Forever Reign

We sang this song this morning at church and I just couldn't help but think that I hold back from running to the Lord. I do not run into His arms. He is waiting to bestow on me the riches of His incomparable love. And I hold back for whatever unknown reason. My new goal is to spend more time focusing on Christ and running to Him.

You are good, You are good

When there's nothing good in me

You are love, You are love 

On display for all to see

You are light, You are light 

When the darkness closes in

You are hope, You are hope

You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace

When my fear is crippling

You are true, You are true

Even in my wandering

You are joy, You are joy 

You're the reason that I sing

You are life, You are life, 

In You death has lost its sting

Chorus:

Oh, I’m running to Your arms, 

I’m running to Your arms

The riches of Your love

Will always be enough

Nothing compares to Your embrace

Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more

Than my words will ever say

You are Lord, You are Lord

All creation will proclaim

You are here, You are here

In Your presence I'm made whole

You are God, You are God

Of all else I'm letting go

Chorus

My heart will sing 

no other Name

Jesus, Jesus

Really Excited about Visiting This Place

Oh Man, I can't wait to go here!

Harbor Beach Resort and Spa....

Jesus Calling - March 16, 2012

It is good that you recognize your weakness.
That keeps you looking to me, your Strength.
Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth;
it is living in continual dependence on Me.
Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold,
relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing.
This mid-set will free you to enjoy Me
And to find what I have planned for you to do.
This is far better than trying to make things go
according to your own plan.

Don't take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me.
You have Me on your side, so what you are you worried about?
I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will.
The more difficult your day, the more I yearn to help you.
Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your thoughts.
When you look to me and whisper My Name,
you break free and receive My help.
Focus on Me and you will find peace in My Presence.

In other news

Just a few quick updates:

• I got my tax return back in less than a week!
• I have already spent some of it on these (see below) Mine aren't quite this, um..colorful. Mine are gray, cream and orange.
• 
• My college roommates are coming to visit! Two of my best friends from college are coming into town the last weekend in March. I couldn't be more excited about spending time with these ladies!
• I'm going to Biltmore this weekend with Jonathan and we are staying at a Marriott Autograph hotel. It is REALLY nice and I am so excited. It was just such a great deal! Almost 60+% off!
• My blood pressure has been really high and when I went to the doctor this morning, it was really low! And I've lost two pounds in the last two weeks!
• I've exercised each of the last three days! 
• I miss my family. Gabe sent me a pic of Baxter today and I was so glad to get it. I really miss being able to see those babies! 
• And since I am a Grandma and go to bed early - I'm going to "hit the sheets"!

2011 in Review

Well, it's been almost a month since I last posted. It's been a busy and fantastic month. With Christmas and the New Year having come and gone, I have wanted to take a few minutes to review what I can only say has been the best year of my life. I can't remember when I've had a better year!

First off, It started with my niece Dot being born on New Year's Eve! What a fun time to celebrate and what a fantastic Birthday - you'll always have plans or a party! 

Second, It started with a job! I went into the year unemployed and was definitely terrified of another 2008 happening. In 2008, I was unemployed for 8 months. When I lost my job again, I just had the awfulest of expectations. But my unemployment was short lived, thanks to sweet friends who got me a job as a bank teller. That was only a 6 week position and at the end of the term, I had a new job waiting on me, albeit temporary as well. It has been a challenging year, work wise but I have enjoyed it and I have learned A LOT and I have worked particularly hard. 

Next, I met J. We've been dating for about 7 months now and I have really enjoyed getting to know him and our relationship. We had a great time in 2011 getting to know each other and doing so many fun things. I'm excited about 2012 and all the fun that we'll be having this year. On a side note: we started off 2012 with a real bang by staying home, drinking margaritas, getting super sleepy at 11 but somehow staying awake until midnight to watch the ball drop. Super fun but it was actually really nice to be home!

Next, I got hired on full time at Marriott. It was such a relief to be full time and to be ready to earn a real living again. It's so nice. I've met a lot of great people at work too and have enjoyed making new friends and learning so much about a new industry. It is such an inspiring place to work and I have really loved every minute of it. 

Next, my new nephew was born around Thanksgiving! Baxter Carpenter Waters. He is a beautiful and Handsome baby and I am so thankful that he is here and healthy. I never thought that Gabe and Ashley would have another baby after losing Maeve. But it has been such a wonderful healing process for our whole family. I can't wait to get to know him more. I have a niece named after my grandmothers (Dorothy Louise) and a nephew named after my grandfather (Baxter Carpenter). It really makes me cry happy tears to know that they will be remembered long after they are gone from this earth. 

And the Christmas season was just wonderful. J and I got to do a lot of fun things together. We went to the Biltmore for Christmas and ate dinner there. We went to see A Christmas Carol at the Clarence Brown Theater on the campus of the University of Tennessee. We went to the Singing Christmas tree with his parents. We were able to do dinner and lunch with them several times. I wish that my parents were closer. J is close with his parents so it's been good to get to know them. Laura and her husband Christian were in town for Christmas and J and I went to dinner with them and David and Melissa. It was so fun! I wish Joetta could have been here. We also went over to the Greene's house so I got to visit with Ashley, Tim and Cooper! It was so good to see them! It has been nice to catch up with my college roommates recently - everyone except Joetta...hope to catch up with her soon!

J got me a few great Christmas presents. One is a remote control for my lamp so I don't have to get out of bed to turn it off at night or on in the mornings. I really love it! The other big thing he got was me diamond earrings. I was totally surprised to open that gift. :) I know that I've talked about J a lot but he's been a big part of my life this year! 

I'm so looking forward to all that 2012 has to bring.

What if today, we were just grateful for everything?

This is quite the statement.

What if we did this? What if, rather than worry about everything that might happen, we took the opportunity to just be grateful.

I saw this on a Snoopy cartoon posted on someone's facebook tonight.

Just be grateful. Like it's so simple.  

I think that real secret is that it is so simple. 

Today, instead of complaining about how much I have to do and how much I didn't get done and how much money I'm spending on Christmas, I think back over the things that I have to be grateful for today.

The Gym.
My new workout buddy.
Jonathan keeping me accountable.
My job.
Lunch with Diana.
Baking - the beginning of Christmas Baking Extravaganza.
Christmas shopping - the ability to buy gifts for my loved ones and enjoy the Christmas season.
Jesus - the reason for the Christmas season.
My cell phone and good conversations.
The Internet.

I could go on. There is just so much to be thankful for and I am just grateful.

Chattanooga

This weekend, Jonathan and I went to Chattanooga, just for fun! We really had a great time and it was so relaxing!

We went out to eat, slept late, went to Rock City, went to Ruby Falls and then out to eat again with some of Jonathan's friends and slept late again! It really was a nice relaxing weekend!

Can you actually see 120 miles to KY/VA???

It's a beautiful view!

Us.

How far can you see, Jonathan?

The 7 states and their flags.

Waterfall

Ruby Falls - totally worth it. It is a cool cavern walk and ends with this view.

Behind the waterfall looking up - 145 feet.