Morning Coffee

         My apologies for my lack of blogging lately, everyone.  Although I had the time for writing over the Christmas holiday, I wasn’t quite motivated nor inspired to do so.  Oddly enough, as my life picks back up and starts getting crazy again is when I make myself find the time to do these things….

        Nevertheless, this is what results:

        As I just mentioned, I’ve completed the first week and a half of my second semester back in college, and I’m already feeling the weight of stress bearing down on my shoulders.  Even before the semester started, I was not looking forward to the forever-dreaded BIO125 professor, whose name I cannot mention.  Now, this particular professor is an interesting character of sorts.  At first glance, I wouldn’t have even taken her as a professor.  In fact, as I was sitting in the room where my first lecture class with her would take place, I was watching the door every single time it opened, waiting to see the face of the person who would be responsible for my endless torture for 16 weeks.  This woman walked in, carrying all of these books, and I honestly just assumed that she was a non-traditional student.  But then I realized that she was heading to the front of the class, and my mind quickly became sidetracked.  She was nothing like what I expected, yet everything that I expected at the same time.  Without going into further detail, let’s just say that she has yet to live up to all of the rumors that I had heard prior to starting the semester.  Notice that I say “all.”  This is certainly implying that she has already lived up to some rumors…just not all.  Fortunately, I’ve always had a way with being on a teacher’s “good side,” and have already found a way to hopefully avoid being picked on and made fun of in front of the class (which is one of the rumors that have leaked out about the woman).  Call me a “Teacher’s Pet,” if you will.  I couldn’t care less.  I just want a good grade without being ridiculed in front of my peers.  =)

           As far as my other professors go, I have a crazy Indian (not Native American, but a man from India) man who is too smart for his own good, and should not be teaching a classroom full of 18-20-some year old students how to use the Internet.  Additionally, I have a Mr. Barbour (our Physics teacher in High School) clone who is also too smart for his own good to teach my Physics class.  However, I’d prefer listening to Physics Barbour clone any day over listening to a crazy Indian man from India talk about search engines and “How to use Google.”  Lastly, I have a communications class, taught by a very sweet, yet stern, older woman whose class consists of watching small clips of Shrek and arranging ourselves into small groups and learning how to talk to one another.

        Now, my descriptions of these courses and their professors are meant for the reader’s benefit of maybe getting a good chuckle in for the day.  I do, however, think that I have my work cut out for me this semester.  Although the communications and computer classes may be just “a walk in the park,” I think my Physics and Anatomy classes are going to be a bit more cut-throat.  

        In nearing the end of my first week of the semester, I was beginning to think, “This isn’t gonna be as bad as I thought.”  As Thursday came around, I suffered through an 8am-6:30pm day with one of the most terrible headaches/migraines that I have ever experienced.  I was praying to God just to get me through to the next class, then praying that He’d get me through 3 hours of Physics Lab.  Finally, it was the end of the day, and it was all I could to drive home.  How awful that my train of thought immediately went to, “I knew this week was going too well.”  I soon brushed it off and finished off the week.  Then came Tuesday.  Ohhhhh, Tuesday.  Tuesday is my other day of the week when I’m stuck at school from 8am-6:30pm.  Let me set the picture for you.  Monday night, I couldn’t fall asleep.  I was in bed at 9:30pm.  12am rolls around, and I’m still not asleep.  I keep tossing and turning, falling in and out of 15-minute intervals of sleep for another three hours.  Around 3:30am, I finally get out of bed and take something to help me savor the last three hours that I had to possibly sleep.  The next morning, my back was so incredibly sore, but I figured by midday, it would work itself out.  Midday Tuesday rolls around, and instead of the pain being relieved, I now have an aching back, a stiff neck, and a sore throat.  Again, I find myself sitting in classes with my hands folded in front of me, my head bowed, and praying to God to get me through this day.  Once again, the Lord pulled me through and I was at home, in the tub, talking to Curtis on the phone through the tears rolling down my face.  Today (Wednesday), I feel as though nothing was ever wrong with me yesterday.  

        “When you feel that you’re down to nothing, God is up to something.”:           

        This is exactly how I feel about my first two weeks this semester thus far.  Twice in two weeks, I was faced with putting my health in God’s hands to get me through the day…and that’s TWICE in two weeks that He’s pulled through for me.  How awesome a Savior we have?  What/Who are you looking to, to bring you through to the next day when you feel like you’re down to nothing?  The medicine?  The sound of a friendly voice on the other end of a phone?  A nice warm bath?  Or God?

        I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have God on my side than all of those others combined.  The rest falls into place from there.  

“How many Kings stepped down from their thrones?

How many Lords have abandoned their homes? 

How many Greats have become the least for me?

And how many Gods have poured out their hearts,

To romance a world that is torn all apart?

How many Fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only ONE did that for me…”

Excerpt from: How Many Kings by Downhere

As the year is coming to an end, you’ll find those who are starting to prepare their New Year’s Resolutions.  However tempting it is to fall into the “habit” of making yet another promise to myself that I don’t keep, I urge everyone, instead, to simply just be thankful.  Instead of worrying what the new year is going to bring, be thankful for everything that the previous year has already brought.

I haven’t written in a while, so I figured I’d stop by and say a few words and maybe share a few things that I’m thanking God for this year:

1.   With all of the worry and commotion going on this year with the Swine Flu, I’m thanking God for my health.  He’s kept me out of harm’s way and out of the hospitals.  lol

2.  The Lord has also blessed me this year by keeping me safe during all of my travels this year.

3.  He has also provided for me earlier this year and gave me the strength to get through a hard time, financially, as I was faced with a hard decision of whether or not to move back home.

4.  God continues to show his ever amazing presence in Curtis and my relationship, blessing us with the strength to overcome the bad times and praise him for the good.

5.  While living back at home wasn’t my ideal plan, God’s plan had something different in store for me as my relationships with both my mom and dad continue to grow and become what they should have been years ago.

6.  Earlier this year, with God’s hand in it all, I made one of the hardest and yet the best decision of my life: to go back to school.  The Lord has continued to bless me as I have just completed my first semester back in two years…so far, carrying a 4.0 GPA!!  PRAISE GOD!!

7.  I would also like to thank God for blessing me with a wonderful second family, as Curtis’ family has come to feel a lot more like my own.  I think my name will forever be “Giggles” with that family…haha!  Thanks to Curtis’ dad for giving it to me.  =)

8.  I spent a lot of time in prayer this year, feeling somewhat alone for not having many girl friends to spend time with anymore as many of my friends are away at college.  God had yet another plan in store for me when I went to college, blessing me by bringing two really awesome young Christian women to my “doorstep.”  I foresee the three of us continuing on in our walks with God together and being great supporters and motivators for each other as we go through our years at school.  Thank-you, girls, for being there.

9.  This may sound a bit odd, but I really thank God for my animals.  I cannot even begin to describe how much of an animal-lover I am.  Furthermore, I cannot even describe how good it feels to come home after a really bad day at work or school and be loved unconditionally by your pet (especially a dog).  Some days, I couldn’t care less about talking to anyone when I got home…but I’m always greeted with sweet, quiet meows from my cats.  Sounds silly, I know…but I’m very thankful for them.  =)

The list is endless, but I just wanted to share a few things with you all.  If you took the time to read this, make a comment below and share one or two things that you would like to thank God for this year.  His presence in our lives is endless if we just continue to allow him to help.  Bring everything to him, with an open heart, in prayer.  I promise you that He will answer, but understand that it may not always be the answer that you wanted to hear.

I wish everyone a blessed Christmas.  Enjoy this special time in thanking God for sending his son to take all of our burdens upon His shoulders.

I’ll be praying for every one’s safety in their travels during the Christmas season, and have a wonderful New Year!

This is why I cherish Lauren Johnson so very much.  Her ability to be there and open my eyes up to something at the right time never ceases to amaze me.  Although, I know that behind all of that, God is the one working through her for me.  

Thank you

WAIT FOR GOD’S VERY BEST

Everyone longs to give himself to another human being, to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But God says to the Christian:

“Not until you are satisfied and fulfilled and content being loved by me alone…I love you my child. Until you discover that only in me lies your satisfaction, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with me, exclusive of anyone else or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan, one that you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best.”

“Please allow me to bring it to you. You must keep watching me, expecting the greatest things, keep experiencing the satisfaction of knowing that I am. Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you. You must wait. Do not be anxious.”

“Don’t look around at the things others have gotten or received from me. You must not keep looking off and away. Look up to me or you will miss the things I want to show you, and then when you are ready, I’ll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you have ever dreamed of. You see, until you are ready, I am preparing the one I have for you.  I am working even this minute to have you both ready at the same time… Until you are both living exclusively for me and the life I have prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that reflects your relationship with me, Perfect Love. And dear one, I want you to have the most wonderful love. I want you to experience in the flesh a picture of your relationship with me and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty and perfection and love that I offer you through myself.”

“Know that I love you utterly, I am God, the Almighty – believe and be satisfied.”

“The time has come

Separation lost the war to love

Take my hand

Grace has found you where you once began

You’re alive, your alive

In the waking of new life

Take my hand

In the end, there’s only LOVE!”

Excerpt from: Freedom by Run Kid Run

1 Corinthians 13:3 - If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

        This post was inspired by a mere act of kindness, which happened to me this morning as I was on my way to work.  Every so often, I like to go to Turkey Hill and grab myself a small cup of coffee before I go to work in the mornings.  Today, though, was different.  Today, I saw my old principal from middle school, who also just so happens to attend my church.  We exchanged our “Hello’s” and “How are you’s,” but then politely went about our morning “routines.”  I was uncharacteristically early this morning, so I was wasting time, looking around for a little bit.  In the meantime, my former principal had left.  I ended up getting myself a cold drink for later as well.  However, when I finally went to the counter to pay for my items, the woman said to me, “He paid for your coffee.”  Honestly, this was the very first time that I was surprised by someone paying for something that I was going to be purchasing.  I experienced this all the time while working at Mel’s.  One specific couple in particular would do it quite often for other people. 

        So, I suppose it’s pretty safe to say that it made my day, and got me thinking.  It got me interested in, and thinking about what the Bible has to say about giving to others.  Here are a few things that I found.

On Christian Giving

        Christian giving is a choice, as shown in 2 Corinthians 9:7, which says:

 ”Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under  compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

        Christian giving is not about the amount given:  Mark 12:41-44

“41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.  Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.”"

        The “return” on Christian giving is perhaps the greatest blessing, knowing that we are the vessels through whom God is working and fulfilling his intent. 

Luke 6:38 - Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 6:4 - so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

2 Corinthians 9:6 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly, will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

        Now, many people have taken this the wrong way.  Don’t be foolish in thinking that because you are giving, you will be rewarded.  For your purity of motives has a great affect on this.

On Purity of Motives

Matthew 6:1-4 - 1 Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before men, to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  2 So when you give to the needy, do not annouce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

        So, I will ask you (the reader) now; Do you often do gracious things for other people for the mere reason of it benefiting you somehow?  Do you often do your gracious acts in front of others so that they will praise you for what you’ve done?  Or do you, perhaps, simply do it because you feel Christ is working through you to accomplish a certain task, and you want to honor Him by doing so?  Sadly enough, there are many people out there in our world who wouldn’t even understand let alone believe what I was asking in that third question. 

        There is never a bad time to reach out to someone.  Whether it be a random act of kindness or witnessing to them, nothing is too big or too small.  God wants us to love and care for other people just as His son loved us enough to die for us all. 

        Thinking about this, often reminds me of an amazing movie called, “Pay It Forward.”  It stars Haley Joel Osment, Kevin Spacey, and Helen Hunt.  Osment plays the character of a little boy who’s school project was surprisingly made into a nationwide event.  His goal was to “pay it forward.”  If someone were to do something kind for you with no expectation of a reward, you were to then pass that random act of kindness along to a person in need.  It’s an amazing movie with a beautiful story, and I highly recommend it to anyone.  Plus, Kevin Spacey is probably my second favorite actor, because we have to honest with ourselves when I say that no one is better than Morgan Freeman. 

“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.”

Quote by: Anthony Robbins

“You don’t owe me a thing, I’ve been there too

Someone once helped me out,

Just the way I’m helping you

If you really wanna pay me back,

Here’s what you do

Don’t let the chain of love end with you”

Excerpt from- Chain of Love by Clay Walker

“One boy, one girl, two hearts beating wildly

To put it mildly, it was love at first sight

He smiled, she smiled, and they knew right away

This is the day they’d waited for all their lives

And for a moment their whole world

Revolved around one boy, one girl”

Excerpt from “One Boy, One Girl” by Ray Collin

        Yes, I’m a sap when it comes to finding songs that contain a similar resemblance to something in my life.  Today is a good day.  Today, I feel confident about a lot of things.  For today, everything is okay.  For today, life really doesn’t seem so incredibly dull.  And for today, I see a bright future for my life.  Maybe it’s because it’s sunny outside…

        He’s the one who I want to see everyday when I get off work.  He’s the one who looks at me like I am the only other person in this world.  He’s the one who is there when I am crying.  He’s the one who I would do anything for.  He’s the one who cleans the snow off of my car for me.  He’s the one who sprays his cologne on my stuffed bear, so it smells like him. 

He’s the one…

        This post was written at the beginning of April, actually.  I just never posted it, because I wanted to put a picture on it, but it never worked.  So, now, I find myself 7 days later, opening it back up to post it to my blog.  It’s my birthday today, and I’m in a good mood.  So, I figured now is as good of a time as any. 

P.S. - I have the best boyfriend in the world.

That’s right, ladies.  No one can top this guy…sorry.

        Okay, so this MAY sound like a really corny story in the end, but I really do think that God had his hand in it all:

        I have been fighting a horrible cold for the past three days.  In fact, the bank where I work sent me home about a half hour after I got there Monday morning.  Thankfully, I had Tuesday as a scheduled day off and was able to take my time recovering.  Lately, I’ve been slow with my jewelry business.  Nobody seems to want to have a party.  As I was sitting at home yesterday, feeling a lot better than I had the day before, I decided to pop in the training cd’s that Tammy (my Jewelry Rep. that I am working under) gave me when I first signed up.  It was named “Booking for Success” and perhaps one of the most inspirational cd’s that I have listened to in a long time.  I had never listened to it before, because I thought it was going to be cheesy and I was “big-headed” enough to think that I couldn’t possibly be told anything that I didn’t already know about the sales business.  Boy, was I wrong.  As I listened to the cd, I started going through my old parties and customers, writing numbers down, jotting down scribbly notes everywhere I could fit something in on this little piece of paper.  My determination to get that “Yes” that I needed was what drove me to make almost 20 phone calls yesterday.  I had made about 16 phone calls and was getting, once again, depressed and so upset, because I was getting everyone’s answering machine.  I even called schools to check about fundraisers and a lot of the school were nasty to me.  I was just about ready to be done with it all.  As tears started to well up in my eyes, I literally just threw my head back on my pillow and looked up and said, “God, I really need your help.  Please, just give me something to work with.”  At that time, I regained my composure and prepared myself for one more call.  I knew this girl that I was about to call loved the jewelry and was picking up almost every piece at the show she attended and said that she wanted it, but kept putting each piece back down saying, “I can’t afford it all.”  I called her, the phone rings a couple times, and I started preparing for another answering machine.  All of a suddent the ringing stopped and I hear her answer on the other line.  As I started talking with her, she tells me that she’s really interested in having a party and wants to see if she would be able to find enough people to come to the show.  Finally, I had my “Yes.”  I felt so desperate, I needed something to keep me going.  Shortly after I got off the phone with that girl, another one of the other girls that I had called, called me back and said that she would like to have a show as well.  After I got off the phone, I got tears in my eyes yet again and all I could do was say, “Thank you” over and over and over again.  Not only had I gotten that one “Yes” that I was looking for, but He gave me two.

        Later that night, I was able to share that story with my fellow jewelry girls at a meeting that we had at one of their houses.  It felt good to be able to tell people that the calls DO work.  You call and call and call until you get that “Yes.”  I also was glad to hear that I’m not the only person who is having a hard time getting bookings right now.  It’s encouraging to know that I gave some of the other girls, who were also having troubles, get the confidence to keep on keeping on.  The sales business is tough.  I’ve definitely learned that it doesn’t just take a good personality to succeed, and that I don’t know everything there is to know about the business. 

        Hah…..who knew…..=/