Down Down Baby...

My website will be down for the next couple days due to a server change. Be sure to check back in a few days!

Don't forget that Spring is here and now is a great time to start capturing those

Memories for a Lifetime!

Life is a "ZOO"

Ever...

felt like you didn't fit in?

thought it was all about you?

thought no one could hear you?

just tried to blend in?

gone out on a limb?

forgotten to brush your teeth?

gotten lost in the crowd?

had a bad hair day?

been a little moody?

been the last one to catch on?

just tried to hang in there?

had to watch your own back?

~~~

If this is you...

you are not alone!

~~~

Remember to look for the good even in the midst of the zoo!

Sacrifice

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

no need for greed or hunger

a brother hood of man

Imagine all the people

sharing for the world....

you...you may say I'm a dreamer

but I'm not only one

I hope some day you'll join us

and world will be as one

Oh...you may say I'm a dreamer

but I'm not the only one

take my hand and join us

and the world will live as one.

(Imagine-John Lennon)

The news today is full of talk about recession,"cutting back", doing without, and fear of tough days ahead. I wonder just how much each of us will have to sacrifice in the months ahead. How does our potential sacrifices compare to those around us?

I've been to countries where our "needs" are others luxuries. New shoes - any shoes, eating out - eating at all, affordable health care - any health care, and the list continues. You don't have to go far to see the drastic differences in our world. Even here in the middle of the "bible belt" people go without these comforts everyday.

Each of us has something we could sacrifice for the good of someone else. I want to challenge you, as I challenge myself, to not wait for a recession to see what you can do without. Don't make sacrifice a forced dilemma - make it a planned choice.

I am thankful that I live in this country and that God has blessed me with the gifts, talents, and resources I have. Shame on me if I sit and hold on to these and choose to worry about my own future rather than helping a person in need.

~~~~~~

Sacrifice isn't sacrifice if it doesn't hurt a little.

Let's not forget the significance of this weekend and the most painful sacrifice of all.

I'm Not Who I Was

I've thought a lot over the past year about who I used to be. I wish I could say that I was someone to be proud of. Sure, there were moments when I reflected the image of someone so much greater than myself. But those times when I didn't respond the right way, say the right things, or "walk the talk" sometimes leave me ashamed, embarrassed, and defeated.

There isn't always an opportunity to say the words I'm sorry. Those words can't change the reality of a who I was then and the choices I made. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to show the change rather than just say there was one.

I hope the people around me now see a different person than I used to be. I want to be genuine in my words, confident in my actions, and value the thoughts, opinions, and emotions of those around me.

I think the words in the song below say it best...

(I'm Not Who I Was - Brandon Heath)

I wish you could see me now

I wish I could show you how

I'm not who I was

I used to be mad at you

A little on the hurt side too

But I'm not who I was

I found my way

to forgiving you

Some time ago

But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph

I saw me and I had to laugh

You know, I'm not who I was

You were there, you were right above me

And I wonder if you ever loved me

Just for who I was

When the pain came back again

Like a bitter friend

It was all that I could do

To keep myself from blaming you

...I was thinkin maybe I

should let you know

that I am not the same

But I never did forget your name

Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing

Is amazing grace

Is the chance to give it out

Maybe that's what it's all about

I wish you could see me now

I wish I could show you how

I'm not who I was

Lucky for me I learning the meaning of Grace. What it means to need it, give it, and receive it.

Weekend Thoughts

I spent this past weekend relaxing with my family. I rested and enjoyed the blessings God has given me. Here are of few of my thoughts from this weekend.

~Contentment~

Wednesday morning we woke up to snow. Elijah was so excited he could hardly wait to get outside and play. But...living in TN...the snow didn't last long. Rather than be sad about what he didn't have, Eli made the most of the situation. After we ran some errands he excused himself to the backyard and soon had a wonderful creation!

The snow didn't last long but hopefully, with a little help from our freezer, "frosty" will be around to remind us to find contentment in any and every situation.

~Joy~

Layla is growing fast and enjoys every minute of life. If she can find a ball, bone, and yes sometimes even a shoe she is set. She isn't picky about what makes her happy and she reminds me daily to find joy in the little things.

After losing a few toys to the current, Layla was ready...just about the time we were heading back to the house.

~Growth~

Spring is almost here and new growth will be all around us. Sometime I sit and wait for new growth in my own life. I saw first hand this weekend that growth isn't something to wait for, it's something you work at.

Controlled burns are used to keep wild fires down and promote new growth.

God has used some extremely hard times to help me grow.

"He will bring beauty from my pain."

~Trust~

Remember reaching out for your daddy's hand and knowing without a doubt he would be there for you?

Maybe we should try that more often?

~Happiness~

Check this boy out...what more can I say?

Having the weekend off was GREAT! God showed me how to be content with what He has given me, hat joy is found in the little things, sometimes you really do have to "feel the burn" in order to enjoy see results, trusting Him allows us to be free, and well...that my boy is so darn cute! :)