Cliff's Notes on Hannah: Part 1

There's this thing going around Facebook where people are supposed to list "25 Random Things" about themselves. I gave in, actually posting 26, but it was apparently unread or really boring. I only got one comment, and it was from my brother, correcting a typo.

In the same vein, I thought it would be fun to have a top ten list of things you should know about me in order to understand me. A sort of Cliff's Notes to getting to know me, if you will (but only if you will). It'll be a two-parter so you don't get too sick of me in one day. We'll take it count-down style.

10. I used to be pretty musical. I played French Horn in middle and high school. I was relatively good, but certainly not great. I sang in a group at the University of Mobile called Witness my freshman year. We would go to different churches and the ensemble (of which I was a member) would sing, the drama team would put on skits and human videos, and a worship leader would, well, lead worship. It was great! Since then, I haven't done much of anything musically. I don't think I could play a French horn now to save my life. Let's hope it never comes to that.

9. I've just started to learn to cook in the last couple of years. The earliest part of our marriage was very, very busy. I had a semi-part time job and school, and Edwin had school, a full-time job, and a part time youth pastor job. When we moved to Hodgenville, things slowed down a little, but I was pregnant. I got nauseous pretty easily. It was just before my second pregnancy that I finally decided to learn to cook. I'm not gourmet, that's for sure, but I certainly can cook more than I have ever been able to before. It's a process that is greatly complicated by the fact that Edwin and DeLaynie are insanely picky eaters (she has an excuse; he's just stubborn). I'm trying to find some things that everyone likes, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

8. I'm an anti-socialist in recovery. I'm not talking about the political stance. I'm referring to the fact that I was an entirely unsocial person, but I think that I've improved, at least some. Being in Hodgenville, in a small church, really helped. B. Wal helped immensely. She has no awkward sensors. Apparently, awkwardness is similar to Tinkerbell, in that if you don't believe in it, it goes away. Since B. Wal refused to feel awkward, I was never able to either. I greatly appreciate that about her. Now that we're here, in my old home town where I never really made many friends my own age, I am feeling pretty desperate for some time with other couples, or women. I would be more than happy to put up with awkward for a few minutes of conversation. Crazy, huh?

7. I used to be a perfectionist, but not anymore. Growing up, I desperately wanted to be perfect. Then there came a time when I gave up on it altogether. Now I have a hard time knowing how much to expect out of myself and others. It's a tricky balance, this desire for excellence. I think that the timing works out pretty well, though. I couldn't be a perfectionist and survive with my girls. I still hope to attain some sort of order and, in a sense, perfection, at some point. For now, long live craziness!

6. I knew that I was going to be a minister's wife a year before I met my husband. I had fought it my whole life. I never wanted to be a pastor's wife, and I certainly did not want my children to be preacher's kids. I blamed this title for the difficulties of my life, incorrectly. Let's face it, young pastors, who are usually raising very young children, just don't make much for their level of education. That annoyed me. Plus, I always figured that I'd be a highly successful career woman, though I never knew in what field. Then, when I was seventeen, inexplicably, I was sure of a certain change that God had been doing over time. I realized something. I wanted to be a minister's wife. I was shocked by this revelation, but I am very grateful for such a calling. (And Middle Creek cared for us and our kiddos very well.)

It should be noted that this list is about my personal history and personality. If you want to know more about what's going on in my world right now, you should look under "Important Posts" in the column at the right. Tomorrow, I wrap this one up. I know that you'll be on the edge of your seats, waiting to hear more about me, but you'll just have to wait until tomorrow.