Update on my progress:
My old boss, Jeff, taught me how to write effective goals for my ministry when I first started at Sunshine. I have taken to writing goals for just about everything. It's the first thing I do monday morning when I'm planning out my week and the first thing I do each semester and summer for ministry.
I even write goals for my vacation time. Thus, this post. If I don't write goals, I'll end up watching HGTV or the 'Deadliest Catch' marathon all day. So...I am on vacation this week, despite a 5 hours meeting tomorrow evening. These are the things I'm hoping to accomplish:
1. Clean my bathroom! Check!
2. Scrape the wallpaper off the 1/2 bath. Half Check...still a ways to go.
3. Finish crocheting the baby blanket I'm working on (baby due Jan 28!)
4. Hang pictures in the hallway, bedroom & office.
5. Have a date night with Marc (he's laid off this week :( ) If bowling tonight counts...check!
6. Read a book. This may have been too lofty a goal.
7. Use my gift cards to buy some new clothes. Lost the gift card, but bought new clothes!
8. Have breakfast/lunch/coffee w/ friends I haven't talked with in a long time. Check several times.
9. Bring in the patio furniture...this might be a few months late, but better late than never! Marc accomplished this goal for me! Thanks babe!
10. Workout a couple times. Bought the Biggest Loser Yoga w/ Bob. Have done it once.
11. Figure out January budget. That's what I should be doing right now...
12. Paint toenails. Check!
13. Buy/make everything for Leah's shower. Check!
14. Buy/make/clean for New Years Eve party. Check!
15. Catch up on my Bible study. ugh....
Okay, it's beautiful and sunny and I'm highly motivated right now. Time to tackle some of these goals!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Degage - Release and rest
For several months now, I have been encouraging the small groups in Lifeline (high school ministry) to participate in some act of service. I lined up a night for a group to go to Degage downtown and facilitate Bingo. I was uncertain if I was going to go with the group or not, but decided in the last few days that I really wanted to be a part of this experience for the students. Not many of them have been in a situation similar to what is experienced there. I had not been in a situation like this in a while either.
God had been preparing me to go tonight. I needed to be reminded.
As late as an hour before leaving I was still contemplating cancelling the whole thing. The winds were horrible and then the snow started in. News 8 was telling me that a lot of other activities were cancelled this evening, and I was continually disappointed throughout the day as students texted me one after the other that they couldn't (or wouldn't?) come. In the end, I couldn't justify cancelling an activity because of weather, when the people we were going to meet and serve did not have the luxery to choose if they wanted to venture out into the cold tonight.
6:30 came and 3 students came to my house and we headed downtown. They were a bit apprehensive, but still excited. We parallel parked on Division (think of the golf cart scene in Austin Powers...that was my parking job tonight) and walked through the cloud of smoke and into Degage. We met Dave, who told us a little about the ministry got us set up for our Bingo game.
After the first game, I could see the girls feeling a bit more comfortable as they took on announcing the letters/numbers in the Mic. They made everyone cheer whenever they called out "B-1". They started to interact with the people as they checked their BINGO cards when they had won.
We met several individuals and heard a few different stories that are stuck in my brain as I sit all wrapped up in my cozy blanket, on my comfy couch in my warm and large house.
Story #1: Mary and Peter. They've been homeless only a few weeks. They fell on hard times and it's Peter's birthday today. We stopped Bingo to sing him happy birthday and try to make him feel a little special during a tough time. I lost count of how many times he thanked us. All we did was sing 'Happy Birthday' and that made his day. I was reminded that simple, intentional acts can be used by God in powerful ways.
Story #2: Daniel & Lisa. They've been homeless for over a year. She came up to one of my students and asked for prayer. I was able to meet her and her husband, along with a fellow named Joe (up next) and we stood hand in hand and prayed. Neither of them can find work. The car they sleep in when they're not in the shelters has major issues. When they are able to go to the shelters, they are more often than not separated as there are not many facilities to accomodate married couples. They looked like any other happily married couple. Through our conversation and prayer I was reminded to be thankful. Thankful for my loving husband to go through life with, for work, for functioning vehicles, for being able to sleep in the same bed as my husband, etc. I was also reminded to have faith in prayer.
Story #3: Joe. Joe is a Vietnam vet. He has cancer. His wife died 5 yeas ago. He has been homeless for years and sleeps at Guilding Light. He shared about his searching for God amidst the pain and how he questioned why God was punishing him. He came to the conclusion that God was punishing him because he had killed someone in battle. He eventually realized that God is love and full of grace and talked about his love for the Lord. Joe talked for at least 20 minutes and I stood and listened. I was reminded how much a listening ear can be a witness, and how humbling it is to really hear about God's work in others.
Story #4: The music man. Watch out American Idol. If this guy ever stepped foot in front of Simon, Paula and Randy they would cancel the competition and delare him the winner then and there. I don't know his name or story, but he had a guitar and before we left the four of us listened as he played and sang an origional song. If he had an album I would buy it. Amazing talent and still using it to sing for the glory of God. I was reminded that each story is unique and we have each been uniquely gifted by God.
Story #5: T-Brown. He guessed that I was 36 and my high schoolers were 13. He though I one of them was my daughter. I was a little annoyed. Then he told us he had done some drinking that night and I didn't feel so bad. If he was sober and guessed me to be 36 I would've been ticked.
Interactions like these were my life for an entire year as I did Mission Year. Now I'm doing well if it happens a few times each year. There is a lot on my mind tonight after God reminded me of so much. I'm thankful for tonight and thankful that 3 high school girls want more of it.
God had been preparing me to go tonight. I needed to be reminded.
As late as an hour before leaving I was still contemplating cancelling the whole thing. The winds were horrible and then the snow started in. News 8 was telling me that a lot of other activities were cancelled this evening, and I was continually disappointed throughout the day as students texted me one after the other that they couldn't (or wouldn't?) come. In the end, I couldn't justify cancelling an activity because of weather, when the people we were going to meet and serve did not have the luxery to choose if they wanted to venture out into the cold tonight.
6:30 came and 3 students came to my house and we headed downtown. They were a bit apprehensive, but still excited. We parallel parked on Division (think of the golf cart scene in Austin Powers...that was my parking job tonight) and walked through the cloud of smoke and into Degage. We met Dave, who told us a little about the ministry got us set up for our Bingo game.
After the first game, I could see the girls feeling a bit more comfortable as they took on announcing the letters/numbers in the Mic. They made everyone cheer whenever they called out "B-1". They started to interact with the people as they checked their BINGO cards when they had won.
We met several individuals and heard a few different stories that are stuck in my brain as I sit all wrapped up in my cozy blanket, on my comfy couch in my warm and large house.
Story #1: Mary and Peter. They've been homeless only a few weeks. They fell on hard times and it's Peter's birthday today. We stopped Bingo to sing him happy birthday and try to make him feel a little special during a tough time. I lost count of how many times he thanked us. All we did was sing 'Happy Birthday' and that made his day. I was reminded that simple, intentional acts can be used by God in powerful ways.
Story #2: Daniel & Lisa. They've been homeless for over a year. She came up to one of my students and asked for prayer. I was able to meet her and her husband, along with a fellow named Joe (up next) and we stood hand in hand and prayed. Neither of them can find work. The car they sleep in when they're not in the shelters has major issues. When they are able to go to the shelters, they are more often than not separated as there are not many facilities to accomodate married couples. They looked like any other happily married couple. Through our conversation and prayer I was reminded to be thankful. Thankful for my loving husband to go through life with, for work, for functioning vehicles, for being able to sleep in the same bed as my husband, etc. I was also reminded to have faith in prayer.
Story #3: Joe. Joe is a Vietnam vet. He has cancer. His wife died 5 yeas ago. He has been homeless for years and sleeps at Guilding Light. He shared about his searching for God amidst the pain and how he questioned why God was punishing him. He came to the conclusion that God was punishing him because he had killed someone in battle. He eventually realized that God is love and full of grace and talked about his love for the Lord. Joe talked for at least 20 minutes and I stood and listened. I was reminded how much a listening ear can be a witness, and how humbling it is to really hear about God's work in others.
Story #4: The music man. Watch out American Idol. If this guy ever stepped foot in front of Simon, Paula and Randy they would cancel the competition and delare him the winner then and there. I don't know his name or story, but he had a guitar and before we left the four of us listened as he played and sang an origional song. If he had an album I would buy it. Amazing talent and still using it to sing for the glory of God. I was reminded that each story is unique and we have each been uniquely gifted by God.
Story #5: T-Brown. He guessed that I was 36 and my high schoolers were 13. He though I one of them was my daughter. I was a little annoyed. Then he told us he had done some drinking that night and I didn't feel so bad. If he was sober and guessed me to be 36 I would've been ticked.
Interactions like these were my life for an entire year as I did Mission Year. Now I'm doing well if it happens a few times each year. There is a lot on my mind tonight after God reminded me of so much. I'm thankful for tonight and thankful that 3 high school girls want more of it.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Holiday Cheer Overload
Is it scary to anyone else that some people actually think dressing like this spreads holiday cheer?
Hidden feelings coming out? Naw, just some good ole' family fun.
Someday this picture will be in Isaacs wedding picture powerpoint. People will question our parenting. Or they'll think we dressed really obnoxious in 2008.
What a Cheery family we are.
My two handsome elves
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
All I want for Christmas...
I stole this title from my sister, who yesterday wrote a post about Noah (6 year old nephew) who lost his first tooth last night. My son just popped his third tooth today! My mother in law was over this morning to watch Isaac while Marc worked on school stuff and I went to the office. She asked about a tooth this morning, and me, being a clueless mom, said, "oh, no new ones popping through yet". I got home in the afternoon to find out I was wrong.
Isaac and I have been fighting a cold the last few days, so I thought his being a little more clingy and grumpy was because of that. I suppose it could be a combination of the two, but I had no idea he was cutting a tooth! I think the 4th tooth is coming soon.
Isaac and I have been fighting a cold the last few days, so I thought his being a little more clingy and grumpy was because of that. I suppose it could be a combination of the two, but I had no idea he was cutting a tooth! I think the 4th tooth is coming soon.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Let it snow & Let him go!
Isaac is pretty excited about all the snow outside!
Isaac has been walking like a pro for about a week now. It's so fun to watch him learn this new skill. He's getting better at avoiding things in his path, turning himself around and stopping and starting.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Vacation Day after Vacation
We hosted thanksgiving at our house this year. I didn't screw up the turkey (so I'm told) and everything else was ready on time! It was a nice day and great to have the space to host it at our house!
The previous picture warrented this next picture.
I'm taking a vacation day. I'm sitting at my kitchen table drinking coffee in my PJ's while Isaac takes a nap, the washer is running, the dishes are being cleaned and President Elect Obama is speaking on the TV. My goals for the day are to get caught up on housework, laundry, decorate the Christmas tree a bit, finish my Bible study and do a workout video. I love going away for the weekend, but I hate the feeling of jumping right back into a work week feeling behind on everything around the house. Thus, using a vacation day.
Our favorite family game: Settlers of Catan.
Marc and I went to the Symphony 2 weekends ago as part of my birthday celebration. It was a fantastic night out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
