Organization

I'm big about being organized ... it helps me be productive. I came across this website that has some great tips ... and some fun downloads that help with organization! Check it out!

http://simplemom.net/tools/downloads/

Pants on the Ground

Wordless Wednesday

World Vision

Music Monday

Massachusetts

What happened this past week was nothing short of miraculous ... and a HUGE reminder to me that we have a God who is bigger than any political race!

It's been more than 45 years since a republican won a senate seat in the state of Massachusetts, yet in a time like this with a health bill about to pass through the government uncontested a republican won and suddenly, everything that's being talked about with the bill has changed.

I don't follow politics all that closely, but I couldn't help to notice this past week that we had been so stressed about what was going to happen, the potential costs of the situation, and the good and bad of the bill that I had completely forgotten that there is a God who is in control even of politics. Yet, He proved that this past week through a change of events, ever reminding each of us that He is there and He knows exactly what is happening ... and has a plan thats bigger than we could ever imagine!

Awkward

I have to share this story, simply because it might be one of the randomest moments I've ever had ... and for you boys its a good lesson on a pick-up line that doesn't work.

I was shoe shopping last week ... my tennis shoes were elderly at 2+ years, so it was time for new ones. While in the shoe store (unnamed store to protect the innocent) I have my Vera Bradley purse with me that was a gift from my sister-in-law. I'm looking at a pair of shoes when from across the store I hear the male manager yell out ... hey thats the Vera Bradley Cupcake Print ... it's my favorite!!!

Now my purse is the Cupcake Print, but at the time I didn't even know that ... and the fact that the store manager did ... and has a favorite Vera Bradley print was just way too creepy. Needless to say, I grabbed a pair of shoes and was quickly on my way!

Love Wins

I was reading a book earlier this week and came across a statement in it. The statement was simply "love wins". The author was talking about a pastor who encourages that to be your first thought when handling a situation ... to make sure that in the end love wins. Whether it is working with someone on a project, talking with a volunteer, a difficult neighbor, a child, a parent ... any encounter throughout the day ... ultimately make sure that "love wins".

This really challenged me that as I handle each situation throughout my day to make sure that in the end "love wins". It's such a simple phrase, but can help us to live Christ-centered lives, because ultimately, Christ loved ... and we should love as He loved.

So, as you go about your day, your week, your encounters both good and bad, be sure that "love wins" ... post it somewhere ... challenge yourself ... and in the end make sure that "love wins"!

Thursday's Tip

Use Technology. That is my tip this week. After learning a HUGE lesson earlier this week.

We have this amazing database program called FellowshipOne ... it can do everything and somehow I forgot about that when setting up our RSVP's for a volunteer dinner. As RSVP's began pouring into my email inbox over the weekend and up until the deadline on Tuesday I began regretting not using the weblink registration feature.

Sometimes it takes messing up something to realize how good you have it and well that's what I did this week. I messed up and didn't use the software we have ... its a lesson I learned in a hard way as I am continuing to dig out of emails.

So, a word to the wise ... use the technology you have - don't do it the hard way :-)

Wordless Wednesday

A Word

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 5:12-13

Music Monday

Free Stuff in Indy

This info was passed along to me today! Go and do something fun tomorrow :-)

Attend one of these museums for FREE in celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

Indianapolis Children's Museum, 10am - 5pm

Indiana State Museum (free with the donation of a canned food item), 9am - 5pm

Indianapolis Zoo (free with the donation of a canned food item), 9am - 4pm

Conner Prairie, 10am - 5pm

NCAA Hall of Champions, 10am - 5pm

Eiteljorg Museum (free with the donation of a canned food item), 9am - 5pm

IMAX Theater in White River State Park (free with the donation of a canned food item),

call 317-233-4629 or visit www.imax.com/indy for show times and details

Victory Field (free with the donation of a canned food item), 10am - 2pm

Negro League Memorabilia display and Rowdy will be signing autographs

*All canned food items will be donated to Gleaners Food Bank.

Enjoy some FREE Family Fun!

Alone

I don't think that this could have been said better. Steve Harrigan talks about how alone the people in Haiti feel ... and are. Brit Hume sums it up at the end with a reminder of why we can't forget the people of Haiti. Watch the full video and continue to remember the people of Haiti and pray for them!

The Pilot

“Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness”

-John Calvin

God's the Pilot ... let Him steer the ship!

Haiti

You would have to be living under a rock to not know what happened in Haiti on Tuesday.

The devastation is massive and many are still trapped.

This has been an incredibly busy and stressful week, and for me, its almost been like "just another thing" ... but it shouldn't be. Those are people's lives, it could've been my life, or yours.

So tonight, as the quiet sets in and the week begins to settle down - I'm searching myself, my heart - asking what it is that I can do to help someone in need ... something that won't just last in this time of need, but that will last long beyond it. There will come a day when we won't see the photos on tv ... yet their lives will go on rebuilding from the devastation, and so will mine. How will you remember Haiti, not just today or tomorrow, but for the years to come? Will you continue to pray for them long beyond this time?

For those of you in Indy, there's a prayer service at Northview tomorrow night (Friday) from 6-8pm.

There are also many amazing organizations that you can partner with during this time including Compassion International, Red Cross, and Doctors Without Borders

Sledding

Here's a few pics from the fun we had sledding last weekend at NVCL!

Wordless Wednesday

A Big Mistake

Google or Googol …

Do you know what Google is? Do you know what Googol is?

Google was just voted the most important word of the last ten years … in reality, it was a HUGE mistake. When Google was first created the intention was Googol … a mathematic word. The definition of Googol is: is the large number 10¹⁰⁰, that is, the digit 1 followed by one hundred zeros in decimal representation

But, in a massive mistake the domain name www.google.com was purchased. Can you imagine the frustration and embarrassment felt that day by the people who made the mistake? Yet, Google was just voted the most important word of the decade.

Isn’t it amazing how a BIG mistake can be a BIG accomplishment!

Each one of us are messed up individuals who have made many mistakes, yet God can use those mistakes to make something great … through simple obedience to Him.

Snow

This past week we got quite a bit of snow. Now, here in Indiana people are tough when it snows a lot ... when it snows a little not so much. I think its a "macho" thing ... lots of snow = great driving, schools open, life is normal ... small amounts of snow = terrible driving, schools delayed, and chaos ensues. I will never understand the things that snow does to people.

Including me...

I was leaving my neighborhood this past week following nearly 6 inches of snow when I passed two grown men on the side of the road. One was laying in the snow ... the other was taking his picture. My immediate thought was "look at those grown men acting like children!". Then, as I attempted to turn my head to look at them, I realized I couldn't. You see ... I was wearing 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, a jacket, a winter coat, a hat, and gloves ... thus rendering me unable to move. I myself, was headed to the highest point in Hamilton County to go sledding ... with TONS of children!

It was at that point I decided that we all need to act like kids sometimes ... lay in the snow, go sledding, just do something fun!

So ... go do something fun today! Let yourself act like a child and just enjoy life!

When Stuck...

Here's one idea when you're stuck in an airport!

The News

The news these days isn't always positive, but during some down time a few days ago I turned it on. It was filled with one bad story after another ... until something caught my eye. It was Brit Hume talking about the Tiger Woods Scandal and I quickly wrote it off as more talk and gossip until I listened to what he had to say! Check it out here...

Way to go Brit Hume!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Eve ... Part 2

As amazing and reflective as Christmas Eve was (read more about it in this post) ... there was a fun side as well! Enjoy the video :-)

2009 1224 XOB Hope Rap Video from Northview Christian Life Church on Vimeo.

A Word

The only thing you can know for sure is that God knows what He is doing.

- Oswald Chambers

Goals

It's that time of year when everyone is setting goals and evaluating themselves and their life.

As my time off comes to a close and this new year gets underway I'm also beginning to think about the things that I want to accomplish this year. I won't bore you with the details, but instead share with you some of the broader ideas I have moving into 2010...

Personally...

-Increased time in God's Word

-Regular exercise

-Increased writing and reading

-Continuing to work on my photography

Professionally...

-Developing additional volunteers and leaders

-Aligning Nursery and Preschool Ministries

-Empowering volunteers to do more

What are your goals for 2010? What do you hope to accomplish this year?

Nicaragua

I want to share with you the blog of one of my amazing high school volunteers at church! Next month she will be heading to Nicaragua to serve God at a school for deaf children. She has an amazing gift of working with children and incredible patience. Please pray for her during her travels and time at the school ... and follow her journey here!

2010

At midnight, a new decade began. 2010 came in without all the hype of 2000 ... but I think it's still a time to pause and reflect.

So much has changed for me in 10 years. I've been to high school ... and college, buried a parent and gained a sister-in-law, learned more about myself than I ever thought I would, moved to a new state (BUT still cheering on the Buckeyes!!!), grown in my relationship with Christ in incredible ways, found new hobbies and ended others, and discovered the things I truly love doing in life.

I pray this year is better than last and that by the end of it I am a better person than I am today ... growing in my relationship with Christ even more than ever before. I'm excited for what this year ... and the next ten have in store!

Happy New Year!!!