Live With Intention!

I drive a lot to and from work. I've seen more fatalities in the last year than I could've ever imagined. It's  a very real reminder that you're never guaranteed to make it to work. Or to wake up... Have you been living each day like it was your last? I know I haven't. We could all take some notes from this guy, who unfortunately died this week. I promise you, this is a video worth watching from beginning to end... Although you'll probably cry like a baby like I did.

Now go make today worth it!

Mercy

I do my best praying in the shower and the car. Consequently both are places I don't use my phone or iPad and don't watch TV. Hmmm.

Tonight's prayers were said in the shower. 

I was thanking God for the people in my life and all of the mercy shown to me. God shows me insane amounts of mercy daily and I have no idea why he loves a sinner like me and I'm SO grateful.  Wow have I been shown mercy and the fact that I'm alive says it all. This girl has made it through the M's. Mono, Malaria, and MRSA and in the last two weeks the non-M's of food poisoning and Strep throat and I'm still ticking. I just wanted to recognize the people that help me stay ticking.

-Tonight I was praying for the nameless cab driver in Celebration Florida. 1 year ago I was staying in the Bohemian Hotel there for work when I became really sick (with what I later found out was MRSA). I ended up giving in and realizing something was taking over my body and I should listen to my fever and get help. I called down to the front desk for a cab to take me to the emergency room. The hotel sent me in a Town Car driven by a hotel employee whose name I unfortunately do not remember. This guy was so merciful. He was so worried about me on the drive over. He gave me his cell phone number and told me that even if the hotel's car service was done for the night to call and he'd be sure to pick me up after I was done at the hospital. I went to the emergency room scared and alone. When I was finally done I called him. He came back and picked me up and drove me to CVS and waited an hour while my many prescriptions were filled and I limped around buying bandages, hand sanitizer, and ice packs. He told me he'd been studying for his paramedic exam while he waited for my call and that nobody supported him in going to school for something that didn't pay well like that. I often wonder how the exam went and hope that he hung in there. When we got back to the hotel he refused to let me pay him for any of his services that night (or the next day when he drove me to the airport when I went home sick). He was one of the most merciful people I've ever met and I thank God for him. 

-I had a nurse in the emergency room that night who held my hand and listened to me sob while they cut open and drained several spots on my body. She tried to distract me and started talking to me. Somehow it came out that my doctor was from Africa and knew the orphanage that I'd stayed at there and she was from Colombia and was asking all about my Colombian best friend. I appreciate her mercy and letting me scream and taking the time to know me still!

-I came home to my parents house from that trip. My mom had to give me sponge baths. My dad had to practically carry me in to the doctors office because I had so many sores I couldn't walk. I kept them awake with my crying and moaning until the doctor's finally found the right combination of pain medications. My parents are SO merciful. 

-2 weeks ago I was on vacation from work and went out to eat with my boyfriend. I got food poisoning. Within hours I was throwing up. He insisted on being there for me holding back my hair, offered to brush my teeth for me, put me to bed (with a bucket, no less), and slept downstairs to make sure I was ok through the night. When he heard me get up and get sick again he was there for me. The fact that I found a man as merciful as my father, that nurse, and that cab driver is amazing to me. 

These acts of mercy make me self reflect on the mercy and kindness I've shown to others. I doubt anyone across the country is thinking back on something I've done for them and thanking God for me tonight. It makes me think about who I want to be and I thought I'd put this ramble down in print. 

I also want you to know that no act of kindness goes unnoticed. Someone across the country could be thanking God for you tonight, so keep doing what you're doing. You never now who could really appreciate it! 

(PS. Sorry again for the loooong delay in posting!)

Nourishing the Soul

Approximately 284 days ago I decided that I need some self discipline. I decided that I would finally read the entire Bible in a year. I know this is an old hat to some people. But, I tend to like to skip around. I've tried the whole "open it and where it opens is where I should read. God's trying to tell me something." Then I've found myself in Numbers. I've tried daily devotionals. I'm currently a few hundred days into two great ones that are part of the YouVersion app. But, it was time to read every word from cover to cover. 

I'm definitely not in a high point in my faith right now. It feels horrible to type that. It's a struggle when you've wanted something for a long time and you don't get why you don't have a prayer answered. It's confusing to know how to pray sometimes and not sound like you're asking a genie in a lamp for wishes. It's a struggle to not sound repetitive. It's a struggle to realize some of the poor choices I've made and while I know God loves me wonder why he bothers. Reading every day has been a major source of happiness for me. I pulled up my bookmarks (things you can highlight) a few nights ago when I had done my 2 devotions and my reading and didn't feel quite "done." 

I was having one of those "Why do good things happen to bad people?" thoughts. The Bible is a great way to snap out of that! Looking back I've found something worth highlighting almost every night:

So here are some of my recent favorites and why they matter to me...

This is something I have to remind myself to consider. What I spend the majority of my time and income on is definitely not what I'd like it to be:

Even when they break your heart, call you fat, and are rude...

When I don't know how to pray or sometimes have nothing to say but "oh God please..." 

I tell myself to do this before every date/relationship. Unfortunately I've failed way too much!

I'm never too far gone...

Treating people that believe something different than me with less than love is never ok... 

For those days when two cups of coffee doesn't seem like enough!

:)

Thank you God... 

When everyone around me seems like they change...

It's easy to forget. Am I proud enough of who I am and what I've done to have it seen?

I need to put the insane jealousy that I carry around away!

If Jesus prayed, then I definitely should take the time!

It's not my job to judge or condemn anyone. 

It's about me, not them...

Despite my lack of love for running I think this is one of my favorite verses:

Stop looking around and being jealous. Be patient and wait

9 Years (and 3 Days) Later

Today (as in 3 days ago when I started writing this post!) I was cleaning out my closets. Get excited for a stimulating post about that! I got to the top shelf of my guest bedroom closet and I found my Africa letters. How is it possible that one of the events that defined who I am happened almost 9 years ago?! 

See the "dear EJ" letter? I am a horrible person and am only fully realizing it now. That was from R. 

I'm Alive!

Yes, while I've been silent, I am alive! I finished my first full week at the new job. I'm thrilled to say that I LOVE IT! It's an amazing company with amazing people. It also has an amazing city view from the parking lot! I love the commute. I love feeling smart again. I love that my entire body feels like it's been run over and I've dropped 4 lbs. just from going back to retail! Those are the pros. The cons are that I'm new. I love to be an expert and the whole "trusting the process" rather than getting all of my training in an 8 hour day (like I would like) is annoying. I hate not feeling smart! I also have worked a ton of hours. That's it! It was a great first week!

I still haven't gone to take "after" pictures of my big design project I wanted to unveil. I've been working like crazy, and the homeowners had to take an unexpected road trip. Therefore, my design blog has no design content! 

I am renaming my window blind post because the number of creepy googles about how much people want people to see them naked is alarming me. That's just not really my target audience and I'd rather they find a more appropriate blog, rather than my boring (fully clothed) one! This experience has made me really think twice about my googles. Everything you type into that search bar goes to the website you open because of those results. I don't know about you, but 70% of the knowledge I've gained since college has been because of google. I google a lot of random stuff!

I got a speeding ticket for going 30 over the speed limit several weeks ago. I haven't gotten a ticket in YEARS, and of course got one just days after my accident while driving my fresh rental car. I wasn't even paying attention and was cruising right along. I've been driving like a slow old woman since and about 12 times a day I worry about what consequences I face! Ugh. 

I want to reorganize my pantry, refrigerator, and closets. If you're into creating order you'll love those posts! If you want to know how to paint something you'll have to give me a little time while I find a few more walls (although I'm trying to resist the urge to redo my guest bedroom "just because"). 

That's all that's really new with me! When I haven't been working I've been sleeping, attempting to ready myself for a 5k I have next month, and having a social life! So, let me leave you with this week's favorite Pinterest-found quotes:

Make sure that every conversation that you have with someone that matters to you leaves nothing unsaid. You never know when it will be your last. Something about doing that helps me sleep great at night with everything off my chest :)

Until next time!

-EJ

Just Keep Swimming!

I am project-less for the day... Sometimes I just need a little pick-me-up. Today is one of those times. Here are some things from my Pinterest board for you in case you do too!