Blessings Vol. 2

Last week could have been one of those weeks where you just can't really think of blessings. I spent hours in the hospital waiting with family members for my grandmother to return to her natural self. She had had brain surgery to remove a growth, the size of a golf ball, that was crowding out the pituitary gland. We would ask questions, predict the best, and wonder what was coming next. Is there room to count your blessings in a situation like this? You bet.

1. Spending time with family. A past time I forgot as a young 20 something year old.
2. Enjoying fresh warm air after being cocooned in the ICU.
3. Watching as we got scolded, as a family, for being too loud in the ICU. Priceless.
4. Catching glimpses of what I remember most about my grandmother, from my childhood.
5. Having time to contemplate and improve my "being in the moment" attitude.
6. Being reminded that my health is important and should be maintained. Yes health is valuable.
7. Hugs. There is mercy in a hug. Despite my reservations, I still receive them.

And to show that I am happy about all the blessings, here is a picture for proof.

Oh, and thank you to everyone who participated last week! I was blessed to see all the good things that are happening in your lives. Keep it up! :)

**photos taken in Greenville, NC**

Exercise: My Fickle Friend

Have you felt like you just can't seem to get over that hill called exercise? I am the wishy-washy participant in the exercise department. I will spend months running 2-4 miles a day, 4 days a week just to end up sick and letting it all go.... go.... go....

I think that the hardest part is trying to pick up where I left off months ago. My respiratory system wants to quit, my body feels like lead, and my heart cannot seem to keep up. The older I get the more conscious I feel about my health. What does one do in this situation? Well fortunately for me, I went for a 2 mile walk this afternoon in the RAIN. I now can give some advice since I am so educated in staying motivated after a severe case of the Inactive. *insert sarcasm*

Motivation is an exercise people. In order to physically exercise your muscles, you need to determine in your mind that you are going to tell it who's boss. Your mind is never going to like it initially. Your feelings are going to tell you to eat ice cream instead. Just like lifting your foot and bringing your leg forward, you need to tell your mind that you have to get in shape. Those darned excuses like to talk you out of challenging your mind. So join me in the adventure of getting our WHOLE bodies up and moving.

Oh, and to conquer the excuse about staying in because it is OH SO COLD, I found a pin on Pinterest that gives about 20 exercises to do indoors. I did them a few times before I went on my trip to NC and MAN did I hurt afterwards. Now I just have to take my own advice and tell my mind that the boss (me) wants to do them EVERY-DAY.

Maybe I should have my readers hold me accountable? What are some ways that you keep yourself working those muscles during the winter months?

Travel Wish List: National Parks

After having been on the west coast and seen how different it all can be, has made me really want to discover more places. I know that I have always had the desire to visit places in Europe, but for some reason I finally see that there is so much within our own country that needs to be discovered. One does not have to go far to see beauty. 

A couple of years ago my dad gave me this little National Parks Passport book. Having it along with me on different trips has made it easy to pass up on expensive souvenir and just stick with a simple stamp in my book. I think we like to have evidence that we have been somewhere, and so I like this space saver. Oh,  and having pictures helps as well. :)

I have a couple of National Parks under my belt, but there are a few more that I would like to see. Glacier National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Yellowstone are just a few of the ones that I would like to see. Glacier will be fun to see because both Chris and I have not see it. I am also anxious to see Yellowstone because of all the wildlife. Bison! Here are some pictures that I found online that give an idea of the three parks. What are some National Parks that you would like to see soon?

Glacier National Park

 Picture taken from astridsantana.com

Bryce Canyon

Picture taken from Globalimages.net

Yellowstone

Picture taken from travel.nationalgeographic.com

7 Blessings Vol. 1

We cannot stop thinking of what God has given us. Our hearts need to continually dwell in the foundations of His love. One way that I want to make an effort to recognize the blessings that God has given me, through this tough life on Earth, is to list out those gifts. I challenge you to try it at least once a week, if not every day to make a good list of 7 things that have really made your life meaningful and full. Here is my list for this week:

- Meeting new faces who are passionate about doing God's work.

- Having a husband who is understanding when I am weak.

- Being able to purchase produce at a decent price and eating to my fill.

- Hearing the sound of birds despite the cold winter months.

- Understanding that missing others means I love and am loved.

- The power of sight, it expands my creativity.

- Having the ability to give, it makes me see the blessings more clearly.

- Finding a church family so quickly in a place we started out knowing NO ONE.

It is important to not only feel these blessings that God gives us, it is also good to communicate with others how good He really is. It is not about bragging about how good your life may seem, it is meant to be an encouragement and a way to help others see the perspectives that are all around. We need to help each other. This is one way to do it. :)

*The above photo I took while driving Rt 1 in California during our honeymoon. Awesome views. All you Californians have it good with the scenery.*

Happy Birthday Michelle!!!!

Birthdays are for celebrating life and today I am celebrating the life of my sister-in-law Michelle. Without you in our lives we would not experience your generosity, compassion, openness, and spirit. The fact that you love to surround yourself with others tells that you love life and people. Your positivity is infectious. Thank you for your cooking/baking tips, emoticons, and for being my sister.

Stay beautiful, crazy, passionate, and colorful. :)

Love you.

4 Ideas To Help Ease The Nature Bug

Living in the city makes me think about nature more often. When I was a kid we lived in a little factory town that felt like the city. The train going by would rumble the house and all the older neighbors would keep an eye on my brother and I. Because we didn't have a very big yard or many trees for that matter, my parents would take us to the park or hiking in the woods. We even went up to Maine to purchase an Old Town canoe so we could check out wildlife from the water. Nature is calming and being by any moving body of water is where I find contentment.

If you live in the city like me and miss those woods, you want to find ways to get connected again. I have found simple ways to bring nature near me despite the sound of sirens in my ears and buildings close by. Here are some ideas:

1. Take Pictures with Your Phone of Nature: While I go on my 2 mile walk through the neighborhood I could be distracted by all the homes, cars, and asphalt. What I try to do is focus in on nature and find simple little plants or the way the light hits the trees lining the road. Once I have found a good specimen, I take a picture with my phone which I have with me. I have seen some pretty awesome looking weeds out there folks. We even have a park near by that I like to spend my time gazing at.

2. Get or Make a Bird Feeder & Fill it with Seed: While living up north, Chris and I found this awesome bird feeder that we could suction cup to the window. With its clear walls and roof you can see every movement of the birds that come by. It takes a while for them to get used to you being around to watch, so don't think it is a fail when you have to wait a couple weeks for some action. It also takes them a while for them to find it. Since living here we have seen a lot of beautiful birds and the squirrels as well. Sadly for them, they can't get to the feeder at all. Having the birds come and make all their songs really makes me feel like I am close to nature.

3. Visit a Nursery & Purchase Easy Care Plants: For the longest time, even when we lived in a somewhat nature setting, I wanted to have plants in the house. I think it is an affect of living where it is cold and brown most of the year, but besides that it is also good to have something in the house that cleans the air. I have yet to have a collection, but I am working on the one plant I have so far to see how I am at maintaining foliage.

4. Visit a Botanical Garden or Walk a Trail on the Weekend: Most of the time we all don't really have time to be outside anyways and on the weekends, city or country, we can spend time in nature somewhere. When spring comes I am thinking of getting a membership at Longwood Gardens so that I can get my fix of nature on the weekends. I have only been there in the winter so I am looking forward to see what it is like outside soon! If you want to do something free, find an old railroad trail or a wildlife refuge outside of town. Even taking a walk in the city park can help with that nature fix.

These photos that I have posted are from our visit in Austin last week and it was good to get outside and walk a trail for old times sake. We actually didn't get far on the trail because our friend Phil and I kept stopping to take a picture of random leaves and rocks. Anyways, don't ever think that you are stuck living in complete city life if you are used to the country. There are ways to stay positive about our situations. You just have to think outside your town house or small apartment.

Happy Nature Hunting!

3 Ways to Get Consistent in Devotions

I will be the first to tell you that I fall into routines. I will also be the first to tell you that I fall out of sync with those routines and don't realize it till I am knee deep in bad habits or laziness. When it comes time for spending time with God and getting to know more about His character, I find it hard to really find a good moment or even concentrate.

In keeping with honesty, I have been through two scenarios. I have been the working lady who gets up at 5 a.m. just to roll out of bed and make it out the door with some sort of weird lunch (if that) for work. Then there is the other scene where I am a house wife who can eat her breakfast when she wishes. Think what you want of my lifestyle, but this is not the point. The point here is that no matter how busy or not busy we are, we get distracted. We forget to take the time to spend time with God.

We blame it on being tired after working a hard day or on just having to get that laundry done before heading out to the Post Office. We stare at our computers or phones watching surreal lives go by online for hours, not really paying attention. Yet, we just don't have time for God.

Ok, before you start thinking I am sending you a guilt trip, let's get this straight. This all is just a wake up call for you and me. We shouldn't feel like we have to hurry up and get our God time in. Our hearts don't need to feel guilty when we come before God after hours, days, and years of neglect. Personally, I have found that guilt just gets in the way of actually experiencing what God has to offer.

So here are a few things to get you motivated about doing those devotions:

1. Make a List of Questions for God: Sometimes it just takes simple moments to form a relationship. When you get to know someone, you generally ask them questions. The more you ask, the more you find out if they are someone you want to get to know better. The same goes for getting to know God. Luckily, you can know the end of the story, He is captivating and dependable. It sounds elementary to make a list, but it helps to remember what you are looking for while searching through the Bible for answers. Yes, I am saying that the Bible is one way that God communicates.

2. Join a Group of Other Bible Searchers: One way that really helped me to be motivated about studying the Bible and communicating with God, was joining a group of other God seekers. By being consistent with going to the meetings I became consistent in thinking of God. Going helped me learn about studying and that it can be a fun endeavor full of treasures. I didn't have to just hear my own thoughts, I could listen to what other people had to say about their searches and experiences. It made it all real.

3. Just Ask Him For Help: Last but definitely NOT least, we can ask God for help through the relationship. He has a commitment with us and is not about to leave without some kind of sign from us. If we simply ask Him to fill our hearts with that desire to cultivate something with Him, He comes through. I know for myself I get impatient. I want the relationship to be so deep from the get go. Nope, it doesn't always work that way. I have found that God will ease you into it, so that it becomes so a part of your life that next thing you know... you are sitting there with God in the quiet. Not saying anything. Just chillin'. :)

So before you feel like giving up on the whole idea or even maybe a New Year's resolution, just take a moment to make the idea of a relationship with God real. Make it practical and applicable to your life. Draw it out of yourself and lay it down on the table if you have to. Visualize, listen, sing it, whatever you have to do. I am only suggesting this because the Friend that I have gotten to know, Jesus, He has made my life so meaningful. He has taken me out of the darkness of my thoughts and into the sunshine of real living. Ask my friends. They will back me up on this one.