Archive | January, 2009

A Change of Pace

29 Jan

Since we have had so many layoffs and budget cuts, my job has completely transformed from shopping and planning parties to editing HTML all day. It’s definitely a change of pace. I’m dreaming in code and ready for my old job back (even though that may never happen).

I’m completely stressed out about maternity leave and if they won’t need me again when I actually return. So, I’ll take any job they give me…here’s to HTML!!!!!

<head>

<b>Ode to Job</b>

</head>

<body>

<p style=text align: left>I still love my job, but…</p>

<p style=text align: left><b>I still dream of the day when I can be a stay at home mom.</b></p>

<p style=text align: left>I guess it’s better than not having a job at all…RIGHT?!?!</p>

<p style=text align: left>I’ve said my peace, now back to work.</p>

</body>

DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB???

If You Got It, Flaunt It

27 Jan

I’ve read a lot of posts where people want you to tell them one thing you would change or improve about yourself if you could. Well, I don’t need to think one more bad thing about myself. I really need to boost my self esteem and remind myself of why I’m such a fine specimen, so…

Tell me what you would keep? What do you love about yourself? Personality? Physical feature?

Come on…if you got it, flaunt it…Right? Let’s do something to feel good about ourselves.

I would keep my eyes. They are a unique color and usually a conversation starter! Tell me what you got, don’t be shy:

photo

OUCH!

26 Jan

OK, I know I said I didn’t want to talk about it, but that post was really directed at “negative strangers”. So if you are someone I love or a blog friend, I welcome your advice and conversations…

Now that that’s out of the way, I am only 15 weeks and I’m incredibly uncomfortable already and my hips are so sore, I can barely walk…what do I do??? Bring on the advice people – I’m desperate!

I don’t wanna talk about it

22 Jan

Mark and I have had a long and personal journey in 2008. Now that we have our little miracle baking in the oven, I am finding that I don’t want to talk about it much with others.

I don’t want to hear about your sister who also had a miscarriage, I don’t want to hear your delivery horror stories, I don’t want to pray with you about it, I don’t want to tell you my baby names, I don’t want to hear your opinion on having twins (no, I’m not having twins), I don’t want you to ask me if I’m drinking enough water and I don’t want you to touch my belly (unless I have explicitly invited your hand there.) People have actually scrunched up their noses when I told them my baby names – who wants that!?!?!?

I don’t think this is selfish of me, more than anything, I’m trying to stay away from negative comments that would bring fear into my heart. I’m burying this promise deep in my heart so you can’t trash it or give me your negative opinion about it.

Or…maybe I’m just hormonal!

To Know Him Now

20 Jan

Mark beautifully recounted the memorial service that we attended yesterday for the miraculous life of Mason.

The young couple that lost Mason never knew Jesus, attended a church service or even prayed before they found out about the fate of their precious child. When the doctors told them at just 5 months pregnant that Mason wouldn’t live more than 10 minutes after birth, they found the closest church (ORCC) and gave their lives to Christ.

I got to meet them shortly after they started attending ORCC, and they have radically changed my life. Their faith, their understanding of the Word, their hunger for the Holy Spirit – it all took me by surprise. How could such “baby Christians” already have such an amazing grasp on loving Jesus? Shouldn’t their faith be shaken? Shouldn’t they lose hope faster than I do? Even now, after they lost Mason, they are still an inspiration and encouragement to me.

It makes me wonder what I may have lost in translation being raised in church. Have I become numb by reciting “church-isms”, singing songs, and quoting scripture that I don’t fully understand myself? Did faith lose it’s true meaning as I was praying for my 10-speed bike to be fixed and my barbie to be found? Did Jesus become a character like Santa or the tooth fairy?

What would it be like if I heard the Word and accepted Jesus as my savior for the first time NOW as an adult? Lord, I pray that I can hear your Word and follow your Holy Spirit with passion as if today was the first day I ever knew you.

Thank you, Mason…

mason1

Vegetables Get in the Way

15 Jan

I have a theory about vegetables – they just get in the way!

  • Salad is not food – it’s like drinking water before a meal so you don’t eat as much. 
  • Carrots, celery and cucumbers are just creative methods to get ranch to my mouth. 
  • Don’t even think about putting them on my sandwich – I’ll have to cut you…nothing comes between the meat, cheese and bread. 

My dilemma is that the baby needs vegetables. There’s no room for me and my theories, preferences, or stubbornness. I have no choice in the matter. So for the next 6 months, bring on the veggies (still not in my sandwich!!!), the almonds, the ridiculous amount of water, prenatal vitamins and exercise on the treadmill. 

This may be the biggest sacrifice I’ve made so far…

To Move a Heart and Fill a Congregation

13 Jan

What moves people? How can you get them to listen to your message? How do you get them to come to your church?

I say, the only way – ONLY WAY – is through the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ which is the only thing that can compell a man’s heart.

If this is true, why do we have to spend so much time on programs, gimicks, get togethers, and great lighting? I challenge us to look at the great revivals of our past. Revivals set up in dirty tents with uncomfortable seating. The people were hungry and desperate to experience a move of God.

I don’t believe the people who attend Hillsong Church go for the amazing light show – the Holy Spirit is truly present in that place. If your church is dwindling in numbers, I promise, it’s not the hole in the carpet or the lack of a 30 something group that’s keeping people away.

The people are still hungry and desperate!

REVIVAL!

Technology Woes

12 Jan

  • Recently, I lost my blackberry curve. (issued and paid for by work) I have decided to make the embarrassing confession to my IT department and boss this week.
  • Last week, my iPhone battery died with no hope of resuscitation. The friendly people at the Apple store gladly swapped it for a brand new iPhone in a matter of 10 minutes.
  • Unfortunately, the new iPhone keeps disconnecting my work email and also has a broken button. I see another trip to the Apple store in my future.

Do you think God is trying to tell me something?

The Desire of My Heart

7 Jan

Many of you have read about our struggles, hopes and dreams (here, here, here, here, here, here, here) in 2008 to have a baby.

I’m so happy to annouce that Mark and I are 12 weeks pregnant today. 

I’M GONNA BE A MOMMY!

The baby is happy, healthy and I can tell he/she is already a really cute musician!

2009 is going to be the best year ever! This blog and all of the people who comment have encourged me so much to keep my hope and faith up this year. I truly don’t think Mark and I would have made it out so strong without our blog friends and family.

Many people don’t know that Mark and I actually had 2 miscarriages in 2008. This is a true miracle for us and I hope some of you will stir up your faith today because God really does give us the desires of our hearts if we follow Him.

But wait, there’s more…

6 Jan

I’ve got nothing for you today…but just wait! You won’t want to miss what I’m blogging tomorrow. That’s a promise!

Post Holiday Brain Fuzz

5 Jan

After 2 weeks of parties, eating, cleaning house, watching TV and taking naps everyday…I cannot turn my brain and by body back on for work.

I’m fuzzy headed, confused and sleepy. I call this, the post holiday brain fuzz. I might have to bust out some heavy caffeine this afternoon.

How do you feel now that the holidays are over??