Thoughts at Christmas time

The time spent at home with my family and friends was wonderful, short but wonderful. I am back in Nashville enjoying an empty apartment. I love my roommates but I also love time alone sometimes.

On the way back from Kentucky last night I listened to Il Divo, my favorite guy group :) They have a Christmas album with my favorite Christmas song. O Holy Night has been a top song with me for years. The lyrics stand out to me every time I hear them.

"O holy night",it was truly a holy night. God had come to dwell among men. What an awesome thought to wrap your mind around! God was pleased to take on the form of his created creature.

Most people missed that holy night. Not many were privileged to see the infant God/man. For most of the world that night was unlike the one before or the one after. The world around Mary and Joseph had no idea what miraculous thing had been done within their hand's reach. God as an infant. God as us.

And many in our world miss the wonderful thing that happened on that long ago night. It was definitely a holy night, a divine night. The divine met humanity in the form of a baby.

Check out my Slide Show!

Christmas stuff

The roomies and I took advantage of a free photo shoot with the apartment complex. This is the great picture we just got back! We are three beautiful ladies. (At least I think so.)

Can you believe Christmas is almost here? Where has the year gone? And I still don't have my shopping done...thanks to having the hardest-to-buy-for dad in the world. I'm serious, my dad is impossible to buy for. The man is not interested it most of the things stores have out of the male gender. And his hobbies are way too expensive to fund: airplane building and banjo playing.

My best friend called last night repeating these words, "I'm going to be 29." She said these words more than a couple of times. She is going through what I experienced three months ago, the realization that we are much older than it seems possible. Where did the 20-something years go? When did 30 become the next birthday for me? Time does pass quickly as you get older.

Us roomies had Christmas with each other last night. My roommates are wonderful, they got me things that I truly love. I've started a cross collection...yes, people who know me really well, you read that correctly. Collection is what I said. A cross was a gift from Krista. I've got two on the wall now. Sorda looks like I'm Catholic ;)

Passing on too soon

An friend from church has recently lost his father to a severe heart-attack this past Wednesday. The man was only 54 years of age. My dad is only 59...what if he suddenly left us from a heart-attack? What would my world be like? How would my mom handle going on without her spouse of almost 40 years?

When something like this happens, we are often stopped in our tracks and demanded to evaluate our life. Watching someone pass away, leaving five children and a wife behind is something hard to come to terms with. My heart goes out to my friend and his family.

I wonder why this happens, why a family is left to live without the father. What is God's plan for this family and the people affected? Only God knows. And that is where I have to leave it.

Great lyric and Boots

On my way to work this morning, I heard the following lyric in a song: Maybe you could walk with me a while, maybe I could rest beneath your smile. (Dierks Bentley)

To rest beneath a smile, how do you do that? Can you think of a smile with which you feel safe and at rest? Do you have a friend or relative that can smile at you and melt the worry of the day away? I think that kind of smile is what makes your spouse special, your parents, your best friend.

I remember a boyfriend who had that kind of smile. His smile somehow made me feel at ease. I hope you have someone in your life that makes you feel that way. That their presence allows you to rest.

On to my cat. Boots had her shots today. All I can say is, Wow! That cat can meow. Boots meowed from the time she entered her carrier at home to the time I let her back out at home. The vet tells me she has Siamese in her...very talkative, good lungs. lol

But I still love her! She is my precious kitty. I used to make fun of people that were really attached to their pet. Now, I'm one of those crazy people.

Shopping is not my thing

Well, this time of year stretches my very short love of shopping. I've never had the love for shopping and browsing around that most females possess. I think it's my low interest in material things.

There is a hand-full of people in my life that are extremely hard to buy for and when you have my level of interest in shopping, that makes for tough gift finds. Anyway, I'll find the perfect gift before gift exchange.

It would help for people to give you ideas for their gift when you ask.

Catch-up

Hello one and all! It might actually be just one or none...I don't know who reads this thing because no one leaves comments. (That is a major hint in case you didn't catch it.)

A few days have passed since I posted anything. Sorry to anyone who checks my blog from day-to-day to find there is nothing new. Life seems to get in the way of the journaling/blogging/posting/writing thing. To be honest, there's not much to write about today.

The only thing I can think of that would be of any interest to others is that the cd has arrived of the Judson church choir! We recorded our Christmas music a month ago. I have anxiously awaited the release. I think it's exciting to be a part of a project like this. We are selling them at only $2 a cd. The main purpose for the cd is to hand them to visitors of the church and the live nativity story later this month.

A secret dream of mine is to record an album of my own, guess it's not a secret anymore. But, if you know me at all you already know that about me. Anyway, I enjoyed being a part of the choir recording session. It pacified that dream for a little while.

Off to work, ya'll. Duty awaits!

Oh! my knees!

I had my mouse sitting on the desk here at work until about twenty minutes ago. I decided to move it to the slide-out piece attached to the keyboard holder that is screwed into the bottom of my desk. A few years ago that simple procedure would have lasted a couple of seconds and I would have gone on about my business.

But...Mindy is not a spring chicken anymore. And that was proven just now. I had to kneel on the floor for only a couple of seconds while I pulled the cord from behind the desk. My knees are still hurting! When did my body start aching and hurting at the most simple things?!

The comfort of family

The house is quiet. Mom, Dad and Steve are asleep. Bryan is probably home by now and might be in bed, too. My family, the five of us. We are your ordinary country family. There is nothing special about my family to the rest of the world but they are special to me.

I write these few thoughts as I sit in my parents house in Kentucky. Thanksgiving Day has been peaceful and comforting. Usually we have a big meal with tons of family at someone else's house. Not this year...we celebrated our thankful hearts at home with only us. And I must say it was nice.

For whatever reason, I began to miss my family the last few days. My homesickness came to a climax when my friend, Mandy, wrote a post about the familiarity of home. I think that is what gives us comfort around our own family, familiarity. You know the good, bad and the weird and lovable ways of each member. I sat at the table today and realized this was MY family. Not yours, mine. My family, who loves me unconditionally. They have put up with hours of me singing 'like' Sandy Patti. They have told me I look great when my new hairdo looked terrible. And they have watched me grow into the woman I now am. And they love me for it.

I'm completely comfortable around them. Why? Because they know me. They know everything. They know my good moods, they know the bad ones. :) They know my idiosyncrasies and I theirs. I know when I walk through the doors of my parents house I'm loved and wanted. Not many places in this world give me that comfort.

Not a well thought out post

This post is random, weird, everything. There is no one topic upon I wish to discuss or comment. So here go my thoughts...

Today is a gloomy day in Nashvegas. For those who don't know, Nashville has so endearingly been nicknamed Nashvegas. The other major Tennessee cities have been given the same love and care ;) Back to my gloomy day. Rain has been falling from the sky since last night and it's not letting up any time soon. I just want to go home and read a book while snuggled up with Boots in my extremely comfortable bed. Is that too much to ask? My boss would think so.

How is it that I choose the bank drive-through lane which has the lady that actually needs to do her business inside because she evidently needs to do more than deposit or withdrawal money? I have wonderful luck in this area!

There is a cute guy at work that doesn't notice me...My luck runs good in this area, too! For those who watch The Office on NBC, Kris reminds me of the character Jim. Yeah, he has that lovable and cute demeanor.

Well, Christmas is only five weeks away! Everyone scream and run around the room in a panic! That's what I feel like inside when I think of all the shopping I have infront of me and the small bank account to fund it. :) Friends and family, be ready to receive some innovative gifts from me this year. I'm not talking cheap stuff, just creative.

Has anyone noticed the resurgence of game shows on prime time television? Every night I see a new one. They look the same to me. The producers are looking for the same WOW factor or so it seems to me. Each new one has music that crescendos into madness and more dramatic twists than the previous one. How many pretty women can you hire to flaunt skin-tight dresses for one game show?

Back to work...

Sleepless night

Ever had one of those nights where you can't fall asleep because your mind won't stop thinking of all the things that have to be done at work the next day? Last night was that way for me. Yesterday proved quite long and exasperating!

Computer programs are great to work with as long as they function as programmed and needed. But when one begins to have 'issues' - life is not pretty. Our credit card service online decided to stop working on multiple occassions yesterday. I was ready to pull my hair out by 5:00. Ok, so 5:00 is when I usually leave work - not yesterday.

Anyway, today is a new day. And it has helped that I got to work an hour early to do all the stuff that could wait for another day.

Opportunity wasted

Have you walked away from a situation or conversation realizing you did not see or take an opportunity presented you? I can think of many in my life! Maybe my own world seemed too important to even notice someone needing a quick word of encouragement. Maybe I felt put-out by offering my time or energy to be there for someone during a crisis. I can be so selfish.

During a team meeting, a man I traveled with in Life Action pointed out the times in the Gospels where Jesus tried to get away, to spend time alone. Almost every time He was unsuccessful. There would be a 'pressing' need in someone life, the disciples needed extra teaching, the Pharisees waiting in the shadows to pick apart every action and word. Hardly ever was there a silent, alone moment for Jesus.

Yet, He did not complain. He did not walk away from someone's need. He gave of His time, many times leaving none for Himself. Jesus embraced an opportunity to show God to the people no matter what was going on in His life at the time - perfect example would be the crucifixion. Remember all the things He said and did for people while enduring His death?

Are you tuned into the Spirit well enough to sense when an opportunity is before you?

Random survey

I don't fill out surveys often. Usually, I delete them and move on. Tonight I'm in the mood to fill in the answers. Enjoy the tid-bits of info about me :)

1. WHAT CURSE WORD D0 Y0U USE THE M0ST? Freakin'

2. DO YOU OWN AN IPOD? No

3. WHAT PERSON DO YOU TALK TO THE MOST? My mom and Mandy

4. WHAT TIME IS Y0UR ALARM CL0CK SET ON? 7:00am

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Fruity Peebles

6. DO YOU WEAR FLIP FLOPS WHEN ITS COLD? No

7.WOULD Y0U RATHER TAKE THE PICTURE 0R BE IN THE PICTURE? Be in the picture.

8. WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The American President

9. DO ANY OF YOUR FRIENDS HAVE CHILDREN? Yes

10. HAS ANY0NE EVER CALLED Y0U LAZY? Yes

11. HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN MEDS TO HELP YOU FALL ASLEEP? Just NyQuil when sick.

12. WHAT CD IS CURRENTLY IN Y0UR CD PLAYER? Nothing

13. DO YOU PREFER REGULAR OR CHOCOLATE MILK? Regular

14. HAS ANY0NE T0LD Y0U A SECRET THIS WEEK? Yes

15. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD STARBUCKS? It's been a while...

16. CAN Y0U WHISTLE? Yes

17. D0 YOU THINK PE0PLE TALK AB0UT Y0U BEHIND YOUR BACK? They probably do.

18. DID Y0U WATCH CARTO0NS AS A CHILD? Yes

19. WHAT M0VIE D0 YOU KNOW EVERY LINE TO? Princess Bride

20. D0 YOU 0WN ANY BAND T-SHIRTS? No

21. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SALAD DRESSING? I only like Italian.

22. IS ANY0NE IN LOVE WITH Y0U? I have no clue.

23. DO YOU DO YOUR OWN DISHES? Yes and some of my roommates dishes.

24. EVER CRY IN PUBLIC? Yes

25. ARE Y0U 0N A DESKT0P COMPUTER 0R A LAP TOP? Laptop

26. ARE Y0U CURRENTLY WANTING ANY PIERCINGS 0R TATTOO'S? Yes

27. WHATS THE WEATHER LIKE? Cold, rainy and windy.

28. W0ULD Y0U EVER DATE S0ME0NE C0VERED IN TATTO0s? Probably not.

29. WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS? Realized I left my cell phone at Mandy's.

30. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SLEEP ON THE FLOOR? Two weeks ago when my mom visited.

31. H0W MANY H0URS OF SLEEP D0 YOU NEED TO FUNCTION? 6-7

32. D0 Y0U EAT BREAKFAST DAILY? Yes

33. ARE Y0UR DAYS FULL AND FAST PACED? Basically

34. D0 Y0U USE SARCASM? Never......

35. H0W 0LD WILL Y0U BE TURNING ON Y0UR NEXT BIRTHDAY? 30

40. ARE Y0U PICKY AB0UT SPELLING AND GRAMMAR? Yes, I can't staind when poeple mispel things.

41. HAVE Y0U EVER BEEN TO SIX FLAGS? Yes

43. D0 YOU GET AL0NG BETTER WITH THE SAME SEX 0R THE OPPOSITE SEX? I don't know.

44. D0 Y0U LIKE MUSTARD? No

45. D0 Y0U SLEEP 0N Y0UR SIDE, ST0MACH OR BACK? My side and back.

46. D0 Y0U WATCH THE NEWS? Yes

47. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT? As weird as this sounds, I don't have any scars.

48. WH0 WAS THE LAST PERS0N T0 MAKE Y0U MAD? Someone at work.

49. D0 YOU HATE ANYB0DY? Don't think so.

50. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT FOR SOMEONE ELSE? Pringles for Wendi.

Jehovah-jirah

As I sit here typing this post, my heart is overflowing with awe towards my God, my LORD. Ten years ago I met Ben Durden. We traveled one year together with Life Action Ministries. Since then, we have kept in touch, sometimes with months between conversations. But we have remained friends even though he lives in Georgia and I in Tennessee.

Last year Ben traveled to China to teach marketing in a university. Not long after being there, Ben became deathly ill. And I do mean deathly ill. There were moments when we thought the Lord was going to take Ben home, to his eternal home.

God has graciously given us more time with Ben on this earth! The story is long and detailed, but suffice to say Ben is doing much better and God has blessed greatly. He recently wrote an email that outlined the whole story with some details most of us had not heard. As I read the letter, I was overcome with the presence of my God. My heart was rejoicing in God's provision for Ben. The name of God, Jehovah-jirah has come to mind. I am meditating on it today.

God has truly provided for my friend, Ben. And He continues to provide for me. What an awesome God I serve and adore! This name though has made me wonder: Do I allow God to provide for me? Do I notice when He does so? Do I give Him the credit for His provision, or do I give it to myself? Oh God, may I always give you the honor and glory due your name!

Feline friend

Say hello to my adorable cat, Boots. This picture shows exactly what she does most of the time. Boots is the most affectionate and attention craving cat I've ever been around. It's as though she is part dog.

Boots loves a lap or any part of a body you have to spare for her to lay on. And man, can she talk. Penny, the last cat who now lives with my parents, hardly meowed or demanded attention. Boots has been a complete 180 degree turn from Penny. But I like it. I have some of the benefits of a dog without owning one ;)

One more thing about Boots: She is from Mississippi. Her family lost their home during hurricane Katrina. So, Boots is a Katrina rescue. Maybe that is why she is so scared of storms.

Ok, that's all I wanted to share at the moment. Off to get dressed and head to work. Bye for now.

Where am I?

I could have been standing in Tennessee or Kentucky or Alabama or any of the bordering states to Tennessee. A quick turn to the right could place me in a new state.

Before you think I've gone crazy (no comment from any of you!), a group from church visited a corn maze today. The layout of this year's maze was Tennessee and the surrounding states. As shown in the attached picture, there were stands spread throughout the maze so you could somewhat find your way.

Although it did not take long to work our way through the maze (cause we're so smart and stuff, yeah right), it was fun to venture through it with my friends. Today's weather was gorgeous! This time of year is my favorite time and today was a perfect example why: Sun shining, crisp and cool air, red and yellow colors showing on trees and bushes. God gave us a wonderful season to enjoy during fall. Make sure you get out there and savor it!

After the maze adventure, the group stopped to eat at a local good-eats place. Everyone at the table looked at me strange when I ordered the country ham dinner. They missed out! My mom cooks a country ham at Christmas instead of the traditional honey ham. Nothing like some country ham and homemade biscuits, mmmmm. Kudos to mom!

Late night ramblings

OK, so it's not late night...just late for me (10:05pm) because I'm old. And my cat is trying her hardest to sit on the laptop keyboard. Cats have a knack for sitting on whatever you are looking at or working on.

What a dreary day! Rain lightly fell most of the day making for a gloomy drive and miserable time between house and car. There was just enough rain for me to use the windshield wipers but not enough to leave them on even the intermittent setting. So my hand was turning the windshield wipers on then off, on then off, on then off. It's funny how something as small as that back and forth activity can be so exasperating! Now my cat has positioned herself on my lap making for a difficult time typing. I don't think she cares...

I have not taken the time to share about my job. Two of the links on my page are for my company, White Lightning and Alien Bees. Yes, you read those correctly. And no, we do not sell a white lightning liquid you find in the hills of Kentucky and we don't sell honey. We manufacture and sell photography lighting and accessories. I work on accounts receivable for both divisions of Paul C. Buff, Inc. There are more divisions but those two are the main ones. A side note to the job; my office is Tennessee orange! That exclamation mark is not for excitement on my part but to let you know just how BRIGHT the color is. Not many people can say they work in a building that lacks a white/beige/cream/gray wall. My boss painted the place with every color in the rainbow and some made up ones :)

This post is truly random with its content. My cat has come to a rest next to the laptop which is sitting on my bed. I can now type without her all over my lap and bed.

Today was a lonely day for me. I think I'm feeling discontented about being single. I know all the christian answers about it...but I still feel lonely at times. I wonder if marriage will ever be part of my life or if God has a single life prepared for me. Alright, enough on that subject.

I need to go to sleep. Yeah for tomorrow being Friday! Weekend here I come! A group from church is going to a corn maze on Saturday. I've always wanted to go to one. Hope the weather turns out well for us. Goodnight all.

Turning the other cheek

How far is too far when letting someone walk over you or wrongfully accuse you? Is there a point when we stop turning the other cheek? Jesus told us to turn the other cheek, give the coat off our back, or go the second mile. Jesus stood by countless times, allowing people to wrongfully accuse him of things.

While thinking this morning on this subject something occurred to me: Jesus allowed people to walk over him when there was an outcome in the future for their good. The ridicule, pain and mocking Jesus endured during his trial and crucifixion had a greater purpose than anyone present realized. He had to go through it to come out on the other side, an empty tomb.

There were times though when Jesus fought back instead of being walked on. The Pharisees would pose questions to Him all the time, trying to catch Him with lies or hypocrisies in His answers. Jesus would come back with questions for them, letting them know He would not play their games. In the margins of my Bible I have written "Go, Jesus!" next to those statements.

I think when we are presented with an opportunity to turn the other cheek or stand up for ourselves, we need to let the Spirit give us discernment to if this time is one to stand or lie down. Will turning the other cheek benefit the other person or situation in the future?

Silence

While driving back from Kentucky on Tuesday night, I spent some of the drive in silence. The radio was off, no cd playing, no phone calls. Just the annoying hum of I-65 pavement under my tires.

My melancholy, introverted personality loves to be alone. But I have found there is a vast difference in simply being alone and in honing that time in silence, listening to your thoughts and heart. I have spent time developing this discipline, not always succeeding. Yet I know there is reward in the future for disciplining myself to just be quiet and focus on what God is speaking to my heart and mind.

I'm a people watcher. From this I have noticed there are many people who fear what may come of sitting alone and letting repressed feelings and past actions come to the forefront. One of my friends is terrified of being alone and quiet. She has never said that out loud, but her actions and frantic ways are evidence to that fact. And I see the frustration and struggle she has because of it.

What I'm getting at, I think, is maturity in Christ and with others develops as I take the time to meditate and be silent before the Lord. I gain a sense of being grounded in the midst of this crazy world.

Time away

I have been away from my blog for a few days. When I walked out of work last Friday, I did not have to return until the following Wednesday, tomorrow. I took the weekend to relax by myself and on Sunday night my mom came to visit until tonight. We had a wonderful visit, filled with shopping, of course!

By the time last Friday rolled around, I could not wait to walk out those doors at work. The only days I had been off this year were for a friend's wedding and taking care of mom after her surgery. It was time for a vacation, even if it was only four days long.

On my way back from dropping my mom off in Kentucky, I spent the hour or so listening to Steve Green. Where have all the male singers gone? We don't have the controlled vocals and well thought out lyrics and melodies of Steve Green with todays musicians. There are many singer/songwriters of today that are amazing lyricists, but the vocal quality is lacking. Guess I am too picky with music. By the way, if you have not heard or do not own the album Morning Light by Steve Green, you need to take the time to do so.

I have finished the book I was reading since the last post. The Memory Keeper's Daughter was good. God used the book to remind me of my importance to Him. And that what appears to be a disability to society is just that, an appearance. I can't allow what society deems as important or right to be my measuring stick. God's way is my standard.

Thanks for listening to me throw a few random thoughts down. God bless!

Allergies and Green Hills

Allergies, allergies, allergies! When will the ragweed die down?! I'm going crazy over here with itchy eyes, throat and ears. Not to mention the constant congestion and random coughing.

I grew up in Kentucky, in a town much like Nashville. Unless I have a horrible memory, I don't remember allergies bothering me. Ever since moving here though, the spring and especially the fall give me a one-two punch that I can't dodge. Oh well, such is life.

Any of you from Nashville want to join me in saying that the entire Green Hills area is the biggest pain to drive through? I avoid the area as much as possible. My blood pressure sky rockets when I venture that way. Whoever designed the traffic light setup and timing did not need to have that job! And trying to park at Green Hills mall is enough to send the mildest of temperament into orbit. Anyway, glad that shopping excursion is over.

Hope all is well in your world. Side note...I slept until 11:30am today. I feel so much better. :)

It's there, I promise

While driving into work this morning, I noticed the hazy horizon and the skyline of Nashville against it. There is one point on my way to work where I see the skyline of Nashville perfectly.

There are days, like today, where smog or a haze has settled on the city causing the buildings downtown to look as though they are covered by a thin, slightly see through fabric. There are other times when you can see the buildings perfectly, no smog, no haze, no obstruction to the view. Then there are days when I can't see the buildings at all. It's as though someone has snatched them up and deposited them somewhere out of view. The buildings are there, my eyes just can't see them at that moment.

A thought came mind; God is always there, His promises, His commands, love, plans. I can't always see what God is doing around me or in me but He is still there. To my finite mind and eye, it may appear that God is not there.

The cares of this world may block my view at times, and I may too easily let that happen. Sometimes it might be God placing a "haze" around something while He works, not wanting me to see it until the work is done. Whatever reason for the inability to see what is infront of me is for my good and comes with a purpose. I must remember that God is not always visible, but He is always there.

What I'm reading at the moment

I'm reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, a Kentucky-based author. I picked up the book at random at the bookstore, and to my delight later, I found the story is based in Kentucky. AND...Somerset is mentioned in the beginning chapters. Somerset is my hometown.

A doctor has to deliver his own children as a freak snowstorm stops his wife from making it to the hospital. Twins are born, a boy and a girl. The second one, the girl, is born with downs syndrome. He makes a quick decision, without his wife knowing it, telling the nurse to take the baby to an institution in Louisville. The story that follows is of the nurse running away with the baby and raising the child as her own. I'm not finished with the book, but I'm sure a reunion is bound to take place between the father/mother and the nurse/child.

What I have taken away from the book so far is how our lives can change in an instance. We make one, seemingly small, decision and our life is thrown onto a completely different track. I've had that happen to me a couple of times. As I ponder what my life consists of at the moment, I can see the difference a couple of 'small' decisions made in my path.

The decision to walk away from a relationship that was heading for marriage was the most difficult one I have ever made. What would my life be like right now if I had stayed? Would I be in Nashville? Would I have the friends I now know? Would I be working at my present job? So many things could be different. Although the decision to end that relationship took a while to finalize in my mind, there was a moment when that decision set me on a different path than what I was taking.

Now that was a big choice on my part, so I'm not really talking about that situation inparticular with this post. I am thinking of all the little choices I've made and don't know and never will know the impact they had on my life.

I really don't know where I'm going with this post. I guess I'm just putting down some random thoughts. So often I look at my life and just wonder what differences there would be if I had made the other choice that was before me in a number of circumstances.

Working through I Corinthians

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." I Cor. 2:1-5 (Italic emphasis by Mindy)

These few verses have always stood out to me in this book. Paul wanted to make it clear that he did not try to impress them with eloquent speech or with talent and skills. The one thing Paul wanted for the people in Corinth, and for every town he preached in, was a faith that did not rest or find its foundation on anything a human had done or said. Paul desired the Christians at Corinth to have a faith which rooted itself solely in Jesus. For Paul knew a faith built on human wisdom or eloquence would not stand the test of time and life trials.

Do people walk away from my actions and words with a deeper faith or understanding of God? Do they sense that anything I do is through His power and not mine? Do I allow God to speak through me or I am simply filling the air with my own words? Words that will leave the listener no closer to God or rooted deeper in Him than when I started talking.

Introducing the do

I have two pictures to show off my new look. I like the versatility of this cut; I can style it into a bob that frames my face or style it into a flipped-out do for a fun night. Let me know what you think of the new look! Comments are a wonderful treat to find in my email box. :)

Yes, yes...I cut my hair off

Yes, I cut my hair off! Don't be surprised when you see me next...if you haven't already. I went from hair down my back to short-do around my face. And I love it! I will post a picture soon. Maybe I'll get a picture taken tonight at the apartment.

I do these occasionally, completely change my look. I can't help it. I get tired of one hair-do for too long. So I wack it all of sometimes :)

A new hairstyle and Kudos to Mandy

Tomorrow I am getting my hair cut. Get ready to see my new look. The picture here is what I am taking with me to show my stylist. We'll see what the finished product is...





My adorable and thoughtful friend, Mandy, gave me a wonderful gift for my birthday. Ever used those bath-fizzer thingies? I highly recommend them. Drop one in your bath and watch it fizz into oblivion or into your bath water :) Tonight I used the one with clove. The label said it would relax sore muscles and I bear witness that it does!

I laid back and let the worry and tension of the day melt away. Now the apartment smells of clove! hehe Reminds me a little of Christmas time, the hot tea that includes clove. My mom used to make it when family came over. It's amazing the memories a scent can bring to mind.

Hope you have something in your life that allows you to relax. Mine is a hot bath.

Connection to grandma

If you don't know this about me already, I have a love affair with peanut butter. I admit it, guilty as charged. For whatever reason, my youngest brother and I love the food. Our grandma New used to make the grandkids their favorite pie for their birthday. Of course mine was peanut butter. And, man, could she make a pie. Grandma had it down, the crust, the filling, the meringue on top. It was a special treat that I still hold dear.

My grandma passed away at 69 to ovarian cancer. She has just begun teaching me to sew and bake. I was not afforded the opportunity to stand next to her in her kitchen, rolling out the crust, cooking the custard on the stove top. I think of that often, all the wonderful things we could have shared under her roof. But the Lord wanted her home long before I wanted to give her up.

Throughout the years, my youngest brother and I have searched high and low for a peanut butter pie. No one makes them anymore, or even a custard pie. Guess we have gotten away from the art form of baking. To frustrate things more, no one had grandma's recipe for the pie. She had it memorized in her head.

After years of wishing we had that recipe, I have finally found one almost like it. The point to this blog? I felt a connection with my grandma when I made it the other day. She was a wonderful lady, someone who is worth emulating. Knowing I can carry on the pie tradition she so beautifully mastered makes me long to see her and feel as though I have become somewhat like her. Any way I resemble my grandma New is an honor. Someday I will be with her again. Until then, come visit me and taste the pie. It's worth the drive!

Introducing my roommates and me! Wendi on the left is a 2nd grade school teacher. She loves her children and truly wants to nurture their whole being, not just the brain. Krista on the right is at Vandy, doing masters work in Special Education. She recently moved from Tucson, AZ. Just wait for the weather to turn cold...hehe

I am in the middle, surrounded by two wonderful ladies. This picture was taken the night of my 29th birthday. When did I get this old?

Sometimes I wonder where my twenties went to; how am I at the end of this time in my life? Life seems to be getting faster everyday. I don't dwell on it long, depresses me at times :) But I know that the 30's will be wonderful. Why? Because my God will be will me. And He always makes the pilgrimage worth while.

When I figure out how to add photos to my profile, I'll get an updated one on here. Until then, I will post it in the blog.

I won't write anything with this blog. I only want to get a post up here to get it going. I'll play around with the blog later. Have a great day!