Painfully Frustrated

Well friends: I would have hoped after this past year that things would settle down but it hasn't. I went back to the doctor Wednesday to get the the reports from the MRI and it basically went like this. The doctor walked in: said "Looking at the MRI report and PT report: things aren't as expected. We need to schedule next week for you to have a cathiter nerve block, my nurse will be right in to schedule that with you. Have a great day." He continued to just walk out the door. As you can imagine I was beyond frustrated for several reasons. Nurse came in, schedule it for next week and then I left. I was so out of it, I didn't check out nor realize it, until they called yesterday. I didn't make it to the car before the tears started flowing. I need you prayers as it's very frustrating. I am back in PT three times a week for over two hours those days.

This is me!

GOLDEN RETRIEVER
people-pleaser
laid back
happy
undemanding
avoid conflict
takes responsibility
crushed by getting yelled at
go along with the crowd
hard time saying no
chameleon

An interesting point about the Golden Retriever is that last characteristic. Golden Retrievers will be whatever they need to be. If no one is taking charge, they'll be a Lion. If everyone just wants to have fun, they'll be an Otter. If work needs to be done in an orderly fashion, they'll be a Beaver.

I'm Waiting

God is amazing and His love and comfort always amazes me. Today, I'm in another waiting position, I am so exhaulsted from trying to figure things out because truthfully none of it makes sense. However, as painful as it is I'm still waiting. One of my best friend sent me this last Sunday night, and I watched the video and closed it: the emotions of the words were too much for me at that time. When I talked to her I shared that it was incridable, but then became silent---we haven't talked about it sense but she knew where it touched and challenged at the same time. The song was used in the movie "Fireproof" which I hope to see this week. Her and her husband went on a date to see it and she was telling me about how awesome it was. Anyway- I want to wait faithfully on the Lord as I run the race through the pain- serve and worship Him along the way! Please pray that I become better at this everyday.

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

Hopeful

Well, I'm trying to have a positive attitude and not say, here we go again but here's the update. With the stress of everything else, I have put myself on the back burner, and with everything else going on with my body my neck has surely been put back---however, it wasn't going to allow me to do that anymore daily routines were becoming difficult due to the pain along with the headaches. I seriously thought that it was just because of stress, however realized it was only getting worse, so I called Patrick and went to a new doctor he recommended. Of course---more drugs, MRI, and thereapy. While I had the MRI, this past Tuesday night and get the results Wednesday and I started PT again Wednesday and then went again Friday. She is very concerned because I have no movement from C4-T2. While we were going through the history she couldn't believe that I had been to 6 different places for physical therapy and had everything from botox, epiderials, nerve blocks, and whatever else done. The car accident was seven years ago, it seems like so long ago, but at the same time like yesterday. Anyway, so here we go again---I am trying to be hopeful that I can be healed from this pain. I am hopeing and working hard on all the things she gave me to do at home. It's already been painful to start back but hopefully it will be worth it. So here we go . . . . . . .

Casting Crowns

Praise in the Park was last Saturday night and it was an awesome night of worship. Brooke and I went and joined up with Mike and Brandy, the kids and youth from Four Mile. Walking to our spot in the park, I ran into the Crane's--it was so good to see them. The concerts had started early in the afternoon and so the park was full of action. We were able to see 33 Miles and Casting Crowns. It was an awesome awesome worship time that was so special. Thousand and thousands of people were there, which made it so packed but what a positive thing to have happen. The weather couldn't have been better- it was clear and cool. The night's sky was beautiful which made the worship that much more real---does that makes sense? After the awesome time of worship, I didn't want to go leave but it was time......Until next time. . . . . .

Hampton's Ordination

After leaving Jackson, I headed down to Brookhaven for Hampton's ordination service. I stopped at the hotel and feel asleep while talking to my mom. I quickly woke up, when the maintenance man was standing at the foot of the bed----Yeah I was scared and screaming! Anyway, everything was fine when the manager came down and explained. Anyway- so I went to the church and was able to experience this special time with Hampton and Lindsey and there families. It is so awesome to think back seven years ago when I meet them and what all God's done. He's amazing!!! As much as I miss them being close, it is awesome to see they are completely where God wants them to be. It was a very sweet and special service in Honor of what Christ has and will do in there lives. I was so humbled to see the dozens of people that poured there love and prayers over them. It made me feel better to know they are being taken care of and loved. After all, look how cute they are? No, they haven't changed at all, except they are expanding the Sims family to add a precious one to the family. Yeah---I get to be an aunt again- the precious little boy is due in February.

Trip to Pinelake

Rise and Shine---I got up extremely early and headed to Jackson to visit Pinelake. What an incridble ride I had, me and God---listening to His word, singing his praises, and an awesome time of prayer while the sun came up. It was a great three hours. I had a personal escourt to the church by Bill, (he was talking me through the backroads to the church and while sitting at the redlight I'm putting on makeup, changing shoes, added a shirt on top of what I was wearing, and finally the light changes and he is stilling talking to me and I see this black SUV turn on it's lights pulled to the side infront of me, I saw this car at the light but didn't think anything of it. Well needless to say, I was freaking out and it was Bill- he sure got a good laugh watching and hearing me panic. Ha Ha---Anyway, we went to the church and it was amazing! They are in the middle of a sermon series "Me and My Big Mouth". It was an awesome message and of course was challenged by the visual they gave. Everyone got a tonge depressor, and it has the sermon title with a scritpture on it. We're suppost to put in a place and be challenged to remember how use our mouth for the glory of God, and guard our toung against sin. I've worked hard this week, speaking positive and encouraging words---pray it only gets better. Anyway it was an awesome time of worship there and I of course enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing old--Brian Boiko a close friend from Moss Point that I graduated with, saw me and came after the service and attacked me. Then after the service Bill and I met Matt for lunch and had a great time of fellowship there too. It was a special day! Thanks Bill for all your help! That's about it---I'm going to follow the sermon and keep me and my big mouth shut----help me by doing the same please!

Pictures of friends from Weddings

Weddings

Last Saturday was an eventful day. Both brides were beautiful and had picture perfect day.
I enjoyed seeing Taris and all the friends there to celebrate her special day. It was really awesome standing there as people came in, because I got to hug so many people I hadn't see in forever, some sadly enough I didn't even realize until they came up to me and started talking. Still need to post those pictures---sorry! I cried my eyes out through the wedding, because wow- Taris got married! I'm so excited for her. Everything was so cute with the personal touches everywhere---it was a day perfect for them.

Of course with the double weddings- the stress level was high trying to make both events and not wanting to cut anyone short. I made it to Sandy's reception and it was beautiful. The Tiffany's blue of course added a special touch:) The kids were so precious all dressed up. Lauren, Dean and Joanne's daughter, dressed and played her heart out stepping on her dress the entire time, finally she ripped the skirt to it was just hanging behind her by a couple of threads, it didn't stop her she kept dancing with her slip on, until she fell asleep. Then you have Kyle and Emma who were the cuttest kids ever and so good. Ava got to play and dance with me which of course I loved. (Posting picture of that soon too) Anyway, it was intresting watching everyone else and enjoying the kids.

I cut the evening short, as I was so tired and knew I had a long but exciting day ahead.

Oogie Orginals

Oogie Orginal's are now on the market! My mom is Oogie and she is now a professional potter. I'm so proud of her, this time last year my parents started taking intrest in pottery. We did a class together and then this spring they did another ten week class and since then my mom has been hooked. She had a piece at there office that she did and Mrs. Sally, who owns a store came in and ask who the artist was and where she got it. Once it was told, my mom made it, she ask if she had other pieces and ended up coming to the house and getting all the things momma has made to sell at her store. All of this happened Thursday night, she called momma on Friday to ask her to come see it all displayed and let her know she had already sold three peices. My mom is so excited and this is a great relief for her from the stresses of normal life.

So much to share . . . .

Wow- it's been a busy week! Between the weddings, going to Jackson, Pinelake, Brookhaven, working early shift, dinner with friends, doctor's appointments, having a horrible headache, and just everything else a week holds---it's been crazy! I will make seprate post that ya'll have to read individually but just wanted to let everyone know I am alive. I have had several people ask, if I jumped off a cliff with the two weddings. I didn't----thought about it, but didn't do it!

Anyway, hopefully this weekend will be wonderful and relaxing! I am not on call! Praise God! I am hopefully going to a movie tonight, going to clean tomorrow and play around the house, and then go the Casting Crowns concert tomorrow night. So I'm excited about those things.

So for now- thanks for checking on me. I am going to start cleaning while the pictures are transfering and then hopefully I'll be able to make other post.

Have a great weekend all-

27 Dresses

I am sure you have heard of the movie, 27 Dresses, that is my thought right now. I'm so excited for two people mine married. Taris- a friend from Moss Point and I did everything together growing up, we road to school together, went to church together, hung out, went to MC together. She is the best! Sadly, the miles between us made us lose touch, however the friendship is still there that if either of us knew we needed something we could call the other person. That is how are families are as well. It's funny to think back b/c we liked two of the same guys too! :) Can't wait to see her, I know she is going to be beautiful, as always! I am also very excited to see many of my old friends. It's been so long and those visits are very much needed.

Anyway, Sandy is also getting married tomorrow! Yes, I will be flying from MS back to Mobile to make it for her respection. I work with Sandy at Callis and she is going to make a beautiful bride. So there are the two brides who will be enjoying there special day tomorrow!

Sunday- I am hopefully waking up early to go to Pinelake. I am praying things work out for me to meet with Bill and Matt even and go to lunch. Then I'm so excited that God has allowed Hampton to be ordained Sunday night. So I will be attending that and then driving back.

As you can see it's going to be a busy weekend, but I'm most excited about the people I will get to see, it almost makes things all better know I will be surround by close friends and family. Yes, as you know two weddings in one days as it is such a beautiful and exciting thing, it is also very difficult for me as I have to admit I'm jealous. Please pray that I have the right attitude and control emotions of all kinds. :)

Feeling Defeated

Today, I'm struggling with feeling defeated. Feeling like there are situations and challenges that I've hung on to only to win, but realizing it's not going to happen. I have thought for the past twenty four hours, where I have I messed up? What have I done wrong? Why are certain things happening? Feeling a little hopeless with the conditions of things. However, as I have prayed about it: my joy doesn't come from those things. I haven't done anything wrong. I haven't messed up. I didn't lose the battle. I'm very thankful for these verses to help reassure that I'm a winner in Christ.

Romans 8:37 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)
31-39So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

The change has begun . . . .

What would you change about your life? Let's face it. We all have things about ourselves we want to change, whether they are big or small. Some people dread, even avoid change, while others seek it out like the next big thing, latest fad or adrenaline rush. But change isn't always what we think it is. When it comes to changing our lives, we think it only takes a certain amount of determination, drive and discipline. But there's much more to change. This morning, I wanted Ed Young as he teaches us that change—real change—comes only from God. And when we learn to partner and cooperate with him, we tap into the power that can radically change everything about our lives, forever.





God knows what a visual person I am, and this morning as I had church with myself watching one of these messages.

He used two things that I can carry with me this week:

1. Hokie Pokie- You put your new self, God takes your old self out, you do the Hokie Pokie and God turns your life around thats what it's all about.

2. Ed shared about foundations, and how we really have to have a solid foundation and when we have a sandy foundation and then try to put the Rock on top it doesn't fit. He demonstrated by glass containers and showed it didn't fit. However, when we put the rock as the foundation, and put our loves around it- it works! He has to be first in all things!

I know these are simply concepts that we teach in elementary sunday school, however visually it makes me realize and apply it as I am able to remember it more clearly. So right now here is how I'm chaning. God is taking on the old stuff out of me, moving Him around to be first and once I am good and fully relaying on Him, He will position other things back.

Laughing!!!

I don't know if I have ever laughed so hard! So I'm sitting here, the kids are sleeping and I'm checking email, facebook and about to take a nap myself. Turn on the TV and I'm flipping through and find, "TLC- What Not To Wear" so I'm watching it and really excited because it is a girl my size on there. (Wait, don't have laugh yet, that isn't the funny part!) But they are going through, and I'm thinking about the things they are telling her. It was pretty scary as I could just imagine me on there---we've joked about it but goodness! Anyway, so I look up and she is wearing what I'm wearing right now. Ha Ha Ha! I about died, I thought wow she has good taste and that looks good on here. I thought WRONG! Here come the monsters to destroy her thoughts---they said how unflattering it was and just go from head to toe and tell her what was wrong-I felt as if I was her! Seriously we had the same shirt on from Lane Bryant and the same pants---shoes were different but my goodness!! Anyway, needless to say I'm scared! I had to go to the website, and I might have to apply to be on the show myself.

A process

I'm learning that life is a process and doesn't happen in my timing! (Yeah, I'm a slow learner, and it's taking me a while!) I desire things in life but trying to remember that God is in control and things are in His timing and His will. However, today I got way to wrapped up in myself. Today, I had a great day to be a "mommy." Doug had to fly out of town, Ali had a horse show and so they ask me if I could trade time and keep the kids-- crazy question and like I would say no to that! :) So I go to pick up Ava run around, and then pick up Emma from school. The emotions overcame me, and as I sat in the carpool line, I felt crazy because I'm sitting there crying- watching all the happy moms with there kids run to them in there little SUV's. Then comes my precious Emma runny with her teacher, Tifffffyyyyy!!!! She tells her teacher, this is my friend Miss. Tifffy, she loves me! Okay, my heart was really melted then. So we go on to the house and put the girls to bed for naps, and then get Kyle from the bus stop---again as the bus is coming down the street, I see his head out the window and hear, Miss Tiffyyyyyyy Miss Tiffyyyyy!!! I again was overwhelmed with emotions. It was such a wonderful work day. I understand that being a mom is very difficult, and this was just a day and not a full lifetime of it, but it was so sweet feeling so love and needed. I can only imagine how it must really feel to be a parent or even more to God and have the joy of seeing your kids come to us with excitment. That's what I want to do more, is rest in my Heavenly Father's arms with love and excitment and be happy just being there! Got a long way to go---but again today I was given hope and peace, and if I am single forever, I have other kids that love me!