Last weekend at church we had a Network seminar. Network is a program that helps you identify what your spiritual gift is, such as creative communication (worship band, drama, etc), intercession, mercy, teaching, etc. I found out that my top 3 were administration, hospitality, and helps. It wasn't that much of a surprise to have administration as my top one, since I love to organize and coordinate things. I also found that I'm a task structured person. There are 4 categories....people vs. task and structured vs unstructured. You can make 4 combos out of that. I focus mainly on the task at hand, and are very structured doing so. I also discovered that a passion of mine is getting new Christians plugged into Bible studies. When people first become Christians, they often don't get themselves plugged into Bible studies, probably because they don't know what to expect, are scared, etc. It's so important in their growth and we as a church aren't good about focusing in on those people. I also think we should be having GIGs (InterVarsity term for Groups Investigating God) for the non-Christians in our church, to have a safe and comfortable place for then to learn about who God is. For awhile I've been expressing this to leadership at church, but in a way felt guilty because I wanted it yet, was not willing to teach it. Through Network I realized teaching is not my gift so I shouldn't feel guilty for not leading it. I can take my gift of administration and help get these started and organize them. I am also going to help our assimilation pastor implement Network at our church. The goal is to get people through a 3 step process...first is a Bible study learning how to spend time with God, the second is learning about Jesus's characteristics and how to apply them to your life, and the third is Network. Once people complete Network we will be able to see what people's spiritual gifts are and be able to place them in tasks where they will flourish and be the most satisfied. I'm very excited about this because although I'm considered "leadership" at church, I often feel a disconnect since I can only be there 2 out of 4 Sundays a month. Some of the tasks I've been given can be easily done from home and I'm excited to do it.

Last night Ryan and I got to spend some time with our good friends Joylynn, Thor and Laura. Thor had a concert at a coffee shop so we went to that. Joy's such a good listener and let me vent about my job. It's been very frustrating, especially this past week. Decisions are being made about our animals that don't make any sense. I'm going to stop here since this a public blog and I don't want to get all worked up again. Ask me about it if you'd like. Today Joy is having tea party at her house. I'm super excited because she let me know she is making spring rolls. I'm going to go early and eat them all before everyone else gets there. :) I created a tea party hat yesterday. It's pretty funny. It'll be nice to hang out with the girls, even though I won't know most of them. Then tomorrow we are going to a friends house to watch the superbowl. Go Arizona! (I really don't care...I just say that because their quarterback openly talks about his faith and that's awesome).

I know it's been forever since I wrote. Nobody probably checks this anymore since I'm so sporadic in writing. Below I posted this thing that is going around facebook. I normally don't do stuff like this, but it's been fun getting to know people better and allowing people to know me better. I had to write 25 things about myself...habits, goals, facts, etc. Here it is...

1. I have had a bad habit since I was little where I chew on the side of my cheek. It's gross and I make funny faces doing it.

2. I can never sleep with socks on because I have to put the edge of the sheet between my big toe and the next toe. Ryan and I have named it "my toe sheet".

3. I love living in North Carolina...my church, job, friends, house...but if I had the chance to move back to Minnesota and work with the dolphins again, I would move in a heartbeat.

4. There is nothing else I want more right now then to have a baby. I had a miscarriage this summer and it was the hardest thing Ryan and I have ever gone through.

5. I love to sleep. I always take a nap on my days off and my normal bedtime is 9:30.

6. I love games but I don't like losing. When I was little and would lose, I would take the game board and tip it upside down and spill all the pieces. And now I just won't play Canasta with Ryan because he beats me everytime.

7. I have been a Christian since 1998. I try everyday to love God by spending time with Him and following what He wants me to do. I try everyday to love people like He does. I find it much easier to love God then to love people.

8. Often time people don't like me when they first meet me. They often think I'm stuck up. I don't like hearing this. I tend to be very shy and I'm a very self-consious person, so when I first meet someone, I come across as stuck up. Usually once I warm up, people like me just fine, but I know there are those out there that don't like me even after they get to know me, but I'm ok with that.

9. I cry a lot. Especially in church. Often times I cry because I see someone else is hurting and crying. Sometimes I wonder if I've used up all my tears yet.

10. My worse fears are being in a fire, drowning, and getting into a car accident.

11. I was married when I was 19 years old, which most people think is crazy. Ryan and I prayed about it a lot and we knew it was what God wanted us to do. Eight years later we are happier then ever.

12. I wasn't your typical college student. In college I never went to a party where alcohol was served.

13. I had my belly button pierced in high school and my nose pierced in college. I had to take them out when I interned at Brookfield Zoo.

14. I am a cat person, not a dog person. I didn't want a dog, but my husband brought Leia home and she was so cute I couldn't send her back.

15. If I could have one talent, it would be to have a good singing voice. I would love to sing in a band.

16. I have a major crush on David Cook from American Idol.

17. When I'm camping I'll wash my plate and utensils in the lake with sand, but at home I freak out if someone washes my plate with the sponge and not the clean dish rag.

18. I am a neat freak. I will let the house get somewhat cluttered, and then flip out that it's a mess and usually take it out on poor Ryan. I don't know how he puts up with me.

19. I can't stand it when people think they know what they are talking about, but in reality they are just making stuff up and want to hear thier own voices and get the last word in.

20. I started going to college to be an elementary teacher. I've always loved dolphins and whales and one day my best bud, Allyn, said "why don't you work with them?" So I investigated it and here I am today. Thanks, Als!

21. I would much rather stay at home then to go out. I am completely content hanging out in my pj's, watching tv or reading a book. I hate weeks where I have stuff planned every night.

22. My dream would be to be a stay at home mom until my kids go to school and then go back to working at the zoo with marine mammals. But...1. The likelyhood of me getting my job back would be slim to none after being out of the field for so long. 2. We couldn't afford it.

23. Finanical Peace University, a course taught by Dave Ramsey completely changed our lives. We are getting out of debt and are on a good path financially. I recommend it to everyone!

24. I love to eat. I have no self-control when it comes to food.

25. I am obsessed with Beverly Hills 90210. I watched it growing up. I have the first 4 seasons on DVD. I watch the new 90210. Growing up, when we would play house or school or whatever, I was always "Kelly Taylor" and Melissa was "Brenda Walsh". I wanted to be Kelly Taylor. Now Lauren Conrad is my new Kelly Taylor.