What kind of a friend am I?

So today I sit here and think about events that happened recently with a friend. Boy what a storm but one that I am thankful for. I have realized the kind of friend that I am and the kind of friend I want my friends to be. The way it should be and in all of this I realized what "TRUE" really means and that truth can safe a life. I am a friend who loves you through the good and the bad, even if that bad is really ugly. I have realized places I have been in life prepared me for this ugly. Also the grace I have received that I am thankful for is now grace that I am to show on someone that is so hurting that they hurt someone they do care about. That person was me. Someone who did nothing but love ended up taking the brunt of this friends hurt, anger and rage in life. A place that I think we all have been maybe once in our lives where we feel so broken and confused that life just overwhelms us so much we can't breath. As much as I thought this storm was a bad things I am thankful that it was me. I don't know if I am everyday here for a reason but that day I know I was and I have continued to be by loving a very unlovable person through a difficult time. For now the outcome is good and I do not know the future but for today I know I showed someone the REAL me, the fact that I am a true friend. one who will love you even if you make mistakes, even if you get upset and one who is going to be honest with you for the sake of your future whether you like what I have to say or not. I have realized that selfishly we all tend to focus a lot of the friendships that are easy and fun all the time but does that mean the the ones that are a little harder are not worth it? Or that that person does not really need us? I have realized that sometimes someone who really needs us is being ignored because it is not easy or fun enough and that in my day I want to take more time to reach out to those that I feel may really need me. I am reminded that we all have a purpose and a reason for being here and when you really walk that out life is not always going to be easy fun and happy.

So for today I have purpose and I feel good in knowing that I do not know the future but the pages that God writes are good and that I need to continue to remember that the picture God paints is always bigger than we can see...

Then slowly grows ( come to me) Bethany Joy

I'm a frantic un-satisfied woman
When the day grows long
and I can't seem to settle down
Then slowly grows our little faith
I hang my head on
Everyday my dreams will get bigger
Then I hear there's nothing
I can dream hasn't been dreamt before
So I water my little faith
And hope for the better
I know there's so much more for me
I know there's so much more
So much more than I can see

Chorus:
So won't you come to me
I'll be the first one waiting
I'll be the last to leave
Promise you'll come to me
I'll give you anything
I'll give everything you need
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com

And did I mention that
I'm in lack of a loving hand
And the nights go long
And I can't seem to start again
Then slowly grows our little light
Breaks through my shadow
Breaks through my shadow
I know there's so much more
So much more than I can see

Mary J Blige - Take me as I am

She's been down and out
She's been wrote about
She's been talked about, constantly
She's been up and down
She's been pushed around
But they held her down, NYC
She has no regrets
She accepts the past
All these things they
helped make to make she
She's been lost and found
And she's still around
There's a reason for everything

You know I've been holdin on.
Try to make me weak,
But I still stay strong.
Put my life all up in these songs
Jus so you can feel me.
so you can get the real me

[Chorus:]
So take me as I am,
or have nothing at all.
Just take me as I am,
or have nothing at all.

[Verse 2:]
Now she's older now
Yes, she's wiser now
Can't disguise her now
She don't need
No one tellin her
What to do and say
No one tellin her
Who to be
She's on solid ground
She's been lost and found
Now, she answers to G-O-D
And she's confident
This is not the end
Ask me how I know
Cause she is me.

You know I've been holdin on.
Try to make me weak,
But I still stay strong.
Put my life all up in these songs
Jus so you can feel me.
so you can get the real me

Pink - Nobody Knows

Nobody knows, nobody knows but me
That I sometimes cry, if I could pretend that I'm asleep
When my tears start to fall
I peek out from behind these walls
I think nobody knows, nobody knows, no

Nobody likes, nobody likes to lose their inner voice
The one I used to hear before my life made a choice
But I think nobody knows, no no
Nobody knows, no

Baby, oh the secret's safe with me
There's nowhere else in the world that I could ever be
And baby don't it feel like I'm all alone
Who's gonna be there after the last angel has flown?

And I've lost my way back home
I think nobody knows, no
I said nobody knows
Nobody cares

It's win or lose, not how you play the game
And the road to darkness has a way
Of always knowing my name
But I think nobody knows, no no
Nobody knows, no no no no

Baby, oh the secret's safe with me
There's nowhere else in the world that I could ever be
And baby don't it feel like I'm all alone
Who's gonna be there after the last angel has flown?

And I've lost my way back home
And oh, no no no no
Nobody knows
No no no no no no

Tomorrow I'll be there my friend
I'll wake up and start all over again
When everybody else is gone
No no no

Nobody knows
Nobody knows the rhythm of my heart
The way I do when I'm lying in the dark
And the world is asleep

I think nobody knows
Nobody knows
Nobody knows but me
Me

In the eye of the storm

There is a window in your heart through which you see God. Once upon a time that window was clear. Your view of God was crisp. You could see god as vividly as you could see a gentle valley or hillside.

Then, suddenly, the window cracked. A pebble broke the window. A pebble of pain.

And suddenly God was not so easy to see. The view that had been so crisp had changed.

You were puzzled. God wouldn't allow something like this to happen, would he?

When you can't see him , trust him... Jesus is closer than you've ever dreamed...

~Max Lucado~

Given up- Linkin Park

Wake in a sweat again
Another day's been laid to waste
In my disgrace

Stuck in my head again
Feels like I'll never leave this place
There's no escape

I'm my own worst enemy


I've given up
I'm sick of feeling
Is there nothing you can say

Take this all away
I'm suffocating
Tell me what the heck is wrong
With me


I don't know what to take
Thought I was focused but I'm scared
I'm not prepared

I hyperventilate
Looking for help somehow somewhere
And no one cares

I'm my own worst enemy


I've given up
I'm sick of feeling
Is there nothing you can say

Take this all away
I'm suffocating
Tell me what the heck is wrong
With me



Goddddddd!!!!

Put me out of my misery
Put me out of my misery
Put me out of my
Put me out of my fricken misery



I've given up
I'm sick of feeling
Is there nothing you can say

Take this all away
I'm suffocating
Tell me what the heck is wrong
With me

I read an article today that spoke very loudly to me. It talked about how people can wear masks and pretend for the sake of looking good. I have always seen this in people and wondered why they would do this? Does this help anyone? As much as I hated seeing it done I took a long hard look at myself and realized I was doing the same thing. It allowed me to put up walls with people without even knowing it. Making everyone think that I am so pulled together when on the inside I was a mess. We do this for many reasons. For me it was that I always felt I had to be perfect in order to be loved. Growing up wanting so badly to be good enough caused me to get obsessive with being perfect on the inside and on the outside. As long as I looked good no one would know. But in life as I really take in the past couple years of my life I am realizing that we need to see people in need but are we ready for that? When people show us the real person we sometimes tend to walk away because we do not know what to do with it. We love. It is that simple. We see their heart. Now this is not always that easy because peoples hearts are not always good and true. That is why we have to believe people when they show us who they are. Know the people that hearts are true and focus on them and stop playing the game of hiding with those who can really love you no matter what. Life is so complex and we will never have it all figured out but knowing that we have good people in our lives to help us through is what we need to hold onto.

This was in the article and I thought it really spoke to how I am feeling....

So here is my reality. I am abnormal. I don't have it together. I am prone to go into hiddenness and shame. But I have Jesus. I have some really good friends who love me in spite of all of the junk that is true about me. And I have never been more alive and free as I live out my journey in grace.

To read this article click here

Until next time...

Jack Johnson

Last weekend Dustin and I went to see Jack Johnson in concert in Columbia MD. We had such a good time. The music was great and we enjoyed a relaxing ride to and from with the top down and wind in our hair. Nothing better than that...

Earn your keep

Dustin and I always joke around about how our animals do not do anything and how nice that must be. How they just make messes and lay around and they are always taken care of - so we joke around and will tell them to go do the laundry ( usually I say this when Dustin is wondering where his underwear is- I will tell him I told Maya to do it) . We will say how nice it would be if they could make money or do stuff around the house to earn their keep. Well with it being hot weather now and having 2 huskies who shed ALOT we have so much fur to keep up with. When I brush them it is amazing how much fur I have to get rid of. The other day while cleaning up all this fur I thought to myself how I wish I could find a use for this stuff since I have so much of it. It seems like if I could find something to do with it it would make it seem like not such a pain to have to clean up and deal with. I always joke too that if only we could trade in dog poop for cash how nice that would be since I always seem to have enough of the poop and some months not so much in the cash department. Is this crazy thinking? Anyway- So to go back to the fur. The other day my sister was over visiting and she noticed how a bird kept sweeping down to where fur had collected right outside our screened in porch and filling his beak with it. He was gathering supplies for his nest! I have to say, this bird is pretty darn smart. Husky fur is so soft and long and fluffy and it would work perfect to make a comfortable bed for their babies to lay in. I thought it was so amazing how this bird knew to do this and found this fur just laying there. So resourceful. I was also happy because it was less fur I had to pick out of my stones. So the husky fur problem is welcomed since it has a purpose- a purpose of allowing the birds the opportunity to be blessed with a fluffy bed of husky hair. So Breck and Aspen- you have earned your keep and I will make sure to leave some fur in my yard for the birds to enjoy. Another one of the "little things" we could miss but thanks to my nature loving sister who has the eyes to see such beauty I saw this beautiful thing that day. Such a blessing in so many ways...

My Husband

I do not know that I can put into words how I feel about my husband. He is the most amazing man. The way he loves me is incredible. He knows me better than I know myself which at times scares the heck out of me. He is my soul mate. He is not a man of many words and with words of affirmation being my love language I at times struggle with this. Although he does not say much in words what he does in his actions makes up for it. After 14 years together I often wonder how does he really feel about me? He never really says and being mushy is not his thing. So after me constantly asking him for that love story on tv kind of moment he played me his ring tone that he added for when I call him. These are the words and can I tell you- it takes my breath away. To think this is the way he feels about me is overwhelming. I do not deserve it and from him this is such an honor. I am honored each day to say I am his wife and to be blessed with sharing my life with him. Here are the lyrics that I thank God for allowing me to hear and for allowing me to be loved the way he would love even though I do not deserve it. God continue to allow me to be the wife this man deserves and one that he can be proud of. If I am not successful in anything else in life besides serving you and being a good wife that is ok with me...
Angel - By Jack Johnson...

I've got an angel
She doesn't wear any wings
She wears a heart that can melt my own
She wears a smile that can make me wanna sing
She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything I could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home

She could make angels
I've seen it with my own eyes
You gotta be careful when you've got good love
Cause the angels will just keep on multiplying

But you're so busy changing the world
Just one smile can change all of mine
We share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
We Share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
We Share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
Umm umm umm uhhhhhhmm

What path are we really on...

Second chance

Love this pastor. His name is Pete Wilson. The Church is Crosspoint Church which is in Nashville so I will be joining them via internet for there second chance series. Below is the trailer for the Second Chance series.

Pete also is the author of a new book that I plan to read soon called Plan B.

A kind heart

The other day while entering Oregon Dairy ( a local grocery store) I had the option of picking a big cart or one of those little carts (which I love!). So I run through in my head what I needed and with it not being a big order I picked the little cart. I don't know what it is about these little carts that I like so much. It just makes my shopping experience better for some reason until I get to the check out counter and realize that I stuffed a big order into that little cart and now I am going to have to pray it all fits in once the items are bagged. I wonder if anyone else does this? Is this just me? The embarrassment does not seem to be enough to stop me from running into this problem quite often. So this particular day I am loading my items onto the belt and trying not to make eye contact with the man bagging as I run in my mind how I am going to bring it up that I realize that this bagging and loading of my cart will be a pain in the butt. So I keep loading the belt with my items, looked over at the older gentleman bagging my groceries and noticed that he had already grabbed a bigger cart for me and was placing my bagged items in it. My relief lasted for a moment when then my mind is fixed on what I am to do with the little cart and what do I say? Is he thinking I am stupid for having such a little cart and why do I care what this man I have never met thinks? Needless to say I am driving myself crazy in my mind but the smile on my face would hopefully mask that to those around me. So the dreaded moment comes as I complete my signature on the receipt and start to move forward towards the bagger. I look at him and he says to me, well I will take this from you, as he puts his hand on my little cart, and you are all set. With a big warm smile of no judgement he says and have a great day ma'am. Ahhhh What a nice man. I so appreciated this man this day. A day when the world had not been so good to me and I was feeling like crawling in a hole. Feeling like I could do nothing right. And then God placed this man there that day to make me feel better. As I walked out of that store that day I felt warm, I felt accepted and I felt God's presence so strong within me. I have to say that I like shopping at the Oregon Dairy because I always get a good experience with the people working there. They are always kinder and they really enjoy helping me with my groceries and I truly think they want to make my shopping experience better. Thank you to this man who did not have to get me a bigger cart and did not have to show me his big heart but chose to that day. Rather than have the attitude of thinking, oh here we go, another idiot with too many items in there small cart- embraced me as a person and showed me kindness for doing a silly thing that I am sure I will do again. God make me more like this man so that I can shine light on others who cross my path as this kind man did for me. That man is not just a bagger- that day he was an angel...

Enjoy the silence...

As I sit here listening to the rain fall and sip on my coffee I am filled with such peace. I think of jesus and the times when he would just go sit in a place of silence. Yesterday was a great day and a reminder to get away from time to time and just go to a place where you can just turn life off, relax and just think. Just be silent. Dustin and I decided to spend the day at the beach yesterday. We rose early in the morning and hit the road with the top down headed to Ocean City Maryland. We had such a fun and relaxing day filled with a Starbucks coffee stop, delicious breakfast outside at the Bayside Skillet, serenity of just me, Dustin and the sound of the crashing waves on the beach, boardwalk fries, Candy Kitchen fudge and dinner by the bay. I have a feeling that yesterday will stay with us for years to come as a day for such peace in each other and with where God has us today and has had us in our journey. Things you could very easily take for granted were embraced to a new level and our souls were filled up. So today every time I look in the mirror and see my red sunburned nose I will laugh as I remember our fun in the sun day at the beach. I look forward to the next fun trip and thank God for all the beautiful things in life that I often don't take the time to really see...

Waiting

I believe in Holy Ghost timing. In God’s own time, all our prayers will be answered—one way or another—but the trouble is, we are afraid to submit our prayers to Holy Ghost scrutiny. Some of our prayers need to be purged because often our faith is misspent on requests that are not mature. We do not know how to pray, “Thy will be done.” We don’t want his will as much as those things permitted by his will.

Abraham exercised his faith to keep reminding himself he was a stranger on this earth. His blessing pact produced only a tent to dwell in, because he put all his faith in that city whose builder and maker is God.

Were some of these faith warriors not living in faith? Did God refuse to answer some of their prayers? After all, not all of them were delivered and not all lived to see answers to their payers. Not all were spared pain, suffering and even death. Some were tortured; others were torn asunder, wandering about destitute, afflicted, and tormented (Hebrews 11:36-38).

Some who had a reputation for having great faith “received not the promise” (Hebrews 11:39). Those who did “obtain promises” used their faith to work righteousness, to gain strength in times of weakness, and to put the enemy to flight.

Don’t worry about whether God is saying “Yes” or “No” to your request. Don’t be downcast when the answer is not in sight and, please, quit concentrating on faith formulas and methods. Just commit every prayer to Jesus and go about your business with confidence. He will not be one moment early or late in answering, and if the answer you seek is not forthcoming, say to your heart, “He is all I need. If I need more, he will not withhold it. He will answer in his time and in his way. And if he does not fulfill my request, he must have a perfect reason for not doing so. No matter what happens, I will always have faith in his faithfulness.”

God forgive us if we are more concerned about getting prayers answered than in learning total submission to Christ himself. We do not learn obedience by the things we obtain but by the things we suffer. Are you willing to learn by suffering a little longer with what appears to be an unanswered prayer? Will you rest in his love while patiently waiting for the promise? -David Wilkerson

Strong woman, soft hearts

I am excited to start reading the next book for our book club! Get to know Paula Rinehart, the author of this book and some background into what made her write this book. Enjoy!

Keep Your List Short,

These words really spoke volumes to me. Are we really acting out what we say? If we do not believe in something then why so often do we continue to be a part of things that we know are not right? Walking in TRUE faith is hard. Here are some words that may help you as they have helped me.

Keep Your List Short,

You know what I do , but do you know who I am?

Real Estate is what I do- it is not who I am. Who I am is a person who loves God- Loves his people and wants to do what he needs me to do each day to bless those around me. Real Estate is the career I have chosen- One that I am passionate about because it is a tool that allows me to bless people who need someone to care about them during a big event in their life. Whether you are moving today, tomorrow or you just need someone to talk to- that is what matters to me. Yes- I am a realtor- a good one- but beyond all of that I am just a person like you dealing with the same struggles each day. I am not a superhero, I am just me. I am an asset to you not just because I have all the right tools and knowledge (because I do) but because I am me, a person who does what I say I will do. A person who does right by people and a person who knows WHY I do what I do each day. I have a purpose and a vision. I sell houses yes- but more important I serve people. So thats my story- I look forward to meeting you, hearing your story and helping you in your Real Estate journey or just getting to know you and sharing in the joys or the sorrows of life.

The bottom line...

I will continue to make the choice not to stay where God is not invited. To demonstrate my faith and let the truth be known. Whether or not that truth is accepted or if it is rejected. I continue to make the choice to not submit to the power of rejection but to conquer it. Making this choice may cost me popularity, it may cost me money and most times it will bring to me rejection and pain. I have learned that true worship will cost me something and it is risky. This is a risk and a cost that I am willing to take to continue to plant the seeds of truth and to continue to trust God to produce the fruit....

In God We Trust

As many of you are aware the TV and Radio has been filled with the voices of politician's and Americans as the new health care bill is being discussed. I am not big into politics and have many thoughts on this subject- this post is not the place for them. The other night Dustin had the debate on. As I watched each person come to the podium and reveal what they thought about the health care bill my eye was fixed on what was written on the wood above them in the courtroom. It said - IN GOD WE TRUST. Do they? Do these people trust in God to provide for them? I felt confused and bothered by what I saw. I prayed about it. Dustin has become very involved in the politics of all of this and I see such a fire in him for the first time. This is something we do not share ( up until now). I have wondered - am I wrong for not caring? For not wanting to get involved? Does my opinion really count? I also say though that keeping quiet and not standing up for what you believe is wrong so why do I do it with this? I have been praying about this and I feel like God has put in my heart that I do need to be more educated, more involved and stand up for what I believe but know that no matter what happens he is always good. No matter the outcome. I am not going to go on and on about my thoughts but I am not for this health care bill. Dustin and I have many reasons why and some would disagree. In life we have to really believe in what we are fighting for. We also have to know that no matter what happens good or bad, wrong or right - that will not stop our faith in God and knowing the truth that he brings to our lives. I will get involved and exercise my freedom to speech but I will always choose to exercise my right to Freedom from fear, anxiety,and loss of hope for Gods people. Things in this world are a mess- they are ugly- and I feel like more people need to live by the words - IN GOD WE TRUST just a little bit more. Read below ....

___________________________

No matter how unsettled the world becomes, God's people can relax and keep their joy flowing, because our Lord has promised special protection when it is most needed.

Didn't God have an emergency plan for the children of Israel during the worldwide famine? He sent Joseph ahead to Egypt, promoted him to prime minister and filled the warehouses with enough grain to last out the famine. He then transported his people within walking distance of those storehouses and fed them to the full all through the raging famine.

Didn't God have emergency plans for Elijah? While his nation reeled under the impact of an economic collapse and food was scare because of severe famine—and a wicked king had a ransom on his head—God put his emergency plan for Elijah into effect. He hid him by a quiet brook and fed him by having a bird deliver his food. The survival plan also included a mysterious barrel of grain that never ran out.

What about Noah? What a detailed survival plan God had for him and his family! An ark—floating him and his family safely above all the death and destruction of a worldwide flood.

And Lot? God actually sent angels to personally pull him and his children out of the doomed city of Sodom. God's hands were tied until Lot was safely out of the suburbs. It was more than a loss of his job, more than a collapse of the economy, more than a downfall of the government—it was total annihilation of his society. But Lot was delivered safely.

Paul proved God's emergency contingencies over and over! This apostle was shipwrecked, chased by thieves, imprisoned, accused of treason and plotted against by assassins yet, in every crisis, God had a contingency plan for deliverance. Only when God determined his race was over did he call in his last contingency plan. He called him to his resurrection.

We, too, have an emergency plan for survival—designed specifically for each believer.

Let there be no question about it—God will see us through every crisis!

David Wilkerson.

ACT NOW!

Below is something that David Wilkerson wrote which really hit home for me. Faith is an action and we need to act on our faith and living out our freedom. It does not just happen. Someone once told me that being a christian is the easy way out - a crutch. Well, that could not be farther from the truth. Being a christian is hard- it takes work each day to die of your flesh and live and walk out your life the way that the bible show us to. As this world becomes more and more ran by the devil- feeding our heads with lies we have to work even harder to stay focused on the truth. We are all free but we all need to act that way in order to live the life the is meant for us. I find it troubling how you can see people who from the outside look so pulled together, they live in their big fancy house, run a "successful business" , go to church every Sunday, put the christian bumper sticker ( so to speak) on everyday but yet I see how each day they add chains of bondage to them by their fear of ACTING out their faith. They can speak of god and his word but they can not DO his word. I hear from this very person how it is everyone else that is holding them captive but in actuality it is only them who adds the chains to their lives. They do not see the accountability part in being a christian and see it as everyone else's problem when they are called out on choices they are making. Jesus would say reach out to them but I would say remember that they have choices just like everyone else- free will to either listen to you or to continue to be held captive. We are all held captive and each day need to work towards breaking those chains. We are all the same- all going through life fighting the same battle. We may all look different but we are not so different after all. The only main difference that I see is that there are those who take responsibility for their actions and realize it is them who can make the difference and then there are those who look at everyone else for the reason they are held captive. You are either a survivor or a victim. I am starting to realize that not many victim thinking people can change. Be careful how long you invest in them because before you know it they are adding chains to you and dragging you along with them . Do not allow yourself to fall into the trap of being the one to assume the role they want for you to play. The role that only takes the accountablity off of them. By doing this you are only adding to the problem. The problem of what this shows to other's who are watching. The reason that so many people are not walking with us is from these very people and people like you and me that assume it for them to make them and ourselves feel better. Face it- it is easier to not say anything and just ignore. Well that is a lie. Who said we are to always do the easy thing? Act now and be free yourself and do your part in bringing others to freedom. Saving lives may not make you most popular in this life but it will in another....

________________________

Abraham Lincoln is said to have "freed the slaves" with the Emancipation Proclamation. This legal document declared that slavery was dead and all the slaves were set free.

When this news first spread through southern plantations, many of the slaves would not believe it. They continued slaving for their masters, convinced their promise of freedom was a hoax. Numbers of unscrupulous landowners told their slaves it was just a rumor and kept them under bondage. But little by little, the truth dawned on them as they saw former slaves walking about, happy in their newfound freedom. One by one, they threw down their loads, turned their backs on slavery, and walked away to begin a new life.

Maybe you haven't heard yet, or maybe it sounds too good to be true, but Christ emancipated all the slaves to sin at Calvary. You can now "walk out" on the devil! You can throw down your load of sin, walk away from Satan's dominion, and enter into a new life of freedom.

Let me show you what the Bible means when it talks about dying to sin. When Lincoln emancipated the slaves, the "issue" of slavery died. Not the slave master—not the slave. The slave could walk away free, saying to himself, “Slavery is a dead issue.”

Now the slave could slip back into the field and pick a few more rows of cotton—perhaps through fear or instinct—but that in no way made him a slave again. He was free, but he had to exercise his freedom. The proclamation couldn't force compliance, and neither could the slave master force him to return. It was a matter of the will of the slave.

The Bible says, "...he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe we shall also live with him" (Romans 6:7-8).

What that means is simply this: Since the matter of your slavery to sin is a dead issue, seeing that Christ has already declared you emancipated, you are now free to live as a new person in Christ by thinking of yourself as unchained.

Christ can't make you do right, and Satan can't make you do wrong. Christ declares you are free by faith, but you must act as a free person.

Weichert INSITES - News you can use...

Valuable information for buyers and sellers. If you are selling your house, insight as to what buyers are looking for in a home is priceless. According to the results of the Next Home Survey recently presented by Eliot Nusbaum, executive editor at Better Homes and Gardens magazine, consumers are taking a "cents and sensibilities" approach when buying a home. For those buyers planning to purchase a new home in the coming months, price, energy-efficiency, organization and comfort are their top priorities. This is in sharp contrast to several years ago, when the focus was on large homes with expensive touches. The Next Home Survey also found that: 87 percent of respondents would like a greener, more energy efficient home. 68 percent wanted an outdoor grilling and living area. 59 percent wanted a home office. 36 percent said their next home would be somewhat smaller or much smaller.

Plan B

I follow the blog Jesus Needs New PR by Matthew Paul Turner. He is a great writer. He wrote recently about his pastor who has a book coming out. I watched the trailer and found tears streaming down my face. I look forward to reading it and thought I would share it with you. Pete Wilson, is the pastor of Crosspoint church. Although I do not live in Nashville where his church is I do listen to his teachings. He delivers such a strong message and goes a bit deeper which is where I love to go.

So what happens when your plan A does not work out? I have been so fearful for so long to even think of a plan b in my life. So angry, confused, sad and left wondering why if God loves me so much would he withhold my plan A from me? Life is tough,painful and sometimes so overwhelming you just can't breath. I pray that if you are fearful of plan B that you will be given the peace to move out of your comfort zone and explore what else God has in store for you. Here's to taking that first step together..

Sweetheart night

Last night Dustin and I went to a friends church to enjoy Sweetheart night. It was a fun filled night of fellowship with friends, delicious desserts and music by Matt and Kim Goss. Dustin and I left with this beautiful flower since we were the couple at our table married the closest to 25 years. I hope all of you had a wonderful Valentines day and will remember to love the ones we love not just on valentines day but every day of the year..

To do List continued..

The last couple of days have been relaxing and productive. I embraced the blizzard of 2010 and embraced balance between productivity and relaxation. I feel pretty good about the list of things I completed and thought I would share them with you..

1. All wash is done AND put away

2. Cleaned our bedroom and bath

3. Spare bedroom cleaned and organized and closet project list is complete so I can tackle that at a later date.

4. Upstairs bathroom sparkling clean

5. Entire downstairs is cleaned and organized

6. Completed my book club book and caught up on all discussions

7. Ample time to read teachings and online research

8. Organized my workspace/desk downstairs

9. Talked with friends and family and had good for the soul conversations

I think that is it for right now. Needless to say I was busy but also took time to relax and enjoy the silence of life. I am excited for my hubby to come home from his trip and enjoy the scene I have set for him when he arrives home to a clean house, project lists and a freshly made/washed bed for him to crawl into after sleeping away from home for 5 days. I did not get to everything on my to do list from earlier in my blog but I added a few others and feel pretty good about what I have accomplished.

PS- Add to this list of course shoveling- lots and lots of shoveling!!

TGIF!

Pages

As the pages of your life are written may you always remember that God is with you, guiding you. May he be your raincoat in the storm and be praised while it is raining and when the sun is shining. May your book be one that can inspire another as they read the pages of your life. May it be one that they will want to share with others to bring inspiration for all who read them. Let your pages be the legacy you leave for others who will live on after you have gone home...

Chapter Clip - Same kind of Different as me

God gives each person on the earth a set of keys, keys to live this life down here on earth. Now in this set, there is one key you can use to unlock prison doors and set captives free.

Denver turned his head just slightly so that the right side of his face was closer to me than the left. He leaned in with his right shoulder and narrowed his eyes even farther. "Mr. Ron , I was captive in the devils prison. That was easy for Miss Debbie to see. But I got to tell you: many folks had seen me behind the bars in that prison for more than thirty years, and they just walked on by. Kept their keys in their pocket and left me locked up. Now I ain't tryin to run them other folks down, cause I was not a nice fella- dangerous - and probly just as happy to stay in prison. But Miss Debbie was different - she seen me behind them bars and reached way down in her pocket and pulled out the keys God gave her and used one to unlock the prison door and set me free.

Denver pounded home those last words like eight separate nails, then sat back in his chair, sipped his coffee. He put the mug down. "She the onlyest person that ever loved me enough not to give up on me, and I praise God that today I can sit here in your home a changed man- a free man.

_____________________________________

This is such a good book. As I read this book my eyes are filling up with tears. Such an amazing story, one that will stay with me forever. I love learning, growing and joining along in the journey of ones story whether face to face with them in life or in reading a book. So good for the soul.

MORE SNOW!

So today I am snowed in again! We are getting another major storm here in Lancaster. I have not seen this much snow in a long time. I am thankful for a fenced in yard so that I can just let my dogs out to explore as I stay warm inside. They are so funny to watch. This is even too much snow for my snow dogs. They look confused and disappointed that all the tunnels they created are now all covered. I will soon have to bundle up and go out to shovel but for now I am going to curl up with the book I am reading with a book club. It is so good but heart wrenching. I am working my way to the next stopping point so I can embrace the discussions with other's reading and learn how this book is impacting them.

Happy Snow Day!!

Peace Making or Truth Telling

There comes a point in your life when you will be faced with telling the truth. Telling the truth when that truth may be hard for someone to hear. Being honest with someone you see making bad choices is showing what it is to be real. Showing that you are not going to continue to ignore things that need fixed. Are you choosing peace making over truth telling? Is it time to be honest with someone about the things they are doing to themselves or others? If so I encourage you to be honest with them but do so remembering the following:

Always think before speaking and speak the truth when necessary.

Love and Truth go together. Think about how your words can come from your heart in a loving way.

Do not underestimate the power of what your words of truth can do for another

Their decision is their choice. Even if they lie and do not tell the truth or even hear your words of truth you go to bed knowing you spoke the truth.

The truth shall set you free and who knows who else along the way...

Snow of 2010

Today we had a fun snow day! We got almost 20 inches of snow..

Here is Aspen in her hideaway in the snow

Breck peaking out through the fence

Walkway leading to the front door

Breck walking in a tunnel in the back yard

Our patio furniture. This is where I like to sit in the sun when it is nice weather out

A place to rest from shoveling

Even though I am not much of a cold weather person I am thankful for beautiful days like this that I am able to spend the day at home sipping hot chocolate and spending time with my best friend in the whole wide world, the love of my life Dustin.

Thank you God for this beautiful day...

To do list...

As the snow is falling I sit here snuggled up in a blanket thinking of what I need to get done with my snow day. I am going to try to be productive with the time while I am snowed in. So what is on your To Do list? Here are some of the things I would like to get completed.

1. Get caught up on reading

2. Organize my desk and files

3. Wash

4. Make appointment for Breck to get a bath

5. Taxes - YUCK

Here are just a few things. The most important thing, although it is not on my list, is spend time with my hubby since he has an upcoming trip to Colorado to go skiing. I will miss him!

Happy weekend fellow bloggers,

Anne

The next chapter

So with much thinking and praying I have made the decision to leave the John Smith Real Estate Group and join the Weichert Realtors team! This is a decision that I am very excited about although I will miss all the people that I am leaving behind. I do know though that God will allow those friendships to continue to grow even if we are not working together anymore. I have learned a lot while on my journey in E-Town with the John Smith Team but feel like God has opened another door for me that I wanted to take the opportunity to explore. Being the closing coordinator was a great way for me to continue to learn and grow in real estate but I am now looking forward to having my own schedule back as I am now going back to full time sales. I am back to working from home and getting more balance back into my life. I look forward to growing in my faith as the lord opens doors of opportunity for me. Like I have been told before, a rolling stone never gathers moss. Here's to new chapters in life and looking forward to what the future holds!

Words of Denver from "Same kind of different as me"

Whether your rich or poor or somewhere in between this earth is not a final resting place so in a way we are all homeless just working our way towards home.

Sin, Faith, Duty

Sin, Faith, Duty

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

___________________________________________________________________________________

As I read this passage I am left with questions. I am left wondering when God says if he repents, forgive him. What does repents mean exactly? Below is the dictionary meaning of repent:

feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often fol. by of): He repented after his thoughtless act.

to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.

My mind is focused on "to feel such sorry for sin or fault as to be disposed to change ones life for the better".

To me this is repentance. So often people use the words I'm Sorry as a way of getting off the hook. I have struggled with this for a while. At what point does I'm sorry just not cut it? When do you draw the line and expose someone for not really being sorry? To me sorry means you are aware of what you did wrong and you are willing to work towards changing. What if that I'm sorry means that person is not willing to make those changes? I lived most of my life being told I'm Sorry by someone who was suppose to love me but chose to continue to abuse me. I took the abuse day in and day out but they always said they were sorry. So we forgive them right? Is that what God is saying? Now I am aware that not all situations are going to be abusive. I think abuse is a reason to stop and evaluate having that person in your life. Remembering that you are to forgive them and pray for them to be delivered from the stronghold on their life. You can do this from a distance though and not allow the abuse to continue. I think now looking at the situation minus the abuse. When the person says I'm sorry but continues that bad behavior and does nothing to make their words an action in their day to day you should hold them accountable. I think too we need to remember that you can forgive someone but not be OK with the behavior. You can choose not to be a part of it. I don't think forgiving someone means allowing them to continue to treat you badly and having them think their sorry is good enough. We need to remember in this that you can not change someone, only God can and only if they allow the change to happen. That thing called free will. That would be where this comes into play. When you forgive someone it allows you to be free. When you pray for someone who has wronged you it also allows you to be free. Am I being too cold to think that a simple I'm sorry is not enough? Should we just let those off the hook that easy? Allow them to be lazy and selfish thinking that them and their actions do not play a part in the bigger picture? I think this is for each one of you to decide. Being who I am and coming from where I have come from this is the decision I have decided to make. To hold those accountable as I would want to be held accountable. I don't want to allow the fake sorry's to bring me down and set me off course to the path god has set for me. I want to work on forgiving those that have wronged me but letting them know that if they choose to continue the behavior that they really are not sorry. I want to forgive and move on and know who to keep close to me and who will keep my light lit when the darkness starts to make it fade..

Vision

As I think through my vision lately and the days when I feel like it is passing through my fingers I am reminded through God that there is always someone fighting harder than me. As I read this story of a man named Moses in Uganda I am brought to tears. Thank you to this man for his vision and fighting for it, thank you for the man who was willing to go outside of his comfort zone to bring me and many others this amazing story. How blessed this man is when to many he may seem very poor.. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did. What an amazing God we serve!

Home buyer tax credits

For anyone thinking about making a move you might want to read this information regarding the tax credits available.

Any questions just let me know.

Have a good rest of the week!

~Anne

Some will,some won't, So what..

You are going to have people in your life that will care about you and what you want in life. There will be those that won't. I am challenging myself to focus more on those that will and less on those that won't. I need to stop putting energy and time into those that don't care and allowing them to affect my attitude, diminish my goals and my purpose. Start really believing who people show you they are. Know who does support you, cares about you and who will help you get to where you are going. Focus on the bigger picture and remember that allowing those who don't care or support you to be your focus will only allow your goals, dreams and those who do believe in you to slip out of site.

You are here for a reason, great things are in store for you. Each day remember, Some will, Some won't, So what !

Read - Discuss - Grow

So this Sunday starts the new book in The Bloom Book Club. I have just a couple more chapters left to get me to the finish line. I am excited to start hearing everyones thoughts and idea's on what each chapter means to them. I love to be in an environment where there is brainstorming and I am being challenged to think or view something in a way that I may not have seen before. If you have not checked this out yet and you are looking for a book club to be a part of we would love to have you join us. The ladies that head this up really work hard and I am thankful to them for all they do. The last book we read was "Crazy Love". That book changed the way that I think and my relationship with God. The book we are reading now is "Same Kind of Different as me". This is a little different style than the last book but very good. This book engages you in the journey of two mens lives and how God brought them together and changed each of them through the journey. You can look for new posts on the book to start either Sunday or Monday.

Have a great weekend!

~Anne

Disbelief

Someone said to me the other day that when someone shows you who they are believe them. I had to really digest this. Isn't this so true? Don't we so often see someones true colors and we don't want to believe it. They are so clearly showing you who they are and we just act as if it does not exist. I know that people are not perfect and they make mistakes but at what point do you just believe that they are the person they are showing you they are? If there is one thing I have learned in my life it is that you can not change people. You can encourage them to be better and hold them accountable for their own good but if they are not willing to do what it takes then you can not assume that for them. You can not allow them to bring you down or compromise who you are. So what am I showing to others of who I am? When am I going to just start believing people when they show me who they are? Is doing that putting God in a box and saying that he can not bring change or help them? All many things that have been whirling around in my mind lately which is a crazy place to be. Thank you for continuing to take the wild ride into Anne's World..

TGIF!

Discipline

Although I am not much of a New Years resolution person I have made the choice to start getting back into going to the gym again. The holidays took me away from my routine. So this week I started back and I feel great! It is amazing how good you feel when you leave the gym. Although I may be very sore it is such good therapy for my soul. I then question myself about why I am not always as committed to the gym as I should be. The answer is always "I don't know". I think this is true of many things in life. There are so many things that we know we should be doing and when we do them we feel so much better. So why don't we do them? I think the answer is many times "I don't know". It is weird to me how if we have no reason why we would not do it then why don't we do it? Why are we wired this way? I also find it very interesting how although we know what we should be doing we are surprised when we end on the wrong path and do not arrive at the destination we intended. There are some lucky people out there that can stay thin and in shape and not work out but it is rare. I fell into this same trap asking myself why I had gained 15 pounds and felt horrible about myself when all along I knew it was because I did not exercise or eat right. I did nothing to get to the destination in which I intended to arrive but then seemed surprised when I did not arrive there. I see this so many times with people in life. They really WANT to do something but they just don't do it. They don't want it bad enough or they just think it will happen on it's own. This year although I do not like to set New Year's resolutions I pray that I can be more of a "Just do it" kind of person. That I do not allow myself to justify things I know I should not be doing or not doing things I know I should be doing. I pray this for you too because I know how hard this is. I think it is very important to have people around you who constantly motivate you and challenge you. I am blessed to have people like that in my life. They make me want to do better and be better. I pray that you will find people like that if you have not already been blessed with them in your life. So here's to not just saying that 2010 is going to be a good year, here's to MAKING 2010 a great year!

Making Vision Stick

It is neat to have a moment when you can see how things come together and when you realize that God plan for you will never make sense at the time but that is where discipline comes into play. I will admit, I do not do so well in this department. I always viewed discipline as something negative, a sort of submission. If we always understood everything and had our plan all mapped out it would be boring and we would never learn anything from it. True faith comes into play when no matter how unclear things seem to be that you are willing to continue to do what you know you should do by continuing to follow God. Not play the game of walking away every time things get to tough or things don't go you're way. I always say that I do not want to play the victim in life. Just get over the crap and move on. What I failed to realize is that every time I walk away I was playing the victim. I am saying to God that it is all about me. What I want is more important than the bigger plan ahead. The devil will allow you to believe that it is all about you but it is not. Stay focused on the truth and stay focused on the bigger picture. When you pray for God to show you and guide you remember to have your eyes open to see what he is showing you. It will not always be in bold print with flashing lights. You have to really look for it but when you do you will see amazing things. Also remember that even in the ugly, painful, unfair things that happen to be praying and looking. It is in those times that God can be the most present in your life. I was depressed when this summer I turned 30. I kept thinking of the fact that I had not accomplished what I had planned and I was not where I should be. The truth is that I am where I should be. I am embracing the past years no matter how good or bad because it has brought me to where I am today and I am finally understanding who I am and catching a vision for the future. What I have realized is I have had vision but it was all about me. God has put a vision into my heart that I have a passion for because I am realizing that vision is from him, for why I am here and for the legacy that I will leave behind. What is your vision? Pray and open your eyes so God can reveal it to you.

God bless!!

I am not much of a magazine reader but I found a magazine that is pretty neat. It is called "all you". It has all sorts of things in it that are very helpful. They also have some good recipes. I just read an article about using your phone to save money and noticed some things I thought I would share. Below are some apps that I thought were neat:

* The Cellfire app- (free) delivers grocery deals to a blackberry or iphone. search for a local supermarket and choose coupons to download to your loyalty card. The discounts show up when you use your card to check out.

* Your shopping and see an item you like, but you wonder if it costs less elsewhere. With REDLASER ($2.00) on your iphone, simply point the phones camera at the product bar code. The app scans it and searches the web to find the best price.

* With iphone shopper ($1) check off items on your list as you shop and you can input prices to see your running total. the app helps you stick to your budget and lets you customize lists to your stores layout.

It is amazing where technology has taken us. I am excited to try some of these. Dustin has the redlaser and used it a lot around Christmas.

Another thing I have realized lately is that I need to eat breakfast more often. A lot of people say it helps to loose weight and it is a lot healthier. They had an article in this months all you with some ideas for each meal of the day. This drink caught my eye for a quick breakfast on the go:

Put 6 to 8 oz of fat free milk , 1 cup frozen berries, 1 tsp honey and a half a banana in your blender the night before and stash in the fridge. In the morning, pop it onto the blender base, puree and pour into a travel mug.

Hope some of this was helpful. Have a great weekend!!