I love taking this type of quick quiz. Now I don't know how accurate they really are, but this holds pretty true for me. Try it for yourself.
| Your Brain is 53% Female, 47% Male |
 Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve |
In case you missed it, Sara Groves released her new CD, Tell Me What You Know on November 6th. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, you're really missing something special. I love the lyrics to the last song on the CD. They really resonate with me.
You Are Wonderful
by Sara Groves
i have been talking to you since i was a little girl
so many sweet memories of giving you my world
you are wonderful
a friend to the weary
you have been so faithful
your goodness it follows me
you are beautiful
your love is never ending
i was just wondering today how over all these years
you've carried so many cares
calmed so many fears
chorus 2x
my savior my friend
all these years we’ve been walking
you are wonderful
I'm sitting here this evening in a hoodie and fleece PJ bottoms, drinking some hot Celestial Seasons tea. It's cold out, especially for St. Louis. While I know that living in the Midwest requires a constant adjustment to season, the HUGE jumps we've had lately are a little disconcerting.
On a cold night like tonight, I'm glad I get to stay in. Nothing is better than sitting by a warm fireplace, just soaking up the heat. Now if my house were just magically straight, I could be on a picture postcard! Oh well. . . .
Clearly the Christmas season is just around the corner, at least the weather would indicate that. And I'm not even close to being done with my Christmas shopping. Somehow, I just can't motivate myself to get up and going this year. I'm thinking it may well be a cyber-shopping year on my end.
Anyway, I'm trying to keep warm here in cold, cold St. Louis. If you're living down south, we could use some of your warmth up here right about NOW!!
~Cheryl
Admittedly, I'm a little weird, but when I saw this video, I just knew it was blog worthy. So what do you say Siestas?
Okay, it may have looked like I fell off the face of the earth, but truth be told, I've been a little under the weather during the past week. Thus no posts here or on any or your blogs. I'm trying bit by bit to catch up, but I'm not back to my 100% self yet. I did manage to get out of bed today (major accomplishment)!! So, hang on. . . I'll be back in the swing of things soon.
Much love,
~Cheryl
Change is never easy. I don't know if you experience the same thing I do, but moving forward is a challenge, especially when you're out there in the water not knowing whether you're going to be able to walk or simply sink. I guess that's where faith comes in, right? But what if even that is challenged? And you're out there, just waiting?
I've been really drawn to the music of Sara Groves recently, not that her stuff is new to me (although she does have a new CD). I especially like the words in "Painting Pictures of Egypt." I think it captures where I am right now. Can anyone else relate?
Painting Pictures of Egypt
by Sara Groves
Verse 1:
I don’t want to leave here
I don’t want to stay
It feels like pinching to me either way
The places I long for the most
Are the places where I’ve been
They are calling after me like a long lost friend
Verse 2:
It’s not about losing faith
It’s not about trust
It’s all about comfortable
When you move so much
The place I was wasn’t perfect
But I had found a way to live
It wasn’t milk or honey
But then neither is this
Chorus:
I’ve been painting pictures of Egypt
Leaving out what it lacked
The future seems so hard
And I want to go back
But the places that used to fit me
Cannot hold the things I"ve learned
And those roads closed off to me
While my back was turned
Verse 3:
The past is so tangible
I know it by heart
Familiar things are never easy to discard
I was dying for some freedom
But now I hesitate to go
Caught between the promise
And the things I know
(end bridge)
If it comes too quick
I may not recognize it
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
If it comes too quick
I may not appreciate it
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
I just returned from the National Communication Association Annual conference in Chicago where I interviewed potential candidates for an open position in our department. I've got to admit I wasn't really thrilled about going since I'm supposed to be "off work" right now. It was, however, my choice. And I think I made the right decision.
Since I'm on sabbatical, my position as director of the communication studies program has been assumed by one of my colleagues. She took care of all the details of the interviews and took the lead. Oh my!! This was wonderful, something I hadn't really considered. Having been in this "interviewer" role too many times to count during the past 10 or so years, having HER in charge of things was great.
Out of all the screening interviews, it looks like we have one viable candidate that we'll bring to campus for follow-up. Not too bad. We'll do more "telephone" screening interviews later this month.
As an added bonus, after interviewing my hubby and I got some much needed time alone. Our room at the Hilton was fabulous!! We were in "the towers"--the executive floor. Two bathrooms, a turn-down service with complete with Hilton robes and a chocolate on the pillow, a free happy hour (at least for non-alcoholic drinks) complete with yummy foods, another spread at breakfast and a view of lake Michigan to die for!!
With all this, you'd think I wouldn't be in any rush to get home. Right? Believe it or not I am, however glad to be back home. See it's always nice to get away for a while, but it's eve better to come back home!!
Hey folks, my son at Greenville College sent me the link to this vocabulary game. Besides being educational, it provides free rice to the United Nations Food Program.
So check it out by clicking HERE. You never know you might actually have some fun (and learn something to boot)!!
~Cheryl
Janel tagged me so here goes (I've never done one of these so hang in there with me, okay?):
Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 7 random/weird facts about yourself. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, include links to their blogs. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.
7 random factoids about me:
1. I love classic UGGs. I have eight pairs in different colors and wear them all year round. I want a pair of chocolate brown ones for Christmas (hint, hint: just in case my hubby reads this)
2. I auditioned (but didn't make it) for the reality show (now cancelled), "Starting Over." Click here to watch a clip from the show.
3. The name Cheryl follows me. I had good friends in both high school and college named Cheryl and my secretary is named Cheryl.
4. I am addicted to Starbucks.
5. My favorite food is pizza--any kind BUT St. Louis style.
6. I love Rob Bell's Noomas
7. I was a praise team vocalist for 10 years and now sing in a trio with my best friend, Melissa.
I tag the following:
1. Tami
2. Jean
3. Kelly
4. Diane
5. Kat
6. Erin
7. Tracey
Hillsong Worship is one of my favorites of all time. They can move me to worship like no one else. Just watch the clip above of "The Potter's Hand." Oh my!! Can you feel the Spirit moving???
So why am I posting this now? It's simple. Hillsong is coming to the St. Louis area and I'm so EXCITED I just want to shout it out to everyone!!! So, if you're anywhere near St. Louis, join me at the Church on the Rock at 7 pm in St. Peters for a fantastic night of worship. And all this is totally free!!
Woo Hoo!! All this and Jesus too.
Oh how I wish you could see my pup, Patyon right now. It's the wee hours of the morning and pretty quiet here in my house. Everyone is in bed but me. This is some of my favorite time--late night/early morning.
While I was sitting here in the stillness of the night, I happened to look down and there is Payton on her back, eyes closed, and legs sprawled--one kind of up in the air, the other three relaxed. By her side is the toy ball she was playing with before she fell asleep.
I wish I were more like Payton--totally trusting, relaxed, not a care in the world. She reminds me of my children when they were little. I'd sneak in their rooms at night just to check on them. They looked just like little angels. In fact, they were so still I sometimes wondered (okay, let's get real here. . I worried) if they were still alive. It's kind of like that scene in Terms of Endearment where Shirley MacLaine continually checks on her baby to make sure she's still breathing.
Ah, Payton just sighed and has rolled over on her side, still totally unaware of my presence. And you know I really want to be like her.
You see I want to be so comfortable, that despite the circumstance I can feel totally safe, protected, relaxed, not worried and on and on. And although I can claim that for myself more often than not, I'm afraid it's still broken by my temporary lack of trust from time to time.
So, just how do I secure that consistency? I know I have everything I need because I have the Holy Spirit abiding in me. Come on! What more do I need?
Of course, the answer to that is nothing. I simply need to go back to my roots--to become that little child who always trusted that mom and dad would be there for her, or in my example tonight the pup who trusts her owner to take care of her, protect her and provide for all her needs.
I learned in the conference that I recently attended that my prayers need not be elaborate. So I think I'll take that advice and simply end this with three words to my Heavenly Father:
"Help me, please!" 
Enough said. Time to join Payton and catch some ZZZZZZ's.
Today has been one of those days. I guess I could complain and take a negative spin on the whole thing, but as you know if you've been following along with this blog, The Holy Spirit has really been transforming my thought process.
So, let me just say that today did NOT go as I planned, yet by the time it was over I was home, warm, comfortably surrounded by my family--those that I love best.
Are you wondering what happened today? Rather it's a series of events. First Sammie got lost coming home from FBU. Her exit off the interstate was closed. After a panicked call from her, I managed to get her back on a familiar path headed home. Crisis # 1 adverted.
She managed to make it home just in time to pick up Andrew from school. Whew, crisis #2 adverted. Sammie headed off to her job at the local video store.
Then as I was quietly working on my laptop, comfortable in my PJ bottoms and sweatshirt, the phone rang. Sammie again. This time the security system on the car had gone crazy and would not stop. I managed to convince her to drive the car home (flashing lights and all).
I took her back to work and headed to see if our local mechanic, Norm was still in his shop. Luck was with me. He was there. He proceeded to work on my car while I waited patiently in the cold (in the haste of the crisis, I had forgotten to put on a coat). About an hour and a half later the problem was solved.
As a last resort he simply disconnected and then reconnected the battery. And Voila!! Problem solved. . well almost. It seems during the "checking out all the systems process that he had disconnect one of the fuses to the tail lights. A few minutes later, I was in business again.
After thanking our mechanic profusely, I headed home. And here I sit, snug as a bug in a rug with my Uggs on and a cup of hot Green tea. Yes, life can throw you some curves. The key is to remember to pray and breathe. A simple "help me God" will suffice.
You see the challenges I faced today were only temporary. God's inherent goodness is always the same. It never changes. All I need to do is align myself with Him and everything looks much brighter.
I can say without hesitation, that I can't wait to see what God has in store for me tomorrow!! And I know some of you feel the same way, because you can bet whether it is good or bad, I'm going to blog about it here (tee hee). Life is good. God is good (all the time).
My Spiritual Life Coach recently posed a question to me. "Who are you?" That's an easy question, right? I'm a mother, wife, professor, musician, daughter of a King. I'm a Chicago native by birth, transplanted to St. Louis. I'm a Christ follower, a musician, a teacher, a sister, a daughter, a musician, a friend, a pet owner. . and the list goes on and on. Strip away all those roles, however and what do I have? Now while I've got you pondering this or maybe I should say while I'm pondering this, take a look at this humorous clip from Beth Moore and perhaps you can see just why I'm having such a problem uncovering who I really am. I think the word, "Be yourself" may take on a new meaning.
Oh and by the way, I've done the Believing God study. I know one of the answers is, "I am who God says I am." It's really uncovering that who God says I am that I'm struggling with right now. So say an extra prayer or two for me, okay?
As for me, I'm going to get really, really still, spend some good quality time with the LORD and listen to that still soft voice inside me. So in answer to that question, "Who am I?" well, I'll just have to get back to you on that one. For now, know that I'm im good hands as I search for the answer.
This is my new theme song, "Just Showed Up" by Sara Groves.
Spending my time sleep walking
Moving my mouth but not saying a thing
Hoping the changes would take by working their way from the outside in
I was in love with an idea
Preoccupied with how a life should appear
Spending my time at the surface repairing the holes in the shiny veneer
There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real
And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright
I'm going to live my life inspired
Look for the holy in the common place
Open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed
I'm going to feel all my emotions
I'm going to look you in the eyes
I'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives
There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real
And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright
Oh the glory of God is man fully alive
Oh the glory of God is man fully alive
There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real
And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright
This is another installment of "The Trip."
Part 4
I was so excited to finally be back in Maryland for the Wonder Woman conference. I had attended it once before back in April, but just like Beth Moore's conferences, no two Wonder Women Weekends are ever the same. I'm beginning to see that this is absolutely necessary if the conference leader, in this case Iyanla Vanzant is led by the Holy Spirit.
This conference was small(only 50-60 women) and very experiential which is absolutely fantastic for really digging in deep. Now my strategy for experiential stuff is to pretty much "go with the flow" of things. I don't want to call attention to myself in any way. I just want to be part of the group, learn the lesson and move on. My friend calls it "skating." I like the term "flying below the radar."
Now all this is fine, unless of course the facilitator is being led by the Holy Spirit and the HS has a Word/lesson for you. While I had managed to stay in the background for most of the conference, I was not so lucky during one of the last activities. Now I've got to add that I've always been a good student. I like to please the teacher. So being singled out for NOT "getting it" is pretty much my worst nightmare.
And of course, you can guess what happened. I was caught by Iyanla herself NOT doing the exercise the right way. . . not that there was a wrong way. . oh goodness, I don't know quite how to describe it. Let's just say I got "singled out" and Iyanla stopped the group while she took time to work one-on-one with me.
I wish I could really describe the feeling I had at the time. It was a mixture of awe (after all it was Iyanla Vanzant) fear, embarrassment and I'm sure bunch more I just can't articulate right now. The point being, I was not flying below the radar. I was right in the path of the missile, so to speak.
It's funny how the Holy Spirit works that way. Just when we think we have everything under control. Boom! We're right in the path of the storm. . .no longer able to hide, but having to stand firm and learn the lesson that we need to learn. It reminds me of Psalm 139:
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
As for me, I survived. And in fact, if the truth be told although I didn't LIKE the attention focused on me, I did finally "get it"--something I'm not sure I would have done if I had just "skated" by.
So here's big shout out to Iyanla Vanzant who called me out in front of a conference full of women. Thank you so much for taking the time for this wayward, somewhat resistant student. Your diligence and attention to the Holy Spirit provided me with an astonishing experience--an experience which has allowed me to spread my wings and soar instead of simply flying below the radar.
And as Iyanla might say, "And So It Is."
The following is part three of the on-going saga from my trip to Maryland.
Silence. It's something we're not very good with in the United States. Don't believe me? Watch what happens when the conversation stops in a group. Someone will immediately jump in with another topic. It's just part of the conversational ritual we've learned.
Now, I'm not a typical American. Really. If you've read much of my blog you already know that I'm a little weird. After all I study communication for a living. What you probably don't know about me is that I really like silence, or at least I thought I did. Unfortunately, in a house full of teens, silence is a rarity.
Interestingly, one of the components of my trip/conference included an extended period of silence. While this was frustrating for some, I found it quite refreshing and embraced it with vigor. After all it would afforded me some real "quiet time" with the LORD.
All this was fine and dandy until my roommate and I returned from the conference to our hotel room. We tried to open the door but our keys (those credit card things) would not work. We took turns. Each trying our key several different ways. Slow, fast, upside down. You name it. Unfortunately, it was a "no go."
Using a series of hand signals that would have confused even the best of charades players, my roommate headed to the front desk to get new keys. And I was left to guard our stuff which we had deposited by our door. Other hotels guests came by, looked, asked me questions, offered suggestions and all I could do was shrug or give the thumbs up sign. Oh my!! I had no idea just how much I relied on my voice.
How my roommate dealt with the front desk, I'll never know. But she did manage to come back with two functional keys. When we finally made it into our room we collapsed in a mixture of exhaustion and laughter, the likes of which has never been seen or heard since. Thank goodness there were no candid cameras to record us. I can only imagine how we looked.
I am now back to my noisy world. And although I miss the silence, I've also learned a valuable lesson. Silence may be golden, but a good word every now and again is priceless.
The following is from the on-going saga I lovingly refer to as "The Trip."
We have a minivan at home. I don't like it, although it is comfortable for our family. My husband drives it 95% of the time. I tolerate it, but would much rather drive anything else.
So you'd think when I had a choice of a rental vehicle, that I would have chosen something other than a minivan. Oh no, no me! You see the the minivan was the cheapest thing I could rent, even less than a subcompact. And I'm all about saving money. So minivan it was.
After picking up our luggage we headed to the Enterprise counter. Sure enough they had the minivan I had reserved. It was almost identical to ours at home except for a couple of "extra" features--most notably automatic sliding opening and closing side doors as well as an automatic rear hatch. Just push a button and magically the doors and/or hatch opened and closed on command. Pretty cool--for a minivan that is.
It rained and rained and rained while I was in Maryland making the "magic" doors all the more attractive. I hate to admit it, but I actually grew to like the van. Yes, I said it. I, Cheryl aka Profbaugh liked the soccer mom, minivan that I've spent so much of my adult life despising. When time came to return the van I actually felt seperation pains, like I was losing a good friend.
Why do I share all this with you? I guess it's to show just how much our perceptions can change if only we'll open up our hearts. Yes, it was just a minivan, but for me, it represented so much more. It represented all those things that I stubbornly cling to in my life for absolutely no good reason, other than the need to be right.
And then I "got it." God had used an unlikely situation/object to teach me a lesson. How much of life have I been missing because of my preconceived notions? How many blessings has God had for me, that I've simply missed because I refused to open my eyes and see?
When I'm open to all the God has for me and I'm in alignment with His will, then and only then will I be living life to its fullest.
Until today, I've relied on my own stilted, preconceived notions instead of relying on God's perfect plan. But no more! So whether its a minivan or Mac truck, I'm going to stay open to all the LORD has in store for me.
As the song goes, "I don't want to miss a thang!"
