I read the following this morning. Jenny is one of the people I am going to Haiti with. I don't really know her but I hope I get too. She writes amazingly well and always has something worthwhile to say. Today was no exception.

practice makes perfect

By jennyschmitt

Remember when you were a kid and your mom would tell you to go do something, like practice your piano? I’d always respond with something like, “I don’t want to, I don’t like it, because I’m not any good at it.” And her response? The same response all moms learned at Mom School: “practice makes perfect!”

Ugh. I always hated when she said that! But she was right. The more I did something, the better I got at it, or at least the more comfortable I got trying to do it. It all starts with a risk, and a willingness to try.

There are many things I wish I had tried when I was a kid. I wish I hadn’t been so self conscious and cared so much about what others thought. My perfectionist side persuaded me at times that it was not worth the risk if there was a possibility of failure. I wonder what my life would be like now had I taken a few more risks as a kid?

I can’t change my past, and I am okay with that. God has certainly taught me how to take risks and He has certainly taken me out of my comfort zone more times than I can count. Many times I have heard people say that when you are faced with a decision, to count the cost. What’s the possible outcome? How will this change your life? Sure, God gave me a brain to think things through, but sometimes I think we over analyze things. We take too long to pull the trigger. We let fear tell us we’re going to fail. That it doesn’t make sense.

Sometimes, God will lay something at our feet and ask us to just do it. Don’t think, just jump in!

I saw this video on Facebook this morning of a man in India who saw the forgotten, the people that many ignored. He couldn’t live with the idea that they were hungry and needed care. So he did something about it. Take a look at this story:

Pretty amazing and inspiring, isn’t it? We all have the chance to do exactly what this man did. He saw a need and took action. We all are exposed to so many different needs, and we have the choice to ignore it, or help. Make you uncomfortable? Good. Until there are no more needs in the world, God doesn’t want us to be comfortable. He wants us to take risks and do something extraordinary. This man was one person. He didn’t need piles of money to do something remarkable. He had a compassionate heart, and that was the perfect place to start.

“But I don’t know where to start! I’m not good at reaching out! That’s not my gift!”

Maybe so, but don’t forget…practice makes perfect!

Matthew 25:40 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

I agree with Jenny but it is hard to see how we can have the kind of impact this man has. However during Christmas this year Sarabeth challenged me to do something everyday for some one else. Not the usual things I do for others but something out of the ordinary. I had a great time trying to find things to do. Some of them were very small and some were things like paying for the guy behind me in the drive thru's lunch. I have made it a point to keep on trying to do something everyday. Some days it is easy and some it isn't. The best part is that it always feels good. Some days it is as simple as taking the grocery cart to back in for the Mom with 3 kids so she doesn't have to. It is easy to find people that need help. I challenge you start looking.

It's been an interesting week. Not to make it go on and on and on but Sylas had to go to the ER with a temp of 105.8. That is a little scary even for the nurse. I went with Ariail to the ER the second night she went (first night his temp was 104.something). I have to say I have heard great things about CMC's children's ER but I was very favorable impressed. They were attentive and took care of business in a very timely manner. As it turned out he had viral meningitis and was admitted to Levine Children's hospital. He was there for 2 nights and I think the care there was really good too. Not only did they take care of Sylas but Mom and Dad had a place to sleep, towels, snacks, and even meal tickets.

While I was at the hospital I went to visit 8A. It was great to see some of my work friends. I miss them. Lots and lots of really good people working on the unit. I miss them and the patients ut I don't miss the computer. Can I just say Cerner sucks. Anyway after seeing some of them at work I also met up with some of them for breakfast at Cracker Barrel on Wed. It was Libby's birthday (actually her Bday was Thursday). Company was great and Cracker Barrel is always fun. Shopping, eating, and friends. Does it get any better than that? Maybe if the grand children had been there. Nah maybe not this time..

The rest of the week has just been busy. I swam 2 days and I can tell my stamina is getting better. I have been swimming 1/2 mile. I almost always go swim with Sarabeth. She can swim a mile to my 1/2 mile. I am totally OK with that. THis week I added some new equipment to my swim. I got a lap counter. You would think I could count 36 lengths of the pool but foe some reason when I got to about 16 I started getting mixed up. Thursday I actually did 42 lengths and wasn't crazy tired. I like it and I treat my self to the steam room for about 5 minutes when I am done.

Mama and I ran errands 2 days. we got a few groceries and went to a couple of banks and had her eyes checked. she is getting 2 new pairs of glasses. One for all the time and one pair that is for her to use for reading and the computer.

Thursday afternoon I went to the movie. I rarely go tothe movie and was sort of excited about actually going to see a movie in the theater. I was to meet my friend Robyn to see The King's Speech. Robyn is working on seeing all the movies up for the main academy awards. She did it last year and then predicted the winners. I have forgotted her stats but she did really well. SO I get to the theater at Stonecrest and no Robyn. No problem I just go in and wait for her. And wait and wait......Finally I get up to check and see just what time it starts and find out it isn't even playing at this theater. As luck would have it my cell phone had been dead and so I had put it on the charger so it was at home. Totally bummed that I was not going to the movie I drove home. I had a voice mail from Robyn telling me the movie was about to start and she was going in. I go look at my email and the movie is at the Arboretum and not Stonecrest. I look at the time and decided that if I go rightnow I can't missmore than about 5 minutes of the movie. Not with the previews. So off I went. I got a great parking place and I literally ran to the ticket window and asked the lady for my ticket as I was very late. She told me they were still in previews and it was in theater 5. So I take off and when I sat down next to Robyn I said did I miss much and she said 10 seconds. The movie was great and afterwards I am so glad I made the effort.

This week I got the deal of a lifetime. I had 10 coupons for free 12 packs of Coke products. I get them for collecting the Coke rewards points. I get a lot of help with these as Sarabeth and my Mom save theirs for me. I used these coupons at Harris Teeter. They had Cokes buy2 get 3 free. SO I got 25 12 packs of coke. I bought them in 3 visits. @ of the visits they gave them to me totally free. One time however they read the fine print and it said up to 4.99. SInce thay jack up the price they were $6.19. They charged me $1.20 for them that time. So I got 25 12 packs for $4.80. That means each drink cost me 1.6 cents. Not to shabby I think.

OK I have to go get ready for family night dinner. Have a good week. Mollie