The other day, Deanna and I were on our way to... somewhere, when she asked if we could stop and get some glue dots at Michael's (for scrapping). She said, "it won't take long." In the mean time, we heard from Whitney, who decided to join us there.

I'm sure that Michael's is a wonderful craft store... It carries the name of the Archangel... and... many people shop there. However, did you know that glue dots cost $66.18 (after required impulse extras)? Did you know it takes an hour or more to find and purchase these sticky little "i" toppers? Did you know that when men enter that store, they pass through an "eye-glazer?"

The men in that store, though few and far between, looked lost...wandering aimlessly, in hopes of finding their wives... or some item which would suddenly, and magically transport them out. I'm sure there are men who enjoy a visit there, but the men I saw were not among them. Apparently, these had been duped as I had, by a promised quick stop... which turned into an expesnsive, spree of endurance.

So many of the products in the store are made to look like they came from outdoors, yet they emanate a fragrance I believe a plastic factory would belch. It's hard to breathe. It hurts to breathe.

They sell candles that if burned, would help eliminate such offenses. Isn't it funny how these tapirs can transport us to memories of places we've been or would like to return to? We often purchase them to allow us those same opportunities within our homes. Some of our homes... well, they need them.

Have you ever noticed how different homes carry different aromas? I could stand blindfolded in a room where these were captured and bottled, and identify whose homes were represented. Sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes... not so much.

The camp owned home we live in is one such example. The back of the home used to be a garage. Somehow, Beej's room carries with it a unique, pungent fragrance. One that you wouldn't say smells good, but isn't overly offensive either.

In his absence, it is amazing how when I catch a whiff of that, I instantly think of him. I never did a few months ago, but now it's a routine reminder. Open the door to his bedroom, and you smell... BJ. Well, not really, it is a poor representation of vivid memories.

I've said it before, probably multiple times, but we need not to be poor representations of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Each of our "smells" will be different, but all should reflect who He is! These aromas should be sweet and current... not memories of days gone by... of times that we walked closer to Him. They should be and are, whether we like it or not, reflections of where we are with Him, right now.

Have a blessed day,

dad