A Year of Increase: Quarter Two Review

How is it that 2020 is halfway over? I can’t believe it! Life is still weird, but hopefully, the second half of the year will be better. Today I’m sharing my quarter two review! Here's my quarter one review, if you missed it. As I’ve said before, despite the curveball 2020 has thrown at everyone, working towards my goals is still important to me, even if I have to adjust some expectations.

The four goals I’ve shared with you are:

• Wellness: replace chemical products with natural ones

• Spiritual: finish The Chronological Bible plan

• Creative: read 20 books

• Personal: pass the B1 level for German fluency on Deustche Welle

Wellness

I’ve been using Lush’s Jason and the Argan Oil shampoo bar and Love Beauty & Planet’s Turmeric and Tonka conditioner. The shampoo bar lathers and cleanses well, which are two of the factors I'm looking for. The scent isn't my absolute favorite, but I like it. The conditioner smells great, but I haven't noticed major improvements. Overall I’m enjoying both, but I don't think I've found the perfect products for my hair yet. Using natural products seems to make my hair feel sort of like straw after I shower. I think that’s due to a combination of our hard water and the lack of synthetic ingredients. My hair definitely feels thicker, which is a plus! For skincare, I bought Mary Kay’s Nourishing Oil from their MK Naturally line. It’s lightweight but so moisturizing. It doesn’t leave any residue, like coconut oil does. (My friend Brady is a consultant!)

In quarter three, I’m continuing my search for natural shampoos and conditioners. I also want to research natural deodorants. I’m a bit scared to try natural deodorants, but I know it’s an important switch.

Lush's Jason and the Argan Oil shampoo bar lathers and cleanses well.

Spiritual

I’ve been fairly consistent with my chronological reading plan this quarter. Though this is technically my third time reading the Bible in a year, it always feels like I’m reading some accounts for the first time. New Scriptures are sticking out to me that I hadn’t noticed before. One theme that has really stuck out to me is that God desires obedience over sacrifice.

In quarter three, I want to be more intentional with studying and reviewing my notes.

Creative

This quarter I read 3 books: The Last Jedi by Jason Fry, Fasting: Opening the Door to a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God by Jentezen Franklin, and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. That makes for a grand total of eight books, out of 20.

Making time to read is always worth it!

I loved The Last Jedi novelization; it made me love the movie all the more. It added depth and insight to the story (plus all the Reylo feels). I read Fasting with my small group, and it did help me understanding what fasting is and isn’t more clearly. All the Light We Cannot See was my book club’s pick for June. I don’t think I would have picked it up myself, but I liked it! The interwoven narrative between past and present was beautiful, but it occasionally got confusing. However, I loved Marie-Laure and Werner!

In quarter three, I want to read a book on anti-racism.

Personal

I organized my collection of German notes from 10 years of classes into one binder, and I developed a study schedule. My goal is a half hour of learning five to six times a week. I divided each day by these areas of language learning:

• Monday: vocabulary and reading comprehension

• Tuesday: listening and speaking

• Wednesdays: grammar and writing

• Thursdays: vocabulary and pronunciation

• Fridays: vocabulary and writing

• Weekends: review the materials I learned that week

Knowing what I want to focus on each day makes choosing my resources easier. However, I think that I’m practicing with resources aren’t as challenging as I need to reach my goal. I took the Deutsche Welle test again and earned a 73%, which is an improvement from the last time. I noticed that I struggled with questions about prepositions and adjective endings, so that is what I will focus on in quarter three.

Adjective endings are the worst.

After doing this quarter’s review, I realized that I’ve made more progress on my goals than I thought! It feels great to reflect on what I’ve accomplished, and it’s helpful to note what I can do better in the coming months.

How did your first half of 2020 go? What worked well for you, and what didn’t? Let me know in the comments below!

#QuarterTwoReview #GoalSetting #2020Goals #MidYearReview

Black Lives Matter

A few days ago, I took a picture of the blossoms on our pear tree with intent to post on Instagram. I didn’t get around to posting that day and planned to share sometime later in the week.

Then the internet exploded. Ahmaud Arbery. Christian Cooper. Breonna Taylor. George Floyd. Protests. Violence. Police brutality. Racism.

My blossom picture became insignificant.

My heart was so heavy on Friday, but I didn’t know how to convey it. I didn’t know how to join this conversation that I have – in full honesty, humility, and shame – have shied away from in years past. Yes, racism is utterly wrong, I would think to myself, but…

No more but’s.

I don’t know why George Floyd’s death has ignited something in me when there have been too many others before him, but I can no longer be silent. I can no longer stand by. I can no longer be complicit.

Black lives matter.

I wanted to do something tangible that Friday afternoon. A social media post wouldn’t cut it. I didn’t want my contribution to be merely performative, something I can pat myself on the back for and move on. I did what was most feasible in that moment – I donated to Mr. Floyd’s memorial fund. I signed a few petitions. I followed more Black voices on Instagram. I added a few books on this subject to my Goodreads list.

But is it enough? Will it ever be enough?

My understanding of race and white privilege have evolved in the last few years. I’ve learned about critical race theory and marginalization and othering. I can explain oppression in binary terms, and that, according to this structure, women of color are the most oppressed group. I understand that systematic racism and white supremacy are deeply imbedded in a Western worldview.

I have academic knowledge but no real-world experience.

And I will never get real-world experience because I am a white woman. I will never fully understand racism. I will never fully understand the inequalities that people of color face on a daily basis.

I don’t feel qualified to write this and share it. By doing this, I’m making this tragedy about me. It’s not about me at all. It’s about the hurt and anger of the Black community. It’s about amplifying Black voices. My heart aches for Mr. Floyd’s family and every life that has ever been flipped upside by racism and police brutality. I grieve with you, but I know my grief pales in comparison to what people of color feel and have felt for centuries.

As a Christian, this is my duty. I cannot be passive or turn a blind eye in the face of racial injustice and corruption.

Racism is sin. Every single person is made in the image of God. To hate, mistreat, or judge a person solely based on the color of their sin is to do the same to God.

So, I write all this to say that I’m sorry for not lending my voice sooner. For not listening to Black voices. For not actively advocating against racism. This journey will not be perfect. I will make mistakes. Please – correct me when I am wrong. Tell me when I’ve said something racist or insensitive. I will do my best to educate myself.

I have been bookmarking sources that have helped me and I’m going to share a few below that I hope help you as well.

George Floyd's Memorial Fund

Ahmaud Arbery's Fund

Why saying "All lives matter" is not helpful

10 Steps to Non-Optical Ally-ship

Anti-racism Resources

How White Supremacy Shows Up

Better Together: A Straight Talk on Racism