Get in shape at home!

I don't know if this is bad blog etiquette but I'm posting stuff for sale :)

We need to turn the office/work-out room into a nursery.

This equipment is in excellent condition. Both retail at around $1500 each.
We are selling a Body Solid home gym and a Vision Fitness elliptical (x6000DA), for $350 each. You can buy both for $650 total.

You can come over and test them out to see if you are interested.

favorite from last year

I took this picture last year to remind me of the hope of Spring.
We've received a lot of bad news and have been experiencing sorrow for different friends this past week. I found myself despairing that tradegy is around every corner and I began to get scared out how to face life with this knowledge.
But, I take refuge in God and His 100% goodness. I know that He is my only treasure and that I can rest in knowing nothing can separate me from Him.

Lenten Season

I wasn't raised in a church that observed Lent. So, my dad was puzzled when I told him that I was giving up sweets for Lent about 5 years ago. So, even though Lent isn't part of my religious tradition growing up, I think it's an awesome way to purposefully reflect, start new habits of spending time with God, and a great way to prepare my heart to celebrate Easter.
I used to try and experience Easter in one day. It's hard to process Christ's life, death and resurrection all in one church service. And, it had to be all done in the church service because when we get home we dive into the ham, desserts, and fun children's games....no time for quiet reflection :)
Doug and I have also made it a habit to observe Good Friday by either hosting a Good Friday remembrance dinner or getting together with friends to reflect.
All these purposeful things have made this time of year something to look forward to.
This year I've decided that I'm not giving up sweets, but I'm going to join some others doing a synchroblog while following a Lenten guide. So, I'll be doing some posts re: this study. Check out the guide and see if you want to do it too.

Trying to Pray

I don't know if you can identify with this scenerio. We are getting ready for church on Sunday morning and I'm shouting out orders and getting very frustrated with that lack of adherence. We are 5 minutes past the time we should be out of the house and now we are very stressed. The kids are whining in the back seat all the way to church..."put on music!" they demand..."why don't we have cable?" they inquire..."you are mean parents!" they surmise. We hurry to check them into their childcare rooms, rush to find a seat, then throw up our hands to join in the worship.
I find it hard to pray on days like today. I'm tired and mad from having my kids talk to me rudely and totally refuse to obey. I'm embarassed from having Maegan sass me in front of everyone at school and hit me. So, I'm throwing up my hands...but not to worship. Right now is my time to read and spend some time with God, but I'm so frustrated with my attitude that I'm having a hard time doing it. I know it's when I need to pray the most but it seems like all I can say is, "I'm sorry. God, please help me do better!" It's hard to approach God when I feel like filthy rags, but thankfully He already knows this and loves me anyhow.
I better start praying in the morning before I've had a chance to open my mouth.

Great Opportunity to Get Involved in Community Affairs

Sunday, January 25, 2009

It’s Time to Support the Change We Need

1pm-5pm, Martin Luther King Center at 40th Street & Illinois Street

The MLK Center would like to invite you to join in the world-wide anticipation of a new and exciting direction for America and the world.

Come join in an introductory conversation about the future, celebrate at an Issues-Oriented Open House. Our votes sent the message that we all know things can be done better, and President Obama will be relying on us to overcome resistance to the changes we know we need.

In addition to celebrating and reuniting with grassroots friends, you will have the opportunity to learn more about a few of the issues that we can impact locally. There will be dedicated areas for discussion on:

Energy and the Environment

Jobs and the Economy

Health Care

Education

Military Families

Local Politics

Discussion groups on the above topics will be held in 45-minute sessions beginning shortly after the top of each hour. Discussions will be enhanced by thought leaders and agencies that provide volunteer opportunities. Plan to spend enough time to participate in more than one issue discussion. There will be activities for children as well. Space is limited, so please sign up soon. And indicate in the “Comments” section the issue discussions in which you would like to participate.

While admission is free, a donation of your choosing will be accepted to offset the cost of the event. You may also choose to bring any non-perishable canned or boxed items to the Martin Luther King Center to help stock their food bank.

We also invite you to visit www.greaterindianpolisforchange.org and add your name to the database of Greater Indianapolis for Change, an organization emerging out of the grassroots volunteer efforts to elect Barack Obama President. By signing up, you will be part of a network of activists dedicated to serving their community, people who share passions and motivations, and you will be linked in with leaders who can assist in realizing those common goals. Take a look at who we are and who we are becoming. And please take the time to indicate the issues you find the most critical and the most personally compelling

We're Back!

We had a wonderful 2 weeks in Florida. I have to say 2 weeks is brilliant! It really allows you to get into vacation mode and just relax.
We mostly went to the beach, swam in the pool, and watched HGTV at night. We don't have cable at home so this is a treat! We did a little putt putt, which isn't that fun with a toddler...but nice anyways.
Reading is a highlight for me each year. This year I finished Blue Like Jazz and Not For Sale (which deserves it's own post), and I also read Kite Runner. Yes, Kite Runner is a good book, but it seems wierd to call it good because it tears your heart out and puts your emotions through anguish.
Here are a few of the hundreds of pictures we took :)

retreat

Doug and I are leaving Saturday for our annual trip to Florida. Even though it's a family trip (read: the lovliness of crazy kids) we somehow get very refreshed. We come home spiritually and physically refreshed and inspired. We spend a lot of time reading books and talking about what God is teaching us. I usually come home with new inspiration and fresh purpose.
I guess you could say I've been preparing by reading Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz." The author was challenged by a friend with the question, "what/who are you willing to die for?" The question was followed with, "what/who are you willing to live for?" His friend suggested that living for something/someone is more difficult than dying for something/something. After some thought, I agreed. Then I thought about, if looking at my life what/who would I say I'm currently living for? These are good questions to ask and on which to reflect. It's easy for me to say I'll die for Christ, others, a good cause. But, when I think about living it out day to day I makes me think of all of myself I really need to forsake, and that stings. I like making myself happy (or at least trying), and I like people to like me while I'm at it :)
(and yeah, the picture is meant to be ironic...I'm reading Joel Vestal's "Dangerous Faith")