Tired

So...I'm back in school. Round #3. Am I crazy or what? This is only my second week of classes, and I'm already really tired! Last semester I had a ball. Loved my classes and it was still new and "fun." Now...reality has come pouring down and I'm tired. Did I say I was tired? If everything works out correctly...I will be done in December...so that rocks! Then on to round #4...or maybe not. :-)

Papers, more papers, exams, books to read, and presentations to give...I better get back to it!

My Rant

It’s my blog, I can rant if I want to. I am embarrassed and ashamed of how Americans have treated George W. Bush, not only for the last four years, but especially for the treatment at Obama’s inauguration. And I won’t even discuss defacing of a monument. Perhaps people need to take a lesson from their six year old child who is learning the benefits of good sportsmanship at his t-ball game. 43 was our PRESIDENT. If anyone thinks they knew a fraction of what that man did about our safety and state of country, then you should go work for the NY Times. I want to thank the man who RESPECTED the position he was given and the office he held, and made the tough decisions to keep us safe, while darts were thrown at his back. When our new President said it is “Time to set aside childish things,” I’m sure he was talking about the behavior of those in front of him.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (New International Version)
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Merry Christmas!

I pray we will all stop the cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping presents, and staring glassy-eyed at the decorations we've put up but have yet to enjoy, and truly THANK our God for giving us the best He had to offer, and more than we ever deserved...his Son. May all our Christmas Eves be spent pondering the anticipation of the angels who heralded our King's birth and the wisdom of the Magi as they searched and ultimately found Him. And may we sing our carols, eat our turkey, and open our presents with our hearts bursting with the love, thankfulness, and grace our Savior has bestowed on us.

Merry Christmas! Be blessed.

Let Freedom Ring

Lately, a few of my non-Christian friends have made comments saying that to become a follower of Jesus, you have to give up all the fun things of the world...that there is a strict set of rules we must follow and that we are never allowed to sin again. (Darn Pharisees still bugging us! ;-) )

The truth is that Jesus sets us free. Free from the bondage of sin. We are no longer under the constraints of evil and actually have the necessary power to be victors. Jesus wants us to come to Him exactly as we are, issues and all. His time on earth was spent with “sinners, sluts, and liars,” not the religious, upright, or uptight. Jesus’ blood set us free from the old rules. It becomes about a relationship with the only one who truly understands us.

We are still human and every day we walk this earth we will make mistakes and have our vices to handle. But we no longer walk alone, and are covered by the undeserved grace and mercy of our Lord. Yes, we are held to a higher standard than the rest of the world. Every day we will be shaped and molded into a better version of ourselves, the person who we were created to be, more like our Jesus.

Yea's & Boo's

I don’t have much of importance to say. Other than I am so happy Grey’s Anatomy is finally showing new episodes and 27 Dresses is finally out on DVD. Yea!

Oh, and I’m stuck inside the house tonight while we get our new furnace and air conditioner installed. Yea for upgraded machines – boo for a boring Friday night!

Football and a Prayer

Indoor football is a new experience for me. The field is about a fourth the size of a regular football field, yet they play the game basically the same. At our local games, the Kansas Koyotes, if a football gets thrown into the stands, you can keep it. If it is kicked into the stands, you are asked to return it. At the game on Saturday, I took someone with me, who shall remain nameless, and she became obsessed with getting a football. Arms outstretched and waiving at the quarterbacks to throw to her, as opposed to their own wide receivers, maniacal scaling of rows of seats to try and chase down a ball, begging and pleading with lucky recipients for them to have mercy on her and give up their bounty. All for naught, but two hours of pouting. In her one-mindedness she could no longer enjoy the game. Her disappointment overshadowed any joy in the victory or thrill of an amazing play. I wonder if I am the same way...praying so hard for one particular thing, that I fail to find the joy in the moment or the other blessings lining my life.

Addictions

My day job has cracked down on internet usage. I won't go into details or even give my thoughts on the matter, but I will say this...I'm having serious withdrawals! How is one supposed to know what's going on in the world? Newspapers...what are those? And I used the phone book for the first time in years today! Talk about slowing me down. ;-) If we're trying to relive the 80s, can someone tell me now so I can buy Aquanet stock?!?

Scorched

Wandering through the desert is tough. Especially when you've been circling the same mountain for years. Sound familiar? I find myself complaining too much, and shudder when remembering God's answer to the Israelite complaints about a meat-less, wilderness diet. Angry, He poured down fire and destroyed the edges of the camp, and Moses had to pray for it to stop. What fires would be extinguished in my life if I had thankfulness and praise on the tip of my tongue instead? Psalm 32:8: "The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'" Do you trust God enough to believe your desert trek is the best path for you?

3 Not-So-Blind Mice

I work on the garden level of a beautiful, old museum. Well, it's all offices now, but it used to house artifacts older than our laptops. :-) For weeks, we have spotted evidence of mice throughout the basement. Being the "city" girl I am, I don't take too kindly to animals using my files as their restroom (not to mention the diseases), so I've made it a personal mission to help these vermin find a new home (hopefully in the dumpster). For three weeks these mice have avoided every sticky and bait trap the exterminators and building maintenance crew members have laid out. So I brought in reinforcements...snapping traps with crunchy peanut butter and cheese (yes, I googled this issue and this was the overwhelming solution)! These mice definitely aren't blind as the only thing trapped so far is a bit of air! I think God knew what he was doing when he moved my parents into town before I was born!

Giddyup!

Horses were created to run in herds, manes tangling in the wind, but with a little love and guidance these beasts morph into pets capable of winning races, pulling loads, or transporting their master. Their majestic power is bridled into submission with only a small piece of leather. I took riding lessons a few years ago and was intimidated by their power and strength, awed by their patience, and overwhelmed with love. Mesmerized by every horse, I love to capture unique pictures of them, whether at rest or play. Sometimes I wonder if that is how our God looks at us...and it makes me wonder what my bridle is?

Off Sabbatical

That was the longest, unintentional sabbatical I have ever taken! Sometimes life gets in the way. But I'm back. No, really, I am. At least for this week. So for all 2 of my faithful readers, read on.

And just for fun, can you find the gator? ;-)

Working 9 to 5...

Well, I finally downloaded a few pix from my camera. This is me in the studio recording the audio version of my book. I think I found my new calling!! Put a mic in front of my mouth, and I'm bound to have fun! :)

Book Release Parteeeee

YOU (yes, you) are invited to my book release party and book signing at Christian Book & Gift Store (Fairlawn Plaza).

2 - 4 pm -- tomorrow, June 9.

Come on over...I'd love to see you there!

LIVE in 5, 4, 3...

Tune into KSNT Channel 27 at 11:00ish tomorrow morning and you'll see me doing my first live book interview!!

Been Awhile...

A LONG while. Yikes, where to begin? How about with some pictures?

Here is a picture of my March of Dimes event in Atlanta...reading to some beautiful kiddos...oh, and I had a blast seeing old friends and visiting my old haunts. Thanks to my dear friend, Lisa, for letting us invade her living quarters! :-)

And a bonus picture of Jamaica. Wow...

First *Booked* Event!

Mark your calendars...especially all you folks from Hotlanta! I will be reading my book, But, God! to children (and anyone I can bribe to attend) at this race. So even if you aren't racing, come on out and see me! :)

--Gwinnett WalkAmerica is Saturday, April 28, 2007 at Holiday Pavilion at Lake Lanier. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.--

See you there!

Check out my Book Cover!!

Say Cheese!

This weekend is my author picture photo shoot (for the back of my book). We had to move it to Sunday morning, so I am on my own for hair and makeup. I doubt my typical wash-and-wear look will be appropriate, so I must experiment. Cute hats, anyone?

I’ve heard it’s best to not look too different from your every day appearance, as you don’t want to surprise “fans” at book signings. Ha…PHOTO SHOP, BABY!

Perhaps I’ll post a few on here next week...after I learn how to photoshop in a golden tan! :)

Get Organized...or Not!

Okay, so my bedroom is a disaster. I admit it. Occasionally, I will sift through the clothes and clutter and narrow down to a more manageable level. But right now, I’m starting to look like a tornado victim. So when we had a professional organizer come to work, I readily signed up for the class. Perfect timing, considering I will be merging my bedroom and office…SOON!

When she asked for volunteers to give their reason for attending the class, my hand shot up in a way it hadn’t since I was working to secure teacher’s pet status in the second grade. No way would I pass up this chance to get free personalized organizational advice! A behind-numbing hour later, she finally addressed my issue.

Her advice: “Don’t.”

Brilliant.

How Much Is Too Much?

When does being “real” turn creepy? For example, I can spill my guts on this cyberjournal in an attempt to be authentic and honest in the hopes that somewhere along the line someone will be encouraged, helped, or even entertained. But more realistically, random people will come across this page, read intimate details of my life and feel like they know me, and therefore can judge me on whatever issue I choose to reveal, all before having a real conversation.

As a writer it’s easy to get carried away when describing emotions and scenarios. If it’s fiction, it makes it all the more entertaining, but when it’s an autobiography, be prepared for a level of judgment.

Growing up in small town USA and living in a glass hill-top house thickened my skin, but there will always be a small part of me that still cares what other people think. But, in truth, I have a responsibility. Not to myself or to you, but to my God. And I believe He wants authenticity. What’s the point in hiding our weaknesses or failures? Does it make us weaker to admit our issues? Or does it take courage to stand up and admit we aren’t perfect? The only one who truly matters knew what we’d do long before we were even here. We can’t hide our emotions in some chamber of our heart and hope God doesn’t look there. But maybe there is an arbitrary line we should draw when posting in blog world. Wherever it resides…just know that what I post, is this sinner’s truth (in all its glorious creepiness).

"Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)