Goodbye 2011

On this last day of 2011 I reflect of the year that has passed. 

It has been a good year. 

I have learned a lot. 

I have grown personally and professionally.

My life in 2011 has been another blessed year. 

I finally believe what I have heard since I was a child,

"The older you get the better it gets."

Struggles and all....life is good. 

I am so thankful for what God has done for me. 

In 2011 I did not make resolutions. 

I decided to work toward one thing...balance. 

I actually think I did ok on this. I of course need lots more work.

I will continue to work toward balance in the new year. 

I hope you all enjoy celebrating the year that has passed 

and the year yet to come. 

Ho Ho Ho

Merry 

CHRISTMAS!!!!!

I hope that Santa was good to you all!!!!

Christmas Eve

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes of St Nicholas soon would be there. 

........My mom used to read The Night Before Christmas and The Christmas Story in the Bible for 

us every Christmas Eve. Traditions have changed a lot. But I still cherish them all...new and old. 

 I love the magic of Christmas and the reason that we have it at all. 

I am so thankful for the baby that was born of perfection into a world of sin. 

I am thankful that God came in flesh to walk among us, and that he died to save us from those sins.

Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Blog Button???

So I was playing around on picnik

and made this little beauty. 

What do you ladies think about me using it for a blog button?

Teenage Sis = Amazing

I have a sister that is 14...Madison.  

She is so different than me now, 

but especially when I was 14. 

She is strong and opinionated. 

She stands up for what she believes in. 

She has a big heart, and she loves Jesus. 

She amazes me. 

I was just texting with her  when she amazed me again. 

She was telling me that she had a friend who just lost his dad. 

He is really sad and is not wanting to get out of bed to go to school. 

This boy has had some trouble in the past,

and the boy (living with other relatives) 

could be in trouble if he misses much more school. 

So her and her 14 year old (8th grade)

 friends all go to wake him up every morning. 

When I was in the 8th grade I was worried about me! 

I went to church, but don't remember being felt led to do anything for anyone else. 

My other sister Valerie (now 25) was always like this,

but we were closer in age.

And I was not aware of her (Val) changing as much. 

I am older now 

and I am very aware of how much Madison has changed.

Being able to see her change and grow is AMAZING. 

The joy that I feel from seeing her grow is amazing. 

It makes me excited to have kids of my own 

and be able to watch them grow in the Lord. 

"Start children off on the way they should go, 

and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Peace for an Anxious Soul

Have you ever had the feeling like something was missing?

Like you forgot to do something?

Or something was just not right?

I am having one of those moments. 

I hate it. 

I have no idea what I have forgotten. 

I just know that it has me anxiously searching my mind. 

Only one thing can easy my worried soul. 

Psalms 23

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd;
         I shall not want.
 ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
         He leads me beside the still waters.
 ³ He restores my soul;
         He leads me in the paths of righteousness
         For His name’s sake.
        
 ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I will fear no evil;
         For You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
        
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
         All the days of my life;
         And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the LORD
         Forever.

Impulse Control

Working with teenagers as a therapist in a hospital setting, 

I find myself dealing with the same problems just in different forms. 

One thing that is EXTREMELY common among teenagers is impulsiveness. 

I was just so unpleasantly reminded that I share that same struggle. 

Don't get me wrong it is WAY better than it used to be, 

but it is still there. 

If I shared with you the instances in which I was impulsive you may laugh. 

The instances are not bad. They are not going to destroy my life. 

I am not in danger. Yet I still know that these instances are me trying to control my life, 

and not giving control to God. 

I know that I am called to lay down my life daily to Him. 

These little instances of impulsiveness are examples of me not dying to self. 

I want to live a life that shines the light of Christ....

NOT the light of Cary. 

"Direct my footsteps according to your word, let no sin rule over me."

Psalm 119:133

A Dream

I am still feeling the affects of yesterday. 

I never imagined that I would inspire myself.

It is a strange but exhilarating feeling. 

Not many people know this,

 but I have dreamed about being a speaker for a long time. 

I can remember it in my early 20's, mid 20's, and even now in my late 20's. 

I really thought that when this opportunity came (to speak) I would do it and have my fix.

I may have been wrong about that. 

Now I feel even more inspired and driven. 

I am reminded of my dreams,

and that God has dreams for me too.

He places them in my heart. 

I have no idea what God has planned for my future.

I am very excited to see what is in store. 

After Shock

Today I spoke to a group of high school students in their service. 

I got to share with them the story of my drug addiction and how God miraculously saved me and changed me. It was the first crowd that I had told my story in front of. 

I have to be honest, the feeling that I had after was amazing. 

When I think about my story I am always amazed because I know how significant my life has changed. As I stood there this morning, with the lights shinning in my eyes God amazed me again. Besides the fact that He helped me get all the way through it, He brought me revaluation again. I was standing there talking about how He changed me when it hit me: He CHANGED me. Not just a little. Completely. 

If you would have told me in the midst of my drug addiction I would be sharing my story at church on a Sunday morning I would have laughed. Even 3 1/2 years ago at the beginning of my sobriety I would not have believed you. If I'm honest I couldn't believe it a week ago. 

When I was standing in front of those teenagers this morning I got it.

It took 3 1/2 years to truly understand that God had big plans for me. 

What I have learned...if you continue to follow Him, He will continue to shock you. 

Breaking Dawn

Tonight is the night. 

The beginning of the end. 

And the moment we have ALL been waiting for. 

So as I prepare for this fanastic moment

 that I have been waiting for

 since 2008 I thought I'd share some pics that I love. 

Favorite Movie Poster

Favorite Still

Moment I am so ready for...to see vamp Bella!!!! 

**All photos are from Google