Don't Judge Me I Go to Church On Saturday

Chocolate Mocha w/ Whipped Cream and my Kindle

So, yep, still not eating healthy.  But I guess I did use fat free whipped topping in the mocha.   So I guess as you can tell from the picture, I am in my PJs and slippers on Sunday morning.  But don't judge me, I went to church yesterday.   I have officially switched to Saturday afternoon/evening church services.   I have gone sporadically for a few months now but I have committed to making the switch on a permenant basis.

Due to the growth of my church, The Summit Church, they are asking people to commit to going to either the 4 or 6 pm service on Saturday.   Filled seats on Saturdays leave more open seats on Sundays for those that want to go in the morning.

Personally I kind of dig it.   Late afternoon on Saturdays is kind of a dead time.  Nothing really goes on. So why not go to church.   Now the true test will come if my beloved Tarheels are playing on a Saturday afternoon or early evening.  But I guess that is why I have a DVR.  There's nothing wrong with watching a game on tape delay.  I have done it before.  So here is a request to all of my other Tarheels out there --- If the Heels are playing between the hours of 4 and 8 pm on a Saturday, don't tell me the score.  I didn't watch the game yet and I will watch it later.  Don't spoil it for me.

And the bonus--- I get to sleep in on Sunday mornings.  I get to spend the morning in my PJs curled up reading or writing or doing whatever my heart desires.  That gives me two lazy mornings in a row. And since I am not a morning person, this suits me just fine.

So this is my gift to all of you this morning.   This was the best thing about church yesterday.  Now don't get me wrong, I love the teaching.  J.D. Greear rocks.  But our praise and worship band knows how to rock my heart and soul too.  

I know that I have more then 10,000 reasons for my heart to praise God.  If you don't have a church home and live anywhere in the RDU, let me know.  Summit has campuses all over the Triangle and you can even catch the sermons online.  But there is nothing like worshipping with others.

De-Christmasing

Yeah, I know that isn't a word, but not sure what else to call it.   So I spent the morning putting away all of the Christmas stuff that I had scattered throughout the house.

I still have the outside decorated.  It is to darn cold to go outside.   If the sun would come out it would not be so bad.  The front of my place gets lots of sun.  But no sun = too cold.    It will have to wait.  But I did at least unplug the lights.

Every year after I take down everything and put it all away I always find something that I have left out. I am determined to not let that happen.

Now granted since the outside decorations are still up, I still have hope to make sure that everything on the inside is put up before I have officially de-Christmased the house.

And to give you an update --- still no exercise, and no healthy eating.

But I am Blessed.

Blessed

So this is why I don't make New Years Resolutions.  It is the 3rd day of the year.  Have I been working out? No.  I have eaten healthier?  No.  Well unless a small side salad with dinner last night counts.  Have I done anything different? No.

And you know, that's okay.  Just because it is a new year doesn't mean I actually have to do anything different.  I get up, go to work, come home, eat, and then go to sleep.  Well, there will be days when volunteering, small group, teaching, taking my online classes and other things will be mixed in.  But my life is basically the same.

And I am okay with that.

I am going to steal this quote from a wise women's Facebook page: (Thanks Mama Cook)

"A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are."

I don't know where she got the quote, but I like it.  I am blessed.  I have a roof over my head to protect me from the bitter cold outside.  I have a fridge and panty full of food.  I have a job to go to during the week.  I have a car that gets me places (now granted its old and has a lot of miles on it, but it goes).  I have people that love me.  I have furry babies that curl up with me and keep me warm.

I have a lot of things.  I don't necessarily need to make any changes to my life.  Are there things that I want to do? Yes.  Do I need to exercise more? Yes.  Do I need to eat healthier? Yes.  And the list can go on and on.  But I think I have discovered what my focus will be this year.

I am going to focus on the fact that I am Blessed.  God has put me through the ringer the past 3 1/2 years.  A lot has happened.  A lot of changes have occurred.   There has been both joy and sadness.  But through it all I have always had what I needed.   I have always been Blessed.

And because I am Blessed, I think the living, laughing and loving will just come natural.

2014. New Year.

So I have never been one to make New Year's resolutions.  Mainly because I know I won't keep them.  I know that there are lots of things that I need or want to do.  There is eating better, exercising more, reading more, get back into writing, finishing my AIC classes, etc.  I could go on and on.  But I don't need to sit here and make a list of stuff that I resolve to do.

My Facebook news feed has been filled all day with your resolutions, thoughts about the past year, ideas for the new year and ways to capture what happens.   And don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with doing any of these things.  Some of you have some great ideas, real motivations, and great desires to start new.  I get it.  More then anything I would like 2014 to be different.  I think that we can all agree that 2013 was rough.  But in reality.  What year isn't.  There is always something.  That's what life is all about.  

But what I need to do and what I can do is just remind myself that I am human.  I am not perfect.  I will make mistakes.  I won't accomplish everything that I want.  I will continue to eat ice cream.  I will continue sit on my sofa and watch TV instead of going for a walk.   I will continue to over schedule myself.  And I will forget to savor and capture the moment.

But one thing that I can do is just breathe.  I know that I can live.  I can laugh. I can love.  I am surrounded my co-workers, friends, family and loved ones that are on this journey called life with me.  And I treasure each and every one of you.

So cheers to all of you.  Happy New Year.  Here's to a year that will be filled with life, laughter and love.

Home Sweet Home - What a Difference a Year Makes

In February, the unimaginable happened to D's parents.   Their house caught fire and burned to the ground.

http://www.fox43tv.com/dpps/news/local/fire-destroys-outer-banks-home_5613044

I am not talking a little damage.  I am talking total destruction.  There was nothing left, well, except for the front porch steps.

You know, the ones, from this picture:

July 4th 2012

D's parents made it out of the house and are fine.  However they lost everything.  Well, they lost all of their physical possessions.  But they are fine and they still have the memories that were made in the house.   They still have the love that was fostered there.  They still have each other and they still have all of their friends and family members.  

They have homeowners insurance, but not everyone is that lucky.  Not every one has insurance.  More importantly, not every one has a home.  

A home means something different to each one of us.  For some it is just a roof over your head.  For others it is something that you cherish.  Maybe it is something that you built yourself.  Maybe it is something that you saved a long time for.  Maybe is it something that you dreamed about.   Maybe it is a house that you grew up in and now own yourself.  But a home is more then that.  

A home is a place for memories to be made.  A home is a place for love to grow.  A home is a place to gather with others.   A home is a home.   

But not everyone can say that they have a home.  

So this brings me to the reason why I am writing this post.   On Saturday July 27th, I will be participating in a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity- Durham in honor of D's parents.  D's parents don't need anything.  They are covered by insurance and have had lots of help from neighbors, family and friends and are currently in the process of rebuilding their home.   

However, I want to do something even more meaningful in their honor.  

I want to help a family have a home of their own on day.   A family that must help build someone else's home before they can buy their own.  A family that takes out an affordable mortgage.  A family that is in need.   A family that needs a place to make memories.  A family that needs a place to gather.  A family that needs a place that they can fill with love.   A family that needs a place to call home.   

So I am going to be biking 12 miles to raise funds to raise a roof for a family in need.   

Please consider making a donation to Habitat for Humanity.   

Click on this link to donate:

http://events.durhamhabitat.org/fundraise?fcid=245826

If you want to join me and ride/walk/run or even volunteer please check out:  There are two options a 12 mile bike ride or a 5K walk/run.

http://www.riderunforhabitat.org/

I am part of a bigger team --- my infamous The Redwoods Group.  So please consider joining us on supporting such a great organization.