What are you aiming for?

The last several days I've been thinking a lot about what I'm aiming for.  What my dreams are, what my goals are, and what I'm doing to get there...

You see, it started last week when I asked Mark to teach me how to throw a frisbee properly.  This was probably the 101st time I've been shown, but somehow I can never get enough power, and I have random throws where it's as if the frisbee hooks on my fingers and flies forcefully behind me instead of the direction I thought I was aiming.  As Mark led me he would say, "Amy, you're not looking at me!  Before you throw you glance into the woods or wherever and that's where the frisbee ends up going."  I fought him a bit and tried so hard to focus on him, but lo and behold, I had a tendency to take my eyes off Mark at the last second and the frisbee would go flying, unaimed.  As I focused my attention solely on Mark, the frisbee would go right there!

A couple days later we were out mountain biking.  I noticed toward the middle of our trip that I would glance at the uneven, often rocky ground we were travelling on, and when a larger rock appeared in the path I would be so focused on NOT hitting it, that I would actually end up hitting it!  I kept doing it, staring at the rock I was trying so hard not to hit, but "hit!" every time.  I started noticing the obstacles and instead of focusing on them, focusing on the path where I wanted to go instead.  There in solved the problem.  I needed to focus on the exact point I was going for.  If I focused on the wrong point, then I would hit it.  Whatever I focus on, is what I hit.

I haven't been able to help but think about this concept in my life.  Is my life aiming for worldly success, though with everything within my I want to aim for Kingdom 'success'?  Am I aiming for a 'normal' or 'practical' job though I so desperately desire to aim for full time ministry?  Am I aiming for recognition or credentials, or am I aiming for the Father to say 'Well done'?  Whatever I aim for, is what I will get.  If I aim at nothing, that's just what I get.  I am inspired this week to go for the passions and dreams God has put in my heart.  I am inspired to AIM for them, instead of just HOPE for them.  I am inspired to put practical steps to the things I have long desired.  And though it may not come right away, I will aim for the dreams He has put inside of me.  If I aim at nothing, that is surely what I'll get.

"I will live to love You"

For some reason the chorus of this song came to mind the other evening as Mark and I came home from our Youth Leaders meeting, a meeting filled with passion and dreams, desires and earnest prayers.  I don't know where I ever heard or learned this song, but I'm glad it came.  "I will live to love You, I will live to bring You praise, I will live a child in awe of You."  And how perfect are the rest of the words as well.  Truly my prayer, and my hearts desire.

Some of you know we have been praying and crying out for ministry, for God to stir in us and open doors.  Some of you know we have been horribly unsatisfied in living life simply to go to work every day, although that certainly has it's purpose as well.  This was the second Youth Leaders meeting we've been to, and I think I can say for both of us, we finally feel ALIVE again.  Our enthusiasm, our gifts, and our hearts are being stirred once more.  And can I say we are ever stoked?!  The first meeting was much confirmation for what Mark and I both believed, that we needed to be in full time ministry.  The first meeting was much confirmation for what Mark and I both believed, that we were in Kelowna for a reason.  It's been a long time coming and waiting, and still waiting, but I can say after that first meeting, I truly believe one of the primary reasons we are here is for the purpose of being more trained, mentored, and equipped in regards to ministry, and specifically ministry.  We are excited to have our God-given passions, dreams, and gifts once again stirred in us.  Thank you for your prayers already, thank you for your prayers for now, and for the future.  We look forward to what He has in store.  In the meantime, watch this video, or at least read the lyrics, and let it speak.  This is where we're at...

"Till I See You"


The greatest love that anyone could ever know
That overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
And till I see you face to face
And grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in you

With all I am I'll live to see your Kingdom come
And in my heart I pray you'd let your will be done
And till I see you face to face
And grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in you

I will live to love you
I will live to bring you praise
I will live a child in awe of you

You are the voice that called the universe to be
You are the whisper my heart that speaks to me
And till I see you face to face
And grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in you

You alone are God of all
You alone are worthy Lord
And with all I am my soul will bless your name 

Things Mark learns and hears at work... :)

"Did you know stinky farts are rarely a sign you are sick?"  :-) (Out of the game Scabs and Guts)

A little girl from the daycare as the kids are talking about how everyone's mammals... "Nuh uh!  I'm a female!!  Mr. Mark's a mammal and I'M a female!!"

(4 year-old girl -who looks like a cabbage patch kid- says to another teacher) "My sister has underwear that go up her butt!!  And we’re not very happy about that!"

Little girl: "Mr. Mark, Mr. Mark!  So-and-so just threw the football at me and he hit me right in the nuts!!"

The last day of music week i had the kids do a "Music Talent Show". I asked the kids to sign up the day before the talent show so i could get an idea of what they would be doing. One girl announced that she was going to be playing her castanets (the two wood block things that you click together). I asked her if she would be playing a specific song and she responded without hesitation "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. " I really didn't want to crush her spirits so i let her try it. The next day she shows up with her castanets and when its her turn i announce that she will be playing twinkle twinkle on the castanets. She is excited to share her instrument and song with the kids and is grinning from ear to ear. clink clink clink clink clink clink clink... her grin quickly recedes to look of deep inner realization. "I think it would be better if i had a piano instead." :)

"Mr. Mark I can see your underwear!!" 

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

"Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties.
After all, everyone dies - so the living should take this to heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter,
for sadness has a refining influence on us.
A wise person thinks a lot about death,
while a fool thinks only about having a good time."

Reflecting a lot on this recently.  I never completely understood this passage, but as of recently, I get it.  I remember our Psalms and Wisdom Literature professor talking about this passage and agreeing wholeheartedly with it, while I sat back and questioned, "How truly are funerals and thinking about death wiser than going out and living our life to the best we can."  In the past weeks death has been creeping up in the places one would least expect.  The death of a young man we grew up with in a freak car accident.  The death of a baby so close to full term.  The death of my brother-in-law's good high school friend.  In it all, I can't help but think of the shortness, the futility of life.  I can't help but think "If life is so short, how do I want to be spending my every moment?"  Two things consistently come up: 1) If life is so short, I want to and need to be spending it in all out, full time ministry, and 2) If life is so short, I want to be close to family and true community.  So I'm reflecting and praying, praying for opportunities for ministry, praying for the Lord's guidance and vision for our lives.  And I'm consistently reminded of the words that come up frequently in the rest of Ecclesiastes, "There is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.  And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of the their labor, for these are gifts from God" (3:12,13).  So in the midst of work and the busyness of life, I seek to make every effort to live with purpose, and to enjoy life.  (Which, as a sidenote, I'm thinking that means a vacation, because who know if we'll make it to next Summer!)  In all of this I pray that we will take this to heart, and that the Lord will teach us how to live every minute of our lives for His purposes.  Afterall, life is short and we don't know the timing of His ways.

Chipotle Grilled Chicken Salad

This is what we had for dinner last night (minus the tomatoes and onions)... SOOO delicious ad easy!!!

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad (from Our Best Bites)

SALAD:

4 c. chopped Romaine Lettuce

2 c. chopped grilled chicken

1 c. cherry or grape tomatoes, washed

1/3 c. vertically-sliced red onions

1 avocado, cubed

1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 8 3/4 oz. can corn, rinsed and drained

DRESSING:
1/3 c. chopped fresh cilantro
2/3 c. light sour cream
1 1/2 + tsp. adobo sauce from canned chipotle chilies (we used sriracha chili sauce and it was delicious!!)
1 tsp. chili powder
4 tsp. fresh lime juice
¼ tsp. salt
OPTIONAL:

Tortilla Strips

~Combine lettuce, chicken, beans, corn, onion, and tomatoes in a large bowl and gently mix with your hands (which you have obviously and thoroughly washed, of course! :) ). Set aside.

~Mix dressing ingredients. I say to start with 1 1/2 tsp. of adobo sauce and then go from there, probably 1/4-1/2 tsp. at a time.

~When you’re ready to serve, add avocado, tortilla strips, and dressing. Gently combine and serve.

Voila!!  Delicious, fresh, quick to make salad dinner! :-)

July 4, 2011

"Wishing today that Mark wasn't working all summer... or that we had different work schedules... or jobs... Just something so we can live to the hilt every situation.  Planning a Vancouver Island trip and realizing with work and such I'll either have to go by myself or wait until next Summer.  Praying for God to stir in our hearts and open up opportunities that we could have never dreamed possible.  And praying for God's voice to be clear and His presence to be near to us as we wait and pray and hope."

"Wherever you are, be all there.  Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."
And so we are praying we live this...

Random and Sporadic Thoughts After Camping for 4 Days

*After no shower for 4 days my hair still looked almost completely fine.  Conclusion? I am meant to live outside.

*Mark slept WAAAY better tenting outside than he ever does at home.  Conclusion? He was meant to live outside.

*After 4 days of camping I feel more alive than I have in probably 8 or 9 or 10 months.  Realization?  I am a nature girl ((all you in Portland are saying “Duh, Amy!  Could have told you that! (After you ooed and awed about every sunset ever!))”  J It’s pretty darn clear that the last 8 months I’ve been depressed (to which at least my family is saying, “Duh, Amy!”). 

*I love being in community with incredible people, good conversation and lots of good laughter. 

*I don’t want to raise my kids right in the city… I think being outside a smaller city, a place where we can a good size back yard and place for kids to play and enjoy being outdoors.  A place that is a resting place and reminder to relax and enjoy God and His creation.  A place where I can rest and be reminded to slow down and enjoy life.

*I’m so thankful that I have twice been given the gift of true community so I know what community can look like and so I will not settle for anything less than awesome.

*I’m praying for jobs where Mark and I can truly use our gifts and make an impact for the Kingdom and in people’s lives… and where we can be more sure of our goals and calling… and someday be more ‘settled.’