Not sure how I got here

If you would have told me about 7 or 8 years ago that when I was 24 this is where I would be in my life, I would have laughed in your face and told you that you were, in fact, crazy. Believe me when I say this, nothing in my life is even remotely close to what I thought I would be doing, especially that fact that I would be living in central Indiana. (I mean no disrespect in that, but where I'm from its not uncommon to hear a snicker when someone mentions being a Hoosier.)

As I was jamming along to my country radio station the on my way home from work, the new Darius Rucker song called "This" came on. It occurred to me how much of my life resonated with what he was saying.

I don't really know how I got here
But I'm sure glad that I did
And it's crazy to think that one little thing
Could've changed all of it

Believe me, I have no idea how I got to be where I am in my life, but I truly am glad that I did. God reminded me this week how so blessed I am with loving, caring people who surround me in my life. And if my life had gone as I'd planned I would have never met most of them.

  

 Thankfully, I have these people in my life and that I've made the mistakes I have that have led me to where I am now. If there is one thing that I have learned it is to "never say never." Every time I do that, I end up doing exactly what I said I wouldn't do. But I'm just so glad that God's plan is far more intricate than anything I could have ever come up with and that He is faithful to provide what it is that He has for me.

Despite all the struggles, and challenges that come across the path during this life, it worth it because it's led me here to all this.

Music Musings

As I've stated before, music speaks to my soul. So here are a couple of tunes that I've enjoyed recently.

The sun is out. Time to go enjoy it. Happy Friday :)

Just a mere Tuesday

It's a mere Tuesday evening. I honestly feel like it should be, at least, Thursday. I feel as this week has already had so much happen. And it's Tuesday.

It was a sit in my comfy clothes, watch a movie kind of night. So that's exactly what I did. Plus, we got new iPads for work so I just had to sit and try it out for a while. Bummer, right?!? Before I had ever see one, I said that iPads were pointless and were a waste of money. Honestly, it's pretty cool. So I take back my statement. I'd take one....just sayin'.

Back to the movie thought. I like to go to Blockbuster and buy movies when they are selling them 3 or 4 for $20. I feel less guilty about spending $20 bucks on 4 movies I will get to keep.

Last time, I purchased The Back Up Plan. I thought it would be a mindless chick flick and it pretty much was. However, there still managed to be a subtle message for me to hear, lingering at the crux of the plot.

It involves trust. You see, this is something I've been faced head on with recently. The concept of trust. In case you don't know me, I am a wee bit of a control freak...just a little bit though. I've always been pretty independent, which doesn't require a lot of trust because I pretty much did things on my own.


But, I've had to learn a new way. I'm learning, err trying to learn, how to let go and trust. This stems all the way from God to the people I help at work. Trust is a big deal and I think I've missed that for a while. So even in the simple things in life, such as a J LO chick flick, God can use it. You never know where He'll show up. Who knew my simple Blockbuster buy would provide so much insight.

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  ~ Exodus 14:14

Where I'm from

We all come from somewhere. 

Sometimes we're not real thrilled with where we grew up, 

sometimes we think its the best place in the world.

I never noticed that where I'm from is any different than where everyone else is from until I went to college. Yes, I realized it was a small town, but there were lots of small towns so it didn't seem any different. It wasn't until a conversation my freshman year of college when someone asked how many people lived in my town that I realized. 

"350," I answered.

Silence. Shock. Wrenched faces.

"Thousand, right?!?" Ha. I laughed. Little did I know that there were some people who thought that everyone had a gas station in their town, or that everyone lived within five miles of a superstore. Nope. Not me. I live in a town that doesn't even have a stop light and where everyone really does know everyone...and their business! And let's be honest, we're all probably related.

 It took me a couple years to appreciate and realize the value of my small town upbringing. The beauty in the slow paced charm. Now living two hours away from my tiny town and grandparents farm, my heart aches for the simplicity that I grew up in. I often miss the wide open spaces, the smell of green, looking outside and seeing nothing but cornfields. Most of all I miss the warm, friendly faces and the love that surrounds you.

I miss the people...my family. 

 

I know that God has brought me to where I am for a reason and I am truly blessed by it, 

but nothing will ever replace home.

True Confession

True confession: 

Sometimes I wish I could have lived "back then." 

(And by "back then" I mean, the 1940's.)

Yes, I am aware that there was a war going on in those early years, but really...that's happening now. Anyway, times seemed simpler and more elegant. To me, there is something romantic about those years. Just imagine...girls being able to be girls. Big dresses, high heels, super cute hairstyles and full covered swimsuits were fashionable. How adorable! A time where femininity was embraced.

For example...Grace Kelly. She exudes femininity, poise, grace, beauty. Ah, what it would be like to be a princess. (Maybe I'm not past the royal wedding buzz yet).

Ah yes, the joy of a long, full skirt. Ok, maybe I'm being a bit idealistic. But probably most girls dream of wearing a full skirt that you can twirl in at some point in their life.

To me, Grace Kelly exhibits many characteristics of a true women in touch with her "girly" side and is completely confident about it. There was a time when I used to immensely dislike anything "girly." Lace. Pink. Dresses. Skirts. Doing my hair. I insisted that I carried a bag and not a purse. I wore big jeans and big t-shirts. I'm just really thankful that digital cameras weren't around then. Bleh!

As I grow up, I am realizing the beauty and wonder of being a girl! And how much fun it is, too! Now, I'm all about it. I love lace, dresses, getting dressed up, jewelry, having my door opened, and just plain being a lady.

Yep, I love being a true girl and I hope to someday be remembered as such.