Gray Hair

Since it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve written, you probably are imagining how busy I’ve been. Not really, but I have been working hard at trying to feel better. I am still fighting off germs. When I get up every morning, I feel like the little kitty on the left. (OK, I admit it, I just threw that in to be able to insert this photo that I think is the cutest thing ever.)  Another cold and another round of a sinus infection have really taken me down for the count and I just haven’t felt up to snuff. I have been able to do what I need to do, but not much extra energy. Me, Peggy, actually went to see a doctor to receive the not so surprising news that I have a severe sinus infection. My x-ray of my head proves it is not empty. Unfortunately, it’s full of what it shouldn’t be full of. The medicine to heal, has been worse than the infection. The prednisone has really thrown me for a loop, but we are reducing the dosage and hoping the severe muscle pain will go away. And I am getting better as I can hear again and have no more headache and am sleeping at night. As proof, here I am writing on my blog. In addition my Bible study time has been quite rich yesterday and today, which is a sure sign that my head is beginning to clear. Yippee.

I had counted on getting a lot down over the last week, since my husband was at the Brazilian Baptist Convention. Usually when he is gone, I work like a fiend to fill up the hours. I have a book (writing a Vacation Bible School) to turn in in March and although it is thoroughly researched, I haven’t begun to write it and that is the tedious part. I love researching. I dread the nitty gritty writing process. Writing is pure discipline, something that doesn’t come natural to me. I like playing with ideas, but when I write them down, then they are “permanent”. In addition, writing a book for leaders of children requires a lot of detail that is not all that fun. Like explaining how to do a craft… copy this size, provide paper, pencil, etc. of this type. Details. But I am ready to tackle it and anxious to see it done.

I have been doing lots of reading these days. One of the books I read was very interesting to me, although not exactly the type of book I usually read. It is called  “Going Gray” (If you are interested, click on the picture and it should take you to its page on AMAZON.COM) and it was on special at Amazon (who can beat $1.99 for a book?). I chose it because I am trying to decide what to do with my hair. I’ve gone blonde and am now back as a brunette. But at least at my hairline, I am graying rapidly. Here in Brazil, white hair appears to be a great taboo. It is a more youthful culture than even the US. But I am growing tired to spending money and time on coloring my hair. Not to mention my concern about allergies (which means I can only use the most expensive hair salons) and long term effects to the exposure to such toxic chemicals. I’ve been thinking of going “natural”, but only after Elly’s wedding (let’s be honest I am more vain, than concerned with my health!!!). At any rate, this book really helped me think this through. If my hair were as gorgeous as my mom’s, I’d do it in a heartbeat.  By the way, that is no model on the right. That is my very beautiful 87 year old Mom. And it’s not photo-shopped. She is that gorgeous. I love this photo of her. It really captures her. That is real beauty to me. Not these plastic surgery travesties. And that’s what I ultimately aspire to, but it’s not so easy to go gray gradually when you’ve been hiding it with coloring. Sometimes I look at people with salt and pepper and think, why have they let themselves go like that? Stupid thought. Since I have had those thoughts, I know others will think likewise. In addition, I’ll have to hear lots I don’t want to hear from the people at my church. (The same folks who have suggested I have plastic surgery on my stomach, that I let my hair grow longer, that I should have stayed blonde, etc.). So this book helped me think through how I’ll transition through this. I may change my mind by next June or July, but that’s where I am on the subject right now.

In addition to reading, I’ve also been able to keep up on my church commitments. I finished up my study of the book of Esther in my Sunday School class and it was fun to end the study by having a Purim celebration. I even made hamantaschen, a kind of traditional jelly filled cookie eaten at Purim. I have now begun a study of the “I AMS” of John. We began with “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE” this past Sunday and I am just loving this study. The last Sunday, I also preached at the morning worship. I wouldn’t want to preach every Sunday, but I openly confess I LOVE preaching. I spoke about “Golden Apples”, about the importance of encouragement. The neat thing is that I felt very encouraged by the whole experience. Hope you receive an encouraging word this week too!