Remsen

After all these years, you would think I would know how to describe this place, and while I'll always call it home, while I ever feel as though I fit in?

Tonight was a benefit dinner/aution/dance for Carly, the three year old daughter of Bill and Brenda, who is battling cancer. It is so amazing to see the number of people who came to this event. The event was put together by Bill's high school classmates, who graduated 20 years ago, some still from Resmen and others traveled from out of town. There were many items donated for the auction (which included things from John Deere & CaseIH tractor merchandise, Beer signs, beef, hay bails, and Iowa & Iowa State items.... typical for Remsen) and people were willing to spend hundreds of dollars on such things to help out a fellow Remsenite. It was during the dance when the DJ called Brenda and the girls out onto the dance floor that I sat there, looking to my high school girlfriends beside me (Gina, Diana, and Courtney) and a few of my other classmates scattered throughout the dance hall (and bar) that I couldn't help but think about the fact that 20 years down the road, if such a situation would happen to me, I could pretty much guarantee that they would all come together like this.

It kind of struck me as odd for a moment, because I started to think about how I've changed since my days of living and Remsen and how I've grown apart from some of those friendships, yet no matter what, the common bond of Remsen will always keep us together. Actually, it's all very reaassuring, but all I could about is all of you girls and how amazing our friendship is. You all know me for who I am and have encouraged me and inspired me as I continue to grow into the person I want to be.

growing pains

Are we all grown up yet or only just beginning? Some days I feel like this stage of growing up, becoming an adult (whatever that means) and figuring out who we are is even harder than adolescence. Maybe it's because puberty comes and is confusing and awful, but you experience it within the safety and comfort of home. This stage of growing up you're on your own in many areas. And that's how it has to be. But that's also what makes it so hard.

Next time I feel like I don't recognize myself, I'm going to find comfort in the fact that this is the second round of adolescence that no one tells you about. Maybe no one tells you about it because it never ends. I guess we'll find out.

andrea

kids

I got goose bumps reading the the last post with the phrase "glorious little moments that make life worth living."
Just before reading it, I was on a website that's like a blog for Carly, my friend Diana's three-year-old niece who is battling cancer. Through the blog, her Mom keeps everyone updated on Carly's progress and often tells little stories about Carly that alway amaze me as I realize how strong a three-year-old can be and how even through the pain, she's still a kid, so innocent and sweet.

There's something about kids that always remind me about those little moments that make life worth living. I often look at the picture that I got from andrea with the child-like drawings to remind me of this. The colorful characters in my picture are dancing and this is what it says:

"they came to sit and dangle their feet off the edge of the world and after awhile they forgot everything but the good and true things they would do someday"

I love those words "good and true" —things that are blessings from the Lord above.

-becca

my life in post-it notes

You have all seen my desk area enough to know that I tend to go overboard with post-it notes. Any time I have an idea or something that needs to be done it gets a post it note. I have lists of movies I want to see, restaurants I want to go to, things I need to get done. There's nothing more satisfying than accomplishing whatever is on the post-it note. Then I can cross it off or check it off and if there's nothing left on the post-it note I can throw it away. At the end of the day I usually end up sticking one or two notes in my purse, even though I don't usually look at them. Then I go to clean out my purse and find random lists and phone numbers. Yesterday I found a quote that I found somewhere and I love "glorious little moments that make life worth living." So beautiful, so true. Go find your moment.

a

Really Happening

I’ve hit the 90% benchmark. The finish line is just steps away. Amazing.

In Orlando when we calculated our support goal, I remember how daunting that number was. Fear overcame me. I wanted to cry. What in the world was I getting myself into. My box had a measly 80 cards in it, while Shaly had two boxes full of contacts. I set my realistic goal for January, though in the back of my mind I knew it could be February or March before I actually finished raising money.

And here we are. We’ve overcome the daily tears of the first two weeks and the fear of cold-calling people. God has made me so confident of this calling in how he how he has strengthened me and how he has provided.

The last bit is coming quite a bit slower, but I am so confident of the Lord’s provision. I need to make sure I remember this lesson and how God will provide for me when I am discipling and mentoring when I feel void of wisdom or knowledge.

Thanks, girls, for all of your support both in prayer and financially. I am so blessed to have friends like you who are so supportive. I don’t know what I would do without you!

All things are possible.

-bo

realization of the year

So, I have realized this week, that I take myself way too seriously. From worrying about what other's think about my outfit to obsessing about relationships, some may say I'm gullible, some may say I'm self obsessed. I think it's a combination of the two. It's part of my worrysome nature I guess, but now that I've realized it I want to be aware of the times when I waste energy and emotions where it's not necessary. When I think about it, this shows how consumed with myself I am, that I think other people are as worried about me as I am. Does that make any sense?

I was talking to Adam about something unrelated, probably lamenting about something as trivial as my face breaking out, when I could just hear my dad sitting me down, and saying "Andrea, don't take yourself so seriously" I had probably gotten upset about a comment somebody made and blown things out of proportion. As a parent, who loved me, he didn't want me to be carrying around this weight of worrying and seriousness at such a young age. It was such a clear memory. I want to ask him about it and ask him why he thinks I worried so much. It may sound crazy, but I want to understand who I was as a child and how it has shaped who I am today. Maybe it will help me grasp who I'm becoming, or maybe I've just read the back of too many self help books.

any thoughts?

ac