Monday, February 25, 2008
In Quotes
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their own dreams" --Eleanor Roosevelt
Simple Truths to live by...
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."— C.S. Lewis
Here's what I think God is saying to me through Gayle's life:
Take time to study your Bible every morning. You never know what day may be your last.
Trust that God will give you just the words that you need for whatever today brings.
Share your faith in God with others, especially when you don't feel like it.
Be yourself instead of what other people expect you to be.
Then turn around and ask them how you can be an encouragement.
Walk miles in the rain to help someone else—arrive at their door with a smile.
When it begins to rain, go outside and do cartwheels.
Take risks emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
Tell your friends how much you need them.
Show God how much you love him.
It gives me great comfort to know that Gayle is laughing, singing and living with wild abandon—her heart running free—in the presence of Jesus. — Psalm 119:32
Monday, January 28, 2008
A day all will remember
Lives were lost, but lives were spared.
Those who were lost, were somehow found
Lives torn apart, no one knew why
Holding out hope that all would be fine.
Faith was challenged beyond compare
For this was a day no one thought would come
A mission meant to bring us to our knees,
Did just that as we began to pray
Prayers rang out both near and far
And the day all will remember
Is the day we became one.
A mission now clear
One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all
In tribute to those who fight for our freedom each and every day! and to the everlasting memory of the day that changed it all...
Those who were lost, were somehow found
Lives torn apart, no one knew why
Holding out hope that all would be fine.
Faith was challenged beyond compare
For this was a day no one thought would come
A mission meant to bring us to our knees,
Did just that as we began to pray
Prayers rang out both near and far
And the day all will remember
Is the day we became one.
A mission now clear
One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all
In tribute to those who fight for our freedom each and every day! and to the everlasting memory of the day that changed it all...
Chances
When I wake in the morning,
Your face I long to see...
My heart belongs to you
Given to you forever, completely and truly...
A dream come true
Two hearts now one
My dreams are captivated by the idea of you
Who are you? When will I meet you?
You are the love of my life
You hold my heart in you hand
When I wake I wish to meet you
To have my heart completed by a chance encounter
Written by Stacy Hill - June 20, 2006
Your face I long to see...
My heart belongs to you
Given to you forever, completely and truly...
A dream come true
Two hearts now one
My dreams are captivated by the idea of you
Who are you? When will I meet you?
You are the love of my life
You hold my heart in you hand
When I wake I wish to meet you
To have my heart completed by a chance encounter
Written by Stacy Hill - June 20, 2006
Doubt
Uncertainty breathes life to doubt
Hope like wind sweeps gently by
Always there but never seen
Taken for granted but always needed.
Untold worlds linger on a breath
waiting to be heard
Never daring to take a chance
Life is too short to wait and see
And yet I wait, uncertain of me.
Written by Stacy Hill - May 28, 2002
Hope like wind sweeps gently by
Always there but never seen
Taken for granted but always needed.
Untold worlds linger on a breath
waiting to be heard
Never daring to take a chance
Life is too short to wait and see
And yet I wait, uncertain of me.
Written by Stacy Hill - May 28, 2002
All I am
Here I stand, All I am
Nothing more can I be
Here to give and Here to share
The rest of my life is yours
The sunlight of your eyes
Brighten my everyday
The warmth of your smile
Keeps the winters warm
Hope & Love abound,
Evermore now than ever
Nothing more can I be
Here to give and Here to share
The rest of my life is yours
The sunlight of your eyes
Brighten my everyday
The warmth of your smile
Keeps the winters warm
Hope & Love abound,
Evermore now than ever
The Distance
No distance could ever diminish
The bonds of friendship borne so long ago
Time is infinate of the memories shared and made
Through blood, sweat and tears, good times and bad
Through relationships, loved and lost
Never knowing what tomorrow would bring
But always knowing you would be there
Life is chances that can never be taken back
I'm glad we took a chance
Always dreaming, always wondering
Where the next day would lead
Sometimes uncertain, but always knowing where to turn
You were always there to lend a hand,
To share a moment Lend an ear
Hope with new dreams
My confidant, my sister
My Best Friend
written by Stacy Hill - 2002
The bonds of friendship borne so long ago
Time is infinate of the memories shared and made
Through blood, sweat and tears, good times and bad
Through relationships, loved and lost
Never knowing what tomorrow would bring
But always knowing you would be there
Life is chances that can never be taken back
I'm glad we took a chance
Always dreaming, always wondering
Where the next day would lead
Sometimes uncertain, but always knowing where to turn
You were always there to lend a hand,
To share a moment Lend an ear
Hope with new dreams
My confidant, my sister
My Best Friend
written by Stacy Hill - 2002
Moments of Silence
In a moment of silence,
God's beauty is seen.
In a fell turn of wind,
His voice is heard.
But only when you listen, do you really hear it.
Although he is never seen,
He is always there.
Though summer goes & leaves change, golden &brown
God's love the eternal flame,
never ending, never changing.
It is in moments of silence that wonders are revealed.
Too glorious to ever keep.
Ever more than could be imagined
Ever more than could be seen,
if only we were still and just listened.
An eternal Love above all else,
A promise never to be broken
written by Stacy Hill - May 2001
God's beauty is seen.
In a fell turn of wind,
His voice is heard.
But only when you listen, do you really hear it.
Although he is never seen,
He is always there.
Though summer goes & leaves change, golden &brown
God's love the eternal flame,
never ending, never changing.
It is in moments of silence that wonders are revealed.
Too glorious to ever keep.
Ever more than could be imagined
Ever more than could be seen,
if only we were still and just listened.
An eternal Love above all else,
A promise never to be broken
written by Stacy Hill - May 2001
Blink of an Eye
In the blink of an eye, a decade we've seen
Storms and disaster too many to count
Life and Loss all become one
Born were those to privilege there have always been
And taken by poverty there will always be
A hundred years they said it would come
A million times worse the results
The storm of the century
Lives torn to the bone
Hopeless and hurting, crying out for help
Reminiscent of the days when terror hit
We thought we were safe
We never knew it would come down to this
How could we have known just a decade ago
That storms and disaster too many to count
Would determine who we would become.
Written by Stacy Hill - 2005
Storms and disaster too many to count
Life and Loss all become one
Born were those to privilege there have always been
And taken by poverty there will always be
A hundred years they said it would come
A million times worse the results
The storm of the century
Lives torn to the bone
Hopeless and hurting, crying out for help
Reminiscent of the days when terror hit
We thought we were safe
We never knew it would come down to this
How could we have known just a decade ago
That storms and disaster too many to count
Would determine who we would become.
Written by Stacy Hill - 2005
The Cross
God
El Shaddai
Master
Emmanuel
Almighty God
Christ
Alpha and Omega King of Kings Lamb of God
The Resurrection and the Life Adonai Prince of Peace
Teacher Savior Blessed Hope Zion of Judah
Chief Shepherd Yahweh Faithful and True
Cornerstone
Jehovah
Holy One
Truth
Redeemer
Son of God
Messiah
The Word
Bread of Life
I AM
Lord of Lords
True Vine
Jesus
El Shaddai
Master
Emmanuel
Almighty God
Christ
Alpha and Omega King of Kings Lamb of God
The Resurrection and the Life Adonai Prince of Peace
Teacher Savior Blessed Hope Zion of Judah
Chief Shepherd Yahweh Faithful and True
Cornerstone
Jehovah
Holy One
Truth
Redeemer
Son of God
Messiah
The Word
Bread of Life
I AM
Lord of Lords
True Vine
Jesus
The Rosebud
It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God's design; But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I. God opens this flower so sweetly, In my hands it will fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God's design, Then how can I think I have wisdom To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for His leading Each moment of every day. I will look to him for His guidance Each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me, Only my Heavenly Father knows. I'll trust Him to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose.
- Helen Steiner Rice
The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I. God opens this flower so sweetly, In my hands it will fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God's design, Then how can I think I have wisdom To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for His leading Each moment of every day. I will look to him for His guidance Each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me, Only my Heavenly Father knows. I'll trust Him to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose.
- Helen Steiner Rice
Flower Gathering
I left you in the morning, And in the morning glow, You walked a way beside me To make me sad to go. Do you know me in the gloaming, Gaunt and dusty gray with roaming? Are you dumb because you know me not, Or dumb because you know? All for me And not a question For the faded flowers gay That could take me from beside you For the ages of a day? They are yours, and be the measure Of their worth for you to treasure, The measure of the little while That I've been long away.
Robert Frost
Robert Frost
36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most.)
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most.)
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
The Clover
In summers days we ponder long
the goings on of life divine
Wondering wonder to guarded souls
Life and love to rare to find
A glimpse of the eye
We find it still
A harold of timelessness
A heaven sent gift
A token of love from the one true love
A promise of hope and love to be
With leaves of emerald that stand all time
In radiant beauty waiting to be found
Many are those of fewer leaves
But this one beauty is rarer than rare
Many have said that four is luck
But what could this mean to have much more?
One is for Hope and one is for Faith
One is for Love and one is for Luck
To the lucky few who find but more
Joy and Peace will be theirs to have
the goings on of life divine
Wondering wonder to guarded souls
Life and love to rare to find
A glimpse of the eye
We find it still
A harold of timelessness
A heaven sent gift
A token of love from the one true love
A promise of hope and love to be
With leaves of emerald that stand all time
In radiant beauty waiting to be found
Many are those of fewer leaves
But this one beauty is rarer than rare
Many have said that four is luck
But what could this mean to have much more?
One is for Hope and one is for Faith
One is for Love and one is for Luck
To the lucky few who find but more
Joy and Peace will be theirs to have
Unashamed
Unashamed by a Zimbabwe Martyr
I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfedd goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, I don't have to be first, I don't have to be tops, recognized, praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by the Holy Spirit's power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will NOT be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of meiocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when he does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!
To God be the Glory! AMEN...
I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfedd goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, I don't have to be first, I don't have to be tops, recognized, praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by the Holy Spirit's power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will NOT be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of meiocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when he does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!
To God be the Glory! AMEN...
And Then...
And Then
By Keely Whipp
And then one day, something happened,
A hand reached out; a word was spoken,
A hardened heart was finally broken.
Distractions come and go,
Life speeds up and then gets slow.
We all have wants and needs,
But Satan often intercedes.
Sneaking deep into my heart,
The little things are how he starts.
Quietly whispering all the lies,
That give my pride time to rise.
He builds the wall one brick at a time,
Filling the cracks with dirt and slime.
Oozing excuses fill my head,
I give in, as I am so easily led.
And then one day, something happened.
Guilt and sahme make me cry.
I'm so weak I want to die.
That's how I felt before I met You,
Lonely, depressed, and a lost point of view.
A heart placed in a stranger's hand,
Often falls through, like grains of sand.
Minerals sewn together by tears,
Hold fast and strong like a rock with no fear.
Ignored, forgotten, only an object of life,
Left to survive in trouble and strife.
What's the point, who knows why?
No one cares, nor do I.
Continued whispered lies control,
My choices, life, heart, and soul.
Spinning, spiraling, twisting, and turning,
It makes me sick, yet hope keeps me yearning.
Dreams fed by life not lived,
And taken away by what I have not to give.
Like credit used that I never really had,
Spent on the world I thought made me glad.
Digging a hole deeper down,
As Satan smiles like a clown,
Tickled pink by his success,
At my loss, my distress.
Looking, peering from heaven's gates,
Jesus must sigh at my mistakes.
I fight the battle that's already won,
By Jesus Christ, God's only son.
And then one day, something happened.
"Live by this faith," is what he asks,
No shame and no doubt, is the task.
Take His hand and don't let go.
God is always with me, this I know.
An orphan adopted by the ultimate dad,
Now, moving on, not feeling sad.
A child of His, on this narrow path I must,
Walk toward the light, the Love I trust.
And then one day, something happened,
A hand reached out; a word was spoken,
A hardened heart was finally broken.
By Keely Whipp
And then one day, something happened,
A hand reached out; a word was spoken,
A hardened heart was finally broken.
Distractions come and go,
Life speeds up and then gets slow.
We all have wants and needs,
But Satan often intercedes.
Sneaking deep into my heart,
The little things are how he starts.
Quietly whispering all the lies,
That give my pride time to rise.
He builds the wall one brick at a time,
Filling the cracks with dirt and slime.
Oozing excuses fill my head,
I give in, as I am so easily led.
And then one day, something happened.
Guilt and sahme make me cry.
I'm so weak I want to die.
That's how I felt before I met You,
Lonely, depressed, and a lost point of view.
A heart placed in a stranger's hand,
Often falls through, like grains of sand.
Minerals sewn together by tears,
Hold fast and strong like a rock with no fear.
Ignored, forgotten, only an object of life,
Left to survive in trouble and strife.
What's the point, who knows why?
No one cares, nor do I.
Continued whispered lies control,
My choices, life, heart, and soul.
Spinning, spiraling, twisting, and turning,
It makes me sick, yet hope keeps me yearning.
Dreams fed by life not lived,
And taken away by what I have not to give.
Like credit used that I never really had,
Spent on the world I thought made me glad.
Digging a hole deeper down,
As Satan smiles like a clown,
Tickled pink by his success,
At my loss, my distress.
Looking, peering from heaven's gates,
Jesus must sigh at my mistakes.
I fight the battle that's already won,
By Jesus Christ, God's only son.
And then one day, something happened.
"Live by this faith," is what he asks,
No shame and no doubt, is the task.
Take His hand and don't let go.
God is always with me, this I know.
An orphan adopted by the ultimate dad,
Now, moving on, not feeling sad.
A child of His, on this narrow path I must,
Walk toward the light, the Love I trust.
And then one day, something happened,
A hand reached out; a word was spoken,
A hardened heart was finally broken.
Archive Stuff
17 Oct 2007
Woah - Dhaangg!
Okay ... so it is raining major league today. I of course have things I needed to do, so I go trapsing off into the wild unknown of this storm that has hunkered itself over KC. As I am going along the rain is coming down harder and harder. I get to my first destination without a problem ... rather wet, but doing good.
I had headed up North to pick up some stuff for folders that we are putting together tonight for the retreat. I leave there and decided to hit I-70 to head back towards my next destination. Lemme just say ... I ain't doin that again with rain like we have right now.
I have a smaller car and with as much rain as was falling, my car kept hydroplaning all over the place. I slowed down to a basic crawl for the highway and my car was still acting a fool. At one point it felt like I might have busted a tire, so I pulled off the highway to investigate ... nothing wrong there. Got back on the highway and it still felt like that ... I guess just the rain and junk on the highway. A little further down they have a section of the hwy completely shut down. A semi-truck jack-knifed in the midde of the hwy, blocking all lanes of traffic. I guess God was slowing everyone down so they wouldn't be there when it happened, cause this guy didn't end up hitting anyone (which for I-70 is a miracle).
I was able to make it home unscathed, but dang was I scared. At one point, my insides were quivering, I was so scared.
My point of advice in all this, if you can avoid it ... stay off the highway!
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14 Oct 2007
Freak out
I just thought I would share a little something with everyone that just happened tonight.
To start with ... LOL ... I got the bejeebee's scared out of me. My roommate Jill had asked me the other day if I knew who/what had been eating the cat's food. I honestly didn't know ... until tonight!
We were sitting down watching a movie, when Jill heard something outside. ... we crept over to find out what it was, went to turn on the light ... but it wouldn't come on (its one of those motion sensor jobbies) Anyway ... I was like "Let me be the brave one" and open the door. Made sure that Lexie got back ... cause of course by this time she was up in the mix wanting to see to.
About the time that I opened the door, Jill was like ... What if its a raccoon. In my mind, I'm thinking ... surely not. I opened the door and the light of the living room fell on our little visitor ... Yup ... it was a raccoon. I freaked, stammed the door and in the process scared Lexi, who then started crying.
After that we kept the door closed. It didn't even phase the raccoon. He just kept on until the food for the cat was gone. Finally the porch light did come on and we watched him from the inside of the house. I was going to take a picture, but he left before I could get my camera.
It really interested me though, that in the middle of Kansas City, we see wildlife this close. It makes sense though I guess since I am in South KC and we occassionally will see deer. But none the less, it freaked me out. What if I hadn't known anything was out there and just went trapsing out???
Anywho ... that's my current excitment :o)
PS I have my first job interview tomorrow. Its with a temp agency ... but it's a start!
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13 Oct 2007
Magic in the Air
All I can say is there is magic in the air. Today was substantially a better day than yesterday... It really helps to have good friends to get you through the rough patches in life.
So, today was my birthday and I must say ... it was one of my best ones yet. It was a "party" down kind of day.
I of course had to start out "Responsibly"... I went out to careerbuilder.com early this morning and started looking at jobs that are available, applied to a few. I am still amazed... within about 30 minutes of submitting some resumes, I got a call from one of them ... I have an interview on Monday! YEAH :o) All this before 10 am ... pretty good start to the day if I may say so.
I then went and met up with some of my friends. We went to Nick and Jakes for lunch. Yumm-ooohhh! They are a definate recommendation if you are in Kansas City.... or else where (if they are else where ...don't know) .. any ways ... if you have the chance, go there! I had the most amazing Chicken Pot pie of my life. I know ... you are probably like ... what?? Trust me on this one. Total comfort food. Heaven in a bowl :P The way they did it was they put the CPP filling in a bowl and put mashed potatoes around the edge of the bowl, topped with a piece of baked pastry. Needless to say, it was a LOT of food... I ended up bringing home half of it. OH and to top it off... they let me choose something off the dessert menu for my special treat. I chose Carrot cake which looked very good. Let me tell ya ...Cheesecake factory ain't got nothin' on that. OMG! I shared it with the girls and I still have a good chunk of it left :o) Lunch tomorrow!!
And it doesn't even stop there! This evening I got a chance to have dinner with a good friend from college. We have been best friends until the last few years ... she had a kid and with all that, we haven't been quite as close. But all that aside, we are getting back on track with a great friendship again. She decided to take me out to a really nice dinner. It was great getting to spend time with her and get to catch up more. We went to this place called MelBee's. Very nice, upscale restaurant. Definatly not the kind of place you go to often. Everything was awesome ... the food, the service, the music. They had live entertainment. It was a piano player and a singer. They would alternate between just a piano played piece and one that was sung. "Its a Wonderful Life" is one of my all time fav songs and she sang it tonight :o) For dinner it was a four-course production complete with "wine matching" Which is where they match a wine with the type of dish that you have. Some of the wines were pretty good ... some I could have definatly done without.
All in all, today was the most amazing day ever. I feel so totally blessed and am really reminded just how much my friends really mean to me. I am really thankful for each and every person in my life.
Woah - Dhaangg!
Okay ... so it is raining major league today. I of course have things I needed to do, so I go trapsing off into the wild unknown of this storm that has hunkered itself over KC. As I am going along the rain is coming down harder and harder. I get to my first destination without a problem ... rather wet, but doing good.
I had headed up North to pick up some stuff for folders that we are putting together tonight for the retreat. I leave there and decided to hit I-70 to head back towards my next destination. Lemme just say ... I ain't doin that again with rain like we have right now.
I have a smaller car and with as much rain as was falling, my car kept hydroplaning all over the place. I slowed down to a basic crawl for the highway and my car was still acting a fool. At one point it felt like I might have busted a tire, so I pulled off the highway to investigate ... nothing wrong there. Got back on the highway and it still felt like that ... I guess just the rain and junk on the highway. A little further down they have a section of the hwy completely shut down. A semi-truck jack-knifed in the midde of the hwy, blocking all lanes of traffic. I guess God was slowing everyone down so they wouldn't be there when it happened, cause this guy didn't end up hitting anyone (which for I-70 is a miracle).
I was able to make it home unscathed, but dang was I scared. At one point, my insides were quivering, I was so scared.
My point of advice in all this, if you can avoid it ... stay off the highway!
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14 Oct 2007
Freak out
I just thought I would share a little something with everyone that just happened tonight.
To start with ... LOL ... I got the bejeebee's scared out of me. My roommate Jill had asked me the other day if I knew who/what had been eating the cat's food. I honestly didn't know ... until tonight!
We were sitting down watching a movie, when Jill heard something outside. ... we crept over to find out what it was, went to turn on the light ... but it wouldn't come on (its one of those motion sensor jobbies) Anyway ... I was like "Let me be the brave one" and open the door. Made sure that Lexie got back ... cause of course by this time she was up in the mix wanting to see to.
About the time that I opened the door, Jill was like ... What if its a raccoon. In my mind, I'm thinking ... surely not. I opened the door and the light of the living room fell on our little visitor ... Yup ... it was a raccoon. I freaked, stammed the door and in the process scared Lexi, who then started crying.
After that we kept the door closed. It didn't even phase the raccoon. He just kept on until the food for the cat was gone. Finally the porch light did come on and we watched him from the inside of the house. I was going to take a picture, but he left before I could get my camera.
It really interested me though, that in the middle of Kansas City, we see wildlife this close. It makes sense though I guess since I am in South KC and we occassionally will see deer. But none the less, it freaked me out. What if I hadn't known anything was out there and just went trapsing out???
Anywho ... that's my current excitment :o)
PS I have my first job interview tomorrow. Its with a temp agency ... but it's a start!
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13 Oct 2007
Magic in the Air
All I can say is there is magic in the air. Today was substantially a better day than yesterday... It really helps to have good friends to get you through the rough patches in life.
So, today was my birthday and I must say ... it was one of my best ones yet. It was a "party" down kind of day.
I of course had to start out "Responsibly"... I went out to careerbuilder.com early this morning and started looking at jobs that are available, applied to a few. I am still amazed... within about 30 minutes of submitting some resumes, I got a call from one of them ... I have an interview on Monday! YEAH :o) All this before 10 am ... pretty good start to the day if I may say so.
I then went and met up with some of my friends. We went to Nick and Jakes for lunch. Yumm-ooohhh! They are a definate recommendation if you are in Kansas City.... or else where (if they are else where ...don't know) .. any ways ... if you have the chance, go there! I had the most amazing Chicken Pot pie of my life. I know ... you are probably like ... what?? Trust me on this one. Total comfort food. Heaven in a bowl :P The way they did it was they put the CPP filling in a bowl and put mashed potatoes around the edge of the bowl, topped with a piece of baked pastry. Needless to say, it was a LOT of food... I ended up bringing home half of it. OH and to top it off... they let me choose something off the dessert menu for my special treat. I chose Carrot cake which looked very good. Let me tell ya ...Cheesecake factory ain't got nothin' on that. OMG! I shared it with the girls and I still have a good chunk of it left :o) Lunch tomorrow!!
And it doesn't even stop there! This evening I got a chance to have dinner with a good friend from college. We have been best friends until the last few years ... she had a kid and with all that, we haven't been quite as close. But all that aside, we are getting back on track with a great friendship again. She decided to take me out to a really nice dinner. It was great getting to spend time with her and get to catch up more. We went to this place called MelBee's. Very nice, upscale restaurant. Definatly not the kind of place you go to often. Everything was awesome ... the food, the service, the music. They had live entertainment. It was a piano player and a singer. They would alternate between just a piano played piece and one that was sung. "Its a Wonderful Life" is one of my all time fav songs and she sang it tonight :o) For dinner it was a four-course production complete with "wine matching" Which is where they match a wine with the type of dish that you have. Some of the wines were pretty good ... some I could have definatly done without.
All in all, today was the most amazing day ever. I feel so totally blessed and am really reminded just how much my friends really mean to me. I am really thankful for each and every person in my life.
Disabled
How do we get to this point in our lives where we become so disabled? I'm not talking about physical disabilities, but mindsets.
Today I had a great time to get outside and walk. I set out with a goal to walk for an hour. I hadn't even gotten half way through this hour and I'm already thinking, its too hard, I can't do it. Thoughts are racing about how I just want to stop and turn around.
It really got me to thinking about how disabled my thinking and actions have become. I live in this mindset of not being able to do something, mostly influenced by the media, that I know physically can be done. I am so tired of this awful weight of disability. I'm not saying that I am going to become "Miss Independent" - Do it no matter what or "Napolean" - Take over the world at all costs... I am just saying that I don't want to live with this disability any more. I want to live life to the full that God has promised. I love the feeling, knowing that God loves me, no matter what. I hate the feeling that I don't love myself, no matter what.
Why do we tell ourselves we can't have the things we want? During one of my quiet times this weekend I was reading Jeremiah 29 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. We have basically taken ourselves captive and Jesus wants to set us free. Why do we hold so dearly to captivity? I WANT TO BE FREE!
Just to let you know, I didn't give up on my walk. I did go for an hour. I was so very tired, hot, thirsty and hurting when I got home, but I felt so vendicated. I didn't let Satan take over. I found strength to keep going and it was awesome!
Today I had a great time to get outside and walk. I set out with a goal to walk for an hour. I hadn't even gotten half way through this hour and I'm already thinking, its too hard, I can't do it. Thoughts are racing about how I just want to stop and turn around.
It really got me to thinking about how disabled my thinking and actions have become. I live in this mindset of not being able to do something, mostly influenced by the media, that I know physically can be done. I am so tired of this awful weight of disability. I'm not saying that I am going to become "Miss Independent" - Do it no matter what or "Napolean" - Take over the world at all costs... I am just saying that I don't want to live with this disability any more. I want to live life to the full that God has promised. I love the feeling, knowing that God loves me, no matter what. I hate the feeling that I don't love myself, no matter what.
Why do we tell ourselves we can't have the things we want? During one of my quiet times this weekend I was reading Jeremiah 29 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. We have basically taken ourselves captive and Jesus wants to set us free. Why do we hold so dearly to captivity? I WANT TO BE FREE!
Just to let you know, I didn't give up on my walk. I did go for an hour. I was so very tired, hot, thirsty and hurting when I got home, but I felt so vendicated. I didn't let Satan take over. I found strength to keep going and it was awesome!
Lost
Lost
Why won't you love me?
Why won't you even try?
My heart is hurting.
I just want to be accepted.
I've lost the person I thought I was.
I just want to be whole.
I can't see out of this trap I'm in.
I have no real friends.
I have no real life.
I've no way out.
I'm going to drown.
And I don't want to fight it.
Why won't you love me?
Why won't you even try?
My heart is hurting.
I just want to be accepted.
I've lost the person I thought I was.
I just want to be whole.
I can't see out of this trap I'm in.
I have no real friends.
I have no real life.
I've no way out.
I'm going to drown.
And I don't want to fight it.
One Soldiers Story
The story I am about to tell is about Harold and Lily. They had known each other, basically, all their lives. They grew up in the same town, attended the same schools, and knew each others families. Harold would tease Lily in school as she pushed through school in a time where girls weren't expected to excel in school. You see, the time was later in the 1920's.
Harold would grow up to be a fine young man, who went off to college and start his life and maybe someday, his family. But trouble was brewing. It was the time of World War II. All the reserves had been deployed to war and there was a draft going on. At only 20 years old, and with less than a semester left to graduation, he would be trust into a time of war, never to go back to finish his education.
Upon hearing the news of his pending departure, Harold would ask young Lily to become his wife. "What will our families think?" She asks. "I don't know" He says. " But what if I go off to war and never have a wife?" He didn't want to go against anyones wishes, but he didn't want to be turned down either. They would secretly get married without the knowledge of either of their parents. By this time it was 1943. Harold was whisked away to war, his new wife left to live with her parents. She spent her time working as many women of the era would come to do. She worked hard to save money so that when he returned, they could have a home and start their life together.
Harold recounted his time in the service. He told stories of being in battle. He was stationed somewhere in the Phillipines. He told of how their boat was taken down by a blast and the soldiers on board had to wade to shore. Hoping, praying that they wouldn't be killed. He said that as they waded, waist deep in water, their guns held to their chests, not one shot was fired.
He also recounted many of the affairs that he witnessed. Many soldiers would fall into temptation and would loose themselves to the wars delights. He told me that the whole time he was at war, all he could think about was his Lily and being with her. He never thought twice about doing anything that would hurt her or their relationship. He mentioned many times how he and his wife had a "clean-slate" relationship. Nothing and noone ever came in between their relationship.
As he went on in his time in the military, he was given many chances to move up in rank. One such promotion came just as his tour of duty was about to come to an end. But he turned it down. He didn't want to spend any more time away from his girl. By this time, the families knew that they had wed. Noone was at odds about their decision to get married.
After leaving the army, Harold joined a buisness that would relocate him and his family a few times until they ended up in Kansas City. Toward the end of her life, Lily became quite ill. She got Alzheimers and forgot many things that had happened to her. Harold spoke of a time when she asked him if he knew where her husband was ... she was remembering him as the young man that she had married many years ago. It broke his heart, but he never left her side. In late 2004, she passed away. They had spent 61 years together as man and wife.
I learned of this incredible story tonight as members of my bibletalk and I went to a local rest home to help serve the residents and help out as family and friends brought in their children to "Trick or Treat." I was (and will always be) captivated by the story of one soldier. In a way, I am reminded of the relationship in the movie "The Notebook." Harold's devotion to his wife would transcend war and illness until the very end.
Harold would grow up to be a fine young man, who went off to college and start his life and maybe someday, his family. But trouble was brewing. It was the time of World War II. All the reserves had been deployed to war and there was a draft going on. At only 20 years old, and with less than a semester left to graduation, he would be trust into a time of war, never to go back to finish his education.
Upon hearing the news of his pending departure, Harold would ask young Lily to become his wife. "What will our families think?" She asks. "I don't know" He says. " But what if I go off to war and never have a wife?" He didn't want to go against anyones wishes, but he didn't want to be turned down either. They would secretly get married without the knowledge of either of their parents. By this time it was 1943. Harold was whisked away to war, his new wife left to live with her parents. She spent her time working as many women of the era would come to do. She worked hard to save money so that when he returned, they could have a home and start their life together.
Harold recounted his time in the service. He told stories of being in battle. He was stationed somewhere in the Phillipines. He told of how their boat was taken down by a blast and the soldiers on board had to wade to shore. Hoping, praying that they wouldn't be killed. He said that as they waded, waist deep in water, their guns held to their chests, not one shot was fired.
He also recounted many of the affairs that he witnessed. Many soldiers would fall into temptation and would loose themselves to the wars delights. He told me that the whole time he was at war, all he could think about was his Lily and being with her. He never thought twice about doing anything that would hurt her or their relationship. He mentioned many times how he and his wife had a "clean-slate" relationship. Nothing and noone ever came in between their relationship.
As he went on in his time in the military, he was given many chances to move up in rank. One such promotion came just as his tour of duty was about to come to an end. But he turned it down. He didn't want to spend any more time away from his girl. By this time, the families knew that they had wed. Noone was at odds about their decision to get married.
After leaving the army, Harold joined a buisness that would relocate him and his family a few times until they ended up in Kansas City. Toward the end of her life, Lily became quite ill. She got Alzheimers and forgot many things that had happened to her. Harold spoke of a time when she asked him if he knew where her husband was ... she was remembering him as the young man that she had married many years ago. It broke his heart, but he never left her side. In late 2004, she passed away. They had spent 61 years together as man and wife.
I learned of this incredible story tonight as members of my bibletalk and I went to a local rest home to help serve the residents and help out as family and friends brought in their children to "Trick or Treat." I was (and will always be) captivated by the story of one soldier. In a way, I am reminded of the relationship in the movie "The Notebook." Harold's devotion to his wife would transcend war and illness until the very end.
20 Tips for a Positive New Year!
20 Tips for a Positive New Year!
By Jon Gordon
1. Take a 10-30 minute "Thank you" walk every day. While you walk practice gratitude. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a TIVO, tape your late night shows and get more sleep - it's the ultimate energizer.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement: My purpose is to__________ _ today.
5. Live with the 3 E's. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.
6. Read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice prayer, meditation, yoga, tai chi & qigong. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Do the "one thing" you have always wanted to do.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11. Mentor someone and be mentored by someone.
12. Engage in daily random acts of kindness.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing positive energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished_ _________ __.
19. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
20. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.
By Jon Gordon
1. Take a 10-30 minute "Thank you" walk every day. While you walk practice gratitude. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a TIVO, tape your late night shows and get more sleep - it's the ultimate energizer.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement: My purpose is to__________ _ today.
5. Live with the 3 E's. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.
6. Read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice prayer, meditation, yoga, tai chi & qigong. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Do the "one thing" you have always wanted to do.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11. Mentor someone and be mentored by someone.
12. Engage in daily random acts of kindness.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing positive energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished_ _________ __.
19. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
20. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.
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