Strength in the Struggle

Wear Love

2012-01-17T22:03:00.002-06:00

Colossians 3:12-14 MSG

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Col3.12.MSG

FaLaLa

2011-11-26T02:00:00.000-06:00

Love this new commercial from Target:

http://youtu.be/ygjvcv7cWsI

It makes me crack up every time! Merry CHRISTmas everyone! Enjoy the season, but remember why we celebrate.

Good 'Ole Abe

2011-09-26T21:48:00.000-05:00

The Gettysburg Address
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Too bad President's don't give speeches like this anymore. If they did, I would think more people would tune in to hear that State of the Union address. Just sayin'.

Day 1 1/2

2011-08-18T10:43:00.000-05:00

Bright and early: Day Two. That's what happens when one goes to bed at 930. Oh, but I so needed the rest. Ten glorious hours. I'm staying with a precious couple from Refuge. I felt bad last night as I don't think I was very friendly with anyone. I was on the verge of tears from pure exhaustion. I think everyone understood though.

Today is our only day to sleep in and I woke up at the crack of dawn. Ironic if you ask me. But I'm enjoying just lazying around (as my nephew would say) for a bit. In all our crazy travel time yesterday, Sybil was able to procure a spot to do the children's backyard Bible club! PTL! Answer to prayer! Melita and Janelle were a HUGE help to Sybil as well! They helped to a lot of the leg work as well, so we expecting a big crowd of kids. Hoping 4 adults will be enough to spread around. Praying the parents of the kids come as well, so they hear the good news as well.

Despite exhaustion, yesterday really was an amazing day! My JP rode in a plane for the first time and loved it! I often looked over at him and his mouth was wide open while he starred out the window.

We had many methods of transportation to get us to Suquamish: car. Feet. Airport tram. Plane. Feet. Link. Feet. Ferry.Shuttle. Car again. Whew.

Upon immediate arrival, we were wished away to the Love's house for a cookout. The whole gang was there. My host family as well as Holly and her husband Don. Precious, precious people. We had a sweet time of dinner and prayer. I must admit, I think I nodded off at some point. Soo sleepy!! I'm thankful for these dear families who have literally been prayed for and over the last 14 years! They are a direct answer to our prayers!!! I can't wait to see what God has up His sleeve!!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers! We have felt them already. I look forward to sharing more good stories in the days to come!

Happy trails!

Seattle or Bust!

2011-08-16T17:27:00.000-05:00

I'm literally so excited, I can hardly stand it. In fact, when I'm excited about something, I usually don't get much sleep the nights leading up to the big event. So, now I'm not only about to burst but also about to pass out. I know, it's an oxymoron... or maybe a juxtaposition. Whatever. Today's the day!

For a series of nine years (one week each summer), God allowed me the amazing opportunity of going on a mission trip to Seattle, WA to minister to the precious Suquamish Native Americans. I fell in love with these kind, gentle and laid-back people. It seemed as though my friends would always have a place in my summer. But abruptly, God closed the door. I was deeply saddened and only hoped He would one again allow me to return... in His timing, of course. (Though, we all know His timing and our timing aren't on the same schedule.)

Pretty much from the day I met Jason, I've been talking about my experiences in Seattle. I've shared stories of meeting kids when they were two years old and had the pleasure of watching them grow into teenagers. I told him how amazingly gorgeous it is there; Heaven on earth. How we can be sitting on the pier and see a bald eagle fly over. I've shared many, many stories with my JP. It was always my hope and dream that we could one day go together. However, never in my dreams, did I know that God already had this trip planned!! I think He enjoys surprising His children!

Here it is, mere minutes before we leave for Atlanta, to spend the night with a friend. Our plane leaves at 10:30 Wednesday morning. Please be praying for my JP. He's never flown before. I love flying though, so I've told him all fun things.

My plan is to blog a little each night before I go to sleep. We'll see how exhausted I am. But I would like to keep you all updated with the amazing things I'm expecting God to do!

Normally, we do a full week of VBS, but things are going to be different this time around. I don't exactly know what to expect, but that's just fine with me. I just can't wait to be back again. I always feel the closest to God out West. I'm eager to see what He's going to teach and reveal to me. I'm eager to see how He's going to work within my relationship with Jason. I'm eager to see all my friends again!!

If you'd like to pray for us while we are are gone, here are our requests:
1) NO RAIN - we need good weather, as we'll be outside all day, every day.
2) Divine appointments with people. We ask that Jesus remove the blinders from their eyes and open up their hearts to receive His good news.
3) The opportunity to have lunch with the Elders of the Tribe. Sybil has a unique presentation of the Gospel which would have a huge impact on them.
4) The ability to reconnect with old friends. Let nothing be awkward. I can't wait to hug some sweet girls. I tear up now just thinking about it.
5) Finally, the safety and health of our team.

Thank you so much!! Happy trails!

Pocket of Grace

2011-07-19T23:03:00.000-05:00

Jason and I want to share some exciting news with you about an opportunity God recently dropped in our laps to share the love of Christ with the Suquamish Native American Tribe. From the beginning of our relationship, I shared my love for the Suquamish Native Americans and have been praying the doors would open up so that Jason too would experience this same joy. Due to aging elders of the Suquamish Tribe, we knew we a “normal” week of vacation Bible school and other activities just wasn’t going to happen. Our God of the eleventh hour stepped in and provided new and unexpected opportunities. Before I tell you about that, let me give you a little background on the Suquamish Native Americans.

I first heard about the Suquamish Native Americans from my friend, Gloria Smith, who is a full-blooded native and who often shared about the hardships of her people, through prayer requests each Sunday. Even before I knew what was to come, God was preparing my heart. I developed a love for these people, whom I’ve never even met. Then in 1998, Sybil Johnson (our College director at Shades Mountain Baptist Church) mentioned to Gloria the possibility of taking a group of college students not just to minister to her people, but also “the forgotten ones”, the children. When Gloria heard that, she just cried. From the time she left the Reservation, she’s been praying that God would send someone to minister to them. Once the Elders granted us permission to come onto their land, our dreams were hatched and none of us were ever the same again.

From the very beginning, God was in the little details. He softened their hearts for this “Alabama Group”, and allowed us to go where only natives had previously been before. The doors for bringing His saving grace had been flung wide open and we fell into a pocket of grace that still exists today.

When the first team arrived on “the slab” (concrete area meeting area), two things struck me: the kind of beauty that takes your breath away leaving you speechless and the spiritual warfare that was extremely evident by the drug deal that was taking place not far from the little church. We immediately ‘circled the wagons’ and had a prayer time like never before.

By the end of the first week, we had been amazingly blessed. Not only did we plant seeds of salvation in many of the children’s hearts. But also, at least four girls accepted Christ, which we later baptized in our hotel pool the next summer.

For a total of nine summers (1998-2006), God opened the doors to allow me to return each summer. I was blessed abundantly with whatever I needed to go back. It amazed me, how each year He set up these divine appointments to remind me that He’s still in the miracle business.

So why thirteen years later, does my heart still beat for the hope of returning to this land? It’s there that I find purpose. It’s where I know God has specifically placed me; to use the talents He’s given me, to bless His people. There’s an indescribable fulfillment in being a sojourner for Him. An added bonus, I again get to spend time with these precious people, whom I love like my own family.

So, what’s the pocket of grace that I speak of? It’s when God has covered all the details you could ever think or worry over, often before you even ask them. It’s when you look around, and you see His fingerprints completely covering the situation. When you realize that He’s done all this for you, for your happiness, when you didn’t deserve it, but He did it anyway. It’s when you realize you went to minister, but instead got ministered to. That’s when you realize you’ve fallen into His pocket of Grace.

While in Suquamish, we will work alongside a new church plant on the Reservation, Refuge Christian Fellowship. Miraculously, the Suquamish Tribe has allowed Refuge to meet in their local elementary school. We’ll also set up a booth at Chief Seattle Days and help children assemble The Power Band, which is a direct presentation of the Gospel. This is a popular tool which uses a leather strap and multi-colored beads to represent the six elements of the Gospel:

Black is our sin before we are saved

RED is the blood of CHRIST shed for us on the cross.

WHITE we are cleansed when we are saved.

BLUE is baptism.

GREEN we are growing in CHRIST.

YELLOW/GOLD is our riches in HEAVEN.

We are praying for God to grant us favor with the people so we can show His love and salvation.

Three things are absolutely necessary for this work to happen. First, God’s divine blessing leading us to do His will and the work He’s called us to do. Second, we covet the committed prayers* of family and friends, as the spiritual warfare never lets up. Satan attacks us even before we arrive on the Reservation and once there, we wage a battle within the Heavens for Lost Souls. Finally, we need the financial support which equates to approximately $1,500 for us both. If you feel led to contribute financially to this mission, please make checks payable to Undivided Ministries. Please note in the memo section of your check “Suquamish Mission – “Insert Name””. All donations are tax deductible and should be mailed to: UNDIVIDED MINISTRIES, P.O. BOX 1101, Blountsville, AL 35031

We will leave for the Reservation on August 17th and return home on August 21st. Please mark these dates on your calendar and remember us in prayer while we are gone. Thank you for your prayers and support.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Matthew 28:19, 20

*For more information regarding how to pray for missionaries, please visit this website.

Be the Active Ingredient

2011-06-16T22:18:00.000-05:00

It all started on January 25, 2011 when JP and I went to get dinner at Smoothie King after working out. On the bottom of my receipt it said, "Be the Active Ingredient". It struck a cord within me and I knew one day it would turn into a blog post. (That's the thing about being a writer, I never know where my next inspiration will come from.) Little did I know, God would make me wait SIX months! I have no idea why, but everytime I went to write, I heard, "wait". So I did. It wasn't until this afternoon that He gave me the OK to write about it!

Let me explain what this little phrase has come to mean to me over the past six months!

When I first started doing some research about active ingredients, I wanted a simple definition, however that's not readily available. Try this one on for size: "Active ingredients are components in a drug which provide some pharmaceutical value, in contrast with the inactive ingredients, which act as carriers to make the drug easier for the body to process. The term “active ingredients” is also used in the pesticide industry to describe the active pesticides in a formulation. In both cases, these ingredients are literally “active,” performing a specific function upon application or ingestion."

Or in laymen's terms: When something or someone has been added to a certain situation, it/we have the potential for greatness. Or, at the very least, change. Ahh, change. I have a love/hate relationship with that word, but more on that another time.

Anyone has the potential to BE the active ingredient! It just takes a little extra effort on your part. Are you up for the challenge? If you'll remember our complicated definition from above, the last phrase is the most important, "active ingredients perform a specific function upon application." Let's talk more about that, shall we?

April 27, 2011, a day Alabama won't soon forget. JP and I had the pleasure of volunteering through Church of the Highlands that very next Saturday. We met at the Dream Center with our red SERVE t-shirts and were immediately sent within the community. They piled us in the van, heading for Pratt City. I have to say, first, I've never heard of Pratt City until we were there. And second, it was an extremely surreal experience. We had no real idea of what to expect. We didn't even know what the damage would be like. Let me just tell you, pictures do not do it justice.

There were two major active ingredients within the volunteer efforts: our Highlands red tshirts and food. It was amazing! They were the secret keys to get us beyond the police barricade and into the front lines. "Oh, you're with Highlands? Come on through." or "Oh, you've got food for us, sure, come on through." It was like having a "Golden Ticket".

Once we got into the main part of Pratt City, it looked like a bomb had gone off. We all just stopped and looked around. Twisted metal. Tree stumps as far as you could see. Houses either completely gone or in complete ruin. We even saw a matress speared through a remaing branch on a remaining tree. I know you've all seen pictures by now, but until you've actually been there. Met the people who's lives have changed forever. Talked with the kids who are trying to act like it's a normal day. Served food to families with only the clothes on their backs... you'll just never understand.

I don't say any of this to brag on anything great JP and I did. There were COUNTLESS volunteers that day. We met a lot of great people, all with hearts of service. I would say that's another active ingredient: a heart of service. Once we got our feet in the door, then it was up to us how to serve using the strengths God gave us.

At one point, we (about 15 of us total - 3 in the cab, the rest in the back) all piled into JP's pickup, went further into the community and delivered tons and tons and tons of water. What a site we must have been! I remember starting to cry at first... the devestation...was unreal! Even now, I have a mind's eye view and my eyes fill with tears. I felt so helpless. What could I do to help these people? I decided right there and then, I would do whatever it took. I would get out of my comfort zone and love on strangers. I met a lot of amazing strangers that day. I pray they are doing OK.

Since then, I've realized that anything can be a catalyst to cause an active ingredient explosion in any given situation! You never know the potential impact you might have in someone's life. For instance, I tweeted/Facebooked where JP and I were and that Pratt City needed more volunteers. Later in the day, we went back to the Highlands Command Center (where all the military, police and utility workers came for food and drink) and my friend Mandy was there. She said she read
on FB what I said and she and her husband came to volunteer. My decision to ask for help (something I've also been learning this year) resulted in two more amazing volunteers.

My examples go on and on, but the point I'm trying to get across to you is that it doesn't take Super Man to be the active ingredient in someone's world! Everyone has the chance every single day to make a difference! Whether it's making conversation with the grumpy clerk at Walmart or Publix, trying to illlicit a smile from them. Or allowing someone in on the road, even though they cut you off a few miles back and you're still steaming about it. Go on, let them over. Or if someone let you over, wave at the person to tell them thanks. So many examples!

My challenge to you, dear friends, be the active ingredient in your world of influence! You never know how your own decision might affect someone's life.. for eternity!! Wow, what a responsibility. Remind yourself daily. I still have my Smoothie King receipt in my wallet. Each time I open it, I'm reminded of the lesson God's been teaching me.

"Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. - Napoleon Hill"

Car Wash

2011-06-14T22:10:00.000-05:00

Multi-colored car wash wax just brings a smile to my face and makes me happy. It's the little things in life.

Can You Change the World?

2011-05-27T00:06:00.000-05:00

Picture taken by Meredith Quintana

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. " ~ Jack Kerouac

An Act of Love

2011-05-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

"The work of creating is an act of love. The God who flung from His fingertips this universe filled with galaxies and stars, penguins and puffins, gulls and gannets...peaches and pears, and a world full of children made in His image, is the God who loves with magnificent monotony." ~ Brennan Manning

Listen to Your Inner Voice

2011-05-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, while driving around, I want to "stop and smell the roses"; take pictures of beautiful things. I never have my good camera with me though. I guess I need to start taking it with me where ever I go? Sometimes after a long, hard day, I'll take backroads to my house. It's a little bit longer, but the drive is simply more enjoyable! There's this spot along the way where I always tell myself I should stop there sometime and take some pictures. Well, tonight, I worked late so traffic was nill.

As I neared "the spot", my heartbeat got faster and I had to make a decision, pull over or not? I listened to my inner voice and pulled over to captured this amazing view. It had just rained and there was a calming peace in the air. After getting a few shots, I got back in my car and drove away; feeling centered and excited. I love that God's given me the passion for capturing His creation.

Discipline Teaches Us Obedience

2011-05-22T21:50:00.000-05:00

"Discipline teaches us obedience, and immediate and unquestioned obedience is a great gift to endow in a boy, a quality of character that will serve him the rest of his life. For it is an essential truth of life to know and appreciate the fact that the universe does not find you at its center. Rather, it demands things of you, requires you to live within its limits. No matter how much you wail and bellow, the rain will fall, summer will pass into winter, and a two-by-four will hurt you if you drop it on your toe. Welcome to reality. Learn to live within it. How much more true this is for a man before his God. You are loved immensely, and you must obey. This is the secret to Lesson One in the Christian book of spirituality. You are loved; you must obey." The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge

Happy 100th!

2011-05-16T01:42:00.000-05:00

Have y'all seen the new Spring commercial? You can call, text or email or text Veatrice Henson who's turning 100!

"Veatrice Henson, a Missouri resident who is turning 100 this year. As part of a new ad campaign starting today, Sprint is encouraging its customers to reach out to the woman in order to wish her a happy birthday in the spirit of what it is calling “Random Acts of TogethernessTM.”

Sprint is tracking the well wishes on its Web site, and notes that it will help Veatrice respond to the messages. That might be a tough job.

She’s already received more than 800 calls, more than 1,400 texts and more than 500 emails." (Info taken from: http://www.geekwire.com/2011/sprints-latest-ad-strategy-missouri-woman-happy-100th-birthday)

Want to contact Veatrice?
Email: veatriceh@gmail.com
Phone: 816.892.5407

Happy 100th birthday, Veatrice!

Benefit Singing for Tornado Victims

2011-05-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

BENEFIT SINGING
FOR
TORNADO VICTIMS

Saturday, May 21, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Thompson Chapel Assembly of God
Jemison, AL

Featuring:
HEAVENS STRINGS*
THE DOTSON FAMILY
DEEP SOUTH QUARTET

A freewill offering will be taken with proceeds to go to tornado victims. Also we will take donations of non-perishable food items, baby supplies, hygiene items, garbage bags, flash lights, batteries, and cleaning items.

*One of my boyfriend's bands. Come out and support a great cause!

Boyfriend Approved Tummy Yummy

2011-05-10T23:37:00.000-05:00

I'm notorious for not being able to follow a recipe. When I was a little girl, my friend and I mistook salt for sugar and sugar for salt. Honest mistake, right? OK, how about the time, not that long ago, when I accidentally doubled an already doubled chocolate chip cookie recipe? Uhhh yeah, I gave away cookies to everyone I knew! All that being said, this recipe is VERY easy to follow, and quite tasty to boot! I hope you enjoy!

Southwest Chicken Bake

1 Taco Bell Original taco seasoning mix (Recipe calls for half a packet, but I found it better to use a whole one)
1 Lb. Boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 Tbsp. Kraft Light Zesty Italian Dressing
1 Cup canned no-salt-added black beans, rinsed (I used a 1 1/2 cans)
1/2 Cup Frozen Corn (I used two cans, drained)
2 Green onions, chopped
1 Cup Taco Bell Thick n Chunky Salsa (I used 2-16oz jars of Pace Medium Fire Roasted Red Pepper and Corn salsa. I didn't drain it, but should have.)
1/2 Cup Kraft Mexican style Finely Shredded Four Cheese (I used more cheese too as I basically doubled the ingredients)
2-2/3 Cups hot cooked long-grain brown rice (I used Uncle Ben's white rice, if it matters.)
**I recommend draining all liquids before layering them into the casserole dish. I didn't so much, and my final product was a tad soupy.

HEAT oven to 375 degrees.

ADD seasoning mix to chicken in medium bowl; toss evenly to coat.

HEAT dressing in large skillet on medium-heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 min. or until evenly browned. Scoop into 1-1/2 quart casserole; cover with layers of beans, corn, onions and salsa.

BAKE 20 min. Top with cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted. Serve over rice.
I actually cooked mine a tad longer, of course, I have a crazy oven. I found that the black beans didn't get cooked in only 20 minutes and were therefore kinda crunchy; Jason liked them that way though. Hmm, to each his own.

Also, it stands to mention, as I completely forgot about it. Don't forget to time the cooking of the rice. The casserole was nearly completely cooked when it suddenly occurred to me. No worries, all was not lost. My sweet, starving boyfriend enjoyed the meal to the last bite; even my crunchy black beans!

Recipe taken from: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/southwest-chicken-bake-123144.aspx

FREE music, tell a friend!

2011-05-05T23:17:00.001-05:00

Check out Matt Jackson's new EP! Download it for FREE at iammattjackson.com!!!

Click here and download: http://t.opsp.in/bJz6

FRESH Art Café

2011-04-28T22:16:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share some excited news with you! I've been talking about it for a while, but it's actually going to happen! I have photography which will be hung on the walls of a local organic restaurant, Fresh Art Cafe. The owner, Kitty McCoy, is going to have an open house to showcase my photography and celebrate her one year anniversary as well!

The event is TOMORROW night (4/29) from 5:00-9:0pm (flyer time is wrong). I would love for you all to come by, say hello and see my photography! It's a new adventure God's leading me through! [Some of you might not even know about my new project. To learn more, read the story on my blog: Happy Feet.

FRESH Art Café
2100 Riverchase Ctr. #226
Hoover AL 35244
205.988.8360

Also, read more about what makes Fresh Art Cafe tick from a customer and “up-and-coming” local Blogger Carrie Rollwagen (who was recently featured in Birmingham Magazine) who chose to give Kitty a few lines in her recent blog! Read it here, and follow her: Shop Small - Buying Local in Alabama

I hope to see friends and family come out and support me tomorrow night! It would be a lot to me! Who knows, we might play some games afterwards!

No Limit

2011-04-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

I've had a phrase stuck in my head the past couple of days, "Your love has no limit at all." It's from a song off Enter the Worship Circle (Vol. 3); which I've fallen in love with. I figured it was high time I write about it.

I feel an unforseen pressure to write about something super intelligent, since I haven't blogged in a while. I mean, with no new posts, it must mean something significant is brewing in my creative mind. Well, yes, and no. I do have something I'm trying to find the right words for; not sure when or if that'll happen. But mostly, I've just been out enjoying life with my JP.

Your love has no limit at all.

I've been wanting a mountain bike for a while now, but was unsure of the best way to acquire one. My JP went looking on Craig's List and found a TREK at a garage sale of all places. The catch, we had to get there when it started... 7:30am. This was no problem for my early riser boyfriend, however me on the other hand, took some conjoling. My incentive was this "like-new" bike which currently retails for around $1600. I was willing to pay $200.

Off we went, in the early morning hours, to find me a new bike! If nothing else, I knew we'd find adventures along the way. We always do together. As we pulled up to the house, a lady zeroed on 'my" bike! JP and I both said, "Noooooo." We "casually" made our way near the bike and heard the lady wanted something for her son. Um, helloo, it was advertised as women's bike. Just saying.

As soon as she walked away, I pounced on the bike. Literally. The bike and I almost went down when I tried to sit on it on the incline driveway. Silly me. After JP and the owner looked it over, we discovered it would need a little work. She dropped the asking price to $50! (She bought it in 2005 for $400.) Can you believe it, what a steal!

About that time, some college students dropped by and had an eye on "my" bike as well. The girl offered the owner $75. Doh, in one moment, I was in a bidding war and had to make a quick decision! I said, "Yes!" I also got a brand new The North Face W Terra 40 Backpack, never been used for $50! I know, it sounds like a lot of money for a garage sale, but current retail price is around $150, so I still got a great deal. Eventually JP and I are going on a hiking/camping trip. I'll have to work my way up to that though.

Your love has no limit at all.

Two Saturdays ago, my allergies were at a all time bad! I'm not sure why, but I always forget how bad spring is for me. Oh, I love all the pretty flowers, but the thought of going outside just makes me cringe. I was MISERABLE all day, while JP and I were collecting the necessary parts for MY NEW BIKE! Yay! New 'comfy' seat, chain, tubes for my tires, helmet, etc. By the time we got back to his house, I was praying the allergy medicine would knock me out for some much needed relief. Thankfully, this was the case.

I wasn't able to be of any help fixing up my bike until much later in the day. He'd already completely fixed up his bike to riding standards. He amazes me with what he's able to do when he puts his mind to something. I'll ask him, "How did you know how to do that?" He'll give me this funny look, "Um, I don't know, I just figured it out." Wow, he's so cool.

I suggested we use CLR on my super rusty gears. To my amazed relief, I started to see the shiny chrome peek through! With a little more elbow grease and tender loving care, we cleaned and scrubbed the bike until it looked "brand new".

Your love has no limit at all.

I have to say, it's a huge adjustment to gears and hand brakes. My bikes growing up, never had gears and always had feet brakes. Also, what's the deal with the helmets anyway? I realize it probably is a smart thing to do, but we never wore helmets growing up and we all turned out just fine.

JP and I have gone out riding together a few times now. I love it! I enjoy the challenge of making it up a big hill and the reward of flying down the next one. As crazy as it may sound, I'm still learning how to turn. Somewhere throughout the years, I lost my ability to turn. It's really quite humorous actually.

Your love has no limit at all.

This phrase keeps repeating to me throughout my days, during the most random times. I feel like it's my God song. Just like it says in Zephaniah 3:17, "He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” I feel like He's been reminding me that His love for me has no limits. Nothing I could ever say or do will change that.

"My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it." — Brennan Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel)

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Hear, See, Speak No Evil

2011-03-10T00:27:00.000-06:00

My four year old nephew. :)

Happy Feet

2011-02-24T23:20:00.000-06:00

There was a certain time in my life, when I had to put the camera down and just live life. I loved capturing all life had to offer, but I quickly realized I wasn’t the one LIVING this said life. Recently, I had good intentions to document my life more through writing. However, one glance and you’ll see I haven’t blogged since the first of January. That’s not to say there haven’t been many things to blog about, I just chose to once again LIVE through the experience rather than editorialize my life. Hmm, there’s gotta be a balance.

Photography and writing are both huge aspects of my life. They are my creative force to find beauty in the world around me. They are my voice when I have no words. And finally, I believe they are the gifts God’s given me to share His love. Therefore it’s my duty and responsibility to not squander this talent.

At every turn, I’ve always tried to keep the attention on Him. I write for and see Him in the pictures I take. But sometimes, human nature creeps in and it wants to say, “I did that.” It’s easier for me to step back and do nothing rather than primp for the glory, when really it’s all about Him.

I’ve been asking Him to show me what my “Feet” project should be. Oh, that’s right, I never explained what that was. You see, last year, I went to a women’s conference through Church of the Highlands. The main theme was to put “feet” to your God assignment. In that, whatever you’ve been tasked to do for His Glory, put it in action. So, if you felt led to lead a Bible study for children after school, then you were to start one. If you felt led to run a marathon, you were to start training and make the goal to accomplish it. For me, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was supposed to do. Write another book? No, I didn’t really feel led to go that route. I’ve been thinking and praying about it for months, but all the while still taking pictures.

Jason frequents a local organic restaurant on Riverchase Parkway called “Fresh Art Cafe”. (VERY good food!! Please go support the business!! 2100 Riverchase Center #226, Hoover, AL 35244, 988-8360). The owner, Kitty, mentioned to him that she’d like to add some artwork from local artists on the wall for decoration, but wasn’t sure whom to contact. He told her about me and my love of photography. She asked him to tell me to bring in some pictures and she'd hang them in her store. How exciting huh?

JP told me about this conversation about a week or so ago and immediately something in me went, “YES! THIS IS IT!” Since then, I’ve been scouring my computer for my best of the best pictures. It was a daunting task at first. I wasn’t sure the best path of least resistance, but quickly realized I really did need to go through every picture I’ve taken in the last year. I spent most of last Sunday working on it. I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel when I showed JP some of the ones I’d chosen thus far. He was impressed and renewed my sense of purpose.

I went to Michael’s the other day and bought a bunch of frames. That, my friends, is putting feet to a dream. To actually visualize my pictures in these frames made me VERY excited… but also nervous. You see, writing has always been easy for me. I knew God had blessed me with talent long ago. But photography is a recent passion. I do think I have gifting here as well. But it’s one thing for me to think that and an entirely different thing for strangers, who know nothing about me, to view my work.

Here’s the thing. I know this has been set up by Jesus. I honestly don’t think this is an accident. So, no matter what ends up on Kitty’s walls, I’ll know that I did my best; put my best foot forward, if you will (no pun intended [get it? Foot Project]). That in and of itself is enough to bring Honor and Glory to Him.

So, if you're in the Riverchase area soon, you'll have to stop into “Fresh Art Cafe” (2100 Riverchase Center #226, Hoover, AL 35244, 988-8360) to not only get a really good lunch, but also take a look at my art on the wall! (I'll let you know when it's they're officially up!)

Happy trails!

21 Days

2011-01-04T22:11:00.000-06:00

Homework. I've never liked homework. Not in school, not as an adult. I mean, who wants to bring work home?! As much as I've always loved blogging, it started to feel like work. So, I just sorta stopped. God's given me this desire, passion and the ability to write things that most people don't see or know or even get until they read what I write. Which is pretty amazing! Humbling and amazing! During my blogging hiatus, I feel as though I've been dishonoring God by not using those talents. I've been thinking about that a lot lately.

I've been working on, well, praying about what I should do for my next "feet" project. (What is "feet" project? It's a whole other story that I don't feel like sharing right now. Soon though.) Essentially, I was created for a specific purpose. Now, what that purpose is, I'm not sure yet. I might not know the full extent this side of Heaven (which is frustrating). God's given me these passions so I need to use them. So... I've decided I need to blog again.

How long will I blog? I don't know, as life is b-u-s-y! I'm thankful that I'm busy. It's a blessing the things and people I'm busy with. My life has drastically changed the past nine months in ways I can't even begin to describe. I'm extremely thankful for those blessings, but at the same time, I'm busy and therefore can't get as much done. Or so I think...

Every January my church, Church of the Highlands, does 21 days of prayer and fasting. It's essentially a tithe for our year. We are giving God our first in the new year. In past years, I've given up certain things such as listening to secular music. (I remember how hard that was. I was so committed that if I walked into a store and the radio was on, I walked right out.) Well, most of the church does a total food fast (water only). Some do a media fast, while some others does something specific they feel God is leading them to give up. Ultimately, it's an offering to God. Less of me and more God.

I personally can't do the no food thing. I know my body and I would get horrendous headaches. However, I can give God others things, such as my Facebook time. Gosh, FB is like a Venus fly trap!! I hop on to check something really 'quick' and the next thing I know, three hours have passed and it's time for bed. So, yeah, I can give that up. Sure, I might miss my friends and what's going on in their lives. I'll also miss playing Scrabble with my sister, but you know what? I can use that time I would have spent playing on the computer to do something productive. Goodness knows there's not enough productive hours in the day!

Jason also suggested I give up something I really love, like my nightly mug of Publix's frozen peanut butter cup yogurt. It's ridiculous how much I love this stuff. When he mentioned it last night, I replied by saying, "I can't give it up for a whole month! God knows I can't do that!" haha So he said, take it a week at a time. Week one: no Facebook. Week two: No refined sugars (only natural sweeteners, like honey). Week three: Haven't figured that one out yet, but perhaps add more fruits and vegetables into my diet. Because, frankly I don't get enough. My diet is not entirely the best for me. I eat way too many carbs! I'm not fueling my body with the things it needs to be strong and productive.

Which leads me to the next step in my attack. I want to get healthy. Not just because around the globe made a resolution/"commitment" to get in shape. No, no. I never make resolutions like that. I know this sounds crazy, but I know myself. If I resolve to do something, it usually falls by the wayside within the first month. Which causes me to get down on myself. Instead, I set goals. Sometimes I have to make them small and attainable, so I can push myself to the big ones!

Jason and I have decided to work out three days a week this semester instead of doing a small group. Last night was our first night to really go at it. We did about 25 minutes of cardio and 30ish minutes of lifting weights. The gym was super packed. I hope it's not always like that! But it was amazing! It was hard and it hurt and I sweated like a pig. (Although, I'm not entirely sure that pigs actually do sweat! Where did that expression come from anyway?) The workout was really good. I came home exhausted, but energized. (Though, I did have an unscheduled nap in front of the TV before bed.) I slept hard and woke up without any sore muscles. That's good! Guess that means I need to push myself harder and do more tomorrow night?

I was on the way home from work tonight, when I was talking with God. Not necessarily praying, just talking with Him about life. It dawned on me that this was to be my blog post, but I knew if I didn't get those thoughts down then, I doubt I would remember them later. Usually I think of good things to talk about while sitting in traffic, but by the time I'm in front of the computer; it's flown the coop! I had the bright idea to use the voice recorder on my phone and talk through what I wanted to say. Then when I got home, I would dictate back to myself what I wanted to say. Good idea huh?

So, yeah... this is the beginning of some kind of new journey. I will do my best to be faithful. Happy trails, friends!

Things I Know To Be True

2010-11-23T22:18:00.003-06:00

1. If everyone got a little Andy Griffith Show in their day, maybe the world be a little kinder. At least, smile and laugh more. Barney cracks me up! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBuPQgV8yBM)

2. I yelled, "Ignoramus, that was just plain dumb!" at a lady today for doing something stupid. Hmm. I might be spending too much time playing the peg game at Cracker Barrel.

3. It never fails, when on a road trip and nature calls, the nearest exit is at least 20 minutes away. Sometimes further if one accidentally misses the exit.

4. List or no list, I always forget something when going to the store.

5. On the rare occasion I actually leave early for work, there will be a traffic jam which will cause me to be at least 20 minutes late.

6. When my nephew laughs at something silly I've said or done, it makes me feel like the best Aunt!

7. The best blog ideas come when I'm no where near a computer.

8. People underestimate me.

9. Without adventure, I feel like a caged bird.

10. When I'm behind a camera, I worship God through my adoration of His creations.

11. I'm "addicted" to Publix's Peanut Butter Cup frozen yogurt.

12. I realized I was watching too much TV, so I put my DVR on a diet.

13. If Udderly Smooth is good enough for a cow, then it'll do for my feet.

14. You know it must be love when a boy lets you drive his pickup truck.

15. When counting magnets, it's easier to group them in batches of 10.

16. If I spill on my shirt, it's usually one of the last bites.

17. Bananagrams is a fun game!

18. So is Quelf!

19. Who says you can't get anything for free? Check this out: Free Crossword Puzzle.

20. I've missed blogging.

Don't Be a Punching Bag!

2010-10-07T19:15:00.006-05:00

"If you do what the LORD wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won't fall." Psalm 37:23-24 (Contemporary English Version)

Recently, while doing my LIFE (Living in Freedom Everyday) small group homework, I was asked to read the above verse and say what happens when the godly stumble. However, what I found more interesting is that the writer, David, says "if you stumble". As though it's assumed we won't fall (sin) the closer we are to Jesus. Right before I was getting up the nerve to speak up at my small group, God gave me a revelation about this. At least, He spoke to me in the way I learn best, through analogies.

Do you remember those punching bag toys from the 80's, where the bottom was filled with sand? Usually they were about four feet high once fully inflated, with a picture of a clown or something on the front. Well, if we continually stand and hold on the promises of God (which by the way, according to Google, there are more than 3,000 in the Bible), then they are like grains of sand to anchor us down; much like the sand in the punching bag. The more "sand" in your life, the less likely you'll be to fall (sin). Jesus is there holding your hand to give you balance and support. We just have to remember to keep holding on to His promises, so when the devil or outside forces attack, we'll be on guard and ready.

Here are some to you started:

Psalm 50:15 - "Pray to me in time of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me."

James 4:7-10 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you."

Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

I John 1:9 - "But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away."

Jeremiah 29:11-13 - "I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering. You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you."

Melting Unbelief

2010-08-12T23:02:00.002-05:00

"The best reason to pray is that God is really there. In praying, our unbelief gradually starts to melt. God moves smack into the middle of even an ordinary day... Prayer is a matter of keeping at it... Thunder claps and lightning flashes are very unlikely. It is well to start small and quietly." -- Emilie Griffin

July 4th Weekend Part 2

2010-07-10T13:09:00.003-05:00

July 4th Weekend Part 1

2010-07-10T11:35:00.004-05:00

It's a Big, Big World

2010-07-08T11:53:00.002-05:00

Fungo Hollar Boys

2010-07-05T12:08:00.001-05:00

Practice at Nanny and DB's House:

Practice at the Lake House:

Magic Eye is Magicical!!

2010-06-10T22:23:00.009-05:00

I know it's been forever and a day since I've written. I've been a tad busy with life. Writing about my angst took a back seat to my fairytale romance. :) More on that another time.

While sitting in traffic today, I had a thought. Well, to be more precise, I had a strings of thoughts, but I want to write about one of them: Magic Eye. Do you guys remember these from the 80's? You'd stare at a 2D image for a while until your eyes adjusted and a 3D image would magically appear and leap off the page! Once I "find" the hidden treasure, I'm able to look all around the page and take everything in.

I Googled Magic Eye and found THE coolest site: 3D Stereogram where you can make your own Magic Eye Picture like this: Check it out! So cool, huh? Can you tell what it says?

You might be saying to yourself, 'This is neat, Mer, but what's the point?" My thoughts exactly. God gave me the analogy that my life right now is like a Magic Eye picture. Thanks, God, but what does that mean?

The other night at church, Pastor Steve Blair told us a story how he taught his girls how to ride bikes when they were little. When they first started out, he'd have a firm grip on the back of their t-shirts, that way, if they fell off, he could quickly pull them up and out of harm's way. As the girls progressed and got more independent, he could loosen his grip up a bit. The girls thought they were doing it on their own, but their daddy was still protecting them. Steve said that God does the same thing with us. Sometimes He's got a tight grip on us and we feel it; feel the protective love and safety. While other times, when it feels as though we're footloose and fancy free, He's still got a hold of us.

When we look at our life and everything seems all out of focus and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to anything, if we'll just focus on Jesus then everything else blurs away and HE becomes our focus.

On the surface, my life is peachy-keen, as my Grandfather used to say. Nothing is perceivable wrong, however, I've felt this restlessness for a few weeks now. I've been trying to figure out what God wants me to do next. What new project am I to take on for His glory? I, of course, would love to write another book, but the time isn't right. Jason and I have been praying that God will reveal to me the path I'm to take next. Jason found this verse, in John I think, where the Holy Spirit goes before us and leads us before we even think about a decision.

We sing this song at church that feels like my heart beat lately: Awakening by Chris Tomlin.

For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me

It gets me every time as tears stream down my face as I worship. I believe God's been trying to bring forth an awakening in my own life. Far too long I've been going with the flow of life traffic; instead, shouldn't I be salmon? What could I be doing to change the destiny of someone? Will you pray with me as I try to discover my new God-Project? Thanks.

One last thing, completely unrelated to anything I've previously said, yet very cool and should inspire you nonetheless:

Love Learning?

2010-06-07T22:54:00.002-05:00

If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction!

A good person basks in the delight of God,
and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.

You can't find firm footing in a swamp,
but life rooted in God stands firm.

Proverbs 12: 1-3 (The Message)

Who Sings This??

2010-06-05T22:27:00.002-05:00

Anyone know who sings this? They are some of the lyrics from a song that came on "So You Think You Can Dance" the other night. I would love to have this song in my collection. Help?!

"...You are a lighthouse when I'm lost at sea and you are the language I'm trying to speak and you are a taste that keeps me thirsty in the air and on the ground it's rising"?

Not The Way You Planned It

2010-04-30T00:09:00.000-05:00

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods.
They were discussing their hopes and dreams when
The first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a great
Treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver
And precious gems. I could be decorated with an
Intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.'

Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a
Mighty ship. I will take Kings and queens across the
Waters and sail to the corners of the world. People
Will eel safe in me because of the strength of my
Hull .'

Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be
The tallest and straightest Tree in the forest. People
Will see me on top of the hill, look up to my branches,
And think of the heavens and God and how close to
Them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all
Time and people will always remember me.'

After a few years of praying that their dreams would
Come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees.
When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks
Like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the
Wood to a carpenter, and he began cutting it down. The
Tree was happy, because he knew the carpenter would
Make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like
A strong tree. I will be able to sell it to the shipyard.'
The second tree was happy Because he knew he was on
His way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree
Was frightened because he knew that if they cut him
Down his dreams would not come true. One of the men
Said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll
Take this one,' and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was
Made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in
A barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he
Had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing
Boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying
Kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone
In the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave
Birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box
That was made from the first tree. The man wished that he
Could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would
Have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event
And knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from
The second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep.
While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and
The tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men
Safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said
'Peace' and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew
That it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree.
It was carried through the streets as the
People mocked the man who was carrying it.
When they came to a stop, the man was nailed
To the tree and raised in the air to die at the top
Of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to
Realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top
Of the hill and be as close to God as was possible,
Because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem
To be going your way, always know that God has a plan for
You. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His Ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

O My Soul

2010-03-29T23:01:00.005-05:00

"O my soul, bless God. From head to toe,
I'll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
don't forget a single blessing!
He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence. "

Psalm 103:1-5

Hello From My Backyard!

2010-03-27T13:46:00.004-05:00

If you didn't already know, life with me is an adventure. Case is point, I'm locked out of my house in the backyard!! Earlier I thought, wow, what a pretty day, why don't I answer some emails and play my Facebook Scrabble turns outside. I obviously unlocked the doors to come outside. I was happy. Listening to music and playing on the computer, when I realized I was kinda cold. I came out here fresh from a shower, so my hair's wet and I have no shoes on. I said to myself, "Self, why don't you go in and get a jacket". I put the computer down and went to open the door and ran right into it! I jiggled the handle and realized the handle was locked!! "OH, NO!", I said. I jiggled it some more as if that would cause it to magically open. Nothing occurred. My cell phone is charging inside so the only contact I have with the outside world is friends with iPhones who get emails on their phone.

I quickly put out an SOS on Facebook and through email. Not knowing what else to do, I sat back and started to pray... and cry. I cry when I get really stressed out. So as tears are streaming down my face, I'm starting to envision what will happen if I can't get in touch with anyone. I'll be out here all night and freeze; which only made me cry harder. So I had to redirect my thinking into something more positive.

I thought, "How hard could it be to climb the fence (in my bare feet)?" I drag a chair over to the side and size up the situation. It wasn't going to be easy. I would get hurt, but I would be "free". But then I would be without a computer and hurt, probably bleeding without contact with anyone again. So I delayed that idea for a time. I sat back down and was trying really hard not to freak out. That's when I heard my neighbors voice from two houses down! Yes! Someones home! I dragged my chair over and yelled until he heard me. He came out of the house with a bewildered look and looked my direction. He was quite surprised to see me above my fence!

"I'm locked out of my house, will you please call my mom?" He said, "Why don't I bring you the phone and you can call her yourself?"

He lowered the phone and I immediately called my mom at home. Oh no, no answer! Hands shaking, I called her cell. When she picked up, I said, "Mom, where are you?" "Pulling out of the driveway. Amy called and said you were locked out of your house. I'm on my way." Was that the hallelujah chorus I hear??

My neighbor said, "Do you need anything?" "No, I don't think so. Thank you SO much!" But what I was thinking, a bathroom would be excellent. Mom lives 40ish minutes away... wonder if I can hold it? Hmm.

This is the second time THIS WEEK I've had a key emergency. And the 2nd time my Mom was able to rescue me! I have the greatest Mom EVER! No matter the situation, she's always been there for me. Thanks Mom!!

I think once I'm freed, I will go get copies of my key made. That is, after I go to the bathroom.

Census 2010

2010-03-24T19:01:00.004-05:00

Let's talk about the Census for a minute, shall we? Unless you've just been living in a hole and haven't heard, the Government is polling America to basically find out: how many are living at your house, age, race, and sex.

Maybe I'm the only one in America, but I LOVE filling out questionnaires, so I couldn't wait for mine to show up! The fateful day came and I thought, "Hmm, this isn't very thick." Come to find out, it's a letter telling me all about the Census (as if I don't own a TV and haven't seen all the commercials) and alerting me to the fact it will be here soon. Um, complete waste of money! I was so frustrated, I immediately threw it away.

When the actual Census came, I immediately sat down and filled it out! (I know, I'm a goober!) I was disappointed there wasn't more to it. "That's all?!", I said to myself. I kept flipping pages to see if I'd missed something. No, there were like 4 pages to add more people to your household, but nothing more to answer. Unless you're from "19 Kids and Counting", how could you possibly fill in all those blanks??

I did my duty and mailed it the next day, especially since my "response to the U.S. Census Bureau is required by law".

"Check out these numbers: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it will cost just over 14 billion dollars to complete this year's census. That's about 45 dollars per person in the United States." (Quote taken from Fact Finder)

So today I pick up my mail and there's a postcard, reminding me to fill it out and send it back because my "response to the U.S. Census Bureau is required by law". Seriously? Can we say wasting money? Surely there's a way to do this online (FREE!)? Just think how much money that would save? Even if people can't get online, they can always go down to their local library and use their computer. It just seems extremely wasteful in my opinion. I know the Government enjoys spending money they don't have but it's getting ridiculous!!

OK, I'm done. *hops off her soap box*

Oh Where Are My Keys?!?

2010-03-22T19:09:00.003-05:00

I had an interesting morning.

As I picked up my purse to walk out the door, I reached for my keys on their hooks and my hand grasped air. I took a double-look and said, "Ohmygosh, where are my keys??" I immediately and frantically started searching all the places I thought they might be... in my purse, in the back gate lock, mixed in the bags from Walmart, upstairs in my bedroom, even in the fridge! (I learned that trick from my friend Tommy. If you ever don't want to forget something in the fridge, put your keys on top of it.)

I thought, well maybe I accidentally locked them in the car. I looked in all the windows the best I could, but didn't see anything. I came back in and just stood in my kitchen wondering where to look next. Not knowing what else to do, I began to pray. I also texted (is that a word?) some friends to have them pray as well. (Thanks: KP, CP, and JP) I also called my Boss who took the news surprisingly well and my Mom to see if she had a spare house/car key.

My Mom volunteered to drive 40 minutes out of her way to come help me search for them. While she was making her way here, I started to clean and straighten up my house. It wasn't exactly dirty to speak of, but it definitely wasn't in order. Ironically, last night I said to myself, "Self, you need to take some time to tidy up a bit." Little did I know, a mere 10 hours later I'd be doing that very thing.

It's my belief that God set in motion certain events, starting with the neighbor kids who distracted me when I got home from Walmart last night; asking me a million questions, including but not limited to, "Why are you never home?". Actually, for some strange reason, I put my groceries in my back seat; something I never do. And, I always hang my keys on their hook as soon as I walk in the door, but I had to race upstairs to turn my alarm off. All these abnormalities led to my lost keys. However, I think God just wanted me to clean my house!!

Seriously! He has a sense of humor and has always used real world applications to teach me lessons. Oh, I should mention, yesterday's sermon was on worry. :) I calmly sat down in my chair closed my eyes and said, "Lord, I'm not worried. I'm just a little stressed out that I'm late for work. You know where my keys are, would you please let me know too?" I sat in silence for a while and didn't hear anything. I methodically started organizing/straightening/cleaning each room with the intent to find my keys. Alas, they were no where to be found.

I went back out to the car and checked in all the windows again. Nothing.

So, I started cleaning the kitchen, all the while just talking to God about what's going on in my life right now. Asking for wisdom for this and that. Thanking Him for all His many blessings in my life. I made the conscious effort to surrender my stress over to Him, as it wouldn't help my anyway. Yesterday, my Pastor said there are 7,000 different promises of God where He takes care of us. I knew He knew where my keys were and eventually they'd show up.

About that time, my Mom arrived. The first place she checked was my car. I didn't see her get in, only that she had arrived and was in the back seat of my car. She got out and held my keys above her head like she'd scored the winning touchdown (not that I know anything about football)! I pumped my fists above my head and said, "Praise the Lord!"

Come to find out, my keys were in the backseat of my UNLOCKED car!! It didn't even occur to me to check to see if my car was locked when I looked through the windows like five times! I'm such a dolt! Yay Mom for finding the missing keys!!

The moral of this little adventure is two fold. One, don't worry. It doesn't help anything. God's in control and regardless of the outcome, He knows what's best. Two, never ever ever shut your car door without your keys in hand!!

Fall on Jesus

2010-03-09T21:44:00.005-06:00

Tonight, while cooling down after a great cardio workout, I was listening to my "Godtunes" mix and "Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus)" by Chris Rice permeated my ears. I've heard this song countless times before but this time something clicked. It was like an "ah ha" moment:

"And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live! "

Isn't it funny that we assume we don't need to learn how to "walk" just because we're adults. How pompous am I to think I have it all figured out. Quite the opposite is true really. Maybe I don't want to appear weak. Maybe I get tired of asking for help and not getting a reply. Maybe I depend too much on humans, rather than turning to the Father. Whatever the reason, I need to "remember to crawl".

I'm not sure why I think I can always hit the ground running (in life). It happens every time. My stubborn-strong-willed self will get an idea in my head and leap! *SPLAT!* Once I pick myself up, I can't figure out why I fell. Without learning anything, something else will come along and again, I "gird my loins" and take off. *SPLAT!* You'd think after a few "*SPLATS!*" I'd learn my lesson, but no. I suppose it's a good thing that I leap in faith; trusting my instincts and all. But perhaps I need to learn a few things first.

"Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change." 2 Peter 3:8-9

Wow, read that verse again. Go on. I'll wait... "God isn't late with His promises" is a phrase you can take to the bank (as my mom would say)!

I'm a pretty patient to a point, then all bets are off. I get frustrated and far too caught up in comparing my life to others. When I was younger I fully believed I'd already be married with a gaggle of kiddos, however that hasn't happened yet. I don't know why. Who am I to question God? Do you remember what happened when Job questioned God? Here's a tiny exert:

"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?"

It makes me smile that God's sarcastic in 38:5. God's "conversation" with Job goes on and on through chapter 41. Go read it for yourself starting in chapter 38.

Tiny, but semi-relevant rabbit trail. Back to my original point. Don't be afraid to fall. You know you're going to. You might as well wake up and put on knee pads. It's inevitable. But when you go *SPLAT!* remember to fall on Him. I often wonder if He doesn't allow certain circumstances to occur so that we'll learn to depend on Him.

One of my favorite things as an Aunt is when my nephew's face lights up when he sees me and takes off running into my arms for a big hug (usually knocking me over)! How much more does God want that too? I'm sure He gets so excited when we come to Him with good or bad news, as long as we come. In the coming hours and days, let's practice depending on His strength rather than our own.

One more promise for the road: "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." Jeremiah 29:11-13

Happy trails, Friends!

The LORD's Wonderful Love

2010-03-08T23:51:00.002-06:00

I'll mess this post up if I say anything. I was researching a topic when I stumbled upon these verses and was overwhelmed by Jesus's love for me (and you)! Be blessed, friends:

1With all my heart

I praise the LORD,

and with all that I am

I praise his holy name!

2With all my heart

I praise the LORD!

I will never forget

how kind he has been.

3The LORD forgives our sins,

heals us when we are sick,

4and protects us from death.

His kindness and love

are a crown on our heads.

5Each day that we live, he provides for our needs

and gives us the strength

of a young eagle.

6For all who are mistreated,

the LORD brings justice.

7He taught his Law to Moses

and showed all Israel

what he could do.

8The LORD is merciful!

He is kind and patient,

and his love never fails.

9The LORD won't always be angry

and point out our sins;

10he doesn't punish us

as our sins deserve.

11How great is God's love for all

who worship him?

Greater than the distance

between heaven and earth!

12How far has the LORD taken

our sins from us?

Farther than the distance

from east to west!

13Just as parents are kind

to their children,

the LORD is kind

to all who worship him,

14because he knows

we are made of dust.

15We humans are like grass

or wild flowers

that quickly bloom.

16But a scorching wind blows,

and they quickly wither

to be forever forgotten.

17The LORD is always kind

to those who worship him,

and he keeps his promises

to their descendants

18who faithfully obey him.

19God has set up his kingdom

in heaven,

and he rules

the whole creation.

20All of you mighty angels,

who obey God's commands,

come and praise your LORD!

21All of you thousands

who serve and obey God,

come and praise your LORD!

22All of God's creation

and all that he rules,

come and praise your LORD!

With all my heart

I praise the LORD!

Psalm 103 (Contemporary English Version)

The Pickle Jar

2010-03-03T20:38:00.011-06:00

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." Colossians 3:12-13 (The Message)

I don't know about you but picking out my clothes for the next day has always been a source of contention for me. First of all, I'm not your average girl; therefore, I don't have a ton of clothes. Pickin's are slim so I don't have much with which to work. At my old job, it was "business casual", which essentially meant dress pants and a nice top. Ugh! Secondly, that's my least favorite category to wear so I was never a happy camper. I remember one week I went on "strike" and wore the same thing to work every single day: khakis and a polo. I'm not sure anyone noticed and if they did, nothing was said.

In contrast, my not-so-new-job (where I've been for nearly a year), there is no dress code! Zero. Zilch. Nada. Imagine that! I literally can wear whatever I want; except maybe a bathing suit, but that's just not practical. I'm a million times more productive when comfortable rather than dealing with something fussy. The thing is, even given complete freedom, I still find myself standing in my closest, starring at my clothes, hoping something new will show up in my wardrobe. Surely the Lucy from Narnia brought something back from me while I was sleeping, but so such luck

Regardless of what I physically wear, I still have to "gird my loins"; prepare for the day ahead mentally and spiritually. Mentally usually takes care of itself by getting a good night's rest, drinking caffeine and eating something for breakfast. Oh yeah, and music. I must have rockin' music in the morning. But, I have to be honest, I don't do a very good job getting myself ready spiritually. Oh sure, I talk to Jesus all throughout the day here and there, but I don't pray over my day like I should.

My priorities are all out of wack. My Pastor gave the best example to illustrate this point and I hope I can recreate the scenario. Imagine an empty pickle jar. The goal is to fit everything in: rocks, pebbles, sand and water. First, start with the rocks (about 1"-2" in diameter); it appears already full but see what happens next! Second, the pebbles fill in the holes where the rocks left. Third, the sand fills up every nook and cranny, but there's still room for more. Finally, the water is mostly soaked up by the sand. In fact, more water fills the jar than you thought possible. Now, as you look at this imaginary jar filled with all these 'ingredients', let's translate that to a tangible real-world application and associate each 'ingredient' with something as well:

Water = God.
Sand = Family
Pebbles = Work
Rocks = Media (Facebook, TV, Movies, Video Games, etc.)

Given our first scenario, Media (Rocks) are taking up a huge part of our lives. I know this is true in my life. Once I'm finally home from work or working out at the Y, all I want to do is sit down and veg for a bit. Turn on a movie or watch TV, while often simultaneously playing on the computer (Facebook, emails, etc.) The next thing I know, it's bedtime and I haven't accomplished anything meaningful.

Sand (Family) is a big part of my life already, but how much of the time spent with them in quality time? Are we talking about life? Are we investing in an other's lives? I went to lunch with my Dad last week and learned things I never knew about my Dad! What else don't I know?? One of my favorite things to do with my family is play games, but we usually only do that at the beach. Is one week really enough to last the whole year?

Pebbles (Work) has honestly never been an issue for me. When I walk out of the door, I leave everything there, then pick it back up again when I come back. I have to compartmentalize or I might go insane. With my current job, I do have a lot more responsibility so I do tend to think about it a bit more than I should, but not obsessively or anything.

Water (God) can be the most difficult for me. I know people think I'm this great Christian and a prayer warrior, but honestly I don't deserve the credit you're giving me. Yes, I spend time with Him, but not like I should. I don't hunger for His Word like I should. I don't even read the Word necessarily. My best time spent with Him is when I'm writing and listening to music in the car. That's when I hear Him the most.

But anyway, back to my analogy. OK, mentally dump out all the ingredients again, except, maybe pour the water out first or you're going to make a mental mess! What would happen if you reversed the order? Would everything still fit in the pickle jar? Let's give it a try!

Use the same amount of water (God), but pour all of it in first. How about that, it's already 3/4 full! Add the sand (Family) next and watch what happens. The water (God) allows the sand (Family) to be quite solid with not much room for anything else, but let's add the Pebbles (Work) to the mix anyway. Look, they sink a little bit into the water (God) and sand (Family) mixture, but mostly sit on the surface. Lastly, see how many rocks (Media) you're able to fit in now; not too many huh? In fact, if you try to cram them in, the water (God) and sand (Family) spills over the edge. Surely you see where I'm going with this by now?

The benefits of having and keeping priorities in check can make all the difference in your life. If things seem out of wack, maybe it's because they are. You're like a washing machine, stuffed with too many clothes. You're off balance and not centered in Him. I know this to be true in my own life. Sure, things look OK on the surface, but there's still that discontentment I referred to yesterday. Perhaps it's just God's way of saying, "Hey goofus, why don't you spend some quality time with me and then see how you feel!" Unfortunately I sometimes need a konk on the head with a 2x4' to put things into perspective. Or perhaps a silly, yet memorable analogy of a pickle jar. I bet you'll never look at pickles the same way again; I know I won't.

Happy trails, friends.

Secret Decoder Ring

2010-03-01T22:47:00.010-06:00

"Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:25-26 (English Standard Version)

Early today, I was listening to "You're All I Want" by Lifehouse and I had a "moment". I was instantly transformed back to that day in the van. You see, this song and I have a history. I remember the first time I heard it. I was on the first leg of what was to be a four-day journey across the country to Seattle, Washington. 10-hour plus days in the van gives this analytical girl way too much time to think and journal. We were hardly on the road when this song came on my CD player (predating my iPod). The song was apparently new at the time, as I'd never really listened to the words and were blown away by them. (FYI: I have to memorize the words to a song before I can really enjoy listening to it.) My eyes began to fill with tears. It was as if God was sending me off with a little love letter from Him.

God speaks to me all the time, but especially through music. When it comes to learning life lessons, music is like my secret decoder ring. It helps makes sense of the senseless. Often, words in a song will strike me to the core like nothing else. Back then I was standing at a precipice and had some decisions to make. I had to maneuver my way across an "Indian Jones" style bridge which took me from childhood to adulthood. But this trip was my one last hurrah of being a kid.

I learned a lot on that trip but most importantly I discovered what it meant to live life in utter and complete abandon, chasing whole-hearted after Him. I fell in love with Him all over again. Isn't it a shame it takes a road trip of isolation away from the media of everyday to bring life back into focus? Why is it to hard to keep Him at the center? I don't know about you, but my life is BUSY! From the moment I finally wake up, I hit the ground running. The next thing I know it's nearly bedtime. Whew! Where did the day go?

In my life, I feel like I'm on another precipice. But this time, I'm in the vortex of a whirlwind. Sometimes it feels like life is spinning out of control, in that, *blink* it's ten years later and what do I have to show for myself? Mostly, I suppose there's a feeling of discontent; like I should have done more. I want to have done something that matters. I want to have made a difference. I don't merely want to exist. I want to thrive!

I'm sure you've seen this skit on YouTube before, but it NEVER ceases to bring me to tears. I think it brings this post to a close:

I Seized the Moment

2010-01-25T00:42:00.000-06:00

I caught a sunset tonight (Sunday) in Target's parking lot and couldn't resist watching it to the end. The deep colors took my breath away.

I love how the sun reflected off the water in the parking lot.

Goodbye, sun. See you tomorrow.

Carpe Diem

2010-01-22T22:25:00.035-06:00

"Today is unique! It has never occurred before and it never can be repeated. At midnight it will end, quietly, suddenly, totally. Forever. But the hours now and then are opportunities with eternal possibilities." - Charles R. Swindoll

I had a "ah hah!" moment earlier when I read this quote at the post office. Have you ever really thought about how each day can only happen once? I mean, when I was younger, I seriously thought time travel was possible. (I've always had an over active imagination!) Therefore, I thought I could go back, "putting things right that once went wrong"; perhaps I watched too much "Quantum Leap"? Which, by the way, was a great show!

But think about it for a minute...

How often are we guilty of wishing our life away? I'm guilty of it just about every day. What am I doing for Him in the in-between times? Recently, it's come to my attention (only because I over-analyze everything) that I'm not doing enough for Him. Sure, I appreciate His beauty in everything. I'm kind to strangers; even smile when I don't feel like it. But what am I doing to win souls for Him? Far too often I'm just busy being busy.

Philippians 3:13-15 (The Message): "I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."

There's a stirring within me that something grand's about to happen. I've felt this way for all the major events in my life. I kinda feel like what a snake must feel like when he sheds his skin. Have you ever watched that happen?? I'm kinda fascinated by it, actually. When you have some time to kill, check it out on YouTube. It's really quite amazing especially since they don't have arms. (Random, but true!) His old skin looks normal, that is, until you see the new vibrant skin. (I know, it's actually scales.) I suppose the same could be true in our lives. When we "shed" our old skin, becoming more like Christ, then we become all shiny and new too; figuratively speaking.

I try to seize the moment as much as possible, especially when it comes to photography. I LOVE trying to capture God's creation! It's honesly one of my favorite things in life and always makes me feel so happy and fulfilled. The other day, it was absolutely gorgeous out! I was out getting a smoothie for lunch from Smooth King. I always drive through this really nice and ritzy neighborhood on the way back to work so I can savor my full lunch break. There are some a-maz-ing trees there that I love looking at. I always want to stop and take pictures, but don't. I'm not sure why. But the other day, my sunroof was open and I just couldn't resist!! I wanted to share a few of the better ones with you.

Lesson for the day: SEIZE THE DAY! Make the most of the day, because at midnight it will end.

Plastic Oreos

2010-01-18T21:51:00.000-06:00

Adventure tends to follow me everywhere I go. Sometimes I chase after it, but more often than not, it just happens. Take tonight for example. I've been putting off going to Walmart for as long as possible, but if I didn't go tonight, I wouldn't be able to go until this weekend. I tackle one side (of Super Walmart) at a time. Last week was food, tonight was non-food stuff (shampoo, tooth paste, etc). I've been on the lookout and pricing different larger storage containers and finally found exactly what I needed and AND for really cheap ($3.48). I picked up a lid directly on top of the container. One might assume they organized them this way on purpose. It didn't even occur to me test and make sure I'd picked up the right lid. (Each time I type "lid" I type "lip" and have to erase and start again.) It wasn't until I got home that I noticed the lid is entirely too large for the container! The kicker is that there's only one red container, so again, that's why I assumed the lid would be correct. So, what do I do now? Take the lid back and ask for an exchange?

Ok, that's not exactly an "adventure" as previously mentioned, but stuff like that happens to me all the time. Perhaps I should be more aware of what's going on around me? I do tend to stay in my happy, little world a lot. For instance, I was wandering down the cereal isle when I realized I was singing "Pant On The Ground"... outloud... and I got a very strange look from another customer. Oh well.

Have you ever tried the peanut butter stuffed Oreos? They are delicious and my favorite. I was at Publix ("where shopping is a pleasure") and got a pack on a whim. (I had a hankerin'.) I pulled back the seal and was expecting to find that yummy Oreo smell, but it smelled like plastic.. like Play Doh even. I didn't think this was a good sign, but took an apprehensive bite and quickly realized it tastes like plastic too! I spit it out and tried again, but still tasted yucky! I ended up throwing it away! Tonight at Walmart, I tried again. Surely they won't taste like plastic again, right? After I bring the groceries in and realize I have the wrong lid, I opened the pack up. Much to my chagrin, I discover it too is tainted by the plastic-grossness. My question is, are my tastebuds revolting against me or is there "new recipe" yucky! Let me know if you've had a similar experience.

I haven't written in a while... I'm not even sure I talked about Christmas yet? Blogging is like a perverbial snowball bumbling down a hill. If you don't stay on top of it, there's no catching up. You just have to start fresh and mention things from the past. I'll work on that post another time.

Sometimes I feel like I need to be eloquent or say something super Spiritual, but I'm just a goof-ball and need to write about nothing in particular from time to time as well. I know I enjoy reading other friend's blog when they ramble about life. I hope it's the same for you. Since I technically only had ONE lurker de-lurk: My Blue Morning and my Mom (via email), I don't know who reads my blog. It's funny, the post I think many will comment on, it's like tumble weed blowing through my blog. While others are super silly and got a lot of traffic. You never can tell.

Last weekend (not the one that just ended), I mustered up some serious gumption and tackled my 2nd bedroom closet. I haven't been able to walk in it for at least a year or more. I started Saturday afternoon and worked for a long, long time. I lost track of time and got my days and nights a little mixed up as a result. Though, I was VERY productive! I took pictures all along the way to catalog my adventure. Who knows what I might find! Boy did I find some interesting things! I also went through thousands of pictures and many, many, many boxes of memories and life stuff. I'll post some of my finds later.

I somehow managed to hurt my back last Monday and it put me out of commission to do anything. I could barely walk or move without groaning. Thankfully, through the healing power of Jesus and magnets, I'm all better now.

Ok, enough roulette subject blogging. I've got "Chuck" waiting on me. Happy trails, friends!

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!

2010-01-10T16:56:00.000-06:00

January 10th-12th. They're big days in the blogging world. They are officially National Delurking Days.

(Actually, there seems to be some confusion as to whether National Delurking Day is January 10th or January 12th, so I'm just declaring it to be January 10th THROUGH the 12th.)

First, a definition. According to Urban Dictionary….

Lurk - To read without commenting or contributing, therefore effectively invisible to the rest of the group or community.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m quite thankful for my lurkers. According to my stats, over 80% of my readers actually fall into the “lurker” category, so don't feel bad if you're one of them. I love you guys!

However, one of the reasons that I do this whole blog thing is for relationships, and that’s kinda hard to do if one person in the relationship is "effectively invisible".

So….what better day to de-lurk than on National Delurking Day(s), right? It's a day to celebrate you!

But why de-lurk?

Commenting is a very crucial part of the blogging process. It’s kinda like tipping your waitress…it’s appreciated, the value of the service offered is measured by the amount given, you get better service if you do it, but if you don’t do it, someone might spit in your food.

Okay…I won’t spit in your food. But you get the point.

Anyway, say hey. I like you for reading my blog, and I like knowing who I like. I also love reading my reader's blogs, so be sure and let me know if you blog.

So join the fun - because lurking is something that you do in dark alleys, not on overly-patterned and nearly-neurotically-colorful blogs.

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If you're new to blog commenting and don't have a Google login, once you click on "# comments" or "post a comment" , you can either select "Name/URL" and just put your name in (you can leave the URL blank if you don't have a blog), or "Anonymous" and sign your name within the comment.

Repost from my friend's Blog: Grasping for Objectivity in my subjective life.

On The Verge

2010-01-06T00:05:00.001-06:00

I wrote this... what seems like a lifetime ago. Do you ever feel as though "something" is about to happen? You don't know what, but you can just feel it in your bones? It's like, for me, I can tell when it's going to rain, as my joints ache. Well, in the same way, I'm aching. God's up to something. I can just tell.

Regardless of how I feel in other areas of chaos in my life, I know-without a shadow of a doubt-that my Creator is up to something. He has plans for my life and for yours. I mean, stop and think about that for a minute. The CREATOR of EVERYTHING has a plan for your life! It brings tears to my eyes to even think about it. God, why in the world, would you choose to use me?? I don't understand your love. Unending. Unfailing. Forever. You amaze me. I'm sorry I don't tell You more often just how much you mean to me and how I'm so thankful You chose to save me.

So, I wrote this "poem" during another time in my life, when I felt that "ache". And wowy! Did God every use me. Out of, I don't know how many people, my poem just happen to be picked to be the theme for this youth conference, "The Verge". It almost seems surreal now to think about it.

What amazes me most is that no matter the person, no matter what you've done in your past or how you think you're invisble and no one sees you, your Father in Heaven SEES you. Don't think for one moment you aren't precious in His sight! What's funny to me is that God continues to use me, even when, especially when I don't deserve it.

Again, I'm telling you, God's up to something. I'm excited to see what the next journey for me is. It's never an easy journey. Pilgrim and I have a lot in common sometimes, but oh, the rewards, they are immeasurable. I might not see them until Heaven and then, I'm only going to give them back to Jesus anyway. But the mere fact He desires to use me, blows me away.

I wanted to revisit this poem that quite honestly, changed my life. May it be a blessing to you as well.

On The Verge
Meredith C. Quintana

Do you ever feel as though you’re on the verge of something great?
It’s a restless anxiety
A feeling of impending excitement
Thoughts and ideas run through my brain a million miles a minute
I step out in faith
Is this what I’m supposed to do God?
Is this all right?
I continue walking along the path
Slowly putting one foot in front of the other
Just hoping that greatness is over the next ridge
Off in the distance I see the future
It’s big and grand
Is that my destiny?
Only God knows my future is.
Only He knows the greatness that I could become
But really, as long as I’m in His will, I’m great
As long as I’m walking in faith, shouldn’t that be all that matters?
Not by the worlds standards…
We’ve come so accustomed to living in this world
That we now think like the world
If just for one day, we could see what He sees
Hear what He hears

How often do we stop focusing on ourselves long enough to realize the needs in this world?
People are hurting, blindly roaming around
Seeking hope in a hopeless world
With needs no one sees but Him
Who really cares about me?
Would anyone notice if I were gone?
Where will the hurt end?
When will we realize that we aren’t here to live our lives?
We are here to tell others about Him.
Tell them about His unconditional love
How many people have you told about Him lately?
Have you stopped living selfishly long enough to live selflessly?
What if the next person you met, you told them about your Savior?
What if He blessed you with the ability to listen to peoples spiritual needs?
Would your life be any different?
Would it freak you out enough to think you were going crazy?
Or would you realize what a blessing and a gift He granted you?

What if you woke up tomorrow morning and you had this gift?
How would your life change?
All around you, voices of hopelessness and agony would fill the air
Just looking around at someone, you’d hear their real pains
The things no knows but God… and now you
Would you address their hurt?
Tell them that there really is Someone who loves them unconditionally
Just as they are, no matter their past
Would you seize the Divine appointment He’s brought across your path?
Or would you just go about your daily life, as if nothing was different?
Would you ignore that still soft voice?

"Speak to that man over there. He needs My help."
"But Father", I whisper into the quiet void. "What am I going to say?"
Through the gentle breeze, I hear Him, "With Me all things are possible."

My brain connects the right synapses, which in turn tells my right foot to take a step forward
…then the left…
…and the right…
The next thing I know, I’m standing before this man.

"Excuse me, sir", I say, with shaky confidence. "I know you don’t know who I am but it was impressed upon my heart to share something with you. There’s Someone who loves you unconditionally. No matter what has happened in the past… what you’re doing currently, or what the future holds. I know Someone who will love and care for you regardless."

The man looks at me, and incredulously states, "Look, I don’t know what your deal is, but I’m not interested!" The man abruptly turns around and starts to walk away. Before he goes too far, I say, "You know, I know you feel as though there’s no hope, no reason to go on, no purpose…"

As the words hang in the doubt-filled air, he slowly turns around. Looks at me, almost through me, and with tears brimming in the corner of His eyes, He says in a shaky voice, "That’s exactly what I was just thinking."

"I know", I quietly say.
"But how?" he asks amazed.
"Like I said, Someone impressed upon my heart to come talk to you."
"I sure would like to meet this ‘Someone’."
I point to a bench near by, "Well, I’d love to tell you about Him."

As we sit on the bench and I tell him about this ‘Someone’. The glassy hopelessness begins to recede from his eyes and is replaced with tears of amazement and unworthiness. As his tears continue to stream down his face, he asks, "But why would this man die for me?"

With my own tears filling my eyes, I say, "Because… He loves you that much. If you had been the only one on this whole earth, He still would have suffered and died for your sins, past, present and future." The man, now openly weeping, "What do I have to do to get what you have?"

"Just ask… ask forgiveness for all that you’ve done, turn your back on your old ways of living, and tell others the things that I’ve told you. Tell them how He has changed your life. You know something, right now in Heaven, the angels are rejoicing over one more lost lamb has come to the Father and entered into His kingdom. From this day on, you are a new creature. Your old ways have passed away. You are changed!"

As I bask in the afterglow from this Divine appointment, I thank Him for using me… providing me with the words to say... and most of all, for dying for me as well. I am abundantly aware that He didn’t have to die on that cross, but He did. And I am eternally grateful.

So, as I look around me, on the road they call life. I realize it doesn’t matter what the world thinks about me or the things I do. All that matter is that I’m winning souls for Him.

So, what’s this verge of greatness?
It’s when I hear that still soft voice and decide to obey or not
No matter what occurs, He’ll receive all the honor and glory
But it’s in that moment… that people hang on the verge.

"On The Verge" Written May 2001

The Main Thing

2010-01-03T23:09:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year, Friends! If you're like most of the people, the New Year brings "resolutions". A desire to change a bad habit or more commonly, lose weight/work out. However, I resolved not to resolve a year years ago. I prefer it that way. I still set goals for myself, but I hate that feeling of failure when I dissapoint myself over whatever I'd resolved.

That being said, I was on the way home from my parent's the other night when I was lost in thought; reflecting and pondering over the past year. I've been blessed in so many ways, but my heart still longs for what I don't have. I was also wondering if I've done enough for Him; used the gifts He's given me to glorify Him. I definitely feel like I need to do more; be more creative, write, paint, whatever. I need to do more. I need to put myself out there and allow Him to use me.

During my conversation with myself, I had to stop for a pretty long train. (I don't usually mind trains too much, unless I'm trying to get to somewhere and they just sit on the track or hardly move. That's just annoying. But this one was moving.) Right as I stopped at the crossing, a song by Charlie Hall came on, "One Thing". The real time analogy made me laugh. God usually shows me lessons in ways I can't miss.

(If you're reading this on Facebook or by email, please click over to Strength in the Struggle to see the video.)

How often are we stopped at a crossroads in life unsure of what to do next? What job should I take? Should I date/marry this person? Where should I move? It's far too easy to get bogged down with questions of the 5 W's and 1 H (Who, What, Where, When and How).

I suppose we're often like Peter, when he was walking on the water to Jesus. (Can you even IMAGINE what that was like??) As long as his eyes were on Jesus, he was footloose and fancy free, but the second he got freaked out by the huge wave coming, he started to sink. How much are we like Peter on a day to day basis? I know I am; more often than I care to admit. Why don't I trust the Creator (of everything) with my everything? What gall to think that I know best! Silly human.

The thing is, life boils down to one thing (no pun intended):

"All of life comes down

To just one thing

And that's to know You oh Jesus

And make You known"

Someone once said, "The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing." Simple, but true. If we keep Jesus the main thing in our life, everything else will fall into place. This reminds me of a quote from "Elf":

Gimbel's Manager: Why are you smiling like that?

Buddy: I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite
Gimbel's Manager: Make work your favorite. That's your new favorite.

Don't be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins, make Jesus your favorite in 2010! (Cheesy, I know! But I think it's a memorable point?)

Reflection

2009-12-29T01:28:00.000-06:00

I recently went on a scavenger hunt for "whatever stuck my fancy", armed with my new Nikon camera I received for Christmas. Later, when looking closely at this picture, I found the face of Jesus. Do you see Him too? I've asked a few people, some do, some don't. It's OK either way.

I wasn't "looking" for Him necessarily, though I do feel closest to Him when I'm writing and behind the lense capturing His creation. I'll definitely be uploading more pictures in the next few days to show you. There are a few gems. Also, once I actually learn how to use my new "toy", I'm it'll be "to infinite and beyond"!

Forrest Gump I Am Not

2009-12-23T23:12:00.000-06:00

I went to the Y the other day and the ladies at the front desk paid me a compliment every woman wants to hear, "You look like you've lost weight." It made me feel really good and super confident! For some reason, right before I walk into the cardio room, I get really nervous. I have to take a deep breath and just go for it. But after that compliment, I was good to go!

I've recently challenged myself to up the ante, if you will. I get bored doing the same things all the time. I wanted to see what I was really capable of; though knowing full well I haven't even begun to skim the surface. Usually I do a cardio/fat burn on the elliptical, however I've recently changed it to pure fat burn. (Essentially that means, you enter in your weight, age and how long you want to work out, and it calculates what your heart rate should be. It also will increase or decrease resistance based on my current heart rate.) The machine tells me I should be at 122 bpm, but I'm usually in the 150's; 160's if I'm really booking it. I usually "run" my first mile within 11 minutes. My total workout time of 45 minutes yields 3.5 miles. I consider that to be good for me, but I know I can do better.

The other night I was watching episodes of "The Office". I knew people love that show, but I didn't fully appreciate just how funny it was until then! I was cracking up!! This lady next to me kept glarring at me with her eyes, as if to tell me to knock it off. Give me a break! I ignored her and kept on peddling.

I always tell people I don't run unless someone is chasing me. However, I was in the best shape of my life when I was running for soccer in high school. Logic tells me that's what I should be doing, but boy it sure hurts my knees, shins and back! Any advice, runners? What's a girl to do?

Shaken Not Stirred

2009-12-16T00:16:00.000-06:00

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." Luke 6:38 (New Living Translation)

Gifts are the best, aren't they? During this time of year, it's easy to think about the Gift God sent to us in a itty-bitty baby. It's also easy about the gifts we both give and receive. Personally, I love to give gifts! I literally Christmas shop year around. If I'm out-and-about and see something I think someone would like (and it's a good deal), I go ahead and get it then and stow it in my Christmas drawer. It's my way of not only thinking about someone (even though they don't know it yet) and getting ahead for the ever-crazy busy December month. Can you believe it's already the 15th? How did that happen? Wasn't Thanksgiving last weekend?

Speaking of gifts, sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the real reason for the season. EE and I were talking while we worked out tonight how stores are pushing "Happy Holidays" on us to take Christ out of Chrsitmas. But do they not realize without a Christ there would not only be no Christmas to begin with, but you couldn't even spell that word. It would be pretty silly to go around saying, Merry Mas!!

Wait, I'm veering from my original point, which you don't actually know, since I haven't shared it yet. In context the above verse talks about how we shouldn't judge others. But I took it to mean something completely different. Perhaps it's just the way my mind processes things, but I envisioned a blender, full of all the gifts God's given to me: passionate creativity, seeking the unique view from photography, writing, adventures, finding joy in the little things, etc. All these and many more get blended to perfection and spilled out (hopefully not in my lap like the verse says) to everyone I meet! I leave my "God prints" everywhere.

God's always given me the ability to know when someone needs cheering up. I may not have a clue what's actually going on their life, but He'll give me divine wisdom to say all the right things. The funny thing is, I rarely remember sending cards like these. That's not to say that I under appreciate this blessing, I just honestly don't remember the event. One instance comes to mind, my long-time friend JW talks about how I wrote her this letter in high school that got her through a really rough patch in her life. I'm really glad He was able to touch her. I'm just the vessel. I'm the clay pot and He's the water. He flows through me and splashes his loving grace in ways we'll never know. In ways I'll never know. I'm so thankful He finds me worthy to use.

Isn't it true that when you give, it's as though you receive even more back? You just might receive unexpected joy, a smile, and that good feeling deep inside to start with. Always remember, you never know how He'll use the gifts He's given you for His Glory. Be on the lookout for opportunites to bless others. You just might get a "smoothie" spilled in your lap too!!

Boom De Yada

2009-11-28T12:17:00.000-06:00

I love this commercial!

NEW Discovery Channel Commercial - Boom De Yada

Grace

2009-11-21T20:19:00.000-06:00

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found

Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

We have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

-John Newton, 1779

Live in the Moment

2009-11-20T22:00:00.000-06:00

The following pictures are ones I found "in the moment". I literally live every day in the moment by capturing little segments of my life on film. Each one brings back memories of the people I was with, things I was doing and how I felt when the shutter clicked. I see beauty in the unexpected. Sometimes a leaf on the ground is just as pretty as a sunset. I find inspiration in the world around me. God's given me a love of photography and I practice it whenever possible!

Captured on the way home from work.

I liked this tree.

It was a stormy day but there was a break in the clouds, which revealed the sun. Pretty neat!

Before the portrait.

If I remember correctly, these flowers only bloom once and then are dormant again until next year. Talk about living in the moment!

Don't you love covered bridges?

Do you see the double rainbow? I love rainbows. Sometimes I refer to them as "freaks of nature". :)

I love clouds. They can be anything the imagination makes them to be. On this particular night, there was a really bad storm blowing through town. This wall of clouds brought heavy rain!

Simply beautiful.

Wisdom To Ordinary People

2009-11-19T19:52:00.000-06:00

Blue Mountain Beach, FL (8.04.07)

I stumbled upon these verses the other night. There's so much truth to be gained! I love how the Contemporary English Version makes it easier to read and understand. I'm definitely going to have to revisit this passage once I'm better and my brain isn't quite so foggy. I pray you are blessed today as you read these verses. May they bless you from the top of your head down to the bottom of your toes! (All emphasis below is mine.)

"The Law of the LORD is perfect;
it gives us new life.
His teachings last forever,
and they give wisdom
to ordinary people.

The LORD's instruction is right;
it makes our hearts glad.
His commands shine brightly,
and they give us light.

Worshiping the LORD is sacred;
He will always be worshiped.
All of His decisions
are correct and fair."

Psalm 19:7-9 (Contemporary English Version)

Ricolaaaaaaaaaa

2009-11-18T20:06:00.000-06:00

I'm sick. There, I admitted it. My body's been giving me the signs that it was under attack for a few weeks now, but I've been in denial. (Kinda like the river in Egpypt. ha) I hoped I could will it away with positive thinking. But alas, some kind of crud has caught up with me. It went straight to my chest --- hello, bronchitis!

I went to the store last night and stocked up on "drugs":

Ricola cough drops are great, but I constantly hear the guy from the commerical in my head, "Ricolaaaaaaaaaa". I've been taking double doses of Vitamin C. I don't normally take vitamins, but perhaps I should start??

I also got some OJ and grape juice, both high in vitamin C. For some reason, the grape didn't taste too great. I forced myself to drink a glass before bed.

I love Sudafed! It really makes me feel better, however, I don't know what's in it that makes me stupid. I've been doing the stupidest stuff the past two days. My mind feels foggy. It's really odd and frustrating.

I haven't tried the Zicam yet. I love their swabs though; have worked miracles before!

I didn't realize until I got home, but when I looked on the receipt, it says, "Cashier Confirmed - Age Over 18". I laughed. I'm commonly mistaken for a teenager, so I guess I looked older yesterday. Craziness.

I sure hope I get better soon. I can't wait to get back to the YMCA. I miss working out, but I'm useless when I'm like this. I hope you all stay well!

Don't Assume You Know It All

2009-11-17T21:06:00.000-06:00

"Glory Revealed" (9.25.09)

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under His loving correction. It's the child He loves that God corrects; a Father's delight is behind all this." ~ Proverbs 3: 5-12

Eye Spy Something Supercilious*

2009-11-16T22:18:00.000-06:00

When I got a computer again, I gave myself the challenge to write a post each day. You wouldn't think it would be that hard, but some days are challenging; like today. When nothing out of the ordinary happens or worth talking about occurs. What's a girl to do? How about make fun of myself?

You see, I'm a goofy-goober. I know that. We all know that. I do stupid things all the time and sometimes I even tell others about them. Actually, I talk about my follies a lot, but I'm a writer; it happens.

My tongue has hurt all day long. It feels like I burned it, but I don't remember eating anything hot today. I couldn't figure it out until I was eating a Dorito a moment ago and then I realized what happened! I like to lick off the seasoning of the chip before eating it; weird, I know. This repetitive motion is the culprit! Sad but true. Thus solves the case of the 'burnt' tongue.

*Supercilious actually means: "haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression", which has nothing at all to do with my post. I just like that word. It sounds like it should have a "silly" definition, but alas it's actually quite ironic.

Rockin' Around the Pre-Thanksgiving Tree

2009-11-15T18:49:00.000-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I know, I know, it's too early to be talking about Christmas; but is it really? Believe it or not, it's about six weeks away. In my family, we always put up the tree and such Thanksgiving weekend, but a month doesn't seem long enough to enjoy the festive decorations. Since I've had my own house, I've left everything up well into January, but that just puts me in the "Is she crazy category?" Though, one might reason two weeks into November would warrant questioning my sanity. But here's the thing. I love this time of year. I love fall. I love the cooler weather. I love how everything and everyone seemingly comes alive. So, why not enjoy it just a little bit earlier?

I created a playlist on iTunes for Christmas music and away I went. It took a lot longer to get everything up than I had intended, however, there was a bit of a learning curve on some projects. One in particular I doubt I'll ever do again, but it's pretty neat, so who knows.

I used this r-e-a-l-l-y long strand to add some festivity to the upstairs. However, this was NOT easy and about half way through I nearly gave up. But I was also half way done, so I push through the rediculousness to get this project completed! What do you think? At least, I had the fore-thought to double it up before beginning!

My friend SJB made this Nativity family for me quite a few years ago. She's one of the most creative people I know! Whenever I pull this family out of the box and slowly unwrap the tissue paper, I just smile and think of my friend.

I had a wee incident along the way. I had finally unraveled the tangled cords and was on my way outside, dragging (first mistake) the cord behind me, when all the sudden it got stuck on something. I'm sure any rational human being would have gone to investigate, but I didn't think through what I was about to do and yanked on the cord instead (second mistake). The next thing I hear is *pop*, *pop*, *pop*! I look behind me and there on my new tiled kitchen floor lay several bulbs that bit the dust! Once I got everything cleaned up, replaced the broken bulbs, then I was back in business.

I've actually never really decorated outside; wanted to, but wasn't sure how. I do have a Reindeer stake that I uh, well, stake into the yard. I'll have to show you what that looks like later. I got the lights hung around my door frame and for some reason, the thought of when the Israelites "painted" their doors in blood for the Passover came to mind. Not sure why, interesting thought though. I was talking to my mom later about what I'd accomplished today. She said, "You mean the lights are on now?" "Sure," I said. "Don't you think it's a little bit early for that?" In my defense, I was thinking Thanksgiving was this coming weekend. So, I unplugged the lights. :)

My parents gave me this fancy nativity for CHRISTmas last year. I couldn't wait to use it this year and found the perfect spot on the hearth. However, there's a shepard boy that I wasn't able to find room for. (hahaha No room at the inn!) Ahem, sorry, I walked right into that and couldn't resist.

I love my "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree! It's actually not that small at 6.5 feet. There are so many benefits to using a fake tree rather than a real one, including, but not limited to: very little clean up and the fact you can bend up the branches for particularly heavy ornaments.

Or in the case of my friend Pooh here, I had to create a "seat belt" to keep him from falling out of the tree. Ornaments are like walking down memory lane. I found different ones from friends and family alike. I always try to write on the bottom who gave it to me and what year. Thanks in part to my Mom and Sister, I tree is a lot fuller this year!

For the most part, I'm done. Though, my method of decorating much like many things in my life, I use the KISS method: Keep It Simple Stupid. :) Less is more in my book. I had a lot of fun today. Hope you get the chance to celebrate Christmas just a little big longer too!

When Passion Becomes Worship

2009-11-14T20:37:00.000-06:00

When I see a sunset like this, I can't resist attempting to capture God's glory! Photography has always been a passion of mine. But taking pictures of sunsets has become an act of worship for me. I feel most comfortable when behind the lense; in the "zone" if you will, loving on God by appreciating his "artwork". Whatever the subject, I find beauty in the unexpected. I believe that makes God happy.

Sunsets are a daily reminder that my Jesus LOVES me!

Aunt Mer

2009-11-13T20:05:00.000-06:00

November 13, 2006. The day my life changed forever. The day I became an Aunt.

He's a week old here. I spent as much time with him as I could. I would go straight from work on Friday's and stay until Saturday night. When he was so little, my sister would swaddle and lay him down in the crevice of the two sofa coushions. He earned the first of many, many nicknames, "Crack Boy."

From the moment I laid eyes on this precious miracle, I've been utterlly, head-over-heels in love with him. My love for him has only grown as he gets older. He's not even "mine", so I can only imagine the love a mother has for her baby, let alone the love the Father had for His Son!

About the time he was four months old, I found myself doing ANYTHING to get a laugh out of him! I'd make funny faces, sounds or gallop around the kitchen like an animal of some sort. My sister taught him sign for "more". Sometimes after one of my jaunts for laughter, he'd sign more. Gotta love this kid! I firmly believe he helped me get over myself enough to let go and have fun; no matter what. To this day, I'll say and do crazy things (like putting a bucket on my head, he's aloways loved that) to get him hackling. He has a great sense of humor!

Little roly poly was six months here. One day, while everyone was visiting my parent's, I plopped him down in my Mom's prep sink on the island. He liked it and stayed there for a while... until he figured out how to turn the water on! Always the curious child!

He's eight months old here. He and I clocked some SERIOUS hours on the porch swing. On the HOT summer days/nights, my sister would set me up with a fan. On the cooler days, we'd wrap ourselves in coats and blankets. Whatever the weather, I'd make myself as comfortable as possible (all the while knowing within minutes my hiney would fall asleep) and settle in for the long haul. When he was tiny, tiny, my Mom starteding singing, "This Old Man" to put him to sleep. Knocked him out in two rounds flat! However, a girl can only take so much This Old Man before she goes insane! So, I started singing worship and praise songs to him and for Jesus. Toots (one of the many names I've given him) would fall asleep after a bit, but I just kept on singing. It was my time to worship and give thanks for such an amazing little boy. I'd pray over Toots and ask Jesus to watch out for him as he grew.

I was telling Rudy (another one) stories about when he was a tiny, tiny baby recently. When he talks about himself as a baby, he always calls himself a "tiny, tiny baby", so we do as well. I told him all about how I'd rock and sing him to sleep on the front porch swing. Not too long ago, I was rocking him for night-night and starting singing my version of Jesus Love Me (different than what my sister sings), he popped right up and said, "Aunt Mer, that's not how you sing that song!" "Well," I told him, "that's how Aunt Mer sings it, remember?" He nodded his head and settled back in. He was asleep within moments.

One of my favorite things about being an Aunt is I can get away with stuff. haha I, like my nephew, love to go exploring in nature; getting in the muck of things, feeling everything first hand. This day, he was wandering about bare-footed, which is something he'd never done before. We wandered to the creek behind my parent's house. I waited to see what he'd do, and just like a little boy, he immediately got into the water! That boy has tough feet, I tell you! He was very adventurous; walked up and down the creek several times, all the while holding onto my finger (just in case). Independant, yet dependent. I think under normal circumstances my sister might have freaked out a little bit, but like me, she's always looking for a good photo opportunity! Trust me, this boy isn't lacking in pictures of himself! But, I'm so thankful. It's amazing to go back and look to see how much he's grown up! I recently got a new computer, so I only have tiny, tiny and recent pictures of the Toot.

We all went to the beach this summer on a family vacation. We weren't too sure how Toots would react since he did NOT like it the first time he went (nine months old)! But a lot has changed since then. He LOVED it!! He has a sandbox at home, but this was the largest "sandbox" he'd ever seen! He literally 'swam' in the sand, went rolling down the hill, and finally came to a rest in the above pose. What a beach bum! He loved it all - though the waves frightened him - and rightly so!

I've been telling him "I love you" since the day he was born and FINALLY this summer at the beach he said it back to me. My heart melted and I fell in love with him all over again.

Here's a recent picture of Rudy; taken before he went to Bible study with my sister. Apparently this is his new fake smile, but it looks pretty real to me! His other Aunt taught him how to wink at a very young age, so that anytime he got in front of a camera, he'd wink at you. What a little ham!

Two is a fun age. There's so much to see, learn and discover. He had a language explosion this year too! When I talk to my sister on the phone, he'll come on and we'll have an actual conversation. I don't always understand he says, but I get most of it. I love spending time with him, no matter what we're doing. One of our favorite things is to rough-house on the den floor. He's enjoyed treating me like a human jungle gym since he was tiny, tiny, but now that he's older, one or both of us ends up hurt (usually me!) We roll around on the floor, tickling, playing with all his John Deer toys, and giving him "tummy yummies" (raspberries on the tummy).

Rudy was a fireman this year for Halloween! This boy LOVES to pretend! He has such an amazing imagination! Last I heard, he had imaginary neighbors who go by the names: Jon Jon, Trailer, Toothbrush, Bingum, and Truck. Sometimes they go on adventures together; sometimes one of them is sick and Toots has to take care of them. Very creative.

I absolutely, positively, without a doubt, no question about it, LOVE being an Aunt! I can't believe Rudy turned THREE today!!! Just doesn't seem possible! I'm so thankful to have him in my life! I don't know what we did without him for so long!

Shoes

2009-11-12T20:40:00.000-06:00

Remember when I said I wasn't your average girl? This "unusual" behavior extends to my shoes collection, if it can even be called that, as well. There are really only seven pairs of shoes I routinely wear. I perfer comfort over fashion. Which is why I don't have a single pair of high heels in my closet. I'm already 5' 10", is there really a need to make me taller at the expense of hurting feet? I think not.

In thinking about this rediculous post, I thought it would be ~~embarrassing~~ fun to have illustrations along the way. If nothing else, you have proof when you turn me into "What Not To Wear". My sister always says, "Stacy and Clinton would NOT approve!" Let's start the runway show, shall we? (I've been watching a lot of "Project Runway"):

I call these my "wedding shoes", because quite obviously, I wear them to all the summer weddings. I got them at PayLess quite a few years ago (like 10+) and they are rediculously comfortable! I've gotten many compliments over the years; perhaps people were being nice and didn't know what to say? haha However, as you can tell, I think it might be time to retire these. I know my Mom will be happy!

I prefer not to spend a lot of money on shoes, though for as long as I keep them, perhaps I should invest a little more into the cause? I got these at DSW about five or so years ago. I paid more than I wanted to for these, however they are Tommy Hilfiger so I knew I was paying for the brand name. They were scavenged from the "dot" section which made me feel better. But this is really the only "dressy" shoe I own. I know, it's sad. Admittance is the first step right? At least, I'm aware of my problem! :)

Back when Birkenstocks were realy popular (late 90's), there was no way I could afford a pair (let alone now), so I found a cheaper solution! Land's End offered essentially the same shoe but for only $24.95 (if I remember correctly). Sounded like a great deal to me! Well, here it is, more than a decade later and these sandals are still going strong! Very comfortable and maybe even a little stylish? You be the judge.

My friend MHH first introduced these lovely gems to me a while ago! They are Mush flip flops from Teva. Trust me, they are THE most comfortable pair of shoes you'll ever own! (Isn't that right, KP?) Because they are so mushy (no pun intended), they will wear out quicker, but they are worth every penny! Let your fingers do the walking right to Teva! (or click that link)

We've come to my controversial pair of shoes... CROCS. Yes, they are ugly, but boy are they comfortable! These shoes have been ALL over the place! They've even been all over the streets of Seattle, Washington and my feet NEVER hurt! Ever. What other shoe can offer such enticing promises? Do you currently own a pair like that?? Please let me know!

You've heard me refer to my "tooting" shoes before? Well, here they are! I actually bought these specifically to wear when I work out at the YMCA, but I wear them now to work as well. (Yay for getting to wear whatever I want to work!) Tennis shoes are one of the only shoes I will pay more for - though you'd think with them being so expensive they'd be more comfortable! Just sayin'!

Now that you know my past history, how about a look into my future? I've been wanting slippers for a while now but never found any that I really liked, for the price I wanted to pay. I found these at Old Navy recently. I read all the reviews and figured I'd give them a try. They arrived yesterday! From the moment I slid my feet in, they were so cozy and comfy. My feet were sad to leave them when it was time for bed.

I recently bought this pair from Land's End for what I consider to be a good deal ($24.95). I'm hoping they are comfortable. (I know I keep saying that word, but it's so important!)

These look sporty yet functional. I've been looking at shoes like these for a few years now, but they've always been too expensive! However, lovely Land's End has them on sale right now for $19.99. Plus, there's an offer for FREE shipping (no minimum purchase) until November 17th -- Code: EVERGREEN; PIN: 2425.

Thus concludes my silly post about shoes. I hope you've enjoyed the "runway show". Seriously, please comment if you are currently wearing comfy shoes! :) Please share!

The Water's Edge

2009-11-11T20:18:00.026-06:00

You found me today
When I least expexted it
A stranger in an unknown world
Wearing masks and playing make believe

The room was filled with happiness
A Holy union had been created
Dancing, laughter and stolen kisses
It was all too much
I had to get away

Making my way along the soggy path
My eyes immediately filled with tears
No, not yet! Where can I go?
I then spotted the lake

Nearing the water's edge
I discovered the gaggle of geese and the playground
You also gave me a song, "All I Need is You, Lord"

What a sight I must have been!
All dolled up; crying, singing, praying and swinging
I just needed a moment to get away
No more pretending

Written September 20, 2009

Promise

2009-11-10T20:59:00.000-06:00

I am not your typical girl. I don't enjoy shopping. I don't wear makeup. I rarely wear dresses. I don't wear jewelry. I've never had my ears pierced. I've only had one pedicure in my life (thanks, Kristina!). I'm very low-maintenance, easy-going, not-easily-flustered, wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) kind of girl. That's not to say I don't take care of myself, I just do it in a "Mer" kind of way.

I've been a "tom-boy" through and through my whole life. When other girls were playing dress up or Barbie, I was playing with Transformers and G.I. Joe's. Granted, most of my friends back then were boys. Man, I lived on the best street EVER! It was a cul-de-sac and there were a ton of neighborhood kids. My friends and I would create ramps and jump our BMX bikes over them. Or my friend Steven and I would fill up his sandbox full of water and play it in! (We used to get in trouble for doing that! But it was so much fun!) Good times.

Somewhere along the line, it became unacceptable to be who I've always been. That is, I would get made fun of for doing things differently than others. Though, I've been made fun of all my life; so this was nothing new. People have consistently tried to change me to fit their perfect mold. But they quickly realized, "God broke the mold when He made me!" I don't conform. I never have, probably never will. That's not to say I'm a rebel with a cause or anything like that. I'm just me. Through and through. Me.

Though, I'm still figuring out who "me" is. I continue to amaze myself on a day-by-day basis. It's like I've been one way for so long that to change seems too daunting. Dare I say the "I" word? Impossible. But through Him ALL things are possible. In Mark 10:27, Jesus says, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." (ESV)

Did you read that last sentance or just skip over it? "For ALL things are possible with God." Amazing, huh? Honestly, my finite, human mind can't even begin to wrap understanding around that concept! The neat thing is, I don't really have to get it, as long as I trust that He does. Imagine the possibilities though.... if ALL things are possible with God, then couldn't we perform modern-day miracles as the disciples did back in Bible times? Could the sick become healed? Deaf, hear? Blind, see? The possibilities are endless!

The thing is, we are so BUSY being BUSY that although these opportunities might present themselves to us now, we blow right pass them! Believe me, I'm guilty of it too! It's funny... actually, let me rephrase that. God's funny. On the way home, I was thinking about what I'd write about today. I decided I'd talk about how un-girly I am, but I recently started becoming more girly; slowly, but surely. But as soon as I began to write, God took over and directly me in another way entirely.

Do you remember that song from Sunday School, "I Am A Promise"?? It popped into my head while writing just now. I learned this song a long, long time ago! It just goes to show you never know what kids are actually learning! Check out this video I found. It's priceless!

Isn't that great?!? (I cracked up laughing when they did the chorus line kicks!) So the lesson of today: Don't sell yourself short! Remember you're a great big, bursting bundle of potential to do anything with Him!

No-Bake Cookies

2009-11-09T21:36:00.000-06:00

Wanna know a not-so-secret, secret?

Would you like to have a "famous" Quintana recipe? This is one of our favorites and I thought I'd share it with you! This used to be my "go-to" recipe to bring to functions, but for some unknown reason, I'm COMPLETELY incapable of yielding a positive outcome on these cookies anymore! I don't understand. I know I've followed the reciped correctly. (I realize I do have trouble with that somtimes. ha) They are either over-cooked or under-cooked, never (rarely) just right! So, I hope you have better success! Please let me know how they turn out for you!

No-Bake Cookies
1/2 Cup Milk
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter
4 Tablespoons Cocoa
2 Cups Rolled Oats
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
Optional: 1/2 Cup Coconut and/or Raisins (personally, I leave both of these out!)

First, lay out a sheet of wax paper on counter top (usually about the length of your arm). Second, boil together: milk, sugar, butter and cocoa until thickened, usually about 5 minutes. Third, remove from heat and add oatmeal and peanut butter. (I find it best to stir near or in the sink, as it can be messy.) finally, quickly drop spoonfuls onto wax paper before mixture hardens. Typically cookies will set up within a few minutes.

I was going to include a picture to be like REAL SIMPLE, but I quickly realized so matter how I arranged the cookies, they just looked like a pile of poop. :)

Tears

2009-11-08T21:12:00.000-06:00

Absolutely nothing worth writing about happend today. Sunday's are chore day. I'm doing laundry. I vacuumed the house. I cleaned the kitchen, again. I stripped the sheets off my bed and put new ones on. Though, I have to say, that was comical. I flipped my mattress (by myself) and it got away from me and took out a lamp. Literally. I picked it up off the floor, plugged it back in and... nothing. I can't figure out why it won't work anymore? Oh well, I have another, just switched them out. So yeah, I considered not posting today. But in telling my mom about my quandry, she said, post it anway. So, here I am, talking about nothing in particular again. :)

Actually, I was watching Extreme Home Makeover from last week. I love that show, but it ALWAYS makes me cry. I'm an emotional girl, that is, God made me sensitive. I tear up at Hallmark commercials and the like. At the beginning of the show, Ty Pennington always shows a video of why this family has been picked. That gets me everytime.

While I was sitting watching this family's story unfold, tears were filling my eyes. Suddenly, I had a tiny inspiration to try and capture what that might look like. I know you must think I'm crazy. Why not capture this emotion as well? For some unknown reason, I enjoy taking pictures of my eye. This one below turned out the best.

I wonder why tears fall from the center of your eye? I wonder why that's the tipping point? I'm sure there's a logical and scientific reasoning behind it. I found this, which doesn't explain why it happens, but it's still interesting:

"Tears flow from tear glands into your eyes through tiny tear ducts. The tear glands are located under your upper lids, and when stimulated, produce tears to form a thin film over your eyeballs. Every time you blink the film spreads over your eyes to keep them moist and free of dust and other irritants. Whether you are awake or asleep, happy or sad, this salty fluid is always flowing from the tear glands.

Besides protecting your eyes, the tear glands produce more fluid when your eyes are irritated. These extra tears are called reflex or irritant tears. And, when something makes you happy or sad, your tear glands will produce emotional tears. Used tears then drain down into two tiny openings on the brim of your upper and lower eyelids at the inner edge of your eyes, which lead to the nasolacrimal tear ducts next to the bridge of your nose. From there, they are channeled into your nasal cavity where they are swallowed or blown out with other nasal fluids. If there are too many tears, they will overflow your lower lid and run down your cheeks." -- Why Do We Cry

Thus concludes your Bill Nye the Science Guy lesson for the day.

Great Day, Boring Post

2009-11-08T01:38:00.001-06:00

Today (which is actually today's yesterday), but I didn't get to post until now so it's still my today, since I haven't slept yet. Wow, that was confusing. Let me start over.

Saturday was a really good day. Before I went to sleep on Friday night, I set my alarm to wake up about eight hours later. But then I picked up this new book I'm reading, "How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else" and had trouble putting it down. When my eyes could no longer stay open, I got up out of bed and turned my alarm off. I knew that was a potentially bad decision, but how often do I get to just sleep until my body is well rested? Not too often. After some crazy dreams, I finally got up at 12:52 today (Saturday). Crazy, I know. In my defense, I didn't go to bed until around 2:30. Though, that still means I got ten hours of sleep. Ahh, whatever. That's not the point. In fact, I don't even know why I'm writing about this. Moving on.

While putting away my clean dishes, I realized I was tired of being frustrated at the way I store things in my kitchen. Over the next two hours or so, I took most everything out of the pantries and started over. I was given a lot of things when I first moved in (as I had nothing). And now that I'm starting to buy more things on my own or just acquire more; it was getting out of control. I love my kitchen but some of the storage space just doesn't make sense. I put the things I never use in there. Next time someone is having a garage sale, please let me know. I'll donate to the cause.

I was listening to a Church of the Highlands sermon by Joe McGee while I cleaned and organized. I don't know if you've ever heard of him or heard him speak, but boy that man can bring the Word. I can burn you a copy of his sermons if you're interested, just let me know. It took me a while, but boy the final result was amazing. Though, hours later, when looking for a container to put leftover dinner in, I had trouble finding something to use. Maybe I need to rethink some of the placement of items.

OK, I feel like this post is super boring. I don't have some big revelation or anything, just rambling about my day.

My friend JWW came over for a girl's night. I made dinner and dessert; which, both were fabulous! I'm not just tooting my own horn either. I mean, I'm a good cook, but these were incredible! People joke with me as I'm seemingly incapable of reading a recipe. Somehow I always mess something up. The same was true with the dessert, though thankfully, it really didn't matter. We had "Fast Fruity Delight". It was quite delightful as well!

I used blackberries. Yummy!

Mmmmm Mmmmm Good!

We had dinner first though, Saucy Mexican Chicken. It was super easy to make and was incredibly delicious. *pats myself on the back* If you'd like the recipe, just let me know.

...served over a bed a rice.

After dinner, JWW and I played a game of Scrabble. We love to play Scrabble together; wish we could do it more often! I started the game with "Zap", 28 points, but it stunted the growth of the game for quite a while. We had a lot of fun and JWW won!! 235 to 197.

We were going to play Dance Praise (exactly like Dance Dance Revolution, but with Christian music), but we ended up watching The Proposal instead. Funny movie!

Whichs leads me to now... 1:31am and because I slept most of the day, I'm not sleepy for bed now. Hmm. Guess I'll find something constructive to do, like go read!

"As Long As We're Being Honest"

2009-11-06T19:45:00.000-06:00

TGIF!

I didn't necessarily have any work to do today, so I figured I'd be proactive and find something to do. I realized I hadn't gone through "Shipped But Awaiting Payment" invoices in about a month or two, so I was way behind. I forget to work on those, since everything else is forefront in my mind. But on slow days like today, it's the perfect time to immerse myself in Accounts Receivable Land. It always takes a lot of research to make sure people/companies have or haven't paid us, then follow a bunch of other steps from there. Again, I'm not going to bore you with all the details, but let's just say, it took me 8 hours to wade through the muck. But, I got a lot done and feel as though a lot was accomplished today.

I was texting my friend KP around lunchtime telling her my day was pretty boring and I didn't think I'd have anything to write about yet. She said, "Yet is the key word. LOL it's only 1 your time." How true she was! I actually got so busy, I didn't go to lunch until 3pm!

While I was out, I ran a quick errand for envelopes to CVS. I remember thinking the girl behind the counter looked kinda sad. I was eager to make my purchase and go eat lunch, but instead I had a funny conversation with her:

She asked, "How are you?"

I answered, "Honestly, tired. How about you?"

She said, "As long as we're being honest, I'm ready to go home."

"Oh really?", I answered, "What time do you get off?"

She said with a huge sigh, "5".

I said, "I don't get off until 6, if that makes you feel any better."

"No, not really," she said. "Where do you work?"

I always hesitate when I answer this question, because I always get the same reaction. Disbelieve. Dumbfound. Double-take. Blank stare. I begin in vague terms, "In Vestavia for a really small company." But I quickly realized she was thirsty for more details, "I know this is going to sound crazy, but I work for SUPERMAGNETMAN. We sell magnets literally all over the world. From ity-bitty to large ones for all types of applications." She starred at me, like a deer caught in headlights with her mouth slightly agape. In my head I heard crickets chirping.

She recovered fairly quickly and asked, "What about car magnets?"

I said, "Well, not technically, we can sell the sheets of rubber which you could use on your car."

"But, do you sell the ones with writing for your car?", she asked again.

Realizing she hadn't listened to a word I'd said, I stopped gathering my purchases, "You know, I think I have a business card here. Why don't you check out our website for yourself. If you have any questions about anything, my emails on the front." I don't think she was expecting that answer as I got another chorus round of crickets.

As I was walking out the door, I smiled and thought to myself of the interesting situations I get myeslf into. Sure, from the very beginning I could have given the same old boring answer, "I'm fine. How are you?" But then I would have missed out on that ~~odd fascinating unique~~ interesting conversation. Personally, I've always had the mentality of WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). Why pretend to be something you're not? Sure, I'm not always myself, but I do tend to give the unexpected answer, which leads to different moments of possibility. I figure it's a moment in some strangers day when they had interaction with someone who actually cared what their response was.

I knew the moment that sentance left her mouth, "As long as we're being honest", I'd be writing about the time I spent with her for today's post. I find it interesting what opportunities God will drop in my lap when I'm looking for them. My Mom says I've never met a stranger; which is true, although interestingly, I'm also quite shy. So, there's a fine line between the two.

I suppose the lesson for today is, expect the unexpected. You can't make a difference by never stepping outside of what you know to be comfortable.

Pete

2009-11-05T20:17:00.000-06:00

In my new quest to write something everyday, I find myself looking for things which I can write about later. (Beware: if you hang around me, you'll most likely be blogged about. Just saying.) My day seemed fairly uneventful, that is, until we received a shipment from China for one of our customers; then all heck broke loose. Since my boss is on a business trip, it's up to me to run the business. Which, under normal circumstances isn't that big of a deal; just stressful at times. However, this shipment allowed me the opportunity to be all things to all people (that's the best explaination). I won't bore you with all the details, but I feel a great sense of accomplishment that the boxes were shipped out and our customer is happy with all the details. I wore many hats today and was proud that everything was handled well and in a timely manner.

Every afternoon, I drop off our orders to the post office in Vestavia. I've come to enjoy these outings, even though I usually have to stand in line for a while. But the post office always has such ~~odd strange unique~~ interesting individuals, so I do a fair amount of people watching. Plus, it's quite fun to walk in and have all the workers look up (at some point), smile and say, "Hey, Pete!"

OK, I have to explain where "Pete" came from, but I promise you, it's one of those things you just had to be there. One of the ladies working there and I would talk and goof off while she worked on my international packages. I always tried to bring a smile to her face with a joke or funny story. Well, one day, I told her my "Pete and Repeat" joke. (Have you heard it? Pete and Repeat got in a boat. Pete fell out. Who was left? Get it??)

I realize it's not actually funny. In fact, I realize it's hardly even a joke, but the funny thing is it took Mavis days and days to finally get the joke. I must have retold it to her countless times. The other workers tried to help too, but she never got it. A few weeks later, I walked and she said, "Pete, I get the joke!!" Since that day, she always called me "Pete" and the name stuck.

Mavis retired recently and I was sad to think that "Pete" would go away too, but the other workers (Hello: Bobby, Alcia, Terry and JoAnn!!!) carried on the tradition. It just makes me happy to walk in people know my name (even if it's not really my name). Though, funny story, Bobby told me that Alicia asked about me earlier and wondered where Pete was. Bobby said, "You know, I think she thinks that's actually your name! I wanted to correct her, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember your real name!" So yeah, Pete is here to stay!

To Infinite and Beyond!

2009-11-04T20:04:00.000-06:00

Some days I have to think really hard for topics to write about, other days... well, I tend to attract adventures. I thought today was going to be a normal day, but we ran out of a stock item and I needed to go to storage to get more. I've only ever been twice and although I was trying to pay attension, nothing compares to the actual experience yourself. I wasn't exactly sure where it was located; though I knew the general area. Once in, I had the code, but wasn't exactly sure what building. (I guessed right.) Once parked, I got a dolly and again, wasn't exactly sure where I was going. I didn't know for sure what floor I needed nor how to get there. You can see how this was going to be a comedy of errors from the get-go, right?

Not knowing which floor to stop on (though there were only three choices), I guessed 2 and nothing happened. Very confused, I tried 3, got off the elavator and this is what I saw:

Uhhh yeah, this non-descript walls didn't help my confusion. I did notice the door there said 590-something. "This can't be right," I thought. I got back on the elevator (once I manuvered my dolly; not an easy task) and pushed 2 again. When the doors opened up, I saw my car! "Oh no", I exclaimed, "3 must be the right floor!"

(It was about this time I realized two things. One, previously when I hit 2 and nothing happened, because I was not-so-obviously already on 2. Two, I needed to document this journey into the unknown. Comical things tend to happen to me.)

I continued down the hallway, hoping for the best... only to come to another hallway, with another set of non-descript walls, but I kept going. I finally saw the door with a number range which looked promising. (I forgot to take a picture!) Once I pushed througth the door, I saw this:

Although this looks hopeless as well, the good news was there are now numbers on each "garage" door, so I knew I was geting close! I found our unit at the end and went to pull the key from my pocket to unlock the door.... when I realized.... it wasn't in my pocket!!! I frantically checked all my pockets, my jacket pocket, on the dolly, but NO KEY!

LOL This is the face I made when I realized I didn't have the key! (Everytime I see this picture I crack up laughing. It's good to laugh at one's self, right?) I said, "OK, God, please let the key still be in my cup holder!" I calmly started to walk back through the maze of hallways, when all of a sudden, a sense of urgency sprang up in me and I began sprinting down the hallways! (*enter Chariots of Fire theme song*).

I got back to the car, unlocked the doors and WHEW, there was the key! "Thanks, God!" I honestly didn't think I lost it - my name would have been mud if so. I figured I'd just forgot it, when trying to remember everything else. Indeed, that was the case. So, back on the elevator, through the maze of hallways, to our locker. Once I got the door open, a familiar yet daunting task was ahead of me...

...where O where would the magnet hooks be?

Thankfully, I found them immediately and set them on the dolly outside.

Not knowing if we needed anything else, I locked up the door and took a final picture of myself, relieved and happy that I survived my first solo trip to the storage unit. To infinite and beyond!

The Toot Heard Around the Office

2009-11-04T00:21:00.000-06:00

I've missed having the opportunity to write while I was computer-less. So, I'm going to try and write something every day. Even if it's just something silly. I kinda think it's important to maintain a sense of continuity. If for no other reason, than to try and spell big words like that! :) There used to be a spell-check on here, but it seems to have jumped off the page.

My boss is gone on a business trip this week, so I'm running the business. All. By. Myself. (Insert "Home Alone" scream!) haha Actually, it's me and our Shipper. But still, the task can feel daunting at times. It often takes all day just to answer email questions, not to mention call in questions and/or helping pack orders if we're super busy. And thank the Lord, we have been super busy! Which reminds me, a little plug for the business....

SUPERMAGNETMAN!

I always hear the theme of the 80's cartoon, "Captain Caveman" in my head when I say "Supermagnetman". One of my friends said it sounds like I'm working for a made up company, but as long as my paychecks are cashable, then she's OK with it. It's true, it does sound fishy, but it's completely legit and a complete blessing in my life.

So today, I'm walking from the shop to my desk over and over and I keep hearing this "tooting" sound, when I realized it was my combination of friction of my socks, gel inserts and tennis shoes!! Thankfully my coworker's hard of hearing, otherwise I'd feel the need to explain myself.

When I go into quiet places, I feel like everyone is pointing and starring. I'm sure it's my imagination, but picture it, rather, hear it in your head. Each. And. Every. Step. I. Make. Sounds. Like. I. Just. Tooted. *toot*, *toot*, *toot*, *toot* hahaha It's actually quite funny, now that I'm thinking about it in the comfort of my own living room. I'm not sure how to resolve the situation though. Unfortunately, my shoes aren't comfortable enough to just wear normally. Hmm, what's a girl to do? Any suggestions out there in Blog Land??

Migrating Socks

2009-11-02T21:52:00.000-06:00

I have to say that this is a rediculous post. But it made me laugh thinking about it, so perhaps it'll bring joy into your day as well.

Perhaps I'm silly to be annoyed by something so trivial, but I really can't stand it when things don't do what they are supposed to do. Case in point: socks.

I love socks. New socks are the best! (Aren't they, Jennifer?) They have many jobs, like keeping your feet warm and protection from blisters and such. All kinds of people wear socks: Scottish bagpipe and soccer players wear them up to their knees; baseball players wear them with stripes; some even come made to fit your foot like a glove (toe socks).

They're so cozy and hug your feet in all the right places, until that one fateful day, when you realize your socks have migrated somewhere it shouldn't have... far into your shoes. Ducks migrate South for the winter, but why do my socks tend to head South about this time of year too? Enough, I tell you! Enough of the madness! I will take it no more. Thus, the story of a pair of socks, which were finally sentanced to death. Oh, they cried out for one last chance, but no sir, off with their head!! Errr wrong story line.

This is how a sock should look in a shoe.

NOT like this. Can you imagine how annoying it is to have your sock slip into your shoe all day?

There just shouldn't be this much sock left over at the top of my foot!

Therefore, my socks met a new fate tonight!

(And yes, I realize they don't match. Somewhere a long the way, I stopped matching socks and just started wearing them. People rarely know what's on my feet... that is, unless I post it on the Internet! haha)

THE END

PS I bought some new socks!

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Divine Refuge

2009-11-01T20:23:00.000-06:00

"When you accept the fact that sometimes seasons are dry and times are hard and that God is in control of both, you will discover a sense of divine refuge, because the hope then is in God and not in yourself." -- Charles R. Swindoll

So You Think You Can Dance?

2009-10-21T09:04:00.000-05:00

A rediculous amount of things have happened in my life since I last posted, but alas, I'm without a computer and therefore, no Internet access as well. I'll post again soon when I'm able. Hmm, I don't know that I can recap, so I'll just start from last night.

My "partner-in-crime" friend Amy and I traveled to Duluth, Georgia to see season five's cast of "So You Think You Can Dance". A few months back I introduced her to SYTYCD and since then she's been addicted as I am. These kids are simply amazing, I tell you! I left work early, picked up Amy and away we went. Contrary to popular believe, the speed limit isn't 90, so dealing with all the random speed limit changes, construction zones and traffic made for an interesting ride. However, once we fully realized how the time change affected our journey, we stuck Lola (my mom's GPS) to the windshield, and made our way to the arena.

My personality is pretty even-keeled (sp?). I rarely get overly excited, not because I don't get excited about life and such, because I do. I just show it in different ways. Amy has known me for a really long time and if you asked her I bet she'd say this was the most excited she's EVER seen me! Seriously. I kept saying, "I'm so excited!" She started a running tally... I forget the final count.

We arrived there safe and sound. We parked in East Budda, hoping our exit would be quicker (it was). After a quick Superman change of clothes, we were off! The show started around 745. Oh... My.... Gosh! It was A-MAZ-ING!! I've watched these routines over and over on my DVR, but to see them live and in person was a rare treat which I won't soon forget. The Lord blessed us with amazing seats! Actually, let me get back to the show and give some glory to God.

The day before we were to leave, Amy texted me and said she was very sick with the flu. I, of course, understood, but was horribly dissapointed. I started scrambling, trying to find someone to replace her (since the tickets were non-refundable). I got very discouraged, but then I remembered what I'd learned this past Wednesday at Highlands. We need to ask our Father for the "little" things in our life. He wants us to be happy. Thank Him. Praise Him. Ask Him. So, I began to seriously pray! Some people call me a prayer warrior - a title I do not deserve - but I asked Him to heal my friend. I said, "God, you know how much I've been looking forward to this and if you want me to go alone, I will. But I really don't want to. Would you please heal Amy? Allow her to wake up feeling like a brand new girl." I kept freaking out about all the untied details and finally something in me said, "Look, Mer, this is completely out of your hands. There's nothing you can do. Just let go and trust that your Father will take care of you." I went to bed, woke up, went to work and got a text mid-morning, "I'm not 100%, but I'm coming!" PRAISE THE LORD!

I wanted to have faith. I wanted to believe He'd heal her... but I'm slowly becoming a person who hopes for the best, but expects the worst. (Wow, how did that happen? I've always been a glass is half full. That's another post for another day.) I don't know why God chose to answer my prayers. Was it to show me He really is listening to me? To give me the confidence to keep praying, regardless of the outcome? To reveal Himself as One Who really does care about the "little" things? Whatever the reason, my prayer was answered. This trip just wouldn't have been the same without my Amy. Thank You, Father!!

Back to the show... how encouraging it is to see people chasing after their dreams, with open and reckless abandon!!! Watching these kids dance was breath-taking! God made our bodies to do these amazing and seemingly unbelievable moves! The way Brandon and Ade would catapult their bodies into the air. The way Kayla's extensions were incredibly graceful. The way Melissa used her training as a ballerina to seamlessly infuse her technique with other dances. The way Philip manipulated his apendedges when he was popping and locking didn't even look real. It was all so amazing. I know I keep saying that, but seriously. It was amazing!! I'm sooo thankful Amy could experience this with me. It's always neat to spend quality time with people who actually get you.

Lola guided us home to Erin's house around midnight. Wow, it was so great to see Erin again too!! (We've got to hang out more often than once a year!) Sweet girl, stayed up entirely too late, as we recounted all the lovely details of the night. Thanks, Jeff and Erin for allowing Amy and me to stay in your house!!! Y'all are the best.

Back to reality soon. Amy's getting ready now, then we'll be making our way back home. Once I drop her off, I'm headed straight to work. It should be an interesting day. It's all good though. I'm blessed beyond belief with my job and my boss. Honestly, I'm just blessed beyond belief. Amy and I spent about two hours after we got in, talking about life, love and other mysteries (yes, I know that's a Point of Grace song). I think we finally went to sleep around 2am... so we're headed to Starbucks shortly to get some much-needed caffenine.

Well, it was an amazing almost 24 hours!! Maybe we can get a group together when season 6 goes on tour. Anyone interested??

Btw, I'm using Jeff's MAC, which I don't really know how to use, and I can't find the spell check. So, all the errors are just going to have to stay. Oh well.

SYTYCD?!?

2009-09-05T00:30:00.003-05:00

So You Think You Can Dance? I know I sure can't... but these kids can! Here are some of my favorites:

These two dancers are amazingly talented! We found out later that their kiss at the end was completely unscripted! :)

I love the assisted run!
Joshua started the season with ZERO training like his peers, but he went on to win 2008 competition!

I ALWAYS tear up at the end of this routine! She's fighting with all her might to keep her relationship in tact... and then he just walks away; actually chooses work over her. Heart breaking.

Wow. This piece with Melissa and Ade was a-maz-ing. If you haven't seen it before, it was to represent the struggle with breast cancer. The choreographer wanted to create something for his friend who's battling it right now.

Mia Michaels never ceases to amaze me! She's definitely one of my favorite choreographers. Her routines always embody tangible concepts, such as in this one, addiction.

Favorite choreographers:
Sonya Tayeh
Wade Robson
Tyce Diorio
Mia Michaels
Tabitha and Napoleon
Travis Wall
Shane Sparks

What Do I Know of Holy?

2009-09-04T23:33:00.001-05:00

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Happy Anniversary!

2009-08-31T23:12:00.000-05:00

I joined the YMCA exactly one year ago. In that time, I've:

Spent 97 hours, 32 minutes and 20 seconds (approximately) pumping blood to and from my heart to the rest of my body (doing cardio)!!!
Burned at least 66,000 calories
Spent an average of 45 minutes in the cardio room
And 30 minues lifting weights
Lifted a at least 413,160 total pounds
Completed at least 8,593 reps
Routinely "run" (on the elliptical trainer) anywhere from 2.5 - 3.5 miles per session
Logged nearly 30 hours, burned at least 9,000 calories and "ran" 117 miles!
Experience one spin class. (I thought it was a beginners class but was actually an advanced class. It was all I could do to keep peddling, but I couldn't sit down for a week after!)

I wish I'd used a tape measure on myself when I began working out, so I could give an update on how my body has changed. But I didn't honestly want to know how big I was. All I know is that I've dropped a whole size in pants/shirts. My face is becoming slimmer. I've gained confidence in myself which I never knew existed. I've changed both inside and out. I'm eager to see what the next year brings!

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO ME!

Here are before and after pictures thus far.... do you see a change? I certainly do!

Accidents Happen... But You Aren't One Of Them!

2009-08-27T01:11:00.000-05:00

And the LORD will guide you continually

and satisfy your desire in scorched places

and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water,

whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11 (English Standard Version)

First, "And the LORD will guide you continually"?! Look continually up, it means "non stop". I don't know about you, but sometimes it feels like I'm a fish out of water, flopping around, struggling to breathe. I feel kinda lost sometimes; like I don't belong. I'm not exactly sure what He's doing with me, you know? I thought things would look differently by this point in my life. But I guess it's a good thing I'm not in charge. The last thing I think about is the fact that my Jesus is guiding me non stop. But He is. I hold tightly onto one of my favorite verses:

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (English Standard Version): For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

I hang my hat on two phrases... "to give you a future and a hope" and "I will hear you". So even if it feels like my hopes, dreams, and prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and hitting me on the noggin, He's there. Frankly, He wrote the future, so He obviously knows what's going to happen. I just need to learn to trust more. I have trust issues, I know. I'm trying to work on it.

Second, "satisfy your desire in scorched places". OK, I'm not entirely sure what that means, but it sounds to me what happens when you feel that burning desire to make something happen. Not just 'something' though, usually it's something God-sized that only He can make happen. I have a lot of desires which I'm waiting for Him to do something with. That's not to say that I don't have to put in some effort myself, I'm just saying it's easier to allow Him to go before me. Though, I'm not very good at being patient when it comes to these big desires. I'm doing my best though.

Satisfaction doesn't come easy, especially in the society we live in today. I call us the "microwave generation". We want everything NOW and are rarely satisfied with what we do have; keeping up with the Jones' and all that. But for Him to truely satisfy your desires! Whew! Now that will be amazing. Just think about that for a minute. What's a dream you've had which you don't think will ever come true? For some of us, it's meeting our knight in shining armor (don't scoff, Amy), while others are dreaming for a child, some hope to move into a house, whatever it might be, He WILL satisfy your desire. What a promise that is! I do realize that sometimes He says 'maybe' or even 'no', but in the words from a really stupid movie, "So you're saying there's a chance?" And with a chance, there's hope!!!

Third, "make your bones strong". The first thought that comes to mind is the Flintstone's theme song. Kids need vitamins to grow strong; least that's what the commercial says. :) Vitamins are to strength as Bible verses are to knowledge. (Did you feel like you were taking an ACT for a minute there?) Not only is Jesus going to be with you every step of the way, satisfy your desires, but make your bones strong as well! Strong and healthy bones are often taken for granted. You need good, strong bones so you can be at your best and do all your daily activities. Bones are responsible for good posture, performance in the gym, and pretty much everything you do with your body.

Fourth, "you shall be like a watered garden". Wow. I've never stopped to think about what that means. I'm sure you've seen a beautiful garden during spring time, when it has been given water to grow? Everything is so green! The colors are more vibrant and there's a general sense of LIFE! The flowers are fufilling their destiny; merely by blooming, they bring honor and glory to the Father. What if the same were true in our lives? What if, when we found something we're good at, like painting, singing, playing an instrument or even writing, that we did it to the best of our ability. And when we did, we became alive! We looked at the world differently as we found purpose in our lives! What are your passions? Obviously, I'm passionate about writing. I've been wanting to write all day today, but I should have been in bed about an hour and a half ago. It's worth it though. I love being able to write what God's teaching me. (Hope you're learning something as well?)

Finally, "like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail". Have you ever been mezmorized by a water fountain? To watch the water get forcefully shot out and up into the air, only to splash down upon the earth, wherever it can. There's a rthymic and hyptotic flow. What if we were like a fountain? Once He's guiding us on a path, given and satisfied a desire, made our bones strong so that we could LIVE life more abundantly, then what's to stop us from spreading the news of this transformation with others?!? That's kind of the point to any salvation story, if you ask me. It doesn't matter where you came from, what you were doing, or what God brought you out of, you have a story to tell. You have a story that won't fall on deaf ears if the right ears hear the News.

Think about that for a minute. You. Are. Special.

You aren't an accident. God ordained you into being. He formed you in the womb. He gave you your unique characteristics and quirks. He gave you your passions. He chose you. Period.

He says in Psalm 139: 13-16, Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

He has given us all the tools necessarly, all the seeds have already been planted, now we just need to till up our garden and see what blooms!! Once you see what comes up, don't be afraid to give it away and share with your neighbors. It's amazing what a 'flower' can do in a person's life!!

Oh, look! There's a chicken!

2009-08-20T19:05:00.013-05:00

"Some say I have ADD, but they don't understand..... Oh, look! There's a chicken!"

ADD it gets me EVERY time! I haven't had a chunk of time where I could write lately, so I thought tonight would be the perfect opportunity. I was thinking about what I wanted to write about on the way home, but as soon as I got in front of my computer, my attention was immediately scattered all over the place! It's not completely my fault, that is, I was semi researching a topic I just can't seem to get a handle on. It seems simple enough, 'snake shedding its skin'. I KNOW there's a correlation between that and when we grow as Christians, but I can't quite get a handle on it yet. So, I'll mull it over a bit more. Who knows, you might see something soon about that. Which btw, led me to some really interesting videos on YouTube, such as THIS, and THAT. So interesting! (DON'T watch these if you are frightened by snakes. You've been warned.)

I'm not sure how I wandered to the next clip on YouTube, but it's absolutely and utter fascinating!!! A storm chaser, Jim Reed, caught an amazing tornado on film!! The spectacular tornado footage taken 5/8/08 in Western Kansas, watch HERE. Although tornadoes scare me much like sharks, they also hold my attention like nothing else. For a girl with ADD, trust me, this doesn't just happen.

**30 minutes later**

Where was I? I got distracted watching storm chaser videos.

**15 minutes later**

I think it's pointless for me to try and direct myself towards anything substantial at this point. So, I'll share another crazy tornado video with you instead. These guys literally get caught IN the tornado. They show you the view not only from their handheld camera, but also the one on the roof, outside of the car. Check IT out!!

Have you heard about, "Where the Hell is Matt?" My dad told me about this one. Matt went all over the world to... well, actually, check out his story here. What a fun job he has!

Have you seen this ONE? The Sound of Music meets a Belgium train station. Obviously, most of the characters are staged, but still amazing. Look fun, huh?

OK, enough for now. I need to step away from the computer and get some dinner. Hope you had fun with this post. I sure did!

Happy trails!!

Blue Mountain Beach Family Vacation

2009-08-16T15:29:00.009-05:00

It was a week full of fun and laughter. We weren't sure how Scooter would like the beach, but he literally tried to swim in the sand. Needless to say, first thing in the morning and later in the day, we'd spend hours there playing in the sand and ocean. A great time was had by all!

I stood on a sand bar to get the next three shots. :) I held my camera high above my head and prayed I didn't fall down into the water. I do what I can to get the shot I want, you know?

Squirt was into EVERYTHING, so I put oven mits on him to see what would happen. He still tried to get into stuff, but he had some challenges. haha Finally, he said, "Aunt Mer, I'm done with these."

A very tiny boy in a very large chair on quite possibly the hottest day ever!

Sweet Momma

Wow. Look at ALL the footprints!!

Path which led to the beach.

Our backyard view

This looks like a scene from "Forrest Gump".

First Pedicure EVER!

2009-07-24T20:13:00.000-05:00

Taking Chance

2009-07-16T22:15:00.003-05:00

I watched a great movie tonight, Taking Chance. It was one of those which makes you proud to be an American. It's based on a true story about a Lt. Col. who volunteers for escort duty, accompanying the remains Pfc. Chance Phelps, killed at 19. I'm an Air Force "brat" myself, so I already have exceeding respect when it comes to men and women who serve their country in the military.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this HBO original film. (I got it on Netflix more than a week ago, but the time never seemed right to watch it.) Finally tonight I was able to devote the necessary energy to watch a movie like that. Whew. I literally cried my way through the movie; not because it was sad, necessarily. But each time the Marines/civilians would salute the fallen hero, my eyes welled up with tears.

There's a scene where they are traveling from the airport to the funeral home. When the people on the road realize who's in the hearse, they all slow down, turn their lights on and accompany them for as long as their trip allowed. For some reason, that really touched me. I think we get so wrapped up in the completely unimportant details of our everyday lives, that we forget what others are doing for our freedom. I'm not writing this to debate whether we should be over there or not, I merely wanted to express my gratitude for those who are.

I watched all the behind the scenes footage of Pfc. Chance Phelps' family and platoon members. Although I've never met him, I don't think I'll forget him. That must seem really strange to say? I was just... deeply and profoundly touched by the story of his man... this hero. He died saving many others.

If you get the opportunity to watch this movie, I highly recommend you doing so.

Goodbye, 31... Hello, 32!

2009-07-11T14:57:00.010-05:00

On the last day of my 31st year, I feel the need to write. Actually, I always feel the need to write, this is just a really good excuse. :) I feel more introspective than usual. Maybe it's because I just finished a really good book, "Wrapped in Rain" by Charles Martin. I'm always a little sad when I finish a book; which I suppose is why I reread my library continuously. One of my absolute favorites, "With New Eyes" by Margaret Becker, I reread at least once a year. It's funny, each time I devour it, God teaches me something new. You'd think after the 10th or 11th time through, there wouldn't be any surprises. But when I least expect it, this little tiny air bubble pops up on the surface and with amazement, He gives me fresh vision. I don't pretend to understand the methods God uses gets my attension; but they work.

My family went on countless roadtrips during my childhood. To and from Grandparents for summer and Christmas vacations. We have a tradition, everytime we cross a state line, we say goodbye to the previous state and hello to the new one. It doesn't matter what's going on in the car before the event, everyone stops what they are doing/saying/playing/reading and we all sing together, "Goodbye, Alabama! Hellooooo, Florida!" In that moment, nothing else matters. There's focus, clarity and excitement for the future. I feel like that's where I am today, "Goodbye, 31! Hellooooo, 32!"

This has been a really good year (July 08-July 09). I feel like I've come into my own more than any other time in my life. It's as though I'm finally figuring me out; what makes me tick and how to make myself happy. You'd think that would be a given, right? I mean, I'm the one who's with me all the time. But that doesn't mean I know myself. I know, it sounds crazy. But hear me out. For the first part of our lives, the people who influence us the most is probably our parents and teachers at school. In college, most start thinking for themselves more and figuring out who they really are. But in your 30's all that gets semi thrown out the windows. Sure, there are aspects of myself from over the years, but in a sense, I feel like a different person. I am a different person. I've found grace and confidence which I never knew existed.

I've been a self-proclaimed tom-boy all my life, but suddenly, there's a girly girl in me which is bursting at the seams! I care what I wear and look like. I buy clothes which fit me, instead of trying to cover me. I paint my finger/toe nails. I've even considered wearing make-up. (Seriously, that's huge!) I work hard at the gym for me and no one else. When I'm in my last minute, dripping in sweat, knowing relief is around the corner, instead of slowing down, I speed up and just laugh! God has given me the ability to use my muscles and limbs, so why not do it for His glory; even at the Y?

At the core, I'm still me. I'm still goofy and random, but how can I explain this so you'll understand. Imagine sliding your hand into a vat of melted wax. The wax covers every nook and cranny of every part of your hand, fingerprints and all. When you pull your hand out, it's still your hand... but completely different. Covered and changed, wrapped within a new 'skin'. A new confidence, if you will.

Like many of my single friends, life hasn't exactly gone as we thought it would. There's such a stigmatism in culture and media today that if you're not married within your 20's, then there must be something wrong with you. Far too quickly, I started believing the lies Satan was feeding me. On a whim, I joined eHarmony. I decided to take my destiny into my own hands. If the guys around here don't see what a gem I am, then maybe I can find someone myself who would. What I didn't realize then, that I know now, I'd taken my focus completely off God. I got so wrapped up in what could happen, instead of what is happening.. or what wasn't happening. While I think that site could work for others, it's not for me. Within days, I cancelled my membership. I'm still "live" for a few more weeks, but I'm through attempting to play God. That's not my place. Thank goodness.

It maybe considered old fashioned, but I want to be pursued and romanced. If that's to happen, I can't be in control. Maybe I have unrealistic expectations and have my standards too high, but frankly, I refuse to settle. So, hold on boys, if you're ready for a challege, step right up. I'm like a wild mustang; hard to wrangle, but worth the effort! (Did I really just compare myself to a mustang? I think I've watched "Flicka" a few times too many!)

I'm entering into my 32nd year with great expectation of "whatcha gonna do next, God?" I've found some balance, but now I need to rearrange priorities a bit and leap out of my comfort zone a bit more. I would love it if God gave me the opportunity to write another book, though I haven no idea what it would be about. I just need to do more creative things. I feel closest to my Creator when I'm using the gifts and talents He's given me.

OK, I need to stop and go get ready for a three-way birthday party tonight! (Two other friends and I all have birthday's within days of one another. Why not throw one huge party?!) Pictures to follow, I'm sure.

Goodbye, 31! Hellooooo, 32!

tiny VENT!

2009-07-09T18:47:00.003-05:00

I'm a little annoyed right now. Why do service-orientated people think the world revolves around them and they can just show up or call at any old time, regardless of the time they previously said they'd show up/call?!?!?

I rearranged my schedule tonight just so I could talk with Merrill Lynch tonight. I asked the Rep what was a good time for HIM to call and I arranged my schedule accordingly. However, that meant I wasn't able to go to the Y tonight; which was my first annoyance. And now, he's nearly 30 minutes late for his phone call. IF he calls, I'm not answering. It's his fault for not calling on time. Am I being completely irrational?!?

On the flip side, I have GREAT news!!! I got a raise today after only being at my new job for four months!!! Isn't that amazing?!! My boss said, "I'm just tickled by your progress and wanted to thank you for your hard work!" Working for SuperMagnetMan has been such a blessing in my life! How great is it to work for someone who appreciates hard work and rewards you accordingly?!

Completely Random

2009-07-08T22:57:00.004-05:00

I may love to sing, but I refuse to "tweet". Am I honestly missing out on anything? I think not.

My internet was down for a week and I felt completely out of touch with reality. I sadly had Facebook withdrawls. Luckily, I recovered quickly. I got a lot more accomplished. I started reading again... "Wrapped in Rain" by Charles Martin is my book of choice. I love Charles Martin! If you've never read anything by him before, start with "When Crickets Cry". I wrote my penpals back. Read magazines. Watched a lot of movies. And for the most part, went to bed on time. Hmm. Let this be a lesson to me.

I love summer. I love most everything about it, except the heat. I love how it stays light later. I saw my first lightning bug the other night and just smiled. I remember collecting those when I was a kid. Good times.

I just wrote this huge long introspective paragraph about how I'm feeling... then deleted it.

I washed and scrubbed my car clean on Saturday. It rained Sunday.

I've been pushing myself to new levels when working out. I make it as hard as I can for myself, then work as hard as I can to see what I'm capable of. I'm "running" about a 10:30 mile. What I find to be more impressive, is that my second mile is usually around the same time frame too! My stamina has definitely increased! I'm very proud of myself.

I went with my friend to see "The Proposal" the other night. HILARIOUS! I laughed so hard, I cried. I cracked up during the forrest dance. If you've seen it, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't, then when you do, you'll crack up as well! Grab a friend and go watch this movie!

I'm turning 32 on Sunday!!

My mom asked me to create a website for her; a place for all her famous recipes. It's not much yet, but stay tuned. You're going to find recipes which you'll be using and passing down to your family as well. Go to: http://maryjosdelights.blogspot.com/

I've been trying to teach Grant to tell me he loves me for a while now. I made a tiny breakthrough on Saturday. I said, "Tootie Rudy [that's one of my nicknames for him], do you love me?" He said, "Yes." The day that kid says, "I love you, Aunt Mer." I'm going to be one big puddle. I heart my Toot.

I'm sure I have tons of other things to say... but I really must get to bed. Happy trails, all!

Each Day Brims With Your Beauty

2009-06-29T16:22:00.003-05:00

I run for dear life to God, I'll never live to regret it.
Do what you do so well:
get me out of this mess and up on my feet.
Put your ear to the ground and listen,
give me space for salvation.
Be a guest room where I can retreat;
you said your door was always open!
You're my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.

My God, free me from the grip of Wicked,
from the clutch of Bad and Bully.
You keep me going when times are tough—
my bedrock, God, since my childhood.
I've hung on you from the day of my birth,
the day you took me from the cradle;
I'll never run out of praise.
Many gasp in alarm when they see me,
but you take me in stride.

Just as each day brims with your beauty,
my mouth brims with praise.
But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old
or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight.
My enemies are talking behind my back,
watching for their chance to knife me.
The gossip is: "God has abandoned him.
Pounce on him now; no one will help him."

God, don't just watch from the sidelines.
Come on! Run to my side!
My accusers—make them lose face.
Those out to get me—make them look
Like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you,
and daily add praise to praise.
I'll write the book on your righteousness,
talk up your salvation the livelong day,
never run out of good things to write or say.
I come in the power of the Lord God,
I post signs marking his right-of-way.

You got me when I was an unformed youth,
God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I'm telling the world your wonders;
I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray.
God, don't walk off and leave me
until I get out the news
Of your strong right arm to this world,
news of your power to the world yet to come,
Your famous and righteous
ways, O God.
God, you've done it all!
Who is quite like you?
You, who made me stare trouble in the face,
Turn me around;
Now let me look life in the face.
I've been to the bottom;
Bring me up, streaming with honors;
turn to me, be tender to me,
And I'll take up the lute and thank you
to the tune of your faithfulness, God.
I'll make music for you on a harp,
Holy One of Israel.
When I open up in song to you,
I let out lungsful of praise,
my rescued life a song.
All day long I'm chanting
about you and your righteous ways,
While those who tried to do me in
slink off looking ashamed.

Psalm 71 (The Message)

What Does Your Lipstick Say About You?

2009-06-19T22:10:00.015-05:00

Have you ever looked at the tip of your chap stick or lipstick and wondered, hmmm, why does mine look different from my friend's? Why is hers flat, while mine is pointed? Well I sure have! My friend Amy teases me about the head of my chap stick. I always try to keep it flat, but before I know it, it looks something like this. My sister's looks completely different too, as does my mom's. To each her own, I suppose.

A few years ago, someone gave me a Lipstick Personality Profile, which I found to be quite interesting! Although, the look of mine doesn't really resemble any of the ones featured, but it's most like two. Why don't you pull out your chap stick/lipstick of choice and check out this quiz with me.

Similar to the Original Shape
Great follower
Abides by the rules
Does not like too much attention
A little self-conscious
Somewhat reserved
Likes a schedule
May occasionally color hair for fun

Flat Top
Has high morals
To the point
Needs approval
Careful about appearance
Very dependable
Conservative
Quick minded

Sharp-Angled Tip
Very opinionated
High spirited
Dislikes schedules
Selective of friends
Outgoing
Likes attention
Can be argumentative

Flat Top Concave
Makes friends easily
Inquisitive
Makes a good detective
Adventurous
Likes to probe
Complex
Exciting

Rounded, Smooth Tip
Easy-going
The peacemaker
Even-tempered
Very steady
Likeable
Generous
Pleasant to be around

Sharp Angles on Both Sides
Seeks attention
Spiritual
Curious
Mysterious
Has a big ego
Loves Life
Looks for the easy way
Faithful

Rounded Tip to a Point
Lovable
Family-oriented
A "doer"
Can give orders easily
Domestic
Sometimes exaggerates
Can be stubborn over little things
Needs people around

Sharp-angled But Curved Tip
Creative
Enthusiastic
Energetic
Talkative
Loves attention
Falls in love easily
Helpful
Needs a schedule but dislikes one

Handwriting 101

2009-06-18T21:37:00.008-05:00

What does your handwriting say about you? How you craft letters and words can indicate more than 5,000 different personality traits, according to the science of graphology, also known as handwriting analysis. To introduce students to the field, graphologist Kathi McKnight (the president of the Rocky Mountain Graphology Association) has them write "She sells seashells by the seashore" in cursive. Why cursive? Graphologist say it gives them a better read on a person. Try writing the same sentence now (even if you usually print), then see how graphologist might characterize you and whether you (or your friends) agree.

Go ahead... Grab a piece of paper and write it out. I did it three times, to get a good overview of it, especially since I ALWAYS use print. I even forgot how to make some of the letters! I'm going to give you all the "answers" but mine will be in italics. See if you agree with both yours and my results!

If your writing slants...
To the right: You are open to the world around you and like to socialize with other people.
To the left: You generally like to work alone or behind the scenes. If you are right-handed and your handwriting slants to the left, you may be expressing rebellion.
Not at all: You tend to be logical and practical. You are guarded with your emotions. [Yes, this is like me.]

If the size of your letters is...
Large: You have a big personality. Many celebrities have large handwriting. It may suggest that you are outgoing and like the limelight. [Not me at all.]
Small: You are focused and can concentrate easily. You tend to be introspective and shy.
Average: You are well-adjusted and adaptable.

If your loops are...
Closed for L (meaning the upstroke overlaps the down stroke): Feeling tense? This implies you are restricting yourself in some way.
Full for L: You are spontaneous and relaxed and find it easy to express yourself. [Yes! Though, expression doesn't always come easily.]
Closed for E: You tend to be skeptical and are unswayed by emotional arguments.
Open for E: You have an open mind and enjoy trying new things. [Yes, I always say, "I'll try anything once."]

If your S's are...
Round: You are a people-pleaser and seek compromise. You avoid confrontation.
Pointy: You are intellectually probing and like to study new things. The higher and pointier the peaks, the more ambitious you are. [Yes, this is me. I never really realized how ambitious I am, but once I make my mind up to do something, there's nothing that can stop me. Wait, maybe that's just me being stubborn and strong-willed? :) ]
Open at the bottom: You might not be following your heart. For example, you always wanted to be an artist, but you have a career in finance.
Printed: You are versatile.

What did you learn about yourself? Let me know, will you?

*Taken from REAL SIMPLE, July 2009 issue, p120.

Chosen

2009-06-16T23:42:00.000-05:00

"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives." 1 Peter 2:9-12 (The Message)

"My Person"

2009-06-12T19:58:00.007-05:00

The past week or so, I've been waking up in the middle of the night because of a bad dream. I don't have bad dreams often, so I'm not sure what's up. The past two nights, just before I go to sleep, I say outloud, "Please dream something good. Please let me get through the night without a nightmare; maybe even let me dream about a boy." Well, last night I dreamed about a boy! In fact, my dream felt so much like real life that when I woke up, that was my nightmare since none of it was true. Ironic, huh?

My dream was about DB whom I haven't seen in forever; ten years or so. Who knows what was up with my subconscious last night. I tried desperately all day to remember the details, but as the day progressed, it just seems surreal now. In fact, when my alarm went off this morning and ever seven minutes after for the next thirty minutes, I was able to keep my dream going. As if I could tangible hang on to the last bit of that reality. When I finally got out of bed, I was in a funk. It just seemed so real!! I wanted it to be real!

Like I said, I don't remember all the details, but somehow DB and I ran into each other after all these years. We got to talking about life and I got my usual chatty self. It just felt right. He got me. We clicked. We hugged goodbye and I just 'knew' that he was "the one". (I only just thought of this, but my friend and I were talking about and wondering how people know when they meet "the one", that they are indeed "the one". I'm sure that conversation enfluenced my subconscious a little. But anyway... )

It all felt so natural, not the way I usually am with boys. All my life, I had more friends who were boys than girls, but somewhere along the lines that changed. Maybe when I grew breasts. No, just kidding. I tend to feel awkward, not sure what to say or do; not sure what's expected of me. But in my dream, I was perfectly at peace. Felt completely comfortable and normal. Later in the dream, I gave DB a call and apologized for rambling on and on and he said, "Don't apologize, I thought it was the cutest thing ever." He then went into a bit of a monologue about how great I am and how glad he was to have run into me. But then I woke up.

DB lives on the other side of the world and last I heard was engaged... I wonder what that all means?

Which brings me to "my person". On Grey's Anatomy, Cristina Yang coined this expression by talking about her "person", Meredith Grey, and said, "She's my person. If I murdered someone, she's the person I'd call to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor. She's my person." I felt like DB was "my person" and I was like finally!! It's happened to me too! But alas, it was but a dream.

'Tis the season for engagements. It seems girls are dropping like flies... Which, is great! I really am so happy for them. But for me, it's a little bittersweet. I wonder when my time will come? I wonder how much longer I'll have to wait. I feel like, the longer I'm single, the harder marriage will be. I'm becoming more and more independant, plus I'm stubborn too, usually to a fault.

I may put on a tough-girl image, but I'm an ooey-goey romantic at heart. I love to watch sappy chick flicks. I cry at Hallmark commercials. The whole nine yards! But I can't help but feel as though something is missing. I know I can really only ever find true completion within Jesus, but I have to wonder why He would create me with these specifics dreams and desires if He wasn't going to fulfill them someday... The question is when? Will I be an old woman like Sarah in the Bible? I wonder about these things. Obviously, my timing isn't God's. I want His best for my life and refuse to settle; so I guess I'll continue trying to be patient for now.

I can't wait to meet "my person"!

Cherish

2009-06-09T22:16:00.001-05:00

CHERISH:
To treat with affection and tenderness; hold dear
To keep fondly in mind; entertain
To protect and love (a person)
To keep (a hope, idea etc) in the mind

"Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow delightful conditions, all heavenly environment." James Allen

I am Wholly Yours

2009-06-06T17:29:00.001-05:00

I am full of earth
You are heaven’s worth
I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity
You are everything that is bright and clean
The antonym of me
You are divinity
But a certain sign of grace is this
From a broken earth flowers come up
Pushing through the dirt

You are holy, holy, holy
All heaven cries “Holy, holy God”
You are holy, holy, holy
I wanna be holy like You are

You are everything that is bright and clean
And You’re covering me with Your majesty
And the truest sign of grace was this
From wounded hands redemption fell down
Liberating man

You are holy, holy, holy
All heaven cries “Holy, holy God”
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to be holy like You are

But the harder I try the more clearly can I feel
The depth of our fall and the weight of it all
And so this might could be the most impossible thing
Your grandness in me making me clean

Glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
You are holy, holy, holy
All heaven cries “Holy, holy God”
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to be holy, holy God

So here I am, all of me
Finally everything
Wholly, wholly, wholly
I am wholly, wholly, wholly
I am wholly, wholly, wholly Yours

I am wholly Yours

I am full of earth and dirt and You

Hope Rises

2009-06-02T18:59:00.016-05:00

The funny thing about depression is that it hits when there's seemingly no reason for it. OK, maybe not "haha" funny or "ouch-I-hit-my-funny-bone" funny, but maybe just interesting. I was journaling last night and contrary to popular belief, I NEVER journal. It just seems so self-involved, but perhaps that's the point. I have a hard time with journaling. I don't know what to say, which is crazy, since I have A LOT to say at any given moment. However, actually giving a voice to the rumblings in my mind is a completely different matter.

My friend Sybil gave it to me for my 24th birthday, but it was such a neat journal, I didn't want to mess it up by saying stupid things. It had only been written in two times. But it was quite comical to read back over those entries. Although I remember what I wrote about, I hardly remember that girl anymore. She was pretty boy-crazy in her own shy and quiet way. She had a lot of insecurities and was far too analytical for her own good. Come to think of it, not much has changed.. but in a strange way, everything has.

For me, there's no real trigger for my depression. It's not that I'm sad all the time or crying or look like what one would typically think of when you think of a depressed person. I'm just... not myself. Do you think it's possible for someone to literally drown in their own thoughts? I know I can get so caught up within myself that I can arrive home and not remember driving there. (Scary, I know.)

God's been so good to me! He's blessed with more than I deserve! I often question why He does what He does in my life. Part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like because I've allowed my human depravity to get in the way of serving Him, that one day something bad is going to happen. I realize it's silly to think that way. I suppose it's the correlation between God the Father and my Parents.

When I was little, there was immediate reprecussion for my bad behavior. (Usually, an immediate spanking where ever they could reach, and then the 'real' spanking once we got home.) It's that later spanking I'm referring to here. I knew it was coming and I dreaded it. Now, in my adult life, I suppose I think the same will happen with God. It's not that's I've done anything so horrible, I'm just burdened by the mere fact that He's not first in my life.

I think, well, because I didn't do such-and-such, then He's not going to give me the desires of my heart. Or because this happened, then I won't get this. While I don't really believe that a relationship with Jesus is a "if/then" statement, I do think there's some truth to that theory.

I have head knowledge that He wouldn't have given me these desires if He wasn't going to fulfill them in His timing. But my heart tends to forget that and sink in the sea of doubt, much like Peter did while walking on the water to Jesus. When I take my eyes off of Him, even if for one moment, I begin to sink.

The other night I went to a Hillsong United worship concert. I knew it would be incredible. I knew God would touch lives, including my own. I also knew it would be an amazing experience. Those who went know exactly what I'm talking about. Walking into the building, I saw this:

There was an energy of expectant excitement. I couldn't wait for the night to begin! I couldn't wait to worship King Jesus with hundreds of others! It took me a little while to let things go and not worry about what was going on around me and just worship. It was H-O-T HOT, which was a huge distraction at first, but I didn't let it bother me too much. Looking around the church, seeing all the different styles of worship... arms lifted high, some jumping up and down, clapping, dancing, swaying back and forth. There was free reign to give an outward expression of our inward joy. Once I finally let go, I was one of those ones jumping around. It was incredibly surreal, amazing, encouraging and I think that's what Heaven's going to be like. Wow!

Time stood still as we worshipped at the feet of Jesus. All across the auditorium... Promises were made.... Lives were radically changed.... And hope rose.

When my focus is solely on Him alone, nothing else matters. I wish it was that easy to have that Heavenly perspective all the time. I believe I'd live my life a lot different. Or at least, one would hope. The question remains, how do I continue to allow hope to rise without unexpected depression clouds getting in the way? That my friend, is a work in progress... much like myself. :-)