Happy Valentine's Day

Despite the snow, I was able to spend the V-day weekend with Justin, since Loyola closed for the week I drove to NJ on Tuesday to spend time with him and his family. I was planning to come up on Saturday to celebrate the 40th birthday of a soon-to-be cousin, so we would have gotten to spend some time together. But, this blog isn't about the nice cards that Justin got for me, or the surprise afternoon at the spa, it's about something that the Pastor said today at Kingdom Church in Ewing, NJ. (www.kcnj.org).

He, Pastor Daniels, is currently in the middle of a series called Relationship 101. From my understanding last weekend he focused his sermon on things to challenge the men. This week, he was supposed to focus on things to challenge the women. However, he began his sermon sharing that he was not going to follow the plan he originally laid out and I can appreciate that. His message has some relevant points, he challenged not only my thinking about relationships, romantic and otherwise, but also he helped me to appreciate God more for Justin.

Since his move back to NJ, Justin has joined the P&W team at Kingdom Church, so today was the first time I was able to see him sing as a part of a P&W team separate of ANQ events. So, today, I was able to see him in a new element, more importantly in an element that I see as a "sweet spot" for him. It was great... OH... and the P&W team rocks! Anywho... during the message, Pastor Daniel makes a parallel to romantic relationships and Abraham's ram in the bush. He indicated that if an Ex was supposed to be with you in this season of your life, then that "ram" wouldn't have gotten away, if it was truly God's gift for you. After that statement, he said the statement that caused me to "stand to my feet"... a churchism that really bothers me, I mean, what else do you stand to, I guess I could do a handstand, but whatever... and applaud God for my ex-boyfriends. God truly provided me with my needs AND my wants in Justin. I'm sure in those relationships, I thought those guys were what I needed and wanted, but they weren't for me. They didn't challenge me the way I needed to be in order to grow into a better woman, they didn't show the strength that I needed so that I could safely be the woman in the relationship, they didn't have the dedication to their walk that I needed to trust we would grow together, and... and... and... they weren't for me. To be deep, they weren't the ribcage that I was taken from, we weren't a perfect fit.

So, today, I love on God more for giving me what I needed and not what I wanted. Because what I wanted in the past caused heartache as the relationship grew. I also bless God for maturing me to move beyond and even delete the contact information of my safety guy. Another statement that stood out to me during the sermon made me appreciate God more. He was speaking to the women of Trenton, since we are in Trenton, saying that no matter what you say about there not being any men in Trenton, you simply have to trust that God will make a new man from the dirt that is solely for you, that you don't have to go back to old hurts, old mess, and old struggles simply because you feel alone. What God has for you is for you and greater than you could image, but that also means you have to accept what GOD has for you, may not be what you expect for you.

Happy Valentine's Day folks... love on God today more than you love on a spouse, family members, or boo... because He has gifted you with life, unconditional love, and those whom you put God on the back burner for...

...I wish I was a Toys'R'us kid...

I have never wished more to be a kid than right now... out of school for a week, FEET of snow to play in, and the luxury of knowing that I had no other care in the world. As a kid in elementary school, you weren't concerned with having to make the days up into June, those were just additional days that you could play with your friends. Even though, I'm alright with the snow coming down, I don't have work days to make up in June this year, but, I still wish I were a kid. I want to bundle up like Rudy (snow suit, hat, mittens, snow boots, etc.) on the Cosby show and play with my neighborhood friends. I want to come in with a red face, runny nose, and frozen fingers and toes. I want to come in, have hot chocolate and watch cartoons. But, at 27 I can't get away with that... 1) all my friends are snowed in at their own homes, 2) being bundled up takes a lot more time now, 3) building a snowman doesn't have the same exciting thrill, and 4) I have school work that needs to be done because eventually I'll have to go back to school. I also can't avoid bills, I can't avoid responsibilities and the expectation is that I will remain on top of all of it.

In a number of months I will be a Mrs. and even though that's exciting, that comes with it's own set of responsibilities. We in theory have a place to live, but do two people need 4 bed rooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and all that space... although, I would like to shift some space into the kitchen... but, that also comes with a serious mortgage. The life of a grown-up has it's pros and cons, but it's inevitable. So, which one of my super smart friends has finalized their patent on the time machine... I wanna go back to being that Toys'R'us kid, go back to that carefree life and just love life...

Hello Stranger...

It's seemed like forever since my last post... well, it's been about a month to be exact... in the recent weeks I've had so much to say, but I feel like the moment has past on most of the things I wanted to discuss...

I had an awesome time at Dove Spa with my sisters. I appreciate God for challenging me and stretching me to be a woman... more importantly, placing great women around me who allow me to be me and challenge me to be better.

The snow! I could have done without so much. I ran away today to NJ after been snowed in in the DMV. NJ is expecting snow as well, but being snowed in with J AND cable seems to make things better ;-) But, the snow has caused one of my classes to be canceled for the SECOND week in a row. Now, I'm sure most students or even employees would appreciate a few days off, especially a break from a class that meets on a Saturday for seven hours. Unfortunately, this class was scheduled to end February 27, 2010! Does anyone else see the problem... we've only had 3 1/2 hours of class, since the first class was on January 30, 2010 the day of that first snow storm of the year. I'm not sure how we're going to make of the hours or the information, but if they don't plan on making it up, give me my $1400 back. I can use that for something...

Speaking of school, this is the first semester since undergrad that I've taken more than 6 credits. Even though, I'm not working, I still feel like I'm falling behind in my work. There's so much reading, a number of papers and assignments are due at the same time, and I'm not doing well balancing. I'm really working to create a routine in life, a routine that will include studying/reading, working out, worshiping, and getting in good quality time with friends, family and me.

Okay, I'm hoping I'll be able to blog more often... the mobile app I had has "upgraded" meaning they now want to charge me $3 to use my own data time and energy... bah!

Okay... be good!