What's in a Name?

Well...I still have a lot on my heart to share with you, but I cannot seem to find enough free time to sit down and blog lately.  Right now I am desperate for ten or fifteen minutes of stillness.  My life has been the definition of crazy busy this summer in the best possible way...but that's another post for another day.  This post is one I have wanted to share for a while - and it is how I chose my name for the new blog.

As the majority of my readers know, my life is about to change drastically - I could not be more excited or  terrified.  My first blog, My Temporary Home, came from Carrie Underwood's number one hit a few years ago.  It seemed to fit where I was at in life, and the one thing that helped me through my troubles was remembering situations in life were only temporary.  Enjoy the good because they won't last forever, and enjoy the bad, usually we can learn from both.

I wanted a title for my new blog that was simple and honest.  A few weeks ago, while talking to one of my fellow bloggers, I was sharing the Casting Crowns song with her and how I felt like that song was my 'rock' right now.  It was actually brought to the forefront of my mind when I saw the mission team in Grifton do an interpretive dance/skit to it.  She said, there you have it, the name for your new blog.  I'm getting a lot of fresh starts right now, and they have the potential to be whatever I want to make them.  I have changed and grown a lot over the past five years, some people still see me like I was before that and have not really gotten the chance to know who I am now.  It is hurtful to know that you have grown and changed and for others to be stuck in the past, but you also have to accept that the only one you can change is yourself, not the other person.

Anyway - I will leave you with the lyrics of this song - and check it out on Youtube.  And remember, there is only one true voice of truth, despite what the devil tries to tell you - it isn't his voice, or even the voice of the ones you hold most dear to your heart...
Casting Crowns - The Voice of Truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

An Adventure

Yesterday, Jason celebrated his 33rd birthday.  Family is very important to us both, so we had dinner last night with his mom and step-dad in Wake Forest.  If you have not eaten at "Over the Falls" in Wake Forest I highly recommend it!...And if you have never had Jerri's chocolate chess pie - you should get yourself a piece. :)

I have been trying really hard to come up with something fun and different to do for Jason's birthday.  Before I came along he had a lot of time to spend outdoors, where he enjoyed hiking and canoeing.  As we all know, when you fall in love, especially long distance, the things we used to enjoy doing with friends or on our own need to be sacrificed at time in order to make the relationship grow.  With that being said, I set out on a mission to borrow a canoe for the morning.  Now, let me just tell you, I have done a lot of outdoors stuff in my time, but canoeing has never been one of them, it terrifies me actually.  I am a great swimmer, but there is something about that tiny rocky boat that I just do not want to subject myself too.  Going on this adventure for the first time with Jason would be a great opportunity for him to teach me something (which I love) and to show me part of his 'world' before I was a part of it.  He was a counselor at Camp Caraway for many summers and taught many little boys the skills I learned today.

With the help of my brother, we found a canoe (thank you Jimbo) and got things ready for an adventure.  This morning Jason came over and we went to the pond close to my dad's store.  I didn't want to go to a river with a current, I wanted to stay as safe as possible (even though this pond is probably filled with water moccasins).  The scariest part of the adventure was getting into the canoe.  Once we were in and on the water it was pretty easy...As the morning passed I think my skills got better (as far as knowing which side to row on and how to stop when needed).  We both look forward to doing this again when it gets MUCH cooler outside.

Introduction

I'm back!  I have had so many things I wanted to share with my few faithful readers lately, but just haven't made the time to create a new blog.  I can no longer us "My Temporary Home" because of some major security issues with my e-mail account.  As most of you know, I'm getting ready to face a lot of change and transition in my life - so why not start a fresh new blog to go along with it?

Stay tuned - I have MUCH on my heart to share with you and will do so very soon.