I like this one

I usually don’t like forwards. I never like the, “If you really are a Christian, you will forward this to at least 10 people” that inevitably follows the message of the forward. I did think this one was clever though. Just thought I would share:

“A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, ’Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.’

The Lord led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.

In the middle of the room was a large round table.

In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man’s mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.

They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.

But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, ‘You have seen Hell. They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man’s mouth water.

The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, ‘I don’t understand.

‘It is simple,’ said the Lord. ‘It requires but one skill.

You see, they have learned to feed each other.

The greedy think only of themselves.’

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.”

I don’t expect you to forward this or anything. But I do want to encourage you to love one another and serve one another as Christ has loved and served each of us.

What’s on your mind?

I feel like I have a billion things going on right now. Work is crazy busy (and I LOVE it), school is intense and I get about one day a week to actually get to hang out with hubby. I have a lot going on needless to say, and with that, I have a lot of thoughts rolling around in my noggin. Just wanted to list a few for ya to keep you updated

• I am a very fickle person. I mean, really. So now that I am in school, I kind of don’t want to be. I have really struggled with figuring out if I have made the wrong choice, whether I really want to be a teacher or not, or if I am just wanting to give up because it is hard (most likely the last one). Right now I am definitely staying in the program. I would have wasted a lot of money and let down a lot of people if I didn’t. Let me state that again, I AM staying in the program. This is just a thought process I have been going through lately.
• I think I have told just about everybody that Tim and I plan to grow our family through adoption. I really am only interested in being pregnant once. I want to experience it, and then be done with it. Also, there are 143 BILLION orphans in the world. That number is too great to not be a part of decreasing that number, even if it is just a little. Also, I really feel that if you are a Christian, you should AT LEAST consider adoption. After all, you have been adopted into the Kingdom of God. So, with all of that said, Tim and I are praying about starting the process, and soon. I can’t tell you how excited I am. I know that it will still be about three more years before we bring home baby, but just beginning the journey is an amazing feeling. I am on the road to my child. That just makes me want to scream with joy We will first adopt from the Philippines. That is why I say the process will most likely take about three years. That is about how long it takes right now from that country, and I am prepared for that. I hope I don’t go crazy! Please be praying for us on that subject.
• Can I just say that I LOVE my husband? Because I do. Because of certain events that have happened in our lives recently, he came to me the other day and said he wanted to be proactive about having a healthy marriage. He is great and has really followed through
• Please go check out the Real Hope For Haiti Rescue Center. They have an incredible ministry in Haiti. It is amazing what the Lord does through them. Right now, their funds are really low. They could use YOUR help. Please read over the blog and see what incredible things they do in Haiti and how they serve the people there. And, if you feel led, please donate to them. If you ever feel a calling to go serve the people of Haiti, they can hook you up. They love for volunteers to come and serve them.
• Loving reading the blogs of those who went on the Compassion International trip to El Salvador. If you have never considered/prayed about Compassion International’s Child Sponsorship Program (sponsors like you pay $38 (in the U.S.) to meet the physical and spiritual needs of school-aged kids) please do so NOW. You will be forever changed.
• Still keeping an open mind to serving young, possibly single mothers. It is amazing how so many opportunities have presented themselves in the past couple of weeks. I am excited to share in the near future.
• I am REALLY wanting to get more involved in serving my community. I love my church family and they present so many opportunities to do this. I am thinking the previous point will be my vehicle to achieving this. I just want to get to know the people I am basically doing life with every day and don’t even know their names. I want to get to know who they are, what makes them tick, what their passions are, what is going on in their lives.
• I have no idea when I will fit anything new into my life. I am SO busy all of the time. Any time I mention anything new to some of my close friends or Tim, they always ask when am I going to do that. Hopefully that will work itself out.
• I am HORRIBLE with time management. I am such a procrastinator. I mean, really. And what is ridiculous is I HATE that about myself, but I do nothing about it. I think I heard on Dr. Phil before that it is because I am so self-centered, which is true. I really hope I grow up in that department, and soon!
• I decided to take a break from Facebook for awhile. I did well, for one day. That evening I finally broke and got on. That was when I found out I had one friend that was pregnant and another having problems with her pregnancy. Look how much changes in that small amount of time. Needless to say, my very short break is over. Did I mention I don’t have much self-control either?

Okay, I think that is pretty much the jest of it. I am sure there is much more, but that is all I can think of for now.

Google Reader Overload

I just had 50 blog post that were marked unread in my Google Reader. Truthfully, I don’t have the time to catch up on those, nor the will. It doesn’t help that I just added like 5 Philippines Adoption Blogs. So even though I know I am missing out on a lot of really fun/great/inspiring info, I hit the “Mark All As Read” button. I feel better now. I am one of those people who HATE to have a full inbox. Or to have a ton of friends on Facebook or Twitter that I really don’t even know. I don’t like clutter. It makes me feel overwhelmed. Not that you really care about any of this, but I thought I would share anyway.

I hope your day is going a lot better than this post

So cute!

This is a forwarded e-mail I got today from my mom. I thought it was really cute and wanted to share. Enjoy!

One day my mother was out, and my dad was in charge of me.

I was maybe 2 1/2 years old. Someone had given me a little ‘tea set’ as a gift, and it was one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of ‘tea’, which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was ‘just the cutest thing!’ My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I came down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy; and she watched him drink it up.

Then she said, (as only a mother would know), “‘Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?”

Confession…

The same trashy me that loved watching Roseanne, also really likes Cougar Town. Anybody with me? Anyone? Don’t judge me.

On a better side of things, I also loved I love Lucy. Probably my favorite T.V. show ever. Here one of my favorite clips.

my heart is weary…with no reason

Do you ever feel that way? I do pretty often. I was wondering earlier this week if it is because I am really just a miserable person deep down. I hope not. I seem to be a pretty happy person on the outside, but that is not me. Truthfully, if I am not holding back, most of the time I am impatient, annoyed, self-serving and just want to be left alone. Please pray for me that my heart is changed. I DON’T want to stay this way at all. I know I have changed through my life, I have changed a lot. But it is not enough. For the most part I have gone from hiding in being the center of attention from facing my true self to just staying away from a whole lot of deep relationships.  Only the Lord can bring the change that I need. So why am I not holding on for dear life to Him. I am foolish, I know this. But that still does not motivate me.

Tonight I went out with friends to eat. I had so much fun. I am the one who brings the energy to the table. It can be fun for some, and annoying to others. I had a great time. And now I am back in bed for the night feeling a little blue. I hate mood swings. They frequent too much here.

I am kind of just rambling. Just wanted to get this out. I feel a little better now

what is going on here….

To be honest, I just don’t have it in me to write on this thing much. I read the other blogs. Actually, I am starting to get to the point where I only look at the posts with pictures and videos. I am tired. Some days I have good days, and then I have a few low days. Today is a low day. Nothing happened. No one died. I just get these every so often. And they suck. And then tomorrow will be great again. It’s just who I am. At least I don’t have major melt downs like I used to.

Anyway, sorry for the depressing talk.

Random thought: I want to go swimming.

I will leave you with a picture that was recently taken of me and my man. I didn’t get really any posed pictures from our wedding day, long story that involves a huge storm, so two years later we set up a photography session. So much fun Even Tim had fun!

Other upcoming news…Tim’s birthday is coming up. I am taking him to the Melting Pot for his first visit. I am really excited. Also, we are going to visit the family in a couple of weeks. Many I miss those people!

I am still here…

Summer seems to be a difficult time for everyone on keeping up with their blog. Not that anything has changed much with my schedule. I think I am kind of getting into a whole, “do I even want to blog anymore” mood. Sorry, but it is true.

I love to read blogs. But, I don’t ever feel like I have enough going on with me to blog about. Or if I do, I don’t have the energy.

But, for those who might still be reading, here is what is going on with me these days:

• I have started to learn about the whole world of Coupons from SouthernSavers.com. I have read on several other blogs how much they are saving, and I have decided I want in on that too! You should check it out!
• I start school next Wednesday! Yep, the girl who has wanted out of school most of her life is going back. And get this, I am going back to be a teacher! I am going back to become something that will always keep me in school! My teachers from elementary, middle and high school would be shocked…and confused! I am going through a 16 month program (+ student teaching) that meets once a week, at night. I am excited because everyone I have worked with so far from this school has been fantastic! And I have heard mega good (yeah, I just made that up) things about the school… so it should be great!
• I have started watching my three most favorite little boys again! I watch Daniel, Nathan and Dalton every Tuesday, and goodness I can’t get enough of those kiddos!
• Tim has hurt his back pretty bad. He has been walking around crooked. No really. He told me he feels really gross because his body is doing something that is not natural So for the past two weeks we have been laying low. I think I have rested just about as much as I can. I am ready to go out and go hiking, or something!
• We recently rearranged our living room, and I love it! I have randomly stated so many times while just sitting in the living room how much I like it. I used to think the whole deal with energy flowing  b/c of how you arrange your furniture was a bunch of bull. But it makes me so happy how we have it now. Makes me rethink some things
• There is a shortage of good movies lately to rent. I have seen a couple of good movies, but they were at the movie theater. My favorite right now in theaters is probably “The Proposal“. I am a big fan of Sandra Bullock.
• I really need to start working out. Enough said.
• I am saddened to read this… praying even harder for them.
• I am living about 5 hours away from my immediate family. My two sisters go to 8th grade and high school for the first time today. I feel like I am missing out on them growing up. And I really miss my family. Any advice from any one who has married and moved away?

And to end it all, I thought I would post a picture of my two favorite girls (Diana and Necie, my sisters):

Diana and Necie

Dancing makes my heart happy :)

Well, it does.

I love dancing movies. I love watching dancing. And back in the day, I loved to dance too (I still would love to, as long as it doesn’t involve pulling any muscles). I just love it. It makes me happy.

Even though I love dancing, I have NO rhythm. Whatsoever. My husband has LOTS of rhythm, but hates to dance. How does that work out.

Anyway, one of my favorite scenes in a movie is from Hitch. I have even tried to replicate the steps. In the safety of my own home of course. With the blinds closed. I just think it is SO fun

My husband loves me. And because of that, he danced to a “fast” dance with me at our wedding. Which I LOVED, and he hated. He only did it for me, which makes me love it that much more. I really wanted our wedding to be unique, and to have dancing. We def. had dancing, and it was so much fun. But I have to say, this couple has shown us how it is done. I think this is so great and burst into laughter every time I see it! Enjoy

(by the way, be prepared to laugh…loudly!)

Oh baby!

Tim and I baby sat a 3 week old baby last night. I gotta tell you, I am already (since the day we got married) in “I want to have a baby” mode. Like something fierce. But, I know, if it is an option, it would be wiser to wait.

I am so glad my hubby is here to make rational decisions for us.

While we were in Ethiopia we visited an orphanage. Of course this got me talking about kids, once again. Tim usually will not talk to me about it. I tell him he has no imagination, he just says that this is not something we are going through now so it is hard for him to get excited about it. Whatever. Anyway, I started having the baby conversation, and he actually joined in! But what is funny, he said we could start our family next year (holy cow!!). But…. I said (I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth) that we should probably wait at least three more years.

I am about to start back to school for my M.Ed. and he still has at least 2 years in his undergrad. After he graduates, he will then go back for his Master’s in Communicative Disorders. So… I think that it will probably be a better idea if we wait. Ugh. I don’t like that answer, but if I want to be responsible at all, I guess that is the best choice.

I know what many of you will say. “If you wait til you are ready, you will never have a baby”. I know that, but I would like to be a little more ready than we are right now.

So, while I am REALLY wanting a baby, we are still waiting for another 3 years. joy.