Amy Scott's Thoughts

Sharing the thoughts that bounce around in my brain!

Signing Out November 6, 2012

Filed under: Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 7:35 pm

Today was a big day. I am super tired, but that’s good, in the sense that I literally gave it all I got and them some. For those of you who are wondering about my MOPS speaking engagement, I’m pleased tell you it went well. The group was much smaller than I had anticipated. While that might make some speakers sad, it put me at ease. It didn’t seem as daunting.  I was nervous about hanging out at MOPS. I thought it would be awkward, but it really wasn’t. The table I sat at welcomed me and put me at ease. By the time I got up to speak, I wasn’t even nervous. I feel like the presentation went well. The short clip I showed made a few of the ladies tear up. I always view crying ladies as a good sign, because that means they were touched by it. I was able to convey what I wanted and the time factor wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought. So yes, I would put this experience in the WIN category! Hurray! It wasn’t as painful as I expected, but I’m glad to have it behind me. The cutest thing is I got text right as I sat down from my husband telling me that I had done a good job. Now Jeremy wasn’t in the room, so I asked him how he knew. He told me that he was listening in the hallway. How cute/creepy is that? It made me happy to know that he was there cheering me on, even if I couldn’t see him.

I think the combination of Fall Fest mixed with a speaking engagement has left me a little empty. Not in a bad way, but I realize that I need to start filling the bank back up. I’ve read some amazing books lately that have deeply impacted me and now I think it’s time to throw a novel into the mix – something fluffy. We’ll be gone this weekend at a conference and visiting family. While that might not be restful, it will be a chance to get out of town and routine. I’ve decided to go off the grid for a while and sign out. I’m going to take a blogging break and a Facebook break. I decided that my life isn’t so important that people will freak out without my updates and insights. I just need to get away and get some fresh air. I need to do silly things and I need to let myself off the hook.

I’ve contemplated doing a semi-media fast for a while and I get hung up, because I really do love writing here and I like posting status updates and showing people my life through pictures. I guess I’m just realizing  that it’s not mission critical. You don’t need to know my every move. And honestly, I don’t need the constant information download.

I guess this is good-bye for a while (about week or so). Don’t worry, I’ll come back. I just need some down time. I need to sign out. Life is too short to spend my time scrolling through news feeds and worrying about what people think of me. I’m sure the world keep turning even if I’m not informed about everyone’s happenings. If something is worth sharing, I’m sure my friends and family will call me or text me. I’m not hiding from the world, I just don’t feel like sharing right now. It’s not permanent, so check back in shortly!

Signing out!

 

Love Does By Bob Goff November 5, 2012

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 8:03 pm

I loved this book! I had heard about Bob from Donald Miller who happens to be one of favorite authors. Anyone that Donald loves and is friends with a sign of a good book. Also, Donald helped Bob with some of the editing and I can I see his fingerprints on the book.

The reason I love this book is because Bob makes me laugh. He tells crazy stories that you can relate to and yet you wonder if their true. The humor and the honesty lead to a thought provoking closure and then you say WOW! Bob has lived an extraordinary life. It seems like he has just happened upon some really awesome people. He’s driven without making you feel guilty about yourself.

Love Does is a great concept. Bob has lived his life based off of love. It’s been his guiding light. All these cool stories and amazing experiences come from doing something with his life. He is the kind of guy that can inspire you to do anything and he has a season pass to Disneyland. What’s not to love!

This book was right up there with A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. It’s all about what kind of story you are writing with your life. Bob has written a good story with his life. It’s not because he is any cooler than you or I. It’s because he has tenacity. It’s because he see Jesus everywhere and lives for him, not for the same things this world hold dear.

Bob Goff is not average in any way, shape or form. His stories of courting his wife, getting into law school, taking his kids all over the world to meet with leaders of countries, helping release kids from prisons in Uganda will take you to a deep place in your heart. They will make you laugh. They will make you think. They might even bring a tear to your eye.

Love is about doing. Not about just sitting in a room talking about it. Love is active and living. Love is about living this one wild crazy life well. Now I might not have the resources to do the things Bob does, but that doesn’t mean my life can be void of doing. In someway we can all do. We all have the opportunity to love with our lives.

When I teach a class, when I pray with a student or a friend or a parent, when I send that encouraging note, or bake those cupcakes – my love is doing something. I want the love in my life to do something. I want it to inspire and I want it to encourage. More than anything though, I want my love to point to Jesus.

Love Does is good stuff. Bob Goff is an incredible author and I’m so glad that he shared his journey with me. I’m the better for it. I hope that I can do the same thing for someone else – I want them to be better off because I shared my journey with them.

 

Dealing with Nerves: The Drama of Public Speaking November 4, 2012

Filed under: One Thousand Gifts Challenge,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 2:34 pm

I will be the first to admit that I’m a nervous person and I worry way more than I should. I feel like over the last few years I’ve been making progress in accepting how out of control I am. It makes me realize just how BIG of a factor God is in my life. I’m learning that trusting him means stopping my worry cycle and really putting aside my anxious thoughts. If I worry all the time then I’m pretty much saying I don’t trust God to come through for me and that the weight of everything is on me. Let’s be honest, worrying very rarely makes things better and improves the outcome of things… but still, it’s so hard. It comes so naturally. I have to be really intentional if I want to derail the worrisome train of thought I have running in  my mind.

With that being said, this Tuesday is really stressing me. I’ve been asked to speak at our church MOPS group about gratitude and what I’ve learned through counting gifts. Anyone who has been following my blog for sometime knows that I’ve read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp three times. You know that I’m on my way to counting 4000 gifts. I don’t do this because I’m a pro at it – I keep doing it because that is how long it’s taken me to get this! And truthfully, I still haven’t and I probably never will. This is one of the reasons why I feel completely unqualified.

My next big hang up is I’m scared of speaking to adults, especially moms. This might seem strange, but moms really scare me. They are like a part of this club that I’m not a member of. I work with kids all the time, but they say stuff like “Just wait until you have kids” and “You’ll understand when you’re a mom”. When I hear things like this it makes me feel like they are so much smarter than me and that I have nothing to say to them. They are on a whole different plain of being, one that I won’t understand until I join the club. It’s difficult for me because I’m so worried that I’ll say something that will elicit the look (the one that says “You don’t even know”) along with a just wait statement. I’m not even talking about something related to mothering, but the whole mom club is a group that I’m just not comfortable with.  I’m totally freaking out!

The thing that really getting to me the most is speaking for 45 minutes. I’ve taught at a conference workshop alongside Jeremy. I’ve team preached on Mother’s Day with two great ladies. I’ve never been responsible for 45 minutes of time all on my own. As I’ve been preparing my thoughts and notes, I’ve been blown away at how the length of time is a game changer for me. I’m used to splitting things up between people. I’m used to trying to keep my part down to a certain amount of time. Now I find myself trying to fill time. I’m used to practicing out loud word for word what I’m planning on saying. With 45 minutes, this tasks seems so much harder than I’m used.

Okay, now that I’ve whined, I’ll bring it home with the good church girl responses – I believe them in my heart… I just wish my stomach would get on board and stop feeling like I could throw up. I know that God is right beside me through all this and that he’ll help me through. I believe that it’s important to do things that feel bigger than yourself so God can show up and blow your mind. Doing something bigger than yourself means you have to rely on God because there is no way you can do it alone. Every time I start to feel like I should breathe into a paper bag, I’m reminded that I’m not doing this by myself. I’m sharing this presentation with God. There is a good chance I might fail… There is a good chance that 25 minutes in I might be starting at the floor trying to make the time stretch. These are very real possibilities. I just don’t want fear to keep me from growing. I don’t want fear to stop me from trying.

Tuesday could be the best day ever and be the next step in my development as a public speaker. Tuesday could go terribly wrong. I might be scarred and need counseling. One thing is true – I will not be alone. No matter what happens when I’m up front, God will be with me. His love won’t change based on how well I do. I just need to trust him. I need to let go of the nerves and just believe that he is good all the time,  no matter what, regardless of my personal performance. This is good news. I just have it keep repeating it to myself!

 

Sugar Cream Pie November 2, 2012

Filed under: Cooking Experiments — Amy Scott @ 3:29 pm
Tags: ,

I love my Food Network Magazine. Looking through it is almost more fun than actually using it make something. My friend, Maggie, also gets FNM and she told me that she always tries to make one thing out of each issue. While, I’m not sure that I’ve been that dedicated, I do try to make at least one thing that catches my eye. Most of the time… okay, all of the time… that means dessert!

For the Thanksgiving issue that means – PIE! They have lots of yummy pie recipes just waiting for me to try. One that grabbed my attention was Sugar Cream Pie. It looked pretty simple and I liked the history behind it. It was a traditional Quaker dessert because it made of staples they had easily accessible – cream, sugar, butter. Good stuff! It’s so popular in Indiana that it’s the state pie. I didn’t know that states had official pies, so I learned something new! I wonder what Washington state’s is? Getting off topic…

I started by using the Krusteaz pie mix we had in the pantry instead of the recipe in the magazine. I’ve made crust from scratch and while it’s doable, we had the mix and I thought it would save time (which it did). The crust was simple enough to assemble and it on was to the filling. Using my Kitchenaid mixer, I whisked heaving whipping cream, sugar, flour and vanilla extract. Once you pour the filling into the crust, you top with bits of butter and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

At first the pie is very full, but once you take it out of the oven it settles and firms up. I was nervous because I’ve never made a custard or cream based pie before. Jeremy and I have each had two pieces – one at room temperature and one chilled. Chilling it really caused it to set up. Both were good.  The flavor is subtle because it really is such a basic pie. Jeremy loves custard pie and has gone to town on it! I’m glad! It was great to try something new. I think that I have enough cream leftover to make a pumpkin pie. Jeremy has made a pumpkin pie before, but I haven’t, so I’m excited to try the recipe in the Food Network Magazine.

Tis the season to eat pie! Hurray!

The Yummy Insides!

Sugar Cream Pie with Stars!

 

Red Cup Day: Marathon Style! November 1, 2012

Filed under: Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 2:56 pm

Tired, but happy eyes on Red Cup Day!

This Red Cup Day was different from my norm… It started early as usual! There is something about getting to Starbucks early and having the first red cup of the day and of the season. My red cup buddy, Jeannie, was out of town this week, so for the first time in a long time I will only celebrate with her in spirit, not in person. I have many people I celebrate with in spirit – shout out to Maggie, Vicki, and Megan!

So yes, back to the beginning. I drove up to Starbucks very nervous. My sister is a bit of an insider since she works at Starbucks,but her store has been in a transition of leadership, so she wasn’t 100% that today was the glorious day! I was praying that it was because I’m sure I would have been stoned like a false prophet since I’d been blabbing on about the 1st being Red Cup Day. It was a HUGE relief to know that the red cups were out and ready to serve holiday beverages to the masses! I got my traditional peppermint hot chocolate and spent a few minutes with April before she had to head off to school. Getting up early after an event like Fall Fest can be a challenge, but despite all my grogginess, it was worth it!

I got to work early and started plugging away at my to-do list. Soon, I was in a van with my fellow co-workers heading to Starbucks again – different store, different group of people. The red cups were there and the office got a fun field trip to get them! It was funny to drink another peppermint hot chocolate so close to the last one. I mixed it up and used sugar-free syrup this time. It was pretty good and I couldn’t taste too much of a difference from my first one. We don’t do outings like this as an office very often, so it was a nice special treat! Thanks, Debbie, for suggesting it!

Once I was back at work, I ran around the office  at a sugar powered pace. My goal was to finish that list as quick as possible, so I could get home sooner rather than later. I was able to get it all finished in time to head down to Longview for my third red cup of the day! At this point, I’ve met three different people/groups at three different Starbucks and each time I got a different drink. My last drink wasn’t supposed to be different, but the barista in Longview was a little off and made my hot chocolate with white chocolate. Different… but good. The chocolate flavor wasn’t as intense and the peppermint really covered a lot the flavor. Overall it was still tasty! This time I was meeting my sister-in-law, Beckie, halfway between our homes. It was really great to see Beckie during the week and just hang out! I love being able to just be laid back and chill because I knew my to-do list was taken care of!

So now I’m home… let me tell you the combination of a long day before, poor sleep, the buzz of three hot chocolates and a Benadryl are giving me this sort of out of body experience! My head is spinning just slightly! I might take a nap and try to sleep this feeling off… However, it was all worth it! I love red cup day and how it is the start of the holiday season for me. It’s fun and wonderful and people do crazy things like go to Starbucks three times in three hours!

Thank you to everyone who celebrated this day with me! Spending time with each of you over a red cup was a blessing!

What a great day!

Now… to… sleep…

Maybe!