So, I saw this on a friend's blog and thought this would be a good way to keep me blogging for the next 30 days:: 30 posts in 30 days (the topics are already chosen for me). I'll also blog about other things along the way, as I started my new job today and my work life will not be as chaotic, not as much traveling for this girl!
So, the first day's assignment is 20 random facts about me, i don't think this should be hard, as I am pretty random and have quirks about me, so here's goes!
1. i am absolutely terrified that someone is going to break in my house, so i actually sleep better in hotels (something about feeling more secure)
2. i absolutely love avacados and think that i could try to put it on everything (hamburgers are the best)
3. i cannot go to sleep with dirty dishes in the sink
4. i love to do things for other people (helping people/serving)... i work with the toddlers at my church every sunday, and it brings so much joy to my heart... this is definitely one of my spiritual gifts (encouraging/helping others)
5. i am a neat freak (somewhat obsessive compulsive about cleanliness), but i rarely make my bed
6. country music always makes me smile
7. i am still single at 29, and my world is not sad and depressing... God has blessed me with a great job and amazing friends and family... i am 100% trusting in God's plan and know that His timing is perfect. i cannot wait to be a wife and mom, but my life is not on hold until then, i want to live life to the fullest and enjoy this precious life God has given me:)
8. i absolutely love college football and basketball.... i love watching college gameday on saturdays!
9. i do not have an athletic bone in my body, never played a sport growing up, but i do work out (classes at the gym keep me motivated)
10. i may have every birthday card and christmas card i have ever received (a little sentimental)
11. i do not like to read, but there are a few books i really have loved (kisses from katie, redeeming love, heaven is for real)
12. two of my best friends i have had since elementary school (don't know what i would do without them)
13. i am going sky-diving next week with my mother
14. i do not wear heels (i have a morton's neuroma) and it is so very painful
15. purple is my favorite color
16. the month of december is by far, my favorite month of the whole year
17. i love cold weather and prefer it over the heat (i get excited like a small child, when it snows)
18. i used to drink regular cokes daily (way too many of them) and now i have replaced that with coffee... starbucks and this girl are way too close
19. i love organizing and decorating, real simple is definitely my favorite magazine
20. even though i have traveled quite a bit for my job in the last six years, i haven't ever been to europe and i really want to
Monday, May 7, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
God's plan:: New Job
so, hardly anyone understands what i do in my job, it is kind of funny to hear my family and friends try to explain it, but for my really close friends, i think they have picked up on the general idea. basically, i am a monitor for clinical drug trials, so i travel to doctor's offices and hospitals and monitor the data of the patients/subjects participating in the clinical trials. i arrive onsite and spend 70% of my time looking at medical records and source. i read all about symptoms/side effects (if you will) that the subject may be having while taking an investigational drug (not yet approved by the fda - food and drug administration). the other portion of time is spent returning the drug to the warehouse or depot and also reviewing regulatory documents, lots of those involved in clinical trials. another part of my job is developing relationships with the sites, as you want to have a good working/professional relationship with them so they will do things you are asking them to do, you are like a team. basically i am going to the site and correcting their work, so it is imperative that i build strong relationships with them! you want them to correct the findings and to like you to a certain extent. when i first began traveling, i traveled about 80% of the time. i would leave on sunday, come back on thursday. it was tough. i enjoyed it though, as i got to see a lot of places i hadn't ever been to before. the last two years, i have been so blessed to be more local. why am i writing all of this, well, i am getting there:) my mom tells me it takes too long to get to the point, hehe.
i've been due for a promotion at work for over a year now. my company went through some restructuring and reclassication, and basically the position i should have been promoted to was depleted. talk about perfect timing. i have been extremely patient and just waited, and honestly hoped that they would go back to the old system, but that has not happened. i have been searching, praying, and looking for an opportunity outside of clinical to be promoted, but it was important that it be a position i would actually enjoy. a position opened up in february, as the site relationship manager, and i immediately knew this job would be perfect fo rme. i applied, and thought i lacked the exact qualifications they are looking for, but knew that whatever was in God's will would happen. i actually got a phone screening, and it went really well. the guy i intereviewed with, immediately said he was impressed and offered me a face to face, woohoo. onto step 2, i went. i had to create a powerpoint, talk about stress, but i did it and got nothing but compliments on my work. seriously, my face to face could not have gone any better. i left the interview feeling very confident, and i know that God calmed my nerves and it definitely helped that the guy interviewing me was laid back. i made it to the 3rd step, and that was another phone interview, and that lady flat out said, you should get the job. about two or three days later, i received a call telling me that unfortunately it had come down to me and one other person, an external candidate and i was not going to be offered the job. i was DEVASTATED. he said that i did everything right. he had absolutely no constructive criticism, as i said all the right things, i did a great job in my interview, i had everything they were looknig for, but the one thing i did lack was management experience. at the very end of this very difficult call, he said, i am hopeful; however, that we will have another SSRM position at the beginning of 2nd quarter, that i will definitely keep you in mind for. i wanted to be hopeful, but a large part of me didn't put much hope in that.
you see, after i got this very disappointing phone call, i spent that entire weekend praying and talking to God. i was so upset. i realized that my job had become a little bit of an idol in my life. i looked to my job for some kind of fulfilment, and it was like my job and success in it was something that i could actually control. i have always been such a hardworker, so i think someone stepping on my confidence at work, just rocked my world. i just didn't understand why God would have me get so close and then not get it. that following monday, when i went back to work, i had to snap out of it and realize how blessed and thankful i am for my job.
would you believe (just God being amazing, as always) the monday after first quarter, i got an email from the associate director in atlanta telling me that a new SSRM position was going to be posted that afternoon and that she has been forwarded my resume from the guy i interviewed with in february!!! i interviewed three fridays ago, and last friday, i was offered the job. now, let me tell you how GOOD God is. this job is perfect, as it is closer to my house. I will no longer have to fly (at all), I will not have to stay in a hotel (again), I will have all site visits in Charlotte and South Carolina, not Raleigh (like the first position)... He knew what he was doing all along.
I am so excited and so thankful that my God had a plan all along. I am so thankful for all the people in my life who helped me get to where I am today.
my friend casey sent me this verse when i didn't get the job, and i wrote it on a card and it is still a great reminder daily, but the past few days, it has been such a sweet reminder of God's love... "but the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations." Psalm 33:11
my friend holly sent me another encouraging verse, and it too has been sitting at the bottom of my mirror:: "but as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7
I start in my new role on May 7th!
i've been due for a promotion at work for over a year now. my company went through some restructuring and reclassication, and basically the position i should have been promoted to was depleted. talk about perfect timing. i have been extremely patient and just waited, and honestly hoped that they would go back to the old system, but that has not happened. i have been searching, praying, and looking for an opportunity outside of clinical to be promoted, but it was important that it be a position i would actually enjoy. a position opened up in february, as the site relationship manager, and i immediately knew this job would be perfect fo rme. i applied, and thought i lacked the exact qualifications they are looking for, but knew that whatever was in God's will would happen. i actually got a phone screening, and it went really well. the guy i intereviewed with, immediately said he was impressed and offered me a face to face, woohoo. onto step 2, i went. i had to create a powerpoint, talk about stress, but i did it and got nothing but compliments on my work. seriously, my face to face could not have gone any better. i left the interview feeling very confident, and i know that God calmed my nerves and it definitely helped that the guy interviewing me was laid back. i made it to the 3rd step, and that was another phone interview, and that lady flat out said, you should get the job. about two or three days later, i received a call telling me that unfortunately it had come down to me and one other person, an external candidate and i was not going to be offered the job. i was DEVASTATED. he said that i did everything right. he had absolutely no constructive criticism, as i said all the right things, i did a great job in my interview, i had everything they were looknig for, but the one thing i did lack was management experience. at the very end of this very difficult call, he said, i am hopeful; however, that we will have another SSRM position at the beginning of 2nd quarter, that i will definitely keep you in mind for. i wanted to be hopeful, but a large part of me didn't put much hope in that.
you see, after i got this very disappointing phone call, i spent that entire weekend praying and talking to God. i was so upset. i realized that my job had become a little bit of an idol in my life. i looked to my job for some kind of fulfilment, and it was like my job and success in it was something that i could actually control. i have always been such a hardworker, so i think someone stepping on my confidence at work, just rocked my world. i just didn't understand why God would have me get so close and then not get it. that following monday, when i went back to work, i had to snap out of it and realize how blessed and thankful i am for my job.
would you believe (just God being amazing, as always) the monday after first quarter, i got an email from the associate director in atlanta telling me that a new SSRM position was going to be posted that afternoon and that she has been forwarded my resume from the guy i interviewed with in february!!! i interviewed three fridays ago, and last friday, i was offered the job. now, let me tell you how GOOD God is. this job is perfect, as it is closer to my house. I will no longer have to fly (at all), I will not have to stay in a hotel (again), I will have all site visits in Charlotte and South Carolina, not Raleigh (like the first position)... He knew what he was doing all along.
I am so excited and so thankful that my God had a plan all along. I am so thankful for all the people in my life who helped me get to where I am today.
my friend casey sent me this verse when i didn't get the job, and i wrote it on a card and it is still a great reminder daily, but the past few days, it has been such a sweet reminder of God's love... "but the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations." Psalm 33:11
my friend holly sent me another encouraging verse, and it too has been sitting at the bottom of my mirror:: "but as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7
I start in my new role on May 7th!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
HAITI 2.0:: I am going BACK
So, I'll write more later, but I wanted to quickly share that I am going back to Haiti. It is so funny how God works sometimes. After my trip, it took me a while to process everything, and I have repeatedly said it was the most rewarding thing, yet the most challenging thing I have ever done in my entire life. I thought that my church may organize a trip, and was praying about the opportunity to present itself, but didn't hear anything about that coming up. I knew that there was continued need with Blessback at Cambry, and that the Roper's were organizing a trip in July. Melissa sent me an email one Friday and said, we have two spots left on the medical team, for you and Kristen, please say you'll come. It was as if God completely sent that email, as I had been praying that an opportunity would present itself again. I quickly emailed Melissa back and said I am pretty sure I am in, but let me continue to pray for the next few days. I knew that it was God telling me to go back, so I am paid, signed up, and committed to go 21Jul2012-28Jul2012:) I am so very excited, and cannot wait to go back with a heart that is ready to love on the children, with a head that is more knowledgeable, and just generally more prepared. I know God is doing great things in Haiti, and I am so blessed to be a part of it. Please join me in praying my trip and the preparation for it.
continued thankfulness
more posts to come soon, as i have been real absent from blogging for the very few people that read my blog. wanted to post my continued list of thankfulness, as this is completely helping me have a better perspective in my life. as if i didn't already know this, but this week all I can really say is.... GOD IS SO GOOD:)
* the o'connell's came to visit last night and we had a slumber party at my house
* ellie slept with me, so it was fun to sleep with a six year old for a night:)
* i got a phone call on Friday that was a huge answer to prayers
* breakfast with bay and scott saturday morning at flying biscuit
* tuesday night's group at nancy's house
* we found enough volunteers for the toddler room for Easter Sunday
* my walk to my site in boston
* a clean house
* a peace that can only come from my Heavenly Father
* a day at the mall with kase and cheryl
* lunch with my mother on friday
* that melissa roper is in haiti and can tell jazmine hello for me
* manicure/pedicure (needed that pampering and relaxation) with my best friend
* extra time at the airport to get my reports done
* a nice cab driver in boston to get me to my hotel safely at 2:30 am
* the beautiful sunshine/day we had today, saturday
* No Other Gods, bible study - It is AWESOME
* i finished kisses from katie, the most amazing book i have ever read (highly recommend it)
* that i get to celebrate that HE IS RISEN tomorrow and spend the day with my awesome family
just a few from this week. just looking back at what a blessed week i have had reminds to be on my knees thanking Him daily.
* the o'connell's came to visit last night and we had a slumber party at my house
* ellie slept with me, so it was fun to sleep with a six year old for a night:)
* i got a phone call on Friday that was a huge answer to prayers
* breakfast with bay and scott saturday morning at flying biscuit
* tuesday night's group at nancy's house
* we found enough volunteers for the toddler room for Easter Sunday
* my walk to my site in boston
* a clean house
* a peace that can only come from my Heavenly Father
* a day at the mall with kase and cheryl
* lunch with my mother on friday
* that melissa roper is in haiti and can tell jazmine hello for me
* manicure/pedicure (needed that pampering and relaxation) with my best friend
* extra time at the airport to get my reports done
* a nice cab driver in boston to get me to my hotel safely at 2:30 am
* the beautiful sunshine/day we had today, saturday
* No Other Gods, bible study - It is AWESOME
* i finished kisses from katie, the most amazing book i have ever read (highly recommend it)
* that i get to celebrate that HE IS RISEN tomorrow and spend the day with my awesome family
just a few from this week. just looking back at what a blessed week i have had reminds to be on my knees thanking Him daily.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
eucharisteo:: thanksgiving
so, one of my personal goals for this year is to be more transparent and to maybe write a little more, but i'll be honest reading and writing are not my strongest qualities, so it will be a work in progress this year. i've been dying to write about this for a few days, but life will just not slow down long enough for me to sit in front of the computer long enough to form my thoughts. i've been traveling quite a bit for work, and that has this girl extra sleepy and a little out of the semi-routine i have. the one fantastic thing about traveling is that i always read on planes, and i had a longer flight than normal last thursday to arizona, so i started reading this book that everyone has been talking about and even my counselor suggested i read, one thousand gifts. so i pulled it out and just the first 50 pages rocked my world. don't worry, contrary to what you are probably thinking, it didn't take me 3.5 hours to read those 50 pages, i did other things and slept some too:) so i am sitting there reading, and i come to this part where the author (ann voskamp) starts talking about the passage in the Bible where Jesus restores ten lepers to wholeness and how only one of them returns to offer any thanks. i am thinking, yes, i know this one!!! but ann goes a little deeper than just pointing out that only one was thankful, follow along for a minute.
" One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed?" Where are the other nine?" Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17: 15-19)
okay, so i am somewhat horrible at reading comprehension, but the point that ann made (in my words) is that basically, even though all ten were healed, the leper who received sozo (which means salvation) was the one who actually returned and gave thanks. so, the big point here is that "our very saving is associated with our gratitude."
i'm not going to pretend to be a scholar or anything, but quite simply i think this passage and her words sum it up quite nicely. if ultimately our fall was not being thankful (which i know for myself i am guilty of everyday), then salvation has to be intimately related to giving thanks. just think, eve was tempted and ate the forbidden fruit, because what God had given her wasn't enough, she wanted more.
so, here i am on my way to arizona for work, kind of mad, because i have to be gone over the weekend, missing a chance to go hear matt chandler with my best friends, and basically just having a pity party for myself, because i am so tired of traveling for my job, and then i read this... i am thinking snap out of it, and quite simply live a life of thanksgiving. how different would my life be if i didn't constantly focus on what i did not have and focus on all the gifts i have in my life daily. my mind quickly went back to all those beautiful faces from my haiti trip. those kids never once complained or talked about things they did not have, they praised God and thanked him for the things they did, which was not very much at all. (i know we could all learn many lessons from them.) recently i've been on my why i am still single kick, what if i chose to focus on the many blessings in my life, and stopped whining about something that is clearly not in God's timing right now. instead, i should thank him for his provision and protection in this area of my life:) the author of the book decides to make a list of 1000 gifts she already has/things she loves/blessings, etc. so, i pray about this on the plane, and i think i need to do this, i think it will help me live a life more joyful, less self-centered:)
so, i hope in all of this rambling, i have made some sense, i know that i am not the best writer, but hopefully something in this post has maybe helped you realize that we could all benefit from being a little more thankful on any given day:)
a few things from this week....
1. a window seat on my plane to jacksonville
2. white chocolate mocha from starbucks
3. sound machine app
4. sunny days in jacksonville
5. my lead helping me with a new system at work
6. at 5pm, most days, lindsey calls me
7. seeing my favorite toddlers every sunday at church
8. hearing a great message on identity in Christ at church on sunday
9. cold medicine
10. co-monitors
11. naviagtion to find my way in cities that i could easily get lost in
12. curly hair
13. made to crave devotionals in the morning
14. dinner with co-workers on Monday night
15. a three hour nap on sunday after the red-eye flight home
Thanksgiving is inherent to a true salvation experience; thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life." - one thousand gifts, Ann Voskamp
" One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed?" Where are the other nine?" Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17: 15-19)
okay, so i am somewhat horrible at reading comprehension, but the point that ann made (in my words) is that basically, even though all ten were healed, the leper who received sozo (which means salvation) was the one who actually returned and gave thanks. so, the big point here is that "our very saving is associated with our gratitude."
i'm not going to pretend to be a scholar or anything, but quite simply i think this passage and her words sum it up quite nicely. if ultimately our fall was not being thankful (which i know for myself i am guilty of everyday), then salvation has to be intimately related to giving thanks. just think, eve was tempted and ate the forbidden fruit, because what God had given her wasn't enough, she wanted more.
so, here i am on my way to arizona for work, kind of mad, because i have to be gone over the weekend, missing a chance to go hear matt chandler with my best friends, and basically just having a pity party for myself, because i am so tired of traveling for my job, and then i read this... i am thinking snap out of it, and quite simply live a life of thanksgiving. how different would my life be if i didn't constantly focus on what i did not have and focus on all the gifts i have in my life daily. my mind quickly went back to all those beautiful faces from my haiti trip. those kids never once complained or talked about things they did not have, they praised God and thanked him for the things they did, which was not very much at all. (i know we could all learn many lessons from them.) recently i've been on my why i am still single kick, what if i chose to focus on the many blessings in my life, and stopped whining about something that is clearly not in God's timing right now. instead, i should thank him for his provision and protection in this area of my life:) the author of the book decides to make a list of 1000 gifts she already has/things she loves/blessings, etc. so, i pray about this on the plane, and i think i need to do this, i think it will help me live a life more joyful, less self-centered:)
so, i hope in all of this rambling, i have made some sense, i know that i am not the best writer, but hopefully something in this post has maybe helped you realize that we could all benefit from being a little more thankful on any given day:)
a few things from this week....
1. a window seat on my plane to jacksonville
2. white chocolate mocha from starbucks
3. sound machine app
4. sunny days in jacksonville
5. my lead helping me with a new system at work
6. at 5pm, most days, lindsey calls me
7. seeing my favorite toddlers every sunday at church
8. hearing a great message on identity in Christ at church on sunday
9. cold medicine
10. co-monitors
11. naviagtion to find my way in cities that i could easily get lost in
12. curly hair
13. made to crave devotionals in the morning
14. dinner with co-workers on Monday night
15. a three hour nap on sunday after the red-eye flight home
Thanksgiving is inherent to a true salvation experience; thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life." - one thousand gifts, Ann Voskamp
Friday, January 6, 2012
baby steps for a big year:: 30 things to do this year
so for the past few years, i have made a list of things to do with the amount of things to do correlating to the age i turn that year. the first two years, i did pretty good, but for some reason last year i didn't to well. this year, i debated not doing a list, but let's face it, i turn 30 this year and i want to have a fun list, a list with small things that i can do to make myself a better version of me, and i am going to really try hard to do these things. i have been reading lots of devotions from proverbs 31 ministries, from streams of the desert, and from made to crave, and know that i can so do this with the help from the Creator of everything, My Heavenly Father:) so, some of these may be repeats, others will be knew, but regardless, i don't want to look back and think that life passed me by... you only get one and i want to know that I spent my days on this earth, drawing closer to God, having fun with friends, helping/serving others, not working all the time, and being the best version of myself! here's to my 30th year of life being the best yet!
1. reading the Bible - i'm going to be real honest here, reading is so not fun to me, no matter what it is, so instead of trying to be like everyone else, i am going to do what is best for me. i am going to focus on small amounts and really pray and focus on those. i've really got to work on not comparing/worrying what other people think. if anyone has reading plans for the Bible that are SMALL, short passages at a time, i am so for that, send them my way.
2. make my bed each day - why is this on my list every year, but so far in 2012, every day that i have been home, i have made my day, so we are on the right track, haha
3. learn to sew - i met a girl at church who knows how, so hopefully one saturday, i can pay her to teach me, i hope she has a lot of patience, things do not come easy to this girl.
4. go hiking and spend some time outdoors - for this somewhat girly girl, most of you are probably laughing, God created a beautiful world and nature is pretty, so i think it would do me some good to get out and enjoy it!!! my friend kase and i made a list of fun things to do in the next six months on new years day, and this made the list, so i think this will happen:)
5. food - i want to continue with my trying new foods and restaurants. i have lived in charlotte for over three years now and there are several restaurants that i have not tried, so i want to try at least five new ones this year and five new foods. i am going to cabo fish taco in two weeks, which i have wanted to go for a while, so we are already on our to a good start!!!
6. serve in the local community more, plain and simple, just do it!
7. read more, let's face it, i said it before and everyone who knows me, knows this... i hate reading, but i have set a small goal to read 10 minutes a day, everyday. so, the first book i am reading is 1000 gifts:)
8. break the starbucks addiction, haha - who would have ever thought that i would be so addicted to coffee. i got a keurig for christmas, so i am hoping this will help. i am drinking more coffee at home. new goal, $25/month at starbucks, I CAN DO THIS:)
9. i want to go ziplining. seriously, love all things related to heights, not scared at all, so this has to happen this year!
10. personal fitness goal:: lose 15 pounds.
11. continue to get better at crocheting, i enjoy it but don't stop and sit still long enough to do it often enough... so improve, do more, and learn more patterns
12. be more focused in general, i get easily distracted. i think one way to be more focused would be to turn the TV off and read, journal, pray, etc.
13. try to write daily in my peaks/pits/praise/prayers journal. saw this on pinterest, and i love it!!!
14. cook more often. i would save so much more if i broke down and cooked more and ate leftovers, so i will do this!!!
15. try a hot yoga class.
16. live expectantly. i read a verse in my devotion the other night and it is so true. "whatever you ask for in prayer, belive." mark 11:24
17. i want to be a counselor at camp care this summer, now if i could get in touch with the right people. hopefully this will happen.
18. be intentional about catching up with my friends who live in different cities (whitney - baltimore), (kelly - atlanta), (bay, holly, and michele - raleigh), (heather, kaleena, ashley, and candice - raleigh) (casey - raleigh) - life is busy, but that is no excuse as to why we shouldn't stay in touch.
19. i've been in the same role at my company for almost five years, and i've been frustrated that i haven't gotten a promotion due to restructuring and the economy, but i want to have a better attitude and really work hard in my current role and see my studies through the end. if and when God decides it is time for me to be promoted, i will be ready. explore different positions that i may want to do in my company, as well.
20. try something new, anything.
21. i want to go to a shooting range and maybe get a gun for protection... goodness, my roots are showing and i love it:) i will take a concealed weapons class and be educated, don't worry! (pretty sure i am going to be able to talk lindsey jo into doing this one with me as well.)
22. i want to go to the CMA awards in nashville for my 30th birthday. i have already informed lindsey and crystal and they say they are on board, so we will see. it is the one thing i want to do for my birthday:) how awesome and fantastic would that be!!!
23. spend less and save more! i got out of debt in 2010/early 2011, except for my student loans and my mortgage, so my big thing for this year to live by a budget and to SAVE money!
24. adopt/sponsor a child from a third world country, more than likely haiti and possibly from mission of hope, my church had the information one sunday and i didn't do it, but i have been praying about it and i need to do it:)
25. purge, i have a lot of stuff that i don't need, that others would be so blessed by. i need to donate to people who need it:)
26. either go sky diving or on a hot air balloon ride:) yes, i really want to do one of the two.
27. learn to do a complete push up (weakest arms in life)
28. crafting/DIY projects - one or two nights a month, take time to enjoy crafting and doing things i find on pinterest. after all, it is cheaper and super cute!
29. look into going back to Haiti or on another mission trip... really praying about this one and trying to figure out where God may want me to go.
30. spend a weekend in the mountains, possibly go skiing, oh goodness this could be hilarious. this is so happening, as we are going for Jillian's 30th, and i am so excited about a little mountain fun:)
1. reading the Bible - i'm going to be real honest here, reading is so not fun to me, no matter what it is, so instead of trying to be like everyone else, i am going to do what is best for me. i am going to focus on small amounts and really pray and focus on those. i've really got to work on not comparing/worrying what other people think. if anyone has reading plans for the Bible that are SMALL, short passages at a time, i am so for that, send them my way.
2. make my bed each day - why is this on my list every year, but so far in 2012, every day that i have been home, i have made my day, so we are on the right track, haha
3. learn to sew - i met a girl at church who knows how, so hopefully one saturday, i can pay her to teach me, i hope she has a lot of patience, things do not come easy to this girl.
4. go hiking and spend some time outdoors - for this somewhat girly girl, most of you are probably laughing, God created a beautiful world and nature is pretty, so i think it would do me some good to get out and enjoy it!!! my friend kase and i made a list of fun things to do in the next six months on new years day, and this made the list, so i think this will happen:)
5. food - i want to continue with my trying new foods and restaurants. i have lived in charlotte for over three years now and there are several restaurants that i have not tried, so i want to try at least five new ones this year and five new foods. i am going to cabo fish taco in two weeks, which i have wanted to go for a while, so we are already on our to a good start!!!
6. serve in the local community more, plain and simple, just do it!
7. read more, let's face it, i said it before and everyone who knows me, knows this... i hate reading, but i have set a small goal to read 10 minutes a day, everyday. so, the first book i am reading is 1000 gifts:)
8. break the starbucks addiction, haha - who would have ever thought that i would be so addicted to coffee. i got a keurig for christmas, so i am hoping this will help. i am drinking more coffee at home. new goal, $25/month at starbucks, I CAN DO THIS:)
9. i want to go ziplining. seriously, love all things related to heights, not scared at all, so this has to happen this year!
10. personal fitness goal:: lose 15 pounds.
11. continue to get better at crocheting, i enjoy it but don't stop and sit still long enough to do it often enough... so improve, do more, and learn more patterns
12. be more focused in general, i get easily distracted. i think one way to be more focused would be to turn the TV off and read, journal, pray, etc.
13. try to write daily in my peaks/pits/praise/prayers journal. saw this on pinterest, and i love it!!!
14. cook more often. i would save so much more if i broke down and cooked more and ate leftovers, so i will do this!!!
15. try a hot yoga class.
16. live expectantly. i read a verse in my devotion the other night and it is so true. "whatever you ask for in prayer, belive." mark 11:24
17. i want to be a counselor at camp care this summer, now if i could get in touch with the right people. hopefully this will happen.
18. be intentional about catching up with my friends who live in different cities (whitney - baltimore), (kelly - atlanta), (bay, holly, and michele - raleigh), (heather, kaleena, ashley, and candice - raleigh) (casey - raleigh) - life is busy, but that is no excuse as to why we shouldn't stay in touch.
19. i've been in the same role at my company for almost five years, and i've been frustrated that i haven't gotten a promotion due to restructuring and the economy, but i want to have a better attitude and really work hard in my current role and see my studies through the end. if and when God decides it is time for me to be promoted, i will be ready. explore different positions that i may want to do in my company, as well.
20. try something new, anything.
21. i want to go to a shooting range and maybe get a gun for protection... goodness, my roots are showing and i love it:) i will take a concealed weapons class and be educated, don't worry! (pretty sure i am going to be able to talk lindsey jo into doing this one with me as well.)
22. i want to go to the CMA awards in nashville for my 30th birthday. i have already informed lindsey and crystal and they say they are on board, so we will see. it is the one thing i want to do for my birthday:) how awesome and fantastic would that be!!!
23. spend less and save more! i got out of debt in 2010/early 2011, except for my student loans and my mortgage, so my big thing for this year to live by a budget and to SAVE money!
24. adopt/sponsor a child from a third world country, more than likely haiti and possibly from mission of hope, my church had the information one sunday and i didn't do it, but i have been praying about it and i need to do it:)
25. purge, i have a lot of stuff that i don't need, that others would be so blessed by. i need to donate to people who need it:)
26. either go sky diving or on a hot air balloon ride:) yes, i really want to do one of the two.
27. learn to do a complete push up (weakest arms in life)
28. crafting/DIY projects - one or two nights a month, take time to enjoy crafting and doing things i find on pinterest. after all, it is cheaper and super cute!
29. look into going back to Haiti or on another mission trip... really praying about this one and trying to figure out where God may want me to go.
30. spend a weekend in the mountains, possibly go skiing, oh goodness this could be hilarious. this is so happening, as we are going for Jillian's 30th, and i am so excited about a little mountain fun:)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Well, I didn't do well, but it was a great and blessed year...
let's just get to the things that were carried over from 2010:
1. This is probably the most important one to me in 2011. I want to trust God and go where HE leads and go on a mission trip. I attempted this is 2010, but the trip was canceled. I have tried to not let this be completely discouraging, so I pray that God will provide an opportunity where He wants me to be, the passport is ready:)
UPDATE:: Oh yes, went to Haiti in October, it was an awesome, life-changing, challenging, and so much more. The children have forever changed my heart, and I think about little Jazmine a lot.
2. Still working on this bedtime thing... I will go to bed earlier. My normal bedtime is 1:00 AM or later, so my goal is to get in bed by 11:00 PM each night.
UPDATE: Yeah, still can't get this, but always a work in progress.
3. I will get up and do my quiet time in the morning, instead of doing it at night.
UPDATE: Off work this week, for another seven or so days, so I am going to try and focus on this and start a new habit.
4. Running made it to the list last year ( I did learn that I will never be a sprinter), but this year my goal is to actually complete a 5K. My goal is to complete one in the cooler months, as I hate to be extremely hot, hehe. [ I do think I am going to need someone to run this with me to hold me accountable. ]
UPDATE: Well, I ran a 5K in March:) Don't worry I didn't finish first, but I didn't finish last. My main goal was to not walk, it had about seven big hills, so I did take like 10 or so steps (walking), but overall I was so proud of myself. Running will never be my favorite thing, but maybe another one in 2012:)
5. Sewing thing, needs improvement. I need lessons, maybe I will take a class. Seriously, I want to get better at this, it means so much to me because my grandmother was so good good. The dress I wanted to make last year didn't happen, so maybe this year.
UPDATE: I did take a beginner's sewing class, learned a few things, but I need to continue. Hoping a girl from church, Noelle, will teach me this week:)
6. Make turkey and dressing this year. We will see who will let me be this adventurous, hehe.
UPDATE: Yeah, let's move on.
New this year:
7. Since I tried a new food every month last year, this year I will cook something new every month. If I can try a new food still, that would be awesome. I am sure after seeing the new foods list, you know there are many foods out there I still haven't tried.
UPDATE: Well, the first five months, Lindsey and Crystal were onboard with me, we would alternate who cooked the main dish and it was awesome. With Crystal's wedding in June that made June super busy, but I have been cooking new thing on my own:) I will show pictures at the end of the year!
8. To go zip lining with my family. I am somewhat cheating on this one, as my brother Chris and I got this for him for Christmas:) I cannot wait though, it is going to be so much fun. I will also go with my friends, as we had talked about this, and it is so much, so why not?
UPDATE: This didn't happen, but maybe next year. My parents went without me, haha.
9. Complete the Crown Financial Class, as I want to make smarter financial choices.
UPDATE: Did this and learned so much. I need to apply these principals daily:)
10. Create a collage of old pictures of my great grandparents, grandparents, and parents in my stairwell. I am very excited about this project, as my Momaw and Popaw Abby (great grandparents) , my Momaw Saine (great grandmother), and Mom (my grandmother) meant so much to me.
UPDATE: Did this and oh my gosh, I love walking down my staircase now... these pictures make my heart smile.
11. Give blood as many times as I can in 2011. As many of you know, my grandfather was diagnosed with a type of lymphoma this year and had to have several blood transfusions. I only gave blood like once in 2010, and it is really such a simple thing I can do to help so many who need it. It really could save someone's life... if helped my grandfather!!!
UPDATE: Found out I am a candidate for double reds, so yes I have already given once, you actually can't give as often as a double reds, but my next appointment is in August. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give for a year once I go to Haiti, but I will start again after that year.
12. Read a book a month. To most of you, you are probably thinking that is nothing, but I am really not a big fan of reading.... I am just a slow reader. January = the me I want to be, February = Mark of the Lion Series, then I'll see how I am doing, hehe
UPDATE: Well, I have not done so well in this category, but I did read Heaven is for Real and Sweet Caroline and yes that is all, haha. Just started One Thousand Gifts.
13. Work resolution: I am going to try EXTREMELY hard to do my reports ahead of time and not on the last day, no more procrastinating. I think this will be huge for my work/life balance and going to bed earlier.
UPDATE: Didn't have a single late report this year, except when I was without a computer, sometimes this is more challenging than one would think.
14. Challenge myself to not eat out for a whole week, not one time. Also, to most, this probably wouldn't be hard, but for a girl who doesn't like cooking and doesn't think much of eating out every day (especially because I am out of town most days for my job), this will not be easy. If I get good, I'll try to do this once a month.
UPDATE: Kasey and I did a no-spending challenge and I did it:) I only ate out once that whole week for Kathryn and Gilbert's graduation, woohoo:)
15. Only allow myself two starbucks a week. It will help me save money too.
UPDATE: Well, yeah this problem is out of control, haha. Completely 100% addicted to my starbucks. I didn't have it the whole week I was in Haiti. In addition, I went two whole weeks without caffeine, but I am still quite addicted.
16. Be a little more confident when it comes to guys, I am sure all of my good friends are laughing at this one, as we all know this has never been something I have been good at... maybe we can all pray together on this one or maybe it will provide more funny stories.
UPDATE: God has a plan, and has been working on this one for a while. I am thankful for all that has happened this year and for the lessons I have learned.
17. Watch an old movie that I haven't ever seen before (1 a month ) there is a list so long it isn't even funny:: Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, Big, Sixteen Candles, Star Wars, Iron Man, etc
UPDATE: I have watched the following so far:: Sixteen Candles (loved it), Breakfast at Tiffanys (didn't really care for it), Men of Honor (cried the whole time), Can't Buy Me Love and I know there have been more but I can't think right now... but I have watched so many new movies, just couldn't get motivated with some of those old ones
18. Lose 10 more pounds, don't worry this is a personal goal and if I don't, I won't lose any sleep over it, but I do want to lose these 10 pounds to be at an ideal weight for my height.
UPDATE: Yeah, still need to lose those, they are stubborn.
19. Try a yoga class, probably going to stay away from a hot yoga class, haha.
UPDATE: Does it count if I did yoga with Casey at her house? Will try it next year.
20. Try five new restaurants this year. Should make it more, but we will start with five.
UPDATE: Nolen Kitchen and Italian Pie
21. Get up two days a week, possibly Wednesday and Thursday, and workout before work. Maybe I could do another boot camp:) It was great discipline and got me out of bed.
UPDATE: hahahahahah
22. Go to the mountains, enjoy a hike, and take in God's beauty. Prefer to do this with friends:) Let's plan a trip.
UPDATE: Sad that this didn't happen, maybe next year.
23. Make my bed each day, sounds silly for someone who keeps her house extremely clean, I mean, I am OCD about the cleanliness of my house, but this is the one thing that I do not do, haha. So, when I get up, I will make my bed daily:)
UPDATE: Maybe next year, goodness, as clean as I am, you would think I do this daily.
24. Start reading the Bible all the way through, I'm staring Jan. 1. I'm going at my own pace and excited to learn more and grow.
UPDATE: Still need to do this.
25. Spend quality time with grandfather. He is the only grandparent that I have left.
UPDATE: Love the time I do spend with him whether it is on Sundays or Saturday at BBQ King:)
26. Visit a new city, preferably for fun, not for work:)
UPDATE: Oh YES, Kasey and I went to Denver, CO for our birthdays, and I had never been to Colorado. We saw a few mountain towns, Red Rocks State Park, stayed in downtown Denver, etc... it snowed 2 days, and I was in heaven:)
27. I haven't scrapbooked much in 2010, get back to it, I really enjoy it.
UPDATE: Started making one for 2011, and hope to have it finished by the end of the year, I have lots of time off this week. Not quite finished, but it will be soon.
28. Be more spontaneous/maybe we will go with adventurous... just go with the flow. I can be creative with this one, I'll blog about my adventures in 2011.
UPDATE: Don't know what I have done that is spontaneous or adventurous, haha
29. Simple: Be more thankful, you only get one life and I shouldn't spend my life dwelling on what I do not have, but thanking God for all the blessings in my life.
UPDATE: I am so unbelievably thankful for my family, friends, job, my church, and the opportunities that I have each day:) I need to remember this more often:)
1. This is probably the most important one to me in 2011. I want to trust God and go where HE leads and go on a mission trip. I attempted this is 2010, but the trip was canceled. I have tried to not let this be completely discouraging, so I pray that God will provide an opportunity where He wants me to be, the passport is ready:)
UPDATE:: Oh yes, went to Haiti in October, it was an awesome, life-changing, challenging, and so much more. The children have forever changed my heart, and I think about little Jazmine a lot.
2. Still working on this bedtime thing... I will go to bed earlier. My normal bedtime is 1:00 AM or later, so my goal is to get in bed by 11:00 PM each night.
UPDATE: Yeah, still can't get this, but always a work in progress.
3. I will get up and do my quiet time in the morning, instead of doing it at night.
UPDATE: Off work this week, for another seven or so days, so I am going to try and focus on this and start a new habit.
4. Running made it to the list last year ( I did learn that I will never be a sprinter), but this year my goal is to actually complete a 5K. My goal is to complete one in the cooler months, as I hate to be extremely hot, hehe. [ I do think I am going to need someone to run this with me to hold me accountable. ]
UPDATE: Well, I ran a 5K in March:) Don't worry I didn't finish first, but I didn't finish last. My main goal was to not walk, it had about seven big hills, so I did take like 10 or so steps (walking), but overall I was so proud of myself. Running will never be my favorite thing, but maybe another one in 2012:)
5. Sewing thing, needs improvement. I need lessons, maybe I will take a class. Seriously, I want to get better at this, it means so much to me because my grandmother was so good good. The dress I wanted to make last year didn't happen, so maybe this year.
UPDATE: I did take a beginner's sewing class, learned a few things, but I need to continue. Hoping a girl from church, Noelle, will teach me this week:)
6. Make turkey and dressing this year. We will see who will let me be this adventurous, hehe.
UPDATE: Yeah, let's move on.
New this year:
7. Since I tried a new food every month last year, this year I will cook something new every month. If I can try a new food still, that would be awesome. I am sure after seeing the new foods list, you know there are many foods out there I still haven't tried.
UPDATE: Well, the first five months, Lindsey and Crystal were onboard with me, we would alternate who cooked the main dish and it was awesome. With Crystal's wedding in June that made June super busy, but I have been cooking new thing on my own:) I will show pictures at the end of the year!
8. To go zip lining with my family. I am somewhat cheating on this one, as my brother Chris and I got this for him for Christmas:) I cannot wait though, it is going to be so much fun. I will also go with my friends, as we had talked about this, and it is so much, so why not?
UPDATE: This didn't happen, but maybe next year. My parents went without me, haha.
9. Complete the Crown Financial Class, as I want to make smarter financial choices.
UPDATE: Did this and learned so much. I need to apply these principals daily:)
10. Create a collage of old pictures of my great grandparents, grandparents, and parents in my stairwell. I am very excited about this project, as my Momaw and Popaw Abby (great grandparents) , my Momaw Saine (great grandmother), and Mom (my grandmother) meant so much to me.
UPDATE: Did this and oh my gosh, I love walking down my staircase now... these pictures make my heart smile.
11. Give blood as many times as I can in 2011. As many of you know, my grandfather was diagnosed with a type of lymphoma this year and had to have several blood transfusions. I only gave blood like once in 2010, and it is really such a simple thing I can do to help so many who need it. It really could save someone's life... if helped my grandfather!!!
UPDATE: Found out I am a candidate for double reds, so yes I have already given once, you actually can't give as often as a double reds, but my next appointment is in August. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give for a year once I go to Haiti, but I will start again after that year.
12. Read a book a month. To most of you, you are probably thinking that is nothing, but I am really not a big fan of reading.... I am just a slow reader. January = the me I want to be, February = Mark of the Lion Series, then I'll see how I am doing, hehe
UPDATE: Well, I have not done so well in this category, but I did read Heaven is for Real and Sweet Caroline and yes that is all, haha. Just started One Thousand Gifts.
13. Work resolution: I am going to try EXTREMELY hard to do my reports ahead of time and not on the last day, no more procrastinating. I think this will be huge for my work/life balance and going to bed earlier.
UPDATE: Didn't have a single late report this year, except when I was without a computer, sometimes this is more challenging than one would think.
14. Challenge myself to not eat out for a whole week, not one time. Also, to most, this probably wouldn't be hard, but for a girl who doesn't like cooking and doesn't think much of eating out every day (especially because I am out of town most days for my job), this will not be easy. If I get good, I'll try to do this once a month.
UPDATE: Kasey and I did a no-spending challenge and I did it:) I only ate out once that whole week for Kathryn and Gilbert's graduation, woohoo:)
15. Only allow myself two starbucks a week. It will help me save money too.
UPDATE: Well, yeah this problem is out of control, haha. Completely 100% addicted to my starbucks. I didn't have it the whole week I was in Haiti. In addition, I went two whole weeks without caffeine, but I am still quite addicted.
16. Be a little more confident when it comes to guys, I am sure all of my good friends are laughing at this one, as we all know this has never been something I have been good at... maybe we can all pray together on this one or maybe it will provide more funny stories.
UPDATE: God has a plan, and has been working on this one for a while. I am thankful for all that has happened this year and for the lessons I have learned.
17. Watch an old movie that I haven't ever seen before (1 a month ) there is a list so long it isn't even funny:: Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, Big, Sixteen Candles, Star Wars, Iron Man, etc
UPDATE: I have watched the following so far:: Sixteen Candles (loved it), Breakfast at Tiffanys (didn't really care for it), Men of Honor (cried the whole time), Can't Buy Me Love and I know there have been more but I can't think right now... but I have watched so many new movies, just couldn't get motivated with some of those old ones
18. Lose 10 more pounds, don't worry this is a personal goal and if I don't, I won't lose any sleep over it, but I do want to lose these 10 pounds to be at an ideal weight for my height.
UPDATE: Yeah, still need to lose those, they are stubborn.
19. Try a yoga class, probably going to stay away from a hot yoga class, haha.
UPDATE: Does it count if I did yoga with Casey at her house? Will try it next year.
20. Try five new restaurants this year. Should make it more, but we will start with five.
UPDATE: Nolen Kitchen and Italian Pie
21. Get up two days a week, possibly Wednesday and Thursday, and workout before work. Maybe I could do another boot camp:) It was great discipline and got me out of bed.
UPDATE: hahahahahah
22. Go to the mountains, enjoy a hike, and take in God's beauty. Prefer to do this with friends:) Let's plan a trip.
UPDATE: Sad that this didn't happen, maybe next year.
23. Make my bed each day, sounds silly for someone who keeps her house extremely clean, I mean, I am OCD about the cleanliness of my house, but this is the one thing that I do not do, haha. So, when I get up, I will make my bed daily:)
UPDATE: Maybe next year, goodness, as clean as I am, you would think I do this daily.
24. Start reading the Bible all the way through, I'm staring Jan. 1. I'm going at my own pace and excited to learn more and grow.
UPDATE: Still need to do this.
25. Spend quality time with grandfather. He is the only grandparent that I have left.
UPDATE: Love the time I do spend with him whether it is on Sundays or Saturday at BBQ King:)
26. Visit a new city, preferably for fun, not for work:)
UPDATE: Oh YES, Kasey and I went to Denver, CO for our birthdays, and I had never been to Colorado. We saw a few mountain towns, Red Rocks State Park, stayed in downtown Denver, etc... it snowed 2 days, and I was in heaven:)
27. I haven't scrapbooked much in 2010, get back to it, I really enjoy it.
UPDATE: Started making one for 2011, and hope to have it finished by the end of the year, I have lots of time off this week. Not quite finished, but it will be soon.
28. Be more spontaneous/maybe we will go with adventurous... just go with the flow. I can be creative with this one, I'll blog about my adventures in 2011.
UPDATE: Don't know what I have done that is spontaneous or adventurous, haha
29. Simple: Be more thankful, you only get one life and I shouldn't spend my life dwelling on what I do not have, but thanking God for all the blessings in my life.
UPDATE: I am so unbelievably thankful for my family, friends, job, my church, and the opportunities that I have each day:) I need to remember this more often:)
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