Don't Let Go of the Good Things

I remember laying awake at night wondering if this was really what God planned for me. and if it was, why me? But if it wasn't, what do I do to make it right? I cried a lot and prayed more. I surrendered and he drew near. I felt a peace.

And then, my life fall apart around me and I realized I let work take the very things I loved away from me. You see how God did that. I had peace right before the storm. That's how he works. He prepared me for the storm that I didn't see coming but I was ready. I had to make a change. Work wasn't really the problem as much as my desire to hide. The more I worked, the less I had to be alone. The less I had to make friends. The less I had to confront life. Work has always been easier than dealing with real life. Since I started working at 15, I packed my days with no time to enjoy what I loved or anything else in my life. Every minute of every day was scheduled, so there was no time for spontaneity. No time to pause, to listen, to meet a friend, to just be me. The me who loved my family, who loved teaching, who loved the outdoors, and who loved to dance.

When the world around me got ugly, I knew something had to give and I had to give something. I never saw it coming, only thinking I was doing what I needed to do, telling myself it was for the family. But what they needed was me. Not money, not stuff, but my time and my presence.

Whatever it is that keeps you from being present, stop it.

If your kids are older, they need you more than ever. They need you to be around for those spontaneous bad days, breakups and hard decisions. They need you to share their excitement about a new job, help them with an assignment at school or even just to hash out life's frustrations and joys.

If your husband is distant, he needs you to draw close. When we are most afraid, we drift, we hide and sometimes we even get a little edgy. Look past it, and love on him.

If your friends stop calling, go to them. Call, write, message or Facetime if they are far away. There is nothing better than hearing from a friend when you are doing life and busy as ever. When you feel you can't add another meeting, it is the best time to make a connection and become human and share life with someone who cares about you for you.

I have learned that some of my greatest losses were my greatest needs.

Hebrews 10:24-25

"And let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Love wins! Or so I thought.

Back in January I ventured out to post 365 days of love and it only took a month before I fell off the wagon. I can't remember exactly what happened, but I wasn't feeling the love anymore.

It could have been something someone said or did.
It could have been something I felt or assumed.
It could have been nothing.

Nevertheless, I let it go and ignored it. I allowed "it" to get in the way of my attitude. How often do we set out to make good and someone else messes up our plan? How often do we have good intention and someone else comes in with negativity?

It always gets me when I allow someone else to ruin my day or affect my attitude for no reason. But if I had been focused on others rather than myself, I wouldn't have let it get to me. I wouldn't have quit on love.

Sometimes we have to push through our own insecurities to let love win. What is getting at you today? Move on, you be you, and let your love affect others rather than letting them affect you.

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

The Choice is Yours

I have always searched for and worked to be my healthiest self. Since I was a freshman in high school, or maybe even younger, I was self conscious about my weight and my looks. Somewhere in my life I learned that I needed to lose weight. My best friend in junior high had legs that would both fit in one leg of my pants and they'd still be baggy, and she had that dip in her waist on both sides. My sides flowed a bit over the jeans, so I never worn jeans, always a dress or skirt. I wrapped a towel around my waist at the beach to cover my rear and legs, only to take it off when I was laying down and I definitely, made sure I spent at least an hour fixing my hair every morning. Sometimes throwing a brush when things didn't go quite well.

The grapefruit diet, Weight Watchers, Jazzercise, and Bally's. Each one promising the right body, the right food. I was young, but the adults were doing it, so I must as well. We learn from a young age what is acceptable and what is not. My hair, my rear and my legs needed some work.

As a junior in high school, I hit the weights at the gym often, started teaching aerobics and fought to eat right when my friends were putting down Big Macs and pizza on a Friday night after the football game. It's been a battle since I can remember.

The funny thing is, when I look back at pictures, the image I had then is hardly the image I see in photos. So, where does it come from?

There are a lot of messages here we could talk about, but what I want to focus on is how my image shifted from losing weight to being healthy. After spending so much energy on losing weight, I realized that exercising and eating healthy actually made me feel better. Healthy doesn't just mean what we eat and drink, but how we feel and how we interact with others.

It is time we all think about how our self-image is affected by those around us and how we affect those we encounter every day. God created us to be in His image, and so we must take care of ourselves to reflect His glory and goodness. We cannot let others determine our worth and value but instead, find the things we love that make us better for the Kingdom. Today, I take care of my body because I want to live my best life and feel good doing it. I want to share with others the stories of heartache and survival, of struggle and success and finally, that we have a choice to live an abundant life.

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Steak and Eggs and Cheese, Oh my!

It's simple. I have never been much of a meat eater. My German roots would say I should be a cheese eater, and I don't much like that either. But Greek yogurt, eggs and protein shakes were a fav of mine. In a typical week, I probably ate at least 5 eggs and drank a protein shake almost daily.

After reading Omnivore's Dilemma and Fast Food Nation several years ago for a class I was teaching, I have struggled with the politics and disgust of the meat industry. It made me think about a lot of things related to health, so our family switched to grass-fed meat and pasture-raised eggs. Trying our best to eat the best possible resources available without killing it ourselves, we thought we were on the right track. We cut the dairy to small amounts and focused on more veggies and eating at home more often. 

And then, our son wanted to go vegan to lose weight, but it was difficult for all of us to adjust, so we didn't. After he went back to eating what we ate, it got me thinking that maybe he was on to something. Not because I wanted to lose weight but maybe the vegan life offered something I had secretly wanted for all the years we had tried to eat healthy in our current corrupt food industry. So, I bit the bullet. And then a few months later, so did my husband, and a week later, the whole family jumped on board. 

This is the beginning of a journey I want to share with those who may be considering the plant-based lifestyle, or simply cutting meat or dairy a few days a week. It has only been three weeks since our family has all jumped on board, but so far, we are trying new things, feeling great and a few pounds have been shed. The eggs have been traded in for oatmeal, fruit and granola, and the protein replaced with plant-based protein and several options for yogurt alternatives that are so yummy!

This past week, we have had frankfurters, enchiladas, and burgers. Here's a sneak peek of a few other yummy treats from our kitchen...

  Almond-Banana Granola

 

Asian-Inspired Salad
 with Peanuts

I am not totally sure where this will go, but I know we are having fun and feeling great doing it! There are so many options and so many things to explore in the kitchen. If you have tried plant-based meals, I would love to hear what has worked for you.

Guide. Pray. Faith. #loveproject365

14/365 #loveproject365



























Last night, with a cancellation of an appointment, the family got to get out for dinner. I absolutely love spending time with Rob and Jacob. Having an adult child has certainly changed things around here but it has been a fun time watching our "little guy" grow up and figure out the world. This past year has been rocky at times with questions of faith and school goals but it is all part of the process and I believe God has big plans for him.

Sitting at dinner and chatting about the future can be exciting and scary all at the same time. We live in a world that is unpredictable and has no guarantees. We talked about majors and careers and options for the future but when it came down to it, the most important thing in life is being right with God. Our lives can take a turn at any time and we have to be able to turn to the one who created us to find peace. People and jobs will disappoint us, but God is the only one who's got our back.

Teaching our kids this truth is the single most important thing we could do for them. If you have children or grandchildren, no matter what age, teach them and pray for them. God will do the rest.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

It's God's Plan, Not Mine #loveproject365

13/365 #loveproject365





















I love when I feel I have accomplished much and this week was one of those weeks. I started back on Monday with a complete overwhelming sense of "oh my, what have I signed up for this time?" This semester, I have taken on a few more things but all moving towards a direction I believe God is leading me. In my lifetime, I have never settled and am always looking for something new and exciting. Teaching has provided me so much of this and I am grateful for the opportunities it has allowed me to tackle. From the classroom to leadership to running a summer camp for young writers, I have enjoyed so many aspects of my career.

Sometimes the days get long and I have a hard time figuring out why I do what I do. But then the reality of those around me who struggle for work and finding a job they enjoy hits me. I am so lucky to have a support group encouraging me when I feel inadequate or ineffective in my role as a teacher.

This week, I went from teaching online to meeting with an awesome group of leaders on my campus to finding myself in a room full of college writing professors, one of which was a graduate from the very school in which I teach, and one who had come to observe my classroom on an earlier occasion. The world is big, but in some ways, so very small.

No matter your career or life goals, make the best of every opportunity. God has lead me to the very place I am today building on what he has created me to be. Connecting with others professionally and personally keeps us grounded in what we do and reminds us that our purpose is one guided by a God who knows us better than we know ourselves.

"The purpose of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out."

 Proverbs 20:5

The big, big world #loveproject365

12/365 #loveproject365

God is all around and yet sometimes we miss Him. I love when I get away from the hustle and bustle of the "real world," and head out to the mountains for some time outdoors. It is when I am outdoors that I realize how big the world is and how small I really am in all of creation. It humbles me and reminds me that God is good and He is in charge of it all.

I didn't get out today, but watching the rain from the inside brought a sense of peace and calm in the busyness of my day.

Remind yourself to look around for the good God has in the every day.

"His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God."

Romans 1:20-21 

Forgive and Forget...#loveproject365

11/365 #loveproject365

I don't like to be fooled.

I don't like to be lied to or deceived and I would bet most people don't.

But as humans, it happens to us all at some point. In our culture today, it seems that it is easier and even acceptable to stretch the truth a little, keep some details out or just simple keep quiet all together and we aren't actually lying. I have said it many times before, but I one of integrity regardless of what it might cost me. I value honesty and truth and if it hurts, so be it. Just be honest with me.

As a teacher, I get a lot of stories. Stories that stretch the truth and even flat out lie. Sometimes the stories are so believable, I am not sure what is truth anymore. Today, for example, a student came in to contest his B+. As we looked at his grade, I realized he submitted his final project three days late and it didn't even look like he worked an extra three days on it. Actually, it looked more like three hours on a five week project. His explanation? He didn't know where to submit it. Hmmm....I have 38 students in the class, and 37 knew where to submit it. Lie? Maybe? Maybe he just was too afraid to ask someone, knowing it was so late. Who knows? This is a minor offense, but a lie nonetheless. Unfortunately, I have a hard time letting it go for the next time he comes in with a story.

I am sure you could think of a few stories of your own to share where someone has told you a story that just didn't seem right, only to find out later, it was a flat out lie. I don't know why people are so afraid of the truth, but they are. Knowing this about others, I have become quite skeptical of pretty much everyone and everything. Over the course of several years, I have a hard time trusting anyone, in fear that what I think is true is a lie. That some day down the road, it will hurt me. With this attitude, love is hard to find.

But then, I look at Jesus and I think about Judas. Talk about the ultimate lie! He sold him down the river to be crucified. AND they were friends! But guess what? Jesus forgave him and let it go. If only I had a little bit of that Jesus in me to forgive so easily and then forget. As I work through this year, trying to love more freely, I am reminded again that I have to be willing to let go. Let go of the little lies and the big ones. To love no matter what. To be like Jesus, is to forgive, so you can forget. To give that young man who came in desperate to save his grade, a little forgiveness, so next time, I can be open to his next story.

"it (love) is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

1 Corinthians 13:5

Everyone Wants to be Loved #loveproject365

10/365 #loveproject365


Yes, it is true! No matter what we say, we all want to be loved and be pursued. Sometimes I wonder what God was thinking when he created man and woman, both so different and with such different needs. After watching the Bachelor last night, yes I went there, I realized how desperate girls are for love. We want to be THE one he chooses. We want to have what the others don't. I know it is a "reality" tv show but if it weren't so real, why would there still be an audience? And why would men and women still apply? They have watched the train wreck for years. Yes, of course, there are the exotic dates and trips to faraway lands that could entice any single male or female, but seriously, these girls really believe they will find love and are willing to pursue it at this cost. Some get it, some don't.

Unfortunately, for most of us, love isn't a trip to Paris to skydive from the Eiffel Tower or finding ourselves having a picnic on some deserted island for the weekend. Of course, we could all fall in love on a helicopter landing on a yacht in the middle of an ocean only to find ourselves in a hot tub that same day on that same yacht and then land ourselves dinner in the middle of Newport Beach with no one around. I wonder how many of us could arrange that for a romantic day out. When life is forgotten and you don't have to take the kids to school or get up in the morning to go to a job to pay the mortgage, it is easy to fall in love. BUT that isn't our reality, and nor is it theirs when it is all over. Love has to withstand life and all that it has to offer without the glamour and glitz and in order to do that, we have to pursue the one we love continually. The bachelor girls maybe go a little too far in their pursuit of love, but what we can learn from them, is the longing to make someone feel like they matter. You don't have to take off your clothes or make out on the first date, but be gentle, kind and most importantly, pursue love like God pursues you-unconditionally and mercifully.

"Love never fails." 

1 Corinthians 13:8

Find what makes you happy #loveproject365

9/365 #loveproject365

A good run on the beach never disappoints. Today I went back to work after two weeks off for the holidays and it was a busy day. My love for the beach started at a young age. Living relatively close, at least a bus ride away, summers were spent laying in the sun and eating shaved ice on the sand and staying through the night for a bonfire.

As an adult, I still love getting to the ocean but no more baby oil or sun in to bleach my hair. A simple run on the sand with the waves crashing nearby is enough for me. The ocean air combined with a good run can clear your mind and remind me that everything is ok in the world. God has given us so much to enjoy and sometimes the busyness of the day blocks our view.

Today, it was just two miles on the sand, but it was just enough to relax from a long day back at work.

We all have something that takes us to a happy place. Make sure you find yours today!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 

James 1:17

"It does not boast, it is not proud." #loveproject365

8/365 #loveproject365

In most cases, I am pretty content with where I am and what I have. God has been given more opportunities in life than most and has truly blessed me with a loving church, a loving family, a great job and a good home. And as much as I know God has had a part in all of it, I have had to work hard a long the way. The hardest part of this verse for me is in loving others who haven't done the same to pave their way. Loving those who complain or make excuses is hard for me, but today I realize that it is not what others do that matters as much as what I do. 

Let's take a look at the homeless guy on the corner. 

I think it is pretty safe to say that we all see one or two with a cardboard sign sitting at the freeway exit, and most of the time we don't even look their way.  And that may be ok for you. But for those who won't give to the homeless because we have made the assumption that they will buy beer or drugs may be missing the point of loving others. Of course, we have to be conscientious of our time and money, but every man and woman on the corner has a story to tell. I don't know all the stories, but I do know God's story and he has created each of us to know Him and to live in harmony with one another.

A few months ago, I decided that what I do is not dependent on what others do. If I love unconditionally, I may just share Jesus in a way someone has missed. If I worry less about how someone will respond, I will love more freely and God will be made known. Of course, the homeless guy or girl may buy beer or drugs, but it is not up to me to make that judgment. If we love unconditionally, we will give freely and if we believe God is good, we will be blessed, regardless of how someone else responds. 

There's a man who sits outside our 7-11 in the evening when we make our coffee run. He is usually half asleep, or slumped over sadly as we walk in. He never asks for anything, but occasionally, we bring him in to get a cup of coffee for himself. This small act of faith isn't changing his life dramatically, but in those moments, he is warm and cared for. On a cold night, this may be all he needs to get through. We all have a desire to be cared for, no matter what our circumstances. 

It may not be a homeless guy in your life, but maybe a family member or friend who needs some unconditional love today. Loving others sometimes requires us to look past ourselves and focus on others, regardless of their story. 

"Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

1 Corinthians 13:4

Adventure Awaits! #loveproject365

I love adventure! From my first week-long backpacking trip in high school to weekend trips to Joshua Tree to rock climb, I knew at a young age I loved the outdoors. I cycled and hiked whenever I could...and then life got in the way. Taking up running about 15 years ago, I was able to get out a little easier and more often, hitting trails on the weekends and running through nearby parks during the week. But the past few years, my family as stepped up the game with hiking and weekend camping trips.

Yesterday, we picked up our new Base Camp and and I am so excited for this year's adventures.
God has so much for us to see in this country and I can't wait to explore more.

"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

John 1:3

Enjoy the Simple Things #loveproject365

6/365 #loveproject 365

After a long drive home, I am always thankful to get back to this little guy. He wags his tag like crazy and follows me around for the first hour while I put things away. In the midst of it all, I have to remember to stop and reach down to love on him before I get too caught up in all that still has to be done.

The simple things can bring us joy each day. Don't forget to pay attention.

"But ask the animals they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." -Job 12:7-10

Working Together #loveproject365

5/365 #loveproject365

Today is our last day in Vegas at CES and what a great time it was! This will definitely not be a love post of Vegas but our time there was awesome. We aren't big gamblers, we don't drink and we didn't see any shows but working side by side and exploring new technology was fun. Maybe a little too nerdy for some, but Rob and I have different perspectives and different reasons for exploring technology in our lives. The cool part of the trip was that we worked as a team to review and experience the show. Rob meeting and networking while I was wowed by all the new ideas I could gather for my teaching. An overwhelming day for me at times, but the joy came in the end when I realized how fun it is to work as a team with my one and only.

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

Ephesians 4:16

Don't get in my Way #loveproject365

"Love is patient, love is kind." 1 Corinthians 13:4

Some people are so good at being patient. Waiting in line, they spark up a conversation. When they are stuck in traffic, they turn up the radio and sing along. When they kids are taking too long to get ready, they embrace the time they have with them that morning. In every situation, they focus on others. For me, I am not very good at being patient and often am quite selfish. Like most of us, I want things now and want everything done yesterday. I have a schedule to keep and appointments to get to, but the funny thing is, even if I had all the time in the world, I would still rush people. 

But love is patient, love is kind. It puts others first and us second. It requires us to endure relationships and situations with patience. Sometimes relationships are hard and loving those who offend us or hurt us is even harder. For me, I just quit. Not because I don't like conflict but because I am afraid. During our times of hardship, love does not give up, but instead endures through patience and kindness. It allows the struggle and produces a deeper love. Like patience, kindness is sensitive to others in all situations. When I think about the times I quit because someone hurt me, I realize I made the situation about me. Loving others requires us to focus on others in a way that is forgiving and kind. 

Do what you Love #loveproject365

Just one of the reasons I love this guy...

This past year I started writing for Venture the Wild and finally got the opportunity to attend CES in Las Vegas. For those who are not as nerdy as I, that is the Consumer Electronics Show. Not only do I get to attend this year, I will be writing a few articles and researching better ways to engage my students in my teaching. 

What I love about all of this is my amazing husband who has paved the way for such an adventure. Starting VenturetheWild.com a few years ago, he has taught himself everything from designing a website, branding ideas to writing all the content for a successful website. Anyone in any one of these areas knows that that is a lot of work for one guy, one guy who retired from a martial arts business which he loved to kick start a new career from scratch. His tenacity and passion for everything he loves amazes me every day and I am thankful for his commitment to be his best no matter what obstacles pop up. And believe me, he has had more than his fair share of obstacles. Rob is an inspiration not only to me but to his readers and his friends. 

Because of his patience and passion to work hard, we get to work side by side doing what we love. 

#loveproject365

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, it always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Inspired by a friend who recently finished the #JoyProject365, I have committed this year to loving others and seeing the best in the world around me. With the election of 2016, so many people have lost focus of what's really important and instead chose to belittle and bash others in ways that were unimaginable before. Politics and religion have always brought some tension in the world, but most civil people could look past belief systems and still be friends and discuss ideas that mattered to them without a complete disowning of a friend. So, this year, I am choosing love and for 365 days, I will post about the things and people I love and those I am working on loving. 

So, here we go...

2/365 #loveproject365

You can't start love without Jesus as He is the best example of love we have and the model of how we should love one another. Without Jesus, I would not know love as I do today. Jesus came to earth to show us how to love one another. He acted out each day loving others and in the end sacrificed his life for us. For all of us, even those who betrayed Him, beat him and spit on Him. 

I pray this year to be more like Jesus and to love others unconditionally. 

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

John 15:12

Through it all...choose love! #loveproject365

The past few years have had extreme highs and extreme lows for me but hanging on to Jesus has helped me through it all. From diving in with both feet to serve God to being so angry at Him, to teacher of the year to falling on my face with new ideas, to loving those who don't love back, life has truly slapped me in the face a few times this year and last. Fighting back I continued to get up every day, go to work, face my family and simply trudge on hoping for the best. Last year, I vowed to love more and not let others bring me down, and I think it caused a spiritual battle I struggled to beat all year long. Some days were up, while others were so low, I sat in my office and cried until someone walked in to ask me a question or I got called out for a meeting. I put on a good face for the most part but those who know me, knew I was faking it. Growing in your faith can be a long hard road at times, but never let go of God and know He is the only one who can redeem you.

While others will let you down, day after day, God is consistent and constant, loving us where we are and for who he created us to be. Who I was this year, was NOT who He created me to be. He calls us to love and serve others and put all of our trust in Him. A few years ago, it came to me that if we all simply believed God with everything we had, there was nothing to fear in this world. I am still not so sure of what I am so afraid of, but my walls are thick and only God knows how to break them down.

This year, I am setting out again with the same goal to love others and myself so that I can serve God with everything I have. The last few months, Romans 8:28 has come up in my studies and sermons and in sharing with friends more times than any other verse, so this year, I will trust that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." No matter what happens, let this year be the year you trust it, too.

Now, with every goal, you need a plan and every plan needs some accountability. In order to stay focused on the right things, a few things need to happen every day. Focusing on God, focusing on others and paying attention to the small things that God intends for good.

Let's be people who love Jesus so much we have to share Him through that love.

Happy New Year!