Quote of the Day

Patience is a virtue
Possess it if you can
Found seldom in a woman and
Never in a man.

A Lost Art

I went to see the movie "The Lake House" last night. This movie got me to thinking about the lost art of letter writing. Now, the letters in this movie were nothing grand, but still, the two people communicated through letters. In my favorite book, "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks, Noah Calhoun wrote Alli a letter every day for 1 year when she left town abruptly. She never receives the letters when they are sent, but years later her mother gives them to her. Who would do that now? Someone might shoot off an email or two, but write a letter? Probably not going to happen. How long has it been since someone wrote you a letter? Thankfully I have a friend who loves writing letters to people. In fact, I received one upon my return from vacation. It means so much to see that a person sat down and using a pen (not a typewriter or word processor) wrote me a letter. Imagine that? Someone wrote me, non-impressive little old Carrie, a letter. WOW! I felt so special. Yes, sometimes I receive an email from a friend I don't speak to often and it means a lot to me, but a letter in the mail...that has a special place in my life. I save these letters. I have them in a folder at my house along with birthday cards from my family. They can travel with me wherever I go and I don't need a phone line or high-speed internet to read them. The can be read at anytime and anywhere. So, here's to letterwriting. Hopefully I will write more letters myself in the coming months. I want others to feel special also.

A Note Before Leaving

Well, it's 5 days of vacation in the warm Charleston sun that this girl is seeing in her immediate future. While I am gone I hope that you will read these verses and know that God knows you intimately, created you just the way you are (so He loves you the way you are; no plastic surgery required!), and will be with you no matter where you go or what you are doing. So, while God is going to Charleston with me, He's also going to be right where you are, wherever that is. What a mighty (and BIG) God we serve! Amen!

Psalm 139

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Vacation

Growing up vacation time seemed endless. You got out of school in the late May/early June time frame and had at least 2 months of vacation. Plus there was Spring Break and Christmas Break with a few long weekends in between. Now I have 17 days of vacation. The game now is to figure out the best way to monopolize those 17 days along with holidays to get the most time off.

It just hit me that God never takes a vacation. Yes, He created the earth and all that is within it in 6 days and then rested on the 7th, but He doesn't get any vacation days. He is on the job 24/7. Listening to our prayers, working in our lives, guiding us down the path of our life. We however, do not give Him the same devotion. We turn to Him when the path is rocky or when we hit a fork in the road. His desire is for us to dance with Him down the straight, wide-open paths as well. He desires that we take a vacation from our daily lives and just spend time with Him. That vacation time is way more important than the 17 days I have accumulated in an Earthly job. My prayer is for more vacation time with God. He will give me the rest I need.

Pick-up lines, cooky looks, etc.

So, my friends A, B, and K decided to practice flirting on the way to our fantabulous Hotlanta get away this past weekend. It all stems from this new show on TV about how to get the guy. Apparently you should look him in the eye for 4 seconds, smile, then look away. It all sounds pretty funny to me, so I asked D last night what he thought about it. Apparently he did an indepth study in college on the very subject and explained to me how to do it. Then we learned I am horrible at it, that guys probably think I'm evil, and thus why I am still single. HAHAHA.

So, that got me thinking of pick up lines. My all time favorite is "Do you believe in love at first site, or should I walk by again?" That's awesome! How can you compete with that?

Here are some other classics:

• You must be tired because you've been running through my mind all day.
• If I could rewrite the alphabet I would put U and I together.
• You must be a broom because you have swept me off my feet.

If any guy or girl ever uses a horrible pick up line on your (or they just aren't your type), simply reply "I like your approach now let me see your departure."

What do you think are classic pick up lines?

Extraordinary Cousins

I spent Friday and Saturday in Atlanta with some close friends and my cousin J. I blogged about J's brother D in my previous blog. I found it facinating he held the record for most hit batters by a pitch in the ODAC. Well, I failed to mention his sister is equally as talented. Below are just a few of the things J has done well in her short life:

1) She hit 7 batters in the first softball game she ever pitched.
2) She has survived being run over by a boat (life jackets really do save lives!)
3) Her t-ball team consistently ranks last (or at least near the bottom) in their league
4) Had her dad had his way, her initials would have been ARG (pirate speak) and she coaches the pirates. However, her initals are JGG and that just isn't as exciting.
5) She's the youngest grandchild. It's always the hardest to be the youngest. (For more info on this, ask friend J.)

I am sure there are many more facinating things about J I am leaving out, but one can only blog on such a facinating person for so long. So, hat's of to J. You are far cooler than your brother. After all, he has it so rough as the only male grandchild.

Oh To Be Good At Something

I had the pleasure of spending some time with my Aunt S and Cousin D at a ballgame last night. It is times like this that you truly realize how wonderful your family is at being great. D plays baseball for Emory and Henry college. Go Wasps! So, as we were watching the game and recounting memories of baseball games played over the years by Cousin D, I learned how truly great he is. We have always been told in life to pick something we are good at and excel in that. You know the old saying, "find something you love and you'll never work a day in your life." Well, I'm not sure Cousin D interpreted that correctly. I learned last night that my one single solitary male 1st cousin holds the record in the ODAC for most batters hit with a pitch. Yes, you read that correctly, my cousin has hit more batters with his pitching than any other pitcher in the conference. I think we need to tell him going forward to find something he's good at that does not harm others or hinder his team and excel in that! But, hats off to D, at least he's good at something.

NASCAR - How Bad Have You Got It?

Ok, so I'm an admitted NASCAR fan. I've watched it my whole life. I went to my first Bristol race when I was in the 4th grade. I used to be a member of the Darrell Waltrip Fan Club back in the day. I am not that devoted to any driver now. I have those I cheer for (Elliot Sadler, Tony Stewart), but more importantly I have those I cheer against (Sissy pants pretty boy, bug eyes, the Busch brothers.) I think part of what I like about this sport is the history...it is Southern through and through. It has its roots in moonshining and souped up old cars. Who can cheer aginst the #43? It's legendary, just like the man who drove it to 200 victories (Richard Petty, for those who didn't know.) The best naps are on Sunday afternoons when I can lay on the couch with the sound of the cars running in the background. It's soothing. And the wrecks, there is nothing like them. How many times did he flip? 6? 7? 8? I miss some of the old things: driver rivalries, one car teams beind successful (Alan Kulwicki), and the close contact with the drivers. Corporate America has come in and made it an expensive sport. Cars cost millions to build and maintain, and the ticket prices are ridiculous. But as long as there is racing, I suppose I'll still be going...

Courage

So, yesterday I posted on fear and that has brought about several conversations. D sent me a quote that says "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you are scared to death." That says so much. But in talking more about fear, I have come to the conclusion that the answer is simply to "trust and obey, for there's no other way." God tells us to trust Him. If we do that, we have nothing to fear. If we are in His will for our lives, then everything will go as He wants and our fears are nothing more than our human minds letting Satan in to control them. So, conquer your fears. Take the first step. The second will be easier, the third even more so, and by the fourth you'll be dancing so gracefully you'll forget you had fears to begin with.

Fear

Sorry for the double-post Monday, but this has been heavy on my heart and mind lately.

What do you fear? Spiders? Heights? Commitment? Airplanes? Children?

When I was young my parents took me on one of those sightseeing helicopter rides over Pigeon Forge. I remember thinking, "I bet I could make a huge splash if I jumped in the pool at Ogle's from this height!" (I was too young to understand that would kill me!) Then in elementary school we studied airplanes and space shuttles so we walked to the local airport and road around M'town in a little plane. I thought it was so cool to see all the little things. Then I did not flying for the next 15 years. After graduating from college I had to fly to Wisconsin for some training for a new job. I wasn't big on the thoughts of flying, but I decided it was ok. I have flown several times since but each time it seems my fear grows. Even the thought of getting in a plane terrifies me. I look up at planes in the sky and half the time I feel scared for the people on them. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I really fear this.

A friend and I have talked about fear a lot lately. It's ironic that no matter what the fear is, it drives us drastic measures. We can't eat, we get nervous, we clam up, our emotions get out of control. What fear does this to you? I had begun researching this subject in the Bible and last night at church God handed it to me via our student minister in the service.

Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.

Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.

For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.

When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the LORD will take care of me.

Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!

My fear of flying is still there. It isn't going to disappear overnight. I just have to remember to hand it over to Him and He will take care of me.

Windows...Open!

Ah, the female brain. Such a complex subject. I think as women we often wonder what is going on up there as much as men do. However, we now have new insight as to why women process things so differently than men do: women are constantly focused on many things while men focus on a single item. Now, I know what you are thinking, "Men have a one track mind." Yes, it's true. If a man is working on something, he will be completely consumed on that one item. Women however always have multiple thoughts running through their heads.

And this is where I get back on my soapbox about whatever happened to Mrs. Cleaver.

I believe that what I know now about how the female brain focuses on many things at once while the male brain is single-task oriented backs up my theory of women being homemakers and men being the breadwinners as the ideal lifestyle. Women being able to multitask leads them to being able to care for a child, clean a house, cook dinner, wash clothes, and still have time to make some chocolate chip cookies all in a days work. However, men being able to focus on one task leads them to be better at business: they can enter a meeting and focus solely on the task at hand, making wise decisions, and doing what they are programmed to do best.

Now, before you all get hostile on me, I think some women make very good and successful business women. However, I don't believe the majority of women are capable of the determination and single-mindedness that it requires. And I also know men who stay at home and keep a perfectly functioning, well run house. But, I'm going to stick to my theory that well run households are made up of a husband who works outside the home and a wife who works inside the home. Each are putting in well over 40 hours per week.

The Deal Is Never Closed

I became a big fan of Shaunti Feldhahn after I listened to her speak on her book For Women Only. She and her husband, Jeff, have now released the follow-up book For Men Only. My friend, D, lent me a copy of the book to read. WOW! Did these people look into my head while writing this book? I believe so. This book is a guide for men to the "inner lives of women." Scary, I know, as sometimes I think my own mind is too much for even me to handle.

A couple of nights ago I read the chapter "The Deal Is Never Closed." This chapter dealt with the fact that just because you have sealed the deal and married a woman (or committed to dating them exclusively) that doesn't mean you can just quit letting them know that they are important to you. I found myself being taken back several years to the last serious relationship I was in. As I read the words of the book I felt myself reliving the thoughts and emotions I experienced during the last few months of that relationship. There was no reassurance. And when I did ask (or pester) the person they would say the words I needed to hear and then say they felt they were contributing to the emotions I was struggling with. Now that I have read this chapter I could better have communicated to them what I was feeling. Even reading this as a female I can see where I could have seen where the person wasn't serious in their words (especially since their actions didn't back them up) and saved myself some heartache or I could have given it to them to read so they could see that they weren't meaning what they said and were in fact adding to my emotions because of it.

Men, just because you may be romantic clods (which Shaunti explains in her book), doesn't mean you can't try. Now granted women need to be more patient with you as you learn and know that criticizing your efforts will not help themselves feel more appreciated and loved in the future as the man will not try again. But it is the little things we (as women) look for. The simple compliments, a hug, a reaffirmation (even if we just got one 30 mintes ago.) And men, find where you can "shine" for that special someone in your life and go for it. If you aren't into the whole romantic thing, it still wouldn't kill you to stop by the grocery store and pick up some fresh flowers for that special someone in your life. Women know that not every man is programmed for romance, fine dining, and dancing, but all men can contribute their own special touch that is just for that special woman in their life.

So, I'm sure I didn't cover all my thoughts on this chapter and I'm sure those who read this will have their own opinions of my opinions, but they are my opinions.

A Tribute to My Friend A

Today is A's birthday. She is the most humble person I know. She hates being in the spotlight so hopefully she won't read this post. God has truly blessed me by allowing her to be a part of my life for the last year or so. I can always count on her to be there when I need her and to be praying when I ask. She encourages, listens, jokes, plays, loves, laughs, and exhibits Christ in her life every day. Thank you God for my friend A. May You allow us the pleasure of spending many more years in her presence.

So Happy Birthday, A. I love you and count myself truly blessed to know you.

Success

The pig roast was a success! We had approximately 45-50 people attend the event. D, S, A, J, and I started the party 24 hours early with a small chicken roast. Then it was time for the boys to dig the hole. From 9-10:30 p.m. they were able to get the majority of the hole dug. J and I went down to visit about 10:30. The guys leveled it out some then the rains came so we headed to the house to relax. A little after midnight everyone turned in for the night. The guys got back up at 2:30 and started digging again to level the hole out. Then it was time to light the first bag of charcoal. About 14 hours later the guys pulled the most delectible pork out of that hole I have ever eaten. I look forward to experiencing this again next year and hope that this tradition will retain its vigor next year.

Learnings from the weekend:
1) D makes a killer bbq sauce.
2) Sasquatch did not find us. He must not live near Walland because I know we made enough noise.
3) Red recluse spiders are more poisonous than brown recluse. *
4) I still don't like the sound of guns being shot.
5) I am better at croquet than J. Finally something I can do better than she can!
6) A pedicure at Wal-Mart is the best there is.
7) 2 pecans and a strawberry make a filling breakfast.
8) Nothing on earth is better than good times spent among my Christian friends. Thank you all for the wonderful weekend.

* Note: there is no such thing as a red recluse. Please don't tell A though. He thinks they are very bad.

Baby Emma

Emma Faye looking like her Nana!

Today Baby Emma is 5 months old. She also had a very serious surgery. When the doctor went in to operate he found her liver to be very inflamed. This is due to her chronic lung disease. Unfortunately he knicked her liver so she had to have a blood transfusion during the surgery and the surgeon was not able to do her Fundoplication as well as he had hoped. However they were able to get the feeding tube put in so that is a blessing. Please pray for little Emma as she heals from this surgery. Pray that what part of the Fundoplication that the surgeon was able to do will hold and be sufficient to prevent her reflux. Also pray that her lungs heal so that her liver size will decrease. God is in ulitimate control and my family has placed Emma in His hands where we know she is safest. In that we take constant comfort for His ways are so much greater than our ways.

"The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26