Birthdays bringing people together

Today I found out that birthdays can indeed bring about reconciliation. There's been quite a bit of tension between me and a coworker in the past few months. Mostly because I called her out on her nonsense but only by doing a job that I was assigned to do. She's been in "retaliation mode" recently and been pawning off some of her minuscule duties to me when I am NOT in any way her personal assistant. (Don't worry I'm keeping tabs and will be discussing it with my boss soon) But today was her 40th birthday and I am responsible for all birthday celebrations. At TCF we usually just do a dessert that is a favorite of the birthday boy/girl. But 40th birthdays are apparently a little different and we do a little extra. So we decided to get a cake, decorate the board room to surprise her, decorate her office and even embarass her a little. All in all I can honestly say I did NOT want any part of this and wished I could have opted out. But alas I cannot so I decided to "buck it up" and do it. I would want someone to do that for my birthday. So I did it and I don't think that all is resolved in just one day - remember Rome wasn't built in a day - however, today was a turning point and I think we could definitely be on the road to "recovery." I thought the timing of this "event" was just downright unfair but the Lord turned it into a positive occurrence and I am honored to serve a God who knows more than me and knows what I need even before I do. God is good!

Thoughts on Haiti

So I'm sitting here watching TV including a news update on Haiti. I have to admit, no matter how selfish it may sound, but this is the only news coverage I've watched on the Haitian earthquake all week. Of course I've heard lots of facts/news/etc. throughout the week but have not intentionally watched any of the coverage. I think subconsciously I don't want to see the pictures or hear the true devastation because I know it will just truly break my heart and there's not much I can really do. I do intend to text the Red Cross to donate $10 but with so much destruction and tragedy happening there it barely seems like enough. I've heard the controversial comments and I have heard about the American spirit as well as the resilient Haitian spirit. Perhaps I'm just jaded...
And now the current president decides to compliment his predecessor when before all he had were negative comments about his presidency and his decisions. I guess it just goes to show you that tragedy indeed brings out the "best" in people.
I guess I say all that to say that my heart and prayers go out to all those in Haiti and all those affected by the events that have transpired this past week. My hope and prayer is these people truly get the relief they need and the assistance they will need to rebuild their home country. And most of all that they come to know the one source who can give them EVERYTHING they need as no human organization could.
Dear Father, please surround the Haitian people with your love and protection, wrap your arms around them and show them that you love them as they are with everything you are and you love them unconditionally. Provide for their earthly needs as well as their spiritual and emotional needs during this extremely difficult time. Help the organizations that desire to help, allow them to do all they can possibly do to show care, concern and shower hope on these precious people. You are the God of all including the God of Haiti. Please shower them with your presence, your hope, your peace and your love. Thank you for who you are and all that you can provide!

2010

Well another decade is behind me and wow what a decade it was! I graduated high school, spent 5 years in college, graduated college, moved into my own apartment in my hometown of Tulsa (moved several times AFTER graduation), obtained my first "professional" job, changed jobs two more times, served as a maid of honor in my best friend's wedding and in my sister' s wedding, served as a bridesmaid in another friend's wedding, watched my Sooners dominate and be dominated, etc.
As I sit here and reflect on the most recent year, 2009, I have mixed feelings and emotions. Part of me enjoys being able to say goodbye to '09 and never look back. But the other part of me will always look back at the past year with fond memories that bring me joy. In the last year I traveled halfway across the world to Northeast India and enjoyed the lovely creation of the Himilaya Mountains, I watched my little sister marry the love of her life and best friend, I had my heart broken, to the point I wasn't sure what was up and what was down, I traveled to Dallas not once but twice, saw two of my favorite bands in concert, gained many great friends but lost a few along the way as well and turned the ripe old age of 28 (which I must say has been THE hardest birthday to date). So all in all it was bittersweet year - I look forward to 2010, the year of no fear.
To my lovely friends and family that aided in the positive and fond memories of 2009, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are my inspiration, as cheesy as that sounds. And I think I'll update this thing a little more often. :)

A Wonderful Boy Named Trey

Today I'm reflecting ... what a crazy 27 years it's been and what a crazy ride this past year alone has been! Did I think I would be 27 and still single, living in an apartment, working for a non-profit doing more admin than marketing??? No I didn't but am I content with where I am? Yes... depending on the day that answer can change but I can genuinely say that I am content with where the Lord has me right now. Life hasn't been perfect but that's because I'm an imperfect being who serves a loving, all-knowing God that loves me with a crazy love and knows what is best for me even if I don't understand it all. At the risk of sounding cliche I can truly understand the song lyrics from the Rascal Flatts song, "God bless this broken road that led me straight to you." This has indeed been a broken road but what a blessing the last six weeks have been and what a lucky girl I am! I've always had amazing friends and an absolutely fabulous family but the Lord has recently brought a person into my life that I honestly can't imagine not having around. I don't know what the future holds only the Lord knows what is to come but I'm living each day to the fullest and enjoying every second of this newly found relationship.
When I think about the things I thought I needed right now in my life I realize the Lord truly does know best. I'm not weird (well I believe that might be up for debate according to some), I'm not abnormal, I'm not a "late-bloomer," I'm not on the wrong path. On the contrary I believe I'm right where I'm supposed to be, God guiding me, holding my hand as I take this journey called life. Why do I worry, why do I fret? Worrying never added a day to anyone's life, why do I believe it will add anything to mine?
Thank you Lord for your provisions, for your ever-loving care of me, for choosing me and loving me and never giving up on me. Thank you for your new mercies each morning and for the blessings you bestow upon me each day. I don't ever want to take them for granted and I never want to become complacent. Help me serve you to my very best ability each day and give you all the glory.
To the wonderful boy named, Trey, I can't say enough how thankful I am that you are in my life. You make me feel special, beautiful, cared for, and wanted. You challenge me to be a better person and to live life to the fullest. You are a true Godsend and I am excitedly looking forward to what God has in store for us. You are kind, caring, compassionate, dedicated, motivated, hard-working, considerate, polite, fun, and the list could go on. You make me proud to be your girlfriend!
Ok enough gushing for one night. I'll leave you with the verse of the day "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." Colossions 4:2

Late Night Worrying

Ok so I'm sitting here and it's past my bedtime. But someone was supposed to call me tonight and has not done so. I wouldn't be "worrying" (hence the title) except that this is very atypical of said person. As I sit here and analyze what happened I tend to think the worst (you can thank my mother for this trait). I do, indeed, hope that it's just a case of the "oops I forgot or oops I got tired" excuse. I, knowing myself, will still be upset but I will realize that there are more important things in life to be concerned about. So I'm going to pray:

Please, Lord, take hold of my thoughts as my mind is wandering in places I just would rather not go ... you are my refuge, my strength, my comfort in times like this. Please cover me with your peace and wash over me like sun on a bright day. I take heart knowing you are in control and you will not cause me to endure anything that you are not prepared to walk me through. Dry my tears and calm my nerves, help me to cling to you and know you are with me always. Thank you, Jesus, for your crazy love for me in that while I was still a sinner (and am to this day) you gave up your life for me. Help me to fall in love with you more each day and when I don't love you I want to love, so help me on those days to try even harder. You are my one desire - everything else in life is granted to us because you love us so much and want the very best for your children. Allow me to always remember that truth!

Goodnight

The Beginning of the End ...

So I'm going to try and start blogging more - decided to ditch Xanga and use this instead. For anyone that would like to know what's happening in my life - feel free to read. But more than anything this is just for me to pen (or type) my thoughts. I hope the Lord will use this as a growing tool - emotionally, mentally, spiritally, etc.

Onward I go ...