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Quotes that resonate

  • "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Eleanor Roosevelt
  • "The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things that you weren't paying attention to before." Good Will Hunting
  • "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." William Arthur Ward
  • "Always do more than is required of you" George S. Patton
  • "The willingness to sacrifice is the prelude to freedom" Pesach Seder
  • "If you can not teach me to fly, teach me to sing" Sir James Barrie

What we're watching lately

  • HGTV
  • The Food Network
  • John & Kate Plus 8
  • So You Think You Can Dance
  • Iron Chef America
  • House
  • The Office

Quite fabulous

  • "Pollo da Vinci" at Garibaldi's
  • New York City in the Fall
  • Any book by Francine Rivers
  • Camping at Sugar Pine campground (Lake Tahoe) and spending the day kayaking at Meeks Bay.. gorgeous!!
  • Iced, tall, nonfat, 2 pump white mocha from Starbucks
  • HGTV
  • Music: The Cinema channel (27) on XM Radio

November 14, 2008

Bloggy Break

Just wanted to let ya'll know that you probably won't be hearing too much from me in the next month or so.  It's not that I don't want to write.  Oh, how I long to write, to play my guitar, to read a good book, but I just have had no time.  I'm the one who would check Bloglines everyday, and take pride in the fact that I could take them all from bold to digested, and now they are overflowing with unread posts that I can't seem to get to!  If something really amazing happens that I think my throng of readers can't live without knowing, I promise to post it. Otherwise, I'm guessing I'll be on a "blog sabbatical" for a while.  Tis the season! 

November 05, 2008

I'm in good company...

I'm learning a lot about myself.  Now that we are really gearing up for Christmas services at CVC  where I work as the Programming Director, I am getting to see very clearly what type of person I AM, and what type of person I am NOT!  Man, it's tough when you really want to be the "go with the flow", "easy going", "life of the party," all fun, all the time" kind of person, and you finally concede that it's just not how God made you!

I am coming to terms with the fact that I have lots of traits that are well, BORING.  I am a planning, list making, action-plan organizing, just the facts ma'am, no nonsense, efficiency oriented, get er' done kind of gal!  I like order, and I want at least some inkling as to what the outcome of a situation is going to be before I jump in feet first.  If and when I do jump in, I want to get things done!  I'll even admit, a lot of the time, I am a "glass half empty" kind of person.  (UGH, that stinks.)

What's really cool is that as I get to know my team better, I can see that it's not a such bad thing that I'm that way, because many of them are NOT!!  I know full well that many of the traits that I posses can be a pain in the you know what, and can even get in the way of good things if not kept in check, but I'm seeing that we all have a lot to learn, and can actually learn from one another. 

There are some peeps who I will go to with nervous energy about a daunting task or situation, and after spending minutes with them,  I will walk away feeling peaceful, assured, calm, and collected.  I love that!!  Our Worship Arts Pastor is one of those people.  He is humble, honest, straightforward, and encouraging.  He is not afraid to admit that he makes mistakes, and he is a thinker.  He thinks things through before he speaks, and then has a positive outlook as he expresses his opinions for possible solutions to problems.  In addition to this, he knows when to "scrap the plan", and just "let go, and let God!" I'm so thankful that I get to work with people like that!

Look around at the team of people that you work with.  They are probably much different than you, and I can't help but think that is why God placed you on a team together!  Instead of wishing everyone would see things as you do, take comfort in the fact that they don't!    

November 03, 2008

Confessional #3.. I am a snob!

This morning when I went to put jam on my toast, I discovered that my hubby had bought generic jam. It think it was Sara Lee or something like that.  I am so used to the wat MY jam looks and tastes, that I could not get past the fact that I did not have Smuckers!  There are many instances where I am completely fine with saving some $, and going for the cheaper brand, but NOT peanut butter OR jelly! Here are some of the things that I refuse to go generic with:

diet COKE, JIF peanut butter, SMUCKERS jam, HEINZ ketchup, KRAFT american cheese, QUAKER oats, Honey nut CHEERIOS, NESTLE or GHIRARDELLI chocolate chips, DOVE soap, .. How about you?  What brands are tried and true to you, and you've decided you will never switch?  Please tell me I'm not the only "name brand snob!?" 

What Are Your Strengths?

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I just finished reading Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath.  I haven't taken the test to determine my top five strengths yet, but I think I have a pretty good idea as to what they might be.  It's a really quick read, and I found it interesting that specific people would come to mind as I read through all of the strengths and their descriptions. 

I'm realizing that I seem to have a unique blend of strengths.. I would consider myself "artistic" and "creative," but tend to get quite frustrated with the "laid back" mentality of a lot of people that have those gifts predominantly.  Anyway, here are some of the strengths that I THINK I have, and I'm pretty sure that my top five will come from these:

Activator, Belief, Command, Communication, Discipline, Focus, Maximizer, Responsibility, and Strategic.  

There were other strengths that I really wish were mine, but it was pretty obvious that God gave them to someone else!  I'll let you know if I was even close after I take the test! 

October 25, 2008

A time to speak and a time to... Zip It!

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 As I read my bible this morning, I came across a "doozie" in Proverbs.  Prov. 11:22 doesn't put it lightly;  Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a woman with no discretion. I read on about the virtues that a godly woman should have, and I have to say, we have a lot of work to do girls!  At first thought, I would consider myself to be pretty good at exercising discretion.  I dress modestly, I don't use foul language, I use discretion when conducting myself around the opposite sex, etc.  But the more I thought about it, I would come up with instances where I might have said something that was not flattering about someone else, where I jumped into a conversation to defend my point of view, in the meantime squashing someone else's chance to express theirs... Things like that.  Most of the instances that I have been convicted in are based on things that I say.  Why do we think we have to get the last word?  So many times where I've ended up saying the wrong thing, I realize I shouldn't have said anything at all!

As women, I think this is an area where we really mess up. We've all been on the other end of someone's sharp tongue.  It hurts!  It cuts so deeply, and it is not a wound that is easily healed. We've experienced that pain, and yet we find it hard not to inflict it on others.  Why?  The word of God clearly shows us again and again how important it is to guard our tongues..

(I took the liberty of changing the gender in the following verses)

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy woman keeps a secret.  Prov. 11:13

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. Prov. 12:6

She who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. Prov. 10:10

When words are many sin is not absent, but she who holds her tongue is wise. Prov. 10:19

A woman who lacks judgment derides her neighbor, but a woman of understanding holds her tongue. Prov. 11:12

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise bring healing.  Prov.12:18

She who guards her lips, guards her life, but she who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Prov. 13:3

I want to be someone who speaks truth and love, but I also want to be wise, and use discretion as to when to be silent. I have people in my life who have been inspirational to me, and it seems that in most cases these are people who don't do a lot of talking.  They use good judgment.  When they do speak, they speak life and wise words, and because they aren't quick to speak, when they do have something to say, people listen!  I want to be more like that!

Seriously, I wonder how many times could I have saved myself a lot of grief (and guilt) if I would've just ZIPPED IT?

October 20, 2008

It's not that bad?

Here's a little tip for any of you that might be as crazy as I was to try this at home:

When attempting to cut your own bangs (which I do not recommend), especially when cutting them wet (which I also do not recommend) please remember that as they dry, they tend to shrink up quite a bit especially if you have naturally wavy hair as I do. (of which I do not enjoy or recommend.)  Hopefully this little tidbit of information will save you from the hair disaster that I just created.  Thank you very much, and good day. Oh, and yes.. in case you were wondering, I now have bangs.

Sunday Setlists

Our team did a great job this weekend, and since as a team we've decided to move in a new direction toward more "dynamic" worship services, I think this week marks sort of the "end of an era" at CVC.(More on all of that to follow..)  Anyway, here was the set:

(We had a short set since at the end of the service we asked our congregation to worship in a different way by finding a place to SERVE at our Opportunity EXPO..and boy did they step up!

Rising- (Baloche)- I consider this song a "go to" song  similiar to "Hosanna", and "Arise" when we want a song that we know the congregation will respond to, and a song that the band always does a great job with.

Grace Like Rain- (Todd Agnew version)- For some reason I am not a huge fan of this song, but I think I'm the only one.  We actually had a few requests to do this one in a set, and I was pleased to find out that our electric guitar player (who did an awesome job) loves this song!  People really were singing along, and Mark and the girls sounded great!

All Because Of Jesus- (Casting Crowns version)- This was our 3rd time doing this song.. Lot's of fun.. I think it's definitely one we should keep in our repertoire.

Watching our drummer (a big guy who drums BIG too, frequently breaking sticks) play his heart out, and seeing Ev and Dave having a blast with each other up there really blessed my heart!  I love these guys!

Check out other Sunday Setlists over at Fred McKinnon's blog

 

October 13, 2008

Shopping vs. Scrubbing

Yes, today I wrestled with the decision of whether or not I should go to Reno to do some shopping.  I need to take my daughter's guitar up for a tune up, but I knew if I decided to go, I would end up wanting to shop for fall clothes which I really want, but do NOT need, and truthfully can not afford at this juncture... 

Well, I decided to stay home and do a little scrubbin' instead. I've been at it since about 9:30, and I have to say, It feels good!  I miss being at home as much as I used to, and let me tell ya, the dust is getting pretty bad.  Doing all of this "bonding" with my house makes me want to re-decorate a room and bake some cookies!  I know, I'm kinda weird.  Anyway, if you're tempted to shop when it's probably not the best idea, try cleaning instead..  It worked for me, and trust me.. you will never feel remorseful about having a clean house! 

Sunday Setlist

This weekend was an absolute blast as we had our Bluegrass peeps, "The BBQ Boys" (plus our very own Mike C. and Tom G.) back for the second time to help us lead worship.  You could really tell they had their practice in.. they sounded SWEET!  We did a few of our standards with a blugrass twist and I thought it sounded really cool.  We also did a few of the old hymns, and our congregation LOVED it!  Here is the set:

Praise The Lord- We just added a little vocal "color" here and there.  They owned this one, and it was so much fun!

Our God Saves-Baloche-  I like this song, but I have to say, I think I liked it even better Bluegrass style!

Worship You Forever-  Honestly, this song is on my "Ugh, not again" list, but it was cool to do it in a new way, and I think the band nailed it.

We ended with a Hymn Medley that the congregation went bonkers for.  It was so much fun to see people's eyes light up as they heard the familiar words, and sang their hearts out to "I'll Fly Away," "This Little Light of Mine," and "Will The Circle Be Unbroken!"

Good times. 

Check out other Sunday Setlists over at Fred McKinnon's blog.

October 06, 2008

Oh Yeah...

I know that I am FAR from worthy seeing as how I'm just a beginner and all, but here is a picture of the beautiful new guitar I just got.  My hubby let me trade in his old Martin (which was almost VINTAGE,) so I didn't have to pay too much for this beauty.  I absolutely LOVE it!  I'm really wanting to start lessons again.  A great guitar like this just inspires you to want to play!

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