Question

Since Easter came early this year, does that mean I can go ahead and pull out my linen and white already?

Living Proof Live- Jacksonville Video

Spontaneity

If I am going to be completely honest, I would have to admit that I am not really a spontaneous person. I am a creature of habit and routine. A great example is the fact that I have the exact same morning routine that I do every day. I know what time it is by what I am doing. I always make my bed between 6:00 and 6:15 each morning. I fix breakfast and pack my lunch from 7:00 to 7:30...you get the idea.

So, to receive a phone call at around 11 pm asking me if I would like to go to Jacksonville the next day and for me to agree should be impressive. I took off around 1:00 on Friday afternoon and arrived for my spontaneous weekend away around 5:00. I met up with my old roommate and her current roommate who drove from Georgia and we headed to the Beth Moore Conference.

It was a great conference full of amazing praise and worship and challenging words from Philippians 2:12-14. I would share pictures, but remember this was a spontaneous trip and well, I didn't pack my camera. At least that is the only thing I forgot to pack in my spontaneity.

To Be a Kid Again!

Tonight on my way home from work I talked with my nephew, Jacob. He was full of the business and information about baseball. Over the last several months he has decided that when he grows up he is going to be a baseball player for the Houston Astros. He is well on his way to accomplishing his dream since he is playing pre-tball this year.

The first thing Jacob informed me of is that he had new baseball shoes with cleats that are blue and white. Of course they make him run super fast. He also informed me that the tile is slippery when he wears them in the house. (Gosh he makes me laugh!)

We also played the guessing game of his team's name. I began with the obvious, the Astros. No, Aunt Jane. The Phillies? (This is the team my younger brother played for when he was growing up.) "No." Then came my first hint, but from my mom. (My brother and sister-in-law are in Dallas for the rest of the week.) In pre-tball the teams have "gentler" names. The first thing that popped into my head was turtle. "No, guess again." Then came my second clue. "It's an insect," he repeated after my mom. Then in the not so quiet whisper of a child, "Gigi, what's an insect?" "Don't worry, Aunt Jane knows." "Are you a grasshopper?" "Yes!"

Then I was told about how his first practice is tomorrow night and that he has to have his name on everything. Apparently Tanner is also on his team, but between myself, Papaw, and Gigi, none of us knew about Tanner. We knew he didn't go to Jacob's school and he didn't go to their church, so we weren't sure where else he would have known him from. Finally it did came out that Jacob met Tanner at one of Daddy's work parties. Mystery solved!

To be a kid again...when baseball season held more excitement than anything else. Where you were excited to be a grasshopper and that you had your first pair of cleats. When you are happy because you knew at least one person on your tball team. When shoes made you run fast and you woke up from your nap only to get a snack...

He Reaches for Us

I saw this a few weeks ago at church when Brian Daniel, the artist, "performed." It is more powerful live, but nonetheless very appropriate for this Good Friday.

Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday, but before you are too impressed with my knowledge...I grew up with a family friend who played the organ for an Episcopal church and they always had a Maundy Thursday service. I must also confess that I thought everyone was saying Monday Thursday in that thick Texas accent that we all had, but that is a whole other story.

For those of you who don't know, Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter and falls between Holy Wednesday and Good Friday. Holy Wednesday can also be called Spy Wednesday and is the day that Judas Iscariot first conspired to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Christ. However, Maundy Thursday celebrates four events: the Lord's Supper, the washing of the disciples' feet, the events in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas.

This is one of those times of year that cause me to be a little more introspective and imaginative. What would it have been like to have witnessed the events of this week over 2000 years ago? What would it have been like to be in the crowds that yelled "Hosanna" and "blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"? Would I have been one of those that celebrated His entrance to the city, singing and shouting, one second and then be yelling with the crowds to crucify Him? Would I have been one of His faithful followers that stood and watched Him being beaten and tortured? Would I have been one that stood by Mary as she watched her son hang from a cross? If someone had asked if I knew Him, would I have denied Him like Peter or confessed my allegiance?

It's easy for me to rationalize...If I had been there...If I had seen His miracles...If I could have touched Him...If I had heard Him teach...then it would be easy to believe. The truth of the matter is that many heard and did not believe. Many witnessed the dead being raised, the blind being able to see, the deaf being able to hear, and choose not to believe. Most likely there were people who ate the loaves and fishes He blessed and feed 5,000 men with that did not believe He was the Messiah. In the year 2008, that is hard for me to believe.

This reminds me that I walk by faith, not be sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus, Himself, said, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:29).

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Mighty To Save

Silly Me

This week has been good and in many ways, it has seem to flown by. I worked out earlier in the week (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday), but some unforeseen things popped up on Wednesday and Thursday. For example, who knew it would take 2 1/2 hours to get my haircut, highlighted, and assure them that I was not upset about my shirt. (If you have no idea what that is in reference to then you should read Thursday's post.)

Tonight it took an hour and 15 minutes to get home from work. Eventually I bailed from the main roads and cut threw a mall parking lot and the airport. I also had Bible Study tonight which went well (some heated discussions, but good ones). That made two days that I had missed training for my 5K. (Technically I attempted to do pilates on Thursday night, but considering that it had been a while since I had done them, it was a sad attempt.)

After everyone left tonight I headed out to get some fresh air. Only one problem, it was still raining, hence the extra long commute from earlier. Hmmm...the dilemma begins. Should I venture out and brave the rain or make another feeble attempt at pilates? It's just rain I told myself and headed out.

Can I tell you how much fun I had? It reminded me of being a kid and not having a care in the world. Yes, I got wet, very wet, but I completed my 2 miles in record time. It's amazing how fast you can move when you are wet and cold.

I've read that it can take any where from 21 days to 90 days to establish a habit. My little brother told me last weekend that it only takes 2 weeks. I think I might have to agree with him because all I know is that I had missed running/walking over the last two days. Shhhhh...don't tell him that I agreed with him! ;)

How Will They Know?

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tonight I had an appointment to get my hair cut and highlighted. I've been going to the same place for almost 2 years and this was the third time that this woman was going to cut my hair. (I actually go to a school so I get a new student every couple of times. For the record, I have never gotten a bad haircut and always look like I pay more than I do!) After a consultation on the color that would be used and the method of highlighting it was time to get down to business. The instructor grabbed a cape and secured it. Then it was decided that it would be best to use a different cape and the first one was removed and the instructor and student took off in search of another one. I just seat there people watching (it's an interesting place). When they returned a shocking discovery was made. The first cape that was used even though it had been pulled from the clean pile had black hair dye all down the inside. As I looked down at my purple shirt there was dye everywhere. I even managed to get it on my hands.

I had two options. I could get made or I could just go with the flow. Honestly, it didn't cross my mind to get mad. It's just a shirt. In the great scheme of things, it isn't a big deal.

Of course they were mortified and I feared they were going to undress me to try and remove the dye. They didn't and the apologies continued. I explained that it wasn't a big deal and that I knew it was an accident. I was also able to share my faith in a very direct manner to the student. I'm sure those around also heard.

Jesus said that people would recognize us as His because of our love. Paul then explains that love is patient, love is kind, love isn't rude, it isn't easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. I pray that my actions and my words tonight were honoring to God and others saw Him in me. I've heard it said that as Christians we are Jesus with skin on and that sometimes we are the only Jesus some people ever see. I pray I made Him proud tonight because I also fail at times in this exact same area. (Yep, that's right...I am so not perfect and often fail to show love, fail to be patient, fail to not keep a record of those who have offended me, and fail at not getting angry!)

I need your help in deciding my next step. They insisted that they replace my shirt. I am suppose to go buy an equivalent (it is a couple of years old) and then give them my receipt. What do you think I should do? Should I take them up on there offer? Should I forget about it?

Strawberry Festival

Saturday evening my roommate and I headed to Plant City to catch the tail end of the annual Strawberry Festival. It is something that I have heard about for two years and yet to venture out for the experience. I'll confess that it reminded me of "home". Just a good ole time!

I also must admit that I only got a couple of pictures. I'll blame part of it on the fact that it was "cold" (you know Florida standard of cold) and my camera was buried in my coat pocket. However, this is what I did manage to get.

This is the strawberry queen's throne, just felt the need to document the special occasion!

It took a little convincing, but I got Kenda to sit on the throne too!

Omelets- Easy as 1, 2, 3

It is a long standing tradition in my family to have breakfast together on Saturday mornings. I can remember as a child having to be pulled from the TV to go to the table so we could eat as a family. I remember being a teenager and having to be pulled from the bed for this family tradition. It is still one of my dad's favorite things to do when we are all home. Pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy...you name it and my dad can fix it.

Now that I am off and on my own, I have continued this tradition to a degree. Since it is just me, the table isn't as full, but I enjoy sitting down at the table for a leisure Saturday breakfast. This morning was no exception...well, I tweaked the menu so it was healthier and thought I would share.

I'll begin with a disclaimer. This was not my idea, but rather something my sister-in-law, Michelle, shared with me earlier in the week. I think I'll call it "Omelet in a Bag."

1. Take a pot full of water and bring it to a boil.

2. Gather your favorite ingredients for an omelet, chop them, and place them in a plastic zip lock bag.

I personally used a freezer bag since they are a little thicker than a normal bag. I used purple onion, tomatoes, a piece of ham lunch meat, cheese, garlic powder, seasoned salt (substitute), pepper, and couple of spray of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter". Then add two eggs to your bag and close. Using your hands to mix the ingredients by squeezing the bag. You might want to make sure it is closed well or you'll make a mess.

Because I am trying to be healthy, I used one egg and then egg whites.

Place the bag in the boiling water for about 10 to 12 minutes.

3. Remove from the water and check to make sure the omelet is firm. Enjoy!

Not only is it easy, there is very little mess to clean up. As I find other easy yet nutritious ideas, I'll share them with you! Or if you have one, let me know.

Check back tomorrow as I will share my first Strawberry Festival experience!

Facing Temptation

After working out last night, I slept like a baby. Before heading out the door, I packed my lunch for the fifth straight day- grilled chicken wrap in a multi grain tortilla, carrot sticks, and peach yogurt. I even packed a couple of snacks in case I got the munchies- an orange and string cheese. I ate my bowl of Kashi cereal and headed out the door. I arrived to work for our staff meeting only to be met with a box of donuts. As we began our meeting everyone began to dig in to their donuts. I put a death grip on my coffee and just sat. Eventually we took a break and people headed back for seconds. I switched from coffee to water and grabbed the string cheese that I had packed.

I'll be honest, I have a sweet tooth, but in this period of my life of working hard to exercise and eat healthy, I have made a decision to become some sort of a "health nut." I had done good all week and made a decision not to blow it. Let's face it...we are going to face temptations in life. It's just a guess, but I have a feeling that some are going to bigger than a donut! I am so thankful/grateful that we have a way out as Christians (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Oh, and in case your curious...I did NOT eat a donut. Nor did I eat any of the candy that is stashed throughout the office. Actually I haven't had anything of the sort in about two weeks. I celebrated this evening by eating a couple of sugar free cookies. Yum!

Let the Training Begin!

I have begun working on one of the things on my list of things I want to do before turning 30. Which one? Training for a 5K. Maybe you are like me and needed to know where to begin. First, I will admit I am not much of a runner. Never have been. If I could have figured out how to play basketball without running, I would have. However, chasing after that orange ball always made the running a little less of a pain. I have walked on and off for the last several years with some sporadic attempts at jogging that never seem to last. I even walked a half marathon a little over 2 years ago.

Back to where to begin...I began to search online for something that would allow me to ease into this whole process. That is when I found The Couch-to-5K Running Plan. I wouldn't quite go as far as to say I was a couch potato, but that is beside the point. I had already been doing some walking in the previous weeks and realized that I was having some pain in my shins. Last week I dove in with both feet to adding some jogging only to realize that my shoes were shot.

Now, I know they look fine, but take a look at the bottoms.

In case you can't tell there is no tread on the ball of the shoe. Did I mention that this is the same pair of shoes that I trained for and walked the half marathon in? After two days of following my new plan I headed to a local running store and purchased a new pair of running shoes.

You may not be able to tell, but they are actually the same pair just a newer version. I must confess I like blue more than I like yellow so that was perfectly okay with me.

I would love to tell you that they make me super fast and I am breezing through this new plan already jogging 25 minutes straight, but that isn't true. I am not sure when you stop believing new shoes make you run super fast, but I can tell you I am not in pain.

Mission accomplished. I'll keep you posted on my progress. :)

Quick Update

Sorry I haven't posted much this week. We are having a missions conference at church this week, so there have been plenty of activities going on. Monday night is the only night I have been home since last Thursday. Well, I can't so all those activities have been related to the conference, but Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night were. If it helps I have posted on two blogs that I help with for work. Yeah, I guess it doesn't. :)

Revelation Song