Since You've Been Gone

I was reading blogging hints the other day and one source suggested that you should post at least 3 times a week or you will lose your audience. I'm not sure how many bloggy friends I have out there but I don't want you to go away, so here goes.

It's been a busy week. I can't believe there are only 24 hours in a day. I would wish for more but if there were, I'd be Lost. Now don't Lie to Me, I know you would like more hours in a day too. But what would we do? Pursue more activities that leave us frazzled and worn out? That would be an American Idol. Do you really think we would all just stay in the House and pursue our hobbies, read books, and spend quality family time? I doubt it. We would live life as if we were still Bachelor's or like we did when we lived at home with our Brothers & Sisters. So it's good that there are only 24 hours in our day. We should choose wisely how we will spend them.

Some of us need a reality check. Can you tell how I've spent my week?

Beuaty Pageants- Now and Then

I have always loved beauty pageants. For as far back as I can remember, whenever the Miss America pageant was on TV, my family watched it together. I loved it as the contestants floated across the stage in their evening gowns and admired the various talents that each contestant performed. I probably fantasized more about being in a beauty pageant than about being a bride during those impressionable years. Eventually I saw that fantasy come true when I represented a group in my college's title pageant. Except it was more a nightmare--wearing a bathing suit at the pool and wearing one on a stage are two very different experiences. I walked away with the Miss Congeniality trophy and lost to a gal that a few years later would represent our state in the the national competition. That single experience cured any illusions I might have had about a career in pageants.

In preparation for this year's Miss America pageant, I DVR'd theTLC show, Count Down to the Crown. This was the second season for the show created to help re-invent the Miss America pageant to make the program more relevant in today's society. Count Down to the Crown was a way to get to know something about the contestants before they graced the big stage in Las Vegas. The voting public got to have a say-so as well. Four girls were selected from the gold sash winners by viewers texting in their votes a la American Idol. Even though America spoke, the final winners were in the hands of more objective judges.

The irony of the four weeks of Count Down to the Crown culminating in this past weekend's broadcast of the Miss America pageant is that I'm participating in Beth Moore's study on Esther. This week's homework has been about the preparation of Esther (and all the other virgins in the harem) before they were to be brought before King Ahasuerus so he could pick a replacement for the exiled Queen Vashti. There have been many correlations between the two "beauty parades". Here are a few quotes and thoughts from this week's homework:

• It's tough being a woman in a world where beauty is a treatment.
• Those of us who know Jesus personally live under divine rule where all us girls get to be princesses.
• Praise God for a King who gives a woman dignity instead of taking it.

If you are a fan of pageants like I am, you might want to read the account of Esther in the Old Testament and see for yourself that there was more than a crown at stake in that beauty pageant.

25 Random Things About Me

I was tagged to play this game. It was harder than I thought it would be. Since I've already expended the mental energy to create the list and since I've been pretty busy keeping up with 24, American Idol, and a few other shows...
I'll share it with you.

1. I taught 5th grade for 5 years before I had children and chose to stay at home with them.
2. I love making party food and baking cookies but do not like cooking meals.
3. I watch waaaaaaay too much TV (especially reality TV shows, anything on TLC or HGTV)
4. My fantasy would be to be a back up vocalist and go on tour with a Christian band or country group.
5. Most of the time, I like to be in charge (just ask my family).
6. Bible study is the best use of my time. My favorites are Beth Moore studies and the inductive method (Precept) of studying.
7. I like re-decorating my house with the seasons or when I'm bored.
8. My dream job would be to be a personal shopper :)
9. I love watching my daughter sing and dance in show choir.
10. I would like to be crafty but I'm too perfectionistic.
11. I like trying new things...this past year I started blogging and went snorkeling for the first time.
12. I watch football because my husband likes it, I watch basketball because it's fast paced and high scoring.
13.I have never won a prize or a give-away...anything...ever.
14. Hello, my name is Gina...and I'm a preacher's kid...'nough said.
15. My strength finder list: communication, woo, empathy, strategic, positivity
16. I am very loyal and can keep secrets
17. I can only drink coffee with lots of sweet, syrupy stuff in it
18. Clutter, disarray, and dirt drive me crazy!!!!
19. I love both the beach and the mountains and would be happy spending a week either place.
20. I think someone died and made me judge...on American Idol and any Show Choir competition I attend.
21. I get bored with routine (see #3, #7, #12)
22. I own more hair products than my hairstylist has in her shop!
23. I love being a girly girl but was somewhat of a tom-boy growing up.
24. I was born in Texas (explains #22) but also call Arkansas "home".
25. Thanks to God's continuing work in my life, most days, I am free from the grip of sin in my life, the shame of past decisions, the fear of the future, the lies of Satan, and the opinion of others. On days I'm not, He is faithful to remind me that I am precious in His sight, I am forgiven, and he will never leave me or forsake me.