An Interview with Mandy

I'm getting addicted to surveys/games, etc. So, this one is where you are given 5 interview-type questions from another blogger to answer and post. If you play along, I get to pick 5 questions for you! Here we go...

1. If you had to pick one personality trait to pass on to your children from both you and your husband, what would it be? Are there any personality traits that you would most definitely not want to pass on?
This is tough. A trait from Kevin is pretty easy- he is a peace-keeper and I hope that trait passes on to our girls. He is so gifted at seeing the Greater Need of a situation. He encourages others to let things go, to reconcile and is able to swallow his own frustrations for the sake of relationships. I'm amazed at his even temperment and ability to forgive. I pray this is something he continues to demonstrate and teach our girls. If I had to pick something I hope he doesn't pass on to our girls, I would have to say driving agression/frustration. Not quite to the level I would say Road Rage but it's close. (Love you, honey :)
From myself, I hope that our girls gain my sense of compassion. From a young age I have always been able to feel great empathy and compassion for those around me. One those I know are hurting, I hurt with them. When there is a joy, I rejoice with them. In our current culture, I think it's often too easy to become very egocentric and have little regard for our fellow man and I hope I'm able to show my girls it's important to share in life's trials and blessings with each other. I hope I do NOT pass on my procrasination to the girls. Dude, it's bad. Example, my c-section was scheduled for Jan 26th; I only delivered 4 days early and my hospital bag was not packed. Sad, I know.

2. Out of all the books you have read, which book has had the strongest impact on you and why?
Other than the Bible for its obvious reasons I would have to say Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I think he makes a very raw, very honest look at the struggles Christians face such as losing enthusiasm, "betrayal" by other Christians, the mundane doldrums, etc and how we can address and deal with it. As he explored all of his short-comings and frustrations and times of discouragement on his walk with Christ, I felt like it was a manuscript for my own faith journey. In the end, he realizes, as does the reader, that while we may not always "feel" consistent and faithful, God is.

3. If you had to change careers, what would you do instead and why?
This is going to sound so boring but I would love to do a job where all I did was data-entry or crunch numbers. No phones ringing, no customers/patients to deal with, no interaction with the public. Give me a task to do with instructions and then leave me alone to do it. My job requires me to spend alot of time dealing with patients and talking on the phone. I hate the phone so much that I sometimes take it as a personal attack when it rings. Hmph, I love my job but sometimes I think it would be so nice to not have to see or talk to anyone. :)

4. If you had to choose the best meal ever, from appetizer down to dessert, what would it consist of?
Alright, this is going to be so non-sophisticated or fancy. First, a blooming onion from Outback. Then, a house salad from Pasta House. This would be followed by the jambalaya from Brew Co and ended with creme brulee from Nonna's. Mmmm. Oh, and I would have ice water with no lemon and sweet tea. :)

5. As a parent, and considering the world we live in, which things make you excited for their future? Apprehensive?
It is easier for me to start with things that make me apprehensive. It makes me so sad when I see how sexualized and image-driven our current culture is, especially for girls. It seems to get worse with each decade and doesn't show any sign of slowing down. I fear the day when one of my children come home wondering if she's pretty enough, skinny enough, fancy enough. Or if she feels that she must give of herself to a boy to gain his love and affections. I'd like to naively think we don't have to worry about this until the teen years but I know that's not true.

That being said, I'm excited that Emma and Hannah can potentially have every opportunity afforded to them. They can participate in athletics, academics and the arts. They can pursue any collegiate field they want or they can choose to be a homemaker. Mostly, I'm just excited to see God's plan for their lives and how He uses them.

If you would like to play along here are the directions:1. Leave me a comment & your e-mail address saying, "Interview me." If you dare.2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (You get to choose the questions.)
The first five 'askers' get the interview!