tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29008249679393955122024-03-05T05:26:41.749-08:00My Sparkling ChaosTracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-10718450095301818102014-09-10T05:38:00.000-07:002014-09-10T05:38:05.905-07:00The Camping Fiasco<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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While I am attempting to put all my logic into play, let me
be very honest and clear that this is absolutely written from the standpoint of
emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often let my emotions get the
better of me. Let them somewhat control me. So I have been trying to get that
under control with this situation and give myself time to respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are some things that will always be
strongly tied to emotions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Camp Jo-Ota is like a home to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a history there. When I was young and
first went to camp as a camper it was scary and new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I probably cried and was really annoying to
my counselors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember very little
about that experience aside from a few friends and names that have stayed with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who I was later able to
reconnect with and that experience at camp was what brought that
connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was in middle school I started going to camp with a
director named Dave Jones. This camp carried me all the way through graduating
high school and at it I formed some of my most significant friendships of my
formative years. More importantly than those friendships at camp I was
introduced to the love that the Lord and His people have to offer. This laid an
important foundation so that when I was in college and my friend Katie Stetson
told me that the story of Jesus was not a story but a Truth and that Jesus died
for me personally all out of love, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
the capacity to believe it because I had experienced that love at camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, I didn’t really have a STRONG local
church to back up and support what was happening at camp. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In high school I was a counselor for a few years for a
younger kiddos camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That laid the
foundation for me to step into a counseling role when I graduated from college
and moved home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ben Mulford, perhaps one
of the most influential people in my life to date, invited me to join
Metamorphosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a counselor there
and the people I met and the relationships I formed and the things I learned
and was able to teach altered the course of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also realized quite quickly that while
counselors were there to aid the campers, the Lord was still there to meet with
ALL of us—camper or counselor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a few years I switched to helping Carrie Brandriff who
has a passion for camp that pours out of her with a 3/4/5 grade camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next year that became my camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I now direct Faith Treasure Hunt Camp and
picked up FROG camp for the little bitties just this past summer. Directing FTH
has been the way in the past few years that the Lord has stretched me and
challenged me and continued to meet me where I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And again, He showed up for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brought new friendships into my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an adult it is kind of rare to make new
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actual friends who you can count
on and love and be loved by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey,
Madison, Amanda, Andy Tilsworth, John Akins, Mikenzie Beckley and Christian
Finck are all actual friends—not just camp friends-- that I now have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with several others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their impact in my life is immeasurable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been a camper, a counselor, a director and an
observer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, just to be clear I have a
strong emotional connection to Jo-Ota, as I am sure many people do to other
camps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can not imagine that place,
that location not being Camp Jo-Ota. I am firmly aware that the Lord can meet
us anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I myself have encountered
the Lord in the middle of the grocery store in a way that brought me to my
knees. But when you have a place already, why walk away from it? Are improvements
needed? Absolutely. But what about the millions of dollars that have already
been spent on things like a new dining hall, cabin renovations and new signs? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Furthermore, if this honest to goodness has been a
conversation that has been ongoing for two plus years then the camp board and
those involved in this decision have done a huge injustice to the camps, the
people serving them and the churches supporting them. You want the local
churches to be strong and support the camping ministry? Great! What about the
ones who already are? The ones who have spent their congregation’s money to
help with improvements, buy new signs, donate money to the building fund for
the new dining hall, provided manual labor on the renovations? What about them?
You basically just let them pour money into a place to help you prepare it to
be sold. That is unfair to them when they chose that specific project as a way
to help the place they view as a sanctuary. Why were those projects not put on
hold and only necessary projects completed while this “review” process was
going on? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And here is possibly one of the biggest things that is not
sitting well with me. As is obvious by my reaction and many others, camp is a
place people are emotionally connected to. If ALL camping moves to Central
Methodist (as I understand is the plan—which don’t get me started on small
children in dorms on a college campus) then middle school to high school aged
children will be spending at least one week of their summer each year at
Central Methodist (CMU). Arguably the most emotional week of their summer. Thus
forcing an emotional connection with that place. So when it comes time to pick
a college that will steer their future where do you think is going to be one of
the first places they thing of? You got it. CMU. It took me all of ten minutes
to come up with that conclusion and scenario, so please don’t tell me the camp
board has not at least considered that and the positive impact that would have
for the beloved university. Is CMU a bad school? Absolutely not! It is a great
place to get an education. But I fear people will choose it based simply on an
emotional connection that they will find is no longer prevalent once college
begins.</div>
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This past summer at FTH camp I had the privilege to see nine
(yes, NINE!!) 3/4/5 grade campers come into first time relationship with Jesus
and ask Him to live in their heart forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stood in tears with Christian Finck and prayed for their future and
that God would build that spark into a flame that roars for Him. I wonder
now<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how their future will be impacted by
the loss of “their camp”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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God will still move. He does not need us. But I believe He
wants us to be a part of it. And I believe there is a better way. I am praying
and fasting and believing. I am begging the Lord to meet with me here and make
my heart a sanctuary so I can serve those He puts in my path and help ease the
hurt the conference has now caused.</div>
Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-23369282904768617452014-06-28T09:11:00.002-07:002014-06-28T09:11:40.586-07:00Hometown Love Part Three::D&D/Grandma's Attic and The Superhero 5kI know it's been a few weeks. But ya know, life happens. And while it's happening I plan on living every moment. Which means sometimes I don't have time to write. <br />
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But today I have a few things to share with you that I love about my small town or about being from a small town. The first is a place. When I was young it was called D&D Variety. It was one of my favorite places to go. It was the local "dime store". The only place in town to buy things actually. After school we would walk there and buy candy and other random things. I always thought it was full of treasure. On Homecoming it was especially busy as people went in to buy silly string and other things while waiting for the parade to start. The store was separated into a few rooms. I can remember one room seeming to have "nicer" or "fancier" things in it. I didn't go in there much. I was intrigued by the greeting card section. I always thought the store smelled like dust and sugar. I'm sure that's odd. My friends and I had so much fun walking to this store after school. As we got older and could drive we went there less, but it was still our go to if we needed something in town. <br />
As more businesses opened in and around our town business died down and D&D. It was sold and sat empty for awhile. Now it has been turned into a resale/flea market kind of place. It is called Grandma's Attic. And it has again become one of my favorite places to go. The 80 year old lady living inside of me thinks there is nothing better than antiques, glassware and old things. I love going in and hearing from Maggie the happenings of the day. She seems to know the story of everything in the store and the people who set up their booths. Information about an item or negotiating a price is only a phone call away. It doesn't really smell like sugar anymore, probably due to it's lack of selling candy. :) It is a neat place to stop by when you are going through town. It is right on Main Street and is still full of treasurers waiting to be discovered and given new life. <br />
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So that was the first, next is an event. Some of the things I am going to be writing about are community events. I love that in Paris community events really are a great place for the community to come together. I love that so many people try to support different causes and participate in things simply to support people in our community. <br />
I recently had the opportunity to participate in one such event. A local kiddo and his family (who happen to be my neighbors--not like small town we're all neighbors, but they actually live right by me) hosted a 5k. Now, if you know me you know I love the challenge of a 5k. It is a way that I am working on myself by doing as many as I can afford to do! This particular 5k was to raise money for Camp Hickory Hill which is a camp for children with diabetes. It is a place they can go to have a wonderful camp experience, but also have time to learn skills and practice managing their own health. It was called the Superhero 5k. I was not sure the morning of if I was going to make it. I had just walked a 5k the night before with my family for my niece and nephew's school and I had never done back to back 5ks. But I showed up. I finished. Last of course, but that it not nearly as important to me as the fact that I finished. The reason I loved this so much is that along the route everyone encouraged other participants. It was a route that looped so as we met people who were on their way back we were offered words of support and encouragement and high fives. When we finally did finish there were still people waiting there at the finish line to cheer us on and clap when we finished. I have done some events where everyone walks their own race with their headphones in and never looks up and when people are done they just hop in their car and leave and don't think twice about anyone else participating. I love that in my small town it was not like that. Everyone was supported and cheered for, from the first place to the last place. And we helped a great cause in the process! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the start of the Superhero 5k with my bff and walking partner Charline.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After completing the Superhero 5k. It was my 7th one so I am holding up 7 fingers. Excuse the look of pain but I was actually in quite a bit of pain!</td></tr>
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If you are still reading these and are interested to know here are some things I plan to write about in the coming weeks: the courthouse, Relay for Life, the farmer's market, Jacs, 15 Diner, the churches, the schools, the fairgrounds and many others. If you have suggestions let me know! <br />
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<br />Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-79516413951383917662014-06-12T13:31:00.000-07:002014-06-12T13:31:13.701-07:00Hometown Love Week Two::Jonesy'sIt is hard to pick places to write about when expressing my great love for my hometown. I have compiled a long list of places. Today I will be writing about Jonesy's. <br />
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Jonesy's is a diner smack dab in the middle of Main Street. It is everything you would expect a small town diner to be. (I often call these places hole in the wall local spots---but only out of pure love for them!) When you open the door you can immediately smell fried food. You know that if you order french fries your plate will be heaped so full there is no way you could eat them all! The people who work there are efficient and friendly. It is a typical small town diner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An article telling about the history of Jonesy's. It is a picture of the framed article so naturally it is not good. Article originally published in the Monroe County Appeal.</td></tr>
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One of the things I love about this place is the history contained in a tiny building. They have an article posted on their wall that talks about the first opening in 1934. The article says that when originally opened it was in conjunction with the old Opera House Theatre building. This is something I didn't even know had ever existed in my town. (So now naturally I have more research to do!) I also learned that it used to be known among locals as the Co-Op because it was originally opened by the Dairy Cooperative. Thank you Mr. Clyde Jones for letting it be your namesake now because to me Co-Op is a place to buy feed! It has changed hands only a handful of times since then and has retained the charm that makes it one of my favorite places. The booths are narrow and wooden. The soda counter is lined with spinning seats. The walls are covered in memorabilia that tells a story of a thriving past for our tiny town. If you happen to be there at a good time of day you can catch Connie and Steve (the owners) both there and they will tell you all kinds of things about the business. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Booths</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Counter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original sign. Look closely and check out those prices!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures, signs and local memorabilia adorning the walls.</td></tr>
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The food is typical diner food. Burgers and fries. But I love to walk down there and order cheese balls and a milk shake...just like I did when I was in Jr. High and we could easily walk there from our school building in the afternoons. If you sit in Jonesy's long enough you will see all sorts of people and hear all sorts of stories. This place has been a favorite of many people for a long time and will continue to be. My friends and I have recently begun experiencing the joy of introducing younger generations to the history and nostalgia of afternoons at Jonesy's. They may never get to simply walk down the street from their school and order a milkshake, but they'll end up there anyways! If you end up there give me a call and we can have some ice cream!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My T man enjoying lunch at Jonesy's earlier this week.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Just a note--since I have already been asked this--I was not asked (by Jonesy's or anyone else) to write specifically about this local establishment and am receiving no reimbursement or reward for doing so. It is simply one of the many charms of Paris that I wish to enlighten my city dwelling friends about. :)Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-65064279645955265122014-06-05T13:59:00.001-07:002014-06-05T14:00:07.858-07:00Hometown Love Week 1Ok, I suck at blogging. I just do. If I could manage to transfer all the things I write in a notebook to this blog then I might have something to post like once a week. But that never works out for me. I always have plans of things to write about and that never works out for me either. I always think summer would be a good time to try and write some posts...but then ya know...it's summer and who wants to do anything at all?? But you know me...I just don't know when to call it quits. So here we go again.<br />
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I have a plan for the summer. A plan of something to write about. Something important to me. My hometown. I have been visiting quite a few people this past year. And quite a few people have come to visit me. During those visits it never fails that someone comments about my hometown. Usually it is along the lines of "I don't even know how you can live there. Aren't you miserable? You should just move." So I am on a mission to make those city dwelling friends of mine love my tiny town. (Ok, maybe not love it, but at least recognize why I love it.) If you are reading this and you already love my town then that's great! Maybe you can agree with some of the things I think. I plan to break it up and write a little each week this summer. Maybe I will be able to keep writing even after summer is over! (But you know how those plans usually go...)<br />
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So...Hometown Love Week 1<br />
I love my hometown--which is Paris, MO for those of you who don't know (be warned if you're a stalker though...I am not at all interesting)--because it is just that:: HOME! Doesn't everyone have fond memories of the first place they thought of as home? This is mine. My history is here. Everywhere I go there is a memory or a story. There is something that enables me to feel. The field where my first serious boyfriend and I used to look at stars and dream. The barn where we broke up and new dreams were born. The building that was my Jr. High where I spent the awkward teen years. The church steps I sat on with my friends listening to music. The driveway where I took skateboarding lessons. (I know...I'm a dork.) The library where my sweet momma would take me to "shop" for books when I was little. Everyone has a place full of those things and this is mine.<br />
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I love knowing someone everywhere I go. When I was a teenager it meant if I was acting up in town my mom knew about it before I even got home. Now it means there are people scattered all over my daily life who know what's going on with me. They care and are invested in my life. When I am preparing for a 5K they are asking me how it is going while I am checking out at the grocery store. When I have succeeded (or failed) at something they are encouraging me and cheering me on while I am shopping for curtains at the Dollar General. These are my people and they know my life. "But isn't it annoying to have people in your business all the time?" Yes. But fortunately for me that has not been an issue because as previously mentioned I am pretty boring. Here is a way that has worked out to my benefit though. In December when my dad had a stroke a few meaningful things happened that would not have happened in a city. First, as my sister was trying to call me in the middle of the night and I didn't answer she called a friend and was prepared to send them to my house to knock on my door/window/whatever they needed to do to wake me up. I ended up calling her back before that happened...but it was an option. Second, I knew that the first responders and EMT/paramedics responding to that call were people who knew and loved my family. One of them later told me that as soon as he heard my dad's name he just drove as fast as he could toward my house wondering the whole time if anyone had gotten ahold of me yet. Third, people checked on me. They checked on my dad too, but they checked on me. One of my mom's friends put gas in my car one day because the hospital was an hour away and he knew that a two hour round trip several times a week was expensive. He didn't ask...he just did it. One of my neighbors took care of my pets. My coworkers offered to drive me to the hospital and invited me to their family gatherings since it was Christmas time. People cared. And it was amazing. It made me feel lucky to be a part of this community.<br />
Does this kind of community caring happen in the city? I am sure it does. If you are one of the people who is lucky enough to be plugged into a community within your city. But for some it doesn't. One of my best friends lives in a large city and doesn't know her neighbors yet after a little over two years. My community is here. And I love it.<br />
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So that's reason one. Probably nothing new and nothing spectacular. I love my hometown because it is my home. It is where I found a community to be a part of.<br />
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Next week I hope to write about one of the many great places in my town. Stay tuned.<br />
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<br />Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-61010969420414451082013-09-14T07:11:00.003-07:002013-09-14T07:11:43.158-07:00Friday Five--What I (RE)Learned This Summer Lately I've been longing for a fresh start. I plan to write more about that later...but we'll see how that goes. Basically it comes down to that I've been fighting a battle. And in that battle I've learned so much more about the sweetness of Jesus. So in this new season (both literally as Autumn--my favorite season--is dawning and my life is taking a new turn) I figured what better way to organize my thoughts than my long lost blog. So, hello friends!<br />
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To start here is a post about five things I learned (mostly re-learned) this summer::<br />
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1. <u><b>Say what you mean/Mean what you say</b></u>. I have been so guilty in my life lately of not doing this. And it makes things to complicated. I find myself making empty comments. Vague compliments. Sugarcoated "truth". Then it's a challenge to sort through what I actually said to someone verses what I actually meant when I said it. I tell people often that I value honesty...so I have been intentionally working on being more honest. There were times this summer when that has been rough. And it's still a work in progress. As is life.<br />
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2. <u><b>Protect Your Time</b></u>. Time is precious and valuable. I had a life event this summer where I was reminded that days/moments/hours/months are precious and can be gone in an instant. I also had several occasions where I agreed (committed) to do things and then didn't make them a priority. I didn't work to free up the time to actually do those things. I have a crazy busy life and this summer was no exception. This relates back to the first thing...but I am learning to protect my time in two big ways. First, I am not committing to too many things. I am taking intentional time for myself.<br />
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3. <u><b>I Lack/Need Discipline</b></u>. Specifically things that can all relate back to spiritual discipline. There are specific areas of my life that need work. And most of that work needs to happen in my life--not outside of it. I have made slow steps to starting. (I've made a lot of steps in disciplining myself in the area of physical health as this summer I completed two more 5Ks making my total three!) I plan to post a Friday Five next week that shares the top five disciplines I am working on as well as the why and how. <br />
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4. <u><b>The World Is A Beautiful Place</b></u>. I know that sounds cheesy. But friends let me tell you...this summer I had the joyous opportunity to road trip from Missouri to Arizona with my best friend/roommate to visit my lifelong birth to earth best friend Will. We saw so many amazing things along the way. (Had time/money not been an issue I could have extended the road trip for days just to stop and see all the cool stuff along the way.) We saw mountains, beautiful cities, quaint tiny towns, plains--literally just flat land as far as you could see, monuments, sculptures--including Cadillac Ranch where the sculptures are actually cars, sunrises, sunsets, cacti, a big huge (and sometimes very dark) sky, and hundreds of other things along the way. We literally drove off into the sunset in New Mexico. It was amazing and beautiful. So I am learning to see the beauty in our world. And I am finding ways to see more of it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WxbbPBOqNShbtpFssbwsI076GWxOko6JbVWLqaHwjmbg2vYQ0ka8Uzw-ZsBcRYkMqoeOGRFqSOuDCrzzPDvLtHvbQrZ6d1NghF-4QULmfta8ljJ1rgApS3A1MJnNunJKgtScIzV_AWw/s1600/arizona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WxbbPBOqNShbtpFssbwsI076GWxOko6JbVWLqaHwjmbg2vYQ0ka8Uzw-ZsBcRYkMqoeOGRFqSOuDCrzzPDvLtHvbQrZ6d1NghF-4QULmfta8ljJ1rgApS3A1MJnNunJKgtScIzV_AWw/s320/arizona.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right before driving into the sunset. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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5. <u><b>My Life/Family/Time Is Now</b></u>. I used to say that I would do things I thought sounded cool "when I have a family" to do them with. I'll make photo Christmas cards when I have a husband and kids to put on them. I'll start holiday traditions when I have a family. I'll go on vacation when I have a family. Well folks, here's the reality...the husband and kids part might not be part of God's plan for me. (I have kind of refused to accept that and am speaking/praying my future children into existence...but learning to trust God with that is rough). I have been reshaping my view on "family". I have realized my parents, siblings and friends have built for me this amazing family. Yes, I literally consider some of my friends my family. (A few of them I think my parents would adopt given the chance and sell me off to the circus...) And my time with them is now. The time to experience life is now. I don't want to miss it. The discovery of the journey. The opportunity to photograph that journey along the way. I don't want to miss my life. So I will cherish it--and the season I am in--now. Whether I have five years or fifty years left to live it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKleUllrnnNXjNKxj2QK0tsLlHTFTJwks8wcXkWXAdE5WaUBXF6nR1mN1NBTUpYaX6XWyNTHQWoEghBnuIhHXoJEpcfEyhYiWrk6pC3cuv6IdbXFMVOJZSaQWAUfhbAyOD2Nv8ddGXhW4/s1600/friends+who+are+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKleUllrnnNXjNKxj2QK0tsLlHTFTJwks8wcXkWXAdE5WaUBXF6nR1mN1NBTUpYaX6XWyNTHQWoEghBnuIhHXoJEpcfEyhYiWrk6pC3cuv6IdbXFMVOJZSaQWAUfhbAyOD2Nv8ddGXhW4/s320/friends+who+are+family.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some friends who are family and family who are friends. A few of the blessings in my world.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I am looking forward to the learning to come. I am greeting this season of life with open arms and a transforming heart. I can't wait to read this a year from now and see where my life is. Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-11376006440105191422012-05-04T12:33:00.000-07:002012-05-04T12:41:12.019-07:00Epic Battle?? I'm in! <br />
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God is unchanging.
God is faithful. God is not ruled
by human emotions or logic. </div>
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I needed to start with those truths. This week has been very interesting for
me. I’ve been incredibly moody and
unmotivated. I’ve been rocked to my core
by some honest evaluation. I’ve been
loved unconditionally by my Jesus. </div>
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Some of you know that I’m a hoarder. Well my roommate and I are having a garage
sale this weekend. I can not even
explain how difficult it is to part with my stuff. This process has brought about tears and
yelling and panic attacks. I am sure
that I have been unnecessarily mean to my roommate and my brother as they try
to help me achieve the goal of getting rid of at least half of my “stuff”. I always thought that being materialistic was
defined by always wanting (thinking you need) the newest “best” stuff. I am not like that so I thought I was
good. I have learned that I am
materialistic in a totally different way.
I have stuff because I feel that it adds value to my life. I rely on the stuff in my life and I [somewhere
in my brain] think if I don’t have things then I have nothing to offer and lack
worth. </div>
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<br /></div>
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As I was going through stuff I found an artistic Vision Plan
given to me by the person who discipled me on Summer Project in 2007. For those of you who are unfamiliar a Vision
Plan starts with truths about you then gives you areas to work on. Not things to stress about…but things to
trust God with. So I stopped and took
some time to study this document. Oh how
could a 12x12 piece of paper make such an impact. I noticed that the things my friend listed as
areas for me to work on (or opportunities to see God work in my life) are
pretty much—and by pretty much I mean EXACTLY—the things I would say are still
areas of struggle in my life. Now, I don’t
know if you’re doing the math here but the summer of 2007 was almost exactly
five years ago. Five years. How is it possible that I have not grown at
all in five years? How is it possible
that I continually push these vital areas of my life with Jesus to the
side? </div>
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<br /></div>
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I considered these areas and also tried to process my issues
with being a hoarder and needing stuff. As
I took some time to stop and analyze that (and chat with my mama and one
awesome friend) I realized a very hard truth about my life.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I don’t trust God. I
love God. I am sure that Jesus died for
my sins and that I am forgiven and dearly loved by Him. There is no doubt about the foundational
truths in my mind. But I don’t trust
God. That’s extremely difficult for me
to say. It hurts me to think that I
could be missing such an important part of a relationship as trust. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So this morning I flipped my radio to the Christian radio
station (which I honestly don’t listen to that often but it’s on my presets)
and this song came on. I had never heard
it before but will probably be listening to excessively for a week or so. The line that caught my attention said “There
was a day when your faith couldn’t be held down…” The chorus then went on to
say “The same God who was with you then is with you now. The same God who led you in will lead you
out.” Now at this point you may be
thinking ‘jeez Tracy Leigh can you get to the point already this song has
nothing to do with what you’re talking about’.
If that’s you stick with me…I’m about done!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That song rocked me to my core. There was a time in my life when my faith
could not be tamed. I was not a fan of
Jesus, I was fanatic! I prayed fervently
and devoured scripture as if it were my very lifeblood. I felt like Jesus was so close that I could
reach out and hold His hand! So guess
what...He’s still the SAME GOD!! He will
never leave me. If you ask Him to walk
with you He will never leave you. You
see in a world that lacks consistency, or in a life such as mine that lacks
consistency, God is consistent and unchanging.
He is unfailing. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Was this song a miracle cure? No. Me
and Jesus [and my parents and a trusted friend and an awesome pastor] are
working through this trust thing. I don’t
trust God. But I want to. I don’t know how I’m gonna get there from
here. I don’t know how it will go. I know it will be a battle of my flesh every
day of my life. In that struggle it’s so
comforting to me to know that Jesus chose me.
He said Tracy Leigh I love you and you’re mine. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So it’s time to battle. I’m ready.
I’m equipped. I’m in. <br />
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I am attempting to link up with <a href="http://www.beholdingglory.com/" target="_blank">Faith Filled Fridays on BeholdingGlory</a>. Check there for some awesome other encouragement and truth about Jesus! </div>Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-81363262257477335732012-03-11T08:05:00.000-07:002012-03-11T08:05:04.702-07:00Sweet SundayDaylight Savings Time can be quite perplexing. On Facebook this morning several friends commented on the fact that it threw their children and/or pets off of a much needed schedule. I don't have children (yet!) and my pet is a lazy fish. So it didn't affect me much. I was actually more worried about my roomate missing the time change and being late for work than I was for myself. So I was up at my normal time of 5-ish which today turned into 6-ish. No big deal. I went in the kitchen and made muffins for the hospitality room at church. This room is new to my church. My friend Shelley (with limited assistance and much encouragement and company from me) painted an old Sunday School room. We moved some furniture, had people sign up to bring snacks and ta-da a hospitality room was born. It's turning into a cute cozy little place for people to gather on Sunday mornings. I have big dreams of what it could expand in to someday...but for now it works for what we need. So I have now been in my office here at church for a few hours. I have gotten a lot of work done. I have also done some daydreaming. My brain is going crazy right now with ideas and things I want to do. <br />
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I may have mentioned this before, but I have this thing where often I don't see what is I see what could be. When speaking of this to friends I usually just refer to it now as "my disease". :) So sitting here in my office I look around and all of a sudden see what I want this church to be. I see very functional and practical ways that it could be organized and given a new face if only time, money, motivation and opposition were not factors. I look out the window and see the empty lot across the street and can see all my wishes of a community garden staring back at me. How cool would that be if my church bought that land and planted a community garden in the summer and had classes to teach children about growing food and how eating from a garden can be beneficial financially as well as to your health. I flip through some pictures a friend posted on Facebook this morning and can all of a sudden see this great idea I have coming into being. It's great and inspiring and motivating and EXHAUSTING! I will work on my motivation. I will work on picking through my "dreams and visions" and trying to focus on a few at a time. My Pastor told me once "do for one what you would like to do for many". He was talking about people but I think it's true for ideas. I can either do a bunch of things half way or I can focus on a just few things. I can start giving them a lot of effort and time and see them come into fruition. Then I can move on to the next few big ideas. <br />
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These are just some things rolling around in my head this morning. For now I will go sit in the hospitality room with my sweet mama. Drink coffee and eat muffins. Wait for it to be time to go upstairs and hear about this beautiful Journey to Hope we are on during the season of Lent. I will just enjoy the fact that the sun is shining, my heart is full and it is a sweet Sunday.Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-20575034189601136922012-02-26T08:17:00.001-08:002012-02-26T08:18:04.563-08:00Just so you know...Just so you know... (a collection of random thoughts for this moment in time)<br />
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*It is an absolutely beautiful day. I had girls night last night with a few of my favorite people. Went to bed happy. Woke up happy. Listened to some great music by my friend Derek to start off my day. The weahter, the mood, everything just seems right for this small moment in time.<br />
<br />
*I hung out with a {quite sassy} four year old all weekend. Though it provided some challenges it also made my heart ache for the time when I will get to be a mommy.<br />
<br />
*I got my nails done last night {what can I say I am weak against peer pressure and it was a girls night thing}. While I love that they are sparkly I think they are a little too long. I do wish I could grow my own strong healthy nails. *Oh and on a side note when I have acrylic nails I tap them together all the time and I am absolutely assured that it drives people crazy...but I just can't help it!*<br />
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*I am looking forward to next week a ton because I will get to see my friend! Yay!<br />
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*I really REALLY want hot chocolate.<br />
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*No one showed up for Sunday School today and I'm sad because I really wanted to do the activity I planned...but now I have to wait until next week. <br />
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*I have this friend who I haven't talked to in a really long time and all week I have thought about this person. Missing people can be such a horrible feeling. I don't know how to convince my heart to let go and move forward.<br />
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*I spend so much time drawing plans and "shopping" for my dream house and my dream church and my dream classroom that I think I should have been an architect or a designer. <br />
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Have a great Sunday!Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-55076460682414796202012-01-26T10:07:00.000-08:002012-01-26T10:07:49.516-08:00What I'm Reading Lately<div style="text-align: center;">I love reading. There is a book I read to my students where the kid spends the night in the library and he says "Surrounded by books I feel happy and rich." I get that. I love being able to escape into a book. To find a world other than mine. It inspires me to think, create and write. It makes me feel relieved to be able to get lost in a book. One of my goals on my list for 2012 is to read 50 books. I originally was going to start with my standby old favorite To Kill a Mockingbird. However it seems to have been misplaced since the move. I had to revise the plan. Here are my thoughts on the first three books I have read this year. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfDKxkWnlQTDFxGjmfhfPpkAfxFOVN29__o0sfM3XbMfxPmapbsbCHI_Es3DI0WpcER4zELT3yglyoxD-_RtAc0Izo4Z3yVwdQBH-OmShiAdFFdKDt3Fd-oDqMlPyagJ_ZTEBs6PYCAY/s1600/book+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfDKxkWnlQTDFxGjmfhfPpkAfxFOVN29__o0sfM3XbMfxPmapbsbCHI_Es3DI0WpcER4zELT3yglyoxD-_RtAc0Izo4Z3yVwdQBH-OmShiAdFFdKDt3Fd-oDqMlPyagJ_ZTEBs6PYCAY/s1600/book+1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from Google</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book One:: The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel</div><div style="text-align: center;">Most of the books I read are fiction and in no way change or shape my thinking. They are merely an escape or something to exercise my mind. This one however is different. This book was suggested to me by my pastor friend. He could not have been more right when he said he thought I would find it helpful. This books puts a lot of things into words that I think a lot of people already feel anyways. A lot of the questions that he poses affect most of the people I know. There was a chapter about when you believe in God, but don't believe that you can change or that God can help you change. This chapter was intense for me. I find myself falling into that pattern of thinking so much. Saying well this is just the way I am. It was challenging and made me think. I am going to be processing this for a long time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Book Two:: The Hunger Games and Book Three:: Catching Fire</div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved both of these books and highly recommend them. I can't wait to read the third and last book. They also made me think but in a totally different not life altering way. :) I find that almost everything can come down to the basic battle between good and evil. These books (in case you haven't heard) are set in a futuristic society where life is controlled by The Capitol. It is pretty much totally unfathomable to me to think that our world could ever be like that. Both of these books are packed with action and unexpected things. They leave you needing to read the next chapter and then when the book is over they leave you needing to read the next book. As soon as my roomate gets done with Mocking Jay I will be reading it and adding it to my list. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, three books down. 47 more to go. I will keep you updated and informed as I go. Hope you can read some of these books too and then I will have someone to talk to about them!</div>Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-37021040325580481302012-01-02T09:11:00.000-08:002012-01-02T09:11:12.566-08:00To Begin AgainClearly I'm not so great at this blogging thing. I think of tons of things to write about but then I find reasons not to do it. I guess one could say it's good because I'm keeping busy. But it's a new year. I have new goals. I have several friends who think there is nothing special about the new year. They see no reason to mark it as an occasion and find the celebrations simply ridiculous. To some it is merely a passage of time. I, however, find it important to mark that passage of time. I like to remember where I have been and where I am headed. I am thankful for the things I have learned and I anticipate the future. Reflections come easy at this time of year. <br />
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I do much better with goals than with resolutions. And they are not even huge goals. It is actually just a list of things I want to accomplish or do in 2012. Right now there are 8 things on my list...which is totally attainable. I figure it's a good place to start. Basically my list is about finding simplicity. Continuing to extinguish my hoarder tendencies and squelch the desire to be lazy and complacent. I have mentioned before that I want to learn to do things. My mother sometimes says I was born in the wrong era because I want to bake bread and cook with cast iron and be "OLD FASHIONED". Really I just want to have the knowledge and skill that will allow me to build the kind of life I want to have. A life I can be happy in and can be proud of. So here is my list...<br />
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1. Fit into my favorite jeans. They are currently exactly two sizes too small. It is a small goal compared to some health goals I have heard the past few days...but it is one that I am confident will be a great starting point. <br />
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2. Complete a Pinterest project. I have pinned so many things and thought of so many ideas...but I have not done any of them. So lame. So on my list is to complete a project from Pinterest. After completing one maybe I will be motivated to do more!!<br />
<br />
3. Memorize 24 scriptures. That equals an average of 2 a month. I tried to do this once before and became too absorbed in the required time frame of it to allow myself freedom and flexibility. So I am trying again. And I already picked out my first scripture. It's actually the one I taught in Sunday School yesterday...2 Corinthians 5:17. <br />
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4. Finish a 5k. Walking it is my goal for now. Who knows...maybe someday I will run part of it. I mean, I have been training for this since September...so it's only right it should be on my list. It may take me hours to complete but I will finish!!<br />
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5. Make a t-shirt quilt. This goes along with learning skills...I don't know how to use a sewing machine. My Junior High and High School Home Economics teachers would be so disappointed to see that. I just never really put forth the effort to learn that skill in a way that I would remember it and be good at it. So I have watched one tutorial already and have found some more. And Lord knows I have enough t-shirt to make a couple quilts!! <br />
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6. Bake bread. From scratch. Enough said.<br />
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7. Plant a garden. If my landlord agrees I will do this in the yard of the new house I moved into a month or so ago. (By the way for those who didn't know I moved!) If not I will plant a garden at my parents' farm and just drive there to check on it every day! <br />
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8. Read 50 books. That seems like a lot. This is the goal I am not quite so sure about. I think I can do it since I read a lot, but I have never stopped to think about how many books I have read in a year. I am starting with a book I have read before which may be kind of cheating...but the other 49 will be new to me books. On my list are the books of The Hunger Games series, The City of Embers series and Soul Cravings. Maybe my friend Kate can teach me how to put a tracker thing on here so I can keep track with you the number of books I've read! :) <br />
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So that's it. My list so far. I am sure I will add more things as I go. But they will be carefully thought out things. Things that didn't make "the list" but that I am also hoping for are blogging more, sending more mail to people "just because", cleaning out my storage building, having a garage sale, organizing my pictures and starting a scrapbook, doing something great for my parents' 40th anniversary, leading a Bible study, going back to Joplin and visiting more state capitals. <br />
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Today I will enjoy my last day of vacation. My awesome parents are coming over for lunch. I am reading. I am watching a movie. Tonight I will hang out with my great roomate. And tomorrow I will go back to work keeping my goals in mind. I will keep moving forward because going back is not an option.Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-44247485704789096562011-11-01T18:33:00.000-07:002011-11-01T18:34:08.921-07:00Thirty Days of Thankfulness<div style="text-align: center;">So it's November. Where does the time go? I often find myself pondering over how quickly time goes by. I recently heard someone say "Don't spend your whole life waiting for your whole life to start." and oh how true that is! So, last fall I did this challenge called Thirty Days of Thankfulness. The point is to think about something you are thankful for each day of November. I really enjoy doing this challenge because it reminds me of all that God has given me. He has blessed my life so much. I have decided this year I would also like to allow myself time to reflect on what each of those things I'm thankful for says about my Savior!! I will not blog every single day due to practicality, but I will try to on some days at least. It gives me a reason to blog I guess. So here is what it says on my Facebook as my thankful statment for today...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="actorDescription actorName" data-ft="{"type":2}" style="text-align: center;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=62100565" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=62100565"><span style="color: #3b5998;">Tracy Leigh Huffman</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}">30 Days of Thankfulness-Day 1::Today I am thankful for my girls. In conversations with my mom we often refer to them as "the bridesmaids" because if I ever get married they will be the girls who deal with my crazy side!! Thanks for being the best friends I could ever imagine...I would be lost without you all and that's for sure! <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=141500420" href="http://www.facebook.com/aharrisepperson"><span style="color: #3b5998;">Mandy Harris</span></a> <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=62105425" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=62105425"><span style="color: #3b5998;">Alisa Van Zante</span></a> <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=502244278" href="http://www.facebook.com/charline.copenhaver"><span style="color: #3b5998;">Charline Copenhaver</span></a> <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1389941154" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1389941154"><span style="color: #3b5998;">Jamie Kropf</span></a> and Leslie Ricketts (@<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=57009334" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=57009334"><span style="color: #3b5998;">Philip Ricketts</span></a>).</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhobSGaG4k9_25Pufs9BHZJe03_J5NyHrhsdcs2Y_tNcajeO0kVnWKRAk_PVXC9R6buw5gsAVGgOWd2kkqY8UerkiO4zBCZT3X6Iif-JK6PkWLxeGUPRvZTlkqiWPYQNXZXM9J_6X3ok/s1600/bffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhobSGaG4k9_25Pufs9BHZJe03_J5NyHrhsdcs2Y_tNcajeO0kVnWKRAk_PVXC9R6buw5gsAVGgOWd2kkqY8UerkiO4zBCZT3X6Iif-JK6PkWLxeGUPRvZTlkqiWPYQNXZXM9J_6X3ok/s320/bffs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love them! Jamie and Leslie are not in this picture because it's impossible to get us all in the same place at the same time. This picture was taken in the summer and it was hot outside and we are not loving the way we look in this picture...but we were having fun. Actually I believe at the moment we were laughing at Mandy and her inability to take a normal looking picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friends amaze me. But here's the God part...guess what...IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!! It's so hard to remember that things are not about me sometimes. You would think in friendships it's easy to think of the other person. But that's not always true. When someone asks why these ladies are my best friends I would rattle off a list of reasons about how they are always there for me and how they listen to my problems. I want to be the kind of person who thinks about what I can do for my friends, not what they can do for me. I also want them to know without question or hesitation that I love Jesus and Jesus loves them (and me)! And even that is not about me. It's not really about them either. It's about Jesus. He allows us to have friendships with people to strengthen and bless us. He desires for us to do life together. He desires us to work together to find a way to bring glory to His name. How lovely it is when you find friendships that do just that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am forever thankful for the gift that God has given me in the blessing of my friends. Women who love me and love the Lord and will bring me back to reality when I need it. Women who encourage me to strive for excellence because our God is not a God of mediocrity. How beautiful the gift of friendship. I truly am thankful for them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-85900427821902456152011-10-04T15:21:00.000-07:002011-10-04T15:21:22.007-07:00Two Month VacationWow. Time away from a computer is a strange thing. So after my computer crashed this summer I could have gone to the library and posted things. Or made more of an effort to post things from my parents' house. (Which is where I actually currently am located.) But truthfully I kind of enjoyed the silence from technology. It gave me time to think and read and plan. I worked a lot on plans for a Halloween party and a Christmas Tea. I got both of those fully planned out and I am happy to tell you that I am now a successful party planner. It was strange to plan a party for someone else...and actually get paid for it. It was fun though. Really fun. I tell you what...planning a Halloween celebration like that one made my plans for the evening seem really boring though! So anyways, now that I have decided to write again I hope to do so more regularly. We'll see how that goes!<br />
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Some big news in my life is that I am training for a 5K. That will not come as a surprise to some of you since I posted it on Facebook. But, it's going fairly well. People keep asking me how I am feeling. I am thankful that they want to know but I also want to scream "my body feels like it's screaming and my shins are on fire"!!! I have never been athletic in my life. Ever. I played soccer when I was a younger child but it was for fun and I was not really good at it. I don't run. I don't really exercise. I just don't. So this is hard. It's really hard. My shins really do feel like they're on fire. I have to ice them like every day. But I also feel good about it. I feel like I am making progress. I may finish last in the particular 5K I am training for, but I will finish because I am determined. Have you ever run a 5K? Have you ever felt like you were going to die but knew that something was good for you? I must push through!!!<br />
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Ok...so I guess that's all I have for now. I am going to a friend's for dinner with her and her family tonight. A friend who is immensely encouraging. A friend who I am enjoying learning from. I am looking forward to it. Do you have people like that? I hope so!Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-52385077474371493252011-07-26T12:20:00.000-07:002011-07-26T12:22:04.564-07:00Making Pepper JellyA few days ago I spent the afternoon with my friend Marie. She is a lady that I absolutely adore! Her children range in age from like 8-18 (four boys) and are some of the most well mannered kids I have ever met. Marie makes homemade pepper jelly every summer with the peppers she grows in her garden. In case you didn't know this already I am a big fan of pepper jelly. I sometimes buy the Harry & David kind but not often since I'm poor. Well...Marie invited me to come spend the afternoon at her house and learn to make pepper jelly. All she asked me to bring was some jars and some sugar. She grew all the peppers herself. And she had the vinegar and pectin. I came home with ten jars of pepper jelly. I had so much fun. I had intended to post pictures but I got so caught up in actually making jelly I forgot to take pictues of us making jelly. <br />
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While we were waiting for the jelly to cool a little Marie told me about how to make other kinds of jelly. She said if you can make one (and I did in fact make a batch of the pepper jelly) that you can make any kind. I am excited to try and make some strawberry jam. I am excited to have a skill that I have always wanted. I feel like I can make something and give it to people as a gift and they will think I am so cool for knowing how to make this! Ha! I am such a dork.<br />
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So this has me thinking about other things I want to learn to make. So I am making a list of the things I want to learn to make. I already have a list of things I want to learn to do. I will probably post these at a later date. I am excited that I am learning how to make things from scratch. Oh, this is a random side note but my grandma gave me a bunch of vegetables from her garden so I am cooking lots of FRESH things this week and that makes me happy too! <br />
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I guess this post was kind of random...but it's all I've got for now!Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-79398213591647647632011-07-21T19:57:00.000-07:002011-07-21T19:57:44.454-07:00The Chronicles of NarniaIn March I started reading the Chronicles of Narnia series. This was the first time I had read these books. I remember in college I went with a group of friends to see The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It was actually a midnight showing and was used as an outreach event to tell people about Jesus. When the movie was over I said to one of my friends who was with me "That would have been a really cool book." He looked at me like I was crazy and said "It is a book." I think I probably said hmm. I don't know why, but not only had I never read these books, I had never even heard of these books. So, I decided I would read them. Then you know how that goes, that plan got put on hold...then I kind of forgot about it. Then awhile back the whole boxed series showed up in a book order I was sending home with my students. I decided I would buy the series for myself and finally read them. I originally thought I could read them all in March. I probably could have if I had been able to stay focused. And if I had not decided that was also a good time to read the House of Night series. So, I just finished the last one on Tuesday night. Here are my thoughts...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmGw8j1CXyhNcphMr_d2Oug3FLzLU2vz3PnVMXccx9ssLQaGdPbVpyRbJJl0FO8Zz5mmfYATL2T5tNuACeq_ZiD0KDJ6QDZkjKDwfFvFjZQXWgZ7m0S4IA9cOCzS6PQ2llDPZ6Vi3hyw/s1600/211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmGw8j1CXyhNcphMr_d2Oug3FLzLU2vz3PnVMXccx9ssLQaGdPbVpyRbJJl0FO8Zz5mmfYATL2T5tNuACeq_ZiD0KDJ6QDZkjKDwfFvFjZQXWgZ7m0S4IA9cOCzS6PQ2llDPZ6Vi3hyw/s320/211.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I chose to read the books in the order that they were in when I got them. I did some research before I started reading because I know there is some dispute as to what order the books should be read in. Here is how I got them (it was labeled 'Author's Order'):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Magician's Nephew</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Horse and His Boy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Prince Caspian</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Silver Chair</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Last Battle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was not really sure about reading The Magician's Nephew first since it was not the first movie. My only exposure to this series had been the first movie. I am so glad I started with this book and I am so glad I followed this order in reading the books. My favorite part about this first book was reading about the founding of Narnia. It could have been so easy to get lost in the other stuff. The strange dialect. The characters who seemed not fully developed in a literary sense. But then it gets to the part where it talks about the Lion's Song. About how Aslan himself called Narnia into being. About everything springing up and being brand new and being like things they had never seen before. I was in awe. It was beautiful and inspring and tear jerking. I wondered a lot about how this compared to the creation of the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next book-The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe-was all I had expected it to be since I had seen the movie. However, as it usually is, the book was better. I usually like to read books first because the amount of detail that is in them that it is just impossible to include in the movie. I enjoyed reading about all the things I had enjoyed watching. The shapes that came to life and danced in the fire while Mr. Tumnus first played his song for Lucy, the emotion when he realized what a horrible thing he had done, the despair Edmund felt when he realized he was wrong about the Whtie Witch, the way Aslan spoke and roared and commanded his followers. It was beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Horse and His Boy was an interesting read. For those of you who are not familiar it is simply a story about an adventure that happens while the children are in Narnia. It is in the years between when they defeat the White Witch and when they go back through the wardrobe to find that though it had been many years in Narnia (almost a lifetime) it had been only fractions of a second in their own world. Nothing happened that left me in awe, but this book was a quick and easy read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Prince Caspian is maybe my favorite of these books. I loved it so much I have decided I want to name a kid after Prince Caspian. Caspian is brave and valiant and a gentleman. He leads his people with ease yet gives respect to Peter the High King. My favorite part of this book is the description of the battle. I could literally see this happening like a movie in my head. Few books pull me in the way this one did. I love how when Aslan asks Caspian if he is prepared to be the King, Caspian says no and Aslan knows that is exactly what will make him a great King. Peter and Susan so bravely and willingly walk away from Narnia in this book. Some may not see it this way, but to me it was about sacrifice. Peter would have loved to stay in Narnia forever and ever. But he was willing to leave because he knew that was what Aslan wished. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After reading Voyage of the Dawn Treader I watched the movie and was so disappointed in the movie. I could so identify with Eustace. It is so easy to think that I have it all together. I love how he talks about being scratched out of the dragon. He says that it hurt but it was worth it. I love Reepicheep. He is so ready to take on any adventure for Aslan. How many times could we benefit from that example? To be ready and willing to go into the unknown in pursuit of our God. This books surprised me in it's descriptions of places. I enjoyed the adjective rich text. My favorite part of this story was when Aslan told Lucy she would have to come to know Him by another name in her world. How profound.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Silver Chair was one of the hardest for me to read. It was slow going. I had a really hard time getting into the book, but once I did I read the last half pretty quickly. It was a good story about the rescue of Prince Rilian. It just seemed somehow disconnected from the other books. And I guess I don't have much more to say about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Last Battle. Oh how I enjoyed this book. I was not expecting it to end the way it did. If you are reading this blog, you MUST read the book. And when you do I want to hear all about your thoughts. I don't want to give everything away, but I guess I assume that most people have read this. The fact that the author refers to the world as "Shadowland" is perfect. I like that it's talked about how when they go into "Aslan's Country" it is like Narnia and also like their world but somehow better and brighter as if they has been only looking at a reflection. And as beautiful and awe inspiring as it was to read about the founding of Narnia, it was just as tragic to read about the end of it. Not at all what I expected, but satisfying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, that said I am now done reading The Chronicles of Narnia. I am going to start reading the True Blood series next. Don't think I can pick anything much different from Chronicles of Narnia than that. I now anxiously await the rest of the movies to come out. I will be interested to see what movies they make and what movies they don't make and how they do them. And that is all my thoughts on that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-61370015329203054622011-07-21T16:29:00.000-07:002011-07-21T16:29:02.027-07:00UpdateSo I think this blogging thing would be so much easier if I had the internet at my house! Oh, and on top of that my computer crashed. Lame. Good thing Ben pulled my hard drive. He saved it and turned it into an external hard drive so all the stuff that was on my computer is still there...there is just no computer anymore. I am hoping that that doesn't add a whole new level of difficulty to working on school stuff at home. So a lot has happened lately. Let me think. Here is a quick update...at least the things I can think about...<br />
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*I had my birthday. It was maybe the best birthday I have had in a long time. First of all Alisa was here. So I started my birthday with her singing to me and Charline texting me shortly after midnight. This reminded me that I have two of the very best friends ever! I woke up to birthday greetings from my family which is a tradition in my family and I love it. I miss the days that we all lived in the same house and I got woken up to in person birthday greetings...but phone greetings are good too. I love this tradition. When I have a kid(s) I want to always wake them up on their birthday and tell them the story of how special they are and how God brought them to me cause those are some of the best moments. The day continued by me finding out that Erica was in town two days early. I got to go spend some time with her and Trevor for the morning. Then I got to have lunch with Ringo. I was so thrilled that he was in town and the timing was perfect. I met his friend, we had lunch and then went to the high school to show her where we went to school. This was so fun! Then I took a nap and got ready for Bible School. At Bible School the kids all sang to me. After Bible school Shelley and Charline came over for cake and punch. My day was so great. My friends and family are so amazing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3kim4Oz2BGx5KRLEjUTzQoH9-hEOfE9ksjHXlQRvVGgAvkkIzcbnN8rmGa13ThkCkqbCzsbVzwpcaiWHvsTPz14AXDAzsMIBCBg40q-XOufZBAIPfKBb6TSJVNmbq2KRueiQOytjAtM/s320/104.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me, Ringo and his friend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*I got to have lunch with Erica, Jamie and Alyse. We started out with Trevor but he did not want to be at lunch so he hung out with his daddy and we had a girls lunch. It was so good to hang out with them all at the same time. We wished that our friend Dana had been able to make it, but she couldn't come. Alyse entertained us all. She talks so much!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Oh, our family celebrated other birthdays! We had birthday parties for Alyse, then Hunter, then Levi. Levi was so sleepy at his party he couldn't even really enjoy opening his gifts. I love seeing him discover new things though. I am amazed by little kids!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* I went to the Kindergarten Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks. This is where lots of Missouri kindergarten teachers get together for a few days to learn about new things in education and ideas about bringing fun things into your classroom. It was pretty good. I got some good ideas and I got to know the girl I will be teaching with next year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*I went to see the newest (and last ever) Harry Potter movie which was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Gosh I love that movie. I did not read the books when they first were popular. I was not part of the crowd who stood there in line waiting to get a book. I was a late comer to the HP phenomenon. But I did in fact read every single book BEFORE I watched ANY of the movies. I prefer to have my own pictures in my head of how the characters look before I see them on screen. I read the books quite quickly and then saw all the movies. The last one I went with Mepps and I waited in line to see the midnight premiere. It was well worth it. As a matter of fact I am going to see it again tomorrow night with my sister. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am sure that there are more things I could write about to update you on my life...but I guess that's all I can think of for right now. I still have some things coming up this summer and soon it will be back to school. Soon it will be time to navigate my way through the chaos of kindergarten while adding as much sparkle as possible. When I think about all the new adventures that lie ahead of me I am excited and nervous all at the same time. Some kind of big things are happening in my life...things that will eventually be a whole other blog post and that I am excited for you to read. Basically I guess until then I am just trying to stick to the status quo! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's all for now. I finally finished reading the Chronicles of Narnia books so I'm working on writing a review for them. :)</div>Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-70276179792368412002011-06-20T10:53:00.000-07:002011-06-20T10:53:01.941-07:00My Dad Rocks**Note-I wrote this yesterday, but didn't get it posted.**<br />
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Earlier today one of my friends put as her Facebook status "my dad is cooler than your dad". It was cute. I could see her saying it. But then I thought, no way, my dad is way cooler than any dad I know. I have been blessed to have a lot of good men in my life. It has been a joy watching some of those men (like my brother Neal) become amazing fathers. Fathers who are active in their children's lives and aren't afraid to play with toys and act silly. The dynamics of the father/child relationship fascinate me. So today here are some reasons why my dad rocks...<br />
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*He chose to be my daddy. He could have picked someone else. That's the reality of adoption. My daddy picked me-bald head, chubby cheeks, chicken pox and all-he picked ME. Because of that choice I grew up knowing that I would never be alone in the world. <br />
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*He taught me about hard work and surviving the hard times. Let me just clarify that I was a brat when I was little. (Some may argue that I still am a brat!) I was probably really demanding and wanted lots of things. My dad worked hard (as did my mom) so that we could have the things we needed and wanted. When I was very little he worked on building bridges. He would be gone for days at a time. I know it was hard to be away and it was hard work...but he loved us enough to make sacrifices for us. That never changed. I can not even begin to fathom the things my dad has given up so I can have a good life. <br />
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*He showed me what a good husband and a good father does. My daddy cooks, cleans, does laundry, helps with homework, plays baseball in the yard, works with 4-H animals...he does it all. He taught me by example the way that I should expect to be treated. He taught me that I am worth much more than I often realize.<br />
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*He makes my friends feel loved. In college my friends and I would call my dad about everything. What kind of meat should we buy to grill or how do you get charcoal to light or what do we do if our sink is leaking. We just knew that he would know. And he always did. Through the years I have had several "best friends". My dad has always welcomed them and wanted to help them as much as he wanted to help me. From giving advice on water leaks and car problems, to mixing drinks, to buying my friend a tire when she was visiting...he makes my friends know that they are welcome and loved in my family.<br />
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Quite simply...my dad rocks. He always tries his best and everything he does and has done in his life has been for the benefit of his family. I love him so much!<br />
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And because this year I had the honor of meeting Doug I have the number one reason why he rocks...<br />
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*He always WANTED me, even when he couldn't keep me. He never gave up on me. And when he found me he did not try to pressure me into being a part of his family. He let me take my time and let me know that there was always a place for me there. And he did not try to make my relationship with my daddy any less important. He (and Dawn) acknowledged from the beginning how important my family is and how thankful they are that I had a good life. <br />
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I am so lucky to be surrounded by such cool guys.Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-73561036921241527132011-06-19T08:13:00.000-07:002011-06-19T08:13:11.803-07:00Class Reunion PlanningI have been a blogging slacker lately. In my defense I have been super busy with other stuff. Like watching multiple seasons of Dawson's Creek on DVD and unpacking TONS of boxes from my storage building and buying vintage Cabage Patch dolls and antique books at estate sales. Also, I don't have the internet at my house currently. I know...I've reverted to the dark ages. Today I have lots to say but I'm gonna have to break it up into multiple posts due to time restrictions. Right now at this very minute I am sitting in my office at church (where I am the Administrative Assistant and Children's Ministry Coordinator) and I am actively finding ways NOT to work. I should be planning fall curriculum or working on Bible school stuff...but instead I'm writing this blog about something that has consumed much of my time lately...my high school reunion. That's right folks...I graduated from high school ten years ago. That makes me feel really old. So I am going to be posting about party planning for the reunion. (The event planner in me is so excited about planning this and sharing about it that it's almost disturbing.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2CnU-dfo5tztWhzCwRvGuW26-5WnzDuDHJ8hyphenhyphen5q4ZRkp9pEwM7_KE4SmJhnn0pU5sd1MCjyO2YAqUoXNou7TXO85xPDzdN6NczyvBOkfdBoSTwsGtZVTGVi8ZP-lwHO8nkUCijQ5jsE/s1600/reunion+blog+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2CnU-dfo5tztWhzCwRvGuW26-5WnzDuDHJ8hyphenhyphen5q4ZRkp9pEwM7_KE4SmJhnn0pU5sd1MCjyO2YAqUoXNou7TXO85xPDzdN6NczyvBOkfdBoSTwsGtZVTGVi8ZP-lwHO8nkUCijQ5jsE/s320/reunion+blog+pic.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>This is the invitation I designed for the event. This weekend I got them back from the printer and I immediately found a flaw. Not in the printing but in my design. The yellow circle is slightly misshapen. But I still love them. And better yet I designed them. I didn't have to order a pre made design from somewhere. No, they're not ultra special or anything. But it's a start. I scribbled out my phone number on this one before I posted it. But if you're reading this you probably already have my phone number. <br />
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Other reunion updates...I have gotten addresses collected of about half of my class. I am still working on the others. I am searching online for graduation party decorations that say Class of 2001 but have had no luck so far. I am thinking about designing some. I am also considering doing cupcakes as favors...but the night could progress into more...uhm..."celebrating" (there is a bar next door to the event location) and carrying around cupcakes would not really be an ideal situation. We'll see what happens.<br />
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Ok, that's all for now. Back to work. Later I plan to write about why my dad rocks.Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-21052768687416575832011-05-31T14:19:00.000-07:002011-05-31T14:19:48.421-07:00Sunshine and SummertimeAs of today I am officially done with teaching first grade at Paris Elementary. I moved all of my stuff out of the room this morning. I left it with blank walls and basically the way that it was when I found it four years ago. With a few more games and puzzles and books on the shelves than before! I do not feel like I am "in" the Kindergarten room yet since I can't move my stuff in until August. The prospect of teaching Kindergarten is so exciting to me. I remember my time with Mr. Leader's Kindergarten class in Maryville. I am so excited for the possibilities. Next fall I will welcome to school for the very first time the Class of 2024. But enough of that for now...<br />
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Right now it's summer. Time to think about summer. There is so much for me to do this summer. I am leaving on Thursday for a four day meeting. Then I have a LONG summer of no work. What in the world am I going to do for the summer you might ask...well, I would like to have another job. Extra money is always good, right? But in reality that might not work out for me. So instead here are some things I want to do this summer...<br />
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*Finish unpacking the things I moved into my house last summer. Ha! I'm slow at unpacking and moving I know! I want to unpack everything and organize everything. I also would like to do some minimizing of the things I own. Streamlining maybe.<br />
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*Paint my Sunday school room and do some organizing work at church. We have rooms that are not at all being utilized because we have so much JUNK in them!<br />
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*Help plan and attend my ten year high school reunion. I have nothing else to say about this one yet. It's overwhelming to me.<br />
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*Hang out with my friends. Especially those who are moving soon and those who are coming home to visit that I never get to see...Yes, Rica, that's you!! I mean, it is summer break, I can't spend the whole time organizing and working.<br />
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*Finish a scrapbook. I must admist I don't feel totally confident about being able to get this project done. I don't even know exactly where to start actually. But I'm gonna try.<br />
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*Write letters to people. Real, hand written, snail mail correspondence. I am particularly excited about this one. I worry that letter writing is a dying art. I have a really good friend who asked me recently (in a beautiful card none the less) if I would like to continue keeping up with her via written correspondence. I am thrilled about this and plan to write her my next letter tonight!<br />
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Ok, that is a start of my list of things to do this summer. Just a start. I am sure I will think of more as the summer continues. And of course there are always tons of little everyday things going on. I am excited that summer is here. I am excited for a break. And I am excited for all I am going to get done. There will be LOTS of chaos and I personally can not wait!!Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-80507882925635653552011-05-28T10:40:00.000-07:002011-05-28T10:40:07.969-07:00Do You See What I See?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you ever look at someone and think “Man, I really wish they could see what I see.”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This happens to me often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to watch people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in this sport of people watching I have come to be pretty good at reading people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can often pick up on unspoken tension or underlying subtleties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twice recently I have had overwhelming thoughts of how I wish people could see themselves the way that I see them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have thought this about a lot of people in my life, but today I am writing about two people specifically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first is a girl that has been my best friend for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met her in my freshman year of college and, despite the fact that we did not like each other at first and had negative opinions of each other, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we have been friends ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been in a few fights in the past several years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have even had fights where we didn’t talk for a few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even when we fight we are still best friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I have a good day I want to tell her about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I am pissed I want her to be pissed with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my heart gets broken I know I can always talk to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is that kind of friend who is a forever friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one that when I’m eighty and sitting on my porch drinking lemonade she is still going to be my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this friend…well she sometimes does not believe in herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wonders why she is not someone else, someone better than herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I wish she could see is that there is no one better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is absolutely fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish that she knew she is beautiful and funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish that she could feel confidence in herself the way I have confidence in her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has the knowledge and ability to change the whole world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She longs to be protected and adored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that she will find those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could tell her one thing it would be that I hope she remembers that even when it hurts God is refining her into someone that will glorify Him in all she does, and that is a wonderfully beautiful thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You my best of all friends are simply amazing. You amaze me daily and I hope the people you chose to let in your life know just how lucky they are to have you around. </span>I just wish that you could see what I see.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second is a guy that is actually a new-ish friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we have only been friends for a little while we connected right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On like the third or fourth day that I had ever known him he said in a video interview that even though we just met it felt like we had known each other our whole lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not have said it better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have come to think of him like a brother—and if you know how much I love and adore my brothers that is saying a lot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t have a lot in common besides music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows more about the world (in a global perspective sort of way) than I could ever hope to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an athlete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a musician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a recent conversation with him we were discussing the next big step in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has chosen to move approximately 868 miles away from his home to pursue higher education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am amazed (and I’ll admit slightly jealous because I love the area he’s moving to) at this next step in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in my conversation with him he said a lot about how he is not ready to leave and what it comes down to is that he is afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he is afraid he will fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spoke about his mom and how she is so wonderful and helps him so much and does so much for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He talked about his friends and his girlfriend and not being around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I wish he could see is that he has the ability to do anything he chooses to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it will require a lot of hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he is more than capable of doing that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish that he believed in himself the way that I believe in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish he knew that he is brilliant and that his knowledge of people and culture far surpasses that of most people twice his age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish that he could see forward to where his life will be in a few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I wish that he could see the way that when he speaks with authority people listen and that gives him the ability to command and lead. I wish he knew and understood the depth of his talent. He told me once "with great power comes great responsibility". Well, my friend they are both yours to have. And I promise that I will be there to celebrate your successes and encourage you through your failures. I wish you could see what I see.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Does anyone else ever have these moments? Times when you can see all that someone else could do and be if only they could see it to?</span></span></div>Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-29339222145278715042011-04-24T13:02:00.000-07:002011-04-24T13:02:26.038-07:00When I love church...Sometimes I love going to church. Sometimes I don't, but sometimes I do. On the days when I love it here are some of the things I love...<br />
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I love that it doesn't matter what you wear. You can have on jeans and a raggedy shirt, a three piece suit, or pajamas and it matters not. God doesn't care at all what you have on...and in most churches (the good ones in my opinion) the people don't care either. I usually enjoy getting dressed up for church, but if I didn't feel like doing that it would be fine.<br />
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I love that when you are in a church it really doesn't matter what the room looks like. There could be plain white walls or walls donned with banners and decorations but it doesn't matter. It could be in a building meant to be a church, an old warehouse that has been converted or a house. It doesn't matter. <br />
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I love that you can be the best singer or (in my case) the worst singer. When you sing, God thinks it's beautiful.<br />
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And MOST of all...the very BEST thing about church is...are you ready for this...EVERYONE there needs Jesus. Everyone. From the preacher giving the message, to the man with his hands raised in worship, to the girl hanging her head in shame. Every single person in there is in need of Jesus. EVERY SINGLE PERSON. Wow. That blows my mind. We all need Jesus so much. It's a beautiful thing really. Crazy, yes. Confusing, you bet. But beautiful. Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-67834919949065962362011-04-13T16:16:00.000-07:002011-04-13T16:16:47.110-07:00National Library WeekThis is National Library Week. Did you know that? Yesterday was actually National Library Worker Appreciation Day. My students and I made a poster and cards for our school librarian and we nominated her to be a "Star Librarian" at some Library Association web page. I love the library. You know how some movies have scenes that are filmed in libraries? Well I could watch those scenes over and over. Not even really because of what's happening in the movie at that point in time, but because I am just in awe of the library it's being filmed in. National Treasure, Skulls, The Prince and Me, City of Angels, Legally Blonde, The Breakfast Club. Those are all the ones I can think of right this second, but that might be because I'm in a slight hurry. There is a book I read to my classes called The Boy Who Was Raised By Librarians by Carla Morris. It was a Show-Me book if you are a teacher (like me) or a nerd (also like me) and are familiar with what that means. It is about a little boy named Melvin who loves the library. The three librarians who work at his public library are his favorite people. The books goes through different things they help him with as he is growing up. From story hour, to researching science projects, to winning a game show and finally becoming a librarian himself. It's a phenomenal book. In the book it talks about how they have a "spend the night in the library" party with snacks and LOTS of storytime. (In my mind I imagine this as being a night full of reading books and having literacy activities as an extension of reading those books.) The line that gets me every time is "surrounded by books he felt happy and rich". Whoa dang!! I mean, even I can't really say it better than that. When I am surrounded by books I do feel happy and rich. I feel like I can truly get lost in a book or find answers in a book or escape for awhile into a book. I have never loved anything academic as much as I love reading. I talk to my students about books I am reading and encourage them to read for fun as much as I can. When they get old I want them to read for fun and not stop reading when they leave school. I think reading keeps you educated and increases your vocabulary. I could go on and on about the joys of reading. But back on track... When I was little my mom used to take us to the library on Saturday mornings sometimes. There was a librarian there whose name was Mrs. Roegge. I'm not actually sure if that's how it's spelled but I lack the time to look it up. Anyways, I thought the library was a fascinating place and I thought the librarian's job was to help me "shop" for books. While I'm sure she had many things to do, she always helped me. I never remember her not having time to help me look for books. I read all the Boxcar Children books and the Babysitter Club books and several others. This time in my childhood is what helped me to love reading and love books and love libraries. So, on this National Library Week, I just want to say that I appreicate all the libraries (and ESPECIALLY librarians) in my life. I am thankful for the gift of literacy and I pray that ending illiteracy is a trend that will soon sweep the nation. <br />
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Now it's off to Bible study...which will require me to locate a very specific book...my Bible. Hmmm...wonder where it is??!! Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-86687780501044532842011-03-28T16:42:00.000-07:002011-03-28T16:42:42.966-07:00A Beautiful Quiche!I did it! I have wanted to try making a quiche for awhile now. My friend Kalee shared a recipe with me and I made it my goal to make one by the end of this month. Well, I bought the rest of the groceries I needed on Friday and Sunday afternoon I finally got brave enough to make it. It wasn't really that hard actually. It took some patience because things had to be done in steps. But when it was done I was so super proud of myself, plus it was delicious! I froze part of it to have later since it is just me and I would get tired of eating quiche if I had it every meal of the day until it was gone. (Or maybe not, because did I mention that it was delicious!) I was shocked at how good it turned out and how it wasn't nearly as hard as I had thought it might be. I don't have much else to say about it. I am just really proud.<br />
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Ta-da! There it is. Gosh I feel like such an accomplished chef. I guess making quiche doesn't really go with my health goals, but it goes with my trying new things goals! You can make it too, I'm sure of it!! If you want to know how just ask and I'll tell you or I'll direct you to Kalee's blog so you can learn from the pro!Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-19223295558731120992011-03-24T18:16:00.000-07:002011-03-24T18:21:46.469-07:00I figured out how to put pictures on my blog...who knew it was so easy?I could make list after list of people I think are awesome and why. Especially the people I put pictures of on here. I want to write a post about them. But tonight I don't have the words. I've had a long day and still have much to accomplish before I go to bed. However, I have a few random things to say.<br />
*I recently updated my Facebook so that it says I speak Spanish. All my (new) siblings speak Spanish and I didn't want to be left out. I decided that the dozen or so things I know totally count so now I am claiming it as a language. I hope they don't have Facebook languages spoken police who are gonna come demand that I speak Spanish for them or remove it from my page.<br />
*I am baking a quiche this weekend! I am mega super excited. I'll let you know how it goes.<br />
*I love Jesus, but I don't always like His plan for my life it seems.<br />
*Being healthy is REALLY hard. Like, really really hard.<br />
*I miss these people terribly...<br />
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I originally called this post people who rock because of the fabulous pictures I figured out how to post...the people in them rock for sure. I was going to write about them and why they rock...but I am too tired. So I changed it and added a line cause it didn't make sense anymore.That's all I've got right now. Back to the chaos. :)Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-58785304259615773842011-03-21T13:29:00.000-07:002011-03-21T13:29:41.527-07:00Sunday Thoughts on a MondayI started organizing these thoughts yesterday, but never got around to putting them down...so here I am spending my beautiful ONE DAY of Spring Break writing. It's ok, I have to get it down to help me organize my thoughts, so it's worth it to me. And besides, I will still have plenty of time to "relax" after I write. Writing makes me feel better. It ranks up there with painting in my world. I wonder if others have things that make them feel like that. Like no matter how bad things are you can always find peace in those things. Like an outlet I guess. For me they are writing and painting and sometimes music.<br />
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Anyways, back to the original post. Sunday mornings. I work at a church where I am the secretary and the Sunday school teacher/Children's Ministry Coordinator. There are times that I love my job there and there are times that I wish I didn't have to go. Well yesterday, I had one of those moments where I loved being at church. The strange thing is that it was before anyone was even there. Those are my favorite times at the church. I enjoy the time that I am there getting the church (building) ready for the church (people). Really I don't do much to get the building ready. I turn on the lights and make the bulletins and get the Sunday school rooms ready. Sometimes Ben is there getting things ready in the sanctuary. He is usually getting the computer ready or working on his sermon or whatever he is doing I don't really know. If I am working in my office and I open the door I can usually hear him singing REALLY loud in the sanctuary while he is getting things ready. I love it! It makes me feel like my church is the safest most peaceful place on the planet. It makes me feel closer to God than almost any other time I am in that building. In the truly quiet, restful moments. Yesterday while I was sitting in my office waiting for the bulletins to print and drinking cinnamon roll cappucino I was thinking about how I can have more moments like that. I don't know what the answer is for sure I guess. But now that I know I want those moments I guess I just have to recognize them when they happen and appreciate them. <br />
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Ok...lots of jumbled thoughts. So now I am going to return to my wonderful one day of Spring Break. I am putting music on my computer and watching Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family. Haha. I'm so cool. Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900824967939395512.post-2454490760399756362011-03-12T16:00:00.000-08:002011-03-12T16:00:12.222-08:00Lazy Saturday AfternoonI love days when I have no obligations and I hate days when I have no obligations. They are good at first because I can sleep in if I want to. Sleeping in for me usually is not the same as sleeping in for other people. today I slept in until 8:00am and I was thrilled! Then I can just wear sweatpants and lounge around all day long. This starts out as a really good thing. Time to relax and think. But then I start to think to much. And I start to make lists (either mental lists or actual pen and paper lists) of things I need to do. Then my day is no longer relaxing because I am worried about EVERYTHING. I have tons of things that I should be accomplishing today. Problems that I should be tackling head on and finding a solution to. But I find real life to be too overwhelming right now. So I hide in the excuse of having a lazy afternoon. Later one of my favorite people (my friend Charline) is coming over for the evening. We will cook something and watch a movie I'm sure. It will be a lazy evening...but it will be in the company of a good friend. So you see, days like this are both good and bad. It's finding the balance in them that I find tricky.<br />
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Now a few totally random side notes. My BFF for life is right this very second arriving (or close to arriving or just arrived) in NOLA for a week long mission trip with people from her town. Her and her mother and a friend of her mother's left Friday to drive down. They are committing the next week of their lives to helping people rebuild and continue to heal from destruction. I find it amazing that so many years later people are still in the process of rebuilding. I read that so many of those people have accepted sub standard living conditions as their new normal. That they have lost the drive to try and recapture what their life was before. The "new normal" has become acceptable to them. Well I can think of no better people to help them than my BFF and her mom. I'm excited for the opportunity they have to be a part of restoring pride to people's lives. Even if it is just the ability to have pride in a freshly painted and scrubbed clean house. I am so proud of her.<br />
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And random side note number two. I want to cook a quiche or a tart. My friend <a href="http://uneviechic.blogspot.com/">Kalee</a> writes about making them. I always think when I read it "hey I could probably do that". But then I don't even try because I get scared. Well I am going to try. That is my goal for the month of March is to cook either a quiche or a tart (or maybe both) before it is over. Wish me luck!Tracy Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352288892180947854noreply@blogger.com0