Back to the Grind

We've been without internet at the house for the past few days. Not sure why and am not going to think too hard about it. It's back.

The past three days have been fruitful at work. There was another project I'd been working on the past couple of weeks, but it took a backseat to the website push. Since the return from the holiday break, I've again turned my attention towards it. It's made the last few days seem like a blink.

I was walking home from Leadership Group tonight and saw my neighbor, Randy, putting out his trash can. Began to wonder why he was going that- it's only Tuesday. He has two more days. Do you know that I walked another block, greeted my roommates and made my way upstairs before it clicked that tomorrow is Thursday?

Scary.

We've started a new unit in our Leadership Group (LG as I'll lazily refer to it). We're studying Team Leadership, which is an appropriate follow up to the first unit: Leading Self.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the first unit and was skeptical. As I sat on the couch tonight and listened to the director, I decided that I should be documenting more of my thoughts as we go through the units. Some points that I took from our first unit:

• We're each created with our own leadership skills, whether we recognize those skills in ourselves or not. I learned to recognize some things within myself... some passions and ways that make me tick.
• It's good to surround yourself with peers, a "sounding board" if you will. We talked of leaders in history who often had a small group of friends that helped make things happen. Usually behind every great leader is a peer group that helped drive (encourage) him. Along this same thought, we talked of the importance of Christian peers in the same profession coming together and growing from one another.
• One should take time to mentor the spirit. Leadership also comes from self-reflection. What are you doing that's working? What can you improve upon? Take the time to rejuvinate yourself and get away from everyone.
• Emotional Intelligence- it takes more than skills to get a task done. It takes a relational factor. What drives you? What's your motivation? How can you motivate people around you and stir them towards a common goal? The strongest and most respected leaders are the ones who can motivate others around them and bring them together for a common good.
• We each have spiritual gifts. This is told to us in Scripture. We each took a Spiritual Gifts Test and mine is Service. I'm learning to look for the gifts in others. We naturally fill more fulfilled when we are doing what we're wired to do.

So, anyways. Those are just a few things I learned (and felt like writing). I'm gleaning quite a bit- pieces here and there. Am really looking forward to May when the final puzzle is complete.

We've started talking about our Leadership Project. It's something that we'll begin soon and we started talking and brainstorming about it this evening. More details will come...

I led devotions in our staff meeting on Tuesday morning. Each staff meeting has about 20-30 people in it. Was admittedly a little nervous about it. Leading is completely voluntary, I just never had the nerve to do it. I read Psalm 33. I think it's a good reminder that our God is powerful and holy. And artistic. I mean... He breathed the stars and bottled the deep seas (vs. 6,7). He is a God of action and purpose. Everything is seen by him. Love and hope are his offerings. He is a God of detail.

That means I don't have to be consumed by worry or fret over details (something I have to sometimes remind myself). God's plans stand firm and he watches over everyone. He is big enough to breath the stars, but cares enough about me to watch my daily comings and goings.

Wow.

Better. Thanks.

After a great evening at the Pregnancy Center, productive work days, a great night at my Fellows Group, and encouraging words (from you guys and others)... I'm feeling a bit better now.

Thanks for all the encouragement.

I'm heading to bed soon. Might even make it before midnight! I think I need a good night's sleep too.

I'll be working late tomorrow. We're getting ready to launch a new CCCU website (look for it in two weeks!) and it's requiring many extra hours of content migration. I'm a small part of the team, but plan on staying until pretty late tomorrow to help.

This weekend, my Fellows group has our second retreat. We're staying in DC, but will be at a house most of the weekend. We'll be diving into "Leading Teams" by talking about that and incorporating team building exercises. I've heard whispers of a scavenger hunt around the city.

I'm looking forward to the busy weekend and getting out of the house, but also bonding more with my Fellows group.

Also, am looking forward to Thanksgiving and HOME.

A Case of the "Blahs"

I tried to describe to Kat what I'd been feeling lately.

"I didn't go anywhere or do anything because I didn't want to. Then, I sat at home wishing I was doing something. But not really. I don't know if I'm homesick or tired. I'm depressed. But, not depressed, depressed like clinically. Just... ugh. Bored? That's not the right word either. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Yeah," she sighed, feeling my pain and understanding it. "Shara and I call that 'the blahs.'"

So, I've got a case of those. And they're being pretty persistent.

I've felt anxious, but I don't know why. I haven't been doing as much stuff lately. Also, haven't hung out with many friends lately (besides the roomies). Maybe that's why. I don't know.

Also, am feeling ready to leave DC.

Still, feel like I'm supposed to be here for now. However, some days I feel it's more of a sticky situation than a choice.

Am I homesick? Love sick? Or just sick of who knows what...?

Robby is debating a job in NYC. Drew has informed me that Morocco is likely his next move and that move is probably in January. Emily seems to be looking to get out of Dodge too.

Seems like we just went through this roomy process. Ugh. The idea of finding new roommates again sucks. It just does. I'm sick of the drama and the instability.

The holidays can't get here fast enough.

Some Serious Thoughts on Marriage

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids):

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. -- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age b e cause you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. -- Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich.-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. - - Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. - - Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.-- Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? -- Kelvin, age 8

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck. -- Ricky, age 10

Some new stuff

I'm kind of embarrassed at my number of postings (or lack of) lately. I've been kind of busy, but not busy enough to use it as an excuse.

I just returned from a weekend in NC. Most of the weekend was spent jumping from here to there, but it was fun. We celebrated Mike's birthday. He's 27! I'm dating an (slightly) older man.

My time at home seemed to pass more quickly than normal. Mike pointed out to me last night that it was the first weekend in a while that I hadn't made a full three-day event. I guess I was getting used to being spoiled by three-day long weekends in NC. The average weekend hours aren't enough!

I enjoyed some quality (be it brief in quantity) time with the family. When I wasn't with my own, it seemed like I was with Mike's. His family all got together on Saturday night for his bday party. We had a delicious meal (apps: salad, broccoli salad, and shrimp bisque; entree: corn, peas, homemade bread, and flank steak; dessert: homemade cake (and icing!) with ice cream) and then Mike opened his presents. He got a lot of decorations for his master bath and some other house items.

On Sunday, his parents, mine, and the two of us all did lunch together for the first time since Mike and I have been dating. It was great! I'd been anticipating the moment for a while and was excited that it finally happened.

I got to spend some more family time in Winston before heading to Mike's in GSO for a bit. We decorated his bath, he changed my car's oil, we played with the chickens, AND chatted (all within a little under two hours) before I hit the road again for DC. I'm looking forward to 40 minute car rides between our homes versus the 5.5 hours. So is he.

In other news: I went to the eye doctor on Friday to be "checked and cleared" for eye surgery in January. I got two thumbs up from them. My eyes are super healthy (thank God) and could handle the laser surgery and implantable lenses. While I was there, I learned some more about the procedure and possible risks, many of which are undetermined since it's a relatively new procedure. However, the risks I did hear made me concerned.

I'm leaning towards waiting on getting my eyes done. Their longest patient outcome is only two years running and I'd like a little longer results than that. Also, I think there are some things that could be improved upon with a couple more years of experience and testing. So, while my decision isn't final, I'm more than 50% sure that I'll wait on this.