Monday, October 18, 2010

Community

Meriam Webster Dictionary defines community as:
an unified body of individuals: as
a : state, commonwealth
b : the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself
c : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
d : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society, a community of retired persons
e : a group linked by a common policy
f : a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
g : a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society
2: society at large
3a : joint ownership or participation
b : common character : likeness
c : social activity : fellowship
d : a social state or condition

So since I moved back over the bridge I have several friends in the neighborhood. On Sunday mornings, we all meet up at 8:30am for breakfast. Then we load everyone up on the bikes and we're off. We've been riding between 7-13 miles each time. We usually stop in at different places. We'll go to help out at the Simple Project or stop in at Books-a-Million or go play at the park.

I'm absolutely loving my community!
Love!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Zombie Ball

So Missy, the roomie, loves Halloween! So a bunch of her friends decided to throw a Halloween Party for her. It was a blast!

Librarian and College Student


Officer Tush and Greek Goddess


The Girls


The group


Sheriff and Renaldo


Me with the Queen of Hearts


Me and Pirate Pam


Librarian is not being too quiet...


I have to sweetest little brother who came in and joined me!

Love!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

2 Very Long Years.

So, today it has been 2 years to the day since my car accident. It is so hard to believe it has been this long. Since some of my wonderful blog readers don't know the whole scoop on the accident, let me fill you in.
1. I had a clean car on Monday, September 22, 2008.
2. September 23, 2008, I had my tires rotated.
3. September 23, 2008, someone ran a stop sign and slammed me into a building only 2 blocks from my office.
4. OnStar came on. They connected me with a 9-1-1 operator who dispatched the police.
5. Donnie the cleaner came out of his office. He hopped in my backseat and called my sister and parents.
6. Patricia was on my phone through my bluetooth ear piece. She heard the entire thing including my OnStar convo. She came to the accident scene.
7. The paramedics wanted me to get in the ambulance.
8. I gathered myself and my emotions and wiped some of the exploded Dr. Pepper off my hands and face and instructed some firemen to break the doors off because I was crawling out. No backboard/taped down ambulance ride for this gal.
9. Kelly and Krystal came from down at the office. Krystal took me to the hospital. Kelly stayed with my car.
10. Krystal dropped me off in the ambulance bay to walk into the ER. She went to park the car.
11. I signed in and turned around to find a place to sit. Randy was standing there.
12. Emma and Marty showed up.
13. After waiting what seemed like forever, they finally called me back.
14. My body hurt. I was placed in a holding room across from a man who had his toes amputated. He didn't have proper wound care. His not toes were infected. It smelled horrible.
15. I went for X-Rays of my neck. Dad's friend Coach came to check on me. He asked for me to be drugged. I got a big shot in the hieney. After arguing with the doctor, he agreed to give the girl who bumped her head in the accident a CT Scan of her head. Did I mention I have a history of concussions? I'll tell the "Titanic 2" story another day.
16. Came back clear. They let me walk out of the hospital approximately 7 hours later.
17. Emma picked me up and we drove through Walgreens for drugs. Then went home. She stayed with me.
18. I didn't leave my bed until Friday when my parents made it to town. We went for more x-rays and to look at my car that had been towed from the accident scene to Bawcomville then to Ryan Chevrolet. We found the below pics.


19. I started physical therapy after seeing an orthopedic doctor. There was talk of surgery. I had very little feeling in my left hand. My upper trap muscle took over. I had good days and bad days. My whole body hurt, more intensely in my left arm and one certain place in my neck. This went on for almost 2 whole years of trying everything including epidural steroid injections, in my neck. This gets us to today.
20. 3 weeks ago today, I had the surgery. Now that the surgery has happened, I can tell you I downplayed it. It was a major surgery. It hurts. It is a different hurt. It is just a soreness type pain. It gets better by the day.

Things to learn:
1. Focus on driving. Even going a slow speed could hurt you.
2. Always forgive. The Bible mentions it several times. In the Lord's prayer it teaches us how to pray- Forgive those who trespass against us. In Matthew, he describes an incident when Peter was asking Jesus questions. Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Yep. FORGIVE.
3. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is, if I am complaining, I should go home. Philippians says Do everything without complaining or arguing.
4. Another of my big lessons has been to slow down and enjoy the journey. You know how sometimes when you are traveling the last hour seems like the longest. Well this has seemed like a long two years. I think this is a great lesson to learn. Enjoy the journey. When you are going through a hard time, you lose site and you lose your will and your passion. I think we need to do the opposite. Even in the everyday mundane activities- Enjoy the journey.
5. To tag on to #4, slow down. In our day in time, life is always go go go. Sometimes God has lessons for us in the stillness. Plus how will we hear Him if we are too busy to listen.

Alrighty, there's a quick account of the accident. I want you all to know that God is ready to teach us even in our most difficult hour. We just have to remember and always choose to turn to Him every single time.
Love!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

perfection...

So I'm not perfect.
I know others are not perfect.
Nothing is perfect.

So those are some realizations I've always known but was reminded of again tonight. I've been sulking lately because I am stuck at home recovering. After all, there are only so many episodes of NCIS and Law and Order that I can watch. My schedule lately is go to work then come home and sit in the recliner with or without dinner, depending on how I'm feeling. So today, I decided I would do something creative instead of sitting in the recliner. Last year, I went to the beach with several friends. I bought little wooden frames to frame our picture. I planned on painting the frames and adding some of the shells that we collected while we were at the beach. Well I guess a year isn't too late to do the project. Today seemed like a good day! As I was sitting there looking at the shells. Each one of the shells is different, unique in their own way. Each one had been on a journey before ending up in my hands. Each line, dent, scratch tells a story of its journey. Same with us! Each one of our triumphs, our scars, our experiences, our family and friends all tell our story. Those shells were made by the same hands that made me. Each shell was made unique, special and perfect. The world may see those scratches, lines and dents as imperfections, but our Creator sees differently. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29.11. Reading that, I definitely feel loved. Unconditionally loved. I'm not perfect. Physically, mentally or emotionally. But to God, I am perfect, just how he wanted me. I know I will always work hard to be like Jesus, I also know I will fail many times, not intentionally of course. Isn't it great to know even though we fail, God is loving and gracious?! I think so! I'm thankful that I am unconditionally loved. Jonathan sang this tonight at Portico Church. It brings tears to my eyes each time I hear this song!
*****************
How He Loves US

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,

Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we?re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don?t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way?
**********************
I pray and strive to LOVE like He loves me!
Love!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

taming the tongue.

To myself and whom ever also needs this reminder.

James writes "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." He says GET RID OF ALL moral filth. What is the moral filth in my life? What do I need to get rid of in my life? What things/thoughts do I need to change in my life?

He also writes do not listen to the word and not do what it says, you are deceiving yourself. You would be like a man who looks in the mirror and immediately forgets what he looks like. Am I forgetting what I look like? Forgetting who I am in Christ? Am I forgetting all of the wonderful things that I have been blessed with? Am I forgetting to worship God in each and every thing that I am doing? Is my forgetting myself causing others to stumble?

He also writes about our speaking. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with that same tongue we curse man, my brothers, THIS should not be. Can't do both. Instead of love and patience, am I being negative and speaking negative about my fellow brothers and sisters?

Oh my stars. It's time to get it together. NO ONE IS PERFECT, especially me. I understand that. I also know that the ONE who was perfect showed constant, unfailing, unchanging, patient love. Jesus says it simply as one of the greatest commandments of all. Love your neighbor as yourself. The words are simple. The action? Not so much. My new daily goal (to go along with my word of the year): I WILL LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF. Everyday, love. Every situation, love. Every person, love. Every moment, show the love that Jesus has so graciously shown me.

Love!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

back at work...

So, I'm back at work after neck surgery. It hurts, I'm not going to lie. I'm tired and whiney and don't want to do anything.

This is what it looks like this morning.

This is what I looked like this afternoon... I'm tired.

This is me after walking with Leigh-Ann. I thought it would be a good idea to get outside and walk around for a little while.

I know I'm not too bright, but I'm ready to feel better! Anyways, soon. Very soon. I hope!
Love!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Knock Knock...

Who's there?
BOO
BOO Who?
It's only a joke, you don't have to cry about it...
HAHAHA!

Anyways, on Saturday, Leigh-Ann and I decided that we should make these Halloween wreaths that we saw on this BLOG. We jazzed them up with some of the fun tulle I bought at Spring Market. The wreaths were easy to make, but they were a huge mess! If you have an outside area, I would do it there. Also, Martha Stewart glitter is the best! Love it!!

You need black burlap. A lot of it.


Then you cut the burlap into strips.



Then you tie the strips onto your already painted black wreath. P.S. Spray paint works great for that task.


Then you need some awesome and expensive Martha Stewart Glitter. Totally worth the price. (Little helpers are awesome at this project!)


Here's the wreath making crew!


Here is how it looks on my door! Love it!


It was tons of fun!!! Love!