Nacwolin

Imperfect for me

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:53:06 -0500

I am thankful that my spouse makes mistakes with our kids.

If he didn't, they might not learn humility; when he fails in what he says or does in the parenting department, he takes the time to go to them, admit he was wrong, and make it right.

I am thankful that my spouse doesn't always treat me like a princess.

I am sure it'd be nice – at least for a while – to be spoiled at every turn and always get my way. But there are times that, quite frankly, I am just being a brat, and I need him to stand up to me and tell me so.

I am thankful that my spouse doesn't always say the right thing.

If he did, I might not see Matthew 5:23-24 modeled.

I am thankful that my spouse doesn't always think I am beautiful – either inside or out.

If he did, he might not tell me about that chunk of food stuck in my teeth. I probably wouldn't care what I ate or if I ever ran another mile. And even more than that, I'd never have anything bigger and better to strive for in character, grace, and mercy.

He's not perfect, to be sure. But thank God, because neither am I!

And the truth is, I wouldn't have it any other way.

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Mustard Seed Moments

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:49:50 -0500

We finished up our final One Month to Live small group session tonight. One member quipped that since it's been more than 6 weeks, which obviously equals a bit more than 30 days, we could at least be thankful to still be alive. That was good for some hearty chuckles.

The wrap-up of the series has me pondering my own take-aways. Sure, if I only had 30 days to live some big things would change. But what about the little things? Through this whole process, it's the little things that have begun to mean so much more.

Sitting next to one of the kids, watching a show they like
Taking a few extra minutes to snuggle up to Rob before starting my day
Letting that person with only an item or two go ahead of me in line
Saying thank you, even for the smallest things

There are many, many more.

We often don't realize what one act of kindness, one word of encouragement, one pause in our day to allow a "God-moment" to happen can do. The possibilities are endless! One group member shared tonight how a nun gave his mom a Good News Bible many years ago. She laughed it off and stuck it in a drawer. One day, while still a child, he found that Bible and asked if he could have it.

"It was in reading that Bible that I found God. Years later, I was able to lead my mom to the Lord. That nun probably has no idea."

One small gift changed several lives for eternity.

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” -Matthew 13:31-32

God, please give me many mustard seed moments as I live out the rest of my days!

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QotD: Favorite High School Class

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:57:03 -0500

What was your favorite class in high school? (And no, lunch doesn't count.)
French. Was my favorite college class too.
Would love to take more classes - or better yet, spend a year in Paris so I could be immersed in the language. I love the way it sounds.

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White Space, take 2

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:53:36 -0500

Here I am again, two weeks in a row - woohoo! I probably won't get to do this next week since I only have three days in the office, but I am going to relish it today!

Notes from The Noticer:

"...a true friend holds you to a higher standard. A true friend brings out the best in you... A best friend...will tell you the truth...and a wise best friend will include a healthy dose of perspective." (p. 30)

"We grow up expecting everyone else to be just like us. And they aren't." (p. 42)

"I just think it's amazing...that a person could lose everything, chasing nothing." (p.49)

"...smart people get tripped up with worry and fear. Worry...fear...is just a misuse of the creative imagination that has been placed in each of us. Because we are smart and creative, we imagine all the things that could happen, that might happen, that will happen if this or that happens." (p.52)

About 8% of what we worry about are legitimate concerns (p.55)

"Most people spend so much time fearing the things that are never going to happen or can't be controlled that they have no energy to deal with the few things they can actually handle." (p. 55)

"...the seeds of depression cannot take root in a grateful heart." (p. 56)

Big takeaway from today's time: Perspective is everything.

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Inquiry to all my photog buds!

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:59:43 -0500

A lot of you in my Vox Neighborhood are good photographers.

Not just good. Great.

Now that I oversee our church's website and various promo items, I am constantly looking for fresh, innovative, creative, original photos. On a limited budget.

Limited meaning I actually don't have a budget to purchase photos.

If you'd like to help a girl out by allowing me to occasionally use photos of yours that you've posted here or on other hosting sites, such as Flickr, would you send me a PM? I will let you know what I use, when I use it.

(I will not use photos that show any identifiable parts of a person, such as their face - I am looking for still shots, scenery, or photos with people's faces obscured - or just feet, legs, hands, etc. And if I am using a lot of your photos, it would move into a paying gig - or, I can give you a charitable contribution letter if you let me know the value.)

Gracias!

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White Space

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:12:46 -0400

I have made a decision to create "white space" in both my work and personal life. What does that mean?

It simply means taking time to notice things - to be aware.

In the context of my work, this means taking some time out each week, during work hours, to read and study and create. Rob and I found a local coffee place with free WiFi on Monday, so here I am today. I don't have as long as I'd like - the original plan was 2 hours, but I am here, and that in and of itself is a good first step.

I want to remember things I read today that resonate with me, so I am going to record them here. Feel free to tune out from this point forward.

From Leading Smart: Don Miller at Story

"We have a relationship with Scripture that is really strange. We sit down and say, "What's in this for me?" What if it's just a story about God? What if He just wants us to get to know Him?"

"Success doesn't tell a very good story. It takes a character with flaws who does good."

"The story that we are telling ourselves is almost always different than the story we are telling the people around us."

Leading Smart: Dave Gibbons at Story

"When there is personal revelation of your weakness--it more fully releases the power of the Spirit."

Leading Smart: Story Launches with Ed Young

"Everybody wants to reach people until you start reaching people."

"The question is not: "How many people are showing up?" The better question is: "Who are you reaching?"

"Change. Conflict. Growth. That's the sequence. Many people won't change. Or they do change and then stop at the conflict, and they never experience the growth."

The Noticer

"...you see only the sand at your feet and what you are eating that you wish was something else. I don't tell you this as a rebuke; you are very ordinary in your views...Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases." (p. 13)

"...a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person's life." (p. 13)

"When a person is negative, complaining, and disagreeable, other people stay away. And that person receives less encouragement and fewer opportunities - because no one wants to be around him" (p.14)

"Ask yourself this question every day: 'What is it about me that other people would change if they could?'" (p. 15)

...because People Matter: SWITCH | Navigating Change with Chip Heath: Session 3

" People are often not ready for change. Consider...

moving people into the first sky-scraper
eating the first shrimp
UGG boots in the middle of summer
- But one change agent impacts another who impacts another who ... (you get the idea)
- New norms are formed that redefine the "win" for the person or organization"
"Do we see the win, the outcomes, as measurables that paint us as a success or do we see the win for what our people experience in their relationship with Jesus? How do we best help people move toward their God-designed, truest self?

------------------------------------

This has been a great exercise! I am going into work with a relaxed, centered attitude.

This is a definite "rinse and repeat" activity.

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One Month to Live

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:49:54 -0400

We are doing the One Month to Live Challenge at our church. The basic premise is to ask yourself at the start of each day, "What if I only had one month to live?"

Every day. For 30 days.

I have done this once so far - today.

Let me tell you: it is already changing my thinking.

I've already sent out one apology note and made one phone call just to say hello to someone I love.

This will be an interesting month, my friends.

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I knew...before I met you.

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:58:53 -0400

Some time ago - gosh, I guess it's been close to 10 years - Savage Garden (I believe that's the group - you may correct me if I am in error) came out with the song "I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You". I am sure they didn't intend for it to be about Internet relationships (much to the chagrin of one sister and her spouse, who were the victims of some mis-intentioned ribbing in the wake of it's lyrics). But in this social media era, relationships are being forged without face-to-face meetings at an impressive pace.

When I first started blogging - also close to 10 years ago - I can remember the looks, the questions, when I talked of fellow bloggers as if we'd been meeting for a cuppa Joe at the local coffee joint on a daily basis. There were eye rolls, scoffs, even concerned warnings about the safety - and validity - of such friendships.

But each time I took the risk of meeting a "virtual friend" face-to-face, I found that person to be exactly as I'd expected. I knew I'd liked them - shoot, loved 'em - before I met them.

My most recent meet-up was no exception.

DSC_5841

Bec and I first "met" on a bulletin board for an author whose books we enjoyed. From there, we started reading each other's blogs. At some point, she, Paige (another gal who'd been a part of that BB), and I stared the "OSB* buddies" group, keeping track and encouraging one another in our fitness efforts. It was in that little group that the real friendship was forged, I believe, as we began sharing more than the miles we'd logged on our runs.

I was fortunate to meet Paige a few years ago when she braved the craziness that is my family and came to one of our Memorial Day shindigs. And Bec and Paige had met a few times through the years. But I'd yet to meet the fabulous Bec.

That is, until last weekend.

There is always a bit of apprehension for me when one of these real-life meetings are finally scheduled. It's not really them - it's entirely me. "Will they think I'm a dork?...Will I talk to much?...What if I can't think of anything interesting to say?"

Or what if it's just weird. Let's be honest, it's one thing to chat and email and share photos. But what if we just don't sync up once the comfort and familiarity of my laptop is removed?

Time and again all of those fears have been cast aside as I've stepped out of my comfort zone and taken the risk of meeting a blogging friend. And this meeting was another confirmation that community and friendship can be forged on-line - and at perhaps an even deeper level than many local friendships.

DSC_5845

Bec and her hubby took the time to drive two hours to meet Rob and I for breakfast, which we ate slowly as we talked and laughed. It didn't for a moment feel like a first-time meeting. It felt like a reunion.

Bec was just as witty, thoughtful, and engaging as I'd expected. And her hubby was pretty awesome too.

And while I haven't had, nor taken, the time to post here much lately, I was once again reminded how important this place is to me. Blogging has been a lifeline in so many ways, not the least of which has been the friendships I've made.

That's not why I started blogging all those years ago. I was just trying to retain some sanity in the midst of the "life in a fishbowl" I was experiencing as a church planter's wife. But the friendships came.

And while that wasn't why I started blogging, it's why I stay here, whether I am writing or not.

DSC_5843

*OSB stands for Operation Small Butt

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Confession

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:33:06 -0400

So, I will admit. I have had a chance to read anyone's blogs in 2-3 weeks.

:-(

That said, if there's a post you feel I just have to see, please send me the link.

I miss you guys! Glad many of you are on FB.

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Thirds

nobody@vox.com(Nacwolin) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:29:11 -0400

Per Hannah's request, here's my "third photo":

05 Grand Turk close up

I thought I already had this uploaded here, and I kind of did - but as part of a mosaic I'd made.

The how-cool-is-that part? And in about 11 days, we should be in front of this landscape again.

So, here are the rules if you care to participate:

Go to the pictures on your computer.

Go to the third folder.

Post the third picture in the third folder.

No cheating.

Now, why can't the QotD's be this fun?!

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