Tuesday, February 25, 2014

That Time I Coached Robotics

I never thought I would be coaching a robotics competition but February 1st, I found myself spending at entire day at Montana State University for First LEGO League's robotics competition called Nature's Fury.


The competition was split between the robotics contest and a presentation on an area of the world afflicted with a natural disaster(s).  I spent the past few months coaching a Girl Scouts group on their presentation portion.  We went all out with a presentation packet for the judges, website, and social media for their product. The girls picked Alaska and earthquakes so they developed a mega survival kit called Tiny Hero.


This was the first robotics competition that I had ever been to and it was a really neat experience.  Even the trophies were made out of LEGOs!


Here is the robotics competition took place, one of the gymnasiums at MSU.  There were three segmented areas with two tables each.  Each of the robots is programmed by its team.  The robots completed challenges on the tables to earn points.



For example, if the robot hit the lever, the plane would propel down a line and onto a runway.


The girls placed 14th out of 50+ teams which was great for their very first time (and mine as well).  It was awesome to see science, technology, and the excitement from all of these kids displayed at the competition. 


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Monday, February 24, 2014

Why Don't Adults Pass Out Valentines?

Images from Valentine's Day


I realized this past Valentine's Day that adults don't really pass out valentines anymore. 


This made me very sad.


I saw these incredibly adorable valentine ideas off of Pinterest.  
You can check out my Cupid board to see for yourself.


But then I saw these amazing large (and small) toy soldiers at the Dollar Tree.
So I had to make some valentines.


Heart cardstock from Michael's
Stamping set
Ink pad
Baker's Twine
Small Toy Soldiers
Large Toy Soldiers (4 in a pack)


I made so many and some of them turned out meh with my stamping...


But people loved them!


I was able to pass them out to friends and co-workers and it was a great time.


So this is my proposal:

Adults pass out valentines.
We are too bitter and too old.
Stop it.


I had a great Valentine's Day with Ryan-o-Bryan. I got him a new phone case and he got me charms for my Pandora bracelet.  We had a simple meal at home and from there we decided to spend the night doing different things.  I think we're at a great point in our life where we don't have to do everything together so we don't.  I also am starting to have more realistic expectations- thank goodness :)

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Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Redeeming Love Group Read Part VI

13. In the epilogue, Sarah says, “I never want to forget where I came from and all God has done for me.” Why would this be important? Do you feel it’s something you should do, too? Read Deuteronomy 11:1–7, 18–21. How can you keep where you came from and all that God has done for you in the forefront of your mind? If you were asked to share the heart of what God has done for you, what would you say?



14. In the author’s note, Francine Rivers writes, “I used to believe the purpose in life is to find happiness. I don’t believe that anymore.” What do you believe is the purpose in life?

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Monday, February 10, 2014

Redeeming Love Group Read Part V

10. To which character in Redeeming Love did you relate the most? What was it about that character that spoke to you?



11. What do you think are the main lessons we learn from: a. Michael b. Miriam c. Sarah’s mother d. Paul e. Ruthie f. Angel/Sarah?



12. Has reading this novel changed or enlightened you? If so, in what way? How can you show the kind of love depicted in this book to those you encounter each day?

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Saturday, February 8, 2014

Deal Breakers I wish I had when I was Single

After I wrote about my deal breakers that I had when I was single, I got to thinking about the deal breakers that I would make if I could go back and have a good long talk with myself.

Deal Breaker 1: Dating for the Sake of Dating
When I heard this phrase "dating to marry," I thought the idea was crazy.  Why in the world would I want to date someone with the sole intention of marrying them? That sounds like a whole pot of crazy that I would be sloshing around. Hello, I'm Kim and this date will determine if you're a good husband select.  However, there is some method to this madness.  I read this completely ratchet article on women that had the saltiest delivery of information that I had ever read but also offered nuggets of wisdom. It did provide one golden egg and that was that if you're dating for the sake of dating, you're going to be with people for only 3-4 months and that's it.  You're literally there for the physical aspects and that's it.  

While I was going through the Air Force ROTC program, I realized through my own observations and the constant message from guest speakers that your spouse would be a key contributor to your career.  I saw many folks in healthy, long-term relationships and I had a hard time keeping long term relationships myself.  It caused me to think that I wasn't going to find a boyfriend in college that was going to keep a relationship, especially with an Air Force career and distance. So I started dating because I didn't want to be lonely and there were tons of really cute guys.  Why not?  Well it became a problem because we would date for a couple months, realize it wasn't really working or it was just existing and then drop it.  But it didn't stop there. A couple months later we'd start talking again and pick it back up.  However, nothing changed for either party in the relationship and it would drop again.  The reality is that God has a plan for you and you can date other people but then you're investing your heart, time, and energy into something that you know isn't going to work.

Picture Sourced from Pinterest
I would consistently run into the same problems. I liked him more than he really liked me or he liked me way more than I liked him.  I also found myself with a guy for the sole reason that I thought he was hot.  There were so few things in common with each other that we might as well have been strangers.  During all of that time, I could have invested myself into other programs, my goals or developing a better relationship with the Lord (I accomplished a ton already in college, but imagine what else I could have accomplished in that time).  God has a life plan for you and it may or may not include a life partner, but you don't have to get caught up in the idea that I need someone to be happy.  It wasn't until my other momma, Ruth, told me to focus on being happy because great people are attracted to happy people did I realize that message.  I needed to work on myself first, not get so caught up on what was going on around me, and things will fall into place.


Deal Breaker 2: Is he really that interesting when he's not in a frat house basement?
The really great thing about universities is that you have a bunch of young people (or older folks) who are throwing themselves out there to obtain their goals and ambitions. There are a lot of smart, attractive, and successful people e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e.  I feel like the term plenty of fish in the sea was developed for people in college because it's very applicable.  Despite all of these successes, when you mix alcohol, youth, and tight clothes- every perspective becomes skewed. Now I'm not hear to lecture anyone on participating in any of the above behaviors because honestly, I'm rather proud that I could fit into all of these itty bitty clothes and look good.  However, it's fun to meet people at these places and fun parties, but it's better to meet them outside of an environment that isn't tailored to perfection. I see a fraternity basement party as like an episode of The Bachelor, which is a laughable notion, I know. But you've got guys, usually significantly outnumbered by beautiful young women, and these ladies are vying for their attention in gorgeous party clothes.  These ladies aren't rocking a messy top knot and sweats, they spent time on their hair, makeup, etc.  The guys made some semblance of an effort, usually planning a party.  It's not very realistic when it comes to the day-to-day.  Once you put that guy at a library at 2 am studying or a girl working as a waitress to get through school, that's just us as normal people. There's always that awkward moment when you're in a class with someone and you recognize them from a party but don't really know them.  For me, some of those very people would later become good friends of mine, but I can tell you right now that I didn't marry any of them.  I wish college Kim would have gotten to know a person through coffee dates instead of dance moves and shots.  It would have also helped me learn a lot more about some guys who would really put me into unhealthy relationships.

Deal Breaker 3: If he doesn't treat you well now, he most certainly won't later.
From my perspective, I think this is the hardest thing for young women to grasp.  I'm not sure if it's the idea that we can change someone that makes it so difficult or if we are innately too trusting of others. Whatever it is, I think it's important to get out there that if a guy doesn't respect women and treat them well, he isn't going to magically treat you well later.  A ring, a wedding, a kid- none of that changes for sure.  If you're even thinking of exploring a relationship with someone, you deserve to start with a fairly balanced slate.  If it's tipped in his favor, you're going to get screwed over in the end and heartbroken.  If he's a player or legitimately a bad boyfriend, it's not your job to change him. It's his job to get his shit together.  Don't be with someone who has those kind of problems because he won't treat you well, you'll wonder why, and he simply will not give a damn.  It is literally so incredibly frustrating.

Pinterest Sourced Picture
Deal Breaker 4: Does he understand how to court a lady?
I don't think the young men of my generation understand how to court a lady. I went on so few dates in college in comparison to how many guys made passes at me, that it's embarrassing.  To me that says I don't want to invest the time nor energy in getting to know you, so the alternative is to see if you'll make out with me or  do anything else physical.  I find this to be such a shame.  There is such an art to courting and it doesn't have to be a Nicholas Sparks novel but boys don't have to try nearly as hard as they used to, to get a lady's attention.  I'm not saying that I helped this by any means.  I wish I established those expectations and kept them throughout college because I think that young women deserve to be taken out on actual dates and treated with dignity and respect.  Even being married, there are certain things that go completely above Ryan's head because he and his peers were never put into a position where they had to make a strong, concerted effort to be gentlemen.


Deal Breaker 5: Could I see myself having a baby with this guy?
This deal breaker is actually really personal for me and I know this is stirring the pot of crazy but this was a moment that happened to me in college.  In order to get any type of birth control prescription, you are asked a series of questions like when you last had sex or when you had your period.  Well I hadn't had my period yet and I had sex so I had to take a pregnancy test before I could have a certain birth control prescribed to me.  Although I knew I wasn't pregnant, the thought floated in the back of my mind and a very blatant question came up in my life. Would I want to have a baby with this guy?  The answer was no.  I liked him and he was successful, very smart, talented, the whole kit and kaboodle. On paper he was a really awesome guy but I knew I didn't want to have a family with him. So then that raises other questions like if I was pregnant, could I count on him? It also made me question my intentions with him.  If I had no desire of a future with him, then why was I with him?  The relationship quickly ended after that for additional reasons, but this deal breaker was something that faltered throughout my college experience.  I think the worst is when you've committed yourself to someone thinking that they're great and you're asking yourself those important questions and then they let you down.  Sometimes it's not even them, you just have physical desires that seem completely out of place once you get down to those values and start asking yourself those questions. 


Deal Breaker 6: What are his ambitions and life goals looking like?
Don't get caught up in how pretty the picture looks.  A lot of the guys I dated in college looked amazing on paper (and in person) and are very successful today.  However, our life goals, ambitions, and values often were very different.  I briefly dated a football player who would go on to play football professionally.  We definitely were not headed in the same direction but shared the same values.  I also dated another guy who I was madly in love with but wasn't going anywhere with his life.  Now that was a sad story.  If he isn't getting his on life on track, you can't stay with him because you're constantly going to be leading someone who is old enough to lead himself.

Well there you have it.  Six deal breakers that I wish I had or used more frequently throughout college. What are some deal breakers that you wish you had?



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Redeeming Love Group Read Part IV

7. On p. 302, Angel comments that love doesn’t last. And Meribah replies, “Sometimes it does. If it’s the right kind.” What kind of love do you think Meribah was talking about? How can we know this kind of love?



8. What did you think when Angel forgave Paul? Has someone hurt or mistreated you as Paul did Angel? Read Matthew 6:12–15; Luke 6:37; and Colossians 3:13. In light of these Scriptures, how important is it that we be willing to forgive? How can we take steps to forgive, especially if a hurt is long-standing?

9. God used Jonathan Axel, a total stranger, to help set Angel free from her past. Have you ever felt God nudging you to speak to or help someone you didn’t know? How did you know it was God? How did you react?

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Friday, February 7, 2014

Redeeming Love Group Read Part III

5. Michael Hosea prayed all his adult life for God to send him the right woman, the woman worth waiting for. And God sent him Angel. Have you had a fervent prayer answered in a way you didn’t expect? Consider the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1–19). Now consider the Jews and their fervent prayers for a Messiah—and how that prayer was answered through Jesus. Was He what they expected? What does all of this teach you about prayer? About God’s character?



6. What finally draws Angel to Michael? What is it that finally breaks down the walls she’s put up around her heart? What does that teach us about sacrificial love?

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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Redeeming Love Group Read Part II

3. Scripture tells us God is all-powerful and all-knowing. It talks about God’s lovingkindness, His compassion and mercy, His love of children. It tells us God is love. So why doesn’t He stop terrible things from happening? How do you reconcile God’s character as it’s revealed in Scripture with the fact that horrible things happen to the innocent?



4. It was clear the characters, especially Michael and Angel, heard both God and Satan speaking to them through the story. Have you ever felt you heard God speaking to you? How about Satan? How can we distinguish between the two voices that call us?

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Deal Breakers When I Was Single


Picture Source on Pinterest


Heather Lindsey's vlog post reminded me of many of my own "deal breakers" that I established when I was single.  I always felt like my deal breakers were adjusting, which is literally breaking the deal despite having those blocks.  

I loved God so much throughout my college experience but I struggled with the idea of finding a church home and experiencing and exploring my religion.  I grew up Catholic but I don't necessarily like Catholic mass so I explored a couple other sects of Christianity and I think all of them have things that I may or may not like but many of them share great commonalities.  I so wished that I had a stronger faith during the time of college because I think it would have helped me establish how I approached relationships.  

I loved how Heather described her experience because we had a pretty similar perspective on how our college experiences went.  God has a plan for our lives but I was constantly pushing it, rushing it, and trying to create my own experience instead of working on my faith, making myself happy, and being a better person.  Instead I felt like I was using "tricks" of sorts and those usually revolved around my looks, tight clothes, dancing, flirting and alcohol.  None of which are the pillars for a strong foundation when it comes to a relationship.  Due to that I found relationships that fulfilled a temporary need. 

Despite having wavering "deal breakers," they usually won out in the end and here they are:

1. He must have a purpose with his life. He needs to have goals, ambitions, and dreams.
The amazing thing about college is that you are surrounded by people who are working so hard towards their dreams.  It's literally such a privilege to watch because you have people from various backgrounds literally living the American dream.  When it's 2 am and you're finishing a paper, it may not feel like it but you're living through an education and becoming a more intelligent human being.  I loved college solely for the idea of having opportunities every where you turned.  Due to this, I think this first deal breaker was pretty easy to have in place because every guy that I knew, whether romantically or as friends had dreams and ambitions.  We all did and it's pretty cool to see them lived out.

Picture Source from Pinterest

2. Be a man of not just his word, but also of his actions.
If a man says he's going to do something, then he needs to follow through with his commitments.  I think this is really difficult for young men these days.  It's so much easier to just be flakey and then blame it on your friend, your girlfriend, or some girl being too clingy or too needy or simply asking too much.  I think there is a true art in being someone of your word and following through with your actions.  I actually got to see this in action where I was wavering in my decision to see a relationship through for a longer period of time or just drop it.  It was through his decisions that he accidentally left me to walk 45 minutes home by myself around 1 or 2 am.  I ran into a group of guys, which was terrifying at the time, but turned out to be Navy ROTC boys who walked me home instead.  The guys didn't know me but they were gentlemen who walked me home and bought me a Shamrock Shake.  If people that I just met were able to follow through on that, yet someone who I was "seeing" couldn't do that- there's a problem.

3. He is a kind man with a kind heart.
One of the things that I love most about Ryan is that he has the potential to love so many things in his life and he truly has such a good heart.  I know that he is going to be a great dad one day because of how he treats others and the fact that he already has certain ambitions to be a great dad. 

Picture Sourced from Pinterest

4. A man who makes me feel safe.
With the second deal breaker, I obviously did not feel safe in that situation and that also applies to this one.  If I don't feel safe with you or you purposely put me in a dangerous situation, we absolutely would not have worked.  Ryan not only physically makes me safe with his military experience and gun knowledge, but through his household planning.  Ryan is incredibly financially responsible and he plans ahead and creates a budget so that we can not only live very comfortably, but also have fun.

5. Someone who I'm attracted to.
Lindsey brought this up as well and although some people make think it's shallow, it was important to me.  I wanted to be physically attracted to whomever I was dating.  He had to have that spark.  Not just looks, but he also had to make me laugh and have someone who was just fun to be around.  If someone was devilishly handsome and charming, but didn't make me feel safe or didn't cause me to think, it never worked out.  However, on the same end if someone was brilliant but didn't fulfill any of those other areas, I had a really hard time finding myself attracted to him.

Those were probably my most basic deal breakers, however, did you have deal breakers later on that you wish you had when you were younger?  Well that's tomorrow's post... :)

 

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Monday, February 3, 2014

Redeeming Love Group Read Part I

1. Why did Angel’s mother stay in a relationship that was damaging to both her and her daughter? What kept her there? Are there beliefs or attitudes that you struggle with, that you know are damaging to yourself or others? Why do you hold on to them? Read Psalm 116:16–17; 118:5; 119:45; 142:7; Romans 6:21–23; and Colossians 1:21–23. What is one step you can take to let go of damaging beliefs or attitudes?



2. The things that happened to little Sarah in the prologue were horrific—and happen all too often in real life. Many, in the face of such things, wonder where God is, why He doesn’t protect His children. Have you ever wondered these things? Where is God when such things happen?



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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Redeeming Love: Group Reading with Little Fierce

 

Group Reading
Starts: February 1st     Ends: February 14th




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