oneword365 | parousia

February 21, 2012 By Mary Hess

I’m going to try and stay more focused on my OneWord365 this year than I have in the past. It seems more important to me this year than ever. So my goal is to post some sort of update every 2-3 months instead of a couple of times in the year.

Parousia

Greek for “personal presence”

It’s February 21st.

Two months into the new year – 2012.

And I have totally sucked at being present so far this year.

As a matter of fact, so far this year I have found myself so pulled in twenty different directions, that I haven’t had the energy to be present.

That sucks.

(Sorry. But it does.)

I’ve tried planners, to-do lists, schedules, etc. but nothing seems to work.

Life has just felt chaotic.

And that makes me nervous and sad.

Nervous because it probably means I need to say no to a few things.

Sad because I don’t want to.

I love every part of my life.

I love it all.

But it’s not fair to my family.

It’s not fair to my body.
(especially when I have to spend an entire day in bed because I’m past the point of exhausted. Not. Good.)

So over the next few days I’ll be re-evaluating what I have going on in my life,

seeing what I can drop, seeing what I can keep, and scheduling my time better.

I want to be present.

In everything.

When I’m at work.

When I’m at church.

When I’m with my family.

When I’m with God.

I don’t want to short-change anyone.

So, I guess He knew what He was doing when He gave me my word for this year.

Parousia | to be present

Here we go.

What others are saying 4 Comments Filed Under: matters of faith, matters of the heart, matters of writing, oneword

five minute friday | delight

February 17, 2012 By Mary Hess

Delight.

It’s what I feel when I hear my girls laughing and playing together. It’s what I feel when I sit back and watch my family interact in our day-to-day activities.

I delight in the smaller, simpler things these days. Maybe that comes with age. Maybe that comes with having been in the crazy, wild ride of life for so long, I’m not sure. But I find myself looking for the little things to take pleasure in.

Like when he looks at me across the room and our eyes say more than words ever could.

Like when she calls me because I’ve been on her mind and she just knows I need to talk.

Like when He reminds me that today is a new day and the mercies start fresh first thing this morning.

Delight.

I smile.

It’s like a hidden treasure meant only for me.

He, my Father, my Savior, my Papa, my Friend,

delights in me.

{sigh}

:::::::;

Linking up with Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday today. Play along?

What others are saying 2 Comments Filed Under: matters of the heart, matters of writing

updates and an announcement

February 7, 2012 By Mary Hess

So I’m breaking away from my normally scheduled Tuesday post to do an update of sorts for the Hess Family. Because I know you’re DYING, simply DYING to know all the stuff going on with us!

Ahem.

Liberty University – This time next year I’ll be graduating with my bachelor’s in Psychology – Christian Counseling (emphasis on Marriage & Family). Then next fall I will be starting my Master’s program – probably locally. I’m still undecided about that. But I am excited to have made the Dean’s List for the fall of 2011 – and am trying to keep that up for the Spring 2012. I say all of that to say this. . . .
I’ve quit my job with the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors – my last day is today – February 7th and have taken a new job with Oasis Christian Counseling Center. I’ll be managing their office and doing my internship there this fall! So I’m super stoked about that! Along with that job change I’m also going to be reactivating my real estate license with Ashley Cooper Real Estate Company. So for all you folks out there who need a Realtor: I’M BAAAAACKKKKKKKKK! Hit me up! And while we’re on the topic of jobs, I’m also working a day a week for my church as the Events & Communications Director.
Okay. Enough about jobs. I’m tired reading all of that. Let’s talk home – and kids – and all that jazz. Haley is about 2 months away from turning 16. And even as I type that my heart pounds, my knees feel weak and I want to shove her back inside of me where she was safe and protected and safe and protected for those 9 months. Gah. But, unfortunately, she’s too large for that and alas, I must allow her to grow up. Gah. Again. Colleges are already contacting her and she’s on the precipice of dating. DATING!!!!!! When did that happen?!?!? I’m not ready for it. She’s ready for it. But I’m not. I’m just starting to get used to her even driving, dang it. Gah. (That’s my new word, by the way -GAH. I love it – you will too) She’s also transitioning a bit in her routine at both our homes – she’ll now be staying with her Dad full time and hanging out with us once a week and every other weekend. I’m excited for her in this new phase of life as she is really connecting with her Dad and enjoying the season of Daddy/Daughter time. I mean, what girl doesn’t want to be her Daddy’s princess, right? (Great segue for Zoe. . . . ) And Zoe. Yes. There’s Zoe. Our little 5 year old who thinks she’s 25 daughter. She’s reading like a fiend. And she’s doing double digit math. And she’s dancing, singing and playing the piano. But boy is she a handful. She reminds me of someone, I just can’t put my finger on who it is . . . . . . .
Church – I. LOVE. my. Church. There. I said it. I love church! I LOVE CHURCH! I love our community and I love that Jesus is first and He is given room to move and breathe and love and heal and bless and there’s no “what’s in it for me” mentality and life is lived to the fullest and people communicate and relate and bond and hang out and gosh, it’s just great. GREAT. I love my church!
Writing – I’m writing a lot these days. And quite honestly, I’m loving it. You can read all of it by clicking that “Popular Series” tab at the top of my blog. (Go ahead. Do it. I’ll wait. . . . )
Personal – I have shared before so it’s no secret, but I’ve been on a quest to lose weight in a healthy manner and it’s taken me a while, but thankfully I’m only a few little pounds from my goal weight. I’m stoked – and once that happens, I will have lost a total of 21 pounds. I’ve been off the exercise wagon for a couple of months now, but that’s changing – a little 30 Day Shred and some running to not only exercise but just de-stress and have a few “me” minutes. We’ve really changed our eating habits and love the new lifestyle we’ve chosen. But for the fact that I just need to eat meat every so often, I would be tempted to go completely vegetarian. I know, right? I never would have thought that before. . . .
And I love my husband and our life together! I don’t say much about him on here, but I do. I do. I do. I love him. I love our journey, our marriage, our life. We are settling in to a nice groove and it just feels good. It feels good to feel loved, needed, secure. It feels good to love and to give and to listen and to just be. He’s an amazing man and I simply can’t imagine my life without him. Don’t even want to. I know that isn’t very poetic or smooth, but it’s me. He’s amazing. And he’s mine. All. Mine.

Well, I think that’s about it. If nothing else, hopefully you’ve gotten a good chuckle out of it. Prayers are always appreciated and leave a comment and update me on YOU!