#RiskRejection and All of My Lame-O Reasons for Not Memorizing Scripture

I remember two phone numbers from my childhood: my best friend's (744-5608) and my Aunt Melodee's (won't prove myself by listing the phone number because it is still her number).

I remember three birthdays without cheating. Child #1, Child #2, my mom, my sister, and the person who is associated with the above phone number. I realize I haven't included my husband on this list. Quit giving me the stink eye. I know his birthday, but every year I double check myself by peeking at his license in early December. You know, just in case I may be remembering it incorrectly.

I remember a solid nine items from my grocery list. You know the grocery list I spent twenty minutes writing out, but then, sadly forgot on the counter.

I remember the plot of everything I read, but rarely the author.

I remember to pack a lunch, but then forget it on the counter at least two days a week.

I remember I need to head to the post office around 7:00 pm.

I attribute my lack of remembering to full days and a full mind.

"It's not that you forget, it's that you only remember what is important to you," an old friend chastises.

He's right.

I don't enjoy memorizing Scripture. I'm more of a get the main idea of the verse and paraphrase it kind of girl.

However, it's the first Thursday of the month, which means it's time for #RiskRejection, which also means it's time for me to share about my monthly risk.

Here it is. I am going to obey, and by obey, I mean I will memorize Scripture. I've been feeling this draw, but I dismiss it because hey, God can't possibly want me to remember Scripture when I need to look up every password to every account I have before every use.

I'm a pro at ignoring things which aren't convienant for me, but not this time.

For Lent, for me, and for Him, I am going to bust out my mad Scripture memorizing skills. Maybe it doesn't fill perfectly witth #RiskRejection. I hope I don't have to change the title next month to #RiskFailure.

I'll keep you posted.

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For links from others risking rejection, click here. The links stays open until Sunday.

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#RiskRejection: Because Big Living Inspires Big Living

It's almost the first Thursday of the month, and you know what that means. Wait, do you know what that means?

Let me catch you up.

Do you remember in January how we shared about the risks we were taking in our lives? Big risks, little risks. Risks which had to do with art and jobs and businesses and babies. Risks we were scared to whisper. Risks we thought were crazy. Silly risks. Serious risks. Flat out unattainable risks.

Our risk taking was inspired by Jia Jiang, an entrepreneur, who decided instead of fearing rejection, he would embrace it.

Well, once we stopped writing about all of our risk taking adventures, I started to miss it. I wanted a gentle shove to live big. Therefore, #RiskRejection is back.

So, on the first Thursday of every month, I will post tales of my risks, and I would love for you to join in. Why? Well, first off, online community is just plain fun. Second, I believe big living inspires big living.

You can participate in #RiskRejection in a slew of different ways: post pictures, write blog posts, join in the discussion happening in the comments, or head over to FB and share there as well. The link will be open from Thursday evening to Sunday evening.

Here's inspiration from a nine-year-old to start us off.

(email subscribers, please click here)

A little self-talk, a little encouragement, and a great, big rush. As the girl in the video says, "Here goes something."

Interested in my risk? Click here.

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Single, Triple Single, Zippy Chain, Liberty Twist, and How to Serve Others with Rainbow Loom

Do you know about the Triple Single? Have you heard of a Taffy Twist? What about the legendary Snake's Belly? Urban legend says the Snake's Belly requires the use of five looms.

If the above words make sense to you, then my hunch is you have a Rainbow Loomer in your home.

Rainbow Loom creations have taken over the Sullivan house.

Exhibit A:

Sure, Rainbow Loom bracelets are cute, but I have as much love for the bands used to create the bracelets as I do for Polly Pocket shoes. Are you feeling me?

However, when I read about Jen from Upcycled Education's Rainbow Loom Project, I knew my girl would want to participate, and I have a hunch your girl might be interested too.

Here's a quick run-down of the details:

Click over to Jen's to learn more about AHOPE and the recipients of the bracelets.

The deadline is March 15th so get looming!

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Did you read what I learned about wigs, chocolate bunnies, and starting over?

Are you joining us for #RiskRejection on Thursday?

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What I Learned in February

I didn't mean to take such a long break from blogging.

See, I remember something about a snowstorm. Then, there was Valentine's Day and then, a few nights of staying up entirely too late watching The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and of course, when I work on any big writing projects, time vaporizes, but the point is bam, good-bye two weeks.

However, life away from the screen always proves valuable, and February taught me a few things (It taught others a whole slew of lessons too).

1. I need to play tourist in my hometown more. I could post on this kind of thing once a month. In fact, that's a good idea, I just might. I live in such a fun and artsy city. 

2. If you receive a gift and it has a library card as a clothing tag, you know it is going to be a good gift. Thank you, Lindy Allen. Thank you, Out of Print (which combines super soft tees and  vintage book covers). Can you think of anything better? I simply cannot.

3. If you go into a wig store, you cannot try on wigs. Imagine a certain five-year-old's disappointment.

4. Deciding on a song for your life's anthem, is not easy. I am seeing a crew of my favorite friends in two months, and the non-game player of our circle has decided to become a game planner. Not only are we shocked by her transformation, she instructed each of us to come with our anthem, the pressure.

5. It is easy to forget how God always comes through. I almost gave myself whiplash trying to find God in a recent situation, but He was there. He's always there.

6. Instead of giving up, start over. I hate starting over. It's the reason I refuse to play Chutes and Ladders with my kids. In Chutes and Ladders, players make it all the way to the top of the board, and then for no good reason, land on a chute, and are sucked all of the way back down to square eleven. If starting over in a board game gets me this jazzed up, imagine what starting over in life does. Anyway, I am starting over with one of my goals. It's a daily goal, and it's hard, and I feel as if I am sitting in square eleven.

7. Rainbow Loom bands aren't just pieces of plastic you should vacuum up. If you have tweens, you know words like Fishtail, Triple Single, and Railroad. In addition, if you know these words, you will want to come back tomorrow so I can share about a cool service project which all loomers in your house will love.

8. I miss #RiskRejection, and therefore, it is going to be a monthly delay-o. In January, a group of us shared about the risks we were taking. It didn't matter the size of our risk or if we were winning or losing. I miss that gentle shove to live big. Therefore, this Thursday, March 6th, we are starting up #RiskRejection again. You can find details here. Check back on Thursday if you are interested, write along with us, and tell us about your risks.

9. People must sleep. No brainer for you, but if I am in need of a chunk of time, I cut it from my sleep category.

10. Writing a book is like sitting up with a dying friend. I did not make this up, Annie Dillard did, but it's insanely accurate. We write and our ideas contain multiple disorders. Disorders we can't figure out and have no idea how to fix. Often, it makes us feel helpless.

I do not so much write a book as sit up with it, as with a dying friend. During visiting hours, I enter its room with dread and sympathy for its many disorders. I hold its hand an hope it will get better. ~Annie Dillard

11. Chocolate bunnies are not born. No, chocolate bunnies are made, and you watching them being made is fun and very Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-ish. Although the entire time you watch, you may think about what it would be like to lick a giant bowl of chocolate.

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Your turn. Tell me something February has taught you. Tell me what song you would chose for your life's anthem. Share your thoughts about wigs, Jimmy Fallon, or Rainbow Loom. Tell me your favorite way to play tourist in your hometown, or tell me how God is coming through for you.

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