Truth from God's Word :)

Random, but I was looking through old scrapbooks today, and I got really cracked up at a picture of my fourth grade bug collection (a class assignment, obviously).  I guess we were supposed to put a quote or verse with it, and precious little fourth grade me chose to elegantly calligraphy (alternating red and blue ink, because it was apparently a very patriotic bug collection) this gem from Leviticus:

"All the winged insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you."  ~Leviticus 11:20

Haha, I love it... very appropriate. :)

12 in 2012 ~ Marching On ;)

Well, my original March goal was to get back into my book and write 500 words every day.  I changed that goal due to being busy with school (and partly due to the feeling in Amy's "talent isn't genius" argument).  So it became the goal to write down everything I ate, and stay under 1500 calories a day.  (And to read one fiction book and keep training for the Half.)  I wrote down what I ate pretty well and was honest this time, as I was the only one reading it, but I did not stay under 1500 calories every day.  I'm not going to dwell on that point much, because I'm beginning to push and believe in myself, and I'm not going to get bogged down in guilt or failure talk.

Successes:  I walk/jogged 55 miles this month, and am feeling much more confident in my running ability!  Spring arrived, so I ventured outdoors rather than sticking to the treadmill... so much more fun with scenery and a friend to talk to!  I haven't taken the elevator at work once. :)  I ate more fruit and salads, and less sugar than I usually eat... progress!  I read Little Women, one of the longer books I've read in a month, and it was awesome!  I completed my first class at SNU-Tulsa (yay)!!  I received a major answer to prayer from God.  I started Beth Moore's James study.  I learned something about myself and gave up 'victim mentality' thinking.  And at this moment, I feel great about where I am in family relationships, friendships, and my walk with God!! =)

My April goals:  Run the OKC Half Marathon; sign up for Nike Women's Marathon lottery!

I've gone back and forth a little, but I've decided to stick with this goal and let God decide it.  (As lottery drawings and "rolling the dice" situations are always under His control.)  If I get in for the San Francisco race, it will be time for hardcore marathon AND HILLS training!  I'd train hard for five months, then run the race in mid-October.  And if it doesn't work out, I will know by May... and I'll be very okay with that :) and will sign up for a November or December race.  

Either way, before any of that happens, I'll be running the OKC Half (my 3rd Half-Marathon) on April 29th, less than a month from today! =) 

Photo Friday ~ Cell Phone Pics

A few pics from "Mr. Celly McPhone" (Rach will appreciate that).

Two "Quad-Cam" pics from 2009:

What they were going for on that one:

Chet text me this pic a little after the LC series on this... still makes me smile.

Me and Triston and Carter, March 2011 <3

Dad greeting at the MWC LifeChurch =) 

"Tres Leches" cake at Chuys (Leap Day 2012 with Laura)

The "nacho car" at Chuys! 

Bubby Jace =) 

Malori reclining in her Warren Theater "Director's Suite" chair for Hunger Games...

please note that they served a special "Mockingjay" cocktail for the event! lol

This was yesterday... major water leak in our office that eventually was pouring from every corner of this light!  (Pic probably doesn't do it justice.  Thank God it was not over my desk!!)

Also yesterday, the park at Crescent Ridge, where Laura and I had our 4-mile walk. 

I love all the ducks and geese... but they do get surprisingly close sometimes! 

Book Review ~ Little Women

So my book choice for March was all about the March family... and I can happily say that Little Women was the best fiction book I've ever read!  Louisa May Alcott = brilliant.  (I'll be reading Little Men next!)

The book begins at Christmas time (loved that), and it takes you through several years in the lives of the March sisters -- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy (Analytical, Driver, Amiable, and Expressive!).  Their personalities and character are wonderfully written, and each girl displays the strengths and weaknesses that are common to that personality type.  This little scene (and so many others) cracked me up on that note:  "'November is the most disagreeable month in the whole year,' said Margaret... 'That's the reason I was born in it,' observed Jo...  'If something very pleasant should happen now, we should think it a delightful month,' said Beth, who took a hopeful view of everything, even November."

Their parents are full of Biblical wisdom and common sense, always giving great practical advice when it is needed.  There are several wonderful stories, but even the heartbreaking sections on death and rejection are very well written and true to life.  The March family is poor and have their share of struggles, but as Ms. Alcott put it, "poverty enriches those who live above it."  The story is full of heart, love, adventure, and great family moments... and through it all, the overarching theme of the book is: Character matters, and for better or worse, we reap what we sow.

In certain sections, the author speaks directly to the reader.  One was speaking to women, encouraging us to always believe and expect the best of men... to praise and encourage good character!  To paraphrase, she says that we will reap what we sow, and if we only expect them to be shallow, then that's what we will get.  I love love loved that!  However, another little segment to the reader that focused on women who become "spinsters" and "old maids" nearly put me over the edge in sadness (because it felt painfully true), but thankfully, Joyce was there later that day to cheer me up with some deeper truth.  Anyway, back to the sisters...

Meg is kind and good, but she consistently struggles with comparison and jealousy toward the richer girls... eventually hurting her husband deeply by suggesting that his work is not good enough.  When she wants to blame her husband and speak negatively on the character of men, her mother stops her and reminds her that women are also selfish, and she should see where she is wrong before blaming her husband.  I love that.  She struggles with putting so much energy and attention into her children (twins - how fun) that she neglects her husband... and her mother gives her great advice on that point (something I will try and take to heart), which she chooses to listen to and take to heart.  In the end, it is the richer girls who are jealous of Meg, as her little home is full of genuine love and warmth, and she has a family that truly adores and respects her. 

Jo is awesome and strong-willed and ready to take on the world, but her pride and fiercely independent spirit come back to bite her more than once - hurting Amy through unforgivenss and Beth through selfishness, hurting Laurie through rejection followed by far too much opinion, and hurting herself (missing out on a great gift) by speaking before she thinks.  Of all the Driver statements by Jo, this comment particularly hit me: "I wish it was as easy for me to do little things to please people as it is for you.  I think of them, but it takes too much time to do them, so I wait for a chance to confer a great favor, and let the small ones slip, but they tell best in the end, I fancy."  It's important to her to be seen as liberal and independent, and she speaks boldly against the idea of getting married and ends up lonely for a while.  She learns a lot from her mother, who has the same driver personality, and works on her character throughout the book.  She finds some success in writing, and eventually, she decides that being independent is not her heart's highest desire... and marries a wonderful professor, then they start a school where he teaches and she mothers several young boys.  That was awesome to me!  (She inherited the estate of her cranky rich aunt, who she had taken care of for years - again, reaping what you sow.)

Beth is quiet and loving, but very shy and timid - choosing to confide mainly in Jo (driver/amiable).  She has a caring, helpful spirit - taking food to those who need it even when she is suffering - but she often goes unnoticed or unappreciated.  She consistently struggles with feeling insignificant and unsure whether her life matters and whether she means much to those around her.  And in the end - (spoiler alert) - she becomes very ill, passively (in my opinion) giving in to the sickness and embracing the fact that she will die, and dies at age 19.  Sadness.  {Sidenote:  At one point, while discussing heaven, Beth comments that if people are good enough, they will go there... this made me really sad.  In every other plot point, the family seems very God-centered and focused on all the right things - but in my opinion, just as faith without works is dead to God, so is works without faith.}

Amy is a terrible selfish little brat in the beginning, appropriate as the baby in the family... but grows to be my favorite of the four sisters.  She is overly worried about her appearance and being part of the cool crowd, as most Expressives tend to be.  She is an artist and always tries to be dignified and elegant in her manners.  She works on her character, learning to be a woman who refuses to be petty or manipulative, and to make the best of whatever is given to her... then eventually, she receives a more wonderful gift than she could have imagined (getting to travel and experience life in several different countries with her aunt).  As she travels, she decides to give up her pursuit of being a great artist, because "talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so.  I want to be great, or nothing."  Loved that... identify with that.  And in the end, she marries Laurie - I hated that in the movie, but it made perfect sense in the book. 

Personally, I identify with Amy and Beth, but I was surprised to find I also identify with Professor Bhaer.  He is another Amiable character, making him a great match for Jo.  He is described as benevolent and wise, "slow to offer his own opinions, not because they were unsettled, but too sincere and earnest to be lightly spoken."  Love that.  There is a scene where several arrogant well-educated men are making eloquent, scientific arguments against the existence of God... and Jo is almost convinced... until he steps up and begins to speak up for the truth!  "Somehow as he talked, the world got right again to Jo.  The old beliefs, that had lasted so long, seemed better than the new.  God was not a blind force, and immortality was not a pretty fable, but a blessed fact... when Mr. Bhaer paused, outtalked but not one whit convinced, Jo wanted to clap her hands and thank him."

I want to be that person... as a counselor, but also as a friend, daughter, wife, and mother.  One who is dependable and quiet, but always speaks up for the truth of God, and even if it never convinces those who are arrogant and set against Him, to know that it might set things right in the hearts of those who are simply confused and waffling a bit in their faith! 

Anyway, fantastic book. =)  I highly recommend that all women read it.  I loved the stories, the life lessons, and the elegant way the book was written...

"Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort it is."

Random

Seriously, how adorable is Boo!?  Poor presh puppy! lol

I want him. :)

Also, how cute are my nephews, Triston and Carter... being protected from the rain by their Batman umbrella!? =)

Love this pic of Carter holding Jace, whom they call "Bubba J."  So cute - Carter so proud and Jace in his adorable little fleece onesie!  ...I've started calling Jace "Bubby," a combo of "Bubba" and "Baby."  It may annoy everyone else, but I like it. =)

In other news, Hunger Games was great... a little different from the book, but still very well done and well cast (I give it an 8 out of 10)... I saw it two days in a row this opening weekend! =)

(My cousin, Justin, has not read the books but said he really loved the movie!  I'd wondered how much it would make sense to people if they hadn't read the books... apparently, it will appeal to both crowds!)

Still one of my favorite moments - the "District 12 Salute"

In other random news, I'm done with all my homework for my first class -- hooray!

And I'm super-pumped for Army Wives tonight... it's getting intense!! :)

Photo Friday ~ Hunger Games

Get excited!!!

A friend of Malori's rented out a theater tonight at Warren where they serve you dinner while you watch the movie (a bit ironic for Hunger Games, but still really fun).  I'm about to head out... and I'm very hopeful that the movie will be awesome!

MM ~ Childhood Games

Today's "Memory Monday" (thanks to our discussion of this topic in class tonight) is
My Top 10 Favorite Memories of Childhood Games:

1.  Playing "Trapped" with Rach and Blake.  This was one of many games we made up, and it involved two of us setting elaborate (in our minds) traps for the other, pretending to be home without our parents and preparing to trap the burglar!  Thank you, Home Alone!!  Some of our traps quickly got a bit too dangerous, so our parents had to put a stop to this game. :(

2.  "Wild West Bakery Shop" -- the game where the 3 of us cooked and served imaginary food to imaginary weary travelers in the "wild west." lol  I would so love to go back and hear our conversations on that one!
3.  Time Machine - I played this with my 2nd grade best friend, Patricia Luk, and we stood on the sad little mound of dirt in the middle of our elementary school playground -- a/k/a our super-awesome time machine -- and we had to stand there and jump up and down (together holding hands) 5 times to "travel back in time," alternating which one of us would pick the "destination." 
4.  Pair Rollerblading - This was inspired by the Olympic pair skating (which I still love)... Rach and I would put on the rollerblades and skate around and around our circle driveway, holding hands, (Rach usually going backwards bc I wasn't brave enough), and trying different "tricks" along the way! lol
How we imagined ourselves:

How we really looked:

5.  Hot Lava  - Where we had a couple towels or scraps of material and that was the only thing we could step on, because the rest of the ground was fiery hot lava! lol  We huddled together on one towel, carefully picked up the next one and threw it, then all leaped across to the other one. 
In our minds, it was kinda like this scene, minus all Jedi drama! lol

6.  Noah Webster - Ha, this was the book everyone read in 4th grade at CHA, so Rach and I made a game out of it, pretending to live back then as the sisters of Noah Webster, Mercy and Jerusha.  :)
7.  Obstacle Course/Swim Races - This was usually me, Rach, Clint, and Ty... and Rach usually won!  We would set up a mini-obstacle course... start off with running, hopping over certain things, sometimes rollerblading...  then diving into the pool and swimming a couple laps.  It was intense! :)
8.  Synchronized Swimming - Yep, another Olympic-inspired event!  Me, Rach, and our cousins Ashley and Amber would make up and practice a routine, then put on a "show" for our parents. lol  Another thing I'd kinda love to see now.
9.  Chutes and Ladders, Checkers, & Candy Land - These were my favorite childhood board games that we would play as a family and sometimes with friends.  Pretty sure I was awesome at Checkers! ;)

10.  "SuperKids" - For this game, we would hide in our play treehouse/fort in the backyard... look over our "kingdom," give ourselves awesome superhero names, make up an evil villain, and strategize our plan to save the world!  

Our other favorite young activities were bike rides with Grandad, eating cookie dough, and watching Cinderella, Robin Hood, and The Jungle Book over and over!!

Aww, I miss the imagination of being a kid. =)

Thankful Thursday!!! (50)

"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."  ~James 1:17

This has been a particularly good week!  Today, I'm thanking God for...

1. Today is baby Anthony's one month birthday!!!!  Thank You, God!  So awesome, and after so many ups and downs, such a miracle.  He was taken off the feeding tube this Monday and got to come home with them on Tuesday night.  (He was originally due March 10th, but they induced early because of the heart condition.)

Loved this maternity pic.

And here he is, just looking perfectly peaceful.  Another thing I'm thankful for:  that he will not remember any of the pain he's gone through this past month.
2. My judge is taking today, tomorrow, and most of next week off... hooray for Spring Break!!
3. Getting to hang out with and hold my lil' nephew today.  He makes a hilarious Zoolander pursed-lips face sometimes when he sleeps... makes me really happy. :)

4. Getting to seriously catch up on SLEEEEEEP lately!  Awesome.
5. God's generosity and provision, and unexpected answers to prayer... so amazing!
6. Hanging out with good friends at Panera Bread. lol  ...and for Panera's brocolli cheddar soup and mac n' cheese.  Yum.  Let's be honest - the Panera obsession is still going strong for me!

7. Took a spiritual gifts test last week: Discernment, Faith, Knowledge, Teaching, Exhortation... (in that order for the first time).  I could go into a lot more on that, but to me, it was exciting, and more confirmation on my purpose or "chazown!" =)  God is good.

"He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though He is surrounded by LIGHT."  ~Daniel 2:22

MM ~ Troop Beverly Hills!

Okay, today's "memory" is more random than most, but since I have the intro song ("You can make it BIG!") in my head today, I decided to write about it. =) 

Troop Beverly Hills!!  (Yes, the awesome 1980s movie with Shelly Long, Craig T. Nelson, Carla Gugino, Kellie Martin, Tori Spelling, etc.) Rach and I watched this movie oh, so many times, and can quote all the wonderfully cheesy lines... aaaaand the "Cookie Time" song. lol  Such a fun movie... the plot is high maintenance Beverly Hills girls, led by the super-ridiculous but awesome Shelly Long, proving that they can become "real Wilderness Girls!" lol  (We don't own it, so it involved going to Blockbuster and renting it, which kinda made it seem more special somehow.)  That movie and It Takes Two with the Olsen twins... I would love to see again right now, and I'm sure I'd still know them by heart!

Winning. ;)

"Just once, I would like to go the distance!!"
"I am the log.  I am the ravine." :)

Loving the sherbet dress. lol

"Water moccasins live in swamps. They're just as deadly, only they don't make any noise before they strike..."

"Do the Freddie!"

"Her recommendations for a campsite were totally unsuitable. There were no outlets. And there was dirt, and bugs, and... and it rains there. So anyway, we've found a place that's much more us: the Beverly Hills Hotel."

"It's missing a bead." (not the right dress, but still a great line) :)

"We're the girls from Beverly Hills!
1-2-3-4
Shopping is our greatest skill!
5-6-7-8
Now that all is said and done...
1-2-3-4
Beverly Hills is #1!
5-6-7-8
Beverly Hills, what a thrill
Beverly Hills, what a thrill!"

Haha, yay!! =)

Photo Friday ~ Spring

Awww, Springtime... the sunshine and warmth and longer days and colorful new life everywhere in nature... I'm starting to look past my supreme hatred of all bugs and see the beauty in it all. :)

This (the peach blossom tree) is probably my favorite thing ever!!  The brilliant pink color and the detail in each tiny little flower is just awesome to me!

I also think daffodils are pretty cool... the prior owner of my house planted some outside, and I love seeing them pop up every year!

 Nothing says Spring like a fun day playing in the park!

I also love bradford pear trees, but the boring white makes them a bit less exciting than the peach blossom.

Yay for Saint Patricks Day parties and the happy welcoming of all that is green.

I'm into strawberries lately.  And peaches.  So hooray for healthy foods sounding better in Spring!!

 This photo in no way applies to my life, but someday, it will! :)

 Ducks!!  I love ducks! lol  And long LaFortune walks with Laura!!

And finally, 'tis the season for ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, gelato... basically, any cold form of dessert!! =)