July 4th

Today, as we celebrate Independence Day, I would like to share a few of the things I am thankful for:

* I am so very thankful for the men and women that fight to keep us safe. They give up so much so that we can have so much!

* I am thankful for the freedom of religion.

* I am thankful for the freedom to speak my mind.

* I am thankful to live in a society that encourages both of the above.

Happy July 4th everyone...hope you have a safe and fun time!

-Gina

Dream Big

One of my favorite songs ever is "Dream Big" by Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand, here's why:

If there is one thing I wish we could tech every child, it is this...Dream Big. When I led my small group in Children's Ministry, I once told my girls to not only dream big, but to not let anyone tell them that their dreams are too big for them.

How sad is it that we must try and "bring reality" to a young child and squash their dreams? I say, let them dream as big as they want for as long as they can...real life sets in WAY too soon these days! And maybe, just maybe, they will attain their dreams some day...maybe it just takes a "village" (remember the old saying: "It takes a village" to raise a child) with this mindset to turn out a child who does!

Take a moment and read the lyrics (below) and you will see why this is such an amazing song & message.

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes
'Cause better days are sure to come
And when you smile be sure to smile wide
Don't let them know that they have won
And when you walk, walk with pride
Don't show the hurt inside
Because the pain will soon be gone

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
'Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it'll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true

When you dream, dream big
When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
'Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it'll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

Beach Baptism

Today, I had the honor of attending another one of FRC's Beach Baptisms.

It was amazing! As you can see from the picture above, the weather was not as cooperative as we would have hoped for, but it didn't stop the almost 300 people who got baptized today! Think about it...close to 300 men, women and children took a huge step today. Each of them had their own cheering sections, bringing along family to witness this and having others just show up to watch the life change happen.

I am so in awe of the things that I get to see. I was reminded today by a mother (her son got baptized today!) that by serving, I have the unique opportunity to pour into kids...that something that I did helped to set all of this in motion. Something that I may have said at one point led to a child getting baptized today. What an awesome feeling! What an awesome responsibility!

Today, I was reminded just how big a part my "small part" plays in the big picture.

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve alongside the most amazing volunteers that I have ever met. Thank you for the friends it has brought me. Thank you for the parents & their willingness to do whatever it takes to raise their children with a God-centered world view. And most especially, thank you for all of these wonderful children that I have the privilege to help serve. I pray that you keep them all safe from harm and continue to "nudge" them in the right direction.

In your son's name,

Amen

Melodies = Memories

There is a line from a country song that goes, "Nothing like a melody to bring back a memory".

I have always loved this line. As a true connoisseur of music, I truly believe this. (I studied plenty of music when I was younger, played piano and sang). I love all types of music, including opera and classical, country, rock & roll, alternative and pop.

I am reminded of this saying because, like many, Michael Jackson helped provide the soundtrack for my life. I can remember when Thriller was all the rage (it still is, with people doing the Thriller dance at weddings and such now). He truly earned his title as the "King of Pop" & his talent will be missed.

I have also bought into the whole "Wacko-Jacko" way of thinking in the past several years. But as the news of his death came about and I started watching some of the retrospectives in the past couple of days, I started thinking how sad his life must have been. Performing since the age of 5, dead at 50...I am beginning to think he may have just had a case of arrested development. I think he never had a true childhood and had no idea what social norms were for either kids or adults. Really makes you wonder...

Anyhow, I have enjoyed listening to many of his songs that have been playing constantly on almost all of the radio stations since the news of his death & thought I would share the clip above from one of my all time favorite Michael Jackson songs. They all bring back memories for me...I hope they do for you as well and that will be his legacy!

T.M.I.

T.M.I. in case you are wondering, stands for too much information. It's another way of expressing an what is commonly know as an overshare.

My question is this...what do you do when you are encountered with something like this?

Here's the scenario. Last week, an acquaintance of mine shared something with me that is well beyond the scope of something I should know. Suffice it to say, the information that was shared to me has the potential to hurt quite a few other people. This information is something that I am not comfortable knowing.

The problem is, I know the reason this person chose to share the information with me was to have a sympathetic ear. While I will always do my best to support a friend in their time of need (and I did have an open conversation with some candid thoughts as well as some general advice), I am still reeling from this little piece of information myself.

I did tell this person all of what I have shared above...that I will be there for them, but in the future, I would not like to be privy to this type of information. I also shared that I was a bit angry they had shared it with me...because, well really, I am supposed to walk around with knowing these things that I am not supposed to know and am not comfortable with it.

Here's a general rule I have come up with after all this...if this is something you would not feel comfortable knowing about someone else, than it is not something you should really share with someone else...it makes me feel like I too am carrying this burden.

Did this sound selfish? How should I handle this type of thing going forward? What would you do?

-Gina

Mother's Day

Mother's Day weekend was a nice one this year.

Saturday, I had the pleasure of watching a friend of mine take a HUGE step with her family...they took the next step by participating in our Family Dedication ceremony at church. For those of you who are not familiar, this is a small ceremony in which the parents (with their children with them on stage) take the very public step of committing to raise their kids with God's influence. It's such a touching thing, and a very public one, as they do this in front of all who are in attendance. Congrats Dawn and your entire family...I am so proud of you guys!

Also, as I was in service to watch this, they announced the winner of the "Mother of the Year" award. The recipient was someone whom I have also served alongside of and I feel is very deserving of this award. It was even more touching to hear the touching words from her husband (who serves in the Reserves). Lia is an amazing woman, while raising her sons has given them a wonderful family at home and a church family. While her husband serves, she fills in at Cub Scout functions, including their camp outs. She also found time to serve in the Children's Ministry on top of all of this!

Today, my mom and I slept in a bit and then went to have brunch with my brother and niece. It was a bit awkward (some of you know our family situation...we called an Amnesty Day for today), but was OK in the end. Mostly, because my brother let us take my niece for the afternoon...the best gift he could have given her! My mom and I brought Nina back to the house to visit with Holly (our dog) and play for a bit. We then went to the movies and saw Earth (Nina picked it). I truthfully didn't think I would like it much but was in such awe at the wonderful sights in this movie. We all enjoyed it and then had ice cream and we took her home.

It was sad to see her crocodile tears when she realized we were taking her home...she (like most kids) doesn't really understand what is going on and has been used to weekend visits as far back as she could remember. But, we explained simply that she has school tomorrow and has to be home for that...in all earnestness, with big tears, she says "Family is more important than school." How do you answer this...she is right and hopefully we will all see the light soon!

On a happier note, I must brag on my niece for a moment...she is so stinkin' smart! This kid can read anything you put in front of her. At first when we were at brunch, I thought she must know what the writing on the bottle says from having seen it enough (juice). So, I took out a clipping from the newspaper with the movie times and some other stuff...she read almost 100% of the words on it...including "directing". She is only in kindergarten and has been identified as gifted, but not having seen her in so long...I was floored! We spent lots of the time in the car playing a game we made up...we would choose a letter and then name all the words we could think of that began with it. She loved this game, and sadly, was much better than I at it!

To all of those that I didn't get a chance to say this to (many of you, because my text messaging for some reason wasn't working today!), Happy Mother's Day! This includes those who don't have children...we have dogs, friends, family and many other ways that we "mother".

Love,

Gina

The Last Lecture

If you haven't heard of either The Last Lecture or Randy Pausch, you must be living in a bubble.

The story goes something like this...Pausch - a Carnegie-Mellon professor, father and husband is diagnosed with terminal cancer. He gives what is referred to as a "last lecture" at his university. Hundreds of friends and colleagues attend and the lecture itself is taped for prosperity and put on the Internet for those who were unable to attend to view. The video goes viral...the rest is history!

The topic of his speech was "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams".

Once I heard the story behind this, I was curious and ended up watching the lecture online like millions of others. It wasn't what I expected...it was upbeat, funny, entertaining and so very wise! It definitely wasn't sad or morbid, as I had expected.

On my Santa list this past year, I asked for a copy of the book. I didn't get it and ended up purchasing it for myself a few months ago.

I read the book about 2 weeks ago now and still think it is one of the best books I have ever read! I believe, as with everything else - that things happen when they are supposed to happen...that being said, this book sat on my shelf until I finally got around to reading it...about 2 weeks after I lost my job.

I highly recommend this book to anyone...it really makes you see things in a different way.

-Gina

P.S. - I still have my copy if you would like to borrow it...just leave me a comment & it's yours for the borrowing!

Must See TV

Lately, I have had the pleasure of being able to watch The View almost every day (one positive side-effect of being unemployed). Now, when I was working...I would catch clips of the more memorable moments on my lunch hour via the Internet. That was my only exposure to this show other than the occasional sick day, clip on the news, celebrity news shows or hearing my mom tell me about it.

Now, I see what all the fuss is about! There is something so very refreshing about a show that brings together all viewpoints and allows them to debate such important issues such as politics, religion, current affairs, news and of course the bad behavior of certain celebrities! And to have smart and entertaining women being the ones that open this dialouge...priceless! It's like sitting around with your closest friends and discussing current affairs over a good cup of coffee.

Growing up, we all heard at one time or another the old adage "There are 2 things you never discuss in mixed company...politics and religion". I have learned over the years that as long as you can express such opinions and share ideas with another (especially with someone of different viewpoint as yours) with respect and candor that this practice is out of date. I have spent many hours having such discussions...even though I am hard-headed and have strong opinions...I usually learn a thing or two from these discussions. I have learned things I didn't know before and have become a more informed adult for it! I have an ex-colleague (he got the boot the same day I did) that fits this bill. We went at it and at it leading up to the last election...he didn't change my mind, but he challenged me to see things another way, as I did for him.

Anyhow, that is what The View is all about. The Hot Topics section is my fave! They go at it every morning for about 15 minutes on various subjects. They make me laugh and they help me learn something new and see things from another viewpoint.

Last week, the women of The View (as a whole) were voted to Time's 100 Most Influential list for this year. I think this is a well deserved honor for a show that has opened up a dialogue within many Americans that they never would have had!

What does a family look like?

What does a family look like?

I often wonder this…mostly because I have a minuscule family. By minuscule, I mean my mom, my brother and I. If you add the word extended to this term, as in extended family, I have a sister-in-law and a niece. That is it.

I tried to look up the word family on both dictionary.com as well as Merriam-Webster.com, only to become more confused than I already am. There are about 10 definitions on each of these sites…not to mention more under such sub-categories as nuclear (family), cartoon (family), (family) tree, (family) values and on and on and on.

So, I thought I would try to make my own definition and put into words what I believe makes a family. I believe we are all one big common family and anyone who is close to us or wishes to become close to us are considered family.

Best example is my best friend Crystal’s family…where my family is minuscule, theirs is enormous…must be 100+ close relatives on each side (or so it seems). Growing up, they embraced me as one of their own and treated me as such. Today, I still consider all of her family my own.

Then there’s my church family. These are the ones that I participate in church with and serve alongside and try my best to be of service and an encouragement to. These are too numerous to name, but you all know who you are. We pray together, we worship together and we serve HIS kids together. We are doing life together.

To me, family is more a set of characteristics than an actual listing of family lineage. There are many different things we can add to this list, but here are the main characteristics that I would have to say that my entire family (this includes my nuclear family, my best friend’s family and my church family) shares:

* Family celebrates with you & celebrates one another (without malice or jealousy).

* Family is your “soft place to land”…they are the ones who will comfort you and when ready, will be the ones to pick you back up & help you dust yourself off and move on. (In other words: they have your back!).

* Family accepts you as you are…I will say this again, because it’s so huge…FAMILY ACCEPTS YOU AS YOU ARE!!!

* Family loves you unconditionally…even when it is almost impossible for you to love yourself.

* Family always wants what’s best for you…trust this (and because you trust this, you can always count on the advice or constructive criticism they give you).

These are just a few thoughts that have been swimming around my head, I am sure you have some of your own. Please leave a comment and share them!

-Gina

Thank you for being a friend...

Thank you for being a friend,
Travel down the road and back again,
Your heart is true,
You're a pal and a confidant...

I just read that Bea Arthur passed away this morning. So sad...what an amazing talent she was!

I grew up watching The Golden Girls and still try to catch it in reruns when I can. I defy anyone to tell me they never watched it. (I know, she played in Maude first, but frankly, that was before my time!)

Rest in peace, Bea Arthur!

-Gina

P.S. - Did I get that song stuck in your head? It's stuck in mine now!

Words to live by...

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
I know what it is to be in need and know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

This passage holds special meaning for me. For those of you who don't know, I lost my job at the end of March. I am one of millions who have lost their job, but am not struggling with it as much as I anticipated.

A few months ago, while in a book study, I saw this passage with new eyes. For some reason, I felt compelled to copy it onto my white board at work and place it within my eye line. Since I was a kid, I had Philippians 4:13 committed to memory. But with new eyes...a verse I had heard many times before struck me(verse 12). The whiteboard with this and other quotes and scripture hung in my eye line until that very last day @ work.

You know what, I LOVE this passage...it reminds me that no matter what, I will be OK.

I KNOW there was a reason that God put this in front of me each day...as if He was preparing me for what was to come.

People have asked me how I am doing, and I am not lying when I say I am doing well. Yes, things are tight...but I really am OK, because emotionally and mentally I am good. He has provided me with some wonderful learning opportunities, amazing friends and family (including those I serve alongside, whom I have to come to view as my family). Plus, I have learned a lot about myself through this process.

I really think that I have taken more time to stop and smell the roses in the past few weeks than I had in a couple of years. I don't take things for granted anymore. I am focusing more on the journey than the task at hand (in everything). Through this, I have learned that the real beauty is in the journey itself.

A funny thing happened to me yesterday...I ran into someone I had only met a couple of times before and he asked me why I was always so cheerful...I told him that there is no reason for me not to be. That is truly how I feel!

Things are tough all around us, but we must be careful to realize that God is trying to show us something...and sometimes we have to just let go and let God. And remember...when God nudges you (with scripture, circumstance or another person) DO NOT ignore Him!

-Gina

Green Bags

In honor of Earth Day this week, I have decided to discuss the use of "green bags". No matter which store you purchase them at, we are all familiar with green bags. They have become a huge part of our daily lives.

I myself, have 4...my mom has many more. (Let me just say that when I forget to take mine in the store, I feel guilty...and my mom lectures me about saving the earth once I get home and she sees the dreaded plastic bags). Now, my mom is not a vegetarian, vegan or environmental lobbyist, but she believes in conserving where we can. Actually, she is a lot more vigilant than I am when it comes to recycling and other related issues. I am very proud of her...she even got the vocational school where she substitute teaches to institute a recycling program in each of their rooms and laboratories.

All of this preamble is of course leading somewhere...we had a discussion tonight over dinner regarding something that recently happened to her...and let me just say, it has happened to me a few times as well. At the checkout register, she handed the bagger her green bags to use. When she looked over, she noticed that the bagger was placing each of the purchased items in plastic bags AND THEN into the green bags. Now obviously, this defeats the entire purpose! She then asked him to remove everything and begin again, this time using ONLY her green bags.

This has happened to me countless times and I have actually spoken to someone in customer service at my neighborhood grocery store about this. She mentioned to me, that most of the employees in the bagging area are teenagers and they just don't know any better and she would use it as a training piece. Please understand that I meant no malice or ill-will towards the bagger, but really...the whole reason we pay for bags and bring them is to help our planet. I would encourage each of you to have the same conversation with your store if/when this happens to you. (Sidenote: when it happened to me and I had them remove everything from the plastic bags, I made sure they understood I didn't want them to discard the perfectly good bags...they should reuse them...if not that would also defeat the purpose of me having them take everything out of them).

Later in conversation, we wondered why everyone is not using green bags, since it is such a cost-effective & easy thing we can do to help save our planet. My solution: charge a nominal fee for use of disposable bags. (Have you ever been to Ikea? They charge for bags...I found this out the hard way one day!) In case you need another reason other than saving our planet, here's one: think of the savings that our grocery stores would have if they didn't have to provide bags & recycling services for the bags...now imagine what would happen if they saved that $$ and passed along the savings to you & me!

Anyhow, that is just the way I see it! What are your thoughts?

-Gina

Technology & 90210

I have been catching reruns of the original 90210 lately. Something struck me as very odd the other day, thought I would share it with you all...

Like many, I am a product of the 90210 generation. It is what Wednesday nights were all about as I was growing up. So...these spoiled kids living in the most exclusive zip code in the nation, they drive Corvettes and BMW Convertibles. They buy designer clothes. They eat out (@ the Peach Pit mostly!) almost every night. And...wait for it....they use pay phones!

I know that at that time, cell phones weren't as common as they were today, but not one of them had one! I just find that so funny, because as someone who is from that generation...today, I can't live without mine! We have definitely come a long way!

Lastly, even though they didn't have cell phones, I don't see any beepers, laptops and only the occasional desktop in these early episodes. This was in the early 90's...so again, I say...WOW we have definitely come a long way!

-Gina

Wishing

I recently read a book whose plot line had each of the main characters composing a list of 20 wishes. It got me to thinking...when was the last time I made an actual wish (not including the wish we make when we blow out our birthday candles...which come to think of it, I haven't really made a wish the last couple of times I blew out my candles)? Why is making a wish related mostly to young children? Who told us that as adults, we are too mature to make wishes?

Anyhow, this book followed the process of each of the women in the story making her list of wishes. They met and discussed the progress they had made on each one of them. Funny thing is, in the story, each friend or acquaintance these women mentioned it to was as intrigued by the idea as I am. Most started lists of their own.

This made me decide that I want to make my own list of 20 wishes. Using the book as a loose guideline, I shouldn't worry if I can't come up with all 20 at one time...it may take several months to compose an entire list. This is something that I must put a lot of thought into. Also, according to the book...at least one of them should be of a whimsical nature.

So, my decision has now been made (and like I did in my first post, I am putting it out there...because I believe that once you put something out there for all the world to see, you are obligated to work towards it). I will be making a list of 20 wishes for myself. I am hoping that other than having fun trying to work towards these new goals, I will in turn learn more about myself. I am anticipating enjoying the journey as much as actually completing a wish.

Does anyone want to join me on this journey? (Leave me a comment and let me know!)

-Gina

P.S. If anyone is wanting to check out the book that inspired this journey, it is a fiction novel by Debbie Macomber aptly entitled "20 wishes".

Cardboard Testimonies = AMAZING!

A friend of mine sent this to me the other day. It is the one of the most powerful things I have ever seen! I love seeing how God can use even the worst situations for His glory!

Enjoy (and you may want to have a tissue or 2 handy)!

-Gina

P.S. - What would your cardboard testimony be? (Leave the answer in the comments section)

Welcome to the Randomness

Welcome to my blog!

1st things first...why in the world would I create a blog? Because I like to talk and be passionate about things. What better place to speak about some random thing or issue than on a blog, right?

Now, the next thing...will anyone care to read my ramblings? I sure hope so. If not, there's just something about journaling for all the world to see (or choose not to see) and putting it out there that appeals to me!

Why pretty, witty and wise? Well, because as women I believe we all strive to be these three things in one way or another!

Lastly, I have a resolution of sorts to make. As a young girl, I used to love the idea of journaling and/or having a diary. The problem I most came across was the commitment level. I would write in it every day (some times a few times a day) for the first week or so and then forget all about it! I have many, many, many beautiful journals lying around that have such heartfelt words on them for about 20 pages and then nothing. All this is leading up to my resolution....I want to keep up with this blog. I want to post at least a few times a week and not give up on it after a few mere weeks. There, I said it...and I feel that once you put something out there for all to see, you are obligated to continue.

What I can promise...I can promise a very random journey through the recesses of my mind. You will (hopefully) find posts on my feelings, rants, some encouraging factoids I come across in my reading or through the internet. I am a woman of faith, so there will be some postings on that as well!

So, here's to the journey!

-Gina