Singles Ministry Retreat

This post is way late, but back in September our singles' ministry had their first leadership retreat. It was awesome. It was so great to see a group of people that God had totally brought to this place. It was great to see prayers answered for strong leaders in our ministry. And it was amazing to see how God was going to use each of us. I'm excited for where God is taking us and for the plan that he has. Everyone that knows me knows that singles ministries have been a burden that God has placed on my heart and its great to see God bringing things together. Pray for our ministry and others out there like it. Pray for the singles' hearts that we are trying to reach. Pray for Christ's church.

Without Condition

This song has come to mean a lot to me lately. I have come to find a lot of myself in these lyrics. How many times do we push things that we don't understand away and classify it as "weird" or "liberal" or "conservative" or.... Read the lyrics with an open heart.

You find this situation just a bit uncomfortable;
You'd rather stay far away from reality.
For you to understand would be clearly impossible;
So you shut your eyes and swear you can see.
Claiming there is a God, but does that mean anything?

So condescending to those that you don't understand;
Just too easy to make them your enemies.
Like an ostrich, you bury your head in the sand,
And then shout about all the things you believe.
But if there is a God, don't you think He can see
What you really mean? What you're doing?

Chorus:
You can't find the answers
Till you learn to question;
You won't appear stupid
Just ask for direction.
You're insecure and it clouds your perception
So stop and listen
And learn a lesson in love without condition.

So place all the souls that you know in their own little box;
Quite convenient to handle them that way;
You're the only one you know who carries a cross
You don't care what they care about anyway.
You talk to your God,
Prayin' for those who sin,
For their eyes to be opened

Chorus:
You can't find the answers
Till you learn to question;
You won't appear stupid
Just ask for direction.
You're insecure and it clouds your perception
So stop and listen
And learn a lesson in love without condition.

~Ginny Owens

Let's try to learn the lesson in love without condition and pass that on to people around us.

Registration Day

"Think about it. If you are single, after graduation there isn't one occasion where people celebrate you ... Hallmark doesn't make a "congratulations, you didn't marry the wrong guy" card. And where's the flatware for going on vacation alone? " - Carrie Bradshaw

So my birthday is coming up... I will once again be turning 25. And I've decided. I want nice dishes. There's no reason that I should hang around with the things I have and pine for the day that I can walk down that aisle, the Target aisle that is, and register. So I've decided to pick dishes out and let everyone that buys me presents (all two of them) know what I want. I've already gotten comments about "is it your wedding", "are you going to register" and you know what I think.. I think single people should register. Like I said why should I continue to scramble my eggs in a skillet that is as old as I am just because I've decided to wait for the right guy? If anyone deserves to eat on special dishes it should be those that dine alone...

So let me hear it, what are things that society makes you wait until your married to own or do (aside from the obvious one.. let's refrain ourselves please) that you think you should be able to have or do now and do so proudly...

For you guys

But most of all I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say to make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend

I miss the colors that you brought into my life
Your golden smile, those blue-green eyes
I miss your gentle voice in lonely times like now
Saying it'll be alright

I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say to make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend

I miss those times
I miss those nights
I even miss the silly fights
The making up
The morning talks
And those late afternoon walks

I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with


....
Ok so I know this song is about the woman that the guy loves, but take out all the love stuff and it really applies to my friends. And it hit me last night... I try to push the feelings back and try to be a big grown up, but when it comes down to it. I miss my friends. I miss the people that know me inside out. The ones that know the answers to the generic questions of what do I do, where am I from, what do I want to do with my life. I miss the people that get my jokes and get me. I miss the ones that know that I'm quiet in the morning, not because I'm mad just because I don't have the energy. I miss the people, that will call me out when I'm being weird and have the right to do so because they KNOW me. I miss being able to cry without something being wrong and laughing for no reason, and being silly with people that really truly care about me. I miss the people that know me inside and out and love me just the same. The ones that I can be honest with and they won't ever hold it against me or bring it up again. Who take me for what I am and appreciate every part of me. You guys do that and I love you for it and I miss you so deeply that it hurts.

I know we have to be adults and move on and do our lives differently because we're each so different. But I can't express how much I appreciate those differences in you and how much I love that you appreciate the differences in me. I love you guys... have a great weekend!!

Don't Cry Shop Girl

"First let me warn you, I may cry. Now these are not tears of sadness or anger but of me having this conversation with you" - Rachel from Friends

Why is it that girls cry when having confrontation? This week I went through some work stuff and literally had to hold back my tears at some points. Was I sad? No Was I angry? No. I was just having to stand up for myself and I almost cried.

A few years ago I quit my job to come to the current company I'm with now. I cried when I quit that job. I have no clue why I cried. I was moving to a better company with better benefits and more training and more money!! But I didn't like letting my employer down. It was almost like a break up and I had been out cheating on them interviewing with another company. I had to convince them that it wasn't them it was me, I just needed something else. Its very stressful.

Last week I had lunch with a couple ministers from my church to talk about the singles' ministry. I almost cried during that lunch. I don't know why. There was nothing intimidating about it and it was a really great lunch with a lot of positive things coming out of it.

I think this is a common problem with women... we cry at odd times for odd reasons, sometimes for no reason at all. So fill me in... when have you cried in weird times.

P.S. I was not crying while I wrote this :)

Spread the Word

In honor of my friend Sara Watterson please check this out...


Hey everyone! My friend Sara has started a new business and I thought you all might like to see it. Check it out online at www.photocardcafe.com. If you want, put a link to this website on your blog if you have one. It would really help her out!

What Happens at Church Camp....

So I just got back from Camp Imani and it was a blast. I had almost forgotten how much I really love things like that. Ahhh the mountain top, if only we could stay there forever. It was difficult to come back to work. Its times like camp that make me rethink going in to full time ministry. I know a couple of my readers have always been pulling for that. So just pray for me. I feel God calling me, I have no idea where though.

The Storm

There are times when I feel a calm and times when I feel a storm. This is one of those times that I feel a storm. I am waiting for the eye of the storm so that I know its almost over, but I can't see the eye. I only feel the strong winds and the limbs breaking all around me. Some times during the storm I feel stronger than ever, I feel like I can conquer anything and I have faith that Jesus will say "Peace, Be Still". Then other times I feel lost, swept up in the winds and the waves and far away from the shore. I know the storm will end, I just don't know what will be destroyed when it is over and what will suprisingly be still standing when it is over. Kind of like tornadoes where one house is totally demolished and the one right next to it is perfect. I wonder which will be which when the sun comes out. But while I wait I find this song comforting. And while the storm rages on, I will praise God because He is here through it all and worthy of our praise in good times and bad.

Praise You In the Storm
~Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again,
I say Amen, and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear
Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you"
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I rwhen Ier whenI stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear
You whisper through the rain"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Ummm??? (shocked face)

What happened America?

I couldn't believe it!! And not only could I not believe it... it seems that Katherine couldn't believe it either. I think Elliot has it all now. And as my final plea... please get Taylor out of there.

I Have Nothing to Wear

So I was listening to the radio on my daily commute and one of the DJ's was going to the Bon Jovi concert that night. After I got over my jealousy, I realized that they were talking about the fact that she had picked out her outfit two weeks before the concert. Well, the male DJ couldn't believe that anyone would plan their outfit that far in advance. He called it a sickness several times.

I have to admit that I plan my outfits way in advance. Basically the minute I decide to do something I think about what I'm going to wear. Of course sometimes this changes last minute and sometimes I end up buying something new.

So the question remains, is this a sickness? And if it is, how many of you out there have it?

80's Songs That Speak to the Heart

I have a confession to make... Girls do just wanna have fun. Its not a lie. Cyndi Lauper really knew what she was talking about. I know that all of you out there think that girls need to be serious and sensitive, but when the working day is done, girls just wanna have fun. And today, I just wanna have fun. I'm sitting at work in the Dallas office, bored to tears. Well not totally bored, I have plenty of people to email and keep me occupied. But I can't wait to get out of here. I'm tired and anxious and unsettled. I just want to go have fun. Its weird how work can be SO boring....

48% Of Marriages End in Divorce

I have good news and bad news. The bad news first... the love of my life is married. I went to go see him (Roger Creager - for those of you that are not my friends and don't know that) My brother gave me the best birthday/christmas present ever... Tickets to the Texans/KC Chiefs game. I know, I know the Texans are not that great this year, but Roger was playing prior to the game and we were basically one step away from being on stage with him. Everything was going well, we had met some nice people, no one had offered us rum or referred to me as my brothers "quote, unquote sister" and then it happened. Roger started talking about his "wife". I've never been so sad in all my life. Then at dinner my friend J.G. offered a great piece of encouragement "48% of marriages end in divorce"... so there is still hope. So here's to hoping!!

Beautiful Somehow

Artist: Joy Williams
Album: By Surprise
Track: Beautiful Somehow


Never been a fashion queen
I wear dresses, I wear jeans
I’ve even been known to wear my heart on my sleeve
I’m just your average kid next door
A plain, simple mystery
I’m a self-proclaimed Daddy’s girl
With my share of idiosyncrasies
But You love me for me

I’m just fine
I see a smile from Heaven
My Father is proud
I know that I am simply, fearfully and wonderfully
Made in You
You make it beautiful somehow

I’ve got old fashioned sensibilities
I believe chivalry still exists
And I can be a princess
Even when there ain’t no prince
So what if I’m right brained
I’ve got half a mind to disagree
I would rather write the book
Than go and read the movie
So even when I may not rhyme
You always give me reason…

Got my elbows on the table
My mind up in the clouds
I know I’m getting better
I can almost hear You laugh out loud
The more I trust in You
The more I find
What You create is no mistake
It’s purpose by design

The Match Game

I don't match today.... I thought I did when I left the house but by the time I got to work I realized that I definitely didn't match. Of course one of my coworkers pointed it out first thing when I walked in.... gotta love honest people. So now I've been sitting here all day knowing that I don't match and being incredibly uncomfortable.

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important to find a man that helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important to find a man that makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.

4. It is important to find a man that loves you and spoils you.

5. It is most important that these four men don't know each other.

The "Incident"

This is my truck, or was my truck. I actually don't know if it is or was since the insurance hasn't gone through yet. So here's the update... on Thursday I was rushing home real quick to change clothes and head out to the Astros game with Marilee!!! We had awesome seats that my boss had given me since no one else was using them. Well as I turned left into my apartment complex I heard a horn honk and then my airbags deployed... I really have no idea what happened. So now I think that I will be purchasing a new car. The saddest part is that this is the truck that I had all the way through college. I had so many memories involving this truck... so I've decided to list my favorite memories.

1. The day that I got the truck
My mom was out of town because my nephew had just been born and my dad and I went and bought the truck while she was born. My mom still swears to this day that we waited until she went out of town and went behind her back to get it...

2. Rain Dance
This summer is frequented by memories of my vehicle.... moving in when I drove my truck in the grass between the apartment buildings and freaked some drunk guy out, so I could pull right up to the door. Then there was the first time I spilled something in my truck turning out of the rain dance apartments... those apartments were really creepy.

3. Lampasas
Ah the spring ho festival ... what more can I say besides... thanks Hub for cleaning my truck.

4. The comedy club
Nothing goes with Houston than having 5 hispanics stuffed in a little truck pulling up to a five star hotel....

So here's to my truck... all the moving, the nights out, and the drive thrus... I will miss you...

Now I know some of you have fav memories of the truck so c'mon... post em.

Single and Fabulous - Exclamation Point

I just wanted to write today to tell anyone who still reads my blog, that God is awesome!!

Last night we had our first devo of the summer for the singles' ministry... as many of you know I am helping to advance this ministry at our church. And as many of you know this is a ministry that needs a lot of help usually!! I have yet to understand why we go through middle school, high school and college using all of our time to praise God with other Christians and fellowship, and somehow after college that just stops. I don't know about you, but I want it back!! As Matthew West (a Christian Artist) says:

"Well, I wish I could say I always stayed right there And I did until my freshman year But the world was pulling me a long way from thirteen And you were calling but I didn't hear Still I knew there was something more So, one day my knees hit the dorm room floor I said, "If you're there, and if you really care, Come and talk to me like I was thirteen." "

Anyway, the devo was awesome and we're well on our way to creating a place for singles' to come and be a part of a family... God's family. So pray for us and praise God that He works in awesome ways. And take time today to rekindle that feeling ... the mountain top feeling of when you were young and you had just discovered how great being a Christian could be.

Fill in the Blanks

So I realized today that I haven’t updated my blog in 5 months!!! 5 MONTHS!! That’s a long time. Why hasn’t anyone complained…. Do people even still read my blog? Who knows? Well for those of you who are still reading this here’s what I have been up to.

1. My parents are taking all of us (the WHOLE family) to Disney World in a month. I’m kind of excited… I love Roller Coasters and we haven’t been on a family vacation since I was in third grade… so we’ll see how this goes.

2. I took another exam, and I think that I might have passed this one but we’ll have to wait until July to find out.

3. I am now in charge of the singles’ ministry at my church and consequently I have learned that I don’t like planning things for people my age… I also realized that I’m a much bigger dork than I thought I was.

4. The Astros are terrible this season. Let’s hope this isn’t an omen for the Texans’ season.

And that’s pretty much it…. Leave a comment with your exciting news, and I promise I will post again soon!!!

Secret Single Behavior

SSB

Last night I officially watched my first episode of Sex and the City. I know, I know, I'm a little behind the times. Anyway, Sarah Jessica Parker brought up SSB's. These are your Secret Single Behaviors. These are things that we do alone that we would never do in front of any guy, like Charlotte said that she liked to stare at her pores in a magnifying mirror for at least an hour every day, but now she couldn't because her husband would think that it was weird. (which he would). So I was thinking about my "Secret Single Behavior" and realized that I definitely have some. My biggest one would be that I like to lay in the middle of my floor and stare at the ceiling while listening to music, for at least 30 minutes when I get home from work, and I definitely don't want to talk at all. So I figured this would be a good chance for you guys to chime in on what your "Secret Single Behavior" is....

Long Day at Work

So I think that everyone is back at work today. The bus was packed, traffic was bad, and I'm back to my regular routine. Its so hard to get back on track after being off for basically two weeks. Also, I'm bored with my cubicle. (mostly I'm bored being in a cubicle) But the good news is that our head office sent us a memo about how to keep our work place clean and it included an article with Vern from Trading Spaces organizing someone's cubicle. The sad part is that I read the whole thing and thought it made some interesting points (how old am I??). Anyway, I have to get back to work, after all that's what this day is all about.