What Dreams May Come ...

For my 100th post on my blog, I'm going to talk about my dreams. Not my "oh, I want this in my life someday" dreams, but my literal, while I was sleeping this is what my mind came up with dreams.

Last night I had a good old fashioned crazy dream. It involved an inflatable kayak, Tarzan, a proposal of a very unlikely couple (not me, don't worry) and needless to say it was pretty far-fetched. Which, incidentally, is what most of my dreams are like. They tend to be very vivid, involving people from different times in my life, quite "out there" and sometimes, believe it or not I do believe I have deja vu! Sometimes I really dream things that come true! People can say that my mind is playing tricks on me, but I just can't rationalize that. I legitimately remember these random conversations or events from my dreams. I can't tell you it's going to happen before it happens, and the dreams/real life situations are never really of great significance, but I promise. Sometimes my dreams come true.

I was telling my mom about my crazy dream from last night and she said, "it's so interesting because you didn't really use your imagination as a kid, and so it's like you are using it now that you are grown up through your dreams." It was quite a profound thought. As a kid, I wanted to be a grown-up. I didn't really play "make believe" much, instead I played "real life." I would be a lawyer or a doctor or a secretary. I made file folders and diagnosed diseases and solved the world's problems. I wasn't very big into imagining far off lands, villains or spaceship rides. I wanted to imagine what I would be like when I grew up. Of course, what I imagined is not at all what my "grown up" life is like now (it's so much more fun than I pictured!). So, I guess my imagination had to be put on hold for about 20 years, until I grew up, so I can imagine crazy things while I sleep.

Who knows what dreams will come in my future. All I know is they are probably sure to be entertaining ... if I can remember them.

So You Think You Can ...

DANCE! I would be remiss if I didn't give you, my wonderful readers, a detailed account of my amazing night at the So You Think You Can Dance tour last week. I went with my friends Larissa and Rachael to Grand Prairie for the tour. It was featuring the cast from season 7 (actually the first full season that I have watched all of the way through). I was excited to see all of my favorite dances performing my favorite dancers (most of them included Robert, my fav).

Here we are before we went in to the show:

So, while we were waiting for the show to begin, we were just sitting in our nose-bleed seats watching the slideshow that was meant to entertain us. Larissa had to go to the bathroom, so Rachael and I were reading the slides when one popped up that said "Got2B is giving away free backstage passes to the loudest fans, so make some noise." Well, Rachael and I started yelling, just for fun, and then another slide came up that said something like "You can do better than that, get louder!" So, we looked at each other, shrugged and thought, why not? So we yelled a little louder and threw our arms up. There weren't many people in our section at this point and we were pretty much the only ones yelling, so I guess we made ourselves noticable because less than a minute later this man and woman (with camera in tow) came up the stairs and gave us free backstage passes for being the loudest fans. It was AMAZING! We were in shock, to say the least! I've never won anything like that before! It was so fun! Here we are right after we won the tickets:

We were bursting at the seams for Larissa to get back and tell her our exciting news! She was shocked too. We were all so giddy and just kept laughing and saying "I can't believe this!" Well, then the show began - and it was awesome! They did all of my favorite dances, plus some bonus dances that were just so much fun! Then it was the big event! Time for us to meet all of our favorite dancers! We had to wait around about an hour after the show, but it was well worth it!

We met the winner of Season 7, Lauren, along with my favorite Robert, and Kent, Jose, Billy Bell, Dominic (all-star), Russell (Season 6 winner), Kathryn (all-star) and Ashley. It was so great! They were all so nice and just stood around and talked with us for a long time! My favorite person to meet was Kent. He was just precious! And I had a lot of fun when Dominic and Russell fought with me over who was more awesome! I still contend that they are so awesome, but they were pretty sure I was the awesome one, haha. Needless to say it was a really fun night! Here's some more pics for your enjoyment ...

Rachael, Kent and me

Larissa, Kathryn, Jose and me

The Awesome Dominic and Russell

Rachael, Larissa, Lauren and me

Me and Robert!

Treasures on Earth

Do you ever have times when God is speaking to you about something and everywhere you turn, there it is again? Well, that's how's its been for me the past few days. I've been really convicted about my "riches" here on this earth.

On Tuesday night at Bible study, Beth Moore (via video, no, she wasn't really here) was talking about the wealth we have in America. She said that if we own one book and are able to read it, we are some of the wealthiest people in the world - because of the education we've received and the money we have. It really struck a chord with me and I've been thinking about it a lot this week. I know that I have so much and I know that I am not the best at sharing my wealth.

This morning in Sunday school, we had a guest teacher - one of my favorite people in the world - Dr. Carol Boren. She taught from James 5 and was talking about hoarding our wealth rather than blessing others with it. She talked about how the money we have been given is not a bad thing, but it is important to be wise in how we use it.

So, here are some of my thoughts. I know that I have not been the best steward with my resources. A lot of times I just blame it on being single - I know that I have money in the bank and I'm the only person to buy things for myself, so I usually just get what I want when I want it. Do I always need it? NO! Absolutely not! But there's no one around to spoil me, so I just spoil myself. That's so selfish! I try to bless others with gifts from time to time and give money to offerings, mission trips, and other things that I feel inclined to, but it's sporatic and not always intentional. I really feel like God is calling me to be a better steward. To use the money and resources He has entrusted to me to bless others and help those who need help.

So, starting October 1, I'm going to try to start budgeting. I'm not sure how good I'm going to be at this, but I'm going to try. First, I'm going to evaluate where I'm spending my money and set limits for myself on certains areas - like shopping, eating out, etc. I think that part is going to hurt! Then, I'm going to really seek out areas that I feel like God is calling me to give. I don't know what this is going to look like yet, but I really want to bless others and support mission opportunities (locally, nationally, globally). I think I'm writing this plan out to help me stay accountable. I really pray that this is a lifestyle change that will stick! I want to be so much better with my money!

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Kickin' it with Consistency

Tonight I went to Turbokick for the first time in at least 3 weeks. And you know what? It was hard! I know that it wore me out a lot more that it usually does. My schedule has been so crazy lately, I just haven't had time to go to the 5:30 classes, so I've been walking, doing the eliptical or other forms of exercise, but it's just not the same. Turbokick is intense - and it works for me! Since I started the class 5 months ago, I've lost around 20 pounds. This is a such great achievement for me! You don't know how long I've tried to lose weight, to no avail.

So, here's a summary of what I'm telling you - Turbokick works for me and yet, the past few weeks I haven't made time for it and so now it's kicking me in the rear end. Conclusion? I need to be more consistent with what I know is good for me. I need to make time for Turbokick in my life, because I know it's beneficial and don't tell anyone, but I really enjoy it too.

I feel like the same is true of my devotional time. When I am studying God's word, I can see the fruits in my life. I have more joy, no matter the circumstances around me. I am rooted in God's truth and I am less likely to faulter. And yet, so many times I'm inconsistent. I see how good it is when I spend time with the Lord and then I go and get busy and one of the first things to go is usually my quiet time with Him. Why is that? Why can't I remain consistent?

The new Bible study that I'm doing with a group of precious friends is on the book of Daniel. Last week we were talking about integrity and how one of the greatest keys to integrity is consistency. To remain consistent in what you say, what you do and who you are. So, my new personal goal is to be more consistent - in my quiet time, in my exercise, in my speech and in my actions. Now, I'm going to log out of skype and facebook and blogger and go do my Bible study!

I Blame Belle

I want adventure in the great wide, somewhere

I want it more than I can tell

and for once it might be grand

to have someone understand

I want so much more than they've got planned ...

This summer I went to see Beauty and the Beast the Musical with my friend Katie Ellwood. As we sat there and watched one of our favorite childhood musicals come to life, I realized that this story has a lot of meaning in my life right now. My dreams are bigger than I ever thought they would be. I want adventure! I don't want to settle for what people expect of me! I want more than that! I have a huge desire to do more, see more, be more! When Belle sang the verses above, I have to admit, I got tears in my eyes. I felt like she was singing my song.

I never dreamed when I was a kid that I would be like Belle, but now, I blame her for all of these huge dreams and aspirations I have. I feel like her story may have actually inspired me growing up without me even realizing it. Her thirst for knowledge, courage and independence are all attributes that I admire. She also is so kind and compassionate. She was willing to give her life for her father's and then when we was practically imprisoned, she made the most of it. I know it seems a little ridiculous idealizing a Disney princess, but Belle embodies a lot of who I want to be. And her song is my anthem of sorts.

The great news is that God knows all of my dreams and aspirations! He knows my heart, even better than I do, and He has an awesome plan for my life. Like the old hymn that I love so much says, "Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go."

So, I think it's okay to want to be like Belle, because my mighty Savior is leading me on toward the many adventures ahead.

Note: Katie and I both decided to blog about "blaming Belle." Katie is a precious friend from college and someone who really understands me at this point in my life. I encourage you to read what she had to say on her blog! It's really wonderful!

Surfer Dude and the Beach Babes

It was a perfect day at the beach!

The clouds were rolling by, the water was beautiful,

there was a cool breeze and the waves were frequent.

Lorin and I sat and soaked up the rays

while surfer dude Phil attempted to ride in the bodacious waves.

As Lorin and I were gazing at the sky, we were reminscing about the time when we were little (I was 6, she was 4) and we were watching the clouds when out of seemingly nowhere came a tornado. It was a scary experience we won't soon forget, fortunately we lived to tell about it. When we woke up this morning in Galveston, it was pouring down rain and the winds were really high. We soon found out why yesterday the waves were rolling in, there was a great breeze and the clouds were going by so quickly. It was because of Tropical Storm Hermine that made her way up the Gulf today. Thankfully Hermine didn't cause any real damage that I know of. God just used the tropical storm to provide us with a perfect beach day! Now, maybe next time Phil won't lose his clothes while he's surfing... hahaha