Action plan

Reverb10 + Action
When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

I'm all over this one. The sad thing for you, my dear readers, is that I can't share any of it yet. But don't you worry. I have fun things on the horizon to share. I'm so excited about it. I'm deep in the planning and prep stage. Organizing, setting things up, researching. All things I get ridiculously excited over.

So, stick with me for a while, and I'll share soon. All good things comes to those who wait!

ps...I made it to the Nation's capital this weekend. The evening turned out a little different than expected, but was still so fun. I'm so, so thankful for my camp girl friends. They make my life brighter and ever more meaningful. I love them dearly!

New food

Reverb 10 + Favorite New Food
Did you find a new food in 2010 that you now can't live without?

Oh, yes I did. Lebanese. We have a restaurant in our area that my brother had begged me to come to for years. I resisted. Only saying "yes" one time. It wasn't love at first bite, so I didn't go back.

This year that all changed after I watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain. I suddenly just had to try it. Try it I did, and LOVED it! Hummus, baba ganoush, tabouleh, pita bread, falafel. Oh, yummy! Now that restaurant is a favorite of my roommate and I.

11 things

Reverb10 + 11 Things
What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?


Yipes. This could be tough. Here goes....

1. Piles. I have piles of stuff (magazines, mail, craft supplies, books, linens that won't fit in my closet) around my room. They need to disappear. I go through them often, but I need to be better with throwing stuff away. I must say that living in a super tiny house limits the amount of things I can have. Just need to better with getting rid of more.

2. Clothes I don't wear. Time to clean out my closet. Important.

3. Negative thoughts. I think the evil one is really good at zapping my trust in the Father by just turning my thoughts against me. I need to be better at memorizing scripture to end that negativity.

4. Books. I hate giving away my books. I love being surrounded by them. But they have outgrown my shelf. Yes, I only have one. I can either buy more shelves, or learn to live with less.

5. Money. Yes, I know I technically need money to live. But each year I pray that the Lord will give me a new ministry to support. I think it's important to increase my giving more than increasing my stuff. And, no, that's not easy.

6. Stress. I would love to eliminate this. Completely. I know this isn't really possible, but I do think I need to be better at handling it.


That's all I can think of at the moment. Such a good thing to ponder. I need lists like this to keep me accountable.

Decisions

Reverb10 + Decisions
What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

I've made a few big decisions this year. Most I have never shared here. Some I will share when the time is right. It's also hard to know if they will be life changing until they play out a little longer.

I will say that making decisions is not my strong suit. I'm terrible at it in fact. I will falter back and forth over the tiniest thing. It seems to be a family trait though. I come from a long line of indecisive people. Right, Mom?!


post script...Reasons I know that winter is here:

I have both a heater and a humidifier running in my room all the time.
I have to warm up my mascara each morning to unclump it from being so cold .
Slippers are a necessity at all times in the Cottage.
If I sit on the floor, it must be with a blanket or two to take the chill off.
I wear my coat, scarf and gloves INSIDE the office all day.
I'm already counting down the months/days till spring is here.

party, party, party

Reverb10 + Party
What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.


Oh, gosh. That's an easy one. Smoothie night is always my favorite party of the year. I know that's kinda selfish cause my roommate and I are the ones that throw it. But I just love it. Costumes, smoothies and dancing. What could be better.

This year, we used another building at camp because our tiny cottage can't handle 70 people dancing. The floors almost (literally) fell in two years ago. So we moved it across camp.



The theme this year was Storybook. Come as a character from a book. It was one of the best ones yet. I cut up comic books and old Reader's Digest condensed novels to make bunting for the ceiling to make it a little more festive. LOVED the way it turned out.


The best part of smoothie night is seeing everyone's amazing costumes though. We don't spend a lot of money. And most of use the camp prop closet, but still, the costumes and creativity always astound me.

This year I was Anne Shirley. My roommate was Molly Weasley. These two were The Narrator and Tyler Durden from Fight Club.



Then, of course we had Mary and Joseph. And later, Baby Jesus.



The little boy and the tree from The Giving Tree.



Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf.



And a whole host of other characters. You can see some more here.


And it is a full on dance party. Our executive director is the DJ. He takes requests the week before the party and has them all ready to go. It is too much fun.


Ah, Smoothie Night. I can't wait for you next year. How you fill my heart with love and sunshine!

different

Rever10 + Beautifully Different
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

Can I admit that this one is really hard for me? Truly. I don't really think I am "good" at any one thing. I do a lot of things mediocre. I also do a lot of self comparison, which is another reason I'm don't really think I'm any more special than anyone else.

As for what makes me different...
Isn't everyone different? That's what makes us all unique.

I'm really, really shy. But I don't get scared speaking in front of large groups. Kinda strange, right? I'm not one of those people who would rather die than speak in public. It really doesn't bother me. And the fact that I blab about my life all over the internet for any and everyone to read. Hmmm....

Also, I am one of the most un-photogenic people I know. I can't even begin to tell you how many awful photos I have of myself. But I love taking photos of other people. I love capturing connections between families and friends. I love the small moments that are caught during the in between moments. But if I'm in front of a camera, I freeze up and can't do anything.

There are things that people tell me I'm good at, but all I can see is how I don't stack up to other people that I admire, who do the same things so much better. When someone tells me I'm "good" at something I immediately deny it and judge myself on the scale that's in my head.

So, yeah. This one was tough. Maybe one day I'll find that one thing that makes me different/special/unique. Until then, I'm content at just being "ok" at lots of little things.

AOW community

Reverb10 + Community
Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?


I found a whole new community this year. It all started with a photo. This one...


It still makes me gasp a little. A huge lump gets caught in my throat. I get lost in those deep, dark eyes. I image her little voice. Her smell. Her little hands gripping mine. This little face stole my heart.

Janie was a child at An Orphan's Wish. I saw her on a blog one day. A blog I read all the time. Her face wouldn't leave my thoughts. I decided to sign up and sponsor her. That began a beautiful connection to An Orphan's Wish. In February this year, Stefanie wrote this post. I instantly knew that God was calling me to do more, more than just sponsor a child.

So, I sent off an email. I found out that I could use talents I already have, things I'm already passionate about to help out these sweet orphans. It's not much. My time is so limited, but it was something I could do. I said yes with a grateful heart and have been overwhelmed by this whole experience.

I have found a community of people who love orphans. Really, truly love them. They give of their time and finances to advocate for them. They are passionate about making sure they are loved and cared for. They are fighting to see that these dear ones get the surgeries and medical care they need. They are doing everything they can to see these sweet babes are no longer called "orphan" but "sister, daughter, brother and son."

We weep over these children. We bring them before the Throne begging on their behalf. We pray that they are told that they are valued and loved and special. We cheer over their accomplishments and soak in every smile.

I'm so, so thankful to have found AOW. Or should I say, I'm so thankful that God sent them to me. It has radically changed my world. I can't wait to see where we are led next....

Make

Reverb10 + Make
What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)




That's all you get for now. The rest are presents.

I am always in the middle of making something. I think I would go insane if I didn't. Creating is my stress relief. It's my sanity. I feel better and more alive when my room is covered in fabric/wool/yarn/paper/paint/glue/etc...

Let Go

Reverb10 + Let Go.
What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

Maybe because I'm getting older. Or maybe because I'm finally more comfortable in my own skin. About time at 33 years old. Anyway, one thing that I noticed this year is that I'm getting better at being so self-conscious about myself. I was highly insecure as a teenager and into my early 20's. I was shy, scared and timid. Constantly afraid of doing something stupid or wearing the wrong thing or saying something that would make others laugh at me or think I was strange.

This year, I've noticed that I'm more secure in who I am. I wear what I like and don't fret over it as much. I say stupid things. I dance. I sing. I make things and give them as gifts and don't worry if the receiver doesn't love them as much as I hope they do. I stop being so afraid to simply try. I tell people who I am and what I do without being terrified that they will think I'm small and insignificant.

I know that much of this comes from finding my security more deeply in Christ. When He is everything to me, "I" don't really matter as much. I can be me and be the best me that He asks me to be. That such a freeing feeling. I don't have to care so deeply what other think.

And I think it also comes from being surrounded by an amazing group of friends, both near and far, that love me and accept me for who I am. They challenge me to be the best version of myself that I can be. To use my one life to glorify my Maker. To live my life in a way that pleases Him.

So, in 2010, I bid a fond farewell to feeling insecure and shy. I happily pick up my Battlestar Galactica DVD's in my right hand and my felted crafts in the other and skip off into the next stage in life.

Amen.

Wonder

Reverb 10 + Wonder
How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)


I feel like I rediscover a sense of wonder each and every camp summer. Working with kids, it is almost impossible not to do so. Well, I guess, maybe, if you don't listen to them.

I happen to love the listening part. I love seeing their eyes light up when they realize that someone thinks what they have to say is important. I love listening to them talk just to figure life out. I love hearing them ask questions about God and creation and life.

They have so much they want to learn. They are in awe of so many things that I take for granted. Each little minnow in the river is a new creation that is just discovered. Each crab egg buried in the sand is a treasure trove of wonders. Each horseshoe crab is a creature of the deep that no one has ever seen before.

What a blessing to be reminded of that each summer. Camp is a wonderful place for kids to get away from the distractions of today's culture and just be filled with wonder with what is around them. And thankfully, they generously share that with those of us that work here too.

liberty in the moment

Reverb10 + Prompt 3
Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

My drive home from Show Hope volunteering was one of those moments I will never forget. Jesus was speaking to me. I could feel His presence. Almost like a giant arm around me while I was sitting in the driver's seat. I couldn't stop crying. Big huge tears streaming down my face. I mopped them up with the back of my hand, brushing the water out of my eyes to see the road.

It was quiet except for the wind whipping by. No music. No radio. Silence. Just me and Jesus talking it out. Okay, honestly, I talk/pray out loud in my car all the time. So there was a lot of me talking and crying to make noise in the quiet car.

It was one of those moments where things that He had been trying to tell me for months...finally clicked. It just made sense. As long as I had Him, everything else was fine. Circumstances didn't matter. What I did with my life didn't matter. As long as He was the focus and pursing Him was my only goal, everything else will fall into place.

So simple, but so welcomed to hear again. Jesus. All that matters is Jesus. Terrifying and full of liberty all at the same time. I felt incredibly alive and free.

Doesn't contibute

(source)

Reverb10 + Prompt 2
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)


That's an easy one.
TV.
Could I eliminate it?
Yes.
Do I want to?
No way.
I enjoy it way too much.

TV is my fun escape. I love stories. I love getting all caught up in them. I enjoy falling in love with characters. I love coming back each week to see their newest adventures. I love that it's all pretend. I love sharing shows with friends and watching them in groups.

I do occasionally go on a TV diet and cut it out severely. Summertime especially. Or when I'm extra busy. But I don't know that it really hurts my writing. It just changes my focus a bit.

And speaking of TV....here's what I'm watching at the moment:
Chuck*, Parenthood*, Modern Family*, Smallville*, Big Bang Theory, Mad Men, Gossip Girl, ER reruns, Glee, Grey's Anatomy*, 30 Rock, Project Runway, Rachel Zoe (*favorites)

Favorite trip of 2011

I only had to think for a quick second before this one came out on top. I had some great trips this year. Cruise to the Bahamas. NYC for the Tim Burton exhibit at the MoMA. Topsail, NC. Just to name a few. But Sundance took the cake. Stars, amazing movies, time with The Bro, snow everywhere, mountains, bus rides, more celebrities. It was the best.

Already got my plane ticket for next year. Anyone want to come? I need a buddy this year.


This post is part of Reverb10. Actally it's the prompt from last year cause I liked this one better. But still....I'm playing along. I love the idea of reflecting on the best of 2010. Feel free to play along in the comments.