My Hope is Found.

Ten years ago floors fell out beneath thousands of people. Planes plummeted from the sky, and America watched in horror as terror struck our country.

Ten years ago I was thirteen, barely old enough to grasp the concept of what was going on...at twenty-three, I still feel quite young and naive. But I know what it is like to have my blanket of safety stripped away.

Innocence was a distant memory after September 11, 2001, and in the years since, as many friends have volunteered their lives to serve our country in the war against terrorism, fear has laid claim to many of my thoughts.

It is hard to find hope in a world that shows the capability of destroying so many innocent lives. It is hard to trust that terror does not, and should not, reign. 

But then I think about the thousands of firefighters and policemen who selflessly laid down their lives to save the horror-stricken New Yorkers and Pentagon workers. I think about the brave passengers on Flight 93 who chose to sacrifice themselves to save thousands of others. 

These men and women are heroes. Their actions in critical moments saved countless lives, and their bravery and self-sacrifice will not be forgotten. 

But ultimately, still, I have realized that my hope can not be found in these courageous people. There is only one place my hope is found, only one solid rock on which I stand.

Yesterday my church opened it's new, much larger sanctuary in order to accommodate its growing numbers. The Pastor challenged us to not focus on the building itself, as there are no guarantees in this world. His message, on September 11, 2011, was that everything in this world is fleeting. 

Towers may fall, health may decay, relationships may fail, but God is constant. He is the Rock, the solid ground on which to stand. It is in Him that I should look for safety, for refuge. 

The world may crumble around me, terror may strike my beloved country, and heros may fall, but God is still greater.

In Him alone, my hope is found.

Snail Mail

I enjoy nothing more than at the end of a long day, coming home, checking my mailbox (the ACTUAL one..not my GMail inbox) and receiving a little note from someone I love.


I can't explain why this simple joy never ceases to make my day except to say that it is a thoughtful gesture that was only extended in order to show that this person cares.

In a world that is focused on efficiency, speed, and technology, snail mail has become all but extinct.


This, to me, is unfortunate considering how much a hand-written note can mean to someone. It is a lost art...but one that I greatly enjoy. I am most likely the only bride that has ever truly enjoyed writing her hundreds of thank you notes. I enjoyed it so much so that I have decided to continue writing notes and have set the goal of writing one note per week to someone I love and care about...for no other reason than to tell them just that.


Snail Mail may not make the cut when considering factors such as time and ease. But every once in a while, what is so wrong with taking the extra time to hunt down that ellusive address, picking up a stamp, and penning a note.


Life is a constant race to keep up. To keep up with the changing technology, the tumultous economy, the trends of fashion, music, and your next door neighbor. But maybe sometimes it would be better to slow down, to stop racing, and to stop trying to keep up.


Maybe that little note that I take fifteen minutes out of my day of racing around is forgotten after I drop it in the mailbox, or maybe it makes someone else's day...and that, to me, makes it all worth it.

JOBless

Keeping up with current events has become a hobby of mine, a welcomed mid-day reprieve from the daily duties of my job. While browsing the news for fresh and interesting stories—aside from Irene or stale coverage of the 2012 Election, I stumbled upon this article that references yesterday’s shocking headline.

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/24/7464410-challenges-of-an-apple-without-jobs

Steve Jobs has resigned. The whole world, it seems, has reeled at this momentous juncture in Apple’s history.

What will happen to this incredibly influential company? Who can possibly replace one of the greatest businessmen and inventors of our time? Will Apple continue its reign with the iPhone and iPad, or without its creative genius at the helm, will it flounder and surrender to its competitors?

Only time will tell.

I would argue, though, that Steve Jobs is replaceable. Maybe Apple itself will not survive the disruptive and tumultuous times ahead, but there is no doubt that someone will. Because that is what we do. We adapt, we forge on, we fail, learn, and try again until it works. It is the American way.

It is the way that our private sector is intended to operate. To allow people like Steve Jobs with incredible talent, imagination and vision to develop a dream and see it to fruition. It is survival of the fittest. Just as Sony (mentioned in the article above) did not advance with the times; it suddenly found itself becoming obsolete as Apple seized those opportunities, took the risks, and rose above. Steve Jobs will certainly not be forgotten, and his contributions to Apple and to society at large with his technological revolutions will forever be associated with his name; but the world keeps turning. He will be replaced, and whether his replacement is a viable one or not remains to be seen.

Apple may rise out of this time stronger and more influential than ever, or it may become antiquated—a mere memory as another company takes its place and their products becomes just as common. But no one can ever take the iPod, iPhone, or iPad away from Jobs or the existing company of Apple, and that is as it should be. Whatever the future may hold, and as technology continues to transform culture and societal norms, Jobs will always be accredited with raising the bar; setting the standard. For thinking outside the box, and taking risks that no one else would.

Well done.

A world without Jobs is certainly imaginable…but without his influence? Now that is a true debate.

Time Well Wasted

Who is to say what a plausible excuse for wasting time should be? The term "wasting" itself insinuates time spent in a useless or unproductive manner. To me, however, time well wasted is time I spend investing in something other than myself, my routine, or my obligations.


You see, I view time as an investment. And what I choose to invest in is what I deem valuable in my life. Unfortunately, and embarrassingly enough, I often find my "free" time invested in such mediums as Facebook, ridiculous reality TV, or even this blog. These are investments that I am not necessarily proud of...and definitely not time well wasted.


When I think about time I have wasted and felt was a good investment, I think about my closest relationships. Don't get me wrong, I do not think these relationships are useless or unnecessary, but sometimes the extra mile is seen as such. The extra mile as in calling a family member on my way home from work when I would rather just listen to music, or getting up an extra hour early to meet a friend for coffee who really needs to talk. Penning a note to someone I love just to tell him or her that, or simply sitting with my husband when he has had a long day and does not want to talk. These stolen moments are time well wasted; moments investing in relationships and the people I love.


Time well wasted is when I step outside of myself, my routine, my obligations, my problems and my daily circumstances, and I invest in someone or something else. Usually, at first, this time appears to be a sacrifice, but inevitably, I always feel as though I have gained more than anyone. I have looked beyond myself, invested in someone else, and found that this time wasted always turns out to be time well spent.

With Perseverance

LET US run with PERSEVERANCE

the race that is set before US
                                                         Hebrews 12:1

Running is an integral part of my life. So imbedded, in fact, that if a stranger were to ask me who I am, it would probably be in the top five facts I give to him about myself. I am a runner.

As I start training for my first half marathon (what was I thinking signing up for this?!?), I have been thinking a lot about commitment and perseverance. Running takes both. Every morning when my alarm goes off I need to re-commit myself to my goal, and every run-about halfway through—I need to tell myself to persevere. I love to run.

I enjoy the clarity I feel while running and the ability it gives me to push harder, go further. I relish in it as one of the few moments each day that is completely for me. I like the energy boost it brings and the great feeling of accomplishment I get after I am done. But I think what I like most about running is its applicability with many different facets in my life.

Now, as I am about to transition, yet again, I feel this is a very relevant challenge for me to take on. To persevere. To finish strong the race that is set before me. I have to motivate myself, much like when I go for a run, to honor my commitment, to persevere until the end. As I leave this job, and begin another, I want to leave knowing that I did the best job I could, I gave it my all until the end.

I can't always determine my circumstances, I can't necessarily control the situations I find myself in, but I can control how I react. I can persevere through the hard times and learn so much from them while in the midst of them.

So, like finishing a run with that last burst of energy and drive, I will finish this race. I will do my best, and I will persevere.

Sweet Serendipity

ser·en·dip·i·ty

/ˌsɛr ənˈdɪp ɪ ti/ [ser-uh n-dip-i-tee]

Noun

1.  An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

2. good fortune; luck: the serendipity of getting the first job she applied for.

I love this word and often find myself searching for ways to use it in my every day happenings. I love it for two reasons. The first being the way it sounds as it lithely pops from my lips. It is a happy word to say. The syllables bounce up and down and it ends with that crisp “t” that just makes every word better—at least for rhyming purposes.

The second reason that I gravitate towards this word is that I don’t agree with its definition. Don’t get me wrong, I have serendipitous happenings all the time…moments in my day where I find myself elated at the smallest of findings, the most random of encounters, or the most unexpected of surprises. But luck is never something I have put my faith in, or spent my time and energy trusting.

Serendipity, to me, means taking the time to enjoy my life--looking at the ordinary as a little more extraordinary than usual. For instance, instead of dreading my daily commute that adds up to be about an hour and a half, I’ll be thankful and appreciate the quality time I get on the phone with my mom. I’ll roll down the windows on the way home and catch that last little bit of Vitamin D before the sun goes down on the way home. I’ll eat my dessert before my dinner just because I can, play with Froggie—the sweetest most devoted dog in the world, kiss my hubby like it’s the last time, and the whole time I’ll be savoring in the sweet serendipity of my everyday life.

Nothing unusual, nothing special. Except for the fact that I took time to enjoy it, took time for my family and friends, a breath of fresh air, or even just to dance to my favorite song on the radio. Sometimes it is not your circumstances that change, but rather how you look at them…and I am choosing to be thankful for mine—as much as I can, and always.

Serendipity does not happen to me, it is something I choose when I choose to look at the little moments of each day as if they were more than just insignificant and monotonous minutes, and more like gifts to delight in. Not letting life pass me by because I’m “getting through it”, but truly living my life, always savoring the serendipity of it all.

Dear Marmie & Ryan

 Your wedding day was perfect, a beautiful affair,

Every detail was lovely and cannot be compared.

The flowers, the music, the moments of pure bliss,

The looks on your faces, no one could miss.

The lace on your dress, the look in your eyes,

Marmie you made such a beautiful Bride!

The love and devotion shown from your face,

The first time Ryan saw you, it took his breath away.

The vows that you made, to have and to hold,

Will hold true forever, no matter what the future unfolds.

August 6, 2011 will always be a special day for you,

And may you remember forever the promises you hold true.

Skinny margaritas and Mint Julips, too,

A night from Kentucky—it was so you!

Dancing, celebrating, and posing for the photo booth,

It was a fabulous time for all—this is the truth!

The love that you share,

Was such an unforgettable sight to see.

And everyone who was there,

Was so happy to witness the beginning of your journey.

A life full of love,

And adventures untold,

Moments of tears, but of laughter tenfold.

With your best friend by your side,

And your future ahead,

Dear Marmie and Ryan:

There is just one thing that is left unsaid.

Congratulations, Dear Friends, on beginning this chapter,

May your life be full of love, and a whole lot of laughter.

Today is the first day of forever together,

May each day, each moment you share, only get better.