going to have to call a plumber.  I will be really angry if this costs $100 for them to fix for me.  But, I want my downstairs toilet to work.

The only thing I was successful at today was replacing the screens on a window and on my sliding door from the family room to the patio.  Both repairs were required thanks to the cats.  For the sliding door, I got pet proof screen.  Its thicker and very difficult to cut.  Ranger did have a go at it after I put it up -- and it didn't tear at all.

And the other positive - - my house is clean!

So - - I'm calling it a day, while I'm still ahead!

Her Price is Much Higher Than Jewels - - The Proverbs 31 Woman

This week in our study of the P31 Woman, we looked at her value.

Some translations also say "Her worth is far above rubies" or pearls or corals.

A point that one of my friends made was that rubies blend in with the dirt and you actually have to be looking for them to find them. If you aren't looking for a ruby, you just toss it aside because you think its just like all the other stones in the dirt.

So - - some men could actually have a treasure in their grasp, but because they aren't looking for it, they toss it.

I didn't know that only 20 pearls are found per 35,000 pearl oysters and of that, only 3 are gem quality. WOW!

But the light bulb moment for me in this chapter came when Ms. George was describing a visit she made to a museum in Israel. She was looking for all the treasures. But all the museum had was mundane clay pots and vases. Bland, everyday items, items that related to work, war and loss. She asked where all the 'treasures' were. She was told that the treasures were carried away by ancient conquerors. She realized then that the P31 Woman WAS the sparkling jewel in her husband's life.

As a single woman, I am suppose to be the 'sparkle' in the lives of the people around me. I think I am far from that. I know a couple women who really exemplify the 'sparkle' in the lives of people around them. These women are always upbeat, even when things aren't up beat - - like when we have to work until 3 a.m. I think I need to work on being more 'sparkly', more positive and up beat. So often I just sit in my cube, put the blinders on, just work and I'm blah.

That can then cross over to dating. I mean, who wants to go out with someone who is just blah. I know I want to hang out with people that pick me up and energize me - - well, I need to be that for other people also.

Day 983 of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.


They dine lavishily on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.


Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I neverthless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The ONLY thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.


In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit, not just on the carpet, but in a pair of those things they wear on their hind paws.



Today, I decapitated a frog and dropped its headless body at their feet.


I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.


Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies'. I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

This morning, I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around her feet as she was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.


I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return.

He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.

For now...

Not a Happy Saturday in Ranger's Girl's House

Yes, that would be MY hand.  Ranger was responsible. 

The good thing, I didn't have to go to the hospital this time.

Yes, he has done this to me before and I have had to go to the hospital - - his hind claws missed my veins in my forearm this time.

He escaped by sliding the screen door open.  Well, why didn't I have the screen door latched?  Because I was outside and if it were latched - - well, I had no way of latching it.  I let him roam this time and he came back to the front door.  Only he wouldn't come in, so I sat down on the stoop and he came up and did the "Love me" bit.  Yeah, weaving in and out of my legs, rolling over on his back.  All the indicators that he wanted to be petted.

You guessed it, I reached out to pet him and

BIG MISTAKE!