Exercise daily: walk with Jesus

I went for a walk for the first time in a little while last week. The sun was out, the temperature was close to 40 degrees, no cold wind, great "walking" playlist on my iPod... Perfect conditions! I then remembered this sign I saw a few months ago while driving:

"Exercise daily: walk with Jesus"

Do I need perfect conditions to walk with Jesus? Do I need to be in a certain mood? Do I need to be at the food pantry or a busy grocery store? Do I need to be alone or with others? Do I need to be at Church or at Panera Bread? Do I need to listen to the right kind of music? Do I need to be on a full stomach, or fasting?

Just thinking out loud...


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3 things I learned about myself playing the Wiiiii

1) I can be very self conscious.

I know, I know... Isn't everyone?

Even though I was playing with friends, I felt so uncomfortable the first time we played, that I actually stopped and did something else. I tend to intentionally withdraw from situations at times, mostly because I try to anticipate what might happen. Fortunately, I didn't let my self consciousness stop me from having a good time after a little while. I joined everyone and ended up having fun...well kinda... I am starting to realize that there is no such thing as "happily ever after".

Someone gave me an image a few months ago that I really liked. They saw me in front of a big and beautiful flower field. For some reason, I was just standing on the side, not doing anything, until I heard someone say: "Come!!!". I then walked into the field and simply enjoyed it... sounds a lot like me.

2) I sometimes take things WAY too seriously

...which results in me being very frustrated when I can't achieve something. We were all having fun while playing a game of bowling, and for no apparent reason, I just could not throw the ball correctly. There was nothing wrong with the controller, I just started sucking. No one could figure out what I was doing wrong. It was very frustrating. Witnesses say that it was very painful to watch, well, it was painful to be in that position. I was so focused on the game, that I completely forgot about the big picture.

I do that in "real life". It's a vicious cycle, where I want to perform, but get nervous from the pressure, fail because I am so nervous, get frustrated. And back to the beginning. One word: RELAX. I am getting better at catching myself in the act, and listening to people around me.

3) I am persistent

One thing I think I am pretty good at, is taking criticism. I like suggestions, comments, constructive criticism, directions. Well, maybe not from just anyone; there needs to be some sort of relationship established: teacher/student, brother/sister, friend/friend, writer/reader, dragon/grasshopper... It's all about relationships as the bump stickers say. I listen, I grumble, I go back to the drawing board, and come back. Repeat as many times as needed.

I started out with a "mean curve" and other issues, but after hours of non-stop bowling, I ended defeating the house champion even though, I am pretty sure he gracefully let me win... I don't mind! I WON!

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Semi comatose...

My sister used the expression "semi-comatose" to describe me for the past few days. I don't think I have slept this much in a very long time. I have been drifting in and out of a strange sleep filled with short dreams, body aches, headaches, sneezing, and other fun stuff. Needless to say that the concept of rest really hit home for me. I have been praying for a speedy recovery, but I am now trying to take advantage of the down-time.

Semi comatose- I like that. I am not sure I like what it entails though...All I can see right now is a pile of laundry taunting me, the dishes piling up next door, the outside world covered in snow (well, not too excited about that...). Semi comatose means that all I can do now is rest. Rest in HIS presence, rest in HIS arms, rest and find comfort in HIS Word.

I will definitely get a flu shot next year!


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Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: recovering from the holidays

I haven't really had some real rest in a little while... I always seem to be up to something lately. Either by choice or by circumstances... or a little bit of both.

Let's take today's example. I planned on coming home, taking a quick nap, rest for a few hours, start on my reflections, and run other errands. Instead, I found myself helping my friend clean a flooded house, and ended up staying behind to finish mopping the basement after he had to leave. He did promise to have his wife bake brownies for me! YUM!

I don't typically spend my afternoons cleaning flooded houses, but my busyness sometimes gets in the way of my rest( also known as beauty sleep). I am often too tired to sleep, if that makes any sense. I just lay in my bed, thinking, knowing that I should be asleep... but nothing happens. Recovering from the holidays, or recovering from life needs to be about resting in God's presence, whether I am awake or not. It means feeling refreshed even when I am running on empty. It means remembering that God wants me to be at my best, which means taking breaks from my busyness. I need to get better at that.

I am off now... I might still have time for a quick catnap. Oh wait, I am running late...

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Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: Heroes- Part 12

I have decided, for several reasons, to postpone part 11 of the Heroes series (message on Timothy) for now. I have so much to say about it, that I am not sure where to start... but I am pretty sure I will get the chance to reflect on Timothy sooner rather than later :)

Growing up, Christmas was all about presents and Santa Claus! The fact that there are no chimneys in Senegal (for obvious reasons) was no obstacle for Santa! He still found a way to sneak in late at night, and leave presents under the Christmas tree while we were all sound asleep. I finally figured it out when I noticed that Santa Claus and my mom used the EXACT same wrapped paper to wrap our presents. My mom tried to explain to me why, but the damage was already done. I won't mention how old I was was when I made this incredibly sad discovery... (Sorry reader, if you still believe in Santa Claus).

These days, I think that Christmas is a little over-commercialized; I rarely get into the holiday frenzy. My little itty-bitty Christmas tree looked great in my apartment (see picture above!), until a friend of mine lent me a bigger tree AND a nativity scene! What a luxury! She even made sure I bought ornaments! I AM also one the "last-minute Christmas-shopper" characters, journalists talk about on the news. People tell me that my attitude towards Christmas will probably change after having children... We'll see....

One thing I love about Christmas is spending time with family and friends! For a few hours, we eat (too much), laugh (at sometimes bad jokes), play (the Wii is amazing! I want one!), and simply LOVE each other. It ties in pretty well with the meaning of Christmas: LOVE.

LOVE for our Heavenly Father.

LOVE for His only Son.

LOVE for each other.

Thank you for this gift, Father.

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Happy New Year!

I guess the fact that I wasn't blogging at midnight last night means that I have a life- l0l (right Hijabee?). I was talking to my friend Hijabee last night, and we were reminiscing about the good old days. We talked about how each of the hurts, experiences, and happy moments have shaped who we are today. The conclusion of our conversation was that we were so happy where we are at RIGHT NOW.

We reminisced about our fun New Years' Eve party, from oh so long ago now. We weren't bad people, or anything, we just had different priorities. We were different people. Are there things I would like to change about my past? Sure? Is there any point dwelling on it? Not really? I am happy where I am RIGHT NOW.

2008 was a year of change in my life. Change is always hard, but as I have mentioned a few times, God was with me every step of the way. He guided my steps and made me the person I am this morning. I like this person. Does it mean that I am not asking for more? More blessings, more love, more faith, more boldness, more wisdom, more "stuff"? Nope, it just means that I am happy where I am RIGHT NOW.

I have been singing a lot lately... must been the holiday season... Here is another song I have been singing for the past few days:

"Pony (it's OK)" by Erin McCarley (the newest free download from iTunes...I like free stuff!)

"Go on, go on, go on, the stars are watching,
Just say, just say, just say, what you’re feeling,
You know, you know, you know, you gotta take a bow and do it your way,
It’s okay, ladadadadadadadada, it’s okay, ladadadadadadadada "



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