Three things on my mind

It's funny to me that I often think to myself..."Oh, that'd be a good topic to blog about." Yet, every time I go to sit down to actually do it, my mind goes blank. Maybe that a blessing because it frees up what I can right about right now, in this moment. It let's me say what I want to say.

Right now, I have a few things on my mind:

1. How God is faithful
2. How great my co-workers are
3. How great my boyfriend is

1. I daily struggle with surrender and control. God and I often have a battle on who is in control. Well, really it's me who is having the battle. God usually just waits til I'm tired and then steps in to save the day. But, I am finding that I am having to learn how to trust more and more, even as I get older. I used to think that by the time I was almost 25 (eek!) that I'd have it all figured out. But actually, the older I get the less I feel like I have figured out. I'm regressing in sorts. I probably just used to be ignorant to what I didn't know, when I thought I did. And now I realize how much I don't know.

One of my professors in graduate school said, "I teach the first class, where you will learn how much you really don't know." And he was right.

This is real love

But back to God being faithful. I also used to think that trust was a feeling. No, trust is not a feeling. Trust is a choice. Much like many other things are a choice...surrendering, forgiving, loving, commitment, perseverance, joy. These are all choices. I used to think that unless I "felt" them inside, then they weren't there. This is not at all true. If I were waiting to feel like forgiving someone when they've hurt me, I'd probably never do it. If I were waiting to feel joy, to be happy...I'd never be happy. These things are a choice. Love is a choice.

I used to think that fairy tales equated to truth. I used to think that I'd always feel mushy gushy in love every moment of the day. Well...I did for a while, but now I find that my love has changed in sorts. Now, let me say that it has changed in a good way. I'm still new on the relationship spectrum and we have a lot way to go. But it's not a fairy tale...well it is a fairy tale, just different than the way that Disney portrays it. I seem to have gotten way off topic, but oh well.

The sum of number one is that God is faithful and He will always provide. Sometimes it's different than we think, but it's always a greater blessing than you know.

2. I just got home from work at 9...long day. We had an event and it always makes me realize how great the people I work with are. Everyone is hard working and does their part. I appreciate them so much. They've spoiled me for any future employment

3. Why is my boyfriend awesome? He is awesome because he picked up all the toilet paper on the floor of my bathroom that our puppy decided to pull down today. That's why he is so awesome and that is what I call love.

What Makes Me Who I Am Today...

Story time:

Last night, I was waiting to meet a student to prepare him for his first class beginning today. As I'm waiting, I decide to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Not too long after I've been sitting there, another man, in his late 40's or so, asks me if I will watch his bag while he runs inside. "Sure, not a problem" I tell him.  I notice he's reading a Christian book. I always look at what other people are reading, helps me get an idea of possibly what kind of person they might just be. You know, judging a person by their book cover :)

After he comes back out, he notices my papers and ask if I'm a teacher. I smile and say no, but I work with a lot of them. Then I proceed to explain to him where I work and what I do. The conversation leads into a high level conversation. He was a very nice man. He explained to me why he is now in Indiana and what his life has been like up to this point.

Apparently, he has worked with a lot of battered women and helped people figure our their life in sorts. I never fully understood some of what he was talking about, but a couple things he said sort of struck me. First, he apologized to me for all of the "bad" things that some men have done to women. Not a specific situation, just in general. He said to me "there are probably some things that some men have done that hurt you, and I'm sorry for that."

I thought to myself..."I've never been hit by someone, but yeah I could say I've been hurt."

We've all be hurt by other people, but it's nice to have those feelings validated. Which led me to think about how God has brought a great great man into my life to show me what real love means. He has give me someone who goes above and beyond what I could ever ask for, who loves and gives of himself so greatly. I don't think I will ever be able to full give Jake the credit he deserves for the truly wonderful man that he is. God really knew what he was doing when he made Jake and when He patiently waited for me to allow him into my life.

Next, the man, who's name is Rob by the way, looked at me and asked...so "what makes you who you are? You seem mature and well spoken for someone your age." I smile and politely say thank you and I begin to think of my answer. The first thing I thought to say was "Oh boy, I don't know you that well and that's a really long story to tell. There is a whole lot of stuff that makes me who I am." But that's not what I told him.

I simply replied, "I come from a really great family, I'm well support and grew up with small town values." Albeit, true -- that was my safe answer. My student soon arrived and I carried on with my work. I said good bye to the man as I left and that was about the end of the story.

Until, this morning when I read this verse...

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
~1 Peter 3:15

Then it struck me. Duh, Shana! Even though I have a truly wonderful family, the real answer to why I am the way I am is because of grace. I have hope because of Jesus. I have been saved and redeemed by God the Father in Heave and that is the real reason why I am the way that I am.

I felt very convicted this morning as I thought about how my answer yesterday was not what I really should have said. I went the safe route...not the faithful route.

So, why am I the way that I am...because I am a child of the Almighty who has so lovely poured his grace and mercy over my life. I don't deserve it, but I can live in the freedom of knowing who I am in Christ.

That is the true reason.

Finally, moved!

I feel as though I've ignored my blog for the past week, which is basically true. I've been swamped at work and packing, moving, and unpacking in any free time. Blah. Plus, I currently don't have Internet access at home, which makes it just a little difficult to check on my blog.

But, the move was successful. Now I'm trying to get settled and find everything a home for the next 10 months of its life. I have been extremely blessed to have some really incredible friends and family help me during the moving process. I am so incredibly grateful for them all.

I miss my roommates and talking with them...so Meg and T (if you read this) I hope you know that you are missed by both me and Winnie. She asks about you often :)

Anyway, I will soon return with pictures of the new pad, once it's all put together and livable by my standards. Aka - pictures are hung up!

So for now, Happy Tuesday.

Try to find some time for rest. I know I need to and desperately looking forward to it!

Purple Rain

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted one time to see you laughing
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain.

Ok, so I'm not really singing the Prince song Purple Rain.  Purple Rain is actually the color of my new bedroom. 

I feel like I've been a painting fool this past week and I'm not even half way done! I am in the process of painting my new home...the bedroom, the living room, the dining room...lots of paint. If you've ever been to a home improvement store you know that the color selection is beyond overwhelming. 

But for me, when if comes to color I am pretty predictable. I have two favorite colors. Purple and White. And these are the two color I've selected for a good majority of my new place. No, I'm not painting the whole house purple, but it will be around. 

As I was picking out paint, it got me wondering about what draws us to certain colors. Why are some people draw to this color or that color. Why do I love white so much? So I looked up the meaning of colors.

Purple: It's associated with royalty, wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. 

White:  It is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection. (and we all know I'm a bit of a perfectionist).

There is something simple about white. Something simple that reminds me of simple things. I don't need a lot of variety of colors or bright and bold colors, just something that is beautiful.

For me, there is great beauty and serenity in those colors and I love being surrounded by them. I can't wait til it's all finished and I can sit and enjoy the hard work. Makes me excited just thinking about it. Therefore, I should probably get back to work!

Oh, but in honor of the big win last night...Go JP!

Chickens, Contentment, and Chocolate

Let's just say last week, this week and next week are more stuffed than the turkey on Thanksgiving Day! There is a whole lot going on in a short amount of time.

• One trip to Illinois
• Work Conference in Nashville (where I didn't have enough time to see my friends...sad)
• Boyfriends moving
• Working extra days
• Painting and packing
• Moving
• 2 Family Reunions (which I may or may not get to attend)
• Painting and Unpacking
• Plus work, puppy and sleep

Ok, I didn't make that to make it seem like I was busier than everyone else. I just really like making lists! But, last week I had absolutely wonderful time at the fair with my family.  Here is a brief recap of a few of the things I experience...

Today as I was reading, I came across this verse:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
~Philippians 4:11-13

It was such a beautiful reminder to be content in all situations. Life can be very full, or it can be very different than you imagined. Or it can be exactly as you planned. Whatever the situation, be content and be thankful. God will always supply what ever you need...He will provide enough.

I am feeling just so blessed right now. I have all that I need and I am feeling very content. Life is good. God is good. My heart smiles.

PS- There is nothing to do with chocolate in this post, so if that's why you read it. I'm sorry.

My Favorite Week of the Year

Christmas may be my favorite day of the year...but this week is by far my most favorite week of the year. Ever.

It's Fair Week!

Yep, you're about to find out just how small town/country girl I may actually be. You see...the county fair is a really big deal where I come from. The county basically shuts down. Seriously. Because everyone is at the fair.

I grew up at the fair. I grew up looking forward to fair week more than any other time of the year. It was a time when all my family was together for a week. Grandma now lived just ten steps away, and I was surrounded by friends. Then there is the food, elephant ears, the church tent, corn dogs, cotton candy, caramel apples and, my favorite, orange shake ups. Oh man....it makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

I still love the fair. I love going to the fair. I love walking around. I love the smell of the animals, the noise of the pigs and cow. I love seeing 4-H projects and seeing people I only see at the fair. I love the demolition derby and the draft horse show. I love playing ski ball with my brother (who isn't going to get to come this year because he's saving lives in Ecuador right now). I love walking through the animal barns. I love petting the cow's noses. But mostly I love spending hours with my family, laughing, sitting around, and playing cards. It's my favorite way to spend my time.

Not to mention the pageant. Yep...the county fair queen pageant. I competed in it and was blessed to be crowned queen in 2007. There is a very special place in my heart for it. But that's another blog for another time.

Milking the goat

Tomorrow I head back to Illinois for a few days at the fair. Needless to say...I cannot wait!

Then on Saturday I will be blessed to watch roommate Meg and Kev finally tie the knot!! Woo Hoo!

Then off to a work conference for a few days in Nashville. Whew. Tired just thinking about it. But it's all going to be so much fun.

I will return with pictures of animals...lots of them!

Home Sweet Home

In the past six years, I've lived at six different addresses. For the first 18 years of my life, I lived at the same address. So moving every year has been a big adjustment for me. And in two weeks, I will yet again be changing my address.

I have found that each place I've lived has its own personality. Each with a character of its own and once you move your things and people into each place they become alive. I've learned to purge and pack. Stuff and load. Unpack and organize. Clean and settle. I feel as if I've mastered packing and moving.

Mom and I in my current kitchen

Although I'm not looking forward to all the work that comes with moving, there is something exciting about making space your own. I can't wait to add my personal touch to make my new house cozy and Shanesque. With all that said, I cannot wait for the day when I can find a house of my own. A place where I can come home each day, park my car in the garage, have a yard for Winnie to run around in, have dinner with my family, do home improvement tasks on the weekends, and have lots of friends come to visit. What I guess I'm saying is I'm excited for the day when I can make a home.

Although, that is not where I'm at currently in my life journey, I can look forward to that time. But, for now I have to continue to learn how to be content and I have come to understand the phrase "home is where your heart is". I may not have a home of my own, but home, I have found, is who I'm with. It's the people that make a home, than the structure.

I grew up in a great house on a great street, but it was the people in it that made it home. And someday it will be the people who live there that make my home.

And now some pictures of Winnie...

When she was wittle.

Sweet moments.

Home.