It's In The Valleys We Grow...

Well I finished another Bible study meeting tonight...it was great. The name of the study is As Silver Refined. However the sub-title (that's what I would call it) is Learning to Embraces Life's Disappointments. So I think naturally most people start to think about past and present disappointments. I know I have that last few weeks. Well every time I start to dwell on disappointments in my life. I think of this poem. I don't always remember the whole poem but I always remember...It's in the valleys we grow. So I thought I would share the poem with you.

It's in the valleys we grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then we have to remember
That it's in the valleys we grow.

If we always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
We would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

We have so much to learn
And our growth is very slow,
Sometimes we need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys we grow.

We do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

The little valleys are nothing
When we picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Personality Test...

I took the personality test that Paige and Nicole took. Here are the results.

Your personality type:
Warm-hearted, popular and conscientious. Tend to put the needs of others over their own needs. Feel strong sense of responsibility and duty. Value traditions and security. Interested in serving others. Need positive reinforcement to feel good about themselves. Well-developed sense of space and function.

Careers that could fit you includes:
Home economics, nursing, teaching, administrators, child care, family practice physician, clergy, office managers, counselors, social workers, bookkeeping, accounting, secretaries, organization leaders, dental assistants, homemakers, radiological technologists, receptionists, religious educators, speech pathologists.

So what's your personality?
Take the test CLICK HERE

Officially A Resident...

Well I am officially a resident of the Great State of Tennessee. I don't plan on singing or learning the words to Rocky Top anytime soon.

It has been a bit of an ordeal to get my drivers license. This summer I got my car tags NO problem. However to get a drivers license you have to have a certified birth certificate or a passport among other things. Well I did not have a certified birth certificate (there has been some discussion with my mother about whether I lost or if she actually ever gave it to me) or a passport. So I sent off for my certified birth certificate.

I finally got it in the mail..then procrastinated a few more weeks then finally on Thursday morning I got my drivers license...it was rather painless. The picture on my drivers license is not all that great...I'm not happy with it. I know what you are thinking no one is happy with their picture on their drivers licenses. I was very happy with the picture on my Arkansas drivers license. Oh well such is life in 5 years I will have a chance to make a better picture.

One Hour and A Full Gas Tank...

Well AAA reports that about 60% of gas stations in middle Tennessee are out of gas. Apparently there was a "rush" on gas on Friday morning...I had no idea. Friday night I decided to fill up. I couldn't find a gas station with any gas. So today I found a gas station with gas...I waited in line for an hour to get gas.

Why I'm in line.

Almost there...I can see well almost see the tanks.

See all those cars....yep I waited in that line.

Congratulations Matthew & Kenzie...

Kenzie's corsage

(I added the ribbon to a pin I bought at Hobby Lobby!)

The table

Kenzie & Matthew

I was in Arkansas this weekend for a wedding shower for my cousin, Matthew and his fiance, Kenzie. I didn't take a lot of pictures because I was the one writing down the gifts received. They had wonderful shower and I had fun! Congratulations Kenzie and Matthew! I can't wait for the wedding! See you in October!

I See The Moon...

The moon sees me,

God bless the moon,

And God bless me!

Disappointment - His Appointment...

This poem is part of my Bible study reading this week....I had to share!

"Disappointment - His Appointment";

change one letter, then I see

that the thwarting of my purpose

is God's better choice for me.

His appointment must be blessing

though it may come in disguise;

for the end, from the beginning,

open to His vision lies.

"Disappointment - His Appointment."

Whose? The Lord who loves me best,

understands and knows me fully,

who my faith and love would test.

For like loving earthly parents

He rejoices when He knows

that His child accepts unquestioned

all that from His wisdom flows.

"Disappointment - His Appointment";

no good things will he withhold.

From denials oft we gather

treasures of His love untold.

Well He knows each broken purpose

leads to a fuller, deeper trust,

and the end of all His dealings

proves our God is wise and just.

"Disappointment - His Appointment";

Lord I take it then as such,

like clay in the hands of the potter

yielding wholly to His touch.

My life's plan is all His molding;

not one single choice is mine.

Let me answer unrepining;

"Father, not my will, but Thine."

~Author Unknown

Tag...

This is how it works:

1. Link the person you received your award from.

2. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

3. Put links of those on yours.

4. Leave a message on the blogs of your nominees.

The Sublett Family: I love Lindsey's writing. I love to read her stories. I loved reading about her trip to Alaska!

Livesay (Haiti) Web Log: Well I don't know these people BUT I love reading their blog. Right now they need our prayer because they continue to be hit by hurricane after hurricane.

The Mosley Team : I love watching the kids grow up! I love reading about what is going on in her life! I also feel for her because "the blog police officer" is always email her about updating her blog! :)

My Crazy Oklahoma Life: Well I don't know Erin but I like to read about what's going on in Oklahoma. I stalk her from Nicole's blog :)

Blake and Kristen: This is my way of keeping up with my favorite brother and sister-in-law. I love reading the updates.

The Godfreys: Melissa is always trying new stuff with her blog. Plus she's family...what's not to like!

The Condrays: Last but certainly not least...Paige. She's the reason I started a blog...she got me hooked! Miss her and love watching the kids grow up.

Consider yourself TAGGED!!!

First Bible Study Meeting...

Tonight was the first night of my Bible study. Tonight we got our books and had the opportunity to get to know the people in small group.

When I got off work...let's just say I wasn't feeling a Bible study meeting. I thought to myself what was I thinking signing up for a Bible study. I was so tired. I just wanted to go home and lay on my couch. I had a REALLY bad attitude!! So we started in our large group which includes about 25 women. While the leader of the study was going through the plan for the next thirteen weeks...I still wasn't too sure about the study and thinking the whole time...What have I gotten myself into!?!?

Then we broke into our small group. This is where we will do the group discussion when we start the study. Well tonight we spent the time getting to know each other. There are six other women in my small group. So we went around the table and introduced ourselves to each other. We talked about our family, where we are originally from, and why we signed up for the study. As the ladies are talking about themselves and I'm talking about myself. All of the sudden my bad attitude was gone. I realize that I was there for a Bible study but God had lead me to an interesting group of ladies. I had at least one thing in common with every single one of the women in my group. Three of the ladies in the group are married (obviously that was the one thing I had in common with those three ladies). Four including myself are single and have never been married..what are the odds?!?!

Anyway the bad attitude is gone. I'm excited about the Bible study. The study sounds amazing. The lady leading the large group time went to seminary and has a degree in Biblical studies. It should be an interesting thirteen weeks!

McCain & Palin 2008...

I have spent the last two weeks watching the national conventions of both the Democrats and Republicans. Tonight the Republican National Convention wraps up. I enjoyed watching both of the conventions. I watched both conventions 4 years ago...so this isn't a new thing.

Last night Governor Sarah Palin gave an AMAZING speech. I've watched and read many many many things over the last 24 hours about her speech. I've talked to people about her speech. She introduced herself to the nation and did a wonderful job. She has the executive experence to be vice president. I'm excited about the possibilities.

I was talking to my mom this evening. We were talking about Sarah Palin. I was telling her I thought if McCain/Palin won in November. Sarah Palin could someday be president. As a woman I think that is amazing. I think about all the young girls I know that could possibly grow up in a nation where a woman can become president and realize that a woman can be anything that she wants to be...a mom, doctor, lawyer, police officer, firefighter, astronaut and yes even president of the United States.

I'm excited that in November I will be able to vote for the first woman ever on the Republican presidential ticket. I encourage you to get involved. If you are trying to decide who to vote for...I encourage you to do you research and decide on a candidate.

Vote on November 4!!

Flat Tire...

I have always been afraid that I would have a flat tire when there wasn't anyone available to change it (I have roadside assistance but it can take a while for them to show up). That fear was intensified when I moved to Tennessee. Any time that I have had a flat tire ...I've called my dad! Well this weekend I had a flat tire...Sunday night....in Greenbrier.

I put this tire on my car!

I got out of my car, looked at the flat and then got back in my car. I started thinking about all the people I could call to come change the tire for me. Then I decided I could at least TRY to change the tire myself. Well I tried and I DID IT! I couldn't believe it! I changed the tire all by myself. No one stopped to help. I even made it home and to Wal-Mart on Monday morning on the tire I put on. I ruined my tire so I had to buy a new tire.