Soul Weary

So I’ve recently finished the marathon of writing, researching, teaching and study (save for the theology take-home final I have yet to turn in, dangit!) that has been the last 4 months. And, thankfully, I’m not nearly as soul weary as I thought I might be.

I was afraid that due to the emphasis I had to put on the intellectual side of my faith, the spiritual would suffer. But in anticipating that, I also put up some safeguards to help protect my soul.

My safeguards:

• High levels of accountability – when you have to answer the question, “How’s your soul?” regularly, you want to watch your soul.
• A change in how my quiet times look – when work requires lots of study, I shift to more meditation and prayer in quiet times.
• Regular exercise and playtime – lots can happen between you and the Lord on runs and bike rides.
• Little breaks – weekends away can do tons for the soul!

Ultimately, the Lord took care of me and fed my soul – but still, He worked mightily through these things.

So I encourage you to think through some safeguards for your soul throughout various seasons of life.

Things I didn’t get for Christmas

I didn’t get that Christmas-y anticipation. No bubbling excitement or growing longing for the day. But that’s pretty normal for me. I did have an extended 2-3 months of thoughtful meditation and study on the Incarnation as I wrote about it and prepared for the children to learn of it. My way’s better, I’m confident. However, I do miss the anticipation a little.

I didn’t get jaded by the “commercialism” of the holiday. I don’t know if it’s sad or not, but the commercialism is one of the things that helps me feel like it’s the holidays! Admit it, you’d miss it if it wasn’t there!

I didn’t get any terrible gifts. That was nice. So far the only thing I’ve had to take back was something I bought myself. (I know, serves me right for being selfish!) (oh, shut it. It was a pair of house shoes for my frozen feet!) (well, in that case, I’m sorry for judging…) (wait – what’s going on here? who’s talking?)

I didn’t get sick. The past 2 years I have been sick on Christmas so it was fun to be well.

I didn’t get a man. Maybe next year, eh Santa? Wait – Santa? Dang it! I’m supposed to be asking Jesus for that one! That explains sooo much =)

Hope your holidays were lovely!

A flood of Christmas Cheer

And when I say “Christmas Cheer,” I mean “water.”
A flood of water.
At the church building.
2 inches deep from the children’s area to the stage in the worship center.

what.
a.
mess.

Merry Christmas!

15k (9.3 miles) Later …

Owned it!

Not because I finished with a good time – but because I finished! For someone poorly trained, I think I did alright – and I didn’t even want to die afterward.

I even found someone to run with me!

My friend, Andrew, hard-core athlete that he is, decided he would run it without training – just for fun. Props!

Top 3 saws:

I saws some guy launching snot rockets 1 mile into it. Hot.

I saws a girl running in what I can only describe as a pair of low fitting shorts and some “delicates” that I would not think conducive to a 9 mile run. And Andrew and I were stuck behind her for about a quarter mile. Awkward.

I saws a 70-year-old orange-haired lady totally school dozens of people as she finished before them. 2 of those people – me & Andrew. Impressive.

Jog’r Egg Nog’r – that was fun. Let’s do it again!

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a good dog this year. Unlike the other dog in the house, I don’t poop in the closet on cold days. I know I spend a lot of time licking the couch, but that’s only because I need something to do while I wait for the tv to show dogs or (sadly) people of other races so that I can freak out.

And I know I still pee on my feet sometimes, and on my stomach, and that one time on my chin – but I’m working on it! I just can’t bend that way sometimes.

And I know I have lots of drool bubbles whenever I watch anyone eat and tend to get stuff caught in my jowls, but still…

All-in-all, I’ve been a good dog. I let (that lady) dress me up in clothes and put that ridiculous coat on me. She tells herself it’s okay because I’m shaking from the cold – but who does she think she’s kidding? She’s just that kind of girl. And I put up with her locking me in the closet every night so she doesn’t have to hear me snore. I can’t help it – I have a tiny, tiny nose!

Anyways, since I’ve been such a good dog, please bring me the following on Christmas morning:

• a new toothbrush
• a new ball
• a new frisbee
• a new tambourine
• and finally, please bring (that lady) a clue

Thanks, Santa. Looking forward to another great year.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

I remember as a child being so excited at the first sign of cold weather that we’d fill a bowl up with water, set it outside, and check it often throughout the day to see if it had frozen yet. (that’s how you roll when you’re poor)

Now cold weather just means I have to wear socks to bed and Batman will probably end up peeing all over the shirt he has to wear all the time.

Man, growing up is disillusioning.

Girls who accessorize get excited about cold weather because they can break out their many scarves, hats and gloves and pretty much double their wardrobe.

I, on the other hand, use gloves like I would paper towels to wipe up spills, clean counter tops, clear the windshield, etc and use my scarf like a Kleenex – so just end up doing more laundry.

When I lived on the other side of the world, our lodja (screened in porch that doubled as a kitchen) was so exposed that the water that dripped off the pipes actually froze in the winter. We’d wake up to icicles inside the flat.

I used to always say I’d rather be too cold than too hot, because you can wear lots of clothes and snuggle up when it’s cold. But I often forget to put on deodorant so wearing too many clothes can go south real quickly. And I don’t have enough meat on my bones to keep warm so start shivering when the temp drops below 70 and inevitably lose feeling in fingers and toes and thereby lose control of my fine motor skills.

I have 3 jackets. The one I wear the most is the one I bought on clearance at the gap junior year of high school.

So I don’t mind the cold, it has it’s advantages. But it’s nothing to sing about.

Goals, eh?

Last year on New Year’s Eve (the former) and I were having dinner and he asked me about my goals for the coming year. He was always much more proactive about that kind of thing. Looking ahead in such an intentional manner was a somewhat foreign concept to me so I briefly thought about it and came up with a few on the fly. I don’t think I remember all of them (shame on me!), but the 3 that I do remember were:

1. Find a discipler/mentor/Bible teacher
2. Find someone to teach the Bible to
3. Pay $3,000 in car payments on top of my regular monthly payments

Check.

check.

and check!

I liked that little goal-setting meal. I have since learned to be more proactive in that area. As I continue, I have set the following goals for 2009:

Personal:

Take a real vacation – I’ve never done this out from under the fold of my parents. (I don’t count backpacking around Switzerland b/c that took no initiative on my part – it fell into my lap and the funds were already allotted) And by real vacation I mean with a destination I’ve never been to, stay in a hotel, actually spend money. (Driving to Austin and crashing on Jamie’s couch does not a vacation make.)

Financial:

Pay off my car by May (a year-and-a-half early!)

Spiritual:

Find someone to teach the Bible to. (Yes, yes – this was one from last year. Last year I met it by teaching a weekly Bible study. This year I’d like to find 1 person to meet with on a regular basis)

Physical:

• Half-marathon? – nah
• duathalon? – nah
• mountain bike race? – nah

we’ll just hold off on the physical…

Goals are fun – maybe I’ll set more!

It’s that time again …

Time to dust off the cleats, pack up the dog, – and don’t forget to stretch those hammies – because it’s finally here – Dallas Winter League!

Last year I was the proud recipient of the team spirit award. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “that’s like, the non-athlete award, right?”

right!

I have no misconceptions that lead me to believe I’m at all coordinated. I offer a few things to the team – one thing I don’t offer – crazy skills!

I’m mostly good for defense – I can run – and a laugh on the sidelines. But I’ll take it! But if you want me to contribute more than defensive skills, you have to yell at me exactly what to do and when and I’ll get it done (half the time).

While my team’s running plays and thinking ahead how to score that point, my captain is yelling at me from the sidelines exactly where to run, when to turn around, how to cut, etc.

That probably sounds embarrassing to you – but I don’t mind. I still have a blast!

sports – teaching me (and my team because of me) humility =)

a little somethin-somethin to get you through your day

you’re welcome.

Nephew Love

Me: Will, what’s your favorite thing about Christmas?

Will: Jeeesssus!

Me: (Wow, he’s so spiritual! How impressive)

Me: Will, what do you want for dinner?

Will: Cheeessus!

Me: Are you saying “cheese”? (nuts, not spiritual – but super-cute!)

I was at his house babysitting when he got into my bag and pulled out a large, black, hardback book. “Bible! Bible” I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was my Twilight book.

His momma said that after I babysat him and taught him a little about angels, they were at Hobby Lobby where she showed him some angels and he started yelling “Glory to God! Glory to God!” at the top of his lungs everytime he saw one.

brilliant.