bring on the warmth, batman!

I am so super excited for this weekend. Why you ask? Because I'm going here....

 

Yup, that's right. I'm going to a WATER PARK! I'm going with my family for the weekend and am so ready to get away from here and in the water for the weekend. 

87 degree air temp, 84 degree water temp. It can't get much better then that. Jealous?   

bad dreams...

Have you ever had one of those nights where you are getting ready for bed, doing your devotions and in that devotion, you read something that really strikes a chord with you...for the good. It reminds you of how lucky you are to be where you are today, and to always trust that God is doing good things for you according to his plan. According to His plan...is the key. Yes, I might not always feel like things are going my way...but I need to realize more often then not that maybe this is the way God has it planned out for my life. And it will be good for me in the end, even if I don't see it going that way now.

So, I felt really good before going to bed. I prayed to God that he would show me how to be content with where I'm at in life and to trust Him 100% that the way my life is going, is according to His plan. And then I fell into a deep slumber...

In that deep slumber, I started having dreams. Dreams that were so real to me that I felt like I was actually living them. Dreams that stirred up emotions of my past and made me wonder why I was having dreams like this.

& then I woke up...hurting, upset, wondering why I had such a good devotion and talk with God the night before and then during the night in my dreams, it stirred up things that I thought I had tucked away. For good. Is this something God is trying to tell me? Is there something that I need to do? What can I do to make this pain/hurt go away for good and not be stirred up every time that I seem to have settled things?

Stressful, with a capital S...

Ok...so here is the beginning of the tangled up web of thoughts in this brain-'o-mine. If you really don't care what is going on in this crazy life of mine, then don't read on. However, if you would like to offer any input, thoughts, or even just to tell me I'm crazy, I'm game for anything.  :)

Work has been SUPER stressful. I love my job and everything, I just don't like the feeling of going to bed at night DREADING the next day of work. It's THAT bad. I know, I know...I need to be so thankful that I even have a job. & I really am. I just am ready for the stress to settle down and for things to get back to normal. Is that too much to ask for??

Friendships have also been stressful. Who would have ever thought that a friendship would wear and tear on your emotions as much as they do. One minute you think you are on top of the world with the most amazing friends ever, and the next you are questioning what is really going on. What have I gotten myself into? & what is really worth pursuing to make me a better person...a better person in God's eyes. I hope things get better...I really really do...

Then my living situation. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE living here at my apartment. Yes, it has it's ups & downs. From the singing chinese dude on the 3rd floor, to the 3 year old running around at 6:30am on a SATURDAY morning...oh the joys. But...it was my first home away from home. This place was my first leap of faith...the first time I took a step out on my own and learned to live all.by.myself. Yes, very scary at first...but I've grown SO much in the past 3 years. I've become such an independent person and know that I can now do anything on my own if I put my mind to it. This has been the place that I have learned who I really am. What I like, what I hate, and what I just enjoy or don't enjoy doing. It's been the time of my life...

however, the time of my life requires leaps and bounds so that I can continue growing and learning. & it has to be a huge leap of faith for me. because I'm comfortable here...however, my funds are not comfortable here. There is so much to decide on whether I can continue to keep living my life here...or to move on and start the next stage in my life. Somewhere that is cheaper, and allows me to save so that I can one day soon have a house of my own...a place to call my own again. My freedom back.

So...I pray. I pray like crazy. Because I don't want to make any wrong decisions. I want to do what God has planned out for me and my life...and if that means giving up my comfort...then I need to give up my comfort and explore new winding roads. I pray that God leads me in the right direction...and I pray that I learn to be okay with it. I pray that I can trust God to the fullest, that He knows what he is doing with my life, and that He would never point me in the wrong direction.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

decisions, decisions, decisions

Over the next couple months I have a lot of decisions I need to make. I HATE making decisions and wish that someone would just make all the decisions for me in my life.  :) It would be such an easier world for me if I never had to make a decision and just always went with the flow. BUT...if I want things to improve, things to work out, and even growing into a stronger person, there are always decisions that are going to need to be made. blech.

So, over the next couple months you may see me blogging about different things that I need to make decisions on. Some with questions that I may need help with...and some blogs just as a venting for me so I can get all my thoughts out on paper the computer.  :)

On a high note, the sun came out today!!!! And it's even decently warm out! This is so not good, because it makes me want summer to be here SO super bad! Only about 2 more months, right?? Le sigh...

Sorry for the random post...but here is a picture for you to enjoy of me and my siblings...i love them...

dear starbucks...

Oh, how I miss you so much. You were my favorite thing in the world and I would stop by at least five three days a week to indulge in your caramel and white chocolate goodness. And every time I see this...

...I just can't imagine what I'd do without you. BUT...you are too expensive for me. This is a love/hate relationship and I just can't afford you anymore. So, I am going to have to settle for this...

I hope some day you realize how important our relationship was...and I hope you can take into consideration how much I miss you. Will you please, please, please lower your prices so that I may enjoy all of your goodness again??

Sincerely,

Lizzie

dear winter...

...can you just please, please, PLEASE go away??? I'm tired of your gloominess. :(

I have summer on my mind like crazy! I can't seem to stop thinking about not having to wear a coat anymore, being able to lounge out on my deck, wearing flip flops and just soaking in the sun and warmth. I've been daydreaming working hard at my job lately, and I just can't seem to get it out of my mind.  :)

I long for the day when I can go outside for leasurely strolls, drive with my windows down and radio blaring, and just enjoying the goodness that summer brings. Even the smells that summer brings are so gratifying. Grilling out, campfires, the smell of rain...le sigh.

Old Man Winter...will you please go away?

ready now

This has been a song that has been on my heart for the past couple weeks. It's amazing how the words speak right through me. I've never felt God so close to me then when I listen and sing this song. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

Ready Now (The Desperation Band)

You come like you promised you would
I want to surrender for good
I know that I need you
And I dont want to keep living life alone.

So take my heart
and make it new
make it true
And make it like you
Take my hands
I lift them high
They’re yours not mine to do
Do what you will

I feel like a blind man in your sight
I know that I'm wicked in your eyes
So wash me and make me shine like the sun
I want to tell everyone
that you're the only one

So take my heart
And make it new
Make it true
And make it like you
Take my hands
I lift them high
They’re yours not mine to do
Do what you will

I'm ready now
I'm ready now
I'm ready now
Do what you will