back to work

After a full month off, I went back to work last week. My job is wonderful, but all-consuming. I love that I get to be in the lives of amazing high school kids, and shower them with the love of Jesus. I love that I get to set volunteer leaders up for success in ministry. My hope is that as I go back to work I will be able to find a balance between work and home life that is healthy. The problem is that in ministry there is always something else to be done, and a lot of guilt comes with choosing yourself or family over work. My prayer for myself is that I learn to balance this, to say no at the right times and yes at the right times. After 7.5 years on full time Young Life staff, it is time to balance.

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
1 Thess. 2:8

obsessions

I heart these lockets and would love to get one as a gift. Let's hope Jed reads this before Valentine's Day. :) This is why Etsy is dangerous. Which one do you like the best?

health care and marie antoinette

Jed and I are blessed to have jobs that provide AND pay for our heath insurance, so one might assume that I have no dog in the heath care fight. This is not the case. Health care was one of my most important issues in the last presidential election, and I have been more than frustrated by the debate that has raged over the past year. I feel very strongly that everyone should have access to affordable heath care, and that insurance companies should be regulated and restricted so that they cannot monopolize markets and deny coverage that has been paid for. This is not revolutionary, but is far from reality. I have friends who are both gainfully employed yet cannot afford health insurance for their family because their jobs do not provide it. This should not happen in America. I am amazed by people who bash Medicare and Medicaid, yet are dependent on it. I have seen both work for people, my grandparents and other friends. They are not perfect systems, but they are better than nothing. Ignorant yelling and sign waving solves nothing. Sell out legislation solves nothing. I am so sick of fear tactics stopping reform. We need health care reform! I don't know that anyone can argue with that. Opinions differ greatly on what that reform should be, but if people are honest, they know we need reform. Here is a great quote from my friend Sarah's blog. She sums up some of my frustrations.

"Last night on Twitter, I saw more than a couple of people who currently have government-run health care (be it through the military or Medicare/caid) claiming that they hate the health care they currently have, and that’s why they oppose health care reform. Beyond the fact that for every person you find hating on the VA or Medicare/caid, you could find 3 who love the care they receive from those programs, it strikes me something like this: they have cake. They’re sitting there chowing down on cake, and there are people with no cake all around them. The people with no cake ask for some cake, they want some too. Oh no, say the cake eaters, this cake is terrible! It would be so much better if it were chocolate! You’re better off with no cake! And then the people with no cake cry, BUT ALL WE WANT IS SOME CAKE! CAKE IS BETTER THAN NO CAKE AT ALL!" - erniebufflo.blogspot.com

haiti

This is a video from my friend Liz, with a way to get involved with relief efforts in Haiti. She has spent a lot of time there, and has been directly involved with this orphanage.

obsessions

the duggars and say yes to the dress... who could ask for more?

mountains

I have been enjoying a sabbatical from my job for the past few weeks, and it has been glorious. I love my job on most days, but it has been amazing to have a break. My goals during sabbatical are to read my bible and exercise daily. I have accomplished this for the most part, and have loved not being on a schedule.
This weekend I am flying to Asheville, my former home, to get away and spend time with friends. I am so excited!!! I have only been back once since we moved to Dallas, and it was a very rushed trip. This time I will get to relax and have quality time with people, and see the mountains I love so much.
My hope is that I will come back refreshed and renewed.

grace

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Timothy 1:15-17