I love music. Whether I'm in the car for five minutes or five hours, it's always on. I will often times pull in somewhere and stay in the car if a good song is on.
But there is one thing I can't stand about music in the car, and it's this: unintentionally listening to a stupid song on the radio, only to finally change the station and catch the tail end of one of my favorite jams. I hate that!
And yet sometimes I think that's what we do in life. We settle for a job that's not great but not miserable because it pays the bills for now. We settle for surface friendships because it's easier than being honest with ourselves and with others. We settle for unspoken and underlying conflict within our families because no one wants to make family dinner an awkward thing. We unintentionally (and sometimes very intentionally) settle for mediocre when what we could have is so much greater.
"So Joshua is speaking to all of us when he says, 'Choose for yourselves
this day whom you will serve.' At least, he is saying, make an educated
decision on the great goal of your life. Otherwise you will passively
flow into some choice by mere osmosis, a little bit of you at a time,
until you find yourself inside a temple bowing to a god you never consciously chose." -Kyle Idleman, Gods at War
I read that book two years ago, and yet that excerpt has stuck with me. I want to make sure I am intentional with how, who, and what I fill my mind and my life with. I don't want to miss out on every great thing God has for me because I was too preoccupied with mediocre at best.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
On expired formula.
There is this lady who attended my church for the past six years or so. She also attended the church I grew up in (back when I was growing up), so she knew me for quite a few years. She had a very sweet demeanor, and would almost always engage me in conversation if she saw me. She would always ask about my family- how my parents were doing, my siblings, and my nephews with special needs. She always seemed to remember what was going on in their lives. She would think about children's ministry often, and would want to volunteer, but it would never seem to work out. She would bring in extra diapers and little things here and there. About last September, she brought me three cans of infant formula that she had bought for her grandson and didn't end up using. Two of the cans hadn't been opened, so I passed them on to whoever I could, but one can she wrote a note on top of that she'd used four scoops.
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And then one day, a couple months after the last can of formula, I got an email saying she had a stroke and within a week, she passed away. And I can't bring myself to throw away this expired can of formula. Because the truth is, it seemed like every time she wanted to engage me in conversation, it was the worst possible time. I had things to do, I had kids to take care of, I had classrooms to get ready. And for some reason, I always had this thought in the back of my head, 'I have things to do. I could be doing something else, something better.' And it's that thought that kills me. Since when does having a to do list to take care of become more important than listening to someone? Since when does accomplishing my agenda become more important than investing in the life of someone else?
So for now, it sits in my office- unused and expired. But it serves as a gentle, daily reminder to me. I'll probably bring myself to throw it away someday. When? I'm not sure. But for now, I'm listening.
And then one day, a couple months after the last can of formula, I got an email saying she had a stroke and within a week, she passed away. And I can't bring myself to throw away this expired can of formula. Because the truth is, it seemed like every time she wanted to engage me in conversation, it was the worst possible time. I had things to do, I had kids to take care of, I had classrooms to get ready. And for some reason, I always had this thought in the back of my head, 'I have things to do. I could be doing something else, something better.' And it's that thought that kills me. Since when does having a to do list to take care of become more important than listening to someone? Since when does accomplishing my agenda become more important than investing in the life of someone else?
So for now, it sits in my office- unused and expired. But it serves as a gentle, daily reminder to me. I'll probably bring myself to throw it away someday. When? I'm not sure. But for now, I'm listening.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Grace in place of grace.
Like most people in the beginning of the year, I've set some "personal resolutions" for 2015. I do this every year- usually doing really well at first, falling off the wagon, semi-getting back on, and then doing so-so throughout the rest of the year. I figure if by the end of the year, I've kept my resolution for at least 150 out of the the 365 days, that counts for something, am I right? It's 150 days. 150 days that I was able to do something I didn't do the year before. I'm okay with that.
One of those things is drinking an obscene amount of water. Like literally, it's insane. I've peed more in the past 15 days than I'm pretty sure I've peed in the last two years. We'll see how the year progresses. Hopefully my bladder expands. TMI? Maybe.
Another one of those things is completing the #SheReadsTruth Bible reading plan for the year. I'm currently behind, but I suppose I didn't want to tell you that. But now you know, so I guess that's where we're at.
In my reading last week, I stumbled upon this verse:
"Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given." John 1:16
And from it, I have determined this:
Because of who He is and what He has done for me, I can continue to extend grace in place of grace already given to others.
Because here's the thing: what I have been given from Him, I do not deserve. I have done nothing and will do nothing that will somehow credit what He has done for me. So how can I justify being stingy with others? How can I choose to not overlook offenses against me when I am the highest offender?
So that is another one of my goals this year: to extend grace in place of grace already given. And when I feel I'm at the end of my rope, I will continue to extend grace. Because that is what I have been asked to do, and because that is what I am capable of doing because of what He has done for me.
What about you? Any resolutions for 2015?
One of those things is drinking an obscene amount of water. Like literally, it's insane. I've peed more in the past 15 days than I'm pretty sure I've peed in the last two years. We'll see how the year progresses. Hopefully my bladder expands. TMI? Maybe.
Another one of those things is completing the #SheReadsTruth Bible reading plan for the year. I'm currently behind, but I suppose I didn't want to tell you that. But now you know, so I guess that's where we're at.
In my reading last week, I stumbled upon this verse:
"Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given." John 1:16
And from it, I have determined this:
Because of who He is and what He has done for me, I can continue to extend grace in place of grace already given to others.
Because here's the thing: what I have been given from Him, I do not deserve. I have done nothing and will do nothing that will somehow credit what He has done for me. So how can I justify being stingy with others? How can I choose to not overlook offenses against me when I am the highest offender?
So that is another one of my goals this year: to extend grace in place of grace already given. And when I feel I'm at the end of my rope, I will continue to extend grace. Because that is what I have been asked to do, and because that is what I am capable of doing because of what He has done for me.
What about you? Any resolutions for 2015?
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
2015. It's gonna be big.
Oh, hi!
It's been a while. Quick updates and then I'll be on my way:
In the meantime, read this. This is good.
http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/i-didnt-marry-the-one-she-become-the-one-after-i-married-her/
*Clarification: He IS the man of my dreams, I just met him in 1999, not 2013 :)
It's been a while. Quick updates and then I'll be on my way:
- Started a new job in October 2012 as a billing specialist for a therapist's office. Basically I go in for 10 hours a week to enter paperwork and send insurance claims and pretty much get free counseling from four different therapists. Well, that's how I see it anyway. It works out pretty well.
- Started as an assistant varsity softball coach at my alma mater in February 2013. I work mainly as the pitching and catching coach. I get to hang out with high school girls and talk about Justin Beiber, so that's pretty fun.
- Still working as a children's director at my church! Going on year 6 and am SUPER stoked about 4 weeks of vacation this year. Which speaking of...
- Met, dated, and got engaged to the man of my dreams! Well, sort of. We actually went to high school together, randomly saw each other at a stop light in May 2013, and I guess the rest is history! (More on that later.)*
In the meantime, read this. This is good.
http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/i-didnt-marry-the-one-she-become-the-one-after-i-married-her/
*Clarification: He IS the man of my dreams, I just met him in 1999, not 2013 :)
Monday, November 12, 2012
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Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Calm After The Storm.
Well, you know you've been under a lot of stress lately when your trip to the store on Monday afternoon looks like this:
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But really, I'm feeling better already. I think it was just my body saying 'really, Abby Jane? 2 showers, a new job, and a craft show all in the same month? get outta town.'
So speaking of craft shows...her she is!
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I realize the picture is a little small but so was my space! A few important things I wanted to keep in mind for the show:
1. I wanted to offer the majority of products I make (headbands, hair clips, tie bibs, block letter sets, and yarn wreaths) to see if I noticed any particular difference in sales. I think I would eventually like to narrow down what I have to offer, so I thought this show might be a good starting point. Unfortunately, I saw people buy a little bit of everything! No one item was particularly popular, although I did get a TON more comments about my cute tie bibs. (I did find out there was another vendor selling them. Fortunately she was in another building. And one customer told me she wished she would have found me first- mine were cuter. Bonus.)
2. I wanted to offer items at a variety of price points. My items ranged from $1-$40. I found this to be effective.
3. I also offered discounts for multiple purchases. Almost every item on my table was sold at a lower price if you bought more than one.
4. I also found that no matter how many signs you make stating your prices, people will always ask you. Know your prices very well!
5. I also value pretty packaging. I discovered that about myself in preparing for the show. So did I spend a little extra money? Yes. Did my shoppers go home with a little extra "wow" factor after their purchase? Yes! Several of the items purchased were gifts so I was able to add gift wrapping at the end. I think my customers really appreciated it! I simply bought some reusable shopping bags on Amazon (for larger purchases like wreaths) and just some plain colored craft bags at Michaels- added my business card tied on with zebra print ribbon & a little tissue paper, and that was that!
Here is what I went with:
18 headbands ($6 or 2/$10)
10 infant headband wraps ($1 to add to any hair clip)
7 small flower clips ($3 or 2/$5)
22 large flower clips ($4 or 3/$10)
13 tie bibs ($4 or 3/$10)
10 block letter sets (varied from $4/letter or 3/$10 to $10-$20 per set)
6 14" wreaths ($40)
3 12" wreaths ($25)
And here is what I came home with:
16 headbands
6 infant headwraps
3 small flower clips
14 large flower clips
5 tie bibs
5 block letter sets
5 14" wreaths
2 12" wreaths
Also came home with custom orders for 1 tie bib, 1 onesie, and 1 14" wreath.
So excited to get product pictures taken this Saturday and hopefully having all of these items up on Etsy by mid next week!
.JPG)
But really, I'm feeling better already. I think it was just my body saying 'really, Abby Jane? 2 showers, a new job, and a craft show all in the same month? get outta town.'
So speaking of craft shows...her she is!
.JPG)
I realize the picture is a little small but so was my space! A few important things I wanted to keep in mind for the show:
1. I wanted to offer the majority of products I make (headbands, hair clips, tie bibs, block letter sets, and yarn wreaths) to see if I noticed any particular difference in sales. I think I would eventually like to narrow down what I have to offer, so I thought this show might be a good starting point. Unfortunately, I saw people buy a little bit of everything! No one item was particularly popular, although I did get a TON more comments about my cute tie bibs. (I did find out there was another vendor selling them. Fortunately she was in another building. And one customer told me she wished she would have found me first- mine were cuter. Bonus.)
2. I wanted to offer items at a variety of price points. My items ranged from $1-$40. I found this to be effective.
3. I also offered discounts for multiple purchases. Almost every item on my table was sold at a lower price if you bought more than one.
4. I also found that no matter how many signs you make stating your prices, people will always ask you. Know your prices very well!
5. I also value pretty packaging. I discovered that about myself in preparing for the show. So did I spend a little extra money? Yes. Did my shoppers go home with a little extra "wow" factor after their purchase? Yes! Several of the items purchased were gifts so I was able to add gift wrapping at the end. I think my customers really appreciated it! I simply bought some reusable shopping bags on Amazon (for larger purchases like wreaths) and just some plain colored craft bags at Michaels- added my business card tied on with zebra print ribbon & a little tissue paper, and that was that!
Here is what I went with:
18 headbands ($6 or 2/$10)
10 infant headband wraps ($1 to add to any hair clip)
7 small flower clips ($3 or 2/$5)
22 large flower clips ($4 or 3/$10)
13 tie bibs ($4 or 3/$10)
10 block letter sets (varied from $4/letter or 3/$10 to $10-$20 per set)
6 14" wreaths ($40)
3 12" wreaths ($25)
And here is what I came home with:
16 headbands
6 infant headwraps
3 small flower clips
14 large flower clips
5 tie bibs
5 block letter sets
5 14" wreaths
2 12" wreaths
Also came home with custom orders for 1 tie bib, 1 onesie, and 1 14" wreath.
So excited to get product pictures taken this Saturday and hopefully having all of these items up on Etsy by mid next week!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
It's Go Time.
I couldn't have asked for a better week. While each night I have still gone to bed with items on my to do list, the timing of everything has worked out remarkably well. Dinner at my sister's on Tuesday night = brother in law preparing all of my wooden blocks for me. Friends having Halloween pictures taken last night = last minute phone call to me to bring some product over for a photo shoot.
So while dinner with my nephews and holding baby Ethan while they took the pictures weren't exactly on my to do list, I couldn't have asked for things to go better.
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So while dinner with my nephews and holding baby Ethan while they took the pictures weren't exactly on my to do list, I couldn't have asked for things to go better.
Only two more days until the show!
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Stop Lying To Me.
I think a lot of times we tell ourselves pretty little things or we post that cute and inspiring quote on Pinterest or facebook because it makes us feel good about life or it has a cute chevron background. And then we begin to believe all of these things will lead us to happiness, love, and a fulfilling life.
But it seems as if the best lies are the prettiest ones. You see, once you strip away all the fluff of the lies it comes down to the truth, and the truth is they are anything but true. When reconciling these "inspirational ideas" with Scripture, they fall short.
It's not hard to find them- they are everywhere. I took the first few I saw on Pinterest this morning to illustrate my point.
"One of the simplest ways to stay happy is letting go of the things that make you sad."
vs.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. " James 1:2-4
"Sometimes you have to forget how you feel and remember what you deserve."
vs.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Death is what we deserve!
"Good people bring out the good in people."
vs.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15: 18-19
The last one is probably one of the hardest because it looks so pretty. It looks great, actually. Well meaning people post it everywhere.
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
vs.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17
When it comes down to it, our lives are not about us. We were bought with a price, and we need to remember that.
What lies have you been believing? What pretty things have people told you recently that don't line up with Scripture?
But it seems as if the best lies are the prettiest ones. You see, once you strip away all the fluff of the lies it comes down to the truth, and the truth is they are anything but true. When reconciling these "inspirational ideas" with Scripture, they fall short.
It's not hard to find them- they are everywhere. I took the first few I saw on Pinterest this morning to illustrate my point.
"One of the simplest ways to stay happy is letting go of the things that make you sad."
vs.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. " James 1:2-4
"Sometimes you have to forget how you feel and remember what you deserve."
vs.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Death is what we deserve!
"Good people bring out the good in people."
vs.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15: 18-19
The last one is probably one of the hardest because it looks so pretty. It looks great, actually. Well meaning people post it everywhere.
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
vs.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17
When it comes down to it, our lives are not about us. We were bought with a price, and we need to remember that.
What lies have you been believing? What pretty things have people told you recently that don't line up with Scripture?
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Funny Moments Part 2.
Libbie and I have been best friends since 5th grade. This past week we spent a significant amount of time together preparing for a baby shower for our other friend Jess. Libbie herself is 38 weeks pregnant. It seems like everyone I know these days is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, but that's kind of beside the point.
Throughout our many years of friendship, I can probably count the number of times I have seen Libbie cry on one hand- with most of them occurring during a chick flick. I'm also talking like a few tears here and there, not outright sobbing.
Since Libbie has been pregnant, the number of times I have seen her cry has increased exponentially. She called me on Friday night, a little exasperated by everything she had to do in preparing for the next day. I tried to calm her down and remind her that at that time the next day, the shower would be over with and she could go on and have her baby.
We were meeting at the hall at 11am, and I had made sure they all knew we had to be there at 11am sharp. We only had a couple hours to setup, and I had no idea what we were walking into as I had never been to this particular hall. It got to be close to 11:30am, and Lib still hadn't showed up. I was getting a bit worried that maybe she had gone into labor or something and asked someone to grab a phone and call her. At that same moment she was calling to have us open the door for her.
I will never forget her face. I was standing in the entrance to the hall and when Hannah opened the door for her, she came straight towards me with a crock pot of chili. Her face was a hot mess, looking like she had had a total meltdown. She looked at me, handed me the crock pot and said,
"I've had a bad morning."
sniffle sniffle
"I had two crock pots of chili..."
sniffle sniffle
"and now I only have one."
sniffle sniffle
"The other one is in my car."
sniffle sniffle
I'm pretty sure I just said "okay. okay. okay." over and over as the rest of the girls calmly went out to her car to see the damage. She had been on her way to the hall when an ambulance came by and the girl in front of her slammed on her brakes. She had to slam hers and, well, you know the story. They got her car mostly cleaned up, and we went on to have a great time at the shower. The best news was- we didn't even need the 2nd crock pot of chili! We had plenty of food to go around.
I will never forget her face as she walked into the hall.
I will also never buy a crock pot without a locking lid.
Throughout our many years of friendship, I can probably count the number of times I have seen Libbie cry on one hand- with most of them occurring during a chick flick. I'm also talking like a few tears here and there, not outright sobbing.
Since Libbie has been pregnant, the number of times I have seen her cry has increased exponentially. She called me on Friday night, a little exasperated by everything she had to do in preparing for the next day. I tried to calm her down and remind her that at that time the next day, the shower would be over with and she could go on and have her baby.
We were meeting at the hall at 11am, and I had made sure they all knew we had to be there at 11am sharp. We only had a couple hours to setup, and I had no idea what we were walking into as I had never been to this particular hall. It got to be close to 11:30am, and Lib still hadn't showed up. I was getting a bit worried that maybe she had gone into labor or something and asked someone to grab a phone and call her. At that same moment she was calling to have us open the door for her.
I will never forget her face. I was standing in the entrance to the hall and when Hannah opened the door for her, she came straight towards me with a crock pot of chili. Her face was a hot mess, looking like she had had a total meltdown. She looked at me, handed me the crock pot and said,
"I've had a bad morning."
sniffle sniffle
"I had two crock pots of chili..."
sniffle sniffle
"and now I only have one."
sniffle sniffle
"The other one is in my car."
sniffle sniffle
I'm pretty sure I just said "okay. okay. okay." over and over as the rest of the girls calmly went out to her car to see the damage. She had been on her way to the hall when an ambulance came by and the girl in front of her slammed on her brakes. She had to slam hers and, well, you know the story. They got her car mostly cleaned up, and we went on to have a great time at the shower. The best news was- we didn't even need the 2nd crock pot of chili! We had plenty of food to go around.
I will never forget her face as she walked into the hall.
I will also never buy a crock pot without a locking lid.
(just an hour or so after the disaster...all smiles!)
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Funny Moments.
I like to laugh. A lot. Sometimes things happen that I want to remember so I can laugh all over again.
Two of them have occurred in the past two weeks.
Funny Moment #1:
I had the opportunity to travel to Charlotte, NC to visit some friends of mine from college. They have the cutest little 3 1/2 month old you've ever seen, and they had also recently acquired a new puppy, who was absolutely adorable. We had a great few days of catching up, relaxing, shopping, enjoying the Charlotte weather, and, of course, babies and puppies.
While Laci and I were at Panera one day, she realized something terrible. You see, their car is fancy in that the ignition is a button and the key just has to be in the car for it to start. Unfortunately, it is also possible to lock the key in the car pretty easily that way. However, since Laci is supermom, she was determined to get in the car- and we had left the sunroof open.
So in the middle of the Panera parking lot, she began to climb on the hood of her car. Unfortunately, the Charlotte sun had baked the hood of her black car, and she couldn't stand to climb on it. I then decided me cheerleader-proping her up over the side of the car was the best idea. So while laughing hysterically (and I mean, hysterically), she used my leg, the door handle, and the top of the car to pull herself up and in through the sunroof. The good news? The key WAS indeed in the back of the car (it had fallen out of the diaper bag), and she let Judah and I in. Where was baby Judah this entire time? Sleeping in his carseat of course, missing all the action.
I am proud to say that for the two most embarrassing moments of Laci's life, I have been present. It just made a great trip that much better to be able to be present for another one!
Funny moment #2 to come tomorrow...
Two of them have occurred in the past two weeks.
Funny Moment #1:
I had the opportunity to travel to Charlotte, NC to visit some friends of mine from college. They have the cutest little 3 1/2 month old you've ever seen, and they had also recently acquired a new puppy, who was absolutely adorable. We had a great few days of catching up, relaxing, shopping, enjoying the Charlotte weather, and, of course, babies and puppies.
While Laci and I were at Panera one day, she realized something terrible. You see, their car is fancy in that the ignition is a button and the key just has to be in the car for it to start. Unfortunately, it is also possible to lock the key in the car pretty easily that way. However, since Laci is supermom, she was determined to get in the car- and we had left the sunroof open.
So in the middle of the Panera parking lot, she began to climb on the hood of her car. Unfortunately, the Charlotte sun had baked the hood of her black car, and she couldn't stand to climb on it. I then decided me cheerleader-proping her up over the side of the car was the best idea. So while laughing hysterically (and I mean, hysterically), she used my leg, the door handle, and the top of the car to pull herself up and in through the sunroof. The good news? The key WAS indeed in the back of the car (it had fallen out of the diaper bag), and she let Judah and I in. Where was baby Judah this entire time? Sleeping in his carseat of course, missing all the action.
I am proud to say that for the two most embarrassing moments of Laci's life, I have been present. It just made a great trip that much better to be able to be present for another one!
Funny moment #2 to come tomorrow...
Monday, October 15, 2012
It's my favorite season of the year, and I'm currently sitting on my couch sipping some hot apple cider thinking about what to write. It's a pretty dreary day here, but it gives me a good reason to just sit.
I've been wanting to get back to blogging for a few weeks now. Ironically, I'm taking the time to start now when this has, so far, been the busiest month of the year for me. But I've been learning that there is no better time than the present and if I don't do something now, I probably never will.
So instead of continuing to talk about my long absence on my blog, I'm going to ignore it from here on out and just simply start again.
Truth: I have a craft show in less than two weeks and I'm scared to death. The last show I did was in the spring, and I was a fill in for a vendor who backed out. I had approximately three days to freak out, prepare enough stock to get me through the show, make signage, business cards, and table displays. Everything.
I didn't have time to think about the big elephant in the room- the root of my fear:
What if I fail?
I've been working for almost two months in preparation for this upcoming show, but what if no one buys anything? What if I've put all of this time, effort, and money into something that is completely going to flop?
Almost a decade ago, I remember having a conversation with my friend Marcia in college. I was telling her I didn't want to apply to be on SAC (Student Activities Council) because I wasn't sure I would get in. I think her words were, "are you telling me you've never experienced not getting something?" I had to be honest- I hadn't. Now, before you think what a spoiled brat I am (which I'm pretty sure you already are), let me explain.
No, things were not always given to me. I had to work through high school. I had responsibilities. I had chores. I, however, could not think of a time I had applied for something, tried out for something, ran for something, etc....and not gotten it. Jobs. Positions. Sports teams. Weird, right? I was 18 years old and had never experienced that feeling.
Well, truth be told, here we are almost ten years later, and I still haven't. Have I had disappointment? Sure. Have I experienced tragedy? Yes. But have I ever been rejected or turned away from something I really, really wanted? I can honestly say that I haven't.
So maybe I feel like I'm due. Maybe I think it's this big thing just hanging over me for me to get screwed royally at least once.
I know that I've been blessed. I know that all of these good things have come down from my Heavenly Father, and I have learned to appreciate even the little things.
So I guess I'm ready. For a year and a half I've been thinking/dreaming/creating/working, and I'm ready to give it a shot. I've made promises to open my Etsy shop after the show with the excess stock. I'm having product pictures taken on Saturday. I've been meeting with a friend about how to promote my shop and enter into the blog world next month. I'm about to learn a lot of things about technology I'm not even sure I want to know.
And I'm completely prepared to fail. And I think that would be okay.
But I'm kind of hoping I don't.
I've been wanting to get back to blogging for a few weeks now. Ironically, I'm taking the time to start now when this has, so far, been the busiest month of the year for me. But I've been learning that there is no better time than the present and if I don't do something now, I probably never will.
So instead of continuing to talk about my long absence on my blog, I'm going to ignore it from here on out and just simply start again.
Truth: I have a craft show in less than two weeks and I'm scared to death. The last show I did was in the spring, and I was a fill in for a vendor who backed out. I had approximately three days to freak out, prepare enough stock to get me through the show, make signage, business cards, and table displays. Everything.
I didn't have time to think about the big elephant in the room- the root of my fear:
What if I fail?
I've been working for almost two months in preparation for this upcoming show, but what if no one buys anything? What if I've put all of this time, effort, and money into something that is completely going to flop?
Almost a decade ago, I remember having a conversation with my friend Marcia in college. I was telling her I didn't want to apply to be on SAC (Student Activities Council) because I wasn't sure I would get in. I think her words were, "are you telling me you've never experienced not getting something?" I had to be honest- I hadn't. Now, before you think what a spoiled brat I am (which I'm pretty sure you already are), let me explain.
No, things were not always given to me. I had to work through high school. I had responsibilities. I had chores. I, however, could not think of a time I had applied for something, tried out for something, ran for something, etc....and not gotten it. Jobs. Positions. Sports teams. Weird, right? I was 18 years old and had never experienced that feeling.
Well, truth be told, here we are almost ten years later, and I still haven't. Have I had disappointment? Sure. Have I experienced tragedy? Yes. But have I ever been rejected or turned away from something I really, really wanted? I can honestly say that I haven't.
So maybe I feel like I'm due. Maybe I think it's this big thing just hanging over me for me to get screwed royally at least once.
I know that I've been blessed. I know that all of these good things have come down from my Heavenly Father, and I have learned to appreciate even the little things.
So I guess I'm ready. For a year and a half I've been thinking/dreaming/creating/working, and I'm ready to give it a shot. I've made promises to open my Etsy shop after the show with the excess stock. I'm having product pictures taken on Saturday. I've been meeting with a friend about how to promote my shop and enter into the blog world next month. I'm about to learn a lot of things about technology I'm not even sure I want to know.
And I'm completely prepared to fail. And I think that would be okay.
But I'm kind of hoping I don't.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
This Is Good.
This is good. Really good. And it describes exactly where I was almost one year ago.
I don't wait anymore.
I don't wait anymore.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Community.
"When you walk with someone, listen to their story, carry their burden, play with their kids, that's community. When you pray for them in the middle of the night because their face popped into your mind, when you find yourself learning from them and inviting them more and more often into the family places in your life, that's community, and wherever you find it, it's always a gift."
-Shauna Niequist
-Shauna Niequist
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Create.
"The world doesn't need another band, per se. It doesn't, strictly speaking, need another book or another photograph or another album. The general world population will survive without one more stage production and one more gallery showing.
This is the thing, though: you might not. We create because we were made to create, having been made in the image of God, whose first role was Creator. He was and is a million different things, but in the beginning, he was a creator. That means something for us, I think. We were made to be the things that he is: forgivers, redeemers, second chance-givers, truth-tellers, hope-bringers.
And we were certainly, absolutely, made to be creators."
-Shauna Niequist
This is the thing, though: you might not. We create because we were made to create, having been made in the image of God, whose first role was Creator. He was and is a million different things, but in the beginning, he was a creator. That means something for us, I think. We were made to be the things that he is: forgivers, redeemers, second chance-givers, truth-tellers, hope-bringers.
And we were certainly, absolutely, made to be creators."
-Shauna Niequist
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Belief.
I believe that everything happens for a reason. And that, to me, is what makes life beautiful.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Plans.
Hey, it's been a while. It's amazing how fast ten months can go.
I've made a lot of plans in my life. In fact, I would say that the majority of my mentors told me to prepare and to do just that.
So I did. In high school, I planned on attending a four year college, meeting the man of my dreams, and getting married at 21. With the confirmation from a silly road trip game played with our youth pastor of telling our futures, his at the time joking response of "you'll go to Taylor, meet the man of your dreams, and get married shortly after" didn't seem unrealistic, and I accepted it with a smile on my face. In fact, I'm pretty sure that was God's will for my life.
Then my senior year of college when I met this guy who had some serious potential and I started lining up our after graduation plans and realizing that after a bit of long distance, it seemed they fit well, I made those plans. And I was pretty sure it was God's will for my life at that point as well.
And then when that didn't pan out, I didn't make any plans. Not for a long time. And then I met someone new, and I started making plans again. But this time it really was the real deal- I prayed for him, for us, more than anything else. I prayed for his business to prosper. I prayed for our future relationship. I had convinced myself I was ready to move, and I made another plan of how I would live and survive in another place, another state. I knew for sure it was God's will.
And then things didn't go so well.
And then I did some stupid things (yes, plural). I led some guys on. I broke some boys' hearts and sold them on ebay. I got wrapped up in making something happen. In moving forward, in progress. I was sick of waiting, sick of being disappointed by well thought out and well sought out plans (meaning Him). Thankfully, my sense got the best of me. And if anything, it has made me realize what I want more than anything is a godly man.
So here I am: I got no plans. I quit one of my jobs. I'm pursuing selling my crafts online. I'm investing in the lives of young families. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. With no plans, only obedience to the One who has called me to live a life I never expected.
And honestly, I'm happier than I have been in a long, long time.
I've made a lot of plans in my life. In fact, I would say that the majority of my mentors told me to prepare and to do just that.
So I did. In high school, I planned on attending a four year college, meeting the man of my dreams, and getting married at 21. With the confirmation from a silly road trip game played with our youth pastor of telling our futures, his at the time joking response of "you'll go to Taylor, meet the man of your dreams, and get married shortly after" didn't seem unrealistic, and I accepted it with a smile on my face. In fact, I'm pretty sure that was God's will for my life.
Then my senior year of college when I met this guy who had some serious potential and I started lining up our after graduation plans and realizing that after a bit of long distance, it seemed they fit well, I made those plans. And I was pretty sure it was God's will for my life at that point as well.
And then when that didn't pan out, I didn't make any plans. Not for a long time. And then I met someone new, and I started making plans again. But this time it really was the real deal- I prayed for him, for us, more than anything else. I prayed for his business to prosper. I prayed for our future relationship. I had convinced myself I was ready to move, and I made another plan of how I would live and survive in another place, another state. I knew for sure it was God's will.
And then things didn't go so well.
And then I did some stupid things (yes, plural). I led some guys on. I broke some boys' hearts and sold them on ebay. I got wrapped up in making something happen. In moving forward, in progress. I was sick of waiting, sick of being disappointed by well thought out and well sought out plans (meaning Him). Thankfully, my sense got the best of me. And if anything, it has made me realize what I want more than anything is a godly man.
So here I am: I got no plans. I quit one of my jobs. I'm pursuing selling my crafts online. I'm investing in the lives of young families. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. With no plans, only obedience to the One who has called me to live a life I never expected.
And honestly, I'm happier than I have been in a long, long time.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Holidays.
Sometimes I don't realize how funny something is until I'm telling someone else. On Sunday there was a "Happy Valentine's Day" bag sitting on my desk from my secret sister. I didn't think much of it, but I had to chuckle to myself thinking, 'oh, she probably thinks the poor girl is single on Valentine's Day, I should probably get her something.' (We just got our secret sister names last week.) Not until I was sharing what the bag consisted of with the secretary and the youth pastor today did I realize how funny it was. (I'm chuckling again as I type.) Sigh...it's the thought that counts, right?
The bag consisted of this:
The bag consisted of this:
a LOT of these (like, the entire bottom half of the bag):
and, the best part, these:
 |
| (heart decorated tissues) |
Fun, right? I can't wait for Easter...I'm hoping for this:
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Choosy Moms Choose Jif.
I'm not a mom yet,
but I refuse to eat any other kind of peanut butter.
I'm pretty sure my kids will too.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A Favorite of Mine...
I have this show to thank for one of my favorite sayings...
I like my men like I like my coffee- strong, dark, and rich!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Friendship.
Over the holidays, I was able to spend time with friends. Friends I have known for a life time or so it seems, those I have only known for a short time, and those who I have just recently met.
I tend to place high value on friendships. I enjoy knowing there are a few people I could call if I'm ever in crisis or even if I just want to laugh. I love discussing life, love, and other mysteries with those who believe and think the same way I do as well as those who don't. I love sharing life. I love community.
Recently, a couple I know who are working in France shared this prayer: that God would help them build bridges of friendship that will sustain the weight of truth. Mainly, the truth of the Gospel of Christ. That statement is so beautiful to me. Build a bridge too weak- not enough strands, not enough labor, not enough time- and it will collapse under the weight of the Gospel.
I'll be honest, it's beautiful, but it's a challenge. In my friendships with those of other faiths- how much weight can the bridge bear at any given point? How much is too much to say? Do I say anything? Do my actions speak loudly enough for now? It is a balancing act at times. It is the perfect word picture for the struggles I often face in these friendships.
I pray that God will continue to allow me to build these bridges. And to build them strong- to put in the work, to put in the time- so that they will be able to hold the truth of who He is.
I better go...I have a few phone calls to make and a few letters to write :)
I tend to place high value on friendships. I enjoy knowing there are a few people I could call if I'm ever in crisis or even if I just want to laugh. I love discussing life, love, and other mysteries with those who believe and think the same way I do as well as those who don't. I love sharing life. I love community.
Recently, a couple I know who are working in France shared this prayer: that God would help them build bridges of friendship that will sustain the weight of truth. Mainly, the truth of the Gospel of Christ. That statement is so beautiful to me. Build a bridge too weak- not enough strands, not enough labor, not enough time- and it will collapse under the weight of the Gospel.
I'll be honest, it's beautiful, but it's a challenge. In my friendships with those of other faiths- how much weight can the bridge bear at any given point? How much is too much to say? Do I say anything? Do my actions speak loudly enough for now? It is a balancing act at times. It is the perfect word picture for the struggles I often face in these friendships.
I pray that God will continue to allow me to build these bridges. And to build them strong- to put in the work, to put in the time- so that they will be able to hold the truth of who He is.
I better go...I have a few phone calls to make and a few letters to write :)
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