As most of you all know, I love, no really, love the whole Christmas season! I love decorating. I love attending parties. I love the food at the parties. I love seeing people, especially friends and family. I love shopping. I love people watching in the mall. I love that most often people are jolly. I love driving around and looking at all of the pretty lights. I love the Christmas movies. I love that there's always a possibility of having a white Christmas. I love the colors of Christmas, the reds and greens and brown grass. I love the leg lamp from the Christmas story. I love buying happies for everyone. Most of all, I love reading this from Luke...
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
And this from Isaiah 9....
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
I love those words in Isaiah... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace... Thinking about all of the words they could have used to describe him, and they chose these incredibly descriptive words... Wow! I'm thankful that THE Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace calls me his own.
Celebrate!
Love!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
A few months ago, our Portico Kiddos learned about RESPECT. Our verse was "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." 1Peter 2.17. This has brought RESPECT to the front of my mind. I have been personally working on RESPECTing others. I have also noticed how disRESPECTful people are these days. Not many people say "please" or "thank you" much any more. It hurts my heart that children today are so disrespectful to their parents, teachers, peers and themselves. Growing up, my parents did a wonderful job teaching my siblings and I to respect others as well as ourselves.
I feel like our lesson helped our Portico Kiddos and their families work on RESPECT, but how do I help people my age remember how to RESPECT ourselves and each other? I have friends who do the stupidist things because they do not RESPECT themselves. It is so self-destructive. I mean don't you have a brain in your head? Don't you know that RESPECT means an act of giving particular attention? Don't you like being treated that way? I surely do! I like to be treated RESPECTfully. I think the world, especially my community, would be a much better place if there was more RESPECTing going around.
My challenge: Join me in showing proper respect to EVERYONE--- parents, teachers, authority, coworkers, roommates, friends, most importantly ourselves. The small things (saying "please" and "thank you" and using good polite manners) will make this gal's and your world a much better place to live in.
I feel like our lesson helped our Portico Kiddos and their families work on RESPECT, but how do I help people my age remember how to RESPECT ourselves and each other? I have friends who do the stupidist things because they do not RESPECT themselves. It is so self-destructive. I mean don't you have a brain in your head? Don't you know that RESPECT means an act of giving particular attention? Don't you like being treated that way? I surely do! I like to be treated RESPECTfully. I think the world, especially my community, would be a much better place if there was more RESPECTing going around.
My challenge: Join me in showing proper respect to EVERYONE--- parents, teachers, authority, coworkers, roommates, friends, most importantly ourselves. The small things (saying "please" and "thank you" and using good polite manners) will make this gal's and your world a much better place to live in.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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