The only New Year's resolution I set for 2011 was to workout. And I have been! Congratulations to me.
But seeing as how we are well into the new year I decided to set yet another goal for myself since the first was so easily attained (who knew I'd end up liking exercise?!).
I want to be smarter. Or just know more.
I always admire friends that say things like, "I recently read..." or "Did you know...?".
How can I be this person? What should I be reading? Listening to? Looking at?
Here's the thing, I don't want to search for information, I want it to be available to me with the least amount of effort on my part to attain it.
So maybe this is a resolution for any readers of this blog if you should chose to accept it: make me smarter.
Thank you.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
No Regrets!
Last Tuesday at our weekly Team Meeting something incredible happened: we found out we would not only get Saturday and Sunday off but also Tuesday as an Easter holiday since our regular day off is Monday and that's when the rest of the church would be taking their Easter observance day off.
Awesome.
If you've spent any time around me during 'school-off holidays' (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, etc.) you know how much I LOVE feeling the break I once did when I was a student. I love it so much that I continually kept yelling, "Spring Break 2011 - No Regrets!" around the office for the past 3 weeks.
I got 4 days off in a row. A total surprise. And a total SPRING BREAK 2011.
Here's what I did as a 27 year old on Spring Break:
-Recuperated from a Life Group sleepover on Friday night.
-Slept in every day (at least until 10am).
-Spent time with family.
-Ate lots of food.
-Celebrated Easter...my WHOLE family went to church together!
-Fought a cold.
-Watched 'Water for Elephants'.
-Drank coffee and found out I only need 3 stars to get to the Gold level on my Starbucks account.
-Watched a lot of reality TV.
-Laughed with friends.
Not bad. And so far...no regrets.
Awesome.
If you've spent any time around me during 'school-off holidays' (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, etc.) you know how much I LOVE feeling the break I once did when I was a student. I love it so much that I continually kept yelling, "Spring Break 2011 - No Regrets!" around the office for the past 3 weeks.
I got 4 days off in a row. A total surprise. And a total SPRING BREAK 2011.
Here's what I did as a 27 year old on Spring Break:
-Recuperated from a Life Group sleepover on Friday night.
-Slept in every day (at least until 10am).
-Spent time with family.
-Ate lots of food.
-Celebrated Easter...my WHOLE family went to church together!
-Fought a cold.
-Watched 'Water for Elephants'.
-Drank coffee and found out I only need 3 stars to get to the Gold level on my Starbucks account.
-Watched a lot of reality TV.
-Laughed with friends.
Not bad. And so far...no regrets.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Dating Tips
I had lunch with a dear friend on Monday. Great food, great location, great conversation.
As lunch progressed my friend recalled a super awkward moment she had with a guy from her grad school program. She attempted to flirt in hopes that he would see that she was interested in him...he never reciprocated. Fail. So she asked me for advice.
Here is some of the wisdom I shared from the peak of my dating days...
#1 When a guy ignores you, ignore him back.
#2 Always make yourself known.
For example, when I had a crush on the guy who eventually became my college boyfriend I always made a point of noting which door he would exit when leaving the worship center at church. I would pretend to casually walk by him as if coincidentally walking in the same direction. Just a little reminder that I was around.
#3 When you are in the same room as your crush, talk to people around you and when you notice your crush looking in your direction laugh and act as though you are having the time of your life. Guys like fun people.
#4 Make up random, yet believable reasons to be around/talk to your crush. "Forget" your book in his car, carpool to events, find a common interest and run with it (this one can take you a LONG way in sharing time with your crush).
#5 When he invites you places with others (not dates), don't always say yes. Decline politely, knowing it will make him miss you. This one has worked very effectively for me.
Disclaimer: These tips were used from 2003-2007 and may no longer be deemed useful.
As lunch progressed my friend recalled a super awkward moment she had with a guy from her grad school program. She attempted to flirt in hopes that he would see that she was interested in him...he never reciprocated. Fail. So she asked me for advice.
Here is some of the wisdom I shared from the peak of my dating days...
#1 When a guy ignores you, ignore him back.
#2 Always make yourself known.
For example, when I had a crush on the guy who eventually became my college boyfriend I always made a point of noting which door he would exit when leaving the worship center at church. I would pretend to casually walk by him as if coincidentally walking in the same direction. Just a little reminder that I was around.
#3 When you are in the same room as your crush, talk to people around you and when you notice your crush looking in your direction laugh and act as though you are having the time of your life. Guys like fun people.
#4 Make up random, yet believable reasons to be around/talk to your crush. "Forget" your book in his car, carpool to events, find a common interest and run with it (this one can take you a LONG way in sharing time with your crush).
#5 When he invites you places with others (not dates), don't always say yes. Decline politely, knowing it will make him miss you. This one has worked very effectively for me.
Disclaimer: These tips were used from 2003-2007 and may no longer be deemed useful.
Friday, April 15, 2011
DF
A few weeks ago my good friend, Stacey, and I were in Chicago at a great youth ministry conference having the time of our lives. As I spent time with her I got to thinking of how thankful I am for her. God has used her in really incredible ways in my life. I love Jesus more because I am Stacey's friend. She's amazing.
And so, in Stacey's honor, we coined a new, hip term: DF. It stands for Dear Friend.
I never used the word dear before meeting Stacey, but being around her more and more (and hearing her use this word to describe the people and things that are closest to her heart) made it stick. Now, I too share in these dear feelings!
If you hear me describe you as dear or refer to you as my DF, consider yourself loved. Because YOU ARE my dear friend!
*Below is a photograph where I was assumed to have been thinking that whatever was being talked about was "so dear!".
And so, in Stacey's honor, we coined a new, hip term: DF. It stands for Dear Friend.
I never used the word dear before meeting Stacey, but being around her more and more (and hearing her use this word to describe the people and things that are closest to her heart) made it stick. Now, I too share in these dear feelings!
If you hear me describe you as dear or refer to you as my DF, consider yourself loved. Because YOU ARE my dear friend!
*Below is a photograph where I was assumed to have been thinking that whatever was being talked about was "so dear!".
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Jason Petty featuring T.I.
We just began a new series in HSM (our high school ministry) called "Step by Step". The series is focused on helping our students to take the next steps in their relationship with God. To challenge them in how they view God, His Word and His plan for their lives. I really love it.
Jason Petty (our discipleship pastor) has spearheaded this series with the help of Taylor Ishii (an incredible former HSM intern and current small group leader/Fuller Seminary student). This weekend, Jason taught the primary part of the lesson while Taylor chimmed in during one of the key points.
As Taylor taught through his piece of the message God really worked in my heart. Taylor posed a question:
Are your expectations of God limiting you from knowing and experiencing the true God?
In other words, there are many times when we expect God to be a certain way. We think that we know what God wants for us (a specific job, spouse, safety, security, happiness) and when things don't play out how we think God would have them play out...we question God. All the while God is doing something in our lives and we're totally missing out on it because we are so focused on who God isn't being for us.
At times...I am like this.
This year (two-thousand ten...yes, no twenty-ten for me) I want to take the time to know and experience the true God, not the God I think He should be. I think the real one is much better anyway.
By the way, I suggested we promote "Step by Step" as being taught by Jason Petty featuring T.I. (Taylor Ishii) because I thought it'd draw a crowd...too bad I didn't mention it until the day the series kicked off.
Jason Petty (our discipleship pastor) has spearheaded this series with the help of Taylor Ishii (an incredible former HSM intern and current small group leader/Fuller Seminary student). This weekend, Jason taught the primary part of the lesson while Taylor chimmed in during one of the key points.
As Taylor taught through his piece of the message God really worked in my heart. Taylor posed a question:
Are your expectations of God limiting you from knowing and experiencing the true God?
In other words, there are many times when we expect God to be a certain way. We think that we know what God wants for us (a specific job, spouse, safety, security, happiness) and when things don't play out how we think God would have them play out...we question God. All the while God is doing something in our lives and we're totally missing out on it because we are so focused on who God isn't being for us.
At times...I am like this.
This year (two-thousand ten...yes, no twenty-ten for me) I want to take the time to know and experience the true God, not the God I think He should be. I think the real one is much better anyway.
By the way, I suggested we promote "Step by Step" as being taught by Jason Petty featuring T.I. (Taylor Ishii) because I thought it'd draw a crowd...too bad I didn't mention it until the day the series kicked off.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I Just Called...
A lot has changed in my life in the past four months (you can read about that here).
Part of the change has been having a brand new boss. My boss is great and fun and talkative and, no matter how long you've known him, makes you feel like his BFF. He's great...really.
This past month has been tough.
Small Groups are my piece of the ministry and last week we launched over 90 groups with over 900 students as part of those groups. There was busyness and leaders and parents and students and questions and changes all over the place! It was a bit overwhelming...to say the least.
I love that I get to do what I do and would not trade one second of the countless hours we've spent investing is our groups...even with all of the madness.
My boss did something last week (after our first night of small groups) that meant so much to me.
My boss called me...just to say that I did a good job and that he was proud of me.
(This is where the little girl in me comes out...)
I was so thankful for that.
I didn't need for him to say that...because I know that recognition is not the only way that God values what we do in His name...but my boss calling me just to say that, showed me what kind of a man he is...
a really great one.
My boss isn't just fun and awesome in front of people...he's great all the time and thinks about the little things. Little things like calling to say "Hooray! You did it!".
Part of the change has been having a brand new boss. My boss is great and fun and talkative and, no matter how long you've known him, makes you feel like his BFF. He's great...really.
This past month has been tough.
Small Groups are my piece of the ministry and last week we launched over 90 groups with over 900 students as part of those groups. There was busyness and leaders and parents and students and questions and changes all over the place! It was a bit overwhelming...to say the least.
I love that I get to do what I do and would not trade one second of the countless hours we've spent investing is our groups...even with all of the madness.
My boss did something last week (after our first night of small groups) that meant so much to me.
My boss called me...just to say that I did a good job and that he was proud of me.
(This is where the little girl in me comes out...)
I was so thankful for that.
I didn't need for him to say that...because I know that recognition is not the only way that God values what we do in His name...but my boss calling me just to say that, showed me what kind of a man he is...
a really great one.
My boss isn't just fun and awesome in front of people...he's great all the time and thinks about the little things. Little things like calling to say "Hooray! You did it!".
Friday, July 17, 2009
How He Loves
Our student ministry team has spent the last week putting on (go team!) and experiencing (go the rest of us!) the PDYM Student Leadership Conference. It has been incredible and such a gift to see our students draw closer to God and become aware and surprised of God's call upon their lives. Really, really great.
Tonight, as we worshiped God through prayer, scripture, communion, giving and song I had a lot of time to reflect on what God has been dong in my heart recently.
Specifically, one song stood out to me. A song I've sung and listened to a million times. In my car, at church, on my iPod...but tonight, God spoke to me through it in such a unique way.
The song starts with:
He is jealous for me
then it says:
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.
and repeats (over and over again):
He loves us, oh how He loves us, oh how He loves us, oh how He loves.
As I prayed and began a full on conversation with God all I could do was ask Him, "You're jealous for me? Me? Why?". I was deeply humbled at the thought that God would be jealous for me. That He would fight for me, for our love to grow and deepen. I couldn't even finish singing the song...thinking about His love was overwhelming.
The truth is, that His glory does overshadow anything that I could ever go through, any hardship or struggle pales in comparison to who He is in my life. I'd love to, everyday, realize more and more how great His affections are for me and remember that precious truth in times of trouble. I'd love to be completely unaware of my needs, because my Father is aware...and with Him, I need not worry. I'd love this.
Tonight, as we worshiped God through prayer, scripture, communion, giving and song I had a lot of time to reflect on what God has been dong in my heart recently.
Specifically, one song stood out to me. A song I've sung and listened to a million times. In my car, at church, on my iPod...but tonight, God spoke to me through it in such a unique way.
The song starts with:
He is jealous for me
then it says:
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.
and repeats (over and over again):
He loves us, oh how He loves us, oh how He loves us, oh how He loves.
As I prayed and began a full on conversation with God all I could do was ask Him, "You're jealous for me? Me? Why?". I was deeply humbled at the thought that God would be jealous for me. That He would fight for me, for our love to grow and deepen. I couldn't even finish singing the song...thinking about His love was overwhelming.
The truth is, that His glory does overshadow anything that I could ever go through, any hardship or struggle pales in comparison to who He is in my life. I'd love to, everyday, realize more and more how great His affections are for me and remember that precious truth in times of trouble. I'd love to be completely unaware of my needs, because my Father is aware...and with Him, I need not worry. I'd love this.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Something New
The past few months have been incredible.
They have been challenging, faith-building, difficult, easy, peace-filled, emotional...most of all, they have been marked by change.
Just a few months ago I was living at home, finishing up at Biola, working at my home church in LA...
today everything is different.
I am living on my own (actually, with a really great roommate!), done with school and on staff at a fantastic church in Orange County...continuing to do what I love.
A very interesting thing about this change has been how I much I loved my life the way it was. I would have been completely happy to continue on where I was. Really, things are never and will never be perfect. But I had found that I was pleased with my with the way things were, content and in a really comfortable place. God challenged all of that.
God gave me no wiggle room and He (at all costs) showed me that He wanted to stretch me and that these changes were a part of the process that will lead me to becoming the woman He wants me to be.
It has been unbelievable to see God's hand move and provide and establish His will.
They have been challenging, faith-building, difficult, easy, peace-filled, emotional...most of all, they have been marked by change.
Just a few months ago I was living at home, finishing up at Biola, working at my home church in LA...
today everything is different.
I am living on my own (actually, with a really great roommate!), done with school and on staff at a fantastic church in Orange County...continuing to do what I love.
A very interesting thing about this change has been how I much I loved my life the way it was. I would have been completely happy to continue on where I was. Really, things are never and will never be perfect. But I had found that I was pleased with my with the way things were, content and in a really comfortable place. God challenged all of that.
God gave me no wiggle room and He (at all costs) showed me that He wanted to stretch me and that these changes were a part of the process that will lead me to becoming the woman He wants me to be.
It has been unbelievable to see God's hand move and provide and establish His will.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Model for a Day
I was a model...for one day.
Elizabeth Sarinana took my picture a few weeks ago, and this is what came of it (at least just a few out of the hundreds of shots:
The whole time (while taking the pictures) I kept thinking I'd be able to tell my kids, "This is what your mother looked like when she was 25!".
Elizabeth Sarinana took my picture a few weeks ago, and this is what came of it (at least just a few out of the hundreds of shots:
The whole time (while taking the pictures) I kept thinking I'd be able to tell my kids, "This is what your mother looked like when she was 25!".Being a model is hard work! We shot for about 8 hours and I was sore for a few days after...
but really, I can't complain, because Elizabeth is so talented! I'm glad I did it!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Good Ideas are Meant to Be Stolen
My friend Allison posted (a while back) about things that make you look like an idiot at a concert. While at the Hillsong United concert last night, I formed my own list:
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT AT A CHRISTIAN CONCERT
Disclaimer: What I am about to type is in no way judging the other Christians who were at the concert I attended last night, these are just simple observations that drove me a little nuts. So, please don't be offended if you fit into any of these categories.
1. Yelling "We love Jesus yes we do, we love Jesus, how about you?" across the theater over and over again. Then pointing and laughing when your side "wins" the yelling match.
2. Shouting "Jesus" when everything else is quiet and the band is trying to have a "moment" of reflection. Way to draw attention to yourself instead of Jesus!
3. Clapping and cheering when the guy in #2 shouts. Really?
4. Clapping and cheering to the beat of a song that turned out to be downtempo and not uptempo, then realizing "oops, maybe I should have waited to hear where the intro was actually going".
5. Yelling and screaming every time a song had some sort of pause...even if it was a downtempo song, again...really?
Please don't be an idiot at a Christian concert.
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT AT A CHRISTIAN CONCERT
Disclaimer: What I am about to type is in no way judging the other Christians who were at the concert I attended last night, these are just simple observations that drove me a little nuts. So, please don't be offended if you fit into any of these categories.
1. Yelling "We love Jesus yes we do, we love Jesus, how about you?" across the theater over and over again. Then pointing and laughing when your side "wins" the yelling match.
2. Shouting "Jesus" when everything else is quiet and the band is trying to have a "moment" of reflection. Way to draw attention to yourself instead of Jesus!
3. Clapping and cheering when the guy in #2 shouts. Really?
4. Clapping and cheering to the beat of a song that turned out to be downtempo and not uptempo, then realizing "oops, maybe I should have waited to hear where the intro was actually going".
5. Yelling and screaming every time a song had some sort of pause...even if it was a downtempo song, again...really?
Please don't be an idiot at a Christian concert.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Apparently, Physics is Romantic
I really hate science, I don't get it and it takes me forever to understand elements, forces, pulls...boo!
The other day while listening to my iPod I realized that two of my favorite artists have made a physical force a part of their lyrics...and surprisingly enough, I love it!
John Mayer-Gravity
Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down
Oh I'll never know what makes this man
With all the love that his heart can stand
Dream of ways to throw it all away
Oh Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down
Oh twice as much ain't twice as good
And can't sustain like a one half could
It's wanting more
That's gonna send me to my knees
Sara Bareilles-Gravity
Something always brings me back to you.
It never takes too long.
No matter what I say or do I'll still feel you here 'til the moment I'm gone.
You hold me without touch.
You keep me without chains.
I never wanted anything so much than to drown in your love and not feel your reign.
Set me free, leave me be.
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be.
But you're on to me and all over me.
The other day while listening to my iPod I realized that two of my favorite artists have made a physical force a part of their lyrics...and surprisingly enough, I love it!
John Mayer-Gravity
Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down
Oh I'll never know what makes this man
With all the love that his heart can stand
Dream of ways to throw it all away
Oh Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down
Oh twice as much ain't twice as good
And can't sustain like a one half could
It's wanting more
That's gonna send me to my knees
Sara Bareilles-Gravity
Something always brings me back to you.
It never takes too long.
No matter what I say or do I'll still feel you here 'til the moment I'm gone.
You hold me without touch.
You keep me without chains.
I never wanted anything so much than to drown in your love and not feel your reign.
Set me free, leave me be.
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be.
But you're on to me and all over me.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What do you say?
What do you say to some who has hurt you and said really terrible things about you? Who has talked about you behind your back (while all the while you knew this and chose to ignore it)? Who has acted as if you didn't even exist and given you dirty looks?
I know what I chose to say...nothing. I just kept my mouth shut and never told anyone anything, just chose to let God soften their heart.
What do you say when they send you an email apologizing? And they live a few minutes away from you...
Am I asking for too much when I think a phone call or face to face conversation would have probably been more appropriate?
Don't get me wrong, I am really thankful that they have come to understand that what they did was wrong and I realize that it probably took a lot for them to actually type and send that message...but really?
What do you say? How do you respond to that?
I probably feel this way because I know that we will probably never be friends...real friends. We will probably be polite acquaintances. Nothing more, nothing less.
Is this resolution?
Maybe it is.
Maybe saying nothing, but forgiving quietly in my heart is enough.
But, what would you say?
I know what I chose to say...nothing. I just kept my mouth shut and never told anyone anything, just chose to let God soften their heart.
What do you say when they send you an email apologizing? And they live a few minutes away from you...
Am I asking for too much when I think a phone call or face to face conversation would have probably been more appropriate?
Don't get me wrong, I am really thankful that they have come to understand that what they did was wrong and I realize that it probably took a lot for them to actually type and send that message...but really?
What do you say? How do you respond to that?
I probably feel this way because I know that we will probably never be friends...real friends. We will probably be polite acquaintances. Nothing more, nothing less.
Is this resolution?
Maybe it is.
Maybe saying nothing, but forgiving quietly in my heart is enough.
But, what would you say?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Mucho, Mucho!
Lots of things are changing...fast, fast, fast...but I like it because there is no other place I'd rather be, than in the center of God's will.
The only way that I can describe this season of my life is with the word PEACE.
Really...peace. What an amazing gift God gives us!
More details soon!
The only way that I can describe this season of my life is with the word PEACE.
Really...peace. What an amazing gift God gives us!
More details soon!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Why, yes...I'm still here
Day 2 of PDYM was great!
It was a bit of a whirlwind...you know those times when you meet and talk with so many people at tons of different times and you wish you could remember every name, every face, every conversation but can't? Yeah, it was like that.
What most stood out though was that I think I laughed with just about everyone I met and talked with. Seriously, either I've stepped it up in my humor abilities or all these people are legitimately fun (I prefer to believe the latter is true).
I also got to meet with a few women in youth ministry and totally fell in love with them. These ladies loving God, loving students and trying to balance life as moms, wives and servants is amazing! It was great to sit and learn from one another.
Oh, and I got to say "prairie dogging it" several times...I don't know how useful that is in ministry but it was quite the highlight!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Oh, I'm Here!
I'm at the PDYM Conference this week!
I'm here with three of my youngest and funnest volunteers! Seriously, I almost peed laughing today...several times.
I'm a bit exhausted and just realized that I totally forgot to text my small group to remind them there's no small group this week, oops!
None the less, the first day here has been great! We got upgraded and received a MAJOR discount at our hotel, we got to have lunch at Panda Inn (so yummy!) and we played a couple of ping pong games where I, of course, totally dominated!
So far, so good!
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