Well today I was going to share my 25 before 25 list with all of you, but then I read this. My heart was moved.

She is dead on about perspective. She writes about her perspective being changed by losing her jewelry and another woman selling her jewelry to get money for her husband's cancer. My perspective was changed when I read that she is selling things to get money for cancer and I try to sell things to get money just to live with a little more stuff. Thanks for putting things in perspective God.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."-Matthew 6:19-21

That is not the reason my topic changed today. I am in complete support of what she is asking people to do and I wanted to share it with you. I want to encourage you to write the dream center. I am writing my letter this weekend. Will you join me?

Visit her page here to find out more about it.

One Word

Another thing I found as I was reading new blogs the other day was the One Word challenge. I wished I had found this back on January 1st when I was making new goals for the year. I am not sure what my word would have been, but I wanted to make a word starting now for what the year has been and what my word would be through the end of 2011. The idea is rather than making resolutions or goals for the year, just pick a word.

CHANGE.

That is my 2011 word. These are the things I have changed or still want to change for 2011.

Marital status
home base
job
attitude toward Christ
attitude toward others
relationship with the last two mentioned
body image
career goals
the person to become
fears
time spent
the way I love
money habits
listening skills
the way I learn

2011 has been full of many changes already, but there are still things to change. It is half way through the year and the perfect time to recharge and dominate what is left to accomplish.

As you can see with the amount of changes I have made in my life and on this blog in the last week this word is perfect for my 2011 One Word.

Stay tuned for my 25 before 25 list!

What's your One Word 2011?

Let Me Love You

I was rummaging through blogs yesterday and I read this.

"you can't take care of something you don't love. How do you feel about your body?"

It was one sentence that stopped me in my tracks. Even though I am not a prisoner to an eating disorder like this sweet girl...I knew exactly how she felt and exactly why her counselor was asking her this question. She needed to verbalize the thoughts that shot through her mind every time she looked in the mirror.

"your pants are getting tighter"
"you're lazy"
"you will lose him if you let it get out of control"
"you're legs are huge"
"can't you see the cottage cheese"
"you're face is getting rounder"

I don't know if those are her thoughts, but these are just a small glimpse of the sentences that haunt me lately. Every time I look in the mirror I am miserable. I hate putting clothes on these days because I know they won't fit right and I refuse/can't afford to buy new ones. It is a daunting cycle.

Three weeks ago I decided I was making a change and I did. My eating has been completely re-shaped, but the activity has not increased. It is my next step. The reason I bring this up today though is because of that one statement I read yesterday.

"You can't take care of something you don't love."

Steps of progress are slowed by hurdles of disgust.  

I am crying out today because I no longer want to be stung by these awful thoughts. I want love myself when I look in the mirror.

Jesus I want to be so close to you that your thoughts become mine and therefore my beauty shines to me the way it shines to you. Help me love me.

"you are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you"-Song of Solomon 4:7 

The Glass is Half Full

Today I am tired.

Yesterday exhausted me and made me that much more excited for next week. I am tired because I have to get up by 5:30 at the latest in order to shower, take care of the dogs, get ready for the day, make lunches and coffee, and get out the door by 6:30. Yesterday it was closer to 6:50 by the time I made it to the car, forgot my cell phone, made it to the car again, and realized I forgot my ring. Ugh! Then I made the hour and a half drive to Stillwater just to be 20 minutes late to work. Yesterday was busy, busy because it is the first week of classes at OSU and there are lots of overwhelmed freshmen that need their advisor. Then it was rush out at 5pm to get back on the road in order to get to Tulsa as quick as I can to start the first night of my part time job. And it is not Sonic. By the time I finished up my training there I arrived home at about 9:30...beat.

Today I am tired and I am doing it all over again.

Tonight I will have day 2 of my training for the new part time job. I know. I know. Things change in my life as fast as night changes to day, but this time I am sticking to it. After I thought I was going to work at Sonic, I stumbled upon a hostess job at a local restaurant called Lucky's. It is a locally owned upscale restaurant down on Cherry street in Tulsa. Cherry street is this cute little half mile stretch of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Since I love restaurants, the hours were great, and the money is way better I decided to take the leap. They hired me immediately. I was ecstatic! My first night of training was a bit overwhelming and I am praying I catch on quick!

Today I am tired, but next week will get better.

Next week I won't have to wake up as early to get everything done. In fact, next week I can wake up at about 6:15 to start a morning run at 6:30 and still get back to shower and be at work by 8:30. FANTASTIC! Then I will only have a 20 minute drive to and from work. I will work the part time job on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and still have plenty of time for my husband and friends. God is so good!

Today I am tired, but I have got lots to look forward to and I am thankful for that.

Is your glass half full or half empty today?

Just an Update

This week I am in Stillwater Tuesday through Friday. In order to save on gas, we decided it would be better if I could find a friend to stay with for the middle of the week and then go back home on Friday. Well yesterday morning, I guess you could say I wasn't so much prepared for that. As I have gotten older I have come to really enjoy my routines. For the last almost three months my routine has been to sleep next to my husband every night. Therefore, yesterday morning there were small tears as he left for work. I hugged him so tight and he laughed at me. I just...I just like my routine and I was sad that it would be different for a few nights. I made it through though and I know that Friday will be here before I know it.

In the meantime I am getting some great and much needed girl time. My sweet friend Liz came over to hang out with me last night and we got to do some major catching up. I missed her. I will also get to spend some time with my friend Shelby over the next two nights. She is letting me stay with her and I am so grateful for that. This week I have felt extremely grateful.

Other good news is I got a second job. I will be working at Sonic part time. This is such a blessing and I am glad to have my Sonic experience because it made it very easy to get. Thanks Daddy!

Happy Hump Day friends! I hope you are finding the blessings in everything around you this week!