Moments With Michelle

Photo o' the Week - 2/26 - 3/3/2012

2012-03-03T09:36:00.000-05:00

This week included a meal at Greensboro's new Cleopatra Restuarant. This meal included Lamb Shawerma, and the stuff in the upper right corner is Gollash belgebna (filo dough with feta). It was quite yummy! And the service was great despite the fact that the area experienced a blackout while we were there. Candlelit Egyptian dinner...

Ten on Tuesday - Week #17

2012-02-28T12:04:00.000-05:00

1. What does your car say about you? If you don’t have a car, what kind of car would be your daily driver?
My car is a Honda Civic. It says I'm practical. It's on the smaller side as cars go since I'm often traveling alone, but it's big enough to carry passengers when needed. It gets good gas mileage. And Hondas are reliable - I know people who are driving Hondas that are over 15 years old. I plan to drive the Civic for years to come.

2. To this point, what has been your purpose on this planet?
The answer to this question could go many ways. When I go bowling, my purpose is to make everyone else feel good about their scores. When their are events to be planned, my purpose is to think of all the random little details that others tend to forget.

3. If you could trade places with any person for any amount of time, who would it be?
I think it would be interesting to be a man for a day. Not necessarily any particular man, though someone that I know would add an extra element of interest. I've been a female my whole life (obviously), so I know how we think and can often see the motive behind our actions. But I think it would be interesting to see if guys really have moments of thinking of nothing. And do they feel as confident inside as they exude on the outside?

4. What is your favorite kind of cake? If you don’t like cake, what is it about it that you don’t like?
I like yellow cake with white icing - boring, I know.

5. Would you have wanted to live in your parents’, grandparents’ or great-grandparents’ generation or only your own?
I kind of think it would've been fun to live in my dad's generation. He was born in 1940, so he was a teenager in the 50s and I like lots of things related to the 50s. Part of me thinks living in the late 1800s or early 1900s would have been interesting, but I'm not feeling all the corsets and fancy dresses and such.

6. Do you have any home remedies for illnesses, cleaning or otherwise?
A nap! Naps can solve a lot of what ails me!

7. What is your ideal weather situation?
Seventy-five and sunny with a light breeze and little humidity.

8. What is your best attribute (physical or personal)?
Physically, I like my eye color. Personally, I am very dependable & trustworthy.

9. Do you text or surf while driving?
Nope. That's uber dangerous!

10. How long have you known your best friend?
We had our 10 year friend-aversary this summer. We met when we both worked at the same camp during college.

Literary Moments (kinda') - Churched

2012-02-27T09:28:00.000-05:00

I just finished listening to the audiobook version of Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess by Matthew Paul Turner. And I thought I would share my thoughts. Thus, this is kind of a book review (it was inspired by a book) and also a bit of my own reflections about church. I got the free audiobook from ChristianAudio.com - they have a different free audiobook each month, so you might want to check it out.

What is Churched all about? It's a humorous recounting of the author's childhood experience in a fundamental Baptist church. He takes a look at all the things we (humans, Americans) add to Christianity - certain ways to dress, caricatures of Satan, focus on particular versions of Scripture more than the actual Word itself, etc.

Here is one excerpt from the book: "At my church and school, perception was everything. How people viewed you was much more important than how you actually were. The truth didn’t matter. What people believed to be the truth mattered. I learned early on that if everybody believed I was the well-behaved, good-natured boy without a sin in the world, it didn’t matter what the truth was. The truth was secondary to a person’s opinion or perception of truth."

Unfortunately, this seems to be something that many people (at least in the South) have experienced with church. Which is sad. Church is meant to be the body of Christ, the place where we can openly take our brokenness and be comforted & healed through God's love via His children. So, why is church so hard? Why does it feel like work so often to pull yourself together and 'put on a happy face' to go to church and have superficial conversations? Why do we work so hard to hide any signs of being broken in the one place where that brokenness should be known, even expected?

Some might Churched a bit offensive. The book could be seen as bashing religion, particularly fundamental Baptists. However, I think the author's real intent was to shed some light on the unnecessary things we add to Jesus.

Turner mentions how as a child he kept hearing people say he should "invite Jesus into his heart." That sounded like it might involve some painful surgery in the chest area. And then a little man is living in your cardiac organ? Sounds complicated. Maybe even risky.

And this is just one point where I actually laughed out loud and thought, 'Man, we sure do make childlike faith hard for children to understand!'

So, I'd recommend checking out Churched if you've had a less-than-ideal church experience, or if you would simply like to understand where some folks are coming from. This kind of insight could shed some light on why so many young adults are okay with Jesus, but not so fond of church.

Photo o' the Week - 2/19 - 2/25/2012

2012-02-25T17:57:00.003-05:00

It snowed on Sunday night. It was almost 80 degrees on Thursday. NC weather is spastic!

Ten on Tuesday - Week #16

2012-02-21T12:04:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another week of "Ten on Tuesday." Feel free to share your own answers to any (or all) of these questions. You can leave your answers in the comments. Or copy the questions over at your own blog and leave the link as a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

1. Think back a decade, do you remember what your first cellphone was?

Oddly enough, a decade ago was when I got my first cell phone that was used on a regular basis. It was something like this....

But my very first cell phone was when I was 16. It didn't have a calling plan, was for emergency calls only, and lived in the glove box of my car. It looked something like this....

2. What is the first children’s book you remember being read to you?

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

3. What was your first car? Did you love it or hate it?

My first car was a 1994 Geo Prizm. The official color was 'Gulfstream Teal.' My parents bought it when I was 14 and it became mine when I turned 16 (though I didn't get my license until 7 months later). I loved that car. It made high transportation to high school so much simpler. It went through college with me. It spent 2 years working at summer camp. And during one of those summers, it suffered from alternator failure and lots of ensuing drama. But it early 2003, a lady ran a stoplight, hit me, and pushed the poor lil' Geo to her death in a ditch. I cried and was a bit traumatized.

4. Who was your hero growing up?

I don't know if I had a hero. Or maybe I just don't have a good memory....

5. Think back to your first kiss. Was it everything you dreamed of?

It was at a Halloween party at a friend's house during 7th grade. We played 'spin the bottle' (who ever thought that was a good idea?). But rather than kissing the person it pointed to as it happened, we somehow all paired off with the idea that if each pair kissed at the same time it would be less weird. So, imagine a line of about half a dozen, awkward, 7th grade girls standing across from a line of awkward, 7th grade boys. And then we all kissed the person across from us at the same time. And immediately moved forward with the evening like nothing had just happened. So mature!!

But I did at least like the boy I kissed, so I guess I've got that going for me.

6. What was your first BAD hairstyle choice?

I had a mullet. I don't think it was purposeful. I have thick hair. It's partially curly, but some of it is quite straight. Circa 1987, I'm not sure the lady who cut my hair knew what to do with that. And thus, I ended up with a mullet. (If only I had a picture to share....)

7. What was your first realistic dream?

I'm not sure. I often have really vivid dreams. And while they make sense during 'dream time,' they don't make the least bit of sense once I'm awake.

8. What was the first phobia you remember developing?

Fire. My mom has always been nervous about candles starting house fires. When I was in elementary school, I awoke one morning to a chimney fire occurring my grandparent's house (which was right behind ours). And at the age of 16, I watched my great-grandmother's house (which was also right behind ours) burn to the ground after a lightening strike. I don't think of myself as a fearful person, but I definitely have a definite respect for fire, water, & lightening.

9. Which character on Sesame Street do you most identify with?

I reached my adult height by 4th grade. Therefore, when I was of an appropriate age to watch Sesame Street regularly, I identified with Big Bird because he was taller than all his buddies.

10. What was the hardest goal you ever accomplished?

I know what goal is going to be the hardest for me to accomplish. I'll share it with you when it's accomplished, ok?

Photo o' the Week - 2/12 - 2/18/2012

2012-02-18T20:22:00.001-05:00

Valentine's treats!

Ode to Seniors - Meet Rebecca

2012-02-16T22:55:00.000-05:00

I first met Rebecca (pictured with her brother) at the 2009 Triad Metro CRU Fall Retreat. She was a student at Randolph Community College and was one of the 3 students involved in a Bible study there who joined us for Fall Retreat. And she was planning to transfer to UNCG in the coming year.

Fast forward to 2010. Rebecca is now a student at UNCG. And she takes the initiative to pursue an opportunity to assist in picking up international students from the airport as they arrive into Greensboro. This is a big deal! Rather than playing the part of an American, college student who is completely self-consumed, she saw an opportunity to love others well and took the necessary steps to be a part of that. This love for others and attitude of taking action caused others to take notice.

The CRU staff and student leaders at UNCG were praying about potential leaders during the early part of the spring semester. And when we met to share the names of those we felt should be challenged to leadership, Rebecca's name was mentioned. She stood out for the very reasons that I've mentioned above.

She was challenged to complete an application for leadership and eventually took on the role of giving leadership to the prayer ministry within the movement on campus. Along with another student, Rebecca shared great vision for how prayer forms the backbone of ministry. She encouraged the leadership team to pray for one another. She helped to organize corporate prayer meetings at various times during each week. And she challenged younger students to lead prayer for the area of campus where they were living. We've seen God show up in big ways on campus - students beginning relationships with Christ, greater numbers of students attending our weekly meetings, favor with the administration as we seek to love & serve the campus - in answer to faithful prayer!

Last year, Rebecca took on the role of co-leading a Bible study for some of the many UNCG students who are commuters. She was able to build relationships with some great women, while helping them grow in their faith and training them in sharing Christ's love with others. And a few of these women are now in the role of leading their own Bible studies and being a part of spiritual multiplication.

Over the summer, Rebecca took part in the Daytona Beach Summer Project where she joined students from all around the US in discerning how best to share Christ's love with others through both actions and words. She wrestled with questions such as, 'How do we meet people's felt needs while being intentional about pointing them toward Christ?'

Currently, Rebecca is finishing up her last semester and preparing for marriage following her recent engagement (to the guy at right). I'm excited to see how God continues to work in her life through marriage and opportunities to live missionally wherever God may lead her.

Ten on Tuesday - Week #16 (The Semi- Valentine Edition)

2012-02-14T12:04:00.000-05:00

It's another edition of "Ten on Tuesday." And it happens to be Valentine's Day. But it's also just another Tuesday. Thus you have the "Semi-Valentine Edition." Enjoy!

1. What's your favorite kind of apple?
Red delicious, all the way.

2. Tomatoes - delicious or disgusting?
I spent 20+ years of my life in the 'tomatoes are disgusting' camp. When I was a little kid, I picked up a tomato and took a big bite out of it thinking that it was an apple. What a rude awakening!

I still don't love tomatoes, but I can handle them on burgers or cut up in salads.

3. What's your take on Valentine's roses?
I don't love flowers. I can't keep plants alive. An overpriced dozen roses for a made-up holiday would mean much less to me than some quality time together or a meaningful note. But I do appreciate the thought behind a spontaneous flower when it comes my way.

4. What was your worst Valentine's Day?
Probably senior year of high school. V-day came 2 months after I the final end of an unhealthy relationship with the guy I thought I was going to marry. I was overall emotional and heartbroken. And then I had to spend the latter half of the day watching/hearing girl's names announced over the PA as they received flowers and balloons from guys. Bleh!

5. Your best Valentine's Day?
I've spent the majority of my 32 Valentine's Days as a single. I'm also a fairly practical person. Both of these play into the fact that I don't put a lot of emphasis on this made-up day of love. If I'm ever not single on V-day, I hope the way I am treated that one day is indicative of the entire relationship and not just due to culture saying there should be flowers, candy, & dinner on February 14th.

In light of this, I can think of 2 good Valentine's Days. In 6th grade, we had a school dance for Valentine's Day and were allowed to invite someone from another school. I invited a boy I thought was cute. He brought me candy when his mom picked me up and we fun middle school evening. Last year, I got some flowers, got to spend time with a guy I was crushin' on a bit, and had dinner with the wonderful ladies in my Bible study.

6. What are the top 3 non-physical things you would change about yourself?

Not experiencing such anxiety in my life regarding things that really don't matter.
I would be able to play a musical instrument.
I would be more coordinated.

7. What's on your nightstand?

a fan - I can't sleep without white noise.
A box of tissues.
Some lotion.
Whatever book I happen to be reading. Right now, it's The Horse & His Boy by C.S. Lewis.

8. Do you have dimples?
Yeppers!

9. What is a kind thing a stranger has done for you?
I was a first semester freshman in college and had gotten my food in the cafeteria, affectionately known as "The Pit." I don't know if I tripped or what, but somehow everything on my tray, including my cup full of ice and drink, tumbled to the ground making a loud noise and a big mess. I was mortified! But some nice upperclassmen came along, helped me clean it up, and were uber nice about it. That was a nice thing!

10. How will you spend Valentine's Day 2012?
The college ministry I work with, CRU, has our weekly large-group meeting at UNCG on Tuesday nights. So, I'll be hanging out with approximately 200 college students.

Photo o' the Week - 2/5 - 2/11/2012

2012-02-12T02:45:00.002-05:00

These are the new blinds in my living room. There were a long-time in getting hung, which makes them photoworthy this week.

Ten on Tuesday - Week #15

2012-02-07T12:04:00.001-05:00

Welcome to another edition of "Ten on Tuesday." I'm only one question away from doing a Reader's Questions edition. So, leave a question in the comments and I'll answer it in an upcoming edition.

1. What television character do you identify with?

I'm a bit neurotic like Monica from Friends. I was told that I was a lot like Sandra Bullock's character in Miss Congeniality, even though that's a movie and not a TV show.

2. Describe your morning routine.

On a really good day, I wake up 3-5 minutes before my alarm which helps me avoid the crazy "what is that noise? what is happening?" reaction to the alarm. On other days, I awake to the alarm, turn it off, and stumble from the bed to the bathroom. The bathroom involves emptying my bladder, taking a shower, brushing my teeth, & putting in my contacts. Then, I get dressed for the day and head on to whatever that particular day holds.

I am not a snooze alarm user. I set the alarm for the latest possible moment that I can get up and get ready for the day and make it wherever I need to be on time. And when it goes off, I get up (no matter how begrudgingly). I don't like mornings. We're not friends!

3. How do you do lunch? Bring from home or dine out? Same thing every day or mix it up?

The answer to this all depends on the day. Since my job doesn't really involve an office and everyday is different, sometimes I bring lunch and sometimes I buy lunch.

4. What is one moment that, although seemingly trivial at the time, changed your life?

My 30th Birthday. And it had nothing to do with turning 30! I thought I was going to have a potentially difficult conversation with a friend of 9 years, but I believed our friendship would survive it. There was no conversation. The friend hugged me and drove away, and we haven't spoken to one another in the 2+ years since.

5. Name your top three beauty products.

water - to drink and bathe with
lotion - to soothe dry skin & smell nice
nail polish - on the toes, in the summer

I'm pretty low-maintenance.

6. What do you do when you’re alone in the car?

I drive.

I kid, I kid. I listen to songs really loudly and sing along, or listen to podcasts or talk radio and attempt to learn something.

7. What is the ideal city for you to live in?

Personally, I like Greensboro. It's mid-size, southern, and we have pretty nice weather (except for the humidity of July/August). I'm about 2 hours from the mountains and 4 hours from the beach. It's a good location for me.

But I took an online quiz (I would give you the link, but the quiz far more complicated than necessary and I'm going to save you from that madness), and here are their top suggestions.

Seattle, WA
Norfolk, VA
Oklahoma City, OK
El Paso, TX
Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN
Bismark, ND

8. Are you waiting for something?

I guess we're always waiting for something. But I'm not waiting for anything in particular right now.

9. What was the last shocking news you heard?

Is it weird that I can't think of anything? I've worked with little kids. I now work with college students. And I've lived long enough to know that we live in a broken world. So, though news may sadden me, I can think of the last time something truly shocked me.

10. What are three things you wouldn’t do for a million dollars?Kill someone

Questions like these always fascinate me. It's easy to type some things that I don't think I would do for a million dollars. But I've never been confronted with a million dollars, so I can't really know for sure.

Here's what I'm fairly certain I wouldn't do:

kill someone
eat poop
streak in front of a crowd

Photo o' the Week - 1/29 - 2/4/2012

2012-02-05T18:02:00.004-05:00

Rebecca (on left), one of the girls in my Bible study, got engaged! And her friends got excited!

Ten on Tuesday - Week #14

2012-01-31T12:04:00.000-05:00

1. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

My all-time favorite was Ben & Jerry's Bovinity Divinity - a mix of chocolate and white chocolate ice cream with little cow-shaped pieces of chocolate and white chocolate mixed in. It was available during my college years and it was yummilicious, but it's no longer available. *sad face* Otherwise, I'm not super picky. I like ice cream. Plain chocolate would be my least fave though.

2. What is your earliest memory?
One of the earliest things I remember is my parents coming into my room early one morning when I was 4 and telling me that my great-grandfather had passed away during the night. I'm not entirely sure if this is my earliest memory or just one of the most vivid early memories.

3. What is your earliest memory of a dessert?
Odd question. And I really have no answer, so I'm going to go with a vivid memory of dessert as well. One day in college, my roommate and I decided we'd like to have ice cream cake. But it was no one's Birthday, so how could we have ice cream cake? Then we realized we could just go purchase some ice cream cake for no real reason and enjoy it. So, that is just what we did - drove to Baskin Robbins, bought a little ice cream cake, took it back to the dorm, divided it in half, and each enjoyed our halves throughout the upcoming week.

4. Do you have any recurring dreams?
Not really, but I do regularly dream about different things/people in the same location - the house where my grandmother lived while I was growing up.

5. Have you ever dreamed about dessert?
I don't think so, but my mom once dreamed about being chased by a piece of chocolate cake. That's just too funny not to share, right?

6. What is one thing (aside from a cell phone or computer) that you cannot go the entire day without?
Water!

7. What is one dessert you could go your entire life without ever having again? I'm pretty sure I could go without any desserts other than ice cream and yellow cake with white icing - all others can be banished.

8. If you could go on vacation tomorrow, where would you go? (Assume someone else is footing the bill, but within reason…so “the moon” won’t work)
Here are a few places I'd like to visit: Seattle, Alaska, Los Angeles, Chicago, Greece, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Poland, Egypt, South Africa, & India. So, who's paying?

9. If you could have any dessert tomorrow, what would you have?
What's with all the dessert questions? I'd like a gelati from Rita's - vanilla custard with root beer ice. And I'd like to enjoy it with someone fun (there are lots of people who could fill this, not anyone in particular).

10. What was your first impression of your significant other? I don't know yet... at least I don't think I know yet.

Photo o' the Week - 1/22 - 1/28/2012

2012-01-28T18:24:00.002-05:00

One of the 22 campuses in the Triad Metro CRU scope is Rockingham Community College, which I visited this week. Bet you can't guess what they teach in this building?

Ten on Tuesday - Week #13

2012-01-24T12:04:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another edition of "Ten on Tuesday." Please leave comments and your own questions for a future edition filled with readers' questions.

1. Fill in the blank: Sometimes I wish my life was more ______.
I don't have an immediate, clear answer to this one. Sometimes I wish there were more things in my life that are worth a #mushytweet (i.e. a knight swooping in to rescue me from the mundane). Sometimes I wish my house would clean itself and my laundry was always clean. Sometimes I wish a 6' tall person lived with me to help me reach things and to carry heavy boxes. (I don't know how their height plays into carrying heavy things, but let's just go with it.) And sometimes I'm grateful for the calm and lack of drama in my own home.

2. How do you cure the hiccups?
One time my mom cured my hiccups by scaring me, but I can't really scare myself. I generally try the hold-my-breath-till-I-can't-hold-it-any-longer method. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

3. What are three of your favorite indulgences?

Green Tea Frappuccinos from Starbucks
Staying in bed on a cold, rainy day and reading the hours away.
Deep, one-on-one conversations with people I enjoy

4. Where is the most exotic place you would like to travel to? The most mundane?

Most exotic? Viewing the icebergs and glaciers from a cruise ship in Alaska.

Most mundane? The road trip to PCB for Big Break with college students. This March will be the 5th time I've taken this trip and it's pretty much the same drive each year. But the fun of random connections between 4 people in car on the road trip are one of my favorite things.

5. Does having your time planned out stress you or relax you?
Relaxes me! I like to have a plan, know there is a plan, know what the plan is, and follow the plan. Some might say I'm a bit uptight or high-strung. I would say that is true.

6. What are your favorite fabrics to wear?
As a complete non-fashionista, I'm going with cotton.

7. Do you sleep through the night?
Yeah right! It takes me at least 2 hours to fall asleep from the time I lie down, no matter how tired I am or how little sleep I've gotten. And I'm a light sleeper, so any noises wake me up. I envy those who get to sleep quickly and sleep well every night.

8. When you were younger, what did you think you would be doing at this age? How close is that to what you are doing?
I'm 32. I don't think I ever specifically thought about what life would look like at 32. I do know that my plan in high school was to graduate Summa Cum Laud from Wake Forest (what was I thinking?), go to med school, & be working in genetic research by 30. There was also going to be a marriage at 24 and a child at 27.

Upon graduating from Wake Forest (no Summas or Lauds included), my plan had changed to going to grad school to pursue a career in counseling. The age for marriage had been pushed back to about 26 (seeing as there were no prospects at 22) and I wasn't sure I really wanted kids.

I didn't go to med school - changed my major/plans after first semester freshman year. I didn't go to grad school, even though I did get into a few really good programs. I'm still not married; therefore, kids are not a part of the picture.

I find it somewhat humorous that I'm such a planner, yet my life plans bare little resemblance to how my life has actually turned out. Oh, God and His sense of humor!

9. What has surprised you most about growing up?
I always assumed that by the time someone was 30 they had life pretty much figured out. Lies! I am much more self-aware than I was at 30 and much more comfortable in my own skin, but life still confuses me to no end at times.

Also, adulthood is expensive! You want water? Gotta pay the bill. Lights? Heat? A/C? There's a bill for that too. And if you need to drive (which is kinda a necessity in NC), you'll need car insurance, updated plates, a valid license, and gas in the car. All of which cost money.

10. Are you good at keeping secrets?
Sometimes I'm not so good at keeping my own secrets, but I'm a great secret keeper with others' information -it's not mine to share. So, got any secrets you want me to keep?

Photo o' the Week - 1/15 - 1/21/2012

2012-01-21T20:03:00.004-05:00

Student leaders from around the Triad gathered this week for some training and to discuss how to be strategic in reaching out to their campuses. The students above, who specifically have a heart for international students, spent time praying for their international friends at WFU & UNCG.

Hashbrown Casserole (Cracker Barrel Style)

2012-01-18T20:03:00.000-05:00

For a recent dinner that I prepared, I got a request to make Cracker Barrel's Hashbrown Casserole. So, I went on a search for a recipe and took a shot at fulfilling the request.

This Hashbrown Casserole got great reviews and I even made it again for a Christmas potluck.

The hashrown-cheesy mixture of yum prior to being cooked.

Browning the corn flakes for the topping.

INGREDIENTS (makes 8-10 servings)

2 lbs. frozen hashbrowns
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
2 cups crushed Cornflakes
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups sour cream
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp. pepper

DIRECTIONS

Defrost hashbrowns. (I moved mine from the freezer to the fridge the day before I planned to prepare the recipe.)
Combine all ingredients except Cornflakes and butter. Mix all together well and layer into a casserole dish.
Saute the crushed Cornflakes in the butter and sprinkle on top of hashbrown mixture.
Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

Ten on Tuesday - Week #12

2012-01-17T12:04:00.000-05:00

After missing a week of "Ten on Tuesday" due to the craziness of last week's schedule, I'm back! And I hope you're excited to be reading.

1. If you could open any type of store/place of business (money is no obstacle), what would you open?
I've actually never thought about this. Perhaps I would open a bookstore with lots of cushy chairs for the relaxed type and lots of tables and chairs for those who need some more structure. And there would be a cafe-esque area, but it wouldn't be focused on coffee since I don't really like coffee. And there would be free wi-fi. You'd come check out that store, right?

2. If all jobs paid equally, what occupation would you want? Why?
I actually think I have a pretty terrific job. I get to talk to people about Jesus and I get to see college students grow into adults and take ownership of becoming men & women of God. I'd say that's pretty awesome.

3. If you could be any animal in the world, what would you pick? Why?
I'm going with bird even though that's a pretty cliche answer. But birds can fly, so they win.

4. If offered one “service” free of charge, which would you choose? (chauffeur, maid, personal shopper, chef, etc.)
I'm going to pretend that choosing a personal shopper also means that I don't have pay for the clothing they choose. Therefore, I would get a personal shopper who could help me be stylish - and all for free! Sounds good to me.

5. What is one habit, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to break?
Crazy sleep schedules. I'm pretty sure it's not purely a habit thing, but I sleep at some weird times. I'd love to be able to lie down at night, go right to sleep, sleep well, and wake up early and refreshed the next morning.

6. What is one thing that no matter how many you own, you still love to buy all the time?
I don't think I have anything that fits into this category. I'm pretty good about buying things I need. Although, I admittedly have an American sense of "need," which means they are sometimes really just "wants."

7. Out of all the game shows (past and present), which would you want to be a participant on and play?
I think it would be awesome to be a contestant on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" And in a perfect world, I wouldn't get nervous and I'd get lucky with the questions and walk away with some cash and the knowledge that I am smarter than a 5th grader.

8. If you could play the lead role in any movie that’s already been made, which movie would you pick?
No clue. Any suggestions?

9. Name 5 things on your bucket list (things you want to do before you die).
Why name them here, when you can read them here?

10. Which one of your birthdays was the best? What did you do that day?
I've had some pretty lame birthdays. It comes a week after Christmas. I was never around my school friends because we were on break. People forget about it because it's stuck in the midst of holiday-a-rama. But my 27th was pretty good. It involved a surprise cake and serenade with about 30 college students during our annual winter conference.

Photo o' the Week - 1/8 - 1/14/2012

2012-01-15T15:53:00.000-05:00

Serving the Campus - taking out others' trash.

Photo o' the Week - 1/1 - 1/7/2012

2012-01-08T17:34:00.002-05:00

Birthday cake at staff meeting.

Ode to Seniors - Meet Shae, Meg, & Holly

2012-01-05T18:15:00.000-05:00

We're on the cusp of a new semester for my college friends and that seems like a great time to do another installment of my "Ode to Seniors." This one is a 3-for-1, but that's not because each of these ladies doesn't warrant her own post. Shae, Meg, & Holly are good friends and often do things together - they are pictured below during the 2010 CRU Women's Retreat. So, it seemed fitting in my mind to write about them together.

Shae first came to a UNCG CRU large-group meeting during her freshmen year because another student involved in the ministry invited her during class. And she kept coming! She was going through some pretty intense stuff with a relationship and self-identity (what college student isn't?), but I didn't know anything about that at the time.

I got to know Shae during her sophomore year as she regularly took part in a 6-week workshop on living out the mission of CRU - to win students to Christ by sharing the Gospel, build students up in their faith through discipleship, and send them out into the world to bring transformation for Christ. She demonstrated a teachable attitude and took what she learned to heart.

The summer after her sophomore year, Shae took part in a 10-week Summer Project in Daytona Beach, FL. She worked as a hotel housekeeper, lived in community with other Christian students, and learned to seek out opportunities to share her faith wherever God may lead her. When she returned to campus, Shae sought out a discipleship relationship with a CRU staff member. She also co-led a Bible study for some of the many ladies who commute to UNCG.

In the summer of 2011, following her junior year, Shae took part in a Summer Project specifically geared toward students who are pursuing medical professions (she's majoring in nursing). This experience allowed her to learn her rights in talking about Christ, to be trained in caring for patients' spiritual needs, and to have firsthand experience in putting those things in action. Fall of 2011 brought her back for her senior year, helping lead a Bible study for fellow nursing students and passing along some of what she learned this summer. Shae will graduate in May and I know that God has big plans for her in making Him famous within her calling as a nurse.

And what about Meg? Meg is one of Shae's best friends (Shae is the maid of honor in Meg's upcoming wedding). I first remember talking with Meg during the aforementioned 6-week workshop on the basics of CRU. She attended regularly and was obviously eager to learn. I later found out that semester - spring of her sophomore year - is when she really got serious about allowing God to be the Lord of her life. She was excited to be learn a four-point outline that allows one to share their faith clearly and concisely. And Meg even asked about doing some outreach on campus!

That same semester, she began attending the upperclass Bible study that I lead. She was faithful and teachable - consistently coming, excited to read Scripture, and contributing to the conversation. God has given Meg a vision for bringing Him glory in the context of her home church. She invested this past summer in the youth - helping them understand the Gospel & taking part in missions with them.

Meg is an education major, desiring to teach high school history. This spring, she will be student teaching and I know she will make an impact for Christ among the students at her school. In May, she's getting married to a man from her hometown who also has a heart for their church there. I am excited to see how God is going to continue to grow her and use her in His Kingdom as a teacher and wife.

Last, but not least, is Holly. She also came into my life partly due to her friendship with Shae. I first met Holly in that same shady parking lot where I met Monique. She was preparing to spend spring break of her sophomore year doing ministry in NYC.

In her junior year, Holly began attending the Bible study that I lead and I got to know her more. And then Shae comes back into the picture. See, Holly is also a nursing major. And sometime in the spring of 2011, Shae told Holly that she had a plan for her summer - the Summer Project for medical students that I previously mentioned.

Holly applied, and I got to know her even better as I "interviewed" her to be able to best complete a reference form for her. She spent 5 weeks in CA learning how to provide spiritual care for her patients & living in community with other Christian students who will be working in the medical field. And she came back for her senior year excited to see how God can use her in her last semesters of nursing school. Holly will graduate in May and I know that God is going to continue using her love for Him and her calling to be a nurse in bringing Himself glory.

And now you know Shea, Meg, & Holly...

Literary Moments - Books Read in 2011

2012-01-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

Rather than simply keeping track of the number of books I read during 2011, I thought it would be neat to keep a running list of the actual books read each month. Here are the 62 books that I read during the year.

January

Spiritual Leadership - Oswald Chambers
The Sound & The Fury - William Faulkner
Wicked - Gregory Maguire
Son of a Witch - Gregory Maguire

February

A Lion Among Men - Gregory Maguire
The Celtic Way of Evangelism - George G. Harris
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
Please Excuse My Daughter - Julie Klam
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress - Rhoda Jenzen
It's Only Temporary - Evan Handler
God's Blogs - Lonny Donoho
Lost - Gregory Maguire

March

The New Eve - Robert Lewis
Mirror Mirror - Gregory Maguire
When I Don't Desire God - John Piper
The Mom Factor - Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire
Culture Making - Andy Crouch
Radical - David Platt

April

Hiding from Love - John Townsend
Age of Innocence- Edith Wharton
The Prodigal God - Timothy Keller
Shanghai Girls - Lisa See

May

A Praying Life - Paul E. Miller
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Let the Nations Be Glad - John Piper
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes - Mark Mittelberg
House of Sand & Fog - Andre Dubus III
Frommer's Alaska Cruises 2010

June

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life - Donald S. Whitney
Forgotten God - Francis Chan (audiobook)

July

Songs in Ordinary Time - Mary McGarry Morris
The Millenials - Thom S. Ranier & Jess Ranier (audiobook)
Leaping Beauty & Other Animal Fairy Tales - Gregory Maguire
Frommer's Seattle 2010
Passion & Purity - Elisabeth Elliot

August

The Liturgical Year - Joan Chittister
A Woman's High Calling - Elizabeth George
Faith is Not a Feeling - Ney Bailey
He Chose You - Max Lucado
Middlemarch - George Eliot

September

Denim & Lace - Lois Olmstead & Phyllis Rowe
A Cry of Hope, A Call to Action - Charles Gilmer

October

Countering the Claims of Evangelical Feminism - Wayne Grudem
Lost on Planet China - J. Maarten Troost
Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
Nelson's Guide to Denominations - J. Gordon Melton
Palestine: A Personal History - Karl Sabbagh

November

Becoming the Woman God Wants Me To Be - Donna Partow
Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison
God Space - Doug Pollock

December

Crescent & Star - Stephen Kinzer
The Secret Lives of Men & Women (A PostSecret book) - compiled by Frank Warren
The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larson
Leadership As An Identity - Crawford Loritts Jr.
Changes That Heal - Henry Cloud
The Treasury of Oz (15-in-1 Omnibus) - L. Frank Baum
Crazy Love - Francis Chan

What about you? What did you read in 2011? Do you have thoughts on any of my selections? Any suggestions for 2012?

Photo o' the Week - 2011 Edition

2012-01-03T02:40:00.002-05:00

Here are the 52 editions of "Photo o' the Week" during 2011....

Ten on Tuesday - Week #11

2012-01-02T09:36:00.000-05:00

This week's "Ten on Tuesday" is all about books. And being that I love to read, these questions were fun to answer.

1. Favorite book(s) when you were a child and why?

The book I remember loving when my mom read it to me at bedtime is Charlie & the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

2. First “grown-up” book you remember reading (i.e. written for adolescents or with adult themes, such as The Outsiders or Catcher in the Rye).

I don't know if these books would be considered "grown-up," but I read every Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High book in my school's library. I remember reading Louisa May Alcott's Little Women in 5th grade and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte during my freshman year in high school.

3. Favorite movie that came from a book (even if you didn’t read the book and just love the movie).

This is a hard one! I am of the opinion that the book is always better than the movie - haven't yet seen a movie adaptation that disproves that opinion. However, The Green Mile comes closest to being a good adaptation of a book made into a movie.

4. Movie that you loved so much that you WISHED there was a book out so that you could find out more about the movie.

Pleasantville. Oddly enough, this is one of my favorite movies. I realize it's not especially quality, and the dates are a little off with some things, and there is that whole nude painting thing, but I see so much depth in this movie. (Ask me - I'll tell you all about it.) I think it would be great to have a book that went into more depth with the characters and the reasoning behind the changes (i.e. everything going from black-and-white to color).

5. Worst book you’ve ever read?

I don't like Charles Dickens, so one of the worst books I've ever read is A Tale of Two Cities. I also have this weird thing where I feel compelled to finish all books that I begin, so I have 'suffered' through a few doozies.

6. Book that everyone raves about that you either a) haven’t read and feel slightly dumb for not having read it or b) have tried to read and hated and so feel slightly dumb that everyone is getting something you don’t.

This doesn't really fit A or B, but I haven't read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Yet. I plan to read it as soon as I find it for a discounted price and my favorite used bookstore - Ed McKay.

7. If you were forced to choose only 3 books that you could read for the rest of your life, which ones would they be? (Or if you were stranded on a desert island, which 3 books would you want there with you?).

I feel like I have to say The Bible. I would want that to be one of my 3 books if I am really limited to only 3, but for this question we are going to assume that The Bible is a given and that I get to bring 3 other books.

My 3 books are:

Changes That Heal - Henry Cloud
Forgotten God - Francis Chan
The Stand -Stephen King (I enjoyed it and it's long, so I would be occupied for a while when reading it.)

8. Name one book that if you could recommend that everyone you know read, what is it?

Once again, we're going to assume my answer can't be The Bible. And I'm giving you 2 books from which to choose.

Recommendation A would be Changes That Heal by Henry Cloud. This book tackles 4 basic areas of life that need to be addressed in order for one to live healthily. It's great for personal growth. And you can re-read it every few years and glean something new.

Recommendation B is The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. This book will open your eyes to how you feel more loved and cherished. It will help you see ways that people in your life have been trying to love you without you even realizing it simply because they weren't 'speaking your language.' And hopefully, it will help you be more aware of the 'language' those you love speak so that you can love them well.

9. What is your “guilty pleasure” reading?

I don't think I have "guilty pleasure" reading....

10. What book (excepting the Bible or other major document of your religion/faith) has changed your outlook on life the most?

Most recently, The Mom Factor by Henry Cloud & John Townsend. The whole premise of the book is that even a mom who loved you to the best of her ability is a broken human who is suffering from her own sin and all sin done to her. Therefore, her ability to love you is marred. This book helps you identify the specifics of how that love was less than perfect and how you can heal the wounds left from that brokenness.

What about you? What book(s) do you think I should read? Any movies that you'd say are better than the books on which they are based?

Photo o' the Week - 12/25 - 12/31/2011

2012-01-01T19:41:00.001-05:00

The crew from Triad Metro Cru at Encounter 2011.

Ten on Tuesday - Week #10

2011-12-27T18:02:00.000-05:00

This week's "Ten on Tuesday" is quite random. Enjoy!

1. Are you usually late, early, or right on time?
I'm generally a couple minutes early or right on time - depending on the situation. If I'm late, there is most likely something wrong.

2. What is your middle name?
Frances

3. What are the last 4 digits of your cell phone number?
9164

4. How big is your bed?
It's a full size bed. I don't share beds well, so should there ever be a Husband in the picture there would have to be an upgrade in bed size.

5. What are you allergic to?
Gain laundry detergent & horses. Thankfully, both of these are relatively easy for me to avoid.

6. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Turn off my alarm - I am not a user of the snooze - and stumble toward the bathroom. I can't have a coherent conversation until at least 30 minutes after I wake up.

7. What was your favorite TV show growing up?
Growing Pains. But now my favorite show from that time period is The Cosby Show - we didn't get NBC very clearly at my house, so I didn't really see much of it during its original airings.

8. Will you, or did you, go to your 10 year high school reunion?
We didn't have one. I may have gone if it didn't cost lots. Perhaps there will be a 15-year reunion....

9. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?
Yes! I've always thought this question was silly. Whether or not someone hears a sound does not influence the fact that a sound was made.

10. What, in your opinion, is the greatest invention? (You know, since sliced bread…)
I'm a fan of running water, electricity, and the internet.

Hope you enjoyed this week's edition!

Photo o' the Week - 12/18 - 12/24/2011

2011-12-24T13:41:00.001-05:00

After almost 32 years of living in NC and never visiting the Biltmore Estate, I finally made the visit this week with my good friend Lisa. And then I proclaimed profoundly, "The Biltmore is a big house!"

Bucket List - Visit to the Biltmore

2011-12-21T22:44:00.006-05:00

The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned home in America. And it just happens to be in my great state of North Carolina. So, yesterday I made my first visit to see this vast (literally) estate with my friend Lisa.

The Biltmore House has 225 rooms, though all of them are not open to the public. Two of the big tourist draws during the year are the gardens in the spring and the Christmas decor during late fall and winter. Since my visit was in December, I was obviously going for the Christmas experience. And the house was definitely decked out! There were at least 20 trees, one of which was huge-mongous. And there was a room filled with poinsettias. However, visitors aren't allowed to take pictures inside, so you'll just have to imagine (or visit yourself someday).

My personal favorite Christmas-esque thing was the gingerbread village that had been constructed in the kitchen. It was detailed & creatively constructed. And it made the entire room smell yummy.

My favorite room was the library. From what I hear, this is true for many visitors. George Vanderbilt, the original builder/owner of the house, was an avid reader. He kept a little notebook with a list of all the books he read (not sure at what age he began this) and the total was 3,159 books. He died at the age of 52, and I figured that if he began the list at age 20 he read about 99 books per year. This automatically gives him a warm place in my heart! He also brought the area children to enjoy his many books and he built one of the first schools for children in the NC mountains.

The Biltmore also has a 2-lane bowling alley - inside the house - and a home gym. And it's home to one of the first indoor pools in America. And this is not a little pool!

Here are a smattering of the thoughts/comments that were shared during our visit:

"Can you imagine being a kid in this house? Running through those hallways?"
"His (George's) wife sure was a tiny lady!"
"Wow, that is a some fancy hang-around-the-house clothes!"
"I think I would fit in better with the servants here."

Merry Christmas from the Biltmore!

Ten on Tuesday - Week #9

2011-12-20T18:15:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the latest edition of "Ten on Tuesday." Enjoy!

1. Cost aside, if you could go (back) to college for anything besides what you currently “do,” what would you study?

I didn't technically go to college for what I currently "do." But I do feel like I get to use a lot of what I learned in my Psychology and Religion classes in my job. Right now, I don't think I would go back to college for something different, but I would love to take some additional college classes just because I like to learn new things.

2. What do you do for a living? Do you love it/hate it?

I work in campus ministry with college students, and most of the time I love it.

3. What is your favorite Christmas ornament?

I'm not sure if either of these could be categorized as my favorite, but I like them.

This Grinch made out of an okra shell came from the NC BBQ Festival which is held in Lexington, NC each year. I went in 2009 and this fun ornament was my souvenir.

And this was the first Christmas ornament I ever got - long before I had a Christmas tree to hang it on. The boy I had a crush on in 5th grade gave it to me. Yep, I'm a little sentimental.

4. Name something you could literally do without for the rest of your life.

I could live the rest of my life happily without ever experiencing Strep Throat or food poisoning again.

5. If you were going to have any kind of “cosmetic procedure,” what would it be?

Part of me believes that cosmetic procedures are kind of like "playing God" and are not really something in which we should dabble. Another part of me finds the excessive cost of such procedures absurd - that money could be used for so many more practical and world-changing things.

However, if we suspend those 2 thought processes, I can think of a few things I might pursue in the way of cosmetic procedures. My resting face (i.e. what I look like when I'm not consciously making any expression) looks sad and/or angry. So, I would do whatever would make me not look sad when I'm not feeling sad.

6. Do you have any “collections”?

Postcards and keychains. So, if you go somewhere neat or happen to find a cool postcard or keychain somewhere, I'd be delighted to add them to my collection.

7. At what age did you get your first cell phone?

I was 16. It was a Nokia and looked like a brick. It lived in the glove compartment of my car and was for emergency use only. My first "real" cell phone (i.e. phone that had a plan with minutes and was used regularly) was at the age of 22.

8. What is currently in your purse (or backpack)?

My wallet, which has my license, credit card, a bit of cash, chapstick, Ibuprofen, and a USB drive.
A little pouch containing a small notebook, a couple of pens, and some hand sanitizer.
A book - right now it's How People Grow by Henry Cloud & John Townsend.
A camera.
A bottle of water.

9. Are you a neat-freak or a slob ? *this applies to house, office, car, etc.

I am definitely not a slob. I like things neat and orderly. Disorder causes me to feel stressed out. However, I'm not as neat-freakish as some people might think based on the amount of structure that I like in my life.

10. What kind of parent do you think you will be? If you’re already a parent, what is your style?

I am definitely a fan of discipline, so I would probably be the strict parent. But I'm not sure if kids are in my future, so my potential parenting style may not be relevant.

Thanks for reading this week's "Ten on Tuesday." Please leave your own questions in the comments. Once I get 10 questions, I'll do a 'Reader's Edition' of the weekly questions.

Photo o' the Week - 12/11 - 12/17/2011

2011-12-17T18:05:00.002-05:00

Triad Metro CRU staff team - the outtake.

Tailgate Sliders

2011-12-16T01:50:00.005-05:00

I haven't posted any recipes in a while, so I thought I would remedy that. I made these "Tailgate Sliders" a few weeks ago for the college students in my Bible study and they got rave reviews. The original recipe was from a magazine (unfortunately, I can't remember which one because I cut it out and now just have the little piece with the actual recipe on it) as part of a special on foods for tailgates. And it included things like Gruyere cheese and Black Forest ham.

I went a little more simple with my version, and made some with ham and some with turkey to please a variety of palettes. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos during the process because I didn't know they would be such a hit.

Here's my version of "Tailgate Sliders":

INGREDIENTS (for 12 sandwiches)

12 potato rolls
1 lb. deli meat, sliced (I used smoked ham & smoked turkey breast)
12 oz. cheese, sliced (I used Provolone)
8 oz. chive & onion cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp. dried minced onion

DIRECTIONS

Slice rolls to separate into tops and bottoms. Arrange bottoms in a greased baking dish.
Layer with your sliced deli meat and cheese slices.
Spread each top with cream cheese and place over the cheese slices.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, & onion.
Pour over sandwiches and let stand for at least 20 minutes. (I actually prepared these the day before and let them 'marinate' in the fridge overnight.)
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until heated through.

Hope you enjoy these lil' sandwiches, whether there is a tailgate involved or not.

Ten on Tuesday - Week #8

2011-12-13T09:58:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the latest installment of "Ten on Tuesday." Hope you enjoy and I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

1. What was the last concert you’ve been to?

I love music. I don't love concerts. Maybe it's the crowds. Maybe it's the loudness. Maybe it's the over-priced tickets necessary to attend said events. But I just don't enjoy concerts. I think the last one I attended was Transiberian Orchestra in 2009. And despite not loving concerts, I do have to admit that one was pretty amazing!

2. Is it easy to make you cry?

In high school, I would've said yes. In college and the 5-7 after, I would've said no. But in the last year or so, I think God is turning me into a cry-er. Perhaps I could be enlightened and say that I'm getting more in touch with my emotions, huh?

3. Do you ever feel like people underestimate you?

I'm not really sure how to answer this question. In some aspects, I'm not good at hiding things. I'm not a good liar and my face often shows exactly what I'm thinking. But on the other hand, I am a bit private - I have to know someone well to really open up to them, and I have to feel like they care in order to continue sharing.

What does this have to do with whether people overestimate me? Well, I think that sometimes people think I have things all together because I don't easily share my struggles with others. So, they may actually overestimate me. And unfortunately, I feel the need to live up to these crazy expectations (whether they come from others or from myself). Oh, life!

4. Name 7 completely random things that you like:

Writing - currently in the form of journaling and blogging
Netflix - Though I don't love the price changes, I do love streaming things on my laptop while I do other things. (I'm doing that right now.)
College students
When people love me in unexpected ways - particularly by asking me to spend time with them, by serving me in some way, or by writing me encouraging notes (those happen to be the love languages that most speak to me)
Personality tests (I'm a melancholy-choleric ISTJ, in case you were wondering.)
Pinterest - It's like a big bulletin board filled with all kinds of ideas and links to neat stuff.
I know there are other things that I like, but I am completely drawing a blank right now. Why don't you suggest something in the comments? (hint, hint)

5. What’s your favorite reality TV show and why?

I don't really have a favorite. At least, there isn't one that I watch on a regular basis. A few years ago, there was a show about Amish youth who were deciding whether to continue on in that lifestyle or leave behind everything they had known. That was a pretty good show and I found it quite interesting. But I have no idea what the name of the show was....

6. What is your favorite hair care product?

I like Tresemme Flawless Curls conditioner - it makes my hair soft.

7. What’s your favorite song at the moment?

I am currently in a state of "every song on the radio is overplayed and none of them are that good anyway." This means that I don't really have a favorite song at the current moment, though I really do like the song If I Die Young by The Band Perry.

8. What’s the number one thing on your Christmas wishlist?

Does it count as being on my list if I already got it? I've been wanting a new digital camera - not a DSLR, but a step up from my compact point-and-shoot. My parents have given it to me for Christmas, but it was at the top of my wishlist.

9. Have you ever lost your cell phone?

I have misplaced my phone - knew it was somewhere in my house but couldn't locate it for a bit. But I have never lost it.

10. Did you attack the hordes of shoppers for Black Friday?

Nope. I thought I might brave the crowds this year. I found a deal on a camera that I really wanted at Best Buy. But by 4pm on Thanksgiving day, people were already camping out all around the local store for a deal on a TV. So, I decided to search online for a comparable deal on the camera. I found it for $10 more, ordered from the luxury of my own home, and stayed away from the craziness.

Photo o' the Week - 12/4 - 12/10/2011

2011-12-11T16:31:00.003-05:00

My Christmas lovin' thus far - fun candles, personalized coasters, yummy candy, a pretty scarf, & new books!

Photo o' the Week - 2010 Edition

2011-12-11T02:12:00.004-05:00

I began the "Photo o' the Week" installment on this blog about halfway through 2010.

Here is a link to each photo from that first year:

Ten on Tuesday - Week #7 (College Edition)

2011-12-06T12:20:00.003-05:00

This week's "Ten on Tuesday" is all about college. I think that's fitting since my college friends are finishing their semester in the next week or so.

1. Where did you go to college?

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Go Deacs!

Side note #1: Wake Forest was originally located in Wake Forest, NC. The original campus is now home to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Side note #2: I do know the story behind why the mascot is the Demon Deacons. If you're interested, leave a comment and I'll share.

2. What did you study?

I majored in Religion and minored in Psychology. And I actually get to use things that I learned in my classes in my regular life.

3. Was college really all that it was cracked up to be?

I can describe college in 2 words: difficult & wonderful.

I sometimes reflect back on those 4 years (both because I like to reflect and because I spend lots of time with people who are having their own college experience right now) and wish I had more fully realized the potential of college, and in turn taken advantage of that potential.

4. How far were you from home?

I was about 1.5 hours from home. And ironically, I was pretty much the farthest from home of anyone in my high school graduating class.

5. Did you have the same roommate all four years?

Freshmen aren't allowed to choose their roommate at Wake (at least they weren't in 1998 when I entered as a freshmen). But I did fill out a form to live in a substance-free dorm (i.e. bigger consequences for cigarettes and/or alcohol in the rooms). Thus, I ended up with an okay roommate situation - we weren't the best of friends, but we had the same basic values and I never had to worry about trusting her around my stuff.

I roomed with the same person Sophomore and Junior year - a girl who lived on my floor Freshmen year and who also enjoyed basketball. And my Senior year, I lived in a tiny single room that I affectionately referred to as "my little hole in the wall."

6. Where did you order food from at 2am?

I'm actually not sure if I ever ordered food at 2am. However, we did regularly order pizza from Papa John's or the Pizza Hut on campus - they took 'Deacon Dollars.'

7. Did you date in college or were you tied down?

There was no dating. There was no tied down.

8. Funniest drunk college moment?

I've never been drunk. And many of my friends seem to think that I would be a sad drunk rather than a funny one.

But one time, I was having dinner at Chili's with some friends. There was no alcohol involved. Yet, I somehow managed to flip a knife off of our table and it landed perfectly in the middle of the next table over. That was kind of mortifying and funny all at once.

9. Did you make it to class on time?

Do you know me at all? I was generally early. I'm still usually early for things, and definitely for important things like classes.

10. What was your favorite class in college?

I don't know if I have one favorite, but there were a few classes I enjoyed. These included: Interpersonal Communication, World Religions, Introduction to the New Testament, Developmental Psychology, and American Lit. I would actually love to take some more classes - I like learning new things.

As always, leave comments. When I get 10 reader questions, I'll do a "Ten on Tuesday" Reader's Edition.

Photo o' the Week - 11/27 - 12/3/2011

2011-12-03T19:33:00.002-05:00

Awkward Family Photo at the 2nd Annual Tacky Sweater Christmas Party.
Oh, college students!

Ten on Tuesday - Week #6

2011-11-29T08:20:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the 6th Edition of "Ten On Tuesday." Enjoy & leave comments.

1. What are some of your family traditions?

I'm not sure that my family has any traditions that are still in place. For the first 21 years of my life, I always received a music-playing figurine (there's probably an official name, but I don't know what it is) for my Birthday. So, that was a tradition. Otherwise, I can't really think of anything.

2. Do you know how to change a flat tire?

Theoretically, yes. Have I ever done it? Nope. But I do have AAA and I know how to call them and request for someone to come and change a flat tire for me.

3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites?

I don't currently subscribe to any magazines. Teen, Seventeen, & YM were favorites when I was in middle and high school. My adult life has included subscriptions to Real Simple and Time. And I enjoy being able to peruse the magazines to which my mom subscribes - it's like a free subscription that comes my way a bit late.

4. What are your top three favorite office supply items?

Post-Its & Sharpie pens are my top 2. Not sure what my 3rd would be - any suggestions?

5. Are you a good public speaker?

The answer to this question is all relative. If you compare my public speaking abilities to those of someone who is uber comfortable in front of groups and able to engage just about anyone, then I am not a good public speaker. However, if you compare my current public speaking abilities to those of my high school self, then there has been great improvement. College caused me to not completely abhor speaking in front of groups, but I certainly wouldn't say it's my strongest talent.

6. How do you feel about acronyms?

We're good buddies! More importantly, what kind of question is this?

I enjoy acronyms that help me remember things. I do not enjoy the acronyms that are a part of "text speak."

7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done?

This question could go so many ways. Do we mean creative as in crafty? Or creative as in adventurous?

Craft wise, I've created my own art on canvas and a homemade chalkboard. I enjoy getting a bit crafty, but I'm not as into it as many bloggers (i.e. the ones who are able to have an entire blog about their creativity).

Adventure wise, I've ridden in a hot air balloon, eaten some odd things, and taken a solo road trip from NC to CO. I like to try new things. I just have to plan them in advance. It's quite the dichotomy.

8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than…

I'd rather not jam a pen in my eye at all. However, I guess that would be preferable to cutting off all my limbs.

9. What company has the best advertising?

It seems that a majority of modern ads can either be describe as confusing or inappropriate. I honestly can't think of a super catchy ad that is currently airing. Of course, that could have something to do with the fact that I rarely watch TV, so I don't see too many of the ads.

10. When is your birthday?

January 1st - just over a month away. Any ideas as to how I should celebrate?

Literary Moments - God Space

2011-11-28T14:03:00.004-05:00

Cru, the worldwide ministry by which I happen to be employed, holds a conference for all the US staff members (about 5,000 of us) every other summer. One of my favorite parts of this conference is the fact that we get free books. In 2009, one of the books that we were given was God Space by Doug Pollock. I had never heard of it, and it ended up on my bookshelf without another thought. Until a couple weeks ago, that is.

I have a goal to read every book that I own and that led me to pulling God Space off the shelf. Boy, am I glad I did! This could be one of the best books I've ever read on being aware of the opportunities that God places in your life to interact with others. And then it gives the reader some insight into how those conversations might go - how a believer can naturally share his relationship with God in conversation with others. And honestly, if your relationship with God is a defining aspect of your life, why would you not want to talk about it with others?

Pollock addresses this very idea when he talks about the fact that when one begins a relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the believer's life. And Pollock points out, "Jesus did not send the Holy Spirit to simply reside in our bodies but to preside over them." The Holy Spirit empowers us and guides us to act/speak in ways that are reflections of our relationship with God. Pollock goes on to talk about some of reasons that believers may be hesitant to have spiritual conversations, and addresses that by writing, "If God has put eternity in every person's heart, which is what Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, then all people were made for spiritual conversations."

Doug Pollock also discusses the importance of servant evangelism - doing things that demonstrate our faith, in addition to talking about our faith. However, he reminds the reader that it is not enough to simply do good things. His mantra in this area is, "Let's bring the whole Gospel to the whole person," meaning Christians must meet others' felt needs and verbally share the truth of Jesus with others. It's not an either/or kind of thing.

He also addresses the importance of taking the initiative. "If people aren't coming to us to have spiritual conversations, we must go to them and give up our need to control the conversation." God took the initiative to bridge the gap between humans and Himself created by sin/disobedience through sending Jesus to live a life of obedience and die to bring new life to those who accept His sacrifice. That brings a clearer perspective to my own hesitance to take that first step toward others!

One phrase that is repeated throughout the book is, "We must accept where people are in relationship to God, even if we'd like them to be somewhere else."

I think this is the crux of what Pollock is saying. Because Christ noticed me, pursued me where I was, and demonstrated care for me, I should feel compelled to do the same. To notice others - their presence, their needs, their interests and passions. To meet people where they are - not focusing on where I wish they were. To demonstrate honest care for them - as a fellow human and creation of God. In essence, to create God Space.

If you are a Christian who desires to engage the culture and share your relationship with Jesus much like He shared Himself with others, then God Space is a a definite must-read.

Photo o' the Week - 11/20 - 11/26/2011

2011-11-27T14:48:00.002-05:00

Christmas has arrived at my house!
(I think it might be time to get a bigger tree...)

The Years of Wonder

2011-11-23T18:01:00.002-05:00

I am currently getting over being sick - throat issues, sinus issues, the whole shabang. And the climax of said sickness was last Saturday. So, for about 4 days, my life consisted of laying on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, going through tons of tissues, and watching things on my laptop via Netflix.

In addition to a few movies, I watched 3 whole seasons of The Wonder Years. This show originally aired in the late 80s / early 90s. I was a couple years younger than Kevin (the main character & narrator of the show who is played by Fred Savage) and I thought he was a cutie. This was before DVR and online viewing, so I certainly didn't see every episode. But I liked the show and was excited to see it appear for instant viewing on Netflix.

And as I watched episode after episode in my ill-stricken stupor, I realized something about The Wonder Years. This show is genius!

Let's talk about the fact that the entire storyline is told from a firsthand perspective. As you watch teenage Kevin live out his days, you're carried along with the narrated insights of adult Kevin. This helps to emphasize the fact that during your teenage years, the world is all about you. You are consumed with your image, emotions, and popularity. You see the whole world through you're own feelings & experiences. I realize this is true throughout all of life, but it's uber true during the years of teen angst.

The show addresses issues of the time period in which it is set (circa 1970), yet those same issues are relevant to all time periods. There is the the challenge of progress which is always with us. Families always have issues - the role of each parent, sibling relationships, etc. As long as there are parents and children, there will be struggles between them as they try to understand one another and adapt to their ever-changing relationship. Whether it's 1970 or 2011, teens are trying to figure out who they are and are experiencing a desire to hold onto elements of childhood while entering into adulthood. And their world is changing - friends are moving, hormones are raging. Steady issues for all time periods, I tell ya.

And I've saved for last the thing I think I like the most. The show doesn't make light of the things that seem traumatic during firsthand teenage experience, but it allows one to see them from a more clear adult perspective. Having lived through the teenage years, I know those experiences (crushes, breakups, embarrassing moments, etc.) are pretty traumatic in the moment. Yet, being a few years past those teenage years, I also realize that those moments are not as traumatic as they seem at the time. I love how The Wonder Years captures this delicate balance.

Now, it's time for me to watch some more of the remaining 3 seasons. What about you? Are there any shows that you realize are wise beyond their scripts?

Ten on Tuesday - Week #5

2011-11-22T02:52:00.004-05:00

It's the 5th installment of "Ten on Tuesday" and I thought it was time for this section of the blog to get it's own fun graphic. Enjoy...

1. What gift are you most proud of giving?

I like to give gifts. But I don't enjoy giving super expensive gifts. I like to give personal gifts that I got/made specifically for the recipient. Yet I can't really think of a gift that I am most proud of giving - that just seems odd to me.

2. What’s the best gift you ever received?

I can think of a few things that could fit into this category. In 7th grade, I got a stereo with dual cassette deck and CD player for Christmas. That was pretty sweet because it was something that I really wanted and it was a complete surprise. For graduation from both high school and college, my mom gave me a scrapbook of mementos from each period of life as well as letters from people who were important to me during that time. And for my 30th birthday, my friend Lisa gave me a handmade book of 30 reasons I'm wonderful. I like thoughtful, heartfelt gifts and I feel loved through affirming words, so those were great gifts. Another fun gift was given to me from my college roommate after she took a Caribbean cruise. It's a sculpture of a frog with a basketball and it's made from fish bone. I like frogs and I like basketball, so this unique little creature was a fun gift.

3. What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?

The answer to this question all depends on what kind of injury we're talking about - physical, emotional, mental. OK, I'm not sure if you can have a mental injury. My worst emotional injury was my high school relationship - it was unhealthy, drug on for far too long, and left me heartbroken at the end.

I will submit 2 answers for my worst physical injury - the first because it's the only time I've had stitches, the second because it was painful. In 2005, I fell down some concrete stairs in a hotel (the dear ole El Caribe for those of you who have spent time in Daytona with CRU) and landed on my chin. This led to a visit to the ER, 3 stitches in my chin, and little scar. It was bloody, but ironically my wrist hurt more than my chin for the next few days. My other injury is the herniated disc in my back that I dealt with in 2010. It hurt! I couldn't stand up or walk without great pain. But it caused me to gain a belief in chiropractors.

4. They say everyone gets 15 minutes of fame. Who’s 15 minutes has gone on far too long?

The first people who come to mind are the stars of "Jersey Shore." I've never seen the show, but I know the names of Snooki and the Situation just because they are everywhere. And as far as I can tell, they do nothing but spend lots of money on fake tanning and hair products. Why are they famous?

5. You have 20 minutes and $1000. What do you buy?

A digital camera (an upgrade from my current point-n-shoot, but not necessarily an SLR) and a case to keep it safe. Can I designate the rest for something even though I'm not technically 'buying' it? Well, this is my blog and my answers, so I say Yes! I would divide the rest between whatever Triad students are going on Summer Project and give it to them to help cover the cost of their missions.

6. Tell me three blogs that I need to read.

Is it bad that I can't think of 3? There are lots of blogs in my Blogger Dashboard, but I don't know that you need to read them. Heck, I don't even know who you are. But I would suggest checking out PostSecret - this site is updated each Sunday with secrets mailed to the creator. I check it each week, and sometimes it's nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks a certain thing or feels a certain way.

7. Would you rather go without pizza or ice cream for the rest of your life?

Although pizza is sometimes a staple of college ministry, I'd rather go without it for the rest of my life than without ice cream. Sometimes, when you've had a crummy day/week/month, a big bowl of ice cream is the only thing that can make it better.

8. Would you rather go to a beach or a snowy mountain?

Even though I enjoy chilly weather, I generally prefer the beach over the mountains. There's just something about the sound of the waves.

9. Are you a night owl or a morning person?

Is this even a question? Night, all the way!! I'm the most functional and productive between about midnight and 2am.

10. What word do you always misspell?

Luckily I'm a pretty good speller. (Side note: In 6th grade, I misspelled 'hundredth' at the county spelling bee - left out that 2nd 'd.' I will never misspell that word again.) But I do enjoy the presence of SpellCheck (which my computer doesn't think is a word) to proof my text nowadays.

Remember to leave a question in the comments. Once I get to 10 questions from readers, there will be a "Ten on Tuesday" where I answer them all. So, ask away...

Photo o' the Week - 11/13 - 11/19/2011

2011-11-21T01:37:00.003-05:00

This week my Bible study hosted a "Brother Appreciation Dinner" for all the male Bible study leaders at UNCG. My ladies did lots of set-up and cooking. And this picture sums up the guys' excitement about eating up all the deliciousness.

Ten on Tuesday - Week #4

2011-11-15T01:20:00.000-05:00

Here is this week's "Ten on Tuesday." Remember to submit your own questions in the comments section for a future edition filled with readers' questions.

1. What animal should cease to exist?

I'm not really an 'animal person,' but I don't know that I can say any of them should cease to exist. Maybe cockroaches - do they serve a purpose?

2. What was your favorite part of elementary school?

My favorite part was the first week of 1st grade. Our teacher took us over to the book area and told us we could pick any 3 books and take them home to read. After a whole year of Kindergarten when I knew how to read but wasn't allowed to because our whole class had to be kept at the same pace (education fail, by the way), I was uber excited to be told I could read! And my life as a bibliophile began.

3. If scientists found a way to allow dogs to talk, do you think we should implement it? Or should we just keep them quiet?

A world with talking dogs just seems like a cartoon to me - kinda neat on one hand, but a bit creepy on the other. And then you realize everyone and everything around you is animated....

4. How do you order your Starbucks?

I'm not a coffee drinker. In fact, I don't even like hot drinks. So, my Starbucks consists of Iced Green Tea or Green Tea Frappuccinos. And in the fall, I like to get the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos without the coffee - it's like a pumpkin pie in a cup.

5. What’s worse? People who don’t know the difference between your and you’re OR people who don’t use smack their food?

My gut reaction is people who don't know the difference between your & you're. I admit it, I judge bad grammar.

6. What CD can you listen to over and over?

This varies from time to time. But some of the CDs that have fit this description are:

Bon Jovi's CrossRoad
Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More
New Kids on the Block's Hangin' Tough (though it was actually a cassette tape)
a variety of Garth Brooks' CDs
lots of different burnt CDs with an eclectic mix of music

7. What was the most surprising thing about college?

It was hard! School had also come easy for me. And I knew that college would be more difficult, but I wasn't prepared for just how intense it would be. There is a big difference between being smart in your small-town, rural school of less than 400 students and being smart amongst some of the most intelligent young people in the country at a fairly prestigious school. Going to Wake Forest definitely caused me to struggle with and eventually find an identity apart from being "the smart girl."

8. What’s the best deal you ever got? (Biggest sale item.)

I have no idea. I'm not a big shopper. When I graduated from college, I got the 2 side tables and the coffee table that I still use for $50 total. And I once got a sweater and shirt for $20 total on clearance. I'd say those were pretty good deals.

9. Who is your role model? Why?

That all depends on what area of life we're talking about. I have role models for continued personal growth, role models for doing ministry well and for a lifetime, and role models for many different areas of life. As trite as it may sound, Jesus is the only role model who can offer guidance for every area of life.

10. What movie would you like to see that is in theaters right now?

I'm not sure if it's out yet, but J. Edgar looks pretty good. And I tend to like movies where Leonardo DiCaprio plays an intense role (e.g. Catch Me If You Can).

Photo o' the Week - 11/6 - 11/12/2011

2011-11-13T14:20:00.002-05:00

Monday Mujeres - the wonderful ladies in my Monday night Bible study.

Ode to Seniors - Meet Monique

2011-11-11T16:50:00.004-05:00

I met Monique (on right in photo) at a gas station. We were waiting for the "China Bus" that offered cheap transportation from NC to NYC's Chinatown. Oh yeah, and it was around midnight on a Friday. Not sketchy at all, right?

This was the beginning of spring break in March 2010. About 50 students from the Triad were heading to NYC to share Christ with students there and help the NYC CRU staff with spiritual movements on the city's campuses. And this trip would prove to be life-changing for Monique. It was in New York that she fully surrendered her life to Christ and began to live in the abundance that is promised to Christians in the New Testament.

Monique had recently transferred to UNCG from ECU. While hanging out with a high school friend who also attends UNCG, she met some students who were a part of CRU and who invited her to come to our weekly large-group meeting. She came. And she continued to attend - making friends and getting more plugged in. When the opportunity to spend spring break in NYC with CRU arose, Monique registered to take part.

God has been at work in and through Monique since that transformational week in New York. She went to Haiti during the summer of 2010, taking part in a short Summer Project to offer aid to earthquake victims. Her faith was stretched and strengthened during this trip, and God started revealing how He could use her love for travel/cultures in His plan for the nations.

During the 2010-11 school year, Monique became a regular part of the "Monday Mujeres" - that's my affectionate name for the Bible study of junior & senior women that I lead on Monday nights. She is eager to learn from Scripture and to investigate things to find the truth, which always adds to our discussions on Monday nights. Monique was a part of the Big Break '11 team of 16 who went to Panama City Beach, FL over spring break last year. We learned how to share our faith in a variety of ways, both with the 1,000s of students on the beach and with the 1,000s of students back at home on campus. She experienced the role of encouraging younger students to take steps of faith, something that another student had done for her just a year before.

This fall, she has been serving as an intern with our staff team. Using her major in communications, she has helped to create promotional materials and provide PR for the CRU movement on campus and the events that we have hosted. Monique will graduate in December, and is considering where God might be leading her in the coming years. I'm excited to see what He has in store!

Ten on Tuesday - Week #3

2011-11-08T00:10:00.001-05:00

1. What were you for Halloween?

I did attend a Halloween party - a party that the ministry for which I work actually hosted for the UNCG campus. However, I didn't have a great costume. Technically, I didn't have a costume at all. But I was wearing a t-shirt from a restaurant and watching over the food table, so I'm gonna say I was a waitress.

2. Have you ever been on television?

I was in the background of some of the shots a couple years ago when the local news covered the outreach that was done during CRU's winter conference. However, I have no desire to be the center of anything on TV. I have a distinct Southern accent, and the beauty of this does not translate well via the airwaves.

3. Do you have a toilet paper preference?

Type? Not really. I think I have Charmin currently. Direction that each roll is placed for use? Definitely. The correct answer is over, always over!

4. When you’re pregnant, will you find out the sex of the baby? Why or why not?

A whole lot about my life would have to change in order for me to be pregnant - meet a guy, date him, get engaged, have a wedding, etc., etc. So, I don't even know how to answer this question. I'm going with a firm maybe.

5. What are three items that every kitchen must have?

A variety of cooking utensils - I got a little caddy of these for college graduation and they have come in quite handy! I'd also suggest a stoneware baking pan and a high-quality pot.

6. Do you enjoy Christmas shopping?

I don't really enjoy shopping. But I do like making the list of who I'll buy things for and figuring out just what to get them.

7. What is your go-to recipe?

I don't know if there's just one. I like things that can be thrown in the slow cooker and left to cook for a few hours, welcoming me home to some fragrant yumminess. I also find it quite simple to make spaghetti and have a 'Mexian fiesta.'

8. Do you sleep on your back, belly, or side?

Usually on my side.

9. How do you feel about Tom Cruise?

I don't really have any feelings about him. He doesn't cross my mind much.

10. What books are in your “books to read” stack?

I have "books to read" lists. And there are far too many books on them for me to list here. Do you have any suggestions that I should add?

Remember, when I get 10 questions from readers via the comments, there will be a reader's edition of "Ten on Tuesday." So, leave those questions in the comments.

Photo o' the Week - 10/30 - 11/5/2011

2011-11-06T19:16:00.002-05:00

This past week offered some beautiful autumn days - and some color-bursting trees!

Ten on Tuesday - Week #2

2011-11-01T00:03:00.002-04:00

Here are this week's 10 insightful questions and answers...

1. What’s your favorite late night talk show?

I don't really like late night talk shows. I've come to the conclusion that I have an odd sense of humor that defies explanation and I just don't find any of them funny.

2. If you got an all expense paid week-long trip for two, where would you go and who would you take?

This is an easy one! The trip would include 2-3 days in Seattle, a 7-day Alaskan Cruise, and a jaunt into Canada. (I can't be that close to Canada and not set foot in the country.) And my co-traveler would be my friend Lisa. So, whose paying?

3. What’s your stance on Botox?

I'm pretty sure botox is somehow related to botulism (a.k.a. food poisoning). I've experienced the agony of food poisoning on my tummy. So, why would I want to put that in my face?

4. I have to read a few classic novels for my 101 in 1001. Do you have any recommendations?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (Yay for 101 in 1001 lists! Check out DayZero if you don't know what I'm talking about.)

5. Have you ever broken any bones?

This is kinda tricky. I'm pretty sure I fractured my ankle in 5th grade. It was a really bad sprain/strain/twist and there is now a bone that sticks out funnily. However, there was never actual doctor confirmation of what happened. Also, I fractured my thumb in 10th grade during volleyball practice. And had to wear a big silver splint for 6 weeks.

6. What are your top five favorite television shows?

I'm assuming these don't have to be current shows. So, here's my list: The Cosby Show (all-time favorite!), Joan of Arcadia, One Tree Hill, Desperate Housewives, The Big Bang Theory. And the new show that I am enjoying so far is Pan Am.

7. What is something you are embarrassed to admit?

If I'm embarrassed to admit it, why would I write about it on the blog?

8. Best movie line ever?

There are only 2 movie lines that I can remember without thinking too hard...

Tinkerbell to Peter Pan in Hook: "You know that place between asleep and awake, that place where you still remember dreams? That's where I'll always love you, Peter Pan."

Matt Damon's character in Good Will Hunting: "How do you like apples? (holds up a slip of paper) I got her number; how you like them apples?"

9. Cupcakes, cakes, or brownies?

I'm going with cake - white cake, vanilla icing. Or ice cream cake - is that an option?

10. Can somebody PUH-LEASE help me find a dress to wear to a few weddings this winter??

I don't even understand where this question comes from (it was on the list, so I'm answering it). But seeing as I'm not the most fashion-oriented person, I don't think anyone wants me to help them find a dress. My best advice would be to look in your closet for something that will fit the occasion.

Alrighty, that's the second edition. Leave me some questions for a future edition in the comment section. As soon as I have 10 questions from readers, I'll do a 'reader's questions' edition just for you.

Photo o' the Week - 10/23 - 10/29/2011

2011-10-31T14:04:00.003-04:00

Fun at the Broadway at the Beach with the Thursday Night Ladies.

But I have....

2011-10-27T19:05:00.004-04:00

Last week I posted about this post about 25 things that I've never done. Lest you think I've lived a sad life lacking in fun experiences, I thought this week would include a post of things that I have done.

I'm almost 32, and I have...

Seen every episode of The Cosby Show (it's my fave)
Celebrated the turn of the century & millennium in London
Attended the same school from Kindergarten through 8th grade
Been part of the Screamin' Demons (WFU's basketball support group) all 4 years of college
Been on the Great Wall of China
Assembled 3 tables, 2 bookshelves, and an entertainment shelf by myself
Watched a filming of Dawson's Creek in Southport, NC
Grown up on a farm with cows, pigs, & chickens, as well as a huge garden (technically 2 gardens)
Cooked stew made with wild boar
Regularly kept up with a blog for almost 6 years
Collected postcards and keychains since middle school
Visited 29 of the 50 US States
Purchased a house (well, made a down payment - technically the bank will own it for about 12 more years until the mortgage is paid off)
Had my mom as a teacher - for 2 years
Driven 3 different cars as my own - '94 Geo Prizm, '03 Chevy Cavalier, and '10 Honda Civic
Read all the books in the following series: The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Twilight, The Chronicles of Narnia
Been baptized in a lake (Jordan Lake for you NC natives)
Seen both a sunrise and a sunset over the ocean
Given quite possibly the shortest valedictory speech in history (I was uber shy & nervous, and it wasn't very long at all)
Been to Big Break with CRU 4 times (and I'm planning to make it 5 in 2012)
Suffered from Strep Throat twice in my life (4th grade & junior year of college)
Completely worn out a cassette tape (it was New Kids' Hangin' Tough and I was pretty obsessed with Joey McIntyre)
Had a pen-pal in Slovakia (and we actually wrote letters and sent them in the mail)
Gotten a tattoo
Spent 1 day in Paris

Ten on Tuesday - First Edition

2011-10-25T00:51:00.003-04:00

"Ten on Tuesday" is a new blog feature where I will answer 10 questions on Tuesday. I got this idea from Teacher Girl Blogs and thought it would be a fun way to post regularly and keep things interesting. I can't promise that every Tuesday will include a new edition, but I hope "Ten on Tuesday" will be making a regular blog appearance.

Here are the First Edition questions (taken from Teacher Girl's own first week):

1. If you won the lottery, what would be your one random, off-the-wall purchase?
My current desire is for a new digital camera - not necessarily an SLR, but a bit of an upgrade from my current point-n-shoot. Not sure how random that is, but I would definitely purchase it with the lottery winnings.

2. What is popular now that you just don’t get?
Lots of TV shows - Jersey Shore, Modern Family; the fad of 'planking' or 'owling'; hipsters

3. What would your last meal, you know, if you were ever about to be executed and you got to choose that sort of thing?
I think it would involve seafood and pasta, maybe shrimp alfredo. There would be garlic bread. And there would be lots of ice cream for dessert.

4. When is it okay to start listening to Christmas music?
I'm not a huge Christmas music fan. And I get tired of the all-Christmas, all-the-time radio stations that appear in late November. However, I do put up my tree the week after Halloween - so it shall make an appearance soon.

5. How do you feel about facial hair on men?
I don't really like facial hair. I know some guys look super young without it, so they grow it. But, in my humble opinion, very few of them can pull off attractive facial hair.

6. McDonald’s or Burger King? Those are the only two options.
McDonald's for breakfast or chicken nuggets, Burger King for burgers (wise name choice, huh?)

7. What kind of soap do you use?
Dish soap? Dawn - it's some kind of hand softener stuff. Hand soap? Bath & Body Works - I like lots of different fragrances. Body Soap? Dove.

8. What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of?
In college, my roommate and I watched The Wedding Singer over and over. Now, I generally don't watch movies repeatedly. With Netflix at my fingertips, there are far too many choices of new-to-me movies to be seen.

9. Favorite beverage?
Water! Beyond that, sweet tea and Cherry Coke. I also like the Cherry Limeade at Sonic.

10. What do you want for Christmas?
I have a wishlist - I think everyone should. Check it out at Amazon or on Pinterest.

First Edition = done! Feel free to ask a question in the comment section to be part of a future "Ten on Tuesday."

Photo o' the Week - 10/16 - 10/22/2011

2011-10-23T20:41:00.001-04:00

The view from the swing on my parent's front porch. Yay Fall!!

Things I've Never Done

2011-10-20T22:52:00.005-04:00

Earlier this week I was talking to someone about a few experiences I've never had. And then Kristin posted this which inspired me to post my own list. So, here ya go...

Things I've Never Done
(Don't know if any of these are "major," but still...)

Gone Ice Skating
Been to a hockey game
Been to Canada
Been in Chicago, beyond the airport
Been taken on a sweet, fun date by a Godly man
Used an ATM
Seen the Pacific Ocean
Watched a video on YouTube that truly made me laugh out loud (I'm open to your suggestions)
Consumed enough alcohol to be drunk
Eaten rabbit
Ridden in a helicopter
Watched Lost
Understood the point of calculus as it relates to my life (is there a point?)
Drunk coffee from Starbucks
Seen the original Footloose movie
Driven a golf cart
Liked the movie version better than the book - of anything, ever!
Taken a dance class
Watched an entire episode of The Simpsons
Shot a gun
Gotten a speeding ticket
Had the flu (or gotten a flu shot)
Had any kind of surgery in the hospital (I did get my wisdom teeth out at the dentist's office)
Gotten a pedicure (or manicure)
Had a surprise party

What about you? What have you never done?

Photo o' the Week - 10/9 - 10/15/2011

2011-10-17T14:59:00.002-04:00

This weekend was Fall Retreat (that's why the photo is a day late), which includes a themed dance party. This year's theme of "Childhood Games" led me and the ladies in my Bible study to dress as crayons & a coloring book - what kid doesn't love to color?!?

Literary Moments - Lost on Planet China

2011-10-10T17:20:00.002-04:00

I was recently perusing the literary goldmine known as Edward McKay when I stumbled upon Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost. I have to say that when shelved among the spines of a bajillion books, one of the best ways to get noticed is to have your title written on the spine of your book in a fun font and in the eye-catching color red. Thus, I noticed Lost on Planet China. I was lucky enough to visit China in 2007, so the book caught my eye enough to pull it from the shelf - and to eventually purchase and read it.

Lost on Planet China is a bit of a travel journal, but more of a memoir. The author has traveled all around the world. During these travels, he began noticing Chinese businessmen in lots of exotic locales. Since 1 out of every 5 people on earth live in China, he decided it was time he check out this massive country. And it's possible that the culture contained within China is even more massive than the sheer land mass.

Two things may stick out to any visitor to China. Number 1: "The Chinese word for China is Zhongguo, or Middle Kingdom, a name that implies that there is China and then there are the sticks." Number 2: "The Yangtze River is the river system that carves China into north and south. The north gets heating. The south does not. The south gets rain. The north gets the Gobi Desert."

My visit to China included only one city in the southwest Yunnan Province and Beijing. Troost's travels included both of these cities, as well as many other areas - Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu (home of lots of pandas), Dali, Xi'an (home of the Terracotta Warriors), and even Tibet. But some of our conclusions are quite the same. China is big! You are expected to bargain for everything you purchase. The originally quoted price, especially for an American, is far higher than you should be willing to pay. Though the Chinese people are often small in stature, they are passionate - maybe even a bit pushy. And the food is good. You may not always know exactly what you're eating, and you will experience some spices that you never knew existed. But it's good! Troost writes about the food, "The culinary possibilities in China are endless. Why not yak? Or cat? Why limit ourselves to pigs, lambs, and chickens? In China, we eat everything with four legs except the table, and anything with two legs except a person. Splendid, I say, now pass the chopsticks."

Because this book is written mostly as a memoir of Troost's own travels, I feel that it's imperative to share some of his insights on the Chinese experience.

During a conversation with a Chinese college student (Meow Meow), he has the following revelation after asking about politics. "In 1989, it was the students, the children of the elite, who gathered in Tiananmen Square and nearly toppled the regime. Today, students like Meow Meow are sipping venti frappuccinos inside upscale shopping malls." Striking how things shift in one generation - and not just in China!

There is even a shout-out to my dear ol' state of North Carolina. Troost is talking with a Chinese lady who has visited NC and says there is no culture. His reply? "No culture? Have you ever been to a basketball game between Duke and the University of North Carolina? It's a tribal conflict that has its roots in the dim mists of time."

I enjoyed reading about the adventures that make up Life on Planet China, and think Troost sums it up quite well when he writes, "It's a complicated country, China, full of complicated people." I'd encourage you to learn more about this rising superpower, and maybe even visit it for yourself.

Photo o' the Week - 10/2 - 10/8/2011

2011-10-08T19:57:00.003-04:00

The fall edition of the Buckhead Betties warehouse sale began Friday - these are my exciting purchases.

Day 13 of the 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-06T22:17:00.001-04:00

Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.

This is another prompt that leads me to believe this lil' challenge was created by a high schooler. If someone has hurt you and/or you have an issue with someone, it is quite possible that the least effective way to handle that would be to publish a letter to them on the interwebs. Therefore, I plead the 5th on this one.

Photo o' the Week - 9/25 - 10/1/2011

2011-10-01T21:16:00.002-04:00

You can't really tell from this picture, but these are UNCG students playing Quidditch. Neat idea, but I have to say that the fact that people in Harry Potter world can fly would make for a more interesting game.

Ode to Seniors - Meet Caleb

2011-09-28T19:42:00.005-04:00

In this 2nd installment of my Ode to Seniors, I'd like to introduce you to Caleb. My first memories of Caleb are from early in his freshman year - he was a cute kid with shaggy hair. (Hey, I spend lots of time with college women and they notice when their male counterparts are attractive. Thus, I am made quite aware of these things.) I also remember the first conversation that I had with Caleb. He is from the same small town as one of my best friends. So, for the majority of his freshmen year, whenever someone would mention Caleb, I would think, 'Oh yeah, the guy from Elizabeth City.'

At that year's Fall Retreat, Caleb had some fun at the annual themed dance party - check out the picture. He got more involved his sophomore year, helping with the worship team at CRU and getting plugged in with small group Bible studies. And by his junior year, he was leading one of those small groups.

But just last spring is when I really got to know Caleb. I still live in semesters, and spring semester brings spring break. Last year, 15 students from UNCG took part in CRU's Big Break in Panama City Beach, FL. The best way to describe Big Break is "part conference, part mission trip" - the students hear truths from Scripture, are trained in sharing their faith, and actually have the experience of going out on the beach to put that training into practice and meet some of the thousands of students who descend upon PCB for spring break. And getting to Big Break involves a 12-hour drive. Lots of fun and interesting things happen on road trips!

So, that very drive is when I really got to know Caleb. He and I had agreed to take turns driving my car down to FL. And we had 2 other fun folks - Patience & Charles - in the back seat. Well, Charles slept pretty much the whole drive - both ways. Patience would sleep for a while and then pipe up from the back and join our conversation for a bit. But Caleb I and stayed awake for the entire trip down. In fact, it turned out that Caleb drove the whole 12 hours. He also continuously ate things for the whole 12 hours, but that's a different story.

I learned a lot about Caleb during our 24 hours of car bonding time driving to PCB and back to Greensboro. He is one of 5 kids, 5 boys nonetheless. We both have rather eclectic music tastes. And though the humor may not translate to this post, I also discovered that Caleb's top love language is physical touch. I am not a touchy person, and it makes for some funny and sometimes awkward interactions when I want to show someone who likes physical touch that I care about them. And I decided that I like this kid a lot. So, there have been some humorous moments stemming from this knowledge.

Caleb will be graduating in May, with a degree in biology and music - he's a well-rounded guy. And he is one of the many seniors I'll be sad to say "good-bye" to this year.

Photo o' the Week - 9/18 - 9/24/2011

2011-09-25T17:46:00.002-04:00

Playing BezzerWizzer, a crazy fun trivia game, with some of the ladies in my Bible study.

Photo o' the Week - 9/11 - 9/17/2011

2011-09-17T16:56:00.003-04:00

The past 2 days have felt like fall. So, I enjoyed a bread bowl during my weekly "office day" at Panera. Yay Fall!!

Day 12 of the 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-13T23:58:00.000-04:00

Day 12 - How you found out about blogging and why you made one.

Now, this one is right up my ally. I enjoy blogging and I can certainly write a blog about blogging. (How many times can I use some form of the word "blog" in this blog post?)

I've been blogging for almost 6 years now, and I'm not sure where I first heard about it. Sometime circa 2005 when MySpace was popular and Faceboook was still just for college students, I read some of my friends' posts on their MySpace pages. Then, I started posting my own thoughts there. Things progressed - technology changed, blogging platforms gained popularity, and everyone left MySpace. So, I ended up here and the rest is history.

Why did I make a blog? I like to write. I've always enjoyed it. As a kid, I wrote short stories and made lil' story books (with stick figure people for the drawings). I always did well on writing assignments in school and it's a great outlet for me to process things and express my thoughts. That's why I made a blog. And now I think it's fun to have regular features and follow others who blog as well.

My Experience of 9/11/2001

2011-09-11T15:32:00.004-04:00

It was a Tuesday morning just a few weeks into my senior year at Wake Forest University. My Tuesday/Thursday schedule included a class at 9:30am and another at noon. But on this particular day my 9:30 class was canceled because the professor was attending a conference. The class was in the English department and the professor wanted us to call her by her first name. For that reason, I remember her as Lisa and have no clue what her last name was.

Since my first class of that particular day was going to begin at noon, I got up around 10:45. I didn't turn on the TV. I lived in a dorm room all by myself - a room that I affectionately referred to as "my little hole in the wall." (It was a tiny little room.) This was before everyone was attached to their cell phones, and texting didn't yet exist among the masses. But I went straight to my laptop. My first act of the day was to check e-mail and take a look at AOL Instant Messenger (AIM).

This was before the arrival of Facebook. Everyone in college had an AIM account. And with the constant connectivity of campus, everyone was always logged on. When you were away from your computer, you'd type up some creative message and that is what would greet those who sent you a message. And when you were at your computer, AIM was the procrastination tool of choice. So, I naturally checked AIM to see who was available to chat and check out folks' creative away messages.

And I was greeted with some confusing messages. "This is a day that will live in infamy." "Pray for the people of NYC." "Our prayers are with those in New York and DC."

What was going on? Why was everyone praying for people in NYC? What made this day so memorable?

These are the thoughts that were going through my mind. So, I walked through the bathroom that connected my single room with the double room next door and I asked my neighbor Katie what was going on. She said, "The World Trade Center collapsed."

I was in disbelief. And shock. And a little confused because I honestly wasn't totally sure what the World Trade Center was - just knew it was a big building in NYC.

Katie told me to turn on the TV, that coverage of it was everywhere. So, I did. And it was. Then, I got an e-mail that classes were canceled for the remainder of the day. So, like many people in America, I spent the rest of that Tuesday watching news coverage of what would come to be referred to simply as "9/11." I saw replays of the events of that day. And people's reactions. I even shed a few tears over the overwhelming-ness of what was going on. And I wondered how I was supposed to react to what was happening - in my dorm room, in North Carolina, with no personal connection to anyone involved.

It was a weird day. And a meaningful day. And a day that shaped the world as I now know it amidst a life-shaping time in my life.

What about you? Where were you on 9/11? What random facts do you remember about that day just because it was so different from the Tuesday you had thought was coming? Where were you when the world as you know it was drastically changed?

Photo o' the Week - 9/4 - 9/10/2011

2011-09-10T22:31:00.003-04:00

A fun craft project with the "Monday Mujeres" - remembering the things God has used in our lives to help us grow in Christlikeness.

Day 11 of the 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-05T17:14:00.001-04:00

Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends.

Since most of my friends are never in the same place, I thought I'd improvise.

Photo o' the Week - 8/28 - 9/3/2011

2011-09-04T19:53:00.003-04:00

I got a little creative with some canvas artwork. This was the result, which is now hanging in my almost-redecorated bedroom.

Ode to Seniors - Meet Mary

2011-09-02T00:43:00.006-04:00

This picture sums up what I envision when I think of Mary - spunky, naturally beautiful, and willing to be 'all there.' I met her the first day of classes in August of 2008. UNCG hosts an activity fair called Fall Kickoff each year on the first day of classes. Imagine thousands of 18-to-22-year-old students walking around campus while hundreds of organizations, local businesses, and campus departments have booths set up to share information. That is the craziness of Fall Kickoff. Yet I remember meeting Mary there.

She approached the CRU table with her friend Amber (I'll write about her in a later post). I don't remember what she was wearing, but something on her shirt let me know that she was from near my hometown. We proceeded to have a brief conversation about that and she got some info about what was happening on campus. The next memory that I have of Mary is from Fall Retreat of her freshman year. I got to have a more in-depth conversation with her and was excited to see what God had in store for her over the next 4 years.

Fast-forward to the middle of spring semester that school year. During a discussion of which younger students had shown themselves to be faithful to the Lord, available to be used by Him within the Cru movement at UNCG, and to have a teachable spirit, Mary was near the top of the list. (OK, there wasn't really a list, but you get the picture.) She was placed in a role of leadership that semester and has grown in the above traits since that time.

Mary has been faithful in loving her fellow students and pointing them to Christ, whether that means reaching out to new freshmen or leading a Bible study meant to encourage and equip the ladies who are leading other Bible studies on campus. She has also been faithful to the Lord in living missionally wherever He has her - from showing love to the kids she's worked with during the summers at camp to sharing Christ with a Muslim family who God placed in her path.

She has been available to be used by the Lord. And has stepped up to the challenges He has given her during her college years. One of these challenges included being a student co-leader of the movement at UNCG for a year. Mary accepted the challenge and she really shined in the areas of taking initiative and keeping things on task during leadership team meetings. And she has continued to have a teachable attitude and been willing and eager to have other believers share insight with her.

Mary will be graduating early, in December, which is why I chose to write about her as the first official installment of my "Ode to Seniors." And she'll also be getting married in the spring - you can see the lucky guy pictured at right.

Photo o' the Week - 8/21 - 8/27/2011

2011-08-27T22:11:00.003-04:00

Who doesn't love an impromptu bluegrass jam session on a beautiful late August night?

Ode to Seniors

2011-08-21T18:54:00.003-04:00

I was just thinking, and do you know what came to mind? Seniors are special people! We should appreciate them!

No, no, not that kind of senior (though they are special too, I just don't happen to spend much time around them). {At least pretend that pun was a little funny - perhaps it was punny?}

I digress...

However, the new semester does start in the Triad tomorrow. Our largest campus, UNCG, begins classes. There will be a 5 hour activity fair on campus - in the hotness of NC in August. And there will be lots of awesome conversations with new students, both incoming freshmen and transfers. It will be a great day, but also a somewhat overwhelming day for my inner introvert.

And as I was thinking about the coming semester earlier this summer, I realized that we have one awesome class of seniors this year. They came in as freshmen when I was entering my 2nd year working on campus. I was familiar enough with the flow of things to know what to expect. Well, at least somewhat - is college life ever really fully predictable? They've been around for 4 years - leading Bible studies, sharing Christ with the people in their classes or those who live on their hall, & just generally giving leadership and momentum to the movement on campus. And although I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store as He brings in a new class of students, I also realize I'm gonna miss these seniors when they graduate in May.

So, consider this post the introduction to a new installment for the 2011-12 school year - some personal odes to a number of the seniors that have been seeking after Christ during college and whom I pray will continue to walk with Him for a lifetime.

Photo o' the Week - 8/14 - 8/20/2011

2011-08-20T22:58:00.003-04:00

I was lucky enough to spend some time this week at one of my favorite places on earth - Little Pier at Fort Caswell.

Literary Moments - A Woman's High Calling

2011-08-19T22:11:00.003-04:00

I was visiting my parents and staying in my old bedroom a few months ago when I decided to go through the drawers and bookshelves and see what was actually still hanging around in there. That's when I came across A Woman's High Calling (10 Essentials for Godly Living) by Elizabeth George. I'm not sure how the book ended up in a bookshelf in my childhood bedroom, but I figured I'd bring it along to my current home and eventually get around to reading it. This past July, I finally did just that.

I wouldn't say this book was either wonderful or horrible. It wouldn't be on the list of books I would tell a young woman that she should definitely read, but I also wouldn't warn her against reading it. There are 3 major reasons for this opinion (or lack thereof).

A Woman's High Calling is somewhat rule-focused in proclaiming what a woman should do and how a woman should act. Perhaps I am being extra sensitive to that because I naturally lean toward wanting to know the rules and seeking to follow them. But I can see this focus being a turn-off to someone who abhors legalistic views, or a downfall to someone who wants a list of rules to follow and may overlook a relationship with Christ in lieu of those rules.

Secondly, I knew from the blurb on the back of the book that 2 areas of life where the author addresses a woman's calling were her marriage and her role as mother. I agree that these are important roles of life, and I recognize that our culture often devalues them. But they are also not roles that all women fulfill. As a woman who is neither a wife nor a mother I may be more sensitive to what George says in these areas, but many parts of this book came across as neglecting that one's life can be meaningful apart from these 2 roles. And some of what she wrote, such as, "When night falls (or school is out or work is done), shouldn't there be one place on earth where each person's well-being is important to someone else?" is downright hurtful. When night falls, I go to my home alone. No one is present to find my well-being important. This quote was just a blatant reminder of that sense of loneliness.

Another thing that struck me was the way the author writes about original sin - as though it was all on Eve. This is an oft-made comment/joke and something that I wouldn't have even noticed had I read the book 10 years ago (which is probably around the time it ended up in that bookshelf at my parents'). However, I have since read and studied Genesis and been exposed to the issue of passivity with which many men struggle. Where was Adam as Eve was partaking of the forbidden fruit? Not too far away, for she offered it up to him right after her bite. He was near enough to see what was happening and not offer Eve guidance back to the truth of what God had said. The literal root of the issue was Eve's (and woman's) tendency to not believe God is offering the best and Adam's (and man's) tendency to stand by idly and let others (often women) take the lead.

However, as I said, the book was not terrible. And there were a few quotes I found worth sharing. Read on...

"If there are people in your life, then you have a home to make!"

"Prayer... releases the energies of God, for prayer is asking God to do what you cannot do."

"The world is tugging at our children's hearts, pulling them down and away from God. Loving our children means we are willing to get down in the trenches and fight to turn our children's hearts toward God - toward His Word and His ways."

"Wisdom is the ability to use the best means at the best time to accomplish the best ends. It is not merely a matter of information or knowledge, but of skillful and practical application of the truth to the ordinary facets of life."

"Wisdom makes it a habit to keep one eye on the future and the other on reality and makes her decisions accordingly."

"Kindness is love doing little things, things that seem scarcely worth doing, and yet which mean much to those for whom they are wrought. Kindness lends a hand when another is burdened. It speaks a cheerful word when heart is discouraged. It gives a cup of cold water when one is thirsty. It is always doing good turns to somebody. It goes about performing little ministries with a touch of blessing. It scatters favors everywhere. Few qualities do more to make a life bright and beautiful!"

"It's frightening and sobering to realize that our conduct is 'an advertisement' - good or bad, for or against - the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Photo o' the Week - 8/7 - 8/13/2011

2011-08-13T18:27:00.001-04:00

Just a few cheese balls at our Triad Metro staff meetings this week.

Welcome to CRU! (Part 2)

2011-08-10T06:39:00.008-04:00

A few weeks ago when I wrote this post about the name change of Campus Crusade for Christ in the US to Cru Global, I promised a forthcoming post. The original post was more on the informative side - sharing the reasons for the change and some answers to common questions. This one covers a bit more of that, but also shares some personal thoughts.

First, I'd love to share with you some links to blog posts by someone who was on the "frontlines" of the decision-making process in the name change. Matt Mikalatos is on staff with cru in the northwestern US. He is also an author - I wrote a post about one of his books here. And he was one of the staff members who was a part of the core group that provided insight and discussion to the cru leadership regarding the name change. Mikalatos offers a few posts on the process and his thoughts thus far. There is an intro post about his role and the overall process. Then, there is a post about why it's good to have a name with no meaning. And a post that addresses the very real fact of mourning the loss of the CCC name.

The second thing that I want to share with you is some of the encouragement that has come from the Christian community at-large. After the initial news reports and feedback from people upset about the change, there has been a great effort on the part of cru to provide the full story and to answer the most common questions. There have also been quite a few leaders in ministry who have made statements in support of the name change, as well as our continued commitment to sharing Christ with people in all walks of lives. Two of the well-known Christian leaders who have endorsed cru are Louie Giglio, the founder of Passion, and Tim Keller, church planter and pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC. John Piper, author and pastor, also shared his thoughts on the name change in a blog post entitled, "Should you support Campus Crusade staff now that th e name is changing?"

And what about my personal thoughts? Well, here in the Triad, the name cru has been in use for quite a while. You can see this in the logo that we use on the campus of UNC-Greensboro. We've seen firsthand that saying "I'm with Cru" opens up opportunities for conversation with students. In fact, many students who are not intimately involved with our ministry on campus will not even notice there has been a change in the name.

And though cru is not an acronym nor is it meant to represent a specific idea or word, I find the meaning of the word in other languages interesting. The Latin word for "cross" just happens to be cru. And do you know what cru means in French? It's a vineyard, specifically one that produces the highest quality of wine. Seems like God's creativity at work!

My final thought on the name change has to do with something I've learned through my time serving God with Campus Crusade for Christ. My knowledge of Scripture and of God's character has grown greatly over the 6 years that I have been on staff. I am often tempted to find my identity in my job and base my worth on whether my plans go as I believe they should. But I have learned (and am still learning) that God is ultimately in control. He woos people into relationship with Him. And He uses flawed humans to carry out His purposes on earth. I believe that God's will was sought in the decision to adopt the name cru and that He will receive glory through the ministry of cru in years to come.

Photo o' the Week - 7/31 - 8/6/2011

2011-08-07T22:23:00.002-04:00

My awesome coaching group from the 1st session of DBSP had the fun idea for this journal that we would pass around to update one another on our lives. And it's currently in my possession for updating and mailing along...

Day 10 of the 30 Day Challenge

2011-08-05T15:25:00.002-04:00

Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, or Mad.

This is another somewhat tough one for me. That could be due to the fact that this lil' challenge was most likely created for the teenage type and I'm a bit past that. However, I prefer to think it's because I really like music, pretty much all kinds, and various songs have played a part in the aforementioned emotions at different times in my life. So, here goes my best stab at answering this one.

Happy: I don't usually listen to a certain song whenever I am happy. There are some songs that make me feel happy. Upbeat 80s songs like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun make me happy. And I generally associate songs with certain people/events. So, depending on the association, pretty much any song could make me happy.

Sad: When I was 9, my grandfather passed away and for some reason The Living Years always reminded my mom of him. When I hear that song, I feel a lil' sad and a lot reflective. Reba McEntire saw me through some sad times in high school with songs like and If I Had Only Known and The World Didn't Stop (for My Broken Heart). I was a little broody.

Bored: There's no specific song for this one. I can almost always find something to do with my time, so I'm rarely bored. But if I am on the computer and want some music, I just turn on my iTunes playlist - it's pretty random.

Hyped: Lots of the songs from the Space Jam soundtrack, especially Hit 'Em High make me feel pretty peppy. These songs were often the warm-up music for basketball in high school, so that's my association. Also, R. Kelly's Ignition Remix is a hype song for me. (Anyone else ever wonder why the remix got lots of airplay but I've never heard the original?)

Mad: I think this is more a song that I listened to a lot when I was feeling bitter about life's circumstances, but I'm going with Alanis Morrissette's You Oughta Know.

I'm 1/3 of the way done with this challenge....

Photo o' the Week - 7/24-7/30/2011

2011-07-30T22:13:00.002-04:00

Happy 71st Birthday Daddy-O!!

Welcome to CRU!

2011-07-26T04:51:00.005-04:00

I am writing this one week after the announcement that Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) will be changing the name to cru for the US ministry in early 2012. There has been much media surrounding this decision, some not so good and some, like this Huffington Post article portraying a much more well-rounded view. Many individuals who proclaim to be Christians have expressed concerns with the removal of "Christ" from our name. Once again, some of these people have done so out of true concern and others have expressed great judgment accompanied with little desire to understand the reasons for the name change. In talking with some of my own friends and supporters, the most common reaction I have gotten is surprise and a desire to understand the basis for the decision. In this blog post, I hope to address both of those.

I can understand surprise at the decision if you simply saw an internet headline such as "Campus Ministry removes "Christ" from Name" or watched a video segment on the news. However, this process has been in the works for quite a while. The official movement toward a new name in the US began 2 years ago, but Bill Bright (the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ in 1951) recognized a need for a change in the name to better encompass the mission back in the 70s. The transition to cru was not a quick one and involved a great deal of research.

Let me share some background on the decision. In 1951, CCC began as a ministry to students on the campus of UCLA. Campus perfectly described the scope of the mission. At that time in history, the word "crusade" was associated with the likes of Billy Graham - a large event that brought people together to hear from Scripture and be pointed to Jesus. Thus, Crusade was an adequate word to describe the mission of allowing everyone an opportunity to say "yes" to a relationship with Christ. These 2 things are no longer true.

Cru now encompasses ministries far beyond the college campus - ministry to athletes [Athletes in Action], ministry to military personnel [Valor], ministry to strengthen marriages and families [FamilyLife], ministry to middle and high school students [Student Venture], ministry that reaches out in compassion to those in need [GAin], and the ministry of Josh McDowell. And have you ever heard of The Jesus Film? That's also a ministry of CCC, and it has brought 6,000 Gospel exposures to people around the world in their heart language. Thus, the word "campus" can be limiting in that when people hear that word they may believe that this ministry has nothing for them because they are not student.

And then there is the word "crusade." No longer associated with evangelistic gatherings but with hatred and violence, this word can turn many folks away from even engaging in a spiritual conversation. That leaves us with the little preposition "for" and the word "Christ." As stated over at The Wardrobe Door, "They were dropping both 'Campus' and 'Crusade' from their names for legitimate reasons and didn't exactly want to be blasphemous by calling themselves simply 'Christ.'"

Hopefully that answers some of the reasons for the name change. And if we look at the whole scope of ministries under the umbrella of Campus Crusade for Christ International, we are far from the first to adopt a new name in order to better fulfill our mission. The European ministry is known as Agape. The South American ministry is known as Vida Estudiantil, or Student Life. And in Africa, the ministry is known as Great Commission Ministries. Cru has approximately 25,000 staff worldwide and has ministries in 191 countries (that's more than McDonald's!). And we are committed to giving every person, regardless of culture or background, a chance to hear the Gospel and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ. Sometimes that mission means that we vary the means or change the name in order to remove unnecessary hindrances in introducing someone to Jesus. But regardless of those changes, the Gospel message and our belief in the power of God to draw people into relationship with Himself does not change.

Also, through intensive research it was discovered that 20% of non-Christians who were initially willing to discuss spiritual things were no longer willing after hearing the name of our organization. That means 1 out of every 5 of the very people with whom we desire to share Christ is turned away because of a label that has nothing to do with the Gospel!

Why cru? What does it mean? These are the other 2 questions I've been hearing a lot. After almost 2 years of working with a research firm, a team of about 30 CCC staff & leaders came up with a list of 4 names to test with those who are close to the ministry (i.e. staff members, involved students, etc.). Ironically, cru was not one of the 4 names chosen, but was added to the list just to round the options out at 5. Then thousands of people, including all 5,ooo of the US staff members as well as some students, volunteers, and donors, were invited to participate in a survey to evaluate the various names and give input. Cru was overwhelmingly the preference shown through these surveys.

But isn't that just the shortened version of "crusade," one of the very words you were trying to eliminate? I can understand how those of us who are close to the organization can make that association. But once again, a great deal of research has shown that those outside of the organization don't make such an association. And more importantly, non-Christians, those with whom we hope to share Christ, don't make that association. It's a non-issue.

So, what does cru mean? It is not an acronym for anything. And right now, it doesn't have great meaning. It will come to mean what we (anyone involved or connected with the ministry) bring to it. Much like brands such as Apple, Starbucks, or Nike, the word itself has little meaning yet manages to encompass the whole mission of the company. We hope that cru will represent our unwavering belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to have a relationship with God, and that the name change will prove to be a way to introduce thousands more to Him.

I'll write more about the change in a forthcoming post (click here to read that post), but please feel free to comment on this post with your questions or to contact me personally to discuss any concerns you might have. Also, check out cru's official site answering questions and offering insight.

And for those who'd like a little extra information/insight, please peruse the following:

Christianity Today
First Things
Sojourners
Thoughts from a branding firm
Thoughts from a former student

Here are some blogs written by other cru staff members on the topic of the name change:

Thoughts prior to the announcement of the new name
Not Your Average Armentrouts
Mike & Sarah Evers
Making an Oak Tree
Claire Angus - Part 1 & Part 2
The McReynolds Story
Brian Barela - Our Name is Not Our Message
Crocker Chronicle
Jayson & Carrie Whelpley

As Steve Sellers, the President of cru in the US, said, "If our name gets hammered, but Jesus is discussed everywhere, I'd call that a success!"

Photo o' the Week - 7/17-7/23/2011

2011-07-24T00:17:00.002-04:00

We don't have Culver's in NC, but on the recommendation from a WI friend I feasted on my first Culver's meal this week. Those things on the right are called "cheese curds" and they're pretty yummy - like a mozzarella cheese stick in a lil' ball.

Do You Appreciate Your Husband?

2011-07-21T22:08:00.004-04:00

I live alone and that means there are a lot of things I have to do myself. When something breaks, I have to figure out how to get it fixed. When the car needs an oil change, I have to schedule it and take it to the service station. When the trash needs to be taken out, I have to do it. (And that might be the one I dislike the most.) When I get home from conferences and/or trips, I have to unload all my luggage and carry it upstairs by myself. If I don't take the time to pay the bills, they won't get paid. I pump my own gas, do my own cooking and dishes, clean my own house. And I will carry 6 bags of groceries on each arm just to avoid another trip back to the car. I'm not complaining about this, just stating the facts of my life as a single adult.

There are times when I am keenly aware of having to do all these things on my own. But for the most part, I've just accepted it as a part of life as I know it. But last week, my viewpoint was a bit shaken up. And that is why I want to encourage your appreciation of the men in your life.

What happened last week? Well, I set out on a road trip from NC to CO with a former Triad student who is now on staff with Cru for our biennial US Staff Conference. This new staff member is named Stephen and I got the privilege of watching him become a man of God during his time in college. Since I like a good road trip, I was excited. But I've made this same road trip twice previously and wasn't really expecting anything new. But there was something different about this trip. There were doors (not just buildings, but car doors too) opened for me and trash thrown away for me - small actions that have huge implications for in my thought process.

See, I have a really hard time feeling valued by the Lord. I fully believe that He loves His children that He is integrally involved with every aspect of our lives. I can completely support that truth as it applies to others. And I can logically assent to that for myself. But I don't have an experiential knowledge of being valuable, appreciated, or cared for. Perhaps that is due to the fact that I am not practically taken care of in many aspects of life - I have to take care of things myself. But during this road trip, I was momentarily taken care of - physically through Stephen, but ultimately by Christ.

So, if you have a husband/brother/friend who steps up to take care of things for you and makes you feel valuable, be sure to tell him, "Thanks!" And thank God for placing him in your life.

Reflections on DBSP 2011

2011-07-19T22:06:00.008-04:00

If you've spent any time talking to me, you probably know that Summer Project is one of my very favorite aspects of my job working with campus ministry. Summer Projects are immersive ministry experiences for students, ranging from 2 weeks to 10 weeks and taking place all over the world. I have had experience with working at summer camps and going on other mission trips, but I truly believe that Summer Project is a very special environment that God uses to bring growth in the lives of college students - drawing them closer to Him and allowing them to connect in true Christian community.

I spent the first 5 weeks of this summer taking part in DBSP 2011 - the Daytona Beach Summer Project. After over 25 years of being a traditional, 10-week-long Project where students' main ministry locale was their job, things changed for DBSP this year. There were 3 separate 10-day sessions offered - 2 focused on leadership development and 1 focused on combining evangelism with social justice. Over the 3 sessions, 36 students participated. And now that I've had some time to reflect, I want to share a few highlights from each of the 3 sessions.

The first 10 days of DBSP were Leadership Summit I. We had 10 students - mostly women, all rising sophomores. It was a great group of students for the transition to a shorter Project in Daytona. These young students were immersed in the vision of everyone knowing someone who truly follows Christ. They learned about their own personality types and how they can better work with others to create a spiritual movement on their campus. We also spent some time discussing the Johari Window, a tool that aids in understanding the many facets of our lives - from the aspects that we share with everyone to the things that only God knows about us. You can even create your own interactive version here. One of the highlights of Leadership Summit I was my small group (pictured at the left in all our goofy glory) and the time we spent talking about the Johari Window. It was honest and real and a great discussion.

The 2nd session of DBSP was Leadership Summit II. Once again, we had 10 students, but this group was evenly male & female, and had a variety of class years represented. This one was extra fun for me because one of the girls I disciple at UNCG was part of the group. I am so excited that Mary Beth took the step of faith to take part in DBSP and I'm pretty sure she enjoyed her Summer Project experience.

One of the highlights from this session once-again came from my small group (pictured below). It is so encouraging to hear how God works in different peoples' lives and how He uses students on campus to reach other students. One of the girls in my group, Alli, is a golf player who had just graduated and will be working in the accounting field. She grew in her relationship with Christ through the athletic ministry on her campus and was able to share the Gospel with other athletes in a way that only a fellow athlete could. And then there was Jenny. She is rising senior nursing student who caught the vision for reaching out to other nursing students and is leading a movement among them on her campus. God is creative!
The final session was known as "Good News / Good Deeds" and focused on how we, as followers of Christ, can meet the felt needs of people through social justice while not overlooking their spiritual needs that can only be met through the Gospel of Christ. There were 16 students total, and 3 of them were from UNCG, which excites me personally. One of the girls in my small group from session 2, Kelley, was part of the staff team for this session, and she is one of the highlights of this portion of the Project for me. One of the ways that we sought to reach out to the community was by visiting an area juvenile detention center. At the last minute, 2 of the groups were re-routed to visit a youth rehab program where there were 19 youth ages 13-17. We introduced ourselves to the group and Kelley shared her story of how Christ had drawn her into a close relationship with Him through some tough circumstances in her life. When she finished sharing and asked if anyone had questions, one of the guys asked, "Without using the Bible, how do you know that God is real?" Wow! What a way to start a discussion. Kelley did an excellent job of addressing that question and some of the others that the kids asked. It was a tough, but encouraging discussion.

There was an additional thought-provoking moment during this final session. As the staff & students who were part of the Project were discussing how to effectively and appropriately integrate proclaiming the Gospel through words with showing Christ's love through our actions, we discussed how many of the older mainline churches in America have moved away from sharing the Gospel verbally and no longer see the Bible as true and without error. One of the staff members commented that once a group no longer views the Bible as infallible, there is no reason for members of that group to obey anything within the Bible that doesn't fit with their desires. That's a pretty succinct description of the many Christian-in-name groups that move away from Scripture and become theologically liberal. Something to ponder...

Photo o' the Week - 7/11-7/16/2011

2011-07-18T01:07:00.002-04:00

Kansas is certainly not the most interesting state to drive through, but it did offer a beautiful sunset during our journey.

Day 9 of the 30 Day Challenge

2011-07-14T21:32:00.001-04:00

Day 9 - Something you're proud of in the past few days.

This one has been hard for me. There are things that I'm glad to have done/accomplished in the past few days, but I don't know if they fit under the heading of something I'm proud of. So, I'm just gonna choose one of them and go with it.

I've had some great in-depth time with various people in my life over the past week. It all began when I spent the afternoon with E last Saturday - discussing life, ministry, and lots of things in between. We also enjoyed some homemade ice cream along the way.

I met up with K for lunch on Monday. She and her family have been serving with a ministry in Africa for the past few years and it was good to hear how God worked there and about their transition back to the US. Then I had dinner with P. I always enjoy spending time with him because he is quite well-read and intelligent, which I respect. He also asks sincere questions and then listens intently until I am done sharing my thoughts/answers. And since I am an internal processor, that can sometimes take a while. I really appreciate that!

On Wednesday, I got to have lunch with C. He and I went to high school together, and if someone had told me in 1998 that the 2 of us would be doing ministry in the same city in our early 30s, I would've never believed it. Just a reminder of how God works in ways that we could never imagine or plan for!

And tonight I got to have dinner with J. I really enjoy spending time with her and hearing her perspectives on life and other things, but we haven't gotten to do it that often. So, it was really refreshing to talk through how God is challenging each of us in different areas.

So, though these life-giving interactions didn't really rely on me doing anything, I'm still proud that I was able to have them. And that's gonna count for Day 9!

Casey Anthony - Something to Think About

2011-07-12T14:29:00.004-04:00

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that last week Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her young daughter. Many people were greatly upset by this verdict. There was uproar that this case showed injustice. People were commenting that she will ultimately face God's judgment. Overall, it seems that Americans wanted justice for Caylee (the daughter) and found the fact that a mother could kill her child to be horrendous.

I would agree with that assessment. Murder is not okay.

However, if Casey had chosen to end Caylee's life 3 years earlier, prior to Caylee's birth, there would have been little, if any comment. Had she chosen abortion rather than giving birth, she would've been completely within the law in ending a young life.

There are 42 million abortions worldwide each year. Almost 4,000 babies are aborted each day in the United States. That is 4,000 young lives that are ended each day, yet there is little outcry of injustice.

Something to think about....

Photo o' the Week - 7/3-7/10/2011

2011-07-10T16:41:00.003-04:00

After living in Greensboro for over a decade, Emily was finally introduced to the yumminess of homemade ice cream at Yum Yum's.

Words, Words, Words

2011-07-08T17:29:00.002-04:00

A couple months ago, I wrote the post below but never actually published it on the blog. A couple days ago, I read Ben's blog post entitled, "Should Christians cuss?" That reminded me of my post and I decided to share it with you. Please share your thoughts (on my post and Ben's).

Here ya go:

I was recently reminded that I tend to take words to heart more than many folks. There has been an issue with the use of coarse language among many of the students who are involved with our ministry. I have been aware of the prevalence of sarcasm among Christians in the past few years - we tend to say things that might be hurtful but have some truth to them in a way that can be claimed to be sarcasm. But the more recent issue has been one of using "four-letter words" - words that are classified as profanity.

Those who don't see a serious problem with this have said that their is freedom in Christ, that God's grace covers this sin (if it is a sin - they aren't sure that profanity fits the classification), and have asked if the use of such language would be considered 'living in sin.' I wouldn't say that any of those arguments are completely invalid. Those who see the use of such language as a problem also have some quite valid arguments. I happen to identify with the latter group, and I'd like to explain my own stance here.

I'm quite sure that my feelings about the use of profanity were at least partially shaped by the fact that I grew up in a home where the use of words such as 'crap' or 'butt' was not allowed. Thus, other, more extreme four-letter words naturally feel inappropriate to me. But I have other reasons for holding the view that the regular use of cuss words is not consistent with living a life that brings glory to God, the kind of life that Christians are called to live.

Those who have trusted Christ as their Savior are called to allow Him to be the Lord of their life. This includes every area of life. This means our language should be under the Lordship of Christ - what we say should bring glory to Him and should refrain from anything that would bring dishonor to God. Does using profanity necessarily dishonor God? I would say 'yes.' But I'm not sure that anyone could argue that the use of profanity does anything to bring glory to God. (If you do have a solid reason for disagreeing with that assessment, please share your thoughts via a comment.) Believers should also live in a manner that sets them apart from society (Deut. 18:9, Psalm 4:3). On college campuses, there are quite a few conversations where every sentence contains multiple cuss words. I sometimes wonder if some folks would be able to converse with others if all profanity were removed from their vocabulary. Therefore, when Christian students use the same language, even to a much lesser extent, they are not setting themselves apart from a very 'normal' part of culture.

Here are a few verses of Scripture that address the issue of language, as well as my thoughts on each:

Matthew 12:34b - "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."

The words that you speak come from what is in your heart - they are a revelation of your true thoughts/feelings. When I make judgmental statements, they are coming from the judgments that I've already made internally. When someone uses profanity in their conversation, those words are coming from what is taking up residence in their mind/heart.

Ephesians 4:29 - "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,
but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion,
that it may give grace to those who hear."

This verse is part of Paul's instructions to the people of Ephesus regarding how to live out their faith in Christ. It applies to all of the words that come out of our mouths - sarcasm, rude comments, gossip, outright lies, etc. Is there ever a time when the use of profanity would fit the description of being "good for building up" or that it would give grace to the hearers? In one sense, that is a rhetorical question as I can't think of any occasion when cussing would fit those descriptions. But I would also love to hear your reasoning if you do disagree.

My final reasons for believing that profane language is inappropriate for Christians' everyday conversation have to do with relationship to others. The Great Commandment (Matt. 22:36-40) is all about excellence in relationships, both with God and others. Believers are to love God with our whole being. And we are to love others as ourselves, placing their desires and well-being above our own.

Can the use of profanity ever show love for God? (Once again, this is a sincere question. Please comment if you can think of an example.)

How does our language fit with our relationships with others? Those with whom we are in relationship have to listen to our words. Christian men show honor to their sisters in Christ by not using certain language around us - and this goes beyond just the aforementioned four-letter words. And if someone has expressed their dislike of your use of certain language, God has commanded you to honor them and refrain from using that language in their presence. Speaking as a woman, when a Christian guy regularly uses profanity it's not attractive. It makes women feel devalued - not recognized as the feminine reflection of God's image.

My final thought confronts the misuse of freedom in Christ. One who has a relationship with Christ does not have to perform in certain ways in order to be acceptable to God. Because Christ paid the penalty for our sin, we are accepted by God when we profess faith in that sacrifice. There is a sense of freedom in that.

However, when believers claim that there is no reason to obey rules or to live above the status quo because we are already accepted by God, that is a misuse of our freedom. We are not accepted because of this obedience or because we do certain things or we don't use particular words. But because we have been accepted into relationship with our Creator, we are able to freely live above the norm of what everyone else is doing. We can honor others with these choices, and in the process bring glory to God. Want Biblical evidence? Check out Galatians 5:13 - "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

So, yes, I love words. They are full of meaning for me. And the words we use can be quite powerful. What are your words saying?

(Leave some comments: Seriously, I would love to know what you think on this topic - agree or disagree. You can comment anonymously. You can even comment for my eyes only - just include at the end of the comment that you don't want it to be published. I want to know what you're thinking about the words people are saying...?)

My Time in Juvie

2011-07-07T15:22:00.002-04:00

I've been to a juvenile detention center twice in my life - should've been 3 times, but there was a change of plans that 3rd time. And I'm sure at this point, you're wondering the backstory on these visits to juvie.

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that I spent 5 weeks in Daytona as part of a mission project with college students. This is the second time that I've served as staff on the Daytona Beach Summer Project (DBSP) and each time we visited an area juvenile detention center for a few hours on a Sunday. The students who are part of DBSP enter the experience with some fear and anxiety and come away with an expanded view of God's love for all people and thankfulness for their own life circumstances. Let me take you on one of these journeys.

The staff and students of DBSP met to brief for our trip to the juvenile detention center. We talked about a loose plan - being warned that the plan can change at any point due to the number of kids there, the ratio of males to females, or internal issues among the juvenile population. And yes, these are kids - ranging in age from 12 to 18. Then, we drove about 20 minutes to get to the center - entering through gates, parking, receiving another debrief from the chaplain, and then being cleared by security.

During our visit this summer, I was with a group of 6 ladies who were part of DBSP and we entered the all-female community room to interact with the inmates. There were 10 girls ranging in age from 14 to 17 in the room, and they stared at us with stony faces as we entered. (If you've experienced the wrath of middle school girls, you have an idea of the reception we got.) The guards turned off the TV, which didn't make the inmates too happy, and it was time for us to 'win them over.' We started by sharing our names - most of the inmates shared theirs as well, but a few just said, "I'm not participating." Then, one of the DBSP ladies shared her testimony of how God had called her to a relationship with Himself and one of the other staff clearly shared the Gospel and opened the floor for questions. That's when some of the inmates started to open up - asking questions and sharing their own struggles. So, our next step was to break up and talk with people in smaller groups.

I sat down next to a young girl - only 14 - and began talking to her. The first thing Bethany (not her real name) told me was that she wasn't a Christian and wasn't sure what she thought about all this God stuff. After letting her know that was alright and that I still wanted to talk with her, she shared a lot. Bethany had just been transferred to the detention center from a psych ward because she attempted suicide with a drug overdose. What led to her wanting to die? Well, she's been in over 60 foster homes. Her mom can't take care of her, but won't relinquish parental rights. Therefore, Bethany cannot be adopted. And out of all these homes, she's only had one where she felt loved and cared for. She was removed from that home just before she attempted suicide. That's a lot for a 14-year-old to handle!

As we continued to talk, Bethany shared more about her life, her desires for the future, and the things that help keep her sane in this enclosed environment. One of the things she told is that she loves to read. Then, she noticed that I was carrying a Bible and asked if she could have one. She had gone from being very closed to talking about God to requesting a Bible of her own! Bethany is just a little girl who needs someone to love her!

It's easy to pass judgment on the kids who are in juvenile detention centers, but it can be heartbreaking and eye-opening to learn all the circumstances surrounding their placement there. That's what I've learned from my time in juvie.

Photo o' the Week - 6/26-7/2/2011

2011-07-03T19:22:00.001-04:00

'Rosemary Roast' pizza at PieWorks.
Yumm-O!

Photo o' the Week - 6/18-6/25/2011

2011-06-27T16:18:00.002-04:00

(Sorry this post is a day late. This weekend consisted of a farewell dinner for Summer Project, as well as a 9-hour drive through 4 states. Better late than never, right? )

This is Rachel & Murphy - the cute kids with whom I spent the past 5 weeks. Technically their mom took this pic, but it's just too precious not to post.

At Your Service

2011-06-22T21:49:00.005-04:00

We live in an age where it can take an act of congress to talk to a human being when you call a company's contact number. Clark Howard of money-management talk radio often refers to "customer no-service." And I often hear complaints about how businesses handle their customers - things from lack of English skills to downright rudeness. But I know these issues aren't always the case. Here's my take on the good, bad, & ugly of customer service.

The Good - 1-800-CONTACTS
I first ordered contacts via "1-800-CONTACTS" a few years ago and had no problems. When that order started dwindling down, I placed another order via their website. Those came and I stored them away for when they would be needed. Fast forward to this past spring when I spent more time than normal wearing my glasses. Those contacts I ordered were the wrong prescription. See, contacts have some numbers on them that tell their strength and those numbers are either 'plus' or 'minus' depending on whether you are near-sighted or far-sighted. I need a 'minus' but had accidentally ordered a 'plus.' Afraid that I would just be stuck with these contacts and then have to pay for another order, I still took the step of e-mailing the customer service in hopes there would be some kind of better solution. They were super nice and willing to work with me - sending me the correct order of contacts as well as a pre-paid envelope in which to return the lenses of the wrong prescription. Now that's customer service!

The Bad - David's Bridal
If you've been involved in a wedding of normal expenditures (i.e. not extravagantly expensive), you've probably shopped at David's Bridal. It's a huge, nationwide chain of warehouse-esque stores that sell everything bridal - wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, shoes, jewelry, etc. For lots of variety at reasonable prices, David's Bridal is your place. I purchased a bridesmaid dress and some shoes there last year. However, before the wedding, I had a back injury and wasn't going to be able to wear the high-heeled shoes. They were the original white satin, hadn't been dyed, and hadn't been out of the box since they were purchased. So, I went back to David's Bridal and told them my situation in hopes they would offer a refund for the shoes. No such luck! And the lady who was working there was a bit rude about the situation. That could be considered customer disservice!

The Ugly - Plato's Closet
This is a store that buys gently used clothing, paying you cash and giving a chance to update your wardrobe with someone's no-longer-wanted fashion. Plato's Closet caters to teen and young adult clientele and being that I am plus-sized, there is no clothing in the store that I can wear. I knew this and had therefore never been to the store. Until last week, that is. Some of the young ladies that were in my small group as part of the mission project that I am staffing wanted to stop by Plato's Closet. And I discovered that they also carry shoes (in sizes that I can wear) as well as purses and other accessories. I didn't buy anything during this first visit, but did see a duffle bag that I considered purchasing. A few days later, I decided I would stop by and pick up this bag if it was still there. I walked in the store, and the lady who was working there glanced at me and went back to whatever she was doing - saying nothing. During the 5-10 minutes that I was in Plato's Closet, this same lady personally greeted all the other people who entered the store - people who were obviously their more typical clientele. Now, I understand that I don't fit the mold of their stereotypical customer, but I was still a customer - someone coming into the store with money to spend. Someone who should be treated as such.

What about you? Do you have any customer service stories? The good? The bad? Or the ugly?

Photo o' the Week - 6/12-6/17/2011

2011-06-18T22:04:00.003-04:00

I got a sweet package from the Thursday Night Ladies this week! It came after a couple of emotionally draining days, so it was extra appreciated.

Thanks ladies!!

Get Updates via E-mail

2011-06-13T16:31:00.002-04:00

See that big white line-esque space above my posts? The one with the "submit" button to the right? You might wanna enter your e-mail address into that space and press "submit."

What will that do? It means that you will get an update in your inbox each time I update the blog. After a few different friends mentioned that they enjoyed reading my blog but forget to check for updates, and that they would love to just get an e-mail that tells them I updated and reminds them to check out the new posts, I decided to add the aforementioned gadget (that's what their called in blogland).

I'd love for you to join the masses (I use the term loosely) who will now being enjoying the "Moments" via email.

Photo o' the Week - 6/5-6/11/2011

2011-06-12T15:41:00.002-04:00

It's a tree within a tree!
Blue Springs State Park in FL

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

2011-06-09T21:47:00.006-04:00

Earlier in the spring I was talking with my friend, we'll call her Betty. We were discussing some of the people we know in common and how they were doing when Betty mentioned that a mutual acquaintance, we'll call her Ginger, was feeling really down on herself. Ginger had been talking to Betty (and some of our other friends) about the issues she has with her image & appearance. This made me sad because Ginger is quite beautiful. She is tall, has pretty auburn hair, and is bubbling over with friendliness. Why does she only see the negative whenever she looks at herself in the mirror?

This conversation got me thinking about my own issues - the things I see whenever I look in the mirror. Then I began thinking about the people Ginger and I know in common. There are some gorgeous ladies in that group. Some of whom fit the American stereotype of beauty that includes being very thin with blonde hair and blue eyes. Because of my job working in campus ministry, I am regularly surrounded by women who are at the peak of their beauty. Young women who have outgrown acne and not yet reached wrinkles. Women who have figured out what to do with the hair that may have seemed a curse in earlier years, and who don't have to worry about covering those grays. Women whose bodies are in tip-top shape. Women who can wear the latest fashions of the day and look magnificent. And yet, these incredibly attractive women don't necessarily see that when they look in the mirror.

Since this conversation and the thought process that followed came about before college classes let out for the summer, you may be wondering what brings me to post this now. It's a little girl named Rachel. Rachel is 14 months old, just beginning to walk more than she crawls. And Rachel is enthralled with what she sees when she looks in the mirror. She will crawl to a mirror just to see herself. She will smile and clap. No one has told her she isn't tall enough, or that she's a little on the chubby side, or that it's not ok to enjoy what you see reflected back at you. Even with a face covered in chocolate chip cookie goodness, Rachel beams with pleasure.

Are you more of a Ginger or a Rachel? What do you see when you look in that mirror on the wall?

Photo o' the Week - 5/29-6/4/2011

2011-06-04T11:58:00.002-04:00

Proof that FL is not really a southern state!
This is how Moe's in Daytona labels their tea.

When You're Content, It Will Come

2011-05-30T17:43:00.002-04:00

Have you ever expressed a deep longing to someone only to be told, "when you're content with where God has you, He will answer that longing?" I've long felt that answer didn't seem quite right. The Gospel says I don't have to have it all together before I am able to have a relationship with God through Christ. Yet He would wait until I do have it all together in a certain area before He will bless me there? Seems a little wonky to me.

In comes this blog post. Read it. Ponder it. Let me know what you think...

Photo o' the Week - 5/22-5/28/2011

2011-05-28T16:37:00.003-04:00

Meghan, from NAU, one of the awesome girls in my Summer Project coaching group
is enjoying the water at Daytona Lagoon.

Oh, My Word...

2011-05-23T15:51:00.002-04:00

Awhile back, I wrote about my thoughts regarding the book Eat, Pray, Love. One of the things I enjoyed about the author's time in Italy was the idea that each city and/or person had a word that summed up their essence. I have thought about the word I would use to sum up my own essence. I wanted something clever, some word that would sound uber intelligent. But the word that continually comes to mind is neither of those things. Yet it is so incredibly fitting.

What is my word?

WORDS.

That's right, the word that I feel sums up my own essence of being (that sounds kind of intelligent, right?) is "words." Why? Well, I'm a bit of a bibliophile - I love to read. I read fiction, non-fiction, obscure books, classic literature, modern bestsellers, biographies, spiritual books, books about personal development, blogs, articles of interest. I just love to read.

Another reason that I chose "words" is because my top love language is 'words of affirmation.' I feel valued and appreciated when someone tells me they enjoy my company or that they appreciate something that I've done. I'd much rather receive a heartfelt note than an expensive gift for a special occasion.

And finally, words are just a big deal to me. I value commitments that are made through one's words. I feel strongly that when you say you will do something, you should meet that commitment. If you have no intentions of taking care of a task or attending an event, then speak truthfully. I believe this is an important part of one's character and not an optional issue for anyone who professes faith in Christ (see James 5:12). For these reasons, "words" describes me and words are very important to me.

What about you? What's your word?

Photo o' the Week - 5/15-5/21/2011

2011-05-21T16:55:00.001-04:00

Campus Crusade for Christ + Daytona Beach, FL = The El Caribe

Summer Project 2011 has begun!

Photo o' the Week - 5/8-5/14/2011

2011-05-15T21:44:00.004-04:00

Starbucks had Frappuccino Happy Hour this past week - 1/2 price drinks from 3-5pm each day. Cue Green Tea Frap and an afternoon of reading outside for me!

Literary Moments - The Prodigal God

2011-05-10T06:46:00.004-04:00

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller is a small book that tackles the full parable found in Luke 11:15-32 and often known as "The Parable of the Prodigal Son." As someone who grew up attending church, I heard a few sermons on these verses in my youth. The focus was always on the fact that the father welcomed and accepted his wayward son back into the family despite the son's debauchery. Thus, we can deduce that God will welcome us back regardless of how severely we turn our backs on Him.

Now that's all well & good, but I always thought that didn't really apply to me. I follow the rules. I'm a 'good' girl. I'm the son that never left and doesn't really like that his younger brother is getting this warm welcome instead of the justice his actions deserve. And that is exactly what The Prodigal God addresses.

There are 2 sons in the parable, and both are alienated from their father's love. The younger has followed his selfish desires, requesting his portion of the inheritance and blowing right through it. The older is so focused on his own goodness that he's missing out on a relationship with his father. Early in the book, Keller defines prodigal as "recklessly extravagant." And it takes just such a father, one who is recklessly extravagant with his love, to bridge the relational gap caused by both forms of alienation.

Here are a couple of my favorite insights from The Prodigal God...

"Jesus' purpose is not to warm our hearts, but to shatter our categories."

"If, like the elder brother, you believe that God ought to bless you and help you because you have worked so hard to obey Him and be a good person, then Jesus may be your helper, your example, even your inspiration, but He is not your Savior."

This self-confessing 'elder brother' needs a prodigal God and strongly recommends you read this book.