Week's Review and some video links :)

Hello All! This week has been CRAZY BUSY! but at the same time...so good!

Monday, I was pumped about the Thai Dance Group that was coming to our church so I was hurrying to leave work to get there. My co-worker who left just before me called and said "Leslie, one of your tires is flat" "Woohoo" was my response (insert sarcasm). It took a great deal of effort to get it taken care of and the funny thing is that I had complete joy throughout the whole process after the initial shock wore off. The Lord took care of me and I made it home in time to change clothes and put on perfume (:)) before heading to the church. The performance was amazing and I loved every minute of it.

Tuesday was a relatively busy day as well at work and then I had small group in Auburn which as always, rocked my world. We had a super large crowd and the Lord totally showed up and met us there. He is so stinkin' amazing!

Wednesday I worked and then spent some incredible time with Laura (I've already blogged about that so I won't go into it again)

Thursday, I worked, went to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned (one of my favorite things to do, seriously), and then went to the Airman Leadership School graduation at Maxwell Airforce Base for my friend, Rebecca. I was super tired but it was such a blessing to be there for her to support and honor her accomplishments. I learned some things about the Airforce and laughed a lot.

Friday, that's today, I worked, came home and took an AWESOME nap, worked for a little while at the fall festival at church and then did a little shopping. I've been in need of blue jeans for a while now and I just never can find what I want or what fits. I was determined. I walked out of Old Navy with two new pairs and I think they look great. That almost never happens!

Today makes two full days that I've gone without texting. It's crazy. I went through withdrawals for a little bit earlier but I think I'm okay now. Since getting home from shopping, I have been cleaning, paying bills and balancing the check book. I feel so productive. Go Me and Go Jesus for sustaining me!

Here are the links to a couple of videos that I have watched recently and really enjoyed. I haven't learned yet how to put the whole video in my post so you'll have to click on them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRBIVRwvUeE Middle Age Tech Support

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k Sound of Music-Train Station

http://www.responsibilityproject.com/films/player/the-home-run Home run film...I cried!

Until next time-
Les

P.S. Give me the links to your favorite video(s) right now. I love me some youtube!

Nearing the end....no text messaging

The 61 day challenge is almost over. Crazy to think that 2 months have passed. I have learned a lot and the Lord is still teaching me so much. For the last three days I feel like the Lord has led me to fast from something that I really did not want to fast from. Oh wait, that's usually the way it works, isn't it? Beginning Thursday at 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. (really whatever time I send/receive my first text on Sunday), I will not be text messaging. In the last month, I have sent and received nearly 7000 text messages. Oh my! So I'm taking a break for a bit. As of this moment, I haven't sent a text message in nearly 24 hours. Yay, Jesus!

Until next time-
Les

P.S. Have lots of things to blog about....ALS graduation, a sweet thing one of my patient's said to me, my trip...I think that's it for now. I'll get on those things...soon :)

Awesome friend and Molten Chocolate Cake

Tonight Laura and I got to spend some time together. We went to eat dinner at Panera and we had dessert at Chili's. The fellowship was amazing and refreshing to my soul and the cake...well, I think the pictures speak for themselves!

Until next time-

Les

Mercy Me!!!!

For my birthday, my friend Matt got me a ticket to the Mercy Me concert. It was tonight and we had a blast!

This is my precious friend, Keisha, and me. We were lookin' smokin' hot tonight :) (insert sarcasm here, please)

Mercy Me has been one of my favorite groups for a long time and getting to see them in concert just never gets old to me. I had a super amazing time and came away challenged about a few things in my life. Maybe I'll blog about that another day.

Until next time-
Les

A secret

I discovered something today. If you want everyone you see to comment on how nice you look, how "cute" your hair is, how good your eyes look with the new makeup you are wearing...just don't do anything with yourself the day before. Go to work (or where-ever) with your hair pulled up in the ponytail, very little make-up, no jewelry on Day 1 and on day 2, do the exact opposite...It works, trust me!

Until next time-
Les

Influential People

Today, I was just thinking about people in my life...my parents, my friends, pastors, patients...so many people have helped me along my life journey. One person in particular comes to mind tonight....

Pam Stevens...

She is one Godly woman who has spoken so much truth into my life, given me so much hope, helped to show me the way in some of life's craziest situations. She is the mother of four children and wife to my former youth pastor. She became a mentor of mine sometime during college. I have spent so many nights at their house, sitting on their couch or at their dining room table playing games or just talking. I have always laughed because Mrs. Pam and I would end our conversation at the door and then she would follow me out and we would talk for another hour before I got in the car to go home.

She has taught me about prayer, guarding my heart as a Godly woman, pursuing the Lord through His word. I have learned so much from her just by watching her live her life. She is a true picture of what it means to submit to the Lord, your husband, and those in authority. She is humble, genuine and selfless. Really, when I think about it, it's insane how much the Lord has done in her life and how much He has used her. Then I'm reminded that when we are faithful in the little that the Lord trusts us with the big. Pam Stevens has been faithful in the little and the Lord has continued to give her more and more.

One thing that I truly love about her is the joy and excitement that she demonstrates when the Lord has shown her something. She is always happy and smiling but when she has had a revelation or the Lord has done a miracle in her life or the life of someone around her, it is ALL OVER HER FACE! It's almost as if she were floating. I love it!

So, Mrs. Pam if you are reading this....you have influenced me in such a huge way and I am FOREVER grateful to you!

Until next time-
Les

God ordained

So thankful for those God ordained moments in life. I know they happen so frequently but I so rarely recgonize them. Tonight I ended up in Auburn at the Church of the Highlands campus there. After that I was able to spend some q-time with a great friend. It was completely God-ordained and absolutely what I needed. Helped me to find focus on a few areas of my life and just get called out about a few things. The Lord is completely amazing and constantly faithful even when we decide we aren't going to be!

Until next time-
Les

Accountability!

This precious woman in the picture with me is one of the most amazing, wonderful, Godly people I have ever met. I mean, really when I think about it, it's almost ridiculous how sweet she is. I know that I exaggerate sometimes so most of you are thinking "Well, she must be kind of sweet". But I am SERIOUS! This girl rocks!

Rachel Milton and I met last summer during the very first Young Professionals small group at Church of the Highlands. I remember introducing myself to her and her just saying "Hey" and almost acting disinterested in speaking to me. Later on, I was talking to two other friends and asking if they knew who she was and they said they did and that she was awesome but just a bit shy at first.

So the next week, we talked again and then before long, large groups of us were hanging out together and Rachel was there in the midst. We became fast friends and I just admired her for her sweet spirit, ability to listen to what I had to say, and her love for ice cream. We talked often while I lived in Birmingham and then once I got down to Montgomery, it just kind of slacked off. Not intentionally at all, just kind of happened. We would text or call once a month or so.

In August, she came down to Montgomery with our friend, Brian, to celebrate my birthday and that was the first time I had seen her in months. It was such a treat. Then from my birthday until about 2 weeks ago we didn't talk at all. Again, not on purpose, just kind of how it happened.

About 2 weeks ago, she sent me a text just checking on me and we chatted for a bit. Not long after that she sent another text asking if I had an accountability partner. I told her that I didn't but that I had been praying intermittently for God to provide one. She said she had also been wanting to have an accountability partner. We decided we would pray for each other to find accountability. Later that night I thought to myself "I wonder if Rachel was hinting that she wanted to be my accountability partner?". I texted her back and she said that she wasn't hinting at that but she would love that. We both got excited about the possibility and made some plans about when and how to begin this "journey".

We "officially", if there is such a thing, started on Monday night and we have already had two 1-hour phone calls and several text messaging conversations that were extremely encouraging, life giving, challenging and just plain awesome. I am so pumped that the Lord saw fit to renew our friendship, that He decided we would make excellent accountability partners and made it happen for us. It's perfect timing but if you know anything about the Lord you already knew that was the case, because that's how He rolls :)

The Lord is great and greatly to be praised!

Until next time-
Les

Today!

Wow, I had the craziest week last week. Just be glad that I didn't write last Tuesday because you would all be depressed because I was having a hard time finding the bright side to anything!
My favorite patient died, it was three years since my grandmother passed away, another sweet patient died, one of my friend's dad's had some serious health stuff going on, my dad called with some news about my stepmom's dad being sick and on and on and on! Thankfully, the Lord is Jehovah-Jireh, my provider and he provided me with sweet fellowship and a reminder that He is all I need. He also reminded me that the happiness of my day should not be based off of my circumstances but should be based on the Lord's constant, perfect, and amazing goodness to me!

From Tuesday the week got better. I finished my clinical fellowship which means I will officially be licensed by the state and nation pretty soon. I got to spend some time with some friends this past weekend. I went to some garage sales and got some good deals. I bought a new purple winter coat that was regularly $200 for $71 and I got a fun new haircut that I totally love! I'll post pictures very very soon!

Last night, the Lord reminded me of how much He has done for me and just gave me some perspective into my life. I am grateful for it!

Tonight, I came home and made myself some pretty good dinner (I am biased). I talked to a couple of super amazing people (you know who you are) and I am just enjoying some time at home.

The Lord is great and greatly to be praised. I will call upon the Lord. I lift my eyes unto the Hills, it's where my help comes from. Nothing is impossible with God. I am nothing without Christ.

I also decided that rather than going home for Thanksgiving (my mom is coming here the week before and I'll be going home for Christmas) I am going to take a road trip to Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC and all places in between. Pretty excited to be hitting the two places I wanted to travel this year in the same trip! I can't wait. If you have any suggestions on places to stay, places to eat and things to do, let me know!!!

Until next time-
Les

Just something silly..

QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT PEOPLE!

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME junk, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Until next time-
Les

Hope

This morning I woke up (tired) and defeated. I felt like I hadn't really accomplished much this week and that I hadn't really drawn closer to the Lord like He (and I both) desire(s). I was just not pumped about the day. At about 7:15 a.m. I received a text from a friend that said as he was praying for me (could have been multiple people he sent the message to, I don't know), Romans 5:1-6 kept coming to mind especially verses 5 which says, "And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us." No wonder I was feeling so defeated, I wasn't even trying to let the Holy Spirit guide me. I was just exhausted and trying to work things out for myself. STUPID. STUPID. STUPID. One more time, STUPID. Haven't I learned this lesson before? I mean, seriously. (Thank you, Lord, for being so gentle).
When I got home from work, I was reading my daily lesson in "Fasting from Wrong thinking" and the whole lesson was about hope and of course, Romans 5:5 was one of the key verses because that's just how Jesus rolls.
One of the other daily studies that I am doing is going through various names of Jesus and this week's name is "The Light of the World". Learned today that I am not to just rest in Christ's light but I am to become one of His light bearers...Hmm...that's good stuff. For real, Jesus, you rock my socks!

Until next time-
Les