FALLing more in love BREAK

picture from school.discoveryeducation.com

Fall Break. 

This was not a privilege I had growing up, but my what a wonderful idea it is! Now back from my week-long hiatus from  everyday life, I feel so much more refreshed.

I kicked off the week by finishing another grad school course (only 3 left, yay!). Then, I enjoyed a lovely luncheon with my mother-in-law. A real life tea party was so much fun! Tea with Thee in Madison is such a quaint little place with the best hot tea, scones, finger sandwiches,  soup, and desserts. 

 

Then, Paul and I took off for a little trip away to have some fun and relax away from the hustle and hustle of life. I don't think we slowed down any, but it was a different kind of busy. 

We began with a more relaxing day at Virginia Beach. Beautiful sunsets on the beach, romantic walks on the boardwalk, and glorious sunrises over the ocean were a great way to kick start our trip. We also enjoyed some fresh seafood at Tautogs - a candelit dinner followed by bread pudding for dessert made for a perfect night.

Then, we took off the next day for Williamsburg, VA. We enjoyed seeing the old town and visiting the Yankee Candle store, the 2nd largest in the nation with a candle section, home section, candy and food section, and a Christmas village. We even got to have a conversation with Santa. :) We followed that up with a little retail therapy for my upcoming birthday and a nice southern dinner at Golden Corral.

(I just wish that the sign from Virginia Beach had followed us to Williamsburg - the language was ridiculous. They needed a bar of soap and a good mouth washing.)

Finally, we spent our last two days riding some more coasters. We went to Kings Dominion  near Richmond, VA the first day and enjoyed some tall rides, steep drops, speed, and twists and turns through mock volcanos. Lots of thrill! However, I was not too crazy about the scare night for Halloween. Creepy clowns, dolls, zombies, and nursery rhyme music playing made for an interesting night as we tried to find alternative routes and pretend to be brave so they would leave me alone. 

We dominated that coaster!

Our intimidation faces look more fun than scary!

We have so many coaster pics that we have to start having fun with it!

 The next day we headed to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for another fun time. We enjoyed even steeper drops, as one ride actually stops and suspends you at the top of the drop to build anticipation. There was also a German named ride that slingshots you through dark tunnels, through the night woods, and even has a freefall/elevator style drop in the middle of it. 

Then, I had fun in the aviary as the birds hopped on my arms, back, and head. Who needs overpriced nectar when you have a shiny ring? They come right to you! Too bad we missed the photo op when I had several birds on my shoulder, back, and head at once! We also enjoyed seeing a trainer work with a wolf. Neat animals!

Excuse scary lady behind me. It was scary night at the park for Halloween, and I was NOT a fan of that!

 

Then, we began our 10+ hour commute back home, stopping in Lynchburg to check out my online stomping grounds for grad school. Liberty University has a beautiful campus, and I was able to find a couple shirts to add to my college collection.

Aside from having our belongings rummaged through in our room at our hotel in Williamsburg and a few rain showers here and there, I definitely cannot complain. We had a marvelous trip and are so blessed to have had this time together to grow even closer and fall more in love! 

God is so good, and we continue to be amazed by the truth that you cannot out-give God We are truly living and loving our Happily Ever After!

Until next time...

ARISE and EAT!!

ARISE and EAT -- two words that describe my morning routine. While I may not like to arise first thing in the morning, I sure like to eat (and my husband can vouch for that). Knowing that the second part is coming can make it so much easier to do the first, or at least for me that is the case.

So, what does this talk of arising and eating have to do with anything? 

EVERYTHING!

A few weeks ago I heard a sermon titled "Get Up and Eat" by Josh Davis, a man from my hometown church. The source of the sermon came from 1 Kings 19:7 when the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you."

You see, throughout Elijah's life God had shown his power and greatness time and time again as Elijah witnessed many miracles: Raven brought Elijah food when he had nothing to eat; God multiplied the oil and flour to make bread for the widow that Elijah had encountered; God worked through Elijah when Elijah laid hands on the widow woman's son and raised him from the dead; and God sent fire from Heaven to light a wet altar.  Yet, after witnessing and taking part in all of these divine miracles, Elijah still became fearful and upset when someone (Jezebel) came against him and wanted him dead.  

So, of all the encouraging words that the angel could have said to Elijah during this hard time, why in the world did the angel simply tell him to get up and eat?

Simple - we've all heard the saying that what we feed grows and what we starve dies, right? Elijah was feeding his worry rather than his body; Elijah was starving his faith in God while feeding himself with the lies of the enemy. It was time for Elijah to get up and eat, to nourish himself both physically and spiritually, if he was going to be able to face his journey ahead.

So, let's fast forward a couple thousand years to us.

I don't know about you, but when someone tells me to get up and eat, they do not have to tell me twice. I love food, and that is no mystery to anyone who has been around me longer than five minutes. Yet, what we feed grows. When we grow physically, we can tell and so can others. The pants don't fit quite right anymore; the scale keeps rising; and other begin to notice the transition over time. 

But what about the rest of us?

Are we growing in knowledge, faith, trust, etc.? Can anybody tell? Are we feeding these things, or are we choking the life out of them? Now, don't get me wrong - I believe that there are certain things that God calls us to starve:

 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." - Ephesians 4:31, NIV

 "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." - Colossians 3:8, NIV

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow." - Matthew 6:34, NIV

" Do not be anxious about anything." - Philippians 4:6, NIV

Yet, if you are anything like me, we often tend to feed some of these traits that God commands us to starve. Then, by the time we get through feeding our bitterness, worry, anxiety, anger, and jealousy, there is no time left in our day to nourish ourselves as God commands.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." - Phillipians 4:8

 But how do we learn, receive, and hear of these things? We have to feed on them.  Below, I've listed a few ways that I have found to really help myself feed the right things and starve the wrong:

1. FEED YOUR SOUL - We have to study God's word to know what's in there, not just what an adult, parent, preacher, or trust friend told us. If you are not studying yourself, you are living on someone else's leftovers. Leftovers don't get you into heaven. You can't borrow someone's spirituality or their relationship with God. It's all you. Most of us aren't simply satisfied watching a friend's marriage; we want our own. So, why do we do that with Christ? You need to know what you believe and why and form your own relationship with the Father.
   
   Lately, I have been reading a book titled Muscle and a Shovel by Michael Shank. You may or may not agree with everything in the book, and that is not my place to say, but I can tell you that this book will challenge you and help you delve much deeper into the Word to study and find out what exactly you believe and why. If you are struggling to find a devotion type book that will help you get excited about studying the Word, this is it. It has truly helped me, and I hope it will you, too.
   
   
2.  FEED YOUR MIND - Try to focus on the positives instead of worrying about the negatives. No matter how bad your day is, someone is having a worse one. I can promise you that. Your team may have lost the game or you lost your job, but someone else may have lost a loved one. You may have received a bad report from the doctor, but someone else may already be living their last days. You may be the one living your last days and not ready to die, but someone else may be doing the same without the assurance of their salvation. Worrying will not add one single moment to our lives or make any situation better - that's proven. The best way to feed our minds is to fix our minds on things above... revert back to step #1. The more we are full of God the less room Satan has to come in.
   
   As some of my students wrote tabloids this past week (those far-fetched news articles that you find at the checkout counter at the grocery story), I was amazed by how many of my other classes actually believed some of the stories they read. Why? If you read or hear a lie long enough, you may even start to believe it. Don't fill your mind with the tabloids of Satan; instead, focus on the GOOD NEWS, the truth, of Christ!

   

   Don't believe Satan's Tabloids....

   
   

   
   

   

   Believe God's Truths! (just as these sweet babies do!)

   
   
3. FEED YOUR BODY - Now, I'm not about to give you a health lecture by any means; however, if all we eat is junk, that is exactly what we are going to feel like. Don't get me wrong, I eat Oreos and milk just about every day, and I sure do love a burger and fries. While I do mean to feed your body with healthy food, I also mean to feed your body with physical activity. Doing so really does help clear the mind, reduce toxins in ones' body, and alleviate stress. I'm not saying to go run a marathon or become the next Crossfit junkie, but let us do remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we should treat them as such.
   
   To show that I really do practice what I preach, I can happily say that I am now up to running 5.5 miles at a time. A year ago, a mile was a joke. It didn't happen overnight or even over a few months, but I have found that I feel so much better after doing so. And to say that you do not have time -- haha, I laugh. If you only knew what my schedule looks like on a daily basis. I do not have time, either, but I make time. Why? Because it's important, and it helps me get in the right state of mind for step #2 so that I can truly delve into step #1. I'm telling you, it works!
   
   



4. FEED YOUR RELATIONSHIPS - You might have been thinking that emotions were coming next, but really relationships have a direct correlation to your emotions. Did you know that studies have shown that those who suffer from chronic depression and have the most health problems are often those who have weak relationships with others? It's true. If you find yourself in that category, try one thing that will help you meet one new person. Maybe you go to an event that you wouldn't normally go to just to see new faces. Maybe you take that awkward step to introduce yourself to someone new in the supermarket, at work, at church, or elsewhere. Maybe you call up an old friend that you haven't spoken to in awhile. Maybe (and I know this may seem like a shocker), but you actually work on your relationship with your spouse. When is the last time you put your spouse before your kids, the way God ordained it? Or, maybe you simply begin by working on your relationship with yourself - being happy in your current place in life and finding joy in just being you. :)
   
   Paul and I had become so busy serving everyone else (which we love) that we had really neglected to feed our relationship with each other. Yes, we were serving together, ate dinner together, talked about our day together, and occupied the same house, but we weren't really feeding our relationship. We were squeezing it in and giving our marriage the leftovers of our day - you know that little time we had left after completing everything else on our "to-do" list. Leftover are good - for awhile. Then, you want the real deal. Paul and I are perfectionist and we had to work hard at putting our stresses, to-do lists, and anxieties aside to make sure that we were giving each other the proper food in our marriage and not just our day's leftovers. It has been so much fun, too. We've enjoyed hiking, taking walks, building and painting decorations, riding coasters, and laughing at funny shows just to name a few. That may sound small, but it means so much when those sweet slices of heaven come in amongst a chaotic day or week.

   

   Paul and I hiking through some trails and caves.

   
   

You may find that you need to do the same with your spouse, family, or friends; or, maybe you realize that you are giving your leftovers, if anything, in your relationship with God. I don't claim to have all the answers or even most of them, but I do know that these four things are truly helping me slowly become the person that I want to be and that I feel God desires me to be.

Are you starving the right things while really feeding the others?
The journey ahead will be long....so ARISE AND EAT!! 

and find your joy, hope, and strength for the journey in knowing that God is bigger and He is surely NOT DEAD!  (Just as one of my sweet cheerleaders sent me that blessed reminder yesterday...)

Until next time...

Surprise Getaway!

School has been back in session for a few weeks now; Paul and I are in the midst of our grad school classes (we both finish with the class portion of our degrees by May, woo-hoo!); and volunteer opportunities are back in full swing! I can't wait to see how God moves through all of these avenues this school year!

While Paul and I wouldn't trade our extremely busy, blessed life for anything, we do enjoy those moments where we get to get away for a bit to just spend time with each other away from all the schedules. And Paul made sure we did just that this past weekend. 

Over a couple months in the making, Paul told me a week ago that I needed to have any grad school work that was due completed before the weekend and to leave my weekend open. I was immediately excited because I just love surprises, especially when they come from my best friend! As the weekend approached,  he wouldn't tell me anything other than that I would need to pack for a couple days and to take outfits for being outdoors. He emphasized that I wanted CUTE clothes not just workout clothes. (He knows that my attire has to fit the activity, or I get frustrated. I would ALWAYS rather be overdressed than underdressed.)

I had been thinking all week about what we could be doing, but I had not figured anything out. Saturday morning we loaded up the car and started driving. Paul took a slightly longer route to throw me off, and it worked. I was convinced we were headed to Gatlinburg, TN. Wrong. We were headed to Atlanta, just like every other Alabama and comics fan. Yet, we were neither going to the Bama game nor Dragon-Con. Thank goodness! lol

We were indeed retracing many of our steps from our very first trip together over four years ago! (The hubs has a soft spot that he let's show every blue moon.) He had planned the perfect weekend, and I couldn't have been more excited!!

Surprise Getaway - Day 1

We arrived in Atlanta, checked into the hotel, and headed for Stone Mountain. We had a fun day together exploring the top of the mountain, taking in the breathtaking views, and enjoying each other's company on the train ride around the park. A downpour showed itself for about 30 minutes, but the rain simply provided a short refreshing break before we took on the fun of mini-golf. I'm pretty sure Paul technically won, but we didn't even keep score. It was all about just taking in the time together. As the day winded down, we laid out a blanket on the lawn and set up some chairs to enjoy the laser light show, music, and fireworks. Wonderful day!!!

Surprise Getaway - Day 2

Paul told me to open the glove box in the car if I wanted to know what we were doing on Day 2. I waited a little while, but then I just had to see. I pulled out two tickets to Faith night at the Braves stadium followed by a Newsboys concert (one of my favorite Christian groups). The first part of the day was open, so Paul took me for a little retail therapy (sorry, he's taken) and a late lunch at our favorite place in Atlanta - Papsitas.  Then, we headed over to see the Braves v. Marlins. It was a great game, complete with way overpriced ice-cream in a mini Braves cap. It was so cute, though. :) The Braves won 1-0, and then the stage was set up on second base for the Newsboys concert. As the sky darkened, and the lights on the stage began to set the atmosphere, the Newsboys came out to put on a wonderful show. My favorite part, however, was when the entire Braves stadium erupted and proclaimed that GOD'S NOT DEAD, as the Newsboys sang along. That was an awesome moment that I will never forget. Such a fun and blessed night!!

Surprise Getaway - Day 3

As we began to wrap up our long weekend, we couldn't head back home without doing one of our favorite things - riding some coasters! We headed over to Six Flags to ride a few rides before heading home. Labor Day was the day to go. In less that 4 hours, we were able to ride 8 different rides, some of them as many as four times. It was a more relaxing time as the rides seem so calm compared to others that we have been on, but it was fun nonetheless. We also picked up our gold season passes for 2015. It gets us in all Six Flags parks in the nation, as well as parking, from now until October of next year. Woo-hoo!  We have a few coaster trips in the near future. ;) Then, we hopped in the car and started trekking back home, refreshed and ready to get at it again.

This was one of the best weekends we've had in a bit. It was filled with lots of smiles, lots of laughs, and lots of joy.

Just the right medicine to gear us up for upcoming adventures with the Inner City kiddos, the freshman group at church, continuous grad school, and more! 

We are truly blessed. GOD IS SO GOOD!!
My cup overflows...all glory to God.

I pray your week is just as joy-filled. :)

Until next time...

BACK TO SCHOOL

Well, I just survived my first week back teaching middle school! The first week went better than I could have asked for, and I am really excited to have a great group of students to teach this year!

I am definitely blessed to be working at Central, and I am so glad that God led me there. During our teacher in-service week, our awesome PTO treated us to a Subway lunch and a frozen yogurt treat at the Chill Factory! We are a little spoiled! :)

I have also spent a little time getting my classroom website up and going, and I am really excited about being able to use this tool to keep in touch with students and parents (if they use it).  If you want to check it out, visit: MY CLASSROOM WEBSITE

With the new school year also came the new nerves and tension headaches, so I have found some new little friends. I was taking too much pain medicine for headaches, so I am now trying to use essential oils whenever possible. They do not take away my headaches completely, but they sure do decrease the pain level and make them more tolerable without having to use "as much" medicine. :) Plus, the soothing sensation is worth it. Right now, I am just trying the Peppermint and Lavender, but I may eventually try some more. So far, I really like them, though.

To go alongside my apparently aging body that seems to be falling apart, I recently received the results of the MRI that I had on my knee. It turns out that I do, indeed, have a torn lateral miniscus and will be having a "minor" procedure done over the Christmas holidays to hopefully correct it. It has been keeping me from working out as I would like, as my knee can get quite painful, so I am excited, and nervous, to have this simple procedure done. The doc says that it is easy peasy, only on crutches for 2 days, driving within 24 hrs, and has an 85% success rate. :)
 
On a more positive note, I also just finished my second summer course of grad school. I spent eight weeks studying interpersonal communication and ways to improve my own communication skills with others, as well as utilizing communication in counseling. Since this is a short post, as I am crunched for time right now getting back into the full-swing of school, I thought I would share my final project with you. (For those who do not find any interest in looking at this project, no worries. Keep going about your day, and I will have a more interesting posts coming soon!) haha

The video lecture goes along with the PowerPoint presentation but can be viewed separately.

Interpersonal Communication PowerPoint

I will have a week off from grad school, and I will pick back up with my next class in one week. I am starting to see the light. I only have four more classes and hopefully will graduate in May!! yay!!

As the school year starts back up, I am gearing up for full swing. I am very excited to say that Paul and I have been offered the opportunity to be Huddle leaders (Bible study leaders/mentors) for the youth group at our church. We will be studying with a group of freshmen, alongside a few other couples that will be working with them also. This is a new blessing for us, and I am really excited to get to know these young people. That will not start up until about September, so in the meantime we will start back up with tutoring at the Inner City this Wednesday. I needed a little break, but now I am ready to get back and see my Inner City kiddos! They mean the world to me.

Below is a little interview the news did about the Inner City Christian Learning Center, which is where we tutor:

Inner City News Report 

Well, as usual, I am back to having a busy but beyond blessed week, so I've got to scoot. 

I hope this post finds you well, and I will hopefully be posting more updates and blog posts soon!

Stay tuned!

Until next time...

Coasters and COLD Water -- our new ride rankings!

This time last week, Paul and I had just arrived in East Louisville, Kentucky, for our super mini-vacation before the summer ended.  We have both been so busy over the past year, and this summer was no different. We traded a few volunteer activities for grad school work, but time still seemed to be our enemy. Not to mention the fact that this had to be the rainiest summer, ever! Every time we planned to go out on the water it seemed to rain. So, we up and decided to take a MUCH NEEDED quick trip to just enjoy a couple of days of fun and time together before the craziness becomes even crazier with school, volunteer programs, and ministries kicking back into high gear in a couple weeks. 

So, what did a fun, quick getaway look like for us? ..... MORE ROLLERCOASTERS, of course!

We spent a day in Cincinnati, Ohio, at Kings' Island theme park (a place we have been before that we really like) and a day in Santa Claus, Indiana at Holiday World theme park (a newbie for us!).  It was definitely worth every minute! I don't know that I can say we came back relaxed, but we definitely were refreshed. We were also able to add some new rides to our top coaster rankings. 

*** For those who do not know us well, we LOVE rollercoasters and rides. The higher the better; the more loops the merrier; the faster the dizzier; and the more air time the higher the ride goes on our list! 

I did a quick calculation (with room for slight error), and Paul and I have ridden at least 37 rollercoasters TOGETHER, alongside many many other rides. For those who love coasters as much as we do, or simply want to keep reading, I have compiled my TOP 5 list of coasters (Paul's list is slightly different). 

TOP 5 ROLLERCOASTERS

1. The Voyage (at nighttime)

This ride is at Holiday World in Indiana, and it is a lengthy wooden rollercoaster that is currently ranked the #1 wooden coaster in the WORLD and in the top 3 for tallest wooden coasters! It definitely lived up to its ranking. Sidenote: I HATE wooden rollercoasters on pretty much every occasion because they bang you around and really make my head hurt from all the rickety-ness; however, this one did not hurt that much and was totally worth it. It it quite fast for a wooden coaster, with sharp curves and LOTS of air time!! :) The coaster goes out through the woods and through tunnels, which is an amazing venture at nighttime when it is pitch black. (*** Close in ranking with this on Paul's list is The Beast at Kings' Island at nighttime, also a wooden coaster; however, it is much too painful to my head and body for me to list it in my rankings.)

The Voyage Ride 

The Beat - at night

2. Millennium Force

This ride is at Cedar Point in Ohio, and it is currently ranked the #1 steel coaster in the world! It, too, lives up to its ranking. We rode this coaster a few years ago when we were just dating, but I cannot wait to get back to ride it. At 310 ft tall with a drop of 80 degrees and speeds of 93 mph, this ride provides a smooth venture with LOTS of air time. Looking at the height can almost make you wimper to begin with, but one ride on it changes those feelings completely.

Video of Millennium Force

3. Diamondback 

This ride is at Kings' Island in Ohio. At 230 ft tall with 10 drops and a speed of 80 mph, this ride ranks number three on my list for air time. The drops get my stomach every time, which I love!

picture from Google images

Diamond back Video

4. Banshee

This ride is a new one at Kings' Island in Ohio. This is the world's longest inverted coaster, and it goes upside down 7 times at 68 mph!!! LOVE IT!  This was such a fun ride, and I look forward to riding it again!

picture from Google images

Video of Banshee

5. Firehawk 

This is a ride at Kings' Island in Ohio. It is a flying coaster that goes through four inversions at 51 mph. This ride makes my list due to the unique feeling of flying, the fact that you are taken up the chain-lift backwards and then flipped at the last minute, and the experience of going through loops face-down. This ride is much better than its similar ride, Superman,  at Six Flags over Georgia.

Video of Firehawk

**** Other awesome rides that would make the top 10:

Flight of Fear at Kings' Island in Ohio (which you ride with the lights off)

picture from Google images

Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Ohio (ridiculously TALL and fast coaster)

picture from Google images

 And, the all-time best WATER ride that I have EVER been on....
is Mammoth at Holiday World in Indiana. It is a new style ride called a water-coaster. Riders are taken on a tube up a conveyor belt and released on slides with inclines and drops, propelled by water. For those of us used to the temperatures and humidity at water parks in the deep south, the COLD water is something to get used to, but completely worth it for this ride. It brought a whole new meaning to the cold-water challenge. 

Video of Mammoth (it's hard to find a good video of water rides, though, obviously)

 


Anywho, for what it's worth, those are my top ranking on rides. My best tip for rides (and I think Paul would agree) would be to always try to sit in the very last seat!! You get much more air time that way.

I loved reminiscing our brief trip with you, but now I must get back to preparing for the new school year. The students show back up in less than a week, so I've got to hop to it. I will be posting updates about all those back-to-school funzies within the coming week. 

Until next time...

 

Summer Days...drifting away

... but oh, oh those S-U-M-MER NI-IGHTS

If you are as big of a Grease fan as I am, you probably just sang those words in your head in that Oh - so - memorable nasally tone.

But I digress.

As I lie here awake WELL before the sun comes up (or at least it was that way when I began writing this novel) my mind is racing with thoughts about the upcoming weeks, but I also cannot help but reflect on the past couple months. Near the beginning of my lightening-fast summer "vacation" I posted about what it meant for me to have my summer OFF.

I had a goal to spend my time OFF becoming a better:

O - other half to my husband
F - friend and family member
F - faithful servant of God

Now, as my summer days begin to quickly close in, I am so joyful about the progress I have made this summer - it's more like leaps and bounds. Don't get me wrong: I by no means have it all figured out nor do I claim to, but I am so confident in my God's ability to transform me for the better, even more so now. I'm a work in progress. :)

This summer has been life-changing for me as I really put forth the effort to make the changes I wanted to see in myself. I am happy to report that:

  

•  I cooked nearly every night this summer for my husband, who was never less than complimentary of my efforts. I'm no Paula Dean or Betty Crocker, but I now have 15+ successful recipes at my disposal. Score!
  

Fajitas, Chicken Parmesan, and
Baked Chicken and Greens with Cheesy Potatoes

•  I am slowly learning to put my OCD and controlling tendencies aside for my husband. While I was enmeshed in rigorous grad school classes and various tasks this summer, I have learned to say that "it can wait" until my husband gets the time he deserves. Now, I still try to put my best efforts into everything I do and produce quality work, but it's all about priorities and giving my husband the place in my heart and life that I promised him two years ago when I said "I do." I am also SLOWLY (Paul would amen this) learning how to be more submissive and trusting in Paul's role as the head of the household. I am most definitely a control freak, but ...God is really the one in control, and things will run more smoothly if I submit to His orchestration of things - including the husband as the leader. I might add that it makes it so much easier when you marry a Godly man who, even though you are under his authority, treats you like a queen! Blessed is an understatement here.

We've enjoyed time together out on the water, swimming,
attending weddings, date nights, and just quality along time.

• I have pushed myself to get into better shape this summer. I want to keep myself fit and healthy, and let me tell you, that takes work - even at 24. I feel better physically than I have in a long time. I have been running/walking 4 miles (when my knees cooperate), working on strength training, completing cardio and ab workouts, and cutting out the junk food (aside from occasional splurges). I, by no means, claim to eat healthy, but it's MUCH better than what I was doing. I've also added a new beauty product to my morning regime - Younique 3d Fiber mascara. LOVE it! It makes eyelashes look so much fuller and longer. However, I've also put aside a few other products to enjoy a less-extensive, more natural makeup production. My face feels lighter, and it saves so much more time.
  
  
  

• I have finally learned to operate our TV,  which is hooked up to our computer. If this sounds like a sad achievement to you, let me remind you that I am married to an engineer - an electrical engineer. My house is rigged better than redneck Christmas lights (which the plans for our Griswold light display this year are in full gear...stay tuned...you'll probably be able to see them from your house, regardless of where you live). Anywho,  I now know the different remotes to use for which devices with which cords with which buttons on which system of the server. (Yes, we have our own server to back up files, which I am now completely thankful for seeing as flash drives hate me and like to refuse to work.) I say all of that to say this... we cancelled our cable package and watch any show via Hulu or Netflix now. It has been AWESOME! No more wasted time in front of a screen. Now, I use time more efficiently to be a better wife, friend, and Christian. (I'm a little partial but I highly recommended this change.)
  
  
  

• I was able to spend a little bit more time with family this summer. My sister came to stay with me for a week, which was truly a blessing I will never forget. And to think we used to have knock down dragouts - complete with hanger throwing. Surprised? Don't act like you and your siblings were perfect angels. My family also came to visit up here, and then we enjoyed a long weekend down in LA (lower Alabama) with them.  Much needed family time.
  

• I've also worked successfully on building stronger relationships with friends. Our ladies' weekly Bible study, made up of other young married wives like myself, has probably been the biggest impact on my transformation this summer. We have laughed, cried, and just been REAL with each other as we studied God's will for our lives. I cannot emphasize the REAL part enough. I've always struggled to form friendships with other ladies due to the facade that is often put up. I was tired of feeling like I was playing church and only getting to know people on the surface. But I tell you, these ladies are the real deal. As we slowly began to simply get real with one another, God's awesomeness was revealed more than ever before as He began to work in all of us. I feel so empowered and much more confident now, knowing that these Godly women are by my side, and I sure hope they feel that reciprocated. What a blessing - a desperately needed blessing! (If you are plugged into a group that strengthens you as a person and in your relationship with God, keep it up! If you are not, I strongly encourage you to find one. If you don't know where to start, please come with me! Join me for church, get togethers with friends, ladies' Bible study and fellowship, or just to hang out and talk if that's what you need. We live in a broken and chaotic world, and it is much harder when we try to do it alone.)
  
  
  

• I have just finished reading a book titled Restless by Jennie Allen that really helped me grow in my relationship with God. In a nutshell...it gets REAL. It is a book that makes you take a good, hard, long, REAL look at who you are, your dreams, your fears, your talents, your flaws, your circle of influence, and what's holding you back. It ties in Scripture all throughout and challenges you to become the person God intends for you to be: strong and courageous. This is one of the best books I have ever read, and I highly HIGHLY recommend it. It has helped me so much that if you would like to read it but aren't sure, let me know and I will pay for the book and send it to you, that way you won't risk anything except completely transforming your life. I am thag confident in it. I am so excited about how much I've grown, and I can't wait to see how God uses this transformation in the future.
  
  

•  I have also been spending time on my grad school counseling program, and I am so thankful to be completing my Masters through a Christian university. Every assignment has to be linked to scripture, and it is helping me grow so much. Not only can I learn about myself and how to better my relationships with others, I can glean a spiritual side that helps me better my relationship with God.  The key that I have learned over the summer is just to genuinely LISTEN! Listen to others around you and what they are really saying, or not saying. Listen to the voice and gentle whispers of God. We live in a world where we want to put our 2cents in and give advice to everyone, but that is not our place. If we simply learned to listen more, we would be able to follow God's path much easier and be of more help to His people. I have learned this simple, yet revolutionary truth so much over the summer, and I plan to continue doing just that: Listening.
  
  
  
  
  
• Finally, when I say transformation, I mean complete transformation. I've already discussed the physical transformation with my own health and relationships, as well as my spiritual transformation with growing closer to God and trying to understand His will for me. Granted, I still have room to drastically continue improving on both, especially in the area of my prayer life and Bible studying. However, the emotional transformation has been huge! (There are days where Paul might discredit this, and he would be completely justified in doing so. I'm still a woman with crazy emotions at times). What I mean by emotional transformation, though, is getting back overall to a life of joy. I feel so much more joy these days than I probably ever have. I am not as stressed and negative lately, even though I am still just as busy. I am so so thankful that God has transformed by heart and opened my eyes so that I can be more joyful, uplifting, and helpful to myself and those around me. I pray that I never lose that again. Lord, let me always find your joy and peace in ALL circumstances.
  
  
  

Now, some of you may be reading this (for you faithful readers who have trudged through this novel-length post of mine thus far) and thinking that these changes are not all that significant....but if you only knew.

Can I be honest with you? Can I get real with you?

This past year was probably one of the most exciting yet darkest times of my life to date. I was learning to live and love my wonderful roles as wife, teacher, tutor, coach, and volunteer, but it was so very chaotic and hectic at the same time. It was my first FULL year teaching, and all I can say about that is I Survived. Add on top of that graduate school, and I was barely staying afloat. Continue to add cheerleadeing sponsor, inner city tutor, kindergarten Bible teacher, a bad attitude, and lack of time spent with the Lord, and I was sinking fast...DROWNING is more like it. Those last two factors are what really played a part though.

You see...I used to be so so joyful, and people always commented about how much I smiled and how positive I always was. Yet, I seemed to have let that slip in an extreme way over the past year. I became cynical about everything, burdened by the very opportunities God had afforded me (the very ones I had prayed for, nonetheless), and somewhat depressed. Why, because I wasn't utilizing the relationships in my life. I was trying to be superwoman without the help of any sidekicks. I wasn't putting the effort where it should have been to strengthen my relationship with God, my husband, my family, my friends, and fellow Christians...the very relationships that help keep you fulfilled, on track, and uplift you when you are struggling. I became what some call a Negative Nancy. I faced each day as a chore list instead of being joyful at the tasks God had entrusted to me. I can only imagine how my co-workers felt working around me all year, or how my husband felt coming home to my pessimism and foul attitude on a daily basis. 

By the end of the school year, I finally looked into the mirror at someone I didn't recognize, nor wanted to be. I wanted people to see God in me through my words, actions, and even a simple smile, but that wasn't what I was exuding. I was working so diligently and hard at all the tasks before me and wondering why nothing seemed to get better. The answer: I wasn't working on the only thing that would change everything... ME. It starts with me. God will not force himself on us; we have to welcome Him. And I wanted to, but I was only allowing Him in when it was convenient, when it fit into my schedule. It's like the old saying goes: what you feed grows and what you starve dies. Well, that's what I was doing. Seemingly, I was dying on the inside, and my withering ways were really starting to show on the outside. 

So, that's when I decided it was now or never! I had to be the change I wanted to see. So, I took this summer OFF to do it, and it has been the greatest challenge and success of my life, aside from my salvation. All aspects of my life have improved, and my cup now truly overflows. It all started with a prayer that simply stated, "God, I don't even know where to start or what to pray, but somethings gotta change." It has ended with a joyful heart that can only be explained by saying -- BUT GOD!!

Really, I think this is just the beginning, and I can't wait!! I need your prayers and encouragement, and I hope to do just that for you, too! 

If you find yourself like I was, even just a little bit, get REAL with God and let Him transform your life like He has mine. You won't regret it! 

For my friends, family, and anyone else who comes across this post, hold me accountable. I refuse to return to the sour tart that I was becoming and let Satan steal the joy and work that God has so graciously given me.  

Now, it's time for me to be strong and courageous as my God molds me into the woman He has designed me to be! Stay tuned...I am hopeful that great things are in store! 

Until next time,