A Tough Week and Weekend

This past week and weekend were a bit difficult. Although I did have a wonderful day on Thursday when I was able to take the girls to Fredericksburg and the LBJ Ranch, I made the mistake of wearing my hajib, and the girls must have mentioned it to Sabrina. (There was another woman wearing hajib at the Ranch and Jackie said, "Look, Nana! You've got a friend like you!") I went to Juma'a at the Islamic Center on Friday, but missed Friday and Saturday evening prayers at Timberhill.

When I talked to Sabrina on Saturday about taking the girls to church on Sunday, she was a little hot about it and started in on a lecture. The most upsetting part was that she said Clint would take the girls to CS Church, a church that I KNOW is very hostile to Islam and fixated on the End of Days.They are actually praying and working to make them come about (so Jesus will return). CS a megachurch--over 5,000 members--but Sabrina is impressed that it has an evening service that would mean Clint would not have to get up early (she has no intention of going to ANY church). I was rather distraught about her "plan." The girls like "their" church and feel comfortable there. They would like Sabrina to go, too, but that's not happening. Once again she talked about how I was a negative influence, and wanted to know why John wanted to see her alone on Monday. I told her that he thought they could talk more freely, and I would not become defensive and get off-track. John told me that he didn't want her to start attacking me--same difference. So Saturday late afternoon was a very sad time, but my prayers brought me comfort.

Later in the evening, Jackie texted me about going to church, and I decided to tell her the truth--that her mother had said I could not take them. I told her that I wanted to go with them, but could not go against her mother's wishes. Apparently, she and her mom had a little talk, and some minutes later, Jackie texted back that her mom said they could go with me. I was so happy that Sabrina had changed her mind (probably decided it was too much effort for Clint to take the girls to church--he is much bluster, and I don't think he belongs in this decision anyway). God is so good.

So we three were able to go to Rockhills on Sunday. I did not wear my hajib, as promised (plus THAT would have caused turmoil at church and embarrassment for the girls). The girls (once they had left home after a screaming match amongst Jackie, Clint, and Sabrina) were happy to be at church; there were even 2 other girls in their class.  I was not uncomfortable.  We didn't have our regular music because Chris was at South X Southwest in Austin so the music wasn't great, but Dave gave a good sermon on God's covenant with Abraham, after he reviewed "The Fall." He talked about how we basically have a self-centered nature, and need God in our lives to combat that. Of course, Christians believe that Jesus died to make us righteous before God, while Muslims believe that God forgave the transgression in the Garden and there was no need for sacrifice. But we all need to focus ourselves on the God who made us and worship Him. It was good to hear our pastor talking about the Hebrew stories and the history of God and His prophets. So many people have no clue about the history of God's interaction with us, and how people have violated His covenant with humans and refused to listen to the prophets that He has sent us throughout the centuries. As George Bernard Shaw said (to paraphrase), no one knows if Christianity works because no one has ever tried it. (I would disagree, because the early Jerusalem Christians tried to live as Jesus taught and that life worked for them quite well. Paul changed all that, with his emphasis on Jesus as God--which I cannot accept--and his form of Christianity was eventually adopted. In my opinion,it's been downhill ever since!)

Then we went for lunch to "our" Red Lobster. Yikes! It was closed, because a new one is opening across the street. But to our chagrin, the new one was not opened until the next day! Oh No! What to do? Where to go for lunch? Major decisions for a grandmother and her 14-year-old granddaughters. Cassie was instrumental in the decision to go to Denny's, which I thought was an interesting choice until we got in there and I realized that her motive was pancakes. Chocolate chip pancakes, specifically, but for Cassie, any pancakes will do. I think they are her favorite food. And she happily gobbled them down! Jackie got her usual double cheeseburger,  and I had a Philly steak sandwich (Cassie ate the french fries). 

Then, they had their first banana split. They had seen it on the menu, and it looked so good that they asked to try one. Banana splits are special and delicious, for sure. So we shared a beautiful banana split. How exciting for them!

I took them home around 2 pm, and all was dark and quiet in their house. Sabrina and Clint must have still been in bed, or laying about upstairs. When we left the house to go to church, Jackie said that she wished that she didn't have to go back, but she was better when we reached their home. They joked that if things got unbearble, they would show up on my doorstep. 

Apparently, things were okay. They went to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream later in the day. Then Jackie called in the evening and said they were coming over yesterday (Monday) to help me clean as part of their service project. So I thought it was a good idea to pick up piles of junk that was all over the upstairs, both in my bedroom and all over the bathroom. I bagged all that junk, and then the girls took it out to the dumpster. They took out some downstairs junk and the garage stuff, too. That really helped. I got very tired bagging the upstairs stuff. I really need to clean the dining room table ASAP because I have to find the documents to do my taxes (and I need to get my computer back from Sabrina's house to help me sort out my 2009 expenses for taxes). 

As a strategy, I decided that I would tackle one small area of the living room/dining room every day. That might be manageable. For example, maybe today I'll deal with the top of the coffee table. Then tomorrow I can clean underneath the coffee table. Then work on the dining room table (that might take a couple of days). Then the girls can come back to help carry out bags again, and Jackie can help organize things. She is an excellent organizer and has great ideas. What wonderful granddaughters I have been blessed with! Thank you, God!

Sabrina did go to see John yesterday. She was annoyed, of course, that he is always a bit late (10 minutes or so) but I don't know how their visit actually went and I didn't ask. I will probably find out something, though, because Sabrina texted me last night about going to dinner on Thursday. I asked if I was going to be upset or surprised or ambushed, but she said "No," nothing bad, just to talk. I know THAT'S a "John" idea. So I will go, sans hajib.. I have now agreed that I won't wear my hajib around her or the girls. It seems like "cheating," but it keeps the peace with her and at least she won't be "set off."

I told PB in a message about what was going on here, and she nailed it. Fear on Sabrina's part,because she doesn't understand my spiritual journey--how is God speaking to me. I can't even begin to explain it to her, because it is such a foreign concept to her, I think. Maybe John explained it better. (He said I wasn't crazy--just "different"). PB is dealing with a 14-year-old step-son who is talented in art; she and his father want him to come to live with them so he could go to Gldrland schools where he could learn in some great art classes, but he lives with his mother in Cbskl and they have few opportunities in that small town. I had mentioned private lessons in voice for Cassie and enrolling Jackie in SWSAC for the summer for her art. PB thinks that is probably the way to go. I respect her opinion as an artist. The arts almost have to be a beloved hobby because fine arts are so competitive and one cannot sustain oneself just with his/her talent, for the most part.

Sabrina asked me to go with them next Saturday to the School of Science & Technology High School, a charter school in Alamo Heights, to see about the girls going there for High School. It's a small school, but they seem to offer good courses, except for fine arts. But we can compensate for that. I will probably have to drive them there (no transportation because it is a private school, but no tuition because it is a charter school). Major decisions about their lives. Sabrina needs to ask lots of questions in the interview, especially about percentage of students who go to college and where they go. Funny--as well as Spanish (which students must take--Yay!), they offer Turkish and courses in Turkish culture. How interesting! I like that. Maybe they will learn a bit about Islam; who knows? 

Cassie was accepted to Health Careers High School and Jackie to Business Careers High School, magnet schools in Northside ISD. Cassie was also accepted into Construction Careers High School, but since that school is at John Jay High School, even if she were interested, Sabrina would NEVER let her go there because of the neighborhood. (It is very dangerous.) Jackie really wanted to go to Health Careers but didn't get in, so SST may be the way to go for both of them. They offer advanced math and science courses, and computer graphics which Jackie may like. May God lead us in the correct direction to take for their lives.

I did hear from NP this week. I was going to meet her at OASIS after a talk on Wednesday, but I was feeling ill--migraine and upset stomach. I was also scheduled to have dinner that evening with Gretchen H, but had to cancel. She is such a dear woman whom I would like to know better. I didn't hear from AH all weekend, but he tried to talk to me on FB last night (I wasn't on) and then texted me late (11:30 pm) to see how things were going. I'm glad there are people who care about me. I plan to go to Islam 101 tomorrow night at the Islamic Center. And I'd like to go to the Women's Study there on Saturday late afternoon before Saturday prayers at Timberhill, but I don't know if I would be allowed. I will have to check. 

I guess at some point I need to decide just where my "home" masjid will be. Shi'a or Sunni.

I've written much, so I'd better say prayers--sun is up.