On the Move

I apologize for not having posted this months ago, but I have officially moved this blog to an independent website: www.hungrytolearn.com
It would be an honor if you would follow me there.
Birga

Celebrating the little things (unless those little things are roaches)

In just a few hours, I'll find myself at work, and I'm sure several people will ask "How was your weekend?" Instead of just "good" or "fine", I though I'd take a moment to remember what actually transpired this weekend.

Saturday morning I asked my husband if he wanted to go garage sailing with me.  He did, and we set off just before 8am.  After a half-dozen busts, we came to a home selling a lot of high end audio equipment and hit a big "score", finding quality tower speakers for a fraction of retail cost.

Then, we headed home to clean up, as I had a date with my younger daughter to attend New Mexico Fashion Week.  We had bought tickets to this event for her birthday.  She loves fashion, and wants to find her niche within the industry one day, so I thought this would be a great exposure for her.

I must interject a story about my view of the fashion industry at this point.  I don't much care for it--and I often don't agree with it.  After all, it seems to me that a few high powered individuals gave permission for the 80s to throw up on the 2010s and make everything that was wrong about my middle and high school years popular with my children!

But, all joking aside, it does seem a strange industry for anyone of faith to be involved in--until I got an "ah ha" moment when hearing John Stonestreet speak a few years ago.  He relayed a conversation that he had with two college age women who wanted to pursue careers in the fashion world.  When he asked them why Christian women should be part of that industry, they answered: "Because the fashion industry tells women what beauty is." To have women (or men) of faith who can interject the truth of where real beauty lies, is a gift this world needs.

So, on to the fashion show we went.  My daughter was so happy, and I was glad I made the effort to spend time doing something out of my comfort zone, for her sake.  We saw some remarkable creations and got to experience our first runway (which was neat with a dose of strange).   

 

 

Sunday was our weekly lunch with my husband's family, which we love.  A meal, cooked by my mother-in-law, and a chance to sit together and talk and experience life together is indeed a precious opportunity.

The afternoon hours were filled with packing bags and getting necessities for a short youth trip that our girls are taking with church.  Off they went, and then we go the bonus gift of a date night!

Now, Monday morning is here, and I woke early which allowed me some time to write.  The weather has turned warmer, and while I'm 99% thankful for that, with it come the return of the bugs--and notable, the cockroaches!  While blogging this morning, I had to get up and kill 5.  But, that in turn makes me thankful for bug spray and a husband who will take care of the bug problem.

May the Lord bless your week, my friends.  I pray that as you reflect over this last weekend, you too will find things to be thankful for.  And, when you get asked the inevitable question of "how was your weekend?", the answer might be a heartfelt: "Blessed!"

Old Desk, New Desk

Last Wednesday I had my final broadcast on KDAZ AM730.  It closed out a 5 day run of guests whom I had purposefully scheduled to come in and help me "talk out" my last days at a station I love.  Friends and ministry partners came in and wished me well, and we talked about our heart(s) for Albuquerque and why it matters that we choose to engage and love on/in our community.

The final hour of the program was spent with a dear friend, Chuck Elmore, who prayed for me and commissioned me onward and upward.  Son Broadcasting President, Annette Garcia, also came in to speak a word of blessing and to send me into my next role. It was a sweet and treasured hour.  I'm kicking myself for not recording it, but perhaps my forgetfulness was God's way of encouraging me to rely on the mental imprint, rather than digital playback.

It wasn't until a few hours after the broadcast ended that the finality of what had transpired really hit me.  I was cleaning out my desk, and the tears began to flow.  Sorting through books and business cards, tea packets and notepads, it was a moment of realization that my little corner desk wasn't going to be mine anymore.  My belongings would be removed and the space would be vacant.  I took my big blue yoga ball, and my few remaining items and packed them into my car, and really cried. 

I don't question my decision to move into a new professional role. God had been working behind the scenes long enough, that I knew the timing and situation was right for me to make the change.  But just because God is behind (and in) the change, doesn't make it pain free.

I must take a moment to be candid.  My husband gave me advice that I didn't heed.  He suggested that I take some time off between jobs to just rest.  Thinking that I had to make my schedule work out in a particular way, I charged ahead.  I ended my job at KDAZ on Wednesday, and then arrived first thing Thursday morning to start my new position.  Looking at my new desk, tears welled up in my eyes.  I hadn't given myself the time I needed to process these big changes.

There is an excitement that comes with this new job.  I'm eager to see what God is going to do in and through me.  The beauty of working in ministry is, that though I may be at a different station now, we all serve the same Captain.  Together, our respective teams play out our roles as we advance toward the finals. 




 

Saying Goodbye

Today I shared some big news.  After more than 7 years with Son Broadcasting and AM730 KDAZ, it is time for me to say goodbye.  Having spent much time in prayer and consultation with friends and family, I have accepted a position working with another ministry in the Albuquerque area.  It will be hard to part with my working family as I feel that I have grown up at KDAZ, in many different ways.

I am exceedingly thankful that Jim Sandell took a chance on me when he hired me to co-host The AM730 Morning Show all those years ago.  I have loved the tremendous opportunity I've been given to work in radio.

 

 

I have learned so much, and have been given the opportunity to meet some remarkable people along the way.  From national radio host Janet Parshall, to Congressman Steve Pearce, there have been many individuals of influence and authority who have been gracious, patient and kind to me. 

The Son Broadcasting staff have treated me like family and I will miss them greatly!

 

 It has been a fun journey and this goodbye is not the end.

 

 

In closing, I have to thank two specific people, who have impacted me in a very special way:

 

Annette Garcia, President of Son Broadcasting, has been a constant in my broadcast career.  From the time I was hired, she has showered me with her love and support.  On many occasions we have laughed and cried together, prayed and stood in faith together.  But above all, we have loved the Lord and trusted Him with our choices.  She is Godly woman, and has taught me much.

 

And finally, Dan Rosecrans--oh where to begin?  When he came on board as Program Director, I thought he was a little crazy and didn't know how we would ever work together.  Yet, it didn't take long before he taught me how to loosen up and have fun along the way.  His love of life and laughter is infectious and there is no doubt that he chose to propel me forward, even if it meant that he would stay behind.  I will greatly miss my radio buddy, and to him, I give my heart felt thanks.

 

The beauty of the work that we do, is that in working for the King of Kings, we are all in the same business, we just have different roles. There is no doubt that our paths will cross again.  So this goodbye is really just an "until next time". 

 



Raindrops On Roses and Scars On My Toeses

The Sound of Music is such an iconic movie. For many, the scene that first comes to mind is when Maria comforts the children during the rainstorm and sings "My Favorite Things". While not entirely historically accurate, the movie rendering of the von Trapp family and their musical journey has encouraged generations with a message of hope, love and perseverance. 

The idea of focusing on the positive in the midst of fear or turmoil is not just common sense, but Biblical as well.  Philippians 4:8 reads: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

That is not always an easy task. When things get rough, choosing to focus on the lovely is a struggle.  These last two weeks have been very challenging for me.  Between some high stress situations and a daughter's repeated sickness, I've often been in tears, fighting against depression.  Thankfully, my cloud has lifted and I'm much more at peace.  I know that several people have been praying for me and I'm very thankful for that. 

Looking back over the last few years, it has occurred to me that issues that were once a huge stress or problem, have now become blessings.  For example, two different skin cancers were removed, and though I don't like the scars or scraggly hairs left behind, they are evidence of a problem solved.  The cancer was caught and eliminated.  I could choose to see them as ugly (and sometimes I do) but when I'm in a more gratitude oriented mindset, I see them as answered prayers and a sign of God's provision.
  

Today, be encouraged to think on your favorite things (blessings), whether they are raindrops on roses or scars on your toes(es). When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when you're feeling bad--remember to choose to think on the good, and enlist some trusted friends to pray for you. 

The Missing Suitcase

On Sunday, we returned home from a remarkable trip to Bolivia.  My husband, his sister and their mother were all born there.  Much of my husband's childhood was spent there and this was a once in a lifetime trip, where 10 of us were able to travel together to see part of our family's history and heritage.  In the group was our family of four, my sister-in-law and her family of four, along with my in-laws. 

The 10 of us and our 19 pieces of luggage left Albuquerque mid-January and spent two weeks in the middle of South America.  It was an amazing experience.  The sights, the smells and the sounds were all foreign to me. I ate and drank things I never would have imaged (sheep heart and a corn beverage).  I often found myself sardined into a "Mini Bus", a van with extra seats added, transporting as many as 17 passengers at a time!

The crowds of people were often overwhelming.  The vibrant colors of the fabrics provided a strange frame to the faces of the many impoverished beggars that lined the streets. Indian women carried their babies on their backs and hunched men struggled up hills, hauling the goods that they would sell from their roadside stands. 

It was a good trip, but it was also a hard trip.  All four of the children got sick--everything from fevers and coughs to intestinal infections.  My embarrassing ignorance of the Spanish language often left me sitting in the middle of conversations, guessing at the subject matter based on facial expressions, hand gestures and the occasional word I recognized. 

By the time we left, I had gotten sick as well.  The 2 day journey home was full of delays and frustrations.  It was at the Miami International Airport that we realized one of our suitcases was missing.

Hours of phone calls and attempts to track the bag have thus far proved unfruitful.  Aside from the many items of clothing that are missing, my youngest daughter also lost all of the special items that she bought as gifts for friends.  We have prayed often for the return of the lost bag, but as each new day passes, the chances of us retrieving it become more doubtful.

In the first 48 hours, I had every expectation that God was going to do something wonderfully miraculous and reunite us with the bag.  I figured that He's surely want to boost my daughter's faith by answering this simple request. 

It was this morning, in a time of quite prayer and reflection, that I had to concede that His answer might be "no".  The bag may never be returned and those special items will be lost to us.  Does that mean God is mean or unfeeling?  Knowing His character, I had to admit that though I don't understand, His "no" is for our good. 

This simple and relatively pain-free lesson (on the scale of life's woes) reminded me again that I need to be careful not to view God as a magic genie.  It's not a question of asking for something and "poof"--request granted.  I can ask my Abba Father for something, but if, in His wisdom he says "wait" or "no", those are still good answers.  My selfish heart longs for what I want, when I want it.  Yet, my desire to grow in my faith will undoubtedly require me to receive many answers that are contrary to what I want, and more importantly, in line with what I need.  I am thankful that the prayers of safe travel were all answered in the affirmative.  We are home and I am grateful for the many blessings that we take for granted here in America. 

Fresh Starts

It's a new year (again).  The ads for gym memberships and dieting products are everywhere.  Organization and de-cluttering is top of mind as the Christmas decorations are packed away.  We want this new year to be fresh and different. Behinds us are weeks of bad eating, crazy schedules and sometimes painful situations.  Many of us long for a clean start to the year--a "do over" of sorts.

I was struck today by two "do-over" stories from Scripture.  It just so happened that these passages were listed as the daily reading in the online devotional "My Utmost for His Highest".  First came the story of Cain and Abel, then the story of Noah and the great flood. 

Most are familiar with the basic details of the Cain and Abel story, but I was reminded today of God's grace as I re-read the account from Genesis.  Cain, in a fit of jealousy and rage, kills his brother.  God delivers a consequence for the killing of Abel by driving Cain away from his home, and cursing the ground.  It then reads:

"Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. ¹⁴ Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. ¹⁶ So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden."

 

Cain was forced to have a fresh start.  God could have ended his life, struck him with a plague, or any number of punishments.  Instead, he spared him, showed him mercy and sent him on his way.  Cain goes on to find a wife and start a family.  Does he live a happy life after that?  We simply don't know.

 

Then comes the story of Noah:

^"The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. ⁶ The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."

 

If you are basing your knowledge of the entirety of the story of Noah from last year's movie, don't! Go back and read the full account in Genesis.  It's a sad story, but also one of God's mercy, as he allows Noah, his sons and their wives the opportunity to start again. 

 

Do either of these stories resonate with you?  Perhaps you feel as though your new year comes on the heals of bad choices you've made; damaged relationship, broken promises and a host of events that you can't take back.  Or maybe, you feel as though the world, in it's brokenness, has left you with nothing.  You have only the bare necessities and little hope for what may lie ahead. 

 

God can give you the fresh start you desire.  It may not come in the way, or with the ease you would desire.  However, He is a God of mercy and second chances.  Seek Him today as you begin to plan out what comes next.  Regardless of what circumstance you find yourself in today, know that He can be trusted with your tomorrow. 

 

I pray that 2015 will expose you to the bigness of God's love for you.  I pray that you will find peace and joy in walking with Him.  I close with a Scriptural blessing for everyone reading this:

 

The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26