Reflection

It was one of those mornings when I wish I had my camera. On my drive to work, the sun was rising casting a red tone on the clouds that filled the sky. As I past a pond, the reflection was incredible as it looked like the water was on fire. God's beautiful creation was reflecting on the water.

I couldn't help but wonder, what is being reflected in me? Am I letting God's love and work in me be seen, or is it being blocked by my own pride and selfishness...my doubts and fears...my own desires?

What is my reflection? What do people see?

I pray that, like that water, His work and love can be seen and done through me...that He be my reflection.

Planes

Today is a great day! Why? Because later today I will be picking my lovely sister and her family up at the airport. They will probably come back with tans from the warm sun they have experienced the past few days and arrive with some great stories of their trip. I can't wait to get a huge hug from my niece and see my cutie nephew smile. Yes, it has only been a few days, but I miss them.

There is just something so wonderful about airports...

Maybe it is all the good memories...Like the time when Dina took me to the airport, but we arrived a bit early and my flight was delayed. I couldn't have asked for a better time with my roommate. She stayed the entire time which was about 4 hours or more. But we talked and laughed and she really calmed my nerves as I was getting ready to take a life changing trip. To this day, we still recall that memory.

Maybe it is about the people and stories. Somehow airports and planes make you break your comfort zone, and talk to people. You find out where people are heading, what they do for a living, and just find out some interesting things. You get to watch kids press against the windows to watch the planes, passengers sleeping in those comfortable chairs waiting to hear that their plane will not be delayed once again, and just the welcoming of family and friends when those arrive at their destination.

Maybe it is just wandering around the airport, seeing all the destinations and thinking to myself...hmmm...maybe one day I will travel there...maybe one day I will just come to the airport, find an interesting destination, and just go...


All I know is that today... that plane...at that airport...will bring my family back to me and that is wonderful!

A "little" Competition...

Okay everyone...it is the battle of all battles. Will it be close? Who will come out victorious?

I sit here waiting patiently, cheering on my players and watching anxiously as points begin to increase. I know my sister is in Florida, trying to enjoy her vacation, but is nervous as she watches the games, wondering if this is the week that my players will out score hers. Will she be taken down by a team that is in desperate need of another win this season, but is actually pretty crippled with injuries?

Only time will tell.

Good luck sis! When I win, that will just give you another reason to look up to your older and wiser sister ;0. I have learned a lot in that extra 60 seconds of life ;).

And to the rest of you ladies...good luck to you as well!

I sign off with one parting phrase, even though it has been difficult to say this year..."Go Bears!"

Thankful!

Surprised at the title? Probably not. But I am not here to write about all the wonderful times in my life or the amazing relationships I am very thankful for. As you know, I am definitely blessed! But instead I am here to say that I am truly thankful for...

...the storms...

the storms and challenges I have and will face in life. Those moments where I am stripped bare to see the One who is and will always be there.

I am thankful for those times when I finally realize that I can't do things on my own, and instead find courage, comfort, and hope in Christ.

I am thankful for the storms that humble me, challenge me, change me.

I sit here and listen to the rain pounding outside...longing to be out there...just thankful for the storms!

I've Been Tagged...

...And normally I don't do these kinds of things, but it is a two and a half workday week for me, so why not!... Let me see, five things about me that you may or may not know...

1. I want to be a missionary. But I let doubts and fears sink in and I begin to question if I could really be used in this capacity.

2. I love learning!!! I could be a full time student if it weren't so expensive. I love listening to different ideas and thoughts, researching, and just growing.

3. I really enjoy classical/jazz music, especially attending the symphony and or jazz concerts. I believe it is because it brings back so many great memories with my parents. There is nothing like watching musicians perform and listening to all they create! And on the other side of that, there is nothing like a great game at a stadium surrounded by fans. I think in both cases, the energy is just incredible!

4. Relationships are very important to me. There are no lines or differences between friends and family. My friends are included as part of my family and I love connecting with new people and just building on other relationships as well. I think we all are connected in one way or another.

5. I still don't know my way around Lake Wawasee! Or...any other parts of Northern Indiana really ;). So needless to say, I am not the best with directions. Did I mention that I have lived up here for over three years now?!? So if you see me driving around in circles or it looks like I am lost, just point me in the right direction ;).

Well, since I am slow at getting this done compared to my sister who already tagged those I would have tagged, I am still going to refer you to them...Ang, Dina, and Melanie. I figured since we are twins, that is acceptable ;). Ha! So many benefits to being a twin!

Traditional...Not Even Close!

We piled into the car and began the journey to visit the parents and to celebrate Thanksgiving. The car was full of family, of excitement, of happiness, and even a dog, but was missing something important that would not be discovered until later. You see, just outside of Indy, Jess and Amos realized that they did not bring their luggage. Yes, they had packed everything else and left their bags at home. With a quick stop at a store to pick up the essentials for making it through the weekend, we were back on track and on our way to mom and dad's. We arrived safely and were greeted by mom and dad who were anxious to spend the rest of the night entertaining the grandchildren. They are spoiled...okay, just like us. We stayed up late talking and just catching up until we couldn't stay awake any longer. I was lucky enough to sleep downstairs on the couch where I was woken up every 15 minutes by a chiming clock.

But atleast I always new what time it was.

Morning came as the girls once again piled into the car to drive back to Indy to pick up my niece, Rhi. On the way back we made various important stops to shop and get coffee. Upon returning home, we realized that Grace was pretty sick, dad was still feeling weak, and Tyler was teething. We did our best to take care of all of them all while making the non-traditional Thanksgiving feast. We had a nice roast, mashed potatoes (made by rhi!), corn, green beans, biscuits (because the dinner rolls were still frozen), and salad. Not to mention the delicious display of pumpkin pie and pecan pie...

but I opted for a few spoon fulls of cookie dough instead.

Although, our brother and nephew weren't able to join us, the table was still full of family and great conversation. We spent the rest of the night playing dominos and kind of making up the rules as we went along.

The next day, Amos stayed with Grace, since she was still sick, and the rest of us went to church. It was another wonderful service and once again mom's words touched my heart. We made our way back to mom and dad's house, packed up the car...making sure we had everything, just in time to have a quick visit with my brother and nephew who came to pick up Rhi, before taking off on the drive home.

It was another great visit and wonderful Thanksgiving!

We didn't have the turkey and stuffing. We had to care for three out of eight people. We were missing two important family members. But we were together!

I was with family! We spent most of the time laughing and just enjoying being together once again! I don't think you could have asked for a better Thanksgiving! Thank you God for such great time together and great relationships! Thank you mom and dad for hosting it and for spoiling us as you always do! Thank you Rhi for coming to hang out with us this weekend. We always have a great time with you! Thank you Jess and Amos for driving!

Thank you all for the love that was shared!

Defining

Who I am...

I read recently that people are maturing much later in life because they are spending so much time trying out their many assumed roles and just filling their lives with “busyness”…All for what?

We have become a society that stresses the importance of finding ourselves, who we are. Yet, we have parameters on that definition…education, careers, hobbies, accomplishments, memberships, likes and dislikes.

At work, one of my co-workers thought it would be good to let the community know who we are through a small profile on each staff member in our upcoming newsletters. We were asked to answer several questions, including the following…

Job Title:
Hobbies:
Future Dreams:

But does that really define me? I am tired of trying to fit into a box of achievements. Aren’t we making it too hard and too complicated, running from one thing to another so we can keep adding things to our list of who we are?

If Christ is within us, working through us, shouldn’t we just simply be…love?

Release...

I read the scriptures, but am I really open to Your Word?

I pray, but am I really listening to You or just talking?

I look around, but am I really taking the time to notice You in everything…in me?

To release my own desires to see Yours, to release my distractions to see You, to release all that I am still holding on to, my fears, my selfishness, my insecurities, to see only You…

To release me so that You can be...

To confidently say…”I am ALL Yours!”

Colossians 3:1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Road Work Ahead...

So Friday I returned from another great visit to Indianapolis. Basically, I was there for two days for our annual fall grantmakers alliance conference and it was incredible. It not only was great to get to know two other co-workers better, but it always wonderful joining together with other grantmakers to learn. We all have so much passion, to harnass that in one building is just very moving. I know I came away with many great ideas to incorporate into my work and life in order to better the community. Some left the conference seeing their new tasks as more work, but to me and the rest of the staff that attended, we see everything as opportunities and are very excited for the work ahead!

What better way to start than to spend the next morning cleaning up the highway. A group of us literally put up the bright orange "Road Work Ahead" signs, put on our even brighter orange vests, and began picking up trash along the side of the road Saturday morning. It was a beautiful day and a great start to the day. Who wouldn't want to spend a nice fall day outside?....picking up trash ;)? Besides, I even found a nice present for my roommate! I know she appreciated the gift :).

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are excited for the great opportunities that are just waiting for you to take hold of!

p.s. Great cap to the weekend...Bears win!

"Willing"

Last night I read 1Chronicles 28:9 and couldn't help but begin to think about the words "willing mind". I have heard over and over again the importance of a devoted heart, but willing mind? What does that even mean?

As I thought more about this, so many ideas crossed my mind. I thought of the many times when my mind was distracted in worship. I thought of the many times I just went through particular actions in life because I felt I had to or it just seemed like something I was supposed to do. When you give your life to Christ, shouldn't it be all of you..not just the heart...but your hands, your feet...your mind? Shouldn't you have a mind that is anxious to know God and eager to serve Him? "Willing"...it encompasses so much!

Do you have a willing mind?

Thanks to...

Danny: For hosting a wonderful bonfire and hayride for a group of us Friday night! It was a lot of fun and can anything be better than sitting around a bonfire with friends on a beautiful fall night?

Dina: For being an amazing roommate and great friend. I enjoyed our time together on Saturday as we watched movies and just took advantage of the time when we were actually home at the same time! I especially loved laughing with you as we watched Grace slide down the slide in the backyard.

My Friends: No names can be shared, but you know who you are. Thank you for the wonderful gift you shared Sunday. I had a great time with you and your generosity really touched my heart. I hope you know just how special you are to me and to so many others.

Friends and Family of Sarah: For the bridal shower was a lot of fun and it is wonderful to see all those in her life who care for and love her and Chris.

Jess and Amos: For all the times you invite me over to spend time with your family!!! Especially the opportunity to watch the Colts Patriots game. Though the outcome wasn't the one that we were hoping for, it was great watching it with you!

Can you tell I had a wonderful weekend?

Stop!

I have been buried in proposals today! No matter how many I go through, the pile seems to remain unchanged. So I continue to press on. While working hard, a co-worker enters my office unnoticed. I am so caught up in my work, that I don't even realize she is standing right infront of me. She waits patiently for me to see her and thankfully I did. Because she needed to talk. She is facing a difficult time and just needs someone to listen, to see her. So I stopped! I stopped working! I stopped worrying about what I need to get done or how much I have left to do. I stopped thinking about myself and opened my eyes and heart to her. I listened. I prayed. I hope she felt noticed, heard, and held.

Who is standing infront of you?...Have you stopped today?