Lesson(s) Learned

Why Skylar Dixon is my Hero I’m not a big follower of the show American Idol, but I have watched my fair share of episodes/seasons in a hit-or-miss fashion. I especially watched episodes consistently when Skylar Dixon’s brother, Colton Dixon, was on the show. He was refreshingly different to watch. He had true talent and a knack for connecting to his audiences. It also helped that he was a Christian and an all-out good-looking guy. Then, I soon found out he was born in the 1990’s, and I felt creepy for watching the show like I once did. So the American Idol fan train stopped there for me on that very same day. Though I no longer followed the show, I still very much appreciate and enjoy hearing Colton’s song, You Are, on Christian radio on my way to work. It helps me put things in perspective. Check it out if you get a chance: Colton Dixon’s “You Are” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM8hxE-j4T8 Though it’s pretty much the same ole’, same ole’ rig-a-ma-role every s...

The trouble with dreaming is that all dreams come with a price tag. This thought came to me a couple weeks ago when my family and I visited a new restaurant “hot spot” here in Jacksonville (Maple Street Biscuit Company in San Marco to be exact).  At this particular best-biscuit-breakfast-ever-location, one of their trademarks (or quirks?) is to ask each customer, “What is your dream vacation destination?” upon placing an order. When your order is ready, instead of calling out your family’s name (boring!), they call out the dream vacation spot in its place. The question will catch you off-guard for sure, but, all in all, it’s fun. It’s cutesy, even. It’s surprisingly original. It’s refreshingly unique. It also reveals something about people. It reveals…. Wait for it….             Where they would rather be.              Where their mind w...

I love it when I learn new things! It's like a cliche bouquet of 12 long-stemmed red roses kind of love, and a I-have-a-date-on-a-Friday-night type of excitement. As a teacher who has seemingly taught the "same old things" in fourth grade for almost 5 years now, yeah, it's truly THAT fun and exciting to learn new things. As you've probably already guessed, such a moment happened to me today - right in the middle of teaching my fourth grade kiddos a reading lesson. The excitement of what I'm about to tell you may not hit you like a ton of bricks like it did with me (just ask my students... I was SO excited about this today....), but I do hope that it does make you at least stop and think. Specifically, think about God. His provision. His goodness. His sovereignty. And His insight to and precision in planning out the exact details of your everyday life. Let me set the stage for you.....here's how it all started out: My class is currently reading throug...

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions... and it's not because I wouldn't keep them. In fact, if I made New Year's resolutions, I'd probably keep them too well because I'd sticky note the mess out of everything to ensure I didn't forget or fail to follow through. But, for some reason, I just never made New Year's resolutions. (Perhaps, my all-consuming childhood fear of fireworks on New Year's Eve kept me too preoccupied to focus on resolution-making. Who knows.) Although I don't participate in the New Year's resolution-making-madness, I do know quite well how the process goes down. In making a New Year's resolution, one must first look back to the previous year and acknowledge something they want to improve on, something they never want to repeat again, etc.  In looking back to 2012, I realize that everything in my life has changed. Seriously. Everything. Try me. Even today, I learned to accept a change my heart wasn't quit...

      In 2012, I reckoned with the fact that life is riddled with transitions. And, as I quickly learned, transitions are sometimes laced with troubles. And one of the main troubles with transition is this - it changes you. This year, it changed me. Though I wouldn't want to repeat 2012 and all the transition and change it brought into my life, I would be foolish to replace, dismiss, erase, or ignore it. God strategically used every-little-bit of 2012 to grow me into the woman that I am today and still learning how to be for days, weeks, months, and years to come (Lord willing).       The following is part of a Christmas update/letter I wrote and mailed to a dear friend-of-the-past that God so graciously brought back into my life this past year. I felt it summed up the changes, challenges, and victories in 2012 in my life and the life of my family quite well. Hope you enjoy reading my words and hearing my thoughts...        ...