50 questions for fun

50 QUESTIONS  

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?  
Nope.  Interestingly, I also didn't name my children after anyone either.  

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?  
Last week...ugly cry.  A little bit hormones, a little bit needing to surrender to God's plans over mine.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?  
Yes.  I worked very hard to have classic teacher handwriting.  My cursive has become a bit lazy since I stopped teaching but I still like it.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?  
Chicken

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?  
Yes, one boy one girl  

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?  
Yes.  I'm very fun and I care a lot!!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?  
Just one of the many services I provide.  Haha.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?  
Yes  

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?  
No, not ever!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?  
Vitality with Strawberries

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?  
Yes, every time.  It hurts my ankles otherwise.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?  
I think I am weak...but God is strong.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?  
Butter Pecan...my husband's least favorite.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?  
Their eyes and body language.

15. RED OR PINK?  
Red 

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?  
I'm pretty easy on everyone else...but VERY hard on myself.  Saw a saying the other day..."Be nice to yourself.  It's hard to be happy when someone is mean to you all the time."

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?  
My Grandpa Sharp...he passed away when I was 12...wish he could meet my husband and kids.

18. WHAT IS THE NUTRITION OR FITNESS STRATEGY THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?  
Exercising on the days when I don't meet my friends at the gym.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?  
Black flip-flops 

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?  
Protein Bar

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?  
The birds chirping in my backyard

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?  
Turquoise...my favorite color.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?  
coffee in the morning, peonies, fresh paint

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?  
My Mom...it's her birthday today.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?  
Beach house

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?  
Bowling...ha...we are NOT a sports watching household...but I saw bowling at a restaurant the other day and I'd totally watch that!  

27. HAIR COLOR?  
Dark Blond

28. EYE COLOR?  
Dark Blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?  
Yes...almost all the time 

30. FAVORITE FOOD?  
Curried Chicken with Snowpeas

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?  
Happy endings.  

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?  
The Jungle Book (the old animated one)

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?  
Blue paisley

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?  
Summer

35. HUGS OR KISSES?  
Hugs  

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?  
Rhubarb Crunch

37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?  
Strength Training  (incidentally I'm not altogether sure of the people who love cardio...ugh)

38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?  
Computer  

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?  
The Heart of Anger by Priolo

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?  
MacBook...not mouse pad needed

42. FAVORITE SOUND?  
The voices of my children

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?  
Beatles! 

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?  
Europe

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?  
I sing pretty well.  I'm pretty crafty too.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?  
Racine, Wisconsin

47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?  
Indiana

48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?  
Gray

49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?  
Maroon

50. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 50 QUESTIONS?  
Yes!!!! 

Walls of self effort...

Ever heard that saying, "God wouldn't have allowed it unless He had a purpose.  Don't just go through it--grow through it." ?  Well, I'm trying.  Maybe that's the trouble...too much striving.

I'm currently writing my counseling and theology exams for biblical counseling certification.  It has been a long and arduous process.  I think I was kind of delusional naive as I finished writing them last month and headed into the proofreading and editing phase.  

Yup, I hit another one of those walls of self effort.  I say God's timing is perfect...and it is...but I really wanted my timing.  I am constantly struck by the antagonism of the concept of trusting God and yet working out your salvation.  I want to obey Him and complete this training...I don't think I should just wait for lightning to strike or information to fall out of the sky...ya gotta have a plan, right?  True...but its got to submit to Him too.

So, when blessed with two mentoring editors...instead of being full of gratitude and encouragement...instead, I bawled at the first sight of the work still left ahead of me.  Several questions I can't answer until I study...more.  Not total re-writes...but ALOT more work still to go.  I know better than to ask why me.  I knew some of the questions needed work.  I want to grow through this time.  Sometimes I feel stretched and about to break.  I'm a full sponge unable to hold another drop.  I can't juggle it all.  And, that's kind of the point.

WHAM...wall of self effort.  It could be easier though.

You see, I'm all over Phil. 2:12, "Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ...but I forget about v. 13, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."  I need to work out with fear and trembling what God is working in me; the desire and power to do what pleases Him.  He needs to become greater, I need to become less.  When I pray for His Kingdom to come...that means NOT my kingdom.  That evidently means NOT sending in exams until Fall...that means pausing and refocusing to make sure wife and mommy are really on top where they should be before student.

The only place to bring my weariness and heavy burdens is Christ.  He is humble and gentle of heart and has redeeming power to give me true rest for my soul.  Jesus' yoke is demanding, but easy because of his heart toward me and the empowering Holy Spirit 

Steadfast was the word I chose as the focus for my 2016.  I knew I had a lot before me on this journey...I chose it wanting to be steadfast for God.  I have been learning that I can't be steadfast without trusting first in His steadfast love.  Each morning He faithfully reminds me, showing me the eternal perspective, lifting my eyes.

Oh Lord,

Fill my heart with gratitude for Your truly perfect timing.  You are good to those who hope in You and seek You.  It is good to wait quietly for the Lord of my Salvation.  Oh Lord God...you are a Mighty Savior.  You take delight in me.  You will quiet me with Your love and sing over me.  Please stop my sinful strivings and change my heart to have a posture of rest before You.  

Amen.