Connect – an Acrostic Challenge

At the beginning of 2012 I joined a challenge to choose one word to focus on during the year.  My OneWord was:

If you’re interested in the beginning of the challenge, you can read about it here.

So far – 3 months into the year – this word is still top-of-mind.  I’ve met so many wonderful people online – through Facebook and blogs.  (You are all “real” to me!  I value you very much.)  To take action on connecting with others (in addition to online connecting) I joined a group of ladies who are a part of LeadHer. This is a national group with local groups in many cities who meet meet twice a month.  (Check them out – it’s a great mission!)

Today I found a post from Tracy at My Daily Walk in His Grace about using our OneWord to create an Acrostic. She said

 Not only is this fun but it also makes you think about the connotations and implications of the word you have chosen.

Its an opportunity to dig deeper and understand better the word you choose!

So here is my Acrostic for CONNECT:

 

Christ focused, always asking,

Opening eyes, ears & heart to be aware of His will and

Needing direction from God before moving forward.

Never letting fear derail but always

Expecting the best.

Carefully nurturing each connection and

Trusting God to make all things good in His time.

Have you chosen OneWord to guide you through 2012?

Please comment, I’d love to know your word!  (Let’s connect! 😉 )

 

Leap Day… Year.

I always have to look at a calendar to see what the date is…  numbers are NOT my thing.

But today some of my favorite blogs clued me in to what the date is – I read three GREAT posts about leap day – today – and had to share!

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The first is on a blog by two great ladies – Tammie & Alessa. This post will give you everything you might want to know about today!

Leaper or Leapling – Carolina Heart Strings

The second is by Bonnie. Bonnie ALWAYS makes me smile – or chuckle – or gaffaw – or plain LOL (laugh out loud).  Today is no different!

Project:  Leap Day – Ship Bound for Tarshish

And the third is for us ladies – by Debi. It’s a romantic date idea…

Wives Only – Creative Leap Day Tradition

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Take a few moments, read & enjoy!  I did!

(Thanks, Ladies)

Too funny. Too true.

Rob and I are away for a bit – writing… writing… writing…

I’m working on blogging in the morning and my book – Encourage Your Spouse – in the afternoon.  Rob’s taking the mornings to hone his values list and the afternoon to write on Values Based Marketing.  We’ll be sure to fit in a little bit of rest & relaxation too.  😉

As I was doing a little research, I came across a quiz: What kind of reader are you?

Of course, I followed the rabbit trail:

What Kind of Reader Are You?

Your Result: Dedicated Reader
 

You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.

Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
 
Literate Good Citizen
 
Book Snob
 
Fad Reader
 
Non-Reader
 
What Kind of Reader Are You?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

YES!

The world would be a nicer place if

  • everybody took time to read!
  • and get a massage
  • and take a nap!

’nuff said.

(back to work – sorry to interrupt with this totally irrelevant post)

Twice as Thankful

As a Canadian living in the United States, I have the added benefit of celebrating twice as many times… 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite experiences.  

Outwardly the experience is enhanced by favorite foods and family gatherings.  From my childhood till today, we visit a local market and buy produce and flowers to decorate the altar at church with an outward sign of overflowing plenty.  We sang (and still sing) hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God – the provider of Everything.  That’s the outward…

Inwardly, as years have passed, I’ve become more and more aware of the blessings God has given.  Sometimes those blessings are disguised as trials – sometimes they’re glaringly obvious.  What matters is that I notice them.

So today – even if you’re not a Canadian –spend some time counting your blessings.  And give thanks and praise to the One who is responsible!

Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God has done!  Count your blessings, name them one by one and you will rejoice at what the Lord has done.

~ hymn chorus by Johnson Oatman & Edwin O. Excell

2010 Thanksgiving Altar - from our little church in Garner NC - After the service we bundle up all the produce & it's donated to the local food bank.

 

This photo is from my home congregation in Waterloo Ontario Canada taken this year!

 

Holiday Time

Robert and I just returned from a holiday –  10 days away. 

240+ hours removed from our daily concerns. It was awesome.

After a bit of reflective thinking, I’ve defined our time as spent in 5 different ways.  And when I think about other holidays, I believe we’ve always used our time in these ways…  It’s a reflection of our values.

When we go away on a holiday, we love to:

Take time to be silly.

Life is serious – with responsibilities and weighty issues.  Holidays are time to relax and practice being silly.  I can always tell when Robert is on a holiday – he’ll start singing.  His song lyrics are never complete and he’ll mix up melodies (like starting with the bridal march and finishing with camp town races).  Hearing him humming and singing is my cue to relax. 

On this trip, we spent time at a tourist shop.  This shop was full of all the hilarious kitschy stuff that looks fun in the store but you never know what to do with when you get home!  To show you how light hearted we were feeling, here are 2 signs we found to “model”.

Boy, was I giggling.  There’s nothing like poking fun at yourself!

Take time to learn.

We love to learn – in person & through reading books.

On this holiday, Rob was a part of a leadership training conference hosted by John Maxwell.  Of course, we had a few books by John Maxwell sitting around our room and Robert was excited to share what he’d heard.

We also took time to visit Disney’s Epcot.  At every country’s pavilion there were people from that country and we took the time to chat and ask questions.  It felt like a world tour in one day!  Here’s a video Epcot – Japanese Drummers as we listened to the Japanese Drumming.  Such power and grace.  (and strong arms!)

Take time to eat!

We didn’t just eat – we feasted!

Breakfast is Rob’s favorite meal, so Cracker Barrel is his special spot to stop at whenever we travel.  It’s “Mama’s French Toast” every time!  I think we went there 4 times… 

 And while we were away it was my birthday, so I celebrated with a Creme Brulee in Epcot’s “France”.    (our waiter, Francois, was so charming!)

 

To finish our travels we stopped in Savannah at “Lady & Sons” – Paula Deens restaurant!  From our butter-laced melt-in-the-mouth cheddar biscuits, to superb fish/lamb main course, to grand finale of pecan pie and Key lime pie…  it was to die for eating!  (and well worth the hot and muggy temperature outside.)

 Take time to meet new friends!

This holiday we had the special pleasure of spending time with Debi & Tom Walter – the hearts behind the blog, The Romantic Vineyard

We spent a lovely evening together.  First we toured their favorite spots around Park Avenue and saw in person some of the sights Debi has highlighted on her blog.  It had a friendly, open feel, and the houses were just spectacular!  Then we had a chance to eat dinner at Dexter’s and chat.  We talked about blogging and business, about leadership and homeschooling, and, of course, marriage.  Debi & Tom have a special relationship, and shared some insights on how and why their blog grew.  Giving honor and glory to God is their focus.   I pray we have other opportunities to spend time with this couple again soon…

Take Time to Have Long Conversations

One of our marriage strengths is being able communicate.   Time goes by so quickly when Robert & I talk – that’s why driving long distances are a joy.  A holiday is not complete unless we have long, uninterrupted blocks of time to really delve into topics.  It’s such a blessing to be able to share life with my best friend.

When you take a holiday, at home or elsewhere, how is your time spent?  Do you have favorite things to do?