Don't be so Serious

I have some things on my mind, so here it goes.

If you were to ask people who know me to describe me in one word, it would probably be serious. If they didn't mention that one first, it would be in the top three things I'm sure. It's one of the things I dislike about myself sometimes, such as when I'm giving a speech. Other times, it is one of my best qualities because I can focus on a task and see it through to completion.

I'm not quite sure how to change it, though. I guess I lost some of of that fun, carefree nature when I had to go through surgeries as a young child. Basically, I had to be tough. While others were worrying about what kind of outfit they were going to wear the next day, I had doctor's appointments.

Today, I'm just a little frustrated. I never want to come across as not approachable, yet sometimes I feel like that's exactly what happens. One good thing about reflecting on things is that I know what I need to work on. I know I'm a work in progress....sometimes I just wish things would happen quicker.

Memories Rewind: A Hairy Situation

It was time for family pictures. Normally, I would pick out my dress and have everything laid out and ready to go. This day was different. We were super busy, so everything happened at the last minute. I brushed my hair, put on a dab of lipstick, and rushed out the door.

It was your classic set-up: Boring background and an overexcited photographer. Something happened that day that I still can't think about without laughing.

"Pose beside each other," the photographer said to my brother and I. "Kind of turn your shoulders sideways so you are leaning into each other just a little," he clarified.

Snap. Snap. Everything was going smoothly. We just had to look like we were excited to be there a little bit longer. Then, the inevitable happened. There was a screen so that you could preview the pictures. For the average person, this was a good thing, but for brothers and sisters this was a bad thing.

"How can you be taller than me!" my brother shrieked in digust. "Well, I guess I've grown a few inches," I said calmly.

My brother wasn't satisfied with that answer at all. In his mind, he just had to be taller than me. "Well, if you're hair didn't have that poof in it, you wouldn't be taller!" he said with a laugh.

He then proceeded to smoosh my hair down in the middle of taking pictures! I can only imagine how that looked. :) If the photographer thought it was funny, he didn't dare laugh. Needless to say, Eli's plan didn't work. My hair has natural body and wave, so it can't be smooshed unfortunately. But I can say I have proof that I was once taller than my brother.

Do you have any funny picture stories?

Sharing my Heart

I want this blog to be about more than just me. I want to touch lives. I want people young and old to go away with their hearts fuller and their steps more sure.

I'm just going to share my heart with you. I long for a part of this blog to be a refuge for disabled families. I want to do a one on one interview with someone who is disabled about once a month, so that it eventually becomes a place for people to go to for answers. For hope. For an encouraging word. This would probably be easily accomplished by creating a YouTube channel for the interviews and then posting the link here. The reason for this is lots of videos on a blog makes the page load slower.

The interviews would be conducted through Skype, which is a free service and downloads in minutes.

I'm am only one person, but I can make a difference. One of my favorite quotes is by Edward Everett Hale:

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."

Since I can't do everything myself, this is where my awesome readers come in! Do you know of someone who has an inspiring story but no one to tell it to? It can be any type of disability. I'm open to all ethnicities and ages, too. Post a comment or send me an e-mail with their name and a little bit about them. I would love to get started on this in the future.


Together we can do this!

Calling all Making my Mark Readers!

I always love input from other people. I've been evaluating this blog and thinking of ways to make it better. I've got some things planned to keep the content interesting, but I want to hear from you! Since you take time out of your day to read what I write, what are some topics that you would like to know more about?

I've done Q&A's in the past with minimal response, so I thought I would try something different. I probably won't use all of your suggestions right away, but don't shy away from giving a suggestion.

Maybe you have thought of something great that I never would have thought of, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or a quick e-mail.

P.S. If you think the blog is okay as is, let me know that, too.

No Connection

I apologize for things being so quiet around here the last few days. I do have a good reason, though. The Internet at our house has been down for awhile. They finally fixed it last night.

During this time, I've still had assignments to turn in and projects to complete. But, I wasn't distracted by status updates and the like. I love the Internet and its capabilities, but sometimes it feels like you are more detached from the world in a way. It seems kind of contradictory, though doesn't it? I mean websites like Facebook were built for connections.

I can't help but wonder if the Internet has helped foster this idea that it is okay to not talk to someone face to face. In today's society, sometimes people feel it's okay to just send a text when it would be better to actually meet with the person.

Although there were some obvious difficulties during this waiting period, one perk of no Internet was I able to just be. I didn't have to answer every e-mail in a haste. They were still going to be waiting for me the next day. Although the circumstances were not ideal, I did learn a few things. Without the hum of the computer and the sound of my fingers hitting the keys, I was forced into a quiet time. For those of you that know me personally know that is a rare thing because I'm always doing something.

How would your day change if you had no Internet?

A Post about Marriage

My brother got married Saturday, so when I found a post about love and marriage I had to share.

I didn't write this. One of my fellow bloggers over at Four Sisters Farm wrote this, so go over there and comment. :)

Rooted and Established in Love (Reposted with permission)

I've recently become intrigued by a tree near our farm…or is it two trees? I’m not a horticulturist so I really don’t know - I haven't inspected it below ground level (The neighbors would probably think I'm strange since it isn't my tree).

This tree appears to actually be two trees that decided to work closely together. One trunk is sturdy and looks like it has been growing longer than the other; or maybe they started out at the same time and one was better suited to the ground from which it grew.

For me, this tree is a beautiful depiction of marriage. Two people choosing to intertwine their lives, their assets, their very beings into one. They share the seasons and are sustained by the same soil and environment. Each season brings different challenges and joys, various struggles and growth. These trees will never be separated except by the death of one or both.

This current season is cold and seemingly lifeless; and the trees, devoid of any evidence of actively growing, cling together and weather the season. I wonder what is happening during this dormant stage these trees go through each year...perhaps it is similar to times in marriage when things are less than fun, warm and friendly. When a couple is committed to God and to each other, there continues to be growth even when we can’t see it. Simply by staying together, something is happening…shared memories, resources, and relationships…things that shape a couple even when they are not aware. God is always at work conforming us in the image of Christ. I praise Him for the promise that He will not stop until the work is complete (Philippians 1:6)!

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Love 'Em Anyway

Relationships are two-sided. They bring great joy and also stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

It seems like every time I get close to someone, they leave. That hurts! I'm having a very hard time dealing with this current season in my life. I know that relationships are vital to my growth as person, but they are not easy. They take committment. You make yourself vulnerable.

That song by Martina McBride called "Anyway" comes to mind.

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

That's what I'm going to do. As hard as it is to let them go, I have no choice. I do have a choice how I react to it, though. I choose to love people anyway.

I will not let this make me bitter. I will not close myself off to a relationship with this person. I wish them nothing but the best in life. They were a vital part in my life--for a season--and I don't regret one moment of it. They supported me. They believed in me. They were someone I could confide in.

It will be an adjustment, but I will get through it. It's a fact of life that some people are in your life for awhile and others are there for a lifetime. My heart will always have love for this person no matter what. The relationship just won't be the same as it once was.

God, help me to always be open. Help me to not allow my past hurts hinder me. Rather let my past hurts serve as a reminder of Your grace that I can make it with your help. I know that you will never leave or forsake me, so help me as I transition.

P.S. My friend has posted part 4 of Every Rose Has Its Thorn. Check it out!

Memories Rewind: From Scribbles to Smooth Strokes

As a child, I struggled learning how to write in cursive because of cerebral palsy. I would stay after school with my precious third grade teacher for at least an hour working on making a cursive "h".

No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't make my pencil form the hump in the letter. I was beyond frustrated with myself! My teacher would always pat me on the back at the end of each study session. "You'll get it one of these afternoons," she would say with a smile.

Mama bought me some writing books so I could practice my letters. I was somewhat excited at the possibility of getting better yet also nervous because my previous attempts had ended with me in tears at times.

Despite my frustrations, I would get into a comfortable spot on the couch every night after I finished my homework and practice writing. I could see some letters start to form in the midst of the mess. "Look, Mama!" I said barely able to contain my excitement. She was smiling and encouraged me to keep practicing.

After several weeks of working hard, my letters were looking pretty good. I couldn't wait to show my teacher! Now, I get many compliments on my handwriting. It took a lot of patience and encouragement from those around me, though.

Don't give up because you never know when a rainbow [of pretty flowing letters] is right around the corner!

Let it Flow

Sometimes the words just flow so freely. It's days like that you will see me typing the thoughts in my head as quickly as I can. In my opinion, words are like raindrops and you have to catch them and put them on paper before they disappear.

When the days are long, I find refuge in writing. I am at peace when I get the chance to release my thoughts. Some days, I feel a burden to write. Keep reading, I will explain what I mean.

This quote is one of my favorites: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” –Maya Angelou

I think most writers can relate to that statement. I feel like I would be doing the people around me a disservice if I didn't share what was on my heart. What good is a gift if you never open (or use) it? I don't know about you, but I want to pour my heart out in the hopes of helping others. I hope this blog has been a healing balm when someone needs it. I hope this blog has made you laugh through your tears. I hope my story has helped you to see the value of life.

What inspires you to write?

P.S. My friend has posted Part 3 of her story today. The words were there, so she wrote what was on her heart. Take a few minutes to read it. Also, I've added share buttons to the bottom of each post. You can share my posts on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, E-mail, and much more!

I am not Superwoman

Today is a get real with myself kind of day. I may be tall, thin, and opinionated, but Superwoman I am not. I'm a person that gets tired and frustrated just like everyone else.

There's only so much I can get done in one day. Yesterday, I had to come home from school because I started feeling awful. Pain in my hips and just feeling yucky. Normally, I would push myself to stay, but I could hardly focus on my work. "How are you?" my teacher asked. This was my chance to be honest with her...and myself. "Well, I could be better," I told her honestly. "Tell you what," she said, "Why don't you go home and we will reschedule your speech for another day?"

Wow. God knew just what I needed even if I had a hard time admitting it. If you know me in real life, you will understand why I hated leaving school yesterday. I genuinely love school. I pretty much always have. I get a rush like no other when I learn something new. I wake up (most days) excited to stretch the limits of what I think I know.

So, I came home yesterday and tried to rest. The reality is my assignments will eventually get done. Once again, I'm reminded that as long as I do my part, God will take care of the rest. Thank you Lord for always looking out for me.

Don't forget to click here and share your stories with us by linking up at the bottom of the post by February 7th!

Her Story

My friend has posted Part 2 of Every Rose Has Its Thorn. If you missed the first part, please go on her blog and read it. It will make more sense that way. For those of you who read the first part, what did you think? Have you ever been in a hopeless situation? I'm so glad that God is right there with us, even when we think we are all alone.

I've always said everyone has a story to tell. My friend is boldly sharing hers, so I invite each of you to share something about yourself. Write something on your blog this week. It can be a short, funny, or serious post. It doesn't matter. Writing is therapetic to me and I think it will help you, too.

Link up your stories here so we can all read them! Just type in the URL of your post along with the title and your good to go. An example of a URL would be this: http://dropletsonajournal.blogspot.com/2011/01/energy-boost-would-be-nice.html

It will close on Feb. 7th.