Day 10 of the 20-day Journal Challenge

Assignment: Tell about your last truly spiritual experience and how it affected you.

I’ve been losing my battle with insomnia lately, so I never need more than one hand to count the hours of sleep I get each night.

Yesterday I hosted a seminary breakfast at my house after getting a mere 4 hours of shut-eye. Miraculously, I was able to put on a cheerful face for my students. After they went off to school however, I ached for a nap.

I called my friend Anita with the intention of backing out of our song practice. After realizing there was no other good time to get together, I decided to power through my personal fog.

When I arrived at the rehearsal, the stress we all felt was palpable. Each member of our group seemed to be having a crazier week than the next. How on earth were we going to get a handle on the 9 songs we’re supposed to sing for the Interfaith Nativity?

As we gathered around the piano, Anita turned and suggested we say a prayer. She reached out to grab our hands and expressed how grateful she was to be singing with us. She pointed out that we all have wonderful blessings in our life and that one of the greatest blessings is to be able to express our love for the Lord through music.

After her words and our prayer, we had our best practice yet. I went away feeling truly happy and spiritually full.

Then I had a nap.

Emma the Cellist

Li'l Emma will figure out a way to do what she wants.



Months ago, after starting gymnastics, piano lessons, and Junior Jazzers, Emma asked if she could join 5th grade strings at school. I said no. She would have to give up her lunch recess to take the class, and we would have to fork out money for an instrument yet again. I already had to nag her to practice the piano each day, why would she want to add one more thing to my, er, her plate?



She started going to strings anyway, without my signed permission slip. She borrowed a school cello and was on her way...



Last week she brought the darned thing home. Oh, the sounds!

She hasn't learned to tune the cello yet, so her rendition of Hot Cross Buns curls my hair. But, she's pleased as punch.

And who knows? Maybe she'll end up being the next Yo-Yo Ma.

Day 9 of the 20-day Journal Challenge

Assignment: Tell a story your mom or dad has told you about when you were a baby.

When my folks lived in Pocatello during grad school, Mom would take me with her to pick apricots. She said I would get into the basket and take little bites from each one. I’d be covered in sticky juice by then end. I imagine my diapers would have been a delight…

My brother Timmy came along 2 years after I did. It’s amazing he survived his first year though. I guess I was very interested in him, wanting to hold him and “help” Mommy. When he was just a newborn, I got baby Timothy out of his basinet and carried him around the neck to show him off to some visitors that came by the house. It was all my Mom could do not to freak out. She was so afraid I’d drop him if she raised her voice or anything. Can you imagine?

Day 8 of the 20-day Journal Challenge

Assignment: Describe your best friend. Tell why this person is your best friend.

My best friend has been part of my life for 18 years, but I’m sure we’ve known each other much longer than that. I recognized our other-worldly connection soon after we met.

In the fall of my sophomore year of high school, I landed a small part in a school play. One of the cast members, Debra, became a fast friend. She and I had performed a musical number together for church and I knew her to be a funny and talented gal. What I didn’t realize, however, was that she had an older brother named Rick. And he was cute. And smart. And a senior!

Somehow I managed to attract his attention as he built the set for our production. We flirted backstage, but I never thought he’d be interested in me. One afternoon, he offered to drive me home from practice (he had his own car – ooooyah!). I distinctly remember feeling like I knew him from somewhere, but I just couldn’t place it. Talking with him felt so comfortable and familiar.

Not soon after “the ride” Rick asked me on a date. I was about a month shy of my 16th birthday, so I wasn’t of dating age. Fortunately, my totally cool parents let me bend our family dating rule so we could go to a high school football game. Rick took me on my first official date, and he’ll be there for my last.

Our relationship continues to be comfortable and familiar. Rick makes everything better. Whether it’s doing dishes, watching TV, or taking a nap, I’m happier when sharing these things with my best friend. I miss him when he works long hours and I still get excited when he comes home. I think he’s better looking now than he’s ever been, but I’d love him no matter what he looked like.

Things aren’t perfect. But, we’re in this marriage for eternity, and we can weather it.

Love ya Babe!

Day 7 of the 20-day Journal Challenge

Assignment: List some of your family traditions. Which ones are your favorite and why?

Hahahaha! I already wrote about this a year ago. See my post here: http://saundersinohio.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-traditions.html

Since I already completed my assignment, I think I’ll write a quick sum up of the weekend’s happenings…

We went to a matinee showing of the 7th Harry Potter movie on Friday. It’s been a long while since any of us had been to a real, live movie theater and Friday’s experience reminded us why that is the case. We’ve decided that we are even more grateful for our home theater now. Here’s why:

· Popcorn doesn’t cost $7
· We can pause the movie anytime we need to make a trip to the potty
· No one coughs on us
· We don’t have to listen to a 5-year-old say, “Holy s*** during scary parts
· We can wear our jammies
· We don’t have to sit through 20 minutes of ridiculous previews
· No lines of any kind, anywhere

We liked the movie and are anxiously awaiting the final installment (though the Harry/Hermione kissing made me a bit uncomfortable).

On Saturday we got our annual family picture taken. It will be a small miracle if there is anything useable from the shoot. It sure took a lot of smoke and mirrors to get us looking coordinated and cute.

After that stress was over, we enjoyed an early dinner at Abuelo’s. Can I just take a moment here to say how much I appreciate the times I don’t have to cook or clean up after cooking? Every time we go out to eat it’s like a mini vacation for me. And, if people don’t like their food, it’s not my fault. I love it!

Emma is in an elite singing group at her school called the Junior Jazzers. They got invited to perform at the big Perrysburg High School choral concert Saturday evening. It was a lively show, and Emmy charmed the audience when singing and dancing in “I Want to Be a Rockette” and “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” Other highlights from Showfest included seeing a couple of my seminary girls singing and dancing. I’m so proud of all my girls!

Day 6 of the 20-day Journal Challenge

Assignment: If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

Simple: I’d like get more sleep.

Day 5 of the 20-day Journal Challenge

Assignment: How do you want people to remember you? Why?

I'm going to keep it simple today.

I want to be remembered as a positive and generous person. I hope others feel encouraged and safe when they are with me. When I think about the people I admire most, they’re those who lift me and inspire me to be better. That's the kind of mark I hope to leave behind.