Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Simply The Best...



Not only is the year rapidly twisting to an end, but the entire decade is wrapping up!  It seemed like such a big deal in 1989 and then again in 1999, but this year...I needed to be reminded that on Friday we will begin a new ten.  Wow...2010...I remember when I was fifteen years old my bestie Nicole and I wrote letters to one another from the "future."  I still have that letter...and I dated it September 9, 2010.  It seemed like such a lifetime ahead...and now, here we are.

This is how my letter read (written on September 9, 1989):

Dear Nicole,

Hello from New York City! (And to think that I went to NYC for the FIRST time this year)  Jason Jett and I married five years ago (interesting that I waited until I was 30 to get married) and we just had our first baby, a girl (also interesting that I was 35 when I had my first child).  Her name is Natalie.  She has blond hair and blue eyes.  We love her so much.  Jason is a cartoonist (he is an awesome artist) for the New York Times and I stay at home with Natalie (ha! unless I had endless amounts of cash to shop with, that would NEVER happen).  We just moved into our four story home and it has a white picket fence (yes, I can totally see that in NYC)!  How are you and Travis (I cannot remember if Travis was really her boyfriend at the time or if it was just a crush of hers) doing?  Jason and I would love to fly you two to New York (with our endless amounts of cash) for a visit. 

Much love,
Betsy Jett

Too funny!  I can't get over my writing...I used the really wide lined paper and my writing was what one might call "bubble" letters.  The writing of a young girl in love for the first time...

So, here we are...packing up the year 2009, and what a year it has been!  A year full of real. life. change.  I thought it might be fun to reminisce...let's take a look at a few of my best posts of the year!

February:  The month in which I started this online diary.  "I want to be a part of it: New York, New York"  (My adventures in NYC...a destination I have dreamed about since I was little, but truly never thought I would get there!)

March:  "A Change Would Do You Good"  (My first online recording and omission of my faith walk).

April:  "God Doesn't Keep A Record Of Wrongs"  (My testimony...I LOVE to share with anyone that will listen)!

May:  "Skin Cancer, Take 5"  (Informational post to warn others of the extreme dangers of tanning beds).

June:  "The Gift Of Friendship" (A fellow blogger friend and her AMAZING gift!!)

July:  "The Stork Does Not Bring The Babies"  (I rehash the birth of son number two)

August:  "Professional Haggler"  (Because let's face it, I'm an idiot!)

September:  "Bite Me"  (Um, hello?  Robert Pattinson....enough said.)

October:  "The Fear Of Not Mattering" and "The Great Giveaway"  (Both are equally AWESOME)!

November:  "Master Cleanse"  (I'm STILL laughing)!

December:  "Dear Christmas, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" (I mailed this post out as my Christmas letter to all my family) and "TMI Thursday"  (I was mailed a box of Gas X just this week...from the victim.  I'll never live this down).

There you have it!  A monthly spread of my best/favorite posts!  I'm looking to another year of witty self disclosures (thanks Paul)! 

Happy New Year to all of you!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Spiritual Leaders...



Today I was reminded of how very lucky I am...

February of 2010 will mark one year of my spiritual journey.  Accepting Jesus into my heart and asking for his forgiveness, developing an intimate relationship with my Savior...it has been real. life. change. 

I had coffee this morning with a new found friend, a "spiritual leader" that I can add to my growing list.  I shared with him my testimony and he shared his...and I am reminded how very lucky I am.  I am walking among those that share the same passion for Christ as I do.  I am surrounded by people that love me and share the same values as I do...

In sharing my testimony with my friend this morning I was reminded of how my life was before I was saved.  My heart aches when I speak about my past...and yet I made the point that I believe my past was necessary for me to truly appreciate and understand the gift that I have been given...the gift of Jesus.

It hasn't been an easy journey...of course the moment you declare Christ as your Lord and Savior you immediately become Satan's number one enemy...he will attack you daily with self doubt and temptation.  But understand that you are not alone, you are not defenseless...you have Christ's Word, Christ's love...use it.

I am so very lucky.  I have awesome spiritual giants...role models...they lead me by example, showing me what is possible.  They have cleared the path on the spiritual journey with their own journey and they encourage me to persevere, just as they have. 

If the greatest goal of our lives is to become like Jesus we must find those who are serving him well and imitate them as they imitate Christ. They are seldom found among the high profile, wealthy, influential individuals often held up as "role models" in today's society.  True spiritual role models will usually be found among the low profile, humble, selfless servants who go about their business of following Christ whether anyone is watching or not...and I am so very lucky to be surrounded by true spiritual giants!


Monday, December 28, 2009

The Birthday Bash Is Over...

The month of December is a celebration of Jesus birth, and on Christmas Day we sing Happy Birthday to our Savior.  That's one thing Jesus and I have in common...we both celebrate the entire month of our birth, but Jesus really goes all out... EVERYONE gets presents on His birthday (I'm way to selfish to share gifts on my day).

We hang lights and sparkly things to honor Jesus.  We sing songs about Him and we even have children dress in His time and reenact His birth.  We eat chocolate, cinnamon rolls, cheese balls, homemade breads, cookies and pastas (afterall, Jesus totally condones gluttony during his birth month). 

Families reunite to celebrate our King...

And then as soon as the last cousin steps outside our front door...I grab the plastic tubs that are neatly labeled and Christmas comes down.  Organized in the proper boxes for next year's celebration.

It's the OCD in me...that, and the fact that our already minute Christmas tree was taking up WAY too much space in our family room...which also serves as our master bedroom and houses our king size bed (you already know this). 

And so Saturday afternoon when hottie husband reappeared from a morning of exchanges and returns, he walked into our home to see Christmas boxed up and put away.  "Christmas is over?" he asked.  "Christmas is over" I replied, "now, lets talk about how we should decorate for my birthday...in April."

Here are a few photos from our celebration:



My nephew Henry thinks the flash is too bright!



Jackson & Benjamin wait patiently while gifts are being passed out.



Leave it to the 13 year old to not wait patiently
while gifts were being passed out.
Hayden began opening his gifts right away!



This is one of three Christmas trees at my mother's house!



Maudie (my sister's dog) wears a Christmas bow!



My entire family poked fun of my boots...they were VERY warm!



My mother's prime rib for Christmas Day dinner!  Mmmmmmm!


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

What Does Christmas Mean To You?...



Earlier in the week the question was posed, "What does Christmas mean to you?"

I've given this question a lot of thought this week...

Of course Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth...but I also see Christmas as an opportunity.  I watch so many people during Christmas that sing along with and listen to songs about Christ and salvation.  Songs that quote directly from Scripture...

I watch people during Christmas who need Jesus...they celebrate his birth, out of habit...pausing at the manger scene, never getting to the blood....

Christmas is the perfect season for evangelism...to bring Christ to the forefront of every conversation.  To share with others the unfathomable act of selfless, sacrificial love...God left heaven's glory to die in sinners' place. He offered mercy to people who deserved only His wrath....

Christmas brings a lesson of love...Christs love...in his coming, in his life and in his death.  A love that sacrificed. 

And so I ask you...what does Christmas mean to you? 

Merry Christmas to you...may you find the joy and the peace the Jesus brings, if you will only accept Him into your heart.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Hairy Topic...


Roughly two months ago I was diagnosed with diabetes...this morning was my follow up appointment with a new doctor that I can add to my long list of doctors.  This appointment was scheduled two months ago and in that time I was supposed to loose fifteen pounds ("supposed to" is the key phrase here).  I was "supposed to" keep track of my blood sugars (I just purchased my glucometer last week) and I was "supposed to" write down any questions I may have concerning my newly diagnosed illness (this, I did!).

My point above is that I had a "follow up" appointment this morning with a new doctor that was "supposed to" be a "routine" check in for diabetic patients...or so I thought....

So...imagine my surprise when Dr. McDreamy (yep, he's pretty hot) asked me if I had any swelling in my legs and feet and when I answered, "I used to, but Dr. Family Physician prescribed me a diuretic," Dr. McDreamy responded with, "let me take a look."  HORROR....ummmm.....how do you say, "I haven't shaved my legs since, oh, I don't know...October?" in the most classy way??? 

Real women don't shave their legs on a regular basis...especially when it's twenty degrees outside and there is no need to wear short skirts!  Real women are married to real men that don't mind that their wives don't shave their legs in the winter (our bed is in our family room for crying out loud...it's not like there is any reason to shave my legs...if you know what I mean). 

There I was...pant legs pulled up, apologizing profusely for my hairy legs...and then it hit me...what kind of woman am I??  Who am I trying to fool, "real women don't shave their legs..."...I'm going home to shave my legs right now!  I want to be that woman...the kind that shaves her legs every single day and then applies thick moisturizing cream from Sax Fifth Avenue that cost $700.  I want to be the kind of woman that gravitates towards Martha Stewart Living Magazine at the grocery store, the kind of woman that buys linens and wears aprons with landscapes of beaches and kittens.  I want to know how to make a special marinade and what the perfect substitution is when I run out of vegetable oil. I want to own a bundt cake pan.....

because let's face it...I'm the kind of woman that doesn't always wash my face before I go to bed.  The kind of woman that wears Dr. Pepper chap stick and can't keep my mouth shut, even when it's inappropriate to speak up.  I'm the kind of woman that would rather eat out then cook in.  The kind that uses the word vagina in public too much and gets distracted at looking at peoples rear ends at the gym.  I'm the kind of woman that sees no use in shaving my legs in the dead of winter...unless I have a doctor's appointment...but not for my diabetes doctor...but for my gynocologist...because I know he appreciates it. 

And so, new diabetes doctor of mine...I apologize.  Had I known you were going to examine my legs I would have gone the extra mile...

Until then, I'm off to some ritzy store to buy myself a real razor.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

TMI Thursday...

I absolutely had the most embarrassing moment of my professional career today.  For those of you who read my blog and believe that I am truly a princess...stop reading.  For those of you who believe that I am without fault...stop reading. 

What I am about to share is horrifying...in fact, I think I'm going to have to move my family to another country...it's that bad...

This week has been filled with the joys of the Christmas season...I have been delivering Christmas candy to my clients, spreading good cheer to those that I appreciate!  Today was no different.  I checked into the office, grabbed the few boxes of candy I had left and hopped into my car to deliver the candy to the last of my clients.  I made three stops before lunch...handed over the candy, giggled in conversation and wished a Merry Christmas.  My next stop was to JCMG to have some blood work done.  I had been fasting for twelve hours per my doctors orders and I was starving...I quickly got into my car after having filled six (SIX!!) vials of blood and I rushed to the nearest Taco Bell (BIG MISTAKE).  I was SO HUNGRY...I sat in the drive through for what seemed like hours, inching slowly towards my beef burito...mmmmm...my mouth was watering as I came closer and closer to the drive through window.  BAM!  I was handed my bag and I hadn't even pulled out of the parking lot before I inhaled that beef burrito...it was fabulous! 

Do you see where this is going?....

Next stop...last candy drop off...one of my favorite clients!  I wasted no time...I wanted to get this Christmas candy out of my car...it smelled SO good!  I drove straight to Columbia and as I was pulling into the parking lot of my client's office my stomach gurgled..."hmmmm....that kind of hurts."  I sat in my car for a moment and let the cramping subside.  I opened my car door, grabbed the candy and walked into the building.  The receptionist greeted me, "Good afternoon, can I help you?"  I smiled, "Hello!  Is Bob* in the office?" (*in effort to protect the victim in my story I have changed the names).  The receptionist asked me to have a seat in the lobby and she would ring *Bob and let him know he had a visitor.  As I turned to take a seat in the lobby my stomach cramped up again...this time I made a sour face..."ouch!"  I felt a bit nauseous...and admittedly a tad faint.  I panicked, "did I take my seizure medication this morning?"  I thought back to my hectic morning...yes, yes...I remembered taking my medication.  "What is wrong with me?"  I felt uncomfortable...my hands began to clam up.  I sat down in a chair and I closed my eyes for a brief moment.  Taking a deep breath in I softly whispered, "get it together Bets, shake it off."  I opened my eyes to the sound of *Bob's voice.  "Hey there Betsy!" *Bob stuck out his hand and I grabbed it, apologizing for my sweaty palms.  *Bob invited me back to his office..."oh, I am just here to drop off this Christmas candy, I can't stay..."  *Bob replied, "come back for a second, I want to run an idea by you."  What a nightmare...I really needed to use the bathroom, I felt like I might vomit...but I took another deep breath and followed *Bob back to his office.  As I was walking behind *Bob it suddenly occurred to me that the beef burrito I had scarfed down half and hour earlier was giving me extreme gas...OMG...please, Lord Jesus, PLEASE give me some time to meet with *Bob and then I will use the bathroom....PLEASE don't do this to me.  Jesus had other plans...

As we walked into *Bob's office I decided that I needed to use the restroom right THEN...no more waiting..."I need to use the restroom, I'll be right back..."  *Bob sat in his chair, "this will only take a second, sit down."  OMG...am I in a nightmare?  What do I say?  Do I tell *Bob that I'm about to crap my pants and I REALLY need to use the restroom???  Pride got the best of me...I decided I could hold on a few more minutes...

Are you palms sweating now...because you know what's coming next, right?

I turned to take a seat...and just as I was lowering my behind into the chair....

Are you going to make me say it?

I let out the biggest....LOUDEST...toot (we don't use the "F" word in my house). 

I wanted to vomit I was so embarrassed...but I figured I had already shocked the hell out of my client with the noise that had just escaped my rear end...my face was scarlet red...I could feel the heat of my embarrassment.  There was complete silence (yeah, where in the heck was silence just moments before?)!!  I didn't know what to say...I couldn't even apologize.  I just sat down and starred at the floor.

After what seemed like a lifetime, I looked up at *Bob to see his head resting on his desk and his body convulsing with laughter...the kind of laughter where there is no noise because you can't even breathe....

"I hate you."  It's all I could think of at the moment.  "I am literally praying to God that the Earth will open up and swallow me and you are sitting across from me laughing at my expense....I hate you."

*Bob raised his head and looked at me through teary eyes..."I'm sorry.  I know you are humiliated...but that is damn funny."

Damn funny indeed...I set the Christmas candy on *Bob's desk and left him in his office...shutting the door to trap him in the foulness that had just leaked from my body....is it funny now *Bob?

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

I Will NOT Be Wearing "Skinny" Jeans To Christmas Dinner...




PEPPERMINT BARK

1 package of vanilla candy coating

1 package of chocolate candy coating

1/3 tsp peppermint extract

½ package of candy canes (crushed)

Unwrap ½ of the candy canes in the package (I buy two packages because while I'm unwrapping them I have a tendency to eat them). Put them inside two large plastic bags and go to town with a rubber mallet or a rolling pin...(this is an awesome way to release any anger you may be harboring). You can make them as fine or as coarse as you desire...I like them a little more coarse myself.

Melt the chocolate candy coating in a double boiler (if you are not the "Martha Stewart" type and don't have a double boiler then you can use a stainless steel bowl on top of a pot of water). Add peppermint extract. Once the chocolate is melted spread evenly into a jelly roll pan lined with wax paper in a thin layer.

Refrigerate to speed up the setting process...patience is not my strong suit.

Melt vanilla candy coating in a clean bowl. By the time this is smooth, your chocolate should be set. Spread vanilla candy over chocolate mixture quickly in an even layer. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and press in carefully. Place the pan back into the refrigerator to set.

Once the entire pan is set and hardened, lift out by the wax paper and gently remove the wax paper. Place onto cutting board. You can cut with a chef's knife or break apart with your hands. I like to use the knife because I have OCD and I want my pieces to be perfect...

Enjoy...in fact, eat the whole darn pan...then run to the store, buy additional ingredients and start all over so you won't have to confess to your family that you ate it all!  ;)

Monday, December 14, 2009

I Am Not Ashamed...

I wrote this post yesterday after church...and then I decided not to post it...I was reading over my words making sure everything was spelled correctly and I thought to myself, "goodness...I sound like a complete looser before being saved..."  Thoughts of "what will people think of me?" and "do people know that I was a wild child in my past?" or "will my new friends still love me now that they know how I was before?" It was difficult for me to read what I had written and accept it...there it was...the truth. 

And then this afternoon I ran into an old friend whom I haven't seen in years.  She said she has kept up with me through my blog, stumbling across it from a link I posted on my facebook page.  She said, "I'm so proud of you and what you have become.  Don't be ashamed of your past, it has made you who you are today."

I agree.  I needed to be a wild child to become "wild" about Jesus!  And so...I'm posting my words from yesterday, written from my heart...


After church this morning our "connections" class was discussing the sermon we had just listened to and the topic of "change" surfaced in our conversation. The question was posed, "can people change?"  Several people among us offered their insight...I waited patiently...and then I spoke...

"I was thirty five years old when I decided to change.  It took me thirty five years of bad decisions, awful mistakes, the heavy weight of sin, one divorce and an almost second failed marriage before I decided that how I was living was getting me nowhere, quickly."

My husband was asked how he was effected by my accepting Christ and becoming saved...

"Our marriage is stronger...I feel like I have a partner...we are not just cohabiting."  I felt the sting of pain in my heart...

I added to his response, "our children are better because of my change."  I felt the tears begin to form as I recalled a moment with my son Jackson...just the two of us in the car on our way home from a trip to the grocery store.  Spirit FM set the dial on the radio and my son softly spoke to me, "mommy, I like our family now.  I like you better this way...I like our church and the music we listen to.  I like that you and daddy are together."  I pulled to the side of the road, overwhelmed with guilt and grief as I experienced for the first time what my former life looked like to my own children...

Can people change? 

The better question is, can Jesus change people?  Can faith change lives? 

Absolutely.

I am experiencing real life change every single day because I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. 

Is it easy?  No.  Not just no...but....NO!  It's hard.  It's painful.  It's humbling.  And often I fall...

But because Christ died on the Cross for my sins, I am able to pick myself up and begin again....

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Veruca Salt...I Want It Now!

My goals of selflessness and being content with what I have are at odds with the fact that I am incredibly in love with "stuff."  I love my stuff.  I want more stuff.  I dream about stuff. 

Let me clarify something...I also like to give to others...in fact, buying for other people and then presenting them with beautifully wrapped gifts is one of my favorite things...but if I'm going to be honest...it's the receiving that gets me all worked up! 

And so when hottie husband casually hints around that he needs gift ideas...well, I have found a casual way of hinting to hottie husband what I would love to receive....(after all, hottie husband does read my blog):

1.  Lindsay Phillips ballet flat with interchangeable jewels:  Can be found at Carrie's Hallmark, Downtown


2.  Travel bag for Lindsay Phillips Ballet shoes: Can be found at Carrie's Hallmark, Downtown (hello? All shoes should have their very own separate travel bag)!



3.  Burberry Brit Perfume: Can be found at Dillard's, Capital Mall


4.  Pink stripe ruffle shirt: Can be found at Gap, Columbia Mall



4.  Sequin sweatshirt: Can be found at New York & Co., Columbia Mall




5.  Mizzou sequin long sleeve tee-shirt: Can be found at Carrie's Hallmark, Downtown



6.  Proud as a Peacock Family Tree Print: Can be found online at My Tree and Me (http://www.mytreeandme.com/)




7.  Heated mattress pad (thanks Leah and Paul)!: Can be found at Target, Walmart, JCPenney

Now, listen up hottie husband...all of these things are things that I "want". I don't necessarily "need" any of these things...just remember where you get your sugar from, babe.  ;)







Sunday, December 6, 2009

Blessed Assurance...

How proud am I of my thirteen year old son?  So. Very. Proud.

Believing that Jesus is Lord and placing his faith in Him, Hayden accepted Jesus into his heart a few weeks ago, and this morning was baptised.

We are so proud of Hayden and his decision.  This is a picture of Hayden before the baptism (freezing in his swimming trunks, ready to submerge into the warm baptismal waters).



This is Hayden and our pastor, Mark.  Pastor Mark is a HUGE reason for our family's decision to make "real life change".  We adore Pastor Mark and his family! (I know what you are thinking...is Pastor Mark the same age as Hayden?  No...he's my age...he just looks really young...see, being a believer has it's benefits)...(that's just a little humor)....


 
Hayden walking into the water (not on the water...not yet).  (More humor)...





Hayden proclaims that Jesus is Lord and is immersed into the water...




Hayden is now "right with God."  He has three principles that will now become very important to him.  Foundation, Motivation and Consistency.  If his foundation is the Bible, and if his motivation is being like Christ, and if he consistently seeks to live like Christ, then he will know that Jesus covers his sins, and he will still be right with God.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Celebrity Crush...He's Gonna Hate Me For This One...

I can't just let this go...at least not without a few smarta** comments. 

Did you happen to catch my movie review this morning?  Oh...didn't you know, I'm a movie reviewer on KWOS, a local radio station on Friday mornings...tune in next week, you won't want to miss it.

Anyway...

In my post last week regarding the movie The Blindside, I mentioned that I would have a special guest reviewer today.  If  you were able to catch my review this morning, then you were introduced to Paul (I'll refrain from last names here, but we did broadcast his entire name and place of employment for all to hear on the radio).  Paul was introduced to me by my boss (and friend) Darla.  Paul is a client of Darla's and proclaimed mentioned that he is enamored, in awe a fan of mine. 

Listen...I'm not one of those "big-headed-I'm-better-than-you" celebrity types, I stay pretty grounded, so I did only what was natural...I graced him with an invitation invited him to review a movie with me. 

Of course he lept, somersaulted accepted the invitation and we met at Capital 8 Theatres.  He was all starry eyed when he met me He is a very nice gentleman and I have enjoyed getting to know him...

And his celebrity crush on me is kinda cute.  ;)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Shout To The Lord...

Worship...it's my favorite part of Sunday mornings.  The congregation stands together, the lights are often dim, the praise band stands in front on stage, and we sing our praises to the Lord.  I feel it, I feel the Holy Spirit, I focus on the words that I sing to my Savior.  Often I watch others around me.  Many raise their hands to the skies, glorifying their King, inviting Him into their hearts deeper and deeper.  So full of passion and faith, I envy those that are not "embarrassed" or  too "self conscience" to share their passion and raise their hands, to sing loudly, to open their hearts.   I feel it.  I want to raise my hands to the skies.  I want to open my heart wider.  I want Jesus to know that I love and adore Him...

Two weeks ago I sat in the back of the church, alongside my dear friend and her two precious little girls.  The music was loud, the words were displayed above for all to follow and the congregation stood together, singing to the Lord.  I was focused.  I was deep in the words.  I was singing my prayers and opening my heart...and then I heard a voice.  A sweet, tiny, voice...as if it was the only voice in the sanctuary.  I looked to my left, and there, standing next to me was my friend's oldest daughter (she's all of nine years old) and she was singing.  Her eyes were closed, her head was lifted, her little hands in the air and she was singing so loudly to her Savior.  Often she would nod her head as if to validate her love and faith in her Jesus.  She wasn't self conscience, she wasn't embarrassed...she was pouring her heart out to Him.  It stopped me.  I looked at this small child beside me and I thought to myself, "that is what I feel." 

And that little nine year old girl pushed me out of my comfort zone...the Holy Spirit spoke through her to me and I lifted my hands and I sang loudly.  I closed my eyes and I let the tears fall down my cheeks and I prayed deep inside my heart a prayer of thanks to Jesus for placing this little angel in my life!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

I'm Gonna Let It Shine...

I had an interesting argument conversation earlier today.  I had an appointment with a client of mine to discuss an upcoming printing project.  This is a client that I have worked with since the beginning of my career in printing.  Often when I visit with this client we engage in small talk, but today it became much bigger. 

In the middle of our conversation regarding printing, my client said to me, "interesting blog."  I was flattered, as I took it as a compliment..."Thanks!" I replied.  My client continued, "I find it interesting that you are so open with your Christianity."  I was puzzled..."hmmmm, why?"  My client raised his eyebrows and smiled, "because you insinuate that you are perfect, without fault, above others."  My gut tightened, "then you must not know me well, and you are not reading between the lines, so to speak." 

"I don't mean to offend you, it is just an observation" my client responded. 

I quickly reacted, "I am offended.  I am open with my Christianity because I am passionate about Christ and what he has done in my life, how he has changed me for the better.  I am open about my Christianity to share with others that I am NOT perfect, in fact far from it...hoping that my desire and decision to accept Christ into my life will inspire others that may not feel worthy."

My client sat back in his chair and chuckled, "I am simply sharing with you that sometimes your posts hint that since you have become a Christian that you are without sin, and that your life before didn't exist."

"Seriously?  I would like to know exactly what entry I posted that would give you that impression.  My goodness...of course I am not without sin...in fact, I struggle with sin every single day.  Everybody does...including people who you might say are more 'Christian' than me!  The difference between the me now and the me in the past is I have a relationship with Jesus and an open heart to allow His power to bring about needed change.  And by the way, my 'life' before has been forgiven."

Silence.

I looked at my client and smiled, "one more thing, I found a Savior...and I'll shout it from the rooftops, every. single. day."

"Good for you."  That was his response.  That was all he had. 

And it was enough. 

Yes, good for me. 

"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lamp stand, in order that those who come in may see the light." Luke 8:16