Monday, February 27, 2017

Training

Last week I had to travel to California for training.  It's a long flight out there, 3.5 hours, but thankfully I got to sit in first class!  It was actually colder in California (all week) than it was in Texas, so I was freezing for most of the week!  Soup from Whole Foods was a must for dinner every night....just because I was SO cold!  My windshield even had a thin sheet of ice on it the last day I was there.

But, the first day I walked into the conference room for training, there were two ladies in the room...one from Munich and the other from Amsterdam.  The lady from Amsterdam asked if I had met so-and-so which was a Asian name, so I knew right away she thought I was from Asia Pacific somewhere.  I told her no and that I was local...from the States!  Both ladies laughed and I know she was a little embarrassed.  It was quite comical, especially being the first thing she said to me.  There were several people there for training from other countries...Singapore, Japan and another person from Amsterdam...everyone else was from the States.  Everyone was very nice as I got to know them over the week and we laughed about a lot of cultural differences between countries.  It's always fun to talk to people from other countries to see what they like, what they think about America (especially these days), and what they like to shop for in the States.

So, although I wasn't the international co-worker they thought I was at first glance, I made some nice new contacts around the world!  And, I always love that because then you always have a go-to for advice on where to go when you visit their country!

Blessings to you as we wind down February and welcome in March!

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Outreach....

I want to start an outreach campaign to adoption organizations and adoption related support organizations, so if you know of any local agencies or organizations please let me know.  A Google search only goes so far and I'd rather get recommendations by word of mouth.  Also, if you know of any adoption related publications that you read regularly, please let me know.  I'd love to reach out to them, as well, and perhaps do any article or interview with them.  It's time to get back to spreading the word about my book and I'd appreciate any input you may have.

You can respond to this blog or send me any suggestions via my website at www.kimfenneman.com.  Send your feedback via the Contact page.

Continued blessings through this last full week of February!

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Spring Has Sprung?

Isn't it still winter officially?  Aren't we supposed to be wearing heavy coats and scarves for another month or so?  Or has spring already sprung?  It feels like it has with temperatures in the mid-70's already, flowers blooming and lawns turning green already.  No!  I'm not ready for spring yet!  As most of you know (by reading my blog regularly), I'm not a big fan of spring.  Yes, everything starts blooming again and coming back to life, but my allergies go crazy, I tend to get a ton of bug bites, I have to deal with my lawn and fire ants, and did I mention my allergies?!

I love coats and sweaters so fall and winter are my favorite seasons!  Yesterday I had to shed my sweater because it was so darn hot outside.  I still want a full season of chilly air, hot chocolate and maybe another good freeze or two to kill all those lovely bugs!  Oh mother nature, every year you seem to have more and more unexpected surprises for us.  I don't think that's a good thing!  Traditional weather patterns...seasons...have been turned upside down over the past several years.  And, I suspect that trend to continue with all the global warming and climate change that IS occurring.  

We are testing our planet, our ecosystems and local environments to unknown (and some known) levels.  Only time will tell what result that will have on our health, our way of living, our planet and our environments.  But, we should be mindful of what our planet provides and how we take care of it!

Many blessings to you and our incredible planet for providing so much to our daily lives!  May we take care of it, give back to it and ensure it's bounty for generations to come!

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

In-between....

As we move through our every day duties, do you ever feel in-between things?  In-between tasks or to-do's, in-between feelings, in-between relationships, in-between arguments, in-between internal conflicts, in-between what to do now vs. later, in-between your life goals, in-between what you have to do vs. what you want to do?  I feel like I'm in-between all of those things and more!  Mid-life crisis?  Possible.

I'm not sure what that's supposed to feel like, but I'd say it could be a very justifiable conclusion at this point.  And, I'm not sure how to get out of it!  So, just getting through day by day and hopefully at some point I'll have a break-through.  But, I've been thinking and hoping for that for a long time it seems.  So, I'm slowly trying to look at things differently and taking a new perspective.  It takes time since we automatically react by our normal reflexes to everything.  But, I definitely have a closer relationship with God!  

So, whatever life lessons come our way....through the good and the bad times...it's all in our lives for a reason.  It's just trusting in God's knowledge of that reason when you can't possibly understand them that's tough.  And there you have the growth in your life that you needed, but didn't know you needed.  God works that way.  Like or dislike that's how it goes.  So, I'm hoping the revelation of my growth shows itself SOON because I'm ready to move out of this in-between period.

If you're in-between anything, I'm wishing you blessings for resolution, growth and contentment.  I'm ready...are you?!

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Happy Valentine's Day!

Can you feel the love in the air?  No?  Well then, enjoy a box of chocolates...but, buy them on sale after Valentine's Day!  But, if you are all giddy in love then enjoy the chocolates, flowers, fancy dinner, jewelry...you know, all the fun, romantic and socialized norms that we've all created over the years.  It's what we do.

It's supposed to rain all day here in Texas, so it'll be a gloomy, rainy day...hmmm, maybe a reflection of my mood lately?!  Well, it's just as well since this year hasn't really gotten off to the start I was hoping for (per previous post).  But, hopefully things are turning around and the sun will start shining...internally and literally!  Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck between down and out and not sure what will make me happy anymore...or maybe it's just been too long since I've truly been happy that I can't remember how it felt or how to get there....just bobbing along in the middle of the ocean, up and down, up and down.  Where's my "smooth sailing"...higher ground?  One day at a time, right?  Breathe in, breathe out.

Well, however you spend Valentine's Day I hope you treat yourself to something indulgent, special and something that will make you HAPPY!!  We ALL deserve that...and we shouldn't wait until a holiday to realize that!

Have a blessed Valentine's Day full of love, laughter and happiness!!!

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Filling Up...

As I've mentioned in a few previous posts, the year hasn't gotten off to the best start...not fresh and new and uplifting in starting a new year.  But, I'm determined to turn it around this month!  It's my birthday month after all!!  

So, starting things off right I went to church on Sunday!  I skipped all of January so maybe that was part of my problem with having a gloomy January.  It felt so good to have my soul filled back up with goodness, grace, God's word and some of my favorite hymns!  Sitting there taking in God's word and wisdom, taking communion and giving all my worries to God renewed my spirit and my hope in the rest of my day...the week ahead...and what's possible in the future.  Yes, just one church visit did that!

Plus, I follow Jesus Calling by Sarah Young on Facebook and the past 4-5 daily posts, maybe in the past week have truly spoken to me and my current situation.  So, it's given me some solace, some grounding and some calm.  Sometimes you never where those moments of peace or clarity will come from, so just be open to receiving them!

The good news is that every day we wake up we get another chance to do it better, get it right or see things with more hope!  If you feel like it's Groundhog's Day over and over again maybe take a closer look to find the lesson to learn or what may be sitting right in front of you that you've overlooked again and again and again.  So, embrace each new day with unlimited possibilities and if you feel like you are on the same merry-to-round day after day, look out the window from a different view point or simply enjoy the small progress you are making toward a bigger goal by being consistent!  It's all in our perspective whether our current situation is good or bad.  Find the good!!

Carry on and find the blessings of this week!  They're there...right in front of you!!

Monday, February 6, 2017

Super Bowl Sunday

Sorry I missed yesterday's post, but I got caught up in all the Super Bowl festivities and the day got away from me.  I hope everyone enjoyed the game!  It was a crazy one for sure, but always fun to watch...along with the commercials and half-time performance!  Any favorites?

So, if you're a sports fan your attention turns to March Madness and college basketball, then the start of baseball and then the NHL and NBA playoffs.  But, there's nothing as big as the Super Bowl!  What other sporting events do you gear up for?

I'd love to go to the Kentucky Derby once and the Masters, and maybe even Daytona or Indy for a car race.  Sports that I don't watch all the time, but love the traditions around these major events.  What about you?

And it wouldn't be Super Bowl Sunday without all the good food!  I guess this is the first "official" cheat day of the year if you've been on a weight loss plan since the beginning of the year.  It's a good day to do it!  Plus, there really are some great game day foods out there.  What's your favorite?

Many blessings for your first full week of February!  May you have a warm, safe and happy week ahead!!  Cheers!

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

A Changing America...

Where are we living?  What has happened to the America many of us knew growing up or have envisioned?  What is going on?!  In the past week and a half there's been upheaval, confusion, anger, and a lot of Americans letting their voices be heard!  It's a sad and disheartening time, yet it's also empowering to stand up together as "We the people!"

So, whatever changes are coming...good or bad...it's inevitable that we are pushed into growth, into action, into ensuring we don't sit on the sidelines anymore, into hopefully stronger unity among us ALL because that's what the 'United' States of America represents.  It doesn't say we are red and blue states or we're this label or the other.  It says we are UNITED!  We have boxed one another into too many boxes and labeled each other to death that it's tearing us a part rather than lifting us all up together.  We're looking at our differences as obstacles and roadblocks to our own ideals when we should be looking out things from another perspective...from someone's else's shoes...to listen instead of attack or defend.  We NEED more understanding and respect for one another instead of insults and intolerance.  We NEED more love and kindness to help our neighbor up instead of pushing them down.  We NEED more COMPASSION for one another!

May this time of unrest, uneasy hearts and concerned minds galvanize the next change-makers, the next great leaders of our nation, and the next influencers of unity and compassion!  Until then, may we all do our own little parts and let our voices be heard loud and clear!!  Don't rest.  Stand up and be heard!  Stand up for what you believe in and don't give up the fight!

Blessings to you this first day of February!