New Year, New Start...Again.

Does anybody read and follow blogs anymore or has the stories feature of Instagram taken the place of blogs? I guess we'll find out.

As a new year begins, I think many of us look back and celebrate the good, try to learn from the bad and make plans for the new. 

Especially this year I think most of us are ready to start fresh, start new and say "goodbye" to the year 2020 - one filled with a pandemic, quarantines, lost jobs, lost lives, closed restaurants and businesses, little interaction with extended family and friends and a whole lot more struggles. There are good things to come from 2020 - for me the best being my daughter Reagan who joined us May 26, 2020. While pregnancy and her birth did not go the way I had imagined and planned, she's here, she's healthy and becoming a mom is far better than all the negatives of the year combined.

A lot of us tend to use the new year as a jumping off point to make resolutions, set new intentions, make new goals and dream about the future. We don't really need a new year to do any of those things, or a new month, or a Monday. We can use every day and any day to set new goals or start a new habit. But alas, I still use the new year to do all of those things.

I used to love to write, and read. There are people who tell me I'm a good writer (I'll thank my dad and middle school English teacher for that). And yet, the last couple years I've let the responsibilities of adult-ing (work, being a wife, keeping a household running, cooking, cleaning, and now becoming a mom) de-prioritize those things that bring me joy (not that those other things don't by any means). It seems the world is getting back into finding hobbies amidst the stay-at-home orders. 

So with that, I'm going to begin to write again. I attempted to do this a couple years ago and like many new year resolutions, intentions or whatever you choose to call them, it slipped away.

I have a daily writing-prompt journal that I will be going through and my intention is to use this blog as that journal, sharing with you the prompts and my responses. It is a daily journal and I will try to post here as often as I can but I know I can't commit to daily, being realistic here. 

Beyond that, I don't have a plan for this blog but if you're interested in reading my attempts at creativity in written word, feel free to follow along. If you like to write, feel free to use those prompts to spark your own written adventure. This blog is just as much for me as anything, or anyone else. 

Are you a reader?

I used to be a voracious reader. I was the child secretly staying up late with a flashlight under the covers reading Nancy Drew and Harry Potter books. I think college ruined reading a bit for me because during college all my reading was homework and then post-college, the  habit of using tv to relax rather than a book continued.

2018 is a year I'll never forget, I already know it. I'm getting married to the love of my life and starting the adventure of married life and it's a dream fulfilled. God has also given me visions for different areas of ministry I'm involved with and my soul is ablaze to start working on developing these visions. I also challenged myself with some specific goals with detailed plans on how I would achieve them so I'm desperately trying to create good habits that create a passion-filled, fulfilling, God-honoring life. Our church has a phrase "The best is yet to come!" and that's my 2018 phrase.

Here's the 2nd (wow, 2 posts in 15 days, not how I wanted to start this but it is what it is).

 - Spend a few moments writing about a book that inspires you. -

I recently finish a book (after starting it 3 separate times) that was the catalyst for my ministry visions. The Hole in the Gospel by Richard Sterns (retiring President of World Vision) explores the issue of poverty and it's related issues and the responsibility we have as Christians help those in need. As the current volunteer Director of my church's Child Sponsorship program, La Bendición, it was clear from the first few chapters that this book was going to be immensely inspirational. I started the book 3 separate times before finishing it because I kept getting distracted by ideas and dreams. It inspired me to use the skills I have been given and the relationships I've built over the years to fulfill God's calling. One of the greatest take aways from the book was that we can work to do what we think is right but if it's not God-ordained and following His plan, then you'll never maximize your potential. My head is still spinning with ideas and dreams but my focus needs to be making sure that those dreams and plans I put in motion are where God is leading.

Writing...back at it!

Well, a year and a half of no posts, I was surprised to find this blog still accessible. I journal, pen/paper style, off and on, more of a prayer journal than anything else but haven't done any significant writing in years. I bought this book titled Q&A a Day for Writers back in Christmas 2016 and just now found it again while unpacking. It's a journal of sorts, 365 questions for creative exploration. Each day has a different writing prompt, question, etc and I've decided I will use this blog space as an electronic journal and to share this creative exploration adventure with all of you - my family, friends and anyone else who stumbles across this. I'm hoping that sharing it publicly will provide for some much needed accountability. I'd like to say I will post every day but being realistic, that probably won't happen - especially since it's January 2nd and I'm just now starting. ;) Well, here it goes...

Day 1 - In her essay "Fail Better," Zadie Smith says, "The very reason I write is so that I might not sleepwalk through my entire life." Why do you write? What does it do for you?

I guess the reason I write depends on the type of writing I'm doing. Most recently, I write as a form of  prayer. I write to document my prayers to God so that I'm able to look back and reflect on how God has fulfilled my prayers and His promises to me. It has become a faith-builder for me and a reminder of how much God loves and cares for me. I have dreams of writing a book, about what I have no idea.

Day 2 - Studies have shown that thousands of personality traits can be linked to handwriting. Use a handwriting sample to inspire a character sketch.

She writes in fluid cursive, seamlessly transitioning from one letter into the next without breaking the connection between pen and paper. The pen moves with poise, dignity and a sense or purpose. No ink bleeds or hesitations, she knows exactly what she's saying. It's almost as if the words can't come quick enough. The only breaks come with new words, crossing t's and dotting i's, and punctuation. Her letters are large, almost grandiose in form. Large, sweeping tails provide a sense of elegance, indicative of her status in the family. As the last serving grandparent, she leads the family through kindness and positivity. Technology escapes her, she much prefers the seemingly archaic pen and paper. In the world of instant communication through text, email and IM...she prefers to wait in anticipation for the mailman who delivers responses from her friends, though the responses are usually shorter and in a shaky, harsh scribble indicative of their age. Yet her handwriting is an art form, something that she has taken great pride in over the last 90 years

Checking Away the Checkbox

I survived the first week of my Spiritual Disciplines class and I managed to submit the weekly milestone paper about 6 hours before the Sunday midnight deadline. The two toughest parts of the week were trying to get back into the habit of consistent homework and writing a bibliography. I struggled a little finding at least four nights a week to read, comment on the online discussion threads and write the reflection papers, but the structure of an online course is pretty rigid that you comment a certain number of times throughout a week. Bibliographies are not my strong suit. I reference the works I'm quoting or pulling ideas from within the paper but putting the author, title, publisher, date, etc in the right order was always a bit of a challenge.

We are exploring the disciplines of solitude, silence and sabbath and how intertwined they are. It has been interesting, challenging and a little intimidating. I have a hard time being in silence and being in complete solitude with God. Even studying or writing this blog, I have the tv on, my phone dings to let me know I have a text and I can only stay focused for so long before I need a break...oh ya did I mention the cat that feels like she has to be in my lap as much as possible.

I'll take some time here soon to do some reflecting and sharing publicly  but for now, I've done my allotted reading and responding for the day so I'm off to watch  little tv and head to bed.

I'm going back to school...sort of!

So it's been a while, a long while, since I've posted a blog entry. I can make a bunch of excuses but really, it comes down to I lost motivation and I got lazy.  If it's a true passion, which I believe writing is for me, then I need to do it, no ifs, ands or buts.

So here goes it...

I am challenging myself starting today. I work full-time as a mortgage loan processor and 3 weeks ago I started with a new company. The details of why I moved companies are mute. They aren't worth my writing time or your reading time. What's done is done.

Even before the job change I knew I wasn't living life to the fullest. I was struggling to find joy and passion in the every day. I became complacent, complaining, lazy and probably a little depressed. When compared to the grand scheme of things, I shouldn't have been feeling any of those things but I was and am.

I needed something outside of work to really focus on, to push me to become better and stronger in my faith. So I decided to join the Working Professional Internship through Hope International University and Gold Creek Community Church. I'm a student again!

I love learning but need the structure of a classroom setting, with homework and deadlines. So today marks the start of journaling the journey.

I'm 26 and spending the next 9 months take 4 classes that will hopefully ignite a deeper level of Faith and relationship with God. Along with classes, the internship requires significant volunteering at church in a certain area. So I expect to be busy but hope to not let that excuse deter me from spending time cultivating my friendships, relaxing and enjoy the life I get to live here on earth.

I don't know what this journal will turn into, I'm not writing it for you but for me and if you happen to read along, fantastic. Maybe this journal will have a larger impact than just my ramblings at the moment. Like I said, life is sort of a jumbled mess right now so I guess it's appropriate this blog entry feels a bit like a jumbled mess.

With that, I'm signing off after doing a 3rd of the required reading for the week. Here goes nothing and everything all at once!

Amore Showcase

Let me start this by saying I am NOWHERE near the point of planning my wedding…well SERIOUSLY planning anyways! I’m like most girls and enjoy looking at wedding dresses, decorations and photo plans for my special day, mostly via Pinterest.

Well let me tell you where I will be Friday night, and where you should be too!

Amore Wedding Showcase @ The Event Center at Gold Creek. I know the most important question on your mind: how much is it? Well, hold on to your computer or cup of coffee, it’s FREE. 100% FREE and you can get entered in a raffle for awesome prizes listed below. And delectable desserts and cocktails. And lots of local vendor booths to browse through (flowers, photography, wedding planner, venue, catering and more)! And it’s all FREE!

The venue will be set up in a mock wedding so you can start picturing you’re wedding (or event). While this may seem interesting to us women who are dreaming or planning our wedding, its also for those who are looking for great local, affordable venues to host clients, training sessions and business conferences.

So here are the deets-

When: Friday, April 13, 7-9pm

Where: The Event Center at Gold Creek

            4326 148^th St SE, Mill Creek, WA 98012

What: Amore Wedding Showcase

Cost: FREE FREE FREE

Raffle Prizes (must go to this link to get ticket)

www.amoreshowcase.eventbrite.com

-One $400 engagement photo shoot by Alex Commer Photography 

-Three short centerpieces from Anna's Flowers! 

That’s a total of four items you can WIN, but you have to come to the Showcase!! 

Grab your friends, mom, aunt and sister and meet me there! At the very least, it’s a night out with family and friends enjoying an intimate setting sipping on a cocktail and eating delicious food! At the very most, you could plan your whole wedding in a few short hours!

Lessons from the Lorax

So I wanted to see The Lorax (2012) movie but I didn't necessarily want to go by myself as a 23 year old. I needed some kids to go with me. And of course, I asked my good friend Alex Johnson if I could borrow, I mean babysit, his two adorable kiddos. Now don't think I just used them, I love them like they are my younger brother and sister and since their mom was out of town, I figured the kids and I would have a fun date night together while dad went to a dinner party.

Any movie based on a Dr. Seuss book is bound to be entertaining. I did a report on Tim Geisel and the messages he sends through his creative rhymes and stories. The Lorax movie was no exception. It stayed true to the book with the animation, the colors and most importantly the messages.

The most obvious message is that of corporate greed. The Once-ler promised to chop down just one tree but the Lorax saw the danger in that. In the end, the Once-ler chopped down every last truffula tree. He didn't care that he chopped down all the trees, he didn't care that he pushed out all the animals. He listened to the voice of the consumer and greed. He sold out all he saw for the green. And in the end, he lived in a run-down old shack, no friends and no family. He lived in smog and grayness. All the color, all the life was sucked right out of that place. He eventually realized his mistakes as he shares his story and hands over the last truffula seed with this quote, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

This quote hit home inside of me but outside of the movie. In my last post I let you into a glimpse of the struggles I'm struggling through. This quotes addresses my attitude toward those issues. If I don't care about where I am and where I want to go, who will? If I don't care about friendships and my relationship with God, nothing will get better. So why do I dwell on the negatives and 'what ifs' when I should be focusing on what I can do because I am the one who ultimately can make a change for the better.

But back to the Lorax's messages.

Along with the quote I quoted above, the Once-Ler says "Its not about what it is, its about what it can become". Inspiration hits again. It is purely our choice if we leave things how they are or work to make them something bigger and better. Sure, we all could use the encouragement of friends and family, sometimes we need the harsh realities to hit us in the face. Yes, I pray to God for guidance, strength and opportunities but its up to me to see and take hold of those opportunities He provides. We can always do something to make something become bigger and better. (But remember the first lesson we learned from the Lorax, financial success isn't all its cracked up to be.)

The Lorax said "A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean." Again, the concept may seem obvious but do we actually believe and understand it. If you lean towards material success; having the newest, coolest car, sexy clothes, the biggest house and most expensive toys; that's fine, just look at where you might fall (i.e. The Once-ler). If you lean towards constant approval and confidence from friends and family, you might just lose that approval and confidence from and in yourself. If you lean on God as your Father and all He has promised, you are guaranteed to have a glorious, eternal life. Now there are many other things to lean on and at at times I'm sure we've all leaned on multiple things but ask yourself, which way do you lean?

I'm working towards taking just some of the messages presented in the movie to heart. There are  more messages within the movie and I encourage you, young or old, to spend the $10 and go see the movie. But don't just watch it for entertainment value.  Watch it for messages that can better your life.