My Magical Year in Review

New Year's Eve 2015 wouldn't be complete without a few moments of reflection. This evening is going to look a lot like that of NYE 2014 and very different all at the same time. What will be the same is a nice quiet night at home with a home cooked meal, a glass of wine, Netflix, and my sweet girl Lilo nearby. This is honestly my favorite night to stay home. What is different this year is that I will be sharing this night with my husband. God new what he was doing when he sent me a man who prefers to spend a night at home rather than out and about.

Now I hate to let one event define my entire year so I won't do that. I'll use 3 ;)

The Meeting 3/15/15:
It wasn't too far into the year (March) that I first laid eyes on my handsome man. We spent an entire Saturday texting back and forth asking questions and getting to know one another. The next day I had decided that he seemed nice enough and asked him if he wanted to meet Lilo and I for a walk. After all, if Lilo didn't approve then what was the point :P We walked and talked for over 2 hours! Talking to him felt so easy and comfortable. Needless to say, the walk went well and we went out 4 nights in a row that next week.


Let's fast forward a few months.

The Engagement 7/3/15:
We spent most of the day cleaning, throwing away, and organizing my garage. It was hot but I pushed through knowing that we had plans to eat at my favorite restaurant, The Chelsea, that evening. As we were getting cleaned up Mark suggested that we go to Aperitivo, which is a place that has delicious appetizers and wine. I was excited for a night out on the town with my guy. It was after leaving the first place and after a strong thunderstorm passed by, complete with a rainbow, that we took a walk by the water. It was there that Mark got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I excitedly said yes and the rest of that evening is one big happy blur of happiness and excitement.

The rest of the summer was HOT as we were busy planning our wedding.

The Wedding 10/17/15:

The day I had been waiting for years was finally here! We got married in the beautiful outdoor chapel of Christ Episcopal Church in downtown New Bern, NC. The weather was amazing. It was the first weekend in about 4 weeks that wasn't consumed with heavy rains. Our families and friends were there, many meeting each other for the first time. Everything was perfect. I stood there at the alter trying to take in every smell, every thought, every sound. I wanted to remember this moment forever.


From the moment I said "I Do" I've done my best to be the best wife I can be. We are settling into married life and continuing to learn more about each other each day. I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for us as we continue to do this crazy life together. Much love to you all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Joy and Love - Advent Week 3 & 4

I'm behind on my posts but just in case you have been following, here are weeks 3 and 4 for Advent.

Week 3 we look at Joy. I always like being reminded of the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion that can be altered by our circumstances, while joy is a choice and one that we can make at any moment. It can be hard to be happy when you are going through a difficult season but you can still be joyful. How is that, you might be wondering? You can find and choose joy when you place God at the center of everything you do. Knowing that He is for you, loves you, and is always with you allows us to be confident in who we are. This isn't always easy.

For me it is taking practice. But the more I do it the easier if becomes.

Joy is trusting when you want to doubt, receiving when you want to reject,

and celebrating when you want to fear.

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people."

~ Luke 2:10-11

The Christmas story is about the birth of joy. As we get closer to Christmas Day let's choose to step away from the stress and anything else holding us down. Let's choose joy for the King is born and he has come to give us eternal life!

Week 4 is Love. God is love. He loved us so much that He sent His Son to be born and to die for our sins. He was born to die, to give us life. Is there a greater love than that? Because of this great love He had for us, we are able to love. God loves us just as we are and yearns for us to love others with the same magnitude. This sounds like a great plan right? Until someone gets on our nerves or does something to hurt us. How do we keep loving then? The easiest way to love others is to share God, which in turn is sharing love, even when it's hard.

You can do this by sharing your God moments with others. When He is working in your life give Him the glory. Share your experiences of when God has provided or when He has given you peace beyond understanding. Doing this may encourage someone to desire to learn more about Jesus.

Invite friends to church or speaking events or concerts. A lot of people are just waiting for the invitation. You could be the bridge they need to open up their eyes to this beautiful life of hope.

Evaluate how you currently love people. Pray for the Lord to open your eyes and your heart to love others in the way that they need to be loved.

Pray for God to help you remember the reason for the season of Christmas. In my last blog I shared some recent struggles I've had with this.  With God's help, I've been making a better effort to choose Joy and Love as I prepare for the grandest day of celebration!

Merry Christmas Eve!

A Meaningful Christmas

I don't know what it is about this time of year that can really take a toll on a person. Maybe the over packed and busy schedules of all the holiday festivities or the stress of finding the perfect gifts to give or maybe it's the crowds or traffic that flood the stores and streets. Whatever it is, it got a hold of me recently and it was not pretty. I've experienced plenty of emotions just in the last week. At one point I was feeling sad about missing some Christmas parties with friends due to other things on my schedule, to feeling sad and left out about not being invited to others. I felt rushed and stressed about not having enough time to finish the shopping, the wrapping, the cleaning. I got frustrated with plans that kept changing for my visit home to see family and friends. I was even annoyed at food choices for upcoming dinners. Seriously?!?! I had a bad attitude and there is nothing attractive about that.

It wasn't until I finally sat down Sunday evening, after a day of go, go, go and do, do, do that it hit me square in the face. I was going through some emails on my iPad and came across a devotional that had been sent to me the Friday prior that I had been too busy to read until that moment. The title interested me so I clicked on it. It read, "Is Merry Christmas Really What We're After?" At that particular moment I wasn't really sure. The writer encouraged us to have more than just a Merry Christmas but to have a Meaningful Christmas. When I stopped to think about why we even celebrate Christmas in the first place I felt ashamed. It's not about presents and parties and fancy dinners. It's about celebrating the day that Love was born into the world to save us all. It's so easy to get caught in this trap of complaining. And, if we don't catch it, it can spread like wildfire, it can strain relationships, and it can flatout make you miserable during the hap happiest time of the year.

What I'm doing tonight is challenging you to take a moment and take inventory in your heart. What is consuming you this Christmas? If it's not the miraculously birth of our Savior Jesus Christ maybe we need to take a step back and figure out why that is. I will leave you with this closing thought from the perfectly placed email that was left in  my inbox for me to read to remind me that

Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

"Yes. I want us all to have a merry Christmas. But more than that I want us to have a meaningful Christmas. Not one that is consumed with consuming or lost in senseless secondary conversations, but one that is fixed on adoration, celebration, consideration and awe. One that reflects on and gives thanks to God for sending Jesus to be our hope. One that is rich with depth and love and relationship. One that is ful of His fullness of grace." (Gwen Smith, Girlfriends In God)

Prepare - Advent Week 2

As week 2 of Advent closes out, here are some points and thoughts from this weeks Christmas Devotional. 

Preparation is a statement of faith. I can't begin to imagine exactly what Mary was feeling when she told Joseph, to whom she was not wed, that she was pregnant. And I can't imagine what Joseph's initial thoughts were to this news. They each had their own share of trials to endure as more and more people found out. Mary and Joseph didn't let that stop them. They both knew and believed in their hearts that this was real. Mary did what was best and left town and Joseph stayed with her. They both prepared for the greater mission that they were a part of. To give birth to the One that would save the world.

While none of us will be birthing baby Jesus, God still has a plan for each of our lives that line up with His will and story. Christmas is a great time to prepare our hearts and minds for what is to come. I don't just mean for the birth of Christ, but for what is ahead for each of us. This weeks devotion shared four ways to prepare.

• Eliminate distractions. Focus more on family and friends and the things that money can't buy. Don't stress over finding the perfect gift or getting agitated at the crowded stores. Simplify your life. Be still. Focus on the reason for the season....Jesus.
• Notice God's hand. Look back and make a list of all the times God has seen you through a difficult circumstance. Remember how He has provided for you even when you thought there was no way out. Believe that He will continue to work all tings for your good. 
• Discern God's will. Take time to pray and mediate on God's will for your life. It's sometimes easy to do things our own way sometimes but His ways are always greater.
• Unite in a mission. There is power when people come together for a cause. Whether it is with your family or maybe your church group, relationships can be strengthened when you work towards something together.

How will you prepare? For me it means intentionally sitting down each morning with a daily Christmas reading and beginning my day with Jesus on my mind. 

Faith - Advent Week 1

As we enter into the Christmas season I wanted to be more intentional with my time spent in God's Word. I looked around and came upon a 5 week Advent devotional from lifeway.com. It's a weekly devotional that focuses on one word or idea to reflect on for the week. As I finish each week I would like to share some of what I learned and some insight I gained while studying. My hope is that you too can take something away from it.

Week 1: Faith

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14

This week the writer explained how waiting and faith work together.

Nobody likes to wait. We live in a society that has instant access to almost anything. You can download movies and books with the click of a button, you can record shows on your T.V. and watch them whenever you want and not even have to wait through commercials, and at most restaurants you can call ahead to put your name on the waiting list before you even get there to decrease your wait time. Because of all this instant gratification we are all used to, I become impatient quite easily with any type of waiting. Waiting 5 minutes at the draw bridge downtown, waiting for someone to call back, and waiting on hold on the phone are a few that I am guilty of.

The same is usually the case when we are waiting on God's timing. His timing is usually not the same as ours. We become impatient. We try to do things our own way and it usually doesn't work. This is where faith steps in.

"Now without faith it is impossible it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who can seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Advent is a time of faith and waiting. If you have been waiting on something, be encouraged that God is faithful. Having faith means that you trust Him. Trust Him to keep His promises, even when they seem so far away. While we wait is a great time to grow in our faith in Him. The waiting prepares us in just the right way for whatever is to come. While we wait for our Savior let's try to embrace the place we are in and give praise for all He has already done.

"The story of Jesus' birth gives us assurance and joy because even though the waiting lingered for decades, God broke through at just the right time."

I'll close with this prayer from the devotional:

"Lord, I remember the years of waiting for a Messiah. I'm often impatient with my life. Please teach me to enjoy You and not just the blessings I see in Your hands. Fill my days with laughter and joy through the hardship and uncertainty. Remind me that when I think I'm waiting for an eternity, it really isn't. Life on this earth is infinitely smaller than a second in the light of true eternity." Amen

When Friends Become Family

Thanksgiving came to our house a few weeks early this year. Not only did our house smell amazing all day but I'm happy to report that my very first turkey, complete with stuffing, came out great!

Preseason Thanksgiving Spread

It started last November when Josh was going to be deployed shortly before Thanksgiving Day. Myra, aka Mama Bear, had the great idea of putting together an early Thanksgiving dinner so that he wouldn't miss the most delicious holiday of the year. We quickly started planning and inviting some friends to join us. That night was filled with delicious food, many laughs, and good bonding time. Though I didn't realize it that evening, something else was happening. We were forming our own little family of sorts.

Friends that are Family <3

Throughout the last year we've shared in our life experiences together, new homes, new jobs, birthdays, weddings, new cars, races, holidays, sickness, loss, and everything in between. With our faith in Christ being our foundation, we have been cultivating our relationships with one another. I'm thankful to have this family away from family. These are my people. People who I would trust with anything. People who I know their door is open to me at all times. People to pray with and pray for, to celebrate with and mourn with. People to encourage and support. That being said, why not have another preseason Thanksgiving this year to show my love and gratitude for them all? Full bellies and full hearts filled the evening.

Lord, thank you for the gift of friends that become our family. I pray that you would be with us as we go into another year. I pray for your strength, wisdom, and guidance to help us be there for one another. As we grow closer to one another I pray that is draws us even closer You. Amen.

Is this real life?!?!

Today, I get to marry my best friend! I still can't believe that this is really happening!

10/17/15

This morning, Lilo and I went down to our favorite spot on the river to watch the sun come up. We just sat on the stairs instead of walking the beach (we couldn't ruin Lilo's freshly groomed paws) and watched the magnificent sunrise unfold before my eyes. Overwhelmed by God's love for me, I was moved to tears as I thought about His love for me. So many mornings I've sat there praying to the Lord and at times crying my heart out to Him. Today, I went to give thanks and to praise the One who has been faithful to His child. 

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. " ~ Psalm 37:4

I've always had a strong desire in my heart to be a wife. Far too many times I've read this verse and wondered "why hasn't he given me that yet?" But then I realized that I wasn't holding up my end of it. Was I honestly and truly delighting myself in the Lord? One definition of delight is: to give great pleasure or to please someone greatly. When I made the choice in my heart to finally fully submit to Him and His ways, my life changed. I was no longer worried about who, when, where, or why. I wasn't worried about "my" plan. My focus was on the Lord, trusting that He was preparing me for when the time, His time, was right.

Today is an answered prayer, proof that God is faithful and is of His word. Oh how He loves us! Thank you, Father for blessing me so richly! My prayer is that as Mark and I enter into the covenant of marriage that we can "be an earthly picture of God's heavenly covenant with His church, to reveal to the world the glory and beauty of God's unconditional love for us." (The Love Dare)

"He has remembered His covenant forever." ~ Psalm 105:8

I get to!

Do you have any words of wisdom you've heard at some point in your life that have really stuck with you? You know, the words you hear only once but have had a strong impact on you, maybe not until years later. One that I remember from my early teenage years came from my grandmother. I had spent the night at her house and in true teenager fashion, I slept until noon the next day. As I strolled into the kitchen looking for a bowl of cereal I remember her asking me how I could just sleep half of my day away. I guess I had never thought about that but that has been my mindset now as an adult. Maybe this also explains why I choose to wake up at 5am to workout before work.

Another one that sticks out in my mind comes from a friend that I follow on Facebook. She had written a post a few years back meant to encourage other moms. In it she explained that in the midst of driving kids to school, appointments, soccer practices, etc. it's easy to get caught up complaining that you have to do this and you have to do that and life is crazy. The take away from it was to change one little word. Changing I "have" to to I "get" to will allow you to have an attitude of gratitude instead of complaining.

While I don't have children, this still hit home for me because it can really be applied to every part of my life. Raise your hand if you've ever complained about having to go to work on Monday morning. (My hand is definitely raised ✋🏻) What if you changed that little word?  Now, I get to go to work on Monday morning. What a blessing it is to have a stable job that will pay my bills. Maybe you hate that you have to mow your lawn every single week during the hot summer months. Let's try changing that word again. I get to mow my lawn. It's a great reminder to myself that not everyone has a home with a yard that they can mow. I try to remember that the thing I may be complaining about just may be the very thing someone else it praying and hoping for.

What I love about my job as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor is that I have the opportunity to encourage people on a daily basis. This week I had a client that shared that lately she hasn't felt like coming to workout. She doesn't know why but she is in a rut with no motivation. I used this moment to remind her that instead of looking at her day ahead and saying "I have to go to the gym" to try saying out loud " I am healthy and able and I GET to go to the gym!" She stopped what she was doing and looked at me and said, "You know what? I never thought about it like that. Not everyone is able to get up each day and come here." It gave her that little extra push she needed to get through her session and hopefully will help her in the days and weeks to come.
Since it was fresh on my mind, I used this thought to close out my active older adults class that same morning. The final 5 minutes of class is reserved for quiet relaxation and if something encouraging is on my heart I share it with the class. I suggested to them that they take a moment to be thankful that we all got to wake up and come to the Y that morning and be together.  I love that I get to be in a position that can inspire and motivate.

So the next time you catch yourself complaining about having to do something, take a quick moment to switch that one word. Don't look at your tasks as chores, but as blessings, and see if it doesn't change your perspective. 😉

My Sister's Day to Shine!

As I was driving the other day a thought came into my mind. Being the oldest of two, I always got to experience life's milestones first; getting my ears pierced, going to my first sleepover, prom, driving, buying my first scratch ticket, graduation, college, buying a house, I could go on forever.

Coolest kids on the block

That is, until a few weeks ago when my little sister said "I Do" to the love of her life.

It was a little weird being on the inexperienced side of things, not to be able to tell her what to expect and how to stay relaxed when things get stressful. How could I possibly give good big sister advice if I have no idea what it feels like to be in the bride's shoes? (Speaking of shoes,  I am dreading wearing heels at my wedding.) How do I say "So what if the forecast shows rain? It will be ok." when I know that I would be stressing out about the same thing? I realized that the best thing I could do was remain positive for her and to pray for her.

Anaya Love 8/23/15

As most weddings probably go, everything didn't go perfectly as planned; it rained, the photographer was running late, the best man left the rings in the car and had to run out to get them during the ceremony (thankfully he made it back just in time,) the photo booth that she had reserved never showed up, and that morning at breakfast she wasn't even confident that the JP was going to show up! I'm not going to lie, if this had been my wedding day I probably would have been more stressed out than she was. Kelli handled everything in stride and in doing so taught me a very valuable lesson. Just because everything doesn't go perfectly as planned doesn't mean that it can't still be perfect. I admire her for not letting anything ruin the happiest day of her life. We have little control over most of the things that go on around us but we always have the power to control our attitude. I'm happy that my little sister got to be the first bride (and a beautiful one at that!)  I'm thankful that I will have my experienced sister by my side on my wedding day and the days leading up to it when I may need those reminders. Love ya, sis!

Sisters by chance, friends by choice <3

Djs and Dresses and Cakes, Oh My!

Wedding planning is in full force over here. Mark and I have decided on a short engagement, 7/3 to 10/17! When you know you know and we both certain do! 

Now I am not one of those girls who has built up a dream wedding in my mind since I was a little girl. I've never desired to have anything big and extravagant. I  simply knew that I wanted to get married. In fact, for the past few years I've told my closest family and friends that I didn't even know if I wanted a traditional wedding and reception. Exchanging vows and having a nice dinner with the family sounded nice and easy. However, we have both had so many people love and support us over the years that it would seem wrong not to share and celebrate this awesome occasion with others.

We have decided on a small private ceremony followed by a casual, low key gathering. Think: BBQ, sweet tea, and corn hole. But with any wedding or party comes planning. I'm not going to lie, I wouldn't be upset if someone coordinated the entire day for me and just told me where to show up and when haha. We have made pretty good progress with the details by having the dj, rental company, venue, pastor, flowers and cake all lined up. This week I found myself stressed and anxious though. We still haven't figured out the specifics with food (and you know how much this girl loves to eat) and I still haven't found my dress. After sending a Snapchat of a pan that used to be full of brownies (healthy ones at least) with a caption that read, "this is what happens when you are stressed and home alone" a good friend of mine asked me what was going on. When I shared with her my anxious thoughts she was quick to remind me that those are small, unimportant details (true,  and we will at least have cake.) She told me that God wouldn't care of I showed up in jeans and the guests wouldn't care if it was a potluck meal. What is important is that we are showing up that day to affirm our love for one another and make that commitment to stand together for the rest of our lives. What's important are the loved ones that will be present to share that special day with us. This couldn't be more true.

It is so easy to get caught up in worldly things. Most of us do it and don't even realize it. I'm thankful to have a sister in Christ who can help me redirect my thoughts and keep the right perspective. I'm thankful for those moment of grace and clarity.

Here's to stress free wedding planning from here on out!

No More Frogs!

It took 33 years but I finally did it! I found "THE ONE!"

Those of you who know me well know that it hasn't always been an easy road. This journey has had plenty of ups, downs, and even some u-turns. I've been on more first dates than I can even count and have some pretty funny stories to tell. I've met some really cool guys and some I'd rather forget about. I'm not going to lie, dating can be exhausting!

Years ago after a not so great first date I remember a co-worker encourage me with this, she said, "Don't worry, he was just another frog. Sometimes you need to kiss many frogs before you find your prince."

As silly as that sounded it was something that has stuck with me through the years. I've used that thought to assure myself that every frog I went out with brought me one date closer to meeting my prince. There were definitely moments of frustration as I went on my search and times when I was convinced that he simply did not exist and I would be single forever. The awesome thing about those days that seemed lonely, hopeless, and frustrating is that they drew me closer to the Lord. It was during those times that I was able to place my focus on Him and reestablish my priorities. It was then that I finally realized that even if I didn't get what I wanted and things didn't go my way that He is still good and I am still blessed. 

Many years of persistent prayer, not only from me but also from many close friends and family, and God finally answered. He did so by sending me a Godly man who loves his family, works hard, and treats me like a queen. He sent me a man that is perfect for me and all of the years leading up to now helped me become the perfect women for him. I couldn't have created a better man for myself if I tried. 

Lesson learned: God's ways are higher than ours and His timing is always spot on. Even when things don't make sense trust that God know exactly what He is doing. Stay faithful in prayer and know that if it is God's will then it will happen when it is supposed to.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." ~ Romans 12:12

Here's to no more frog kissing!

7/3/15

Proud to Be an American

The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. It's a close call between that and Thanksgiving (I love to eat!) I never quite knew why but as I think about it being a yearly favorite a few things come to mind.

• Independence Day is a day to celebrate the county that we live in.
• There is no gift buying or exchanging.
• It's in the summer and that usually means a day at the beach.
• Hanging out with friends and family, enjoying each others company, and grilling out.
• FIREWORKS!!!! :D

More than all of those things I am proud to live in a country where I have the freedom to get a college education, go to work, have freedom of speech etc., and above all else, go to church to openly and freely worship my Lord Jesus Christ without fear of persecution. Today I pray for the people who stand strong in their faith even when earthly laws tell them they can't, even to the point of exile or death.

I recognize that this country has its fair share of issues.  Even when I don't agree I will pray for the leaders of this country and show respect. I pray that we can all stand united as one and not separated by political, religious, status, and race. If we would just look to the Father and learn to accept and love each other as He loves us I truly believe it would change so much.

God Bless the U.S.A.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Wanna know why I smile a lot?

Smiling is my favorite.

Wanna know why I smile a lot? It's not because my life is perfect or because everything always goes my way. I smile a lot because it's worth it! I actually had a member of one of my classes ask me why I smile so much. He asked if I was really THAT happy. My simple response was, "Why not?! Life is too short to be anything but happy." Don't get me wrong I have days where my mood is far from happy but when I really stop and think about it, I have no good reason not to smile and be happy. I mean, think about it:

•  Just waking up in the morning is reason enough to smile.

• Smiles are contagious. I love smiling at strangers and seeing their expression instantly change.    Smiling at children is my favorite. Imagine a world invested with smiles :)

• Smiling improves your mood. The next time you find yourself in a not so great mood just try smiling more. It's much harder to stay in a bad mood while you are smiling. Fake it till ya make it!

• Smiling not only improves your mood but it will improve the mood of the people around you. A lady walked into my office this week and told me that my beautiful smile made it worth coming to class. Members of my classes are constantly expressing their appreciation for me smiling while I teach. The fact that my simple act of smiling can make others happy makes smiling all the more worth it. The next time you go to a store pay attention to the person at the register. I have found that when I'm distracted or not very attentive to the person helping me then they are distant themselves. On the other hand, if I walk up with a friendly smile on my face they tend to be much more talkative, friendly and willing to help.

• Smiling is a universal language. No matter where you go and no matter what language you speak, everyone knows the meaning of a smile.

• It takes more energy to frown than to smile.

• Smiling excessively gives you great laugh lines on your face. I have a lot and I'm proud of it!

It's a great day to be alive!

A simple smile can make someone's day, it's free, and never runs out. Let your light shine onto those around you. Be a bright light in the dark places of this world. SMILE! :)

Making Waves

Recently I was walking along the banks of the Neuse River as the sun was rising when off in the distance a small fishing boat went by. The vessel broke through the water, which was as still as glass that morning, barely making a disturbance to the serene view.

It wasn't until minutes later that the waves came loudly crashing to the shore disrupting the quiet of the morning and it got me thinking, there are many things that we say and do in this life that we will never see the end result of. You may speak a kind word to a stranger at the store one day and never know how you greatly impacted their day or maybe even their life with the words you spoke. Taking time to talk to a friend in need or lend a helping hand can go so much further than we might even know. Most of the time you will probably think that something you say or do is so small and isn't a big deal at all. The truth is it could speak volumes to someone else in ways that you can't even imagine just like it took several minutes for the ripples made from that small boat to make big waves on the shore. What I'm trying to say is it is always the right time to do the right thing. Never stop loving and serving others, even when it's hard and even when it's not convenient. You might be the person that God has sent into another's life to start that ripple effect. If you are the person who has been greatly touched by someone else then go tell that person. They may have no clue that they have had a profound effect on your life. Maybe knowing that is just the encouragement that they need at that moment.

Every day you have the opportunity to change the world around you and impact the lives of the people in your circle of influence. Whose life will you touch today?

Happy Adoptaversary!

Nine years ago today I walked into the Connecticut Humane Society and walked out with my best friend. Due to the fact that I lived in a small apartment I was there looking for a cat to adopt. Each shelter that I went to I couldn't help but to visit the dog section and the day prior to this was no different. I walked into that loud, smelly room to see cages full of tail wagging pups excited to see another visitor. Some jumped around and barked hoping to get my attention. Others sat politely by the kennel door, tongue hanging out hoping to win me over. However, the one that caught my eye and heart was the sad little dog lying in the corner of her kennel uninterested in all of the commotion around her. I crouched down to her level and looked her in the eyes. She didn't come any closer, she didn't wag her tail, she just simply stared back at me with eyes full of sadness. I honestly cannot explain my thoughts and feelings in that moment but I knew that she was mine the minute I laid eyes on her that Lilo was mine. I asked to have her brought into one of the play rooms so I could interact with her better. She stood there looking so scared. Her tail was between her legs, her head was cowered low, and she shook slightly. It took about 5 minutes of rubbing her head and talking to her for her to relax and let the tongue hang out and tail wag.

After talking to one of the workers I learned Lilo's story. She lived in the home of a frequent adopter with many other animals for the first 3 years of her life. Lilo and one of the other dogs got into a pretty bad fight. Lilo's shoulder was shaved and she was recovering from having stitches. Her owner decided to get rid of her after that incident. Lilo had been in the shelter for less than a day and was already beginning to show signs of depression. One of the notes on her kennel said that she was not suitable for apartment life. Because of her quick decline in health they decided that she was better off in my apartment than in that facility. I got the paperwork and went home to fully think about this decision. I was afraid to call my mother and tell her my plans because I just knew that she would talk sense into me and remind me how much work owning a dog can be. I was fully prepared with my counter argument but to my surprise she didn't try to talk me out of it at all. Completely shocked by this I filled the paperwork out and was back at the shelter the next afternoon.

Lilo voluntarily spent most of her time in her kennel for the first couple weeks that she was home. She warmed up to having me and my roommate Joe around fairly quickly but was extremely shy when visitors came over (hard to believe, I know.) It didn't take long for her to realize that this was her territory and she became our ferocious sounding guard dog. ;)

I look back on the past 9 years I have spent with my sweet girl and I truly believe that bringing her into my family was the best choice I ever made. We have been through many seasons of life together and she has always remained by my side. She has licked away tears and sat quietly with me during hard times with her head on my lap. She has jumped for joy every time we are reunited, whether apart for days or hours. She trusts me, protects me, and loves me more than anything in this world, expect maybe peanut butter. I can't imagine my life with this sweet girl by my side. She overflows her joy onto everyone she meets. I may just have the world's best pooch. and the bond between this girl and her dog is unbreakable. She is my child, my family, and this girl's best friend. Nine years ago I walked into a shelter and chose a dog, but the truth is Lilo chose me that day as her human. I thank the Lord each and every day for the blessing that I have received in her.

A Girl and Her Dog  <3

Sweet Victory!

Hallelujah! The Lord is risen!

 The tomb is empty!

 Death has been defeated!

Jesus is alive!

As I woke up this Easter Sunday I headed down to the river to watch the sun come up on the day of Jesus' resurrection. I read the scriptures and joy filled my heart as if I were reading it for the very first time. Those words never get old. Oh happy day!

New life is found in Christ through the cross. Impossible things can be done through Him. Old things can be made new again. Fresh starts, new beginnings, lives renewed.  The battle is already won and we have become more than conquerors. I still stand overwhelmed at the fact that He did all of that for me.

Celebrating this amazing day with my church family made my heart happy. From the little ones all dressed up in their Easter best to new faces coming to hear God's Word, we all come together for Him. I couldn't hide the big smile on my face as we sang songs of praise and worship.

Thank you, Jesus for all that you've done for me - Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

I will continue to fight the good fight, finish the race running into my Savior's arms, and keep the faith along the way.

HAPPY EASTER!

By this time next week...

Today is Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem. The day that starts Passion week. Oh, what a week it will be. As I sat in church this evening for a youth group event I couldn't help but stare a little longer at the wooden cross hanging on the wall in front of me. The one with the purple sash to signify the Lenten season. By the end of this week Jesus will suffer as He is crucified on the cross. The cross where He takes the place for me and you and all of mankind. I can't even begin to imagine the pain, the cruelty, to stand helpless in the crowd. The sinless man will die for our sins. Every.Last.One.Forever.  He will die so we can live. He will be buried. We will mourn.
What a great time to slow down and remember the real meaning of Easter. What a great time to reflect on what Love really, truly means. Unconditional, unshakable, unwavering Love.
Oh, how He loves us!


 But this time next week, that's a different story!

"Living He loved me,

Dying He saved me,

Buried He carried my sins far away,

Rising He justified freely forever,

One day He's coming,

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day."

~ Casting Crowns ~

Life is Better with Friends

I find that the older I get the easier it is to get lost in the hustle and bustle of life. Between work schedules, church obligations, yard and house work, and friends with husbands and kids, it's very easy to lose touch with those you care about. How many times do you run into someone whom you haven't seen in a while and say "Hey, we really should get together soon!" I say it All.The.Time. but very rarely do I make those plans. The thought is there but I don't slow down long enough to make the time for it. Before I know it a couple weeks have gone by and I figure the moment has passed.


I just finished reading The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst. Great book if you have a hard time saying no to people and tasks and constantly feel overwhelmed. In the book she says, "Relationships nourish us in ways that nothing else can. It's the relationships that help unrush us." We are not meant to rush through this life neglecting our relationships with those who matter. I have been blessed tremendously with amazing friends who are my sisters in Christ. They are my support when times are bad and they are who I celebrate with when times are good. But what about the in between times. I recently spent a couple hours with a sweet friend at a local pottery painting studio. Nothing fancy, just a little girl's night to catch up with on another. We talked about the most random things but I left there feeling so loved, encouraged, and refreshed. It really did nourish my soul to make the time to share my life with someone I love.

Friend date at Accidental Artist

 In a generation so focused on social media and other technologies, I see a huge disconnect in building and  maintaining relationships. One of my Love Languages is quality time so it should be no surprise that Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and even texting just don't do it for me. I need one-on-one face time with my people. Phone calls are the next best thing for my far away friends. There is something so uplifting about receiving a phone call from a friend. That they would take time out of their day to have an undistracted conversation with me means so much. I've decided to start intentionally taking the time to make time to nourish my relationships. A phone call, a walk, a cup a coffee, painting pottery, meeting once a month to watch the sunrise together. I'm committing to strengthening the bonds that God has created in my life and reminding myself that sometimes the housework or errands can wait until later. Pick up your phone and call a friend today and make that date!

Sunrise, Coffee, Friends

Hurts So Good!

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) - the kind where it hurts to sit on the toilet and it's a struggle to hold your arms up to blow dry your hair. This is me today! Some weeks I feel like I live in a perpetual state of soreness. I work out for about 30 minutes, 3 times a week. Doesn't seem like much right? Let me tell you, more is not always better. I've recently graduated to 30lb weights (I still can't believe it) and have been finding myself sore after only a few hours from finishing my workout as opposed to not feeling it until the next day. Hurts so good!

               

 At work I've been called Killer Kira. One client even came up to me after class last week and asked if I had a special degree in torture. LOL! If they only knew that I put myself through the same kind of "torture" maybe they would feel better. At least they can blame me for their soreness. I have no one to point a finger at. My workout buddy is too sweet :)

I'm a member of the 5am workout club and let me tell you, 5am comes quick. There are many mornings that I would rather hit snooze and stay in bed than pick up my weights. After all, no one is there making sure I get it done. Some days I even try to convince myself that I am going to do just that but I always give in and end up in the garage. What makes me get out of bed? My commitment to myself to stay healthy. I remind myself how great I will feel when I'm finished, filled with all of those lovely feel good endorphins and hormones. They energize me for the day. Starting my day with a workout helps me make better choices with food throughout the day and that is huge for me. The assumption that I can eat whatever I want and stay fit is so far from the truth. Working out also keeps me honest. How can I effectively motivate and teach others about healthy habits if I'm skipping workouts for no good reason?



As far as goals go I'm finding that as I get older they are not so much about vanity as they may have been before. I'm not trying to have the best set of abs or the nicest legs. My workouts are geared towards fat loss. So yes, while it is nice to see my dedication and hard work pay off by losing fat and gaining muscle , I  simply want to be healthy. The active older adult population at the gym inspires me. Many of them are there most days of the week. They prove that staying active and maintaining muscle mass decreases so many health issues that much of the older population faces. I want to be the grandmother who can still lift weights in the gym and keep up with the youngins'.

Let's not forget the most important reason I stay disciplined. It's because I have been gifted with a body that is capable. My body was created and designed by God and keeping it healthy to the best of my ability honors Him. Often we hear that our body is our temple. If my body houses the Holy Spirit I think I should do my best to provide a good residence. I want to respect what has so graciously been given to me.

Staying fit makes me feel good and when I feel good I can help others feel good. I'm thankful that this comes easier for me because I know it doesn't for many people. I only hope that I can be an inspiration for them, that by living a healthy lifestyle I can influence those around me. to do the same. Not every workout is easy, but every workout and every sore muscle is worth it.


So for all of you currently renovating your own temples....this plank is for you!

3 Misconceptions People Have of Me as a New Englander

I lived in New England for the first 28 years of my life. I have seen my fair share of nor'easters and blizzards and have endured many a cold winters. Since moving to Eastern North Carolina 5 years ago, I've been told that these have been some of the coldest and stormiest winters this part of the state has ever had. I promise I am not related to Elsa. In fact, I'm quite the opposite. I'm convinced that I was born for beaches, heat waves, flip flops, tropical drinks. Which is why I laugh at some of the comments that come my way when this weather rolls around.

Misconception #1 - Because I am from the north, I love the snow

This could not be more FALSE!!! In fact, snowy winters are one of the biggest reasons that I never plan to move any further north than North Carolina. I think I would be ok if I never had to deal with snow again. I get that it is fun and exciting for the kids to have a snow day but as an adult snow days don't pay my bills and it only stresses me out. Don't get me wrong though, if I have to stay home because of the snow I will totally make the best of it. Building a snowman and make snow angels are fun as long as they disappear the following day! ;)

Misconception #2 - Because I'm from the north the cold doesn't bother me

I hate being cold. You won't hear a peep of complaining from me when the hot humid weather comes. I am definitely a beach gal. I really struggle with being cold though. I can't even tell you how many times I've been in a conversation about the cold temperatures and someone will say, "Well, you are from the north so you should be used to it." The cold is something I have never gotten used to. For me getting used to the cold is just like getting used to stubbing your toe in a door jam or getting a paper-cut. It never becomes more tolerable. If someone spent 30 straight days in sub-zero temps I'm pretty sure day 30 would be just as dreadful as day 1. This polar vortex thing is for the penguins! Come on spring! I know you are right around the corner!!!!

Misconception #3 - Because I am from the north driving in snow is a piece of cake

Southern friends, I am about to come to your defense here! While snow is so pretty to look at, it wreaks havoc on the roads and I confess that even as a native New Englander I am extremely nervous driving in it. I have read a lot of comments on social media regarding how no one here in the south knows how to drive in the snow and making fun of people for freaking out over snowy road conditions. I've heard people from snowy states sound cocky about driving in the snow and even put others down because of it. My thought on this is that I'm pretty sure that I've seen reports daily on the national news programs about car accidents in the northeast for the past month. Wanna know why? Because snow is slippery and dangerous. Add in some ice and black ice and it gets even worse. I don't care what kind of car, truck or SUV you have, you cannot drive on ice at high speeds. Not in the north, not in the south, not anywhere. Now here in the south throw into the mix highways that are not able to be properly treated for such conditions and drivers who have little to no experience driving in this weather and we have a bigger problem. On my drive home this afternoon I was cautiously going between 20-30mph along with most of the other motorists but there were a few not so courteous people in pickups and SUVs going 50 or 60mph past me. All it takes is hitting one small spot of ice and your car now becomes a potentially deadly weapon. A lady called into the radio station this morning asking for prayer on her drive to work. She had already passed multiple wrecks and was having some anxiety. She said that she knew that she was covered by the blood of Jesus but she really didn't want to be covered in her own blood today. She made everyone laugh with that but AMEN! Please me smart and exercise some common sense. Respect the lives of others.

At the end of the day I'm happy for all of my friends who got to enjoy the rare experience of snow and I have loved seeing everyone's pictures. I just hope you aren't offended when I say that I hope it all melts overnight and never comes back! I can't wait to wear my flip flops again! :)

What New England has taught me

I will start this post by saying GO PATS! SUPER BOWL XLIX CHAMPIONS!!!!!!! WOOOHOO!!!!

There are a few things I have realized in the last few weeks leading up to the Super Bowl this year. All which lead to me say that I am proud to be a New Englander!

The first is LOYALTY. A few years ago my therapist told me that I am loyal to a fault. On a side note, I believe that insurance should pay for every person to see one regularly. It is so nice to have someone to confide in and just listen. It made a significant difference in my life working with a Christian therapist, but I digress. The same can be said of New England sports fans. Being a Red Sox and Patriots fan I've learned to never count either team out. Through losing seasons, through controversy, through tough breaks, they are my home team and I will proudly rock those jerseys win or lose. Once a Boston fan, always a Boston fan. No.Matter.What.

The second is ATTITUDE. A lot of people I meet are surprised when I say I am from the Boston area because I no longer have my wicked awesome accent. I always tell them that it's still there but it usually only comes out when I am angry or worked up about something, which is not very often. Now when I say attitude I don't necessarily mean as in rude. I mean it as in we won't be a push over and will stand up for something if we believe in it. For example, with this whole "Deflategate" nonsense. I normally stay pretty quiet when it comes to sports talk because I don't watch ESPN hourly and I'm usually not up to date on the latest news, but I followed this one. There are a lot of Patriot Haters out there and that's fine but my attitude was starting to come out with all the bashing.  Some just got plain ugly about it and it was hard to be quiet. I was starting to get very defensive and annoyed. I have a hard time tolerating ugliness but I had to remind myself that my words should be used for good so I gave it a rest. As of now the jury is still out on this one anyway and I remain a loyal fan.

Lastly, I've learned that New Englanders stick together. Surprisingly, or maybe not with Boston covered in 40 inches of snow right now, there are a lot of us here in North Carolina. I meet fellow New Englanders on a regular basis here. I wore my Gronk jersey to work the day after the Super Bowl and I got so many high 5's and it sparked many more conversations throughout the day. It's almost impossible to run into someone wearing Pats or Sox attire without talking to them and finding out where they are from. I'll be the first to say that, in general, people are friendlier here in  the south compared to the north. But when you run into a fellow New Englander in the south we become instant friends. It's like we are part of a special club and it gives me peace and familiarity on the days I feel homesick. We have our own language, using words like bubbla (water fountain), clickah (remote control), and barrel (trash can). and our own way of doing things and I love that. I'm thankful for my New England upbringing and wouldn't want it any other way. You can take the girl out of New England, but you can't take New England out of the girl! Y'all can keep that snow though!!! ;)