30 days of blogging, day 1: 15 things

I know, right? 30 days of blogging? If I actually do that, I think I might have posted more in 2011 than I did in 2010 ALL YEAR. (OK, not quite. I just checked.) One of the digi scrap designers is doing this on her blog, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm not going to do 30 consecutive days, though, but rather use these as prompts to just write something a few times a week.

Day 1 - Post a recent photo and 15 things about me.

1. This photo was taken in December 2010, so it qualifies as recent. But I had my hair cut on Monday.

2. You can't see the totally awesome necklace I'm wearing, but I assure you: It's awesome. I wear it almost daily. (Vintage Silver Charms Necklace from The Vintage Pearl, with the letter "R" of course!)

3. This verse is important to me today: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

4. I heart Starbucks. I know, I know. But their coffee really is very, very good.

5. Yesterday, the weather here (near San Diego) was outrageously gorgeous. Like around 75 degrees. I met a friend for coffee and we sat in the sun for 2 hours catching up. It was awesome. My sincere condolences to those of you reading this in the midst of a very cold and snowy winter. Having spent 10 winters in the frozen tundra of West Michigan, I sympathize with you; but not enough to move back.

6. I like Disneyland. A lot. I have an annual pass and I'm not afraid to use it.

7. In my free time, I like to take pictures and scrapbook digitally and tinker a bit with design.

8. Things I never thought I'd do: work at a church. But I love it. Probably the best job I've ever had. I've been known to say that the only thing that would make my job better is if there was a Starbucks on the way (see #4.)

9. The last book I read was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This book is highly recommended, and it's so good that I really should get back to blogging about the books I read. I'm in a book group with other women at church and we read two books a month. I love it because I read lots of things I would never have picked up otherwise.

10. Hello, my name is Rebecca, and I'm addicted to travel. Where should I go next? Suggestions welcome. Invitations to crash at your place would be great. If you live in a foreign country, even better; my passport needs some exercise.

11. For that matter, I could use some exercise. But we'll talk about that later.

12. I have a ridiculously big extended family. I didn't know this was unusual until I became an adult. I thought everyone had 9 aunts and uncles and 15 first cousins. My first cousins now have a total of 13+ kids of their own. These numbers do not include spouses, by the way.

13. I have a thing for Gino's East pizza from Chicago. It's the best.

14. I have a smartphone, but it isn't very smart. Maybe one day I'll be one of the cool kids and have an Android or iPhone.

15. I like sunsets and long romantic walks on the beach. Oh wait, that's a different list.

-- Originally posted at: http://rebeccasmiscellanies.blogspot.com/

"Babo"

So, the little guy, my nephew Charlie, has started consistently referring to me by the same name. Around him, the family refers to me as "Auntie Rebo," a name first bestowed on me by my friend Sarah when her son Aaron was born. Charlie's 2-year-old interpretation of Auntie Rebo? "Babo."

(My mom keeps mistakenly saying "Bobo," which I keep reminding her isn't quite the same. (Link to Wikipedia for just one of many articles about "Bobo.")

I haven't quite figured out yet if he uses this because he can't say "R" yet, or if it's just his preference. Actually, I don't care much because it's pretty cute that he has a name just for me. One more reason to spoil him rotten.

-- Originally posted at: http://rebeccasmiscellanies.blogspot.com/

And we have a winner....!

Woo-hoo!!! 8 whole people are reading my blog! Ok, well, 8 people read my blog AND wanted to win. :)

I used random.org to generate my winner, and "The Werfs" - my friend Rachael!!! - YOU are the winner!! I'll drop those in the mail for you this week. Happy St. Nicholas Day!

-- Originally posted at: http://rebeccasmiscellanies.blogspot.com/

Giveaway

I mentioned my terrible neglect of this blog already, so I'll try not to beat myself up over that too much. :) However, I do think that anyone still following along must be considered a true friend! In honor of true friends, and just for fun, I decided to do a little giveaway.

It's probably no secret that I go a little crazy with crafty and scrapbooking projects, although most of those projects are posted on my scrap blog rather than here. I make a lot of greeting cards this way, and because many of my projects are creative team assignments, where I get free product in exchange for creating something, I don't always have an immediate use for the finished product.

So, why not share the fun? I'm doing a giveaway for these six cards, including envelopes. The chandelier card is 5"x7" and has a greeting inside: "hanging around with you is so fun!" The other five cards are approximately 4.25"x5.5" and blank inside.

Want to win? Leave a comment on this post by 12:00 pm Pacific time on Saint Nicholas Day (December 6.) You must include an e-mail address so I can contact you for your mailing address. I'll pick a winner that day, and mail the cards by December 10. US and Canada addresses only, please. :) Good luck!

-- Originally posted at: http://rebeccasmiscellanies.blogspot.com/

Happy Thanksgiving (a day late!)

I try to make a habit of being thankful on Thursdays... a habit, that like this blog in general, has been neglected. However, with this post I hope to begin to post somewhat more regularly again.

I originally wrote this as the cover article for our November church newsletter, which was published 10/31. Because so much of it is about what I'm thankful for, and includes what I would wish for anyone this season, I'm posting it here as well.

I hope your Thanksgiving day was blessed!

*****

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It is Thanksgiving this month! A good friend of mine calls this her favorite holiday because it is so uniquely American. Even those who are not religious will take time on this holiday to express gratitude for the good things in their lives. Christians may call these “blessings” or “gifts” and direct their gratitude to God in their Thanksgiving celebrations as did those who first celebrated this holiday.

Some of us will begin our celebrations by attending worship, raising our hearts and voices to God. Later, we might each tell of something for which we are thankful before sharing in a feast of turkey, trimmings and pie. I hope that each of us finds joy in expressing our gratitude.

I have never written in this space before, and my filling in as a Connections writer is directly related to something I am grateful for this Thanksgiving: my new role here at Crossroads as Ministry Coordinator. Writing those very words still feels so strange to me because the path of my life that led to this place was neither straight nor well-marked!

So you might be wondering, “What is a Ministry Coordinator, anyway?” Many have asked that question, and there are moments I count myself in that number. Crossroads has never had a Ministry Coordinator before, so I, along with Pastor Mark and our ministry staff and council, am figuring out what it means and how it fits in to what we are trying to do here.

There are two main things (along with some other things!) with which I am tasked:
1. Working with the Crossroads ministry staff to develop and implement ministry plans in line with the mission and vision of Crossroads, and
2. Helping members (that’s you!) identify and develop their own gifts, talents and passions for ministry. In other words if you are already involved in a ministry or would like to be, I am here for you!

As I have taken up this work, I am already finding myself thankful for many things. I feel so fortunate to come to work every day with other people who have a passion for ministry and who joyfully take up their tasks for God’s kingdom. We are all blessed here at Crossroads by their faithful work.

I am so thankful for many of you who have been encouraging as I try to begin answering the questions and determine how exactly I can best complete my task. I thank you for not only asking “What is your job?” but also asking “How is it going?” You are what is making Crossroads into the caring community we strive
for in our vision.

I have already enjoyed meeting some new people because of being in this role. If we haven’t had a chance to talk yet – or recently – I welcome the chance to catch up with you and find out what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

Mostly, I am thankful for being right where I am, even though it was unexpected, because I trust it is God’s perfect plan that led me here. This year I did a lot of waiting to find out what was going to happen next in my life, and in the waiting I found comfort in the words of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.”

Although I am not waiting anymore, I find, even in this new task, that there is peace in knowing God has a plan…even when I do not know the details. (And I really like knowing the details so it is an extra measure of God’s grace that He is helping me to be patient!)

This Thanksgiving, I hope your heart easily turns to gratitude. I hope that if you participate in the tradition of sharing things you are thankful for, your list is long. Above all, I hope you are blessed with peace in knowing that God’s perfect plan includes you, too.


-- Originally posted at: http://rebeccasmiscellanies.blogspot.com/