This Valentines Day ... Love Wins

 

Happy Valentines Day!  Mark surprised me by calling me at work yesterday afternoon to ask me out. :) It was our first time away together since Jhon's been home and even a short time away was nice. The kids were thrilled - mac n' cheese and chicken nuggets? Screen time on a school night! Score.  We left around 6 and they were all showered, homework done. A new record. 

We've never been really big on celebrating Valentines Day with the kids before. They get so much stuff at school and whatnot, that I usually just make pink pancakes and call it good. But we decided to do a little more this year. Mark said that he wanted them to think of it as a day to be with people you love, your family, rather than a chocolaty -romantic holiday to get all worked up about. What a great lesson from your dad. :) 

So we made some little cards with their names and hearts and (of course) glitter, let them have Pop Tarts and candy for breakfast, decorated the table with some flowers. Even this really small gesture had a big affect. They were all smiley.  Loved it.  Then I took 3 of them for their well child exams. Nothing says love like shots right? But it went okay. They were happy to head off to school to celebrate their "100th Day" and have a Valentines party in the afternoon. Fun fun. 

[My over-zealous trip to the library!]

Also, last night I finished up a book that I also wanted to mention titled, appropriately, Love Wins. I picked up this book on a total whim at the library last week. I've heard of the author, Rob Bell, since he is (was) a pretty famous pastor from our area. But we've never attended his church and (I'll admit) I was never particularly interested (in the church or the book). But I decided to give it a shot. I didn't know much about the book other than it was considered rather controversial and I heard he took a beating from a lot of Christians. 

Upon digging into the first chapter, the first thing that jumped out at me was the style. It is composed of a lot of little paragraphs, more free-flowing and conversational than books typically are. It almost read more like a sermon than a book. This turned me off at first, but once I got used to it, the style actually made for a very quick read. 

The book touches on a few hot button issues with Christianity such as heaven and hell and the traditionally accepted ways that you end up in one or the other. I hesitate to get into the content of the book too much. For one, I don't feel like being yelled at.  Two, I think it's helpful to go into it with an open mind (at least I'm glad that I did).  Here's a bit of a summary of the book that I found online though, which provides some insight into its controversial nature:

"The main issue discussed in Bell's recent interview regards Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, in which the former pastor questioned the existence of hell and the evangelical teaching that only those who believe in Jesus Christ go to heaven."

I will say this. Regardless of what you believe - and whether you find Bell's arguments persuasive or inflammatory - its a book that just might make you think. Might make you ask questions about doctrines that have been accepted as true for hundreds of years. Bell offers Biblical support, including discussions of some very well-known parables. I have asked Mark to read it, as I think it would be a good discussion point for us, especially as we work to shape the faith-focus of our family.   

I will also say that I really liked the book. I think Bell has a knack for capturing the power, the omnipresence of God, but never minimizing His complete and utter love for us. And, as Bell himself says, "[N]one of us have cornered the market on Jesus, and none of us ever will."

 

"Don't Quit Your Day Job... Yet." Quitter by Jon Acuff

I finally finished my first book of 2013, Quitter by Jon Acuff. I actually purchased this book about a year ago, read ten pages, we decided to adopt again (losing all interest in the subject matter) and I set it aside. I finally picked it up again and I'm glad I did.

The concept of the book is simple.  It's a sort of guidebook to following your career dreams in a practical way. The subtitle states "closing the gap between your day job and your dream job." However, I actually think that the marketing sells the book a bit short. Although the purpose of the book is correctly stated, the value of it goes further.  Although I am beginning to work on my next career steps, I think I would have gotten value out of this book even if I had planned to stay at my existing job indefinitely. 

The book starts with a chapter entitled "Don't Quit Your Day Job." I love that the book started out this way. Acuff explains how quitting your day job too quickly can be extremely damaging to your dream, because you are trading one boss (at your job) for another (bills without a plan to pay them!).  This falls right in line with the advice of Acuff's current employer, Dave Ramsey. In following chapters he goes on to explain how to use your current job to further your dreams, encouraging you to find similarities between the two, even if they aren't obvious. He gives advice as to "Falling in Like with a Job You Don't Love" in Chapter 4:

"Bad employees make horrible dreamers. You can't loaf on your day job all week and then expect to magically throw the switch on the weekend and hustle on your dream. The things you do on  your day job tend to follow you home."

One of my favorite bits of advice was to "Remember why you work." When days are tough and you think you can't tolerate another day at x, y, z job, think on the reasons you work - even the minor ones. Being able to pay your dentist for that emergency filling. Feeding your family. To wear shoes. To donate to charity.  Everyone's list is different, but everyone can make a list. I know that it's easy for me to forget about those basic and essential points when I'm frustrated about something.  This task also may help keep you in the present, appreciating the here and now and not constantly looking ahead to when things will be "better."

There were some portions of the book I thought were helpful in other areas outside of career. For example, Acuff recommends that you define your "enough" in order to understand when you are successful. "The first taste of success, of winning, awakens the giant of enough. And if it's not already defined, it will grow out of control.... [D]efine what your enough will look like." This can be true with something like a health and fitness goal as well. If your goal is to just "run faster" than you can chase that goal your entire life. There is nothing wrong with continuing to improve your speed. However, but failing to define "success" at various points along the way, you don't get to enjoy your success  It's never enough! Maybe you start with a 4:30 marathon and your second is a 4:05, a huge PR. But if you have allowed your definition of "fast" to morph and change and never be defined, you might be disappointed with that time. Defining "enough" does not mean you are limiting your goal setting.  But it allows you to recognize success, enjoy it and reevaluate, rather than end up on a constantly searching battle for more. 

I enjoyed this book. It was a fairly quick and easy read and contained some good advice. Well worth the $10 price, although I suspect many libraries also carry it. Jon Acuff has an interesting blog as well.  He doesn't know me and I certainly didn't get anything to give this review.  I just enjoyed the book. :)