8 hours a day...5 days a week. Who decided that? I mean who is the person or people that decided that the average person should work this much? I know not everybody has this schedule or even has a flex-day....or works more than that....but being at work this much is more time than I would like. Even a couple hours less would be great. And add to that....the challenge of getting along with people that you spend this much time with. This isnt family...most arent even your friends and you dont get to choose even who you sit by most of the time. I just have to say that it isnt easy. I had a pretty rough encounter with a friend on Tuesday...which led to a conversation about it on Wednesday. I care a lot about her so I decided to just own up to my part and apologize. We talked about that and then she started to say somethings that hurt me. Some may have been true....but not all of it. And that was tough to take. Mostly it just crushed my spirit cause she is someone I consider a good work friend. It hit me so wrong...and some of it was so out of nowhere....and all this on a day I had to lead worship. I felt awful and I felt stuck. I wanted to go home. I probably wouldve just liked to never come back to my job again...and prayed God would let me out. So I left with tears in my eyes....went to my truck and just prayed and raised my voice of frustration to God as I went to get Jordan. Called Stacey for some "help me get my head right" conversation (thanks boo)...and went to church. I changed and had time before we practiced to get my Bible out and read my portion for the day. That is when it happened.....I truly felt God speak to me about the stuff that I just left at work. Parts of both John 15 and 16 spoke to me loud and clear. It was really sweet to have my Daddy sit me down, validate how I was feeling and ever so sweetly tell me....that the world hated His Son and that it would hate me too. That Jesus did the right thing and they hated him. The world sees through different eyes....and they dont understand. He reminded me that Jesus was horribly persecuted and abused....and you will experience that too sometimes. (Obviously not near what Christ went through). And then He spoke....In this world you will have trouble....but take heart....I have overcome the world. Amazing that what the devil meant for bad....would draw me closer to the Lord. AMEN! And AMEN!!
I needed that conversation. I needed to be heard and set straight. Wow...did that help my heart be right before God and the church that night. It really is amazing to have God say seek me in my word and I will help you...and for Him to do just that. As believers, we HAVE to make time for the Word. It is more times than not....exactly what we need. Dont forsake your First Love. He is waiting for you in those Holy pages.

Have a great weekend!

There is something that I dont understand and it makes me really mad. I am one of those people that really likes our President. September 11, 2001 was a really hard day for me. Horrible for the people involoved and rough on me. I was at work when it happened....listening to my morning show mention a plane hit the Trade Center. At first I thought it was just like a little personal plane and someone got too close and hit the building....then they saw they other plane hit the 2nd tower and were SHOCKED! My whole unit turned on their tv's and radios...and we all couldnt believe it. Such a scary day. They even let us go home from work.....and they NEVER close this place. Going down the staircase in my building just 8 floors took us soooo long. I cant imagine what it was like for the people in the towers. I live by Metro Airport and there was like NO SOUND for the next couple days over head. I never realized how many planes I would hear or see everyday and then there was NONE. I was so surprised at how affected I was this day. I cried alot. I was worried for this country. I love America. I am such a patriot. I love the military and deeply care for all that serve. I couldnt wait to hear what the President was gonna say that day. I waited by the TV and longed to hear from him. Days after, I watched everything he said and needed to hear him speak. But right now....I am mad at George. I dont know alot and I am sure there is more to know....but I dont want us to be in Iraq anymore. I hate that the borders are sooo open and not guarded. I hate that there doesnt seem to be enough being done to care for our soldiers or the safety of people here in America. I hate that illegal aliens are just allowed to live here and not go through the correct procedures to be citizens. I dont care if they immigrate here but they need to be legal. I hate having to pay for illegal immigrant's health care and pay higher taxes while they pay NONE. And the thing that I hate more then anything right now....is to hear the President give all this money to Lebanon to rebuild....while people that live in this country where hurricane Katrina hit....still dont have homes and havent been cared for like they ought to be. I understand "we" want to be the good guys for other countries....but what about the people that live here? What about protecting America? What about honoring and caring for those who give their lives daily for us and the families that loose loved ones because of all this? I love America but I am REALLY struggling to love what we are doing here. I mean look at how we fly that pedifile home from Bangkok first class and feed him better then most people eat daily and take care of him like a person of honor? He is not a celebrity. He hurts kids....takes advantage of them. What are we thinking America? Oh God helps us. And help me to release this to you....help me to love those around me more than I love myself and help me to PRAY FOR AMERICA. I love this place and I am so thankful to live here. My heart just hurts about all this.

**Please note....I know this is a different entry than everyone is used to (and may sound mean) but I had to get this off my chest. :) Thanks for listening and remember to join me in praying for the U.S.A. and George W. Bush.

Hear our prayer, oh Lord God Almighty, Come Bless our land as we seek you, worship you. (Blessed by Hillsong)

It sure is beautiful outside. A perfect summer day. Well, I'd like a little more breeze but whatcha gonna do? :) I just got back to my desk after enjoying some fabulous sunshine. So....I am reading Purpose Driven Life. (Set Joel Osteen to the side for a minute. I still will finish that book...cause I think it is great...but that is usually what I do....have a couple books going). Anyway, I started it before but only read like 8 days. Stacey and I are reading it. Started August 1st. It is good to have accountability when reading sometimes....it makes me stick to it. I really like this book. It really is changing me and opening my eyes up to life. It may be rather simple to some and it isn't "deep" so to speak...but it is helping me to love the Lord more. There are just things that I am feeling or thinking that I havent before. Just a little more comfortable with myself. And that is big for me. It is a book that breathes life into me and helps me to know God's character better. So far the greatest thing I have learned and want to live out is that everything I do can bring pleasure to God when I do it to honor him. All my "Christian" things like devotions, reading my Bible, praying, church....all that God enjoys but I can be honoring God while resting, talking to people, eating, and even sleeping. Keeping an attitude of living ALL of my life for the Lord and knowing that he is pleased with me in that is amazing. That just helps me breathe easier. I want to love and honor.....and please God all the days of my life....and this book is helping me to see that I am doing that and that it is so much more simpler than I have made it to be. Love God with all I am and love the people I encounter everyday....that is my goal. The people part will be hard....but that is where I trust God to come in and help. :) God is good. All the time.

Everything you do can be "spending time with God" if he is invited to be a part of it and you stay aware of his presence. -Purpose Driven Life

Wednesday morning thoughts......

-I hate rushing to work. Actually I hate rushing. There are so many people that cant drive that I get to drive with every morning. But maybe it is me....I am the one rushing...so they probably dont like me either.
-I am someone that eats breakfast. I think it is my favorite meal.
-I am enjoying a yummy diet orange pop. I have one pretty much everyday.
-I am leading worship tonight. Most people know I love butterflies (check out the blog name) and on the days that I have to lead practice and lead worship....butterflies invade my belly. It is a reminder that I CANT do any of this without God. It is because of Him and for Him that I do this....it is so much of a bigger job than I can handle on my own.
-Jordan sounded so tired a minute ago on the phone. He is working everyday now for 8 hours (like a grown up) and is serving alot. He is beginning to understand life as an adult. haha! I bet he will be happy for school to start. NOT! He is playing for the special music today and I am happy.
-Just finished my pop....bummer
-I miss Aaron Daniel Lovelace!!!!! I havent seen him in almost 2 weeks. I am having withdrawals. LOVE HIM!
-I cant wait for Grey's Anatomy to start again. September 21, 2006! Dont even call me after 9:00 that day. Dont judge me. :)
-My trip to Israel is postponed till May. Bummed...but at least I am still going.
-My mommy's birthday is today....HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!
-God is so good.

Just a great quote for the day:
When you are doing the right thing daily, something is happening even when you dont see it.

Keep the faith friends! God is faithful....he will complete the work he starts. You are a marvelous work!

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
I am yours
What does that make me....?

It makes me glorious....and who doesnt want to be glorious. Not by the worlds standards (though we battle it daily) but by the work of the Master's Mighty Hand! HE IS WORKING!!

Have a great weekend! XOXO

Great entry from my desktop encouragement....
The key is to choose the right thoughts, to keep your mind set. Not just when you feel good, but even in the tough times of life-especially in the difficult times-you must keep your mind set on the good things of God. Stay Focused. Stay full of faith. Stay full of joy. Stay full of hope. Make a conscious decision that you are going to stay in a positive frame of mind. (Joel Osteen)

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

There are so many people in my life that are going through a lot of hard things. I pray this entry over their lives. Life is not easy and God never promised it would be. I have to be someone that chooses to keep my eyes on Jesus and not be moved by the wind...but have my feet planted on the Rock. It is so wild to see my own mind and flesh play tricks on me....to tempt me to choose what I think I want over what I know I need. And EVERYTIME I choose from the "wholes" in my heart instead of what God wants for me....I feel empty. God calls us "saints" or "holy ones"....I need to remember who I am in Christ....and let go of who I am not. Help me Lord to make the decisions I need to make...one day at a time.

My friends and loved ones in Christ...pray for me as I pray for you.