Hey, Siestas! We will do our random drawing later today as promised and, if you don’t mind a little delay, post our biography winners within the next forty-eight hours so we can leave time for you to respond to this post. I learned something new about you over the previous post: YOU ARE READERS. And I love that. Get a load of the number of comments to that post! Of course, it makes sense when you think about it. Blog readers usually are…well…readers. I have already ordered several books from your recommendations and others of you mentioned titles that stirred up great memories of biographies past.I am a dyed in the wool book nerd so this totally spoke my love language.
I’ve been thinking about something since AJ’s recent post about stepping back from her LPM job for the sake of her family. In that post and in the one that followed, we hashed over the painful truth that, actually, no one can do everything and, unless our all is Jesus, no one can have everything. We have limited resources of time, energy, and ability. But, I thought it would be fun to list a few things (dreams, if you will) that we’d each do…if only we could. If only we were not limited by time, energy, and ability, or money, for heaven’s sake. How would you complete the sentence, “If I could, I would…?” Here are the ground rules: YOU CAN ONLY NAME THREE THINGS. You have to choose. Keep in mind, these aren’t regrets. (i.e. “If I could, I would…live my whole life again without making that stupid choice.” We all have plenty of those and they’re not likely to encourage others much.) The things we’re listing on this post are wishes! Dreams can say a lot about a person and reshape how we picture one another. For instance, maybe I’ll find out today that Moose Mama secretly wishes she could sky dive, or katiegfromtennessee has a long standing dream of being a zookeeper, or Sister Lynn has always wanted to take tuba lessons. You see, this could change everything. OK, well not everything. Not even much. But, for crying out loud, wouldn’t it at least be a little fun in a grueling week? Here are three of mine:
If I could, I would…
1) Travel to every country on earth.
2) Teach elementary school Sunday School.
3) Learn sign language fluently.
OK, how about you?
1. visit Israel
2. have a girl (I’ve got 2 boys)
3. get to baby step 7 on the Dave Ramsey plan
Wow! Thanks for the encouragement to remember the dreams/hopes we have in our hearts! Here are my three!
1) Go back to school to earn a degree in therapy/counseling to help those who hurt, especially students/families in Christian schools where it is often “unGodly” to struggle or not know all the answers.
2) Stay home to write, and live the “obsessed writer” concept out for a season.
3) Be the dramatist/creative element for Living Proof/Beth Moore conferences, as well as other conventions, as my gifting is in the performing arts – notice the mime face yet?
Travel the world with my husband seeing the most glorious of settings and magnificent places that God created on earth!
See my children grow in awe of Jesus and His great love for them personally & walking in the truth of His plan for their life!
FLY! Seriously…wings and everything!!!
AND…of course all the other wonderful and good things y’all mentioned just made my day! My 10yr old son and I just had this conversation and wondered how fun it would be to have unlimited funds to do good things for others….His face and mind and eyes just brightened at thinking of the possibilities…I’m sure many were for his best interest but it was so much fun to dream!
A friend from church just started a non-profit: Soles for Jesus (shoes for children in Ethiopia) – WOW….what an amazing story of a mom’s obedience and God’s favor!
oh dear me.
1. live for a year like Heidi (from the book)
2. live for a year in the world of Jane Austen
3. go to Narnia. for real.
Deirdre
aka
screamofcontinuousness.wordpress.com
1. Run a marathon.
2. Know God completely.
3. Help abused kids heal.
I know, I’m late. Does it still count? In likeliness they will actually happen, they go in order from smallest to largest:
1) Be fluent in French.
2) Get my pilot’s license.
3) Wear a size 4.
Going back to my snack now.
if i could, i would:
1. have a perfectly healthy body
2. have millions of dollars to fund missionairies like wycliffe, so if they even get furlough, they can mostly rest and leisurely at only some churches share of their experiences; and to fund the bibles to be spread around
3. if i had 1 and 2 i would then hire a housekeeper and cook fulltime so that not only could my families needs be met BUT also then do fulltime ministry, esp in area of hospitality with beth moore studies in my home every weekday aft. and evening.
That has been my hearts lifelong dream.
1. Play a major role in helping women and children in poverty
2. Cause my children to have an unquenchable passion for Christ and desire to spend themselves loving and serving Him.
3. Not BE Beth Moore (bc I know God made me to be me) BUT to be able to communicate the word as effectively as she does (and to look as cute as she does while doing it – I know, I know……. But God knows its true so you might as well too. 🙂 )
1) Live near the ocean!
2) Learn how to sail.
3) Write and illustrate children’s books.
If I could I would:
1. Quit my job
2. Help my son and his wife with my granddaughter (which would be a challenge since they live 13 hours away)
3. Go on a medical mission trip
Janice,
I could help you with this one. I am a nurse and take at least one medical mission trip per year. If you are interested in the details….give me a holler…
[email protected]
Pat from Kansas
1. paint something great
2. write a book
3. sing a solo
1. finish seeing the seven continents and four oceans
2. publish an inspiring Christian fiction novel
3. get a doctorate in educational leadership
1. Own a radio station – or at least be general manager.
2. Know without a doubt (and feel) Christ’s total love for me. I “know” He loves me – it’s just that sometimes I don’t “feel” it.
3. Be certain that all of my children are securely, firmly, planted in Christ.
Hi Cheri,
I have something that might help you with #2. I don’t know if you happened to read it already, but go to the post “Random Stuff” and page 1 of the comments. Pretend that all of the replies to my question say “Cheri.” Maybe something will help you there!
1. Work for the FBI (computer related)
2. Have my devotions published
3. Work with and rehabilitate abused dogs
1. Go back to seminary and be a professional student
2. Build our dream log home on a lake (and live in it of course)
3. Be a well-balanced person
1. Design and build cabin in the mountains.
2. Serve on a mission trip in every continent.
3. Adopt a child.
1. Go to Hawaii and drink something with a cute little umbrella in it 🙂
2. Own a beach house
3. Write and publish a book about my travels
If I could, I would…
1) Be independently wealthy so that I could travel the world visiting every last country and homeschool my kiddos along the way.
2) Rent a beach house yearly and invite all of my kindred spirit friends to come spend the week.
3) Pay off the mortgages of all of my friends in ministry so that they could be financially free and take more risks in doing what God has called them to do.
1. Return to seminary and finish Greek and Hebrew studies and teaching credentials
2. Visit the U.K. (England, Ireland, Scotland, but not attached to seeing Wales)
3. Publish a children’s book or book of poetry
1. I have always wanted to have a great big beautiful singing voice- I would LOVE to be able to belt out praise songs – on the stage, of course!
2. I also would love to travel to every country with someone I love and visit someone I know who already lives there.
3. I would love to be able to paint landscapes in the impressionistic style and sell them for big money- then give it all away to people who need it!!
LOVE this!!!
Fran
While I am dreaming, I dream BIG! 🙂
If I could I would…
1. Live in Italy for 6 whole months as a “native”. Work there, make pals and be Italian. Of course, pasta tends to settle right on me, so I avoid it like the plague. I digress…
2. Learn how to make homemade pasta (all kinds) and eat as much as I wanted without gaining a pound. I have to then learn to make all the sauces that go with them, from scratch. 🙂
3. Adopt 5 or 6 kids, with disabilities, from Russia.
If I could, I would…
1) Learn to play the guitar as well as my brother did.
2) Have a career working with animals (God’s creatures are amazing, aren’t they?).
3) Take a Compassion International field trip or volunteer to work in a foreign orphanage.
Kristi Walker, you sound like a girl after my own heart. However, I could only pick 3. Your 3 choices sound amazing though.
1. Own a home on the water, spend lots of time reading on the deck.
2. Wear a size 6.
3. Really wishing here….have everyone just get along!
1.Finish my commercial pilot’s license so that I could fly sick children around the world to obtain proper medical care.
2. Speak several foreign languages fluently.
3. Write a classic children’s book that will be read & treasured for years and years to come.
WOW! I’m late to the party too! I have so many wishes but here it goes…just my three:
1. Speak fluent another language besides English.
2. Have enough money to help everyone in the world that needs it!
3. Live on the beach. As I used to tell my mom…”If you could make money just lying on the beach, I sure would do it in a heartbeat!”
1. Live in a beach house on Nantucket
2. Be a concert pianist
3. Look like Cindy Crawford
1. Adopt a a boy and girl from India.
2. Travel to all the great historical places in America and really sense the amazing experiences of generations gone by.
3. Miraculously become an interior decorator cuz I really stink at it!
If I could, I would …
1) Travel to the Holy Lands (oh, please Lord!)
2) Adopt a child
3) Own a home in Blowing Rock, NC – closest place to heaven 🙂
OK, here it goes..
1. Sing beautifully
2. Live in a perfectly warm climate
3. See my whole family saved (this is actually #1)
Blessings to all of you!!!
1. Be an elementary school teacher.
2. Live on a rocky island in a lighthouse and read, and study, and write worthwhile books that would make a difference in people’s lives.
3. Be a missionary to China in a place where I could be a witness and friend to the leaders in high places.
1) Pursue graduate degrees/studies in theology, Biblical studies and English literature.
2) Live in Europe for a period of time and write
3) Have more children
What, only 3??? 🙂
If I could, I would…
1. Visit Israel (ideally, without being in fear of my safety!)
2. Heal my friend Julie’s daughter Dakota, who is living with Tay-Sach’s disease (a terminal, degenerative childhood disease)
3. Hang out with Beth Moore for an afternoon, because you are one of my favorite people, even though we have technically never met!
1. I would like to quit my job and spend more time with my granddaughters
2. Visit my compassion child in Tanzania!
3. Go back in time and get to know my grandmother and her history.
WOW! I am soooo late to this question but I must say that I was so inspired and encouraged by all of the posts. What a great group of ladies I have the privilege to call my siesta friends. Ok, even though I am late I am going to answer…
If I could, I would…
1. Open a little bed and breakfast place where I could cook homemade breakfast, snacks and dinner (supper 😉 depending on which part of the country you are from), however I would hire out to do all of the cleaning 🙂
2. Get my pilot’s license
3. Own a working therapeutic horse ranch where kids and adults could come learn about horses and how to be around them/ride them while at the same time learning all of the “spiritual” aspects that taking care of horses can teach us.
Thanks Beth for making us think about wishes and dreams that may or may not come true all the while knowing that the LORD has even bigger dreams than we can dream for ourselves.
Serving the Ultimate Dreammaker,
Jeanne
1. Volunteer full time at my Church’s food bank ministry.
2. See my momma walk again and know me all the time even if it meant giving up a lung or kidney in exchange.
3. Go to bed at least one night a week without feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. Forget size 6 stuff!
1. Write a book for teenage girls on why living for Jesus is so cool…
2. Travel to Greece
3. Let go of all my fear to accomplish my dreams!
1. ) Have a 24 hour nanny on call.
2. ) Learn to be a great chef.
3.) Learn Spanish fluently.
The trouble is I can’t narrow it down to just 3…I’m a dreamer and a drifter and praise the Lord He’s finally got a grip on my wandering soul!! Or maybe it’s more like I’ve finally got a grip on Him. He is my stronghold…Anyway:
1.)To the praise and glory of God I just landed a position at a local secular college as a nursing instructor so one dream I would have is to begin a chapter of Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF) for my co-workers and students, hold regular prayer and Bible study meetings, and go on mission trips during summer break…
2.)Become as powerful and effective as Beth in leading Bible study for young women (teens) and change just one young girls vision of God through my love and obedience to Him. (because this is what Beth did for me…)
3.)Finally become a mommy and experience pregnancy.
If I could, I would heal and restore broken relationships in my blended family. But I know that this is something that only God can do through me. Even though it seems like a momumental task, I know that there is nothing too hard for God! Please keep me in your prayers!
1. Adopt three little girls (I have four little boys)
2. Pay off all debt so that my husband can be home with us more than he is at work, instead of the other way around.
3. Go on a family medical mission trip to China and work with the orphans at Maria’s Big House of Hope
I guess I am a little late on this one, but I couldn’t resist leaving my 3 dreams.
If I could, I would….
1) Have a house full of babies
2) Adopt my stepson (& have him live with us all the time)
3) Be one of the people that rides the horses at the stockyard to get the cattle in the stalls.
~or~
be a large animal vet
If I could, I would:
1)Buy a bunch of land and open up a Bed and Breakfast for burned-out ministry folks, a place where they could rejuvenate for free.
2)Move to a foreign country for a year
3)Do absolutely nothing for a whole week
Very, very late to the party.
If I could I would:
1. Travel to Israel and Africa
2. Travel the country doing help ministry…helping where needed and then moving on to the next assignment…and not worrying about the money end of course 🙂
3. Be a Christian counselor
1. Start a “beach ministry” on the island of Kauai: nothing better than fellowship,the Bible, sand, and the sound of ocean waves
2. Go on a missions trip with my family
3. Travel around the U.S. and the world to take in all of the different land, cultures and people that God created
1. Fly. Not just in a plane but just soar like an eagle – I’ve had dreams about floating in through the air and it is Wonderful!.
2. Sing like an angel. I love to sing but it would be nice to have the voice that I’d like to hear coming from my vocal chords.
3. Big star trek fan. So if there really was a Starship Enterprise I would be on it in a heart beat!
My real life is being wife to my wonderful husband for 14 years and still growing in our relationship, we have three children from ages 3 months to 7 years, we homeschool, parents are aging and require our daily assistance now.
Just droppin in to the party as everyone’s headin out the door…
If I could I would:
1. Live in Italty for an entire year
2. Climb Mt Raineer
3. Go back to school and study horticulture & landscaping so I could keep a beautiful garden all year around.
Ok, This is the third time that I have tried to comment on this blog. I wonder if God is speaking to me right this second. When I read this and thought about Three wishes I immediately wanted to wish for a time machine. But, I also know that if I went back in time and didn’t make any of the mistakes that I have made I probably would not have the relationship with God that I have today. I think that the bigger the mess we create, God gets just that much more glory when he redeems us. What a really huge mess I’ve created. So, today I can be thankful for this major mess, because I know that my God is going to make it beautiful when he is done. I just love that I am a part of this S.I.C. (sisters in christ) community. This is the text signature me and my local sisters use. Because we have all been truely sick. We use our S.I.C. initials in honor. Feel free to share in our initials. My wishes would be……
1) Successfully write a book about my life and that it will glorify my GOD.
2) That my whole family will be saved through the blood of Christ.
3) And I want to learn to read the bass clef on the piano music fluently so I can play well.
Love, your S.I.C. Samantha
1. travel to all 50 states by the time I am 50
2. run a half marathon
If I could I would:
1. visit the Holy Land
2. retire and become a stand-up comedian
3. take a hot air balloon ride