Something to share

The busy year is just about to start.  Does it really need to get any busier? I really have been enjoying this summer. Having Kevin home more often, going to the pool, going on a road trip, less traffic on the roads!  I'm starting to get pretty overwhelmed by my schedule and all the things that will need to get done this fall. I won't even list everything out to you because I'm afraid I might stress YOU out just thinking about these things.  I have realized that I'm an "ideas" person. Basically, it means that at all times I'm thinking, brainstorming and imagining ideas for my first new business, the new idea I'll propose at work, my new book, the way I'm going to redesign my house, the new hobby I'd like to try.  Lately, I've been waking up and before I can even consciously say good morning to myself, my mind is flooded with so many ideas and thoughts I don't even know what to do.  It can be dizzying and extremely tiring at times.

Sometimes I think that's why I need to run. Number one to get rid of all the energy I have inside me (Kevin says I need to talk to the doctor about jittering), but secondly to just have time to focus my mind on ONE thing and not get distracted by so many other things.  Woke up and ran 14 miles on Saturday morning. Woke up before 6am and because of my "ideas" disease, I had no issues waking up, meaning I was pretty chipper for an early hour.  My goal is to qualify for Boston.  (Please help me convince the man in my life to let me run more marathons!)

Today at church, I heard a sermon on being prepared to give our personal testimony. God commissioned us to tell others the gospel and share our stories with others and sad to say, I think I've failed miserably in this area. I do feel like God has been reiterating a number of messages into my head this year and sharing Christ with others (verbally) I think is definitely one of them.  Typically, I veer on the side of just being kind and not verbally sharing the gospel so that I don't have to offend anyone, but I think I've realized that you can be extremely sensitive to people and preach and share your testimony at the same time.  It can be much more loving and effective because people don't just see your actions, but they really hear how God has been moving and real in your own life.  The real reason I don't share my testimony is mostly because I'm afraid of what people will think of me. I also have not taken the time to prepare a testimony that I would be able to share with others.  These things do need practice and intentionality.

Clothing Swaps
As many people know, I absolutely love clothing swaps. Why? Because I hate spending money yet I love clothes. What a great solution right? Yesterday hosted a great and fun clothing swap. What a way to  hang out with friends.  Here's a picture of Kevin and I on our way through Corning, NY....and of course, there's me wearing a shirt I acquired a previous clothing swap.

When You Don't Have a Hammer

I honestly have no idea how Kevin and I have managed for over a year in a new home without a hammer.  For the time being we've been using Kevin's weights, yes the kind that build muscle.  Unfortunately, the lack of a hammer is probably why many of our frames are slightly crooked.  The good thing though is that I've learned that I can always find easy replacements to get a job done.

In addition to creative replacements for every-day tools, I was pretty proud of my latest fix-it project. Do you remember those "Aerosole Soulmate" shoes that I was raving about a few months back? Apparently, they don't deserve a five star rating because part of the shoe's decor started coming apart.  I was getting some stares at work because the dark silver beads were hanging off the flower design part of the shoe.  So I took it upon myself to fix this.  When all else fails, use Gorilla glue.  I tell you, it is the absolute best and strongest glue ever.  What I didn't know though was that the glue dries not clear, but white, and it expands to triple the amount.  TRIPLE the amount is pretty accurate What did I do? I used a good ol black Sharpie!!! Take a look at them shoes now.=)  I love it!

Been behind on posting because last week I was in Brooklyn on a short term mission trip with Kevin and a team from my church.   Here's one of my favorite/least motivated 1st graders. His name is Kevin=) and he has a twin brother with a much faster metabolism then him. He was precious though.  When I asked the kids if they knew what heaven was, Kevin anxiously preceded to tell me about this movie he watched where werewolves were taken to heaven!!