Week Twelve in Review

Well I managed to not get a book review posted this week.  I think I need to stop putting that in writing.:-)  This was a crazy week getting caught up after missing a week of work. I was blessed with a week where I didn't have a lot of meetings so I was able to get a good bit accomplished.  Since I'm out three days this week for a conference, that's a good thing. 

I did have an amazing time yesterday.  I had tickets to the Sweet Sixteen games in the South Regional.  My friend Robin and I went and had great seats and saw some really good basketball.  Since I didn't really care who won, I was able to just enjoy the basketball.  It was interesting to watch the Kentucky fans in the Dome.  These people know their basketball and follow the game with an intensity not seen from other fans (think AL fans' football intensity).  Fortunately the ones around us were not drinking and weren't obnoxious.  I'm still frantically trying to rearrange my teaching schedule so I can use my ticket for tomorrow's game.  We shall see how that works out.

I've somehow gotten out of my routine with both my Bible reading and my eating habits.  While I'm caught up on my yearly reading, I still feel out of sorts.  I hope to get back to "normal" this week but considering I'm spending four nights in a hotel, we'll see.  Have travel-sized Bible, will travel so I at least have that going for me.  As for eating, I'm going to take my own snacks so I can avoid those mid-afternoon snack breaks conferences love to throw out.  This particular conference usually feeds attendees quite well but there are usually healthy options.  I'm just hoping they follow that this year.  Now if I can just avoid the desserts. 

I also get to fly across the country this week.  Thank God for prayer and Xanax.  I don't like flying and this time I'm flying a new-to-me airline, Air Tran.  I've gotten used to the way Delta does things but their ticket was over $150 more per ticket.  Maybe I can get my book review written while on the plane.

Okay, back to basketball and/or stuff from my DVR.  More next week...

Week Eleven in Review

This is late and will be short because my time last week was taken up by taking care of my mom.  She had major surgery on Tuesday the 13th and I was blessed to be able to take time off to care for her.  Surgery went well (as well as surgeries can go) and she is on the road to recovery.  The biggest issue for her will be patience.  She is a go and do person and loves to be active.  This sitting around and resting will be tough for her.

I didn't eat all that badly last week even if it was hospital food.  Fortunately, I could get mostly healthy options and managed to lose about 2 pounds.  Hoping I can stick with that this week.  Learning to focus on the spiritual battle instead of giving in to the temptation is TOUGH!  I wish I could say it was getting easier but it so isn't.  Of course, that's the battle, right?  But, this is a new day and a new week and God promises His mercies are new every morning.  Gonna cling to that one during this stressful week. (Being out always causes more work.)

Spiritually, I'm mulling over the concept in Deuteronomy of unintentional sin.  There was a whole sacrificial system in place to cover unintentional sins but I can't really find a definition I trust of the concept of unintentional sin.  Since sin is primarily a mind/heart problem, how can you unintentionally sin?  I'm not talking about accidentally making yourself unclean or accidentally taking another life, that's outlined elsewhere.  I'm talking about the actual sacrificial system around unintentional sin.  Am I mis-reading the passages?  Does anyone have a clue what I'm talking about?  Thoughts?

Since I'm taking 15 minutes out of my workday to put this on paper, I should probably get back to work.  I should have a book review coming soon with two on deck to read and review.  More next week...

Week Ten in Review

This will probably be a short check-in for a couple of reasons.  This was such a crazy busy week that I don't remember a lot of it so reviewing it will be kind of difficult.  I spent most of the week at work trying to get everything done ahead of time since I am off all week next week.  Somehow that always makes me feel more behind.  I was fortunate and managed to get everything done, I was just wiped out by the end of the week.  I have enjoyed my lazy Saturday.

Week Eleven should be interesting.  I am off from work so I can be with my mom while she has hip replacement surgery on Tuesday.  I am the person in my family who has the medical knowledge in the family and the one who can just sit in a hospital room without going stir crazy.  So, I get to stay in the hospital with her from Tuesday-Friday.  It's actually somewhat of a role reversal.  Mom has been the one to take care of us through our surgeries, illnesses and the like.  It's strange being in the position of taking care of her.  After all she's been through with me through the years, it's the least I can do.  Being in the hospital means we won't get lots of rest but Sarah's offered me her house for naps during the day so we'll make it work.

I had the opportunity to provide small offerings on behalf of two friends going global this summer and one family who is adopting.  I'm so thankful God has provided me the ability to be able to contribute to these events in their lives.  I can't wait to hear how He moves in the world as people are obedient to His call to go.  And I love the picture of the gospel you see in adoption.  I'm so thankful to be given a glimpse into the journey as friends adopt.  Such a loving response to God's call in their lives.

The weight loss and spiritual journeys have both been difficult this week.  I don't respond well to stress and my food choices reflect that this week.  I'm still working on that and know it's a journey - hoping and praying next week will be better.  Spiritually, I got behind so I'm still trying to catch up on my Week 10 reading.  I have a few thoughts running around in my head that may end up as their own blog post.  We'll see what happens.  If we can't sleep in the hospital this week, a wee hours of the morning post might happen.

I also get to look forward to basketball overdose this week.  March Madness is one of my favorite times of the year and this year, I will be with my mom, another big basketball fan.  What better way to pass time in the hospital than watching the tourney?  This year, I can watch all the games I want and not feel guilty about sneaking peeks at the games.  In fact, I'm now signing off so I can go finish watching the ACC tourney semifinal.  Until next time...

Week Nine in Review

I went ahead and changed the blog background early since the weather has decided to turn spring-like early.  The winter template just didn't seem appropriate any more.  Of course, since it was only appropriate for about seven days this winter, it is really a moot point.  I do have to say that I can't believe it's already March.  I feel like the first two months of the year flew by.  I guess that means I was busy.  Sadly, the next couple of months (March and April) are shaping up to be super busy. 

This was a mixed week.  I am super busy at work but feel something is "off."  I can't really explain it because I enjoy my job, I just feel like something is missing.  It's a strange place to be especially since I've been asked to apply for a position with another organization.  My bosses know and are supportive, it just leaves me in a weird spot. I know God has the plans all worked out, I just don't like the uncertainty.  That control freak in me comes out more often than I would like lately.  Gotta continue to pray about that.

I didn't make the best food choices this week but still managed to lose weight.  That's not really a good thing.  I have to figure out how to overcome those temptations to indulge the things that I know aren't good for me.  I can all too easily attribute it to fatigue, frustration, etc. but I have a harder time calling it what it is, sin.  Fortunately, my friend Sheryl is fighting a similar battle and blogging about it here.  I have learned a lot as Sheryl has been blogging about her experiences.  I have gained insight into my own journey through reading about hers.  It's definitely been an inspiration.  This is a spiritual battle and I am determined to use spiritual tools to fight instead of relying on so-called willpower.

We are moving into my favorite time of year.  No, not spring, March Madness.  As a sports fan, I can't decide what I like better, March Madness or bowl season.  I think it depends on when you ask me. :-)  I remember in college being able to go from game to game to game all day on Thursday and Friday and end the day on a basketball high.  For the past several years, I've had to watch scores on my computer and only watch games once I got home from work.  This year, I get to watch tournament games all day AND get paid for it.  My mom is having to have some surgery and it coincides with the week the tournament begins. I am taking time off to take care of her so as she's recuperating, we won't have anything to do but watch basketball.  Since she's as big a college basketball fan as I am, if she has to have the surgery, March Madness is as good a time as any.  In fact, the madness really starts tonight with Duke/UNC.  ACC regular-season title on the line, #1  seed probable to winner, revenge on the minds of UNC?  Yes, please.  Hollywood can't script drama like this!  Gotta go get dinner together so I can be ready for tip-off.  More next week.

The Search Committee - A Book Review

Description: A mismatched team of seven hit the road in an Econoline church van on a mission to find a new pastor. They don't agree on much other than the stops at Hardee's for coffee and a biscuit. But they stick to the call, trying to slip undetected into worship services across the Southeast—all in hopes of stealing a preacher for their congregation.

Each member is wrestling to balance their own busy life and personal struggles. And they're trying to keep their issues to themselves. Forced to spend countless hours together, these very different personalities from different generations begin to bond. And their lives are profoundly changed as they love and support each other through the difficulties in each of their lives.


Synopsis: This team is charged with finding a new pastor for their small Presbyterian church. The book is narrated primarily by Travis, a young man struggling to figure out exactly who he is and what his life means. Through countless trips, each member of the team struggles with life, their choices and the decision they are faced with. Each person changes in their own small way on the journey.

Review: I have struggled for weeks to come up with how to write this review. I was initially excited to read this book – it was a new author, a unique storyline and an award winner. I was sadly mistaken. I had to force myself to finish the book and had I not been reviewing it, I would have put it down quickly. I was hard-pressed to like any of the characters – I couldn’t really identify with any of them and I found myself frustrated and annoyed by some of their thoughts and actions. I also feel the writing was stilted and forced in lots of places. Some of the descriptions used in the book also were ridiculous. In 2012, there is no need to refer to someplace in town as “the black side of town.” I just feel writers that are setting their novels in the present day have no need to draw divisive lines about sides of towns. Use your writing to describe the community and let the reader make up their own mind. All in all, I was disappointed and wish I had chosen another book to review.

Score: 1 bookmark out of 5.

Note: Tyndale House Publishers gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.