Food for Thought: Crossroads

Ever been caught at a crossroad? Speaking for myself, I’ve reached so many crossroads that I think I meet them more then I get to an actual destination. Anyways, we always run into new situations, changes, and things that we have to choose and make decisions for. Decisions that will greatly impact the way our lives play out. I wish that when life takes us through its crazy turns, and when were brought into new situations, that we had instincts like the sea turtle. A sea turtle stays in their shells until their ready and then they tear their shells apart and introduce themselves to the world. Once they tear the shells apart, with their snout they dig through the sand to reach the surface and then instinctively head towards the ocean; This is key for survival. I am baffled at the thought and sights of this. How in the world do they know exactly where to go right after being born? I wish that I had the instinct of sea turtles. I wish I knew immediately without hesitation what to do when I am approached with a new scenario. I wish that I had a survival tactic like them to know exactly what to do. I know the journey is what makes you, you. I know that the purpose of life is for you to find your way, but I still cant help to look at the sea turtles with a sort of envy that with no experience or no guidance they know exactly what to do. Changes and new situations can definitely prove to be challenging and overwhelming. I guess that’s what having faith is all about. The being confident that your going to make it through, regardless if then and there you don’t know what to do.

It's in the time of unknowing that having faith is what sees you through to the other side. Faith is what gives you strength. Faith is that light in your heart that keeps on shining even when it's all darkness outside. Now is the time to keep that faith alive!

Amateur Baker Alert: Wings

So I recently saw Julie and Julia and I LOVED the movie. I  was inspired by Amy Adams character and was like hmm I can learn to cook. Not that I didn’t before but by no means am I Rachel Ray or Emerald. However, I have decided to try new things and perfect my cooking and baking skills. And that brings us to the first recipe … wings.

Never EVER have I even attempted to make hot wings. I made two types of wings; hot wings and another with more caramelized glaze. So I was a little nervous, probably more so cause my BF was really excited about them… and uh I’m not to sure it would come out right. Needless to say, he bit one and couldn’t stop eating them. So Far, So good J
It aparently was irresistable the minute i took it out he bit into one, hence the half eaten one in the picture. 

Wordless Wednesday

This is the destruction caused by the oil spill in the gulf. Ruining our beaches,  and destroying the homes of many creatures. This is devastating. 

"The current worst-case estimate of what's spewing into the Gulf is about 2.5 million gallons a day. Anywhere from 67 million to 127 million gallons have spilled since the April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig that killed 11 workers and blew out the well 5,000 feet underwater."

Food for Thought: Party of 2

     Couldn’t go to sleep. I often fall asleep listening to Relaxing Piano music; it aids me in falling asleep and refreshes me for the morning. But tonight, the only aiding the piano music was doing was allowing me to continue developing thoughts and feelings that were playing in my head a mile a second, Thoughts and feelings about anything and everything. Then all of a sudden, although I was not alone in the house, I was alone in deep thought and in the moment- just the music and I. The first feeling that filled the keys of my heart was that of loneliness. Being lonely, by definition is a human state or feeling involving disconnection with others. It’s easy to just read it, and nod in agreement with the definition, perhaps because we know that feeling all to well. But I allowed myself, of course with the prying assistance of the music, to really sink myself in the definition. “Involving disconnection with others” kept running in my head. In reality isn’t there always a disconnection with others? Not all day every day, but surely daily at one point or another. Realistically, were definitely not alone- there are billions of people around us, yet the state of being disconnected from people occurs frequently.  Why? How is it so easy to feel like you stand alone in your thoughts, feelings and concerns when there are a billion other human beings that inhabit this world? Disconnection with others could involve several things, such as believing different things, belonging to different groups based on culture, morals, religious beliefs, political parties and infinity of other reasons. In some way or other, were all disconnected from one another, were all unique and experience and carry very different perspectives, perhaps that is why loneliness is so common.

     But then as the piano melody continued to develop so did my thoughts. And something such as loneliness that at first glimpse seemed as such a dark place actually brought me comfort, joy and strength. The development of my thoughts reached the climax and began to wind down with joy and empowerment at the same rate as the melody carried by the piano came to a beautiful conclusion. Its so easy to see ourselves as a party of 1, but in fact no matter how lonely or how disconnected from others we believe we get; God is right there. He has already provided us with all the answers and encouragement needed through His Word. “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you” And just as quickly as a story being told though the keys of a piano took place, in 4 minutes and 40 seconds, that’s how long it took me to realize that no matter what I do, and no matter how many narrow roads I walk and bad turns I make- I’ll always be a party of 2.

He is my strength. And in Him alone, lies everlasting joy. 

     Tonight as I finally go to bed my heart and prayers go to those who don’t know Him. Because their melodic ending wouldn’t end with the conclusion that they are not alone, theirs end with them being a party of 1. I often think of my children at work (at risk youth) who have gone through so much more then I can even imagine and who must feel like this, and it numbs my body just thinking of it. And I pray that God reveals to them in whatever walk of life they are in, that they are not alone and that He loves them unconditionally. I pray that not only God help them see and accept it, but pray that God be with me as well. So that every second of my time with them is spent displaying to them the love they deserve, and to make their lives for even a second more jovial and content. Tonight and everyday my heart really yearns for them, and the hope that they find in this world true happiness and love, which they are most deserving of. I pray that they realize that through everything, that God is there, and that in fact they are never alone.

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.

Psalm 139: 7-10

Thought For The Day!

Road Trip: Oklahoma City, OK

After a day of packing the car to the max, and driving 18 hrs and 6 minutes we were at our destination- Oklahoma City, OK. Our plan was to drive there and fly back and then take the train back to Lynchburg, so we took advantage that we could move things over there and keep a car over there too; A little less stuff to have to transport the next time. Cause trust me my wardrobe alone can pack my car to the max! It was a long trip, but between the laughs and new adventures the time was really saturated in good times; and in a flash we were there. On the way were so many big cities like Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock… I wish I had time to stop at all of them. But well I did stop in Knoxville, I mean we did have to eat and watch the LAKERS game so might as well stop at a big city and have some fun. 

The road trip was business and well of course I had to mix some pleasure into it. I mean I did just drive a good 18 hours. Well I had to take several merit test for the county for some jobs i applied for. And My bf had some business to handle too, with basketball and his school stuff. And together we visited apartment complexes just trying to get familiarized with our soon to be new address. But at night- it was on. Bricktown in downtown Oklahoma City was amazing. Living in Lynchburg, VA almost made me forget how many things there are to get into in a big HUGE city. I cant even begin to describe to you everything they have, alone in the city is over 5 malls. Say what? Lynchburg has 1. I almost lost my mind- with how many OPTIONS there were- a long list of things to do. And thankfully for the entire journey and new experience was a great supportive and loving boyfriend. It is the Home of the OKC Thunder and SONICS.. I am telling you sonics on every corner more sonics then Mickey D's, which i never thought was possible. Needless to say I LOVED IT and I DEFINITLEY did not want to get on the plane back. I was sad to have to come back, but the more time that passes by the faster I get out of Lynchburg and will soon be living here in the wonderful, big and developing city of Oklahoma City. 

Update: A sample of my new city, more to follow after some much needed rest and unpacking!

I have been extremely busy the past couple days. One minute I was in the dumps cause I got accepted to take some test for the county for some jobs I applied for and the next minute I was packing up the car and driving 18 hours and 6 minutes with my boy. Can we say spontaneous!?! Cant take all the credit because it wasn’t all my idea, my mom was like “What are you waiting for? Hit the road, you don’t have kids or no strings! Take a mini vacation!” And my bf definitely went along and encouraged my moms plan too. Good thing they did encourage me, cause it was a wonderful and much needed vacation. And it was great to visit for the first the city that will soon be called my new home.

Trust me- I will definitely be putting up pictures and talking about the fun vacation there; but before I do that I need to desperately sleep and unpack. 

   Until then here is two picture of my new and wonderful- soon to be called… my new home J

CHANGE. It can be a scary word. A scary thought. And it is definitely nerve wrecking to think that something that that has occurred consistently for years and has become a routine will soon change. Change is a part of life and needless to say no matter how many times I’ve meet change in the face, I have yet to properly prepare for it.  

I’m fresh out of college, just graduated with my Bachelors and have been waiting for this moment to finally be here. It’s a bit bittersweet to think that what I’ve grown accustomed to for the past four years is all about to change. But in reality I have never been more ready for change, and I am extremely grateful for the past four years of learned lessons God has blessed me with.There really is no way to properly be prepared for change, but one thing is certain HE will help me. As I look back and reflect on my life, I see the different changes that I went through. Changes in address, schools, friends, boyfriends, hobbies, but one thing that has remained consistent in my life is GOD and the unconditional love HE has showered me with.

So now I am setting out on a new journey, in a new city- miles away from anything I know, a mind full of ideas and a heart full of dreams.

 Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.  ~Pauline R. Kezer

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.