| The day I reverted back to adolescence. |
For those of you who know me probably also know that I'm a tad obsessed with Don Miller. So as not to scare anyone, it's not like a stalker obsession. Okay, I follow him on Twitter...and Facebook....and read his blog, but he publishes that for everyone so the fact that he's so accessible is his fault:) Anyway, I got the honor of meeting him a few years ago in Nashville. I don't really remember much about the day except that my friends Meredith, Mindy, and Jason were with me and I was of course, nervous. He signed one of my many books, took a picture with me, and that was it. I don't recall it being awkward or weird and I remember him being genuinely nice.  When I found out he was going back on tour with his latest book, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years," I knew I had to see him again. I started looking at the tour dates. The closest he was coming was Tyler, TX. That could work. Then one day I got something in the mail from LeadNow, a group that hosts a conference for 20's and 30-somethings in Dallas. I knew that Don was speaking at the conference, but since I had just returned from Catalyst and I'm trying to be a good steward of my budget, I had decided to pass on it. However, when I looked closer I realized that they were offering a special price of $20 to attend the last part of the conference which coincidentally included Don Miller! I immediately text my friend, Jenn and told her we were going! Also at this conference were other amazing speakers/authors: Francis Chan, Kay Warren, Matt Chandler, and Susan Isaacs! You may remember me talking about Susan. She's the one that wrote "Angry Conversations with God" and she was doing a seminar on writing your spiritual memoir. Now before this, she and I had become friends on Twitter. I was amazed that when I would comment to her she would respond! Now I was getting the opportunity to see her face-to-face and hear what went into writing her own spiritual memoir. Her seminar was right before Don was speaking so afterwards I bolted out, disappointed I didn't get to meet her, but determined not to miss a second of Don. I decided to send her a quick tweet and tell her I had been there and say I was sorry we couldn't meet. After Don spoke on Romeo & Juliet and the theological implications that are found in this story (that's a whole other blog post), we got ready to leave. Since I was driving back that night I had actually resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't have time to meet him. I did have his and Susan's book in my bag just in case. When we went out to the main area, we immediately noticed that there wasn't much of a line to meet him and yet, I hesitated. Jenn, being the good friend that she is, pushed me in that direction and told me to go for it. And here's where my adolescence kicks in. I've been a fan of Don Miller to the point that I think he could be my soul mate for oh, 6 years. I'd met him once before but I was so stinkin' overwhelmed and intimidated. When it was my turn I introduced myself, he signed my book, thanked me for coming, and that was it. I just stood there like a mute. Defeated I went to find my friends. In the meantime, I decided to check Twitter and lo and behold Susan had messaged me that she would be at her book table afterwards and to come find her...so I did! This was a much easier exchange. We hugged like old friends and chatted about her book for a few minutes. I told her I would see her in Tyler since I had to redeem my Don Miller encounter, plus I knew that they would both be talking about their books there.
So, on Wednesday, my friend, Matthew and I left Ruston around 3:30 and headed to Tyler. We got there at 6:30, found great seats, and waited for it to begin. Susan was first. She did a one-act play based on her book. It was hilarious! Even though I had read her book, I still laughed quite a bit. I swear that woman is a kindred spirit! Her journey to reconnect with the true God, not the one churches, other Christians, and our own life experiences have created, reminds me so much of my own. I can't recommend her book enough! Afterwards I got to see her again and actually got a picture this time:)
 We went back in to hear Don and I mentally prepared myself to meet him afterwards. Surely this time would be different, right? I listened to him recount stories from his book and talk about our stories and how we are called to live out great stories, not just sit by and watch as bystanders. I was inspired yet again and so, it was time to go meet him. Earlier in the evening we were invited to partner with Don in his own organization, The Mentoring Project, as well as World Vision and sponsor a child. As one who grew up without his dad, Don has a heart for boys who grow up fatherless and the negative effects that can have. I was excited to sponsor a little Brazilian boy who has my birthday! In return I got a free copy of Don's book which of course, I already had but gave to Matthew AND a VIP pass to meet Don before he did his regular book-signing. There were probably 25 of us who were taken to a special room. Again, I'm scouring my brain for things to say to him this time since I flaked days earlier. Nope, I'm sad to say the ending was pretty similar to the first. I said little but I did get this lovely picture.
 Yep, poor Don looks drugged. I couldn't help but laugh when I looked at this later. We have this idea of how things are going to happen and then those expectations are typically shattered. Don mentions in his book that the Danes are the happiest people in the world. Why? Because they have very low expectations. I'm beginning to think this may not be a bad principle to live by, then we can live life pleasantly surprised! I will say all in all, I had no idea that when I picked up Susan's book back in August, that I would befriend her on Twitter and Facebook and get to meet her. That was definitely a wonderful surprise! Thank you, Don Miller, for introducing me to such a phenomenal author and mentor.
They only have 4 shows left so if you live in Greenville, Birmingham, Nashville, or Chatanooga try to go out and see them! Don will also be at Youth Specialties in Atlanta this month.Labels: angry conversations, don miller, susan isaacs |
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| Boot Camp: Not for the faint of heart...or BODY. |
 I'm not sure how it happened really. One day, my co-worker, Kim is in one of our offices talking about Tommy Gallagher from Ruston Body Works using our gym for his boot camps and then a few days later I'm observing one of his sessions. I somehow agreed to pay money to put my body through an hour of grueling punishment 3 afternoons a week. I've heard other people talking about boot camp and my first thought was always, "You're insane. Why would you do that?" And yet, here I am with 4 workouts under my belt. And no, this is not MY class in this photo. I've threatened Tommy (aka: the fitness nazi) that if he wanted to keep his camera in proper working order, he better not show up to class with it! The number one question I continue to get is, "Is it fun?" I laugh every time because I think it's such a bizarre question. I've never enjoyed working out, so putting fun with boot camp is such an oxmoron in my opinion. I will say that the people in my class are fun and the more we meet together I realize that we're forming a special bond that keeps us moving forward each day. Boot camp is hard as hell (excuse the harshness). I'm pouring sweat within the first 5 minutes and each day I wonder if I can make it the full hour, especially when we do a lot of cardio. My body has hurt in places I never knew it could hurt. Kim jokes that she now needs to go to rehab from the amount of Advil she's taken in the last week. All in all though, I do feel better. I'm making conscious decisions about what I eat and am trying to eat smaller portions of those foods I do enjoy. It really is a life-style change and as much as I'm in this to shed a few (okay more than a few) pounds, I'm in it for the emotional and physical well-being that it brings. We only have 2 more weeks of this session. Kim and I may do it one more time and then we're talking about trying something different but staying on that schedule of devoting 4pm MWF as our work-out time. We'll see what other "fun" things we can get into:) Labels: boot camp |
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| It's beginning to look a lot like...FALL! |
Yesterday in church we sang "Shout to the Lord." I was in college when I first heard that song so it's obviously a little dated but without fail, I always get choked up when we sing this line, "Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your Name." I get this vivid mental image of this and it seriously gives me goose bumps. I realize not all my readers get this. I have a few friends who don't share my Heavenly allegiance, so they probably think I'm crazy about now, but I guess unless you've experienced Jesus Christ firsthand, you just don't get it.
One last thing: you must read my friend, Matt's latest entry! I've been laughing my hoo-hah off! Labels: Avery Claire, faith, fall, good friends |
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| my therapy. |
Does anyone remember Fresh Ink cards that Hallmark used to put out? They were my absolute favorite! When I lived in KY and I was having a rough day I would run down to Hallmark and literally spend hours reading these cards and too much money purchasing them for friends. I thought about this a few days ago when I was at our local Hallmark looking for a couple of cards for different friends. It wasn't therapeutic at all. In fact, it was kind of frustrating with the poor selection in the midst of hundreds of cards on the shelves. I need a card that's not only funny but a little quirky. I need a card that when the recipient reads it, they're getting a piece of me. Sadly I feel defeated in this area and sad that I didn't stock up even more on these amazing cards. If I end up turning to something destructive for therapy, I will be calling Hallmark for help with rehab! Here are a few things that still work in the meantime! Do we see a trend?:)
 
 
Labels: fresh ink, therapy |
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| October is my favorite month... |
 I love October. I don't know why exactly but it's always been my favorite month just like Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I guess because Fall is my favorite season. I was talking to my cousin, Bob about it last night. He lives in CA and was commenting on how cold it is in LA right now. The weather is perfect...almost. What would make it complete would be bright reds, yellows, and oranges filling the trees, but alas, we live in the land of pine trees. I'm waiting for the Bradford Pears behind my bank to turn. They were gorgeous last year! Last week I traveled to Houston to visit friends and to see U2!!!! It was quite the experience! We had general admission tickets so we got to the stadium at 1:30pm and waited until 5:00pm for the doors to open. Did I mention it was sunny and 90 degrees??!! Yep, we definitely live in the South! Thankfully some nice people let us sit under their tent til 3:30 when we were told that we needed to put up all tents and umbrellas (we were using umbrellas as sun-blockers!). The last 2 hours were definitely the most miserable. Once we got inside, however, we scored great spots...second row behind the wrap-around stage that the band periodically walked out on. It was amazing to see Bono so close! I must admit though...by the time it was over I wanted to cut my feet off and my entire body ached. What I used to endure in my teens is not as easy in my 30's:) But I wouldn't trade it for anything...especially spending time with these girls!Labels: concerts, fall, good friends, travels |
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| Things I learned this week (some serious, some silly). |
 ~ God is not someone who has been invited to play a part in our story. Instead, we have been privileged to play a part in His.
~ It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct us to do some things that won’t be our choice. Invariably we will give up what we want to do for the cross.
~ Focused intensity over time multiplied by God creates unstoppable momentum.
~ Faith & doubt are intertwined...like a dance.
~ All God calls us to be is ourselves so why do we get caught up in the “bigger is better” mentality?
~ We don’t need to get so caught up in what we’re building that we lose sight of who we’re becoming.
~ Confession and repentance are necessary for our spiritual health.
~ Laughter truly is one of the greatest feelings ever.
~ There are friends in this world who just “get” us like no other.
~ It’s never easy to say goodbye but it makes the
time spent together that much more precious.
~ Be careful who you start conversations with while waiting in line to get into a concert…you never know what it might lead to.
~ Running UP an escalator that is intended to go DOWN is just not a good idea.
~ Kings of Leon puts on a great show…just make sure the person you’re with knows where he’s going.Labels: catalyst, concerts, good friends, travels |
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for some grace comes easily; for others, it takes time. in the end we'll all get it...eventually.
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posted by cynthia at 
