Mar 31, 2011

Red Hot...

These are my new salsa shoes just in from Europe that my friend Liz got for me! I cannot wait to try them out! Eek!

Mar 30, 2011

Healthy Dessert...

This is one of my favorite dessert snacks!...

Frozen berries (in this case blue berries) with milk poured over them. It starts looking like this.
Then as you eat and move the berries around.. it turns into this amazing yummy goodness!!...





Seriously. Healthy.. AND tastes SOOO good! :)

Mar 29, 2011

New Every Morning...

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" - Lamentations 3:22&23

Have you ever stopped to think about what this means? A friend I know has had a rough day (or at least I think it ended roughly) and all I could think of was this... God's compassions (or mercies) never fail me.. and they are NEW every morning... How great is our God?

I mean let's think about this for a second, if God's compassion and mercy is new every single day.. and never NOT ONE TIME will they fail me... How awesome is He? How great and wonderful is my Savior for caring enough to... well... CARE! How absolutely crazy that He grants me new mercies and compassion every single morning the sun rises!... Maybe that is why I love sunsets and sunrises so much because with them means today is done, I can lay to rest every horrible mistake and blunder I have made.. and when the sun rises it will be fresh, made new... and I do not have to be bound, held down, or feel guilty because my Savior.. the man who has made me whole and pure again has already taken care of it.

How thankful am I!?.. Oh gosh.. there just are no words to express how much I am grateful to my core for the compassion and mercy I just simply did not earn in the morning when I rise.

Praise the Lord, He is amazing because I am not.

Mar 28, 2011

We Never Know...

Have you thought how many people impact your day, either for good or bad... but impact it none the less. I mean today alone I did almost nothing.. but was impacted by hundreds of people..

The drive to work caused me to encounter LOTS of people.. Some rude, others generous etc..

Talked on the phone with a friend while I drove to the gym, and not only did I encounter a ridiculous number of people driving there.. but a 4 car pile-up significantly changed my evening (and theirs dramatically more then my inconvenience).. which caused me to be late to my after work appointment.

Went to the gym, and encountered several more people. One in which made me sweat and work my body hard... but somehow always improves my moods and makes me laugh while my muscles as quivering.

Then I came home and encountered my roomies... our landlords came over to fix some things.. and I "encountered" people online.

Think about it.. I did 3 things today. Went to work. Went to the gym. Came home. And yet, hundreds of people came across my path... some in insignificant ways and others in very significant ways.

How many more times do we impact those around us.. How do you impact people on purpose?.. In a positive way?.. Smile, say thank you, hold a door open for someone, drop them a note, write on their facebook wall, call or text, hug, laugh.... anything. Do you try to do it on purpose?

Would you do it on purpose if you knew it meant something to them?... I try.

I sometimes operate under the understanding that I will go until I am A. exhausted or B. God has told me to chill. Because I never know when some small thing (or big) makes THE difference in someone's day, week, month... life. What if my minor inconvenience today changes someone's life... Is it worth it?.. I think so.

Mar 27, 2011

Miracles and Promises...

I have been thinking a lot lately about miracles.. and promises.. and amazing little things like that.

Partially due to the fact that my church has had some CRAZY insane things happen lately that really are only acts of God. And, throughout it all, I keep thinking how thankful I am to be a part of this church.. especially right at this time in my life. I mean it has been a crazy couple of years.. and even more so a blow your socks off last 6 months. And yet, through it all I was totally at peace knowing God was right there taking care of every step of the way. I mean, do not get me wrong, I have had my moments of freak outs.. but not really at the same time. I would get stressed and start to panic and I would get this overwhelming small voice inside of me telling me "peace be still.." and it would reel me back down to total confidence that God had it under control.

Then I moved to DC and my focus seemed to follow the pace of the city.. meaning rush hour traffic, crazy hours, fast paced life. I stopped being able to flow with life in the way that apparently has become my flare... In a small way I feel like I have lost elements of myself that make me unique. Not because of any one thing.. just everything all together. I certainly feel WAY less secure here then I have in the past, and I definitely have not been able to connect like I normally do.

So, that leads me to my thoughts as of late..

What do I feel like God has promised me?.. I am not completely sure. I know a few weeks ago while I was sitting in church I knew God told me He would give me a husband. No time set on it, and no specifics other than one day I will find "him."... I have felt for years now that once I get married THAT is when I can become a missionary full time. I have no idea what that means.. But I really hope and pray that the man I marry is just passionately sold out for Christ, and sweeps me into his adventure. Now, the question that begs to be asked is.. what am I learning and going through now that I will need then?... I have no idea... C) All of the above... I am sure every bit of today will lend itself to tomorrow.

Miracles are the other thing I have been thinking a lot about lately... I keep getting stuck when it comes to thinking of all the miracles God has done in my life.. Not because He has not done any.. but in part because He has done a lot of them... But, I find myself wanting to just sit and bask in the glow and memories of them... Yet every time I do that I find myself wondering if I have avoided a few miracles because of my own lack of faith... and that breaks my heart. What if I missed something glorious because of my own failings?!.. Gah! I know that my God is greater.. and He will always get the glory in the end, but I loath using those as excuses for my own failings. I want God to get the best and bless me.. not get the best because He's redeeming something I have done. What I have also been thinking about regarding miracles is that I think I avoid thinking of them that way... How many times a day/week/month/year do I have this amazing thing happen in my life and attribute it to.. "life" or "coincidence" .. ew. I would rather see them as these amazing blessings in my life!

Lord... Help my faith. It is gonna be a crazy year!

Mar 26, 2011

Different...

One of my favorite things..

I love how the DC area has randomness all over the place.. It is one of my favorite things about cities in general. I enjoy going into a bathroom and finding the pop bottle tops as wall paper!.. So fun and different!

DC (as any city) has a lot of things that are obnoxious (traffic) and I miss my best friends.. but little things like this serve as weird reminders that I actually really do like the different things that come with living here right now.. This.. and the amazing food! ;)

Mar 25, 2011

Snow in Spring...

This is what I walked out of work to every day this week! Yay.. Then it is supposed to snow this weekend! Grr..

Mar 22, 2011

My Sister..

I watched a video posted on FB of my sister this evening.. and I just have to say.. She is my hero :)

She is not only smart and has such a great sense of humor, but just has her act together. She loves the Lord, cares very deeply about those around her.. and she is not afraid of really anything (maybe a fuzzy or two ;) haha... I am so inspired by her all the time :)

<3

(Christmas '09)

Mar 21, 2011

Funny Memories...

I somehow was reminded tonight of one night a little over a year ago.. and since it literally makes me crack up laughing, even though I had totally forgotten about this, I thought I would share...

A group of my friends and I were at one of our houses, all crammed into the ridiculously small living room, and since there was not enough seating, I chose to lay on the floor on a VMI Hay (foam bedding) that we had pulled into the living room... One of my friends, who happened to own the hay I was laying on decided he wanted to lay on it as well since there was no open seating anywhere else. It is literally the width of a guy's typical shoulder width (so not very big). After a little while of scooting each other off the foam bedding and making completely ridiculous cases about why the other one should not get a claim to the bedding, we decided we would go halfsies and share.. only, true to my nature I cheated (HA!)... I laid on my side completely on the bedding and was able to face the tv without anything obstructing my view!... He was.. thrilled. LOL

What started out as our entire group (of maybe 6 of us) watching short Pixar movie after short Pixar movie.. everyone in the room slowly drifted off to sleep... except of course my friend and I laying on the floor.. CRACKING up over the little mini movies. Literally we laid there laughing our heads off for almost 2 hours.

Eventually, (I really cannot remember how) we ended up trying to see if he could do one of those airplane things that typically you do with kids (you know.. put them on your feet and "fly" them) haha.. Then, we had the brilliant idea to see how strong my stomach muscles were and if it would work for me to "Superman" on his feet.... That didn't last long. But, we did laugh hysterically for most of the evening.... As the entire room slept peacefully around us LOL!

I love my friends :)

Mar 20, 2011

Spring Cleaning!

This is the cleanest my room has been since moving here! Literally everything got put away and all my laundry was cleaned, folded, AND put away! Ahhh how nice to have everything in its place :)

To the right you cannot see the 9 cube shelf that has all my shirts folded and put away (color coordinated of course) my books organized.

To the left you cannot see both of the 3 drawer containers with the variety of things organized and put away, my wonderful closet that has everything hung up, folded and stacked in order (of course).. The jewelry wall that has all the earrings hung and necklaces put up, and the bathroom that has everything in it's place.

Yay! Happy first day of spring! :)

Mar 19, 2011

Mar 18, 2011

Mar 17, 2011

Life is so Good...

Ironic how on the days that I wake up in the most rushed state of mind... (Which tends to happen when I wake up half an hour late..) I usually end totally at peace.

I woke up literally 15 minutes before I had to leave.. I don't know how but I made it out the door with no time to spare.. arrived at work 2 minutes late (which isn't a big deal, just means I stay 2 minutes late).. I had planned on metroing to the Bethesda Naval Hospital to visit my friend Paul who was shot in the head/neck in Afghanistan.. who had surgery yesterday... But no, instead they discharged him from the hospital and he and I and his wife went out to dinner.

It was literally the most bizarre thing ever to have him sitting across the table from me with a head/neck wound.. and be fine. God is so good... And Paul's story is amazing, literally a turn of the head saved his life... and has probably changed it too.

Even though he and I have never been close, he's always sorta just felt like an obnoxious little cousin since he is actually my little (ok not so little anymore) cousin Jake's best friend... They were always funny and obnoxious and aggravating (yes, usually at the same time) together. So, even though I had not seen Paul face to face in probably 4-5 years, it was like no time had passed.. yet we had both grown up. I am so proud of him and the life he has built, the family he has, and the things he is doing... How amazing and totally not what I would have expected from him when he was 17!... and his wife is absolutely adorable and so funny!.. I had never met her before tonight, but she is great for him.

God is so good...

Plus, it was just really great to see such a familiar face, and talk to someone who just knows my past, my family, and the ridiculousness that was my upbringing and family lol So, even though we have never been close, it was so great to see him and know he is ok..

In the midst of it all, life is good and God is great.

Mar 16, 2011

Good to Know...

I went to the doctor today for a year check up and was told that nothing is completely abnormal, but just to cover all our bases she wants to run a few more test, mostly to have a baseline if anything changes in the future.

I am relieved and thankful that she was not concerned at all, and glad that she wants to do some more tests just to make sure.

It is good to know I will be fine... Mostly because I feel like I can focus on other things now.

Mar 15, 2011

Not Feeling It...

Today is just one of those days that I just don't FEEL like having a pleasant response to people.. I don't WANT to be nice, and I certainly don't care to deal with stupid little things.. I don't want to CHOOSE a good attitude.

What do I do with days like today?... Nothing. They are what they are...

So, instead I respond appropriately REGARDLESS of how I feel.. and hope that tomorrow will be better... but since I have a decent idea of what tomorrow will be like.. or more appropriately of how I am going to feel tomorrow, I'm really holding out for Thursday. Thursday the plan is work.. then head to the hospital to sit next to a friend/cousin (Paul) who will have spent all day Wednesday in surgery or preparing for surgery.. Even if he is not awake, I am really excited just to go and make sure he is ok... Which means do nothing but be there and see him really...

The update on Paul is that he is back stateside, but has yet to have the bullet removed from his neck (I have no idea what they are waiting for).. But, he is talking, and even posting on Facebook! (Praise the Lord) I really hope it works out to see him Thursday, it would be a welcome change... and nice to see a familiar face.

This too shall pass.

Mar 14, 2011

Things That May...

This weekend was a fantastic one, my friend came up and we danced more than 9 hours combined between Friday, Saturday, and after she left I went on Sunday night.. each night at a different place... Our feet hurt, we sweat a lot, laughed a lot, ate some good food, and didn't sleep nearly enough.

I also got to spend some wonderful time with a friend on his layover from a three week trip to Uganda... We ate some pizza and he told me as much as we could fit into the short amount of time we had before he had to be back at the airport. There is always something about him that just makes me smile.. He is so passionately sold out for Christ it's infectious and I love it! I am so thankful for his friendship in my life :)

Church was great, and I got to just chill for most of Sunday doing random things...

This week however has not started out as fantastic as the weekend was. I was incredibly sore and tired this morning from the hours upon hours of dancing in high heels plus the severe lack of sleep. Work was frustrating, but all little things that I KNOW should not be a big deal.. Satan was definitely working overtime today. Part of me knows "this too shall pass" and it probably had more to do with my overall fatigue then anything, but I was just not feeling the determination to put up with the usual crap. Plus, I finally (after several people asking... and a roomie determined to remind me until I remembered) scheduled a follow up appointment from a year ago for Wednesday. Which of course setting the appointment just makes me think and play out possible scenarios in my mind.... "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ... And yet, at the same time I am working through preemptive emotions knowing there are a lot of possibilities of what could be to come.. and I naturally always want to be strong and help others work through feelings and emotions regardless of if it has to deal with me or others...


And yet...


"The LORD is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him." - Exodus 15:2

"Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed..." - Numbers 14:17a

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." - Deuteronomy 6:5

"...But David found strength in the LORD his God." - 1 Samuel 30:6b

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." - 1 Chronicles 16:11

"Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your might." - Psalm 21:13

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." - Psalm 28:7

"The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." - Psalm 29:11

"LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress." - Psalm 33:2

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’" - Mark 12:30

"He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ " - Luke 10:27

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

And then...

"But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth."
- 2 Timothy 4:17

Mar 13, 2011

Picture Weekend

This is what Liz and I did for the majority of the time we weren't dancing.. :) we had lots of fun! Haha

Mar 8, 2011

I Really Miss You...

This is my duder... (Dude-Er) .. He is the oldest of my munchkins.. and has had my heart for almost 6 1/2 years now (oh my gosh!!)

I can't help but laugh at him when he talks to me and tells me how much he misses me because the things he chooses to say just crack me up!...


Like the one time I called to talk to him and he said "so.. Aunt Dista.. What do you want to tell me?!" in the most adorable cute little voice ever!

Or the time he said "I'm going to Aunt Dista's house... and I get to see the MOUntaINS!" :)

When I lived at home and would take him and his sister out people thought they were mine haha.. I loved it!

He's just adorable and my little duder :)

And, if there is any doubt.. I really miss him too!!!

Mar 7, 2011

Little Man...

I know I have posted lots about my little munchkins (who actually happen not to be mine.. but my brother and sister-in-law's)... But, she emailed this to me the other day, and I was finally able to watch it.

It just melts my heart.. He is the most adorable thing ever.. runny nose and all haha :)

Isn't he just adorable?...

My sister in law is pretty much the most fantastic woman and mom ever... I never feel like I am missing things cause she's always sending me pictures and videos.. and funny things they do. I am so grateful!

Mar 5, 2011

Them Girls...

Three of my besties celebrating Court... At Bdubs watching Duke vs UNC haha love them :)

Mar 4, 2011

Tall B-Day...

The cake I didn't make but helped scheme for... Now I'm currently planted waiting for the birthday girl to walk in... Without knowing I'm here.. Or about this fabulous cake our friends made for her!... I. Love. Birthdays!

Happy birthday Court! :)

Paul..

Please pray for Paul.

Paul is a long time family friend of our entire family... meaning he feels more like a cousin then a friend.

He is in Afghanistan and was shot in the head, but thankfully his helmet deflected the bullet... which ended up in the back of his neck. Currently he is in critical condition heading to Germany.. But, he's alive.

Last I heard he was able to talk to his wife (who has a baby at home), which is a wonderful thing!.. Meaning he was able to talk, but was obviously in a lot of pain.

After Germany and (I assume) he is in stable condition enough he will be brought back to the US.

Please pray for him, the doctors, transportation, his family, and my family.

... Then, pray for our troops. They are going through a lot right now... I know way too many men over there currently or that are heading there soon.

Mar 3, 2011

I Know I am Single, But...

Last night my best friend from college and his father-in-law (who I also know) stayed the night as they were passing through (sorta) to buy a new "mid-life crisis" (is it too early for me to buy a mid-life crisis car?) car for his father-in-law. Anyway, they got here late, but we stayed up talking until REALLY late.. then they got up to say bye to me since I had to leave before them in the morning... It got me thinking.. I am SO BLESSED. I have these amazing friends who just love me.. and I have more then I can count on one hand... And even more then I can count on TWO hands... But, the thing that got me really mulling over how blessed I am is the fact that here I am, my best friend from college went out of his way to see me, his wife packed me a surprise, and a little note written on it that she couldn't wait to see me for Easter...

Does anyone else notice what is typically odd about what I just said?... Not only does he love and care for me.. but so does his wife!.. AND.. I am a "single girl" in their life. Shouldn't I be seen as threatening to her?... Nope, she loves me just as much as he does. I am so blessed.

This lead me to thinking about "the Church." True, pure, un-broken, perfect community the way God wanted us to be and live... Typically once a couple is married all the opposite sex friends that are still single get put on this "caution, dangerous material" shelf, until they can also join the ranks of the married Borg of God (haha.. is it ok to refer to the married Christian community as the Borg?). But, what I love about my best friend from college and his wife is they have not only continued to love me exactly as I am, single (white) female, they continue to cultivate a relationship as individuals and as a couple with me. I love that because I am not interested in pushing friendship beyond what is ok, but I also love that God still can use those relationships to bring us closer to Him... And, what I love even more is, I can think of several married couples in my life that treat my singleness as though it has no impact on their love and friendship towards me (obviously the relationship changes.. but distance changes a relationship too...). I cannot thank these friends enough for truly unconditionally loving me.

Thank you to my use-to-be-single guy friends who even though married, love me in Christ. Cultivate a pure, clean, loving, community built on solid foundations of Christ with me... This still very single (and probably for a long while still) girl as though I am a special part of their community. Then, I have to thank their wives... Because it is very clear you not only love and trust your husband, but you love and trust me.. and THEN you pursue and cultivate a friendship that is unique to just us. I cannot even begin to count the number of times my best friend from college's wife would say or do something that I just really needed.. or she would encourage her husband to reach out to me knowing I was hurting.. or she would reach out to me and offer their mutual support... That is true, pure, un-fallen, unconditional love that can only come from our Savior... And trust me, I do not take that love and trust lightly.. I cherish it right down to my core, from both of them, and the several other married couple friends who have just loved me regardless of my lack of a marital status. Words just do not do any justice for how much that means to me. Thank you.


Me, my best friend from college, and his wife.
Our annual Easter weekend get together that just means SO much to me! :) Love them!

Mar 2, 2011

Beautiful Things...

I heard this song for the first time last night at the all church celebration at the Lincoln theater.. Seriously amazing wonderful time. God is so good.

Anyway, I cannot get this song out of my head... So, as always, I thought I would share!

The thing that I love about this song (besides the lyrics obviously) is that it means that no matter what I am going through, feeling, regardless of what I have done.. God makes me new.. into a beautiful thing, because that's what He does. I love that!

Mar 1, 2011

Theater Celebration...

This was the beginning of the all church celebration for all the things God has done for our church... And to reveal a few things He is doing... Pretty Much a complete and total answer to years of prayers from the leaders at www.theaterchurch.com

Soo thankful for my church and Mark Batterson and not only his faithfulness, boldness, and zeal.. But for getting the chance to be here and see God move in crazy ways!

All in :)