Forgiveness

This message was in my Facebook inbox:

God put you on my heart this morning. I've been wanting to ask for your forgiveness for years for something I said to you when we were in 4th grade. We were at our desks in Ms. Kavanaugh's class. I don't remember what we were doing or why I was provoked to say this but, I said to you, "At least I'm not black". I remember making you cry and Ms. Kavanagh taking me out into the hall and then making me apologize to you. I have never forgotten that moment and wanted to apologize again after all these years. Please forgive me. In spite of it all, it's so amazing to see after all these years that we are sisters in Christ! Anyways, I trust that the Lord has been good and faithful to you. Praying all is well

God bless!

This was my response:

That was YOU?! No way! I certainly remember that day, but I guess I didn't remember those kind of details. I only remember how I felt being in a new school, having my first experiences with other races, and having my feelings hurt. I forgave you so long ago, even having not remembered who had hurt me. But thanks so much for apologizing. Yes, The Lord has been good and faithful to me my sister in Christ. You have really brightened my day. Blessings.

iPhone Generation

While I was at the Apple Store, I overheard a conversation between a young girl (high school age) and what appeared to be her mother. The girl was in the process of getting an iPhone and said, "in my generation, if you don't have an iPhone, you don't have NOTHIN. I feel like part of society now."

She spoke with such excitement and confidence, as though it was the best day of her life, as though this was a coming of age type of thing. Better than a Sweet 16, better than a Quinceañera, better than a Bat Mitzvah. And she was dead serious. And I was so sad. Only think I could do was pray that she had things in her life that were more important that her phone, like love...and life. 

Make and keep a dentist appointment

If you haven't already, read my 101 in 1001 post. 

I went to the dentist yesterday. She told me I'm too old to have cavities and that I need to drink tap water instead of bottled water (yuck). She also suggested an extensive dental treatment to correct my bone structure before I get too old. The only thing I can think of is being an old woman with an insane underbite. I think I'd rather be a first time mommy with braces. Time will tell.

Here Comes Santa Clause

Has the author of this song confused Santa with the Savior? Have they mistaken Claus with the Christ?

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
Pullin on the reins
Bells are ringin', children singin'
All is merry and bright
Hang your stockings and say your prayers
Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane

He doesn't care if you're rich or poor

He loves you just the same

Santa Claus knows we're all God's children

That makes everything right

So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer

Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane

He'll come around when the chimes ring out

That it's Christmas morn again

Peace on earth will come to all

If we just follow the light

So let's give thanks to the Lord above

That Santa Claus comes tonight!

35. By an iMac

If you haven't already, read my 101 in 1001 post. 

I didn't by an iMac, but I did buy a new Mac, a MacBook Pro with Retina display. I spent more than I wanted to, but it was totally worth it knowing what I'll be able to do. And I'm giving my self a deadline to make the money back so I can buy a camera. I don't know much about film and photography, but I will be learning.

19 - Buy Running Shoes

If you haven't already, read my 101 in 1001 post. 

I went to a runners shop and had a gait analysis done on my feet. Mel, who says he's been running for 40 years and selling running shoes for 30 years, examined my feet, measured them, and gave me a pair of Brooks to try on. He explained to me the engineering of the shoe, describing the quality of its design with much detail.p, and had me do a test run outside the store. Apparently, the arches of my feet roll inward when I run, which explains my unexplained fear of twists and sprains when I run. Anyway, I purchased a pair of running shoes which feel amazing on my feet. I'm excite about putting a lot of miles on em too.

40 - Get a raise

If you haven't already, read my 101 in 1001 post. 

Yep, and I wasn't even expecting it. It's not much but it's more than what I had. And little becomes much when it's placed in the right hands.

In addition to this raise, I've also come to realize that I'm a better worker than I gave myself credit for. There was a meeting a couple weeks ago, and during the meeting, I glanced around the room and realized I was sitting at the table with some really amazing people (as far as work is concerned). Since then, I've had two individual meetings with management and learned that they think more highly of me than I realized. So now I have challenged myself to take all this awesomeness and move it to the next level. 

93 - Buy groceries for an elderly person in line

If you haven't already, read my 101 in 1001 post. 

After giving it some thought, last week I decided that I would spend $50 each week on groceries. Doing so would keep me on a budget, and decrease the amount of food that I throw out from buying too much at one time and having it spoil.

So I went to the grocery store after church this evening and was having a difficult time sticking to my budget. I told myself, "shop as though you only have a $50 bill and cannot go over." Just then, I saw a sale sign. 3 for $10 on the Ice Mountain water that I drink. I hadn't planned on buying water but I was running low on bottles at home. So I convinced myself that $10 over my budget was acceptable seeing as though I wouldn't have to buy water for a couple more weeks. 

By the time I finish shopping, I calculate that I've spent $57 before taxes. Clearly over my budget. At this point I'm thinking $50 a week just won't be enough. I get to the checkout counter and the cashier is ringing me up. Before I know it, he has charged me for my food AND the food of the person behind me, but I insist on paying for it. Guess how much it all cost? $63 and some change. I had planned on spending $50, plus $10 for water, and only spent $3 more than that and was still able to pay for the food of a stranger. She was highly appreciative and very grateful. 

It's nice to be nice. 

101 in 1001 (Take Two)

In July of 2008, I took on a challenge to complete 101 tasks in 1001 days and I failed miserably. But I am encouraged to take another stab at it for a number of reasons. First of all because goals unwritten are merely wishes. Secondly, if successful, this will guarantee 101 new blog posts. I'm excited. So! Here we go.

The Mission: Complete 101 pre-set tasks in 1001 days.

The Criteria: The task must be specific (i.e. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable, or clearly defined; tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e. much represent some king of effort)

Start: 09/25/13

End: (06/22/16)

1. Create a list of 101 wannados (9/29/13)
2. Blog about each wannado
3. Purge my storage before I move again
4. Clean my junk drawer
5. Buy a vacuum cleaner
6. Create a monthly meal plan 
7. Cook meals according to the meal plan
8. Go 14 days without leaving a dish in the sink over night
9. Scan all the pictures in storage (easily over 1,000 pics)
10. Organize all photos in iPhoto
11. Back up photos on external harddrive
12. Don't use the snooze button for a week
13. Clean out my email
14. Create a database for my business
15. Develop my personal website
16. Develop my business website
17. Work out every day for a week 
18. Run a mile in 10 min
19. Buy running shoes (10/11/13)
20. Register for a 5K
21. Complete a 5K for cancer
22. Complete a color run
23. Lose 7lbs
24. Lose additional 7 lbs
25. Lose a total of 21 lbs
26. Wear that bikini i bought years ago and never wore
27. Comfortably wear everything in that one box of clothes that are too small but I refuse to get rid of
28. Repair the shoes in my "shoe bag" that need to be repaired
29. Get rid of any clothes I haven't worn in a year
30. Give away at least 10 pair of shoes
31. Get my passport stamped
32. Celebrate something in Vegas
33. Visit a US city I've never seen
34. Take my kid to Disney World
35. By an iMac (12/13/13)
36. Swim w/ dolphins
37. Jet ski
38. Drive (or at least ride in) a race car
39. Skydive
40. Get a raise (10/01/13)
41. Get a promotion at work
42. Accept the marriage proposal of a godly man
43. Plan my own wedding
44. Marry my best friend
45. Give birth to a healthy baby boy
46. Video-blog my pregnancy
47. Start a family tradition
48. Host a family holiday dinner
49. Complete a family tree for all 4 sides of my family
50. Document it and share it with my family
51. Read 30 books
52. Copywrite the title of my book
53. Develop the outline for my book
54. Collect research for my book
55. Complete a book
56. Publish a book
57. Have a book signing
58. Sell my book on iTunes and Amazon
59. Purchase my book off the shelf and take a picture doing it
60. Credit score goal #1
61. Credit score goal #2
62. Credit score goal #3
63. Have a least one date each month and journal it through pictures
64. Create a picture book using the photos
65. Attend a Bears game
66. Attend a Blackhawks game
67. Attend a Chicago Fire game
68. Attend a Chicago Sky game
69. Be a tourist in my hometown for a weekend
70. Dine at 15 new restaurants
71. Leave at 100% tip
72. Have a romantic kiss under fireworks
73. Buy a camera
74. Take a photography class
75. Take a graphic design class
76. Take a Chicago stepper's dance class
77. Take a beginners ballroom dancing class
78. Buy my dad a Mac with the money I owe him
79. Give my mom a full spa treatment
80. Take my sister on a trip
81. Make and keep a dentist appointment (12/16/13)
82. Build my savings to 3 months salary and never let it drop below that amount
83. Open an investment account
84. Do My parents' Christmas cards
85. Send out my own Christmas cards
86. Go caroling with my family
87. Organize TL Media recordings
88. Organize TL Media documents
89. Get a full spa treatment
90. Pay for the gas of the stranger 
91. Give a gift card to my neighbor across the street
92. Pick up the bill for a family with small children at a restaurant
93. Buy groceries for an elderly person in line (09/29/13)
94. Create a 30 day challenge for IG
95. Complete the 30 day challenge on IG
96. Leave 30 Operation Beautiful notes
97. Test drive a luxury vehicle
98. Write and perform something at an open mic
99. Lay out tomorrow's clothes every night for a month
100. Stay in a 5 star hotel
101. Convince some one else to take on the 101 in 1001 challenge

I Can't Afford To

Several times, at work, I've heard people say things like, "I'm poor, " and "I can't afford to..." And it baffles me that people openly accept and admit that. Not to suggest that anyone should hide or  be ashamed of their financial status, but "my goodness!" is all I can ever think when I hear my colleagues say these things. 

After having given it some thought, I quickly realized that "poor" is a state of mind. I probably can't afford things any more than a number of my colleagues can afford things, but "I can't afford" just aren't words in my vocaulary that string together and make a sentance, because to me, that doesn't make sence! There are plenty of things that I want right now that I don't have the money for...things that are not in my budget, but you'll never hear me say "I can't afford it." Had I said "I can't afford a new car" I never would have known that I CAN afford a new car. 

I have a lot of things that "I can't afford" but the truth of the matter is...only thing I can't afford is to THINK I can't afford things that I want. God supplies all my needs, according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19), so if I don't have it, I don't need it. Not yet at least. And because my God is El Shaddai, more than enough, I know that He will provide me with more than what I need, some extra stuff. On top of all that, I am a faithful tither, and God promises that if I bring all my tithes into the storehouse, He will open to me the windows (plural) of heaven, and pour me out a blessing (singular) that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Multiple windows. One blessing so big I won't have room for it. That means I'll have to share it with some one. I CAN AFFORD THAT!!!