Today I am thankful. I guess I was too busy on Thanksgiving keeping 3 kids in line away from home. But today I have time to reflect.
What I forgot to mention in my "black friday" blog was that we saved $400. That very same day we were about to buy laptops online, slightly downgraded versions even at a much higher price.
It always amazes me the little ways in which God has come through for us with our finances. The other week we decided to finally get the water pump/timing belt fixed on our Honda, figuring it was long overdue. We had gotten more insurance money from the birth that we weren't expecting. Then we found out the mechanic couldn't fix it because he couldn't get a bolt off! A couple days ago I had the idea to call a guy from church who works on Hondas to get his opinion. He said he WOULD be able to get the bolt off, and looked at it for free and said we didn't even need to get the job done for another 30,000 miles! A savings of $700. The stubborn bolt was a blessing in disguise. As tight as things have been the last few years we've always been okay, and there have been so many times like this where there seems to be no way and He continues to make a way. And we live more than comfortably at such a young age!
I truly believe God has blessed us for always putting him first in our finances. I am thankful to my dad for raising me with the commitment to give that first ten percent. I expect that would be difficult to learn as an adult! I also believe the last couple years God has blessed our decision to change the way we eat. Groceries got quite a bit more expensive when we decided to only purchase foods that God created for us to eat, and that was not in the budget when we purchased our new home. I am working less too. Yet here we are, and we're okay. More than okay. A huge grocery bill but no medical copays! Saving money by switching to high deductible insurance helped us out too. More money on health-promoting supplements to replace the lacking nutrients in our modern-day overprocessed diets, less money on insurance, it all just works. He even provided for us way back when I was a baby, when my grandfather purchased a whole life policy for me that we can now save as our deductible in case of medical emergencies.
We should never make commitments to God either financially or with our health because we are expecting something in return. But it's truly amazing to reflect back on how God uses these gifts and talents he's given us to enrich the lives of those around us, and even our own.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Black Friday
Why do they call it Black Friday? Is it because of the color of the sky when you get your butt out of bed to make the deals? Perhaps it should be called White Friday as many headlights as I saw this morning.
I was one of those crazy people. I didn't think I would be. I had some ads in the back of my head from when I browsed through them during the Thanksgiving festivities yesterday. When Ben and I went to bed last night we said we'd decide in the morning if we'd do any shopping today (translation: yeah, right, like we're going to feel like getting up early after being up all night with kids most likely).
But at 5:10 a.m. in came my alarm clock - a 4 year old girl telling me there was a snake in her room. There was no going back to sleep after that, not when there were deals to be had! I planned on only going to Michael's to stock up on beading supplies with my 6-9am 25% off coupon. I figured Michael's wouldn't be too crazy.
Then last minute I decided I was up early enough to try for a computer deal Ben and I had seen in the ads at Office Depot. (I decided Ben should use his year-end performance bonus in the way that he wanted, which was to update our 5 year old computers). I tried calling on my way there since it was a half hour drive from my house but they said too busy, no one could come to the phone. Since it was only 15 minutes past Michael's I went anyway. I drove past the crazy line of people way out the door at Circuit City and thought "what fools." 6:15 I walked in Office Depot, they had opened at 6, and the laptops were gone. I called another Office Depot and this time they answered my question; said they were sold out there too.
On to Michaels I thought, and there was one right next door! But wait a minute, the line out the door to Circuit City was dying down... I remembered Ben had said there was a similar computer deal here. I thought I might as well try since I drove all the way here! I entered the zoo and checked the ad for a comparable computer. There it was, a $900 computer marked down to $550. My heart sank as I couldn't find it in the computer section and I heard other people asking employees about computers and being told "that one's gone." I heard one specify another model number though, so I kept looking. I found only one free employee to ask and he had no idea where to find one. That's when I started getting bounced around from one worker to the next for the next half hour.
I don't know why I didn't just leave. If I wasn't so tired and out of it I'm sure I would have! I felt like I was in this mad crowd for a reason, and so I started browsing the ad for other deals. But after they were out of the next thing I looked for, I still stayed and walked around, looking for a clue how to find out if they have this computer. A manager told me I had to wait in a checkout line and if the cashier said there was one in stock they would bring it to me. WAIT IN LINE? They were hour-long lines. FOR A COMPUTER THAT MIGHT NOT BE IN STOCK? I decided to do one more tour around the store looking for a short line. A girl at the front of one line (I thought I was going to the back of a line but they were so screwed up) told me where her line ended because she saw I was confused. I explained I would wait in line if I could buy the computer, but I was told to ask a cashier if my item was even in stock! She said, oh, you can ask! Josh won't mind! (Her brother in front of her, one of the many annoying customers I heard arguing with clerks today who didn't understand the concept of mail-in rebates.) I waited for the debate to end and darted in for my chance. "7 in stock" he said. But that doesn't mean they're not already in customers' hands in line some where! I pressed further, not accepting this answer. "How would I know?" He said to go back to the computer area and a cashier there would have a better idea. I interrupted the front of the line again to ask my question. "7 in stock" he said, and this guy was friendlier and more helpful. He explained to me again I could get in line and hope it was still there when I got to the front. His line happened to be one of the shorter ones, so there I stood for only a half hour.
The moment of truth: yes, they still had them, and yes, I could have two! It seemed to good to be true (how did he know other customers didn't have them in their arms)... And it almost was. I was sent on another maze through the store to find the pickup location. When I finally was at the right place a manager didn't seem to be able to find one and then entered a discussion with another group of managers for about ten minutes. What was going on?!
He came back and tried to upsell me to 2 "optimized" versions. Only $40 more a piece? He made it sound like a great deal but I was confused and asked to call Ben. Then he offered to give me both computers optimized for only $40 total, admitting they didn't have any of the others for me. The cashier was not supposed to sell me those! I didn't have a voucher! Basically I was not supposed to be able to get the computer I did since I wasn't there at 3 a.m. waiting for a ticket!
And I ended up with even faster, better ones for $20 a piece.
I was so excited to surprise Ben, but on to Michael's first. Where I found the opposite problem - I was overwhelmed with the vast selection to use my coupon towards! It was hard to keep the spending down. On the way home Ben called "WHERE ARE YOU?!" and I did not tell him my surprise but assured him I was on my way home. I hoped I'd gotten the right models, and I hoped he would be happy even though I was gone a lot longer than I warned the night before I might be, when my only plan was possibly Michael's.
5 minutes later my phone rang again. "Did you just spend x amount of dollars at Michael's? Our credit card company is on the phone alerting us of possible fraudulent activity!" Then, "hold on," as he went back to the phone... 'oh, shoot!' I thought! "DID YOU JUST MAKE 2 PURCHASES AT AN ELECTRONIC STORE?" "yes..." "for how much?" "a lot of money"
I did actually try to tell him how much but he hung up on me. Then I later found out he assured the credit card it was probably me, and he never did ask the amount, but said he'd call them back if it wasn't.
Ben was freaking out when I got home but also relieved it was me and not someone who stole our credit card. And he was SO happy I got the computers!
Later in the day we went to Target and finished a lot of our shopping with the kiddos, who were actually good in the store. Stopped in at walgreens too trying to get a $10 digital photo keychain, but those were sold out. All in all I'd say I had a GREAT black friday, enough to say it was worth it... but only because of the big ticket items. Can't say I'd go out in that craziness again next year.
I was one of those crazy people. I didn't think I would be. I had some ads in the back of my head from when I browsed through them during the Thanksgiving festivities yesterday. When Ben and I went to bed last night we said we'd decide in the morning if we'd do any shopping today (translation: yeah, right, like we're going to feel like getting up early after being up all night with kids most likely).
But at 5:10 a.m. in came my alarm clock - a 4 year old girl telling me there was a snake in her room. There was no going back to sleep after that, not when there were deals to be had! I planned on only going to Michael's to stock up on beading supplies with my 6-9am 25% off coupon. I figured Michael's wouldn't be too crazy.
Then last minute I decided I was up early enough to try for a computer deal Ben and I had seen in the ads at Office Depot. (I decided Ben should use his year-end performance bonus in the way that he wanted, which was to update our 5 year old computers). I tried calling on my way there since it was a half hour drive from my house but they said too busy, no one could come to the phone. Since it was only 15 minutes past Michael's I went anyway. I drove past the crazy line of people way out the door at Circuit City and thought "what fools." 6:15 I walked in Office Depot, they had opened at 6, and the laptops were gone. I called another Office Depot and this time they answered my question; said they were sold out there too.
On to Michaels I thought, and there was one right next door! But wait a minute, the line out the door to Circuit City was dying down... I remembered Ben had said there was a similar computer deal here. I thought I might as well try since I drove all the way here! I entered the zoo and checked the ad for a comparable computer. There it was, a $900 computer marked down to $550. My heart sank as I couldn't find it in the computer section and I heard other people asking employees about computers and being told "that one's gone." I heard one specify another model number though, so I kept looking. I found only one free employee to ask and he had no idea where to find one. That's when I started getting bounced around from one worker to the next for the next half hour.
I don't know why I didn't just leave. If I wasn't so tired and out of it I'm sure I would have! I felt like I was in this mad crowd for a reason, and so I started browsing the ad for other deals. But after they were out of the next thing I looked for, I still stayed and walked around, looking for a clue how to find out if they have this computer. A manager told me I had to wait in a checkout line and if the cashier said there was one in stock they would bring it to me. WAIT IN LINE? They were hour-long lines. FOR A COMPUTER THAT MIGHT NOT BE IN STOCK? I decided to do one more tour around the store looking for a short line. A girl at the front of one line (I thought I was going to the back of a line but they were so screwed up) told me where her line ended because she saw I was confused. I explained I would wait in line if I could buy the computer, but I was told to ask a cashier if my item was even in stock! She said, oh, you can ask! Josh won't mind! (Her brother in front of her, one of the many annoying customers I heard arguing with clerks today who didn't understand the concept of mail-in rebates.) I waited for the debate to end and darted in for my chance. "7 in stock" he said. But that doesn't mean they're not already in customers' hands in line some where! I pressed further, not accepting this answer. "How would I know?" He said to go back to the computer area and a cashier there would have a better idea. I interrupted the front of the line again to ask my question. "7 in stock" he said, and this guy was friendlier and more helpful. He explained to me again I could get in line and hope it was still there when I got to the front. His line happened to be one of the shorter ones, so there I stood for only a half hour.
The moment of truth: yes, they still had them, and yes, I could have two! It seemed to good to be true (how did he know other customers didn't have them in their arms)... And it almost was. I was sent on another maze through the store to find the pickup location. When I finally was at the right place a manager didn't seem to be able to find one and then entered a discussion with another group of managers for about ten minutes. What was going on?!
He came back and tried to upsell me to 2 "optimized" versions. Only $40 more a piece? He made it sound like a great deal but I was confused and asked to call Ben. Then he offered to give me both computers optimized for only $40 total, admitting they didn't have any of the others for me. The cashier was not supposed to sell me those! I didn't have a voucher! Basically I was not supposed to be able to get the computer I did since I wasn't there at 3 a.m. waiting for a ticket!
And I ended up with even faster, better ones for $20 a piece.
I was so excited to surprise Ben, but on to Michael's first. Where I found the opposite problem - I was overwhelmed with the vast selection to use my coupon towards! It was hard to keep the spending down. On the way home Ben called "WHERE ARE YOU?!" and I did not tell him my surprise but assured him I was on my way home. I hoped I'd gotten the right models, and I hoped he would be happy even though I was gone a lot longer than I warned the night before I might be, when my only plan was possibly Michael's.
5 minutes later my phone rang again. "Did you just spend x amount of dollars at Michael's? Our credit card company is on the phone alerting us of possible fraudulent activity!" Then, "hold on," as he went back to the phone... 'oh, shoot!' I thought! "DID YOU JUST MAKE 2 PURCHASES AT AN ELECTRONIC STORE?" "yes..." "for how much?" "a lot of money"
I did actually try to tell him how much but he hung up on me. Then I later found out he assured the credit card it was probably me, and he never did ask the amount, but said he'd call them back if it wasn't.
Ben was freaking out when I got home but also relieved it was me and not someone who stole our credit card. And he was SO happy I got the computers!
Later in the day we went to Target and finished a lot of our shopping with the kiddos, who were actually good in the store. Stopped in at walgreens too trying to get a $10 digital photo keychain, but those were sold out. All in all I'd say I had a GREAT black friday, enough to say it was worth it... but only because of the big ticket items. Can't say I'd go out in that craziness again next year.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Kaylin's Thanksgiving Greeting
I did not coach her! She learned this word at the grocery store last night and it's her new favorite word.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Now THIS is ENCOURAGEMENT!
I brought a card from a friend with me to my presentation today. She had heard me practice just a few days ago and here is what she wrote (shared with her permission):
"Here is the most important thing I need to tell you... as I was listening to you I kept thinking, "She is made to do this!" You are made to do this! You are good at it, interested in it, and talented with delivering the topic. Trust this! Trust that God designed you to live out this passion! Even when it feels scary (and it will) you are exactly where you are meant to be!"
Now that's a much more comforting definition of encouragement than I learned about the other night! Those words gave me more confidence than almost any I've ever read.
Let me back up to explain this presentation. When I sent out a request for prayer this morning, my responses told me that most of the important people in my life didn't know what I was doing!
My friend Jennifer gave my name to a professional women's group who was looking for a nutrition speaker. Why she had so much faith in me to recommend me when she's never heard me do public speaking and I haven't presented since before Kaylin was born, I do not know. When they approached me with the invitation I almost turned it down. I didn't feel worthy of being a paid speaker. I never was paid in the corporate setting other than my salary. $150 turned out to be minimum wage when you break down the hours I spent working on it, but it seemed like a lot of money to pay to listen to someone for an hour. I had no choice on the topic and they wanted something geared towards making healthy food choices when you're in a hurry. "That's too tough!" I thought, "I don't have enough info for an hour presentation, and I"m not even good at making good choices myself in a hurry!"
Well I ended up packing two hours of info into one. And I even divulged my personal weaknesses to say "hey, I'm just one of you." And so, "Nutrition on the Run" was born.
I felt everyone's prayers today, big time!
The presentation went well. REALLY well. Unbelievably well considering the little time I had to practice it after I had all the info put together. It was a tough month. Most of my usual babysitting avenues were out of commission. I went through it start to finish one time with Ben last night and even that was interrupted by the kids' bedtime. He had so much "constructive criticism" that I really felt doomed for today. He was positive overall, but I am tough on myself. I was too reliant over my notes and I was stumbling over my words.
This morning I got up early. 6:30 since I had given up trying to get back to sleep... I had been awake since Kai's 3:45 feeding. My heart was racing and I had cotton mouth as if I was already in the middle of speaking. I was mad I couldn't sleep and sure that my lack of concentration would ruin the presentation.
I took extra time getting ready. I put on a suit that had so much dust on it I couldn't believe it washed up okay. I had worn it once 4 years ago. I couldn't believe it still fit. My "mommies" classes have really paid off for me lately. :) I didn't have time to remove the shoulder pads and I looked a little too professsional for my comfort level. But then again my usual comfort level involves flannel pants and a t-shirt.
I wanted to cry when I arrived at the presentation hall after the gas spill incident (see last entry) and the women were already arriving. I still had to set up my computer and props and make sure the DVD was set to the right place. I showed two video clips, both from the animated film "Over the Hedge" where the animals invade suburbia and poke fun at how Americans eat.
I had time to set up but no time to look over my notes one last time. I started out nervous about getting through the whole thing because we started late waiting for some of the attendees to arrive. I knew I would go over past noon and I did. But I stayed in my original time allotment of an hour and then asked if we still had time for the Q & A and no one seemed to mind going over.
In fact one woman said she could have listened to me for another hour! I was showered with compliments. When I finished talking I was comfortable with how I'd done. Disappointed I knew I had missed a few points, but so happy that it flowed and the time frame was okay. My opinion of how I did kept getting higher and higher though as the women approached me afterwards with their heartfelt praise and interested questions. The real affirmation was when I was asked to speak again! By 3 different women for their various other groups. Another asked me to do some consulting with her. I have received 2 emails already from class participants.
Now I KNOW I'm where I'm meant to be. Now it's back to the challenge of trying to keep my career goals in check with the reality of my all-consuming and more important daily responsibilities, Kjo Kav and Kai. I missed them today. Kaylin learned "organic" tonight... that story to come!
"Here is the most important thing I need to tell you... as I was listening to you I kept thinking, "She is made to do this!" You are made to do this! You are good at it, interested in it, and talented with delivering the topic. Trust this! Trust that God designed you to live out this passion! Even when it feels scary (and it will) you are exactly where you are meant to be!"
Now that's a much more comforting definition of encouragement than I learned about the other night! Those words gave me more confidence than almost any I've ever read.
Let me back up to explain this presentation. When I sent out a request for prayer this morning, my responses told me that most of the important people in my life didn't know what I was doing!
My friend Jennifer gave my name to a professional women's group who was looking for a nutrition speaker. Why she had so much faith in me to recommend me when she's never heard me do public speaking and I haven't presented since before Kaylin was born, I do not know. When they approached me with the invitation I almost turned it down. I didn't feel worthy of being a paid speaker. I never was paid in the corporate setting other than my salary. $150 turned out to be minimum wage when you break down the hours I spent working on it, but it seemed like a lot of money to pay to listen to someone for an hour. I had no choice on the topic and they wanted something geared towards making healthy food choices when you're in a hurry. "That's too tough!" I thought, "I don't have enough info for an hour presentation, and I"m not even good at making good choices myself in a hurry!"
Well I ended up packing two hours of info into one. And I even divulged my personal weaknesses to say "hey, I'm just one of you." And so, "Nutrition on the Run" was born.
I felt everyone's prayers today, big time!
The presentation went well. REALLY well. Unbelievably well considering the little time I had to practice it after I had all the info put together. It was a tough month. Most of my usual babysitting avenues were out of commission. I went through it start to finish one time with Ben last night and even that was interrupted by the kids' bedtime. He had so much "constructive criticism" that I really felt doomed for today. He was positive overall, but I am tough on myself. I was too reliant over my notes and I was stumbling over my words.
This morning I got up early. 6:30 since I had given up trying to get back to sleep... I had been awake since Kai's 3:45 feeding. My heart was racing and I had cotton mouth as if I was already in the middle of speaking. I was mad I couldn't sleep and sure that my lack of concentration would ruin the presentation.
I took extra time getting ready. I put on a suit that had so much dust on it I couldn't believe it washed up okay. I had worn it once 4 years ago. I couldn't believe it still fit. My "mommies" classes have really paid off for me lately. :) I didn't have time to remove the shoulder pads and I looked a little too professsional for my comfort level. But then again my usual comfort level involves flannel pants and a t-shirt.
I wanted to cry when I arrived at the presentation hall after the gas spill incident (see last entry) and the women were already arriving. I still had to set up my computer and props and make sure the DVD was set to the right place. I showed two video clips, both from the animated film "Over the Hedge" where the animals invade suburbia and poke fun at how Americans eat.
I had time to set up but no time to look over my notes one last time. I started out nervous about getting through the whole thing because we started late waiting for some of the attendees to arrive. I knew I would go over past noon and I did. But I stayed in my original time allotment of an hour and then asked if we still had time for the Q & A and no one seemed to mind going over.
In fact one woman said she could have listened to me for another hour! I was showered with compliments. When I finished talking I was comfortable with how I'd done. Disappointed I knew I had missed a few points, but so happy that it flowed and the time frame was okay. My opinion of how I did kept getting higher and higher though as the women approached me afterwards with their heartfelt praise and interested questions. The real affirmation was when I was asked to speak again! By 3 different women for their various other groups. Another asked me to do some consulting with her. I have received 2 emails already from class participants.
Now I KNOW I'm where I'm meant to be. Now it's back to the challenge of trying to keep my career goals in check with the reality of my all-consuming and more important daily responsibilities, Kjo Kav and Kai. I missed them today. Kaylin learned "organic" tonight... that story to come!
A Rocky Start
Before I write about my presentation I thought I'd give everyone a good laugh. My arrival at the speaking location didn't go so great.
Ben left me a warning note this morning that I had to get gas. I was going to take the car for my drive to Bloomington and he would take the truck today. I of course didn't leave time for this. I was happy to leave the house by 9:40 when I wanted to leave by 9:25. Since I said I would arrive between 10:15-10:30, this would still get me there by 10:25. I decided not to get gas because I knew I could make it there, but ended up looking for a gas station shortly before arriving at the building because I badly needed a bathroom break. I decided I might as well fill up since I was parked at the pump, and there started the adventure. I did not know how to get the gas compartment door open. I hardly ever drive this car. I knew that I had figured it out once before and there was no one around to ask. I couldn't get a hold of Ben at work and I just kept looking for some switch inside the car that I knew existed. Finally I found it and by this time I regretted my decision to stay and get gas since I was now late. I decided not to fill up the tank all the way. I put in 8 gallons and then pulled out the nozzle, a little earlier than I had finished releasing the handle evidently. I spilled gas all over me. My first thought was "I'm going to explode!" A friend of mine had her SUV start on fire with her children inside at the pump just a month ago (static sparked the gas). By the time I released the handle, my coat and suit and shoes reeked of gas. Fortunately I could see no visible stains. But the smell went with me into the car, and into the presentation hall. I was embarrassed and a little stressed getting my computer hooked up with very little time to spare, but it gave me a great icebreaker story to share with the group. My day got better from here!
Ben left me a warning note this morning that I had to get gas. I was going to take the car for my drive to Bloomington and he would take the truck today. I of course didn't leave time for this. I was happy to leave the house by 9:40 when I wanted to leave by 9:25. Since I said I would arrive between 10:15-10:30, this would still get me there by 10:25. I decided not to get gas because I knew I could make it there, but ended up looking for a gas station shortly before arriving at the building because I badly needed a bathroom break. I decided I might as well fill up since I was parked at the pump, and there started the adventure. I did not know how to get the gas compartment door open. I hardly ever drive this car. I knew that I had figured it out once before and there was no one around to ask. I couldn't get a hold of Ben at work and I just kept looking for some switch inside the car that I knew existed. Finally I found it and by this time I regretted my decision to stay and get gas since I was now late. I decided not to fill up the tank all the way. I put in 8 gallons and then pulled out the nozzle, a little earlier than I had finished releasing the handle evidently. I spilled gas all over me. My first thought was "I'm going to explode!" A friend of mine had her SUV start on fire with her children inside at the pump just a month ago (static sparked the gas). By the time I released the handle, my coat and suit and shoes reeked of gas. Fortunately I could see no visible stains. But the smell went with me into the car, and into the presentation hall. I was embarrassed and a little stressed getting my computer hooked up with very little time to spare, but it gave me a great icebreaker story to share with the group. My day got better from here!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
"Encouragement"
I used to think I have the spiritual gift of encouragement. I was surprised this didn't rank as one of my highest the last time I took a gifts analysis test at my church (high, just not in the top 5). And now after last night I'm not sure I have it at all!
In our small group study last night we watched a speaker on video explain the Biblical meaning of encouragement. He said the original Hebrew word in the verse "encourage one another" is actually defined more closely as "exhort" or "teach." It's not that I don't do this, but I sure think it's tricky figuring out how to do this well! This entire lesson on encouragement was so different than I expected. I honestly felt confused as I heard intense discussion on the importance of the body of Christ holding each other accountable. "If not you, who" was referred to as the correct approach for ANYONE you observe to be in sin. I just don't know if I agree with that. There are certain people in other's lives that are better to tackle these issues with them than me! I realize the biggest factor of concern for me is fear of another's reaction when I step up to the plate and approach their weakness. But I think a certain level of fear may be healthy to keep me in check from intruding on other people's business!
Does abusing our physical health - our bodies, God's temples - count as sin? This is a difficult conversation with other Christ followers. But of course as I watched this video last night I wondered how this all applied to my ability to help others with certain health issues. I don't usually offer help, out of fear of negative reaction or producing conflict in our relationship. I had the guts to bring up this topic to my small group and was thankful to have Ben's vocal support as we tried to explain this complicated issue. They asked me what the response has been in the past. They said they would want to know my helpful ideas. They asked me to start giving them some, genuinely interested, and I just laughed. Ben said "let's see, do you have all night?" The truth is the response has been positive 9 times out of 10. But that doesn't seem to matter to my future considerations. 1 of 10 relationships distressed is a little hard for me to handle.
On another note, I am happy to announce I currently have only 55 messages in my inbox, only 4 unread, and I have created some email filters that are working great! Don't worry, if you are reading this blog your email is not filtered. :)
In our small group study last night we watched a speaker on video explain the Biblical meaning of encouragement. He said the original Hebrew word in the verse "encourage one another" is actually defined more closely as "exhort" or "teach." It's not that I don't do this, but I sure think it's tricky figuring out how to do this well! This entire lesson on encouragement was so different than I expected. I honestly felt confused as I heard intense discussion on the importance of the body of Christ holding each other accountable. "If not you, who" was referred to as the correct approach for ANYONE you observe to be in sin. I just don't know if I agree with that. There are certain people in other's lives that are better to tackle these issues with them than me! I realize the biggest factor of concern for me is fear of another's reaction when I step up to the plate and approach their weakness. But I think a certain level of fear may be healthy to keep me in check from intruding on other people's business!
Does abusing our physical health - our bodies, God's temples - count as sin? This is a difficult conversation with other Christ followers. But of course as I watched this video last night I wondered how this all applied to my ability to help others with certain health issues. I don't usually offer help, out of fear of negative reaction or producing conflict in our relationship. I had the guts to bring up this topic to my small group and was thankful to have Ben's vocal support as we tried to explain this complicated issue. They asked me what the response has been in the past. They said they would want to know my helpful ideas. They asked me to start giving them some, genuinely interested, and I just laughed. Ben said "let's see, do you have all night?" The truth is the response has been positive 9 times out of 10. But that doesn't seem to matter to my future considerations. 1 of 10 relationships distressed is a little hard for me to handle.
On another note, I am happy to announce I currently have only 55 messages in my inbox, only 4 unread, and I have created some email filters that are working great! Don't worry, if you are reading this blog your email is not filtered. :)
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Tyranny of Email
This is what a counselor once called it as I expressed my frustrations about my overflowing inbox. It is an inconvenient convenience. Technology at its best and worst.
Tonight I chipped away at it some more and got it down to 99 messages. Only 18 unread. This feels like a great victory. In the last week at one point I had over 60 unread messages and almost 200 total...which is down from almost 700 when I first started this project a couple months ago.
It takes way too much time away from the more important things in life. I've been thinking long and hard about how to downscale this stress. I definitely need to unsubscribe from more newsletters, which I am doing as I get the chance. But there's so much more to it than that.
In the past people must have been on the phone all the time! It does seem like email is a faster way to coordinate schedules, notify about events, confirm appointments and orders. But email is always calling. If I've been away from it for an hour I can know that somebody somewhere is waiting for an answer. Or that an answer I've been waiting for has arrived. The irony of checking it that often is that the more often I write, the quicker the replies come and it is definitely a problem that feeds itself. The problem only got worse when I decided my time spent nursing Kai was a great way to "catch up" on email.
With the extent of my life that seems to take place online, even my groceries are more easily obtained that way... there's always an excuse for each email. I have wanted someone else to go through my inbox with me and say "you don't need that one!" but I am sure I would be so defensive. I agree I could delete forwards but can't bring myself to do it. What's wrong with a laugh now and then? But what if I didn't know how to use the strongest point in my body to ward off an attacker? And so on and so on.
I would love to get some comments back on this one. What does everyone else do to prevent email from taking over their lives?
Tonight I chipped away at it some more and got it down to 99 messages. Only 18 unread. This feels like a great victory. In the last week at one point I had over 60 unread messages and almost 200 total...which is down from almost 700 when I first started this project a couple months ago.
It takes way too much time away from the more important things in life. I've been thinking long and hard about how to downscale this stress. I definitely need to unsubscribe from more newsletters, which I am doing as I get the chance. But there's so much more to it than that.
In the past people must have been on the phone all the time! It does seem like email is a faster way to coordinate schedules, notify about events, confirm appointments and orders. But email is always calling. If I've been away from it for an hour I can know that somebody somewhere is waiting for an answer. Or that an answer I've been waiting for has arrived. The irony of checking it that often is that the more often I write, the quicker the replies come and it is definitely a problem that feeds itself. The problem only got worse when I decided my time spent nursing Kai was a great way to "catch up" on email.
With the extent of my life that seems to take place online, even my groceries are more easily obtained that way... there's always an excuse for each email. I have wanted someone else to go through my inbox with me and say "you don't need that one!" but I am sure I would be so defensive. I agree I could delete forwards but can't bring myself to do it. What's wrong with a laugh now and then? But what if I didn't know how to use the strongest point in my body to ward off an attacker? And so on and so on.
I would love to get some comments back on this one. What does everyone else do to prevent email from taking over their lives?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Women on Weights
Yesterday I taught my first community ed class, Women on Weights. My mom and baby fitness classes didn't fill, and it didn't look like the others would either until about a week ago when my weight training class did.
It was a very strange feeling to go to a strange new place, have no idea what to expect of the facility or participants, and begin to instruct a class there. I wondered how much the participants realized I was completely winging it.
The participants were friendly and understanding of the fact that this was my first time in this facility. They are all middle age women, weight training for the very first time. It makes it easier that they haven't taken this class before from the previous instructor and therefore don't have any expectations. The class is small, 5 participants and only 4 were there yesterday. It is nice for them, more like a small-group personal training session.
What I was NOT impressed with was the equipment. I was expecting the best from a middle school that is practically brand new. They must have gotten the old stuff from the high school after they got new equipment (Ben said their facility is pretty impressive.) I can make it work - we can use free weights and balls, etc. for some of the exercises. I was more concerned about the middle school students! These machines were not very adjustable, and were mostly too big for my 5'4" women! I'm 5'7 and the bicep curl machine was too big for me even. I don't see how this could get overlooked. Maybe the absence of teachers and coaches who are anything but tall adult males?
On top of that there were some broken spots on a couple of the machines and there were pieces missing on others. When the community ed coordinator told me to let her know if there were any issues with the equipment, I thought "what could be wrong?" I did let her know in an email right away yesterday and I felt bad doing so as a new instructor. "New complainer on board" they will think.
It was a very strange feeling to go to a strange new place, have no idea what to expect of the facility or participants, and begin to instruct a class there. I wondered how much the participants realized I was completely winging it.
The participants were friendly and understanding of the fact that this was my first time in this facility. They are all middle age women, weight training for the very first time. It makes it easier that they haven't taken this class before from the previous instructor and therefore don't have any expectations. The class is small, 5 participants and only 4 were there yesterday. It is nice for them, more like a small-group personal training session.
What I was NOT impressed with was the equipment. I was expecting the best from a middle school that is practically brand new. They must have gotten the old stuff from the high school after they got new equipment (Ben said their facility is pretty impressive.) I can make it work - we can use free weights and balls, etc. for some of the exercises. I was more concerned about the middle school students! These machines were not very adjustable, and were mostly too big for my 5'4" women! I'm 5'7 and the bicep curl machine was too big for me even. I don't see how this could get overlooked. Maybe the absence of teachers and coaches who are anything but tall adult males?
On top of that there were some broken spots on a couple of the machines and there were pieces missing on others. When the community ed coordinator told me to let her know if there were any issues with the equipment, I thought "what could be wrong?" I did let her know in an email right away yesterday and I felt bad doing so as a new instructor. "New complainer on board" they will think.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Her Favorite Water
The other night a friend through my babysitting coop watched the kids for a couple hours at her house. Here is a story I heard from the sitter that night.
When Kaylin had run out of water in the cup she brought she seemed concerned that she didn't have any left to drink.
"I have water!" said Jeannie.
"You do?" questioned Kaylin with skepticism, "What kind of water do you have?"
(She was probably wondering if it was purified by reverse osmosis. :))
"The kind with 2 hydrogen molecules and 1 oxygen molecule" (Jeannie)
"That's my FAVORITE kind!!!" (Kaylin)
When Kaylin had run out of water in the cup she brought she seemed concerned that she didn't have any left to drink.
"I have water!" said Jeannie.
"You do?" questioned Kaylin with skepticism, "What kind of water do you have?"
(She was probably wondering if it was purified by reverse osmosis. :))
"The kind with 2 hydrogen molecules and 1 oxygen molecule" (Jeannie)
"That's my FAVORITE kind!!!" (Kaylin)
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