Feelings of Acceptance

Picture courtesy of Melinda....and it's minus a few people =)

I sat back and silently sipped my sangria. All I wanted to do was survey the scene around me. Burgers, fries, milkshakes, beers, Long Island iced teas, sangrias....all of it was on the table. Laughter was in the air. The most random of conversation threads would ensue only to be met with another one. The table was so long, I couldn't carry on a conversation except with those closest in proximity to me.

But it didn't matter. I still felt like this group accepted me--liked me--for who I was. They did not change who they were to impress me and I didn't have to change to impress them. They were themselves; all they did was just add me into the mix.

It had been that way all week. At the rehearsal dinner the evening before, I took some time getting acclimated to everyone. Thankfully, I had begun to gradually meet people on Thursday or else I would be have been in over my head. (The introverted side coming out ;)) I could carry on conversations...although I do think the double shot of espresso that I had had helped with that. Just being a part of a group again was enough.

Those feelings. Once upon a time they had been a part of my life. But they hadn't been....and still aren't....for many years. Leaving churches because of false teachings is a good thing (a VERY good thing) but it also caused "friends" to fall by the wayside. Church "shopping" doesn't really allow for relationship development. And while I enjoy my church now, I feel most accepted by 3-6 year olds. Young adults who think with the same Biblical worldview as I do, have the same standards and background as I do, who want to have fun but in a healthy way like I do.....they just don't exist in my circles. They're not visible. I will not go into the reasons why. =)

Being a Christian, homeschool educated, CollegePlus doing, wife/mother/writer desiring girl has its good points....but it also makes it very hard to feel accepted sometimes. People constantly judge my choices, choices that I know God has led me to (but are against the norm BIG TIME). I know the looks. I know the comments. I get it here all the time.

I do have dear friends; they just all live states away from me. So hanging out with 18-26 year old guys and girls over food and fellowship...it reminded me of what I have been missing for so many years.

Community. 

Who knows. I probably scared half of the people I met away....=) But hopefully, they know how grateful I am. Grateful that for one weekend, I felt like a part of a family again. I felt like I belonged. I felt like I seamlessly fit right in....and I hadn't felt that way in a long time. It's one of the many reasons why I want to go back and see these people again. Was it just in the "spirit of the day?" Or was it more than that? I'd like to think it was the latter. (And it probably was, so one of my dearest friends will tell me)

So to everyone who made me feel one of the gang:
*For driving me back to the airport
*For making jokes about my height
*For talking about name pronunciations
*For convincing me what drinks to get
*For the Starbucks run when I desperately needed one
*For the random Pinterest memes
*For the talks about higher education
*For the TV show comments and "role ideas"
*To the guys who treated me with respect and courtesy (yet were fun at the same time)
*To the girls who weren't mean girls by ANY stretch of the imagination but were instead some of the best around
*For the laughter and the hugs

Thank you. It meant more than you will ever know.

Meeting My Twin

"Can you come here for a second?"

When my friend, the bride, uttered those words, what could I do but listen? I was a bridesmaid. It was my job to help the bride do anything and everything. Had the programs been misplaced? Was there a call that I needed to take for her? Or had her fiancee arrived and I was getting to finally meet him. (After all, I had kept her accountable to her wishes--of not seeing him until the rehearsal dinner)

Throwing myself into wedding details and general fantastic-ness in turn helped me out. I could be focused less on my loneliness, my singleness, and instead, I could bless one of my dearest friends. I wouldn't have had it any other way. In fact, I loved every minute of it. My time will come to be the bride--but this was not the day. And that was okay, more than okay. The Lord had ordained it to be my friend's beautiful day!!

So again, when I was asked for, I came when I was called.

But I was not needed for such things. On a night about close friends and family coming together to make the bride and groom feel special, my close friend had sought to make me feel special. For there, on the stair landing, was my Twin. A girl who I am like in every way but blood. A girl who I have known for five years, whom I have sent prayer requests to, talked about TV shows with, shared daily life stories with.

She and I had planned on seeing each other at the wedding--the next day. But no, she and the bride had worked together to surprise me with her appearance a day earlier. So many people had been in on it--her ride to the wedding, mutual friends on Facebook. Watching my reaction to my surprise were so many people: the bride, my fellow Sisters of the Heart, the groom's brother and sister....

Yes, there was a lot of happiness. There were some squeals. Maybe even some tears. And I got to spend time at the rehearsal dinner with her. I spent time after the wedding with her. We had a sangria and split a burger together. And in the picture above, we worshiped at church together.

Meeting my twin in person was even better than I could have imagined. The Lord brought us together--He brought the details together. I will always remember the laughs, the inside jokes, the heart to hearts shared. I felt richly blessed. I still do. Before you ask, yes, I plan on seeing her again in 2014.

This story....it's only the continuation of a beautiful friendship. And more stories from the wedding shall continue.

In the Words of Michael Scott....

I hate goodbyes. I always have. I cannot do them in ANY movie that I watch. Trust me, ask my family who watched me bawl, at age 14, during a Sesame Street movie in which Big Bird leaves. (But don't ask me why I was watching it when I was that old. I don't have the foggiest idea.)

Ever since I was little, I have been saying goodbye. Moving across the country and leaving grandparents and friends. Moving once again....and then moving back. Visiting long distance friends, having an amazing visit, and then having to leave without them. All of it requires saying "goodbye." Because, honestly, who knows when we will see them again?!

This past week, I found out that someone very dear to me will be moving across the country. And though I know she will be back to visit, considering her kids and grandchildren are here, I also know that things will not be the same. I won't see her smiling face on Sundays. I won't get her big hugs and her encouraging "you can take charge, just trust yourself" glances. I prayed for God's will for her, which is why I know her moving is the best and right thing....but that doesn't make it easy.

The Broadway musical, Wicked!, has a song with lyrics that go something like this:
I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those who help us most to grow
If we let them and we help them in return
Well I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.....

It well may be that we'll never meet again
In this lifetime so let me say before we part
So much of me is made from what I've learned from you
You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.......

I love this song. It's so true for me. There was a time when I was afraid to let people into my life. I had been bruised one too many times, been let down by one too many people. But the Lord reminded me that that was no way to live. He wanted me to allow myself to have a story be rewritten. He wanted me to have good friends who would leave handprints and footprints on my heart. Sometimes, yes, they have still been bad ones, but they are still there. 

If I allow myself to not feel, I would be losing a big part of myself. Which is why, as much as these tears stink, as much as I dread giving my friend that final hug, I still am thankful. I'm thankful to the Lord for helping me move past pain, past fear, and into a happier, richer, fuller place.

However, I do look forward to the day when we won't have to say goodbye anymore. Jokingly, I will be THRILLED to not have mascara run down my face so much so that I look like a raccoon. Instead of goodbyes, only hugs and hellos will be said. It'll be happy. So in order to get to that point, I know I must go through pain--and I'm trying to be okay with it.

Who are those people in your life that you will be glad not to say goodbye to anymore? What impact have they left on your life? If you would like, please share!

Glimpses into Alabama

Three weeks ago, I took an amazing trip to Alabama. It was a time where I got to be with three of my girlfriends as we rejoiced in one of us getting married. Jen, Miriam, Anna and I have been friends for over five years; for most of that time, we were accountability partners which meant we sent weekly e-mails to one another. The last time we were all together was back in 2010 when they all came to visit me.

Two and a half years was much too long, but we definitely made the most of our time together this go-around. I thought I would share some pictures, if that is alright with you.

One of the things we did was a photo shoot. Seriously, we got so many good shots, I need to pick which ones I like best and get prints made up. Yes, we coordinated what colors we wanted to use; we even went shopping to find matching tops =)

From left: Miriam, Jennifer, Anna, and Me

 This picture mirrors one we took in 2010. Thankfully, we didn't have to deal with self timers this go around. Anna's sister, and the Maid of Honor, Jubilee wonderfully arranged to be our photographer. She did such a wonderful job!

Funny story about this picture. Jennifer was nervous about getting down in the grass, thanks in no small part to geese being in the vicinity. Now nothing freaks Jen out ;-) However, whereas I HATE to fly, a little goose poop doesn't unnerve me in the least. I was the first on the ground. Goodness, if there was anything, you can wash your clothes and take a shower.

This looks like a random Indie artist CD cover. Not sure what we should name our band, though, or what genre we would be. I'm the only one who likes Country. *Pouts* =D

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Me, Anna, Miriam, and Jen

One night, the four of us, along with Jubilee (who was behind the camera yet again) took Anna out to dinner. We journeyed to Olive Garden, Anna's pick, where we had a delightfully yummy dinner. Our waitress began clearing away wine glasses, automatically assuming we weren't old enough to drink. Her face said it all when we said that four out of five of us COULD drink....and three of us were going to order a glass of wine. She didn't believe us. But our IDs proved our age and I had a glass of Moscato. 

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So January 26th dawned. It was Anna's wedding day!

I'll just admit it right now. HAIR TOOK FOREVER!!!! Some of the most amazing people gave up their mornings to get six bridesmaids, and one glowing bride, ready....and several of us, myself included, have really thick hair. I mean, really thick. So much so that a vat of hair spray needed to be used and I'm not even sure that it was enough. However, we got ready in the most gorgeous (and huge) bridal suite, complete with a grand piano, so we had a lot to keep us occupied.  Here Jennifer and Miriam are getting themselves gussied up--though I'm not sure if this was before or after make-up.

Yes, we actually traveled to the church with no make-up on and our hair NOT done. Scary isn't it?! No one "important" saw us, so all was okay. Besides, between getting to the church, picking up flowers from the house where they were being kept, remembering the wedding dress, taking stuff down five flights to the church kitchen (it was a huge church! Definitely needed for all of the guests invited; the bride's church wouldn't fit them all!)----and doing all of this by 10 o'clock--we had enough on our minds ;-)

Somehow I found myself holding on to people's bouquets. Not sure how that happened, as my expression clearly seems to show. I will tell you this: I was petrified I would damage the flowers, especially since they were beginning to wilt the day of the wedding. But none of that happened.

Did you know that make-up remover gets lipstick out of chiffon? Yes, we had a near crisis. Anna wasn't sure how it happened, but some lipstick found its way onto her dress. Amazingly we got it out!!! That...and having to iron several pairs of groomsmen pants....and misplacing usher vests and some flowers...yeah, we had some little fun disasters that definitely kept us on our toes, but hey, that makes a wedding fun!

Jennifer and I definitely bonded closer together this week. 

The glowing bride. We had prayed for this day for Anna---oh so long. And here it was.

The ceremony was over. Anna was now married to Ryan. Oh those two were so happy. I watched Ryan the entire time (granted, I couldn't see Anna's face). The guy beamed the entire time. He rocked on the balls of his feet. If he hadn't been holding Anna's hands, he would surely have floated up to the ceiling a la Mary Poppins

Mary Khris (a friend of Anna's), Jennifer, Me, Miriam

By God's grace, I didn't cry while standing up there. Goodness knows, we Sisters of the Heart had done enough crying. Plus I really didn't want to have mascara coming down my face ;-) I did get teary eyed, several times in fact, but I more just smiled. I was so happy for my friend! But being a bridesmaid is also physically and mentally draining--I think we would all say that. I did learn one thing. You need to do subtle knee bends and you need to move your feet--because standing for twenty minutes in one ramrod straight position causes you to lock up and that is not a fun feeling. When I had to walk back up the aisle, my knees felt like jelly. But I didn't fall. Not going down, not going up, and all in four inch heels!!! Yippee!!! LOL

Here was all are: the bridal party. This was the pose where we are all told to act stupid. Problem with that is after you do it one or two times, you run out of ideas. I know I did. I could try telling you all the names of everyone, but since you can't get good angles, it could be pointless. LOL 

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It's just a little glimpse I know. And I want to share more of my thoughts (weddings have a way of inspiring thoughts). But I have enjoyed remembering these things with all of you <3 p="">

17 Bucks Worth of Chocolate

Yes. You read that right: I recently spent seventeen dollars on chocolate. I know. I know. I can't believe it myself. I wouldn't classify myself as a chocolate lover, but spending that much money.....you would think that I need to go to Chocoholics Anonymous or something.

Would the situation be better if I said that four bridesmaids and a bride all pitched in? Because that's the case. One of the first things to happen on my trip to Bridesmaid-Land was a spa date in which we got manicures, drank sparkling cider, and ate chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.

It's horrible, no, CRAPPY lighting, so focus on the Lindt truffles instead. One bag was milk chocolate, the other dark chocolate. And THEN there was a bag of Hershey's Bliss chocolate AS WELL AS, my personal favorite, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Now, lest you think we ate all of the candy in one sitting, I can assure that we took it home and ate it while we worked on bridesmaid type stuff.

While the peanut butter cups were my favorite, I am a huge dark chocolate fan. Don't they say that dark chocolate is healthy for you? I love the slight bitterness when you bite into its goodness and you can add mint or chili or sea salt.....I love it all.

But you know what else girls do while running errands? They go on Starbucks runs! That is what we did. The four of us in this picture have been close friends for over four or five years--we have had a weekly accountability group during that time and now, the first of us has gotten married. (I will be the last one, I can tell you that ;-) Well, some days we needed sugar and coffee to keep us going.......or maybe that is just what we told ourselves......and believe it or not, the weather was warm enough to have cold drinks! I got an iced peppermint mocha (I have a thing for peppermint.) In hindsight, I wish I had gotten something with whipped cream only because I love whipped cream. What is funny is right after this picture one of us dropped our Starbucks all over the ground (no, it's wasn't me) and we drove through the drive through to get another one. That is how desperate we were ;-)

It's just a little glimpse into my trip, but in the next two days, I have two more glimpses for you. It was a beautiful, fun time. It was filled with laughter and tears.....and chocolate =)

(Not My) Wedding Bells

I have never been a bridesmaid before....but that is all about to change. By the time this post hits, I could either be 30,000 feet in the air or waiting on my plane in Denver or maybe even at my destination. Yes, it's that time. One of my dearest friends is getting married this Saturday....and I am blessed to be a part of her special day.

Now, here's the biggest step for me. I HATE FLYING. If you look through my archives, you will see that I have a pathological fear of it. I'm not completely sure where that stemmed from (although it could be those survivalist movies Mom made me watch when I was a kid--the ones with planes crashing in the mountains and having to live off of the land. Who knows?!) So once I land in Atlanta, my somewhat final destination, aside from a three hour car ride to my friend's house, I will be able to breathe easier. But it isn't happening now. I would really covet prayers for peace and safety. And I don't say that lightly.

I am so excited for this week. Manicures and pedicures, nice dinners, ironing tablecloths and printing programs: all of it awaits us. Times laughing, times praying, times taking pictures (including "feet" pictures we are famous for.) I'm excited for all of it. Yes, even the dress that isn't my most favorite thing in the world. Standing up with my friend as she commits her life to her best friend is what is the most important thing.

All that to say is that the blog might be touch and go until after the 27th and I return home. If I can get on the ball and get some blog posts lined up, GREAT. If I can write some in Word on the plane, GREAT. (Although I do have another article that begs, BEGS to be written. And thus that will take precedence!! I'm on it, Charity ;-) ) But if you don't hear from me, know that I love and am thinking about each and every one of you.....and when I return, you will hear all about my travels.

The Same Issues

It's a black hole kind of feeling, one that knocks you off of your feet and leaves you breathless. You thought you were over this problem; you thought you had gained victory...and it only took a matter of seconds for you to realize that you're not. Memories rise to the surface; you try to drive them back into the darkest recesses that you would rather not visit again. You feel walls closing in around you; every negative thought supercedes every positive one. You attempt to climb out of the black hole but rather, you keep sinking deeper and deeper into it. And your finite and sinful humanness is made all the more real.

Or so it is for me anyway ;-) But let me backtrack a second....

This blog post has been stewing around in my brain for the past several weeks. I have known that it was one that the Lord wanted me to write. Who knows why....I mean, willingly diving back into your black hole to share one's story isn't exactly therapeutic! ;-) And talking about my inner demons isn't the happiest of tales. But they are as much a part of me as the good bits, the sports loving bits, the love of baking bits of my soul. These negative attributes are a part of my story and they always serve to teach me something, if nothing more than to knock me on my rear and show me just how far I have to improve.

My biggest inner demon is that of jealousy/trusting issues. I have struggled with it as far back as I can remember...ever since I was a little girl. My teenage years are mostly riddled with snippets of being dumped because I was no longer cool, and every time I opened myself up to trusting again, the cycle would repeat itself. Honestly, I came to a point where I wanted zero people in my life; after all, when you aren't around people, no one can hurt you. You stay in a safe bubble away from the black holes that threaten to suffocate you. It's a much more comfortable place to be.

I have opened myself up since those painful days, but it doesn't take much for scars to feel just as fresh as the day they were created. All it takes is a casual word spoken--or sometimes not spoken--for the past to come rushing back. I immediately see visions of being dumped all over again. Even if I know deep down what is truth. Taunts can be so much more louder than the Voice of Truth. This past week, my spiritual battle combating this has seemed to be a constant thing....and I know that I haven't won every battle. In fact, a few times I have given in and let the black hole swallow me. It's been kind of bad.

It's not something I'm proud of. Frankly, I would love nothing more than to only share happy stories on this blog. But maybe, out in this big wide expanse called "the internet", my honesty might resonate with someone. Because maybe you are fighting--and sometimes losing--the spiritual battles over certain sin issues that you have been called to wage. Maybe you think you finally have the problem under control only to see, quite obviously, that you don't.....More than anything, I want people to know that they are not alone on this road. This messy, cloudy, storming, "you know there is light at the end of the tunnel but you just don't always see it" type of road.

There is nothing I would love more than to be a "whole" person. What would that be like, being a person who didn't struggle with self-doubt and trust? Why was I called to walk down this path? A part of the answer I found (and I know I won't find the whole answer until Heaven) ties in with this Christmas season we are in: God knew it was the biggest way to show me just how much I need Him, that Babe in the manger. I am reminded of how much of a role sin plays in my life--and how much I need a Savior. I need a Baby who offers grace for each time I fall, who offers strength to pull me out of my black hole....and who holds my hand and wipes away my tears even when I don't have the strength to combat the lies anymore.

I could say that one day I will get a handle on these issues of mine, but who knows if there is a complete guarantee of that. I never will become a super human with zero problems; I'll never be that picture perfect Christian who appears to never doubt or struggle. I'm just me. I'm classy with a dash of quirk, as this blog is aptly named--and that quirk encompasses the scars I have. They play a part into who I am. But so does the redemption part of my tale, the gift of Christmas part. There is a promise of one day, tears will be wiped away; no one will ever give me cause to feel pain. It's a beautiful promise.

And so that is why, with God's amazing help and grace, I aim towards climbing out of the black hole of doubt one more time.

Where I Have Been

I know. I know. I have neglected my little piece of the blogosphere of late. I hate not writing and sharing my thoughts (and making you guys listen to them)....but I do have an excuse. Right around the time I ceased writing, my dearest friend trekked across the country to come see me.

We had a blast together. I mean, when you are with your dearest friend:
**You stay up until 3 AM having a heart to heart discussion

**You eat pints (yes, I meant to use the plural) of Ben and Jerry's ice cream as you watch chick flicks. And at least "The Lucky One" wasn't as depressing as past Nicholas Spark's films

**You shop until you drop. Literally. And yet you manage to not spend your entire paychecks =)

**You can actually watch your favorite TV shows together for once instead of waiting until the next day to fangirl over the phone with them.

**You have two photo shoots (and somehow manage to avoid freezing during a particularly dreary and cold day)



I loved having Meghan out here for a visit! It was definitely God appointed, as we didn't think we would get this additional time (in this calendar year) together.

But now, it is back to regularly scheduled programming =P

Absolute Contentment

When one is in the midst of wedding planning with one of your closest friends, one is apt to do a lot of thinking. You think about bridesmaid dresses--and whether or not you really like the one the bride picked. You encourage her about finding a venue and you hit "like" when her engagement photos are up on Facebook. You put her first name with her fiancee's last name and you realize just how perfectly it all fits together. You find yourself praising the Lord for writing such a beautiful love story for your dear friend.....and all of a sudden, you are made aware that there is not a bit of envy in your heart.

My social network sites have found so many people in my life--both current as well as removed--entering into either relationships or marriage. It has made me so very happy to see, especially where some are concerned. I'm a hopeless romantic; I always have been and I always will be. I'm the girl who gets giddy when my movies end in kissing scenes (I'm serious--who cares if it is "Wives and Daughters" and "Downton Abbey" or "The Wedding Planner"--they still make me sigh). I'm the girl who "ships" character pairings on my favorite TV shows. I love looking at engagement photos and my Pinterest board is up to 160 pins. I have so many ideas and the six different wedding shows I watch don't help in keeping that number low.

So, when I say that I am surprised by how I am not in the least bit envious of my friend who, in January, will be marrying her Prince Charming, trust me, I take myself by surprise. I was the girl who up until recently possessed a list of all the things my husband *had* to be. Several were important (and ones that still matter to me)....others were, frankly, either legalistic and/or stupid. I was the girl who thought marriage was my "be all, end all" and that my life wouldn't start until my name was joined with some other guy. But right now, I am filled with contentment for life as it stands right now. I have such a peace that passes all understanding--one that comes from Christ and Him alone.

Don't get me wrong, I am hopeful for the day when I have my own wedding planning to do. I look forward to taking pictures like the ones I see on Pinterest. And I look forward to having a mashed potato bar at my reception......but for now, I'm to be that lady in waiting. I don't just sit by, though, doing nothing, pining away in a corner. I work. I write. I do my college studies. I work with little kiddos at church. I try to become the sister, the daughter, the friend that Christ wants me to be. It's my full time job right now.

I know that my future husband is, hopefully, in much the same boat that I am. And so, I pray for him every day. He is very much a part of my life. But I don't just pray for him--I pray for all of my single friend's spouses. We are all in this together after all! And we all have a choice about how we handle these "single years" (as much as I dislike the term, due to its tendency for over-usage, it is what these years are called.) I can either sit around and be unhappy about not sending wedding invitations....or I can trust in what the Lord told me about one day getting my turn and instead, I can focus on other people's happiness. One day and only God knows when I will share with my future husband the letters I have written to Him....and it will be at the best time. Which isn't now.

The twinges do come as the inevitably will. But currently, I have not had one of my despairing meltdowns where all I want are tissues and ice cream in which to drown my sorrows.(Yes, I do have those.) God has, for the time being, taken those tendencies away. I'm immensely thankful to Him for that! So thankful. I never thought I would be going through this time without tears and thinking about myself. I thought that whenever the time would come, I would be wanting my wedding even more than my friend's. I thought I would be jealous. But I'm not.

So I write this for all who are might mind themselves in much the same boat as I am. You're not alone. I understand what you are going through--this single stuff. It can be painful. It can be messy. It can be rewarding. It is a constant challenge between contentment and self-pity. It definitely sums up "life", doesn't it? I'm just thankful knowing that I serve a God who blesses us in ways we never thought we could be open to....and that there are others out there who walk the same road.

Your Prince Charming is out there--somewhere. Believe it! =)

Getting Beyond My Fear of Friendship

Sometimes, you read something that just hits you. It's one of those things that you could have written yourself. Recently, someone very near and dear to my heart shared with me the following article. I am telling you, you guys need to read it!

Go to the article here

See what I mean? It's good, isn't it? And it is absolutely, positively spot on. I have been in that place. That sort of place is definitely not a fun one. It was, and still can be, a place where there is much pain and sadness and tears. However, a thought that stood out to me was this:

Friendship is the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person! Having neither to weigh thoughts or measure words, but pouring all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful friendly hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping and, with a breath of comfort, blow the rest away


I have been blessed with several friends who live out that above statement in my life. They are the friends that I turn to when I need pray, they are the friends that I can act positively stupid with; they are their for me when I need a shoulder to cry on or someone to vent to. They don't live me and each and every one of them plays a different role in the grand scheme of things--but I feel safe around them.

It has not always been this case for me and indeed, if I were to tell you all about my friendship woes, we would be here much too long. However, I can attest to the fact that I had to get beyond my fear of friendships, to open myself myself to possible rejection again, before I got to experience friendships built on really solid foundations.

If I had one piece of advice for you and for myself, it would be this: be the kind of friend that a person can lean on. It looks different with every person and with every friendship. Just don't be a mean girl. Don't be a jerk. There are enough of those in the word. Be an example of Christ.

Snapshots of a Happy Two Weeks

The easiest way to explain why I have been absent is to show you. The old cliche "a picture is worth a thousand words" really does apply in this case. Y'all here were very much in my thoughts and every time I thought about writing, something got in the way. If I were you, I would want to know what those things were.....only I might just be a nosy individual =)

 I was busy drinking Starbucks. I think my total was six =P

Swimming with my "little brother", Ronnie. Since I have met him, he has gotten so big!

Taking science/nature walks with Ronnie and Anna. 

Photo ops with five of the most beautiful Christian girls. And in case anyone is curious,
I am the oldest and the shortest =D

Talks with my Aunt Suzie. Oh some of the interest discussions we had!

Tal

A weekend trip to Gettysburg

Around Memorial Day

The opportunity to meet Neesie, one of my long distance friends for whom
Gettysburg was also the halfway point

Sara gets to be in this one. I also finally met her for the first time in four years!

Seeing The Hunger Games for the third time...and borrowing my friend's shirt =)

Actually walking through a creek

Spending two wonderful weeks with my Pittsburgh family,
though not by blood, they hold a special place in my heart. Always

And to quote Michael Scott:
"Goodbyes Stink!"

Thank you, Lord, for having blessed me richly with these!

Never Say Never

Who has ever said the phrase "I will never do that" and then, you have had to eat your words? Raise your hand..........

Are everyone's hands up? Because mine are.

Oh, we could be here forever with my telling you tales of eating my words. It has happened so many times. But I am here today to tell you about an incident this summer, one where I never expected to happen.

My pseudo-little sister just celebrated her seventh birthday. Now you have to understand, I love this little girl and when she asks me to do something, I do it....but when I saw her this past summer, she asked me to watch the High School Musical Trilogy with her. My mouth went dry, my palms were sweaty...

You see, I had sworn that I would never watch those movies. In my legalism period, I viewed them through holier-than-thou eyes. I think I was above such things. Then, when I came out of that, I stayed away from the movies "to save face." But where my little sister was involved, I wanted to make her happy. So we did all three back to back to back.

I discovered that they were not half bad. Were they Academy award winning? Absolutely not. Were they the best thing I have ever watched? No. But I found myself tapping my foot and singing the songs. I even made one or two comments that will NOT repeat on here ;-) But I did manage to have a good time.

Yes, I am eating my words. God showed me yet again that I should never say never. (And unless you question, I am NOT a Bieber fan ;-)) I guess he wants me to be a "well rounded" individual, one who cares about making others happy than my preconceived notions.

Tell me, has this ever happened to you? If it hasn't, I warn you--it will. LOL