Friday, February 27, 2009

Memorable Quotes, Part II

As per your request....

“Does anyone need a smoke break? We won’t judge you.” – Student D, driving back from the infamous “Field Trip from You-Know-Where”…He’s a smoker.

“She’s like Betty Crocker. You hear of her, and you see her work, but you don’t really know if she exists.” – Co-worker, speaking of a student

“Your hair looks so good it looks fake.” – Friend’s co-worker

“You can’t fix stupid.” -- Co-worker, speaking again of a student

Me, talking about the Mission Friends lesson: “Would you like to live in the rainforest like these missionaries?”
Kindergartner: “No!”
Me: “Why not?”
Kid: “Because I couldn’t take my Wii with me!”

“I stopped watching America’s Dumbest Criminals because I just felt sorry for the idiots.” – Dad

“You’re so talented…when you want to be.” – Hubby

Person A: “You should get a divorce. Maybe you’d find Mr. Right.”
Person B: (sighs) “I have, but Mr. Right is going to prison.”

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

13 before 30 (and Baby O Giveaway)

A two-part blog...

First, I found this survey thingie, and y'all know how I loooovvveee surveys. It's basically this: 13 things you want to accomplish before the next big milestone (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, etc.). As I've got five years (yikes, wait, only four and a half!) before I hit the Big Three-Oh, here are my 13 things I want to accomplish before I turn 30. Feel free to play along!!

1. Complete (or be at least 80% done) with my doctorate program.

2. Have a baby!! (My husband cringes as he reads this, lol!)

3. Go skiing. And learn to surf (it's been a dream of mine).

4. Present a paper at a conference at least three more times, and have a couple of papers published.

5. Buy a bigger house, one kid-ready.

6. Go to one of the women's conferences at our church (as I've never gone as of yet).

7. Get into a habit of doing a daily Bible study instead of doing it irregularly.

8. Go on a super-awesome vaca. I'm not really picky as of where. I mean, Bora Bora, Maui, or Europe will do... ;) Lol!!

9. Learn how to speak Spanish.

10. Read a book a month.

11. Serve a full six years in Junior Auxiliary. (I'm on year two now.)

12. Exercise regularly.

13. Become a better prayer warrior.

Your turn!

Okay, so now on to Part Dos (see, look, already know a little Spanish, haha!). If you go visit Rach's site, you'll find a lot of super awesome things about Rach and her husband Josh. Such as Rach's love for The Bachelor. Or that her husband is an intern pastor. Or...that she and her husband are trying to adopt a baby from South Korea.

And YOU, my wonderful friend, can help out and be blessed in more ways than one!



Click on the picture (if it works) or on her name in the big graf above and learn how to participate -- help a Godly couple out AND get a chance to win some seriously awesome prizes.

Okay, so now I'm off to create a syllabus, figure out what do to with graduating seniors, and grade some papers. Yuck...I mean, uh, Yea!!! Lol.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Baby names already?

Yes, we're that couple -- the kind who picks out baby names waaayyy before said baby is conceived. Anyway, so Superman has recently decided he wants to name our baby girl Meghan. But don't "ooh" and "awww" yet. Not hardly.

Superman told me about this name decision last night, but let me back up to our second year of marriage and we were visiting his grandparents.

If any of you have been married over a year and have not had a baby, you probably get the "Why haven't you gotten pregnant yet?" convo. Well, we were discussing babies with his grandparents, and his grandmother asked, "Have you thought about names?"

And before I could answer, Superman said, "If it's a girl, we're naming her MEGATRON."

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. My husband wants to name his daughter after a Transformer. Told you, we are dorks. But I think this shoots his dorkiness up more than mine. You be the judge.

The thing is, his grandmother BELIEVED him. She looked at me and said, "Well...I guess you could call her Meg."

"NO, NO!!" I exclaimed, glaring at Superman. "He's joking, Mamaw. We are NOT naming our daughter Megatron."

So apparently he's been thinking still of Megatron, as why he decided our little girl (if we even HAVE one) should be named Meghan.

"Uh...no," I said last night when he brought it up, because I KNEW what he was thinking. "We are NOT naming our daughter Meghan."

It's not that I really have anything against the name Meghan. I have something against the next words that came out of his mouth:

"Oh, come on!" he said. "How cute would it be when she's three years old for me to say, 'Baby, what's your name again?' and she says, 'MEGATRON!!'"

Oh, no, no, no, no, no....

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Mailbox

I got home late last night, so I didn't check the mail. So this afternoon, Superman and I walked down the road to the mailboxes (our subdivision's mailboxes are all at the entrance). We really were looking for our next Netflix DVD -- we didn't expect that white letter.

From the Office of Graduate Studies. From Super Duper University.

I only read the first word:

"Congratulations!"

I screamed excitedly, wrapped my arms around Superman's neck, and completely celebrated right there at the mailboxes. As a matter of fact, on the way back to the house, I just held my hand up triumphantly with that letter grasped tightly in it.

The letter is hanging on the fridge now. Yep, no joke.

I'm glad I didn't check the mail yesterday. I'm glad I was there with Superman, and we shared my first SDU memory together.

I'm a Ph.D. student!!!!

Friday, February 20, 2009

SERIOUSLY?!?

Still venting, guys. Sorry.

It’s hard to fail my class. It really is. Come to class, do the assignments, read the book. That’s it. That’s all. I do require a lot of writing, but, if you do it, you’ll pass. It’s almost guaranteed. In fact, I’ll go ahead and guarantee it, because those people who are DOING the work ARE passing.

What a novel concept!

You can imagine my frustration with three students who – SERIOUSLY – believe they’re going to pass because of their good looks and charm. I actually had one of them say that to me. It’s a shame, too, because he’s about to find out how wrong he is. Or the girl who told me that she can talk her way out of anything.

Do you SERIOUSLY believe that?

Or the kid who told me that his aunt died, which is why he wasn’t in class…ever. Oh, and Lord forgive me if I’m jumping to judgment, but his aunt died last quarter, too.

Have I mentioned my top excuses I’ve received? If not, I think now’s a time to bring ‘em out:

“I have to miss class today for a hair appointment.”

“My girlfriend came in town.”

“I got arrested…Does that count as an excused absence?”

Say it with me together, guys: SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!

And why in the world am I more concerned with their grades than they are? Why am I the one sitting up late at night worried that they’re going to fail? Something is horribly wrong with this picture.

I seriously might choke some people today.

SERIOUSLY.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

I had something really good to post, but now I don't remember...

...so I'm going to do a list instead.

***EDIT: So, I have to vent RIGHTNOW. I mentioned below that I am more concerned about my students' grades than they are. And, on a whim, I decided to look them up on facebook! DON'T GET DRUNK, PLAY BEER PONG, OR DO KARAOKE THE NIGHT BEFORE MY CLASS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE NOT DOING GOOD IN THAT CLASS!! I mean, SERIOUSLY!

Okay. On to the post.***

* Hubby got me a new laptop, and I am thrilled. It's a Toshiba, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. He set it up for me last night, and it came to work with me this morning.

* I made gumbo Tuesday night -- by myself -- and it turned out wonderfully (in my and Superman's opinion).

* I'm more concerned about my students passing my class than they are, and that greatly bothers me.

* LOST was AMAZING last night. I won't say any more, in case some of you have not seen it, but it was FANTASTIC!

* I get two days off next week for Mardi Gras. Since Superman will just be coming home from a trip, I think we're just going to relax and stay around the house, which is kinda unusual for us. Usually if we have a spare day, we're going travelin'!

* My teeth hurt. And I have a cold. Not a good combo.

* I think Superdog believes that I'm the reason Superman leaves. She always gives me a mean glare when she realizes he's not home.

* Everyone needs to watch/read "As We Forgive." It'll change your life.

* This was probably a mocha day, but I got regular black coffee instead.

How's your day going?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Friendly memories

I had dinner last night with three of my bridesmaids, and it was so much fun just reminiscing about college. Two of them were roomies of mine -- Jen is married and has a one-year-old precious son, and Keri and her husband are expecting their firstborn on (get this!!) our anniversary! So exciting. Jess works at our pharmacy, and she is absolutely the sweetest girl you could ever know. Anyway, we got to talking about some of our favorite memories, and, as I LOVED my college years, I wanted to share!

* Canada
In November 2004, we all went on a mission trip to Canada. Keri, unfortunately, was not in our group, but the rest of us (plus many others) had a blast in the mission house we stayed in during the trip. Seriously, this was the BEST place I EVER stayed on a mission trip -- spacious rooms, bathrooms with hot water, beds...Fantastic! We did a lot of prayer walking and spreading the word about a new church while there, but we also did a lot of other activities, such as...hide and seek around the mission house at midnight in the snow...walking three miles downhill (and then UPHILL to get back) just to get Tim Horton's (which is AWESOME and unfortunately not in the South) at two in the morning...losing Jen's scarf on one of those late night expeditions and then finding it on the way back...crawling on the bobsled track that was used during the Olympics (and during the movie "Cool Runnings") and nearly falling and sliding all the way down (got a picture of that, too!)...visiting Banff one day...getting to know the wonderful area ministers...It was a great trip.

* BCM retreats
The upcoming student leaders (which we all were) took a Baptist Collegiate Ministry retreat one spring, I believe, and while I sadly don't remember much about the retreat, I did get to know Jess, Jen, and Keri very well on that trip. I was a little shy at the time, but I quickly fell in love with those girls.

* TWIRP dates
Did anyone else go on "The Woman Is Required To Pay" dates? We had an annual week of TWIRP dates, and we got to talking about how sometimes the guys we asked as FRIENDS somehow got confused and thought that there was a possibility for romance in the future. NOPE. Sorry, dude. Of course, it wasn't always like that. One of the girls went on a date with a guy who LEFT HER at the concert to find another girl. But that's okay...She left him to find his own way home.

* BCM family groups
I find it so sad that the BCM doesn't have "family groups" anymore. Really, it was just a Bible study group that met once a week and had a girl leader and a guy leader. I liked that because as it was a mixed gender group, I felt you needed both genders leading in case a guy didn't feel comfortable talking with a girl or vice versa. I had a GREAT family group "husband" who was on the ball all the time and really made me get my rear in gear. He also played a part in assisting with my engagement, which I should probably blog about and may do so at a later date.

* Roomies
One day I walked in the house that I shared with Jen, Keri, and two other girls and found it empty. So I went to go take a shower, but, as I usually do when I'm home alone, I left the bathroom door open (I'm weird, I know). Turns out I was NOT alone. Keri and her boyfriend were watching a movie in the room she shared with Jen, and Keri, being ever-so-smart, told her boyfriend to stay in the room as she went to go tell me that, as there was a boy in the house, I might want to close the bathroom door. ;) However, as I looked through our almost-clear shower curtain, all I saw was a shadowy figure waving at me in the doorway, so, naturally, I gave a blood-curdling shriek. Thankfully, though, it wasn't an axe murderer coming to kill me.

* Weekly services
They don't call it by the same name anymore, and I'm really not sure if it still exists, but when I was in college, we had a weekly praise service where everyone from all Christian denominations came together to worship. In essence, it was incredible. Each week a leader from a different religious organization (BCM, Chi Alpha, Wesley, etc.) got up to speak, but the band was always the same. I LOVED that band. I even have their music still...and I might have listened to it this morning. ;)

Happy times...and happy times today, too, because Husband is coming back from his travels! Yea!!

Monday, February 16, 2009

SOAP No. 19: Repentance is actually good

SCRIPTURE: Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you -- even Jesus. – Acts 3:19-20

OBSERVATION: Peter is speaking to the shocked onlookers who just saw a man who was crippled from birth healed. They are amazed by the miracle, and Peter is asking them why they are surprised and is telling them that if they would accept Jesus as God’s son and would repent, their sins would be wiped away.

APPLICATION: I ran across these verses in my Beth Moore study of Esther, so I thought I would focus on them today. And I really like the way Beth talks about repentance; it’s not a punishment, it’s a time for renewal, refreshment. So many of us look at repenting as this some form of humiliation when really it’s a time to grow closer to God by turning away from our sins.

Repentance is turning away from those things in your life that do not bring you closer to God and, therefore, pull you away from joy, peace, and comfort. Repentance is turning around, telling God, "Draw me closer to You! I need You in my life more than I need anything else," and having Him wrap you in His arms. How wonderful is that!

PRAYER: God, please help me turn away from the sins in my life and draw closer to You. I want to repent, to be a better person, to be able to be a light in this world for You. I am so sorry for all that is wrong in my life, and I want to be more like You.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy V-Day!

Yesterday was good. Had a wonderful lunch with the hubby, left work early, had fantastic girls' night. Gave Hubby his Valentine gift early -- a hands-on cooking class where we get to make some amazing stuff like walnut crusted halibut, fancy sides, raspberry torte, and stuff like that. He was thrilled! Yea!!

Fun-filled day planned today. It's actually the first Valentine's Day of our marriage that Superman and I have gotten to spend together. All the other ones he's been working or traveling. Going to see a movie, going to get some new books, sushi, and a play at the university. I'm psyched!

But I'm up way too early this morning to really appreciate the fullness of how great today is going to be.

Going to make some coffee. Will be more awake then. =)

Happy Valentine's Day!! What are y'all doing today?

Friday, February 13, 2009

I wanted to stay in bed today

I'm not superstitious. Really, I'm not. But I don't like Friday the 13th. Bad things usually happen to me on Friday the 13th. Like, monumental, cataclysmic, life-changing things. A fender bender? That's a good Friday the 13th.

Naturally, I kinda wanted to stay in bed today. Pull the covers over my head and not move until midnight, Valentine's Day. But apparently my job does not view today as a necessary holiday. Dang.

So here I am, at work, sort of waiting for what seems to be the inevitable. I did spill my mocha twice today, but if that's the worst that happens, I'll be very thankful.

The last super-horrible Friday the 13th I had was about two years ago when I worked at the local paper. I was sitting down at my desk, writing a column about how I didn't believe in the superstition that Friday the 13th was unlucky, even though just a couple of years earlier, I had a fender bender and (on the same day) discovered I had a cheating boyfriend (not Superman, fyi). I threw caution to the wind, writing this column (on the morning of the 13th, mind you) of how this Friday the 13th was fine -- even though it hadn't happened yet.

Oh, the irony.

THAT was the worst Friday the 13th I've EVER had. I don't really want to go into details, but it definitely changed my views on a lot of things. I couldn't even let that column run; the day was that bad. I was a bit bitter, too, so by the time the column ran on the following Tuesday, it was how Friday the 13th wrecked my life. But, looking back on it, I can laugh at that situation (not the bad one, the column one). There I was during the morning of a Friday the 13th, writing a column about how silly it was to think that anything bad could happen on that day -- when, really, bad things can happen on any given day, Friday the 13th or not.

It does kinda make me giggle.

Today, I'm not saying I'm superstitious, but I'm not writing a column (or in this case, blog) about how today will be fabulous -- even though I think it will be. Superman is picking me up some red beans and rice (YUM!) for lunch, we have girls' night tonight at Olive Garden (double yum!), and all I have to do this afternoon is grade papers. But I'm not saying it's a good day.

I'll say that tomorrow.

Happy early Valentine's Day!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

For the SWAK...

SWAK



We’ve been best buds for a while. Five years to be exact. Well, five years plus some, cause we were friends before we started dating.

He held my hair up while I puked up a lung from food poisoning and stood up for me during some of my stupidest of moments. He’s not just any knight in shining armor – he’s MY knight in shining armor.

Doesn’t mean we see eye to eye on a daily basis. We’re still individuals, unique in our own quirky ways, and we’re both stubborn to a fault. But we know that we’ve got each other’s back.

He bought me a Chihuahua when he wanted a Siberian husky. He stayed in his hometown instead of moving to a bigger city because this is where I wanted to live. He takes me to the beach even though he hates sand and surf.

Even the little things, like clearing the table or taking out Superdog’s poo pads or bringing me home surprises from his trips – he thinks of it all. Well, not “all,” really, because he’s like me – imperfect. But we’re perfect for each other.

And I am crazy about him.

He plays in the church band, and, when he’s home, he’s with me in Sunday school and in worship service. I know those seem like small things, but they’re big things when you sometimes have to sit in a newlywed class by yourself. He wants to be a better person, a stronger Christian, and a great husband and dad. He helps me to be a more loving person by his example.

He loves my family. They love him. That counts for a lot, too, because family ties are very important to me.

He forgives me. Over and over and over again. Because, frankly, I’m not so wonderful. I’m smart-aleck, spiteful, and prideful. But he looks over my faults and holds me in his arms and always says, “I love you.”

He ALWAYS says, “I love you.” Not a day goes by that I don’t realize how much he really does love me. His words convey love, and his actions prove his words true.

He’s my Superman.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Super family

Stolen from facebook – a place I probably need to stay away from today…

If you’re reading this, I want to see your answers, too! Why not? Celebrate Valentine’s Week. =)

♥ How long have you been together?
Four years married this September, but dating a little over five years

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?
A couple of years. We were close friends beforehand.

♥ Who asked who out?
He asked me out. Of course. lol

♥ How old are each of you?
25 and 26

♥ Whose siblings do/ did you see the most?
As I have none…

♥ Do you have any children together?
Not at this time

♥ What about pets?
Superdog

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
I wouldn't say that it's the hardest on us as a couple, but a big problem is dealing with family issues.

♥ Did you go to the same school?
Same college – same major, even!

♥ Are you from the same home town?
Nope. He lived 90 minutes away from me most of my life.

♥ Who is the smartest?
It’s probably about even.

♥ Who is the most sensitive?
Probably me. I mean, I am female after all.

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?
It varies; we get in moods for different foods.

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Boston

♥ Who has the worst temper?
I like to say we’re both passionate, hehe.

♥ Who does the cooking?
He cooks, I bake. It works well.

♥ Who is more social?
Without a doubt, him.

♥Who is the neat freak?
Me, and that’s actually very sad because I’m not very neat.

♥ Who is the more stubborn?
We’re both VERY stubborn.

♥ Who hogs the bed?
Me and the dog

♥ Who wakes up earlier?
99% of the time, it’s me.

♥ Where was your first date?
Neither one of us remember. I do recall getting food poisoning on one of our first dates, though, and he held my hair out of the toilet while I puked. You know he’s “the one” when he watches you barf for hours without getting sick himself.

♥ Who has the bigger family?
Extended, it’s about even.

♥ Do you get flowers often?
I’m not a flower girl. If you’re going for cliché, get me jewelry or chocolate! One lasts forever, and the other makes me happy! Haha!

♥ How do you spend the holidays?
We try to spend them with both families.

♥ Who is more jealous?
Probably me. I’d scratch someone’s eyes out.

♥ How long did it take to get serious?
Four months? What can I say? When ya know, ya know…

♥ Who eats more?
Him.

♥ Who does/ did the laundry?
I wash, he folds, I put up. I HATE folding.

♥ Who’s better with the computer?
HIM

♥ Who drives when you are together?
Usually him.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Assortment

Most of you have kids. I do not. I have a dog. Therefore, you get lots of pictures of her. When I have kids...be warned: they'll be everywhere. =)

My swing!!!


Mom hates this picture of Superdog, and I've got to say...it's not the most flattering of her.


I've got a good dad. ;) He came and fixed my gutters while Superman was working.


And that's one of his dogs, Puddin. Not Pudding, Puddin. She's his walking buddy. Seriously, they walk like three miles a day.


Puddin






Puddin and Superdog love each other. Superdog loooovvveesss going to see her grandparents and Puddin. (Their other dog, Che-che, will turn 15 next month, so she's not really interested in running around the yard chasing Superdog.)


My sweet little Superdog...She'll be FOUR YEARS OLD this November!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Lovin' me some podcasts

So, as you could tell from a previous blog, I'm getting into podcasts, and, since many of you said you, too, would be interested in hearing about my findings, I decided to share the two with you that I'm currently listening to.

1. Nancy Leigh DeMoss of Revive our Hearts ministry
She is Ah-MAZ-ing!! I'm listening to a series on how to be discerning about what we as Christians read/listen to/watch, and it's mind-boggling. They come in 22ish-minute clips, and at first, I was like, "Well, I'll just listen to one today, because I really want it to sink in." But I couldn't. I HAD to listen to all three of them RIGHTTHEN. And, after it was all over, I thought, "Hmm...Well, I could listen to them again..." That's "re-listenability" for you. ;)

2. Mars Hill Church
I think I have some podcasts by Rob Bell, but right now I'm listening to podcasts from this church by Mark Driscoll, who is phonemonal. I mean -- WOW. I drove an hour and a half yesterday (each podcast -- so far -- is about an hour and 10 minutes long), but the drive seemed so short. In fact, once I reached my destination, I was kind of like, "Do I have to stop?" So I took the iPod inside and listened, haha! The first podcast was on Song of Solomon 6 and was very insightful, not the usual Songs sermon you hear, and the second one (that I'm only 20 mins into) is about Jesus and the Pharasiees.

Anyway, those are some great podcasts that I think you'd really enjoy. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know, but I would highly encourage you to check these out. They're insightful, they're resourceful, and they really make you think about how to live out the Christian life.

Friday, February 6, 2009

‘Multiple Blessings’ review

I’m slightly embarrassed that I just NOW finished this book. I was so excited when Superman purchased it for me for Christmas, and, sadly, I closed the book yesterday.

But, boy, was it a great book.

I’ve first got to say that I love the TLC show, “Jon and Kate plus Eight,” so I was thrilled when Kate Gosselin wrote “Multiple Blessings.” If you haven’t seen the show, try to catch it. It’s a great family show, and Jon and Kate are so unpretentious. They’re a strong Christian family thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Kate gave birth to twins and then two years later, sextuplets. I can’t imagine the pain – physical and emotional – that she and her husband endured during those early years.



Granted, not all was pain; I mean, how can it be with those sweet eight little faces smiling at you? And Kate talks very candidly in her book about the ups and downs of being a mother of eight and how strict she has to rule her roost in order for all things to be taken care of. She is SUPER organized. I mean, I don’t know how she does it, but, as she mentions in the book several times, she simply takes one day at a time and trusts God to take care of the rest.

This is an easy read, a book for reading on your porch swing (lol) or, for those of you up north, under a blanket in your favorite chair with a cup of hot chocolate. Tons of pictures are thrown in the book, and there’s even a section at the end from Kate’s journal while she was bed-ridden in the hospital before the babies were born.

I love honesty in writing. I strive to accomplish that, and I encourage my students to write “real” stories – not just happy fairy tales. Kate Gosselin does this with the style of a literary journalist. She is unabashed, unashamed, and will not take anything less than the best for her children – she’s a Supermom.

Anyway, if you get the chance, pick the book up (and if there are any husbands/fiancés/boyfriends reading this, “Multiple Blessings” would make a great V-Day gift for your special someone). It’s fun, it’s uplifting, and it’ll make you thankful for all the multiple blessings – big or small – in your own life.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Bloggy Awards

I recently (okay, with one, not so recently) won a couple of Bloggy Awards that I’m quite excited about.

The first is from Rachel, the Great Attitude and/or Gratitude award. And here are the rules that accompany it:



This award comes with some rules for passing on the love and they are as follows:

Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE! Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.


So, without further ado, here are my nominees (and if you already received this, lo siento!):

Misti at Huckleberry Gumbo

Beth at Playing with the Paulsens

Mari at My Little Corner of the World

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee

Sara at Interpret Sass

Wendi at Every Day Miracles

Carrie at Blessed Chaos

Sherry at Life at the Parsonage

Rach at In His Hands

Rachelle at With One Step

Whew! That actually was kinda hard to do, because I absolutely love reading all of your blogs! Y’all seriously make my day.

The second award is from Poopsie (BTW, gotta know where that name comes from, lol!). And the rules for passing this one along are giving the award to someone who really gives it all in his/her blogs. So…I think that would go to…



Ginger at Here’s My Cup, Lord

So, kudos to everyone! I love reading your comments, and I love reading your blogs. Who knew the Internet could be so much fun? ;)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Thank you

Everything hits you at once. We all know this. We can’t have things in spurts, because that would be too easy, lol. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong – all in the same day.

That being said, last week really tested my faith and my patience, and, as I was telling my hubby the other day, DANG. When God wants to get my attention, He really gets it!

I’ve been struggling with my faith because a prayer I’ve asked for has gone unanswered. And it makes no sense (seriously) as to why this “thorn,” I guess you’d say, hasn’t been taken away.

I woke up one morning just totally saddened and depressed because I felt a little abandoned. I was having my own little pity party, complete with melodramatic sighs. It was fairly pathetic on all fronts.

I got to work. Sniffled a bit. Didn’t do much work. You know, felt sorry for myself. And then I started browsing through your blogs, and I just want to tell you – God hit me over the head with a sign (as always has to happen, because apparently I never get the point). It’s like He said, “Excuse me? You just want to praise me during the good times, but when something bad happens, you want to give up all hope? Really??”

Yikes!…My bad.

So, anyway, I just wanted to share with you some verses (and lyrics) that I read on your posts last week that really encouraged me and made me snap out of my silly pity party and got back on track for what’s really important: serving God.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


1 Peter 1:7-9
"These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

-- lyrics from Mercy Me

Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

John 9:1-5
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."


So…thank you for those of you who posted these things.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Back in action

I'm medicated, hydrated, and wide awake (which comes from having pretty much slept the last three days by).

But today, I'm back at work!

I know that sounds really strange for me to be excited about, but after being confined to the house Saturday through Monday, I'm thrilled to be anywhere, even at work.

And, for the record, I wasn't really "sick." I had a cold. And I couldn't talk because of said cold. I even called my mom up on Saturday with all the energy I could muster, and she said, "Who is this?" That's when you know you need to take it easy.

Superman decided to be Dr. Superman and take care of me this weekend. He brought me juice, cooked me dinner, made sure I stayed home(again, not so happy about this...I missed a fun night at the university with NONREFUNDABLE tickets AND a basketball game), but...there was one good thing...

He bought me a swing. =D

I will have to post pictures later, but for about two years, I've been wanting a porch swing or a hammock. Now, while this one is a (dunno really what to call it) a self-hanging swing, it is PERFECT. I love it so much, and while I was home-bound, I spent a lot of time in that beautiful swing.

Yesterday, though, was Doctor Day. I don't like going to the doctor, especially when I feel like I'm actually progressing. Even with our insurance, it's about $100 a visit. I mean, if I'm actually feeling sick and all, yeah, by all means, let's go, but, really, all that was wrong was that I couldn't talk.

BUT, as I have class today and kind of NEED to speak, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and go.

I asked Dr. if he had anything that would make me better by Tuesday. "Oh, yeah," he said, writing on the back of his perscription pad. "A shot of *somethingsomething*..."

Uh...WHAT??!!

I have a phobia of needles. It's not a fear; it's a phobia. No grown woman should be this terrified of needles.

"Wait," I said, my eyes wide. "Do you have something that will make me better by...Thursday?"

He looked surprised, and I said, "I really don't like shots."

He grinned for the rest of my visit -- and sent me home with pills. Woo hoo! Scaredy cat wins again!

I love my pills. Not as much as my swing, but I'm definitely feeling the love.