Thing to do #63

I'm on a roll this week....I highlighted my hair today. I tried to take a picture of it but it's hard to see in the pictures. My hair is naturally curly and "highlighted" already (somewhere between brown and blonde and a tint of red). Since my hair is so long the highlights just blend in all over which is what I wanted. So I'll get Brian to take a picture when he gets home.

Until then here is a sweet picture of my Lacy (she needs a haircut!)

Thing to do #78

Well I decided to give blood because 1) it is a good thing to do 2) my church was the site for the blood drive. I have never given blood before so I was a little apprehensive. The main reason is because I have VERY VERY tiny veins and it is hard for my doctor to even get blood. When I was on fertility pills I had to go once a month to give blood....they always had to get it out of my hand or wrist using a butterfly needle. Sooooo...long story short. I get to the church, fill out all the forms, answer all the questions, have my blood pressure and iron checked (both are great) and then lay down to give blood. Twenty minutes and 4 phlebotomists later they have NOT found my vein. They are nice enough not to stick me several times. They also do not have butterfly needles with them so I didn't give blood. I was quite sad about it. The ladies were very nice and told me that at least I walked in the door to try. I still got an umbrella and a t-shirt for being a 1st time donor.

So...I AM going to check this off my list and maybe try again in the future.

Things to do #101

Yeah just like me to actually do the LAST thing on my list first...

So here I go organizing my to-do list:

 DAILY 
16. Read the Bible in a year
22. Pray earnestly daily
69. Learn to be content with all I have
70. Be happy in my job
71. Get rid of my critical spirit
76. Memorize a Bible verse for every year I've been alive
77. Memorize Psalm 91
80. Do NaBloPoMo
97. Find God in EVERY DAY!

 ONGOING 
46. Recycle more than I do
47. Take a photo of self at least once a month [1/33]
50. Drink green tea every day
52. Call my dad at least once a week
53. Call my brother at least once a week
59. Read my National Geographic EVERY month
72. Mail a card to a friend at least once a week
74. Visit Harry, Angela and Warren's graves more often
98. Have coffee with a friend at least every other month

 PERSONAL 
11.Sing at my dad's church
12. Go skydiving
15. Read ALL my books I own
17. Finish the scrapbooks that I have started
19. Watch a meteor shower
20. Visit all the museums in Raleigh
31. See Scott get a place if his own
35. Get very involved in Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child ministry
38. Fix my PC (reconfigure and add memory)
39. Sing with my brother again
44. Go parasailing
45. Go fishing
51. Organize my music on my laptop
60. Teach a small group Bible study with Brian
63. Highlight my hair
64. Order the 3 pound lobster tail at Shuckers and eat ALL of it by myself
75. List 101 reasons I love Jesus
81. Organize my pictures and videos on my laptop
83. Host a Christmas Party at my house
87. Don't stress out during VBS (I'm the co-director)
88. Take kayak out more than once a summer
89. Pay for person behind me in the drive-thru
90. Volunteer with Special Olympics again
92. Name a star
95. Decide if I REALLY want a tattoo and get one if it's a YES
100. Finish my Winnie-the-Pooh puzzle and frame it
101. Organize this list into categories


 HOUSE 
2. Paint/redecorate spare room (making it my scrapbook room)
13. Clean out my attic
18. Replace the kitchen floor
23. Clean out garage
34. Replace windows in my house
49. Redo bathroom (replace sink and floor)
66. Repaint the living room
67. Repaint the kitchen
84. Put together a Hurricane emergency kit
86. Downsize Christmas decorations

 FINANCES 
3.Pay off credit cards
14. Pay off house
42. Do not go shopping at Target for a month
73. Save a month's worth of salary
79. Do not buy a pair of shoes for 2 months
82. Check my credit scores 3 times a year (one from each source) [1/9]
85. Make folder with all personal info for husband
94. Unsubscribe to at least 3 magazine [0/3]

 TRAVEL 
1. Go to Greece
7. Go back to California
30. Go to New York
32. Go to Europe
37. Walk on the beach with Brian
40. Go kayaking at the Outer Banks
54. Go see Brian's sister in Massachusetts
55. Go see Brian's sister in South Carolina
56. Stay at a Bed and Breakfast Inn with Brian
58. Go on a cruise
61. Go snorkeling
65. Go back to Disney World
68. See the Space Shuttle launch
91. Ride on a train
96. Visit 3 states I've never been to before

 HEALTH 
9. Lose 10 pounds
10. Walk/jog at least 3 days a week
43. Participate in a charity walk/run of some kind
48. Take my dogs walking at least 2 times a week
78. Donate blood
93. Drink only one Mt Dew a day (or none)

 NEW SKILLS 
4. Learn the guitar
5. Take a photography class
6. Buy and learn a PhotoShop program
8. Learn a new language
21. Learn to clog
24. Learn the sound board system at church

 ENTERTAINMENT 
25. See WICKED on Broadway
26. Meet Clay Aiken
27. Meet Chris Daughtry again
28. Get Day of Fire to play at my church (or somewhere in Raleigh)
29. Go see my 40th Third Day show
33. Watch Highlander Seasons 1-6
36. See a George Strait concert again
41. Attend Creation Fest in PA
57. Go to a Tarheel basketball game
62. Do a Third Day 4-fer show weekend
99. Go see a movie by myself

Hug a soldier

I hope there is someone in your world (father, brother, uncle, aunt, mom, sister, cousin, coworker) that wears the label "soldier". Hug them this weekend. I'm not here to discuss politics, war, or whatever your beliefs may be; I'm just here to tell you to love on people in your life. Thank them and love on them. If your soldier is not at home (I have a soldier at home and one in Iraq) then pray for him/her. I'll do the same.

And if you are a soldier reading this blog....THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!! Much love,
Wendy

Prayer

Does anyone besides me have trouble REALLY praying. Okay I throw up "arrow" prayers all day and I do actually pray after I read my Bible in the morning but lately my soul has been yearning for more. Oftentimes when God is trying to get my attention He will use EVERYTHING to point me towards something. So for the past 2 weeks everything I read (devotions, Sunday School lessons, blogs, etc) and everything I hear (sermons, music, conversations) have been about prayer. I even dreamed about prayer (I rarely even remember what I dream each night so just the fact that I can recall the events says something to me).

I don't know why it is so hard to just stop and pray. I can sit on the computer or the phone for hours and never run out of things to say. But sit down and talk to God and my mind wanders and I'm done talking in about a minute. I need to learn to be quiet and just let God talk to me too.

Today I read Steven James' blog and guess what....yep it's about prayer. I love how he explains that we talk about what is on our minds with our friends...why not with God? I also love how he states "Real prayers are not flimsy and weak, but big and round and bold. They don't worm their way into heaven, they pound on the door and knock it down." Now that's praying! That's what I want in my life. I've been there before where I've poured my heart out and left it laying on the floor. What I found was a loving God that picked up my heart and made it whole again.

James also tells us that we don't need the right words (the Holy Spirit groans when we can't find the words to say) we just need the right attitude.

I don't know if this is God's way of telling me that a storm is coming my way and I need to find my firm foundation again and stand on Him or is He telling me that He misses me and wants me to come have lunch. Could be both. But I'm listening and I'm going to have lunch often!!

Our fallen world

There are moments when the fact that we live in a fallen world and that we have NO control over anything hits us square in the face. The tragic news of Maria Chapman is one of those times. We stop and ask God why knowing that the answer will not be there or that we don't want to hear the real answer anyway. We do not grieve though as those without hope but we do grieve. I pray that God pours His amazing and never-ending mercy, grace, love, comfort and peace on the Chapman family. Only He can help them through all this and may He be glorified.

Photography Class

My photography class starts today. It is an online class because with my work schedule I just cannot attend a class with a set schedule. I debated on doing this class but I've talked to several people that have actually taken this class and they really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to it. I'll keep you posted and show you some of the pictures I take along the way. It's only a 6 week class but you have 8 weeks to finish. Sounds like my kind of deal.

And I also started cleaning/organizing my music and pictures on this laptop last night. Yeah I just might finish it by the end of my 1001 days!!! What a mess I have!!!

Now I have to go work on a powerpoint for VBS. My training meeting with the volunteers is next Friday....yeah I'm so "ready" for it.

Might have to go visit Cheese later just to have a laugh. (see previous post for explanation)

Cheese Rocks!!!

Two posts in one day....yeah my blog might explode!

Okay not sure if anyone that reads this has ever watched Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends on Cartoon Network. Well the character Cheese (see below)


is my favorite. He just rocks. Well I went looking for a screen saver and found the coolest game ever. You need a microphone and you copy Cheese...oh my...I could play this for hours....of course Brian is rolling his eyes at me. I'll have to play tomorrow when he is at work.

Yes I am amused by the simplest of things in life.

NaBloPoMo

Well I ran across NaBloPoMo while reading other people's 101 list here. There is absolutely no way I could ever do NaNoWriMo like Traci did (btw Traci rocks!). But I think I might could possible do this. I thought about what I could write about for a month and I have figured it out. Now I plan to start this in July. I am going to join and look around until then. The reason I picked July is because I will be going to PA in June and will not have internet access for a week. Looking forward to doing this....come join me!

Friday Favorites - Favorite places I want to go

I'm following directions (see my link).[okay I can't get the backlink thing to work so go here and see Mark's Friday favorites....I'll figure all this out eventually]

Where is Waldo? Well more like where is Wendy? I've not traveled out of the country alot (I've been to Sri Lanka and Israel). I thought I would tell you where in this whole wide world I would love to travel to so I guess they could be called my favorite places.

I want to travel to Greece.

I really don't know why Greece has always fascinated me but it has and I want to go! I have a "Greece Jar" at home. At the end of every day we put our loose change in the jar. When it gets full Brian told me he would take me to Greece. It's a huge water jug actually. I've measured it...it is 38 inches high and we are currently at 19 inches. I WILL get there though.

Next I want to go to Egypt.

I have always been interested in Egyptian history. I have watched all of the History Channel and National Geographic Channel shows on Egypt about 10 times each (my husband always rolls his eyes when I watch another one). Not sure if this trip will ever happen though. I have no real plans to get there but would jump at the chance to go.

Soooo....where in the world is your favorite place (that you have not been to yet)?

My other addiction

Okay I referred to my "problem" in this post (my love of shoes). Well today I am going to admit my other "problem". Buying cd's....man alive I have alot of them and this week I have SIX more. Well sorta. I bought all of the cd's below. I will actually TOUCH the Revelation cd in July (but thanks to Tai and the magic of streaming I can hear it now). I will get the Warren Barfield cd next week. The others...yeah they are mine. Oh I also bought "Glory Revealed Live" for $5.35 from Rhapsody. So what is your "problem" you want to admit to me??? ;)

The Holy Spirit and Who is in control?

I went to my brother's church yesterday and I really enjoyed it. Different from mine but in a good way. The sermon focused on Acts 2 which is describing the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to believers. I'm not going to recount his sermon (go listen for yourself if you would like....it's a good one).
I just want to list my highlights:

1- The power of God Himself is living inside of me...so why do I live a mundane life at times with no passion for anything?

2- If we are wondering what the CHURCH is supposed to look like we need to only read Acts 2:42-47 (42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.)

This NOT what my church or any other that I've been a part of looks like...and guess what I'm to blame for it. Time to change me!

3- You CANNOT be the Holy Spirit in someone else's life. Pastor Dan said that we often try to control others lives in the name of "making sure they do the right thing or guiding them"....it is not our job to do that...whew...that sure frees me up to not try to control my husband, son or friends!

4- Realize that we need to work with the Holy Spirit - we are to put things on HIS shoulders not our own....I can't do anything but He is cabable of everything.

5- (This one stepped on my toes and then went up to my legs and stomped on my chest and then hurt my heart and head).....
To determine who is in control of my life (ME OR GOD) I need only to look at how much I pray. Yeah....that one hurt...I AM going to change this one. Time to spend time with the one Person that cares about Wendy more than Wendy does.

I hope that maybe the Holy Spirit pricked you with something here. Be bold and call me to account on these if you like...I need it!

Funny on Monday

Okay I have nothing really insight to type just at the moment. I will later when I get 5 minutes to sit down but I think we all need a laugh this morning...how about this...

VACATION 2008

I am going to Creation this year and I'm very excited about it!! That's my great news for today.

Reading

One day I will be reading just ONE book....I seem to start several. I have one at work, one at home and one in the car. Never know when you might get a chance to read. Here's what I'm reading. What about you???

MUST HAVE!

See that picture to your right? That would be Third Day (okay most of you reading this KNOW that but maybe someone else will actually read this). They have a new cd coming out in July (the 29th). You MUST have that cd. I pre-ordered it ....you can hear the entire cd once you order it...okay I've been listening for hours now. My favorite Third Day cd is "TIME" but I think there is competition in the air now....

go click on that picture...buy that cd...listen to amazing new music


EDIT:
Okay now the picture is not really to the right of this post...just go to the top of the page and BUY IT!!! Your face will be ROCKED OFF!

Do me a favor

When you get a moment pray for Scott. He is my stepson and is currently in Iraq. Of course please pray for safety but today we talked to him and his is having back trouble. He had back pain in the past and it's back. Here is the email sent out by Beth (Scott's mom).
***************************************************************
HI!

Just thought I would send a prayer request. I spoke with Scott today. He seemed tired. He said his back is hurting again. The left side from about his hip down to his knee. The PA said she thought it was pinched nerve in his back. They gave him something for pain and a NSAID. I couldn't tell if he is taking the pain reliever or not--he doesn't like medicines. They gave him a one use ice pack and said it could be reused, but they don't have enough electricity to keep it cold where he is.

Please pray for pain relief, healing and health.

Thanks!

Beth Ann
Proud Army Mom and Blue Star Mother
*******************************************************************

Here is me and Scott. Thanks!

The return of an old friend

I have my laptop back! It was great seeing UPS drive up with it. I have missed this thing! It's amazing how attached you get to something. I still have a PC in the house to use but I sure like my laptop.

So....back in business.

Oh ...just to add something to the blog...here are my sweet babies...

PRAY!

I hope you pray every day but today is special. It is the National Day of Prayer. There are hundreds of events taking place today. If possible I plan to go to the State Capitol at lunch and join everyone there. We are having a prayer session at my church tonight. We desperately need to be on our faces before God. He hears and He answers. It might not be YOUR answer but He answers. Check out the National Day of Prayer website.