For the next era of blogging, please check out My Daily Outbox.
Thanks again!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Free To Be Me
"The 30s are wonderful years! You will gain confidence in who you are and will plainly see the direction of your life." -Card from ChoirFriend
I am so blessed!
I am the wife of a loving husband, who supports me when I spend the day coaching (character day), and surprises me in the evening with desserts, cards, and a beautiful box...
Yes, it was a Tiffany & Co. ring!
I am the mother of two fantastic children. I stayed up late last night chatting with the Teenager, and enjoyed celebrating this evening with Daughter. Raising them with Husband has been the crowning achievement of my life thus far.
I am the daughter of amazing parents, who taught me that love is a choice and has very little to do with genetic relationships! It was great spending time with them this past weekend, enjoying outlet mall shopping and Lobster Fest. I am a sister to four younger siblings (and a sibling-in-law), who teach me so much about life, and the proud Godmother of SweetNiece.
I am the coach who made a difference in half a dozen young lives this season. Teaching young women about character through the medium of volleyball is the best ministry ever. This was a special team, and while it was time for the season to end, I cherished every minute of it. Today I received affirmation that they got a lot out of it as well. Best gift ever (well, best abstract gift. I'm really loving my T&C ring).
I am the friend of beautiful people, the kind that understand all the other balls I'm juggling, and love me even when they don't physically see or hear from me for a few days, weeks, or months. One thing I'm glad I can give up is some of the relational guilt I've carried around for three decades.
I am a child of God, beloved of The Creator, who taught me this year what it means to be human. He has spoken to me about the importance of recognizing the limitations of my humanity, and I now realize that being "free to be me" means accepting my imperfections: I'm overweight, I'm habitually late, I stress instead of celebrate, I'm crabby with my Daughter, I am incapable of cleaning the dang Scary Room, I take too many pictures, I spend too much money eating out, I don't exercise or strengthen my back enough, I can't stick to diets, I over-schedule myself, I'm a perfectionist, I'm not generous with God's money, and I forget to meet with God in prayer on a daily basis. I am an imperfect human being.
It's not an excuse. I'm working to improve, and by the grace of God I'll make some headway. But I'm FREE to be imperfect. God, my family, my friends, my players-they all love me even though I'm not perfect (some of them love me BECAUSE I'm not perfect!), and that is the greatest blessing of all.
It's been a good year. Soli Deo Gloria.
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I am so blessed!
I am the wife of a loving husband, who supports me when I spend the day coaching (character day), and surprises me in the evening with desserts, cards, and a beautiful box...
Yes, it was a Tiffany & Co. ring!
I am the mother of two fantastic children. I stayed up late last night chatting with the Teenager, and enjoyed celebrating this evening with Daughter. Raising them with Husband has been the crowning achievement of my life thus far.
I am the daughter of amazing parents, who taught me that love is a choice and has very little to do with genetic relationships! It was great spending time with them this past weekend, enjoying outlet mall shopping and Lobster Fest. I am a sister to four younger siblings (and a sibling-in-law), who teach me so much about life, and the proud Godmother of SweetNiece.
I am the coach who made a difference in half a dozen young lives this season. Teaching young women about character through the medium of volleyball is the best ministry ever. This was a special team, and while it was time for the season to end, I cherished every minute of it. Today I received affirmation that they got a lot out of it as well. Best gift ever (well, best abstract gift. I'm really loving my T&C ring).
I am the friend of beautiful people, the kind that understand all the other balls I'm juggling, and love me even when they don't physically see or hear from me for a few days, weeks, or months. One thing I'm glad I can give up is some of the relational guilt I've carried around for three decades.
I am a child of God, beloved of The Creator, who taught me this year what it means to be human. He has spoken to me about the importance of recognizing the limitations of my humanity, and I now realize that being "free to be me" means accepting my imperfections: I'm overweight, I'm habitually late, I stress instead of celebrate, I'm crabby with my Daughter, I am incapable of cleaning the dang Scary Room, I take too many pictures, I spend too much money eating out, I don't exercise or strengthen my back enough, I can't stick to diets, I over-schedule myself, I'm a perfectionist, I'm not generous with God's money, and I forget to meet with God in prayer on a daily basis. I am an imperfect human being.
It's not an excuse. I'm working to improve, and by the grace of God I'll make some headway. But I'm FREE to be imperfect. God, my family, my friends, my players-they all love me even though I'm not perfect (some of them love me BECAUSE I'm not perfect!), and that is the greatest blessing of all.
It's been a good year. Soli Deo Gloria.
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Friday, April 8, 2011
My New Blog Home
I have begun the transition to my new blog: My Daily Outbox. My plan is to continue blogging, but through letters written to people that impact my day. I think the format will make it easier for me to post on a more consistent basis, because even the most boring days are impacted by at least one other person! I hope you check it out and continue to follow me at that site. This 350 day blogging experiment has been fun, and I am excited to take my writing to the next level. My last day on this blog is April 11, 2011: My 30th Birthday!
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State of the Quests
#1: Exercise and Eat Smart - I have not achieved daily thirty minute activity. But, I have made better food choices, and have lost 15 pounds.
#2: Punctuality - I was late (again) today. If I had a nickel every time I apologized for being late, Husband would be far less annoyed with me. I have learned to call ahead and give people warning. Although Husband won't admit it, I'm pretty sure he set my alarm clock ahead a few minutes after daylight savings went into effect a few weeks ago. However, on the whole, I think I have to accept that I'm just not a punctual person. You have been warned, so plan accordingly.
#3: Cherish the Moment - I really enjoyed the Teenager's graduation, and have consciously tried to embrace the idea of cherishing the moment in other situations where joy-stealers about.
#4: The Daughter Dare - One of the the best quests, and one I'm continually picking up again and again. The Daughter is a wonderful girl, and our relationship has improved a lot in the past year.
#5: The Scary Room - Um... still scary...
#6: Europe - It was a blast! I hope to relive that quest again before I turn 40!
#7: Eat Cheap - I am doing marginally better at this as well. Eating cheap goes hand in hand with eating less, so while I have a way to go yet, I think there's hope.
#8: Eliminate Back Pain - I am still struggling with this. My newest idea? I purchased a "True Back" traction board. But the best idea also goes hand in hand with losing weight... finding time to exercise! Oh Wii fit, how I miss you!
#9: Weightwatcher Points - Yeah, I noticed last week they charged me for another month of membership, and I haven't counted points for a month now, so I have half a mind to cancel... but then again, I'm only halfway to my goal weight...
#10: Simplify My Calendar - Also doing better on this. Having a calendar on my phone has made scheduling much easier and more accurate.
#11: Paralyzed by Perfection - I'm sure I will always struggle with this. But as I continue to focus on Christ's approval instead of the world's, I find I am able to make tiny improvements. Bit by bit.
#12: Storing Treasure in Heaven - I would like to think I am becoming less enamored with material things, but then I consider my house wish list and I know i have a long ways to go. I am more sensitive to the voice that reminds me to be generous with what I have been given, and to lend freely to others. Another quality I hope I can develop more strongly.
#13: Connect with Christ - I have continued to meet with Christ in prayer for thirty minutes each day, and it has made a change in me. As we wait for God's direction, Husband and I have developed a lot of character (meaning we've grown closer to each other and to God, but like most growth, it's been painful!).
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#2: Punctuality - I was late (again) today. If I had a nickel every time I apologized for being late, Husband would be far less annoyed with me. I have learned to call ahead and give people warning. Although Husband won't admit it, I'm pretty sure he set my alarm clock ahead a few minutes after daylight savings went into effect a few weeks ago. However, on the whole, I think I have to accept that I'm just not a punctual person. You have been warned, so plan accordingly.
#3: Cherish the Moment - I really enjoyed the Teenager's graduation, and have consciously tried to embrace the idea of cherishing the moment in other situations where joy-stealers about.
#4: The Daughter Dare - One of the the best quests, and one I'm continually picking up again and again. The Daughter is a wonderful girl, and our relationship has improved a lot in the past year.
#5: The Scary Room - Um... still scary...
#6: Europe - It was a blast! I hope to relive that quest again before I turn 40!
#7: Eat Cheap - I am doing marginally better at this as well. Eating cheap goes hand in hand with eating less, so while I have a way to go yet, I think there's hope.
#8: Eliminate Back Pain - I am still struggling with this. My newest idea? I purchased a "True Back" traction board. But the best idea also goes hand in hand with losing weight... finding time to exercise! Oh Wii fit, how I miss you!
#9: Weightwatcher Points - Yeah, I noticed last week they charged me for another month of membership, and I haven't counted points for a month now, so I have half a mind to cancel... but then again, I'm only halfway to my goal weight...
#10: Simplify My Calendar - Also doing better on this. Having a calendar on my phone has made scheduling much easier and more accurate.
#11: Paralyzed by Perfection - I'm sure I will always struggle with this. But as I continue to focus on Christ's approval instead of the world's, I find I am able to make tiny improvements. Bit by bit.
#12: Storing Treasure in Heaven - I would like to think I am becoming less enamored with material things, but then I consider my house wish list and I know i have a long ways to go. I am more sensitive to the voice that reminds me to be generous with what I have been given, and to lend freely to others. Another quality I hope I can develop more strongly.
#13: Connect with Christ - I have continued to meet with Christ in prayer for thirty minutes each day, and it has made a change in me. As we wait for God's direction, Husband and I have developed a lot of character (meaning we've grown closer to each other and to God, but like most growth, it's been painful!).
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Thursday, April 7, 2011
LawLady
I'm afraid. I'm very afraid.
In Crim Practice, each person was assigned to a case as either a prosecutor or defense attorney. I am a defense attorney. And each prosecutor was assigned an agent, and each defense attorney was assigned a defendant. LawLady was assigned as my prosecutor's agent. And until this week, it didn't occur to me what that meant.
I must cross-examine LawLady. And I'm afraid.
Cross-examinations in themselves are challenging. The attorney's goal is to elicit yes or no answers in such a way that their case is strengthened. It requires a lot of patience (which I have loads of) and the art of "thinking before you speak," (another trait I really excel at). I imagine cross-examining LawLady will kind of be like cross-examining the teenager: when I don't get the answer I want, my instinct will be to break character in an inappropriate way.
Example:
Me: "You are sitting on this chair, aren't you?"
LawLady: "What do you mean by sitting?"
Me: "Dang it LawLady you know what I mean!"
Me: "You are sitting on this chair, aren't you?"
LawLady: "No."
Me: "You aren't sitting on the chair?"
LawLady: "No."
Me: "How do you figure?"
LawLady: "I'm resting on this chair."
Me: "You are sitting on this chair, aren't you?"
LawLady: "Yes."
Me: "So you admit this chair is holding you up?"
LawLady: "No."
Me: "What? You just admitted you are sitting on this chair! The logical inference is that it is holding you up!"
LawLady: "No, [insert creative, technical legalese here that I have never even remotely considered that will totally 100% ruin my entire planned argument], and that is why I am sitting on this chair, but it is not holding me up."
Me: "Shoot me now."
Oh LawLady. I'll be happy when we're back on the same side of the courtroom.
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In Crim Practice, each person was assigned to a case as either a prosecutor or defense attorney. I am a defense attorney. And each prosecutor was assigned an agent, and each defense attorney was assigned a defendant. LawLady was assigned as my prosecutor's agent. And until this week, it didn't occur to me what that meant.
I must cross-examine LawLady. And I'm afraid.
Cross-examinations in themselves are challenging. The attorney's goal is to elicit yes or no answers in such a way that their case is strengthened. It requires a lot of patience (which I have loads of) and the art of "thinking before you speak," (another trait I really excel at). I imagine cross-examining LawLady will kind of be like cross-examining the teenager: when I don't get the answer I want, my instinct will be to break character in an inappropriate way.
Example:
Me: "You are sitting on this chair, aren't you?"
LawLady: "What do you mean by sitting?"
Me: "Dang it LawLady you know what I mean!"
Me: "You are sitting on this chair, aren't you?"
LawLady: "No."
Me: "You aren't sitting on the chair?"
LawLady: "No."
Me: "How do you figure?"
LawLady: "I'm resting on this chair."
Me: "You are sitting on this chair, aren't you?"
LawLady: "Yes."
Me: "So you admit this chair is holding you up?"
LawLady: "No."
Me: "What? You just admitted you are sitting on this chair! The logical inference is that it is holding you up!"
LawLady: "No, [insert creative, technical legalese here that I have never even remotely considered that will totally 100% ruin my entire planned argument], and that is why I am sitting on this chair, but it is not holding me up."
Me: "Shoot me now."
Oh LawLady. I'll be happy when we're back on the same side of the courtroom.
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