When Sunday comes...

Last week I taught my Sunday school class for the first time. Oh, let's make the full confession, it's the first time I have taught any class for persons above the age of twelve. I thought it went well, and I have been asked to teach again next Sunday while our normal teacher visits his son's church to hear him preach.  Anyway, please pray for me again! I need it more than ever.

Today was Consecration Sunday at Yale Avenue, and while it is relatively easy for me to check the box on the number of Sunday services I will attend and who I will pray for (church, family, others) and to fill in the line for financial giving, I always struggle with how to share my talents. This is one area where I am constantly at a loss-- especially in recognizing my talents and applying them as gifts towards others. Sure, I can host an amazing dinner party, but I don't think that's what was meant.

In discussing this with the teacher of my class, he tells me that I am talented in vigilance.  Sadly, I had to ask what he meant, not because I didn't know what the word means, but because I was having a hard time applying it to our class and how I could use it to help others.  Apparently, I am alert and take in what is around me and can go one step further in applying it to our class (paraphrasing his reply).  I read a lot, even books outside my comfort zone, and study the Bible. I was happy to learn he thinks this is a good thing, and I keep him on his toes, but I am still thinking about what that means and how I can use it when it comes to church. I admit, I have never thought of it as a talent, and sometimes see it as a burden! 

I ended up writing on the line that I would continue to volunteer to substitute for our teacher when he must be absent from class. This is stepping outside my comfort zone, but I will NUTS (never underestimate the spirit) and grow in the process!

What do you see as your talent? How do you use it?

Friday Feature: Kindle app for iphone

I have not blogged much about my favorite applications for iphone, but I have to give a shout out to the Amazon Kindle application. I held out for a long time, but I wanted to have something I could read in bed while The Boy slept next to me when I didn't want to get out of bed after snuggling with him while he went to sleep. Plus, I like to read, and I have been missing the opportunity to read at the drop of a hat.

My husband had been using a Kindle for six months or so, and he liked it, so I decided to try out the application on my iphone. Quite honestly, I love it. I love being able to read in line, during lunch, in bed...everywhere! I tend to use the black background, because it is easier on my eyes (dark room, bright light), but I have not noticed any fatigue in my eyes from reading on my phone.

The books do not seem very expensive, and I am able to use it for my book club reading as well. The application allows you to take notes and bookmark pages too, which I did not know at first, but now that I do, it is on! If you have an iphone and like to read, you might check it out.

Do you have a favorite application or tool on your phone? What is it?

Awareness

One of my favorite parts of greening, simplifying, and taking charge of my health is my ever increasing sense of self-awareness. Before you begin to think I am self-centered, allow me to explain.

The deeper I dive, the more aware I am of how my body feels when it is functioning in perfect health, as it was designed. When something starts to go wrong, I can pinpoint it, usually quite quickly. I know at the first tingle what is going on. I know when I ovulate, not based on a calender of an "average" cycle, but rather my unique cycle. I know when a cold is coming. I know when my diet is not in my unique balance, and when I am not meeting my body's need to recover. I understand the first sign of stress and distress in my body often times before I would have even thought of stress in my younger years.

I have become incredibly self-aware, and I like it. It increases my happiness to be able to help myself be and stay healthy. I suppose this post has no point other than to say that.

Deodorant versus none

Deodorant. Oh, my love-hate relationship with you! In late August, a fellow basketball wife asked about what people use for deodorant and why. She was concerned about some of the impacts to her body of the ingredients as well. Of course I chimed in, most of which is repeated below and is the background/basis of my own dilemma. If you know all about deodorants, antiperspirants, and the body functions and chemicals involved, skip the next few paragraphs and hit my dilemma!

It's not sweat that causes the odor, but for most people the bacteria that are in the armpit (your scalp and other hairy areas excrete an oily sweat from the glad, as opposed to the rest of your body that sweats more fluid/water) munching on the oils that cause the smell . More than you wanted to know, right? The trick is to form a barrier between the bacteria and oily sweat, if the odor bothers you. I notice regularly that I can smell myself but others cannot.

Antiperspirants use aluminum to block the sweat gland, where as deodorants try to minimize bacterial growth by changing the pH of the skin. Equally worth avoiding are aluminum (linked to Alzheimers) and parabens (found in many breast cancer tumors). What I use and don't use depends on the time of year/season. I also try to avoid as many chemicals as possible, so generally that is where I am coming from.

In the summer months, when it is hot and I sweat more, I use Tom's of Maine. It is the easiest to find/most mainstream of the non-Aluminum deodorants and uses hops to inhibit microbal growth. I generally do not like to use fragrance (most fragrances are carcinogens).

In the spring and fall, when it is still warm, I tend use crystal body deodorant stick.

During the winter, unless I know I will be in a sweaty situation, I use nothing.

You can make your own by mixing cornstarch with baking soda and apply it with a puff after you are thoroughly dry post bathing. You can actually do this anywhere you feel the need. You can also make your own with a recipe.

You can always check the chemical make up of your deodorant, etc on the EWG's skin deep database-- 0 is the best rating and 10 the worst.
________________

Since I wrote that I have given up all deodorants and the crystal, but lately I have come to a dilemma due to shower timing issues. This might be TMI, but I need to find an answer!

I used to shower every other day, mostly due to my hair getting funky. However, now that I have ditched the poo, my hair can go three of four days without a washing (amazing, no?), but my underarms cannot! So, the way I see it, I can a) shower every other day and wet, but not wash my hair each time; b) shower every three or four days but use the crystal, if that works; c) shower every three or four days but use Tom's or similar deodorant stick; or walk around stinky.

Now, obviously when I am working out as I should and not every three or four days like I have been, I will need to switch up my shower pattern, but I'm not really sure which I want to do as far as my body or the environmental impact.

Who said being green and making conscious decisions about product usage is always easy and straight forward?

Anyone want to chime in?

Good ol' Meme to get to know me.

Kearstin, a fellow basketball wife, posted this on her brand spanking new blog today, and I am borrowing from her. :)

1. WAS I NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not exactly, but I suppose kind of.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I CRIED? Yesterday.
3. DO I LIKE MY HANDWRITING? Hmm... my rushed writing? no. My take my time writing, yes.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? No meat please.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? The Boy...our one and only.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes. :)
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Sometimes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? They exited the premises without me.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Definitely!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? No cereal please.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Absolutely!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Hmm... Dairy Queen!
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smiles or lack thereof.
15. RED OR PINK? Pink.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Sometimes I am easily excitable, and not in a good way.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Kevin. No contest, hands down.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE ELSE TO PUT THIS ON THEIR BLOG? Seems like it could be fun, so yes!
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black patent leather.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A juicy pear! Nummy!
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The Boy's breathing.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Definitely a rich green color.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? A spring day after the rain.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A coworker who kindly updated me about the traffic situation, so I could make it across town in time to pick up The Boy. Construction EVERYWHERE + Accidents = long drive
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I stole it outright, and yes, I like her.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Gymnastics- hands down, but I also like basketball.
27. Hair Color? Dark blonde/light brown.
28. EYE COLOR? Hazel .
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Watermelon.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings, but I struggle to make it through movies. Too much sitting!
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Madagascar 2. No comment.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black and maroon.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer...in Minnesota...
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs. And kisses.
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Hmm... this is so complicated. Who can pick just one?
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Um, no one.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? 99% of the people visiting this blog.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Memory Keepers Daughter, Eating Animals and Respectable Sins.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't use one.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? TV? What's that? LOL!
42. FAVORITE SOUND? "Mommy, I love you." is right on up there with Kevin saying he loves me. Other than that, I LOVE silence!
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Um, Izmir Turkey? I think that's the furthest, but I am not going to get a map out to check.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Talent? Um, I make milk! Well, I used to anyway.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Paynesville, MN
47. WHOSE ANSWERS AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO READING? Everyone's!

Play along! :)

When Basketball and Charity Collide

My friend, Erin, is holding a contest on her blog this week, and it's a good one. A friend of hers issued a challenge to raise money for the organization Wine to Water, and while I generally support Living Water International, I see no reason not to throw my hat in Erin's (and Tyler's) ring! For every point and rebound that Tyler racks up this season, I will be donating towards his goal of 35 wells. Please, join us! I can and do vouche for Erin's honesty, and if she tells me Tyler is a good guy, I believe her. Plus his writing is FUNNY! I might be looking forward to the emails as much, if not more, than his point totals. Ha ha!

35 wells. No problem, right?

Crown Financial Ministry And More

Yesterday, I didn't Crown Financial Ministry's Journey to True Financial Freedom one day seminar. Quite honestly, I had no idea how many practical tools I would walk away with! Yes, there was a lot of scripture, and there was some information on tithing, but the REAL LIFE practical budgeting, spending, and getting out of debt information was heads and tails above any other financial seminar I have attended. (Two to be exact.)  I think it was well worth my $25, and I am glad I went. I hope to write a bit more about our journey down that path more in the future, but first I have work to do!

Today I am substitute teaching in my Sunday School class. Pray for me. I thought I was going to teach a lesson on being Fearless (courtesy of Max Lucado), but instead, when I went shopping for a hard copy of the Lucado book (I read it on my phone courtesy of the Kindle app), I found a book called "Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate," which has some great material that I will use as a foundation in a lesson on judgment. There are portions of the book with which I do not agree, but it was written by a conservative evangelical (Jerry Bridges) for conservative evangelicals, so that does not surprise me. However, much of the material crosses over in to other denominations. 

I can't wait, but I admit, I am a bit nervous. This is my first time leading, and I have no idea what lead me to approach the instructor and VOLUNTEER (ACK) to teach a lesson in his absence.  Something in my heart...the Spirit...works in courageous ways. Pray for me!

And the winner is...

First, thank you to everyone for entering the contest! I really enjoy holding them, and I hope you enjoy entering! I hope to make them a more regular occurrence on A Piece of My Mind.

I wasn't sure how this topic would go over when I posed the question, and I might have changed the wording because "activism" means different things to different people and even different dictionaries, but I certainly am glad that so many took the time to ponder the question, no matter what or how you view the term! I have learned something from each post, and I hope that everyone will take the time to read the entries.

Without further adieu-- the entries and results!

Carrie writes at After all the Folderol, "I try to encourage others to be green, not tell. I try to explain, not insist. And I try to inform, not preach. And I try to be positive, not judgemental." Check out her full entry!

Bethany at Adventures in Mommyhood writes about being torn between her job requiring her her to insist on proper dosage and taking the back seat when the situation warrants it for other passions. Bethany got a bonus entry for tweeting the contest. :)

Anadia from Desperately Real Housewife wrote, "how do i balance being humble while attempting to spread the Word, advance His kingdom, remain in love, and fulfill His will? it's written plain and simply in His Word... give him the glory. ...  i find my balance in LIVING the Word." Anadia earned a bonus entry for tweeting too. :)

Carol left a comment on my post about being passionate and saving humbleness for later.

Alexandra from Traveling Allowed writes about being an encourager and motivator and "I think the only way to achieve humility in activism is by asking God for help" and "Living a life of humble activism means understanding that there may be more than one 'right' answer."

Erin from Married to a Baller focuses on Jesus and God's grace. Erin writes, "The best way I know to stay humble is to know who I truly am."

 
And the winner is... (yes, I made a video of The Boy pulling a name out of a hat.)




Congratulations Alexandra! Pick your prize. The Kleen Kanteen or the itunes gift certificate.

Thank you again everyone for entering. :)

Friday Feature: Envirosax & Baggu

I was going to do these two separately, but I love them both for different reasons.

I love the Baggus for throwing in my purse and carrying in my pocket. Their individual pouches are handy (throw it in the bottom while bag is in use), and I have a sack to carry them to the market. I also REALLY love their produce bags. They are durable, easy to use, and super light. Baggu now offers a "Duck Bag," which is made of 100% recycled cotton canvas.

When I am going to be grocery shopping, especially on busy days or with The Boy, I prefer to use Envirosax. Why? They roll up nice and neat and are easier to get out and unrolled quickly. Envirosax just came out with an organic line, which I am excited to try.

I have found the quality to be equal for both brands, and both companies allow you to send the bags back for a credit of $1 off the purchase of a new bag once a bag has become damaged (not enough for a new bag, but a little something), so they can reuse/recycle the material.

Friday Feature...a two for one special.

Tomorrow, I'll announce the contest winners! :)

Drawing for Contest to be Saturday morning...

I know there are several people finishing up today, and that is great! Unfortunately, The Boy and I have a small conflict that will prevent us from drawing a winner tonight. I promised him I would take him to watch the "basketball guys" (as he calls it...we're going to the TU game). As such, he will draw a winner tomorrow morning. I hope everyone understands. :)