A need to fix my face...

So tonight at dinner I came across a moment when I literally had to tell myself I was alright and I needed to fix my face. What fixing my face means is even when something isn't going just right I still need to not rain on everyone else's parade with a scowl on my face. So I was sitting out for pizza with my family holding my sprite minding my own business when it slipped out of my hand and landed with a thud (thank goodness still upright) on the table. Everything would be fine and dandy except that was the second time that had happened to me today. I was holding a bottle of lemon juice earlier putting a few drops into my glass of water when I dropped the bottle of lemon juice. The first incident with the lemon juice I chalked up to pure clumsiness...but then tonight it really started to get to me. So I walked over to my grandmother who knows alot about the bodily functions, especially what seems to be happening with me and asked her if it could be linked to my neck. I knew it could because its the same hand that always goes numb when I hold my arms a certain way. Anyway, I'm really saddened/frustrated by it. I'm too young to be going through all of this. But for what-ever reason I am...I have my first physical therapy appointment on the 10th of August. So for now I will chart when I drop things or have the weakness in my arm as I do tonight, and will talk to the physical therapist about it then. I'm praying this is only temporary.

There are two families celebrating today...

Two of my Hometown Heroes Prayer List boys are in the United States!!! WELCOME HOME WILL & BRAD!!!!!

Nothing screams summertime to me more than...

Lightning bugs...yup thats right lightning bugs. I think its so cute that I still get that little flash of excitement as I see them flickering around outside as I did when I was little chasing them in my grandmother's yard putting them into little jars! I still get excited as I see my first ones of the season too! But, did you know that they are actually beneficial to us?!? check this out:

"Whether you know them as Lightning Bugs or Fireflies, these are beneficial insects. They don't bite, they have no pincers, they don't attack, they don't carry disease, they are not poisonous, they don't even fly very fast. The larvae of most species are specialized predators and feed on other insect larvae, snails and slugs. (They are also reported to feed on earthworms.) Adults of some species are also predatory. Adults of some species are reported as not feeding.

These wonderful beetles are also helping humans. The Lightning Bug contains luciferin and luciferase, two rare chemicals used in research on cancer, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and heart disease." (http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Galveston/beneficials/beneficial-40_lightning_bug.htm)

Too cool!! Its such a beautiful sight to me. I just came in from walking Zeke and I saw a few lightning bugs as we walked, it was almost like each one that I saw was begging me to lift my eyes and look around at the majesty and beauty that God created that I am so surrounded with. And just as I did that, Zeke and I turned the corner of our block and I got to see what I call the "Butterfly Garden" as I always see the sign that says that in the garden on the corner. Its a wild garden with lots of very tall plants (?) maybe weeds, but I doubt it, they are beautiful none the less...and it looked even prettier thaan I've seen it yet this year. I owe it to the the lil bugs. I wouldn't of taken the time to notice the beauty as I always do everytime I walk Zeke around our block...but tonight God wanted a slow down. I think in the rush of getting extra hours this week and the hurry typical week pulled me away from my slow dance with my Father. I'd like to thank my little lightning bug friends for lighting the path for my intimate dance.

I praise God for the bugs tonight!

I call you All That!

Pastor Jeff mentioned a song and had a small bit of it played in worship today, it peaked my interest so tonight I did a youtube search for the song...what an awesome worship is song that it is!! Check it out!!

Proper respect to the flag!

I went out with my family today, and the place that we went to had the American flag on display...however, it was hung wrong, that is the most disrespectful thing you can do to an American flag, so I want everyone to know the proper way to fly the flag, especially as the 4th of July is approaching!

"When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag." (http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html)

So there you have it, the stars should always be on the flags top left, no matter which way it is hung. Here are a few pictures of how it should properly be hung.

Time to be honest...with myself and all of you.

Being a young single, christian, no I'm not going to use christian...I don't like, no I hate how modern day "christians" have taken the meaning of the word and twisted and mangled it into believing in Christ but not living as you do...no let me start over.

Being a young, single, Saved woman in 2009 is hard. I wonder if its always been that way. I bet it has. Being single has to be a struggle. Everything revolves around being in love, finding your soulmate, your partner for life. As a woman in my mid-20's (I shutter at the thought, I'm in my mid-20's,) the friends I went to school with all have families of their own in one form or another. I'm the only one without a boyfriend or a husband. I'm choked up. I can't even write about my heartache in a truthful manner.

No, no matter how hard it is its time that I put it out there so that I can begin the steps to fixating my heart on where it needs to be. My heart physically aches for the man that God made to fit next to me. I'm doing ok in a matter of thinking of the one I've thought all along that was "him," not being him. I miss his friendship but I'm ok with the distance. God wants more for my marriage relationship. He wants more for my life. And yet I soooo struggle I struggle daily with wondering when my time will come. I've seen it happen time and again the moment I move away from this ache and focus on my faith, my life thats when God will bring someone in. I wonder if thats why I can't get past it yet. Maybe God isn't ready for me to have someone arrive...maybe just maybe God wants a few more songs with me.

I love a quote I found on facebook, "Dance with God, He'll allow the perfect man to cut in." I've made it to the dance, and I'm learning to sway in tune with God, however I keep clumsily stepping on His toes. God grant me grace and rhythm so that I might dance with you more intimately. I'm so alone in this world. no, I feel so alone. I'm surrounded literally by love from my family. I've never dreamt of being as close as I am with my family. I'd never have it any other way. No, its a different kind of alone feeling. When I'm sitting in my room, watching tv, playing on the net, alone. Its when I'm tired or just coming home from work I feel it most. I'd love for someone to ask me how my day was, everyday. I'd love for conversations on how the day went and to laugh about silly things I do when I'm at home and have my lil "moments" as I so often do.

I'm watching Under The Tuscan Sun right now, it always help motivate me to remember that I can do this singlehood. That I can and very well should pursue my dreams and find ways to use them for the glory of the kingdom, did you know that I am getting my degree in pastry arts?! And that I want to open my own bakery someday? But did you know I want its name to have something to do with God? I haven't figured out what yet, and I want my goods to bring glory to God and I want to serve the hungry with some of the bread that I bake. And I'm starting up my own Avon business...80% of my profits will go to the Jackson Fund (check out my sister-in-law's blog for info...http://www.woodardhappenings.blogspot.com) and the other 20% is going back to God.

Ugh, see, I've wondered from my subject. My heart longs for the man God has fashioned for me. I just need to continue to wait. Pray for me, please?! Pray for me to have patience to wait on God. Pray for me to have grace and rhythm while I continue to catch the beat as I dance with my Maker.

Loving the time with my family!!

Jackson & Aunt Meme after our trip down the slide at Genoa Days...he didn't dig it too much, I think we'll try something different next year...maybe the dragon roller coaster?!?



Buddies!! Kati & Jackson went on the elephant ride this year...Jackson loved it so much he threw a mini-fit when it was time to get off!



Sisters!! Here is Ginny, Jacki & Jacki's son Tommy waiting for the parade to start!



Theres no Quacks about it, My mom is a duck...at least at Genoa Days every year...lol, here she is in the middle of a parade unmasking so that Jackson will stop crying. But, if you look, you can see the orange beek behind her as the head is in the process of falling off behind her. No worries, after I snapped the picture I raced over and got her head put back on and she was off again!



Mini Me!!! Kati ran out to the middle of the street in the middle of the parade...for what you ask?! Nothing better than a travel size box of Sponge Bob toothpaste!! HAHAHA



Baby Whisperer!! My Aunt Leslie and my niece Addison relaxing watching the parade!!



Cousins!! Jackson and Tommy enjoying some crackers together after a fun time of playing!

I cherish so much all the time I am blessed with to spend with my family. Had you have asked us a year ago if we could even imagine being this close and spending this much time together, I dont know that I could have even fathomed it, it wasn't how our family operated...now I praise God that its how we ARE! Got Family?? I do! And I love them dearly!!