24,746 things on my to-do list...

...for 2011

In the spirit of "making a list", I thought I'd get a head start on the annual tradition of New Year's resolutions. But instead of dwelling on what I'm not doing well, I thought I'd make a list of all the things I could do to be a better me in 2011. While 24,746 things may seem like a lot, once you read the list I think you'll get that its not going to be too overwhelming! ;)

I guess you could say I'm resolving to take more time for myself, my husband, my family and my community. I have other things I want to focus on too, but this is the fun stuff!

1 5k
4 facials
4 trips to the beach
12 bottles of wine
12 girls days out
12 haircuts
12 massages
12 new outfits
15 pedicures and manicures
26 family nights
52 date nights
52 memory verses
52 yoga classes
52 Zumba classes
156 workouts
200 bare-feet covered
300 meals for strangers
365 hours alone with God
23,360 ounces of water

Just to clarify, these are all minimums! As far as this list is concerned, 'more is more'! ;) Don't worry I will be setting some limits for myself in other areas!

God's Power and Grace...

...I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. -- Ephesians 3:7


As I have been preparing for our mission trip to Honduras, I have been led in my Bible reading to Ephesians. One of my favorite all time verses has always been Ephesians 2:10 -"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

As I have been reading in Ephesians I have found Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians. I have been repeating it daily as my prayer for our mission team and for the people of Honduras. I ask you to join me in this prayer over the next week:

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. --Ephesians 3:14-21

I earnestly believe that God has had this planned for me from the time He formed me in my mother's womb. From the time I was a teenager, I wanted to join the Peace Corp, but fear held me back. Not just my own fear, but the fears of my family and friends as well. It wasn't until I had a real relationship with God that I was able to overcome that fear and go on my first mission trip a couple of years ago. Can you imagine what God could have used me for if I had been obedient and in relationship with Him for all of those years?

Attitude is a decision...

...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; - Romans 12:12 (NKJV)

We've all heard it before, "Attitude is everything"; "Your attitude determines your altitude".

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word "attitude" means "an internal position or feeling with regard to something else." Other words often used as synonyms are: "disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective, frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale."

I found this article from Dr. Ellen Duke in my Inbox recently:

Choose Your Attitude

Although we don't yet fully understand the mind/body connection, we do know that a positive attitude can:

• Help improve mood, self-esteem and sense of well-being

• Decrease depression, anxiety and hostility

• Lessen pain and other bodily symptoms

• Speed recovery

• Enhance immune function

• Extend longevity

We also know that to a great extent, our attitude is determined by how we decide to think about events. This "self-talk," whether positive or negative, is so powerful that it determines not just our emotions, but the condition of our physical and mental well-being as well.

Three simple action steps to help optimize your emotional health:

1. Acknowledge that you're in control. The great thing about your attitude is that it's yours. You cannot control what others say or do, but you can control how you react to it. Simply put, no one can put you in a bad mood unless you give them permission!

2. Be thankful. Put things in perspective. You are alive, something that billions of those before us cannot say. You have food, shelter and safety. Something that millions alive today do not enjoy. Appreciate your countless blessings!

3. Don't worry about the small stuff. Remember what's important, and ignore the little things. Focus on the larger picture and you'll find less frustration in your daily interactions with others. The things that matter most are your health and happiness and your family's health and happiness.

This prompted me to wonder what the Bible says about attitude, as I believe the Bible is the best and most trustworthy "self-help" book available to us all! I think Dr. Dale A. Robbins sums it up best in his article, "Check Your Attitude":

How To Develop Good Attitudes

1. Identify and Repent of Bad Attitudes

Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."

2. Submit Your Attitudes to God

Bring your attitudes into obedience to God’s Word. Apply discipline to your thought life — submit your thoughts to those of Christ’s. A good attitude is a matter of faith, disregarding your feelings, with a determination to embrace God’s outlook and disposition.

2 Corinthians 10:5 "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."

3. Equip And Feed Your Attitudes

Dwell on the things that God’s word tells us to — those good and virtuous things. If you dwell on the negative, your attitude will reflect the same.

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."

Now, one of the best attitude quotes I've read recently, "When life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand chocolate!" Now, that's attitude!

Go out and make it great day, because, yes, the day is what you make it! may God bless you all!

God thinks you're cool...

"The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; the Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26

"In other words, God’s smiling at you. Think about it. Every time you smile at someone you’re saying to them, “I approve of you. I accept you. You’re cool.” God not only approves of you, He’s smiling over you. He loves you! You need to get that so deeply rooted within your heart that nothing can ever take it from you." - Joyce Meyer

Sugar-Free Kids...

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." - Psalm 127:3

As parents, I think we all agree that we are responsible for the well-being of our children. Why is it that so often we neglect their nutritional needs? We are constantly giving them sugary drinks, candy, cookies and more and most of us probably don't think twice about it.

Several studies have found that milk (lactose is a sugar) and other beverages are the two main sources of sugar in children, while candy was the third highest contributor. Another study also showed significant, positive behavioral changes in children who had been diagnosed at ADHD when sugar was removed from their diets.

Did you know...

• Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
• Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
• Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

Here is a great article I found that addresses how we can cut back on sugar in our childrens' diets:
nutrition

Would You Like Sugar With That?

by Aurea Thompson, MSH, RD, CSP, LD/N Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition Wolfson Children’s Hospital

Although artificial sweeteners are declared safe for consumption, many people choose not to use them for themselves or their kids because of taste or other personal reasons. Here are some tips on how to reduce sugar intake without using artificial sweeteners.

Rule #1: Learn to like foods that are less sweet.

Replace one-fourth to one-third of the sugar called for in recipes with non-fat dry milk. Here’s how:

Cakes: For each cup of flour, use no more than ½ cup of sugar in cakes.

Cookies: Alter cake-like cookies the same way as above. Altering other noncakelike cookie recipes may result in an unacceptable baked product.

Muffins and quick breads: For each cup of flour, use no more than one tablespoon of sugar.

Yeast breads: For each cup of flour, use no more than one teaspoon of sugar.

Rule #2: Use spices and herbs.

Try using cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg to enrich the flavor of foods in place of, or with a reduced amount of sugar.

Rule #3: Add fresh fruit.

Mix fresh fruit into unflavored oatmeal in place of brown sugar, or mix fruit into plain yogurt instead of buying the yogurt with all the cookie and candy toppings. In place of maple syrup, make your own toppings for pancakes and waffles by puréeing fresh fruit and adding a bit of water and vanilla extract.

Rule #4: Sweeten foods with juice.

Use fruit juice or frozen juice concentrate to sweeten foods.

Rule #5: Consider using honey or molasses.

Honey and molasses taste sweeter than table sugar. Using them instead of sugar may help you reduce the total sugar content of a recipe, but by weight, they contain as much sugar (carbohydrate) as table sugar.

Rule #6: Serve cooked fruits and vegetables.

Cooking fruits and vegetables can make them taste sweeter than eating them raw.

Rule #7: Make your own beverages.

Make your own reduced-sugar beverages by mixing together carbonated water and fresh fruit juice.

Rule #8: Make sure your kids get plenty of rest.

Chronic lack of sleep can cause people to crave more sugary foods. Make sure to get plenty of rest whenever you are trying to reduce the amount of sugary foods in your diet.

Rule #9: Make sure your kids don’t go four hours or more in between meals/snacks.

Younger children and toddlers should have regular snack times throughout the day, and older children should be allowed to have sensible snacks in between meals. Keeping your kids on a schedule helps prevent hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, from occurring. Toddlers and preschoolers may need to have something to eat every two hours to prevent the “hungry tantrums.” By providing a healthy snack schedule, you can help prevent your child from craving sugary foods.

Rule #10: Use fruit for dessert.

Try using the best fruits of the season as an after-dinner dessert! Cut up fresh strawberries, bananas, or melon for toppings on frozen yogurt or applesauce. Or mix blueberries, raspberries and strawberries together with a little “light” whipped cream for dessert. If fresh fruit is not available, try frozen fruit as a topping over fat-free vanilla yogurt, Greek-style yogurt, or yogurt of your choice. Mix frozen fruit with soy milk in the blender for a homemade smoothie...great for an after dinner treat in the summer!

--
God gifted us with our children, let's take the best care of them we can!

10 Principles of Prosperity

Last night, I witnessed what I consider to be one of the greatest honors in my lifetime. Our oldest daughter was baptized! I can just imagine the joy and a host of angels singing in heaven, rejoicing that another soul has been dedicated to our Lord! I can remember the feeling of relief and security I, myself, felt at the time of my own baptism and I am overjoyed that she is now feeling these same things! She will be on a journey of joy, but it will not be unclouded by temptation from Satan. It may be that he chooses to work harder in her life now than ever before, but now she has the power & the authority of Jesus Christ as her weapon! Praise God!

I wanted to share part of the sermon that the minister shared last night because it was a great message. He pointed out that we all struggle with some form of addiction, maybe we don't see it as such, but do all have something that adversely affects us. Consider this as the definition for addiction and I believe you will be able to point out at least one in your life:

"An addiction is a persistent behavioral pattern marked by physical and/or psychological dependency and tolerance that causes significant disruption and negatively impacts the quality of life"

The 10 Principles of Prosperity

Understanding the 10 principles of prosperity and applying them to your life are the first steps in your recovery from addiction.

1. If God’s against it, so am I.

• Galatians 5:19-24

2. Every sin has its origin in your heart.

• Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 4:23; Romans 13:14

3. It is easier to keep the heart clean than it is to clean it after it has been defiled.

• Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 6:27-28

4. You cannot fight a fleshly appetite by indulging in it.

• Ecclesiastes 5:10; James 1:14-15

5. Small compromises lead to great disasters.

• Luke 16:10; Matthew 6:24; Romans 6:16

6. Those who do not love the Lord will not help us serve the Lord.

• John 5:18-20; Proverbs 25:15-16

7. Our sinful habits do hurt those who follow us.

• Romans 14:7; 1 Corinthians 10:23, 24

8. It is not possible to fight a fleshly temptation with fleshly weapons.

• II Corinthians 10:3-5; I John 4:4

9. We lose our freedom to choose when we give in to temptation. The consequences of our choices are inevitable, incalculable, and up to God.

• Proverbs 5:22; Proverbs 20:17; Proverbs 9:17-18

10. God balances guilt with blame. Accept the blame for your actions, and God will remove the guilt.

• John 1:9

My life has been touched by addiction in many ways, my own and those of loved ones. You can be delivered from these strongholds in your life. Prayer is a powerful thing and that's where it starts.

---
Resources found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction and http://www.ruhammond.com/_mgxroot/page_10766.html

They call me Mimi...

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. - Psalm 127:3-4

In case you didn't know I'm a Mimi! Yes that's right a 34 year old "grandmother"! Yes, it's just barely possible, but this is just one of the many joys brought into my life by my amazing husband and "our" children.

The children that call me "Mimi" are a true blessing from God. I love all three of them more than I would have ever dreamed possible. There's just nothing sweeter than hearing, "Thank you for dinner Mimi!" "I love you too Mimi!" "Mimi, you are beautiful!"

Meet my sweet babies:

"I love you best.
I love you most.
I love you high.
I love you low.
I love you deep.
I love you wide.
I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!"


"I love you this much" by:Lynn Hodges & Sue Buchanan

Blessed in Business...

"...for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:14-16 NIV

Wow! This is a busy and exciting month for us! Our business has been truly blessed. We had our best month ever in March and our team is really growing. We are helping more people help more people and that is truly what this is all about for us!

Here's what we'll be doing this month. We'd love for you to join us!

10 Day Challenge

• APRIL 9th - 18th
• You Can Correct 5 Major Body Chemistry Issues In 10 Days:
  1. Blood Sugar
  2. Toxicity Level
  3. Bacteria and Parasites
  4. Body pH Levels
  5. Burn that Fat

Jason & I want you to join us for a 10 Day Challenge!

Jason wants to lose a few more pounds before he hits the gym again! I want to cleanse and detoxify my body after four months of eating things I know aren't healthy! BUT MOST OF ALL WE WANT TO HELP AND ENCOURAGE YOU!

The Challenge begins on Friday, April 9th and runs for 10 days, ending on April 18th. Everyone who participates in the Challenge will be registered to win a FREE Box of our NEW SPN Energy!

Annual Strawberry Festival

• APRIL 17th & 18th
  
• 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  
• 100 W Call Street
  
  Starke, FL

The 12th Annual Bradford County Strawberry Festival will be held in the Historic Downtown Area of Starke, Florida on April 17 & 18, 2010.

One of the areas largest downtown street festivals celebrating our local succulent strawberries. Lots of games, prizes, food, music, antique cars, vendors and of course STRAWBERRIES! Come and enjoy with your family and see why they say the berries around here are "the sweetest this side of heaven!"

My team will be there offering 3 Day Weight Loss Samples for just $5! You can lose 3 lbs or more in just 3 days! Come by and see us!

Business Opportunity Invitation

• APRIL 30th - MAY 2nd
• Spring Hill, FL
  
• Featuring:
  * Crown Presidential Directors: Matthew & Debra Phillips
  * Diamond Presidential Directors: Cheryl & Paul Vanscoter
• 20 year old company
• Check back for more details

This is an event for serious entrepreneurs looking to change their own lives and the lives of others! If you would like to start making $300-500 or more a month part-time while helping others lose weight and improve their health, please consider joining us in Spring Hill at the end of the month.

Friday, will be the Business Opportunity Invitation Event - This is an opportunity for prospective business partners to learn more about FirstFitness & how to become a part of this revolutionary company! You'll learn how our products and income opportunity are changing the lives of so many people!

Saturday, will be a day of Intense Business Training for all distributors - FREE - 9am -2pm with the top leaders in FirstFitness!

"I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." - Proverbs 24:30-34

Holy Week - The Tale of an Almighty Hero

"It's official, my favorite week of the year has begun! Today my Hero came into town on a donkey to die for my sins!! Thank you Jesus!"

This is my favorite time of year! I always like to reflect on exactly what happened the week that Jesus suffered and died for my sins. I've wanted to post the details, but haven't taken the time, so I was excited to see that Carmen from the JoyFM posted this today -

"While many of us are familiar with Holy Week, we may not all know the specific time line of the week. - The point being:

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Sunday, March 28th - Palm Sunday
2 mile journey to Jerusalem from Bethany, where Jesus stays each night

Monday, March 29th
Jesus protests financial transactions within the temple; argues with chief priests

Tuesday, March 30th
Jesus predicts/announces the date of his execution; debates with religious leaders; responds to question about greatest commandment

Judas contracts to betray Jesus

Wednesday, March 31st
Jesus warns against religious leaders, calling them hypocrites and snakes;
From Mount of Olives, Jesus mourns Jerusalem's rejection and pending destruction

Thursday, April 1st - Maundy Thursday
6:00pm-11:30pm
Last supper with disciples - Passover meal

11:30pm
Garden of Gethsemane - Jesus waits for his arrest

Friday, April 2nd - Good Friday
1:00am-1:30am
Confrontation in Garden and Jesus' Arrest

1:30am-3:00am
Trial 1: Annas, former Jewish High Priest for 16 years - Jesus receives initial physical abuse

Trial 2: Current Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin Court - Jesus bloodied by abuse

3:00am-5:00am
Imprisonment at Caiaphas' palace

5:00am-6:00am
Trial 3: All the Jewish elders, including the High Priest, scribes and whole Sanhedrin. They decide to ask the Roman government to kill Jesus

6:00am-7:00am
Trial 4: Hearing before Roman governor Pilate, who declares, "I find no guilt in this man."

7:00am-7:30am
Trial 5: Hearing before Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, who had jurisdiction over Galilee. Jesus refused to answer any questions so Herod returned him quickly to Pilate

7:30am-8:30am
Trial 6: Pilate repeatedly tried to release Jesus but the Jewish leaders continued to object. Pilate physically tortured and beat Jesus beyond recognition seeking to satisfy the Jewish leaders. However the Jews demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate resisted but eventually gave the order to execute Jesus

8:30am-9:00am
Pilate's Roman soldiers take Jesus into the court ("Praetorium") and enjoy mockery and continued torture, including driving thorns into his skull

9:00am-12:00noon
Jesus forced to carry his own cross, then actual crucifixion

12:00noon-3:00pm
Momentous final 3 hours on the cross

Some of the things that Jesus spoke from the cross:

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Jesus is talking about his executioners because they do not understand or know that Jesus is God.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Jesus (quoting a line from the Jewish scriptures) cries out at a moment in time when he is not just physically punished, but spiritually separated from God, his Father. God separates Himself from Jesus because all of the evils of mankind are placed on Jesus. This spiritual separation is the heaviest sacrifice which Jesus pays of behalf of mankind, so that mankand does not need to suffer spiritual separation from God.

"It is finished."
Once Jesus felt he had borne the penalty for the evils of mankind, he declared his mission as accomplished.

"Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
These words, spoken to a thief also being executed with Jesus, indicates Jesus' belief that Jesus would continue to live in paradise (heaven) and that Jesus can choose who will be there with him.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
Jesus believes his spirit, not body, now goes to heaven with God.

3:00pm
Death
Burial

Sunday, April 4th - Easter Sunday
Resurrection! Jesus is alive!

Friends, the tomb is empty!! He is risen! And He's coming back for us. Jesus is the best do-over button we could ever hope for! His grace is enough. And His grace covers you. There's nothing that you have done - or can do - that is bigger than Jesus' ability AND willingness to forgive. In short, you can't "out-sin" the cross. He is alive indeed, but certainly not without nail-pierced hands. Those scars are for you. For me. Accept His gift. Let Him love you today. He wants nothing more. And I want nothing more for you."

I couldn't have said it better myself! Go enjoy Jesus!

A Treasure in the Arms of Christ...

Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

When I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

Q & A with Dr. Oz

I know it's been a while and I promise to update you all on the amazing happenings soon, but today I want to share a post with you from a Q&A with Dr. Oz. If this sounds even vaguely familiar for you, or describes someone you know, let's talk and find your\their joy!!

Q. ... I'm 5'1", 200 pounds, and eating is my only pleasure. I have bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and high blood pressure. I am so unhappy with me. What can I do? -- Carmen, via e-mail

A. What struck us first about your letter was the phrase "eating is my only pleasure," so we're going to help you tackle that first. Some people will tell you that you can't squash your problems with chocolate or a bag of chips, but your brain chemistry would beg to differ. The only problem food really solves is hunger, but it does bring us pleasure. Eating sugary foods or carbohydrates helps us score the feel-good brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. They boost your mood and make you forget for a moment that you're stressed, bored, angry, sad, or in pain. But of course, the second you're finished, the pain returns, and you need sugar again . . . causing a long-term problem from a very short-term gain.

But there are other more healthful foods that can turn on that "natural Prozac" faucet in your brain. Eating a couple of slices of low-fat turkey can ramp up serotonin levels because it contains the raw material -- tryptophan -- that your body uses to make it; it's also a protein that contains the amino acids your body uses to keep your dopamine levels healthy. But we're willing to bet that you actually get very little pleasure from food because you don't take the time to savor it. If you must have a candy bar, choose healthier dark chocolate, and make eating it last a good 10 minutes, during which you pay attention to the flavor and the pleasure you feel. Today, sit down and write a list of other things that make you feel good, from talking to friends to flying a kite, and whip it out whenever you have the urge to eat your way out of your problems. Time to learn that pleasure comes in many forms. That may solve one of your problems for a longer term.

40 Days of Water

...no ark required

No coffee, no tea, no Coke Zero for me.

As the season of Lent approached, I began thinking about my annual sacrifice. I was somewhat familiar with Blood:Water Mission because I had heard about it on the radio, I think I was mostly intrigued by the water challenge and knew it would be sacrificial for me because I do enjoy my coffee, tea and Coke Zero daily. I also like the fact that the challenge falls in line with the lenten season. Though I'm not Catholic and never practiced giving up anything as a child, I do like this tradition and have practiced it for the past several years.

I appreciate that there is a season for which I can make a sacrifice and use it to draw nearer to Jesus Christ. Of course just giving up water does not draw me nearer to Him. It is recognizing that I do not need the other beverages and that He alone provides for my every need that draws me nearer to Him. I like this challenge because I have the opportunity to give back as a result of giving up.

I am to drink only tap water for 40 days (Feb 17-April 3, excluding Sundays). For someone who is spoiled like me, this seems like a sacrifice. For our brothers and sisters in Uganda who will benefit from my contribution, tap water is a luxury that they do not have. They may walk miles to their nearest water source and even then, it is dirty, parasite infested water.

Three days into my "sacrifice", now and already I've passed up 12 beverages and pledged more than twelve dollars. With each glass of water, I am reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that was made for me all those years ago, when my Lord gave his life so that I may come to know Him and have eternal life.

And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. -2 Corinthians 5:15

Join me on this journey:

• MAKE WATER YOUR ONLY BEVERAGE FOR 40 DAYS.
• KEEP TRACK AND SAVE THE MONEY YOU WOULD HAVE SPENT.
• AT THE END OF 40 DAYS DONATE WHAT YOU SAVED TO SUPPORT WATER PROJECTS IN UGANDA.

Follow my progress here.

A hundred dollars, sweatpants & a fleeting touch...

...how we met

In the spirit of Valentine's Day...Maybe you've already heard this story, but I do love to tell it.

When asked how Jason and I first met, I usually start with a story about a party sponsored by the organization we both worked for at the time. However, we never actually met that night, I just admired him from afar. You see I had dropped in on a party with all intentions of saying hello to a few friends and then leaving for bigger and better things, little did I know how my plans and my life would change as a result...

Upon arriving at the party, I won a $100 cash door prize! It was my lucky night in more ways than one. Not wanting to take the cash and dash, I convinced my companion to stay a while longer, besides the DJ was awesome and the dance floor was calling my name. It was sometime early in the night that I noticed a tall, handsome fella in a blue visor holding up the wall. He never moved from that spot but the girls sure did flock to him. I'd never seen him before but didn't dare let on to our co-workers that I was intrigued.

A few days later back at work, I inquired about him to a friend at work. "Who was that guy in the black shirt wearing the blue visor, standing up near the stage all night?" Within a week or two she had it all figured out and summoned me over to meet her friend Jason at a little Friday afternoon get-together. So I took the bait. When I arrived, Jason and I were introduced, he shook my hand and then disappeared. After making small talk with everyone else there, feeling a little let down, I used homework as an excuse and made my way home.

The next week, my friend invited me to Relay for Life in Starke, it was February and the weather was much like it has been this past weekend, so I promptly told her no! She said, "but Jason wanted me to ask you to come." Well of course, on my lunch break I went to Wal-mart in search of some cute sweatpants and was Relay bound. Well, this time, Jason did at least talk to me, but he gave me very little hopes about his interest in me. Again using homework as my escape, I left, but this time, I left him with a fleeting touch, Oprah said that would show my interest. (As if I didn't already look desperate!)

Back to work the next week and a girl in the office next door came over to ask for my phone number. She said Jason wanted it, of course I gave it to her. A full week and weekend went by and he never called. I started to think it was some kind of joke they were all playing on me.

Finally, the following Monday, March 1st, 2004, he called me!! We talked every single day for the next 4 days, but he never asked to see me. Finally on Thursday, he asked if he could take me to dinner. Finally!!

Our first date was Friday, March 5th. I remember every detail, but won't bore you with what he wore, what I wore, what we ordered for dinner at Applebee's, or what we talked about. We were pretty much inseparable from that day forward. My birthday was 4 days later and I've always said he was my birthday gift from God. We married 9 months later and I love him more today than ever...it was love at first sight!

The Face of Love...

...let us be your face