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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

"Purple is memorable."

"Purple is memorable," says CC. (Cecilia)

CC (Cecilia).

My son Eric's fun loving wife.
My favorite daughter-in-law.
My creative encouraging newest family member.

                                              Eric and CC were married August 4, 2012.
Their 1st year of marriage has gone well. CC has many creative ideas and always has some new project going. She has Eric doing house projects I have never seen him interested in before. From remodeling, painting, plumbing, electrical and even building a chicken coop! It has been fun to watch them together as they encourage each other to develop their gifts/talents... and also experience doing new things.

One area in their marriage has been a test of waiting and perseverance. Eric has been searching and interviewing for almost 2 years for a job that fits his communications/media studies degree. In the past a Walmart job had paid their bills. And more recently he has been forklift operator at Stryker Corp. Eric has never had interest in driving big machines. But with CC's encouragement, it was a good job change. Even though it started as 2nd shift hours, Eric is making a little more money and also working for a company that has potential for a future job.

As much as this job is not what he wants to do as a career...he works it like it was. He learned the job quickly and does it well. Others have noticed and recognized his efforts. A few weeks ago he had the opportunity to apply for a business job at Stryker. Not too many get past the phone interviews with Stryker. Eric had a face to face interview and then was called back as 1 of 4 to interview again. That was a great accomplishment/compliment to just get to the real interviews because Stryker is listed in the top 10 hardest companies in the country to get a real interview and it is the #1 hardest to do the actual interview!

I wanted to encourage him somehow for the interview. I offered to take him shopping for a new shirt and tie. A new outfit always makes me feel a little more confident...maybe it would do the same for him too. He took me up on it and we met at the store.

I asked him what color of shirt he wanted. This is what he told me:
  • Blue is a safe color... (and he went on to list other color meanings)
  • Red is powerful
  • Yellow is kind
  • Pink is daring
  • Brown is conservative
  • Green is sporty
  • Orange is social
But CC says, "Purple is memorable."

We soon found the perfect shirt and tie - guess what color?

                                                                          Purple.
Eric chose to be memorable....not safe, powerful, kind, conservative, sporty or social...
                                                               Eric chose memorable.

CC's creative encouraging comment ended up going to that interview as a new shirt and tie on a very encouraged and just a bit more confident Eric. The interview went so well that even though the job went to another with more experience (Eric's words, "I got all the way to 2nd place my 1st time through!) ...Eric knows that he was memorable and potential jobs are ahead.  He also will remember how a little purple colored encouragement boosted his confidence that day.

Who needs our creative colored encouragement today?
Whose actions, attitudes and comments have been memorable to you?
...you know...
          those words or unexpected gifts you will never forget that got you through a tough day,
                              that helped you do something new...
                                                                         or... 
                                          just made you smile when you needed it most?
Who left behind some creative memorable purple in your life?

Leave me some comments below...I would love to hear your stories!
                          Then...Go leave a little purple behind today.

 "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:5-6

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

"I'll take that!"

 "I'll take that!" says Cassidy.

Cassidy.
My determined 18 year old daughter.
My favorite youngest child.
My horseback riding champion.

I stalled for years to put this kid on a real horse. When she was 3 she began asking for horses. I tried every idea to satisfy her horse requests. Stuffed horses, rocking horses, plastic horse play sets, the American Girl Doll horse, horse sheets and pillows, horse pj's and clothes, horse books, movies and pictures. It worked....for a while. Little did I know this only fueled her desire for the real thing.

When she was 9, I thought I had found it... the closest thing to a real horse. A life size stuffed horse the had reins and sound effects. She could sit on it and ride it with real sounding whinnies and gallops. What more could she want??? This was it.. this would stop all the real horse requests. Well...she thought it was cute for a few hours but it was soon tossed into the closet with all the other fake horse stuff. It was then I knew she needed the real thing. She began real riding lessons that year.

Cassidy has been showing horses now for 6 years. She has ridden many horses-school horses and owned/leased horses. I noticed that being on a horse or around a horse made her light up. A girl and her horse is a special thing to watch. The horse becomes more than a pet to her..they are like good "horse" friends. BHFF's - Best Horse Friends Forever. She really gets to know them and loves them.

It's 8 years later now... Cassidy and her horse Eddy have had their best year ever. They really clicked this year to be able to qualify for the medals final horse show that was this past weekend. This would be her last show (at least for awhile, because she has moved out and has started college).

After every ride in a horse show class, her trainers Sandi Carlton and Eve Newton (Windsong Stable - Battle Creek) give her a quick recap of the ride. The trainer will usually start with some encouragement and then add something for her to improve. Whether it is compliments or whether it is reminders, challenges or corrections...Cassidy's response to her trainer is usually always the same... "I'll take that!"

It was a great finale show for Cassidy, Eddy and her trainers too. She was champion in 1 medal class and placed high in 2 others.  Lots of ribbons, medals, flowers and prizes. Who wouldn't take that?!? Especially this kid, who in her past years would come home with maybe 1 or 2 last place ribbons. I've noticed something in Cassidy over the last few years. For her...It's not about the ribbons - it's all about the ride.

She really does "take it" and she takes it all well. The getting bucked off and breaking your arm days, the horse is lame so you can't ride days and the no ribbon days... to this...the blue ribbon champion days!  Her goal is not ribbons - it's taking it ALL- the good and bad...taking and applying the instructions she is given to be a better rider and in the mean time she is blessed with the experience and blessed with becoming great friends with her horse and others.

What is our goal?... the ribbons or the ride?
How will we "take it"... with what happens in life today?
   Where ever life has us...God wants to hear, "I'll take it!"
          ...because...
   He is just waiting to bless us for taking his word and applying it to all of life - good and bad.

               It's not about the ribbons - it IS all about the ride!

"Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle but the victory rests with the Lord." 
Proverbs 21: 21, 31



Monday, September 2, 2013

"The doors lock at 3."

"The doors lock at 3," says Eric.

Eric.
My first born.
My favorite son.
My for real black belt Ninja.

26 years ago I knew this kid would be a Ninja by just how he kicked and rolled nonstop in my pregnant tummy. By 4 years old, he was an avid fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...all the way down to his underwear. Every stick became a sword and we could always count on his dramatic protection whether we needed it or not.

Fast forward some 20+ years. Eric and Lynn have been learning Ninjutsu-the personal art of self defense. Some how my little 4 year old mutant ninja turtle had grown up into a mentally and physically trained ninja.

Saturday, Aug 31 at 3pm was the BIG day for the long awaited black belt test. The date was on my calendar for weeks. I wouldn't miss it. Eric gave me lots of reminders. The last reminder was a phone call 1 hour before the test.  "The doors lock at 3", he says.

My thoughts were...they start on time and don't be late. My thoughts changed after I was inside watching them lock the doors.  Yes they lock the doors to keep out distracting late people...but they really lock the doors to keep in the testing students.

It was a hour of intense testing...sweaty and bloody and many times so intense ...if it was me (I have no training and very little knowledge of Ninjutsu)..I would have bolted for the door 3 minutes into it. But they were well prepared. They had all they needed to pass this test. The locked door was just a reminder..the only way out was to pass the test...to show what they had learned... to apply it.

Life is full of tests and locked doors.
God offers us all we need to pass the tests. When we choose to receive it and apply it, he unlocks the door to more of the exciting life adventure he has planned for us.

What test has us locked in? 
What does God need to see from us now to unlock the door to more of life?

Tests are God's personal art of our lives.

" But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 
        My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his was without turning aside. 
 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; 
      I have treasured the words of his mouth more then my daily bread."
Job 23:10-12