Smile

Well, I am back.  Not because of anything cute or exciting that I have to share.  Instead it is because of what someone said to me the other day.  It went something like this... 


You are a very pretty young lady.  [side note: I was wearing jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt with my hair up in a bun]  But you know what would be better - for you to smile.  A smile would definitely brighten you and wherever you are. 


Now, normally I am one to smile.  I'm a pretty happy and easy-to-get-along-with person.  However, when I get frustrated, stressed, and/or exhausted the smile tends to disappear.  It's sad how quickly the smile disappears simply because I'm not in my best upbeat mood.  My smile should stay - not because I want people to think I'm beautiful (believe me, I don't think I'm beautiful) or that I have it altogether - but my smile should stay because I am blessed beyond anything I deserve and beyond my expectations.  


Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.  
~Quoted in P.S. I Love You


A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.  
~Phyllis Diller


People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.  
~Lee Mildon


A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks.  
~Charles Gordy


Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.  
~Mother Teresa


The person who reminded me the other day that I need to smile more often is not the first person to comment on my smile.  I guess I should take the hint... how important a smile is. Now if only I can remember to smile when I'm not at my best and to truly be grateful for all that I have, even when it's easier to focus on the negative (things that aren't going my way).  


So I hope you have a wonderful week!  Thank you for reading my ramblings.  Remember to smile - even if you're having the worst day you can brighten someone else's!




Until next time,
Keep Smiling! 

Christmas

Christmas!
We use so many words to describe the season.  But really, there is only one word to truly describe this time of year:  Jesus.  Jesus Christ is the reason to celebrate this season of Christmas.  His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection, His gift to us.  We can easily and quickly focus our attention on other things at Christmas (as well as any other day of the year).  Not all of these things we turn our attention to are bad.  However, if our attention is not on Christ first then we have a problem.  For example, we often like to focus on family, friends, parties, giving gifts, traveling, decorations, etc at Christmas time.  And these can be good things... as long as we keep Christ as our number one focus and remember that without Him there would be no reason to celebrate Christmas.

I hope that this Christmas is a wonderful time for you and your family.  Remember to keep Christ first.  He is the reason for the season.

For those of us hurting during this season (at the loss/memory of someone close), I pray that we will find our strength, comfort, and peace in Christ alone.

Merry Christmas!!

The Shepherds and the Angels [Luke 2:8-20 HCSB]

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:  Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!


When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Realizations

This summer I decided to go on one of the youth trips (like last summer).  Our youth have three main trips in the summers:  Centrifuge, PowerPlant, and World Changers.  I signed up for PowerPlant because I love serving with church plants.  Unfortunately, we didn't have very many youth sign up for PowerPlant this year.  I was needed as a chaperone for the Centrifuge trip.  To be honest, I wasn't too excited at first.  Don't get me wrong - I like Fuge, but I wanted to go to PowerPlant.  Well, we went to Fuge and it was a good week.  I had fun and learned lots.  It was trying at times but also encouraging. 

Our World Changers team left today.  I must say that I miss going to WC every year.  I have been to seven WC projects in the past ten years.  My Mom called to tell me something yesterday.  The first thing she asked was "Do you want to go to World Changers?"  I was at a loss.  I said, "What?!"  She asked me again.  I paused and thought about it.  Yes!  Wait, I have stuff to do.  I have a meeting on Tuesday that I can't get out of.  I have another meeting Thursday, not required though.  I have to run the computer. etc.  I wanted to say "Yes.  I'll go home and pack and be ready to leave in the morning."  But I couldn't.  Needless to say, it kinda bothered me.  This opportunity arose, but I couldn't/didn't take it.

[On another note... hang with me... it'll all tie together...]

Last night, some feelings overflowed out of me.  Not good feelings either.  These feelings were insecurity and selfishness.  I had been feeling insecure and selfish for a little while, but last night it was time for them to come out.  Ready or not.  My husband knew something was on my mind.  So he inquired.  My stubborn self tried to hold back, but I couldn't.  I miss getting flowers.  I miss getting stuff for me.  I'm tired of cleaning and doing laundry.  I'm not good enough.  There are fifty million things going on in my head.  etc.  And he had words to share with me... words that were true even though they were hard for me to swallow.  He reminded me of one of our devotions we read recently - about being thankful instead of complaining.  I was thankful, really.  I have been blessed far more than I deserve.  But at the same time, I was listening to "these lies" as he called them.  He also pointed something out to me - I need to focus on one thing at a time... pick one thing to start and let that be my focus until I finish it... that way I wouldn't be overwhelmed (hopefully).  

Well, all of this to say that I have come to a few realizations...

• I'm not good enough.  I never will be.  I am who God has made me.  I have to trust that He knows what's best and He will be my strength.  Sure gifts are nice, but they're not a necessity.  Sure time would be nice, but really I have it... I just need to make the most of it.  
• I do need to focus on one thing at a time.  Get one task down and then tackle something else.  I will finish as much of my summer list as possible in these last few weeks.  
• We are put in certain situations for a reason.  Enjoy the time you have, where you have it, with you have it, and learn something new.
• I am blessed!!  Great family, good friends, nice home, clothes to wear, food to eat, able to travel...
• Insecurity and selfishness may return, but I don't have to listen to them.
• We don't always know how much time we have left to live.

I love music!  It often reminds us of truths we need to hear.  Here are a few that have brightened my day... Mirror, Mirror by Barlow Girl, Beautiful by Mercy Me - another gal (http://vinson-nicole.blogspot.com/) enjoyed this song recently as well...

I hope y'all have a wonderful Saturday!

Until next time,

Live life to the fullest!

Note:  When I get my pictures uploaded from my camera to my computer, I will share with you some good eats that I made recently.  :) 

A few projects...

So life lately has still been busy.  But this time, it's busy with things other than the ordinary day-to-day activities which encourages me to post.  If I posted more often, I would be able to devote a post for each item (along with all the lovely details).

First of all, I decided to create Mini Oreo Pops.  I got this idea from some cool crafty ladies at www.thecraftingchicks.com.

                     

              

It's a pretty easy project.  However I failed at creating these cute tasty treats.  When I would dip the oreos in the red candy, they would fall apart.  Or I would succeed in dipping the oreo but then fail at sticking the "stem" and "leaf" on the "apple".  Luckily (and thankfully), my wonderful husband was patient and successful.  Eventually he convinced me to try again.  Unfortunately this craft project wasn't my cup of tea... which really bothered me.  After all, I like to succeed.  Maybe next time.



My second project from this week was a name painting.  One of the graduating seniors asked for a painting with her name to hang on her wall.  She requested the blue and light pink as well as the swirls, hearts, and stars.  Hopefully, she will like what I created.

Note: I still have to add the ribbon to hang the board. 

And now I'm going to end this post with today's festivities.  I woke up at 4:45 (EARLY) to meet a crew of about 16 to drive down to Amory, MS.  We were going to spend our Saturday helping clean up the debris from the tornados that destroyed homes and businesses in the Amory/Smithville/Wren area a couple of weeks ago.  Now, I had seen pictures and heard reports of the damage but seeing it in person gives a new perspective.  It was sad to see how so many had lost everything.  But it was encouraging to see all of the volunteers and supplies provided to help the families.  I am thankful for the opportunity that I had to help.  It was hard work, but it was good... I was spending my day being productive and helping others (two things I love).   Here are some pictures of the area where we worked today in Wren, MS.  Our group helped clear a pasture so that the cows would have room to graze and what not.  

The cars' windows were out and the inside was filled with debris. 

What's left of the house.

An uprooted tree.  And one of the chickens.

Well, until next time...
Live life to the fullest!

Spring has sprung!

Hello spring!  You have come with such attitude...
crazy temperatures - sometimes it feels like summer and others it feels like winter; storms and strong winds which make it ridiculous (and occasionally dangerous) to be outside sometimes; beautiful sunshine; sports- baseball, softball, tennis, golf, spring football games, basketball championships; excitement for summer and the end of school; and so much more...

I'm glad spring is here, but I am getting anxious for summer.
Hopefully I won't wish spring away and miss all of its goodness though.

Well, I must get back to being productive...

Here's verse eight for twenty-eleven:
May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from His glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience.
Colossians 1:11

The Grace Card

Last Saturday we had the pleasure of spending the evening out... going out to dinner at Olive Garden and then to the movies.  This was our first date night to the movies since we've been married.  The reason for dinner and a movie?  First of all, it was needed... and wanted.  Secondly, we have some great friends and family who had given us gift cards.

The movie we watched is called The Grace Card.  I'm not going to spoil the movie, but I do want to share a few things.  It takes place in Memphis... which is pretty cool since that's such a familiar city for us.

I want to share with you the challenge that was given throughout the movie...
When someone hurts you or offends you, respond with grace... the grace card...
"I promise to pray for you everyday, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same, and be your friend always."

It's a great movie... realistic and down to earth!  I encourage you to watch it!

Encouragement

I love encouragement!  

I love to give encouragement and I love to receive encouragement.  Encouragement is something we need and also something that I think we desire.

This past week I had the honor and joy of being encouraged in a very large city many miles away.  It's a city that many people love... I even love this city but not for the same reasons as many others.  We went on a mission trip to Las Vegas.  We were able to spend the week with some old friends who have recently moved and some new friends from the same southern state.  :)  These people were a great encouragement throughout the week... through their faith and their optimism.  People we met along the way through surveying neighborhoods, serving at a rescue mission, and sharing at a homeless ministry were also encouraging throughout the week.  It was a great week!  I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to go... to learn... to share... to live...

This week I have even been encouraged by those around me here at home... the Word, my friends, my coworkers, my family, and even others in the community whom I didn't know until this week.  It is so refreshing and revitalizing to be encouraged.  

I hope that I can be an encouragement to those around me.  May my words and my actions be positive and productive/beneficial to those around me!

Spring Break!

Spring break is here!  And I can honestly say that I need it.

Lately I have been in an odd mood... more stressed, more uptight, more easily upset, more easily bothered/frustrated... It has not been good.  Honestly I'm not sure where this odd mood has come from.  But I am ready for it to go!  Hopefully spring break will be the cure... or at least the beginning of the cure.

I am looking forward to next week.  I will be on an adventure... outside of my comfort zone a little... but in a place that I love... if that makes any sense.  It will definitely be a change from the "regular" life which has kept me so busy and stressed that even when I have the chance to blog I feel that I have nothing good to add for y'all to read.  I'm sorry.  I will be working on my blogging skills throughout the year.

Spring is exciting to me.  Warmer weather.  Fresh grass and leaves.  Bright flowers.  Birds chirping.  March madness.  New sports - baseball, softball, etc.  Longer days.  More light.  Occasionally some rain and storms.

Hopefully it won't take me two weeks before I drop in again.
I hope y'all have a wonderful week!!

Thoughts for Thursday

Today, I am going to take my friend Amber's idea and write out my Thoughts for Thursday.

* I love snow!  It is so pretty to me.  It blankets everything in white.  Plus, it occasionally results in snow days... like yesterday afternoon
and today... which means there's time to relax and have fun (playing some-slightly-old-school N64 games) as well as time to clean up the apartment and do some teacher planning that is slightly needed.

* I love having ideas for a project, but I hate not being able to write/draw them out.  For example, I have a few different ideas of a t-shirt design for an upcoming event.  But my ideas can't seem to make it completely and clearly to the paper.  It's rather aggravating to be honest.  I just need to be patient and work them out... but patience and I aren't always friends.

* I have been struggling on two of my goals for this year.  (1) Reading the Bible through chronologically this year.  My priorities have been slightly out of whack as well.  (2) My third SSMT verse is more difficult for me to memorize.  I'm not sure why.  I probably just haven't spent enough time studying it.  I have the gist of it, but I will get it down word for word before the next verse (next Tuesday).  I WILL!  :)

* Well if I am going to be productive then I need to get off of here and get to work... to life...  I hope you have a wonderful day!