life happens. love helps.

6'2

2014-07-31T20:58:00.000-04:00

"The only thing worse than waiting on the Lord is wishing you had waited."

That's my little "nugget" from church Sunday. Waiting is hard. Really hard. But we are reminded repeatedly that it will be worth the wait, if you trust in the Lord and his perfect timing. I know in my heart that the Lord has called me to be a wife (and mother), but I'm just not quite sure where and when I will meet my husband. For now though, I have hope, prayer, and patience. {A favorite quote} "It's hard to wait around for something you know may never happen, but it's even harder when you know it's everything you want." Thanks to Sirius, I discovered another song that takes the words right out of my heart.

6'2

Marie Miller

Lord I've been prayin'
For somebody I've never seen
And I don't care what he looks like
As long as he loves me
No, I'm not particular

But could he have blue eyes
Just like the sky
And blonde hair
Wavy and light
And 6 foot 2 is my favorite height
But Lord, I don't care what he looks like.

I've been gettin' so lonesome
Waiting for him to come around.
But if you're teaching me patience
I'm willing to wait this one out.
I'll be patient.

But could we meet by
The first of July
So he'll hold my hand
As they light up the sky
And marry me on an April night
But Lord take your sweet, sweet time

Whatever you want
Is whatever I want
I'm not particular

So if he has green eyes
That would be fine
Or brown hair
That's quite alright
Now 6 foot 2 is my favorite height
But Lord, I don't care

And could we meet by
The first of July
So he'll hold my hand
As they light up the sky
And marry me oh marry me
Marry me on an April night

But Lord, take your sweet, sweet time.
And Lord, I don't care what he looks like.

Could we meet by the first of July so he'll hold
my hand as they light up the sky ♥

Come to Jesus

2013-12-09T21:19:00.001-05:00

God, I need you now

2013-06-23T23:51:00.001-04:00

Leave it all behind, and come to the well.

2013-01-17T16:24:00.000-05:00

I simply love Casting Crowns - the music, the lyrics, the harmonies, the band members as individuals and their integrity. Seriously, they make my all-time favorite music artist list. There is not one single song I don't like, and I love most of them. This one has a beautiful message - so simple, so powerful, such truth.

The Well
Casting Crowns

Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,

I have what you need,
But you keep on searchin',
I've done all the work,
But you keep on workin',
When you're runnin' on empty,
And you can't find the remedy,
Just come to the well.

You can spend your whole life,
Chasin' what's missing,
But that empty inside,
It just ain't gonna listen.
When nothing can satisfy,
And the world leaves you high and dry,
Just come to the well.

And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

So bring me your heart
No matter how broken,
Just come as you are,
When your last prayer is spoken,
Just rest in my arms a while,
You'll feel the change my child,
When you come to the well.

The world will try, but it can never fill...leave it all behind

And now that you're full,
Of love beyond measure,
Your joy's gonna flow,
Like a stream in the desert,
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me,
'Cause you came to the well.

Give This Christmas Away

2012-12-04T20:54:00.001-05:00

An Epiphany

2012-09-13T22:59:00.002-04:00

e·piph·a·ny - a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

This evening I was out with Stitch for our walk/hike. This usually occurs on the nights that I don't have another activity after work. Since it's usually late in the evening when we leave the house, I try to keep a quick enough pace to get us back home before dark, dinner, a favorite TV show, bedtime, etc. Tonight we were going across one of the grassy fields near the driving range, which is about a mile from my house. Stitch was running along chasing butterflies and panting (aka puppy smiling) as she always does, just thrilled to be on a walk with me. I was, as I always do, charging along watching the ground for...well...crap. (It happens.) I also have to make sure that we stay on the path, don't get lost, watch for other people (Stranger Danger, right kids?!), loose dogs that could attack Stitch, rocks, holes in the ground, or anything else that might trip me up. Let's just say I get preoccupied.

I suddenly I realized that I hadn't looked up in a long time. Of course I look up enough to make sure Stitch is safe and not getting too tired, but I hadn't looked up - way up. I stopped walking and looked up to see the most beautiful sunset in a sky full of white fluffy clouds. (I love sunsets. Always have.) The weather was perfect as I stood in awe of God's magnificent creation. Just like that - epiphany! I laughed to myself realizing how like life. I'm always so busy...physically and mentally! I'm hurrying through life trying to dodge all the crap and stumbling blocks in my path without getting lost. It is so easy to forget to stop and look up!

The sky was such a beautiful reminder that He is always with me...guiding me home. It reminded me of one of my favorite running songs - "Light Up the Sky" by The Afters.

When I'm feeling all alone
With so far to go
The signs are no where on this road
Guiding me home
When the night is closing in
Is falling on my skin
Oh God will You come close?

Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me You are with me
I can't deny
No I can't deny that You are right here with me
You've opened my eyes
So I can see You all around me
Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me
That You are with me

When stars are hiding in the clouds
I don't feel them shining
When I can't see You beyond my doubt
The silver lining
When I've almost reached the end
Like a flood You're rushing in
Your love is rushing in

Once Stitch and I got back into our neighborhood, I could see a silver lining shining just over the hill as the sun finally set. Amazing. Yeah, you still have to watch where you are going, but don't forget to take the time to look up. You won't regret it.

"...The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." - Psalm 19:1

One Thing Remains

2012-08-01T06:55:00.002-04:00

A comforting reminder......

One Thing Remains

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death, In life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

In Need of Peace

2012-07-31T21:04:00.000-04:00

The Everyday Activist: Masks

2012-05-30T12:58:00.001-04:00

I could not have said this better myself. Wonderful blog. You must check it out!

The Everyday Activist: Masks: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a ...

I Refuse

2012-04-21T18:40:00.001-04:00

On Risks In Life

2012-04-07T14:01:00.003-04:00

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk loss.
To love is to risk being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try at all is to risk failure.
But to risk we must because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

Sustain

2012-03-27T19:50:00.000-04:00

It has been said that after silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
- Aldous Huxley

Sustain

Seth Condrey

Situations get me down,
But your hand sustains my heart again.
The patterns seem to be so strong,
so break this mold and free me to live.

But there's questions and I ask "Why?"
I need you when my soul is dry.
You sustain me when I'm falling down.
You embrace me when no one's around.
And I close my eyes, I'm satisfied.
Like a child by your side,
I lift my arms.
Hold me now,
Hold me now.

A passion's burning in my soul,
and there a beauty that will light the way.
But still your streams of mercy flow,
and I can feel the hand of love today.

But there's questions and i ask "Why?"
I need you when my soul's dry.
You sustain me when I'm falling down.
You embrace me when no one's around.
And I close my eyes, I'm satisfied.
Like a child by your side,
I lift my arms.
Hold me now,
Hold me now.

The Waiting Game

2012-03-10T11:45:00.007-05:00

Thoughts from my heart today...

Wait for:

the one who will be your best friend.

the one who will drop everything to be with you.

the one who makes you smile like no other, and when they smile, you know they need you.

the one who wants to show you off when you are in sweats and have no makeup on, but appreciates it when you get all dolled up for him.

the one who will put you at the center of his universe, because obviously, he's at the center of yours.

It's hard to wait around for something you know may never happen, but it's even harder when you know it's everything you ever wanted.

- Unknown

"Hold My Heart"

Tenth Avenue North

How long must I pray, must I pray to You?

How long must I wait, must I wait for You?

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Roman 8:25

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

You Gotta Have Faith

2012-03-04T18:26:00.000-05:00

Quoteworthy Reading

2012-02-17T21:09:00.000-05:00

Ran across this when reading My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster...

I'd never date anyone who my pets didn't like; I mean, they're instinctive like that. My rationale was if someone wasn't nice to my pets, eventually, they wouldn't be nice to me, either.

Yup. Thought back to ex-boyfriends. Totally true.

Also, I could quote most of Jen Lancaster's other books too. Her books are the kind that that I read by the pool and burst out laughing all by myself. That'll get ya some strange looks, fyi.

I'm still a dreamer and a believer

2012-02-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

The Redeemer
Sanctus Real

Sometimes I just want to start over, 'cause everything looks like a wreck
And I need the courage to carry on, 'cause I can't see what's ahead
And there are places I've wished I could be, battles I've wanted to win
Dreams that have slipped through my hands
I may never get back again

But I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh, I've lost my faith in so many things, but I still believe in You
'Cause You can make anything new

Sometimes I just wish we could say all the things that are easy to hear
Ignore the injustice we see and explain every unanswered prayer
But I'd rather speak honestly and wear a tattered heart on my sleeve
'Cause in the middle of my broken dreams, redemption is here

And I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh, I've lost my faith in so many things, but I still believe in You
'Cause You are the answer, the redeemer
Oh, I've given up on too many things, but I'm not giving up on You
'Cause You can make anything new

I don't have every answer in life
But I'm trusting You one day at a time
'Cause You can make a weak heart stay alive forever
this is where Heaven and Earth collide
I lift my hands and give my life
This is how my weary heart stays alive

Oh, I'm still a dreamer
Still a believer
Oh, You are the answer
The redeemer

Life Makes Music

2012-01-24T09:25:00.000-05:00

But if life stayed the way it was
And lovers never fell out of love
If memories didn't last so long
If nobody did nobody wrong
If we knew what we had before it was gone
If every road led back home
This would be the very last country song

- Sugarland

Jesus > Religion

2012-01-13T21:06:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T18:36:00.001-05:00

Where's the Line to See Jesus?

2011-12-24T19:55:00.000-05:00

Gobble Gobble

2011-11-23T14:30:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. From the way things are looking around here though, it feels like tomorrow is Christmas! Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Christmas music and decorations, and of course I love getting seriously good deals at my favorite stores, but I love Thanksgiving too! We can’t just skip over it!

Pretty sure I wrote a blog last Thanksgiving about how much I love watching the parade, eating yummy food, and spending time with my family. This year, I am breaking tradition. Yup, I am not going to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…well, most of it. This year I am going to participate in the Gobble Jog 10K bright and early in the am. I am looking forward to it! I am making a serious point to enjoy this race and not be so hard on myself about my performance. This will be my 2nd official 10K race, and it just happens to be a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race, which I am so hoping to do next year. However, this will be my first race in cooler temperatures, I haven’t done as much hardcore training since the half marathon, and it’s a holiday. So, and I am going to have fun and enjoy the fact that I can eat more turkey and my mom’s amazing sweet potato soufflé since I’ll be starting off my day burning lots of calories! Who knows, maybe I’ll have a new Thanksgiving morning tradition from now on!

it's always worth it in the end

2011-11-20T12:54:00.003-05:00

Note to Self:

2011-11-19T16:23:00.002-05:00

Four the Record

2011-11-17T16:58:00.002-05:00

If you haven’t already purchased Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert’s newest album, do yourself a favor and head to iTunes or your nearest Target, and buy it right now…well, as soon as you finish reading this. If haven’t been able to tell from previous posts, she is one of my very favorite artists. Picking a favorite song from the new album, Four the Record, is tough. This is her first album since she married Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton, so it's only fitting that he make an appearance on the album via duet. (He and Miranda also co-wrote "Over You," her next single.) Even though she is living her happily-ever-after, Miranda, still has some quirky break-up songs, like the first single, "Baggage Claim." (We girls in the dating world love to sing along to those sort of songs!) I really love the songs that Miranda wrote, especially “Dear Diamond,” but the lyrics of that one don’t necessarily portray something I can relate to. The background vocals (Patty Loveless) plus Miranda’s lyrical ability make for a stunning song though. (It is an alto's dream! It also makes me ache to play the guitar!)

The song I can (or one day hope to) relate to the most is “Oklahoma Sky.” To me, it symbolizes the deep sense of peace my heart feels in the country; the expansive sky holds infinite possibilities and hope. Hope that one day I will finally find the love that brings me home, and the long wait and heartbreak will all be worth it. What can I say; despite everything I’ve been through, deep down I will always be a hopeless romantic.

Oklahoma Sky

* How long has it taken me to find you? * Five hundred years, five hundred thousand miles * It don’t matter now, love’s always on time * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * Lightening flash, everything went silent * A feather could have knocked me to the floor * Missing peace was found, I was finally alive * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * With the speed of sound I am homeward bound * All our sorrows swept away forever * Each and every tear washed out to sea * There ain’t no goodbye with your hand in mine * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * Oklahoma sky *

* Oklahoma Sky *

Happy Hallo-weenie!

2011-10-31T18:40:00.002-04:00

My sweet Stitch in her costume watching for trick-or-treaters!