tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71615867460007543242024-02-02T10:51:18.381-08:00Confessions of an Heiress....amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-86799875113600633322011-09-11T12:20:00.000-07:002011-09-11T14:30:40.925-07:00Believing, Prioritizing, TransformingThree themes have been running on parallel tracks through my mind for the last two weeks:<br /><br />Believing<br />Prioritizing<br />Transforming<br /><br />God has not audibly spoken these themes over my life (oh that He would!), but they have become obvious to me through multiple encounters of each topic. Over the last fourteen days or so, these specific words have popped up separately and unsolicited all around me. Through devotionals, articles, the words of friends, and magazines (even Woman's Day...which I still question how I got on their subscription list...). God has made it evident to me that I have issues to address regarding these areas.<br /><br />Believing, Prioritizing, and Transforming do not necessarily relate to each other, but God has divinely weaved each of these into my life in such a way that I clearly see how they are not mutually exclusive in my life during this point in time. <br /><br /><strong>Believe</strong>: a verb meaning "to have confidence in the assertions of (a person or God)"; to have a conviction that (God) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action.<br /><br />First off, I do believe! Don't I remember when my 7 year old self walked down the aisle of Double Branch Baptist and accepted Jesus into my heart? Of course I did, and that is a non-trivial belief. I have come to realize, however, that believing God now and tomorrow is not automatically included in the God's gift of salvation. Additionally, believing God is deeper than believing in His existence. Many people believe He exists, but God calls me to believe He will do in my grace-soaked life more than I could ever fathom (Ephesians 3:20). Sure, I believe in His Heavenly Kingdom and I believe that I will spend eternity in a beautiful place He has prepared for me. Yet, do I believe Him for the humanly impossible while I still physically reside in my home on Spanish Forest Lane in Houston, Texas? Do I pray with confidence that He hears and has the power to change those circumstances I bring before His throne? Do I believe that His love for me really and truly has <em>not-one-thing</em> to do with my performance?<br /><br />God, the Master of the Universe, the One who holds sway over ALL things, has invited me (and you) to get to know him as Lord and friend. The Only True God, who has the power to raise the dead to life, is willing and ready and ABLE to act on my behalf and on your behalf when we ask and believe He is capable of delivering the object of our request. <br /><br /><strong>Priorities: </strong>(<em>priority</em> in it's plural form). noun. The state or quality of being earlier in occurence; the right to precede others in order, rank; precedence; something given special, first in line attention.<br /><br />If you have had any kind of conversation with me over the last 12 months, I probably gave you some indication of how spastic-crazy-overwhelmingly busy I have been at work. Did I say overwhelmingly? From 5:10 a.m. when my alarm goes off until 11:30 - 12:00 a.m. when I finally turn off my laptop, I don't stop. Not once. Lunches are normally eaten as I sit at my desk preparing for the next phone call, and the invention of the cell phone enables me to hold meetings during my daily commute. Facebook status updates are written either at a stoplight, while on hold, or as I walk from one task to the next. The allotted time to check and respond to personal email is while I'm waiting in line in a fast-food drive thru. I know you're thinking this is a psychotic pace, but I am willing to bet some or all of you have (to some degree) similar schedules. <br /><br />I was not surprised when the Lord confronted me with a priority check. Just like the subject of believing Him, I started hearing from Him about my priorities in numerous forms and by several modes of communication. The most recent was this morning, and it was so apparent that I immediately dropped to my knees so that I could make sure I was hearing Him correctly (you would think I didn't have to be told for the 24th time). The last 12 months of my life flashed before my eyes: images of "family time" with my laptop in the place where Luke's head would normally rest; vacations where I made phone calls when I should have been enjoying the beach; dinners I have missed because there was a report due the next day; pre-school parties where I had an achingly hurtful absence because of a "very important call". Last, but not least, I see my husband sleeply soundly in our bed, after waiting for an hour or more for the laptop to click shut. Suffice it to say, God could not have spelled it out more succintly than He did with that mental montage He rolled through my mind. <br /><br />Instead of being racked with guilt about my upside down priority list, I am thankful God loves me so much that He pursues change in me. He has persistently put up red flags all over the place, because He knows I am missing my best life when I pursue emptiness. You see, sacrificing my family relationships is one thing; but beyond that, He wants me. Jesus Christ wants to be Lord over my time, my money, my work life, my thoughts, my friendships. He saved me so that I could live under the freedom of His Lordship. When I am running at such a maniacal pace where I literally schedule restroom breaks (no exaggeration), there is something wrong with my priorities. There is something "off" in my motives because GOD, even GOD, rested.<br /><br /><strong>Transforming</strong>: verb. to change in condition, nature, character or structure. metamorphose.<br /><br />Tranformation means "to change".<br /><br />My all-or-nothing, win-or-lose, tendency towards perfectionism insists that transformation is (or should be) instantaneous. To be certain, when Jesus saved me from eternal death apart from Him, He instantly transferred me from death to life. However the process of transformation...of sanctification...will not be fully complete until I stand before God in heaven. In the here and now, God transforms me from glory to glory: sometimes little by little and, at times, huge by huge.<br /><br />Without going into detail, part of this most recent theme of transformation in my life has included butterflies, which literally show up in unexpected places. God is so cool like that, because you read that correctly. Butterflies. Everywhere. The metamorphisis of caterpillars into butterflies is one of the most common examples of transformation we have to symbolize the process of change in the life of a believer. Paul says in Romans 12:2 that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. We go through a process of change when we submit ourselves to the Truth of God's Word. If we are actively pursuing God's Word, believing it to the point that it affects our daily lives (in thought, conduct, behavior) - then we cannot be "un-transformed".<br /><br />Still, I want it now. I don't want to wait. So I try in my own might to be different: to say the things a good Christian would say, to act wisely and speak graciously like a perfect Christian should! Then the Lord mercifully reminds me that true transformation is impossible without Him. I can alter my behavior from time to time, but it only takes a conversation with my husband for you to discover some things never truly change without the radical transforming power of God. (This woman who so desperately longs for perfection really does not like to admit that, by the way!)<br /><br />Jesus is the Master Transformer. Unless I humble myself and allow Him to transform me moment by moment, choice by choice, day by day...from glory to glory, then I will remain the same. Who wants to be the same? <br /><br />My mind-set is tracking from a different perspective these days. God cares enough about us to speak to us about issues in our life He would like to lovingly change. He does this for our good and His glory. When we are attentive to Him and willingly welcome His refining fire, we live smack dab in the middle of the abudant life He promised to us. The great news is, we don't have to be ship-shape-holy to live in relationship with Jesus! If that were the case, there would be no human eligible for a seat next to Him! We can stand confidently in His presence based on the blood of Jesus alone. My soul leaps (literally) when I acknowledge that my ideal dream of perfection is meaningless in the light of Jesus' salvation! Praise God, I can NEVER be perfect without His righteousness...I can never be so stain-free that I don't need Him. <br /><br />It's clear God and I have much to talk about these days. I have a good idea that as I listen to Him, I will be believe Him more. I would bet my house that believing Him will lead to "priority realignment". Doesn't that mean He is transforming me...? <br /><br />Believing God is willing and able.<br />Prioritizing my life according to His purpose for me.<br />Transforming my life by the renewing of my mind.<br /><br />I am just flat-out happy that He loves me.<br /><br />That's all.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-11054804486145045492011-05-30T18:26:00.000-07:002011-05-30T20:46:14.662-07:00If you want something - you have to intentionally go after it.Growing up. Maturing. Getting wiser. <br /><br />One would ideally learn how to "do life" wisely at a younger age than 33. I have never been the "ideal", so let's toss that expectation out the window. <br /><br />To view my life on a timeline, you would see numerous fits and starts, starts and stops, wind-ups and wind-downs, detours and u-turns. Needless to say, if there is a lesson to be learned, I will find the hardest way to learn it. If you ask my parents or my husband, they can vouch that these lessons can be very expensive...and often experienced and paid for at least three times before my hard head "gets it". Which is the number one reason I am amazed by the grace of God. <br /><br />God gave me an undeniable vision for my life when I was 21 years old. This vision was etched so clearly onto my heart that I have never doubted God's divine purpose for me. Even as I type this, my heart beats double time at the thought that He picked me for a reason. But <em>God's vision for my life </em>and the life <em>I have chosen to live</em> have often not collaborated. If you are anything like me, when you want something, you want it now. For instance, FedEx overnight takes too long and Amazon one-click for iPhone is a delightful invention because you can make impulsive purchases without waiting until you are at your computer. Clearly, I have a problem with the "waiting" part in the definition of patience. <br /><br />Here I am, 12 long years after God initially planted this vision in the depths of my soul...and no, I'm still not "there" yet. I sit here laughing to myself, because although that vision has not exploded into reality at this immediate point in time, I can see His gracious leadership all over those detours and left turns I have chosen. Many of those pit stops on the scatter plot have been where my sin-sick flesh directed all of my choices; and the u-turns are where He would lovingly draw me back. <br /><br />All of this time, He has not been taken aback with surprise at my missteps or my willful attempts to self-indulge. Rather, He has continued to faithfully weave His plan together for how my life will bring Him the most glory. Despite my adamant belief in His designs for my life, this messy path I have walked has certainly birthed much indignation, frustration and insecurity. I have often floated from self-righteous shouts of, "I know this is what He's made me for...so then why can't He just blink me into that person?" to cries of insecurity and unbelief, "He can't even use my pathetic life at all. I'll never be what He made me to be!" <br /><br />As of May 31, 2011, I'm still waiting; but I'm not passively waiting with the attitude that God just sprinkles me with fairy dust to make my dreams come true. I can look back over the past year and a half and see specific paradigm shifts which have inspired change and significant growth. I see new relationships which have served to challenge me and hold me accountable to moving towards the vision for my life. I see the triple-huge blessing of my mentor, Tanya Whitaker, whose path intersected with mine in a way that can be described only as chosen and purposed by God. I also see a date on my calendar of June 26, 2011, which is nothing less than a divinely gifted opportunity for me to use my God-made talents. It's a small opportunity...certainly not what one could mistake as "the big time" by any means. Yet, for me, it's proof that God has not ever changed His mind about me. It is proof that each step I have taken since that day 12 years ago has not been meaningless. <br /><br />You might be wondering why I am writing about this; and you may even wonder if I often sit around obsessing about where I am versus where I should be. For the record, I don't...and the impetus of this post is not random at all. I'm going to be joining my niece (well, technically she is my niece because she is my husband's brother's son's wife. She's just six years younger than I am, though...so it's kind of weird to call her my niece; but I digress.) in a study by her pastor, Craig Groeschel, called <a href="http://allisondalke.blogspot.com/2011/05/session-1-of-chazown-experience-finding.html">The Chazown Experience</a>. The following quote by Craig sums up the purpose of the study: <br /><br />"<em>Jesus did not die for us so that we could stumble around ignorant of our reason for existence</em>."<br />~Craig Groeschel<br /><br />Forgive the superficial overview, but the basis of the study is to determine how to live out God's vision for your life. Chazown is a Hebrew word translated as "dream, revelation, or vision". The Bible says that when people lack vision, they lack self-restraint (Proverbs 29:18). If people don't dream and plan and intentionally set out <em>towards</em> a goal...then there is no end goal, therefore no achievement; and thus, there is no discipline involved in seeking out that achievement. Anyone who knows me would tell you I wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of planning; and I admittedly concede that I tend to be excessive with my planning at times. Regardless of my personal extremities, failing to plan is a plan in itself: a plan to go nowhere. <br /><br />I don't believe in coincidence, so the fact that God put this study in front of my face at this very point in my life is humbling to me. He knows right where I am and what I am ready to embrace. He knows that I can't wait to see what He does next. He knows that without vision and direction - His people will perish. (He also knows that when He created Amy McGehee Dalke, He gave her an innate desire to love plans and anything requiring organization and strcuture.) If you have read any blog entry of mine over the last two plus years, you have likely seen a few of my "starts and stops"...and unfinished "plans". I did have lovely intentions, but unfortunately, those intentions were coupled with a lack of commitment and a measure of ADD. <br />Mainly those were my pitiful attempts to jump ahead of God (because He obviously was not keeping a fast enough clip on my timeline!). <br /><br />So here goes: I've caught a brief glimpse of the vision God has for His glory in my life; and I am deliberately going after it. I want to see more of God and experience more of Him - and I want to be committed and intentional in this pursuit. I am wise enough (dear Lord, finally!) to know I have not one ounce of ability on my own. The great news is that I know God has all the ability I could possibly ever need. <br /><br />It would thrill me to me toes if someone joined me in this study. I'll be your best friend if you will...(okay, so I said I have matured....but I didn't say how much!). <br /><br />p.s. you should check out Allison's blog, too: <a href="http://www.allisondalke.blogspot.com/">The Intentional Peace</a>. Talk about someone who is mature for 27 years old...she's kind of mind-blowingly awesome (although I swear she would blush if you ever told her that).amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-67527420583970978022011-01-29T12:45:00.000-08:002011-01-29T14:36:04.047-08:00It's all about focus..(and that's hard if you're ADD)<div align="center">"<em>You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to you, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.</em>" Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified Bible)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">I have no idea if any person reading this will relate to me, but I have a focus problem. I undoubtedly carry a heaping-helping of the ADD gene, but this particular focal crisis is not about my inability to light my mind in one place. It's about the determination to light my mind in the <em>right </em>place. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Isaiah 26:3 is a verse I turn to over and over when I need to settle my mind on Truth. And do I ever need to settle my mind on Truth. If you are like me at all, your mind can jump from worry and hyper-analysis, to fear or dissatisfaction in less than a heartbeat. When I am not actively meditating on God's word and letting Him fill my mind with Him, I'm a mess. Once I left my eyes fall from the throne of grace, it doesn't take long for me to start looking for something else to satisfy me. I memorized this verse years ago in the NIV, ("<em>You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You,"), </em>but today I came across the Amplified version (above). I assure you that I will be analyzing every single word and phrase in that verse during my quiet times this week. [This is totally a sidebar comment, but I love the way "stayed on You" sounds. It's one of those phrases that just melts my heart...and maybe because my heart longs so badly to be "stayed on" one thing!] </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Isaiah chapter 26 is a song of trust in God's protection. It declares that absolute dependance on God is the only way to roll. Isaiah says that the perfect peace we long for comes from completely leaning on (looking at!) the Lord. This passage was part of Isaiah's prophecy that the remnant would return to their land of promise; and when they did - they would wholeheartedly testify that perfect and constant peace is only found in believing God. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">So where does the focus issue come into play? Have I just gone on a tangent halfway through this post? No, I really do have a point! </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The ancient Israelites had a focus problem! Tracing all the way back to Moses' era, they would no sooner experience one miraculously G0d-given deliverance after another - before they would be throwing in all the gold they had to craft the image of a cow! He gave them everything they needed, but how quickly their minds darted to the worship of something paltry in comparison! </div><div align="left">They took their minds off of Yahweh, and turned them to what they could see. Just like me, their gaze became fixed on the tangible; they stared at the circumstances without taking into account the power of the God who Delivered. The God who Delivers. The God who will Deliver. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Those fellow humans of ours made the same mistake over and over and over...for years! Therefore I can only imagine that when Isaiah penned this particular song, he reflected on the power of focus. We know it didn't take long for them to lose sight of the One True God...and as a result, it was snap before they were whining at the consequences. But when they were returned...once they were back in the safety of God's protection, I bet they would tell you with authority that you risk your life (physically in their case; spirtually in ours) when you turn your eyes to another savior. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Given that idolatry can be described as excessive adoration, it's clear that what we focus on drives who we are (in character, in action, in daily life). When our focus is rightly fixed on the One who is worthy of our adoration and our worship, our mind is settled in peace. perfect peace. constant peace. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">There used to me a radio commerical about one of those herbal supplements called Focus Factor. I never took it - even though Larry hinted that he wished I would. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have worked, but I'm challenging you to let the Word be your Focus Factor this week. If you commit to even 10 minutes every morning...simply reading one verse over and over...rolling it around...looking at it backwards and forwards....upside down/inside out, your focus will be re-leveled. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">And sometimes, a little focal shift is all we need. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div>amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-12874048425462763032011-01-16T08:38:00.000-08:002011-01-16T09:31:18.368-08:00Mental War Games<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">The first line in my journal today says, "God, is this what crazy feels like?" </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">I could be an informercial today for PMS. No doubt. Just ask Larry, or even Luke. As the saying goes, "when momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy..." They can testify to the accuracy of that statement. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">This entire weekend, I have been in the midst of a mental war game so intense, so heated, that this morning I was forced to my knees in desperation of deliverance. The wonderful hormonal shifts that I am experiencing right now were no added benefit, but they weren't the root of this battle. This war's original battle took place years ago, when Satan first began to whisper deception into my welcoming ears. Although long fought and hard won, the master deceiver still gets jabs in every now and then when I'm weak and "uncovered". </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">We went to church last night, so this Sunday morning started later than usual. I rolled out of bed (prompted by an incessantly "ready" 5 year old boy) and desperately sought out my beloved coffee. No sooner than I sat down at the bar with my peanut butter and jelly toast, the temptations began assaulting me. As the battle heated, my mind felt like the setting for an old civil war movie. One lie, one temptation after another were thrown at me; and instead of automatically fighting back with TRUTH, I tried fighting on my own. This was not a pretty picture, because when I'm fighting on my own, I just become angry. I snap. I grown. I complain. I whine about "how it's so hard.." </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">My sweet husband grabbed me, hugged me with all his might, and authoratively reminded me that I needed God's word to fight this. So I stubbornly marched myself into the bedroom, pulled out my bible and sat. Angrily. After a few seconds of sulking, I flipped open the word of God and just bawled my puffy eyes out. I begged Him to just reach down and pull me out of this fight. For crying out loud, God, can't You just grab me up and pull me out of this battlefield? </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">In a matter of minutes, a soft wind of His faithfulness blew right across my mind. In the depths of my spirit, He gently whispered that my weapons of warfare are not fleshly weapons. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Immediately I went to 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5, "..<em>for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations (lies!) and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ...</em>"</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">I began to imagine myself being assaulted by flaming blasts of untruths, Satan's way of leading me into disaster. As the fiery darts of his lies were coming at me, I realized I had a shield. The shield of faith, wherewith I have the ability to stand up and defend myself from the brutal weapons of the enemy. Instead of sitting back and allowing myself to be brainwashed, I can wield spiritual weapons that have the power to demolish fortresses of deceit. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Not only that, GOD is my Mighty Fortress of Strength. Of TRUTH. Of Victory. In the ugliest point of battle, I ran to Him. I ran to my Rock of comfort and deliverance. And now I'm sitting here telling on the enemy. Telling others how he didn't win this time. Telling others that though he can get me down to a point of "crazy", God has my back. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Take heart. Though the battle wages long and victory seems impossible, our weapons are not wimpy weapons. We can powerfully fight with the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God..the Truth), and when we fight with Truth - Satan always loses. He's a loser by his very nature, and listening to him and believing we are hopeless is a ludicrous fallacy. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Instead of moping around today and reacting to every situation with a short fuse, I am going to spend the day with my precious son and loving husband. We will certainly all rejoice at this particular win...because when momma is happy, we're all happy. When mommy stands up to the voice of the enemy and yells, "Liar!!", the whole family is refreshed by the fragrance of victory. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">If you know me, you know I'm as competitive as it gets...so victory is even that much sweeter. There will undoubtedly be many more battles in this war. But I won this one...and I'll win the next one, as long as I choose to run to the only Fortress that is indestructible....my Jesus. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span>amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-81341915134480802282010-08-05T10:50:00.000-07:002010-12-09T13:55:12.681-08:00I-NEED-MORE-WANT-MORE-GOTTA-HAVE THIS-AND-MORE-OF-THATSix months ago my therapist (yes, I have one) told me that I am all about "more, more, more".<br /><br /><br /><br />This theory was in early development on the previous evening when I forced Larry to do yoga with me. I had just received my Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown and wanted to try it out. After the 30 minute workout, where Jillian rocks the attempted yoga-laid-back-half ponytail, I complained that the routine wasn't hard enough. Larry, dripping in sweat and aching muscles, asked me why I couldn't just be satisfied that I had worked out for half an hour.<br /><br /><br /><br />I know I'm obsessive-compulsive about generally everything in life, but I have never considered that I had a more-is-better attitude.<br /><br /><br /><br />So this subject came up in therapy yesterday, with my sweet therapist who probably loves me like a daughter. A daughter who is actually a cash cow versus one who drains her pocket. I have seen this particular counselor on and off for the last 7 years (not weekly....or even yearly..lest you think I'm a real basket case).<br /><br /><br /><br />Onto my more-more-more hypothesis: yes, everything in my life tends to fall into an all-or-nothing category. I'm totally a black and white thinker, because seriously, who has time for gray? When I discover something I enjoy, I typically want more of it. But not only more of it, more in the sense that it's all I think about. I want more exercise, more clothes, more wall decor, more purses/handbags and more money. My word, I will go to the mall to shop for Christmas presents <em>for others, </em>and then come home with new shoes or the new placemats I desperately needed for my spring season kitchen arrangement. So maybe I'm a bit extreme. Told you. <br />But seriously, when you go to the mall to buy your gifts this year - look at the clothes they have displayed: we're literally already in the spring fashion season. It's all just so overwhelming to me. The shorts and skirts and cute warm weather outfits just kicks my mind into overdrive about which wardrobe pieces I need to purchase to be in style for spring. And I want MORE. of all of it!<br /><br />I don't think I'm alone. The American Dream is all about having, doing and being <em>more</em>. It's about climbing the ladder (whether corporate or social) and announcing to the world that we are "someone" because we have <em>more</em>. I heard a story today about a little 9 year old boy who was made fun of by his peers at school because he had a hole in his jeans (in an undesirable area). The boy and his father are apparently living out of a motel room, and the boy came to school this morning hungry because they had no food for dinner last night. I hear that story, and then I reflect on my <em>more </em>mentality. My biggest worry right now is whether I have spent equal amounts of money on all four kids for Christmas, compared to others who don't even know if they'll eat tonight...and much less know what or IF they will have anything under the tree on Christmas morning. <br /><br />Oh how I think Jesus is grieved when we seek our <em>"more</em>" from this world. In Paul's first letter to Timothy, he says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV)<br /><br />How does this even work? Without bouncing to the other extreme (and taking on a form of poverty i.e. sell the cars, house, etc and move to Cambodia), how does one live amidst the extravagance of our culture and remain content with what we have? My answer to this is Jesus. Living a life soaked in His presence, in His Word, is the only way to rise above the pull of the world and its' rat race. You and I can have Jesus in unlimited supply, and He even tells us to ask for <em>more</em> of his Holy Spirit. As a woman with a keen eye towards any possible obsession, having an addiction to Jesus is my answer. Someone can read this and think I'm unrealistic or way too extreme. I am convinced, however, that to live a life in pursuit of anything but Jesus is deadly. Obviously, a passion for purses or promotion may not kill you physically; but if those things are the center of your universe, your soul will live a sickly life. I have lived these things and know them to be all too true. <br /><br />I suggest that for the next three days, you meditate on what it is that really matters. (ugh, does this sound like an NPR segment?). Seriously, though, I pray you don't even see yourself in this description. If you do, I pray that you'll realize what you need <em>more</em> of is Jesus and only Jesus.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-7468049695744101962010-08-02T06:10:00.000-07:002010-08-02T06:18:28.974-07:00Disneyland and My New Reality ShowLast week, Larry, Luke and I went to Los Angeles to spend time with Lauren. Before we even arrived at the airport, Luke was asking why we still in Houston. The poor child is just now learning the concept of time calculated in minutes and hours, and he was distraught that we wouldn’t arrive by simply clicking our heels. <br /><br />Once we landed at LAX, we still had to pick up our rental car and waste away precious hours in the car amidst the lovely 405 traffic. What should have been a 17 minute trip was a 2 hour trip because of the glorious splendor of Los Angeles cramped roadways. I thought Luke was going to come unglued until he finally fell asleep in the back seat. Those traffic delays were a blessing because you haven’t seen a monster until you’ve seen Luke Dalke without a nap.<br /><br />Lauren couldn’t meet us at the hotel until later in the evening, so after we walked around a bit, we went to the hotel pool. I would have highly preferred some Rodeo Drive shopping. But mind you, I was with a 52 year old husband and a 4 year old son; therefore any hope of an enjoyable shopping excursion was only a wish and a prayer.<br /><br />The pool at the Hotel Roosevelt was awesome: Young, Hip, and Hollywood. We would have fit right in if we could be described as either of the latter. Needless to say, we got much attention because Luke was the only person under 21 in the entire hotel. All the drunken girls (and guys) were fawning over him, bringing him pool toys and encouraging him to swim with them. He thought he was the coolest thing to hit that scene since Lindsay Lohan. <br /><br />We went to Disneyland on Saturday; and Luke could remember every single thing about it from last year. He could remember so much, that instead of checking out every ride – he had a mental list of the ones he wanted to do first. And after those were finished, he wanted to do them again. So much for variety. We basically replayed every step we made last summer, and when his list was fulfilled he wanted to go back to the hotel to swim. He must not have understood that staying for only 4 hours was hardly worth the $378 we paid for admission. I complain, but I was ever so thankful that we didn’t have to stay for the parade. <br /><br />Santa Monica beach was the setting for our Sunday. Lauren and I sat peacefully on the beach, while Larry and Luke jumped the waves. Luke absolutely loved getting his body caked with sand and then washing himself off in the ocean. By noon, he was ready to go back to the hotel and swim; but I thought we would never make it back to our car because we had to stop and pick up seashells every 5 feet. Lauren picked out a super good café for lunch: Jack and Jill’s. We had the best cornbread I’ve ever had, and Luke had homemade macaroni and cheese. However, it didn’t come out of a Kraft box, so he refused to eat it. It apparently didn’t taste like mommy’s beloved recipe. <br /><br />Sunday evening we were all caught on camera for Mario Lopez’s new reality show coming out in the fall. Apparently the show is about Mario's trek into fatherhood after his girlfriend (or not) got pregnant. I can just see the montage of Larry, Luke and me as Mario sees fatherhood and family life flash before his eyes. Hopefully, the mother will still be in that picture. If not - then there goes my television premiere. Regardless, I’m sure they’ll probably contact me in a week or so and offer me a show of my own. I think I would tell them instead that I prefer to be on Real Housewives. <br /><br />All in all, the weekend was wonderfully memorable. We had such a great time with Lauren, who we don’t get to see nearly enough. And Luke’s favorite souvenir is a pillow pet: a cow that he named Lauren Dalke. I am not quite sure how Lauren feels about being likened to a cow; but Luke has bragged about his sister (and her namesake) to everyone he’s talked to since we’ve been home. <br /><br />I will keep you posted on my new reality show shooting schedule. It's sure to be equivalent to something Young, Hip and Hollywood.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-52190953260155173142010-07-15T08:34:00.000-07:002010-07-15T09:50:25.680-07:00The Decision is Life or Death<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><em>"But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."</em> Ruth 1:16</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">This verse hit me between the eyes last night. My friend and I are in week one of Kelly Minter's <em>Ruth</em> bible study. When we picked this particular study, I was cynically thinking that I knew the book inside out; therefore I probably wouldn't learn anything new. It's funny that I'm always wrong when I think I know everything. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Although Ruth is saying these words to Naomi (her bitter mother-in-law) about their journey back to Bethelem, I realized that I was in the same situation....though on a spiritual rather than physical journey. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Naomi and her husband, along with their two daughters-in-law left Bethelem for Moab. Naomi's husband and sons eventually died, and Naomi decided to return to her home. I have heard and read this story 203 times since I was in Sunday School as a child. Yet I never grasped that Naomi and her family initially left Bethelem (their God-given land) for Moab, which was enemy territory. Moab was a country without God's favor, without His blessing. Therefore they were essentially leaving the place God had given them, for a land <u>they thought</u> would be better. Because, naturally, the grass is always greener and the land is more desirable on the other side. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Aren't I often tempted to leave "my land" when I think something else is better? Hasn't that been my situation for the last six months? Doesn't this all go back to Eve believing what the stupid serpent said was better than what God had provided already? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Without going off on Eve's tangent, Ruth's words struck me to the core. She committed in her heart to do the right thing - the "thing" that required devotion and faith. She emphatically told Naomi that she would go wherever she went....and would worship whomever she worshiped. This commitment resounded within me like that big gong on Let's Make a Deal. I had drifted into an unknown land, a land that I convinced myself was just a mini-vacation spot. Even though I knew this trip was altogether wrong, I was stubborn-headed and foolish enough to convince myself that my choices are sometimes better than God's. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">And now, God has lovingly interrupted that journey because He wants me home. He knows that His joy and peace are mine only within the borders of His planned "land" for me. The enemy can tempt and taunt and deceive and make valiant efforts to make a very wrong situation look beautiful and enticing and thrilling. Then when you arrive in that place, the walls crumble; it's not what you thought; it's ugly, sinful, and just plain devastating. This place makes you weary, and it's void of peace and full of deceit. Home, you realize, is ripe with abundance, joy, love and truth. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">So you make the decision to return. You grasp the gracious hand of God and allow Him to lead you back to His arms. And you cry out with the determination of Ruth and say, "<em>I will go where you go...and I will stay where you stay."</em> And you pray that God would trade your heart of stone for a heart of flesh...because you know that it's not sheer willpower that will keep you home. It's only His perfect love that drew you back, and it's only by absolute surrender to His love that makes you stay. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span>amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-74856330991095534382010-07-12T14:08:00.000-07:002010-07-13T06:07:34.212-07:00I do have a purpose -- I really, really do!You know I haven’t posted a normal post in a long time when the topic of this post alludes to the fact that I need to re-establish a purpose here. If that did not make sense, I’m sorry. It didn’t even make much sense to me, but I so love the word “alludes” and really needed to find a sentence in which to use it.<br /><br />Now that you are completely lost, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the purpose of my blog. A normal, successful blogger would have thought about this before ever writing their first post. However I always like to do things backwards. And if you ask God, He will tell you I also do things stubbornly, pridefully, sinfully backwards. But that's altogether another topic. Thus far, I have used this blog to compose everything from toddler anecdotes to sermon summarizations to my own investigative findings in scripture. I have even shared excerpts from cooking disasters, and I have blogged about reading the Bible in 90 days...which I quit after 3 months (i'm doing that again, though...minus the blog commitments....one thing at a time, please). With all that taken into consideration, I believe it’s time for a singular purpose here, and I know all three of you who read this have been wondering when I would draw this conclusion.<br /><br />I originally started blogging because if I’m not writing something, I get overly explosive inside (no, not hormonally explosive). It’s like words must come out through my fingertips onto a keyboard or I will spontaneously combust. And of course, there is the part of me which loves for others to be encouraged by my mistakes or truths I have learned as a result of those mistakes. Frankly, I just always like an audience; and I’m not too proud to admit that. It’s a nice thing to know that people actually (on occasion) read what I write, and if in some way you are inspired by these humble words of mine, then praise God.<br /><br />So without further adieu (another word I really like), the purpose of this blog will be to <em>exemplify the lifestyle of a true heiress in Christ: rich in love, full of mercy and completely dependant on her benefactor</em>.<br /><br />I hope some one person in some way at some point in time will be blessed by the words written here.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-20344741261707588712010-07-02T09:42:00.001-07:002010-07-02T09:48:57.786-07:00I fell off the face of the earth....Hi Friends,<br /><br />I am sheepishly writing this post....<br /><br />The last few months in my life have not been full of shining moments. Needless to say, I retreated; talked to very few people; ceased any form of online communication unless it was work-related; and basically hid in a hole.<br /><br />I won't discuss the reasons or issues or anything like that, simply because they are too fresh and too personal. I will say, however, that my mind has cleared and God's mercies are new every morning. I am so utterly thankful that He loves me even though I'm a mess. I'm super glad that He heals and loves and offers amazing, limitless grace. This girl is just a fool at times....a fool who needs Jesus.<br /><br />SO, there you have it. I'm here. alive and well. and back to blogging. AND, get this: I'm doing the Bible in 90 Days again....this time, I'm not quitting in the second month. Take that, Devil.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-41873907859857601902010-03-09T17:56:00.000-08:002010-03-09T18:15:57.779-08:00An update on the exciting life of Amy Dalke.<br /><br />I have spent the last two months in a blur. It seems as though I have had barely enough time to read two rounds of the Little Critter books with Luke before bed. So that's why I haven't been writing lately.....not that I have less time in 24 hours than anyone else; blogging just hasn't been a priority (even though that was a New Year's resolution). Well, another one bites the dust. I'm used to it. (grin)<br /><br />But this post isn't a whine session, although I'm pretty skilled at that. In all actuality, this post isn't about anything of substance. Oh yeah, except for that introductory sentence.....an update on my exciting life. I think I have already covered that when I mentioned the Little Critter books. That's about as eventful as it gets around here. <br /><br />One thing I have learned since January 1, 2010, is that I constantly need God. I cannot make one decision without Him. I am absolutely convinced that He is IT. He is everything to me.<br />Without Him, I'm done. A waste. A fool. <br /><br />Of course, I'm not just realizing that....but it has become blatantly clear to me over the last two and a half months that I am just a disaster waiting to happen when I step out of His light. When I try to convince myself that doing things my way "won't be so bad".....I'm brought directly to my knees in desperation. This enlightenment should not have to take on such regularity, except that I am as stubborn as they come. Pride rears its ugly head in me so quickly that I literally need the Word to be intravenously fed to me at times. <br /><br />I am ever so thankful - increasingly grateful - for grace. As a 32-year old woman prone to wander, I am humbled by the fact that His grace is sufficient for even me. <br /><br />I'm off now to have birthday cake with a sweet 11 year old girl. And yes, the exciting life continues....amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-25026724273071812442010-02-07T07:14:00.000-08:002010-02-07T07:56:53.550-08:00Walking Through Spider WebsI haven't posted in a couple of weeks: so much for that resolution of writing 3 posts a week. :)<br /><br />Although I have not been consistent thus far in the blogging portion of my resolution, I HAVE stayed on track with reading the Bible in 90 days. I'm patting myself on the back for that one, because this consistently inconsistent gal needs some sort of self-congratulation when relative success has been achieved. <br /><br />That introductory prideful paragraph has nothing to do with the subject of this post, however. So pretend I have just written a beautiful transition paragraph [here]. <br /><br />I have recently been working closely with a client, who has (on the surface) an astounding ego and a confident presence in the world of economic consulting. His educational background is revered in his particular line of business; and at a young age, he has built for himself an empire which his competitors covet. <br />With multimillions in the bank and houses across the country, this man is what the world deems successful. He writes policy papers that stimulate new trends in one of our world's largest industries, and he testifies as an expert in high-profile lawsuits on behalf of his Fortune 10 clients. <br />This man, however, is empty. He is constantly searching for "more". The checks aren't big enough; the glamorous trips don't satisfy; and his mini kingdom doesn't fulfill the ache in his heart. Although he has certainly not communicated this information to me, it's obvious that he is insecure and unsatisfied. <br /><br />I have spent time with him, in which he is constantly trying to impress me with his achievements: both financial and intellectual. He talks of his ability to do anything and go anywhere that money can afford. <br /><br />As I was reading my Day 38 today, this man came to mind as I read one of Jobs' friend's monologues. I found such truth in Bildad's words:<br /><br /><em>"What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider's web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold." -Job 8:14</em><br /><em></em><br />Though my client has "the world at his fingertips," he holds on to emptiness. <br /><br />We can trust in our status, but it does not hold against the weight of disaster.<br />We can trust in our ability to do business, but it does not hold when the economy takes a downward spiral.<br />We can trust in our intellect, but it does not hold when no one else listens.<br />We can trust in our athletic ability, but it does not hold when we suffer a season-ending injury.<br />We can trust in our appearance, but when natural aging takes place, physical beauty fades.<br />We can trust in our health, but the doctor's words remind us this body wasn't built to last forever.<br />We can trust in our bank account as security against disaster, but this, too, is temporary. <br /><br />Our only hope is to trust in God's unfailing love. God has promised that, "He will never leave us, nor forsake us." (Hebrews 13:5); He has given us the unbreakable assurance that, "neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38-39)<br /><br />So for my client who trusts in his spider webs, I pray for his eyes to be opened. For me, I pray for constant awareness of the frailty of worldly security. I pray for the ability to recognize the deceitfulness of riches and to flee from it's clutches. <br /><br />The Lord is good, and His lovingkindness endures forever. He is the ONE thing, the ONLY thing, that endures forever. AMEN.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-25661379956298613432010-01-18T12:55:00.000-08:002010-01-18T13:26:36.692-08:0018 days straightI'm on Day 18 of Reading the Bible in 90 Days. Can I even tell you how much I'm patting myself on the back because I have consistently done something for the last 18 days?? <br /><br />Actually, doing something consistently for the last 18 days is not the big shocker. The fact that I have consistently done something that is not self destructive for the last 18 days is the big deal. <br /><br />Oh please, you know what I mean. It's not like I have a drug habit or anything like that. Although as prone to sin as I am, it's only by the grace of God that I'm not begging and stealing for my next drug fix. <br /><br />Can we skip that entire introduction? Because I don't want my mom to get a whiff of this post and think I need to be in therapy for drug related issues. No, mom; I'm just being relative here.<br /><br />Back to this post's original intent (well, if it had one). I'm quite all over the board today, so pardon me if you're getting annoyed.<br /><br />Over the course of the last 18 days, I have fallen in some love with Moses. How awesome that he got to meet with God face to face. How cool to be called God's friend!! And I just hate it that he didn't get to go into the Promised Land. For crying out LOUD, he dealt with those whiny Israelites for 40 years just to get them there.....and then all he got to do was look at the view from a mountaintop? <br /><br />Although Moses and I have developed a bond, I am far more enthralled with Moses' God. Over and over He shows love to the Israelites...and over and over they reject Him. As I always do when I'm reading, I put myself in the Israelite's shoes (or sandals?). I get so frustrated with them, but I'm certain I would be right along with them, fashioning my own handmade idols and worshiping all sorts of false gods. I'm just amazed at the persistence God exhibits on their behalf. His love is relentless! <br /><br />And as cool as it is that Moses had such an intimate relationship with God..we are invited to an even closer relationship. WE ARE GOD's DWELLING PLACE. <br /><br />Moses et al had to cart around the tabernacle from place to place....and offer up all kinds of sacrifices before they could be in God's presence. Yet Emmanuel....God with us. Christ came to this earth and lived among us, so that He could be THE one and only sacrifice for our sins. He died on that cruel cross and rose again victoriously so that the veil was torn and we could intimately fellowship with God every single moment of our lives. No priest stands between us. No curtain that we cannot cross. No more sacrifices. Only Jesus...<br /><br />And speaking of Jesus: He is the only reason I can do ANYTHING non-self-destructive for 18 days straight and counting.....Praise the Lord. <br /><br />By the way - I think this post could win a "most random award.."amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-79983530960972347842010-01-11T17:30:00.001-08:002010-01-11T18:00:39.330-08:00Bible in 90 Days updates and suchI'm on Day 11 of the Bible in 90 days.....and still plugging along. I have been excited to wake up each morning to spend time in God's Word (with The Word), and I've found that the Lord has spoken to me daily.....even in the book of Numbers. Go figure. Who knew he doesn't just appear in Psalms and the New Testament!? <br /><br />So here is today's SOAP on my reading:<br /><br /><u>Scripture: Numbers 16:37-38a</u><br /><u></u><br /><em>"Tell Eleazar, son of Aaron, the priest, to take the censers out of the smoldering remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy - </em><br /><em>the censers of <strong>the men who sinned at the cost of their lives</strong>......"</em><br /><em></em><br /><u>Observation:</u><br /><u></u><br />Korah and his companions sinned at the cost of their lives! God opened up the earth to literally swallow them whole because they insisted on "having their own way". Isn't that the root of all our sin......the persistance to just have things done...or do things...our own way? <br />Although we may not die an earthly death when we commit sin, we can be assured that a little piece of our abundant life shrivels up and dies. It is reality: sin = death. Spending enough time wallowing in our own self-willed flesh kills us every time. <br />My heart aches and my stomach hurts as I am convicted of this fact in my own life. Our choices can be deadly if they aren't founded in the wisdom of God's living word. <br /><br /><u>Application:</u><br /><u></u><br />Note to self: do not take things into my own hands.....<br />Note to self: Trust that God's way is better than mine: every single time. There is not that "one time" that I have it right all on my own.<br />Note to self: Revere God as the Author of Life; the Creator - the MasterMind of the Universe. He deserves our utmost respect. ("The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." - Proverbs 9:10<br />Note to self: Don't act like Korah. <br /><br /><u>Prayer:</u><br /><u></u><br />Lord, I look up to the heavens, and I acknowledge Who created this universe. If I cannot trust Your ways above my own, then I am in sad shape.....because who better to listen to than the One who knows all things? Forgive me for asserting my own will so deliberately and foolishly. Thank You for Jesus....because without Him, I would surely suffer the same fate as Korah. <br />Thank You for providing the perfect sacrifice. It pains me to even imagine how small I make You in my mind. Open my eyes so that I can see You everywhere....hear You everywhere....and follow You everywhere. <br />In Jesus' name,<br />Amenamykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-83975382257579342972010-01-05T09:38:00.001-08:002010-01-05T09:57:04.624-08:00Bible in 90 Days - Post #2So I am on Day 5 in my Bible in 90 Days reading. For this Type A girl who loves structure, I am in love with this new adventure. I especially love checking the box each day after I have completed my reading. <br /><br />However, completing the task is not the only thing I am enjoying about this. Each morning, I am spending time with the God of Creation....the Author of the Word...and that is the coolest. I have done bible studies for the last 15+ years, but this is truly the first time that I have read scripture in a structure set up to take me through the whole bible. Needless to say, I have looked forward to hearing what God has to say to me each morning! <br /><br />It's virtually impossible for me to post every day, so although I won't have a post for what I have learned in each reading, I will blog about my observations at least 3 times a week. <br /><br />This morning's stand out scripture was Exodus 3:7-8:<br /><br /><em>"The LORD said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. </em><br /><em>So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.'"</em><br /><em></em><br />Observation:<br /><br />The Lord cares. He cared about the misery of the Israelites' slavery, and He cares today about our own imprisonments. Whether they be physical or emotional.....externally or interally afflicted - the Lord cares. And just as He came down to rescue the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians, He sent Jesus in the form of a man to rescue us from our slave drivers. <br />The promised land of the Israelites was physical land; whereas our promised lands are spiritual.....but oh, the joys of walking with the Lord in our good and spacious land: land that flows with milk and honey, peace and joy, comfort and love. <br />As we trust in the Lord daily and learn from Him.....we little by little drive out the Canaanites, the Hittites and the Amorites from living on our inherited promised lands. These "-ites" are different for all of us...but they are enemies, soul-terrorists, anything that stands on our souls to keep us from taking hold of the best God has for us. <br /><br />Application:<br /><br />Today, I will curl up on the lap of Jesus, and rest in His care. I will trust that the promised land He holds out to me is better than living in slavery to my sin. <br /><br />Prayer:<br /><br />Father God, You are an All-consuming fire. Set my heart ablaze for Your Truth. God of Heaven, You heard the cry of the Israelites and You had great compassion for them. Help me to see and believe with all my heart that You rise up to show compassion for me. Go before me today and destroy the enemy. Get them off of my land and lead me on into Truth. Thank You, Jesus!amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-58886986101634917072010-01-02T11:21:00.000-08:002010-01-02T11:36:46.788-08:00Bible in 90 Days: Post #1I cannot even tell you how excited I am for the next 90 days. I am praying that God just pours out His blessing over us as we journey through His Word!<br /><br />I am adopting the SOAP method of bible study for the next three months, and if you are wondering what that is.....I've stolen the idea from Amy at Mom'sToolBox.<br /><br />Scripture: Genesis 21:1<br /><br />"<em>Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised."</em><br /><em></em><br />Observation:<br /><br />The Lord is faithful to His promises. His promises to me (and you!) are too numerous to recount every single one. He promises us a way out of temptation; He promises to never leave us or forsake us; He promises that our minds cannot even conceive what He'll do with a life surrendered to Him; and He promises to supply every last one of our needs. <br />May I victoriously proclaim, "Now the Lord was gracious to Amy as He had said, and the Lord did for Amy what He had promised."<br /><br />Application:<br /><br />I shall BELIEVE! I will believe Him for His promised escape from temptation. I will believe that He is the only true satisfaction. I will believe that obedience to Him is rewarding, and I will believe that life under His Lordship is the greatest adventure. I will lean on His understanding as opposed to my own, and I will believe that He loves me unconditionally. I will believe that His blood was enough to cleanse me of sin, and I will believe that I don't have to work for righteousness. It is our right as God's children to know Him intimately and believe Him.<br /><br />Prayer:<br /><br />Gracious Father, fill my heart with faith in You. In the hollow, empty places of my soul, fill me up with Your satisfying presence. Swell my heart with belief in You. Let it be true of me when I say, "I'm BELIEVING God!!" I want to know the joy and peace found in believing You. Thank You for your faithfulness. You are so trustworthy, Jesus.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-71353988379279687692009-12-22T08:25:00.000-08:002009-12-22T08:26:49.431-08:00Reading the Bible in 90 Days - are YOU in??Read the Bible in 90 days? <br /><br />Why? Am I a glutton for punishment? Am I an overachiever? <br /><br />I’m reading the bible in 90 days because it’s going to be my medicine, my food, and the strength I need to get 2010 off to a great start. I need me some Jesus more than I need my next breath…..and committing to an intensive reading program is way to keep me accountable. <br /><br />2009 has been an upheaval of a year for me, and now I need a detox. My mind needs healing; my soul needs scrubbing; and my spirit needs to be rejuvenated. From the outside, my life has been fine. I have a beautiful, God-fearing family, a loving husband, a happy-healthy-precocious 4 year old, and a wonderful 16-year old stepdaughter (who I adore). I also started a new business (Scentsy); became a Partner at my “real job”; and I have super friends. <br /><br />...But the inside of me has been in turmoil all year. As you’ve seen in earlier posts, I’m in that Egyptian desert…..complaining about the manna, circling around like an Israelite, wondering why things are not going the way I want them to go. Hmmm….could it be that I’m as stubborn as those silly Isrealites? Oh yes, yes indeed. <br /><br />Posting my vulnerability is not so easy for me. As a woman who believes she is called to write for the glory of God…and to teach others about Him…it’s more than difficult for me to put my shortcomings and struggles on paper (or, I guess…online(!) for all the world to see). But honesty is where it starts, right? I’m totally feeling trepidation as I continue to type here….but I could not be a testament to God’s grace if I lived a façade. <br /><br />The decision to read through God’s Word in 90 days is ICU for me. It is a commitment to bury myself in scripture, and therein find my Savior.<br /><br />I’m totally geared up for this. Anyone want to join me? <br /><br />Click here to read all about it: <a href="http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/2009/12/10/im-reading-through-the-bible-in-90-days-again-wont-you-join-me/">I’m Reading through the Bible in 90 Days</a>amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-27143116422663254172009-12-21T13:17:00.000-08:002009-12-21T13:21:35.955-08:00Consistently InconsistentI think the most consistent thing about my blog is its inconsistency. Grrr..<br /><br />Every morning, I faithfully read a handful of my personal much-loved blogs. And each day, I make a mental note that I need to write a new blog post. The effort generally does not go past the mental note part. However, there are good streaks of time where I post two or three a week….until the chaos of my job takes over. <br /><br />Is it too early to make a New Year’s resolution? If not, then I want to officially make one now: 3 blog posts per week in 2010. You all heard it right here. Just be gracious when I’m lagging behind come May (or February, whichever comes first). <br /><br />2010 blog posts will include my <a href="http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/2009/12/10/im-reading-through-the-bible-in-90-days-again-wont-you-join-me/">Journey Through the Bible in 90 days</a>, along with <a href="http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/">Amy at Mom’s Tool Box</a>. I am beyond excited about this. I love structure and planned reading programs…..but even more so….I love the word of God. I love digging deep into scripture and finding out what God has for me to find. It's my prayer that these posts will bless your life and encourage you to dive into the Bible for yourself. <br /><br />I’m also going to keep everyone posted on the Sunday night cooking expos that I have with my neighbor Kathryn (who in the future will be referred to as NK (Neighbor Kathryn). This distinguishes her from Daughter Kathryn. Sunday night cooking expos should not be confused with any expert cooking blogs. NK and I are amateurs at best. For the last year, we have cooked dinner on Sunday evenings together…and the comic relief we have provided for our husbands is star-quality blog material. Sadly, they have not experienced nearly as much good food as they have laughs. It’s the thought that counts, right? <br /><br />Hopefully, my love of structure will help me in my efforts to consistently post. Anyone out there willing to help me be accountable in this??amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-79480634813005776112009-11-24T08:07:00.001-08:002009-11-24T08:07:57.866-08:00Just Stuff...There is absolutely nothing going on in my head of which to write. So I have committed dead-head bloggy-ness with a list of only remotely interesting links and things: <br /><br />I have bragged about this jewelry before, but I am totally in love with it. My good friend, Kimberly sells it - - and I’ve already accomplished 72% of my Christmas shopping on her website: <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/kimberlyjohnson">www.stelladot.com/kimberlyjohnson</a><br /><br />My niece Kristi sent me flowers yesterday because I am so special! Actually, she sent me flowers because I made Director with Scentsy (<a href="http://www.smellgoodie.scentsy.us/">www.smellgoodie.scentsy.us</a>). It’s kind of funny because I have a full-time job, which I love….but I started selling Scentsy in April of this year as a hobby. I am bowled over by the fact that now I have a team of nearly thirty people, and I am a DIRECTOR. It makes me smile just thinking about it…..not to mention, my house always smells good, and I have a nice amount of extra cash each month. Not a shabby deal I must say. <br /><br />I think I may have a split personality (oh, not really!) because I talk all day long with Ph.D. economists about their careers, etc., and then I come home and talk to women about wickless candles. What can I say? I’m diversified. <br /><br />This morning, I took Luke through the drive-thru at McDonald’s because someone forgot to pack his breakfast. He complimented the drive-thru lady for using her manners, so she sang a song to him. It was kind of sweet. <br /><br />Thanksgiving…..so much to be thankful for….and that is what I’m going to continually remind myself of as we travel 9+ hours to Oklahoma tomorrow. Thankfully, we have the DVD player for Luke, and Kathryn will have her iPod. <br />One of my favorite reasons for thankfulness this year is that my mother-in-law is giving me her first set china. It’s the set that Larry’s father sent to her when he was in the Korean War. I never registered for China (gasp!), so this is over the top exciting (and precious) to me. I could go on and on about how much I love my mother-in-law….<br /><br />Oh! One more thing! Did you know my Luke can shoot spider webs out of his…..? Yes, yes, he can. He told me all about it….<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving, friends!amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-13941023774232674762009-11-18T08:06:00.000-08:002009-11-18T08:11:38.038-08:00RT (Re-Tweet) - 37 Days of KindnessI get SO frustrated this time every year. Namely because buying presents for people and stressing out over the perfect gift is so NOT what Christmas is all about. My husband knows the tension is coming as I pull out the Christmas gift spreadsheet and start obsessing. Come the middle of November, my blood starts to boil and my mind becomes overwhelmed at the “task” ahead. Fighting the rush and the crowds to find ultimate gifts for friends and family is just not enjoyable to me. For the past few years I have done a lot of my shopping online, but even with that convenience, the buying-spending-hunting-stressing saga that defines the Christmas season is just plain ugliness to me. <br /><br />This morning, I read <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2009/11/37-days-of-kindness.html">Lysa Terkeurst’s blog post: 37 Days of Kindness</a>. This was a timely post, and Lysa has inspired me to step away from the “rush” and the “frustration” and invest the next 37 days in loving people in honor of Jesus’ birthday. <br /><br />I will not be able to stop the retail frenzy or holiday marketing efforts designed to encourage a season of spending. Neither can I change the expectations of gift-recipients in my own household; but I can change my own attitude….and Jesus can change my heart. <br /><br />What better way to spend the next 37 days than to focus on showing love and kindness to other people. Maybe I buy someone a Starbucks….or maybe I buy a meal for a friend….or perhaps I simply make a point to call someone I haven’t called in a long time, just to let them know I’m thinking of them. <br /><br />Who knows exactly….but I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how it’s shaping up. <br /><br />May Jesus be the ONLY one to glory in this….may this be my birthday present to Him this Christmas!amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-49585598974647080252009-11-17T07:23:00.000-08:002009-11-17T07:26:08.009-08:00Waiting.....for what?I have been waiting. <br /><br />For what, I’m unsure. <br /><br />There has been a little (or a big) something that God and I have been working on weeding out of my life for the last three years. This is something that God has explicitly told me time and again NEEDS TO GO. So why, you ask, am I still holding on to it? <br /><br />Because I’m waiting! I’m waiting for the day it will become easier to let go of this. I’m waiting for the perfect day in which there will be no craving or longing for this particular habit. And I’m waiting for the day when He just snatches it from me, and I am gloriously willing to be obedient. <br /><br />Ha! And the joke is on me. Because waiting is just a state of limbo to which Satan has lured me. He has blinded me with lies of how “one day, I’ll wake up with the self-control to do this……but it doesn’t have to be today.” <br /><br />This “thing” has been choking me for three years, people…..and you would think that I would willingly and humbly lay it down. Especially since I am a woman who loves God, a woman who desires God’s glory to be evident in her, and a woman who is serious about bible study! <br /><br />Oh! But it’s not so easy to let go of that "thing" which provides so much comfort! This “thing” is a pleasure; it’s a friend; it’s enjoyable; and yes, it’s an idol. I have acquiesced to Satan’s lies of how I cannot live with out it because life would be less endurable. But is life just something we “endure”? What a bold-faced lie! Yes, the enemy has stood on my inheritance for years - taunting me with the threat of hopelessness of ever reaching the promised land. <br /><br /><em>…..and then Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” </em> John 10:10<br /><br />Do I have to wait for this abundant life? Will there ever be a perfect day to surrender? No, for goodness sake – NO to both questions! Because I am a child of God (an heiress!), my rightful state of existence is a joyful, free life. I can choose to believe God will satisfy me even when I’m aching for a temporal fix. I can fall on my face and cry out to Him for fulfillment; for help; for deliverance. When I do this, He will faithfully provide. <br /><br />I have been missing God’s best for me as I have danced with the lies of the enemy. However, I should tarry no longer…..his best is there for me today. And if I kid myself in saying, “I’ll wait for that perfect day when_____,” then, well, I’m just missing the best.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-40893282438288576532009-11-13T06:47:00.000-08:002009-11-13T07:02:59.788-08:00Dry and TastelessA couple of weeks ago, I posted on a Friday that I would be doing a 30 day blog series on Being Free. <br />Since you have yet to see Day One of this series, suffice it to say that I have been in a dry spell. <br /><br />If I had not been reading Jennifer Rothschild's <em>Self Talk Soul Talk, </em>I would be calling myself a crazy fool for talking about a blog series I had yet to write. I guess I thought that if I promised the internet that I would be posting this - it would magically appear at my fingertips. <br /><br />But oh no. Quite the opposite. I have learned the lesson that before I commit to a series - I should at least write it first. Some would call that common sense......but procrastinators and Type A frustrated perfectionists like myself call that a normal learning process. Fail First....then learn from the mistake. <br /><br />My dry spell has been ugly......I'm in a "season" right now where for the last three weeks, I have existed on a vegetarian spiritual diet (i.e. no scriptural meat). I have gone through the motions, and now I'm tired of it. Who do I think I'm fooling? God knows He has gotten only leftovers from me. My heart has been hard, and when my alarm goes off in the morning.....instead of spending time with Him - I've hit snooze over and over again. The sad thing is, I am the one who suffers from this......not God. Yes, He misses that time because He quite enjoys it, too.....but I am the one who gets dehydrated...and joy-less.....and ugly.<br /><br />Can anyone else identify with me? I know that we all can't be "on" all the time.....but I feel like such an Israelite. I know the wonders God has done in my life; I know the JOY of doing daily life with Him.....yet, I so quickly forget and convince myself that I can do this thing on my own.<br /><br />Please, please leave me your comments.......tell me you know what I mean.....amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-88688647086969899562009-10-29T08:35:00.000-07:002009-10-29T08:38:03.507-07:00Amy and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DaySo I don’t think I’m generally a negative person (at least I hope not)….but this morning as been hellacious. It’s not like I had a wreck, or got a flat tire, or even woke up an hour late (because those would be events worth my dramatic reactions). No, I just simply:<br /><br /><br />*didn't have my quiet time (a much needed practice for my sanity).<br /><br />*left the house without my scarf (that was a crucial element to my outfit).<br /><br />*walked out of the house with straight hair….and stepped into Houston Humidity. My hair immediately sprung into a frizzy, wavy mop…much to my chagrin. <br /><br />*left the house without Luke’s football (which was a crucial element to his outfit….as he is a football player for Halloween…and today is trick-or-treating at preschool.)<br /><br />*Larry spilled coffee all over the car.<br /><br />*After dropping Luke off at school, I stopped at my usual convenience store to make my usual coffee-mixed-with-cappuccino - - only they didn’t have the usual cappuccino. I sucked this up and….<br /><br />*went to the next convenience store, which ALSO did not have cappuccino mix. However, before I found this out….<br /><br />*I slipped on their newly mopped tile. <br /><br />*backed out and ran over a curb (minimal frustration….this is not an unusual occurrence for me).<br /><br />*walked into the office and found an email from a client saying they owed me $13,000 less than our invoice reflects. Nice. <br /><br /><br />So today, I truly need to find the JOY in all of this. For the past hour, I have been telling myself over and over to change my attitude. This is even harder to do since I know I have a major case of PMS today (or so Larry tells me.)<br /><br />In the big scheme of things, I can laugh about the trauma caused by leaving my scarf at home (I’m really not that vain).<br /><br />I can laugh about my hair….because I just pulled it up into a ponytail. Take that, humidity. <br /><br />I can shrug off the fact that I sent my son to school in an incomplete costume. I’m sure his teachers are actually thankful we forgot the football.<br /><br />Larry cleaned up his coffee….so that wasn’t really my problem. <br /><br />I did get my coffee on the third try, so I can smile at the obstacles this addict had to overcome to get her fix.<br /><br />At least I know the convenience store was “clean”…..that’s stretching the positive outlook a bit….but I’m trying!<br /><br />And I can deal with the client who wants to short me on the invoice. I am thankful I even have clients that pay their invoices! <br /><br />But taking a trip to Australia would be nice.amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-54013757131557892622009-10-28T14:02:00.000-07:002009-10-28T14:04:43.979-07:00For the love (or dread) of Halloween<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;">I really wish I could call myself a Halloween fanatic. But I just can’t. I even have trouble capitalizing the H in Halloween…because I just don’t get the hoopla. <br />A co-worker of mine told me yesterday that it was her favorite holiday. I cringed. Really?? Is it really an official holiday? How embarrassing. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"><br />I have never cared for dressing up in silly costumes and going to parties. I just think it’s childish. And while I know there are many adults who enjoy this (and I certainly don’t judge)…..I’m just not one of them. Although I wouldn’t mind going to a Halloween party to see everyone else’s cute costumes, I would not partake in the costume-wearing festivities. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"><br />Is there such thing as a Halloween Grinch? If so – count me as a follower. I’m even the only one on my typical suburban Wisteria-Lane-Like street who has not decorated her yard in all things Ghoulish, Ghastly or Pumpkin-loving. (sigh) I truly have no desire. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"><br />This year is a bit different: Luke is nearly four years old…so he knows what Halloween is. He even has three (yes, three) costumes. Don’t get me wrong, I am not contradicting myself. Everyone knows a mom has to buy her child a costume for trick-or-treating! We initially bought him a Superman costume, which ended up being too small once we got home with it. As every good Halloween mega-store has a no-return policy, we were stuck with it. He doesn’t know the difference: he still jaunts around in that costume with sleeves that are too short. As long as the cape is attached properly – he’s good to go. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"><br />The second costume is my favorite. He’s an OU football player, complete with mini-shoulder pads and official helmet. I must upload a picture at some point; he’s irresistible. <br />And he’ll assuredly be a “hit” when we trick-or-treat at the homes in our neighborhood. Sooner fans living in Houston are not a majority living in the land of Longhorns and Aggies. I will have to check his candy extra closely to make sure evil neighbors didn’t put needles in his Reese’s Cups. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"><br />And Luke’s third costume is Bumblebee the Transformer. I’m about as big a fan of Transformers as I am of Halloween. Those things are Scary!! My grandmother bought him this costume when we were in Oklahoma over the weekend……because everyone knows Great-Grandmothers are the best people in the world. I was rather surprised she even knew what a Transformer was…..but I digress. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"><br />Since we are scheduled to attend a bazillion Halloween festivals/carnivals this weekend, I guess he will have a chance to wear each one. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"><br />My poor child. Hopefully my attitude about this silly October “event” will change (for the better?) before he is old enough to resent it. I’ll still go through the motions of doing all the candy-buying and costume-purchasing….but please, God, please don’t ever let him expect me to put cemetery headstones in my front yard. <br /> </span>amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-89569483312993790442009-10-27T08:20:00.000-07:002009-10-27T08:29:28.769-07:00Let's Get PersonalI saw this little questionnaire on Baby Bangs this morning, so I’m taking the cheap way out and using it myself. I am totally in a blog rut.<br /><br /><br />1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while your blogging?<br /><br /><em>Coffee and pretzels. Or dried fruit. Or kit-kats. Or carrots. Lay's Cheddar Cheese Baked Lay's are also good. </em><br /><em></em><br /><br />2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?<br /><br /><em>Aside from the obvious answers like my husband and my children – I would have to say life would be empty without books. I even have to have a book to fall asleep. We went on a trip to Dallas last year, and I forgot to bring along a book for the road. Oh my word - you would have thought I was a drug addict, and I forgot my needle. It was quite pathetic….and actually opened my eyes to what a book-junkie I truly am. Needless to say – I did enjoy the conversation with my family during that 4-hour drive, and I was much more ‘present’ without a book.</em><br /><br /><br />3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?<br /><br /><em>The beach. Most definitely – the beach. Although, if I lived on a beach, I would most certainly have a vacation home in the cold mountains so that I could utilize my fall/winter wardrobe.</em><br /><br /><br />4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?<br /><br /><em>Mopping. I could go all my life without using a mop….and I would not be sad about it.</em><br /><br /><br />5. Who do people say you remind them of?<br /><br /><em>People call me high maintenance….but I really don’t mean to be. In all sincerity, I don’t think I am difficult or demanding or anything that I associate with high maintenance. However, after years of being told I am, I have to wonder……</em><br /><em><p><br /></em></p>6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the fam?<p><em>I much prefer hanging out with close friends and family. I can do the occasional party, but it’s certainly not high on my agenda.</em> </p><p><br /><br />7. What's your all time favorite movie?</p><p><em>I have no deep answer for this. I love Gone With the Wind, Devil Wears Prada and You’ve Got Mail.</em></p><p>8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?</p><p><em>It depends. I am not a stickler for a nighttime make-up removal ritual. If I have worked out during the evening, I shower before bed (and hence, my face gets washed). Sometimes I just plain go to bed with a dirty face….and I’m cool with that. </em></p><em><p><br /></em></p>9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? <p><em>What is it?I want to learn to knit. I would LOVE to learn to knit. I took classes about four years ago….thinking I would develop a new hobby. After spending over an hour with me on the basics, the teacher told me I wasn’t picking it up very well. For a perfectionist, those words are poisonous. I haven’t picked it up since. Maybe when Luke graduates from high school in 14 years, I will try again. </em></p><p></p><p>10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?</p><p><em>baking chocolate sheet cake and making burritos. This is strange because I’m a clustered mess in the kitchen….and it’s just odd that every time I make these two particular foods – people like them. </em></p><em><p><br /></em></p>11. What first attracted you to your spouse?<p><em>His dimples, his laugh, and his legs. </em></p><p>12. What is something you love to smell?</p><p><em>My husband’s Very Sexy cologne…..and Lemon body wash from Bath and Body Works.</em> </p><p></p><p>13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.</p><p><em>oooohh…..I’m not good at returning calls. I talk on the phone ALL DAY at work….and it’s not my favorite thing to do when I get home. And then it spirials into a guilt thing. I know I should call you back…but I don’t want to go through the apology process…so I put it off some more…and then the guilt grows because it’s been over a week now…..and the cycle starts again. Maybe I need therapy for this? </em></p><em><p><br /></em></p>14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?<p><em>Buy a new hand-bag or shoes…or jewelry…or a new outfit…</em></p><p>15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?</p><p><em>It depends on how funny it is. I laughed so hard with my family this weekend over Luke’s sign language. Our good friend, Marjorie (Luke’s Grandma Day) taught him how to say “I love you” in sign language. When I asked him to show my mom and dad, he flipped everyone off…he couldn’t get his fingers in the right position…and every time he tried, the middle finger just kept popping up. We belly laughed for at least six good long minutes. </em></p><p></p><p>16. Where is your favorite place to shop?</p><p><em>Urban Outfitters, Banana Republic and Gap (although Gap has been disappointing the last two spring/summer seasons); I also love Anthropologie sales. For Luke – my favorite place is Baby Gap. </em></p><p></p><p>17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?</p><p><em>Learn to play tennis really well. I took tennis lessons right after Luke was born – but to play in league play, you either have to be a stay-at-home mom (which I’m not) or be willing to dedicate one night a week. Since I’m already over-committed during the week…..this is something I will hopefully pick back up at the same time I start knitting. </em></p><p></p><p>18. Are you a big spender or frugal? </p><p><em>What is the global definition of big spender? I'm not exactly weekly (or yearly!) shopping on Rodeo Drive...but I do like to shop....quite a bit. I'm that person that salesmen/saleswomen love to see coming. </em></p><p>19. Who is your favorite character of all time? </p><p><em>Meredith Grey – Grey’s Anatomy. I know, I’m shallow. </em></p><em><p><br /></em></p>20. Would you want to be famous?<p><em>My first reaction is “absolutely, yes!” But I’m not so sure. All of us have a desire to belong and be accepted…..but I suppose that if we get that need met with family and close friend-relationships, we don’t have a longing to be “known” to the world. Having said that, it would be nice the Hollywood “IT” girl….for maybe a month.</em> <em>Think of all the free clothes and handbags...and your own personal stylist! </em></p><p>I would love to hear your answers…..! </p>amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161586746000754324.post-20509713031134888782009-10-19T14:17:00.000-07:002009-10-19T14:18:50.046-07:00Firefighter Luke<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This month is Fire Safety Month; and last week at school, Luke was learning about the letter “F”. So naturally, last week Luke learned all about firefighters. <br /><br />Friday afternoon he pranced into my bedroom, wearing nothing but a fireman’s helmet.... <br /><br />“Mommy! Guess what? I have my very own hose!” <br /><br />Luckily, he did not spray said urinal hose all over the place. <br /><br /></span></span>amykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902109330776556736noreply@blogger.com4