Memory Monday ~ Fake Commercials

"If I could reach higher, just for one moment touch the sky..."

(Back in the day, there was a commercial  for the Olympics with this Gloria Estefan hit playing in the background to shots of the athletes giving it their all in several different sports.) 

Me, Rach, and my cousins, Ashley and Amber got together and decided to make several music videos and fake commercials... we dressed up in many ridiculously matchy ensembles and got out our video camera... we dressed and posed for the Point of Grace CD cover picture... did a few Point of Grace music videos, several "synchronized swimming routines," a Neosporin commercial that we found especially hilarious, and the classic that I remember most was our take on this inspiring Olympic commercial... when Ashley got on our stationary bike and pedaled passionately while we played this song in the background... epic!! :)

(Pic is Amber and Ashley at our house for Christmas.)  

(Pic of a bulletin board pic of us decked out in sunflowers about to make a Point of Grace music video! lol)

Day 28

A picture that can always make you smile...

Although I don't care much for New York City, this is one of my all-time favorite pictures...

I LOVED walking through Central Park, the only peaceful part of NYC, and especially enjoyed stopping at this beautiful bridge (pictures that include water and bridges have always appealed to me)!  I also love that this was toward the end of December, so the trees show the happy Fall/Winter transition.  I love that it's me and my best friend in the world, Malo-riah (before she became deathly ill), that we're all cute and wintery and I'm wearing my bright red gloves, and that it's not close-up enough for us to get critical of how we look or overanalyze that.  And finally, I love that Chet Lee was willing to run a long way down the road just to take this shot for us... worrrrrth it!  lol  It's currently my screensaver. =)

(Just for the record, there are several pictures through the years that could easily fit into this category... this was just the first that came to mind.)

P.S.  I've loved this whole photo contest - blog 'projects' are fun - I'm a bit sad it's over now!  Granted, I wrote most of it during the two weeks I was at home during the blizzard, but it's been a good distraction, especially through this month.  Anyway, back to work now...

Day 27

A picture of someone you miss...

Let me start by saying my life today is better than ever before when it comes to solid, "iron sharpens iron"-style friendships!  I have learned from the past, and am very thankful for the close friends and healthy boundaries I have now, and I sincerely have no desire to go back in time or change things...

But yes, several people come to mind from time to time - people that I still care about and may see occasionally, yet the closeness has faded and new relationships have formed... but when I think of them now, it makes me happy... and I remember our good times, the funny moments, the long talks, how they shaped my life, etc.  And for reasons unique to each person, I miss the heart of the friendship.  I could go into much more detail here and do favorite memories and quotes for everyone, but I'll spare you the specifics. ;)

Here goes...

Natalie (Gruenberg) Haggard... and Mark! :)

Jennifer Diane Womble!

Megan Elizabeth Smith!

Sarah Heiskell!

"Changie" Classen (who just welcomed their first baby girl, Charis!) =)

Joshua Michael Martin!

Sarah "Lee" Bliss Snyder!

Wesley Blake Hill!

And last, but never least, Holly Dei Wesselhoft! =)

Sooo many memories...  in thinking through this, it's awesome to see how God directed my steps

and that I really do love my life and friendships, past and present...

and knowing God, the future is sure to be even better!! =D

Day 26

A picture of something you're afraid of...

I do realize he almost looks cute here, but one of these little guys put my sister and I out of our home for a night a few years back! lol  Seriously, we packed up and headed to the Midwest City AmeriSuites when Dad couldn't find the mouse that had been crawling around in our house.  And it turned out to be a fun random hotel stay! :)

So yes, I have an irrational fear of mice... and wasps.  Probably 95% of all insects.  And pretty much everything about the thought of living in the country. :)

Day 25

A picture of yourself and a family member...

Well, this day was way too easy. Here's me and my favorite aunt, "JoBug," at the OKC Race for the Cure last October.  Hooray for 5k races!! :)

Day 24

A picture of something that means a lot to you...

Strange as it will sound, this picture itself means a lot to me...

It reminds me of the moment three years ago when God clearly spoke to me, something that was a fork-in-the-road turning point for me.  And I guess it symbolizes surrender... "letting go" of the toxic bitterness and lies I had been clinging to for so long, and really asking God to destroy them (Full post HERE) ...I still vividly remember the final scene in that movie, and this picture always reminds me of that seemingly insignificant moment, just hanging out in Tara and Kristin's living room, when I was so certain I'd heard from God that it gave me chills.

"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach... I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life."  ~Deuteronomy 30:11,19-20

"Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  ~John 8:31,32

Thankful Thursday... (20)

"This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it...  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever."  ~Psalm 118:24,29

Today, I am thankful for...

1. New friendships!  (Pic is April and Emily at Midnight Rodeo)

2. "Old" friendships... well, I'll go with strong friendships.  (Me and K-Lamb before our prayer group a few years back)

3. Sunshine... and sunrises and sunsets, but mostly just middle-of-the-day sunshine!  (See yesterday's post.)
4. That God knows my heart.  That He is faithful to His promises.

5. MAC "lipglass" ~ still my favorite brand even though they discontinued my favorite shade.

6. Proverbs 28.  (Again, see yesterday's post for that picture.)
7. My car... and for Hibdon Tires repairing my bent rim so quickly!

And my song of the week = Miami by Will Smith! 

Random, but I heard it recently and it made me happy. :)  And yes, I still know every word. lol

Day 23

A picture of your day...

This promises to be fascinating material. ;)

First thing I love to do every morning is open all my windows... and when I'm in a good mood, I sing "Let the sunshine... let the sunshine in," at least in my head - but sometimes out loud. :)  Not a nature girl, but I love the sunlight and how bright my house feels in the morning. =)

Next, I shower, get dressed, and do my hair and makeup... beautification is a serious process. lol

Then I have breakfast (usually cereal - today it's Golden Grahams - yum), and pray and read a chapter or two... lately, I'm into Psalms and Proverbs.  (After that, I watch Frasier, if I've gotten up early enough that there's still time left.)

On my way out of my house, I say goodbye to the cute puppies... (and yes, that really happens most mornings - someday I'll have a real dog, just not yet.) :)

Then I head to work, where I spend most days (today included) in my quiet but happy little office, scoping cases, then proofreading and filing them, and answering phones when needed.  What I love about this is that my spa gift card is sitting beside the phone, which I didn't notice as I took the picture. =)

 Here's me with my headphones on, as I am most of the day when I'm in scoping mode...

Just for fun, here's a pic of my machine, which I typically only have to use 2 to 3 days a week, and my awkward setup in front of the bench (at least until they remodel our courtroom).

When I want a break -- because it's hard to buckle down and focus for two solid hours ;) then I either email friends, blog, or read -- these monthly letters from John Eldredge are one of few things I look forward to seeing in the mail, so when I got it this morning, I decided to post it. :)

Every once in a while, I bring my lunch, but I typically will go home and have lunch with Joyce. :)

Then back to work for a few more hours... after work today, I'll either jog LaFortune with Laura or jog on my treadmill and catch up on American Idol.  Nothing else planned tonight, so I'll laze around and watch more TV, make spaghetti for dinner, probably talk to Malori, do some laundry, and attempt to go to bed early.  So there you have it -- my day, February 23, 2011. =)

Day 22

A picture of something you wish you could change...

I often wish that I could change things for my cousin, Blake, and allow him to fully smile again.  It would be more accurate to say I wish God would change this, because I'm clearly incapable of performing miracles.  (Blake is 24, and he has facial paralysis and loss of hearing on the right side due to the removal of brain tumors four years ago.  This picture was taken the day he returned home from his first of many surgeries.)  I know God loves him and that there is a purpose behind all of this and good can come out of it.  And although it's medically impossible, I know God is still fully capable of healing him, so prayer and trusting God's heart is the plan.

On that note, please pray for Blake if you happen to read this... for restored health, and especially for wholeness and JOY in Christ! 

Memory Monday ~ Turning 27

I may have slept longer than ever before today...  8pm last night to 10:00 this morning, then back to sleep from 11-noon, when I got up because I had an appointment at Hibdon Tires.  I feel refreshed, though, so hooray for that!  And my car will be good as new tomorrow. 

Anyway, today's "memory" is my 27th birthday just a few days back... dinner at Los Cabos followed by cake and ice cream at my house!  =)  I'll especially remember Kevin and "Dentist-Neil" being hilarious... Neil saying, "they BUILD clothes!" to justify that he watches Project Runway... Malori driving down from OKC for the night and relaying a meaningful message from her mom... good talks with Bobbi and Kristin, then Malori and Kristin... the awesome tiny sopapillas at Los Cabos... and Jeff's card, which read, "Have a great B-day!  See you in Vegas!!"  (So excited for that, especially now that we have the "MossMan Guarantee!" lol)

Chet Lee and I pointing out that I am now 27! :)

Kevin, me, Malori, and Chet at the Riverwalk outside Los Cabos!

My CG girls, Amanda and Anna!!

Repeat of our posed candid shot from 2 years ago... love it!

Laura proving that she means business in her Biggest Loser competition! :)

Me, Bobbi, and K-Lamb -- two of my favorite girls, and the original Diving Deeper co-leaders!  :)

Day 21

A picture of your favorite book...

"'Above all else, guard your heart' (Prov. 4:23)... It says guard your heart because it is the wellspring of your life, because it is a treasure, because everything else depends on it. How kind of God to give us this warning, like someone's entrusting to a friend something precious to him, with the words: 'Be careful with this -- it means a lot to me.'

To find God, you must look with all your heart. To remain present to God, you must remain present to your heart. To hear his voice, you must listen with all your heart. To love him, you must love with all your heart.  You cannot be the person God meant you to be, and you cannot live the life he meant you to live, unless you live from the heart."  ~John Eldredge

Day 20

A picture of something you wish you were better at...

I took piano lessons for around four years and learned to play pretty well.  But sadly, I quit playing other than once a year at Christmas, and my parents sold their baby grand a few years back when they moved.  Lately, this is something I've thought about and wish I were better at, and a hobby I might enjoy trying again soon! :)