Lately I've been realizing how "seemingly" contradictory my personality can be and how that can affect achieving my goals.
You see I'm the kind of person who does not like to be in the spotlight or be the center of attention.
Even at my own bridal shower I asked my mom to "ham it up" to help take the focus off of me.
Yet, I don't like to look like, be like, or act like anyone else.
This is a paradox since it tends to draw attention. I'm not trying to stand out, I just don't want to be typical.
I love to exercise and eat healthy. I enjoy taking care of this "tent" for my soul and spirit.
I remember a couple of years ago as I was making my own dinner, Tyler walked over and said, "You don't eat like an American." I took that as a compliment!
I love to lift weights and take it to extremes at times, which is one goal I'm working on now. It should be challenging both mentally and physically. There will be nothing typical about the result!
I don't have good skin. Never have. I'm in my 30s, still break out ,and have eczema. Yet, I hate wearing makeup. Oh, I'll give in and wear it occassionally, but what a time-consuming pain in the rear!
I'm not big on having a lot of "stuff." I'm pretty satisfied with a few essentials and don't care to be bothered by acquiring a lot of things. I'm constantly purging my house of things that haven't been used or played with in a while.
It's just more stuff to take care of which means time away from achieving my goals. Yet, I love lighthouses and my Kim Lawrence statues and collect both.
I love good healthy nutritious food, yet hate cooking! I also don't trust anyone else to make it to my particular preference. Quite a paradox, huh?!
I'm NOT a risk taker by any means. I'm calculated, methodical, and practical. But, I married Bruce four months after meeting him! Now, THAT'S risky! We've been married 7 1/2 years and have a beautiful family, so well worth it.
So, here I am trying to find a balance between my paradoxical personality and achieving my goals. Oftentimes they clash, but in the end, as long as the goals are in line with God's will, I am confident no amount of personality paradox will prevent them from being achieved.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING (P.I.E.)
Have you ever had one of those days where you just can't suck it up anymore and you give in to feeling sorry for yourself? Lately, I've had several. Your "brave face" is replaced by one of defeat and desperation.
In this world of sin and selfishness, it's really not hard to feel defeated is it? The world is growing increasingly God-less and more SELF-ish.
Generally I am an extremely grateful and thankful person, and resist every tempatation to feel hopeless and ungrateful. I remind myself of all the good things in my life and especially of God's unending grace and new mercies every morning.
I try to keep my eyes on Him and not on my circumstances. This can be so much easier said than done.....but, like the title of my blog says, "PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING."...i like the accompanying acronym too....P.I.E.
I guess some days I need more P.I.E !! :)
To help myself get out of my "funk" and not wallow in self pity, envy and selfishness, I try to see things not only from God's point of view, but from others in this world. P.I.E
I am so inspired by stories of people who have/had very little and yet continued to serve others and were some of the happiest people around.
I remember after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and thousands of people lost everything they had ever known and worked for.
Yet, there was a story that arose from all the pain and suffering which really caught my attention. It was of a woman in New Orleans who lost her home and her business, yet refused to feel sorry for herself. She kept her eyes on God-NOT HER CIRCUMSTANCES-and continued to serve Him by serving others. She knew that no matter how bad SHE had it, someone else had it worse. P.I.E
So, she spent her time and energy (invaluable resources) and helped OTHERS rebuild their lives. She had such an optimistic and selfless spirit. Amazing!
Another story I love is of a woman who was "depressed" and went to see her pastor for counseling and advice. He found out during their session together that she was a skilled baker and loved to make pastries, pies, cookies, and breads. The pastor gave the best "medicine" that could have ever been prescribed. He then sent her on her way asking her to come back in a couple weeks.
He told her to start baking and find people to bless by giving them her goods. Well, a couple weeks went by and she never showed up for her follow-up appointment. He called and asked why she never came. She told him she didn't need to! She had been baking and delivering her goods to people who were in need. She said that she wasn't depressed anymore!
Sometimes we just need to take our eyes off ourselves, off our circumstances, off what we don't have, and focus on God, on what we can do and bless others. P.I.E.
I love this strategy and it has been effective for me every time I've implemented it.
Feeling blue? Find someone else to bless and remind them to have some P.I.E!!
"Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing is there."
In this world of sin and selfishness, it's really not hard to feel defeated is it? The world is growing increasingly God-less and more SELF-ish.
Generally I am an extremely grateful and thankful person, and resist every tempatation to feel hopeless and ungrateful. I remind myself of all the good things in my life and especially of God's unending grace and new mercies every morning.
I try to keep my eyes on Him and not on my circumstances. This can be so much easier said than done.....but, like the title of my blog says, "PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING."...i like the accompanying acronym too....P.I.E.
I guess some days I need more P.I.E !! :)
To help myself get out of my "funk" and not wallow in self pity, envy and selfishness, I try to see things not only from God's point of view, but from others in this world. P.I.E
I am so inspired by stories of people who have/had very little and yet continued to serve others and were some of the happiest people around.
I remember after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and thousands of people lost everything they had ever known and worked for.
Yet, there was a story that arose from all the pain and suffering which really caught my attention. It was of a woman in New Orleans who lost her home and her business, yet refused to feel sorry for herself. She kept her eyes on God-NOT HER CIRCUMSTANCES-and continued to serve Him by serving others. She knew that no matter how bad SHE had it, someone else had it worse. P.I.E
So, she spent her time and energy (invaluable resources) and helped OTHERS rebuild their lives. She had such an optimistic and selfless spirit. Amazing!
Another story I love is of a woman who was "depressed" and went to see her pastor for counseling and advice. He found out during their session together that she was a skilled baker and loved to make pastries, pies, cookies, and breads. The pastor gave the best "medicine" that could have ever been prescribed. He then sent her on her way asking her to come back in a couple weeks.
He told her to start baking and find people to bless by giving them her goods. Well, a couple weeks went by and she never showed up for her follow-up appointment. He called and asked why she never came. She told him she didn't need to! She had been baking and delivering her goods to people who were in need. She said that she wasn't depressed anymore!
Sometimes we just need to take our eyes off ourselves, off our circumstances, off what we don't have, and focus on God, on what we can do and bless others. P.I.E.
I love this strategy and it has been effective for me every time I've implemented it.
Feeling blue? Find someone else to bless and remind them to have some P.I.E!!
"Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing is there."
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANCY!!
TODAY IS MY MOTHER IN LAW'S BIRTHDAY!! Happy Birthday Mom!
This special lady, the mother of my husband and grandmother of my kids, is one tough cookie.
She has been through so many trials in her life and yet continues to give to others as if there was no tomorrow. I truly admire her strength.
She has been there for us through thick and thin, plenty and want. She is one of the most grateful, giving and forgiving women I've ever met.
The picture below is a passport photo from 1970 of her and her son Chris. It was taken so she could travel to Panama with her military husband. Two years later, while in Panama, she would give birth to another son, my husband, Bruce.
Who would have thought that this precious little girl would grow up to be my mother in law?! I see a lot of Trinity in this picture.
Nancy has been so open-minded and open-hearted since the first time I spoke with her on the phone. I remember I was in a department store in Colorado Springs, Colorado with Bruce. We were there registering for our wedding gifts and Bruce decided to call her and then hand me the phone. We had only been engaged a few days, after only knowing each other two months. I can just imagine what she was thinking!
This special lady, the mother of my husband and grandmother of my kids, is one tough cookie.
She has been through so many trials in her life and yet continues to give to others as if there was no tomorrow. I truly admire her strength.
She has been there for us through thick and thin, plenty and want. She is one of the most grateful, giving and forgiving women I've ever met.
The picture below is a passport photo from 1970 of her and her son Chris. It was taken so she could travel to Panama with her military husband. Two years later, while in Panama, she would give birth to another son, my husband, Bruce.
Who would have thought that this precious little girl would grow up to be my mother in law?! I see a lot of Trinity in this picture.
Nancy has been so open-minded and open-hearted since the first time I spoke with her on the phone. I remember I was in a department store in Colorado Springs, Colorado with Bruce. We were there registering for our wedding gifts and Bruce decided to call her and then hand me the phone. We had only been engaged a few days, after only knowing each other two months. I can just imagine what she was thinking!
She was sweet, charming, welcoming, polite, and out-going. Two months after that call she came to Colorado from Louisisana to attend our wedding.
Again, nothing but welcoming.
Nancy has always been grateful to God for her answered prayers, and is eager to share with me how I fit into that agenda!
She came to Wisconsin the very day Trinity was born. The first night we brought her home from the hospital I was exhausted, weary, and frazzled as I sit in Trinity's room trying to nurse her to sleep. Nancy insisted she take Trinity and lay with her so I could get some rest.
She brought Tyler up to Wisconsin from Louisiana several times to visit us, and eventually moved him up here to live.
I would need several blog posts to write about all the ways and times Nancy has supported and provided for us. Many, if not most, of those times are documented in Trinity's journals.
Thank you Nancy for being you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
An Unconventional Day
Yes, it's Easter, or as some call it "Resurrection Day." Two thousand years ago in Jerusalem it turned out to be quite an unconventional day for the disciples and friends of Jesus.
I'm sure the last thing the 2 Marys expected to see when they visited the embalmed and linen-wrapped body of the Lord, was an angel sitting there instead.
The angel told them to go tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead and they would see Him in Galilee.
Indeed He appeared to His disciples as a flesh and blood Man, ate with them, performed miracles and wonders, and taught them many more things.
We too, had an unconventional day of celebrating Easter. We participated in the traditions of coloring eggs, having a basket for Trinity, and enjoying a church service. When it came to the dinner......it was unconventional all the way.
Generally, here in Wisconsin, the Easter dinner consists of a glazed ham, mashed potatoes, "deviled" eggs, and casserole. For us....a good ol' Lousiana (say it "Loo Z ana") shrimp boil with Cajun seasonings permeating shrimp, red potatoes, corn on the cob, and sausage.Bruce is stirring up the seasonings....it smells sooooooooooo good!
Tyler enthusiastically helps his dad prepare the food.
Ooooh, look at that sausage.
Behold, the corn, potatoes, sausage and lemon-accented shrimp!
I'm sure the last thing the 2 Marys expected to see when they visited the embalmed and linen-wrapped body of the Lord, was an angel sitting there instead.
The angel told them to go tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead and they would see Him in Galilee.
Indeed He appeared to His disciples as a flesh and blood Man, ate with them, performed miracles and wonders, and taught them many more things.
We too, had an unconventional day of celebrating Easter. We participated in the traditions of coloring eggs, having a basket for Trinity, and enjoying a church service. When it came to the dinner......it was unconventional all the way.
Generally, here in Wisconsin, the Easter dinner consists of a glazed ham, mashed potatoes, "deviled" eggs, and casserole. For us....a good ol' Lousiana (say it "Loo Z ana") shrimp boil with Cajun seasonings permeating shrimp, red potatoes, corn on the cob, and sausage.Bruce is stirring up the seasonings....it smells sooooooooooo good!
Tyler enthusiastically helps his dad prepare the food.
Ooooh, look at that sausage.
Behold, the corn, potatoes, sausage and lemon-accented shrimp!
Enjoying the fruits of our labor. We were so happy that my dad joined us at church and to partake in our unconventional Easter dinner.
With a stuffed belly and a grateful heart, I wish you all a very happy Resurrection Day! Praise God He is alive so that we can TRULY live!
With a stuffed belly and a grateful heart, I wish you all a very happy Resurrection Day! Praise God He is alive so that we can TRULY live!Saturday, April 4, 2009
Talent
When I was a youth group leader at a church in New Jersey, I met this girl named Stephanie. Very sweet gorgeous girl. Well, she is now in her 20s and looks like an even prettier version of Katie Holmes.
This woman also has talent. I am currently obsessed with an animated video she made. The first several times I watched it, I had tears in my eyes. Turns out, it didn't only have that effect on me.
I showed it to Trinity and she sat quietly mesmerized as she watched. When it was over I saw she had tears in her eyes, so I asked what was wrong. She said, "It almost makes me want to cry." I said, "Why?" Her reply in a shaky voice...."Because it's so sweet."
Trinity is still in the process of learning to read, and wasn't able read the words in the video. Just the body language and facial expresssions of the characters were enough to help her understand.
So, here it is....
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=52739647750
This woman also has talent. I am currently obsessed with an animated video she made. The first several times I watched it, I had tears in my eyes. Turns out, it didn't only have that effect on me.
I showed it to Trinity and she sat quietly mesmerized as she watched. When it was over I saw she had tears in her eyes, so I asked what was wrong. She said, "It almost makes me want to cry." I said, "Why?" Her reply in a shaky voice...."Because it's so sweet."
Trinity is still in the process of learning to read, and wasn't able read the words in the video. Just the body language and facial expresssions of the characters were enough to help her understand.
So, here it is....
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=52739647750
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