Shannon Yee

I am very proud and also full of pride. I think there is a big difference between these two things with proud being a good thing and pride being a very bad thing.

Some people see the root issue or sin as unbelief or lack of faith and some people see it as fear (which I believe is a lack of faith) and others see the deep sin at the basis of our lives as idolatry and others see that root as pride. I think there are great arguments for all of these and in my life I can see that any of these could be true. For me, idolatry and pride are the same as my main idol is myself and so that seems to win out, but maybe pride is really an unbelief in God’s sovereignty and goodness… Anyway, pride is an egregious sin that God detests.

On the other hand, I am also proud. I’m so proud of my husband and the way he takes care of our family and uses the gifts that God has given him. I am also very proud of my kids, especially when they do or say things that are kind, sensitive and wise. Right now, Eila and Josiah are playing together and laughing hysterically, and I feel such joy and love and so proud of them. Maybe this proud feeling I have is really a godly jealousy for them to do right. I’m most proud of those around me when they are glorifying God and submitting their lives to Him, which is what I want for myself as well. Also, I’m proud of my loved ones as I see them being successful and persevering. I think it is a boasting in the Lord rather than in them or in myself for whatever.

Appetizer
Describe a toy you remember from your childhood.

I used to love roller skating in the basement… oh, the memories.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how observant are you?

7, the question is can I keep my observations to myself

Salad
Where would you rather be at this very moment?

Hiking in the mountains

Main Course
When was the last time you learned something new?

10 minutes ago – the internet is a great place to find new info

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have ____________ but I haven’t ____________.

I have eaten dinner, but I haven’t had dessert. So, away I go.

Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how polite are you?

5. I’m not usually rude, but neither am I terribly polite, unfortunately.

Soup
What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

Brian pulling Eila up into the air by her legs and hearing Eila scream with delight at the whiplash.
Salad
Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Ariel?

Main Course
Tell about the funniest teacher you ever had.

I’d have to say Mr. Daly, not because he tried, but because he really didn’t!

Dessert
Complete this sentence: I strongly believe that ______________________.

I strongly believe that God is good and right, even when I think I know better…

Appetizer
What is your favorite fruit?

whatever is in season – currently blueberries!

Soup
Who is someone you consider as a great role model?

my mother

Salad
If you were to spend one night anywhere within an hour of your home, where would you choose?

I’d go back to the Dearborn Hyatt Regency, especially if dinner and breakfast were included in this adventure.

Main Course
Name something you do too often.

Scold Eila.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I really like ___________ because ____________.

I really like Brian because he is so amazing in more ways than I could ever list.

I don’t know why this is so difficult, but planning a vacation is something that stresses me out to the max. I am starting to believe that it might have to do with a deeper issue (don’t stressors always have a trigger?), like wanting to please those I love the most and who will be in close quarters with me during this vacation. But, then again, I think it could just be my OCD/perfectionist craziness. I want my vacations to be perfect – to see all there is to see, to eat well all the time, to sleep well and most of all to have a fabulous time doing whatever I want to do. In order for the vacation to be perfect there is a lot of planning involved. I need to research every possible thing to see or do and find the best possible place to stay and dining options while considering the budget and what will work for our family. I think this is also complicated by the fact that my beloved mate doesn’t have much to say usually, but for vacations offers his opinion and so I want to take that into consideration and make his trip perfect too. I have usually have lots of opinions, so this is no exception. But, when visiting a new place, I fear making a wrong choice and screwing it up for everyone. Failure: my biggest fear! Mixing fear of failing and fear of letting others down – I’m afraid that I might be believing a lie – this is recipe for disaster. The truth is that my self-worth is not based on my performance and other’s opinions of me, but on Christ and His work on the cross. Thank God that He is God and I am NOT!

Appetizer
How many pieces of jewelry do you wear most days?

If you count each earring and ring separately, I typically wear 5 pieces.

Soup
What is your favorite instrumental song?

Pachelbel’s Canon in D

Salad
Who has a last name that you like?

Me.

Main Course
Name a popular movie you’ve never seen.

Star Wars Episode 3 or Lord of the Rings (I only saw the first one & hated it.)

Dessert
Fill in the blank: Nothing makes me ___________ like ____________.

Nothing makes me happy like spending time with my family.

Here are some things you may or may not find funny. I find that I am starting to be able to laugh at myself – a little bit, but only because if I don’t I’ll be the only one not laughing and feel very left out.

While talking to Brian as he sat at the computer, I noticed that I couldn’t see quite right. Then, I heard something hit the ground and realized that the lens fell out of my glasses. Since, I couldn’t really see without the lens I couldn’t find it and stood there with my glasses on, but only one lens – what a nerd!

Nature was calling and as I obeyed the call, I found a small potty seat stuck to my behind. I had sat down rather firmly on Eila’s potty seat and came up with it still there, for just a second…

At Target, I was seen loudly calling to no one “Can you come out of the clothes by yourself or do you need me to help you?” This was shortly after I was seen taking clothes off of Eila while chasing her and trying to put her shoes back on her.

Everytime I see a smudge on the wall in our living room, I think it’s a bug. I jump slightly (sometimes more) and my heart races – I swear Brian does this too, but maybe that’s just me trying not to be alone in this.

Appetizer
Name a funny habit you have.

I unconsciously scrunch up my nose whenever I wear my glasses.

Soup
If you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument, which one would you pick?

Tuba.

Salad
How long is your hair?

long ~7 inches to donate if I cut off a ponytail

Main Course
When was the last time you forgave someone, and who was it?

5 hours ago, I forgave Eila for hitting me when I said she couldn’t have more juice

Dessert
What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

I guess it’s the microwave- to warm up my cookies.

These were my resolutions for 2007: 1) Serve others by God’s grace, not my own efforts to earn their approval or praise, but as a response of love – giving a gift to God (as I would to a friend or someone that might deserve a special something). 2) Obey God and move forward in what He has already given me to do, even if it’s scary or difficult or seemingly unimportant or non-essential.

Basically, to BE NICER.
Am I being nicer?

Well, not yelling isn’t going so well.  I haven’t slammed too many doors or thrown anything large or dangerous.  That’s not really saying much.  But, I have confessed – to both God and either Eila or Brian, when my anger at the injustice of it all has flared.

As for helping others, I have helped others when it has been convenient or I’ve been asked to do so, but I haven’t gone out of my way to be nice and lend a hand.  And once, I even complained out loud, which definitely wasn’t nice.  Although, I have been faithfully praying for others and that’s the nicest thing I can think to do, and most helpful.

Finally, being nicer to the strangers I encounter every day: cashiers, wait staff, other drivers and shoppers. I have done pretty well in common courtesy towards them, even making polite conversation.  On occasion, I’ve reflectively listened and truly cared for these strangers.

In the first goal: to be nicer, I’m making some improvements, but there is still plenty of room for more.

My second goal, the catch all, is a good reminder to be to do what I tell Eila to do every day:  Listen and Obey.  I can think of a few things that I should do right now and one of them is to stop typing and start praying. So, off I go.

Appetizer
Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is _________________…

The best thing about where I live is that we have family nearby.

Soup
Create a new name for a deodorant (like “Flower Fresh” or “Shower Scent”).

Sweeter Sweat

Salad
What was the last piece of software you installed onto your computer?

Who Me? I don’t install things; that’s my husband’s forte.

Main Course
If you were to receive a superlative award today beginning with the words ”Most likely to…”, what would the rest of the phrase say?

Most likely to blame someone else for my mistakes.

Dessert
What two colors do you like to wear together?

Pink and Blue