Like a School Girl - Part II

Laughter Fun Sunglasses (almost everyone) Food Sleeping Partners I don't want your 50 SPF Golf Carts Shopping, Returning, Shopping again, Return to Me Finishing (and not finishing) Books Groceries Goats Hockey Babies Deserted Islands The Right Friend to take take to a Party Defining Moments Dairy Queen Cakes Oreos "MOO" Plastic Surgery Pets Missed Conversations Texting Shuttles at 3:30?? Guacamole Trips for Coffee that take an hour Sweet Rolls Children Raising Boys and a Girl Being all that we are... and more Improving Aging Gracefully Inspiring Lottery Tickets Changing Nicknames Families Bus Trips Memories Miss American Angus Sleepless in Seattle Baby Showers Waking at 5:30 am Walking at 6:00 am Sun Worshippers Make Up Shopping Worshippers Cooking Food Network DVR Enchanted More Guacamole Washing Heifers Being "on top" of Everything Cleaning Ladies Laundry Rooms Orange Poppyseed Dressing from Safeway Gnocchni (or something like that) Surprises Amazing Women Amazing Moms Amazing Friends Conversations Recycled In Laws Conversations Designated Drivers Wine Phoenix Noodles Gate Codes Frogs and Rats

What is all this?

The making of the BEST Girls Weekend Ever!!!

I wonder this morning when KayDee will check my blog. I wonder if she knows how much I appreicate her graciousness?

I wonder if Ryan made 2nd or 3rd team in hockey (and if Lisa's stomach settled down).

I wonder how many things Lori got done before she went to work this morning.

I miss them already. These amazing, inspiring, lovely women who I call my life friends. Aren't I just the most blessed woman in the world to have them? I want to go back.

Lord, I pray for these women and their work. Lord, let them know how much they are loved and admired. Remind them today that they are the friends of a lifetime. Thank you, father, for the wonderful weekend. Help me, in the business of today and the days ahead, to remember the gifts of these friends. Amen

Like a School Girl...

It usually takes me a half hour to come awake fully. I always ask Mark to wake me 30minutes before I really need to get up. But Mark woke me, and I was up today. I was excited like a school girl.
See, this semester has been busy and a bit brutal. But today, NO WORK. I am going to Phoenix Arizona for a weekend with the "girls." Lisa, KayDee, Lori and I (but alas, no KYM and it won't be the same without her)...and we will talk, and read, and sit by the pool, and eat, and laugh and share. And I am so excited. I was not ready to repack my bags AGAIN for the 6th week in a row, but then this morning - those lifetime friendship beckoned me to relax and enjoy the weekend. Without a laptop?? Well, we will see!
And Lori and Lisa don't know that I am expecting - but it will be pretty obvious - so I am also excited to share (btw, we are due on September 22nd).
I love the memories of childhood, of friendships from days a long time ago now (coudl Oklahoma bus trip really be over 20 years ago)? I love the enduring friendships that last beyond marriages, moves, kids - based, truly, on one main thing...a shared past.
I can't wait. Must go and get the laundry!!!

Routines

I crave the routine of life. Throughout the last week we left for Saratoga, WY for 3 days for the CSU ranchs' bull sale. Home on Monday night, Left at 5:30 Wednesday morning for Park City, Utah, and home again last night. I am tired and craving the routine of life. I miss my home, I miss having time to do my job, I miss time to spend in the Word and in prayer, I miss time to clean my home and file the paperwork. I miss....lots. I have been carried away by lifes "trips" and not focusing on the important things.

Oh yea, and I am going to have a baby.

I know it must be normal to worry, but I worry a lot. I pray that things are ok and that we will have a healthy and happy child. I worry. I worry about getting the new position. I worry about having a baby and a new job. I worry that I can't do anything the way I really want to do it. I worry. Please tell me this is normal. Please tell me that this is the routine of life. I worry that time just rolls on and I fail to see the beauty in it. I worry.

But, I thank God for spring. The birds chirping, the trees budding, the sun with just a hint of heat in it. I anxiously await the summer for some time to think. And worry!

Things I have been thinking about

1. Prayer. I learned recently that there is a simple acronym for how we are to be in prayer. It is ACTS.
A stands adoration. A simple act of acknowledgement of the awesomeness of our holy God.
C stands for confession. A simple act of knowing we are sinners and asking for forgiveness.
T stands for thanksgiving. A simple act of thanking him for the gifts in our life.
S stands for supplication. Knowing and believing that HE can and WILL answer our prayers.
This has helped me to pray with a mission.
2. Family. Isn't it wonderful? I love family. It is the bones of who we are.
3. Friends. I spent a short hour with good friends yesterday morning. Not enough time. But it was wonderful.
4. Home. I want to have and create a home that I can be proud of.
5. Simplicity. I do not have a simple life. But, oh, howI want it! The peace and simplicity of life. I want to eek this out in the craziness of the Enns home!
6. Profession. I struggle with this one - and am wrestling with it as I write this. I love my job. I worry that a new position might morph the job. I worry if I am doing enough or doing an adequate job. I worry about students. I worry.
7. Pets and uncondition love. I want to be like them.
8. Recipies. Can you share a favorite with me? I love to cook, and love to cook NEW things. Share with me something that you like so that I can try something new.
9. Life. Isn't it strange how it changes and morphs?
10. Blessings. I am greatly blessed.

Graciousness and a Big, Big God

I want to be gracious. I want to be thankful for the little things in my life. Like KayDee kicking me in the tail yesterday and reminding me to blog...I just haven't had the energy or inspiration. I have also struggled with my Bible Study, struggled to come often and diligently in prayer. After completing the dissertation I think I let out a huge sigh of relief and let everything else go LUKEWARM.
But, each day there are little things that remind me (when I choose to think of them) that my God is Big; big enough to know that my faithfulness has been lukewarm, big enough to be persistent in my daily activities, providing encouragement and inspiration in little ways.
Yesterday, these things happened that reminded me that God was there...

• Tim, the director of the school of education, came by and asked why I had a long face and provided encouragement.
• Antionette gave me a hug and reminded me that I could come and talk with her.
• KayDee and I made plans for a girls weekend (YEA)!
• Mark listened (not just nodding his head, but really listened and asked questions).
• In my meeting with Ag and Resource Economics (my potential new department - although I don't think they are wild about that) James sat in the back and nodded his head and gave me encouragement during my presentation.
• Boone loves me...even when I neglect him. He loves it when I come home. Even after he has been in the kennel all day. He is always excited to see me.
• I had enough energy to walk Boone 2 miles this morning in the beautiful crispness of daylight...and I feel BETTER.

I want graciousness to define me. Just like all of these people who were kind to me yesterday. Just like my God. I want to be thankful for these little interventions each and every day. I want to remember that my Big, Big, God is in all the little things of life.

"He has made his wonders to be remembered, He is gracious and compassionate." Ps 111:4

Thankful

I have experienced blessing beyond what I deserve.
The Lord has worked through me and helped me to complete my PhD.
The Lord has richly blessed my life, my family, my home.
I have no power, no talent, no passion, no love that wasn't first ordained by my God.
I give you, Father, the Glory and richly thank you for your blessings.
AMEN!!

Thankful in All Circumstances

I have been in Indianapolis, IN from Thursday last week at the National Ag Ed Inservice. It is a chance to learn what the national focus in Ag Ed is each year and plan our state plan accordingly. It is always a good conference and I come back renewed and refreshed with ideas about my career.

The challenges are great. Last week, honestly, I wasn't sure I wanted the challenges (how is that for being pathetic?). Ag Ed needs a lot of work at CSU, and honestly, with a new position, it will be under a lot of scrunity. No one on campus seems sure where to house me - and a move to a new department will most likely be immenent. I have to be able to advocate for myself and our program this week and it makes me tired....

Oh yea - and I have to defend my dissertation this week too.

I am not so sure that I want all of that. And yet, during a lunch prayer at this conference the speaker said: "Lord thank you for our challenges." And like a ton of bricks, my heart sunk. I have not at all been thankful for these challenges. Not at all. I have faced them like a whiney child, "Why, Why, Why?" I want to say, "No, thank you. I am just fine the way that I am." After struggling through the challenges of the dissertation, I guess I felt like I deserved a vacation, not more challenges. And yet, we are to be thankful for everything. Everything. It helps us to grow and depend on each other and on our heavenly Father. It refines who we are and what we are.

So, apparently, I need to be thankful for these challenges ahead. They are great, but they will allow for great growth opportunities, for Ag Ed and for me. I am thankful for that which lies ahead...the unknown. May I learn to appreciate all of the challenges, be thankful for them, and praise God for them.

Happy week family and friends. I pray for you today and lift up you in your challenges as well.