A work in progress

I tend to look at years or seasons of my life based on the lessons I'm striving to grasp. In Prague, I realized the beauty in the process of becoming like Christ. Convicted of always appreciating the journey after the end result was achieved, I knew I needed to work on finding the blessing and intimacy of Christ in the midst of fear, loneliness, or any other emotion that I usually tried to get rid of quickly. In Indiana, I realized that location and circumstance does not change my purpose and home is wherever the Lord wants you, not where you know the most people. Recently, I've started circling in on my Dallas life lesson....and it all started with a little Christmas tree. My mom is a clever and creative woman. In high school, she got each of us girls a tiny Christmas tree and fashioned ornaments out of our childhood trinkets, medals, and mementos. As I was putting them on the tree this year, I started to laugh. I couldn't remember what some of them were for or what I did ...

While this weekend may appear to be pretty average and uninspired, a series of events have inspired me on a couple of levels. On Friday, I went to the doctor for the first time in years. Since I live with 2 nurse practitioners, I knew this was inevitable. It was a routine physical, nothing out of the ordinary, but it brought to the forefront of my mind that the decisions I make concerning food and exercise are generally erratic and extreme. I just so happen to be in a cycle of inactivity. This is a continual struggle for me - yet balance is the name of the game. Just because time is an issue, I am not at liberty to throw in the towel on my health. Balance. After the doctor's appointment, I drove down to San Antonio to visit my parents. They are both doing well. Dad's doing great - his 6 week check up is Thursday. He's stopped one of his medications and has lost 20 pounds. Everything is healing very well. Yesterday, I took them to the San Antonio Zoo. It was something pretty...

I just sent this in an e-mail to a friend and felt like I should post it here: I know that a big part of my problem at the moment is that my thoughts and questions have not been seasoned with God's Word. I've been negligent in having a consistent quiet time. I have not invested my time or energy into finding an area to minister in church. I have not even been attending church consistently. I know that the Lord is my portion. When I'm full of Him, then I am able to let go of my insecurities and pride and let His love flow out of me into the lives of others. I also know that His plan is the best plan and I'm safe when I walk with Him. But at the same time, I'm scared. I'm afraid of doing what He may ask of me, even though I know it's the best. How can I know the best choice and daily choose something else? How can I have tasted the sweetness of living in communion with Him and not have the energy to open His Word? I'm so afraid of losing those that I love....

God's pretty clever. The design of the human body is amazing. It's ability to recover from trauma, both intentional and unintentional, could only be created by Someone of supernatural creativity. My dad had veins removed from his left leg and reattached to provide a clear, alternate route for four blocked arteries on Monday and it looks like he'll be released from the hospital on Saturday. The body also knows that pain is the path to healing. Rehabilitation hurts - coughing well to clear the lungs, measuring consistently your breath, walking when every part of your body screams with pain. Yet, those steps heal the body. Our bodies are actually capable of more than I realize. Just a quick update: 1. Dad's surgery was a success! He's doing exactly what the doctors wanted on a faster timetable than originally planned. He's fighting the pain and doing his exercises. 2. I'm getting old. I attended a concert recently with Jars of Clay, Audio Unplugged, Thousand Fo...

There is much to write, but there is very little time to sleep. Not that I'll ever have a long post on this blog, whether I'm tired or not. Just know that this one will be short. I love my family and it's sad when one is hurting. My dad has not been feeling well for a while, so he went to the doctor last Thursday. The doctor referred him to a cardiologist on Friday. The cardiologist set an appointment for a heart catherization on Tuesday. The cardiologist and cardio/thoracic surgeon decided on a quadruple bypass surgery set for next Monday. Everything looks really good. He's strong and the doctors don't forsee any complications. I'm SO grateful that a doctors appointment, not a crisis or emergency, found the problem. And I'm SO grateful that the Lord is in control. But it's still scary. I told you this would be short! :)

It might be shocking to hear, but I'm not just surviving this week. I really feel like I'm thriving! I admit that it's taking my body and brain a little bit of time to adjust to a MUCH busier schedule, but each day is full of blessings. Visits from previous students, calls/e-mails from teacher friends, words of encouragement from colleagues and parents....all wonderful reminders that I'm making a difference, living my purpose, and honoring the Lord. It really is a peaceful and satisfying feeling. Don't get me wrong - the week hasn't been perfect. Today, I goofed while getting ready for school. Our school was having a spirit day in honor of the first varsity football game. We were supposed to wear boots to "stomp" our opponents. I, on the other hand, thought that it was wear a complete western outfit, complete with cowboy hat. I arrived at school with just enough time to realize my mistake, run to Target, buy a more appropriate "teacher ensemble...

I used to panic often. I remember flipping out in the morning when my parents were "cutting it close" to drop me off to Junior High. The quotations are there for a reason, since I felt that arriving 10 minutes early was too close for comfort. Over the years, I hope I've gathered a little sanity and am able to take things in stride. But, I'm beginning to think that no matter how many years I teach, the week before school will be a battle between holding it together and completely freaking out. One more day to prepare...then it's off to the races on Monday! Welcome to the 09-10 school year!

So maybe this will turn into a once a week type event. At least I haven't thrown in the towel yet. I go back to work on Tuesday. I actually have to go in Monday since I have a meeting to prepare for Monday evening. Call me crazy, but I'm looking forward to it. I've learned that if I lack urgency or deadlines in my life, I really don't do anything. For example, in the last few days I've become an NCIS addict, experienced the wonder that is Youtube, and struck one gold medal on Bejeweled Blitz. On the productivity scale, I'm failing....miserably. The wierd thing - I don't feel compelled to change it. I woke up the last 2 days with the intention of going to work, but when I didn't make it, I felt no guilt. I'm not quite sure what I've become. Hopefully, the structure and hours required for work will help me snap out of it! I'm off to see the parents tomorrow. Should be fun - I may even play golf! And now, I'm off to bed.

Not sure how well this is going to go, but a friend convinced me to give this a try. I'm attempting to work on my communication...what better way to do that then to send my thoughts out for the entire world to see. :) On the eve of my 29th birthday, I'm reflecting on the many adventures I've been blessed enough to experience. My hope is that they continue throughout this year and the rest of my life. Perhaps I'll remember them even better with the help of this blog. I'm not opposed to getting older. I've certainly become more comfortable in my own skin...with the work in my life that God has promised to continue until the day of completion. So, bring on the birthday and let the countdown to 30 begin! I know this year will bring lots of twists and bends in the road, but I'm truly excited to see what the Lord has in store for me. And I'm ready to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. I hope I keep this updated enough to make it worth...