New Job!!!

Well...new 2nd job...:)

My sis is a counsellor and life coach...and without even a hint of bias I have to say that she is AMAZING! Well, she asked me to do some writing/organizing for her website and blog, and I couldn't be more excited. Of course, I'm going to charge her obscene amounts of money...that's just what we "first borns" do. ;)

Frustrating Week

Sometimes my expectations get the better of me. It's funny how "being let down" in one scenario is no big deal but in others it just plain ruins my day. Grr!

Dreaming...

Do people do this anymore??...

Adventures!

While I was at a friend's birthday party on Sunday, a friend handed me a napkin with some writing on it. It was directions. He said that it was a little adventure to something he thought I'd enjoy. I think it's an old wooden bridge that is still used. While I was putzing around today, I had a message that I needed to call my Uncle Tim. When I did, he gave me directions to two spots with brand new tar (newly paved roads are like candy for me...it's a weird "love"). SO...off I go for an adventure! :)

The Scented Razor??

I had to run to the store today because I ran out of disposable blades for my razor. Well, the store didn't have my kind anymore so I had to grab something different. I got the package home and opened it up. I immediately noticed a massive lavender scent...??? I grabbed the packaging and saw these words..."lavender-scented bandles".

Umm...since when did women all over the world decide that the best addition to our hair removal utensil was a fragrance??? Weird!!

Life in a Fish Bowl

It often seems like my life is in a fish bowl...on display for everyone. That began with being a pastor's kid growing up and continued when I took a principal job at a small school in a small town. Basically, anything I do is on display. Don't get me wrong...the audience is small...but it is enough sometimes to make me get embarassed. I worry that anyone else involved in my doings will think that I'm the one responsible for the viewer frenzy...that I'll look like a psycho. Alas, there's nothing I can really do about it. I just hope that it doesn't freak others out.

Did Manners Die??

Sometimes I have experiences with people...well, in public settings...that make me wonder if a sense of manners has died in our culture. It's embarassing. Then again...if it has truly died all over the place, maybe I'm the only one that's affected by bad behavior. Do others just think "crass" is normal now?? Oh dear...

Pro-Life Group Wins Court Challenge

Below is an article I received from an organization that I support. Feminists for Life is a non-sectarian, pro-life group that has done an especially masterful job reaching college-aged women. Their point is not to frighten women but to offer support. Considering that over 70% of abortion decisions come from a fear of not having support or resources rather than a belief that a pre-born child is simply a mass of expendable tissue (fetus), I think this group deserves a great deal of credit (and financial support) for everything they do to show women that they aren't alone and that there are people out there who can help.

An interesting notion that this article highlights for me...our culture's whacko definition of "tolerance". Simply not tolerant at all...stupid.

-----
Youth Protecting Youth, a pro-life student group at University of Victoria, British Columbia, paid a heavy penalty for posting Feminists for Life's College Outreach ads on their campus. The University of Victoria Student Society accused YPY of "harassment" and revoked YPY's official club status and funding several times between 2008 and 2010.

Feminists for Life offered assistance and encouraged FFL members to stand in solidarity with Youth Protecting Youth, supporting their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), a pro-choice organization, also came to the defense of the pro-life organization.

On May 3, 2010, YPY filed a petition with the Supreme Court of British Columbia requesting restoration of the club's official status and funding and asking that the UVSS' harassment policy be revised to remove recent amendments that applied to pro-life groups.

We are pleased to announce that a July 13 settlement awarded YPY the restoration of status and funding, including all funds they had been denied since 2008. The settlement further allows YPY to resubmit their petition if it becomes necessary in the future. The UVSS board also voted to amend the harassment policy.

FFL President Serrin Foster said, "Congratulations to Youth Advocating Youth, and our thanks to all those who refused to choose between women and children, between their education and families, and supported them during this struggle."

YPY President Anastasia Pearse said, "It's a great victory, and the terms of settlement show that the UVSS acknowledges YPY has been treated wrongly over the past two years."

FFL President Serrin Foster agrees, adding "It's an impressive victory. Thanks to YPY, women, especially those who are pregnant and parenting while in college, are the ultimate winners."

The University of Victoria incident is one of many attacks on pro-life student groups who are using FFL ads or implementing FFL's woman-centered mission, advocating services and support for pregnant women and parents. A mother's discussion of the challenges of being a student parent, scheduled by the pro-life group at Duke University, was recently cancelled by the Duke Women's Center because the event was part of a "traumatizing" Life Week sponsored by the pro-life group. University officials deemed the discussion of student parenting "too upsetting" for students.

"We hope this is a turning point and there will be no more undermining of our efforts to find meaningful solutions for student mothers, fathers, and birthparents making adoption plans.

"There should be no debate," Foster added, "when it comes to free speech or developing resources and support for pregnant and parenting students."

The Fair!!!

I'm getting ready to get my "conservative" on at the county fair this weekend!!! :) I'm helping with shifts at the booth for Sean Nienow and Kurt Daudt. Sticker, anyone???

Great Weekend with Family

Many of my family members convened a reunion of sorts in Omaha, NE last weekend. My cousin Bjorn lives there, and because we don't get to see him often enough, we just travelled to him! Haha! One of the amazing things that is a great joy to see is the spiritual awakening that he is experiencing. He seems so much more peaceful...and this proud older cousin loves that for him!! :) Another highlight of our trips to Omaha is the zoo there. Oh...my...gosh!! It's simply the BEST zoo I've EVER been to. This year I was able to get another glimpse of penguins (many know that this is something on my Life List...to see a real penguin). Their exhibit was FANTASTIC. Above water and below...we got a great glimpse of how amazing these creatures are!! Last sweet delight...my room in the suite had the most amazing bed in the whole world. It was HUGE!!! Ahhh, the simple things!! :)

Happy Day

I heard this at my cousin's church in Omaha this weekend. LOVED it!! :)

Update on Mt 12:20

The Message version of the verse really speaks to my situation right now. I'm just a bit overwhelmed and in need of a break.

"He won't walk over anyone's feelings, won't push you into a corner.

Before you know it, his justice will triumph;

the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even

among far-off unbelievers."

Choose Not To Be Upset

Sometimes we have to make the choice to set aside how something makes us feel or how our "grid" from past experiences seems to make things look. We have to step back from all of that and choose not to be upset. A "new day" is entirely possible...with trust at the helm... It's not necessarily walking in denial...it's allowing one's self to not be owned by "yesterday". Hmm...I might like this! :)

Nooma DVD Deal!!!

Oh my gosh, I'm in heaven. Some of my favorite teaching dvds just went on sale. I've always been challenged by Rob Bell. I don't always agree with him, but I love the challenge of his questions. Some of his dvds have been so helpful to me. My favorites...which also have clips on youtube...are "Rain" and "Flame" (I use this one in my sex ed. class at the Christian school.). Well, the Flannel Store online is selling 6 dvds for less than $45 (happens at checkout), and I'm allllll over it. I'm so excited for the shipment to come!!! I could do a whole class at church with his stuff...a topic per Sunday. Yum...I'm in heaven!! :)

Matthew 12:20

This verse kept coming up in my dreams last night. It was odd because the reference would just pop up randomly. I didn't get a chance to look at it this morning because of an appointment in the cities, but I was all over it when I got home. I'm a little puzzled as to what it has to do with things in my life right now, but I'm excited to find out!

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory."

Geico Therapy

For some reason this commercial makes me laugh every time I see it. Haha! I have to say, though, that sometimes we all could use a little kick in the butt...

I'll Be Your Angel

I must be on a Celine kick today. ;) Man, does this one bring back memories!! Haha!

I'll be your Angel

Beauty and the Beast

the movie, of course, is one of my favorites. hence, the song is too.

Beauty and the Beast

Ahhh!

I'm in a situation where there are clearly "too many cooks in the kitchen". Frustrating.

A Manual on Myself

Do you ever wish you could hand out a manual on yourself...or Cliffs Notes? :) I do ALLLLLLL the time. The #1 reason???...a lot of people assume we are our professions, and usually their definition is based on their experience with that field. Goodness, I guess I can do that sometimes too! Sometimes I find that people think they know who I am...or worry about who they should be around me...because I'm a principal or because I sometimes speak at church or whatever. I guess I feel sad about it because it makes it hard for people to be real or comfortable. But, I've been finding, more and more every day, that the true measure of a person is less about credentials, degrees and dollars and more about the substance of heart and soul...and that's usually a pretty messy place...a beautiful one, but definitely a messy one. Oh how I wish we could walk in that when it comes to our definitions of each other!!

So what would your manual say about yourself?

Here's my "start"... ;)

1. Is generally a private person but with a dose of trust can be very open. I grew up in a fish bowl and now work in another one...haha...so "real" tends to be reserved for closer relationships.
2. Is not as confident as the word "principal" sometimes sounds. I have my areas of strength and can pull from that, but often, underneath that, I worry about what people might think or how I affect others.
3. Loves to show interest in other people's dreams, passions and pursuits, but secretly longs for people to do the same for me.
4. Is pretty loyal...umm, sometimes too much. The surest way to get crossed off my "love/like" list is to disrespect someone I love. That would be "crossed off" with a sharpie...as opposed to a pencil. ;)
5. Has an introverted side.
6. Is pretty sensitive. Hurts are felt deeply in this chica but often are concealed.
7. Has a "physical touch and affection" love language.
8. Is wired with "wonder". I so enjoy the little things like they are pure gold.
9. Is NOT desperate. The Mr. Right thing will work itself out...no need to freak out or be manipulative.
10. Loves great stories. I can actually become so emotionally invested in the characters that they become real!! Haha! Should I admit that I'm worried about Harry Potter right now? Oh dear...
11. Invests whole-heartedly when I believe in something. I'm a "go big or go home" kinda girl.
12. Is a bit strategic. If a situation arises, my brain is usually assessing possible outcomes and ways to get to those.
13. Really wants to be a lady. Don't get me wrong...I definitely have a spicey side...gotta have that! But, I really want to live from a place of genuine dignity, and I think God is the source of that.
14. Is more of a small-group or individual-to-individual person. I definitely get shy or reserved when a lot of people are around.
15. Can be a little intense. Small talk or surfacy talk is good in certain settings...or for a while between friends...but I enjoy discussing the deeper things. Do we really care about the weather?? ;)
16. Is just a girl.

Oh dear...maybe too much info!! Hahaha!!...you know what??...I should have one of my friends do one on all of my weaknesses!!! "The Dirt Manual"...Umm...maybe not! ;)

The Big Day!!!

i get my nieces back tomorrow!! they went on a mission trip to ethiopia. i blogged a while ago about how scary it was for them in the days before they left. they were hit with so many fears...some realistic, some not. well, they actually had a pretty terrifying experience while they were there. a terrible van accident occured, sending one of two off the road. it rolled into a ravine...40 yards down! a few people were seriously injured. others just had cuts and bruises. NO ONE DIED!!!...it was a total miracle that they didn't! i know it was quite traumatic, but i'm still in awe of the glory they are giving god.

man, i can't wait to squeeze them! :)

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

I saw this on hulu the other day. It's by the guy who did "Super-size Me", and it's very interesting! Food for thought...

Osama Documentary

Happy Anniversary!

A HUGE Happy Anniversary to my parents! 41 years!!! Wow!

Here's a song for them. I picked Celine Dion because...well...she's my Dad's second love. Hehe!

Clarifying Conviction

I've been doing some thinking...about the convictions we adopt and modify over the years of our lives. And I guess I've been thinking about how we need to evaluate the roots of those convictions on occasion. Here's why...I think some of the things we believe and act on can actually come less from enlightenment and more from rebellion. You know what I mean? I guess that type of basis for life tenets is...well, immature. Likely, it also permits a selfishness that we decide to let ourselves get away with. Hmm...and that's not a pretty picture of conviction when the chips are down.

Here's to the Heroes - Ten Tenors

My First Flag

Yep, I got all patriotic today! :) My house officially has it's first Independence Day Weekend flag! Goodness, does that bring back 9th grade Civics to the brain!! :)

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!! Be safe! :)

Patience...

is apparently a virtue...one that I lack!! No shocker there!! Haha! :)