Monday, February 28, 2011

Voice of Truth

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I love it. I'll read just about anything. Why, then, do I have such a hard time reading my Bible? 



Because it isn't easy for me to accept everything that's in there. 

"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (The Message)

Who honestly wants to be corrected? 
Who wants to be told they are wrong? 

Fortunately, God has not given up on me. He is creating in me a desire to read His word, a desire to learn more. In doing this, he will show me what is true, what is right. I am being molded and modeled.

I can't wait to see the result.



Friday, February 25, 2011

Photo Friday 2011- Week 8

Theme: Spirit

God is sheer being itself-Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration. -John 4:24 (The Message)






Check out Trina and friends to see more Photo Friday goodness!




Thursday, February 24, 2011

Lesson Learned.

Sometimes life isn't fair. Sometimes life brings unexpected curveballs. Sometimes life does not go by your schedule. But sometimes...all of those things are worth it.

I realize lately how very blessed I am. Thinking back on my past, it's a miracle I've survived. I've been through a lot of things in the past 10 years, but I've learned many worthwhile lessons.

These are the top 10 lessons I've learned since 2001:

10. Procrastination causes more problems than I ever imagined. ("Case study due tomorrow? I'll proofread, polish, and print it in the morning." NOT.)

9. Complaining solves nothing. It annoys those around you and wastes valuable time.



8. You feel and do "well." Everything else is "good." Example: I do not feel well. He plays the saxophone well. The sunshine feels good. Banana pudding tastes good. Get it?

7. It's okay to be angry. However, anger does not give you the right to be callous.

6. Sing. Even if you do it poorly, it will make you happy.



5. Motivation is rare. Take it when it comes!

4. Life is best when it's lived simply. Don't worry about the things you don't have. Focus on your blessings. You don't need as much money, as much stuff, as you think.

3. Friends will come and go, and that's okay. Everyone is put in your life for a reason. Make it a good one.

2. Put down the phone! It's okay to pay attention to the people around you. In fact, it's rude if you don't.



1. Stop trying. There is no "try," right? You either do or you don't.


For more life lessons, check out the weekly writing prompts over at Mama Kat's.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Spring Fever

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

The sunshine is warm...


The nights are cool...


And I can smell spring.


I've officially got spring fever! Bring it on, 2011!



Thursday, February 17, 2011

Photo Friday 2011- Week 7


This week's theme: Romance

Romantic:  marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized

To me, romance is something that makes me feel girly or feminine. It could also be something that reminds me of another time period...where everything was simpler. So for this week's photo, I chose something a little different. This photo is from a B&B in Hot Springs, AR, and this B&B definitely reminds me of another time.



For more romantic photos, check out Trina and friends!

Welcome to Miami


May 6, 2007- First full day of my honeymoon. The hubs and I woke up at 4:00 AM (Yes...it really does exist) to catch our flight to Miami International Airport. Tired and drained, we landed in Miami at 10:00. After a terrifying taxi ride, we arrived at our hotel only to find that there was NO POSSIBLE WAY to check in before 4:00. The concierge offered to hold our bags for us, but we were left on our own until we could officially check in. The new husband and I spent the next 6 hours exploring the area around the hotel. We found a shady Walgreens to shop in (and by "shady," I mean unmarked-van-shady) and a McDonald's for lunch. Shortly before check-in, we went back to the hotel to check out the beachfront property. We walked past the large hotel pools, over a sand dune, and the torture of that morning was ALL worth it.




Fast forward to Day 2- We spend some time at the beach, do a little shopping and decide to go back to our room for the night. Between going through a wedding, driving, flying, and wasting time, we were TIRED. The hubs convinced me to stay in, watch a movie, and order pizza. We checked Pay-Per-View and called Pizza Hut. The wind was howling outside on the balcony, and rain started coming down in torrents. Our decision to stay in couldn't have come at a better time. The decision to order from Pizza Hut, however...not so good. Because of the sudden storm, they were swamped with customers. 2 hours later, our pizza still had not been delivered. Ever the patient person, the hubs called to ask them when it would be at the hotel. They hadn't even cooked it. Dinner that night ended up coming from the Walgreens across the street. 

Day 3- My foot got caught on a rope that was on the beach. It pulled me under as the wave came up, and I started getting sucked farther and farther into the ocean. The hubs pulled me out of the current while a man combing the beach with his metal detector looked on. I came up sputtering and crying and realized that my swimsuit top came down. The girls were out for the world to see. 

Despite all of these things, the vacation in Miami is one of my all-time favorites. It was the first place I traveled with my husband. All of those setbacks were overshadowed by the beauty of the city and the sea.


Sunshine, sand, and the salty air. 
Heavenly!



For more vacation stories and other fabulous writing prompts, visit Mama Kat

Monday, February 14, 2011

The One I Love

Beware...it's Valentine's Day, so I'm getting sappy! (Well, as sappy as a girl like me can get...)


This man has my heart. 

We've been together since June 2004, and we've been married since May 2007. Some days, it seems like we just me; others, it seems like forever. But he is still just as kind and loving as he was then. 

He is my other half, my missing piece. I'm a little OCD, a little uptight; he's laid back and calm. I'm serious and sarcastic. He's light-hearted and happy. We are polar opposites, and that's okay.

Even with all of our differences, we have a lot in common, too. We both love cold weather, baseball, and the ocean. We love funny movies and Cajun food. We love our family, friends, God and we love each other. 

What more do we need?

In honor of V-Day, I'm going to share my favorite picture of the hubs. It's from our honeymoon in Miami, and it captures his fun spirit and sweet smile. 



Happy Valentine's Day, B! I love you more and more!

To everyone out there, take this day as an opportunity to say a prayer of thanks for all of those who make a difference in your life, significant other or not. Celebrate those you love!




Thursday, February 10, 2011

Photo Friday 2011- Week 6

Theme: Body Parts


This picture isn't the best quality...it was actually taken last summer, with a disposable camera. I did a little editing on Picasa to make it better. This picture, terrible quality and all, is a reminder of how much we love the beach and the ocean. I chose to use a picture of mine and the hubs' hands because we are here to do Christ's work. We need to be his hands and feet. 

Stop by Trina's blog to see more Photo Friday fun!


Disclaimer: I don't like feet. No feet pictures on this site! :)

How Do I Love Thee?

Let me count the ways:

1. You are an endless source of patience.
    Exhibit A: I wake up like a bear from hibernation; you make me bacon and eggs. 



2. You would do anything to support me and my dreams.
    Exhibit B: You worked how many jobs while I was in college?!

3. You teach me things, even when I don't care to learn.
     Exhibit C: You teach me how to paint; but I'm not allowed to touch a paint brush in our house. 


4. You may think I'm crazy, but you never say it out loud. 
     Exhibit D: I decided to go to grad school; you agreed.

5. You love me unconditionally.
     Exhibit E: You're mine.  ;)



Post inspired by Mama Kat's Writing Prompts
Mama's Losin' It


Disclaimer: Obviously, there are more than 5 reasons that I love the hubs. But, unlike him, I have no patience, so I am not listing more than 5 here.  ;)

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Stop, Look, and Listen

"He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power."
-Job 37:6-7




So far, 2011 has been filled with snow days, which is VERY unusual for Arkansas. Sometimes, we are so busy, life is so hectic, that we need to take a moment to reflect. God, in his infinite wisdom, provides those moments. For me, this snow is an example of that. I don't work when the schools are closed, and (usually!) the hubs stays home with me. This is a great opportunity for us to spend time together and time with God. 

Everyone else is starting to get a little tired of snow, tired of being in the house, tired of cold weather. No one wants to go to school until the end of June, right? I certainly don't, but my Creator has other plans, and that's okay. Sometimes He feels the need to shift our focus from the craziness of life...to Him. When we do zero in on God, he will tell us amazing things. We have to be willing to listen! 

Find some quiet time this week to spend with God...you won't regret it!

Friday, February 4, 2011

I'm New and Improved!

I've been trying to find someone to come up with a cute design for my blog and make it look a little more professional, but it wasn't working out quite like I had planned. Surprise, surprise!

I found a blog design company online, sent some questions, and filled out the information to be put on the waitlist. After three weeks of waiting with NO response, I gave up on them. I requested to have my deposit refunded and canceled my order. I could not believe the terrible customer service.

While browsing for someone else to design my blog for me, I came across Strosgirl's Designs. Anyone looking for blog designers should definitely talk to Angie. The entire blog remodel took about a week, and Angie was great about letting me know how everything was going! After my first attempt at finding a blog designer, I was frustrated and nervous; but Angie was very helpful and friendly.

Thanks, Angie!

Snow Day #4

This is my 4th snow day...in ONE week. That's unheard of for Arkansas, but I'm not complaining. Others are starting to get tired of all the snow and the ice and the cold, but not me. I'm still loving it.

This is how I spend my snow days:

\\

A warm cup of tea, a good movie, or a book. That's all I need.    :)

Photo Friday 2011- Week 5

This week's theme is "sleep." It's very similar to last week's tired theme. You should just know that I LOVE sleep. It makes me a happy girl. I love to go to sleep early, wake up late, take an afternoon nap. The hubs, on the other hand, rarely sleeps. He goes to sleep late and wakes up early. I love any chance I get to catch him sleeping! A couple of years ago, we spent Christmas with friends and family in a rented condo in Branson, MO. We were always busy! Shortly after opening gifts on Christmas morning, the hubs found an opportunity to catch up on some sleep. I quickly and quietly pulled out my iPhone to catch him!


Poor guy. He gave it a good try, but the Coca-Cola and the TV just didn't work. 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

If You're Anything Like Me

 Mama's Losin' It




This week, one of Mama Kat's writing prompts just stuck with me. "A letter to your future teen." Hmm...I may not have kids, but I have teenage youth members and teenage students. It's almost like a warm-up for my own teenagers. One day, the hubs and I do plan on having kids (probably not quickly enough for my mom).  They'll be cute, right? Hopefully they'll have big brown eyes and a curly blonde afro. And then...they'll grow up.
When that day comes, this letter will serve as a reminder to me my kid that the hubs and I aren't as bad as we seem.

Dear Teen Trent, 

Right now, you're in the throes of your teen years, and you've come to the realization that you're officially the smartest person in our house. That's okay. You also know that Momma ALWAYS has something to say...so here we go.

 If, God forbid, you're anything like me, you're constantly rolling your eyes. Your dad HATES that. Try not to do it in front of him. I'll be more understanding, but I'll probably roll mine right back. We'll both try to be a little more patient. 

If you're anything like me, you're very sarcastic. I'll understand that kind of humor; your dad will understand that kind of humor. Not everyone out there will. Be aware of other people and their feelings. 

If you're anything like me, you're slightly moody. It's really easy to let your emotions control you, but don't take out your frustration on those closest to you. They may not always be there. 

If you're anything like me, you'll feel insecure. Just know that these two old people who live in your house love you more that you'll ever know. God loves you, too, and he loves every little thing about you, even when Mom and Dad are at their wit's end. 

If you're anything like me, you want to fit it. Don't try too hard. I spent a lot of my early years trying too hard to be someone I wasn't. Be a little more like your dad...be friendly, be genuine, be kind. That's really all you need. 

If you're anything like me, your nose is always stuck in a book. It's great to read and to love to read, but spend a little more time with those around you. Learn and grow from books, but at the end of the day, focus your attentions on those you love. 

If you're anything like me, you'll have your entire life planned carefully. Throw away the map! Your life will take twists and turns, and that's fine. Enjoy the ride. 

Love,

Future Momma Trent





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