I am beginning to see....

I came to a freeing conclusion a couple weeks ago.  I have spent most of my life serving: my parents, my kids, my husband, on the job.  I don't mind serving at all.  I have been so well taken care of by my Father while I take care of others.  What I had been doing wrong, though, was thinking my worth came in my serving.  I have been a woman doing rather than a woman being.  And, as a result I had almost served myself into isolation. 

Fascinating, isn't it?!

Today, rather than rush around trying to better myself and ease life for others, I am learning, albeit slowly, to be still and comfortable in the silence.  It kinda freaks me out - inactivity.  What I have learned is that activity does not always breed productivity and (a biggie) I do not know what is right for anyone - aha!!!  My God, the One Who created me and every single one of you, knows what is perfect for you and it is best I leave things in His hands. 

Today, I will.

Sunny

Hello out there!

It's March already and we are watching the snow melt slowly.  It is taking its sweet time leaving!  Beneath it are the pine needles we didn't get raked up last fall and I see green trying to pop out of a couple trees in the back yard.  Signs of Spring are so encouraging.  What is your favorite thing about Spring?

Sunny

Watching it snow...

Good morning!  As I sit here and watch it snow, I cannot help but think about how the flakes cover everything - weeds, pine needles, grass, and the crocuses that were fooled by the warm weather last week.  Nothing is exempt from the blanket.  Very similar to living, don't you think?  No one is any more exempt from the beautiful gift or the unexplained accident than any other.

The snow first surprised most of us Tuesday morning. The 8-18" of wet snow that fell on Bend knocked out power to many and left others stranded.  I am grateful for a well insulated home and my biggest problem that morning was no Internet access.  Seems so slight compared to what others experienced.  Our power came back on in plenty of time for me to get my essay submitted and the house warm again before nightfall.

I have enjoyed blogging and may continue as it affords me the chance to think out loud with written words.  Perhaps one day a line of mine will stay in someone's head just for fun or maybe because it touched their heart.  The line that stuck with me early in life?  Willa Cather was a favorite author of mine and in her book My Antonia, (1918) is the line ...and the moon hung from the trees like a paper lantern (paraphrase).  That is how I remember the line today.  It stuck with me because it was the first time I read something and got a vivid picture of what the author was describing.  Seems so simple today, but it has stuck with me for many (many!) years...

It has been great to walk with you this term and I look forward to meeting you again soon!  Sunny

Almost there!

It is Monday and our essays are due tomorrow.  Mine is complete except for the reviewing I am almost obsessing about.  How many times should an essay be reviewed?  I'll keep going until the red marks on the printed page are gone...or, Tuesday rolls around : )

I have learned so much this term in Comp II and hope to remember the resources and ideas in the future. 

Sunny

Last mile? Or 11th hour?

Here we are in week nine and our papers should just about be complete.  I have read and reread mine so many times, but I feel it could be improved even more.  I keep rereading, but with a purpose; I printed the Writing Center's Proofreading the Final Paper and will use it as a guide as I proofread for specific errors. I have enjoyed learning about new processes and techniques for review.  I can use them on other papers in future classes.  The process this term seemed more frustrating than last term.  This may be due to me putting too much pressure on myself as I did very well on the last essay I wrote - I think I am expecting the same this time.

This is a different class and different topic and I will do just fine.

As far as whether I like to write or not, I do.  Writing is a great way to express myself, even in a scientific essay.  I've enjoyed blogging as it allows more room to be creative than Facebook where I feel I need to keep things short.

Happy Valentine's Day!  Sunny

How have I felt about blogging this term?

I posted earlier, I know, but I just read the Professor's prompt questions and wanted to answer a couple.  I have enjoyed the process including the setting up of the Blog.  I enjoy the fact that we can change the settings and design when we want to.  The lack of comments is a little frustrating (although, you, Professor D'Angelo, do comment when you grade my posts - thank you!) and I hope that will change after class.  Maybe classmates will have more time to respond and I might let a few friends know of the Blog so they can read and comment.

Good luck to all as we put the final touches on our research papers!

Sunny

Turning frustration into triumph

This week I am later than normal with my post.  I had spent an enourmous amount of time on my essay to no avail.  I composed another post draft outline to find it was not organized well at all!  I kept trying to figure out how to fix that when (out of frustration) I decided to print it out, cut each page up into paragraphs and from there - success!  This method allowed me to read each paragraph alone and physically organize them into a more reader friendly format.  Back in Word, I reorganized the paragraphs as I had them on the table.  Next, I took each paragraph and picked it apart, rewriting some sentences and completely eliminating others.  Whew!  It became fun again!

How has your essay been coming along?  Sunny

Laser focus?...

I rub elbows with a lot of people who are putting their lives back together.  I asked one of them yesterday what he was studying in school and his answer was concise and direct.  He has his degree plan all set out, knows how much time he will need, what his internship will look like and what he wants to accomplish.  My reply to him was not nearly as clear.  It looked more like, "Um, I'm studying nutrition."  Huh?!

This got me thinking and I might add, a little panicked.  I do not want to be taking classes just to be taking classes, I want them to lead somewhere.  That's the point - where do I want them to lead?  I know what my strengths are and I know what my passion is, now I get to research where this will lead me.  One thing for sure, I am not looking to hang a shingle on an office door at any time.  From experience, I am not a good boss to myself; rather I am an excellent 'right hand man.'  A teacher, yes.  A leader, yes.    A sterile office environment with strict hours is not for me.  Rather,  I want to be 'in the trenches' with people walking with them towards better health.

What are your plans for school?  What degree are you looking at?

Take care, Sunny

It wasn't so bad....

It's Tuesday morning and I got the First Draft in yesterday before 6:00!  Only one late night - not too shabby.  Peer reviews are so helpful - thank you to those who reviewed my outline - it helped me see the essay in a different way. 

Off to a new day at work and looking forward to Unit 7 beginning tomorrow.  Oh, got registered for new classes yesterday too.  What classes are you taking?

Blessings, Sunny

One word at a time...

Oh, my! I may have a couple late nights this week with homework...par for the course.  Getting my thoughts organized, even with an outline, has been a challenge this time.  I am not sure why.  Perhaps too many sources or the idea that I have to get this perfect the first time?  I am forgetting the process and just need to listen to my research and laugh and relax!

Other than that, the week is going well.  Most of our snow is gone and we are expecting a couple 50' days next week.  Will be perfect for a walk or two.  I hope everyone has a great week - let me know what you are thinking...

Sunny

Reflecting

This weekend marks the one year anniversary of my Mom's death.  It was a moment unlike any other as my brother and I sat on each side of her with her hands in ours.  When she breathed her last breath, the sky opened up for just a moment.  It was like her Creator coming to get her. 

You may catch on quickly, I read a lot.  One of the gifts from our church came in the form of four small books authored by Kenneth C. Haugk.  He has written a Journey through Grief series; the final is titled Rebuilding and Remembering.  I read a quote this morning taken from an Irish headstone  (p.20),

Death leaves a heartache

no one can heal,

Love leaves a memory

no one can steal.

I find this so true and am grateful there is no cookie cutter method to grieving.

On a different note:  Is anyone else having fun with their research topic?  I had such a melt-down after not being able to find conclusive evidence to support my original idea; it worked to my benefit though as I am now able to do serious research on a fun topic!  Makes the process worthwhile and perhaps, I won't be so darn serious about stuff at the end...hmmm...

Have a great week!

Sunny

Haugk, K. (2004). Rebuilding and remembering: Journeying through grief -               Book 4. Stephen Ministries: St. Louis, Missouri

Call me chicken...

You can call me chicken, that's OK...I do not want to touch the recent news about secret information leaks. 

We took our son to the airport early this morning, he is back in Fayetteville at this time and we hope to see him in August.  His unit is currently Global Response, so we take one day at at time.  We are so very proud of him and I will keep you updated as I can.

I am finishing up the book I shared about last week by Donald Miller.  My favorite chapter is near the end when he talks about letting no one watch the story being made, rather invite all who show up to participate (Miller, 2009).  What a concept!  I am guilty of taking care of business by myself; my default is to complete chores alone and to not want to take the time to explain it to another.  He shares a story about a friend who started a New Year's Day parade with his family because the children were bored, the parade is an annual event in the neighborhood now and no one is allowed to sit on the curb and watch (Miller, 2009).  I could aspire to include others in what I do whether it is a mundane task or some fun new event.

Who would join me?

Sunny
 
Miller, D (2009). A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Thomas Nelson: Nashville, Tennessee