Faith-filled Blog

The Musical is Finished and Was a Success

Stephenie Hovland — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 15:20:17 GMT

We performed the all-school musical last night. It was a straightforward, biblical musical. No funny, corny lines (well, not much corn, anyway.) No fancy costumes or sets. It wasn't even very long.

But, it got great reviews. In fact, some parents said they'd like us to do it again (they were talking about right then, just after we had finished it!) while others said it was better than last year's (which was longer, fancier, funnier, etc.)

From what I could gather, they liked it mostly because it was very biblical with a clear message.

Keeping God's message simple and straightforward is important. Deliver the message and let God do the work.

One More Week, and Then I Can Coast (a little)

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:30:03 GMT

I haven't been blogging lately (and I apologize for this!) but I only have one more intense week at school, then things get easier.

We have standardized testing this week, a funeral for which my class needs to sing, and the school musical (which I'm directing.) I did all my lesson planning for the week last week, so I'm set with that.

After this week, we are basically coasting to the end of the year (except for the science fair - but I'm not too worried about that - yet.) I'm happy if I can keep moving forward with a few new concepts, but my main thrust is reinforcing what they need to know for next year. For some students, it would be a big accomplishment to follow directions and get work done on time. For others, I would like to see them think deeper. Not completely necessary, I suppose, but wouldn't it be nice if the students entered their new classrooms with some organization and thinking skills? We have been working on them all year, but this is when I try to make sure they have nailed the key skills and concepts.

We can slow things down a little, since I pushed them pretty hard third quarter.

And, maybe I can reorganize my time (and brain) to do a little more blogging.

Something for you to think about: Do you have some "coasting" time coming soon? What can you do to reorganize one part of your life during that time?

I'm Hooked on JacketFlap and PaperBackSwap

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:12:16 GMT

Let me share my addictions with you.

The first is JacketFlap. This is a resource and networking site for people who love to read or write books. From the site:

JacketFlap is a social networking community where you can connect with more than 1,900 published authors and illustrators of books for Children and Young Adults

Network with PEOPLE in the children's book industry
Read 700+ Children's book-related BLOGS
Search our Database of 900,000+ CHILDREN'S BOOKS
See reviews of books on Members' BOOKSHELVES
Get Published by one of 20,000+ BOOK PUBLISHERS
Search our Database of 200,000+ CHILDREN'S BOOK CREDITS
Membership is FREE, so JOIN NOW!

Here's my little corner of JacketFlap: Stephenie.

My newest obsession is PaperBackSwap. Do you have any used paperback books lying around? I did, and I finally found a great way to share them with other people.

It seems that a few guys were sitting around one night talking about all the paperback books that they purchased over the years when they traveled on business. Each of them had a stack of books that they had read. So they decided to set up a web site http://www.PaperBackSwap.com/ that allows all of us to swap paperback books with each other. Now it's grown to include ALL books--hardcovers and audio too!

Let me tell you how it works because it is so easy. I listed a bunch of books on the site (you have to list at least 10 books to get in the club) and I got 2 free book credits to get me started. So you can order 2 books right away - free of charge and have them mailed directly to you. No strings attached. No gimmicks. No spam mail. Nothing! You just have to love reading.

Then when another member selects one of my books that I have listed, I mail it to them. Yes, I pay for the postage. But then I get a book credit and I can select a book that I want. So another Club Member returns the favor and mails me one of their books free of charge. For every book I mail out, I get another book in return - a true shared system!

And when someone requests one of your books, all you have to do is print a two page document on regular paper from your printer, and use them to wrap the book. The wrapper includes the mailing address and the amount of postage. Then drop the package in the outbound mail. Hey, most of the time you don't even need to go to the post office!

Right now the annual club membership is FREE! Eventually the founders will ask everyone to help contribute to pay for the upkeep of the web site, but for now the annual club membership is free. The annual dues will probably be between $10 and $20 based on the number of people in the club. But again, right now you don't even have to pay any dues for one year if you become a Charter Member.

You really need to check this out! And if you do sign up, please list my email in the referral section because then I get another free book. This is a great club http://www.PaperBackSwap.com/

So, here's my e-mail, if you do decide to join: Stephhov (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Hopefully the spammers won't pick that up too easily. If you need a translation, ummmm, just never mind.)

Hovland Hears a Who

Stephenie Hovland — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:32:42 GMT

The girls and I went to see Horton Hears a Who today. I like Dr. Seuss, and I'm one of those book snobs who almost always says, "The book was better than the movie." I confess that I usually look for faults in every movie that is based on a book.

I haven't read Horton for a long time, so I couldn't do that on this one, but I was prepared to gripe about Jim Carrey. He's played so many ridiculous, over-the-top, zany characters, I fully expected to see the same type of thing in this movie. I was pleasantly surprised.

Mr. Carrey, Carol Burnett, and all the other folks did a great job (in my opinion.) Horton is such a lovable elephant. You can't help but like the guy! He's naive, imaginative, and thinks the best of everyone. What a great character!

As a reader (and writer) I fully appreciated that the main characters were more fully developed than you might expect. The "bad guys" aren't just bad. They show their insecurities and pain, not just their evilness. The "good guys" aren't infallible.

I'm not the best reviewer, but I enjoyed the movie.

(Probably would've enjoyed it more if I wouldn't have had the jumbo soda!)

It Was A Very Good Day

Stephenie Hovland — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:11:49 GMT

Yesterday was awesome!

I was finally rested up from work (I can't ever seem to do that on a weekend.)
I woke up really early, prayed, read a devotion, used my planner, cleaned bathrooms, did dishes and laundry, finished a rough draft of a picture book, ran bunches of errands, took a nap, made a simple dinner for my family, went for a walk, bought my niece a birthday present, and attended my writing group after months of absences.

What a day!

Some days are great when I just survive them (yuck!)

Others are great when I get to rest and veg all day (gotta rest!)

But, usually, I feel like it's a good day if I get lots of little stuff done.

Easter - More Than Bunnies and Eggs

Stephenie Hovland — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:10:57 GMT

The day after Easter Sunday, most people go right into “spring thinking.” They think of Easter as just one Sunday every year. Truthfully, the season of Easter is much longer. It starts on Easter Sunday and continues for seven weeks until Pentecost. And, if you realize that the reason Christian churches worship primarily on Sunday is to remember Easter, then you could think of the Easter season lasting all year long. Every Sunday is Easter Sunday.

Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some people refer to it as Resurrection Day rather than Easter to further emphasize that point. It's easy to get distracted by the Easter bunny, pretty eggs, and glazed hams.

Now that you know Easter lasts seven weeks or even all year, you can celebrate it with your family much longer than one Sunday.

Watch the earth change in the spring. As the plants emerge from the dark, cold ground in spring, we have emerged from the dark, coldness of this world as the Holy Spirit gives us faith. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Notice how the sun shines a little longer each day. You may even have more energy, because you are in the light. It gives you hope and life. The Son of God has come to stay. He didn't live her for 33 years just to abandon us. No, He came to deliver us from eternal darkness. Can you feel the Sonshine? The light of Christ gives us energy to share our faith with others. It strengthens us and enables us to serve and not be so weary.

The spring thunderstorms, or snow storms if you live up North, can be quite severe. They remind us that storms come in our lives, just as they do for the unbeliever. We can handle the "snow" or "hail," the conflict or cancer, because we know that Christ, the Son of God, will melt my troubles away. He will come out, like a morning burst of sunshine, and take care of everything. The damage from the storm may remain, but we have hope because we can see the Son.

We can celebrate the miracle of Jesus' Resurrection all year long, not just on Easter Sunday or in the spring. Look around. How else does God show Easter all year?

Reading An Old Love

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:53:43 GMT

There are books so alive that you're always afraid that while you weren't reading, the book has gone and changed, has shifted like a river; while you went on living, it went on living too, and like a river moved on and moved away. No one has stepped twice into the same river. But did anyone ever step twice into the same book? -- Marina Tsvetaeva

Have you ever read a book that really got to you? I remember different books that impacted me at certain points in my life. I think of them like old, beloved friends (some are more like boyfriends, I loved them so much!) I sometimes wonder if I re-read them now, would they still feel the same? Would I be in love with them? Would they still make me cry, smile, or feel transported to another world?

Sometimes I think about the feelings I had when I read that certain book, and they keep me from reading the book again. I'm afraid that as I've changed, the book hasn't. Or, maybe the book has changed, and I have gone a different direction. I've purposely avoided books that I held dear in the past, because of this fear that we no longer have our "magic relationship."

Last year, I picked up one of my beloved books, Jacob Have I Loved, by Katherine Paterson. It used to be my favorite book. (I'm not saying it isn't any more, but I've got a few more that rank up there on top, too.) I remember reading it in school and feeling like no other book has ever reached me, known me, or drawn me in before. I re-read the book a few times as a kid. But, as an adult, I was afraid to.

Then, I did it. I winced, took a deep breath, then read the book.

Guess what?

I still love it! I still feel like I'm in the story, and I still feel the main character's story as if it's my own. Maybe I'm still a lot like I was when I first read the book. So much for growing up!

Here's a challenge to you: Is there a book that meant a lot to you at another time in your life? Read it again and see what it's like.

FAT Teachers

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:09:10 GMT

Let's explore the FAT concept for teachers:

Faithful - Are you faithful to your students, parents, and school? A faithful teacher supports her school, doesn't gossip about others, looks for the best in her students, and is dedicated to supporting the parents of their students. She also is faithful to her personal and professional goals and morals - not doing things that would go contrary to her values and values of her students' families. She tries to be faithful to each individual student when setting learning goals and evaluations. She is faithful in communication with all the parents who send students into her classroom. Whoa! That's asking a lot, isn't it? Yes, but think about some of the very best teachers in the country. They tend to have these attributes.

Available - Do you have every minute of your day scheduled, or are you available to help a student with math, or talk to a parent who comes into your room crying? Do you have time and energy to mentor a new teacher? Are you available to go beyond your job description, or do you only do exactly what your contract says? I know, you do have to balance your time and not be walked on, but teachers know that they will have to be available to many other people and situations. It's not a 9 to 5 job. Flexibility is key.

Teachable - If you don't constantly strive to learn more and do things better, you're not doing your best. Here are some quotes that express the sentiment more eloquently than I can:

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have mastered, you will never grow. C.R. Lawton
No one knows everything, but everyone can learn something. Sean Gregory Derrick
Perfection does not exist - you can always do better and you can always grow. Les Brown
I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday. Abraham Lincoln

Try to be a FAT teacher. It won't be easy, but you will probably become the best teacher you can be.

Are You FAT?

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:45:39 GMT

I don't know where this idea originated (I've searched!) but I like it! For the first time, I want to be FAT!

Are you a FAT Christian?

Faithful - Are you faithful to your job, your spouse, your church? Are you faithful to God? I Peter 4:10 says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." What gifts has God given you? Do you use them to serve others, to faithfully administer God's grace, to share God's love and law with others?

Available - Matthew 28:18-20 gives us a very clear command. It is not just for Jesus's disciples of that time, but for all time. "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" Are you available to do what Christ has commanded? Or, have you made some excuses to get you out of the commitment? Maybe your work schedule is too full, or your kids have soccer, or you are just too busy. Those things may be true, but they shouldn't be excuses to not serve God, to not pray, to not study His Word. Make yourself available to God and you will find that He uses you in amazing ways. He will strengthen your faith and help you follow His will - unless you're too busy.

Teachable - Do you say what the Psalmist says in Psalm 25:4, "Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths"? Or do you say, "I'm too busy to go to Bible study"? Do you think you're an old dog who can't learn to witness, to usher, or to read aloud in church? Think about it. Do you really mean that God can't teach you? You've certainly limited Him. I think He's much more powerful than that! Do you really think you're too busy to learn more about God's Word? This time you've limited yourself. You've made it difficult to draw near to God. You've limited the opportunities for spiritual growth.

If you strive to be faithful, available, and teachable, you will be amazed with what God does in your life. He will strengthen you and make you a blessing to others. And, you will see more of Him than you thought was possible. Everywhere you look, you'll see opportunities to witness that you hadn't noticed before. You'll feel like you've grown so much, just by becoming more aware of your faithfulness, availability, and teachability.

What If It Gets to You? The Depressed Christian

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:03:13 GMT

So, you've tried to stay faithful, but the stress has finally gotten to you. You feel weepy, angry, anti-social, or maybe you don't care any more - about anything.

What do you do now?

I suggest you go back and try all the suggestions I listed for what to do when you're stretched too far. Whether a friend died, your kids are going away to college for the first time, or you are just overwhelmed by life itself, drawing closer to God never hurts. At its worst, it seems ineffective. But, as I think I said before, it's not. What your feelings and thoughts tell you is not always the truth. We may not know the truth until we're on the other side of this dark cloud. In the meantime, it feel horrible. I don't doubt that for a moment. Feelings are real and intense, no matter what they're based on.

My second suggestion is if you truly think this is depression and not just a bad day, check out this website: ChristianAnswers.Net. It has some helpful links and Bible verses to help you get through the bluest day.

Thirdly, I strongly recommend that you seek a Christian counselor who can help you reason through the depression while drawing closer to God. A counselor who shares your love for the Lord will help you see a way out of the valleys of the shadows of death. You may need medication. Be sure a physician has thoroughly examined you and asked lots of questions. If you do turn to medication, I still strongly suggest you see a counselor as well. If you get counseling, you may be less likely to be depressed in the future. You may also see the light of life sooner than if you had simply taken medication.

Call Me Ishmael

Stephenie Hovland — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:38:02 GMT

I just realized I don't know how to spell Ishmael. I hope that's right, because I'm not looking it up.

Actually, don't call me that.

Call me by my new call sign. Yes, the FCC database finally (after 7 long days!) contains my call sign for ham radio.

I am KD0DCJ.

It just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? Well, not yet, but I hope it will some day.

I tried out a radio last night, and said my call sign wrong. Duh! Then, I was kind of afraid to have anyone hear my voice.

These are the traits of a ham radio operator, aren't they??

Maybe if I answer the phone with my call sign for a few days, I'll remember it and get used to saying it.

How Do You Stay Spiritually Healthy When You're Stressed Out? Part 3

Stephenie Hovland — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:33:42 GMT

This is the last installment of how to dig deeper in order to make it through stressful times.

I encourage you to wrap yourself in friends, music, and God's Word:

Friends. Even if you have few friends, you need to reach out to them at this time. One could watch your kids for an hour while you take a nap or run an errand. Another friend may be able to go out for a cup of coffee after work - just to talk for a half an hour before you run off to the next thing. Ask a coworker to pray for you this week as you face more challenges. You get the idea. This is when you lean on your friends. As soon as the pressure eases up, you pay them back. God sent friends your way as a blessing.
Music can soothe the soul. This may be the time when you play calming, soothing, inspiring music constantly - to help keep your stress level down. Don't forget to include some times of complete quiet, if possible.
Post Bible verses. Go to Biblegateway.com and search for some key words or phrases. Print out a few verses and post them wherever your stress is strong. I have several sheets hanging by all my checklists. I read a phrase or verse here and there. It reminds me of having a healthy snack when you're dying of hunger. It's not a full meal, but it's enough to get me through the moment. Sometimes I feel completely refreshed. Sometimes I feel a moment of peace. Sometimes I smile. You may also want to replace the thriller on your bedside table with a Bible or devotion book. Reading and meditating on a bit of God's Word before falling to sleep can make you sleep deeper and more peacefully.

I'm sure you can think of more ideas to help reduce stress - like working on hobbies, getting away, exercising, etc. but I'm done with the topic for now. I hope at least one idea helped you or inspired you to do something spiritual when you feel full of stress. Stressful moments can be the most faith-building times in your life.

How Do You Stay Spiritually Healthy When You're Stressed Out? Part 2

Stephenie Hovland — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:32:24 GMT

Here are a few more ways to keep up your spiritual health in times of stress.

Take a break. If it is too much to go to Bible study three days a week, like you usually do, then take a break for a month. Whatever time you decide to take off, don't let it become a habit. It's a temporary disconnection that you will re-establish later. If, at any time, you feel super guilty or like you're missing your connections, feel free to return. You should keep connections you need.
Change things up. Do you normally pray in the morning, but lately you've been lying awake at night, thoughts coursing through your mind? Maybe you should pray both morning and night? Do you listen to high-impact music while you walk? What about getting an inspirational/worship CD for your walks this week? It may give you peace that will be more important than your cardio workout. Do you veg in front of the TV every night? What about reading a chapter of an inspirational book while listening to classical music instead? Will American Idol miss you?
Pray, pray, and pray some more. I can't tell you how much praying will help you, but it will. Sometimes I think I'm either going to literally melt down into a puddle on the floor, or I'll start freaking out like the guy who needs Dell ink on the latest Staples' Easy Button commercial. Then, I breathe (always a good idea!) and say a quick "Help me" prayer. Some call it a breath prayer, because you don't do much more than breathe a prayer to God and keep moving. It helps immensely. When I have more time and think about it, I say a more involved prayer - sometimes just pleading to God for delivery, other times laughing with God over my silly life.

Just like keeping your physical body in shape helps you survive illness, keeping your spirit or faith "in shape" also helps you survive.

How Do You Stay Spiritually Healthy When You're Stressed Out? Part 1

Stephenie Hovland — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:16:39 GMT

Well, I can't guarantee anything. I can't tell you exactly how it will work for you or that you will definitely feel faith-filled after following these suggestions,

BUT

I'm going to give you some ideas anyway.

Remember that God works in mysterious ways. Also remember that as you draw close to Him, you will most likely feel like you have drawn HIM to you. It may seem like you have actually felt your faith grow. I hope you are pleasantly surprised by how God works in your heart as you get closer to Him - even in such stress-filled times.

Remembering that you're super busy and overcommitted to your work, your children, the world, here are some suggestions:

Priorities. I can't say it enough. If you value your faith, you have to spend at least a little time on it. Learn to say "no" when necessary. DO NOT make Bible study or prayer the thing that gets dropped from your schedule first. DO NOT let God take the back seat. One day, you may look in the rear view mirror and not see Him any more.
Grow, don't serve more. This probably is not the time to take on a huge new volunteer responsibility at your church. You are stressed already. If you are going to try something new, try not to make it a worker position, but more of a learning opportunity. For example, I wouldn't take on teaching preschool right now, because that would intensify my stress. However, I might join a ladies' prayer group. Even though it would be another thing on my schedule, I think it would help me out.
Don't commit. At times like these, I suggest you don't commit to more. If you are going to join the Saturday morning men's group, don't offer to lead it. Tell them you will make it when you can, to try it out. If it suits you, you can be more active and committed when the rest of your life slows down a little. You've heard of "give and take?" If you're someone who volunteers for everything, you've given enough. It's time to take a little.

I have at least five more ideas perking. Stay tuned!

Why Work on Your Faith, When You're Full of Stress?

Stephenie Hovland — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 09:39:27 GMT

Like you need one MORE thing to do! Right?

First, I want to stress that you don't create your own faith. The Holy Spirit gives it as a free gift. (Eph. 2:1-9; I Cor. 12:3)

Likewise, you can't strengthen your own faith. (Phil. 2:13; Titus3:5) It took me a long time to realize this, but the Holy Spirit grows your faith, not you. However, you do play a part! You can put yourself in situations where the Holy Spirit is abundant and more likely to reach you. But, again, the Holy Spirit is the one who actually cultivates and strengthens your faith.

This is why it is recommended that you study God's Word, attend Bible study, meet with other Christians, attend worship regularly, pray constantly, etc. This is how you connect to God and to others. God will strengthen and grow your faith through these experiences, while other Christians will support you.

If you don't notice your faith being strengthened or others supporting you, you may need to re-examine your faith-building activities. Maybe the Bible study group is not actually studying the Bible, but is more of a social time. While there's nothing wrong with being social, you may not be fed in your spirit. If it's a gossip session, you may think about how that can harm your relationships with others and decide it is not a good place to be. Maybe your Bible study is not led by someone who has studied scripture. If it is based on people's opinions rather than the true Word of God, you may feel pulled in all directions, and feel that Christianity is based on people rather than God. That can be harmful as well.

Perhaps you know you're going to spiritually healthy groups and events, but don't FEEL your faith grow. I've been there - for years at a time. You may be going through depression. Examine yourself and see if visiting a Christian counselor for a few sessions might help out. Or, it could just be that you can't feel it. Faith is not a feeling. It's not an emotion. It does help you experience positive emotions at times, but faith itself is not a feeling. So, just like you never felt your feet grow, and yet you progressed through several shoe sizes as a child, your faith also may be growing without your realization. Hang in there. Some day you will look back and see how it did grow, even when you couldn't feel it.

So, when you feel like you're just bursting with too much stress, how can you even think about your faith?

It's important that you do keep faith-building activities going during stressful times (even if they seem to add to the stress!) because your faith is what gives you the strength to make it through the stress. If you let your faith weaken and fade, you may find that one day it's gone. Then, what will help you weather those storms? Nothing is as solid as the Rock, Jesus Christ. Keep Him close. He will help you through the hardest, darkest days of this life.

To Ham or not to Ham

Stephenie Hovland — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:06:51 GMT

I did it! I got the little slip of paper that says I passed my technician level amateur radio test.

The guy came out of the room where they scored the tests. He had this serious look on his face, like right before they tell you your mother just died. Then he said, "Congratulations, Stephenie. You are our first 100%."

I started dancing in the hallway. Okay, I don't dance, but I did put my fists in the air and say something like, "Oh yeah! I beat my husband's score!" Had my children been there, I would've been told that I embarrassed them. So would my husband.

Nevertheless, I was very excited and happy to have not only passed, but gotten 100%. I found it rather difficult to master the material, since I'm just not into that technical stuff like "How much power is represented by a voltage of 13.8 volts DC and a current of 10 amperes?" But, I learned it, and now that question is a piece of cake. Simple pie.

DH has his eye on two new radios for us. I'm looking forward to finding out my call sign.

I Can Sleep Tonight

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:48:09 GMT

Woohoo!

I just got 100% on a practice test.

I also shoveled for 40 minutes.

What a good day!

By the way, I found out that some ham radio folks are not all that geeky.

Check out this cutey:

I must be dumb, because I don't know how a kid could remember all that technical stuff!

This lady looks very cool:

And, how about this one?

Alright. I searched for a long time to find those pictures. There were a lot of less appealing ones out there. The glasses and 70's hair with big old earphones and helmet cams.

What am I getting myself into?

When I start wearing solar panels on my back to power my radio and only talk in acronyms, please get me to the nearest 12-step program.

Almost a Geek

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:09:09 GMT

On Tuesday night, I'll take an exam to get my amateur radio technician license.

I'll be an official geek.

I've been a dork before, and even a nerd (word nerd, not number nerd or science nerd - big difference there!)

I had been thinking of switching to contacts for the first time in my life, but I think that's not allowed if you're a geek. I may have to get some white tape for the middle of my glasses. Maybe I can dig up a pocket protector from my husband's college days.

Yes, honey, I know. They were very practical.

I'm studying today, so I can pass that test. I've passed every practice test I've taken, but that's not good enough. I told DH I'd keep studying and testing until I got a 100%. In fact, I told him I wouldn't go to bed until I did. Once, I got only one wrong. Last test = 5 wrong. I just drank a Mountain Dew.

I'm going to take a snow shoveling break here soon. I need to counteract the fudge I've been snitching all day. I should've told DH not to use the snow blower. Had I shoveled all six or seven inches of the white stuff, I probably could've eaten half the pan. (Wait, I think I did!)

Churchy Boy

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:19:27 GMT

This morning, one of the moms at church asked her little girl what my husband's name is. Instead of saying "Pastor," or "God" (he's heard that before - and then hears me laughing in the background,) she called him "Churchy Boy."

So, I'm wondering if she thinks of him more like this:

or this:

or this:

Try But Syndrome

Stephenie Hovland — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:28:44 GMT

Have you been trying to quit smoking?
Trying to lose weight?
Trying to be on time?
Trying to exercise?

BUT you haven't succeeded?

I think you might have the Try But Syndrome.

You find that you don't make your goals, but you don't feel too bad about it because you did try.
You keep saying to people, "I don't know why I can't (fill in the blank) because I am trying.
You even hope that you'll succeed, because trying usually results in success - right?

Nope.

In my own life, I've done the same thing. I've said, "I don't know why I didn't lose weight this week. I tried to follow my meal plans, but it didn't always work. But, I tried!" or "I tried to find time to exercise this week, but it just didn't work out."

The Try But Syndrome!

Yes, it's great that you try. It is. But, results are results. And, sometimes our "trying" is an excuse to not try hard enough.

I decided to change my mindset. Instead of saying I will try to lose weight this month, I said I WILL lose weight this month.

Guess what. It worked.
I didn't say"I'll try." I said "I'll do it." That means that if I don't do something one week, I will do whatever it takes to make it work the next week.

Sometimes, trying is simply not enough.

What have you been trying to do?

Make it happen!