I wonder

I thought of you today...
in the song that played, in the show I watched.
the curls on the main character and the mention of your State.
in the way that the melody made me move and the way it hurt inside to look and not see you there.
with the mention of your name in three different encounters.

I wonder what it would be like if you were here?
Next to me in the car while I sing that song.
across from me at dinner.


But I hope you are happy, that you are well, that there will be a time when I will no longer have to wonder..

Planet Earth

quick note just wanted to let you know that I just watched this cool new program that is on Discovery Channel called Planet Earth. It is on every Sunday night on Discovery obviously. Just thought I'd suggest watching it cause man is this big ball we live on amazing.

Pet Peeves

OK let me just say this, those of you who know me know that I have a few pet peeves and honestly really only one or two of them really get under my skin. 1.) smacking, I cannot stand the sound of someone eating and showing their food at the same time. I don't know what it is but since etiquette school in elementary it is the only thing that stuck with me. 2.) And let me tell you this one is very annoying. I cannot stand when a man in his car flips a lady off. Yep I think it is the tackiest most immature and unattractive thing. Yesterday on my way to the gym I was getting ready to turn left when a school bus came out of nowhere so I had to wait which was no big deal. Then as I started to go left around the corner comes this truck, speeding at what had to be at least 55 miles an hour on a 30 mile an hour road and he had to go around me just a bit. Now I understand it was an inconvenience that he had to turn his wheel slightly to the left so he could continue to speed along the curvy road, but was it really necessary for him to then flip me off and swear at me as he passed me? come on. Ugh I was tempted to turn right and follow his stupid butt where ever he was going and asking him if he mama taught him to use that kind of language with a lady or if he was just so miserable he thought taking it out on me would help things out. UGH that just annoyed me. So then today as I'm coming out of jamba juice there is this huge white truck in front of me and in front of him is a taxi. The taxi is trying to turn onto the main road but there was heavy traffic so he was taking his time. Then maybe after waiting for about two minutes the guy in the truck in front of me starts slamming on his horn and reeving his engine and scooting closer to the taxi while yelling at the man all sorts of ish. Gosh he needs to work out the stress. Anyhow that was my day. Now I'm going to tacos with Rene and Tim and I am freakin excited cause I haven't gone to tacos in who knows how long,plus its tacos!
And just as a side note, can we believe that its already the end of March, I mean April is already here, wow! Happy birthday RTN.
Til my next thoughts...

beach feet

ok lets discuss feet shall we?!? Yes we shall. So today, I was at the nail place getting my feet done like me and the moms do every two weeks or so. Now men listen to me, this is important, there is nothing wrong with you takin care of your feet and getting in there and seein one of those ladies and workin on those callouses, and ladies I know you feel me on the pedicure (its amazing am I right or am I right). ok that being said I was sitting next to this old lady today who decides that today was a the day for a good foot scrub. Alright now while I condone this behavior it was an unsightly mess and some what disturbing to have to take a look at her feet. They were gnarled and gross. Ugh! So it got me to thinking about this thing me and my girls often take a look at. Which is, ladies say it with me now, "BEACH FEET." Now if you are unaware of what this means let me do the honor of filling you in on what me and my bffs often discuss. First can you where flip flops with out scaring off half the beach when walking around? Now I give grace to those who have pale feet do to lack of sun, but if you got those kind of feet where there is all this ashy crap on your heal and broken skin and toenails looking like the went through the first world war, please do me a favor and see a woman about a pedicure, take care of that mess and then we can evaluate the foot situation. If you think you are too cool for school and you aren't going to see the cute little Asian lady at the local nail salon then please don't wear flip flops. Put on some Birkenstocks or tevas and hide that mess. Flip flops should not be a way to expose the outside world to your laziness.
Now if you have an issue with your feet and you can't help it, there is grace for that too. Just give a girl a warning. Ha...jk you know I got love for you. Just a thought as I sat in the nail salon today.

Tokens

to·ken /ˈtoʊkən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[toh-kuhn] –noun
1. something serving to represent or indicate some fact, event, feeling, etc.

2. a characteristic indication or mark of something; evidence or proof:

3. a memento; souvenir; keepsake: The seashell was a token of their trip.
4. something used to indicate authenticity, authority.

5. Also called token coin. a stamped piece of metal, issued as a limited medium of exchange, as for bus fares, at a nominal value much greater than its commodity value.
6. anything of only nominal value similarly used, as paper currency.
7. an item, idea, person, etc., representing a group; a part as representing the whole; sample; indication.

isn't it funny how something so seemingly insignificant at the time can later become something that holds such value. I often have these things that will remind me of someone or something, today I just realized how often I overlook those moments. just a thought..anyway have a good day

These times...

OK my precious people I pray this blog finds you well where ever you are in this beautiful world. I miss many of you as most of you are so far in distance but close in my heart. I have had an interesting few weeks and an even more interesting couple of days. Things have been good but hard these last few weeks. I have met some amazing people who are teaching me what it means to be a well spring of life. The Lord is challenging me to really lay myself before him and trust He has what I cannot see. Relationships are being developed and I am amazed at the Lords timing of it all. I don't have much in me to give, the last few days have been the end of me physically. I haven't slept well if at all and I have longed for things that are not for me right now. But the Lord is faithful. He is working me out, he is pruning, scraping, rubbing off the junk and it hurts but its ok. I was just thinking this Sunday after church about how important it is that we meet one another where we are and how often we have no idea what is going on inside the one who may be smiling in front of us. Amidst my own junk I am thankful that though I have you all praying I have been able to see the need for me to pray for others and not wallow in my own self pity. ...hmm...thoughts, man i wish I could share them all with you.
those of you who aren't here with me, I'd love to hear from you, toss me a note or a smile, or a prayer would do. For those who don't know I am heading to Nashville this summer. I will be traveling a bit this summer starting next month (would you expect any less? come on now) I get to go to a castle right here in beautiful CA next month, going to a wedding in Iowa which should be interesting, and then Nashville in June. Hope that city is ready for me cause I'm coming in like a tornado! Bless you guys, thanks for listening, well reading some of my rambles.
Be blessed.

Weiser connections

These last few weeks have been some of great growth . I cannot or should say I will not go into the depths of the things that have impacted my life only because I feel some things should be left for privacy and intimate sharing but it did get me to thinking. How with simple crossings we can have an impact. This last Tuesday night we discussed the need of all parts of the body and this got me to thinking about how I have always felt each of us walk with a piece of the lord within us and we share that part of the Lords character when we enter one anothers life. These last few months I have had several of these crossings on a more intense basis then normal. Having new and old friends walk in and out of my life. I have been deeply affected by each of them and continue to stand amazed at how the Lord works his plan. You know some may say that love and affection for another grows with time, and though this can be true, I have encountered a few these last few months that took more of my affection and love then I knew I had to offer. They know who they are and for that I am thankful, now I am ready to continue learning from what you left here in my heart and carry it to another. I look forward to our future encounters and pray for you with sincere affection. I encourage you to remember that you are not alone and that you have an impact. Share with people, they want to know you, use what the Lord has given you and trust that it will bring joy.
blessings to you all.

the 411

Been home a week now and here is the deal for all those emailing and wondering. I did not go to the doctor as it cost money I don't have as of yet. But I have done some home testing and the idea of being allergic to gluten is looking like the most possible diagnosis. I'm still feeling sick but am doing much better then I was just a week and a half ago. I have taken my old job back in hopes to get my benefits reinstated and I am working out a lot which we all know I love! I am still working on getting out to Nashville and it looks like mid July early August is the time for that. I am working on going back to school and helping mom plan the wedding! (fyi for those who didn't know my mom is getting married to Paul this summer!) Other then that I am peaceful about being home as the Lord has done some amazing things just in the last week of healing both physically and spiritually. PTL fo sho! Miss my house mates though and miss Emily and her daily chatter and genuine peppiness. Confident that our paths shall cross again I take peace in that the Lord has a plan. Blessings on you today.

Land of Electricity

My last days in Sierra Leone were amazing. I spent the day at the beach with my house mates. We ate lobster and floated in the Atlantic. I got a sun burn and stayed up late chatting with Cecily. I was empowered by the words the Lord spoke over me and to top it off I got to ride in the helicopter! OK guys this was the coolest thing ever as I was in this monstrous piece of machinery and I was in it all alone. That's right I had a private helicopter ride, how sick is that! I loved it, I was a bit scared getting on the dang thing but it was well worth it!
So then on my way home I had some amazing experiences, I met a team of Evangelists on my flight from Sierra Leone to London, I sat next to the pastor and a woman by the name of Octavia, the second woman I have ever known with this name and had to be equally as amazing as the first. I chatted with them the whole way home and was encouraged by their ministry and heart for God. They actually came back to do some ministering and to bury one of their members who had passed away. (house mates do you remember the funeral we hit on the way home from Kenema, this was them!) Later on in Chicago I got to eat a burrito, how amazing was this! O I cannot even begin to tell you. I did however freeze my butt off as I was sitting there in a tank top a little cardigan light pants and flip flops. I seriously went in to shock walking to the airplane doors. But then the most amazing thing was flying into San Diego, the lights so bright and seriously I was overwhelmed. I mean I couldn't believe the lights, this is something I have always taken for granted. It was a trip to not hear a generator outside my window or mosquito's buzzing around my head. To access the Internet with no issues and the best of all....taking a hot shower with water pressure! This was amazing. I stayed in there forever! I was up til 4 am straightening my room and getting caught up on bills. But then I snuggled into my bed, which I really missed and today I am off to the gym.
As for the doctor stuff...I'm going into tomorrow..keep you posted.

A quick stop

It was my last day at work here in Sierra Leone, I was really sad to actually leave the place I have been at such a short time. Cess and I decided to stop off and hang out on the hammocks and have a drink. How freakin cool is that, laying in a hammock on the beach, San Diego needs to learn from these guys. Then this little one came up and I bought some ground nut (peanuts) which I have to say is one of my favorite treats here. Cute huh...look at that smile.