Short Attention Span

I realize now that I am a parent that what I remember from my childhood might not always be accurate. I say that because my kids are always saying something about an event or time and I look at them knowing full well that they are totally wrong, but their perception of that event or time is accurate in their minds. That said; don’t judge my dad too harshly by my memories. If he were here he could defend himself.

My dad went through hobbies like nobody’s business. The ones I have a clear memory of included. Flying and airplanes; Computers, Photography- I think this is where I really got started loving photography. He gave me my first 35mm for my 16^th birthday. Jewelry- he designed a ring for my mom and bought some diamonds as an investment. Real Estate- he was a licensed agent and my parents owned rental property from time to time. Baseball Cards, Snow plowing, Cars- this was the one hobby I remember lasting through all the other ones. He was always messing around with the car. Rebuilding engines, body work, collecting parts, our garage was an insane mess of stuff. Ask anyone who knew him!

 I know that many of his hobbies came out of a need to provide for his family. (Real Estate and snow plowing for instance.) Being a full time pastor of a small church didn’t exactly bring in the big bucks, but the Pastorate was his passion. His heart was always invested in Jesus, the WORD and people. I think those things defined him, not all the crazy things he got involved in outside of that. The crazy things engaged his head, but his heart was always in the Pastorate.

I guess I’m coming to realize that I’m more like my dad than I even thought I was. I’ve jumped around so much with so many different things that I know I’ve driven Randy crazy. I get a great idea I just KNOW is the solution for my short attention span (and in which I could never lose interest). I giddily do that thing for a while, looking for ways to do it more until I start doing it less, get distracted and start thinking of new ideas. I know what you’re thinking, and it’s totally possible that you’re right. I’m a head case.

Real Estate has been a way for me to help provide for my family and it is fun. I enjoy it and it really engages my head. But it doesn’t engage my heart. I think I’m helping people, I don’t think I could work in a place where I felt like I wasn’t contributing something, but my heart craves something more.  After the conference in September it’s just gotten worse. I really want to be involved in work that engages my heart. The fact that I have one kid in college, and two getting ready for it means I have to do something that brings home a paycheck. So here is the quandary. How do I find something that engages my head and my heart? Can I? Is my heart discontent here because I’m not made for this place?

                If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. C. S. Lewis

Or do I just really have this character flaw of a short attention span? Any thoughts, besides the ones dealing with the fact that I’m a head case? If you have it figured out, let me know.

My Life Interrupted

I had one of those moments this weekend. You know the kind I mean. The kind that totally changes your perspective, and you have a sneaking suspicion, your life. I was at the conference I speak at every fall, this time not only as a speaker but an organizer. The theme was Interrupted, based on a book by Jen Hatmaker, our keynote speaker. (check her out)  We talked about how sometimes God interrupts our lives in such a way that we can’t help but react.

 We really wanted a conference that would be challenging to the women attending but I think God went so far above and beyond our expectations we were flattened. I shouldn’t speak for the other organizers I suppose, but I was flattened. I really don’t even know where to start sharing. There was no part of my heart that wasn’t affected. So many things I feel it necessary to change in my own life. Things that now that I know I can’t possibly not get involved. For instance;

Did you know that we have more people literally enslaved in the world at this time than at any other time in history?

Did you know the chocolate industry is a major contributor to the enslavement of children?

Did you know that Sex trafficking is alive and well in Kansas?

Check out this site for more information.

Honestly I wanted to come home, quit my job and jump right into ministry full time. That of course is going to have to be another posting. I’m praying God might open a new path.

Family Camp

I'm having a hard time re-adjusting to normal life this week after being at Clydehurst Christian Ranch last week with friends. Before you turn your nose up at the thought of camping, let me give you something to think about.

1. No cooking for a week

2. No deciding what to cook for a week.

3. Kids running around with their friends like its 1955. Coming for meals when the bell rings and back to the cabin at curfew.

4. Naps everyday if you want.

5. Activities organized by someone other than YOU.

6. Mountain temperatures in the 50's at night and 80's during the day. All with no humidity.

7. A heated pool.

8. Hanging around with friends you don't get to see every day and just talking!

9. Bedtime snacks prepared and provided for you.

10. Time alone with your husband/wife to just be.

Really there are more than 10 good things, but that seems like a great place to start.

Does that change your perspective? I know you still think "You drive how far to get that?!" and yes you're right it is a long trip, but totally worth it. And yes my friends who travel with me, it's not just about the kids and Randy any more. I needed that time this year!

WOW

Yes I freely admit that I failed at blogging in 2011. Totally, epically failed. If there is an excuse it's just been that I've been really, really busy and the result of that is that I have a tendency to scramble from one event to the next. Since I blogged late in January:

Caleb left home and moved back to KC to attend Johnson County Community College to finish out his high school career. He split his time between his two fabulous Grandmothers who were amazing enough to let a 17 year old move in with them for a time!

Emma turned 16. I know, really that deserves a blog all on its own about what a fantastic daughter and blessing she is to my life. And she is. I think she's pretty fantastic.

Randy and I celebrated our 21 anniversary. Yikes.

Caleb graduated from High School and turned 18. (if none of the above had succeeded yet in making me feel REALLY old this did it.

I started attending a fantastic women's Bible study at church on Monday mornings. 66 Love Letters by Larry Crabb. Check it out it is amazing!! The ladies in the study are pretty cool too, so that helps!

We stood in line for a total of 3 hours for the Food Networks Great Food Truck Race and got nothing to eat. The picture above was taken that day. Obviously very early in the waiting. They were much crankier later.

I planted a ginormous garden.

The deer and birds ate about half of that ginormous garden.

I started selling real estate on my own here in Manhattan. Which accounts for some of the busyness.

Honestly its all I can do to just get up and get out the door some days. I know, you are wondering what has changed to enable me time to do this wonderful and informative post, and I have to say absolutely nothing. I'm sitting at an Open House on one of my listings (at which no one has shown) and supposed to be putting the finishing touches on a conference I'm speaking at next weekend, procrastinating. something I seem to do pretty darned well.

AUDACIOUS

AUDACIOUS:

Extremely bold or daring; recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety, law, or the like.

A lot of people have been choosing words for 2011. I've had conversations with friends a couple of times and not thought about it much. To be honest I kind of wrote it off. Funny the way God works though. I think I've been pursued by a word.  
Ever have that happen? Not necessarily with a word, usually it happens to me with a scripture passage or thought that God repeats to me over and over validating with other scripture until sleepy, slow to learn me finally gets it. I got it this week. Now to see where it leads!

To all my friends, Merry Christmas!

For all you friends who arent going to get a Christmas card from me (which would be all of you). Here is my Christmas letter in abbreviated form.  I always have such good intentions at Christmas.

Every year I say "This year is different, I'm going to send cards/newsletter/pictures for Christmas. I am going to be that organized!!!" And every year I don't actually seem to get them out. There have been years when I write the cards and even address them but just don't put them in the mail. Then about February I find them on my desk and figure its really too late to send them after all. One year I even wrote the newsletter. Put pictures in and was so proud of myself, but never did anything else with it. I found it on the computer the other day.................
Please don't feel slighted that I don't send cards to you. This is my problem not yours. You are great friends, I'm the disorganized crazy one!

So instead of messing with the cards,(which for some reason I still fill this need to do) I am blogging my Christmas. Lazy? Maybe............

So 2010 was a crazy year for the Bartel's. We lived 4 different places since November of 2009. This is the longest we have lived anywhere in the last year. Yipeee! I think that means we might be settled :)

Caleb starts college in January of 2011. Technically he is still a high school senior, but he will finish his senior year with all college classes at Johnson County Community College. He is enrolled at K-State next fall, though it doesn't seem to have quite the draw as when it was 2 hours away from us. He is busy right now getting scholarship applications in. He has one awarded and under his belt (yea!!) We are hoping for many more:)

Emma is enjoying Manhattan High School for the most part. She is a sophmore this year and likes the friends and the fun stuff. She isn't exactly fond of the Chemistry part, not that I blame her. She revisited her role from 7th grade as an Oompa Loompa in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory this fall as a part of the MHS musical. She was the best Oompa Loompa up there.

Ethan skipped football this fall which was devastating to Randy, but played in a tournament with friends from KC for a weekend, which I think he enjoyed as ,much as his dad did. He has already started baseball practice, though its only once a week and indoor! Seventh grade is going well, he still likes math the best and is taking Algebra I. Thank goodness he didn't get my math skills!

Randy is enjoying his work at the Ebert Mayo Design Group. He missed coaching football this fall but made up for lost time coaching for the tournament. He is working hard on several projects around town. A couple of elementary schools and some other multi use buildings.

I'm working part time as an assistant for a local broker. Learning the Manhattan market and just enjoying no home improvement projects at the moment!

As a family we have joined New Hope Church and gotten involved in a small group of really great people. The kids like the youth program and are planning a mission trip for summer.

We are so blessed! We are not anywhere we would have expected to be this time last year, but God has been so good to us. We have jobs, health, family and friends and we are grateful for all. Especially you!

Fun

I love this picture. Slightly out of focus, but it TOTALLY captures the fun! With Caleb ready to head off to college next month, days like this are so much sweeter.