tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22353462720286421812023-11-16T01:17:24.221-06:00Life of a FrenchieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-14744732497533763982018-10-24T19:32:00.000-05:002018-10-24T19:32:38.724-05:00Change: The clearest evidence of a steadfast GodI have been more and more convinced of God's immediate presence and His continuous blessings recently. I have been taking more time to reflect on life. I reflect on how much my life has changed over the years. I reflect on how my life looks drastically different than I imagined it 7 months ago. Most importantly, I reflect on how good God has been to me. I can clearly see His provision in my past to prepare me for my future.<br />
My future causes me to be excited and very anxious. Knowing that I will be bringing a child into this world in less than 5 months is a little unsettling. With every movement I feel, I realize more and more that this child is my very own...my responsibility. God knew of this moment before I was even a thought in my parents' minds. He knew I would be sitting on my couch 10 hours away from family and writing about my anxieties of this pregnancy. He knew that I needed a husband who would help me through this anxiety and who would be tough enough to let me be real with him. God knew it all. And the most relieving part is that He knows exactly what's going to happen in 5 months. He knows who this baby is and what this baby will accomplish in life. That calms me.<br />
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Anyone who knows me well knows that change and I are not the best of friends. I struggle to get on board with any and all changes. They can be small and barely affect me and I still gnash my teeth and fight them. The big ones...don't get me started. They debilitate me. I've never quite understood why I fight change so much. I am one who likes to have a plan and stick to it for sure, but I still love spontaneity! I guess I struggle so much with change because typically it affects all of my future plans as well. Instead of only having to change my plans for the day, I usually have to change every plan I have made to accommodate for the change. That's how I felt when Michael and I moved to Florida. Every plan I had for our first year of marriage, every exciting thing I had concocted, had to be changed and shifted. I was not happy about it. I didn't fight Michael on it, but I did allow myself to be depressed and not enjoy the little things of life anymore. It was hard for me to even smile.<br />
Eventually I overcame that change! I think moving into our own place and getting to set up house helped a LOT! I could actually make a plan for how I wanted my house to look and I could execute it!<br />
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But, can I tell you, pregnancy is a little bit bigger of a change than moving across states? Not only is my physical, mental, and emotional state changing, but my relationship with Michael and my outlook on life! Now all of a sudden I have to do research on what the best stroller and carseats are and how to deal with round ligament pain. I have to buy bigger clothes (that I'll grow out of in a month and then just repeat the process). I have to be aware of what I'm eating and be sure to rest more.<br />
Change.<br />
I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions when it comes to being pregnant. I have felt joy, anger, uncontrollable happiness, sadness, fear, peace, contentment. I've cried out to the Lord asking why now when we seem most unprepared. I've been giddy walking through the baby section of any store we go to. My full range of emotions is always the sign that I am dealing with a big change. While this is the most exciting and miraculous change, it is the second biggest I have experienced (with marriage being the first). In less than a year I have gotten married, moved states, started a new job, moved into a new apartment, and have gotten pregnant. I do believe my change quota has been met for the next 10 years or so!<br />
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Now let me tell you about my awesome God! I am in awe of how tender and loving our God is. He has been so good to gently walk me through this life-altering experience. He has been a constant source of hope and provision. When I feel overwhelmed at the thought of having a child to raise, God has been quick to remind me that I'm not doing this alone! He is with me and He has equipped me with a dependable husband! Not only that, but I have the best mom and mother-in-law who are a phone call away to answer all of my ridiculous questions and listen to my rants about a new body part that's sore or hurting. When I step back and look at this change, I notice that I'm not as debilitated by it. I actually smile. I feel God so near to me in this season of my life. I marvel at His blessings every. single. day. I thank Him for each day I get to be mother to the little one growing inside me. I have committed this child to the Lord. I do so every night before bed. The only reason I can smile and not worry about being prepared financially, physically, mentally, or emotionally for this baby is because I serve a great and steadfast God who takes care of His children! I definitely feel His hand on my life.<br />
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I say all of this not to be unfeeling to those who have lost children, or to simply complain about pregnancy. I say this to simply be real about a struggle I have in my life and to point out how amazing God is at providing peace and comfort to the anxious and weary.<br />
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All in all this change isn't that bad! As my sweet mother-in-law said, "Aren't you glad it takes 9 months to grow a person and that it doesn't happen overnight?!"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-9331812923002983312018-06-01T09:42:00.000-05:002018-06-01T09:42:40.295-05:00God, My Vows, and My HusbandMichael and I wrote our own vows for our wedding. He waited until the last minute and knew exactly what to say. I had mine done 2 months before and I struggled with every word I put on paper. Me. The writer.<br />
Looking back I realize now that the reason I rewrote my vows to Michael so many times was because God was making sure I meant every word I said to him. My vows ended up taking the format of an essay because Mississippi College trained me to write everything with an introduction, three points, and a conclusion. And apparently, I couldn't break the habit with my vows.<br />
I promised to follow Michael wherever the Lord lead him (knowing we had a 12month lease on an apartment in MS, I was pretty sure the Lord was leading him there). I promised to support Michael's dreams and goals (not sure what those looked like at the time, but we had a lease so...). And, I promised to trust Michael with the decisions of our family (and we'd be in MS with all my people so trusting him was easy).<br />
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The day we got back from our honeymoon Michael got a call from a cousin who owns a very successful business. This cousin offered Michael a job as productions manager of the business and offered to train Michael in different areas of small business ownership. My husband was elated and formulated all the questions and thought about every possibility. This seemed like the very thing Michael had been praying for! The catch? Moving to Florida the very next week.<br />
The day our marriage turned 2 weeks old, we pulled the trigger on this adventure and agreed to move. I then spent the next week crying and packing and saying goodbyes and packing and crying. Michael worked hard to break the lease on the apartment and tie up loose ends with his job. I tied up loose ends with my job...one I loved so very much. And with this decision God reminded me daily of the promises I had made to Michael. God kept asking me if I truly meant I'd follow my husband anywhere (even when it meant 10hours away from MS), if I truly meant I'd support his dreams (even when those dreams meant leaving a job I loved), and if I truly meant I trusted him with every decision (even when the decision was to pack up our little family and launch into the unknown). Through tears I replied "yes" to all of those reminders. What Michael couldn't do for our family, God could. And with those two fighting for me and protecting me, I had nothing to worry about.<br />
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So, we are approaching our 2 month anniversary and we are thriving in Florida. I've had days where I questioned Michael's decision and asked why he got to live out his dream. I've had times of anger at being so far away from all of my people and having to learn a new place. But, God has been quick to deal with my attitudes and show me the goodness in being here. Michael has learned so much and is happy to be at work every. single. day. Our marriage has grown so deep so quickly. And I have a new understanding of what it means to fully trust the Lord and my husband.<br />
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I have a new found reverence for what happens at the alter when a man and a woman pledge themselves to each other in the presence of God. Marriage, the commitment it holds, is not something to be trifled with. God shows up so strong and so real when sinners saved by grace work hard to live a marriage pleasing to Him. It is an awesome thing to be apart of!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-80811231188202779242017-12-22T17:25:00.000-06:002017-12-22T17:25:03.624-06:00Mom's Hot Chocolate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As Christmas approaches (like in 3 days), I've been taking time to reflect on the many wonderful traditions my family maintains. This is my last Christmas as a single woman and at home. Next year, I'll be starting Christmas traditions with my husband and it will have been 8 months of marriage. There have been many tears shed over this Christmas as well as anxiety. I repeatedly asked Michael one day if I could go back to being eight years old when life was so much simpler. He reached down and picked up my left hand, "Eight year-olds don't get this." My ring, his ring, was sitting proudly on my finger. He explained that life isn't supposed to stay simple. We are made to grow and live our lives. </div>
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With Ende just married less than a week ago and my wedding coming soon, this Christmas definitely has a theme of reflection and taking in as much as I can. I wish I could bottle up all the traditions, songs, memories, ornaments, smells, and people I am spending this last Christmas with. (I know I'm dramatic, but still) This year, and next, are huge times of transition for my family. This time next year so much will have changed. It's hard to think of my mom as old enough to have children married and graduated from college. She has been through a roller coaster of emotions, but has borne everything incredibly well. She has made sure to enjoy every minute. She's always been the one to keep traditions going in our home. </div>
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We blast Christmas music through the house from the day after Thanksgiving, till we take our tree down around New Year's. We dance and sing loudly while guzzling mug-fulls of hot chocolate and egg nog. </div>
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Our tree gets decorated despite the boys never helping. They usually just lay around in the living room to say they played a part. </div>
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We watch A Charlie Brown Christmas all together in the living room.</div>
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Christmas brunch with my mom's siblings and their families is always a joyous time. You really notice how small the tree is when Ra Ra and Pa finish unloading presents. Everyone packs in the living room super tight and everyone is sitting on each other; but that makes it fun. The "littles"(all the younger cousins) bounce around the room wanting to help unwrap presents and sit in laps. When they get a present they plunge to the floor and attack it with no mercy. Pa always (ALWAYS) gives Ra Ra some delicate piece of jewelry that makes her cry and cry and cry. We video it every year. </div>
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It's strange to think I won't be around to help decorate or dance wildly to Christmas music next year. I am excited to be starting my own traditions and carry some of the old with me. I plan to soak up this Christmas more than I have others (which I regret) and make sure to be present every moment. It's times of transition that make us stop and really appreciate all of the traditions we were raised with. I can't wait for this Christmas to come and to be surrounded by all of my wonderful people!</div>
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Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy all the love and laughter of the season!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-72263825792174291572017-11-27T10:34:00.000-06:002017-12-22T16:57:04.271-06:00Never say Never<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #595452; font-family: Bentham;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">Never say never. I had been told by several people to never say never about any aspect of your life because the never would actually happen. However, 7 years ago, I had said never to considering Michael Shepherd as a mate. He and I grew up together and were crazy kids. I had the biggest crush on him, but I didn't think he returned the feelings. So I said never and went on with my life. He and I grew up and conquered school and matured and one day I randomly sent him a text. That text lead to facetimeing and eventually us meeting face to face. When we met, it was strange how much I wanted to know him and how the word "never" had left my mind. We talked and talked and decided to start dating. Both of our families are close to each other, so we made sure to date with Christ in mind and our families' relationships. Dating brought road trips, movie dates, study dates, long walks, workouts, and snuggles. Over the course of a year, I fell in love with the man I said never to. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #595452; font-family: Bentham;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">In August of this year, Michael began to write me letters. (Anyone who knows me knows how fabulous this is!!) These love letters became a source of constant happiness and I anticipated each one. I had no clue these letters contained the question I had been aching to hear ever since I was a little girl. I simply thought they were love letters sent to me by the man who loved me. I didn't give Michael credit for looking so far into our future to begin his plans in August. However, that's just what he did!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #595452; font-family: Bentham;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">On November 22, 2017, I had 13 of the 14 letters needed to spell out "Will you marry me?" It was on that day that Michael and I went for a walk to my favorite spot on my grandparents' land. The old cross on the hill has been the place I've wanted to get married at ever since I could remember. I bounced around the cross telling Michael how our wedding would be set up. He just stood still and smiled as I went on and on and on, just knowing that in a few minutes we'd be engaged. He called me over to the cross and asked if we could practice exchanging the rings. I didn't think anything was suspicious and bounded over to him. He removed the promise ring he made and gave to me back in April. I still didn't think anything was happening. Then he slid a new ring on my finger. By the time I realized that the new ring had a diamond and was all glittery, Michael was on his knee and clearing his throat to speak. I fell to the ground and began crying and hugging him. He told me to stand back up, but through tears I told him I couldn't. I was so overwhelmed by his love for me. I kept crying and laughing and crying. He whispered his proposal in my ear and I think I said "yes" at some point! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #595452; font-family: Bentham;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">So here we are. After saying never 7 years ago, we are madly in love, seeking God daily, and about to start a family of our own!</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-66710745911719530212017-11-11T15:30:00.002-06:002017-11-11T15:30:27.008-06:00The Girl with the Horse in her Yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She laughs and the sun shines more brightly. She is like the wind; wild and unpredictable. She goes where she wants when she wants and is never too busy for adventure. </div>
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When I first met her, she shocked me with her adventurous life, and I was hesitant when she invited me to be a part. On our first outing together, she jokingly forced me around Walmart to carry her items as her little servant. We still laugh about that day and joke about her uncharacteristic harshness. Her room has always been a little safe haven for me. It's held many tears cried in her presence as well as bunches of laughter. There was the time we decided to paint her ceiling in 105 degree heat. The paint barely stuck to the wood and we were covered in droplets of white paint. </div>
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Another time we worked for two hours pulling apart a lamp she had to hang wires and bulbs above her bed to be all romantic. I also napped one day while she painted her walls. </div>
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There's always something new happening with her. The variety she brings to my life is unmatched. I can always count on her to have an adventure in her pocket. She collects them like she collects the little metallic things she finds on the ground. </div>
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She makes others feel genuinely cared for. It's rare to find someone so outward focused. She always inquires how you're doing first before sharing her own burdens. She carries a lot on her shoulders and never falters.<br />
She is the reason I seek adventure in every day. She is the reason I work hard to choose happiness. When asked who will be by my side forever, I quickly respond with her name. She is a forever friend, one I will cherish always.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-26561490382398395982017-08-11T09:21:00.001-05:002017-09-02T19:48:59.118-05:00Around the World in 28 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer school is hard. You don't want to be sitting in a classroom for hours a day while your friends go to the beach and send you pictures. Summer school is harder when you decide to take four 3hour credit courses in one month. ONE month. You go to class from 8am - 3pm every. single. day. On the first day, you see 8 students enter the classroom looking and speaking like they're not from there. The teacher explains that they are English teachers in their respective countries. That's why you're hearing Portuguese, Spanish, and Chinese fly around the room. You get excited to know these teachers because your mom taught ESL in New Orleans and you feel a connection to that ministry. This is a once in a lifetime chance. And you take it. </div>
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Eliza from Brazil (there's 2 Eliza's) and Paula (also from Brazil) are your partners for a presentation. The intensity of the class makes for little time to meet and work on projects outside of class. So, you invite the ladies to your house to work on the presentation. You get to know more about each other and you start forming a friendship. They even start teaching you Portuguese. </div>
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The next morning, you teach yourself "Good morning" in Portuguese while you walk to class, hoping to surprise your new friends. They get all excited when you greet them in their language! Paula invites you to lunch and you get to meet the other ladies from Brazil! Irene and Val. You all sit together at lunch and the Brazilians have you say foods in Portuguese (apparently all my French training has given me no American accent when speaking Portuguese). They celebrate your ability and keep adding words. You feel like a parrot, but a very happy parrot. </div>
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Soon, you and Eliza from Peru are best buds! Y'all work together on in-class projects and come to find out that y'all share the same type of humor and awe for language and the world. </div>
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One day, you decide to cook a traditional southern meal and host your new friends to help them gain experience in America. You cook: hamburger steaks with gravy, drop biscuits, butterbeans, squash, and sweet potatoes. Pound cake, sugared strawberries, and homemade whipped cream. (And sweet tea). You go pick them up from their apartment and drive them to your house. You eat the meal with excitement and praise all around. Soccer discussions take place and also talk about the food in Brazil and Peru. You then take them around the yard, talking about the different trees and plants you have. They take lots of pictures and comment on how green everything is. Back inside, they say words that make your heart swell with happiness. "We feel Jesus in this home." "You have learned the valuable lesson that God is first, then family." "I walked in your home and I felt comfort." You get teary-eyed and tell the ladies that you hope and pray those things over your home. Lots of hugs happen. </div>
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Back in class, you soon meet the rays of sunshine from China: Anna and Mary. They are such cheerful ladies. They smile all the time and they love learning. They are the reason you don't hate the long class time so much. They invite you to lunch one day and you get to hear about their families and lives back in China. They talk about the food and atmosphere. Although you try hard, you can't master any of the Chinese words they try to get you to say. </div>
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You (along with the help of another MC student) take all the ladies to Walmart. You become the "mother duck" and keep tabs on where everyone is. You help make style decisions, help navigate the store, and make sure no one is left behind. It's a wild time, but you'll never forget it. </div>
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You also help take them to their first baseball game ever! You sit in the middle of them and explain everything you know about baseball. You answer questions, point out different people and bases, get recorded explaining the game. And soon enough Eliza from Peru is giving you the stats on the batter from looking at the screen and she's keeping score. You feel accomplished!</div>
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Before they leave the US, there are two meals you attend. One is a traditional Brazilian meal that makes you super happy! Dancing, game playing, and laughter accompany the meal. The other is a Chinese meal where you find out that you're too slow at making dumplings to survive in a restaurant in China. But, you smile and laugh with the ladies as you keep making funny-shaped dumplings. The end result is heaven in your mouth. </div>
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Many tears accompany the last week of classes. Paula leaves on Wednesday. Class ends Friday. As you leave the classroom for the last time, you are made to promise visits to Peru, Brazil, and China. You hug those ladies 5 times each. On Sunday (after everyone has left and started their journeys home), you cry. You made friends from all over the world. You shared life with those ladies for 28 days. </div>
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The impact they had on you is going to last the rest of your life. </div>
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Picture: (Left to right: Mary, Eliza from Peru, Me, Paula. Front: Irene)</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-2026425587690081162017-05-26T12:24:00.002-05:002017-05-26T12:24:18.587-05:00Dating a gladiator<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a charm on my keychain. Back in December I decided to be a cute girlfriend and get me and my dear boyfriend matching keychains! His says "Her BEAST." I did this because I liked the thought of looking down at this charm and knowing that he has one similar to it. It gives us some sort of connection in the distance. (I know, sappy right?) I chose this charm because of the dumbbell attached to it. That dumbbell did not always hold significance to me, but it did for the man I love.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0HmlIPSz_8DOrmfWRpWixBdEV4PsI_zYqfcT9htVJ9vCiQzNrF6pkGRmRa4zFny-gSWH6TW9vMcoa-9LND78ulPg3ANi7KWPkR2hOrBQEItoX9s1BPcb44kBBiHyDqSxkf9B6CIQh0o/s1600/IMG_7107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0HmlIPSz_8DOrmfWRpWixBdEV4PsI_zYqfcT9htVJ9vCiQzNrF6pkGRmRa4zFny-gSWH6TW9vMcoa-9LND78ulPg3ANi7KWPkR2hOrBQEItoX9s1BPcb44kBBiHyDqSxkf9B6CIQh0o/s320/IMG_7107.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I always knew Michael Shepherd to be a man addicted to working out. All those years ago when we were growing up together, he would wake up at the crack of dawn to down a pre-workout shake and rush off to the gym before the effects wore off. He would come back from the gym complaining of something being sore and tired from his "totally pumped workout." I marveled at his dedication and how he got excited over working out. I never fully understood his passion for this. </div>
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Then, we started dating. When I would go visit him, he wouldn't skip going to the gym to hang out. He kept up his regimen. The first couple of times I stayed home and napped or visited with his grandparents. But then, I got up the guts to got to the gym with him. On my first visit to the gym, I was his toddler. I wanted to touch everything and I asked TONS of questions. I made faces at him while he worked out to make him laugh and I had NO idea what the machines did. He finally calmed my curiosity and I found a corner to sit in. I never took my eyes off him because I wanted to know why he loved this so much. I soon had an epiphany! The man I was dating, who made horrid facial expressions when lifting 100+ pounds over his head and growled when he breathed, was a gladiator! I was dating a gladiator. At that point, I realized that working out was not something Michael was going to give up anytime soon (and I didn't want him to). I also realized that I wanted to learn how to enjoy working out. I wanted the little dumbbell on my keychain to mean something. </div>
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So, I started changing my lifestyle to somewhat match Michael's. It was a little challenging at first, but soon I embraced it and made it my own. I found myself looking up to him as a role model and hero. I wanted to be as devoted to living a healthy life as he was. I wanted to be like him. He never asked me to change or said his love was dependent on my being a certain way. I think that's why I started modeling my life after his. </div>
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Changing my habits to match the man I love's taught me how to appreciate him. It showed me why he cared so much to workout and what a difference it made on his attitude. It helped me understand him more. Working out with him brought us together. We now have an activity we both enjoy and can do together. I still make faces at him to make him laugh. I now know what the machines do. But, I still have TONS of questions. ;) We joke and laugh together during our workouts. He makes me do more reps if I whine about it. He teaches me new techniques. And he always encourages me. </div>
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It's hard to keep up with a gladiator in the gym. But living a healthy lifestyle and working out with the man I love is worth it. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-217779447263013692017-04-09T16:47:00.004-05:002017-04-09T16:47:45.097-05:00Chicky: The "hole" to my "donut"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The woman most of you know as "Ende" goes by many other names. First, there are the names people call her because they either can't pronounce her name or rearrange the letters in her name to create a more "normal" name: Elde, Ednie, Edna, Andy, India, . Second, there are names her family and friends have used to summon her: E, EE, Cecilia, fungus, and the one I named her with...Chicky. </div>
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I honestly don't know why I named her Chicky or why I make bokking noises to get her attention, but I did and I do. All I know is that this woman, this sister of mine (with her many names) has always been the greatest blessing in my life. </div>
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As most of you know, this woman is getting married in 8 months. That's EIGHT months! Yes, things are going well and we are having fun with the preparations. Yes, I have loads of anxiety about the wedding and am trying to convince my sister to adopt me or at least let me live with her. It is a strange feeling to watch my sister's life blossom and change so drastically before my eyes. Soon she'll have more in common with my mother than she will with me. I think that's what freaks me out the most. </div>
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Dear ole Chicky and I have been close from birth (we're only 20 months apart), and although we have butt heads more than a few times in our lives, we always come back to the foundation of loving each other. Her love for me is vast. She shows it in the practical ways of giving me guidance and speaking truth into my life. God has used her as a powerful tool for reshaping my life and showing me what it means to love God more. Her childlike love for God inspires me. She is a wonderful woman. </div>
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Because I love her dearly and will miss her greatly, I have cried over every aspect of her upcoming nuptials. I cried when she tried on dresses. I cried when we went to find me a dress for the wedding, I cried over her going to counseling, I cried over the table decorations we discussed. The point is, I've showered this wedding in my tears (and I'll still have some left for the day of, don't worry). All of these tears have been mixtures of happy and sad. I am thrilled that she is becoming a wife, homemaker, and one day a mother. I could not be more happy for her. But, I am sad. Sad she won't be living in the same house as me, we won't have late night talks on her bed. Our family meetings will be short one person...her quirky laughter won't be heard on a regular basis any more...</div>
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This woman is an inspiration. She's a hard worker. She is a godly witness. And soon she'll be an excellent wife. I am excited for the new things coming in her life! My little sister is growing up. </div>
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So, here's to all the exciting memories I got to make with my roommate of 15 years, my secret keeper, my truest friend. And here's to all the great memories that will be made with the future Mrs. Woodward! </div>
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*photo: taken at yellowstone national park when she and I decided to hike off the trail barefoot.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-57214535240026776592016-12-30T20:35:00.000-06:002017-01-08T21:01:49.534-06:00Flossing Pep-Talks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Me: *yelling in a stern 'man' voice. Attempting to sound like a coach. "Come on Shepherd!" "You can do it!" "I know you can floss better than that!" "You gotta dig deep, man! DEEP!"<br />
Him: *just simply continuing to floss as if the arms of a woman were not wrapped around his middle and she was not yelling in his ears. Occasionally smiling or shaking his head and laughing at the nonsense.<br />
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This is happiness. This is what my life has consisted of for several months now. Pure. Simple. Happiness. Happiness (for me anyways) is being able to be my complete self around other people without fear of losing their affection. Even if that self consists of messy hair, loud laughs, extremely silly faces, and wild imagination! With the man I call my best friend, I am able to be as much of myself as I can!<br />
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My best friend is named Michael Shepherd. He is a monster of a man in size, mind, and heart! His wisdom far exceeds mine (for which I am SO grateful!) and he regularly uses that wisdom to lead and direct me. This man has known me since I was 14 years old...and for some reason he's still around. My relationship with this man has definitely been a testament to God's goodness and blessing in my life.<br />
When I was the age of 16, dear Michael and I attempted to be in a relationship....I say attempted because I was a total brat to him and immaturity abounded. We then went through an awkward, avoidance stage where we knew of each other's existence yet didn't care and didn't quite know how to act around each other. To be honest, I don't remember that stage at all! I was so annoyed with him that I have removed those years from my memory. But anyway, by the grace and goodness of God, he and I reconnected several months ago and decided to begin a relationship. Thankfully I had changed since my 16 year old self and we both had had to be adults. Now, being seniors in college and somewhat having our lives together (Ha. Ha. Ha.), we are attempting to do life side-by-side. It has been the biggest blessing in my life! Everything is an adventure with him, and it is so happy to have known each other for so long and to see the growth and maturity and the life experience. There is so much more to the man I completely blew off 5 years ago. I am learning something new about him each day I get to be a part of his life.<br />
Every once in a while it hits me that this is the guy I grew up with all those years ago. I am floored at how much we've changed, yet stayed the same. The qualities that attracted me to him in the beginning have grown and developed in amazing ways.<br />
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This amazes me. To be with someone I never would have thought about dating. His love amazes me. He overwhelms me with Christlike love and selflessness. He loves me for my wild woman self (as mentioned earlier). He loves me when I purposefully sing off key (very loudly), when I snore while napping, when I put my cold hands on his back to warm them, and when I make the most horrendous faces! He considers me beautiful even on my worst days. He holds me and lets me cry when I need it (even if he has no clue why I'm crying). This man amazes me.<br />
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So, all this to say, my life has taken an unexpected turn and I couldn't be happier! I love everything about this new turn, from the flossing pep-talks to the romantic stargazing adventures. Each day is another adventure I get to share with an excellent human being! I am excited to see where this turn ends up and how many more adventures can be shared with my best friend.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-19936273191761359182016-10-02T15:40:00.002-05:002016-10-02T15:40:20.805-05:00James 1:17"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow cast from turning."<br />
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Some of my good and perfect gifts from the Lord are my friends. The people I've chosen to do life with. The people who see me as I am and love me anyway.<br />
With my birthday approaching (tomorrow), I have been constantly reminded of how blessed I am by the people in my life. There are no words to describe the joy and adventure my people bring. I am in a constant state of awe when I spend time with them.<br />
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They are CRAZY: making me laugh constantly with their wit and humor!!!!<br />
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They are kindred spirits: with their dramatic natures and lust for adventure.</div>
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They are Life Long: always there whenever called upon. </div>
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These are just a few of my people. The ones I claim as best friends. The ones I open myself up to and allow the chance to see the real me. The ones who party hard, play hard, work hard, and cry hard. The ones I can always count on. I thank God for my people each and every day, because I know they are gifts from Him and Him alone. Every good and perfect gift. </div>
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I am blessed by my good and perfect gifts. Blessed more than I can say. </div>
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Thank y'all for sticking by me all these wild years. The memories we've made will last forever. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-89139674519515318632016-08-29T09:40:00.002-05:002016-08-29T09:43:43.584-05:00Parlez-vous française?Oui, je parle en français très bien. J'écoute française et connais le français tout le temps. J'aime le française!!!!<br />
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French. The language that I love. The blood that runs through my veins. The culture I'm obsessed with.<br />
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I love all things France, and if you hang around me for too long, that will be quite evident! I have been obsessed with France and the culture and the language ever since I fully understood my French heritage. My dad's family is French (french Canadian, but still). I am named after my French great-grandmothers Juliette and Anna (Julia Anne). Because of this rich family history, I have decided to implement French culture into my life and one day my home. I have fallen in love with this fascinating language and culture and could spend all my life studying it!<br />
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To help me become fluent in this wonderful language, I have begun to teach French to High School students in my former homeschool group!!! I've done it folks! I have found my joy in life. I have found my element. I have found what I am made for: teaching French. I cannot express the joy and excitement that fills me when I get to teach the language I'm in love with! It is the most amazing thing in the world! I know for a fact that teaching French will be the thing that gets me through this semester.<br />
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I am thankful to have such rich family history in French. I am thankful to have fallen so easily in love with the language and culture of my ancestors. I am thankful for the opportunity to grow in my knowledge of French.<br />
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My future family should be warned that I will be teaching my future children French, that we will eat French meals, and that I will implement LOTS of French culture.... :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-52180186395439345702016-07-17T11:41:00.000-05:002016-07-17T11:41:14.301-05:00Camp lessonsSpending all your time investing in girls is challenging. But, the reward of seeing those girls come to a deeper understanding of Christ and His love is worth all the long nights, tears, braiding hair, and exhaustion! My summer consisted of spending 5 (15+ hour) days with 14 girls ages 8-10. Each week I was placed in charge of 14 new girls with new problems and new challenges. I definitely had my need for variety filled this summer.<br />
With every new batch of campers, my cabinmate and I prayed for true understanding and wisdom. We have dealt with many heartbreaking situations that girls that young should never go through. But they do. At times, I felt unneeded or like my life struggles could never be used to help a camper. I truly began to feel second-rate compared to my cabinmate who always knew what to say to a girl struggling. For several weeks, our campers preferred to talk with her instead of me. I began to question my abilities and calling to even be a counselor at camp. Then, one night (our last night with the girls), a camper asked to talk to me. We sat out on the front porch and she began to describe situations in her life that I had dealt with 3 and 7 years ago! She began crying as she continued talking about how invisible, alone, unheard, and ignored she felt. I was BLOWN AWAY. I have journal entries from 3 years ago when I felt EXACTLY the same as this camper. It was as if I was talking with myself. The words that came from her mouth are written in that journal. I began to cry with her as I explained that I knew just how she was feeling. I pulled out my Bible and showed her Scriptures that I clung to in my time of struggle. The next morning, she ran to me and asked for those references. She had a smile on her face and told me that she felt comfort knowing she wasn't alone.<br />
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Now, I for one had NO idea the LORD would use me feeling friendless, unheard, and invisible at my school and in my home to reach a camper this summer. When I went through that time in my life, all I could see was my own plight. It truly never crossed my mind that the LORD could/would use it for anything. Ha ha. Silly me. God uses EVERYTHING to work together for our good (Romans 8:28). I saw it as such a dark and hopeless time in my life, but the LORD knew I needed to walk through that to help this girl who was feeling the same way. I have NEVER been more thankful to walk through a trial in my life! Now I understand what James was talking about in the first chapter of his book! "Consider it all joy my brothers whenever you experience various trials." Consider it all. Everything. All the bad, painful, hard, and exhausting. That camper helped to change my perspective on trials and helped me understand what James meant. Don't just look at your trials like I had done: poor miserable me. Look at the trials as a time of joy! Knowing that God is going to use them in some amazing, God way!<br />
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As for feeling second-rate. I have struggled with that for SO long. I'm not sure how many of you know this, but it is not easy growing up with a younger sister who is like Ende. The make-up perfectionist, the athlete (can beat your booty at any sport), crazy wise about all aspects of life, fearless, blonde, fit/trim, and a fashionista! She is absolutely amazing and I would never trade our relationship for anything. But, there have been countless times I've compared myself to her and been disappointed. Being the oldest, I felt entitled many times...entitled to the beauty, wisdom, skills. Again, silly me. I would be genuinely hurt when Ende was noticed first in social settings. I always felt like part of the background. I felt like everyone's second choice. Like the crumpled cookie that no one wants but there are no brownies left. (or something like that)<br />
This summer, God changed my perspective about myself (something that is not easy mind you). The Sunday night before our first batch of campers, God began to rip away all the bitterness, anger, and frustration I had been letting wrap around my heart. I always thought I had let go of all those things. But boy was I wrong. It was a painful thing to let God tear them from my heart, but it was so liberating! I sat in tears as He continued to clean my heart. I began to wrestle with Him as He poked the hatred I had for myself. The lies I had always believed wrapped themselves tighter around my heart. I cried out louder with even more tears. Then, God's truth, like a gentle breeze, began to wash over me. "You are not junk. You are made in My image. You are worth My (the Creator of the universe) life because that is what I was willing to pay for you. I do not make worthless things." Over and over again those words washed over me. I felt myself letting go of all the pain and hatred. How could I call something ugly and worthless that God was willing to die for? Finally, after years of 'giving' God my bitterness, anger, hatred, and frustration, I was free of them all. I am not second-rate, no matter what people say. I was loved so much by the Creator of the universe that He died (really died) for me. That right there is proof that I am not junk. I am a worthy daughter of the Most High. I am paid for by the Creator of the universe.<br />
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If I've learned anything this summer, it's that camp is exhausting. But, God is amazing. He sustains, renews, cleans. This God I serve is faithful. He is a good Father who disciplines His children when they need it most. He knew I could not tell those girls how valued and loved they were if I did not believe it about myself first. His ways are good and true no matter how challenging!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-87256330827037488662016-07-08T22:08:00.002-05:002016-07-08T22:08:26.935-05:00When Life....So, when life gives you lemons I've heard that people put them in their sweet tea, make lemonade, or throw them at others. I for one, have had lots of "lemons" given to me lately. And I can assuredly say that I have not thrown them at anyone...I've tried to, though.<br />
When situations become too much for the human body, mind, and spirit to bear, it is easy to want to and try to throw our lemons at others. Hurting people hurt people. It's a fact. Plain and simple. However, this summer (with all of its lemons) has taught me so many lessons that will NEVER leave me. One of them has been to earnestly seek [active verb] truth (like real Jesus TRUTH) in every situation. No matter how bitter and sour the lemons are, one thing always remains, TRUTH. Jesus said He is the Truth. Jesus is unchanging. He is forever. Truth is forever. Training myself to seek truth out (and not just wait for it to come to me) has been super tough, but it is a lesson I will value always. I have had to preach the truth to myself over and over and over to store it in my thick skull. I still have moments throughout the day when I take the time to speak truth (TRUTH) to myself about myself. It is imperative that we believe and speak the truth to ourselves.<br />
Another lesson (the last one I'll share for now) has been that the LORD is the One who has/can/will always KEEP HIS PROMISES. When everyone around you (a bunch of imperfect people) fail at keeping their promises, it hurts like crazy. Yet, there is One above this earth and the troubles this world affords. He is not of this place. His promises are so SURE. They stick for generations. He is never thrown off guard by the lemons in your life (even when they blindside you). He promised to take care of His children. Praise the LORD that promise still stands! Praise the LORD that He is never at fault! Praise the LORD that in a world of chaos and uncertainty there is a God who keeps all His promises (even to untrustworthy people)! When the ground around you is shaking and the lemons are just too much for you to deal with, God keeps His promises. His Word rings true...even in 2016.<br />
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So, when life gives me lemons, I remind myself that it's not the end of the world (truth) and that my God has promised to take care of His children. And since I am a precious, worthy (another lesson...I'll share it later) daughter of the Most High, I am going to be taken care of no matter how vicious my lemons happen to be.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-37859097212702958952016-05-24T15:48:00.000-05:002016-05-24T15:48:02.493-05:00Cody Horse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, when I was able to ride horses for Mississippi College, I became instantly attached to Cody Horse. He was soft. Softer than any other horse. Before and after every ride, he rubbed his head on my tummy and looked at me with his big brown eyes. He always wanted to be near me. He would fuss like crazy when I would leave him to put the tack away. I called him my 'man' and would kiss his velvet nose often. He had the strangest trot of all the horses and no one else could stay controlled when trotting with him. Even when other riders rode him, he would try to get close to me. I sneaked him hay whenever I got the chance. There was a hill that led up to his stable. He and I would always race up it together. I would run hard and he would gracefully trot up it. His sensitivity with the bit in his mouth, taught me how to carefully maneuver him with strict discipline. All the other horses required crops and force to make them move, but Cody Horse simply needed sharp orders with gentle hands. He was forgiving when after not riding him for a while I messed up on giving orders. We cantered perfectly together. He listened to my hands and legs. Our jumps were smooth. We trotted around the arena beautifully and would both be dripping in sweat afterwards. He loved getting wet in the hose after a hard ride. He was tall, really tall. He taught me so much about discipline and about my limits. When I would be exhausted in the middle of a ride, he would turn his head around to look at me. He nuzzled my shoes when I let him take a breather. We worked so well together. It was an amazing time in my life. I would go to the barn and prepare for my lesson. Then, I would go get Cody Horse from his stall. We would ride so smoothly and focused. Whatever I was stressing about before, disappeared when I got onto his back. He was my most favorite horse to work with. I truly cannot wait to get back into riding and hopefully work with him again soon! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-22966253947992561062016-05-21T21:09:00.000-05:002016-05-21T22:51:51.893-05:00FAMILYNo matter how angry, frustrated, or annoyed you may get with your family, they were put in your life for a reason: to love you.<br />
Recently I have been blatantly reminded of that fact. The people I share daily life with are the most important thing to me. I am not always so appreciative.<br />
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My world crumbled recently. I have no job and won't have one for another week. Without school hogging up my time, I have lapsed into apathy and misery. I should be rejoicing about my freedom, but some days I don't even want to leave my bed. I have let things slide. I no longer look at each day as an adventure, but look at them as times of torment. My mental and emotional states have been emaciated by my own hand. I have let my discipline disappear and my drive for reading the Word and knowing my Maker has left. Not only is it physically painful to rise from my bed each morning, but it is a mental and emotional challenge. I have allowed myself to waller around in my pitiful state of 'poor me'. I pushed everyone away from me and was on the brink of alienating myself from my family, until God began to (once again) draw me back to Himself.<br />
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My family, the people I see all day every day, have loved me through this. They have said 'I love you', even when everything I said to them was 'I don't love anyone'. My mother, (oh what a blessed child I am) has stayed up late helping me work through things and talk and cry and be mad. She has graciously allowed me to feel all the emotions I need to. The woman is a super hero. She is what I strive to be like. Dedicated to her children even when she feels hurt by them. My mother has risen every day and come to my room to check on me. She has let me sleep days away and has prodded me (gently) to rise and get outside on other days. She has noticed my growth and progress and encouraged me, and has held me when I relapse. No matter how much I tried to push her away, she was right where I left her. Just waiting for me to come back and let her help me. She is always there to talk me down from my cliff and ease my troubled mind. I have always been able to tell her everything. EVERYTHING. She makes talking to her easy and comfortable. I want to be like that.<br />
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My brothers. Those two young wild bulls who make life a wrestling match whenever possible. They have graciously given me space. In their wisdom and maturity, they have chosen to love me even when I hurt them. They are strong men. Men who love their crazy older sister/second mother no matter what. Encouragement.<br />
The sister. The one who has also heard all of my secrets. When I wasn't looking, she acquired the wisdom of a 90 year old woman and speaks with such insight. She speaks truth about every situation. I have always treated her like the older sister, and the older I get the truer that seems to be. She is much older and wiser in her mental state than I am. She thinks clearly about life and always knows how to encourage right living. She has a child-like fascination and love for our Maker and inspires such in my own life. There is a constant joy that radiates from her that is contagious.<br />
Last, my father. A strong, committed, dedicated man. One who wants the very best for each of his children. One who desires excellence. I know he loves me by his care and provision. He is steady and is sure. His biblical knowledge is extensive and he always knows what passage to direct you to when you are struggling.<br />
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These 5 people that I live with. They are amazing. They are resilient. They are loving. Our relationships take a lot of flack (because of me recently) and yet, we always come back to the basics of loving each other. They go out of there way to let me know they are here for me. I regret not appreciating them sooner. Not realizing how amazing the people are that I get to do life with. Even in my worst times, they are there. They are what are most important to me.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-31257991749849366062016-03-23T18:08:00.000-05:002016-05-22T14:32:15.594-05:00gray skies<span style="font-family: inherit;">Personally I enjoy gray weather. It accentuates the vibrant colors of the earth and gives the atmosphere a feeling of tranquility. I love when the sky is one shade; when the clouds meld together to form a blanket. Gray days inspire me to write. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And so, write I shall! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There comes a time in everyone's life when gray skies affect more than just the physical. A time when gray is an adjective used to describe their whole existence. These times vary in length and appearance depending on the person. Many people don't know what to do to change the cycle of gray. They look for relief in lots of places and try to artificially create sunshine to remove the bleakness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gray days may be hard to deal with. They may be frustrating and sap your strength. But, I see gray days as time for reflection. A time to take a deep breath and reevaluate your life and how it is unfolding in front of you. Gray days are good for showing you the vibrant blessings in your life or the little things you miss on a day-to-day basis. Taking time to ponder your life and what it's turning out to look like, is essential for living and growing. Just like the earth needs days of rain and storm to flourish and grow, we need times of gray, bleakness to remind us of the Lord's blessings and to help us progress in growth. Without gray days we would never truly appreciate the glorious, sunny days. In James chapter 1 it says that "...the testing of your faith produces endurance." James is encouraging the Christians going through a dispersion to look at life with joy, knowing that gray days bring growth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I, for one, know all too well the grip that constant gray (depression) can have on someone. It is something that lingers in the back of my mind and pounces whenever I give it the chance. There are times when I let the gray take over and become apathetic to life and those around me. It is horrible way to live. When I get like that, I lose sight of what James is saying and I choose to stay in my miserable state (which is selfish). It becomes easier to remain in a state of bitterness and gray, than to open my eyes to the beauty around me and the blessings in my life. My heart hardens and it takes a while for the Lord to break me down so I can be built back up. It is painful, yet there are times when I let myself fall into that gray. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What I have done to battle the times of constant gray is to wake up each morning and write down 10 things I am thankful for. The things that fill my list vary from chopping wood to banana nut muffins. :) By focusing my mind on the things I've been blessed with each morning, it helps me refocus when a gray day hits. It gives me something to latch onto when the grip of depression tightens. And, making a list gives me a way to look back on what the Lord has blessed me with through the months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having a positive perspective on life helps you look at gray days as a time of growth and progress instead of hinderance. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196053403097722052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235346272028642181.post-85124377892896711612016-02-24T17:26:00.001-06:002016-07-22T10:31:30.632-05:00NOBTS Life: part ILife is an adventure. A glorious, messy, challenging, fulfilling, wonderful adventure. It is constantly enhanced by the people the Lord puts in our lives. Even though people come and go, they leave a lasting impact on some aspect of our adventure. Growing up on a southern baptist seminary campus in the heart of New Orleans, I became accustomed to people leaving my life. Friendships were painful to form when that friend would leave one or two years later. For a young girl figuring out her life and where she fit into the world, friendships were most important.<br />
Over the 9 years that my family was living on the NOBTS (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary), I witnessed many families come and go. I vividly remember the "moving parties" all of us children would accidentally throw for families coming or going. We would all congregate around the moving truck and help the strangers tote their things up 2 or 4 flights of stairs. By the time the truck was empty, the new family would have a brief knowledge of the crazy kids who lived on the campus and would by default know the parents. It became a sort of ritual to drop whatever we were doing when a moving truck was seen pulling onto campus and rush to help. Then, when the task was completed, we would resume our adventures as if helping people move was just a normal thing. I suppose growing up in an environment of ministry students who come to the campus for training and can leave at any time made the sight of moving trucks normal.<br />
"Normal". That is not a word I would ever use to describe my childhood in New Orleans. By witnessing people come and go so often, I was exposed to so many exciting perspectives, peoples, and cultures. I remember meeting a newly married couple from the Philippines. I met them by helping them move into their apartment and then baking them some goodies and delivering them to them without my parents even coming with me. Through that connection, my family was able to minister to them when they had their child. We kept their adorable little girl for many hours during the day and her parents taught her to call us family. Loving on that little girl and ministering to that family was one experience that I will never forget. Thinking back on it seems like it happened a hundred years ago.<br />
Another experience that I will never forget was when the planet Mars was coming the closest to earth it had ever been in some crazy number of years. In the dead of night, the seminary was coming to life. My family set up our telescope in a large field where others were doing the same. People arrayed in a myriad of colorful pajamas congregated around the telescopes waiting a turn to look through the amazing inventions and gaze at the night sky. Us children ran and played when we weren't awestruck by the view through the telescope. I got to see Mars. And, I got to meet so many new friends. It seems like something from a dream.<br />
I am so blessed to have had so many different people in my life and to have had the unique experiences I was allowed. Even though I will never encounter many of those people again, I am so thankful for their influence in my life and the times I had with them. My life has been a great adventure and it was shaped by many of the people on the NOBTS!<br />
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