Click to hear music file
Its pouring outside, and I can't sleep. I could stay up all night listening to the rain which would leave me useless tomorrow if I do that... but as I was laying here I was thinking over this past year, the rain and a series of recent circumstances. It all took me back to a blog I wrote over a year ago. It's completely random because yet again it was another late night thought, but I thought I should recycle this one...
February 24, 2007
I'm in Clemson right now...200.85 miles from my apartment, 773 miles from home, and two feet away from the bed that is calling my name to go to sleep :) but I can't help but think about all of the different places i've been in my life and how for the first time in years I feel like I am where I'm supposed to be! Believe me not everything is falling into place. As it has been said "when it rains it pours" and for me that includes the good and the bad. What I'm learning is that no matter where you are and how hard its "raining"--look at it as an opportunity to dance in the rain.
There is just something about being wherever God has placed you, having an amazing time being there, and not always trying to figure every little thing out! I'm an analyzer. I analyze this, that and everything in between! My life has been spent trying to figure out my next move, other people's next move, and I guess altogether God's next move--and it seems to have been a complete waste of time. I received the BEST advice the other day from a friend when she told me to stop analyzing an just enjoy life and that got me to think how the best times in my life have been the times when I've been carefree, relaxed, vulnerable, free to love, and looking for even the smallest blessings in the most trivial of situations. So now it doesn't matter if I'm at Southeastern working on a masters program that is going to take an eternity to finish or laying on the beach on some remote island--life is going to be only as good as what I allow it to be. God is just waiting to shower us with blessings and yes some of those blessings come through hard times in that we can know Him all the more. I believe God wants us to enjoy life to the fullest because we are completely filled by His Spirit. Solomon knew what he was talking about when he said "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live." Ups and downs will come and go, questions about purpose and identity will arise, but I'm positive that there is always some kind of blessing that you can identify in your life, thank God for it, keep trusting God in ALL things, and just go on enjoying life and serving HIM. I know all of this is completely random and just to let you know my blogs don't always follow a logical train of thought but hey it's late and I felt like typing! :)
THE END and goodnight.
Monday, June 30, 2008
A Late Night Thought
Thursday, June 26, 2008
National Smile Week
According to an Invisalign Smile Survey...
- 96% of people surveyed see a smile as very important ot someone's overall appearance
- 84% of the people surveyed believe that an attractive smile is important for dating
- 75% repsonded that an attractive smile is important for succeeding at work
- 71% believe that having an attractive smile is important for making new friends
It takes as few as 5 pairs of facial muscles to smile which is less that what it takes to frown...so take the easy road and smile! :)
"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes." ~ Jack Handey
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. -- Oscar Wilde
A day without laughter is a day wasted. -- Charlie Chaplin
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!
Today, 71 years ago...can you believe it?!...in a little town called Burlison, TN my wonderful father was born. Today is the day to celebrate it! Too bad I'm in Raleigh missing out on all of the fun, but hey all you people out in Michigan have fun sittin' around the pool eating birthday cake. I love you much and will see you in 28 days! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Melody's Wedding
This is a little late in coming but one of my closest friends, Melody Fowler, became Melody Shirley just a couple of weeks ago!! I'm so happy for her. She was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. Unfortunately, and as usual, I forgot to charge the battery for my camera so I am without pictures, but just picture this... a small chapel on the top of a mountain on the edge of a cliff; a violinist, cellist, and guitarist; bridesmaids dressed in black; and probably no more than 150 guests. Sounds perfect doesn't it? Well, it was pretty much was as close to perfect as you could get, but the best part is still to come. From the moment the rehearsal begin the wedding planner explained the purpose of this wedding--to be a worship service. The whole wedding was centered around God and glorifying Him for what He had brought together and how their lives were brought together in order to better serve Him. So not only was the bachelorette party a lot of fun, and staying in a beautiful home in the mountains nice, oh and how could I forget learning how to shag (its a southern dance for all of you northerners that are reading this haha) unforgettable, but I just want to take this opportunity to thank Melody and Seth for all of the great memories from their big day and for truly reflecting what a marriage ceremony should be--a time of worship. I love you both and best wishes to you as you begin your lives together as Mr. and Mrs. Seth Shirley! Oh...and if anyone finds a hubcap at the Cliffs at Glassy let me know ;) hahah
