Sick

Tuesday morning around 3am I woke up with a stomach bug. I've been stationed on the couch with a fever since then. Besides the couch, I've been spending a lot of intimate time in the bathroom. It's great, especially having to drink Pedialyte... which I now refer to as Pediabiteme. My mother came by today and as I was writhing in self-pity and pain, she said something simple.

"It makes you realize how much you take for granted being well."

When I'm well, why do I dread going for a run or cooking a nice meal? As soon as I pry myself off of the couch, I'm going to stop taking for granted feeling well.

Transformation

I've been reflecting a lot at the power God has to reach into our hearts and transform even the coldest ones. Four years ago Sam started talking about joining JAG corps with the Army. Between tears, curse words, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"s, Sam and I have tried to have conversations about this throughout the years. About a year and a half ago, I realized this was no longer a macho phase, he was serious and felt it was his calling. Over the four years I felt my thoughts were better than his and kept yelling, "PRAY ABOUT IT!" Finally, sweet Sam very slowly and southernly said, "YOU PRAY ABOUT IT!"

So I did. God transformed my heart almost immediately. As soon as I unclenched my fist, I stopped letting fear of the unknown dictate our future. Peace and dare I say, even excitement rushed over me. My marriage was deeper, my relationship with God was deeper. I listened instead of talking at God. I stopped letting my stubborn plans of what I thought our life should look like dictate our life.

Sam was accepted into the JAG corp this weekend. 5,000 people applied and they accepted less than 100. They only accepted 3 people in NC. My hottie was one of them! I'm so proud of him I can't stand it. Now, we have an adventure ahead of us that causes us to lean on each other and God. I wouldn't have been able to experience this joy and see the joy in Sam's face and hear it in his voice if I hadn't opened my mind and heart to what God had to say and the transformation He wanted to work in me.

What if we stopped thinking our way was better or stopped talking at God long enough to listen to what He has to say? Why stop there- how much are our plans getting in the way of new adventures?

I laugh in the face of...Murphy's Law

I have realized the power of laughter. It has the power to dethrone the enemy I like to call, Murphy's Law. Yesterday I had all of my final work due for a class. I had procrastinated and was still working on it at 3:45. I needed to have it postmarked by 5. Naturally, we only had one car and as I was needing it to drive to the post office so Sam calls me to tell me he locked the keys in the car...downtown.

So, I laughed. I laughed really loudly and obnoxiously. I laughed in the face of stress. My day was a lot better because stress can come pretty easily, and I found that laughter can ease the pain of the curve balls that are thrown at our face.

So whether your mother or mother-in-law said something that hurt your feelings, your boss blamed you for something you didn't do, your friends decided leggings aren't cool anymore after you just spent $40 buying some from seller jonasbrolover879 on ebay, or you just plain didn't get to the grocery store on time, laugh. Trust me, it's worth it. Whatever is making you stressed just. is. not. worth. it. Your life is too important for stress to have a grip on you. If you need help laughing, make a fool of yourself with your friends. Look at the idiot on the right in this video, I mean, do you think I was stressed that day!?

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37-38

Lord forgive me, I have put up a dam.

Raleigh Adventure 2010

I decided at the last minute to keep driving east and go see some friends in Raleigh. These are dear friends who spark my creativity, provoke my convictions, and make me laugh harder than America's Funniest Home Videos. Sure, it might not have been the smartest of acts driving to Raleigh for a few hours just to drive back. But I'll remember my friend Christin's laugh as she walked in her house and found me in the nursery. I'll remember trying to pack 15 of the most brilliant people I know around a table at Busy Bee. I'll remember having priceless conversations about relationships with Scott, the endless possibilities of her future with Ashleigh, and the importance of living near friends with Rice, Thurston, and Bliss. I won't remember how tired I was on the drive back.

And for those I didn't get to see, I'll be back soon... and Regan, I have not forgotten about my necklaces you're holding hostage :)

More and more each day I realize that life is about relationships. For some reason, mostly because of laziness, I've become a hermit. No longer my friends! I have to start letting my actions show what is important, I have to start showing my friends they are important, not just telling them. Are you showing your friends or just assuming they know...

My favorite group of red heads!

Matt, one of the best dads I've seen.

Discussing Scooter's future wife

My ladies, May and Ashleigh

Rice, Bob, and Steph (newly appointed social chair)

Bliss, Thurston, and Jon Scott (all wishing we had Pimms Cups)

Today's adventure....

IS A SECRET! Muahah suckers! I'll reveal pictures of my small adventure/memorable event from today on tomorrow's post.

I know it's freezing outside. So cold you'd rather sit inside and see how many marshmallows you can fit into your mouth. But besides choking or breaking my record of 17 marshmallows, you probably won't be making a memory out of that activity. So bundle up and do something crazy on this Saturday. Or just get outside with your family and friends and breathe in some of this air that is being forced into your lungs at 10 mph.

Feel free to share your memorable event on the comments section!

A Memorable 2010

I hate resolutions, I'm going to be honest. I love making the "to-do lists" with cute little boxes that I'm supposed to check off. I usually don't or I change my mind half way through the year. But one thing that's been stirring in my soul recently is for my life to be more memorable. There have been so many opportunities I've missed by sitting on the couch and watching Gilmore Girls DVDs... I love that show, get over it.

So, 2010 will be the year of many (I hope) that I make memorable. Each day I will watch less TV and get outside and make some memories dangit! I'm not saying I'm going bungee jumping every day, but I am going to pour into my neighbors, pursue wisdom from my grandparents, laugh harder with my friends, and go on more adventures. My friend Ashleigh and I are heading into the mountains to hike and camp on MLK weekend, ADVENTURE! I want to look back on my life and scroll through memories like an endless flip book instead of a short story. My memorable life is not going to happen in front of the TV. I can't wait to share my adventures with you and I want to hear about yours!