The Bucket List

Before the movie with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson came along, I had never really heard the term, The Bucket List. After I watched the movie, it seemed that it started showing up more often or either I just understood what it meant when people used it. Ever been there? Just agreeing because you have absolutely no idea what the other person is talking about, but you don't want to seem dumb so you just agree and nod your head and say yeah repeatedly.

Just in case you don't know and don't want to ask, a person's bucket list is basically all the things they want to accomplish in their life. Its basically a list of goals that you want to reach before you pass.

Since learning about bucket lists, I have seen some really neat things done. For instance, when I worked at a school, some of the 8th graders who were entering high school the following August wrote the top ten things they wanted to accomplish on their Bucket List. It was done on the outside of a sand pail and was to serve as a reminder over the summer about what they wanted to accomplish in the next four years of their life. Bucket lists can help you become more goal-oriented and can provide a narrowed in focus on the personal goals that you have set for yourself.

What got me thinking about these bucket lists was the fact that I am going to cross one thing off my list in the beginning of May. When this dawned on me, I started to ask myself, "What else is on my personal bucket list? What other things do I hope to accomplish at some point in my life?" When I started making my list, I kept writing then erasing writing then erasing. Some of my goals/dreams seemed like too big of a mountain for me to climb. When I look at my abilities, talents, and own power I felt unqualified and insignificant compared to some of the things I want to do.  Granted, some of them aren't major things, but it felt intimidating just writing them down on a piece of paper because I didn't feel capable. But then I remembered that "With God All Things Are Possible," and faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains so I must trust that he will provide for me when I come up short. All I have to do is believe that he will guide me in whatever path I take and direct me as long as I put him first. Without further ado, here it is:

Tori's Bucket List (in no exact order)

1) Run a 5K

     *So I am totally not a lover of running. I tolerate it enough to do it because it's good for you.  Give me a sport to play and I'm all for it! I will do it all day long, but running just to run has never been an activity I enjoyed.  It feels endless to me and all I can do while running is focus on how much longer I have until I'm done. So why is this on my bucket list? Well, I'm a competitive person. I've tried to shy away from this part of my personality because sometimes it brings out bad parts that I feel shameful of later, but no matter how hard I try, at the end of the day, I want to win.  I want to prove that I can do it.  When the 5K's  became popular in the recent years, I felt the need to prove to myself that I could do this. I have never run 3 miles straight through just to run them so I'm nervous as to how this is going to go, but it's for a good cause so it can't be all bad. I made Matt sign up with me hoping he would push me to finish.  He is just as competitive as I am, if not a little bit more so I know he won't let me give up and walk. Just so you know while we've been "training" he makes me run first and then I come and tell him my time, then he goes out and tries to beat my time just because he can't let his wife out do him.  

Here is the link for the race if anyone is interested: https://secure.ministrysync.com/ministrysync/event/?e=12386

They do have a 1.5 mile walk that you can do instead if running isn't an option for you.  If you want to be on our team, just let me know! Donation can be made through this link as well. Check out the page to find out who you are supporting and what kinds of things they stand for.

2) Go to Disney World

   *Never been and if I do get to go I think I might be more excited than my girls that I get to meet all the princesses. AHHHH!!!!

3) Read the Bible cover to cover

   *Something I have yet to accomplish, but am currently working on right now. Just to show how competitive Matt and I are...we both started this plan together to read through the Bible on the YouVersion App and it shows your streaks (how many days you have signed in and read). We were having a competition as to who has the longest streak...bad, I know! Currently he is winning, show off!

4)Visit Texas

   *Chip and Jo, need I say more?

5) Learn how to sew/crochet

  *My grandma taught me how to cross stitch when I was younger and even though I don't do it often, I still enjoy it.  I would love to be able to sew my own clothes or at least knit myself a scarf or a blanket.

6) Travel around in a RV when Matt retires.

   *There is something about sleeping in a bed while driving that sounds so appealing to me. Not to mention traveling with your own bathroom. Public restrooms sometimes give me the heebie-jeebies (I made up this spelling)

7) Build a house in the country with a wrap around porch and a fireplace inside.

  *It's probably no surprise to those who know me that I'm a homebody.  I love being near family and just simply in a place I know. The desire to move away has never really plagued my thoughts, although I do have at least one sister who is the exact opposite and thrives in unfamiliar places. It's funny how you come from the same two people, but you are two completely different people.  I use to think there was something wrong with me because I don't have a strong desire to move away from my hometown, but the older I get I realize it's simply okay to be different. God can use me wherever I am.

8) Play the piano like Elton.

  *My Dad is the music man. He can name pretty much any 70's tune and is filled with unusual facts about the artists and the songs. I grew up listening to Elton John, James Taylor, Bob Seger, Simon & Garfunkel, The Carpenters, Carly Simon, and many more.  We would ride around in his Grand Prix with the windows down and sing the songs we knew by heart.  I still cherish those times to this day, and have even got Matt to love the oldies as much as I do.  I took piano lessons as a kid because my Dad loved to hear Elton play the piano and a love for music is one thing my Dad and I had in common (even though neither one of us can sing a lick!) When I got into sports, music fell by the wayside. I can still play a little, but I'm basically still a beginner, a far cry from Elton that's for sure.

9) Own a Coffee Shop/Bakery

   * I love coffee and I love pastries. That about sums that up. My specialty will be chocolate croissants.  Don't forget after you leave the coffeehouse to stop by my little sister's flower shop which will be located right next door.

10) Grow a garden (that actually produces food to eat)

  *Hello, my name is Tori and I kill plants.  I am so amazed by the people who can grow their own vegetables, go pick them from their backyard, and cook them for dinner. What an accomplishment!  I have trouble keeping a houseplant alive.  Mark my words, one day I will figure it out and I will eat a squash, or a cucumber, or a tomato that was grown in my own backyard!

There is only one other thing I want to do and it's what drives me day to day to be the best person I can be despite my many shortcomings and flaws, the thing that gives me motivation to pursue these goals so I can somehow use them for his glory, and that is to...

11) Meet Jesus face to face.

Because at the end of the day, that is what it's all about.

With love,
Tori