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Hi all!

I'm working on my post(s) to cover the weekend but thought I'd insert a welcome to my re-designed page. It's different but I absolutely LOVE it! I don't know why I waited so long to change things up but I'm so glad I have finally gotten with it. Hope you enjoy the new look-let me know what you think. I happen to really love the diamond accents on either side of the posting background. *Surprise!* Ha! ;)

Anyway, welcome to the new look. Those of you that know me, know how much I love change-from my hair cut & color to the arrangement of furniture in my house. So you can expect the same for my blog. YAY for options!

Ok, back to work. I promise the updates are coming. Soon. (I've been under the weather a bit so I have a little more free time to write.)

Blessings for your Tuesday!
~B

Days 19, 20 & 21

I'm baaaaack!!!

So here I am, ready to report from the weekend. It's been wild since Friday and I owe you, my faithful readers Mom & Dad, some details & a little TI30 action. So without further ado, here we go.

Friday, September 19, Day 19

1. I'm thankful for getting to see Z again. It had been almost 3 weeks and I never want to wait that long between visits again. He has become my best friend and I have missed him so much. It was sooo good to be with him in the flesh again and no, Mom, I don't mean "in the flesh", just "in person".

2. I'm thankful for driving time. Traveling so often (usually 2-3 weekends a month), I log a LOT of time in the car. I spent about 6 hours in my little CRV over the course of the weekend and driving time is the perfect remedy for a chaotic week. There is plenty of time for me to mull over the happenings of the week and process everything, making appropriate conclusions and allowing myself the opportunity to peruse things through my mind. Unfortunately, I sometimes take this time as extra worry time but I try to keep it as prayer time after I think through everything. The time Z & I spent traveling around also gave us a chance to just talk and spend some good quality time together. It was great!

3. New restaurants are always fun as well. Since my town has very little variety, going out with Z is always a treat because he takes me places I've never been before. Friday, his dad actually wanted to take us out and we ended up at Pappadeaux. It was wonderful! Minus being the loudest restaurant I've ever eaten in, it was very tasty food. We had great service, I tried some excellent mango tea, and ate the best cheesesticks and chicken tenders I've ever had. I even tried crawfish & didn't hate it. YUM! :) If you ever get the chance to try it-DO! Just a bonus to having a boyfriend who lives in a big city...

Saturday, September 20, Day 20

Saturday was a BIG day.

1. Oh my GOODNESS! I've been waiting for this experience ever since I moved from TN over a year ago and it finally happened. About 15 minutes from Zeb's house is perhaps my favorite restaurant in the world. There is only 1, lone location here in the huge state of Texas and my boyfriend was sweet enough to take me there. What am I making such a big deal about? ONLY the best chicken tenders & fries on the face of the planet: ZAXBY's!
This place is incredible! SO YUMMY! And I finally had my favorite chicken finger plate in my new state. YAY!!!

2. While there are plenty of perks to living in a big city, after enduring all the traffic Z & I sat in on Saturday, I am thankful for my small town life. I want to live near a big city but not in one. Even if the people in my small town aren't the best drivers in the world (which I'm sure is what they think of me).

3. So the hot air balloon festival is obviously the highlight of the weekend and the City of Plano didn't disappoint. There was so much to look at and enjoy, the weather was perfect and Z & I had an absolute BLAST! :) By unanimous vote-best date EVER!

Sunday, September 21, Day 21

I woke up at 5:30 Sunday morning with a VERY sore throat so needless to say, my drive home was not as enjoyable as hoped. I made it to church that morning-even taught Sunday School-but felt AWFUL afterward so I ended up laying out that evening. You know I'm sick if I'm missing church so it's serious. But even with being sick, there are things to be thankful for.

1. The 64 ounces of Pepsi I bought for $1.80 to keep me awake on the way home. I never knew they made cups that big but I'm so glad they do. That lasted til I got home and gave me enough caffeine to make it through church. I used to have an addiction to Pepsi way back in my middle/high school years and though I'm not revisiting that era, it was SO good.

2. The Hispanic family that has been coming to our church on Wednesdays for the past few months. They are the kindest people with the most beautiful children and sweetest spirits. I had a long talk with their oldest daughter, 13, who is dealing with some adversity at school and it felt so natural to chat with her about her decisions and influence. She longs to make a difference in her world and it was so fulfilling to help her understand that her light shines brightly in the dark world of her school. I felt both honored and humbled to be able to share with her. She is a precious, strong young lady whom I know God is raising up to be a mighty leader of her generation.

3. Z. I know I talk about him a lot but to me, I can't express how thankful I am for him. I'm just glad he lets me be me-nothing more, nothing less. I don't have to pretend to be something I'm not. I'm just me-and he loves that. We had a really long, good talk Sunday night and I remembered all the reasons I've fallen in love with him (as if I needed reminding). This relationship that we've developed is truly unique to me-I've let him see all the different facets of my personality and he hasn't run away yet. I'm so thankful for that-never thought it would be found. More on him later... (oh, stop groaning-you just wish your boyfriend was as fabulous as mine)

Ok, this has been weekend update with yours truly, B. (I should've pursued that SNL offer.)

More TI30 soon. Still trying to gain some energy & get over this sickness.

Blessings to you all,
B
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Day 18

Late. Again. Not much else to say about that.

So here's Day 18 of Thankful In 30...

1. I found another little piece of manna yesterday at Wal-Mart in the form of...

BETTY CROCKER

OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP

COOKIE MIX!!!!!

Can you tell I'm WAAAY excited?!?!? I made some up last night and WOW! They are excellent! I ate mostly dough last night-didn't bake a single cookie. But today, I baked the leftover dough and YUMMY! Best cookies from a mix EVER. So yeah, I'm pretty thankful for that.

2. I'm VERY thankful for a free weekend to go see Z. I'm leaving right when I get off work today and we're going to have some down time tonight to just be together and then tomorrow we're going to the Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival. If you're in the area, it looks like it's gonna be a blast! Perfect weather, entertainment, hot air balloon and fireworks...does life get any better than this??? Yes, it does-only $5 to get in. I can't tell you how excited I am about the weekend. For some reason, the preparation involved with going out of town really excites me so I was thankful for last night and getting ready to leave.



3. I'm really thankful for compliments. At the risk of sounding extremely egotistical, I would like to say thank you to those of you who dish out the praise. It's not always needed, most of the time, I'm ok without it. But every once in a while, it's nice to hear the kind words. In the past few days, I've had several compliments on my clothes (even $7 shirts), hair (that has been 2 different colors in 2 days), blog (more people read than just Mom & Dad!?!?!) and-most significantly-Coach purse (similar to the one at right that my brother actually bought me in NYC-a girl actually took a pic of it w/her phone so she could remember it). So a huge thanks to those of you who aren't afraid to offer the compliments-they aren't taken lightly. You guys are the best for lifting my spirit and helping my self-esteem. You're the best!

I probably won't post again til Sunday since I'll be at Z's. But no worries, I'll be mentally tracking my TI30 list so I can share with you guys. In the stead (thanks to my fave college professor for that phrase), you all have a fabulous weekend and enjoy yourselves!

Blessings,
B
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Day 17

Yes, I know what time it is and yes, I know I'm late for TI30. But I was absolutely exhausted last night. I had run all day long and when I got home I worked on the church directory until late. Gotta love projects that people start and don't finish that I have to pick up. But it will be so good to get a decent directory. I also got to catch up w/long, lost best friend, Matt. Haven't spoken with him in probably 2 months and it was so good to hear his voice. Can't believe he's getting married in 6 months but I'm happy for him. Needless to say, I was too tired to write last night so here's yesterday's list.

Thankful in 30

1. It was my one year anniversary at work which is so weird to me. I can't believe I've lived in Texas for over a year and have been working in insurance that long now. I became quite reflective when I realized it halfway through the day but I have to say I'm thankful for my first full, productive year of growth here in Texas. While things haven't turned out exactly the way I thought they would, God has brought me farther than I thought possible. He has pulled me out of my comfort zone (kicking & screaming) and taught me lessons on life, love, spirituality, and most importantly, myself. Now I know that I'm a much stronger person than I thought and with Him on my side, I can conquer anything. In the past 12 months, I've seen the lowest valleys of my life and soared to the highest mountains. And looking back, my God has been MORE than faithful. He's given me His best, even when I thought it should have been something different. He's treated me like the princess that I am in Him and I could never say enough about His mercy and grace.

Thank you, Lord for the lessons I've learned and the ways You have placed me on the Potter's wheel when I've been at my ugliest, most broken state only to refine me, shape me, and mold me into more of the woman You created me to be.

2. I'm thankful for the friends and family that have seen me through the past year. Yes, it's strained many relationships but I think God allows times of turmoil to make us (me) more appreciative of the bonds we share. I know that is especially true for me and I'm just thankful to have had people to walk with me along this part of my trek.


3. Lastly, I'd like to say thank you to (and for) the people who mean the world to me. Mom & Dad, thank you for raising me in a Christian home. Thank you for recognizing that I'd need a relationship with the Lord to help me through my life's journey. Thank you for allowing me to spread my wings and fly even when you felt like keeping me in the nest a little longer. My salvation is definitely a gift from God but I would never have received it had I not had praying parents who shared it with me. I'll never forget that night of revival, sitting in Dad's office, and praying the prayer of repentance. An insignificant moment for the rest of the world but a life-altering one for me; one that forever changed the course of my future. I would not be the woman that I am today without the blood of Jesus covering my life and more importantly, my sins. So thank you Mom and Dad, for being faithful to the cause of Christ and trusting the Lord with me. Because of Proverbs 22:6 ("Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.), I believe and know that one day, we'll see your sons come back to the same saving knowledge and recognition of Jesus that I have. He never said they wouldn't wander away so we must trust them into His hands. However, until the day they return, I vow to band with you as we stand in the gap for them, praying for God to do whatever it takes to restore them.

Ok, I think I've "spreached" enough. As you can see, I have a lot to be thankful for and could never fully express my gratitude for all the blessings in my life. But I'll keep trying...

Blessings,
B
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Yep

I'm blogging and it's not even time for TI30 yet. :)

I just wanted to share how good God is-in case you need any reminding. As I shared last night, my mood has not been the best as of late. My brain is tired of thinking through different situations in my life and my heart is tired of worrying about it all. There are a lot of changes getting ready to take place around me and for once, I feel fairly stable. Besides my work situation, everything else in my life is on the up and up. But that is not the case for many of the people I am close to-several are in the process of major re-locations and for some reason, I find worrying about it all much easier than just laying it at the feet of Jesus. Although I know He can bear it much better than I can (and He already knows the outcome), I like to be in control-or at least think I am-and hold on to the weight of the burden. Not to mention the spiritual dry spell I am going through but that's another blog for another day.

So after feeling down in my spirit for the past few days, I come into the office today, check my e-mail, and find this as the devotion from the daily devotional e-mail I receive:

Today's Verse from the New Living Translation

The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. … The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. Psalm 145:13–14, 17–19 view in context

Encouragement for Today

Do you feel overwhelmed, weighed down beneath heavy burdens of too much responsibility, poor health, wayward children, or financial woes? Don't be afraid to call on God and cry out to him for help. If the truth is that you're in dire need of help, that's okay—call on God. Whatever your situation is, take it to God. Trust that he's "gracious in all he does" and "filled with kindness." Believe that he's close to you and will grant your deepest desires.

Now, my friend, tell me my God isn't good!?!?! I am amazed at how intently He listens to my cares and concerns and provides before I even know what I need. Why He is so loving and giving to me, I'll never know but I'm so grateful that He is. Thank You, Lord.

Back with more later,
B