tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45372246720559821502024-03-05T11:46:04.978-08:00Everything Happens for a ReasonLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-76546491266965060202014-12-26T22:25:00.001-08:002014-12-26T22:25:34.681-08:00Well, another year has gone by....Wow, is it really going to be 2015?? I still cannot believe that it is already time for a new year already.<br />
This year has been interesting. I have gained so much perspective on my life and what I want to be doing. So, if you haven't kept up, here is a short synopsis of my past year.<br />
Yes, I still work for Airgas, and there are no plans in the near future to look for anything else. I am still traveling the United States and I am still loving it. A lot of people ask me how I can like this so much, I just do. It works for me, I like the different places across America that I get to see. It does sometimes, get frustrating when I have a delayed flight or my bag doesn't make it, but those are the small things, and I work through them.<br />
I love my job, and I love what I do. I am surely blessed that I get to continue to do this wonderful job.<br />
MY PARENTS MOVED BACK FROM CHINA THIS YEAR!! Oh my goodness, I feel like it was forever ago when I write the blog about them leaving. I still remember how it felt and how it affected me. But, they are "home". The got back in July, and I feel like we are all molded back together again. I can not explain how happy that they are back. I have my best friend back, My mom. :)<br />
When I said that they are home I did this, "home" Dad has accepted a job at Virgin Galactic in California. He is absolutely loving it and I am so proud of him. If you don't know what Virgin Galactic is, I would suggest googling it and seeing how AWESOME my dad is, and what he gets to do on a daily basis.<br />
In October, if you read my blog, I had the pleasure of traveling to South Africa on a mission trip. This trip was life changing. It really put my life in perspective for me and made me prioritize what is truly important in my life. I have fallen even more in love with Africa than I was before I got there. The children and the staff there and everything about it tugged on my heart strings, and I feel like my heart is in Africa. I plan on going back in the near future!!<br />
Lastly, I decided with a lot of thinking and prayer, that I would go to college. I finally took the leap and enrolled at Grand Canyon University out of Phoenix Arizona. I prayed for a long time before I made this decision, and now that I have, I couldn't be happier.<br />
My degree will be a Bachelors of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis on Biblical Studies. Wow, what a mouth full. I am not sure what God wants me to do with this degree, but I know he has a plan and I am just going with it. If full time missionary work is what He wants of me, then I want to be as prepared as possible.<br />
This year flew by, I can't believe it is almost over, but I do know that God has huge plans for me and I look forward to see what He has in store for me.<br />
<br />
God Bless everyone in the coming year!<br />
<br />
Love too all,<br />
<br />
LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-6584106684169972052014-10-14T19:48:00.000-07:002014-10-14T19:55:47.460-07:00Not Enough Words (Stand Still And Consider the Wondrous Works of God)I have been home now for about 3 days from TheFold in South Africa. This trip changed my life. My title is so true, there are not enough words to explain my feelings/thoughts that I have, I am going to try to write some down here, but if I am all over the place, its because of how passionate I am about this... So here we go.<br />
<br />
Vaalwater, SA in the Limpopo region of South Africa is one place I never thought or dreamt I would ever go. But God called me there. I have come to realize that if you just listen to God's will, you will be rewarded. This trip engaged me with a group of people, whom, before this trip I had spent less than 2 hours with. The people that God brought together was astounding. We fit together like a puzzle. There was a perfect balance to this group, and God's hand chose the group that came together for this trip. All age groups, married, not married, college student, and me. To the Africa team, Johnny, Gary,Carol, Brad, Julie, Andrea, and Ron, I am astounded at the perfect timing of our Lord for us to come together and be able to experience what we did. What a blessing.<br />
<br />
When I arrived at TheFold, I didn't know what to expect. I had been on the website and I had done research into the workings of TheFold and how it all worked. The website does give a wonderful and honest picture of life at TheFold. But, the unexpected is when the children come up to you and introduce themselves and you see them look at you with joy. That is indescribable. That is the most amazing feeling in the world. The hug. And when I say hug, it isn't, just a hug, they really hug you.<br />
<br />
We got in pretty late on Saturday, so the kids were already asleep. The plan was for us to get up and go to church the next morning. We all got up, got ready and headed outside. Then the children came out. They came out with such excitement and joy that they were going to church. There is a bus that holds 22 passengers, and I was lucky enough to be able to sit in the bus with the children on the way to church! The ride to church is close to an hour ride, and the biggest reason it takes so long to get there is because you have to go down this dirt road for about 10 KM to get to the church. But the time on the bus had no complaining, it was excitement to get to go to church. For an hour I got to hear the children sing. Sing songs in their language, and some in English. This warmed my heart. To hear all of the children singing was such a blessing. From oldest (Anna 15) to (Junior 2) They sang with smiles and so much happiness. It was awesome, that all I can say, purely AWESOME.<br />
<br />
We had so much we wanted to do as a team at TheFold. Paul and Micky Prince, who run TheFold had a couple of projects for us to do, and out main goal was to give Paul and Micky anything we could. Our time, our prayers, anything. We spent time during the week doing things around TheFold that needed to be done. But we also had some extra time to get some stuff done for Micky that she has been wanting done. What a blessing it is to serve someone who day in and day out serve our God!<br />
<br />
The rest of the week pretty much was the same thing, serving/helping in anything that needed to be done, then spending wonderful time with the children. One thing I wanted to write about is these children are such a blessing to the Princes, but also Paul and Micky are such a blessing to these kids. The 15 kids have a safe, comfortable place to call home. There are multiple stories behind how the kids came to TheFold, and to me, it really doesn't matter how God got them there, all that matters is that they are there and they are safe and happy. The constant work and the things that have to be done, and the administrative work and the grounds work for TheFold are constant. We were never without work that needed to be done. What a blessing it is. Both Paul and Micky have done incredible things at TheFold and with the love and support of many people and churches, TheFold will sure grow and prosper and be everything God wants it to be.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday, Paul and Micky took us to a Soup Kitchen in Vaalwater. These children are considered "street kids" or the live in 3 sided shacks on the side of the road. There is no water, or electricity or anything here in America we consider a necessity. These children come every Wednesday to receive 6 oz of powdered milk and a peanut butter sandwich. The week we were there, unfortunately, the peanut butter was stolen, so the bread barely had peanut butter on there. Here's the kicker, not one single child complained. Not one single child was upset that the peanut butter this time was barely there. They were appreciative, they were joyful for this blessing they were receiving. Not one refused it because it wasn't what they were expecting. The sandwich wasn't "sent back to the kitchen". They were joyful. I was standing at the front of the room, watching these children sing as loud as they could, jumping up and down, doing all the motions to songs that we sand as little kids in Sunday school. They sang louder than I have heard any of the congregations I have been around in my life. These children who have nothing, who truly have a dirt floor, 3 walls made out of anything that can be found, were jumping up and down singing praising to out Savior. It was 90 degrees outside, hot, and I got chills. I was astounded at the smiles, and the laughter, and the yelling for joy, and happiness that I saw. This moment, I will never forget. I will always remember what I experience there. Because of the work of Paul and Micky, we were able to be there that day, to see God working through his missionaries!<br />
<br />
I can go on and on about my experiences there. I could write all night, but let me leave you with this. I am proud to say that I have been to TheFold. I am happy beyond words that God chose me for this mission. I am a Child of The King, and he gave me the capacity to be there and experience this. Not everyone has one specific calling from God, and most Christians spend their entire Christian life trying to figure out what God wants them to do. Let me tell you, I have been there, and I still am. But, what I did was I began to listen to God through His word and from my minister, and from other Christian that have encouraged me. Listen to what God wants of you. He has a plan for you. He knows your heart better than you do. Remember, He made you, He made you in His image, and you are royalty. I am a daughter of King! And for me, I serve the Most High. If you are still reading, thank you for spending this time reading such a small amount of how I feel. Please if you can, spend some time praying for Paul and Micky. Pray that the work the do will fulfill the their purpose in South Africa. They live serving God, and it is an awesome pleasure that I had to go and experience this place. God is dwelling there. His work is being done. Pray for the children of TheFold and for the people of South Africa.<br />
<br />
Again, thank you for reading this really long blog. I appreciate everyone who spends their time reading this.<br />
<br />
May God bless all of you, Love to all!!!<br />
<br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-53967164812517456522014-09-07T21:34:00.002-07:002014-09-07T21:34:44.885-07:00Counting Down!25 days until I leave for Africa, I am so so so excited, and astounded at the blessings in my life. Here is where my heart is today.<br />
Today is September 7th, 2014. I went to church today, and heard Greg speak on Samson. Samson is in the Old Testament, in Judges around Chapter 16. I have always know the story of Samson and Delilah. Samson took a Nazarite oath when he was born to follow certain rules, one of which was not to cut his hair. What they thought back then, was that his hair is what gave him his strength. It wasn't his hair, it was God. Period. Anyways, the story goes on that Samson was chosen by God to be a great leader, and he just needed to keep to his oath, and he would become a wonderful leader for God. What happened is, Samson lost sight of what his purpose was here on Earth.<br />
He had stumbling blocks that he did not overcome. He had many things that he thought were more important than that of which God had said was important. Delilah didn't really help the situation, by being selfish for a lot of silver shekels. She was enticed by the government to find what was it that gave Samson his strength, she failed more than 3 times, then finally Samson broke, and said if his hair were to be cut, then he would lose his strength.<br />
What really got me today, is that Samson was enticed by a beautiful woman, who was only in this for her own gain, and others around Samson saw this. They started seeing the spiral downward towards a life full of sin. I believe that we see our friends or family spiraling and moving towards a life of sin, yet all we do is step back and let it be, because "It isn't any of our business" Or, "They won't listen to me anyways"<br />
Recently, I made decisions in my life. I made some major life changing decisions to live more of a life like Christ. I am created in His image, why aren't I living like Him? So I made those decisions. Some more difficult than others, but I have stumbled. I have made decisions that I am upset that I made. We have been told that if we confess our sins, then we shall be forgiven. I pray for forgiveness and ask for strength to get through every day life.<br />
I want nothing more than to serve God anyway I can, and I feel like I may have been a stabling block, or caused someone to see that I wasn't in this for real. I want to be the example that God expects me to be, but I am human, I have an old sin nature, yet, because of His son, who died for me, I am forgiven. That doesn't mean I can continue to sin as much as I want because I am forgiven. I am a Child of God, and he wants me to be me, but I am also His example here on Earth, and I never want to be a stabling block for anyone.<br />
If you are still reading, thank you for reading. I am asking for prayer for Africa, for my team, Johnny, Myself, Julie, Brad, Ron, Andrea, Carol, and Gary. All of us need your prayer through this journey God has called us to do.<br />
Thank you for reading, I love all of you, and I pray that you have a wonderful week.<br />
<br />
Love Always,<br />
LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-74896103664017650162014-09-01T21:33:00.003-07:002014-09-01T21:33:35.178-07:003 years already!!What a crazy 3 years. Three years ago right now, I was wrapping up my first set of classes for my new job as a SAP Trainer in Cleveland. Tomorrow I head back to Cleveland to have a 1/4 meeting with all of my fellow trainers. It really has come all around hasn't it. I am still in love with my job, and I am so blessed to be where I am at. God has certainly been doing work in me! I have learned a lot, I have gained knowledge and maturity, and learned what I am capable of!<br />
Thanks to all my fellow co-workers for helping me on this journey!<br />
Cleveland or bust tomorrow!<br />
<br />
Love to all!<br />
<br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-63593232575134108442014-08-13T19:46:00.000-07:002014-08-13T19:46:01.756-07:0020's Pssshhh<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last day of my 20’s! Wow! SO much happened to me in my 20’s. I fell in love, got married, fell out of love, got divorced. Gained 2 sister in laws and 2 awesome nephews and a beautiful niece. I have worked everywhere form call centers to gas stations and Airliners, Best Buy and foundries. Now I work for Airgas as an SAP Trainer. I travel the USA teaching. Glamorous, I promise. I have had over 15 roommates in the last 10 years! WOW! I have had long hair and short hair, I have had straight hair and curly hair, and my hair has been black, red, blond, brown, and every color in between. I went from glasses to contacts, to nothing and back to contacts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have seen people I love get married, and divorced. I have had the unfortunate experience of losing people I love as well. I watch both my brothers become amazing fathers, I have seen my parents become grand parents, and I have seen them move half a world away and back again. I have lived in 12 or so difference residences. (Not including my parents house) ((I lost count how many times I ended up back there))</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have been apart of Churches and left some churches, but now I can say I found my church home. I have CRCC and my family there is starting to grow. I have the privilege of going to church with my parents, and having them now just 6 miles away, rather than 7000. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turn 30 tomorrow. I have so much planned for my 30’s. But my plans are futile. God’s plan is what is important. I look forward to His plan. To everyone who was apart of my 20’s thanks for the memories, to the ones that will be there in my 30’s, get ready, big things are going to happen!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOVE TO ALL!</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-41673697252689776902014-06-22T21:22:00.000-07:002014-06-22T21:22:06.741-07:00Faith<div style="text-align: center;">
Being a believer is a responsibility. Christianity <span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">is not a therapy to make things go better. Christianity is not there when you need it, or there for you when things are going bad. Daily, we need to give thanks. Daily we need to love God. Daily we need to be in prayer with Him. God speaks to us daily. God has given us His son. He sent His Son to die on the cross for us! I am not a parent. I do not know the love of my own child. I do however have a beautiful niece and 2 amazing nephews, and I could not imagine God asking me to give my Child for the rest of the Earth. I could not fathom knowing that one of them were going to die for the ENTIRE world. Here's the kicker. He didn't just die for the believers, he did not die for the "Christians". He died so that ALL may come to the Father through Him. But, you must have faith and believe that is the ONLY way to heaven. It is difficult to think through the process of what Mary must of been thinking. Mary, His mother, watch her child, a blameless man, be put on trial for nothing, then he was beaten, almost to death, then that wasn't enough. Then they crucified Him. Killed Him. That was God's plan, but what was Mary thinking? She didn't know the whole plan. She </span>didn't know what His death truly meant. <span style="font-family: inherit;"> What could Mary of done? How could she, as a mother watch this happen to her Child? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes in life, we have to make decisions to be okay with the results. I know that every </span></span>decision has a consequence, but, I want to believe that all things work together for the greater good. I have this faith that all will work out. I know my God loves me, I know he has a plan, I just need to be patient. I think often of Mary, and how she endured the most excruciating thing, I think, a person can go through, losing a loved one, and yet her faith stayed strong. If Mary and keep the faith, so can I. If you are still reading, I ask for prayer through my difficult days. They are few and far between, but I am human and they still happen. Please pray for strength in my decisions and my future.<br />
<br />
Love to all!<br />
<br />
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-7393301430682834722014-06-08T21:30:00.001-07:002014-06-08T22:11:06.769-07:00Toxic Words<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Words. They are spoken, written, texted, emailed, sang, whispered, thought, interpreted, misunderstood, explained, defined, and so on and so on. Words can cut to the depth of a person, and they can also uplift and cause true joy to a person. What is astonishing to me is that GOD has given us the CHOICE to use our words the way we want to use them. When you sit down and think about it, words give us the capability to converse, to communicate. Even now, I am creating sentences with words for you to read. Words are the most powerful thing on the planet. So, if words are the most powerful thing on the planet, and GOD has given us the volition to use them how we feel we should, we must truly think before we speak. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I was sitting in church today, and I had one of those AHA moments. One of those, I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing. I know this, but I have fallen short. James eloquently wrote about our words. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> James 3:2-8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>For we all stumble in many ways, If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of all great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles, and creatures of the sea is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. </b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> WOW! There is a lot of information there. My interpretation of this verse is many fold. But I want to start where it says our tongue is poison. GOD is not saying our tongue is actual poison. He is saying our words that we speak towards each other, or our words we speak behind the backs of others is poison. I know, that as a Christian, I have a responsibility not just to "talk the talk" but "walk the walk" as well. I am falling short here. I want very much so to live/love as CHRIST lives/loves. One small thing can change the course of someone's future. Our words can be life or death. I need to work on being an ambassador for Christ. I want for nothing but to please HIM in all I do, and I fall short here. I know in Romans 3:23 it says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD." I know I sin. I sin everyday, but I know, by GRACE I have been saved. (EPH 2:8-9) But I fall short here. My AHA moment was this morning in church realizing that I have/and still do speak poison. This is my new goal. To not speak ill of people. I will try to only say things that are uplifting and that can cause people to grow. I do not want to be a stumbling block with my words. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There is another side to this. We are not to be stumbling blocks for our friends, our family , or anyone we may come into contact with. But, our thoughts become our actions and our actions become our habits, and our habits become who we are. How can I not be a stumbling block for someone, if I am a stumbling block for myself? The smallest thought, could turn into words and then actions, then habits, then my life. I need to start with uplifting myself in the righteousness of GOD. I am a child of a KING. And I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-71361765058066809102014-05-05T22:50:00.000-07:002014-05-05T22:50:27.770-07:00LOVE.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So, I have written in a long time, but I heave so much to say. I recently became a member of the church I have been attending for 3 years on and off. Cedar Ridge Christian Church, here in Tulsa, OK. I have been gaining knowledge and learning more than ever. My church began a series many weeks ago called His Story. Which depicted the life of Christ. Now, I grew up in a Christian home, and have heard all the stories of Christ and his time on Earth. Since I was young I knew about His death and resurrection. I knew of His miracles and of His word. Now, as a Christian, this is our foundation. Christ is our foundation. He is the Way, and the light. So let me tell you why I am so excited about this. My church went through this book called His Story, and I recently started watch the series, The Bible, staring <span style="background-color: white;"><b>Diogo Morgado. </b>Now, I watched this series when it first came out, but I am watching it again. There is so much knowledge and so much that I am learning every time I watch another episode. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> This is so astonishing for me. I am so on fire for God, and I have no place to put it. I am working everyday to live the life that God has called for me. This isn't for me, but for Him. I know the plans he has for me, plans to prosper me, not for my gain but for His.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I am so excited to move forward with His plan for my life. Sometimes, it is difficult to feel like I feel. I feel almost alone. Alone in the fact that I am making decisions. I am making LIFE LONG decisions that I know God wants me to make. I am making life-style changes for me. Not for "religious" reasons. Not for everyone to look at me and say, "Wow, look at Lisa" It's just what I feel like I should do. I am who God made me to be. I am a Child of God. Doesn't God say to love your mother and father. Well, yes, I love my earthly mother and father, and respect them. But, God is my heavenly father, I should and will respect Him too. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Knowledge is the most powerful tool at anyone's disposal. We have the volition to learn. We have the opportunity to learn. Most don't have that luxury. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In church last Sunday, my pastor, Greg Pittman, discussed the Great Commission. Or the Greatest Commandment, LOVE the Lord your God with all of your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength, and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. One of the high priests then asked, "Who are our neighbors?" Then Christ told the story of the Good Samaritan. It does not mean love the people that are literally close to you, it means to LOVE. That is it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Why is it so difficult for people to understand this issue. God is LOVE. We are to LOVE God, and LOVE one another as ourselves. What is so "religious" about loving one another. It is my duty to do so. I am to LOVE. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I pray for strength, I pray for my friends and my family. I pray for my nephews and my niece. I pray that I can show, through my actions, the LOVE God has for us. The Lord LOVES with out ceasing. The Lord LOVES because he is LOVE. Lord, please be with the people who read this, please let them know your love. Let them understand that you are who you say you are. The One True God, the One who gave His only Son so that they may live. Lord, be with us. In your Son's most precious name, Amen.</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-44849889238490192862013-11-25T21:21:00.000-08:002013-11-25T21:21:53.174-08:00Thankful!Well, Every year around this time I write a blog describing my year. Holy Moly!!! So many firsts for me this year! I have seen so so so much! I finally made it to China! I made it to Seattle! I have traveled to Green Bay, WI and Chicago IL. I have taught hundreds or Airgas employees, and couldn't be happier. My best friend of all time moved in with me. I made huge decisions in my life about what I want and what I see happening in my future. SO much has happened. People have come into my life that I think back and just sit there and say, how did I do this before without them? Some have gone too. I think that life works that way sometimes. I love my friends, I feel like I have alot of them, but this year has been a struggle. I have had many ups and downs. I have seen alot of people I love get hurt. So this is my "Thankful Blog" It is going to be long, so I apologize now, but here we go!<br />
<br />
Friends First:<br />
TO Jimi and Matt: Holy crap guys! Can you believe we have only known each other for 9 months! Yo two are two of the most important people in my life! Thanks for being so vital to my sanity!<br />
<br />
Sarah and Patrick: Without you guys I truly would go crazy! You guys are always there to keep it interesting. Thanks to Sarah and Patrick for the little talks and being there for me when I needed it.<br />
<br />
Rochell: HOLY CRAP! My soul mate! I don;'t even know where to start! I love you! Like crazy love you! All I need to say is VERSES!<br />
<br />
Steven: You already know kiddo! Truly one of my dearest friends! Always there! Thank you!<br />
<br />
Brit and Matt: So happy we are where we are! You guys are amazing! Love all the time we have spent together this past year!<br />
<br />
Allie: So proud of you! Thanks for all the fun times this past year! (Horrible)<br />
<br />
Ty and all at the Van: I know I haven't been there much this year, but when I am there you guys make it a good time! <br />
<br />
To all my work people: This past year has gone by so so so so fast! Can you believe it? I love each and every one of you! You keep me going when I need a pep talk. I have grown to accept most of you as almost family! I can not wait to see what next year brings for us!<br />
<br />
To my Family:<br />
<br />
J & J: You have done so much this year! Annabelle is the most amazing little girl in the world. She stole my heart from the moment I saw her. Your family is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for all that you do for me while I am on the road. It does mean alot to me!! Love you all so much!<br />
<br />
Scott: Man, did we just become best friends? (Step Brothers reference) Always, without a discussion you have been there for me this past year. I am the crazy sister who won't leave you alone. I'm sorry about that! I love you so much bubba! I love how close we have become. Thanks for the chats, and the real words. You never BS me and I appreciate that! Thanks for giving me time with your sons. They are growing up to be honorable men because of you! <br />
<br />
Dad (Papa): You are it. That's all I can say! I love you dad! Your sacrifice and what you do on a daily basis is astounding! Thank you for always being there. Thank you for talking sense into me when I need it. Thank you for being the most incredible dad! I love you more than anything!<br />
<br />
Mom: HOLY CRAP!!! YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND! I am so proud of you! You are "the reason". I love you, and I can not even begin to explain how I feel about our relationship. You have gone through so much! The sacrifice that you have done as well is amazing. It is such a short term thing then, you have the rest of your life! I love you more than there are stars in the sky!<br />
<br />
If I have forgotten anyone I am sorry. I am thankful for each and everyone of you! You have a special place in my heart, I promise you. I am going to ask for a prayer though! Pray for me to be at peace with the decisions I am making. Ask God to prepare me for what I am supposed to do. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! I pray everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Love to all!<br />
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-14507260009533321602013-09-14T16:21:00.000-07:002013-09-14T16:21:34.144-07:00My search begins....I love to research. I love reading and learning. I have always felt this way, but now I have had one of my dearest friends move in with me, and with her being here, it has renewed my desire for knowledge. So I am beginning a new research adventure. LOVE. There is one word in the English language that describes love. My dear friend got me hooked on this. She started it, and I am going to go with it and see what knowledge I can gain as well. So here we go.<br />
Love! What is love? How do we, as humans, describe love and all it entails. As a follower of Christ, the Bible states that God is love. So as I research this, of course, I am going to find what the Bible describes as love. I have done this research before, but this is going to be in depth. I want to be able to know, without question, what love is.<br />
English as a language is lacking in the description of love. If I were in a new relationship with a man, and it was only weeks into it, I feel you can develop love for someone in that amount of time. As a society, we have taken this word, and made it scary. We have made it this untouchable thing that we can not "achieve" until we "know" this person. I can have love for someone I just met. Can't we all? I have a niece that is going to be born in the next few weeks. I haven't met her. I have no idea what she looks like, or how she is going to act or be like. I have no idea what her personality traits are going to be. I have no idea what kind of person she is, but I can say with out question that I love her. I can't wait to meet her. I can't wait until I hold her for the first time. Yet, society says it takes time to develop love. So if I love my new niece already, how can this be true? Like I said before, English is lacking in the description of love. We only have one word for this emotion, and why? Why is this so difficult for us as humans to understand? This is why I am researching it.<br />
Websters Dictionary gives us the English definition of love, and here we go, (1) strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. (2) attraction based on a sexual desire. (3) affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests.<br />
Okay, so we know it is a type of admiration. So here we go with the English language again. If I say I love someone verses I admire someone, there is a type of miscommunication isn't there? Why are we so restricted to one word to describe love for another person? I love my brothers. I also love my parents, and my nephews and sister-in-laws. But I also love my close friends. I love my job. I also love my jeep. But all of those loves are so different. The way I love my Dad, is not the same way I love the inanimate object in my garage. Crazy huh? So, I have decided to start with a writer who is very famous. C.S Lewis wrote a book called <i>The Four Loves</i>. I am currently reading it. (Pretty amazing by the way) But it talks about the four types of love that is found in the bible.<br />
<ul>
<li>Agape</li>
<li>Eros</li>
<li>Philia</li>
<li>Storge</li>
</ul>
<b>Agape </b>is described as selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. the highest of all the loves in the bible. I describe it as God's love.<br />
<b>Eros</b> is described as physical, sensual love between a husband and a wife.<br />
<b>Philia</b> is described as close, friendship love, brotherly love.<br />
<b>Storge</b> is described as family love. The bond among mothers, fathers and brothers, and sisters.<br />
<br />
So, in Greek, there are four types of love that are discussed in the Bible. Can we have all of these with people in our lives? Absolutely!! Not all at the same time, but some can develop from others. For example, I can have Philia love with someone, that can turn into Eros love. What I am getting at is what love is a very broad word, that can and most of the time misinterpreted over a period of time. No matter who says what, you can have love for whoever, whenever. And who is to judge to say you don't or can't love someone so quickly. The more in depth I get, the more I will write. This is it for today. I can't wait to write more!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Love to all!!! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-77310750505292746552013-09-01T11:19:00.000-07:002013-09-01T11:19:03.504-07:00Understanding the PathKnowing that I am supposed to love people and take care of people and put others before myself. I know that I am to love as Christ loved. That is what I have tried to do for the majority of my adult life. Now, there is a very fine line that comes with understanding how far one most go to love like Christ. Am I supposed to sacrifice my happiness to do this task that has been put in front of me? How far am I to go with this? If you ask anyone that knows me, I do love unconditionally. I love from the deepest part of my soul. I have been in relationships where I have put everything I know and everyone I "loved" on the back burner for that one person. And look where it got me. <br />
I have always been the one that everyone counts on. I am always the one that everyone comes to. I have always played that role, and I know a lot of people count on me, and I have lived in this role for the longest time. I am not wanting to tell everyone to screw off, or that I don't care. Because I do. I care more than what you think I do. I care so much it takes over my own life, and my own emotions and I can not separate my own issues with that of the people that I love. I am called to love. Not to fix, not to mend broken hearts. That is God's job. This discussion of love and my roles and responsibility is so difficult for me. I want everyone around me to be happy. I want everyone to know the joy I do when I am fully engulfed in the love that my God has given me. I feel joy when I have a house full of people and everyone is having a good time. I feel joy when I sing in the car to my heavenly Father. <br />
My job gives me a lot of time on the road. It gives me a lot of time that I call my worship time. I put my music on and just SING MY HEART OUT. When I am doing that, I feel so close to my God. I feel like I am in His presence when I am doing that. I desire for everyone to feel that. That is my path. My path is to spread the joy. But how can I spread joy if I am losing sight of it in my life? How can I show someone something that I have lost sight of??<br />
I am working towards a huge decision in my life. I know what I am supposed to do. I know where I am supposed to be, but getting there, getting everything done...it is going to be a battle. I know I am to spread the joy. So I am getting the joy back. I am doing what I am supposed to do. I know it. I am sure! Now I need to take the steps to get there. I am a child of the true and living God. I am royalty. I have been given the most amazing gift. I have eternal life, because my God loves me that much! I am ready to follow the path he has for me. This blog has a lot of I in it. I am one person in the world. I am but one tiny human on the Earth, and I am ready to make my life significant. Not for anyone to know, not for anyone to say, Wow!!! Look at Lisa and see what she is doing. I am ready for me. <br />
I want people to know what I am doing not for the pats on the back, I want people to see God's love. I want people to see God. No matter how they see it. I am a servant. I am but a soldier in the Army of God. God's love is surrounding me, and I just want to scream from the top of the highest building that he loves me. HE LOVES ME!!! He allows me to work for Him!!! I want to do His work. <br />
If you have read the Bible, you have seen what impact one person can have. Saul. He killed Christians. He persecuted them and stoned them to death. That was his job. SAUL KILLED CHILDREN OF GOD!!! Seriously???? Saul, then on a dirt road was blinded by God himself, was imprisoned, and by the GRACE of God, survived. He then became one of the most influential missionaries of the New Testament, Paul. God took someone who killed His children, someone who persecuted His precious children and turned into someone who brought thousands to Christ. If he can forgive Paul. If He can use someone who lived a life so far apart from Him, then what have I been waiting for? I AM A CHILD OF GOD! I love Him! <br />
So, how do I go about working for God? Can I do it here?? Yep! Can I do it at work? Yep. Can I do it in South Sudan, Africa? Yep!!! So, if you are still reading this... I need to ask a favor. I need prayer. I need prayer for strength and guidance. I need prayer for whatever God has planned for me that it happens. That I know what I need to do, but how?? Faith! FAITH!!!!!! I know I have faith. I know that God has huge plans for me, I just need to listen. Please pray that I will listen. Pray that I do the work of God as He sees it. <br />
I know the blog is all over the place. I know it seems weird, but I need to write somewhere. I need to release somewhere. I know my PATH! I am a blessed child of God! Thank you God for loving me. Thank you for being patient. Thank you for always loving me, no matter how far I stray. You are the good Shepard, who would leave His flock of 99 to come that one. I don't want to be that one any longer. I want to be in your arms. I want to feel the love from you! Thank you for loving me! Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-69235662971507518592013-02-04T20:17:00.000-08:002013-02-04T20:17:04.512-08:00Ramblings and ThoughtsI would like to say first, this is my blog. These are my feelings. I know some will disagree, but this is how I am feeling tonight. Please read, and if you would like to leave a comment, please feel free. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As more time goes on and I become more and more aware of this world, and why things happen the way they do, I have come to the realization that no matter what happens I have to continue to have faith. While sitting in Greenville, SC today, I was made aware of a school shooting in Coweta, OK. No it did not make the national news, because no one was shot, it was a suicide by a student. It is so unfortunate that things like this happen. We can blame, bullying, we can blame, gun control, or the parents, or whatever you want. Here is my thought, unless you are the person who has made the decision to commit suicide, or go into a school, or a public place and open fire, then you don't have the room to say anything. <br />
New laws, or more gun control, or parenting classes, or even more religion, is going to fix this issue. Unfortunately for us, people are going to do what they want to do no matter what is forced on them. <br />
As many of you know, I am VERY religious person. I live <strong>MY</strong> life, as much as <strong>I </strong>can, the way God would want <strong>ME</strong> to. I do believe that my role in life is to glorify GOD in everything I do. As a Christian, I believe that is what I am to do. But not everyone is a Christian. Other Christians also believe the foundation that I believe, but have many different views on the "Christian Religion" So I know as Christians, we are to spread the Word of God, and believe me I believe that, but when others force their thoughts and views on to someone else, it frustrates me. <br />
I have seen on Facebook today many friends saying, gun control, or bullying is the issue, after the news of the school shooting in Coweta. I know it is difficult to understand why someone would take their life. If you haven't been there, then you haven't been there. But, something was going on with that child. Something was wrong. Be it at home or at school. Was it bullying? Maybe. Was it their parents? Could be. Was this child depressed? Crazy? Under the influence of drugs? again, maybe. <br />
I know I am rambling, but my thoughts are not all together right now. I do not feel like I force my way of life on anyone. You can ask anyone who is close to me. They know what I believe. They know my faith, but I don't force it, or even use it as a weapon as I saw today on Facebook. <br />
If you knew the Christian faith, it is our job to "plant the seed". To let people know our faith, to share our faith, and live like Christ. Condemning someone because "there isn't enough God in school" in my opinion is wrong.<br />
Christ loved everyone. He was not judgemental. He loved. Period. That is MY belief. I am absolutely aware of other faiths. Being in the profession that I am in, I constantly travel. I have gotten out of the "Bible Belt" that is Oklahoma. It truly is like a bubble of every type of Protestant church you could think of. I know not all believe in Christ, and I know of some good friends of mine that are actually Atheists. Even though we do not agree on a religious standpoint, we do agree that there are many flaws with society as a whole. As I said before, I had some friends on Facebook today state that the shooting and everything are happening because we don't have GOD in school. Or that we, as a society, have pushed GOD out of our schools. In my opinion, that is not true. If you want truth, to pray in school, is not illegal. To hold a church service during lunch or any other time, that does not disrupt school, is not illegal. We as a society, have forgotten GOD. The government has nothing to do with it. My friend, William Poire, who is the Oklahoma State Director of American Atheists, INC has opened my eyes, and my heart, to truly understanding what it is to be a decent human. Christian or not, his organization and William himself, has taught me more about my religion then many of my Christian friends. He truly is the example of what a "good person" is. No matter what he "believes" him and I have had many religious discussions and debates concerning lots of issues. This issue, the one that I am having tonight, we agree. GOD is still in schools. Government has not taken that away from us as a nation. We did it to ourselves. This is how I see it.<br />
There is a story out there about a husband and a wife. And how when they were younger, the wife would always sit next to her husband on the bench seat of the truck. She wanted to be as close to him as possible, because she loved him so much. As time passed, she started moving further and further away getting closer to the passenger side door. Their marriage started to have issues, and she felt distant from him. The problems that the wife saw were distance and no communication. Finally, the wife was fed up, and told her husband that she felt like they don't connect anymore. That she felt alone, and unloved, and that he was doing nothing to try to fix it. That's when the husband said, I never moved, you moved away from me. The woman drifted from her husband, where her husband was steady and stayed strong, waiting for her to come back. That's how I look at religion and how our society is now. WE (as Christians) HAVE MOVED AWAY. We can try to blame anyone but ourselves. But think about that story. As Christians, are we afraid to stand up? Do we not contain the knowledge necessary to make an informed decisions about what we think we know and what we know? How can we throw the first stone knowing that we ourselves fall short?<br />
I know a lot of this doesn't make sense. What I wanted to get across tonight. I do not feel like, as a Christian, I can use the word of GOD, or the lack of GOD in the schools, or anything along those lines, when I do not have the full understanding of the 1st Amendment. Government has not taken GOD out of schools, we as Christians have taken OUR GOD out of schools. If you want GOD in school bring him yourself. Don't force your religion on someone. Why do you think it is okay for Christians to force "GOD in Schools" How would you feel if your child was forced to be a part of an Islamic prayer? Or your child was forced to celebrate Hanukkah? Its not fair to be the "stereotypical" Christian, and force our religion. Again, it is not our government taking God out of schools it us. Before you go around using the Bible or God as weapon, please understand how to use it, and that not everyone in this world is a Christian. Remember, Christ loved EVERYONE! Not just the Christians. Aren't we supposed to be like Christ?<br />
<br />
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-44121531945183985102012-12-24T08:54:00.000-08:002012-12-24T08:54:23.361-08:00Another Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQNnuGpYa-HkEUpP4R2VciYUijrUSQOEdJobFPzfQurDwQM1AdRZxch7JkKpbJQZxaQIDY5WX68gKQ4PmqctKPb3zFsF5K3sbcTNbViHpJBHaoX5gjpYdk11_jMlw9GpCiJPJo11hQtA/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQNnuGpYa-HkEUpP4R2VciYUijrUSQOEdJobFPzfQurDwQM1AdRZxch7JkKpbJQZxaQIDY5WX68gKQ4PmqctKPb3zFsF5K3sbcTNbViHpJBHaoX5gjpYdk11_jMlw9GpCiJPJo11hQtA/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously? 2013 already? I can not believe I made it. So much happened this year! I remember writing my blog at this time last year looking forward to 2012 and all the exciting travel and everything. And boy, this year was amazing. I traveled everywhere. Tennessee, and California, and Colorado, and New York! Wow that's alot of places. I am currently working in Dallas, TX. After that its off to North Carolina! God has truly blessed me. I still love my job. I really thought that I would get tired of the travel. But, I still love it. Airplanes and hotels, and rental cars and new people constantly. LOVE IT! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ok so this year in a nut shell, WORK. that was most of it. I learned alot about my self. I learned what kind of person I want to be and what I deserve. I have had relationships some amazing, and some not so much, but they had meaning. I am happy. Struggling with my parents relocating, and losing connection with some dear people in my life has been difficult. But, learning from decisions and making decisions based on what is good for me is what is important. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am moving forward in my life. I have a new house I am moving in to. My parents are home for the Holidays, and spending time with them is number 1 on my list this year. So 2012 has taught me alot. I learned the Mayans were wrong about the end of the world, people are waiting for a Zombie Apocalypse, Call Me Maybe was America's song for a while. KCCO is said on a daily basis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So next year... what does it hold for me? I don't know yet. Looking forward to God's guidance and looking forward to see what he has in store for me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Merry Christmas to everyone and I wish everyone a wonderful 2013.</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-40059963627355058922012-09-13T20:45:00.000-07:002012-09-13T20:45:53.236-07:00What? Really????Ok Guys. I have been waiting to write this blog for a long time. I am excited and I finally made a huge life changing decsion. Everyone knows I have been traveling for a little more than a year now! I can't believe it has been a year. But it has. I have been working like crazy, and we are about to start our last region. Wow!! The last one. So right now I am in beautiful Denver, CO. So much has happened here. I made alot of decsions, and bettered myself. I am looking forward to the future with the training team. My last stop with be, NEW YORK! I can not wait to be there for 6 to 8 weeks. I still cant believe I have had this opportunity. I am so blessed. So of course I have plans for NYC and Boston, and Philly for sure! I am so stoked for this!! I am sure that I will have tons of pictures and stories and an amazing time there!<br />
Ok for the life changing decsion I have decided to move! I know Lisa out of Tulsa? It is going to be crazy!I am so excited and I should have more details as they come. I am not trying to be vauge about this move, but I just have to right now. I have traveled all over and it is has been an amazing journey, but I am ready to settle down, calm down and start over.<br />
Mom and dad being so far away has kind of helped with decsion. I know that God has a plan for me! I know I am going there for a reason and I am so so so excited. So, for my readers, if you could pray for me. Pray for strength, and not to be too crtazy when I move. When I started this job a year ago, I knew the opportunity could come up that I could move. It actually happened. God has blessed me so much and I need to remember that when I do move. I will tell more when I get more details. Love you all!!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-53937829936343524802012-08-13T11:37:00.000-07:002012-08-13T11:37:48.944-07:005 Weeks...and some moreWell, Mom and Dad have been gone for 5 weeks now. Everyone keeps asking if it is getting any easier, and to be honest not really. Yes I get to talk to them and and I get to see them over Skype and FaceTime. But they aren't home. I wish they were but I am still working through it. I completed Northen California/Nevada. I was in Fresno, for training then moved on to San Leandro for go live. San Leandro, which is near San Fran was beautiful. Got to do a lot of sightseeing like, my my blog said last time. So currently, I am on beautiful Denver, CO. I am a third in a training room. I am with Tim and Steven. Jon is still close so I didn't completely lose my partner Jon Jon. It is interesting to see how other trainers do train. I mean you get into your groove and you do things certain ways, then you come into another room and they do everything absolutely different. It is a good to see different things and learning how others train across the USA as we continue to do this. <br />
I am still loving my job and loving moving around this country. Denver is beautiful, nice a cool and beautiful. Only been here a day or so, but temperature wise, it is awesome compared to Oklahoma. So, I know this was short, but I wanted to give my readers up to date.<br />
<br />
Love to all!<br />
<br />
LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-57732968697869679992012-07-16T08:35:00.000-07:002012-07-16T08:35:49.314-07:00Bloggity Blog BlogWell, The last blog I wrote was about my parents and their new adventure they are on. I am dealing with it as best as I can. I am working alot lately, and not really going home as much as I used to. I am in Corpus Chirsti and will be for the next 2 weeks, not going home till the 27th. So, beach and sunburns are in my future. Mom and Dad are doing great. It is fun to hear all the little stories and how they are adapting to the new culture and customs. Work is going well for them, just missing them here back in the states.<br />
My work is going well. Corpus now then Denver for training. Not with my partner Jon, :( but we are both still in Denver, which is good. My birthday is coming up, the big 28, lol. The years keep passing by so fast. But things are good. I am happy. Just working and working. <br />
This is short blog, but I will write more later. Love to all!<br />
-LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-71550316353404201432012-06-26T22:49:00.001-07:002012-06-26T22:49:54.420-07:00About 7000 miles....7000 miles. That is how far away I will be from my parents very soon. My parents have recently accepted a career opportunity. God has blessed my parents beyond their imagination. In the coming weeks, my parents will be relocating to China. Yeah, as crazy as that sounds, its true. So here I am, their youngest, struggling the most with it. This is not going to be a blog about my struggles, this is going to be a blog about how much I look to my parents for strength. So since my mom and dad have taught me that God will not give me anything that I can not handle, and the God himself is with me every step of the way, I will make it through. But here we go. <br />
My parents, for as long as I can remember, have only given me and my brothers, and now their wives and grandchildrem, everything. They have blessed this family with love, with trust, and with integrity. I look to my brothers, and see men I am proud to say are my brothers. That is because of my parents. I see the love they have for my sister-in-laws, which they dont like that term, they are daughters, not daughter-in-laws. They brought Melissa and Jennifer into the family without hesitation. Then the grandchildren. They would give anything for those boys. I sometimes think that we take for granted what they truly do for me and for the family. No matter what, they will love you. My mom will hug you even if you dont like hugs. My dad will pick on you, just becasue he loves you. They are a united front that will never be broken. Man, am I blessed or what?<br />
My parents love unconditionally. I have said that in many of my blogs. They show God's love everyday. I can only pray that one day I can find someone and love someone the way that they love each other. I have always looked up to my parents. I have always wanted a marriage and a family like the one I grew up in. I want to be able to provide for my kids the way my parents provided for me. <br />
My parents deserve everything. I dont think I tell them enough how much they mean to me. I dont tell the enough how proud I am that I get to call them my parents. This opportunity is such a blessing and I am so proud of them for this. This is a huge sacrifice that they are making as well. I keep asking them how am I going to get through this? How am I going to make it without them, but what I should be asking is How can I make this easier for you? What can I do to make this transition better? They are the ones that are moving. They are the one making the sacrifice, and moving 7000 miles away from home. I will be here, well, relatively speaking, I will be in America. My career has taught me alot of independence. It has taught me that I can go and be whatever I want, and do whatever I think I want to do. So I guess I am somewhat prepared for this. <br />
<br />
Here is my little paragraph about how I feel. Not that I want my parents to feel bad, but I need to get this out. My parents are my best friends. I feel like my heart is being ripped into a million pieces and there is no way it can be put back together. I feel like a little kid whose best friend is moving away. I know technology is better and i will be able to Skype and email and all of that, but people who know me know that I need them. It is not a want, it is a necessity. When I really start thinking about them leaving, I stop breathing. I am praying that this is just a horrible nightmare that I am going to wake up from. That when I do come home on the weekends that they are here. My mom is a part of me. When we are seperated I feel this tug at my heart that only my mother can fill, but I konw that I get to come home and see her. Now, I wont get that. I wont get that Mom time that I need.My dad and I, I cant even explain it. He made me into the woman I am today. His advice, his wisdom, his love. Unmatched from anyone else in my life. No on will ever be able to take his spot. <br />
Ok enough about me. Let me end this by saying, I love my Mom and Dad. I am so proud of them. I look up to you more than you can ever understand. I am so proud of you. I am so happy for you. We can make it here in Oklahoma. Go do you thing and come back to us. I love you more than anything.<br />
<br />
Good Luck on your amazing Adventure!!<br />
<br />
123Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-65625822911198723812012-06-25T00:38:00.000-07:002012-06-25T00:38:52.000-07:00InsomniaInsomnia: I truly hate it. When I am on the road working I sleep fine. I am able to go to bed, sleep and wake up refreshed for the day, ready to hit the road. When I am at home, sleep eludes me. It is so frustrating. I can only clean the house so many times, and rearrange stuff, and organize stuff so much. Being in the new apartment is great! I love spending time with the roommate and seeing my family and friends. But, I get stir crazy. I feel like I should be doing something. I am working, dont get me wrong. During phone support I am constantly on the phone, supporting multiple locations with thier issues and working them out, but being home is just not me anymore. I feel like Tulsa/Bixby isnt where I should be anymore. I dont know, it is kinda scary to think about moving away from here. Not coming back to Tulsa when I am done training somewhere or not here for the Drillers or OKC Thunder. I know it is wierd. I havent lived here my entire life. I did have a short stent in Tucson for half of highschool, but then I came back home to Bixby. <br />
Now I feel like I can go anywhere I want too. I feel like there is something bigger for me somewhere else. What am I so scared of? I am never here anyways, and something tells me this place I call home isnt going to be my home after all of this. When I cant sleep, this is what I do. I sit here and think about my life and how I might want to change it. How I might want to move away and start over. Not that my life is this horrible thing. I love my life and I do love Tulsa and Oklahoma, but it isnt home anymore I dont think. I want an adventure. I want my life to go somewhere. I want to meet someone new. I want different experiences with new people. I dont want my friends to read this and say, "Are we not good enough?" It isnt about that. It is about me getting out of this rut that I feel like I am in. I want so much! I want to conqure things I never thought I could. In this last year, I have conqured alot! But I want more. Is it wrong to want that? I have so much I want to see and do and feel, and something tells me staying here in Tulsa wont get me there. <br />
I want nothing more than to become sucessful in my career and live my life the way God intened me to. I think He has a bigger plan for me than I could of ever imagined for myself. I feel like He is pushing me to make this decison. I am ready for whatever He has in store for me, but it is scary sometimes. I know I need to have faith in whatever He has planned for me and be patient and wait on Him. I am working towards goals I have for myself and letting him lead me. This is His show, and I just need to wait on him to cast me in it. I have alot coming up soon that my faith is going to be strengthened, and I am ready to take it on. I just hope I make the right decsion. I want ott golrify God in my decsion, and hopefully I can do that. <br />
Thanks for reading. Will write more very soon! Love to all!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-69459754493776855182012-05-16T15:33:00.000-07:002012-05-16T15:33:33.448-07:00The more I travel, the more I see...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbviCY7cAT-Dju_T_RJOW5vshpiR8IbSONc9nC_imbh0_jvy0-Y9B0bPui9MZ-3pxeaduLalyG_lluaJ7wURBvCC5R6JxKHhP2VgqF2oUCm2DEc3Md53ntyJvRzd_N_o359_ZG2It6RVs/s1600/DSC01295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbviCY7cAT-Dju_T_RJOW5vshpiR8IbSONc9nC_imbh0_jvy0-Y9B0bPui9MZ-3pxeaduLalyG_lluaJ7wURBvCC5R6JxKHhP2VgqF2oUCm2DEc3Md53ntyJvRzd_N_o359_ZG2It6RVs/s320/DSC01295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture by: Fred Adelman</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It has been a very long time since I have written a blog. So I believe the last time I blogged I was in Kingsport, TN. Oh man, I miss Kingsport. Before I got there, I thought, Ok, I am going to Kingsport, TN...how boring is that going to be? But I loved it. I miss all the wonderful people I met there, but just like every other location I have been too, I must move on and go to the next. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have, for the last month, been in Fresno, CA. Training with my partner Jon. Things are going great here. Great people and beautiful weather. I decided to go back every other weekend. So the weekends that I have stayed have been wonderful. I have been able to mark some things off my bucket list. I know I am kinda young to have a bucket list, but I have one. Some of the things that are on there aren't really important but the things I marked off, I wouldn't want to do it with any other people than the people pictured above. My wonderful parents decided to come and spend the weekend with me. We made plans to go to Yosemite and to go to San Francisco.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
So to get back to the bucket list. Yosemite and Giant Sequoias have been on the list for a long time. To see El Capitan and Half Dome has been a dream forever. Then The Giant Sequoias. HOLY MOLY. I loved Yosemite, I got to see everything I ever wanted to see. It was breath-taking. Too see God's beautiful creation was astounding. To see Half Dome from Glacier Point is something I would tell anyone to do for sure. </div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AOMR-j7tWfj43eDi3B_FhSadFz-7YI9e_VtZoR0jaWJKbS7w_DJBFIxfZQpPZVkzBF_lqoXd_qg7H9hvJivD01IRX3_3SCDEbqV47efMdQna9B3eiPTrYt7XfimmFrAZhRLS1z4mCJ4/s1600/DSC01237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 93px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 625px;"><img border="0" height="139" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AOMR-j7tWfj43eDi3B_FhSadFz-7YI9e_VtZoR0jaWJKbS7w_DJBFIxfZQpPZVkzBF_lqoXd_qg7H9hvJivD01IRX3_3SCDEbqV47efMdQna9B3eiPTrYt7XfimmFrAZhRLS1z4mCJ4/s640/DSC01237.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture By: Lisa Howell</span></div>
Then came the beautiful Sequoias. I knew these things were big. But these WERE HUGE!!!! I have always wanted to hug a giant tree. When we were going through Yosemite with our own person tour guide. (Mark from my class in Fresno was awesome!!!!) Anyways, I saw some tall trees, and the trunks were big as well. But to see the giants...oh my goodness! They were huge! So amazing! My mom and I have a great picture of us standing in between two ginormous Sequoias and it was just crazy. Then down the road a little bit there was one of the trees that had fallen over and the roots were so tall and amazing. Pictures can not do it justice. The time spent at Yosemite was one of the great memories that I will share with my parents for years to come. <br />
Then on Sunday we made our way to San Francisco. Again, we had a wonderful tour guide, Mr. Fred Adelman. We spent the day walking around Fisherman's Wharf. We had a wonderful lunch. Then walked down the pier and I touched the ocean. Of course mom and I had to do some shopping and other things. We had dinner reservations at Fog Harbor and it was wonderful! <br />
To try to explain how blessed I feel for being able to do a job that I love, and to see this beautiful country, it is priceless. I am loving life right now. My family is doing well, my job is doing amazing, I have a boyfriend that I could not even begin to explain how great he is. I LML! Fresno is awesome. I am going to miss it. But I am ready to be home and spend sometime with my boyfriend and family. I'll write again soon.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-4856906077324680462012-03-03T19:55:00.000-08:002012-03-03T19:55:55.511-08:001,073,088,000 Seconds<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>1,073,088,000</strong> seconds - 1 billion, 73 million, and 88 thousand seconds. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>17,884,800</strong> minutes - 17 million 884 thousand and 800 minutes</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>298,080</strong> hours </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>12,420</strong> days</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>1,774</strong> weeks</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>408</strong> months</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>34</strong> years</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Equals: <strong>1</strong> Marriage (So Far)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am a rarity when it comes to "kids" of parents who are still married. My parents married 34 years ago tomorrow. When I saw the calculations above I was astonished. My parents have spent more that one billion seconds married. (I don't know about you... THAT IS A LONG TIME)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My parents have taught me a lot about life, about love, and about respect, attitude, religion, and everything else. I have a lot to say tonight, so here we go....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Bible defines love very simply, God is Love. (1 John 4:8) Love is mentioned in the Bible 697 times in the NIV version. Love is obviously important. I have been thinking about writing this blog for a while now, and I really sat down and thought about their love and their marriage and this is what I came up with.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are not two other people in this world that love each other as much as my parents love each other. They are the definition of love. They love with out boundaries. That kind of unconditional love that you only think is a fairytale. That oh my goodness, can one person love another that much? But it is true. They love more than anyone I know. But here is the kicker. They love each other that much, and yet they still have enough love for their children, and grand kids. Our family has grown from the 5 of us, to now 9. Two spouses, and 2 grandchildren. They love each of us in their own way. And it is always enough. If i could truly explain it I would, but I can't. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My parents met in high school. (I know, High school sweethearts) They graduated and married in the spring of 1978. They lived in Tucson, Arizona and had the three kids, Scott, John, and then me of course (the favorite) in 1984. In 1986, we moved from Arizona to Tulsa, Oklahoma. That's when I start remembering stuff. My dad worked, and mom stayed home mostly with the kids. My mom worked as well. I would come home from school and mom would be there, and as the kids got older, mom worked more, and there were times when my dad would be home instead of mom. (Dad always had awesome snacks when we got home from school) Thanks Dad!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In the early 90's my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I barely remember this time. I was so young. But I do remember that my father was there every step of the way. Chemo and radiation and illness and crying and prayer and support. I remember thinking how lucky my mom was to have my dad there beside her though that. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My parents were youth pastors at our church. Their dedication and willingness to serve our God also taught me alot about what kind of person I wanted to be. After mom's cancer our family became even more close than we already were. When something so devastating happens, you try to understand why or how. But our faith is what pulled us through. We knew God had a plan. My mom then worked at Tulsa's Cancer Treatment Center. I believe that God put her there for a reason. She would just be there for the patients, and hold their hands and cry with them and pray without ceasing. My mom would bring me up there, and I met some of her patients that I still remember today. They told me how much of a blessing my mother was. Back then, that's when I started to realize what kind of woman my mother was. She has no clue how amazing she really is. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In March of 1999 my father had a heart attack. I was 15 years old. It was a Friday. The day after their wedding anniversary. My dad, (the most important man in my life) was lying in a hospital bed. That strong amazing man, who I have looked up to my entire life was having a heart attack. I didn't know how to handle this. I don't think I comprehended the fact that he was actually going through this. But the thing that I remember most is my mom being by his side just like he was there for her. No matter what life threw at my parents, they got through it. By the grace of God, I still have both of my parents. PRAISE GOD!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After all of this, the kids grew up, graduated school and moved out. Got married, (got divorced) and had grandchildren. My parents today, are more in love than ever. They dance, they travel together, and enjoy each other now more than ever. Now that I am an adult, I see God's love in my parents marriage. I see what God's definition of marriage and family is. I LIVE IT! How blessed am I? My parents do NOT understand their importance in my life. When people say there are not enough words in the English language to explain something, its true in this case. I am proud of who my parents are. I am proud that I can say that they are my parents. I am astounded by their love and kindness and understanding and unconditional willingness to love me even with my faults. That is what I was trying to get to. Even though I have made mistakes and continue to, NO MATTER WHAT, they love me. (Just like God) So when I say my parents marriage reminds me of God's love, that is what I am talking about. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SO to my wonderful, amazing, inspiring parents, Happy Anniversary! I love you both more than I can ever explain. I am proud to say that you are my parents. I am proud to tell everyone that you are celebrating your 34th year of marriage and I wish you many more years of love together.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 2.9pt 0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #323232; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you both so much!!!</span></div></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-52740861129400027402012-02-19T21:24:00.000-08:002012-02-19T21:24:35.206-08:00Emotional Ramblings.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNPRrCkh9hsWjORsZ79h9zx8iluJwTpw9bxUKMfMDY_kbC0BIRSCPEteLA6GeDcvTJYBTk2fRDkkWxoJoaIC56OveTWlwMEedFIQWy4YrDqzC0-eRHtR1CPLSd5jZmWTDu_uR_Hgh2Zw/s1600/menancingsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNPRrCkh9hsWjORsZ79h9zx8iluJwTpw9bxUKMfMDY_kbC0BIRSCPEteLA6GeDcvTJYBTk2fRDkkWxoJoaIC56OveTWlwMEedFIQWy4YrDqzC0-eRHtR1CPLSd5jZmWTDu_uR_Hgh2Zw/s320/menancingsky.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Usually I write blogs that are concerning my life, or my job. This one will not be like the rest. I have so much on my mind right now. I have decided to write, so whatever comes out is what is going to come out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Being an emotional person has its good times and bad times. Emotional doesn't always mean crazy, being upset all the time or anything like that. I do describe myself as an emotional creature, but not always in a bad way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am emotional in every essence of the word. When I get excited about something, I show true joy. When I am upset about something I also, show how upset I am. I have no qualms about being an emotional person. I enjoy embracing my feelings and most of the time wearing them on my sleeve. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyone who is apart of my life knows that I am so adamant about certain things. My faith, my relationships, my family, and my career. Without emotions, what would life be like? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some people don't show their emotions as much as I do. I have people in my life that are too emotional as well as pretty much a brick wall. Feeling and emotions, in my life, are vital. I show how I feel, and if you don't understand it, then here I am trying to explain it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No matter when you (all of you) were at one time, or are now, apart of my life, you know that I love unconditionally. I will walk to the ends of the Earth for someone who is important to me. Sometimes, it bites me in the ass and sometimes, I have those moments with the people in my life that I would never get, unless I was there by your side through something that sucks, or one of the happiest moments of your life. I feel like no matter what happens in my life, that I make the choices that I make for a reason. Do I get screwed sometimes, well of course. But being there for a friend and everything working out somehow out weighs the times that I get screwed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My major problem with being so emotional is that I want to make sure that everything is okay. I mother people like crazy. Some need it, and some do not need it. But, it is who I am. No matter what happens, I want to be there, I want to help, I want to be that shoulder to cry on, I want to be that one that you laugh with, cry with and, grieve with. I want to be there no matter what. Certain people don't understand why I do this. They think I get involved, or but into situations that do not concern me, but I am here to tell you, I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE. This is how I am...I care, and it isn't going to change. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is all stemming from some situations that have recently happened in my life. Nothing is wrong, no one is sick or anything like that, but my concern for some people is taking over my mind. Even though the close people in my life say I shouldn't concern myself with issues that I cant do anything about, but I worry. I will always worry. I will always think about you, I will worry if you are okay, or if you are happy. If things are getting too tough. I will worry. Although, my biblical background tells me not to worry, (Matthew 6:25) It is what is taking over my mind right now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I care too much sometimes. I think constantly about how I can help someone, or how I can make someones day better. I have no idea why I am like this, but I am. I am not writing this blog to sit here and talk about how I am this wonderful selfless person. This is not what this is about. This is about the pain that I have in my heart for you. (You being unnamed) I constantly worry if you are okay, or happy, or making it. I constantly pray for you, I pray for you to be okay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In my current situation, I am unable to physically be in Tulsa, I do not always know what is going on, or your troubles or your concerns, or issues. But I am here. I am praying for you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blogging for me is way to show my emotions. Some do not agree with putting your feelings or opinions out there in the world for everyone to read, but as my big brother and I have discussed, this is for me. This is how I show my emotions. (Sometimes I just come out and show them) But being all across America, this is the way I download. That is the only way I can describe it. Writing (typing) down all of my feelings or fears, or concerns, thoughts, opinions, ETC.....this is my download. I feel better when I write.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you have made it this far in my blog...thank you. I try very hard to keep my blogs as PC as possible, but tonight was basically me getting everything out that I could. Thank you for listening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My next blog will be better...I promise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love ALL of you! Truly I do!</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-46762318560675137972012-02-07T10:46:00.000-08:002012-02-07T10:46:05.447-08:00Kingsport, then Fresno.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif-vpoqECJmCApT2gqt1648Ns0oSXxXqOLR0uHql3RGBebulQo48H1EbKMuX3FbotY_0AV_0XO3cI2Dpmj52zHfOqyGLsu_uNuh64iMpmTc5hFJgzESBmgodx6ZyLG3-TOinj-IszWaE/s1600/Kingsport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif-vpoqECJmCApT2gqt1648Ns0oSXxXqOLR0uHql3RGBebulQo48H1EbKMuX3FbotY_0AV_0XO3cI2Dpmj52zHfOqyGLsu_uNuh64iMpmTc5hFJgzESBmgodx6ZyLG3-TOinj-IszWaE/s320/Kingsport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left">Well, It has been a while since I have written a blog, so here we go! (By the way, this is a shot of Kingsport, TN. I drove past this the first week I was here, and I just thought it was beautiful) Things are AMAZING! I am loving training with BJB my partner, couldn't ask for a better one!!! We have had an extra trainer here every week. Week 1 is Diane Ewing, and Week 2 is Eric Turner. Having a blast with both of them, and learning alot from them as well. Kingsport training is going well. We have wonderful students, like Barney and Lewis...crazy boys! But I have been able to train more and more and learn more and more. Just loving the job still!!! So we have found out where we are going to be for NCN, FRESNO!!! Holy Moly! So excited for Fresno! I have plans for Yosemite and other stuff. My parents might come out one weekend, so it will be fun. In my last blog, I said that I had met someone over the Christmas holiday, and I am happy to report, things are still going amazing! Tim and I are having a blast. When I am away from home it sucks, but we are doing okay with it. (it is so weird having a boyfriend) Anyways, Tim will be coming out to Fresno while I am out there too! So that will be fun! Looking forward to Go Live here in Kingsport! And some of my old students are go live buddies now!! I am so proud! But not much more is going on, just work and Tim.</div><div align="left">This past weekend, I went to Bowling Green, KY! I met up with Freddie, Ken, Jeff, Jimmy, and Johnny Savage! It was an awesome weekend. Corvette Museum and caves, and dinner and bowling, and cards. It was so much fun! I have missed those guys so much!! We have plans of getting together again in NCN! So it should be fun again!! Love my training team!!! SO I will write more later!!! </div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-27038920738515503792012-01-12T17:55:00.000-08:002012-01-12T17:55:38.153-08:00Kingsport and Conference CallsWell, It is finally 2012!!! Woo Hooo!!! Happy New Year to all!!!! So lets get started!! I had an amazing Christmas and New Year with my family! It was wonderful to spend some time with them all! Wonderful lunches with both of my brothers, wonderful craft time with my sister-in-law, and for New Years Eve, an amazing dinner with the entire family! Lots of time spent with my Mom and Dad, who are the best ever! SO enough about all of that. <br />
Met someone over my little break. He is so sweet, just an all around nice, smart, cute guy! Taking things slow, and seeing where it takes us, but pretty much amazing... more to come on that front I am sure. Now about work.....<br />
I am now in Kingsport, TN. This town actually used to be called Salt Lick....so I kinda like Kingsport a little better! Today was a nice day, in the low 50's but now, we have a winter storm getting ready to pass through. The wind is howling out there!! So hopefully it wont be too bad tomorrow. My training room is ready to go! All the stuff I needed to get done is done, and now all I have to do is wait for training to start!! I am excited to get started again, and with my partner Jon, it looks like it is going to be a blast! <br />
So I do have a funny story to tell you guys, and my CS3 trainers will really get a kick out of this....tonight, I held a conference call. All the trainers were on there, along with all of my bosses and old bosses and like everyone you can think of. Well someone was talking, so I kinda leaned away from my desk and looked up on the ceiling. Well guess what?? A HUGE GINORMOUS (yes Fred I know Ginormous is not a word) bug was crawling on my ceiling!! Of course, I can't say anything because I am in the middle of a conference call that I am leading so I unplug my computer and start moving away from the bug, while I am still training everyone on the call.....so, I have to deal with this bug, and the conference call and everything else....SO the call finally ends, then my phone rings, it is my boss...we have to talk about some of the things on the call, and discuss some different stuff, all while this DAMN bug is crawling all over the ceiling. So I finally get off the phone, and call my partner, who happens to be in the same hotel ( thank God) and I ask him to come down and kill the bug!! It is awesome having Jon as a partner by the way....So in between the time of Jon coming to rescue me from the big bad bug, I decide to make a video blog of this adventure. (I do a video blog too by the way) ((those are hilarious)) Okay anyways, I am video blogging on my Ipad, and showing the bug to the Ipad, I turn the Ipad towards me and I am vlogging (sp?) and the DAMN bug takes flight......I am like SERIOUSLY???? JON NEEDS TO GET HERE NOW!!! So finally, after what seemed like an hour, which was probably just a few minutes, Jon comes in an kills the bug!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!! No more bug in my room.<br />
I know this whole story is kinda long and drawn out, but if you were here and watched the whole thing....ummm you would be on the floor laughing. Yes I do have an issue with bugs, and I am not proud of it, but it does give me something to blog about, rather then you guys always hearing about my job! <br />
So that is my story for the night. I hope you guys enjoyed it. The vlog is the most hilarious thing I have ever seen, by the way!<br />
<br />
I will blog more later!! <br />
Love all of you!!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-50957206707547336142011-12-26T14:12:00.000-08:002011-12-26T14:12:20.472-08:00Almost 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXFjCfYPdtcYBpjcraNTLq2FAi2NcCFFSZUNoeeRa70fvXsZUrGhj4CQpA0EX6sKZtoqnoa9uyUCxKhjByB1TuM-JQSF6BSTjxzIfpZtTsDgDGvuroUn2H1iWZq8A-Y5DzE39lcbVAyU/s1600/2012-sand-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXFjCfYPdtcYBpjcraNTLq2FAi2NcCFFSZUNoeeRa70fvXsZUrGhj4CQpA0EX6sKZtoqnoa9uyUCxKhjByB1TuM-JQSF6BSTjxzIfpZtTsDgDGvuroUn2H1iWZq8A-Y5DzE39lcbVAyU/s320/2012-sand-beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
2012, wow I can't believe it is almost 2012!!! Crazy!! I wanted to write about this past year, even if you are a usual reader of my blogs, this one will kind of put this year is perspective. <br />
2011, I had so many changes... became single, got an amazing job, found out who my true friends are, found out what Family really means, and realized that good things to come to people who wait. I have experience true joy this year. I believe you can not honestly understand true joy until you experience true sorrow. Since I have been on both sides this year, I know JOY!! Disappointments in my life have now become few and far between. There are those occurances where things don't go my way, but everyone experiences that kind of mis-fortune. But understanding more now than ever has truly lit up my life. I have a deeper understanding of things now. My religious and moral background that I have (thanks mom and dad) has gotten me through alot this year. Also, to the people that were there for me this year, Thank you!!! It has been a crazy ride. Now that 2012 is upon us, it is just going to get busier and busier!! I will be traveling like crazy, looking forward to seeing America more this year! TN and Northern Cali and Washington or Oregan areas are coming up! I will be so busy, and try to write blogs when I can. All I can say is that this year has been a roller coaster, but IT HAS BEEN AMAZING!!! Looking forward to 2012!!<br />
<br />
Happy New Years Everyone!<br />
<br />
Love you all!!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4537224672055982150.post-90227554127542562492011-12-13T08:23:00.000-08:002011-12-13T08:23:58.487-08:00Travel...I haven't really written in a while, so I thought I might just sit down and talk about what has been going on lately. I am in North Los Angeles and have been for about a week and half. I do love California, it is beautiful with the mountains and such. But I am missing my family. Travel is very funny sometimes. I work ALOT of hours. I am constantly away from home, then I go home and love being there, then I am ready to go back to work. Not that I don't love my family, because they keep me going, but am I that addicted to work that I would rather be traveling then at home? I guess what I am trying to say is that I love being home, but I also love being on the road. Most everyone who will read this blog are married, or about to be married, or in some kind of relationship, so I am asking you guys, since I don't have that "someone at home" do you think it is easier I guess to not be "at home"? <br />
As you become an adult and move from the adolescent years, you rely more on yourself and your significant other. You miss your spouse more than one would miss their mother or father. So as I become an adult I realize that not having the significant other to miss, I enjoy being away from home. Kinda weird huh? I do miss seeing my parents and brothers and sister's...but not as much as I thought I would. There are points during my time away from home where I think, OMG John would love to be here, or Melissa and I would have a blast here and so on, but for the most part I have surprised myself in that regard. Cleveland was difficult, just because it was the longest I had been away, and the first stint away. But as time goes on, I love being on the road. <br />
Even though flights never go as they are supposed to, since I have been in West, EVERY flight I have taken has been delayed or cancelled. We will see how this Friday goes. Hopefully I get home at a decent hour. But next week, I have no clue where I am going to be. I could be in California, or Arizona, or Nevada, or even Oklahoma...we shall see. If I don't blog before Christmas, HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! <br />
Talk to you soon!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482904820555772133noreply@blogger.com0