It's over!!

Well.. I made it.. by the skin of my teeth, but I made it. I survived my Chemistry class. I took the final today. I'll have to admit, I didn't give it my all and I regret that, but I took the class and learned just how difficult those sciences can be! The scary thing is... I have several more chemistry type classes to take!! Can someone invent that do hickie that they had on "The Matrix" where the humans (or whatever) were hooked to machines and all info. was downloaded? I'll take one of those please! It just comes down to me cuttin' out the stuff that i"ve always loved and indulged in and putting 100% into going back to school. It's really what this will take unfortunately. It's kidna like breaking a bad habit.. I've never had very good study skills and I almost feel that I have to learn to study on this level and do it the right way. School, aside from the Lord, needs to be my #1 priority. I like to think though, that I can find a balance.. between my classes and my social life etc. etc. I know this balance can be found.. I just need to learn to do it. I'm still considerably young and don't want to miss out. I know it will be all worth it in the long run. I know that occupational therapy is a profession that the Lord has put on my heart. I know he will give me the strength and the persistance and the discipline to get through, but I also need to do more of the work myself. Lesson learned. God will bless my efforts. For now though.. I'm done! Praise be to the Lord! Now I can focus on lovin' and livin' out the joys of Christmas.

Busy- Challenges- Fun!

My mind is so full of thoughts today that I don't even know where to begin. This is the week of our church Christmas production. I am a part of the "Show choir" and we have rehearsals every night. Tonight.. no rehearsal.. so glad for that. I'm using my free time to get my roots done.. and they are in desperate need of color!!!! It will definitely perk things up on my head. =)

I absolutely looove being a part of muscials. I love the singing.. the choreography.. even the stressful rehearsals.. it's all so fun! I just get so much energy from being a part of something like this. So many people complain about the long hours but it's just fun! It's a step out of the ordinary.. a chance to use the gifts that God has given us to entertain and hopefully minister to others. I pray for many diving moments as we share the story of "The Christmas Window."

I've had a few other challenges this week that take up my thoughts and energy. The first is ending my Chemistry class.. yikes! I'm just not talented in this area so that explains itself. The other.. well.. lets just say that I'm having trouble communicating with someone who doesn't know how to communicate. The Lord opened a door for me to kindly address the issues that needed to be addressed there. He is faithful! I know that God works all things for the good of those who love him. I can't wait to see what more he has in store and how he will work in these challenges I face. I have no doubt the outcome will be positive and bigger and better than I ever hoped for or imagined!

My theme song!!!

(chorus)I’m not going back, I’m moving aheadI’m here to declare to you, my past is over
In You, old things are made newSurrendered my life to ChristI’m moving.. moving forward
(verse)What a momentYou have brought me toSuch a freedomI have found in YouYou’re the Healer
Who makes all things newYeah! Yeah! Yeah!—–
(chorus)I’m not going back, I’m moving aheadI’m here to declare to you, my past is overIn You, old things are made newSurrendered my life to ChristI’m moving.. moving forward!—
(verse)You have risenWith all power in Your HandsYou have given meA second ChanceHallelujah, Hallelujah!
Yeah Yeah Yeah!Yeah Yeah Yeah!
(chorus)I’m not going back, I’m moving aheadI’m here to declare to you, my past is over
In You, old things are made newSurrendered my life to ChristI’m moving-
I’m not going back, I’m moving aheadI’m here to declare to you, my past is overIn You, old things are made newSurrendered my life to ChristI’m moving.. moving
FORWARD!!!(4x)You maka all things newYou make all things newI will follow YouFOWARD!!!(repeats)

'Nuff said! =)

My Thanksgiving without the Gobble Gobble..No Turkey!

My Thanksgiving holiday was a different sort of holiday than normal. My brother had to be on call from 5 pm to 5 am on Thanksgiving day, so we headed to Nashville to make sure he wasn't left out of the celebrating. We spent most of the morning traveling. On the trip over I indulged on Sarah Palin's new book "Going Rogue." I fascinated by this amazing woman who had a very ordinary life yet took what God gave her and created a very successful political career. She didn't let anything or anyone get in her way. She used her common sense to get things done and did a lot to help the people around her. So inspiring. I was totally motivated to shake things up a little in my own life. I even stuck with it during the political sections that I know very little about.. all things Sarah.. that's what I"m all about. We arrived in Nashville around noon and went to the restaurant we had planned on.. only to find there was a 2 HOUR WAIT!! We were all shocked over the gobs of people who were eating out on Thanksgiving. Kinda sad actually. Anyway.. we settled on Cracker Barrell.. even though that too, was an hour long wait. It was a fun memory.. something different. I had a homestyly sampler with ham, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings and three kinds of veggies.. including turnip greens of course. =) After the traditional stuffing of our bellies.. we headed over to the Opryland hotel where we had reservations for that night. ONce we checked in and figured out the labrynth of halls and dead ends.. we settled into our room briefly then trecked to find a parking spot on the opposite side of the hotel. We spent the evening walking around the beautifully decorated hotel. It's a wonder at Christmas.. One of the prettier parts was the life-sized manger scene outside. The figures looked like they were carved out of marble. It was good to see the birth of Christ honored despite the society around us continually getting further and further away from christianity. Jonathan got a call to go into work and dad went along with him, so mom and I settled into the room and watched a tear jerker of a movie. The next morning we set on our 7 hour journey to Chicago. Most of the trip was through the heartland of Kentucky and Indiana. I always love to people watch in those tiny little towns on the route.. It is truely a cultural experience to experience all the mulletts and poorly put together outfits. I even encountered a camo-clad gentleman staggering down the sidewalk drunk. I didn't know whether to help him or run away. ( it was around 1:00 pm- sad) After reading more about Sarah P. and a laptop movie or two later.. we arrived at Grandpa's. He just broke all of our hearts this trip. He keeps getting smaller and smaller and his quality of life is so poor. He even got confused several times, forgetting that we were visiting. He woke up one night thinging we were burglers. He really needs to be in a home, but his stubborn nature keeps him in the state he's in. I just hope he doesn't hurt himself.

Friday we celebrated Christmas early after a heart-attack causing brunch. My uncle Mark and dad did a lot of the prepping in the kitchen. It was cute! The two men of the family making breakfast for all. After our bellies were bloated from Mark's special "hash cookies", sausage and eggs made in ziploc bags (that's right- a little creepy) we sat around Grandpa's tiny living room and shared what we are thankful for then bridged the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas by sharing our favorite Christmas memory. This was a wonderful new tradition started by none other than my mother. Grandpa.. bless his heart.. just didn't get the gist of it and started sharing a word from the Lord. We were, of course, blessed by it, but when we asked him for his favorite memory.. he just went right back into preacher mode. While it was typical Grandpa, it was also sad that he didn't understand what we were asking him to do.

After laying around lazily, I just had to move.. mom and I went to the mall for a few Christmas gifts. It was good to get out. After church with grandpa and our traditional Pepe's for lunch, we packed our too small for 4 adult Toyota camry and headed back to Memphis. The normally 7.5 hour trip to Nashville turned into about 12 because people in Kentucky and Indiana seem not to know how to drive on slick roads. We got stopped by several wrecks. I tried to finish Sarah's book, but was cut short by and early darkness. I totally forgot my book light. So I settled for watching "The Holiday" and then one of my favorites: "Madea Goes to Jail" I just can't get enough Madea. A great trip. We got home around 2:30 am and I was more than happy to slide into my own larger and cleaner bed. Thank goodness for cleanliness. (Grandpa's house just isn't the standard of clean we are used to). I am thankful for my family with our many differences.. we are still close to them and always enjoy getting together. I am truely blessed.

Baahaahahahahahaha!!

This cheered up my dreary Monday.. I hope it does yours too!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Little Happys (is that how you spell it?)

Interesting observation for the day.. for some reason, today, as well as about this time last week.. I have been very easily amused.. almost giddy. There are no blatent reasons for me to be in such a happy mood. Nothing has really changed.. I'm still waiting and praying through some of the same things, but I just have to say it's gotta be the joy of the Lord. I think a lack of sleep would help too.. but the better theory is the Joy of the Lord. It's what I pray for and I hope it exudes from me. I love a good serious convo.. but I can also be very very silly. Although this week has been a little slow and uneventful.. I"ve had some happy moments.. Monday .. yeah.. can't even remember.. Tuesday was my Beth Moore bible study.. always a happy time.. Wednesday I had lunch at one of my fav. Greek restaurants with my dear friend Raegan who I hadn't seen in a while. That night was my very first rehearsal for show choir. We are doing a very large, Broadway style Christmas musical this year and I am a part of the singin' and dancin' group. The singin' I can handle, but the dancin' is a whole different story! I didn't have too much of a hard time with the half of the song we learned last night. However, the steps she was teaching us toward the end made my head spin! If God can part the red sea, he can help me get down some footwork! ha! Today has been an extremely slow day and so everything has entertained and amused me. My friend Jessie sent me this AMAZING U Tube video. It's a commercial for a flea market and it's this big black dude rappin'.. but it's more of an 80's white boy rap and it was the funniest thing I've ever seen!! I'm sure he totally made it up himself. I was laughing so hard that I had tears streaming down my face and my abs were hurting. Later on I would picture my friends that I e-mailed it to watching it and I started a fit of laughing all over. Then Diane and I would sing the lyrics and would laugh all over! I love it when I receive the gift of an amazingly awesome U Tube! I posted it to FACEBOOk and wished all my friends a better day. This will surely make everyone's day better! I had lunch with my friend Amy and her 3 week old baby girl Adelyn looking on (literally she was sleeping on the table). Tomorrow is another normal work day , an RFKC fundraiser with Gospel Singin' to boot and then I'll head off on part 1 of my two part trip to Knoxville to visit my new niece Lizzie Sagraves and her mom Kerri. I can't wait!! So for now.. my day is happy because of the sheer joy of the Lord, lunchtime with dear sweet friends and a cheesy rap commercial.. Life is good!!

The old is gone...

A wonderful friend of mine sent this devo to me and this pretty much sums up the prayer of my heart these days. I want exactly this. It's not about God's blessings.. just him. Putting aside our fleshly desires and allowing him to do a new thing in us. I keep hearing him whisper that to me.. "behold, I do a new thing…" Wow! If only I could get to this point! Be challenged today friends.

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work His new creation in us, and there will come a time when there is not a bit of the old order left, the old solemnity goes, the old attitude to things goes, and "all things are of God." How are we going to get the life that has no lust, no self-interest, no sensitiveness to pokes, the love that is not provoked, that thinketh no evil, that is always kind? The only way is by allowing not a bit of the old life to be left; but only simple perfect trust in God, such trust that we no longer want God's blessings, but only want Himself. Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings and it does not affect our trust in Him? When once we see God at work, we will never bother our heads about things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in Heaven Whom the world cannot see.

"Puppy Size" - It's real!

I have gotten this same adorable e-mail several times about a little girl who visits an animal shelter time and time again to find just the right puppy. Over and over she visits, but has no luck in choosing the one for her. She makes the comment several times that she is looking for the "puppy size" Her mother and the shelter workers believe that she is taking about the actual size of the puppy. One day she finally picks up her last puppy and says:

"'Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one!
I know it!' She screamed with joy. 'It's the puppy size!' 'But it's the same size as all the other puppies you
held over the last few weeks,' Mom said. 'No not size. The sighs. When I held him in my arms,
he sighed,' she said. 'Don't you remember? When I
asked you one day what love is, you told me love
depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you
love, the bigger the sigh!'"

I am a huge sap and this story always touches my heart. I decided that I would check out this "puppy size" theory on my own precious
dog Asher. I went home at lunch and was sitting on the chair doing my Esther bible study. Asher jumped right up and found the crook in my legs to snuggle. That prescious dog sighed like 5 or six times.. he loves so much! I knew it when I picked him.. when I went to get him I had the choice between him and his brother. Asher (then Fanta) was the first one I picked up. We immediately bonded. When I set him back in the pen to hold the other dog (who was sniffing something in the corner) prescious little Asher put his front paws up on the side of the pen and looked up at me. It was like he was saying "pick me! – I love you the most already" And I did. He picked me too! So now that I have maxed out my sap for the day.. I will go on to think of snuggling and hugs and have a wonderful day!

The Expert

I was watching fox news last night and they had a body language expert on. When I flipped thorough she was analyzing Nancy Pelosi and her interview about the 3 republican wins in recent elections. She was saying it was all good, when actually, according to the body language expert, she was not. The expert was zoning in on every move, every tone and every way that she darted her eyes, moved her head and stiffened her neck. It was fascinating. Maybe I should become a body language expert.. my life may be a little easier. Knowing how to read people could be a huge blessing and save me a lot of time and heartache with people..however.. It may be the biggest curse ever!! I may read too much. Think about it.. what would the world be like if everyone was a body language expert?! Yikes!! I wonder if Obama would have gotten into office.. I wonder if we would be embracing Islam or admiring and worshipping so many celebrities. I wonder if we would get hurt as much or be as scarred. I guess the Lord didn't give us this natural ability for a very specific reason. Or.. If I could turn it off and on for certain people and certain occasions.. that would be great! Just let your imagine run now.. and have a great day!

My Chains are Gone

I have the privilege to be a part of a very wonderful camp for abused and neglected kids called Royal Family Kids Camp. Next Friday, the 13th, we are holding a gospel sing as a fundraiser for this very special camp. This will be our first year to do this and I am organizing a team of singers made up of counselors and staff members to sing during donation time. Well.. the song we have chosen to sing is the song by Chris Tomlin, Amazing Grace/My chains are gone. While we sing, a slideshow of camp kids and camp moments will be playing in the background. What a perfect message for the whole purpose of this camp. At RFKC we teach them that God loves them no matter what and they are a part of God's family. NO matter what people say or how much they have been neglected. NO matter what they have done, God loves them. He extends them a grace that reaches far beyond their circumstances. Through this grace, this freedom, their chains are loosed and they are set free. As we prepare for camp, we pray these children will experience God's amazing grace, his amazing love. I pray that this song will help others to catch that vision that we have for these children. That God's grace reaches beyond their circumstances and saves them from a life of sadness and neglect.

Another cool story.. I've experienced this same release.. I have been praying and praying over something that I want very much for myself. I worry over it and try to fix it myself and it was starting to drive me crazy! I responded to an alter call on Sunday night. I knew that it would take something bigger than I to be released from these anxious thoughts. this trying to control my destiny. Like my favorite bible teacher Beth Moore said, We are not responsible for the how, we are responsible for the what. What is it that we are willing to obey God in.. once we obey and follow after him, he will take care of the how. A very dear friend of mine was at the alter praying with me for a release and I finally god it! She gave me the visual of putting this situation.. into a beautiful jewelry box and locking it up with a key and putting that box along with that key at the foot of the cross.. at that point… it's in God's hands. I've had a few comments today about how happy and giddy I've been.. well.. my chains are gone.. I feel a release from my worries.. It's the most amazing feeling. Praise you Lord! I can hardly wait to see what he has in store…

Fall Dreams

I love fall. The colors.. the weather.. the fall activities. It's just all sweet to me. I love the way the air even smells. I took Asher out for a walk this morning and could smell fall.. ahhhh… I just love it. =) Maybe I'll get married in the fall someday. I am partial to the fall colors.. all the rich tones of red, gold, and yellow. Gorgeous!

Then someday when I have kids.. I'll take them to all the adorable kid activities like going to the pumpkin patch and dress them up adorable for Halloween.. we'll have their friends over and make goodies and drink cider.. am I living in a dream world? I know that all of this will come with its complications.. but I'm just ready for all of that. Kid/family complications and all! Bring it on Lord… but of course the man will have to come first. Ready for that too of course! I trust that the Lord knows exactly what he is doing and it's all been placed in his hands. It's the only place it should be.

In the meantime.. I seek God. I serve and I continue the work that I know that God has called me to. He is all knowing and all powerful and I trust that he will allow all these dreams come true.. in fact.. I know. Because he promised never to leave or forsake me. I put my cares.. my dreams and my desires in his hands alone and in the meantime.. I seek his face.

These Boots were made for Walkin'

Just a few random tidbits for the day.. I"m wearing my fab leather cowboyish boots today for the second time this season and they always make me feel extra sassy and confident.. I love them!!! It's so fun to spice up an outfit with a cute pair of boots. =) I had some younger friends come and visit me here in the office and they are just so prescious. I love that!! It feels so good to have someone think of coming to visit you. IT totally brightened my day! I am at work from 830 to 5 monday thru friday and am open to visitors anytime! I love the random pop-in's. I looove suprises period. Last Friday we all found out about the amazing suprise that our family pastor's wife did for him. He had no clue.. but she had planned this whole trip to NYC. He had always wanted to go so she worked an extra job and made all these amazingly detailed plans to get him there without him knowing until the day of and then planned this whole itenerary for them. I love it. As their friend was telling us the story in staff prayer.. I had tears in my eyes... it's totally what I would do for someone I love! I do it some with my parents.. but man.. I think there will be something special about doing it for my husband someday... I totally will! =)

In the meantime.. me and my boots will be just fine livin' the single life. God is faithful!

Wait and See....

I just may have to float around on a cloud for a while because I am on a spiritual high like no other. =) The past two weekends have been incredible! Last weekend I worked discipleship walk with Raleigh Assembly. It was such a wonderful experience. I felt as If I was exactly who God made me to be and I was just so full of joy and the light of God. I had so many people tell me that I glow with the joy of the Lord. I shared a talk with the ladies and it was straight from my heart. I felt as if God had stirred up a new gift in me. I absolutely loved the whole process.. writing it and praying about it.. when it came time for me to give the talk I had no fear whatsoever. It was incredible. It came out so effortlessly. God was right there with me. I was just thrilled with how he had enabled me to deliver it with such power and poise. I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to share my heart. This is definitely the start of a new season for me. Things haven't necessarily changed dramatically as far as what is going on with me in the external.. but the internal has dramatically changed. God has given me a whole new outlook on life. He's given me a new joy that is abundant and deep. It doesn't depend on my external circumstances but what is on the inside.

This past weekend I went to hear Beth Moore at the Fed Ex forum. She always has such a fresh and challenging word! She talked about God and how he is.. not necessarily the physical description of him.. but his nature. It totally reminded me that God is all powerful and is in total control of my life. I shouldn't worry about anything but just seeking him. He has called me to seek his face with all of my heart. I don't need to focus on the external now.. it's the internal.. it's all about God. I don’t even desire what people have to offer right now.. I just want to be in God's presence and know him more. I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve!

And speaking about what is up God's sleeve.. at work today the ladies and I were doing this old trick where you drop a necklace or anything hanging in front of you 5 times and it will tell you how many kids you will have and what their sex will be. The three ladies that have already had kids were accurate. Two of us single girls did it as well.. the necklace trick says that I'll have two girls then a boy. ha! I wrote it in my journal and it will be interesting to look back someday and see if it's true. Dianne, who taught us the trick, says that it has been surprisingly accurate among her friends and family. ha! We'll just have to wait and see. For now.. someone needs to come up with a trick that will tell me who I will marry and when!! Let me know if you know a way to tell that one! =)

God is Faithful

I am blessed.. so so blessed. I just got back from a weekend that should have taken every ounce of energy out of me and I have energy and excitement. My discipleship walk weekend was INCREDIBLE!! I knew it would be too. Leading up to the weekend.. I had felt in my prayers that this would be a new season for me.. a season of joy and of peace and a season of God stirring things up and changing things for me.

The weekend brought out a few new gifts in me and stirred up my passion for ministry. I met and served with some very special women. God poured a special word into my heart that I was able to share with everyone. It was so anointed and went so so well. God showed me that I can speak and I can engage and it will minister. I was also affirmed over and over again over the weekend in many different areas. I felt worthy of the calling that God has placed on my life. I have not felt that in a very long time. The Lord did stir up something new and something that will last through the ups and downs of life. I can hardly wait to see what happens next. I know this all came about because of prayer. I had also made a committment to spending a specific amount of time with the Lord each night leading up to the walk. I could feel increased power from that and am so thankful that I made the sacrifice of my time. Praise God for his faithfulness!!

Another thing.. a relationship in my life that I have been praying to be reconciled has suddenly popped up out of the blue. All happened because of the Lord and because of his power.. not by my own hand. I have purposely taken myself out of that situation. There were several incidents over the weekend that helped me to realize that my heart is not desiring the wrong things. There willl be more about that later.. for now.. I will take that one day at a time and not anticipate anything happening at all. I'm done talking about it!

God is so faithful. I stood on the platform at Raleigh last night and shared with the congregation that about two years ago I stood on that same platform telling of what God did in my life as a disciple on the walk and how I was about to step into a period of lonliness and wandering in the wilderness. But now, I am standing on the same platform telling them that God has brought me out of the wilderness and is starting a new thing in m y life. Praise God!!! MOre to come... I believe with all of my heart that he's lining things up now for me and my period of waiting will be over shortly.

Weekend shinannigans

It was definately a busy weekend! I was not so excited about the events of Friday night~ my 10 year class reunion. The reason I was less than thrilled about this event was because of the location. (that, and I didn't feel all too connected to my classmates) Despite my hesitations, I went anyway.. what's the hurt. A lot of times I'll feel this way on the front end, then later I will be glad I went.

We all met up at the FACS homecoming football game (which was fine), mingled, then headed over to a very classy ;) grille and bar called "The Fox and the Hound" When you hear that the locale of your class reuniont is at this location two things come to mind: 1. Everyone else does their reunion here- Be creative! 2. It's a bar.. there will be a lot of drinking and not so much mingling. Poo! Well.. I got there and sat with some friends and ordered some fries and was fine. I was one of two not drinking.. and that was well and good. It was great to see everyone. I enjoyed catching up and seeing what everyone is doing with themselves. It was somewhat sad to see the condidion of my classmates.. some were even still mean to the people they were mean to in High school. It was definately an enlightening experience.

Because I am a very social person and I can make the best of everything.. I ended up staying until about 12:30. I enjoyed seeing some old friends.. that's really all there was to it. It also made me thankful for the life that I live and that it's not all about drinking and being mean to the same people I was mean to in High School. (I would definately get the award for mingling with the most people)


Saturday I had to wake up earlier than I would have liked to and was thankful that my hair didn't smell like a cigarette butt from the night before. I had a productive day at Chessie's (my boutique job outside of the First Assembly Bubble) Saturday night was a night of hopping around the city of memphis. I left east Memphis for Cordova to change and freshen up. After that I headed to Germantown to say farewell to lovely Helen Morgan and her husband Brent. They are moving back to England. They will be missed. It was a wonderful gathering with all too much food (as always) and an inspiring word from Dr. Richard Gilbertson. He's a deacon at our church who is one of the top cancer researchers for St. Jude and one of the best in the world. He has meetings with the presidents and gives lectures at Harvard. YOu would never know it though.. he's as down to earth as they get.. with his pencil like body clad in Hollister and always offering a friendly hello and a hug. His wife is just as wonderful. Always the perfect hostess!


After the party I drove back to Cordova to meet my lovely friend Jennifer for a late night Tyler Perry movie. We headed 20 min. more to Collierville to watch the much anticipateed new Madea Movie "I can do bad all by myself" It was amazing!!!!


Funny story... Before the movie even started, Jennifer and I were talking happily about the events of our day and I was sharing about the sermon that I had just heard at the Life Church (a stop that I made after work- I forgot to mention.. amazing worship.. brought me to tears amazing speaker- Christine Caine from Hillsong- totally challenged me to step up my game) anyway.. I get excited when i talk about the Lord and definately may have been talking a little louder at that point- can't help it- when an african american brother (granted we were the only two white girls in the theater) turned around from two rows and several chairs over and in front of us and told us we were talking too loud. Mind you, we weren't interrupting anything. It was so rediculous that he was agitated with us that Jennifer was just smiling at him thinking he was joking. I must have stared very blankly at him because he had to repeat it a couple of times. Well.. normally I am very apoligetic, but not this time.. I just said "Ok." and slightly lowered my voice "anyway" Then I struggled with the rest of my story because his attitude and the way he had said it were very rude. I had to even say to Jennifer "let me recover after that for a minute." We both ended up moving far far away from this man because every time we laughed we were totally conciencious that we were being too loud for him. It totally killed our joy for about 10 minutes but we quickly got over it. Our crabby black man story has definately been a hit the past few days. =)


Sunday was another busy day.. homework.. a great nap..and a underwhelming choir concert. I am sooo looking forward to getting away for the weekend at Discipleship Walk. I cannot wait to see what God does in the lives of these women!

Thursday

Inspired by my loverly friend Jennifer…


Today (9/24) I

Woke up not wanting to get out of bed (as usual)

Took my dog for a walk.. which was a challenge to do quickly because he needed to poo (not usual for mornings)- he takes forever!!

Rushed to work and immediately had visions of strong coffee

Passed the coffee making test for the second day in a row.. (my co-workers- Dianne Geabhart- Like it STRONG)

Watered my coffee down with cream and sugar

Settled in for a very slow day at work

called hospitals to check up on our church members

Didn't talk to Alette in the morning for the first time this week

Went to lunch and got a faaaabulous new nail polish by OPI for my BFF~ "Ate Berries in the Canaries" ~ then wished I could afford some for myself~

Bought salon quality shampoo and straightning gel for a ridiculously wonderful price

Got my sugar fix from a giant cup of McAlister's sweet tea thanks to my co-worker Diane O'Connor's craving~ she paid~

Ran errands for co-workers.. I am thankful to be the young one with the most energy.
Saw one of my favorite people~ Judi Bramlett~ in the store.. talked hugged.. talked to Kerri on the phone about her new baby.. heard the baby cry. =)

Back to work.. bored…

Wished that Jennifer didn't fan the OPI obsession! It's gonna be tough to resist buying a color per week!

Happy I get facebook updates on my phone. I am officially in the know! ~ going to support my friend Judi and her girl's HS volleyball team! Go Crusaders!

Enjoyed the Crusader volleyball game~ something different was good.

Went home and immediately put on my sweats and said "ahhhh" so great not to have anything to do tonight!!

Watched a new show on ABC "Flashforward" Awesome! Got mom hooked too!

Went through my piles of papers and mail~ I looove organizing.

Caught up on America's next top model.. on of my fav. shows!!

Went through my Discipleship Walk talk with mom.. made a few changes… Praise God it will be good!

Prayed over my talk and my life

Stayed up waaaaaaay too late…

This morning.. I overslept.. of course!! Frustrating! Managed to pull it together somehow..

Busy busy

Hello friends! I seriously have had very little time to sit down and write.. I've been extremeley busy with the this and thats of life. My first and foremost thing taking up time is my chemistry class. I've decided that chemistry is the devil. It was inspired by the evil forces of hell. I have also decided that all the people who actually understand are sitting in a corner somewhere and laughing at the rest of us average intelligence people. Not cool at all chemistry nerds!! If you are one.. don't take this personally.. I just am in a permanent bad mood due to the lack of sleep I get over this class.

Another very exciting activity in my life lately is the face that I am on the leadership team for a very amazing ministry retreat called Discipleship Walk with the wonderful church: Raleigh Assembly. I am giving a talk and leading a small group. I am very excited about sharing my heart with and ministering to these women. We had our last meeting this past Monday and the holy spirit was very much present.. God's power was very strong as we prayed for one another. Ooo I can't wait to see what he does in the lives of my fellow team members and more importantly the women going on the walk. I have a few women I am friends with that are going and it always makes it more exciting when someone you know is going. =) I feel so privelaged to have this honor to serve.

I also just got done throwing a baby shower for my friend Amy who is expecting her second child, a girl. It was great having her sister in law and another friend Tammy share the hosting load. Church is always busy.. with choir. We are doing a big produciton for Christmas this year/ broadway style! I tried out for one of the drama parts... that could add to my busy schedule.. we'll see. I only want God's plan.

Just for fun!

General Cosgrove was interviewed on the radio recently. You'll love his reply to the lady who interviewed him concerning guns and children.
Regardless of how you feel about gun laws you gotta love this! This is one of the best comeback lines of all time. It is a portion of an ABC interview between a female broadcaster and General Cosgrove who was about to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop visiting his military headquarters.


FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
So, General Cosgrove, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
We're going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery and shooting.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Shooting! That's a bit irresponsible, isn't it?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
I don't see why, they'll be properly supervised on the rifle range.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Don't you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
I don't see how. We will be teaching them proper rifle discipline before they even touch a firearm.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
But you're equipping them to become violent killers.

GENERAL COSGROVE:
Well, Ma'am, you're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?

The radio went silent and the interview ended.

Blessings

I flew in from Ft. Myer's, Fla. Tuesday night at 10:30 pm. I had a great trip to visit my very best friend Candice and her family in the very steamy sunshine state. I had never been to south fla. in the heat of early September. It was a whole new kind of heat. It felt as if I was standing in front of the oven, except there was no tasty treat waiting for me inside.

I arrived to a very beautiful, very excited Candice. We had a mighty hug and picked right back up where we left off. Candice, being the extremely busy mother of 2 beautiful girls ages 4 and 1 and a newly appointed interim pastor's wife made sure to keep me busy and happy. I knew she was stressed and overworked, but her energy stayed at the level of what it needed to be to enteratin... she made sure my trip was well rounded with experiences such as visiting hippie art galleries near the beach on Pine Island, to singing together in church to a beach day on Monday and shopping and island exploring on Sanibel Island on Tuesday. It was the perfect mix of spending time with Isabella, Gabriela and Mike, having alone time with Candice and meeting the wonderful members of their wonderful church. I am amazed at how my friend made sure to take care of me 100% even though I knew some of it was a physical and financial sacrifice. Her heart and servanthood inspires me. She gives others her all.. sometimes at the expense of her own comforts. This is a woman I want to strive to be more like. I know that God will richly bless this woman I count a privelage to call a best friend.

I just wish I could be around my friend more.. she's one of those who when we are together, we just click. We are totally ourselves and the understanding we have of each other is a rare thing. I just love her and her family to death! God is so good in blessing me with this wonderful woman.

Another aspect I really thought was great about my trip was suprisingly my layover in Atl. I had about 2.5-3 hours. Over the holiday I was constantly surrounded with people and noise so the layover was the perfect wind down. It seemed that God was prompting me every step of the way in what I needed to keep myself positively entertained. When I arrived at the gate I walked up and down the terminal a couple of times to stretch my legs, grow a little more of an appetite, and check out the eating options. I wanted to sit down and enjoy a nice meal. I finally decided on Chili's. I requested a booth and settled in with Beth Moore on my I Pod for a great meal of Chili's amazing chips and salsa and a cobb salad. =) It was a great relaxing time. After my meal, I went over to a bookstore and got a book that had caught my eye on the way down to Fla. "90 Minutes in Heaven" ONce I opened the pages and began to read.. I was hooked!! I was captivated by this story of a Baptist Minister who was killed in a tragic car accident, spent 90 minutes in heaven, then was brought back to the life by the prayers of another preacher praying on the scene of the accident. I teared up several times over stories of the power of prayer and fighting through the amazing battle for life and later for recovery.. both emotionally and physically. It was the perfect purchase. Our plane was delayed and it didn't bother me a bit.. i had this amazing book. I finished most of it. God knew exactly what to prompt me in being prepared for this trip. I wasn't bored for one minute and I was totally blessed by my Beth Moore session on IPod and this amazing story of Pastor Piper. God is good.. even in the little things.

Pink hair and maternity swimwear

Ok, so I have totally been inspired by my friends Jennifer and Amys to delete this horribly long depressing commentary about the negatives of our country and how it's gone away from God and just be me.

I went to the beauty salon last night and did something a little uncharacteristic.. I got pink highlights!! Yes.. pink! They are a little more than I would like, but all the same. I was inspired last time I sat in my hairdresser's chair and she said that she had some pink.. I was like hummm... I've always wanted to do some of that.. lets do it!! So after about 2.5 hours in her chair, I now have shorter, blonder and pinker hair. Just in time for my trip to Cape Coral, Fla. to visit my very wonderful friend from college, Candice. =) I absolutely can't wait!! I am leaving my house at 4:25 am for the airport. yaaaay!! I know that I won't have any problem getting up at this hour because I am so excited about this trip. I can't even remember the last time I was at the beach!!

Jennifer, send me a reminder to call you with beach sounds and pics. I may be so overwhelemed at the newness of it all.. I may forget. My beach body isn't quite where I would like it to be, but last night I found Plan B bathing suit at Target. It's actually a maternity top, but it's a small and it's SUPER cute. So whether it's green two piece.. slightly cuter suit, or black maternity suit.. I'll be ok because I'll be with one of my favorite people in the whole world and at one of my fav. locales!! The Beach!! Be watching for pics. What a perfect way to end the summer. =)

Early Riser

I got up extra early this morning!!! Woo hoo!! That is a MAJOR ordeal for me! I got to spend some time reading my bible and praying.. I took a nice long shower and washed my nappy hair.. and had plenty of time to get ready.. paint my toenails.. pluck my eyebrows. ... pick clothes off the floor and make my bed.. I even did a touch of cleaning. My dog was happy too.. he got to spend more time outside playing with my parents' cat. They love each other. They are so playful! It's so fun watching them interact. =) I just love my puppy dog. He is so spoiled. Anyway.. now I feel awake and ready to start the day with God's word on my mind and a prayer on my lips.. it's going to be a good day. I just pray that I can continue this habit. I guess it means going to bed a little earlier.. that is a whole other feat! Wish me luck!

Writing

I have been so zoned in.. I am giving a talk for an upcoming church retreat. I am set to talk about spiritual growth and the discipline it takes to get there. It's funny how God works.. this is actually something that I'm dealing with now. I'm working on it. All day yesterday all I could think about was that talk!! I had bits an pieces written out and different stories and scriptures that I wanted to share, but it had yet to all come together.. well.. with the help of one of my fav. songs.."You Were There" beautifully sung by avalon, It all came together! I still have some sections that are in need of being written, but i'm using that song to tie it all together and give it a punch! I am sooo excited to see what God will do through this. I am soo passionate about delivering this speech with the power of the holy spirit to guide me. I pray that my words will cut deep into the hearts of these ladies we will be ministering to over the course of the weekend. God, continue to give me the words and the wisdom to share with these precious ladies. May you begin to prepare their hearts even now for what they will experience over the weekend. You are God and you are there for everything that happens in our lives. I trust in you and depend on you for life. I know that you are with me and that you are guiding my focus. I love you Lord. Thank you for this opportunity.

Taking A Stand

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama. Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the beautiful,or so you used to be.Land of the Pilgrims' pride;I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,Abortion on demand,Oh, sweet land of liberty;your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlesslypoisoned by cocainechoosing to indulge their lusts,when God has said abstainFrom sea to shining sea,our Nation turns away

From the teaching of God's loveand a need to always prayWe've kept God in our temples,how callous we have grown.When earth is but His footstool,and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a governmentthat's rotting at the core,Appointing Godless Judgeswho throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killerin a well deserved tomb,But brave enough to kill a babybefore he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not angry,that our land's a moral slum ?How much longer will He waitbefore His judgment comes ?

How are we to face our God,from Whom we cannot hide ?What then is left for us to do,but stem this evil tide ?

If we who are His children,will humbly turn and pray;Seek His holy faceand mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;and forgive us of our sins,He'll heal our sickly landand those who live within....

But, America the Beautiful,If you don't - then you will see,A sad but Holy Godwithdraw His hand from Thee.~

~Judge Roy Moore~~

The Southerner Test

Of course, everybody knows that the only things that make you a true Southern woman is to own a deviled egg plate and a set of iced tea spoons! If you don't have these, it doesn't matter if you were born in Atlanta, Savannah, New Orleans or Corpus Christi, you ain't Southern!

Southern women know their summer weather report: HumidityHumidityHumiditySouthern women know their vacation spots: The beachThe rivuhThe crickSouthern women know everybody's first name:Honey (or “hun” for short)Darlin'ShugahSouthern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:Fried Green TomatoesDriving Miss DaisySteel MagnoliasGone With The WindSouthern women know their religions: BaptistMethodistFootballSouthern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:Chawl'stn S'vanahFoat Wuth (my favorite!)N'awlinsAddlanna (aka “Hotlanna”)Southern women know their elegant gentlemen: Men in uniformMen in tuxedosRhett ButlerSouthern girls know their prime real estate:The MallThe Country ClubThe Beauty SalonSouthern girls know the 3 deadly sins:Having bad hair and nailsHaving bad mannersCooking bad foodMore Suthen-ism's: Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them._____Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess." _____Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder." _____Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in: "Going to town, be back directly."_____Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table. _____All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well._____Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin! _____Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20_____Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash. _____No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn._____A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb._____Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're "in line,"... we talk to everybody! _____Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage._____In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural._____Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them._____Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food. _____When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!_____Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk. _____And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" ... and go your own way._____To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!_____And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language! _____And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could." Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah !Now...... Shugah, send this to someone who was raised in the South or wish they had been! If you're a Northern transplant,bless your little heart, fake it. We know you got here as fast as you could

Welcome little Lizzie!

I'm so excited!! One of my very best friends, Ms. Kerri Murphy Sagraves, just had a new baby girl. Welcome to the World little Ms. Elizabeth Ann Sagraves!!! Kerri and Brad are already calling her Lizzie! So sweet. She has red hair, just like her momma. There were a few complications so they had to do a c-section, but Lizzie and mom and doing great! Kerri and Brad now have a prescious 5lb. 10oz. baby girl. I can't wait to go and visit my new little niece in Knoxville! I would go now if I could.

David's Story

I had such a refreshing weekend... (as my spirit and soul say ahhhhhh!!!!) Thurs. Friday and Saturday were a time of worship and word with Jackie Ashpole and her wonderful ministry team. I can't tell you how much these few short days changed my life and my outlook. Thursday night I had the privelage of a wonderful prayer warrior pray with me. She said that God wanted to grant all the desires of my heart and there will come a time when they all come together at once. Well praise God!! She also told me that God has something special for me. Then the next morning I enjoyed a powerful sermon about David. Jackie talked of how David was in God's will and under his favor when he defeated Goliath, but then he ended up right back where he started , at the gates of Goliath's hometown. He ended up there because of fear. He was running from Saul. Then the ugly beast called fear chased him further into a cave where he hid out from his enemies. David eventually came out of the cave to live in a land of peace alongside his family. This is where he was comfortable, it was the norm. He stayed there and was established there for many years. Eventually it was time for David to leave that comfort zone for Judah, the land of Praise. In Judah, David was again in God's will. He was a great ruler who honored God and is remembered by all to this day. David's story is so true of so many people even today. We are walking along.. happy in God's will having defeated that sin, or that fear. Then something happens where we voluntarily pick that fear back up and run straight back to that something that we had already defeated. We hide away in our cave of fear and allow it to keep us from God's will. Eventually we get the nerve to get out of that cave, but ease the transition by going into a land that is comfortable and familiar. This is where we are built back up and refreshed to do what God has called us to do. Eventually we must leave what is comfortable and take a step of faith, knowing that God's will must be carried out and know that he has been with us every step of the way. What is it that holds you back? I know I am very guilty of this myself. I'm ready for that step of faith into the land of praise. I feel it's right around the corner.

Discipline

I have been spending some time in some very special services over the past two days and have been challenged to dial up the notch in living for God. It started several weeks ago when I attended a service at Raleigh Assembly and the pastor talked about being a gatekeeper and watching how much you let in that is negative or not of God. He said the more you let in, the more it dims your light and gets in the way of hearing from and experiencing God in a fuller way. I was totally conviceted of the movies that I watch and even some of the shows and some music I listen to. I also want to watch more what I say and what I stick around when other people are talking about others. I can be quite guilty of negatie talk myself!

All of this has solidified more and more in these couple of services. I must discipline myself to spend a specific amount of time each day with the Lord.. just me and him. I need to change the way I spend time with him and the way I do things. I want to live a life poured out and only for God. I definately struggle with discipline. God help me to change these ways about me. Give me a vision and a plan as to how to carry this out. I love you. I know you have something special for me and the future is bright. I put myself in your hands.

Prayer= Action

Ok. So I had the girls over for bible study last night and we had a great great session with Beth Moore. We talked about faith. WOW!! My session notes were covered with extra notes that jumped out at me. I don't have my book in front of me to relay everything, but I will try and remember a few things that she said.
Faith is fighting the devil. We don't have to listen and agree with what he throws at us. Who are you agreeing with? If you are agreeing with the devil, you are agreeing with lies. He wants nothing more than to destroy you, but it's all through his words. He actually has very little power to actually do anything, he's all talk.
Prayer springs God into action, when we pray the throne of God creaks as he moves into action. Isn't that powerful!! Some things only happen because of prayer. When you get down on your knees and pray, you make the four points of an alter with your two knees and your two feet. That's all you need! I wish I could remember everything she said.. I may have to go over my book again and update tomorrow. =) These things I have shared today obviously especially stood out to me. OH!! She also talked about a bible study leader who challenged her group to write their petitions out on a notecard. She then instructed them to ask for this need to be met just once and then every time after that, thank God for meeting that need. Wow!! What faith! I want faith like that. What an inspiring woman. Never go to God without giving him thanks for the things he has already done. It will stir up your faith and serve as a reminder of his faithfulness. Praise God.
I can't wait to see what God does next. I am committed to being a throne creaker!!
Oh.. and one more thing I am excited about... the women's pastor here at First Assembly was asking for women to write letters and cards of encouragement to the women of the inner city neighborhood that our church ministers to each Saturday. I felt particularly prodded to do this. I then realized it would be a great idea to give the names and addresses to the girls in my bible study. They were enthusiastic about it and each took a name or two to encourage. We prayed over them. I am so excited.. this is exactly the kind of thing I wanted to get going in my bible study.. outreach. I would like to do even more! Praise God for giving me that idea!

Reality Bites- suck it up and deal with it like an adult!

OK. I just read an article about John and Kate, the couple from the TLC reality series "John and Kate Plus 8" In the article John Gosselin was saying how he tried to fix the marriage by going to counseling and working out some of the couple's problems. Kate would always refuse and place all the blame on him. You have put us into this mess, it's your behavior that has landed us where we are.. stuff like that. Well.. If you have ever watched the show, Kate is the one who put her husband down and made him feel less of a man. She would give him very minimal allowances for the week and treat him like he wasn't good enough. No wonder he went to other women and parties. She is refusing to see her side of things. She is placing all the blame on him!! Yes, it takes two to cause a marriage to crumble.. I believe that he definitely made some unwise choices, but you have to also take a look and examine yourself. Another thing that bothers me is that both John and Kate have expressed how much they want their kids protected and happy. The article also talked about how the kids have told him numerous times how they want their parents together and how hurt they are. Well.. if you sincerely want your kids to be healthy and happy, WORK ON YOUR MARRIAGE!! Those kids will never be the same after this. If you ask me, Kate is a coward! John has acted immaturely.. he's gotta keep fighting and continue to act as if he's still a husband and get his woman back. He needs to seek help from the church they supposedly went to! If I could just talk to them!! I know I don't have all the answers, but I've never been married, but I've seen people fight for their marriage and make it. If anything, they both need to grow up and get their head out of the money shaped clouds that they are in. I rest my case.

lazy weekend

I spent a lot of time with friends over the weekend. Friday night was a lovely evening of catching up with Wendy and Parul over fresh authentic Mexican food at Las Tortugas. umm umm!! Wendy enlightened us with an exciting story of being set up with what sounds like Mr. Perfect.. 26, law student with a job waiting in Nashville.. seems to love the Lord.. shoot. Great last name.. Ha! Yeah, that's a picky one. Anyway.. we ate and then conspired over walking at saddle creek over how Wendy will look and get to know Nashville a little better. This guy has given her the promise of taking her out in October. She hasn't actually talked to him, but she's got a promise. So how heavily does she actually weigh that? Humm.. It's hard to know. In my experience, most guys don't keep the promise and follow through. But there are some real men out there . I have met these rarities and they sure are hard to get over! Anyway... after we parted ways with Parul, Wendy and I went to my house and watched "Changeling" with Angelina Jolie. Great movie! It's a true story about a mother living in LA in the 20's who has her only son and only family member abducted. The cops return a boy to her several months later only to the mothers' detriment, it's not really her son. She ends up being manipulated by the cops to take the boy home and by the end is wrongfully commited to a mental institution. After she is released, another child confesses that he is helping his uncle abduct and kill young boys on a nearby farm. The whole scenario exposes the corruption of the LAPD. The lady never found her son. It's a very sad/intriguing story.

Saturday I worked at Chessie's with a temporary fill-in named Tammy. Tammy was a really neat lady. She is a Mary Kay director who is doing very well and has earned 6 cars! 6! My friend Candice had already planted the seed, and I decided selling Mary Kay would be a great way to pay off my debt more quickly and then possibly use it as my income in school. So... we'll see..

When I got home from Chessie's I decided to fix myself a pot of spaghetti and enjoy some more friends. I had recently bought season 7 of "Friends" and enjoyed quality time with them for the rest of the night. So entertaining! =)

Spared

It's a twister!! This is the one that touched down and damaged a store that i frequent... only 7 or so miles away!!


Praise God! I survived another round of crazy tornado weather here in Memphis!! They always hit right when i'm about to leave work too. But honestly, I'd rather be here at work in this giant building than in my small house or in my car!! Basically the tornadoes surrounded my neck of the woods, but didn't go straight through. There was one that did some major damage to a Khol's and several surrounding businesses about 7 mi. away from here and then there were some that hit another 10 mi. on the other side. Praise God! There was very little damage to this area.. if any. I barely saw any tree limbs down. It looked like a new river had decided to form in my front yard, but besides that, all is well. =) I enjoyed the stormy weather actually.. which is a huge improvement from what it used to be for me. I was DEATHLY AFRAID OF EVERYTHING!! Including Cats!!! ha!! Anyway...

I spent the evening in my parentless house with my sweet dog asher and a medical terminology book and later season 7 of "Friends" It's so cozy in my upstairs nook. I love it. When the weather cleared, I ventured out to the local Super Target in search of pretty things to spiff up my den. I got a beautiful runner a pillow and a new fake flower. =) I must say it's really shaping up in there. I just loooove making things pretty. I can't wait to have a whole house to have free rein. I hope my future hubby doesn't have much of an opinion in that area.. if he does.. hopefully we'll be able to make peaceful agreements. I'm planning a fun night with two of my favorite friends tonight. I'm not sure what yet, but whatever it is needs to be cheap.. I had the privelage of being the victim of a hit and run in the target parking lot a few weeks ago! I was running an errand for the shower that I was throwing for friend Kerri. I was in the store for like 7min. tops and someone decided to be an idiot and run into my parked car.. the paint marks left were red.. maybe some shopping carts rebelled against mankind.. who knows.. all I know is that I have to pay $200 that I was saving for other important things. Bummer!!! Where is the blessing in this? Right now the blessing i'm seeing is definately the fact that instead of paying a $1000 deductible, i'm paying $200 since it was a hit and run. I'll take it. In all things, it's important to see that blessing. If not, we would be pretty miserable people. Take care friends and have a fab weekend!!

On a lighter note..

" It was only a little Pee.. why the 30 minute timeout?"

" You touch the duck... I keel you"

Hummm....

Ok. I am almost embarrassed to share this, but I must be super ready to have a man because I keep having these dreams. Maybe it's because I have been obsessing over the Bachelorette that has a lot of affection and dating in it, but I don't know...

I have been having dreams (all with different guys- one was Brad Pitt!!) and in the dreams I am a couple with these guys and I am so infatuated with them and craving their affection. They usually give me some, but not as much as I'm needing. Any psychologists out there who can help me figure out my inner soul? It's like a magical switch that has been turned on recently that's causing me to think about all of this more. I’m content, but it's like something deep down that just won't shut up! If I'm going to continue to feel this way.. I need a man soon!! Alright God, I know you are working. I trust you!

my crazy head

I have the theme song to VBS stuck in my head!! ahh!! "Blast off to cosmic city" The kids are singing it tonight and hopefully our hard work will pay off. They have so much fun singing and doing the extremely fun motions that we've been teaching them all week. There is nothing like working with these kids and watching them have a blast. So much fun. =) not to mention free meals each night. =)

I took my devotion to "The Bachelor" series to a whole new level and decided to apply to be a bachelorette on the next Bachelor. I seriously don't think I'll get anywhere.. all I did was fill out a brief form with very basic info and submitted a picture. I have to laugh at myself for even trying. I have to admit though, there is a small piece of me, a very unrealistic piece, that hopes to make it. I know that I have no idea how tough this whole process would be and how I would totally not fit in as a devoted Christian.. but hey.. try it out and see what happens!! Nothing probably. stay tuned...

Sad

It's raining outside and my mood equals the gloomy weather. Jillian the bachelorette picked the wrong dude!! Most women in america would agree.. Ed just isn't quite the package that Kiptyn or Reid were. I don't think they will last. Super bummed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All will be redeemed if Kiptyn is chosen for the new bachelor. Love him!! He's definately the total package. Lots of women will sign up for him.

Finding love and working with kiddos.

Tonight is the finale for the Bachelorette!!! ahhh!!! Jennifer and I sent excited e-mails at the exact same time. We so think alike!! We are having a fellow Bachelorette Junkie Tivo it and then going over to watch it along with munchies after VBS tonight. I'm so nervous and have no clue who she will pick! It's usually easier to tell on the last episode. We'll see... i'm just scared to death it's the dude that I dont like. He's given her much more of his heart. In my opinion, he's the safe choice, but may not be the right one for a lasting love. He seems a little flaky. He left the show in the middle because of a work thing, then came back and was all of a sudden saying he loved her. I don't know ... a little scary. But really.. I don't know any of these people, even though I act like I do. And it's not my opinion that they'll follow or even care about. ha! I'm so silly. I guess i feel the need to get into someone else's romantic life since I don't have one of my own. But really.. I think i'll enjoy these kind of shows even after I'm married and have kids.. Like Charlotte and Jennifer. =)

Another fun thing for the week is the fact that i'm helping out with VBS. Me and the Digirolamo sisters are in charge of the music and memory verse room. =) How fun! We are teaching motions to the very long song that they are learning and It's like doing an hour long aerobic session. I guess I won't have to go to the gym this week.

LIVE!!

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too,
so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love
for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone
you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every
sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life will end,
be afraid that it will never begin.

My Vice

I need to start blogging at home. That's where the interesting pictures are. That and I've had a day where I can accumulate stories and interesting scenarios. I am excited about getting my upstairs lair painted. Mom and I went yesterday to pick out some paint and she's going to start on it today. I'm tired of looking at blotchy walls! I have this whole vision for my upstairs landing and for the den. I am excited to see it all come together. The main thing is $$. When I move in somewhere new I like to get it all set up and pretty right away.. that is when it really feels like home. I will have to practice patience to get what I really want and not spend a fortune. That's my vice for sure.. Shopping!! I get the vision and it's hard for me to hold back! I think another part of it is my age.. I want to "Nest" and set up house. It's a natural God-given desire. Not only is it natural, but it's just part of who I am.

I have so many things I love to do, but money gets in the way. I have decided that I am an expensive girl. I like to own and to do expensive things. It's a good thing I’m getting my masters!! I wish I could fast forward a year or so and start on that degree now!! I'm ready to move forward!!

Man Drama

OK.. I really haven't written two blogs today.. I actually wrote the other one yesterday with the intentions of adding pictures before the post but didn't. I will add them once I am at home. It's really hard for me to want to get on the computer once i'm home when I've been sitting at my computer all day!! I have a lot of energy to burn. I consider myself a pretty active person. I always like to have a project.. otherwise.. i'm very bored!

Anyway.. I watched The Bachelorette- The Men tell all the other night and had some thoughts to share: First of all.. there was waaaay too much drama for a bunch of men. I don't know how much of it is actually staged.. but really.. how much of that can you really make up? They were going on and on about "Man Code" how you don't dis the other men to hang out in your room, or rat out another guy who is cheating.. I mean how immature can they be?! A lot of them were giving this one guy a hard time because he let the bachelorette know that one of the guys in the house had a girlfriend. They were also ragging on him because he was too perfect... too much of a gentleman. He had the most character of all of them!! If you want my opinoin they were all jealous!! The women in the audience and in all the blogs I've read.. absolutely love him! He would be a wonderful next bachelor! Oh.. and I'm so excited because the previews for the final episode show the profile of my favorite guy, Reid, with a ring in his hand. Even though he was let go, it looks like he's coming back!! woo hoo!!

Yes, it's silly that I care so much about this reality show, but hey, it's fun!! =) I hope that Jillian makes the right decision!

Priceless

Just came off of a FABULOUS birthday weekend! I just have to say how blessed I am to have some amazing friends. Each day came more well-wishers and birthday greetings and gifts. Thank goodness for Facebook to remind everyone! I just felt so loved. I have always been the giver and the affirmer and sometimes didn't feel the love in return. Well.. it wasn't the case this year. I saw how blessed I am. It seemed like everyone remembered and did something to show me how much they cared. I feel so blessed to have such incredible people in my life. God is so good. So if you are one of those people reading this, thank-you for being you and for being my friend! I am made for close friendships, but I also realize that God wants me to rely on him for that perfect peace, that perfect friendship. When others can't be there.. God is. I am so thankful that God distanced my friends for a little while to remind me that he's always there.. to train me to look to him over everything else for joy. I have that intimate, unshakable relationship with him. I don't want to be that person who only comes to God when things aren't going so right. I want that consistent relationship with God NO MATTER WHAT! God is faithful to provide for all of my needs.. he knows exactly what people to bring into my life and when. I am so thankful for that. He knows my heart. I pray that he always challenges me with someone new, something new.. I never want to stop growing. In Jesus name!!

All things for the Good.

I am so blessed to have some amazing women in my life!! I planned a b-day celebration at a swanky little restaurant last night and decided to invite the ladies that are most important to me. There ended up being 6 of us. We sat and laughed and shared and enjoyed a meal together. Such a simple thing was just so much fun. ... so refreshing. I finally feel that I have a solid group of friends around me again here in Memphis. When I cam home after graduating from college then living away for two years.. I had a tough time finding my place. Now that I have been here for about 4 years, I finally am feeling I have a spot. Granted, not everyone is in the same place, but that's what being an adult is all about. I appreciate the fact that i have friends in all different walks of life.. different phases and different circumstances. We learn from each other. I like the variety. Being a part of a click isn't so satisfying.. you don't get the round of people that you should have. God knows what's importatnt to me. I'm a people person and having those close relationships is a big deal to me. It always has been. The importatnt thing is, that I don't let that get in the way of putting God #1.

I want to be able to rely on God alone for my joy, for my peace. I should never have to only rely on others. People will let you down. The past couple of years, God took me to a place where others weren't there so much and it was just me and him. I am SO THANKFUL for that time!! It was tough, but God was conditioning me to rely solely on him.. and wow.. what an experience it's been! God knows exactly what he's doing. He works all things out for the good of those who love him. Even when the pain is unbearable.. it's for the good!! Stick with it, continue to minister and serve, and God will bless you for it!!