Not Me Monday

This is my first attempt at a Not Me Monday. As I went through this week, I kept thinking, here is a thing I would write if I ever did Not me Monday posts.

When the landlord called and said she was bringing a potential buyer over to see the house I am currently living in, I most certainly did not pour more kitty litter into the box. I would never do that, because you see I always clean out the litter box, every morning, right after my 5 mile run.

When doing laundry on Saturday, I did not put the last two loads into the dryer together. Nope not me! The reason is simple: I always fold the laundry and put it away right when the dryer sounds that it's finished....always. And if you were to come to my house right now, I would definitely have a laundry free dryer, cause after the double load was finished I took it right out...folded it...and put it away, after ironing the work clothes of course.

Well that's what I have time for right now, but trust me, there are many more instances of pure and utter embarressment for me. Oh well, good thing none of these things happened to me!

It's a love thing.

Sometimes I wonder about myself. Actually if we are telling the truth, I normally worry about myself. I seem to never be satisfied. I always want more. I can't seem to be truly happy and content with right where I am at. There was a time that I really struggled with being single, with wanting to have a special someone to share things with.

Then I found that someone for me. And it wasn't too long into the relationship that I wanted more, marriage. I expected him to be ready when I was ready. I can't seem to get my silly heart to understand that marriage or not, I am incredibly blessed right now.

Maybe it's seeing my friends and now sister getting married.
Maybe it's the ridiculous life plan that I dreamed of in college (which for the record not one bit of it is coming true).
Possibly it's the "internal clock" of my female body, saying let's move on to the next step. Maybe I am just completely selfish.

Who knows the real answer to that but I found something tonight that made me realize that I keep pointing the finger at all the reasons of why I am not yet married and none of those directions have been in proximity to my own heart.

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to another,

To have a deep soul relationship with another,

To be loved thoroughly and exclusively,

But God, to a Christian, says,

"No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content

With being loved by me alone,

With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me,

With having an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone.

Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found,

Will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you.

You will never be united with another until you are united with Me alone,

Exclusive of anyone or anything else,

Exclusive of any other longings or desires.

I want you to stop planning, stop wishing,

and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan that exists,

one that you cannot imagine.

Please allow Me to bring it to you.

You just keep watching Me, expecting great things.

Keep experiencing the satisfaction the I Am.

Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.

You just wait.

That's all.

Don't be anxious.

Don't worry.

Don't look at the things you want;

You just keep looking off and away up to Me, or you'll miss what I want to show you.

And then when you are ready,

I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you could dream of.

You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready,

I am working even at this moment to have you both ready at the same time,

Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I prepared for you,

You won't be able to experience the love that exemplified your relationship with Me.

And this is the perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love,

I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me,

And to enjoy materially and concretely

the everlasting union of beauty, perfection and love that I offer you with Myself.

Know that I love you utterly.

I am God.

Believe it and be satisfied.

-St. Anthony of Padua

Apparently I needed a little wake up call. And so now, I wait patiently, believing that God has already shown me who this perfect love will be with on this earth. Waiting, expecting great things. Knowing that my God will know when the time has come for me. *Of course, we all understand this is considerably easier to type than to live. But try I will.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Best Christmas Ever. I had such a great Christmas season. It seemed less stressful than it has in the past. I know that a huge part of that was the control I was able to have over my finances during the time. Also, my brothers, sisters and I decided to not buy each other gifts and adopt two kids in the North Webster area. This seemed like the right thing to do but we were so blessed to find out that the one little girl we bought for was 11 years old and had never gotten Christmas presents before!! WHAT!! I can't even imagine... I got some awesome presents. I have gotten amazing presents every year. When I woke up Christmas morning, I said a little prayer for this precious girl who was opening presents for the first time. I hope she knows that Christmas present or not, she can still receive the gift of Christ's love.

2. We are working hard at United Way to raise money in our community to better the lives of all who live here. I can't tell you the good news yet but I can tell you that's it's gonna be REALLY good!

3. In the last month I have had Addie over twice for a flumber party. A while back I was telling her what a slumber party is and we decided that we needed to start having them. Both have been so fun. For the second one I took her to the movie theatre for the first time. I wish I would have had my camera there to capture her sweet little face when she saw the size of the screen! Priceless! On the first one, we stayed at home and made home made pizza and watched movies in bed. Here are some pictures from our first flumber party. I am sure there will be many more!

4. I have had 6 days off in the last two weeks and I am loving it. It's nice to get some R&R! I plan on sleeping in tomorrow, probably losing most of the day, but sleeping is one of my favorite things! :)

5. I have been thinking a lot about a New Years' Resolution. There are a lot of things I need to make my NYR; lose weight, be kinder, read my Bible more. I don't want to make one if I am not committed to sticking to it all year. I have been trying to get better at these things and I am not sure I want the cliche of calling them a resolution. Are you having a resolution this year? If so, what is it? If not, why?

6. Drew is helping to coach the Boys' Varsity Basketball team for Manchester High School. I have gone to a few games. And I love it! I am proud of my brother and the committment he has to these young boys even though they are struggling through the season. Go Squires!

7. I have been working my budget in Financial Peace University and I love it! If you have never read Dave Ramsey...you should. It's so gratifying to have been doing this for almost a year. There are still a lot of things I have to get better at and achieve but so far, so good. Looking forward to life with financial freedom.

8. Because of the working budget from about I have turned into a Total-Grocery-Shopping-Nerd. I now take about two (ish) hours, usually on Sundays to get groceries for Mike and I (and the girls) for two weeks. I have become a seasoned Aldi/Wal-Mart/Lance's combination shopper. I am getting good at knowing which place has the better prices. And, as disgusting as it sounds, I actually get excited about saving money and finding a good deal. Nerd, I know!

9. We took the girls to the Colts' game on Sunday for Christmas, it was a blast. I was mad at first that they lost but I am looking forward to the SUPERBOWL. Here are some pics:

10. I am in Ashley and Matt's wedding this weekend and I am pretty pumped. I have lots to do to get ready for it but it should be a good time.

ANSWER...

The answer to last week's trivia question was Cleveland.

Angie, I appreciate the honesty and that will be the string that holds our friendship together. Of course I will still be your friend, so much so, that I will gladly let you borrow my copy of the best Christmas movie ever!

Wacky Wednesday Trivia

In the movie A Christmas Story, what street is the Parker's house on?

This question is in honor of the greatest Christmas movie of all time! And to tomorrow...may the sight and sound of an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle be ever present in your life. I know it will be in mine!

BEWARE: This post may contain some mushy stuff.

Here is a version of a 10 on Tuesday, I used to write these every Tuesday when I wasn't MIA in cyberland.

Today is Mike and I's 1 1/2 year mark. This is something to be celebrated for sure and here is 10 reasons why.

1. Sometimes I get in these moods, lately it seems that the moods are more frequent than normal Monica. The reasons, I believe, are a completely different post. Even when I am in "a mood" Mike smiles and bears it. Sometimes, amidst all my moodiness, I can see it on his face...."I sorta want to shut you up, with force, but instead I am gonna stand here with this smile and try to figure out a way to love you in this." I am not easy to get along with, but he always finds ways to love me anyway. I am so blessed.

2. We don't get each other Christmas gifts, or any gifts, really. We have occasionally surprised each other with different presents but they are mostly for no reason at all. I was starting to get a little bummed about this last week. And then two of the last three nights we have spent having dinner together and curling up on the couch watching movies. We may not spend lots of money on each other but I sure do love when he makes time just for me! I am so blessed.

3. He is truly a Godly man. He works hard to lead our relationship in a way that would be pleasing to God. I am so thankful to have a person in this life who wants that for himself, me and us. I am so blessed.

4. Sometimes, we just laugh. Despite the previously mentioned "moods" we can still just laugh with each other. Mostly just me laughing, sometimes him quietly laughing to himself about me. But either way, we are laughing...and I love to laugh. I am so blessed.

5. He likes me. I know it seems obvious, but there are many people who are in relationships and I am not completely convinced that they like each other. And for some unknown reason, he likes me. I am so blessed.

6. Over the past year I have gone through one of the most difficult storms of my life. There were lots of ups and downs, mostly downs at first! And he was always there, always praying, always ready to catch me when I crumbled. He is a great listener, gives excellent advice, and is willing to completely overanalyze things with me. Ok, you're right, sometimes its me overanalyzing and him listening, but he stays in the same room, doesn't that count? I am so blessed.

7. He's cute. Here's proof!

My little drummer boy. I'm so blessed!

8. He cooks! Enough said. I am so blessed.

9. He calls me every morning to wake me up. I know it's pathetic, but alarm clocks just don't work for the coma I slip into every night. Ol' girl sleeps pretty deeply, so every night he asks when I need up and every morning he calls to be sure I get up on time. Then usually he has to call back again because he knows I totally woke up, answered the phone, told him I was up and then went back to sleep. I am sure it's annoying, but he does it everyday! I am so blessed.

10. I love him and I am so blessed!

My apologies

Sorry I haven't gotten to this blog lately....here is a blog you should check out, I actually wrote on it today!

www.glowministry.blogspot.com

Prayer Update

Sorry I haven't updated you all in a while about Pat's sister, Linda. Thanks Ang for being a good friend and prayer warrior and asking.

Pat's sister was moved a week or so ago to a Traumatic Brain Injury rehab center, of course this was GREAT NEWS. She was well enough to get out of the hospital and start working on getting better. Since then...sit down, you will not believe this...God has done a great work in her body: she is talking, starting to connect people to stories and memories, walking...yes, walking...not a lot but some with the help of a walker, she has started to eat some food on her own.

It's incredible, she has certainly defied many medical truth. However, I am sure that our prayers were a part of that defiance, she still has a long way to go...and the family is being very reasonable about that, but the fact that she is alive and talking and walking is nothing short of a miracle.

Thank God that He is still in the business of healing. All praises to Him!

The miracle of Christ

I have been addicted to some Jesus tunes lately, my iTunes is probably wondering if Casting Crowns and DCB is all that is left in its playlist. I have needed it, I have needed Him. I want to be surrounded by Christ in every minute of everyday. I want the world to wonder what is up with me...I want to be a light to the darkness. I search tonight for the Light of the World. That He might have enough mercy to take me back again and create it me a pure heart.

Isn't that the miracle of Christ?

I am so NOT WORTHY. Yet He is seeking me? Things have been on the up and up for me lately. I have been joyful about attending church, I have been feeling good about have right, pure, and true Christ centered relationships. I suppose maybe its the season for Thanksgiving but I have been so grateful for who God is and especially for who He says I am. I am praising God tonight by cranking some praise tunage, singing at the top of my lungs - the world might not wonder about me, but surely this will make my room mates question!

When I am weak you make me strong

When I am blind you shine the light on me

Cause I will never get by living on my own ability

Ten on(it's happening let's not worry about the day)

1. So I have been surrounded by some pretty sad news lately it seems. My boss Pat's sister is still not doing well after her accident last week. It is heartbreaking to see someone go through something like this. I am still praying for a miracle, but really asking that God's will be done and the painful road one that Pat can get down.

2. Tonight is book club. An incredible three people are gonna be there, and only one person has read the book. And that one person isn't me. So I am just going to enjoy a little girl time!

3. The babysitting schedule is filling up and I am feeling so blessed. I am trying hard to plan as many as possible and still have some time for Mike and myself.

4. This past weekend my mom's family met at her parent's house to try to clean out their garage and attic. My Pap Jack is a little bit of a pack rat, you could say. So there was a lot of stuff to be cleaned out. I went on Sunday to help and really didn't do a whole lot except find some really cool old stuff to bring home. Just what I needed more stuff!

5. Michelle had to decorate a pumpkin for work and I helped...here are the pictures of what we created. She works at a bank so I thought that this was a super cute idea. And it was really fun to be creative with my roomie!

Isn't she so cute?!?!?

6. Work is super duper busy right now. Lots of early mornings and long days. I really enjoy it, other than the leaving the house at 5 AM thing. I am so lucky to have a job that I like. My co-workers are fun and I love feeling like I am making a difference. Are you supporting your local United Way??? You should!


7. We are going dress shopping this weekend for Lex's wedding. She has already found "the one" for her but we need to find the bridesmaids dresses. So off to Indy mom and I will go on Sunday. So surreal! I have already started praying for their day and their union. What an important choice my baby sister has made, I should add that I think it was the right one! I want their marriage to be blessed by God in the good times and bad, so a prayer warrior I have become.


8. Did I also mention that Lex is graduating in Decemeber? Well needless to say I am hoping that with her degree she will get a job with the Pacers or Colts so I can score some free tickets soon! :)


9. I have made some tough financial choices in the past few weeks but I have to say that I am feeling so blessed by making money decisions that bring glory to God. I am trying to learn what it means to be a good steward with the money that God has blessed me with. It's not always the fun choices that I get to make but He is rewarding me greatly. I am so lucky to have close friends (Mike, especially) to support me in those decisions.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,

for we know that they are good for us -

they help us learn to endure.

Romans 5:3 (NLT)

10. A few years ago a friend of mine moved to Texas and when she left she gave me the best present ever...a mattress pad warmer! It is the best thing ever! I love to crank it up on those cold fall nights and crawl into an already warm bed. I truly believe that if there are cold seasons in Heaven...there will be matress pad warmers too!

Scripture Says

The Spirit himself testifies with our Spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share ini his sufferings in order that we may also share in His Glory. Romans 8:16-17

I am an heir to the Most High. I pray that I live like it today.

Thankful Thursday

1., 2., and 3. are all included in this picture. I just love that little Ava so much! And in case you were thinking that you had the best parents in the world, well I hate to be the one to break it to you but you are wrong....cause, well, I do. My parents are so supportive and encouraging, I have needed that lately. I am so thankful today for many reasons, but especially for these three!

Perspective...

I am foregoing the usual programming of this blog to post something that hit me like a ton of bricks today.

I have been struggling with some financial/relational decisions lately, and because of the budget I am committed to have had to make some really tough choices about travelling to attend special wedding events for close friends. I have been on a roller coaster of emotions because my baby sister gets to be married before me.

Well this morning at work that all got put to a huge HALT! My boss came into work on her phone...this is actually pretty typical. However shortly after I heard crying from her office and went to see what was wrong. It didn't take long to see that something terrible had happened. And it had. Her sister was in a bad car accident this morning. To see updates and get on board praying for Pat's sister, Linda...please go here www.glowministry.blogspot.com

After trying to calm her down and get her on the road to her sister's side, I sat at my desk calling her appointments to cancel, I kept repeating "Family Emergency". It was hard not to let some tears roll down as I considered how petty I have been over very trivial things.

My sister is getting married before me...however she is healthy and happy and I get to watch her marry a great guy. When I go to see her it because we will be celebrating her marriage! Love you Lex and can't wait to see that ring in person and love on you.

And maybe my finances don't allow me to do EVERYTHING I want but I get to do a lot and I have food on the table, a roof over my head and EVERYTHING I NEED! I am healthy and happy and I get to enjoy this blessed life that God has created for me.

So my perspective on life was challenged a little today. I am so grateful that today I have been reminded that my life is so good. I am praising God for a healthy family and loved ones and asking that He be with Pat and her family as they walk this scary road. I know that He is there and I pray that His presence would be known.

Scripture Says

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did no choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:9-17

I will need this scripture today. I will rely on the scripture truths about love, and I will do my best to lean on Him when my love isn't good enough.

God, would you continue to pour your perfect love into my imperfect heart?

I know you will.

Ten on (please pretend it's) Tuesday

1. Lex is getting MARRIED! Saturday afternoon I got a call that Andy had popped the question. They are looking at a May 2010 date. Very exciting! My baby sister will no longer be a Wilson, luckily as you can tell in the picture, Andy fits right in with our goofy family!

2. So the last two days I have had to be at work at 5:45 AM. Which is bad enough but when the meetings are in Warsaw and Claypool (which are at least a 30-45 minute drive) it's even worse. I am exhausted. But not complaining because I have a job that I love!

3. I am working on getting some relationships right in God's eyes and things have been a little stressful for me. Yesterday I got the sweetest email from Shannon. She reminded me of a few things but mostly that I have really good friends, who love me! And I love them almost too much I think! :)

4. So I just finished Jodi Picoult's new book, Handle With Care. I should have just made this 4 on Tuesday because you should stop reading this lame blog post immediately and get your hands on a copy. I mean I knew it would be good, it's Jodi for crying out loud but seriously...you need to read it!

5. I got some new brown glasses...for $38....from Wal-Mart. That's all!

6. I do still sell Mary Kay. Although sell is kind of the operative word. Aside from a few orders I did when I first started, I haven't done jack. So......if you want/need some Mary Kay let me know.

7. So I didn't know what else to post about so I started looking around and noticed my beautiful office plants. Now maybe this seems like a cop-out for a post but seriously it's amazing that these things are still alive. I got them pretty much right when I started working here (last January) and THEY ARE STILL ALIVE! I am pretty proud of my plants. Here is a glimpse into my office area.

I am pretty sure there is a little bird that waters them for me on the weeks I forget. And that little bird looks like this....

Trinia! My BFF at work! We have a blast together! She is so cool, and whatever you think she totally did not tell me to type that.

8. It's cold outside, and I don't like it!

9. "Peace is not the absence of trouble. Peace is the presence of God." Good one, huh?!

10. Is it seriously October. Um, could we have summer back please?

My apologies...

I didn't mean to tease you all by blogging last week. I'm just too busy with work to do it this week. Maybe next week! I promise at some point I will get back to it!

Have a great week!

ANSWER...

WOW! I was amazed at the answers that you gals gave...pretty interesting! The answer to the question when I found it online was donut...however I think Kristi should win because her answer cannot be denied. Angie....really? I loved it!

Wacky Wednesday Trivia

What has no beginning, end or middle?

Ten on Tuesday...

1. Holy Country Concert Weekend happened last weekend. It was awesome. A while ago Lex, Andy, Mike and I got tickets for Kenny Chesney, SUGARLAND, The Zac Brown Band, Montgomery Gentry, and Miranda Lambert for Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. And then last week....I won tickets to Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker in Fort Wayne. Lex came up here Friday and we went down there Saturday and together the shows made up Holy Country Concert Weekend.

The Zac Brown Band

Sugarland...loved it!

Rascal Flatts

Darius Rucker

2. SO this should probably be included in number 1 but because of the magnitude of this story it gets its own! After the concert on Friday night Lex and I were leaving the parking lot when we saw a huge group of people standing around by a Rascal Flatts bus. We were paying very close attention to the crowd when we discovered Darius Rucker walking from the building!!!!!!!!! I whipped the car into the parking lot and we grabbed our CDs and ran to meet him. We got our CDs signed and many thanks to Energizer (which actually did not keep going) for my camera being dead...but who cares it was awesome!

3. I rearranged my room last night. I got an old desk from my Grandma Wilson and it's the newest addition. After setting it all up and plugging the computer in I discovered that I can get wireless internet in there...when the computer is shoved close to the open window....but hey, it's internet! :)

4. Someone had a birthday last week. Well, actually, I am sure lots of people had a birthday last week but one stands out for me...our little Ava turned 1!

Ava with her Grandparents when she was just a little peanut!

Ava, how old are you? 1, that's right...so smart!

And she is already reading too! :)

This is what she got from her Wilson Aunts and Uncle. A beanbag with her name on it!

5. Mike and I went to the Michigan International Speedway for my first Nascar Race. Neither of our drivers won but Johnson ran out of gas after leading almost the entire race. I still don't always remember who we do and don't like...but I am learning.

It was hot!

6. Mike and I took three of my favorite little girls to the zoo. It was for Addie's birthday and man did we have fun. On the way there they were cracking us up...talking like teenagers. At one point they were discussing all of their different kind of underwear...some things never change for girls! SO FUN!

Here is my favorite picture of the day! The three amigas!

Mike and the girls checking something out...How precious!

The girls and I!

7. Last Christmas the Wilson Kids gave our parents a gift certificate to have some family pictures done. We wanted to wait till it was nice outside and Ava was a little bigger...here are a few for you to check out! If you want your family photos done for a great price check out http://www.darcyholsopple.blogspot.com/

The kids in their college gear. BOILER UP!

My man and me!

The crew!

8. The summer of course brings lots of time at the lake. We spent time playing cards, playing in the water and sandbox and of course eating.

Grandma and Grandpa Wilson with all the Great-Grandkids!

9. If you are a woman and haven't checked out the GLOW ministry blog lately....you should do it now. Forget #10 on my silly blog and go there. The ladies that are writing this blog with me are incredible and it's a great place to seek God and see His works.

10. Lastly, a mushy one! Today Mike and I have been together for 15 months...he is out of town (which I hate) but it's nice to celebrate our friendship and relationship. God has blessed us with an awesome first year+...can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the future. :)

Life Happened!

So I was doing really well at blogging all the time and then Life Happened. I got distracted and stopped blogging....BUT I am back! Have no fear this week should bring a SUPER exciting 10 on Tuesday, some Wacky Wednesday Trivia, and a little Thankful Thursday action! Until tomorrow, here is a family picture taken a few weeks ago!

What a good lookin' crew!