a long awaited hike!

Well this weekend Lee gave in and went hiking with me and Dumb Dumb aka Andie :-) I planned a trip to Latta Plantation to hike the "Paradise Trail" and "Split Rock Trail." A quick trip to Dunkin' Donuts for a bagel and iced coffee... and we were slipping in the mud and tripping over tree roots as we trekked through the woods. I got pulled halfway through the woods by Andie who wanted to see everything... and fast! We saw a man on a boat catch a fish and had a pretty good time even though it was "misting" rain for half of the time we were out! All in all it was an awesome morning and my faithful blog readers...all two of you........ will be impressed to know that we did all of this and were in the car on the way back home BEFORE 11am! Woot! I know, Lee thinks that I am becomming a morning person... I am NOT for the record but will do what it takes to get to do what I want.... next up, I want to go to the shooting range to play with guns.... and then to Atlanta to see the Coke Museum, the aquarium, and to the zoo!

guess who?

As my grandpa says... 3 guesses (and the first 2 don't count) as to whose idea it was to put the SOLD sign on my dear Paige-pup. :-)

I hate to tell Lee... there isn't a dumb enough person alive to buy that dog with all of her quirks....


But I love her anyway (Lee does too, he just is in denial... serious denial...he represses his positive feelings towards Paige and deflects into annoyance towards her) Yes, that's the counselor coming out...trust me, I'm a professional =).

Cardboard Testimonies

this is incredible... watch it and be encouraged!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

I see your freedom... and I'll raise you

I've been thinking a lot these days about freedom. Specifically what it means to be free. Not in the "out in the general public, and not in jail sense" but with regards to how we live our lives. I think that freedom and being or feeling "free" is a process or a journey that is ever changing in our lives.

For the young child freedom means getting to ride your bike to the top of the hill by yourself....but for the teen it is the freedom of getting a driver's permit...for the young grad freedom means a chance to vote or drink (legally at least).

And then there is the faith aspect. I remember apologetics class in high school that introduced the subject of Christian liberty. I remember the concept of living in Christ without guilt or always wanting to "get saved" again... The idea that there was freedom in a God who saved and rescued me and that I had the chance for my life to reflect that.

Anyone who has been to a college campus knows the "f" word...
F R E E... that food, and the promise of fun, will make any college kid scream (and show up at any event no matter how lame or cheesy...trust me, I speak from years of experience in Student Activities and residence life). But for most, freedom in college mean making "adult" decisions (with adult consequences but few thought about that part...). Freedom meant the opportunity to live on your own, really live it up, (choose your meals and make your bedtime at the VERY least).

Currently in my post-collegiate/early marriage years I am learning what freedom means in this phase of life. I am becoming overwhelmingly convinced it means peace. To be "free" for me right now would mean not stressed... no worry. Imagine that! And I don't even consider myself to be a "worrier"...I'm pretty much a live by the seat of my pants, impulsive, and have some fun right now kinda gal.... yet more and more I find myself yearning to be "free". To make decisions once again that don't have such "adult" rammifications. To feel able to be myself without worrying what others might think of me (or say behind my back with a "bless her heart" to follow).

To be free.

Shawn McDonald wrote a song called "Free" that played last week which prompted much of this thought... the lyrics are:

"FREE" by Shawn McDonald
I feel like the weight of the world is all - crashing down on me
And some how I just don’t believe this how - it is suppose to be
And all this expectation on - the way I’m suppose to live
Becomes my minds distraction - with nothing left to give

You said your burden is light and your load - is no more
You said your ways are right and in you I would soar

I want to be free - free to dance and free to sing
Free to live and love and free
Oh, free to be me

I feel like my heart is being beat - down into the ground
In you I’m longing for some peace - to be found
I know the heaviness that’s - making me cold
Is stealing my youthful soul and - making me old

You said your burden is light and your load - is no more
You said your ways are right and in you I would soar

I want to be free - free to dance and free to sing
Free to live and love and free
Oh, free to be me

to hear it on youtube go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeKNXBMw4UQ