Tackling hurdles..

Sometimes it is good, to take time and think... Tonight as I sit and think about all that I am thankful for, I also sit and have millions of things running through my mind.  I decided that I needed a few items of advice, and thought I would start with listening to myself.  I often will speak of advice but not always follow what I say.  I just finished reading some of my own blog posts here, and realized that I have so much going for me.  Everything is going to be okay, I can cross these hurdles that are being placed in front of me. 

One thing I have learned about myself, over the years...is I allow the little hurdles to be the same size as the big ones.  I really need to work, at getting over that...but I think that takes time.  I do not want to share all those hurdles, because some are to personal and do not need to be announced, just need to stay in my heart...there are other hurdles that I would like to share.  







Recently, I was told by my doctor that it may be smart to try a gluten free diet.  Today marks the official start, but I have been gluten-free for about 2 days.  While I know many people go on this diet, it is still something that you have to be strict with yourself about. No cheating here or there.. and I am already craving the taste of butter on some bread.. but I will find a solution eventually.  Thanksgiving dinner was not bad, and tonight we found some different brands that offer a gluten free option.  This hurdle, is possible for me to overcome.  


Do you ever catch yourself thinking about a million things at once???  And your not sure if there is really something that is bothering you, or if it is just all the things added together??  Well, that is me.  The semester is slowly coming to a close, and there is a lot that needs to be done.. but the Christmas break is just around the corner.  I think I am ready to be home for a while, but I do not for sure I am not ready to move stuff home for break.


I believe I am getting to the point of being in need of a bear hug... 
I love hugs, getting them from anyone.. but then there is some people that you just enjoy hugs from even more.  Everyone has someone in their life, that just gives the best bear hugs ever.  :)


With all this said, today has been a wonderful thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for my friends and family.  I am so thankful for being able to look outside my window and see the stars.  For beautiful evenings spent with family and sharing stories.  For being able to know that I am generally safe here in my home.  I am thankful for those that choose to serve our country.  For the wonderful people in my life, past--present--and to come.  I am thankful for all that I have.  I am so thankful for all, each one of the people in my life have a special place in my heart.  This is only all possible because the one true God gave his one and only Son to die for us.   Don't take for granted what you have today, because it may not be here tomorrow. 


Dear heavenly Father, 


I pray to you today, with thanks for everything you have provided me with.  Amazing family, Awesome friends, and the people that I do not know yet or never will.  I pray for those that are sick, and down especially the Haas family as they push through the struggle of cancer. I pray that you give love and healing to those that are sick and comfort to their caregivers and family. I pray God, that you lend me guidance over these hurdles that come into my life.  God, you are mighty and holy, and I love you.  I pray for all those that serve our country, the few I know and the millions I don't--they are all so special and often do not get thanked enough.  I pray for safe travels for all those traveling during this thankful season and that those shopping tomorrow are safe as well.  Lord, I pray to you on this day and all the days to come, you are wonderful LORD, I love you.  In your holy name, Amen. 

Days are flying by, and moments of life we are losing.  We should all live every moment of life as if it is our last--unfortunately most of us don't do this..and instead we take every day for granted.


Growing up there have been  points in my life when I always had my phone on me and I needed to txt someone goodnight in order to sleep. Through events in my life that has changed now I lose my phone and rarely send goodnights. Many things happen in life that sometime change because of someone or because of an event in life. We have to be careful that we don't let events like this take control of our lives. 

Reading the bible is the same way. I have gone through points in my life that I have read the bible everyday, and I learned in church and Sunday school that it is important to not just read and study the word at church but I catch myself doing this. What is it that changes our ways. Is it that we lose sight if what is important or we think we are better than it. This can only be answered when choosing what we are referring to. My change of ways for texting people is because I am growing from that an realizing I have better things to do. But if it is the matter of reading the bible then I am not sure of the real reason, but I would guess it is time constraint.  While I know this should be changed, I sadly am not sure when I will get into reading the bible.  

Along with the time constraint issue, working out falls into my mind.  I used to be in good shape.  I could bike all the way through my neighborhood (sometimes twice).  And I used to be able to work out without thinking about it, but now its a struggle.  Time is rolling on and there are many things that I need to do, but deal with laziness. Life is like this and we are struggle with how to handle this.. so what should we do.  Depending on who we would ask, some would answer pray.  I am going to go with being perristance.. and so now I am going to get off my bandwagon of telling what is going on in my life that I need to fix and get to working out. 


Dear God, 
Life is amazing, and I thank you for my life each day.  I have to remind myself each day to pray for myself, while I also pray for others.  I pray especially today for my new family member and that he is a healthy baby boy.  I pray for those that dealing with midterms and exams while living each day.  I pray for those that are serving in the military state side and oversees.  I pray for those that are nonbelivers and the believes that try to tell faith to those that don't understand.  In your holy name Lord, I pray!  Amen

:) God loves you and me! 

There are so many things that I think about to share in a blog.  But if I wrote them all, I would have no time to do the things that are more important.  Instead I know that I am thankful for all the wonderful things that I have going on in my life right now, but also that I have many things I am struggling with.  God is with me.  God is with me always.

Have you said, "I love you today"?  

Have you said, "Thank you" today?

Have you given your best friend a hug?

Have you checked up on the ones that weren't at church today?

Have you called the sick and lonely?

Have you smiled today?

Have you?

Dear Heavenly Father, 

You are most holy, and I love you LORD Jesus.  I would ask that you guide me and help me when days are slow and down.  Some days I am eager and ready to tackle the world, but on other days I wonder if I will make it.  LORD you are amazing and you have been part in my life when all of this is taking place.  I reflect daily on the happy moments, and try to cover them with the bad days.  LORD I ask you to help me see that it is okay, and that their are other people like me, struggling just the same.  LORD Jesus please watch over everyone this week, especially those that are serving our country.  They are the ones that we often forget to thank daily, they are the ones that have chosen to protect us and our country.  LORD, you are the most holy and loved one in my heart.  I love you LORD JESUS!

In your heavenly name, I pray. Amen.

Am i fine china?

Friends can't be like fine china.  

Fine china:

 Is something you only use for special occasions.  

Something that you can go each day without.  

Friends need to be like every day dishes.

Every day dishes:

It doesn't matter if it is just a boring day.

You have them around all the time. 

If the people around you are like fine china--then do you really need them in your life.  Are they not important enough to you to have them around you all the time?  Do you only go to them when you need something, or when you are having a party?  Do you only invite them because they will bring the alcohol and be stupid?  

Take a moment.  Stop.  Think.  Think of that person that is always there for you.  That one that is there no matter what.  Who is it?  Is it someone that treats you like fine china or every day dishes?  

There are many people around us--that we call friends.  And that is okay!  But make sure that you hold on to the every day dishes and make them your every day dishes instead of fine china.  

I am blessed to have true friends. Ones that are truly there and I am truly there for.  Lately I have been reflecting more and more on that.  Noticing the ones that see that everything is not okay without me telling them.  The ones that help me feel better only by reinforcing they are there for me.  I may be miles apart from some, some only minutes apart.  But what matters the most is that they are my friends.  <3

Dear God, 

You are a truly amazing person!  i love you more than anything in the world.  I ask for prayers to be lifted up for everyone, all my friends, enemies, and those that I do not know.  It is important for me to pray daily for my friends.  For my friends that live here in North Carolina, those that live in another state, those that live in another country.  That I pray for those friends that are struggling physically, mentally, socially or just in general. I pray for my friends that are choosing to serve the country, those that are choosing to serve the homeless.  I pray for all!  And Lord, I ask lastly for prayers for myself.  I need to remember to pray for myself daily as well.  I need prayers as much as everyone else.  

Lord Jesus you are amazing, In your holy name I pray!

Amen

hot, hot, HOT!

There is no doubt about it, the summer is here and in full bloom!  I know I live in the South, but the high 90's are hot for Western North Carolina.   This song came to mind when I think of this crazy heat.  Today was a day on the high heat levels.  I heard it reached the triple digits :o

While out in this heat, it is important to stay cool and hydrated. Don't get dehydrated, it's not fun! For our health it is important to drink water, but during these hot days it is so important. While working in the yard, playing catch, running with dogs, and sunbathing--drink drink drink that water!  No matter what your doing, even if your spending some of your time in doors, it is still important to drink lots of fluid.  Consuming enough fluid especially water, can sometimes seem annoying and unnecessary--but with these high temperatures its more important that anything. 


The summer is not only a time that people can get dehydrated from not enough water, but it is also a time that we can get spiritually dehydrated.  Sunday school may have stopped for the summer, maybe you stayed out to late Saturday night to make it to church on Sunday, or maybe you just want a lazy day.  What ever the reason is, don't become spiritually dehydrated, overcome it and let me the summer allow you to become closer to God.  




"But whoever drinks the water that i will give him will never become thirsty again.  The water that I will give will become a well of water for him, springing up to eternal life." --John 4:14

Absolutely Amazing!

Whew, it has been way to long since the last time I posted, but then again I sure have been busy.  Summer 2011 is here, but it feels like I have gotten more busy!  So since the summer is here that means I have completed 2 years of college!  Woooaaahhh, wait a minute, that means I am going to be a Junior in college in the fall.  Wow!!  


Summer began and I jumped head first into doing things I love.  Spent one lovely Saturday afternoon the Post Office food drive, then volunteered that next week at Yoke fellow.  (I got some good quality time with those cans). I of course have been spending many days at West Lenoir Elementary volunteering, some in the library, some in the classroom, and even one day of proctoring the Science EOG. Took some time one evening to babysit the kids that I have kept for the past seven years at least. (Man, thats a long time, and those kids are growing up way to fast). 


I kept the month of May moving along and on May 21st I had the first support group meeting for Hydrocephalus in North Carolina.  I took on the role of organizing it and joined with 12 other people that are affected by Hydrocephalus.  There were 5 of us that have hydrocephalus and got to learn more about each other. It was a very eventuful weekend.  (Skittles wanted to make sure he wasn't forgotten and decided to role off the poarch steps :o).


The next weekend, which was this past weekend was Memorial Day weekend. But if you know me well enough then you my know that Memorial Day weekend means its recital time.  I have now finished my 14th year of dancing under the instruction of Star Steps Dance Center.  I am so thankful that I am able to dance.  This year I not only danced but also worked as stage manager.  It truly was a job, but I really enjoyed it!  


So between all this, I keep reminding myself that summer is a time to relax.  While I will be taking two classes this summer, it is a break from having a heaving load of many hours of classes.  I will be volunteering, working, hanging out with friends, spending time with family, traveling a little bit, and what ever else falls into the schedule. 


The summer is amazing, and I am thankful that I am getting to enjoy it in my home town.  While there my not be much in Lenoir, it is the place I have grown up in, and I continue to find things to do.  I have discovered that doing good deeds and  helping others tied with feeling relaxed don't often go together for many people.  Well for me it sure is.  Lenoir has so much to offer that makes one feel good, you just have to take the time to find it!  


Well it's only May 31st and the high was 97 degrees.  Summer doesn't start till June 

21st, its gonna be a HOT summer!

True Companions

I found this on the internet and feel in love with it.  Dogs are truly a special part in my life.  When coming home, I look forward to seeing Emma and Skittles just as much as seeing my mom and dad.  Being an only child, my dogs are my play buddies.

The Canine Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years.  Any separation from    you will be painful for me.  Remember that before you buy me.

Cousins and cousin dogs spending time together

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.

3. Place your trust in me. It's crucial to my well-being.

Trust put in Skittles that he can lead us to land ;)

4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment.  You have your work, your entertainment and your friends.  I only have you.

Cousin Matthew and his dog Buddy.  

5. Talk to me sometimes.  Even if I don't understand you words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.

6.Be aware that however you treat me.  I'll never forget it.

7. Remember before you hit me:  I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

See my teeth :)

8. Before you cold me for being un-cooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me.  Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun too long, or my hear is getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old.  You too will grow old.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys.  Never say: "I can't bear to watch it" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there.

Remember That I LOVE YOU.

I love my doggies!