To Love is to Look

Today's wisdom comes from my roommate. 

I recently had my upper ear pierced. It may seem like a rash decision to many, because all of a sudden while on vacation I decided to get it done, without consulting anyone, but it really wasn't that rash. For a few years now I've wanted to get something done at a Tattoo Shop, but I don't want ink on my body, so that was a bit of a conundrum. I'm also trying to work on the spontaneity aspect (or lack there of) in my life. I promise that my future adventures won't be quite so harmful/painful/permanent, but if this is the most rebellious thing I've done while at university, I think I'm still on the right road. Plus when it comes to pain,  if you can't smile through it, it might be something to reconsider.

After returning home, I didn't get many comments on the new addition to my ear, maybe it is because people are unobservant, or disappointed. Either way, I'm content with my decision. There was one person who noticed at church. A friend of mine who I hadn't seen since Christmas came over and gave me a huge hug, and instantly noticed my earring. 

During a conversation with my roommate, I mentioned that someone had noticed and complimented me on my earring. She said it's because they love me. I think she's onto something. I think when you love someone you do your best to know them well, and if you really love them, you keep getting to know them well. Part of knowing someone is noticing the changes they make. 

I was impressed that my friend knows that I have 5 holes in my ears, so you can imagine how astonished I am with the fact that God knows how many hairs are on my head (Luke 12:7).

I am so happy to be loved by my friend and by God. I'm going to challenge myself this week to be more observant of my loved ones. Feel free to join me :)

It was only a 3 on a Pain Scale. Still smile-able. :) 

Level Up!

Our solutions often fail, because what we are fixing isn't a problem at all.

That's what I learned this week.

When a mechanic asks you to describe the problem you are having with your car, you're not going to answer "red". The question is not what color the car is, so the answer "red" is neither helpful, nor efficient. It is really important to ask the right question in order to get the right answer. This goes for small, and significant things in life.

This past Sunday I was spending some time in the sound booth at my church. Please know that I am in no way a sound techie, I was just visiting the people there and while I was there, it seemed that the piano line was not coming through the speakers or the monitors. The techie there was trying all of the complicated knobs and raising the levels, but nothing seemed to work. I looked over and noticed that the piano line was muted.

Before we try to solve a major issue, let's make sure we're not overcomplicating things. Take a step back. There just might be a red blinking light to let us know that we just have to do one simple thing for everything to work out fine. 

"A problem well stated is a problem half solved." -John Dewey

Passionate Prayer

This has been proven to me SO much in the past few weeks. 

~I've been praying really hard for a friend of mine to have a fellow Christian to help her witness at the restaurant she works at. It is a really negative environment and she is having a hard time being a shining light.

~I've been praying for a male friend of mine to get the job he applied for.

After a lot of passionate prayer I found out that:
1. he got the job and
2. the job he applied for was for a position at the same restaurant my other friend works at.

2 Birds. 1 Stone Prayer

Little did I know that my two prayers were really one! And it sure did get answered!
That's just ONE example of how my tiny prayer is changing the world, through others and through me. Nothing is ever to small to be prayed over/for/about. Prayer is just one way we can change the world.

Joy Comes with the "Mourning"?

Pregnant relative at the funeral for my Great-Grandmother. Is it the appropriate time and place for a big ol' "Congratulations!!!"? It's the first time you've seen your relative in a long time, but at the same time, you're not exactly happy, nor are you full of sincere excitement. Well let me tell you, it's not exactly easy being the "good news" either.

This summer will be my fourth summer working in a protestant church. My first two summers fresh out of high school I spent in a local Anglican church, and the next two, a Baptist one. Three out of the Four congregation announcements were difficult times for my heart. 

• The first time my employment was announced it was right after a death announcement. I was trying so very hard to say goodbye when everyone around me was trying to welcome me by saying hello. 

• My third employment announcement was made as the congregation was saying goodbye to a well loved youth pastor of 8 years who was transferring churches. I was trying to make my way to say goodbye, but there were too many "hellos" in the way. (Is that a bad thing?)

• My fourth and most recent employment announcement came directly after a very special family in the church announced that they will be moving and transferring membership. "We will miss your family very much, but we have good news to bring forth..as Annie will be working here for the summer." People didn't know whether to clap or cry. Heck! I didn't know whether to wave hello to the congregation or goodbye to the family. (Is that a bad thing?)

It is really hard being the "Good News Bandaid". I don't have time to soak up the reality of the sad occasion, before having to greet people with smiles, and hugs, and words of thanks. 

Buttttttttt as with all things, I can see the blessing behind the speed bump. There are many people that no matter what, just seem to need a dessert, especially after a not-so-delicious meal, and if my good news can be that for somebody, and if my employment news can help them to focus on the positive aspects that remain at the church then by golly I'll be it, and I'll be glad. 

And really, it is a blessing to receive a bunch of hugs after you hear bad news that touches your heart. The motivation (congratulation) behind the hug doesn't matter, because it's a hug, and after all, it can be the best medicine for sad news. 

To answer my questions: NOT AT ALL! It is a MARVELLOUS thing when the "hellos" are lounder than the "goodbyes". Clearly I am still saying hello. I am saying hello to reflection, and wisdom.

May we always save our fork in hopes of pie.

May we always welcome "hellos",
and may they always be louder than the "goodbyes". 

Hello! 

Never too: old

You're never too old
to peek through trees.

You're never too old to enjoy a ring pop, and snap pictures.

You're never too old to be impressed by a beaver dam.

And best of all...

  we're never too old to appreciate what's around us. 

May we make time to look around us,
because we just might find exactly what we're looking for.

peace ~ joy ~ love

Move it to Morning

I love mornings!

One of my goals for 2012 was to read scripture each day, I haven't slipped up yet, but I have made an observation. For me, it matters "when". In the past month I found myself treading carrying out this daily goal and I've finally pinned down why. Instead of reading as soon as I woke up, I left the text until right before I settled in for the night. It became a chore instead of a lifestyle. Instead of being able to reflect all day on what I read that morning, I had to cram a lot of words into my brain before quickly drifting to sleep. I still journal every night, and write about my day, but I've moved my reading time to morning. If I find myself running late, I'll read it at the gym, but I've made sure to look at it as part of a lifestyle instead of a chore that must be checked off. By changing the time and my definition of my daily routine, I am seeing myself being slowly transformed. 

Timing really is key.

So if you've got a task that becomes a chore because of where it is in your schedule, why not move it to a different time in your day? You can spend the whole day knowing you've already accomplished something, and if you're not a morning person, why not move it to evening? Either way, your task will become more of a lifestyle habit and less of a dreaded chore to check off.

Random Play

The past two weeks I've spent on a mini vacation, and it was exactly what I needed. 

There have been graduations, a wedding, and MANY random blessings/adventures; more random than the hair clips in my fellow bus passengers's hair. 

Here are just a few!

~The traffic lights of a very popular intersection were frozen. 

That made for a scary adventure across the street. 

~There was a pro life protest, which to me seemed a bit random, 

because I think there are many more receptive ways
to express your feelings about abortion.

~I went on a random adventure to a tattoo shop,

and even got a little something done! (Blog-to-come)

~I attended a fundraiser for Camp Rotary by myself
and witnessed the musical talents of a few friends! 

~I randomly walked to the mall, 

went into Starbucks and ordered a drink NOT on the menu!
Hello Chai Cream Frappuccino.

~Today I spent over two hours at the gym, 

and just because it was Friday I set the machines to

 "Random Play". 

I should also note that I didn't plan on staying that long at the gym, 

but my favourite show came on the tv, 

so I plunked down on a bike and watched Gilmore Girls for 12 kilometers. 

~A random walk through campus greeted me
 with a short conversation with a kind professor. 

I hope you make time for some Random Play!