#5: Holy Name Cathedral

The 40x40 project is intended to inspire me out of my comfort zone to try new things. Last week I spent time in Chicago for my organization’s annual conference and between preparation and participants arriving, I had a few free hours on Sunday morning. Typically I would use that rare free time to either sleep in or head to the hotel fitness center.

Instead, and inspired by 40x40, I forced myself to wake up early and walk deeper into the city to attend a church service.  I go to church almost every Sunday so that in itself does not constitute material for 40x40, yet there were several new experiences embedded in the morning. I took a 25+ minute walk, each way, alone into Chicago – and it wasn’t related to shopping on Michigan Avenue. And I visited a stunning, world-renowned cathedral – again, alone (not sure I’ve ever been to a church service without the company of family or friends). Achieving those things were my original justification for the post. However, I quickly realized that what I was experiencing was so much more.

You see, although I was born, raised and will always be a Christian, I had never attended a Catholic Mass. I have many Catholic friends and have been to several Catholic weddings, but I realize now that I have never truly understood the core differences between Catholic and Protestant worship.

I love – and feel very comfortable in – my church. We have a band and we sing the same songs I hear each day on the radio in my car. Our pastor often wears jeans and almost always tells jokes to emphasize his points. We laugh and we cry. We pass a tray for communion and a plate for offering and celebrate baptisms with applause. I guess you’d consider us contemporary with a few traditions sprinkled in.

What I experienced last Sunday – while no better or worse – was different.  The kneeling and standing, presence and authority of the church leaders, traditional hymns, formal communion and overall serious tone caused me to think about the ceremony of religion. I admit I felt a little uncomfortable – not because of the rituals, but simply because I felt like an outsider, unsure of what to do or say.  

I must acknowledge and thank the stranger beside me who seemed to sense I was new and silently made attempts to help me through – gesturing towards the program in the pew, motioning me in the right direction for the walk forward for communion and prompting me when it was time to turn down the kneeling bench. I followed the cues of those around me and awkwardly wobbled thru the service, most at ease when scripture was read and slightly intimidated by the unfamiliar Holy water, making of the cross sign and genuflection. Are those traditions reserved for Catholics – or should I participate as a visitor? Was it disrespectful if I didn’t join in? I had so many questions, but then it occurred to me that Catholics might feel the same uneasiness if they visited my place of worship, Compass Christian Church. Maybe someday I’ll have the chance to be that stranger helping a visitor find their way.

While I acknowledge we have some fundamental differences in beliefs, we all worship the same God and believe in the same Word.  And although I had never before said ‘Peace be with you,” to those worshiping around me, I’ve certainly felt that sentiment.

I appreciate Holy Name Cathedral opening their beautiful doors to all worshipers. I enjoyed and was enlightened by the experience.

#4: Family Trail Ride

Me & Maya

Sundays typically follow the same pattern each week for my family: Sunday School, church, lunch, grocery shopping, gym and maybe a visit to the park if the weather is nice. I’m not complaining – I love our Sunday rituals, but one goal of this project is to help me step out of routine. So, inspired by my 40x40 project (and a great deal from Groupon) we mixed things up today and drove to Alvarado, TX after church for a guided trail ride at Rancho la Rosa.

I’m not sure if the Groupon was for a private trail ride or if the cold, windy weather played a factor in us getting one, but either way, my husband, kids and I enjoyed a great afternoon on the ranch with our guide, Eusebio. 

My horseback riding experience is very limited. In fact, I only remember two times I’ve been on a horse in my 39 years – one was in middle school when I joined a friend’s family for a week-long adventure at a YMCA camp in Estes Park, Colorado. And the second was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico when my husband and I took a three-hour excursion while on a sales incentive trip.

But the joy in today’s adventure was less about horseback riding and more about breaking out of the norm. It was great to be less than an hour from home, yet feel like we were someplace completely different – with only farmhouses and nature in sight. 

My kids loved it, and Eusebio said both did great. In fact, he refused to believe it was Luca’s first time on a horse saying she was ‘Amazing.’ I see an expensive horseback-riding interest in our family’s future.

Experience #4 was definitely worth the crazy cold and wet weather we braved. And what a great reminder that fun diversions from the everyday can be right at your back door. I'm so happy we took time to find this one. Only 36 new experiences to go!

#3: One Day Family Mission Trip

My personal commitment with the 40x40 project is to make it as much (or more) about giving back as it is about self-fulfillment. So, when our church announced its first ever one day family mission trip, I was excited to sign up. What a fun way for our family to serve together!

Then I realized my oldest daughter had a soccer game that conflicted and since my husband is her coach that meant it would just be me and Luca, my seven year old. I considered backing out to go to the game and have a more relaxing Saturday. I was further tempted to cancel when I received an email warning to expect bees and bring poison ivy block! But Luca and I went on the mission trip, and I’m so glad we did.

The trip was just down the road to Grand Prairie, Texas to help Pioneer Bible Translators, an organization committed to sharing God’s word with Bible-less people around the world.

Prior to heading to Grand Prairie we met at the church for breakfast and a short worship service. The highlight of my day was when I closed my eyes and bowed my head for the group prayer. I felt Luca’s arms wrap tightly around my waist and peeked down to see her eyes shut tightly in prayer. What a magical moment to stand, embraced with my little girl, praying about the day of service we were about to experience.

The church provided a great tool to help families talk about the one-day mission trip. It was a two-sided card with questions and scripture. One side was called “Car Time…here we go” with questions about what you’re expecting.  It featured a prayer that Luca read/prayed for us while I drove. I asked her to record it on my phone, so click here to listen to her actual prayer. Awesomeness.

When we arrived at the site, we enjoyed talking with church friends and leaders, making bracelets and birthday cards for missionaries’ kids and learning more about the Pioneer Bible Translators organization. But our most memorable time was spent raking leaves in a small section on the grounds. For over an hour Luca and I talked and laughed as we gathered and bagged leaves. With her vivid imagination, she pretended she was having a birthday party and all the leaves were the friends she invited. She got so excited as the piles got higher. We’d move them into a bag and then she would start gathering more ‘friends’ and planning her next party. At one point, she smiled brightly and said “Mommy, I’m glad we came here. This is so fun, and I get to be with you all day.”

Luca

The flip side of the card provided by the church was titled “Car Time…headed home” and featured conversation starters to help recap the experience. As we drove away, we talked about how God worked in us throughout the day. I explained how the time and money saved through the volunteers helping allowed the missionaries and staff more time and money to spread God’s Word.

I’m so grateful to Compass Christian Church for coordinating this activity and to God for getting us there. And one of my biggest reflections from the day…anything (even raking leaves) is more fun when Luca is part of it. I adore my little ray of sunshine!

Experience #3 was a success…only 37 more to go!

#2: Detoxifying Body Wrap

Pic From the Spa's Online 

Brochure …Not me J

This was not on my original list of 40x40 experiences, but I stumbled upon a body wrap as part of a spa package I recently purchased. Honestly, I was OK with just the massage and facial included and almost simply passed on the body wrap, but then I remembered my commitment to try new things and decided to give it a chance. 

So first I drifted in and out of consciousness as I enjoyed an amazing hot stone massage. Then I was escorted to a separate treatment room where I was told to drop my comfy spa robe, hold my arms out like an airplane and stand with feet shoulder width apart. The therapist left the room so I could get ready and in position, right in front of the door of this itty-bitty room. Um…no. 

My modesty was apparent when she reentered and I was shyly waiting in the corner draped with a towel. Once she closed the door I reluctantly got into position and she smothered my skin in some mystery cream she said would rid me of all the nasty toxins in my body. Then she took what looked like a simple roll of Saran Wrap and transformed me into a stiff, clear-coated mummy.  

She then put her arms around my neck and waist, slid me onto a table, covered me in a sheet (THANK YOU) and proceeded with my facial.  Normally I enjoy the soothing, relaxing feeling of a good facial…but all I could think about was What if there’s a fire? How will I get off this table? How will I put on a robe? Even if I make it to the end of this treatment, how embarrassing will the process of removing this 'wrap' be?

I ultimately survived the treatment with no fire truck interruptions, but bottom line…incredibly awkward and didn’t see anywhere near the permanent inch loss of 14 inches promised in the brochure. I’m sure my skin reaped some moisturizing benefits, but in the future I’ll happily save the Saran Wrap for leftovers.

38 (hopefully more enjoyable) experiences to go!

#1: Start a Blog

I need a place to chronicle this journey, so creating a blog is my first official 40x40 experience.  It's actually a bold move for me since I consider myself a very private person.  I share lots of pictures and family happenings on Facebook and Instagram, occasionally post something professional on LinkedIn and on the rare occasion have been caught tweeting (ok, very rare…42 tweets in the two years I've been on Twitter), but overall I avoid getting too deep, personal or vulnerable.

However, one of my overall goals is to develop more meaningful personal relationships. So, I'm using this project as a means to open up a bit. Partially to aid in my self development, but also in hopes to inspire others to break away from the comforts or stresses of everyday life and explore a few new things for the sake of variety and more purposeful living. 

I hope you will share this journey with me. Please contribute your own or similar experiences, questions or thoughts along the way. Your participation will encourage me to complete this project.

Only 39 new experiences to go!

Why the 40 by 40 project?

Many have approached ‘the big 4-0’ and had the sudden urge to break away from the rut of everyday life. For me, it came out of the blue one day when I had the sudden realization that my thirties would not last forever. They will, in fact, end on February 20, 2015. 365 days from today.

My Family

And when that happens, I can say I’ve had a fabulous first 40. I am blessed with an amazing family. I have a husband who kisses me everyday before we leave the house for work. I completely adore my two spirited, loving daughters (Maya just turned 11 and Luca is 7 going on 13). It’s a great family life.

My career life is also fulfilling. After 11 years in the newspaper industry, I took a leap to healthcare where I'm currently VP of Strategy for an organization committed to improving the patient experience. I spend my days (and nights, often) developing programs and resources for our members and guests who passionately want to improve the healthcare experience for patients and their family members. I feel great about what I do.

I love my community. I live in Colleyville, Texas where my husband and I are in our fifth year of teaching 2^nd Grade Sunday School. I adore the kids we work with each week and love impacting their lives. I’ve been a Girl Scout Troop Leader, a Destination Imagination Team Manager and the coordinator of our elementary school’s talent show. I love where I live and enjoy being an active member of our community.

I’m uber-fortunate. Even my dogs greet me at the door, tails wagging, multiple times every day. Who could ask for more?

I love where I am, but there is more I’d like to experience before the next 40. So, I’m starting that journey now with a commitment to have 40 new experiences before I reach the age of 40.  Initially the idea was to have 40 new adventures, but there’s too much pressure in the word 'adventure.' I’m not necessarily looking to jump out of airplanes or climb Mt. Everest. I just want to encourage myself to step into some new territory. Meet new people…see new places…try new things...even give back to the world in ways I haven't before. We’ll see where it goes.

I have an initial list of 'new experience' ideas, but I welcome additional suggestions. I need approx. one every nine days to meet my goal. Yikes! Better get started.