Monday, September 27, 2010

... after these messages!

Contrary to popular belief, I have not forsaken my little blog! I'm working on a doozie of a post that I hope to have up this evening!!

Hope you're having a great day!!

xoxo,
me.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

writing the different story.


Three months ago today (the 16th), I got to work, and felt the most excruciating pain in my life -- kidney stones.  Today marks three months of no Coca-Cola and no Dr. Pepper.  I was an addict.  I probably drank 12 12-oz drinks a day.

Six weeks ago, something very bad happened to me.  It wasn't horrible as much as it destroyed a nest I'd built for myself.  I knew, immediately, that if I didn't make very drastic changes, things in my life would be significantly compromised.

The very first thing you see on this post is a picture of Jon Hamm as Don Draper from Mad Men.  Mad Men is in it's fourth season, and even though I've never watched before, I am hooked.  HOOKED.

Tonight, it occurred to me, that I am addicted to the story because the plot is a tiny bit surreal for me.

Don Draper is writing a new story for himself.  After (four seasons), a lot of alcohol, and womanizing (this is where the correlation ENDS!), he's writing a new story.

And I am too.

And I'm finding the writing a new story involves a level of intentionality that I am not used to operating at.  It requires a shift in my normal routines.  It requires good, but difficult change.

I've changed my grooming routine in the morning.  I've started taking a vitamin.  I plan for things more than ever before.  I schedule time for me, and time to fail.  I'm exercising.  I'm monitoring my caloric intake like never before.  But before the day is done, or at least before I lay my head down, I aim to accomplish and complete things.  At work, I'm changing everything.  The things that used to get my attention halfway?, now get them 100%.  I'm aware.  It's an acuteness that is taking time to adjust. 

Part of the adjustment involved stepping away from online (in part), and living some things that I'd only daydreamed of experiencing before.

And it's hard.

I feel that I have apologized to you more than a few times now, and I'm sorry doesn't cut it.  I need to be honest with you and say, that I miss this the most, but in order for me to be the best me I can be, this is the adjustment for now.  This is the season I mentioned in my last post.  It also means praying for you by name at night, not really knowing the depth of your needs, but knowing that God has placed You specifically in my life.  It's interceding for you without the lip service; just action, all action, if you know what I mean.

It's writing a new story for me. 

But I like it.

And I'm going to keep writing it.

xoxo,
Me.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

this is my prayer.


In every season of our lives, I believe God will give you little things to constantly put your life in perspective.

At the close of every chapel service during my collegeiate experience, the entire body is led to recite aloud the college benediction.

For me, no word from God rings truer in this season then that benediction:

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14

xoxo,
Me.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Reunion 2010

This past weekend, my favorite college buddies and I met in Gatlinburg at this place

and we

and we


and we played


and we


and some more...


and we


and


some more.

And we took lots of


We were


and


and we had a good time.

TOGETHER.



xoxo,
Me.