...and then the silver lining comes out...

Just when life is getting to you and you're beginning to wonder.....God takes pity and cracks a window for you to get some fresh air. :)

Some of my friends are coming to visit. Yay.

Feeling vs. Being

So, there is definitely a difference between FEELING better and BEING better. For example, when one feels better about something, they tend to think they are better and may act foolishly. Or they may temporarily become short-sighted and do something detrimental to the process of actually getting better...because they feel better.

On the other hand, if you are getting better, but don't feel better...are you really getting better? Isn't part of the healing process feeling better?

Even though I know that sugar is bad for me right now, I couldn't resist those chocolate-covered strawberries...you see, I was feeling better and feeling better led me to believe maybe I was getting better. Oops.

Even though I've worked really hard to draw closer to the Lord and use His strength to help me heal...and I've been more at peace in my life lately, it's just too easy to pour out of the pitcher of spiritual reserve and think "I'll refill it soon." Until one time you reach for it, it's depleted. Oil is earned drop by drop. Fill the lamp daily. There is no excuse. Feeling better all too often causes well, me at least, to become lax.

And knowing something is going to happen and preparing yourself for it emotionally isn't the same as being prepared emotionally. Walking in on a lunch date with him and the new girlfriend in the break room at work. Not prepared for that. But okay with it, surprisingly. More sad about the resulting loss of the friendship.

So, I can't decide. Is feeling better before you are getting better a good thing? Any opinions or advice?

And then there's Pixie. She loves me anyway. Always listens. Always needs me and is always there. Can't wait to curl up in my lap. Finds any excuse possible to give me kisses. Dogs truly are man's best friend.

*This is her not now, mom face.

FALL

"Up North, you know it's Fall when the leaves change...in the South, you just look for the dust from the peanut harvest." That's what the radio said this morning... :D FALL has FINALLY come to Alabama and I'm so excited! I had to light the furnace last night and I was just giddy.

And at the end of the month, we have the National Peanut Festival and I can't wait! I haven't been to a peanut festival in 6 years due to having relocated for a while--I think I was a senior in high school last time I got to go...definitely long overdue.

www.nationalpeanutfestival.com

A Friend

I made a friend today. I was just thinking yesterday as I prepared to go shopping that I wish I had someone I could call to just go with me--how marvelous it would be if I had some friends down here. I mean, I love my family and I consider them friends, but I think you all know what I mean. I need some social interaction with people my age.

At choir today, I sat next to a woman with a beautiful new baby and we shared music. As we chatted, we discovered that we get along really well. We actually have mutual friends from Minnesota--random, huh? She knows them from home and I know them from BYU. Her husband and I both majored in Spanish and she was just thinking how nice it would be to meet someone her own age from the area. She and her husband are here with the military.

I made a friend today. :D I think I will take her a cute little outfit next week for her beautiful new baby.

Journal

It's been a while...I've been changing a lot of things in my life recently--a total engine overhaul, if you will. :) I've been writing in my journal regularly and I've neglected my blog.

So much has happened since my last silly post that I don't even know how to begin...I think I'll just simply state that life was dark. The past few months have simply been a blur. BUT life is beautiful again. Wounds have been cleansed, treated and band-aided. Healing is marvelous--both physical, emotional and spiritual.

I feel like I have a new lease on life--a new life. I'm still figuring things out and learning and changing and adapting and it's all-consuming. New life is happier, brighter, simpler, peaceful.

I am grateful.