Day 8: A picture that makes you laugh

I will neither admit or deny the fact that I may or may not have done this at some time in my life. >=^J

Day 7: A picture of your most treasured item

The item I value the most is my Bible.  But in the bible is the verse, Romans 8:28, which is my favorite. This verse has kept me encouraged since I first heard it in my teen years.  I've always been a person who needs to live for something bigger than myself.  Money doesn't motivate me, nor do the things it can buy... even though I enjoy them.  I know that I would probably be dead today if it weren't for God's love.  My life has been filled with more darkness than most people ever see in a lifetime.  But, God gave us all this verse to remind us that if we are brave enough to trust Him... He can use it all - the good-the bad-the ugly to accomplish GOOD things, in and through us. I will NOT be a victim to my circumstances.  I will NOT be held captive by their lingering echo.  I CHOOSE to LEARN from every situation life throws my direction.  I know that God can and will use every situation to help me to mature into a vessel that is fit for His use.

Another version of the verse which is my favorite is in the Message Bible...

"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good" - Romans 8:26-28

30 Day Challenge - FAIL

My 30 Photo Challenge has possibly turned into a 30 day challenge that will take 300 day challenge.  It has been a challenge to get my photo's up... A huge challenge to even be able to focus my thoughts towards finding the photos to post.  Its been one of those seasons.  I thought the 30 day challenge was going to be a nice way for me to unwind.  Think again.  The past several weeks have been overwhelming.  And the fact that its overwhelmed me is really MY fault.  I've let myself get caught up in everything... mentally and emotionally.  We won't even talk about my spiritual condition! Honestly, I've been feeling completely sorry for myself.  Allowing my mind to run through all the negative things happening around me.  Like, my mom who has been sick, mentally and physically, and in and out of the hospital.  The fact that I can't really help her - or force her to change herself or her circumstances is the most overwhelming.  Its frustrating to see someone killing themselves, wasting away the little bit of life that remains in their frail bodies.  On top of that, I've allowed myself to take on the heavy burden of "finding" a job.  To be transparent, I have a hard time knowing the balance between being a believer that God wants to bless me with all I want and need and going out and making those needs and wants happen.  Its a fine line that I haven't been able to come to complete understanding of yet.  A friend of mine bluntly called said this to me, "Go sit down, Martha!".  UGH. Should I be resting, preparing for the next season... which could very well be one that I will need to be rested to sustain my strength in?  How do I do that?? I'm still learning the balance of TRUSTING GOD and being a doer not just a sayer.  Anywhoo....

All that to say... I've been frustrated. Because I HATE HATE HATE to say I'm going to do something and not do it.  Even though my list of failed attempts is longer than I'd like to even acknowledge.  SOOOO - I've decided to give myself grace.  I will finish this 30 day photo challenge...but its not the most important thing in my world.  I will do it at my leisure.  Maybe that doesn't seem like much of a challenge to you, but for me, simply finishing it will be a hugely challenging accomplishment.

Thanks for hanging in there with me... any of you who reading my ramblings.  And those of you who picked up my 30 day challenge and have been able to keep up with it... Kudos to you!! Keep posting! I love learning about you!!

... The next challenge will be posted... Well, when I get to it. :)

Day 6: A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

I person I'd love to trade places with for a day would be my daughter, Alyssa.  I'd love to know what life is like from her perspective.  What kind of parents are we? What is school like in this day and age? What are her friends like? I want to understand her world better so I can connect to her more effectively.  

Day 5: A picture of your favorite memory.

My most recent favorite memory, was when my (not-so-little) 33 year old baby brother, Dan, came to visit for a couple days.  We haven't seen each other in years.  I was excited to introduce him to Isaac and his "mini-me" Nathan.  Dan and Alyssa were very close because he and I were roommates when she was little.  So, she was obviously syked about seeing him again too.

  I know he's all grown up into a man now, but I can't help but still see him as my baby brother.  When we were little (I was probably about four or five years old, which would make him about one or two)  I walked him around the neighborhood and introduced him to everyone by saying, "I'd like you to meet my baby brother Danny".  What I love most about Dan is his tender heart... he's a big softy, even though he tries to hide it with his tough guy act. :)  

I'm proud of the man you've become.  I miss you.  Hope you'll be able to visit more often!! We love you!!

Day 4: A picture of your favorite night.

I have many favorite nights... But I chose this one because it was our first trip to the beach since we moved back to Florida.  I was craving the salty air, sound of the waves and sea gulls.  

This night represented a new beginning for our family.

Day 3: A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

 You WILL get hooked ==> Click Here to check it out for yourself!

I am completely head over heels, crazy about this show.  Keith and I went back and watched it from the beginning and were hooked immediately.  We are now finished with all five seasons and can hardly wait until Season 6 comes out later this year.  NOTHING compares to it... So, we're having a hard time finding a replacement fix for our "Dexter craving".

Day 2: A picture of you and the person you have known the longest.

(Because my pics are still packed and buried, I had to cheat and pull this pic from her facebook page.)

The person I've known the longest, that I'm still friends is this gorgeous beauty, Misty Ann.  I think we met when I was 12 years old and she was about 9.  She was SOOOOOOO shy. She has since learned the art of flashing her warm, welcoming smile.  Don't let the shyness fool you though.  She may be quiet and a great listener, but this girl has lots to say and lots of wisdom to learn from.  She is a wonderful mother and wife and is one of those moms that look amazing after having a basketball team of kids.  A couple of my favorite memories was when we were teenagers, we spontaneously planned on jumping in the Tarpon Springs Bayou, which was at the end of my road.  We ended up having a mud fight. Super gross.haha!  Then our friendship continued as adults, we both have girls about a year apart, (which are also friends), I loved when her and her hubby would come over to my house, and we would stay up til all hours of the wee morning talking and laughing til we cried.  Good times... 

I love this girl like she's my own sister.  Even though I don't get to see her as often as I'd like, I feel so blessed to to call her one of my LIFEtime friends.

Day 1: Photo Challenge - A Picture of Yourself with 10 Facts

1. I love my family.  But I'm ashamed that there have been times that I've become so driven by a task or person in need that my family's needs have been overlooked or neglected.  I have to run a constant "priorities diagnostic" to keep first things first.
2. Going to church, via bus ministry as a child, helped to bring stability to my childhood which was filled with instability in every other way.
3. My clean, folded laundry rarely gets put away right away.
4. When I was little my favorite past time was to climb as high as I could in trees, and sing made up songs inspired by the birds, clouds, lizards etc. I still find my inspiration in nature.
5. Father's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I celebrate my heavenly Father.  His unconditional love is what has kept me alive, given me a reason to live and made me a better, stronger person.  I love my Daddy.
6. I tend to be optimistic, to a fault, especially about people.  And I don't know that I would want to live any other way.
7. I made a mental list when I was little of the things I would do differently than my parents when I grew up and became a mom.
8. I have kept almost all of those promises.
9. I want to make a difference in this world.
10. Perfectionism is the enemy to productivity in my life.  Sometimes it keeps me from doing anything, unless I can do it right, right now.  That frustrates me.

30 Day Photo Challenge

I hope that others will copy this list and post the facts on their own blog. Make sure to let me know when you post yours so we can learn something new about each other!!

Day 1: A picture of yourself with 10 facts.
Day 2: A picture of youjavascript:void(0) and the person you have known the longest.
Day 3: A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 4: A picture of your favorite night.
Day 5: A picture of your favorite memory.
Day 6: A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.
Day 7: A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 8: A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 9: A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10: A picture of the person you do the most crazy things with.
Day 11: A picture of something you hate.
Day 12: A picture of something you love.
Day 13: A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14: A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15: A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16: A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17: A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life.
Day 18: A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19: A picture of yourself when you were little.
Day 20: A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21: A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed.
Day 22: A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23: A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24: A picture of the best part of your day.
Day 25: A picture of your day.
Day 26: A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27: A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28: A picture of something you're afraid of.
Day 29: A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30: A picture of someone you miss.