I didn’t get done with work ’til almost midnight last night, which is when I found myself pulling into a dorm parking lot to talk to a few of my college girls who were, of course, still up.  I actually just needed a couple of them to sign a form for me, but we ended up chatting for a good 20 minutes about, basically, everything.

I’m sure you’re shocked.

While we were talking, the girls told me about a chapel service they had been to earlier this week where the speaker stood in front of 1,500 – 2,000 college students and asked who wanted a cinnamon roll.  Hands naturally went up around the room; really, who doesn’t like cinnamon rolls, especially broke college students?

The speaker pulled out a package of 12 cinnamon rolls and announced that whoever wanted them could come and get ‘em.  Several students went running, with the first 12 to reach the stage getting the the rolls.  When they had settled back into their seats, the speaker asked the crowd the following question (my paraphrase based on hearing the story):

“When I asked who liked cinnamon rolls, hands went up all across the room.  Yet when I said for you to come and get them, only a handful of you actually came running.  I wonder how many people would raise their hand and say that they want more of Jesus in their lives, but wouldn’t get out of the comfort zones to come running to get Him?”

Don’t worry; that yelp you just heard was just me getting my toes stepped on.

I’ve heard that, when I was a wee little girl, I would — no matter what the weather was like outside — tell everyone the same phrase as they headed out our front door: “You be careful out there; it’s cold, dark and rainy!”  Now that I’ve had about 20 years to think it over, I can only assume that I was already looking for a reason to wear wellies all day, every day.

I’m back with even more answers to your questions from last week. Let’s get going!

Rachel asked: “I know you work with girls who have dealt with abuse situations in their lives. My question is, what are some recommendations you can make for ministering to girls who have willingly given up their virginity and feel that because it’s such a “big” sin they can’t get past it? Specifically for ages 14-17?”

One thing I’ve learned from not just working with girls but also being a girl is that, when I sin in any area of my life, I have a natural tendency to want to run from God, usually because I’m ashamed. I think that, if we could somehow teach them (and ourselves!) to run towards Him anytime we feel inclined to run away from Him, we’d see a lot more restoration in our lives.

On this specific topic, I think it’s also very important for us to make sure we’re modeling God in extending grace to others. One question I get asked a lot is if I would ever marry someone that had messed up in this particular area of their life. I know a lot of people won’t agree with my answer, but for me, the answer is a resounding YES. I’m sorry, but I just don’t believe that a moment of sin that you’ve repented of and asked forgiveness for equals automatic disqualification. But I had better stop at that, or I’ll have to climb off of a soapbox before long.

Another Rachel asked: “If you were Shamu’s trainer, what would be the first thing you’d teach him to do? And, what’s your favorite book?”

I’d teach him to give me a hug. A very, very gentle hug.

My favorite fiction book is The Princess by Lori Wick; my favorite non-fiction book is Get Out Of That Pit by Beth Moore. I love, love, love to read.

Beth P. asked: “Cookie or cookie dough?”

This is a tough one, Beth, but I’m going to go with the cookie, specifically if it is a chocolate chip one made from pre-made dough. It’s even better if it’s fresh out of the oven. And, you know, made for me by a cute guy, especially if he brings a glass of milk with it.

Of course, the above scenario hasn’t ever actually happened but I have quite the imagination.

Erin asked: “All-time favorite movie?”

I can’t lie — it’s The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. There are parts I choose to skip for appropriateness sake, but my goodness — I have probably seen that movie 20 times since it’s been out.

Jenelle asked: “What is your favorite memory from your years in undergrad at Lee?”

One of the girls I lived with freshie year, Christan, and I used to sneak out the dorm windows and sit on this little section of fake balcony / roof late at night, just talking about everything and anything, but mainly what we thought our lives would end up like. If someone had of climbed up on that roof with us and told that 17 year old Amy Beth what life would look like seven years later… well, let’s just say I would have laughed. Hard.

Christine asked: “What brand of mascara do you wear?”

I actually don’t wear it, believe it or not. I know I write a lot about trying to have good hair and such, but I’m really not afraid of going out of the house with my hair in a ponytail and no make-up on. I used to be, but now I’m just too busy to care sometimes. Of course, I only do that when I know Imaginary Boyfriend is out of town. Gotta keep him coming back for more, you know.

Kelli asked: “How do you make encourage yourself to make it to the gym? I just joined and I’m not feeling the motivation. If you could buy any three things for yourself on an unlimited shopping spree, what would they be? Who inspires you?”

I’ll do a longer post sometime to give an update on the whole gym thing, but let me just tell you: it is a struggle almost every single day. If I’m able to follow my day-to-day schedule precisely, I’m at the gym for 14 hours a week (this includes cardio, swimming, etc.). That may sound excessive, but I’ve got an excessive amount of weight to lose.

As far as motivation to show up, the honest truth is that it’s almost a break for me. I think I downplay on the blog how much I actually work, mainly because it’s hard to explain what it’s like to have a job that truly doesn’t stop unless you make the choice to step away from it for a few hours. When I’m at the gym, I don’t take phone calls or answer texts that aren’t truly an emergency. But if I’m up to it, I do answer Starlite emails from my cell while I’m on the treadmill; you’d be amazed at how many I can get through while burning those calories. Plus, I’ve only fallen off the treadmill once so far while doing it!

I am having a hard time imagining what three things I would buy for myself if I was on an unlimited shopping spree. Does a house count? If not, I guess I’d go with a really nice camera, a horse and a barn to put the horse in. Or just some orange Jello. I’m easy to please.

If I had to really narrow down who I am inspired by, I would pick my friend Cara. And I’ll tell you why one day soon.

I’ll get to the rest of the questions later this week!

I have this one shirt, shown above, that is for some unexplainable reason, my favorite to wear when things are hard in life, mainly because the sleeves are long enough to hold all day long.  Almost makes you feel like you’re holding somebody’s hand through the rough days.

Almost.

I’m happy to report that I did in fact survive yesterday’s Twinkle program.  Instead of giving you a play-by-play, I’ve decided to simply share some statistics from my afternoon:

8 – number of girls who (when asked by me during “share time”) reported that their dream pet would be a killer whale

3 – number of drink spills I cleaned up during snack time

0 – number of leftover snacks

1 – sigh of relief when I realized that we had, quite literally, just enough snacks for the group

4 – times I had to ask wee children to please quit climbing on library shelves

So, overall, I’d say our first day back was a success.

Whilst we were waiting for the last few parents to arrive to pick up their daughters, Cousin Cate asked me if I’d want to go to dinner which I agreed to do with the stipulation that she attend yoga class with me afterward because I am nothing if not a negotiator.

Over dinner, I casually mentioned that this was my first time going to yoga class but?  Really? How hard could a little stretching actually be?

Ahem.

We arrived at the studio a few minutes early so we could pick out our mats and generally enjoy pretending to be lithe, yoga-going girls.  Our first sign that trouble was on the horizon began when they turned off all the lights in the studio and told us to  “assume mountain pose.”

I would just like to stop for a moment and tell you yoga-fanatics that, throughout the rest of this post, I’m going to have to create my own names for many of the different poses since I can’t actually remember their real names.  But, you know, namaste and all that jazz.

After getting ourselves into mountain pose, we were then instructed to do something that involved touching our palms to the ground whilst extending our left leg towards the frontal region with our gaze turned to the ceiling with concentrated breathing.  This, of course, was a little difficult seeing as we were struggling just to get our palms on the floor much less having time to worry about what was happening in the “frontal region.”

After that moment of humiliation brought courtesy of the mirrors surrounding us on three sides, our instructor asked us to assume the chair position.  We were feeling pretty good about ourselves until she then instructed us to “transpose into the revolving chair position while keeping your gaze towards the ceiling and extending your arms towards the front of the room.”

I’ll spare you the details, but let me just assure you that?  Our “chairs?” 

They don’t revolve.

We then “transposed” into a position hereby known as Downward Facing Dog Barking At The Moon Whilst Striking A Cat-Like Prowl With Threaded Arms.  Whilst trying to “assume” this pose, I happened to look up and catch a glimpse of Cousin Cate giving me the death stare from under her “threaded arms” which, of course, caused me to lose my balance and fall onto my ba-donk-a-donk right there in front of everyone.

It was just like playing Twister as a child except for the fact that we aren’t children nor were we actually, you know, PLAYING TWISTER.

The real fun of the evening came near the end of the class, however, when we were told to lay on our mats with our faces towards the ceiling.  We were then instructed to scoot ourselves to the very end of the mat, lean back, lift both legs into the air and extend them towards the ceiling.  Which, of course, prompted me to lean over towards Cousin Cate’s mat and, in no uncertain terms, whisper that the only way I would be “assuming” said pose was if I was laying on a exam table with stirrups involved.

I’m just sayin’.

I don’t want to make anyone jealous, but guess who received her first Valentine of the year whilst at a local elementary school today?

A few minutes ago, I had to lay my head down on my desk because I’ve got this wicked headache today, which may or may not be related to the fact that I’m not sure we have enough crayons for craft time this afternoon and? Hello? You just do not walk into a room full of little girls with only three pink crayons in your hand, YOU JUST DO NOT DO THAT.

Trust me, I once learned that lesson the hard way. I still can’t talk about that day without getting this awkward little twitch in my left eye.

Whilst laying there, my cell began to vibrate and I saw that I was getting a call from the particular elementary school where I’ll be at in a couple of hours. I answered the call only to hear the sweet school secretary on the other line with a question that I don’t think I’ve ever received before:

“I’m sorry to call, but I just wanted to make sure you’re definitely coming this afternoon?”

I assured her that we’d be there and asked if something was wrong since we had confirmed with the school just this past Friday that, come whatever, they’d see us on Monday afternoon.

“Oh no, it’s just that the girls keep coming into the office asking if we’re absolutely sure Twinkle begins today so I think we’re just going to make another announcement over the intercom to get them to settle down. I don’t think I’ve ever seen our girls this excited about something.”

I cannot believe He lets me do this with and for Him. I just cannot believe it.

Good morning, my name is Amy Beth, I am a glutton for punishment in the form of laying myself at the mercy of a large crowd of elementary school girls.

Just kidding.  Well, kinda.

Today starts our first full week of Starlite programs for the semester, with this afternoon’s four (FOUR!) elementary school programs starting back up (our high school programs start up tomorrow and then we’re back with middle school programs on Thurday).  In other words, before the week is up, we’ll have had ten separate programs for girls ranging from grades 3 through 12.

This, of course, is also known as Why Yes, We Will Be Very, Very Tired At The End Of The Week.

Sometime in early December when I was perhaps feeling the Christmas spirit a little too strongly, I mentioned to a couple of friends that I was thinking about leading one of the programs myself for the coming semester, mainly so I could “reconnect” with what we actually do since I spend most of my time in the office trying to raise money, pay the bills, etc.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “famous last words.”  Welcome to mine.

So, yes, in six hours, your very own Amy Beth once again joins the rank of her college girls and becomes the leader of one of the elementary school programs.  The largest of all our programs.  The one with the most shrieking girls running around.  The one with the most processed nacho cheese.

Except we’re having Little Debbie snack cakes as a special treat today.

‘Cause why wouldn’t you give little girls a sugar-filled snack when you’re responsible for them for the next hour and a half?  It makes perfect sense to me.

If you’re brave, you can read about what happened last time I decided to lead one our our programs and had to call Cousin Cate in for back-up at the last minute.

Speaking of which, I need to go make a call.  Like, stat.

This morning in church, the pastor told us about spending most of yesterday with his youngest daughter — just the two of them.  We were all laughing as he talked about taking her to Target to try to find some pens that smelled like various fruits and how she had him literally skipping down the sidewalk with her, hand in hand.

After a quick lunch, I loaded the puppies into my car and headed back to the river again, just the three of us.  We walked to one of my favorite waterfalls where I found a place to sit while the puppies played nearby.  As I was sitting there, I started thinking about Pastor Robert’s story from the morning when it suddenly hit me: all this time I’ve been wondering why He won’t let me be with someone else?

Well, maybe He’s just wanted me for Himself for a bit, hand in hand, skipping down the sidewalk.

I had planned to spend most of my Saturday working in the Starlite office until I got a text from Cousin Cate telling me to find my sunglasses ’cause we were going to the river!  It was an offer I just couldn’t resist, especially when I realized it was sunny with a high of 65 degrees.

On our way towards a sunny rock to spread our blanket out on, we stopped at my favorite place in the world, a little section of creek where you have to actually walk through the water to continue on the trail.  There’s no going around it — you’re feet are just gonna get wet, like it or not.

And I, for one, happen to like it.  A girl just needs to get her feet in the creek every so often, even if it is February.