Candy Striker

This time of year, the abundance of candy can be overwhelming to my self-control.  I thought I would share this tool to help give you some alternatives to devouring 417 Snack Size Snickers...

50 Things To Do Instead of Eating Your Kids' Halloween Candy

1. Go for a walk. I do my best to get in 10,000 steps or more each day.
2. Lift weights.
3. Go swimming.
4. Read a book. (Best if you can listen to an audiobook while you walk or exercise or garden.)
5. Work. (If you tend to eat at your desk, institute a new rule that you can only eat when you’re not working.)
6. Take a bubble bath. This is a great habit to get into at night, instead of sitting in front of the TV, where you are likely to be tempted to snack.)
7. Go rollerblading.
8. Ride a bike.
9. Take a yoga class.
10. Swing the kettlebell.
11. Clean out your closet. If you’re losing weight, it’s a good idea to box up some clothes you won’t be needing anymore.
12. Go for a jog. I never thought I’d enjoy running, but I’m starting this week to learn how to do barefoot running.
13. Listen to an audiobook while you do something else (do the dishes, organize your closet, or what-have-you).
14. Take a dance class.
15. Take a language class — learn Spanish or French or Chinese. If you can’t afford a class, join a local Meetup.com group.
16. Do a jigsaw puzzle — this is a fun thing to do with kids.
17. Go for a hike.
18. Go camping for the weekend. It’s not so easy to overeat while camping — since you can control what you pack and what you prepare (and food preparation takes some effort).
19. Go see a movie. Skip the popcorn — bring a bottle of water only.
20. Start a garden. Not only does gardening burn a lot of calories, but it’s a great feeling to grow your own food. If you don’t have a place to garden at home, look into joining a community garden.
21. Work on your tan. I love the feeling of being tan, and it’s great for getting vitamin D. I’m committed to taking 10-30 minutes every day in the summer to sitting outside and getting sunshine (this can also be done while gardening).
22. Volunteer. There are lots of volunteer opportunities online.
23. Raise chickens.
24. Play with your kids. Throw a ball, play Barbies, go swimming, read them stories.
25. Go to the library.
26. Plan a trip. Maybe you can’t afford to go for another year or two, but you can start planning and saving now.
27. Buy a rental property. Instead of spending your weekends lounging around in front of the TV and snacking, go to open houses. Maybe you can’t afford to buy a property right now, but you could start looking around and saving your money to invest.
28. Finish your degree. Maybe you never got your college degree, or you want to get an advanced degree.
29. Shop for new clothes. You don’t have to buy anything — just look and think about what you will get when you lose weight.
30. Play chess.
31. Do crossword puzzles.
32. Learn to knit.
33. Take up photography.
34. Learn to program computers.
35. Stain some furniture or paint a room.
36. Plan a kitchen remodel. Again, maybe you can’t afford it right now, but you can start dreaming and planning.
37. Plan a family reunion.
38. Take up quilting or sewing.
39. Do sudoku.
40. Clean out the garage.
41. Have a garage sale.
42. Take a spinning class.
43. Work with a trainer at a gym.
44. Take up surfing.
45. Get a part-time job doing something you enjoy or want to learn more about. Maybe you can work at a nursery and learn about plants or teach a yoga class.
46. Start a home business. You could teach piano or be a tutor, or start an Etsy shop. You can use the extra money you earn to do on vacation or save it to invest in real estate.
47. Read all the classics. Work your way through all the classic literature you missed in high school and college. (Again, best if you can listen to the audiobooks while you do something else.)
48. Get a rebounder. Burn calories while you watch TV or listen to audiobooks.
49. Take a martial arts class. Nothing like getting a black belt to get your self esteem up!
50. Take up rock climbing.

from www.cheeseslave.com

Some more from my personal list:

1) Pray for others.

2) Make a list of 12 service projects; do one a month until the next time Halloween comes around.

3) Listen to the music from your youth for awhile.  It is fun to reminisce!

4) Actually make a bucket list and make the plans to do one, and then DO IT!

5) Ask 27 friends to sign up for my blog.

Let me know how this goes...

Amberly

Action Figure

I am a Martha.  In the Bible, Martha is the DOer.  And a TALKer.

Luke 10 articulates the story for which she is best known:

"38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'

41 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'”

He even says her name twice in a row (an "honor" Jesus employs only thrice in the New Testament).

I can relate to her.  I am a TASKer.  A DOer.  I get caught up in activity and miss the point.  All the time.  I miss out on time with my kids.  I miss playing games or great discussions or ministry opportunities because I am busy.  Three jobs.  Two kids.  One house.  Ministry. Going to the gym.  Cooking. Cleaning. Writing.  Preparing.  Grading papers.

Today, at church we talked about Mary and Martha again, but this time, Martha's activity and words worked to her advantage.

John 11:20-28

"20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 'Lord,' Martha said to Jesus, 'if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.' 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, 'I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.' 25 Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?' 27 'Yes, Lord,' she replied, 'I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.' 28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. 'The Teacher is here,' she said, 'and is asking for you.' 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.

While her sister sat at home (not doubt feeling defeated), Miss DOer went out to meet Jesus.  In addition, she articulates faith greater than most of the disciples display.  

On some level, she finds redemption here.  In her tragedy, she uses her actions and words to bring honor to God.

Martha shows me that there is hope for the DOer.  

Have a great week!

Amberly

Princess Materail

We started watching "Once Upon a Time", a network television program about fairy tales.

It is a nice little diversion while I grade papers at night.  It is also quite entertaining.

While other girls pretended to be Cinderella, I wanted to be Nancy Drew or Lucy from Narnia.  I never fit the Princess mold.  In my opinion, I was always WAY too tall, headstrong, and awkward for any Prince to love.  My feet were too big for glass slippers, my skin, although snow white, did not draw animals to do my bidding, my hair was too big for a crown, and I only had step-brothers and they were not wicked.

Fortunately for me, at ten years old, I met the Prince of Peace.  His abiding love for me is better than any fairytale.  It is real.  His Kingdom is greater than any other and yet, He invites each of us to be a part of it all.

Have a great week and know that you are loved!

Amberly

Not a work of art

Our daughter is part of the Art Club at school.

Their first outing as a group was Via Arte, an annual chalk art display.  They chose to recreate Edvard Munch's "the Scream".

Due to other plans, we signed up to be there for the final shift; we thought we would be on the finishing team to complete any incomplete components.  After attending early service, we packed all the necessary sunblock, chairs, sunshades, and hats.  My husband, Scott even made a knee pad for our little artist.

When we got there, the others had already finished the work.  Finished.  No grids or chalk were left...nothing.  They had not chosen to call and let us know that our services were not necessary.  We were both really disappointed.  Although I bought her another "square" in which she could create, she was sad not to be a part of a large project.

Have you ever felt that way?  Unnecessary?  Disappointed? Disenfranchised?

I have.  Too many times to count.

The question is: do we pack up our chalks and walk or do we find a way to help?  It is hard to feel sorry for oneself and serve others concurrently.

I often did the former when faced with hurt feelings and disappointment.

Judah chose to create a beautiful moon in her square and write the Genesis passage about the creation of the sun and moon.  She chose to give God glory for his work in her work.

I want to be more like that.  Wanna join me?

Have a great week!

Amberly