Day 5,6, and 7... Night out, workshop, and blog!

In high school they told me there was "no excuse" for tardiness. But now that I'm in the real world (so to speak) I have taken the liberty of taking a 2 day break and making a catch up entry today! If only my teachers knew about this... :)

Okie Dokie, onto the good stuff...

December 5 - Best Night Out. Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?
So this is weird - but in the process of writing several of these blogs, I thought about the topic and my mind immediately jumped to events which happened in 2007. That must have been a great year for me... I should have done this in 2007! But we're in 2009, not 2007, so I'll focus on the task at hand. One of my best nights out was recently - last week, actually. So I turned 26 on December 2 and my incredibly sweet boyfriend, Brian, managed to finagle his work schedule and get off early so that he could take me to dinner! I love date nights in the middle of the week! It was low key and wonderful - I put on one of my favorite dresses, he looked handsome as ever in his green button up shirt. We went to RA sushi (where I learned when NOT to try to share his food, ha!) and then he took me to one of my favorite Houston coffee shops, Agora on Westheimer. The best part - he didn't even want coffee! He just wanted me to have exactly what I wanted on my birthday :) How great is that?! I ended up having some de-lish hot cocoa and then we went to my apartment and joined the roomie and her BF for a riveting episode of So You Think You Can Dance! (Ladies - signs he's a keeper - he will watch your favorite dance competition show on TV with minimal snide remarks!) It was just one of those nights that started and ended well. We were both in remarkable moods, enjoyed each other without being too hard headed about random unnecessary things (if you know either of us, this is a feat, I assure you), and looked smashing whilst doing so :) What more can a girl ask for?!

December 6 - Best Workshop or Conference. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?
Well, I was hoping to write this blog yesterday right after the close of the "Deeper Still" conference in Oklahoma City. I'm just sure it would have been my answer to this question :) Unfortunately, I didn't get to go (my flight was cancelled to due to snow) but I'm trying to reschedule and go to the June conference in Denver! That sounds like a more exciting destination anyways! Other than that, I can't say I necessarily attended a conference or workshop during 2009 other than annual work training, and I'm not about to rehash THAT on my blog! So I'm taking a rain check on the 2009 conference/workshop prompt. I will get back with you in June 2010 after I've finally gotten to go hear Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, and Priscilla Shearer speak in Denver!

December 7 - Blog Find of the Year. That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.

I love when I discover blogs of ordinary people who have seemed to take their everyday lives and turn them into something exciting that people just keep coming back to over and over again! I think deep down, while we LOVE a good celebrity dish fest, what our hearts really love is seeing everyday people, who live ordinary lives, just loving their life. It gives us hope for our own futures and reminds us that we don't have to be famous, or glamorous, or have tons of money to truly love our lives deeply and fully! That's the "vibe" I get when I read the blog of Ree Drummond, the self proclaimed "pioneer woman".

Ree is an inner city girl who met, fell in love with, and married a rancher! Her blog chronicles everyday life on the ranch, her adorable family, and how she has learned to love a life 100% different from the one she'd always imagined for herself! And she's hilarious to boot - offering country recipes, tons of photo's, and her self authored Green acres-meets-harlequin romance love story (the story of how she met her husband - or as she calls him - her "Marlboro man"). Priceless! Check her out for yourself - you'll find hours of entertainment peeking into the life of this ordinary lady!

Her Blog: Confessions of a Pioneer Woman

Day 4 - Best Book

December 4 - What book - fiction or non - touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

The book that has been most influential in my life during 2009 is a book I'm not quite finished with yet (it's been a long process with a few interruptions) - Breaking Free by Beth Moore.

I first heard about the book one Sunday night during church - a guest speaker encouraged everyone to read the book if they felt there was anything in their lives hindering them from finding complete freedom in their relationship with Christ. While I think that criteria pretty much encapsulates 99.9% of the general populous, I had a few specific areas of my life I felt I had not completely surrendered to God. These things were holding me back from finding true enjoyment and rest in my relationship with Christ.

Anyways, long story short, I bought the book and began memorizing the first verses which Beth Moore asks us to memorize - Isaiah 61:1-4. It was here that I discovered my favorite verse of 2009 (I wish that were a blog challenge topic)!

"They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

This verse hit so hard with me because it is such a beautiful picture of the role I want to play in the kingdom of God! I want to be an oak - tall (got that part down), outstretched, and magnificent - a reflection of God and his heart. I want my actions to be righteous and my life to be a display of just how good, and loving, and strong the God I serve is! I just love the idea that my purpose was to glorify God - a life he planted where he needed it FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF showing Himself to his children. An amazing concept - although the implications hit hard. That is a tall order for me and my constant ups and downs. Good thing God is glorified through my righteousness AND through his forgiveness of my many many sins!

Anyways - that was just one thing that I loved about the book. I'm sure I'll find more things as I work on finishing it!

On a slightly different - but still related - note... my flight to Oklahoma City was cancelled today due to (get this) SNOW in Houston! I was on my way to see Beth Moore (the author of this book), Kay Arthur, and Priscilla Shearer at the "Deeper Still" conference in OKC. Bummer! Luckily we were able to transfer our registration to the June concert in Denver :) But YAY for having an unexpected weekend to relax and get caught up of some things!

Oh, and no, I haven't given away multiple copies, but I've suggested others read it multiple times!

Day 3 - Best Article

December 3 - What's an article that you read that blew you away? One that you shared with all your friends...

I have to admit that I’m not much of an “article” reader. I do however LOVE to watch online news stories, documentaries, etc. which is where I found this story. I think it still falls under the journalism umbrella, so I’m calling it good.

I’ll throw out the disclaimer right off the bat – I can’t be for certain I saw this is 2009, but it definitely has had a huge impact on my 2009 – and an impact on countless friends who I’ve force fed the message too! At some point either in 2009, or shortly before, I was introduced to the following little research study:

The Lemon in your Drink Study

Just go ahead and watch it – you’ll never ever be able to drink a glass of iced tea with lemon without images of… well you’ll see…

For those far too important to be taking 1:38 of your day to watch the news segment above, I’ll give you the highlight reel:

• Researchers tested the lemons found on drinks in 21 different restaurants.
• 77%, or 2 out of 3 lemons tested were crawling with disease causing bacteria including the germs that cause Staph infections and my personal favorite… FECAL MATTER.
• All in all, researchers identified 25 different microorganisms living on the rind and flesh of these fruit wedges.

All I’m saying is – think twice before tossing your beloved lemon into your iced tea. Unless of course eating poo is your thing, in which case, please knock yourself out.

You think it won’t bother you – but just wait until next time you're out and staring at that little yellow cess pool of germies perched so festively on the side of your drink. Your heart will scream yes – but your mind isn’t going to let you do it. Just wait and see. Now if only I could get you all to stop eating veal… :)

Cheers!

Day 2 - Best Restaurant Experience

Day 2 - Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?

My favorite restaurant experience of 2009 was in September when we celebrated my Dad's 60th birthday at Rudi Lechner's. I'm not normally a big fan of German food, but my dad sure is - so we wanted to go someplace he would really enjoy. If you are in the market for some really good German food, an authentic German atmosphere (down to the waitresses dresses), and live German polka music (every Wednesday through Saturday night) - this place is for you! We had such a blast!

Several things made this restaurant amazing - but the biggest thing was seeing how much my dad enjoyed my pick! It's always a great feeling when you do your research and try to find the perfect spot - and then the person you take there absolutely loves it! The taste that sticks out most in my mind was the cheesy spaetzle. It's like German Macaroni, but made with potatoes - I could have eaten that alone and been satisfied! But to add to it - the yummiest sauerkraut and red cabbage you've ever tried!

And finally, to top it all off, I got a blue balloon to match the uncontrollably cute blue dress I wore :) Need I say more??

Day 1 - Best Trip of 2009

So I saw this on Jessica's blog (see Coffee and Blue Jeans link to the right...) and absolutely loved the idea! An (I'm assuming) pretty popular blogger named Gwen Bell proposed that everyone do 30 days worth of blogs related to certain topics she outlines... I think it's a great way to make sure we end 2009 really appreciative of all the blessings is offered... so I am joining that bandwagon!

December 1 - What was your best trip in 2009?

In May of 2009 I traveled to India for 2 weeks with Raju Samuel and several other amazing Christian men and women from Galveston/Texas City. This trip was "the best of 2009" for so many reasons. For anyone who knows Raju, he is truly the most shining example of a servant of Christ. In addition to founding and directing Mission Galveston (the local homeless ministry in Galveston), Raju owns 3 orphanages and an adult Christian counselling center in his hometown of Kottayam, India. If you ever doubt the power of prayer, spend 1 day with Raju and see what kind of mountains God moves when Raju prays. It will absolutely take your breath away. Raju asked me to join him and several other adults on a two week trip to lead a children's Bible camp for his orphanages, as well as several other local orphanages in southern India. Not fully knowing what I was getting into - I signed up, bought my plane ticket, and sailed across the world. I had the opportunity to teach 13 year old girls all about the fruits of the spirit and God's love for them (with the help of a translator - so intimidating!!) I remember at one point in the trip I walked by myself to the backside of the campground meditation chapel and just sat - I looked out over the rolling hills, the palm trees, the little huts with their smoke stacks, and just prayed out loud to God. He was there. I'm not sure there are many times I've felt that physically close to God. God is doing amazing things in India - his people are hearing His name and believing the truth. Their hearts are so ready to trust and so thirsty for knowledge. It really changed my world. I want so badly to be where God is working! I know he is working here in America as well - but there was just something different about India. Something powerful and indescribable. For the first time in their lives, 51 children and teenagers believed that nothing they could do would ever be good enough to get them into Heaven... but they had joy and peace because they knew and believed that Jesus had come and paid the price for their sins, they were justified. God was glorified and lives were changed - kids found a deeper peace and joy than they ever knew could exist, and I received some strong assurance of my life purpose from God. It's God's world - and it is my job to share Him with them. Amen!

The scoop...

So here I am on the other side of another quarter review! I made it through yet another 2 weeks of crazy, and am still happy to be an accountant in this industry. In some ways, this was my best quarter yet, but in other ways, this quarter was especially tough. At one point this week I looked around my desk and started laughing... then I took a few pics, courtesy of the always awesome palm pre so that I could share my amusement :)

That is a build up of 4 caffeine sources, only one of which has zero calories, some always loved Aveeno hand cream (thanks for getting me hooked Karen!), and my new best friend - the white out. Don't think I haven't whited out a coffee stain on a workpaper before. (No worries, Lisa, there are no hidden coffee stains this quarter!)

Because we can't throw things away, and a walk to the shred bin would require too much energy, the floor around my desk has become a resting place for superceded and no longer loved workpapers. Pardon the blatant view into my purse! I just keep it right there so I can get to the quarters as quickly as possible when my coke addition suddenly hits me full force!

Just a few tools of the trade... sometimes I use them to do work. Other times I hurl them at Casey when he starts flinging rubber bands and my head. I have to keep the ammo readily accessible.

Well - around 2 pm yesterday we finally got another 10-Q filed, and I got to finish my week without work on the mind! How did I celebrate? I went and watched my favorite boy knock the crap out of some softballs in Missouri City! Kristin and Patrick joined in the fun this week... Kristin made cocoa krispy treats for the team! She's already a better "team mom" than me :)

Well I have a ridiculous amount of laundry to do - so I'm checking out for now!

xoxo - Cher

One step closer to figuring it all out...

Goodmorning! Goodmorning! Goodmorning!

First of all, a fun video to capture the audience: this was a fun moment from my recent trip to India... I'm currently making a real "trip" video (it's started but not done, so just hang tight - it will be coming soon!!) and this is just a sneak peek into the awesomeness. Forgive the unflattering opening shot!!

Okay onto the blog. It's Sunday morning (okay - it's 11:19, but it is still technically morning!) and life is good. I slept in this morning (I'll be at night church) and woke up to a quiet apartment and hot coffee ALREADY MADE! Just one of the million reasons I love my roomate - she always makes coffee in the morning and it's just "ready" when I roll out of bed :) I was catching up on friends blogs and remembered something I had been meaning to share, but just hadn't slowed down enough to actually write over the past month.

As every year passes, I learn more and more about myself - about what I know, about what I thought I knew that I actually don't, and about what things I want to make a point to learn in the near future. This year a big area of "question" and searching has revolved around prayer - it's purpose, it's functionality, it's mechanics. There are certain Christian "disciplines" that every Christian knows should be one of the "biggies" to always rely on. I'm talking about reading your Bible, praying, going to Church, and serving others. 1, 3, and 4 make a great deal of sense to me. But because of my logical (accountant!) personality - 2 has always been a very real struggle for me. I solve problems using logic, and logic to me is "cause and effect." When I do A, B will happen. When I read my Bible, I understand God's will for my life. When I go to Church, I will build a fellowship of likeminded believers to invest in. When I go on a mission trip and speak the gospel, people will understand what God has done for them and believe and be saved. But prayer - it goes like this - "When I pray, I will talk/think what's on my heart then I will just sit there and hope it did some good. Hope that God will miraculously do something out of my control to rectify whatever situation was on my heart this time around." It's like a big A with without a B. Because of this I have struggled to no end with the desire and drive to pray. I always feel like I'd rather get off my bum and go DO something that will make a difference. Talking to air just doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere.

BUT (and there's a big but) the Bible is SO adament about the power of prayer and it's integral purpose in God's plan. So where does that leave me? Should I just pray anyways even if I don't understand why? I don't think so. So I went on a "journey" to understand prayer and I want to share specifically what I discovered, and why prayer actually DOES "make sense".

So I'll try to keep it fairly brief, but here's the skinny: You've more than likely heard of the several "types" of prayers... Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Intercessory. Adoration, we're good on. Confession, more than good on. Thanksgiving, love it. I narrowed it down and realized it was intercessory that was tripping me up. How can my prayer inspire God's action? This raises several questions/red flags:

• If I pray, does God change his mind? Does God say, "Well, I was going to let Bobby Sue wreck her life, but since Cher prayed and asked me to intervene, I'm going to guide Bobby Sue in the right direction instead. Good thing Cher remembered to pray - that was a close one!"


• How does "free will" factor into this? If Bobby Sue is actively running AWAY from God, is God going to do anything for her just because Cheryl wants Him to? Doesn't God grant Bobby Sue the right to free will?


• Basically - Does God NEED my prayers? That seems to really belittle Him and his power. But then again, if he does'nt NEED me, why the HECK do I need to sit still and actually take the time to ASK God for these things?

But after much frustration and deliberation, it hit me. I am such a HUMAN! I think of everything in a cause/effect paradigm. God on the other hand, lives outside of that paradigm. For example, I have never doubted the value of going out and actively sharing the Gospel with a lost world. But I've also always believed that God doesn't NEED me to spread the Gospel - I am simply the tool he is using to get the job done. Because this involved me being active and "doing work" I didn't question it. But wait - isn't our prayer life the same way!? God doesn't NEED me to make a difference in Bobby Sue's life, but my prayer is the tool he has chosen to use to get there. Much like missions work, it is my privilidge to simply be a part of the work God is doing. In God's "world" he could do anything he wants, anytime he wants - he is omnipotent. But he has graciously chosen to allow me to participate, to offer my tools and time, to assist. Prayers, sharing the Gospel with a lost friend, it's all one in the same. It's God working under the hood, and me passing him a screwdriver. He could just breathe and make it happen, but instead he let me be a part of it - like a girl eager to help her dad out in the garage.

So my logic got me there afterall :) Anyways, I realize now the purpose of prayer and the impact it has not only on me spiritually (which I always could appreciate) but also on how it affects those around me. My prayers DO make a difference, because God uses them - whether he needs to or not!

Love y'all so much. It's thundering right now so I think I'm going to go sit on my porch for a while and just enjoy the mess outside. I'm glad I took the time to write this morning - I miss blogging!! p.s. Isn't my new layout awesome?? I fell in love with it when I saw it!

xoxo - Cher

Yesterday...

So yesterday was July 4 - and in all the chaos and fun I forgot the reason that July 4 is such an incredible holiday, not only for our nation, but for me... July 4, 1996 was the day I gave my life to the Lord and began the amazing journey to where I am today! I still remember that feeling of finally letting go and choosing to trust... it was like a huge burden was just lifted off of my back. I can't imagine life without this hope I have! And how great is it that July 4 is the day I can celebrate my freedom as an American AND my freedom as a child of God?! So sweet!

Think about it...

Guess what. Tomorrow is Saturday. And I'm working.

Thank you Jesus that I have a job :)

But in all seriousness... I am so thankful God provided me with an education that allows me to actually have a job in these crazy economic times. I am truly blessed. If that means working a couple months of Saturdays - I'll be the first to volunteer :)

I have a three New Years Resolutions... feel free to call me out on them. In fact I hope you will.

1. Do at least 2 loads of laundry a week (laundry is my nemesis!)
2. Get to work by 8 am, as often as possible.
3. Make a conscious effort not to complain as much as I used to.

Number 3 is the real challenge here, obviously. I've decided that when I list out the things I typically complain about, those are the exact things for which I SHOULD count myself most blessed. Just mull that one over for a while.

Anyways - in an effort to learn something new every day, here are a few interesting, albeit random, facts I picked up along the way today...

- Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's was adopted, and was a huge advocate of adoption - even starting his own foundation. Thomas also worked for KFC in his early career, turning the business around and can possibly be credited with their long term success. Hmm. Never knew Dave was such a revolutionary.

- All US Circuit City stores are going out of business. The company filed chapter 11 bankruptcy, and attempted to reorganize, but have been left with no choice but liquidation. The bad news: 34,000 people are losing their jobs, and we'll no longer be able to buy great electronics online and go straight to the store to pick them up (this is where I have bought all my cameras.) The good news: Massive Liquidation sales start tomorrow - now's the time to get in and see what you can grab... especially if you have a gift card you need to use.