Inkelshead

Long Time

2010-09-20T13:56:00.002-04:00

It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged! At first there was not a lot going on to blog about and then there was too much going on to blog about.
I would like to get my thoughts together to blog about it, but there’s just so much. (can I say blog one more time!?)

I’m starting a new season in one part of my life. I was actually really happy with the old season, but it ended – not by my choice but by some bad choices of others. So I’m just doing what I always do – let it roll and keep going. Don’t get me wrong, it bothers me, it really bothers me.
There are days when I get really mad at the people that made the choices. There are days when I feel sad for the people that made the choices, sort of feeling sorry for them that they have to go through this, but then I usually get mad all over again because I think about how it's their fault we're all in this mess. Then there are days when I don't think about how I feel, but I think about how good God is and how faithful he is and how he will bring ALL of us out of this and that even though we feel like nothing is ever going to be as good as it was, it will...someday.
I'm not even sure I want to start blogging again, but a friend tells me that I should because it will probably help me heal. We'll see

No Bitter Root

2010-03-04T08:46:00.005-05:00

I read this yesterday:

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 03 2010

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." - Hebrews 12:15
In business and life the opportunity to harbor bitterness for a wrong suffered is great. We are given plenty of opportunities to grow bitter from relationships that bring hurt and pain. The writer of the Hebrews passage above admonishes us not to miss the grace of God so that we won't take up bitterness as a response to life's pain. He cautions us against this because he knows that a bitter root grows and grows until it eventually defiles many others through a wake of bitterness. If bitterness is allowed to take root, we become imprisoned to it. God's grace will no longer have as great an effect in our lives. We become ineffective, insensitive, and spiritually dead. We can even become physically ill from it. God does not live in bitterness. He lives in grace. He has provided grace for every person to walk in.

One day I was challenged to deal with an individual who hurt me terribly. I was faced with a decision. Would I choose bitterness, or would I choose grace? Oh, how my natural tendency was to choose bitterness. But God provided the courage to choose grace. With that grace came freedom - a freedom to love and even accept the person who was the source of such pain.

This is the real place where Christ's power is most revealed. We cannot live without His supernatural grace. Are you in need of grace today? It is there for the receiving. It will take courage to accept it and walk in it. This will be your step to freedom.

I totally agree with the above. But I also have questions and sometimes it's easier read than done. What do you do when the "source of such pain" is another Christian who should be "choosing grace" ALSO? What do you do if let's say they were a leader in the church? Is it wrong to feel like they should be the one to take the first step to mend this situation? Is that type of thinking, the start of bitterness?
How do you mend a situation where both parties feel they are right? Is there no middle ground?
Lord, I pray for your strength, guidance and wisdom to know the right thing to do.

Amazed by Grace

2010-02-18T08:22:00.003-05:00

I am amazed everyday at God's grace! What else can I say? After everything we do, he still forgives! Over and Over. And Over again. Somebody makes us mad once(maybe twice) and "we're done" but not God. Thank you God! When I was younger I used to always picture it when the preacher would say "your name's written in the Lamb's book of Life" - I would think, man my page is probably getting ready to tear from all the erasing and writing over. Funny how we used to think.

Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I wrestle with my pain, struggle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry

When I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause

WTHeck?

2010-01-29T19:36:00.001-05:00

I got blog spammed!

New Years Resolution

2010-01-07T08:54:00.002-05:00

Now normally I don't make new years resolutions. Why? Hum, that's a good question. Maybe it's because they always get broken so I don't see a point. or maybe it's because I break them and I don't want to feel like a failure? OR MAYBE it's because I can't think of one good enough to keep....Let's go with that one...

Well guess what? I thought of ~~one~~ some good enough to keep this year!
A few days after the new year I re tweeted something from, of all people, RevRunWisdom, His tweet said "I've learned to be content in whatever situation I'm in! (Philippians 4:11)" I knew the verse but wondered if there was any thing else so I looked it up. I ended up reading the whole chapter. so THAT'S my new years resolution(s)!

This year I plan to:

1. Rejoice in the Lord always!
2. Again I say Rejoice!
3. Let my gentleness be evident to all.
4. I will not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present my requests to God.
5. Let God's peace which transcends all understanding guard my mind and heart.
6. Think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent AND praiseworthy!
7. Be content in whatever situation I'm in!
8. Remember I can do all things through Him

so there we go....that shouldn't be to hard...

Background - Neal Coomer

2010-01-05T14:06:00.001-05:00

Check out this video from my cousin Neal

Recap 3.1.2

2009-12-27T17:46:00.003-05:00

Christmas was good. I love spending time with my family. And I got a really cute purse!

I took my tree down today and I must say I'm pretty glad I didn't put any other decorations up. I barely got enough motivation to take down the tree!

Today was a very emotional day at church. It was Pastors Curtis & Charmaine's last day. I will miss them so much!

I'm on vacation this week and I am very happy about that!

HILARIOUS

2009-12-23T14:38:00.001-05:00

OH My this is the funniest thing!!!!

Make sure you type in Jingle Bell Rock and then type in another song - a non Christmas song too!

Christmas Carols

HILARIOUS

You will be missed!

2009-12-14T08:19:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we found out that Pastors Curtis & Charmaine Bridgeman are starting another chapter in their journey. It's sad news for us, but I know that they are following the will of the Lord so I can't be anything but happy for them! I would like to let them know that they have taught me so much and I will miss them dearly! I wrote this blog awhile back when we were honoring our pastoral staff. It was fitting then and definitely still is!!!

.....................................................

Today I would like to honor Pastors Curtis & Charmaine Bridgeman. Pastors Curtis & Charmaine are absolutely the BEST music and worship leaders I have ever sat under! Not only are they super duper singers & song writers, they also know how to lead us into getting our praise on! Before I came to NMVC, even though I’d grown up in church, I never truly knew what it meant to “get my praise on”. I think that being in the choir and learning from Pastors Curtis & Charmaine helped me know how! When we practice on Tuesday nights, we don’t just learn the songs. Pastors Curtis & Charmaine teach us how to sing the song by making sure we make “ROOOUND SOOOUNDS”, and making sure we properly pronounce words like “PRAISE” instead of “PRAAIZE”. They show us how much feeling to put in the songs by telling us if they were in sitting in the crowd this is what they would look like…Pause for a mental picture (picture Pastor Curtis sitting barely clapping his hands, no emotion on his face, saying “oh that’s a lovely song”). They show us their keen sense of fashion by coordinating our colors each week! They get our minds ready for worship by bringing forth the Word during practice (seriously we practically have church sometimes!) and also by sending encouraging emails during the week. As you can see, they do way more than just “lead the singin”. I think I could probably speak for everyone at NVMC – Thank you Pastors Curtis & Charmain! Thank you for all you do for NVMC! We love and appreciate you! And I know for me personally, it’s an honor to be a part of your ministry!

the tree and stuff

2009-12-10T10:17:00.002-05:00

It’s been a while.

I put the tree up. I think after Christmas I’m going to have to buy another one. This one seems crooked – at the top too, but it’s still pretty. I always love putting up the tree because I forget about the ornaments I have and they make me smile seeing them again.
Even though I have my tree up, I don’t really have any other decorations up, not even sure if I’m going to get them out. It’s just less I have to put away! And plus it’s not my year to “do” Christmas. I had to hurry and wrap some presents to put under the tree because Coney thinks the tree skirt is a dirt pile to hide his food in! He makes me smile.

Speaking of presents, I found the best wrapping paper! and I've decided that every present I give this year will be wrapped in it!

I joined the D2D Drama ministry at church. So far it’s been a lot of fun! We did our first skit Sunday and I think it went well – we got a lot of good feed back so that’s good. And we’ve got some other skits in the works. Right now there are just 4 of us and we have so much fun during practice! We’ll hopefully be doing some videos so I’ll post when we do.

it's TOO early!

2009-11-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

So I'm finally putting up my Christmas tree this weekend. For those that know me, they could probably hear the sarcasm in my voice right there! Each year it gets worse! I mean you can't even celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving because of all the Christmas stuff in the stores! There was even a house in my neighborhood that had their Christmas lights turned on, on Halloween, but would not answer the door for trick or treaters! and they had put those lights up a couple of weeks BEFORE that! come on people slow down!

Thanks = Praise

2009-11-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

If you really think about it, the word Praise & Thanks are very similiar
Praise: the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship.
Thanks: a grateful feeling or acknowledgment of a benefit, favor, or the like

I was reading through some old blogs yesterday and found this. I do think it's fitting on this Thanksgiving Day!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Praise until it stops!
Radiate was awesome tonight. Pastor Steven said something that made me think about some friends that are going through some rough stuff right now. He talked about how it's not a coincidence that right after the book of Job, the one book that everyone refers to when they are going through troubles, trials and bad times, is the book of Psalm - a book of Praise! And do you think that it's another coincidence that the longest book in the Bible is all about Praise? I think not! What were we created to do? PRAISE! He talked about how in Psalm 66:3, it says "Your enemies shall submit themselves to You" So when WE Praise, the enemies we face will submit themselves or in other words, they will STOP! When we praise, the enemy stops!
So I say to my friends, Praise! Praise Him! Praise! and when you feel like it's not working and you're hanging on by your pinky, Praise some more! Praise until IT stops!
And what's really crazy about all of this, is that I talked to this friend last night and we actually talked about Job! and about how she is reading a lot of the book of Psalm! So keep Praising and hanging on, my friend!
And WHEN it stops, Praise some more!

Giving Thanks for Past, Present & Future

2009-11-25T11:33:00.002-05:00

I thank God for my past. I am thankful that I grew up in church and even though I strayed, I am thankful for His grace that covered my sins! I thank Him for the struggles I went through because they’ve made me a strong person.

I thank God for my present. I am thankful that I’ve come back to Him and for His grace that covers my sins! I thank Him for the struggles I go through because they are making me a stronger person.

I thank God for my future. I am thankful that I am moving forward and growing in Him and I know that if I mess up, His grace will cover my sin. I am thankful for the blessings I will receive because I know they will make me a more thankful person!

My prayer today

2009-11-19T13:49:00.000-05:00

Don't know where to begin
It's like my world's caving in
And I tried but I can't control my fear
Where do I go from here?

Sometimes it's so hard to pray
You feel so far away
I am willing to go where you want me to
God I trust you

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If you want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
Cuz You'll be next to me
You're in the eye of the storm and the calm of the sea
You're never out of reach

God You know where I've been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You'll be faithful again
I'm holding Your hand

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I'm holding on to You

God your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You

Laughing at Myself!

2009-11-18T14:18:00.001-05:00

Last Monday night I went to a Pampered Chef party at Christy’s. Leslie and I rode together and she had told be before the party that she needed to leave by 8:30 so I decided to park in Christy’s back driveway so we would not get blocked in.
Now before I go on, I’ll tell you a little about her back driveway and my driving skills: ok so her back driveway is gravel and on a small hill and my driving skills, well they are very good except for backing up – I sometimes struggle with that.
Now for the rest of the story. So we’re in the car and I start backing up. I go a little crooked and I think to my self “I should probably pull up and start over” Did I? Um, no. Leslie mentions, how crooked I’m going and then all the sudden, “Crash!” right in the ditch I go! I try gunning it forward – stuck. I try gunning it backward – stuck! I was STUCK – backend in the street, completely bottomed out – frontend in the ditch! After that it’s a bit of a blur of laughter, jokes, Bullitt County good ole boys trying to pull my car out and then eventually calling a tow truck! After the tow truck guy finally got me out he informed me that the good ole boys had bent some sort of rod in the back of the (of course he mentioned all the car parts and specific rods but I don’t remember what he said, heck I didn’t remember 2 minutes after he told me!) Anyhoo, I had to get some work done on the car, but thankfully my insurance is going to reimburse me for that! Moral of the story: Listen to that little voice in your head that tells you to stop and start over!

I’m pretty sure that none of my friends will ever let me live this one down. It was all over Twitter that night AND I think Gary is still walking around giggling about it!
And I will also say that I’ve had favor throughout the whole situation! For example, I don’t have AAA, but Leslie does so I used her card. The AAA guy was supposed to charge me for the tow since she wasn’t there at the time, he didn’t. And my insurance didn’t give me a hard time – I thought they might since they weren’t able to inspect the car before I got it fixed.
A few people at work were surprised that I have such a good attitude about it – I was surprised they thought that – I mean, seriously you HAVE to be able to laugh at yourself!

Hysteria among other things...

2009-11-02T09:53:00.004-05:00

Hysteria was a success! Yes it was hard, but it was so worth it! We had over 3000 people come in our doors just because of it! I know lives were changed and I can't wait to hear the testimonies that come from it!
I loved hearing people's reactions when they came out "What is this place besides a haunted house?" "This is a CHURCH?!"
I wanna say thanks to all the dedicated workers! We couldn't have done it without you! Thanks to Pastor Luke, Dana & Kim and their families for all the sacrifice and stress you had to go through! We definitely couldn't have done it with out YOU! I also want to say thanks to all the other people that didn't work directly in Hysteria but were there every weekend - Jehovah Java workers, concession workers, ticket takers, security, etc
_______________________________________________________________________
Yesterday at the Vision was awesome! Pastor gave a great message for some messed up people! Praise & Worship was awesome! His presence was thick and it was just what I needed! I want to be better not bitter!
________________________________________________________________________
Tonight I'm going to a meeting for the Drama Ministry and I'm very excited to join! It's going to keep me even more busy, but I'm SURE it'll be worth it! It's funny some people I used to work with would ask me to do stuff and then they would say "Oh let me guess you can't, you have choir?" so now they can say "oh let me guess you can't you have choir AND drama!" Hey it keeps me outta trouble!!!

Decorating

2009-10-20T15:39:00.002-04:00

I’m in the process of I guess you could call it “finishing” my kitchen. A couple of weeks ago I painted the large wall in there, red. Then I painted my table and chairs black. I found a new picture to hang and ordered some uppercase living for 2 of the walls. I've only put up one of the uppercase living decals though. Now,I’m waiting on the cabinet and microwave stand I ordered. They are white, so I’m hoping it looks OK, otherwise I may have to paint them too! And before I put the new picture up and the other uppercase living, I have to fix the trim on the red wall – because I’m not the best painter and there may be ~~some~~, a lot of spots that don’t look so hot.
I guess you can tell from reading above that the main colors in my kitchen are red and black (if not, read again…) so Sunday night Leslie came over to help me hang the uppercase living decals and we were thinking about what all I need to do in the kitchen and she says “First thing you need to do, is get rid of the ORANGE thing over there” If you must know it’s actually a footed soup bowl with a lid that was given to me by my memaw Pearl. So it’s been hard for me to not have it out but it really doesn’t match ANYTHING. I guess I will need to put it out of sight for decorative sake, sorry memaw!
I'll definitely post some pics when I'm all finished

Jehovah Shalom

2009-10-13T09:08:00.002-04:00

October is a hard month for me. I’ve said this a million times but really there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my mom, but the 1st half of October (Oct 9th – Day she died & Oct 13th – Day of her Funeral) it’s like a flood of depressing thoughts that go through my head. I think about all the events that led up to her death, I think about the week that she was on life support and the decision that my dad had to make to let her go and how hard it must have been. I think about my grandparents and how this was the 2nd child of theirs that they had to bury. I think about my aunt and how at that time was supposed to be a happy time for her because she was pregnant with her 2nd child. I think about how the day after my mom’s funeral was my best friend’s birthday and I probably didn’t wish her a Happy Birthday. I could go on and on.....
and I don’t want to feel like I do because I know that Jehovah Shalom gives me peace and on these days that I feel like I need Him more, I take comfort in knowing that “Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted” and “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning”
Today is one of those days and I know I’ll get through it – I’ve been doing it for 23years. And that’s all I have to say about that.

MOW

2009-10-03T11:51:00.001-04:00

There’s not a day that goes by, that I don’t think about mom, especially on the days that I do Meals on Wheels. My mom worked as a Nutrition Specialist for Senior Nutrition Services. She worked at different centers that would provide lunches for senior citizens and Meals on Wheels comes out of that. The first time I did MOW, I went into the senior center and had flashbacks of when I would go to work with mom. The seniors were sitting around playing cards and talking (like they used to), the food smelled horrible (as it always did!) but they loved it! And they would have loved her! (but then again who didn’t)

And it starts TONIGHT!

2009-10-02T07:54:00.003-04:00

Hysteria Promo from Jason Isaacs on Vimeo.

All the answers?

2009-10-01T08:19:00.002-04:00

I was reading a devotional today and the passage of scripture that it used was Ephesians 4:31-32;

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Wow! How about that for telling us like it is?! I think one of the hardest things to do in that passage is "forgiving one another". Why do we find it so hard to forgive people? I think that we find it hard because we don’t want to let go of the fact that this person hurt us. You know you say, “I forgive you” but when you see that person or talk to someone about that person, it’s almost like you want to say to them “oh remember when you hurt me? But I forgave you! But really, you did hurt me.” Are we truly forgiving them?
And then what about forgiving someone when you feel like you’ve done nothing wrong, but they seem to think you have? How does that work? Are you the one that should take the 1st step to reconcile your relationship? Or because you feel you’ve done nothing wrong, do you wait for them? Shouldn’t they want to mend your relationship? It’s really all a big mystery! I don’t have all the answers. I wish I did!

Long Cold Winter?

2009-09-29T14:43:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I was reading all about how the woolly worms, squirrels and spiders are telling us that we are going to have a bad winter and also how the number of foggy days in August means that's how many times it's going to snow this winter (or something like that). I was thinking "cool! bring it, I like the winter time all cozy up in the house with Coney, a blanket and a nice hot cupajoe" BUT then I remembered! I remembered how everyone here FREAKS out when the least bit of snow falls - driving all crazy, all the bread and milk GONE from the shelves at Kroger, it's maddness I tell ya! and THEN I remembered something else! When it snows, it means all the college kids at the hub call in because they are "snowed in" so that leaves all the management folks (i.e. ME) to pick up the slack. So now I'm hoping those woolly worms, squirrels and spiders are as wrong as the local meteorologists usually are!

Opening Day

2009-09-16T08:50:00.003-04:00

Well Sunday was opening day at the Vision and let me tell you – IT. WAS. AWESOME!
I was sitting there before church started listening to the band play “Freedom” and it took everything I had to hold back the tears of joy. Just to know that everything is coming together, is truly amazing. There is one thing in the middle of all this that I’m STILL praying about but I know it will all work out too. It has to!

So I’m walking to my seat after Praise & Worship - I was taking the long way around and I’m just truckin along and all of the sudden – FLOP! Down I go! I slipped on a spilled drink! (Public Service Announcement: Please NO Food or Drink in the Sanctuary!) Fell right in front of a whole mess of people! I was told later that it was a good fall and I looked fairly graceful and got up quickly so it really didn’t look that bad! I tell ya, there’s nothing funnier than seeing someone fall! (and not get hurt, of course) so I ain’t mad at ya, if you saw me and laughed! I would have laughed! I did laugh!

Remember.

2009-09-11T10:52:00.000-04:00

My life's theme song...

2009-09-03T08:36:00.005-04:00

There's this song I love. It's not new, but I can remember hearing it for the very first time and I absolutly loved it! It's been out for awhile and I hear it all the time on the radio and I still love it!
As it was playing yesterday, I thought, you know if I had a "theme song" THIS would be it!
It talks about how everything rides on hope and faith. And how when the world comes crashing down, God's love sets me free!

I can honestly say that in my life, I'm usually the one that says "Things will turn out ok" (the Hope) and I know that I know God is real! (The Faith)
It's funny now that I think about all this, one of my last tattoos was an ambigram of Faith/Hope and I did not even have the song in mind when I picked it out!

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I am not my own
I've been carried by you my whole life

Letter...

2009-08-31T15:48:00.006-04:00

Dear IT132 Instructor,
As an online instructor you should know that communication is the key to any online class. It's the backbone. As online students we can't just raise our hands and ask for help with the subject matter. I'm really glad that in the email I sent you FIVE days ago, I didn't need any real help with the subject matter! With that said, I would still like a response.

Thanks,
Student ID # 1234567

Shuck Beans, Stack Cakes and Honest Fried Chicken

2009-08-25T08:02:00.000-04:00

I went to see the movie Julie & Julia last Friday night. I really enjoyed it. There was one point in the movie where I was kinda like “ok, this movie is getting long, will it ever end?” but that may have been a reaction to all the water I drank at dinner. Any hoo, I so wish I would have had this idea! I mean how great it would be to blog about cooking! If anyone knows me, they know I LOVE to cook. On the way home from the movie, I kept thinking about that and was trying to think back how long I’ve enjoyed it and I remembered, when I was in elementary school, I used to check out “The Joy of Cooking” from the library! Yes, I know, kinda nerdy! HA! I’m not sure I’d enjoy the whole French cooking thing; I’ve not had a lot of exposure to it. I’d probably do better with the Shuck Beans, Stack Cakes and Honest Fried Chicken cookbook!

Doing more

2009-08-24T09:05:00.003-04:00

Normally when I hear a message like I heard Sunday, I “amen” with the Pastor because I mean he’s not talking to me, right? I’m in the Choir. I help with the teen ministry. But yesterday was different. Yesterday, I let it sink in, really sink in. I do help but what ELSE can I do? I need to do more. I need to make sure that the areas I do minister in, that I do my best. No more half way just doing the minimal required. I’m all in! I’m sold out!
It’s funny to me – I’m all pumped up after church and AS soon as I get in the car

“oh no, I think I’ve over extended myself! I just started school. I’m gonna be stressed. It’s gonna be too much! Things will overlap.”

You dumb ole devil! I rebuke these thoughts of “can’t do!” "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!"

Back to School.....

2009-08-21T08:45:00.001-04:00

"Back to school! Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool! I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight; I hope I don't get in a fight! Ohhhh, back to school! Back to school! Back to school! Well, here goes nothing!"

Yep it's back to school! I'm just glad I don't have to ride a bus!

Good Times

2009-08-20T09:15:00.006-04:00

Just to let you know that the Kings Island trip was so much fun! I remember why I love roller coasters! Diamondback was awesome, Firehawk - a little scary and even though these new rides are really fun, nothin beats the super fast wooden roller coaster, the Beast! Another thing that was cool about this trip was that about half of our teens had never even been to Kings Island.
Radiate Students Rock!!

AHHHHHHHHH!

2009-08-13T14:45:00.003-04:00

I'm very excited about Saturday. We're going up to Kings Island with Radiate. I'm trying to remember the last time I was there and you know I think it's been at least 10 years! There's actually several rides that I've never been on. I'm super excited about Diamondback and Firehawk! Here's a video of one that I've never been on...You may recognize the guy in the video! What a role model!

It's WHAT I do!

2009-08-12T09:06:00.000-04:00

My new favorite song!

I'm not THAT lonely!

2009-08-05T13:35:00.005-04:00

"A gunman walked into an LA Fitness gym outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, turned off the lights and fired off 50 rounds, killing three women before killing himself Tuesday evening"

Why?

Well according to his "online diary" (it's called a blog, CNN!) he was lonely!

Lonely? Seriously?

I mean dang, I get lonely, and even sometimes get mad about it (see the post "Don't Worry, I'll be fine" of my online diary) but I fo show won't be shootin up some peeps!
#1 I don't own a gun and
B. I certainly am not a member of LA Fitness!

Wondering....

2009-07-31T13:31:00.001-04:00

At work on the way to the restroom, there’s a clock on the wall right before you get there. I noticed the other day that I look up at that clock every time I pass it even if I know what time it is. I wondered if I was the only one so yesterday and today, I made it a point watch when someone passed me in the hall if they looked up too – and most people did. So now I’m wondering about the people that do look up, is it because it’s a habit, like I think it is for me or do they not want to make eye contact with someone when they are on their way to the restroom?! (oh maybe that’s why I do it?!) And now I’m also wondering if the people that didn’t look up were wondering why I was looking straight them smiling. Hopefully, they were just pleased with a smile from another UPSer in the hallway.

I know now you're wondering why I'm wondering....

Back to Work :(

2009-07-26T20:11:00.004-04:00

So my "stay-cation" is over and it's back to work tomorrow. I'm not happy about it - not one bit! I'm gonna keep on praying that in this time of "no promotions", my boss gets promoted, promoted right OUT of our department!

Even though I didn't go anywhere on my vacation, it was still a good one. It was relaxing.

I had a great day yesterday hanging out with some people that I normally don't hang with. I had a good time at both of the cookouts/parties that I went to and I hope there are many more to come.

Church was awesome today. God's presence was strong in both services. Pastor Don didn't get to preach in the 1st service, but in the 2nd he brought forth a great message! "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" how true is that!

Isaiah 26:3

2009-07-17T22:28:00.002-04:00

Tonight at church, we had a concert with Eddie James Ministries. It was such an awesome concert and I really got a lot out of the service. At one point, Eddie was talking about Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You

I talk to people everyday and even have ones that are close to me struggle with depression and trouble in their mind and sometimes it scares me to even think that I would ever need pills or medication to give me peace of mind or even help me get a good nights rest because of worry. Even just today at work the girls were talking about having to take a sleeping pill because of worry. Lord, I pray that I can keep my mind STAYED on You and only You because ~~I want~~ I need Your perfect peace! Help me to stay focused on You! And Lord help me to have the courage to tell my friends and family that struggle with this that You are the only one that can bring peace!

Camping

2009-07-10T07:09:00.004-04:00

The Outhouse

The Tent

This past weekend I went camping with some real good friends. This was not my 1st time going with them. I went two years ago. That year I had borrowed a tent from my sister. I had no idea what kind of tent it was so when we got there and put it up, I was like “no way am I sleeping in that!” I think it was specifically made for little people and plus, the full size mattress that I had borrowed from my sister that year, would not fit in it. Not sure if I was thinking clearly that year. SO, this year, I was on it! I was asking around to see who had a nice big tent I could borrow. Luckily, another friend of mine’s brother offered up his. He said “it’s a 4-5person tent” so I was like “hot dog; I’ll have me a big ole tent this year!” Fast forward after the trip – 4-5 person tent? I think not! Tent makers lie and I think I’m going to have to invest in an 8-10 person tent! I will say that is was bigger that the previous year and it did keep me dry when it rained. All in all good times at the camping trip! Of course I could do with out the outhouses but, I do believe, I’ll be doing this every year!

Camping Precautions

2009-06-30T15:19:00.003-04:00

I'm going camping this weekend with some close friends of mine that have been sick for the last two days - I'm thinking that I may need to take some precautions! Remind me to not take this guy!

Don't worry, I'll be fine.....

2009-06-29T11:53:00.001-04:00

I know that God:
Loves me just as I am
Is with me all the time
Holds me when need him to
Is everything to me
Listens when I talk to him
(And I know that to some this may sound bad or wrong or whatever)
But there are days (and a lot of them here lately) that I just wish I could say and/or feel those things about not only Him but someone else too.

I debated and debated on if I should post this blog - but I’ll just be real, when is it my turn to find him? When will he show up when I least expect it? When will God send him? I’ve waited, I’m still waiting....

Some days (like today) I just want to cry out to God, “why?! Why me? Why do I have to be the one to not have someone? Have I done something? I’m doing everything I know to do. What’s wrong with me? I just don’t understand!” I know I sound like a whiney self absorbed 15 year old but today is just one of those days.

I'm an idiot

2009-06-19T19:16:00.004-04:00

I'm coming out of a parking lot today getting ready to turn onto a very busy street. There's a stalled truck in the lane I was getting ready to turn in, which I did not notice at first. There are police officers, one looking right at me. He says to me "Is this your truck?" So I look at him like as to say "DUH, do you not see me driving this car?!" and say "uh, NO." and when he doesn't respond, I look over and notice this man and then realize that the officer was apparently talking to him and not me! I then tried to play it off and turn the other way! Sometimes I just laugh at myself and this goes through my head!

"I can't stand the rain" (in my best Missy Elliot voice)

2009-06-18T13:24:00.003-04:00

I’m so sick of this rain! It’s been close to two weeks since I was able to mow my lawn! It needed it last week but when I went to mow it, my mower wouldn’t start and now it hasn’t stopped raining! It’s getting very tall and I can barely see Coney when he goes outside. I just don't want to be the neighbor that everyone talks about, you know the one, everyone says how bad their yard looks! and I surely don't want the neighborhood grass police to come by....AGAIN....oh wait, am I that neighbor?!
Well when I am able to cut my grass, you can rest assured, I won't be wearing this outfit!

Need Some Discipline

2009-06-17T08:23:00.003-04:00

I read this today and thought about how true this is - at least for me! I try to remember but some days it's just really hard. And the sad thing is that I know why - let's be honest here, I don't read the Word like I should! *OH Gasp!* Lord, give me the discipline I need to make myself read more of your word so that I can remember when these hard days come along.

Save the Day
by Dizmas

Why do I forget the words
that you spoke to me?

Why do we seem to forget everything that God has told us and promised us, the minute our circumstances get overwhelming? It's as if the part of our brain that is focused on God suddenly switches off. This is one reason that we need to be immersed in God's Word and in communication with Him.

When that part of our brain switches off, it becomes harder to hear that still, small voice. The one that's whispering, "It's okay. I'm right here. I'm taking care of you. I'm in control." But if we have already grown used to hearing that voice and trusting it, it becomes easier to hear.

If you're not in the habit of reading the Bible or praying, make that part of today. Begin by reading about Jesus and getting to know him better. If you do it today, it will become easier to do it tomorrow. And soon you'll be able to hear his voice.

Isaiah 55:3
"Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. . . .
Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near."

El Natural

2009-06-16T06:21:00.002-04:00

When I was younger people always asked me “where’d ya get that red hair from?” Now a days I tell them it’s from Kristie but back then it was “el natural”. Neither my mom nor my dad had red hair. My grandparents on either side didn’t have red hair. I remember my mom telling me once, she thought it came from a distant cousin. Well Sunday, I found out. It did come from my mom’s side of the family and it was a distant cousin. Oh and in case you’re wondering, Christa’s freckles came from that side too.

Conversation Opener....

2009-06-09T23:09:00.004-04:00

You can tell a conversation is not going to go well when the person that you are speaking with starts off with their head shaking, then sighs, puts their head down in their hands and sighs again.

So I say this to that person

Please, next time that you want to talk to me, could you find a better opener? Seriously?
I do respect your position - but that's it. Don't act like you have to think of a way to "deal" with me. Just tell me what you want and I will do it because it's my job. Your "disapproving" guilt trip will not work on me because the respect you crave as a person, you're not getting from me!

And of course I would never say that to that person because
1. I'm a big chicken and
B. Times are hard and I have a house payment!

Blog: the art of saying what you wish you could say

"Congradulations Gratuates" ???

2009-06-03T11:38:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to say Congratulations to all the Graduates in my life! Each one is entering a new chapter in their lives - even if it's 1st grade. I'm proud of each of you!
Chris - 8th Grade
Dylan - 5th Grade
Maggie - Kindergarten
And of course all the 8th Grade & HS graduates from Radiate!

It's Raining, It's Pouring.....

2009-05-26T22:32:00.002-04:00

Today was one of those days at work - It wasn't a bad day, I just didn't want to be there. So around 4:30 I had enough and just HAD to get out of there. Of course, it had just started raining and I didn't bring my umbrella in (although, I considered it when I got out of the car this morning). As I'm walking down the stairs I notice out the window that the rain was pretty heavy and the guys in front of me stopped at the door and one said, "I'll just wait this out". But not me! I couldn't be in that building one minute longer. Surely it can't be that bad. So I take off, walking fast at first, but then realize that it's POURING down rain. so I start to run, thinking the whole time, "dang how far did I park?!" then remembering I parked at the very end of the lot - because I'm trying to be more "healthy" and walk more! UGH! Of all days to do that! By the time I got to my car I was dripping wet and I mean dripping -hair, shirt, pants EVERYTHING! So I get in the car and guess what? Yep - it wouldn't start! So I have to sit in the car for at least 10 more minutes! Of course I had to twitter it and I was laughing the whole time because by that time it had stopped raining, the sun was out AND it was 5:00 when I left the parking lot, which by the way is the time I normally leave. I'm just glad I can laugh at stuff like that!
Now for the reason I had to sit for 10 minutes until the car started - after reading a bit in the owners manual of my car and doing a little research on the trusty Internet I've found that sometimes in a Grand Am, the Passlock anti-theft device goes a little haywire and you have to reset it by turning the key to "on" and sitting for ten minutes. so now, I have to figure out how to fix it.....

Those that wait on the Lord

2009-05-19T09:47:00.002-04:00

I heard this song on the way to work this morning.

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

God is good! and Faithful so I will wait!

She's not wicked!

2009-05-13T13:42:00.005-04:00

We were talking about Mother’s Day at work yesterday and someone asked me “Is Mother’s Day hard for you?” I told them that it used to be but not really any more. I mean don’t get me wrong, I think about my mom every day and especially on Mother’s Day but like I told them at work, I am very blessed to have Diane. You hear horror stories about wicked step moms, but that is definitely NOT the case with mine. Seriously I don’t even like calling her my “step-mom” anymore! They honored her at church Sunday. The lady at their church asked me in the middle of service if I wanted to get up and say something – but since I like to be OVERLY prepared when I “say something” I had to decline – so now that I’ve had a little time to think about it I think that I probably would have mentioned

How great she is
How much I love how she loves my dad.
I would have agreed with Lori when she said she is the rock of our family.
I would have said that she’s amazing in the way she is always so calm about stressful situations.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard her raise her voice and when there’s conflict or stress around you can always count on her to calm you down.
I know that if I am worried about something I can always call her and she can put things in perspective and make me feel better about the situation.
I love her love for music!

I know I could mention much more but maybe I'll save that for her birthday blog.....
We definitely weren’t the easiest kids to raise! And even now we can still be difficult! But I hope she knows I love her and I couldn’t ask for a better “second-mom”

DO OVER

2009-05-12T16:40:00.004-04:00

I recently had to get my star tat on my foot redone (some say it's because of my "porous" feet). I'm glad it was just a small star and not something like this!!!

Not Broken just Sprained

2009-05-06T09:01:00.002-04:00

Some one asked me the other day if my blogger was broken - I didn't realize that I hadn't blogged in a while. Some thoughts about the weeks passed...

Went to the Balloon Glow. We will tailgate ANYTHING! but I do believe we started something. People were looking and I bet they were wondering why they didn't think of that! Took pictures.

Knew LOTS of people running the KDF Mini Marathon. Papaw Tom lives right around the starting line, so it's always fun to go. The news even interviewed him and now he thinks he's a star! People I hadn't seen in a few years were yelling, "Kelley!" while they were running. Took pictures.

Went to the track on Wed before Derby with some girls I used to work with. We call it Phillies Day, even thought it's not Oaks day. Had fun, didn't cash one ticket. Took pictures.

Went to a friends house that has a Derby party every year. Bet on the Derby but didn't win although, I seriously thought about betting on that horse just for fun because of his name. Didn't take pictures.

Chelsea who?

2009-04-22T11:56:00.010-04:00

Today is my niece Samantha's birthday. She is 7 today and this is how my conversation went with her this morning...

Me: "Samantha! Happy Birthday!"
Samantha: "Who is this?"
Me: "It's Kelley"
Samantha: "Chelsea who?"
Me: "Samantha, AUNT KELLEY..."

Twitter Haters

2009-04-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

So I found this video. I watched it and actually thought it was funny however; I totally don't agree with some of the things that the (lets call him the) "twitter hater" said in the video - like "you have no friends" or "It seems like twittering is randomly bragging about your unexceptional life". I just want to let all my twitter friends know that I DO care about what you're doing and reading all your tweets makes me smile all day long. It's also funny to me that we've all been twittering now for I'd say almost a year and it's JUST now getting a lot of press....

Whatcha doin Sat?

2009-04-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Here's something you can do!

Bunnies

2009-04-08T07:21:00.000-04:00

I see this every year and it never gets old to me. I laugh EVERY time!!!

Happy Birthday "Auntie Jen"

2009-04-07T11:02:00.003-04:00

Some of you may see some comments left on my blog signed by “Auntie Jen” Today is her birthday so wish her a Happy Birthday! I have a lot of extended family and other aunts on my dad’s side, so I hope they don’t take offence but she IS my favorite aunt! And not just because she’s the only one on my mom’s side either! Seriously, I couldn’t ask for a better one! I remember thinking when my nephew, Christopher was born, “I want him to feel about me the way I feel about Jennifer!”
She’s great because I feel like I can talk to her about anything! Sometimes growing up, you don’t tell your mom or dad something in fear that they will scold you or give you the third degree – well I NEVER (and still don’t) felt that way with her. I could always talk to her and she would never judge me.
She’s fun to be around, and can definitely take a joke. I often joke with her about her age or memory (or lack there of). One year I even bought her some ginkgo biloba supplements for Christmas! I don’t think she used them though! :D
I love to hear her sing and play piano! She’s been through a lot in her life and she’s still standing! You know I often said this of my mamaw but thinking today I can DEFINITELY say it of my aunt Jennifer – when I think of her I think of the verse in 1 Corinthians that talks about God not putting more on you than you can bare. She’s been through so much – lost both parents, both sisters, divorce, and what ever else – God must know that she is super strong or otherwise He wouldn’t have let it all happen!
Jennifer, I love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Why?

2009-04-02T09:21:00.000-04:00

There are some things I just don’t understand. Call me naive, but until recently, I really thought there was good in everyone. I used to think that there were reasons behind what people did. But I’m starting to realize that there are people in this world that are just plain evil. Malicious even. It angers me to think that people are out to intentionally hurt people that I care about!
I’m trying to figure out which type of person worse – someone that tells bold faced lies about people or someone that you confided in and trusted completely turn their back on you. To some these types of people are different, but right now at this moment; to me they are very much the same!
Let me ask you – Why? Why do you tell lies about people that you know will hurt them, their family, their livelihood and their reputation? And why would you share trusted information about your friend that you know will start family conflict and ruin reputations? Surely, there is no good reason for any of it. Do you really think there is something to gain by doing any of these things? How does is make you feel that there are people hurting, people crying, people falling on their knees in despair before God because they don’t know what to do? Do you get satisfaction from seeing this? Does it give you a sense of power?
I don’t know why malicious people do the things they do, but I do know this – “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8.

She Ain't No Fool Part Deux

2009-04-01T08:46:00.003-04:00

So today I could go on and on and tell you all the reasons why my friend Leslie is such a good friend, but I already did that last year! So this year, I’m going to tell you about something that you may not know about her, heck, sometimes she doesn’t even know it about her! I can say it in one word – STRENGTH! That’s right she IS strong! She always talks about how others are her “rock” and how strong they are but she doesn’t even know her own strength. Sometimes I don’t either – I actually used to not tell her stuff to shield her from “churchy” junk, but she has seen her share now and guess what? She’s still standing! (That’s strength!) She used to get a lot of criticism (and sometimes still does) from her family about her faith, but she always has a come back and stands up to every put down they can throw! (That’s strength!) At her job she is quick to stand up to every naysayer that reads the daily paper and tell people that “heck yeah I’m a holy roller!” (That’s Strength!) Even here lately, with all the stuff she’s going through, she calls me the other day to tell me about "just one. more. thing." and says “….but I’m not worried, I know God is in control!” (That’s Strength!) I’m not the only one who sees it either. Just last Saturday, her uncle says to her “….well you’ve always got your faith” and for him to say that is something! See, Leslie, you ARE strong!!
I stand in amazement at what God has and IS doing in her life! And if you were to ask me about 5 years ago which one of my friends would be going to church with me and serving God with everything they have, I wouldn’t have said Leslie!
Happy Birthday Leslie! I hope you have a great day. I hope you remember today that you ARE just as strong as any of us and sometimes even more! God is in control and he IS bigger than THAT!

Revelations

2009-03-25T13:49:00.003-04:00

I've been hearing a lot of good stuff this past week!
Sunday - "God is BIGGER than YOUR that!"
Tuesday night - "God's no ALWAYS means a BETTER yes!"
and then today - I read a daily devotional that used Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

“It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

The devotional talked about how we do “good” things or we don’t do “bad” things—all in the hope of making God happier with us, in order to earn his love and acceptance. But the truth is that there is nothing you can do, good or bad, to make him happy, to make him love you more. The way to make God happy is to simply have faith in him—in who he is and what he is doing. By trusting in him and seeking after him, you give him joy.
It sounds so elementary but after I read that, I thought, I SO do that. I can even remember praying “God, I do this and do that, I’ve even stopped doing this, why haven’t you answered my prayer?! What else can I do?” when all the while I should be just having faith that he WILL answer my prayer in His time. I love it when I have a revelation during devotion!

a big move

2009-03-23T10:02:00.002-04:00

Check out where NVMC is moving too!

New Vision Ministry Center from aaronbeaver on Vimeo.

Praise until it stops!

2009-03-18T23:03:00.003-04:00

Radiate was awesome tonight. Pastor Steven said something that made me think about some friends that are going through some rough stuff right now. He talked about how it's not a coincidence that right after the book of Job, the one book that everyone refers to when they are going through troubles, trials and bad times, is the book of Psalm - a book of Praise! And do you think that it's another coincidence that the longest book in the Bible is all about Praise? I think not! What were we created to do? PRAISE! He talked about how in Psalm 66:3, it says "Your enemies shall submit themselves to You" So when WE Praise, the enemies we face will submit themselves or in other words, they will STOP! When we praise, the enemy stops!
So I say to my friends, Praise! Praise Him! Praise! and when you feel like it's not working and you're hanging on by your pinky, Praise some more! Praise until IT stops!
And what's really crazy about all of this, is that I talked to this friend last night and we actually talked about Job! and about how she is reading a lot of the book of Psalm! So keep Praising and hanging on, my friend!
And WHEN it stops, Praise some more!

You KNOW why!

2009-03-17T15:03:00.001-04:00

Let me tell you about my weekend – I rode to Knoxville TN with about 40 hopped up on Monster & RockStar yelling teens on a leaky & bumpy school bus, I was deprived of sleep, had to sleep on an uncomfortable blow up mattress, walk around in the rain at an outlet mall all day on Sat, hold somebody’s money, IPod, phone, etc, try not to loose them – but let me tell you - I wouldn’t have traded ONE second of it! I will do it all over again and again just to see the lives that were changed this weekend! It was worth it every bit! To see 30 thousand teens jumping and praising God is just amazing! To hear our teens say that they’ve been changed by this one weekend and to see the change is awesome! I was talking to one parent yesterday and she said her son came home and told her all about the message in Friday night’s service – she said he NEVER can tell her about a whole message, only bits and pieces – this one he could tell her everything! Another parent said that her and kids talked for hours about what God did for them this weekend! And to top all that off, my girls had me belly laughing ALL weekend!!! So see, for me, those other things are really small sacrifices to make to get to see and hear the other things!

The theme to this years Winterfest was 212°. They used this video. It really makes you think – Moving ONE degree can change everything!

Funny

2009-03-10T11:22:00.002-04:00

I guess I won't try to put booties on Coney either because I'm pretty sure this is what would happen!

Glad he recruits the DUMB ones!

2009-03-07T09:00:00.001-05:00

Talking with Samantha

2009-03-06T10:22:00.002-05:00

Here's how a conversation went with my niece Samantha;

Family Members: "Where's your money?"

Samantha: "it's in my poorse"

Family Members: "it's where?"

Samantha(head shaking & hand on the hip): "I said it's in my POORSE!"

Family Members: "it's WHERE?"

Samantha: "Leave me alone, I can't say my "R" souns!"

Praying for You

2009-03-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

I found these lyrics and thought of you.....

Lord, I lift my friend to You, I’ve done all that I know to do
I lift my friend to You

Complicated circumstances have come up in her life
Lord, I lift my friend up to You

I fear that I won’t have the words that she needs to hear
I pray for Your wisdom, oh God, and a heart that’s sincere
Lord, I lift my friend up to You

Lord, I lift my friend to You
My best friend in the world, I know she means much more to You
I want so much to help her, but this is something she has to do
And Lord, I lift my friend up to You

New addition

2009-03-02T13:48:00.004-05:00

I got some new tattoos this weekend. I love them all but I especially wanted to share about one.
This one is extra special to me. I thought it up about a year ago and have been wanting to do it ever since.

so now you may be wondering what it all means. Well the name in the middle is my mom's maiden name "Young" and the notes there are notes to a song that her and my papaw (and later him and my FAVORITE aunt) sang together. The song is called "I've come to far to look back" and even though it's an old song, it's also very fitting for my life today.

Happy Birthday Leah Gayle

2009-02-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

Today is my niece, Leah’s birthday. Leah is the first of all the grandchildren. She is beautiful and has the prettiest red hair! (I guess I may be partial to that…) Leah has always done well in school and last year when she graduated from high school, she knew she needed financial help to go to college. So since it’s always been a dream of hers to go to college, she got herself a job at UPS. She knew that UPS would pay for her to go to school so she is working 3rd shift and going to school full time - And to top that off she's also trying to stay sane while planning her wedding! (and in our family neither one is easy!) I’m so proud of you Leah and I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Thinking out loud....

2009-02-22T15:46:00.004-05:00

You may have what you think are good reasons or good intentions for doing what you do, but sometimes the you way handle a situation is just as important.
If you really want to get to the bottom of a situation, you would listen more than talk.
God is in control.

I swore I'd never do it....

2009-02-19T19:44:00.002-05:00

I swore I’d never do it but I did! Or well at least I’ve been trying…..I swore if I ever got a dog, I’d never put clothes on it. But I have tried my best to find a sweater/shirt for Coney and I have yet to find one that fits. Last Christmas, I bought him a Santa suit, it was too small. On Halloween, I bought him a “hot dog” costume – it kept falling off. This Christmas, I bought him a sweater – his legs kept coming out of the “sleeves” and then yesterday, I bought him a t-shirt, an extra-small size (since everything else was a small size) and it was way to little. So I’ve come to the conclusion that it must be fate or whatever that Coney does not wear dog clothes, well unless I find something that is specifically made for Daschunds!

2009-02-16T13:18:00.002-05:00

Growing up, I always heard He loves you. Sang the songs over and over again. I know HE loves me but maybe it was just what I needed to hear yesterday.

Yes, I know!

2009-02-14T22:59:00.001-05:00

Me: "I got an iPhone today!"

Everyone I told: "Really?! Cool!"

Everyone I told: "Wait, didn't you win one of those?"

Me: "yes."

BRUUCCE!

2009-02-11T10:23:00.001-05:00

Throughout my life, I’ve known people that always talk about how fat they are, how ugly they are, how poor they are and how they are never going to find a husband. I listen to them complain and then they turn to look at me – as to say, “Well what about you?” I’m not sure if they just want me to complain to them or if they think I feel like I’m in the same boat as them. Yea, I’m sure I fall into a couple of those categories above but you don’t hear me complaining, I’m trying to be positive. Don’t bring me down!

Goosebumps!

2009-02-08T20:04:00.002-05:00

Today Pastor gave our "State of the Church" address. To hear what God has done over the past year just gave me goosebumps! Over 1900 people were saved last year! Nineteen hundred!!! It's so amazing and some days I can't believe I'm part of such an awesome church!
Read this testimony. This is just one of the 1900!

The Facts vs. The TRUTH!

2009-02-04T14:02:00.002-05:00

So this week at work we were called into a meeting room and
we were given some not so good news. My first reaction was to be bummed and pessimistic
BUT then I had to renew my mind and I remembered what Pastor Don spoke about on
Sunday so here’s the run down:

The Fact IS	The TRUTH IS
We will NOT be getting raises this year.	I serve Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
There will be NO promotions this year.	I can still live in prosperity because Job 36:11 says “If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.”
There is an indefinite freeze on our 401K match.	I will not worry about my future because Psalms 37:18 says “The LORD knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever.”
I was feeling scared about my employment	I am not afraid because II Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Crazy Week

2009-01-30T11:35:00.002-05:00

This week has been a crazy one. Due to the weather my work activated what they call Operations Contingency, which means they call in all management people to work at the hub. Here’s my account:

The first night I didn’t have to actually do any work, so I sat in a room for 3 hours

The second night & third night I worked – very hard I might add!

I don’t miss third shift!

Night 2, I wore too many clothes and was sweating profusely!

My arms are real sore, I’m pretty sure that’s normal since I don’t load cans every night.

Yesterday, my finger tips were sore, I’m pretty sure that’s NOT normal.

I loaded cans that are about 5 feet tall so you must duck to avoid hitting your head.

I hit my head.

I’m NOT good at loading cans. I kept thinking about Leslie and how she used to meticulously load her cans and just KNEW if she saw them, she would be so disappointed.

The building I used to work in when I was there (about 13 years ago) is now used for storage!

I am thankful my assignment is inside.

All plans that were made for my birthday have been postponed until next weekend!

2009-01-24T12:16:00.003-05:00

Today is my niece, Kimberlee's 17th birthday. I call her Kimmie, but I'm sure now since she 17, she would probably for me to call her Kim, but I just can't. She's super smart and does very well in school! She has blossomed into a beautiful young woman! Every time the family gets together she always give me big hugs! I love you Kimmie and hope you have a great Birthday!!!

2009-01-21T11:12:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a historic day! As I watched the Inauguration of our first Bi-racial President, I couldn’t help but hope and pray that leads our country by the words of Proverbs 3:5-6.
Speaking of Proverbs 3:5-6, last night, we started back to choir practice. And it was awesome! We haven’t had choir practice since the first part of December. It was a little hard to go back after being out of the habit of going. I remember thinking yesterday that I didn’t want to go, but then immediately dismissed that thought with a “no I need to go” thought. We don’t just practice at choir, we encourage each other and we listen to what God has to say through Pastor Curtis. I’m very glad that I didn’t just stay home. Being at practice was just the encouragement I needed.

Today....

2009-01-18T16:52:00.002-05:00

Today I clapped my hands louder than before.
Today I sang louder than before.
Today I jumped higher than before.
Today I shouted louder than before.
Today I lifted my hands higher than before.
Today I worshipped deeper than before.

Thank you Lord for freedom!
I have no more shackles, no more chains, no more bondage because I AM FREE!

After Party

2009-01-15T12:04:00.002-05:00

Just in case you haven't heard this weekend @ NVMC.....

But what I bet you didn't know is that Saturday Night AFTER the service, we will be having an After Party in Ground Zero. The cost is only $5.00. There will be food and games and it's NOT just for students - it's for everybody. Our Radiate Students will be selling tickets Friday and Saturday. Be sure to come, it's gonna be fun!

Feeling Better

2009-01-12T09:55:00.003-05:00

I've been sick for almost 2 weeks and let me tell ya - I don't like it. I don't like it one bit! I'm feeling better today. I missed 3 days of work last week, which was nice but I'd rather not be sick. So I think maybe the medicine that my doctor gave me made me feel,well, BLAH - not myself, its hard to explain. I'm glad I've finished it! I'm still on antibiotics and drinking lots of orange juice!
Since I was sick, I missed church yesterday but I was able to catch it live online. It was awesome and I'm SO telling all my non church going friends and family to check it out! There were about 20 of us online yesterday - one person from Corbin, KY.
I'm very excited about Eddie James this weekend. If you've never seen him, you should really come to NVMC Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday. You WILL be blessed!
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna break down and buy an IPhone - oh how regret is settling in....

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T15:08:00.002-05:00

Well another year has passed....
I can't say this has been the best year but it by far has not been my worst. I usually don't make new years resolutions. I guess I figure if I don't make them, then when I break them I won't feel as bad...
I was gonna do the whole year in review blog, but I've been sick and I just don't have the energy to remember everything.

I love this

2008-12-25T21:44:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T21:28:00.002-05:00

Christmas was good this year! For the last two years, I've had Christmas @ my house, but this year we went to my aunts. Also this year, I got to go to Leslie's dad's for breakfast, which I've missed for the last two years. It was good to be with them for breakfast. They always make me feel like part of the family! I'm kinda bummed now because normally, I get a few days off after Christmas until New Year's but that didn't work out, so I hafta work tomorrow! BOO!
I'm very thankful for all my friends and family I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday!

2008-12-19T20:34:00.003-05:00

Today was a good day! I didn't have to work. Mallory Faith was born! She weighed 8 lbs. 13 oz. Leslie is doing great! Mallory is beautiful AND she shares a birthday with my mom!
Today would have been my mom's 60th birthday.
Happy Birthday Mallory & Mom!

I Elfed D&D

2008-12-15T21:43:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Just one of my twelve blessings

2008-12-14T14:51:00.002-05:00

This weekend has been very busy but I've had lots of fun! Today @ NVMC we had our Christmas Concert, Jesus Messiah. It was so awesome! Everyone that was a part of it did an excellent job! Hats off to ya!
Yesterday we had the 1st Annual NVMC Ladies Christmas Tea. The theme was from a book called The Twelve Blessings of Christmas. One of the blessings was friends. Each table had a theme and each host talked about one of the blessings. I couldn't help but think about my friends when Stephanie was talking about friends. She talked about how you know you have true friends - those are the ones that would tell you, you have a booger in your nose and true friends tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear. She said your true friends don't have to tell you they'll be there for you because you already KNOW they will be! I have a lot of friends, but I have 4 really TRUE friends! And we were able to all get together last night. We had so much fun and all we really did was sit around and talk. Sometimes, we won't see each other for weeks and sometimes months, but when we get together it's like we haven't skipped a beat. I AM truly blessed to have my four BEST good friends, Christy, Leslie, Kristie & Lori! I love each of them dearly. They all are wonderful women and my life is definitely better for knowing each of them!

NVMC Cardboard Testimony

2008-12-09T21:31:00.003-05:00

Well here it is - NVMC Cardboard Testimonies and as an added bonus NVMC WOW Ministries with special guest....doing God is Here mime

Cardboard Testimonies at New Vision Ministry Center from New Vision on Vimeo.

Here's Your Sign....

2008-12-08T11:48:00.001-05:00

You might think from the title of this blog that I would be telling a funny story but not today. Today I’m going to blog about several AMAZING stories!
Yesterday at NVMC, I do believe it was the most perfect service! It was all about love, the most perfect love – God’s Love! I was so overwhelmed with emotion all morning and afternoon! After an awesome worship set and a video message from Pastor, Pastors Curtis and Charmaine sang “O how He loved us” (not sure if that’s the name of the song) and while they sang NVMCers that have been changed by God’s love each came up with a sign that stated what they had been through. Signs like “Filthy Addict”, Alone Chose Abortion” “Tried living as a woman”, “Born a Muslim”, “Face & Neck burned by House Fire” – and then on the back of every sign it was stated how God’s love changed them – “Clean & Sober for Jesus” ….now Nursery director”, “Faithful man of God”, “Born-again Christian”, “Healed and NO scars”. They just kept coming up one right after another! I was thinking last night about what if I had a sign, what would mine say? “Heartbroken & Blamed God” and then on the back “Heart 100% Mended BY God!” What would yours say?
I can’t wait for the video to come out so I can post it!

Elfed some family

2008-11-30T17:44:00.002-05:00

Some family members said "you're not right!" well now neither are they! :)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I just couldn't wait

2008-11-27T01:00:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Communion Tonight

2008-11-25T23:04:00.005-05:00

As I'm standing there tonight reflecting on God's greatness and taking communion, Pastor David says "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”" I hear Hannah say in her sweet little serious voice as she's looking up at Granny after tasting the "bread"

"Is this Paper?"

I almost lost it! I love that little girl!!

I'm a thief.....

2008-11-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

Stolen from pinkhairedgirl....

Visitors

2008-11-23T17:32:00.002-05:00

Today, like every Sunday, Pastor David welcomes our visitors. He asks them to raise their hands so they can fill out a visitors card. But today was different. As I stood there in the choir looking at the crowd and looking at the hands that were raised, I thought to myself, wow, there's ALWAYS at LEAST one visitor! Seriously, I've been coming to NVMC since February 2007 and I've maybe missed a handful of Sunday services and I can NOT remember a service where we didn't have a visitor! Just think about that! That IS church like I've never seen it!

Giving Thanks

2008-11-14T16:30:00.003-05:00

I am giving thanks early because today my sister Lori had 2 lumps removed from her breast and the doctor told us afterwards that he is 99% sure they were not cancerous! Praise the Lord!
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I found out last week that D&D were going to Florida for Thanksgiving. One of my dad's sisters lives down there and invited him and all his other sisters. Since he doesn't see them that often he didn't feel bad about leaving all of us on Thanksgiving. So when Diane was telling me and Christa she says, "I'm sure Kim will be having dinner" so today Christa asks Kim, "what time is dinner on Thanksgiving?" Kim says "what?" Needless to say Kim actually wasn't planning on having everyone out for Thanksgiving dinner. Christa says "oh well, this year we'll just spend more time with Stanley's family, that will be good." Then they all look at me....I guess they were wondering what I was going to do. I was wondering the same thing but then I remembered every year Leslie invites me to her house to eat with them - this year I will take her up on the offer! It'll be weird not being with my family on Thanksgiving but it will still be a good day and I am thankful for them EVERY day!

Can't think of a Clever Title

2008-11-10T13:25:00.004-05:00

Yesterday's services were absolutely amazing! Worship was at it's best! I was telling Leslie at one point the presence of God was so thick that all the musicians just stopped playing! They all just HAD to Praise! And at that point all you heard was a wave of people praying. It was so awesome! Just listen to this song and you'll see why!!!

Pastor also told us about an article that was written about our church in the LEO. A duo called The Church Hoppers paid NVMC a surprise visit back in September. And I quote "Nonetheless, the Church Hoppers walked away with admiration for the heartfelt faith at New Vision Ministry Center." From what I've read about the Church Hoppers they claim to be "looking for congregations that help people grow closer to God, believe in Jesus and the Bible, and live what they preach." Good thing they picked NVMC!!!!
I love my church! If you want to read the entire article Go Here

History!

2008-11-05T08:15:00.003-05:00

I haven't been feeling well these last couple of days, and I tried but just couldn't stay awake to watch who won the Presidential race. When I woke up this morning I found out - all I had to do is catch up reading Twitter!
So now I'm trying to decide how I feel about it......
I'm not upset. I actually think it's pretty awesome that we have our very first ~~African American~~ Bi-Racial President. I seriously didn't think this country would ever have one so I'm proud to be alive to see it.
This whole time, I've known who I was going to vote for - because I was basing my vote strictly on, what I feel, are moral issues. But I will say when I was watching the debates, I found my self liking some of the things that Obama said. but when it came down to it, my feelings toward my moral issues were stronger. I have peace about this election because I know God is in control and really as Christians all we need to do is pray for our leaders. I accept the charge of my pastor and will continue to pray for our leaders and my country. God knows what he's doing!
oh and I haven't found out who won the county surveyor in BC, do you know?

Election Day

2008-11-04T11:44:00.003-05:00

Well it's finally here. The months of all the annoying mud slinging campain commercials can finally stop. I went to vote this morning. Stood in line for 45 minutes but it was worth it. I count it a privilige and blessing to be able to vote! After words I went to work and was talking to one of my coworkers. I asked her if she voted, she said "no I went @ 6:30 and the line was too long" I was like, well you should leave early. She said "I just don't have time" I really wanted to beg and pled with her and tell her that she really needed to vote! People think their vote does not make a difference, but it does. What if everyone thought their vote didn't make a difference?
One thing I found that was odd on the BC ballot - there was a place for the county surveyor - it didn't have any names beside it. Does no one want that job? How does the "write-in" work anyway? I know you can't just put someone down - the person has to fill out some sort of affidavit and I think they have to BEFORE the election. So here's my question - IF they have to fill out the affidavit before the election then why not put them on the ballot? I didn't write a name down for that one - what if no one did - who gets that job?
Well anyway, I hope YOU voted today! Either way it goes, tonight will be history in the making!

the same Mentality

2008-10-28T23:39:00.002-04:00

I've been trying my best to think of a good way to describe Sunday's service. and just a few minutes ago I read another NVMCer's blog that described it perfectly. It's weird, but the three things that he mentioned were the exact 3 things that I was telling my sister about on Monday. All us NVMCers have the same mentality! :)

So now you'll have to go read what we're talking about....NoeFool

@ NVMC This Week!!

2008-10-27T21:05:00.002-04:00

It's all about the cake....

2008-10-20T10:21:00.005-04:00

Leslie's baby shower is coming up and me and a friend were talking about her cake. She said she was going to look into getting a "pregnant belly" cake for the shower. I had never seen one so I did what I always do - Googled it. Not only did I find the "belly" cake but I also found some other really ugly cakes for baby showers. You'd think that for a baby shower they would be nice and cute! I thought I'd share some of the ones that were not cute! I even found one that is so HIDEOUS I ~~can't~~ won't put it on my blog! But here are a few that are just plain WEIRD.

Take a close look!

Looks like a giant baby head!

The girl that makes the "belly" cakes can't do it that weekend so Leslie can rest assured that we will be having a "normal" baby shower cake!
And if you find these cakes funny then you'll love the blog I found while searching! http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/