Random Things About Me October 15, 2008

(that you may or may not want to know!)

• I LOVE black beans and rice.  Seriously.  I could eat it for every meal.  I top it with sour cream and salsa.  YUM!
• I read every issue of Reader’s Digest cover to cover.  I especially enjoy “Word Power”.
• I love my retro cell phone.  I just recently learned to text.  And I’m not THAT old.
• I actually enjoy the episodes of Hannah Montana and Suite Life that I watch with my kids.
• I would go to bed every night at 9:30 and sleep a good 11 or 12 hours if I had the option.
• I can’t go to bed with dirty dishes in my sink.
• Elmo on Sesame Street still makes me smile.
• I hate driving a mini-van…I only have 1 year, 10 months and 2 weeks to go.  Hopefully the Sienna will hold out that long.
• Gossip magazines are one of my guilty pleasures.
• I could eat guacamole by the spoonful.
• My main motivation for exercising is food.
• I fall asleep in 95% of the movies we rent.  Even the ones I choose.
• Even though we live only 30 minutes from the beach, my first choice of vacations is always the beach.

I’m guilty… October 13, 2008

of judging. 

This was the subject in church yesterday…one of the things Jesus teaches that is so hard to live out.  I’ve loved every sermon in the series that Byron is doing now.  It has been the most challenging and convicting for me personally, from “love your enemies” to “take up your cross and follow Me” to yesterday’s subject…”do not judge“. 

All of these are passages that I’ve heard and read since I was a little girl in Sunday School.  However, these are probably the hardest principles to live out as a follower of Christ.  It’s easy to SAY, “Do not judge”, but what does that look like in my life right now?  For me personally, I need to practice the principle of compassion.  Just like Jesus had with the woman caught in the act of adultery.  There was no condemnation, only love and compassion.  And because Jesus spoke to her with love and compassion, she listened. 

Sure, I have compassion for those that I love, but what about the people who are different from me?  People who look differently, act differently, or (gasp!) think differently than me?  In the “church” world, Sundays are usually a day that you go to your church and everyone looks, acts and thinks just like you.  One of the many things that I love about C3 is that you will find ALL kinds of people.  (Isn’t that what heaven will look like?)  At C3, our motivation to reach others is to bring them into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ and the way we do that is by loving them, free of judgement.  I’m thankful for a place that people can come and feel safe, not judged.

As I practice this principle of compassion, I pray that I can show others (those who know Christ AND those who don’t) that true compassion can never be used in the same breath as condemnation.

Just a few things… October 9, 2008

I’m thinking about today…

I miss my husband…wish I could be with him at Catalyst!

My kids are awesome.  Emma is so mature and responisible, it’s scary.  Ansley has been sick and very cuddly this week.  Jackson says “I luh loo” (translation:  I love you) all the time with a big smile on his face. 

I’m so grateful for my friends.  I’m glad I know who my friends are and that I can count on them.

Chocolate and coffee should have their own food group and have a daily recommendation equal to that of fruit and vegetables…I’m just sayin’… 🙂

 

I’m ready for election day to be here.

I’m looking forward to my triathlon on Oct. 25, but really I’m looking forward to NOT training afterwards!

…just a few random thoughts rolling around in my head today…

Happy Birthday, Mom! October 7, 2008

Today is my mom’s birthday, so I wanted to give a little shout-out to her!  I won’t announce how old she is…you wouldn’t believe me, anyway, she looks at least a decade younger than she really is.  (One of the many characteristics I hope I inherit!)

Growing up my mom and I were always close.  We always spent a lot of time together.  Whether it was shopping, cooking, talking or just hanging out, I remember always wanting to be with her.  As I’ve gotten older and have become a mom myself, I appreciate her even more.   I am so thankful for the role she has played in my life and for the role she is playing in my childrens’ lives.

Mom, thank you so much for the encouragement you have been to me and for all of the advice you have given me,  whether it’s about cooking, raising children, how to be an encouragement to my husband, or being a part of ministry.  Thank you for your listening ear and your wisdom over the years.  Thank you for showing me how to love God, love my family and love other people more.  I love and appreciate you more than you know.  Happy birthday!