Gliding down the Illinois River

July 3, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

Richard and I bought a raft. We live just a few miles from the Illinois River. Rafting and canoeing is big business, and at $20 a person (up to $100 per raft) it gets pricey. So we invested in our own raft, paddles and life jackets. It costs exactly $1 for a pass from the Scenic River Commission.

On Tuesday we made a trial run. We dropped off one vehicle at an exit point, and then traveled down the highway to find a public access.

“Hey babe, what’s the odometer say?” Richard asked from the back seat. (The canoe was tied on in a gotta-make-this-work fashion and somehow neither of our front doors opened because of it - I climbed in the window. Richard took the easy way in, opening the door and taking the back seat.)

“Two miles. No three. Oh, now we’re going on four,” I said.

It was 7:30 p.m. We left the house earlier, but the raft flew in the air four feet, causing quite a scare. Which is why we went back home, found some rope, and tied it inside and outside the car.

At the River, we untied the raft and set it in the water, threw the jackets in and jumped in. The river is high because Oklahoma has had a huge amount of rain. We floated away. The fun began!

An hour an a half later, we were having a blast. Large fish swam nearby. A large crane-like bird followed us. It was peaceful. No one, and I mean NO ONE was floating. A few people swam in public access areas. A few watched us from decks nestled at river camps.

“Where do you think that bridge is?” I asked. Sundown wasn’t far away. The night noises were humming and buzzing. (more…)

Oops!

July 2, 2008 | family, just for fun

Have you ever done something and instantly knew it was a mistake?

Right before I traveled to She Speaks I thought it would be a great idea to add some highlights. My beautician had cut it but didn’t have time to do anything else. I went home, bummed, until I saw Melissa. She and Josh were visiting.

I ran to Wal Mart and picked up a highlighting kit that promised to be easy and fun. I couldn’t wait to tell Melissa that I had handpicked her to help me with this hair project. And according to the box, there was fun to be had as well.

“Don’t ask me to do this,” she said.

I was surprised at her lack of enthusiasm. Melissa loves hanging out with me (a total blessing), and usually she’s game for a challenge.

“I’m begging you,” she said. “You’ll regret this.” (more…)

priceless

books, community, ministry life

This is a repost from last year, just about this time. It was my story of a bookstore gone bad, gone good.

Yesterday I set up a bookstore at our community Independence Day celebration. One person picked up The Mom I Want to Be and turned it over, glancing at my pic on the back side.

“Is that you? Are you the author?”

“Yes,” I said, smiling. “But this is the red-faced, sweaty version.”

It was hot. Muggy. Searing sunshine, even under the forest-green canopy.

I have to be honest. I questioned why I had decided to sell books.

At the end of the evening I had only sold 10, netting a profit of about $30-35, minus the cost of the candy, time spent setting up, carrying books and books of boxes, the flowers to put on the table.

Okay, I made zero.

(more…)

Shameless Audacity

July 1, 2008 | faith

I’m on a word kick this week. Words that rock my world. Words that show me Jesus.

My friend, Kris Hammonds, is a twentysomething man and is an amazing teacher. (Hey, Kris!)

He ministered to some other twentysomethings nearly three years ago and the words he spoke stuck in my heart. They are still there today. The title of his sermon was Shameless Audacity. (more…)