Oy Vey, Where Has the Time Gone? Ooops!

Well, it has been a while!  I have been busy and VERY tired.  You see, around January, my husband and I made an incredible discovery…we are going to be parents!  We were both very surprised and not expecting that AT ALL.  God is good and has quite the sense of humor.  Last year I was all over the place.  I was in several different situations that had a HUGE impact on me and the people around me.  It’s been quite a journey (and still is), but I feel like I could not start to heal, or recover, had none of those moments happened.  I didn’t have much clarity, but with God, intensive therapy, strategies and tools, continual counseling and support from others, (and medication) I have been able to stabilize my emotional state rather well.  However, I have had some moments of weakness (because gosh – I’m NOT perfect).  I do feel and know that I am thinking clearly and interpreting others intentions much better, and on a regular basis.  In addition to that, my reactiveness towards people and situations is more rational and thought-out.  I also have the validation from both my counselor and psychiatrist – which helps me move forward in positive way! 

Now, with all that being said, God’s timing IS perfect.  Since we found out we are expecting, I have been NOTHING but calm and at peace.  I have been trusting in God’s plan for this child from day one, and I have continued to have that mind set.  Since the first moment we found out I was pregnant, I immediately prayed, ‘God I know this child is not specifically for us, but yet for you and your kingdom; to glorify your name.  I am thankful that you have given us this opportunity to nurture this child, raise this child, and teach this child all about you.  I know we do not deserve this chance, this life, or anything we have been given, but because you are so merciful, forgiving, loving and faithful, you graciously bless us with these moments and opportunities.  So, thank you God.  Thank you for creating, protecting and giving this child strength.”  Not to mention, that this has pretty much been my prayer each night.  Each night I thank God for another day with this child and I pray for continued support and guidance (and support for my hubby) as I go along my pregnancy.

Like I said, I have not been on here much because I have been VERY TIRED.  Most days I come home and sleep for a few hours, eat something and usually go to bed.  I just didn’t have the energy or cognitive capacity to divulge in any type of blog writing.  Now that I am on Spring Break, I have started to catch up on some sleep and I found myself energized enough to write!  So, yay!

I just want to write on one more thought, and then I have to go – unfortunately.  But this thought prompted me to want to come on here.  I have been taking a course, online, to become certified in a specific model used at my school.  While watching one of the webcasts assigned, I started thinking about my work in comparison to other fields.  What I appreciate most about my job and school is our connective, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach and collaboration.  We work together – and we do it well.  I think about how for so long I wanted to be a teacher and I had that expectation that, that was going to happen.  When it didn’t, I struggled with my identity because I didn’t know who I was suppose to be anymore.  Very parallel to my latest experience in life!  However, by the grace of God and His purposeful plan, He has lead me where I have needed to be.  And sometimes, I find myself doubting my knowledge of my field, but He always reminds me of the wealth of intelligence He has developed in me and that He is not done.  I love what I do because it’s not about me.  Our school is very focused on our students and that they come first – always.  I appreciate that because I remember praying for soooo long to be at a school that had integrity, was just, had a clear mission, focused on the CHILDREN, not money, was stable and sound in foundational and challenging circumstances and very importantly supported it’s staff and their efforts.  I didn’t know a place like this existed, until I started where I am now.  I am thankful and sometimes I wish I could speak a little more effectively and communicate to others what our school does.  It’s always SO confusing to other people and then, sometimes, I think they think I don’t know what I am talking about or what I am doing.  When, in actuality I most certainly do!  I just lose my words under pressure!

Anyway, this post was rather random.  I guess that’s what happens when you don’t write for a while!  I am mostly sending a message of ‘thankfulness’ because I am grateful for all that God does and how He is always faithful – even when I am not.

 

Unit next time…adios.

-S- 

P.S. forgive me if there are grammatical errors or typos!  Been a while!

Ice Cream In The Microwave

You know when something utterly makes sense to you?  You rationally defend your claim and stand beside it-no matter what.  You feel it can’t be disputed and you convey a persuasive, logical reasoning to it’s unusual case.  In your mind, it’s unquestionable and you have true conviction about the whole idea.  Should these feelings be on display about everything?  No.  Should it be about things that matter to you?  Oh, yea-definitely.  Could you see another side to the argument, perhaps?  Maybe (but unlikely to come to a regulated agreement, unless it’s to agree to disagree).  Your probably wondering, “What on Earth is she talking about?!?”  Well, let me tell you a story…

It’s a week night, and my husband and I decide to enjoy a wonderful bowl of ice cream.  Mmmmm.  I love ice cream.  I could eat it once a night for the rest of my life.  So, as we take out the ice cream, my husband turns the faucet on to ‘hot’ and begins to hold the ice cream scooper under the running water.  I simply ask him what he is doing and his reply is, “I am getting the ice cream scooper warm, so it will cut through the ice cream better.”  Hmm, okay.  I, on the other hand, decide to grab the whole carton of ice cream, open the microwave, and press ‘start’.  My husband, freaking out, says, “What are you doing?!?”  I very rationally explain that this is the most efficient way to soften ice cream, while keeping it still cold, and easily scooping it into our bowls to then enjoy.  Rolling his eyes, he says I’m crazy, and argues that his way is better…

Fast forward a few nights later.  Once again, the ice cream craving comes.  My husband and I want to enjoy a lovely bowl of that creamy goodness.  He goes into the kitchen, pulls out the ice cream, turns on the faucet, and yes-waits for the water to get hot.  Observing him from the comforts of our living room, I watch as he aggressively tries to scoop and scoop ice cream from the carton.  Continually placing the ice cream scooper under the hot water, he attempts (for a lengthy amount of time) to fill our bowls with that yummy sweetness.  As he is struggling, I simply say, “Now you know why I use the microwave.”  Hard to step down from his prideful ladder, he gently shakes his head back and forth, smiling just enough to indicate that he’s secretly thinking, “I should have put the ice cream in the microwave.”

Okay, so I am not telling this story just to be silly.  I wanted to expand my thoughts on something more concrete.  In reference to that first paragraph I wrote, I would like to discuss the feeling of having conviction.  You don’t feel wrong, you don’t have doubt, and you express your thoughts in a clear-cut manner that makes complete sense.

I look back on the past few years, and I see myself manifesting in various degrees of light.  What I portrayed to people, wasn’t always what I portrayed at home.  However, what I portrayed outwardly, was my way of helping the internal part of me feel better.  I felt strength in how people viewed me as this ‘encouraging person’.  Someone who had thoughtful, godly things to say, almost daily.  I always thought it was weird, though, because I just felt it come out naturally.  The way I expressed myself, and the things I ‘said’ on a daily basis were real and clear to me.  I remember telling someone that it wasn’t me talking, it was God.  He was using me as a tool to convey certain messages, or words.  I believed every single thing that came out of my mouth, and I wanted to people to hear it.  I wanted them to feel equally convicted of that same strength and courage.  Why not?  Was it really helpful to be sad and angry all the time?  No.

This time in my life started in the late winter of 2012.  It had come after a rather horrifying end to 2011.  My husband and I experienced our first pregnancy loss that included months of uncomfortable moments, pain, and inevitably surgery.  In addition to that, I had finally reached my breaking point with my Dad and brother.  They had pulled me in all sorts of directions, up until that point, and I finally couldn’t take it anymore.  I cut them out of my life and disabled all forms of communication.  I even paid to have a service put on my phone so that I could intentionally block several of their phone numbers.  Then, in December 2011, just as we were coming to the end of the year, Adam was let go from his job.  Since he was the ‘bread winner’ of the house, we were lost.  At this time, we had been physically, emotionally, and financially beaten down.  However, God’s timing was (and is) always mercifully perfect.  When the news was shared that Adam was now unemployed, we were at a church event, surrounded by loving church family.  My husband and I describe that moment as, “God literally holding us in His arms, through every single person there.”  In that moment, we knew life was going to change dramatically, but that God wasn’t going to leave us.  We had conviction that He was going to hold us through and provide for us in every way.  And He did…

Anyway, as the new year began, I was prepping for my mission trip to Guatemala.  I had already raised my funds, and had been preparing for months.  I was ready to go, yet hesitant to leave at such a fragile time.  Looking back now (and even soon after that trip) I would have never changed a thing.  That was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.  I came back to the states filled with a humble heart, hope, and love for life.  I vowed that I was not going to display myself (like those on Facebook) as a complaining, depressed human, pretending to having a wonderful life.  I was only going to say what was helpful and use words that I really meant.  If I was feeling down, I allowed myself to express that, but only after seeking wisdom from God.  I wanted to be pure and honest, but hopeful with truth.  I believed in my words because they were from God.  I loved sharing my heart because I felt as though people needed it.  It’s like God literally pressed on my heart to step out and speak.  So, I did…

That time in my life kind of reminds me of now.  However, I don’t necessarily have that passion to be as encouraging (though I would like to be somewhere around that again).  I feel like the encouraging type of person I am becoming encompasses a steady calm, with meaningful energy.  I don’t feel like I am as ‘crazed’ with excitement to share my heart.  I look back at that time and view myself like a firework (and no I am not referring to Katy Perry’s hit song).  I just see that “Sarah” as overly driven to some degree.  Which makes sense because I ended up falling very, very hard after that.

So, what I mean about me feeling like I did then, now, was that during that time, I knew God was right there.  Not that He was (or is) ever gone, but we really felt His presence in our lives, and He made Himself well-known.  The way things were provided for, the depth of our trust in Him, the ease we had about all the chaos and mess around us.  He was there in every moment, placing His hand wherever we put ours.  I think I just got way over excited and took the ‘encouraging’ to a level that maybe…was not Him.  That’s the thing about the enemy, he can sometimes mask himself to resemble good.

Anyway, after feeling so high, then coming down soooo low, I feel like I am starting to stabilize.  The majority of the time, I feel rather consistent.  Not only that, but I feel that specific presence from God again.  Actually, we do.  We feel God moving in our lives in a surprising way.  We trust His idea’s for us and we literally are just following His plan at this point.  We are praying, we are listening, and we are letting God lead.

If you are weak in faith, in mind, in body, in discipline, in self-control, or in determination, simply wait on God.  He is your strength when all you have is weakness.  It might not be what you want, or how you think it should look, but it will be exactly what you need.

Until next time…adios.

-S-

“Worry weighs a person down…”

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” – Proverbs 12:25 NLT

So, I was feeling a little disheartened.  Now, there are two people who are my ‘go to people’ in situations like this; my husband and my Mom.  They remind me of what’s important and allow me to refocus.  After wiping my tears and blowing my nose, I then prayed.  I thanked God for all He has given us and acknowledged that I completed trusted Him and that His will was all that I was interested in.  After that, I looked at my phone and opened the K-Love app.  When I opened the app, the music that was playing was from the artists called, “The Afters”.  Their song, “Every Good Thing” was blaring loud and clear…

“You’re the reason for every good thing, every heartbeat, everyday we get to breathe…You are, you are…here in every moment and I know it…”

While hearing that, and smiling from it, I searched the app more and checked out the Bible verse of the day.  Take a wild guess at what verse that was…yes, the one that is my heading for this post.  Reading this verse, I then said to God, “Your right God.  I am not going to worry about this, I am confident in you.  Just like the song, you are the reason for every good thing.  I am thankful for all you do, because I know I don’t deserve it.  You are always faithful, even when I am not.”

I don’t know what God has in store, but I do know that His intention is not to hurt me.  This life is NOT as good as it gets.  There is more and it involves God’s Kingdom.  All the refining that happens to me here on earth, only builds God’s Kingdom.  Until then, I can’t let others bring me down.  I can’t let it get in my head and rob me of the joy I feel.  When I do, I go to a dark place that allows for the enemy to get stronger.  I will not have that.  Not this time.  I might break down and fall short sometimes, but those feelings won’t remain.  I am becoming a stronger person each time and I only have God to thank for that.

Each day I get right now, is a blessing.  I will NOT feel bad or worry about it.  I will embrace it and acknowledge this life.  If no one else wants too, that’s fine – but I will…I WILL.

-S-

Insert Clever Title Here…

I am distracted by my lack of feeling significant.  I just don’t understand where this is coming from.  I have this weird sense the people around me are not pleased with me.  I haven’t done anything wrong (that I know of), but I just feel like I am not as welcomed or as loved as others.  It’s almost like I am ‘old news’ or ‘not cool enough’…I don’t know.  I feel like I am not making sense.  This is so petty, but it’s bothering me!  Just thought I would write it out…to see if it would help…

You know when you are talking to someone and the other person keeps looking away, but they are trying to stay focused on you at the same time?  That’s how I feel.  I feel like people are just bored with me and have no interest in really having a meaningful conversation or relationship or whatever…I just feel like I am an ‘eye roll’ type of person or a ‘fake smile’ person.  You know, I come walking towards you and you do either of those two things in response to my presence…yea. 

I just have this sense that people don’t really care to hear my thoughts or really want know what’s going on.  They just want to give me some two cent crap advice and push me aside so they can enjoy the company of someone more pleasing. 

I’m feeling ignored, unwanted, lame, insecure, disregarded…insignificant. *cue the eye roll and deep sigh…*  

Anyway, just a short post.  Trying to process some feelings out…

-S-

God Is Near

I love music. I mean, who doesn’t. I typically have it on all the time. I even bought a portable Bose speaker because I wanted quality and portability.

Anyway, aside from that, this song is beautiful. I have listened to this song many times before, and I love signing it. Recently, though, I feel more connected to this song. As I hear the words in this song, and listen to the melody, I am reminded of how I feel. I know these words well…

In this past week, I have realized something important. Something I already kind of mentioned. I am not in control – God is. He is the one that knows every part of my mind, heart, and soul. He knows what’s ahead, and there is nothing I can do about the future. I can, however, follow where I hear God leading me. When I let the Holy Spirit really guide my heart, I have a genuine calm that covers me. I feel at peace, and I have an undeniable trust in the Lord. No doubts. No fear. No matter what.

That’s how I feel right now.

In this song, I love all the lyrics, but I particularly love when he sings this:

“I’ll trade the fear of all that I could lose, for every moment I’ll share with you…heaven brought you to this moment, it’s to wonderful to speak…you’re worth all of me…”

In this moment, I feel this. I know God has it all under control and I am truly at peace with what is to come.

Until next time…adios.

-S-

Don’t Worry About It…

I have anxiety, and it sucks.  I wish, with all my heart, that I could just let go and let be…but I can’t.  I want to control situations, know everything, and ask as many questions as I can because I want to be prepared for every single second…yea…I know.  But you know what bugs me the most!?!  When someone says, “Just stop worrying about it…”  Really?!?!  That’s not helpful, at all.  Okay, here’s something for you.  Don’t think about an elephant.  NO MATTER WHAT, do NOT think about an elephant.  I mean thinking about an elephant is just not good for you.  When you think about an elephant you lose focus, your self-esteem goes down, and sometimes you can become irrational…So, please, try your best, and don’t think about an elephant…okay?  Hmm…I wonder what came to mind after reading that…you see my point?

I don’t like having this feeling, and need, to know every single detail, but the unknown is just so scary for me.  Typically, when people become anxious about the unknown, they can rationalize and process through those feelings in a fairly healthy manner.  For Christians, they can just trust that God has it under control, and that He will provide for them as planned.  I believe that, too.  However, I also have trust issues; even with the big man upstairs…

You see, anxiety is not biological or inherited.  It is actually environmental and can be maintained (with A LOT of practice and time).  It mostly involves being aware of your mind and acknowledging what’s going on with your thoughts.  The key is to being aware that certain thoughts will be there, but that they don’t have to stop you from living or experiencing life.  And they certainly don’t have to control the way you react or respond-you can have some say in that.  I know, sounds very ‘therapy like’…I mean it is helpful; I just have to remember that God is truly the only one who can calm my heart and pull me away from the enemies lies.

Anyway, the first time I learned that anxiety was environmental is when I was in my outpatient therapy.  As soon as I heard those words, I couldn’t find blame anywhere, but within me.  It immediately gave me this sense of responsibility and guilt at the same time.  Responsibility meaning:  I can manage this and I need to.  Guilt meaning:  your the reason for all the problems in your life (clearly not from God…).  My therapists, however, did acknowledge for me, that my anxiety formed out of being raised in a hostile environment (being in constant fear for my parents and our lives, in all aspects).  Not that this is where my blame is to be-no, but that it is a dominant factor.  I didn’t have anyone else in my life I could go to, and ask about what I experienced on a daily bases.  I just sat with those feels, those fears, and those questions.  I worried constantly.  Psychologically speaking, this is where I started to develop an irrational filter for processing situations.  Until now, I haven’t actually been taught anything different…

Growing up I cried about 4 out of 7 nights a week.  Angry, frustrated, confused, scared etc.  Most nights, I would wait until my alcoholic Dad came home (or I would be awaken by him slamming the door) and I would listen… Listen to his footsteps, how the floor sounded as he walked across it, what he was mumbling, how he seemed.  I could tell right away what kind of mood he was in, and how the night was going to go…Sometimes, though, my predictions were wrong.  He would often go into my Mom’s room, and wake her up. He would always ask her stupid questions, telling her stories she didn’t care about, and yelling at her because she wasn’t attentive to him…at 3 A.M.  This went on almost every single night growing up.  And every single night, I would hear every single thing they said, and how they behaved.  Worried, I quickly invented a tactic to distract my Dad.  I would get up and walk to the bathroom (which meant I had to walk past my Mom’s room), and subtlety remind my Dad that his food was in the microwave, in the kitchen.  Most of the time, that would redirect him enough to grab it and go downstairs (where he slept) to go to sleep.  My room was right above his and I knew I was successful, when he would turn on the T.V. (very loudly mind you) and proceed to call some ‘buddy’ of his and talk like a 14 year old girl all night…This, is usually what I fell asleep to…Anyway, that was just part of where it all began.  There is so much more in-between…

Oh boy, do I digress…My point in my rambling is this: I  had an anxiety attack today.  I couldn’t control what was happening (or going to happen) and it freaked me out.  However, it also made me realize, once again – I do not have control of anyone or anything around me – I only have control of myself and what I do…but even that, I don’t have full control of.  Just like my childhood, or the events in my life since (especially those two miscarriages);  I couldn’t stop that, and I can’t stop what is ahead…

So, I leave you with this Bible verse that says it all…

Until next time…Adios

-S-

Marchin’ On

So, yesterday was a rough day in the household of us (my husband and I). We had a very intense argument that lead to a deeper part of us. After being slightly irrational (on both parts), we finally started talking…and actually listening.

I love my husband very much. I am often reminded of how uniquely perfect he is for me. I’m not saying he is perfect, but he is definitely my match. I am not proud of the way we have treated each other over the years, because we have been unbelievably awful and uncharacteristically evil. We not only got married young, but we have also had a number of overwhelming situations come into our lives (not that anyone else in the world hasn’t had that). But being young and stupid AND MARRIED, really did a number on us. I mean, some days I feel like we have been married for 20 years! Not only that, but we each brought an immense about of emotional baggage (and suppressed feelings) along for the ride…

The reason why I am sharing this song, specifically, is because it represents how I feel about mine and Adam’s relationship, at this point. We are about to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary this May, and up until yesterday, I was feeling very detached from my husband. Like I have mentioned, over and over again, we are coming out of a rather rough year. We are not unfamiliar in this area, but this past year encompassed more than just us. It was a mental breakdown that involved all the loved ones around us. As we argued yesterday, things were brought up that shook us both. We even mentioned the “D” word…yes, I know…don’t judge. We are not pursuing that, so don’t worry, but I realized yesterday that it’s not just me that’s lost, he is too. We are lost with each other because we are both changing. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing, we just have to continue to seek guidance and acclimate to how our life and relationship is shifting. Neither of us want to spend the next 5, 10, 80 years just cycling around this same pond. We need to keep moving and growing with each other. Like this song sings:

“For this dance we’ll move with each other.
There ain’t no other step than one foot,
Right in front of the other.

There’s so many wars we fought,
There’s so many things we’re not,
But with what we have,
I promise you that,
We’re marching on…”

My husband and I know that we need God to be the main presence in our lives together, but we need help doing that. We have taken our focus off of Him, and selfishly dwell in our lives, trying to problem solve on our own. We know we can’t accomplish anything without Him, but we also know that we can’t even begin to refocus on Him, unless someone literally helps direct us. So, as a couple, we have decided to take that first step forward and have a third party (MC) sit down with us. Who knows how long we will do this, but all I know is that this is the healthiest decision we can make right now, and we’re going for it…

Enjoy this song. It’s meaningful and upbeat…just my kind of tune.

Unit next time…Adios!

-S-

Let’s Be Frank

I am just one person out of billions on earth.  Surrounded by powerful forces all around and in society, I often feel totally powerless and insignificant.  My temptation is to simply fall into a comfortable routine and try my best to be happy.  But I know that’s not right.  I also know that God is all powerful, much greater than any group or institution in the world.  He has given me talents, gifts, and abilities to invest wisely for His glory.  I want to use them to truly make a difference, even if that means one person at a time-nothing grand-just God and me working together to change lives.  However, I have been told recently that I have developed some bad habits, harmful to me, my relationship with God, and the people around me.  My first response was denial.  Then I made excuses (and am still making excuses), rationalizing my behavior as normal and expected, especially for someone in my situation.  But I know I am just trying to convince myself, which is easy because I am a qualified manipulator and as gullible as they come…

Seeing another person’s problems is easy-it’s obvious.  However, it is also easy to be blind to our own issues and shortcomings.  I know that the only way to start working through that is to simply realizing where you are, and I do; at least I think I do.  I feel as though I am realizing more and more, each day, where I am, and where I would like to be.  I have come a long way in the last year (and even the past 3 months), but I’m still seeking my temptation, more than I am seeking truth.  I absolutely know where I need to be, and how that looks, but I don’t long for it as passionately as I have in the past.  Previously, as I have entered into a new season of my life, I would have this undeniable drive and motivation, but for some reason, I still feel jaded.  Quite frankly, I really haven’t flipped the passion switch on yet, but I am driven to some degree.  I see certain elements as a perfectly clear options, and most of which encompasses truth, but for some reason, I keep thinking that it’s what other people want for me.  That it’s really not who or where I want to be.

You see this little girl?  This little girl was very imaginative.  She had a lot of ideas about who she wanted to be and couldn’t wait to take on the world!  She wanted to grow up, be a teacher, get married, have a wonderful family, adopt a golden retriever, and live happily ever after in her amazing home with a front porch and white picket fence.  Wow, how Americanized!  Well, this little girl soon learned that world is a shitty place and that good people have very dark sides…Over time, she felt misplaced and confused and bound by fear.  She never knew what the night would bring, and it scared her to death.  She was often caught in the middle of horrific, violent, physically and verbally abusive arguments between two people where supposed to love each other.  In most situations, she was the target of their anger and frustration.  She never had anyone to talk to about anything that was going on, so she just endured.  She lived…She hoped…and she desperately desired to become the opposite of what she was given.  She never realized, though, that tucking all that pain away, would only result in her becoming exactly what she despised…

Over the course of my life, I feel as though I have been stripped of traditional experiences or ‘unofficial milestones’ of life.  And because of that, I have attempted to pursue those ridiculous en-devours, at the wrong time, only causing more disappointment.  I know that the temptation I currently seek is wrong.  Completely and utterly inappropriate and meaningless.  I guess I think back to this little girl.  How she wanted to be carefree, but was burdened by circumstance.  She was never taught (or even able to process in a healthy manner) how to emotionally and psychologically handle those experiences.  I think about how I jumped into marriage at the age of 21, completely oblivious to reality and blinded by my heart.  I was filled with a distorted filter of what marriage is and overflowed with unrealistic expectations of myself and my husband.  Over the course of our marriage, we did a pretty good job of hiding what happened behind closed doors and ignoring the real issues.  Now, that we have exposed ourselves to most of our family, friends, and professional counselors, I feel overwhelmed.  Maybe because things are getting real?  I don’t know, but I feel this desire to experience life in a way that doesn’t fit in my marriage.  Am I doing this because I feel trapped and unsuccessful, or because I want to be reminded of the absolutely wonderful man that I have?  I don’t know, honestly.  I look at us and I feel as though we are doing fantastic individually, but what about together…?

I definitely feel that a lot of this is only proof that I have become stationary in my faith, even though God has warned me about the enemy.  Despite popular representations, he is real and dangerous, a devouring “lion” often disguised as something good (1 Peter 5:8).  God calls Satan a liar and the Accuser, and he uses both tactics in bombarding me, lying about God and reminding me of my failures and sins.  I have felt under heavy attack, with the devil’s accusations swirling about in my mind and obstacles being placed in my way…The crazy thing is I KNOW the devil is no match for God, but I am still struggling to stomp on the enemies ideas, and move closer to God.  I mean, how foolish is that?!?  I KNOW that I am supposed to love my enemies, resist temptation, give godly counsel, stand for truth, serve others selflessly, steward my resources wisely, and more-all only possible by God’s grace and through his strength (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).  BUT WHERE IS MY PASSION TO OBEY THAT?  It’s like I want it, but I don’t.

Anyway, I will leave you with this; my only prayer at this point.  Holy Spirit, please empower me.

Until next time…adios!

-S-

A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words…or 879

Image credit: “safe” – © 2007 Paul Keller – made available under Attribution 2.0 Generic

This image was pulled randomly by WordPress, when I clicked on a link that said, “inspire me”.  I was curious to see what would happen.  When the picture appeared on the screen, I first thought, ‘What the heck?’  Then, I looked at it for a little bit and started to think about Haiti, a country I visited in December of 2012.  Mental images of my experience in Haiti started flooding my mind.  I began thinking about the people I met (especially the children), the environment that surrounded them, and how I felt during that time.  My heart was so open and extremely self-less.  I could have stayed there, or traveled to several other countries, if I had the ability.  I was so passionate about serving others.  I had no problem speaking about our money hungry, materialistic, ego driven, American ways, in comparison to the humble, God filled, altruistic, grateful Haitians.  Then, I started getting busy in my life…

My husband and I had packed our weeks and weekends with church, friends, work etc.  We were very busy and very focused on each other.  At that point, we had decided that we were going to be more proactive about ‘trying’ for a family.  After trying for a few months, I discovered I was pregnant.  We were excited, and I immediately went to get blood work to confirm.  Almost instantly after that, I started having issues.  I knew in my heart that the pregnancy was failing, but I was denying that and remaining hopeful.  After going back for more blood work, I came home and tried to rest.  I began pleading with God to give us the opportunity to know this baby, and to let this baby develop and live.  I have never wanted something so much, as I did in that moment.  When I got the results back, the nurse said that my levels were extremely low, and that they don’t even consider that being pregnant.  Exceptionally offended, and emotionally overwhelmed, I hung up the phone and cried my eyes dry.  After that, I had to return to the doctor to get another blood test – just to confirm their previous findings.  When I was called, to hear the results, the nurse (very unsympathetically) said, “Your blood work came back negative for being pregnant.”  And just like that, I wasn’t pregnant anymore.  It literally felt like I was pregnant for all of 2 seconds…what a crock!  In that moment, I could feel my heart harden.  I was devastated.

After that, I began losing myself at an accelerated rate.  I was not the same person that had lovingly visited Haiti to be with Godly centered people.  I mean, honestly, I was struggling at that point in my life anyway.  I was mentally overwhelmed with so many family dynamics; both with mine and my husbands.  Before this recent miscarriage, I had always struggled with ‘family things’ because it triggers a lot of my personal pain from my past.  Personal pain that I never really dealt with until I started affecting the people around me.  Which, unfortunately, was right around the time that this miscarriage happened.  I thought that going to Haiti would center me, and bring me to a different level with God.  You know, allow me to feel confident in my struggles going forward… But after coming back, and feeling like an opportunity was literally ripped from me with that miscarriage, I could no longer function in a stable manner.  It probably didn’t help that this wasn’t my first miscarriage (but that story is for another time).  I was gone…and nothing that anyone could do at that point, was going to help me.  I needed to fall on my face, and seek for help, like a big girl.

Anyway, I sort of digressed while talking about Haiti and what followed in that next year.  My point in this post is to acknowledge that not only does this picture remind me of Haiti, but it also reminds me of myself (maybe even blatantly displaying how I am two different people within about a years time).  Honestly, I feel tarnish and misplaced; just like that safe.  I mean, after living a life of constantly feeling emotionally defeated; to completely breaking down because I had, had enough; to being hospitalized, placed in treatment, and put on medication; and then facing my family and friends in an undesirable manner – yea… I had been exposed in the most abraded way possible.  And it wasn’t just me looking in a mirror and being disgusted by what I saw.  No.  It was me standing in front of a window, so that everyone could gawk at me, at my most vulnerable, unattractive state, and listen to their judgments and opinions being thrown at me.  Actually, it wasn’t like a window.  I take that back…it was like throwing me into shark infested water, covered in blood…yea, that’s more like it…

Anyway, like I have said before.  I am hear to write, because I still feel lost.  For the past several months, I have been trying to implement what I have learned, work hard at letting people in (and not personalize their perspective), and spiritually figure out where I stand.  I’m just not sure who I am right now, but I can feel pieces coming together.  Yet still, at this moment, ‘I don’t know’ are my favorite words…

Until next time…Adios.

-S-

Eat, Pray, Laugh

Alrighty, so I have made two blog posts!  Now, my third…wow – I am on a roll!  Awesome.  I am very glad to be writing and I have found that this is most definitely helpful!  I am feeling very elevated today and much of that credit goes to my friends.  I have had a great weekend laughing and feeling relaxed with a couple of different people – and it was refreshing (and did I mention full of laughter?)!

Speaking of laughter, I looked up the definition of laughter and this is what came up, according to Google:

Laughter: The action or sound of laughing.

Umm, ok… really Google?  You can’t be a little more specific?!?  I mean really, that’s the definition you have!?  Oy Vey…So, then I kept looking and I found this definition by Dictionary.com:

Laughter: an inner quality, mood,disposition, etc., suggestive of laughter;mirthfulness: a man of laughter and goodwill. 

OR

an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement.

Okay, okay…getting better…but still not a very good definition. Then, I found this one…thanks to Oxford Dictionaries.com:

Laughter:  to make the spontaneous sounds and movements of the face and body that are the instinctive expressions of lively amusement and sometimes also of contempt or derision.

Alrighty!  I like that one!  Much better, and more detailed!

Anyway, after having fun looking up different definitions of the word, laughter, (yes I actually enjoyed doing that) I decided to make my own definition.  After this weekend, I was reminded of how it feels to really laugh and I owe it all to my wonderful friends.  Thanks guys 🙂

So here is my definition:

Laughter:  The physical experience and expression of vocalizing true joy and pleasure from deep inside your heart.

What do you think?  To cheesy?  Eh, I don’t care!  It’s my opinion and I like it! OHHH snap!! Haha, I’m just kidding… No but really, I like it…

Moving on!  My point in this post is to acknowledge the pure fact that our lives just wouldn’t be the same without the companionship of great people.  Our world is so messed up and so many things happen to us on a daily basis.  We were made and created for relationships, to be in community with others…

Personally, I don’t know where I would be without my Friends.  In my book, God comes first, then my husband, then family and then friends.  During 2013, I had a mental breakdown and I just needed to release everything inside.  I was so heartbroken and very, very lost.  Well, actually, I am still very lost.  I am trying to understand myself and follow where God wants me to go.  However, until recently, I was still very angry with God.  I know, who am I to be angry with GOD!?  But He wants to hear our honest hearts, not just some mumbo jumbo…I mean, He knows…everything…don’t get me wrong, but He wants us to acknowledge what’s inside of ourselves, to Him.  So, I have been nothing but honest.  I have opened up my heart to God, and many people around me – most of which have been my friends.  I would say, for the first time in my life, I have been completely raw and unbelievably real in every way.  I have not liked this process of refinement, but I have appreciated the insight I have gained, up until this point.  We grow and change on a daily basis, but this past year, it was much more intense for myself and the people around me…

I am very fortunate to be given the opportunity to have such wonderful friends be along side me, and my husband, through all the ‘up’s and down’s’ of this life.  The kind of people who never give up on you, even when your the bitchiest, most stubborn, thick-headed brat possible…I have friends who know my heart, and who I am – even when I don’t.  Friends who will tell me how it is, even if it hurts.  Friends that are intentional about showing their love and their commitment by spending quality, meaningful time together…I have friends that I love very much, and I wouldn’t change anything about our any of our relationships…

So, this post is for you, friends.  Thank you, for being more than just ordinary, but rather, extraordinary people in my life.  Thank you for loving me, encouraging me, supporting me (and Adam), and for always being there.  You are truly an inspiration to me and I wouldn’t be who I am without your help.

By the way, check out this song down below…it fits perfectly!

Count On Me

Until next time…Adios!

-S-