5 Randomized Questions

I read an entry on Kahri's blog.

That was a funny comment I just made.
At least it was to me...

In this post She answered 5 randomized questions given to her from someone else. Then she asked if anyone wanted to play...which meant that she would ask them 5 randomized questions. Of course, I jumped in -- a little nervously -- Kahri makes me feel like a wimp because she does so much more than I do -- WITH a baby. I think all I did last year (with an official baby) was whine. That's not true and I know it (really, I do) I just can't think of what it was. I remember being busy... Oh - I remembered now. I devoted a lot of time as the interim children's department director. I was surprised at how much time this took. Now that I remember it's no wonder that I never signed up to do anything last year.

I can't believe I'm already editing my post before I even publish it.

Ack. I digress. BADLY. I was going to say -- that I wasn't sure how deep Kahri's going to make me think. By comparison, I think about the only question I can come up with is: Where does the white go when the snow melts?

My randomized questions did require some thinking. They aren't scary at all - but I wanted to answer them truthfully and not flippantly.

So I share with you my questions and answers: An interview with myself.

1. What verse could be considered your family or personal motto and why?
1 Peter 2:9 really became my verse on my 30th birthday. Before that - I'd only heard of "life" verses - but never thought to find one. This one was, well, I guess it was a 30th birthday present. How cool is that revelation?

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." or the New King James version says "Special". I like peculiar because God has spoken to me many times that I'm not supposed to fit in, that I am unique. So the verse has to say Peculiar. Though - i really like the way The Message says it, too: But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you - from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

From nothing to something... wow. I love it.

This verse really applies to my family, too. I know that we are a family that is called, anointed and set apart.

Being set apart is pretty deep and I haven't fully grasped that...There's been a lot going on in my spirit lately. This is deeper than I think and I wonder what will happen when I full grasp the concept.

2. What kind of animal best represents you and why? Years ago I took one of those animal personality quizzes. I had a micro-managing boss who wanted me to take the test to see if we meshed. Which was funny because I was already working there.

I remember, to this day, that the animal I ended up being A Labrador. Loyal, fun loving, jolly and great at a game of catch. (I made that last part up. I think.)

I talked it over with The Professor. You know, to get a current opinion.

Yes. I polled him with my 5 Randomized Questions.
He wouldn't tell me what he thought I was. He said that he thought that it had to be done by me -- but I mentioned an animal that I thought I might be like and he agreed with me.

A visual aid:
Yes. It's a cartoon. You're not seeing things.

I chose Yakko because he's Unique. Peculiar.

No one quite knows what the Warners are; but they're sure they are animals. Should you be unfamiliar with "The Animaniacs" you need to know that there are 3 siblings: Yakko, Wakko & Dot. At first I thought I'd choose Dot - because she's opinionated and CUTE. But she's also annoying (I want to hear nothing of that, please and thank you)

Yakko is first born with 2 younger siblings, just like me.
Really - the main reason is : he's full of all sorts of knowledge and still wants to have fun. I loved that about him. Still do.
So the animal I am most like is: Yakko Warner. Smart, fun loving, peculiar, and I'm sure he's great at fetch.

3. Where is your favorite place you have visited? What made it special?
Well...hmm. I actually haven't visited many places -
I love Arizona. It was the first place I visited on my very first plane ride with my new engagement ring on my finger.
There's one park in particular that I love because The Professor and I went there OFTEN while we were dating.
But I think my most favorite place was Hawaii. We went there 2 years ago (come September). The Professor went to inspect a job site there.
I didn't love this trip a lot at the time it happened. Not because I didn't want to go but because I was hugely pregnant. My hands and feet swelled. I had to walk nearly everywhere.. but it was beautiful. The ocean isn't much to look at really (LOTS of water) but the beaches were FUN! Each with it's own unique personality and sand.

When we got home, I'm not sure how long after the trip (I think it took a while) - I was writing in my journal and was suddenly filled with a love for the place. It was God - it had to be. Because I didn't have much fun on the actual overall trip. There were sparks of fun,though. Beaches...the people of all nationalities...I loved saying "Aloha" and "Mahalo" - it really was fun walking places (even though It was uncomfortable) I want to go back. Another proof that God changed my heart because I didn't enjoy walking at the time.
So in short: Hawaii & God made it special.

4. Other than the Bible, are there any books you turn to time and time again?
You mean, besides the phonebook??
Seriously -- luckily This one is easy.
"Spiritual Warfare for Every Christian" by Dean Sherman
"Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer
"Creative Correction" by Lisa Welchel
And My journal.
I'm so glad this wasn't a "What book most inspired you?" question because I don't know if I could answer that question. I'm doing good to limit my selection to three (or 4)because I keep thinking, "I don't throw any books away. They all have the potential for being turned to again."

Maybe I should have kept my answer at "Phonebook".

5. What are your goals for the next five years?
This one was the toughest. I've never been a long range planner. I'm a Labrador - we don't do long range planning. We're just living until the next stick is thrown. And Yakko - well, he's only got to wait until the next cartoon. So I dragged the Professor in deeper with this question and he gave me wisdom. "Most people," he said, "Have 3 areas of life in which they want to have goals. Personal, work & Spiritual." He gave me some of his goals and I think I'll incorporate some of his goals into my list.

Remember - I'm new at this.

Personal:
Loose weight. I'd love to loose enough weight in 5 years to have to buy new clothes.
Get ready in season and out of season with my keyboard. I think there's a stronghold here I need to face.
Learn the guitar The professor bought me a kit to learn with, I just haven't had time.
Finish my novel.
Get out of debt. There were a lot of little things that fall under this category so I'm leaving it at this.

Work:
In 5 years, Mini-Me will be 13 and Mini-E will be 6. *Sniff* I'll be 38.
I homeschool. I'm a mom. I'm a wife....these are my jobs. What goals can I set for this area for the next 5 years?
I want to get better at planning our agendas.
I want to teach the kids more from the Bible. Personally applicable stuff.
Work on heart attitudes of the kids.
I want them all to accept Jesus as their Savior.
Get the house in a place of order so that it stays that way. (it might just take me 5 years.)
Incorporate a time of family worship - in whatever it looks like.
Support The Professor as he becomes "Deployable" and works overtime.
Add more choices to our menu and do more menu planning.

Spiritual:
I am called, anointed and set apart. I want to grasp this. I want to Embrace it.
I'm so madly in love with my Jesus right now I can hardly stand it.
I want to memorize more scripture so that "When I'm squeezed - Jesus comes out".
I want to have a more concrete prayer life. I know God knows that I'm in a baby season so this is really part of the long term goal.

I'm sure there's more. I'm sure I'll think of something after I push the"Publish" button.
Thank you, Kahri, for my questions! You really made me think.

I'm wordy. I know.
I like to write.

So, my understanding is (if you've read this far) that you can play along, too.
Wanna?
Let me know if you do and I'll see if I can come up with 5 randomized questions for you (and if Not I'll ask Kahri.) Or you can just answer these questions that were asked of me. They're pretty darn good questions. Just let me know if you answer these because I want to come see.