It's a New Year!

It seems that the "newness" of 2011 has already worn off and we're into the thick of another year. Dates are already filling up on the calendar and the year already seems to be flying by...I mean, we're already halfway through my birthmonth! I want to be really intentional about enjoying each and every experience of this year rather than treating it like a to-do list, because I don't think I am able to slow down time.

I had a moment to reflect on 2010 while I was in my pjs all New Years eve and night with a yucky cold, and if I had to sum the year up in one word it would be consistency...and overcoming challenges (yes I realize that's two words, well three really). Marc and I experienced a lot of change our first few years of marriage and 2010 marked a year where nothing dramatically changed - we stayed in the same home and same jobs. You have NO idea what a blessing that was! Consistency really can be a good thing sometimes.

It was also a year of overcoming challenges. I'll be honest, I dreaded 2010. I remember thinking, "I hope this year goes by so quickly." As we set out into 2010, I was stressed by another year of financial commitments for school, and I was SO ready for Marc to just be in a full-time position already. After the full-time position was not approved, I realized how I made this my idol and goal for the year. 2010 was also a year of God pouring His blessing of provision onto our family - we have never seen more unexpected assistance and just random checks show up in the mail to assist with Marc's school. We still have financial stresses and worries for 2011, but if we learned ANYTHING in 2010 it would be that God is faithful, He always provides (even if it's not the provision you were looking for) and His word is true. I personally overcame physical challenges in 2010 - I would have never thought I would train for and do 2 sprint-triathalons, 3 5ks and a 1/2 marathon. This is the same girl who used to beg her mother to carry her so she didn't have to walk.

I don't really do resolutions, but I've had some time this week to think about what the Lord wants to do in my life this year...
- He has been so faithful in helping me with my physical discipline but He wants displine in all areas of my life - especially my time. I even had this CRAZY thought last night of possibly not watching tv anymore so I can focus on more quality time with Him. Haven't completely bought into the idea because it would be hard...which means that God is pushing me to do it. Dangit!
- Preparing our hearts for a family and trusting His perfect timing. To us, family is having our own children and inviting those who don't have a family be a part of ours.
- Letting go of control, worry, and this idea I have to be perfect - it's like an addiction and sometimes feels like I have a zillion voices in my head. For any worry-warts or perfictionists out there, you know what I'm talking about. Like I trained for a race, I want to train to completely surrender this to Him and actually let Him rule my life as well as His peace and joy.
- Better communication with Marc - listening, following, and LOTS more listening.

As the devotion I read this morning said:

We are creatures of habit – let's make it our habit in 2011 to seek God first each day and commit our plans to Him. I think we will marvel at the results, time and again.

Dear Lord, today I seek Your face, wisdom and Your will. I give my plans to You and I ask that I may operate in Your power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3

Blog Vacay

It's been a while hasn't it? Life just happens and the next thing I know, we're almost halfway done with January 2011 (aka my birth month because everyone needs an entire month to truly celebrate their birthday). Time really does fly by. Anywho, I am now having some down time in the booming metropolis of Wilmore, KY while Marc attends a week class for school at Asbury Theological Seminary. On a side note, isn't it funny that when life is crazy, we want peace but when we finally get it, we're wanting some chaos. Weird huh? Back to an update on what I've been doing...

• We celebrated Thanksgiving. We truly have SO much to be thankful for - God's amazing provision, wonderful family, sweet friends, awesome kids that let us hang out with them, a precious but bratty dog (who I currently miss so much right now!) and an adorable house. We spent Thanksgiving in Chattanooga with Marc's family. It was nice to spend the day with them relaxing and eating lots of delicious food. And, this year was really special because I ended up seeing ALL parts of my family to celebrate Thanksgiving with them at some point during the month - something that doesn't always get to happen.
• I kept training for the 1/2 marathon...and the distances I had to run kept getting longer and longer and longer. You get the point. I was running out of daylight..literally!
• Marc whisked me away for an overnight getaway to Blue Ridge. We stayed at a very cozy bed and breakfast, ate some delicious food and decided we needed to do overnights like this more often!
• We celebrated Christmas with our campers - hope4christmas. It's always a delight to organize this Christmas party and spend some time with the campers and their families. Have I mentioned how much joy they add to my life?! Sieara graduated from Leadership and received her plaque...woohoo! I am so proud of her! The party was cut a little short after a small fire started at the church...luckily none of the campers OR counselors were responsible for it. Phew....
• My mom ran a 1/2 marathon...GO HER! She is my inspiration for running and she continues to amaze me.
  
• We hosted our annual friends Christmas party - such a good time to see some friends we don't always get an opportunity to see. A VERY good time with lots of delicious food...who doesn't love some good party food!
• We celebrated Christmas with my Dad. God definitely healed some wounds during our time together - an unexpected blessing!
• Marc and I celebrated Christmas - we were very intentional this year to actually spend Christmas Eve at our church and at our house. So, after Christmas Eve lunch with my extended family at Mimi & Bubba's (grandparents), we went to our church. We were joined by our friends Jason and Sara as well as Alexis, one of the kiddos from Camp Hope, and her mom. After the service, we went to look at lights before going home and watching A Christmas Story. It was neat to start some traditions of our own. We woke up on Christmas morning to open our gifts, eat some breakfast and then head to the 'boro to eat lunch with my family and dinner with his (great how it works out isn't it?!). The next day it SNOWED!!! Which was exciting but a little stressful since we were heading back home to get ready for our D.C. Trip!
• Marc, myself and four other adults took 15 Camp Hope teenagers Washington, DC. These students had just graduated from Leadership, so Sieara was able to come with us. Thankfully the snow did not deter us on our adventure. The majority of the kids had never been on a plane before or to DC so it was really great to watch them as they got to experience a LOT of first times. The trip went on without a hitch - except for me catching a nasty cold - and the kids are now all expert travelers! They acted like they had flown all their life when we headed back to Atlanta. They amaze me...
• By the time we got home, both Marc and I were completely drained and both sick so we spent New Years in our pjs.
  
• I ran the 1/2 marathon with B-train and her dad at DISNEYWORLD! I really love that place...it's so fun. I mean, I know it's for kids and all but who says a 26-year-old can't enjoy it like a kid. Our great friends, Michael and Lauren came with us to support us. They even got up at 4:30 am to watch us start! The race was a lot of fun, especially running through the Magic Kingdom but about mile 9 I was ready to get to the finish line. I am very thankful for all the support we had and still in shock that I ran a half-marathon and surprised that I'm excited to do another one (what?!)....especially at Disney!

Which brings us to speed...phew..I think it will be a while before I wait this long to update the blog.

The Blessing of No

No one likes to hear the word "no." No one. Especially someone who has stubborn and hard-headed tendencies...like me. When I hear the word no, I am determined to make a no into a yes. Growing up, I liked to exercise this determination with my mom as much as possible. Mom, can I buy this baby chick at the fair? No. Guess what, I went ahead and bought 2. Mom, can I shave my legs? No. So what did I do, shaved them anyway. There are too many examples of my stubborn ways. Yes, I am one determined girl.

Well God told me no. And not just me. Me and Marc. We (I) like to plan - it's really a sickness. We (I) had it all planned out. Marc was going to get a full-time job at the beginning of the year, we would receive full benefits (praise the Lord because it gets old and $$$ paying for your own insurance), Marc would finish school, and we would start a family. And they lived happily ever after. That was the MY plan. God said NO!

The full-time position we were hoping for did not get approved. And it hurt. It hurt to see my sweet husband who works so hard disappointed. It hurt to think that God didn't want this for us as well. I wanted to pout, I wanted to argue with Him, I wanted to throw an all out temper tantrum to change His mind. After a "crying and shaking my fist at God" episode, I sucked it up. It was time to put on my big girl panties and deal with the fact that He is in control. Who am I to argue with Him? He has plans for us and I know it's 100% better than anything I can plan. And, He's so quick to remind that He will provide for us - even when it looks different than how we thought He would provide. He has and continues to take care of us. Probably for the first time in my life, I am thankful for the word No. His No convicted us, brought us onto our knees and into His will and His timing.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." - Luke 12:22-32

My Own Little World

I heard this song on my way back to work from lunch with a really sweet friend I know through Camp Hope. She and I always end up having really deep conversations about our desires and passions. As she put it, "We always have such intellectual conversations when we get together...and I'm really not an intellectual." That makes two of us!

Anyway, our conversation stirred up some of the things that have been on my heart recently, and then I heard this song by Matthew West on the way home. I love music - especially worship - because the lyrics usually do a better job of explaining my heart and thoughts. This song does just that...my tendency is to be preoccupied with what I'm doing, my plans and me, me, me when actually, I am here to do His will, to glorify Him and to go where He wants me to go! I love the part of the song that says "Father break my heart for what breaks Yours, give me open hands and open doors, put Your light in my eyes and let me see, that my own little world is not about me." Thank you God for this word today!

Happy 17th Birthday Sieara!

Today, I celebrated Sieara's 17th birthday. Well, her actual birthday was yesterday but she didn't have school today because it was Election Day, so I picked her and her cousin, Leah, up for an early dinner at a Japanese Hibachi Grill! Yummy (even though it makes my stomach hurt)! I can't believe she is 17 now...it just seems like yesterday that I was the adult counselor in her cabin at Camp Hope. For some reason that year, our cabin seemed to be the trouble cabin...from starting a water fight to the girls getting in trouble for dress code, but it seemed those were the times that Sieara had the most fun. She drove me a little crazy at camp because she had an attitude capable of making a whole room get cold. But after camp, I called her to let her know she wasn't moving up a level at camp because of this. I expected more attitude but instead, she thanked me for helping her with a situation at home. I saw a glimpse of Sieara's vulnerability beneath that tough exterior. For the past 2 years we have hunt out, and I've had the opportunity to watch her open up, even if it was laced with a little attitude. Like the time that she told me that my butt looked big in the pants I was wearing. When I looked at her shocked, she said, "What?! That's a compliment when you tell a black girl that." At least she tells the truth!

I am so thankful that she has shared the past 2 years of her life with me, and I look forward to all that God has in store for her! Happy 17th Birthday Sieara!

Me, Sieara and her cousin Leah

Thinking Outside the Bun

Yes, I am a Taco Bell lover. Have been since I was a child. I'm a soft taco, cinnamon twists kind of girl. As I have aged, I've added the hard taco to the order. And, depending on the reason for my craving, a side of nachos and small Dr. Pepper will be added to the mix. Typically, my TB craving happens during these occasions:
1. I'm eating with my friend Lauren
2. I'm home alone, don't feel like cooking and out and about anyway!
3. I've had a completely hectic and horrible day...which usually calls for the side of nachos and small Dr. Pepper to soothe me.

Today, was #3.

Here's was how I thought today would go:

Marc would go to his overnight CFA staff retreat in Stone Mountain...enjoy some golf and team building activities while I leisurely strolled to the gym after work, stopped by Home Depot on the way home to pick up some pansies to plant in our front yard (I thought I could surprise Marc with my attempt to have a green thumb...), and enjoy a nice relaxing night at home with some good fine and maybe even a glass of wine.

I should have known it was too good to be true because the words leisurely and relaxing were mentioned...

What really happened:
I woke up late and when I went to the kitchen to make some coffee, I see Marc's work clothes for tomorrow. By the time I let him know, he is already in Stone Mountain about to start playing golf. I have a less than perfect day at work. Marc and I decide to meet at 4:30 somewhere off 285, however a monsoon makes it a little stressful to drive compounded by the fact that the exit we decide has a split where I have to decide if I want to go north or south...and I have like 1 nanosecond to decide (I don't do cardinal directions BTW...). Of course I pick the wrong one which puts me on another highway and I'm in another county before I can turn around. I do realize I am being dramatic right now, but the nachos I am eating right now are starting to calm me down...maybe if I eat them faster! I have the brilliant idea after my rendezvous with Marc that I will stop at the closest LA Fitness since traffic is stopped everywhere. Another great idea in theory but once I get off the exit, it takes me another 30 minutes to go 1 mile....

...But alas, I finally made it to the gym to sweat off my frustration...2 hours later and I'm pretty sure I'm eating enough calories to completely negate my workouts from the past week but it's totally worth it. Now off to enjoy my tacos and cinnamon twists!

Adventures in KY

This past weekend, my mom, Marc and I traveled to Lexington, KY for the UGA-UK game. My mom has been talking up this UGA-UK game since she and my stepdad, Fred, went two years ago. So, this year, she got 4 tickets for all of us to go. Unfortunately, Fred couldn't come at the last minute so we gave the 4th ticket to my sweet friend Sloanie. The adventure started on Friday morning when Mom picked us up and after a short stop at Whole Foods, we were KY-bound!

If there's one thing about my mother, she never meets a stranger. When in public, she can hardly concentrate on one thing because she's so excited at the possibility of talking to someone new (I guess I know where I get my short attention span from). Mom made friends with the employees of the KY Welcome Center (yes, we did stop there just to talk with them), our hotel, our waiter at dinner on Friday night, at Keeneland for the race horses and of course at the game on Saturday night. Mom always leaves places with friends...which I have to admit is quite helpful when you're in a new place. Thanks to her lack of a shy bone in her body, we discovered Cumberland Gap Falls off exit 15 in Kentucky and a great running trail near our hotel that winded through horses farms (we ran a grueling 6.5 miles...Mom has her 1/2 marathon in December, mine is in January and Marc is just plain crazy but a great encourager!)

Here are some pictures from our adventures this weekend:

Mom and I are super excited about stopping at the KY Welcome Center!

At Cumberland Gap Falls as suggested by our friend at the Welcome Center. It was beautiful!


At the horse races in Keeneland. For all of us, it was our first horse racing experience.
A nice gentleman gave us his tickets to his box!
Go horses! I have to admit I can see why betting becomes addicting...we stopped after one race and none of our horses won.
My friend Sloanie was at the races too (she's the one on the far left)!
Go Dawgs!