A Happy 2005, Indeed

What follows is an encyclopedia of my life in 2005--a shameless rip-off of Amy Krouse-Rosenthal's technique in the book Encyclopedia of An Ordinary Life. Follow me if you will...

• AUTHORS - When it comes down to it, these are the people I work for in my job as an assistant marketing manager for a publishing house. In general, I like them. I actually really, really like two in particular right now. Check out the webcasts for their books at www.experiencestory.com and www.90minutesinheaven.com. My hard work on display! Would love to hear what you think.
• AIRPLANES - I boarded several of them this year for work. And had two extraordinary encounters in Memphis and Minneapolis with Rick and Jan. Stories for another time, when I am feeling long-winded...
• BLOG - OK, I can't promise anything, but I do hope to be a semi-faithful blog user. Twice a month, or at least once a month! You should try it, too. Very therapeutic. :)
• BOOKS - I love them. And so, this year I read Encyclopedia of An Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and I listened to the audio book called Blindsided by Richard Cohen, as well as Michael J. Fox's autobiography. I also read Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge, Provocative Faith by Matthew Paul Turner, Blue Like Jazz and Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller, and now I'm on the last chapter of Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Interesting reads, all. And that doesn't include the countless partial manuscripts I devour for meetings at work. Suppose it's a good thing I like to read so darn much. :)
• CDs -My favorite of albums of the year are Wherever You Are by Third Day and Add to the Beauty by my hero, Sara Groves www.saragroves.com. Check 'em out!
• CRYSTAL H. - An 83-year-old soprano who blew the barn doors of of "The Birthday of the King" at the Methodist Christmas Eve service I attended. She first sang the song at the age of 16 for her voice teacher! I was touched at the fervor with which she sang, and the obvious relationship with Jesus that she enjoyed. Later, my mom, the church secretary, told me that Crystal often calls on the phone just to carry on conversations, admitting she is lonely after her husband's death and that she just appreciates someone who will listen. In that moment, I grew even fonder of dear Crystal, because she is human--and isn't that what we all are--a tangled mess of the holy and the hurting. And eventually, knowing Jesus means we will all be made whole. Still a wonderful mystery to me!
• DATING - I do this, occasionally. That is, I believe I had six official dates in 2005. The stories are interesting, but incriminating. I will have to beg off on this subject for now!
• DENVER - I traveled there twice this year, and will do so again in 2006. I enjoy the city and also visiting my dear friend Carla and her family in Breckenridge. If I ever moved from Michigan, perhaps it would be to CO.
• DREAMS - I would still like a nice little brick house with a fireplace, and perhaps a picket fence, and a dear husband, and a cute darling dog. Plus two kids. I refuse to abandon these dreams because they as of yet have not been fulfilled. And I also dream of writing a novel or a book, speaking to groups of people about the hope you can find when hope seems gone, and of what it really means to accept the love Jesus offers.
• FAMILY - My family lives away from me now -- 45 minutes for my little sissie, 2 1/2 hours for my middle sissie, and 2 1/2 hours for mom and dad. I love them intensely and have walked a journey in relating to them this year that has led to much joy and peace. A new niece to arrive anyday now.
• GILA - My roommate Laura's neurotic little dog (and I say that with great affection). I can never remember her breed, exactly, but she looks just like the little dog in "As Good As It Gets." Gila is very jumpy and runs away anytime we come into the house. If we bend down to her level and hold out our hands, she will occasionally run around in fast circles, circling closer and closer until we can pet her. Will try to post a picture of this little cutie later.
• LAURA - My new roomie; caring, beautiful, thoughtful, and kind. She graciously invited me into her new 3-bedroom ranch house, surrounded by wooded area, and we are getting along swimmingly! She is an answer to prayer.
• JULIE - A dear friend who joined me in Asheville for my therapy. She's so very sacrificial, and joyful, and full of peace. We had so much fun, and having her support was a gift. Since I dearly loved Asheville so much, we decided I will one day go back there on my honeymoon to enjoy all the sites we didn't see. The ones we did were spectacular, though--Grove Park Inn, Mt. Mitchell, and Chimney Rock. Not to mention the hills of Tennessee and Kentucky on the road trip home! I love you, my friend.
• MOMS - I attended a convention where there were 5,000 of them in one room! My goodness. And then another convention with 2,000. My job keeps me studying up on parenting and mommy titles...perhaps I will know everything there is to know by the time God blesses me with a little person myself. Not!
• MOVING - It is a torturous process, and no amount of cajoling yourself into disbelief that it will be easy makes it less difficult. But thanks to dear friends, I accomplished it in one day on December 3. Long may these true-blue friends live!
• PETER - My therapist when I underwent 2 weeks of manual lymphatic drainage massage therapy in September in Asheville, NC. He is one of the most selfless people I know, and for the first time in 10 years or more, he gave me true hope.
• RATHBUN CENTER - The beautiful Wellness Center at the top of a mountain in Asheville, NC, where I spent two weeks of therapy. Couldn't have asked for a better place to stay or better people to share with for those two weeks!
• PUBLISHING - I work for the #3 Christian publisher and really enjoy what I do. It's been a stressful year, getting up to speed, but I predict good things for 2006 and am so thankful to love what I am doing. I never dreamed so much was involved in one little book making it to your bookshelf, but since I believe books change lives--the journey is oh so rewarding.
• QUOTE - If you receive an e-mail from me from my work address, you would see this quote:

  "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in the world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

  -CS Lewisch n

• WATER AEROBICS - Yes, yes, I still teach deep water exercise and love it. It's the best exercise for my legs, and the people at the YMCA are amazing. It's an addiction I'm not likely to break anytime soon...

• WRITING - Well, my writing in 2005 (outside of writing some ads for work and lots of e-mails) has been scant. I did contribute 3 devotionals for a Bible and did a bit of writing for a web site. I have so much more in me, but I also realize the season of my life keeps me busy enough without any extras. Some of you will see this and will send half-way frantic e-mails, encouraging me not to give up on writing...ah, go ahead. But don't worry. To everything there is a season.

• YES - I want to be a "yes" girl. That is, to say yes to the best things and no to the rest. To open myself up to all the possibilities of what God might have planned for me, and trust his heart enough to let him lead. Who knows what he has in store?
• ZAT'S ALL FOLKS - No more for now. Come back later for more. And, as always, send me an update, too!