Monday, October 4, 2010
Relationships
One thing I have learned in life is that relationships are hard. They take a great deal of time, energy and commitment. Every relationship has its rough edges and delicate spots that have to be filed down and carefully worked on. I believe there is no such thing as a "perfect person", but I do believe in a perfect God who can take the lives of two people and make something beautiful.
Jarrod and I both have things in our past that we have to deal with and work through. These things may make our relationship different from some others or not "ideal" in the eyes of some people, but I know in my heart that it is exactly what we need. I believe that together God can work through us and use us to bring him glory. I belive that our relationship can be used to give people a glimpse of grace and eternal love.
With each new "romantic" relationship a multitude of new sub-relationships form. As we meet each other's "people" we seek to find commonalities to help us build a new connection. I feel like I have levels of "people" and how important the connections must be. For instance - it is most important to me that Jarrod is able to have a good connection and build a strong relationship with my family. (Seeing as how I think Kevo and MB would choose him over me I think he has that one covered.)
In Jarrod's life his sweet daughter, Ana, is the most important person that I build a connection with. I had the opportunity to meet Miss Ana early in July. After spending many hours getting to know each other and having the opporutnity to hang out together we have a mutual respect and love for one another. I love that little girl so much and miss her as much as I miss Jarrod. Together they make my life better - and I look forward to every moment I get to share with them.
Last night I met another very important person for the first time, Ana's mother. I am not going to lie and say that it was rainbows and butterflies - it was definitely a little awkward. I do however know that it will be very important for us to build our relationship. The good news is that we have a special commonality and her name is Ana.
I may not always understand every decision that she makes, but I do know that she is Ana's mother. I know how incredibly important my mother is in my life and I want nothing more than for Ana to have that kind of relationship. Although the situation at hand is not what God wanted for their lives, I know he will still be able to protect Ana's heart and create something wonderful out of our lives together.
Ana will be able to learn many things from her mother. They will have the opportunity to share in great mother-daughter experiences such as buying bras, shaving legs and getting mani/pedis together. With me Ana has the opportunity to see what it is like to have someone love her wonderful father. She can experience what a relationship is like that is built together on the foundation of God. She will see two people who choose God first - and watch him work in our lives.
I know my realtionship with Ana's mother will not always be easy, but I look forward to developing it in time. I pray that God will continue to work in my heart and give me confidence in who I am and the relationship I have with Jarrod and Ana. I also pray that he will guide us all as we seek to navigate these waters and that more than anything Ana feels loved!
Monday, September 13, 2010
How Sweet it is....
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Great Plated Lizard - "Dixie"
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Zoo Adventures
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Blog Update
Emergency Room: Wednesday, April 28th, I woke up around midnight with a horrible pain. I was convinced I was dying (overdramatic - I know). I really thought it was apendicitis, so off to the emergency room I went. When I first got there the doctor agreed with my self diagnosis, but after my CT scan it was determined to be kidney stones and blood work showed a uti as well. After spending a night in the hospital, I passed the stone and was able to report to work to finish up with TAKS. It is never a dull moment in my world.
Birthday: This was the best birthday I have ever had!!!! I couldn't have dreamed up a better birthday! I have such wonderful people in my life who helped make my day special and me feel extra loved! I am officially 27 years old and I am ok with that.
Work: The end is in sight! I have almost completed my first year of teaching and it was everything I expected it to be. I loved it! I will miss my kiddos so much this summer! I look forward to our playdates at the park.
Internship: I start my internship at the zoo on Monday. The first week I will be teaching a camp "It's Raining Wild Cats and Dogs" for 4 & 5 year olds. It will be lots of fun. I am sure there will be plenty of stories related to dropped gators and what nots. I anticipate the theme for the summer being "hot".
Summer: My internship will consume a great deal of my summer, but I am looking forward to some nice breaks. I have no "major" vacations planned, but several small trips to visit friends and family. I will be taking a trip to the hill country in July and I am so looking forward to it!!!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Hope Now
The dictionary definition of hope is "the the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best."
In a crisis situation everyone clings to hope. They hope the doctor can find a cure. They hope their insurance will pay for the medicine. They hope the surgery can fix the problem.
The past 72 hours I have been filled with hope. I do hope for all of those things, but I am so thankful that hope is more than a feeling. I am so thankful that my hope is grounded in a faith that God is in the midst of what is happening and in complete control of the situation.
My family has been surounded by and loved on by people who share the same hope. I have been overwhelmed by the people who have taken time out of there lives to pray for us and to pray with us. So many people have called and come to the hospital just to show their support.
This morning things have been looking much better. She has been able stand up several times and has experienced no pain. The plan is that tomorrow morning they are going to do a procedure to scope the outside of her heart and determine if any damage has been done there. If all goes well and a private room is available she will be moved out of ICU. (I'm ready for this to happen - as hard as it is to admit - I think getting to see at least 1 grandbaby will be better than lots of medicine.)
Please continue to pray for her and my dad - that they will both get good rest and take care of themselves.