When I was young, I loved to read! My favorite stores were book stores. I used to spend hours browsing Barnes & Noble looking for a great adventure. Life got busy and I found myself slowly fading away from my favorite hobby. Though I'm busier than ever, I still try to find time to curl up with a good book. And by "curl up" I mean hunker down in my seat in between two strangers on whatever flight I happen to be on at the time. Call me old fashion, but I would much rather have an actual book in my hands than use a nook or kindle. I know...slightly pathetic! Here are a few of my all-time favorites!
Nicholas Sparks "The Last Song" Ann Brashares "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" Mildred D. Taylor "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" J. K. Rowling "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" F. Scott Fitzgerald "The Great Gatsby" Harper Lee "To Kill a Mockingbird" Mark Twain "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" Sarah Dessen "That Summer" Judy Blume "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" Joseph Heller "Catch 22" Katherine Paterson "Bridge to Terabithia" Toni Morrison "Beloved" Wilson Rawls "Where the Red Fern Grows" Shel Silverstein "Where the Sidewalk Ends" Christopher Paul Curtis "The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963" E. L. Konigsburg "From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" Louis Sachar "Holes"
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11. Raise your hand if you've heard this in at least 2 out of every 3 graduation speeches you've listened to...yep, right there with you! In fact, I'm guilty for using it in my own speech at graduation in high school. It sounds overused but in reality, it's a reminder we should be praying through daily. When we're scared of the future, trying to make a big decision, unsure of what job to take or city to move to. It brings this verse back into reality. Choosing to pray through our futures and plans enables us to hand over the decision to the Lord, taking the pressure completely off! All we have to do is yield our decision to Him, knowing He will prosper us, not harm us. He wants to give us a beautiful, prosperous future. That doesn't mean life will be easy and worry free, but we will be walking in His will. Life is much better when we allow Him to direct our path.
We usually stop at verse 11, but I love the following verses: "'Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29:12-14a. When we seek Him with everything we are, everything we have, we will find Him. Beautiful passage! I think many times we're wrapped up in ourselves, so much so that our prayers and desires are half-hearted. We "seek" Him at our leisure or convenience, only when we've tried everything else. We think we have all the answers, but in reality we've just prolonged the path to get to Him. We've taken the scenic route, full of potholes, flat tires, wrong turns down dark alleys, and breakdowns. He's provided us the best path, we must choose to accept it. Trust Him to guide and direct your future!
Entertainment: the beach, whitewater rafting, hiking
Sports: no professional franchises
Famous Former Natives: James Brown, Andrew Jackson, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Melvin Purvis, Ray Allen, Ben Bernanke, Chubby Checker, Stephen Colbert, Joe Frazier, Kevin Garnett, Brett Gardner, Orlando Hudson,
Home to: Sassafras Mountain, Clemson University, Happy Cow Creamery, Sonoco, Fort Sumter
Random Facts: first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation in 1778, first state to declare its secession from the Union in 1860, nation’s leading peach producer and shipper east of the Mississippi River, the walls of the American fort on Sullivan Island in Charleston Harbor were made of spongy palmetto logs which helped to protect the fort because the British cannonballs bounced off the logs
Sitting in my old apartment with two of my favorite people, Amy and Sarah, we fell in love with an amazing idea based on a single question posed by 4 guys on a tv show: "What do you want to do before you die?" The Buried Life became one of our favorite shows. These guys created their bucket lists and went on an adventure to cross off each item while also helping others achieve something on their bucket lists. What a cool idea!
We all decided we should make our bucket lists. I started to make mine almost two years ago and am just now deciding its time for action!
Amy, Sarah, Jen and I decided a girls' weekend was just what we needed. We have all graduated from college and live in different places doing different things. We met up and went to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. The first order of business...I wanted to conquer something on my bucket list. The item in question...#10: Conquer a Fear. When I was younger, my family would spend almost every weekend during the summer in Branson. We loved to camp with family friends, spending days on the lake and nights shopping and go-karting. Steve and his son John decided one night they would take on the Ozark Mountain Sky Coaster, a 100-foot tall super swing. The swing is a combination of skydiving and hang-gliding. Oh, and did I mention you have to pull the ripcord at 100 feet in the air and plummet to the ground below at 70 miles per hour?!?! At the time, I was mortified. I thought they had lost their minds! Ever since then I told myself I could never do something like that…that is until I made my bucket list. I decided I wanted to conquer a fear and the first thing that came to mind was that stupid 100-foot swing! So I decided that to cross off #10 on my list, I must conquer the swing.
The first ride we came to at Worlds of Fun was the Rip Cord, the exact super swing I was so scared of when I was a kid. So Jen, goodness knows I love her to death, said she’d go with me! Bless her soul. So, was I able to cross off #10? Well, check out the video:
We did it! It was one of the most fun, scary, crazy moments of my life! It was amazing and I would definitely do it again. Take that #10! Now, just 35 more to go…
For pictures of our Worlds of Fun (a.k.a. brush with death) adventure, click here.
Entertainment: rock climbing, the beach, hiking, skiing, camping, canoeing, spelunking, bike trails
Sports: Charlotte Bobcats, Carolina Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, NASCAR
Famous Former Natives: Michael Jordan, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Ben Folds, Andrew Johnson, Zach Galifianakis, Andy Griffith, Jermaine Dupri, Nicholas Sparks, Ryan Zimmerman
Home to: Lowes, Great Smoky Mountains, Krispy Kreme, Fort Bragg, the Biltmore Estate
Random Facts: the state was the site of the first successful controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air flight by the Wright brothers near Kitty Hawk in 1903; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the first public university in the United States in 1795; Pepsi-Cola was first produced in 1898 in New Bern; Asheville was recently named “Beer City USA”; most experts believe the name “Tar Heel” got its roots from the fact that tar, pitch and turpentine created from the vast pine forests were one of North Carolina's most important exports early in the state's history
Ah...traveling. It's a good thing I enjoy traveling because I do it for a living! I've had the privilege of traveling to many different places, each with a unique history and culture. Most of them are where I've traveled with family and friends, entertaining many great memories and some very funny moments! Car, bus, plane, train, ship, or donkey...any form of transportation will do! Here are a few of my favorite places to visit!
Charleston, SC Panama City Beach, FL Philadelphia, PA Glorieta, NM
Nashville, TN Atlanta, GA Dallas, TX St. Louis, MO Bolivar, MO Santorini, Greece Venice, Italy Kusadasi, Turkey
One of my favorite passages of scripture is Matthew 11:28-30 "'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'"
What beautiful, comforting words. I have this scripture embeded in my heart and it even displays on my phone background when my phone is locked. I find myself repeating it over and over, especially when I'm dealing with a lot of stress and heartache. Only Christ can take on our burdens and provide true peace. It amazes me that He loves me enough to take on all the stress, fear, and hurt in my life. The ultimate demonstration of His love came on the cross, but He reminds us everyday that His love is unconditional and never-ending. His blood has already erased all my past, present, and future transgressions, but He also picks me up in the depths of heartache and takes on my burdens. In Christ alone, my hope is found. I can't imagine living a day in this life without Him.
Entertainment: Mammoth Cave National Park, horse racing, bluegrass music, steamboat races
Famous Former Natives: Abraham Lincoln, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nick Lachey,
Home to: Kentucky Derby, National Corvette Museum, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Random Facts: Kentucky ranks 4th among states in the number of automobiles and trucks assembled, the state is split between Central and Eastern time zones, home to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the United States, has the world’s longest cave system, and is the only US state to have a governor who was assassinated while in office (Goebel in 1900)
I've been to Kentucky twice this past year. I have to admit that I didn't do much exploring while here but given the chance I could rock a Kentucky Derby hat at Churchill Downs with the best of them! A visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum would also be much needed. I'll be headed back soon!
I love the bond between a mother and her daughters. More so, I love the bond my sister and I share with my mom and each other. My family spent the Fourth of July weekend at my sister's house. We had a great weekend. Not only did we get some great deals, but we had a lot of laughs. One specifically: my four year old nephew stuck two fries in his nose and started to "hee haw" like a donkey. Hi-larious! I love spending time with such amazing people! Oh, and we even got my mom to go in the photobooth! Check out a few of our awesome pics here! I look forward to many more great memories with my family!
Francesca Battistelli's "Free To Be Me" is such a great song! I love the message it brings. Our society has taught us from a young age that outward beauty defines us. Wow. How sick is that concept! Who judges our beauty? Honestly, outward beauty is meaningless! "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!" Proverbs 31: 30. We spend so much time making ourselves outwardly beautiful that we inevitably cover up the ugliness inside us. We waste our days focusing on meaningless activities to make ourselves look good but in reality we are filthy, ugly sinners saved by the grace of God. His love is what makes us beautiful, not makeup or designer jeans. "The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him for He is your Lord." Psalm 45:11. His affirmation is all I need.
The 4th of July may be filled with fireworks, watermelon, and patriotic t-shirts, but the day means much more to the beauty of this country. Independence Day represents the freedom we as Americans have because of the men and women who fight to protect it. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends sacrifice their lives to protect ours. It's such a profound expression of loyalty and love yet we let it go unnoticed many days throughout the year. May today be a blessed day to all who serve. May we as Americans show our appreciation and respect for those who spend so much time away from their loved ones and put their lives on the line each and every day. John 15:13 " There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
Thank you to those who have served, are serving, and will serve to protect the life I am blessed to live. May God Bless the USA!
I love reminiscing about my college days...and some awesome travel opportunities with great friends. I had the privilege of traveling to Greece and Turkey two years ago during Spring Break on another International Business trip. Some creepy Greek men and a few crazy train rides were worth this awesome adventure!
My favorite city was the ancient city of Ephesus. This ancient city had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC, the second largest city in the world during the time. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed 550 BC) but was destroyed in 401 AD. It has been named one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus is one of the seven churches of Asia cited in the book of Revelation and was once home to the apostle Paul. The Basilica of St. John was built in the 6th century AD over the supposed site of John the Apostle’s tomb. The ancient Greek city later became the second largest city of the Roman Empire during the Roman era. The ruins of this ancient city are absolutely beautiful. To walk the streets of Ephesus was the most incredible moment of the trip. Truly inspiring!
My favorite landmark was the famous Parthenon in Athens. This ancient temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena sits atop the modern-day city of Athens on the Athenian Acropolis. Construction began in 447 BC. It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece. The majority of the temple’s destruction occurred from a Venetian mortar fired from the Hill of Philopappus in September 1687 when the Venetians attacked Athens. Structural restoration has been taking place since 1975. The view of the modern-day city of Athens from atop the Acropolis is amazing!
This trip included planes, buses, and boats. The Aegean cruise was one of the best parts of the trip and lasted for 4 days. My favorite island was Santorini. The beautiful Greek island is the remnant of a volcanic caldera and is surrounded by 980 feet-high cliffs on three sides. The island is characterized by whitewashed buildings and blue roofs overlooking the Aegean. We had to take small boats from the ship to get to the edge of the island. There are only two ways up: the tram or the stairs. There are 588 steps, meaning you can walk or ride, and by ride I mean my new best friend Barthole-mule the donkey! It was such a cool experience to ride the donkeys up the steps to the top of the island. It was also extremely scary as the ledge is less than two feet high and the donkeys are very stubborn!
We had some great moments on this trip! I would love to go back someday and take a longer trip to the islands. Definitely worth it!
Other cities we visited include Delphi, Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Crete.
