More Than Words

Every now and then someone comes along who does not know you, will never be your friend, and has nothing to do with your life, but they inform you of something that is priceless to you. It all happened like this....

This year for Easter, Ryan and I went home to be with my parents, sister, and Grandma. It was such a fun time, as it always is. We got to see the people at our home church and worship with them on Easter Sunday (and they are such lovely people that we always leave there so refreshed). We got to catch up with family and have some wonderful times together. But, one of the things that will always be a precious memory for me happened in Big Lots...of all places.

Ryan and I are on a quest for a bed because ours was given to us by someone else in the first place and we have had it for two years now, and frankly, it has seen better days. While we were in Big Lots, Ryan and I got separated because I was taking a little too long in the housewares department. When I found Ryan, he was walking around the furniture section. We reconnected and walked around looking at the rest of the furnishings. We rounded the last section of couches and the clerk standing there said, "Oh, you found her, huh?" And Ryan confirmed that I was indeed who he was looking for. The clerk looked at me and said, "Ma'am, I wish you could have seen his eyes light up when he saw you coming over. He was walking around here looking as sad as could be till his eyes found you and you could just see them light up." Let me tell you...that Big Lots clerk could have sold me anything in the world at that moment. And I think it meant so much because I knew he wasn't trying to sell me anything and that I had nothing to buy. I left that Big Lots happier than I have ever left any store in my whole life. I had all I wanted right there in the hand that was holding mine. I will never forget this Easter as long as I live.

Longing for home

Braddy had a long day in the car. He was more than ready to be home. As believers sometimes we long for heaven just as much...i know lately I have a longing to be there.

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An Old Lady Christmas Dress

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This post requires a little background information. During Christmas time I was out with my friend Jackie shopping for gifts. While we were out I was telling her how the girls that I work with always have cute accessories that compliment their outfits so nicely. I was lamenting the fact that I do not have the knack for putting those cute necklaces and earrings with just the right outfit. She confessed that she lacks those skills as well. During Valentine's Day weekend she went out of town and when she came back she told me she found this cute little shop with all sorts of trendy jewelry combinations. So, she got some for each of us. We have since been encouraging each other to "go out on a limb" and try to pair these outfit/jewelry combos.

Well, yesterday I finally got up the courage to "try" to put together an outfit...it is the one pictured there in the photo. I was rather worried that it did not go well together, so I asked Ryan (who has way more style than me...he actually is the one who usually buys my clothes). He was half asleep at the time, and he said "You look great." So, I went to school. One of my friends at work told me they liked the combination and I was starting to feel good about my choice.

Then, it happened. One of my students came up to me and said, "Hey Mrs. W...I love your old lady Christmas dress" and then walked away. I stood there for a moment trying to even figure out 1. How he saw an old lady in my 25 year old person? and 2. Why it was "Christmas" In the end, I laughed and walked away. I had accessorized an outfit by myself...so old lady or not...I was happy and comfortable. So, the good news is, when I grow up and become and older woman...I will have the jewelry to swing it. :)

Things I am Loving These Days....

When we first got married my friend Krista send me this warmer and I love it. But, I had used up all the bricks of "stinky stuff" to make the house smell awesome. Then, after Christmas I went to do some bargain hunting at Wal-mart (the store I hate more than anything) and struck gold. There they had discounted bricks of "stinky stuff" for only .25 cents a brick. I loaded my cart and am STILL enjoying a yummy smelling home.


We have had the same comforter and pillow set on our bed since our wedding (3 years ago this June...hard to believe it has been that long). Anyways, it was REALLY starting to show its age and I was just about ready to throw it out and start the expensive process of getting new bedding. Then, my Grandma came to visit and brought me this ENTIRE set of bedding. We love it and we do not have to change any of our other decor because it fits in just right. Thanks Grandma!!!!


I have been shopping for a new Bible for about 3 months now. All my other Bibles are FILLED with hand-written notes and all kinds of things that are important to me. BUT, they are worn out and pages are starting to fall out. While we were on Spring Vacation in North Carolina, Ryan went out and got me this Bible as a surprise. It is awesome. It is in the version that I wanted (and have had a hard time finding) and it has HUGE margins that are lined like a journal so I can fill it with all the notes I want. I LOVE it.



This book is AWESOME. I recommend it to any woman, even if you do not think you are insecure. It is so encouraging to know that there are women of all shapes and sizes who struggle with being insecure. It is also encouraging to know that you do not have to live like that. If you place God as the center of your life, you have nothing to be insecure about. It is a great read, and Beth is great at breaking the serious, tense moments with humor.



When we went to the Strawberry festival a couple of months ago, we went to a part of the festival where people bring in their homespun crafts. There were all kinds of interesting and sometimes strange things. BUT, we did find this man there who makes these signs carved out of wood. We bought two of them. I wanted this one right next to our front door. The other one is waiting to be hung. I cannot decide where to put it. The other one says, "Home is where our story begins." Any thoughts on where to put it?

How Deep the Father's Love

Recently a friend of mine wounded me VERY deeply. They did the right thing and came to me right away and confessed the fault (with tears and obvious regret) and asked for forgiveness (have no fear readers...it was none of you that caused the offense) :)

Well, once the friend asked for forgiveness, they felt better instantly and "got over it" so to speak. For me however, it was not that easy. I had to ask the Lord for help on this one. Forgiveness is a challenge. The Lord never promised that the Christian life would be easy. This is one of those times where you realize human forgiveness can never be done WITHOUT God's help to do the forgiving.

Sometimes people who have never felt the love of God ask how you can REALLY forgive. Then you look at God and how He was able to forgive us for the horrible things we have done. Thank goodness for God's example of true forgiveness so that we can do the things He has asked us to do.

Stuck-to-the-screen-door Stubborn

I am stubborn. I just came to this startling realization today on my way home from work. I was thinking over a lesson that God has been trying to teach me. I know God is taking me through the training ground of patience. I HATE learning the lesson of patience because since I am so stubborn it takes me a REALLY long time to learn it. I should have seen the warning signs long ago.

When I was about three or four (I remember this event because I was traumatized), I decided that the ice all over the screen door looked totally delicious and I wanted to eat it. I had seen "A Christmas Story" where the little boy gets his tongue stuck to the flag pole because of the dreaded "triple dog dare" and I vaguely remember my father telling me it was not a good idea to ever do that. Still, I was stubborn and I tried it anyways. Sure enough... I found myself stuck tongue first to a screen door. Laughable now, but not so much when I could not taste anything for a week due to my taste buds being transferred to the screen door.

BUT, I still did not learn this lesson. When I was about eight I remember seeing ice collecting on the inside of the freezer...and I wanted to eat it. (Not only did I have a thing for ice, but also for the gross and disgusting apparently). My mom told me on her way to the shower when I expressed interest in eating the ice that it was a bad idea. Once mom was in the shower, I went to town. I got some ice off the back of the freezer, licked it off my fingers and went in for a second helping. However, I made the fatal mistake of sticking a soggy finger on an icy piece of metal. STUCK AGAIN. This time I was stuck in a bent over situation with my head in the freezer and my fingers stuck to the metal.

You would think that would be the end of it, wouldn't you, but I decided to do it once again. When I was about ten or twelve I went to stay at my Grandma's house for a couple of weeks in the summer. While I was there, I discovered super glue. I pestered my Grandma about using it on something and she admonished me to leave it alone. While she was on the phone, stubborn Amy struck again and I managed to superglue all the fingers on my right hand together. Again...STUBBORN.

Here I sit now with a lesson to learn. An important life lesson...the question is...am I going to LISTEN this time, or will the Lord have to come and help me out when I find myself STUCK once again. I think I know which one I am praying I will do this time. :)