Love Others and Live for Their Benefit

Daily Bread today said that we can fulfill the Old Testament regulations by doing one thing - Love Others and Live for Their Benefit. Life is so much better when we take a moment to do this - live for another person.

I have been over-doing it a lot lately. I come home, flop on the couch and stay in a comotose form until I can drag myself up to bed. I convinced myself that I had obligations at work that I had to do. Which I did, but I didn't have to do it in the way that it was happening. It all came to a boiling point this Sunday and Monday. It was our FFA State Contests - and I had to run Ag Mechanics. Me. Ag Mechanics. Why? Because sometime in a weak moment I said that I would. It was rough. My poor, pregnant form wasn't ready for it. I didn't have the stamina that I needed. I came home EXHAUSTED. Truly, as tired as I can remember. I knew I needed to eat, but I could have cared less. Every bone in my body was tired. To my core. I was tired. I couldn't sleep because I ached so bad. I was in poor shape! And I couldn't do anything. It has been two weeks since I made lunch for Mark. Probably as long since I made dinner - but I honestly can't remember its been so long. The laundry is piled, the floors need cleaned, and company is coming next week.

So I wonder why I did it. Is it selfish ambition? I was so tired (and hormonal) that when I went to give my report to all of the Ag Teachers I got that shaky, teary voice!!! Really!!! When I get like that I am no good to anyone. I can't love others and live for their benefit, even those that mean the most to me - like Mark.

So today, after a good nights rest (praise God), I made Mark's lunch. It isn't a great lunch. But it makes me so happy to do this simple act of service for him. Loving and serving others can build us to our very core. Not exhaust us to our very core. It is a huge lesson for me. And the upcoming Bambino. When I find myself tired beyond comprehension, I need to ask, who am I doing it for? I need to search to make sure that serving others is allowed to invigorate me and not wear me out - because otherwise we are like popcorn - one little explosion and no good for the long haul.

Lord, I ask for your forgiveness that I didn't ask for your help and assistance in these projects. Please forgive me for not seeking you to learn what I was to do. Help to learn and constantly be reminded of the true golden rule. Mold me and make me into what you need me to be.
Amen.

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law of the Prophets." Matthew 7:7-12.

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!!