Happy Birthday, Trese!

Happy Birthday, LaTrese (i don't think I've ever called you that!)





For more pictures click here!
Trese's Birthday
More Weekend Getaway Pics

weekend away pics....

Here are a few pics from our weekend away. We had an awesome time. Honestly, once we got there we never left until it was time to go. We had great dreams of sledding and even cross-country skiing...but then everyone was just like let's just hang. So, that's what we did: we ate, we played RISK (thanks mares!), Bible Trivia, Uno, watched old fellowship meeting videos, read books, cooked, talked, and much more...Enjoy.

Before our game of Risk



Good food...


Group picture!


Me & Whavet


The rest of the pics will be on Facebook...luv.

hmmm....and a lil' girl time!

isn't it amazing how you can go for weeks and weeks...reading and praying...and God just keeps confirming..reaffirming...and giving you little tidbits of new things that build on the old? at the beginning of this year (new year's eve) God talked to me about "sanctifying myself" (from Joshua 5). he stopped and had me look back on 2007 which was pretty rough for me...and made me think about how i'd dealt with my hardships and the messy, unpredictables of life. then he quietly started talking about how all of those things were just a "training ground" for "wonders he would do tomorrow." now, several people had told me that (including my pastor) all throughout 2007. but, sometimes it takes God for things to really internalize in a person. anyway, i said all that to say that after new year's eve night. i felt like my eyes had been opened. "And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers." (Isa. 30:20). i get it now. i'm still fighting to keep it. i've been studying joshua. after they crossed jordan into the promise land, they constantly had to battle the "ites" to take full control and fully enjoy the land. so, that's where i am now. but i feel stronger (as the song says) about facing things now. so, yeah. that's about it. keep me in your prayers.

on a lighter note, im excited about this weekend...a couple of us gals are headed on a little getaway. we're going to one of the saint's timeshare. we are planning to do absolutely nothing but enjoy each other. i really got excited when i heard that one of our new converts was coming. she keeps to herself alot. i always try to smile and say hi when i pass by. but that was about it. one day she spoke to me and it totally made my whole morning. i was like, "SHE KNOWS MY NAME!!!" so, now i make a point of speaking to her all the time. i know that sounds awful...don't you know everyone in the church? yeah, i do. but, unfortunately running around with all the choirs and playing the piano fulltime i don't have a lot of time to just sit and enjoy everyone (im doing better, though). if it's not the choir, it's something for the youth. not to mention trying to talk to pastor. (and im still working on getting over my shyness.) so, yeah. im working on it. hopefully this weekend we can do that. i'll try and take pics and post them. luv!

MLK - A Day of Remembrance

A Photo Essay

My sister emailed me this link yesterday. It's a photo essay of Martin Luther King's life and of the Civil Rights Movement by TIME magazine. Words cannot express the depth of gratitude I have for all of those who suffered and/or died so that I could be free in this natural world. I will always give glory to God first for my spiritual freedom. However, my natural freedom is attributed to these courageous people. Looking at this photo essay, I felt tears in my eyes thinking of what others suffered so that I may enjoy being an American. Each day I walk into my classroom, it is my goal to instill in my students the principals of love and working hard in order to honor those who've allowed us to have this opportunity. Take a moment and look at this essay."When we know our History, we know our greatness." luv.

Click Here: A Photo Essay

idealist vs. thankfulist

i just read this wonderful article about being thankful. basfsogp posted it on her website, so i thought i'd share.

Gratitude - Thank you to our Troops.

I am by no means a supporter of war. Nor do I debate with others as to why I'm not.

On the other hand, I DO APPRECIATE those who volunteer to serve and protect our country. I am grateful to those who fought for my own freedom as a Black American and as an American. I only wish that there were other means to reach the same goals. This link takes you to a very touching and moving production of how to show thanks to our troops. Enjoy and next time you see someone, say Thanks!

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php