the profile report..

Our company put all of it's employees through a personality profile test. I am always amused by the results and even more amused by learning the profiles of others. Perhaps some of this will explain a lot of my actions and words. Here are the results from the test.

Description of Strengths:
Quality oriented, accurate, conscientious, very loyal, carefully persists to achieve results, likes to manage through a system, perfectionist, reserved, introspective, resists change at first, wants time to study the facts, normally does not make mistakes, dry sense of humor, often acts embarrassed over praise, can be very direct, itemizes, skillful with detail, wants accurate results.

Logic: Fact oriented.

Communication by Strengths:
You appreciate people who are candid, to the point, that give you time to gather information before making a decision.

More detail about my specific scores:
As a Structured person your focus is on being right and doing the right thing. You go by the book... YOUR book. Because you follow the established procedures, in a methodical way, you don't make many mistakes. Structured people are usually careful, accurate, precise, and would rather do the detail work themselves than delegate it to someone else who may or may not do it right. You're loyal to people, organizations and what you know to be right. Structured people are often the "glue" that holds things together.

You have the D trait above the line so you also focus on getting things done, in your Structured way. You appreciate it when people provide you with options and choices and then allow you to decide. You like a challenge and take pride in solving problems. You get involved, take charge and take action.

Pace above the line means timing, harmony and cooperation are important to you. People with the Paced trait appear calm, cool and controlled under pressure even though they might not feel that way on the inside. You're persistent and you approach things in a steady, easy-going and relaxed way. You hate it when people come to you with something at the last minute, especially when they could have come to you earlier and allowed you to work it into your schedule.

Looking specifically at your temperament, your Extroversion below the line makes you a private person. Do low E's like people? Of course, but you would rather interact with them in smaller groups. Private people are creative and introspective.

Working with Structured People:
- Be detailed with facts in writing.
- Explain WHY.
- Focus on doing the right thing.
- Support their methods.
- Talk about documented facts.
- Provide opportunity to ask questions and check the facts.
- Act organized and specific.

a taste for something new..

It's not very often that I am surprised by new selections at a restaurant. That is not the case with Bono's. Judy and I frequent the Bono's near our house. So much so, that the waitresses all know Micah and Katie and are always excited to see us. Under a recommendation, I found that they offer BBQ Cheese Fries topped with your choice of beef, pork, or turkey. Uh, hello!! Did you say cheese fries topped with meat?? All I can say is, yes, they are as good as they sound. Now, I know it may not be the healthiest thing on the menu, but what a treat!

All dressed up and no place to go...

Here is a great picture of Micah taken in May. He is sporting the 'I drive my mommy batty' onesie (pronounced ONE-Z for you single males), sandals, stylish sunglasses, toy, and a pretzel rod. These are the moments that you realize that your children are more like their mother than you thought.

Micah will be turning 2 on September 21. He continues to amaze us with his quick mind and unending desire to amuse us. Another thing we noticed is his ability to remember and recall things that have long-passed. He frequently refers to the toys given to him by the grandparents and remembers which one presented him with the gift.

the weight of guilt...

A friend of mine was sharing his feelings on spanking his children. He feels that spanking is not the answer. He shared a story of correction. His daughter did something out of line and created a situation where he could not enjoy an opportunity out and about. That evening, upon returning home, he gave her a dose of "you acted out, and daddy could not enjoy himself." He went on to say that the next morning his daughter awoke and came to apologize for her actions.

My heart felt heavy with compassion. I don't feel that children are in a position to properly understand adult logic or adult issues and also will not properly move beyond such guilt. I feel that the weight of these situations will eventually take a toll on them emotionally.

I returned to a book I previously read by Michael and Debi Pearl. In their book, they said, "Emotionally unstable parents sometimes use guilt to manipulate their children. Parents who try to shame or humiliate their children into right behavior may see the child temporarily acquiesce. But, obedience performed out of the desperation of guilt only deepens guilt, putting the child further out of touch with true repentance and healing."

"Don't overwork your child's emotions with excessive indulgence in: 'Why did you do that? You hurt Mother. You make me feel so badly. What you did is wrong, and God wants us to love our neighbor, etc.' Children, especially young children, are not equipped to deal with deep issues about motive and duty. The degree to which they are morally awakened should be addressed; but to expose them to the adult burden of motive and responsibility can cause them to carry too much of a load."

"Christians find release from their guilt through the Savior who suffered the curse of their sins, but their children cannot yet understand that the Creator has been lashed and nailed in their place. Yet, parents need not wait until their children are old enough to understand the vicarious death of Christ to purge their children of guilt. God has provided parents with a tool to cleanse their children of guilt--the rod of correction."

Hebrews 12:6-8 says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Hebrews 12:10 says He disciplines us "for our own profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness."

sharing..