Sweep it under the rug

When I want to pick up, I tend to toss some of my stuff in the closet or in the junk drawer, figuring I'll take care of it later.

When Nate cleans, most of his clothes end up on the floor of his closet.

When I sweep the floor, I hardly ever move sofas or the TV stand to sweep underneath them, because no one will see the dust.

None of this is a mess or a problem that needs to be cleaned up until we move out of our apartments. Then it will just be more dirty and more work than if we had cleaned it up periodically.

I always think of this like my life. I tend to sweep things under the rug or toss them in the junk drawer to deal with later - out of sight, out of mind. Unfortunately, that usually means that I just have more junk to clean up the moment I want to move in my life.

Trust in the Lord

When Hannah prayed for Samuel, she agreed to give up her child if only God would let her have one.

I thought about what I would do in that situation. I can definitely imagine praying to God and pleading for a child but would I really be able to give it up if he granted me one?

When Hannah gave Samuel to serve God, he rewarded her with five more children. She also had the pleasure of knowing that one of her children was living a wonderful life of service to her Lord.

When I thought about this, I wondered why I wouldn't be able to keep my promise. I think it all comes down to trust. If I'm being 100 percent honest, I confess that I do not trust completely. I don't think I would trust that giving up my child would be the best thing, that God could make me satisfied and complete without them.

I knew for a long time that I had troubles trusting - even people - but I thought I had gotten better at that. I have come a long way in trusting when making a decision, but I guess I still haven't completely figured out how to trust that my life is alright.

I don't trust a lot of things. I wrote a whole list of things that I don't trust, but I'm not sure I trust enough to let others read it.

I thought I had come a long way in that department, but I realized I still need quite a lot of work.

Sleepy boy

Some days it's just important to smile. I hope to someday have a bulldog, and I found this video. I think it will make you smile.

Special birthdays

My birthday isn't until Saturday but on Monday, I shopped online with my mom to pick out my gift so it could be shipped to me. BTW: The gift I chose was a faux-leather storage ottoman with lids that turn over into trays.

Today, my gift from Nate came in the mail, so he had me open it up - an espresso maker, espresso glasses and espresso beans, with syrups to arrive soon.

Usually, I am a stickler for not wanting my gifts ahead of time. I really love birthdays and Christmas and every other day that presents are given. I like to make that one day really, really special instead of opening stuff up at other moments.

When I was little, my mom even would decorate our rooms on our birthdays, used special birthday dishes with stars on them and would write happy birthday on the refrigerator in magnet letters.

I know that as I get older, birthdays are not as big of a deal, and it doesn't really matter if it has special moments or is just any other day. However, I will always want to celebrate birthdays to the T.

Even though Nate doesn't care, I love to decorate for his birthdays. I love to make him a special meal, a brownie or pie, to given him a carefully wrapped and chosen present - even though he often already knows what it is because I can't keep gifts secrets.

Birthdays might only be one other day, but they are a time that we can celebrate each other. I think that is reason enough to make them special occasions, even if you're all grown up.

No...

I think I mentioned before that my mom asked me how often I put my words of wisdom into effect. This is one of those times that I know I should be doing (or shouldn't be doing) but haven't done very good at...

God works in mysterious ways in our lives. He asks a lot of us.

However, we don't always want to do what He asks of us. Sometimes, we just say no.

I'm going to steal a story from a friend. Hopefully she won't mind. The other day God told her to go help a neighbor wash her windows. However, she didn't want to so she said no.

God didn't leave it at that though. God kept prodding until she finally went over there and offered. The neighbor declined, but God was happy she said yes.

Sometimes I have things come up in my life that I can see are God's hand. However, I ignore it if I don't want to do it. I say no to whoever brought it up.

Even though God isn't here in front of me, I am really saying no to him. If Jesus sat down and told me to do something, I can't imagine saying no. However, I do it all the time, just without seeing him right in front of me.

I really shouldn't be saying no when I know who it is that's really saying it.

Buffet

Usually, after church, Nate and I head over to a local coffee shop and get fresh bagels and cream cheese and americanos.

Instead, yesterday, I decided I wanted to go to a nice restaurant here and try its brunch "extravaganza."

I got a lot of different items - waffles with chocolate chips, breakfast potatoes, ham, sausage egg bake, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit - but pretty much after I sat down I wished I was just munching on a delicious bagel.

You see, I was never disappointed with the inexpensive bagel. However, I wasn't satisfied just having that week after week.

I saw two lessons here: One, life offers lots of choices, just like a buffet. Many people sample all the different things life has to offer, but they never get to dive in and really eat any of it. They are so busy sampling that they never get to really experience.

Two, even if it's routine, be satisfied with what you have. Sometimes what seems like so great really isn't all that you want. Sometimes you just want the familiar after you get what you thought you wanted.

Timing

I have never been great at timing.

I have a lot of thoughts run through my mind, but I never know when a good time is to bring them up.

Say the topic comes up in conversation but it was not in the way I was planning, should I bring it up then? Then after I take a second to think about it, it seems like it is past the moment. Sometimes when I want to bring up a topic, the words just repeat themselves in my head and I just can't get them out of my mouth. When I finally get them out of my mouth I'm never sure if it was the right time or not, it was just the time that I could finally say them.

Perhaps it's the writer in me. It's hard enough for me to talk, and I plan out what I say so carefully if it is an important topic that when it comes out it's never like I want, so I never want to even start talking about it.

How do you know what is the right time. They are so many different scenarios that could happen just depending on when you bring a topic up, how do you know when to do it? Is it better to just get it out there right away or is it better to let it sit and wait for a convenient moment? What if that moment doesn't happen for a really long time?

Sometimes, I really hate conversation. Sometimes I really wish I didn't have to converse at all. I wish I could relax in the quiet moments and just let the time pass in the peace that I have at those times.

For those of you who are chatty, you probably don't understand this at all. In fact, I often think this is not the right way to go. Even though it's my personality, I try to change it to become more chatty, because that is what people expect of me. That is what people like, others who can converse with them.

I guess I'm just not a good conversationalist, even though I try to be and have gotten better at it. However, when it comes to the important moments, I know I'm not great at conversing or getting my point across in an articulate manner.

I wish I could just stick to writing. It's so much easier that way.

Quiet

I don't really talk all that often during the day. At least out loud.

As a writer, I think of my writing as talking. In turn, it makes me feel like I am talking all the time.

This week, I have just not been in the mood to talk. I don't feel like talking on the phone, I don't feel like writing, I just feel like being quiet.

Honestly, I just don't feel like doing anything this week. My apartment is a mess, having not unpacked after my trip this weekend. I haven't done dishes in a couple days - which are starting to pile up. I'm just not motivated to do anything.

I like quiet times. I like times when I don't have to fulfill a list of things to do all the time. I don't want to have to talk to people all the time. I even like to have the TV on so I can quiet my mind.

Quiet times are my way to relax.

So next time you get some, treasure it!

The Impossible

This is from Joyce Meyer, but it's a great lesson:

"It is impossible for me to be doing what I am doing today. When God called me into ministry, to say I was a mess does not even begin to describe it. But I loved God, and I did not want to continue being the way I was. I just did not know how to change the way I was and be different and better. It took years for God to get me where He needed me to be, but I believe that He is doing a quicker work of righteousness in these last days.

You may feel the way Martha felt when her brother Lazarus died. She said to Jesus, 'Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' (John 11:21). Jesus could have arrived on the scene sooner, but the Bible says that he purposefully waited until Lazarus was dead and laid in the grave. He waited until the situation was so impossible that if anything good came of it, everybody would know that it had to be a work of God.

We need to understand that when God does not move in our circumstances or when he does not move as quickly as we would like for him to move, he may be waiting on purpose. Just when we think there is no way out of our mess, God will prove to us how strong and wonderful he is on our behalf.

I had been trying to serve God for years. Why did he wait so long to touch me with the power of the Holy Ghost? Why didn't he do it two years before? Four years before? I think he was just waiting until it would take a miracle to prove that he was working in my life. The fact that God could use my life for ministry is a miracle in itself."

How small we are

As I said yesterday, God is so much larger than we can even imagine. I saw a quote on a church's electronic sign the other day that said something like if we think we understand God we have failed to know him.

God is so much larger than we know.

Looking down at ants, I often think that is how small we are. I think that is not even small enough. Our world is probably like the size of an ant, or even smaller. We are like the size of a microscopic organism. Our abilities are about the same as that as compared to all God can do.

The times I feel closest to God are often the times when I sit back and look at the sky. Here are some images from the Hubble Space Telescope that show us a little bit about how great our God really is:

Source: Hubblesite.org

Source: Hubblesite.org

Source: Hubblesite.org

And just so we know God is watching us from outside our small little universe:

Source: Hubblesite.org

He laughs

Can you imagine what God's laughter is like?

I'm sure it's booming like thunder but with a more joyous sound. I'm surprised we don't physically hear it, because it must be so powerful. And I'm sure God has plenty of opportunities to laugh too.

I don't think we realize how funny God probably finds out lives. First, he probably giggles when we stress over situations and freak out over problems. He can see how perfectly everything will work out and he knows how in control he is, so he must laugh when he knows we're getting nervous for no reason.

Sometimes, when I go for a walk, I think about how God is in everything. God made everything on Earth, even the little specks of dirt and the ants. Those times contemplating nature, I see how big God really is. He probably laughs at me when I finally realize just how much he is around and just how big he is.

God is everywhere. I bet he laughs when we discover that.

The prince and his people

Prince Jay Cristo ruled over a large kingdom thousands of years ago.

Born a royal, Cristo knew only splendor and majesty. The floors in his room were coated in gold, and the gates to the palace his lived in were carved from pearls. All he had to do was think something, and his servants flew to his side to provide it.

Cristo had plenty of power. The land was by no means a democracy, and he and his father were the ones that provided everything to their people - food, work, they even arranged marriages.

However, Cristo's father finally decided to send his son away from the palace. Cristo was no exactly happy with the arrangement, but it was important that he take some time to live with his people and get to know them.

The man who had everything all of the sudden didn't have everything. He still had servants with him, but most of the time he was on his own.

In spite of his privileged birth, Cristo didn't complain about having to live like a peasant. He treasured the time that he had with the people he ruled over. Since they didn't have good educations, he decided to teach them lessons along the way.

Even people who didn't realize who he was found Cristo to be an amazing man.

However, soon an enemy of the land attacked. The people were being kidnapped and killed by the enemy's soldiers, and there was nothing the peasants could do about it. Some of them tried their best to fight off the enemy, but eventually the strong outside ruler would overcome even the best efforts.

Finally, Cristo could not stand it anymore. He decided to make a long trek to meet this enemy. He stood before the enemy and said, "Take me instead."

The enemy smiled, a glint in his eye and agreed to take Cristo and leave the rest of the people alone.

The enemy had a good plan. He figured if he would kill Cristo, there would be no one to take over his kingdom. Then the enemy could have the kingdom, because he knew the peasants could not fight him off.

The enemy took Cristo to the dungeon and started to beat him. Cristo didn't even fight back. He knew that if he gave his life, his people would be so faithful that they would rise up and defeat the enemy. He went peacefully, even as the enemy tried to hand Cristo the worst death possible.

What ruler what do that? Who would give up their beautiful life and power to save a few peasants.

I'm sure I wasn't too sneaky with this story, but think about it. Think about what Jesus gave up for us. A palace of gold, the ability to have anything he could have ever wanted, angels who sang praises to him constantly.

Thanks to his sacrifice, he went home back to his royal palace and now we get to join him.

Indescribable

If you haven't seen this video - and the following four sections - it's definitely worth your time.

Happy Mother's Day

What can I say about my mother? Well, she is the most wonderful mother that I could have even picked out had I had the option of all the mom's in the world.

Her life has always been about her children and her husband. She has cooked, cleaned, transported, supported, encouraged, loved, given to us and been a blessing to us for all our lives - well all my brother's and my life and ever since my dad met her.

My mom is a beautiful Christian woman, one that I have always looked up to and one that I often compare myself to. The only time I ever remember her putting herself first was when she would claim the center cinnamon roll on Sunday mornings, which who can fault her for? Mom's have to have something!

Through the years, I haven't appreciated my mom as much as I should have. I haven't listened to her as much as I should have. I haven't treated her as good as she deserves. And for that I'm sorry. I wish I was a better daughter through the years.

However, I try to make up for it in these public and private displays of affection. I want her to know that as much as I've gotten angry at her and tried to do my own thing, I have always loved her and treasured her as a mother and friend. I honestly have no idea what my life would look like without her.

Many years ago, my mom bought herself and me matching rings that said best friends forever. Before we went to bed each night we would sing our special song and would clasp pointer fingers together - friends forever - and our pinkies together - pinky swear.

Well mom, none of that has changed. I will always be your brown-eyed girl, and you will always be my brown-eyed mom. We'll always be friends. Pinky swear!

Happy Mother's Day!

What's in a name?

This is kind of a crazy, fun everyday moment.

Everyone has a name, and they tell people about us. However, they tell people more about our parents. Some parents choose a name with meaning. Some choose a name they simply enjoy the sound of. Some people choose names they think will be unique.

The story of my name is simple - my mom thought of it one day while driving and liked it.

I read a list of celebrity baby names compiled by FoxNews and realized some of these people just weren't thinking at all when they chose their baby names.

-Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey named their new twins Monroe (after Marilyn Monroe) and Moroccan. Really, Moroccan? And the explanation was no better. Their son was named after the interior design theme in one of their rooms.

-Gwen Stefani's poor daughter's name is Zuma Nesta Rock.

-Jamie Oliver's daughters' first names are a little weird - Poppy, Daisy and Petal - but throw in their full names and its gets worse - Poppy Honey Rosie, Daisy Boo Pamela, Petal Blossom Rainbow.

-One of the actresses from the Cosby Show named her poor son Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha. Does he have a nickname? Really! What is the poor superintendent going to say at his graduation ceremony?

-Now, I really love Nicholas Cage, but he took his love of Superman to new heights. His son's name is Kai-El, Superman's real name.

-Sylvester Stallone is stuck in his tough movies with his kid's name - Sage Moonblood. However, I guess if the kid ignores the middle name, Sage isn't the worst name I've heard.

-Rob Morrow's daughter's name is Tu. Tu Morrow. Enough said.

As friends and acquaintances come to the age of having babies, I encourage them all to think about the consequences of their kids' names. What will it sound like when the teacher reads the name list on the first day of school? What will it sound like on graduation day?

You want your kids to love their names, not turn red in embarassment about your choice!

Life lessons from "The Other Guys"

1. Treat your loved ones right

In the movie "The Other Guys" Allen Gamble treats his beautiful, sweet wife terribly. He criticizes her food and her looks until she eventually throws him out.

Later, Allen admits that he is not nice to his wife and criticizes her because he knows that he is not worthy of her. He tells her that he won't admit to how wonderful she is so that others will not want to take her from him.

Life lesson: Treasure those close to you or you'll lose them.

2. Fly, even if you're a peacock

Terry Hoitz tells his captain that he is a peacock and just wants to fly. Others laugh at him, because peacocks don't fly - at least not well.

However, Terry doesn't care. He wants to make the best out of his circumstances and flaps his wings.

Life lesson: Even if you can't fly well, take a running leap and throw yourself up in the air anyway.

3. Encourage others

A businessman in the movie climbs out his window and threatens to jump. Allen and Terry go to the scene and attempt to dissuade him from jumping. However, they're honesty ends up making the situation worse as Terry says "We all know you're a scumbag and no one cares about you."

Life lesson: I don't think honesty means telling everyone everything that's wrong with them. When you can't think of anything good to say, don't say anything at all. Try to encourage each other by finding the good in everyone.

Sweet and salty

A Mr. Goodbar has some delicious salty peanuts mixed with delicious milk chocolate.

Chocolate dipped pretzels are a wonderful snack.

For breakfast, I had a piece of toast with butter and grape jelly.

Sweet and salty combinations are some of the most delicious ones in life. I'm not usually a sweet and salty person except for the items listed above. For instance, I hate hams cooked in pineapple juice and Hawaiian pizza.

Whether I like all sweet and salty combinations in food, they are there. It's a little like life. Your everydays bring you both the sweet moments and the salty ones.

Sweet moments come when you spend time with loved ones, find the perfect deal out shopping, cook a delicious dinner.

Salty times might come when you have a hard decision to make, are nervous about a big event or are worrying about your children.

Salty times add a little spice to life, keeping it from being boring. However, if you're already hurting adding those salty moments can make life even more painful and difficult.

You should remember though, the sweet and salty moments go together, creating real life.

Little lovers

I don't know what it is, but I absolutely love dogs.

I'm not one of those people that shares ice cream with their dog or lets them kiss their mouth - not purposefully anyway - but I do love them.

I don't have a puppy dog right now, because I'm not allowed pets in my apartment. However, I still love my old doggie at home, even with her gray hair and arthritis. I love my friends' dogs who are licky and energetic balls of fur.

Dogs are like little people. You can just sit and see what they're thinking in their eyes. Petting a dog is a relaxing feeling unlike any other. Curling up with a warm dog next to you is just perfect.

Some people like dogs, some people like cats, some people love fish. I personally can't stand cats, because they aren't cuddly like dogs are. However, whatever it animal you love, treasure it and treat it like the little loveable animal it is to you.

Today's a great day

Happy birthday Dad!

Today my father turns 51. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but he born more than a half-century ago. Both he and my mom have aged remarkably well.

Yesterday, I worked on a special project for him. I ordered him a present but it has not come in yet, so I had to do something besides call him and wish him a happy birthday.

I decided to go through the photos I had on my computer and online and make him a sort of slideshow, with reasons why I love him and why he is a great dad.

I put it to music, but I guess that didn’t go through when I sent it to him. It was set to “Brown-eyed Girl,” because I’m his little brown-eyed girl.

My dad is a great man. He is a little on the quieter side like me, but when he has something to say you better listen up. He has wise ideas and shares them in a wise manner.

My dad has always been a hard worker, and he has put in more than 60 hours per week for as long as I can remember. Yet, somehow, he always made it to my dance recitals, my choir concerts, my softball games, my basketball games, the games I cheered at.

Even though I don’t live anywhere near home anymore, he is still my go-to guy for car problems. I either call him and see if he can diagnose the problem by me imitating the odd noises my old Grand Am GT makes or wait until he visits. Whenever he comes or I go home, he always takes the time to change my oil or fix something that has gone wrong on my old baby.

My dad is strong, smart, generous, caring, wise, handsome and just a plain wonderful man. I’m so glad that my parents found each other and have stayed together for so long. They are a great pair and I’m so lucky to have both of them.

So dad, happy birthday. As they say, anyone can be a father, but not everyone can be a dad. And you’re even better. You’re the best daddy a girl could ever ask for!