And Today's Big News Is...

It's finally snowing! Winter just got a little happier.

But I am at work. And it's our day to do inventory. Which is easily the most loathed day of work. We have a rather large amount of merchandise here and it takes hours and hours even using scanners. And guess who is the go to gal to upload all the info from the scanners? You guessed me didn't you? Well you guessed right. So every once in a while I walk by the big window and see the winter wonderland in outside and I shed a little tear. No playing for me today.

The good news is I set up inventory on a Tuesday so I wouldn't be stuck here on Wednesday while LOST is on. So I'm looking on the bright side today. This too shall pass.

Happy Snow/Ice day just the same.

Let's "C" How I Do

Rachel (from Musings of a Future Pastor's Wife) was biding her time before she got to watch LOST by playing a game where she had to name all the things she loved that began with a particular letter. She was assigned the letter E. Now, you all know I watched LOST when it came on Wednesday night. But I thought the game was fun just the same. So Rachel assigned me the letter C.

My favorite things that begin with the letter C:

1. Chick-fil-a. Absolutely my favorite fast food in the world. And if we actually had one in my small town, I think I would go everyday. Or at least every other day.

2. Carrots. They are my favorite vegetable. I love to dip them in hummus.

3. Crazy Love By Francis Chan. This book is awesome.

4. Christmas. Definitely my favorite holiday. I miss December!

5. Coldplay. This past Summer was definitely marked by their new album Viva La Vida.

6. C.S. Lewis Song by Brooke Fraser. All of her songs are amazing, but this one has to be my favorite from her.

7. Chinese food. Especially dumplings, egg rolls and my mom's chop suey. Yum!

8. Christy Nockels. Her voice is simply stunning. And she is supposed to have a new album out this year! So. Excited.

9. Craft fairs. Because I love all things crafty.

10. Christ Jesus my Lord. He is the be all end all of my life.

If you would like to play along, leave me a comment and I'll assign you a letter too. Sounds like fun, huh?

I've Never Been So Happy to be LOST

For those out there that don't share my affinity for the world's greatest television show. Please note that this will be my last LOST post. Until Next Wednesday or Thursday. Be proud of my restraint.

It took me a few days to sort out what I might want to say about the premiere of the greatest television show ever. I still don't know if I'm ready. But here goes.

It was awesome. As I expected, of course. I can't help it. I am a nerd. I will always be a nerd. And the nerdy stuff of LOST puts me in nerd heaven. Crazy time travel? Love it. Geeky Physicists? Love 'em. Geeky Physicists who also happen to be hanging out in the Dharma early days (oh, Daniel, you time traveler you), Love it even more. Getting to see characters long dead like Ana Lucia and Ethan? Well, I'm absolutely giddy about them too.

I was reading one review of the episode (Vozzek69 from Dark UFO, I believe) and one thing that was brought up is that now that the people on this island (or this island, depending on your theory) is skipping around through time we have the opportunity to see the answers to many of the islands mysteries, like Danielle and her crew's mystery illness. What happened to Annie (Ben's girlfriend)? The Black Rock, the Four-toed statue. See? The possibilities are endless. And I couldn't be more excited.

Just a few of my thoughts and opinions. Ben as one of the good guys? I don't think Ben will ever be able to be completely pinned down as good or bad. Definitely more on the sad of bad than good, but still. Morally ambiguous is a better term for him. Does he have the Oceanic 6's best interests at heart? Hardly. They serve a purpose for him. His real prize is the island and defeating Widmore. But he did stick up for Jack when Jill the butcher/other not on the island(really what else can I call her) dissed Jack's drug habit.

Is Sun bad? Me thinks she has definitely gone over to the dark side. I know that she is mourning for Jin, and so in a little way I don't blame her. But being in cahoots with Widmore? That's not good at all. And she totally creeped me out when she was talking to Kate. I have to wonder who was behind the men coming to Kate's door with papers asking for a blood sample of she and Aaron. Were they legit? Doubtful. Were they sent by Widmore, Sun or Ben? I'm going to go with Widmore, but who knows for sure right now. Any of the above are plausible.

But my favorite thoughts of the night? All comes down to relatives. After Daniel adamantly argues that the past cannot be changed so Sawyer cannot get Desmond to answer the hatch ("If it didn't happen, it can't happen"), Daniel himself bangs on the hatch door until Desmond decked out in hazard gear, opens up. Daniel tells him he's special (no doubt) and that he must go to Daniel's mother at Oxford and is just about to tell her the name before the sky flashes and Daniel disappears to another time. So I ask myself is she


Daniel's mother?


And my other thought of the night (again shared by many out there in the LOST world), the baby that Pierre Chang (aka Marvin Candle)

and his wife have in the opening scene, did he grow up to be this guy?


Please, please, please, let it be. Because that would be awesome.

Other favorite moments: Sayid in most every scene he was actually conscious in. Those were some serious ninja moves! And resisting the temptation of french fries. The man is a machine.

Hurley wearing the Shih Tzu shirt. Hurley being pulled over by none other than Ana Lucia. Hurley throwing a hotpocket at Ben. Hurley telling his mother everything that happened. She believed him! She totally rocks.

Favorite lines of the night:
* Libby says hi
* Why is there a dead Pakistani on my couch?
* I think you heart them

And then the cliffhanger. 70 hours!! Only 70 hours!! Can Ben do it? This is going to be good. Oh and I've found a new blog that I absolutely adore. Sussing out Lost. Thanks Kristen for the heads up!

These are the Moments of Our Lives

Wasn't my last post so much fun? Did you re-live those awesome scenes just like I did? (Did I just type re-live as if this is not a show but reality, am I a little bit crazy? Perhaps)

5. When Michael shoots Ana Lucia, and (gasp) then shoots Libby! Like I said previously, I am a spoiler reader. I knew Ana Lucia was going to die. I just didn't know how. And I had no idea that Libby would die too. What was shocking was that Michael did it. Say what you want about Michael, but I know he was desperate to get WALT!!!! back.

4. Not Penny's Boat. I read somewhere that Dominic Monaghan had no problem with his character Charlie being killed off, as long as it was a dramatic and cool storyline. And was it ever. For half the season Desmond was having visions where Charlie was going to die. He even told Charlie it was going to happen. And every time Desmond tried to stop him. But when Charlie realized that he was going to die in order that all of his friends could be saved, he was willing. And it was the perfect scene, what with Desmond trying desperately to get in and see Penny, and Charlie bravely shutting himself in and drowning while being sure to warn Desmond that the boat that was coming was not Penny's boat. Naomi was lying and things were never going to be the same.

3. "Rescuing you and your people...can't really say that's our primary objective" Okay, I'll admit it. I wasn't crazy about the Tailies showing up in Season 2. And the first half of season 3, with all those others (with the exception of Ben, Juliet, and Tom) got old real fast. Nonetheless my devotion to the best show on earth was unwavering. I stuck with it. I knew this story was better than anything else on t.v., so I powered through. I know a lot of people weren't excited about adding anyone else to the mix. But I want to tell you that I LOVED the four new "rescuers". Well mostly loved the drunk, the anthroplogist, the ghostbuster and the head case. I loved Frank, liked Charlotte, tolerated Miles and flat out adored Daniel. His quirkiness was a welcome addition to my beloved cast. And re-watching this episode last weekend in anticipation of this week's premiere, made me love him and this scene, all over again.

2. "We have to go back, Kate! We have to go back!!!!!" Okay, come on, if you didn't love this scene then LOST is not for you. This was the gamechanger that had everyone buzzing. Say what? That was a flash forward? No one could believe that Lindelof and Cuse (the producers) could come up with something so awesome. Thus began an awesome season of flash forwards. Plus it also stirred up so many questions? Why does Kate hate Jack? Why is Jack all crazy now? Are they the only ones who left the island? Why do they have to go back? These all set up Season 4 and now Season 5 perfectly.

1. Desmond's Christmas Eve phone call to Penny. Last year during March Madness the Washington Post had LOST madness. They put different LOST characters head to head eventually getting to the top 16, 4, and of course, the champion. Guess who won it? Oh Yeah, it was Desmond. My ABSOLUTE favorite character. And this episode was my ABSOLUTE favorite episode. All the drama with whether or not Desmond was going to survive his flashes between the past and the present had me all a twitter. But the call, the call was the best thing of all. Getting Penny's number in the past and begging her not to change her number and please answer his call on Christmas eve seven years later. And then she did! And they cried! And she vowed to never stop looking for him! And girl made good on her promise!!!! Be still my heart.

And now I'm giddy all over again.

I could go on, with scenes like the freighter explosion and Sun screaming for Jin, or when Claire disappeared into the jungle and Sawyer was holding Aaron and searching franctically for her, or Sayid's flashforward when he met up with Ben Linus. Or how about when Keamy shot Alex. And then in the future Ben went up to Widmore's apartment and was all you changed the rules and I'm going to kill your daughter (Penny!!!). See. This show is amazing.

How could you not watch tonight? Even if you don't like being lost (I'm talking about you Jenna!).

Today is the best day of the entire year.

You might be interested to know that I have been spontaneously breaking out into a little jig accompanied by clapping and sounds eminating from my mouth that can only be described as pure glee. Why is this strange phenomenon happening, you ask? Only one reason:






Because LOST? It's totally back tonight. So I'm leaving church a wee bit early (sorry if that makes me a sinner, or at the very least a girl with messed up priorities) because even though I'm dvr'ing the premiere, I still want to watch it live. That's just how I roll.

In honor of this blessed event I am giving my list of favorite LOST moments (I just realized this is going to have to be a two part post, because it's getting too long, so stick around for the rest )just for you. And if you haven't watched this amazingly awesome show, why aren't you?

10. "Guys where are we?" This scene totally solidified my adoration and affection for this show. Here are these random (or not) strangers who have found themselves on a mystery island where there are polar bears, a strange monster rumbling around the jungle, and a French woman's message replaying on a loop saying they are all dead. So when Charlie asks what everyone around him and everyone watching is dying to know, how could you not love it?

9. When the light comes on inside the hatch. I have a confession to make. I read spoilers. Well, this year I haven't. But in the first season I knew someone was going to die and I was hoping it wasn't someone I loved and adored like Jack, Sawyer, Hurley or Locke. So maybe I didn't cry when Boone died. But I did feel sorry for his sister and I couldn't help but feel for Locke. Who didn't love the moment when Locke is beating on the hatch, sad because Boone is dying and he felt he had done all the island asked him too. Then a light comes on (which we now know was Desmond, but hey) and Locke's faith is restored.

8. The moment when the Losties figure out Ethan is not one of them. That was a too cool moment in Season 1, made perfect by awesome editing the two scenes of Hurley telling Jack about who wasn't on the manifest and Charlie and Claire meeting up with Ethan in the jungle. Freaaakyy at it's best. And of course, the show went to the black LOST screen right after that scene and everyone was dying to know what would happen next week!

7. When Sawyer, Michael, Jin and Walt leave on the raft/"The thing is, we're gonna have to take the boy". The music, the scenery, Vincent running into the water after the raft, Walt telling him to go back. All the rest of the Losties looking on with a mixture of hope and sadness. Absolutely perfect scene, which turns to horror later when the guys on the raft believe they've found rescue only to see it turn into the abduction of Walt, the destruction of the raft and Sawyer getting shot. And I think it was also when we see Sawyer emerge as a hero. Maybe others saw that coming sooner, but he really shined for me with that fierce look, going for his gun, willing to fight for someone else and not just himself. Pure awesomeness.

6. Finding out who is in the hatch. How cool was the Season 2 premiere? And how amazing is Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick can do no wrong in my book, he even played Jesus)? And the little twist that Desmond had met Jack before they both ended up on the island. And I never get tired of hearing Desmond saying brotha. And I never will. And now I also have a special place in my heart for the song, Make Your Own Kind of Music.

Stay tuned because my top 5 are coming later on today....sorry I just had another moment of spontaneous glee.

And check out Rachel's LOST post. If for no other reason than to look at Sawyer.

Post In Which I Laud the Joys of My Snooze Button

I was reading a health article this weekend about what different health professionals thought our resolutions should be this year. The sleep professional (okay, seriously, why did I not become one of these. Because sleep? Totally my favorite activity) said his wish for all the people was that we would stop using an alarm clock. Say what? As in no more snooze, no more waking up to the Weepies or David Crowder or Jon Foreman any more? And he thinks I'll actually make it to music practice early on Sunday morning with my hair actually clean and curled? I'm not so sure about this.

Take this morning for instance. Good little girl that I am, I ambitiously set the alarm a little early so I could hit the snooze exactly twice before I getting up and popping an exercise video in and getting a 30 minute workout in before breakfast. Remember I have New Years resolutions of my own, thank you very much. Only I didn't hit the snooze twice, I hit it, hmmm, well, I think 4 times. So no workout. And we're off to a week that is much like last weeks.

Can you imagine if I didn't have an alarm clock at all? Right about now I would be turning over in bed thinking about what a nice sleep I was having and thinking to myself, I love Saturdays, I get to sleep in on Saturdays and wait a minute wasn't Saturday just, like three days ago? And then I would panic, jump up, miss the shower, miss breakfast and probably not make it to work on time either. And I'd be stinky, grouchy and not at all excited about the extra hour or so of sleep. So Mr. Sleep Professional, I don't know so much about your happy wishes for me.

My mom says she has never ever set an alarm in her life. My mom is also habitually late for work (and church, and doctor's appointments, and just about everything else in her life). She says she just tells herself when to get up and she gets up. Back when I was in school she was up eaaaaarllllyyyyyy in the morning, even if she stayed up late at night. Talk about a sleep deprived woman. Such is the nature of motherhood I guess. My dad however, always used an alarm during the week. He worked at a factory for 36 years and being late was not an option. He never hit the snooze though. I can guarantee it. So I guess technically my mom did wake up to an alarm, or at least listened as dad's went off, rolled over until her internal alarm went off and then got up. Well, that's her story and she's stickin' to it.

My sister is also a fan of the snooze button, or at least she was. She also used to have her alarm clock set about 20 minutes fast so that she also got more time to sleep in, or at least she could trick herself into thinking she was sleeping in or something like that. Whatever works right?

So I wonder. Who out there uses an alarm, and who has their own "internal" alarm clock. Because if I do, it's set for 9:30 am. Which is when I should be at work. My internal clock doesn't really want to be awake before I reach my desk, I guess.

Disappointment and Hope

"We must accept finite disappointment but we must never lose infinite hope." Martin Luther King, Jr.


In honor of the Reverend King today I thought I would share a quote I came across last week. Of course it stood out to me since this is my year to focus on hope. Like everyone else I've had my share of disappointments. They're definitely not my favorite thing ever, but accepting them just becomes a part of life. For me though, I have struggled with letting disappointments choke out hope. These words of wisdom are a great reminder that we cannot let that happen. Disappointments are limited. Hope is not. Especially when that hope is in God. So I'm reminding myself today. I can never lose hope. No matter what disappointments come my way.


Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

I've Got This

I'm not one to claim I hear from God very often. I'm certainly no Joan of Arc (or Priscilla Shirer, or Beth Moore or Billy Graham or... you get the picture). The few times I've really felt Him speak to my soul it has always been in the still small voice that I know is way too wise for me to come up with on my own. And unlike myself, He's usually pretty concise. Ahem. What was I saying?

Maybe you haven't noticed in my writings but I'm a little bit of worrier. I know, I know. Worrying is bad, bad news. It's the control-freak in me that just can't keep from sticking my over-analytical, and surely always correct thoughts into every single situation that I come across. Thus, I worry. And much of the worrying is directed at HIM. You know, the Great I AM. Silly, I know. But who in their absolutely limited wisdom hasn't at one time or another thought they knew better than God what to do in a certain situation. Is it just me? Alrighty then.

There are so many things in my life, or so many things absent in my life, that I think God should have taken care of a long time ago. To be perfectly honest I would even say I have at times held that against God. Note that lightning has not struck me yet. Yet. But it's true. I have. He knows it. Why can't I tell the bloggy world?

Which brings me to this morning. Have I mentioned I lead worship at my church? Funny how God puts a worry-wart, control freak in such a position, isn't it? I think maybe it's so that when I do get those moments of divine revelation the whole world can see it on my face. Nothing says lesson learned like a dose of humility.

So I was singing these songs about God and His amazing sovereignty. Songs like You are God Alone (not a god), and Revelation Song and the real clincher of them all, How Great Thou Art. Oh yeah, and I chose the lineup. Very interesting. I'm right smack dab in the middle of the line, "Right now in the good times and bad, You are on Your throne and You are God alone" and the thought hits me. God controls the whole stinkin' universe. He planned it all. Set stars in the sky, named them one by one. He purposed for His son to come to earth and die the most horrible death imaginable just to take away my sins and the sins of the whole world. Do I somehow think that I could possibly entertain the notion that He can't figure out all my issues too. I had one particular issue in my mind this morning (perhaps a lot of mornings too) and instantly I heard God say, "I've got this". That was it. I've got this.

And you know what? I believe He does. If He can handle the Milky Way galaxy and the destiny's of billions of people over the history of mankind, not to mention keeping every heart beating, blood flowing, and lungs filling and releasing air, I'm pretty sure He can get all my stuff together at the right time. He is, after all, the One who said, "I know the plans I have for You." And did He not also pen through the Psalmist, "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me."

So for the first time in a long time, I'm at peace. At peace with my present, at peace with my past, at peace with my future. And most of all at peace with my God. He's Got this. And so much more.

Just a Little Midwinter Meme

Found this one over at Kristen's dancing in the margins and I had to go for it.

To find your ROCK STAR NAME take your first pet & current car:
Rusty Camry (had to check with mom on this one, turns out the cat Mushroom that I was going to put down was already part of the family before I was born and I thought I would go with the first pet we got after I was born. Too bad too because Mushroom Camry was going to take over the world...Rusty didn't last too long because I wasn't the most, how should I say this, careful pet owner. And I have the pics to prove it. But it doesn't compare to what my sister may have done to a little chickadee. But that's a whole other post.)

To find your GANGSTA NAME take your favorite ice cream flavor and your favorite cookie:
Phish Food Cherry Wink. (Don't mess wit da Cherry Wink.)

YOUR DETECTIVE NAME? Your favorite color and favorite animal:
Red Panda (Sounds more like a code name)

Want to know your SUPERHERO NAME? Just add the word "The" plus your 2nd favorite color, and your favorite drink:
The Pink Water (sounds fierce don't ya think?)

Your NASCAR NAME. Take the first names of your grandfathers:
Jack Robert or Robert Jack, which sounds better?

If I ever go into WITNESS PROTECTION you can find me with this name. Your mother & father’s middle names:
Lynn Ray (it will be the most boring name ever)

TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME? Just take your 5th grade teacher’s last name and add a major city that starts with the same letter:
Kennedy Kansas City (ummm, yeah)

Of course, if you find me in witness protection I will assume it was because you were using your SPY NAME. Add your favorite season/holiday to your flower:
Autumn Daisy

Tell your kids their CARTOON NAME by taking your favorite fruit, an article of clothing you’re wearing right now, now add "ie" or "y":
Fuji Apple Hoodie


And lastly, your ROCKSTAR TOUR is heading across the northeast...it's called ("The” + Your fave hobby/craft, your fave weather element + the word “Tour”):
The Sleeping Snow Tour (And everyone will want to attend)

So whose up for a little meme action? Isunji? Jenna? Any takers?

You are Winter...

I've been in a funk this week. Call it the winter blahs, the post-holiday slowdown, or just my natural lazy self coming through, but I just haven't been a cheery person this week. I don't want to do anything except sit around cuddled up in a blanket and watch tv. Which you must know is really putting a damper on that New Year's Resolution to be healthy and exercise. In the interest of full disclosure I'll even tell you that I have only exercised ONCE this week. Just once. This is not looking good for keeping my lofty resolutions.

I realized I don't really like winter too much. I love the holiday season part of winter and I love snow. But Christmas is long gone and we've seen nary a flurry this year. And it's been below freezing many, many times this winter. Just no snow. I hate a cold, dry winter. And when it isn't freezing and dry, it's 70 degrees and dry. If there is one thing that annoys me more than a freezing, dry winter it's a warm dry winter. I'm sick of it all. Take me back to autumn or send me into spring. I don't like it here in January!

So this morning I was thinking about all my blah, sort of depressed feelings and a HOPE verse popped into my head from Psalm 42, "Why are you downcast O my soul, why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." I realized I needed to do a little talking to myself and a lot of praising God. Why do I feel downcast? I mean really. Is it the weather, is it the season of life I'm in right now? And does it in any way compare to God and all his glory. Therein should be my hope. No matter how I feel, no matter the outward circumstance, inwardly I have a great hope. And I will praise God.

Thinking about my winter blahs also made me think of one of my most favorite Nichole Nordeman songs, Every Season. If you're not familiar with this song, click on the link and watch this video. It is one of her best. She talks about each season and with each verse echos "You are summer" or "You are winter". Here is the winter verse: "And everything in time and under heaven finally falls asleep. Wrapped in blankets white, all creation shivers underneath. And still I notice you when branches crack and in my breath on frosted glass. Even now in death you open doors for life to enter. You are Winter." Absolutely beautiful, building into a beautiful Spring verse. But the hope that is echoed in saying that God is winter, that he is in the death of winter as well as the life of spring is, well, hopeful. And that is what I need in the middle of January. Hope.

God is here, in the midst of blah. In the midst of death. In the midst of hopelessness. Our ever present creator, creating new life in a season of sleep, hibernation and death. Hallelujah. He does make all things beautiful. Even a winter without snow.

...And so You are recreating me... Summer. Autumn. Winter. Spring....

So I Have a Word for 2009 (and no it's not procrastination)

There are just some days that seem so utterly uneventful that even I, THE boring girl, cannot bring herself to blog about them. That's how I've felt the last several days. Call it the winter blahs, or perhaps the cloudy effects of a sinus infection and the drugs that treat said infection, but I couldn't think of a thing to blog about. Who wants to hear about a boring trip to the doctor, or the afternoon naps or the beauty of my clean bedroom floor (not even a shoe or paper or sock to be found)? So here it is, Tuesday, and I realize that I haven't blogged in almost a week. I've hardly even read any other blogs or done anything worthwhile beyond show up at work, go to church, and play Scrabble blast. See what I mean? Uneventful.

One important thing that has happened is I have my word. Last post I mentioned that I was stealing my friend Kristen's idea about having one word from the Bible to focus on for the year. I think it's such a cool idea. So I thought about it. Maybe I prayed a little too. And one word just popped into my head, kind of hanging out in the background while I went about my boring days. I was wanting some divine revelation but this just quietly sunk into my soul. How appropriate.


Do you want to know what it is?




Do you really?


It's Hope.

I thought about how amazing it was that God gave me that word. It wasn't some inyourface! out of nowhere, bam this is it kind of a word. Hope doesn't get the attention that faith or love do. We've kind of dumbed it down to be a word that is really nothing like Hope actually is. I remember sitting in a small group in college one evening and the leader saying that hope was like being certain that the sun is going to shine. It's that no doubt in your mind kind of certainty. And we use it like a flimsy "I hope it rains today" kind of sentiment. Hope is really huge. An anchor. A strength renewer. It's a catalyst for powerful, life altering faith. Without it we give up, give in, dry up, and die. We need hope. I need hope.

It's a word I've blogged about considerably in one way or another. Hope deferred. Hope for our country. Hope in God. And so in the days, weeks and months to come you'll probably read a lot about it here. What God is showing me, what I learn, what I re-learn, what I don't yet understand.

I have a feeling this year won't be as boring as the first few days of it have been.

Here's hoping.

Exemplify

I've got an announcement to make! (Sits back as thousands, er, a couple, well, maybe one person gives me absolute attention)

Exemplify is up and running. And the new e-zine that goes with it will be going out this coming Monday. This is special for a couple reasons: 1. It's an awesome place where God is glorified. 2. I am writing for it. 3. I hear Kristen promises cupcakes or something like that (but don't hold me to that one). 4. I am writing for it.

So go check it out, sign up to receive this free e-zine, join the blogroll, that sort of thing.

Oh, and in other Kara related news, I have a word for the year. Which I plan to tell you about in another post. And I have a sinus infection. Though it's probably not for a year. At least I hope not. And hopefully I won't be devoting full posts to it either. I think my last post pretty much maxed me out on sickness related post topics for the month.

Anyways.

Go check out exemplify!

So a puke-inducing migraine waylaid my plans to get all organized and efficient a la new years resolution this weekend. I spent the entire day moaning or doped up on phenergan (sp?) from my dad's stash that his doctor prescribed when he was diagnosed with Menieres disease. He also went to the store for me to get Saltine crackers, because when I am nauseated that's the only thing I want to eat. So I had practically a sleeve of Saltine's on Saturday. And everything is still messy and disorganized.

On Sunday I got a little laundry done and I went to see a movie after church. Our pastor talked about fasting yesterday so after service everyone was superhungry, but no one wanted to talk about where they were going to eat. It was funny. I went with my parents to one of their favorite Sunday spots where they could eat from the buffet (nothing says post-fast message like eating at a buffet!) and I could order off the menu.

Now it's Monday and I feel like I'm not ready for the week to start. That's how it goes when you don't have a full productive Saturday when you plan on a full productive Saturday. Normally I love lazy Saturdays, but I was feeling all ambitious coming off of the New Years high. Oh well. Maybe I need to make a new Monday resolution to let things go. Migraines happen.

I'm not much of an Oprah fan, but I must admit I am excited about Best Life week. I feel sorry for her gaining weight with the entire world watching. I don't even like that I'm in no spotlight whatsoever and I gain weight. It isn't easy no matter what life you life. I also love Bob Greene the Best Life Diet guy. I have the book and I think the diet is pretty sound. With healthy eating, weight loss, exercise being one of my many resolutions, I've looked to some of the points of his diet to put into my own plan. I'm one of those weirdos who doesn't go with one particular diet plan. This year especially, I am trying to make it all about lifestyle change, and have been perusing different books and diets trying to find the changes and attitudes that will work best for me over the long haul. I feel like I'm getting too old to keep wasting time not getting healthy and fit. And I don't want to be saying the same thing when I'm 40.

Which brings me to this morning when I hit the snooze instead of getting up and putting on a workout tape. Shame, shame. So now I plan to workout tonight after dinner. I prefer morning workouts, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I am intrigued by my bloggy friend Kristen's word for the year that she and her husband are doing. They each chose one word from the bible that they are going to focus on. Love this idea! So now I have to do this too, because I'm nothing if not a copy cat. I just need to find my word.

On top of all that I am getting a sinus infection. I blame my sniffling sore throat suffering co-workers. And my mom. Who is also a co-worker. What can you do?

Okay, For Reals Ya'll

Okay, so maybe LOST isn't the one thing I'm most excited about in 2009. Maybe one of the most, but I guess it's not the most exciting thing.

Truth is, I love a new year. I love making resolutions, I love starting fresh. Like a blank chalkboard ready to be filled. I've already said that I announced my resolutions at the dinner table on Christmas day. I don't know why no one at the table mentioned that maybe any of those things could be started right away, but nobody did. I'm just one of those people who likes to get myself geared up and join the rest of the wide-eyed hopefuls on New Years day.

This year I have been thinking a lot about how I want to live my life in 2009. There are a lot of things in my life that I just keep screwing up, keep ignoring, keep neglecting. Why do I keep on that hamster wheel? Human nature? Kara nature? Stupidity?

If there is one thing I've realized I need in this last year it's been self-discipline. When I look at every area of my life: health, finances, ministry, work, relationships, even emotions, I see how lacking I am in discipline. I spend too much, I eat too much, I either sleep too much or not enough, I waste time at work, at home, everywhere, I procrastinate on projects. I'm overly sensitive about myself, I'm not sensitive enough of others, I get angry too easily. You get the point.

Discipline and diligence are seriously lacking in me. And when I go over my list of resolutions, many will work out if I am more disciplined. So if you are out there praying for me, you now know something more specific. This girl needs self-discipline, self-control and diligence. In pretty much every area you can think of.


But wait. There's more...


I was talking with someone today and we were discussing resolutions and she went over her list. Like mine, it had some of the same old stuff. Then she said something that caught me off guard. It wasn't the same generic resolutions. She said her main resolution was to love more. Isn't that amazing? Couldn't we all do that? I know I can. I was challenged right then and there to add that to my long list of changes I want to see in me in 2009.

Another resolution I made this year was to praise God daily. I don't know about anyone else, but this worship leader sometimes falls down on the job. But whether it's in the shower, in my bed, on the way to work, working on sales reports, writing on the blog, I want to be mindful to praise Him. Thank Him. Tell Him how wonderful I think He is. Meditate on His wonders, His love, His awesomeness. I cannot imagine the difference this will make in this year.


God blesses me year in and year out. Each year is scattered with small traumas, great joys, wonder, hope, disappointment, hardships, struggles, delights. And I'm learning I can find God in the midst of them all. God is so good to me.

What I'm Looking Forward to the Most in 2009

January 21st, January 21st, January 21st!!!! Yippeeeeeee!!!!

(Can you tell I'm a little excited?)

2008 Year in Review pt. 2

I meant to get this written up last night, but I had more important things to do like watch t.v. and eat junk food. Ahhh, New Years Eve at my house. So here we are...

7. Started this blog. I had been following several blogs for a couple of years, always thinking that one day I would do one myself. I joined Myspace and Facebook and got in touch with some old college friends and one in particular asked me about my writing. It got me thinking about blogging and so here I am. I love it (not that you could tell from my December entries, but oh well) and I have made some great friends too.

8. Wrote and taught a Bible Study series. Something that I always wanted to do and 2008 was the year. I really hope to do more of this in the future.

9. Spent Thanksgiving in Austin. Kind of a milestone for my sister too, since she hosted Thanksgiving for the first time. It was fun to do something different for a change, even if it was 80 degrees both outside and inside my sister's apartment. Good times! And not to mention Black Friday! Woohoo!

10. Enjoyed one of the best Christmases ever with my family. It was great to have my sister here for almost a week, the presents were wonderful, the food was amazing. I always love Christmas.

God was faithful in 2008 and I know He'll be faithful in 2009. It's just what He does. And, as I am reminded year after year, He's really, really good at it.

So I am looking forward with great hope and anticipation for 2009. I pray I grow in wonder, grow in grace, but not in pant size (New Year's resolutions, gotta love 'em!).

Stay tuned!