Confused

I am a little confused. Every time I read the bible and Jesus performs a miracle, he says to that person: don't tell anyone of what I've done. I struggle, because I thought, aren't we supposed to tell of all he's done?! Am I doing something wrong by talking about all the wonderful things God does for me??

So I googled it.... because I google everything.... and came across an answer. Jesus did not want these people who were healed to talk of his healings because he did not want to hinder his mission here on earth and divert people from his message, but it ended up that he had to leave the towns and go into less populated areas because no one could keep their mouth shut when he healed them. So, to this day, the message of the healing through salvation is still a stronger message that Jesus wants spread rather than just one single miracle he performs.

My question still is, what is the level that it would be good to talk about a miracle that Jesus performed for us today? Because when he does them (which is a whole lot more often than we even realize) we WANT to shout it from the roof tops, but is that what He would want??

Either way, I of course want all the glory to be for God because he IS miraculous. Sending his son to die for our souls feels even bigger than a miracle, if there was even a word. I cannot fathom this act and often think, REALLY think, about how Jesus died and how brutal it was. A crown of thorns on his head.... nails in his hands.... hung on a cross!! (And that is just parts of it!) I mean its sickening and saddens me to really think about it, but I think it is important to really think about it, because he did it FOR me. FOR you. He knew us before we were born and loved us so much already that he died for us so we may have a chance to be saved.

Praise the Lord!

Words from a middle schooler

A middle schooler was talking about people being angry today and when I asked her if she thought I had ever been angry, she said there was no way! That I was 'way too rainbows and sunshine' to ever get angry....

HA!

Rainbows and sunshine.....


Which I guess I should be ecstatic about because I have spoken to kids who have told me that their counselors are always mad and never smile, so I'd rather them think I had a pet unicorn than think I didn't like them.

:) :) :) :)

Meet Me on Monday

I thought I'd join Rhonda in this Meet Me on Monday Q & A today!

1. How many pillows do you sleep with?
I am FOREVER on the quest for the perfect pillow. Ben made me clean out my pillows this weekend and I easily fill a room with pillows. I have two on the bed and usually toss and turn between them. I am still not satisfied though and am still in search of 'The One'.

2. Where will you eat on Thanksgiving?
At my mothers with my dad, brothers, their wives, my niece and nephew, grandmother, mother-in-law and Ben. I'm really not a big Thanksgiving person though since I'm such a picky eater. I usually just stick with mashed potatoes and green beans (I think the only reason my mother still cooks them is so I have something to eat!). So its just another dinner for me that I get to visit with my whole family and play charades.

3. Would you rather go to a party or host a party?
Um.... go. Less expensive, less stress. I love hosting people at our house (although we do it close to never because we live in the boonies), but I don't LOVE throwing showers and things because I always want them to be perfect and feel like they never are. Going to parties is much easier! :)

4. How many purses (for the guys..wallets) do you own?
I think only two right now. On my list is a really NICE purse. That was going to be a treat to myself after I got a job, but I haven't found it yet. I'm about as picky with purses as I am with food and pillows! Uh oh... I'm noticing a trend. I really didn't realize I was this high maintenance.... anyways, when I find a purse, it strikes me as soon as I see it that it is MY purse. It usually takes me a lot of looking to find it, but I'm always very happy with it (if only the quality would hold up a little longer than a couple months.)

5. What is your favorite kind of seafood?
Lobster bisque soup from Brio's. This soup is A-MAZING! If you have never been, click to find out if there is one near you, because the entire restaurant is just wonderful.
Or crab claws. The little tiny claws, not the big crab legs. They are a must-have if I go to the beach.That's about all that is on my seafood list though.

Love is Louder

A parent shared this campaign with me this week and I have to admit, I love it. Bullying is a very hot topic lately that everyone sees we need to do something about, but no one knows exactly what to do.

I thought this was a very simple but effective campaign that kids may listen to. Anyways, spread the word :)

Mobile

I've been in Mobile for 3 days. Counseling conference. I was hoping to be rejuvinated and inspired and motivated, but what I have become is overwhelmed. There is so much I want to do and NEED to do, but I don't even know where to start. I'm so thankful tomorrow is Friday and we come home. It will give me all weekend to refresh and absorb all I've learned this week before school starts again. And then before I know it, Thanksgiving! How is November already almost over? This year has F.L.O.W.N by!

Furniture

I've been consumed by a materialistic goal lately....

But its been 4 years now that I have been saving for bedroom furniture. I have reached my goal a couple times and then something always comes up: computers dying, new tires, life, etc. And I'm cheap. Really cheap. So much so that I cannot stomach spending a couple hundred OR thousand dollars at one time. Literally it just makes me want to throw up.

If we have large purchases I usually have to give Ben the okay to do it so I don't actually have to spend the money myself. Pathetic I know.

Well, I've decided enough is enough. I REALLY want bedroom furniture and Ben asked for new tires for his buggy, which about sent me over the edge into a '2-year-old tantrum, you always get stuff and I never do' frenzy. Good thing I composed myself and realized I'm 27.

Currently our bedroom is composed of a VERY mismatched assortment of furniture and bedding. (The rest of my house has slowly come together, but this room that should be just as important has been pushed aside). We have a faux headboard, Trading Spaces style of plywood covered with fabric.... and trust me I'm not nearly as crafty as Living with Lindsay (check out her homemade headboard) although I aspire to be! We have 2 nightstands that came from the thrift store at around $1.75 each many years ago, and totally don't match.... I have a white dresser that was a hand-me-down from my old roommate after she didn't want it anymore because the drawers constantly fall out and it takes a lot of work to get them back in.... it needs a new coat of paint too. Have I done this? Nope. So you get the idea.... its a mess.

Well, mess, no more!

This is the furniture:

I've loved it for 2 years now and I just looked it up again after not seeing it for at least a year and still love it. I think that is a good sign! I WILL buy this furniture soon!

I can't really tell you my expected date because of Christmas, but soon! I'd love to have it by Christmas, but I'll need to go see the prices again before that's able to happen. The last time I priced it out I priced ALL the pieces because someone told me I'd better get all of them or I'll regret it when they discontinue them. I no longer want all the pieces, just the crucial ones: bed, nightstands, dresser & mirror. And Ben promised me that he would be a bargainer that would make Dave Ramsey proud!

Enter Sandman

I did it... I went to bed at 7pm only to be woken up at 11pm by my dog telling me it was time for HER to go to bed. I thought instantly that it was 5am or so, until Ben corrected me and said its still night. I have now been up for an hour and a half unable to sleep.

Which gives me PLENTY of time to catch up on all the blogs I follow!!!

Remember that LONG day I'm going to have tomorrow? I think it just got longer.

What I've Learned

I. Am. So. Tired!

I have slept so terribly for over a week now... I'm either too hot, too cold, have to pee, Ben's tossing and turning or my pillow is uncomfortable. I could not prop my eye lids open right now if I tried, but its only 6:15 and I figure that is WAY too early to try and go to sleep for the night. With my luck I'd wake up at 11 pm ready to go!

Tomorrow is going to be a long day: professional development meeting half the day, filling in the rest of the day with a whole day's worth of work and then we have our annual beauty walk at school that I am on duty to help with. I LOVE pageants, but it does make for a long day tomorrow.

Maybe I should be going to bed. Thank goodness Friday will be here shortly after that!

But today is day 24 of Katie's Blog Challenge - Something You've Learned.

If my brain weren't nearly asleep right now I could probably come up with something great and meaningful.... but instead this is what I've learned in my life so far:

God listens no matter what, and makes sense out of thoughts that even you cannot make sense of.

Google will answer any question you have and even questions you didn't know you had.

Sometimes people just want you to listen.... and not say anything back.

That I am actually an adult. ( I still don't know when exactly it happened though).

To not eat chicken from any fast-food restaurants except Chik-Fil-A.

You can order a meat-less hamburger from any fast-food resaurant.

You can't change what has happened by freaking out or yelling.

Pets can make everything better.


What have you learned???

Oh where oh where can it be?

My favorite city in all of the world? Yes, that means its day 22 of Katie's 30-day challenge.

I am having a really hard time coming up with my favorite city because really, if it has a beach, or a lazy river, it could be a contender.

I love Islamorada in the Keys. (We usually go there every christmas, but it just became a little expensive.... although you'd be surprised how cheap going during the off season actually is.) This year we won't be attending because I'll be working, but hopefully next year we can pick back up with it. Its about an hour from Key West, still very laid back, cute little seafood places, and beautiful views everywhere. (This picture below is VERY old... from Ben's first year down there I think).
My favorite city I've never been?

Charleston, SC

It just seems so beautiful! Close to the water, has a lot of interesting historical places and I've heard the night life is always fun too. I do hope to go there one day.