I love where I work. I mean seriously love it. Going to work everyday to a place where people are ridiculously encouraging and have Jesus as their foundation working specifically to further the kingdom? I seriously mean it when I say I could be scrubbing toilets and be completely thankful for working at RBC.

Last week I spoke in chapel about ArtPrize and my back story. (Oh yeah, we have chapel every Wednesday, too.) Anyway, awhile back my boss suggested to HR that I speak and it rolled around last Wednesday. I’ll tell you, I was more nervous for this talk than all the others I’ve been asked to speak.  I was a rambling idiot or at least, I felt that way. I have this joke that I have a filter for things I say. The things that get through are things that the filter doesn’t catch. After every time I speak, which has become more and more lately, people tell me I need to become a comedian. Let me clear things up. I’m not funny. I’m nervous and say stupid things.

Over and over people have told me my speaking was memorable, concise (which I wouldn’t say it was, at all), funny and incredibly touching (in more or less words…mostly more). I seriously walked away from it wondering if anything that was said mattered. I have the audio but refuse to listen to it. Multiple people have asked that I come share at their church or in different things. Yikes.

I’ve had people very specifically come and have lengthy conversations with me – thanking me and entrusting me their stories, even prior to chapel. I love the stories people have. I thrive off not talking but listening to others and the stories God has given them. This

(I wrote the above after a guy came into my office to speak before the below happened…*)

I got this calendar invite at work to “discuss testimony” – I work in a place where that’s acceptable and encouraged.  He asked that the conversation be between us and will definitely keep it there. Wow. Humbled. Humbled. Humbled again that someone else would entrust me.

I love being able to have conversations with coworkers about real things. It’s so rich.

To have a meeting to watch a documentary about gendercide for the work-purpose to talk about how it was done, why it was effective and so on to also and more deeply discussing how it touched us personally. Then ending in prayer.

To have friends at work and not just coworkers.

*Sigh. I honestly started this post with the intent to explain how all Christian organizations don’t do everything right and they don’t.  We’re human and that is to be expected but after writing the above, I’m reminded what a blessing my job is to have. So although, like any company, RBC isn’t perfect, it’s a job that truly goes beyond a paycheck.

At least for me anyway.

I don’t know why but I’ve grown to like this monthly post. It’s the only time I’m consistent about posting, which is probably why I like it and it doesn’t take a lot of work as I compile throughout the month.

On all the blogs that explain what people wish they would’ve done is always quit your job (that you’re miserable in). I didn’t understand that until I did it. I felt on top of the world! #9

So I read about this book on a friend’s blog.

I’m obviously not a mom but clicked on the link anyway and found other books. I didn’t want to come up with my own thoughts because some days, I just don’t have inspiration thoughts and what not, so I purchased the 5 year question and answer one. I played catch up on January and have loved doing it. I am actually going to purchase it for each of my seniors as part of their gifts for their open house. I wish I got it when I was a senior (instead of 7 Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for the Highest” books) – just simply answering questions about you, same question over 5 years to be able to look back on.

Do you ever hate when you’re right? You know that time you warn your friends about something and they do it anyway. You’re right and they’re hurt is never pleasant.

A chat with a co-worker

them:

did you have unch yet?

Me:

nope, i haven’t

Them:

me neither

(At this point, I felt I should ask a question and lead the conversation…which I ended up doing.)

Me:

bring anything good to eat?

I still step into that role but just doesn’t make sense when someone else starts the conversation but wants the other to lead it. It really isn’t a big deal and doesn’t really bother me at all. Just another fascination with how people are different.

I know I’ve written about this before. Christian jokes or sayings we get away with…here’s another. “Bless your heart” or their heart. That person, bless their heart, had me over to watch this movie, play this game, help them with…fill in the blank. Essentially what we’re doing is prefacing what stupid thing they did with their good intentions.

People are always posting these quizzes or tests on facebook. Sometimes I take them and post them here. Looking back at this months compiling, I took a couple this month and I’m adding the links here, in case you want to enjoy them, too.

Career you should have : I’ve been told this on multiple occasions. 

What Toy Story Character : That’s pretty spot on.

Oops, I lied. I can’t find this quiz. I don’t hum and you’re thankful, I don’t.

Facebook wasting: I’m really unsure how accurate this actually is but still interesting. My guess is it is taking into account being logged in or it being up in a tab…either way, not bad for all the facebook pages I manage for people.

Yes, it’s Super Bowl not SuperBowl, in case anyone is wondering.  What a disappointing game. To be honest, it was simply embarrassing. I probably wouldn’t have kept watching except for being with friends, so we kept enduring and enjoying each other’s company.

I promised a sick-friend, I would keep my eye out for any note-worthy commercials. So I sent her this email and thought, I’d post it here as well. For the most part, commercials were also disappointing. Oh well, here’s to next year and the Lions making the cut, too.

Cheerios - Super cute. I mean presh and adorbs. (Precious and Adorable…oh those HS kids do mess with my lingo.)

Audi - Perfect blend of mockery to the puppy bowl and Sarah Mclachlan.

Kia - If you remember the Matrix, this was quality funny.

Honda - Bruce Willis and it’s actually very strange but I laughed out loud at the hashtag.

Oikas - Again, kind of awkward but you gotta love Full House

Doritos - I wasn’t a huge fan of this one, if that was my kid, he’d get punished for disrespect not Doritos.

Esurance - I’m a personal fan of this because 1.  it’s Jim from The Office (or John Krasinski) 2. It saved them that much. 3. People are still watching (so way to save money and advertise), it’s a give away and gets people talking about it on Social Media …pure genius

It was a year of flashbacks between Matrix, Full House and Seinfeld. Oh and there was a Muppets one in there, too…but I’ve never been a big Muppets fan. My brother on the other hand, loves them. So there you go. Noteworthy-ish commercials. Oh and the Budweiser puppy/horse commercial. Commercials like this don’t really touch my soul like ones (oh yes, this one showed during, too…wow, more are coming back to me) like the Welcome Home one did. Animals are sweet and the training process that went into the animals and such for this commercial is a sweet story but a soldier coming home is much more meaningful to me.