Talkin 'Bout the Carwash, Baby ~

I took my car to the car wash yesterday evening. I had waited forever because it has been about 400 degrees outside and I did not want to risk a heat stroke. I also had been parking under any tree I could find because it had not crossed my mind yet to get a sun blocker for my window. So the birds had christened my car very well all over the left front hood and top. One of the guys at work even said, "PLEASE, Miss Jennifer, just let me take some water out there and help your car!" So it was time. I pulled into the stall and got out with my 3 little dollars and walked to the change machine. As luck always seems to have it with me, BOTH of the dollar changers were on the blitz. Now, the wash part had a place to insert dollar bills, so I could still wash the outside, but the vacuum only took quarters. So, being the problem solver that I am, I started thinking that at least if I got the outside clean, maybe nobody would know about all the grass and dog hairs and dirt on the inside. And, wouldn't you know it, another blog inspiration popped right into my head.

Is it really OK to look good on the outside, knowing that the inside is still filthy??

We (hopefully) get up and take a shower or bath and put on deodorant. We fix our hair and iron our clothes before we go out. The ladies put on makeup to cover up any blemishes and spray on something that smells nice. We might have a scratch or two, maybe a ding on our doors here and there. But, for the most part, we look pretty good. From a distance. But what about when people get close? Do they hear the bitterness spilling out in our words? Do we put on a smile to cover up the dirty stuff scattered all over the inside of us? And what about our thoughts? Do they please God or would we be embarrassed if someone could open the door and look inside? I thought about just leaving the inside of my car like it was. After all, it was still hot outside and I was tired. I would have to put in some effort to go to the store next door and ask for some change. But change is exactly what I needed although it would take some effort, so I did it. And when I was all finished, I was happy that my car smelled good and people could get in without worrying about getting themselves dirty. That's how I want myself to be too. I want to take the extra effort each day to make sure the inside of me is clean and beautiful, even if the outside has a couple of scratches.

When Push Comes to Shove ~

I went to the chiropractor last week. And the week before that. And the one before that. I was starting to think that I had a broken neck or something else serious because I had been waking up with numb hands and aching shoulders. Don't get me wrong, I love my chiropractor and he is rather nice-looking - I just don't want to see him all the time. So I decided to see the massage therapist on his staff. At my appointment, I went in the room and it was nice and dim and there was nice relaxing music in the background. I was so looking forward to a nice relaxing massage before facing the rest of my day at work! The therapist came in with a smile on her face. She was a little gal with a cute little haircut and sweet spirit and I wondered if she was strong enough to get the knots out of my muscles. LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING!!!!! I was lying there in the most vulnerable of states that any of us can be in when she started on my left shoulder. She dug her little thumbs right into the muscle of my shoulder and she didn't let go until she could hear the muscles popping and rolling under the pressure. She finally did stop and just when I thought I could breathe again, she started into the same spot with her elbow. All of her body weight went into fighting with this muscle that refused to give. She continued until she had tortured every muscle in my poor back, neck, and shoulders. Then she ordered me to turn over and, I swear, she was trying to pull my head right off of my body. Then in her sweetest voice she told me that time was up and I should rest for a bit before trying to stand up. I had to rest after that and I doubted seriously if I could even stand up! After I left her dark little relaxing room, I felt like I'd been through a rough workout and I was so sore I couldn't lay on my back for a couple of nights. On top of it all, my now-soft muscles were releasing toxins which were making me nauseous. But all of this was necessary. See, I didn't actually go to her to get one of those spa massages where they tickle you and lay hot stones on your back. I went because my muscles were so rigid that they refused to let the bones in my neck and shoulder work properly. They needed some rough manipulation to make them flexible and, in the end, I had much more energy and my bones managed to stay in line for more than a day.

Then I started thinking about my spiritual life. How many times I just wanted a quick fix to put things back in line or how I could skip the consequences of some mistake I had made if I could just rest a while. When it comes down to the bottom line, that isn't the way it works. God often requires us to be pushed and shoved back into the shape he wants us to be in. It is painful at the time and sometimes it produces toxins that we have to deal with for a little while. But in the end, our spirits are clean again and back in line with what God wants for us. I have no doubt that I will visit the chiropractor again and even the massage torturist. And I also have no doubt that God will pound on me over and over again to make me like Him. And in the end, I'll be glad for it. ~

The Joy is in the Climb ~

Many days I have thought, "If I can just make it until such-and-such a time in my life, I'll be ok." But I don't want to wait until then ~ I will be ok right now! When I get out of school, when I get my degree, when I get married, when I get a better job, when I get a dog, when I get settled in a church, when I get my own house, when I ... when, when, WHEN!! But I'm done spending my life waiting for something to happen, when things happen each and every day. THIS is my life and I am going to live every minute, the good and the bad, and stop waiting for... whatever comes next. Because is isn't about what's on the other side of tomorrow or how fast I get there, it's what I learn during the climb.

The Climb ~ sung by Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down But
no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Memorial Day Thoughts ~

These pictures are courtesy of my brother, Jeff.

First Thought ~

I did not make up this survey but I like it. You are supposed to read the word and type in your first thought. Of course, I could not just put anything simple because my thoughts just kept going on and on and I couldn't remember what the very first one was. So here are my thoughts about the following words or phrases:

Relationships
Immediately thought about relationships between men and women and had a panic attack, LOL! Ok, I'm just kidding. I did get kind of serious though. There are so many different kind of relationships. The key is finding out which ones are healthy and nurturing them. My most fulfilling relationship right now, aside from God, is with my parents :)

Your Last Ex
Must we go over this again? I pity the man and that is all I feel for him.

Power
Have I paid my electricity bill yet? No kidding, that was my first thought. Finances are tight these days but I'm still trusting God!

Food
Birthday Cake! I don't know why. I just love it. But also I love to cook and try new things so "food" is a positive word for me.

Drugs
I HATE the devil!! He has used drugs to mess up so many lives and I am fighting it everyday.

George W. Bush
Man, he is SO hot! I tease that I voted for him both times because he was cute. He is but that isn't really why I voted for him. And although that sounds disrespectful, I have the utmost respect for him and Mrs. Bush. They've had a rough time of it and get a lot of unfair criticism. I love them.

The War in Iraq
Hot. I think it must be hot over there and that was my first thought. But I am SO proud of our soldiers who have risked their lives to protect mine. Thank you so much, you'll never know how grateful I am.

Cars
What about 'em? I mean, they are necessary but other than that, I really don't care.

Gas Prices
Quik Trip! I love Quik Trip! That's where I buy my gas but I also love to go in and look at the row of coffee machines and fountain drinks. They also have the cleanest bathrooms if you ever have to go while you're out shopping.

Halloween
My cat costume when I was little. I know Halloween is a pagan holiday but I didn't know that until I was grown so it doesn't represent anything except candy and fun to me.

Politics
Mustafa Abdulla. My very good friend who used to say, "It's politics, Jennifer, just politics" when he didn't agree with something/anything. I miss him so much sometimes :(

Worst Fear
Bills piling up in my mailbox. That's why I don't check it for days at a time. And snakes.

Spiders
Now that's some scary stuff! But I like frogs...

Sex
Well, I was going to say something else but then I remembered this is supposed to be first thought stuff. So I really can't say anything now. This is a Christian Blog!!

Marriage
...is not for the weak of heart! But I truly did think of good things like loyalty, trust, love...

Brunettes
Wonder Woman. She is the prettiest brunette I've ever laid eyes on! And she can jump over stuff.

Redheads
I LOVE red hair!

Blondes
Beware of the ones you think are dumb!!

Work
Digging ditches. That is what I consider work.

Animals
Animals ROCK!! I LOVE animals, especially giraffes. And monkeys. And zebras. Ok, well, I really love all of them.

Porta Potties
Gross. What does this have to do with anything?

Pajamas
Christmas Morning, just rolling out of bed and drinking coffee and listening to carols in my pajamas. Seriously, that is what "pajamas" made me think of!

Pictures
My granny. I would give anything to see her in something other than a picture!

Friends
People I trust, laugh with, share with (except for toothbrushes), shop with :)

Enemies
I thought this said "enemas" and wrote something totally different. But let me back up a bit now. Enemies... I don't think I have any worth mentioning so I won't really waste my time trying to think something up.

Vacation
For some reason San Antonio popped into my mind, although I would LOVE to go somewhere I've never been before. Someday I am going to travel a lot!

Drink
Coffee. I always think of coffee! I'm drinking it right now!