Because it was just so time consuming to create for my Facebook friends, I am posting my 25 Random Facts About Tracie list here, too (it's my blog, I do what I want):
This was difficult.
1. I want to jump out of an airplane before I die, but not as a means to end my life…I’d like a parachute to accompany Me, and for it to open successfully.
2. My favorite color is green. I like to mention this often, because color is important to me for some reason, of which I am not aware. My all time favorite color is black, but I don’t really consider it a color for some reason. I guess because it is such a basic part of existence in my mind’s eye. Without the color black I’d feel unbalanced.
3. I think I’m kind of a strange person…and I’ve fully embraced my strangeness and I’ve learned to accept it and hope others do, too.
4. I don’t subscribe to man-made global warming, but I do believe in being a good steward of what we’ve been given charge over. Keeping Earth clean seems like something God would have us do.
5. I climbed a waterfall in Jamaica. It was amazing. At one time I thought I might die.
6. I was born in Dallas, TX. I grew up in Milton, FL. We moved to TN the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school. That was one of the most painful experiences of my life. But, I’m glad we did, or I’d not have met my darling husband.
7. Speaking of husband…Matt and I have both been married twice. Both times were to each other. The first time was by a lake on August 4, 2000. We were 19, and had only been ‘together’ for a month. The only people present were us, our parents, LeeAnn(Matt’s sister), and Matt’s high school Bible teacher who coincidentally agreed to marry us. Five months later (1-1-01) we had a big ‘wedding’. Everyone else thought that was the real one. Surprise!! We were not pregnant. This happened because we couldn’t wait to be married, I was an only child and my grandmother had dreamed of a big wedding for me my entire life. If I could do it over, I’d go with our August wedding and have a reception for everyone.
8. I highly enjoy storms. Matt and I have been known to chase a few storms in our day and we’ve seen a tornado or two. I’m the person glued to the window looking for the funnel cloud when the radio at work is warning everyone to seek interior shelter. They think I’m strange, too.
9. I’m so indecisive; I had 4 majors in my very short college career.
10. I loathe the phone and will go to many lengths to not have to speak on it.
11. In my mind, I correct grammar, both spoken and written, constantly. Other people’s grammar and my own. (I am aware that previous sentence is merely a fragment, I’m being daring today.) I try to keep this contained to my head, as it is not nice to correct others like this all the time. I sometimes don’t like this about myself.
12. Ok, this might be weird. You know those time lapse videos that show a scene through a year or something of the sort…well, I sometimes wish I could stand in one spot and go all the way back in time and ‘time lapse’ through all of history to see what that one place on the globe has seen throughout the history of creation. I often think of this on my way to church, driving down Old Nashville Hwy through the old battle ground areas of Middle Tennessee. I think it would be way cool to see how landscapes have changed, animals that have grazed, people that have built and lived and moved on from any given spot, or even died right there. Is that weird?
13. I believe if church was the way God intended it to be, people wouldn’t be hungry and thirsty and there would be far less fighting in the world. I want to try to make that happen. I am not sure where to start. I think God has a plan. It’s all being reconciled. And we’re part of it.
14. My best friend in high school’s dad thought I worshiped Satan. I didn’t.
15. Back in the day…like 12 years ago…I could sing. I still love to sing, but it’s probably a blessing to the rest of the world that I do that in the privacy of my own ears. I’d love to be able to do it again, but I don’t put the time into disciplining myself to get it back. And I went on a mission trip to Jamaica and got some virus and lost some range after I refused to not speak when my voice gave out.
16. I analyze everything…people…why they do and say and act like they do.
17. I have to try very hard to pull myself out of myself and initiate contact with others. Though I love people and love learning about them, although I can be easily annoyed, especially by the people that are living. This is really not meant to be a contradiction.
18. I know what it’s like to be depressed. Not like a little blue. I know what it’s like to wonder what it’d be like in the world if I wasn’t in it. I know what it’s like to lose touch with who you are and do stupid things because of it. I know what it’s like to take meds for this condition. I do not enjoy it. If you want to know more, God has taught me a lot about it, and I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
19. God has used money to teach my husband and me a lot about life and Him and His Spirit and how He wants us(at least Matt and I) to live in this life. We can answer questions about that, too. 20. I have the best day job/boss/working location/co-workers ever! I don’t think I work everyday for a living doing what I was born to do, but it is what has allowed our family to be actively following where we feel God calling us. And that’s what makes me love my job.
21. We pretty much never watch TV in our house. Besides the fact we only have $12 cable and get only about 4 channels, we just don’t turn it on. The only show I miss is Lost, and I have friends with DVR for that! We do watch movies on occasion, however.
22. We only have one car. This is by choice. We don’t need two cars, it helps us spend more time together and it allows us to save money and use it for something better. On warmer days you’ll catch a Reed flying by on a wild scooter, though!
23. I love photography. If I could do anything in the world, I’d sell everything we have, give it all away, move to Africa and document mission work.
24. I am not a touchy feely person. I rarely initiate hugs, even when I feel they are warranted or normal for any given situation. Sometimes I can overcome my awkwardness, other times not. If you see me and think I need a hug, feel free to give said hug. They are usually welcome; I think I just didn’t come with this bit of social programming, among other bits; this is just one worth mentioning.
25. I love Jesus. He’s the only reason I know how to love my husband and son, and can hope to love everyone else, including myself.
There you go, maybe you should do one too, or leave a few random things about yourself in my comments.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
So He Can Live Through Me
i saw this statement and it made me think:
"When we define ourselves more by our personality than the Person of Christ, we've got a problem." (sorry, don't know who said it)
i am somewhat shy, and indecisive, and fearful to just put myself out there. i have dumb tendencies to gawk at my own inadequate feelings...i often feel flawed and that people are gonna notice and think i'm a weirdo and that i'm certainly not cool enough for them. i'll go ahead and admit, though, i am a bit of a dork, and i'll gladly display my dorkiness for all of dorkdom.
so, i have this personality. it's God-given, even. but i'm thinking when He looks at me, He's seeing somehting way different than what i see when i look at myself. so when i say i can't do something because i dont' believe i'm 'that type' of person, is that me saying 'No' to God. is that me deciding who He's made me to be? i imagine He's probably way more qualified to determine what i can handle. so, when i feel things moving and tugging me to act or even just think differently, but shrink away because i'm feeling shy or can't imagine doing whatever it is because that's 'not who i am"...well, maybe i'm misinterpreting who i am...because didn't i die to myself so Jesus could take over in here?
"When we define ourselves more by our personality than the Person of Christ, we've got a problem." (sorry, don't know who said it)
i am somewhat shy, and indecisive, and fearful to just put myself out there. i have dumb tendencies to gawk at my own inadequate feelings...i often feel flawed and that people are gonna notice and think i'm a weirdo and that i'm certainly not cool enough for them. i'll go ahead and admit, though, i am a bit of a dork, and i'll gladly display my dorkiness for all of dorkdom.
so, i have this personality. it's God-given, even. but i'm thinking when He looks at me, He's seeing somehting way different than what i see when i look at myself. so when i say i can't do something because i dont' believe i'm 'that type' of person, is that me saying 'No' to God. is that me deciding who He's made me to be? i imagine He's probably way more qualified to determine what i can handle. so, when i feel things moving and tugging me to act or even just think differently, but shrink away because i'm feeling shy or can't imagine doing whatever it is because that's 'not who i am"...well, maybe i'm misinterpreting who i am...because didn't i die to myself so Jesus could take over in here?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
My God, He Blesses Me
It seems pointless to mention how it's 2009 now and how I've neglected writing here for how many months now...the holidays were fun. Nehem had a blast. It's embarrassing how many toys a two year old can have and we even purged to make room for the new stuff. There's lots of things going on in my head about our stuff and how we follow God and what all that should look like. I'll not promise, but surely try to get those thoughts organized to be published here at some point...in addition to creating an actual look for this place and real. live. photos. oh dear.
Yesterday evening, after getting home from work, we discovered that it would benefit us much for a grocery store excursion to come to pass. So, i went...to Kroger...during the 5:00 hour with the rest of Smyrna. I'm not entirely familiar with the Kroger store for my normal grocery shopping, so i have to go down nearly every isle making certain i don't miss some essential item. One think i was sure to miss was a special treat for the husband...plain brownies. Last time i purchased brownies for him, i got some with chunks of Hershey chocolate in them...and unbeknownst to me, it also came with a package of fudge. He ended up making the brownies, so i didn't know, until later. But they turned out overwhelmingly rich, so he asked for 'plain brownies' the next time. In looking for the plainest version, i was standing to the far side of th isle as to not block traffic and a guy walks up, pushing a cart loaded with 3 young boys. He says to the boys, "Ok, guys, she said Cream Cheese Frosting. Hmm. I think we're in over our heads." He proceeded to stand in the middle of the isle looking most confused. I picked up a can of cream cheese frosting and asked if that's what he what he needed. I thought the man was gonna hug me. He told me i was cool, and that he surely would've never found it on his own, although it's clearly marked "cream cheese frosting" on the container. Then he looked at me, then his boys, then at me and said, "May God bless your life."
Why do i never know what to say when people say that to me?
So, I said, "heh, Thanks, it's no problem!"
And this bothers me. That i don't know what to say. And it's because i'm not all that great at spoken communication...too many thoughts come to my head all at once and i can't pick one to go with, so i just say something normal. i want to say: do you know Him? Like i do? because isn't that exciting/amazing/wonderful? and if you don't, won't you let me tell you about Him? (this is not likely, as i'm not typically extroverted, i'd need a lot of caffeine for that...and people would probably run away) or...just something simple like...oh, He does, with every breath, every day.
Yesterday evening, after getting home from work, we discovered that it would benefit us much for a grocery store excursion to come to pass. So, i went...to Kroger...during the 5:00 hour with the rest of Smyrna. I'm not entirely familiar with the Kroger store for my normal grocery shopping, so i have to go down nearly every isle making certain i don't miss some essential item. One think i was sure to miss was a special treat for the husband...plain brownies. Last time i purchased brownies for him, i got some with chunks of Hershey chocolate in them...and unbeknownst to me, it also came with a package of fudge. He ended up making the brownies, so i didn't know, until later. But they turned out overwhelmingly rich, so he asked for 'plain brownies' the next time. In looking for the plainest version, i was standing to the far side of th isle as to not block traffic and a guy walks up, pushing a cart loaded with 3 young boys. He says to the boys, "Ok, guys, she said Cream Cheese Frosting. Hmm. I think we're in over our heads." He proceeded to stand in the middle of the isle looking most confused. I picked up a can of cream cheese frosting and asked if that's what he what he needed. I thought the man was gonna hug me. He told me i was cool, and that he surely would've never found it on his own, although it's clearly marked "cream cheese frosting" on the container. Then he looked at me, then his boys, then at me and said, "May God bless your life."
Why do i never know what to say when people say that to me?
So, I said, "heh, Thanks, it's no problem!"
And this bothers me. That i don't know what to say. And it's because i'm not all that great at spoken communication...too many thoughts come to my head all at once and i can't pick one to go with, so i just say something normal. i want to say: do you know Him? Like i do? because isn't that exciting/amazing/wonderful? and if you don't, won't you let me tell you about Him? (this is not likely, as i'm not typically extroverted, i'd need a lot of caffeine for that...and people would probably run away) or...just something simple like...oh, He does, with every breath, every day.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Amazingly, I'm Still Alive
After a lapse in posts, i'm trying to get motivated to write. So much has happened, every time i think to write, i don't know where to begin. So, for today i'm saying:
Happy Halloween!!
i dressed up as a football player, Matt's an old man...boy, let me just say it's sexy...and Nehem's a giraffe! i must admit he's the cutest giraffe ever. of course.
Because i haven't a clue how to delve into our current life stats and circumstances...i'm going with a Thankful Friday list. With that, here are just a drop in the bucket of things for which i am thankful:
Happy Halloween!!
i dressed up as a football player, Matt's an old man...boy, let me just say it's sexy...and Nehem's a giraffe! i must admit he's the cutest giraffe ever. of course.
Because i haven't a clue how to delve into our current life stats and circumstances...i'm going with a Thankful Friday list. With that, here are just a drop in the bucket of things for which i am thankful:
- Halloween neighborhood parties
- apple cider
- Demo's
- Raz'z(wow, sounds like i enjoy my food)
- multicolored leaves in the fall
- Titans 7-0!!!!
- a good husband who is also a good daddy
- medicine for snot
- chilly fall air to open the windows
- sarcasm
- pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns
- hearing my two year old say the previous listed items
- hearing my two year old say just about anything
- being surprised by God
- books that cause pondering
- pumpkin patches
- learning to love a post baby body
- beautiful friends
- an extra hour of sleep Saturday night
- Halloween candy
- watching children worship on Saturday nights
- two year old singing in the back seat of the car...Old McDonald all the way home
- relaxed work environments
- God's plan being revealed in my life
- an election season that is finally, finally almost OVER!!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Monsters Live in My Front Yard
Last night, well, evening, i guess, Matt and I ventured out front to hook up Nehem's brand new highway to fun...an Elmo sprinkler. We got it all hooked up, striped the boy, and commenced the funness. Nehem was rather enthusiastic about this form of entertainment. He'd run excitedly around the outside of the 'water zone' and when the wind would blow some water spray his direction, he'd let out a little shriek and skedattle away. Finally, he warmed up to it a bit, and would go stand in the 'rain', get a chill and giggle out. He even got brave enough to walk up to the stream of water, turn his head and put his 'herr' in it. Herr would be Nehem for hair. He would then proceed to dart off, clapping and saying, 'Yay!!" It was rather enjoyable, until...
Matt was standing closer to the edge of the drive way and exclaimed something like, 'Kill IT!!'
I directed my attention to what he was speaking of, and to my horror discovered...an ant. And not just an ant, mind you, nope, it was the size of my foot. Really. Now i've seen red, furry, velvety ants before, but nothing this big. Ever. I, being the only one with shoes on, proceeded to walk towards it, then decided that this might not end as intended. I had images rushing before my eyes something akin to my walking up to said beast, lifting my foot high to avoid knocking into it before i came down for the kill, missing in some tragic misstep and it grabing my foot and knawing off my toes, one by one...then, i mustered up some courage, stepped down, lifted, and would you believe, it kept walking like nothing had even touched it. AAK! I stomped, repeatedly and the thing just would not die! All I can think of is that my child will surely come over thinking this looks fun, attempt to touch it and he will die a horrible death! Finally, per my husband's cool and collected direction, i placed my hoof over this indestructible thing, and twisted it into the concrete with all i had. It was pretty much nonexistant after that. I think there was maybe a leg or two left, but the rest was ground down to unidentifiable. Yikes.
So, as you can imagine, when the second one appeared, I had visions of red-orange faces, sitting in the grass at the edge of the pavement, waiting for the opportune moment to pounce on my nearly two year old and have a fine feast. But, alas, we only had the two visitors that had and unfortunate demise(for them at least).
And just so you know, Wikipedia said they are not ants at all, but female bugs in the wasp family, known for their painful sting. And their name...cow ants, also known as...this is good...cow KILLERS. I'm serious...because by the look of them, you'd think them capable of taking down a cow!
Matt was standing closer to the edge of the drive way and exclaimed something like, 'Kill IT!!'
I directed my attention to what he was speaking of, and to my horror discovered...an ant. And not just an ant, mind you, nope, it was the size of my foot. Really. Now i've seen red, furry, velvety ants before, but nothing this big. Ever. I, being the only one with shoes on, proceeded to walk towards it, then decided that this might not end as intended. I had images rushing before my eyes something akin to my walking up to said beast, lifting my foot high to avoid knocking into it before i came down for the kill, missing in some tragic misstep and it grabing my foot and knawing off my toes, one by one...then, i mustered up some courage, stepped down, lifted, and would you believe, it kept walking like nothing had even touched it. AAK! I stomped, repeatedly and the thing just would not die! All I can think of is that my child will surely come over thinking this looks fun, attempt to touch it and he will die a horrible death! Finally, per my husband's cool and collected direction, i placed my hoof over this indestructible thing, and twisted it into the concrete with all i had. It was pretty much nonexistant after that. I think there was maybe a leg or two left, but the rest was ground down to unidentifiable. Yikes.
So, as you can imagine, when the second one appeared, I had visions of red-orange faces, sitting in the grass at the edge of the pavement, waiting for the opportune moment to pounce on my nearly two year old and have a fine feast. But, alas, we only had the two visitors that had and unfortunate demise(for them at least).
And just so you know, Wikipedia said they are not ants at all, but female bugs in the wasp family, known for their painful sting. And their name...cow ants, also known as...this is good...cow KILLERS. I'm serious...because by the look of them, you'd think them capable of taking down a cow!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
He Thinks He's Getting Old...
Today is Matt's 27th birthday! And last night he was a little less than perky, which of course made me start asking what was wrong and trying to read his mind, which he absolutely loves for me to do. Really, just ask him. He'll tell you.
Anyway, he mentioned something about being old when I brought up his birthday. I can't wait to see how old he feels when he really is old. It should be a lot of fun.
And here comes the point of this entry:
Happy Birthday, Baby!!
I love you and can't possibly tell you how blessed Nehem is to have you as his daddy, and I am to be your wife. Thank you for being you and allowing God to work in your life and grow you into what He has in mind. I've enjoyed seeing God's work in you and can't wait to see what else He has in store. Try not to be too bummed about being another year older, and enjoy 'Matt Reed Day'!!!
Anyway, he mentioned something about being old when I brought up his birthday. I can't wait to see how old he feels when he really is old. It should be a lot of fun.
And here comes the point of this entry:
Happy Birthday, Baby!!
I love you and can't possibly tell you how blessed Nehem is to have you as his daddy, and I am to be your wife. Thank you for being you and allowing God to work in your life and grow you into what He has in mind. I've enjoyed seeing God's work in you and can't wait to see what else He has in store. Try not to be too bummed about being another year older, and enjoy 'Matt Reed Day'!!!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
From My Utmost for His Highest:
Fretting means getting ourselves "out of joint" mentally or spiritually.
It is one thing to say, "Do not fret,"
but something very different to have such a nature
that you find yourself unable to fret.
It’s easy to say, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him"
( Psalm 37:7 )
until our own little world is turned upside down
and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people.
Is it possible to "rest in the Lord" then?
If this "Do not" doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere.
This "Do not" must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty,
as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work.
And if it will not work in your particular case,
it will not work for anyone else.
Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all,
but on your relationship with God Himself.
Worrying always results in sin.
We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry
are simply an indication of how wise we really are,
yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are.
Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way.
Our Lord never worried and was never anxious,
because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans
but to fulfill God’s plans.
Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.
Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours
with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle?
Set all your opinions and speculations aside and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty"
( Psalm 91:1 ).
Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you.
All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.
During the confusion i referred to in the previous post, i would often tell myself that that's what i was doing...letting God control, His will, not mine, but i think i was still feeling the fretfullness...and was just burying it, and me. The light is improving my view. He's showing me things about myself i'd forgotten, and encouraging me to bring it back out. Me, as He made me, and as He's making me.
Fretting means getting ourselves "out of joint" mentally or spiritually.
It is one thing to say, "Do not fret,"
but something very different to have such a nature
that you find yourself unable to fret.
It’s easy to say, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him"
( Psalm 37:7 )
until our own little world is turned upside down
and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people.
Is it possible to "rest in the Lord" then?
If this "Do not" doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere.
This "Do not" must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty,
as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work.
And if it will not work in your particular case,
it will not work for anyone else.
Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all,
but on your relationship with God Himself.
Worrying always results in sin.
We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry
are simply an indication of how wise we really are,
yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are.
Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way.
Our Lord never worried and was never anxious,
because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans
but to fulfill God’s plans.
Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.
Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours
with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle?
Set all your opinions and speculations aside and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty"
( Psalm 91:1 ).
Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you.
All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.
During the confusion i referred to in the previous post, i would often tell myself that that's what i was doing...letting God control, His will, not mine, but i think i was still feeling the fretfullness...and was just burying it, and me. The light is improving my view. He's showing me things about myself i'd forgotten, and encouraging me to bring it back out. Me, as He made me, and as He's making me.
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