I'm just being honest.

I really hate it when people forget my birthday. I understand we all lead busy lives, I understand we all get busy, I understand we all have our days...I really do. But it is also 2009...and there are also these things called calendars that have been invented where you can put stuff like important things to remember on certain days.

There is also a saying I believe in which goes something like "better late than never". So if you happen to forget one of those important days because it didn't happen to make it onto your calendar, it's better to maybe acknowledge it rather than just realize you screwed up and move on and pretend like it didn't happen.

And I'm really not picky on the type of media used to contact me on my birthday, but I will say if you're family- facebook doesn't cut it. Especially if you're a day late.

#1. If I could say just one thing...

Dear Beth Moore,

I happen to be a fan. I have gone through several of your studies and have found each one to be full of scripture, encouraging, uplifting, and all unique in their own ways. I believe you are a very wise and insightful person, and you have a way with words that is truly a gift from God. Thank you for using your gifts to glorify Him.

I have just one complaint.

I have had this same thought every study I have done, and I think I am beginning to see a pattern. I'm not sure if you yourself, someone in your office, or simply the publishing company makes the Bible study books that accompany your studies, but whoever it is...I don't think they actually do them. You wanna know why?

The spacing.

I don't think I have abnormally large handwriting, I have seen bigger, but it seems as if the space for a three letter word is _______________ this long, and the space for an 11 letter word is ___ this long. And I know you will probably turn this problem I have into a "teachable moment" and let me know that this is not one area where perfection is necessary and it's okay if my words spill over into the text just a little bit and I probably need to break free from this stronghold in my life and just step it up...but I really don't want all that to happen. I just want more space for long words and less space for short words.

I don't mean to be a fussypants mcgee, but really.

I'm just sayin,
Abby Jane

#2. Gettin 'er done.

Warning: I am not prepared to be serious on this here Serious Tuesday.

I fell asleep at 7pm this evening.

I think I may have some permanent eye damage from the amount of hours I have spent staring at computer screens in the past 14 hours.

It's amazing to me how much you just know about your job that you don't really know others don't know until you're asked to teach someone else or write it all down.

At this rate, I won't be getting a new job for another 10+ years. I hate updating forms. I hate updating databases. I hate writing everything down. I hate other people watching what I do. I hate paperwork. I hate goodbyes.


Forecast for the next three weeks of my life: insane.

#3. At the risk of being thought of as weird...

If you are a woman, I am sure at one point in your life you have thought about what to name your future children. (Guys, it's okay for you to do this too, but if you haven't, don't feel left out...please keep reading.) If you are a Christian, I have a feeling the thought has come to your mind, 'Hmm...should I give my child a Biblical name?'

I, for one, am a fan of my Biblical name. For those of you who have yet to come across my name...let me help you out. In I Samuel 25 verse 3 it goes something like this: "His name was Nabel and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings." Minus the whole marrying a fool part, I'm pretty sure you would like your Biblical name too if you were described as intelligent and beautiful. However, I can understand your discontentment with a name like Judas or Jezebel.

All of that to say, I am a fan of Biblical names (although there are some non-traditional names I am also drawn to). I imagine my children will have a mixture.

However, there is one name that I anticipate having to fight my future husband for, but it's going to happen. (I might put it in the pre-nup...just playin'.) A long time ago I read a certain Bible story, and I was immediately drawn to the name. I remember thinking how strong the woman was and how kind of proud I would be to be her mom. And it's not because I'm about women's rights and women are just as strong as men and all that stuff, I just remember her doing something kind of gross but so calmly and with such strength. The story is found in Judges 4 where a woman named Jael put a tent peg through the head of an army commander. And as sick and disgusting as that is, she knew what God asked her to do and she did it.

And just in case any other kids discover what her name really means in Sunday school, my plan is to name her with the initials J.L. so her mommy can call her that and can one day share with her the reason why, but it will be our little secret so (hopefully) she won't get made fun of in Sunday school. Or, even worse, having her friends think her mom is weird.

Oh, and hopefully I won't marry a fool. Fingers crossed.

#4. Big Days.

An older man at my church (and when I say older, I mean at least in his 70s) has recently started calling me "Abs". It's kinda cute. It makes me smile every time because I'm not really sure why he started calling me that or if he knows that only people between the ages of 20-26 call me that.

Today was a big day. They announced I was leaving in the service, I told the kids during Sunday school, and they also announced it at Perrysburg. Next Sunday will be my last week at First with the elders praying over me and having a party with the kids. The week after that will be my first Sunday at Perrysburg where I will be introduced in both services.

So far things have gone well. There are only two kids who won't talk to me, so 2/50...I figure that is a pretty good percentage. How do you make a 12 year-old understand that sometimes God leads you in another direction- and it has nothing to do with them? Especially when both of these kids have had a parent who has been "lead in another direction" recently, but God didn't have anything to do with those plans?

"But why did you even apply for the position Ms. Abby?"


Ay yi yi. Pray for me please.