Today I celebrate 31 years of enjoying God’s gift of life. And to celebrate this birthday-that-is-not-a-milestone, I thought I’d take a break from regular posting content and help you get to know me better. So I’m sharing a list of 31 things you probably don’t know about me. Do we have something in common? Tell me in the comments!
1. I was a childhood epileptic. I had a big helping of doctor and hospital visits, neurology appointments, bloodwork, EEGs and CT scans as a child. I was on medication (Tegretol) until I was a late teen. I remember all of my fainting episodes like they happened yesterday. Because of my epilepsy, I didn’t get my learner’s permit until I was 19. I got my license a few years later than that.
2. I’m {slowly} working on the ARCT degree {from the Royal Conservatory} in piano pedagogy from what was rated the best university of music in the country of Canada. We are blessed to live just 30 minutes from this fabulous college.
3. My favourite dinosaur is the Brontosaurus (whether or not that breed really existed). I’m hanging on to my wish to ride one in heaven someday.
4. I have written and directed a full Christmas drama, including music for the theme song. I made the costumes out of sheets from second hand stores.
5. The strangest foods I’ve ever eaten are dried squid and dried octopus.
6. My first job was at an ACTS retirement life community. I worked in the formal dining room, and had many chances to interact with some world-known people (I say that because they were well known for what they accomplished, but not necessarily famous). Among them was a botanist who made significant discoveries in chromatology (he helped me with my science project one year), missionaries who served for 25 years in Africa, and the man who designed and patented the aluminum canoe. I went home one day and discovered that my Dad owned a brand of the original patent.
7. I had a pen pal from Russia for most of my childhood. Mary Mirolubova, are you still out there?
8. I’m married to a man who was adopted at birth.
9. I can’t drink coffee. Caffeine makes my heartrate irregular. But my husband is slowly integrating me into his world by making me flavored decaf with hot chocolate mix in it.
10. I’m a true introvert, but I work hard at making people think I’m outgoing. Try to drag me out of my shell, and I’ll crawl in even farther. Let me come out of my shell on my own, and you might be surprised.
11. I am a printer’s daughter, and I love the smell of printer’s ink. I inhale the center of just about every book I pick up.
12. I have a file of music that I’ve composed- mostly piano arrangements and a few songs with words. I dream of publishing them someday.
13. I am distantly related to former President John Quincy Adams. My parents inherited and own some of his original belongings.
14. I spent 8 of my growing up years in Pennsylvania, where my parents taught in a Christian school.
15. I possess 2 unique (you can call the strange) talents: I can neigh like a horse and I can make kazoo music with my teeth. (No, I will not perform for you. Only on rare occasions have our various youth groups heard these ‘talents’, and it may or may not have been on the way home from camp).
16. I learned how to lay ceramic tile while on housekeeping/hospitality staff in college.
17. I can’t close my eyes completely while standing up. If I don’t have anything to hold on to, I WILL fall over. Yep, that means during prayers where I have to remain standing, I’m peeking a bit to keep my balance. (Please tell me I’m not the only one like this- I’ve only ever met one other person with this strange malady).
18. I like snakes. (I probably just lost some readers here) My dad, being a science teacher, kept a black snake named Chester. One day Dad and I stopped at the pet store to buy a rat for the snake’s dinner. Overnight the rat had babies. We kept the rats and they multiplied. One friendly one we named George and he was allowed to run in the house sometimes. When we moved to NC, Chester rode in his aquarium next to my seat. When we arrived at our new house, we let him go free. I don’t remember what happened to George.
19. I always thought I would be a school teacher when I grew up. While in college preparing for ministry, I still thought I would be involved somehow in formal Christian education. God had other plans, and made me a pastor’s wife. Even though I never dreamed how hard it could be sometimes, most days I wouldn’t want to be anything else.
20. My Grandfather worked in the dairy department of Biltmore Estate. He died in 2000, but every year until my Grandma died (2012) she received free admission tickets to the Biltmore House.
21. In 2009, while we were still living on the island, I got to climb our cape lighthouse to the top- something I had wished to do for most of my life. It was not even open to the public, but we “happened” to be around when they were doing repairs. Could we go up? Of course! And what a marvelous time it was. The view was breathtaking!
22. For several years when I was a girl, I raised snails as pets. The snails laid eggs and had babies each year. Every summer I let the oldest clan of snails go and kept the younger two clans. 🙂 They were easy and fun to keep- they ate just about everything that grew in the garden.
23. Besides playing the piano, I also play the bowed psaltery, a Biblical instrument that was handmade by my Grandfather. He gave it to me just before he died.
24. I was saved at the age of 18, after struggling for most of my childhood with doubts. Since that day (8/28/00) I have not doubted my salvation for a single second- what bliss!
25. My husband and I got engaged at a lake called Lake Lure. We arrived to stroll the park just after a huge thunderstorm which threatened our plans. I was, of course, surprised by the proposal, and just as he asked that special question, a huge rainbow broke out in the sky. It’s a pretty special memory to this day.
26. My husband and I wanted 5 children when we got married. Hyperemesis took that possibility away, but we are thrilled to have 2 healthy medical miracles to nurture!
27. I LOVE hearing Scripture read out loud. It moves my spirit, inspires and comforts me in such a special way.
28. Yankee/Bath & Body Works candles, crocheted dish towels, flavored lip gloss, scarves, black jelly beans, baby grand piano figurines {and the real ones}….these are a few of my favourite things.
29. I don’t read fiction. Missionary biographies are my favourite kind of books to read. Real people and real life situations inspire me.
30. I’ve been on a roller coaster only one time, and you’ll never get me on one of those things again. Seriously, I’m scarred for life.
31. I was born in Bedford, Virginia near Lynchburg. Pastor Jerry Falwell dedicated me to the Lord when I was a baby.
So there you have it- the unique blend that is Moi. Do I have anything in common with you?
I have #10 and #19 in common with you. 🙂 I am not naturally outgoing, I graduated from a Christian college with a degree in education, and I am a pastor’s wife. I also play the piano though I can guess from your posts that you are quite a bit more advanced than I am.
Erika, thanks for your comments. So neat about #19. 🙂 Nice to meet another piano playing pastor’s wife!
You do have something in common with me…my Earthly Father’s physical birthday is 8/28/50. The day you inherited a Heavenly Father, my Earthly Father turned 50. Praise the Lord! 🙂
That’s pretty neat, Elizabeth! I always think of Romans 8:28 when I see that date. I guess a lot of special things have happened on that day. 🙂
#10 – Awesome and me too!
#11 – Not a printers daughter, but I love the smell of paper and ink. Especially calligraphy inks. There’s something almost magical about that smell.
You have some amazing life tidbits (and a few issues). 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Loved the deeper glimpse into you.
Ooh, a fellow #10. 🙂 Maybe that’s why we have issues…haha.
Isn’t ink just the best smell ever? I could live in a bookstore.
Looking forward to chatting more with you this fall at Allume. 🙂
#3–I also love Brontosauruses…Brontosauri? Riding one would be better than amazing. I just love their long necks and long tails. Several others are similar. I had a pen pal in England and in America for several years. And I am the exact opposite for books. If it happened in real life, I’m probably not interested. In fact, instead of a folder of piano arrangements, I have a folder of fiction stories. 🙂
Maybe God will have a special dinosaur breed waiting for us in heaven so we can have a ride. 🙂
Sounds like you need to get your folder of fiction stories published!
Not a lot of the 31 things, but yes when I came across you I was excited cause we have so much in common 🙂 I’m a christian (‘christian’ doesn’t cut it though, God is everything to me), a piano teacher with a private home studio, I’ve been through a VERY difficult traumatic illness and come out the other side, I’m all into natural health and food and stuff, I don’t have children quite yet but I often think about homeschooling… and I always wanted to be a school teacher..until I was in my 20’s. My husband is an awesome pianist 🙂 I’m 28 yrs old. I’m very much an introvert too but a relational one and I’m passionate about helping people who are hurting, sick or broken, especially by their past, and seeing them set free from bondage and find freedom in Jesus. So I think that if we met in real life we would have some really cool conversations. 🙂 By the way I live in Australia.
Kylie, your comments really touched me. We should be friends! 🙂 Sounds like we have an awful lot in common. Isn’t it just so fun to play the piano as a married couple?! And your life experiences…God’s grace is evident in your response to the things He has allowed. Isn’t it great to know that no matter where in the world we are, we can enjoy and serve the same wonderful God!? Thanks so much for your comments….let’s keep in touch!
This was great! Thank you for sharing… I actually have considered posting the 30 blessings I wrote down for my 30th birthday in January.
So, I got my license when I was 20ish, I like to peek when I pray because sometimes I feel a little like falling over as well, hate roller coasters, and love black jelly beans! And the snail thing was really funny because I played with snails in our front flowerbeds all the time growing up and that was a fun memory to think of.
I love the story about the rainbow during your engagement! How neat!
Blessings to you and Happy Non-Milestone Birthday! 🙂
Snails are fun, aren’t they? I hope to get my children interested in them as they grow up. 🙂
Glad to know I’m not the only one who falls over if my eyes are closed. haha! Finally…
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Leah, I loved reading more about you! You have such a neat heritage. Anyway, Happy Birthday! I hope it was great. BTW – I’m finally reading your ebook, and I’m enjoying it. I’m glad you’re raising awareness for HG. I’d only heard of it from you, and now I feel like I really have an understanding of it. Well, blessings, friend.
Glad you enjoyed the tidbits from my life. 🙂
Also glad you are enjoying my book. It comes out in paperback later this summer and I’m pretty excited about that!
Hope you are doing well, friend. Still hoping we can meet IRL sometime. Would love to chat more with you!
I so enjoy all your posts! You are a true encouragement to me … I am a Pastor’s wife too. I also tend to be an introvert & yes it takes a lot to be out there with all our ladies. I do wonder sometimes if the Lord truly knew what He was doing when He called me to be a Pastor’s wife but then He always reminds me that I just need to rest in His strength to be what I need to be.
Jane, thank you for your sweet comment. Yes, it does take a lot to constantly be ‘available’ to people. I’m so thankful for the grace of God that enables us to be what we could never be on our own! Blessings to you, my friend. I’m so glad to ‘meet’ another pastor’s wife. 🙂
I learned to *clean* ceramic tile while on the housekeeping staff, lol! 🙂
I can’t close my eyes while I’m standing up, either. Makes for some really awkward prayers when you are on the platform as a pianist or singer! I always feel back for having my eyes open, but…what can you do? 🙂
I enjoyed reading these tidbits about you…and I will be waiting to hear that horse neigh!!! 🙂
Ha! You got to clean the ceramic that I helped lay, then. 🙂
And so glad I’m not the only weirdo out there who falls flat when closing my eyes while standing. Maybe we can do a demonstration together in a circus or somethings someday…lol
Oh the neigh…can’t believe I admitted that one to the public. I always get a sore throat afterwards, so I don’t do it often. 🙂
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is
required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours
would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% positive.
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Appreciate it