Saturday, January 31, 2009

25 Random Things

Because I've been tagged in this on facebook....Here goes.  I may or may not go back and tag people in this on Facebook.  I am still undecided.
  1. I hate being cold.  It is one of the worst feelings in the world to me.
  2. I once earned the nickname Ballerina Barbie (don't ask, and please, for the love of all that is good, don't ever call me that.)
  3. Oh yea, I used to be a dancer (ballet, clearly...see above.)
  4. I am petrified of heights
  5. I love climbing and working high ropes (clearly 4 and 5 make no sense...that's why 4 is an irrational fear.)
  6. I am also petrified of bridges
  7. I am very shy, but wish I was more outgoing.
  8. I have a yellow lab named Misha.  I secretly thing she is awesome even though I call her "the beast" and blame all disorder and chaos on her.  Shhh....don't tell
  9. I love having an excuse to get dressed up and go out with friends.  Always a good time.
  10. Back in college, my roommates and I had a traveling can of rutabagas that mysteriously appeared in random places.  My favorite was in my purse, which I discovered after I got to class that day and opened it up to find...not a pen like I was hoping....but a can of an unknown, orange, root vegetable. 
  11. I used to hate The Office....until I watched the bloopers of Season 2 with some friends, and I have been addicted ever since.
  12. I am one of those people that watch almost all the bonus features on a DVD or TV season...."The Making Of" features, gag reels, you name it.  Yep, I'm a dork.
  13. I want to move to Boston some day
  14. I still watch the TV show "ER."  Feel free to judge me.  Yes I know it's been on for way too long, and is really bizarre...but it sorta fulfills my former desire to be a doctor.
  15. I have an intense fear of drowning (even though I am a decent swimmer and used to be on a swim team).  And don't even think of dunking me unless you want me to start crying hysterically
  16. I only went to 1 high school dance....and I DO NOT regret it.  Turns out for being a former dancer, I'm....not much of a dancer.
  17. A good day to me involves a couch, a hot drink, a good book, good music, and snuggling with my dog.  Maybe a good movie to finish the day.
  18. I secretly wish I had Sarah Neel's sense of style...but don't think I could ever pull it off.
  19. My sister is my hero (awww.....)  If you haven't met her, you probably should.
  20. Flattop Grill is one of my all-time favorite restaurants.
  21. If I could do anything right now and be guaranteed I would succeed, I would want to open a residential program for young girls who have nowhere else to go....Maybe they have psychological problems, have gotten kicked out of school, their homes....Not really sure what exactly...but something along those lines.
  22. I am not a competitive person, however I become competitive whenever I am around my brother-in-law, Jon....and I tend to make lots of empty threats.  It's highly entertaining (and he usually schools me anyway).
  23. I wish I was more witty....My staff is crazy and I can never keep up with them.
  24. I have flown a plane....and it was awesome.
  25. Bring me a cup of coffee and chocolate and you are guaranteed to become my friend.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

A Tradition

This fall a tradition started at my house.  Every Thursday, friends in the area gather at my house for dinner and to watch....The Office (one of the greatest shows ever, thank you very much.) 


To be honest, I didn’t think it would become a tradition, but I think it’s GREAT that it has, for so many reasons: It gives me an excuse to cook (I love cooking, but it seems a little silly when cooking for one), It gives me a chance to catch up with friends, and last but certainly not least....The Office is way more funny when watched with friends.


As this tradition has developed, I have enjoyed noticing some things about great friends and great friendships

  • The door is always open.  People come on over whenever, let themselves in, and make themselves at home.  I LOVE it!
  • The door swings both ways.  I know I am welcomed to their places whenever the opportunity comes up.
  • They move from “guest” to “family.”  They know to help themselves to drinks, snacks, blankets, and pillows.
  • No lost time.  No matter how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other or talked, we pick right back up where we left off.
  • Great friends have earned the right to push, poke, and challenge.  They can say things that I may not like, but I know that they still love me.


I am thankful for friendships like these.  They encourage, challenge, and strengthen me.


*Side note: I also found out this week that some friends of mine are actually attending a Journey Class on Friendship at GCC.  How cool is that?!?!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

In You

I sing for joy
In my remorse
A well within prosperity’s curse
That drowns the mighty oak of pride
But feeds the root of God inside.

In You
I find my rest
In You
I find my death
In You
I find my all and my emptiness
Somehow it all makes sense

In You I’m rich
When I’ve been made poor
Comfort found when I mourn
The prideful one You see from afar
Drawing near to low, broken hearts.

In You
I find my rest
In You
I find my death
In You
I find my all and my emptiness
But it all makes sense

"In You" Shane and Shane


Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Do You Love Me?

"Look at Jesus.  The world did not pay any attention to him.  He was crucified and put away.  His message of love was rejected by a world in search of power, efficiency, and control.  But there he was, appearing with wounds in his glorified body to a few friends who had eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand.  This rejected, unknown, wounded Jesus simply asked, 'Do you love me, do you really love me?'  He whose only concern had been to announce the unconditional love of God had only one question to ask, 'Do you love me?'


The question is not: How many people take you seriously?  How much are you going to accomplish?  Can you show some results?  But: Are you in love with Jesus?  Perhaps another way of putting the question would be: Do you know the incarnate God?"


~Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus (36-37)


What do we measure ourselves by?  Our accomplishments, our status, our results?  Or do we find purpose in our most important task: loving Jesus?  Out of this all other things will follow.


I have found myself challenged by this recently.


Thursday, January 15, 2009

Reflections on Two Years

I’ve been full-time at camp for just over two years now. Hard to believe...and boy does time go by fast. So in honor...A quick bullet list of the funny, the serious, and the future.

Funny Stuff...
  • Never underestimate the need for knowing random yet practical skills...shutting off water lines, repairing plumbing, using power tools, water softeners 101, how to start a lawn mower....these skills will get you farther in life than you think! 
  • In college, 3 weeks of vacation at Christmas is not nearly enough...In the adult world, you don’t know what to do with yourself when you’re given that kind of time off!
  • Laugh at the ridiculous things in life (even yourself if the occasion calls for it.) Life is way more fun when you laugh....a lot.
  • A dog is really like an infant....or a toddler. If you get a dog, be ready. It’s intense.
  • And oh yea...dog proof your house, otherwise you’ll be buying new furniture within 6 months.

For Serious...
  • It will take your body a few months to get used to a new schedule (getting up early and going to bed early). And once you adjust, you’ll wonder how you EVER were able to stay up until 4 and get up at 8 and still function. It’s normal...and you may even come to love early mornings!
  • It will take time to adjust to not being able to just walk down the hall to your friends room to hang out and talk. Enjoy it while you have it. 
  • Find a place to connect....TODAY! Don’t wait. Don’t put it off. Don’t let work, or the temptation to skip town to visit friends all the time stand in your way. To make some place home, you have to be fully present there...Not somewhere else. Find a church, make new friends, meet random people, invite them over for dinner. 
  • Don’t be afraid of silence. Enjoy it and appreciate it for the opportunity it is.
  • No matter where you go or what you do, push yourself to learn something new on a regular basis. It will keep your job (and life in general) way more interesting.

The Future...
  • I want to keep learning. Today I got to learn some web stuff I never thought I would know or need to know...but it was actually kind of fun to learn! I am choosing to look at everything that comes up as a new opportunity and a chance to grow.
  • Wherever I am, and however long I’m there, I want where I am to be home. Be invested, have meaningful relationships, and feel good about being there (whether in small town Indiana or wherever life takes me.)
  • I’m going to focus on where God has me right now and the tasks he’s put before me...not what other people are doing, not something “better” that might be out there. Live every moment fully, and give everything I have to what God has called me to today. God will take care of tomorrow.
Two years down...who knows how many to go!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

My running quest

Progress is being made. And that is good, considering how destructive the holidays were to my training schedule.

But...I have a running buddy now! So I have no excuse for sleeping through my alarm clock and justifying it by saying "well, I can run tonight."

....Because she will be waiting for me...at 6:30...AM...

Thanks for being my running buddy Mel!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Family

Meet Nikki and Jon. They are cool. Two of the coolest people I know. (I may be biased considering they are family....but anyway.)

I got to spend over a week up at my parents with Nikki and Jon for Christmas. It was great, but a little crazy at times too. That may or may not be because my dog, Misha (the yellow lab in the picture) was there...along with 3 cats and Jon and Nikki's dog, Marcy (black lab). It was INSANE.

Anyway...my sister and I always tend to go a little bonkers when we get together. Usually we just laugh a lot...but this year, back when I went to visit them in November, we had the genius idea to get crafty and creative for Christmas...and my our entire family Coordinating Christmas Pajamas! Sweeeet!

It all started back when we were little, when grandma would make us matching Christmas nightgowns (these suckers were elaborate....I remember peach flannel, white with pink rosebuds, and green silk just to name a few.) So, in honor of Grandma, we thought we should pick up the old tradition.... which led to us making a combined total of 7 pairs of pajamas (we limited this to immediate family to save ourselves a huge headache since we both tend to procrastinate on things like this.)

Let me just go on record as saying these are the sweetest pajamas ever. Super comfy, and very Christmassy...they were a huge hit, loved by all (except for maybe dad and Uncle Tom. But they obliged and wore them Christmas morning.)

And yes...we took pictures and everything.

We are officially "that" family.