Friday, December 28, 2007
Final Thoughts...and a Happy New Year!
I think 2007 has made me become more grateful. I'm sure it comes with age, but the circumstances of this past year would have been completely different if I didn't have the support of friends and family.
The more I think about it, the more aware I am that there are tons of people that love me and want the best for me. Even when it seems like I've lost one friend, God has sent another to reassure me that I'm not alone.
Recently, I had to distance myself from someone that I loved dearly because his friendship was emotional destructive. During that situation, so many other friends stepped in and took over. Some of these people, I've never even met in person. But I knew their sincerity when they gave encouragement or said they were praying for me.
So despite the ups and downs of 2007, I think I've come out on top. And no matter what comes 2008, I'm trusting God that He will bring me through again!
Before, I publish this last post for 2007, I want to leave you with a wish for 2008...
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address!
God Bless you and yours and may the love the Christ fill your hearts each and ever day!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
The more I think about it, the more aware I am that there are tons of people that love me and want the best for me. Even when it seems like I've lost one friend, God has sent another to reassure me that I'm not alone.
Recently, I had to distance myself from someone that I loved dearly because his friendship was emotional destructive. During that situation, so many other friends stepped in and took over. Some of these people, I've never even met in person. But I knew their sincerity when they gave encouragement or said they were praying for me.
So despite the ups and downs of 2007, I think I've come out on top. And no matter what comes 2008, I'm trusting God that He will bring me through again!
Before, I publish this last post for 2007, I want to leave you with a wish for 2008...
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address!
God Bless you and yours and may the love the Christ fill your hearts each and ever day!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Big Change
I promised to tell you about some of the changes in my life during this week, and so I'll do that today. If any of you have been reading my regular blog, then you know that I went through a church split over the summer. This has probably been the biggest life changing experience for me in a long while.
It was an extremely hard, frustrating time for me and everyone involved. There were a lot of moments of confusion, heartache, and tears. I saw sides of many people that I didn't know existed, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions. But even through the toughest times, I felt God's presence. I've chosen to forget much of the bad because I want my memories to be filled with all the good.
Beginning a new church with my Pastor and friends has been the greatest experience of my life. I have seen God's divine hand orchestrate things that I never thought would be possible. I am able to look back at situations that took place 4 or 5 years ago and see they have been leading me to this point. I've seen first hand God's love, grace, and mercy. I now know what it means to truly love your enemies and to pray for those that use you. My Pastor and his wife have been the epitome of what a Christian should be.
This is not to make light of my previous church or the wonderful people there. I left behind a great group of friends, that although we don't attend the same church or see each other as regularly as normal, doesn't mean I don't love and cherish them as much as ever. A difference of opinion doesn't have to stop a lifetime of friendship, and I'm glad that for some of us, it hasn't.
As I talk to other A/P's and even read the latest news like the post on Collideoscope, I find my story similar to others. I can't tell you the reason for all the division and movement and shaking. But I do know that God has a plan, and He will take whatever the devil means for bad and turn it into our good.
So if you or anyone you know is the in the middle of church drama, pray and trust God that he will lead your or them in the way to go. And remember that if God leads someone else in a different direction than you, it doesn't mean they are wrong. Perhaps God has a different plan for their life.
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
It was an extremely hard, frustrating time for me and everyone involved. There were a lot of moments of confusion, heartache, and tears. I saw sides of many people that I didn't know existed, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions. But even through the toughest times, I felt God's presence. I've chosen to forget much of the bad because I want my memories to be filled with all the good.
Beginning a new church with my Pastor and friends has been the greatest experience of my life. I have seen God's divine hand orchestrate things that I never thought would be possible. I am able to look back at situations that took place 4 or 5 years ago and see they have been leading me to this point. I've seen first hand God's love, grace, and mercy. I now know what it means to truly love your enemies and to pray for those that use you. My Pastor and his wife have been the epitome of what a Christian should be.
This is not to make light of my previous church or the wonderful people there. I left behind a great group of friends, that although we don't attend the same church or see each other as regularly as normal, doesn't mean I don't love and cherish them as much as ever. A difference of opinion doesn't have to stop a lifetime of friendship, and I'm glad that for some of us, it hasn't.
As I talk to other A/P's and even read the latest news like the post on Collideoscope, I find my story similar to others. I can't tell you the reason for all the division and movement and shaking. But I do know that God has a plan, and He will take whatever the devil means for bad and turn it into our good.
So if you or anyone you know is the in the middle of church drama, pray and trust God that he will lead your or them in the way to go. And remember that if God leads someone else in a different direction than you, it doesn't mean they are wrong. Perhaps God has a different plan for their life.
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Santa and the Stalker!
I do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday! Mine was a bit different than normal, but it was still good.
We normally have Christmas at my parents house on Christmas morning, followed by breakfast and a late lunch. This year we opened presents Christmas Eve night and then went to my uncle's house for lunch on Christmas Day. That evening I stopped by a friend's house and ended up gaining a quick fetish for Guitar Hero 3! But all in all, in was great getting to spend time with friends and family.
In other news, the stalker called 4 times in a row this morning. He left a message on the answering machine asking if I had received the flowers and if he had done something wrong. So I sucked it up and called the guy. I expect honesty from other people, so I needed to be upfront with him. I told him I was sorry for just now getting back to him, but I had been busy with Christmas and spending time with family and friends. He says he was glad to hear that because he thought he had gone to far sending the flowers. I replied that I had received the flowers and although they were nice, they were not necessary because I was not interested in a relationship. He tells me that he's not asking for me to fall in love with him and marry him, just go out on a date with him.
Obviously he wasn't getting it, so I had to sorta stretch the truth. I told him that I was talking to the guy from the movies, and I didn't want to mess that up. Plus I had just gotten out of a relationship (maybe several years ago, or maybe it was a one-sided crush, but that's details) and I just wasn't interested. I told him that I wanted to be honest and up front with him. Well then, he kinda got an attitude and said, "Well you sure seemed eager the other night!" EAGER? Excuse me? Eager to get away! I don't even know who you are for crying out loud! So I apologized and told him I was sorry if I gave him that impression. He told me he wished me the best and hung up.
So now I'm hoping that he doesn't drive by my house and leave dead flowers on my doorstep! Maybe I should have asked for a stun gun for Christmas! Oh well, Happy Stalking Holidays...
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
We normally have Christmas at my parents house on Christmas morning, followed by breakfast and a late lunch. This year we opened presents Christmas Eve night and then went to my uncle's house for lunch on Christmas Day. That evening I stopped by a friend's house and ended up gaining a quick fetish for Guitar Hero 3! But all in all, in was great getting to spend time with friends and family.
In other news, the stalker called 4 times in a row this morning. He left a message on the answering machine asking if I had received the flowers and if he had done something wrong. So I sucked it up and called the guy. I expect honesty from other people, so I needed to be upfront with him. I told him I was sorry for just now getting back to him, but I had been busy with Christmas and spending time with family and friends. He says he was glad to hear that because he thought he had gone to far sending the flowers. I replied that I had received the flowers and although they were nice, they were not necessary because I was not interested in a relationship. He tells me that he's not asking for me to fall in love with him and marry him, just go out on a date with him.
Obviously he wasn't getting it, so I had to sorta stretch the truth. I told him that I was talking to the guy from the movies, and I didn't want to mess that up. Plus I had just gotten out of a relationship (maybe several years ago, or maybe it was a one-sided crush, but that's details) and I just wasn't interested. I told him that I wanted to be honest and up front with him. Well then, he kinda got an attitude and said, "Well you sure seemed eager the other night!" EAGER? Excuse me? Eager to get away! I don't even know who you are for crying out loud! So I apologized and told him I was sorry if I gave him that impression. He told me he wished me the best and hung up.
So now I'm hoping that he doesn't drive by my house and leave dead flowers on my doorstep! Maybe I should have asked for a stun gun for Christmas! Oh well, Happy Stalking Holidays...
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
A New Look at the Christmas Story!
Every year at this time, we all remember the Christmas story from the Bible. Unfortunately, for me, many times it seems like another story. It's hard to grasp the reality of something that took place so long ago. Knowing that I felt this way, I took a deeper look at the birth of Christ. I wanted to learn something that would make this all important event come alive again.
I've always marveled at Mary. She was a young girl, nothing too important about her. Yet out of all the people in the world, God chose her to bring His Son into the world. What was it about Mary that made her stand out?
I often wonder the same thing about myself. Is there something inside of me that would stick out to God. I want God to look down on me and say, "Kimberly is well favored. Kimberly is special, so special that I can trust her with something great." But then I realize that God has already done that. He has filled me with His spirit. He has shown me great truths and revelations from His word. The scripture says, many are called, but few are chosen. Wow, how special am I that I am chosen! How special are you that you are also chosen!
I am sure there were moments when Mary thought she was not important. I'm sure there were moments of doubt, but at those times, all she had to do was feel the child growing inside of her or look at Jesus as he grew into a man. Then I'm sure she remembered God's love for her. So when we begin to doubt God's love, we must remember that of all the 6 billion people in the world, we are blessed to have God's Spirit living inside of us. That makes us extremely important!
Then I look at Joseph. I've never given too much thought to him before. I mean, Jesus would have been born without Joseph, so his importance is not that great. But the more I think about Joseph, the more I realize how great a man he was. Think about it. You are engaged to a girl and you find out she's pregnant and you know there is no way it's your child. Most guys would run. I mean, she cheated on you, and now she's gone crazy saying it's God's child! I'm sure Joseph was embarrassed, all of his masculinity destroyed. The last thing he would want is to be associated with a crazy, cheating girlfriend. But Joseph stuck around. Joseph trusted God.
Joseph took Mary despite what his family and friends said about him. I'm sure there were moments when Joseph was uncomfortable and embarrassed, but he took care of Mary and protected the special gift they had. We too have to be unashamed of our gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Many may question us and our choices, and even though it may make us embarrassed, we must continue sharing the gospel.
Lastly, I see that serving God isn't easy or beautiful sometimes. Mary and Joseph had to travel all the way to Bethlehem in the last trimester of birth. They finally get to Bethlehem and there is no where to sleep but outside in a barn. Unless Mary and Joseph were super human, I'm sure they thought...."God why in the world are you doing this to us? We are doing Your work, and we get treated like this? We deserve better!" I'm sure by the time they got to Bethlehem they even doubted whether they had heard the angel right. Maybe they made it all up in their heads. Surely if they were giving birth to the son of God, it would be in a better place than this!
How many times have I thought that. God I'm doing your work; I'm giving you my all, and I can't get anything better than this? God why did you put me in this town? Couldn't I serve you better somewhere else, somewhere bigger and nicer? Maybe I just imagined God's call. Surely he wouldn't want me doing this.
But Mary and Joseph, despite the fears and doubts they had, trusted God. Even though circumstances weren't ideal, they held on to a promise given 9 months previous. They persevered, and by doing so, the whole world has been changed. Now I'll never do anything as great as give birth to the Savior and change the whole world, but I can change one person's life by sharing the gospel with him/her. Despite my circumstances, I must never stop trusting that God is leading my every step.
So today and for the rest of your life, remember the lessons from the Christmas story. Whenever it seems just like another fairy tale, dig our your Bible and take a closer look. Apply the principles to your life. Let the Christmas story become your life story!
I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas day!!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
I've always marveled at Mary. She was a young girl, nothing too important about her. Yet out of all the people in the world, God chose her to bring His Son into the world. What was it about Mary that made her stand out?
I often wonder the same thing about myself. Is there something inside of me that would stick out to God. I want God to look down on me and say, "Kimberly is well favored. Kimberly is special, so special that I can trust her with something great." But then I realize that God has already done that. He has filled me with His spirit. He has shown me great truths and revelations from His word. The scripture says, many are called, but few are chosen. Wow, how special am I that I am chosen! How special are you that you are also chosen!
I am sure there were moments when Mary thought she was not important. I'm sure there were moments of doubt, but at those times, all she had to do was feel the child growing inside of her or look at Jesus as he grew into a man. Then I'm sure she remembered God's love for her. So when we begin to doubt God's love, we must remember that of all the 6 billion people in the world, we are blessed to have God's Spirit living inside of us. That makes us extremely important!
Then I look at Joseph. I've never given too much thought to him before. I mean, Jesus would have been born without Joseph, so his importance is not that great. But the more I think about Joseph, the more I realize how great a man he was. Think about it. You are engaged to a girl and you find out she's pregnant and you know there is no way it's your child. Most guys would run. I mean, she cheated on you, and now she's gone crazy saying it's God's child! I'm sure Joseph was embarrassed, all of his masculinity destroyed. The last thing he would want is to be associated with a crazy, cheating girlfriend. But Joseph stuck around. Joseph trusted God.
Joseph took Mary despite what his family and friends said about him. I'm sure there were moments when Joseph was uncomfortable and embarrassed, but he took care of Mary and protected the special gift they had. We too have to be unashamed of our gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Many may question us and our choices, and even though it may make us embarrassed, we must continue sharing the gospel.
Lastly, I see that serving God isn't easy or beautiful sometimes. Mary and Joseph had to travel all the way to Bethlehem in the last trimester of birth. They finally get to Bethlehem and there is no where to sleep but outside in a barn. Unless Mary and Joseph were super human, I'm sure they thought...."God why in the world are you doing this to us? We are doing Your work, and we get treated like this? We deserve better!" I'm sure by the time they got to Bethlehem they even doubted whether they had heard the angel right. Maybe they made it all up in their heads. Surely if they were giving birth to the son of God, it would be in a better place than this!
How many times have I thought that. God I'm doing your work; I'm giving you my all, and I can't get anything better than this? God why did you put me in this town? Couldn't I serve you better somewhere else, somewhere bigger and nicer? Maybe I just imagined God's call. Surely he wouldn't want me doing this.
But Mary and Joseph, despite the fears and doubts they had, trusted God. Even though circumstances weren't ideal, they held on to a promise given 9 months previous. They persevered, and by doing so, the whole world has been changed. Now I'll never do anything as great as give birth to the Savior and change the whole world, but I can change one person's life by sharing the gospel with him/her. Despite my circumstances, I must never stop trusting that God is leading my every step.
So today and for the rest of your life, remember the lessons from the Christmas story. Whenever it seems just like another fairy tale, dig our your Bible and take a closer look. Apply the principles to your life. Let the Christmas story become your life story!
I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas day!!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Only Me!
Saturday evening after going to the movies with a friend, I stopped by Walmart. While I'm in line, the guy in front of me begins to have a conversation with me.
Him: "Are you John Rigney's daughter? How is he doing?"
Me: "Yes, I am. He's doing well." I have no idea who you are fellow.
Him: "Weren't you just at the movies?"
Me: "Yes..."
Him: "Were you watching Alvin and Chipmunks?"
Me: "Yes. My friend and I were a little embarrassed to be there since it was a kid show, but it turned out to be really funny." WHO ARE YOU??
Him: "Wow, you are gorgeous!"
Me: "Thanks." Guy, who are you? Who says that to random people??
So he grabs the items I have in my hand, and puts them up on the conveyor belt for me. He then asks how my mom is doing. He checks out, and I go about my business checking out. As I'm leaving the register, I realize that this guy is waiting on me.
Him: "Hey, I wanted to ask you at the movies, but I wasn't sure if were dating that guy, but since he's just a friend, could I have your number? I'd love to take you to dinner sometime. You are so pretty"
Me: If I don't do something, this crazy guy may follow me out to my car. Just make up a number and give to him. "Yeah, I can give you a number."
Him: "I just got this phone, I can't really figure it out. How about I just dial in your number."
Me: Great, now he'll dial my phone while I'm waiting. Just give him your number, you can always avoid calls from numbers you don't recognize. "Yeah it's..."
Him: "Thanks, I'll get in touch with you this week."
So I headed as quickly as possible to my car to get out of there. I got home and relayed the story to my parents, wondering what guy would know my parents and then ask me out. It finally hit mom after giving a description of the slightly overweight, greying, early 40's man. He was the guy who worked for Roto-Rotter! He did some work for my parents almost a year ago. I'm a bit freaked out because who remembers clients daughters from almost a year ago. It's not like the plumber is at our house every day.
Well last night, he calls the house and leaves a message on the answering machine. He ended up deleting my number from his cell, but I guess he looked up my house number in his records. He left his cell number and asked me to call. Then today, I get home from running some errands to find flowers. Yes, Gerber Daisies delivered on Christmas Eve with a note that reads "Merry Christmas!!! Just wanted to put a smile on your face. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season. Call me sometime. David." All of this is followed by his cell number!
Can we stay stalker?? So now I'm going to have to call this guy and tell him, thanks for the compliments and the beautiful flowers, but I'm just not interested.
What guy really does this kind of thing? Who tells someone that is basically a stranger they are gorgeous while standing in line at Walmart? These things only happen to me!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
Him: "Are you John Rigney's daughter? How is he doing?"
Me: "Yes, I am. He's doing well." I have no idea who you are fellow.
Him: "Weren't you just at the movies?"
Me: "Yes..."
Him: "Were you watching Alvin and Chipmunks?"
Me: "Yes. My friend and I were a little embarrassed to be there since it was a kid show, but it turned out to be really funny." WHO ARE YOU??
Him: "Wow, you are gorgeous!"
Me: "Thanks." Guy, who are you? Who says that to random people??
So he grabs the items I have in my hand, and puts them up on the conveyor belt for me. He then asks how my mom is doing. He checks out, and I go about my business checking out. As I'm leaving the register, I realize that this guy is waiting on me.
Him: "Hey, I wanted to ask you at the movies, but I wasn't sure if were dating that guy, but since he's just a friend, could I have your number? I'd love to take you to dinner sometime. You are so pretty"
Me: If I don't do something, this crazy guy may follow me out to my car. Just make up a number and give to him. "Yeah, I can give you a number."
Him: "I just got this phone, I can't really figure it out. How about I just dial in your number."
Me: Great, now he'll dial my phone while I'm waiting. Just give him your number, you can always avoid calls from numbers you don't recognize. "Yeah it's..."
Him: "Thanks, I'll get in touch with you this week."
So I headed as quickly as possible to my car to get out of there. I got home and relayed the story to my parents, wondering what guy would know my parents and then ask me out. It finally hit mom after giving a description of the slightly overweight, greying, early 40's man. He was the guy who worked for Roto-Rotter! He did some work for my parents almost a year ago. I'm a bit freaked out because who remembers clients daughters from almost a year ago. It's not like the plumber is at our house every day.
Well last night, he calls the house and leaves a message on the answering machine. He ended up deleting my number from his cell, but I guess he looked up my house number in his records. He left his cell number and asked me to call. Then today, I get home from running some errands to find flowers. Yes, Gerber Daisies delivered on Christmas Eve with a note that reads "Merry Christmas!!! Just wanted to put a smile on your face. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season. Call me sometime. David." All of this is followed by his cell number!
Can we stay stalker?? So now I'm going to have to call this guy and tell him, thanks for the compliments and the beautiful flowers, but I'm just not interested.
What guy really does this kind of thing? Who tells someone that is basically a stranger they are gorgeous while standing in line at Walmart? These things only happen to me!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
Y'all 'member me??
Hello again everyone! It's Kimberly -- the world traveling, Southern school teacher!I am so glad to be sharing this Christmas week with you here in the blogosphere. It's been a long time since I was with you in May. So many things have changed in my life, and I'll be sharing some of that with you as the week progresses.
I still have a few last minute Christmas things to pick up today along with some yummy goodies to bake with Mom. Therefore I'll keep this post short, but make sure and check in with me in between the football games and left over turkey!
(Notice the 1st Change?? No Braces!! Isn't that a gorgeous smile! LOL!)
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!
