Knitting is the new Nintendo

The duties of a receptionist are commonly known, the main one being: answering incoming calls to the office. But unless you've been in a phone oriented role yourself you probably have no idea what types of phone conversations are even possible, I sure didn't and I am still experiencing new and interesting callers that I keep adding to the bottom of this list as I write it! I felt it would be fun to share 30+ samples of interesting phone calls that I get (thankfully not all in one day though).

Perhaps you have once answered a call like this, or perhaps you were once that caller. Either way, enjoy!

The Holder
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Can you hold?
Me: uh...
Caller: *beep...beep...beep*
Me: *click*
The Unprepared
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Oh, uh, hi. um... one second, I have it here somewhere...I think it's, um, I just need to find it...is it Joe? Sure, can I talk to Joe please?

The Possible Prankster?
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Tree Grass
Me: sorry who?
Caller: Tree Grass
Me: Tree Grass?
Caller: Yes.
Me: I'm sorry I don't have anyone here by that name...
(note: I did not make up the name Tree Grass for this scenario)

The Incomprehensible
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi can I spsdkeak wislkth aslfjlskj aldskjlaj?
Me: I'm sorry, I didn't quite get that, who is it you're looking for?
Caller: aasdlfj ladksjflj.
Me: You're a bit choppy, what is the name?
Caller: SDLFKJS LSDLJKJD!
Me: I'm sorry, but I really cannot understand you.
Caller: BOB JOHNSON!
The Blonde
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Reception please
Me: *facepalm

The Generic
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: John Doe
Me: John Doe?
Caller: Yes.
Me: I'm sorry I don't have anyone here by that name.
(note: I did not make up the name John Doe for this scenario)

The Difficult & Persistent
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: IT please.
Me: One moment...
1 minute later
Me:  Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi, I just called, no body answered. Who else can I talk to?
Me: Let me try someone else, perhaps Carl was away from his desk...
1 minute later
Me:  Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: *agitated* Hi, nobody is answering their phones, I need to speak with someone right now.
Me: I'm sorry, unfortunately I cannot see who is at their desk at this moment. Would you like to leave a voicemail so that they can call you back when they are free?
Caller: No I do not leave voicemail's, try someone else.
Me: One moment.
1 minute later
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: *Raging Bull* Does anybody there answer their phones or are they all off partying somewhere?! Can you go make sure someone is at their desk to answer the phone?
Me: I'm sorry I can't do that right now, perhaps your best option is to leave a voicemail because otherwise you could be calling here all day.
Caller: Fine. *mumbles under breath*
Me: One moment...
The Callback
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi, someone called me from there.
Me: You have reached the reception desk.
Caller: Did you call me?
Me: No. Do you know someone that works for Company Name?
Caller: No, I don't think so...
Me: Perhaps they will call you back if it's important.
Caller: Ok

The Vague
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi, I'm looking for someone, but I don't remember his name...he's the guy with the accent.
Me: Uh...
Caller: He's like 5ft something and has dark hair.
Me: You don't know his name?
Caller: No
Me: Do you know what he does here, his job title maybe?
Caller: No
Me: Well then, that could be anyone...

The Out of Date
Me: Good morning,Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Jane Smith please.
Me: Hmmm...I do not have anyone here by that name. Can I ask what you are calling regarding?
Caller: How about Joe Richards?
Me: No, sorry, no one by that name either.
Caller: Barbra Williams?
Me: She's no longer with the company...
Caller: I'll just check my records and call back.
The Detail Oriented
Me: Good afternoon, company name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi, I'm Mike Smith from Company Name, and we bought product from you last month and I have a question about 'these specs and those specs' and 'uses big technical terminology about product'.
Me: Okay...How can I direct your call to help you with that?
Caller: I'm hoping to talk to someone about it.
Me: Yes, let's see then, do you know if you have an account manager?
Caller: I think the name on my page is Lyle Loblaw.
Me: Okay... I'll transfer to you him, one moment...

The Corrector
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Bob please.
Me: Bob Johnson?
Caller: I think it's Bob JoHansen.
Me: Sure...

The Unresponsive
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: *silence*
Me: Hello?
Caller: *some background noise*
Me: Hmm I can hear you, why don't I hang up and call you back.
Caller: *click*

Is any bunny there?

The Language Barrier
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: 一些奇怪的字符串，我不知道它說的話
Me: Um do you speak English?
Caller: 更多的外來詞
Me: I'm sorry, I don't think I can help you...

The Personification
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Company Name please.
Me: This is Company Name.
Caller: Great!
Me: ...

The Lost
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: How do I get to your building?
Me: Um, where are you?
Caller: Driving north on Highway 1 and just passed a gas station.
Me:Why don't I just Google that for you...
The Confused
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Who?
Me: Company Name
Caller: Who's that?
Me: I think you must have the wrong number.
Caller: Ok

The Hard of Hearing
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Who?
Me: Company Name
Caller: Pardon?
Me: *louder* Company Name
Caller: I'm not sure...
Me: *Louder and slower* Com-pa-ny Nammmeee
Caller: I must have a wrong number.

The Procrastinator
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi, can you transfer me to Jane Walters?
Me: Sure one moment.
1 minute later
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi, I just called, she didn't answer
Me: It's possible she's left for the day.
Caller: Can you go check?
Me: Sorry, no...
Caller: It's urgent personal matter.
Me: It's Friday at 4:45pm, do you have another way of contacting her?
Caller: Ya I guess I can try her cell.
Me: Perfect.
The TMI (too much info)
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi can I speak with John Smith?
Me: I'm sorry he doesn't have an extension so I have no way of connecting you to him. Can I ask what you are calling regarding? If it's related to Company Name I might be able to find someone else to help you.
Caller: It's about Martha and she has an infection and has to go to the doctor and her daughter got suspended and the dog had diarrhea all over the house and the collection agency is calling...
Me: Uh... I don't think anyone here can help with that, do you have another way of contacting her?
Caller: Ya I think so.

The Voicemail
I once came into work on a Monday morning to a lengthy voicemail from a middle aged sounding and very British lady that went vaguely like this:
Caller: Hi, I'm looking for my sister. Her last know whereabouts was *English location* and I haven't seen her since. The police are helping me try to find her. She used to live with and take care of her boyfriend, but he had some mental issues. He had her to shave *unmentionable areas* and I didn't like that and I hope that I can find her again because she's my sister....Please call me back at this number and help me find her.

The Bossy
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi can you page Jane Smith for me?
Me: I can transfer you.
Caller: No I need you to page her.
Me: I'm sorry we don't do that here.
Caller: Well she didn't answer last time, can you go tell her I called?
Me: I'm sorry I can't do that.
Caller: Fine then.

The Echo
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Is this Company Name?
Me: Yes this is Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Direct my call?
Me: Yes. How can I help you...

The Way Off 
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Is this Jake's phone?
Me: No, this is Company Name.
Caller: Is this 555-123-1234?
Me: No this is 555-321-4321.
Caller: oh ok
1 minute later
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi Jake?
Me: No this is Company name.
Caller: But I dialed 555-123-1234.
Me: This is a completely different number.
Caller: I'll have to talk to Jake.
Me: You should do that.

The Assumer
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Can I speak with Carl Matthews please?
Me: He's out of the office currently.
Caller: I'll call his cellphone instead. Is his number 555-222-3333?
Me: I'm not sure actually. I don't know his personal number off the top of my head...
The Sicky
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi, this is Mark Thompson.
Me: Hi.
Caller: I'm not going to make it in to work tonight.
Me: Do you have your supervisor's number to let them know?
Caller: Well I just need to let you know.
Me: This is reception, you need to let your supervisor know.
Caller: I hate all this rigmarole stuff. When I can't make it in for 4am and ain't feeling well what am I supposed to do then?
Me: I'm sure your supervisor would have let you know the procedure to call in sick...Do you work for Company Name?
Caller: No I work for Other Company Name.
Me: I think you have the wrong number.

The Huh?
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Joe Smith please
Me: One moment...
1 minute later
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hi, Joe didn't answer, can you try again and put me on ignore?
Me: I'm not sure what you mean.
Caller: Like I need to speak with him so if you can put me through but *pause* *mumbled noises* to orbit *pause* to ignore *pause* Joe *pause*
Me: Would you like me to transfer you?
Caller: Can you page him?
Me: No, I'm sorry I can't do that.
Caller: What about Company Something?
Me: Do you mean Company Name?
Caller: He contacted me from Form Pro.
Me: I don't know what that is.
Caller: I need to speak with him, he called me and I was returning his call.
Me: Did you leave a voicemail for him the last time I put you through?
Caller: Yes, it's of great urgency.
Me: I'm sure that if he called you first and you left a voicemail, he will call you back when he gets a chance.
Caller: When you see him can you tell Tom called?
Me: I work out of a different office so I'm sorry, no.
Caller: Oh. Okay.
Me: Have a nice day!

The Collector
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Accounts Payable please.
Me: One moment...
1 minute later
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: I've tried the A/P department several times now and nobody is answering and there is no voicemail.
Me: Yes, that is odd...Let's try someone else in the same department then...
The Interupter
Me: Good morning, Compa/
Caller: *abruptly* Bob Johnson.
Me: ...no problem...

The Repeater
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hello, I am Tina calling from random agency, may I speak with Tom Jones please?
Me: I don't have anyone on my extension list by that name, can I ask what you are calling regarding and maybe someone else can assist.
Caller: Is this company name?
Me: Yes that is correct.
Caller: Does Tom Jones work for Company Name?
Me: I do not have anyone by that name on my phone list, it is possible he works here, but I have no way to connecting you to him if he doesn't have a phone. May I try someone else for you?
Caller: No I need to speak with Tom.
Me: Do you have another way of contacting him?
Caller: I have his email.
Me: Perhaps that would be good to try.
Caller: Ok
1 hour later
Me: Good morning, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hello, this is Tina from random agency, may I speak with Tom Jones please?
Me: Hi, I believe you called already today, I am unable to connect you with a Tom Jones.
Caller: Oh, Tom Jones doesn't work for Company Name?
Me: I'm going to spare you the speal. Did you try his email address?
Caller: No
Me: Maybe you should.
Caller: Ok
In the afternoon
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: Hello, this is Tina from random agency, may I speak with Tom Jones please?
Me: I would like to ask you to remove this number from your call list please.
Caller: Does Tom Jones not work for Company Name?
Me: Tina. We've been through this.
Caller: Oh ok

The Automated
Me: Good afternoon, Company Name, how may I direct your call?
Caller: YOU HAVE BEEN SELEC/
Me: *click*


The end.
But likely not nearly...haha


Note: All names are fictional, but a version of these calls has happened to me at least once if not a few times. Only in a few instances such as the The TMI scenario did I make up some details as my memory failed me to the exact content of the conversation.

6:01AM Wake up so early coffee is the only way to possibly keep your eyes open. They need to be particularly perky for the pictures later.

7:05AM Run around frantically making sure you have everything you need for forever before you dash out the door (makeup, dress, clutch, heels, gift, card, phone, keys, cash, umbrella, kitchen sink, and sanity).

7:20AM Sit in car for 10 minutes waiting for other bridesmaids to meet you at hotel, because clearly you overestimated the busyness of traffic at 7AM on a Saturday morning...

7:46AM Fellow bridesmaid shares how her fiance was questioning why she had to get up so early just to get ready for a wedding... you all laugh!

8:15AM Arrive at the parent's of the bride's home with fellow bridesmaids, come bearing coffee for all.

8:20AM Wander around aimlessly until someone gives you directions on what you should be doing.

8:21AM Makeup! Putting makeup on your face is a good idea, do that. Ensure that it is more bold than usual, but not so out there that it would take any attention off of the bride. Note: Mascara must be waterproof.

8:45AM Time to kill? Take pictures, lots of pictures. Getting ready and decoration pictures.

9:02AM Eat breakfast, nutrition is important. Stay hydrated and well nourished throughout the day. Nobody wants a fainting bridesmaid. Once again distracting attention from the bride is a big no-no so eat those eggs and drink that orange juice!

9:15AM More time to kill? Time for some Facebook and Instagram. Social media: the biggest time waster of all...and essential to tell the world exactly what you are doing at this very moment.

9:37AM Pose as photographer takes some fun pictures of you girls pretending to do hair and makeup together. You grab the curling iron and pretend to curl your hair, but your hair is a straight as a board. Nobody is going to believe that acting...should have thought that through.

9:50AM Hair is next! For real this time! Show pictures to the stylist so she knows what you want. Be prepared for it to look nothing like the picture, however it will still be beautiful, just keep smiling! But don't smile too much while she hairspray's your hair until it can't possibly move anymore because you don't want it to get in your teeth.

10:45AM Time to get dressed! Put on your dress, and please don't smush your hair in the process. And make sure you have everyone check out your bum in the sun to make sure you can't see your unmentionables underneath, nothing shall take attention of the bride this day! (Side note: how can two layers of fabric still be somewhat sheer?!)

11:00AM Smile pretty as the photographer takes some nice pictures of you and fellow bridesmaids. Show off your pearly whites! You need to practice for later right? But first let me take a selfie!

11:15AM The Bride is getting dressed and having portraits done so now you wait... they don't let you see her yet and it's torturous. Why? Because you're her bridesmaids!

11:52AM Crunch time, the wedding is in just over an hour, up until now time has crawled like a sloth stuck in glue, but now switches to a hummingbird on redbull. Press panic button now.

11:57AM It's time for the bridesmaids first look with your dear Bride. Head upstairs, but stop just before the top. Close eyes and let the photographer position you into the doorway for a photo. No peeking! So excited you can feel the emotion welling. She counts and gives the word and you open your eyes. Your Bride is absolutely stunning! At first you're just smiling, but then the tears well. Keep it together...fine, just a few happy tears. Your dear friend is getting married and you are just so ecstatic for her you can't help it.

11:59AM Hug Bride gently, do not get tears on the dress, do not smudge makeup, there is no time for touch ups.

12:05PM Photographer takes a few posed shots of the girls with tea cups and saucers, feels so classy and elegant!

12:12PM Time to go!! Once again, frantically run around making sure you have everything needed and jam it all into the car, hope you didn't forget anything.

12:25PM Blast the 'Watch Me Nae Nae' song in the car and dance like there's no tomorrow. Pull up beside the Bride's car and take pictures of her making faces. Pretty sure that scared look is fake right?

12:39PM Pull into the parking lot at the park early. Pick jaw up off ground. Are bridal party's ever this early!? Bop to the Nae Nae song some more. Take selfie with Bride.

12:43PM Secure Kleenex in bouquet...just in case.

12:50PM Time to make way over to ceremony site. Walk carefully as heels and grass don't always get along. Bridesmaids in position create shield around Bride so she can't be seen by meandering or late guests. Cross fingers that doggy in the park isn't too friendly.

12:58PM Hide behind the bushes from ceremony site. Can see guest and hear the music faintly. Nerves and excitement rise.

12:59PM Take time for prayer. Pray over the bride, the day, and the marriage. Uber important. Keep tears at bay, not the time, you only have one Kleenex.

1:00PM It's starting!

1:02PM Bridesmaid's cue to walk. Wait, a leaf! Is it too late to stop? All that time waiting and your fellow bridesmaid has a bright yellow leaf stuck around her heel. It's too late. You walk across a little footbridge and across the grass to where the guests are seated. Having practiced this numerous times at the rehearsal you rock it. The little Pacman group gingerly yet elegantly makes your way across the green doing your best not to aerate it too much as you go.

1:03PM Walk down aisle. Smile. Not too much, make pace with bridesmaid ahead, not too fast, not too slow, cheeks are quivering, this feels unnatural. Hold bouquet just right. Make eye contact with someone, don't sink into the grass, eye contact with Mother of the Bride, yes, happy natural smile :) Take place at front. Nailed it!

1:04PM The Bride and her father step out and walk towards the ceremony site. So happy, so beautiful, so perfect. Eyes well once again, but smiling comes easy.

1:10PM Sing hymns without the words: "Wa-ter-mel-on, waaa-ter-melon". Air band practice in grade five has now paid off.

1:21PM Feel something on leg. Do. Not. Panic. Keep calm. Casually look down and brush it off. It wasn't a spider so you're okay. Quickly scratch the itch and ignore it.

1:28PM They are pronounced Husband & Wife! Yay! Everyone claps and cheers! What a beautiful ceremony, and you didn't even need the Kleenex!

1:30PM Walk over to picture site with bridal party. Heart swells watching the Bride and Groom walking together hand in hand ahead. Such love <3

1:35PM Two other bridal parties are in the same location for photos. Dual it out? You could take them! Photographer opts for side spot on bridge. Still beautiful. Wait while family gets photos taken.

1:50PM Ringbearer from other party starts to cry. Not gonna lie, a Scottish kilt on the little guy is pretty adorable.

1:56PM Watch other parties take photos. Not judging, but your Bride is prettier, your colours, and dresses are nicer, and your party looks out for others. Fellow bridesmaid goes to tell neighbor bride that there is a tree branch stuck in the tulle of her dress. Bias to the max :)

2:13PM Mother of the Bride and Maid of Honour come bolting across the bridge, cruise past and take their stance on the 'photo spot' when the other party is finished.

2:20PM Your Bridal Party takes places and photographer snaps a few photos. Smile, look into the distance, look at Bride, be natural, have fun, but don't squint too much from the sun!

2:30PM Time to drive to second location for more bridal party photos. Fellow Bridesmaid has so generously brought protein bars for snacks, but they are almost liquid from the heat in the car. So hungry, so yummy, eat very carefully and do not, I repeat, do not get chocolate on dress!!

3:00PM Bridal party photo fun time! Do as told: stand here, walk there, look over, make silly face, hold the veil, pretend that, help with bride's dress, smile pretty, look serious, pray that your face actually looks like you think it does in your head!

3:47PM Feet tired. Succumb to temptation and remove shoes. Grass feels nice. Note, do not step on ant hill. Sit down and eat some snacks, thank the Groomsmen for bringing food!

3:58PM Someone comes running and says there is a tow truck. Fellow Bridesmaid and Groomsman go running to move the vehicles. Cheer them on while you continue to relax on the lawn. Turns out tow truck is just chilling out. No need to panic.

4:10PM Watch Bride have pictures taken. She is extra beautiful, must be the 'newlywed glow' :) Snap a few of own photos.

4:30PM Stay hydrated! Fellow Bridesmaid, voluntells groomsmen to bring Starbucks. He takes orders and you ask for a PSL Frapp, it's code he doesn't understand. They bring the drinks and all are happy. Yay!

5:00PM Bridal party is released from photo fun time. Time to head to cocktail hour at the hotel.

5:30PM Arrive at hotel and take time in washroom to freshen up. Panic because deodorant is missing. Resign to the fact that you may be a smelly bridesmaid. Decide to touch up makeup, open makeup case and there is deodorant! Confirm to self, sometimes you're too smart for your own good...

5:40PM Mix and mingle at cocktail hour, eat some yummy food, take photos of the deorations, and catch up with friends.

6:25PM Bride and Groom arrive and bridal party gets ready for fabulous entrance.

6:30PM Bride and Groom announced into reception for the first time as Mr. & Mrs. :) Happy Happy Day!

6:35PM MC introduces bridal party. Stand briefly and do the queen wave casually when announced, smile and sit, the show is not about you after all.

6:45PM The head table is served dinner. Eat gracefully, you never know who is watching! Fellow Bridesmaid casually puts spoon on nose. Take picture.

7:48PM Dessert is ready, but the chocolate mousse cake has run out. Linger awkwardly at dessert table with fellow bridesmaid until more is brought out. Take big piece. (To quote Lord of the Rings: "My precious!!")

8:30PM Program begins, MC starts with game for bridal party. Group version of the shoe game. You are given coloured signs and are required to show the pink side (for Bride) or blue side (for Groom) in response to each question. "Who proposed?" pfft that's a no brainer. Blue. "Who farted first?" Easy haha. Pink. "Who would eat the other first in a zombie apocalypse" What?!  Lol we have to to answer that!? ....cautiously raise sign...Pink? Look at what other's in the party said, majority is pink. Yup that's your Bride. Everyone laughs, what a fun game :)

8:42PM Beautiful toasts are given by the Maid of Honour and Best Man, plus speeches by the Parents of the Bride and Groom. Just enough laughs, not really any tears, but just sentimental enough. Clink glasses with fellow bridesmaids, To the Bride! Yum, this punch is delicious!! Bride and Groom conclude with their thank you's. What a lovely couple!

9:34PM Bride and Groom cut the cake. Snap lots of photos. They feed cake to eachother, Uh oh! Some cake goes down bride's dress! Bridesmaid duty to run to her rescue? Nope that's the Groom's job now and he's mighty thrilled too ;)

9:42PM Bride and Groom's first dance, so much love.

9:58PM The dance begins! Music is so loud can't hear self think. The strobe lights are so bright and flashy can't see straight. The DJ starts the smog machine...cough, cough, hack. But all of it's okay because at this point one doesn't need to think, see, or breath right?! Dance, dance, dance, and Watch Me Nae Nae!

10:36PM Come and go from dance, yell chat some more with friends above the volume of the music, sit at head table and observe others dance. Fun day, but long day. Have Diet Pepsi for caffeine boost, eeew why is diet Pepsi fountain pop so yucky!

10:43PM Join dance again, dance circle forms...ugh you strongly dislike dance circles. No one goes in center of circle and so man with tie on his head starts pulling people into center one at a time. Eeep! He's going in order around the circle. Leave dance circle before he gets to you. Awkward, potentially embarrassing crisis averted. Phew!

11:10PM Bridesmaids want to Nae Nae again, go over to DJ to request song. Tell DJ song name, he can't hear, say it louder, he still can't hear, yell the song name at the DJ, he says they don't have it. Tell him they already played it once and it was too short. He nods.

11:13PM The next song is the Nae Nae song. You dance your hearts out with your Bride and it is awesome.

11:16PM The DJ plays the Nae Nae again. You keep dancing.

11:19PM The Nae Nae is still playing. The Bride is having a good time and gets Groom to join in. He actually does the 'stanky leg'!

11:22PM Time feels like an eternity now. Is it possible to still be dancing the Nae Nae?

11:25PM The Nae Nae is over and the dance proceeds. You don't think you ever want to Nae Nae again. Why do you keep having to say Nae Nae, you don't even know what it means!

11:48PM Bride and Groom are getting ready to leave. There is no official send off so Bridesmaids form an arch together and cheer them off into their happily ever after.

12:37AM Dance is petering out and so is this Bridesmaid. Duty calls to stay to the end.

1:00AM DJ pulls the plug and the reception is officially over. The mint cleanup crew is up and going, gotta get everything packed up.

1:47AM Dreamland is calling, crawl into bed, another dear friend married off, smile to self, a splendid and successful day for sure.

1:48AM Zzzzzzzz

Have you ever told someone you'd pray for them and then completely forgotten until the next time you see them? I'm sure it's happened to the best of us, but it doesn't have to anymore :)

A few months ago I decided to really commit to prayer. Specifically that when I tell someone I am going to pray for them I mean it! The best practice is to actually pray for them on the spot, but if I can't do that (I admit sometimes I'm not bold enough) I commit to pray for them after we part ways, and not just once, but ideally for the long haul until the situation changes. 

Prayer is important and I have personally experienced how valuable and encouraging it is when others tell me they will pray or are praying for me. I want to be able to give that same encouragement to my friends as well and I especially want to honour that commitment to do what I promise to do.

"...pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" James 5:16

So what I've come up with to keep myself accountable and is really easy is to use the Reminder's App on my iPhone. Let me break it down for you:

1) Open your Reminder's App (already installed on an iPhone) and start a new list and label it "Pray For" or something like that.
2) Start adding prayer requests that you are committing to.
3) Input the details so your phone will remind you - tap on the line you want and tap the little blue 'i' to open up the item details. Fill in the details as to the date and time you want to be reminded.
4) The last detail is now is deciding whether this is a one time prayer or an ongoing one. In this app if you tap the item to 'check it off' it will disappear as completed. However, if you would like it to be reoccurring you can set it up to repeat in the details as well. Then when you mark complete it will refresh with the next time it's scheduled to remind you.

Easy Peasy!

This might not be for everyone, some might think it's too rigid of a practice and whatnot, but I think it's valuable in creating discipline to pray for others more regularly. I have personally experienced times where life has you running from one thing to the next you really don't even stop to think, let alone pray. So this is simply what I do to help keep myself accountable and to not forget about those that I have committed to lifting up in prayer.

Blessings,

Just a couple of months ago I started on a journey of consolidating my wardrobe. It was stressful at the beginning, but since then has been so wonderful! One of the reasons why I'm so happy with it is this app that I downloaded called Stylebook. It's a tool to help the user get the most out of what you have in your closet. I was hesitant to buy it at first because I don't typically get apps that aren't free, but I went for it and am extremely happy with my choice :)

Essentially what you do with the app is take pictures of each item in your closet (some work required yes - but it's worth it!) and you categorize them as seen in the screen shot below. This initial step can be a wake up call in how many items you actually have!


The next step is the fun part and I actually do this every day still as it's an ongoing process. It's creating 'looks' which is organizing your pieces into what you'd wear together. This is what helps you be creative with your wardrobe, the options become endless when you do this! It's an amazing visual tool and you'll never have to ask "what should I wear today?" again!

I have a folder for 'Day', 'Work', and 'Day and Work' looks for those that could go either way.

Have you ever wondered where those Pinterest looks come from? I bet this is one place! I feel so stylish :)

My absolute favorite part about the app and the feature that was my main draw to it is the calendar. Once you have looks created you can add them to your calendar and track what you wore and when you wore it. You don't have to put items in as a look though, you can also pop in individual pieces. It's also a great visual for me and has given a new perspective about how often I actually wear certain items. I think this will help me be able to create an even smaller capsule wardrobe next round knowing that I can really only wear so many clothes in one month!



The Style Stats is also a fun feature because once you've put items in the calendar it tells you which you wear the most and the least and many other things, I love it!


And last from me, but not nearly it for the app, you can tap on an individual item in your virtual closet for all the details you need to know about it (if you enter them), but as the picture below shows, and what I find noteworthy, is to see the last time I wore it.



That's a really simple and quick run down of the Stylebook App from my perspective. It has so many more features that I haven't even tapped into yet, but am already very satisfied with what I've gotten out of it so far. No more wardrobe woes for me!

Happy styling!

Heard this song for the first time the other day. I love it. Take a listen!

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

"Why did you doubt?" 

Why do I doubt? A question I ask myself, and I remind myself: I am human, I am weak, I have a spiritual enemy, I am normal. 

BUT! My God can walk on water! Peter did not doubt until he took his eyes off Jesus and saw the wind and like him it is easy to get distracted, it is very easy to let myself become overwhelmed by the storms in life and feel like I'm drowning in them. The enemy likes that a lot I'm sure, however that's not where it ends. Peter cried out to Jesus to save him, and He did. Just the same for me I know the Lord is only a cry away when I need Him. I've already experienced God's rescuing hand in my life, it helps to remember those times.

I know God is bigger, I believe He can accomplish anything according to His will, and I need Him to help me, I do not doubt that. To keep faith I just need to keep myself focused on His greatness and His promises, it's that simple and so difficult because I also have to constantly remind myself that all is God's will, in God's time. Yet I know that He will help me with that too and be there for me over and over when I do have doubts because I've taken my eyes off him again. 

I am human, but I have a mighty God. I am weak, but my God gives me strength. I have a spiritual enemy, but I have a greater Holy Spirit. I am normal to doubt, but my Lord is relentless in reminding me that He is enough!

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Today is my brother's birthday. His 34th, or what would have been.

Just 6 1/2 years ago we were forced to say goodby to my big brother when he passed away suddenly from cardiomyopothy. A son, a brother, a husband, and a friend to many, gone with no warning. At the time, first comes absolute numbness, then the motions of counting the days, weeks, months, and now years. Emotions fluctuate, but in the moment time stands still, with no end in sight because the hurt is too much, yet here I am 6 years later, stronger, closer to my family, and somehow happy.

Yes, time helps the sharpness of the pain fade, but there is no doubt in my mind that it is God who does the healing. He is my source of strength who walks with me each day. He is the one I trust to work all things out for good despite the pain it costs. He gives me hope that there will always be brighter days ahead. He is the reason I can have joy amidst sorrow because of my faith in Him. 

Today I celebrate my brother's birthday. But it is a different kind of happy birthday. This day I am grateful for the blessing and joy my brother was to all of us. I remember the good times and hold the memories of him close to my heart. And today I acknowledge that because of Jesus Christ's victory over death there is always reason to celebrate and this time it is because I know I will see my brother again in eternity.

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

Love,

My latest conclusion: 
If nothing else, waiting on the Lord while He is silent will drive you to complete dependence on Him, because to wait with your hands out and heart open with no plan of action, but to trust Him completely, is one of the most vulnerable places you can be in your relationship with Him.

My focus for 2015 has been 'surrender'. It's been a huge learning process, but a worthwhile journey. My relationship with Jesus has grown significantly in the last several months as I do my best to put all of my trust in Him. I may not always see where God is working or hear from Him when I want to, but He continues to provide me with encouragement to remind me that He is near. I believe He has a plan and though I do not understand what it is yet, it trust it will all work for good in the end. The Lord is my constant source of strength and the reason for my joy and I would not have it any other way.



"Be still, and know that I am God"
Psalm 46:10