When You Think Happiness...

For one of my classes here at the seminary, we had to write a "Rule of Life" for one of our assignments. A rule of life is just basic outline that helps you grow spiritually, academically, personally etc. I put mine together and realized how much I truly appreciate simplicity. There are few key things that get me through my week and contribute to my overall happiness. I think it's a good idea to reflect on these things. I decided to blog about a few things that make me genuinely happy. These are in no particular order. Hopefully this will encourage you to make a small rule for yourself, or at least think about and appreciate the day-to-day simple things that make you happy.




1. Kyle and I choose to make the bed everyday and I love it. I'm a little obsessive when it comes to this. There is something about making the bed, and knowing that it's made, that kick-starts my day.

2. Showing kindness to people. Kindness, everyday. Choose to be kind.

3. Choosing to live out the life I dream to live. I enjoy beautiful things -- date nights, tea parties, dressing up, decorating, garden parties. Sometimes my friends make fun of me for this type of stuff, but I decided I am just going to live and do what I always dreamed of living and doing. Why not have a tea party with your girly friends? Why not dress up and have a fancy dinner for fun? Why not?

4. Praying for people in the world -- especially those who provide my food for me. I am intentional about praying for these people everyday. I also pray that God would provide for them and show Kyle and I ways that we can intentionally provide for them.

5. Being generous. Kyle and I are in no way "making bank." But, God provides generously for us. He gives us just what we need each month. I've been amazed at God's provision. Having to depend on God, for literally every penny, gives me great joy. In turn, we've given more now than we ever have -- more time, more meals, more money. As Anne Frank would say, "No one becomes poor by giving." We've gained great joy by giving.

6. Journaling. I try to record something positive from the day and keep track of the ways that God is providing for us. It's amazing to go back and see God's hand in motion in miraculous ways.

7. Book Club. I got invited into this group upon coming to seminary. I've never been a part of a more beautiful, diverse group of women. So many gifts, so many laughs. Honestly, the group is rare. I've never been a part of anything like it.

8. My husband, in general. Oh, it is love. Time with the hubs is the best. He loves me so well and goes out of his way to make everyday a special day. Older people often marvel when we act gaga around each other, then roll their eyes and say "Oh, newlyweds." Honestly, though, every married couple should remember their newlywed days and strive to keep qualities of them. I am no counselor, but I think we would have a lot more merry marriages if people remembered being newlyweds.

9. Successful people. I love studying successful people and discovering the way they made it. I recently watched an interview with Taylor Swift (oh, quit judging.) She's a jewel. Go listen to "Tim Mcgraw" and that's what started it all for her. The point is, it was so in her element. Maybe that's what we need to do to be successful, just stay in our element. Perhaps we spend too much time impressing people.

10. Singing. Hey, I sing every morning in front of my mirror while getting ready. I even dance a little, too. Honestly, though, they say singing helps reduce depression, anxiety and gives you fresh air and your lungs.

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

So, tomorrow I am turning 23 and I've realized that I've gone through some major life events in the past year.   First, I graduated college. Then, I got married. Now, I am in graduate school. Whoa, wait!!! What's next? And don't say babies. I am on the "track" for my life and I love the direction it's going (although it's going kind of fast!). However, I often like to think of things that I might have otherwise pursued. And, boy, my life would be so different if I would have pursued those tracks. Here are just a few careers I might have chased if I didn't end up where I am today. Or, they are tracks that I probably would have never actually taken, but think they'd be fun.

• Hairstylist - This is serious, ya'll. I sometimes seriously think about going to beauty school after seminary just because I love cutting Kyle's hair. Plus, I would get to talk to people all day and hear their stories. And cutting hair is a very practical skill. I also appreciate how trendy hairstylists are. 
• Interior Designer/Decorator - Omgeee. I love decorating. I love mixing patterns and neutrals. I love sewing custom pillows to spice up a place. I love painting spaces and renovating. I love thrifting. If, I had a show on HGTV it would be called "Makeovers with Molly."
• Design Magazine Editor in Chief - Um, how fun would it be to write a letter to your design audience every month with your big ole' signature and photo in the magazine? So.awesome. Sometimes I practice my signature for this very purpose. 
• Elementary School Teacher - I always wanted to be Miss Honey from Matilda. And kids. Geez, you have to love them. 
• Wedding Planner - I loved my own and would do it all again. Give me a business with the country-chic girls in the South and I'm good to go. 
• Counselor - I really love the idea of Marriage and Family Counseling. That's a tough path, though. I don't think I have the emotional energy to cope. 
• Adviser - I would love to work at a school and act as an adviser for students. I feel like I am good at organizing things and helping people put meaningful things together, such as, their life plans ;). 
• Wall Paint Name-r - Do you ever wonder how paint colors get their cool names -- "Bahama Blue" or "Playful Coral?" Somebody has to come up with them...just sayin'.
• Barista - Knowing how to make all types of coffee/fun-drinks is appealing to me. Who wouldn't want to be a barista? Except for those cranky customers might be the only downfall.
• Pastor - But, ultimately, I want to be a pastor. A trendy one at that. Want to know one of my biggest hopes? Someday, I want to have an office for students/congregants/or whoever to come by and sit and talk. I want my office to have a nice loveseat with zebra pillows on it. I want my office to be adorned with pictures, lamps and candles. And get this, this is my favorite part. I want to have a tea kettle readily available with hot water so my guests who stop by can have tea/cocoa upon their arrival. Then, we can sit and chat for awhile. And, I might be able to get a little bit of work done, too ;). Here's to the future...cheers! 

Taco Seasoning!

One of my favorite things to do is cook! Especially when I have the time for it :). One of our favorite meals (like anyone) is tacos! It's such an easy fall-back meal. However, if you've ever been in the store and picked up pre-packaged taco seasoning you will notice how much sodium it has. It has a gunk-load. In light of that, Kyle and I have been using a simple mix of spices to create our own taco seasoning. Not only is it delish, but it also has so much less sodium. It makes taco night more enjoyable and healthy. I thought I would share it here: 

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 Tbsp cumin

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp onion powder 

1/4 - 1/2 crushed red pepper (if you want some extra spice) 

Enjoy!

P.S. I received this from my mother-in-law, Mary Lou, back when we moved to Kentucky. 

Alma Mater, Hail!

Last night, our wonderful friends, Isaac and Cameron came over to hang out and to have a night of worship. Isaac led the group with his wonderful talents – it was a great evening, relishing the presence of Jesus in our space. Afterwards, Isaac sent me a song that he wrote and World Witness Team at Southwestern recorded last year. The song is called “We Pray” and Isaac wrote it a couple of years ago during a 48 hour prayer event. I remember the moment he told us about it and introduced us to it in the Fall of 2009. It soon became a favorite of many at SC (and it’s still my favorite today). I’ve been listening to the recording that he sent me a lot this morning, partly because I am avoiding writing a paper and most of all because I love it. It’s so anointed and beautiful. It takes me back to Southwestern every time.

As I sit here and listen to it I can pick out many familiar voices – Esther, Anna, Raisa, to name a few. It humbles my soul when I remember my time at Southwestern and all of the amazing people I was able to meet and befriend over the last 4 years. I see how the Lord used me in that space and formed my calling in such a profound way. I don’t know what my future looks like in terms of physical job locations, but, after listening to “We Pray,” I am reminded of my love for students. I am reminded of my appreciation for students who are so open to the Lord and his leading. I am reminded of my great leaders – especially Ashlee Alley and Martin Rude, who both encouraged and shaped me in great ways. I thoroughly enjoy where I am now, while also realizing that my time at Southwestern was a sacred time and space in history. Someday, I hope I can create this space for students at a college or university. My greatest wish is that Jesus would use me to create such a sacred space for students, where gifts and callings are wrestled with and discovered. I hope to create a space for beautiful things – anointed things, so that when my students are far, far away someday, and they hear a song that their fellow peer wrote and their friends recorded, they are taken back and ushered into a time of thankfulness before the Lord.

P.S. Hail My Alma Mater for being such a special place. I am so happy to be an alumnus! And my picture is from the Worship Outreach Compilation Album, and my best guess is this was when "We Pray" was recorded! I had to have Isaac, the song writer and music man extraordinaire in the pic! 

JUST an E-mail

Normally, I don't double blog. But, I HAD to share this. My mom sent me a random e-mail today that she still had in her inbox (for some reason????). I wrote this to her four years ago, right after I moved to Winfield to go to college. It features a special character! Let's just say it's really funny to see how things work out. Here it is. Just to put things in context -- I am e-mailing my mom back about some questions and about coming home for fall break.

Hello!

The test was iffy. But I studied for it, and the things that I didn't know weren't even in my study guide, so I don't feel so bad. Anyway, all together, I think I at least did adequate. Not perfect, but definately not horrible, I don't think, at least. and YES it's been raining around here since yesterday, and it's really cold. I don't mind the rain so much, I just don't like walking in it when it's freezing cold outside. It like never stops here though. Just rains. It's quite interesting, compared to Western Kansas.

and YES again, I am ready to come home and visit everyone. And relax. I am tired of all this studying and what not. It's lots of work. And, I was talking to my friend, Kyle Just. He lives in Leoti and we talked about riding home together for fall break, I figured I would ask you to save some money in gas and to have a friend to ride home with!! Except, I don't want him to go way out of his way, but he goes through Scott City, so I was going to see if Mallory would be in Scott on Friday and if I could be picked up there. Just thought I would see what's going on there. Let me know, so I can let Kyle know!

I have to have 20 hours of observation. I have like 5 and a half right now, I think. OHHH thanks for reminding me I need to e-mail Mrs. Steinmetz. DEFINATELY e-mail Erin and see if I can come visit Paige and Cole!! I want to see them before they move :(

The Cookies are good,

Molly

That's the Kyle I married!! HA! And, look at me being a whiny baby about all the work I had to do in undergrad. 

Funnies!

Doin' Peachy, Just a Little Preachy

I just thought I would write a quick update while I had a moment. One of the challenges of seminary (and probably any graduate school) is that time really does escape from you. I know this is silly, but it's hard to even pick up the phone to chat to lots of folks. So, it's great for me to be able to blog while I take a break from homework and connect with eons of people who are important to me! Thank you, digital world.

I wanted to share an experience that I had a week ago now. Two Fridays ago, the seminary hosted a free healing conference and brought in a woman named Judith MacNutt to speak and lead the conference. Her husband, Frances MacNutt, and her are the founders of Christian Healing Ministries. If you've ever been involved in counseling before, especially Christian counseling, you have probably heard of them. Anyway, the Thursday before the conference, I was talking with the lady I work with, Sarah, and I was telling her how I really wanted to go, but probably wouldn't because it lasted all day on Friday and I had homework to do. Sarah, who has been in the counseling field herself, told me that I needed to go. She was like, "Molly, the MacNutts created a whole new idea in counseling when they introduced their form of healing ministry. I can't believe she is here and she is free. You have to go." Well, I am easily persuaded, so I decided for sure that I was going to go.

Friday rolled around and the conference began. It was great! Judith talked about the different components of being in a healing ministry and then, right before we left for lunch, she asked people in the room who were in need of physical healing to come forward. Many did! She told us we were going to pray for their healing. So, the rest of us acted as prayer ministers. We began praying, and she led us. The cool part -- people were physically healed -- not everyone, but some. It was awesome. However, the point I really wanted to communicate in this blog post is one that concerns the whole church -- all of humanity, really. Towards the end of the conference, they had the Asbury Healing Academy and other prayer ministers come forth. Then, they invited all of us up, one at a time, to be prayed for (if we wanted to be prayed for.) At first, I wasn't going to go. I wasn't sick. And, going up to the front to be prayed for makes me feel pretty vulnerable. However, one thing that I heard God say to me loud and clear was: "Molly, no one here is whole. Not one person. Go receive prayer." So, I did. Then, when I got into the realm of my particular prayer ministers, I just started talking all over the place. I told them how I was experiencing some anxiety because of moving and because Kyle didn't have a permanent job yet and yada yada yada. The things everyone here seems to worry about. However, one thing that I didn't tell them is that sometimes the anxiety is so great that it actually makes me doubt my call. There are moments when I am like, "What the heck am I doing here? Maybe I am not supposed to be here." My humanness gets the best of me. So, back to the story. The ministers just start praying. They pray for wholeness and relief from anxiety and so on and so forth. BUT, then, one of them said, "God we pray against the enemy. We pray against the power he has to make Molly doubt her call. We pray against the power the enemy has to make her believe that she isn't meant to be here at Asbury." I didn't know whether to be like this: : O or like this: : D! The girl read my mind. Actually, let's just say the Holy Spirit was present. Most importantly, though, in that moment all I felt was a rush of freedom. Jesus healed a lot of people that day, but you know what, he also healed me. He freed me from something I didn't even realize I was trapped in. Today, you might think you're whole. But, you know what, you probably aren't. That's why we need Jesus. I don't want to be all preachy, but I am serious. Jesus is the only one that can make us whole. Amen and amen.

Until we communicate via my blog again, I hope this story gives you some encouragement! And, if you ever have the chance to experience a prayer conference with the MacNutts, please go!

Food for Thought

As you can imagine, I run into a lot of really great people here at the seminary. Seriously, it's amazing. It's like you throw all the awesome people together in the world and *BAM,* here they are. One of the things that I absolutely love, whether at seminary or not, is hearing peoples' stories. In one of my classes, we have been split up into small groups where we share a ministry and vocational journey together for a semester. The other day, I was talking with my group and we were sharing our journeys of how we ended up at Asbury. One story especially stuck out to me and I knew right then that it was blog material.

The question was asked: if you could do anything in ministry, what would your dream job be? When we got around to one particular person, they said, "I would love to go live by myself in a cabin in the woods and minister to people through writing. I feel like I have been burned by people, burned by the church. I am starting to trust people again, which is how I ended up here, but it took awhile." He then went on to explain how prior to seminary, he had been extremely involved with a church. The leadership of this church, however, hurt more people than it helped. He then noted how he left the church and decided to attend culinary school (I told you people at seminary have good stories!). He excelled in culinary school, enjoyed it a lot and went on to work in a restaurant. He said, "You know, I was so sick of a church that hurt people. I worked with food because I was able to be a part of something that brought people together, slowed them down and had them listen to one another." Can you just imagine a chef, peering out at his restaurant from his kitchen? Watching people truly enjoy one another's company? You know, there is that couple over there in the corner on their first date, getting to know one another, wishing time would slow down. Then, there is that couple in the booth, to your left, who is celebrating their 35th anniversary, remembering all of the times they've had together and celebrating life. After that, in the back room, at the long table, there is that annual company meeting. These folks join together to discuss annual goals and progress and to identify where they are going to go, business wise, this year. Then, you have your normals, going out to eat because it is mom's night off. In all cases, food brings people together, and as a chef, that's something to be really proud of. To me, the mental image is really powerful. My new friend ended his story with this line: "I hope the church can slow down like that." Hmmm. Food for thought. And, I think it's like "Olive Garden" food for thought. Yeah?