My healthy journey begins

Scabs and Scars

I have never been one to think I had much of a testimony. However in the last few weeks I have come to see we all have a testimony and some way that our life has been touched by the work of God. Mine came about in the form of scabs. Scabs you may say? As a friend and fellow blogger posted on Facebook...."Scabs are gross". However scabs can pretty awesome to.

A few weeks ago I was in a car accident. The car rolled, hit a tree, knocked me out, threw me from the front drivers side to the back passenger side, broke every piece of glass in the vehicle and knocked me out. Much less worse accidents have killed people. I was very blessed though...I escaped with lots of bruises, a sore body, and hand that looked like it belonged to Frankenstien. There were 27 stiches and enough tape and glue in there to complete more than a few school projects. If I wasn't hand model material before I certainly would never be now.

However I am so proud of that hand. Everytime I look at my hand now I am given a constant and visual reminder of God's love and protection for me. People told me after the accident "God has great plans for you" but I think the accident was his plan. A wake-up call and a lasting reminder of his love and forgivness. Not only that but that God is always with us. I will never be able to look at my hand without thinking of Jesus's hand and the scabs and scars he carried from those nails. The nails he took and the suffering he bore for me . Someone that has often struggled with my unworthiness to receive such love.

So yes Scabs and even scars might be considered "GROSS" but they can also be pretty "AWESOME".

Need vs Greed

I read the following quote this morning....

"There is suffiancy in this world for man's need but not for man's greed."
------Ghandi

What an amazing statement that says about so many things in our world today. The economic crisis we see our in. The destroying of our natural beauty. It is all a result of our greed. However, I do believe that EVERY person in the world is guilty of this greed. It is time we release the greed and focus on what it is we really need. In the coming year I hope to make everyday an Earth Day, and futhermore, a day of need only in America.

Let's take back America...starting with ME!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Wow the day of love. I can truly say that I have had a wonderful day and have felt relaxed and love. However as my girls get older I miss the goodie bags and valentine's that we did every year. I always thought I loved the school parties more than they did. Tonight I am headed to the symphony. I am excited because I will be trying my hand at tablescaping for the first time. It is exciting to be trying something new. However I am sad because my sweet husband and I will be away from each other for awhile. He is in the local Jazz Orchestra and they are playing a gig. So I will be enjoying an evening alone with good friends and anxiously awaiting the chance to go an see him play. I look forward to showing pictures of the event tomorrow.

Depression

I have for years struggled with depression. I think that when I get very stressed out my body deals with the stress by shutting down and anything negative or upsetting just makes me want to crawl in the bed under the covers and shut down. I have been in this struggle lately. I often wonder during these times where my God is? I also wonder at these times if I am even good enough to call him "My God"? I know this is true and that God will never leave me or forsake me. What is happening is an attack of faith. God doesn't promise all blue skies and rainbows and what I need to remember is that he will never leave me or forsake me. Like he would never leave or forsake anyone else.

Do they...or Don't they

My family says "when they read this blog they see a diffrent me". I think they aren't seeing a diffrent me just seeing the one that at home is busy taking care of all the things that need to be taken care of. Giving (and receiving instruction), listening to the never ending list of needs, and wants, and since they think they know it all, being told what I am doing wrong. So NO I am not a diffrent person on this blog I am just me and with no one to tell me what I should or shouldn't say I can say it all. So while my family thinks I am just a diffrent person my prayer is that they will really just see me...not wife, not mom, not anyone but me.

A Little Obsessed

I have a little secret to share. These past few months I have been very interested in all things Obama, but NOT Barack. I am so enthralled with two cute young ladies, Sasha and Malia. I think they are a VERY BRIGHT spot in what was an other wise disappointing election for me. I thought this picture of our first daughters said it all.... Pride, Joy, Excitment and YOUTH. What fun the next four (or maybe eight) years will be. However, I believe that we has America need to respect that they are children. They need to have room to grow, flourish, and experience life. So while there experiences maybe different then most kids there age, they have to experience them just the same. However I do think I will be looking for me some Marvelous Malia and Simply Sasha Dolls. Just has a reminder of my little obsession.

The Fruit of the Day is STILL Peace and Joy

I am still working on this Peace and Joy thing. It has been a long hard week but I do see some true blessings about to come. So I will keep pruning in my vineyard and praying for directions.

CHANGE

During the election we heard alot about CHANGE. I was often quoted as saying "Change I got....give me Experience." Well I didn't get the experience I got the change and I am going to proudly support him and this nation. I am a big believer in God has a plan. It may not be our plan and we may think we don't like but it is HIS PLAN and I will go with it. These past few days have seen lots of CHANGES in our nation and I think it showed what we as America do best. Celebrate, Revere, and Honor are leaders, our history and our future.

The Bible tells us this:

rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:7

So I will have Faith in God's plan of CHANGE and support the person that was in God's plan to lead us. I will pray unceasingly for him and will endeavor to support him. I may not always agree but I am keeping my eyes on the bigger CHANGE, the day my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes.

The FIRST Check

Emily has a job. She is working at Chic-Fil-A on Vann Dr in Jackson. I am so excited about this. I am even more excited this weekend because she got her FIRST check. We are so proud of her and hopefully, someday soon, she will allow us to eat there when she is working. However I am praying that she likes her job, learns the value of a dollar, and is thankful that she gets to work for a Godly company.

My BEFORE I am 40 Bucket List

No....I do not plan on dying at 40. In fact, I am of the belief that my life will just be starting at 40!!! Some great things will be occuring then.......1.) My first child will spread her wings and leave for college. Now I will mess her ALOT but a dear older friend once told me "that it is a reason to be proud. You have given her the wings now let her fly." 2.) My youngest daughter will be starting high school. She has been through so much and I can't wait for her to make this big change her life. 3. I will be married for 20 years (yes I married young but I am so glad I did) and I have a wonderful husband. But, there are so many things that I still want to do so I have a bucket list that I am working on.

1.) Direct a play or musical for a theater group. I am working with my wonderful husband on this now.

2.) Run a marathon or 1/2 marathon. Like Oprah I just want to know I can do it. Now if I do die then I will, at least, be glistening.

3.) Take each of my daughters on a mother/daughter trip of their choosing.

4.) Have $50,000 cash in the bank.

5.) See the Grand Canyon.

Ok now I know that my list is not exotic but it my list. I am working on them and I plan to complete them.

Our Fruit of the Day is JOY

Ok I am still working on PEACE. That is not an easy fruit to grow...let me tell you. It will bud and then just a little bit of impatience or nasty attitude can really hinder it's growth but I am still working on it . Today I am adding JOY to my orchard. I think if I can keep pruning away the weeds in my PEACE I can also bring more JOY!!!

Our Fruit of the Day is PEACE

Today I am going to really work on my fruit of PEACE. This will come in real handy since I work with my husband. I don't know about you but it is hard. We are not doing so well with in the PEACE department. So I am going to really focus on it today.

I let you know how it goes.

Techie....NOT

I am very techinically challenged. I can add that to my list right along with spelling...in fact my five year old "nephew" corrected my spelling over the holidays but I digress. I have been trying to add all these cute backgrounds and fonts to my blog since I started. I see all these other people that change there blog almost everyday. Well not me. I do good to write and see it posted. Much less add a new background. So this is my plea for help. If you can walk this very "techinical challenged" person through changing her backgrounds I woul love it. I might even try out my fruit of patience.

Lists...I Love Em

Because I love lists, and because it's a crazy busy Tuesday, and because I wanted to offer a little something and don't have time to really write... here is a list that's been circulating the blogsphere. I thought I'd join in. It's interesting to see what I've done.



Here's the rule: Bold the things you've done & post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland (Disneyworld never Disneyland)

8. Climbed a mountain (if climbing to te top of Clingman's dome counts)

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (I think I am blessed.. no complaints)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone (kind of... got a stress fracture)

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life (I've been told I have)

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person (Alamo, TN)

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee


I'm not sure what all this says about me.

Suessical the Musical

I had a grand time this weekend with my husband, two friends and our kids. We went to Playhouse on the Square in Memphis perform Suessical. It was AWESOME!!! First, I must say that I had never attended a POTS performance and I can't wait to attend my next one. The performers were at th

e top of their game and yet afterwards they were so welcoming and approachable. This picture is of my daughter, Emily, my friend's daughter, Allie, and the actors that portrayed Gertrude McFuzz and Horton. I also was able to spend time with the techinical director looking at the sets and props, as well as, some of the "inside info" on lights and sound. I will certainly take this back for my Suessical performance.

The stage they used was really cool. I am looking forward to recreating it for our production. We could have bought their set for JUST a $1000.00 but the cost and the fact it had to be picked up the next morning did not make it feasable. So we have some great folks using their "thinkers" and we will have one great stage to.

Give-Away Number 1

I have become a blog fan. I love reading all kinds of blogs. There is this great blog that sends you a knew enjoyable blog everyday. It is called the Secret is in the Sauce. Now if I knew how to do it I would put a button to get you there but since I don't I will just tell you about. I do want to send you a link to this blog that is giving away this really neat organization treat for the week:

http://craftycarey.blogspot.com

Go check it out and enter. Oh yeah and tell them I sent ya!!!!

Blessings;
Gina Hartley

Imagination

Imagination is more important than knowledge.........
Albert Einstein

I have just finished auditions for my upcoming musical. It was so much fun watching the kids audition. The whole basis of Dr. Suess books are to use your imagination. I believe in the Dr. Suess theory that if we can imagine we can do. Then I read this quote today by Albert Einstein one of the smartest men that ever lived. It reminded me again to imagine.

As we get older we tend to lose our ability to have an imagination or dream. We get so caught up in the details that we lose the focus. We all need to take time to imagine much more.

I like to think of some of the great stories about dreams in the Bible and how they lead to change and great events. One of my favorite stories as always been about Jacob's Ladder. What change it lead to.

I challenge you today to use your IMAGINATION. Take a moment and think of something and see what it leads to.

Masks

At Halloween and other times we buy and wear masks. Some are scary, some are funny, some are of characters. However I have determined that we all wear masks everyday of our lives. Right now I have been wearing the mask of happiness when I have been at the door of a deep depression. I have fought depression for years and medication, prayer, and God have all keep me functioning at times. Depression is something that is very hard to admit. The fact that it is more present in our life, at times, than God is even harder.

In depression we feel that God is not hearing us. That alone, we face the struggle of whatever is weighing most on us. In Habakkuk we read of his struggle There is a verse that stuck with me in Habakkuk:

Fig trees may not grow figs, and there may be no grapes on the vines. There may be no olives growing and no food growing in the fields. There may be no sheep in the pens and no cattle in the barns. But I will still be glad in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Savior.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

So this reminds that God never turns away. I can Go to God with my questions and my struggles. I may not have all the answers, but in finding God, You know the one who does.

Auditions Day 1

Well..I am a Day late but this is my Sunday post. So while technically I failed at getting a post a day already...I am going to count this as my fourth post for the fourth day of 2009. Yesterday I wasn't able to post because between church, laundry, kitchen duty, a well needed and deserved nap....I had auditions for Suessical the Musical. I saw 30 folks that wanted to sing, dance, and charm their way into the musical I am directing. What a whirlwind of activity. I so enjoyed the audition process and was blown away with some of the talent and now nursing a bruised lip from biting my lip, so as not to laugh at some other talent. It was interesting to say the list.

Some people have bucket list before they die....will I had a before I am 40 bucket list. I have done some of the things. Others I have moved to a before I die bucket list but two things still lingered. First...I wanted to run, at least, a half marathon. Ok to be honest it was a marathon but I am much more realistic now. Second....was to direct a major musical or play. So this year is my last chance and I plan to do both. My mother always said no one died from work...so I will see.

My quote today comes from Magic Johnson:

When you face a crisis, you know who your true friends are.

Hope you have no crisis today and you have lots of true friends.


Blessings;
Gina

New Year....New Start...New Me-Day 3

With my goal setting for the year I am faithfully reading the Bible everyday. Right now I am focusing on two things-Reading the Bible in a year and reading a chapter of Proverbs a day. Today I read two of my favorite verses:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

I really needed to hear (or read) that verse. I often want to control things when God is already in control. Thank you for that reminder.

Oh the Thinks You Can Think.....

I am not sure what I was thinking but I am about to direct my first musical. Suessical the Musical will be staged by Nite Lite Theater on April 2nd-5th and I am the director. I am committed to making it a great musical. Lots of hard work and focus will be involved. I am looking forward to seeing what I can do and what a cast can do with their imagination and hard work.

I found this quote I wanted to leave you with:

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
Mignon McLaughlin

New Year....New Start...New Me

Welcome 2009!!! What an awesome adventure we have before us. One of my goals (notice I didn't say resolution I said GOAL) is to blog daily. Therefore I am kicking off the year. I wanted to share a Bible verse I am choosing for the year and a quote. In the coming days I will share the important and the mundane. Please join me on this adventure of 2009.

Verse for the year:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Proverbs 1:7a

Quote for the Year:

Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves.

Lord Chesterfield