10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Ten

One confession:

I don't handle stress and feeling out-of-control very well. Because of this, I have experienced some pretty awful anxiety attacks in recent years. I have sought therapy for these issues and have overcome a great deal. James is my biggest supporter. I find strength in Philippians 4:4-7 which says "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

The more I confront my issues, the more I am able to overcome them. What brings me great joy is that there's nothing on earth that we cannot overcome when we put our trust in God. Thanks for reading!   

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Nine

Two words that describe your life right now: 

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Eight

Three things I enjoy: 

1. Massages

2. Castello del Poggio Moscato

3. Going on trips with James

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Seven

Four turn offs:

1. Dishonesty
2. Disorganization

3. Unkindness
4. People who don't wash their hands after using the restroom

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Six

Five people who mean a lot to you:

1. James (big surprise!)

2. My family

3. My friends

4. My church

5. My co-workers

Yes, I cheated. How could I possibly list only five people? I had to include everyone in my life because they all mean a lot to me! Seriously though, James is my favorite. ;)

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Five

Six things you wish you could change or wish you would have never done:

1. I wish I had never tasted sugar because now I'm pretty much addicted to it.

2. I wish I was a stronger and more disciplined person. 

3. I wish James and I started dating in college instead of after he got home from Iraq. 

4. I wish I would learn to think before I speak.

5. I wish I could relive my childhood and teenage years with the experience and knowledge that I have now. Hindsight is always 20/20.

6. I wish my body and mind didn't require so much sleep. I could be so much more productive with those extras hours everyday!

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Four

Seven things that cross your mind often:

1. God (prayer)

2. James

3. Doing the right thing/saying the right thing

4. "What's for lunch/dinner?"

5. My need to exercise

6. My friends/family

7. My mortality

I would also like to give a little shout out: 
Happy Birthday Dad!

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Three

Eight things you couldn't live without:

1. God, Faith, the Bible, etc. 

2. Air

3. Water

4. Sleep

5. Food

6. James

7. Family

8. Friends

I could have gone a different route with this, but I chose to go with the most essential.

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Two

Nine things about yourself that most people don't know:

1. I rinse the dishes before I put them in the dishwasher.

2. According to James, I grind my teeth in my sleep.

3. Cleaning the shower is my least favorite chore, and I am very thankful God gave me a husband who is willing to take that responsibility away from me.

4. Almost every time I get the mail, the Blue's Clues Mail Song pops in my head.

5. I was crowned the basketball homecoming queen my senior year in high school.

6. My grandfather wanted my parents to name me Geraldine.

7. I have never once been able to beat the original Nintendo Super Mario Bros. (or any other video game for that matter).

8. I have been to a Muslim religious service at the local mosque.

9. One of my goals is to hold a live koala. I've wanted to since I was was little, and I'm still waiting for the opportunity.

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day One

Ten things you want to say to ten people right now (in no particular order):

1. Ed, please stop accusing me of not liking you. Sure, some things you say I feel could be left unsaid. Some days you frustrate me. Sometimes I don't understand your way of thinking. That doesn't mean I don't like you. You are a great boss, and I'm glad to be able to work with you and everyone else in our department. Thank you for hiring me. This truly is one of the best jobs I've ever had-crazy days and all. 

2. Tammy, I have really enjoyed getting to know you over the past several months. You mean a great deal to me. Thank you for all the ways you have helped me with work and listened when I needed to talk things out. I love hearing you talk about your kids. You are an amazing mom, and I respect you so much for it.

3. Patrick, I am so glad you applied to work for this department. You are such a level-headed and hardworking person. I respect you for being so positive and strong despite the hardships you've endured. I always enjoy the random conversations we have throughout the day. By the way, I was serious about playing tennis. I hope we can make that happen sometime soon!

4. James, thank you so much for loving me the way you do. You are my best friend and the love of my life. Things are not always perfect with us, but I think it's perfect that way. We work so well together even with all our imperfections. You make me want to be a better person, and I pray I do the same for you. I could never fully express how thankful I am that God brought us together. Excluding Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation, you are the most precious gift He has ever given me. I love you more every day.

5. Becca, you have been one of my best friends for nearly a decade now...yeah, it's been that long. I love you so much. I have especially enjoyed our gmail chats every day. It makes me feel so much closer to you even though we're hours apart. I realize I sort of already told you this when I commented on your blog, but you need to hear (or read) it again because word on the street is you're not too bright! Haha! You make me laugh harder and more often than anyone else I know. I love how we know each other so well. Like you said in your blog, I love how we can laugh about random, stupid or pointless things one minute but then keep one another accountable in our walks with God the next. I really do hope that God allows us to live close together again someday soon. Life is so much better with you near me!

6.  Moma, it's been so wonderful to grow closer to you in the past few years. I hope you know how much I love you.

7. Daddy, you are one crazy, funny guy, but the one thing that I love most about you is how you will bend over backwards (metaphorically speaking) to make us happy. Thank you for always being there for me, Britt and Eric.

8. Britt, I'm so happy you're living here in Martin. I enjoy getting to spend time with you each week. You're doing great out on your own. I'm proud of you.

9. Eric, I'm proud of the young man you are becoming. I wish we could spend more time together. 

10. To many of my family and friends who may not know Jesus, I implore you to consider beginning a relationship with Him. I realize some radical or hypocritical Christians mar Christianity by making it seem crazy or pointless, and perhaps even by my writing this, you may be offended or put off.

We are given only one life on this earth, and in our short time here, we have a choice to make: knowing God through Jesus or else reject Him and...you know the rest. I don't like to talk about the whole eternal damnation subject very often, but the truth is we will answer to God either now or later. By not choosing, we reject God. By coming to know Him through Jesus, we become heirs to His kingdom here on earth and in Heaven. I love you and could not imagine knowing that you may die without knowing the love and peace of our Savior.

"Jesus was the first to conquer death, and he is the ruler of all earthly kings. Christ loves us, and by his blood he set us free from our sins. To him be glory and power forever!" (Taken from Revelation 1)