Imitators

Hi.

Did I tell you I got started my first part time job?  I did.  A couple weeks ago I started nannying for a family twice a week.  The boys I watch are adorable.  I start really early in the morning.  Like 4:30 am early.  I know. Wild.

Anyway, I'm able to snooze a little before the boys wake up, and then they have some time to watch a little TV before they get ready for school.  On Monday, the 5 year old woke up, came to the living room where I was sleeping through a cartoon, and cuddled up on the couch with me.  It was precious.

I'm sure I will have more stories about them later.

Remember that oatmeal casserole recipe I tried out?  Well, I decided to look into where it came from, and it was from a blog.  I scanned through some of the posts, and I really like it.  It's just fun.  I've decided to follow it.  I like finding new blogs to read.  In case you're interested:   http://alwaysamrsforeverakidd.blogspot.com   

Today, while Jered was at clinical, I spent some time riffling through some of the "stuff" I brought with me from home.  You know, the odds and ends that I just couldn't live without in Chicago. 

In what I've dubbed my "art box" I found the art supplies Mary Beth gave to me at my bridal shower, several magazines I saved for pictures I wanted to draw, old sketches, and a couple notebooks.  One of them was the black and hot pink one Jered gave to me for a birthday.  He gave it to me with the intention of having me work on my creative writing.

It ended up being more of a book of notes from church.  A few pages have story ideas and random descriptions scrawled across the pages, but mostly it is a collection of Sunday School and church sermon notes, accented with my doodles and sketches.

I spent some time to look over said notes.  I found some really good stuff, so I think I will be writing about them for the foreseeable future.  For today, I'm going to write about my notes from an Ephesians 4 sermon.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.     Ephesians 4:1-6

This is just the first section of the chapter, and it's already chock full of convictions for me.

I'm supposed to imitate God.

I'm supposed to imitate God!

To be honest, these notes are from quite a while ago, and I regrettably can't recall who gave the message, but this is some of what they said.

To imitate God, it doesn't start with us planning to do so- that sets us up for failure because the focus is on us, when it should be on Him.

If we spend time getting to know Him, it will come naturally, and then you even start to enjoy it because it's what we were made to do in the first place.  Why would we want to act like those who aren't?

Some more excerpts from Ephesians 4: 

• You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
• “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  and do not give the devil a foothold.  
• Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Oh golly. I "became a Christian" when I was 5 years old.  I feel as though it really became my own faith when I was in high school.  I wonder if I've actively "put off my old self and put on my new self?"  It's not something I generally give much thought to, but I guess I should.  After all, I am supposed to imitate God.

"Be very careful how you live... Make the most of every day because the days are evil."

And so the sermon ended with "Why wait?  Do it right now!"


I'm off to think about that a little more.  Talk to you soon!

Aim

Ramblings of a Sleepy Girl

Hello,

There was a night last week where I just couldn't go to sleep.  My brain wouldn't stop.  Want to know why?  I was racking my brain for costume ideas for Jered and me.  We needed a killer costume idea for Saturday.  I had one, but Jered was on the fence about it and wasn't coming up with anything better.

I also had a terrible headache, so that contributed quite a bit.

Then, I woke up extra early this morning and couldn't go back to sleep.  So I popped in Pride and Prejudice, the newest version.  I forget how great that movie is.  Great humor.  Great, awkward, lovey-dovey scenes.  I cried when Mr. Bennet realized that Elizabeth really did love Mr. Darcy and actually wanted to marry him.  The fact that he has been cast as President Swan has not ruined my ability to like him as Mr. Bennet.  Whew!

By the time that was over, I was still the only one awake, so I decided to start watching The Sound of Music.  I won't even get started on everything I love about that one. 

Well anyway, the Halloween party was fun, and Jered and I decided to go as a painter and painting.  Jered twisted up his moustache, wore his hat, painted on a shirt, and carried a paint pallet and brush.  I painted a poster board to look like a portrait of Marie Antoinette, cut out a hole for my face, put on a beauty mark and the brightest lipstick I had.  Pictures to come later.

We won the costume contest!  I'm not so sure it's from our creativity as it was Jered telling all our friends they had to vote for us.

I made Corn Bacon Chowder last night.  I really didn't think Jered would like it, but he said it was delicious. Here's hoping that he meant it!  This picture isn't mine, but it looks the same.

I also baked an oatmeal casserole.  This picture isn't of mine, but I don't have my camera with me to show you how mine turned out.  I changed the recipe a little so it was more to my liking.  (I left out the chocolate and used more berries.)  Jered's not a fan because he doesn't care for cooked fruit, but I love it!  I am going to make it all the time I think!

To be perfectly honest, I have another horrendous headache now, so this is all I'm writing for now.  Have a good night!

Aim

All Grown Up

Hiya,

I've been feeling very adult lately.  I suppose the catalyst was getting married, but I'm not just talking about having a home, fixing dinner, and living in the "real world."

First: As I mentioned in my last letter, I watched full football games.  And actually followed them.  If you don't know me well- this is a big deal.  The only time I really watched a game... and really followed it, was probably the last Super Bowl... Let's be honest, when I watched Jered play football, I was just watching him. Can't you see why?

Second:  Jered and I have been watching the Cardinal playoff games without Dad taking control of the remote.  That's right, all on our own, we have been cheering them on and more recently, were very frustrated with them.  (Ok, maybe I shouldn't speak for Jered in this matter, but it goes for me.)

Third: This is a jaw dropper people.  Jered and I have watched all three of political debates.  On our own.  And though, I got lost in their wordiness sometimes, I paid attention.  If you know me well at all, you know I "hate, loathe, despise, and abominate" political stuff.  (That quote is from Meet Me in St. Louis by the way.  Gosh, I love Judy Garland in that. If you haven't seen it- you need to.)

Ok, back to the political debate.  (Don't worry- I'm not going to start writing all about the debates and election until it's over.  I'm tired enough of seeing the TV ads and everyone's status on Facebook.  This is just a short little diddy.)  My opinion of the debates, or politics in general: they are going to say whatever they think we want to hear.  We aren't really going to know what they stand for until they are in office and show us.  K- that's it on my political opinions.

More importantly, the debates revealed a truth about my personality.  It's one I knew already, but boy, it came out incredibly strong during the debate: I hate conflict.  The second one of them starts bashing the other, or they interrupt each other, or tell the moderator they have more time when they don't, I feel incredibly awkward.  Imagine how uncomfortable I was last night during that intense hour and a half! 

I kind of wish I had a chance to be the moderator though... In my dreams, I would just shout over them: "Now listen here!  You have to be quiet now and let me speak!  NEW TOPIC!"  I may be a typically quiet girl, but I get real tired of hearing grown ups act like children.

Whew, so other than that, this is the heaviness that's been on my mind lately:

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  

Ephesians 6:14&15

Pastor Rich spoke on this passage when Jered and I visited home last week, and it stuck with me.  He specifically covered the breastplate of righteousness that day.  When he spoke of goodness, he stated that as God's creation, we are meant to be and do good.

You might remember from a special episode of Boy Meets World, that Corey, Topanga, Shaun, and Eric went to visit Mr. Feeney in their old classroom before going out into the real world.  They asked him if he had any more advice for them.  He gave them some advice and then said, "Do good."  Topanga, being a brilliant English student asked him, "Don't you mean 'do well'?"  He told her again, "Do good."  

This scene always sticks with me as a reminder that we are to do good.  Mr. Feeney wasn't mistaken in his grammar.  It's Feeney!  He knows better than that.  I don't want to speak for his religious beliefs, but Mr. Feeney knew that we aren't just here to learn and work and earn money.  That we have a higher calling.  According to Pastor Rich's sermon, a follower of Christ should be eager to do good.

Something else that really resonated with me, was that when my heart is right with God, I have a divine protection over my heart from evil.  I think this came from a quote, but I didn't get it all written down fast enough: The Christian way is not the middle way between extremes; it is the narrow way- walking all of life with God.  

Gosh, I just keep thinking of how often I fall short.

The sermon continued to explain what motivation we have to put on the breastplate of righteousness: the love of God, the will of God, protection from evil (the evil one), and a better life.  Seems like it should be pretty good motivation, but I don't want to think about how many times I choose to leave out this part of my attire.

Pastor Rich gave us another way to think about all of this.  We often ask, "How have you seen God working in your life?"  We don't usually ask this though: "Have you seen the work of the devil in your life?" Gooollyy.  That's harder to admit.  One way he pointed out the devil works is through fear.  He also pointed out that fears change throughout your life, and that he currently has fears over his life having any real meaning.  

That struck a cord with me.  It's easy to think that I still have alot of years ahead of me, but I don't know that's true.  That scares me.  What if I haven't done anything of real worth?  What if I haven't changed anyone's life in a deep, meaningful, lasting way?  How depressing.  Kind of makes you want to have an It's a Wonderful Life experience, doesn't it?

So I guess, that in my growing up, I'm starting to have grown up fears.  But I also know that fear and doubt are not of my God.  And I also have this wonderful peace and hope that Pastor Rich shared:

 "God does not love us because we are good, but to make us so."

Well, in case you weren't sure, this is the serious stuffing I left out last time.  And with that, I am off, to cook up something for dinner.

Goodbye,

Aim

Let's Catch Up

Hello friends!

What's that?  You sense a little extra kick in my step today?  Well, you are right!  I hope you have some free time on your hands because you're in for a whopper today.

I am sitting at home snacking on a tasty tuna concoction that Jered introduced to me, and listening to classical music, which is making me wish we had already unloaded our car, so I could be watching Phantom of the Opera right now.

Oh yes, we got to visit my family last weekend over Jered's fall break, which he graciously extended so we could spend an extra afternoon with my Katie.  It was lovely being back.  The smells, the space, the water... not having to cook.  Boy, the little things you take for granted, huh?

Whew, and leave and cleave?  That's all fine and dandy, but I sure did miss mi familia.  Dad bought pumpkins for Katie, Katita, and me to decorate/carve.  Kate and I opted for painting, while Tita bravely took on the carving knife.

We had a fun afternoon creating those, although we watched an unfortunate movie.  Sorry Mr. Depp, you know I love you, but Dark Shadows?  Wow.  Don't waste your precious dollars on that one.

Jered got to do some hunting with Dad too.  Aren't they adorable?

 



In other Jered-related news, I came home from running an errand yesterday (maybe more on that later), to a spotless apartment.  Complete with clean kitchen, emptied garbage cans throughout the apartment, and fresh groceries.  He even bought Oreos!  Why yes, I do have the best husband ever!

 

It could also have been payback for watching five football games on Saturday... Shocking, I know.  We flipped back and forth among three games at once that afternoon.  Get this- pouring down rain at all three games, and all of them consisted of one team in a wet navy or black and gold or yellow, and the second team in white with either a little red or orange on their helmets.  I could not keep them straight for the life of me... but I sure tried.

 

Anyway, enjoying my sparkling kitchen, I went on to make some delicious, if I may say so myself, pancakes from scratch and sausage patties, and we enjoyed breakfast for dinner.

 

On the menu tonight: a chicken, vegetable, and rice soup I've devised with some chicken seasoning, garlic, and lemon pepper... I'll let you know how that goes...

 

So, I just finished my next book.  It took much longer than my last two... and it's shorter.  Warning: here comes your unrequested book review.  I grabbed this book after quickly reading the inside of the cover as Jered tried to rush me out of the library one night.  It's by Nancy Grace, who is apparently a New York Time's bestseller, at least that's what the cover says.  I just thought she was a someone from political TV.  Shows you how much I know.

 

 

Anyway, The Eleventh Victim had six typos... that I found.  Who does her editing, I wonder?  Six typos in a mere 350 pages seem a bit much to me.  If you're going to get paid to proofread, do it well.  Am I right?  Now, don't go combing my blog for typos and misspellings.  You will find some.  Maybe even in this letter.  However, this is a blog, not a bestseller.

 

Ok, now that I'm off my English soap box, on to the story.  Blek.  Murder mystery- that's fine.  I enjoy that.  But then there was another story line that was just barely, and I mean barely, connected to the main story- which is why it took me forever to dig into it.  I really have no idea what it was doing in the book, other than to take up pages.  Then, adding to my frustration in this matter, a gaaaaping hole was left in the main story's plot at the end.

 

All of that could have been simply stated, if I were less talkative, as: Don't bother with The Eleventh Victim.  You can find better.  I promise.  Of course, that's just my opinion.

 

I did have some more serious stuffing for this little letter of mine, but I think I'll save that for the next one.  I've said alot already, and I don't want your eyes to weary!  So stay tuned!

 

Aim