The short answer is "No". Many people and organizations are still working to help those in Haiti who have lost everything.

But as a nation, in our 9-5, Monday-Friday traditions, have we "moved on" and forgotten?

I know I haven't. I keep an ear to the ground and listen out for reports on what is happening in Haiti. I'm curious and concerned all at the same time. And just when I thought that the last survivor had been found and the search & rescue called off, I read this article from CNN.

Another life found. Another person saved. Amen.

If you were this man, what would you be thinking? You know, once the cloudiness clears and you understand what has happened. Would this be the moment that you finally believe there is a bigger meaning to life? Would this be the time that you turn your eyes to the sky and say, "thank you" and "what now?" Who or what would you credit your life to?

I happen to believe that everything happens and doesn't happen for a reason. I believe that there is a bigger plan for each and every person on this earth beyond punching the clock or changing out the laundry. This man's story is encouraging and inspiring on so many levels.

What do you think?

Has The World Moved On From Haiti?

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In less than a month, I will turn 30.  Ugh! 

I’m not saying “Ugh” about my age. Nerp. I’m saying “Ugh” about the other part of turning 30.

What’s the other part? Oh, well, that’s an easy answer that may not be so easy to answer. lol

Where to start? Well, last year I talked about how badly I wanted a birthday party…a REAL birthday party to celebrate leaving my 20-somethings behind. I haven’t had a birthday party since I turned 16 and…if you were there…you may remember how, um, eventful it was. (please don’t ask. I may be disowned if I disclose the events of that party here. And NO, it’s not a story about ME.)

So…since my 16th birthday, I’ve called together “girl’s night out” events to get people together AND (as you can imagine) I’ve shared my birthday over and over and over again with the family Christmas party. I LOVE Christmas parties but having to hit the Pause button so I can blow out the candles…with another family member… is not quite as special as having your own party. Am I right?

Hmm…maybe I’m sounding really selfish right now. I hope not. Birthdays are a big deal to me. I LOVE celebrating and getting gifts. Not to mention, I LOVE cake. (Cheesecake is my favorite if you’re curious. *wink wink*)

So, anywho, I found out in March that I was expecting a baby and I knew right then that birthday party plans would be squashed since I would have a 2 month old baby to care for. I put it on the back burner and didn’t think about it again until recently.  Now that I’ve had a chance to really think about it, I’m grateful for my daughter (of course) but I’m sad that I’ll be staying in for my birthday and having another combo party. 

Maybe next year??

Well, there you have it. My explanation for why I’m saying “Thirty, Shmirty” this year and hoping to at least be able to rent a chick flick and have a cheesecake to myself to begin a new chapter in life.

I hope I didn’t depress anyone. lol

Thirty, Shmirty

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This week’s verse is Psalm 103: 8 & 9

The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
      slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us,
      nor remain angry forever.

The common mistake we can make (even I make at times) when thinking about God is to humanize Him. Since He is someone or something that is far beyond our grasp of fully understanding, it’s easy to assume that He operates somewhat close to how we do.

Here’s what I love about the verse for this week; it clearly shows God in His true form. It’s comforting to know and understand that while I may not be “good enough” as a person, God doesn’t hold my mistakes over my head just waiting for His revenge. He never has and He never will.

Let’s break this verse down:

“The Lord is compassionate and merciful…”

Though I try to be this way, I always come up short. As an imperfect person, there is no way I can be considered to be “compassionate and merciful” all the time. It’s literally impossible.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that there is a God who IS compassionate and merciful every second of every day, no matter what? It’s quite unbelievable, yes, but it IS true.

“…slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love”

Here’s another truth that is hard to understand or even accept. God is PATIENT with us (slow to get angry) and His love NEVER fails. Now, if you’re anything like me, your love can and will fail. There are so many times that I have hurt someone and whether or not it was intentional, my love failed. God’s love will NEVER fail. He’ll never hurt my feelings or give up on me. He will ALWAYS love…that’s just amazing.

And patience? Don’t get me started on patience. There are days I have precious little patience for anyone or anything. There are days when it feels good to “snap” at someone else just because I’m in a bad mood. God is SLOOOOOOOOOOOW to get angry with me when I mess up over and over.  He doesn’t “snap” at me nor is He quick-tempered…and boy, do I deserve it sometimes.

“He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.”

I’ve been guilty many, many times for jumping to conclusions about others. I see one action or hear one thing that they’ve said and I draw my own conclusions in my head as to what they really meant. How incredibly unfair of me. Still, it happens more often than I wish it did. God doesn’t react this way to me or you. He’s not up in heaven looking down just waiting to give us a “V8” for an unfair conclusion He’s made up based on our words or actions.

Finally, He does not “remain angry forever”. God doesn’t know how to hold a grudge or harbor resentment against us.  I’m not sure I’ll ever understand this but it’s great to know and store away in my heart. I struggle, personally, to fully let things go even if I’ve chosen to forgive someone who has hurt me.  There were even a few people who I’ve said “I will never forgive them” about. 

Because God PURELY loves us, He doesn’t treat us like we treat each other. There is no reason for Him to get even when we mess up. He just wants to love us and help us through our hard times without losing his cool when we don’t get it right the first time. 

In fact, He not only loves us but He forgives us if we sincerely ask Him to. Once He forgives us, He forgets our mistakes, and wants to help us to move on past our mistakes.

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House Blend #2

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I’ve decided to share a scripture every week and some of my own, personal thoughts to go with it. I hope you enjoy it!

Hebrews 11:1 (New Living Translation) says:

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually
happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

Faith is such an important thing to have as a person. If you don’t have faith in any one thing, what is your life’s purpose?

Hebrews 11:1 perfectly defines what the word “faith” means. For some people, faith is placed in individuals. Others spend their faith on the stock market or even their career.

Your faith and where it’s placed is what defines you as a person. So, take this week and ponder this…

Where do you place your faith?

 

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House Blend #1

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Let's talk about getting older.

(I can hear all of those groans you're making)

Seriously. Can we talk about it? Because it's happening to ME. Yes, ME, MYSELF, and I have a birthday coming up. 

Oh, man.

Why, oh, why do I dread this approaching day?   Well, It's because I'm entering my last "20 something" year. That's right. I'm turning 29.   Gross.

I know, I know...I'm only turning 29...that's what you're going to say, right? Well, it's kind of a big deal for me. Not to mention, I put undue pressure on myself to have another child before I turn 30...and the day or a week before doesn't count. 

It's just a "thing" with me. (We all have our little quirks, don't we?) My "thing", since I was a young girl, was to marry a guy with 5 letters to his last name (my maiden name has 11) and to have 2 kids before I was 30. Well, I lucked out and found the guy with 5 letters to his last name. Don't I have to fulfill the second part of my goal, now?

Sheesh.

I'm so thankful to have my tradition of shopping with my mom for my birthday. I think this year it's going to be therapy for me. Well, therapy on a budget, that is. I can't go crazy and by a Prada bag just because I'm in denial about getting older. That's why I'm buying Coach instead.  (lol...I think my hubster's heart will stop when he reads that. It's a joke, dear.)

Anyway, I'm sure I'll have a new, annoying creak in my joints to share with you come Sunday (the b-day). 

Until then, I'll be shopping and eating like crazy. :) 

Another year...Younger

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