Living a Better Story

On my way to Alaska this summer, I brought a book that had been sitting on my bedside for a couple of months.  I figured a 5 hour plane trip was as good a time as any to jump in!  The book was "A Thousand Miles in a Million Years" by Donald Miller.  I finished it in one sitting, have started re-reading it, and it's had me thinking ever since...

We always talk about, in the life of the church, learning to tell our stories - but what would happen if we first decided what kind of story we wanted to live?  The wheels have been turning... and turning... and getting stuck.

As many of you know, my dream is to one day own a bed and breakfast.  A B&B that focuses on gratitude (in fact, the name will be "The Gratitude Inn").  I imagine a place in the country where people can come take a break from city life, relax, spend time in a house that is environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly, eat foods that are local and organic...  A place where our visitors can spend time outside, walk a labyrinth, sit by a campfire, listen to local musicians, and enjoy local art...  In other words... a place that can help people feel at home - both at the B&B and in their own skin. 

It's so easy to get caught up in our busy lives and forget to take a breath, pause, and say thanks for all the blessings in our lives.  That's why I started this blog!  After going through a difficult phase in my life - and realizing even in the midst of that, life was pretty darn good and I had so much to be thankful for!  I started this blog to record 10 things everyday that I AM thankful for.  To count my blessings.  I think my B&B could be a place where people are reminded to take that pause.  To say "thank you."

I've started a 3-ring binder of all my ideas, pictures, local artists, musicians, and craftsmen that I would like to include in the building and running of my B&B...  The vision is there.  The mission of helping our world to see the positive in all God has given us is there.  I even plan to have guest books in each room - encouraging guests to write down their "10 things" each night - and once a year, I will print a coffee table book for the great room with all our guests notes from the past year...  Wouldn't that be a great reminder of all the simple things we forget to say thank you for?!

My passion, since my scare with cancer, is to be thankful everyday - and to encourage others to do the same.  When my hubby has a bad day at work and vents for most of our dinner conversation - I usually follow it up with "10 things - go!"  And he, being the smart aleck that he is, will name off 20.  It's changed the way we see our lives...  And I'd love to help others experience this change of view, too.

The stumbling blocks?  1) Money.  We both work in non-profit jobs (and with the current economy, seem to be losing money every year instead of increasing).  2) The know-how to get started.  I have all the ideas, and I feel confident that once we're ready I'll have the drive and commitment necessary to keep it going and make it a success...  But I don't know how to get there from here.

I'm hoping to go to the "Living a Better Story" seminar in Portland, Oregon, this September to have a couple of days to hear how other people are planning to live their stories, to have some time to figure out what this means for my current story and where I need to start adding in chapters that look to the future, and to network with other fascinating people from all over the country who are excited about this life and where it can take us - the inspiration from being around these people will be amazing in itself!

At our church, we're currently talking about what it means to "tell our stories"...  Talking about the past is one thing - and can mean the world to those who hear it...  But right now, I'm excited to look to the future - how might God use me?  How can I make the world a better place?  Who are the fascinating people that will help me along the way?  What adventures will get me there?  So many questions... and in the midst, remembering to enjoy the ride along the way!

Life's short... and oh so good!


Living a Better Story Seminar from All Things Converge Podcast on Vimeo.

Today I am thankful for:

1.  A quiet day at work.
2.  Day 3 of an intense workout.
3.  A new magazine:  Whole Living.
4.  Not caring about my frizzy hair.
5.  The Avett Brothers Band.
6.  Going for a walk tonight and not getting winded.
7.  Discovering new bands to go see in the Twin Cities.
8.  Fun notes back and forth with Emily.
9.  An excited phone call tonight from Kayla.
10.  Looking forward to all kinds of fun stuff this weekend!

Yummy Wednesday - Giada's Marinara Sauce

Yum.  Thank the Lord my sister finally got me this cookbook!  I love this marinara sauce.  This week I made a HUGE batch to freeze - and I used fresh tomatoes instead of canned (while they're in season).  Fabulous!

Marinara Sauce
from Giada De Laurentiis' book, "Everyday Italian"

(We made it tonight with butternut squash fettucini and parmesan cheese.  Yum!)

You'll need:

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 small onions, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

2 dried bay leaves

To make:

1) In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.

2) Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.  Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.

3) Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour.

4) Remove and discard the bay leaves.  Season the sauce with more salt and pepper to taste.  (This sauce can be made 1 day ahead.  Cool, then cover and refrigerate.  Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

Makes about 2 quarts (8 cups).  1 quart will serve 4 over pasta as a first course.  Freeze the rest for later!

Enjoy!

Today I am thankful for:

1.  A clean kitchen.

2.  Day 2 of working out.

3.  A good doctor's appointment.

4.  A yummy dinner!

5.  An outdoor concert. 

6.  Catching up with friends.

7.  My dog hiding under my skirt when the hubby wanted to give her a bath!  Ha!

8.  My inhaler.

9.  Possibilities.

10.  Banjos.

Reflection in the Mirror

So tonight 15 people from my church went to package meals at Feed My Starving Children.  I go to this organization probably 9 times a year to do my part.  We gather in a large room and work in assembly lines to fill little plastic packages with rice, dried veggies, soy, and a vegetarian chicken-flavored powder filled with 20 minerals and vitamins.  Each bag holds 6 meals.  And each meal, if eaten once a day, can take an 8 year old child from 18 pounds to 73 pounds in a matter of weeks.  It's amazing.

(The hubby and I at FMSC in January.  I didn't torture people with my camera tonight...)

I love going to help with this.  It's easy, fun work.  The people who work there are great and the people I go with are energetic and hard workers.  And while I know I'm doing something good, I've never really thought about my impact being a large one.  I guess I always figured, the nights I'm not there - someone else is.  Right?  No big deal.

Well, tonight our group leader made a statement that stopped me in my tracks.  He said, "tonight, when you go home, take a look in the mirror.  The person staring back at you just made a difference in a child's life."  I made a difference in a child's life tonight.  I made sure 34 kids were fed for a year by the work I did tonight.  Those 34 kids will have a better chance at a quality life, at an education, at finding joy on a daily basis - all because I gave up 2 hours of my time.

Yes, someone else could have gone - but without me, they would have had one less volunteer...  Maybe only 32 kids would have been fed for a year today instead of 34.  Maybe I made a difference to 2 kids today.

Wow.  That's something to hold onto.  How many other people do we touch everyday - without even realizing it?  How often do we make a difference in someone else's life...  just because we decided to do something, instead of waiting for someone else to do it?

As I saw my reflection in the rearview mirror on the way home tonight - I smiled and thanked God for the opportunity to do something.  What a blessing!

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Cool breezes.
2.  Open windows.
3.  Sore muscles.  (Means a good workout.)
4.  Reimbursement checks.
5.  Thinking about my littlest sister moving into the dorms for the first time today!
6.  Making reservations for a fun night out this Friday.
7.  Dinner with some church friends.
8.  Flip-flop shaped post-it notes!
9.  Feed My Starving Children.
10.  Knowing I make a difference in the world.

Praying!

"'You pray in your distress and in your need,' Kahlil Gibran admonishes us. 'Would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.'
"If we did, we might experience more of them."
--Sarah Ban Breathnach, "Something More"

Why is it we only feel the need to pray when we are in the darkest, saddest days?  When there is trouble lurking?  When despair takes hold?

I've read several books in the last couple of years that have, in one way or another, suggested you wake up each morning with this simple prayer: "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

What a way to start a day! 

And today, as I woke up to sunshine streaming through the windows, a cool breeze rustling the curtains, and smell of flowers and lavender filling the patio...  It was very easy to say, "thank you."

What are you saying "thank you" for today?

Attitude

"Changing your life might be as easy as changing your outlook.  Or, if you're more inclined to a glass half empty view of things, you might say that changing your life might be as hard as changing your outlook.  How we see the world makes us who we are, and ultimately our attitude defines and informs our feelings and our circumstances.

"...We must also never forget that no matter how bad things get, optimism is always an option.  And usually the best one."
--Mina Parker, "Less is More"

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  A fun outdoor church service.
2.  A gorgeous summer day.
3.  Giving pep talks.
4.  Lounge chairs by the pool...
5.  Finishing the book, "Be the Surprise" by Terry Esau. 
6.  An invite.
7.  Dinner with Kayla - before she leaves for college on Tuesday.
8.  Remembering our college days.
9.  Being excited for her new beginnings.
10.  Our dog playing with her squeaky ball...  Squeak, squeak, squeak...

Photo Hunt: Orange

Two of my favorite reads so far this summer - apparently I had an orange theme without even knowing it!

(Are you a little dzzy looking at this photo?  I'm pretty sure I created my own little optical illusion...  It keeps playing tricks on my eyes...)

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Sleeping in.  Nice.
2.  2 hours at the pool.  Loved it.
3.  A long nap.  Perfect.
4.  Frozen grapes.  (Just not too many at once- that causes brain freeze!)
5.  Funny notes on Facebook.
6.  Playing with the dog.
7.  Whole Foods.  I wish I could shop there all the time... 
8.  Sea Salt Eatery - a fun summer treat.  Scallop tacos, a cold beer, and live music.
9.  Lake Harriet Bandshell.  First time I've ever checked it out!  Michael Monroe was playing - great musician!  We sat and watched the ducks, enjoyed the breeze on the lake, had ice cream, and went for a walk to the Rose Garden.  A BEAUTIFUL night!

10.  The front is coming through as I type - rains and storms bringing cool, dry air.  I can feel it already!  JOY!

Another Re-cap

I can't believe another three weeks have passed - and summer is only a couple of weeks from ending!  Well, here's a few more snippets of my summer:

*  Another church outing - this time to Como Zoo and Conservatory to talk about John Wesley's 2nd Simple Rule:  Do Good.  A little scavenger hunt around the zoo, a couple of games and surprises, ice cream treats, and great people - a fun day!  Afterwards, the hubby and I were heading to Snuffy's Malt Shop for dinner and a malt and two other couples decided to come along and see what this place was.  It was a fun time!  Nothing's better than a Snuffy's banana-chocolate malt.  Yum!

(We were supposed to be on a scavenger hunt, looking for people doing good deeds...  but the hubby and I were too easily side-tracked by the animals...  The giraffe is his favorite - can you tell?)

*  Volunteering with the Summer Meal Program at our local high school.  Our church has been helping for one week a summer for two summers now.  It's a fun way to serve some of the kids in our own neighborhood!

*  One of my best friends, Amanda, came to visit for a weekend.  It was supposed to be a weekend to introduce her to more fun things to do around the Twin Cities (since she's thinking about moving here eventually)...  But it was fate that we went to the Dakota Jazz Club for a performance by Davina and the Vagabonds.  Amanda fell for a Vagabond.  And he fell for her.  So fun.  The rest of the weekend revolved around this connection - a couple of late nights and lots of girl talk.  So fun.

(Amanda had a good night... and that chocolate souffle made it even better!)

*  The hubby and I checked out a new cafe and music venue - the Aster Cafe.  Yum.  I can't wait to go see a band there!

*  A day with another of my closest friends, Emily.  We went to the Wilde Roast Cafe for lunch - Yum.  Then off to our yearly trip to the Aveda Institute for a little pampering.  I love a good massage!  Such a good day...  As always!

*  The Uptown Art Fair.  Love it.  So many fun things to look at.  So many fun people to watch.  And we hit it on the perfect evening this year - low humidity and somewhat cool.  A lovely evening!

*  My youngest sister, Kayla, had her Graduation Open House last weekend...  It's all seeming real now.  She's leaving this Tuesday for college!  It was fun having so many people stopping by my parents' house to wish her well and tell her how proud they are of her.  Friends, family, role models, and neighbors came out to celebrate with her and my parents.  So fun!  (I especially liked spending some time with my aunt and uncle, Ann and Todd, and their kids Trent and Jane - it's been a long time and was so fun to catch up!)

*  Our last big church outing of the summer - a ride down the Mississippi River on a Padleford river boat as we remembered John Wesley's 3rd Simple Rule:  Stay in love with God.  52 people came out on a steamy, hot day to enjoy some time together and have a new Twin Cities experience!  A fun day!

And finally... a quiet weekend.  We were supposed to head to Milwaukee this weekend to finish up some projects around the hubby's mom's house, but when we saw the forecast was continued heat, humidity, and storms - he decided to postpone the trip.  I hate to say it, but I was so glad!  I'm so excited to have a weekend with no plans...  Maybe the farmers market tomorrow... a little pool time...  getting caught up on some things around the house...  That's it.  Keeping it simple this weekend.  And loving the surprise of a restful weekend!

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  A lovely post by my friend, Andrea, about her visit to my home.  She made me cry...
2.  Lunch with Beth yesterday.  Fun to catch up over pizza...  Cuz we're always up for pizza!
3.  Finally looking through my Cooking Light magazine for this month - and so excited to try some of these recipes!
4.  Watching "The Pillars of the Earth" mini-series via netflix.com.  So good!
5.  Being reminded that even when I feel frustrated with life...  I have a good one.
6.  Breakfast for dinner.  Sometimes that just what you need.
7.  Making reservations to celebrate Dad's birthday (late) at the Dakota Jazz Club with Davina and the Vagabonds next Friday!
8.  Nectarines, clementines, frozen grapes, and melons in our fridge all week...  Yum!
9.  News that Emily R. is having a boy!  Awesome.
10.  A friend got a response that she had been waiting for... Yippee!