Beware of rambling...

Well...the sleepless nights are here. I know because I'm in the middle of one right now. It happens every summer. After taking a week or so to sleep off the school year, then I'm ready to play...and apparently not just in the daytime.  And the wonky thing is that I will be in this mode for a few weeks and just as I am getting used to my new sleep schedule it will be time to set the alarm for school again. I know...this really is a problem that people in the corporate world really don't want to hear about. 

So I will change the subject. 

How is that for transition?  

I would have made the students in my English class revise that because you aren't suppose to tell your audience you are transitioning...you're just supposed to do it. Tales from an 8th grade English teacher. 

Ok...so...

I was in Hobby Lobby the other day. I love that store by the way. And what to my wondering eyes did appear but pumpkins and other fall house decor! What?  And guess what was on the top of those shelves? Yes...Christmas stuff! Now...that doesn't really bother me like it does other people...I just don't remember seeing it out this early before. It kinda made me want a pumpkin spice latte!  But then I went to the pool and I no longer wanted a pumpkin spice latte. 

I wanted a big tub of ice. 

But that was not feasible, so I just sat on the side of the pool and dangled my legs in the water. 

Which leads me to my next tidbit. Actually my next tidbit has nothing to do with dangling my legs in the water. But it sounded good...and clearly this post is just a big rambling session. 

But anyway...I ran 3 miles on Tuesday. That's really not a big deal except that I did it without stopping. And because I haven't run in several weeks, not stopping and gasping for air is a big deal. 

You see...when you run and train for a race you have to do it consistently for months before the race...so that you can run the race without stopping and gasping for air. If you don't train, it makes it incredibly difficult to endure the race. 

I haven't been running, but I have been strength training hard and consistently for the last 10 weeks.  And because I have strengthened my muscles, I was able to run my 3 miles easily without being physically exhausted.  

It's the same principle in my spiritual life. When I strengthen my spiritual muscles daily, this race I run does not exhaust me. Instead I can endure...hardships, disappointments, conflict, the mundane. Whatever life has to offer.  

Strength starts on the inside and works its way out. 

Goodnight y'all. 

Ziplisty Doo Dah...

I'm so bummed. My other half stole the remote on Sunday and therefore controlled it all day. As a result, I took in 486 hours of The U.S. Open and after that was over I was made to take in the 243 hours of NBA Finals. And do you know what that means?  Yes...It means I missed the Miss USA Pageant. Durn! And it's not about all the pageantry and big hair and beautiful dresses. It's about all the sports I had to endure. And it was two of the most boring sports of all.  And you would think that I would - with all the watching of it - actually get the game of golf and basketball, but I still don't understand the game of golf or basketball other than the object is to get the ball in the hole or net.  The calls like 'icing' and 'fumble' confuse me!  Haha...just kidding. I know golf pros aren't called for that...only basketball players are!

I guess I will get over it since that was two days ago and I have other more important things to think about today.   Like what I'm going to do since I have the whole day to not watch golf or basketball.  I love summer!

Oh oh...I found the coolest app for people who go to the grocery store.  It's called Ziplist!  It will change your life.  You can search for recipes and when you find one you like you have two choices. You can add the recipe to your recipe box so you never have to search for it again and you can add the ingredients to your shopping list!  Oh my and here's the best part...the recipes are the same recipes you find on Pinterest. Oh my word I was so happy when I saw that because I use a LOT of recipes from Pinterest. And now I don't have to go back and forth between my shopping list app and my Pinterest app to add items to my grocery list. It's all in one place!  Joy!!  Here is what it looks like...

Another highlight of my summer so far is my new bible study I've just started. It's called Gideon: Your Weakness God's Strength.  It was written by Priscilla Shirer and it is a great study so far. And I am personally connecting to it because...well...I have a lot of weaknesses!   So it's now time for me to sit and learn before I get too far into my day!

See ya later!!

My Dad...

I remember as I was growing up walking in the kitchen in the mornings to see my Dad sitting at the table reading his bible and drinking coffee. "Well, good morning, Baby Doll" was always his greeting.  I don't remember what my reply always was, but I'm fairly certain it was more like a growl than anything cheerful like his greeting.  Mornings have never been my time to shine, but that never once affected his happy nature and decision to love me anyway. 

I remember watching my Dad as he dedicated his life to the Lord by serving as a pastor.  I've heard many who were under his shepherding thank him on countless occasions for leading them well.  And I've witnessed a few who weren't as gracious.  That career is by no means an easy one, but that never once affected his happy nature and decision to love anyway. 

I remember watching as he faced a cancer diagnosis that was scary and uncertain.  As all the women in his family fell apart, it never affected his happy nature and decision to trust God anyway. 

I've watched as he has embraced his kids when faced with some really tough stuff.  I'm sure that the dad in him wanted to tear into those who messed with them.  But he didn't. Those situations never once affected his happy nature and his decision to instruct us to love anyway. 

And I've watched him in his retirement. A time when a lot of people take off and do the things they never got to do while they were in the midst of their career and raising a family.  But my dad has never once been affected by what he is entitled to and has every right to do.  He is busy in his retirement helping others to paint their house, install sprinkler systems, re-stain old furniture, change light bulbs, or whatever else others might need.  But most importantly gifting the greater OKC area with his peanut brittle crack!  He is busy...still...serving, giving, and loving others anyway.  

I was privileged as recent as last week to hear his morning greeting because he and my mom got to stay at my house for the weekend.  And as I've thought about him this last week, I've wondered how this gentle giant has been able to remain unaffected by the hardships of life and make the decision to love anyway. 

And then I see vividly in my mind the picture I saw every morning during my growing up years...him sitting at the table reading his bible. 

Makes perfect sense.

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad. I love you!!

Strength in the flesh...

Sometimes I don't think Webster does justice to some words. Strength is one of those words, and of this word he says...

     - noun

     1.the quality or state of being strong; bodily ormuscular power; vigor.

     2.mental power, force, or vigor.

     3.moral power, firmness, or courage.

     4.power by reason of influence, authority,resources, numbers, etc.

But I understand strength in a different way.  Three ways...to be exact...that can't be defined in a dictionary. It's through three different women...very special women.  Only one gave birth to me but all three raised me.

My mom.  I really don't think I know anyone who has a heart for giving more than this little lady.  Time. Money. Her own belongings.  Whatever she has, she gives to others and goes to the ends of the earth when needed to do so.  She loves with every fiber of her being and she fulfills her purpose on this earth with zeal, compassion, and determination.  Strength.

My oldest sister, Sherri. This little fireball is the happiest-go-lucky woman I've ever known. Always happy, always smiling, and always available to help in any way she can.  Nothing can knock her down and if anything threatens to, she plants her feet firmly into the ground and  welcomes it with the challenge to "bring it".  So many times in my life when I haven't been able to, she has stood (on a step stool) (haha...couldn't resist) in front of me with her 'dukes' up for me just waiting to take down whatever or whoever is messing with me.  Strength.

My sister closest in age to me but still older, :) Patti.  Her name and her very existence in my life means rest.  She has the most amazing gift to just take care of people.  And that is what she has done most of my life.  She has single-handedly taken more mountains in my life than I can count and turned them into flat ground for me to walk upon. And I have watched her do that over and over and over for countless others.  And when she is in any room, rest is just present. Strength.

Often I wonder why God chose me to be be in this family of wonderful women. But by example, all three of them have taught me about being a God-fearing woman. And because of that, I choose not to question Him. 

I just thank Him every single day.

A new level of boring...

I'm not sure when the last time was that I smelled like a 5th grader. You know...the ones who are entering the age of puberty whilst enjoying a good day in the humidity and wind in the spring. Oh you are not familiar with that aromatic mixture? I'm sure a teacher will be able to give you a good idea of that scent.

Anyway...today was one of those days where it was obvious I had been with kids...outside...on a humid and windy day...during spring...in Texas. Yes...it was field day at one of my campuses. And was a very long day indeed. So it's not surprising that I am laying awake at precisely 1:28 a.m. because when I came in from work I collapsed on the couch and did not move for a couple of hours. A nap was needed and a nap is what I got.

And after that nap, I decided that there was no real point in getting up to do anything because...well...it was only five hours till I would be going to bed and why bother. So I stayed. And watched a few back to back episodes of Reba; I played several rounds of Tetris on my new Google Chrome Book; tuned in to the 1980s version of Footloose - and oh boy did that music take me back to a time when doo doo curls were hip and Kevin Bacon didn't have wrinkles and everyone knew that this was Almost Paradise. Then...I watched Shark Tank and 20/20 with my favorite guy. Let's hear it for the boy!

And that is how to have the most boring Friday ever. You can actually say to your friends that you have now read the most boring blog post of your entire life.

Cause and effect...

Easter is my most favorite holiday.  I'm not necessarily so big on the egg hunts and all the marshmallow birdies, and it's not even all the chocolate wrapped in pastel foil.  I mean…yeah…I like those things.  And I do partake.

What I love the most, though, is how the significance of the move Christ made for me on the Cross impacts me.  It humbles me.  Reminds me.  Teaches me something new.  Refreshes me.  And brings new life to places in me that are parched.  Always.  Not to say that the rest of the year I'm not affected by His act of love for me and us, because I am…deeply…often.

A few days after the sun had set on Easter, I was re-reading the events that took place during the last week of Jesus' life.  I've read and heard the story hundreds of times…and struggled each time to wrap my head around what He did for me.  And this year was no different.  However, there was part of the story this time that came off the page at me in a way I'd never known.  And it was this:

John 13:3-5 ~ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

These twelve people, the disciples, that surrounded him at the Last Supper trusted him and followed him one day and doubted, denied, and betrayed him the next.  Often they didn’t get what he was trying to teach them and, as well, questioned him when he instructed them to get out of the boat, keep their eyes on him, or cast their fishing nets on the other side.  They repeatedly fell asleep when he asked them to pray.  They were constantly wanting to know which of them was going to be greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  They had really given him no good reason to one by one wash their nasty feet.

So why would He?  Yes…I know.  He was God.  I get that.  But He was also fully man.  Just like us!  Which meant he could probably get annoyed.  And perturbed.  And irritated at friends who didn't use common sense.  Or hurt his feelings. Let alone betray and deny him.

Instead...he served them.

And as I read and re-read the passage, and thought about what it was that enabled him to do so, these things leapt off the page at me.

  1. He knew who He was. (Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power…)

  2. He knew where He came from. (…and that he had come from God…)

  3. He knew where He was going. (…and was returning to God…)

So…He served.

Cause and effect.

Knowledge. Something that penetrated and resided deep inside his mind, heart, soul, and bones so much that serving others was his natural response…to anyone.  His true identity.

And then some more stuff hit me right between the eyes.

I have access to the the same knowledge and identity.  And so does every person who believes.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!

New creations in Christ...but only because of his life, death, and resurrection.

Counting sheep in the digital age...

The sheep were all sleeping tonight so I was forced to count something else while I lay awake. And because I have my handy dandy smart phone, I can record my findings. Things that are awesome...

•A good night's sleep
•The realization that one of God's promises He spoke only to you has been fulfilled.
•The feeling of giddy.
•The sore you feel the day after a hard workout.
•Crossing the finish line of a half marathon.
•Runners high.
•Cinnamon toast and chocolate milk.
•First warm sunny of spring.
•First cool crisp day of fall.
•Snow on Christmas.
•Babies.
•A rainy day off work.
•The burst of flavor in a fresh piece of gum.
•New sunglasses.
•God things.
•When your team wins.
•Your wedding.
•When your dad gets to officiate your wedding.
•Answered prayers.
•The one where Chandler pees on Monica.
•The first day of school.
•The last day of school.
•A wound that is healed.
•Hot buttered rolls.
•The first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.
•Apps that sync on all your devices.
•A laughing baby.
•Lucy Ricardo.
•Belly laughs.
•Red wine and chocolate.
•Isaiah 41:10.
•Pedicures.
•Good sing-alongs.
•Puppies.
•A new desk calendar.
•Filling in all your days off on your new desk calendar.
•An empty dishwasher.
•Snow days.
•New pens.
•Being part of an answered prayer for someone.

And I'm positive there's more.
But I'm out.
Goodnight y'all!

Fit Friday: Get your arms ready for summer...

I couldn't get outside fast enough today because the weather here in Big D is g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s!!  However, there were some errands that topped my list before I could do anything else.  So I ran to the doctor and the outdoor mall and the grocery store to get these items crossed off;  hurried home, changed, and hit the patio.

And as I sat in the sun, I got a glimpse of my arms and realized I have a little bit of work to do before they are ready for summer tank tops. So I did a little searching and found this article on some moves for your arms.

Take a looksie.

Then get outside and enjoy a beautiful St. Patty's Day weekend!

Goodbyes are too hard...

It's been a long time since I cried like a baby. Really. And it was the ugly cry where I snorted a little bit and had mascara in places it wasn't meant to be. But it was just really so sad to say goodbye to JR Ewing on last night's episode of Dallas. They even changed the intro music to a sad rendition.  Now...I really don't think I would have cried that hard if it was just his character we were saying goodbye to. The fact that he is really gone was too much. And my favorite line was Sue Ellen's when she said "He was the most infuriating charming scoundrel I ever knew." That just about sums up his character perfectly. And I will miss his conniving ways because he was the best villain ever!

And today's tragedy is that I'm out of hummus! Which means that I cannot dip these little gems in them.

Y'all! I'm telling you what...those things are delicious and I cannot get enough of them. And that's not a bad thing because they are excellent snacks for clean eating. At 40 calories per serving, no fat, high in fiber and vitamin C...they are a tasty little dish.

And that's all my sad news for today. I must get out in this gorgeous spring break weather and put on a happy face.

Because life goes on.

Even without JR Ewing and roasted red pepper hummus!

Fit Friday: Stretching

It's been a while since I posted a Fit Friday tip.  What can I say?  My full time job gets the best of me sometimes.  Which is exactly why today's tip is SO important and beneficial not only to our physical health, but our mental health as well.  

Stretching.

I've not only been researching the benefits of stretching, but I've also been implementing more of it on a weekly basis.  And the one thing I can tell you is that it is changing the level of my cardio and strength workouts.  When I can fit in a 15-minute stretch or yoga sequence before a long run, it provides me with a robust (well…more robust than normal) mental energy…and we all know that mental energy is a significant prerequisite to physical energy.  A sweet friend of mine sent me a quote the other day that says "Your mind will quit 100 times before your body ever does."  And I know that to be true.

Some benefits of stretching include:

1.  Increased flexibility

2.  Improved circulation

3.  Improved balance and coordination

4.  Improved cardio health/athletic performance

5.  Increased range of motion

6.  Reduced muscle tension

7.  Alleviates lower back pain/injury

8.  Reduces stress

So…just do it.  Make sure you are doing some pre and post workout stretching.  And when you can, fit in a yoga class or sequence.  Your body will thank you.

Here are some links to some great stretching exercises.

Bodybuilding.com - Stretching Exercises

Livestrong

Fitness Magazine Online

Have a super weekend!

Hooked...

So I've been in a writing funk for a while and the words are just absent. I think that was clear from my last post. And it isn't that I haven't tried because I have. No really...I have. If you could see all the blog notes I've started but haven't finished over the last month you might be more apt to believe me. But since you can't, you will have to take my word for it.

Tonight I am going to see this post through to its entirety even if it turns out to be one where I'm rambling. Sometimes a girl just needs to ramble. And this is one of the reasons I am so glad I married the guy that I did. Because he rambles too. Sometimes we ramble about the same thing at the same time. Sometimes we ramble at the same time about different things. And sometimes we ramble about different things at different times. It's the mystery of oneness, and I bet you wish you were a fly on our walls.

I think my problem is that I have gone and gotten myself hooked on some t.v. shows. And I blame it on my girlfriends because when we get together they talk about these shows a lot and the peer pressure is unbearable. So it seems I have caved and now I am hooked. Parenthood. Nashville. Dallas. Shark Tank. Modern family. The Bachelor. And American Idol. But the two latter shows are walking on a thin line because the girls on both shows are driving me batty. And all I really do over the course of episodes is to say, "oh my word...are you kidding me."

I've given that topic enough attention though so I'm moving on. Except I will say that I just don't know if Dallas is going to make it without J.R. I mean he was quite the villain, but I loved his character and his eyebrows. There is none other like J.R. although there was enough scandal in the first two episodes to live on for the rest of the season. Rest in peace, Larry.

And then there's Nashville. They've got me singing, "You got the wrong song..."

And on Shark Tank I was totally captivated by the product that I saw tonight. It is a little blingy hook thingy that has a strong magnet on the back of it. You place the blingy part on the front of your clothes and the magnet part underneath your clothes and y'all...there's a place on the front where you can hang your readers! The aging just got a little more hip and I totally want one!!

And in the latest news, I am officially registered for the Rock & Roll Half Marathon on March 24th. This is the race that I started last year but couldn't finish because my knee locked up at mile 4. I was SO sad and disappointed and I cried like a baby. So I am incredibly excited about doing it again this year and finishing. Please pray that my knee stays strong. Training has already started and I'm up to 6 miles this weekend. I never ever thought that I would hear myself say this but I am addicted to running. There is just absolutely nothing like crossing that finish line.

But I imagine that crossing the finish line of life on earth into eternity will make my measly half marathons seem like nothing. So I keep running...with perseverance the race that has been marked out for me.

S.O.S

I have fallen off the blog wagon...and I can't get up! It's a serious case of writer's block.

The end.

Blessings in 2013...

I'm fairly certain this holiday season of 2012 was the fastest passing of time I may have ever experienced.  Or...it could be that this was what my grandma always meant when she said, "My how time flies."  Whatever it may mean, I know one thing to be true: 2013 is here...and for me and several of my girlfriends...and whoever else is up for the challenge...this means that it is time to start a year-long adventure of scripture memory.

I am itching to get started on this because I did this in 2011 and it proved to be the most life-changing practice I've ever implemented.  That year was a huge time of learning and growth for me, and I believe wholeheartedly that it was largely due to scripture memory.

So...if you are joining me this year, I wanted to share a few things that helped me.

1) First, I bookmarked the LPM Blog on all my devices.  This made it easy to post my verse from anywhere…at any time.  There were several times I forgot to post on the correct day and this allowed me to do so when I remembered that I forgot!  No matter where I was.

2) I ordered the spiral from Living Proof Ministries, wrote my verses in it and kept it beside my bed. Here is the link for this year's spiral if you'd like to order it. Or you can go purchase one on your own. Regardless of which spiral you get, it will be your free ticket into the (optional) event in January 2014 (Houston,TX) for all who participate.  I ordered this one because it is cute and I like cute!

3) I downloaded an app onto my iPhone called Fighter Verses which is a phenomenal app for memorizing scripture.  It allows you to add a bible verse of your choice, or you can choose the current verse in the app. But that's not what's so great about it.  The cool thing is that it has several different ways you can quiz yourself.  It's on your phone so you can pull it up while you are at a stoplight, in line at the grocery store, or whenever you have a few minutes of time at your disposal. It makes memorizing scripture very easy. Here is the link for the app.  It costs $2.99 but well worth it!

The first post of the year is already up, and I just posted my first verse for the year...

Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.” 

If you can't find a verse you want to memorize and need an idea, I have posted my verses I used in 2011 here.  Feel free to copy any of those or use the same one I'm using.

This morning I prayed for all of you who are going to venture down this road in 2013.  I truly wish for you and your families a year full of God's blessings on your heart, mind, and soul.

Happy New Year!

The Chipped Cup

Today...I was dragging, and my clouded mind thought it was due to the fact that I did not sleep much last night because of all the heart-racing fun that was going on inside my chest.  But I realized it was probably because of my new habit of going decaf from now on...that started this morning.  I'm not sure why I can't remember that cold turkey is a difficult thing.

But anyway...while I was staring into space in the direction of my computer monitor this morning, an email popped into my inbox.  I noticed it was from my sister so I opened it immediately.  She had written something so sweet for me and it reminded me that our relationships are one of the most important aspect of our lives.  So...my sister, Patti, is my guest blogger today...

The Chipped Cup

When I was in high school I had a boyfriend.  He was wrong for me in every way.  One day I realized that he was crushing my hopes to go away to college, a college I had dreamed of going to for a very long time.  So after much thought, I decided to break up with him.  We were drinking pop (what we called the soda in the fridge at the time) from a glass out of the kitchen.  These glasses were supposedly unbreakable, but when he threw his across the front porch, after I broke up with him, it surely did chip.  After that day you would have thought the glass would have been no good and would have been thrown out, but for some reason it kept showing up in the cabinet with its family of green drinking glasses.  Every time the glass was used it was a reminder of that boy, the road I was headed down with him and the wise decision I had made obviously led by the Holy Spirit.  I assume the glass was eventually thrown away, much like my memories of the bad experience of the break up.

I tell that story because this morning when I watched my cup filling with my yummy coffee I happened to notice a chip in my cup.  The chip made me smile because this time the chip represented a much happier memory.  A while back my sister and her husband had traveled to Austin during a weekend we were away - probably at a swim meet. They stayed at my house and after the weekend was over my lovely sister told me that when she was putting her coffee cup in the dishwasher it had chipped.   So when I use that cup it reminds me of my sister that I miss so much, and of the time she and her husband were making themselves at home in my home.  She was very upset when she told me she broke it and probably even asked if she could replace it.  What my sister doesn't realize is that she added value to that cup that day.  The value in the chip comes from the building of our relationship over years.  I have known her her whole life and have watched her grow and develop into a beautiful, caring person who loves God above all.  Often through the week I will think of my sister and text her a thought, lyrics to a song or just something I wanted to tell her.  It makes me feel in touch and close to her.  Many times when something is eating either of us we will call each other and vent.  Inevitably at the end of the vent session the other will encourage with God's Word.  This relationship is so above and beyond just being sisters.  It is absolutely a gift from God.  To be able to speak truth into her life and receive truth from her has been the secret to many trials with raising a family and being married to the same busy, high maintenance man for 23 years.  I treasure my sister and I treasure the chipped cup because it makes me remember to be thankful for the beautiful blessings God has entrusted me with.  So I sit here and drink my yummy full cup of almond joy creamer in my coffee and I am starting my day with a full cup.  Full of joy and thankfulness.

Patti Thompson
12/4/2012


I love this for so very many obvious reasons.  But, it makes me think, also, about how broken and chipped we all are.  Nicks and cracks caused either by the ups and downs of life, our own past mistakes...or...by someone else.  We are tempted to look at that and wish we were put together better; that we hadn't made that one decision; or that we had avoided that person when we had the opportunity.    It's easy to devalue ourselves and the journey we've walked.  But I believe when God looks at us, He thinks our brokenness adds value.

Crank it up...

I am sitting here watching Christmas movies today, and for that I am elated, because if you know me at all you understand just how much I love the holidays.  Especially Christmas.  However, I am doing all the watching in my shorts and flip flops.  And I'm not going to lie...I just don't know how I feel about that.  It is December.  It is supposed to be cold and the visions of a wintry scene right outside my frost-laden window should not be so far from reality.  But it is what it is...therefore, I will give thanks that I woke up today with the ability to get dressed, attend church to hear sound Bible teaching, and spend the rest of the day with a good, good man who loves me far better than I have ever deserved.

Thankful.

And while I'm on the subject of Thankful, our Thanksgiving holiday was fabulous.  I had the whole week off work and it was the sweetest gift of time.  I cooked and baked and laughed and rested and was able to crank up the Christmas music while I decorated my tree and mantle and other stuff.  And the fact that I said 'crank up' is a dead give-a-way as to where I'm from.  Anyway...we split our actual Thanksgiving day between the hubs side of the family and mine.  Here are a few snapshots of our time with them.

 We ate a LOT!!

And I am even more excited because I just saw on Twitter today that Beth Moore will be leading a year-long scripture memory venture again in 2013.  I participated in this in 2011 and let me just say that it was the most life-changing practice I've ever implemented in my life.   I have always been very prone to a negative thought life and for so long I lived in defeat because of it.  I never understood how to overcome that, and well...I'll tell ya...I found when I did this that scripture memory is powerful and is crucial to transforming your thought life.  And if I can do it...anyone can.  So I am going to participate again in 2013.  Please join me.  You won't regret it.

Happy Sunday.

Favorites...

This time change may just get the best of me. At 6:00 p.m. I think it's 9:30 and am ready to get in bed…and when I realize it's only 6:00, I just get on the couch. And fall asleep. And then I wake up at 3:30 a.m. And then at 6:00 I'm ready for bed and it's not time so I fall asleep on the couch and then wake up at 3:30. It's like when you give a mouse a cookie. Or a moose a muffin. Or…groundhog day. Whatever.

But that's not really why I'm writing this blog entry.

Often I will have friends ask me for a book or website or a scripture to go to when they are needing help with something…ya know…like a self-help issue. And the only reason is because I know of a lot of resources in the self-help area…not because I'm the expert…but because I'm usually reading a self-help book or browsing a self-help site or searching scripture for my own issues that need help.

I've found that in all my searching and browsing, I tend to find gems from the same resources over and over. So here is a list of my favorite places to go when I'm needing wisdom.

God's Word
Beth Moore-One Place
LPM Blog
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Lysa Terkeurst
Marriage Today
Love and Respect
Boundaries

And these are the books and studies that have been most life-changing for me...

Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend
Esther: It's Tough Being A Woman
No Other Gods
Unglued

God never promised a life of ease for believers...

...In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33b

But He does give us help along the journey. And He promises:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Fifty seven...fifty nine...

It's been a busy Fall, and I'm not believing that we will be getting high on tryptophan in less than two weeks.  It has totally snuck up on me and I'm still trying to find a minute or two to get my Fall Pinterest project underway.  The verdict is not yet in, but it may not happen this year. Just a sneaking suspicion I'm having.

On October 29th, my folks celebrated 57 years of marriage. Fifty seven!  Y'all.  That's a long time, and I'm filled with admiration and respect for these two who have been committed through a lifetime of ups and downs.  They have been and continue to be a wonderful example to me, my siblings, and all their children.

Here they are 57 years ago...



And here they are now...



To me, they don't look old enough to have been married that long. 

I also finally got my little workout group off the ground.  Well...somewhat. I did one month and decided earlier this week that I need to pull back through the end of the year, and restart them in January. I think that will be a better time of year for getting a workout group started.  Ya know...with all the New Year's resolutions and goals and what not.

And while we're on the subject of what not, I need to vent for a minute about something that happened to me three times in less than two weeks.  Now...before I step up onto my soap box, I want to say that this has nothing to do with money. At all. But everything to do with the principle of it and the unfortunate attitude of entitlement that plagues our society. So...not once. Or twice.  But three times...at three different restaurants...our waiters have decided to round the amount of change they give back to us in their favor.  So...for example...our ticket at the last restaurant was something like $23.41. We paid with two twenty dollar bills...and expected to get back $16.59. Instead we were given $16 even. Our waiter decided that he would just pocket the $.59 for himself. And really...59 cents is nothing to get rattled over. I already know that. And yes...I can be a tight wad at times, but I always take very good care of waiters with my tip.  But y'all...a tip is a gift...a gift of appreciation for good service. It is not something that is owed you automatically just because you are a waiter. And it is at the discretion of the customer as to how much is given.  Right?

The first two times it happened, we just let it go, and left...annoyed. But at the last restaurant, B decided to ask where the rest of our change was. And the waiter's answer appalled me even more than the audacity he had to short change us. He said, "Oh I didn't mean to do that. I don't carry change with me."  And then just stood there like 'sorry dude but that's how I roll'.  And he didn't even offer to go get the rest of our change. 

Blah. 

Can't stand the attitude of entitlement.

Anyway. I will let it go now.

But does anyone have 59 cents I can borrow?  😜

Beauty for ashes...

Sometimes I can blow situations and circumstances up in my mind to dimensions mighty bigger than they really are.  And sometimes when I do that, I wear it all over. My face, my shoulders, my emotions, and my mood. And not only am I clothed that way, I spray it all over those who come near.  I snap at my husband; I roll my eyes at the new waitress who can't get my order right, or I engage in a monologue about how idiotic the slow driver is in front of me.  

Last week I had a couple days like that. I was torn up with fear over some things over which I had no control.  And no matter how I tried to work it out in my mind, I couldn't find the comfort or the peace that I was longing to feel.  I felt helpless, hopeless, and out of control.  And I was.

After a couple days of frustration, fear, little sleep, and knots in my stomach I finally went to the Place where my Christian upbringing and head knowledge told me I should've gone first.  To God's Word…and to God…Himself.  And as long as I have been a believer, and as much as He has brought me through, I was still somewhat skeptical that I would get up feeling any better.  I decided to believe anyway that He could and that He would…I just didn't know when He would.  And whispered through my tears, "I'm scared."

Now…I'm not a mom, but I'm fairly certain that if I were and my terrified child came to me in tears, I wouldn't ignore her…or him.  I believe that even if I could not make the situation change immediately, I would say whatever I needed to turn that frown upside down so that my child could carry on with fullness of life and childlike demeanor.

Pardon me while I veer for a moment with some Bible history...  

Jews were not allowed to enter the King's gates if they were wearing their mourning clothes…and just so you know...their mourning clothes were made up of sackcloth - which is course clothing - itchy and uncomfortable I'm sure, and ashes on their forehead.  So I'm sure it was obvious to onlookers and passers by who was torn up and in mourning.  An example of this is found in the OT book of Esther.  

Mordecai, Esther's cousin, learned of a plot from Haman, one of the King's right hand men, to destroy the Jews.  This catapulted Mordecai into a state of mourning…and I'm sure…frightened him right out of his mind.  His only hope was his cousin, Esther, because she was already inside the King's courts...she had been made Queen Esther not too long before that.  And through a series of events, Esther was able to approach the King and persuade him to get rid of Haman and save the Jews, thus lifting the burden off of Mordecai, herself, and all Jews who had been under the threat.  

Fast forward to 2012…a lot has happened since Esther and Mordecai walked the planet.  

One thing that happened…a pretty major event…was that God sent His Son to die on a cross for us.  And because of that, we no longer have to put our hope in someone who is already inside our King's court.  We can boldly approach His throne wearing our fears, worries, and angsts, and He will replace our sackcloth and ashes with something beautiful.

Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

To all who mourn in Israel,

    he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,

a joyous blessing instead of mourning,

    festive praise instead of despair.

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks

    that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

So...I opened up my bible and the verse I opened up to was a verse that I've read a million times…at least.  But this time the message I got from the verse was completely different than anything I've ever understood it to be.  And my tears poured out…not because I was afraid, but because my King had heard me!  I approached His throne…scared right out of my mind…and stood up with a fresh perspective on my situation and a joy so deep and so immense that there was no longer any room for fear.  And because of that, it not only changed my day that day, but it changed my week...giving me sustenance and patience far beyond my own to wait things out.  Doors opened that I would not have seen open had I lingered in fear mode.  But it wasn't anything I did.  I just took all that I had and He made a trade with me.

Beauty for ashes.  I want more.

Tubayta tubotta...

I have a confession. It's October 2nd and I have been getting the holidays on with Christmas music! It's true, and I am not ashamed! Now there are those people out there, and you may be one of them, who balk at the atrocity that stores bring out the Christmas merchandise so early...while its still warm enough for a suntan...and what have you. But I am not one of them. Because when I hear Christmas music I feel cozy and warm and wonderful memories fill my mind and visions of sugarplums dance in my head...even though I have no idea what a sugarplum is. And to the core I feel a sense of joy that is indescribable. And who doesn't need a little indescribable joy in the midst of the rat race that surrounds us?

But that's not the reason I'm writing. I just really needed to get that off my chest. Don't judge.

The real reason I'm writing is to talk about a workout method that has not been around for too terribly long, and one that I am sold on. It is called the Tabata method and it is the bomb! I've used the method a few times on my own and thought I would try it out in my class today. And durn...I'm already sore! Now I know that is not a good way to make you want to run out and try it, but trust me...it is a good way to work out if you are interested in actually transforming your body instead of just talking about it.

Some highlights of this style...

• You can do it by yourself
• You don't need any equipment
• It's easy to remember
• It is perfect way to workout if you are crunched for time
• It engages both the aerobic and anaerobic system so that you continue to burn calories after your workout is over

An example of a 20 minute Tabata workout might look like this:

Exercise 1 - 4 Minutes
Body weight squats (8X)

Exercise 2 - 4 Minutes
Tricep Dips (8X)

Exercise 3 - 4 Minutes
Mountain Climbers (8X)

Exercise 4 - 4 Minutes
Dead Lifts (8X)

Exercise 5 - 4 Minutes
Bicycle crunch (8X)

And...ALWAYS warm up and ALWAYS cool down and stretch!

And then turn on a little Christmas music and find a little joy!

Big white collars and wooden necklaces...

Well all teachers started back to school on Tuesday; our whole school district convocated today (and the squiggly little red line tells me that convocated is not a word but I really don't care tonight); and we are all exhausted and already counting down the days till summer 2013. So I guess it's official...my 22nd year in the profession is well underway.

22 years.

Twenty-two years has come to pass in an instant and I know I sound like my grandma when I say this, but my...how time flies! And I can recall my very first ever day of teaching. It's as vivid as what I did today. Ok...well...I don't remember what I did 5 minutes ago but that is neither here nor there. But anyway...my first day of teaching was memorable to say the least and I even remember what I wore. A blue t-shirt dress with white flowers all over it, a white doily detachable collar, white lace hose, and navy blue shoes with a big gold button on top. Oh...and my wooden schoolhouse necklace and wooden apple earrings. It was quite picturesque. Really. I wore units on the second day! Anyone remember those?

Now...the actual teaching and interaction with the kids isn't so fresh anymore. It was the after school fiasco that haunts my memory.

I happened to be living with my mom and dad when I got my first teaching job. My rookie salary did not afford me the luxury of renting an apartment AND having transportation. I had to pick one. So I chose transportation. But because it was only my first day, I had not received a paycheck yet so I was still driving a piece of work. To and from work. My dad also drove that car sometimes.

As you are well aware, MUCH has changed in 22 years. It may come as a shock to some of you yunguns, but back then we did not have cars that told you how many miles you had left on your tank of gas. And there was no sound alert or gas light or digital anything. I know. Crazy. The little meter needle would just rise toward F when you filled your tank and fall toward the E as you drove around and burned gas. But sometimes they did not work so well. And the tired little needle on the gauge would just rest in one spot for a while. And when you are not the only driver of a car, you may or may not know whether your tank is full, half-full, or dry as a bone.

My dad thought I put gas in it. I thought he put gas in it. And the sad little teacher with her white lace hose and big doily collar walked all the way home in the Texas heat on her first day of school.

22 years ago.