Wise Words. . .

Sabbath is not dependent upon our readiness to stop. We do not stop when we are finished. We do not stop when we complete our phone calls, finish our projects, get through the stack of messages, or get out this report due tomorrow. We stop because it is time to stop.-Wayne Muller

If you can't take time to do nothing, you're a slave to doing.
Doing nothing is a radical, revolutionary act.
It frees you from the universal slavery of our age; slavery to the clock.
The clock measures doing, but not being.
- Peter Kreeft

The pace of life and our preoccupation with unimportant things take so much of our attention. The significant things, like taking time to develop friendship, to read, and pray. . to listen to God, these all get sacrificed on the alter of good works and Christian busyness.
- Luci Shaw

How to Change the World

I just found this web site

www.fiftythousandshirts.com

Help the victim in China, one shirt at a time!

JAW DROPPING. . .

I just found this amazing website. . . it is staggering. . .

http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id=7

Fun with Reid. .. .

Nana said today that I haven't been putting enough pictures up. . .



Just call me Banana Boy!! He doesn't really like to eat, but he had FUN mushing a banana today (and got some in his tummy too!)



He's becoming a "ham" for the camera. . seriously, I pull it out, and he turns on the charm. . it's almost scary!



Since the banana worked so well I thought I'd boil a sweet potato and let him try to mush that. . . I think that face says it all.

100th POST!!!

100 Things about Me.

This, my friends, is my 100th post. It seems a right-of-passage of sorts in blog-land to do a “100 Things About Me” list at #100. So idulge me if you will, and for anyone besides my mom who reads all 100. . Thank you!

1. I am the oldest child in my family. (one younger brother, who is a pretty all around outstanding guy)
2. I grew up in RURAL (and I do mean RURAL) Idaho.
3. There were 13 students in my graduating class (a public school)
4. I love to down hill ski. (although I haven’t been in a couple of years. )
5. My brother and I one time went “Back Country Skiing” in the mountains behind our hometown. (SOOOOO FUN!)
6. I hated athletics in high school.
7. I was the manager of the girls basket ball team
8. One time they didn’t have enough players, and I had to play.
9. I stole the ball and got under the basket and fell down. . . .
10. BUT I did train for and run a marathon in 2001! (26.2 miles baby!)
11. Sometimes I think I might run another one some day
12. Now I love to walk for my exercise.
13. I also enjoy Yoga
14. I once took the night train to Mombaza (Kenya)
15. I have taken a safari on the Masi Mara (Kenya)
16. I have snorkeled off the coast of Phuket (Thailand)
17. I have snorkeled in Jamaica
18. I have climbed Tai Shan (one of the five “holy” mountains in China)
19. I have seen water puppets in Hanoi (Vietnam)
20. I have had tea at the Peninsula Hotel. (Hong Kong)
21. I have ridden an elephant over a mountain (Thailand)
22. I love to travel and see new places.
23. I once played the bag pipes (very badly, it’s quite hard)
24. I can knit.
25. I hate moths.
26. I LOVE to read.
27. I have an MA in Organizational Leadership.
28. Every house I’ve lived in the past 5 years (2) have had a significant number of walls pained “Light Cocoa” from the Martha Stewart line of paint.
29. I’d rather been in a room with painted walls than white.
30. I Love fruit. Especially apples. I think the old adage “an apple a day. . .” is true.
31. I prefer chocolate soy milk in my coffee.
32. I have one cup of coffee every morning.
33. I can do my best work in Starbucks.
34. I wrote most of my MA Applied Thesis in Starbucks.
35. I spent a weekend by my self in the heart of Amish Country (Illinois)
36. I once sang “This little Light of Mine” at a Jazz Breakfast in Chicago. (I can’t really sing, but I’ve got personality!)
37. My first stay in the hospital was when I had Reid.
38. Which was a surprise since we planned to have him in a birth center with a midwife. . .
39. I worked on Skid Row in LA for one year.
40. I love Friends (the TV show)
41. My favorite Friends episode is the one where Ross wears leather pants.
42. I lived in Qingdao, Shandong, China for one year.
43. I’ve eaten silk worms
44. I belong to a book club.
45. I LOVE inner-library loan.
46. I try and eat as many organic foods as possible.
47. Lilacs are my favorite flowers.
48. I carried Lilacs for my wedding.
49. 45 people came to our wedding
50. which was two years ago this week
51. Todd and I met on a blind date
52. I once told a friend I would “never meet my husband on a blind date”
53. My eye doctor who was also Todd’s best friend set us up.
54. A friend and I (years before I met Todd) use to talk about our imaginary husbands, named Todd and Brian (we picked those names out of the phone book. . . )
55. I love the movie Steel Magnolias
56. I have too many favorite books to count . . .
57. I’ve had 10 roommates (college through getting married).
58. I love documentaries.
59. Grizzle Man is one of my favorites. . .
60. I have given gift bags to women who work in a dominatrix club and strip clubs around LA (a Christian ministry called “Treasures”)
61. I hate stroganoff
62. I was on the game show “Supermarket Sweep” with my friend Kristin.
63. We came in second. 
64. I love to read “The Message Bible”
65. I read the LA Times almost every day
66. I can play the piano.
67. I can’t speak any Spanish (even though I did take two years in school)
68. I like to write
69. I love “My Utmost For His Highest” daily devotional
70. I’m not a big fan of James Dobson
71. Some people don’t like to go to movies with me because I tend to scream (loud) if I get scared or startled. .
72. The worst scare I every had was when Mark and Forrest pounded on Kristin and I’s window after seeing Signs. . .
73. which was made worst because Gina came home unannounced, I hit under my covers and SCREAMED. .
74. I would like to jump out of an airplane someday.
75. I am reading about how to start composting. .
76. I am a little scared to start, because it could be a BIG, SMELLY mess.
77. A new mall is opening on Friday 1 mile from our home. . part of me things’ “ugh” but I can’t wait to walk to Barnes and Noble with Reid.
78. I worked on a state Senate campaign in Idaho
79. I was a page in the Idaho state Senate
80. I like to make my own cards
81. I think I could learn to draw or paint if I took lessons
82. I love to laugh
83. Todd makes me laugh a lot! (as does Reid!)
84. I love to listen to people who are good story tellers
85. My mentor’s mentor, mentor, mentor was Sigmund Freud
86. I love the book of Philippians in the bible.
87. I love Anne of Green Gables (the books more than the movie!)
88. I wear too much black
89. It’s taken me three days to get this far
90. and it’s been much harder than I thought it would be.
91. I love Fredrick Buechner’s writing
92. I watch way too much reality tv (Top Chef, Project Runway, American Idol. . . )
93. I feel blessed with really wise and strong parents
94. and wonderful friends who bring joy and delight to my life
95. I love having people over for dinner (or anytime)
96. we have an overstuffed red chair in our living room, and I love it!
97. the pastor of our new church thinks I am “liberal”. . which I LOVE and take as a HUGE compliment.
98. I can spend way too much time on the computer
99. I love to talk about strength (Strengsfinder from Gallup
100. My hats off to anyone who read this far!!! Thank for your time and attention!

Just so you know. . .

The word "pundit" is a noun and means: A learned person, expert, authority.

One can barely watch the news or read the newspaper these days without hearing (or reading) "Pundits say. . ." I wasn't quite sure what the word meant. I'm making a new vow to myself to look up words that I'm not sure about the meaning. Starting with Pundit.

Now you know too!

Things that make me wonder. . . (Part 2)

I can hardly write a post about the disaster in Myanmar, and then not write about the thousands of people who have died as a result of Monday's earthquake in China. Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am a China girl through and through. I fell in love with China when I moved there for a year to teach English. "My" China is further north and east of where the earthquake struck. But the scenes and faces are familiar to me.

The reports of hundreds of school children killed and missing at several middle schools in Chengdu is so tragic, especially when you stop to consider that most children in China are ONLY children. (Thanks to the Communist One Child Policy). I'm sure nothing in the morning when moms and dads sent their children to school foretold them of the heartbreak and fear the day would hold.

Some of my favorite conversations in China happened in my "room" (It had green astro turf carpet. . )when my students would come in the evening for "free talk". One of the most common questions was:

"Army (they called me Army for some reason, some how an "R" always got added), how are Chinese and American different?"

I preferred to answer how much we were the same, "We love our families, we think about what our future will hold, we worry about this, and think about that.". . It was always fascinating to see their response. .

"Really, Americans love their families? But they live so far apart from them (our books say).
Really, Americans worry about their future, But everyone is rich in America (so our books say)
Really, Americans have bad eyes and have to wear glasses (The first time I showed up to class with glasses, their jaws HIT the ground! The thought that only Chinese people had bad eyes. . I don't quite know why). .

What a beautiful journey it was for me, and all my students to learn how much we were all the same, our language was different, our food was different, our government was different, but our hearts, souls, worries and joys were all the same.

So I pray for all the doctors I know who may be helping those injured. I recall the summer I spent hanging out with Chinese Middle School students, and pray that those alive will be found, that parents will be comforted and God will be glorified in a beautiful, amazing, enchanted land I love.

Things that make me wonder. . .

One hour of my life was spent in Myanmar.

I was in Thailand with over 50 college students. They were there for the summer teaching English. They were scheduled to be there for 33 days, but only had a visa for 30 days. The Missionary we were working with arranged for the group to cross the border into Myanmar, stay for an hour, then come back into Thailand, getting an additional 30 days in the country. I happened to be visiting the teams when the trip was planned, and got to tag along.

Myanmar was a tiny bit scary to me. The border town we were in didn't feel safe. It was overwhelming that I could take one step farther than a whole lot of people who had their toes on the border, but couldn't make that one more step without risking their lives.

So when I think about the 63,000 to 100,000 people who may have died in Myanmar this week, it becomes just a little more real. I can't comprehend there are military leaders who until today weren't accepting outside aid. It's all so overwhelming to ponder from the safe confines of my suburban home, in Southern California, where we worry about gas cost getting to $4.00. It's also so easy to think "Where are you God? Did that Cyclone get past you?" Yet God says that he put Kings and Rulers in their place (Daniel 2:21), He rules the wind (Job 28:25) So clearly this didn't just "slide past".

So I turn to prayer. The military leaders can't decide to accept or not accpet my humble prayers. (If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray. . . . I will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14)). We often think of that verse around May 1st and the National Day of Prayer, in America. Today I'm claiming the whole earth as my land. . . it's what I'm doing when I use a cloth bag instead of plastic (saving the earth. . right?)

So I pray for the mother in Myanmar who had a baby boy on November 14th, just like my little boy.

I ask that angels will walk among those in need with a cup of clean, water.

I remind God that the widow in 2 Kings 1 who helped Elijah the prophet, found that her small jar of flour and jug of oil didn't run dry. I ask for that miracle to be played out over and over across Myanmar.

I'm not an international aid worker. But I choose to believe God enough to think that one or two small prayers really do matter for people in a place I'll probably never set foot, for faces that I'll never see, in a situation that's way too big. . .

Will you join me?

Yummy. . .

I read the LA Times. I'm one of "those". . I don't read every single article, I scan most of the headlines, I occasional read the editorials. I see what's happening locally, I look through the Calendar Section,and the Business section. I usually leave the Sports section all to Todd.

I look forward to Mondays and the Health Section, Thursdays and the Home section. . and of course the SUNDAY TIMES. . . Editorial, Book Reviews, Coupons, Image, Travel. . .

I really sort of like reading the paper.

My favorite section. . the FOOD section on Wednesdays. I've found some great recipes. . sometimes it's all too "foo foo". . but sometimes, it's just my speed. . . like this. . .

Joan's on Third's lemon bars

Total time: 45 minutes, plus cooling time for the crust

Servings: Makes 9 bars

Note: Adapted from Joan's on Third.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour, divided

1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting the bars

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter with 1 cup flour and the powdered sugar, stirring just until the dough comes together. Pat the dough into an 8-inch square pan and bake just until lightly golden, about 18 minutes. Remove and cool the pan on a wire rack to room temperature.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, baking powder and remaining 2 tablespoons flour. Whisk in the lemon juice and eggs until thoroughly combined. Pour the custard into the pan over the baked crust and bake again until it's set, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and cool the tart on a wire rack.

3. When cooled, dust lightly with additional powdered sugar and cut into bars. The lemon bars will keep for 1 week, refrigerated.

Each serving: 277 calories; 3 grams protein; 42 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 11 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 74 mg. cholesterol; 44 mg. sodium.

I made these a couple of weeks ago. . . super easy, so yummy!

It Works for Me!

I've noticed in all my blog reading some patterns, one is "Works for Me Wednesday". . not to be confused with "Wordless Wednesday". . anyway, today as I was filing my bills I thought, "This so works for me". . and it hit me!! I have a "Works for Me Wednesday"

I heard this on the Radio, about a year ago. . it's really helped me get a *TINY* bit more organized. Are you ready for this. . HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS!!

I use a 12 month pocket folder to file my bills. Here's how it works. Every bill that I pay in May (2008), I simply slide into the May pocket. Next year, when I come back to May, I take out the 2008 bills, shread them and then I'll put the May 2009 bills in. The theory is that if you haven't needed a bill in one years time, then you will never need it. It's a little thing, that really has helped me conquer out of control paper! Also. . BILL PAY ONLINE! It's the best. I've heard that it saves you up to 2 hours every month. . plus stamps, envelopes, checks. . . SOOO great!



* okay, lest you think I'm THAT organized, the file folders are part of a system that Todd and I purchased earlier this year. . . it's another great thing, that took some time to do, but we LOVE it! Check it out: www.filesolutions.com

Giggles. . .

I apologize if this isn't "politically correct". . . I've been giggling over this for days. . .

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's Mayonnaise was manufactured in England.
In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz,
Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.
This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico.
But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank,
and the cargo was forever lost. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise,
and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great,
that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.
The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as
Sinko de Mayo.

I know. Corny. It just makes me laugh.
Thanks to Auntie A!

Crazy . . . (again)

Our journey to a better night sleep is (knock on wood, cross your fingers, and all that) going well. Most nights we only wake up one time, and when he's sleeping close to 12 hours a night, I give him a "free pass" for one feeding in the night. He's got a little tummy, it only makes sense!

I realized a couple of days ago that I have got to CHILL. In my zeal to "help" Reid take more naps during the day, I've realized I've got some serious control issues! It first came to light a few days ago when I wasted an ENTIRE afternoon (and I do mean ENTIRE) trying to tell Reid that "you need a nap". He wasn't buying. It resulted in a frustrated little boy, and an even more frustrated mom. When I reflected upon the wasted afternoon later I realized, I needed a nap, so I was trying to force him to nap, and he was just not having it! A valuable lesson learned: 1) He slept just fine that night, even without the nap that I was so "sure" that he "needed. I had convinced myself that only with great daytime naps does he sleep at night. 2) I need to be aware of my needs versus his needs, and differentiate the two. The reality is that I probably could have gotten the rest that I needed by even just sitting down for 15 or 20 minutes to read a book. He would have been fine playing. . . and I would have been saner by the end of the day, and he would have been happier, I less tierd. . .

To avoid (or try and avoid) this scenario in the future when I think that the little one needs a nap I look at my watch and decide how long we are going to try and "make the nap" happen. I can peacefully settle into "nap" mode and know, if he falls asleep in 15 minutes, great! If he's not asleep. We'll play and wait for the next "nap window" to open.

It's working well. They say little ones are sensitive to our "energy" and I think it's true. When I'm calm and peaceful, he's more calm and peaceful. We've had much better naps since I've institute the "Chill Out Amy" policy.

I find it funny, as I surrender my need for "control". . it all seems to work out so much better. . . . hmmmm