Wedding Bells

Ok, so I guess I'm still alive....but avoiding Blockbuster with a passion. These last 2 wkends I got to spend with old friends and making new as we celebrated Jessica's wedding.....She's MARRIED! and living in Alabama now (Just remember that this technically means YOU are the one that left!-first)...I'm sad already! So some pictures to commemorate the occasion. Now we shall start planning the first reunion...perhaps early June to hike/camp out!

Spa Beauties!

At Cabanna....ummm...yummy chicken!

Bride to Be with some homemade sangria!

Rehearsal Dinner

Beautiful Girls.....Jessica couldn't be more excited AND calm.Seriously...court-you can straighten my hair anytime you want....thanks bunches!

Nashville won't be the same....we miss you!

Make it a Blockbuster Night

This may very well be my last post ever. So, as my potential last act as ruler of the world, I am issuing a PSA.

Blockbuster kills. Just say no to blockbuster. This is more important than the Huddle House ban of '06. Ignore their soothing blue lights and all-you-can-rent-videos-for-2.99-for-the-entire-month coupons. It is not worth the risk. That's right....my life, is in danger as I type. I do not exaggerate...ever...so you can take me at my word. Here's the story behind the facts:

Stalkers work at Blockbuster...apparently they don't run background checks or use the stalker personality checklist to weed out potential psychos. It's kinda important that the people entrusted with sensitive info like your name, address, phone number, and the kind of movies you love have a good head on their shoulders. They have to be more than just helpful and cheerful...they should also be law abiding citizens and uncreepy. They shouldn't make you want to run screaming from the store without first grabbing your movie you already paid for and then write a blog banning them.

Seriously, I'll recount the creepy scene....let's call the perp SSD (scary stalker dude). Early this wk, i stopped by to pick up The Office, season 2, disk 2 to catch up on my new fav tv show. As I was checking out SSD came up to me and in an ultra-creepy and annoyingly slow voice said "Hello. How are you?" and then just stared.....long after i left the store...that's right. He peered through the Blockbuster Video window at me as I was getting into my car and until I had driven off....k, that's not creepy at all. I shrugged it off, having just encountered Publix stalker, I was wierded out, but not threatened. So earlier tonight, I went back for disk 3. Who's there, but SSD. I quickly grab the video and head to the front, hoping to avoid him...but no, his radar is too good and before I can escape he comes up to me...did I mention his lazy eye? oh, he has a lazy eye.....and so him and his eye come up to me and say in the SSD creepy voice "Hello. It's you. I'm so glad you came in. I was hoping you would come back soon. You should consider making this a frequent occurance..your blockbuster attendance. How are you tonight?" At this pt, I was beyond hyperventilating and I was hoping that the register guy could sense my telepathic HELP brain signals I was yelling....I quickly grabbed my video and practically ran from the doors thinking....I will never return SSD! As I was driving away....I realized that he had all the info one would ever need to start stalking....my name, address, phone number...the make/model and license plate of my car (since it was parked next to the door)....and the list of movies i have most recently rented. That is more information than I would ever want him to know. Can I just interject here that SSD is one of those people that you would run from even if you had never talked to him...he just gives you that vibe....but tonight, at the counter...with his creepy voice and words seriously scared me.

So, from now on...it's Hollywood Video for me. I have not yet once encountered any employee there that has stalker potential and they have always been professional. Please join me in this important movement today, and save a life-possibly your own. Upgrade to Hollywood and don't make it a blockbuster night.

Out with the old.....

Adios 2006!-so long to the memories....another chapter is finished and it's time to look foward to a new year full of good times, laughs, and unforgettable experiences in 2007. Before I do, I'm taking a moment to list the top 10 bestest things about 2006 (that's right, i said bestest...it's my world, i rule it...get over it!)

2006 Top 10 Bestest Memories:

10-john mayer/sheryl crow concert @ starwood ampitheatre

9-discovering who my true friends are through several trials over last yr

8-helping one of my best friend's boyfriend propose

7-making the decision to move to africa for awhile and then actually getting excited about it

6-finally finding Fellowship and making it my home

5-running the CM1/2 with 10 of my close friends

4-all the mummies concerts

3-visiting Ireland

2-climbing camelback mtn/hiking in sedona-redrock/hiking into the grand canyon

1-running 26.2 miles in the desert and finishing alive (without being chased or compensated)

enLIGHTenment

So let your light SHINE!

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:13-16

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine

Don't let satan blow it out,

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine

Shine all over Nashville (and beyond),

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine till Jesus comes,

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine!

http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/t030.html

(note: I just sang that passionately with my right index finger totally in the air making an awesome horizontal circle...and proudly, i might add)

No regrets! I want to live this life passionately, as if I have nothing to lose....because I don't. I want to see each individual as God sees His glorious creation with a purpose and a plan. I want to never hold back, boldly saying what I feel led to say without fear, pride, or timidity. I desire to leave a footprint in this world-God's giant-sized footprint; one that doesn't just make ripples on a pond, but that starts waves-affecting individuals, families, communities, and generations. I believe God is an awesome God that can and does perform miraculous things if we only allow him to use us, unselfishly giving our entire life to Him in worship. I want to be part of that!

Maybe it's because I feel like God is moving greatly in my life right now and I am making big choices to be part of His plan; maybe it's because ever since Sept, I started listening again and diving into the word every chance I get; maybe it's because I have grown up and relinquished control over my life; maybe it's the church I'm part of and the people He has surronded me with that are influencing my outlook. Whatever it is, I have seen myself declare God's love and plan for people's lives without a second thought on how it might be percieved or the impact it will make. I have allowed God to speak through me in both written and spoken words to touch many, allowed Him to use my hands and feet to love on others and do what others don't want the responsibility for it and I have seen changes. All I know is, I couldn't stop this if I wanted to. It's not by my ability, but through His strength and mercy that these things have been accomplished.

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!" -Psalm 115:1

26

In attempting to reconcile the fantasy world i'd love to live in and my stark reality of actually being 26 after my recent bday, i thought i'd list 26 reasons i'm thankful (in no particular order). The hope is perhaps this list will translate into me actually being happy i'm 26. i doubt it, but there's always wishful thinking....right?

1. i've lived 26 years which is 7 years shy of the life expectancy for a swazilander
2. i'm healthy
3. i love living in nashville
4. i have an amazing group of friends
5. i'm part of a spirit-filled church that challenges, feeds, and supports me
6. i am blessed with a job that allows me to see and participate in tiny miracles daily and i love it
7. i always have enough food
8. and clothes
9. and money
10. and a warm place to call home
11. i have a reliable vehicle that i enjoy driving
12. i get to participate in an amazing ministry counseling women facing unplanned pregnancies and sharing God's love and plan for them
13. i have a family who loves and supports me and taught me about God from a young age
14. i have run a marathon and 2 half marathons, training for more, and lived to tell about it
15. i am happy
16. God is a powerful, merciful, compassionate, faithful, loving God, and He loves me!
17. i live in a country with innumerable freedoms and blessings
18. God has protected my heart
19. there is a Bible I can read with words of encouragement, promises, blessings, truths, and instructions on how this earthly world is supposed to work
20. the music i am exposed to in nashville
21. pictures to help me remember all the wonderful moments i have participated or been a spectator in
22. there are 4 definitive seasons where i live (even though i'm not thrilled with the current one)
23. i was afforded an awesome education/college experience and will forever be part of a growing extended family-War Eagle!!
24. God has chosen to bless me immensely so I can bless others
25. I can read and write
26. second chances do exist