Wow... A Year... and in a valley

This post is for T, Al, Janet, Aunt Colleen, Joe, Dan, Andrea, and others I'm certain I'm forgetting.

I wasn't planning on posting... but I had several comments this weekend and last week about my it having been a year since I posted. So, at the very least, I could do something to refresh my blog. ha.

A lot has happened in a year. I've done a lot of things I've always wanted to do, and things I never thought about, but thoroughly enjoyed doing. I've said minor good-bye to friends as they have moved and gotten married. I've said good-bye to my brother as he deployed to Iraq (and I'm waiting to pick him up at the airport now for his R&R!). And God has brought new friends into my life through some interesting times. Friends who I never would have had in my life had if I hadn't taken certain risks that lead to interesting times.

And late this summer, I began to hit some rough times. I knew I was not going to the Lord to be my all-in-all. My adventures of the summer didn't fill me. My friends didn't fill me. And God, in His kindness even removed some of my friends from me (marriage, moving). But, what a good God. He sent me to the valley. But not alone. Not with out Him, and not with out my Care Group at church and not with out new, faithful friends who were ready to tell me when I was going into self-pity.

I missed my brother horribly. I missed my moved and married friends horribly. My care group leader said that I was in a valley, and that one day, I would love the valley because I would learn to draw near to God and see Him in a new way. My "surrogate mom" encouraged me to read through the Psalms. My good friend and accountability partner encouraged me to begin journaling.

It has been six months. And after six months, I'm still in the valley. And I love the valley. It isn't easy. But by His grace, I'm slowly learning how to go to Him. Looking back at my journal entries of the last six months, I see a common theme... "Lord, I need you... Help me to see it! Help me!"

Maybe I'm coming out of the valley. I hope not. I've never been in more love with my Savior and more aware of my need for Him. I need Jesus. I want Jesus. And I'm so thankful He chose me and saved me.

And though I'm am incredibly excited to see my brother today, I was crying in the shower this morning... not because I get to see Stephen after seven months of being apart. I was crying because one day I get to see Jesus. And if I'm this excited to hug and kiss my brother, I cannot imagine what it will be like to see my Savior. What a day that will be!

The Lights

Every year, I anticipate the first time I see the lights on at Camden Yards. It means warmer weather is just around the corner. Means baseball is just around the corner. Today, I looked out the window, and what caught my eye? The lights. They are getting the stadium ready for baseball.

And I did a little happy dance. Some people look for the first signs of flowers. But, that takes too long. =)

Free O's Ticket for Your Bday!

O's to give fans free birthday tickets

Associated Press

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles are giving away birthday presents to fans -- free tickets.

The team announced Tuesday that any fan can get a free ticket to a game during the month of his or her birthday -- except for games against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Free seats are in the upper part of the third deck, which cost $8 to $15.

A fan can register at http://www.orioles.com/birthdays and receive a voucher for a free birthday ticket. People with birthdays from January through March can get a ticket to an April game, and those born between October and December can go to a September game.

Bloggy Break

Sorry faithful readers... I need a blog break.
I should be back in the swing of things after the youth conference my church is putting on (1st weekend in March).
I might have small posts between now and then, but if I were you, I'd probably skip my blog for a week or so.

2 Years & a Prayer Request

2 years ago, my grandfather died.
I've posted this over a year ago.

But, I'd like to repost it in his memory, to honor a man who worked hard to provide for his family.

I'm thankful for his memory.

The prayer request is this.
My friend just called to tell me his dad died.
Please be praying for him and his daughters and the rest of his family.

Abstinence?

I'm sure most of you have heard/read about Bristol Palin's comments where she said that abstinence is not realistic.

There are many things we could say.
But Dr. Mohler says it best.

I was praying for the teens gals that I work with at church last night. And this is one of the things that I pray for them about. I hope that Bristol's comments sadden you, but only to stir you up to pray more.

Resolution Update: Week 7

New Year's Resolution

Gulp. No books this week.
That is okay. I'm already ahead of the game. (11 so far)

I purposefully spent a lot of time with friends and family over the long weekend. And I had a wonderful weekend. I don't think I've laughed or giggled that much for a while. Between an amazing dinner, serving, square dancing (yes! haha), karaoke (I didn't sing!), a surprise party, watching movies with my family (Baby Mama. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, need I say more?), fun text messages, ice cream for lunch (hehe), a spontaneous dinner, and picking a friend up from the airport, I'm not sure when I would have had time to read.

Plus, the two books I'm reading right now didn't exactly fit in with the mood of the weekend, although I'm enjoying the books a lot, and so far would recommend them.
Peace Like a River
Worldliness