2 days and counting

December 28: Didn't eat as much as I wanted to in order to keep my metabolism up...but at least I didn't eat much crap.  Took all intended vitamins & supplements. Jogged/walked 1.6 miles with Clay...of that I think he said we jogged .6...which is WAY more than I would have ever done without him there.  Did not spend time in the Word.

December 29:  Again, didn't eat as much as I should have metabolism-wise, but didn't eat too much junk either.  Took all intended vitamins (including the fish oil packet), but did not drink enough water.  Hip Hop Abs for 30 minutes followed by Windsor Pilates for 20.  Some time 

in the Word earlier pondering Body Systems (I'm in charge of Science and we start the Skeletal System next week), and am headed to read another chapter in The Search for Significance.  

I promise not to bore you with daily updates...I'm just excited I actually managed to do something this week!

The First Day...

After a rather rocky ending to 2007 - an overwhelming break-up and Mimi's passing - I could not have imagined that 2008 would be so remarkable.

On New Year's Day I was all but offered a position with Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services that resuced me from what had slowly evolved into a toxic work enviornment. January 20, the night before I began work at PCHAS, I went on my first date with Clay Dixon. Seven days ago we celebrated 11 months. I have learned so much from and with

him - he is truly medicine to my soul. In February I began the very long process of applying to teach. In May I was offered at 5th grade classroom....and in August I officially began teaching. In between those milestones I made new friends, had a great time celebrating birthdays and weddings, had an amazing puppy for a few short months, and have had the opportunity to get my finances in order.

As blessed and amazing as 2008 was, I have been ignoring, for quite some time, that I am in need of some maintenance: physical and spiritual. I am now ready to start this difficult process. My hope and goal for 2009 is to be healthier in all arenas. To be content where God has me, but to be actively pursuing growth in areas within my control.

So here are the steps to achieving said goals:

• Daily, non-negotiable time in prayer, meditation and the Word. No matter how crappy I feel about myself that day, how unworthy Satan tells me I am, or how much I don't "feel" like a Christian in the moment.

• Moving my sedentary body for at least 3o minutes a day. I would LOVE to be able to run a 5K this year.

• Eating healthier, as gluten-free as possible, consuming more water on a regular basis.

Updated Sites

I have come across some new blogs and new websites you might enjoy. Check out my udpated Blogs and Favorites sections. 

New Favorites:

• Perspectives Class in Austin & Perspectives on the World Christian Movement 
  
  These 2 links are part of the same organization. The parent group is Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. There are classes all over the world, and having taken this class for graduate school credit 2 years ago, I strongly recommend it.  All believers are called to be on mission with God...not just a select few who may be called to live in huts in Africa. Pardon the lack of adjective diversity - but this class will truly change your perspective on the Christian walk.
  
  
• The Star of Bethlehem
  
  There are no words to describe how incredible our God is. This presentation by Rick Larson of College Station, TX will give you walk you through God's poetry in the sky. Working from 9 "clues" or criteria listed in the Matthew account of the Star, Mr. Larson uses astronomy software to show the world just what was in the sky not only at the time of Christ's birth, but 9 months before at his conception, and then 33 years later on the day of his death. You will walk away from this presenation speechless and in awe of our Creator.  I have the DVD if anyone wants to borrow it.
  
  
• His Hands Taiwan
  
  This one has been on my page for a while, but I'll take this chance to formally introduce you to it. My cousin, Trena Campbell, is a labor & delivery nurse by training. Her family moved to Koashiung, Taiwan a few years ago to work at Morrison Academy. During her time there, the Lord sensitized her to the high abortion rate in the country and impressed upon her the need for someone to show these women His love and comfort. His Hands is a ministry that reaches out to women who find themselves with unwanted pregancy. Similar to Life Care Austin, and Austin Pregnancy Resource Centers, His Hands offers counseling to mothers considering abortion, and care for those who choose to see the pregnancy to term.  His Hands also has a home to temporarily house moms and their children.  From the His Hands site on their Vision:

At the very heart of His Hands is the vision to build relationships. Our primary focus is to build relationships with Taiwanese women, through crisis pregnancy intervention, prenatal education, and childbirth. We believe that by building relationships we will become a place of refuge and hope where we will be able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Basketball

This weekend Clay and I went with his parents to see Texas v Michigan State and A&M v LSU at the Toyota Center in Houston. Those of you who know me know I don't care one iota about basketball, but it turned out to be a great day! The tickets we were given were 2 rows off the court. It is a totally different perspective when you are close enough to hear what the coaches and the players are talking about. Here are a few pictures from the day. Keep in mind I was not zooming for any of them.

One more random observation: I think A&M's Elonu is a nice guy. I don't know why, but his facial expressions throughout the game just make me think he would be ok to hang out with. And he is a BIG dude.



Texas & Michigan State

LSU warming up

Elonu = 6ft 10in. That is 17 inches taller than me.

Yep. Yep. Yep.

Holy Night

Strongly recommending this sermon (Oh Holy Night: The Reckless Love of God) to any and all believers. Matt is preaching on the lyrics of "Holy Night" in preparation for Christmas. In his estimation (though I butchered the words), next to "Come Emmanuel" the most theologically sound Christmas song ever. You will never sing the song the same again, and you will never read the story of the Prodigal Son (now to me known as the "Recklessly Loving Father") with the same emphasis again.

We got through verse one last week. The first time I sang "Holy Night" was for Madrigal in high school. Even then the words "long lay the world in sin and error pining till He appeared and the soul felt its worth" moved me to tears thinking of my Savior's love. Now, delving deeper into that meaning is even more awe inspiring.

I hope you'll listen, and check back next week, or join us at the Stone for service on Sunday, to jump into verse 2. Also, if you are in Austin for Christmas Eve we will be having 2 services (5p & 7p) at the school...and yes, we will be singing "Holy Night". I was blessed enough to attend choir practice yesterday in preparation for it. Amazing!

Malachi 3:3

**Edited 12/16/08

I received the below article in an email and I am uncertain of its origin, but I found it encouraging. I am finding myself more and more thanking my Father for loving me enough to send me through the fire. He disciplines and refines those He loves. Amazing. Honestly, I have felt very much in the heat of the fire lately. I know others who are close to me are in the fire as well. What a comfort and a reassurance it is to know it is because my Creator wants me to be more like Him.

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' This
verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement
meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it was true that, He had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the
entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the
flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Chew Boo

Is no longer with us. And my heart is broken.

Updates or All Things New

Ok, it has been ages since I have posted. It seems everytime I sit down to do it the words escape me, and now many things have built up. Here is the very short version. Pop me an email if you want the bigger picture on any of them :)

1) My Total Money Make Over - going well! Moved in with my parents this month and will now be able to put almost $700/month towards debt! I'm living on about $200/month for gas, fun & extra food. All my credit cards are at zero interest, and I paid $2000 on one last month. My brother is doing even better! He had further to go to get his snowball started than I did, and in 3 months has got his $1000 saved, is current on all his bills, and is beginning to see some headway.

2) Clay's Baptism - probably my favorite October memory! The Dixons (Bob & Jo Ella) came in and our parents spent the day together. They hit it off marvelously. I got to baptise Clay. And did well except that I forgot to dunk him...I got through the "Buried with Christ" and then kinda froze. There were a lot of people there! All in all it was a great day.

3) Teaching Experiences - I love my kids. This past Friday we spent the day at Zilker Park "navigating" with our compasses from one point to another. We spent an hour on the lake (in 40 degree weather), and covered a LOT of terrain hiking. I am learning to be diplomatic with parents whom I do not always (and sometimes not often) agree with. But God is gracious and is giving me the strength I need to sustain. He has sent me 3 amazing mentors at the school, and that's not even counting my continued relationship with Amy Duncan who always seems to pop in to say "hello" at just the right time.

4) The Holidays - are upon us! I type this as I am on my first official Thanksgiving break. One glorious week off, to be followed by 3 weeks of insanity leading up to Christmas. Wow. Check back for another update soon on the Star of Bethlehem Presentation that Clay & I are attending in Houston next week.

Term 1

I cannot believe our first term is over on Friday. It is OCTOBER for crying out loud! I am loving teaching, loving my kids, and loving what the Lord is showing me about Himself in this time. He reminded me this week just how good He is, and that He is in control no matter what.

We are in the process of a book drive in my classroom for the Destiny School in Lusaka. In 2 days time, my kids have already brought a TON of books. That is just on their own -- I haven't said a word to the parents. I am so moved by their hearts for others -- others that they do not know and may never meet.

Chewy is just finishing his first term, too. We started doggy tutoring a couple of weeks ago, and we are 4 lessons into an 8 lesson package. He is no longer pulling me down the stairs, but walking beside me on a loose leash. That may not sound like a big deal -- trust me, it is!

Mulungu ni wambweno! God is good!!

My Total Money Make Over

Beginning today my finances are changing. I am having a Total Money Makeover and it is starting with my heart. I am going to "live like no one else, so later I can live like no one else." That's the motto in Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover book.

If you aren't familiar with him, Dave Ramsey is a nationally known financial guy who is also a Christian. He has a national radio show, and several books and seminars on getting and keeping your finances straight.

Using his plan, I have mapped out how I will be DEBT FREE in less than 4 years. That is my car, my credit cards, and, even, hold your breath please, MY STUDENT LOANS! I might even pull it off a little sooner as all that I wrote out I was VERY conservative with.

God has really been convicting me lately of how I manage my finances...which, as well all know, aren't really mine to begin with. Everything I have is the Lord's and He has seen fit to give it to me to steward. So far I am FAILING the stewardship test. Yeah, I tithe and even give a little more in offering and to missions....but what I do with the other 90% is NOT pleasing to God. With HIS help though and some serious self-discipline by August 2010 I will be financially solid - not only debt free but with an emergency fund on it's way to being fully funded.

As an aside about the Bible and finances 2 very interesting facts I learned in the last 2 weeks from 2 separate sources: 1) if you add up all the things Jesus said...just the red letter words in the Bible...the one's He actually spoke, 15% of all that he talked about dealt with money. 2) more than 800 verses in the Bible total speak to our finances. AMAZING! God knows that finances show the condition of our hearts and is trying desperately to get us to pay attention as well.

I STRONGLY recommend this book to EVERYONE. If you want to be normal (by American standards) then don't worry about reading it because normal is BROKE and you might as well not waste your time. But if you want to be able to break free and stop treading water pick it up today. You can get it on Amazon for $13.

Keep me accountable. Ask me how I'm doing. If you hear about me going out to dinner or spending $4 for coffee at Starbucks, gently or not so gently ask how that fits into my Total Money Makeover. I'll keep you all updated.

Oh, and if you think that this is going to be easy, or I just must not have that much debt to be rid of it in 3.5 years shoot me a message and I'll tell you what kind of money we are talking about. This is going to be anything but easy....but it IS DOABLE!!!!

Chewy Chewbacerson

Ok, so it drives Clay nuts when I call him that....but here he is....introducing....CHEWY!!! I love him :) He loves to swim. The other dog in these pictures is Amy's dog, Chloe. She was VERY patient with Chewy....obviously he LOVED her. He is an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix. His parents run cattle on a ranch in New Mexico. Chewy prefers the air conditioning or the pool.

If you can't say anything nice...

I am really, really tired of unsolicited, negative advice when I am trying to share something I am doing with people. I have come to the conclusion that it is human nature to point out all the flaws when we hear of someone else's plans or ideas. While there are many things that come to mind here are just a couple of examples for clarification.

1) Africa
The first time I started talking about going to Africa to work with AIDS orphans the OVERWHELMING response was "That is so dangerous! You could get AIDS or some other really bad disease." Amazing. I managed to make it through 7 years of higher education, but no one thought I had the brains to do some homework on the dangers of traveling to a third world country and working with people infected with HIV. And throw out the window completely that I went as an answer to the Lord's call to minister to these children. Forget that I was stepping out in faith trusting in my Creator and His sovereignty.

2) My puppy*
I have talked about and thought about getting a puppy for a couple of years now. When I finally did, all I heard was how much work they are, and how hard it will be for me. Huh? I thought they trained themselves, and were perfect angels all the time.

I know that all of these pieces of "advice" were offered because people care about me. But unless someone specifically ASKS your opinion about a given topic....PLEASE don't burst their bubble with all the things that are wrong with the idea. Have a little faith that they are smart enough to have considered all sides of the scenario before committing to their decision. No decision is 100% perfect, and everything we do has some consequences. But odds are, if someone of reasonable intelligence has made a choice about something, the good out weighs the bad enough to be worth while. And they don't need you raining on their parade.

*please note that on the puppy advice there were several friends and family whose advice I did seek out....and I am not directing this at them because that is the point of asking for advice. This is in response to things said after the decision was made from outside parties.

New Blog Lists

Ok so for those of you who use Blogger as your blog site, and you list out your friends' blogs on the side of the page like webpages....you should update to the new Blog List page element. It's really cool and gives snippets of the blogs.

Yeaaaah. I'm a dork.

Summertime In the City

It is hot. It has been hot in Austin since April. It has been REALLY hot since May. But I LOVE summer! I have actually got a pretty decent tan working...first one in several years. I have enjoyed laying by the pool and reading for pleasure.

Tomorrow is the first day of July. That means I have exactly one month to prepare for Regents. Today I purchased 2 books for my summer reading. The Great Divorce (C.S. Lewis) & The Everlasting Man (G.K. Chesterton). I'll let you know how they go.

In other news, my birthday was a huge success. If you think you have the best friends in the world, you are wrong, because I do! A few pictures are below.

Last, but not least, I have updated my "Who I Read" section. If you are at all interested in Zambia and the goings on of Family Legacy and what God is doing there please take time to read these ladies' entries.

BIRTHDAY FUN - click to enlarge

Front row (l-r) Tyler, Julie, Kara, Phil

Back row (l-r) Jared, Himidri, Clay, me, Amy, Keith, Amanda, Chris

Hurry up and wait

I am not a good waiter. Not like "Can I take your order?" waiter, but one who is waiting, waiter. Ultimately I guess that says that I do not trust God and His timing. I want to fix that.

I am no longer going to be consumed with thinking about the things on which I am waiting to occur. I will live today, this moment, for what it is, and work diligently at the task that is immediately set before me.

That is what I am called to do. That is what the Lord expects of me. Please hold me accountable as I endeavor to follow my Lord's redirection in this area of my life. When I start to make my own plans, or talk out of turn, or daydream about how things "might be"....gently tap my shoulder and say "Mindy, what are you called to do today?".

Yep. Yep. Yep. Why do I feel this is going to be easier said than done? :)

I used to smoke, drink & dance the hootchie coo

So I'm sitting here watching Shag (hence the title of this blog...it's one of the first songs on the sound track and frankly I have no idea if I spelled "hootchie coo right!) and I have an overwhelming craving for La Enchilada's salsa & queso. It just doesn't seem right to watch this movie with out it. If you are a girl and you haven't seen this movie, rent it immediately :)

Today was ROUGH. I removed 3 children from the home of a woman who has Andrea Yates-like qualities. I am emotionally and physically drained.

My prayer tonight:

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.Thou my best thought, by day or by night,Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. (lyrics: Be Thou My Vision)

Countdown to Zambia?

Yeah, so this is the time of year I am suppose to be gearing up to see my kids in Lusaka. Countdown timers on my Myspace....constant bulletins and blogs about the number of days left....making plans for what to see in London.

I am so excited for the families that are going to Camp LIFE this year, but this week has been really hard for me as I deal with not going. I trust that this was the right decision for 2008, but it has still be hard on my heart because not only will I not nurture the relationships with my Jesus Army boys, but there are Americans that I ONLY see in Zambia and it makes me sad not to have that special time we call "Ministry Projects" with them as well. Ha ha, I will not miss the ministry projects in and of themselves though!! :)

That's really all. I know this is an uneventful blog....I just needed to ramble.

R.E.A.P. March 31 - Hebrews 1

R: Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God's glory & the exact representation of His being sustaining all things by His word.

E: Jesus is fully God. The human likeness of God the Father. Everything exists because of Him.

A: I exist by the word of Christ. He sustains me in physical and spiritual life. I need to look to Him for all my needs.

P: Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice & offer of salvation. Thank you for creating me & choosing me to your salvation. Help me turn to you daily to sustain my spiritual life. Please forgive my sins & failure and help me walk humbly with you.

Trust

I don't know how. I do not know how to stop trying to figure things out on my own and trust that I serve a God who is capable.

If anyone has any pearls for me on this front, PLEASE, I am open to hearing what you do to let go. I am constantly trying to figure EVERYTHING out on my own. I don't like being still. I don't like not knowing what will happen. I don't like not having direction.

Maybe it has more to do with Proverbs 3:6 than I know how to live out. I don't think I currently acknowledge God in all things, so I'm not really giving Him a chance to direct my path. I certainly don't live out the preceding verse...hence the point of this blog!

How do you trust Him wholly? How do I not lean on my understanding, when my understanding is all I "know"? I know I sound like a petulant child right now. Just trying to figure it all out....SEE! There it is again! I am trying to figure things out on my own.....ugh is this to be a never ending cycle for me!?!

The Starfish Flinger

As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man ahead of him picking upstarfish and flinging them into the sea.

Finally catching up with the youth, he asked him why he was doing this. The answer was that the strandedstarfish would die if left until the morning sun.

"But the beach goes on for miles and there aremillions of starfish," countered the other."How can your effort make any difference?"

The young man looked at the starfish in hishand and then threw it safely in the waves.
"It makes a difference to this one," he said.

from poet & author Loren Eisley

Don't doubt for a moment that you can't make a difference in even one person's life. And if you make a difference in even one person's life, it matters to them. Who knows what difference they may make in the lives of others. ~mindy

Let's see how far we've come

In 2 days I will have completed my first month as a Child & Family Specialist. It is still weird to me not to be at More Than A Teacher and I am sad over the contacts I have lost there.

The last month has been nothing short of stressful, hectic, wonderful, scary, and demanding. I have been under spiritual attack like it's nobody's business, and I have also met some amazing people.

I really thought since I had a "real" job that I had arrived. Oh what's that proverb? Pride comes before a fall? Yeah. The Lord has used the last couple of weeks to remind me that, no, I have not arrived. Yes, He still has work to do on me. And yes, He is still doing said work.

I guess I'm trying to let go of finding out where I fit in in this world. I know that sounds crazy. But I am trying to relax. Yeah. Relax. Fear is nothing more than a lack of faith.....

Guadalupe days

Floating down the Comal

Walking through Gruene after dinner at the Grist Mill and staying for a show at Gruene Hall

Sitting on the front porch with a glass of wine talking until long after the sun goes down

Going to Hills for dinner and the KVET free music series

Singing Gary P Nunn's "Road Trip" as I turn onto US 281 en route to Leakey for a weekend on the Frio

Walking through the Alamo and the Riverwalk even though we've done it a hundred times

Taking pictures in the bluebonnets

Watching the sun sink over Lake Travis at The Oasis while listening to Django & Jerry Jeff

Swimming after dark

These are a few of my favorite things.