LeadHership

QUOTERRIFIC!

2010-03-11T21:38:00.005-05:00

Have I told you I love quotes? You know I do! It's exhilarating to find an inspiring, concise quote. This one is no exception:

"To the world
you may be one person,
but to one person
you may be the world."

-Josephine Billings

CRYING

2010-03-10T20:25:00.012-05:00

I've been an advocate for tough skin. I do think--in leadership--it is needed. But recently, I've shifted a little more center, realizing that sometimes, softness & tears are needed too. The book I'm reading is partially responsible for this. Here is a lil' piece that grabbed me, from chapter 16...

"Oh child, spoke Papa [God] tenderly.
Don't ever discount the wonder of tears.
They can be healing waters & a stream of joy.
Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak...

THIS GUY REALLY WEIRDS ME OUT

2010-03-09T20:22:00.008-05:00

Why Oh Why does Burger King keep using this very scary man? They claim "have it your way?" If I could have it my way, I'd take this guy out. Tonight I saw yet another commercial with him. Stop already! He's really freaking me out. Am I the only one?

BOOKS I'VE READ WHEN I HAVEN'T FELT GOOD ABOUT MYSELF

2010-03-08T18:49:00.005-05:00

Throughout my life, there's been plenty-a-moment when I haven't felt good about myself. As I've gone to God (who is the only Doctor who can fix that) I've occasionally heard Him answer through the gift of readings. Here are some of them...

The Psalms by God
Lord, I Want to Be Whole by Stormie Omartian
Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The Search for Significance by Robert McGee
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
Looking Up When Life is Looking Down by Beth Moore

(to purchase any of these, just click on its title)

THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE

2010-03-07T17:18:00.011-05:00

Recently, I went to The Original Pancake House. I noticed the button on our table (pic, left). Being one who's lured by buttons, I took a closer look. It read, "Service at the Touch of a Button." Our waitress said if I press the button, she'd immediately come to our table. WHAT?! I further asked, "Like, any server will come? Or you, literally?" She said SHE would come. Wow. That's sweet service! Props to this restaurant. I shall continue my patronage there. Oh, & bonus! They have PUMPKIN PANCAKES! AAHH!! YUM!!

FIRST TIME SEEING THIS ONE

2010-03-05T08:21:00.004-05:00

In all of your troubles, you may finally decide

that you want to worship only the LORD.
And if you turn back to him
and obey him completely,
he will again be your God.
The LORD your God will have mercy--
he won't destroy you or desert you. Deut. 4:29-30a
This was the first time (that I can remember) reading this particular passage. It practically jumped off the page & jumped into my heart. That is why this book is called the LIVING Word. I've perused its pages all my life, but I've never reached the 'end' of it. Love that!

LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN IDOL?

2010-03-03T20:07:00.006-05:00

I've always been a "kinda" Idol fan. I kinda watch, kinda follow, kinda care. There isn't a lot I take from Idol (as I have the musicality of a brick wall), but I do appreciate the diverse leadership styles among the judges. It's interesting to see how they manage the contestants & how they communicate to them. I got to wondering...which judge would I take after more--Randy, Ellen, Kara or Simon? And why? I'll reply in a comment; you can too, if you want.

TWO RECENT FAM PIX

2010-03-02T19:48:00.013-05:00

We gotta laugh. Yes, I believe this a lot. On top of a mountain or face down in a pit, there's gotta be a way to release the inner-hormone that makes us laugh. (I also feel the same about crying, but that's another post). Anywho, here's 2 pix for your hopeful LOL:
"Oh, You Got One of Them Tongue-Things, Too?"

"Andys in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear"

HERO DEDICATIONS

2010-03-01T09:14:00.008-05:00

My mentor had a good idea. She suggested I identify heroes in my lil world & blog about them. I'm an Earth-Girl. Not in the global-warming-groupie way--but in God's way. God's impeccable creativity on this canvas we call, Earth, takes my breath away. So I have huge respect for folk who tend to God's Earth: landscapers, mowerers, farmers, gardeners, garbage collectors, etc. These folk are heroic. They don't save lives, per se, but they do preserve the life of God's living Earth. So props & standing ovations to them!

NEW DAY, NEW JOURNAL, NEW POST

2010-02-28T12:17:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, I started a new journal. In our storage closet, I have journals dating back to 1985! With journaling, I've adhered to strict journaling techniques; but I've also journally let-loose, penning whatever's on my heart. The cool thing about it, is it allows me to "clean the tank" before starting the day. The cool thing--for you--is if you've never journaled, it's never too late to start!

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE SON?

2010-02-25T21:18:00.006-05:00

YELLOW STICKY FROM GOD

2010-02-24T20:31:00.017-05:00

When I saw this passage in The Message bible, I imagined it being a love note from God. Maybe something for a yellow sticky, to be stuck to a dashboard or mirror:
Dear Child,
"I can see your pain and poverty...Fear nothing in the things you're about to suffer...Don't quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you."
Love ya, God

NEW ADDITION THAT RHYMES WITH LOG...

2010-02-23T19:58:00.011-05:00

After begging, shutting up, praying, pleading, not nagging, praying some more & waiting, Raul finally came to me with a list of criteria that a dog would have to meet before he'd even consider it. I was all over that. And finally, today, as if the clouds parted & a piece of heaven shined down on Earth, there he was. THEE dog that would meet ALL of Raul's criteria. So we brought him home. He's great. Effortlessly becoming a part of our family. Today, alone, giving me shots of joy that I've recently been praying for. Without further ado, please let me to introduce you to: Otis...

CRAZY PRAYERS

2010-02-22T19:40:00.014-05:00

Boy, in my lifetime, has God heard some crazy prayers. I wonder if He sometimes laughs (in a good way) at my perpetual, preposterous prayers. Here's a sample:
1. God, please send one of your angels to Earth to guard so-n-so.
2. God, please take me home (sometimes, Heaven just sounds too good & I'll shoot straight with God about that).
3. God, please send a mate who is a Christian, hasn't lived a wild life, is OK with my craziness & wants to settle down & marry.
4. God, please help every single child on the entire planet who is being threatened right at this moment & please tend to every single one of them & let them know you see their tears.
Don't be afraid to give God your crazy prayers. He's ok with it. Really. "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

THE ULTIMATE CONCERT TRIO?

2010-02-20T19:52:00.016-05:00

I love concerts! I still recall my p.'s taking me when I was a wee-one, so I've been hitting them for 30+ years. My first concert (without my p.'s) was Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. I'm still licking my wounds from missing Coldplay's concert last year...wah wah :( But I got to thinking, what would be the ultimate concert trio? It's hard to narrow it down, but I'd probably pick: U2, Phish & Black Eyed Peas or Jack Johnson, John Mayer & Lincoln Brewster or maybe Alicia Keys, Natalie Merchant & Brooke Fraser. Like I said, nearly impossible.
What 3 would you pick?

[pic: my lil man, Andy, at his first concert.]

A Day in the Life of DJs Verse Memorization

2010-02-18T20:22:00.007-05:00

Weekly, DJ memorizes a bible verse. It pains me to say this, but he doesn't like it. Tonight, for whatever reason, he was a real bear about it. But one thing that's cool is as DJ learns it, so does the rest of the family. Tonight, I had to laugh, when DJ started crying out of frustration & Andy spoke up & finished the verse for him. Here it is, in case you wanna learn it too: "Don't let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Baked

2010-02-17T19:35:00.012-05:00

I thought I'd try this Martha Stewart recipe. Which meant actually turning the oven on & putting something in it. But it was actually good & the boys & I pleasantly pigged out. If you try it, let me know what you think. If you don't pleasantly pig out, don't shoot the messenger!

Spinach & Mushroom Quesadillas
Ingredients:

2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced *optional*
8 ounces (2 1/4 cups) mushrooms, thinly sliced
6 ounces (about 8 cups) prewashed spinach, chopped
Coarse salt & ground pepper
8 flour tortillas (8-in) *I used whole-wheat tortillas*
8 ounces (2 cups) pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. In a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon oil. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 5 mins. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until they're tender, 6 to 8 mins.
Add spinach in two batches, letting first batch wilt slightly before adding the next; cook until spinach is completely wilted, 2 to 3 mins total. Season with S & P.
Brush one side of tortillas with oil. Place 4 tortillas, oiled sides down, on 2 baking sheets. Layer each tortilla with cheese, spinach mixture & more cheese, dividing evenly. Top with remaining 4 tortillas, oiled sides up & lightly press to seal.
Bake until cheese has melted & tortillas are golden brown, turning once, about 10 mins. Cut quesadillas into quarters. Serve w/ salsa or sour cream

Wow, Wow & Wow

2010-02-16T19:58:00.008-05:00

Wow. I think our kid needed a haircut:

Wow. OK. Not playin.' He really needed a haircut:

Wow! Whew. That's more like it:

Flat Tire: Nothing is Coincidence

2010-02-15T21:53:00.006-05:00

I was flying down the interstate when my car started swaying & shaking. Did I pull over? Of course not. I kept going. But the problem escalated so I begrudgingly exited & pulled into a shopping plaza. I had a 3-inch slash in my tire & it was flat & my car comes with no spare. Oops! Raul called the tow truck company for me & I waited in a nearby coffee shop for them to come. While waiting, I became acutely aware of the manager-on-duty repeatedly belittling his teenage employee. It took a lot of restraint for me to not jump the counter & take him out...when the most unexpected opportunity arose. As the manager walked past me, he exchanged a quick pleasantry. So I expressed that I would've crumbled in shame & tears if he would have talked to me the way he did that kid. We went back & forth about it. He finally justified it all by saying, "Look, with your smile, you could get anyone to do anything" [implying he didn't have that luxury]. I paused, pondered then said, "And so could you." I left reflecting on the choice we all have to forcibly manage or lovingly lead. I'm praying that manager gives the latter a chance.

Thankful for the Ones Not Like Me

2010-02-14T18:56:00.008-05:00

As a mix breed of German, Irish & Italian, I'm about as cracker-white-American as they come. I was born & raised in a white 'burb in Middle-America & grew up on a steady diet of hot dogs, Mac-n-Cheese & Frosted Flakes. I have pasty white skin, blond hair, green eyes & my name shouts yankee - "Heather Michelle." But since moving to Florida, God has opened up wonderful doors to friendships with Trinidadians, Romanians, Peruvians, Brazilians, Dominicans, Mexicans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Bahamians, Barbados-ians, El Salvadorians, Puerto Ricans, South Africans, Chileans, Costa Ricans & (saving the best for last) Cubans. All have added color, spice, adventure & diversity to my life & I'm grateful for them. The bible says Heaven will be ALL tribes & ALL nations. How cool that God would allow you & me to sample that, right here, in our own backyard.

We'll End the Week With This...

2010-02-13T14:56:00.004-05:00

...How was your week? Want to end it smiling? Watch this video. (thanks, Mom, for pointing me to it)

Happy Birthday, BabySitter

2010-02-10T22:34:00.009-05:00

Since Andy was 8 months old, Cill's been a part of our fam & a sitter to our boys.
She has cared for them when I've been in the hospital, unable to.
She's encouraged them, empowered them & esteemed them.
She's fixed their boo-boo's.
She helped Andy crawl, talk, stand & walk.
She's corrected, cooked, colored, chilled and chauffeured them.
She has sat front row at their school programs--she's the one they want there!
She's like a BIG sis to my boys & a little sis to me.
She is a blessing to my life, our home and our family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CILL!!
Thank you for all you do, all the time.
We're so grateful,
Raul, Heath, DJ and Andy

4 Sentences of Hope

2010-02-09T21:17:00.002-05:00

Even when you are old, I will be the same.

Even when you hair has turned gray, I will take care of you.
I made you and will take care of you.
I will carry you and save you.
-God

Lil Book Review; Lil Book Giveaway

2010-02-08T19:38:00.012-05:00

In the last 2 months, I've read 4 books that I'd like to recommend to you:

1. Morning Sunshine by Robin Meade - a book about confidence, especially for women in the public-eye. My 2-Word Review: humorous-transparency
2. A Line age of Grace by Francine Rivers - a 5-in-1 story-compilation about the 5 women in the lineage of Jesus. My 2-Word Review: life-altering
3. The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni - Raul made me read this. I'm glad he did. The title speaks for itself. My Two-Word Review: simply-practical
4. This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano - the author sent me an autographed copy to review. My lil mans enjoyed it. My Two-Word Review: rhyming-inspiration

If you would like one of these, I'd be happy to give you mine. Just leave a comment or shoot me an email HERE.

Mystery Guest

2010-02-07T08:14:00.002-05:00

Mirror Mirror on the Wall
Who's the frumpiest one of all?
Can you guess this mystery guest?
Dressed in her winter's best?