April Fools and the Power of 3!

April Fool’s Day is one of those holidays that I’ve always hated. Blaming it on my shy personality and lack of creativity, it’s a day that I annually spend dodging my brothers, ignoring my friends and finding tranquility in my calm, prank-free home. What about you? Are you the top prankster in your company or the shy girl hiding in the corner? Either way, I will admit that it’s a fun holiday. Check out some April Fool’s worldwide history I found on Wikipedia.com!

• In 1962 the Swedish national television did a 5-minute special on how one could get color TV by placing a nylon stocking in front of the TV. A rather in-depth description on the physics behind the phenomena was included.

• In 1980, the BBC reported a proposed change to the famous clock tower known as Big Ben. The reporters stated that the clock would go digital.

• In 1996, Taco Bell took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times announcing that they had purchased the Liberty Bell to “reduce the country’s debt” and renamed it the “Taco Liberty Bell.” When asked about the sale, White House press secretary Mike McCurry replied tongue-in-cheek that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would henceforth be known as the Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

• In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side. Not only did customers order the new burgers, but some specifically requested the “old”, right-handed burger.

• In 2008, all featured videos on YouTube’s front page hyperlinked to the Rickroll. The prank began with international YouTube portals before appearing on the main site. In 2009 the videos, links and most text (using Unicode substitution) were turned upside down and there was also a link to help users view the new site layout with hints such as hanging the monitor upside-down or moving to Australia.

• Expedia ran a prank on 1 April 2009, offering flights to Mars. This was internally known as Project Dawnstar.

Pretty funny stuff! I can’t help you with any good pranks but I can tell you something that’s going on this April Fool’s Day here that is true…Chris and I are moving into our new apartment in just 3 weeks, Charlotte will be here in just 3 months and Chris is 3 days into his new job… Now that’s no joking matter!

April Fools and the Power of 3!

April Fool’s Day is one of those holidays that I’ve always hated. Blaming it on my shy personality and lack of creativity, it’s a day that I annually spend dodging my brothers, ignoring my friends and finding tranquility in my calm, prank-free home. What about you? Are you the top prankster in your company or the shy girl hiding in the corner? Either way, I will admit that it’s a fun holiday. Check out some April Fool’s worldwide history I found on Wikipedia.com!

• In 1962 the Swedish national television did a 5-minute special on how one could get color TV by placing a nylon stocking in front of the TV. A rather in-depth description on the physics behind the phenomena was included.

• In 1980, the BBC reported a proposed change to the famous clock tower known as Big Ben. The reporters stated that the clock would go digital.

• In 1996, Taco Bell took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times announcing that they had purchased the Liberty Bell to “reduce the country’s debt” and renamed it the “Taco Liberty Bell.” When asked about the sale, White House press secretary Mike McCurry replied tongue-in-cheek that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would henceforth be known as the Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

• In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side. Not only did customers order the new burgers, but some specifically requested the “old”, right-handed burger.

• In 2008, all featured videos on YouTube’s front page hyperlinked to the Rickroll. The prank began with international YouTube portals before appearing on the main site. In 2009 the videos, links and most text (using Unicode substitution) were turned upside down and there was also a link to help users view the new site layout with hints such as hanging the monitor upside-down or moving to Australia.

• Expedia ran a prank on 1 April 2009, offering flights to Mars. This was internally known as Project Dawnstar.

Pretty funny stuff! I can’t help you with any good pranks but I can tell you something that’s going on this April Fool’s Day here that is true…Chris and I are moving into our new apartment in just 3 weeks, Charlotte will be here in just 3 months and Chris is 3 days into his new job… Now that’s no joking matter!

Update on the Changes

Remember my (pretty dramatic) post on our life changes? If not, read here.

All caught up? Good. Because it’s time for an update.

• Change #1: We’re moving. Update: We informed our apartment complex that we will be out of our place by April 30th. Over the past month we’ve done some research and confirmed that we are in fact paying a lot more money for our current place than we need to be spending on a 1 bedroom apartment. Now don’t get me wrong, we like and appreciate where we’re living and think that we’re getting a lot for our money…we just don’t think it’s necessary. We’ve been living a bit luxuriously in our gated apartment complex complete with gym, movie theater, pool, barbeque area, playground, central air, garbage disposal, washer & dryer, dishwasher and all new appliances. But as great as it all sounds, after living here 2 years we’ve honestly had little use for many of these great amenities. So for the same amount of money we’re now looking at renting 2 and 3 bedroom apartments/townhouses/private houses. We haven’t decided on a place (or location) yet but we’re confident that we’ll find something that suits our current needs.

 

• Change #2 – We’re pregnant. Update: I’m now 5 1/2 months pregnant with a little girl we’re calling Charlotte. She’s doing well and so am I. Originally I had high blood pressure but praise God, it’s gone down. So they’re keeping an eye on me but so far so good! We’re very excited about our little girl and will be registering soon. So any advice on what I need vs. what I don’t, I’m all ears! And in case you haven’t heard, Chris made his first baby purchase. A little onesie with a turntable and “future DJ” next to it. He’s too much

 

• Change #3 – Chris’ job change. Update: Many recruiters have contacted Chris about jobs he’d be good for but little has come from them. He did however have 2 successful interviews this past week so that was good. Right now we’re just praying that God’s plan is in the works as Chris enters his last month at the job he’s been so dedicated to over the past 2 years. We’re just waiting for the right job in the right place for the right compensation to take hold.




• Change #4 – We’re switching churches. Update: You’re thinking “what? I don’t remember reading about this in that post?” ha. yea. We did have another change going on at the same time but out of respect for our church at the time we didn’t feel it was right to go “public” with our decision to leave our church of many years and pursue other options. So the update is that our transition went smoothly. We’re still friendly with many members of our old church and (are under the impression) that we did it the right way and didn’t hurt or offend anyone. It was an incredibly hard decision and I’ve had some very emotional moments about it, but we knew it was God and couldn’t ignore it. Due to the pregnancy and a lot of family needs (specifically my family being needy heh) the transition to the new church has been slow, but we know it’s the right place for us and are so excited to get more involved. I must say, it’s weird being a new person. It gives you a whole new outlook on church and Christianity in general. The praise and worship is amazing and the word is consistantly relevant and easy to follow. They also have a growing art ministry that is incorporated into the service that feeds my spirit in a way that music and a sermon can’t. It’s kind of like being at Cornerstone Festival every Sunday.

So that’s the deal. A lot of things moving…not a lot of things confirmed. So please please please keep Chris, myself and Charlotte in your prayers as we hear from God on how to complete these life changing transitions. And as always, please feel free to contact me with your prayer requests. I love praying for my family and friends and if you’re reading my blog, then you’re included in that statement.

Here’s to the future!

New for 2010!!

Hello bloggy friends. I’ve been a bit under the weather lately and therefore will not be posting anything music related this week. Instead, I’d like to give you a quick look at the exciting things to come in 2010!

Blog Related:

• A redesign! As much as I love the color scheme and logo I have now – I believe it’s time for something fresh and relevant to where this blog has gone in 2009. For those of you who subscribe through a reader or email, you probably don’t look at my actual site much. But take a look now, it won’t be the same for much longer! www.proverb31girl.com

• A new name! Years ago I started an online journal named “me4thought.” So when I started this blog, I wanted to somehow link my commonly used name “proverb31girl” with my old writing slate “me4thought.” This produced the very wordy blog name “me4thought: the life and thoughts of a proverb31girl.” 2009 was a big year for me as far as networking and writing goes, so in 2010 my blog name will truncate to the easy to remember (and now well known), Proverb31girl.

• More music! New Music Tuesday has been very successful, especially with the most recent addition of Music Spotlights, so expect more more more! More CD reviews, more interviews and new for 2010, concert and venue news!

• Guest writers! I’d really like to have some different voices funneling through the blog. Different topics. Different opinions. Different lifestyles. If you enjoy writing and are interested in being a contributing writer – please let me know your ideas! See the “contact me!” page to do so.

Life Related:

• Here’s the official announcement if you haven’t heard it already, July 3, 2010 I’ll officially be a mommy! Don’t worry, I’m not going to turn this into a mommy blog…just a mom who likes to write.

• Hubbie will have a new job! Location TBA.

• We’re moving! It might be to a different place in the same town or it might be out of state. We’re not sure yet. But we do know that it’s time for a bigger place!

• Road trips! Pregnancy (hopefully) won’t hold me back from visiting Club Worship and The Gates pre-baby and a few other places post-baby. Our kid is going to love dance music whether he/she likes it or not

Well that’s about all the updates I have right now. I hope you’re as excited as I am for this journey. 2010 is going to be a great year of change and new beginnings.

To be continued,

Jess/Proverb31girl

God-Sized Dreams

(In)courage asked an interesting question on their blog. They asked: What are your God-sized dreams for 2010?

It’s one thing to dream…but it’s another thing to have a dream that’s GOD-sized! But with all of the changes in life (see post on changes) this question isn’t very hard for me to answer. My God-sized dreams for 2010 are as follows (not in any order):

• That my family and friends come to know Jesus the way we were all created to know him
• A healthy, happy baby (to come in July 2010)
• A great new job for my husband that he really enjoys doing
• The perfect size/location house for me and my growing family to live in
• Enough means to be comfortable as a 1 income family so that I can fulfill my calling as a mother the best I can
• For Chris’ music and upcoming projects to sore to levels beyond man’s capabilities

Now normally this would be quite a hefty list of dreams. But hey – God is big and I truly believe He can do ALL things.

What are your God-sized dreams for 2010?

The Journey We All Take

STEVEN (to Jack)

Do you know I grew seven inches senior year?

(points to his mouth)

Everything from here up, it’s all new.  Things are

gonna change for me.  Sixty percent of people

meet their spouses at college.

JACK

You, and a girl?

STEVEN

Why not?  These girls at college, they don’t know

me.

JACK

Yeah, they don’t know you threw up on the bus in

Cha-Cha-Changes!

Ever pray a prayer that you wish God didn’t take so seriously? Ya know, He could answer the prayer in a nice, easy to swallow way…but nothing too dramatic. Oh if only God worked that way.

A few months ago I specifically remember crying out to God that I needed some changes in my life. I was bored and feeling stale. Life didn’t have it’s usual color and I was desperate for a new adventure. Maybe a change in job or a new friend…I didn’t really know what I wanted, but I knew I wanted something to change.

Well you can’t convince me that God doesn’t hear my prayers because God is now taking Chris and I  not only on an adventure, but a complete life change. Just a few short months after I begged for a change, we received a bundle of them. First, we decided that it’s time to move. Maybe not out of the area, but definitely to a bigger place…maybe even a house. We knew we wanted a music studio and maybe even a room for “the future.” We started looking around but nothing jumped out at us so we decided to just keep it in prayer and move on with life as it was. Then, I found out that I’m pregnant. So much for wanting to move — now we HAVE to move. We definitely need more space and do not feel the “luxury lifestyle” is exactly necessary. But we decided that we’re not ready to buy something, so we’ll be needing somewhere to rent. Following that, Chris found out that he’s being let go from his job in March. So now we need a new home and Chris needs a new job and we will become a family of 3 in July. How’s THAT for change? Thanks God. Couldn’t do it just one at a time huh?

Well to be honest, I know God is in all of this craziness. Chris’ job ends in March, our lease is up in April and the baby comes in early July. Sure sounds like a recipe for an AWESOME new life to start. So now we’re just waiting to see what God has planned. And I can honestly say that life is no longer boring, stale or colorless. I look forward to updating you on what unravels in the next few months!