Blogger's Block...

I am only on my fifth blog post and I am finding myself with “blogger’s block.”

Who should I write about? What should I say? Who should I write about? What should I say? Who should I write about? What should…ok you get the idea?!

It’s not that I don’t have lots of wonderful friends and meet lots of wonderful people. But I often overlook those amazing God given qualities.

Which begs the question, “Do I really see people as Jesus does?”

Genesis 1:27 says “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them”

Everyone I encounter is made in the image of the one true God.

Everyone. The lady that bumped into me at Wal-mart, Miss America 2011 from Nebraska, chatty Cathy who checked me out at Wal-Mart, my dad, my mom, my two beautiful nieces, my co-workers, the good-looking yellow shirt guy from the gym, the boy screaming in Wal-mart, the cute old couple having coffee, and the list goes on and on…

I want to see people as He does. If anything to make this blog a lot better! :)

So again, For the Sake of a Blog – God help me to see YOU in everyone I meet!

If I lived in the mountains, I imagine this is how I would conquer "blogger's block!"

The sign behind me said, "SLOW"

I laugh in the face of slow, and then usually take a face dive down the mountain!

My partner in crime, Carrie.

I try not to leave home without her.

Yes, I was just looking for any opportunity to post these sweet snowboarding pictures! Can you blame me? :)

Eccelesiastes 3:4 – a time to weep and a time to LAUGH

I love to laugh. I mean who doesn’t right?! A little chuckle, a big ole roar, a knee slapper, the silent laugh, a giggle, or somewhere in the middle. It’s all good! I think God delights in our laughter, and it’s sweet to imagine him laughing along side of our jokes, fun, and sarcasm.

Laughter can break the ice in an awkward conversation, make your side hurt, allow you to not take yourself to seriously, make the time go faster, make your pants a little wet (yep I said it!), bring you to tears (in a good way of course), lighten the mood, provide that sweet bond in a relationship, and the list goes on and on…

So many of my friends make me laugh so I couldn’t just single out one of them. The list below is a few of those people who have made me laugh in the last couple of days. If you made the cut, congrats and keep the jokes a coming! If you didn’t well I am sure you just slipped my mind or maybe you really aren’t as funny as you think you are. Probably the latter! (Yes, I just said that as well!)

The first 5 names are my beloved Veritas staff co-workers!

Mark Arant – my boss so I have to laugh at him – Kidding! He is funny!

Jeff Thune – his show tunes are the best

Lance Allgood – dry, goofy, or witty humor – he’s got it all

Clint Robinson – what to even say?

Carrie Clement – my co-worker, roommate, and friend who makes me laugh daily

Katie Feekes (friend) – she does great accents

A Biggest Loser contestant – yes, I am addicted

The whole Office cast

Mardy Schaefer (mom) – she knows how to get me

Pete (gym instructor) – actually laughed at an ISU joke towards me

Kerri Myers (friend) – she’s just funny

Joann Baustisa (friend) – I think she laughs at me? either way I still laugh!

Also, here's a picture of memory that still makes me laugh!

You can always count on a good time when you are with my dad and this banana boat ride was no different!

We couldn't stop laughing as our Mexican driver struggled to pull my dad on the boat after he had fallen off. In the midst of pulling him up the driver kept saying, "No mas tacos, No mas tacos!" Even my dad was laughing at this point!

My Dad is also very vocal (laughing & hollering) when riding any sort of "ride" so between falling off and his hollering we could barely breathe this whole boat ride!

Carolyn Randall - She led me to Christ!

Carolyn Randall – Spiritual Mentor

She led me to Christ.

She makes disciples.

I first met Carolyn in my Alpha Gamma Delta sorority Bible study. She was the fearless leader of our group, who was bold enough to teach the Word to us sorority chicks:)!

It didn’t take long for me to warm up to Carolyn’s sweet and caring personality. Within the first few months of Bible study I asked her if we could begin meeting one on one. It was here that I was really able to open up and ask all those burning questions I had. Looking back I am so thankful for her patience and willingness to meet with me so consistently. I imagine there were points were she was wondering, “Is any of this getting through?” “Will this girl ever stop drinking?” In which the answer to that is no, I just know when to stop now:)!

I am eternally grateful for Carolyn and am SO thankful that she trusted God for what He wanted to do in the Greek system at Iowa State. Even now I still receive her updates highlighting the women she is investing in and the disciples she is making in Illinois. Just a few weeks ago I received an email from her asking if I would commit to pray for a few women over break, who are beginning the journey of following Christ. As always I replied “OF COURSE” and then emailed her a few women that she could be praying for as well – knowing that they will definitely be prayed for!

Thank you Carolyn for not giving up on me and continuing to pour truth and love into my life. I am so grateful that you decided you were going to follow Christ by making disciples. I can’t wait to get to Heaven and see all the lives you impacted! I pray that God would multiply your efforts in Illinois and bless those discipleship relationships you have established.

Mardy Schaefer : The Giver

Mardy Schaefer - My Mother

She's a giver!

Ohh come on, you know my first real blog post had to be about the person who actually gave birth to me and raised me up in this crazy world.

My mother is what I like to call the ultimate giver. Blessing me with little drops of money in the mail, fun little gifts throughout the year even when it’s not my birthday and how can I forget those amazing shopping adventures!?

I came home yesterday and within the first couple minutes she was asking me when I wanted to leave. Leave? I just got home? Our shopping day awaited and within 15 minutes I was ready!

My mom loves to give gifts and it’s an amazing blessing to be on the receiving end of those gifts I actually like! The Bible talks about money more than any other topic (other than the Kingdom of God I believe) so clearly we need to evaluate our response to our money.

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 is a good one that gets me asking these questions.

Am I a giver? Am I a joyful giver? Do I see my money as God sees it? Do I love money more than I should? Do I understand I am a conduit for what He’s blessed me with? Would God be pleased with how I am using His money? If I had a lot less money or a lot more money would my giving look different? Ok, enough questions. I am convicted.

Thank you, Mom for reminding me it’s more blessed to give than receive! :)

AND I can’t go without saying another gift she has given me – A die hard love for the Cyclones! That is something I definitely can’t put a price tag on. Love you, Mom!

For the sake of a blog...

I am now about two weeks into thinking about actually starting a blog and the questions seem to haunt me.

What should I name it? This is HUGE and keeps me up at night. What should it be about? What should it not be about? Will I include pictures? I should probably learn how to take good pictures then. Will it be only spiritual? Is that lame? Why do I automatically think that's lame? Should it be only funny? Am I even that funny? A little bit of both? Gosh, that’s a lot of pressure. Am I over thinking this? Probably.

Questions. Questions. Questions. All these questions and I am finding myself a little disgusted with how “me focused” I quickly become. So, I have decided.

My blog will highlight other people - in a good way of course and if you are lucky you just might make the cut!

Starbucks has that catchy slogan that says “Share your story” and I get the chance everyday to interact with people who God has given an amazing story. Why not share it?!

AND don’t think that I can be swayed to include you in my blog because I CAN! Money, dinner, wheat beer, movies, breakfast, football tickets, Templeton Rye, all good choices to throw your name in the hat!

All of this for the sake of a blog! Hey now, there’s a catchy name! :)