My Own Little World

There is a song on Christian radio right now by Matthew West called "My Own Little World." I have heard this song several times and like it OK, but never really thought about it too much and wasn't particularly impressed with the song. However, in the past week, it seems like this has been the theme song of my life.



It started earlier this week as I was reflecting on how I am not good at all at keeping up with friends who I do not see as a part of my regular routine. There are people who I love dearly who have moved to another city or are no longer in my regular circle. I lament the fact that these friendships are not what they once were and yet I have done very little to maintain them. I think it is because I become so focused on "My Own Little World...Population: Me." I am so focused on MY family, MY job, MY child, MY issues and problems that I don't take time to move out of Amy World.



Another experience happened last night as I was at our youth group. We have two different groups that meet on Wednesday night...one for High School and Older Junior High Kids and one for Younger Kids (5th and 6th graders mostly.) Last night we were blessed with enough volunteers so I was able to float back and forth between the two groups. As I was floating, I was struck by what I saw in some of the kids that were there. There is a lyric in the song that goes
that goes "Father, Break my heart for what breaks yours." Man, did that happen last night! I as I looked around the kids in the room my heart was broken by some of the life situations of the kids and things that they are dealing with. I can only imagine if I felt that way about the family and personal issues that some of the kids are dealing with...how much more God's heart breaks for those kids and how he so wants to transform their lives . It also went back what can I do step out of my little world and "look for open hearts and open doors" in the lives of these kids and the younger kids that I serve in our Children's Ministry.

So...I think I am getting the message to step out of "My Own Little World" and connect with people. I am going to do my best so that when I hear that song it can be a historical song of what my life WAS like but is now nothing like that.

Anniversary

Today is my 4th wedding anniversary!! I am so blessed to have such a great man in my life. Here are some amazing and fun facts about Mark Osterhout:

*He owns 2 keyboards, 5 guitars, 3 trumpets, 1 trombone and a bunch of others....and plays them all well.

*He is a great dad!!

*Our cat likes him way better than me. :-)

*He doesn't like dishes in the sink and does something about it. He almost exclusively is the one who loads and unloads the dishwasher.

*He loves silly cartoons and shows.

*I knew I was going to marry him on our 2nd date when he was singing a solo in a foreign language in at choir performance. (The song was called "Riu Chiu Chiu" and I think it was about a dog...so romantic!!) :-)

*He had never been to a football game before we got married.

*He loves putting frosting on a cake (and eating it.)

*He runs really fast...he probably could have been a track star if he had pursued it in his younger days.

*When we were planning our wedding, he basically gave me free reign as to what to do...except in the music department. He had very specific ideas about that!

*He proposed to me after watching Season 1 of The Muppet Show.

*His middle name is Rogers.

*His favorite place in the world is in a canoe in the middle of lake.

*He loves to cook breakfast foods: omelettes, pancakes, etc.

*He likes to play tennis.

*He sang "Some Enchanted Evening" to me at our wedding...and people still talk to me about it.

*He swore that he would never go back to teaching, but he did and he loves it!! (I am so proud of him for that!!)

*He could probably live without a TV, but watches TV with me just because I like it.

*He has written a ton of songs.

*He puts up with me and all my craziness!!

*He is serious about his faith in God and putting it into action.

*He is a fantastic husband!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, I am so lucky to have him in my life! He was well worth the 36 year wait!!! Love you Mark!!