just a quick note

There are so many times when I'm teaching a lesson to a couple that I want to parallel the dancing relationship to a marriage...but I have to remind myself that I'm not a marriage counselor. I use many references when I teach but I don't know that this one is appropriate to use...though VERY relevant. Thoughts are appreciated. I have a friend who is a student and has also realized this paralleled relationship and is writing a book about it. This excited me sooo much!! I encourage all to follow and read it!!! Her blog is linked to the word friend above!!!

Pride and Prejudice

So I was watching one of my most favorite movies the other night, Pride and Prejudice. Being in the analytical and contemplative state of mind that I have been in for the past month, I started to realize myself (younger and current) in one of the characters...Elizabeth...and also realize who I am starting to become...Jane.

I was the spitting character image of Elizabeth growing up and still very much am to this day.I am, however, starting to see chracteristics of Jane come into my life.

So quickly I have stated things about each of these characters personalities that I realize are also my own:

Elizabeth is lively, quick-witted, sharp-tongued, bold and intelligent. Elizabeth is concerned with propriety, good-manners, and virtue. Jane Austen portrays Elizabeth Bennet as "strong and intelligent, yet bewitching in a completely feminine way". "Elizabeth's possession of these attributes: strength of character and moral integrity, great intelligence, and an attractive personality, make her an admirable person." Yet Elizabeth has faults. She has pride in her abilities to perceive the truth of situations and of people's characters. However, her perceptive abilities fail her frequently because she is influenced by vanity and judges people rashly. By the end of the novel she overcomes her prejudice through her dealings with Darcy. Somewhere in my life I feel like I overcame my prejudice as well...not the pride though HA! Because of this change, I have realized that there are now things about Jane's character that I have now. Jane is good-tempered (I haven't mastered that one), sweet, amiable, humble(not this one either... at times) and selfless. She refuses to judge anyone badly, always making excuses for people when Elizabeth brings their faults to her attention (this is where my biggest flip/change has occured ..or is a working progress anyway). Her tendency to give people the benefit of the doubt leads her to be hurt by insincere friends such as Caroline Bingley.

I think that once I get hurt by my tendency to give the benefit of the doubt...I quickly return to my Elizabeth characteristics again. I am not sure how I like my progression toward having Jane's character...transformations that have or are taking place now I think I'm ok with...but I rather like my out-spokenness and my bold, charasmatic personality. yup..no more Jane for me!

My experience in "The Shack"

So I finished "The Shack" this weekend. I really enjoyed this book. It describes God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit separately and as the trinity from a very different point of view than I have ever looked from. It also paints a vivid picture of their relationship together and the relationship they have with us. I really liked it. I think everyone has a different perception of who God is to them. Many times it is a direct effect to a parental relationship or a perception created as a child. Sometimes I think this can be a hindrance to the relationship between a person and God. This was definitely the case for me. It was refreshing to have my eyes opened to this, and my perception has changed. Because He is who He is, I think He should be the same to everyone. Not to say that every one's relationship with Him will be the same, but every one's perception of WHO He is , His character, should be identical. For me I had my own experience in the shack as I read the book. There were many things in the book that I've heard all my life, but never really understood or grasped until this weekend. Maybe it sounds silly that I could have gotten so much from a "fiction" book, but I believe God really spoke to me through this. I felt like I could have easily been the main character in the book that God was speaking to. I think a person's growth in a spiritual relationship can easily be paralleled to a person's growth in learning to dance. Sometimes in dance you're body just isn't ready to get or do certain things. Your coach can tell you a million times, and you may teach it a million times before your body grasps it. Many times your body has to go through certain stages before it can move on. You have to realize that you'll get it when you get it. I think our spiritual growth is patterned the same way. You'll get it when you get it...I think I've heard that before..OH yes...when I first learned of the gift of tongues (as a prayer language) through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. WOW..that was amazing..I love that! I definitely recommend this book to anyone!

the "new" things

New things going on:



I bought two books yesterday, "The Shack" which I have heard great things about, and "Do You Think I'm Beautiful" which I started reading a few years back and never finished. I started reading "The Shack" last night and couldn't put it down until my eyes just wouldn't stay open any longer. It is so good so far. I am excited about starting to read more again.



The next "new" is my work out regimen. I have started getting up early (as you know, a miracle in itself) and going to the gym to run for 40 min. every morning (another miracle). It is going well. I have discovered that I don't have to get up near as early as I thought to be able to get it done and be ready to work or whatever it is I have to do that day. I feel much better through the day however I swear I'm gaining weight instead of losing it...however; I shall continue.



Mom and Robert are coming into town to visit this weekend. I am excited! We are going to go to Maggiano's tonight for dinner after we pick them up. Saturday Mom and I plan to tootle around Franklin. She LOVES Franklin and I haven't been down there since we moved, so I'm looking forward to it. It should be fun. The rest is in the air...dunno what we're gonna do.



Britt is now working in operations for Guitar Center instead of sales. So far this has been a good move for him. He is far less stressed, is working 8-5 Monday through Friday, and is getting some fabulous new skills that will help if he decides to switch companies.


OH and one last thing...another new pic from the shoot!