Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year!!!


To all of my faithful blog readers and those of you stumbling across my thoughts:
I pray for you a Happy New Year.
I pray for you the peace of God in your life.
I pray for you joy in your sorrows.
I pray that you know who God is. Not in knowledge, but on a personal level.
I pray for you the blessed assurance of Heaven.
But mostly, I just pray for you.



MckLinky Blog Hop

Friday, December 18, 2009

sickness and packing and other odds and ends


1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

Have you ever been thankful for being sick? I have! This past weekend I had a cold. Not a bad one, but still annoying. But in the midst of my whiny, poor-me mood it dawned on me.

 
"THANK YOU, GOD, FOR LETTING ME BE SICK!!"

You see, I'm heading home for Christmas, and for our family we're actually celebrating Christmas this Saturday due to family/in-law holiday scheduling… and if I hadn't gotten this cold last weekend I could have gotten it this weekend, and if I had gotten it this weekend, I wouldn't have been able to hold/hug/kiss my niece and nephews and that REALLY stinks because I have a brand new nephew that was born in October that I haven't met yet and I really want to hold him a lot!!!!
 *phew*
 I'm glad I got that out…


 ****************************************
I am an amazingly dedicated packer.
 It's true.
 Look at my list!














There is a column for toiletries, one for clothes, electronics stuff, and a to-do list for the week prior to my traveling that I update daily.

I wish I was this organized in my everyday life

(it can be a little exhausting)


 ****************************************


This is the first time I'm going home in the last five years (since I moved to TN) that I haven't overbooked my time home with tons of things to do. It's going to be great! I'll get to hang out at home with my parents and take it easy… I'm normally going from one outing to the next!

Now don't get me wrong, I love spending all kinds of time with my friends. I miss you guys!! I have a few friends who aren't able to make it to Chicagoland for Christmas this year so it's leaving some time free! I might even get to make cards with my mom and play some pool with my dad!

The other bonus to that? Getting to spend time with new-old friends.

 ****************************************


I'm doing a Bible Study with two other girls (we're using Living the Cross Centered Life – READ IT!) and last week we were talking a little bit about Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
It's such a common passage; I mean the Byrds wrote/sang a song about it! But as I read and reread all of chapter 3 this week I was struck by verses 14 & 15

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 [ESV])


What is, has been.
What will be, already happened.
Who am I to worry when it's already been taken care of?


 ****************************************


And lastly for today…

I am taking a week long blogging hiatus. I want so very much to be able to enjoy my Christmas with my family and friends and focus on them. I'll try to get up and do the video of the day through Christmas (although I make no video promises!), and I will still post a Wordless Wednesday next week, other than that, nothing new. I pray you have the true joy of the Christmas season inside you.

Luke 2:8-14

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Blog Hop: Holiday Photos


I was actually already planning on posting about this fun Christmas tradition in general!! It's a favorite of mine… at least of my Christmas traditions in Tennessee ;o)

The first weekend in December, my roommate A and I went shopping in Franklin, TN. It's not too very far from Murfreesboro, but it always seems like a very special trip. This year was our 3rd annual trip and it was as fun as always. I love being able to spend a day catching up (I know we live together, it doesn't mean we always see each other!) and just spending time in their little downtown area and at the antique mall and other antique stores.

I captured a few fun memories this year…






MckLinky Blog Hop


Thursday, December 10, 2009

Lamentations

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I'm feeling kind of discouraged today lately… I thought I'd share the reminder I needed.

I'm discouraged, but God LOVES me.
I'm discouraged, but God is always MERCIFUL.
I'm discouraged, but God renews His love and mercy EVERY day.
I'm discouraged, but God is FAITHFUL.

HALLELUJAH!!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

You could win…
















(they're pretty, aren't they…)

I don't know why I'm telling you this.

If you enter, that's one less chance of me winning.

Hhhmmmmm….

Just kidding…

You definitely shouldn't go over to MckMama's giveaway blog located here. Or Kelly's giveaway blog here.

And you definitely shouldn't enter the giveaway contest to win an HP Touchsmart 600.

But if you do….

You should consider giving it to me…

*fluttering eyelashes*

Pretty please?


Wordless Wednesday


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Christmas Videos

It's that time of the year again, folks!! Christmas!! And for the third year in a row (this is my third Christmas as a blogger), I will blog through several days of Christmas videos! I'm starting it today and will be posting a list to the left (<-) of the video's each day. I do that so I can delete them day by day and not take up excess room on the blog space. So enjoy some of my favorite Christmas memories, blog friends, and let me know if there's something you want to see…



Merry Christmas!

Christmas has come and gone and videos were fun!! Here's the list in case you're wanting to take a look:

1.   Suzy Snowflake
2.   Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
3.   Sleigh Ride
4.   Razzle-berry Dressing
5.   Snow!
6.   God Bless Us, Every One
7.   I'll Be Home for Christmas
8.   Tender Tennessee Christmas
9.   Nat King Cole
10. Frosty the Snowman
11. Hardrock, Coco, and Joe
12. Good King Wenceslas
13. The Holly and the Ivy
14. O Little Town of Bethlehem
15. White Christmas
16. Away in a Manger

Blog Hop: Christmas Ornaments

This is my second Christmas with my roommates! RubyRed and C have had three Christmas' together in the house, and who knows where we will be next year... except RubyRed, she's going to be with her husband =o) ... We've also made R-Jo an honorary roommate, even though she lives with her husband. But that's another story.

And that was all a long introduction to the not great pictures of the ornaments I'm displaying for you all today! They are pictures of our matching ornaments!!

yep.you read that right.matching.

This first is a set of bears we got when we all went to Gatlinburg together before we were roommates.


 The Candycanes, C picked up for us last year

And this year, R-Jo came over with these adorable penguin ornaments that I featured on a Wordless Wednesday just last week! (we 'tagged' ourselves as penguins)

I think it's fun knowing that we will always have a reminder of our Roommate Christmas's!


MckLinky Blog Hop

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Days


Have you ever just needed Biblical encouragement? The kind you can really only get from reading God's Word? Just that verse that you didn't even realize you needed to hear? I've had that happen twice today (and it's only 10am)!!

The first time was when I was reading in Proverbs this morning (a verse I think I memorized in AWANA!):

Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
   and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make straight your paths.


 The second was when I was reading someone else's blog:

Colossians 2:6-7
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.


 
I hope you are blessed today by scripture you didn't realize you needed. Maybe taking time in your day to read your 'underlined'.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Missing Them

I called home on Thursday.

On Thanksgiving.

I talked to my family… to my mom, dad, brothers (B and K)… to my SIL S and to my niece C…

I made it through talking to S, my dad and C… I held on as best I could while talking to B and struggled as I talked to K… but hearing my brothers talking about my each other's kids, well, it kind of broke my heart.

I want to be there. Home. At least for the holidays. I want to be there for Easter and Thanksgiving and Christmas. I want to be there for my niece and nephew's birthday parties. I want to be there for dance recitals and future little league games. I want to be able to babysit for them and to be able to get to know them. I don't like being the aunt they see two or three times a year. I want to be in their lives.

Needless to say my mom heard them in my voice. The tears that threatened to spill. The tears that threaten to spill now as I'm typing this out.

I love Tennessee.

But sometimes it stinks.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Even When I’m Not

Confession: I don't always love my job.

I don't think of it as a big secret… I don't think I know anyone that loves their job all the time. Do you? I think we all get frustrated and annoyed sometimes.

But I'm thankful for my job. I'm thankful that I have a place to come to where I can be annoyed! Especially now, this economy. I'm so thankful that I have a job. And it's a job that allows me to not only pay my bills, but also to pay off my debt. A job where I have made great friends. A job where I have a boss that really cares. A job that is run by a Godly man who truly cares about his employees.

There are worse places to work…

Like retail on Black Friday.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving: 2009

It's Thanksgiving!! Are you surprised? I'm thinking not since I've been blogging about it all week! So here it is, blog friends. The 'List of Thankfulness" for 2009, in no particular order... You're excited, I can feel it! Haha

  • God's sovereignty 
  • The blessing of Godly parents who trust God (and trust that their daughter trusts Him, too!) 
  • 2 brothers that have become pretty cool over the last few years
  • 2 amazing sis-in-law's (they're cooler then my brothers. Haha)
  • The ever endearing CG, DC, CJ, and (very newly born) EB
  • My best friend being alive and well!!
  • Zumba! Fun Latin/hip hop/dance workout. Yay for having fun while burning lots of calories!
  • My roomies RubyRed & BrooklynCS. They've both been there for me this year as God is teaching me much while giving me brokenness. Thanks for letting me cry on your shoulders!
  • Authentic friends that are as close as family.
  • Not working retail on Black Friday!!!
  • Church family that tag team you to convince you that you need to join them for Thanksgiving dinner (I prefer Thanksgiving alone, somehow it's less lonely, but I did cave at stopping by in the evening for dessert) 
  • Books about string theory and God's existence. 
  • RED shoes!!
  • Mentoring relationships
  • The smell of fresh cut grass in the summer
  • Thanksgiving leftovers!! So much better on day's 2,3,4…
  • Photography blogs. They help me dream of what I might be able to do when I someday own my very own DSLR camera. Someday….. *big dreamy sigh*
  • Jeans day's at work!
  • Shopping online and small boutiques for Christmas presents. It is so much better than the mad crush of shoppers.
  • Our country's Military. Many are giving up their Thanksgiving with their families to keep our freedom. Have you thanked them lately?
  • Coworkers that can make me laugh even on a Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day (maybe I should move to Australia{how I hope you get that reference})
  • The rain we had to deal with at the beginning of fall. The leaves have turned such beautiful colors this year!
I'm sure I could keep this list going on and on blog friends, but I'm going to stop right now.
 

I'd love to hear what you're thankful for this Thanksgiving, so comment away and let me know!


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thank YOU!!


Today I want to tell you how thankful I am for you, my lovely blog readers! I don't know how many of you there are, I just know that I appreciate each and every one of you.

I like that I can be blunt on this blog, I like that I can put up photographs I've taken and share my ponderings with you. I hope you all enjoy reading my mishaps and poems and my lessons learned. I am thankful that I have this outlet available to me, that I am able to share my life with you…

I look forward to many more blogging years with you =o)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you get to enjoy it with family, friends, and loved ones.

*hugs* to you

Joy

Monday, November 23, 2009

Thankful


This week in honor of Thanksgiving, my FAVORITE holiday, I am going to attempt to blog something I'm thankful for each day including the traditional list on Thanksgiving Day that I've done for the last couple of years (you can find them here and here).

Today I want to share with you how thankful I am for God's word; this year more than ever. I'm not perfect by any means, but I used to take it for granted and lately God has been reminding me of how important it is for me to read my Bible daily and to hide His word in my heart. I pray for you, my blog readers, that you know and follow this truth as well.

In honor of this, I'm going to share a list of truths about God's word for you to read from a sermon titled A Song of Trust in God's Word that I heard at my church on 11/15/09. You can listen to it HERE!! All of the verses referenced are from Psalm 119.

  • God's word is a source of blessing v. 1
  • God's word increases my love/passion for God v. 10-11
  • God's word helps me overcome the world's rebukes & insults v. 19-23
  • God's word encourages me in difficult times v. 25, 28
  • God's word teaches me to focus on the eternal, not the temporary v. 36-37
  • God's word gives me what to say v. 41-46
  • God's word reminds me He will bring justice v. 52-53
  • God's word brings me to repentance v. 59
  • God's word teaches me God's sovereignty & purposes in affliction v. 71
  • God's word shows me my need…Godly understanding v. 73, 75
  • God's word teaches me longsuffering v. 81-84
  • God's word brings hope v. 92-93
  • God's word brings wisdom not based on age & life experiences v. 98-100
  • God's word keeps me from foolishly falling into traps v. 105, 109-110
  • God's word teaches me the fate of the wicked v. 119
  • God's word teaches me dependency on Him v. 121-126
  • God's word makes sense of life v. 130
  • God's word teaches me biblical anger v. 139
  • God's word makes prayer meaningful v. 145-148
  • God's word teaches me He is the giver of eternal life v. 154, 156, 159
  • God's word brings peace v. 165
  • God's word teaches that He answers prayer v. 169-176

Friday, November 20, 2009

Why’d You Have to go and Make Things so Complicated


Do you ever wonder why people are afraid to pray in front of others? Do you notice it when you're out to eat with friends at a restaurant… do you play the "thumbs up" game to see who has to pray? Why don't we volunteer? What is it about speaking to our Savior that is so scary?

Is it us? Is it the people we're with? Do we think people are judging our words? Like what we say just isn't going to be good enough… Like we need to be the most eloquent of speakers for God to really hear us and listen? Or do we need to be eloquent for our friends to be o-so-impressed by us?

In the recent past, I rented You Can't Take it with You and was struck by the sincerity of the dinner prayers of the grandfather. He just talked to God:



Grandpa : [offering grace] Quiet, please, quiet! Well, sir, here we are again. We've had quite a time of it lately, but it seems that the worst of it is over. Course, the fireworks all blew up, but we can't very well blame that on you. Anyway, everything's turned out fine, as it usually does. Alice is going to marry Tony; Mr. Kirby, who's turned out to be a very good egg, sold us back our house - he'll probably forget all about big deals for a while. Nobody on our block has to move; and, with the right handling, I think we can even thaw out Mrs. Kirby here. We've all got our health; as far as anything else is concerned, we still leave that up to you. Thank you.



How incredibly simple is that!!

I hope you talk to God today. He wants to hear from you…

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Be Joyful Always?

I always said that my verses I try to live by are 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Yesterday I failed miserably. I mean MISERABLY. Not that I'm ever perfect at it, but yesterday was the worst in a long time. You see, yesterday something happened that made me forget my joy. I forgot to pray. And I was most definitely not giving thanks. My whole perspective and life changed from trusting Christian girl to someone living in 'What If'.

I had the day off of work, so I tried to call my best friend to see if she had time to chat. She didn't pick up but called me back later. Here's how the conversation started… she asked me if I saw my e-mail and I told her I hadn't and she said, "well, I'm fine, but…". Now you know that is leading up to something. You see on Sunday, my BF was driving home to Iowa from a weekend in St. Louis (where she lived up until a month-ish ago). She had had a wedding shower and gotten to see some friends; well on the way back, her car hydroplaned. Then her car did some 360's. Then the rear of her car hit a rock wall. Then she flipped in the air. Then she landed upside down in a ditch.

She only lost her car… it would be a shock if it wasn't totaled, people had to dig around her through shattered glass to help her crawl out… she's only sore… with no broken bones… she didn't even lose a present from her shower. But for an hour or so… I lived in a place where I imagined losing my best friend (of 20+ years). For an hour or so, I cried. If I saw or talked to another friend, I lost it. And then I realized something. For an hour or so, I questioned God… I worried about losing my best friend and then I wondered something. If I had lost her? If that had happened? How would my view of God change in that moment? I allowed Satan to attack me in my moment of doubt. I didn't guard my heart against the attack of the enemy… and I was shaken. To my core I questioned. And then I heard that still small voice calling my name, and then I prayed. And there was peace. And then I could rejoice in the fact that my best friend was safe, and I could praise God for his faithfulness and thank him for her in my life…

I'm not saying I'm not still a little bit shaken, my faithful blog readers. But I am praising God today for the reminder of His sovereignty!


Thursday, November 12, 2009

In Attempt

Wow, blog readers, you must be thinking there is something wrong with me. I mean three blogs in one week on three consecutive days? It's seemingly unheard of for this blog writer!!!

I'm trying to be more disciplined, I really am. Within my life and the things I do. I want to blog more often. I think part of the problem is that I feel like some of the things going on in my life are too personal and I don't know where to draw the blogging line. So I'm going to attempt. I literally checked and I have 7 different blogs queued up that I have started writing, and I need to finish/post them! I will… I mean it!! I really will!

You may have noticed yesterday that I started posting a Wordless Wednesday, and I intend to keep that up, but you and I all know that there will be weeks that only have Wordless Wednesday's!!

Bear with me, blogging friends, I'm attempting.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Touched Down in the Land of the Delta Blues

Saw the ghost of Elvis

On Union Avenue

Followed him up to the gates of Graceland

Then I watched him walk right through


Now security they did not see him

They just hovered 'round his tomb

But there's a pretty little thing

Waiting for the King

Down in the Jungle Room


Then I'm walking in Memphis

Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Blog Hop: Fall

It has rained like CRAZY here in Tennessee. I don't know about you, or where you are reading this from, but we have had rain for weeks!! I know it's making everyone crazy, but now that it's finally stopping and the weather has hit that point of beautiful fall, I have been very much enjoying the leaves and all of the beautiful colors that God has given us. Here are a few pictures of nature that I've taken lately (although it's hard to choose favorites!) I hope you enjoy them too =o)
A puddle of leaves
berries turning color in the grass
crazy mushrooms from all the rain
fall through a peephole



MckLinky Blog Hop

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Friday, October 16, 2009

Editing Photos

Photog: n. Informal
A person who takes photographs, especially as a profession; a photographer.

I'm no professional (although I've dreamed), I don't actually have a digital camera (I use my cell phone), and I dream of owning photoshop (but settle for using 'Microsoft Office Picture Manager); but I am a person who takes photographs and edits them with the insignificant editing software I have access to.

I love to play with photographs. I like to edit. I love that you can take pictures and enhance their color and fix their quality. I love when God provides a show of perfection in nature. And I love even more when I try to 'enhance' a picture but it is more beautiful untouched.



Thursday, October 15, 2009

I can't believe...

... it's been two weeks since I blogged!!!

EPIC FAIL!!!

I do have about 5 blogs I randomly work on in progress and I'll do my bestest to get one up sometime this weekend...






maybe...

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Addison Road

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I'm kind of picky when it comes to music.

I like what I like.
I don't like what I don't like.
When I don't like something but it has a good beat, I'll listen to it at the gym.
But only at the gym.

I like this. It's called 'What Do I Know of Holy' by a band called Addison Road (which has probably been around for years).

I At least like the lyrics… I've only actually heard it one time and I can't really remember the tune (as a matter of fact, I keep singing the name of the band to the tune of Allison Road by Counting Crows which is now stuck in my head). This section in particular kind of hit me over the head:

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What would my reaction be if I literally caught a glimpse of the Lord? Would I have the same reaction as Isaiah? Woe to me, for I am ruined. What do I really even know? Am I jaded in how I really listen to God because I think I know all the stories? Because I was taught the words on the page? Because I hear how God is mighty to save?

Do I not allow myself to be broken because I think I know the answers?


 

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

5

5 seconds ago, I was complaining that I have 'I Got a Feeling' stuck in my head.
5 minutes ago, I was assisting a client at work.
5 hours ago, I was sound asleep.
5 days ago, I was working in Shelbyville. 1st lane drive-thru.
5 weeks ago, I was opening new accounts at our Memorial office.
5 months ago, it was Tax Day.
5 years ago, I was moving all of my things from IL to TN.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Honey

It all started off innocently enough. Just like every other morning… After pushing snooze several times I woke up, took a shower, threw on some *ahem* undergarments and my robe and headed downstairs to have breakfast.

Yes. I am a total creature of habit.

Here's the breakfast routine: get out a bowl (preferably one of the blue ones), go to my cabinet, and grab whatever kind of organic cereal I happen to have that's open. It is 75% of the time organic cheerios. Pour cereal into the bowl, put box away, grab the Light Plain Soymilk (aka "soyjuice" haha) pour it on the cereal. Put the soymilk away and go to the hutch to grab the honey. [Nope, I don't put the honey on my cereal, but I do eat a little bit everyday so I can try to avoid allergy medication] Eat a spoonful of honey (I let my cereal soak up a little milk before I eat it) and, today, as I'm closing the lid and putting it on the counter…

***CRASH***

My over half-full mason jar of fresh, local, Gallatin made, farmers market purchased, honey fell and broke and leaked and oozed all over the floor.

So there I stand; staring at the floor. Wondering how/when/why on earth this jar slipped like that. Of course my next thought was, "oh man, I'm gonna have to clean this up!"

*sigh*

In case you ever were wondering the best way to clean up a huge honey spill, here goes…

  1. Pull your trash can up really close to you.
  2. Pick up the largest pieces of glass mason jar you can. Avoid touching the honey.
  3. Try using the larger pieces of glass to pick up the medium sized pieces of glass. Avoid touching honey with anything other than your fingertips.
  4. Realize that there are tiny pieces of glass within the honey while using the medium sized pieces of glass to try to pick up the smaller pieces. Avoid getting honey past the first knuckle of your fingers.
  5. Allow the honey to get up to the second knuckle trying to scoop up the small pieces that wouldn't get picked up by the medium pieces. Avoid getting scraped up by the tiny glass pieces.
  6. Grab handfuls of honey while avoiding getting scratched up by tiny pieces of glass. Avoid spreading the honey into a bigger puddle.
  7. Realize that you're making the puddle of honey into a much larger puddle of honey. Decide to sit back and go ahead and wash your hands to see what to do next. Avoid using scalding hot tap water on the burn you got on your hand pulling pizza out of the oven.
  8. Look around the kitchen and spot some cooking implements. Grab a spatula and spoonula. Avoid stepping in the sticky honey mess.
  9. Use the spoonula to scoop up the honey while using the spatula to keep the excess from spilling even more on to the floor. Avoid strings on honey hanging off of the spoonula.
  10. Once it is all cleaned up, get a towel and soak it with hot water. Avoid touching this to the previously mentioned burn.
  11. Use the towel to wipe up all of the honey that is still sticking to the floor. Rinse out the towel.
  12. Repeat as necessary.
  13. When you are done with that, use the hot water towel one more time with some dish soap to make sure there is no sticky residue. That way you help to avoid bugs.
  14. While you're on the floor, wipe the rest of the kitchen floor to pick up any excess glass that may still be on the floor. Avoid cutting your feet.

I then, of course, had to run upstairs throw on clothes and run out of the house in attempts to get to work on time… did my makeup at red lights and in the parking lot… I don't recommend dropping jars of honey.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Today is…

… my 3 year work-iversary! I just wanted to show off the pretty flowers my boss had sent to me =o) And seeing how it's me, you should know that it'll be a whole bunch of mini pics, hehe