You know what happens when you move? The before, during, and after? You lose brain cells. And when you lose brain cells you forget to complete certain things... Like the list of 27 things I learned in the {almost - technically now} 27 years of life. Yep, I need my head examined.
Let's wrap this baby up shall we?
21:// Hire movers. Since this move is still so fresh and so chaotic I felt that this was a very important note to add to this list. Hire. Dang. Movers. Don't do it yourself - it's awful. Hire movers. {Side note: I'm very grateful for the family and friends that did help us, have asked to help and I forgot to text you yes, and for offering your services. It is mucho appreciated!}
22:// Chick-fil-A has crack in their food. Totally joking! Don't sue me Chick-fil-A. But in all seriousness, I've discovered I have an unhealthy addiction to Chick-fil-A. In fact, the lady who works the drive-thru window during the lunch hour rush knows me personally. And when I don't go to Chick-fil-A for awhile, they notice and ask where I've been. I'll call it ministry, people. I like to make an effort to get to know folks.... And eat chicken.
23:// Life is not a competition. It's very easy to get caught up in the comparison game. Your friends are married with kids, and you're not. Your friends are graduating, and you're not. Your friends seem to have it altogether, and well you, you're just lucky to get clothes on each day. Don't compare yourself to others. Live your life according to God's purposes for YOU and not His purposes for OTHERS. Got it? Get it? Good.
24:// We're not promised tomorrow. I recently received a call that a sweet friend who translated for us in Honduras passed away. She was young and so full of life. Life is so beyond fragile and should be treasured each day. One of the first things I always pray to God is thanking Him for another day of life to do His work. It's a privilege, not a right. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away as my mother always said.
25:// Be picky about who you date/marry. I literally had a list of qualifications that a man must meet in order for me to even give him a second glance. It had things on it like "love God first; wear real clothes (previous fella only wore gym shorts/sweatpants to everywhere, and I mean everywhere); embrace my independence yet allow me to lean on you, and vice versa; etc." I'm one of those Type A folks where I don't like to waste my time. Thus, be picky about who you date and/or marry. Did I have that list for Hunter when we started dating? I absolutely did! Did he pass? I'll let ya'll take a wild guess on that one ;)
26:// Dogs are the best relationship-testers. Seriously, our dogs (I feel) have prepared us a little bit for kids. The managing, cleaning up, feeding, playing with... Our dogs are demanding, needy dogs. But I love them because they're my babies!
27:// Smile. Finally, always smile and especially to others. Not that weird-creeper-smile but a deep and genuine smile. Guys let's be real for a minute... There is so much hatred, darkness, discord, and anger in this world. The evilness of sin has penetrated every single person and many have forgotten what it's like to be positive. Smile because you live. Smile because Christ died for you, rose again to save your sorry butt, and it's BY GRACE ALONE that we are saved. Smile and talk to the folks that ride the elevator with you. Smile and befriend the people who don't "look like you" because guess what, they're God's children too. Just smile.
Bonus:// Ministry is not for the faint of hearts. Ministry is a tough, tough business. Hunter and I have been fortunate enough to see the good, the bad, and the very ugly early on in our ministry. I fully believe that we were meant to see it all pretty quickly to remind us daily why we have been called to do ministry, especially Hunter. Always love God first, then secondly love people. Love even the most difficult of people.
It's been a heck of 27 years, let me tell ya. But it's been fun, it's been real. Heck, it's been real fun. I've learned a lot about who I am as a person, and joyfully embrace all the trials, tribulations, and successes that God has placed in my life. Everything has it's purpose and I cannot wait to see what the next 27 years of life have to offer.
21:// Hire movers. Since this move is still so fresh and so chaotic I felt that this was a very important note to add to this list. Hire. Dang. Movers. Don't do it yourself - it's awful. Hire movers. {Side note: I'm very grateful for the family and friends that did help us, have asked to help and I forgot to text you yes, and for offering your services. It is mucho appreciated!}
22:// Chick-fil-A has crack in their food. Totally joking! Don't sue me Chick-fil-A. But in all seriousness, I've discovered I have an unhealthy addiction to Chick-fil-A. In fact, the lady who works the drive-thru window during the lunch hour rush knows me personally. And when I don't go to Chick-fil-A for awhile, they notice and ask where I've been. I'll call it ministry, people. I like to make an effort to get to know folks.... And eat chicken.
23:// Life is not a competition. It's very easy to get caught up in the comparison game. Your friends are married with kids, and you're not. Your friends are graduating, and you're not. Your friends seem to have it altogether, and well you, you're just lucky to get clothes on each day. Don't compare yourself to others. Live your life according to God's purposes for YOU and not His purposes for OTHERS. Got it? Get it? Good.
24:// We're not promised tomorrow. I recently received a call that a sweet friend who translated for us in Honduras passed away. She was young and so full of life. Life is so beyond fragile and should be treasured each day. One of the first things I always pray to God is thanking Him for another day of life to do His work. It's a privilege, not a right. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away as my mother always said.
25:// Be picky about who you date/marry. I literally had a list of qualifications that a man must meet in order for me to even give him a second glance. It had things on it like "love God first; wear real clothes (previous fella only wore gym shorts/sweatpants to everywhere, and I mean everywhere); embrace my independence yet allow me to lean on you, and vice versa; etc." I'm one of those Type A folks where I don't like to waste my time. Thus, be picky about who you date and/or marry. Did I have that list for Hunter when we started dating? I absolutely did! Did he pass? I'll let ya'll take a wild guess on that one ;)
26:// Dogs are the best relationship-testers. Seriously, our dogs (I feel) have prepared us a little bit for kids. The managing, cleaning up, feeding, playing with... Our dogs are demanding, needy dogs. But I love them because they're my babies!
27:// Smile. Finally, always smile and especially to others. Not that weird-creeper-smile but a deep and genuine smile. Guys let's be real for a minute... There is so much hatred, darkness, discord, and anger in this world. The evilness of sin has penetrated every single person and many have forgotten what it's like to be positive. Smile because you live. Smile because Christ died for you, rose again to save your sorry butt, and it's BY GRACE ALONE that we are saved. Smile and talk to the folks that ride the elevator with you. Smile and befriend the people who don't "look like you" because guess what, they're God's children too. Just smile.
Bonus:// Ministry is not for the faint of hearts. Ministry is a tough, tough business. Hunter and I have been fortunate enough to see the good, the bad, and the very ugly early on in our ministry. I fully believe that we were meant to see it all pretty quickly to remind us daily why we have been called to do ministry, especially Hunter. Always love God first, then secondly love people. Love even the most difficult of people.
It's been a heck of 27 years, let me tell ya. But it's been fun, it's been real. Heck, it's been real fun. I've learned a lot about who I am as a person, and joyfully embrace all the trials, tribulations, and successes that God has placed in my life. Everything has it's purpose and I cannot wait to see what the next 27 years of life have to offer.
So thankful life is not a competition!!! Whew!!!! Glad that we are never against each other! PS YAY 27!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post!
ReplyDeleteLost of Hugs
Mila (saying hello from Scotland :))