The End of an Era

I have some sad news to report. My faithful journal, is full. Sadly, I have to start the hunt for a journal that will fill it's place. This is sad because I started this journal on 7/12/07...over a year ago!


The only good thing is that it has given me the chance to pause, flip through, and see how FAITHFUL God has been to me and the people around me over the past year. Check this out:

Answered Prayers:

• My friend Amie, brought home her little girl Hannah from China.
  
• Jed passed his CPA exam
• Bethany's brother-in-law was diagnosed, treated, and cured of cancer
• Monica was able to quit working and stay at home with Isabel
• Ron & Kristen increased their faith and business
  
• Joy had baby Lucy!
• Jeff and Amie decided to adopt another baby
• Two Words: Baby Max

So many others that can't be named...but God is so faithful in all His ways and in ALL His promises!

Suddenly I'm singing that song from "Rent": "How do you measure a year?"

I can only hope that my next journal is filled with MORE revelation and MORE answered prayers!

Throwback Thursday - Friday Edition

Once again, Throwback Thursday is falling on Friday. What can I say? I'm a busy girl.

Anyway, I thought with all this preparation talk, it might be fun to show ya'll the best role models for marriage that a girl could ever ask for.


Yup, that's Chazz and Mary on March 22, 1974. They will be celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary in March! They are my flippin' sweet parents. [And yes, Chazz is wearing a crushed velvet jacket. Classy!]

Anyway, they have been a blessing to me, and I hope that someday TBD and I will share the same kind of friendship, committment, and love that they do!

Slap You in the Face Good

Have you ever come across something that is so good you feel like it's slapping you in the face? Recently I bought a pair of green flats at DSW on sale that I felt were "Slap You in the Face" good.

But that's not the kind of good I'm talking about today.

Let me put it another way. My girls and I once said that worship had "rocked us to the core". It was that good.

Get the drift?

Anyway, after my last blog, my friend Jen wrote this quote in her comment to me... it was "Slap You in the Face" "Rocked us to the core" good.

"Father God, you are risking more than we if Your promises are not kept. True, our souls are at stake, but You stand to lose your character."

Slap. Me. In. The. Face. Good.

And then, as if she couldn't be stopped, this came this morning:

Romans 4:20-21, "He [Abraham] did not waiver at the promise of God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He would also be able to perform."

Rocked. Us. To. The. Core.

Now, I'll be honest. My sweet, dear friend has gotten her promise...thank you JESUS! So I had to remind myself that she's looking at promise from a whole new angle that I am. And that's a good thing. I need people with fulfilled promised to keep me pressing on towards my promise.

So thanks, friend. I love ya.

Preparation

Tomorrow is the big day...I move back with Chazz & Mary. It's funny...I'm having no emotions as I pack, but every time I take a picture off the wall, THAT makes me want to cry.

There is something so important about my experience living by myself. I learned more about who I am as a person than I ever imagined. It is a unique experience that not many people ever have. But I did it, for almost 4 years. There were times when the silence was a gift, and other times it was deafening. It was scary, and it was wonderful!

But tomorrow is a new day. A BIG new day. I feel like there is a new season beginning, and that is really exciting to me. I have never felt closer to God's promises than I do today. I have heard from more than one person that this is a time of preparation for TBD. 'Cause I'm that kind of girl, I had to look it up:

Prepare: to put in proper condition or readiness, to make ready beforehand for a specific purpose.

Oooh, I love that. Naturally, I had to see what the Word said about preparation. Mostly it seems to be in the context of preparing food, or preparing the tabernacle, etc. But I found this verse that jumped out at me:

Isaiah 40:3 "A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God'."

Oh baby, I am making a highway in my wilderness of waiting for God to move MIGHTILY! If that means that my Mama is going to tuck me in at night, so be it!

Prepare me Lord! Try my heart and teach me YOUR ways during this time of divine preparation for the man you have for me. [And do it quick!]

Please Do This Immediately and Post it!

Everyone needs to stop what they are doing and yearbook themselves!

Here I am...and you're welcome.

A Sign of Things to Come...

So tonight I decided to start packing something "easy".

Like the pantry. Easy, yes? Nothing requiring a cooler, just a few Whole Foods bags and we're good to go.

Yeah, right.

Let me explain to you what happens after almost 4 years of loving hot tea.

This happens.



What you are looking at is SIXTEEN boxes and 8 loose packets of tea. Now, in my defense, you'll notice that there are two boxes of "Mandarin Orange Spice". One of the boxes was getting low, so I needed a new box.

So, technically there are only 15 boxes. And that puts me just under the level of "crazy". Whew, another close call.

I decided to call Mom and ask her if it was a problem that I have 16 boxes of tea. After a long pause, she replies:

"Yes."

Hmm...not the response I was hoping for.

My Dad wanted to know if the British knew that I have all of their tea.

I responded that they should be applauding me.

All I can say is the packing is going to get interesting if we're out of the gates with 16 boxes of tea.

Heaven help me.

Dang it Ike, I thought we were friends!

I’m sure ya’ll are on the edge of your seats wondering what I did tonight as Ike passed through. Don’t worry, I took pictures.

The first thing I did when the power went out was become extremely annoyed that 1) no A/C and 2) no internet. I decided that I would read a book which lasted about 3.5 seconds. I then decided to clean out my closet, which was extremely productive. I took a very critical eye that would rival Tim Gunn’s. I ended up with three very large bags to donate, which I’m really pleased with. I found a few gems it the group that I thought I would share with you:

Allow me to introduce you to the most.comfortable.pants.EVER.


You may be asking, why are these pants so large? Well, my friend, these are the best pants ever. They only touch at the hips, and are flowy and comfortable. Non-binding if you will. And yes, those are thousands of tiny hearts in varying shades of red and pink. I got these in college and sent them to their final resting place today. I’m sad to see them go, but I don’t think anyone will want to marry me knowing I will wear these for the better part of the fall and winter.

The next item is a sweatshirt from my freshman year in college. It’s perfect, big, and broken in just right. Typically I wear this sweatshirt with the pants above. Let me remind you there are lots of perks to living by yourself!!!



The final item of note is a cute outfit that I actually wore a few times and really liked. I blessed someone else with it today, but wanted to note one special thing:





Yep, it’s from Fashion Bug. Classic.

So anyway, after organizing my closet and deciding Monica and I shouldn’t go to a movie in the nasty Ike weather, I was extremely bored by myself. I packed a bag and drove to my parents only to be greeted by this:



And this:



Oh, Ike. You dirty dog.

Throwback Thursday - Music Edition

In honor of football season being in full swing, this week's Throwback Thursday is a tribute to the REAL stars of football games...the marching band.

I don't believe I've shared with you that I was a band geek in High School, a "bandie" if you will. I was in marching band all 4 years, and a Field Commander for 3. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Actually, it was just the best of times. I have such awesome memories of going to competitions, playing at football games, and even marching in the 'Shoe. For your enjoyment, here is my band photo from my Sophomore year [circa 1994/95]:



Special stuff, no? Let's take a closer look:



Mmm hmmm...this is really special. The hair, the acne, the braces. Magic. Pure magic.

And you're welcome. Yay football!

Stand Up & Cheer...INDEED!

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to go with Pam to the Ohio State game as they played our Alma Mater, Ohio University. It was the perfect day, with temps in the mid 70's and a heavenly breeze. In true Buckeye fashion, we decided to head down early to 1) get a decent parking spot and 2) see if we could crash a tailgate party. :o)

Let me preface this by saying that I love a good tailgate. I love getting up at the crack of dawn to go sit in an uncomfortable chair, eat fried meat before noon, and maybe crack open a cold beverage before you should. It's just fun. That being said, I bore witness to the most extravagant, elaborate tailgate that I have ever seen. This tailgate was legen-dary. Allow me to elaborate:

1) Location, location, location: This tailgate was located in the parking lot of the 'Shoe. Previously I have only walked past wondering, "how do people get in there"??

2) Omelet Station: That's right, there was a made-to-order omelet station. In addition, there was a spread of candy, baked goods, chips, dips, etc to make you wish you had never heard of Mr. Atkins.

3) Porta Potty: No holding it in or waiting in lines. Two porta potties on either side of the excitement.

4) Two flat screen's, sound, and satellite hook up. What?

It was totally outrageous and totally fun. However, we had more important things to do, like scope out our seats. Here's the view from my seat. Can we say leg room? That's right, we were right at the top of the stairs.




Oh it was so perfect. Not to mention the fact that my Bobcats were in the lead for much of the game. Woo hoo! As Tim would say, "it was pretty epic".

One final note, the Bobcat faithful were able to cleverly hijack the tried and true OSU cheer and make it their own. During the O-H-I-O cheer, the OU fans added "U". Clever, no?

The Bucket List--An Update

Remember when I was talking about my own special Bucket List?

Well, today I discovered a new addition.

3. Stupid Vanity Plates: For example, when you are driving a BMW 3 Series, there is absolutely no need to have a matching vanity plate that reads, "3 U L8R". None.

Stay tuned. This list is getting pretty good.

P.S. In my research on the BMW 3 Series I discovered that there is a BMW Yemen. Why this is so funny, I have no idea. But I think it might have to do with Chandler Bing.

Throwback Thursday - The Luck O' the Irish

Two years ago today, I was in Ireland. It was the trip of a lifetime!


Looks fake, right? This was outside our hotel that happened to be a castle. Yep, a castle!



Here's yours truly in an area of Dublin called Temple Bar. It's a really cool area with a bunch of little shops, cafes, and well, bars. We were in the gift shop and I spotted this sweatshirt that had TBD on the front. Temple Bar Dublin...or TBD my husband?!? I decided that everyone who was part of this process with me should receive gifts with TBD on it! :o) If only I had packed a bigger bag...

Running the Race...

Today is September 1st. It's not August anymore.

Am I disappointed? Of course.

Am I discouraged? Honestly, I was.

Thrown off course? Never.

Here's what I do know.

God is still the same God that He was on August 31st. He is good...always.

I am reminded of this scripture in Hebrews:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

I really like this version in The Message:

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Pretty sweet, right?

I love the part where it says we are to run the race marked out for us. Not the race marked out for a friend or family member. My race.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to see Nathan Morris speak. Talk about running a race. I can't do justice to his testimony, but it's so extreme, he has no choice but to be totally extreme for Jesus! He referenced the scripture in 2 Kings 2:1-14 when Elijah was taken to heaven, leaving Elisha behind. Nathan talked about the cloak that Elijah left behind and how we, as God's children, each have our own cloak, or mantle to carry. He challenged the crowd to look what mantles we have either put down, or never picked up. Mantles for ministry, mantles of favor, mantles of evangelism. Whatever it is, we need to pick up the mantle God has for us. We need to run the race!

I don't know why this is my mantle, but I know that it's the mantle that was chosen for me by a Guy who loves me more than I will ever understand. I consider it a challenge and an honor to run this race and not look back!