Darth MC Hammer

These guys have skillz...

30 Days

Last week at our staff meeting we were broached with a question - if you found out you would die in 30 days, what would you do?

Some might think this is an easy question to answer.

But it's harder than at first glance.

It's hard to fathom that your life could suddenly end in one month's time. Would you want to know? Would it hinder how you live your life? Even if you did know, would you choose to continue life as it is? What might you do differently? Who would you spend time with? What would you do?

It's something to think about. If you're curious, here's my thoughts on my last 30 days:

• I wouldn't complain so much about getting up early. I would want to have as many waking hours as possible with the people I love. I wouldn't want, on Day 29, to look back and wish I had just a few more hours.
  
• I would visit as many family members and close friends as possible. Not just to sit around and mope together, but to make memories. To have random fun, take tons of pictures and laugh our heads off. To love each other without abandon or fear.
• I would say things that need to be said, but have instead chosen the easy road. Things like:
I'm sorry. I forgive you. Please forgive me. I love you. You're being an idiot. Please stop hurting yourself. Please stop punishing yourself. Let love in. Let God in. I'm praying for you. You are loved. You are missed. You are appreciated. You have made a difference in my life. You matter. You matter to me. You matter to God. Just try. Trust God - He really does know better than us. You helped me to become the woman I am today. Thank you.
• I'd write letters to those I am leaving behind - to give them a piece of me to hold onto when I'm gone.
  
• I'd make hilariously stupid videos to help people to laugh in the first few days after I'm gone.
• I'd put together a playlist for my funeral - and insist it be used. Music full of love, hope and laughter.
  

Last week, when asked this question, there were two things I wanted to do: spend time with my loved ones, and sell everything & travel the world.

But, when I'm being completely honest with myself, traveling is not what is important to me. People are. The people I love are. Traveling would be the easy road again - see everyone, say goodbye, and then distract myself from the pain of what's to come. Of knowing I had a short time left to live. And that is not what I want my last days to look like when I stand before God. And I would never want to put my family and friends through that added pain.

So while my list is different than I originally thought, this list is me. This is who I am. My only question now is, why am I not doing a better job of these things when my days are not numbered.

Stand By Me

I love music.

I love the emotions a few minutes of notes and lyrics can evoke inside of me.

This song never ceases to make me close my eyes, listen to the words and feel the music deep in my soul. Until I saw this video, I didn't realize how much stronger my reaction could be.

Take 5 minutes. Watch this video. Don't watch the first 20 seconds and then shake your head at me - watch the whole thing. Trust me - you'll thank me later.

Whoa

As you can probably tell by the lack of activity on my blog recently, I've been busy. Not just everyday busy. BIG busy. Remind yourself to breathe busy. Leave town for the weekend as the only way to recharge busy.

But that hasn't kept thoughts from spinning and blog posts from being composed in my brain. I got stuff to say. Just no time or energy to say it right now.

I will leave you this to ponder on:

Sometimes I think we take for granted being part of something bigger than ourselves...

Experiments in Baking

Tonight I decided to take an idea from the Food Network, and experiment to make it my own.

And I succeeded. In a big way.

It was fun, and my taste buds are pretty darn happy if I do say so myself.

At the request of one of my brilliant friends, I have created a photo journey of my experiment in baking. I don't recommend viewing this journey while hungry - your stomach may try to gnaw its way out of your body in an effort to eat the images right off your screen. Consider yourself warned.

A few random things...

• Just got back from vacation - had a great relaxing time. Many stories and some pictures to come. (P.S. God showed up. I love when he does that!)
• Discovered a new container of Cool Whip on the fridge. I have a weak spot for Cool Whip - especially right out of the container.
  
• Cool Whip tastes better when using my finger as the utensil. Not the same on a spoon.
• Same goes for creamy peanut butter.
• Not so for crunchy. Spoon all the way.
• When I buy anything new, I have to wear it or use it right away. Just got a bread maker at my friend's garage sale and it's killing me that I haven't got to use it yet. I've owned it for all of 4+ hours.
• Finally read this. What the heck took me so long!? Seriously, loved it, loved the writing, loved the storyline, loved it.
• If you call my phone, but after I answer realize you dialed the wrong number, say so. Don't just hang up. Frustrates the crap outta me.
• I love shoes - but I love being barefoot more. Strange, I know.
• Yes, in the middle of writing this blog post, my phone rang and they said nothing, spawning on the above mentioned frustration.
  

Leavin' On A Jet Plane...

In 34+ hours I'll be on a plane headed to Dallas - and after typing that slight panic is setting in because I have yet to pack or organize anything! At least I have a list going... but that's besides the point.

Wednesday morning I get to travel with some of my amazing co-workers (and assorted family members) to Dallas for a conference for work. A few of us will give mini-breakout type presentations, my boss is giving the keynote, and we all get to have some great team time while learning exciting new things about our church database. (You're jealous, I know)

But I have an extra reason to be excited for this trip ahead - because a year and a half ago my dad moved to Dallas.

Are you putting the pieces together yet?

So Friday afternoon at 4:30 my vacation starts and I get to spend multiple days with my dad and stepmom - and I couldn't be more excited!

Let's just hope my travels are far less exciting than last year...