This morning as my co-host and I were on the air, one of the ladies from our office came in holding a vase of roses, a Valentine's bag and a big balloon. She set them on my desk and said she was the "delivery lady". I was really excited, until she said they were for Dan.
I felt pretty darn foolish. After all, I had told my husband that he shouldn't get me anything as we are going to a Valentine's banquet (tomorrow), and then to Israel next week! We need to be saving money, and flowers and balloons are just a waste of money. Or are they?
Prices for Valentine's Day are so over inflated. A dozen roses that last week were $9.99 are now $20 (or more). Nothing changed except the day on which they are given.
I try to fight against the mentality that gifts are an indicator of value or love. It's not even really my love language.
As defined by Dr. Gary Chapman, the love languages include: acts of service, quality time, gifts, physical touch, and words of affirmation. My husband is physical touch, I'm acts of service.
I guess the Valentine's letdown came from thinking my hubby hadn't spent the time (not money) to plan a surprise. He could have popped into the office with a can of tuna and I would have been happy that he had gone out of his way.
Don't get me wrong--I'm not going to hold a grudge. I'm not going to pout and make him feel guilty. I guess I'm just going to be more aware in the future, when I tell him not to get me anything, to be honest about what I really mean--that I don't need him to spend money, but do need him to take the time to think of me and let me know I'm loved.
Love languages are tricky things--it's hard to think outside the parameters of what makes you feel loved. But, it's well worth it when you invest the time and effort to communicate in such a way that makes the other person feel that they are worth
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Does my mission trip count?
A few months back, my boss came in and told me that I had been suggested to serve as a representative for Son Broadcasting Network in a race in Israel. Floored and excited, I expressed that I would be honored, but it really was my husband who was the runner in the family. A few phone calls later, and my husband and I were both encouraged to go.
We will be participating in different events under the auspices of the Jerusalem Marathon. My husband will run the half-marathon, and I'll do the 10K (a knee injury interrupted my training schedule and led to the need for less mileage).
We will be running in support of a crisis pregnancy center in Jerusalem called "Just One Life". This organization has been working for the last 20 years to provide help and hope for families that find themselves with very difficult choices to make surrounding an unexpected pregnancy. 13,000+ children later, it is abundantly apparent that their work is needed and serving so many Israeli families.
This trip really is a gift from the Lord. I had the opportunity to visit Israel in 2009 with a media tour, and my prayer had been for an opportunity to go back with my husband. Now that prayer is a reality.
I have been so excited, and felt God moving throughout the process of planning, promoting and raising funds for Just One Life. Even with my knee injury, I've seen the favor that I've been given and I've had a doctor who has been treating me weekly with electrical stimulation simply because he want to see me succeed.
I trust that He is going to put us in contact with those we need to see, talk with those who need a word of hope, and run along side those who question why we would travel half way around the world to stand with an Israeli crisis pregnancy center.
Though much of this trip will be more vacation like, there will be days when we will have the opportunity to share the story of why we are there, hopefully touching hearts along the way. I was fired up about the blessing and "mission" opportunity God had given us, until . . .
Comparison is a killer. We were chugging along with our plans when I heard of a dear friend who was going on a mission trip to Haiti. They would work with the poor and sick, help orphans, etc. Suddenly, our "mission" opportunity paled in comparison--big time! I piled a good dose of doubt and condemnation on my own head.
We are going to stay in a B&B for a few nights, then move onto a fancy hotel. We get to spend several days as husband and wife taking in the sights of Jerusalem. Some mission trip!
I had to stop my train of thought. It was going down the wrong track, and fast. I had been handed a beautiful gift. Instead of spending every day thanking Him and blessing His name, I wallowed into a bog of comparative filth.
Let this serve as a word of caution: comparing your anything with anyone/thing else will quickly steal your joy, and rob you the opportunity to serve in your full capacity. That you Lord for snapping me out of that mindset!
So we charge on. Ready to leave in a few short weeks. Ready to listen and act on the promptings that the Lord stirs in our hearts. Ready to run and give the glory to the Lord. Ready to let my life serve as a mission field--in Albuquerque, Israel or anywhere He places me.
If you'd like to learn more about our trip you can visit here: http://www.teamjustonelife.org/my/birgaandbob
If you'd like to check out my friend's trip to Haiti, visit here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Becky-Maggie-to-Haiti/449043931828087?ref=ts&fref=ts
We will be participating in different events under the auspices of the Jerusalem Marathon. My husband will run the half-marathon, and I'll do the 10K (a knee injury interrupted my training schedule and led to the need for less mileage).
We will be running in support of a crisis pregnancy center in Jerusalem called "Just One Life". This organization has been working for the last 20 years to provide help and hope for families that find themselves with very difficult choices to make surrounding an unexpected pregnancy. 13,000+ children later, it is abundantly apparent that their work is needed and serving so many Israeli families.
This trip really is a gift from the Lord. I had the opportunity to visit Israel in 2009 with a media tour, and my prayer had been for an opportunity to go back with my husband. Now that prayer is a reality.
I have been so excited, and felt God moving throughout the process of planning, promoting and raising funds for Just One Life. Even with my knee injury, I've seen the favor that I've been given and I've had a doctor who has been treating me weekly with electrical stimulation simply because he want to see me succeed.
I trust that He is going to put us in contact with those we need to see, talk with those who need a word of hope, and run along side those who question why we would travel half way around the world to stand with an Israeli crisis pregnancy center.
Though much of this trip will be more vacation like, there will be days when we will have the opportunity to share the story of why we are there, hopefully touching hearts along the way. I was fired up about the blessing and "mission" opportunity God had given us, until . . .
Comparison is a killer. We were chugging along with our plans when I heard of a dear friend who was going on a mission trip to Haiti. They would work with the poor and sick, help orphans, etc. Suddenly, our "mission" opportunity paled in comparison--big time! I piled a good dose of doubt and condemnation on my own head.
We are going to stay in a B&B for a few nights, then move onto a fancy hotel. We get to spend several days as husband and wife taking in the sights of Jerusalem. Some mission trip!
I had to stop my train of thought. It was going down the wrong track, and fast. I had been handed a beautiful gift. Instead of spending every day thanking Him and blessing His name, I wallowed into a bog of comparative filth.
Let this serve as a word of caution: comparing your anything with anyone/thing else will quickly steal your joy, and rob you the opportunity to serve in your full capacity. That you Lord for snapping me out of that mindset!
So we charge on. Ready to leave in a few short weeks. Ready to listen and act on the promptings that the Lord stirs in our hearts. Ready to run and give the glory to the Lord. Ready to let my life serve as a mission field--in Albuquerque, Israel or anywhere He places me.
If you'd like to learn more about our trip you can visit here: http://www.teamjustonelife.org/my/birgaandbob
If you'd like to check out my friend's trip to Haiti, visit here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Becky-Maggie-to-Haiti/449043931828087?ref=ts&fref=ts
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Writing a Will at 35
My husband and I are getting ready to travel to Israel. We've been invited to participate in a race in order to raise funds and awareness for a crisis pregnancy center in Jerusalem. This trip is a blessing through and through. I have no expectations or fears that we will be in any kind of danger.
However, with both of us leaving the country, I've been advised to write a Will. I'm only 35! The chances of harm befalling both me and my husband are very slim, but I do have to think about my kids in the event of the "what if?".
Contemplating who would care for my children for the next 10 years has been agonizing. Thank goodness we have four solid possibilities of immediate family members who could step in in the event of an emergency.
While I may have complained about many aspects of parenting in the past (and will likely struggle through issues in the future) I am so glad that I've been selected to be the mother of my two beautiful girls!
I know the looks, the smarty-pants remarks, the worries, fears and joys that make them who they are. I know how often their fingernails need to be cut, the songs they sing along to and the friends they keep. I am their Mama.
When we go out for our occasional $1 Boba Tea Tuesdays, I am reminded that this is our special time. When my 9 year old wakes me up at night because she is afraid, I want to be there. When my eldest struggles through her reading, I want to hear it.
Parenting is hard. It's even harder if you are trying to do it in order to train future Godly adults. After today's doctor's appointment and strep culture, I will be thankful for my job. When I take pictures of molding potatoes for a 4th grade science project, I will hold my breath but appreciate the chance to be an active part. I choose to celebrate motherhood in the good times and bad.
Thank you God for today and for every day you allow me to be a Mother!
However, with both of us leaving the country, I've been advised to write a Will. I'm only 35! The chances of harm befalling both me and my husband are very slim, but I do have to think about my kids in the event of the "what if?".
Contemplating who would care for my children for the next 10 years has been agonizing. Thank goodness we have four solid possibilities of immediate family members who could step in in the event of an emergency.
While I may have complained about many aspects of parenting in the past (and will likely struggle through issues in the future) I am so glad that I've been selected to be the mother of my two beautiful girls!
I know the looks, the smarty-pants remarks, the worries, fears and joys that make them who they are. I know how often their fingernails need to be cut, the songs they sing along to and the friends they keep. I am their Mama.
When we go out for our occasional $1 Boba Tea Tuesdays, I am reminded that this is our special time. When my 9 year old wakes me up at night because she is afraid, I want to be there. When my eldest struggles through her reading, I want to hear it.
Parenting is hard. It's even harder if you are trying to do it in order to train future Godly adults. After today's doctor's appointment and strep culture, I will be thankful for my job. When I take pictures of molding potatoes for a 4th grade science project, I will hold my breath but appreciate the chance to be an active part. I choose to celebrate motherhood in the good times and bad.
Thank you God for today and for every day you allow me to be a Mother!
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