Mommy Dearest....

Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays because it is also my mother's birthday and we celebrate BIG!

Happy Birthday Mommy Dearest...and in honor of you I've cleaned out all the wire hangers!  ;)

*In all seriousness, I adore my mother and love her very, very much!  We only joke about me writing the sequel to the original "Mommy Dearest"....

Survey Says....

Where is your cell phone? On the kitchen table

Your hair? Thick

Your mother? Crazy

Your father? Intelligent

Your favorite food? Mexican

Your dream last night? Naughty

Your favorite drink? Chai Latte from Coffee Zone...it's the BEST!

Your dream/goal? I would love to sing on Broadway!

What room are you in? The kitchen

Your hobby? Shopping...it's more of an addiction

Your Fear? Spiders, Death, Failure

Where do you want to be in 6 years? I want to be at the top of my sales team, bringing in the largest print revenue!

Where were you last night? Who wants to know?  ;)

Something that you aren’t? I am NOT messy

Muffins? Poppy Seed, HOWEVER...I much prefer an apple cinnamon scone from Coffee Zone!

Wish list item? Kitchen Aid Bowl Mixer (Pink)

Where did you grow up? Jefferson City...born, raised and still here...

Last thing you did? Ate my husbands homemade beef stew!  Yummo!

What are you wearing? I have not changed out of my work clothes yet...

Your TV? Is always on...."Hannah Montana" or "I Carly"

Your pets? Louie

Friends? Dear to me...

Your life? Would make a GREAT book.

Your mood? At the moment I'm feeling a bit sour...

Missing someone? I miss my grandma, terribly

Vehicle? Trail Blazer

Something you’re not wearing? Underwear...I rarely do, it goes back to high school, but don't ask.

Your favorite store? TARGET! 

Your favorite color? Pink

When was the last time you laughed? I "giggle" all the time!

Last time you cried? Earlier this afternoon...around 3 pm.

Your best friend? 15 years and going strong.... LOVE my Amy!

One place that I go to over and over? Brown Printing (duh!)

One person who emails me regularly? Ummm,  I text  ;)

Favorite place to eat? HuHot in Columbia, MO or El Jimador!

His Choice...

My thirteen year old son, Hayden made a choice today. 

He made the choice to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. 

He made the choice all on his own...in fact, a few weeks ago he approached Mark (hottie husband, and Hayden's step-dad) to let Mark know of the choice he had made. 

I have to say that I am a very proud mother! 

At the end of each sermon at our church, Pastor Mark invites anyone who has made the decision to accept Christ into their hearts to come forward and profess their decision.  This morning, as the congregation stood in prayer and song, Hayden looked over at Mark and me (he sits with the teens during church) and motioned that he was going forward.  I walked up front with Hayden.  He shared with Pastor Mark his decision and we prayed together.  It took everything in me to not do the ugly cry, you know the one...uncontrollable emotions.  I am SO proud of my first born baby boy.  He, who at the age of thirteen has figured out on his own that he needs the love of Jesus to carry on.  He, who at the age of thirteen understands that Jesus died on the Cross for him.  Hayden understands what it is to be forgiven, to receive mercy and grace, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 

God Speaking...

I heard this song on Thursday for the first time.  It is on a CD that I purchased from the Christian book store.  The song is sung by Mandisa and when I heard it for the first time, I pulled over in my car and cried.  It is quite possibly the most beautiful song I have ever heard it and speaks to my heart.  I'm thinking that I want to sing it at my church...

When you have time to have peace and quiet, I ask that you listen to this song.  Really focus on the words...and while you are listening, wrap yourself in Gods love.

All Things Michael Jackson...

My youngest son (he's eight) didn't even know who Michael Jackson was until MJ passed away a few months ago.  Now, with all the talk shows, newscasts, soon-to-be-released movies and books on MJ, my son has become obsessed.  He asked that I download MJ's music and burn it to a CD, which he now listens to in the car, in his room, on an IPod Nano....

He knows the words AND the dance moves to MJ's "ABC" and "Thriller". 

Last week while at Walmart he begged me to buy a MJ poster for his room.  I did. 

Then yesterday, I took my youngest son to Target to pick out a $25 "treat" because his first quarter grade card reflected all "A's" and his parent/teacher conference couldn't have gone any better! 

At first, we had this in the cart...

But as we turned the corner he spotted something else.  Something he felt he MUST have and he was willing to sacrifice the Bakugan Battle Starter Kit that he has been dreaming about for months...

Are you ready to see what he just couldn't live without?  You may want to take a seat...

I had one thought going through  my head..."the kid is not my son..."  :) 

See, It's NOT All About Me...

It's about Hottie Husband too...

(I got this idea from a fellow blogger, thanks Terri!  Now I seem less selfish)!  ;)

1.  Hottie Husbands real name is Mark.  Come on, you didn't really believe his name is "hottie" did you?

2.  Mark has an uncle Mark that he was named after.  Although they share the same first and last name...they DO not share anything else in common.  If you know who Mark's uncle Mark is, then you fully understand that statement.

3.  Mark is a year younger than I.  I robbed the cradle.

4.  Mark is a graduate of Lincoln University with a degree in Criminal Justice. 

5.  When Mark and I met he was the General Manager of the Capital 4 Theatres.  This is where my "free" movies began.

6.  Mark is in the National Guard.  He is adamant about serving his country.  The National Guard is extremely important to him and he takes it very seriously. 

7.  I get weak in the knees for a man in uniform...therefore I think the National Guard "looks" hot on Mark!  Oops...that was about me...

8.  Mark is 6'4"

9.  Mark is EXTREMELY intelligent.  I mean seriously people...he knows EVERYTHING.

10.  Mark is very strong in his Faith and has an incredible relationship with Jesus Christ. 

11.  Mark is not afraid to cry.  It is one of the many things I love about him.

12.  Mark is really witty and very funny.

13.  Mark is somewhat shy...he tends to stay quiet most of the time.  That may be because he can't get a word in edgewise with me around!  ;)

14.  Mark knows how to fix anything.  Electrical, cars, remodeling, plumbing, gadgets...you name it, he can fix it.

15.  Mark reads ALL the time.  He has read more books than anyone I know.  Maybe that is why he knows EVERYTHING!

16.  Mark is an investigator for the State of Missouri. 

17.  Mark is extremely loyal, trustworthy and honest.  It truly is admirable. 

18.  Mark is the most patient and loving father.  He adores our boys!

19.  Mark is an awesome cook!  He also does laundry and irons all of my clothes!

20.  Mark is the middle child of three.  He has an older sister and a younger sister. 

The list could go on and on...but then we would be getting into things like:  Mark snores, Mark takes too long in the bathroom (and I'm not talking about primping), Mark doesn't understand my shoe obsession....

I love my Mark.  And if I had to do it all over again...I would have picked him the first time!  ;)

The Great Giveaway....

Recently our church began what is called "The Great Giveaway."  The idea is to love others as Christ has loved us....a "pay it forward" theory.

We have cards that we can pass along with each "love" deed we accomplish...

The back of each card says, "You've just been loved" and at the bottom it reads, "Love each other, as I have loved you -Jesus"
 
I picked up five cards, as I would like to "love" five different people.  I didn't know who those people would be when I picked up the five cards, and I still don't know who I will "love."  But I only have four cards left...
 
Yesterday presented my first "Great Giveaway" opportunity.  Allow me to share...
 
I am a printing consultant for a local printing company.  I sell printing.  One of my clients out of Columbia is a marketing agency and they created and had printed a project for a client of theirs that lives here in Jefferson City.  When we finished printing the job it needed to be delivered quickly and our delivery driver was out, so I placed the box of printing in my car and grabbed the address to make the delivery myself. 
 
The business is a home based business.  As I entered the residential neighborhood I thought to myself, "my friend from high school lived in this neighborhood."  I glanced at the address on the paper beside me and began searching for the numbers on the houses.  I was coming up on my high school friend's home and when I saw the house numbers above the door I couldn't believe it!  I was delivering a project to my high school friends home where her mom and dad still live!  They own the home based business!
 
I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell.  My friends mother answered the door.  She recognized me right away!  She invited me inside and we exchanged hugs and I explained to her that I work for the printing company that printed her project!  My friends father came into the room and immediately remembered me.  Soon I was looking at pictures of my high school friends new family and her home in another state.  Her parents shared with me her adventures in opening her own business and sorrows of an unexpected life change.  We visited for quite a while.  It was so good to catch up on my long lost friend from so many years ago. 
 
As her mother walked me to the door, she asked me about my family and I shared with her my father's illness, my sister's accident, my on going health issues and I finished by saying, "but life is great and God is good."  She looked at me, with tears in her eyes and said, "our family has endured so much over the past two years.  I sometimes wonder how we will continue..."  I replied, "you know, life has been tough for my family as well, but I also made a tremendous life change this past year...I accepted Jesus into my heart and I am in the process of developing a relationship with Him."  She was quiet, hanging her head low and she whispered, "I don't know if I believe in God.  I can't understand why these things happen if there is a God."  "Read your Bible...ask God yourself.  Find the answers in His Word," I answered.  "I don't even have a Bible," she admitted. 
 
I hugged my friends mother and said my goodbyes.  I thanked her for catching me up in my friends life and asked that she pass along a "hello."  I climbed into my car, buckled my seat belt and backed out of the driveway.  As I was pulling out of the neighborhood it suddenly occurred to me what I needed to do.  I drove to the local Christian book store and bought a Bible.  I wrapped it in tissue paper and placed it in a gift bag.  I took a "Great Giveaway" card from my own Bible and placed it in the bag with the newly bought Bible.  I drove back to the neighborhood I had just come from and I pulled into the driveway of my high school friends home.  I walked up to the front porch and placed the bag in front of the door and I turned around and walked back to my car. 

I had shown love to this woman, as Jesus has shown love to me.

I believe that God determines who walks into your life.  I also believe that God has a plan, I know he does.  God brings people to us when we need them the most.  They are people that can make a difference in our lives.  People that can encourage us, teach us, love us when we need to be loved.  I truly believe that...in fact, I've experienced it. 

Psalm 28:7

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song."

 
 Who have you loved recently?

Silence Is Golden...

Tomorrow morning hottie husband will leave on a business trip, not returning until late Saturday evening.

I don't mind that he is leaving, we are in mid-fight and I find it a lot easier to give hottie husband the silent treatment when he's not near me, provoking conversation.

Because I'm chatty.


*As a side note, do not ask me what we are fighting about...because I'm in the wrong. (But don't tell hottie husband I just admitted that).

High Blood Sugars And A Peanut Buster Parfait...

Let's begin with a list of my medical conditions/history...

I have metal wires and screws that hold my jaw together from a surgery I had in 1991.

In 2001 I was diagnosed with skin cancer and had it removed.

In 2002 I had major back surgery and now hold 4 metal rods, 10 screws and a plastic vertebra in my lower lumbar.

Also in 2002 I had another skin cancer spot removed in the same area as the first.

In 2004 the skin cancer reappeared, still in the same area.  It was removed and I did radiation.

In 2005 I did another round of radiation because the skin cancer returned, for the fourth time in the same area.  This time the radiation left a hideous scar.

In 2006 I had surgery on both of my eyes to correct my lazy eye.

In 2008 I had a hysterectomy (removal of my uterus) due to several cysts that would not go away.

In late 2008 I had a seizure while out with some friends and was later diagnosed with Epilepsy, which is extremely rare at the age of 34.

This year my doctor discovered an area on the inside of my right thigh riddled with skin cancer, this time in the form of tiny tumors.  I did radiation after having it removed.

Also this year I was told I am going through menopause, most likely from having my uterus removed.

AND TODAY...

Today I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes!

So, to wrap things up...

I am a diabetic, epileptic, bionic woman (metal in my jaw and back), cancer ridden, no uterus, menopausal woman who probably should have a depressant prescribed to help with the depression that I am sure is to follow!

How did I celebrate my new found medical issue?

Like this...

Pure Genius, For Your Entertainment Pleasure...

The Fear of Not Mattering...

We have the most AWESOME pastor at our church! As a matter of fact, he is a HUGE part of why hottie hubby and I chose to join Memorial Baptist Church.  Pastor Mark is one of those people that you instantly adore...he's funny, witty, intelligent and he's YOUNG...meaning that he's hip!  ;)

Pastor Mark always has stories that speak to my heart, and this past Sunday was no exception.  Our church is in the beginning chapters of a new study by Max Lucado called "Fearless."  (It is an amazing book, if you haven't read it I would highly recommend it!)  Sunday's sermon covered chapter two of the book, "The Fear of Not Mattering."  Here is a small piece from the chapter:

"Ah, there it is.  There is the question.  The Amazon River out of which a thousand fears flow: do we matter?  We fear we don't.  We fear nothingness, insignificance.  We fear evaporation.  We fear that in the last tabulation we make no contribution to the final sum.  We fear coming and going and no one knowing."

Towards the end of Pastor Mark's sermon he told us a story.  It is a story that I have told over and over in my head because it truly touched my heart.  It is a story that I want to share with you because maybe it will touch you in the same way it touched me. 

The story goes like this...

****

On an evening not any different from most, a competitive swimmer walked into the gym and headed towards the indoor pool.  Outside the only light that shone was the light of the moon and the stars.  Inside, the gym was dark and quiet.  The young swimmer walked into the pool room without switching on any lights.  He wanted to swim in the dark.  He wanted to be alone with his thoughts.  You see, this young competitive swimmer had been an atheist.  He didn't believe in God. He had no reason to believe.  Lately he had been having second thoughts, but nothing to really verify that God truly is real.  Nothing to prove to him that God had been by his side even when this young man didn't believe...

Slowly the young man climbed the ladder to the high dive.  30 feet above ground, the young man walked to the edge of the platform in the dark.  He was alone with his thoughts.  He had reached the end of the platform and turned to face the wall.  Ready to dismount he closed his eyes and raised his arms perpendicular to his body.  He took a deep breath in and slowly he opened his eyes and was stunned at the sight on the wall.  Behind him a window let in the light of the moon and the young man's shadow was displayed on the wall.  His body had made a Cross with his arms outstretched.  He was consumed with the Spirit and he dropped to his knees at the edge of the diving board.  He cried and out loud he asked for forgiveness.  He cried to Jesus and asked Him to come into his heart. 

Overjoyed at his new found Faith, the young man stood once again at the edge of the platform, facing the wall and stretched his arms out once again, ready to dive below.  Just then, the janitor walked into the room and flipped on the light...startled the young man turned to see who was below and he realized that the pool had been drained to be cleaned....

****

Did the hairs on the back of your neck stand up?  Mine did when I first heard that story.  You see, we do matter.  It isn't a coincidence that our bodies, arms outstretched, create the shape of the Cross.  The Cross is the symbol of the triumph of good. By His sufferings on the Cross our Lord Jesus Christ washed away the sins of mankind, conquered the devil, abolished death and opened the way to eternal life for man. The Cross bears witness to God’s infinite love for sinful mankind. But the Cross is much more than a symbol; it possesses spiritual power.

Here is another piece from the chapter...

"Why does he love you so much?  The same reason the artist loves his paintings or the boat builder loves his vessels.  You are His idea.  And God has only good ideas.  'For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago' (Eph. 2:10)"

Go out and pick up a copy of "Fearless" by Max Lucado...I promise you, you will love it!

Just Another Reason To Put Off The Diet Another Day...

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles....OMG!

Prep time: 30 min | Makes 30 truffles


Ingredients:
1/2 cup white chocolate chunks, wafers or chips
2 cups white and/or milk chocolate chunks, wafers or chips
1/3 cup gingersnap cookie crumbs, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 ounces cream cheese, softened

The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest (shavings from the skin of an orange). You can use a zester or the smallest part of your grater and scrape the outside of the orange. Do not go too deep, you only want the orange skin, not the white layer underneath.

In a large bowl add the pumpkin, softened cream cheese and orange zest...

Melt 1/2 cup white chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat or in a small bowl in the microwave as instructed on the package and add to the pumpkin mixture.

In a small bowl mix the gingersnap crumbs, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add to the pumpkin mixture and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.

Cover and chill until solid enough to roll into balls, about 2 hours.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop 1 teaspoon pumpkin mixture at a time and roll into balls. Set them on one of the baking sheets. It seems like there is not much filling in the bowl but don't make the balls too big, a little bit goes a long way when you eat them. (I used a melon ball scoop to size mine and it worked great).

Set some gingersnap crumbs nearby to sprinkle on top.

Melt the remaining chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, transfer to a small, deep bowl. Drop one pumpkin ball into the chocolate at a time, gently spoon chocolate over to coat. Using a small spoon or fork, lift the truffle out of the chocolate, let any excess drip off and transfer to the other baking sheet. Sprinkle a few crumbs on top. Once finished, chill truffles until chocolate is completely set, about one hour.

Mmmmmmmmm.....Sooooooooooooo DE-LI-CIOUS!!!

American Girl Gone Wrong...

Are you familiar with the American Girl dolls? 

No? 

Allow me to introduce you...

Meet Addy...Her story begins as Addy and her mother escape slavery to find Addy's father and brother who've been sold.  But escaping means leaving Addy's baby sister behind, her cries could cost them their lives.  Once Addy declares her freedom, will she be able to reunite with her family?

Say hello to Felicity & Elizabeth...As a girl growing up during a revolutionary time, Felicity believes the American colonies should be free. Others think a king who lives far away is most fit to rule—even Felicity’s grandfather and her best friend, Elizabeth. Feeling torn, Felicity must find a way to hold both love and loyalty in her heart.

Here is Josefina...As a New Mexican girl growing up in 1824, Josefina is trying to preserve what is precious after her mother’s passing. Josefina is overjoyed when her mother’s sister, Tía Dolores, comes to live on the family rancho, but worries about her new ideas. Can Josefina welcome change and still remember the old ways?

Julie & Ivy (my favorites)...Julie Albright is a fun-loving San Francisco girl who faces big changes—she’s moving away from her best friend, Ivy Ling, and starting over at a new house and school. But soon enough, Julie learns how to create a few changes of her own.

Do you get the idea?  American Girl dolls are a line of dolls, books, and accessories based on pre-teen girl characters that originally focused on various periods of American history from the viewpoint of girls.  Now American Girl dolls come in "Girl of the Year" dolls, "Just Like You" dolls (dolls that are created to look like you), "Bitty Baby" dolls and so on....

Each doll is an investment of anywhere between $95 to $150.  Accessories are sold separately and there are also books, DVD's, furniture, ect. for each individual doll. 

I have three younger sisters...all three of them have several dolls of their own (the dolls were not created until I was well out of the doll playing age).  Most of the little girls that have American Girl dolls are allowed to play with them, dress them, style the dolls hair....not my sister's.  No, no, no....these dolls were purchased by my mother and father as "collector" items.  Each doll sits high on a shelf, untouched, like new. 

Personally, if I had a daughter of my own, I suppose I would buy these dolls as a collection as well.  I see nothing wrong with not allowing a young girl to play with a (minimum) $95 doll. 

I also think these dolls are really cool.  What a fantastic way to teach young girls history.  To engage little ones in the past lives of historical figures...an educational "toy" of sorts.  LOVE that idea!

HOWEVER....

Recently, American Girl released a new doll....

Meet Gwen...Gwen is a homeless girl and is meant to teach girls about the realities of homeless people in the U.S.

Hmmmm....I'm not sure that a young girl whose parents can shell out a minimum of $95 for a doll is going to learn too much about what it means to be homeless.  I'm just saying.

But this...this I found HI-LARIOUS....read the below comment from a mother that posted on the American Girl website after purchasing the Gwen doll for her daughter...

"I was rather disappointed by the lack of items for Gwen though. I expected some outfits and a real book for her." 

Ummm....yeah....well....that's because she's HOMELESS lady!

But wait....mother goes on to say....

"So if you are looking for a doll with a lot of accessories and a better story, I would recommend the Chrissa doll.  She comes with a lot more stuff."

Yep...I'm glad to know that there is one mother out there that is teaching her daughter what's important. 

"Angel Of Harlem"....or Manhattan...

I have climbed the highest mountain...

I have run through the fields...

 I have run...

I have crawled...

I have scaled these city walls...

And then I made reservations at Four Seasons restaurant in New York City to entertain a client at lunch.  After an hour into the lunch I looked a couple of tables down from ours and I went into a trance.  Unable to shift my eyes away, I calmly and quietly said to my boss...

"I know this is going to sound crazy...but that guy at that table right there looks like Bono from U2..."

My boss had a "you-are-right-you-are-crazy-there-is-no-way-Bono-from-U2-is-sitting-a-couple-of-tables-away-from-us" grin on his face as our client leaned over and very nonchalantly  said...

"That's because it IS Bono."

That was it.  I have no recollection of the business conversation after that...

Did I get a picture, an autograph, you may ask?  It wasn't that kind of restaurant...I would have been thrown out. 

When has that ever stopped me before, you may ask?  When the client has the potential to put me over my sales budget for the year. 

Upon walking out of the restaurant, having parted with the client I looked at my boss....adrenaline surging through my body, my heart pumping at speeds that could have been harmful...

"OMG Greg....WE JUST SAT A FEW FEET AWAY FROM BONO!!!!!!!!!  HOW CAN YOU NOT BE FLIPPING OUT?  HOW CAN YOU NOT BE CRAPPING YOUR PANTS?!?!?!"

To which my boss replied,

"I am crapping my pants....at the bill."

Some people have their priorities all wrong.

Time To Put On My Big Girl Panties...

I leave tomorrow for New York (I know, life is tough)...

This will be my fourth trip this year.  On my prior trips I was accompanied by either my boss and his wife or hottie husband. 

Tomorrow will be different...

Tomorrow I will board a plane alone.  No one will be there to hold my hand.  No one will be there to calm my fears of flying.

Earlier this evening I decided to use the intranet as a source of comfort...searching for ways to help me cope with my fear.  Here are a few things I found...

"Experts believe the deeper root of aerophobia–a fear of passively surrendering control (or handing over the reins of your life to an unknown pilot)–is to blame. We’ll show you ways to work through this anxiety, so that during your next flight, you’ll have much more than peanuts to enjoy." -Really??  You think that I have a problem with surrendering control??  And thanks for reminding me that it is completely up to another human being that I have never even seen on whether or not I will safely make it to New York City.  P.S. I don't even like peanuts. 

"Try to remember when your fear of flying began, and, if possible, what triggered it. Maybe you had a bad experience on a previous flight, or heard a frightening news account involving an airplane." -Gee, I wonder if it IS the fact that I've heard MANY "frightening news accounts involving an airplane" in less than six months, THREE of which were IN NEW YORK!  Or maybe it's the movie "Airplane" that gets me all worked up.

"Pilots. Don’t be shy about asking to speak to the pilot of your flight before you take your seat. Keep in mind that you may have only limited time to do this, so have two or three questions prepared beforehand." -two or three questions??  Limited time??  Excuse me, but I'm going to ask if I can sit in the cockpit because I have two or three pages of questions and I don't like to be limited on time.  And can I get a cherry flavored lollipop and a sticker that says, "I sat with the pilot"?

"Breathing.  Shut your eyes, breathe in deeply through your nose, and let your lungs fill with air. Hold the breath for 2 seconds and let it out slowly through your mouth. Remember to keep the breath steady, flowing in and out gently and easily." -This is difficult to do when you are holding a barf bag to your face.

"Visualize yourself on an airplane, and imagine the various noises and activities that can occur, such as turbulence, the engine during takeoff and landing, or the pilot announcing some trouble ahead. Practice your breathing routine, and let your mind get used to these situations." -Hello?!??!?? I don't need to practice breathing routines to visualize the plane going down and I certainly don't need to get "used to" these situations.  Is this supposed to make me feel better?  Who came up with this technique?

"Sedating yourself with pills, drinking alcohol to calm your nerves, or sitting in your seat thinking about nothing but your anxiety are all passive approaches to calming air travel anxiety–and can sometimes cause your fears to deepen." I happen to know that doing all three of the above things at one time DOES work.  :)

"So, what are you waiting for? There’s a big world out there to explore. Book a short flight on a reputable airline, flying between larger airports in cities experiencing good weather. Once you’ve had a few “practice” flights like these, and you’ve built up your confidence, the world will be at your fingertips." -Ummm...who has the money and the time to take "practice" flights???  And whoever you are, will you marry me?  ;)

For now I'm just going to put on my big girl panties and board the plane all by myself...

Idolatry....

Sunday's sermon was crucial for me and my walk with Christ.  The subject was idolatry and how idolatry is a sin.  I have never considered that it might be a sin, idolatry in this day in age is so effortless.  Honestly, the first thought to enter my head was the popular television show, "American Idol." 

Idolatry is defined as the worship of idols; the worship of images that are not God.

The definition seems heavy to me, I wouldn't say that I "worship" anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ.  But the idea of idolatry does make sense to me, and quite frankly I do believe that I am guilty of "idolizing" people. 

For example, I might idolize Oprah.  I have people in my life that I "idolize."  I have placed these people on a pedestal, raised them up high.  Guess what happens...I end up loosing confidence in myself, thinking that I can never truly be a Christian because I will never be "as good" as the people I have raised up. 

I struggle with sin.  I have sinned in the past, but I have been forgiven by Jesus Christ.  I still sin...I sin on a daily basis...everyone sins on a daily basis.  We all fall short, every single day.  A sin is a sin, is a sin.  There are no "big" sins or "little" sins.  Sin is sin. 

I struggle with that.  Do you want to know why I struggle with sin?  Because I idolize people.  Does that make sense to you?  No?  Allow me to explain.

There are three people I am thinking of right now.  Three people in my life that I have placed high on a pedestal, three people that I look at and I think "I can never be as good of a Christian as they are."  Therefore I place doubt on myself as well as limitations.  Idolatry is dangerous...

Even further...what happens when the people that I have placed high on a pedestal, the people that I "idolize" disappoint me?  I'll tell you what happens...it hurts.  I begin to think there is no hope for me as a Christian...it's confusing and it distracts me from what I should be focusing on...Jesus. 

Sunday's sermon was crucial for me as a Christian...I have learned that I should not rely on others to bring me fullfillment....I should rely on the only thing that can fulfill me....and that is Jesus.