I am small....

God is so amazing and so BIG! I always knew He was/is HUGE, but Louie Giglio helps me begin to understand just how magnificent God is. When you hear that Earth - our huge world - is only a small part of the Milky Way Galaxy and that the Milky Way Galaxy is only a small part of God's universe, you begin to see how big He is and how small you are. Go check out Louie Giglio's, Significant Insignificance.

I can't comprehend all of it. I see the pictures and hear the facts but I can't wrap my small brain around it. God made me and loves me, yet I am so small compared to His world. It's sometimes hard to believe but that's where faith comes in. I cannot know everything about God. I cannot understand how God can make the world we live in (and the universe) in 6 days! If you try to picture how that looked when God spoke everything into being, you eventually give up. God is BIG, we aren't supposed to know everything!

"'To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?' says the Holy One. 'Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.'" Isaiah 40:25-26

Movin' on up!!

Today was the BIG moving day! Thank you Casey, Brant, Jake and Kattie! I owe you some mardi gras wings!!!! As much as these guys did today, I owe them more than that! We got everything onto the trailer and there were black clouds and lightning all around us! I had been praying all day that it wouldn't rain, but knew God might have other plans (and He did). So, I ran to K-mart to get some tarp. The 30 minute drive turned into almost an hour. We stopped several times - at a car wash, then at a bank drive-thru - to fix the tarp. Lots of laughter and tears....well almost tears on my part!  I don't have a bed to sleep on tonight, but that's okay. The good part is we had fun anyway! 

Praise God for friends....and rain!

Shout out!

I want to give a shout out to some of my favorite people. These few people are my heroes in a way. They make me take a step back and realize what is most important in life. They are faithful, courageous, hard-working, and believe that God is up to something BIG! They are some of the most humble people I know. They are not looking for praise or a "shout out," but I want them to know they are appreciated. Individually their lives produce great amounts of encouragement (to me). I'm not sure if that statement makes sense, but I'll go with it anyway. These people are the people that God uses to make Catalyst Church happen. The staff and their spouses have incredible passion and child-like faith! So, here's to you Casey, Julie, Jake, Kristi, Ryan, Sarah, Ryan and Courtney! Here's to you!

I am praying for each of you!

"I love rock-n-roll!!!!

Put another dime in the juke box baby!"

I love music! I could listen to music 24/7! I'm not necessarily the person who "finds" great musicians. I'm not the girl who "hears it first" among my friends. However, I am beginning to find things on my own (not necessarily first). The only reason is because I have started watching/listening to VH1 in the morning as I get ready for work. They play some great music during that time. Here are just a couple of artists that I enjoy (whether it's one or all of their songs):

Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Yael Naim - New Soul (MacBook Air Commercial)
Paolo Nutini - Million Faces
Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am

Go check them out if you haven't already!

No way!!

22 So, I never knew there were 238 colors like Jake pointed out. I tried it, and I didn't do as well as he did! See if you can beat my score, or Jakes score of 26! Let me know how you did! I want to see how many colors you really know! It's pretty crazy how many different names they have! Click on the picture above and take the test!

Celebrate Good Times....COME ON!

So, my birthday is March 23. Yes, that is Easter this year! I know that's exciting, and I don't doubt why, but my mom made it a point to remind me a hundred times that my "birthday is on Easter this year!" Well mom, you aren't the only one that has gotten excited about that! :)

I love my birthday for many reasons. Want to hear them?!

1. I was born!
2. It's in the Spring! (best season ever!)
3. March is just a happy month!
4. My birthday usually lasts about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks!
5. Gifts! Who doesn't enjoy a gift(s) on their birthday!?
6. I get to choose where I have my birthday lunch...and I choose....drum roll please...
CHICK-FIL-A!

So, I'm going to start the celebration!

Busy busy bee!

Busy, busy weekend! Friday I packed, helped my roommate move some of her stuff, went out to dinner, and then tried to go dancing (there was too much rap music!). Saturday I went to lunch with my future employers (for the nanny job), then sat in a basement to stay safe from all the tornadoes, drove to Atlanta (in the storm) for a wedding and danced 'til my feet hurt! It was some kinda fun! I got 5 hours of sleep, got up and went to church. Left church early and went to meet my old roommate and her husband and child for lunch. I also went on a little walk tonight, which was much needed! Oh yeah, and in the middle of all that, I am dogsitting and trying to pack for my big move! 

Stealing Cinderella

Last night was so much fun! I finally got out and did something exciting! Might I add....it was FREE! Yes, it was a FREE concert @ the Blind Horse Saloon last night! Whiskey Falls, Chuck Wicks, and Trent Tomlinson. As we were walking up to get in line, Chuck Wicks was standing by the buses giving out autographs and posing! I got a little picture with him. Yes, he's pretty good-looking! We had a great time!

We also ran into a friend from church...who is a bouncer at the Blind Horse. Yes, I felt rather safe!

Anyway, we had fun and I am definitely going back! Can't wait to go line dancing! Yes, you heard me! I love line dancing! I am a country girl at heart!

Thank you WSSL 100 for giving a free concert!

Truth or Dare?

Dare please!

I am watching The Moment of Truth and sometimes I want to change the channel! The questions they ask are way too personal! How could you, knowing the questions they have to choose from, ever agree to participate?! Obviously we hope that you have some good answers that will not risk relationships, but do you think they would choose you to be a contestant if you didn't?! NO! They want the ones who can get some Oooohs and Aaaahs from the audience!

The girl on right now is doing pretty good, because she has pretty good explanations. I mean, it doesn't change the truth, but it helps cover it up a little. Would you really risk everything that mattered in life for a few thousand dollars? I could never! Especially if I knew the truth was hard to say/hear.

So....truth or dare?

Ugly Duckling

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7

What a great verse! The Lord says so much in these few sentences he spoke to Samuel. This verse was a constant reminder of God's love for me, no matter what I looked like on the outside. Somehow this verse got covered up by a lot of the material things in my life. I began caring about what others thought of me by changing the way I looked. I changed my hair and actually took time (too much time) fixing it every morning. I began wearing more make-up to cover up the things I didn't like about myself. Of course, I am not going to go back to what I was before by not caring about myself and my appearance. I think it's okay to fix your hair and put on make-up. The only problem is when it becomes more important to you than anything else. 

God does not worry Himself with the way we look, so why should we? He only cares about the heart. If we are right with the Lord, our appearance doesn't matter to Him.

Be careful when you begin judging people by their appearance. I am sure you had a time in your life when you were the one being judged (MS/HS?). Stop. Think before you speak. What really matters?

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14 

"Extra! Extra! This just in!"

Do you know that new song by Britney Spears called "Piece of Me"?? Well, I for some reason really like that song although I'm not too fond of Britney herself. Tonight I listened to the lyrics really close and it made me feel sorry for her. It really is the truth. No matter where she goes or what she does, they get pictures of her and probably write stories that are stretching the truth as much as possible. Although I don't agree with what I think she is doing with her life (since who really knows), I still feel sorry for her. No one, no matter who you are, should be treated with that much disrespect.

Britney, if you're reading this (which I doubt you are), be strong! Don't let the paparazzi put pictures of your derriere in the magazine!

Where do I spend my time?

I spend a lot of time with people who don't go to church. I spend a lot of time talking about things not related to church or God. I spend a lot of time thinking about those people who don't go to church.

I spend time with people who go to church. I spend time talking about things relating to church or God. I spend time thinking about those people who go to church.

What do these things have in common? Church or the lack thereof. Me. People. God.

What is the first one lacking? No invitation! I'm not inviting as often as I should be!

What is the second one lacking? Quantity! I'm not spending enough time with those people!

All of these things are very important in some way or another. You must spend time with people who don't go to church. If you don't, how will they hear?! You must also spend time with people who do go to church. If you don't, how will you learn and grow?! There has to be a healthy balance in these two areas of your life. I have been struggling with this lately. I see the results of not spending enough time with those people who lift me up with encouragement, godliness, wisdom, and prayer. Everyone needs that in their lives, no matter who they are!

Start (or continue) investing! Start (or continue) inviting!

It's rewarding! Trust me!

Training

I had CPR training at the Red Cross today. It's a requirement to be certified for my nanny job. It was a little strange! There was only two people in the class and we had to practice the Heimlich on each other! Okay, can you say weird?! It is very good to be certified in CPR, but at the same time I am now responsible for someone if they are choking or unconscious. Kinda scary to think that at anytime, wherever I am, I could possibly save a life...or not! It hopefully will never happen, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared, right?!

I really would recommend that everyone go to the Red Cross and get certified. What are you waiting for?! Go!

Pumped!

So, tonight is the first night of Inside Out (Catalyst's student ministry) Small Groups and I am pumped! God is doing so much at Catalyst and I'm beginning to see that in the student ministry! It's amazing to see where God is taking us. I hope and pray that this environment for students can be irresistible and that lives are changed! Please pray for us tonight! God is answering prayers and I am pumped!

Note: I normally don't use the word "pumped," but I kinda like it!

Refrigerator madness....

I went to the refrigerator this morning to get ice for a glass of water. The ice was melted and at room temperature!!! The lights were on but the refrigerator was not cold and the freezer wasn't freezing like it should be! My roommate and I were gone all weekend so who knows how long it's been broken. Long enough for a whole thing of ice to be melted I guess! So, it doesn't sound like the apartment complex is going to reimburse us for our food. They think somehow we broke it. Way to take responsibility! 

Funeral procession...

Today on the way home from church I literally got in the middle of a funeral procession! It was like a Seinfeld episode! I was pulling out onto a 4 lane road and ALL of the cars were in one lane to the far right. I was completely confused by the situation...I didn't see any flashers at first! Then, I didn't know whether to pass everyone (like other cars were so rudely doing) or get in behind the line and wait for my turn. Well, I got in behind what I thought was the back of the line! Nope! Another car...oh wait two more cars came up behind me with their flashers on! Embarrassing moment for me! I felt like the worst person on earth! I was laughing, not at the fact there was a funeral happening and the people around me were sad, but at the fact that I had no idea what to do! Is it like when you see an ambulance? Are you supposed to pull over when there is a funeral procession in progress? 

1 Samuel 7:3

"If you're turning back to the Lord with all your hearts, you must remove your foreign gods and your idols of Ashtoreth. You must give yourselves fully to the Lord and serve only Him. Then He will save you from the Philistines."

Need I say more?!

I think I can! I think I can!

I received a phone call today about the nanny position. I got the job!!!!!! I am so excited! After I took it and screamed (inside), I realized how stinkin' hard it's gonna be! I think I can do this, though. With God's help and my mom and Julie's advice, I think it can be done. Like I said before, it is definitely going to be a challenge. Two infants at one time!? I would gladly welcome advice if you'd like to share! I am excited that I will be with the twins from birth, though. I think that will be a good thing.

I have to go take a CPR training class at American Red Cross. I'm pretty excited about that. I can't believe, in all my years babysitting, that I never took the class! How did those parents trust me with their children?! I will feel much better about caring for infants once I have gone through the training. 

Have I mentioned that this is probably going to be the best (hardest) job ever?! YAY!

Shifting Focus

I realized earlier this week that I am too focused on me. I also realized that I am not investing in other peoples lives. Whether that be a churched or unchurched person. A new friend or an old friend. I must be doing these things. It's extremely important to shift my focus off of me and onto God! And in doing so, I end up caring more about what God cares about! 

This week I have been praying and really trying to put God first. It's not an easy thing to do. To allow God to change your way of thinking. To allow God to show you what is most important in life. It truly has brought me one step closer in my relationship to God, and I am giving Him all the props for that one! 

When your relationship is right with the Lord, everything else seems to "fall into place" like it should. Life is a million times better when you aren't focusing on yourself! That can stress a person out!!

FYI - I am by no means finished growing! God's not done with me! I don't have all the above completely together in my life...just so you know! :)

Plastic Surgery

Are you happy with the way you look? Would you do anything you could to have the perfect figure? Or the perfect complexion? Almost anyone would, right? I am watching VH1 about what celebrities do to have the "perfect" body. It's ridiculous and sad at the same time! Exercising is one thing (a healthy alternative), but surgery to enhance, hide, or get rid of something you don't like?! Yeah, it's nice to look and feel good, but why do we go to such extreme measures? Do we do it so that others will notice us more? Do we think that we will be better in the eyes of the world if we look unnatural!? Seriously people! It's not that important! 

Yes, exercise, eat right, and definitely care about the way that you look, but not in an unhealthy way. God made you the way that you are and you don't need to change that. If I created something and "it" changed the way that "it" looked, that would hurt my feelings! 

So, take care of yourself, but trust that God knew what He was doing the first time!

What matters most?

I was reading something the other night and it lead me to Matthew 6:33, "and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." I have read this verse many times but for some reason I never understood! I've always thought that I don't get what I desire because I am not good enough or maybe I'm not in God's will. What I realized the other night is that my problem doesn't necessarily lie in one of those two things. I believe that I am too focused on myself and the desires of my heart rather than on God's kingdom and what He desires.

It's really not that hard. All I have to do is shift my focus a little bit - off of me and onto God. Forget about the things that I want. Forget about the life I wish I had. Stop worrying about the future and how God is going to give me the things I desire most. He's got this and He won't let me down! So, I want to make Him proud! It's time to focus on God's Kingdom! Isn't that what matters most?!