Guess what I did today?

Today I met a new friend for coffee and some how we ended up in the lake behind her house kayaking. I have never been before so I was excited to try it out. It wasn't exactly the ideal day weather wise to go, but that didn't stop up us. It was a very windy day and I wasn't in the best kayaking clothes, but I had a great time on my first excusion. I think I might be ready for class 5 rapids on my next trip. You wake up on a Friday morning thinking your day will be on the routine side of life until you start talking to someone who has two kayaks sitting in their garage. What else were we supposed to do? I did learn one thing, you can get pretty wet when you are kayaking in the wind. I was drenched but loved every minute of it. Well, all of it except the herd of spiders that decided they wanted a fun Friday kayaking adventure as well. Next time I am leaving them on land. Here is a picture of the shoes I wore.

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Coolest Cookies Ever!!

Yesterday some friends of mine had the coolest gift for me to open. I love getting gifts and I especially love them when they are meaningful! Here is a picture of what I saw when I opened the box.

Needless to say, I love these cookies. The Rays won last night so it made the night even better. Thanks Kimberly, Bill, & Reese!

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Heart Signs

Sometimes I have these signs posted on the door to my heart. I know the Bible says that God knocks on the the door of our heart and I wonder how many times He has found these signs plastered up telling Him to back off? Or maybe I post those signs to people who are trying to speak into my life or trying to encourage me and get to know me. Maybe people see these signs and they don't even bother knocking because they don't want to get yelled at or get kicked off the porch. I need to be more mindful of how I treat people and how I am receptive of people. I often pray for good friends and pray for strength, wisdom, or comfort. Today I wonder if maybe God tried to use people to provide these things but maybe I flashed my signs and kicked them out. With God, the good thing is, He won't back off. He won't force me to do anything, but He will continue to knock and continue to love me until I take those signs down. I love that about God.

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Look up

Psalm 121:1,2
I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!



More and more I am realizing that my help and my answers do come from the Lord, at least they are there if I want them. I can only accomplish so much on my own, with my own strength, my own talent, my own skills. I might get by but I will be so nervous, miserable and hopeless trying to figure it out and execute things on my own. I can't do it! I often struggle with that thinking that "if only.... " You can fill those dots in with whatever you want. Security, a better job, a different past, more time, more money, if I were smarter, and the list goes on. These aren't the solutions. I spend so much time worrying and trying to solve all the issues of life in my head. It's not that I don't pray or ask God for help because I do. Sometimes I think it would help me to know the He is what I need. He is my help when I don't have it all together and polished. He is my source when I my resources look like they won't measure up. He is my strength when I wonder how I will make it. I can look to the things in life and think they will help me or make things better, or I can look to the One who created this world and all that is in it and realize He holds it all. Nothing takes God by surprise. Nothing I encounter, nothing I have done, nothing I will face is something He isn't already the answer to. God didn't put us on this planet to try and figure it all out on our own. He came here to live with us and walk with us. He wants to be our answer. No person can fix what is wrong in our hearts. No amount of money can buy what our heart longs for.

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We won!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I got a phone call from friends at church wanting to know if I wanted to go to the last playoff game tonight. What do I say? No I don't want to go because if we lose I might not snap out of it, or yes I want to go and celebrate with a 40,000 person crowd. I chose to go to the game and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was amazing. I have never been to anything like it. The dome was so loud and so energized I couldn't get over it. I even cried when we won!!!!! I am so happy. If we don't win the world series you may not hear from me for a while. I can't handle the let down.

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I want to go back

Last Saturday I went to Yates Cider Mill with my awesome friends. I sure wish we were all together going to the cider mill again today. It was so pretty there and we had fun together. Why do I live so far away? I want to go back.

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I want to play

I think I should try a hand at this baseball thing. I mean, how hard can it really be? I played Little League as a kid and softball in high school. Sign me up!

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I am mad at Maddon!

Joe Maddon is the coach of the Rays and I am beyond ticked at him. How do you blow a 7 run lead? I tell you how... let a bullpen pitcher stay in the game like he let Wheeler stay in. That is how. Oh well, we have another chance on Saturday to beat Boston. One more win and we are headed for the world series. Come on Rays!!!!! I know, I need to be more like Jesus and not be so angry and upset. I told you I have a problem with sports. Help me.

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My heart cries

I spent the last week in Michigan spending time with two of the most precious kids on this planet. I have to admit that I was very sad this morning when I woke up and there was no sweet little boy to play soccer with in the back yard and no baby girl to hold in my arms. I want to go back!!!! We did a ton and I had so much fun. It was great to visit with my friends and to get to know my two new best friends.

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Incoming!

We took 16 5th & 6th graders out for a night of miniature golfing and ice cream. Who knew you could have as much fun as we did on a Friday night?

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Good Thing for Good Friends

Last week my friend Mandy came for a visit from Charleston. She stayed with me for a week and while she was here we hooked up with our friend Matt. We all knew each other from church youth group way back when. It is hard to believe that I have been friends with Mandy for about 18 years. I love how we can live many miles apart and still remain close friends. We went to IHOP and 24 hour Starbucks later than we should have, stayed up until early morning talking every night, went for a walk down by the water, watched a movie, and went out to eat a lot. We had a great time hanging out, but I love how these two people challenged and encouraged me in my walk. Even though a lot of time has gone by I am glad we still have something in common that will keep us connected. I love them!

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