38 Other Things That Make Me Who I Am
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Tomorrow is my 38th birthday, and since we have many new readers since I last wrote a “things that make me who I am” post (you can see the other ones here and here), I figured I’d go ahead and share 38 other things about me that I’ve not shared previously. This year’s list looks a bit different from previous versions since I’ve decided to share a few weightier things than I have in my previous posts.
It feels weird and even a little self-serving to share things about myself. But since I love reading the “about” pages of my favorite bloggers, I thought it might be good to step out of my shell a little more than normal.
In 2016, I wrote my first ebook, and in doing so, completed one of my bucket list items.
I enjoyed the ebook-writing process so much that I hope to write at least 3 others…provided I can carve out time to sit down and type. ;)
In August 2019, I started having high blood sugar. As a mama of a type 1 diabetic kiddo, this sent me into a complete tailspin. A close friend of mine told me that she would pray that I didn’t have diabetes, but I couldn’t see how I didn’t have it. I knew too much about the disease to know that what I was experiencing was not healthy or normal. But she prayed faithfully, and after several weeks, my blood sugar improved! While I haven’t seen the end of this story yet, it was a great reminder to pray about all things. It also reminded me that we should be praying for others whose faith may be struggling. I hope to share more about all of this in the coming weeks.
In a “chance” homeschool meeting that I joined last-minute when a friend invited me, I met another diabetic mama. I misplaced her email address, and then I ran into her in Home Depot, of all places, somewhere neither she nor I often frequented. God used her to give me much-needed encouragement.
This past year, we have been wrestling with the possibility of relocating outside of California. It’s beautiful here, but the cost of living is through the roof (especially here in the SF Bay Area), the traffic is insane, and the political climate has become very hostile to big Christian homeschooling families. If you want to pray for us that we would have clarity and clear direction from the Lord, we would welcome it!
I really like the freeze-dried Shiitake mushrooms that Costco sells! But the health nerd in me wonders if they actually contain mono-sodium glutamate, based on their taste and the fact that there is “natural flavoring” in them (“natural flavoring” is a loophole where manufacturers can put MSG, since it technically occurs in nature).
In 2018, I successfully read my Bible in 90 days for the first time. It was an amazing experience….
…but lest I get puffed up, I tried doing it again in 2019….and failed miserably. I ended up squeezing those 90 days into 7 months, in part due to the time we’ve spent praying over and thinking through the possible move I mentioned above (see number 6).
I love all things planners. I’ve been using the Brilliant Life Planner for the past three years and loved it, but it wasn’t an option this year, so I chose to go with a Sweet Life Planner. It’s VERY different from the Brilliant planner, but so far, I am loving it to pieces!
Fun story: the reason I chose the Sweet Life Planner over the myriad other options out there is because Jon and I have a startup called Canvas Gadget, and we make 3D flip books for planner creators and book authors. We did several flip books for I Heart Planners (creator of the Sweet Life Planner), and because I was able to see inside it, I knew I wanted to try it. It’s been a great fit!
We put our house on the market this past November. It took weeks of decluttering, donating, selling, throwing out, painting, and cleaning in order to get it ready to list. And it was PAINFUL. I had to let go of many of my books (which are some of my most cherished possessions!) and numerous other items. But as I learned to let go, I gained a sense of freedom I didn’t know was possible. There’s certainly a spiritual parallel buried in there somewhere that I hope to flesh out in a blog post later on.
Because of number 11, I now frequent Home Depot. A lot. (See number 5 above.)
One of my best friends moved away last June. I am so grateful for text, phone calls, FaceTime, and ultimately all Eternity to spend with all believers.
I’m learning to better appreciate my introvertedness, as it drives me to the feet of Jesus. I also finally took a Meyers-Briggs test to learn that I am an INTJ….
…but now I can’t remember what all the letters stand for, haha.
I thoroughly enjoy home renovation shows. Not only are they (mostly) family-friendly, I’m fascinated by taking something old and used up and transforming it into something new and beautiful again. It also doesn’t escape me how much hard work goes into such a transformation. Pretty sure there’s a hidden spiritual parallel there, too.
On top of the diabetes scare, I was also informally diagnosed with endometriosis last year (a true diagnosis can only come from laparoscopic surgery, which I’ve not undergone). I don’t really know what this means for my long-term health, but I’ve found a wonderful holistic endometriosis group on FB that has provided a wealth of information not commonly available at most doctor’s offices. As I’ve mentioned on the Hallway FB page, 2019 was a tough, tough year.
Through it all - the potential move, the illness and disease, the stress - God has been oh, so good. I’m learning that trials draw us closer to Him than almost anything else here on Earth.
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” has been a great hymn to dwell on.
A friend introduced me to “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me.” So good. (I’ve been told that linking blog posts to YouTube videos is a no-no, but I’m not sure why. In case it’s an issue of copyright or something, I won’t link it here, but go search YouTube for it. It’s worth it, I promise!)
I almost got to have a grand piano this summer, which thrilled my pianist’s heart! (I only have a full-sized keyboard here at home.) My church has one available, and it’s not even a baby grand (baby grands have super tiny soundboards and often lack a quality sound). I would have loved to take it, but we had to pass it up in lieu of the potential move. It was a great reminder that there are many good things in life, but we need to strive for what is best. If I had needed a grand piano, God could have given me one, and there’s a lot of joy in knowing that.
When I was going through high blood sugar issues, another friend showed me Andrew Peterson’s song, “Always Good.” This is a lesson I am learning over and over and one that will never grow old: God truly is good. No matter what. Even if I have diabetes. Even if I have endometriosis. Even if we move away. Even if. Even if. Always good. (Again, it’s worth looking this one up on YouTube - see number 21.)
I’m loving this season of parenting teenagers. Everyone says teens are difficult, but then again, everyone says that the two’s are terrible. Neither has proven true for us. Are there hard days? Oh, yeah! But there have been many more wonderful and amazing moments than there have been tough ones, and I am so thankful to be in this incredible season of seeing our young men stretching their wings a bit.
I aim to be pretty health conscious, but I must admit that I still love McDonald’s french fries and a fountain Pepsi. Does this make me an enigma?
Even though I’m an introvert, I’ve been trying to look at opportunities from a new angle: years from now, will I regret not having participated? I can’t always focus on what would make me feel best right now in this moment but also need to consider future ramifications. (Thank you for pointing this out, Introverted Mom!)
My dad, sister, brother, and I put together a family book club each year. I don’t always get through everything on it, but it’s been such fun to read along and discuss our reading material with one another.
Two close friends and I also have a book club. This also has been wonderful, and we hope to continue it if/when I relocate.
I suppose at this point, I should confess that I love to read (see numbers 27 and 28). Not surprising; most introverts do, I’ve recently discovered.
I’m sick with a fever and a head cold today, so Jon has me sequestered in our bedroom in an attempt to quarantine me from the kids. Whether or not it will work, I have no idea, but the chance to rest, read, reflect, write, and catch up on my online courses (see number 14 here) has been heavenly. Could this case of illness actually be a hidden blessing?
I love trying ethnic foods. Last year on our annual anniversary getaway, Jon took me out to sushi for the first time. I was afraid I wouldn’t care for it, but I ended up loving it…
…so much so that Jon went home and YouTubed how to make sushi rolls at home!
As a result of all the upheaval in my life recently, I’ve had a lot more anxiety than normal. That’s hard, but I’m also learning how to better tap into the Biblical tools God has given me as a believer to overcome my worry. Good lessons to be learned there.
I love taking photos but usually am too shy to ask people to pose for me, especially if I get the sense that taking pictures will inconvenience them. As a result, I’ve missed out on capturing some amazing moments (see number 26 above)…
…but I’ve also come to learn that I don’t need to document everything on film (or in digital format, as the case is these days). Memory banks are another way to capture moments, even if they fade over time.
I am going to try giving online piano lessons. That’s actually a thing now, and even though it has some drawbacks like occasional technical glitches and difficult camera placement, there are benefits as well, like the student’s comfort from being in his own home at his own piano and the ability to “take” my students with me wherever we go. (Interested in online piano lessons? Send me an email at julie@hallwayinitiative.com and let me know!)
As I approach 40, I’ve wondered whether or not being that “old” will bother me. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d prefer to be older and have the wisdom that I’ve gained over the past several years rather than to be younger and more hasty….
…not that I’m always thoughtful and calculated in my responses now. But I do think there’s improvement.
And one to grow on: Jon proposed to me on my 21st birthday. Unbeknownst to us at the time, my dad had also proposed to my mom on her 21st birthday.
Share with me: what things make you who you are? Are you an introvert or extrovert? What are your strengths? Post in the comments!
