Ministry So Fabulous! » If you make it all the way through this list, you will be my new hero.

If you make it all the way through this list, you will be my new hero.

One thing I’ve noticed in the bloggy world is that everybody seems to do a list of 100 things about themselves on the anniversary of their 100th post. Wanting to be different, I decided to give away 100 items including a whole lot of Clinique products that had been given to me.

Right about now is when I’d mention how much I already miss those Clinique products, but I WILL NOT MENTION THAT as God loves a cheerful giver.

Ahem.

And so, I present my list of 101 things about me and Starlite. It took me forever to make the list because after every few items, I’d think “Who in the world even cares about this stuff?” and quit working on it. I’m pretty sure even my mother won’t read through this list, but here it is for you at least.

101. I actually left a hospital once with the IV still in my arm to speak about Starlite in Florida because I didn’t want to break the commitment.

100. I’ve never had any type of tea before.

99. I can’t watch the movie “A Little Princess” because I cry hysterically when her father doesn’t recognize her.

98. After getting compliments on a particular necklace I have, I went back and bought another one just in case the first one broke.

97. The most rebellious thing I ever did in college was sneak into a male dorm in the middle of the night.

96. I did it to record a CD for a Starlite event. And, I got caught.

95. But I ended up dating the guy that caught me. So, that ended up pretty well.

94. When I’m in my car, I sometimes sing out loud.

93. But most of the time, I pretend I’m speaking about Starlite because the practice helps me not get nervous during the real times.

92. When I recently had to speak in front of 1,300 people with little notice, I found out that the system worked.

91. Although I did start out the speech with “Good morning, church!” which made me sound like a bad game show host.

90. The Starlite girls who were there still tease me about it to this day.

89. I still listed to my old school Mariah Carey mix tapes and I’m not even ashamed of it.

88. Okay, maybe I am a little embarrassed.

87. I want to write books one day, but I rarely tell anyone because I’m afraid they’ll tell me that I’m not a good enough writer.

86. So I have no idea why I just put that out on the world wide web for all the interlings to read.

85. When I was a sophomore in college, I bought a book called “Making a Home” because I so look forward to the whole being married, having kidlets, etc. phase of my life.

84. I hate to vacuum, but I don’t know why.

83. When I went to Italy for three weeks in college, I got lost in the Vatican and almost missed the tour bus.

82. I actually prayed that God would send the Pope down that dark alley to help me find my way back to my tour group.

81. I still drive the same car that I got when I was 16. And I love it.

80. For my 23rd birthday, Starlite’s leadership team chipped in and got me a pink ipod that I’ve been glued to ever since.

79. When my college held their annual beauty pageant during my senior year of college, my then roommate won. My former roommate was the runner-up. I sat in the second row praying for them to tie.

78. A lot of well meaning people asked me what it felt like to be “the roommate of the pretty girls.”

77. I may or may not have cried a few tears over that question.

76. For the first four years it existed, Starlite was the center of my life.

75. Which was incredibly unhealthy. And, you know, wrong.

74. I love to do laundry and have been known to offer to do both my roommate and ex-boyfriend’s laundry for them.

73. I once worked as a receptionist at the most upscale salon/spa in TN.

72. If I wasn’t doing ministry, I’d like to be a personal assistant.

71. Or one of Shamu’s trainers.

70. I’ve been given four job offers in the past two years.

69. Each would have paid me more than what I currently make working for Starlite.

68. But I know what I’m supposed to be doing with my life right now.

67. I can’t cook. At all. But I really wish I could.

66. Unlike most of the girls I know, I don’t have a list of all of the qualities I’m looking for in a potential husband.

65. I do, however, have a list of all the places I’d like for him to take me on a date one day.

64. The local aquarium is at the top of that list.

63. In relation to Starlite, I usually either feel that I have the best job in the world or the hardest job in the world.

62. If you had watched over 1,000 girls accept Christ and yet heard hundreds of stories of abuse and neglect by the time you were 23, you’d probably feel the same way.

61. When I was in grad school, I always felt left out because the other students brought Starbucks to class and I didn’t even like coffee.

60. So I started bringing Sunny Delight in a Starbucks cup.

59. Mainly because I was embarrassed to bring it in any other type of cup, especially a see-through one.

58. I mean, who over the age of 9 still drinks Sunny Delight every single day?

57. When I’m feeling unmotivated, I usually make a to-do list.

56. I label it “Get Your Life Together, Amy Beth!”

55. And the underneath that, I write “No, for real. Get it together, girl!”

54. I claimed to be a non-animal lover until this past year.

53. And yet now I have two puppies that I let play in my bathtub while I fix my hair in the morning.

52. In order to go to college and grad school, I had to take out student loans.

51. Even though I constantly worked at least two part-time jobs in college.

50. And now, I still work a part-time job other than Starlite even though I seriously do not have time for it.

49. But I’m determined to pay down my student loans quickly.

48. And, in breaking news, ministry doesn’t typically pay that well.

47. I never blog about my second job because it is a Real Job that deals with a Very Important Person and Very Important Things that can’t be written about on a hot pink bloggy.

46. With that job and Starlite combined, I typically work about 75 hours a week.

45. And now you see why I have an Imaginary Boyfriend instead of a real one.

44. I’ve had the same best friend since I was 12.

43. When we were younger, we spent all our time doing each other’s hair.

42. And planning out how our lives would end up.

41. She’s married and has a baby, which was always in the plans.

40. I run a ministry for a ton of kidlets, which was definitely not in the plans.

39. But I don’t think either of us would trade lives with the other one.

38. Mainly because she isn’t a fan of the processed nacho cheese.

37. One of the best moments of my life was when she led worship at a Starlite even that I was speaking at.

36. Because that wasn’t in either of our plans.

35. I love to swim and do it year round at a local indoor pool.

34. I use my laps to pray for the people in my life.

33. But sometimes I use the time to imagine what would happen if a dolphin was in the pool with me.

32. I fall. A lot. Including twice last night.

31. I met Amy Grant once and it was one of the highlights of my life.

30. Especially since she brought me on stage with her.

29. I haven’t tried most normal foods.

28. Including but not limited to salad dressing, ham and seafood.

27. This is because I’m a picky eater.

26. And ate peanut butter sandwiches for lunch every single day for five years.

25. I now try one new food a month. My best discovery was Skittles.

24. My worst was grits.

23. Sometimes I talk to my guardian angels.

22. But mainly it’s just to say “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

21. My mom wanted to name me Jennica because she really liked the names “Jennifer” and “Jessica.”

20. Could have been worse — think “Jessifer.”

19. I really hate asking people for money for Starlite.

18. But guess what? That’s my job!

17. One time a pastor told me he’d give us a large amount of money each month.

16. As long as we guaranteed ten new congregation members each month.

15. I had to literally bite my tongue as I politely excused myself and left.

14. But when I was in my car, I screamed for about 27 seconds.

13. I never played with Barbie dolls when I was a child.

12. But I had triplet baby dolls.

11. Sometimes I wish I had an excuse to play with them again.

10. My biggest struggle in life is self-esteem.

9. I think that’s why I can relate to the girls we serve in Starlite.

8. My goal in life right now is to learn to love myself so I can love others better.

7. It is turning out to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

6. I never imagined how much I’d miss the late night conversations I had with my college roomie, Jill.

5. I’ve trained myself to not think about the stories of the girls we serve in Starlite when I’m going to sleep at night.

4. Because if I do, I end up crying myself to sleep.

3. I want to go to Disney World with my future husband for our first anniversary.

2. Every week on my way to piano practice, I seriously contemplate quitting.

1. I want to spend the rest of my life helping somebody else.

Posted: April 3rd, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 39

Comments

Comment from Sister Honey Bunch
Time: April 3, 2008, 10:31 am

I’m assuming the Pope didn’t make it down to rescue you?

And grits??? I love grits and I’m a northern girl!

Comment from Dawn
Time: April 3, 2008, 10:33 am

Okay, so I made it through the list.

The thing that sticks out to me most, cause I’m weird, is that you’ve never had any type of TEA before! REALLY?

May I introduce you to my good friend Earl Grey? And with your love of CB - they have fabulous tea.

Okay, I’ll stop now. You love all things pink. I love all things tea.

Comment from Jennifer
Time: April 3, 2008, 10:45 am

If you EVER have the urge to do some laundry give me a call!
It’s on my top 10 list of things I HATE to do!

In exchange for doing my laundry, I’ll cook something NEW for you to try!!

Comment from Diane
Time: April 3, 2008, 11:33 am

I really, really love you. And I would buy 10 copies of your book immediately. Don’t kid yourself, you are a fantastic writer.
Sincerely,
close, personal friend of Randy Alcorn; famous writer.

Comment from Honour Annekins Harris
Time: April 3, 2008, 11:39 am

Hmmm, I should start doing top 101 lists in my journal rather than top 11 lists. Maybe one called “101 reasons why AB is my favorite leader ever.”

Comment from Cindy
Time: April 3, 2008, 11:53 am

#74… please tell me your secret.
#87…lie from the pit of you know where
#47…not even a hint?
#17…I’ve met a slimeball like that before
#3…I bet it will happen.

Loved your 100 things.

Comment from Katy
Time: April 3, 2008, 12:14 pm

Too funny about the IV!
And I have never drank tea before either!!!

My total biggest problem is self esteem too…well..and my weight. LOL they go hand in hand!

And I TOTALLY sing in the car too!!!! hehehehehe!!!
#1 is already happening…you seem to have such a servant’s heart…and also..when you get married..it will continue for the rest of your life!!!!

Comment from Katy
Time: April 3, 2008, 12:20 pm

oh..and meeting Amy Grant?? that is AWESOME!!!! I would love to meet her! I got to meet the Newsboys!!! GREAT GROUP!!!

oh..and write your book. I would LOVE (seriously) to read it someday….just do it…I really think you should ;o)

Comment from Amanda
Time: April 3, 2008, 1:43 pm

If you ever come to Houston, let me know and I’ll fix you some good English tea. I also think you’re a great writer. Write the book.
Love,
Amanda
Close, personal friend of another writer

Comment from Lauren B.
Time: April 3, 2008, 2:38 pm

I finally got thru the list! wow…thats all i have to say about that!

Comment from Jennifer
Time: April 3, 2008, 2:59 pm

I laughed out loud at 22 & 23.

Comment from Natalie Witcher
Time: April 3, 2008, 3:13 pm

You’re so fun! Write the book! CONGRATS TO YOU FOR WINNING AT VIRTUOUS REALITY!!

Comment from Jill Dancy
Time: April 3, 2008, 4:31 pm

so- I’ve become addicted to reading your bloggy! I just added it to my bookmarks of regularly visited sites! I did read every single one of your 100 AB facts- I’m glad I did… #6 gave me warm fuzzies! just what i needed on a cold rainy afternoon!

Comment from Ashley Flores
Time: April 3, 2008, 5:13 pm

I’m so excited that I made it onto your list! Thanks for being the greatest BFF even though I feel like we live a world apart.

Comment from jenelle howe
Time: April 3, 2008, 5:48 pm

os i got through the entire list and i LOVE all 101 things! cya sunday!

Comment from Cheryl
Time: April 3, 2008, 6:25 pm

I came across your site from the Vicki Courtney writing contest.
CONGRATULATIONS!
I have so enjoyed checking out your site and reading ALL 101 things about you!
I even left your site for a moment to order some of the cutest grad cards I’ve ever seen.!
The senior girl that I mentor it going to just love them. btw, I love exclamation marks too! ; )

Comment from Brandy T
Time: April 3, 2008, 8:47 pm

So, in light of this post’s theme, I have a list of my own:

1. You are a fabulous writer, and I don’t say that lightly.
2. Number 22 made me laugh out loud so much that my husband rushed into the room to see what was so funny.
3. This is my favorite entry EVER!
4. My favorite numbers of this post are numbers 36 & 37 because they almost made me cry, but I’m not sure why.
5. You are inspirational.

Comment from clay
Time: April 3, 2008, 9:48 pm

you don’t like grits?! you’ve not had them the right way then…

Comment from Deidre
Time: April 3, 2008, 10:23 pm

I’m with Amanda….write the book.

I enjoyed reading this list (and, yes I read every one of them

Comment from Corrie
Time: April 3, 2008, 11:00 pm

I LOVE how you write like you speak….do you know what I mean? I am a teacher of some LOVELY 4th graders and always am writing to them with quotes like “DO YOU KNOW, REALLY KNOW WHAT I MEAN?!?!?”
I love your blog, and your honesty forces me to face some truths about myself. If you are ever in Boone,NC….call me!

Comment from Bitsy
Time: April 4, 2008, 8:31 am

I LOVE your site. Love the pink and the dots ~ and I’m old, so some girl things never change. I did make it through the 100 list and loved it. Sunny D in a Starbucks cup, priceless!!!!

Understand you met Jenn last night. She is a precious friend of mine and I’m meeting her for lunch today!

Thanks for the fun. Joy, Bitsy

PS ~ write that book, girl!!!

Comment from Jenn C
Time: April 4, 2008, 10:01 am

BTW, I totally missed a chance to let you try my sweet tea! (I think you might have liked it!!) I’m with you on #66. And I’ve done #97 too. In Simmons.

Comment from Another Jenn C
Time: April 4, 2008, 11:09 am

AmyBeth, I came to your blog through Big Mama’s. Reading you each morning is something I look forward to with much anticipation. You are an insipiring and humorous writer who also has a keen ability to “keep it real.”

Thank you for how you pour your life into these girls. It warms my heart. My husband and I are called to juvenile prison ministry, and let me tell you… if someone - anyone - had EVER shown an interest in the kids we see like you have shown with these beautiful girls, there may not be a need for our ministry. That would be a blessing, and God could use us somewhere else! Never doubt that what you do is an important, God-given calling.

Having been born in Virginia (lived there til age 12 when my family moved to Dallas - now I’m a TEXAN!) and spending LOTS of time in Carolina and Tennessee, I have an additional affinity for your blog. Of course, pink polka dots add to the excitement as well.

Blessings to you, beloved of God. May He return to you tenfold what you have given others.

Jennifer Castro

Comment from faithful chick
Time: April 24, 2008, 5:57 pm

Love your list. Cute post!

Comment from Anna Q.
Time: April 26, 2008, 1:14 am

I can’t wait until you have your first book published. You are an amazing writer!

Comment from Sarah
Time: May 11, 2008, 8:19 pm

I read the whole list…because I’m a serious dork like that. #22 &#23….made me snort when I laughed!!!

Praying tonight that God allows you to see how beautiful you are inside and out…I think you’ll be astonished once you see it

Comment from Mrs. I.
Time: June 4, 2008, 7:10 pm

There is no doubt, whatsoever, in my mind - you WILL write a book, maybe even more than 1 book and I will read it (them).

I also think you will swim with dolphins - : )

Comment from Erica Anderson
Time: June 5, 2008, 12:08 pm

You are hilarious and your blog touches my heart. I too aspire to write books, but have a HUGE fear of it. Please know that I am praying for you and your ministry. God bless my sister in Christ.

Comment from Chatty Kelly
Time: July 30, 2008, 7:19 pm

Liked your list. Could have only liked it more if I had somehow won the Clinique stuff. Oh well.

Your writing is awesome, go for the book. I am having an article published (my first!) in the P31 magazine in October. I cannot wait!

Comment from Krista
Time: September 27, 2008, 1:56 am

Okay, seriously, you had me laughing out loud here! Good thing the baby’s asleep and the hubby’s out of town!
I found you from 5 minutes for mom (the parenting site I think) and have been perusing for the last hour (I should be in bed…)
I am totally hooked and adding you to my list (and I comment a LOT)
And… I think in some ways you might be my twin. I love salad, but refused (seriously, refused) to even try salad dressing until I was in college. I don’t know why exactly. But I didn’t like my foods all mixing. But then I started eating salad a lot and it got boring. So I tried a bit of dressing. And freaked my mom out when I came home on break and put dressing on my salad!
Oh, and you really must try ham, it’s amazing! To your PB&J every day… I got teased while student teaching by the other teachers because I literally ate a ham and cheese sandwich every day for lunch that entire year. Good thing I don’t work there now or I’d never hear the end of it!
Can’t wait to meet Baby! (my best friend had her 4th at home yesterday and it was AMAZING to get to hold him just 2 hours after he was born! I didn’t even get to do that with my son)
Happy weekend!

Comment from Mom
Time: September 27, 2008, 6:19 pm

I am glad that I made the Top 100 list!

Comment from Small Town Saver
Time: October 17, 2008, 12:00 am

Got here from Lysa TerKeurst’s Mr. Linky. LOVED your Sunny Delight in a Starbucks cup! When I started a new job out of college, I would bring in my shiny metal thermos and rave about how I lived on coffee and it was really full of chocolate milk that I made with Hershey’s syrup in the morning!!

If you make it all the way through this list, you will be my new hero.

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