Playing Tag, Part 2

In reading my last post I realized that for some reason I missed 2 of the 10 things I was supposed to type. I am not sure why, I either missed the number of things I was supposed to type, or misread it, who knows, but I am going to finish out that list!
So here goes. I can honestly say that:

9. When I have dreams while I am sleeping I have dreams in Black and White, and dreams in color. For some reason the ones that are in color ALWAYS become reality and I ALWAYS remember those ones. It's like one of those things where you feel like it's Deja' Vu, but there will be times when something happens and I honestly feel like I've been there before, in that moment, and I know it's because I've dreamt about it. I know it sounds weird, but it's happened that way my whole life, and I like to think of it as a gift.

10. I always, ALWAYS cry when I hear or sing the following songs:
"How Great Thou Art", "Amazing Grace", and many more, but especially those two. The reason being is that they remind me of my Grandpa Clarence who passed away 4 years ago. These 2 songs were some of his favorite and I have great memories of singing the first song at the Anniversary Party of my grandparents with my sisters, specifically because it was one of his favorite songs. I never get sick of singing these, and I never get sick of hearing these. Whether you enjoy the original versions of these hymns, or the newer versions, or you love both, they are hymns that continue to bring me closer to God. I have a better understanding of why my Grandpa loved these songs so much, and I appreciate and love him so much more for being able to share the gift of music with me and giving me those memories.

Playing Tag

The Love Friendships Award states: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

As for the Honest Scrap award: A) First list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it honest (hence, the award 'Honest Scrap'), even if you have to dig deep! B) Pass the award on to 8 bloggers that you feel embody the role of the Honest Scrap. (This is an award only to display on your blog that everything you write on it is in truth, sincerity, and integrity.)*
A nice one, that Honest Scrap award. So I can honestly say that:

1. I have many vices, but perhaps the greatest of them all are Chocolate, Facebook, and Rachael Ray. I have an almost unhealthy obsession with all of three. I am working on the chocolate and the Facebook things, but Rachael Ray is an absolute must have, especially her magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray. Love it.

2. I am a passionate person. The things I am passionate about may vary from time to time, but there are certain things that remain true. My passion for photography is undeniable, I can never take enough pictures! Music is a true passion, I can say that I need it in my life, and don't know what I would do without the gift that music provides me on a daily basis! Plants and Flowers, love them, huge part of my life, make me feel alive just smelling them, and proof that God has a sense of humor is that I majored in Landscape Design and Horticulture despite my allergies of pollen, and the like. Gotta love that :-)

3. I am allergic to everything. No lie. I was tested for allergies last year at the clinic here in town and they test everything from pollen, grass, feathers, trees, dander, dust, etc. And after they had poked and prodded my back (if any of you have ever had this done, I can say, not pleasant to say the least). Pretty much my back swelled up, well, like someone who was allergic to everything. Basically my allergy doctor says, "no, it's not all in your head, you really do have allergies all year round, to one thing or another." So basically I have seasonal allergies. All year round.

4. I was recently diagnosed with Depression and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease after many months of testing and doctor's visits and not feeling well. The depression was not a new thing to me as I have struggled with that most of my life, but it has never been as severe as it is now. The Liver Disease literally scared me back into reality, and made me realize that I have to take better care of myself now, or I may not be around to enjoy the life God has given me. On that note, being sick these past 6 months has caused me to see things differently in my life and to know that God is with me, even in my darkest nights.

5. I recently had an encounter with God. This has changed me in ways I never knew possible. Like I said before I know now that He is always there, even in my darkest nights. My heart was just so closed before that I had no idea.

6. I used to be afraid to die. For the longest time since I can remember I was so afraid of leaving everything that I had here, or not being able to accomplish anything or be able to leave a legacy of anything. I just wanted to know that I had meant something to somebody, and that I had all the time I needed to get done what I wanted to get done. I know, selfish right? Little did I know that I had no need to be afraid of anything. Along with the encounter mentioned above, reading the book The Shack has changed my life, and I don't say that lightly. The book has given me a fresh and new perspective on God, forgiveness, heaven, and death. I know now that the faith I have gives me hope, and that hope will one day bring the joy in being able to walk with the my Lord forever in eternity! I cannot wait!

7. For the first time in a long time, I love my life again, although it makes me sad to even admit that I have not loved it in quite some time. In fact today I had that realization when some news that I had been waiting on came in the form of an email today, and that news is a new job! I cannot say what a HUGE blessing this is, and how this came along at the best and most perfect time, I know it is all in God's planning, and despite my impatience (I am still learning) and my worrying, God has provided in a big way once again. Proving to me, that yup, He is indeed the holder of my heart and the path-maker in my life!

8. I love singing at the top of my lungs. In my car I am the "crazy" one that is always rocking out to the radio, and I have gotten a few odd looks every now and then, but I love the way it makes you happy and can change your whole perspective on things! I often times listen to my Ipod while doing dishes and Jake comes home to find me blaring out lyrics to songs and having a personal dance-party in the kitchen, and he just has to shake his head and laugh and remind me that I am not the only one who lives in our house apartement, and then he goes on to tell me that's one of the reasons that he loves me so much. Yup people, the secret is out, the man loves and married me for my stellar singing skills and killer dance moves :-)

Now lets keep the ball rolling on to these fabulous blogs that give me all kinds of different inspiration and motivation!

Glory in the Highest
This is Reverb
Getting Down with Jesus
Triple the Love
Pastor Kuyp's Random Thoughts
Pioneer Woman
Dan McClanahan Photo
Vanessa Bartels Photography

And of Course Popcorn the 5th Foodgroup/A Life that Is Changed, but she nominated me, so I was just trying to roll the ball over to some newbs :-)

Enjoy! Can't wait to see who some of your favorite blogs are :-)

Faith, Hope and Love

Found this video today as I was searching and praying for some things this afternoon, and it really touched my heart. It follows Laura Story and her husband and her song "Mighty to save" is playing in the background. So fitting this story of love this week and a great reminder to me of my wedding vows that I spoke to my husband only a little over a year ago.
So many great reasons to celebrate our 2nd Valentine's Day as husband and wife, but most important to me I think is because those vows really have meant something to the both of us this year. My illness has really taken a toll on the both of us, but we've been together through it all, and Jake has supported me like he promised he would in those vows when he said "In sickness and in health" and in that he has shown me some of the greatest love a wife could know. He has never left my side, and has held me in the darkest night, and I could not ask for more than the great support he has been through it all. Love you Blue eyes, forever and always! Happy Valentine's Day, and no worries, I'll still be baking you those cookies you love so much :-)

An Uncertain Future

Came across this email today in my inbox, and it really made me think. As many of you know I have been struggling with depression and sickness, and a ton of doctors' visits in the last 5 months, and that made me feel my life was uncertain, and now just having lost my job, my future is even more uncertain. I also know a lot of people who are struggling with their lives having uncertainties in many ways, and so I thought the least I could do, even if I can't find the words myself, is to share this devotional with all of them, and you too, whatever it is that you are going through in your life right now. I pray this will give you some hope, and a measure of peace in and through everything. I know many of us have heard this verse before, probably even numerous times, and so much, that often times, we may just skim over it, or have it memorized but not really focus on what it all means to us in our lives. I hope this has some meaning for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans … to give you a future and a hope … You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.” Jeremiah 29:11, 13 (LB)

*** *** *** ***

No matter what the pollsters, pundits, and prognosticators claim, no one can accurately predict all that is going to happen in the next year, let alone the next few days or weeks. Our best forecasts are just educated guesses.

Change is not only increasing in speed and intensity, but also in unpredictability. How can anyone succeed when the future is so uncertain?

The Bible suggests three timeless principles for facing an uncertain future:

1. Set goals according to God’s direction. It’s foolish to make plans without first consulting God. He’s the only one who does know the future – and he’s eager to guide you through it.

The Bible says, “We may make our plans, but God has the last word” (Proverbs 16:1 GNT). In other words, planning without praying is presumption. Start by praying, “God, what do you want me to do in 2009?”

2. Live one day at a time. While you can plan for tomorrow, you can’t live it until it arrives. Most people spend so much time regretting the past and worrying about the future, they have no time to enjoy today!

John Lennon once wrote, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Decide to make the most of each moment this year. Jesus said, “Don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time” (Matthew 6:34 LB).

3. Don’t procrastinate. Do it now! “Don’t boast about what you’re going to do tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).

Procrastinating is a subtle trap. It wastes today by postponing things until tomorrow. You promise yourself that you’ll do it “one of these days.” But “one of these days” is usually “none of these days.”

What did you plan to get done last year that you didn’t do? When do you intend to start working on it?

Spelling Love T-I-M-E

In honor of celebrating love this week for Valentine's Day, a little video I found by men, for men. But I must say, it made me laugh out loud, still the message rings true :-)