6'2

"The only thing worse than waiting on the Lord is wishing you had waited."

That's my little "nugget" from church Sunday. Waiting is hard. Really hard. But we are reminded repeatedly that it will be worth the wait, if you trust in the Lord and his perfect timing. I know in my heart that the Lord has called me to be a wife (and mother), but I'm just not quite sure where and when I will meet my husband. For now though, I have hope, prayer, and patience. {A favorite quote} "It's hard to wait around for something you know may never happen, but it's even harder when you know it's everything you want." Thanks to Sirius, I discovered another song that takes the words right out of my heart.

6'2

Marie Miller

Lord I've been prayin'
For somebody I've never seen
And I don't care what he looks like
As long as he loves me
No, I'm not particular

But could he have blue eyes
Just like the sky
And blonde hair
Wavy and light
And 6 foot 2 is my favorite height
But Lord, I don't care what he looks like.

I've been gettin' so lonesome
Waiting for him to come around.
But if you're teaching me patience
I'm willing to wait this one out.
I'll be patient.

But could we meet by
The first of July
So he'll hold my hand
As they light up the sky
And marry me on an April night
But Lord take your sweet, sweet time

Whatever you want
Is whatever I want
I'm not particular

So if he has green eyes
That would be fine
Or brown hair
That's quite alright
Now 6 foot 2 is my favorite height
But Lord, I don't care

And could we meet by
The first of July
So he'll hold my hand
As they light up the sky
And marry me oh marry me
Marry me on an April night

But Lord, take your sweet, sweet time.
And Lord, I don't care what he looks like.

Could we meet by the first of July so he'll hold
my hand as they light up the sky ♥

One Thing Remains

A comforting reminder......

One Thing Remains

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death, In life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

The Waiting Game

Thoughts from my heart today...

Wait for:

the one who will be your best friend.

the one who will drop everything to be with you.

the one who makes you smile like no other, and when they smile, you know they need you.

the one who wants to show you off when you are in sweats and have no makeup on, but appreciates it when you get all dolled up for him.

the one who will put you at the center of his universe, because obviously, he's at the center of yours.

It's hard to wait around for something you know may never happen, but it's even harder when you know it's everything you ever wanted.

- Unknown

"Hold My Heart"

Tenth Avenue North

How long must I pray, must I pray to You?

How long must I wait, must I wait for You? 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. 
Romans 12:12 

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 
Roman 8:25

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Four the Record

If you haven’t already purchased Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert’s newest album, do yourself a favor and head to iTunes or your nearest Target, and buy it right now…well, as soon as you finish reading this. If haven’t been able to tell from previous posts, she is one of my very favorite artists. Picking a favorite song from the new album, Four the Record, is tough. This is her first album since she married Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton, so it's only fitting that he make an appearance on the album via duet. (He and Miranda also co-wrote "Over You," her next single.) Even though she is living her happily-ever-after, Miranda, still has some quirky break-up songs, like the first single, "Baggage Claim." (We girls in the dating world love to sing along to those sort of songs!) I really love the songs that Miranda wrote, especially “Dear Diamond,” but the lyrics of that one don’t necessarily portray something I can relate to. The background vocals (Patty Loveless) plus Miranda’s lyrical ability make for a stunning song though. (It is an alto's dream! It also makes me ache to play the guitar!)

The song I can (or one day hope to) relate to the most is “Oklahoma Sky.” To me, it symbolizes the deep sense of peace my heart feels in the country; the expansive sky holds infinite possibilities and hope. Hope that one day I will finally find the love that brings me home, and the long wait and heartbreak will all be worth it. What can I say; despite everything I’ve been through, deep down I will always be a hopeless romantic.

Oklahoma Sky

* How long has it taken me to find you? * Five hundred years, five hundred thousand miles * It don’t matter now, love’s always on time * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * Lightening flash, everything went silent * A feather could have knocked me to the floor * Missing peace was found, I was finally alive * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * With the speed of sound I am homeward bound * All our sorrows swept away forever * Each and every tear washed out to sea * There ain’t no goodbye with your hand in mine * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * Oklahoma sky *

* Oklahoma Sky *



I hate love

The Only Exception

It amazes me how powerful music can be. Do you ever hear a song that reminds you of yourself? So much so that it had to have been written about you? I had one of these epiphanies tonight. It is not the first time, and it won't be the last I'm sure. Most songs I have on this blog in some way express who I am, my beliefs, and my ideals.  This particular song happens to be a one of my favorites since it describes my feelings and experiences of love (the romantic kind) so well. I haven't exactly met my exception yet. I've thought I did...a few times, but I was sadly mistaken. Not so sure I'm on my way to believing either, but it is a hopeful ending.

The Only Exception

Paramore

When I was younger, I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart and I watched
As he tried to reassemble it

And my momma swore that

She would never let herself forget

And that was the day that I promised

I'd never sing of love if it does not exist

But darling, you are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

Maybe I know, somewhere deep in my soul

That love never lasts

And we've got to find other ways to make it alone

Or keep a straight face

And I've always lived like this

Keeping a comfortable distance

And up until now I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness

Because none of it was ever worth the risk

But you are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

I've got a tight grip on reality

But I can't let go of what's in front of me here

I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up

Leave me with some kind of proof, it's not a dream, oh

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

And I'm on my way to believing

Oh, and I'm on my way to believing

Christmas Makes Me Cry

I just realized how many of my blogs are inspired while I am sitting in traffic listening the radio. I guess that makes sense considering how long I do sit in traffic every week. It does give me time to think and contemplate life, and for that, I am thankful.

At Christmas, they are always stories on the radio about soldiers that are away from their families, people stricken with illnesses, and people who have suffered such tragedies in their lives. They get me every time. I used to pride myself on not being on of those girls that cries at the drop of a hat. Well, I guess those days are gone because I find myself sitting in my car crying my eyes out for someone I hurt for, even though I don't know them. Then I cry harder when someone, out of the spirit of the season, makes a wish come true for one of those families. I even make myself cry sometimes when I hear a song that reminds me of my family that will be celebrating Christmas in Heaven instead of here with me. (This year will be my first Christmas without my sweet Olivia.) Conveniently, there is a song that portrays my exact feelings. I guess I'm not the only one who gets overwhelmed by emotions at Christmas.

Christmas Makes Me Cry

Mandisa and Matthew West

I think of loved ones who've passed away
And I pray they're resting in a better place
I think of memories of years gone by
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry


I think of soldiers across the sea
Sometimes I wonder why it's them instead of me
But for my freedom they give their lives
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry


Tears of faithfulness, tears of hope
I cry tears of joy at Christmas because I know
There is peace on earth for every heart to find
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry


I think of family, I think of home
And say a prayer for those who spend this time alone
'Cause love can reach out into a silent night
And that's why Christmas makes me cry


Tears of faithfulness, tears of hope
I cry tears of joy at Christmas because I know
There is peace on earth for every heart to find
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry


I think of Mary and the virgin birth
And I'm amazed by how much God thinks we are worth
That He would send His only Son to die
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry


Tears of faithfulness and tears of hope
I cry tears of joy at Christmas because I know
There is peace on earth for every heart to find
And sometimes Christmas makes me
Oh, sometimes Christmas makes me

Christmas makes me cry

Olivia Christmas Eve 2009

Thankful

Sitting here watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in my pajamas, as I have every year since I was little. The house smells like turkey and fresh baked bread. The sun is shining, and all the damp leaves are twinkling on the ground. I am inspired and thinking about how thankful I am for so many things. I thought I should share the things that come to mind first.

• I am thankful for my parents and the home they allow me to share with them. (I'm pretty thankful that Mom is cooking right now too 'cause I'm getting hungry!)
• I am thankful for my jobs, as busy as they keep me. I would also like to note that I am VERY thankful that neither of these jobs are in retail, as i see the commercial advertising the crazy hours that stores are opening today and tomorrow. 
• I am thankful for my new puppy, Stitch, even though she is barking through the entire parade. I miss Olivia everyday, but I am thankful to have adopted a baby girl that needs a family to love her. 
• I am thankful for my friends and all the experiences that I have been blessed to share with them.

One of my favorite floats in the parade

I love Thanksgiving! I know Thanksgiving in our culture marks the beginning of Christmas. I like to stop and actually enjoy Thanksgiving for what it is before moving on to the next holiday. Thanksgiving, to me, is a day to stay home with my family, watch the parade, eat too much delicious food, play games, watch movies, lay in the floor and look at all the Black Friday sale papers, play with the puppy, and take a nap in there somewhere. Also, today is a day to be thankful for my freedom and the blessings that God has given me. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you are. Just want you to know that I am thankful to you...for reading my blog. Happy Turkey Day!

Eat Pray Love

I just got home from having a girl's night with Shannon. We saw the movie Eat Pray Love, and I loved it! (There are very few movies Julia Roberts has done that I don't love.) I am really anxious to read the book now! It's one of those movies that makes you think. Not thinking in terms of trying to figure out the movie, but it made me think about the spiritual and romantic relationships in my life.

In the movie (based on a true story), Liz (played by Julia Roberts) travels to Italy, India, and Bali, basically trying to find herself. She eats, prays, and loves along the way. She has been through some tough times in her relationships with men, and she feels that she loses herself every time she falls in love. I can completely relate to this since I know I have lost myself in some of my relationships. Liz's trouble was that she hadn't spent much of her life as a single woman, so she didn't know how to find that balance. I, though, have spent some significant time being single and learning about myself.

As much as I do enjoy being in a relationship, not being in one for a while has made me realize how important that time to "find yourself" is. Liz got married before she had that opportunity, and her marriage ended as a result. It now makes sense to me why so many people say not to get married too young. I know I'm not the same person I was even a couple years ago. I used to think I was ready for marriage then, but I can now appreciate that I was not. This movie made me realize that my life was not as balanced as it is now. In Liz's quest to find balance in her life, she learns that life isn't always balanced...

"Sometimes losing your balance for love is part of living a balanced life."

Eat Pray Love

A Summer Wedding

While the island was one highlight of my summer, it has not been the only one. What is summertime without a wedding? I know I am way behind on posting this because the wedding actually happened before I even went to Martha's Vineyard. Anyways, better late than never! 

I had the honor of being a bridesmaid for the first time this summer for my good friends Tara and Jake. It was a beautiful wedding, and I really enjoyed being a part of their special day. Now for some pictures...

Rehearsal dinner with the bride and Maid of Honor

My beautiful bouquet

The first dance as husband and wife

Shannon & me

Me, Tara, & Shannon

Leaving the reception

Just Married