Being the "Hands and Feet" can be Uncomfortable....

Last November our church challenged us in a big way.  We were offered Challenge Cards--it was our choice to take one or not.  You didn't know what was on the card until you had one in hand--challenge accepted--no going back.  I knew the staff had prayed each person would receive a card for a reason.  So, Josh and I both took a card.

I feel like this one simple card changed my whole outlook--and it was Josh's card.  It required a team effort, which was also no coincidence.  Josh's challenge was to organize our Life Group to serve a meal to the homeless camps downtown.  This would be done through a non-profit that was already involved in the camps.  First, please don't read this and think, "wow--they are awesome for doing that" We are not even on the awesome scale.  Please think-"wow, GOD is awesome."  We wouldn't have gotten through this process without Him, others guiding us, and we have an amazing Life Group.

"How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!" Psalm 47:2

The first part was just figuring out what to cook and how to feed 80+ people.  It's cold here, so we settled on bean soup, cornbread, fruit and cookies.   Our kitchen turned into a crock pot extravaganza and nearly 4 full days before going downtown we turned out kitchen into a bean soup factory.  Have you ever wondered what 80 (OK, only 78) corn bread muffins look like?

I used nearly every bowl I had to soak dry beans....and borrowed crock pots to keep them cooking.  For 24 solid hours we had bean soup cooking.  Thanks to our rotating schedules I'd get a batch started and Josh could finish it at night, start a new batch, which I could finish in the morning before work and switch things again over for him. 

I wish I had pictures of the assembly line that packed all the meals together.  So many hands working together--we had everything packaged in no time.  

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work."  Ecclesiastes 3:17

To serve the meals, we met the non-profit and a few other groups that came to help downtown.  From there we caravaned together to the camps.  The non-profit has a great relationship with most of the people who live in the camps so they were expecting us.  In some lots, we would pull up and no one was there---within minutes word was out that we were there--and it was busy.  The emergency shelters are closed now since it's officially spring--whether mother nature knows it or not, so this meant more campers.

At each stop we circled and prayed before distributing food or other necessities.  During one stop a camper wanted to pray--he had such a passionate, heartfelt prayer.  He had so little yet was so thankful.  

There was lots of bread--thank you to the bakery that donated literally laundry baskets full of bread.  

At our second stop, the campers allowed us to take a quick tour of the camp, if we wanted to.  I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't this.  It was primitive and it reminded me of pictures I had seen in National Geographic of another country.  Yet, this was 50 yards off a road that I've driven many times before.

OK-so here is where it gets real--don't judge me.  I know about homeless camps--I know about human trafficking--I know about people who are hungry.  I've seen the banners, posters, given money and food to the cause many times, BUT this is the first time I had actually been there.  This is the first that I've seen it nearly in my BACKYARD--in MY city.  It was unsettling and uncomfortable.  Let me be clear--the people did not make me uncomfortable.  The fact that this is happening today, here, made me uncomfortable.  I can't think of too many times that I've felt uncomfortable.

I had been so worried about getting the food ready that I didn't take the time to think about what we were actually doing and where we were going.  I was more worried about how Josh would handle things.  Once we arrived, I didn't know what to say or what to do.  I stuck with my good friend from our group like we were attached at the hip.  It dawned on me very quickly that this didn't bother Josh in the way it did me.  There was also a paramedic in our group and when I asked them about it, they said it was because they see this every day.  It wasn't that they weren't bothered by what they saw--it just wasn't breaking news to them.  They easily slipped into professional mode and dealt with it.  

Someone had literally popped the bubble I had been living in.  

Suddenly, I was very much so out of my comfort zone and uncomfortable.  It was like my boots were stuck in the mud and my mouth was full of peanut butter.  I feel like half the time I just watched in shock and amazement.  The comment was made that this is what being the hands and feet of Jesus is--I sure didn't feel like either since I couldn't seem to get either to move.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ...In fact, God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?" 

1 Corinthians 12: 12, 18-20

I'm thankful the veteran volunteers knew exactly what to do and in some way expected shock and amazement from the newcomers.

At one point, the leaders noticed a potentially horrible situation.  For her safety, our group left quickly as she was being watched.  A few people went back to find her but she was gone--the man watching her was not.  It breaks my heart---I guess I come from a different mind set and background.  I didn't understand why she didn't hop in the back of the van, yelling for help.  We would have taken her far away to safety.  Why didn't she scream for help?  Why? Why? Why?  Why is this happening?  What is wrong with people?  How could you hurt another human like that?  

For now, I pray and hope maybe next time we can do more for her.

I am confident I was moved out of my comfort zone because it's where God wanted me on that day.  It's good to be out of our normal zone--there is so much to learn out there.  It was a Father's gentle nudge in an area I needed to see and be active in.

This day made me realize how incredibly cruel and hurtful humans are to each other.  Something I had now seen first hand, where before I merely only heard about.  But it also confirmed what I thought all along--People are still incredibly generous and loving towards others.

"Love your neighbor as yourself.  Love does no harm to its neighbor.  Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."  Romans 13:9b-10

What I know 30 years later...

There were many things that have stressed me out about this birthday.  And stressed probably isn't the correct word anyway because it is what it is and I'm OK with that.  I felt like I'd be wearing a banner around that announced my graduation to the next age bracket. Maybe because it's a huge leap from being a young adult to just an adult.  It could have to do with the fact that when I fill out surveys now, I'm no longer in the 20-29 range.  There is something about not being in my 20's anymore that makes me feel less youthful...and if I had any cool factor before I'm pretty sure it might be gone now.

I am by no means old (right?) but there are a few things I've noticed these past 30 years:

1. Some people don't make it to this mile-stone and I am ever so thankful that I have.  In my graduating class alone, sadly, there are too many that have not gotten to celebrate this day, or rather their day.

2.  This feels weird, but it is OK.  Sometimes when I hear people talk about college-agers or early 20-somethings I instantly think, "Oh, so they are about my age."  BUT, there is usually a big difference between someone who is 21 and 29+.  The difference is OK--it's just a difference, not good or bad.  I think so much can happen in those 10 years that can define and change each person.

3.  I am now just an adult.  Plain. Simple.  Adult.  Secretly, I hope and love when people call me a young lady, sweetheart, girl, or honey.  Some are offended by it but I see it as still being youthful.  When people start calling me ma'am--well, that is an entirely different mile-stone that shouldn't come for many, many, many years!

4.  I may be 30 (there I said it) but I will always be my Mom and Dad's little girl.  They text me often, check to see how I am, and after I drive to visit, well, they have my drive home timed...and my cell phone starts ringing the moment I pull off the highway ramp, "Just checking to make sure you made it home OK...."  It's good to be someones little girl.

5.  I've come to terms with the fact that I'll never be allowed to hold the communion tray at church by myself.  I'm not sure how it all started, probably people being helpful but it never fails--no matter who sits next to me, they hold on to it.  If I have a person on each side each one holds onto the tray until the person on my other side has a firm grip.  If I'm sitting by myself, the usher retains his grip.  I wonder if I  have the look that says, "yup, that girl is going to spill the grape juice everywhere."  For the record, I've never spilled any or dropped as much as one cracker.

6.  Drama--I didn't have time for it 10 years ago and I have even less now.  I'm not into drama, pot-stirring, digging things up or getting people going.  I just want everyone to be happy and loved.  Is that too much to ask?  Spending time with each other is just too important--it's important to encourage and lift-up, not tear down.

7.  This decade has brought on more personal confidence than I thought possible.  Some of this could be moving to an entirely different city and finding my way here but I'm doing things I wouldn't have pictured myself doing before, in high school, college or early adult.  A few months back I was on stage at our church talking...it was only 30 seconds but I still did it.  It took lots of prayer but not something I would have done 5 or even 10 years ago.  I've gone out of my way to talk to people I don't know, invite people for lunch to make new friends, and genuinely forge relationships with new people.  I think I've solidified more of who I am and who I want to be than any other time in my life.   I don't want to be scared of other people, meeting new friends or trying new things.   I don't want to have regrets and look back in 20 years and wish I wouldn't have been such a weenie about things.  Mostly, being moved out of my comfort zone was terrifying at first but I've learned once I'm out of "the safe zone"--well, it's kind of nice out here and I like it.

8.    The past couple years has brought on more confidence in mothering.  It's a hard job--and I feel like the first year, all people do is give you advice on what you should or should not do.  The only unsolicited advice I'll give new moms is, "People will give you all sorts of advice on what you should or should not do with your new baby, but God gave you this baby and he will also equip you to be a good mother.  Seek advice from only those you really trust."  I've honed in on my own mothering instinct and I follow that.  I've surrounded myself with Moms that have great advice and show what being a Godly mother looks like.  Whether you have 1 or 19 all mothers get stares and silent judgement but I've learned to ignore that.  I'm doing the job God trusted me to do and I'm doing the best I can.

9.  I'm certainly not where I thought I'd be--and thank God for that!!  If you had asked me as a senior in high school where I would be when I was 30 it would not be where I am at now.  I had big plans to move up the corporate ladder as an accountant, have an assistant, a nice little sports car with personalized tags, and a nice paycheck to go with it.  I envisioned myself traveling for my job and being "really important."  I was going to be that lady in the airport, catching a plane in a black suit and heels, carrying my designer bag and computer.  I'm really not any of that--I did graduate with a Bachelor's in Accounting and worked as an accountant for nearly 7 years but that is where the similarities end.  I push a stroller through the airport, wearing slip on crocs (they are very practical), carrying a book bag full of cheddar bunnies and fruit snacks.  I don't have an assistant, I am the assistant.   I drive a mini-van (which is a long story on its own).  I'm content with the paycheck I have.  I'm not important to hundreds of people at a corporation but I am important to a few people.  I'm important to God--and most importantly, I've learned to see my value and worth through Him.  He loves me no matter what I'm carrying at the airport, if have an assistant or I am the assistant.  He's not ashamed that I drive a mini-van.  He is proud of what I have accomplished, not of what I thought I could accomplish.  He values all 30 of my years and so do I.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way
That he loves us!

-John Mark McMillan

So today I did what any normal 30 year old would do--took my son to Chuck-e-Cheese!  Ha!  Rory could not understand why in the world we would not go there for my birthday.  He had a blast--and I've realized (we will make this #10) as a Mom I have more fun watching my family and others have fun than doing something just for me.  We had a blast and I wouldn't change one minute of it!

February: Disney on Ice

It's been one of my goals this year to be more purposeful about doing things as a family.  We so easily get caught up in the day-to-day hum-drum of life and all things that must be accomplished that we forget to have fun!

I hadn't planned this one really and it wasn't on my idea list but....driving home from work Disney on Ice "Princesses and Heroes" was advertised on a Billboard.  My first thought was the tickets were probably outrageously high and Rory might be too young.  BUT....I do love Disney and all of the magicalness so I contact my friend Stephanie to get the scoop.  She is also a lover of Disney and had just taken her son who is a few years older than Rory.  She assured me we would have a blast--and we did!!  

I didn't tell Rory what we were doing until that day--I thought he might ask a million questions but shockingly he seemed very reserved about the entire thing.  Most likely, he just didn't understand what we were doing.

I had prepaid for parking when I ordered our tickets (which weren't that bad for a family of 3)-this was our first time in the Arena District and we had ended up at at 2 other parking garages before we finally found the right one.  Secretly, in that moment, I was aching for Cincinnati--I always know where to park down there.  Nonetheless, now I know a little more about Columbus--and that I need to budget extra time to find the right garage!

Our pics aren't that great--all we had was our cell phones.  After packing all sorts of goodies in my bag I didn't have room for the camera.

Since Josh isn't into Disney and Rory didn't know what was going on, I was easily the most excited in our little group!!  The show started with Mickey and Minnie coming out--I didn't expect them to be there--Rory was so happy!  It was so wonderful to see his face and hear how excited everyone was that I cried.  I couldn't help it--I'm probably the only Mom that cries at Disney on Ice but I was so happy that everyone else was happy!

It was all done up in true Disney magic and was a wonderful evening!   Next year, Broadway's The Lion King is coming to Cincinnati and we will be checking that out.  Now that I know Rory can sit through 90 minutes of ice skating I think he would LOVE to see an onstage production!

January: Rolling Pin Day!

I have this goal of having a family activity each month.  Something beyond our normal routine, something we wouldn't do every week, or every month for that matter.  Right before Christmas, Rory has been asking about playing "rolling pins."  We pass two bowling alley's almost every day so it's been a constant reminder.  I am fortunate to have today off in honor or MLK, Jr. Day so we spent most of the day as a family.  Our first "family day" was at the bowling alley!

Rory seemed intrigued by swapping shoes process and he looked awfully cute in his bowling shoes.  I detest wearing the rental shoes or putting them on Rory but it's not an option and I'm not investing the funds to buy everyone bowling shoes.  I am one of "those moms" that brings everyone a fresh pair of socks in a ziploc baggie once we are done.  The used socks are taken home and promptly washed--with bleach.  :)

Rory was beyond excited!  The place we went had "special" bowling balls for the littler ones that were 5 pounds so he could maneuver pretty easily.   Josh gave him a run down of how it works and how to roll the ball--it's a good thing the ball only weighed 5 pounds because it came crashing down on the lanes time, after time, after time.   Rory tried a few different stances and I'm not sure that he ever really found one that he stuck with--he was so distracted by the other kids playing and the gargantuan televisions on the wall.  

If you googled "pure happiness" I'm pretty certain this is the picture that would pop up.  Rory was so proud of himself for doing everything all by himself.  

I teased Josh about winning the first game by quite a bit so to be fair I'm posting the picture of the game that he won.  (**I let him win though--who wants to beaten by your wife twice?**)

There were also arcade games at this place--it was a pretty neat setup and great for kids.  One of the first games Rory wanted to play was the claw game--I had to cringe because no one ever wins at this game and he was already pointing to toys that he wanted.  Sure enough--first try and he won a little dinosaur!  He was so excited--and since no of us will probably ever win at that game again I had to capture the moment.  

We finished off our morning by having a late lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  Really, where else would we go?  :)  It was a great day--lots of smiles, giggles, laughter, fun and a little pink dinosaur to remember it all. 

Good bye 2013: Hello 2014!

Last year, right before New Year's Day I decided to create a bucket list.  Not before I kick the bucket, but before the year 2013 kicked the bucket.  It was my first bucket list and I have to say that I loved it!  It kept me focused on the year and getting things done that I wanted to accomplish.  So many times, we say, "someday" or "when I have some free time" but this helped remind me of my goals, there is only so much time to get them done and accomplish my goals.

I'm happy to report that I accomplished 6 out of my 7 goals!  Woot woot!

1. Buy a House  This one was kind of cheating because I knew it was happening and still put it in the list.      Nonetheless, it was crossed off my list!
2. Run a Half Marathon  I really did!
3. Donate my hair  All 12 inches!
4. Go on a shooting date with Josh  (we did this one right before Thanksgiving-it was a blast!)
5. Have a family picnic in our new backyard  (I'm counting Rory's birthday party as our "picnic")
6. Start a garden with Rory  This was so much fun that we will be planting again this year.  We learned a lot-mostly from our failed attempts to grow any real food.  We did, however, have more zucchini than I could count, at least 3 cantaloupe, a handful of green beans, a cup of dry beans and a few tomatoes.  I'm blaming the rabbits for our dismal turnout.

7. Visit our friends in Texas--This is the only one we didn't get to do. : (

I've been thinking about what I want to get done in 2014 and here is my plan.


1. Complete "Challenge Cards" from church.  In November, during a service, we were challenged to accept a card.  Each card had a task that needed to be completed--the interesting part was, you couldn't pick your card and you couldn't look to see what was on it before you accepted it.  By accepting the card you accepted the task.  The last I heard about these Challenge Cards, our worship minister was challenged to memorized the entire Sermon on the Mount.  He recited the Sermon during church and it was fabulous--will never read that portion of the Bible the same way again.  However, knowing that, my first thought was, "Well, they wouldn't make ours that hard."  Which is probably why we ended up with the cards that we did. While my card (& Josh's) don't require memorization work we do have a lot of prep work to figure out.  More to come-we are really excited about the tasks and seeing what happens with them.

2. Get Rory a passport. We don't plan on traveling internationally but I find that maneuvering the airport is so much easier if you have one.


3. Run Half Marathon, 10k and 5k.  And not in that order or all within a short time frame.  I ran Cincinnati's Flying Pig last year and it was so much fun!  But, I didn't register for ANY races after that and haven't run much since. BIG mistake!  I'm hoping this goal will keep me motivated and moving all year long.

4. Start a Thankful Journal- This was another idea brought up at church.  At the end of each day, write down 3 things you are thankful for.  Actually, we were supposed to start this at Thanksgiving but I like to start things at the beginning of the year so I'll start mine then.  Maybe by Thanksgiving 2014, I'll have a good list to share.

5. Give up Soda! It's probably fair to say I have an addiction--and it's just not healthy.  Technically, I've already started this one.  No soda since Dec 26th and it's hard!! I could really use a Coke right now.

6. Family Activity Time-It's really easy for us to get caught up in getting through life each day that sometimes I forget to do fun things.  This year it's my goal to plan one really fun, and hopefully, new activity each month for us to do together.  I'm pretty excited about this one and already have a few ideas up my sleeves.  If I run out of ideas, well, there is always Pinterest. Ha!

That about sums it up!  I'm anxious and excited to see what 2014 holds.  There are many wonderful, amazing, God given days up ahead.  I'm ready to take 2014 by the horns and wrestle her down! :)