Amy Scott's Thoughts

Sharing the thoughts that bounce around in my brain!

The Global Leadership Summit August 17, 2011

Filed under: Children's Ministry,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 8:00 am

This last week I had a great opportunity to attend a highly acclaimed leadership conference. The Global Leadership Summit is put on by the Willow Creek Association and it is always a top-notch event. The speakers are always amazing and truly gifted in their fields. For two full days, the amount of leadership knowledge that gets poured into those that attend is astounding.

Today, I went back through my notes and highlighted the points that really stood out to me through conference. The worst part of a conference like this is it’s easy to fill your head with all this information and then slowly let it seep out. Reviewing a couple days after the conference gave me a chance to clear my head and then go back in and intentional remember the points that I want to take away.

Below are the points that I found myself highlighting. I figured typing them out would be another way to reinforce their place in my memory. I also thought they might be of some benefit to you. Each point is just a small piece of the great leadership expertise shared by this amazing line-up. I hope that some of the thoughts below jump out at you and strengthen your leadership just as much as it did mine.

  • You do your best work when you right over the over-challenged line at work. Not when you are appropriately challenged, not when you’re dangerously-over-challenged and not when you are under-challenged. (Bill Hybels)
  • You set a bad example when you live in crazyland (in reference to the dangerously-over-challenged work environment). (Bill Hybels)
  • Believe in the future by creating it first. (Len Schlesinger)
  • Historical results do not show future results. (Len Schlesinger)
  • Baby steps and small wins go farther then you realize. (Len Schlesinger)
  • Use your blessings to move you forward – don’t allow them to make you dumb, fat, and lazy. (Honorable Cory Booker)
  • Everyone is born an original, but most die a copy. (Abraham Lincoln, quoted by H. C. Booker)
  • How you see the world reflects your heart and character. (H. Cory Booker)
  • Look past the current problem and see the opportunity. (H. Cory Booker)
  • When you catch on fire, people will come to watch you burn. (Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil)
  • We are not called to survive the world, but to change it. (Steven Furtick)
  • Only God can make it rain. We can do all we can do, but God is the one who sends the favor and blessing and healing. (Steven Furtick)
  • If what you’re doing isn’t intimidating you, then it’s probably insulting to God. (Steven Furtick)
  • If you want to see the land filled with water, then you must dig ditches. You prepare for what you believe is coming. 2 Kings 3:9-20. (Steven Furtick)
  • Sometimes we only need to see the next step. (Steven Furtick)
  • Don’t confuse your behind the scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel – it took a lot of ditching digging to get to those highlight moments. (Steven Furtick)
  • What I’ve learned – Silence your body, listen to your words. Silence your tongue, listen to your thoughts. Silence your thoughts, listen to your heart. Silence your heart, listen to your spirit. Silence your spirit, listen to the Holy Spirit. (Mama Maggie Gobran)
  • Wise people see the light and adjust to it. Fools see the light and try to adjust the light, not themselves. Evil people see the light and run. (Dr. Henry Cloud)
  • Show people you are willing to do what you are asking them to do. (Patrick Lencioni)
  • Honor others by being interested in them. Put them first. (Patrick Lencioni)

The other speaker I would like to highlight was an interview with Michelle Rhee. In 2007, Rhee was made Chancellor of the Washington DC public school system. From the very beginning she made drastic changes to the school system that rocked the city. She is a woman with high standards for education and a desire for quality in the classroom. I’m not a school teacher, but my job does involve working with the next generation. I got very wrapped up into her story, because she fights for the next generation. She wants to make the next generation better and bring them to a place where they will succeed in life. This goal is very close to my own heart. I want to make sure that I make decisions that are best for the kids in my life. I don’t want to make my decisions based on popularity or pressure. High standards ensure that the kids we come into contact with will have best opportunities possible. Her story and her fight impressed me greatly. While I took down no quotes from this session, it was one that deeply impacted me.

I was so glad that I was able to go to the conference this last week. The Global Leadership Summit always leaves you full of thoughts and ideas. It challenges you to take what you have heard and do something with it. Investing in leadership training is something I value so much about the team I work with. It was great to go as a church staff. I look forward to all that God is going to grow out the time invested into our leadership.

 

The Fall Transition August 16, 2011

Filed under: Children's Ministry — Amy Scott @ 8:00 am

There is no doubt about it! It’s back to school time! When I enter Wal-Mart, I see back to school lists and shelves stocked a mile high with school supplies. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. I have no idea why seeing all those school supplies makes me happy, but I know for sure it does! I actually miss being a student and having a “need” to buy them. I still browse the aisles for old time’s sake!

For some students, school starts in two weeks. It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and fall is almost here! However, the weather we’ve been having in Washington state does make it a little easier to accept. The weather has been in fall mode much before the rest of us. Back to school is a big time for students, schools, and families, but it is also a big time in children’s ministry. It’s our transition period where our students move up to the next grade.

As a 5th/6th grade teacher in my church, this transition time always hits me the hardest, because it means saying good-bye to many students who will now be moving up into our youth ministry. It’s a good time to watch them spread their wings and there is always another class moving up to fill their shoes. Every year the transition flow is the same, but the faces of the kids are different.

Tomorrow night will be a “last” class party for my Wednesday night girls. We will take down our bulletin board and our class poster. We will pass out our binders and clear them out for the next class moving up. This is a clean up the room night and get ready for the new school year. After the cleaning and sorting is finished, we will play games and just hang out as a class for the last time.

The last two Wednesday of August will be spent in Fusion, our youth ministry at Bethel Church. We all go and sit together as a class. For my 6th graders who must move up, this gives them a chance to move up with familiar faces surrounding them. For my 5th graders, this gives them a chance to see what Fusion is all about and make up their mind if they would like to move up or stay in my class another year. No matter what decision my girls make, I want them to be well informed and make the decision that is best for them. These two weeks almost feel like a mini-vacation for me. I don’t have to plan a game, a lesson, a craft and make a snack. It’s a nice way to end the summer.

Come the first Wednesday of September, I will have a new class on Wednesday nights. All the 4th graders will officially become 5th graders and my 5th graders that stay will be my 6th graders. The beginning of a new year is always fun. I get to redecorate the bulletin board with fall colors! Something I always love to do. We will make a new poster that everyone will sign their names on and we will make new binder covers for another year of lessons and learning. It’s a great time to play ice breaker games and get to know the new vibe of the class.

Every class is different and it always changes each year as new girls move up. I’m truly blessed by my girls and they bring so much joy to my life. The transition period is always hard for me to say good-bye to the students that are moving up. I tell them that they can always come visit my classroom before and after church! I’m still available for hugs and chats! They must promise never to get “too cool” to hang out with me. While it is hard to let go of some students, the void doesn’t stay empty. My new students are waiting for me to get to know them and invest in them. Each year brings so much promise and opportunity. I am blessed by each class I teach. I’m sure this new class will be no exception!

 

My Top Ten – Favorite Household Cleaners August 15, 2011

Filed under: Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 3:28 pm

It’s no surprise to anyone – I LOVE to clean. I absolutely love cleaning my home and keeping it fresh. I sometimes wonder if the ministry thing doesn’t pan out long term, I could become a maid or go into some kind of housekeeping business. For most, that doesn’t sound like a glamorous way to make a living, but I love cleaning that much – I might consider it!

Over the years, I have developed a habit for which products I use most and like best. I thought I would share the 10 products I use around the house on somewhat a daily basis, if not weekly or monthly. They are not listed in any particular order. I find it too hard to choose favorites. It’s like picking between friends and that doesn’t seem right. Okay, you probably think I’m crazy… and maybe I am. The purpose of this blog to share my thoughts and give insight into my life, so this is a key part of Amy Scott! Might as well share it with the blogging world (or the 5 of you who actually read this – *personal plug* feel free to subscribe to my blog or share it with others, more readers are always welcome).

  • Arm & Hammer Order Eliminator – This is a powder that I sprinkle around my home before I vacuum. I only use it about once a week to freshen the carpets. I use the pet fresh scent and it works to help pull up more pet hair and dirt while vacuuming. I love this product and it goes a long way to leaving a nice clean scent around the house while helping to vacuum more effectively.
  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes – This is probably the most used product in my home! I used these wipes multiple times a day in my kitchen to clean up messes and sanitize. I also use them in my bathroom. I buy these at Costco in bulk and it’s a product I never run low on.
  • Windex – Windows, mirrors, bathroom sinks are all cleaned with Windex in my house. Toby loves to slime the sliding glass door and Jeremy is notorious for toothpaste splatter on the bathroom mirror. Windex comes in handy when the boys in my life make messes!
  • Bar Keeper’s Friend – Interesting title, right? I didn’t actually know about this product until I moved into my home and my mom shared it with me. I used it to clean my kitchen sink. I have a white sink which was horribly stained when I first moved into my home. This product worked so well to make my sink white again. I also noticed that my sink can get marked up by pots and pans and this product removes the marks.
  • Lysol Disinfecting Spray – This is another product I buy in bulk at Costco! You can’t beat it! Jeremy actually hates it… something about the cloud of spray I leave around the house… I use this product about once a week to hit all major hard surfaces (i.e. light switches, door knobs and bathroom and kitchen surfaces). This is mainly for my psychological relief in knowing that I’m killing germs where ever they lie.
  • Febreze Fabric Spray – I will use Febreze after I vacuum if I didn’t use the carpet powder that day. I also love it on floor mats, couches, curtains and throw pillows. Febreze makes things that I don’t wash on a daily basis still smell fresh and clean. I purchase the refill jug and keep filling the same spray bottle. I find it is more cost effective to buy the refill instead of buying a new spray bottle each time.
  • Scotch Brite Stove Top Cleaner – I have a flat surface stove top (I think it is glass, but I’m not really handy with appliance jargon). I use this stove top cleaner to remove the burnt on gunk and splatter. I scrub the stove top and then use a paper to polish it to a shine. I love how clean and shiny my stove top looks afterwards!
  • Swiffer Duster – My preference is the ones with Febreze scent added to them. This duster collects dust and much more. I’ve used it to pick up bugs and clean the lint of my laundry room floor. The duster is fun and fluffy. It’s like the modern version of the feather duster.
  • Swiffer Sweeper Wet Mopping Cloths – I use my Swiffer Sweeper at least once a week if not more. It’s so rewarding to use a wet cloth and see the color it is when I am finished. I love the feeling of knowing that I have removed dirt from my floor. I love the fresh clean scents that are available.
  • Lysol Max Coverage Toilet Bowl Cleaner – This is the best toilet bowl cleaner and requires the least amount of scrubbing. The cleaner goes on thick inside the toilet bowl and if allowed to sit over time will do all the work for you. I leave this in the toilet bowl for hours at a time (some people I know leave it overnight). It works on removing the colored rims and grim without the need for endless scrubbing.

If you thought ranking these would be hard for me, try keeping me to just 10 products! Below are my honorable mentions:

  • Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner – it’s fun, it’s easy to see where you have cleaned, and it does the work for you. Enough said!
  • Downy Wrinkle Release – not a cleaning product, but I use it all the time on bedding after I wash it to smooth out the wrinkles. It also replaces ironing for shirts and skirts. It’s easy to pack away on trips to keep clothes wrinkle-free.
  • Clorox Toilet Bowl Wand – I use this along with the Lysol cleaner from time to time. I use this product instead of a toilet bowl wand. I find it works just as well and using a new brush head each time makes me feel better about germs.
  • Scentsy Flameless Candles – Now Scentsy products might not clean my home, but they sure do leave it smelling good! Through a line of warmers and waxes, I can mix and match the smells in my house to create an inviting atmosphere. It covers up any smells that might be coming from the kitchen or the bathrooms. I love walking into my bathroom and having it smell fresh even through it’s been days since I cleaned it. I got rid of all my Glade and Febreze plug-in air fresheners and switched to Scentsy products. This is a change I never have regret. Plus my sister-in-law is a consultant with Scentsy, so I love knowing I’m supporting a family business (https://andreascott.scentsy.us/).

If you have any questions about a product I use or how often I clean what, just ask! I love talking about household cleaning and organizing. Also, if you have a household product you love, feel free to comment and share it! I’m always interested in what works well for others and trying new things! Especially when it comes to making my home a cleaner and safer place.

 

Passion for God’s Word August 10, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 3:35 pm

Psalm 119:9-16 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.  I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Tonight is the conclusion of a six week unit with my Wednesday night class. Since I teach 5th/6th grade girls, many of them are going to be moving up into our student ministries within the month and becoming youth students. I decided that the last unit we should do together as a class would be about the Bible. It seems like kids bring their Bible to church for a prize or at least have one sitting somewhere in their room at home. However, most don’t know how to use it! It’s been fun to teach them facts like the Bible has 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. We’ve discussed who wrote what books and why it’s important to study the Bible. I LOVE being able to explain how the promises in the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament. The Bible is not a book of short stories, but is one complete message from God showing His plan for redemption! It was written by many different men, over many years and yet, it’s message is seamless! God used ordinary people to communicate His extraordinary love! He gave it to us in written form so we can have it with us always!

I’ve mentioned this a couple of times, but I don’t think I will ever be able to stress enough how much I enjoy reading the Bible and how much I love my Bible reading plan that allows me to read it cover to cover in one year. It takes about 20 minutes of reading a day and it blows my mind! New things pop out to me each I read God’s word. Through the years, different passages bring out new meanings to my life and encourage me. I’m also one of those highlight and write in the margins kind of a Bible readers! I love making notes about what stands out to me. I love finding foreshadowing of Jesus in the Old Testament! I’ll underline the verse and then in bold text I will write “JESUS”. It just makes me happy!

The whole reason I went to Bible college was so I could learn more about God’s Word and be able to teach it better. The Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It has the power to shape our lives and transform our character. I am teacher – I love the kids I get the privilege of teaching on a weekly basis. However, in order to be a good teacher, I need to be a good student. I will never master the Bible. I will never reach a place in my life where I know it all and never need to read it again. The Bible isn’t a one time read! It is a continual, life shaping presence in our lives. Currently in my Bible reading plan I am reading through Psalm 119. It’s the longest Psalm and longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verse. I think it’s very appropriate that the longest book of the Bible all about God’s Word and the important role it plays in our lives. I pray that my passion for God’s World would be that same as the Psalmist. May it be ever growing, ever increasing, ever deepening!

 

Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chloe August 9, 2011

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 6:28 pm

I read this book about three years ago and it would go on my list of top 10 books that have changed my life and point of view. Reading this book opened my eyes to the joy and gift of anonymous seasons. The first time I read this book, I had just finished college and was ready to take on the world. I was waiting for the spotlight and the accolades that other friends my age were receiving. Children’s ministry is a very important part of the church – one of the most important parts, if you ask me. However, children’s ministry isn’t glitz and glamour. It’s also a very behind-the-scenes ministry. Granted every few months there is a showcase event like Fall Fest, Easter Eggstravaganza or Kid’s Choir that gets kids in front of the congregation. For the most part, children’s ministries take place down a long hallway in classrooms away from the hub of the main church action. Little Johnny and Susie may have an awesome time at church, but their parents might often view the classes offered as childcare (something that gives them an hour and a half break). The point is that children’s ministry is often tucked away and it’s not a line of work where you get a lot of spotlight time. Just a few years ago, I learned the valuable lesson of anonymous ministry. After reading this book, I decided that the kids I minister to know the effort I put into it. Kids are surprising grateful that people are interested in them and care. I decided if my only audience was children and the Lord – that was going to be good enough for me. All that mattered was that I was doing what I was called to do, regardless of how many thumbs-up and high-fives I got.

Okay, now to the book, I just recently reread and it continued to let its message penetrate into my soul. Chloe uses the example of a tree. Trees have many seasons. In spring and summer, you can see the tree blossom and bloom. This a fruitful season for the tree where it’s growth and beauty is very evident. There are also seasons like fall and winter, where the tree is stripped of its leaves that adorn it. Chloe brings out the point that in winter trees are bare, but they are not barren. Life is never still. Even in what seems like a barren season, there is still growth occurring under the surface. Chloe also use the illustration of an iceberg – only 10% of an iceberg is visible, but it’s 90% of unseen mass is powerful and strong. This visual of an iceberg is how we tie into Jesus’ life and story. Jesus lived 33 years on this earth, but most of His time on this planet is hidden from us. Chloe puts it well when she says, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a smelly animal pen (followed by hidden days). He was circumcised in the temple on his eighth day (followed by hidden months). Before turning two, Jesus received a visit from Eastern wise men (followed by hidden years). At age twelve, Jesus got in trouble for staying in the temple, listening and asking questions when he was supposed to be with his parents’ family headed back home (followed by almost two entirely hidden decades).”

Jesus was familiar with being hidden and with being underestimated. His greatness in ministry didn’t just happen overnight, but it was built through decades of anonymity. Chloe uses the example of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness to showcase what grows in hidden seasons. We can see that Jesus had developed a great understanding for God’s word. He not only had the Words of the Torah in His mind, but He knew their meaning and how they applied to His life. We see that Jesus was able to turn down the three alluring things that Satan threw his way – appetite, applause and authority. I know that my own personal longing and desires drawn towards being recognized and important. However, having these opportunities without the strength that hidden year can build may be dangerous. The equation that Chloe uses is “10% visible + 90% unseen = an indestructible life.” We can see how this was true in Jesus’ life as he suffered not only through desert seasons, but through rejection, punishment and a death he didn’t deserve.

Chloe brought up the point that we can say we want to be like Jesus, but it seems that we have restrictions to that statement. We don’t want to be hidden for almost 90% of our lives, we don’t want to be rejected by our own people, we don’t want to be beaten and abused. We like the public, encouraging stuff, not the hard stuff. Through reading Anonymous, I am reminded that the winter/desert seasons in my life have great benefit. Even though my tree might seem bare, it is not barren. Because life is always is moving, I can grow and develop great strength in seasons of anonymity. If I truly want to become more like Christ that means I need to learn and grow from the hard situations. I need to be developing inner strength and integrity when no one is looking. Someday when there is an audience, I will have the spiritual muscles to make the right choices, because I have been making them the entire time. This book is a must read and one that I am sure I will reread every few years. It has given me a different perspective on my life and on my ministry. If 10% of Jesus’ life was visible, I will be happy with my 10% and not try to make it more. I will grow when no one is looking so that when the right opportunity comes my way, I will be prepared.

 

Kid’s Camp 2011 August 6, 2011

Filed under: Children's Ministry,Travels,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 9:39 pm

358 kids and adults joined together this week for Kid’s Camp 2011 at Camp Berachah! The theme was “Extreme” and every part of the week lived up to the name! Extreme activities, extreme worship, extreme fun, extreme exhaustion! The mornings were early, the pace was fast and the nights were late. Overall, every moment was used to the fullest.

The great thing about our network kid’s camp is how intentional they are with the flow of the day. We have 3 environments where kids get the same message repeated to them and allow them to soak it in using different opportunities. The first environment is morning chapel. This chapel is high energy and extremely engaging. It introduces the message for the day and give the first opportunity for response. The second environment is cabin devotions. This time allows the cabin to discuss the topic of morning chapel and dig through the message. The third environment is response chapel. This falls right after cabin devotions and right before bed. As a close to the day, the kids are invited into a quieter chapel environment for one more chance to act on what has been spoken over them all day. This might look like visiting a prayer station or singing along to a passionate worship song or praying with a leader. All day the kids have had the opportunity to let the Holy Spirit speak to them about the message and the last thing they do before bed is a have a chance to respond to what the Lord might be working in their heart.

The other great thing about kid’s camp is the flow of the messages through the week. The first day message is usually about getting sin out of our lives and salvation. It’s all about getting right with the Lord. This is great for first time campers and those not familiar with Christ. It’s also a good reminder and a fresh start for those of us who have been in church and camp environments before. The next day focuses letting go of things that hold us back. We talked about how God made us very good and has created us with all we need for life. As things happen to us, we have added different things into our lives that God didn’t intend for us to have. The second day message dealt with the baggage we carry through life and need to let go. Day three focuses on the Holy Spirit and His power to give us boldness to share about Jesus and what He has done in our lives. We also shared how the Holy Spirit give us passion and peace. This is one of my favorite days because we ask kids to pray for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment! I know a lot of kids get excited to know that God wants to help them talk to their friends. With the Holy Spirit’s help they can do more then they ever imagined. Day four focuses on service and how we can serve anywhere, at anytime. Not everyone is called to be a full time pastor or a missionary, but they are called to serve in someway. Kids were invited to seek the Lord about where He might want them to serve. The last day is always a celebration of what God has done and a commitment to follow through once we leave camp.

Power Play is a great opportunity for the kids to engage in fun challenges and hear stories from missionaries. Power Play is formatted by having the kids go to different locations around the campground based on clues. At each station they hear powerful and extreme stories about missionaries. This section of the schedule is so amazing because kids can see how exciting missions can be. Our other missions theme at camp revolves around our offering project. This year our goal was to raise $1500 toward building a roof for a christian school in Tanzania. I’m happy to report that we did reach our goal and as a result the camp leadership team got soaked by the kids in the giant water fight.

As you can tell there are a lot of spiritual moments to look forward to at summer camp. Mixed in with these extreme moments with God are extreme activities and kids just being kids! Many of our students conquered their fears and went all the way to the top of the big swing. They raced each other at go-karts and pigged out on candy at snack shack. Jeremy’s favorite time with the kids is during the swimming hour. Every day the kids ran off their energy playing wacky outdoor field games. Also there was a campfire with silly songs and S’mores the first night. Fun is mixed in with everything at summer camp!

Summer camp is an awesome experience for students to get out of their normal routine. It gives them dedicated time to focus on God and deepen relationships with others. It was certainly an extreme time and one that hopefully won’t be forgotten quickly! I praise the Lord for the moments I had to pray with students and hear their hearts. Join me in prayer that what God started at camp will come to completion in the lives of our students!

 

Off to Summer Camp July 29, 2011

Filed under: Children's Ministry,Travels,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 4:53 pm

Thanks to my job, I think I’m one of the few adults I know who can say they go to summer camp each year. On Monday morning, we will load up from the church and take off for a week away at Camp Berachah in Auburn, WA. Summer camp is a great opportunity for each kid that gets to go. There is something special about getting out of routine and way from the everyday influences that surround students. Not only does camp have a lot of fun activities to offer students, but the greatest thing it can offer the students is a chance to connect with God on a deeper level. Through worship experiences and gifted camp speakers, students are given the chance to hear God above the noise of televisions, MP3 players, and video games. Each camp is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m always excited to see kids worshiping the Lord without reservation. You can see how tender their hearts are. My favorite moments at camp happen around the alters praying for students and getting to hear what God is doing in their lives. I also love the chance to just hang out with the kids as we go through activities and at meals. Getting to know each student better is one of the highlights of summer camp. If you think of us next week, say a little prayer for the kids at summer camp. I know we’ll be having a fun filled week. I’m positive that God is laying the ground work right now for some awesome things to happen in the lives of our students and I’m so excited to watch and see what unfolds this week!

 

Healthy Living July 27, 2011

Filed under: Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 3:28 pm

Like most people, I set goals and resolutions at the end of 2010 in hopes that I would see changes in 2011. I’m sure the most common New Year’s resolution would revolve around weight loss and healthy living. I was one of the many people that set a goal about achieving a healthier lifestyle in 2011. While I’m not the picture of health (I had Oreos with my lunch today), I have made some changes that have paid off and I have discovered some fun tools that helped me along the way.

My last day of eating whatever I wanted was January 14th. Since that is my birthday, it seemed appropriate to go out with a bang on that special day before I started to become the disciplined eater that I had once been. Instead of setting my calorie goal as low as possible from the beginning, I decided to take my calorie intake to 1,500. I knew that I was eating quite a bit above that number. Scaling back was all I needed to do at first.

I’m the type of person who needs to be disciplined in my calorie counting. I know that this form of dieting is dreaded by most people. Logging your food and counting up the calories really can be a chore. My sister introduced me to an app on my phone called My Fitness Pal and it has made the calorie counting process so much easier. The app has a database full of foods. If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for you can add it to the database or chose an equivalent food. You just tell it what you ate and it knows the calories and totals them for you. This app also helps you to track weight loss and set proper calorie intake goals. Another great feature of My Fitness Pal is you can add in your daily exercise to keep track of how many calories you are burning. The ones I use most often are related to walking and cleaning. Because I can add cleaning as an exercise, it has made house cleaning part of my weekly exercise routine. Spending the day shopping can be very rewarding when you see the calories you’ve burnt just by walking around for a couple of hours.

My Wii Fit has also come in handy turning this process of getting healthier. I love the features of being able to track your weight and set new goals for yourself. Throughout this process I’ve weighed myself about every 2-3 weeks. I know most people in hard core diet mode, like to weigh in every day, but I have decided not to make that the point. I want to see that over time I am getting better. I don’t want to get hung up on how many ounces different I am today verses yesterday. As long as I was losing weight in the time between my weigh-ins, that is all that mattered. The Wii Fit also offers many fun exercises. My personal favorite is the step aerobics and yoga. I randomly like to throw some hula hooping into the mix or boxing.

Now those of you who know me, you know that I love sugar and all things junk food related. The hardest thing for me is cutting these elements down in my life. Notice I didn’t say out… I do believe that food can be comforting and rewarding. If I decided to eat like a rabbit, I would probably enjoy my life a lot less because food makes me happy and I would miss my goodies. Portion control and allowing myself just one goodie has been a great decision. I also have tried to use the moderation rule when it comes to soda. In fact, soda has been one of the hardest things for me to limit. I’m hopelessly addicted to Diet Pepsi. I do believe it is psychological because Diet Pepsi really doesn’t have a lot of caffeine in it, but for some reason, I feel like I need to have a soda to get my caffeine jolt. On a bad day, I’ll have three to four sodas. Not only is that not good for me health wise, but it’s also a lot of money. My goal has been to cut myself down to two sodas a day – one with lunch and one with dinner. At any other time, I drink water, which is always a healthier option.

I’m happy to say that I was able to reach my weight goals before June. Even though the process spanned months of time, doing it slowly was okay with me and actually better for my body. Now I’m learning how to maintain my goal weight. I’m finding that it is easier to lose weight than maintain it. While I’m still learning the tricks of maintenance, I can see that healthy living is always going to be a choice. It’s not going to just happen on its own. I wish I could reach my desired goals and just stay there with no more effort, but that is not the case. Effort is always going to be necessary or I will once again be resetting my health goals at the beginning of another new year. My hope is to avoid this now that I have fallen into a good routine. I’m obviously not a professional, but I have learned a lot over the last six months and it has helped me to make wiser choices. I just wanted to share with you what has worked for me and inspire you to come up with a plan and routine that works well for you!

 

 

Waterfalls July 25, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 3:10 pm

This last weekend, my husband and I got a chance to steal away to the mountains. It was a spur of the moment camping trip. Those that know me well, know that I am not a spontaneous person. Normally my trips are well planned out in advance and in great detail. Jeremy suggested that we go camping on our drive into church on Wednesday night. Of course, there were things to discuss, but once all the details were sorted, in less than 24 hours we were on the road for a mini-vacation adventure.

Before I got married I wasn’t much of a camper. My dad joked that my sister and I’s idea of camping was staying at a Super 8. Since my family wasn’t really into camping, all I had to go off of was an experience I had in 4th grade when I went camping for one night as a Girl Scout. The highlights from that trip long ago were making pizza pockets and drinking Apple Cider from the mix which I had discovered for the first time that night. With such a limited camping history, I didn’t realize that I would become the person that goes on a camping trip every summer. This summer I even get to go on two camping adventures!

By far one of the biggest advantages to camping is the fact that I get to unplug from the real world for a bit. It’s great to travel to a location where there is no cell reception and no electricity. Laptops and television have no place while enjoying the great outdoors. There is something relaxing about sitting at the campfire with a good book while being shaded by tall, old trees.  The chance to step away from the busyness of life and the constant connection of technology allows you to hear and see in different ways.

Where we have camped the last two years is called the Lower Fall Recreation Area in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The title of the campground might be lacking when it comes to describing this beautiful area. The Lower Falls are located on the Lewis River and are literally right next to the campground. Our campsite was on the loop closest to the falls and you could hear them day and night as they flowed ever constant.

Psalms 42:7 says, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” This verse came to mind as I visited the falls. There is so much power in a waterfall. You can feel the spray even at a distance. You can hear the water even before you can see the falls. The amount of water that pours over a waterfall is powerful. It’s presence can not be denied! Just like this waterfall, there is a strong parallel to God’s presence. Waterfalls can be very pretty, but their strength can also be intense. When you compare God to a waterfall, you can see how He pours over you. This presence roars – it is not silent! I would imagine that having the waves and breakers sweeping over you might be overwhelming  and definitely overpowering! Unlike the truly deadly effects of the Lower Falls, I know that when God sweeps over me, it will not be to harm to me. Oh, it might not feel good, but even in the roar of life, I can see how He uses each situation to speak to me and show me His presence. I am in awe of the God who created this mighty waterfall. His love has an intensity that I can see through the example of nature. I couldn’t ignore the sound of the falls from my campsite, I can not ignore the sound of God in my life. Washed over by His waves and breakers, I can see my dependence on Him.

 

Changing Seasons July 20, 2011

Filed under: Bible,Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 11:40 am

I’m guessing our unusual summer weather has something to do with this, but I’m desperately craving the fall season. It is my favorite of all seasons. I love scents of fall and the colors of fall. I enjoy the colder nights and the warmer clothing. Fall is hinting its way through these July days. Since I’ve been thinking a lot about the seasons of weather, I’ve also been thinking a lot about the seasons of life. So often nature beautifully reflects what we can see in our spiritual life and relationship with the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Life has a way of ebbing and flowing just like the seasons on our calendar. There is a time and a place for everything. Not every season is the same. In my Bible reading plan, I’m going through the book of Psalms. In the context of seasons, I can see how each psalm is written in a different season of the author’s life. Some of the psalms are joyous and full of praise. Some of the psalms are pleas for salvation and deliverance from the current struggle.

I find the psalms reliving to my soul. I sometimes feel guilty about the ups and downs I feel in my day to day life. Some days are glorious and I feel like I am on top of the world. During these up days, it’s easier for me to focus on God’s goodness and the blessing He has poured into my life. As a woman in ministry, I feel a strange pressure to always live in these up days. I wish I knew where in my leadership development, I grasped onto this belief that the world must always be sunshine and roses if you are truly serving the Lord. Now let me say, that there are times when I do feel life is full of sunshine and roses. It is easy to be grateful for these warm and wonderful seasons. However, in order for there to be seasons, there must be distinctive changes in the weather of our lives.

Not all the psalms are happy and joyful. I feel a strong connection to the psalms that are gut-wrenchingly honest about the low times. Life isn’t peachy all the time. Hard times come and the only way to get through them is to call out to God. The great thing about these psalms is that they highlight the need for God to intervene in our lives. Salvation comes only from the Lord! When I’m feeling down, I am reminded that I am not the only one to face struggles in this life. God’s anointed servants also had times of great pain, doubt and worry. This shows me that being a committed Christ-follower doesn’t mean I am always magically happy or I no longer encounter struggle. It is real to admit that some seasons of life are harder than others. The harder seasons are what open our eyes to our dependence on God. When things are going good, it’s easy to forget we need God. When all our comforts are stripped, we can see that all we need is God.

As I look outside at this moment, the sky is full of gray clouds with a few small patches of blue. The truth is not all seasons are extreme. There are season of extreme good and extreme bad, but most of the time each season has its mix of ups and downs. Even now, I feel like I’m entering a new season and leaving the old one behind. Each season only last for a time and then it passes on. I’m looking for God and good in all seasons. I know I have mentioned it before – Romans 8:28 has become my mantra as of late – God will work all things for good. This might not seem too shocking of a statement, but I don’t see the big picture like God does. Things that I don’t see as good, I know He will use them from my good and for my growth and development. In each season I will repeat that God has good in store for me and will use all my experiences for His glory. He can use the up times and the down times. He can use the seasons of sun and the seasons of rain.