Can you feel it?

Can you see the wind? I can see the effects of the wind, I can feel the wind.

Can you see God? I can see the effects of God, I can feel God.

What happens when it's windy outside? Leaves blow, tress sway, our hair blows, basically because of the wind moving things, objects around us change. They move, things change and are not the same as they were before the wind moved them. Can a leaf move back where is was before the wind moved it, exactly where it was? Can our hair move back exactly where is was, each strand in the exact spot of our head? No. Once the wind moves things, they move to something different, something new. That's what God does. He moves and we are changed. If we feel God, and move with God we can move into something different, something new, something exciting. If you feel a move of God I can guarantee something about you changes. When God moves people change, lives are changed, relationships are changed. Open yourself up to God.

It's like a windy day, you can stay inside a building looking out at people enjoying the wind, or you can walk through the wind enjoying it for youself. Walk with God, feel God, experience God. It's much more fulfilling than staying inside a box.

Who's watching you?

Two things first...

• I voted today - only waited for about 1 hour. Not so bad.
• I wrote a big policy today for a home in Calhoun. 5 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces, 3 car garage, 7,000 square feet, 11 acres... :-D AND the people liked me so much they are switched their cars to me too (Mercedes Benz by the way) :-D

Who's watching you?

What if your life was like a sitcom with people watching everything you do? Or the movie "What Women Want" where the guy can read women's thoughts? What if camera's followed you around everywhere, seeing everything, hearing everything, but ALSO reading all your thoughts? That's crazy huh?! It makes you think: I need to behave, talk with love, think pure thoughts, be nice, don't cuss. Things along that line. Well God sees every thing you do, and hears everything you think. It's not like he just shows up to listen when you are praying. Are there certain aspects of your life that need to be corrected? I know there are in my life, there are in every one's life...we are not perfect. Someone once told me this: "From the moment you wake up make your entire day, movements, and thoughts be a prayer to God, make everything a conversation with God" What if we all did this, all the time? I can imagine how many things would be different.

Would you like to biggie size that?

I went shopping today. Here is a little background on me... in high school I was a size 0/2, once I got married that increased a little, maybe 15 pounds. So I started going up in sizes :-(...but some of these sizes started to get me thinking. I am 24 and weigh more than nothing and less than too much. And in the past few weeks I have bought from the Juniors department size 11/13 pants, XL bathing suit, and XL&L shirts. (I'm not saying that those sizes are big by any means, they are just big for me personally and what my build is.) Then today I wondered over to the misses/women's section. Guess what...I am a SMALL and size 4/6. You would think that is where I would be shopping huh? BUT I LOVE fashion and the misses clothes are all "career" and not the best fashion sense clothing for my taste. The clothes are so drasticly different. So in one walk across a clothing store I go from a Small to an Extra-Large. What kind of message are these clothing companies sending to young teenage girls? Anyone who is more developed than a 5th grader is an XL? In misses you are a Medium, but in Juniors you are "plus" size? Perhaps if clothes were adequately sized throughout the clothing industry the body images of millions of girls would improve. For me buying an XL kills me and makes me feel like I've "let myself go". However, in my instance, I swallowed my pride, I picked the more fashionable clothing for my taste, and am immediately tearing out the size tags as soon as I get home. So yes I chose to biggie size that!

That's my King

Feeling stressed, down, alone? Watch this video about God and who he is, and what he is all about. Just take a moment and remember who God is and what he does. For me it's taking a moment to remember just who this wonderful amazing God is that I love and serve.

Daylight - Brave Saint Saturn

This is one of my new favorites. It is by Brave Saint Saturn.
In this song - Daylight: God and the darkness: sin

Someone took this song and made their own video...it's awesome when you think about what the song is REALLY saying.

New Song

I was practicing my bass last night and started playing around with this new song. I love the words in it. I can't find where to play the music version, but here are the lyrics.


When all around is fading
And nothing seems to last
When each day is filled with sorrow
Still I know with all my heart

He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands
I'll fear no evil for you are with me
Strong to deliver mighty to save
He's got the whole world in his hands

When I walk through fire
I will not be burned
When the waves come crashing round me
Still I know with all my heart

He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands
I'll fear no evil for you are with me
Strong to deliver mighty to save
He's got the whole world in his hands.



Isn't that awesome? I think no matter who is reading this, this song can be applied to something in your life. Obviously it can be applied to things going on in the world. Gas prices, economy, stock market, the upcoming new president. Nothing matters out of any of these, because no matter what God has the whole world in his hands. He is bigger, better, and stronger than anything going on in the world. It's an amazing song and really spoke to me. I have had a stressful day, and have some things I could complain about, retaliate and defend myself. But I would rather just share this nice and uplifting song.


ABS <3

When one door closes...

"When one door closes, another one opens."

I'm sure everyone has heard that saying. For me in particular, that has not always been the case. I close a door (or chapter in my life) and the next "door" smacks me in the face. :-) But lately with a certain situation I have delt with it has worked for me. I let go of some things, it was hard, unbelieably hurtful, but I feel like I needed to let go, so something better can come in. And after just possibly 2 weeks I think these "better" things are coming in. It's like I thew out the negative so now there is room for posivite. To be specific I "let go" of 2 things, and 3 good ones popped right up. Letting go was something God showed me I needed to do. And going where God wants me has much better outcomes than going there on my own. It is a fine line for me that I think I am still learning, showing God to people and walking in love, but also finding away to remove myself for the situation. God truely helps me define this line, it's not prefect, but it's on the right track in my opinion. I am really looking forward to new things, new positive things to be exact. It's needed, and God is showing me daily that it's already here. I just have to open myself to the greatness.

CRUISE!

Well we are back from our cruise. I seriously did not want to leave! We had the best time, the trip was safe, fun, and had no problems!

• We were able to board the ship early, which was really nice. Check-in was no problem at all. Our rooms were ready earlier than expected, and we were on the boat so early it was almost like we had it to ourselves.
• Our first night at sea was so nice. The food was amazing! The boat was so fancy and clean and everyone was very nice!
• We woke up around 6:30 every morning to watch the sunrise. It was cloudy, but still beautiful.
• NASSAU: BEAUTIFUL! We went to the straw market, which can be compared to Canal Street in New York. I got a Coach purse...it's real and it was $20:shh... We ate lunch at a Bahamian place, food was OK, but the food on the boat was much better! Then Jeremy and I went to find a beach. We ask a local where the prettiest beach on the Island was and she said it was Cabbage Beach near Atlantis. We took a ferry boat ride to the other side of the island (which was fun and came with a water tour of famous peoples houses!) We then got lost and walked/wondered around for about 1 or 2 miles until we found this beach. (everyone was very helpful with directions, but we couldn't understand a word they were saying!) Surprisingly getting lost in the Bahamas is nice, not scary! One second in the water and on the beach was worth the 2 mile walk. It was the nicest, clearest beach I have ever been on. This was probably my favorite place. After we swam and played a while we took a taxi back to the port. Going through customs to get back on the boat was a breeze...quick and easy.
• GREAT STIRRUP CAY: BEAUTIFUL! This is the cruise lines private island. Now some people "toot their own horn" so this "private beach" I thought wouldn't be as nice as I was picturing it...it was nicer. It was a big island, completely private and beautiful. Surrounded by coral, tons of fish, and palm trees. We went snorkeling, ate lunch (which was already included), went shopping, and even took a nap in a hammock.
• Each night on the boat was a blast. We went swimming on the top deck, hung out in the hot tub, went shopping on board, and played ping pong, hockey, and shuffle board. Also the plays and shows were awesome. They had a comic and he was hilarious! They also had the captain preform a song. He sang and played amazing. And the cruise director played harmonica wonderfully. They had a party each night on the top deck, we dropped by but didn't stay.

All in all it was a wonderful trip. I can't wait to go again! We are already starting to plan the next cruise!!!! I HIGHLY recommend cruising with Norwegian Cruise Lines!!

ABS

Cruise Time

Well we are leaving tonight for our cruise! For those who don't know here's where we get to go:

• Friday - Leave from Miami, FL Port
• Saturday - Nassau, Bahamas
• Sunday - Great Sturrip Cay (Private Island)
• Monday - Back in Miami

Jeremy and I were talking this morning and we realized, we have been planning this since April!! I'm so glad it's finally time! We need a STRESS FREE vacation! We joke that sometimes with us whatever can go wrong, does go wrong...SO we are paying for a 1000000000000000% (however much that is) SAFE trip! I want no tow trucks, freak rain storms, lost money, crazy people, or pushing cars UP exit ramps. I want to be able to leave and enter the country with no problem, I want the car to work, I want no hurricanes, I want to have money I plan on having, and to be relaxed! So pray with me for those things!!!

Obviously I am a TAD bit nervous, but I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

ABS

Random thoughts

Good Morning ~ here are some random side notes from me....

• You know the scripture "Love is patient, Love is kind" well my husband proved those very things to me last night. (I'll will just mention patient & kind.) We were shopping for cruise clothes last night. He was done shopping so he came and waited by the dressing room for me. I tried on 4 bathing suits, 5 dresses, and other t-shirts...any idea how long that takes?? He didn't complain one bit, in fact I didn't even ask him to wait, he just did so he could see what I was trying on. I came out in this cute dress, but it looked 100% ridiculous on me. The man could have burst out laughing (I almost did) but he just said: "doesn't look so bad, maybe just try on the others"...now seriously, could you be any more kind?? Yea my husband is awesome!
• Do you have any idea how liberating it feels to simply delete myspace? It's just myspace, but with myspace can come all that drama I've been talking about. It's deleted and I already feel better. Wow I actually feel a little rebellious...I've gotta live on the edge more!
• I'm so proud, I have been venturing out like crazy...I actually bought a shirt that was not all black!! (95% of my closet is black & white...I don't know why, I just love it!) Talk about living on the edge! And even though I don't really wear them, I bought 2 pairs of shorts. My first pair since my honeymoon...4 years ago! :-)
• It's 10:00AM, I got to work at 8:30AM and I have barley accomplished anything...so I guess I better get to it!
• Leaving for the cruise SOON!!!

ABS

Favorite Things...

OK so a lot of stuff has seemed to been going so very wrong around me lately. And when that happens I have found that it helps me to say and do a few things. Obviously pray and surround myself with Godly people, but also a few other things. Saying "this to shall pass": corny yes I know, but it really helps me out. Also that song from sound of music "these are a few of my favorite things" SO here are a few of MY favorite things. IE things that make me happy:

• toasted marshmallows
• the smell of a campfire
• my cat
• ICEDREAM from Chickfila!!!!!!!
• waking up a little early on purpose just so I can sleep in a little
• driving in the Jeep
• the fan in an open window at night, making it freezing inside
• a good hair day
• painting my toenails
• coffee
• Christmas time/decorating/music/get-together's
• fitting into clothes I wore in high school
• my nephews & nieces: Anderson, Sophie, Felicity, Emerson...(& coming soon: Campbell, and Withrow baby #2!!)
• watching Reba
• going away for a weekend
• camping
• fishing/fly-fishing
• actually catching a fish
• actually catching a fish bigger than my hand :-)
• learning new songs on my bass

Wow ~ it really does help a little to simply think of the good things, favorite things. Staying positive is so much more fulfilling than focusing on the negative.

ABS