Posted by admin on May 25, 2009 in
General Musings Impact is a funny word, I think. And it’s really not used as much in any circle (I think) than how much it’s used in the Christian realm.
If anything, I’m more fascinated by what people are impacted by. Things that seem insignificant or strange to you have the most profound “impact” on someone else.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve heard stories from students who have remembered something from 4 to 6 years ago and remember it better than I can remember if I ate breakfast yesterday. For instance, I was chatting with a student and her leader last night and she begged me for the “Oven Dance.” The Oven Dance was 15 seconds of an improv sketch… seriously 4 years ago… but yet, she knew the entire story, and why it even existed.
And it really only exists because Trina, Ben and Al think it’s funny to make me inanimate objects during improv games and during our rendition of Hansel and Gretel, I was … the OVEN. So in order to get hot, I needed to do the oven dance. Ridiculous really.
Her leader mentioned that his favorite memory was a talk show several years ago we did about body image. I had forgotten all about it, but in talking with them I remember that it was the only time I ever said anything that wasn’t “facilitating” the conversation. The question came up during the panel, “You seem to be very confident with your self image… is that just a stage thing or is it for real?”
I remembered the question made me feel like every spotlight in earth focused straight on my head and the room was eerily quiet. I remember the feeling I had as I was about to answer . . . I was about to be brutally honest.
Here was my answer (from what I remember of it): I have always been “chubby.” In fact every woman in my family has struggled with their chubbiness. My mom had gastric bypass surgery and so did my sister. I also remember comments being said to me like, “if your not careful, you’ll end up just like mom.” I also remember how that impacted me. I was crushed that my “worth” was wrapped in my appearance. Then something deep inside of me resonated, “My worth has nothing to do with my appearance.” And I am positive at such a young age the Holy Spirit was protecting my heart and my mind from the lies of this world. I remember telling myself that day, if I choose to make a lifestyle change and “get skinny,” it will have nothing to do with because the world told me too, but because I have taken an active responsibility for my health. I firmly believe that if the “lies of the world” had set in, there would be no way that I could do what I do. Even for that I thank God for allowing me to not succumb to those, but seek earnestly to find my worth in Him.
I forget that “impact” takes mere moments. It’s a really convicting reminder.
Tags: SpringHill Camps
Posted by admin on May 25, 2009 in
General Musings Here’s the gig: I’m going to write for the next five minutes and whatever comes out, comes out. Hopefully, I don’t get interupted. (I will take an extra minute or so to edit – I just got IMed)
7:31
I just got home and I realized I’m not ready to be home yet
Lost starts at 9 and I’m willing to boot people off of the TV
I got IMed Again (7:32 – pause)
(7:34)
Keith Conner said last weekend that he has to go through the “after summer depression” – I think I need to allow myself to do the same.
I really like hanging out with my brother.
I really like his new wife.
I really like my family. I’m amazed we have survived.
I got IMed again (7:35)
(747)
I’m REALLY REALLY REALLY excited about Teen Retreats
I’ve been collecting pieces from the McDonald’s game and I thought I lost them, but I found them so now I’m ok
IMed again
(748)
I probably should just ask him to hold on a sec, but we’re talking about WTRs and I love that.
I move back to michigan next weekend. Can’t tell you for sure how I feel. Sorta happy, Sorta glad, sorta annoyed.
Kinda bummed Bill’s not going to be here when I leave. Tempted to leave earlier, but don’t know if I will be packed.
(749 IMed)
I really hate moving.
I really like Nashville. get very excited whenever I go, hate leaving.
(7:52)
I got my camera back – charged me a lot of money for dropping it.
Having a hard time sleeping through the night
Nashville makes me think I’m ready for something new.
Really want to go back to school.
Need to plan out packing my office.
Sent one of my guitars to MI to make room – little stressed about that decision.
Watched Over the Hedge. Kinda wish I could stop time.
Sometimes, I just need to puke out everything that is going through my head, so I can move on to something else. Moving on. Will post pictures soon of Glenn’s new house and wife.
Tags: Keith Conner, Nashville, Winter Teen Retreats
Posted by admin on May 25, 2009 in
General Musings An Ode to Procrastination
Remember, no clapping, only snapping.
An Ode to Procrastination
In those times of deep overwhelming
I choose to do everything
but use my time wisely.
The list is long,
The time is short.
The apathy is strong
My desire is weak.
Creativity about everything else swells:
How to get people who are working to go golfing?
Pranks to get other people to pull this summer.
Events and Themed parties to have at the Gate House
T-shirts to make to remind myself of home:
Trina is my Pen Pal
Indiana does it Hotter
I 
SHX
Xanga’s to read.
Blogs to post.
Lessons to rewrite
is what I dread most
If it would start raining,
I’d probably be better
Instead of sitting inside
and dreaming about the weather
No one’s in the office
So no one to blame there
Not enough noise
I’ve got a case of the stares
The Front half of this ode
I didn’t even try to Rhyme
The second half
I’m still wasting time
People are coming,
Coming in with more folders
Tasks and time
That I don’t want to shoulder
I need to write lessons
but now my phone is ringing
Crap, my foot fell asleep
and now it is stinging
My time has now
been officially wasted
Oh how do I long
for the freedom I tasted
I should go back
and fix the first half.
but people are coming
because I made myself laugh
Time has been wasted
and by this I mean
I should probably do something else
before someone looks at my screen.
Tags: poem, procrastination
Posted by admin on May 25, 2009 in
General Musings Okay, so I found my phone. I dilligently retraced my steps, repeated every action, and in doing so, I ran over my phone . . . with my truck. I had dropped it in the road and as I was reparking to look again, I ran it over.
I’m awesome.
So, more good news – there was like 200 numbers in there, that of course are not anywhere else and I’m pretty sure that my phone company can’t retrieve them. So, all that being said, I’m going to have to purchase yet ANOTHER phone and put as many numbers in as possible. So if you call me in the next couple of days – leave a message WITH your number.
Tamara, you know how you gave me $ for a digital camera for Christmas – I hope it’s cool if it’s a new phone. Maybe with a camera on it?
There’s a reason why my name is “Murphy.”
Tags: Law, Murphy
Posted by admin on May 25, 2009 in
General Musings So I played the Google game and typed in “Murphy Needs” and this is what I got . . .
Murphy needs psychiatric Help . . . hmm, interesting.
Murphy needs to [sic] off . . . usually, I’m told.
Murphy needs no translation urging a long island of Justice for all. . .can you hear the patriotic music playing?
Murphy needs to prove [s]he can govern . . . hmm.
Murphy needs a fresh start . . . don’t read into this too much
Murphy needs to find out quickly what the guns are for . . . I’m not reading into this one.
Murphy needs to write for a newspaper again . . . How did Google know I wrote for a paper?
Murphy needs a bit of work done . . . on my butt mostly. I don’t really have one.
Murphy needs to go to a home with older children and where there are no cats . . . Well, does Carly and a dead cat count?
Murphy needs to respond to Laity Complaints . . . I hear a lot of complaints not usually from Laity – usually people who think they’re diety.
Murphy needs to do this for his (her) next opus . . . I had an opus once.
What does Google think you need? Type in your name followed by “needs” into Google and let the fun begin.
Tags: Murphy Felton
Posted by admin on May 25, 2009 in
General Musings There are days that cause your emotions to run the gamut. This was one of those days. Here’s why:
3 people have told me in the last 24 hours that I intimidate them. That equals = 
Now ask me why. They don’t know either.
I have a great group of people that love me and make me laugh even though I am a “bad friend.” That equals = 
It’s very hard to explain to people around me why it’s hysterical that RISEN posts on everyone else’s site besides the one it’s actually to. If there was a smiley for wetting my pants, it would go here _________.
I have a group of friends at camp who picked up that I wasn’t having a very good day. They asked me over and set up a “special game” just for me. That equals =
My chiroquack told me my pelvis was sprained and out of whack and that why my back hurts every minute right now. That equals = 
(mainly cuz it hurts)
I got to have lunch with Shelia today. That was the highlight of my day. That equals =
I get to drive boats tomorrow at the lake. That equals =
I hung out with Mark Torsch for an hour today. That equals = Mark’s not intimidated by me. He told me so. Mark gets one point.
Boys screaming at a video game and claiming that it’s cheating. Equals = Always funny. Do video games actually cheat? Uhh, no. I doubt it. However the boys who are currently yelling at the screen, might think something different.
Tags: Emotions, RISEN