Days 6-8 :)

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

I thought of trading places with Obama so that I could repeal the health care law (grin). I thought of trading places with Beth Moore to see what it feels like to do something like she does and be so successful. I thought of trading places with Stefanie from Ni Hao Y'all to see what it's like to have that many kids - with that many adopted, too.

But you know what? God has given me MY life to live. I have my own struggles and difficulties, but... I also have things that are exciting and fun, and if God has chosen for me to not have or do certain things yet, then I want my own experience!



Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

OK, first off, I'm too tired to go take a picture of my envelope system, so I'm stealing a pic of someone else's.

THESE are envelopes. You put your money in envelopes (because cash is king!), and you spend it. When it's gone, it's gone. :) I put this as my most treasured possession, not because of the $$ in it (not much there right now, lol), but because of how much and how UNEXPECTEDLY it's changed my life. Gazelle intense, baby. :)



Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

This is the ABSOLUTE BEST picture I've ever seen of my little sister. I ♥ it. So much! (G - I'm sorry.... ;) hehehehee)

Reflections...

2010 is now officially over. I said goodbye with some good friends from my Central days... and all their children (with noisemakers!). We laughed a lot, talked a lot, and did a lot of running (hurdles!), boxing, ping pong... all on the Kinect. :) I'm home now, in bed with a throat sore from outtalking all those kids, and am reflective... (who gave me the computer at 2 am??)

Tonight marked day 1,095 of reading my Bible straight. 3 years ago, I made a commitment to read a little bit each day for the month of January. I had no idea that I would be challenged (by myself) to continue in February, then challenged by Pastor Dan to increase it in March, and then just stick with it to see how long I could do it. That was the year I turned 30. That was the year I went to the ACM's for free. That was the year my sister got cancer. That time in the Bible, every day, after three years is not a duty. It's not one of those things I have to get done every night before I go to bed. It is an integral part of me. I'm afraid I would stop breathing without it. Thank you, Lord, for turning what I thought was a gift to You into a blessing for me. How honored am I?

This year I had to big opportunities (OK, big to me!) to speak in church. In May, three of us got to do 5 minutes on the topic of forgiveness. It was so much fun to get in front of a congregation and speak again, and to try to be as concise and clear as possible--in just five minutes. In December, I was able to tell my My Story to all three services (1 Saturday, 2 Sunday). Again 5 minutes, but this time it was my story with Jesus. I was reminded that I WANT to be up there, on that platform, speaking into people's lives. It's been so long since I've had opportunities like that, and I definitely feel rusty, but... I LOVE sharing/teaching about Jesus in front of people.

This week I rang the year out right by cleaning my office--no big deal to some, but to me, it was a room that has weighed heavily on me since I moved in 5 years ago. This, combined with one or two other things that I have put off for YEARS have truly freed me, mentally and emotionally from a lot of baggage... baggage I didn't even know was there.

This year I also received a little more clarity about some things in my future--missions I want to go on, and people/ministries I want to be involved in. I don't really know when... but I know that as soon as there is an opportunity, I want to be there.

This marked my second year of living in financial peace, as well. I can't say that I'm debt free yet, but I have cut my debt almost in half so far--and am praying for the second half to leave my life as quickly as possible.

This year I began writing my sponsored child, Ezra, more than regularly. I joined a second Friday of the month writing group, and have written the second Friday of the month--plus MORE for several months now. I am more excited to pray for her, to develop relationship with her, and just to know that I am able to contribute to a little girl becoming a young woman--following God.

2010 has been filled with so much more. It's been a year of growth--in areas where I am surprised to see change. I'm thankful. And I'm anticipatory for 2011... I think there will be more change, more growth... I'm doing my absolute best to follow my Jesus... And I'm excited to see where our journey will lead this year.

Happy New Year!

Randomness of the evening...

Until I get back into blogging again, my faithful few readers will be blessed with the randomness that goes through Emily's head. Beware... and I apologize ahead of time. ;)

First of all... I got a laptop. THANK GOD. Seriously. It wasn't in the budget, but thanks to some tricky math, faithful giving (that really has a lot to do with EVERYthing), and a very dead desktop... I was able to get this brand new HP on a great deal with no debt AND no touching the emergency fund. God is very, VERY good. Oh, and by the way... I. LOVE. IT. Seriously. I've never loved a computer like this. It's perfect. And I love the keyboard way more than I've ever loved a laptop keyboard before. It just... fits. :):):) <--- that's me, really happy. :)

Speaking of no debt and an emergency fund... It's been over a year and half since I went through Financial Peace University the first time. LIFE CHANGING. Seriously... it's not just a money system; it's not just about budgeting. Dave Ramsey really does get to the heart of the matter. You are FORCED to look at what is important to how, how you spend money and why... I just love it. Totally. I ran into a couple at church on Sunday who are starting FPU this fall, and shared a little about my journey... I hope I energized them a bit!

Oh, I am reading the best book EVER. (ok, aside from the Bible.) It's called Throw Out Fifty Things. It's crazy - half of the people I work with are now reading it. It's beyond simple... the author challenges you to throw out fifty of your things... from those three throw pillows that just don't match anything (that only counts as ONE, by the way!), to the ONE lost earring, to the book that Aunt Sally gave you that you will NEVER read, to the regrets you have from years past. It's simple. It's "easy." It's revolutionary. Seriously, go buy it or check it out from your library. I've renewed mine twice and it's due in two days... and I still have a chapter or two left. Need to get it finished and returned... and then maybe go buy it. She says to do it all in two weeks, and it's been 2 months for me, but the idea is still there. I'm in the 30s I think... most of my stuff is written on several different pieces of paper so I'm not really sure what my total is. It all feels AMAZING. The physical garbage (literally!) is GONE, and the emotional stuff is walking its' way to the dumpster. I love it.

This is far too much for you to read tonight. I'll stop here. What else should I talk about? Want an update on my kitties or my family or work or church or....?

I'll leave you with this:
What do you think my new favorite TV show is?
Any takers? :)
Night all.