Twelve Questions...Part 2

 

I had so much fun with the Q&A last week that I decided to do a few more posts like that. Hope you enjoy, as you start this Monday morning!

What’s most important to you: work life or personal life? Yes! 😊 I think one of the best lessons I learned during the half-year that I worked for Run Hard Rest Well was the importance of work-life balance, and honestly, far too few people do that well. My work life is more than just a job to me, and it also bleeds beyond “office hours.” I’m always in a ministry mindset, and I can’t change that. It’s very important to me, because it’s what God has called me to do for this next season of my life. But I also really love and am committed to my personal life here at home with Ryan and Lexi. It matters to me to have quality time with them, to rest, to tend to our home, and to spend time with the Lord. So yes. They are equally important to me!

What was your favorite TV show growing up? I wasn’t allowed to watch much TV growing up, but I did dearly love Little House on the Prairie. Still do, actually! Recently, one of my friends watched the entire series for the first time, and I absolutely ADORED hearing his take on every episode and chatting about my favorite (and least favorite) things.

Have you ever had a life-changing moment? What was it? Oh, yes, I’ve had several! Saying yes to Ryan’s marriage proposal changed my life in the best possible way. Marrying him solidified those beautiful changes. I am so profoundly grateful for those days. But I’ve also had life-changing moments that have been really hard. Some of you remember the desert days of my life (prior to Ryan). They nearly destroyed me, but they also changed me for life in ways I needed and couldn’t even see at the time.

What do you pretend to like but actually don’t like? Ooh…this is a hard one. I wouldn’t say I pretend to like it, but the healthy food we eat wouldn’t be my first choice. I do like it. It tastes good and makes me feel better than the greasy, fatty food I ate for so many years. But I don’t know that my heart has permanently transformed from its natural bent to fast food and ice cream. If you walked up to me tomorrow and told me I could return to Coke and pizza and fries and remain at a goal weight and perfectly healthy, I’d do it. So I choose to like food that is better for me, but I would prefer the things I don’t have regularly.

What three words describe what you’re most grateful for? This (again) feels like trying to choose a favorite child, because I’m actually grateful for far more than just three things. Can we establish that Jesus and Ryan are given “most grateful” responses? Of course they are!! Behind them, I’d say…our home on the lake. I love this place, I love this view, I love the coziness, I love the hard work we have put into making it home. I love all these things. Then I’d say my job. After so many years of feeling like a misfit at every single workplace, this feels like home, and I love it. And then I’d say I’m grateful my parents are at Swiss Village. We’ve talked so much lately about how we have no idea what we would do if we both had full time (sometimes overtime) jobs and still had to travel back and forth to their original home to help with care. Plus, we know they HAVE care even when we’re not in the building, and we love that.

What has been your favorite travel memory so far? I can’t possibly pick a travel destination as a favorite, because I’ve loved too many. But I think my favorite travel memory was the trip we took in Abby the RV. It was as wonderful as we thought RV travel would be and solidified for us that we would love to do this in our retirement! We loved having our home with us on the road, a private bathroom at every moment, and cooking over campfires. The best.

Do you think you’re too critical of yourself? Oh absolutely! This is something I am actively working to eradicate from my life and have been learning much about in my sanctification class. I am easily my worst critic. EASILY. And when someone else criticizes me, it stays with me for years. (Some of those criticisms are here for life, I’m sure.) I have made great strides in trusting God to heal my heart, but I have a long way to go.

What movie absolutely scarred you? Thief in the Night! It was a 70s movie about end times, and I watched it at church when I was far far far too young to comprehend what I was seeing. I still have crippling panic attacks about it. No joke.

What’s something that always makes you smile? My Ryan. He’s not a thing, but he’s the one who always makes me smile. Just seeing him makes me smile, but also, he can bring the good into a hard day faster than anybody else. I’m smiling just writing about him!

What’s your proudest moment? This feels like a tricky question because I do my best to avoid proud moments. Feels like a slippery slope when living for the Lord, but if I look at it from a standpoint of a meaningful achievement, I would say….publishing my Advent book. It had been a dream to publish a book, and I never thought it would happen. It had been such a hard and draining year, and that was just such a sweet gift from God. I had worked hard, and holding the first copy in my hands was sweet.

What lie do you tell yourself most often? This, too, is something I am learning about in my sanctification class! I think the biggest lie I tell myself is that I don’t belong. It was a fact in many areas for many years, and I believed it so thoroughly that I still believe it now and regularly tell myself that I don’t belong in this place or that. This is hard to overcome, and I am guessing I’m not alone in this one.

What parts of your life are perfect the way they are right now? Well, I don’t think anything about life on earth is ever perfect, but I have great contentment in my marriage, my home, and my work. I feel I’m right where the Lord has led me, and I am not striving. I love the joy and contentment I feel!