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!