Day 3- Pay for Someone Else’s Meal

I have been hearing more and more stories every day of people “Paying It Forward,” and I think it’s absolutely wonderful.  I ALWAYS try be kind and generous, and to look for everyday opportunities to help shelter the homeless, clothe the needy, and feed the hungry.  And from time to time, I’ve found myself in a restaurant, looking around at the other customers, and wondering if anyone there is in need, or could use a little help.  But I never made the decision to actually do it- to pay for someone else’s meal.  In part, because it’s tough to choose just one table, and the other part is because you really don’t know how much their bill is going to be!  That’s totally besides the point, but unless you’re a millionaire, it’s something that you might have to keep in mind!

Well today, I decided to make a difference in someone else’s day.  My family and I went out to breakfast this morning at Eat’n Park.  (Which, by the way, shouldn’t it be Park’n Eat since you have to PARK before you can go in and EAT?  Makes no sense….)  ANYWAY, It was nothing fancy, but they have a pretty decent breakfast buffet, and anything that involves a shorter wait time when you’re dining with a 3 and a 1 year old is a BIG win!  

I was hoping we’d see a family to pay it forward to, because life just gets expensive with kids!  There was actually only one other family there at the time we sat down; everyone else must’ve been there for the senior’s special. ;)  I realized that the OTHER difficult part of all this was that, while this act-of-kindness can be anonymous to whoever’s bill you’re paying, you have to tell the servers!  For someone who typically prefers quiet, unnoticed good deeds, it felt a little weird.  But to my delight, the waitress was very helpful, quick and quiet about it, which was PERFECT.  I didn’t want the pat-on-the-back “oh how nice of you” and I didn’t get it!  Watching the family (by means of quick glances) as the waitress informed them that their bill was taken care of was a bit… anti-climatic.  The wife and two of the children had already left, and the dad and third child stayed back to pay.  All we saw was a quick conversation, and then the dad got up and looked around as he walked out.  I hope I was misreading his face as he left, but he looked a little… embarrassed.  

Ugh… I felt awful. 

I have to take a step back and realize that if I were out to eat with my family and someone paid for our meal, I’d probably cry and then smile and wave and everyone in the restaurant, just in case it was that person who blessed us.  That’s just me.  But then afterwards, I might wonder… do I look like I couldn’t afford my meal?  Is there something about my family and I that makes us look like we need help?  And for a proud father who probably CAN support and feed his family, maybe that was just a punch in the gut. 

Honestly, I don’t know what I expected to happen.  I didn’t want them to know it was us, but a part of me wanted to tell him that I wasn’t trying to judge them, I just wanted to spread a little sunshine.  Couldn’t do that, without making it seem like I wanted to be thanked. 

So here’s what I’m left with:  I have to just offer it up- my feelings of guilt and self-doubt about what I did today- and pray that it helped them somehow.  Maybe it could have been a few smiles and laughs in the car, and a “I can’t believe we got a free breakfast” conversation on the way home.  Maybe they really WERE struggling financially, and every little bit helps.  Or maybe it’s a tough lesson on pride.  But I did what I did so that I could “pay it forward,” and I won’t stop doing things like this just because of an un-known ending.  In the future, I might begin to focus my attention more on people who I know need help, instead of random acts of kindness.  I will definitely continue to pray each day that God presents me with opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and to help others in whatever ways I’m able to.  Again, not for the glory of it, but just because that’s what I think we’re here for- to help, serve, and love each other. 

And fortunately, I have proof:

"And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’"

Matthew 25:40

Day 2- Visit the Medina Antique Mall

A simple task for day 2, but something I’ve always wanted to check out!  I remember shopping in this building maybe 20 years ago with my mom when it was “Finest,” but I’ve always been curious about it since it became an Antique Mall!  The verdict?  It was pretty cool!  I have a decent appreciation for old things… errr… antiques, and the history that goes with them.  Walking down the first aisle, we saw a ton of pretty cool items… daggers, jewelry, WWI relics, old toys,... everything!  We were a little offended to find out that some of our favorite movies had become “antiques,” (possibly because they were on VHS?) but we’ll get over it. 

It was great to find something inside, fun, and free to do with the fam.  We barely even explored a quarter of their 52,000 square foot facility in the time we had, so I would definitely love to head back there sometime!  Of course we had to tell J ahead of time not to touch anything (and T slept in my arms THE ENTIRE TIME!), but even at age 3, she was really interested in everything!  She liked seeing the old Barbies, toys, and instruments, and to my surprise, she even asked questions about things, and listened to our answers. 

I don’t think she would’ve lasted more than an hour, but I think we’ll head back on a rainy day with a little prepared scavenger hunt!  She loves taking pictures, and I think she would love a challenge of:  find something yellow, find something you could sit on, find Mickey Mouse, etc… That would buy me some time to browse and enjoy.  I just really appreciated seeing old things that my grandparents had, and things I’ve seen in pictures but never in person.  Oh and that JEWELRY?!?! Holy smokes.  Beautiful.  I would buy antique jewelry over Jared’s in a heartbeat.  It was stunning.  (Wish I had pics of the jewels but my hands were full!  K took the pics for me!)  

The most challenging part was that the store is organized by seller.  The cabinets/booths are rented out, and each seller keeps all their goods together, so there isn’t one particular section for clothes, furniture, kitchen items, etc.  It was pretty random, but that made it even more fun when we found something cool!

And don’t worry- I didn’t make it out of there with out a souvenir!  I can’t resist a fancy little tea cup! Now I can sip on my tea, old school style, while I write my blog posts this month!

Welcoming my 30's

Hey there!  Welcome to my adventure!

My name is Emily and I am 29 and 11/12-ths years old.  I will be 30 in exactly 30 days.  Which, after today, gives me 29 days left of being 29.  That’s it, then my twenties will be a thing-of-the-past!  Done, over, gone.  Never comin’ back.

But at least I’m not freaking out about it, right?!?!  I mean, people turn 30 everyday, so what’s the big deal?!?!

Well the big deal is that this time it’s happening to ME!  And I sure WAS freaking out, once I realized that the ever-looming milestone birthday just kept creeping closer and closer.  But, thanks to the example of a great friend (or two!), I have decided to welcome in the next decade of my life with open arms and a full calendar.  I’m challenging myself to a “30 by 30” adventure; starting today, I will do one new thing each day until my birthday.  These tasks will always be something I’ve never done before, some big & some small, some & easy some hard, but they’ll all be “thirty-some adventures” that will add up to one big adventure.  It’s a way for me to celebrate me, and my 30^th birthday.  And hopefully, if I like blogging, the adventures will continue well into my thirties, and “thirty-some adventures” will take on a whole new meaning!

I also need to address the “Why are you doing this?/I don’t get it..” questions that I’ve been asked a handful of times already.  I’m doing this for me.  I’m doing this because, even though it might seem like I’m just being dramatic about getting old, because 30’s not really old yet, it feels like it to the “me” that still feels like I’m 23 24  24½.  So this isn’t meant to be a “Oh-my-gosh-I’m-SO-freaking-old” pity party, OR a “look-at-me-I’m-super-young-and-still-energetic” explain-a-brag.  It’s simply a way for me to be excited about the next phase of my life, and to be excited for all that’s in store.  And MOST of all, to remind myself (and anyone reading along!) that you’re NEVER too old (or too young) to try new things and to make TODAY the biggest adventure yet, simply because it’s the one happening right now. (Shout out to my grandpa, who told me on his 94^th Christmas that THAT one was his favorite because it was the one happening right then and there…)

So thanks for being here and reading this, and following me while I go on this grand adventure!  I’m so excited to challenge myself each day, to step out of my comfort zone once or twice, and to hopefully spread some smiles while I’m at it!

Much love,

Emily

Stay in touch- I’d love to hear your comments, feedback, or ideas on new adventures!

Day 1- Start a Blog

Day 1- Start a Blog

Ohmygosh.  Do you know what it looks like when you start a blog?  If you've blogged before, you probably know what I'm talking about.  

For the novice-bloggers, it's this.  It looks like this:

Overwhelming, to say the least.  

But just as this blank page literally stares me in the face, I'm realizing that this whole adventure is a figurative blank page, and both are SO exciting!!

All month, I've seen "Day 1" written on my calendar on January 29th and as I watched this day get closer and closer, I was excited but also pretty nervous!  I've ALWAYS wanted to start a blog (well since I've discovered the world of Pinterest, anyway)  But I've never taken the first step.  Now I finally have the perfect excuse to start one, and to actually commit to posting on it every day for the first month!

My First Hurdle: 

Being new to the world of blogging, I didn't quite know about choosing a blog name until I tried to find the perfect one.  Inspired by one of my favorite quotes from Peter Pan, I finally decided on "An Awfully Big Adventure," which, of course, has already been taken.  Then I decided to just add a few words at the beginning and have it be "Today Will Be An Awfully Big Adventure."  But you're not supposed to make the name too long, or else people won't read it or remember it.  Nothing that I liked was available, and everything that was available was too long.  But thanks to a little help from my sisters (and lots of group-text brainstorming), I decided on "Thirty-Some Adventures."  It's perfect for what I'm doing here- both my reason for starting the blog (a media to share my 30 by 30), but also for all the adventures that I'll enjoy (and probably struggle with) in my thirties.  A PERFECT way to welcome in a new decade!

My Second Hurdle:

I should've started working on this a week ago!  There are SOOOO many options, and it takes a lot of work to get something up and running and looking nice.  So, my apologies friends, you'll just have to wait a few days for the "looking nice" part!

My Next Hurdle:

When I turn 40, I'm going to need a new blog name (and TONS of emotional support).

Faith

For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 4:14-19

Trust

Pixie Dust

J & T:
My whole heart!

J

Recently, we were driving home from my mom's house at bed time, and since she lives right around the corner, we decided to drive around a bit and give the kids a chance to fall asleep.  As soon as J realized this she said:

J- "Guys.  What are we doing?"
Me- "Oh we're just driving around a bit, trying to calculate the distance from our house to the park." (partially true)
J- *sigh* "I am NOT fine with this."