Schleppin' around

There is really no good reason for this post's title; I just like the word "schlep". I'm not even sure if that's how you spell it. Whatevs.
So, to follow up my last post, I'm happy to report that I'm having fun with trying to be more assertive. Recent efforts: telling high school students that I can't hang out with them on my day off because I need to spend time with my husband, and not letting myself feel bad about it; giving suggestions at work meetings and not worrying so much about if people like them or not; taking back my own poorly executed Starbucks beverage instead of batting my eyes at Aaron and asking him to do it. It feels scary and unnatural to do these things, but it's also very freeing. Internally, I'm finding that it's a lot about letting go of my desire to always give people what they want in the moment, for the sake of vitality and authenticity in my relationships. If I never acknowledge my own needs, I actually will not be healthy enough to care for others, and if never share my thoughts and feelings, I will be keeping people at arm's length instead of letting them know who I really am. Also, as far as learning how to say no when I need to, I'm seeing that I don't need to feel apologetic about my priorities, as long as they're good ones. Anyway, it's been good to think about this stuff and try to put it into practice, and I really appreciate all the comments on the last post. You guys are encouraging.
In other news, I'm really looking forward to the winter camp coming up for the high school ministry Aaron and I work with. We are focusing on the spiritual disciplines of study (of scripture), meditation (on scripture), and prayer. As we've been planning for camp, it has been interesting to talk about how God's word is sometimes approached more as a textbook than as vital, beautiful instruction that should be our sustenance and existence. We can expend a lot of energy on understanding what it's saying, but what's the point if it doesn't become part of who we are? It's been very convicting for me to think about.
On a less serious note, Aaron got us tennis rackets for Christmas. If you are in the vicinity of Orange and you see some people playing tennis and totally sucking at it, it's probably us, so stop and say hi! No, he's actually quite good and he's never even played. I, on the other hand, have played, but I probably have less natural athletic ability than a hamster or something, so I make some pretty stupid moves. It's just extremely satisfying to get a good hit in once in a while, so I'm going to keep chasing that dream as long as Aaron will put up with my crummy serves and spastic forehand. At least our future children have a 50/50 shot at having some coordination. Speaking of kiddos, congrats to sidebar buddies Louis and Lindsey!