Bad request for help

I had this happen a couple years ago, and I thought I blogged it.  It's here so I can share, but avoid mentioning names.
This was a message I received from someone who I hadn't heard from since 1998.  I tried to act like this was a normal friendly exchange, but yeah wow.

Hey there Lauri! I emailed you at your facebook.com address, but I'm honestly not even sure how those work, which means I don't know if you received the email. So I'm actually just going to copy and paste what I wrote then for this msg.

Ooops. Didn't want to send that. Anyway, here you go. So long time, no talk, huh? Looks like you're in the area---how's that going? My wife and I actually now live in Midwest state, working with grad students at the University of State with Cru. We have a girl named Mary who turned 3 last month, and a girl named Laura who was just born last month 4 days after Mary's birthday! We would love to hear about your life and get caught up, but it would also be great to talk to you about this new work God has called us to (we just moved here in December), and give you the opportunity to partner with us in it financially and prayerfully. God is moving here, and we would love to have you in it with us. If you could get back to us whenever you get a chance to either talk, or set up a time to talk, so that we could catch up and give you the details, that would be great. Thanks so much, and we look forward to hearing from you! (123) 555-1234 [Home] (456) 555-6789 [His cell] (789) 555-0123 [Her cell] his@cru.org her@cru.org

05/30/2013 3:29PM

Hey Lauri, just wanted to touch base again. Btw, your cover and profile pictures are great. Anyway, get back to us whenever you get a chance if you could. Like I said, it would be great to catch up, and let you know about our ministry! Thanks! (Oh, and if you want first, we could send you more info through email if you prefer before we talk on the phone---up to you.) (123) 555-1234 [Home]

(456) 555-6789 [His cell] (789) 555-0123 [Her cell] his@cru.org her@cru.org

Lauri

Evidently my phone isn't sending messages well. I've been good. What have I been doing? So many things. The church I grew up in started an extension campus, and we chartered as our own church earlier this year. I just became the treasurer! I volunteered with the youth at both churches from the time I graduated from Miami until just recently. (long story). I worked at an insurance company for over 10 years, but was downsized a few years ago. Since then I've had a contract position auditing for a group of hospitals. However, I just found out that the position will end this year. I'll take any prayers I can get about it! I will definitely pray for your family. However at this point, I don't feel comfortable making any new financial commitments that I don't know if I'll be able to honor in January.

Hey Lauri, thanks so much for getting back to me! (Don't worry---we actually still have dumbphones.) Great to hear about stuff going on with your church. Being the treasurer is obviously SUCH an important job for a local body of believers. Regarding your employment situation, we'll definitely be praying! So many things in such a state of flux in the country right now. We really appreciate your prayers too. I do think it's a wise move to not take on any new financial commitments at this point. 3 other questions for you: 1st, would you like to receive our prayer letter over email? We'd love for you to be kept updated in that way and so you can know some specific ways in which to pray for us. If so, be sure to shoot me your email address. 2nd, would it be ok to follow up with you in Jan. or Feb. to find out if you've been able to secure a job and possibly consider partnering with us at that point? 3rd, would your church possibly be interested in hearing from us about this particular work? Thanks so much!

06/05/2013 12:17PM

Hey Lauri, just following up, even though I'm not sure with your phone issues how often you're able to get to facebook otherwise. Just wondered if we could put you on our email prayer letter list, and if your church may be interested in hearing from us. Let me know if you could whenever you get a chance. Thanks so much, and thanks again for messaging me last week!

06/05/2013 2:31PM

Lauri

Name. I manage to get on. The church is really focusing on our immediate area for missions. You should create a Facebook page so people can "like" it to get more info.

Hey Lauri, thanks for getting back to me. Good idea with the facebook pg.---neither one of us is very good with tech (Wife is better than I am). But if we can make the time and figure it out somewhat quickly, that would be good! You mean a personal page, right? Or just one about ministry? There actually is 1 of those (you could just type that in the search bar if you want to check it out). We have a personal website, but even that needs a lot of work. What are you thinking about getting our prayer letter over email? If you would like that, shoot me your address. We'd love to send it to you! Thanks!

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Christian Romance Novels

I am a reader. I read anything associated with Laura Ingalls Wilder that I can get my hands on. I reread old Nancy Drew books. I read Christian romance novels because I like the idea of a couple falling in love and it remaining PG13.
However, Christian Romance Novels, or CRN as they will from now on be called because it's my blog and the other is to long to type, are flawed. I'm not sure why these problems are so common in the genre, but I must comment on it. Let me tell you about two I started today.
In the first one, we meet a disc jockey. He's moved to Christian radio from baseball after some shoulder surgery. He knows many people don't believe a professional athlete can be a Christian. People who have evidently never heard of Josh Hamilton, Jon Kitna, Anthony Munoz, wasn't David Robinson and Sean Casey?, Dave Johnson from the Dan and Dave commercials (I just dated myself but I loved his now out of print autobiography). Seriously, I know pro athletes have a lot of temptation, but I've never heard of anyone saying they disqualified someone because they were a professional athlete. But I digress, there's a bigger reason why people say he couldn't be a Christian - he shaves his head! What. the. ??!!. Where did that decree come from? Samson and Delilah? In my experience, it means the guy doesn't want to admit he's losing his hair, so he shaves it all off. Really, have you ever run across someone who says, "Oh him? He's not a Christian. I've never talked to him, but he shaves his head." So I'm wondering what the plot is going to be like since the author's experience is so narrow.
Now let's move on to book 2. In book 2, our heroine wants to become a missionary in Iraq where her brother, a soldier, just died. Let's ignore the headlines of the past week, and put aside my thoughts about people who should know they are risking other's lives not just their own. His best friend comes to discourage her as it was her dying brother's last request that she not go. He flew to South Carolina from Iraq. He's been injured at sometime and has the look of the walking wounded. He grabs his car to go talk to her still in a sand covered uniform. She argues with him and insists that he attend the talk of a missionary from Syria that she was about to go hear. Wait. This soldier has been on American soil for aproximately 2 hours, and he's going to go listen to a lecture? Shouldn't he have to be debriefed? Maybe call home? Have a chance to shower, sleep, and wear non sand covered clothes? She wasn't on her way to the airport. No explanation is given, and I can't help but think that the author hasn't done any research past watching Katie Couric for a couple of nights. Seriously, start the book while he's on the plane and thinking what he has to do after his obligations. Or let her realize most people who have been up for 48 hours straight need a nap more than a lecture. It just seems to me that some realities could be addressed.
Oh well, I guess neither are as bad that had soldier in the title and the guy turned out to be in the navy. I was pretty sure that the Soldiers in the Army and Sailors in the Navy, didn't like being confused for one another.

Sunset Heart by Cherie Bennett

We open on the beach with Sam and Emma dying to hear about Carrie's date with Billy last night. We read how impossible it is that three such different girls would end up best friends and a recap of all the previous books. Carrie isn't sure if she wants to go all the way with Billy. She wants them to get AIDS test first because anyone could have AIDS (we'll ignore the full proof method since the author doesn't believe teenagers can control themselves.)
Later we find out the Carrie's working on a portfolio of pictures for a summer project for school with Claudia and Ian. I'm sure this will be important later. Becky, who's now Ian's girlfriend, comes over. Becky at 14 wants them to go hang out in his room with the door closed, but Mom insist it has to be open. During the night we find out both Chloe and Ian have chicken pox. Wonder if Becky has them as well? Carrie has some time since the kids are sick. Billy comes over - he's fighting his third cold from April. Wonder if this is a warning sign for an STD? Billy thinks they should both get tested not just him. Carrie's shocked that he could think he's sick. Then he says that one girl he slept with did sleep around a lot so he's nervous to take the test. I'm thinking that's more reason to take it.
The girls meet that evening and we get outfit descriptions. Sam - an antique navy-blue lace slip from a thrift store with a jean jacket and her red cowboy boots (trademarked). Carrie - baggy jeans, t-shirt, and flannel shirt (Did she get lost on the way to Seattle?). Emma - white jeans, sleeveless white lace t-shirt, and a long embroidered white vest (gee, think she's the Ice Princess?)
And guess what the twins have chicken pox! Told you so.

Alaskan Midnight by Joyce Livingston

I bought this as I was going to Alaska and thought it would be a fun read. It was. Except how do these people from Juneau drive to a cabin in the woods? That's impossible from there. And a mass start dog race? Or a Siberian that can roam and come back? I like the idea of Christian romance novels, but I'd suggest the authors google their topics so that some of the facts are correct.

Sweet Valley High Secrets.

I posted my first post to 1bruce1 tonight!!! Here it is. Remember being snarky is a good thing there.
Be gentle. It’s my first post, thought I’m a long time lurker.
First, the cover – I get that the girl is Jessica, but is the boy supposed to be Ronnie or Bruce?
We open with Jessica still fuming receiving a pool push at the end of Double Love. The homecoming nominees are announced. I won’t bore you with the list since it’s the usual suspects. I do have a question – why is it mostly juniors? At my school, underclassmen had a court and the king and queen were seniors. Maybe at SVH, they change it every year to make sure a Wakefield can win. Jessica, Lila, and Cara say Enid was nominated because she’s dating the mysterious new boy, Ronnie Edwards. They evidently have amnesia, without a motorcycle accident, since he was in their sixth grade class.
Enid comes crying to Elizabeth wearing Juicy Couture. Seriously, Enid wearing Juicy Couture like she wouldn’t think that was a lip gloss flavor? Enid spills her guts to Liz about Geo. Why would he be called Geo? Evidently he’s now a rich boy, whose parents paid off the kid’s parents so they wouldn’t have to go to jail. I think that’s new. Enid knows Ronnie’s going to have problems with her having a friend who isn’t a girl, because he’s borderline psycho. Enid shows Liz the emails in a folder called “George”, seriously secret correspondence should be kept in a folder that’s not obvious if anyone sees it, like say “Geo”?
Jessica is spacing out in French class. Winston tries to save her, and Ken comes to both of their rescue. And tries to flirt with Ms. Dalton. Sigh, I’ve always liked Ken. There’s a reference to Bruce’s non-Porsche. Okay, calm down I’ll show you what I saw the other day on the way home.

In case, you can’t read it, the license plate is “2 Sylbl” I think she’s married to Bruce after he divorced Lila. But back to the story, Lila’s not happy that Ms. Dalton has the attention of both her father and her homecoming date. This is the one mention of Lila being in choir. L Cara gives Jessica the run down of which clique is voting for each girl. Enid may win because she’s all that. Jessica chases down Bruce, and he teases her as much as she enjoys teasing her boyfriends, but then he throws her at Winston.
Jessica goes home and bitches to Alice about Elizabeth and Enid. Alice actually acts like a parent. And in a departure from the original Jessica gets pink lemonade on a white t-shirt instead of a cherry tomato on a pink sweater. Why do I remember these things? I love how she goes upstairs but her room (not called the Hershey Bar “pouts”) is too messy so she goes to hang out in Liz’s room to check her email. She finds the email and forwards them to Ronnie. She finds the address on the SVH website with all the email addresses on it. SV Parenting 101: let your minor child’s email be published online.
E & T and E & R go on a double date to the movies. Todd notices how annoying Ronnie is acting. Maybe he should threaten to punch him. Then he gives Liz his varsity jacket. Aww, I always wanted a guy to give me his letter jacket. Liz remembers how Jess he tried to keep them apart. Um, Liz? She told you he tried to rape her, that’s a little more than tried to keep them apart. Todd kisses Liz, but it’s not one of his patented connect-the-dot kisses. Liz goes to check on Enid and to pat her on the shoulder. Enid goes home with Ronnie to talk to him, but this isn’t what he has in mind. However, we do find out why Ronnie is such a controlling jerk. His mother cheated on his father. See how divorce messes up a person in Sweet Valley?
Jess goes to a martini tasting at Lila’s. EWW (sorry, really don’t like those) I’m sure that’s how teenagers drink. Liz calls Enid and find out she’s P-I-S-S-E-D at Liz because Ronnie knows about Geo. Jess acts surprised and tells Liz that she shouldn’t be a doormat. I assume she means to people not named Jessica.
Jessica manipulates Ronnie into going to homecoming with her. I’m wondering why Lila bothered to invite him to her party. He’s not awesome enough to be there.
The next day at school everyone finds the Photo-shopped photo of Ken and Ms. Dalton. Liz is upset that anyone would treat a teacher disrespectfully. I think she’s upset that Ms. Dalton had Ken before her. Jessica pretends to try and patch things up between Enid and Liz. Jess gives us this pearl of wisdom: when dumped by a guy it’s important to look fabulous the next time you see him. Elizabeth wonders why patching things up involves Jessica and Ronnie dating. Because you are a clueless, doormat Liz.
Liz goes to cry on Mr. Collins’ shoulder about her problems. He, now, has horrible fashion sense to match his movie star looks. She and Olivia start gossiping (told you Liz isn’t any better than Jessica). Mr. Collins tells them to be quiet. He’s upset that they are discussing his best chance at a girlfriend, who isn’t a minor. Liz goes to talk to Winston and wonders why shallow cheerleader Jessica would like the gorgeous, rich Bruce better than comic relief Winston. Gee, I wonder. Liz and Todd go out on a date. Todd gives her the same advice as ol’ Roger. He says he has an earpiece and Mr. Collins is feeding Todd lines to tell Elizabeth. Let’s just imagine that for a second. Okay, yeah that is nasty. She goes home and finds out that they are right and it’s Jessica’s fault. You know after sixteen years, I would think the smart twin should know Jessica is guilty until proven innocent.
Enid and Nora run into each other at the grocery store, which does make more sense than going to her house. They bond over Starbucks and then Ms. Dalton tells Enid to do as she says not as she does. And Enid, actually doesn’t act like Liz the doormat and rips her a new one. Enid goes home to get ready for the dance. Surprisingly, Ken’s doppelganger shows up – George. I assume they look alike since they are both described as Abercrombie hot. They go to the dance. Enid makes up with Liz. Jess gets jealous that Enid shows up with a hot guy, because you have to be a blonde size four to date a cute guy. Ms. Dalton comes. I wish she had come with Ken. And Liz gets Winston elected Prom King. Because I always vote for the guy the Prom Queen would want to go out with. Yeah, I guess maybe Winston is all that instead of Enid.

2 Reviews!

Dogs of the Iditarod by Jeff Schultz Gorgeous mostly picture book about the Iditarod dogs. It's about 5 years old, so some more recent names are mentioned, but still great pictures.
Storm Run by Libby Riddles. A children's story about how Libby won the Iditarod. I think how brutal it was was very much glossed over, but very inspiring. A lot of background information about dog mushing. Also, you can tell how life has changed in the past 20 years. No Iditarod Insider, no up to the minute updates for those at home following along. But then this past year we spent twelve hours wondering about what was happening to Mitch Seavey and Jeff King so modern communication isn't perfect.

Josh Hamilton: Beyond Belief

I had heard parts of Josh's story living in the Cinti area when he played for the Reds. I heard more on an ESPN show a year or so ago. It was fascinating that someone with so much talent could fall so far and so hard and really so quickly. And then to have his wife stay with him took such an unbelievable amount of strength on her part. I, also, found that his perspective on his rehab unique and interesting. I recently read that he relapsed in the past year. I know the road of recovery is hard, I hope that it was a rare occurence and think that the groundwork he explained in this book will help carry him through.