Necessary Endings

My team and I traveled Thursday to Charlotte, NC to hear Dr. Henry Cloud speak on his new book called Necessary Endings. I can't WAIT to read it. Seriously. I'm a little over half way through with his Integrity book now and it is blowing me away. Remind me to share the latest insight from that title some time. It involves telling the truth...and it will make you squirm.

Anyway, Necessary Endings talks about how EVERYTHING has a life span. Everything has a start and stop time. He quoted the verses from Ecclesiastes that we all know so well "a time to live and a time to die......". He made the point that we don't often see the end point and we feel it is unnatural for things to die or end. To us that signals pain and loss, so many times we continue on with them (business ideas/plans, product lines, relationships, etc) instead of dealing with the necessary ending. It was really interesting!

I found the topic to be super ironic. Before we left the office on Thursday, I was informed that our company is splitting. Some of my co-wokers will be taken to a new company and will have jobs there. Everyone else will stay where they are in the current company. Well, most everyone. I was told that I was one of the only people that the President and COO didn't know what to do with. They didn't know if they had a place for me anymore. So Linda (COO) let me know that I wouldn't be moving to the new company with her, but I wouldn't necessarily have a place where I am either. Needless to say this was a shock. She told me to go on the business trip and enjoy myself and just know that on Monday my world would change.

Now, I know to get the full grasp of emotion I should've sat down right then and written this post. I've had 4 days to start working through the possibilities of what that means. I've faced the line of emotions from sadness to anger to indifference to hope. I've only told my parents and Sara, but I wanted you girls to know too so you could be praying. Although I don't really know what the request would be. I mean, I definitely want a job and want to stay, but don't know if this is God's way of pushing me out of the nest so to speak. I want to be open to the "necessary ending" if that is what this is. In my plan, it was just going to be when I finished school and was ready to start interpreting full time.

I've realized the biggest heartache in this comes from a deeply planted belief I have that I'm not worth fighting for. It's been fed throughout my life from my relationships with David and Bradley, from another job scenario, and through some of my friendships over the past 3 years. I know I can logically look at that and recognize that isn't Truth. It isn't what God thinks about me. But it is a daily battle to not go back and sit under that tree for a while. I'm making a choice (sometimes multiple times a day) to not believe that lie and to fall into that well of self-pity. What a waste of time that is.

At this point, I know the decision of staying or getting laid off is out of my control. I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself with plans/panic/job options. But I do keep day dreaming about getting a $100,000 severance pay so I can travel to each of your houses for a visit and afford to not get a job until I'm done with school. Since that is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over what I'm paid now, I can't see that really happening, but that has kept me entertained. :)

So, all that to say....I should find out tomorrow what the verdict is. Please pray that I will fully trust God with his plan be it either to stay or leave. I'll let you know when I hear something.

Reading Update

I'm now starting book #5, aka The Voyage of the Dawntreader, in The Chronicles of Narnia. I'm not so excited about this one since I just recently saw the movie. Hopefully it won't follow to the letter. My favorite so far has been The Horse and His Boy (#3). It would make a great movie!

Also, done with Job and Genesis. Here are a few notes of interest from Genesis:

*Adam and Eve were vegetarians. God didn't give man animals to eat until after the flood.

*The flood happened not just from rain coming down, but also the ocean floor opening and expanding.

*Before the flood it didn't rain. Water came up from the ground for the plants.

*There were giants that lived on the earth. Either around the time of the Noah or the Tower of Babel.

*One scandalous story especially surprised me. Judah, was one of Joseph's 11 brothers. Long story short, he slept with his daughter-in-law thinking that she was a temple prostitute. She was disguised so he didn't know her identity. When word got out that she was an adulteress, Judah demanded that she be burned to death. That is when she revealed that he was the one she had slept with. He recognized his sin and spared her life. The interesting part of the story is, this is the blood line that Jesus came from. We all know Joseph because of his famous life story of redemption, but Jesus came through the brokenness of sinners. PS-- the daughter-in-law ended up giving birth to twins. When she was in labor, one twin stuck it's arm out and the nurse tied a red string around it to identify it as the first born. THEN, he pulled his arm back in and the other baby was born first. Now, I'm no birthing wiz...but I just don't see how that could really happen. Unless she has a birth canal the size of Galilee.

*Sodom and Gomorrah weren't destroyed because of the sexual sin that was rampant like so many pastors like to teach. Instead, it was because the people were gluttons and lazy. They didn't care about the poor and needy around them.

* Joseph was a teenager when his brothers sold him into slavery to the Ishmaelites (ps--Ishmael is the father of the modern day Muslims....that means that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all believe Abraham to be the Father of their faith). My translation makes a point to mention that he is 30 when he is brought out of Pharaoh's prison and set at a high place of service under Pharaoh. Seeing as 3-0 is creeping in on me, it is interesting to make the comparison. I bet his expectations for his 20's were different than 'spend some time in slavery and prison'. Helps give perspective when I feel like I've wasted some years.

* My favorite verse: [Go talking to Jacob as he journeys to find a wife(who happens to be his first cousins)] "And behold, I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15

Now on to Exodus...

Easier Said Than Done

It's been a hard couple of days for me. More to come on that soon. In the mean time....I can't shake this quote:

"Resist the greed of wanting something more than what God has given you in this season."

-Fred Nelson

Love y'all.

Monkey Dance for Cheese

So...I'm not completely sure this is the best idea to post. Seems a bit embarrassing. But when I told Courtney that all of my homework video assignments were to be turned in via YouTube, she asked if I'd post them here as well.

I can't say that I'll post each one...that seems excessive. But here is one of my first ones (from this semester). It isn't captioned, so you won't know what I'm saying. Although I feel like I'm going slow enough for you to learn the entire language as I try and figure out what to say next. HA!

So, enjoy and please don't laugh too hard. You know I can't control my facial expressions very well.

Resolutions

With January almost over, I figured it was time to check back in again with resolutions. Did you make any? If so, are you still keeping up with them? I think I told you (but for sanity sake, I'll do it again instead of going back to peruse old posts) that Sara and I are setting monthly disciplines. There were a couple of different thoughts behind the decision.

#1 -- We knew sweets were the first to go, but who can really give that up for a whole year??

#2 -- I tend to end the year with a long wish-list of changes I want to see for the next year. Tackling them all at once would mean certain failure...and zero actual change.

#3 -- I hear that a month of consistent action can create a habit. So if I take one change a month maybe I can tackle the to-do list the Bob Wiley way--baby steps (*please excuse me, that was screaming for a What About Bob reference.).

With January coming to an end, I've been really pleased with the plan. I haven't had any desserts/candy/sweet treats (including Starbucks) since December 31. While trying at times...it's been really refreshing to have some level of discipline back in my life. I've gone a couple of years without any in any area and while it's nice for a while, ultimately it is devastating. I'm almost positive I've landed on what February's discipline will be.... but I don't want to say quite yet in case it changes.

I have made one other resolution to be carried out in the coming year....that is to read the Bible all the way through. I've never done it! I mean, I've never even come close. Honestly, I've never considered trying. I always hear how daunting the Old Testament and Revelation can be and that scares me off. Well, that and the fact that I'm terrible at keeping any goals I set. I found a plan that lays out a chronological reading plan which keeps it interesting. Sara's joining me in this as well so the level of accountability is great! I keep my printed list on the refrigerator so I can cross of each day as I go...and so she can see where I am day-to-day. I've made it most of the way through Genesis and all of Job.

I plan on posting here when I come across things that baffle me or catch my eye. So I consider you on this journey with me as well. I found Job to be really dramatic and I couldn't always follow what was being said. I know the big picture, but some of the daily reading was going way over my head. I pulled out The Message translation as well as my new favorite Larry Crab book:

66 Love Letters. Have you heard of it? Do you have it? If not, I highly recommend it. Essentially, Dr. Crabb sits down and prays through each book of the Bible and then has a conversation with God about how they all fit together and why they are so important to the Good News. Each chapter is devoted to a different book. I see it more of a study tool than something to sit down and read cover to cover. I pulled it out to give some insight to Job and was blown away by the perspective. Here's just one quote that stood out to me:

(this is God speaking) "I punish people who reject Me by letting them have their way. Hell is the enjoyment of their own way forever. In this world, having your way can feel good. In the next, it never does. I love those I've invited to My party by permitting suffering that draws them to concentrate on Me as their only source of life. It awakens their taste buds to enjoy the rich food I offer. Heaven is the enjoyment of My way forever....To know Me well, you must first be confused by Me. Only in the mystery of suffering will you stop trying to fit Me into your understanding of life. Learn this as you read Job."

I could go on and on about how amazingly rich this is, but my eyes are closing and my bed is absolutely covered in a pile of laundry. I can't wait to see what other treasures this book + the Bible hold.

Bed time for Bonzos!

Ode to a Chick Flick

It's the time again! And by "that time" I mean, homework time. I've put off posting all day in hopes of motivating myself to get ahead of the game. Instead, I'm about to throw my laptop off my balcony in frustration. Who knew a 30 year old in today's time could be so technologically lame? All of my videos this semester are due via YouTube and I can't seem to upload mine without it speeding up. While it makes me look like a brilliant signer, I'm pretty sure my prof won't buy it. So I've given up for the night....and moved on to more fun things.....like virtually monologuing with y'all.

I've recently added 27 Dresses to my movie library (thanks Target sale shelf!)...and I can't say I regret it. It is so classically cute and James Marsden is adorable. Sara and I watched it during our snow days a couple of weeks ago. During the scene where she tries on all of her dresses, I had a flash through some of my bridesmaid experiences. Wait--let me clarify. I don't have any theme dresses or even ugly dresses (thanks to you girls) but I have a ton of memories and a closet full of satin and taffeta that I just can't bring myself to get rid of. Care to take a walk with me down memory lane?

(This is actually the only picture I have from Clark and Esther's wedding...sorry, Court)

(As it turns out, I don't have a picture of Robin and I...could be because I was curled up in fetal position on the bathroom floor during picture time with the bride....boo!)

(Believe it or not...we didn't get a picture of all 5 of us the entire day!)

And a few honorable mentions:

(I was the best man)

Hey! That tent didn't decorate itself!

I could've sworn I had a picture from Heather and Bradley's wedding, but it must've been on real film...can't find it in iPhoto. I was in charge of taping cards to the gifts. :)

So there you have it! Nothing as outrageous as some of the dresses in the movies....but still fun all the same. I've loved celebrating with you girls over the years. I considered going back and writing my memories on each one, but realized that would make this officially the LONGEST post ever. So just know that I adore you and consider it an honor to be a part of your lives.

Martha who??

I stumbled across this little DIY project a few minutes ago and realized I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I didn't share it with you. Christmas is a mere 11 months away, so you better start planning....and stocking up on bacon.

You can thank me when you're done gagging.

Photo Op

Three posts in one day --ssssssssssssomebody stop me! Don't judge the Jim Carrey quote. Once a decade is perfectly acceptable. Frequent exceptions made for Dumb and Dumber. Now you're thinking of all of the Jim Carrey quotes you can, aren't you? How's about this one "Uh, Harry, I took care of it."

Tomorrow is the first day of classes and I have homework due. Blarg. I've had countless hours to complete this assignment and I've still put it off in true procrastination form. Double blarg. So as I'm flipping between facebook, assignment and iTunes I catch a glimpse of this picture on my slideshow wallpaper:

and I find myself listing all of the reasons why this is one of my favorite pictures of all time, which then leads me to think of all the fun memories from this trip, which then leads to remember the time when life in West Palm Beach was day to day and not vacation, which leads me to think about how I could've taken more advantage of my time there with you girls. And I've now created an all new distraction for myself.

Homework Schmomework. That's what I say.

Odds and Ends

*Anytime I see a word I don't recognize, I sound it out backwards in case it stands for something else.

* Here are a few recipes I'm looking forward to trying out in my near future: soup, lasagna, black bean salad.

*I bought 2 new CDs last night that I am super exicted about. #1: Shane and Shane's new Dare 2 Share worship album. While I don't typically condone exchanging numbers for words, this CD is worth the oversight. Plus, I firmly believe no one can have too many versions of The Revelation Song on their iTunes. #2: Mandi Mapes. I don't remember what it is called. All I know is that it is heaven to your ears. Literally. Her voice is so great....and lyrics are cleverly Jesus focused too. She is one of the worship leaders at David Platt's church in Birmingham.

* I watched up Step up 3 last week. Might I say that I liked it better in non-3D format? Cuz it's true. Somehow 3D made a classicly cheesy dance movie almost unbearably cheesy. Glad to see it has redeemed itself on DVD...and will soon be making it's way into my collection.

*Pizza that is cut into squares instead of slices makes it infinitely easy to eat too much since there is no easy way to track 'slices consumed'.

*I had someone ask me last night if I was highly intuitive...like psychic...and he was serious! It just made me chuckle on the inside and remember Court and I trying to be psychic with each other in high school (whispering through the top window down to the gym). Last night, we were playing the game Taboo and the person giving me the clues weren't forth coming with words. So in an effort to win at any cost I would start guessing the first random words that came to mind. And apparently I was startling close a couple of times. I should've told him yes just to spook him out. Ha ha.

*Reading update: I'm half way through book 4 of 7 in The Chronicles of Narnia. I think they should make 'The Horse and His Boy" into a movie. It would be great. Oh, and I so love the picture of Jesus in Aslan. But I guess that's a given.

*My buddy the laughing duck has returned to his life in the pond outside my window. Do you know about him? He is one of the highlights of my new apartment. It is this duck who lives in the pond directly outside my window. I've loved ducks for a while (right Meghan?). Anyway, this one doesn't just quack. He cackles like he has been told the funniest joke. I've never actually seen him while he's making the noise, but I picture him throwing his beak back and letting out a good belly laugh....like he's losing a tickle fight. I can't help but smile when I hear him...even when he throws an all night party like he did last night. I imagine it is still most too cold for him to be back for good, so I'm guessing he just stopped in to pick up some clean undies before heading back South again. Either way, it was so funny to hear him while I got ready this morning.

OK, guess I should get some work done today.

High/Low Style

This past week was full of extreme high's and low's which left me exhausted by this morning.

HIGH: 2 days off from work due to snow and ice. It was interesting how people loved the snow day on Monday and were completely put out by being snowed in on Tuesday. I'm a firm believer that people don't know how to relax at home anymore. Personally, I've devoted my life to mastering the art. I could've been there all week. Uh-oh..maybe that makes me a recluse.

LOW: Having to fight the ice, snow and Atlanta drivers to get to work on Wednesday. I left my house at breakfast time and had to stop for lunch before finally pulling into our office parking lot....2 hours later.

HIGH: Leaving for work on time on Thursday.

LOW: Getting a flat tire on my way...and finally pulling into to the office at lunch time once again.

HIGH: Wasn't on the interstate when I got the flat and was able to pull into a parking lot to check it....directly across the street from a car care center. And they changed it for me for free!

LOW: Getting into my car Friday morning (on time again) realizing that my gas light was on and my cell phone was minutes from being dead. Without gas stations on my direct route to work, I had to go 30 minutes out of my way making my total morning commute: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

HIGH: Stopping by Target on my way home from work to buy the last of my school supplies. Ya'll KNOW I'm a sucker!

**Are you dizzy yet?

HIGH: Getting new tires on my car..that I was able to pay for by myself. I know that seems silly, but I've had many years in my life (I'm talking post college) where I couldn't support big charges like that. It was so fulfilling to take care of myself without having to empty the savings account or ask Daddykins for a loaner. I imagine it's the same kind of pride as getting your first lawn mower....minus the impending callouses. Oh, the life of being a grown-up.

HIGH: Going to see The King's Speech on Saturday night with Cameron and Debi. It was fantastically British and awakened every ounce of NEED for me to go back to London. Colin Firth does such an amazing job in this role. I completely forgot it was him by the end.

LOW: Waking up Sunday feeling sick. Stayed home from church and got sucked into TLC's Four Weddings show. Have you seen it? It is wedding C-R-A-C-K. I haven't watched wedding shows since the passing of my beloved Wedding Story (sing with me "love is all there is when I'm with youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu") but this could be a new fav.

HIGH: Playing my first match on a new mixed doubles team. Hooray for new friends :)

LOW: Losing the first set 0-6. EMBARASSING! I thought about crawling off the court through the back gate.

HIGH: Coming back to win in the 3 sets!!

HIGH: Racing home to have friends over for dinner at my place. It was a BLAST! We had dinner and then played Taboo. Really a great way to end the day and weekend. Bonus HIGH: (not to be confused with a contact high from concerts and high school bathrooms....so I hear)abstaining from the chocolate on chocolate cake that Patrick brough for dessert. No-Sweets-January was hit with peer pressure and the tantilizing smell of chocolate icing and still stood strong! There really is something to be said for accountability.

Which brings me to the high of today: eating a #1 combo from Chick-fil-A with CFA sauce while writing this out. So there you have it.

SNOW DAY!

Sara and I got word last night that our work and schools would be closing due to the impending snow storm. I found that to be most entertaining since a single snow flake had yet to drop--not complaining though. We went to sleep as the storm started and woke up to 3-4 inches of snow covering everything. It has been a wonderful day of rest and warmth around the apartment. We finally got bundled up and ventured out this afternoon to assess all of the fun. Here are a few pics:

A few from the back porch: (the last pic is the pond that is outside my bedroom window)

In true Georgia fashion.....I used socks for gloves. :)

Practicing my triple sow-cow in front of my snowed in car:

The deserted parking lot next door...like the snowpocolypse. I've never seen it so empty!

Mr. Tumnus??

Home again, home again...

Now I'm off to sip a cocktail and watch The Bachelor (shhhhhh)

Italian Lunch

Sara and I have been feasting on panini's for the past month. YUM! I got a press Christmas 2009 to make sandwiches and other grilled creations since apartment living isn't conducive with outdoor grilling. Not that I would do much with a real grill since the sight (and touch) of raw meat still gives me the heeby-geebies. That's another mountain to be climbed.

Back to the sandwiches. The ya-ya's came over for dinner over Christmas and we built our own panini's with a side of soup. It was so fun and everyone could create their own delicious combo. Court, did you realize that none of us took a single picture of that night? What a bummer! The meal was such a hit, the Meloy's rang in Christmas day doing the same. Mom made corn chowder and we each had a different panini...which led to going around the table sharing the selected innards.

Since settling back into the apartment after Christmas, the press has lived on the counter so we could have easy access to a perfect dinner. Sara thinks that making any sandwich into a panini gives it an instant face lift and I happen to agree. Seeing as we just polished off our "snow day sandwiches" I thought I'd share the perfect panini ingredients. Purely my opinion....but highly recommended.

Becca's Panini (not so creative, I know)

2 slices thick rustic bread -- we use publix 5 grain sourdough

1 slice pepper jack cheese

1 slice colby jack cheese

deli sliced turkey

thinly sliced onion -- red is the best, but will settle for yellow or white

sliced tomato

2 or 3 slices of crispy bacon

here's the secret ingredient: thinly sliced fuji apple

Split both cheese slices in half and put each half on opposite sides of the bread slices. That way each bite will have both kinds. layer all the other goodies in the middle. Drizzle the outsides of the bread with olive oil and grill to perfection. If you don't have a panini press, this can also be accomplished in a pan on the stove. Just use a heavy pan to squish it all together. It could also be done with a grill pan (like the one Liz just returned from her wedding--ha ha ha)

I would post a picture of the finished product, but who has time for photography when a steaming hot sandwich is calling your name?! Plus, food photography is above my pay scale. So there. ENJOY!

This Week (so far)...

1. I'm instantly transported to my childhood when I eat regular Cheerios with sliced banana and non-fat milk.

2. Do you think the animals in the ocean died during the flood? Or did they receive a "get out of jail free" card with that whole breathing underwater bit?

3. I found out I get to go on a work trip with my team at the end of this month to Charlotte, NC. Dr. Henry Cloud is having a conference there. I'm stoked!!

4. I LOVE reading cookbooks and collecting recipes even though I rarely make any of them. (Feel free to log this under quirks in case we're ever on Friendship Jeopardy.)

5. Have you listened to Andy Stanley's sermon from this past Sunday? If not, then you must. I really like his perspective and it is SUPER challenging. Click here for a listen. "One, not everyone"

6. School starts back next Tuesday and I found out that I'm only in 1 out of 3 classes with my buddies. BUMMER. I'm trying to stay open to new friendships in those other classes, but will miss being with Chezon and Hannah. I think you girls would get a kick out of these 2. They are NOTHING like me and yet we all get along smashingly.

7. I got to meet a deaf friend (Annie) for tea last night at Starbucks. It was my first one-on-one time hanging out with a Deaf friend. I was super nervous, but it went really well. Remind me to show you the sign for Buckhead the next time I see you. I got quite a chuckle.

8. I stayed in my pajamas the entire day today. I also got a lot of work done. Now I just feel like a super productive sloth.

9. I think this blog needs more pictures....but I don't have any from this week. So I'll leave you with this one. This is Pearl, my drag queen alter-ego (who happens to like polo shirts):

Parenting Tip?

I should be asleep right now, but I was just finishing up some last minute reading for a work "lunch and learn" I'm in. High = amazing book. Low = this meeting happens at 7:30am instead of over lunch. This early hour doesn't suit well seeing as I have an abnormal relationship with my snooze button. But that's another story. Or maybe a quirk. I'll leave it up to you. Dang, can you tell I had an energy drink tonight? Log that as my new low. Fingers crossed I'll get to sleep some (sleeping's my favorite).

Anyway, I picked this group because the book seemed the least boring of all the options. Little did I know just how fascinating and challenging it would be. Have you read Integrity by Henry Cloud? If not, please order it off of Amazon (or any other fine retailer) today. It has a lot of focus on business but all of this content relates to real life too. Real life...ha....like business is fake. You know what I mean. It plays out in marriage and friendships as much as it does business/professional relationships.

I know it seems strange that I would post anything on parenting, but since most of you are knee deep in that phase of life, I couldn't help thinking of you when I read this paragraph. It made me think back on my own upbringing and gave great perspective if I do have a family of my own one day. To give some background, he is talking about the importance of grace in a relationship and what it really looks like. Here is the parenting part:

"To achieve is the child's responsibility, but to empower the child is the parent's responsibility. So, instead of just setting a standard, the parent of grace gives support, coaching, teaching, structure, modeling, help, and consequences to empower the child to get there. Those are things that the child cannot provide and so are "unmerited". They are given without their being earned, and that is grace. But, grace is not removing the standard. The requirement stays, and the person of grace does what is possible to be "for" the other person's meeting it."

Holy Cow!! That is such a beautiful picture to think about. The paragraph before is just as inspiring as it relates to being in a leadership role. I'll post it if you're interested....just don't want to be that girl with never ending posts. (This was supposed to be a short one!)

True Confessions

As we all know, I tend to be kinda quirky. Sara and I were talking over dinner and I told her one of my quirks. We should have a contest to see how many you can name, because my guess is that you see them more than me. Maybe one day I'll put it on a post card and send it to Frank at Post Secret, but seeing as that won't be happening anytime soon I thought I'd share it here with you.

Get ready for this.

When eating a strawberry in public, I'll eat the whole thing--green stem and all.

Ahhh...I feel like I've just made a declaration at weirdos anonymous (except not so anonymous).

Have a fabulous night :)

PS - Look, Court, I'm a hyperlinking FOOL!

PPS - While I don't condone all the messages of Post Secret, I do find the project most fascinating and the reading of post cards a fun Sunday tradition.

Thoughts on New Years

Ok, I know 2010 was soooooooo 2 days ago. But in true internal processor/procrastinator fashion, I've put off writing this post for a couple of days. Plus this saves me from getting sucked into a Jersey Shore marathon. OHMYGOSH I'm so embarrassed that I just has to type that. Sad, but true.

Did you have some NYE fun? Sara and I were invited to go to a party that we declined all week. Well, I declined and she secretly wanted to go but wouldn't dream of doing it alone. So I finally caved at about 6 pm on Friday night and thought maybe I was just being anti-social. We ran to Target to pick out an outfit (ps--casual in Atlanta = prom in most other cities--what's that about??) and went to the party around 11. I was ready to leave within the first 5 minutes, but we lasted until about 10 till and left. So we rang in the new year in Sara's car as we drove home. Not the most memorable, but at least we had fun together. I just hate feeling suckered into big parties like that where I know I'll be uncomfortable. It's not that I don't like celebrating New Years, but I just feel completely out of my element in a house packed with strangers who are all yelling to be heard. So there.

I posted yesterday that I had read some inspiring blogs on starting the new year/resolutions and now that I know how to properly link to them, I thought I'd share them with you. This is by Jamie and I really just loved this last paragraph. She's sitting in a Starbucks pondering the past year and the one to come and starts wondering about the people sitting around her:

I don't know the stories of all the people around me. I wish I did. I wish I could ask each and every person here about their past year and the year to come. But as I observe their lives coming and going on this winter morning in Atlanta, I find myself praying for them the same prayer I pray for myself and for you. That the heartaches of 2010 would be redeemed for the glory of God. That the chains of sin and brokenness from the past year would be exchanged for the freedom of Christ in the one to come. That the next year would be one of forward progress, a year with the hope of Christ as an anchor for the soul. And that however life may pivot anew in 2011, it will pivot toward the goodness and holiness of God.

"This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters:
'Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?'"

Isaiah 43:16,18-19

This other clip is from a girl's blog names Marissa. I've started reading it occasionally since there is a link from Jamie's page, but I don't really know her. Shhhh--I know that is kind of stalker-ish. I mean, we've met before volunteering for Passion, but really only my wacky brain would remember that. Anyway, I love this manifesto she found and am thinking about buying it to put on my wall at work. Just some good reminders as I walk into a new season. It's short enough to just link the whole post. So click on her name to see.

As for resolutions....I can't say I have any definites. Sure, I have plenty of hopes and dreams for the upcoming year, but committing to a year long task surely sets me up for failure. I have a terrible habit of making decrees of change that will only last to the end of the week. Instead, I'm going to have a new discipline for each month of the year. Sara's doing it too, so we'll have some accountability. So January we're giving up sweets/desserts/candies/drinks/etc. Big step for me since I follow more of the Buddy the Elf diet (sugar, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup) than anything else. It'll be good to give my taste buds a break after the holidays though. I'm looking forward to it. Feel free to help keep me honest. :)

I think I have more to say towards this coming year, but know I've already stretched myself on post length (you and I both know I'm a talker) and I'm meeting some friends for dinner.

Instead, I'll leave you with this gem from 2003. Court and I had a couple of years of closing our eyes and then opening right before the shutter opened so we would look extra surprised. I'm sure glad we stopped that tradition!

RABBIT 2011!

As you must know by now, this is a family tradition started by my mom's dad. The first word out of your mouth on the first day of the month should be RABBIT. I have no idea why and neither does mom. I don't think any of her siblings do this either, but for some reason it stuck with us.

Since I got a text from mom at 9:30 this morning saying just that, I thought I'd pass it along. So here's to the first day of the new year!

PS--I read a few inspiring new years blogs yesterday. I'll try and figure out how to hyperlink to them and post this afternoon.