Productivity

This weekend was jam-packed with activity. It is about 11pm on Sunday and I'm still wide-awake. I'm still trying to figure out how I got everything done!
Here's some of the things I did this weekend:
Went to the Mcalister's, DMA, Trinity Hall (twice), greeted at the 5 and 7, Jason's Deli, bought groceries for the week, painted two coats in my bedroom, painted a bookshelf, hung up a picture/mirrors/letter organizer,changed the lightbulb in my fridge, painted above the fireplace...and rearranged the front room! Whew! Sometimes I believe that God just multiplies your time to get the stuff done that you need to get done. I am grateful that he gave me the strength to do all of the house-stuff AND have fun on Friday and Sat. night.

Now, because posts are boring without pictures....here's a sampling of one of my projects: the 2nd living room (well, it's really a dining room but who formally entertains at my age? ) I wish I had before and after shots but, oh well. Please excuse the crooked pictures (:

A wall (I think the picture is a bit-high, but it took me almost an hour to hang it evenly so it's not going anywhere for a while)
Okay....so I caved in today and re-hung it :)




Bookshelf before....
.....Bookshelf after!
Front entry
Another wall!

Trinity Hall

Sponteneity is probably not the word that comes to mind when people are asked to describe me. However, both Friday and Saturday nights, I was persuaded to go out on the spur of the moment. And I'm glad on both accounts that I did.
There was a birthday thing at Trinity Hall (an Irish Pub/Restaurant in Dallas) last night so I headed over there with Hollie, Melissa, and Anne. Now that I'm blogging, the pictures just kept on coming. Here are a few (:

Me, Asian Paul, and Anne

Hollie, Anne, me, and Melissa

Brett, MD, and Paul
Shane and Hollie
So, after some fun, Paul started playing this photography game with my camera. It works like this: The people in the pictures look down. Paul says, "one...two...three" and then shouts out an emotion that you're supposed to suddenly *feel*. It was pretty funny. Here are some of the results of our fun!

Surprised!! (i don't think Shane understood this emotion) Bloated! (I think I look a little too convincing on this one) I don't remember this one...maybe it was shocked? This was "wet your pants" funny. I think Hollie is really feelin' it :) Contemplative

All in all, it was a great night! However, I think I'm getting a bit too old for these late nights. I know, I know....I'm not that old. But still, I think I'm going to lay low for the next few evenings.

I will leave you with one more picture. Please pray for these girls :)

get over yourself

My homegroup at church is studying a book on women’s temptations. Some of them have been pretty obvious, i.e. sex, food/body issues, materialism, etc. This week’s dealt with a topic that I would have never thought of as a temptation, however, it is something that I struggle with quite a bit: Caring what people think.

We have been taught for most of our lives to be compliant, agreeable and to not ‘rock the boat’. Whether it is a reflection of our own insecurity or our desire to be validated, many of us suffer from what Oprah calls “the disease to please”. Now, I don’t usually like Oprah—I think she’s the anti-Christ, but that’s a whole different blog topic--ha!

However, when I think of my own life, it seems like most of the time I would rather shrink back and fade into the background rather than create conflict. I will bend over backwards to appease someone, not because I have this amazing servant’s heart, but rather I’m afraid of what they will think. I will avoid certain places or events out of fear of running into someone who does not like me. In the past, this has led to relationships with friends that left me resentful and in a sense, bound up. It is certainly impossible to live in freedom if our lives are dictated by other’s opinions of us.

Conflict is a part of life. If you think about most of the people that God has used to accomplish His work, they have not done so without opposition. There are certainly people who cause strife and are antagonistic, and that’s not what I’m advocating. But, I wonder if we have any real influence if we are never causing a difference of opinion. My dad used to quote an old saying that said, “You’ll know the success of a man by the number of his enemies.”

The key to all of this is to continuously be led by the Holy Spirit when we are dealing with people. That is easier said than done and it’s something that I’m working on. There has to be a balance between standing up for truth without being rebellious, unsubmissive, judgmental or prideful. We are called by Christ to put others first but allowing others to control the decisions you make based on the fear of their reaction is not how God is most glorified in our lives.

i am obsessed!!!

I found out Friday that Hillsong United was coming to Dallas on Wed. night. The tickets are sold out. I really, really, really want to find some but have checked everywhere and to no avail. So much hangs in the balance. I mean, this may be my last chance for a while to let my future husband know that he is my future husband. His living in Australia really makes things
difficult. And, of course, the fact that he has no idea who I am is a slight problem (:
Here's a pic--don't judge
Just kidding about the crush...well, sort of...ha.
But seriously, the real reason I want to go is because United's music has played such an important role in my life the last couple of years. Their songs are anointed and have stirred my soul, comforted me, and encouraged me in the Lord. It would be awesome to hear them live again. If you have tickets you don't want/need....please let me know:)

And in the meantime, here are my top ten Hillsong United Songs:
1. Where the Love Lasts Forever (all-time favorite)
2. Jesus' Blood (even though it technically was written by a Delirous? guy...I like their version...what a powerful declaration!)
3. None But Jesus
4. From the Inside Out
5. Came to my Rescue
6. Til I See You
7. More than Life
8. Fire Fall Down
9. The Stand
10. Shout Unto God

oh what a night!!!

Yesterday was a pretty lazy Saturday morning. I slept through my class at the gym, piddled around, ate some oatmeal, then worked out because I felt guilty about missing TBC at the HAC. I piddled around some more after that and then prepared for my day.

The main goal of my weekend was to get my taxes done. Thank goodness I have a CPA for a father who does mine free of charge each year. I thought for sure that I would owe money because of some summer income. Well, I was wrong...I am getting a refund!!! WOOHOO!!!! That will make a nice little dent in the new car fund (:

Sarah and I met Michelle for a bite at the Village Grill before heading to the 7pm service at church. The Chicken Fajita salad was delicious! We had a few minutes to kill before church so we practiced taking pictures for "America's Next Top Model". According to Michelle, they are holding auditions soon. Since my family and I are photogenically challenged, I would rather take the pictures. I did snap a cute picture of Sarah and Michelle...and a random pic of us trying to look mysterious and sophisticated with our plastic cups.

We even picked out our model names because that's what models do. We want to be prepared--ha! Sarah is now Rahan (pronounced Ra'hahn). Michelle is Macbeth. And I am Sloane. The are all derivatives of our first and middle names...how clever (:

Church was great. If you get a chance, check out the podcast when it becomes available in a couple of days. I need to listen to it again because it has given me a lot to chew on. I love that my pastor continually takes us to places that are often uncomfortable and always challenging.

The night ended with Pearson and Anne coming over to hang out for a while. We all enjoyed red velvet cupcakes, courtesy of my oh-so-domestic roommate. Thanks Sarah!


Pearson even talked me into going over to Court and MD's to watch a movie. I was wide awake thanks to two cups of coffee so we all watched The Bone Collector. It was something that I would have probably never picked out on my own but I really enjoyed it. It featured a young Angelina Jolie. You know, before she started wearing Billy Bob's blood around her neck, adopting various orphans, and breaking up Brad and Jenn.

a day in the life of a player

You know what they say about Latin men having a way with the ladies? Well, it's true. As some of you know, my son, Marco, hails from Mexico. The state of Chihuahua to be exact. So when some of my girlfriends came over tonight to hang out, Marco paid careful attention to each one and made them all feel special. Each girl thought that she was the 'only one'. However, a hidden camera provided evidence that exposes Marco playing all of the girls!

Here is victim #1: Pearson

Then, he moved on and was kissin' on Anne!

Finally, he snuggled up with Sarah. He is ridiculous!!

Now being a player might seem appealing. I mean, who wouldn't want to spend time with each of these hotties? However, it does take a toll on a dog. As the Oscar-award winning song states, "It's hard out here for a pimp"

If I ever become famous....

....there are just a few things that I will whole-heartedly endorse. I was reminded this afternoon of one of those.

I hopped in my car to run up to Hobby Lobby to get a small paintbrush. After almost 3 weeks, the kitchen still needs to be completed around the edges. Hence the paintbrush. Anyhoo, I put my key in the ignition and nada. No sounds whatsoever. I called my Dad in a panic and he reminded me that I pay for roadside assistance through Cingular. So here is where the inspiration for the post came from.

1. Cingular Roadside Assistance
*I have used them to change 2 flat tires and now one dead battery. Each time they arrived in less than 30 minutes.

2. Auto Zone
*There was a time one summer while I was in college where my battery kept giving out. I repeatedly took it up to Auto Zone and they would charge it up--for free. Well, after about 3 trips up there it was decided that I just needed a new one. Today (about 6 years later) I had to buy a new battery. They gave me a $12 discount for some kind of warranty thing and including installation, it only cost $38. I couldn't believe it!

3. Discount Tire Company
*They have taken nails out of my tires multiple times...and for free! Also, they have low prices on their tires and I just have had a great experience at the store no matter if it was in Arlington, DeSoto, or Loveland, Colorado! Great customer service.

4. Quik Trip
*This has been a love of mine since college. There is something so different about QT. It is clean, the employees wear uniforms and greet you, and the drink options are limitless. I love love love the 49 cent coffee special in the winter time. And the 59 cent soft drinks in the summer--it's fantastic! Those closest to me know of my love of QT and think my passion for it is a little over-the-top. But what can I say? I haven't had a bad experience there in 8 years. Plus, it makes me a little nostalgic for my college days and that doesn't happen very often.

So...that's it! I'm not sure why all of my posts involve cars, but they do.

I'm off to get Claire from the airport and then to 'lead' homegroup tonight...good times!

Easter 2007

I know, I know....what an original title.

Well, I'm writing this on "Easter Eve" because my family did a big celebration today. It was quite a day!
The most exciting part of this Easter was that my brother, Matthew, and his girlfriend, Rochelle, came up from Houston for the holiday. Rochelle was one of my first houseguests and it was fun to get to know her better. She also baked me a wonderful batch of homemade scones, a box of tea, and some apricot preserves. How sweet!

My Aunt Gina and Uncle Jeff came with their kids, James and Scott. Both of my grandmothers were also over at my mom and dad's. So, naturally, we hid some eggs around the house after lunch and watched the kids go crazy. Easter egg hunts have come a long way since I was a kid. I only got a few eggs with some jelly beans and those nasty marshmallow 'hiding' eggs that no one really likes. These kids got money! I was tempted to hide some eggs for myself but fought the urge :)

Later that evening, we went to Gateway Church in Southlake for one of their nine Easter services. It was an awesome time of worship and a great message.

I'm about to head off to bed to gear up for the 7am service at The Village tomorrow. Sarah and Ryan invited me to watch "A Good Year" with them. Despite the fact that it was critically acclaimed as a "delightful romp", I'm going to sleep instead. I know...I'm getting old.

This post was kind of boring, but at least I snapped a couple of pictures.

Matthew and Rochelle posing with the Easter Cake....

......Matthew and Maw-Maw....

....My precious 5 yr. old cousin Scott showing off his toothless grin (he knocked his tooth out a couple of weeks ago..root and all!)
.................and Me! Scott took this picture and I tried to clean it up to make it more presentable.



He is Risen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the greatest thing since sliced bread

While listening to the radio a few weeks ago, I started thinking about clichés. This song
was full of them…so much so that I was able to anticipate the next line of a verse having never even heard the song before. So, I started to wonder if anyone has any original ways of expressing themselves anymore.

The thing about clichés is that they start out as individual, unique thoughts. But through the years, they get so overused to the point that they are trite. Kind of like that song that you start out absolutely loving but eventually hate due to the massive radio-overkill.

Part of the appeal of the cliché is that it’s easy. It’s comfortable, and pretty much understood universally. Even as Christians, we are tempted to throw out spiritual truths in the form of snazzy one-liners and a one-size-fits all answer for each issue. If someone is struggling, we have our “go-to” verses to use as a type of spiritual band-aid. Nothing is inherently wrong with encouraging each other with Scripture. However, sometimes people just need someone to listen and say, “You know, that does suck”. We all know Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, and Proverbs 3:5-6. Sometimes we just need to grieve, cry, and feel the raw emotions of our situation before our hearts are ready to receive the biblical encouragement that we already know in our heads. I pray that we have the discernment to know when we need to speak truth into people’s lives and when we just need to listen to them and pray.

The next time you are tempted to use a cliché, remember this: Old habits die hard, but there is no time like the present to turn over a new leaf J

Perfectly Fitted

First things first: Water intake has increased and I am *slowly* learning to enjoy it. I also read today that if you are dehydrated, your metabolism slows down. Now, I'm sure I've heard that before but something kind of clicked this time.

Nothing exciting really going on. The evening has consisted of working out, grading papers while watching "Gilmore Girls" Season One, 3 loads of laundry, and oh so much more. But you know what? The introvert in me is so content with the time alone and the perfectionist in me loves the productivity.

Well, one thing that the Lord keeps laying on my heart is Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

I have been a worrier for as long as I remember. When I was in 3rd grade, I made a 75 on a science test and thought I was going to make my first B. A couple of years later my teacher said I would have an ulcer by the time I was 15. Apparently I was just a tad high strung. I'm not near that bad now. But instead of worrying about getting on the Honor Roll or making the basketball team, I worry about the future. Are the dreams and desires I have from God or from me? How do I learn to be fulfilled in the place that God has me right this moment rather than long for where I thought I'd be?

After a few talks with some good friends last week, I made a decision to surrender some specific hopes, dreams and desires that I have been trying to control or somewhat manipulate. There is freedom in surrendering control, taking His yoke, and letting him take care of our burdens.