I'll be back!

Well, as you know, we got our new house!!! Woohooo! I'll be out of touch for a few days as we move and I get my cable internet service connected. Yippee!

I'll be back online on Tuesday or Wednesday (Lord willing). Keep us in your prayers as Deedee and I get settled. We'll just be getting settled in when Meagan comes back home from Illinois with all of her furniture! It's going to be a busy month.

On top of all of this, I'll be turning 30 next Monday! This is an exciting time for me - I feel like I'm just getting started on the rest of my life.

Anyway, have a great weekend and I'll see you when I see you!

Blessings!

WE GOT IT!!!!!!!

Ok, I didn't sleep very well last night and I probably won't tonight either! We got the house we wanted!!!! Woohoo!!! Deedee and I are ecstatic. Meagan hasn't even seen the house yet, but is glad we finally have somewhere to live.

As soon as I can, I will post pictures of the house. This is going to be so good!

Now, let's see: I've got to pack, get folks to help move, get new curtains, rugs for the floors..........oh dear, it's going to be a long weekend!!!!!

Flattery does not get you everywhere....

"I'm going to make your car as pretty as you."

"Ok, thanks."

"You sure are a pretty lady."

"Thanks."

"Are you married?"..........."No"

"Dating anyone?"........."Uh, no."

"I sure would like to call you sometime."

(very awkward pause)

"Thank you?!"

No lie - this was an actual conversation from my life. It happened today. I must say, that's the first time I've ever been hit on like that. I did not know what to do.

There were several reasons why it would never happen, but for a split second I was way flattered! I mean, who doesn't want to hear that they are beautiful!? The only problem is, reality has a way of working itself into the picture.

Alas, I am no beauty queen, but for that instant someone considered me extra special. It was kinda nice!

Life is definitely interesting

Well, me and one of my future roommates are still waiting to see a house we are VERY interested in. By tomorrow, we'll know for sure whether or not we totally like the house - if we do, then hopefully we'll know by the end of this week if we got it! I'm so ready for this to be over! The good news is, if this doesn't work out, another option has opened up! I don't understand this journey called life, but at least I do know the destination!!!!

I tell you, in the midst of all of this, I am being challenged spiritually. Over the past few years, I've struggled with breaking through the barriers that "religion" imposed upon my life - and feel like I've come a long way in learning how to have a relationship with Christ- but there are more lessons to be learned.

I'm learning a different side of Grace and freedom in Christ. I don't think most Christians fully understand these things. I know I don't. It's kind of scary. It is amazingly.....free! But, there's also a fine line between having freedom in Christ and crossing over into sin. This is my struggle. Let me explain.

I have formed some incredible friendships over the past few months with people who come from different backgrounds than myself. I cannot begin to describe how excited I am. These folks are incredible people and have amazing relationships with God. However, they are in a different place in their relationship with Christ than I am. Not saying either place is better than the other - just different. I am learning a lot about myself and my relationship with Christ because of their friendship. My struggle is learning how to be with them and accept them for who they are without changing what I know is necessary to keep me in a right relationship with Christ. Does any of this make sense?

I don't want to hold on to an idea just because it's what I was taught to believe. However, I don't want to do things or begin to accept a different attitude about things just because someone else does it and is not convicted in their spirit about it. After all, they have a different walk with Christ than I do.

I guess what I'm coming to realize is that if I don't keep my eyes on Christ and my ear tuned to His voice, I could begin to falter. I could step out of line with God's will for my life, because I was too focused on someone else. For me, this means that I need to learn to accept people for who they are and accept where they are and not necessarily change who I am.

I do know this - I do not want to be "stuck" in one place. It's just that I want the changes in my life to occur at Christ's prompting and not Christy's.

The search goes on...

I hate house hunting!!!! We are still no closer to finding a place to live than we were last week! However - the pressure is off a bit. Deedee has a friend who said she could live with her for a couple of weeks until we get the housing situation worked out. Meagan decided to go back to Illinois for a bit to save up some more money - she has a new job down here which starts in August.

There is one option we'll be looking at on Wednesday. (Lord willing!) I went by and looked at it today - it looks like a serious possibility!!! If it's not rented when we look at it, we'll probably go for it - all that's left is to clear the credit check. *fingers crossed*

I know it will all come together. As I said in my previous post, I know that God's hand is in all of this. Too many things have happened for it not to be so! The hardest part is trusting Him to bring it to pass, because it is always in His time and not ours!

Keep us in your prayers!

Good things come to those who wait

Well, I am in another waiting game! Me and two friends (Deedee and Meagan) are waiting to hear whether or not we'll be able to rent this house we want. The problem is - Deedee and Meagan have to be out of their current home by the end of the month!!!!! That's only 11 days away!!!!! Aaaagggghhhh!

I am so excited about being roommates with these two. I met Deedee at church about 2 months ago. We hit it off instantly! She is so awesome! Her sister, Meagan, moved to Mississippi from Illinois two weeks ago and we, too, hit it off instantly! They are great and a LOT of fun!!! Once we get settled in, our house will be like Grand Central Station with all the friends we have coming over!!

Anyway, if the house we want doesn't work out, we do have a back-up - but it's not what we want!!! I must say, though, I do see God's hand at work in every step of this process: from when a testimony I gave about God's provision prompted Deedee to approach me about being housemates to right now. I know it is in His hands. Sometimes, I just don't like not knowing how it will all work out. Wait a minute - who am I kidding - I never like not knowing how it works out! Lord, just be patient with me!

I'll keep you posted as to what transpires!

Life is good

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted something interesting to read. (At least I hope my ramblings are interesting!) There have been a lot of things happening in my life over the past couple of weeks.

As I posted a few weeks ago, I got a new laptop. My iBook came in!!!! I love it! I've been frustrated that I've not had the opportunity to really explore it and the software I have loaded on it. I'm very familiar with PC's, but Mac's are totally new to me. Although a Mac is not too different from a PC, there are some significant differences that elevate the Mac far above the PC. I have been won over to the Mac side and it is Good!

My church is growing and as a result, I've been involved in a couple of things. I'm a cell leader, so we have weekly meetings. On top of that, our church hosts a motorcycle ministry and we've had a bunch of people join our church in the past few months because of that ministry. I've made some really awesome friends and God is opening so many doors, I'm overwhelmed by what is taking place. As things develop, I will write more about what is happening. There could be some really interesting posts!!!! I'll tell you this - it is so cool to go outside of our church on Sunday mornings and see all of the motorcycles! I'll post some pictures so you can see. :)

I feel like I'm on the verge of some great things happening in my life. I'll be turning 30 in July, and I am really excited! I've been a "late bloomer" in a lot of ways, so I really do feel like I'm just getting started in my life. I know that I have a closer relationship with God than I've ever had and I'm more confident in who I am than I've ever been before. I know, too, that I have a long way to go! I look forward to the journey ahead!

What book of the Bible are You?

Here is another one! I really like it.

You are Psalms.


Which book of the Bible are you?
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By the way - Psalms is my favorite book of the Bible!

If you want to see a good movie...

I just saw the best movie for the second time tonight. "Bruce Almighty" has to be one of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. Now I know that a lot of folks will have problems with this movie, and that's ok. If we all saw and did things the same way, it would be a boring world. But if you can get past some of the details, this movie is rich in it's spiritual messages.

Here's the premise of the move: Bruce Nolan is a quirky news reporter (who always ends up doing the everyday, local interest stories) but wants to be an anchor for the evening news. He is unsatisfied with his life and blames God for all the bad things that happen to him. Bruce thinks God's doing a terrible job and says he could do it better - so "God" gives Bruce that chance. I won't say more about the movie so as not to spoil it for those of you who haven't seen it yet. If you're worried that it's blasphemous, it's not. It presents some thought provoking ideas and has several clear messages (you'll have to see the movie to find out what they are!)

Without giving away any plot details, I think one of the best things the movie shows is man's struggle with himself and with God. Bruce is very self-centered, and his perception of God is distorted. As he says "God is like some big kid with a magnifying glass sitting on an anthill and I (Bruce) am an ant." He begins the journey of learning that it's not all about him - the earth does not revolve around Bruce. He comes to realize that even with all of God's powers, he still is unable to satisfy his soul. Bruce finally surrenders himself to God's will. Yes, I know - who would have thought Hollywood would produce a movie like this. It is fantastic! Bruce learns what true love is.

I must say, I was amazed at the overt spiritual messages in this movie. I just have to believe that many people will explore their relationship with God and with others as a result of this film. I know that it was the topic of conversation in my car all the way home from the theater!

Anyway, if you've seen the film, leave a post of your thoughts on the film.

Now I know I'm getting old

"Kiki, you need to get married."

This was the statement made to me yesterday by my 5 year old niece. I was speechless! "Oh my goodness", I thought to myself, "what have I done to bring about this question?" So I asked her, "Who told you I needed to get married?"

"Momma."

"When?"

"On the way to Papaw's house."

"Oh, ok."

I knew there was another aspect of this conversation that I wasn't privy to at that moment, so later, I asked my sister-in-law about it. Sure enough, my niece had asked when I was going to have a baby and my sister-in-law had told her I had to get married first. I guess my niece is thinking about babies these days since she already has one brother and one sister, and my brother and his wife are expecting a fourth child in September.

Still, every time I think about this conversation, it makes me laugh. I have finally gotten to the place where I am content. I honestly thought this day would never come. There was a time when I couldn't stop thinking about getting married and finding "the one". Sure, I would like to be married and believe I will be one day, but for this moment, my plate is full and I am satisfied. God has been so good to me, I cannot complain. I have a wonderful family (and super nieces and a nephew!), outstanding friends and I am a part of an incredible body of believers on a weekly basis. I couldn't ask for more.

This has been a week

What can I say....except that this has been one of those weeks! The week started out good, because my friend Deborah loved her house. I was SO glad! It has been exciting to hear what a blessing that was to her. Then, things were going ok until I was involved in a wreck on Wednesday. Nothing serious - a lady hit me from behind and my car slid and hit the truck in front of me. The only car that had damage was mine. The guy in front of me had a trailer hitch on his truck and it poked a hole in my bumper. Then, today, my car died at the post office. Actually, it was the battery that died, but nevertheless - I couldn't drive my car because it would not start. So I call one of my co-workers to come give me a boost so I could go buy a new battery. Oh joy.

That's where the real fun began.

It has been 6 years since I last purchased a battery for my car, so I had forgotten some of the finer points of purchasing a battery. Well, most places around here will let you purchase a battery and will install it for you for no extra cost. Evidently, they build up the price just a bit to cover that. Not a whole lot, mind you, just a little. Well, I go to this place that was recommended by my co-worker. He said this guy had been really fair - had even recommended he take his car somewhere else for some service work he needed done. So, that sounded good to me. I mean, if the guy will give up business to be fair to the customer, how bad can he be? Well, I think there is a different standard when it comes to a woman needing work on her car.

I was in desperate need of a battery (I couldn't turn my car off and I was running out of gas) so I had to get a battery fast! Well, I go to this guy to get my battery, expecting a cost of around $70 or $80. But no, it was $115 - $82 for the battery and $26 for labor (plus tax). Remember, it's been 6 years since my last battery, so I figured that the price had gone up that far. Well, I call my dad to let him know what was going on and he reminded me that they shouldn't have charged me to install the battery and I should call them and take it back (or at least see if they would refund the money.)

So, I go call another place and ask what price they charge for the same battery. Their price? $92 (that is including tax!) A difference of $23. I know that may not sound like much, but for me, that was a lot of money that I shouldn't have paid. Besides that - it was the principle of the thing. So I go call the man who sold me the battery and tried to clarify why I had paid $26 for labor when most other places don't charge a thing. He told me that was what they did and he wouldn't take the battery back (or give me my money back). So I told him "thank you. I'll be sure to let other people know about how he handles his business." I believe he took advantage of me because I was a woman. I am sure he knows that other places don't charge for installation, so he could have recommended I go somewhere else (like he did for my co-worker). This is not the first time I've been taken advantage of in regards to automotive repairs (I won't bore you with other stories) and I'm sure it won't be the last. I will tell you this - I will know more about my car and take more time in selecting who I do business with the next time!

Now, before people start going off on me - I am not a victim. I hate the whole "victim" mentality people use. I know I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had just called a few places and found the best price. It's not totally that guy's fault. It just aggravates me that I should even have to worry about this kind of stuff. Whatever happened to honesty and integrity? Whatever happened to chivalry? Whatever happened to looking out for the women? If I had been that guy's daughter, I guarantee he wouldn't have charged me for the labor!

Anyway, it was a lesson to me. First of all - research, research, research and call around - no matter how long it takes! Secondly, it was a reminder to me that I should treat all people fairly and equitably. Treat them the way I want to be treated. I know I've been guilty of not doing that. You know those people that come into your life - they look, act or smell funny. They dress weird or have unusual tastes in everything. Those people who are not like - "us". Well, I've been guilty of not treating them the way I would want to be treated. But I promise you this - I will not do that so quickly the next time one of those people cross my path! I hope I will remember this incident and take a moment longer to be nice to them. After all, isn't that what we all want for ourselves - to be treated right?

Syndication

Ok, I'm still rather new at this, but I'm learning. I just turned all the switches and did what they told me to allow my site to be syndicated via an RSS file. I hope this works and brings some new readers to my site!

Any help from more experienced users will be greatly appreciated!

Just shoot me and get it over with

If I never pick up another paint brush, it will be too soon!!!

As you can tell, I haven't posted here since last Wednesday. The reason: me and several other people have been redecorating a friend's house for the past few days. Our friend went out of town and made the "mistake" of letting me house-sit for her. Well, unbeknownst to her, several of us got together and redecorated four out of five rooms in her house. I know - we are absolutely insane. We now know this for sure!

Anyway, she will be back home in about 30 minutes from this post when she will see what we've done! It was great, though. She needed a boost, and we were glad we could do it for her.

Word to the wise - if you want to redecorate, only go for one or two rooms at a time!!! I know I will never try doing that again!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. God has been so incredibly good to me, I hope He has blessed you, too!


UPDATE: Well, Deborah came home and loved what we did! I'm so glad we were able to bless her this way. She is an awesome lady and we love her a bunch!

Just when you thought you'd heard it all...

My brother and his wife are expecting their fourth child, so picking out a name is becoming a bit of a struggle. But this is just ridiculous!

Thanks, Adam for the story.

p.s. The kid in the picture is no relation! Just found him on the web.

This is interesting...

Well, here is another one of those "who/what are you like?" deals. Even though there are days I feel like a beast - I do not look like one!


You are Beast!

You are brilliant and extremely clever. You can
handle almost any problem swiftly and
efficiently. You are devoted to philosophy and
are always up for a good discussion.
Sometimes, though, your anger gets the best of
you and you upset those whom you care about.


Which X-Men character are you most like?
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Thanks to Rich for another amusing character assessment!

The waiting game

I am SO frustrated! Due to some circumstances beyond my control, I won't be able to get my laptop until the end of the month. Aaaggghhh! I'm still getting it - I'm just having to wait another 2 or 3 weeks. Yuck! I am not the most patient person.

Really, though, I should not be surprised by this - it is just a reminder to me that I am not in control. Just this Sunday I asked for prayer that I would learn to be less self-sufficient. You see, I like to have control over my life, but if I'm going to live a life pleasing to God, I can't have control. Too many times I'm sure I've missed out on tremendous blessings because I was trying to manage things. God is really teaching me to trust Him and let Him have control, but I am not doing so gracefully.

In our fellowship on Sunday, my pastor was talking about what makes us a disciple of Christ. He said that a disciple can be measured not by what they have given up, but by what they keep. Ouch! That really hit me between the eyes. The things I've given up in the name of the Lord would make a short list, but what I haven't given up is a much longer list! Control or self-sufficiency is one of those at the top!

Psalm 103:8-17 gives me hope:

The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he understands how weak we are; he knows we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone – as though we had never been here. But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!

I'm glad to know that God is patient and in control.

Dude, I'm gettin' a Mac!

Well, a small dream of mine is coming true! I have wanted a laptop for a long time and more recently I have wanted to get a Mac - finally I am getting one! Hopefully by the end of next week!

This is my first foray into the world of the Mac. I have been a faithful PC user since 1992, simply because I didn't know about Macs and their great capabilities. However, now I'm sold and am excited about getting mine.

For those of you who are interested, here is what I'll be getting: iBook, 900MHz, 14.1" display, 640 MB SDRAM, 60 GB Hard drive, with a DVD/CD-RW combo drive. I can't wait to make my first movie! :-)

Now don't panic, my PC-using friends! I will still be using a PC on a regular basis at work. Look at it this way: I am simply expanding my knowledge! I hope to display some of what I learn, here on my blog. Anyone with Mac experience, feel free to send me advice, helpful hints and web sites that are good resources.

Self-Discipline

I have a love-hate relationship with this word. (Right now, more hate than love - but that's slowly changing!) I love it because of what it can bring to one's life: order, the ability to commit to whatever, stability in finances, health....the list goes on. I hate it because it is one of the weakest areas in my life. That scripture in Romans 7 where Paul shares about his struggle to do the things he knows are right, but time after time, he does the things he knows are wrong - this is my struggle with self-discipline. It is something to be practiced. A choice to make. The right thing to excercise in my life, yet time after time, I choose the path of least resistance.

In our home group meeting the other week, my group was talking about overcoming adversity or trials in our lives. As you may know from your own walk with God, our mind is a major battlefield in which satan and his minions wage war against us. Many people are bound by the struggle taking place in their mind and simply sharing that struggle can help to overcome it. It loses it's grip on you when it is shared. You know, "bear one another's burdens..." - a heavy load is much lighter when shared. Well, I'm coming clean with a couple of struggles in my life - I'm baring my soul, so be nice! :) I have finally decided it is time to choose to be disciplined in the areas concerning my health and finances. I have made a decision to be intentional with the choices I make in these two areas. Eating healthy, excercising and managing my money are particular struggles I face. I know I can change - I've done it before. Especially with God's help!

Now before you wonder what's brought this about - I haven't been diagnosed with some terrible disease and (thank God!) I'm not on the verge of bankruptcy - but if I'm not careful, I could be facing both of those situations. In a devotional by Larry Burkett he asserts that God designed us to be disciplined people. The lack of self-discipline leads to a variety of problems. In another article he says that there are "several symptoms associated with a lack of self-discipline: confusion, indulgence, sloppiness, and a lack of prayer and Bible study. The symptoms can be glossed over by pretending to be spiritual, but the residual effects (debt, depression, [bad health]) can be solved by correcting the lack of discipline." OUCH! When I read this, I was immediately convicted. There have been many times I wondered why I couldn't sense any direction from God, why couldn't I commit to living healhty or why things weren't going well financially - it was all because I had not addressed the lack of self-discipline in my life.

There is a parable in Luke 19 where Jesus talks about the slaves who were given a portion of their master's money to do business with while he was away. When the master returned, he asked each slave what they did with the coin given to them. One slave had taken what was given to him and multiplied it by ten. The master said "Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities." Eventually, the slave that had done nothing with his money was reprimanded and his one coin was taken from him and given to someone else. I don't want to lose what I have - my health, finances, talents - because I wasn't faithful with it. Self-discipline protects against that.

So, now I am addressing the issue of self-discipline in my life. I am taking the first step on this journey. I know it will be difficult, but I also know how much bigger my God is than anything I might face. This week, He came through in my life again. Just when I wasn't looking or expecting it - He blessed me. I know I can trust Him with all the "stuff" of my life and I'm looking forward to what He will do in me and through me.

Catching up

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted. I miss not posting here and getting feedback. I love hearing from you. Anyway, I've got my next post in my mind, I've just got to get my thoughts together so I can post it here. Besides that - I need to get to work! :)

Check back later today for new ramblings from me!

I just can't believe this!

It appears that the hollywood liberals (who have been so vocal with their anti-war speech and the freedom to express it) have begun their own war. Apparantly, free speech is only allowed when it agrees with their views. I am amazed that this is happening in this day and age. Unbelievable!

Our own personal wind chill
Well, folks - it's been a blast and it's been fun.

Apparently, our domain registrar (namesdirect.com - subsidiary of Dotster.com) have caved to the pressures of the William Morris Agency giant. On April 29, 2003, Dotster.com received a letter from the William Morris Agency in regards to this website. Their complaint accused us of liable and potentially other civil and criminal offenses.

This is another fine example of how Hollywood feels that their opinion and view is the only one that matters. Average citizens are disallowed the free expression of our point of view because they don't like being challenged for their views. I stand firm on the belief that we have done nothing wrong at this website - - The celebrities have expressed their views, and we have responded in kind by expressing our views regarding the thoughts and ideas that they have, publicly, expressed.
Read more here.