I've probably made the same post before

Life is ridiculous.
And if the first few weeks of this year are any indicator, 2008 is going to be one super ridiculous year.

Holiday Cheer

Twinkling lights from floor to ceiling
A mantle adorned with garland and stockings
Warm greetings from family and friends
And memories to fill the heart

Merry Christmas to all . . .
and may this season bring warmth to your heart
and a smile to your face.
May you share it with the ones you love
and may the ones you love know how you feel.
Celebrate and spread the love that has so selflessly been given to us all.
Again, Merry Christmas.

Red Leaves

As fall approaches, changes begin
Or at least come to surface
Full green trees slowly turn barren
but the changing process is glorious

Which makes me notice how beautiful change can be
When a tree enters autumn, its colors flow from green
Into tangible yellows and oranges and reds
Vibrance illuminates its branches . . .
the change is glorious

Just as trees experience a transformation
through the seasons of life
So do we . . .

God transforms our full hearts
And breaks them, so they are almost barren
Only to fill them again with Him
And the process is glorious

So, apparently they don't put people's occupations on their tombstones

Me: "That's SO AWESOME, this woman was a carpenter!!! And so was her husband!
Tara & Michael: "Joy, that's her last name."

Dave & Matt

Tonight. Yesssssss.

Self-centered.

Is there any point in the day that I acheive thinking of someone other than myself?

I used to think that I was extremely unselfish and not at all self-centered. I think I was wrong. and yet again, i am thinking only of me.

i wake up and think about what i want to do with my day, and how i can spend my time that will be most beneficial and enjoyable to me. And I become upset when I have to clean up after someone else or someone forgets to notice me or when someone doesn't listen to my thoughts and my complaints. I think only of how others affect me, not of the adverse affect I may have on them. Not of the blessings I could give them. Not of the burden I could lift from them.

I am self-centered.

God, please help me. You are the only one who can and the only one who loves me enough to stick it out. It is going to be a lengthy process and I am going to fail alot, but I thank you in advance for your forgiveness and your mercy and your grace. Thank you for your willingness and your love. Thank you for your love because without that I would not even be aware of my problems and of your abiblity. I love you because you first loved me. And you do not need me, but I am desprately begging for you and your help. Change me God. Make me who you see me to be, and give me the strength to work with you and not against you. To embrace you and the uncertainty because you are certain and that is enough. Let me know that is enough. Remind me that you are enough. You are more than sufficient, and I am nothing, but you love me and I am yours, so you have given me everything. I love you, and even though your love far surpasses that which I can offer you, I offer all that I have and I know that is all you require. I will daily die to myself and my selfish desires so that I may know true love and true joy. So that i may be who I was made to be. I love you with all that I can give, and I will try to give you more tomorrow because I know I am still holding back. Please forgive my inadequacies, and thank you for your son, your child, whom you selflessly released and who lovingly sacrificed all that he was, so that I may know you and know love.

One More Day! Yay!

Excitement is building, as I am one day away from visiting my sister! It seems as though it has been ages since we last saw one another, and I cannot wait to spend time with her! To share in her life and see what she has been up to all this time we have been apart. I still remember the days when she would ask me to fix her hair and when we'd play "house" together. I remember seperating for the first time in kindergarten. We used to do EVERYTHING together . . . and now, as we "grow-up" we go our won ways, which is good, but I miss her terribly! So again I say, ONE MORE DAY!!!!