Chivalry.. Is it dead?

I have a question for guys and girls, and I am sure that I will get a different answer from each gender... Do you think the guy should pick up the girl when taking her on a date, even if she lives far away from the guy? My friend is struggling with this very issue. She has been on two dates with this guy. He lives in Lilburn and she lives in Auburn. She feels that he has to pick her up for it to be a date. He wants her to meet his parents and have dinner with them, but he wants her to drive to his house, and she refuses. They have to find a compromise. She told him that he either picks her up, they hang out after church on Sundays, since they attend the same church, or they don't date at all. I was just wondering what you guys and girls thought about it. I personally think that the guy should pick up the girl. I am very old-fashioned and believe it is a sign of respect and it makes the girl feel special knowing that the guy cares enough to pick her up. I also think that after they have been dating for awhile and all that, it is cool if the girl wants to drive to meet the guy, or they can meet halfway. These people are really close to me and they have both asked me for advice and I don't know what to tell them.. Dr. Love is at a loss!! Amazing, isn't it? Your comments on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

I'm Back!!!!

God's really been teaching me about perspective lately and about how He can use a "bad" situation for good. For example, my friend Clint, whom I went to highschool with and just met back up with a few months ago, had an accident at work on Monday. A 1500 pound tool box from a truck fell on him. Guess what? All he got was a broken hand and a few scratches. He is truly blessed. He is having surgery today and getting pins put in his hand. Please say a prayer for him. The situation could have been a lot worse. It could have hit his head, given him brain damage, or even worse, killed him. God used his accident to help me realize that things can be worse than they are. I have been doing a lot of "wallowing" lately. In self-pity, in sadness, in depression.. whatever you want to call it and I am sick of it. I am ready to get back to my normal self and have a positive outlook on life again. I am tired of being unhappy, confused and stressed. I want my life back. I am truly blessed and I need to start looking at life in that way again. I want God to bring back my desire to study His word and memorize Bible verses.. because lately, I haven't had a desire to do any of that. It is affecting my life and those around me as well. So, although I had a momentary lapse of something, I am back and ready to tackle whatever life throws my way. It feels great to be back!!!!

what in the world?

This has been a week of stress and confusion for me. I am trying to save up money to move in with Beth in August and go to North Georgia. I am very thrifty and only spend money on neccessities, like gas, insurance, cc bill, etc. But, no matter how hard I try, something messes up my plan. My car just got out of the shop.. busted head gasket... $450 worth of repair. Now, I will be paying my cc bill off until I am 50. I know that everything happens for a reason and that I will learn something from this, I just wish I knew who it was that God was trying to teach me and I wish he would hurry it up!!! Anyways, I guess things could be worse, right? There is always someone who is worse off than you.. that' s what my mom used to tell me. She also said, "That which doesn't kill you will make you stronger." I must be as tough as nails, then. So, my weekend is chock full of fun and adventure. Dr. Love is the most social girl on the planet. Have a wonderful weekend and I will be back on Monday. Peace out!!!

what is going on?

so, this has been a week of confusion and stress. I have been trying to save up money to move in with Beth and go to North Georgia. I mean, besides, gas, insurance and cc bill, I don't spend any money. I am very thrifty and am very good with money. So, you can understand why I was so upset yesterday when Bonita Blanca, my precious car, went into the shop to get a new head gasket.. total cost... $450. Now, that may not seem like a lot of money to you, but when I only work 17hrs/week and only make about $100, that is a lot of money. I got so angry yesterday, but then I realized that everything happens for a reason and I am going to learn something from this. I realized that I am blessed to have amazing family and friends to help me out when I need it and that things could be worse. So, while I may be paying my cc bill off until I am 50, I am learning to look at things differently and make the most of every situation.

What is going on?

So, this has been the week of craziness and stress for me. I am trying so hard to save up my money so that I can move in with Beth in August and go to North Georgia, right? I mean, I only spend money on gas, insurance and credit car bills and the rest goes straight into savings. I go out to eat and sit, unless Robert buys my dinner (which usually happens), I am very thrifty and good with my money. But, as always, I am thrown a curve ball... My precious Bonita Blanca, my car is in the shop getting a new head gasket put on and the price.. $450. I know that may not sound like a lot of money to some of you, but considering that I only work 17hrs/week and bring home only around $100, that is a lot of money. I remember getting so angry yesterday and bursting into tears. I don't understand why this has to happen to me. Then, I realized that everything happens for a reason and I am going to learn something form this. Today, I am being chauffered from school and work, like I was before I got my license. I realized that I am blessed to have amazing friends and family who are willing to help me out when I need it. And I realized that things could be a whole lot worse. So, while I may be paying my cc bill off until I am 50, I am alive and well, a living and breathing child of God. And for that, I am truly blessed!!!

Random

Mistakes.. they are meant to be learned from, right? Well, why is it that I keep making the same type of mistakes over and over again? I really need you guys to pray for me. I am struggling right now with a particular sin in my life. It has had a hold on me since I was 16 years old. I always have the best of intentions. I even go a few months without making this mistake, but somehow it always ends up happening again. I don't understand. I know it is because I need to be in the Word more and rely on God more. This "Sin" is affecting many different parts of my life... my relationships with friends, my quiet times and my relationship with God in general. It really stinks. I want to be able to deal with it and not have to worry about it anymore. I don't understand why it is so hard for me. I don't want to be like this and have this hanging over my head. Please pray for me. I need strength and patience and most importantly, self-control. Sorry that this was random, but I definitely need ya'll to keep me in your prayers. I don't ask often and certainly wouldn't post it on my blog if it wasn't important.

On another note, I had a great Easter. I spent it with Robert and his mom. She is such a sweetheart and I love her dearly. Then, Robert and I spent a rainy afternoon watching "Golden Girls."My parents bought me butterfly sheets and chocolate for Easter.. Cadbury cream eggs.. yum yum!!! I also went on a double date with my best friend and the guy she is dating on Friday night. Then, on Saturday, we went shoe shopping and out to eat. Anyways, I will go now and take a nap. I am so tired.. I had a busy weekend. Peace out!!

Drama, Drama, Drama

I think it is funny how we are supposed to be "adults," but so many times we still act like we are in high school. I am the victim of gossip right now. Well, maybe not gossip, but talking behind the back kind of stuff. I mean, I thought that adults were supposed to talk to each other about their problems, not call ten other people about their problems with other people. I mean, I am guilty of it too. As a matter of fact, we all are. I just wish that we would realize that the solution to the problem lies with the person that you have the problem with. Anyways, I am kinda bummed out about this, have had a headache nonstop for two days, and just made a 69 on my stats test. It's turning out to be a crappy day.
But, as Johnny always says, situations can make you bitter or better, it's all about your attitude. So, I have decided to use it to make me better. I have a very fun weekend planned and I am looking forward to it. Tonight, Robert and I are going on a double-date with Anne and Daniel. I have always wanted to go on a double-date with my best friend and now it is finally happening. We are going to RoadHouse and then back to Anne's house to watch a movie. Tomorrow, I am going shoe shopping with Robert (he really needs a new pair of shoes) and then to Dave and Buster's with Kelly and Tori.. we haven't had a girls day in forever. It will be good to catch up and hang out with them. Then, on Easter, Robert and I are going to get up early and go to Union Point, go to church with his mom and have lunch with her. He doesn't get to see her a lot, but they are very close. I love that woman. I loved her the first five minutes I met her. I talked to her last night, she encouraged me, gave me Bible verses and prayed with me on the phone.. She is truly a Godsend.
So, I am going to make the best of my weekend, hanging out with friends and family, and pray alot. I thank God for Easter and for dying on the cross and for rising on the third day, so that we could live and serve Him and spend eternity with Him one day. I will be thinking a lot about my mom this weekend and Easters as a child.. Easter egg hunts, baskets filled to the brim with candy and toys, chocolate bunnies, The Easter Bunny, dinner with family, etc. It truly is a great time of the year. So, to all of my fellow blogger friends out there.. Have the most blessed Easter ever, remember what it is all about, and thank God for the many blessings he gives us!!!

If you're Happy and you know it.....

Hey Guys!! I am very H-A-P-P-Y with life in general. I feel as if I have reached a point in my life where everything may not be going exactly like I want them to, but I am happy because I am a bigger and better person because of them. There are a lot of changes about to take place in my life, which is scary and exciting, all at the same time. I am applying for my first full-time job this week.. being a parapro in August, when school starts back. I am mailing my application back in today and my three references are soon to follow. If I get this full time job, I am moving out of my parents house and in with my friend Beth, into her grandmothers 100 year old house.. it is beautiful and rent will only be $150/month. Where else do you find rent that cheap? It will be good for me. I need to get out on my own and enter the "real world." As much as I love living at home and being able to spend time with my family, I am an adult and have to start acting like one. Robert and I are getting along nicely. He is an amazing guy. I am just happy. I have memorized like five new verses and am currently reading in the book of Habbakuk, which I barely knew existed, until last week. It is amazing. It speaks of the nations and God's blessings on them. So, guys and gals, you are looking at one happy camper. I love you all and will talk to you all soon. Gotta head to work. Peace out!!

goodbye spring break.. hello stats

I just spent the entire week of my Spring Break hanging out with Robert, friends and family. I watched "The Pacifier," bought a new outfit, got a hair cut and color, sang karaoke, taught a friend how to line dance, played the worst two hours of Maffia ever, babysat, helped someone move, played chauffeur to my brother, picked up food and medicine for my parents who have the flu, given love advice to a dozen people, memorized two more verses and eaten more chocolate cadbury cream eggs in one week than I have in my entire life. My Spring Break was awesome, but, unfortunately, it is over and I have to step back into reality and enter back into the world of Statistics. I have a test on Wednesday and needless to say, I didn't crack a book over break, so I will be spending the next two nights cramming and memorizing formulas, but that's ok. My spring break was exhausting, exciting, fun and crazy, all rolled into one. It is great to have a break every once in a while.

prayers, please!!!

I have a prayer request, along with Heather. My sister in law told me that my brother was in the middle of an attack in Iraq and was almost hurt and/or killed. The good news is that he is back in Bakuda and the attacks were in Falusia. He got promoted. He is the top armorer in his entire division. Just keep him in your thoughts and prayers, please. Have a great day.

Times they are a changing

I really feel like I am at a stage in my life where many exciting things are happening and are going to happen in the near future. My memory verse for this past week was Exodus 33:19, which says," I will cause my goodness to pass in front of you and I will proclaim my name, The Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and compassion on whom I will have compassion." God's been showing His goodness to me a lot lately. I feel as if change is about to take place. And I mean, major change, more than a new boyfriend and a new haircolor, both of which are awesome, though. I feel as if God is about to knock my socks off and bless me beyond measure. I am just going to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!!!

On a random note, I have started reading the second Birth order book and I must say that is pretty stinkin awesome. It explains a lot about the way I am and why I act the way I do. Thanks Freddie for letting me borrow it. Well, gotta get back to work and make the money to pay the bills.. wow, I feel really old when I say that. Peace out and holla at ya'll lata!!

Mother Dearest

So, I have been thinking about my mom a lot lately. It makes me so happy when I hear my friends talk about being close to their moms. Two of the girls at DNow told me all about how their mom was their best friend and they do everything together. It makes me happy and sad at the same time. Happy for them that they can be that close to their mom and share everything with them. Sad in knowing that my mom and I were never very close, and now I don't have her here to change that.
Not to get all mushy, but I really miss her. I miss her spending eight hours one day in the summer teaching me how to make a bridge with cards. I miss her cooking, her laugh and her contagious smile. I remember her coming to every football game-home and away-for four years, to see the same half time show and hear the same music every week, because she was so proud of me. The last football game of my Junior year, she was there. She had already been diagnosed with Lymphoma and was taking chemo treatments. It was freezing cold. She sat in the car, because she was too weak to walk up the bleachers, but she was there. She was my chaueffer, my shoulder to lean on and my friend. Even though I was always a daddy's girl and my mom and I never had that "close knit"Mother-Daughter relationship, I know without a doubt that she loved me. The last thing she said to me, while lying in a hospital bed at Athens Regional Medical Center, in ICU, on life support was that she loved me and was proud of me.
Even though my mom and I never had heart to hearts, went on shopping sprees or out to lunch together, we had this unspoken bond. The most awesome memory I have of my mom is seeing her get saved a month before she passed away. And knowing that I was a part of it. It has been five and a half years, some days it feels like yesterday and some days it feels like an eternity. My last memory of her, before the hospital was giving her a hug and a kiss and telling her that I loved her, before I went to see the fireworks with my cousin and brother. I thank God every day that the last thing that my mom said to me was that she loved me. Some people don't get that, ya know? I miss her so much, and I know that if she were here right now that we would be the best of friends. But, I also know that God is in contro and that she is with Him, which is far greater than anything that can happen here on Earth.
I guess what I am trying to say with all this is that your parents are very important and they won't always be here. My mom was 37 when she died and left behind a 17 year old, a15 year old and an 8-year old. My little brother will never have as many memories of my mom as I did, and that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Didn't mean to get all mushy, I am just speaking from the heart. I love you mom and miss you more than words can describe!!!!

Disciple Now weekend!!

This past weekend was crazy, tiring, fun, touching and emotional all at the same time. I was a co-leader for Disciple Now at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula. Beth and I had ten 8th grade girls. We stayed at a host home, taught the girls lessons, did mission projects, recreation and Two Bare Feet led worship and the chaplain for The Georgia Bulldoggs was the guest speaker. I was really scared at first about teaching teenagers, since I am used to teaching preschool and kindergarten, but God really taught me some amazing things before the weekend was over. The girls in our group were very mature spiritually and they were asking a lot of thought provoking questions that Beth and I could not answer. They wanted to be involved in the lessons, were very outspoken, and participated well. I was so impressed with them. For our mission project, we boxed up food for a food center in West Virginia, where the youth will be going on Spring Break. These people are very poor and don't have alot. The project taught us team work and how to help others. It was awesome. Around 20 kids got saved at the meetings, and more got saved in their groups. It was rockin. I only got about seven hours sleep the entire weekend, but it was so worth it. I will definitely help out with it again next year.

Disciple Now weekend!!

This past weekend was crazy, tiring, fun, touching and emotional all at the same time. I was a co-leader for Disciple Now at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula. Beth and I had ten 8th grade girls. We stayed at a host home, taught the girls lessons, did mission projects, recreation and Two Bare Feet led worship and the chaplain for The Georgia Bulldoggs was the guest speaker. I was really scared at first about teaching teenagers, since I am used to teaching preschool and kindergarten, but God really taught me some amazing things before the weekend was over. The girls in our group were very mature spiritually and they were asking a lot of thought provoking questions that Beth and I could not answer. They wanted to be involved in the lessons, were very outspoken, and participated well. I was so impressed with them. For our mission project, we boxed up food for a food center in West Virginia, where the youth will be going on Spring Break. These people are very poor and don't have alot. The project taught us team work and how to help others. It was awesome. Around 20 kids got saved at the meetings, and more got saved in their groups. It was rockin. I only got about seven hours sleep the entire weekend, but it was so worth it. I will definitely help out with it again next year.

Call me Dr. Love

Dr. Love is my new nickname for my Hebronite friends in Dacula. The second everyone found out that Robert and I had started dating, everyone (6 people in 3 days), started calling me, telling me about their crushes and asking for my advice. As if dating someone for three days makes me a love expert. I listened to their gushing romanticisms and rantings and then I told them that if they like someone they should tell them. We are all adults here, it shouldn't be that hard, right? Then, I looked back on my life, at how many times I have wanted to tell someone how I feel, whether it was a guy I liked, someone who hurt my feelings, or someone I didn't neccessarily agree with and how I chickened out, got scared, tucked in my tail and ran. I realized that I am in no way, shape or form the person that needs to tell others how to handle this kind of situation. Although, I am very glad that my friends trust me enough to bare their souls to me and tell me their deepest desires and emotions. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. So, from now on, just call me Dr. Love.

Ok, complete random subject change.. I am good at that :>) So, this weekend I am going to be doing Disciple Now with Hebron Baptist Church. Beth and I are in charge of 12 8th grade girls. We sleep at a host home, teach the girls lessons, do community service projects and recreation. Two Bare Feet will be doing a concert and the chaplain for The Georgia Bulldoggs will be speaking. I am so excited. It will be very exhausting, but life-changing I am sure. I was a little nervous about doing this, but when I met the girls last night, I became super excited. They are so sweet and they just started talking to me right away. I am sure that we will have late nights and emotional days, but I KNOW that God's hand is on it and that He will touch the hearts and lives of those students, as well as the leaders. I am sure that I will learn more from the girls than they will from me. Just keep us in your prayers and I will keep you posted. Peace out!!!

Lesson Learned

God has been teaching me a lesson over this weekend. Actually, it's something my mom used to tell me as a kid, but of course I never listened. The lesson is that if you go your whole life not doing things because you are afraid of getting hurt, then you may miss out on a great opportunity. This happened to me this weekend. My friend Robert from Hebron told me that he liked me on Thursday night and asked me out. He is a great guy, we have a lot in common and have tons of fun together. I was kinda apprehensive about dating again period, because I am sick of getting hurt. I thought about it a lot and prayed about it and I decided that getting hurt is a part of life and a chance I have to take to get to know an awesome guy. So, I guess I am officially dating someone. It is scary and exciting, all at the same time. We are taking it very slow and are gonna do a lot of group dating, which is so fun. There is no pressure and it is a great feeling. He still has his life and I have mine, but together we have fun too. We know a little about each others past and I think that will make our relationship better. He is very sweet and considerate. I just wanted to share this with everyone and get you to pray for us. I haven't had the best track record with dating and guys and I have made a lot of mistakes in the past that I have learned from. I will keep you posted and let you know how it goes.

BTW, total random subject change... my brother in Iraq just got promoted from an E-4 to an E-5. I don't really know what that means exactly, but I do know that is really good. I am so proud of him. Just keep him in your prayers also.

God is my provider

We all know that God is our Jehovah Jireh, our provider, but how much do you ever think about it? At church last night, we were talking about how God provides for us always. It may not always be in the way or at the moment that we want it to, but He never leaves us hanging. God knows when and if we need the things that we want. His timing and our timing aren't always the same. If God gave us everything that we ever wanted, we would never give Him the glory. Think about it.. when we are most fufilled by the world with having everything we want, we are most distant from God. Then, when we want or need something again, we take God back out of the box we placed Him in and ask Him once again for whatever it is that we think we need and can't live without. Pretty true, huh? Why can't we just be so focused on Him and so in love with Him that we allow Him to decide what happens in our lives and when. God meant for things to be relatively simple, and we, as humans, have to make everything so darn difficult. Why is that? The more I get to know Him, the more I realize there is more to Him than I could ever fully understand or grasp. That's why I love Him so much.

So, the next time you ask God for something and He doesn't answer in your timing, don't think of it as an unanswered prayer, think of it as bad timing or something better is coming your way. That is where I am now and that is what He has been teaching me. Put Him first no matter what and then that way, no matter what happens in your life, you will know who is in control and who has the plans for your life... Him, not me, THANK GOD!!!

Stress!!

Man.. God must really be trying to deal with me at this point in my life. I have been struggling a lot lately with a lot of different issues in life. My job isn't what I thought it would be, I feel like I am not accomplishing anything that I want to accomplish, I have had to step back and examine my life and decide where I stand on certain issues and who I really trust. I am finding out who my true friends are and all that. I have been missing my mom a lot lately and it has just been really hard. I know that my God is bigger than anything I am going through, and that fact is what keeps me going and perservering to the end!! I feel as if my world has been turned upside down and I am losing control.. it is a scary feeling.

My awesome weekend

My weekend was rockin!! Considering that I was sick last weekend, it felt good to be able to have fun again. So, Friday night, I went to Inoko's with some girlfriends of mine from Dacula. Our poor waiter had burned his hand on the habachi grill and had blisters everywhere. We made friends with the people sitting next to us and the chef made us animals out of aluminum foil with our leftovers. I got a mermaid, Carrie got a frog, Marsha got a swan, Suko got an octopus and Beth got a purse. The little boy beside me got a Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtle. It was awesome. On Saturday, about ten of my Dacula/Hebron friends were at my house. We ordered four large pizzas and coke. We listened to music, played Trivial Pursuit and Tabu. Then, Suko taught us a cool game called "Silent Football," which has nothing to do with football by the way and Brandy and I showed the gang how to play "Big Booty." I will have to teach it to the Inner G group.. it is really fun. They didn't leave til about 1 am. Then, on Sunday, I taught the preschoolers about Daniel and the Lions Den and we made Lions manes out of paper plates.. I wore mine into the church service and got a lot of funny looks.. oh well. I went home, ate Ravioli, watched some Felicity and chilled. Then my friend Robert came over, along with my brother and sister-in-law. They tried to teach me how to play poker... Texas Hold em and some other stuff.. I stink at Poker and betting chips.. anyways, I had a lot of fun trying. Also, great news.... I talked to my brother yesterday morning from Iraq. It made my day. He is fine.. just please continue to keep him in your prayers.

I am bringing two of my Hebron friends with me to Inner G tonight.. Robert and Clint (whom I went to HS with and graduated with). I am going to go to the mall and eat lunch with a friend and buy my man (Kenny Chesney's ) new CD... YAY!! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stressful week!!

This week has been very tiring, stressful and crazy. I mean, I only have one class and a part-time job, but it seems like this week was very straining on me. I had a test this morning in Stats, which I probably could've studied a little harder for, but I think I did ok anyway. I am not complaining, but I get tired of doing the same thing for six hours at work everyday. Sitting in front of a computer, looking up email addresses, cutting and pasting them into a database.. although, I did get three states worth of churches done this week... Colorado, Iowa, and Kentucky. I have had a zillion things running through my mind this week. Been thinking about my brother in Iraq, Ashlie in Swaziland, issues I am dealing with concerning friends and stuff. I am the kind of person, unfortunately, who sits and thinks about things, analyzes them and dwells on them forever. It stinks, but that is one of my character flaws, I guess. I have a hard time getting over things and letting them go sometimes. And I always think that I can fix everyone else's problems, except for my own. Sorry guys, this is a rambling blog post today. That is the way my mind is ... random ramblings. Can any of you relate? I am sure that you can. Well, I'm gonna go now and see what else I can worry about and analyze over. Until next time.