Warm Thoughts

Who would have thought NC could be so cold! It is another freezing day here in NC. I am sending everyone warm thoughts until this chill is over!

Overwhelmed, overjoyed, and just plain grateful

Yesterday was quite a stressful day in my corner of the universe (as well as many others). Not only did we ask for a bail out and our stock prices plummeted to all time lows, but a plane miraculously crash landed into the Hudson rive carrying 19 fellow associates. The news hit the office like the plane crashed into the icy water- we all heard one by one and quietly said our prayers. We watched patiently and word began to trickle in that the heroic pilot had saved each passenger on board! To see the photos of the event fill me with overwhelming feelings of amazement, joy, and just plain fear of what could have been. What an amazing event. If only, we woke up today to as good of news as last nights that the 19 associates being safe and sound- we instead got the worst earnings report in history. I pray for our country- that humanity will do what is right, that people will lean on each other and we will save ourselves from this disaster. I just can't help but wonder: When will it all end? Where is the bottom? Are we going to be ok?

Missio Dei

"The Sending God"

6 Weeks ago I looked at myself in the mirror and said "what the hell am I doing? What is the point?" I did not say this in desperation or even depression- I said this looking at myself and wondering why I have not achieved the goals I have set or done the things I said I am going to do. I looked at myself and said it is time to change. It is time to remember who I am and what God put me on this earth to do. The first order of business for me was to get back in shape. To build my as I like to call it "bod for God" so I can function like the person I want to be. I began going to the gym 4 days a week and have successfully made it to the gym each week ever since increasing the intensity of my workouts and in turn my strength and stamina. Slowly, I am seeing physical changes and starting to feel like my old self.
It is not that I am overweight and need to diet and lose all kinds of pounds. I need to regain my physical strength that I once had when I felt the best I ever have. This was in Germany. I used to run for fun for the sake of running because of the glory of the strength I would feel- and secretly running was my alone time to pray and sort out my purpose.
Although an ongoing and everlasting task Step 1 of getting back on track with physical activity is complete. Step 2 was and is to tackle my diet- or how I eat. There are starving people in this world and here we are stuffing ourselves, overeating, indulging in food that we don't even need. I have carefully worked to eat healthy, foods that are natural and less processed and will help to create my "bod for God."
Once my bod for God is created it is up to me to do what I was sent here to do (Misio Dei). We were sent here with purpose- to lead, to teach, to love, to befriend...you get my point. This is the hard part. This is where the profound thoughts end and all of the questions begin. This is where I wonder why I do what I do each day. Why I work where I work, live where I live, drive what I drive. This is where the real soul searching begins. I can't say I have the answers I can only hope that God will guide me and that eventually I will find my peace and no that I am doing what I was created to do. In the meantime I will be the best person I can be.

It's a beautiful day

The sun is shining! Finally- after what seems like months of rain- or maybe it really was- the sun is out and beaming on me through the window while I sit at my desk.

A side note- The Song by U2 Titled" It's a beautiful day" is what Mark and I entered our wedding reception to. I still love that song.

It has been a long time and that is the only real reason for this post. I am not abandoning ship, just lacking words these days.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Christmas Spirit

It is almost here and I can hardly wait! Our plans involve no major modes of transportation this year and I am thrilled about it.

Tomorrow I will work a half of day (I had only enough vacation for the 25th through the 5th of January and my sister will be here all that time) and then M and I are off to Crisis Assistance Ministry for an afternoon of volunteering. This is the first Christmas eve we have done this sort of thing, but I would like to make it a tradition. I am excited to bring the cookies I made on Sunday night too (minus the ones that I messed up). I figure I surely do not need cookies and others may not have the luxury of baking them at home this season. Anyway, that is our Christmas Eve Day and then Christmas Eve night we will go to Midnight Mass with M's family. Our church had their Christmas service on Sunday that will also be on Christmas Eve, so we will not be going to our usual Church.
Christmas morning M and I will exchange gifts and then head to his parents to meet up with my mom and his sister. We will spend the afternoon there and Christmas Night M and I are going to see Marley and Me. I can't wait to see this movie. I read the book a few years ago and LOVED it. I hope the movie does not disappoint.

Merry Christmas to all!

still here

I have not had photos, so have in turn not blogged. Sorry to all of those out there who check in on me and have come to "expect" updates. In one word we are: Well. We have nothing to complain about and everything to be thankful for. We are healthy and are blessed with having our family come to us this season.

I have one more week of work before a week of vacation. I can hardly wait. Since I don't have any new photos I am going to post a few older ones just for the sake of it. For no particular reason:

Everyone loves a rainbow and this photo does not do this one any justice. It was over the summer and a hot hot day- we had some quick rain and then this beautiful image appeared in the sky.

Who am I kidding- we do have BIG news. My sister is moving 5 miles away from me early next year into this beautiful home! EXCITED does not even begin to describe it.
This beautiful family will soon be close by - right where they belong.
And Romeo too! Of course my favorite nephew.
This is an Army vs. Eastern Michigan game photo from October. Army won!!!!

Enough randomness for one day. I will get some photos of our Christmas decorations and post those soon-- and of Mark's surprise birthday party!

Great thanksgiving

Could this years Thanksgiving have been the best ever? Absolutely! And there is one little reason why:

One word: LOVE!!!!