Fruitful Words

My biggest struggles are procrastination, clutter and grief. That’s why I spend a lot of time reading, researching, praying and thinking about ways to overcome these hurdles. The categories Gratitude List, Meditations, and Honor Roll are samples of what’s leaking from my brain to my heart. Maybe you’ll find it useful too.

• I’m 51, female, divorced and graduating 6/09 from Western Seminary with an MA in Pastoral Care to Women. Even though it’s 2009 I’m still embarrassed to admit/talk about the failure of my marriage especially to those in my Christian world.

• I’m Director of Women’s Ministry & Small Groups at a growing (California) church which loves me and others like me who sometimes struggle to live an authentic, growing, loving relationship with Christ and others.

• Why do I go by Susan2009? Ever since my divorce I’ve linked my name with a goal instead of a man’s last name. This goal refers to when I’ll graduate with my MA. Once that happens (graduation), I’ll need a new goal!

• I have two marvelous adult children that I homeschooled most of their schooling career. My ds is a carpenter’s apprentice in SF. His hobbies include disk golf, video games and playing the bass. He has an amazing heart! My dd graduated (12/09) from the Academy of Art University as a sculpture majour. Her current hobbies are juggling, yoga, and gluten/dairy/egg-free cooking. Need something organized or beautified? She’s your woman!

• I became a Christian 3 days before my 16th birthday. 34 years later I’m still growing. . . . AND . . . I’m going on a “God hunt;” will you join me? After all, how can I resist the One who calls ME daughter?

25 Things About Me

1. Nicknames? Susan, Susie, Sue (Don’t like that one), Sues, KC (Kinda Crazy), Auntie (love that one), Mom (love this one best)
2. Piercing’s? Ears – unfortunately allergic to most metals
3. Most recent movie you’ve seen in the theater? Narnia – by myself (2006). I was taking the light rail home from work and fell asleep. When I woke up I was in Folsom so decided to watch a movie. I had to have my sister come get me because light rail stopped running at 7 p.m. and I was there at 7:10. Updated to add: I last saw Gran Torino in January 2009. The language was shocking, but the message gave me a lot to ponder: the problem and influence of gangs.
4. Eye color? Brown. Always wanted violet-colored eyes though.
5. Place of birth? City of Angels hospital
6. Favorite foods? Currently – Homemade waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, my mom’s chicken enchiladas, steak with garlic mashed potatoes
7. Ever been to Africa? No, but ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a missionary doctor there. During my senior year of high school, I let my counselor talk me out of (I was full of fear) applying to med school; after all being a doctor was not compatible with being a mom. This was in the mid-seventies in Canada. At times I have twinges of regret that I didn’t at least try, but I absolutely do NOT regret getting married and having children. If I could go back and do it again, I would choose my children.
8. Ever been toilet-papering? Oh yes! Check out my dd’s custom tp tipis.
9. Ever love someone so much it makes you cry? Double oh yes! I’ve cried from the pain of rejected love and from the beauty of love – like saying my wedding vows, seeing my newborns for the first time or watching them being baptized.
10. Been in a car accident? Yes, car was totaled when an 18 wheeler crashed into us. No-one was hurt. For decades, whenever I passed a truck a shiver of fear would journey up and down my spine.
11. Favorite day of the week? Sundays – it is energizing to see and hear God’s Word and how it is changing/healing/connecting lives and my Sunday afternoon nap.
12. Favorite restaurant? Right now – Applebee’s for their Chinese Chicken Salad
13. Favorite sport to watch? Anything my kids/nieces are in; enjoyed watching Avalanche games (in the stadium not on TV); would like to see a live pro football and pro baseball game
14. Favorite drink? Frapacchino on a hot day, hot cocoa on a cold day
15. Favorite dessert? Bread pudding, my sister’s chocolate chip cookies, Ruby’s lemon meringue pie, Breyer’s natural vanilla ice cream – I like desserts.
16. Favorite Fast Food? Does IHOP International Burrito count? If not, In-and-Out burger animal style
17. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? Passed it first try. When I went to school (in Texas) our school schedule included driver’s ed. The most fun part was all the time we got to spend driving via the simulator.
18. Which stores would you choose to max out your credit card? Barnes & Noble, amazon.com (for the books), any office supply store, Home Depot, and Capital Nursery.
19. Bedtime? Usually around midnight. However, I am working on this. My goal is 10 p.m.
20. Favorite TV shows? Joan of Arcadia when it was on and Army Wives. I usually forget to watch it though. I used to like House, but it is getting too harsh and discouraging. Grey’s Anatomy has a good premise, but I don’t like how women are portrayed as soooooo needy and mistake-prone.
21. Lake, Ocean or river? All are soothing and beautiful, but I’d prefer to walk along the ocean for an hour of solitude.
22. How many tattoos do you have? Zero, but I’vealways wanted one. Scandalous, no? My sister and I almost gone one when we went to HI with my mom; the shop was closed. I think my sista was relieved.
23. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Besides what I’m already doing? A mom of young ones, missionary doctor, lounge singer, United Nations interpreter
24. What job would you not like? Anything to do with sewage or working on a dairy farm. Lennie, I once worked as a night-time receptionist at a funeral home.
25. When you get to the Pearlie Gates, What do you want God to say to you? I like Lennie’s reply, “Welcome home, Beautiful.” My second choice would be, “Daughter, I am pleased with you. Good job.”

Consider yourself tagged. Either answer here or let me know where to read your answers.