My Love Story

Hey its me again! Had a much better day and am anticipating a 4 day weekend ahead!!! But I really wanted to share some of my heart with ya'll tonight. As you know I am single, I mean as single as a girl can possibly be. And well let me be honest as I get older its not exactly where I had hoped to be by this point in my life. Nonetheless its where I am at and trying my best to be happy and learn as much as I can during this 'single' phase. I often tell people that I have no desire to be married and thats why I am still single. After all if they think I am happy being single than I won't have to deal with their pity or sarcasm. (cause that is how people always react to the older single gal in the room) But the truth is I DO have the desire to be married. As a matter of fact I cannot wait! But I have seen so many marriages fall apart and I do not want to be one more statistic because I rushed head first into something.

Lately I have begun reading the book When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy. Let me tell you I love that book! It has given me a totally new perspective on dealing with my singleness until that perfect moment when God brings someone into my life! And He will! God has a personal interest in ME and in my love life! If I could imagine a conversation with Him, He'd probably say something like, "I know you better than you know yourself, and I am perfectly able to bring this man into your life in My own time, in My own way. . .and I don't need your help!" And I know He has someone that will be just perfect for me, who will love me just the way that I am. And when His timing is right. . .well lets just say it will be awesome! God never does anything half-hearted and He longs to bless His children with the very best. All I have to do is trust Him and believe! Its that simple. And believe it or not that mindset and that kind of faith makes all the difference in the world. Who have thought?

And when I let my mind dwell on the fact that God has something (someone) far better for me than I could possibly imagine, that gives me goosebumps. God has given me a beautiful hope, because I have given Him the pen to my love story. I find that hope in the fact that at this precise moment He is preparing someone to perfectly match my life. (and you know what else: he is preparing me to be the perfect match for someone else!!!!!) Thats right! He is working this minute to have us both ready at the same time. How cool is that! Okay so maybe that is a really basic and simple thought, but I have never really looked at it that way before, so to me it was a whole new concept. One, I might add, that I am super excited to share. You know what else, the man that I will someday marry, he's alive and out there wandering around somewhere!!!!

I did a scrapbook page to celebrate my "single and waiting" status.





The journaling is the lyrics to Eric and Leslie Ludy's song Faithfully, kinda the theme song for the book. It reads "Tonight I saw a shooting star*made me wonder where you are*For years I have been dreaming of you*And I wonder if you're thinking of me too*In this world of cheap romance*And love that fades after the dance*They say that I'm a fool to wait for something more*How can I really love someone I've never seen before*I have longed for true love every day that I have lived*And I know real love is all about learning how to give*So I pray that God will bring you to me*And I pray you'll find me waiting faithfully*
faithfully i am yours from now until forever*Faithfully i will write, write you a love song with my life*Cause this kind of loves worth waiting for*no matter how long it takes i am yours*
Tonight I saw two lovers kiss*reminding me of my own loneliness*They say that I'm a fool to keep on praying for you*How can I give up pleasure for a dream that won't come true*but I will keep believing that God still has a plan*And though I cannot see you now, I know that he can*until I find you I'll be waiting faithfully*"

Grrr!!!!

Okay so I came here to vent, but the more I think about it and calm down I think I am totally overacting. But then again this is my blog and if I wanna be petty I can, right? I just had a really rough afternoon at work. Which is normal, except its not really. Most days I have problems with my supervisor and I am just plain used to that. I know thats how it is between us and I go about my business without giving her attitude in my face actions a second thought. Well today I had those same issues with someone that I thought was my friend. Ha! apparently not. (I didn't get that memo!) And why do I even care? GRRR! Why do I have to be the sensitive one???? I just wish that I didn't always let the things people say or do get under my skin and spoil a perfectly good afternoon!!!! Some days its hard to have a heart. Now don't get me wrong I am NOT perfect, nor is everyday with me sunshine, but hey I try, you know? (most days)

It makes me sit back and think, I guess I am just so frustrated with people in general. I feel like I pour my heart and emotions out for some people and all I get in return is trampled on. And I get it, or at least I thought I did. i mean I know that not everyone is gonna like me!! And you know what, they don't have to! I'm perfectly okay with that. I am just tired of trying so hard only to get so much attitude thrown in my face. But honestly I don't think thats even what bothers me. Its more when they know that I am trying to be nice and trying to get along and they seem to rub it right in my face that they don't care! Now I know all the old cliches, "no one ever said life was going to be easy", blah, blah, blah. But it is a whole 'nother story to live it out. And I know ya'll know what I am talking about cause these seemingly heartless people are everywhere.

Am I being ridiculous? Does it even matter what other people think? Who knows?!

The most wonderful time of the year!!!

I hope you all had a terrific Christmas! I know I did. Just spending the time with my family was enough for me. I am a very family oriented person to start with but I especially love the holidays when everyone gets together. You know all the family you don't get to see during the year.

We had a traditional candlelit service for Christmas eve. It has been awhile since our church has done one of those. Wow, that was such a blessing! Everyone has been blessed with such amazing talents, each voice and instrumentalist. . .I could just imagine the smile on God's face as we praised Him for sending His son to us. The service ended with the congregation singing Silent Night (my all-time favorite song) acapella in the candlelit! I almost cried. Just slowing down and taking the time to think about the words, gave me goosebumps. Okay so rabbit trail. . . have you ever heard the song 'Mary did you know?' There is a line in there that says, when you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God. talk about goosebumps! Can you even imagine? What an amazing thought! I should slow down more often there are so many amazing truths just waiting to be discovered in the simplest places, like song lyrics! Who'd have thought!?!

Afterwards we did our annual pollyanna gift exchange with the family! And just hung out chatting and snacking (and for me snapping tons of pictures like I do every year amidst the groans of "oh no not again!") Sometimes it gets a little frustrating having to fight everyone all the time just to snap a photo! but you know what they always come back to be for copies of the pictures that they couldn't be bothered to take! Interesting twist. another thing that is hard for me is that in order for me to be in any ictures I have to 1st find someone to take the picture and then I have to tell them exactly what I want them to snap. No one will jsut randomly snap any pictures for me. Grrrrrr!!!!! Bless my sisters heart every once in awhile she'll get in a camera mood and just snap away! Those are usually some of my favorite pictures. If recording my families history and memories wasn't so important to me I wonder if it would even be worth the fight!?! You know?

Christmas day was really nice too. I started the day by reading the Christmas story. Something that I don't usually do but really wish that it was a part of every Christmas morning. It really puts things into perspective. Interestingly enough I really needed that reminder so that I could pass it on. My parents didn't have a lot of money to spend this year so there wasn't a lot under the tree. I felt bad because it was hard for my mom, she loves to give and wanted to make sure that Christmas was special for us. I just kept reminding her that that isn't the meaning of Christmas anyway. But she still wishes she could do more. Bless her heart! At least we aren't little kids anymore who expect all those things from Santa! The Lord has blessed our family far beyond what we deserve anyway. (Although I do have to admit I was hoping for a new camera tripod for Christmas. . .)

We spent the afternoon/evening at my grandmothers. Despite the chaotic nature of having the whole family in one place it was relatively nice. My cousins and I did a bunch of group photos, much to my delight!! They were actually kinda into it!! That made my night, although my dad, who had my camera, wasn't real sure of all the camera settings. About 95% of the shots he took were blurry! Oh well he tried! All that really matters is that we were together. Those are the real memories!!

My night was spent with my godsisters! They are 7 and almost 5. I got them some new Barbies so we spent most of the night playing with them. What a blast!! Brings back memories of getting new Barbies for Christmas myself! Ahh to be a child again. Growing up takes some of the magic out of the holiday. They were just glowing, enjoying just being young and carefree. You caould tell the things that were "important" just by playing Barbies. Barbie went shopping at the mall, made hot cocoa, roasted marshmallows on the grill, enjoyed a concert put on by their 2 year old brother, and took a hot airballoon ride around the living room. Good times! After about half an hour or so I realized that we were being videotaped!! Ha! That'll be a trip to watch! What a great way to end the day.

Almost Christmas!!

Yeah, so theres one week til Christmas. One of my most favorite times of the year. This weekend was supposed to be full of Christmas activities, but a foot and a half of snow cancelled most of them. A little depressed but I did get to play in the snow. (and make snowmen!!!!) I do love making snowmen, with little hats and scarves. I haven't gone all out with corncob pipes and button noses though. at least not yet :) Maybe when I have kids. . . .


Friday night a group of us did get to go to Longwood Gardens for one of the Christmas concerts they have there. I can't believe that I have lived this close my whole life and this is the first time I have ever been there for Christmas. It is amazing!! They have Christmas lights on all their trees and bushes! And I mean the whole tree is lit up. Absolutely gorgeous. Inside the Conservatory they have all kinds of poinsettia and amarillis of every size and color. And christmas trees made out of all different types of plants. The concert was pretty good to. Its so rare anymore to hear a concert in a public place that actually glorifies God! Jesus is the reason for the season and its so sad to see people take him out of it!

Our progressive dinner was cancelled Saturday. I was really looking forward to that. I have been really been getting involved with the college and career group at church. I enjoy spending time with them. Hopefully they'll be able to reschedule it for January. I was asked to be a part of the 4-part devotional. I am so excited to get to share a bit of my testimony and my heart with my peers and friends.



Since I had the extra time on Saturday I made little candy packs for all my coworkers. Most of them probably won't care one way or the other, but I am so excited to give them out! They were simple, I just stamped them up and added a few pieces of candy. Its not alot.




I can't afford to go out and get everyone a gift, although I would love to. I love to give gifts. I enjoy the looks on peoples faces. Its just a little something to wish everyone a merry Christmas.
Besides theres something about giving away homemade stuff that really warms my heart. Like giving away a piece of myself :)

That time of year again!!

So its that time of year again where I drag the family out and take the Christmas photo! They are usually pretty patient with me as I decide on poses and play with camera settings. This year was a bit chilly but i was dead set on an outdoor picture. I tried to do it on a day when the sun was shining and a bit warmer, but no one seemed to be available. So when we finally got around to taking them it was overcast and cold!! But I think the shots turned out great. I absolutely love them.That was our final shot. Since I usually take the photos myself I end up running back and forth as I set the self timer. Someone always ends up talking or falling or something right as the picture would snap! Our timing was hilarious! But sure made for some fun shots.

We even had a couple of just for fun shots which turned out pretty good too. Carrie was freezing the whole time due to having wet hair, but other than that they actually had fun for a change on one of my family "torture" shoots :)

Praise the Lord!!

Last night was awesome, thanks to my friend Karyn. We have started getting together about once a week (or at least we try) to pray together and share the things that God has done in our lives. What a blessing it is to not only be able to share those things with someone, but also to be encouraged by what God is doing for others as well. Sometimes I tend to overlook or even take for granted the things that the Lord has done for me, but He seems to bring back my mind all those little things that I "brushed off" as we talk and share! We sure serve an awesome God!!!

Last night we had a "quiet time" together on Psalms 105. It is really neat the way God gets a passage stuck in your mind until there is nothing left to do but read it and let Him show you something. His revelatioon to me wasn't anything new that I had not heard before but it was a precious and personal reminder. "He is the Lord our God" (vs 7) He is the Lord MY God. What a cool thought! He is mine!

Christmas Cards!!!

So I finally sat down and looked thru my card sketch book til inspiration struck! I tried a few different cards along the way, all of which I thought were kinda cute, but not quite what I wanted.
Finally yesterday afternoon I found the one I liked. I absolutely love it! I used a stamp set that isn't a Christmas one. I actually scraplifted the idea, but don't know who from to give her credit. But the snowman is made from a pear and an acorn stamp. What an ingenius idea!!

I cannot wait to send them out. It is very rare that I create a card that I just LOVE!!!!

Got It!!

Woohoo!! I figured out a few things about decorating one's blog. Like my background? So girlie~ it's perfect for me! I found the website, cutestblogontheblock.com, from my dear friend Lisa. It's how she made her blog just so adorable!! This blog stuff is alot of work for a scrapbooker. I mean I want the colors and the styles to be just right. Cute of course, but also a reflection of who I am. But not too hard to look at while you're reading. Know what I mean? Okay well I won't bore you too much! I'll be back when something new or exciting happens for me to share with you. Thanks for looking!

Here We Go!

So I've seen so many of my friends start blogs that I have been dying to try one of my own. I don't know how well I'll do, but I am a journaler so it shouldn't be too bad! Right? We'll see I guess. You'll just have to bear with me as I figure all this stuff out. Feel free to leave me some tips if you want. Okay well I started this a little late so I am out of time but later I'll play around with it and see if I can't at least make it look pretty!!