Visitors and the Unending Sickness

Good Morning!

I had NO intention of going this long without writing a blog, but some family came into town and a friend and then I've been sick for going on 11 days. So, I will attempt to catch you up quickly on what life has held these last 20 days.

My Auntie Chrissy and Uncle Andie and cousins Brittany, Kristen, and Nick came into town to visit and go to Disney World. I had so much fun with them going swimming and riding rides at Disney. The first day we went to Epcot and my sister Laura and Tiffany joined us. We got to ride Test Track and Soarin and just enjoy being with each other. I didn't realize how much I missed my family. It's funny how family can be the source of so much joy....and SO much pain. I'm sure everyone can relate to that! =) More on that on a different day. Here are some fun shots of our time together!

My Auntie Chrissy and her poncho at Downtown Disney. Love it!

The cousins at Epcot

Little side note: Laura and I were riding the monorail back to the Polanesian Hotel to get our cars and there was a girl and her boyfriend standing right in front of us. Only a few minutes into our ride the poor girl got sick. I mean, REALLY sick! She blew chunks on a very full car of people and we all had to endure for another 7 minutes until the next stop. The girl had thrown up all over her boyfriend and I thought, if that guys sticks around...He is a keeper. =) Just some fun monorail memories to last for a lifetime!

Me and the Taylors in front of Rockin' Roller coaster at Hollywood Studios. I really don't look like them, do I.

We touched the butt!


I just couldn't resist putting this pic up. Aren't they cute!!

Nick and I in front of Tower of Terror. We had SO much fun that day! Nick is starting high school this year. He is such a great kid and I'm so glad we had this time together.

In the middle of the time my family was here, my good friend Joanna came to visit me. I am so grateful to have a friend like her. We had so much fun just hanging out and eating and talking. We got to go see the movie "Julie and Julia" and really liked it.

Tiffany and Joanna let me use them as my muses for a photo shoot in downtown Orlando. Here are a few shots from the shoot. Complete albums can be found on my facebook page. I really love taking pictures and I just want to keep getting better and better. My favorite thing about taking pictures is being able to give people memories of themselves that they love.

Beautiful Joanna

Beautiful Tiffany

Anyhoo, that has been what has kept me busy these past few weeks. I'm actually starting to feel better, but I can't get rid of my cough and stuffy nose. I've been on antibiotics for about 7 days and no change. Even though I NEED to find a job, it's been nice to be able to rest when I'm not feeling well. I'm not used to that. =) I pray that the next time I write, I will be telling you about my new job and new church. I can hope right?!

Until then.........

The Rebirth of Hope

Hello One and All! 

It has been a while since I last blogged, but sometimes I just have to make sure I really want to tell everyone what I'm thinking.  I'm pretty honest when I write so that can be a very good thing....or a not so good thing if you know what I mean.  These past couple of weeks have been one of big change for me.  A change in perception can make all the difference in how we cope with something.  I have chosen to change my attitude on a few things and it has been so freeing!  I highly recommend it!

One the coolest things God has been doing is peeling back layers so that even deeper healing can occur.  He is using roommates, books, DVDS, and journaling to do this.  I don't know if any of you could use some deeper healing from our God, but He will go there with us if we ask.  He also goes there when we don't ask and those are some painful times of growth.  Louie Giglio is one of my favorite teachers and his messages have always been a balm to my soul.  I recently watched "Hope When Life Hurts Most."  If you haven't seen it, I would say to get your hands on it and let him speak truth to you. He talked about our suffering being a megaphone to the world of what's in our hearts and that if I ever doubt that God loves me........to look at the cross. His suffering and dying on the cross has been the loudest message of love in history. Wow....wow!

I also wanted to quickly share that I went on an audition on Thursday and it went really well.  No details yet, but I go back Monday for more of the process.  If nothing else, it has been totally encouraging.  I do want to share one part of the audition.  After I had sung my 2 songs and did my comedic monologue they asked me if I had a dramatic monologue to do.  Well I didn't, but I asked if I could just share something dramatic from my life.  I told them about moving to Georgia, marrying Chester, and then a little about the divorce. The Holy Spirit took over and just spoke through me.  At the end I shared that God became real to me during that time of pain and that He is good and that I hope my life brings Him glory.  As I shared this with them, I realized just how true it all was.  How I would not have been there auditioning or living in Orlando or how I would not have met so many WONDERFUL friends by moving to Georgia.  God was using my suffering as a megaphone at this audition!  "GOD IS GOOD ALWAYS!! BEAUTY FROM ASHES! HOPE IS THE LORD!"  I have to say, this was not the typical audition.  Well, long story short, I got asked to come back next week.  I don't know what will come of it, but that's not the point.  The point is that hope has had a rebirth in me and that I am living more intentionally in seeking and spending time with God.  Does life get much better!?

Thanks for reading!