Hug Those You Love

Each morning I look forward to catching up on all of the Facebook posts from the night before. This morning was no different, after spending some time with the Lord (something D and I have made a morning habit) I scrolled through posts from the night before. This morning however turned out to be much different. Sadly I found a business friend and his wife had been hit by a drunk driver a month ago. Both were critically injured and yesterday his wife passed away from the injuries. I can't even remember what life was like before we had social media where we share every day life and life changing events.

Although I didn't know her, his office was above ours and he always had the most amazing smile on his face as he walked by and greeted us every morning. They had only been married 3 years and you could tell he adored her. My heart just aches for him but I have faith that she is now enjoying heaven. Based on a post from one of her good friends she knew where she was going and was excited about seeing Jesus in heaven. Question is, do you know where you are going?

What this really brings home for me is what a difference a day makes! Hug your loved ones and don't forget to let your friends and family know how much you love them.

What you see is not always as it is.

As I was walking across the Stone Arch Bridge downtown Minneapolis today I had the opportunity to watch with amazement the powerful waterfalls of the Mississippi. There is a majestic beauty in viewing so much raw power and energy. To think that up until that point the water on the river looks as still as glass and then bursts into such beauty as it goes over the drop in the falls.

One can only imagine what lies beneath the stillness above, not dissimilar to some people I know. Very calm and cool on the exterior with such energy , power and strength beneath. It reminded me that you can't always judge something (one) by what you see on the outside. There is very likely something of beauty and strength just under the surface.

In sickness and in health...

With all this warm weather you would think that flu season would be over, but in our house it's just begun! Both D and I have been trading the flu back and forth for the past 3 weeks. First he got it and was down for a few days but seemed to bounce right back. Then he was kind enough to share, so I got it. I was down for a week! I don't seem to fight things off quite as easily as he does. Now tag, it's back to him as of this morning. I truly felt his pain the poor thing!

Needless to say I've got the antiseptic wipes and hand washing down to a science, and I will be going through the condo wiping everything down - I'm seriously considering just living in a hermetically sealed bubble until the flu season has wound down. But, I have a little faith that we will both be feeling much better with the warmer weather and the sun shining down on us. Until then should you be thinking about a visit I would suggest waiting for at least another week or so.

The Nap Revolution!

Kitties have it right, there is nothing like a nap  - to curl up on the couch or in bed with the warm sun on your face and take a good power nap. Many other countries do this and I never understood why American culture doesn't embrace "The Nap". Just think of the benefits! Among the many documented according to the Ririan project, "Rest and relaxation isn’t only vital to your health — it might also make you a more creative person. People tend to be more imaginative after a good night’s sleep. Other experts agree that taking a nap or stepping away from a problem or project refreshes the mind and could lead to better ideas later. Power napping allows your brain to create the loose associations necessary for creative insight and opens the way for a fresh burst of new ideas. So if you feel stuck, then you might want to take a nap. Return to the problem after diverting your attention for a while. The best part is that there’s no need to feel guilty, because taking some “me time,” in this case, could help your business in the long run." 

I've singularly decided to start "The Nap" revolution today! So, after my power nap I expect that I'll come up with some creative ideas on how to further my cause. Until then, I have faith that I will at least wake up more refreshed.

Be still and know…

I love the fast pace of life, keeping my mind active with new and interesting challenges.  I love being downtown Minneapolis and being caught up in the activity and movement that only happens in a metropolitan area. “People watching” is so very interesting during lunch in the skyways!  There is a certain kind of energy that is hard to find anywhere else.  I love entertaining and spending time with family and friends.  I take great joy in the ability to move around – not staying in one place too long – traveling is a passion!

Although I love keeping busy, there is a time – a season- where by every one of us needs to slow down and listen.  Really stop and look at the beauty around us, listen to birds and music and just enjoy what God has created. To take a deep breath and renew mind and spirit – to be still and know …  Psalm 46:10 I recently had the opportunity to do this with a beautiful sun rise it’s amazing what beauty I missed when I was young by sleeping in -  today I have faith that you will take a few minutes  from your day  - to be still and know…

The Sweet Things In Life

I don’t often have sweets – you know the sugary delights like brownies, cookies and cakes?  Today being Valentine’s Day, I decided to “treat” myself to a delectable brownie.  Brownies to me are the most sinful of the sweet treat category all gooey and chocolaty the best part is biting into the hard crusty outside into the soft gooey inside and letting it melt in your mouth – can’t you just savor the flavors? Add a tall glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee and it’s double the pleasure Ahhhhh.

Isn’t it just amazing that we get to live in a place where every once in awhile we get to indulge in the sweet things in life? I often wonder about the many simple blessings we have that go unnoticed each day, I also have faith that even if I don’t get to enjoy another brownie – ever-  I will have spent the last 15 min. just enjoying life and the blessings that were given today.

Roadkill on the Sidewalk of Life

I was walking through the skyway yesterday and came upon the visual representation of how I've been feeling lately. There, on the window in the dust was the perfect outline of a bird - feathers and all. Visions of his little beak bent in the shape of an "L" ran through my head.

Poor thing thought he could fly right thru that window and is now road kill lying on the sidewalk.

Have you ever felt like roadkill on the sidewalk of life? I have, in fact I currently feel as if my beak is in the upright "L" position and like Daffy Duck in the many cartoons we used to watch on Saturday mornings. I'm currently working to straighten it out and peel myself up off the sidewalk, and I do have faith that tomorrow is another day....

Do NOT lose heart...

". . . for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart " (Galatians 6:9). So how do we lock the doors and keep the robber of discouragement from stealing God's promise?

Have you ever experienced being anxious about something, so much so that it's all you can think about during the day? You may be hoping for something good to come to pass or you may be dreading an activity or experience that you are about to go through. I've been in the thick of both those scenarios in the last few weeks and let me tell you it can be a roller coaster!

I have been reading a book lately - here is a quote from it that I've been hanging onto with both hands: “Quit worrying about how everything is going to turn out. Live one day at a time; better yet, make the most of this moment. It’s good to have a big – picture outlook, to set goals, to establish budgets and make plans, but if you’re always living in the future, you’re never really enjoying the present in the way God wants you to.”
― Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential

Discouragement - loosing heart is easy to do, I know I've been there, but remember to have a little faith! How do you keep those anxious or negative thoughts from stealing peace and joy from YOUR life?

A View from a New Window

All things have a beginning and an end and so it is with what I see every day out my window from work. When God closes one door, a window opens or in this case a new beautiful 7 story view of downtown Minneapolis as the sun sets has become my new window to the world. 


There are just some things that you can't control - or for that matter, want to. In this case I couldn't control being layed off due to a "change in the business climate".  The time has come for me to take down my few photos and move on. I know that I was given the opportunity for a reason, it was such a good learning experience for both D and I. Together we learned a whole new vocabulary around KPIs that we'll be able to carry into growing Reliable Data Protection - some lessons are best learned by participation... God has a plan and I have faith that my next opportunity will be even more exciting and fulfilling - just think of the things we have left to learn!

So, for those of you wanting to know where the photo was taken, it's from the window of the Reliable Data Protection office. It's where I'll be hanging - helping D with marketing and waiting until my next opportunity begins.

Meet Renee...

Renee's Story

Renee is a good friend and the sister of our best friend. She was a normal person just going through life until... June 2011 Renee was diagnosed with Epithelial Mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma is a rare type of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure (Renee is unsure when she was exposed). Because this is so rare, Renee had to travel to Boston to have surgery at Bringham Hospital. Her surgeon removed one lung and her diaphragm. Recently they found the cancer in her liver and she is currently participating in a clinical trial study based in Boston. Participating in this trial means she has to travel to Boston on a regular basis. Due to the surgery and the chemo treatments Renee has not been able to work since June.

We've known Renee for quite awhile and healthy, she is tenacious and full of life. This fight has taken it's toll on her body but not on her spirit! We've seen her become a more beautiful person both inside and out and so, we'd like to do what we can to help her while she completes this battle because we have faith that she will shine, shine, shine -  which is why I'm posting this.

There is a benefit being  held for Renee this weekend to help raise money for her medical bills. Unlike approved procedures, a trial study is not covered by insurance and the travel back and forth to Boston every week is adding to the debt. Here is a link to the site that explains a bit about the benefit and how to donate http://cutcancerforrenee.bbnow.org/index.php. To keep track of Renee and how she is doing you can visit CaringBridge for updates.

 

 

Everything and the Kitchen Sink

This morning was one that most in the upper mid-west take in stride during the month of January. Snowy, cold a little freezing rain, just in case you needed a driving challenge. You can see all manner of folks trying to keep warm and accidents galore. A rare sight are the cities homeless - they have generally found shelter for the night and are not out and about in this type of weather. This morning I ran across the rare scene of a man with a bike parked at a major intersection. He had two very large garbage bags which I assume held his life possessions - possibly including the kitchen sink. He was trying to bungy those slippery bags onto the back of his bike - how he was going to ever get on the bike and peddle down the street in the slop and the snow I never did learn, the light turned and I completed my drive to work.

Although I didn't feel comfortable stopping, and I'm not sure he would have accepted anyway, his determination impressed me. He has little in the form of possessions but great determination. Just think, if those of us with warm cars had a portion of the determination and fortitude he showed, what we could do! He has just a little faith that he will load those bags and head on down the road to wherever he was going. I on the other hand have spent the day wondering how I might have helped...here is what I found. Donations to a variety of nonprofits involved in efforts to help the homeless and end homelessness can be made online at GiveMN.org. http://givemn.razoo.com/ 

I chose to give to The Family Place - The Family Place is a day shelter in St. Paul that meets the needs of families experiencing homelessness and helps them achieve stability. Perhaps it's not much but I have a little faith that they and God will do much with it. How about you? What will your contribution be today?

Look Mom It's a Cow!

Or maybe just a half a cow...

I haven't written lately because we're still recovering from the great Meat Delivery of 2012! It was a weekend excursion to pick up a whole cows worth of meat from a meat locker in Northern Iowa. D's best friend has been our source of beef for the past 4 years now. He and his family raise a few cattle on their hobby farm and every fall we get a call telling us our cow has gone to the locker and will be ready on X date. This past weekend just happened to be X date.

What makes the great Meat Delivery of 2012 so interesting is it came about 3 months later than normal. Now that would not normally be a problem but this year...my parents pitched in on 1/2 the meat. Again not generally an issue but THIS YEAR because we are about 3 months later in receiving the meat they are in Florida for their winter sabbatical. And so....

The great Meat Delivery begins...in Northern Iowa on Friday night (visiting D's family) - swimming and general play insue on Friday night...with a few silly's in our room from the smallest members.

Saturday morning found us off to Congers Meat Market where we proceeded to load a whole 500+ cow into the truck and back seat of our car.

The boxes just kept coming....


Eventually we both squeezed into the car with the cow and away we went...home to drop off our half and then on to the UP of Michigan! Yup, we drove half that cow all the way to Ironwood to my parents freezer! It was a beautiful day for a drive...sunny and warm... and we made good time thanks to D's driving skills.

The meat delivered, we turned back around and headed south toward home. We would just like to say thank you to that Sawyer County policeman for making our trip just a little bit longer and more interesting...

Lucky for us, he was feeling generous that Saturday evening and let us go with a warning. Whew!***
I have just a little bit of faith that when we grill those steaks this summer they are going to taste amazing! Those up in Ironwood might be a bit more tough...they have more miles on them :)

 

Meet my morning nemesis...

In an effort to become more healthy (possibly loose a bit of weight) and overall feel better (with the added bonus of beating the traffic in the morning - which is what D says is the best part), D and I get up at O'Dark 100 and head to our little personal gym.  This gym is in our office complex and is a well hidden gem off a dark corridor. We call it our personal gym because no one in their right mind is there at 6am so we have the place to ourselves. We get to play our own music, work on all of the equipment at our own pace and - best of all...shower in the same room ;)

If it weren't for my wonderful other half I would roll over in our nice warm bed and catch another hour or so...but he has been diligent, along with our cat Cutie, in waking me up and rolling me into my sweats and out the door.

This wonderful piece of machinery is there to greet me upon my arrival and although I start out slowly, I work up a sweat, my mind clears and by the end of the 10 miles I'm ready to start the day.

It's really not such a bad way to get going and I love the fact that it's done early and I can get on with the rest of my day. Each day I gain a little bit of faith that the next will be even easier and at some point the results will be noticeable, if by no one else but me!

Armchair Vacation...

Most of you know that I have an insatiable passion for travel. If I'm not planning a trip or on one I'm dreaming about them. My favorite pass time when the weather gets me down or I just can't keep my mind on what my tasks for the day are is to take what I call an Armchair Vacation.

I sit down at my computer and search for good travel deals to far away places that I'm dreaming of going someday. I follow reviews and travel suggestions and learn all about the area. When I'm done, I feel as if I've stepped into my screen for just a moment and experienced the warm breeze on my face or the thrill of swishing down the slopes.

Today was one of those days for me, my mind was wandering and eventually I found myself here: at the Te Tiare Beach Resort.  Yup I was, if only for a few minutes, relaxing in my own Deep Overwater Bungalow! Ah.... even Trip Adviser gives it 4.5 stars out of 5 -  it's paradise for sure. Can't you just see me enjoying a Tahitian dinner for two at Ari'i by Chef Jean Frédéric Markacz?

**Pop** back to reality...

And so, I'm going to Have a Little Faith that some day I'll find myself escaping to a remote island in the Pacific. Meanwhile I'll enjoy the flurries that are floating down outside my window and sitting in my chair  taking my Armchair Vacation.

Welcome to Just a Little Bit of Faith

Faith according to Merriam-Webster is: A firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust.

Everyone has faith in something. Even atheists have faith. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."...and YES that is a Bible quote but it is also what I believe is the most perfect definition of faith.

So, why all this talk about Faith? 2012 is going to be my year to have just a little bit of faith. Faith in God, faith in my fellow man, faith that tomorrow will be just as amazing as today, faith to move mountains!  To look at the road bumps in life and know that if I have just a little bit of faith, this too shall pass. To view all the beauty and maybe even the strange or awkward around me through the eyes of faith.

I welcome you to come along on this journey with me because all it takes is just a little bit of faith...