Take it....it's free!!!

I was in the checkout line at Wal-mart....having a very peaceful morning. Nothing to distract me, nobody to bother me, just me and the checkout machine. You could say that I was very self absorbed in my shopping experience.

I headed to the door and out of the corner of my eye I see this lady coming for me. She caught me off guard.....

Wal-mart Lady: "Mamm...would you like a bottle of Coke this morning?"

Me: "No Thank You"

Wal-mart Lady: "Really? It's free"

Me: "No...but thank you"

Wal-mart Lady: "How do you not want a free Coke?"

Me: "I'm not sure, I just really don't want one" (now we are both starting to laugh and I"m taking more time in this conversation than I really wanted to)

Wal-mart Lady: "I have tried to give away free Coke all morning and nobody will take any! I don't know what the problem is"

Me: "Well, I think it because usually, when we (as consumers) are given something that is free, we are suckered into coming over to the table, looking at the rest of the product, analyzing something, and then well, buying something else"

The Wal-mart Lady agreed, and thought she may need a different approach.

Me: "Tell you what, I will take your first bottle of Coke today and listen to anything you want to tell me"

Wal-mart Lady: "Really, I don't have anything to say...I just wanted you to have a free Coke" (She says while laughing with a huge smile)


Wow! How many times have you looked away when someone wanted to give you something for free? It's usually at the fair! "Here...take this sample...oh and if you have time...let's set up an appointment"

It made me think on the way home, how many times does God try to give us something, and we turn our head the other way? Come over to his table, eat his food, drink his "coke" (okay...not really) but you get the picture. How many times do we take it forgranted what it is that we should be receiving?

This Sunday is going to be a huge day for me. It will be normal for everyone else around me, but in my heart, it is bigger than ever. I get to celebrate once again on a Sunday morning how much my God loves me and I love Him. I feel sorry for people that are believers, but don't go to church. How can you possibly be living for the Lord when your not celebrating his life each week with His children?
I got over "playing church" long ago and started "living church". I don't do it all right but I do try. I want my God to be the center of my attention in all that I do. I know I screw that up all the time. Okay....DAILY! But he loves me anyway and I love that about Him. He allowed me to go through a hard year just to see how much my heart really needed Him.

If I can convey what I'm trying to say is that don't take forgranted what you have. Not at home,not at work, not in your neighborhood, not at church and not at Wal-mart. Tomorrow it could be gone. Today it could be gone. Savor every moment. Live in His peace. Live in His presence. Dance with everyone watching. Live like everybody is watching. Love like everybody is watching. Praise like everybody is watching so that when others see you, they may see the God in you.

On Call!

Last night I worked my last "official" night as a permanent employee. Now I'm on call and um...yeah...they waste no time. I've already been called in for tonight.

Last night was a bitter sweet night. We were busy! And I also have a dear friend that is fighting for his life while I am there working.

Sometimes in our profession, we have to step to the side and let God do His work. My friend, by all clinical means, should not be alive right now. But when we gave up, God took over and has given us 3 more priceless days with him. I look forward to each minute he still has here on earth and we are all giving God the glory.

24 hours

When I started this blog I said I would never blog about the bad days but quite frankly, I can't do that today. The past 24 hours for me has been what I consider hell. (there, now my blog is no longer rated G)

My children are at an age now where they are trying to claim and find their independence. So much that it is at my expense.

I love them dearly, but in the past 24 hours they have treated me worse than they would treat our dog. Doesn't make me love them less, but sure makes me not like their behavior at that moment.

I reached an all time high breaking point this morning with emotional overload. I called several people, but none answered. I think it was a sign that God just wanted me to deal with it at that moment alone and rely on Him.

But what I feel is I can no longer do this. I can't be all things to all people. I only have what I have and that's it. I give all of myself away to everyone else and save nothing for me. Even though I feel I am one of the most selfish persons in the world, I give it all away! My love, my heart, my time, my everything so that for one moment, I can see someone smile. That makes me feel good inside! Where did I go wrong?

Today was supposed to be a good day. I have my recital later today and now...the words of this song I will sing will be so profound it's not even funny. Not even sure I can make it through.
I sit here and cry, have trouble breathing, and just can't compose myself any longer. I can't walk in with a smile and say I'm okay. I'm not.

I don't ask for prayers, because I'm too prideful. I don't like being vulnerable.
It's a hard concept for me to know that when I am down, others are there to pick me up. I don't like people to see me cry and moreso, I don't like them to see me angry. Today, the real me decided to come out and play and we haven't been having a good time. The sympathetic me is wiping the tears of the real me and still searching for the part of me that is just willing to let it all go and be free to be me.

Conversations with Lukus

Me: Lukus, can I have a hug?

Lukus: Yeah

Me: I love you

Lukus: I love you too (then he starts to say something else...but struggles)

Me: What? Did you want to say something else?

Lukus: Yeah...I hope when I get to Heaven, you are the first one I see.

Me: (you know...it left me speechless)

WiFi, Restuarnts, and SHEER FRUSTRATION!

The favorite WiFi hotspot for me and Theresa has been IHOP!

2 nights ago, I suggested we go to Panara Bread to get a change of scenery. I had an excellent dinner but had very little success connecting to the internet. I tried my best not to get frustrated, but it did not work. I finally gave up and felt bad for leaving Theresa there to study by herself. But the frustration took over because my classes are online. I needed internet! I went home and all was fine. I was able to finish a project that night.

Last night, we decided to go to IHOP but instead of going to our usual place on 71st, I suggest 31st since it's closer to my house. Well, we get there and guess what....NO INTERNET! My thoughts were not even right at this moment. I was extreemly frustrated but felt I kept a pretty level head compared to the night before.
So we had only ordered drinks and decided to pack everything up and head to 71st where we belong.
But just to add one little note here, I was frustrated that we had to pay for a full cup of coffee that wasn't drank, and my pop was only 1/2 gone. You think they would have been sympathetic enough to not charge us. But no. We pay, and we're gone.

We get to 71st and it feels like home! Yes, IHOP feels like home now.
We have the best service, the internet works like a charm and all is well. I wanted to be home before 10:00 and we didn't leave until 11:00.

The frustrated me is the part of me I don't like. Anyone can tell by the look on my face when I am frustrated. My eyes can never tell a lie. People usually see right through me.

I wonder if Jesus EVER got frustrated. It's certainly a trait that I do not want to continue to carry. When there is an emotion such as anger, frustration, diappointment, etc. I try to think of something that I can usually put in it's place. For me, it's usually laughter and happiness. At this point in the semester it's really hard to find something to be happy about when I'm thinking of school work. But I have so much to be happy about, such a great family that I love, friends that I couldn't live without, and a God who loves me no matter what my attitude is.

What else do I need?

Priceless

If we all had this confidence at age 6! You have to listen all the way to the end of the song.

Priceless Moments

Do you ever wonder in life just how many times you forget to tell someone that you love them?
There is one person at church that reminds me every week that I should never foget to tell Chad how much I love him everyday. Well, I believe that I probably do tell him everyday, but it's usually late in the evening and the whole day has gone by without me letting him know.
There's something special about Chad. It's in his eyes, his smile, his heart, and quite frankly, I feel I am way too lucky to have him in my life.
Do we argue? Yes! Do we agree? Yes! Do we love eachother unconditianally? Yes!

I think the older I have have gotten, the more I have grown to love his sense of humor and his playful attitude. Does he push my buttons? Absolutely! But I love him for challanging me to be different as well as being myself.

I love him today, loved him yesterday, and will love him for an eternity. I can't imagine life without him.


Thank you Theresa for capturing these amazing moments!

Chaos, Neglect, and Risk!

How many risk do you take in your life everyday?

You take a risk with something nearly every moment in some way, you just don't realize it.

What do you think we risk by tackling the important things in life and letting the little things go? How do you know what is little and what is big?

Today...my house is a mess. No...it's a wreck. Now, there are 5 people in this house and I've been gone the past 48 hours so I know I didn't totally let this go all by myself. I truly had help in not doing anything! ;o)
But why do I care? Nobody comes over! Nobody but me will see it! It's just me living in a house of chaos! (note: it will be clean by 1:00 ha!)

What happens is I have negelected it. I've neglected to sort things, clean things, do laundry, and put things away. I negelected to prioritize my week last week so everything didn't get done.

what would happned if I did that with my spiritual walk? If I neglect my inner spirit, then what happens to my spiritual life? It too would be in chaos!

Constantly God tells us not to ignore the great salvation of God!
Hebrews 2:1-4 (The Message)
It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off. If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything, do you think we can risk neglecting this latest message, this magnificent salvation? First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him. All the while God was validating it with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as he saw fit.

Long ago David gave us these words that we can always run back to:
Psalm 119:14-16.
"I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word."

When I choose to live in the worldly chaos, I do neglect His word and that is one thing I can not risk! Are you willing to risk living any other way?

How random can you get?

I just finished working the strangest weekend I have ever worked. Not necessarily because of "what" I did but "how long" I worked. I worked a total of 38.5 hours in 48 hours. That does not provide enough sleep at all. There's a tremendous need in the medical profession and well, I am a part of that need. I'm happy to do it, but I don't ever want to work like that again.

There is a strange thing about sleep deprivation. You start to see things that are not there, your entire body aches and well, you're just not yourself. When talking to Theresa last night, she would tell me that the things I have been saying are so random. I know I didn't make any sense at all and then when I tried, well, it just got worse. It will take me a few days to catch up on my sleep and get back to normal.

So my countdown is now in the teens. I can't wait! I'll be sad to not be with my work family every weekend, but not enough that I am willing to give up anymore time at church.

Over the past week I have received 13 letters from Universities awaiting my transfer to their college for me to complete my BSN and MSN. It's helped so much being part of the honor society. So today was my 13th letter and here are the places that have called: University of Texas at Tyler
University of Pheonix
University of Southern Alabama
University of Oklahoma
University of Southern Mississippi
Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma Weslleyan University
St. Xavier University in Illinois
Walden University in Baltimore
Vanderbuilt University
Philadelphia University
Texas A&M in Corpus Christi
I also received 2 strange calls! One from the Army and one from the Marines! When they asked me why I wouldn't consider a medical career with them, I said, I'm too old, too tired and have too many kids. I think I've already been through bootcamp!

So, I'll give you one opportunity to guess which University I will choose! There si one I would really like to go to...and then one I will be going to! Anyone care to take a guess at those two?

Photos by Theresa!!!!!

While still feeling HORRIBLE and I mean HORRIBLE....Theresa and I decided to get beautiful today and go out to the park for a photo shoot! Here's a few of my favs!

Out of the habit!

I use to be really good at listening and making eye contact. It was something I practiced often.

Over the past year, with all the changes in my life, I have noticed that I'm not always that great of a listener and my eye contact....well...it has become uncomfortable once again.

Wednesday night at church, I was walking down the hall and spoke with one woman but totally disregarded another for a few moments. For one thing, I NEED to start wearing my glasses. From a distance, I didn't even recognize her. Then I totally engaged in another conversation with the other woman while the one I ignored just stood by helplessly. When I turned my head and made direct eye conctact with her, I was toatlly humiliated! I was on a mission to pick up the kids, but totally disregarded a friend and sister in Christ. She didn't act offended but we did have a good laugh about it.

Do you ever feel disregarded at church? I can't say that I do and I don't want to do that to others. Is it possible for a minister or elder to feel disregarded on any given Sunday? You think since they are in the spotlight, that everyone regards who they are.

I pray today that God opens my eyes to see past my moments of rushing around to pick up kids, to regard those that may need a hug today.

I will spend forever making sure this person is acknowledged everytime I see her again!

Do you have extra in your life?

Yesterday, my mom asked me if I had any extra backpacks laying around. I thought of one and told her I would send it to school tomorrow. She has a little boy in the class who is bringing one that is torn and well, just not even fit for a child to carry around. She could go buy one, but she knows me well enough that I probably have extra.
When we were walking out of school, I told Lukus there is a boy in need of one and we're going to give him one of ours.
To my surprise.....Lukus said: "Here mom, I'll take my stuff out of this one and the boy can have mine"
My heart was overjoyed! This is my boy!

So this got me thinking. Christmas is coming up. So I asked the kids yesterday,
"If you could have one gift, and one only for Christmas, and nothing else...would you be happy?"
Now, it took a couple of moments and thoughts in their heads but I went on....

"I am thinking about not giving gifts at all this year and just going and helping the poor...finding a homless man...giving him a blanket...taking them gloves, hats, even food....what do you guys think?"

Well...the wheels started turning in their minds and they started coming up with all the things they could do.

Emilie said: Do you think we could ask people to donate some blankets, or even the gloves or hats?

Lukus said: Why don't we just take our blankets and give them away?

Ian said: I can get any gift I want??? (Okay..he was still off subject...but I knew his heart was there)

So, we're looking at taking our kids downtown and to the places in Tulsa where people don't want to go and give them something at christmas to put a smile on their face and make their day. It won't be much...as we don't have much, but we have a lot...and knowing my kids want to be givers instead of takers, touches my heart!!!

YOU ARE LOVED TODAY!

Something I use to do very well is give up! I lived of a life of thinking I wasn't loved and if I disappeared, nobody would notice.

Well...life changed for me about 6 years ago and I've never thought that since. Instead of Satan attacking me personally now, he goes after everything else I love in life. But still, I choose to never give up.

There were, and are today, people in my life who have and will never give up on me. I recognize that there are people out in the world that are suffering from the disappointing lies that Satan is telling them about themselves.
They need to know how much they are loved.

Do someone a favor today and this week and if you know of someone that might not be told often enough, tell them how much you love them.
You may just assume that someone is very loved and they may be so empty on the inside.

Send a card, an e-mail, a phone call, let them know how much they mean to you in your life. One day they may be gone and you will never get this opportunity. Don't let it slip by. Just when you think they may know is probably just about the time they need to hear it.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

Watch this video and be blessed today!

God Opportunites

I only have 3 weekends left until my schedule at work changes. I think I'm quite excited about this. Really...no...I'm REALLY EXCITED about this. The past year and a half have gone by fast at times and very slow at times. I recognize the slow times as a way to draw me farther from our Father. But now that it's here, I really feel like this time has flown by.

I had many opportunites to minister to our patients. Many times to pray with them, hold their hand and cry with them. It makes me realize that all the work I am going through is worth it in the end.

I wonder what God would say to me when I get to Heaven?
Would he say "This is what I intended for you to do"
Would he say "You did a great job"
Would he say "You sacrificed enough"
Would he say "Job well done"

I know, I know, he'd say all those things and so much more. He makes me feel good about the road I am taking in life. He gives me so many opportunites to minister everyday, and then gives me opportunities to be ministered to. Life is one big ministry. I'm so happy to be a part of it.

Funny stuff!

The song I sing everyday!!!

Tulsa State Fair...

The storm came rolling in!
I'm starting to think like Theresa when I take pictures!
Waiting...waiting...waiting!
Ian is great at crashing bumper cars!
Don't even ask!
Foot massage anyone?
Let's fly the kites!!!
Do you see what I see?
Oh no! We're going up!
We rode this many times!
Some great moments to share from the fair. Yes, we did get to ride rides before the rain came in.

Powerful.....

Your actions will always follow your beliefs!

I pray that with all my actions, I give God the glory!

Dry Gulch 2007

Here are a few pictures from our dry gulch trip!
These were the boys in my cabin. Boy! They look so sweet and innocent here! This was just the first day!


There were stick pony races!
And smiling faces!

A few games of pool!
And lots of dancing too!
Nothing was better than go karts in the rain!

Looking Satan in the face....

Today I sit here and deal with an ugly situation in my life. I can cope with it. It's really no big deal. I'm not sad, depressed, upset, and hey..I'm not even crying. (this is a first) However, what frightens me the most is how much of a role I can see Satan playing in this. That's scary for me. Nothing frightens me more than Satan does. The thought of looking him in the face and watching him laugh terrifies me. However, I do it everyday. I see sin around me, beside me and in front of me. How I deal with it is important.

God answers my prayers. He does so every day. I see it, I hear it and it is very evident what he does for me. For that I am so greatful! It seems when God is blessing me beyond belief, Satan is doing everything possible to get me to screw up.

I have only 4 weekends left at work before I can spend time once again with my church family. I believe that Satan is a mad as fire about that. I'm sure he is spitting nails right now. And that's okay. There are going to be aspects of this change that I am sure he is going to try to affect. Most of all, financially. I think he will do his best to try and hit us where it hurts, and we are already bracing ourselves for a rough ride.
This past year has been one that he has had such glory in making miserable for me. I have faced evil, deciet, tempation, lies, gossip, and so much more. Some of them appeared slower and some of them all hit at the same time. I have noticed that the closer we get to the end of October, the worse some of this is getting. The force that he is putting on me is huge. The weight of some things that I am facing are becoming more and more difficult.
Last night I wondered why. And that's when I figured it out. I've made Satan so mad that he's doing everything he can to get me to screw up. And screw up big.

But no. I can't let that happen. I can't allow his power to over step the power that God has given me. I'm strong and I can handle whatever I face.
I feel over the past year I have stared Satan in the face many times.
This is not a game. This is real life stuff. Stuff that could make or break me and through the power of prayer, I can and will overcome.

I called Theresa last week and asked her "Are you not praying hard enough for me?"
I had just about had all I could take. But realized that it wasn't her that needed to be on her knees for me...it was me that needed to spend more time in prayer.

God heard my plea and answered. I faced Satan again yesterday, but with a huge shield of armor of God around me. My eyes are open, they see clearly, and I know that God has never left me, he just needs me to think for myself and not give up. Through all of this, he has made me a much stronger woman than I could have ever imagined.

Different...

Do you ever notice your a change in yourself when you are tired? I am a totally different person when I am tired! I'm become the quiet introvert! It's pretty amusing to me. It's not that often that I get this tired.

I spent the past 3 days at Dry Gulch camp with over 200 6th graders from Ian's middle school. Now, everyone who knows me really knows this is not my thing. I go to camp once a year with our kiddos from church and I absolutely love it. Now I have been to Dry Gulch and love it too. Do you think that God is working on me? This is not one of my strengths but maybe now it is becoming one of them.

I was put into a bunk with Ian and 14 other boys. This was very challenging to say the least. But I couldn't have asked for a better group of well behaved boys. I got my bluff in with them early so they knew I meant business and didn't try any funny stuff.

We did so much stuff there that I can't possibly name it all. I have to say that my favorite had to be the horseback riding. I had to laugh though because I was riding a muel! Not a horse.

We danced quite a bit this week, I made some new friends with the moms and dads that went, and had some bonding one on one time with Ian. It was a great week. They don't do this again until the 8th grade and I am already looking forward to then.

And on an ending note...I just have to say...I love my kids. I know at times they are so diffcult to be around...but I truly love them. Not only because I am their mom, but because they are truly great kids. I could just sit and watch them all day and never get tired of it. I love their questions, their curiosity, and their laughs. Kids are so fun and innocent and I love that God wants us to be childlike because I think I achieved that this week. But right about now, that is all catching up with my actual age.

Oh...and one more final note...following that last ending note....;o)
The kids had an assignment to get together and write a song to present to the entire camp on Thursday morning. There were 22 bunks that presented their songs and can you believe....MY BUNK CABIN WON!!! I helped them write lyrics to "We will rock you" and they loved it. They wern't the only group to use that song, but we were the only group with cool lyrics to it. I was very proud of them for winning. They did a great job.

Okay...off to bed!

Can you imagine...

Watch to the end...you'll be impressed!

My chains are gone.....

No TV!

I've been trying something new lately. It's No TV. I have come to find I like the peace and quiet much more. My thoughts are more clear. I feel I have more patience and I feel just an overwhelming sense of calm.

Now...if I could only do that with the phone and the internet...I'd have it made!

I'm such a proud mom!

Today has just really been a "peaceful" day for me and that is not normal in our house. So many good things have been happening and it's so nice.
One thing...I have not been able to go to Lukus' soccer games in over a year and today they had a makeup game...AND I GOT TO GO! My mom came along as well as Dan, Theresa, and the kids. Chad was there of course pacing back and forth being a soccer dad. Theresa captured these great pics for me!




They didn't win the game but it doesn't matter. This boy certainly has won my heart from the first day he took his first breath. I always ask my kids "Do I love you enough" and they never fail to tell me yes!

Today...is a good day!

Song of my morning...

Lord I come to you
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace I've found in you

And lord I come to know
The weakness I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of your love

Hold me close, let your love surround me
Bring me near, draw me to your side
And as I wait I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with you, your spirit leads me on
In the power of your love

Lord unveil my eyes, let me see you face to face
The knowledge of your love as you live in me
And lord renew my mind, as your will unfolds in my life
In living everyday, by the power of your love

Hold me close, let your love surround me
Bring me near, draw me to your side
And as I wait I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with you, your spirit leads me on
In the power of your love

HOLD ME CLOSE...LET YOUR LOVE SURROUND ME
BRING ME NEAR...DRAW ME TO YOUR SIDE
AND AS I WAIT...I'LL RISE UP LIKE THE EAGLE
AND I WILL SOAR WITH YOU, YOUR SPIRIT LEADS ME ON
IN THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I get this often

So last Friday night we went out with Dan & Theresa and the waitress said in her country accent "Oh you look like Trisha Yearwood"
It wasn't a surprise as I hear that often, however, I just don't see it. You can compare below. A pic of Trisha, and one from me taken that night....which is just ridiculous.

COUNTDOWN!!!

Myspace Countdown or Myspace Layouts

What did He see?

Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you couldn't see? How would that effect you? Whould it change your outlook on life? I wonder....
I have a friend and her husband became blind several years ago from a surgery he had. He has vision only out of one eye and his vision is like looking through a pinhole out into the world. To me, that is very frustrating.

I often wonder about my own eyesight. I have enough problems seeing correctly because I don't enjoy wearing my glasses. However, that's not the eyesight I'm referring to. It's my "I-sight" in my christian life. I try to be conscience of this but it gets away from me. The way I view myself is not the way that God intened in the beginning. My I-sight usually comes from what others have said, done, or things my ears have heard but not at all what God sees in me. Let's just say that my vision is somewhat blurred.

So who can correct my vision? Is it just me? Or do we need our optomitrist "Dr. G" (that would be God) to do a little laser eye correction on us?
There is a verse in a song we sing:
Open my eyes, to what you see
To understand what I should be
My feelings get, the best of me
Open my eyes, to what you see.

How can I focus on seeing what God sees in me and looking at others the way He looks at them. That's the Christian I want to be.
Matthew 9:35-40
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

What is so funny?

Rarely do I ever get a good night sleep. Especially when I know I have to get up early the next day. One of our biggest problems is Emilie coming in and waking us in the middle of the night saying she had a bad dream.

So last night was no different, other than she came in more than once. But the night was different for me. For some reason, about 3:30am I started laughing uncontrollably in my sleep. So bad I was snorting!!! At some point, I woke Chad up by my uncontrollably shaking and snorting. He didn't say anything to me, but he assurred me that he turned over and rolled his eyes. I don't know how long this episode lasted, but whatever it was, it sure was funny.

I fully believe that God gives us the ability to dream. I'm not sure about the message that comes across though. I haven't quite figured out if he's trying to tell me something or not. But I am so happy that we have a God that will allow me to not only cry in my sleep, but laugh uncontrollably!

God's pleading...me being real.

Do you ever think that God is pleading with you to make some type of change in your life? Could be spiritual...which would be the first thought. But also how about physical or emotional?

In the physical sense, maybe God is pleading with us to get in shape and be physically fit. "Dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1).

How about emotional...maybe He is asking from something of us there. (Philippians 4:6)Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

For me right now it is controlling my tongue in so many ways. Whether it be with my family, my kids, my friends, or a stranger on the street. I want to reveal God's love with everyone I meet. When I get comfortable in a friendship, satan takes a hold of my tongue and gets me off course.

I think the fact that I can recognize it is the biggest start. I pray that God forgives me when I not only hurt others, but myself and most of all Him.

Live on the G-list....GOD'S LIST!!!

I'm not one for gossip, but I got glued to the television this morning when I heard the ladies on the view talking about Kathy Griffin. Here is some info:

LOS ANGELES -- Before Kathy Griffin won a creative arts Emmy last weekend for her reality show, "My Life on the D-List," she joked that an award would move her to the C-list.

She was right: "C" as in censored. The TV academy said her raucous acceptance speech will be edited when the event, which was taped, is shown Saturday on the E! channel. The main prime-time Emmy Awards air the next night on Fox.

"Kathy Griffin's offensive remarks will not be part of the E! telecast on Saturday night," the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said in a statement Monday.

In her speech, Griffin said that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."
She went on to hold up her Emmy, make an off-color remark about Christ and proclaim, "This award is my god now!"
The comedian's remarks were condemned Monday by Catholic League President Bill Donohue, who called them a "vulgar, in-your-face brand of hate speech."

According to the TV academy and E!, when the four hour-plus ceremony is edited into a two-hour program, Griffin's remarks will be shown in "an abbreviated version" in which some language may be bleeped.

I am so pleased to hear that they will be editing her remarks. I understand free-speech, but I do believe there is a line you don't cross and this is one o those.

I pray for Kathy and that she will come to know the God that I know.

I have a dream....

In our town we have many Church's of Christ. In my life, I have been members of 3 of these congregations.

This summer we went to Jr. Camp with one of the other churches and we had some great discussions about their church, our church, and the others as well. I loved that we all came to the same conclusion...."We are all one body of Christ".

We discussed all the things we could do together and how powerful we could be if we got our two churches together. Camps, night's of praise, picnic's, softball tournaments, etc. and inviting our outside neighbors for the fun of all of it.
Even on Workshop Wednesday....what if we only had 1 place to go and we were all there together??? HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE? Do you know how many people leave from one church and go to another on that night so that they can get a taste of everything that is going on and see friends in both places? What if we had it all in just one location! One big celebration. Do we not do it because one church wants chicken and the other wants pizza? I certainly think that we can have our cake and eat it too!

I am all about seeking the lost outside our 4 walls of the church building. Our Father wants that from us. I'm sad about those that leave other congregations that are not happy. I'm sad for those that leave ours too. I believe within our walls we have so many that are lost and are still searching for something. How do we identify what IT is? How do we help those within our family so that we can be glorifying God together which will eventaully lead us to our friends outside that we haven't met yet? What it is that we, or any other church, is lacking?

I left the church I grew up in after my family left and I graduated high school. I wasn't mad and feel very loved when I return. I can't pinpoint the reason we left exactly, but I think for me it was an identity thing. I went there my entire life and when my parents quit going, I was bombarded with questions of why and when are they returning. Those are questions I did not have answers for and still do not.

About 3 years later we joined another church after the birth of our first child. They loved on us and it immediately became home to us. We stayed there for 9 years and loved it. As things changed for our family, location was huge for us. We needed something closer to home so we decided it was time for another change...but didn't know what God was going to do for us.

Now we live 4 minutes from our church family and it feels like home. We love it, can't get enough of it, and they truly make us feel like we are special. We are not special, we are God's chosen children and that is what is important. What excites me is that this church doesn't have to make us feel special, but they do. Without even trying. They do it in so many ways and I am the lucky one. I am blessed!

So my sadness comes in when I feel a part of 3 church families that don't really interact with eachother. We do some occasional things together, but I'm talking support. We're in the same town! As I watch these two struggle, I can't help but think...how can we show Kingdom love and Kingdom support to them?
What if we just show up for one of their church services on a Sunday and surprise them? Let them know we are on their side. What if we hold a picnic in their honor....and invite them? What if we join them at their place for the workshop shindig, what if we do missions together, what if we camp together, what if, what if, what if???? I could go on all day!

It maybe far fetched...but it's my way of saying..."I have a dream"

Misson work on Youtube?

Can you do mission work through Youtube??? I think so!
Last year we made the video of Ian regarding Aspergers Syndrome. I left it posted on Youtube.com and left it open to any comments. I have been surprised at the things others have said. Especially from all around the world. I'll share a few with you!
hey hello
my name's benito
am living in brussels the capital of europe
i was diagonosed with asperger when i was 15
onestly i grater never would've know it

i think the best would be if you don't let your son go to deep init
not make him think that he's much diffrent
it can be a gift sometimes if you learn how to juse it
i am 18 know an still strugglin with it , but am getting trough
am sure you're son will to
keep him bussy as posible
and guide him trough , and eventwully he'll make it trough
i never had any help for it , i had to find it all out my self , i have it verry hard with doing stuff that i don't control my self , like working for a boss and stuff , but thats all a thought , if you afraid to lose you can be certain that you will lose ..
am sure he'll find his way
try to understand him because he dosen't understand himself
though i tell my self that am no diffrent that am just making excuses , it is harder
every corner i have to think and think and think to make it trough ,
guide him trough his hard times and am verry sure that he'll make it ...
well justed wanted to say hello and give my respeckt
much luv from brussels
benito

for Ian
Never give up, Be yourself, yes life is hard, but that is what will make you stronger. I would like to share with you with a story that has helped me in my life

In Australia there grows eucaliptus trees. Left alone the tree can grow to an astounding hight within the space of just a couple of years. Unfortunately something else is present in Australia and that is high winds. As you probably know the part of the tree we can see i.e. the trunk and branches grow much much faster than the roots so these left alone trees which are very tall but have developed very shallow roots get blown over and ripped out of the ground. However luckily for the trees there is something else in Austrailia that eats eucaliptus trees, the koala bear. The koala eats the shoots and leaves of the tree which makes it grow a lot slower which gives the roots a chance to grow deep and strong into the earth. These trees when the winds come are able to withstand the force due to their deep strong roots. This story may seem a bit wierd but look at it this way: we are like the trees and the koalas are like all of the bad things people say or do to to us. They hurt like mad as if we are being eaten away at, but it makes us grow strong roots so that when bigger challenges come such as the strong wind for the trees we are more able to handle it.

Friendship is hard to find in this world sometimes but you will make it, I believe in you
God Bless you
iamanaspy

Thanks so much for the information. I am not yet sure how I will procede. I know my son will not be receptive to the idea... as he already verbalizes how much he dislikes me reading books, etc. on child behavior.
He doesn't get in a lot of trouble at school, it's just I don't think they truly understand him. He can be very shy, independent, confident, argumentative and shut-down so easily that I think they view him as stubborn, rude, arrogant and disrespectful (but very smart)..... and this is the reason I am considering having him evaluated... as you said, without the diagnosis, there isn't a whole lot you can do with the school. But also, so that we can help him help himself. Academically he is doing just fine, even tested as gifted, and excels in math... it's mainly social skills.

My greatest fear is getting him "labeled" and that it would be a mistake... then it would be something that I could never take back. For my son, Adam, I feel that he is on the mild end of the spectrum and that it is more of a personality than anything that requires medications,etc. I was hoping to have a heart-to-heart with his teacher at the start of the school year and avoid having him diagnosed...but maybe I'm just in denial. How does your son handle the diagnosis? Do you make other parents and children aware of the diagnosis? I understand it is all in how it is presented, that it is not a disease, just characteristics, etc... I just want to do the right thing.
Tammy- Tulsa, OK

Let me talk about me....

There are a few things about me that I don't include in the everyday conversation...I was a banker for 12 years, a figure Ice skater 10 years, played the piano for 5 years (but still love to play), I was in winterguard/colorguard and very competitive, and was an equestrian rider for most of my childhood. Most of the time, these things just don't come up. Big things or little things...most of the time I just don't think about it. Funny though, I remember the bad more vividly than I remember the good.

I went recently to speak again at a baptist church for their womens ministry. Now granted, I have no education background in ministry and not really qualified to speak before them, but ran a pretty good women's ministry when we went to Jenks church. But these ladies wanted me to share some of the same stories of sturggles and trials that I went through in my life with some of their newer members. It was a touching time as they had so many questions.

I made my life out into a time line of events that I feel I have survived and overcome through the grace of God. I shared some pretty sad pictures and funny ones too. They were touched and I was happy to see that what I have been through can be used to glorify God and to help others.

5 years ago I went through Pathways so that I could learn to face things head on and deal with the things that would come up.
Back then, I probably would have considered suicide. Not really my first option, but some of those days I felt it was my only option.
Sure, I knew God, and I loved Him so much. That's why I decided not to make that selfish decision. My life was falling apart and I needed to find hope and faith and strength and love. This is where I found my mission statement for my life..."I am a strong woman with love and power, resting securely in the arms of God" What else needs to be said after that? I found what I needed.

I get excited and I laugh now when people assume that I never stuggle in life. I struggle all the time. Most of the time, only my closest friends know about it.
I think about being abused DAILY! I think about losing my marriage DAILY! I think about losing a son DAILY! I think about birth defects DAILY! I think about it....and think about it...and think about it.
I always have wanted to use these struggles in ways to help others out.
I've lived a good life. One lady argued with me that my life didn't sound that great. Especially my childhood. But I had to remind her that if I didn't have faith in God, I wouldn't be here today. God is my answer to all my sufferings. Not that he wants me to suffer, but he wants me to survive.

I'm strong. And I love that about me. I'm not a victim, I'm a survivor.
And everday that I breathe, I survive something else.

Food, Fun, and Great Friends

There's nothing better than spending a holiday with great friends! Dan, Theresa, and the kids joined us at my parents house today for a fun day of swimming and great food for the Labor Day holiday. I can't think of any better way to spend the day than with people you love and care about the most.

Even in a great game of Water Volleyball, Theresa and I can't keep from laughing and joking around. Although, I think we were drowning more than we were hitting the ball.

I am flawed!

I struggle with being flawed today. It scares me to the core of who I am.
I think at times that if some people knew the real me that they wouldn't want to know me anymore. It's crazy because Jesus knows the real me and he loves me unconditionally.
I struggle with this today in a huge way. I struggle with wanting to be real with those I love the most...but hold back due to fear. What would they say? Would they turn away? My heart really aches about this.

I like to appear confident...but I'm not.
I like to appear all together...but I'm not.
I like to appear I never gossip...but I do.
I like to appear that I don't lie...but I have.
I like to appear that I'm a great mom....but I not.
I like to appear I'm a great wife...but I'm not.
I like to appear that I have no complaints...but I do.
I like to appear that I am happy all the time...but I'm not.
I like to appear....well...things that I'm just not.

Sounds like a sickness to me. But it's not. It's being human. It's being real. My heart hurts heavily today for the things I long to be in life and fail at so miserably.

I know I'm successful.
I know I'm strong.
I know I'm an awesome person.
I know I'm a child of God and He loves me and all else doesn't matter.

Why is it that I find myself convicted at times like this. My world is not crashing! My world is fine. It's an emotional fine....but it's fine.

I think God likes to give me a good nudge in the heart every now and then. I have a little cry fest and then I'm better. He puts me back into reality when I start pretending that my world is something that it's not supposed to be.

When people look at me, I want them to see the real me. I want them to know me. If it's good or bad then that's what it is.

One of my patients recently was an elderly nun. At first, I was really reluctant about everything I said in her presence. I did not want to offend her in any way. WHY????? Shouldn't I be like that with everyone? I was disturbed the rest of the day by my attitude and actions. Why would I be a certain way with one...and then different with another. And with a nun, I really didn't want to go wrong. It's just be being crazy and God giving me that nudge again getting my attention.

My heart has drifted. I'm not who I want to be. I'm working on a better me that others will be so pleased to see. A new me that I can love much more than I ever thought.

Sacrifice and Prayers

I need to sacrifice!

1 year, 1 month, and 14 days ago I sacrificed my Sunday mornings at church so that I could pursue my career at St. Francis. I feel I have done my duty. But one problem, I've gotten use to the money that I am making now and I think I like it.

Things happen when you start to store up these treasures on earth. God really seems to put you in your place. He weighs heavily on my heart.

In talking it over with Chad today, I really am ready to make a change in my status at work. I'm ready to become just an "on call" employee rather than making a weekly salary. The loss of money would mean a cut back of things at home and more hours at work for Chad.

Cable would be completely gone, Cell phone would be taken to a minimum, Internet service would have to change, just basic stuff like that. Honestly, it doesn't sound that bad to me. I like it for my kids, but maybe my kids need a change too. Maybe they need to learn at a young age the price of sacrifice.

I think God makes me okay with these things because He knows I long to come back and worship Him with the church. I miss it terribly.

If you read this, please pray that God tells me when the right time to do this is. I have a time frame that I would like it done, but I want to follow His plan.

YAY FOR GODTUBE!!!

I love that someone has come up with Godtube.

On my soap box.....

I was asked to write an editorial and I'm not quite sure yet if i am going to do it. I was also asked to be interviewed for television and have considered that. Here's the deal....

Saturday I was watching the news as they were talking about schools being on the need to improve list and this is why. This is taken from the Tulsa World.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to make "adequate yearly progress," or AYP, in reading and math test scores, the number of students who take standardized tests and attendance or graduation rates.

If schools do not make AYP for two consecutive years, they are named to the Oklahoma School Improvement List. Likewise, it takes two consecutive years of making AYP for a school to be removed from the list.

Because schools are expected to have 100 percent of students demonstrating proficiency in reading and math by 2013-14, Oklahoma is incrementally raising minimum requirements for schools to meet in those two categories.

A principal in a school district here (not TPS) said that the reason these scores are low is because of the Special Education children.
Here is the quote without the name....
officials said this school did not make AYP in test scores for special-education students in 2006-07, as well as reading scores for English Language Learners in 2005-06.

Now for the soap box...
As a mother of a child in special education, I find this comment offensive. If you don't want the special ed children to bring your scores down, then don't give them a test that is designed for them to fail.
They can't think on the same level, so they will fail. Some need it given orally, but that is forbidden, so they will fail. Some need it in smaller portions, but that's is forbidden, so they will fail.
Some of these children can't read, write, walk, or talk, and they still have to take it so again, they will fail.

If you're going to blame the problem on someone, don't blame it on the children that you never gave a chance. Giving them a chance would be giving them something to see if they have improved on THEIR level.

Ian has improved so much over the past year. In one year, he went from a 4th grade level all the way to a 6th grade level. How is that for improving? Do they look at that? No. Do they test them for that? No. In this short amount of time, he has been able to leave a special ed classroom and participate in a regular class with the 6th grade curriculum. No special classes and no special privileges. How is that for improvement?

So why blame the ones that can't help it. If you want a real assessment, then make a real test and testing procedure. This NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND leaves so many children behind and scolds the teachers and schools for things that are beyond their control.

I understand what the principal was trying to say. But don't go on public television and degrade the special education students because you are not willing to go to the government to fight and make this change.

Encouragement

I want to be an encourager!!!

That is such a great, simple, yet complex statement. I'm not real good at it, and I want to be better. Encouraging others is so much fun. I love to see eyes light up when someone knows that someone else believes in them.

I have struggled with this all my life. I don't take compliments very well, I haven't always liked encouragement, and quite frankly, when I needed it the most, I really pushed it away.

Well...that is stopping today.

I think in order for me to be a great encourager, I have to be willing to accept ecouraging words about myself. This is just nonsense.
I lived an entire life rejecting what others had to say about me which was nice. I chose to believe the bad and not the good.

At what point in my life did God ever tell me I was bad at anything? Never!
At what point in my life did God ever tell me to give up? Never!
He has always believed in me and has never let me down but everytime I say a negative comment about myself, I feel I let Him down.

I want to encourage as many people as possible in my lifetime. I want people to believe in God and believe in themselves.

I pray that God will help me to be aware of my thoughts and aware of my tongue and to help me work on being the great encourager he wants me to be.

tagged again

I got tagged, but on MySpace and since I'm not on there as much, I thought I'd put it here. However, if you read it, consider yourself tagged...or not.

Can I cook??
Yes...but I don't do much of it since I'm in school. Chad's a great chef.
However, I do bake 2 cakes a week. I bake more than anything.

When I was growing up, I dreamed...
That everyone would like me.

If I could have a talent....
I would like to dance.

My favorite drink is...
Diet Dr. Pepper or really good iced tea

My favorite vegtables are...
green beans, peas, broccoli

The last book I read was...
A Pharmacology textbook

I am a Leo

I have no tattoos...but my ears are pierced.

My worst habbit is...
overeating

If I saw you walking down the street....
I would stop and ask you why!

My favorite sport is....
Well...it's football. I could watch it all day. Followed by baseball. It's hard to decide.

I normally have a optimistic attitude toward everything.

If I were stuck in an elevator with the person that sent this to me...
I'm sure we would laugh the entire time!

The worst thing that has ever happned to me...
I don't think it has happened yet.

One weird fact about me is that....
I can stick my tongue up my nose.

I have one pet....
It's a black lab named lady. Also have 6 lizzards.

If you showed up at my house unexpectely....
I'd be very excited. Nobody ever comes to visit me at home.

My first impression of you was....
You are a very smart girl.

I think clowns are cute.

If I could change one thing about the way I look it would be...
I'd like to be skinnier.

If you committed a crime....
I would not be your partner in crime. I would be your conscience.

My eyes are brown

I've never been arrested. But came close once.

Bottle or Draft? Well...assuming we're talking about beer...neither.

If I won the lottery, I'd give it away. (after I pay off my house)

My favorite place to hang out....
Well...it would have to be Praise Team on Thursday nights.

Do I believe in ghost....
Well...I believe that spirits are real. But those things off Ghostbusters...no.
Favorite thing to do in my spare time....
Sing, sleep, or talk to my friends.

My biggest pet peeve...
Tardiness

In one word...I would describe myself as...
chipper

Do I appreciate romance....
Well...sure.

If I could spend 12 hours with you....
I would pick your brain about your life.

Conversations with Emilie

Me: Emilie...it's time to get up, I laid your clothes on your bed.

Emilie: Mom...I can't wear that!

Me: Why not! It's so cute!

Emilie: Those shorts have long sleeves!!!!

Not much to say

I don't have a lot to say lately. That's unusual for me.

The first week of school has been great. It's overwhelming for me..but preparing me for next semester I'm sure.

Ian is doing GGGGRRREEEAAATTTT! The teachers have had nothing but good things to say about him all week. He has kept up with his work all week and doing well. This is such good news.

Lukus and Emilie are doing great in class and loving their new teachers and friends.

It's been a great week.

First Day....

Today we had a lot of FIRST going on in this family.

It was the first day back to school for everyone. Including me. And you'll want to read to the end of this!

First my first day or week we should say. I have 2 online courses and 2 on campus. Of course, can't be just one campus...one is SOUTHEAST and the other is METRO! Yikes! Another first for me is that one of my classes is at night. That's a little weird being downtown late. But it's not too late. I don't really like the class because it's LOTS OF MATH! Ugh. Any tutors out there...feel free to come my direction.
I started my 2 online classes this morning. They were okay but seemed a bit overwhelming.
My last class is a fun one...vocal music and it's Thursday. I'm excited for it...but nervous too.

Beginning with the youngest....Emilie started 2nd grade today. She did very well. She loved it and said "Mom...this is SOOOO easy". The teacher said that she might make Emilie her helper in class. I think that is a huge compliment. However, there are some days I don't think we need to boost her ego anymore. She's already a little DIVA!

Lukus began 4th grade today and thinks he is top dawg!!!
He loves his teacher and said she was so much fun and made him laugh all day. I think he will really enjoy her class. He was excited because this teacher will let you chew gum in her classroom.

Ian...oh boy! Ian. He started his first year of MIDDLE SCHOOL. I don't know who was more nervous...me or him!
GOOD NEWS....HE HAD A FABULOUS DAY!!!!
This is always good news, but it's even better news to say that he is NOT in any special education classes. He is in regular classes, with regular cirriculum, and regular rules. No special treatment and he did well.
I was a bit nervous knowing he would have to get all over this school all day and he only had 5 minutes between classes. He was given an additional 5 minutes in case he would need it but he threw it away. When he got home, I asked him what happened to it and he said "I didn't want it. I was able to get everywhere ontime and had no problems" He was SOOOOO proud and so was I.

My tummy was in knots all day and it was not even necessary.

I praise God so much for all He has done. I know today was just the first day but I don't underestimate our God. He can help us get through this entire year! Just like He did today!

New meaning to power surge!

So to get rid of the picture of Chucky (for Shane) I now have yet another story. This one is not quite so funny. My son is lucky to be alive today.


About 12:30 last night I woke up to a noise and 2 screaming boys running into our room. Lukus isn't saying anything but looks frightened and his heart is nearly beating out of his chest. I couldn't figure out what had happened.

Ian tells me that Lukus was laying on the floor and for some unknown reason, he was CHEWING...YES CHEWING...on the cord that is attached to the fan that is plugged into the wall and RUNNING!

Well, when his mouth hit the wire, he was electrocuted. Lukus describes it as seeing all blue bright lights in front of his face and that the feeling went all through his body.

When I checked him out, he appears fine. He has a black mark on the inside of his cheek from the burn but other than that, he's okay.

My kids don't go to bed hungry so I can't figure out for the life of me why he would do this but I can assure you he will never do it again.

As for the fan...it's now in the trash.

Boys will be boys!!!

Well this day was coming!

Tonight Chad and I decided to go to bed early. Everyone went upstairs and the kids were all hanging out in Ian's room watching TV. So we went onto bed.

As we're laying here watching the end of a show, all of the sudden, out of no where, Lukus pops up on my side of the bed with the total intent to scare me. He made a noise with his voice that sounded like something out of the movie SIGNS! I swear I had just seen Chucky rise up beside my bed.

I didn't scream, but I jumped pretty high off the bed. I didn't know if I should deck him, yell at him or laugh. So I did what the normal parent does. I pretended to be angry and told him to go to his room. After that, I laughed hysterically for the past 45 minutes. So much that I even have a nose bleed, chest pain, lots of tears, and ear pain. I think I busted some blood vessels laughing so hard.

Now...even though...this IS NOT funny for a mommy...it really was pretty funny. I never let Lukus know I was laughing, but Chad and I had a great laugh tonight.
I am SURE....just totally SURE that this is one of those stories Lukus will share when we are older..."Hey...remember when I scared mom?"

Rough Week

I've decided that the devil is really trying my patience level this week. Things have not worked out as I would have like them to. And in reality, I've stayed pretty calm. Much more than usual. I'm just rolling with the punches. And that's how it has felt...like I've been punched.

My financial aid for school is not being sent until school starts. That kinda makes it hard for me to go to class with books. I am praying the professors have patience.

Ian's schedule is not ready at his new school. I understand they are having to make modifcations to it to best suit him so it's taking longer than normal.

Back to school night is tomorrow night....FOR ALL THREE KIDS. That means I have to be split between two different schools. I want to be there to meet all my kids teachers, but that's just not going to happen. Chad will go to one, and I will go to the other.

I went to purchase some new uniforms from work and I won't be able to get them until next week because the store is so behind on putting on the logos.

There are just so many more things and I have found myself at a crossroads in my life where I have to prioritize what it is that I really want to do. I have to give up some things that I love in order to accomodate our daily schedules. I'm okay with it. As long as my heart is not comprmised in all of this, then I should be okay.
I think that God is working in my heart to make me okay with these new changes.

Quiet times...

One of the things I love most in life is watching the sunrise. I always laugh when others tell me they love to sleep in...and I just can't. I love to be up when the sun comes up. I think it is one of the most fascinating things in the world as well as beautiful. This is where I find inner peace.

Life is so busy. We're so caught up in lifes events that we forget about those quiet times. When we forget about what is really important and our quiet time slips away, we will find ourselves caught up in complaining, frustration, and negativity.

Here's seven things you can do:
Exchange your weakness for His strength.
Your unhappy heart for His joy.
Your annoyance with His love.
Your anxiety with His peace.
Your impatience for His patience.
Your complaining for His contentment.
Your harsh attitude for His gentleness.

What can you exchange in your life so that God can take control once again?

THIS REALLY MADE ME LAUGH!!!!

Vacation Fun again!

vacation fun!

Inspiration

I read an article recently that named 100 most inspiring people that have changed the world. We're talking all the way back to George Washington. I guess it's all a matter of opinion. I didn't know all the people on the list but I know they did something to get on there. And all these people are dead. Do you have to be dead to make it on a list? I sure don't think so. I wondered if I was on any ones list...and of course I am. I know I could name 100 people, but you might not want to read all those....so here's my readers digest version of people who inspire me...in no particular order.

My patients who show me how they fight to live. They beat the odds. I am truly in awe each day.

The lady who I talked to on the corner. No food, no money, and she had lots of pride. But she swallowed it to hold a cardboard sign.

Chad Hughes: For your willingness to fight for your identity
Ian Hughes: For NOT CARING what others think about you.
Lukus Hughes: For CARING what others think about you.
Emilie Hughes: For showing me how to be fun.
Theresa Underwood: For standing up for what you believe in, even if others don't agree.
Carrie Strickland: For keeping it real and teaching me how to shop
Tisha Brown: For loving me regardless of anything over the past 17 years! For teaching me how a family should love each other and being a great example.
Kaye Rucker: For showing me how to be strong in my spirit and let the Lord guide me.
Terry Rush: For being an unbelievable man of God. For showing me how to branch out of my shell and be Jesus to all people.
Shane Coffman: For being a man of confidence. For teaching me how to step out of my comfort zone and stretching me even when I feel I'm not ready. That's what our Father does to us and you show His love by practicing what he teaches. And for trusting me!
My Professor's: There are a few who have inspired me beyond belief to keep going and succeed.

I have about a million more I could post, but then the blog would be way too long. When I am down...all I have to do is stop and think of the people in my life that inspire me daily. Normally, I will call them, e-mail, text, or go see them if I need a pick-me-up. Guess that's a little selfish...but I feel like I am the luckiest person on earth to have the friends I do. I may not be the best friend in the world, but you combine everyone that I have...and I have some great examples to live by.

I don't ever know how I came to be so blessed in my life....but I am. I guess I did something right.

Inspiration

Who on earth inspires you and why?

I don't know how many people read my blog but I would love to know who makes you smile each day. What is it about them that makes you want to be around them? What is it about them that makes you feel good?

I have many I'll share later!

Dreams do come true!

Check out the E-Clip! http://kotv.com/e-clips/?id=7688

This is an unbelieveable girl! We took care of her at the hospital for several weeks and now this weekend, she will be able to walk down the asile and marry the man of her dreams. Again...this is why we do what we do!

The families of Paige Dianne White and Jason Robert Heller are pleased to announce their upcoming wedding.

Paige is a graduate of Eagle Point Christian Academy and Tulsa Technology Center. She attends Tulsa Community College and is employed at Eagle Point Christian Academy as a teaching assistant.

Jason graduated from Catoosa High School and Tulsa Technology Center, and is a paramedic for MESTA.

They are both members of Pickett Prairie Baptist Church in Sapulpa where the ceremony will take place on August 11 with the Rev. Bill Oldham officiating. A reception will follow at Ovations Studio in Sapulpa.

After a serious auto accident in June, the couple is grateful to God for allowing their wedding plans to be fulfilled and would like to extend their thanks to all those who have been a part in Paige's recovery including their family and friends, their church, and everyone from the Tulsa Fire Department, EMSA and Saint Francis Hospital who took such good care of her.

All I have to say today....

I love being me!!!

Back home and no sleep....

Okay, so we got home from camp yesterday and I had to be back at work early today for such a long day.

You know how you feel after a long hard day? I mean... A LONG DAY! Well, I was coming home and an ambulance passed me. Little did I know they were pulling into my neighborhood. I get here to find my nice little neighbor across the street had fallen and couldn't get up. I went over to see if I could help in any way.

About 3 years ago her husband passed away and she's been alone ever since. We have other neighbors here, but they are about as old as she is and don't like to be out after dark. She didn't have any family in town so I decided to go back to the hospital with her so she wouldn't be alone. Now here I sit...running on adrenaline, and can't go to sleep and have to leave in 6 hours to go back to work to take on another full day.

I sat with her...we laughed together, we cried together, and I did what I could to ease her pain.
Do I care that I'll be tired tomorrow? Not really. Do I care that my feet hurt? Nope. Do I care that she was comforted by me being there, yes.

She broke her hip...a pretty good break. And will now have surgery. I can see her at work now, not out the front windows. But her smile and stories we shared tonight will remain in my heart.