Unplugged

First, let me say that I love my church. I am thankful the Lord brought me out this way in 2006. Being where God wants you is better than being where you think you want to be.

The three churches I have attended have all had some great ministries to get involved in. There were fellowship opportunities for many of the age groups: Nursery, toddlers, primary, juniors, Jr. high, high school, college and career, young marrieds, older marrieds, even the older folks in general. But what about the single professionals? We're too old for the college and career class, but don't fit in with the marrieds.

From my perch in the choir loft, I notice people. Those people that are my age are generally married or engaged. They have concerns and priorities that are different than mine.

It seems there are all sorts of fellowship opportunities for the teens. They need that. But don't we all? The moms and dads can get together with other families and  have play dates. I am grateful for the families that have included me in some of their events, but I know I've still felt a bit left out.

I think churches need to do something more for their single professionals. We need fellowship too! Many of us work more than one job and see no one but our coworkers. I wish we had something like the BYF the teens have. I'd love to get together with others from other churches. How else will I meet different people of like station?

I think young ladies have a more difficult time than the young men do. Not sure why, though. Maybe because I see it happening. Most of the people I did see outside of church were those who had families of their own to take care of. I certainly appreciate being included, but sometimes it's tough to feel plugged-in with families that aren't mine.

Anyway, that's all I've got to say at the moment.

About.me

So, have you heard of this site yet? It's sort of like an online business card that you can share with others quickly and easily. I know I tend to forget where everything is, so having it like this is nice. Some of the pages people have created are quite stunning. This page is customizable. You can add a preloaded background or one of your own, add a biography, change the color and size and font, and add a number of service such as Facebook, Blogger, Twitter, Flickr, WordPress, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Posterous, TypePad, Foursquare, and Formspring to say the least. You can even get a free* pack of about.me business cards from moo.com (*shipping not included).

I learned about this site by being a BzzAgent.

Another giveaway!

Olive to Sew has a huge giveaway going on. Check it out! http://olivetosew.blogspot.com/

Giveaway :)

3000 Facebook Fan Giveaway : Kamieo Photography
http://kamieophotography.blogspot.com/2011/03/3000-facebook-fan-giveaway-kamieo.html

I've entered. Have you?

Got to make my graduation invites thanks to winning a giveaway prize to Shutterfly!

Grand Band Gold Graduation Announcement

Get personalized graduation party invites at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QYtWbRo3cs3Hw

Checkin in

Just wanted to add a quick update on how I've been doing with my personal challenges. Still haven't had pop or fast food. Got back on Transformation.com and working myself back into the Eating for Life diet. Diet here is used rather loosely. It's more than a diet, it's a change, or transformation, in how I eat. Rather than eating 3 large meals a day, I am eating six smaller meals throughout the day. I still have a tendency to snack, but instead of chips or candy, I have pretzels. And I am working on limiting them when I do snack. I also started up working out at home this week, using my Wii Fit for cardio and resistance bands for strength. So far, so good.

With the two hour delay this morning (Yay!,) I was able to work out already (morning are tough for me, but exercise in the morning is actually better for burning more calories (and with empty cardio, it'll burn fat since you have no calories in you yet if you exercise before you eat).

Tomorrow I will be having a free meal (meaning not something EFL) since I'm babysitting. We are ordering pizza. So this deviation is a planned one, but the rest of the day will be done well.

The best part at this point is that I have lost close to nine pounds already. Yay!

As of January 31, I decided to challenge myself in two areas that I tend to give into easily: giving up pop (soda for those who don't know what pop means) and eating out. So far, so good. I've made a couple batches of chicken and dumplings, eaten some sandwiches, and have totally upped the water intake (close to 100 oz. a day). I had eaten some chocolate dipped pretzels and a friend asked me if it was in my diet. I told him that it wasn't pop or fast food, sooo...

I'm still dealing with the side pain after a year and still no closer to answers. That's kind of discouraging. I see the doc again in a couple weeks.

I'm almost done with my next degree, although I am moving a little backwards. I have a Bachelor's in elementary education and will be receiving an Associate's in secretarial studies this spring. I'm taking my last class now. It seems that the college is working on offering a Master's in education sometime in the future. Not sure yet if I'll go that route.

One of the interesting things I will be working on in the library this semester is the website. I've not really done anything so...official. I'm looking forward to this challenge.

There are some things coming up in the next few months that's' going on. I'm planning on going to Preaching Conference this year since it and my spring break are happening at the same time. Then there will by college graduation. Then, my favorite happening will be the arrival of my niece/nephew (although from the last ultrasound, they were leaning more towards a boy). I should be in MI within weeks, maybe days, of the baby's birth. Can't wait!

Happy New Year!

2010 went by in a flash.

I'm not sure what 2011 has in store, but I'm looking forward to it.