Deep Thoughts

So very thankful

2011-11-28T21:52:00.003-05:00

This year has been a lesson in trusting God fully with everything I have. And God has shown up time and time again. He has been a faithful provider at home, at work, at the store, in the parking lot, everywhere. What an awesome God we serve!

I've been reading slowly through the Psalms the past few months and came across the following this evening.

Psalm 40: 4-5 (NLT)
⁴ Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.
⁵ O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

Amen and amen!!!

Thanksgiving weekend was a blast. I had a house full of family and enjoyed lots of yummy food. I pretty much cooked from the time I got home from work last Wednesday until around noon on Thursday. I was exhausted but it was all well worth it.

Here's a Thanksgiving day pic of me with my siblings and dad.

Dad, Scott, Jill & yours truly.

My mother in law, the photographer, added the light effect. She's fancy like that. :-)

I'm also thankful for:

Family
Friends
Book club!!
Wednesday night prayer group w/ Kelleigh
Friends
Breaking Dawn (yeah, I went there)
Weight Watchers (I recently rejoined. Maybe I will shoot for the skinny jeans this time.)
Dancercise (This class is so much fun!!)
Friends

Ta ta for now. Anybody seen the new Footloose yet?

My heart is heavy...

2011-04-25T20:17:00.003-04:00

for a couple of reasons this week.

#1 I miss my friend.
I miss her smile, her paper thin lips.
I miss her mannerisms, her ways and the way she carried herself. She was such a lady, always respectable and never foul.
I miss spending time with her at retreats.
I miss sitting with her at church.
I miss hearing stories of her family.
I miss her flippy hair style.
I miss her.

#2 Jakob departs in two short days to attend a band trip. I will drop him off very early Wednesday morning at school and won't see his smiling face until Sunday afternoon. I HAVE to trust that when I am not with him that the Lord will be. I KNOW He will be, but it doesn't make it any easier as I think of my child being so far away from me.
What if he loses his his wallet.
What if he forgets to put on sunscreen.
What if he runs out of money.
What if...

Jakob's trip has kept my mind plenty occupied as we make all the necessary preparations. It's in the quiet times that my mind turns to my friend. I see her face, I imagine if she was still here. I can hear her voice and I think of how much she would have liked VNN and this season of Survivor. Did she know how much she was loved?

Tell the ones you love that you love them. Make that call, send that email, type that text, send that letter, post on their wall, knock on their door.

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades

2011-02-21T20:08:00.002-05:00

Wait, is it fails or fades? Ah, doesn't matter. Same point I guess.

I've been in kind of a funk the past week and just feel like the LORD has reached down into the pit and pulled me out. HIS light WILL shine when all else fails!

My weeks have been hectic, busy, filled to over-flowing. I get out of whack when they get like that, could also be hormonal but I know it's just being stretched too thin.

I tried to skip right over Friday, hit the snooze Friday morning and thought, oh, it's Saturday I can sleep in. WRONG! What was I thinking? And why would I have set my alarm on a Saturday? I have no idea, I wasn't thinking. I was ready for the weekend, ready to relax, ready for anything but work.

I forgot to pay our water bill and I NEVER FORGET TO PAY OUR BILLS so I had to hit the payment drive-thru on the way to work Friday morning too. I'm sitting there in my car, handing my payment to the lady and my eyes just well up. Sometimes you just need a good cry, it helped for sure.

Today was much better. Before leaving for work this morning I gave Jakob a kiss goodbye (school is out this week). I leaned down to kiss his forehead and I just wanted to stay there and breathe him in. I wanted to crawl under the covers with him and just stay there, cuddled with my boy. I'm sure he would have shooed me away but I still wanted to do it. I love that kid so much it hurts. It made me think about our heavenly father and how he delights in us. Oh how He loves...

So today I made a point to stop working at a certain time so I could get home to make dinner. To me, it makes such a difference in my day to do that and then I have time to spend with the family, time to exercise, time for me and time for my hubby. Ahhh, the warmer weather is so delightful too. Breathe in, breathe out.

Movie quote: "I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair."

Can you name the movie?

Redeeming Love

2011-01-12T20:57:00.003-05:00

Just finished the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. What an AMAZING story of God's love, his perfect love. I want to read it all over again. It blessed me so and touched my heart. Francine is a wonderful Christian author and I can't wait to pickup another one of her books. But even more, this book has brought me to the book of Hosea. Now I'm about to crawl under the covers and dig into God's word. He's so good to me. Praise Him for loving me with unconditional, beautiful, redeeming love.

New Year, New Day

2011-01-02T21:29:00.002-05:00

I have a peace about things today. Jakob and I went with my mom and her dog Pepper to visit my sis up in Cleveland, TN. It was probably one of the best times we've ever had together. We played this Wii dance game, my mom even played! What a riot that was. We had a blast. Ate some yummy food, opened Christmas gifts, went to the mall with the girls. Good times. She's got some pretty amazing kids.

I look at my sis though, a single mother with 7 kids, and think WOW, she looks so put together, you'd never know her struggles. And I know that it's Jesus, and she'll tell you that it's Jesus. Only our gracious King of Kings and Lord of Lords can bring that kind of peace. And I thank God for her influence in my life. And I remember that it was her, her role modeling, her prayers, her love for me that helped lead me to the foot of the cross, to know the everlasting love of our heavenly father. For that, I'm forever grateful.

I still feel a bit nervous but excited about what lies ahead in my job area. I feel kind of like I'm starting a new job tomorrow. A new adventure lies ahead and it's always exciting to see how the Lord will work things out, and I know He will.

Some things on my TO DO list for 2011:

Cooking for my family more; I've fallen out of this habit and I really love to cook.
Taking more short trips with the family; we used to do this alot and I miss it.

Well, I better get to bed. It's gonna be a busy week.

Is it over yet?

2010-12-30T20:53:00.003-05:00

This has not been the week of that I hoped it would be. I wanted to relax, chill and not think about work but unfortunately things just didn't work out that way.

People are being laid off, there are changes, changes, changes, and more changes that are going on and it's all I can think about. Because guess what, somebody has to take over the responsibilities for those being laid off. I'm stressed, tired, really stressed, so stressed I've had a headache all week. My shoulders and neck have been achy all day from it. I've a bagillion things on my mind, the added responsibilities, sadness for the people being laid off, thankful that I still have a job because K is still not working, trying to have quality time with the family this week. I just want to go into a deep sleep and wait for it to all be over...

Sob. Weep. Poor little me. Okay, I'm done venting.

I know it can't be that way, I know I can't take a happy pill or nod my head like Jeannie to make it all better.

Gotta take a deep breath, step back, lay it down, take it one day at a time. Ahhh....

When I'm stressed I clean and straighten things around the house. Keither likes to mess with me and move things out of place. He thinks it's funny. Me, not so much.

Open mouth, insert foot

2010-12-16T21:58:00.002-05:00

It was a good day today. I was productive, all was good at work. Came home to a happy family, had a good dinner. Jakob's band concert tonight was very good, we made it on time and got good seats. My dad and step-mom were there to enjoy the evening with us. Life is good.

But all it takes is one foolish, busy-body remark to foul things up. Insert me. While talking with the mom of one of Jakob's friends after the band concert I decide to go outside of the general 'I'm fine, how are you' and decide to make small talk (or I thought that's what I was doing) and ask her how she felt about her son moving in with his dad next year. (She's a divorced parent.) Well, apparently the news hadn't gotten to her yet!! Red-faced, embarrassed, I wanted to dig a hole and crawl in. The worst of it was, the look on her face. She was going to cry and it was my fault. All I could do is say I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm talking about, Merry Christmas and move on. What the heck!! What was I thinking? Where did that come from? Why in the world did I bring that up!!?!! Jakob and her son are good friends but I can barely remember her first name.

Lesson learned, or at least I hope so. I now have some new prayer items on my list.

More change

2010-12-10T23:11:00.003-05:00

I received my call last week that I would still have my job in 2011, good news for me, but not everyone received that same call. I understand it's necessary and figured months ago that something like this would probably take place sooner or later, but even though you see a brick wall coming at you, it doesn't mean it hurts any less when you hit it.

I will in essence be a part of a new company in a way, an MTI very different from the one I've known for the past 16 years. I'll be one of only 2 women left at my company, things will be very, very different and sad. One of my very good friends will no longer be there, my MTI family has been split again. It feels like going through a divorce.

Had the opportunity of attending a wedding shower with some former co-workers this week, all former MTI family members, and as we were talking about our kids and our families one lady told me that she remembered what I was wearing when I told them I was pregnant with Jakob, now that was touching. The people of MTI have been a part of my life for a long time, way longer than I ever anticipated. I actually have tried to quit several times but for some reason it's just not been the Lord's will for me to depart quite yet.

I believe I'm ready for whatever the Lord has in store for me in 2011 but for now I plan to enjoy the rest of 2010.

Community

2010-10-14T13:18:00.002-04:00

Isn't it just like God to give me a lesson on Community when I'm missing my community of co-workers. That's so very thoughtful of him. I love him so.

I was sitting in church this past Sunday thinking, okay, now it all makes sense. No wonder I'm so pissed! I have every right to be! My spirit longs for community and that's exactly what I had with my girls at work...and of course still have it to some degree, just not quite as frequent as I was used to.

I reckon this is a new season, a new chapter in my life. It is the beginning of the 4th quarter in the business/accounting world. Does God work on a quarterly chart? What's the end of his fiscal year... Okay, that's just silly. Well, why couldn't he...

Having lunch with a one or two of my girls tomorrow at our favorite Mexican place. Bring on the chips and salsa!! Margaritas at lunchtime? Hmmm, probably not a good idea when you have to go back to work.

Firewall of protection

2010-10-06T18:27:00.004-04:00

Zechariah 2:5
"And I myself will be a wall of fire around it, declares the Lord, and I will be its glory within."

I love this!! God is our ultimate firewall, our protector, our shield. And just like Microsoft would (recommend) using your firewall on your computer, God also recommends I tap into his resource of protection.

I feel like I can breathe today a little better, I pray things will ease as I become more accustomed to the new schedule at work and the changes. Still not happy about it, it won't be easy. Of course, God never said we'd have it easy. I do wish I had an easy button like at Staples that I could just push and boom - I've given it to the Lord, not carrying this burden anymore. HA! Somehow it never seems to be that simple for me. One step at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time. Holding on...

Sadness

2010-10-05T22:49:00.002-04:00

There's sadness in my heart for the things going on at work right now. We've completed our final move and our current space is now a fraction of what it was. We're left now with telecommuting employees and split offices. I still have a job, which I'm thankful for, but the changes that have taken place have left me drained and achy from all the work involved and now sad as I ponder what all this really means.

I knew it was coming, this was no surprise but it doesn't make it all any easier to deal with. I feel like I'm grieving a loved one.

I had a good cry at the office today, found an empty office, closed the door and wept. May sound silly and all the changes may be just "business" to some but it's "personal" to many.

The women that I've grown so close to over the past years I will no longer see every day. We've shared tears, laughter, prayers, rants and raves. We've battled life together and now our normal is not anymore.

This change has been painful and I don't like it but it's where I am right now.

The Lord often speaks to me through music, this song has been much comfort to me lately.

Something Beautiful by Need to Breathe
In your ocean I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashing on my feet
It's like I know where I need to be
I can't figure out
No, I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your wave crashes over me
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown
Will you let me drown

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful

And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side
No I can't leave your side

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful

Goings ons

2010-06-21T11:13:00.002-04:00

I'm working from home today and taking a break so just thought I'd post a quick goings ons of what's been happening in my life.

I'm taking a break from Weight Watchers meetings, trying to maintain this Summer and just see how I do and just work on practicing what I've learned. (Which technically I already knew but just didn't care to put it into practice.) Anywho, I've shed a total of 16 pounds! I can actually fit into shorts that I couldn't last year and I'm thrilled for that. Come Fall I'd like to get back on the wagon and take off another 10, hopefully.

Keither is traveling each week and is only home on the weekend so it's just me and the boy. My schedule has been crazy as I try to balance work, house chores, cooking, Jakob's activities and church responsibilities. I'm simply exhausted come the weekend. This weekend K does not get to come home so we'll be traveling down to Columbus, GA to be with him. A little mini trip and I'm excited to get a few days away to relax. Ahhhh....

I'm doing a bible study with some girls from work, this one is called Victoriously Frazzled by Cindi Wood. We did The Frazzled Female last year and it was great! We're beginning week 4 this week and it's been simply amazing how the Lord has used this study to speak to myself as well as the wonderful ladies I work with. I love them so.

Happy Summer, y'all!

VBS Rocks!

2010-06-10T21:34:00.002-04:00

I ♥ my church family! I don't get to spend as much time with them as I'd like to so when VBS comes around I really look forward to hanging out with them each day.

VBS can be tiring - yes. Downright exhausting at times - yes. But altogether - A BLAST!

The Lord has gifted the CVC congregation in so many ways. And to see His people come together during VBS week and each shine for His glory is down right exciting and amazing to watch.

A few weeks prior to VBS I was feeling a little overwhelmed with all that's going on in my life and the responsibilities I had for VBS and other things. The Lord kept pressing upon me, if one life is changed during VBS, staff or child, then it's all worth it! If one life is brought closer to the Lord, then every bit of time, energy, whatever that has been put into it, it's all worth it. I held on to that hope, that promise, knowing that lives would be changed because He who promised, is faithful.

Dust if you must

2010-05-17T18:15:00.002-04:00

This is an oldie but a goodie. I was reminded of it by a dear friend the other day and thought I'd share with you fine people, all two of you. Enjoy.

DUST IF YOU MUST
Author unknown

Dust if you must but wouldn't it be better
To paint a picture or write a letter,
Bake a cake or plant a seed.
Ponder the difference between want and need.

Dust if you must but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim and mountains to climb!
Music to hear and books to read,
Friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go and go you must,
You, yourself, will make more dust.

Remember, a house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture...

Happy, happy, joy, joy!

2010-05-08T21:26:00.004-04:00

Keither got a job!!! Yea!!! I'm so excited.

He'll have to travel. Boooo... But he got a job! Yea!!!

Please pray our family during this transitional time, we've been down this road before and it's not easy for either of us. He's very excited about this opportunity and I am too.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! The Lord IS our provider.

Another

2010-05-07T20:22:00.002-04:00

For those who might like a little hip hop flavor. Here's the Digable Planets version of Where I'm From.

Where I'm From

2010-05-07T20:01:00.002-04:00

I am from the smell of fried pig and eggs on Saturday morning, from Ogilvie home perms when we were younger.

I am from south of the airport, north of the big chicken, and just below the Mason Dixon line, where love was felt and needs were met.

I am from schefflera plants and magnolia trees, honeysuckle vines and bumble bees.

I am from summers at the beach and light hearted laughter, from June and Ray and Evelyn and Charles.

I am from a hard working father and the tender lovin care of my mother.

From call when you get home, I love you. From Charlene and Lynn the ben the butter bean.

I am from John 3:16 and Baptist church pews. “God is great, God is good” and “now I lay me down to sleep”. I’m from Sunday afternoons spent with grandma and the aunts.

I’m from the dirty south, the great peach state. I’m from sweet tea and fried veggies for dinner, popcorn and cold Coca Cola for late night snack.

From the Rich’s store downtown where he had his first job, he was friends with her brother and they fell in love.

I’m from the big barrel drum covered in cloth, old shoe boxes and leftover old popcorn tins full of laughter and good times. The coffee table I broke doing cartwheels in the living room. Forgiveness and warm hearts, perseverance and redemption.

Death is final

2010-04-29T22:02:00.002-04:00

There's no more chance for I'm sorry, how are you doing, hope you're okay, I'm thinking of you, I love you. And I think that's what saddens me the most today.

A friend was laid to rest this afternoon, she went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 25th. It comforts me greatly to know that she's with our Lord Jesus but it saddens me deeply that I can't speak to her now.

I just want that one more chance to call her, hear her voice, let her know that I'm here for her. But it's gone, the opportunity is no more. A friend reminded me today that guilt does not come from our Lord, that is from the enemy. I can only move forward and be a better friend today. Lord, how I struggle with that...

Praying for strength and rejoicing that I know I will see my friend again in heaven one day. I love you, my dear, and I'm sorry I never picked up the phone to say hello. Til we meet again.

Saved by zero

2010-03-26T21:36:00.002-04:00

It's no problem for me to use up my points allowance each day PLUS the extra points I'm allowed each week. Thank God for zero point snacks!! They are my saving grace most nights. And there's a bunch to choose from. My faves are the raw veggie snacks. I heart veggies!! I can thank my mom for that. She usually had veggies for us for dinner as kids, maybe not the fresh kind but hey, it's better than none at all.

I'm not much of a fruit girl, though I am coming around and finding myself buying more apples and grapes lately. I've found that I really like Gala apples. I actually bought some strawberries the other day because I wanted to try a peanut butter and strawberry sandwich that somebody told me about. Sounded funky at first but when you think that you're just substituting the fresh strawberries for the strawberry jam then it really made sense.

I made the Weight Watchers version of fish and chips last night. It was deee-lish!!! I even got the "oh baby, that's really good" from my husband and I don't get that too often. So I'll definitely be making it again. Click here for the recipe.

Well, as of last night I've officially shed a total of 12.4 lbs. Yay me!! I can't tell you how great it feels to fit in my clothes, absolutely amazing. I'm not through but I'm thankful for the progress I've made thus far and will have to continue to take it one day at a time. Slow and steady wins the race, right? It's hard to go at a tortoise pace when you live in a hare-brained world. ;-)

Thanks and a new recipe

2010-03-10T22:49:00.002-05:00

Wanted to say thanks to my homegirls out there for the encouraging words. Love you bunches!!

Here's a recipe I found on the Weight Watchers website. Mac n' cheese w/ broccoli. Yum!!

So very tired

2010-03-09T21:23:00.002-05:00

Losing weight is exhausting...counting points, exercising, planning meals so I don't stray. I'm tired, just plain tired.

I've completed 5 full weeks of Weight Watchers now and have lost 10 pounds, which is very exciting!! I'm thrilled for this milestone 100%! I was able to fit into a pair of pants last week that I haven't worn in probably a year now and it thrilled me to no end. Now to just get over the next hurdle will take some real endurance and focus. I've made it to this point so many times before and this is where I've given up, and now I remember why.

I've decided that it's okay if I plateau this week and don't lose, I'll still be okay. Maybe this is where I need to take a step back and just rest some. Lord knows I could use it.

Last week just about did me in anyhow. Jakob's 13th birthday, which meant family gatherings and drama - exhausting. It was the first of the month and a co-worker that I cover for at work when she's on vacation was off last week which meant double duty - exhausting. I have much to be thankful for so I shouldn't complain. I'm just saying...

Our God is so gracious. I was in a bad mood last night, I came home from work and all Keither wanted to do was go out to eat and all I wanted to do was hit the sofa and lay down. I sucked it up and went out to eat but couldn't seem to put on my happy face like they wanted so things turned a little sour. I can be such a b----- sometimes yet my husband is so gracious to me.

I was pouting to the Lord last night and he gently reminded me in his word of his promises when we get down. Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (This verse reminds me of the movie Remember the Titans when they're all gathered in the gym. It makes me smile.) The word soar is what spoke to me the most from this verse though, I thought of really soaring on an eagle's wings, not stumbling or falling but moving smoothly and gliding through the air. How peaceful that seems.

Thank you, Lord, for your promises today!! He gives grace for today. Hallelujah!

This week...not so good.

2010-02-13T12:00:00.003-05:00

My weight loss this past week was only .2. :-( Not good at all. But at least I'm moving in the right direction still. I think I got a little cocky with losing so much the first week and I know I didn't count points like I should have or it could be that my body went into a revolt and decided to stage a coup.

Anyhow, I'm moving forward and that's what matters. I pulled the WW book one out again to help me refocus and I'm counting points this week as tight as possible. I'm trying to imagine the extra points don't exist, I think that's where my brain starts thinking I can over indulge in some areas. I found a great blog that has tons of WW recipes, check it out.

I've given my family the "talk" about this lifestyle change. I will not accompany them to any buffet, not even Sweet Tomatoes. As healthy as that place can be I can't seem to control my eating when it comes to the focaccia bread. And the shrimp bisque calls my name. It's oh so yummy. Okay, enough of that.

Week 3 is on and I'm hoping for good results.

On a lighter note (no pun intended), here's me sledding down a hill this morning.

Weeeeeee!!!

I'm a loser!

2010-02-04T21:53:00.002-05:00

Well, not in a derogatory sense but in weight loss. Week one is complete and I lost 3.6 pounds!! Yay!! Now if I can just keep the momentum going, which delightfully enough is the name of the Weight Watchers program - Momentum.

It wasn't easy but I counted my points as realistically as possible each day and I've been trying to exercise every other day. I cut down on my soda intake, which was by far one of the hardest things since I could be put into the category of a soda-aholic. I love me some Coca Cola. I refuse to drink Diet Coke, the taste makes me want to vomit and apparently Coke Zero upsets my stomach. I just assume not die from artificial sweetener anyway. I did treat myself to a Coke here and there so I haven't quit that cold turkey but I cut back A LOT. Apparently drinking more water actually makes you feel better...who would have thought? ;-)

If you know anything about Weight Watchers then you know you get 35 extra points to use each week. I used them up and then some, which I wasn't too happy about but hopefully I'll be able to stay within the confines of the Points system as I go deeper into the program. Lord, give me strength.

Tonight's meeting was good, the support you receive from the other women and the leader is priceless. I was reminded that this is not a diet but a lifestyle change and just like anything else in life, you have to take it one day at a time.

Tootles!

I did it!!

2010-01-29T21:00:00.002-05:00

I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting last night and joined. I'm so excited!!!

Day one of tracking points has not been easy. I had half of the points I could use for the day at breakfast and realized real quick that I'll need to learn how to balance it out. But this, like any routine, will take time to get used to. One day at a time...

The ladies at the meeting last night were a total riot! I haven't laughed that much in a while. It was such a blast. Everyone was inviting and down to earth and very friendly. I'm really looking forward to this journey and praying the Lord will give me strength through it. Woo hoo!!!

Tuesday evening

2010-01-26T20:59:00.003-05:00

I'm seriously thinking of joining Weight Watchers this Thursday. There's a church across the street from me, literally, on the other side of Canton Road from where I live is a Methodist church where meetings are held every Thursday night at 6pm. I could do this, it's within budget and I need motivation and accountability if I'm ever going to lose weight. Every year I seem to pack on a few more pounds and it has to stop. I've tried on my own and I can't get past a week of doing good before I'm right back to my old habits and I stop trying. Something's gotta give...and not the buttons on my blouse or my britches. (Do people say blouse and britches anymore?)

This is a year of change for me, in more ways than one. So let it be said, so let it be written. I will lose weight this year!!

Strange things are a brewing in my professional world. Not sure what will come of it all but I'm trying to trust in the Lord that whatever comes my way, whatever obstacles are in my path, whatever doors are open or shut that He is on the throne and that He will bring me through every minute of every day as I surrender my will for His and cast all my worries and cares at His feet. I know that I can boldly go to his throne of grace and receive all that he has for me. Thank you, Father God, for your promises.

On that note, I'd really like to see the new movie Nine. Has anyone seen it yet? Would anyone like to?

Goals for 2010

2009-12-29T17:35:00.004-05:00

Bought my desk calendar for 2010 today, found one at the Dollar General for $1, yep just $1. So very proud of myself for being frugal and all. The gift money I received for Christmas is burning a hole in my pocket but I'm trying very hard to be smart and ask the Lord what I should spend it on. That is my #1 goal for 2010 - to be thriftier and save more and spend less. That's right thrift stores - I'm back!!

I want to want what God wants for me. The Lord has been telling me to drop some activities/distractions and I haven't been listening...I need to get on that with a quickness.

I'd like to finish my goal list from 2009! There's only a few left and I'm pretty sure I could have them wrapped up by mid-year, realistically.

I want to charge nothing on my credit card. NOTHING!!

I want more Love, more Power, more of God in my life.

I want to see my husband baptized, a tale from the crypt as Don Curtis said on Sunday. I want to see new life birthed in him, a new creation in Christ. Oh God, water the soil, cause the seed that has been planted within him to grow and bloom as a new creation in YOU!!

I want to love like Jesus.

Psalm 40:8 "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

IKEA rocks!!

2009-12-10T19:28:00.003-05:00

I'm in love with IKEA and I've never stepped foot in the store. My husband went down today to do some shopping, he had a gift card to spend and thought he'd go check it out. We've been meaning to go but my weekends have been plenty full these past few months and we just haven't made the time. So he and a friend went down to check it out.

I got a phone call once he got there and he was overwhelmed at the size of the store, he sounded like a kid in a candy store...the excitement in his voice was almost unnerving and made me a bit jealous. I gave him some suggestions as to what we could use and he came home with two end tables and a desk for Jakob, all for around $38. I mean WOW!! That is pretty awesome. And we got it all put together lickety split, even though each item was in pieces it took no time to put together. I LOVE THIS STORE and I can't wait to go check it out myself.

Keither actually said to me, with excitement,"That store is so amazing and I can't wait to take you there." Ahhh, makes me giddy with delight every time I think of it. One of those mental snapshot moments I'll hold on to forever.

Whateva...

2009-11-17T22:48:00.003-05:00

It's just now hitting me the massive amount of people that will be at my house for Thanksgiving weekend. I'm like freaking out, man!!! It will be crazy but it will be fun. Lord, give me strength!!

So super stoked about the midnight premiere of New Moon this Friday. I'm going with my brother and sister-in-law. It's going to be like totally AWESOME!! Go team Edward! ;-)
(I know, I'm such a dork. And proud of it, baby.)

Jakob got a haircut this evening. When his hair is clean cut it reminds me of how he looked in Kindergarten, that sweet little innocent face of his. Oh how the time flies. I just want to hug and kiss all over him. Good thing he still lets me, for now anyway.

I'm an obsessive list maker. I've made three separate lists of what I need to purchase for the Thanksgiving meal next week. I believe I now have my final draft.

My grown-up Christmas list:
I'd like parents that can co-exist
and a kid that doesn't sass.
High heels that don't hurt my toes
and a nice firm a**.

Good night, y'all.

Potpourri

2009-09-27T23:11:00.003-04:00

It's been an interesting week. Here's a picture of our backyard during the floods last Monday. Our creek in the back swelled to a rushing river. I would have never believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. I made the turn onto our street late Monday afternoon when I came home from work and was just amazed. I just stood at our door and stared. We've had our creek swell before but this, this was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Praise God we had no flooding in our home. Keither had just cleared our underground pvc pipes that a couple of our gutters flow into of debris about a week before...and thank God he did.

From T-Mobile Pictures

Since school was cancelled on Tuesday, at midnight Monday I took Jakob for the Halo ODST release. Well that's something I'd never experienced before. It was not too packed, I'd say there were probably around 40 kids at the Gamestop we went to. I'm thinking maybe the flooded roads had something to do with that and the fact it was midnight on a school night. I've never been surrounded by so many geeky, sweaty, teenage boys in my life. I'm a geek myself and I love computers and technology but come on...take a shower, please.

On Wednesday the ladies I'm doing a bible study with at work met for the first time. We're doing The Frazzled Female by Cindi Wood. It's totally awesome. Not as intense as the Daniel study by Beth Moore but it's exactly what I need right now. The first week was cool, Satan was surely trying to get into my head and deter me from working on it or even think that these other women were interested in doing this study but sure enough God showed up and I'm totally excited to see what he's going to do in my life and the lives of my friends that I work with. We serve a big God!!

Oh yeah, my hubby's been doing a lot of fishing lately up in the North Georgia mountains so if anyone is into fresh trout then please let me know. We've been eating our share of it, for sure. I can't complain though, I won't trade anything to coming home to a home cooked meal made by my husband. Whoa mama, what an awesome blessing that is.

Here's a pic of my handsome young man with his new glasses. I just love this kid so much. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful child.

From T-Mobile Pictures

Psalm 5:11-12
"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield."

What am I doing?

2009-09-06T21:07:00.004-04:00

Most of the time, I have no idea. August was a busy, scatterbrainy, kind of month. Here are some pics of my adventures.

My sis and I at the Falcon's game.

Our deer friend we met at Unicoi State Park. We were so freakin close to this thing. It was awesome!!

On the paddle boat. Note to self: even though it says three can ride, best to ride with just two.

The Gulick boys fishing a trout stream at Unicoi.

I just liked this sign. Respect the snake!

Had my first pedicure ever this past weekend. My girlfriends at work took me. Here are my purty toes. ;-)

Pray about everything

2009-08-23T20:54:00.003-04:00

Don't worry about anything;
Instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank Him for all He has done.
Then you will experience God's peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4:6-7 (NLT)

I've been trying to impress upon Jakob how important it is to pray about everything, that God cares about every aspect of our lives and wants for us to include Him in them. Jakob was very stressed this past week over a Social Studies project and finishing it on time and getting a good grade. He has all advanced classes this year therefore feels a great deal of pressure to perform well so he can stay in those classes.

We prayed about his project and talked a lot about trusting God and putting faith in action. I was totally stressed when I dropped him off at school that morning just feeling very powerless. I wanted so bad for everything to be sunshine and rainbows for him and I too had to trust God to meet Jakob's needs. Before he got out of the car I reminded Jakob how much God loves him and as I always do, told him to have a good day. He looked at me with sad eyes, closed the door and headed into the school.

When I picked Jakob up from school later that day, he got in the car and the first words out of his mouth were, "God loves me". God showed up, and didn't just show up but did exceedingly above anything Jakob or I could have asked for. His teacher somehow misplaced his project and a few others over the weekend and re-did the part of the project that Jakob was stressing about. He got an A.

God showed up, as he always does, and Jakob was able to see first hand the works of our Lord. Praise God!! Faith in action...it's a wonderful thing.

The Movie Meme

2009-08-23T17:00:00.003-04:00

The Movie Meme:

(please list up to 3 per genre)

Favorite Comedy Film:

Young Frankenstein
Norbit
Mr. Mom

Favorite Romance Film:

Pride and Prejudice
Pretty Woman
Out of Africa

Favorite Sci-Fi Movie:

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Flight of the Navigator
Ghostbusters

Favorite Animated Movie:

A Bug's Life
Finding Nemo
The Secret of Nimh

Favorite Disaster Movie:

Twister
Titanic
Airplane

Favorite Christmas Movie:

Elf
Christmas Vacation
Emmit Otter's Jubgand Christmas

Favorite Horror Movie:

Interview with a Vampire
Wizard of Oz
Jaws

Movies With Music:

Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Grease
Enchanted

Favorite Book to Movie:

Little Women
Bourne Identity
Twilight

Favorite Classic:

Gone with the Wind
Roman Holiday
Meet me in St. Louis

Favorite Chick Flick:

Miss Congeniality
Steel Magnolias
Terms of Endearment

Movie You Could Watch Ad Nauseam:

Twilight
ET
Harry Potter - any of them

Worst Movie of All Time:

Drop Dead Fred

I like being home

2009-08-19T15:56:00.003-04:00

Here I am, enjoying another week of vacation at home. One of the grand things about my job and having been there 15 years is that I've racked up a lot of vacation time. It's a beautiful thing. However being home causes me to really miss being home. I do love my job but there's just something so right about being able to tend to your family and their needs and not having to worry about work deadlines and customers. So I will enjoy the time while I have it.

I've been rather productive this week, Monday I gave my kitchen a thorough scrubbing (say in English accent). On Tuesday, Keither and I gave Jakob's room a bit of a makeover, which was way more work than I had anticipated but so well worth it. He now has a big boy bed or so to speak, we got rid of the metal framed bunk bed and he now has a more pre-teen or early teen looking room. (I'd post a pic but I have no batteries for my camera.) The look on his face when he got home from school was so well worth all the sweat and money we put into it. Then last night I volunteered at Jakob's school to help with PTA. Ahhh, such fun.

Today has been a relaxing day. Keither and I went out for breakfast then I somehow persuaded him to go to the mall with me so I could use my JC Penney coupon. He so lovingly agreed. I very much needed him with me actually otherwise I'd probably still be there. There was so much on sale!! I got a couple of things I was very much in need of and then we headed home for some R&R. Did I mention that this is our anniversary week? Well, it is. We've been married for 13 years as of this past Sunday. We've come a long way, baby. The Lord has delivered us from many, many ups and down. I love him very much.

Tomorrow he will head back to work and I will head off to run errands after I drop Jakob off at school. Friday we head to the mountains for a short family vacation to celebrate our anniversary.

And actually, it's time to go pickup my kiddo from school now. May the joy of the Lord be your strength. Ta ta!

Boy, it's hot and sticky outside!

2009-08-04T18:42:00.005-04:00

My title has nothing to do with my post, that's just what I was thinking at the time. ;-)

As I type this post my husband is listening to Thriller...again. What am I going to do with this man? LOL!! Oh my, what doesn't kill us shall make us stronger or something like that. (Please don't get me wrong, I do love me some MJ but it's getting out of hand.)

August is here and my calendar is FULL.

August 9th is my 15 year anniversary at MTI -- yippee!!!
School starts back in less than one week. - August 10th.
Keither and I will be celebrating our...wait...let me check...yep, our 13th year of marriage on August 16th. To God be the glory!! I've never been much into buying traditional gifts but this is the year of lace. What fun!!

There are theatre nights, weekend trips, dental appts, football games and a much anticipated Fall Kick-Off at Cobb Vineyard also planned this month. It's going to be busy but I'm looking forward to every one of them...well, the dental appt not so much.

I've been trying some new recipes lately, zucchini bread, green pepper boats, sausage pinwheels and later this week I'm planning to make spinach topped tomatoes. Each has turned out pretty good, my favorites so far have been the green pepper boats and sausage pinwheels. So yum!!

Summer Fun

2009-07-24T21:12:00.006-04:00

This week was the last of my summer vacation time yet Jakob still has two more weeks to go...wait did I say that correctly? Yep, only two more weeks. Cobb County goes back to school on August 10th.

It's been a very relaxing week. We hung out at White Water and I finally rode the Cliffhanger though I'm not sure I'll ever do it again. The family went to breakfast at J. Christopher's which was super yummy. I got my hair cut and colored and I'm blonder now than I've been in a very, very long time thanks to my mom.

I've also been working on some scrapbooking and trying to get caught up from the past 4 years. I'm finally on 2007 now so I thought that was pretty good. I've had "work on scrapbooking" on my to do list for the past two years now and I finally did it this weekend. Everytime I finish a book I say that will be my last but something always pulls me back in. It really is fun looking over past memories and somehow putting your own special touch in a scrapbook just makes it all worth while, though very time consuming and it takes up a lot of space in my kitchen which is where I usually set up.

Here are some pics from this summer.

The black eyed susans that I started from seeds. Aren't they gorgeous?

A night at Stone Mountain. We went earlier this month on one of the nights it was really cool. I just love the way the sun comes across the mountain in this pic.

Here's me and my niece Amanda. Isn't she precious?

Summer Reading

2009-07-10T22:12:00.002-04:00

Jakob has a Summer Reading project for school so we headed to the library earlier this week to pick out a book. I figured we better get going since there's only four more weeks of Summer vacation left. Yikes!! Only four more weeks.

In an effort to encourage his reading I picked out a book as well. I'm reading The Shunning by Beverly Lewis and Jakob is reading the first book in the Left Behind series for kids.

So far I'm enjoying the story and writing of Beverly Lewis, this is the first book I've read of hers. The book's setting is in an Amish community which has given me the sudden urge to quilt and make jam. If you see me wearing a white cap and my hair up in a bun please stop me...please.

Planting

2009-07-03T00:26:00.002-04:00

I'm pleased to announce that all of the items I planted in the Spring are still alive. I do not have a green thumb but earlier this year I had a deep desire to plant some things in my small garden area so I prayed that it would happen. Well the Lord did show up and opened the door of opportunity. It's not a grand garden but it makes me happy. Most of the items I planted are transplants from a couple of friends and a few items I did purchase. I even started some black-eyed susans from seeds and they're just about ready to bloom.

It brings me great joy to walk over to this small area and see the fruit of my labor as I have tended to these plants and watered them, however none of it would be enjoyable without His presence. It is all a gift from the Lord, He is the master gardener. The very miracle of seeing a plant spring forth from the ground and produce a flower just causes me to be in awe of our creator. He is such an awesome God.

The same holds true as we plant seeds of truth in those around us who may not have a relationship with Christ. He again is the master gardener. Our work is in vain without His presence.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (New International Version)
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough...

2009-06-29T18:23:00.003-04:00

The death of Michael Jackson is very sad. I grew up on his music and the early stuff reminds me of my youth. I have a copy of Thriller and other various MJ songs that I've purchased on iTunes...but if I hear 'We are the World' one more time I'm going to flip. I mean really...I think I've had enough. Keither has gone 'Off the Wall' (hee hee) with the MJ stuff this weekend and I was hoping it would end today but unfortunately it has not.

I was going to post my favorite Saturday Night Live spoof of Michael Jackson but I can't find it anywhere on the internet. It's the one with Amy Poehler playing Michael and they're on a roller coaster with Michael's baby named Blankie. It's so funny.

Keep On With The Force, Don't Stop...Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

HEART check

2009-06-20T21:44:00.002-04:00

Something I learned in Celebrate Recovery (CR).

In CR a lot of the lessons are taught in acrostics to help you remember them. This one has stuck with me. It's important to evaluate your physical, emotional, relational and spiritual health from time to time especially if you start to feel off balance and getting close to relapse. And relapse can mean many different things to different people. From picking up the bottle, to hitting the bag of chips, to raiding the ice cream aisle or going on a shopping spree. Whatever it is that we do to "mask the pain" rather than deal with what's going on internally.

HEART Check. If you can answer Yes to any of these then perhaps it's time to take a step back and get to the root of the issue before things get ugly.

Are you:
Hurting
Exhausted
Angry
Resentful
Tense

It's important to be honest in your evaluation. The CR lesson on Relapse teaches that Romans 12:3-17 has given us special instructions for this step.

I found myself in a bad place today where I needed to do a HEART check and get real with what was going on. It's easy to ignore the pain, go about like nothing is wrong. I did that for far too many years and it's not pretty. I thank God for this program and the tools He's given me to deal with the ups and downs in life.

I actually haven't been to a CR meeting in a while and it's funny because I don't think a week goes by that Keither doesn't ask me if I'm going to church on Thursday night (that's the night we have our CR meeting at church). Maybe he's trying to tell me something?

Going through my CR books tonight I saw this scripture, love it!!

Job 33:33 (TLB)
"Listen to me. Keep silence and I will teach you wisdom!"

A lovely end to a busy week

2009-06-14T20:54:00.003-04:00

My sis and her kids came into town this past Thursday and I had the pleasure of hosting most of her kids this weekend at my house. Jakob had a blast playing with his cousins. I took three of my nieces and nephews with me to VBS on Friday. On Saturday we took 4 of our guests plus Jakob and played at White Water. Whoo! I was plenty spent by then and I'm pretty sure most of the kids were as well.

This morning I really enjoyed getting the chance to worship alongside my mother and sister at church. That's something we do not get to do very often or perhaps at all now that I think about it. What a blessing it was. Funny though, today I don't feel tired at all. The Lord has filled me with His strength and I was able to refuel this morning which is just what I needed to begin a new week.

I'm excited to go back to work tomorrow and see what wonderful things the Lord has in store for me at my place of work.

Blessings to you all. I pray the Lord will fill each of you with His spirit as He leads you and guides you throughout each day this week.

John 16:13
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

My week

2009-06-13T16:25:00.003-04:00

When I scheduled this past week off for vacation from work back in January I had no idea that I'd be working VBS. Tammy, our VBS coordinator, called me one day and asked if I'd be able to help out this year with registration and when she told me what week VBS would be I figured it was the Lord opening up my schedule so I could be a part. At first though I thought that I would just help get things set up and maybe be there on Monday but then Jakob hopped on board and wanted to help out too so then I knew I'd be there the whole week. Well, there went any "me" time that week.

It was a small sacrifice and to be honest, up until the week prior to VBS I had a bit of a tude about the whole situation but I was still "trying" to see God in it all. I was griping to the Lord the whole way to Walmart one evening as I had my list of registration supplies I was going to pick-up. God must have the best sense of humor because I was really in a bad mood and out of the blue I was walking into Walmart and a small child tells me hello, someone I'd never seen before. It really made me smile and just giggle to myself because I knew that God was trying to cheer me up. I felt silly for being such a brat about the whole thing.

Well, VBS has come and gone and it was a great week. I'm physically and mentally exhausted but it was all so worth it. I tried all week to think of VBS as at home mission work. And by golly if I can't sacrifice a week of vacation for God's kingdom then that's just pathetic.

The Lord was speaking this verse to me this week, it's so simple but so profound.

Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

What might this day be???

2009-05-23T10:03:00.004-04:00

Go, go, go, go - Go shawty, it's your birthday...We're gonna party like it's your birthday!!

Yep, it's my birthday - Whoo hoo!! And what an awesome morning it's been.

I was woken from my slumber this morning to my mom calling me to tell me happy birthday. The house was empty so I enjoyed some me time and went to God's word. Here's what He showed me.

1 Peter 3-4
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

His word is delicious, as Lisa Ragsdale would say. It's through our knowledge of HIM that we have everything we need. Whoo... Which is why we (I) should be in the word every day, no better way to know our Lord.

He is the giver of ALL good things. Have a blessed day!!

(Did I just mix 50 Cent and God's word in one blog? LOL! I crack myself up...)

Times of Refreshing

2009-05-19T22:43:00.002-04:00

Well I thank You Lord that You are my Savior,

You're my strength and You're the rock on which I stand.
You give me life and a grace that's greater
When I humble myself beneath Your mighty hand.

You bring times of refreshing,
You bring times of refreshing,
You bring times of refreshing to my soul.
When I'm weary from the fight
Of trying to do what's right,
You bring times of refreshing to my soul.

For the day will come when we'll all be gathered,
And the sun will rise with healing in its wings.
And all the years of pain won't seem to matter
When our eyes behold our Teacher and our King.

Words and Music by Bob Baker

As I was sitting and beginning to ponder the closure of events from this past weekend and this week I began to sing this song. Seems to be fit with the Beth Moore study on Daniel that we finally finished up this past Sunday. What an awesome study. If you ever get the chance to do it, it's long but well worth it. And Jen did an awesome job as our facilitator. She totally rocks.

Spring baseball season also came to a close, and what an awesome season it was. Jakob's team took 2nd place in the tournament, we met some amazing parents and enjoyed many wonderful evenings at the ballpark. I always pray asking for God to place Jakob on a team with encouraging coaches and that Jakob would have fun. And God did deliver. His coaches were totally awesome this season. His head coach told me something about Jakob this past weekend that I thought was the greatest of compliments, he said that Jakob had a great season because he wanted to learn, he had a desire to improve. How awesome is that!! I can't think of a better compliment.

Which reminds me of the Daniel bible study, at the beginning of the study we had to sign a contract that we would be committed to learn. What an awesome God we serve. He hears our cries for help and he answers our prayers. When we ask for wisdom, he generously provides.

As another year of school comes to a close, I pray that the Lord would provide times of refreshing and rest to our family and yours and that each day God would help us to delight in Him and help us to commit our ways to Him. He is holy and wonderful and worthy of ALL praise.

PSALM 37:4-5 "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass".

Babble-on

2009-05-06T21:11:00.002-04:00

Most of my free time lately has been spent reading the Twilight series and I'm just about through with the last one, Breaking Dawn. It's amazing how things get neglected once you get involved in a good book, at least for me anyway. I've had a hard time putting the books down so I've spent much less time on the computer, which can be a good thing except I've also not been exercising or doing my laundry, you get the point.

I'm really not much of a reader so I was surprised when I fell in love with these stories. The first book in the series, Twilight, is waaaayyyyyy better than the movie. The movie does it no justice at all in my opinion. So if you like the movie even a tiny bit I would suggest reading the book. And it's a young adult novel so it reads fairly easily and quickly. I couldn't believe how quick I had finished it and that I'm just about done with the 4th book.

Getting into these books though has made me think about what other books I'd like to read, I was thinking maybe of going after a more timeless novel, Pride and Prejudice maybe? I've seen the movie but never read the book. If you have any suggestions on any fiction or non-fiction books that might spark my interest, let me know. There's a whole world of books out there that I've never dove into...so many choices. And no, they don't have to be vampire related. Which is another reason I was surprised I liked the Twilight books and movie so much; I don't do scary, at least not anymore. That was more back in my high school years. And not that they are scary vampires in the book, but they do touch on some of those elements.

In fact, I don't know if this is related at all but I had a very frightening dream the other night that woke me up in a panic. I literally woke up in a terror; heart pounding, praying, rebuking Satan, the whole bit. In the dream I was being attacked; it felt so real and when I woke my heart was pounding and all I knew to do was start praying, rebuke Satan and tell him to leave. I'm not afraid of death but I am fearful of how I will die. These dreams or night terrors don't happen too often, I've certainly had them before and the last time I had one I was not reading books about vampires, whether good or bad.

Hmmm, I just thought of something...perhaps it's time to anoint my doorways. Our last bible study lesson was talking about the spiritual forces, good and bad, that we don't see around us. There's no telling what is going on around me in the spiritual world and what could attach itself to me that I might bring into my home or what someone else might bring into my home for that matter. Ah, thank you Lord for your wisdom, though I may be a slow learner He never gives up on me. Whew!! What a relief that we serve a God that loves us so.

Oh, how I love Jesus,
oh, how I love Jesus,
oh, how I love Jesus,
because he first loved me.

What Sabbath?

2009-04-20T23:36:00.003-04:00

This weekend was way too busy. Friday I spent a nice evening with my family, but the rest of it I was barely at home for, which I longed for desperately.

Jakob had baseball pictures early Saturday morning, then a game, then we had errands to run.

Sunday was a blur...after church we ate then had another ball game, then back to church for bible study. I was pooped come Monday morning. There was no Sabbath, well there was but I didn't observe. I usually try to pick one, either Saturday or Sunday to do nothing just as God has commanded but I didn't have either this past weekend and my spirit and body felt the effects.

I don't believe the 10 commandments were given to us as good suggestions, but God had a specific purpose in mind. Okay, so I don't always follow them to a T but I do certainly try. And I really like this commandment, a day without work is very appealing to me.

Deuteronomy 5:13-14
13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work...

So this morning as I drove in to work I felt totally drained, lacking in ever sense of the word. I opened up my bible for encouragement and God led me to the following passage.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (New International Version)
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

My heart just leaped and my spirit was lifted. Just in that one verse I received what I needed to get going. God is so good and He has called me...whether it's to dig ditches or answer phones or create reports or fold laundry, He has called me and He is faithful. His power is without limit, His word is manna for my soul. I would be lost without Him.

Love letter from Jakob

2009-04-05T15:13:00.002-04:00

Dear mom,

I am thanking you for putting food in my mouth and paying me allowance for the past few years.

I know that sometimes the food is bad and that you sometimes forget to pay me but most of the time you're there for me.

So after all that, in the end I still love you.

Sincerely,
Jakob or your son

Ahhh, what a blessing children are. This letter was written as an assignment in Language Arts to practice his letter writing skills. At least the food is only "sometimes" bad. This letter has been posted on my refrigerator, it makes me laugh. Jakob always tells me like it is, no gray area around my house. Which can be a blessing and a curse. (not the child but the blatant honesty)

Ocean Floor

2009-03-26T20:03:00.000-04:00

I just love this song, what a beautiful picture of God's mercy and His love for us. Heard it today and caused me to stop and reflect on His goodness. He's wiped it all away, that's why Jesus died. Praise God for his mercy.

Ocean Floor by Audio Adrenaline

The mistakes I’ve made
That caused pain
I could have done without
All my selfish thoughts
All my pride
The things I hide
You have forgot about

They’re all behind you
They’ll never find you
They’re on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They’re on the bottom
Of the ocean floor

My misdeeds
All my greed
All the things that haunt me now
They’re not a pretty sight to see
But they’re wiped away
By a mighty wave
A mighty wave, mighty wave

They’re all behind you
They’ll never find you
They’re on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They’re on the bottom
Of the ocean floor

Take them away
To return no more
Take them away
To the ocean floor

Words and music by Mark Stuart, Will McGinniss, Bob Herdman, Tyler Burkum and Ben Cissell

SoulPancake & I feel yucky...

2009-03-11T21:07:00.004-04:00

SoulPancake is a new site co-created by Rainn Wilson. Rainn plays Dwight on The Office. A genius television sitcom. It's hilarious...really. This site is rather interesting, you must check it out.

This is one of the videos posted on the site.
Kittens inspired by kittens. Enjoy!

On a side note, I'm coming down with something and feel quite terrible today. I've been coughing like a chain smoker all day. I hate being sick and I don't want to miss Jakob's game tomorrow. Why is it that once you start talking about how something hasn't happened in a long time it suddenly happens. I mean really, what's up with that??? I was just thanking God earlier this week that we'd gone all Fall and Winter without any illnesses in our home and then BAM, here I am sick. Is there some kind of law or theory on this stuff?

Jakob is turning 12

2009-02-23T22:02:00.004-05:00

My kid is turning 12 in exactly one week. I found myself in tears this morning reflecting on the past years of his life.

I'm so thankful for the young man he's become, he's brought so much joy to my life that words could never express. Who would have ever thought that you could love a person on this earth that much...it's truly amazing.

This is Jakob at 21 months old. Isn't he just the cutest thing?

Beautiful

2009-02-17T23:31:00.003-05:00

"Most of our addictions as women flare up when we feel that we are not loved or sought after."
From the book Captivating written by John and Stasi Eldredge

This was a profound statement for me as I read this book, Captivating, and it brought a lot of light to many of my "character defects" as Celebrate Recovery would call them. I've been reflecting on this today, correlating it to the Daniel study I'm doing and it causes me to see just how much influence our worldly culture has on me and the image of myself and how that relates to my stuggle with approval addiction, co-dependency and other various "issues". I think it all goes hand in hand.

The images of women on TV and in the magazines display an outward beauty that is unattainable. Beauty is fleeting, yeah, yeah, but we still want to look the part, right? It's a daily stuggle not to fall prey to the demands the world and this Babylon culture puts on us.

I was thinking about the women in my church who have been walking with the Lord for many, many years and just how beautiful they are, not because they have nice clothes or their hair is fixed just right or they have perfect skin but because their lives radiate the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They are confident in who they are in the Lord because they know the Father's love for them and that they are sought after by their Creator.

He is the lover of my soul and He is the one who makes me beautiful. I believe this song sums it all up.

Beautiful by Bethany Dillon

I was so unique
Now I feel skin deep
I count on the make-up to cover it all
Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention
I thought I could be strong
But it's killing me

Does someone hear my cry?
I'm dying for new life

I want to be beautiful
Make you stand in awe
Look inside my heart, and be amazed
I want to hear you say
Who I am is quite enough
Just want to be worthy of love
And beautiful

Sometimes I wish I was someone other than me
Fighting to make the mirror happy
Trying to find whatever is missing
Won't you help me back to glory

You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart, and I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love and beautiful

Lord, save me from myself

2009-02-10T22:53:00.002-05:00

These past few days have been a whirlwind of emotions. Keither's dentist found a lump (lesion) under his tongue on his dental visit last Thursday and it kind of sent us into sort of a panic state as we feared the worse, cancer. Well, today's visit with the oral surgeon revealed that it's not cancer or at least his doctor felt very comfortable saying that it's not cancer from the looks of it. What a relief!! However we will still need to get a biopsy done.

I felt very overwelmed with emotion leading up to today, crying one moment, then peace the next, crying one moment and then peace the next. I kept turning it over to God and then picking it back up, a vicious cycle. You see, I'm the type that starts going through the motions and the "what if's" without having all the facts. In my mind I was already fearing the worst and thinking about how we were going to pay our portion of the surgery that insurance won't cover, what if Keither can't speak anymore then where will I learn sign language. I couldn't think straight as my mind was constantly distracted by this, I even ran a redlight on Sunday on the way to church...thank God the coast was clear. It was completely red! Finally, I'd had enough and I cried, Lord, save me from myself!!!

I was able to get through the last couple of days with little worry and great peace that no matter what the outcome, God is in control, He is still on the throne and that He would provide. Thank you, God, for wisdom and deliverance from fear.

I read the following scripture while waiting to pick up Jakob from school yesterday, it made me giddy with delight.

Psalm 27:4-6
4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Waiting on the Lord

2009-02-01T20:42:00.003-05:00

I feel like I am in a waiting period. Not sure what I'm waiting for but waiting on something. I had to work today so I wasn't able to make it to church this morning. I didn't feel out of touch though like I sometimes do when I miss church, I felt His presence this morning. Unfortunately no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get out of the duties I needed to attend to this morning.

The Lord is at work around me, I can see it. The testimony Jodi gave at Celebrate Recovery (CR) on Thursday was phenomenal, it's been on my mind ever since. I've heard her testimony so many times but this time it was a bit different, a big girl version as she called it. It'd been several months since I attended a CR meeting and it was great to be there again, a reminder for me that recovery is a process and that I need to go back for meetings from time to time.

I phoned my mother on Friday and found out that she attended her first CR meeting this past Thursday at a church near her. I'm so ecstatic that words can not express. I've been telling her what a great place it is and how good it would be for her for years now and she finally went. The Lord is so good and I'm excited to see the work He's doing in my mother's life.

A very good friend of mine at work just found out she has breast cancer, my heart breaks for her and I'm in tears as I type thinking of her upcoming struggle. If you feel led, will you pray for her? Her name is Donna and she's very dear to me. The Lord has given me some very close friends at MTI and Donna is one of them. I love her very much.

Proverbs 8:34
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway."

I love my husband

2009-01-26T19:22:00.002-05:00

I do, I just love him, love him, love him. We've been married for 12 years, 13 in August. He's my best friend. And oh does he make me laugh. One of the funniest things about Keither, he's always singing the wrong lyrics to songs...and not on purpose, well sometimes on purpose, but not always. He cracks me up.

In awe of His goodness

2009-01-23T19:35:00.002-05:00

God is good, he is soooo good and His love never ceases to amaze me.

As I entered this new year I was looking for some ways to save money. The Lord directed me to search for new health insurance for Keither and Jakob so I began shopping and found a God plan that would save us a nice sum every month and with not quite so high a deductible as our previous plan. Well I found out this week that we've been approved and it will be in effect on Feb. 1st. Yeah!! Thank you, Lord.

The other thing on my mind was the trombone that Jakob chose for band and how to get rid of that monthly payment. I truly hadn't a clue how this was going to work out. Well, God came through again. Sometime last week Jakob came home talking about trying out for the tuba which just happens to be one of the instruments that is supplied by the school. Everything is supplied, the mouthpiece, book and instrument. I was never in band so I had no idea that any of the instruments were supplied. And guess what, he made it!! He tried out this week and was chosen to play tuba. Yeah God!!

Phillipians 4:12 has been in my mind all month. The Lord has been constantly reminding me to stay focused on Him and not my employer or any other earthly sources of income. For He is my provider, He is my sustainer and He is my Lord and Savior.

Philippians 4:12
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Then this scripture came to me as I was writing this post, don't just taste but see, taste and see that the Lord is good. Whoo, good stuff.

Psalm 34:8
"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

As they say in Celebrate Recovery, there's no high like the Most High!!

ATL props

2009-01-17T18:15:00.006-05:00

I love Atlanta. I've lived here pretty much all my life, lived two years in Virginia. I was born at South Fulton Hospital, went to West Clayton Elementary School on Riverdale Road when we lived in College Park (which is just south of the Atlanta by the airport). The summer before I entered the 6th grade my family moved north of the city to Cobb County and I really haven't seen that area from my elementary school days in a long time. It's kind of ghetto now and has developed a bad rap.

Our family took a trip today to see my neice perform in Winter Guard at Whitewater High School which is down in Fayetteville. I got to travel some roads from my childhood that I haven't traveled in a long time and it brought back a lot of memories. Funny, now that I think about it, most of my memories are related to food. Like the Krispy Kreme where we would go to get a special treat and watch them make donuts, then there's the Dairy Queen our softball team would visit when we won a game. I never wanted ice cream though, I always wanted a Mr. Misty or fries. I guess not much has changed there. Those were the days when the whole team would pile in the back of someone's pick up truck and no one thought twice about it. Such fun.

Anyhow, driving through the city on I-75 made me think about how much I really love this town. The city skyline is beautiful and rich with history, rich with my history. I snapped a few shots driving back through.

Time Out

2009-01-04T13:30:00.002-05:00

Why is it so hard to take a time out or much less admit to myself that I need one? Well, that's what I'm doing today, taking a time out. I feel as if I've gone non stop this whole holiday season and I need a break.

I was just reading my daily devotional from Friday, a couple of days late, I know. And it really hit the nail on the head for me, and always seems to. God is so good like that. The title was 'Permission to Let Go'. How wonderful! What glorious words I needed to hear today.

Someone asked me what New Year's resolutions I had made for 2009 and to be honest I really hadn't thought of any. I've given up on the whole diet thing, my finances are in God's hands, so what else is there that I can try to promise myself to work on that I'll just fail at on my own? And what I've come up with so far is nothing. No thing.

And the devotional I read today brought it home for me, what do I want for 2009? I want permission to let go, to continue to let God be God in my life every day. To be guided by His word and governed by His presence.

The savior part is easy, I know I need a savior. What I struggle with the most is the Lordship, allowing God to have Lordship over my life and surrendering to His will.

Lord, help me to let go and to be guided by Your word and governed by Your presence. You alone are worthy of all honor and glory and praise. Amen.

A year of change

2008-12-29T21:28:00.003-05:00

As I reflect on this past year, I can't help but think of some of the changes that have occured in my life:

Our first black president was elected
I made my first roux this Christmas for a cheesy scalloped potato recipe, albeit not too exciting but I was really proud of myself
We went to TN and had Thanksgiving with my sister's family this year, a first for us Gulicks
Keither came to his first Christmas Eve service, whoo hooo!!
Jakob was in his first play
I didn't cook our traditional BBQ for Christmas day lunch this year, a first
I gave my first presentation at work
Jakob started middle school and joined the band
I ate sushi for the first time, thanks Jen :)
This year my work girlfriends and I have grown closer, thank you Lord for that
Friendships at church have been rekindled and new ones have begun, thank you Lord
The Lord has revealed more areas that I need to work on in me and continues to deepen my relationship with Him

Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow!!

Living on a prayer...

2008-12-23T23:31:00.002-05:00

Come on, sing it with me...whoa, we're half way there...whoa, living on a prayer, take my hand and we'll make it I swear, whoa, living on a prayer.

Words of wisdom from Bon Jovi, okay, not really. I've just had this song stuck in my head, it really has nothing to do with what I wanted to post tonight or this morning. Geez, it's late.

Okay, so Christmas is upon us, 2008 is coming to a close, all my Christmas shopping is done and the next few days are going to be way busier than I would like. However, I will be around wonderful friends and family so that should make it worth all the fuss. Ah, there's that word again, the fuss of Christmas. The appropriately titled play for our Christmas Eve service at Cobb Vineyard Church. Why do we make all this fuss at Christmas? What is it about this season that brings us to a panic, shop, buy, charge it...it's crazy, isn't it?

Each year I tell myself next year it will be different, not all this craziness, but then the next year comes and I'm back to the same old routine, shopping on Black Friday, planning the perfect Christmas meal, shopping for the perfect gift. Makes me want to scream, time out...whoa, we're half way there, whoa, living on a prayer. There's that song again. Okay, so maybe God is trying to tell me something with this song. That is what God intended when he sent His son to be the savior of the world, living on a prayer, as long as we're praying to the right God, of course. But not just a prayer, hope, hope in a savior who came to take away the sin of the world. Hope in the One who does have all of the answers, who can bring peace amidst the craziness and the fuss of Christmas.

As our Pastor Thomas says, we'll never have another chance to celebrate Christmas 2008.

Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas!!

Post Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving

2008-12-02T19:25:00.003-05:00

What I'm thankful for today:

a cold, so that I have to rest
soft tissues
soft pillows
benadryl
warm clothes
hot tea
a traveling husband (so I don't feel guilty resting so much)
my faithful heavenly Father

What I'm thankful for this year:

a good job
a wonderful husband
my beautiful son
bedroom carpet
laughter
Celebrate Recovery
finished projects
people who aren't afraid to call me out when i'm sportin a tude
Daniell Middle School
music
friends
my extended family
my gracious and faithful heavenly Father

I heard recently someone describe gratitude as a "grace attitude". I love that. Lord, help me to have an attitude of gratitude each and every day. To you, Lord, be all the praise, honor and glory. Amen.

My dear sweet grandmother

2008-11-23T14:49:00.006-05:00

Junia Arah Harlin Hardy Worley Hackney

probably about 19 years old in this picture

This post is in honor of my grandmother who passed away November 16, 2000 at the ripe age of 82. Known to most as June; her grand kids called her Nanny Hackney.

I have fond memories of my grandmother. She lived close by when I was young so we would typically visit her about once a week. She was a good 'ole southern woman who knew how to cook. Biscuits, cornbread, butter beans, smothered steak. Oh man, I can just taste her biscuits, they were the best.

Nanny was a petite woman, probably stood about 5 foot, if that, and was always so sweet to us grand kids. I remember a time when we went to visit and she had lost a $10 bill. We searched and searched for that $10 and I finally found it underneath her recliner. She was so excited that it was found she wanted to give it to me as a reward. I couldn't take it, but that was how generous she was. She took nothing for granted and lived a simple lifestyle.

Nanny was a beautiful Christian woman. We usually attended whatever church she attended on Sunday. When I was about 8 or 9 my sister and I were attending an evening VBS at her church in Hapeville, GA. This church was so tiny. It was a one room church and probably had 20 members total. Our VBS classes were held on the school bus in the parking lot. I remember this church so well. The organist was a blind woman with a seeing eye dog that would sit next to her at her piano. I thought that was the coolest thing in the world. It was at that VBS that I responded to the altar call. I wasn't sure that beyond a shadow of a doubt that if I died that night that I would go to heaven. My sister nudged me with her elbow, go, go. I stood up and made the walk to the altar and told the pastor that I wanted to be saved. A young woman took me aside and we read some scripture together and it was that night that I gave my life to Jesus.

Thank God for grandma's.

Lovin the Fall

2008-11-08T14:25:00.003-05:00

I love this time of year, the coolness in the air. Ah, just marvelous.

Went to Red Top Mountain with the family this morning to get some exercise and take in some Fall foliage. The colors were beautiful. God is so awesome how he orchestrates the colors to blend so well together. His handiwork truly is breathtaking. Here are some pics from our short trip. Enjoy.

Psalm 19:1
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

Hanging with my peeps

2008-11-03T20:54:00.003-05:00

On Saturday this past weekend Keither and I drove up to Big Canoe. He had a gift card to the Big Canoe golf pro shop so we took a drive so I could help him spend it. Didn't take us long at all (to get there or spend the card!). Then we drove around and took in the beautiful scenery, the trees were full of vibrant fall colors. It was a perfect Fall day.

Then on Sunday we all went to the Georgia Aquarium. Keither had never been so it seemed like a good time to go, and it was!! We got there right when they opened and there was hardly a crowd the entire time we were there. We got to pet sting rays and sharks, not sure what kind, but it was freaky and way cool!!

Four Things

2008-11-03T19:45:00.004-05:00

Okay, Jen, here it is:

4 Things I have done today...
1. enjoyed a breakfast my husband cooked (he was off today)
2. went to work
3. picked Jakob up from school
4. watched Jon and Kate plus 8

4 Things on my "To Do" List
1. go to grocery store
2. get laundry out of dryer
3. do next lesson in bible study
4. pray with Jakob before bed

4 Guilty Pleasures
1. raunchy reality tv shows - 'girls next door', 'rock of love charm school'
2. rap music, the clean versions, of course
3. eating out too much
4. office gossip

4 Random Facts About Me
1. My family lived in Virginia for 2 years when I was younger
2. I like to make lists
3. I have sweaty feet
4. I like my job

4 Favorite Movies
1. Coal Miner's Daughter
2. Gone with the Wind
3. Wayne's World
4. Mary Poppins

4 Places of Employment
1. Dairy Queen
2. Dunkin Donuts
3. QuickTest at the Mall (market research)
4. Message Technologies, Inc.

4 Things Always With Me
1. my glasses
2. driver's license
3. debit card
4. cell phone

4 Favorite Memories
1. when Jakob was born
2. seeing my neice, Aubrey, born
3. christmas morning
4. playing softball as a kid

4 Things I Couldn't Go a Day Without
1. a coke
2. Jesus Christ
3. a kiss from my hubby
4. deodorant

Mom and Dad

2008-10-29T23:01:00.005-04:00

My parents divorced when I was 15 years old. This event totally turned my world upside down. And though it's taken me years to fully get over the hurt from the divorce I can say today that without a shadow of a doubt that I've forgiven them both and that I would go to the ends of the earth for either one of them. Though they may have their issues, and don't we all, I love them very much.

There's a new movie coming out called 'Four Christmases' and it's about a couple that is trying to sneak away on a vacation during the holidays so they don't have to deal with their divorced parents and their families.

I can totally relate to this, Keither's parents are divorced and my parents are divorced so it stretches one thin to keep up with four separate families during the holidays. Each year I think about how nice it'd be to spend Christmas on the beach or at Disney World but we've never actually done it. Christmas comes and goes and though we wonder how it all happened so quickly, we come out of it with fond memories most years and look forward to the new year.

To honor my parents I thought I'd write some of my favorite things about each of them.

My father:
Dad always has a "speech" to give and not much has changed today. Some of his famous quotes: "Do something, even if it's wrong." - one of my favorites and "That's my opinion, I welcome yours."

One of my favorite childhood memories with my dad is going to ballgames. Dad is a big sports fan and each year we would go to see the Braves play at the Atlanta Fulton County stadium. There used to be an indian teepee in the outfield where the Braves mascot, Chief Knockahoma, would hang out. Those were fun times.

My mother:
Mother was our provider in the home and she always made me feel loved. Always had good food on the table, we never went hungry, and always made sure we were dressed nice. She was the one who took us to church as kids, an act that I am eternally grateful for today.

One of my favorite childhood memories with my mom is Saturday morning cleaning time. She would put on music and we would dance around the house. The band I remember the most listening to was Kool and the Gang. Those were fun times.

Deuteronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

The first commandment with a promise. I love you, mom and dad.

8th grade poem

2008-10-26T22:39:00.002-04:00

I was rummaging through my personal folder tonight and I came across a newspaper clipping of a poem I wrote in the 8th grade that was published in the Marietta Daily Journal. My wonderful mother clipped the poem and saved it. What a blessing mothers are.

I Am

I am curious and caring
I wonder about world peace
I hear the sun calling my name
I see transparent raindrops dancing on the clouds
I want peace among everyone
I am curious and caring.
I pretend to be an arrogant dancer
I feel that everyone has a right to speak
I touch the fire beneath the earth
I worry about the tumultuous terrorists in the world
I cry when I think of the wretched death in the world
I am curious and caring
I understand that people have rights
I say that hate will stop one day
I dream that I'll rule the world
I try to make my parents proud of me
I hope world peace will come some day
I am curious and caring.

I remember my 8th grade Language Arts class very well. My teacher's name was Ms. Annis, we called her something else. Hee hee. Ms. Annis was from Wisconsin and she had that Wisconsin accent. She was a hoot. She was one of those teachers who certainly left her fingerprint on me and I believe that God used her to touch my life. Although I was not walking closely with the Lord at the time, as I look back, I can see God's hand.

I recall vividly when she told me that my poem had been chosen for the newspaper and I was just like, yeah, whatever. She showed great concern and did her best to let me know this was no small feat and that I was to be proud of my accomplishment. Thank God for teachers who care enough to reach out to their students.

T-Shirt Quilt

2008-10-21T21:24:00.008-04:00

Here are some pics of the wonderful t-shirt quilt that I had made out of Jakob's elementary school t-shirts. I love it!!

The quilt was designed, pieced and sewn together by a very beautiful, talented woman named Kara. My friend, Jen, put me in touch with her and I think the job she did was way above and beyond what I could have imagined. It's absolutely beautiful.

I had intended to keep the finished quilt a secret from Jakob and give it to him at Christmas but I'm the worst at keeping secrets. Plus I was so excited that I had to give it to him now. And as you can see from the pictures, he loves it!!

Thank you so much, Kara. This quilt is truly a treasure.

Hosanna

2008-10-20T20:07:00.004-04:00

Hillsong United has a lot of great music coming out of that movement but this is one of my favorites. I can just feel the presence of the Lord as I sing it. The lyrics speak volumes to me and where I want to be in my relationship with God Almighty. How I love your presence, Father God.

Lord, heal my heart and make it clean, open up my eyes to the things unseen, show me how to love like You have loved me. Break my heart for what breaks Yours, everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause, As I walk from earth into eternity. Amen!!

I see the King of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing

Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest (x2)

I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Baseball Pics

2008-10-19T23:01:00.003-04:00

Fall Baseball is over, boo hoo, but it sure is nice to have my Saturday's back. It's always a little sad to leave the kids and parents you've grown accustomed to hanging out with the past several weeks at the games and practices but like every season it does come to an end. God has always been so faithful to put Jakob on a team that has encouraging and fun coaches and teammates and this season was no different. I truly enjoy baseball season and it reminds me of when I played softball and the days and nights spent at the ballpark in my youth. They don't cheer in baseball though like we did in softball and I would occasionally find myself some nights chanting in my head the softball chants and cheers we used to yell. Those were fun times. (Go back, go back, go back to the woods, your team ain't got no spirit and your coach is no good) LOL!! Ah, fun times.

Okay, so here are some baseball pics of Jakob. Enjoy!

a nice saturday

2008-10-04T19:55:00.012-04:00

What a nice day today was. I didn't have to wake up to an alarm clock and I felt rested as I started the day. I stumbled into the living room and sat on the couch with my hubby, he was watching 'The Toy' with Richard Pryor so we relaxed together and enjoyed some laughs.

As I was making breakfast my little munchkin came stumbling out of his room. (When I say little munchkin I mean my 5' 2'' 11 year old) We slumbered in our jammies most of the morning which was totally awesome. We never do that anymore and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Jakob had a ball game at 2:00 so we all got ready and off we went. It was a nice afternoon to enjoy a ball game, the sky was blue and there was a nice October breeze in the air. I'm so proud of Jakob. Of course I'd be proud of him whether he made a good play or didn't but I just can't help but get overjoyed when he contributes to the team by getting a hit or catching a fly ball, which he did.

My boy sent a fly ball soaring into right field so far that we thought it was going over the fence, it didn't but it was quite joyous to watch. He got a double and an RBI. Yahoo!! I knew this would boost his spirits since he'd been in kind of a hitting slump the past couple of games.

Then in the last inning of the game with the tie run at 2nd base and 2 outs my boy caught a pop fly in outfield to end the game. Oh joy!! I was just about in tears with excitement and Keither was as well. And later on Jakob told me that he was so happy he caught the ball that he thought he was going to cry. Isn't that a hoot!!

I would have never thought when this little bundle of joy came into my life that I would get so emotional over these, what can seem to be, small achievements. God is so good. Thank you, Lord, for small achievements and cheap thrills.

Psalm 127:3

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him."

Jakob right before the game.

the agony of defeat

2008-09-30T21:08:00.004-04:00

Keither is out of town this week and he thought it would be a good idea for me to take Jakob to the batting cage so he (Jakob) doesn't get out of practice with his swing. Sounded easy enough. You know how something looks easy enough so you think it should be and besides I played sports growing up so this should be a piece of cake.

We get to the ball park and no one is at the cages, great. I get through our first bucket of balls and it wasn't all bad, you know I had to warm up and all. I got a few actually over the plate and in the strike zone. Then an actual team shows up for batting practice and begins practicing in the very next batting cage. Ughh!! Okay, Lynn, you can do this I said to myself. I get through the second bucket of balls as quick as I can to high tail it out of there. It was hard enough trying to pitch with no one watching but with a team of kids and dads around, it was twice as hard. And even if they weren't paying any attention to me, I felt as if they were.

I instructed Jakob to pick up the balls and put them in the bucket so we could get out of there and he says, aw but I was having fun... What? How could you possibly, I felt frustrated and defeated. He was lucky to get a dozen hits off of the awful pitches I threw. I wanted to give him a good practice experience and I felt I had let him, myself, and most of all, my husband down.

So we get in the car and I think, I know, I'll take him to the real batting cage with the machine. We get out of the car and walk to the door, they close at 7:00 and it was 7:30...again, defeated. I was sad at how the events of the night went and the enemy was doing a good job of helping me believe that I had failed at every turn.

We headed home and were listening to The Fish and a beautiful song came on the radio. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest... As I began to sing the lyrics I could feel the burden lift. As I simply praised the Lord and stopped focusing on my "issues" and frustrations His presence came.

We get back home and as we walk in the front door I told Jakob to call his dad to tell him I sucked. And he did, of course. When Jakob got off the phone I said, "well, what did your dad say?" Jakob replied, "he said at least you got to swing." What, you got to swing? That's all he wanted? I was so focused on pleasing others and what I couldn't do that I couldn't see anything else. Thank you, Lord, for taking off my blinders.

Later in the evening Jakob remarks, "wouldn't it be great if in the Bible it says that God takes a big crap on Satan..." What? Where does he come up with this stuff? Well, as foul as that sounds, it's true. God did take a big crap on Satan when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that YOU are victorious.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Origin of my title

2008-09-27T22:00:00.006-04:00

Since the title of my blog was inspired by "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey" from SNL (which I love that Jodi knew, I love her) I thought I'd post a few of my favorite "Deep Thoughts" from this very talented author.

Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey
http://www.deepthoughtsbyjackhandey.com/

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

I bet the main reason the police keep people away from a plane crash is they don't want anybody walking in and lying down in the crash stuff, then, when somebody comes up, act like they just woke up and go, "What was THAT?!"

To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kind of scary. I've wondered where this started and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus, and a clown killed my dad.

I believe that laughter is medicine for the soul. I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I can not ever remember getting in trouble in school for talking, but I often was scolded for giggling. As a child I often attempted to break the tension of a situation at home by cracking a joke or doing anything to loosen things up. In fact, my only pre-requisite I felt I needed for a husband was that he had to make me laugh. And in fact, he does. We enjoy a lot of fun times together and my son has become a regular jokester himself and the fact that he's singing while playing Rock Band right now brings joy to my heart.

I struggle with a need for perfection so it's very important for me to keep a light heart and not take myself or the things of this world too seriously. I can remember a time a few years back when it was very difficult to laugh and I thank God that His word says that joy comes in the morning. Every morning, Lord, I want to be filled with your joy. Just think what this world would be like if we all had a glad heart like that of Pollyanna.

Job 8:21 "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."

God and shopping

2008-09-23T15:51:00.004-04:00

So I'm on vacation this week and I headed to the mall for a little clothes shopping. Unbeknown to me I would spend 3 hours at the mall, which may seem like fun to some but totally absurd to me because to be honest I don't care too much for the mall and I find shopping to be very exhausting and frustrating.

After the first hour of roaming through Macy's I finally started praying that if the Lord wanted me to find something here to please help and bring it to light. I went into this store against my better judgement in the first place but thought well maybe I could find something in my price range on clearance. Well nothing was brought to light so I headed into the abyss of Town Center.

The next store just brought further frustration and then I heard the Lord say 'go with what you know'. I've always been able to find clothes at JC Penney not only in my price range but in my size so I headed in that direction. I'm petite when it comes to height so looking for pants can sometimes be very frustrating. The Lord is always faithful. I went into the store and after doing a little searching I found a nice outfit I could wear to work, which is what I was mainly looking for, and some other personal items which I needed. Not only did everything look and feel great but they were all on sale!! God is so good.

How awesome is it that we serve a God that wants to be included in every aspect and decision in our life, even shopping. Shopping today proved for me, once again, what I already knew but too often fail to put into practice, that God is in the small stuff - whatever it may be.

So though I left the mall with sore feet, I had a happy and thankful heart. Thank you, Lord, for wisdom and direction.

Hebrews 4:16
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

My first post

2008-09-20T21:33:00.004-04:00

Revelation 7:13-17
Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?" I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

I read this scripture today and my heart leaped. What an awesome God we serve. Lord, I want to serve you day and night. What a beautiful picture of the Lord's love for us and how he wants to wash us clean, cover us with his love, lead us and provide for our every need.

Praise HIM from whom all blessings flow!!