Six years, Acinic Cell Carcinoma free.
Praise God.
Call It Sedimentary.
This year I've found myself in between a rock and a new place. The rock represents everything solid and true that is behind me. The rock stands at the base of my entire foundation, it's sediments layering each year and experience of my life. It's there and it is a huge compilation of the dreams and hopes I had when I was little.
My dreams of collecting all the beanie babies, being old enough to babysit, buying a trampoline, having best friends, finishing high school, mentoring young ladies, earning my degree, becoming a teacher, discovering what I loved, and loving who I was created to be - all those dreams stacked into this rock that I stand next to today. I find myself looking into this new place. I'm not sure what the dreams are and everything in front seems cloudy and unpredictable.
Seth Godin recently blogged about dreams and hopes. He said we should be writing them down. I've heard this a thousand times and I now understand that amidst uncertainty you should have a written plan. Documentation of what you hope to happen is just that, a hope. It's not permanent and considered a failure if those things never occur, it's just progress.
Progress connects the brain with the heart. Progress accomplishes goals, makes dreams come true, and never finds itself without a Plan B.
So friends, it is on my heart today to create awareness for myself and all of you who find yourself leaning on a rock looking to new places, new time, and new changes. Make a list. We are not accountable, it's just a Plan B that will be there when unpredictability strikes.
My dreams of collecting all the beanie babies, being old enough to babysit, buying a trampoline, having best friends, finishing high school, mentoring young ladies, earning my degree, becoming a teacher, discovering what I loved, and loving who I was created to be - all those dreams stacked into this rock that I stand next to today. I find myself looking into this new place. I'm not sure what the dreams are and everything in front seems cloudy and unpredictable.
Seth Godin recently blogged about dreams and hopes. He said we should be writing them down. I've heard this a thousand times and I now understand that amidst uncertainty you should have a written plan. Documentation of what you hope to happen is just that, a hope. It's not permanent and considered a failure if those things never occur, it's just progress.
Progress connects the brain with the heart. Progress accomplishes goals, makes dreams come true, and never finds itself without a Plan B.
So friends, it is on my heart today to create awareness for myself and all of you who find yourself leaning on a rock looking to new places, new time, and new changes. Make a list. We are not accountable, it's just a Plan B that will be there when unpredictability strikes.
tough girl face.
Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.
[Samuel Johnson]
I was stabbed by a cactus-y branch yesterday. The thing literally jumped out and nicked me! My arm was covered in blood for the rest of the run - I loved it. I was forced to finish the run with my tough girl face.
I love the tough girl face. I love my little lady students who are in their pretty dresses and moving rocks and sand without a second thought, I love getting dolled up only to slide on my 8 year old Addias Sandals. I love my pearl earrings and Dove Chocolate, but I am so excited to cook pork in the ground tonight and load up on BBQ sauce with U of A friends.
I love the hard to hear truth - but appreciate the simple and tender grace that follows.
The Mattoon's are stopping by before their misson in Mexico, Sween is coming soon, College Basketball season is in full swing, will be signing up for soccer league, and I've got a week without meetings ahead..... pure bliss.
Unexpected sparks are the best.
Great Study.
Practicing living it instead of just believing it. Taking on new roles and stripping myself of what I've been holding onto. Praying for fruits of the spirit and hope of the cross. Praying for gusto and courage, self control and passion - living for Jesus, today and everyday.
A New Heaven and a New Earth
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
I hear you.
“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”
[Song of Solomon 2:10-13]
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
[1 Peter 4:8-10]
a-e-p-a, what a fantastic saturday!
Saturday 1/8/11 changed Tucson forever, and I was studying for a test while it all happened. Amidst the chaos of events, that Saturday I passed the AEPA (Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment) with flying colors. Is it some miracle that I have suddenly become a great standardized test taker? I think so. I still won't tell you what I got on my SAT's.
So, "Thank You GOD!"All praise goes to you sir.
However, this leads to another question - Will God use me in Arizona for another year?
Stick with us (Me and God) in the next couple of months as we unravel that answer through prayers and heartfelt reflection. Influences always welcomed.
All I know today, and I am certain you can tell by the number of times I texted you this weekend, is that I miss you all. Yes, I mean the 11 of you that read this!
Last week was filled with the welcoming of Ruby Sue, two Wedding save-the-dates, heartfelt e-mails and lots of GREAT phone/skype conversations with my beautiful friends and family. God used all of you.
I have high hopes for the ways God will work through and in my life this week.
Cheers from a rosy-cheeked and tired chica who feels abundantly blessed today and everyday. I'm heading home with the hopes of reading some realities about Jesus and snuggling until the alarm beeps tomorrow.
Arizona kisses and hugs (watch out they are PRICKLY!),
- - -
Lauren
So, "Thank You GOD!"All praise goes to you sir.
However, this leads to another question - Will God use me in Arizona for another year?
Stick with us (Me and God) in the next couple of months as we unravel that answer through prayers and heartfelt reflection. Influences always welcomed.
All I know today, and I am certain you can tell by the number of times I texted you this weekend, is that I miss you all. Yes, I mean the 11 of you that read this!
Last week was filled with the welcoming of Ruby Sue, two Wedding save-the-dates, heartfelt e-mails and lots of GREAT phone/skype conversations with my beautiful friends and family. God used all of you.
I have high hopes for the ways God will work through and in my life this week.
Cheers from a rosy-cheeked and tired chica who feels abundantly blessed today and everyday. I'm heading home with the hopes of reading some realities about Jesus and snuggling until the alarm beeps tomorrow.
Arizona kisses and hugs (watch out they are PRICKLY!),
- - -
Lauren
What God Does.
God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives— a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God's; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle! God's enemies will be blasted out of the sky, crashed in a heap and burned. God will set things right all over the earth, he'll give strength to his king, he'll set his anointed on top of the world!
SAMUEL 2:6
[Thank you for the reminder dear friend.]
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