Saturday's List

1. My last post was two months ago.

2. Since then, I'm trying to balance social media and my life. To be honest, I was getting too consumed by likes, favorites, and comments. I had to take a break to reprioritize.

3. Raise your hand if you are a teacher and are guilty of letting school over take your life during August, September, and October.

4. Oh wait...that's just me? They say confession is good for the soul. I confess that I struggle with being a workaholic at times. Like the past three months. Forgive me Lord.

5. BTW...when did November get here? I feel like I just had my birthday in May.

6. I'll admit, this week I've felt more like a teenager than an adult. Anyone else have these relapses?

7. Peace and Calming oil from Young Living Oil is so good! Puts me right to sleep...

8. I hate scrubbing the bathtub.

9. I also hate scrubbing the toilet.

10. And washing the bathroom floor is not a top ten on my favorite activity list either.

11. Dear God, if you are going to bless me with a husband one day...maybe you could give him a heart for cleaning the bathroom. And you can give me a heart for the chore he doesn't like. It will be a household chore swap! Thanks and Amen

12. I'm reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I'm enjoying it! It's historical fiction, scifi, and romance all together.

13. Because of the book, I really want to visit Scotland now.

14. Time change is tomorrow. I'm excited to not have to leave for work in the dark.

15. Having rediscovered Tyler candles, I'm in love with their high maintenance    scent.

16. I promise that I'm not high maintenance.

17. No, really I'm not. I've not a stitch of make-up on, homepants on, and a college t-shirt on.

18. Final thing on my list today: I want you to know I love this song:

19. See? It's on repeat.

20. Have a blessed Saturday!!

Saturday's List: Random Thoughts

1. This week I've had the most random songs in my head: The Mulan Soundtrack and Unchained Melody. Any one know why songs pop up and stay on your mind?

2. Learned a lot about Old Testament idols when I googled it, looking for pictures. (Insert little embarrassed emoji face.)

3.  Greek Yogurt+ Blueberries + Granola= Yummy Breakfast

4.  24 is an awesome TV show. I'm sorry I wasn't a fan while it actually aired.

5.  I removed my duck face and cleavage shots from my online dating profile.

6.  Just kidding. I never had those kind of pictures on my site. :-)

7.  If you forget to rinse the conditioner out of your hair, just go ahead and put it into a bun. Otherwise you look like you have spaghetti hanging from your head.

8.  School starts in 13 days. I don't know why, but this year I'm very nervous to meet my class. I loved my class last year. It was one of the few years the kids ended up treating each other like family instead of friends, so it was a comfortable environment. I pray this year, the students learn to grow to love each other this way quickly.

9.  I really like pistachio frozen yogurt.

10.  I really like reading the Gospel of Mark. Mark jumps right into the ministry of Jesus and highlights how important faith is to believing. 

11.  My allergies are worse when it rains. Am I made of sugar and actually melting? :-)

12.  Saw a TV show about epic homes. A man had a yacht that not only held his car but had real gold leaf tiles for his bathroom. Gold in the bathroom, who knew?

13.  I've spent the summer reading books about quirky females. 

14. Unless I got sucked into reading about end times, Jay-Z, the Denver Airport, and Coldplay. I had no idea that stuff was online. I'm not sure what to make of it.

15.  I guess I should rewatch Frozen so I'm ready for all the references from the kids.   I thought it would drift away, but one of my best friends just had a Frozen birthday for her daughter a week ago. I guess we are just not ready to let it go.

16. One of my first jobs in education was as a teaching assistant in a first grade classroom. That was in 2005. Those first graders are now old enough to drive. 

17.  "I just want to murder someone and eat soft pretzels."-Jess Day, New Girl, on PMS

18.  I'm all for natural methods and science holding hands to work together.  Both have a place.

19.  Vanilla Dr.Pepper is a new favorite of mine, says the woman who only drinks Coke.

20.  I'm into Physique57 workouts right now. It is a barre style class, but I can do it in the comfort of my home. I'd like to think I'm getting stronger without having to lift weights. I'll let you know. :-)

Saturday's List: Changes Up Ahead!

Hello My Friends!

If you haven't noticed, or if you have, the blogs have become sparse the past four months.  Part of it is the season that I'm in right now with God.  It has been difficult and hard to process.  Before posting anything, I really wanted to wrap my head around it because if I blog out of feelings, I could say something I would regret.  Not only that, but I know God is asking me to become more public with some of my struggles, to help encourage others, and I've avoided it.  However, I feel like I'm in a good place to obey and move forward with some things.

If you personally know me, you know that I can be heavily interested in about, oh say, 40 different things at once.  Maybe I have ADD and I've never been formally diagnosed.  Maybe I want to live life to the fullest.  Whatever that may be, it is difficult for me to have a blog that focuses in only on one part of my life.  I'm making some changes in order to address all of my current interests and passions at the moment.  Some of the posts will stay familiar, while I am adding new topics for the week.  Hopefully this will be beneficial not only to myself, but to you my friends.  With that being said, here is how the blog is going to work:

Sunday- Soulful Sunday: A post about what is speaking to me in my relationship with God.  It may be a song, sermon, or something I read in the Bible.

Monday- Matchmaker Monday:  A post about how to be a Christian Single Woman and the unique journey I'm on to let God bring my husband in my life.

Tuesday- The Young Living Oil Test:  I've become hooked on YLO recently.  I've just become  a member, so one a week, I'm going to pick an oil, tell you what it is for and review it as well.

Wednesday- What is Entertaining Me Wednesday:  Just a short post on the book, movie, TV show, or music that is entertaining me this week.

Thursday- Thoughtful Thursday:  A post on something I'm contemplating for the week.  It could be how OKC needs a breakfast delivery service to an opinion about religious freedom.

Friday- Fresh Start Friday:  A blog dedicated to health and fitness.

Saturday- Saturday's List:  All the random stuff that doesn't fit anywhere else!

Cheers friends!  Hope you enjoy the reboot!

Ames

Saturday's List

Brought to you by the letter P

1. People: I'm guilty of getting trapped into thinking all about me a lot of times instead of thinking about others. Sometimes I need to step outside of myself and think how I could better love others. Maybe it is some quality time, an encouraging word or an act of service that I need to schedule or do.

2. Perspective. When faced with difficult decisions, I tend to get bogged down in the details and see things from a limited perspective. It is good to stop and ask others for their view points. Often it gives a fresh perspective and decisions become easier to make.

3. Popularity. I used to struggle a lot in school. I never wanted to be popular, but I also never wanted to do something that went against the popular wave. Lately I've struggled with how I view myself because in my eyes, my life is not one that would be popular in American society. It has been a daily struggle to lay it all down and be obedient to God's calling right now.

4. Patience. Apparently I have none. :-) I want things in my life to happen and I'm tired of waiting. Every opportunity feels more like a missed chance. For example, last Sunday night my church offered a connection event for people to find a life group. I thought this was great since I've prayed for a new group. However, the event was really hard for me to meet a leader of a group that would be a good fit. Maybe it is because I'm introverted in situations like that, but by the evening's end, I felt like it was a missed chance.  I guess I just need to continue in patient prayers.

Saturday's List: Prayers I'm Praying

Here is just a few things that are on my prayer list. I'd love if you would lift these up to The Lord too!

1. I received a letter yesterday from one of my Compassion children, Maria. She was diagnosed with a serious heart infection and had to go to the hospital in the Philippines for treatment. Her mother wrote and asked if I would pray for her complete healing, so I'm asking you to stand with me. Please pray Maria is healed!

2. I've asked God to show Himself in my classroom lately. This week I've seen such a difference. The children are much calmer and even more focused. I was so blessed on Thursday because not only did I work with all my reading groups, but I was also able to work with some students who needed extra help. God is so good!!

3. I'm trying to slow down and be still with God. I'm trying to tell myself that it is ok to rest and relax. I've even prayed I could be sensitive to His leading and slow down. God allowed me some opportunities this week and thankfully, not because of my will, but because of the Holy Spirit, I've listened and slowed down.  

4. I'm always praying for the Nurse and her husband's marriage. I'm thankful that they seek God together. They are getting more involved with their church and doing activities together, like singing in choir. 

5.  Finally, I'm praying lots and lots of wisdom for a really close friend. This year contained a lot of life changing events, with some good and some bad. She now needs some wisdom to make some big decisions. I've prayed wisdom and truth over her mind and heart so she can walk where God is leading her, out on her own personal "Oceans."

Side Note: Hillsong United's acoustic version of Zion released on Tuesday. It is wonderful. I've listened to it while praying and worshiping. I am so moved by it, I've cried every time and have had to just stop to be still in the presence of the Almighty God. If you need a heart revival, I give it two alleluia hands up!!

Saturday's List: 20 Random Things about Ames

Do you remember those email surveys from many, many years ago? You know, those that you had a friend fill out and then you emailed onto other friends? Some people hated them. I loved them because I like learning random facts about others. In that mindset, I've gone old school with my blog today, and here are 20 Random Facts:

1. What is a place from your past where you felt completely safe?

     -For me, I have two places from when I was a child. The first place was my Great Aunt Milda's enclosed sun porch at her house Denver. She had this cute dining set and we would eat meals and celebrate birthdays there. She also had this teal and cream colored lounger that I remember reading and drawing pictures on. I loved that room and would one day love to have a room like that in my own house.  The other place is the porch swing at my Grandpa and Grandma L's house. I thought it was the coolest thing to have a swing attached to your house. I loved going to sit on it and rock back and forth.

2. Are you a dog or a cat person?

     -I really don't mind cats. It was the only kind of pet I had growing up. In fact, I'll take one with a good personality over a grumpy cat any day. However, in college, I wanted to get a dog, I think a black lab, and name him Sam. Well I have a dog, he is an Italian Greyhound/Whippet, and His name is George. And he is the best dog ever. So I guess I prefer dogs.

3. Vanilla or chocolate?

     - It totally depends. I love a good vanilla bean cupcake or some ice cream. But I love chocolate in my salted caramel lattes and of course, my momma's wacky cake.

4. What is your favorite thing to write with?

     -A sharpie. 

5.  What is your morning routine?

    -Well, first I have to stop being bleary eyed. Then I do my morning devotional time. I then usually shower, because I like to think about what I read then. Then I finish getting ready for the day (make-up, hair, fashionable clothing choices) and finally have breakfast and a cup of coffee. I'm a little like Lorelei Gilmore and really cannot function without coffee in the morning. If my throat feels dry or scratchy, I might have some tea first, but I will have coffee. Finally, I brush my pearly whites and then out the door!

6. Favorite color for bed sheets?

     -As much as I love color on everything, I prefer my bed sheets to be white. My sheets currently are white with an eyelet trim. Super feminine, I know, but as long as I'm a single gal, I'll live in my fancy girly world.

7.  What did you want to grow up to be when you were five?

     -Probably She-Ra, Princess of Power, followed by Punky Brewster, Sleeping Beauty, and then Dolly Parton.

8.  Any tattoos?

     -Nope. In college, I was seriously contemplating getting a butterfly with the word "Agape" on the wings. I was visiting my grandma one night, and she "randomly" grabbed my hand and said, "Don't get a tattoo." Everyone else thought grandma was nuts, but I knew what it was about. So, for whatever reason, I have no tats and probably would never get one.

9. Favorite Yankee Candle scent?

     -My favorite, Lily of the Valley is retired. My everyday favorite is Pink Sands.  My favorite at Christmas is Christmas at the Beach.

10. Do you watch Downton Abbey?

     - Yes. But I'm incredibly upset at what  happened at the end of season three. Don't even get me started.

11.  Favorite book you have read this year?

     -Hmmm. Actually I have to say Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. I'm just about finished re-reading it for the second time. I think the first time I read it, I had such mixed feelings about it because I wasn't spiritually mature to really get the heart of it. But I do now and it's changed me for His best.

12.  Movie that makes you laugh and cry?

  -It's a toss-up between UP! and Return to Me.

13.  Thing that you try to do that no one else really knows about.

     -Learn the Toby Mac rap part to Mandisa's Good Morning song...."you smoothie, me ice cold pizza..." I've just about got it down. Now what to do with my new skills?

14.  Guilty pleasure song you know all the words to?

   -As I found out last week, apparently the Backstreet Boys from back in the day. Can't remember where I had stashed my Hillsong tickets, (don't worry, I found them), but I can remember the words and hand motions to "As Long As You Love Me." I fear if I ever get amnesia, that might be the only thing I remember.

15. One thing you really want to wear, but are too afraid to?

    - I really want a pair of pink neon pants. But then I chicken out because I don't know where I would wear them.

16.  Thing you are looking forward to:

    - I try to find at least one thing to look forward to each day. Today is the Hillsong United concert. :-)

17. McDonalds or Burger King? 

   -Neither. How about Chick-Fil-A?

18. Who is your favorite Sesame Street character?

    -Ernie or Big Bird. I liked Ernie because he was fun and didn't act so boring like Bert. Big Bird always reminded me of myself though. 

19. What is your favorite guilty pleasure TV show?

    -Probably Reba, her first one that was on the WB. Even though some people didn't like it because there was a teen pregnancy on the show, that was one reason I liked it. That happens in real life and the way the family showed grace to each other was great. Not to mention you can't help but laugh at Barbara Jean and Van. Crack. Me. Up.

20.  What is something that makes you happy?

    - Interestingly, I've really learned a lot about happiness vs. joy in my life lately. Happiness is an emotion, where joy is a state of being because of the Holy Spirit within me.  I may not be happy during a rough time, but I can be joyful, knowing that no experience is wasted in God's hands. So, on that note, I would say that as weird as it sounds either eating an orange or drinking orange juice make me feel that emotion of happy. The orange is just a bright pretty color, the smell is so clean to me, and the taste is sweet and sometimes a little sour. To me, an orange is a little bit of sunshine. 

Whew! Ok, that's it! 20 random facts about me!