Learning

I feel the need to share with you some of the things I'm learning.  You know as well as I do that learning happens to all of us everyday, it's whether we decide to digest the new knowledge that makes the difference.
I'm digesting a lot lately.

Maybe that's because a lot of what I'm learning about has to do with my number one favoritest thing in the whole world to digest of all time: food!
I love food.

And really, that's no secret. (Just look at me!)

But, recently, I was introduced to Quinoa.  I love the way it's spelled, hate the way it's pronounced (because it's so deceiving!) (Keen-wah).  There's just not that many Q words in the English language, and Quin-no-wah just sounds like fun.
Anyway, quinoa is a ...well you can figure out what it is - I linked to wikipedia for you....  anyway, I found out about it from an article I received from Calorie Count.  (Yes! I'm still semi-successfully counting calories, yay!)  And, when I read about all the nutritional benefits quinoa offers, I asked around (mostly on Facebook) and found a few friends who eat it and insisted that I try it.  One of my friendly neighbors even gave us her HUGE bag of it, told us to try as much as we'd like then give the rest back.  We made two cups of it as directed on the package, and I was fairly impressed!  It has a pretty good taste to it.  And, knowing it's so healthy makes it fun to eat.  Yesterday, I ventured out to Whole Foods to find my own bag of quinoa, and was disappointed in (a) how far away Whole Foods is from my house and (b) How stinking expensive it is for such a tiny bag. Oh and (c) the 'tudes of many of the folks that shop at Whole Foods are less than welcoming.
Unfortunately, unless I find that they've made this "Wonder Food" more accessible to folks like me, I don't think we'll be eating it too much.

I've also learned that, in addition to counting calories, it's a good idea to get a little exercise in once in a while.  Okay - so I didn't really LEARN this recently, but I was reintroduced to my heart rate and my perspiration glands and we've been having fun reunions everyday.  I had forgotten how good I feel, how WHOLE I am after a workout. It's as if I've hit the "reset" button on my attitude after I've had a good sweat.  I'm liking it.

I'm also learning that no amount of sweat, sore muscles, even good foods like Quinoa and Hummus (YUM!) will cure my insatiable appetite for Five Guys or Pizza Hut.  And really? I'm really okay with that. I hope we never part ways, actually.

While we're on the topic of food (I really have no intention of changing topics, to be honest), I must say that I am loving my new ice cream maker that I got for Christmas, and now I'm trying to find a healthy recipe to use it with. Do you have any ideas?

I'm also learning about cooking with a crockpot again....   while we're talking about food. I made a delicious roast last week, but was disappointed to find that it was laden with FAT.  We picked it apart and ate the yummies, but ended up throwing a huge portion of the beast away.  What cut of meat is the best for having roast?

Oh and I'm also learning about the extended vocabulary of a six year old (sorry, not to get off topic).  My sweet, charming, perfect, rule-following Julia has taken to the word HATE quite a bit lately. She's only been on this green Earth for six short years, and I'm already considering a swear-jar for the family.  I'm holding out, though.  Surely this habit is just the result of her having learned a new word.  ...Right?   I mean, she's just testing it out to see how we react to it.  I hope, anyway.   The biggest pain with the swear jar is that I have to dole out cash to get the cash for collection.  I'll come up with something creative to use besides cash, I'm sure.  Do your kids have a problem word?


I'm also learning a whole lot about myself lately.  I've reminded myself that I am forgiven and redeemed. All the guilt I have about my crazy mother or about how I mother crazy is going away as I continue to read my bible and take tips from authors like Mark Batterson, Matthew West and Robert McGee. 

This year, I've been thinking about the cycle of life a LOT too. I can't say I've "learned" a whole lot, but I think I'm about to be schooled.  Last year, my best friend passed away. Cancer claimed her life, and although we weren't exactly "best friends" when she died, she was always the closest thing I ever had to a "BFF" and she knew more about me than anybody else in the world, except for maybe Rich.  I've been reflecting on her death a lot, especially since her birthday is coming up in early Feb.  I've also been thinking about my good friend Brent (of whom the BBF is named after). He is still here, thank God, but I think of him often when I consider the cycles of life.  He's a fighter, much like Abbey was.   Both of them are quite young, quite passionate about the things in life that make them who they are (for one it's baseball and sports, the other it's children and crafts...)   Bah, I don't know where I was going with this. That's just how it happens - I get to thinking about it and then find myself way off track on one tangent or another....

Ok, so what else have I been learning?
 I've finally caught on to the truth that the very best time to go shopping for my groceries is during a big football game.  Yes, it's taken me this long to catch on to this great trick. I kind of secretly wish football season would last a little longer now.

I'm learning that I can teach my dog to give me the ball after she goes and fetches it - that it doesn't have to be a game of tug of war every single time, resulting in my arms getting scratched up while wrestling the ball away from her.  We have been seeing a private dog trainer. It's been wonderful. Molly's We are learning so much.

I'm also learning about the benefits of showing empathy to kids (okay and to adults, too).  I've always known this to be important, but until I started practicing it, I didn't realize what a powerful tool empathy is. I no longer get frustrated when the kiddos whine and cry and cry and whine and cry and cry and cry over a hangnail. Instead, I show them empathy and move on. No biggie. I can spare some "Aww, I'm sorry! That's such a bummer!"s.  Can't we all? That's really the only thing anybody wants when they complain about just about anything in the world: just a little empathy!  It's powerful, even more so when it's authentic :) heh...  hehe... When I'm unable to console a child with a stubbed toe, or a friend with a family issue, I can let them know that I'm truly sorry for them. ... and it helps.  Really, I'm admitting that this is something new that I've just learned.  What a crappy friend I must have been (until now, heh).

I'm learning about the moon. Quite literally.  Because, for my job, I get to teach kids things they might not otherwise learn about. And that's fun for me - because their little ears perk up and they listen to what I have to say and they pay attention and then ask questions and then pretend to be a part of whatever we just learned about and then they want to make stuff related to what we're learning ...and the time just flies!  And lately, it's all been about the moon.  I'm learning waxing vs waning and that  it's not called a "half moon" but it's a "quarter moon" which makes sense. (Actually, I remember learning that before - but I have forgotten it in my old age...)   It's exciting teaching kids about stuff like this. They're teaching me just as much as I'm teaching them... We've watched videos on You Tube of astronauts on the moon, we watched a shuttle launch, we've seen the moon's phases, we've explored the moon sand that is otherwise forbidden in my house (that stuffs a PAIN to clean up!).  Good times.

So there you have it - my latest lessons in a nutshell.  What have you learned about recently?

Counting Calories

A week or so ago, I told a friend I was 100% with her on giving up sweets until Thanksgiving.  That little dream was a reality for all of maybe 18 hours.

I'm not one to deprive myself! 

A few days ago, I decided instead to count my calories every day until Thanksgiving.  I'd aim to lose a pound a week, but made a deal with myself not to get too bent out of shape (hehe, get it!) if I didn't lose anything.
I have to say - I like counting calories!!

• I feel full more often. I think that being conscience of how many calories are going into my body is making me feel full faster.
• This is a realistic way to lose weight.  Just like with keeping a budget: if you spend more than you make, you're gonna be in a heap of debt.  If you eat more than you burn, you're just going to be a heap (like me!)
• It is motivating me to exercise!  I've been on my dusty old treadmill twice in the lasts week. And I'm still suffering symptoms of bronchitis! The itch to get/keep moving is stronger than it ever has before. Tonight, I ran 2 miles just to burn 300 calories.  mmmm calories
• It's making me a smarter eater.  Obviously, my options are carefully weighed. Instead of gorging on breakfast, I'm being more conservative earlier in the day so I can enjoy a "normal" dinner with my family in the evenings.  I'm making smarter choices! This can't be a bad thing...
• I don't have deprive myself of anything.  I had 1/2 a serving of my Ben & Jerry's ice cream tonight. Yum. I would have eaten more than that, but HONESTLY I was just full.  (thatsneverhappenedbefore)
• It feels like there are more options in the pantry and in the fridge.  Before calorie counting, I would open my fridge and stare blankly inside wishing something yummy would pop out of it.  Now, I am finding all kinds of options!  I can't wait to have that yogurt in the morning... I decided against it this morning so that I could have my ice cream tonight. Fair trade if I may say so myself. 
• I'm convinced that the actual act of counting calories is actually burning more calories. The effort involved is insane. Good thing I only committed myself to doing this for two weeks... if I had to do this everyday for the rest of my life, I'd probably give up kinda quick... especially when it comes to restaurants and eating out!
• I'm aware of portions.  This one is a "gimme" for any self-conscious eater... but it's worth mentioning that portions are important. 2 tablespoons of hummus? You mean I'm not supposed to eat the whole thing in one sitting?

I'm looking forward to seeing progress over the next week.  Today is day 4, and thanksgiving is just over a week away.  Hopefully the counting will continue to be "fun" and eye opening for me; hopefully I'll feel like doing it after Thanksgiving day as well.

Matthew West - Story of your Life tour

Tonight's concert was awesome! Jonny Diaz opened, what a hoot!  I didn't know he was as much a comedian as a musician.... Then, Josh Wilson took the stage, with an awesome & rockin' Amazing Grace. ...But, I've been looking forward to hearing Matthew West live ever since I saw him do an acoustic performance at a church in Colorado.

This concert was no joke! It was filled with inspiration and humbling stories. I love LOVE the song on the "Story of my Life" album that is called "Family Tree." That song was, I am sure, written just for me.  I knew this before going in there, but it's even more fun hearing it performed live. :)

The concert was a family event for us - we decided to bring the girls along since the artists are all very family friendly.  The girls had a great time, despite how tired and worn out they both were.  Julia was caught dancing to a few of Matthew's first songs in the setlist.  It's something awesome to see my six year old rockin out to music that was made for the Lord

I really feel like Matthew West connects with his fans. He's very gifted, and he knows it - but instead of letting that go to his head or taking for granted his success, he loves on his fans.  He's known to "RT" (re-tweet) his fans daily, he's active on facebook and he blogs frequently. What's more, a brief 10 second conversation with him is comfortable and easy...  he sat back smiling and with a little giggle he told me, "I just love meeting people!"

Rich, by the way, didn't get to shake the hands of Matthew West, Josh Wilson, or Jonny Diaz because he was loving on our kids while I was stalking the merch table - I waited by the table for autographs so that I could be first in line.  This, I think, was a very smart move.  Also incredibly dorky, but that's okay. :) :)  I have the sweetest husby ever for taking one for the team and letting me sneak out early for this purpose.  He's just as big a fan as I am, but I'm the one that walked away with a new t-shirt, an autographed book and a picture with the headliner.

Here's a few pix from the night. The camera isn't the best and we were sitting up in the balcony, but the memories are captured!

I didn't realize until we got home that Jonny Diaz and Josh Wilson signed on the page that says I love you More. Matthew's signature is on the left - he also wrote my name in the little box, yay!

My favorite picture, of course, is the one of Mr. Matthew West and myself.  I would have liked a picture with Josh Wilson as well, but it was crowded and hot and I was satisfied with having shook his hand. :)

Adoration

When I'm having trouble hearing Him, God seems to stick one word in my head and lets me fixate on it until I understand what it is He has been trying to tell me all along.  A while back, I was so intently focused on Jealousy, specifically because of this song.  I wrote a little about the word Jealous on facebook, but now I regret that I did not properly journal my thoughts here on the blog, as I really believe that these studies are going to help me in the future.

Right now, I'm hearing the word "Adore" everywhere I turn. Last night, I cried myself to sleep in thankful tears of epiphany. Finally, I understand that God adores me. True, pure adoration. I always understood that I'm special and important to him. Somehow, I've internalized how important I am - how my service and actions, my deeds and love is important; but, I managed to skip over the part where God just clearly adores me.  Not only am I important and loved, I'm adored. Purely loved and thought of as adorable.

A couple of months ago, I read or heard something somewhere that inspired me to try and use the word "love" less casually.  I make an honest effort these days to stop saying that I "love" everything - pizza, ice cream, chocolate, caramel, mmm.....  cozy socks, my new phone, etc.  Instead, I try to find comparable words to describe my love for these things, but reserving the word "love" for real people and for God.  But now, I see how trivial that can be.   My focus was on my intentional use of the word love because I didn't want to underestimate the meaning.  However, if I am going to be that trite, I might as well stop saying that I love, like, adore, admire, cherish, enjoy, appreciate, etc. anything!  For, God sees me with all those compliments,  and so much more.

I was reading John 4 last night, about the woman at the well. The kids learned this story of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus at Vacation Bible School and then John 4 popped up in my YouVersion reading plan.  I guess I was thinking about how the Woman must have felt to be accepted and loved by Christ when I heard God clearly tell me that He adores me.  I can't explain it any better than that - but I love that I don't have to.

If there are any readers out there that know of scriptures or songs that speak specifically of adoration, I'd love your suggestions. 

The Center

Last night while I was running and reflecting and praying, this song came on.  It's one of those things where I don't know that I'll ever forget exactly where I was and what I was doing when I first heard this song.

Life has been challenging me like crazy lately. I have been struggling with big life decisions, little ones too for that matter.  My brain is just tired of always trying to keep up with what is right, what is good, what need to happen, what needs improved, where to go next... and when I heard this song last night, it was like I finally realized that I don't have to speed up or slow down, I just have to keep on keepin' on.  I need to keep listening to the Spirit that guides me and just go with it. I need to stop questioning every little turn, twist, and loop and instead just go in the direction I feel led. As long as I am sincerely, honestly praying this prayer that my Father, my Teacher, will put me in the center of His will for me - I should be good to go.  Less stress. Less worry. Less sleepless nights.

 I already feel better about some of the decisions I've made that people have asked me about. I feel like I'm listening and following Him the best that I can.  I almost wish I could have this song on repeat in my heart and in my head for the next few months, maybe even years.  I just need to keep praying, "Put me in the Center of Your Will for Me."  What an amazing feeling that must be, despite the work that goes into it.

 

Matthew West - The Center Lyrics

I wanna know

I got a feeling as a matter of fact
It's like my whole world just came under attack
And I hear can a voice tellin' me to turn back
'Cause I must be onto somethin'

It happens every single time I get close to
Everything I know is good and right and so true
It's like somebody doesn't want me to love You
And I must be onto somethin'

So help me hold on
Help me be strong
'Cause I don't wanna move
Unless You move me

I wanna know how it feels to be
Standing in the center of Your will for me
I wanna know what surrender means
Keep me in the center of Your will for me
Keep me in the center

God forbid, I start to think I'm on a roll now
'Cause I do believe there is a battle for my soul now
And I can feel the world fighting for control now
I must be onto somethin'

So help me hold on just a little bit longer
'Cause all the struggle's gonna do is make me stronger
This is the everyday prayer of my heart
I just wanna stay where You are

I wanna know how it feels to be
Standing in the center of Your will for me
I wanna know what surrender means
Keep me in the center of Your will for me

Lord, help me hold on
Help me be strong
'Cause I don't wanna move
Unless You move me, yeah, yeah

Oh, I wanna know how it feels to be
Standing in the center of Your will for me
I wanna know what surrender means
Keep me in the center of Your will for, will for me

I wanna know
I surrender, I surrender
I wanna know

You gotta help me hold on
Help me, help me hold on
Yeah, help me hold on

In my spare time...

Anybody that knows me well knows that I like to stay busy. I feel like idle time is boring. I always have to be busy doing something...  Husby always makes fun of me because I always fall asleep to movies on "movie night" at our house.  If I'm sitting for too long, I might as well be sleeping - to get ready for the next adventure. That's the way I look at it.

So, how have I been spending my spare time lately, you might ask? (humor me)

• Rich and I are leading the creation of a non-profit foundation. This foundation is being created in honor of a friend of ours who is currently battling cancer. This non-profit will benefit the community. It is strictly volunteer-only. There will be no profiting. There are no employees.  All the time, energy, and profits are being donated.
• Our first project with/for this foundation is to put on a 5K run/walk in honor of our friend. We want to give this small town (and surrounding areas, really) the chance to show their support and love to our cancer-fighting friend.  The 5K will be in the spring of 2010, God willing.
• I'm helping a very good friend of mine spearhead the metro's only single mother's ministry group. The single moms we know went out last night - they went bowling and I was honored to watch their kiddos for the night.  It's such an honor to be a part of something that is so important, so necessary, and so much needed in the KC metro area.  The ministry is starting small and quaint, but is sure to grow into something big and beautiful.
• I'm loving this mom/wife role. I'm loving it.  I can't think of anything better, anything more rewarding or more cherishing than being the wife to my husband and the mom to my kids. I'm so lucky!
• My business is thriving. I'll be starting a newborn here in just another month or two. That's exciting and fun!  I'm lucky to be employed, but I'm blessed to be doing what I love to do anyway.... even if sometimes I tend to take it for granted and forget how stinking lucky I am.
• Our dog is becoming one of my very best friends in the whole world.  It took me a while to really bond with her. But, now that we're walking daily (running, sometimes!) we really are getting closer. She's finally learning not to be so much of a PITA and much more of a dear companion. Or maybe it's me that's learning to be that for her? Either way, we've got it going on. I love my Annie dog.
• I'm still running! I started running just over a year ago. Here's a dorky little post I remember writing..    I can't believe how far I've come. Tonight, as I was finishing up my second run for the day (no, I do not make it a habit to run twice a day. In fact, I think that's crazy and unnecessary. I just so happened to work out that way today!), I was remembering how hard it was for me to get started and to love running.  And now - a year later, I have half a dozen 5K runs under my belt. :) It feels great! I'm still running with my buddy - I wouldn't give her up for the world. She motivates, inspires, encourages, and gets my butt out there even when I really dont WANNA go.  Rich, too, has taken up running and -like everything else he does- has excelled. He's inspiring, but I'm no competition for him!
• I think that's about all I can do for updates for now.  It's  a LOT! I recognize how much I have on my plate ...but it's all pretty healthy and good and encouraging.  Ever since I started listening to God and stop trying to lead my own way - the tasks before me have been easier and more manageable.  I'm enjoying all of it.  :)  Life is good to me!

Thanks for reading. :)  Now, let's pretend that it's "national comment day" or something.... go ahead, leave a comment! It won't hurt ya.
*smooch* 

Because it's easier

A week or so ago, I was lamenting the fact that I promised my wonderful, inspiring, motivating and exceptionally faithful running buddy an evening jog.  I asked Rich why it is that I didn't want to run.  I love to run. I enjoy the actual act of running. Running makes me feel good and gives me energy for an entire day afterward.  Running is good for my body and great for my soul. So, why was it that I wanted to just stay home, curl up under a blanket, eat a big bowl of fattening ice cream, and vegg in front of the boob tube? Why didn't I have the WANT to run? And, accurately so - dear husband replied with the simple answer: "Because it's easier to just not go."

Yesterday, I was invited in on an email conversation between a mentor and his buddy, whereby politics and unemployment, health care and "the spirit" were all discussed and debated upon.  My mentor, who is a strong conservative person had the general theme in his writing that "it's just easier..." to live life the same way as his liberal buddy with whom this conversation was happening.  While they discussed unemployment rates and free health care for all, I had to agree that yes, "it is just easier" to be taken care of than to find some way to provide for ourselves.

This morning, as I was preparing for church - I was wondering what happened to my WILL to serve in the church's children's ministry.  I work with children for a living. I consider myself a quality teacher. I love serving the Lord. The children's ministry needs me and wants me. I'm welcomed there by the staff, the parishioners, and (most of all) by the children. I enjoy my time teaching Sunday school every time I do it. I never regret making the choice to volunteer with the kiddos.  But, still - each week, I find myself passing up the volunteer schedule and going to church services instead.  Why? Because "it's just easier" for me to let my kiddos enjoy their sunday school thing while I get to be a grown-up and go off to church services without them.


Tonight as I sit here and type, I know that "it would just be much easier" for me to ignore this annoying theme that keeps running laps in my head and go to bed early, getting a full night's rest than it is to hammer these thoughts out on a blog and put myself out there for criticism or feedback.

This idea of life being easy has been occupying my thoughts and entering into a lot of the conversations I've been having with folks lately. And I have come to a definite conclusion about it all.  You see, it's not that I want life to be hard. I see no merit in doing things the hard way. I think that if I came to two roads diverged in a wood, that I would not be able to take the one less traveled.  On the contrary, I tend to take the roads that have the most wear and tear on them, because I see no need to re-invent the wheel when it comes to anything. I admit that, right here - right now.  That's just part of who I am.

But, at the same time -- I see no merit in losing touch with the spirit within me.  The spirit within me is this part of me that gracefully and kindly embodies my emotions.  The physical stuff is my body. The emotional and mental stuff is my spirit.  Without my spirit, I lose touch of the strive, or the will and desire to achieve happiness and fulfillment. I am pretty sure that I deserve to have a good healthy spirit about me.

The way I see, it is up to me to take good care of my spirit, just as it is up to me to take good care of my body, just as it is up to me to take good care of my money and my stuff. 

And, maybe you can agree that taking care of our bodies is not always so easy. "It's just so easy" to eat the junk, plop on the couch, sleep, and eat the junk again.  But, if we live like that - we not only start to feel unattractive, but we lose control over what is happening to our bodies. The mind confuses the WANT with the NEED. Our blood pressure gets high, blood sugar gets confused, hearts get clogged, and sometimes we die as a result of our choices to neglect the body.  And, sometimes our bodies just take on a mind of it's own and leave us no choice but to battle disease or illness within. I would argue that it is at these times that it is most important to nurture the spirit within.

Likewise, it's not so easy to take care of our money (and also our stuff).  "It's just so easy" to spend our hard earned money on STUFF instead of saving it or (better yet) giving it away.  Again, our WANT gets mixed up with our NEED.  We lose control over our finances and go broke, file for bankruptcy and sometimes get foreclosed on. 

Taking control of what we actually have control over (like our spirit and our bodies) is a responsibility and a gift.  Choosing to "suck it up" and take the not-so-easy approach to things can be rewarding and life-giving. It can affect your whole spirit and the way you live. It begins to change the way you think and the way you approach problems and find solutions. It gives you confidence and self-esteem and pride. It reminds you of some of the unique things about you that make you worthy of eternal salvation.  It's important... and that is an understatement.

So, while I still find myself complaining and lamenting over the fact that something may be a bit too hard - that something might require too much of a commitment or too much energy or too much risk...  I also know what kind of benefits I can harvest from so much hard work.  It's not just about good ol' fashioned hard work. It's much more personal than that. It's about saving my spirit.

On Reading

I hate it when I am too far into a book to put it down if/when it turns sour. That's exactly what happened to me recently. The book I just read was compelling and had my attention for the first half. But, then I just couldn't get past the over-the-top characters and the outrageous agenda that was laced throughout the book. I found myself hoping to snap out of the criticizing and jump into the storyline, but the author just wouldn't let me.

Don't you hate it when you find yourself invested in characters and story line so much so that you won't put the stupid book down even though nearly every page of it makes you wince and wish you hadn't wasted your time on it?

Seriously.

I loved the descriptive narration so much that I just kept reading. I did feel like I was there in the moment with the characters -- but when one of them spoke or did something stupid, I found myself rolling my eyes and trudging on! Too bad the characters in the novel weren't as believable as the settings were.

So, do any of my (all three of you) readers out there have a compelling novel that would likely captivate my attention day after day as I find a half hour here and an hour there to read a good book? Something, preferably, that doesn't have psychopath characters that are too unbelievable and some kind of rotten political agenda intertwined? I'm up for a good book suggestion... thanks in advance!