Ok. I finally have some inspiration for a new blog. I'm a little excited. Some people may not like this blog or the ideas that I have shared in it but this is what it is. Here goes...
So, I don't have a problem with drinking...in moderation. I don't agree with "getting wasted" and I also don't think it's right to drink in front of or around people who struggle with alcohol and/or substance abuse. That's just asking for trouble. Anyway, I don't have a problem with having a drink or two every now and then. I do, however, have a problem when parents let their underage children (or children of age for that matter) have a wild and crazy party where everyone gets totally trashed and makes lots of stupid decisions. I also have a problem when most of the pictures I see of these parties on Facebook have the "mother" in the pictures getting just as wasted with the kids. Really? Is that really the example you want to set for your children? Do you want your kids to die before the age of 25 because of alcohol poisoning, drug overdose, car accident, etc? I really don't even know how to express my anger towards stuff like this. It's just plain stupid.
Whatever. It really saddens my heart to know that there are thousands of people out there who so desperately want to be parents and raise their children in a way that is glorifying to God and keep them as safe as possible until they are out on their own and then there are people like "this" who don't care what their kids do, who they hang out with, what they're putting into their bodies, and how they portray themselves. It's just sad.
I don't know what else to say. Dumb. It's just dumb.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
New Blog
So, here's a new blog.
:)
Ok, I'll write more soon. I PROMISE. After Thursday, I will be smooth sailing!
:)
Ok, I'll write more soon. I PROMISE. After Thursday, I will be smooth sailing!
Monday, August 18, 2008
A New School Year and A Bad Attitude
So, this will be short and sweet until I once again receive the motivation to write this blog. The school year is about to start and I just feel blah. It's my senior year. I should be totally excited...maybe a little nervous and scared but excitement should be my main emotion. There are so many blessings that I have received so far. And I totally haven't forgotten about them. I didn't have to pay a dime this year for school and even had book money. I get to live with my awesome roommate again and our dorm is right beside the gym so that's cool. I got the classes I wanted, the times I wanted them, and the teachers I wanted. I have a job on campus and no Friday classes. I'm just blah.
...to be continued...
...to be continued...
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Hailstorms and Beach time
So, I've been meaning to write a blog for a while. Here goes.
The youth was supposed to go tubing on the French Broad River last Saturday. We got up there and the guy told us that we would have to get 3 four-person rafts because it would be too hard to tube down the river. So we agreed. Then, he told us that we had to get 1 four-person raft and 4 two-person duckies (inflatable kayaks). It started off great! We were going down the river, it was relaxing, and it seemed that everyone was having a good time. We would stop to swim or just hang out. Then, we started switching rafts around. Savanna, Bobbie Jo, and I got in the four-person raft and started back down the river. It started thundering and lightning pretty bad and I started to get freaked out. They didn't tell us what to do in case of "weather." Right when we pulled off to the side of the river to get out of the boat, it started pouring. We walk up a little path and stand under some trees. That probably wasn't the best idea but it was all we had. The rest of the group was further up the river. All of a sudden, it started hailing! Penny-sized. It was hilarious. They hurt but we were thirsty so we cupped our hands and started catching the hail and eating it. Nathan and Jon Michael got into some kind of plant that gave them a rash or something and it was really weird. Eli, Bryan, and I ate a burnt cheese pizza from K-mart for dinner and sat outside on some clearance patio furniture. We made it home safely and everyone seemed to have a good time, despite the lightning and hail and weird plant attack.
Now, I'm at the beach with the folks. We came down Sunday and are supposed to be leaving Saturday. I have an awesome bed that has a great view of the ocean. This morning, I layed in bed and watched the sunrise. It was so incredible. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to hang out with Jenny and Millie since it's their day off and then tomorrow night we're going to see the Good Vibrations show that has 60's, 70's, and 80's music. That should be cool. Today, we went parasailing and I got to go twice because Dad needed someone to ride with and these 3 little kids from West Virginia were riding together and Mom didn't want to go again. We saw lots and lots of jellyfish but nothing else. Thursday, we're supposed to get up early and go out on the JetSkis to see dolphins. Tonight, I'll probably hang out with my friend, Sarah that lives down here.
I love the beach. I could totally live here. But I do miss people from home. They should be here, too.
Love You.
The youth was supposed to go tubing on the French Broad River last Saturday. We got up there and the guy told us that we would have to get 3 four-person rafts because it would be too hard to tube down the river. So we agreed. Then, he told us that we had to get 1 four-person raft and 4 two-person duckies (inflatable kayaks). It started off great! We were going down the river, it was relaxing, and it seemed that everyone was having a good time. We would stop to swim or just hang out. Then, we started switching rafts around. Savanna, Bobbie Jo, and I got in the four-person raft and started back down the river. It started thundering and lightning pretty bad and I started to get freaked out. They didn't tell us what to do in case of "weather." Right when we pulled off to the side of the river to get out of the boat, it started pouring. We walk up a little path and stand under some trees. That probably wasn't the best idea but it was all we had. The rest of the group was further up the river. All of a sudden, it started hailing! Penny-sized. It was hilarious. They hurt but we were thirsty so we cupped our hands and started catching the hail and eating it. Nathan and Jon Michael got into some kind of plant that gave them a rash or something and it was really weird. Eli, Bryan, and I ate a burnt cheese pizza from K-mart for dinner and sat outside on some clearance patio furniture. We made it home safely and everyone seemed to have a good time, despite the lightning and hail and weird plant attack.
Now, I'm at the beach with the folks. We came down Sunday and are supposed to be leaving Saturday. I have an awesome bed that has a great view of the ocean. This morning, I layed in bed and watched the sunrise. It was so incredible. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to hang out with Jenny and Millie since it's their day off and then tomorrow night we're going to see the Good Vibrations show that has 60's, 70's, and 80's music. That should be cool. Today, we went parasailing and I got to go twice because Dad needed someone to ride with and these 3 little kids from West Virginia were riding together and Mom didn't want to go again. We saw lots and lots of jellyfish but nothing else. Thursday, we're supposed to get up early and go out on the JetSkis to see dolphins. Tonight, I'll probably hang out with my friend, Sarah that lives down here.
I love the beach. I could totally live here. But I do miss people from home. They should be here, too.
Love You.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Soulmate- Natasha Bedingfield
Incompatible, it don't matter though
cause someone's bound to hear my cry
Speak out if you do
You're not easy to find
Most relationships seem so transitory
They're all good but not the permanent one
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
cause someone's bound to hear my cry
Speak out if you do
You're not easy to find
Most relationships seem so transitory
They're all good but not the permanent one
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Relationships
So, I'm reading this book right now about relationships. It's such an interesting book and the weird thing is, I feel like the author is talking directly to me. She talks about all kinds of relationships but mainly just good, strong, friendships and how much females need a "best friend" that they can tell everything to and that will also tell them everything. Sometimes, I really feel like I don't have that. I've always thought you have certain friends for specific reasons. For example, one friend could be the one you talk to about spiritual things, one friend could be the one you talk to about family problems, one friend could be the one you always go out to eat or see movies with, etc. But that is not a healthy way to look at relationships. We need a person who we can share EVERYTHING with. The author also talks about how even though your husband should be your best friend and the one who knows everything about you and you know everything about him, you still need a "girlfriend" to share all of that stuff with, too. Men and women are very different in how they approach and deal with certain subjects and because of that, we (females) need another female to share everything with. This has just been on my mind so much lately. So much in fact that it's starting to interfere with everyday life, especially my schoolwork. We all need encouragement, love, and happiness. We all need to feel wanted and needed. We all need to be told that we are loved but more than that, we need to be shown love. I need to be shown love.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Share
So, this past week was VBS at my church. Everyday, from 9am-12noon, I got to hang out with some pretty awesome kids. (I also got to babysit the two greatest little boys for the past two weeks! I hope I can keep hanging out with them for the next few weeks since I'm only in school for two hours each day.) We made crafts, sang songs, played ridiculous water games, and most importantly, listened to Bible stories. I always forget how much I love to hear Bible stories when they're being told to children. I feel like I can understand them better and they bring me back to a simple, child-like faith. Although I wish the Bible was spoon-fed to me all the time, it's nice to get back into a Bible "study" that's more age appropriate.
I was convinced into teaching the college sunday school class since our regular teacher, Bobbie Jo, will be filling in as interim youth pastor for the summer. (On a side note, she's so amazing and I love her alot. I'm glad she wanted me to teach the class...as much as I resisted. Whether she really thinks I can do it and be good at it or she just really wanted someone to teach while she was filling in as interim, I guess I won't know. I hope it's the first.) It works out that we decided on a study of Galatians and the summer school class I'm taking is a Galatians book study. I start this Sunday with teaching Sunday School and my class starts Monday.
There are a lot of people that I miss right now. But it's ok. Hopefully I can see them soon. This will be short but it's just a little update and a little brighter than the last one.
I'm also trying to do a better job of being more open to talking about religion with the family and friends. My brother's girlfriend and I just had a pretty good conversation about stuff. She believes that all religions are OK and that as long as you're a good, moral person, you'll go to Heaven. That's one of the worst things to believe, I think. I'm trying very hard to have a better attitude and set a good example for those around me. Being with the kids this week that I knew were always watching me helped out with that alot.
Love you.
I was convinced into teaching the college sunday school class since our regular teacher, Bobbie Jo, will be filling in as interim youth pastor for the summer. (On a side note, she's so amazing and I love her alot. I'm glad she wanted me to teach the class...as much as I resisted. Whether she really thinks I can do it and be good at it or she just really wanted someone to teach while she was filling in as interim, I guess I won't know. I hope it's the first.) It works out that we decided on a study of Galatians and the summer school class I'm taking is a Galatians book study. I start this Sunday with teaching Sunday School and my class starts Monday.
There are a lot of people that I miss right now. But it's ok. Hopefully I can see them soon. This will be short but it's just a little update and a little brighter than the last one.
I'm also trying to do a better job of being more open to talking about religion with the family and friends. My brother's girlfriend and I just had a pretty good conversation about stuff. She believes that all religions are OK and that as long as you're a good, moral person, you'll go to Heaven. That's one of the worst things to believe, I think. I'm trying very hard to have a better attitude and set a good example for those around me. Being with the kids this week that I knew were always watching me helped out with that alot.
Love you.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Back to Changes...
More and more things are changing. My interests, my priorities, my sleeping patterns, my thoughts and feelings about certain people, just everything... and that's what I wanted. And I'm beginning to feel peace about everything. A peace that I've honestly never felt before. Even though there's still an uncertainty and nervousness about changes, that peace is beginning to overwhelm me. I deserve better. But I also deserve worse. It depends on the situation.
Yesterday was a long but amazing day. I babysat for a wonderful little girl named Rebekah. Her mom and dad were at the hospital all day having another baby, Matthew! Rebekah and I had so much fun all day and she was SO well-behaved and content. It was one of the best days I've had this summer. Then, I got the call at about 7pm saying they had the baby and wanted me to bring Rebekah to the hospital to see her new baby brother. I didn't think it was going to be that big of a deal to me. I mean, I was super excited...don't get me wrong...but when I got there, I was overwhelmed with this sense of joy and bliss that I can't even describe. Here I am, getting to hold this new baby less than two hours old and all I could do the entire time was praise God for this healthy little boy and the wonderful family he was just born in to. He has great parents and a sweet big sister. I was just overwhelmed.
I think yesterday really helped me realize what I eventually want in my life. Maybe not right now but I want a husband and a family and to be in the hospital and have family and friends around when the babies are born and I want the SUV and the months where we have to live paycheck to paycheck and the soccer games and the dance classes and the pre-school macaroni crafts hanging on my refrigerator and the church events and the PTA meetings and parent-teacher conferences and the night-time prayers and the saturday mornings where the kids run and jump on the bed and the fights and the "I hate you's" and the sacrifice it takes to raise and maintain a family and the Love that endures all those things. I can want things, right? It won't be perfect because nothing is. But it's life. And that's the life I want. Those are truly the desires of my heart.
Yesterday was a long but amazing day. I babysat for a wonderful little girl named Rebekah. Her mom and dad were at the hospital all day having another baby, Matthew! Rebekah and I had so much fun all day and she was SO well-behaved and content. It was one of the best days I've had this summer. Then, I got the call at about 7pm saying they had the baby and wanted me to bring Rebekah to the hospital to see her new baby brother. I didn't think it was going to be that big of a deal to me. I mean, I was super excited...don't get me wrong...but when I got there, I was overwhelmed with this sense of joy and bliss that I can't even describe. Here I am, getting to hold this new baby less than two hours old and all I could do the entire time was praise God for this healthy little boy and the wonderful family he was just born in to. He has great parents and a sweet big sister. I was just overwhelmed.
I think yesterday really helped me realize what I eventually want in my life. Maybe not right now but I want a husband and a family and to be in the hospital and have family and friends around when the babies are born and I want the SUV and the months where we have to live paycheck to paycheck and the soccer games and the dance classes and the pre-school macaroni crafts hanging on my refrigerator and the church events and the PTA meetings and parent-teacher conferences and the night-time prayers and the saturday mornings where the kids run and jump on the bed and the fights and the "I hate you's" and the sacrifice it takes to raise and maintain a family and the Love that endures all those things. I can want things, right? It won't be perfect because nothing is. But it's life. And that's the life I want. Those are truly the desires of my heart.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Change
Wow. That word used to make me cringe. It still does, to an extent, but nearly as much. I think the biggest reason it scared me was because I knew change is inevitable. But it also scares me because I know that I need to make changes within myself. I'm working on that. Hard. It's tough and has pretty much sent me into a slight depression but I know it is needed. I like comfort. Who doesn't. I didn't think I was so scared of change and getting out of my comfort zone...and maybe I'm not. As long as we're not talking about ME. Death, circumstances, jobs, family issues...all those things mean change and all of those things are inevitable. I guess I'm just so attached to earthly things and people, I'm not as attached as I need to be to the One that will never change. I am learning this more and more everyday this summer. As much as I wanted this summer to be one of the best ones of my life (since it will be the last one before I really have to "grow up") I know that it will be a summer full of changes, tears, laughter, depression, happiness, guilt, and peace. I miss my friends. I miss the way things were last semester. But I need to enjoy the time I have now and make the best of it. I can't see everyone that I want to see and I know that will change permanently after next year so maybe this summer is my opportunity to get used to that. Who knows. There are people I love that I can't see but I have to get used to that, I suppose.
P.S. I wish gas prices weren't so high. That might help, too.
Love you.
I haven't done the 5 random things in a while so here goes:
*My computer officially died last night. I need some stuff for my German class off of it.
*I got my frist sunburn of the summer this week. It sucks.
*My jaw has been bothering me. They gave me muscle relaxers. They are NICE.
*I love my family. But I also love alone time, too.
*I bought HipHop Abs. It is super fun!
P.S. I wish gas prices weren't so high. That might help, too.
Love you.
I haven't done the 5 random things in a while so here goes:
*My computer officially died last night. I need some stuff for my German class off of it.
*I got my frist sunburn of the summer this week. It sucks.
*My jaw has been bothering me. They gave me muscle relaxers. They are NICE.
*I love my family. But I also love alone time, too.
*I bought HipHop Abs. It is super fun!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
P.S.
I think the song on the Manwich commercial is SUPER catchy and it gets stuck in my head for like, 2 days everytime I hear it. I really wouldn't mind if that was my ringtone.
Full Hearts, Empty Conversations
So, this past week has really made me realize what is important in my life. There are a few things that have really been on my mind alot and have got me thinking that I need to prioritize and re-evaluate some things. Although I feel like my family has so much they want to way to each other, whether it be good or bad, we don't talk. Sure, we have to occasional "how was your day" and "what did you do today" but those are surface-level questions and we answer them like they are. Like just tonight, sitting at Mutt's with Mom and Dad, we didn't talk about anything. Sometimes, I feel like I say something and they may be listening but they don't really hear me. But I guess everyone feels like that at times.
And this isn't just a thing with my family. It's with most of my friends. I feel like I have surface-level relationships with most of them but I long for so much more. What do we talk about? Really? We talk about music, school, clothes, movies, etc. But that's about it. We talk about classes and help each other with schoolwork but then it's time to go and do our own thing. I'm tired of living my life like this. I feel empty, even though I have so much on my mind and heart. Maybe I need to talk to a therapist or something. But then, in the back of my mind, I'll constantly be thinking that they are just listening because they are getting paid to listen.
I know all of this is stemming from me worrying about what other people think of me but it's hard not to think that way. Very hard. As much as I try NOT to think about what others think of me, it's probably one of the things I think about the most. I know I shouldn't care but I do. I'm scared of failing, I'm scared of not being accepted, I'm scared of being a disappointment, and I'm scared of the future and how it's going to unfold.
Anyway, I guess that's about it. That's what is on my mind.
Love you. Really.
And this isn't just a thing with my family. It's with most of my friends. I feel like I have surface-level relationships with most of them but I long for so much more. What do we talk about? Really? We talk about music, school, clothes, movies, etc. But that's about it. We talk about classes and help each other with schoolwork but then it's time to go and do our own thing. I'm tired of living my life like this. I feel empty, even though I have so much on my mind and heart. Maybe I need to talk to a therapist or something. But then, in the back of my mind, I'll constantly be thinking that they are just listening because they are getting paid to listen.
I know all of this is stemming from me worrying about what other people think of me but it's hard not to think that way. Very hard. As much as I try NOT to think about what others think of me, it's probably one of the things I think about the most. I know I shouldn't care but I do. I'm scared of failing, I'm scared of not being accepted, I'm scared of being a disappointment, and I'm scared of the future and how it's going to unfold.
Anyway, I guess that's about it. That's what is on my mind.
Love you. Really.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Happy Birthday, Stacy!
I wanted to share a few things about one of my best friends, Stacy Conwell, on her 23rd birthday today! I just love this girl to death. She has one of the best personalities out there and is never short on making people laugh or smile. She's not afraid to speak what's on her mind, a quality I am quite envious of, and she's always there for anybody that needs her. Even though she's married and has a house and a husband and a job, she always seems to find time for her friends and having fun with them, without neglecting her priorities. (Another quality I look up to) We've been friends for a couple of years but have grown a lot closer these past two years, or so, and I love spending time with her! She's so easy to talk to and is one of the, if not THE, most genuine people I know. If you don't want to be told like it is, don't ask Stacy. She's passionate about learning and science and biology and all that jazz, passionate about the Lord, and passionate about life. Three very high qualities that anybody should be proud to have. Well, here's to you, Stacy! I love for who you are and who you inspire me to become!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Looking at the last blog...
...I realized how negative I sounded. I didn't mean to come across that way. Or did I? Probably. But here is a better, more optimistic one. A friend of mine, who I miss very much, used to keep a little notebook and write a few things in it that she was thankful for each day. The trick was that she couldn't write the same thing twice...unless it was really good. :) So, here are a few of mine:
Salvation from a God who loves me despite how crappy I am
Parents
Friends
Water
FRIENDS (tv show)
Love
Shampoo+Conditioner
Timmy
Air Conditioning
Sunshine
Milk
Sleep
Music
Salvation from a God who loves me despite how crappy I am
Parents
Friends
Water
FRIENDS (tv show)
Love
Shampoo+Conditioner
Timmy
Air Conditioning
Sunshine
Milk
Sleep
Music
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Life is changing...
...and as exciting as that may be, it's pretty scary, too. I graduate in exactly one year from today and in this upcoming year, I have a lot to figure out. What I'm going to do when I graduate, where I want to see myself in 5 years...etc. There are so many things that I have NO idea about that it scares the crap out of me. Most of my friends are either married or are getting married and are looking at houses and kitchen appliances and blah, blah, blah. They have a career path and their upcoming family to think about. Along with all of that comes responsibility. A word that is scary, yet exciting at the same time. I know there will be hard times and times where they might not think they'll make but they'll get through and they'll have someone there to share it with. They have their life unfolding right in front of their eyes. I'll have a piece of paper with my name on it...and if I'm lucky, it'll get framed.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Seeing life through the eyes of a bratty little kid in the doctor's office
Yesterday, I met my mom at the doctor's office to get my throat checked on. While we were sitting there, we were observing this bratty little kid who would NOT stop asking him mom questions. It wasn't the cute little kid kind of thing, either. It was the annoying ten-year old who was asking questions just because he could and knew that he would get his answer if he asked enough times. I started thinking about it and realized...wait a minute. That bratty little, question-filled kid was me. That's how I am in my relationship with Christ. I ask and ask and ask and each time I ask, I expect an answer. But what do I give in return, not a whole lot. Very little, actually. This thought came to me this morning when some of my first thoughts/prayers of the day included the question of "why?" Do I really want to know the answer? Sometimes. Sometimes I don't because maybe I already know the answer but don't really want to HEAR it. Just a thought. I had to get it down real quick.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Calvinism, Taking Chances, Jokes, and The Things We Say
So, Timmy is writing his PTRW paper about John Calvin which led me to begin listening to what Calvinism entails and the beliefs that Calvinists have. They use scripture to back up what they say and it makes a little bit of sense but Calvinism almost just sounds mean. Maybe I'm not understanding it correctly or maybe I'm looking up the wrong stuff but the "TULIP" model is what modern-day Calvinists believe and I don't agree with all of those things. Each letter stands for something so just look it up. I don't really know what I think about it yet. I've been talking to a dear friend about it and she is helping me see things I would not have thought of, which is really helpful and she is being so encouraging. I'm hoping to talk to another great friend who is very smart and knows a lot about a lot of different things. We'll see what her insights are. I know this is a little vague but because I don't really understand it very well, that's all I can give you right now.
As for taking chances, I think we should take chances in life. And when I say "we" I mean myself, as well. This is hard for me, no matter what the situation is. Taking chances gets us out of our comfort zones and what we are used to. Some people are OK with that and sometimes it's very exciting. Other times, it's the scariest thing we'll have to decide.
Jokes are funny. But not when taken the wrong way or when said to the wrong person. Just FYI.
The things we say are always being heard, even if we don't think so. Sometimes the things we say get taken the wrong way and we hurt someone or make them question our motives or morals, even if that wasn't the original intent. Be careful what your say and how you say it.
I know this is a really random post but these are just a few things going through my mind right now. Weird, whatever.
Love you
As for taking chances, I think we should take chances in life. And when I say "we" I mean myself, as well. This is hard for me, no matter what the situation is. Taking chances gets us out of our comfort zones and what we are used to. Some people are OK with that and sometimes it's very exciting. Other times, it's the scariest thing we'll have to decide.
Jokes are funny. But not when taken the wrong way or when said to the wrong person. Just FYI.
The things we say are always being heard, even if we don't think so. Sometimes the things we say get taken the wrong way and we hurt someone or make them question our motives or morals, even if that wasn't the original intent. Be careful what your say and how you say it.
I know this is a really random post but these are just a few things going through my mind right now. Weird, whatever.
Love you
Friday, March 21, 2008
Sore throats, gelato, and love
So, this has been a weird week. Just weird. I woke up Sunday morning feeling bad and it has just progressively gotten worse over the course of the past 4 days. Today, I stayed home and did a whole lot of nothing. That may sound nice but when you are sick, it's no fun. As sweet as he is, Timmy came over and hung out with me from 3 until 10, Brett brought me gelato from downtown g'ville and we played MASH, and Lauren, Jenny, and Alicia called and offered to help me with anything I needed. My mom took my car to work today and people came and washed it and put new tires on it. My daddy took a 2nd grade class to Charleston today and he brought me back a stuffed turtle from the aquarium. Despite being sick and not feeling good, people around me have made me feel loved and helped bring back my sense of humor. Daddy and Timmy went to Chick-fil-A and brought dinner and everyone say around at ate together. It was fun and something we don't get to do a lot. I actually got to eat a little bit and that's a good thing.
Tomorrow morning, we are going to the lakehouse to see family and hang out with them for the weekend. I just hope I'm feeling better for everyone's sake. I don't want to be around everone feeling bad. It's no fun for anyone. Anyway, although this post is neither insightful or thought-provoking, I just wanted to write one. It's been a while. Just pray that I get better and it's nothing worse than a severe sinus/respiratory infection. Hope it's not meningitis. :(
Happy Easter. Remember, although the easter bunny is cute and fun and PEEPS are fun to blow up in the microwave, that is NOT what Easter is about. Jesus died and rose again. That is why we have the hope and peace that gets us through each day whether we realize it or not.
Love you.
Tomorrow morning, we are going to the lakehouse to see family and hang out with them for the weekend. I just hope I'm feeling better for everyone's sake. I don't want to be around everone feeling bad. It's no fun for anyone. Anyway, although this post is neither insightful or thought-provoking, I just wanted to write one. It's been a while. Just pray that I get better and it's nothing worse than a severe sinus/respiratory infection. Hope it's not meningitis. :(
Happy Easter. Remember, although the easter bunny is cute and fun and PEEPS are fun to blow up in the microwave, that is NOT what Easter is about. Jesus died and rose again. That is why we have the hope and peace that gets us through each day whether we realize it or not.
Love you.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Seeing things that have been there all along
So, a wonderful, dear friend of mine wrote about "fitting in" (I think) and I wanted to comment on her blog but figured I'd just go ahead and post one myself.
I used to want to fit in so badly. Then, I got to the point where I thought I didn't care. I was wrong. I still wanted to fit in and it always seemed like the people I wanted to get the closest to were the ones that seemed so distant and far away from me. They seemed to show no interest in me, my life, or who I was. That's when God started to deal with me. He probably had been for a while but I guess I was just too caught up in what I wanted rather than what I already had. This became more and more evident to me as the people I wanted to "fit in" with started doing things I didn't want to do or didn't think was appropriate. They also seemed to become even more distant, which I thought was impossible. Then, it hit me. I had so many people that I had rejected spending time with that actually wanted to spend time with me and I was so caught up into fitting in with new and different people, that I didn't even see the blessing that was right in front of me for God only knows how long.
After I started to invest my time into their lives and growing closer to them, my desire to "fit in" no longer consumed my thoughts through the day and my prayers at night. I now prayed that God would continue to grow these wonderful relationships that I was a part of and now. I have a select few people that I know love me and want to spend time with me and want to invest in my life as much as I want to in theirs, too.
Each day, I thank God for these people. If they don't know who they are, I pray right now that I can somehow tell or show them that in the next week. People need to know that they are loved and appreciated and that's why I try so hard all the time to let people know that I love them and care about them and what's going on in their lives. If you truly love someone, no matter what kind of love it is, you'll want to spend time with them, hear their problems and struggles, and most importantly, see them grow closer to God each and every day.
It's still hard sometimes knowing that people may not want to be your friend and may not want to invest their time in your life like you want to invest your time in theirs but just remind yourself of those that do and most importantly, The One that cares more about you than anything in this world.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Blank Screens and Blinking Cursors
I hate that feeling. The feeling when you're looking at a blank Word document screen with that little, black, blinking cursor. You know the one I'm talking about. It's comparable to trying to write a blog. You feel like you have so many things to say or talk about, yet you have no idea how to begin or further organize your thoughts. That's my problem. Finishing stuff I start and organization. Although I want to see others succeed and finish things they start, I can't do that for myself. And although I always want to organize other people's rooms and their belongings, I can't bring myself to organize my own stuff or even my own life. Ugh.
I'm also having a very hard time deciding what to do this summer. There are a lot of options but for the most part, I can only choose one. My problem is I can't seem to figure out what the right one is. Here are a few of the options: going back to the orphanage in Africa, working at a KOA campground, going to summer school, getting a job around here, or just chilling out at the lake. The weird thing is, want to do ALL of them but, at the same time, none of them.
Again, I don't want to sound like I'm complaining all the time. It's not good.
Today, Jenny and I took pictures of my friend Candace and her fiance. It was a lot of fun! I'm glad she asked me to do it. I need the practice, it's always fun to take pictures, and I love to edit and Photoshop stuff on the computer. I took about 350 and I'm not sure how many Jenny took but I'm thinking they turned out quite well and am excited for her to see them and excited to see Jenny's.
Yesterday, my dad and I went and looked at cars. I really would like to have something a little bigger than my bug. I've always felt very small driving that car but ever since that stupid wreck with Brett's car, my car freaks me out because it's so small and very hard to see out of. I love my car, don't get me wrong. It's so cute and the convertible is great! But I would like something a little bigger and more practical. We were looking at the KIA Sorentos and even talked to the finance people about how much they'd give us for my car and how much we could get a Sorento for. The numbers weren't quite right so I didn't drive away in a new car but oh well. Hopefully we'll get something worked out soon. They want me to get something that I can keep for a while and not have a lot of problems with. KIA got 5-stars on all of their safety ratings (which I was very happy to hear) and they have that 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty, which is also very great. Anyway, I guess we'll see.
I wish more people would comment when they read this blog. Sometimes, people will mention something to me about it and I'm like, "Whoa. I didn't even know you read that thing." So, yah...if you read, at least put a little comment. I left it open so everyone can comment. You don't have to have an account.
I thought I had better stuff to talk about. I guess not. That's usually the way my life goes. Eh.
Comment. Give me something to talk about. Whatever.
5 random things for today: (plus some)
*I bought a new camera charger that I can take to different countries! :)
*Me and Brett talked on the phone and watched "My Big Redneck Wedding" on CMT. Needless to say, I got a lot of good ideas.
*Why do people say, "needless to say" and then say something? If it's so needless, why say it?
*I really need to finish my paper. One of my "english-teacher friends" was so gracious enough to accept my request to proofread it. I'm so thankful for her and her willingness to do that.
*The AT&T commercial with the dad sending the little girls all those pictures with her stuffed animal makes me melt. Everytime. (The scooter store holiday commercial also makes me cry uncontrollably.)
*I'm going to see Andrew Peterson with said "english-teacher friend" tomorrow night! I'm super excited!
*I took a 20 minute power nap today. It was warm and glorious.
ok. love you
I'm also having a very hard time deciding what to do this summer. There are a lot of options but for the most part, I can only choose one. My problem is I can't seem to figure out what the right one is. Here are a few of the options: going back to the orphanage in Africa, working at a KOA campground, going to summer school, getting a job around here, or just chilling out at the lake. The weird thing is, want to do ALL of them but, at the same time, none of them.
Again, I don't want to sound like I'm complaining all the time. It's not good.
Today, Jenny and I took pictures of my friend Candace and her fiance. It was a lot of fun! I'm glad she asked me to do it. I need the practice, it's always fun to take pictures, and I love to edit and Photoshop stuff on the computer. I took about 350 and I'm not sure how many Jenny took but I'm thinking they turned out quite well and am excited for her to see them and excited to see Jenny's.
Yesterday, my dad and I went and looked at cars. I really would like to have something a little bigger than my bug. I've always felt very small driving that car but ever since that stupid wreck with Brett's car, my car freaks me out because it's so small and very hard to see out of. I love my car, don't get me wrong. It's so cute and the convertible is great! But I would like something a little bigger and more practical. We were looking at the KIA Sorentos and even talked to the finance people about how much they'd give us for my car and how much we could get a Sorento for. The numbers weren't quite right so I didn't drive away in a new car but oh well. Hopefully we'll get something worked out soon. They want me to get something that I can keep for a while and not have a lot of problems with. KIA got 5-stars on all of their safety ratings (which I was very happy to hear) and they have that 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty, which is also very great. Anyway, I guess we'll see.
I wish more people would comment when they read this blog. Sometimes, people will mention something to me about it and I'm like, "Whoa. I didn't even know you read that thing." So, yah...if you read, at least put a little comment. I left it open so everyone can comment. You don't have to have an account.
I thought I had better stuff to talk about. I guess not. That's usually the way my life goes. Eh.
Comment. Give me something to talk about. Whatever.
5 random things for today: (plus some)
*I bought a new camera charger that I can take to different countries! :)
*Me and Brett talked on the phone and watched "My Big Redneck Wedding" on CMT. Needless to say, I got a lot of good ideas.
*Why do people say, "needless to say" and then say something? If it's so needless, why say it?
*I really need to finish my paper. One of my "english-teacher friends" was so gracious enough to accept my request to proofread it. I'm so thankful for her and her willingness to do that.
*The AT&T commercial with the dad sending the little girls all those pictures with her stuffed animal makes me melt. Everytime. (The scooter store holiday commercial also makes me cry uncontrollably.)
*I'm going to see Andrew Peterson with said "english-teacher friend" tomorrow night! I'm super excited!
*I took a 20 minute power nap today. It was warm and glorious.
ok. love you
Friday, February 29, 2008
Homework, Chicken, Lakes, and Maps
So, today was a good day. I went to my 8am class, turned in my 4-page Hermeneutics homework assignment that I felt truly confident about, hung out with some people that I've missed, went to my 10am class where I did NOT finish my homework, went to lunch with some fantabulistical people that I love, got thrown up on by the cutest little baby, saw my boy leave to go to Romania, went home and slept on the couch, ate dinner at Zaxby's with the parents, now I'm at the lakehouse for the night.
I really enjoy coming down the lakehouse. It's so quiet and peaceful and just a good change of scenery. I really want a lot of people to come hang out this summer! It's so much fun with the boat and tubing and just hanging out! Random: I have some big wall maps that I got for Christmas (I love maps, by the way) and we haven't hung them up yet. Dad said we could do that tomorrow and as stupid as that may be, I'm super excited.
I miss Jenny. I miss Timmy. I miss Brett. I miss Alicia. I miss a lot of people.
I really DON'T want to go to summer school this summer. It's my last summer before my senior year but I'll be spending the WHOLE time in Summer School. BOTH SESSIONS. Boo. I really wanted to either spend a couple of months in Africa or spend the summer working with KOA at a lake in California. But I know what I need to do if I want to graduate on time. And I DO want to graduate on time. Who knows what I'm going to do but I'm just ready to be outta here.
I don't really have a lot to write about, I suppose. Gotta go put my clothes in the dryer. Hopefully I'll have more to write about soon. Something better, anyway.
Love you. Really.
I really enjoy coming down the lakehouse. It's so quiet and peaceful and just a good change of scenery. I really want a lot of people to come hang out this summer! It's so much fun with the boat and tubing and just hanging out! Random: I have some big wall maps that I got for Christmas (I love maps, by the way) and we haven't hung them up yet. Dad said we could do that tomorrow and as stupid as that may be, I'm super excited.
I miss Jenny. I miss Timmy. I miss Brett. I miss Alicia. I miss a lot of people.
I really DON'T want to go to summer school this summer. It's my last summer before my senior year but I'll be spending the WHOLE time in Summer School. BOTH SESSIONS. Boo. I really wanted to either spend a couple of months in Africa or spend the summer working with KOA at a lake in California. But I know what I need to do if I want to graduate on time. And I DO want to graduate on time. Who knows what I'm going to do but I'm just ready to be outta here.
I don't really have a lot to write about, I suppose. Gotta go put my clothes in the dryer. Hopefully I'll have more to write about soon. Something better, anyway.
Love you. Really.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
In the Blink of an Eye
I guess it's only natural to want to write a blog after what happened yesterday. If you've never been in a car accident, I pray you never have to experience what goes on. Even if they car doesn't look that bad, the sequence of events won't stop replaying in your mind for days or even weeks. Yesterday's events are no exception.
To make a long story short, I was driving a friend's car down Hwy. 414 heading towards 25. I see a white car coming in my lane very fast. I try to slow down and honk but he doesn't move. I swerve off to the right in hopes that he'll just fly on past me but no. Smashes right into the driver side door and then manages to make me slide about 30 yards into an enbankent and he keeps flying, goes over a driveway and smashes into some trees. Luckily, I had people right there to help me out and I saw him get out of his car and walk around. Both cars are totaled but we are both fine. I've got neck pain and hip pain and bruises but other than that, Praise God I'm alive. That, I know, is the only reason I'm here. I know it was because of His protection and His leading me to swerve that it wasn't a head-on collision.
Three random bits of information to the story:
1. He said he fell asleep and doesn't remember anything until he woke up and he was in the trees.
2. He was driving a NGU campus security car.
3. They estimated him to be traveling at about 70-75 miles per hour.
Now NGU gets to buy Brett a new car! :) I keep saying Brett gets a new car and I get a new outlook on life. It's a win-win situation.
This might sound cliche' but I don't care. I'm just SO blessed to be alive. According to at least three folks, including the trooper on the scene, "it was a good thing I swerved cuz' I might not be here to tell this story." So, that's always a good reminder of how quickly things can change...In the Blink of an Eye.
I'm so thankful for the people that were out there to help and just to be there to support. It was nice to stand there and even be able to laugh about things at the scene of such a horrible accident. I'm thankful nobody got hurt and that insurance can cover the cars. I'm thankful for Brett and her being so understanding and forgiving when I feel horrible about totaling her car. I'm thankful for hearing Brett's granny say, "You can replace cars but you can't replace people." I'm thankful for everyone who's been calling or leaving notes on facebook just making sure I'm ok. I'm thankful it wasn't a lot worse.
That's why I always tell everyone to be careful when they go somewhere. You never know what can happen.
Love you.
To make a long story short, I was driving a friend's car down Hwy. 414 heading towards 25. I see a white car coming in my lane very fast. I try to slow down and honk but he doesn't move. I swerve off to the right in hopes that he'll just fly on past me but no. Smashes right into the driver side door and then manages to make me slide about 30 yards into an enbankent and he keeps flying, goes over a driveway and smashes into some trees. Luckily, I had people right there to help me out and I saw him get out of his car and walk around. Both cars are totaled but we are both fine. I've got neck pain and hip pain and bruises but other than that, Praise God I'm alive. That, I know, is the only reason I'm here. I know it was because of His protection and His leading me to swerve that it wasn't a head-on collision.
Three random bits of information to the story:
1. He said he fell asleep and doesn't remember anything until he woke up and he was in the trees.
2. He was driving a NGU campus security car.
3. They estimated him to be traveling at about 70-75 miles per hour.
Now NGU gets to buy Brett a new car! :) I keep saying Brett gets a new car and I get a new outlook on life. It's a win-win situation.
This might sound cliche' but I don't care. I'm just SO blessed to be alive. According to at least three folks, including the trooper on the scene, "it was a good thing I swerved cuz' I might not be here to tell this story." So, that's always a good reminder of how quickly things can change...In the Blink of an Eye.
I'm so thankful for the people that were out there to help and just to be there to support. It was nice to stand there and even be able to laugh about things at the scene of such a horrible accident. I'm thankful nobody got hurt and that insurance can cover the cars. I'm thankful for Brett and her being so understanding and forgiving when I feel horrible about totaling her car. I'm thankful for hearing Brett's granny say, "You can replace cars but you can't replace people." I'm thankful for everyone who's been calling or leaving notes on facebook just making sure I'm ok. I'm thankful it wasn't a lot worse.
That's why I always tell everyone to be careful when they go somewhere. You never know what can happen.
Love you.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
yah, i'm skipping chapel
So, as I'm sitting here, skipping chapel for no reason other than I have a killer headache and I went to a bonus chapel last night, I was thinking about what I could talk about in this blog. I don't really have anything too insightful or though-provoking to discuss but there are a few things on my mind.
Hermeneutics. This class takes up most of my energy and overall existence. I'm going through the book of Mark, trying to divide it up in "sections" and then break the sections down into "episodes" and then break the episodes down into "pararaphs" and then break the paragraphs down into "phrases" and then break the phrases down by "words" and do this thing called a Word Study. Sound fun? Actually, it's not all that bad. It's interesting and thought-provoking. Although it's tedious and usually confusing, I suppose it's helping. I guess this class just makes me feel dumb, overall. My professor, Dr. Rankin, finds connections and meanings that I could never even think of much less put into words or on paper. We're also doing a quick background on the Greek and Hebrew languages. This is interesting and very confusing but it's so cool to open that 9000 page book called The Greek-English Concordance to the New Testament and see how many meanings ONE word can have. I think this is what makes this class worthwhile. It makes you want to make sure that you have the correct interpretation of the scriptures so then you can apply it correctly.
Church. This has been on my mind a lot lately, too. I love Mt. Lebanon. Don't get me wrong. It's my "home" church, where I accepted Christ and was baptized, and where I learned the true meaning of a "church family" but recently, I haven't felt that feeling. I feel as though I honestly don't belong there or better yet, don't FIT IN there. Everyone has their family to sit with or eat with after church or attend conferences or meetings with. I don't have that. I appreciate those who take me "under their wing" and invite me to eat and even pay for it but honestly, it's just not the same. If you are not at church alone, you can't understand this. You can't understand the feeling I have driving to church alone, leaving from eating lunch alone...yah, time with friends is great and truly appreciated and wanted but it still just leaves that empty feeling. I've tried so hard for years to accept this, get over it, change it, etc. but it just hasn't worked.
School. I really do want to change my major, again. But don't want to have to stay in school longer than I'm supposed to be. I would love to do something with Mass Comm but I guess have just now realized it. I love working with computers and pictures and editing and stuff like that. I've just never had the tools or money to do it. And I guess I felt that if I didn't have those things or the experience going into it, I wasn't going to succeed at it. Maybe that's why it's called "school." School is where you learn HOW to do those things. Crap. Too bad I just now realized that.
Africa. Maybe it doesn't matter what I want to major in. I want to live in Africa, anyway. I miss Africa, and the people, and the children, and the way of life SO much. Every night, before I go to sleep, I pray that I will be able to go back to Africa for a longer period of time and just soak it in. It's funny. All the children at the orphanage want to come to the states so badly because it's the "land of opportunities and freedom" but all I can think of is going back there, to be with them. Everyone is so appreciative of anything they have and anyone around them. They don't need fancy stuff to get by. They have their necessities and they survive. But they don't just survive life, they enjoy it. In Africa, it feels as if there's no clocks. No time, no appointmens, just life. Get up when the sun comes up, go to bed when the sun goes down. Sure, I love my car and my iPod and my hairdryer and my laptop but as long as I have clothes, food, water, shelter, some people that I love and that love me back (and maybe a camera) I think I'd be ok.
Well, I guess that's about all I want to type. I have more thoughts but they're weird and random and I guess I'll save those for another rainy day.
Love you.
oh yah, 5 random things for the day. Man, it's only 11am. I need to write blogs at night.
*I fell going to class today. Stupid wet leaves.
*Read the back of a "SmartWater" water bottle. It's hilarious. (apparently, they have them at Bi-Lo right now...ten 32oz. bottles for ten dollars.) I'm there.
*I need shampoo. (I have like, 4 bottles in the shower but I just need some more)
*Sarah W. sometimes feels like she's "on the market." (don't ask)
*I don't have a car today. I don't care.
Those suck, I realize this...but like I said, it's only 11am.
*
Hermeneutics. This class takes up most of my energy and overall existence. I'm going through the book of Mark, trying to divide it up in "sections" and then break the sections down into "episodes" and then break the episodes down into "pararaphs" and then break the paragraphs down into "phrases" and then break the phrases down by "words" and do this thing called a Word Study. Sound fun? Actually, it's not all that bad. It's interesting and thought-provoking. Although it's tedious and usually confusing, I suppose it's helping. I guess this class just makes me feel dumb, overall. My professor, Dr. Rankin, finds connections and meanings that I could never even think of much less put into words or on paper. We're also doing a quick background on the Greek and Hebrew languages. This is interesting and very confusing but it's so cool to open that 9000 page book called The Greek-English Concordance to the New Testament and see how many meanings ONE word can have. I think this is what makes this class worthwhile. It makes you want to make sure that you have the correct interpretation of the scriptures so then you can apply it correctly.
Church. This has been on my mind a lot lately, too. I love Mt. Lebanon. Don't get me wrong. It's my "home" church, where I accepted Christ and was baptized, and where I learned the true meaning of a "church family" but recently, I haven't felt that feeling. I feel as though I honestly don't belong there or better yet, don't FIT IN there. Everyone has their family to sit with or eat with after church or attend conferences or meetings with. I don't have that. I appreciate those who take me "under their wing" and invite me to eat and even pay for it but honestly, it's just not the same. If you are not at church alone, you can't understand this. You can't understand the feeling I have driving to church alone, leaving from eating lunch alone...yah, time with friends is great and truly appreciated and wanted but it still just leaves that empty feeling. I've tried so hard for years to accept this, get over it, change it, etc. but it just hasn't worked.
School. I really do want to change my major, again. But don't want to have to stay in school longer than I'm supposed to be. I would love to do something with Mass Comm but I guess have just now realized it. I love working with computers and pictures and editing and stuff like that. I've just never had the tools or money to do it. And I guess I felt that if I didn't have those things or the experience going into it, I wasn't going to succeed at it. Maybe that's why it's called "school." School is where you learn HOW to do those things. Crap. Too bad I just now realized that.
Africa. Maybe it doesn't matter what I want to major in. I want to live in Africa, anyway. I miss Africa, and the people, and the children, and the way of life SO much. Every night, before I go to sleep, I pray that I will be able to go back to Africa for a longer period of time and just soak it in. It's funny. All the children at the orphanage want to come to the states so badly because it's the "land of opportunities and freedom" but all I can think of is going back there, to be with them. Everyone is so appreciative of anything they have and anyone around them. They don't need fancy stuff to get by. They have their necessities and they survive. But they don't just survive life, they enjoy it. In Africa, it feels as if there's no clocks. No time, no appointmens, just life. Get up when the sun comes up, go to bed when the sun goes down. Sure, I love my car and my iPod and my hairdryer and my laptop but as long as I have clothes, food, water, shelter, some people that I love and that love me back (and maybe a camera) I think I'd be ok.
Well, I guess that's about all I want to type. I have more thoughts but they're weird and random and I guess I'll save those for another rainy day.
Love you.
oh yah, 5 random things for the day. Man, it's only 11am. I need to write blogs at night.
*I fell going to class today. Stupid wet leaves.
*Read the back of a "SmartWater" water bottle. It's hilarious. (apparently, they have them at Bi-Lo right now...ten 32oz. bottles for ten dollars.) I'm there.
*I need shampoo. (I have like, 4 bottles in the shower but I just need some more)
*Sarah W. sometimes feels like she's "on the market." (don't ask)
*I don't have a car today. I don't care.
Those suck, I realize this...but like I said, it's only 11am.
*
Saturday, February 9, 2008
all ears, but not all the time
So, the lines of communication DEFINITELY need to stay open in relationships. No matter what kind of relationship it is, you need to talk. Talk about feelings, opinions, ideas, problems, worries, etc. If not, there will be consequences. Spending almost 5 hours in a Wendy's is a great way to resolve any issues a relationship may have. Trust me.
Also, don't be so quick to tell others their flaws and imperfections. You may realize that you struggle with some of the exact same things. If you have a friend that is willing to listen to what you have to say, tell them. But then also be willing to hear what the other person has to say to/about you.
This might not make sense to some of you, but others know what I'm talking about. It's true. Just communicate. It may be hard at the time, but in the long run, you'll be so thankful you did.
Also, don't be so quick to tell others their flaws and imperfections. You may realize that you struggle with some of the exact same things. If you have a friend that is willing to listen to what you have to say, tell them. But then also be willing to hear what the other person has to say to/about you.
This might not make sense to some of you, but others know what I'm talking about. It's true. Just communicate. It may be hard at the time, but in the long run, you'll be so thankful you did.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The Put-Downs of Life
Why is it so easy to believe/accept the bad things and imperfections about yourself but so terribly hard to believe the good things people say about you or compliments people give you?
If you can answer that, please, by all means, help me out.
If you can answer that, please, by all means, help me out.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Something Good
I really want to be remembered for something good. Note I didn't say big or extraordinary...just remembered. As I think about Jenny's dad, David, and hear people talk about him, I've never heard one negative thing about him. Ever. He is someone to look up to and he is such an incredible example of how we should live our lives as Christ-like as possible. Patient, kind, loving, geunine...
I try so hard every day to help people realize how much they mean to me. I don't always succeed and sometimes I might have a bad day and don't do a very good job of showing Love towards others. That's when I have to humble myself and take a minute to thank God for all that He has done and ask Him to give me that gift of love. I just want people to realize how amazing they are. We live in a world where our role models seem to be people like celebrities or drug-addicts who have made a life for themselves, etc. That can be good and all but shouldn't our true role model be Christ? Shouldn't we be living everyday striving to be more like him and show the love he gave to us? That's hard. Real hard. But if you think about it, the more you pray and ask God to give you the gift of compassion and love, the easier it is because you realize how important it is, how He did the same thing for us, and how great it makes people feel. Not only that, it will make people realize something different about you. If you don't react in a negative way to something aggravating or you don't honk your horn everytime somebody cuts you off in traffic, people, whether you think so or not, will notice. And they will wonder. They will see Jesus living through you. They might not know it's Jesus but it is.
I want to be remembered for showing Christ's love everyday and in every situation. Yah, I'm gonna screw it up. But I'm sure gonna try. I've tried for a long time and I'm not gonna stop now. We had a message about "Acts of Random Kindness" and I totally agree that those things can mean the world to someone. I've tried to live that way for a long time only through the help of Christ and his love showing through me.
Ok...5 random things for the day: (even though it's only 3pm)
*I dyed my hair this morning. It's darker and I like it.
*I like this boy. We have fun. "Hey, do this."
*Jenny is amazing. Strong, courageous, hilarious, loving, patient...just like her daddy.
*I LOVE apple juice.
*I need some stuff from WalMart but that requires money...money that I don't have.
I have this verse on my laptop. It's one of my favorites. 1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (niv)
"Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything." (The Message)
Actually, just read all of 1 Peter 4. It's amazing.
You're amazing.
I try so hard every day to help people realize how much they mean to me. I don't always succeed and sometimes I might have a bad day and don't do a very good job of showing Love towards others. That's when I have to humble myself and take a minute to thank God for all that He has done and ask Him to give me that gift of love. I just want people to realize how amazing they are. We live in a world where our role models seem to be people like celebrities or drug-addicts who have made a life for themselves, etc. That can be good and all but shouldn't our true role model be Christ? Shouldn't we be living everyday striving to be more like him and show the love he gave to us? That's hard. Real hard. But if you think about it, the more you pray and ask God to give you the gift of compassion and love, the easier it is because you realize how important it is, how He did the same thing for us, and how great it makes people feel. Not only that, it will make people realize something different about you. If you don't react in a negative way to something aggravating or you don't honk your horn everytime somebody cuts you off in traffic, people, whether you think so or not, will notice. And they will wonder. They will see Jesus living through you. They might not know it's Jesus but it is.
I want to be remembered for showing Christ's love everyday and in every situation. Yah, I'm gonna screw it up. But I'm sure gonna try. I've tried for a long time and I'm not gonna stop now. We had a message about "Acts of Random Kindness" and I totally agree that those things can mean the world to someone. I've tried to live that way for a long time only through the help of Christ and his love showing through me.
Ok...5 random things for the day: (even though it's only 3pm)
*I dyed my hair this morning. It's darker and I like it.
*I like this boy. We have fun. "Hey, do this."
*Jenny is amazing. Strong, courageous, hilarious, loving, patient...just like her daddy.
*I LOVE apple juice.
*I need some stuff from WalMart but that requires money...money that I don't have.
I have this verse on my laptop. It's one of my favorites. 1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (niv)
"Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything." (The Message)
Actually, just read all of 1 Peter 4. It's amazing.
You're amazing.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Johari Window
So, there's this thing called a "Johari Window." I don't remember where I found it but it's been on my facebook for a while and I think it's a really cool thing. Just follow this link and see for yourself. It takes about 2 minutes.
http://kevan.org/johari?name=AshleyKing
http://kevan.org/johari?name=AshleyKing
So I'm a copycat...
Well, Chris made a blog, then Jenny made a blog now I want a blog. I had a blog before but I guess I didn't really have a lot to say. Maybe I wanted to get it out but didn't really want people to read it. Who knows. Now, I have some stuff to say. Questionable, probably. Interesting, maybe. Insightful, well, we'll just have to see.
I love my roommate. We get along great (I think) and last night, we had a great discussion. We were both very honest about different things and it ended up that we were kind of dealing with a similar situation and I hadn't told anyone else before her. It's always good to know there are others out there dealing with a similar struggle and though the struggle may be similar, the feelings about it can be completely different.
I hate drama. It's so difficult and just makes life miserable. Always worrying about if this person is mad at you for something you said, wondering if this person likes you...drama is pointless. It takes me back to middle school when there were all the cliques of people and I felt like I didn't fit with any of them. They say hindsight is 20/20. Looking back, it's a good thing I wasn't "in a group." I wouldn't be who I am and frankly, I kinda like who I am. All the time? No way. But overall, besides taking things too personally and holding people at higher expectations than they can acheive, I don't think I would change too much.
Everyday of my life, I find at least 5 things that are humorous. (usually) I'll try to share some each time I post.
*I saw this guy carrying a purse. He was walking with another guy, though. Sketch.
*Brett Seay is now considered "butch." (not really, Brett. but your knuckles are ridiculous)
*Britnie Reid used to ride around the USC campus on a bike, with no brakes, and a trumpet on her back.
*Dr. Tony Beam is one of the funniest guys on earth. His son wanted to watch Bruce Almighty when it first came out and his initial thought was, "I've raised a liberal, non-believing, blasphemous kid." (he retracted that statement, later, after he saw the movie for himself and got convicted for "judging a book by it's cover")
*Apparently, I have a complex because I don't like to eat by myself or see other eating by themselves.
***I'm just like a magnet. Everyone is so attracted to me." -Britnie Reid***
I love my roommate. We get along great (I think) and last night, we had a great discussion. We were both very honest about different things and it ended up that we were kind of dealing with a similar situation and I hadn't told anyone else before her. It's always good to know there are others out there dealing with a similar struggle and though the struggle may be similar, the feelings about it can be completely different.
I hate drama. It's so difficult and just makes life miserable. Always worrying about if this person is mad at you for something you said, wondering if this person likes you...drama is pointless. It takes me back to middle school when there were all the cliques of people and I felt like I didn't fit with any of them. They say hindsight is 20/20. Looking back, it's a good thing I wasn't "in a group." I wouldn't be who I am and frankly, I kinda like who I am. All the time? No way. But overall, besides taking things too personally and holding people at higher expectations than they can acheive, I don't think I would change too much.
Everyday of my life, I find at least 5 things that are humorous. (usually) I'll try to share some each time I post.
*I saw this guy carrying a purse. He was walking with another guy, though. Sketch.
*Brett Seay is now considered "butch." (not really, Brett. but your knuckles are ridiculous)
*Britnie Reid used to ride around the USC campus on a bike, with no brakes, and a trumpet on her back.
*Dr. Tony Beam is one of the funniest guys on earth. His son wanted to watch Bruce Almighty when it first came out and his initial thought was, "I've raised a liberal, non-believing, blasphemous kid." (he retracted that statement, later, after he saw the movie for himself and got convicted for "judging a book by it's cover")
*Apparently, I have a complex because I don't like to eat by myself or see other eating by themselves.
***I'm just like a magnet. Everyone is so attracted to me." -Britnie Reid***
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