Low

We all have those days where you just say, "Wow. Really?" Today is that day for me.. and it's only 8:00 in the morning! 

I have been up since 5 AM with Beatrice. I haven't slept passed 7 AM since I don't know when. I was summoned by Bea, so I went to get her out of her crate. I took her to the bathroom to eat,and I was going to sit down on the floor beside her. I was tired. I wasn't really aware of my surroundings. As my head went down, my eye socket connected with the door handle. That was problem #1. Problem #2 followed quickly. I was having breakfast with the parentals when I accidentally knocked over my drink- with no lid. It went everywhere . Beatrice, meanwhile, was screaming (literally, her bark sounds like a scream when it gets intense enough). Problem #3 is now taking place. I am sitting in my living room wearing my black sweats; my eye socket is throbbing.  I am not confident that my eye won't pop out at any second. I have dark circles under my eyes. My hair is...  well I don't know what my hair is. It is not "in place". I'm still quite thirsty (but that can be amended as soon as I finish up here). And you know what the ironic thing about this whole ugly mess is? 

I signed up for every bit of it.

I had no idea that bringing home a new puppy would result in chaos like this. I had no idea that the changes I have made recently in my life would heap all this stress on my shoulders. I had no idea that I could feel this low. And yet I press on. I re-read my "Just Keep Pushin'" post... and that was for me. I gotta keep going. 

I know that "this too shall pass". I just feel so low. 

 

V-E-T Doesn't Spell Fun

Beatrice had her first veterinarian appointment today. She was her usual, happy self all morning. I put her in the car and looked in her brown eyes. She had no idea what was coming. I checked her in at the front and answered the standard questions. The front desk lady told me to "please take a seat, and the doctor will be right with you". I put Beatrice on my lap and whispered comforting words. She looked happy as a lark, still completely blind to what was about to happen. 

The vet's assistant came out and told me to come with her. We went to a room in the back that was painted green. I mean it was like stepping inside a lime! I set Beatrice on the table, and she put her paws on my stomach, still blissfully unaware... but that blissful expression was about to be wiped off that sweet, little face.

Beatrice had to get three things done at the vet: a fecal sample, heartworm ointment, and vaccination. They happened in that order. I will never forget Beatrice's face when they took the fecal sample. Her eyes grew 10 times their normal size. I am pretty sure I heard her say, "WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME!?" I just held her tiny body and tried to comfort her. The vaccination was the worst part. They wouldn't let me hold her. So the doctor and the assistant held her while they put the needle in. And oh, she cried and cried. It broke my heart! I actually started sweating. But it was all over and done. We left with Beatrice utterly exhausted. She fell asleep in my arms as soon as we left.

On the bright side, she now weighs two pounds and 12 ounces! She has gained a whole eight ounces! 

Just Keep Pushin'

If being lazy was a hobby, I think it would be my favorite hobby in the world. I absolutely love "lazy days". Curling up by a roaring fire with a cup of chai tea in one hand, and a good book in the other is my ideal day. I love being home just lounging around in my jammies. I will take the comfort of my couch over going "clubbing" any day. 

However, I have to be careful. It would be so easy to do that every single day of my life. But I wouldn't have a fulfilled life either. I would kind of be quitting life. The easiest thing to do in life is quite. It's true. It is so easy to throw in the towel, put the "do not disturb" sign up, and burrow under the covers. But we can't do that. We have to push on. Even when days get so tough and so hard, we have to keep going. Philippians 3:14 says:

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

God is telling us to press on! The definition of press is to act upon with steadily applied force. We can apply this to life. We have to steadily, or continually, keep going in life. Take life day by day by day. Not week by week. Not year by year. Day by day. Sometimes we can only take it hour by hour. And that's OK! 

Just don't fall into Satan's trap of depression. He will come to you at your weakest moment, and he will tempt you with the idea of quitting. "Just go back to bed... forget about your responsibilities as a    fill in the blank  . Nobody will miss you. Nobody will care." Well guess what? God cares. And it breaks His heart to see you broken and defeated. He gave you His armor to wear daily! Put it on and push on! His mercies are new every morning! Each day is brand new! Don't lug around yesterday's mistakes and worries. Drop them at the Cross, and press on toward the prize God has for you! 

Follow the Leader

Reading the Bible is an essential thing we need to do daily. But sometimes it's hard to know where to start. I run into that problem constantly. I don't do the "flip to a random page and point" thing. It doesn't work for me. Instead I use www.biblegateway.com This website is absolutely brilliant. On the "Home" page, it provides a "verse of the day". These verses are always thought provoking and applicable. Today's verse is Ephesians 5:1-2:

[Living in the Light] Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Eye opening, isn't it? Think about it. If we imitated God, if we copied His thoughts, actions, and words, we will automatically live a fulfilled life. We would be kind, bold, compassionate... everything that is good and holy we would be! 

Of course, to be exactly like God is impossible in this world. However, we can strive to be imitators of Him. The definition of imitate is to follow or endeavor to follow as a model or example. Notice the "endeavor to follow". We can't be exactly like God because we aren't perfect! But we can use Him as our model! We can look to Him for advice. We can look to Him for our actions and words. 

So basically we get to play "Follow the Leader" for the rest of our lives! What fun! And we have the best Leader in the world! Imitate God, and you can't go wrong.

Mood Songs

Music is quite remarkable. It's amazing how it can influence your attitude! It can emphasize your mood, or it can completely change it. I'm going to provide you with a list of my five favorite songs according to different moods and situations.

Working Out
1. What Makes You Beautiful- One Direction (no shame here!! I love boy bands!)
2. Glad You Came- The Wanted (yes, another boy band!)
3. Chasing the Sun- The Wanted
4. Let It Rock- Kevin Rudolph (the clean version, of course)
5. Burning Heart- Survivor (love the oldies!)

Chillin'
1. Anything by The Piano Guys
2. Even If It Breaks Your Heart- Eli Young Band
3. Anything by Norah Jones
4. House of Healing feat. Liv Tyler- Lord of the Rings sound track (my inner nerd...)
5. Gift of a Thistle- Braveheart sound track

Dance Partayyyyy!!! (Can take place in the car!)
1. Just Dance- Lady Gaga
2. Glad You Came- The Wanted
3. What Makes You Beautiful- One Direction
4. Poker Face- Lady Gaga
5. It's Tricky- DMC

Cry It Out
1. What Hurts the Most- Rascal Flatts
2. When It Rains- Eli Young Band
3. You Are Mine- Mute Math
4. Breakaway- Kelly Clarkson
5. For the Love of a Princess- Braveheart soundtrack

Country Swag
1. Even If It Breaks Your Heart- Eli Young Band                                
2. Copperhead Road-Steve Earle
3. Good Time- Alan Jackson
4. When Will I Be Loved- Linda Ronstadt
5. Jolene- Dolly Parton

Sittin' and Thinkin' 
1. Just A Game- Birdy
2. Anything by the Civil Wars
3. Princess of China- Coldplay
4. Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye
5. Alone- Heart

This is called passionate singing.

And there you have it... along with a picture of me rocking out last New Year's Eve. Enjoy. Now go listen to some good, quality music! 

Mommy Troubles

Beatrice is the world's cutest puppy, I'm pretty sure. Like I stated in my description, she is half Shih Tzu, fourth Maltese, and fourth Japanese Chin. She is right at 6 weeks old. 

This is my baby!

Before I proceed, let me say that I love this furball to death. I am so glad she is mine, and I wouldn't change a thing.

 I am trying to crate train her, so that it becomes her "room" at night. I don't want her to view the crate as a scary or bad thing. I want it to be a source of comfort. Well, I break sometimes. OK, most of the time. I usually let her fall asleep on my bed, and then I will quietly slip her into her crate and shut the door. Then not two minutes later she will start yelping like an ax murderer is in there with her. So I get her out. The routine is repeated two or three more times. And she ends up sleeping the rest of the night with me.

Last night was no different. Last night was HORRIBLE. She has had accidents on my bed before. Luckily not on my mattress, just on the quilt. But last night I woke up to her tinkling on my quilt again. It soaked through the top three covers. Ok, I thought. No biggie, just take them off, and go back to sleep. I will wash them in the morning. An hour later, I woke up because I felt something warm on my chest. BEATRICE WAS TINKLING ON ME. Is this really happening? I thought. Yes, yes it is. Holy crap. Holy crap. HOLY CRAP. Immediately I said, "NO!", got her off the bed, and set her on her Potty Pad. I changed shirts, got Beatrice, and went back to bed, thinking she can't possible have any more pee in her. This is it. HA! Wrong-o! An hour later she tinkled YET AGAIN on my pillow. That's when I became firm, and I put her in her crate. She was surprisingly quiet. She could tell I was angry, so I think she knew it was not the time to yelp and cry. I slept the rest of the night "in peace"... I was cold from not having my top three covers. She is now banned from my bed until further notice.

I know she is just a baby. I have to keep that in mind. She is bound to have accidents. But I am at my wit's end! If there are any master dog trainers out there, any suggestions? I just want to potty train and crate train her. I understand what new mommies go through now. And I have the utmost respect for them. Hats off to you, mommies!

Unbreakable, Unashamed

It's no secret that we live in a world where morals are fading into the background. It's becoming increasingly difficult to make good decisions without being looked upon as "weird", "strange", or "uptight". I have watched as strong Christians conform to this world and get sucked into drinking, partying, etc. because they so desperately want to fit in with "the crowd". 

It's so sad to witness. My pastor said something during last weekend's service. He said, "Most of those who walk with the Lord do not finish." My heart kind of dropped. What do you mean? Most Christians fall away from God? Yes. That's exactly what he meant. What a scary thought. However, God addresses this. He tells us what to do. My mom read this to me, and I had to share it. This passage is from Philippians 2. 

¹⁴ Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵ so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. ¹⁶ Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Powerful stuff. It is easier said than done, I know. But the joy of the Lord is our strength! Cast all our cares on Him! He will uphold us with His righteous hand! The Bible is filled with words of encouragement. We as Christians just have to hold on for dear life. We have to set examples to future children of God. Verse 15 says to shine like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 

Take today to be that shining bright light for someone. Don't break. Don't give in to this world's ideas of fun. Then we can stand in front of the Lord unashamed, for we lived clean, innocent lives. 

She Smiles At The Future

HELLO 2013!

A new year calls for celebration! The slate has been swiped clean; the floor has been mopped spotless; second, third, fourth (and even beyond) chances are once again being given. We have been given another 365 and 1/4 days to give this thing called Life another go. I am incredibly optimistic about 2013. This is going to be such a great year! 

Now, I know what you're thinking. Everyone starts out so positive. What about when 2013 brings sorrow and anguish? I have no doubt that 2013 will certainly have its sorrows. But it will also have many, many joys. I know this because God has promised us blessings in Life! He gave His Life so we could have Life, and have it more abundantly! (John 10:10)

God knows the plans that He has laid out for us. HE CREATED THOSE PLANS! He has it all figured out from the moment we were conceived to the moment we meet Him in His House. He has plans for us to prosper, not just get by, but PROSPER. What good news! (Jeremiah 29:11)

This is why I can be so optimistic about 2013. This is why I can smile at the future (just like Proverbs tells me to do as godly woman in Proverbs 31). So my friends, do not be afraid. God is an awesome God. He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

2013, bring on the good times!