- farting loudly in an early pilates class
- farting in let's say your cubicle and then someone walks into your space to ask a question and you have to explain uh i just farted
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
tell me. what's more awkward.
-walking into a bathroom (that is shared between different businesses) and a random person who works in another business jumps out at you to scare you and says: oh sorry, haha, i thought you were someone else. i was trying to scare someone else..
- or talking into the stall the so-called 'jump out and scare you lady' used and see that the plunger had been used and remnants were floating
- or talking into the stall the so-called 'jump out and scare you lady' used and see that the plunger had been used and remnants were floating
Thursday, March 13, 2008
blog this
well. read this. it's my april prayer letter. it's my gift to you.
Dear friends!
I roll my eyes, a lot. I also audibly sigh, a lot. I try not to, but it happens. The eye-rolling and audible sighing are best seen when I'm at the airport. And it’s usually connected to my luggage. It might be when I watch a security official throw out some type of liquid I accidentally left in my carry-on luggage. Or it’s when that same person goes through my luggage and takes out piece after piece of my painstakingly, magically, meticulously packed piece of clothing, shoe, necklace and scarf and then lets me repack.
When it comes to me repacking at a busy airport, the eye rolling and sighing are just the beginning…I’m not afraid to give my 'oh no you didn't' arm cross. Okay, so, maybe that security official didn’t know that I spent hours convincing that shirt to fit into that luggage. So, I uncross my arms and repack, it will be alright.
Even though I have several years of packing and unpacking under my belt, I don’t have it down to an art. I still, notoriously, over pack, a lot.
As I begin to prepare for my May trip to Sierra Leone, I've begun mentally and spiritually packing. I think about what I will need and then what I can bring to our staff and friends they serve among.
The more I have thought about the more I have realized I’ve been given countless, priceless and intangible gifts from you all. You all have given me support, love and sacrifice that point me to God’s unfailing love and character. Those things will carry me the some 5,000 miles I’ll be traveling to Freetown, Sierra Leone. And when I arrive, I anticipate and know that I will be introduced to new facets of God’s character through our staff and especially the friends they serve among.
In the midst of a country that continues to rebuild what was once destroyed by a civil war, the friends who are staff serve among will point me to God in a new way. I look forward to introducing you to the children who you support through your faithful commitment to WMF.
Through the years you have loyally and sacrificially joined me in my ministry with WMF and I invite you to accompany me on this trip. The urgent needs I have right now are:
• One-time gifts that will allow my support account to absorb my trip’s cost (approximately $3000)
• An increase in monthly supporters who will give my support account a much-needed boost. My support account has been healthy this year, but it’s dipped back into the negative in March.
• Monthly supporters who will commit to increasing their monthly giving by $10.
• Prayer that the Holy Spirit will continue to move on people’s hearts to join me in what God is doing around the world.
• From traveling mercies, safety and good health, I need prayer for my trip!
Thank you all for the gifts you are to me. From sweet visits in March (thanks Brittany, Elizabeth and Allison) to text messages and emails (way too many to thank – but thanks Elizabeth K.!), you all have been amazing friends who I thank God for each day.
Grateful, jara
ALSO: if you want to paypal it - here ya go.
Dear friends!
I roll my eyes, a lot. I also audibly sigh, a lot. I try not to, but it happens. The eye-rolling and audible sighing are best seen when I'm at the airport. And it’s usually connected to my luggage. It might be when I watch a security official throw out some type of liquid I accidentally left in my carry-on luggage. Or it’s when that same person goes through my luggage and takes out piece after piece of my painstakingly, magically, meticulously packed piece of clothing, shoe, necklace and scarf and then lets me repack.
When it comes to me repacking at a busy airport, the eye rolling and sighing are just the beginning…I’m not afraid to give my 'oh no you didn't' arm cross. Okay, so, maybe that security official didn’t know that I spent hours convincing that shirt to fit into that luggage. So, I uncross my arms and repack, it will be alright.
Even though I have several years of packing and unpacking under my belt, I don’t have it down to an art. I still, notoriously, over pack, a lot.
As I begin to prepare for my May trip to Sierra Leone, I've begun mentally and spiritually packing. I think about what I will need and then what I can bring to our staff and friends they serve among.
The more I have thought about the more I have realized I’ve been given countless, priceless and intangible gifts from you all. You all have given me support, love and sacrifice that point me to God’s unfailing love and character. Those things will carry me the some 5,000 miles I’ll be traveling to Freetown, Sierra Leone. And when I arrive, I anticipate and know that I will be introduced to new facets of God’s character through our staff and especially the friends they serve among.
In the midst of a country that continues to rebuild what was once destroyed by a civil war, the friends who are staff serve among will point me to God in a new way. I look forward to introducing you to the children who you support through your faithful commitment to WMF.
Through the years you have loyally and sacrificially joined me in my ministry with WMF and I invite you to accompany me on this trip. The urgent needs I have right now are:
• One-time gifts that will allow my support account to absorb my trip’s cost (approximately $3000)
• An increase in monthly supporters who will give my support account a much-needed boost. My support account has been healthy this year, but it’s dipped back into the negative in March.
• Monthly supporters who will commit to increasing their monthly giving by $10.
• Prayer that the Holy Spirit will continue to move on people’s hearts to join me in what God is doing around the world.
• From traveling mercies, safety and good health, I need prayer for my trip!
Thank you all for the gifts you are to me. From sweet visits in March (thanks Brittany, Elizabeth and Allison) to text messages and emails (way too many to thank – but thanks Elizabeth K.!), you all have been amazing friends who I thank God for each day.
Grateful, jara
ALSO: if you want to paypal it - here ya go.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
my oh my spring
We’re still now.
We, too, await your arrival, spring.
I saw a glimpse of you this morning.
This morning’s fragrance.
I’m sure it was a mixture of that little girl’s strawberry bubble gum.
And the moisture moving ever so slowly through the air.
The way you throw your flashy hues of bright pink in the skyline let’s me know you, too, are waiting to show up.
And we look, expectantly for your arrival.
Yes, winter, now it’s your turn to gracefully bow out and head into your own hibernation. Let springtime have her show.
We, too, await your arrival, spring.
I saw a glimpse of you this morning.
This morning’s fragrance.
I’m sure it was a mixture of that little girl’s strawberry bubble gum.
And the moisture moving ever so slowly through the air.
The way you throw your flashy hues of bright pink in the skyline let’s me know you, too, are waiting to show up.
And we look, expectantly for your arrival.
Yes, winter, now it’s your turn to gracefully bow out and head into your own hibernation. Let springtime have her show.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
time change
it was a battle between my alarm clock and my mind...i was really getting up at 3:20 am...although the clock would read 4:20 am.
so.
i got up at 4:20 this morning to get my work out on. i ended up running and doing pilates. and it was good.
i'm grateful that the time did change, it gives me a chance to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. i've learned that i've had to find my commitment to exercise despite the weather or time change.
i think that's been one of the biggest lessons i've learned in the past couple of years. i used to have the typical mindset...i'll eat better tomorrow...or i'll work out when i have more energy...or i'd rather just go home and then work out.
and we all know, tomorrow always comes but i don't change my eating habits....i end up having more energy but spend it on something else...or i get home and i don't work out.
making time for myself and my health has been a daily battle and choice. i used to feel a twinge of guilt when i knew that i needed to take time out for myself...if that's to be by myself or if it was to work out. but i knew that wasn't true. it was more of a disservice to myself and others when i didn't take care of myself.
imagine for a second...what would i look like if the way i took care of myself was accurately reflected on the outside...
imagine the junk i put in my body would hang out over my belly, that the extra portion of pasta i had would drag on my feet, maybe that chocolate shake would be matted in my hair, or all that extra oil, grease, fat in my food...would drip off of my fingers. and add to that...the lack of any exercise would be reflected by old, ripped clothes, a dirty face and nasty breath.
i mean, this can be applied to how we feed ourselves spiritually. luke 6:45 good people bring good things out of the good stores up in their heart, and evil people bring evil things out of the evil stored up in their heart. for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
today i want to nourish my whole self and care for this body God has given me. He cares for every part of me - He knows when a hair falls off of my head...He knows my heartbeats & my slight heart murmur. He knows me intimately. and I trust that He desires that I care for my body, soul and mind.
so a challenge.
- do something that nourishes your body, soul and mind.
body - just make one healthy food choice:
eat one more veggie or fruit than you did yesterday - stop and see if you're really hungry - drink more water - consider what you're feeding: true hunger or emotion - see food as a friend and not enemy - eat simply, eat for nourishment
make one healthy body choice:
exercise five minutes more than you did yesterday - stop and see if you're really tired and keep going - consider what is preventing you from exercising - do something that brings you life - enjoy the outdoors - do one push up
soul - make a sacred space for you and God - rest in silence - drink in contemplation - meditate
mind - read - meditate - write - doodle - find inspiration - identify things that are life-giving
it's a daily challenge for me to choose to live healthy and make healthy choices. i am humbled by the messages people have sent me who have joined me in this challenge and journey. we can't do this alone...i'm super glad we can't because that would be lonely. i didn't set out for this journey or blog to be an inspiration to anyone. i just wanted to write out what i've been learning and what i've been challenged with and so i'm thankful that you all have been so gracious to me as i've outlined this whole thing called healthy and whole living.
:)
so.
i got up at 4:20 this morning to get my work out on. i ended up running and doing pilates. and it was good.
i'm grateful that the time did change, it gives me a chance to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. i've learned that i've had to find my commitment to exercise despite the weather or time change.
i think that's been one of the biggest lessons i've learned in the past couple of years. i used to have the typical mindset...i'll eat better tomorrow...or i'll work out when i have more energy...or i'd rather just go home and then work out.
and we all know, tomorrow always comes but i don't change my eating habits....i end up having more energy but spend it on something else...or i get home and i don't work out.
making time for myself and my health has been a daily battle and choice. i used to feel a twinge of guilt when i knew that i needed to take time out for myself...if that's to be by myself or if it was to work out. but i knew that wasn't true. it was more of a disservice to myself and others when i didn't take care of myself.
imagine for a second...what would i look like if the way i took care of myself was accurately reflected on the outside...
imagine the junk i put in my body would hang out over my belly, that the extra portion of pasta i had would drag on my feet, maybe that chocolate shake would be matted in my hair, or all that extra oil, grease, fat in my food...would drip off of my fingers. and add to that...the lack of any exercise would be reflected by old, ripped clothes, a dirty face and nasty breath.
i mean, this can be applied to how we feed ourselves spiritually. luke 6:45 good people bring good things out of the good stores up in their heart, and evil people bring evil things out of the evil stored up in their heart. for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
today i want to nourish my whole self and care for this body God has given me. He cares for every part of me - He knows when a hair falls off of my head...He knows my heartbeats & my slight heart murmur. He knows me intimately. and I trust that He desires that I care for my body, soul and mind.
so a challenge.
- do something that nourishes your body, soul and mind.
body - just make one healthy food choice:
eat one more veggie or fruit than you did yesterday - stop and see if you're really hungry - drink more water - consider what you're feeding: true hunger or emotion - see food as a friend and not enemy - eat simply, eat for nourishment
make one healthy body choice:
exercise five minutes more than you did yesterday - stop and see if you're really tired and keep going - consider what is preventing you from exercising - do something that brings you life - enjoy the outdoors - do one push up
soul - make a sacred space for you and God - rest in silence - drink in contemplation - meditate
mind - read - meditate - write - doodle - find inspiration - identify things that are life-giving
it's a daily challenge for me to choose to live healthy and make healthy choices. i am humbled by the messages people have sent me who have joined me in this challenge and journey. we can't do this alone...i'm super glad we can't because that would be lonely. i didn't set out for this journey or blog to be an inspiration to anyone. i just wanted to write out what i've been learning and what i've been challenged with and so i'm thankful that you all have been so gracious to me as i've outlined this whole thing called healthy and whole living.
:)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
six minute blog
before work officially starts...and my hands begin to warm up.
so there's this companion of mine who doesn't know when to leave.
these last 15 pounds.
i'm not sure where they are hiding, but they sure aren't on my arms.
they aren't on my feet either.
maybe around my middle somewhere.
anyway. this winter i'm wondering if my body wanted to hibernate just a little bit...these little 15 suckers stuck around to keep my body warm.
but these little guys aren't welcome anymore. i've called in back up. my faithful friend rachelle :) and the people who have surrounded me throughout this process.
at first it was a bit embarrassing to admit that i couldn't make these pounds budge. i'd lose 4 pounds one week, gain 2 the next week. i'd roll my eyes and go to my chair in weight watchers.
it was a battle between me and the scale.
and that's never how i wanted to live...and i choose not to live that way. it is a battle of true freedom and finding and fighting for health.
so. if you think about it, pray for me as i continue to go deep into what it means to find freedom in how i honor my body.
here are some pictures from my bday a year ago...and this year's bday.
enjoy.
so there's this companion of mine who doesn't know when to leave.
these last 15 pounds.
i'm not sure where they are hiding, but they sure aren't on my arms.
they aren't on my feet either.
maybe around my middle somewhere.
anyway. this winter i'm wondering if my body wanted to hibernate just a little bit...these little 15 suckers stuck around to keep my body warm.
but these little guys aren't welcome anymore. i've called in back up. my faithful friend rachelle :) and the people who have surrounded me throughout this process.
at first it was a bit embarrassing to admit that i couldn't make these pounds budge. i'd lose 4 pounds one week, gain 2 the next week. i'd roll my eyes and go to my chair in weight watchers.
it was a battle between me and the scale.
and that's never how i wanted to live...and i choose not to live that way. it is a battle of true freedom and finding and fighting for health.
so. if you think about it, pray for me as i continue to go deep into what it means to find freedom in how i honor my body.
here are some pictures from my bday a year ago...and this year's bday.
enjoy.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
older
i turned 27 on saturday. i celebrated with some of my favorite people in the barrel room at urban wine company. this room was perfect for conversation, having your own tab and arriving/departing whenever you needed.
four glasses of panther creek pinot noir later, i was dropped off at the alleys home by marcia and brittany. we shared in some taco bell and television. and i went to bed.
i woke up, stumbled to feed the alleys dog...and walked in on such a mess.
the contents of my purse and our taco bell bag were all over the floor.
taco bell bag - easy to clean up.
purse. ouch. this dog somehow managed to completely empty my purse's two pockets...and turn it inside out. yes, i needed to clean my purse. but seriously.
so. i painstakingly tried to pick up every little shredded piece of paper or plastic...recover all of the lipglosses i've had tucked away for emergencies...and throw the rest of my trash away.
that was lou-ey's little birthday gift to me.
:)
four glasses of panther creek pinot noir later, i was dropped off at the alleys home by marcia and brittany. we shared in some taco bell and television. and i went to bed.
i woke up, stumbled to feed the alleys dog...and walked in on such a mess.
the contents of my purse and our taco bell bag were all over the floor.
taco bell bag - easy to clean up.
purse. ouch. this dog somehow managed to completely empty my purse's two pockets...and turn it inside out. yes, i needed to clean my purse. but seriously.
so. i painstakingly tried to pick up every little shredded piece of paper or plastic...recover all of the lipglosses i've had tucked away for emergencies...and throw the rest of my trash away.
that was lou-ey's little birthday gift to me.
:)
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