Give to Lincoln Day 2013 is today! If you are resident of Lincoln and even if you're not, check out the list of organizations you can support! Donations will be matched with a proportional share of a $200,000 challenge match pool of funds from the Lincoln Community Foundation! We have so many worthy causes in our community it almost makes it difficult to choose. I find at times like these that you have to follow your heart and truly remember that simply put: Love Does!
2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Love Does
I've never written a book review on the blog before but if ever there was a place to start it is with the book "Love Does" by Bob Goff. The style of writing is hard to describe. Basically each chapter is a short story that Bob tells using experiences that he has encountered throughout his life. In addition to being the best-selling author of Love Does, Bob is also an attorney and founder of Restore International, a nonprofit human rights organization operating in Uganda and India.
The premise of this collection of experiences is to demonstrate that loving others as He first loved us does not mean just saying the words and thinking the thoughts but that Love DOES. It is action, it is actively pursuing opportunities to love others. Like the picture I found above with a quote from Bob, it's giving away love and grace like you're made of the stuff.
This was truly an inspiring book and I don't think I'm doing it justice in this description. Please check it out. Even if you are unsure of where you are in your faith journey, this book will move you in ways that you wouldn't believe.
Today I discovered he is also hosting a conference this week in Tacoma, WA called Love Does Stuff which will including many presenters and even some musical performances. Among them being the Kid President! So wish I could be there and hope it becomes an annual event! Maybe next year.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from Love Does!
“But the kind of love that God created and demonstrated is a costly one because it involves sacrifice and presence. It's a love that operates more like a sign language than being spoken outright.”
“Grace works that way. It's a kind word from a gentle person with an impossible prayer. It's a force sometimes transmitted best hand to hand in a dark place.”
“...we need to stop plotting the course and instead just land the plane on our plans to make a difference by getting to the "do" part of faith.”
“Simply put: love does.”
-Bob Goff
Thursday, May 9, 2013
For whom the phone rings
My workplace is rather large, with many, many, MANY phone numbers, as is typical of any large health system. Add on to that the number of fax numbers we also have and I can't even begin to imagine how many numbers that might sum up to.
Over the last two years however my coworkers and I have found few things more amusing than the abuse my particular direct extension takes. I was reminded by one of my friends in my former department that I was given the option of changing extensions when I switched departments and I'm beginning to wonder if that would have been the wise choice. However if I had, I would not be able to delight you with these random musings here on the blog. And I'm sure after reading this you'll be quite glad that I didn't.
Let's start with the fact that my number must be very close to a frequently used fax machine extension. Periodically my phone will ring and the caller ID will flash a few numbers and the word FAX. When I see this delightful little notice on the screen I know that the next 15-20 minutes will go something like this:
Ring Ring!
*picks up*
SCREEE....SCREEE...beep...beep....beep
*hangs up*
....5 minutes later....
Ring Ring!
*picks up*
SCREEE....SCREEE...beep...beep....beep
*hangs up*
....5 minutes later....
Ring Ring!
*picks up*
...not even waiting for the SCREE this time (and therefore probably seeming quite rude to my new coworkers who can hear me hanging up each time)
*hangs up*
....5 minutes later....
Ring Ring!
*picks up*
*slams receiver down in annoyance*
And so on and so forth because you know that little fax machine has to attempt to send at least 3-5 times. Lovely.
Now that is manageable, don't get me wrong, people type in numbers wrong, no harm done, they'll see it has failed and (most of the time) correct the number and move on.
But what really amuses me (and I'll admit, sometimes concerns me) is the fact that my extension also happens to be one digit different than our Emergency Department's direct extension that they sometimes give to people asking them to return calls, etc. So it happens on occasion that I will walk into work early in the morning and see my voicemail light blinking only to retrieve my messages and hear something that goes like this (disclaimer: all voicemails have been fictionalized):
11:52pm
"Hello I'm looking for my sister, I was told she was brought in and I need to know where to come pick her up."
2:32am
"I was there earlier this evening and was asked to call back if anything changes with my [insert specified wound/injury here]. There seems to be some oozing."
Not even kidding.
Don't misunderstand, I realize people dial wrong numbers, it happens and perhaps in all of the times I've received voicemails like this, the person is in some sort of distress, is exhausted or overwhelmed. However, I find it somewhat odd that so many people continue to leave a voicemail after my outgoing greeting declares "Hi, you've reached Amy Myers, Market Analyst at such and such....blah blah blah"
Call me crazy but I don't think in the event of an emergency we're going to ask you to call our Market Analyst right away so it stands to reason you might have the wrong number at that point.
But alas, I'm left to often wonder for whom the phone rings....
Taking a cue from my friend Kensy over at The Scoop from the Coop I'm going to try and end each post with my favorite things from the day. Or for my Dinner Club friends who might be reading my "Happies."
Over the last two years however my coworkers and I have found few things more amusing than the abuse my particular direct extension takes. I was reminded by one of my friends in my former department that I was given the option of changing extensions when I switched departments and I'm beginning to wonder if that would have been the wise choice. However if I had, I would not be able to delight you with these random musings here on the blog. And I'm sure after reading this you'll be quite glad that I didn't.
Let's start with the fact that my number must be very close to a frequently used fax machine extension. Periodically my phone will ring and the caller ID will flash a few numbers and the word FAX. When I see this delightful little notice on the screen I know that the next 15-20 minutes will go something like this:
Ring Ring!
*picks up*
SCREEE....SCREEE...beep...beep....beep
*hangs up*
....5 minutes later....
Ring Ring!
*picks up*
SCREEE....SCREEE...beep...beep....beep
*hangs up*
....5 minutes later....
Ring Ring!
*picks up*
...not even waiting for the SCREE this time (and therefore probably seeming quite rude to my new coworkers who can hear me hanging up each time)
*hangs up*
....5 minutes later....
Ring Ring!
*picks up*
*slams receiver down in annoyance*
And so on and so forth because you know that little fax machine has to attempt to send at least 3-5 times. Lovely.
Now that is manageable, don't get me wrong, people type in numbers wrong, no harm done, they'll see it has failed and (most of the time) correct the number and move on.
But what really amuses me (and I'll admit, sometimes concerns me) is the fact that my extension also happens to be one digit different than our Emergency Department's direct extension that they sometimes give to people asking them to return calls, etc. So it happens on occasion that I will walk into work early in the morning and see my voicemail light blinking only to retrieve my messages and hear something that goes like this (disclaimer: all voicemails have been fictionalized):
11:52pm
"Hello I'm looking for my sister, I was told she was brought in and I need to know where to come pick her up."
2:32am
"I was there earlier this evening and was asked to call back if anything changes with my [insert specified wound/injury here]. There seems to be some oozing."
Not even kidding.
Don't misunderstand, I realize people dial wrong numbers, it happens and perhaps in all of the times I've received voicemails like this, the person is in some sort of distress, is exhausted or overwhelmed. However, I find it somewhat odd that so many people continue to leave a voicemail after my outgoing greeting declares "Hi, you've reached Amy Myers, Market Analyst at such and such....blah blah blah"
Call me crazy but I don't think in the event of an emergency we're going to ask you to call our Market Analyst right away so it stands to reason you might have the wrong number at that point.
But alas, I'm left to often wonder for whom the phone rings....
Taking a cue from my friend Kensy over at The Scoop from the Coop I'm going to try and end each post with my favorite things from the day. Or for my Dinner Club friends who might be reading my "Happies."
Today's Happies
Dinner with my beautiful cousin and Baby Fountain
Blogging on the deck and listening to the bells at St. Peter's
Talking with my VP about new and exciting work projects!
My awesome new bronze shell wind chime from Pier 1 for my porch.
Blogging on the deck and listening to the bells at St. Peter's
Talking with my VP about new and exciting work projects!
My awesome new bronze shell wind chime from Pier 1 for my porch.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Begin Again
I've had a blog for a while now - since moving to Aberdeen, SD in 2010 actually. And I'll be perfectly honest and admit I haven't always kept up with it like I had intended. Now however, so many of my friends are blogging away and not just occasionally but DAILY! That has lit a fire under me for sure (competitive much?) so expect to be hearing more from me from now on.
I titled this post Begin Again not only because I'm blogging for the first time in several months (and love that T. Swift song), but because in many ways I feel like that's where I am in my life right now. I'm not starting over completely from scratch, but simply beginning again where I left off in many ways. Many things have changed. My job is in a new department now and I LOVE IT, my personal life has changed tremendously in the last few months but with fresh perspective and hope, and I've even moved to a new apartment here in Lincoln. Amidst all of that, I trained for and completed my second half marathon this past weekend and beat my time from last year by 6 whole minutes.
The heavy stuff can wait for another day. Today I wanted to answer some questions I frequently get asked when I talk about running the half marathon. Some of them serious, some of them not so much.
Q: Are you crazy?
A: Quite possibly, but I prefer to think only half crazy.
Q: Have you always been a runner?
A: No way! Actually I used to hate running and I even quit Junior High track after just one week. Granted I was a scrawny little thing back then with no athletic ability or stamina but still, I wasn't a runner. I dabbled in running in college and grad school but never quite dove in. Then when I moved to Lincoln in 2011 and watched my friend and my cousin run the half here in town I decided I was going to be there in 2012 (and sure enough I was and again in 2013). Why it took this race to bring me around to running I'm not sure. I've spent several days watching my sister run full marathons and never had the desire. But something about Lincoln and the crowd and the route, just made it seem possible and - dare I say it - fun!
Q: How do you stay motivated?
A: I'll be honest, sometimes it's like this:
I titled this post Begin Again not only because I'm blogging for the first time in several months (and love that T. Swift song), but because in many ways I feel like that's where I am in my life right now. I'm not starting over completely from scratch, but simply beginning again where I left off in many ways. Many things have changed. My job is in a new department now and I LOVE IT, my personal life has changed tremendously in the last few months but with fresh perspective and hope, and I've even moved to a new apartment here in Lincoln. Amidst all of that, I trained for and completed my second half marathon this past weekend and beat my time from last year by 6 whole minutes.
The heavy stuff can wait for another day. Today I wanted to answer some questions I frequently get asked when I talk about running the half marathon. Some of them serious, some of them not so much.
Q: Are you crazy?
A: Quite possibly, but I prefer to think only half crazy.
Q: Have you always been a runner?
A: No way! Actually I used to hate running and I even quit Junior High track after just one week. Granted I was a scrawny little thing back then with no athletic ability or stamina but still, I wasn't a runner. I dabbled in running in college and grad school but never quite dove in. Then when I moved to Lincoln in 2011 and watched my friend and my cousin run the half here in town I decided I was going to be there in 2012 (and sure enough I was and again in 2013). Why it took this race to bring me around to running I'm not sure. I've spent several days watching my sister run full marathons and never had the desire. But something about Lincoln and the crowd and the route, just made it seem possible and - dare I say it - fun!
Q: How do you stay motivated?
A: I'll be honest, sometimes it's like this:
But most of the time the most motivating thing is progress. Whether it's a change in my body, increased energy, being able to go an extra half mile or mile, breathing easier, seeing little changes makes you that much more excited to go out and try it again. Also having a looming deadline of a big race helps quite a bit too!
Q: What's on your running playlist?
A: This is probably one of my favorite questions! I love finding new music to run to and my playlist for the half ranged from Lady GaGa to Chris Tomlin to Garth Brooks. If it has a good beat, if it's inspiring or motivating, it's likely to make the cut. Here's a list of my current favorites, although they are constantly changing:
- Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
- Strong Enough - Matthew West
- How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20
- I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons
- Everybody Talks - Neon Trees
- Lay Me Down - Chris Tomlin
- Edge of Glory - Lady GaGa
- Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
- Standing Outside the Fire - Garth Brooks
- Perfect Day - Hoku
I've also got a couple "guilty pleasure" running songs on my iPod as well - ones that I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit! Among them would be Stronger - Britney Spears and the Bellas Finale from Pitch Perfect. Actually I'm not at all embarrassed. You try getting through 13.1 miles without a little bit of cheesy music!
So there you have it, a little bit of my formula for success (a.k.a. surviving) when it comes to the half marathon. I'm still debating whether I will sign up again next year or not, or try a different 13.1. Truth be told it would be hard to turn down the chance to run the Lincoln Half again. The crowd and community support makes it all worth it and creates a fun environment in which to push yourself. For now my focus will be on keeping up with my running regimen even without a race looming on the calendar. I think I'll take this "off season" to really work on building my strength and my lung stamina and hopefully improve my pace a bit for the next race.
What are you doing to begin again today?
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I am a G-A-M-M-A Phi Beta Girl!
I know I haven't written much about my sorority experience in Gamma Phi Beta on this blog but if there's two things I should tell you, it's this:
- It was by far one of the greatest decisions I made during my collegiate career and truly has helped me become the person I am today, and continues to do so.
- I would not trade my alumna experience to go back to my collegiate days for anything.
I'm currently serving as a Chapter Advisor for a chapter other than my initiating chapter and it has so far been both a challenge and a blessing. I've only been at it for a semester but it has already changed me for the better and pushed me way beyond my limits at times. But maybe that's the only time real change ever happens.
I haven't written about it up until this point because I could never quite find the words. Well, now I don't have to! Jenny, a fellow Chapter Advisor has done so in such a beautiful way that I'm certain my words would pale in comparison. Read her post below and understand what it truly means to make a lifetime commitment to this organization!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
And the greatest of these is Love
I am going to be hearing that verse a lot over the next few months. I'm 26. Almost 27 (eek!). So as you can imagine, I'm right in that sweet spot in life where A LOT of my friends are getting married, and some are even starting families and having babies. Case in point, this year, between June and the end of the year alone, I have 8 weddings that I have been invited to attend. Only two of these overlap. I'm exhausted even thinking about it. And so is my bank account.
Now don't misunderstand, I am so appreciative and excited that all of these friends have asked me to share in their special day with them! But as any other single person (or married person for that matter) can tell you, it gets to be a lot between the bridal showers, bachelorettes, gifts, etc. not to mention if you're actually an attendant in any of them! And furthermore, as someone who isn't married, it can be a little difficult to really get into the celebration when you yourself aren't even close to having this celebration of your own.
I'm only one in for the year - 7 more to go - but I've already decided that this can't be an excuse for a pity party. Despite where I am in my life, I can be ecstatic for my friends that have found that person to share the rest of their lives with. And I think I found a way to balance both my excitement for the bridge and groom with the faith that someday I will be in their shoes as well.
Sitting in Bible Study this morning and thinking about all of this, I remembered something my friend Nicole said in her blog before (See Sean and Nicole at the right!). She mentioned picking a couple a week from their church small group I believe, that she and her husband could pray for. That got me thinking, why couldn't I do that for those couples this year that I will see tie the knot? So I've decided that instead of stressing about all of the weddings and what that means for me, I am going to turn my energy to spending a week per couple praying for them and their new marriage and asking that God not only watch over them, but allow them to be an example to those around them of a loving, Christian marriage. I am so thankful for these people in my life that I think it's the very least I could do.
I'm not writing this to say "hey look what I'm doing" or looking for a pat on the back, but truly I want to invite all of you to join me in praying for any couples in your life that are tying the knot during this busy wedding season. Although any of us benefit from prayer at any point in our lives, I think praying for them at this very special time in their lives is especially important. They are joining their lives together and doing so under quite a bit of pressure considering how much planning and expense today's weddings seem to be accompanied by. So no matter where you are in your life, think of these special people whose lives are changing before our very eyes this year and ask for God's continued guidance in their marriage and their relationship with Him.
Now don't misunderstand, I am so appreciative and excited that all of these friends have asked me to share in their special day with them! But as any other single person (or married person for that matter) can tell you, it gets to be a lot between the bridal showers, bachelorettes, gifts, etc. not to mention if you're actually an attendant in any of them! And furthermore, as someone who isn't married, it can be a little difficult to really get into the celebration when you yourself aren't even close to having this celebration of your own.
I'm only one in for the year - 7 more to go - but I've already decided that this can't be an excuse for a pity party. Despite where I am in my life, I can be ecstatic for my friends that have found that person to share the rest of their lives with. And I think I found a way to balance both my excitement for the bridge and groom with the faith that someday I will be in their shoes as well.
Sitting in Bible Study this morning and thinking about all of this, I remembered something my friend Nicole said in her blog before (See Sean and Nicole at the right!). She mentioned picking a couple a week from their church small group I believe, that she and her husband could pray for. That got me thinking, why couldn't I do that for those couples this year that I will see tie the knot? So I've decided that instead of stressing about all of the weddings and what that means for me, I am going to turn my energy to spending a week per couple praying for them and their new marriage and asking that God not only watch over them, but allow them to be an example to those around them of a loving, Christian marriage. I am so thankful for these people in my life that I think it's the very least I could do.
I'm not writing this to say "hey look what I'm doing" or looking for a pat on the back, but truly I want to invite all of you to join me in praying for any couples in your life that are tying the knot during this busy wedding season. Although any of us benefit from prayer at any point in our lives, I think praying for them at this very special time in their lives is especially important. They are joining their lives together and doing so under quite a bit of pressure considering how much planning and expense today's weddings seem to be accompanied by. So no matter where you are in your life, think of these special people whose lives are changing before our very eyes this year and ask for God's continued guidance in their marriage and their relationship with Him.
Meanwhile...
Time for a catch up post! There is no excuse for having not written in this long, so I won't make one, but I will let you in on what I have been up to lately since I obviously haven't been blogging!
February:
In February I began training for the Lincoln Half Marathon. It started out slow but I soon got into a rhythm and genuinely enjoying my training runs! That is until....
March:
Training continued but about the second week in March I came down with an awful cold which then set up shop in my lungs. As you can imagine, this made running a tad more difficult! I was out of commission for a good three weeks and had to really work hard to even get back into training even though there was no way I was going to just pick up where I left off. As a result I probably cut my training short a bit, not getting the long 12 mile run in before the Half but I did get the 10 miler in.
April:
This month was unbelievably busy between wrapping up the semester with the sorority chapter I advise, finishing my training once I was able to, a busy budget season at work, and a multitude of other activities. Before I knew it, May was here and the Half Marathon along with it!
May:
On May 6th I completed my first Half Marathon! The day started out a little formidable when I woke at 5am to a massive thunderstorm hovering over Lincoln. Sure enough however, by the time we drove down to the start, it had started to clear and the humidity fell and it actually ended up being an amazing day for the race! I did have to walk a little and didn't get the greatest time but I was delighted to finish!
June:
In June I basically fell off the running wagon between various trips, a wedding, house guests and everything else. I did however get an awesome visit with my sister and her family at our Grandparents in Colorado. Including my handsome nephew.
I also had the privilege of taking seven of my collegiate members of my sorority chapter here on campus to our national convention in Denver. It was a phenomenal experience and I am so proud of the women who represented our chapter!
So that brings us to July and a torrent of wedding activity - more on that later! It's so hard to believe that 2012 is half over already - it will be Christmas before we know it - especially since Hobby Lobby already has Christmas decorations out (not kidding!).
February:
In February I began training for the Lincoln Half Marathon. It started out slow but I soon got into a rhythm and genuinely enjoying my training runs! That is until....
March:
Training continued but about the second week in March I came down with an awful cold which then set up shop in my lungs. As you can imagine, this made running a tad more difficult! I was out of commission for a good three weeks and had to really work hard to even get back into training even though there was no way I was going to just pick up where I left off. As a result I probably cut my training short a bit, not getting the long 12 mile run in before the Half but I did get the 10 miler in.
April:
This month was unbelievably busy between wrapping up the semester with the sorority chapter I advise, finishing my training once I was able to, a busy budget season at work, and a multitude of other activities. Before I knew it, May was here and the Half Marathon along with it!
May:
On May 6th I completed my first Half Marathon! The day started out a little formidable when I woke at 5am to a massive thunderstorm hovering over Lincoln. Sure enough however, by the time we drove down to the start, it had started to clear and the humidity fell and it actually ended up being an amazing day for the race! I did have to walk a little and didn't get the greatest time but I was delighted to finish!
Mom and I after my 2:47:55 finish!
With my cousin Jamie - one of my many inspirations to run the Lincoln Half - after stuffing ourselves silly post-race at Fireworks
June:
In June I basically fell off the running wagon between various trips, a wedding, house guests and everything else. I did however get an awesome visit with my sister and her family at our Grandparents in Colorado. Including my handsome nephew.
I also had the privilege of taking seven of my collegiate members of my sorority chapter here on campus to our national convention in Denver. It was a phenomenal experience and I am so proud of the women who represented our chapter!
So that brings us to July and a torrent of wedding activity - more on that later! It's so hard to believe that 2012 is half over already - it will be Christmas before we know it - especially since Hobby Lobby already has Christmas decorations out (not kidding!).
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