Hi.

Time for another one of those 365 Thought Provoking Questions? Yes, I think so too...


Q: When was the last time you listened to the sound of your own breathing?


A: Nov 11, 2011 at 11 am. I was listening to myself breath (gasp for air, is a more accurate description) and so were about 10o other people in the line up to cross the border. It was a reflective moment; I pondered my life and my immediate future and I don't know if I want to listen to my own breathing ever again. 

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You got time for one more? Me too.

Q: Has your greatest fear ever come true?

A: Yes, as a wife and mom, I had those universal big fears that many have.  Two of the three greatest fears came true. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I survived. And am stronger. Blah. Given the choice? I wouldn't have wanted them to come true. An easier life would've been nice. 

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Last one:

Q: Can you describe your life in a six word sentence?

A: Loves God, kids, books and chocolate.

Hmmm.

or:

A: Eats, prays, loves. In that order.

or maybe 

Loves, prays, eats. In THAT order.

No, It's prolly: Prays. Loves. Eats. Eats. Eats. Prays. 

Actually it's more like: Prays. Loves. Eats. All the time. 

Or:

A: Saved by grace. Lives in faith.

Or:

A: Is hoping for a happy ending.

Or:

A: Miss. Beauts. Mrs. Mom. Ms. Gramma.

or. 

A: My story is not over yet. 

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Speaking of stories ... Have you ever read the book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller?

Don discovered the same elements that go into creating a great story can also work to create a great life. So he quit writing for a while and rode his bike across America. He started a mentoring program because he had become a selfish jerk, and he chased a girl and got his heart ripped open and run through a meat grinder. But he lived to tell about it. So the question is, when the credits roll in your life, are people going to think your story sucked?

I loved this book; it was incredibly inspiring. 

Know what I else I think I'd love? This conference. The Storyline Conference.

"The Storyline Conference is designed to convert attendees from consumers to producers in their lives."

The Power of Story: 
If you want to change yourself, your community, or the world, you must first understand the power of 
story. And the most powerful stories aren’t on television or at the movies, rather, they are the stories we tell to each other in the way we live our lives. If you understand what makes a good story, you understand 
what makes a good life.

This is one of those things I'd love to take my kids to. Fun! No? 

Seriously wouldn't this be all kinds of fantastic to do with your family? And then go to Powell's book store afterwards? And maybe head over to the seashore afterwards to process and talk about all the things we'd learned? 

I have a feeling I'm the mother of the wrong family. How can I be plagued with such good ideas and have no one remotely interested? 

Anyways. Just thought I'd pass along the conference info. Maybe someone else has a family or friend that would be interested? Let me know how it goes.

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And seeing I'm here on Donald Miller's blog anyhow, I might as well pass along something else. 

I am a huge fan of Mentoring.  Mentoring is the backbone of the Arrow program and I have come to appreciate it's value. 

This is what Don's blog post today had to say about mentoring: 

The biggest threat to young people today is YOU. Rather, the absence of YOU. It’s not drugs or alcohol. It’s the lack of positive adult mentors in their life.

Mentors and students need each other. The student needs an example to follow. The mentor needs the motivation to be a good example. God designed it this way. Leadership is best applied in relationship.

Youth cannot reach their potential through the influence of peers. They best mature through the influence of older, wiser, and more experienced mentors.

Here are the four structural components of a vibrant mentoring relationship you can use with a young person in your life:

1. Mentoring works best with formal structure.

2. Mentoring works best when done weekly.

3. Mentoring works best through activities. 

4. Mentoring works best with a goal.

Read the article here.

Then ask God who He has chosen for you to invest in. Each of us should be mentoring someone younger. And all our kids? Should have mentors. 

Do you want me to set that up? All I need is an excel spread sheet and a list of names. I'm happy to get this going. No, really. I am. 

I'm kinda serious. 

I've sat through/organized at least half a dozen Mentoring Connections Workshops for Arrow, AND EVERY SINGLE TIME I think to myself, "I gotta do something about this." ("This" being the information I've just learned about mentoring.) 

Are you interested in learning more? Do you want to set up a mentoring ministry in your church? Club? Extended family? Workplace? Friendship Circle? Can I set up a workshop for you? Do you want to learn more about how God can use you to have a powerful impact on the life of someone else?  

If nothing else, do you want to talk about it? Let's talk. Go out for tea and chat. Call me. 

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Three things I'm thankful for:

1. READING /SUNGLASSES. I am not even kidding. Costco had them today ... 2 pairs for $17.95. 

They are bifocal so I can use them while driving AND reading. My summers? Have just been transformed. BEST INVENTION EVER.

2. A break in the rain this evening. I went for a walk. 

3. I am thankful for this next generation. Both the young men and women. If you're under 35, I'm talking about you. Your creativity, curiosity, passion, and faith are a beautiful thing to watch. For those of you that have allowed me to share your a step of journey, thankyouthankyouthankyou. 

Shalom,