Another 7 Quick Takes

I had every intention to write this post up in advance to go "live" this morning.  Well, apparently not every intention, because I didn't get it done.  Now, I am writing it up quickly because I have company coming this afternoon!  WooHoo!

1.

Over the last several days, I have been busy making cards for the Color Challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  It is a bit of an obsession for me, but a fun one!  Last year, I tried to do each of the challenges (posted every Tuesday) but I missed quite a few.   So trying it again for 2014.  I think there are times when we fall short of a goal that we need to try again.  Clearly color challenges for card making are not earth-shattering, but practicing perseverance (or diligence) can bring about fantastic results! 

2.

My dear husband, Bruce has been working lots of overtime recently.  Sometimes it drives me nuts, other times I am grateful.  In these economic times, I have to remind myself that Bruce has a job...with benefits...and a short commute...and good pay.  We are REMARKABLY blessed!  I am also glad he has a great work ethic.  Sometimes I just need to take a deep breath and thank God in my heart and mind, but also out loud, for all He has done for us!  Deo Gratias!

3.

Last weekend, Bruce & I attended the graduation party for 2 of our nephews, Daniel & Sam.  They are not twins, but Daniel graduated from college and Sam from high school.  Their family lives in a fabulously large, yet very comfortable home.  My sister-in-law, Laura, loves to entertain.  One of the big traditions at their home is hours of karaoke.  They have the same karaoke people come to their parties...they're like family!  And speaking of family, Bruce (on the right) always sings with one of his brothers, George.  I don't remember what they were singing here...it was, well, interesting.  Don't quit your day jobs, guys!  {{Mwah!}}

4.

So, last week I began telling more people about the fact that I left my job in May.  I received so much encouragement and support!  I am still adjusting to this big change...and inevitably I will feel weird about it off and on.  Again, I am at peace with my decision.  But as various events come up, I will be mindful of the various tasks that kept me busy.  Ultimately, God will lead me in new tasks and on new "adventures."  It will just be an up and down journey!

5.

Photo credit: tanbooks.benedictpress.com

At my Lay Dominican meeting last weekend, our formation director said we should do some light reading over the next month.  Our August meeting will be delayed a bit, and we will be celebrating the Feast of St. Dominic.  So, we are going to read through Butler's Lives of the Saints..well July and half of August.  This is a very famous book, and I can hardly believe we don't own it here.  So, I will go online to order the short version (I think there is a multi-volume set somewhere) and learn more about heroes of the Faith.  From what I understand, there are many listed who are not very "famous" these days...but their fidelity to Christ and His Church make them important role models.  Should be fun and interesting reading!
6.

Ok, I am running out of time and ideas.  This is just filler.  Ha!

7.

So now, I need to get ready for my guests!  Friends, who used to live here in Danville but now live in Georgia, are up in Illinois for their annual family reunion.  After hanging with the family, they take time to see others in town...and we will be blessed tonight by their visit.  Becky & Wally sang in church choir with us for years, and we watched their 4 kids grow up.  Their oldest still lives in town, and we see him from time to time.  We'll be talking, laughing, and eating pizza!  (Oh, and we'll be sharing pictures from Italy!)  Friends, fellowship, food.  I love simple pleasures!

Be sure to check out the original 7 Quick Takes over at Conversion Diary.  Jennifer Fulwiler always has fun things to share!

Blessings,

Kim

Those Silly Online Quizzes

It seems I have learned a lot about myself lately, all thanks to Facebook, PlayBuzz, and some other sites I cannot remember.

• The movie that is based on my life?  "Brave," because I have found my passion in life and will do anything to pursue it.  That would be prolife work!
• Which Disney song is my anthem?  "Be Our Guest" (Beauty & the Beast)...well I do like to entertain.
• What natural phenomenon am I?  A storm.  Oh boy!  I do believe that one is pretty accurate...some people love me, some people are scared of me.
• I should have been born in the 1950's...since my creativity and innovations would be so helpful.  Hmmm, not sure about that one.
• Which children's book is about me?  "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein.  I sure hope so!
• Which Star Wars character am I?  I honestly don't remember.  It wasn't Jar-Jar Binks, which is, apparently, a good thing.
• Which leading man should I marry?  Sidney Poitier.  As wonderful as he is, I'm quite smitten with my real-life husband, Bruce.
• What should my career be?  Writing...hmmm.  I better get to work on that.

Now, of course, I do not put much stock in these silly things.  I doubt anyone does.  They are fun, quirky time-fillers.  Change one answer, and you could come up with a completely different result.  I just saw that anyone can create any of these quizzes.  No wonder there are so many!

banner from eCatholicwebsites.com

I did take one quiz that asked which Bible character am I most like.  My result was the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus.  Ummm, wow.  I am almost embarrassed to write that here, because I can't even come close!  Mary had remarkable faith and patience.  Me?  Well, I'm working on it!  I certainly believe Mary is an important role model for all of us.  When the Angel Gabriel came to her, she said "Let it be done to me according to your word."  As she visited Elizabeth, she sang her heart out in praise to God: "My soul rejoices in the Lord!"  And as she was talking with people at the wedding feast in Cana, she pointed everyone to her Son, "Do whatever He tells you to do."

For me, I find myself saying "Do whatever You want with my life Lord...but can I put in a few requests?"  I do, often, sing and speak the praises of God to anyone who will listen.  But I am also all too quick to gripe to anyone who will listen.  Arthritic pain?  Job stress?  Cafeteria Catholics?  Yep, I am passionate, but unfortunately that just means I am very expressive about positive and negative things.  (Remember that storm reference above?)  I need to learn to keep some things quiet!  And when it comes to complete submission to Jesus, I'd like to think I would do whatever He tells me to do.  But let's face it.  I am painfully human, and I mess up.  We all are. Thank God, literally, that He loves us any way!

Painting by Julius Schnorr Von Carolsfeld

All this to say, that those goofy quizzes are just that...goofy.  If any of us really want to get to know ourselves, it won't happen through a series of 12 questions which include celebrity faces we don't recognize.  It must come through prayer and quiet time alone with God.  It will come through the inspiration of the Saints who have gone before us...found in Scripture and two thousand years of heroic men and women from around the world.  I may not feel like I measure up, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try.  I'll start by stepping away from PlayBuzz, and into Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John!

Blessings,
Kim