I went to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) on Tuesday morning at church. I was very inspired. The speaker was a pastor at a local church plant and his message centered around how we shape our children. I can't just hope my child will be a certain way, I need to model the behavior myself. That's a pretty "duh" statement but I needed to hear it.
At the end of his message he said something I didn't agree with, though. I'm not sure if he was trying to be funny, if there was truth behind it, or what, but it got me thinking. He said when he speaks to men he likes to think of it as throwing a stainless steel coffee mug around, letting it get banged up, because it can take the abuse. But when he speaks to women he must treat them like china and be gentle, because they are breakable. Huh? This got me thinking about how I receive messages and whether I am more breakable or more durable.
I am spiritually dry. Yuck. One thing that helps is when people are honest with me when they see me going in a wrong direction. I'll give you an example of how this has recently occurred.
I was at small group several weeks ago talking about my lack of understanding the need for prayer, if God is omnicient and omnipresent. I was going around in circles about my thoughts and disbeliefs, and my dear friend said, "You need to stop overthinking everything." I appreciated her saying this. I don't actually agree with her statement, but it was a great example of her being bold enough to say something when she saw me faltering.
I wish I had a little more of this in my life and was treated more like stainless steel rather than china. Being treated like china seems to allow me to make excuses rather than encourage me to change. I don't doubt for many women they are more like china in this area, but I guess I'm a stainless steel kind of a girl.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thankful Tuesday
It's not Tuesday yet, but most of you won't read this until at least Tuesday. I'll be very busy toward the end of this week, so I thought I'd do my thankful post early.
1. Yesterday I went to the grocery store. I always try to park next to a cart return spot so I can put Kinsey in the car and the return area is right next to my car. That way I don't have to worry about lugging her to the cart return spot and back to the car again. This time, however, there weren't any spots open right next to the cart return. Someone had left their cart in between two parking spaces, so I parked in one of them and used that cart. That saved me one trek carrying Kinsey. After I was finished shopping, I put the groceries in the cart and was not looking forward to the carrying that was about to happen. But from behind an elderly getleman said, "I'll take your cart!" and I replied, "Oh AWESOME, thank you!!". We went our separate ways and I put Kinsey in car, but as I was about to get in I happened to look back toward the man that took my cart, and he put it away in a return cart slot. The man didn't even need my cart but was just being kind! That warms my heart, and I was so thankful.
2. Today was our adoption court hearing. Several friends came, and some even slipped out of work to stop by and see us, even if they couldn't make the hearing. I was thinking how wonderful it was to have friends surrounding us and supporting us constantly. We waited for about 45 minutes, then the hearing was very short (actual time, 3 minutes). We took pictures afterwards with the judge and then more outside with our group. What struck me today was that the hearing was very short, without frills, just all business. Our friends didn't come to get anything out of it for themselves or to be entertained in any way; they came just to support and surround us with love. Have I mentioned we have great friends? I am thankful!
1. Yesterday I went to the grocery store. I always try to park next to a cart return spot so I can put Kinsey in the car and the return area is right next to my car. That way I don't have to worry about lugging her to the cart return spot and back to the car again. This time, however, there weren't any spots open right next to the cart return. Someone had left their cart in between two parking spaces, so I parked in one of them and used that cart. That saved me one trek carrying Kinsey. After I was finished shopping, I put the groceries in the cart and was not looking forward to the carrying that was about to happen. But from behind an elderly getleman said, "I'll take your cart!" and I replied, "Oh AWESOME, thank you!!". We went our separate ways and I put Kinsey in car, but as I was about to get in I happened to look back toward the man that took my cart, and he put it away in a return cart slot. The man didn't even need my cart but was just being kind! That warms my heart, and I was so thankful.
2. Today was our adoption court hearing. Several friends came, and some even slipped out of work to stop by and see us, even if they couldn't make the hearing. I was thinking how wonderful it was to have friends surrounding us and supporting us constantly. We waited for about 45 minutes, then the hearing was very short (actual time, 3 minutes). We took pictures afterwards with the judge and then more outside with our group. What struck me today was that the hearing was very short, without frills, just all business. Our friends didn't come to get anything out of it for themselves or to be entertained in any way; they came just to support and surround us with love. Have I mentioned we have great friends? I am thankful!
Group picture after the hearing before we went to the Good Egg for brunch.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Still Thankful
I'm still thankful, even though I missed the last two Thankful Thursdays. Last Thursday I was working and this past Thursday I seemed to have on thing after another going on. So we'll do a double-thankful-Saturday!
1. We found a place to send our dogs to be trained. They stay at the "Wolf Whisperer's" boarding place and she trains them for a month. When the month is complete, we have graduation day where she works with us to take over the Alpha role. Then they come home and we work with them 30 minutes a day for two weeks. That is going to be the hard part for me. She has a lifetime guarantee, so that is a good thing. We know that it is actually David and I who are going to be the hardest to teach, not the dogs. They will pick up the training easily with consistency. That is why we decided to send them to doggie boarding school, so that we know the trainer will be consistent with them. Then it's up to us. What I am thankful for in all of this is that we really liked the trainer and have high hopes for a more peaceful house, and fewer bruises on my legs!
2. I have been getting a few more hours at work. I started a second per diem (on call/as needed) job which won't likely give me many hours, but it could turn into more down the road. I also am going to get a few more hours at my regular job. I was freaking out a little bit last month only working one day a week. There was no reason to freak out, because we can survive without me working, but it makes it more comfortable and less stressful when I do work at least a couple days a week. So I am thankful to have just enough hours now to have a good balance, at least for the next month.
1. We found a place to send our dogs to be trained. They stay at the "Wolf Whisperer's" boarding place and she trains them for a month. When the month is complete, we have graduation day where she works with us to take over the Alpha role. Then they come home and we work with them 30 minutes a day for two weeks. That is going to be the hard part for me. She has a lifetime guarantee, so that is a good thing. We know that it is actually David and I who are going to be the hardest to teach, not the dogs. They will pick up the training easily with consistency. That is why we decided to send them to doggie boarding school, so that we know the trainer will be consistent with them. Then it's up to us. What I am thankful for in all of this is that we really liked the trainer and have high hopes for a more peaceful house, and fewer bruises on my legs!
2. I have been getting a few more hours at work. I started a second per diem (on call/as needed) job which won't likely give me many hours, but it could turn into more down the road. I also am going to get a few more hours at my regular job. I was freaking out a little bit last month only working one day a week. There was no reason to freak out, because we can survive without me working, but it makes it more comfortable and less stressful when I do work at least a couple days a week. So I am thankful to have just enough hours now to have a good balance, at least for the next month.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
A Couple Mini-Milestones
1. She started saying "Muh." Then "Muh muh." Then "Muh muh muh." Haven't been able to catch it on video yet. I tried but then she stopped. She's not ready for the world to hear it yet.
2. She started opening her mouth for the spoon when I'm feeding her. It's amazing how much easier feeding her is when she understands it and wants it.
2. She started opening her mouth for the spoon when I'm feeding her. It's amazing how much easier feeding her is when she understands it and wants it.
(Nevermind the very messy counter--eeek)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
You'll Never Believe This...
...but for this Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful for my job. This is the longest I've stayed in a job since I graduated from nursing school. I've learned how to leave work at work. It's been steady and predictable, which is a relief considering all the changes at home this year. They have accomodated my scheduling desires while still finding ways to meet their staffing needs. I also really enjoy working PRN (which means "as needed" in the medical world). It makes me feel like I'm an asset to them, able to help when needed. It's nice to feel needed rather than just obligated.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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