Lab Potluck at work

A few years ago we started doing potlucks at work. The first year I told everyone that we would do a Gag Gift exchange for our Christmas potluck. I am the only female in the Labs in my building, and I have to be honest, several of the guys complained about having to do the gag gift exchange. Now they all love it, and we have alot of fun with it.

This is for you sis!

An email I got that I liked

I Believe...
That just because two people argue, doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in
a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe....
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe..
That my best friends and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When
you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've
had, and what you've learned from them.....and less to do with how
many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced
who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change
your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally
different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who
don't even know you.


I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you........you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.


I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything.

Appreciate Your Calling

So I just got the book, Starting Your Day Right, a devotion book by Joyce Meyers and I love it. I find that it gives me focus in the morning and reminds me to be the best me I can. In the book she starts by saying that the book isn’t a replacement for Gods Word, but that the book is to give you direction and to remind you that you need to have God clearly insight in order to follow him. If we don’t fill ourselves with the Word, how do we know how to follow him? I have to admit that I don’t spend as much time in the Word as I should. So I have been using this book to help me focus, and really get in the Word rather than just reading threw it.

Here is some of the devotion for October 26th.
Appreciate Your Calling

So we, numerous as we are, are only body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Romans 12:5

Learn to appreciate the call of God on your life. He has a different call for everybody. None of us are called to do all the work that needs to be done, but we can each enjoy the assignments given. We can also enjoy the work God does through others.

Today holds an opportunity to mature in the knowledge of God and to enjoy whatever God has called you to-do. Your part is needed. Ask God early in the day to show you where to use your gifts to help others.

When I read this it reminded me of the Ministry I am involved in at church. And really applies to all ministry. We are all ministers of the word. As the devotion says, God hasn’t called one-person to-do it all. Take the First Impressions Ministry for example. God has called a group of men and women to work together. Some have been called to serve as Greeters, Ushers or at Vision Central; others have been called to serve in Security or the Parking Team. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Lately I had to admit I couldn’t do something. This was a great learning experience for me. Even thought I lead up the First Impression Ministry, it doesn’t mean I have to know everything, or have the ability to do it all. I have my own strengths, and I have weaknesses. God has put people in the First Impressions Ministry who have strengths were my weaknesses are. We work together. Like Romans 12:5 says, So we, numerous as we are, are only body in Christ and individually we are parts of another. This applies to ministries within the church. Some of us are called to minister to children. It’s not a competition of who has the most volunteers in your ministry. We should all want to help each other find what our calling is. When we find our calling, the body comes together as one, and works like a well-oiled machine, so to speak. This applies to churches as well. If we are trying to reach the lost, and share the Word with those who don’t know Jesus; it can’t be one church, it has to be all of us. It’s not a competition. We can enjoy the work he does through others as well.

God also does this in our lives. He puts people in our lives, and we balance out each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Enjoy and press on with what God has called you today. If you don’t know what your calling is, pray, give and serve, and pray, give and serve, and follow his word. If you are faithful and follow him in all the ways he asks you to, he will bless you and reveal your calling when the time is right. Your part is needed. The body can’t function as 100% without and arm or a leg. Are you the arm or leg? We need you. I am needed! Look at your neighbor and say, "I am needed!" Sorry couldn't resist, lol.

Happy 13th Birthday Adam!!

I can't believe my son is 13 years old. Enjoy the slide show with pics from the last 13 years. Lots of good times, and lots more to come.

If we are the body

I haven't blogged in a while. I felt a message in my spirit last week, and wanted to write about it, but it didn't really come together. Then as I listened to my Pastors message on Sunday, it all came together, and I sat down it is just started flowing.

Last week as I was listening to the radio I heard the song, If We Are the Body by Casting Crowns. I have heard this song a ton of times, but I heard it in a different way last week. I have heard people refer to Christians as the body of Christ, but I thought it referred to us as a body of people, like a group of people. With this frame of mind, I heard the song as we are the believers, and why isn't Jesus' arms reaching me, why aren't his hands healing me, why aren't his words teaching me. This is a very selfish way of hearing this, and as I think of this, I wonder if this is how a lot of us think, as a matter of fact, I am positive this is how a lot of us think. Sunday my Pastors sermon really brought all of this together. As "Church People", we feel we are entitled to something, like we are owed something. Like my Pastor said, we deserve Hell, it's because of the blood of Jesus that covers me, that we have his grace and are forgiven.

Last week when I listened to this song, this is what I heard:
If we are the body, (we are his arms, legs, hands and heart),
why aren't his arms reaching (our arms are his arms, so why aren't we reaching the lost),
why aren't his hands healing(instead of passing judgment and hurting others, lets accept them and help them heal),
why aren't his words teaching(our words should always reflect him, why are we quick to point out someone’s faults, and tell them everything they are doing wrong, lets teach them how God wants us to live, lets let our words always reflect his love, lets teach them the word),
why aren't his feet going (our feet are his feet, why do we sit on our couch and in service and take, take, take, but not get out and serve, go the distance, go out and find the lost),
why is his love not showing them there is the way (we need to show the love of Jesus to those who do know him, and those who don't know him. We can't be nice to those at church and hateful to the lost because you feel like they aren't living right. And we can't be nice to the lost to reach them, and then be hateful to "church people", because how you act, even if you think no one is looking, is always on display. We have to show them there is a way).

As a church, as the body (Jesus is apart of us) why aren't our arms reaching the lost? Why aren't our hands healing those who have so much hurt in their lives. Jesus was about love, acceptance and forgiveness, why do I see so much hate, judgment, and unforgiveness in "Church People"! Church is scary for someone who comes broken and hurt. They are afraid of the pointing fingers, just like the song says, "It's crowded in worship today, As she slips in, Trying to fade into the faces, The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know, Farther than they know", "A traveler is far away from home, He sheds his coat, And quietly sinks into the back row, The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances, Are better out on the road" It's sad, but sometimes that is exactly what they find. Pointing fingers, whispered words in there direction. Is this how we reach the lost, is this how Jesus reached the lost, No! We have to get our heart right. People are afraid of being judged by “Church People”, not the world. If we judge them, they will feel safer in the world, something is wrong when that is the case. We have to offer them a safe place. Sometimes a simple, "hi, how are you?" can mean so much to someone.

I believe strongly that our actions influence others; we say we are Christians but do our actions display our beliefs. It's not about how often we come to church, or about the fact that we volunteer our time to the church, or the bumper sticker on the back of our car. It's about how we live our lives, how we treat others, and the relationship we have with God when no one is looking.

“Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come, and we are the Body of Christ”

Sunday at my church, when the alter call was given and people responded, I just kept hearing “healing” in my spirit. There was healing taken place because we offered love (the love of Jesus), acceptance (no one pointed fingers), and forgiveness (come how you are, we are all sinners who have been saved by the blood of Jesus).


If We Are the Body
By: Casting Crowns

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road

CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

Chorus (2x)
If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way

Every Friday and Saturday in October

Come check out this Haunted House. I will be there helping out every Friday and Saturday in October from 8-1am. See you there.

Hysteria Promo from Jason Isaacs on Vimeo.

Accessorizing your look with jewelry

http://www.azfamily.com/yourlife/learn/stories/accessorizing-clothes-jewelry.7155a36d.html

Check out the link to see how you can change up your look and really jazz up an outfit with the right Jewelry.

Contact me to recieve some Jewelry FREE. My average hostess earns about $200 in Free Jewelry for having me over to show my Jewelry to some of her friends and family.

Come to church with me Sunday

Wow, I have been going to New Vision for 5 years this month. Sunday we will have our first service in our new location, The Vision, across from Jefferson Mall in the old Walmart building. Service is at 10:30am. I invite you to come join me and see the place that helped to teach me about God, and showed me that I can have hope and peace, and that there is a church that offers Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness. If you don't believe me, I dare you to come check it out for yourself. This church has impacting me and my family. I hope to see you there.

9/11

8 years ago, I was back at work for the first day from my maternity leave after having Alex. We got a phone call letting us know about the terror attacks. I will never forget that day, and my prayers continue to go out to the families and friends who grieve for there loved ones who were lost that day.

Alex says...

Alex: I think I'm going to get a new girlfriend.

Me: well, how are you going to do that?

Alex: I don't know, I will ask Adam for advice...no wait.. I will ask Dad because Adam doesn't have a girlfriend.

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25 Years Together

My parents renewed there wedding vows this weekend for there 25th wedding anniversary. My dad wanted to do something special for my mom this year for there anniversary, so a few months ago, he asked my mom to marry him again. When my parents were married 25 years ago, they went to the court house and were married by a judge. So they never had a wedding. So me and my sisters helped my mom plan her wedding. All the planning paid off because it was definitely a day to remember. The sanctuary was decorated in purple and silver, and it was filled with our family and friends. Me and my sisters along with our husbands and kids walked down the aisle before my parents walked down to Then by Brad Paisley. Pastor David conducted the ceremony, and my parents said there vows. Curtis and Charmain Bridgemen sang Bless this Broken Road by Rascal Flatts while a photo slide show played with pics from the past 25 years. Stacey and Will read a poem. Once my parents were pronounced once again as husband and wife, they walked back down the aisle to Footloose, which was there first date. We had a dinner reception, and my parents cut the cake and had there first dance. Me and my sisters toasted to my parents, and then we danced and had a great time celebrating with my parents and our family and friends. My toast to my parents. Today we celebrate 25 years of marriage between my parents. 25 year ago we also became a family. 9 years later Ashley was born, and over the next 16 years our family was complete with the addition of 2 son in laws and 4 grand kids. Daddy, A lot of people say that mommy is the best thing that ever happened to you, and that is probably true, but I want you to know that you are the best thing that ever happened to us. So today I honor you as a couple and as my parents. My dad meet my mom when me and my sister were just a few years old. I have watched my parents grow in there love for each other, and it really does seem like they love each other more and more each day. They are amazing parents, and role models for me and my sisters. They love with all they have, and would do anything for you. I can honestly say that I have the best parents I could ever ask for. I love you mom and dad.

my boys

Alex put his Sunglasses on, looked at Little Adam and said, "you might have to fight the girls off of me."

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He blessed me with Jewelry and so much more.

As some of you know I am an Independent Distributor for Premier Designs Jewelry. I just started my 6th year as a Jeweler. I do Premier part time. I love the flexibility and the fact that I make great money for fun work. I get to take my Jewelry and share if with a hostess and her friends and family and I make 50%. You can't beat that. Well it does get better, my hostesses earn on average $200-$300 in free Jewelry. I came across this post on a blog and had to post it on my blog. It sums up what Premier is all about. Premier has really been a blessing. It has given me the opportunity to make extra money, meet some amazing women, and I have grown spiritually as well. Premier has helped me come out of my shell. It all started with a few pieces of Jewelry.

Premier Designs - A Different Kind of Company

y'all

I say y'all all the time and Adam hates it. He says, "babe it's you all, not y'all." I got an email and had to post this line just for him.

In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.

Love it.

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I need girl time!

I am surrounded by men! I have nothing but guys at home (laila doesn't count she won't let me paint her nails). And I work around all guys. Today at lunch we were on a discussion about how men and woman communicate. There is little ol' me, with 6 guys. I was out numbered. When they say Men are from Mars and Women are form Venus, I totally agree.

why did God invent bugs?

My niece, Adrianna, asked my sister why God invented bugs because they serve no purpose? Jacqueline told her she didn't know, and that she would have to ask God. So Adrianna is bound to get to the bottom of it, so she asked for God's phone number. So Jacqueline tells her that you can't call God on the phone, you just talk to him outloud. So Adrianna looks up to toward the sky, and asks God why he invented bugs. She is in kindergarten. Had to share it, it made me laugh.

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Mom

I had lunch with my mom on Saturday and even though it was a simple lunch, it sparked something in me and I needed to Blog about it.

I know that my mom is an amazing women. I know that the relationship we have is special. However I think sometimes we still catch ourselves taking that for granted. I have had a few of my friends lately tell me that what I have with my family is special, and to cherish every minute of it. I thank them for that, because at times I know I take it for granted. Not that I take advantage of it, but that it is simply normal to us, and I think sometimes I think it is always going to be there. In reality, it will not. I look at my husband, and how he lives everyday without the living influence of his mother. She is always in his heart, but she died when he was 17, and that has greatly affected his life. Some of my friends and family do not have a close relationship with there mothers, and some do not have there mothers in there lives. I can't imagine what that would be like, and my heart goes out to them. They remind me to value the wonderful mother that God has placed in my life, and I thank them for that. I rely on my mother so much. She is my rock. I don't tell her nearly enough, and I don't think anything I can ever tell her or do for her would ever make up for what she means to me.


Mom,
I don't tell you enough what you mean to me, so I will say it here for you and everyone to see. Mom, I love you. And I don't thank you enough for everything you do and for what you are to me. Your heart is the kindest I have ever known. You have the strongest shoulder to carry every ones burdens, and yet they are soft enough when a shoulder is just what we need to lean on. You are there no matter what we need, not just in the good times, but in all the times. Thank you for not giving up on me when I disappointed you. Thank you for holding my hand threw the worry, crying with me during the sadness, laughing with me, and celebrating in the good times. You seem to know when I need advice, and when I just need to talk, you seem to know exactly what I need. Thank you for accepting me and what I believe. You are the best grandmother for my boys, and I hope that they know how blessed they are to have you in there lives. We are the most loved people because of your love. You are not only these things to us, but to our friends as well. You are not only a mother, but also a friend. I know that I can talk to you about everything. Thank you for being there when I was sick, for doing what ever it was that I needed and what ever you could to make me feel better. Thank you for the little things. Thank you for coming to the boys games, and school performances. Thank you for picking the boys up from school when we need you too. Thank you for meeting me at the hospital when Adam was in his car accident. Thank you for helping me with my school work during college. Thank you for all the birthday dinners, and cakes. Thank you for being stricked on us growing up when we needed it, and for giving us room to be us when that was what we needed also. Thank you for being who you are, and for helping us learn who we are as well. I love you mom.

Your loving daughter,
Angela

Saturday was a simple lunch between a mother and daughter, but I know that Adam would do anything just to have a simple lunch with his mother, and I have to cherish those moments with her.

Key West

Ok, so Key West was awesome. I don't even know were to begin. First of all, I can't think of anyone else who I would have rather gone with, Stac, I had a blast with you, and the best part of the trip was going with you. I know I said the Para sailing was, but it was really going with you, lol. There is just something about going on a trip with a friend. This was a first for me, along with many other first on this trip.

We stayed in a bed and breakfast, and I would stay there again. It had that Key West feel. We went snorkeling (I had alittle anxiety), para sailing, kayaking, swam in the middle of the ocean (alot of anxiety on that one, just ask Stac), and did Jet ski's. That was our Ultimate Adventure, and it was awesome. Here are some pics, more to come. We spent one day at the beach, we did alot of walking, and shopping, and bike riding (the way to get around Key West), and laughing, and sunbathing. It was a blast. We also got tattoo's (yes, that is plural mom). I can't put it in words, it was just awesome. Enjoy the Pics.

Ashley is on a roll!

Me: "what day do you have tutoring at school."
Ashley: "I dont know, all I know is there is 5 days in a week, and I just hope the last one comes soon."

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