True Story

I use my Blog List and Links I Stalk categories as a bookmark list :) You should too.

Side note... I ordered Stockholm Syndrome and it came today. I ordered it for the song, "What Matters More", which was apparently silenced. Not a happy camper....

Another side-r note.... switched the doglets over to Orijen today. A 29.7lb bag cost me $63. They better crap gold....

That is all. I am off to read about Job. He had it worse than me...

Serendipity...aka God Cares

So, today I invited a traveling co-worker my couch to crash on tonight. She went out with a friend and I went over to Will's to watch Project Runway. (sidenote, SO glad that Cristiane was knocked out... couldn't stand her.... and also my favorite design won... where do I find that dress?!?!?) So, the girl calls when we are have ab 30 min left and is back at the house and the dogs are going nuts. I told her just to firmly tell them to be quiet and hear them tearing around and her asking them if they want to come back inside. I told her that they prolly needed to go potty and could go outside. Well, two seconds after my phone call ended, I realized that I hadn't told her to let them BACK in... and since both are chronic fence jumpers, this is an issue. I called back immediately, but got no answer. So, I told Will I probably needed to go and make sure they weren't terrorizing my guest and all that jazz. I get home... and they are goooone. I drove around for about 20 min looking for them at midnight. I didn't want to call out too loud bc it was late, but I was calling their names anyways. After calling Will and freaking out... I just began to make big loops around surrounding streets. After 20 min, I had this DUH moment and realized I had not said one word of prayer... so, I did "God,I pray that you will help me find my dogs." I was on a street I had been on 5 min prior calling their names and I swear, I heard the brush rustle over the sound of my car engine. I called again and Mazzy comes bounding out of the woods. After grabbing her, Brandtson came cautiously around the corner. I was so struck by how IMMEDIATE that answer was. They were prolly in that same area when I called their name the first time. But, God really showed me blessing in honoring Him with prayer.


Then, Brandtson chewed up my favorite purse tonight.... after about an hour search online, I found it! ONE, in Kansas, where my friend lives and can go pick it up for me! http://kansascity.craigslist.org/clo/1510951701.html...its the brown one!! This also makes me happy. Sometimes I think that God just likes to see us smile. Even if it is over material, pretty things.

OH!!!! and the biggest thing, I almost forgot. About a month ago, Facebook ate an album I had posted of our trip to Va Beach for my bday. There were tons of pics of Buff that were just corrupted and missing. I was heartbroken when I realized.... Today, we realized that Will had never deleted them from his memory card!! I could not be happier!!!!

So Powerful...

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/1371/Audio/

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' Down the River

Very excited about the beginning of this New Year in a lot of ways. I am rockin out my resolutions... except for the sewing machine... haven't made it that far yet :)

I am well on my way to 6 smoke free days and it is getting easier and less announcement worthy each day. I have had to kinda steer clear of Will more than usual, but he has actually been very helpful by taking his smoking outside when we hang out at his dad's. Other than actually trying to quit himself (which I would LOOOOVEE!!!) I suppose this is about as supportive as it gets in sub-freezing temperatures!

My online Bible study is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!!! I am overwhelmed by how God has ignited a passion in my for His words and at how He is allowing me to revel in who He is. I am so pumped about the girls I am involved with and how they are experiencing faith and prayer in a new, real, and powerful way. I was very interested to see how this whole scenario would turn out, being on the internet. On one hand, we don't know each other and aren't conversing face to face, so there seems to be an impersonality there. On the other... it's the internet. People tell each other all sorts of weird and crazy things. It has the potential, bc of its very anonymity to allow real truth to be spoken without the awkwardness of face to face interaction. So far, it seems that God is really allowing the second to bear fruit in our group! I am just thrilled, thrilled, thrilled!

I've been off work all week, so that has allowed me to really take plenty of time doing things that I'm trying to make habitual (cooking, reading scripture). I've enjoyed having the time, but am totally starting to freak out about not working! I was supposed to be in Roanoke this weekend, picking up a little extra money, but they canceled the entire gig! On one hand, I am glad to not be driving back and forth every day to get back for the Rosebuds shows. On the other...coulda used the money!

So psyched about the Rosebuds this weekend! Going off to read some more in 'Look Homeward Angel," while eating my roasted chicken, with hummus and carrot sticks!

Never too late for a little Awesome....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk4woNRD7NQ

Highs, Lows, and Resolve

So, this Christmas, Will and I were invited to a Christmas dinner of some people that we didn't know very well. We went and they were extremely gracious and hospitable and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (even with 2 of said family members not joining celebrations due to the stomach flu!). As we ate dinner, they went around the table and asked everyone their High and Low of the year. I thought that was pretty neat and quickly begin scouring 2009 for the juciest tidbits. While my low listed here will remain the same, I told Will later that I did not reveal my true High... I'm pretty sure it was not because I was ashamed, but more because I just didn't know these people... and didn't want to get all heavy and over the top at their Christmas dinner. But, here they are...

Low- Hands down, losing Buffy. It was probably the most heart-breaking experience I have ever gone through. I know several of the (2 hehe) readers that come across this blog donated to her treatment. For that, I am infinitely thankful... It gave me another 3.5 months of pretty good health with her. She was such a fantastic dog and I will hold her in my heart forever.

High- For the first time in close to/over a decade, I know EXACTLY where I stand in relation to Christ- and it's under the shadow of the cross. God has been ridiculously patient with me as I stuffed everything this world has to offer in my heart, trying to find the fit that gives peace. He has protected me from myself and shielded me from many of the consequences of my sin. I am thrilled to be finishing out '09 and starting '10 in the Joy of the Lord. I also know that this covering of grace is due in part to the prayers of family and friends. There are no words to express my gratitude at your perseverance.

In light of those revelations, I was struck by the sermon at my church a few weeks ago, which was speaking on the difference between resolve and resolution. Resolve is not a thing, an item, a to do list. Resolve is the grit inside you (and with the help of God) that you apply towards the process of santification. I think you can apply this resolve to many resolutions... even if the resolution does not seem to be actively seeking Christ, in a traditional sense. I believe that this world was created for man to enjoy with God. I believe that anything we do to enjoy creation and surrounding life, while glorifying our Creator is santifying. So, here are some of the things I am resolved to:

1) Reading through the Bible Chronologically in One Year-
As a generation, I believe we have some of the most 'religious' people, who know little to nothing about the doctrine they speak. Following 'debates' on social networking forums regarding religion or politics looks generally the same to me.... spew the jargon of whatever social commentator you happened to catch 5 minutes of while channel surfing. Whether you look to Hannity or Stewart, you allow your entire political identity to be labeled by biased information. Research your opinion! Being liberal in the aughts is like being conservative in the 80's... it's the cool thing to do. Know why you believe what you believe, research positions and platforms, and educate yourself.

The same philosophy applies to religion. KNOW what you believe. KNOW why you believe it. KNOW the God you claim to serve. This knowledge will increase your resolve. I am engaging the Scripture in a group of about 7-8 girls via an online Bible Study to fit our super busy schedules. I am hoping it is just a fantastic experience and God blows away any of our expectations.

2) Quitting Smoking- Uggghh... I quit for 3 years...and started up about a year and a half ago. It is a really nasty habit and I am at the point where I hate the taste and feel of the smoke AS I am doing it. I haven't smoked a cigarette in 2010...and hope to make it through my first week with flying colors... doesn't 7 days make a habit?

3) Get my sewing machine out and set up by Feb 1- I got a sewing machine for my birthday... April 30... and have not taken it out of the box.... I'm really terrible about things like that. I need to get it set up and play around with it, so that I can start ripping up these promo shirts to make my quilt!

4) Set 3 quarterly goals each quarter :) Starting out, my goals through the end of March are to stay strong on reading God's word, be done with the nasty nicotine, and get my sewing machine set up. Once those are established as habit, I can begin looking for other things to change in order to live simply, find joy, and follow God.

Stolen from My Dad

"Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes of men. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or weak; and at last some crisis shows what we have become." - Brooke Foss Westcott