Prove Me Wrong

I can pinpoint the beginning of the phase almost exactly. May 29, 2012. My first day of Fitwit, one of several things I had written off without more than a glance and a feeling, or perhaps even an educated guess, that it would not work for me. On that day, I accepted the challenge of allowing experience to prove wrong my preconceived notions:

Fitwit
Preconception: I hate exercise. I can't do athletic things. I definitely can't afford Fitwit.
Experience: I love exercise that is structured and fun. I may not be the best at every workout, but when I commit to doing what I can, I will be surprised by and proud of my progress. If I put fitness where it belongs on my list of priorities, it become worth much more than the cost of Fitwit camps.

Megachurch
Preconception: Megachurches are not Biblical churches. Knowing all other church members, especially one's pastor, is essential to the church experience as it was intended by God. People really are okay with watching their preacher on a screen???
Experience: God led me to attend Buckhead Church in spite of my preconceptions. And in spite of my preconceptions, I have fallen in love with it. God can speak as well through a preacher on a screen before thousands as through a teacher face-to-face with a handful. I love being part of a church that my non-Christian friends love to attend with me, and Sunday is once again my favorite day of the week.

Trader Joe's
Preconception: hip grocery store for grocery snobs who will pay more for the same groceries just because they come from a hip grocery store.
Experience: I went to TJ's for the first time a couple of weeks ago and, other than the hip part, was completely proven wrong. I found really interesting products that are not available elsewhere. I still only bought my normal stuff, though. I drove immediately to my normal Kroger with my TJ's receipt and found that I had saved a good chunk of change while also being hip.

Paleo diet
Preconception: There is no way cavemen didn't eat grain and drink milk. Even if this diet is true to the way they ate, I prefer today's life expectancy over the much shorter paleolithic one. And while we are discussing preferences, I always prefer cheese.
Experience: Giving it a shot. Will let you know how it goes. Paleo, prove me wrong!

What made the difference?

This book is so compelling. I read it because it was left on my kindle by Anderson, my friend who had to read the book for school. I am OCD about having to read any book that is purchased on my kindle, so I read this one. I don't regret it.

It is not the most exciting book to read, not exactly a page-turner. But, it will make you think and emote.

The subtitle really tells the story. Two Weses grow up in the same city, almost on the same street, at the same time. But their stories quickly diverge, and one ends up in prison while the other grows up to - among other tremendous accomplishments - deliver a speech ahead of Barak Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

What made the difference?

Maybe a better question is Who made the difference?

What can you and I do to be the difference for the Weses in our lives?
-mo

The stuff nightmares are made of

Foster Updates

Lazarus and Salem were adopted this weekend. (Pictured above with their new moms)

Not counting my most recent batch, now ALL of my foster babies have forever homes. Praise God.

I always pray for them to find homes in which they both give and receive joy and that their lives will always bring glory to their Creator. I am thankful for so many answered prayers!
-mo

doggie in the window

I love this gorgeous dog. He/she is always in this window as I walk Annie and Ginny (dogs I sit) around the neighborhood. The collie gets so excited and jumps around in the window whenever we walk by.

Well done, Aunt Ruth.

My family and I went to my (great) Aunt Ruth's funeral yesterday. It was a small service with mostly family in attendance. But, a couple of things stood out and inspired me:

1- She was described as "a woman who prayed about everything." What an incredible legacy!

and

2- Of the handful of non-family members who attended the service, two introduced themselves. One was her lawyer, and the other was her investment banker. Her lawyer gave the eulogy, and her banker made remarks during the open-floor time. Aunt Ruth and Uncle Don moved around a lot in their lives, and Aunt Ruth's last home was in Florida. So, the fact that few friends were at her funeral in Norcross, GA, is not a huge shock. What is impressive is the obviously positive impact Aunt Ruth had on the people she encountered in her everyday life outside church. Amazing that a woman with such strong faith would have made the most lasting impression not in the church but in the world. What an incredible testimony!

We should love serving God in His church, and we should strive to leave a legacy there. But, if only two people are at your funeral, and if they only have one thing to say about you, I think you will have lived well if your lawyer and your banker are there to say you prayed about everything.

Well done, Aunt Ruth.
-mo

from A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of A Boy Soldier

Rice and okra soup. My favorite African dish. Thankful my meals have never been interrupted by war. Pray for peaceful dinners across the incredible continent of Africa.