Sweetly Broken

For the few one person out there that reads this, I must put the disclaimer out there that lately I've been broken... emotionally and spiritually that is. I don't know what's wrong with me but today was one of those days (and maybe you've never had one) where you just want to be around someone...anyone and it seems as though no one is available. However, I knew God was trying to get my attention...he wanted me, all of me, a fully focused me. So after some hesitation, just because I felt I had other things I wanted to do (just being honest), I realized that's what I needed to do...I needed to get away to where it was just God and I and there were no other distractions...no tv, no phone, no music...just us! I decided to go walk on the Bailey Bridge and as I began walking, I just began to pray and thank God that HE loves ME, that HE never leaves ME, and that HE gives ME strength. Some things have happened semi-recently in my life that have left me questioning and have made me realize I have to be patient and wait on God (something I'm not good at and have prayed for more of...patience). A friend of mine and I were talking recently and I came to the realization that I've been talking to anyone about this situation that will listen to me...to the point that I tire my friends, acquaintances, and even myself with my sob story when really all God wants is for me to come to him about this. As I continued walking and praying this afternoon I began to just cry, asking God why? (I'm sure those that passed by were wondering what this crazy person was up to) and I started talking to God...telling him my frustrations, my worries, my desires, etc and a peace came over me in my state of pure brokenness. This peace was short-lived because I now sit here crying as I write this and I realize that as I'm writing about how I need to go to God I'm writing this and spilling my guts but I've been on my hands and knees asking God why, begging him, pleading with him, and getting impatient with him when all I need to be doing is resting in him. So there it is, my sob story for the night. I promise the next post won't be so emotional.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."-Matthew 11:28

Let Freedom Ring!

About a week ago my mom called and asked if I wanted to go to a service that honors Wounded Warriors. I remember seeing pictures of this from the past years and always wishing I had gone, so of course I jumped at the chance to go. However, that was last week and this week turned into one of those weeks where I had something EVERY night so by the time Thursday rolled around, I just wanted to be home...relaxing, eating, watching tv, etc and then it dawned on me...it's because of THOSE wounded soldiers and every other soldier past and present that I can be at home and relax, where I don't have to be afraid of walking outside and getting shot. I have the freedom because of THEM to watch tv, read, pray, and attend church without feeling scared or fearing that everytime I step outside someone might take that freedom away from me. Long story short, this was an emotional day! It started out by me deciding that I wanted to join some of my co-workers (and other people in our community) to line the Hathaway Bridge with American flags as these wounded warriors were escorted past us. I thought this was going to be something for us to show our appreciation to them (and we did) but to see them taking pictures of us lining the bridge and us thanking them was a sight. Here's a pic and although it's hard to see because I couldn't zoom in, the bridge was LINED with flags!

As they drove by everyone just began to cry and yell out thank you! The spouses were crying, the soldiers were crying...it was EMOTIONAL! After that I ran to meet my mom for a quick bite to eat and then we headed to Living Word Fellowship for a service devoted to them! It started with my childhood church choir director leading her choir (from Southport Elem) in patriotic songs that she wrote. Let me just say that patriotic songs get me every time...but when children sing them, it makes it that much worse (or better)! A middle school choir also sang and then a local high school band played the different branch songs and the different branches stood up as their song was played.

Some were crying, some were singing their branch song at the top of their longs and some just stood in awe. Afterwards they had two of the wounded soldiers and their spouses speak about how they were injured, what they went through, etc but what got me is that every one of them that spoke was so humble and stated multiple times how they would love to go back. How can these men and women that have been wounded want to go back?...talk about sacrifice, talk about love for your country, and talk about devotion! These men and women will forever inspire me and I can't wait for this service again in 6 months. We don't honor our heroes near enough and to them, I will forever be thankful...for my freedom, for their sacrifice, and for their dedication and love to our country.

Labor Day of Love (Part 2)

Disclaimer: This post jumps around a lot more than the other but I knew there was things I'd been thinking about all afternoon that I wanted to share (you'll see when you get to the end of the post)! Ok, so picking up from Saturday evening...Sunday morning was obviously to follow with a GREAT service at church (the worship was amazing)!!! Not to mention, my aunt, uncle, and cousin have been visiting my church for a few weeks now (they're "regular attendees" according to the sign in book), but this week was extra special with a visit from my other cousin and her sweet little girl Adeline! She wanted to be miss independent (even though she's small enough that her idol is still Hello Kitty and Minnie Mouse) walking through the church halls and even at the lunch table, but man oh man, is she oh so sweet and adorable! After lunch a few of my friends and I headed over to my friend Faith's house (she lives in Chicago but came down for a short visit) to see her and her baby (which none of us have seen and I hadn't seen Faith since December when she was pregnant) so a visit was FAR overdue for us! We got to spend time with just her while Owen napped and we got to spend time with him before and after his nap...isn't he so cute?!...I could just squeeze him! The lighting isn't very good but man is he a cutie!

 After visiting/playing with Owen, Faith's parents agreed to watch Owen for the rest of the evening so Faith and I could go "out"...now normally out means dancing, dinner, movie, but to Faith and I it means Target, Walmart, Ross, TJMAXX, etc. Faith has always been one of those friends that I can call up and we never have to have anything planned, we'll run errands together, do laundry while visiting, etc...but no matter what we're doing, rest assure that we're having fun! Unfortunately that was the only time I got to visit with her but I know we will see each other again soon (and we do talk every week) so other than being here physically, I'll still be talking to her on a regular basis. After visiting with Faith it was on to the Rogers I went (where we watched Limitless) but it's always nice to just go and visit!
This morning I was SO excited! I had asked my mom if I could come raid her house to look for "nick nacks" that I could have or use and if you know my mom...you know she has a lot of nick nacks. I used to bug her about all the "stuff" she had but now I love that I can go over and scrounge through all of it and put something that was her's and that has a story behind it, in my house. I couldn't wait...normally I am NOT a morning person, I repeat, NOT A MORNING PERSON, but today I was up and on my way to her house by 9!! It was nice just visiting with her, drinking coffee, looking at ideas online, helping tutoring her on how to use facebook, and just messing around the house before setting out to (no kidding) Target, K-Mart, Ross, TJMAXX, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, The Salvation Army, The Humane Society, JoAnn Fabrics, and last but not least Kohls...whew, I'm tired just from typing all of that. Although the only thing I found was a GREAT deal on some new sheets, she was a trooper to say the least...she put up with my whining, indecisive, sick (yes, still sick), tired yet excited self all day and even upon returning and hearing that I was bummed on not finding what I wanted she reminded me to be positive and be patient (two things I definitely need to be more of)! I started out writing this post to update and share all the love that I experienced these past few days with friends, relatives, etc yet upon ending this post all I can think about is how selfless my mom is and how there is no earthly and selfless love like a mother's. So here's to all those great, selfless, compassionate, loving mom's out there! To you, I say "thank you!" I thought this picture below was appropriate because although this was a HUGE day for me (my college graduation), it was also a day where I really reflected on all the love my mom has shown me through the years, all the sacrifices she's made to see me through to this day, and all the appreciation I have for someone like HER!

Labor Day of Love (Part 1)

Well, despite this crummy weather, I've tried to take advantage of the long weekend as much as possible, although I must admit, I've had some sinus junk going on since Saturday that has provided me sleepless nights, a nauseous stomach, and a head full of pressure but I'm not going to let that stop me! I think because it's weather related sinus stuff that it's not contagious (or at least I hope not) but anyways. This weekend isn't even over and I feel as though it has been filled with love, fellowship, laughs, and fun. It started early when two of my good friends Kat and Tyler had their precious little baby girl Thursday afternoon, isn't she precious?!

Then it was on to Friday night which was spent hanging out with my sweet friend Ashley. We decided to run in the mall to the University store and on our way in we ran into our dear friend Sandy and her crew at the mall. The twins were getting their ears pierced just as we walked up (it was their prize for being potty trained) and thus we spent the rest of the evening watching/playing with the kids, and catching up with our sweet friend and her family.

Saturday morning Ashley, Katie, and I were up and ready to head to the Florida State game. It was oh so fun filled with some frozen lemonade, laughing, talking, cheering, sweating (gross, right?!), and catching up with our friend Megan McDowell afterward at a yummy Mexican restaurant called Tijuana Flats!

It was oh so fun, even though it was oh so hot but this will not be the last game we attend this year...guaranteed! I MUST add that upon returning to our car after the game I got a text from one of my dear friends Sallie who said she's engaged and although I don't have a picture of the two of us, I wanted to say how truly happy and excited I am for her and her future hubby! I worked with her at FSU and we now work down the road from each other and although I don't see her as often as I'd like, I'm ecstatic for her and can't wait to gush with her over this exciting time in her life! (Congrats Sallie and Sean)!!