Reyes Gibbs Blog

A Body of Work - Yoga and Curves

I did it I signed up to the women's exercising group "Curves."  A good friend of mine has been going three times a week for the past three years.  I decided that if I went with her I would be consistent and follow through with it.

I have joined exercising groups and gyms before.   I sign up for a year, pay for a year and quit after a few months!!!  But I'm committed now!!! (Please pray for me!)  So for 30 minutes three times a week, I will be exercising to a voice that says, "Change stations now!"

I have also started Yoga.  I've done this before too!   I had to tell the yoga instructor that the last time I took a yoga class, I fell asleep during the cooldown, calming time.   Her response, "You probably needed to!"   I took that class in the evening so to avoid "sleeping during class" I am taking a morning class with my good friend (again with a friend I hope to be committed!)  We will see!!

With both these classes, the main question seems to be "What do you hope for?"    World Peace?
Since that can't be accomplished at yoga or curves, I'll settle for better health, more energy,  and just maybe losing weight! 

Learning in Chaos

I bought a Mac.  I don't want to hear the benefits of PC or Mac!  I like it so far.   Especially the part of me going to the Genius Bar for help on specific Mac programs and help on my computer!

I went in the other day to learn about the Keynote (powerpoint) program.   I made an appointment, showed up a little early and observed the learning site.     It was in the back of the retail space, no walls, and in the midst of the craziness of folks looking at Macs and purchasing Macs.   The noise level was high and the staff was busy answering questions.   I thought, "Am I going to have a class in this place?  They must have a room in the back away from the excitement, people, and transactions."

When they called my name, I met my "genius" (this is the title of all the folks who help with programs and specific issues with your Mac).  His name was Joshua.    He invited me up to the Genius Bar.  I sat down and then asked, "How do people learn in this environment?"   He just smiled.

As he led me through the program and answered all my questions, it was if a wall was beamed around us and there was no interruption or distractions.   I was focused on the presentation and my need to learn as much as I needed to.  I just had a hour!!!   It was very amazing!  I didn't care about the people around me and I didn't hear anything that made me want to stop listening and being involved in learning.  In fact, the noise around me was like me working to the noise of the television or stereo or my mp3 player!
I remembered almost everything Joshua taught me and what I didn't remember, he gave me all the resources I needed to learn myself!!!

Its that way with God.  If I focus on God, talk to God, ask my questions and be patient for the answers, the distractions wouldn't give me the excuses I use to not spend or learn from my relationship with God.  So the answer for me is to focus more on what I want with God and what God wants from me!!!   I knew all this but the trip to the Genius Bar, reminded me of it, again!!!  It's all about focus!!!

Okay you PC folks, I know that PC are wonderful an Mac's aren't compatible! But when I had problems with my Dell, it took forever for me to explain the problem and another forever for the person on the other side to explain what to do!!!  That kind of choas I can do without.   So  one day, maybe, Macs and PC's will be compatible, but right now I am completely happy with the Mac chaos and my genious or geniuses!!

Now, time for God!!!  Peace!!!

Political Views

I'm still trying to figure out Facebook.   As I was reviewing my profile, I didn't like that I put moderate but I also don't like the label liberal.   So I wanted to put down that my Political Views were IMPORTANT but there was no way I could do that.   My Political Views can also be , IT DEPENDS.   I think that putting a label on my political views defines me and I am not sure about that.    My political views come from being a mom, teacher, preacher, grandma etc.... I want choices not just a choice in picking a label.   So if you see moderate and are surprised.  I figure that was the best one since they didn't put in "GRAY" .  I believe that it is in the Gray that God works miracles.  So my politcal view is IMPORTANT, IT DEPENDS and GRAY!   That sort of sums it up. 

I could preach in this!

While in Maui, last week (sigh) I went shopping with my good friend at a pretty ritzy women's clothing store.    I was on a mission to find ethnic (Hawaiian) dresses that I could preach in.   I wear dresses made by a women's coop in Ghana on most Sundays and the dresses are very comfortable.     I saw a silk robe and said out loud, "I could preach in this!"   The saleswoman asked if I was a pastor.  She asked, "do you marry people?"   I replied, "yes"  Then she asked if I preached.  Silly me, I said "yes." She asked what I preached, again, silly me, I said that God loves each one of us no matter what.  Then she proceeded to tell me about her being a Christian and how God is going to take care of the mess that "some" people are making.   Then she proceeded to list all the trouble makers beginning with  liberals....I stopped listening after that and said, "Thank You."   Next time I find a dress that I could preach in, I'll keep it to myself.

I am on Facebook!!!

My gifted and talented son Bruce (Kevin is gifted and talented also!) is helping me get on Facebook, the way of networking in this new technology.    As I had earlier posted, Kevin's girlfriends, said, "It' just wrong!" Her reaction to "old" people getting on facebook.   Facebook was originated from university/college students as a way of getting to know people on the campus.   It of course now has become bigger than that where a lot of "old" people are signing on.    For those on Facebook now,  be paitient with me!   

Honey, Baby, Darlin'

I am going with a group of young women to Revolve Tour - Women of Faith gathering October 19-20.   It is a huge event at Arco Arena in Sacramento.  Thousands of young women are going to be there.   The group that I am going with are part of the faith community at Bethel.    The Women of Faith events are come from a more conservative orientation but know how to throw a good party.    I had to call the central office to buy tickets for Saturday's lunch and was put on hold for about five minutes.   In those five minutes, several recorded messages were played to keep me company and entertained until a human got on the line.   In all the messages a very happy, funny woman had a message for me about God, joining the Women of Faith organization, etc.   Everyone of of the messages signed off with "honey, someone will be with you in a few minutes" or "thank you darlin'" for calling or "Baby, stay on the line someone will be helping you soon.   I haven't been referred to as honey, baby or darlin' by another women for years.  The last time was when I was in North Carolina when they talk that way.    Why do I find this offensive?   It's not a term of endearment and they don't know me!  I would not dream of calling another woman who I don't know as honey, baby, or darlin'.  I'd find out her name and use it.   I think the phone messages are a fore-shadowing of the gathering to come!!! Pray for me!!!

Facing my fears!!!

We all have fears.   for the U.S. its the fear of terrorists, for Darfur it is the fear of hunger and murder, for families its the fear of not having enough.   We probably have more fears than we have hopes as a community!   So the only fear that we really can deal with is our own.

I have lots of fears among them are:   large pools of water, cockroaches and mice.   I don't ever want to be in a pool of water that doesn't have a ladder for me to climb out of or into.  I love watching the water, being near the water but don't want to be in the water.    I know that cockroaches and mice can't kill or maim but the thought of them in my garage or house will keep me up at nights with plans on how to keep them out and get rid of them.   Poison on my weeds no way!  Mice or cockroaches that's a different story!!!!
Another fear, they'll become resistant to poison and then what will I do?

The other day I went into our garage to do the laundry and when I opened the door there was a mouse looking at me!   I backed away quietly and ran into the house convinced that we had a mice infestation.  You know if you see one there are bound to be more!     I bravely waited a few minutes and went back into the garage and the mouse was still there!!!   I retreated back into the house and waited for one of the men in the house to come home and take care of the matter.  The mouse was gone by the time they came home.  Joel said that the mouse was probably dying and that's why it didn't run away when I went into the garage.

The next day, I asked Kevin to go into the garage with me to take care of any mice bodies that may have fallen on the garage floor or worse were still alive.   Of course, Kevin laughed at me and insisted that mice wouldn't be around and no bodies.    And then....

I walked outside to the garage, lifted my foot to enter and there it was a dead mouse!!! okay big deal you say but if you are afraid of mice, I think even when they are dead!!! I ran back into the house, made Kevin get the mouse and throw it away and then go into the garage to make sure there weren't any more.  Whew!!!  Now back to the laundry.....

I'm stuck and can't turn around!!!

The other night I drove my grandaughter to a dance lesson in Pacifica.  I'd never been to this place before and had good directions.   I waited in the parking lot for an hour with my other two grandaughters until the lesson was over.   When dance lessons were over, I had three hungry and tired girls to take home. So off I went onto Highway One left Pacifica and all their exits.  Then I looked at my gas guage and the indicator line was below the E.   I was driving my son's truck for the first time and had no idea how long it had been at "E" and I panicked.   I had to find an exit and pray for a gas station.    I took the first exit off and headed to the first gas station, Whew!!! also a good stop for chips and lemonade for the girls. 

I was turned around when I left the gas station and to make a long story short.   I tried shortcuts etcs.
I decided to go the way I had taken years ago to get back to my son's home, I turned left and the road was closed for construction, then I turned right...right into a dead end street with room for only one lane.   I did my best to back all the way out and I was so afraid that I was going to hit cars on both sides of me that I just went back to the dead end.  I pulled into a driveway but the truck seemed to long and I felt I was going to hit another car.   I tried all the 3 point turns I could, rubbed against branches of a tree that unsettled me.  okay I was stressed, I had three hungry girls in the truck and a stressed lola at the wheel.   I did the next best thing, I stopped the truck, got out and walked to a group of guys who were hanging out in their garage and asked if one of them could help me turn around.  I was desparate!!!

Another Whew!!  A big guy came out and squeezed himself behind the wheel (I'm short!) and with the help of his buddies, it took him about six tries before he turned the truck around and headed me out.  The guys gave me directions and I got back into the car.   My granddaughter, Evelyn  turned to me and asked, "Lola, did you know him?"   I just shrugged my shoulders and thanked God!!!!

What did I learn from this experience?
-Check the gas guage!
-Turn right onto streets that has two lanes for traffic.
-Ask for directions sooner than later!!
From my daughter, "Why didn't you stop and call someone?"  Good question!!!