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Funny enough, a Facebook memory reminded me of this blog that I started at the end of 2013. At the time, I thought my life was completely changing more than I could imagine, but I was looking forward to coming ‘home’. In retrospect, looking back on these last couple of years, I can now reflect on just how much my life has indeed changed.  2014 brought a change back to Iowa. It also brought me to my current church and church family, as well as a reaffirmation of my faith. I am so grateful for that because it has been only through my faith, a strong connection with the Lord and the help of friends and family that I have been able to get where I am today and to be posting this blog. The past three years brought health issues, surgeries, the loss of family members, the loss of some friends, and other struggles along the way. However, it also brought a special bond between Tim and I that I will continue to look back on and smile (even if it is through my tears sometimes) as I rememb...

My Valentines day gift to me

Dear Sue, I know that I have made many mistakes in your life; with my addictions, my finances and wrong choices over periods of time.  I now know that this just makes me human, for no man is perfect, only God is.  The following is a story of a man that had two sons; the younger son asked to be given his half of the estate and he squandered his wealth in wild living.  When he regained his senses he proclaims the following to his father: In Luke 15:21-24 the passage reads: “and the son said to him, “Father I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”  But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” And so I too, was lost; I have had your share of misg...

Goodbye 2013 don't let the door hit you on the way out

As we head into 2014, I have been watching many of my friends and family posting on Facebook about how 2013 treated them.  My first gut reaction was that 2013 was a total CRAP year, but was it really?  There were definitely parts of it that weren't good.   A host of different issues, from careers to health issues were on my list of things gone bad in 2013.  As I completely reflect though, I am reminded about many good things that happened too. I became a part of Austin Jeep People with Tim and while we would have never had guessed it at the time, it has been one of the most amazing experiences that we've ever had here in TX.  I treasure the people that we have met and every single day amazes me at the love and dedication that this group of people have to each other.  It makes me believe that the world really CAN be a better place. We found faith again and a church that we love.  I think we found each other again too; its been a rocky and rough road...

Being pretty on the outside doesn't always cut it

As I was making my breakfast this morning, I wished for the 100th time that the toaster would bite the dust.  Why you say, but of course, so I could get a new one.  Who hasn't wished for something not to work so they could get a newer model because they were tired of the old one? We bought it because it was black, looked good and matched the rest of the kitchen, but its just not functional for what I need it for most of the time. It got me thinking, how many times do we look for things that are pretty on the outside, but don't work on the inside or aren't what we want on the inside?  Or how many times do we look for those people that are pretty on the outside because it makes us feel better?  For instance, my husband and I belong to a local Jeep club.  The club had a party for the holidays and it included an 'ugly' sweater contest.  Now I know that this is all the rage now and everyone loves a good 'ugly' sweater party.  But I just could not bring my...
As this year starts to draw to a close, I realize that I created this blog with the greatest of intentions to get it up and running, but didn't do so.  I started to think of all the projects, all the resolutions I made this year and how many of them actually got done.  More so, how many went by the wayside even after good intentions of doing them.  You know, the 'I'm going to lose xx pounds', 'I'm going to find that perfect job', or 'I'm going to be a better person' kind of thing. I started to wonder if they really meant anything.  Yeah, losing weight would be ideal; I could stop wearing my 'fat' pants.  Getting that perfect job - well who doesn't want that?  As for being a better person, the world would be a MUCH better place if we could all be that better person.  Yet, I couldn't help but feel as though I failed just a little bit by not doing any of these things. On the flip side, I have learned much about myself in this pas...