100th Post...my story

It's tradition for some in blogland to post 100 things about themselves for their 100th post. I thought I'd follow suit...

When I first started writing, I thought it would be quite a monumental task. But thanks to one of my middle of the night insomnia episodes, once I started writing I found I had lots to say. I began with mostly random useless information. But as I got going, I started really sharing my heart, steps in my journey, and key milestones in my faith. If you make it to the end in reading, let me know if you learn anything about me that you didn't already know.

So here goes:

1. My left pinky finger is crooked--thanks to a jam in 8th grade volleyball
2. I can touch my tongue to the tip of my nose. Actually I can stick it up my nose.
3. I've got a thing for orange kitchens. (Not to be confused with orange kittens.)
4. My favorite movie is probably Pretty Woman.
5. Growing up we had a beloved black lab named Abby.
6. No, my daughter wasn't named after the dog.
7. I play the flute & piccolo.
8. I've sung in 10 or so weddings.
9. I'm not very good at fixing things.
10. I didn't learn to cook until I was married. Never even made spaghetti until my 20's.
11. Safely Home by Randy Alcorn is perhaps the most powerful book I've ever read.

12. I grew up living on a little lake in Waconia, MN. My parents still live there.
13. We attended a nominal church
14. where I don't remember ever hearing the Gospel preached.
15. But when I was 14, I attended a great Lutheran Bible camp
16. where I gave my life to Jesus,
17. somehow understanding even then that this would change the course of my life forever.
18. I knew I was making a lifelong commitment
19. And that it would involve all of me, and every decision I'd make thereafter.

20. My favorite activities in High School were marching band & Pop Group (show choir).
21. I think I grew up pretty naive as I never knew anyone in high school who did drugs.
22. (I guess that's changed now.)
23. I do remember being one of only about 10 people in my class of 105 who didn't drink.
24. I was never part of the in-crowd, but no one ever teased me for my faith, or my stance on drinking.
25. At least, not to my face.

26. At the age of 13, my friend Heather & I attended Space Camp.
27. This was in 1987, and back then not many girls attended.
28. I had sincere dreams of becoming the 1st female shuttle commander!
29. But by 9th grade I realized I really wasn't so hot at science & math.
30. Instead I much preferred English, Grammar, Music, & History.

31. Also in 9th grade, I was chosen in a survey--to my complete surprise--as one of the top people my classmates "would go to if they had a problem or needed someone to talk to."
32. Those of us chosen were then given extensive training as Peer Counselors/Helpers in the areas of listening and problem solving.
33. This became a catalyst & springboard for me
34. as the skills I learned have also benefited me in everything from friendships, to job interviews, to working with the high school youth at FCC.
35. I think I also began to see here that maybe God had other plans for me than becoming an Astronaut.

36. Growing up, I was the only one in my family who openly followed Jesus. (My parents were still awesome, though!)
37. I did have a Grandma (Sallie) who prayed for me every day.
38. Over time, my mom & my sister, Bria, have joined the ranks & profess faith as well.
39. In fact, my little sis' has now become one of the greatest sources of encouragement to me in my walk with God.

40. After graduation, I had dreams of attending a Christian college.
41. I was all set to attend Bethel College--even got a small music scholarship to play my flute there.
42. But God closed the doors financially & and I ended up at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
43. Ironically, though I did minor in music, I didn't play my flute much there.
44. Instead I joined the choir.

45. At a secular college, it's been said that one either sinks or swims in their faith.
46. By God's grace, I swam!
47. My faith was challenged & also strengthened
48. as God led me to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where I learned from many strong, godly believers.
49. I saw the campus as both my mission field & training ground

50. During the summer after my sophomore year in college, I got to spend a month on a mission trip to Namibia, Africa. One of the best experiences of my life.
51. As one of 3 singers in a contemporary Christian band (all young people) with Carpenter's Tools International, we performed in assemblies in the public schools in Namibia.
52. Surprisingly, we were allowed to share the Gospel in the schools.
53. I loved talking with, praying with, & encouraging hurting teens,
54. and I loved seeing them find hope as they came to faith in Jesus

55. I have very few regrets regarding high school & college.
56. During that season in my life God gave me great boldness in sharing my faith with anyone who would listen.
57. God always seemed to be opening the doors for the most amazing conversations with people.
58. Now at age 34, I seemed to have lost some of that fearlessness and sometimes wish I could be that bold again.

59. It may come as a surprise, but I used to do a lot of speaking in both high school & college,
60. at various camps, retreats, & special services or youth events.
61. Once, at age 20, I was even paid to preach a sermon in a local church.
62. They asked me to fill in for their pastor who was out of town.
63. I was required to choose the hymns, scriptures, and preach for 20 minutes or so.
(Honestly, I can't believe I did this. I'd be scared silly to do it now!)
64. It seemed that God had given me a gift to communicate His love and truth to others.

65. But near the end of my college years, I struggled a bit with depression, loneliness, some faith issues, and a general lack of direction.
66. I began turning down requests to speak & teach until, in the circles I was in, people no longer even knew that this had a been a forte and passion of mine.
67. I don't know if God will ever choose to resurrect that gift again.
68. But I do know that I desire to simply serve Him above all else,
69. and that I want to be obedient to just "do the next right thing,"
70. being a good steward of any gift He chooses to give.
71. For now, besides my biggest duty--being a wife and mom, I believe God is leading me and opening doors for me to become a doula.
72. I love the idea of being a blessing & an encouragement to women in labor.

73. But Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.

74. After college, Wade & I were married.
75. During our courtship, engagement, and early married years, we truly believed we were called to be foreign missionaries.
76. Other than a couple of short term trips to Mexico, that vision never came to fruition.
77. Sometimes I wonder what God might have in mind far down the road.

78. A few years into our marriage, we knew we desired 4 or 5 children.
79. But before we had Abby, we went through almost 2 years of infertility.
80. That was honestly one of the most painful times of my life.
81. But it ended up drawing me closer to God
82. as I learned to trust Him more and praise Him through the pain.
83. This brought me immense freedom as I learned that God knew what He was doing
84. and that I could trust His timing.
85. I now marvel at our 3--soon to be 4--little blessings!

86. Ironically, at the risk of sounding negative, I must admit that I don't really enjoy working with other people's young children. (Except maybe infants.)
87. I marvel at the great nursery & AWANA workers we have at FCC (& I have helped a bit, myself, too)
88. But if I'm honest, I know it's not my forte or gifting.
89. (And I very much believe the body of Christ functions best when we all serve where we are gifted.)
90. Give me young women (teens, young marrieds, etc.) to encourage & teach...and I'm much more in my element!

91. In addition, one of my favorite things to do in all of life is to lead worship.
92. I love to see others drawn into the presence of God.
93. It is then that I am perhaps the most in my element.

Hmmm...I've got 7 more to go. Let's see...

94. My favorite desserts are: cheesecake, almond joy ice cream, lemon bars, carrot cake. Not necessarily in that order.
95. I'd love to live in an older home in downtown Hudson again,
96. something with character and charm.
97. Wade would like to live out in the country.
98. The best trip we ever took was a cruise to Hawaii last summer,
99. a belated 10th Anniversary trip.
100. A close runner up would be the 4-wheeling trip we took this summer.

I made it. Did you?

OK, I've put myself out there more than I ever have before in blogland. Any words of encouragement would be appreciated. :)