11

9/11/01

Do you remember where you were? Do you remember the feelings that engrossed your every being? Do you remember the shock? The confusion? The horror? The utter disbelief?

I do. I'll never forget it.

I was driving on HWY 60 on my way to class at NGCSU in Dahlonega from my apartment in Gainesville. I was listening to 99x--a local radio station. I was singing along to one of my favorite songs of the time, when all of a sudden there was an interruption for "breaking news".

Never could I have imagined the magnitude of what I was about to hear.

One plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings. They were speculating about what was going on....was it an accident? If so, how?! Was it intentional? If so, WHY and how?! I started frantically searching for a news station. I wanted all the facts of what had happened up until that point.

Then, a second plane. Directly into the side of South World Trade Center.  Panic set in on the broadcasters.

I almost ran off the road.

All speculation of an "accident" flew out of the window. Our nation, this wonderful place we call home, was under attack. I felt physically sick, deep down in my gut. I also couldn't drive fast enough to campus.

You see, I went to NGCSU-The Military College or Georgia. I knew that this was going to change things.Not just for our country, but in my life. On my small college campus in the N Georgia mountains. I knew that some of the cadets I went to school with on a daily basis, would be deployed. That the guys I sat next to in class for the past 3.5 years, would soon be gone to fight in a war. Some might not ever make it back. The feelings were overwhelming.

I parked my car, somehow managed to remember my bags, and ran inside to the student center. The typical hustle and chatter were non existent. Everyone was standing there. In shock. Watching the planes stuck in the middle of the buildings, on fire. In awe. Whispers of what was happening, and questions of how it happened. Tears streaming down faces. Phone calls being frantically made to loved ones in NYC. Panic of the unknown.

During this time, a third plane had struck, but this time it was at the Pentagon.

Dear God, what is happening?! This has to be a bad dream. A nightmare. This can't be real life. No one could be this evil. Or could they?

Flights were being grounded. Phone lines were completely tied up. Contacting friends and family in Virginia and New York was impossible. It was sit. And wait. And pray. Pray deeply. Pray without ceasing.

If that wasn't enough. As we are all huddled around a small tv in the student center, the South WTC tower collapses. It was utter shock. Horror. The cries, moans, and sounds just in our area of witnessing this was something I won't forget. This building, this massive building, with hundreds and hundreds of people--children, collapsed in an instant. This indestructible structure. This iconic masterpiece. How was this possible?

I can still picture it in my head. I just can't imagine having been right there. I wanted to throw up.

Class wasn't an option for those of us not already in it. Thankfully my professor cancelled ours. There was no point with all the emotions swirling around us. We all knew that this was going to deeply affect our campus.

--->More breaking news--a fourth plane went down in Pennsylvania. But, was it related? Where was it intended for? Were there more? When was this nightmare going to end? So many questions. No answers.

North WTC collapses.  Utter devastation sinks in.

The weight of what we were witnessing just keeps getting heavier. How could anyone want to inflict so much hate? So much harm? So much devastation on innocent people? Why? WHY?!

I guess that's a question I will never understand the answer to. I will never understand that mentality, and frankly pray I never do.

I do know that God will make all things work together for His good. (Rom 8:28) And through this pain. This heartbreak. This horrendous act....He brought us together. We UNITED. For a blink in time- this country put all politics, religion, creed, race, etc on the back burner and became ONE. One united front. We linked arms. We walked through this together. We loved on each other. We valued each other. We looked at life with a bit more respect. We took time to hold each other up. We gathered together to restore what was taken. We realized just how precious each day truly is.

It is my hope and prayer that we can remember that. That we can go back to that, not just on this day each year, but always. This feeling of love and respect for our nation, for each other. We should forever etch that into our hearts and minds. We should strive to come together instead of dividing all but one day a year.

We will NEVER FORGET. Ever.

a look in

in·tro·spec·tion [in-truh-spek-shuhn]  

noun

 observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; 

the act of looking within one self  

 

Things I'm acknowledging &/or learning about myself & my life:

I am in awe of how much God loves me. 

I am blessed with an incredible husband and family. They are my world.

I'm constantly surprised by my husbands love for me.

I have high expectations when it comes to relationships.

I wear my heart on my sleeve [to a fault].

I over analyze things and situations in my head.

I let others have too much control of my emotions. 

It makes me sad that my trust in people is shrinking.

I am realizing that solid friendships are hard to come by.

I treasure my best buds.

I compare myself to others far too much, yet I'm more comfortable in my own skin than ever before.

I'm terrible at surface relationships.

 

I've never fit into one certain group, and prefer to keep it that way.

I'm not a hipster, nor do I want to be.

I am an "all-inclusive" girl. I hate leaving people out.

I am learning to accept that not everyone feels the same. 

I have accepted that some friendships are only around for seasons. People change.

I'll do anything for my friends, and expect the same in return.  

I hate that my face gives away every emotion.

I'm not near as confrontational as I once was.

I have lots of arguments in my head with people, but I would rather let things go.

I forgive easily, but have a very hard time forgetting.

I can't wait to be a mom. 

I don't want to be the mom or friend who can't hang with childless friends due to "being in a different life stage."

I am becoming much more introverted than ever before.

I prefer staying in over going out these days.

I'm scared to stay home alone now, even though I used to live alone.

I can't watch crime shows without anxiety.

I love my animals to the moon & back.

I'm an accessory junkie.

I don't think a girl can have too many pairs of shoes. Or scarves. Or purses. Or funky jewelry.

I annoy myself with the lack of patience I have.

I really need to work on my patience with adults. I'm good with the kiddos.

I want to enjoy exercising, but I hate it.

I wish I was still a "night owl".

I now have an internal alarm clock that buzzes at 6:30am.

I am plagued with insomnia most nights.

I'm not near as creative as I would like to be.

I no longer let fear keep me down.

I tend to jump in head first.

I think I can change the world. 

I'm passionate about what I do. What I believe. What I want.

my Nugs are so [not] PC

Now, if you know me, you know that CFA runs in my blood. 

My dad has built them for over 25 years. 

It was my first job. 

I did marketing for them a few years back. 

HOWEVER, it doesn't mean I believe in every little thing they do. It doesn't mean that I agree with all that the company does. BUT, I do respect the tar out of them. For standing firm in their beliefs, even when being attacked at every angle. 

They are a class act company. 

And I am proud to have been a part of it. 

To me, this ISN"T about "supporting" a company for going against the grain of today's uber PC society. [Which the whole "PC" thing just makes me chuckle since it completely alienates all those who have a different viewpoint of the uber PC crowd/noisemakers--ironic eh?!] This ISN"T about same sex marriage--I have plenty of friends & family who are gay/lesbian, and I'm not here to judge them (ps- neither are you!). I seriously could care less about it. I love them, respect them, and want them to be happy. That doesn't mean I don't have my own personal convictions, but I'm not here to throw them on anyone either. {My beliefs & relationship with God, are just that. Mine. We all have to face Him when our days are up & answer to Him, not each other. I prefer to keep it that way thank you very much!}

To me, this IS about "supporting" a highly successful company in doing with their funds what the deem important. To them. To their culture. To their business.

CFA is & always has been a company based on Christian principles. The fact that they have, and are supporting organizations that are in line with their beliefs, shouldn't be shocking! We all have that right. To support organizations that we believe in. Whether it be financially, with time, services,  prayer, whatever! That is our right. And it is also the right of the business owner(s).

To "boycott" an establishment because you don't like what they support, is your right as a consumer. It crosses the line when government gets involved and says they are not going to allow them to have a business because they (he/she) doesn't personally agree with the personal beliefs of the company. SERIOUSLY?!


THOUGHT: Pretty sure every single one of us would end up living in a hole, growing/eating our own food, making our own clothing, building our own homes--all with materials found and made with our hands, if we knew what every single business/business owner of the establishments we visited believed in & supported.....Go ponder on that one for bit. 

As for me, I'm going to get some CFA nuggets, waffle fries, & big ol iced tea. 

Please & thanks. 

My World in Video: What I'm Fighting For

Use your voice

To be their voice.

Remain hopeful

& be their hope.

Help free them.

Become their FREEDOM.

This is what I'm fighting for. 

These girls, they are who I'm fighting for. 

Their stories are why I'm fighting for it. 

Through The A21 Campaign is how I'm fighting for it.

Now is the time when I'm fighting for it.

-->Here<-- is where you can join in the fight with me.

can't we just be satisfied already

con·tent  [kuhn-tent] 

adj

satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

 

 

 

 Father help me:

To be satisfied with where I am. Right now. Not wanting what someone else has. Not wishing today away for the hopes of tomorrow. To be grateful for what I've been given. To not look backwards. To stay focused on what You decide to give me now.  To realize how blessed I truly am. To stay grounded. To stay humbled. To be satisfied with me. To be at peace with the present. To stop wanting so much. To stop my selfish desires. To be content in all things.

That's my prayer today. For myself & for you. 

 

 

Versus I'm clinging to:

 

Matthew 5:5

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

Colossians 3:12-14

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

 

1 Peter 5:6-7

So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

 

Philippians 4:10-14

[ Content Whatever the Circumstances ] I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

 

Luke 14:10-11

When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.

 

Matthew 23:11-12

Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.

 

Psalm 131:2

I've kept my feet on the ground, I've cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother's arms, my soul is a baby content.

 

 

AMEN

our 8 month adventure...so far

Can't believe we are already coming up on 8 months of marriage! 

Time has flown by, and I know its not going to slow down.

 As I was cleaning today I started to reflect on what I've learned,  

and am continuing to learn, 

on this crazy awesome journey into marriage.

Some things I've learned so far:

• Marriage is hard work!
• It's so worth all the work. 
• Combining two lives is tricky.
• His "clean" will NEVER be my "clean."
• Boys are messy.
• I'm way more OCD than I ever realized.
• It's awesome to come home to my best friend on a daily basis.
• Waking up to your best friend is the best.
• Sometimes you run out of things to say. And its ok!
• We annoy the heck out each other at times.
• Compromise is key.
• Its all about giving, and less taking.
• We are both stubborn as mules.
• Combining finances is "interesting."
• Communication is vital.
• Speaking the "truth in love" works.
• Fighting makes me extremely nervous, but sometimes you just have to.
• Neither of us is going anywhere. 
• We are both "in til the end."
• Having time with friends apart from one another is very important.
• Having common interests makes things so much more enjoyable.  
• Having personal space is still important.
• Having time alone is sometimes necessary. 
• "Dating" each other is a must.
• Trust is vital.
• Honesty really is the best policy. On all subjects.
• Expecting the other to meet your expectations will almost always let you down. (Or cause serious frustration.)
• Pick your battles! 
• Sometimes you just "gotta let it go."
• Neither of us is perfect.
• Keeping God as our center is vital.
• Having faith & praying for each other constantly is vital.
• I'm blessed to get to do "life" with him. 
• Learning each others "love language" is key.
• Words of affirmation (his) & quality time (mine) are ours.
• Laughing, hugs, snuggles & kisses really are the best medicine for your soul!   

We are still so new to this adventure. 

I'm constantly looking for new things and ways to help me along.

I would LOVE words of wisdom!

to JUDGE or just LOVE

So,  I just read a post by a friend of mine that has spurred me onto my next blog. I told you I had lots going on in my mind---and it ranges in topic! Things just keep happening around me that spur me on this need to get things on paper....or computer screen. 

Anyway, if you know me, you know that I am a Christ follower. You know that my foundations are strong, and that I love the Lord. You also know that I'm very open....to everyone & most everything. I don't judge you based on your beliefs, and ask that you return the favor to me. I don't judge you based on your skin color, background, political stance, or sexual preference. I might not AGREE with you on certain issues, but I also realize it's not my place to JUDGE you. There is ONE, 1, one, person on this planet/universe/solar system/etc who is OUR JUDGE. And, I'm thankful it's not me. We are told over and over and over again in the BIBLE..that judgement is NOT ours, but GODS....

Proverbs 8:14  Counsel and sound judgement are mine; I have insight, I have power.

Romans 2:1   You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things. 

John 8:15  You judge by human standards; I pass judgement on no one.

So, why do we keep doing it?!  Why is one sin "BETTER" than the other? Why is it okay to "hate" or "shun" our fellow neighbors, brothers, or sisters? Why do you get to be so self righteous & point fingers at those who are different? Who gave you the right?! Who do you THINK you ARE?! You are no better than them. You are no better than me. WE are ALL, every single last one of us, SINNERS!! It just looks different on each person. So, stop pointing fingers. We are COMMANDED to LOVE our neighbors time and time again:

Luke 10:27 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Leviticus 19:18  Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Galatians 5:14  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 13:9  The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Mark 12:33  To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

NOT once are we commanded to pass judgement on anyone. When you, or I, do....it gives all of "US" (Christians) the "BAD WRAP" that we are so often tagged with.