Creative? Me?

I've been doing a study of Proverbs 31 off and on for about a year now.  I've really enjoyed it...certainly learning a lot from it, and hopefully applying it, too!

The study is broken into lessons, with each lesson focusing on a particular verse from Proverbs 31. 

I've always struggled with one particular verse...24. 

"She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants."

The lesson title for this verse is "Creative."  I've never thought of myself as creative.  I can use a sewing machine (and I'm using the word "can" loosely here...meaning I can do it with a little guidance.)  I know how to put a picture up on the wall.  (Deciding where to put it is another matter.) I can wield a paint brush.  (Choose a color?  Choose which wall to paint?  Texturing?  Not so much.) I have the ability to do these things, but I don't have an eye for what looks really good.  I know what I like in decorating, but I don't always know what I want before it's time to decorate.  (Bring Hobby Lobby home?  That's my motto.) 

I have friends that make baby blankets and diaper bags and clothing.  Other friends play music beautifully.  My mom and aunt are fabulous at decorating a home on any type of budget.  Other friends have a fun sense of humor and make the world a better place through laughter.  I've just never had that ability or talent or gift....and I kind of think it's all three!

I was talking about this in small group the week we got to this lesson and our mentor said, "You're a teacher.  You tutor children.  That IS creative.  You can help guide them through a confusing concept, see them understand and move forward with new knowledge.  I definitely think that's creativity." 

I don't know if I can articulate how that rocked my world.  ME?  Creative?  That's something to describe beautiful women who already have it all together.  Creative women are ones who can show their family and friends they love them through a tangible item that can be touched, seen, heard.  Creativity means praising the Lord through a beautiful voice or instrument.  I'm not creative. 

But I received her words.  I have such respect for her, and have for years, even though I didn't know her well...having listened to her speak at a couple different events, being friends with people who were friends with her...watching her in action, and soaking up the words of a woman who is further along in her Christian walk than I am.  I received her words in a way I might not have from a peer. 

Hmmm, creative. 

I am creative.  Helping a child to learn is creative.  Saying these words...typing them...is freeing. 

I'm so glad our singles' group is working to bring women together from across life's phases to learn from each other and encourage each other!!

What would you say?

My assignment for this week was to write a response article to this article in TIME magazine.  We were to pretend we are nationally known and being paid an exorbitant rate to write this piece.

If you had to write one sentence to explain why you are nationally known in your field, what would you say?  Dream big folks!  What do you want to do with your career?  What do you wish you did differently but for some reason (in or out of your control) that hasn't happened? 

I'll start us off :)

Alyssa Ross, a former elementary school educator nationally known for her creative vocabulary activities well adapted to engage any student in learning a wider lexicon and a current professor of education majors at a well-known southern university wrote a follow-up article.   

A fresh (inhale deeply!) smile

I walked in to my patio this afternoon...rushing a bit because the a/c and heating man was on his way...and stopped dead in my tracks. Who brought me FLOWERS!? My hands are full, so I can't open the note right away...and my name isn't on the front, so there's no way for me to recognize the handwriting.

I come inside and quickly divest myself of everything in my hands then admire my bright pink BEAUTIFUL blooms as I tear open the note and smile and laugh at the blessing I have received.

They are in a vase, sitting right beside me as I sit at my computer...and they make me smile just by seeing them out of the corner of my eye!

Readin'

Keep readin', readin', readin'
Though they're overwhel-helmed
Keep those students readin', right now!

Sang to the tune of Rawhide
Published for my enjoyment =)

Light at end of tunnel

We all use that phrase.  "I can see the light at the end of the tunnel."  I've used it repeatedly to refer to a semester in grad school or the end of the school year when I know I'm about to be kid free for the summer!  Or really any long term committment that was almost completed.

After I completed the paper last weekend on Affirmative Action, I started to feel as if I could see the light at the end of the tunnel for the completion of grad school.  The problem with this particular time of "seeing the light" is that I started acting, just a little bit, as if I was already out of the tunnel.  I have one more class session, one more short paper, two more loooong papers and one more final.  It's very doable.  But it's still work, and they're definitely not completed.  So I'm not out of the tunnel, yet!

Last night I went to Nutcracker Market with some friends (and realize I'm a bad group shopper) and then over to Julie B's house to watch Newsies with the girls.  We had so much fun, and I'm really glad I went!  It's made today a little hard to knuckle down though.  I've been up four hours and have been productive in that time period, but I'm only starting school work after posting this...which wasn't so much supposed to happen.

Fall Fun

I'll be making vegetarian chili this afternoon for Fall Fun tonight! 

When I first heard "vegetarian chili," I turned up my mental nose and thought "tofu?  in chili?  gross!"  But this isn't tofu at all and it's REALLY good!  I've served it to manly men and petite women and all have given it two thumbs up!

Our Bible study class is having a Fall Fun event this evening with a chili cook-off and pumpkin carving contest.  We're also going to have the Texas A&M/Baylor game playing on three different televisions!   Apple cider and a bunch of fall decor will complete the fall-themed evening and the Lord has blessed us with cool weather just in time!

I'm looking forward to it!  Will post pics!

Pardon me while I act like a 2 year old

I don't wanna integrate Huntington into this research paper.  He's a loony conservative who doesn't represent us very well.  I've got my thoughts down on paper, but we have to integrate all the readings together...and I just don't wanna!

No! NO! No! 

Sigh...ok...I'll go do it.

Resting in Christ

My Sunday school class is having a retreat this weekend.  Acreage, campfire, sprawling house, no television, dirt roads, running water, swing sets, volleyball courts...you get the idea.  Nature in a civilized way...my favorite retreat.

I have a paper on preventing bias in young children due Monday night at midnight.  There was quite a bit of reading in preparation for this paper and I realized on Thursday afternoon that I had read one of the wrong books.  Yikes!  Saturday was spent finishing the correct book and also watching a required film.

Due to this assignment, I wasn't able to go the retreat, but I did pop out there for a brief time during the praise and worship/campfire.  Julie and Dan are finished with their leadership roles and we presented Julie with the gift we had collected for her. (Dan had to make a sudden trip out of town.)  We also prayed for her and spent time in prayer for our new leaders as well.  It was a sweet time for sure.

The part I wasn't expecting is the reminder to rest in Christ.  Josh had prepared a short devo and he focused on sharing our yoke with Christ...resting with Christ.  I remember him saying, "I don't ever think, at the end of a day, 'Man, I shouldn't have spent so much time with the Lord this morning.  I didn't get enough done at work.  But there are definitely times I think 'I wish I had spent more time with Christ today.  I think today might have gone better, then." 

I haven't been spending time in the Word lately.  I haven't been going to Christ with my struggles.  My soul is weary from trudging through.  A friend mentioned something to me on the phone awhile back about making sure to have quality time with Christ and I remember thinking "You just don't understand.  I don't have TIME."  I know better than that.  As I'm typing this, I'm shaking my head at my own stupidity.  Seriously?  I'm 30 years old and have been a child of God for 22 years.  You would think I would have learned something by now!

My paper is rough, but I'll get it finished today.  I feel pretty good about it.  There are two more papers to write.  They WILL get finished.  I'm choosing to rest in the Lord instead of worry about it.  I realize that will be a daily battle...especially closer to the due date for each one.  Feel free to remind me if I slip and start stressing.

(I know I'll regret typing that last sentence, but I'm still not going to take it out! )

A reminder...

I had Taco Bell for dinner last night.  I don't think I had eaten it since college...and was reminded why adults don't need to eat there.  It is gross and cheap, thus a love of college students. 

Yuck!

Riddle me this...

Three cars pull up from separate ways and stop at a a 4 way stop sign.  All three cars proceed through the intersection at the same time without a collision.

How does this work?

Now I remember/understand

Last night was Halloween.  I was home with all the lights on and a bowl of candy ready to go.  My doorbell rang a few times...almost all with older children that were not dressed up and were carrying around pillowcases for their candy.  They were also picky about what candy they would take.

Now I remember why my parents started leaving the house for the evening of Halloween...it's not fun when it's punks.