A night of laughing

Thursday was the night of laughes! Have you ever tried to do a card trick, a messed up? Well Thursday Matt and I did that over and over.
We were trying to learn this card trick where two cards end up in your hand. (of course, there's a lot of little details to the trick but I would hate to give away my secret:) Well I tried to get this trick all night and the one particular time that I actually got the trick right, I accidentally threw the cards everywhere! I almost fell down I was laughing so hard! Then, Matt tried to do this same trick and well, let's just say I was crying from laughing so hard! Oh my gosh, I love haning out with Brock and those Eleventy boys. They make my life so happy! But they also cause my stomach to hurt from laughing too much.
We had a blast!
Can't wait fo rthe next time they're in town...Matt I'll be working on some new tricks for us to try...haha

Mexican Trivia

We have found a new love on Monday nights...and I know it's probably going to sound somewhat dorky but, we have found Mexican trivia. Now I believe that God has placed two of my favorite things together, Mexican food and competitive trivia. He has definitely done this for a reason...Oh how He blesses me haha!!!
Here's what happens: You must arrive on time or there will be no table for you and you play table verses table in a game of trivia(yes useless knowledge). There is an announcer who askes the questions and plays great music in between.
Last night our team was rather large. We had Brock, Auny, Stephanie, Emily, Kim, Scott, Lyndsey, Edye, Rocoe, River and myself. We had a perfect score throughout the game until the lighting round(whatever that means). People were even booing us because they were jealous of our brilliant minds. Anyway we did end up losing to a table next to us but not without a fight. Of course the question that stumped us was about natural resources...i mean really, who listened in Science class. Obviously not us!!
We had a blast and I think it's going to become a new tradition!

Is It Working?

This morning, as I was sitting in church listening to our visitor for the week, I began to think about my relationship with God. Thoughts were running through my head, like... Is my relationship strong enough? Do I do all the things I am supposed to? Do I spend enough time building my relationship? The answer to everything I thought about was NO! Imagine that, I'm not trying hard enough. I knew that but it never really hit me until today.
Our guest speaker this morning was Phil Joel from the Newsboys. He went through this same thing 6 years ago. He preached a sermon this morning about "Is it working?" Is what we are doing in our life bringing us closer to God and if not what do we do about it. He wrote a song and the lyrics spoke to me. They said something like this "Time alone with you is where you unfold all your mysteries." That is so true. Day after day God longs for an close relationship with me and I disregard it. Well no more! No more will I let the ways of the world distract me from what is truly important. No more will I rush off without spending an ample amount of time with God. No more will I let my Father want a relationship but not receive it. No more....No more! It's time for a change and the time is now...Do you have a close relationship with God?

frustration

Sometimes things seem to pile up on you all at one time. This causes anger, worries and my favorite term frustration. There is only so much one person can handle. After that, the person shuts down and everything seems to get to them. I think I am now it that state of mind. I have so many things running through my head, and all I want to do is talk about them. I want these ideas, feelings and emotions run free so that they are not trapped inside waiting for a day where they snap and I say things that aren't true. I want the chance to be open without judgement and truthful without consequences. I need an outlet, just a moment to get it all together and let go!!! Will that day ever come?

I need syrup

Ok so if you watched Conan last night, you already know that because of the lack of cold weather/snow in New York, there could potentially be a shortage of syrup! Now for some this may not be a big deal but for me, I kinda like maple syrup with my pancakes. So with that said we need to come up with a plan. Conan had a good plan of holding ice near the trees in order for them to drop in temperature. My thought was to bring in snow blowers. If they can make snow on a mountain when it's 60 degrees, I think they could drop the temperature for some trees...just a thought. Do you have any thoughts?

Google me

So many funny things happen when you hang out with Brock, Robbie and the rest of our group. I'll tell you my favorite from this week. It deals with Robbie....You see Robbie was running this race in Memphis yesterday. He is part owner of this motorcross event. A little background info on Robbie is he was a pro rider and has been riding since he was three years old. He has won more races then I can count and is amazing on a bike. He won the Loretta Lynn race back in 1997 which is a big thing. So Robbie was faced with an angry rider during the first part of the race, who was mad about some judgement call made during his race. Robbie was very calm during the whole situation while the guy proceeded to curse and yell. Finally the guy said something like " well that's not how they do it in the Loretta Lynn race." Robbie, after taking enough lip from the guy said "I won that race in 1997. Do you know who I am? Go google me!" and walked off...it was the most awesome phrase ever!! Go Google me...I'm still laughing about it!

Mississippi

Over the past three days, I have been in Jackson, MS. What a wonderful little town full of wonderful little people! I feel like I have been on a plane for the majority of the time but the pay off was worth it! We went to Mississippi for a YEC conference. It was amazing as usual. The first night there Brock did a different type of invitation. He preached about how if kids are bored in their churches, it was their fault. It was time for them to step up and realize the ministry is in their hands now...fifteen and sixteen year olds need to grow up and take leadership. If kids are bored because they feel like the old people aren't provided entertainment in the church, then they should rethink some things. First they need to think about what they could be learning from these older people who have been in the faith for over 50 years now...imagine how much we could gain from them! Second, the kids need to learn how to compromise and make the church their church too!
After Brock spoke for a bit, he had the audience close their eyes and asked the question "Who wants to be a leader?" He directed this question towards the young guys in the audience and asked them to stand if they were ready to be a leader in the church and community. About 100 guys stood up (wow). Brock asked them to come to the front as he began the invitation time. He asked the audience if their was anyone who needed prayer to raise there hand. He told the guys standing to begin their leadership then!
These teenage guys then ventured out into the audience with hands on these people in need, praying with them. It was amazing to see this young guys helping people twice their age! Brock's right, the future of ministry lies within the youth's hands! It's time for them to stand up and make difference! I'm excited to see what's to come from these new leaders...

Children and Santa

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. As my four year old niece woke me up this morning, so excited to go downstairs and see what Santa had left, it reminded me of how it felt when I was little. So to all of you reading this, picture this...
You are four or five years old, it's Christmas Eve and Mama and Daddy have told you three times already that it's time for bed. But as usual you're not sleepy because you are too excited about what will happen in the morning. When you finally get into bed and all the lights are out, you just can't sleep. You think about that magical man that is expected to show up at any minute. The one who is suppose to bring you all the things you have been wishing and hoping for. You close your eyes but the slightest noise makes them open. Before you know it, you've fallen asleep and the next thing you know it's morning(well at least in your eyes). It's 5 am and you jump out of bed and run into your parents room whispering "wake up, wake up." The whispering soon becomes louder and louder, until both parents are up. As you walk into the living room, your eyes can hardly look at one, single thing because there is too much to focus on. And that one thing, you know the one that you have been waiting for since October, is sitting there on the fireplace. All in that one moment all your hopes and wishes had come true and you are completely happy!
Let me tell you seeing that this morning was so joyful! But you know what it reminded me of something...Children put all there hopes and wishes into Santa on that one special day of the year. He never lets them down when it comes to what the wish for. They long to see him every chance they get...at the mall, the parades and even at school. They talk about him all the time and when they do get to see him, they confide in him as if they've known each other their whole lives. I wish we could act as they do 365 days of the year putting all our hopes and wishes into Jesus. He is the one we should be so excited to see. How different do you think our lives would be if we confided in Jesus the way children confide in Santa? Just a thought!

So Happy

Have you ever been in the city too long and when you finally come home you realize all the things you miss.
Last night I got home from my aunt's house and I was standing outside at my dog's pen. When I looked up, oh my goodness, the most beautiful sight I had seen in a while was before me. You see I live in the country and there are no city lights around to block the beauty I saw last night. When I looked up, there it was, a sky full of stars. You could see every constellation and when a star shot across the sky, there was no mistaking it! This is one thing that I miss about living at home.
While I was sitting out there with my puppies I realized that sometimes I should stop and look around more. I should take deep breaths and listen to the things around me. It was kind of chilly last night and it reminded me of so many things. High School memories all the way through some of my college days. It was one of those times where you reminisce. I sat there and thought about the things I want in life and the things I have already recieved. I have been truly blessed beyond measure. What a great moment... It was just the perfect ending to a perfect day!!

Hesitation

I always knew that God had a big and indescrible plan for me but I never really knew how it would go or when it would happen. He tends to surprise me everyday with new joys in my life. What I want to know is "How do you know if something was given to you by God."
Now don't get me wrong, I know that the blessings in life are always directly sent from above but sometimes we receive things in our life that we wish for, not what God wants. So if something is placed in front of you and everything about it seems right, do you run with it or do you hesitate in order to make sure it is what He intended. This is where confusion sets in!!
Recently something has been placed in my life that seems so perfect. It's kind of like an answered prayer but it is a selfish prayer on my part. It seems to be wrong timing for the way my life is heading. When I break down, besides the timing, everything thing about this new joy is perfect. So my question is do I run with it or do I hesitate?

too much going on

Well it's been almost a full week since I've been able to write! I've been working my little butt off! The Colts game was awesome...except for the whole losing part!
We had fun exploring Jacksonville, FL. We got to ride a boat taxi across the waterway and we danced in the street near Jacksonville Landing! Sunday we decided to keep the fun going so we visited Charlston, SC. It is such a beautiful city and I had forgotten just how much I love it there! It made me remember the first time I went and how much I fell in love while I was there...such an amazing city. We meet up with some of Joe and Janis' friends while we were there. They told some of the funniest stories about wild jokers and scary men. You had to be there to understand. The whole weekend was fun and it was just what we needed for a mini vacation!
The rest of this week has been full of customers and running food. It has made me realize how great it's going to be when I don't have to serve food anymore! I think people should be required to take a class in college on how to tip. It's amazing how much servers and people who work in the food industry get taken advantage of! It's not that hard to tip 15%... I mean, if you can order $80 worth of food, you should be able to add a tip to that tab, plain and simple!
Besides the grumpy people and the long tickets times, it's safe to say, I'm going to miss everyone I work with when I leave in 7 days! They make my life enjoyable. So for the next 7 days I'm going to put on a smile, politely wait on hundreds of people a day and cherish every second with some of my best friends.

Colts

Well, I've been up since 5:15 A.M. and the fun is now about to begin. Janis, Joe and I are about to leave for our weekend in Jacksonville, FL. Colts/Jaguars game here we come! We have been anticipating this all week! We've packed the car down with everything needed for an awesome time. All that is left is us...not to worry though that will soon be checked off the list!!
We are driving down the Charlston, SC to pick up Nick today then onward to the sunny state! I'll let you all know how it goes when I return on Monday....So with that said "GO COLTS!"

oh heavenly

Today has been a day full of packing and visiting. I'm finally all packed up and ready to move to Tennesse to start my new journey. I realized that I can't take everything so I vowed to only pack the important things! It's been a time trying to figure out what is important and what is not.
Downey and I had a fabulous time today at the mall. You see there is a time in every girl's life when a good pair of jeans is necessary. Today was that time. We tried on like every pair in the store until we found the perfect pair. I must say that we both look pretty cute in them!
Today winded down with a get together with Carrie, Elizabeth, Megs and the Friends DVD along with the most heavenly dessert ever...yes the CHOCOLATE MOLTEN! You can't beat it. Have you tried one? If not where have you been?
Let me describe it for you...a chocolate devil's food cake with a warm chocolate center topped with ice cream and covered with carmel and chocolate hard shell! Yes I know...now you want one!

Christmas Lights

I was driving back to Wilmington tonight and the bright colored and white lights began to make me smile. I thought back to when I was little and I used to help my mom decorate and my dad hang lights. Oh to be that young again...those were the days. Anyway it really put me in the Christmas spirit! I can picture the holidays already. Family gathered, putting bows on my dogs and cat on Christmas morning, waffles on Christmas Eve (because it's tradition), My niece ripping open gifts from Santa, and of course the chance that maybe, just maybe it will snow( even though it's still 70 degrees).
Christmas always creates these unforgettable memories...ones that you cherish, and making more each December is worth waiting a whole year for!

I've been MIA for the past couple of days so I should catch everyone up. I am working in Greenville NC till December 22 in order to make some extra cash for the holidays and for the move. I've been there the past 5 days and I have loved every minute. I miss everyone there so much. I have had a chance to meet some new people and hang out with the people I love. Friday night I got to go to Boli's and have some of the best pizza bread ever...oh how I've missed that. It's been great and I can't wait to go back on Tuesday! So all you Greenville people, let's hang out when I get back!!!

Packing

Well, I began the process of packing all of my belongings up in boxes. It's amazing how much stuff you find when your moving things around! I found old pictures and letters and just sweet things that spark memories in your life. It's fun to come across a sweet note from someone that you hold dear to your heart. It makes you remember that person and how special they are to you even though your lives have changed so much. Today I began to think of packing like life. Every now and then we pack up and move on. We take some things with us and leave some behind in order to grow. But no matter how many times you pack up, there will always be something that will bring you back and help to remember just how special things are!

It's crazy to think that in a matter of a month I'll be somewhere completely new. New friends, new job and a new way of life. I gave advice once about moving and it's time that I sit back and listen to what I said. Moving is a big change and it can make you sad to know that your leaving people that you cherish. You won't see them everyday and you can't talk to them everyday but the good thing is, the ones that are true and the ones that you cherish will always be there for you...no matter how far you travel, or how long your gone!!!

Dreaming with a Broken Heart

I bought a new cd today and there is a song on it that caught my ear. It's weird because when I began to listen to it, I thought about how many times people dream with a broken heart. Most of the time in our lives, we go through things that cause us to be sad or hurt. We begin to think about our lives down the road when our hearts have healed. I thought this concept for a song was so clever and true so I thought I would share it with you!!

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
You roll outta bed and down on your knees
And for the moment you can hardly breathe
Wondering was she really here?
Is she standing in my room?
No she's not, 'cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The giving up is the hardest part
She takes you in with your crying eyes
Then all at once you have to say goodbye
Wondering could you stay my love?
Will you wake up by my side?
No she can't, 'cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....

Now do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hand
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Baby won't you get them if i did?
No you won't, 'cause you're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
~John Mayer

Words can't express how I feel when I hear it. So listen to it and see what I mean! Maybe we'll get the same feeling!

Holiday, Friends & Drama

Wow so much has happened in the past four, five days...I can't remember when I last wrote. For the first time in like four years I was able to go home a couple of days before Thanksgiving instead of the day of Thanksgiving. The second I got there my dad put me to work! He had me scrubbing bath tubs and mopping floors. What a great way to start vacation..haha. Anyway Wednesday night me and couple of friends I graduated high school with decided to get together for some catch up...and a catch up it was. I hadn't seen some of those people since 2001. That's a long flippin time to not see your friends. We had a great time that lasted till three in the A.M... I even ran into a familiar face later that evening that made me smile! I'm still smiling...
Anyway Turkey Day was great. I ate way too much and take too many naps! Me, Mama and Grandma put up the Christmas decorations just like years past but this year we left the angel for Summer to put on the top of the tree. She was so excited and adorable.
For the past three days I've been in Mrytle Beach, SC shopping my life away. You see it was tax free weekend and the stores were calling our names! We definitely knocked of some names on the Christmas list! The trip was fun but ended kinda sour! You see I started a tiff with my brother that went unresolved, which sucks. I feel really bad and hopefully he will forgive me before Christmas gets here......

Happy Feet

The past couple of days have been full of surprises. Friday night I attempted to drive home from Nashville, TN straight through, only to stop once for gas. Little did I know there would be a slight delay in my plan. For some reason, somebody decided it would be a good idea to close I-40 eastbound with no detour signs! I'm not sure about anyone else, but I don't think this was such a good idea. Not only did I get lost, I got really lost. I ended in the middle of nowhere looking at cow crossing signs and no street lights. Not fun at all! I had to call Dad at 11:30 at night for directions. He got out the map and an hour and fifteen minutes later I was back on 40, not far from where they sent me off! Let's just say that 11 hours on I-40 is not my idea of a good time!!!!
Anyway the weekend was great. I got to hang out with some amazing people and watch a good band in Hatch, Overflow! There was such a calming feeling being in Hatch and on Caswell's campus! Gosh I love that feeling...
Sunday night about 12 of us piled into the movie theater to see the new movie "Happy Feet." It has to be the cutest movie I have ever seen! Everyone with us laughed throughout the entire movie. It has great music and a great story line! It was a fun time! I wouldn't have wanted to see it with any other group of people! It was a great weekend and I must say, it was just what I needed!!

Kareoke Night

I've always known that kareoke was fun but last night reassured me of that very fact. After a delicious trip to the Coco Tree, we all decided to go sing some kareoke at a local place in Franklin. There was about ten of us and let me tell you...It was the perfect mix for this occasion. We had a couple of solo performances topped off with a remix version of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" by Brock himself. Too funny for words...You have to see the video!
We all started to become sneaky by signing people up without them knowing, but I think Brock was the sneakiest. He decided to sign me, Robbie, Alisha, Shawn and some random guy named Bill up to sign the kids song, "The Wheels on the Bus."Oh yes there was laughing...Way too much. I think we decided to make this part of our every week routine! So I can't wait for next Wednesday!!!

Waterfalls

So I took Kim to the doctor this morning and on our way there we realized something... At Vanderbilt Hospital there are waterfalls in the parking deck. As you drive through you pass under these fountains of beautiful water. It's like being in a tropical rainforest only in the middle of Nashville. It smells so clean and fresh. It's like an escape from the crazy world around you!
Ok so I lied about that whole thing...the waterfalls are holes in the parking deck ceilings that drown your car as you go under them, but if you close your eyes, you can imagine that they're whatever you want them to be. So we did. It eased the tension of being at the hospital!
Today has been so fun despite the pouring rain. Kim and I had lunch with Zack from Flicker Records along with Aegis, Mark, T-Bone, and Kids in the Way.
T-Bone cracked me up rapping the middle of Baja Fresh! And if that wasn't funny enough, he got Bethany Dillion on the phone for another rap session. What a crazy guy...
The day is only half over and we got some crazy plans for tonight. Greek for dinner, then hanging out at the Coco Tree and then some kareoke! Pray for us..haha