Focus group

I have a friend in the MBA program at UW and they were doing a project designing new products for Febreeze, so she asked me to be part of a focus group to give input. The students sat behind a 2 way glass and we had a panel of 8 ladies who had to vote and give input on the ideas.

It was so much fun!

First of all, I loved seeing the creativity of designing new products and the ideas that came forth. Some of them were complete bombs

(like a teddy bear your child hugs and inside the belly is a special mesh that releases an air purifying element.... Um.. NO thank you)

but there were also a few ideas that could actually do well on the market with a little adaptation.

However, what struck me is how conditioned I am as an American consumer. Certain words or phrases in their ads either drew me in or set me off. It was eye opening to see how much marketing has affected me, even though I don't really watch tv with commericals. It is still engrained in how I think and shop.

It was fun to see a glimpse of how companies create new products and test them on the market. Some of these students are going on to work in prestigious companies in a few months, so it was neat to see a behind the scenes glance of what their career will hold for them.

Visit

My 2 sisters and my niece visited this week. Very fun to be together. The girls love their aunties and cousin and I am thankful for a great family.

Unfortunately I totally forgot to take pictures. Chris managed to get one on his phone.

Recovering from Sickness

This weekend I was hit with food poisoning in a major way. I was up all night with trips to the bathroom and some the next day as well. I have to confess I am a horrible sick person. My attitude stinks and I feel sorry for myself whenever I feel miserable. I know some people have the ability to be chipper in the midst of sickness, but not me.

Saturday night I was feeling blah, so I asked Chris to pray with me. I didn't want to have a bad attitude and it was just getting worse. Chris listened to all my complaints and then he suggested we just take a few minutes to think about all we have to be thankful for in our lives. I knew his suggestion was a good one, so I agreed and we started.

At first it was kind of lame, but then as we kept at it, I could just feel the heaviness and bad mood lifting. It is amazing the power of thanks in our lives. I went from feeling sorry for myself to excited about life and all the good things I have going on. I was able to spend some good quality time with Chris and then later journal and spend some more time with God.

Yay for thanks! (and Yay that food poisoning is gone and I can eat again today)

Prayer booklets

Yesterday I was making a little prayer booklet for my daughters.

One of my favorite things about this age is feeding times. I loved feeding Liliana her bottle when she was little and would always take that time to pray over her and for our family. I guess my brain is more full now, so I need something to help me get focused on what to pray for; hence the little flip book of prayer topics. When I am feeding Sophie I flip open my little prayer book and spend some time praying for both the girls.

I feel like there is so much to pray for and it is exciting to think about helping shape these little lives.

I was thinking back to 2 other times I made prayer booklets. One was in high school. I was starting to learn more about the Bible and Jesus and I made a prayer book filled with different Bible verses to pray over my life. It was one of the most helpful ways to learn Scripture and made my prayer life so rich. I now have many of those verses memorized, simply from making that little book.

The second book was after I got married. I wanted to learn how to be a good wife and how to pray specific blessings over my husband. I made a book tailored to Chris and would pray through it on a regular basis. Many of those prayers have come to pass.

I think prayer is one of the best outlets God has given us as humans. We can talk to our Creator, listen, and have this amazing outlet to process life and request good things. It is such a gift. It reminds us of what is important and sets our minds on truths.

I am looking forward to seeing fruit and good things come from my little prayer booklet.

You're what??

One funny thing about being pastor is seeing people's reactions when they find out that is my vocation.

I can meet someone on an airplane, at the park, wherever.. the response is always the same.

-What do you do for a living?

- I am a pastor?

(shocked look on their face and not sure how to respond)
- Really?

Usually after the shock wears off they are curious and ask more questions.

It pretty much always happens that way.


I'm not exactly sure what a pastor is supposed to look like, but I guess neither Chris nor I fit that description.
I kind of like it that way.

Double Giggles

I love, love, love hearing the sound of my 2 girls giggling and playing. It is one of the best sounds in the world.




When we were in TX Liliana got a little princess tent and tea set. Every morning when she wakes up it is what she wants to play. Liliana and Sophie climb in the tent and roll around and just laugh. They laugh in the bath tub, laugh when Daddy pretends to be a lion chasing them, laugh and play dress up. Their lives are full of laughter.

Priceless.

Hooray for March!

We've been home over a week now and life is starting to settle in for our family. I am so thankful that March is beginning. Although February had an amazing gift of our daughter, it was a pretty overwhelming month for us. We have been exhausted and wiped out as a family, but I just sense that March is going to be full of fun, rest and celebration.

My sisters are coming up for 4 days to completely spoil us. My sister Bess is one of the most organized & clean people on the planet. She wants to cook up a bunch of meals to freeze, spring clean our place, and do whatever kind of practical stuff she can. My other sister Maria is an amazing aunt. She doesn't have kids of her own, so she goes overboard with her nieces and nephews. She always has crafts and games planned when the kids visit her. So, I know my girls will have a blast with her. They are also bringing my 10 year old niece to visit, since she is on Spring Break. Poor Chris is already outnumbered with 3 girls in the house and now it will be 6 females. I'm sure he will be slipping out and calling his guy friends that week, while we girls chat it up.




We also got invited to the twin cities for 3 days to be with the leader of Vineyard churches, Bert W. He is seriously one of the most wise people I have ever heard. He has an amazing passion for God, a thirst for knowledge and incredible humility. He is in his 60's, so when you hear him, it's totally like being with your grandpa. There's a handful of leaders from our region who were invited to spend a few days with him and we are so excited. The hosting church is putting us up in a hotel and providing a children's program for our kids. They host us once a year for these retreats and they totally spoil us- great food, great times together. It is a real treat.

March is also my birthday month. I reminded Chris tonight how much he was spoiled this year for Christmas and his birthday, so he can feel free to reciprocate. He always does a great job of celebrating my birthday and I'm sure he will have some fun and creative plan this year as well.

Yay for March! We have been waiting your arrival.