Happiness

 Happiness 2022

"I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve." Jane Austen

Unexpected delays

Disappointing results

Change in plans

Misspelled words in texts or emails

COVID

    These are the kind of things that cause the voice in my head to remind me of again and again of failure. Learning about the Enneagrams gave me language for this common attribute in Ones. We hear the voice in our heads scold how we have fallen short of a goal, whether or not it is controlled by us.

    It is easier to allow others to make mistakes, fall short of their goals, and encourage them. I do not usually extend the same grace to me.

    This past year, I have looked for ways to enjoy things out of my control. Last fall, I traveled home from Indiana to Arkansas after a busy week of activities. As I was driving to the airport--about a 2+ hour trip, I was notified that my flight was delayed several hours. I pulled over and bought a ticket to an exhibit at Newfields: the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I enjoyed a lovely afternoon exploring the museum and the special exhibition. I got to the airport in time for another delay of my flight and made use of the extra time to finish an assignment I had for my doc studies. My new flight had a stopover in Dallas. When I finally arrived in Dallas, all flights for the day were canceled.

    I had been in touch with my daughter, who lives in Dallas, and she and her husband came to get me. I was happy to see them for the 24-hour layover I ended up having. While without my luggage, I could borrow shorts and a t-shirt of my daughter's while I washed my travel clothes. IYKYK. I now keep a few essentials in my travel bag for future overnight delays. This delay was a blessing. My daughter was on her first day of maternity leave and did not have to work. We enjoyed a lovely day together as she prepared for her daughter to be born. It was a relaxed day without schedules to hurry us along. Later that night, I flew home to AR and reflected on the unexpected gifts I was given in the delays: an afternoon in a museum to wander around, extra time for an assignment, and best of all--a little time with my daughter before she became a mother. If I had focused on the fact that my trip took 36+ hours to make instead of the 8 hours, I could be pretty upset. But I chose to be content and happier than I deserve to quote Jane.

    A couple of weeks ago, at an annual check-up, my doctor reported that my blood work was superior and like no other patient she had seen. This may have gone to my head. I exercise and work on eating healthy; I may have disregarded my genes that may have accounted for the other part of the equation of superior blood work. A few days after this excellent report, I tested positive for COVID. I went from no symptoms to light symptoms to a COVID stupor. For 90 hours, I was in and out of sleep and barely was aware of my surroundings. I did miss visits to Amelia and Harry, not to mention many appointments that had been in the works. It has been a slow recovery that has been like no other. I have not taken a sick day in over 10 years and have been knocked down hard this time. So each day, I feel a little better than the day before and focus on happiness a little more.

    Texts and pictures from my favorites have certainly made focusing on happiness even sweeter.

Harry is getting so big!

Big 3-month-old girlie!

This can cause some happiness too!

Happy New Year 2022

2021 The Year of Discernment

Perception- in the absence of judgment- to obtain spiritual guidance and understanding.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.

This year I began praying through this verse without expecting everything in store.

My course work in my doctoral studies would be nearing the end in 2021, and I was opening up to opportunities that I would have with free mental time. My career had focused on flexibility for our family during our younger children's days, and I now wanted to explore opportunities to grow my career. I had experiences in education and entrepreneurship that created this flexibility and growth in professional outlets. My specific prayer written in my journal in February 2021 was job opportunities. My thoughts were in my current role in higher ed with a yet-to-be-named president and opportunities with that new leadership.

I have hosted nearly 30 speakers in the ASI Distinguished Lecture Series over the past 6 years. After hosting each speaker for a day or two, I was changed somehow. The speakers were authors, athletes, filmmakers, politicians, lawmakers, peacemakers---leaders in their fields of expertise. Most of the conversations during the time together were about the speaker and her/his career or topic of expertise. A couple of speakers were different.*

One speaker asked me, "what are your career goals?"

What were they? I had been working with my head down at my job, focused on mentoring students in the developing leadership program, researching and writing a dissertation about mentoring, and without a mentor of my own.

At this stage of the game, I did not have much time to try out a few options but focused on goals that could advance my career. This speaker gave me valuable advice on gaining experience to reach my goals.

The job opportunities prayer came with a call from that speaker who asked, "what are your career goals?"  He shared an opportunity to give me the experiences needed to advance my career.

After many hours of prayer and discernment, I was offered and accepted the job in Advancement at Taylor University and started mid-June 2021. I work from a home office, enjoy developing relationships across the southeast, and monthly trips to Upland, IN. This opportunity has opened a door that I did not realize I was looking for by "responding to a restless heart and pursuing a new season of fulfillment." (DML)

I am very blessed to have a husband who supports me in new opportunities and always encourages me to follow my dreams.

During this exciting time of discernment, we found out in March that we would be grandparents--Mary-Margaret and Landon were expecting their first baby in October. We were thrilled and could not imagine anything better. Until we found out about 6 weeks later that Anna-Grace and Josh would have their first baby in December. "Exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask or imagine."

Last year our New Year card had us and 5 dogs. This year, we share our beautiful grandchildren. (December 2020)

Born to Mary-Margaret and Landon Tabor

Amelia James

October 22, 2021

5.13#, 19" 

Born to Anna-Grace and Josh Hurt

Harrison James

December 11, 2021 (12.11.21 a prefect palindrome, btw)

6.3#, 19 3/4"

What joy these babies have brought to our family and hearts. We can only imagine what 2022 holds--exceedingly and abundantly more than was can ask or imagine.

I had a unique opportunity to explore the Buffalo River Trail (BRT) in Arkansas with two AT-experienced friends, Susan and Kim, on a four-day/three-night backpacking (28 mile) adventure in early December. 

Prayers were answered when the mild temperatures reached the mid-70s during the day and only dipped to the mid-50s at night. It was my first overnight trail experience, and it was fantastic. I plan to go on another adventure and maybe talk Brett into joining.

We were about to start our journey with my 30# pack and all the unknowns (to me) ahead.

With their dog, Pax, Conor, and Alyssa live and work in the PNW (Pacific Northwest). We plan to see them in early 2022 after several pandemic time trips were canceled. They just celebrated their 9th anniversary, and we look forward to all that is in store for them in the new year.

(Flashback to 2012 rehearsal dinner invite)

Anna-Grace and Josh moved to NWA (Northwest Arkansas)--Rogers in August for a career opportunity for Josh. Anna-Grace still works from home, so that worked well for them both. They have quickly found community, are involved with their church and love being on the trails--biking and hiking with their two dogs and now Harrison.

Mary-Margaret and Landon live in Coppell (a Dallas suburb) and enjoy their community and church. They are prayerfully considering a move in the early spring of 2022, and we are alongside them, praying for discernment in the process. Landon works from home, so that gives them much flexibility. They are entirely smitten as parents.

Everett Belle is the editor-in-chief of the Bison and senior at Harding University. Last summer, she was bitten by the big city bug in Arkansas Congressman French Hill's office as a press intern in DC. She is actively seeking opportunities to explore DC after her May graduation. She has grad school plans for the future.

Check this out to see a little of her work:  

After several months of discernment--we finally decided on our grandparent names. We raised a glass at our Christmas dinner table to G-Mama and B-Daddy.  Time will only tell what Amelia and Harry will actually call us.

Our Christmas Day 2021.   The Peggys are now Great Grandmothers; they were already great and are officially Great, thanks to Amelia and Harrison.

I have reflected over 2021 and all that was exceedingly and abundantly more than I could ask or imagine. It has been a beautiful blessing to see Mary-Margaret and Anna-Grace become mothers and see Landon and Josh work alongside them as fathers. I admit it is a little hard to release the year of discernment and Ephesians 3:20.

My word for 2022 is 

Reveal: make (previously unknown or secret information) known to others.

“Listen to my words:“When there is a prophet among you,
    I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
    I speak to them in dreams."   Numbers 12:6 

"We reveal most about ourselves when we speak about others." Kamand Kojouri

Praying for and looking forward to all that will be revealed in 2022.

Happy New Year. 

Blessings,

Kim

*Two other favorite speakers were gracious to be "references" for me in my new role.