Wow, just looking back on Blogger for my entries over the past year... I am amazed at two major points... I was sick an awful lot, and the fact that God has really been sculpting me this year, its so awesome to see it happen. Here are some highlights:
1. I got married. It was probably the best event ever in my life so far. Thanks to all my friends and family who made it happen. I have the best husband ever.
2. I went on my Honeymoon and finally got to see the Grand Canyon. I felt so tiny in comparison to that. Yet it was really comforting to know that God cares for me, despite my insignificance in the universe. Sedona was also super cool. It was an experience I won't ever forget. Thanks to Dave's folks for the plane tickets and the rides, and Dave's brother for the house. And thanks to all the friends and family for all the cash gifts at our wedding, we couldn't have enjoyed our honeymoon without your generosity.
3. I got to wear a suit at work. This is odd for a person who wears pajamas (scrubs.) I will be doing this again in '08!
4. I changed my schedule. God put it in my heart to do so, and so I have, and it has literally changed my life. I enjoy being a part of Celebrate the Journey EVERY Tuesday.
5. My cousin Tammy got married! I was a first time bridesmaid. It was a fun wedding, Tammy glowed! Oh and I like her husband too! I will miss them when they move to Indy in the early spring.
6. Mom was laid to rest. On the one year anniversary of her passing (07-07-07) we scattered her ashes into Lake Michigan, and then went swimming! It was so awesome, and freeing. I love you Mom, see you when I get there.
7. Ignite Chicago! I got to see my two favoritest bands in concert! Tree 63 and David Crowder! It was fun, and my sister adopted a child.
8. Babies! A good friend announced that she was pregnant. Also several people at work are also pregnant, or were and now have babies!
9. I gave in and joined Facebook. Be my friend, I need more people to poke, bite, and bomb.
10. The great remodel. We moved into Dad's house for 6 weeks and lets just say I am so glad to be home, so much so we vacationed here.
11. Abby tore a cruciate ligament in her knee, she now limps.
12. We moved back in the house, then had a small fire, lived in a motel for 9 days. Yeah, its was fun, not! Praise God that its all good now.
13. I won the most likely to star in her own reality TV show at work. Funny, my life IS like a reality show.
14. Miss Daisy Mae joined Muffi and Georgie and several others in Doggie Heaven. She was a good dog. She is missed.
15. I gave my testimony. Me, I got up on stage and told intimate details of my life to friends and strangers. It was one of the most freeing experiences of my life, and I did a good job.
16. The thing we haven't made public yet. No, I am not pregnant, but intimate friends know whats up. I pray for a peaceful resolution in '08. I know its redundant putting up something I cannot tell you, but lets just say it is that big and affects me that much.
17. The spare room is occupied. Pray that our friend Paul is able to get on his feet soon.
Happy Old Year to all of you. I have grown more than I could ever imagine, and I have to give God all the glory.
Here's to an even better New Year....
Often times I find myself wanting things that I have no idea what to do with. One of the biggest problems I have is making friends. I get these people interested in me, and being my friend, but I don't know how exactly to develop that friendship, or I feel like I am in some strange land. Many people want me to be the one to make the plans when I am ready. (Hint: I am never ready!)
My favorite is call me when you want to get together... um, hello, but aren't we talking now? Let's make plans now! Alas... now is never a good time to make plans. (Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans. John Lennon.) Thus I end up sitting at my computer drinking coffee and blogging before work.
I am horrible at this friend thing. See, I work when most people are off work, and anything before 11am is just too early for me, I can't do it.
What I can do, is poke you on Facebook. It works for me.
I really want this connection thing, but I am soooo bad at it. Help me. I cannot do this on my own. Part of my problem is that I fill up my off days with stuff, and then nobody wants to do anything when I actually keep it free. Oh, yeah, and making that first phone call. ... I just plain suck at that.
Of course, now my vacation is over, and I am working this weekend, so I won't be free for another week unless you make me meet you for lunch. Because that's my schedule... it allows me to be a recluse.
The year is almost over.
Here is to '08
A family tradition happened when my cousin got the Pirates of the Caribbean game on DVD for Christmas. Now we play it every Christmas, and I WON!
PIRATE! For once it is good to have the most booty.
Yeah! See how disappointed my mates are?
I had a great Christmas, and I hope all of you did too!
Back to work today... :( wahhh!
Please help me be gracious this Christmas as I receive gifts. I have a problem with greed, and when I get something I really don't want or can't use, I get angry or upset. Help me to not let physical things turn me into a monster. I know where my treasure lies, and it is with you oh Lord.
Help me just to celebrate you, and enjoy visiting family and friends.
Help me to glorify you with my actions, thoughts and heart.
Thank you for your son Jesus. Amen
Suddenly I find that Christmas is creeping up on us. I check my email, I then go to my Google Reader and catch up on some blogs. God is talking to me through others and through my life to realize for the first Christmas ever what this whole thing is all about.
All of my life I thought Christmas was about what I could get, exchanging gifts, so you can get gifts, and food... lots of food. Family, yes, and even baby Jesus, oh and the carols, you have to sing the carols.
God came to us.
That should be reason to celebrate. We got this gift, this perfect thing in such a delicate baby boy delivered in a stable. This baby dies for our sins, then defeats death and resurrects. We can now have a relationship directly with God, that was never ever possible before. All because a baby was born... and the life he lead... and the death... and the resurrection.
So for us, what is Christmas?
Christmas should be about giving a gift that cannot be repaid. Check out Matt's post. Matt is a great guy that moved to KC, MO to follow a dream that God put in his head. I love and pray for Matt, and the whole Restore team.
What can you give?
Well, while this is not my pets, they look similar. Too cute.
Dave and I are enjoying our vacation. Yesterday we got to visit some seniors that Dave knows from work, and it was great to spend some time getting to know them. We also spent some time volunteering at church (I stuffed programs, and Dave helped Lupe). I had an MRI of my bad ankle (finally) and we stayed up late watching Live Free or Die Hard. Dave also took me out to dinner at our favorite restaurant, BD's Mongolian BBQ! He got us a pair of gigantic Mongo Mugs to stuff our stockings. (Okay, the likelyhood they will ever touch a stocking is low, but its the idea...)
Wednesday, we bared the deep fog to visit some good friends of ours out in Sycamore. Driving down 88 is scary when you can only see two car lengths in front of you! Hector and Michelle served us a terrific dinner (thanks!) and we got to kick some butt playing Skip-Bo with them. Their baby boy is growing up sooooo fast!
Today we are hoping that the weather will accommodate us to drive around to see Christmas lights. We are also going to do some more movie watching and generally be lazy today. I made some killer grilled beef and cheese burritos for lunch!
Some people are amazed that Dave and I still volunteered while on vacation. The truth is, we would rather volunteer than work, but money is a necessity. We really find peace and happiness in giving ourselves.
Oh, and I never thought I would love kissing old people so much, but they love it! You know, the nice quick peck on the cheek.... it means so much to be able to bring them a moment of joy. It amazes me how they remember my name, I am so bad with names. Hopefully, that is something that gets better with age.
