If you read my blog and believe in the amazing power of prayer please, oh please pray for THIS family.
Kassy and Dave are the strong and struggling parents of baby Asher. His health problems are extreme and they need prayers of help and support, and hope.
There is nothing like a health condition to make us sit up and face the harsh yet wonderful realities of life. I know, nothing has changed me more and strengthened my faith, as those years of Melanie's illness.
Kassy and Dave need hope, and strength, and courage. Pray for them please! If you go to a Bible class and they ask for prayer requests please mention them. If you and your family have prayer time together, I ask that you add them to your thoughts. As you go through your day, remember this great family who is desperate for deliverance. Thank You!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
New design!
“I hope your dreams take you... to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.” Unknown
What a quote! It is so positive and light!
Have you noticed my new blog design? It is perfect for me!
It is a blend of my thoughts and the creative talents of my friend Annie! Thank You friend!!!!
I only have one foot in the blog world, but here is what I have seen that I like.
Bloggers who have their own voice.
Beautiful blogs... not just the visual beauty, but beautiful uplifting words that radiate warmth and personality.
Blogs that update me on the lives of my friends!
Every time I run across something new and interesting to me as the reader.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Some folks
The wonderful thing about being sociable, is getting to meet great people. Not just great people, but
funny
intriguing
pleasant
different
sincere
careful
wonderful
hilarious
quirky
just down right "good folks", salt of the Earth if you will
I have taken many roads in this life. I have learned lessons that I hope will go with me always. And I have gotten to meet new people who constantly make me thankful. Friends, collegues, cohort, family, community, etc. All of these groups are full of people who enhance my life. I really mean that.....my life is better because of the wonderful people who I know! Thank God for all of the folks that he has placed in my life:)
funny
intriguing
pleasant
different
sincere
careful
wonderful
hilarious
quirky
just down right "good folks", salt of the Earth if you will
I have taken many roads in this life. I have learned lessons that I hope will go with me always. And I have gotten to meet new people who constantly make me thankful. Friends, collegues, cohort, family, community, etc. All of these groups are full of people who enhance my life. I really mean that.....my life is better because of the wonderful people who I know! Thank God for all of the folks that he has placed in my life:)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Beyond Cute
I always learn something, or get some new knowledge when I visit NPR online.
Well, they have this baby project blog thing and let me tell you, they had an entry that was beyond cute!
It had to do with the traditional pink and blue striped baby blanket that is used to wrap up a ton of new babies all across the country:)
Interested in this sweet, cuteness.....read and view more pics here.
Well, they have this baby project blog thing and let me tell you, they had an entry that was beyond cute!
It had to do with the traditional pink and blue striped baby blanket that is used to wrap up a ton of new babies all across the country:)
Interested in this sweet, cuteness.....read and view more pics here.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Health Cures
I'm back! I hope you enjoyed the 7 pics that I shared over the last few days. It was fun and refreshing to find and select the photos. My personal favorite....all of them;) They all were pretty fabulous to me.
Now here we go,
Save your life. Smile:)
Well it's not exactly that simple....but a new study on the links between optimism and reduced risk of stroke is a great thing.
Interested......read more here.
The next two weeks are full of school, but I can do it....God is blessing me all of the time! Look around, he is blessing you too!
Now here we go,
Save your life. Smile:)
Well it's not exactly that simple....but a new study on the links between optimism and reduced risk of stroke is a great thing.
Interested......read more here.
The next two weeks are full of school, but I can do it....God is blessing me all of the time! Look around, he is blessing you too!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
A Week in Pictures:1
From today and lasting through the next 7 posts, I will be posting a unique, beautiful, fun, and/or random picture for my post. No words, except for the links where I found the photos. Instead of words, I think it will be fun to just let your mind go wherever the photo inspires you. A blog summer vacation of sorts;)
Enjoy!
Day 1:
from here
Enjoy!
Day 1:
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Wishing
Ok,
Not to jinx anything, but I guess I can let you know what has been my wish lately.
I still have time left in graduate school, but May 2012 will be here soon.
Finding a job and place to settle is VERY important to me.
Well, I am currently wishing that a job would open up for me in Decatur, Georgia.
This little piece of greatness makes me sooo happy and I can see myself settling there, and I LOVE that!
Small school system. Close but not inside Atlanta. Strong church and faith community. Diversity! Yeah, I kind of already have started doing my research.
I know deep down inside me that Decatur and I could be so good for each other. Time will tell however, and I can wait;)
Pssst- If a job opened up there for an Elementary school counselor, for next, next school year 2012-2013, well that would be bliss. It's a specific request, but I still pray for it sometimes. God likes to know our needs and our wishes!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Silent Apology
"Never ruin an apology with an excuse."
Kimberly Johnson
I wonder to myself, is it pride? A part of me knows that it was a mix of pride and very hurt feelings that made me end a friendship very abruptly. It took my courageous, and bold sister to tell me the truth I did NOT want to hear. I had a friend, and I cut her off, and that was the wrong thing to do. The first time Melanie told me this I did not want to hear it....but like the best of sisters she bought it up again and again until I was ready to hear the honest truth.
There is an apology that I have in my heart that I will probably never find the guts to give. Maybe this will change as I continue to grow in grace. I rationalize it and say...."She has a busy life". "There is no way she misses me". "She has many other friends." "The last time I saw her it was just so awkward....that was her sign that she did not want to stay friends".
BUT
The thing about truth is that it is not distracted by my thoughts. And truth hit me square in the heart the other day as I was watching the Oprah series finale. She showed a video segment that has stayed with me for quite some time.
The best way I can share what is in my heart is the last part of this video. When I saw this on Oprah's final show it literally took my breathe away and bought tears to my eyes. I guess because it was so real and is part of what I cannot say. I guess it was because it was a fearless move.
The part that rocked me in its truth was from minute 1:45 on..... (video found here)
"I couldn't recognize it. I didn't even know what it was."
Now, my case is not exactly so dramatic. But the truth is still there. I had a friend and in the end I could not recognize what our friendship was becoming and so I jumped ship. Instead of a natural end, instead of talking and trying, I cut it off completely and prematurely. And I am sorry for that.
How often do we get a chance to be this truthful? To bear our very vulnerable hearts and hope and pray that the others in our life extend the grace and forgiveness that we need, and not what we deserve.
Time washes away memories like sand on a beach. Time will tell if I get the courage to do what I know is needed. Maybe, time and faith will make it a little easier, because even now it is still hard. I am not through with this struggle yet. Time will allow me to grow and continue to admit that friendship is not easy, and though I am a friendly person I am also flawed. Time will grow the sacred friendships that sustain me and allow me to grow and change and develop into what I can be.... instead of what I am.
* A heavy post I know.....one that I would typically write in my own personal journal. But I felt like typing this evening and this was the result. As my research professor always says....we have to get our thoughts down on paper sometimes....letting them run wild in our mind, takes up energy and does not get us anywhere.
Night:)
Kimberly Johnson
I wonder to myself, is it pride? A part of me knows that it was a mix of pride and very hurt feelings that made me end a friendship very abruptly. It took my courageous, and bold sister to tell me the truth I did NOT want to hear. I had a friend, and I cut her off, and that was the wrong thing to do. The first time Melanie told me this I did not want to hear it....but like the best of sisters she bought it up again and again until I was ready to hear the honest truth.
There is an apology that I have in my heart that I will probably never find the guts to give. Maybe this will change as I continue to grow in grace. I rationalize it and say...."She has a busy life". "There is no way she misses me". "She has many other friends." "The last time I saw her it was just so awkward....that was her sign that she did not want to stay friends".
BUT
The thing about truth is that it is not distracted by my thoughts. And truth hit me square in the heart the other day as I was watching the Oprah series finale. She showed a video segment that has stayed with me for quite some time.
The best way I can share what is in my heart is the last part of this video. When I saw this on Oprah's final show it literally took my breathe away and bought tears to my eyes. I guess because it was so real and is part of what I cannot say. I guess it was because it was a fearless move.
The part that rocked me in its truth was from minute 1:45 on..... (video found here)
"I couldn't recognize it. I didn't even know what it was."
Now, my case is not exactly so dramatic. But the truth is still there. I had a friend and in the end I could not recognize what our friendship was becoming and so I jumped ship. Instead of a natural end, instead of talking and trying, I cut it off completely and prematurely. And I am sorry for that.
How often do we get a chance to be this truthful? To bear our very vulnerable hearts and hope and pray that the others in our life extend the grace and forgiveness that we need, and not what we deserve.
Time washes away memories like sand on a beach. Time will tell if I get the courage to do what I know is needed. Maybe, time and faith will make it a little easier, because even now it is still hard. I am not through with this struggle yet. Time will allow me to grow and continue to admit that friendship is not easy, and though I am a friendly person I am also flawed. Time will grow the sacred friendships that sustain me and allow me to grow and change and develop into what I can be.... instead of what I am.
* A heavy post I know.....one that I would typically write in my own personal journal. But I felt like typing this evening and this was the result. As my research professor always says....we have to get our thoughts down on paper sometimes....letting them run wild in our mind, takes up energy and does not get us anywhere.
Night:)
Thursday, July 7, 2011
My Four Things
While reading my friend's blog I was intrigued by her post from yesterday. It got my mind to pondering, What are the 4 things you need in your life to stay balanced and happy and lovable?
Here they are in the sort of, short and sweet version.....because I am sleepy:)
1. Vibrant faith and God's Word. I do not do enough Bible reading, but every time I do....I always get a reminder or learn something that I need to refresh, remind and reawaken my life. It is nice to be reminded of a higher and better way to live and think.
2. Family and Friends. I am SO thankful for the special family in my life. We are a large group and I would not have it any other way. My friends are amazing, I am blessed to have them and I am thankful for their love and everlasting support.
3. Travel. Near or far....I need to go. I am seeing more and more that I get a special joy from travel, from new and old places. Food, Experiences, People, Scenery.....give it all to me please!
4. Rest. Typically this meshes into what I love to call "me time". My mind runs fast and gets a lot done. But it calls for rest often. However, I don't have to be snuggled in bed to get rest. No, I can give my mind and body a break more often than you would think. It's the great part about knowing your own personal limits and then sticking to them.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Sometimes I could Cry
This was my Facebook status update moments ago...
My heart breaks for ALL of the abused, neglected, and murdered children in this country....It is time for ADULTS to do better! Our children have suffered enough and we don't listen to their stories until it is far too late:(
I really could just cry sometimes. I have always had a soft heart for children. When it comes to things that make me question the decency of human beings....it is child abuse that I just cannot for the life of me understand.
Like the title to this post says...Sometimes I could cry. My eyes are teary now. And I need to remember this feeling of sadness because I don't ever want to not be affected by the loss of innocent life. I do not want life to harden me to the desperate cries of babies and children.
But I know that the scared children, the needy children, the abused, neglected, and murdered children. They don't need my tears. They need us to DO something. They need adults to get our acts together.
They NEED us to educate young and not so young families who don't KNOW better.
They NEED us to offer better support for those people in this life who are parents but also suffer from anger management problems.
They NEED us to work with parents who are suffering from their own past abuse.
They NEED us to get help for parents who are struggling with undiagnosed mental illnesses.
I can only imagine a world where this would be the case. I can only pray fervently that our society would not continue to cover up and give up on helping our children. I can only do my small part to work on the needs mentioned above. In the end of the day....there were three adults who needed help to take care of one little girl. That just shows me that it is going to take the effort of professionals, and also families to stop the cycle of abuse and neglect that is running rampant and somewhat unchecked in our country.
Thank Goodness for organizations like this who are already providing help and support.
My heart breaks for ALL of the abused, neglected, and murdered children in this country....It is time for ADULTS to do better! Our children have suffered enough and we don't listen to their stories until it is far too late:(
I really could just cry sometimes. I have always had a soft heart for children. When it comes to things that make me question the decency of human beings....it is child abuse that I just cannot for the life of me understand.
Like the title to this post says...Sometimes I could cry. My eyes are teary now. And I need to remember this feeling of sadness because I don't ever want to not be affected by the loss of innocent life. I do not want life to harden me to the desperate cries of babies and children.
But I know that the scared children, the needy children, the abused, neglected, and murdered children. They don't need my tears. They need us to DO something. They need adults to get our acts together.
They NEED us to educate young and not so young families who don't KNOW better.
They NEED us to offer better support for those people in this life who are parents but also suffer from anger management problems.
They NEED us to work with parents who are suffering from their own past abuse.
They NEED us to get help for parents who are struggling with undiagnosed mental illnesses.
I can only imagine a world where this would be the case. I can only pray fervently that our society would not continue to cover up and give up on helping our children. I can only do my small part to work on the needs mentioned above. In the end of the day....there were three adults who needed help to take care of one little girl. That just shows me that it is going to take the effort of professionals, and also families to stop the cycle of abuse and neglect that is running rampant and somewhat unchecked in our country.
Thank Goodness for organizations like this who are already providing help and support.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
First Things
For of the following, name the first thing that comes to your mind.....
1. Two people who love you
2. Your favorite restaurant
3. The last time you laughed loud and long
4. Your favorite relaxing activity
5. What you want to be when you grow up;)
6. Your favorite song
7. The best gift someone has ever given you
8. Three people that you love with all of your heart
We are blessed....not just lucky, but those of us who have a shared faith; We are BLESSED! Because if you could answer the questions above....your life is pretty good. I am not saying perfect, though many of our lives are considered perfect by those in true poverty or desperate and dangerous situations.
As we celebrate freedom this weekend, I hope to remember to thank God for freely and richly blessing me. I need to remember to be thankful for those who died so that I could live freely. I hope to remind myself that I need to freely love, and share with others. I hope everyone has a safe and fabulous 4th of July!
1. Two people who love you
2. Your favorite restaurant
3. The last time you laughed loud and long
4. Your favorite relaxing activity
5. What you want to be when you grow up;)
6. Your favorite song
7. The best gift someone has ever given you
8. Three people that you love with all of your heart
We are blessed....not just lucky, but those of us who have a shared faith; We are BLESSED! Because if you could answer the questions above....your life is pretty good. I am not saying perfect, though many of our lives are considered perfect by those in true poverty or desperate and dangerous situations.
As we celebrate freedom this weekend, I hope to remember to thank God for freely and richly blessing me. I need to remember to be thankful for those who died so that I could live freely. I hope to remind myself that I need to freely love, and share with others. I hope everyone has a safe and fabulous 4th of July!
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