blogging

i've decided i love blogging. it's really too bad that i don't take the time, because so many thoughts, profound and otherwise, pass through my head in any given moment, day, week. but when i don't write them down...well, they are very much like mary poppins...here today, gone tomorrow...a change of wind (thought) sweeps them away and they are lost into the fairly empty recesses of my mind.

of course, right now the only thought in my brain is sleep!

wait time

as i sit here waiting for photos to upload to facebook i have been thinking about waiting.

as a teacher, i often use what is known as "wait time" to allow students to think through a question and its possible solutions before jumping in and just providing the answer. this helps them develop problem solving skills and forces them to work for their food rather than being spoon fed the answers.

i think that God is like a teacher in that respect. He waits patiently for me to arrive at a conclusion, a conclusion He knew all along was the correct one, but wanted me to persevere to reach. He has perfect timing, something that as His pupil i have yet to fully understand. He also teaches me to wait...

so what am i waiting for? i'm starting to realize that the only thing worth waiting for is Him and His will for my life.

how did i finally come to this conclusion? i would think this answer is obvious...by not waiting on Him. by taking my life by the reigns and driving myself insane with the pace. by making rash decisions - all having consequences that far outweigh the momentary pleasures gained.

when i take a step on my own, it usually places me in a precarious spot. i need to start walking in the way He would have me go...at least then i won't step in a trap, in a mudhole, or off a cliff, which is what i have a habit of doing on my own.

just say "no"

no, this isn't a blog about saying no to drugs...that actually comes rather easy to me. saying no to activities with friends is a completely different story.

when i was little and would go to a sleepover, i couldn't sleep until everyone else had already drifted off for fear i'd miss some good conversation...not much has changed. instead of staying awake at a sleepover, however, i am now filling my schedule to the brim with "this and that" - basically any invitation that comes my way.

tonight i made a breakthrough of sorts. i said "no" to going to the penn state fireworks with my friends and "family". over and over they tried to convince me to go, and i held firm...i really don't know how. the temptation grew worse at different points in time, depending on who it was doing the asking. thankfully other time commitments made it difficult for me to get there...and that's just the encouragement i needed to stay home and relax.

i even let myself take a nap! oh the wonder of it all!

makin some money the fun way

today i played in a v-ball tourney in new berlin with jess and some others. the jury is still out on tournaments, whether i enjoy them or not, but i can safely say that i am feelin good about the one today. our team went undefeated!!! we even walked away with a little extra cash!

this is definitely a new experience for me, as there are many teams out there that are much more experienced and just all around better than me and anyone i usually play with. to be perfectly honest...i'm still in a bit of shock that we won...specifically that the one team we played today we were able to beat twice! although "beat" is a strong word when our games were 25-23 and 26-24, especially since they were ahead most of the time.

one of the guys on our team hated playing the really good teams because of the pressure, but i am just the opposite...i'd much rather play good competitive volleyball (even if i end up losing) than cream a team that isn't up to snuff.