hmmm

I was going to wait to post this till I had a picture, but since my loyal reader (Hi, Mandy!) insisted upon another entry, I decided to go for it anyway.

So I was sitting in my car at a traffic light on my way to work this week. Being the very focused individual I am, naturally my mind wandered and my sight drifted away from the red light to this very bright, crisp, new white banner sign in the lawn at Jack In The Box. What did this very bright, crisp, new white banner say?

Now Hiring Managers -- Starting Up To $45,000

Medical - Dental - Vision

Retirement - Term Life - 401K

And More!

What?! A manager at Jack In The Box can start with a higher salary and more benefits in a position that does not require a college education than I can with my "priceless" undergraduate degree from a Christian university and my nearly-completed-degree from a well ranked master's program at a state university. But more importantly, I find it interesting that we pay our fast food managers a high premium to ensure the quality of our fries yet we pay our educators a meager wage to ensure the future of our nation. Does anyone else think that odd? As a minister, I didn't expect to make a boatload of cash. But if I do ever decide that financial gain is important to me, I know where to go...right to my neighborhood fast food joint.

3's

Apparently the latest craze in bloggerdom is "4 Things," but since my blog is about variety, I'll spice it up and do 3 instead. I'm such an over-achiever....

3 Jobs I've Had:
- Hostess at Willie's Grill & Ice House
- Sales Associate at The County Seat
- Therapeutic Play Group Leader at P.A.C.

3 Movies I Can Watch Over And Over Again:
- Pillow Talk
- The Shawshank Redemption
- You've Got Mail

3 Cities I've Lived In:
- San Manuel, AZ
- Evanston, WY
- Prairieville, LA

3 Favorite TV Shows:
- Gilmore Girls
- Grey's Anatomy
- Project Runway

3 Recent Vacation Spots:
- Key West
- Grand Cayman
- Costa Maya

3 Websites I Visit Daily:
- www.google.com
- www.msn.com
- www.weather.com

3 Favorite Restaurants:
- Olive Garden
- Texas Roadhouse
- Chipotle

3 Favorite Foods:
- Thin Mints
- Ice Cream
- Apples

3 Places I'd Rather Be:
- In my bed
- On the beach
- On a massage table

monday night musings

I commend the parents attending our Bringing Up Boys class on Monday nights. It is encouraging to see parents seeking to be the best they can be, and relying on godly support to do so. I don't have kids (which makes it particularly ironic for me to be co-teaching this class), but I pray that if I ever do, I will remember to be humble.

He's the potter and I'm the clay. I wouldn't change that; I know it's his plan. In my quiet time, I've begun asking him to pick up the lump of clay that embodies me and begin kneading it and shaping it more in his image. He's faithful and he answers prayer. So please pray that I allow him to complete in me the work which he's begun.

What ties these seemingly disjointed thoughts together is this: Tonight in our B.U.B. class, we were discussing peer influence and how it can be both positive and negative. I have to say a huge prayer of thanks for God raining down on me some amazing friends who encourage me spiritually, who lift me up regularly in prayer, and who hold me accountable for becoming the woman God designed me to be. It truly does help to know you're not walking the road alone.

End of the Spear

Okay, some of my blogging friends have already put in a plug for the movie End of the Spear, out in theaters now. But here is one of my own. GO SEE IT!

It's not "entertaining," per se, but it is important. I'm amazed that this movie was made, let alone playing in mainstream theaters. Based on a true story that began in the 1940's and continues to this day, it is set in the jungle of Ecuador at the Amazon Basin. This movie is about reaching out to be Jesus to others and having a heart that sees beyond the box. It's about forgiveness and grace and mercy. It is a powerfully moving story. It's still stirring my personal thought and introspection and I saw it 3 days ago.

Seriously, hit up the matinee for $6. Part of the proceeds go toward the work being done with indigenous tribes so you're not only getting to see this great story, but you're helping others at the same time. Now...go!

change is in the air...

One of my best pals in the whole wide world is moving this week to pursue an adventure and dream. I'm excited for her to step out in faith, knowing God will guide her. I'm scared for her to step out onto the street, knowing there are more crazies per capita where she's headed. But mostly, I'm proud of her, knowing this is the first of many steps outside the box that has confined -- and in some ways, defined -- her. She is a special individual God put in my path many years ago and I thank him daily for it.

It's hard for me to realize, at times, that people change and grow and move on when I can't see them. Life doesn't stop just because you leave one particular environment. I wish I could bottle up all the smells and tastes and sounds of certain times in my life and store them in a container a little more sturdy than my memory. But I'm thankful for what I can recall. The bits and pieces of my history, trapped in my mind, are the threadwork of an exquisite life quilt, even if I do say so myself.

...After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it's comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you're very lucky, a plane ride away...

SPAM!

Do you know what is just as gross as actual Spam, the alleged meat in a can? Comment spam! I've had this blog for well over a year and a half and not once had I gotten spammed in my comments...until today. The most ridiculous part is that the spammer commented on a post back in August of 2004...and it wasn't even related to that post but a post further down the page! If I didn't have my comments emailed to me, I would never have known. It kind of irritates me that my spammer wasn't even remotely intelligent. Unfortunately, this means I am now turning on comment verification. Boo.

a little TLC

Lately, I've been feeling the need for a change in my life. The harsh reality of entering my late 20's has brought with it the additionally harsh reality that I might need a more sophisticated wardrobe. For instance, I should probably not wear a camp t-shirt, jeans, tennies, and a hoodie to work. Yet that is exactly what I have found myself doing the past three days. I used to care about fashion, but I've been so busy with my job that I hardly even notice when I go 4 months without a haircut or that I have a professional image to maintain. (Okay, so really I am just low on clean laundry and I've been sick....but let's stick with the story here, folks.)

TLC is one of my favorite channels. Why? Because it features What Not to Wear, one of my favorite shows. If you've never watched style gurus Stacy London and Clinton Kelly at work, you're missing out.

So what I propose is this: I will continue to wear t-shirts, jeans, and tennies every day for several weeks. You will nominate me for the show, explaining that I never dress appropriately. Stacy and Clinton will come to my rescue with the $5,000 Visa card in hand. I'll get to go shopping in NYC and also get a hair and makeup makeover in the process. (See, it's a brilliant plan.)

Any questions? No? Okay then...get to nominating!

2005: A Year-End Review

I'm sitting at home -- sick. It's not really fun. So rather than enjoying my New Year's Eve plans, I have instead resigned myself to watching Making the Band re-runs on MTV and updating my blog. I know you envy me and wish you could do the same.

In the spirit of the new year, I decided to be lame and do a review just like everyone else. Consider it my "holiday letter" since I didn't send out Christmas cards (as if I ever do?).

January began with the best New Year’s celebration to date: a fun dinner party at my friend Deanna’s apartment with some great friends. I felt renewed and energized for an exciting year, not knowing what would be in store.

February brought with it the realization that God was calling me into a different ministry. There was much of my job in counseling women in unplanned pregnancies that I loved, but it seemed time for a change. A door opened, and I had a great job interview.

March was an interesting month. I ended my job at the adoption agency with a bang: a baby was born that very day.

April proved a time for relaxation. I took time for myself, which I hadn’t done in a very long time. I visited my parents for a couple weeks and returned in time to interview moving companies and pack up my life in Edmond. At the end of the month, I moved.

May 1st was my very first day at my new job in children’s ministry. Things got rolling and haven’t slowed down since.

June allowed me the opportunity to return to Edmond for the first time since my move. I taught at Camp Impact and also got to see friends and family.

July began some awkward dating set-ups that didn’t work out. Apparently I have standards…and apparently they’re high. I'm okay with that.

August held the Family Retreat. It was my first time to attend. Turns out, I spent most of that time in the kitchen preparing, serving, and cleaning after meals. But I was able to sneak in some quiet time outdoors and really found refreshment.

September began a serious phase of planning and anticipating. And at the end of the month, fall began…if only in name. We were still having record-breaking high temps.

October will forever be etched into my memory for the tire incident. On my way to Houston, I suffered a tire blow-out. I was alone, dressed in a skirt, and completely unsure of my ability to change a tire as I’d never done so. But Daddy to the rescue! He talked me through it over the phone.

November was the cruise with Marilee and her family! Goodness, that was a fun week with memories for a lifetime. It definitely renewed my travel bug. Good thing, because I also took a quick trip to Edmond for camp meetings, and later a little longer trip to visit my parents for Thanksgiving.

December concludes with me owing a debt of gratitude and gratefulness to the Kelso family, who has taken me into the fold with open arms. Not only did they take me cruising in November, but this month, they helped me celebrate my birthday and Christmas in style. What a great family!

So that’s that. My year in review. I know you feel better for having caught the highlights. You get a gold star if you actually read the whole thing!

Tis the Season!

I'm not really a huge fan of bumper stickers, but in honor of the Christmas season, I believe this one is appropriate. :) 

Meanwhile...

I'm working on a new post. But in the meantime, take this quiz. (Okay, so I copied MGam. But who cares? Quizzes are fun!)