Tag Archives: new year

My #OneWord365 for 2014

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“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as true strength.” When I came across this quote on my Pinterest feed, I knew that I had found my #oneword365 for 2014! I have never done the #oneword365 so I was a little nervous to what my word might be and if I would even hear it. But the other day I kept hearing this voice whispering to me the word “gentle.” And then I came across the quote I just posted…I knew that God had been whispering that word to me. So my #oneword365 for 2014 is the word GENTLE!

I would say that most people who know me might describe me as gentle but the truth is that I am not gentle with myself. Ever since I can remember I have been pretty tough on myself. I don’t always see myself as the most beautiful. I need to remind myself to be gentle with myself. To be gentle when life isn’t turning out the way I want it to. Those of you who regularly read this blog know that I especially am not “gentle” with myself as I wait for my Mr. Right. I am so ready. Yet perhaps by being “gentle” with myself God will bring that lucky guy into my life.

Max Ehrmann once wrote, “Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe. No less than the trees and the stars. In the noisy confusion of life keep peace in your soul.” Yes, I need to be gentle with myself…to be gentle with who I am and who God has created me to be. And by being gentle, I believe God will bring more peace to my soul!

I also feel that I need to fall into being gentle. To be gentle with my words and my actions. There are times when I am not always gentle with those who I love. Sometimes when momma calls and I get a little impatient, I find myself snapping back and then I get mad at myself for snapping at her. I need to remind myself to be gentle with her. And to be gentle with myself because like a good Lutheran, I am both saint and sinner. I am not perfect and will make mistakes!

And perhaps as I fall into this word that God has whispered into my ear and my heart, I will find that strength as well. May your 2014 be full of gentleness as well.

2012 in Review

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2012 has been a great year! It really hasnt been filled with many huge milestones etc. Just the great wonderful every day stuff. Here is a quick little recap…

January-Rang in the New Year with my Dad. Had Prime Rib and shrimp from the local restaurant in my hometown. I know so exciting!

February-My uncle got married!!! Its crazy. He has been single most of his life and now hes married! So happy for them and love her!!

March-A visit from one of my favorite people and her girls on their way back home from visiting family in NE!

April-Celebrated my 6th anniversary as a Diaconal Minister in the ELCA! Going to awedding and spending time with a dear Diaconal sister and WTS friends! Volunteering at an Adoption benefit for a college friend and her family!

May-My colleague went on Sabbatical…a well deserved one! A great Sabbatical pastor filled in and spent the summer serving alongside and with us!

June-Lutheran Academy of the Rockies! LOVE this Continuing Education event! 10 days of wonderfulness. Great time with great friends and meeting new friends. So blessed by LAR and the people it has brought into my life!

July-ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. 6 youth and another adult from the church I serve at. We went with our local Bible camp and it was awesome. We did lots of tourist fun..6 Flags in Missiouri, The Arch, Day on the Beach, National Civil Rights Museum. Wonderful speakers and fun at the Gathering! Finally meeting a wonderful lady who has become one of my BEST friends!

August-Colleague back from Sabbatical, Day Camp/Vacation Bible School, and a little vacation time!

September-My 34th Birthday. And a little trip to visit Mama!

October-WTS fun! Road trip for a seminary friends wedding. I went with one of my best friends from seminary days. It was awesome. So fun to catch up. We even got a little stop in at the Castle which was sooo good for my soul!

November-Jr High Youth Gathering. Receiving the MN Care Providers Community Partnership Award on behalf of DLC. The youth and homes of DLC received this award for their partnership with Serenity Assisted Living and DLC!

December-Advent and Christmas! I love this time of year. Reminds me of the importance of the season. Wonderful family time! Love spending time with my family! Now ready to ring in 2013 and see what the New Year will bring! Whatever the New Year brings, I know God is always there. Hope the New Year brings you, my readers, peace, hope, joy, and love!!

Entering Into A New Year

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Happy 2011 Everyone! I can hardly believe a year has gone by already. Hope things are going well. I’ve been thinking a lot about where I was a year ago at this time. Hard to believe that a week from Wednesday it will be the one year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake and the death of seminarian and friend Ben Larson. (I promise to post again on that date!) It really has me appreciating those relationships in my life. I am so glad to have been blessed by so many wonderful people. Thank you my friends!

The Diaconal Ministry Formation Event is happening now in Gettysburg PA so please pray for all the participants as they embark on this two week journey. I was so blessed by my experience there but also was incredibly blessed by being a small group leader there last January as well. (I’ll say more on this later too!)

Thinking about Haiti, the DMFE, Basin and Towel, Tissue, and String Cheese……(Some of you are probably wondering what the heck I am talking about and others of you totally will appreciate this statement!)

P.S. I’m inspired by a friend (You know who you are!)so I am going to try and post every day too. It probably will be difficult but its worth a shot

A Good Samaritan and a New Year

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So today has been a crazy day. As blizzard one came to an end and before the start of blizzard two, I decided to venture down the block to the local CVS to grab a few items. On my way there, I got stuck! YUCK! Luckily a gentlemen stopped to help me but in the commotion, I locked my keys in the car with my CAR STILL RUNNING AND IN REVERSE!!!! I called the locksmith and waited an hour for him to get there. Luckily the kind man let me wait in his van. Tonight so happy to be back in my nice warm apartment and soooo soooo soooo thankful that there are still Good Samaritans out there. (I was actually shocked by the number of people who stopped to ask me if I needed help!)And so after today, I am glad for a new year to begin!

I can hardly believe that the end of 2010 is coming to a close tonight. Wow…2010 has been a year filled with so many emotions…happiness, sadness, joy, pain, etc. 2010 begin with the earthquake and Haiti and finding out that my friend Renee, her husband Ben, and Ben’s cousin Jonathan were in Haiti during the earthquake. Renee and Jon made it out but Ben was killed during the earthquake. So glad I was with WTS people during this time and also am thankful for the many people who surrounded us during these difficult days. There has not been a day when I haven’t thought of Ben, Renee, Jonathan or their families. Myfriend Sarah was also in Haiti but wasnt in the direct hit of the earthquake. So glad she was safe too! I also got to spend some time with my mom this summer sharing why CCM is one of my favorite places in the world and means the world to me. Life at work was busy and crazy but oh so good….so happy to still be in a place where I feel my gifts are so used there. 2010 also was spent with dealing with the many churches etc who have left the ELCA because of the homosexuality vote. It has been so difficult but I for one am thankful for the gift this vote was for my friends who have long awaited this. So much has happened this past year, but I am ready to put it in the books. I hope that 2011 brings you all happiness, prosperity, peace and joy! I also look forward to seeing what 2011 brings us all…maybe Ill finally meet my Mr. Right!!! 🙂 I am ringing in the New Year in my apartment; probably watching Carson Daly or Ryan Seacrest. Im not venturing out after my adventure this afternoon!Happy New Year to my blog readers and my dear friends!!!!