7 in Seven Challenge Progress

It’s been two and half weeks since I set myself up for my 7 in seven challenge. I’m happy to report that 2 things are done! Thanks to a long trip to Utah, I was able to read a book…an entire book!! I haven’t sat down to read like I used to since I moved back to Georgia…turns out I keep myself really busy. I read the most recent book in my favorite culinary book series by Josi Kilpack, Banana Split. This was also the first book I read on my iPod. I still like holding a real book in my hand when I read, but it was a great alternative and major space saver while traveling.

The second thing was a scavenger. My sister-in-law and I put together a scavenger hunt for the kids on Friday while they were here visiting. We were so excited about it, and would you believe they didn’t enjoy it?!? We were way more into it than they were. But in their defense, the heat index yesterday was between 110 and 115 and it was full sun. Still a little disappointed, but I’m totally crossing it off the list. J

Five things to go…4 weeks to do it!

A New Blog

Don't worry, it's not going to be more of me rambling. :) I've decided to create a blog for Lori's weekly emails. We've had several people express interest in reading them and I don't want to miss anyone by doing emails. I am making it private, mostly because she doesn't know I'm doing this and I'm not sure if she'd want the entire world to have access to it. So, if you'd like to keep up with her while she's away for 17 more months (!!), please send me your email address and I'd be more than happy to add you to the list!

Conversations

It's been a busy couple of weeks; so much has happened!! When I came back from vacation I found out that my boss had been looking for my replacement and the next day they extended an offer. In the middle of all of that, I received a call from a recruiter for a job here in town and just over a week ago they extended a job offer. And, on top of all of that, I had to go to Utah to train my replacement. So here I am, back in town and kind of starting my life all over again and I'm really excited. Things really do all turn out for the best in the long run...and sometimes the short one.

While I've been traveling I've had a LOT of time to myself. Several lay overs, a couple of quiet nights alone in the hotel, and long rides in the car. I've had time to really look at my life and appreciate all of the good things I have and that have happened to me, specifically since the beginning of the year. On this trip I recommitted to myself to be better, to live worthy of all that I've been given.

Last night I couldn't sleep. You'd think after only getting an hour and half of sleep the night before that sleep would come easy, but at midnight I was still lying in bed, wide awake. I opened the Mormon channel on my iPod and found the Conversations sections. I've listened to several before and have loved them! Last night I listed to the one featuring Elder L. Tom Perry and his wife, Barbara. It was exactly what I needed. It didn't really help me sleep - I finished the entire episode and then read some of a book, but inspired me and gave me much needed inspiration. If you have a few minutes (or several), I highly recommend this!

http://mormonchannel.org/conversations/4

7 in Seven

Today was a bad day...end of story. It started out great and then at lunch time it took a dive and went into a tailspin. By about 5 pm I was ready to hit something. Tonight I decided to use my frustration to my advantage as a motivator.

So (drum roll please), I give you the 7 in Seven Challenge. There are seven weeks of summer left (my definition of summer is that it ends with August) and I've compiled a list of things that I want to do between now and then. Wish me luck. Even better...do it with me (the scavenger hunt will be a LOT more fun with...well, anyone more than just myself!!).

1.       Be a tourist in Savannah

2.       Make French croissants

3.       Make/Go on a Scavenger Hunt

4.       Send a care package to my missionaries

5.       Make a useful craft…no frilly stuff to stick on a shelf!

6.       Read at least one book

7.       Index 1,000 names

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One Hot Afternoon

When we came home from church yesterday, Dad told us he had just let Paco in - he had been outside for over an hour in the heat. Poor little guy was so hot and miserable. We made sure he drank some water, but I still felt bad for him, so I grabbed a popsicle from the freezer and let him lick away. 

I love his orange tongue (sorry its upside down - it refuses to cooperate and I'm not in the mood to fight it). The only thing I wish I had done differently would have been to have given him a blue one.

The Parable of the Puzzle

I heard one of the best talks in church today. They were all really wonderful and inspired, but one in particular hit me.

Before church, each person in the congregation was given a piece of a jigsaw puzzle. When Brother Jones spoke, he asked everyone to look at their puzzle pieces to see if anyone was able to guess what the picture was of. Out of a 500 piece puzzle, you can imagine that with only one piece it couldn't be done. He brought out a couple ideas related to the puzzle.

First, you can have most of the pieces of the puzzle and can get an idea, or see most of, the picture, but it's not complete. He related it to the ward - we can have most of the people and the ward gets along, but we need everyone to make it complete and for it to function completely.

Second, each piece of the puzzle is different. Some are different shapes, sizes, and colors, but each one is an important part. The same with people...we are all different; different fingerprints, different DNA, etc., but we are each important to the Lord's church. We need each and every person.

I love doing puzzles. Every year I try to do at least one really big one. There is nothing more frustrating than to get the end of a huge puzzle only to find out that you are missing one or more pieces. Imagine the ward you are in...do you have all of your pieces accounted for? Who is missing? Let's find the missing pieces and make sure that we have a complete picture.

The Cure

Another perusal of Pinterest yielded the cure to my blues...

Sounds like I'm in need of a funny movie and a comfortable bed. Yep...that's the plan. :)