Silent Sunday...Be You

Knew it was bound to happen

My Butterfly

I knew it was only a matter of time, I knew someone would say it to me...I knew that someone would tell me that I have no room to say anything about smoking, drinking, or any other sins since I have a tattoo.


     I recently told someone that I would never want to marry someone that smoked or drank. This person asked me how I could be so judgmental and said that I couldn't pick the sins that I thought were ok, such as my tattoos. First off, I was not judging anyone. It says that we all need to work out our own salvation and what you do, and do not do, is between you and God. I do have some convictions and there are some things that I won't do: premarital sex, drink alcohol, do illegal drugs and smoke. But yes, I did get a tattoo, well I have two actually and I don't regret them at all.

Getting one on your foot really hurts!

     I grew up as a pastors kid and I know the scripture that says we should not mark our body and I even remember one evangelist that said when you got a tattoo that all of the sins of the tattooer, the person you let mark your body, was then bound to you...this scared the crap out of me and prevented me from getting one for quite some time, and the fact that I knew my parents would kill me. But as I got older I looked at it differently and got them as reminders. Each of my tattoos have a meaning and serve as reminders of how I want to live my life.

      But any way, back to the original reason I started this post. After this person told me this it got me to thinking and I came to some conclusions. I call them conclusions and by no means say this to justify what some may call my "sin." First, my tattoos only affect me and no one else. No one has died or will die because of them, no car crashes, lungs destroyed, or family torn apart because of them. Secondly, I have them in places where they can be covered so that if they are offensive to others I will not cause anyone stumble. I have done a lil reading on different people's views on tattoos and one site that I found interesting was Clarifying Christianity. Also, so no one can say that I was only looking at one side, I also found what this one guy said to be thought provoking as well What the Bible says about tattoos

     So I still have my tattoos and I don't feel bad about them. I know that I am saved by Grace, and that thanks to a loving God that grace is new every morning. I am by no means perfect and have never even thought I was close, but I really don't think that I am going to hell because I have marked my body. I know that I will continue to... "not drink, smoke, or sleep around or go with boys that do." But as far as the marking my body, well if I was going to live by this verse then my Mom already had me doomed at 3 weeks old when she got my ears pierced...thats right, hahaha just blame it on the parents :)

-Till Next Time 

Silent Sunday...Things I Love About Spring

I'm going to follow along with my friend Jessica's blog, (go check out her blog its pretty awesome just like her!) over at One + One = Three?...Four!!!, and start doing silent Sundays as well.

Being Poor in Spirit

  
      For those of you that may not know, I went to homeschool my for all of my elementary and high school years. Yep, all of them... not even a preschool for me! As a part of the core of my education, my parents wanted me to have strong character and a deep respect and understanding for the word of God. One of the things that my parents had us do was to memorize Matthew 5. They wanted us to learn 5, 6, and 7 but all I got was 5 and some of 6. But the thing about memorizing scripture is that, like everything else, if you don't use it you lose it. So I try to read it often so as to not forget it. One thing that I have learned as I have gotten older is that it's not just important to memorize a verse, but to meditate on it. So that is what I'm going to do, take it one verse at a time and meditate, mull over, and ponder. I thought that I would also see what others had to say on this topic as well.

   So, diving right in, lets take a look.

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:1-3

     One thing that stands out in the first verse is the fact that the disciples went to Him. We have to seek Him, sit at His feet and He will teach us, but it requires that we stop and listen. Verse 3 then starts things right off by saying that when we realize we are nothing without God, then we will gain the kingdom of heaven. I like how one of the translations said it,  "God blesses those who realize their need for him,* for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them." I hope that I never forget that I cannot do any of this alone, I need Him. I will never not need Him! He is my peace within the storm, the light within the dark, the quit when there is nothing but the noise of life all around. He is my guide, my lamp, my compass, my provider, my healer, my joy, my Father, and the one who gives me what I need when I need it. It's only when we truly recognize our complete need for Him that we gain it all.

-Till Next Time

Blown Away!

     Wow, I was amazed at the response from yesterdays post on what I consider One of the Great Mysteries of Life. This one post had more views in one day (56) then any other post that I've ever had. One person told me that it was an explosive post and another said that I seemed to get a lot off my chest. This was not my intention, I was just sharing some things that I had been thinking about due to many conversations with many of my girl friends. I hope that those that read it would know, that while I don't apologize for what I wrote, I never intended to offend anyone! I loved some of the comments that people left me. It seems that some people have very interesting thoughts and views on this topic.
     Now I would not want anyone to think that I'm a "man-hater," not at all! I'm just trying to understand this thing called life, and I'm really enjoying this season of my life. I feel that I am learning so much about myself and I'm very proud of the growth in my own understanding of who I am and what makes me, me. I replied to one of my comments with this

"They are not bad experiences if you learn lessons from them and even though I have experienced this I don't regret it...you live and learn, that is life."

     I really do believe that! That within all experiences lie lessons to be learned, we just have to be open to look for them.

“There are no mistakes or failures, only lessons.” 

Uncle Walnut, Me, Uncle Oscar, and Dad

      Also, I just want to say that some things about men may be a mystery but I look forward to exploring those mysteries and I have been blessed to have some really awesome guys in my life. I'm blessed to have one of the best Dads in the world. He is always there for me and is a true man of God that loves me so much no matter what crazy ideas, adventures, rants, or newest plan I may have schemed up. My Uncle Walnut is the like a second Dad to me and will forever be there to: give me a hard time, be my fellow Survivor watcher, remind me of what I should do, and be the best sparing partner when both of our argumentative nature feels the need to be right.

     Then there are my great brothers! They are always there to help me and love me even if they give me a hard time about my quirky ways. My poor lil brother Mark has helped me move more times then I'm sure he has wanted and I love that he tries to give me advice about boys and love. My cousin Lee also tends to act like a brother as well and I'm glad he's a part of my family and life.

     I also have some really awesome guy friends, such as, Brandon who leaves me the sweetest text messages and is there to encourage me when I need to vent, he doesn't get guys about as much as I do haha!! Robert and Jeremy who try to give me guy advice. Tony, who tries to do his best to set me up. Obie and Toby who are there to chat with, share teaching stories with, as well as a hatred for lesson plans. Dickson and John who worry about me and some of the places that I travel to (John thinks anywhere outside of the Parish is dangerous haha!!!). And many of the other great guys that have been apart of my life and have helped me make some great memories along the way. Nathan, Muff, Nick, Jess, summer camp would not have been the same without you guys. And of course no one forgets their my first crush, Jay and the reason me and Bri had our first fight that involved some pushing.
The list of great guy friends could go on and on... you would think that someone with as many guy friends as I have wouldn't be confused by them Hmmm??

Brandon and I
We clean up nice

Sushi with the boys

The Big Bad Fishermen

Me and Uncle Nut...seems the only thing we were catching was each others cork

Brandon, Me and Jeremy

Robert and I

Me and B tubing!

Lee and I acting CRAZY!

Jeremy and Brandon

Tony, Me, and Heather

Well I guess that will be enough for me tonight...seems I have been quite longwinded the last two post, guess thats what happens when I go almost two months without really posting much Haha!!!

-Till Next Time

One of the Great Mysteries of Life

   



As I get older there are still some things that I'm not sure if I will ever understand, a few of the great mysteries of life.
     One: Why is it when you're in a hurry is that the time that things seem to "hide" from you? Two: Why is it when things seem crazy busy a coworker reminds you about the faculty meeting that you have to go to, and that grades are due, all on the same day? Three: Why does it never fail that on the days that it rains cats and dogs your umbrella is nice and dry, in your car! Four:
Oh, and my favorite...You finally remember to bring your camera to an event and just as your about to snap some pictures you battery dies!! and Finally...FIVE: Boys, Men, Guys, the Male species in general are a complete mystery to me!!! I just don't get guys at all!


I have had the opportunity to be friends with my share of guys and even a few I have had feelings for but as of yet nothing has developed into anything beyond friends.
Now I know some of my friends say that I have high standards but even the ones that have measured up to most of my standards still baffle and confuse me.
(I will not name names here, just because this Southern girl has her share of manners.)

      I have had the guy friends and that's all they will ever be. You tell them that and they are fine, they are great. But I've also had the type of guy friend that shares with you that he has a crush on you. But when you don't return the feelings, he gets his pride hurt and you lose the friendship. I've also been on the flip side of this and have developed feelings for a guy friend and when I was honest with him, instead of just being honest with you, they lead you to believe that they are good with seeing where things go. Quickly you realize that is not so when it seems that they have dropped off of the face of the planet. Aren't we all adults? Can't we just be honest and say, "Hey, I like chatting but thats as far as I want it to go," whats wrong with just saying what you feel? There's also the guy that gets mad when you say that you believe a certain way and feel that your passing judgement. No not passing judgement, I'm just saying that this is how I believe. I can choose who I will spend the rest of my life with and if our beliefs don't match then thats my choice to not continue into a long term relationship. I am by no means saying that how you live is wrong, just may not be activities or beliefs that I want to share. Oh, and there has also been the the guy that apologizes for everything, and I mean all the time!

     I don't know, maybe I just got some bad information about how guys were? I thought they were direct, to the point, no fluff, tell you like it is, get over things quick, deal with things and not let emotions get involved, and for some strange reason I thought guys didn't tend to play the games that they like to say that we girls play. They continue to be a mystery to me because I have found that guys can be very emotional, something I'm not used to! They also speak in circles and are very broad. I believe that this tendency to be vague broad allows them to sometimes keep things flexible, to not have to commit to a certain one way. Now don't get me wrong, I don't by any means to attach this label to all men. My motto, when it comes to relationships, has always been "if this isn't going beyond friends then lets not waste each others time and lets just be honest with each other and say that." This has not always gone over that great with some guys....I don't get that?? And I guess since I'm like that I think that they would return the favor, not always the case. I always like it when you and a guy and chatting and texting pretty much every day and then all of a sudden...nothing? What happened?? Why no explanation? As my sister would say (one of her favorite quotes) "He's just not that in to you!" Well I can take you telling me that, but say it! Oh, and I just love the "We can still be friends," haha really?? There have been only a few times that I have seen this truly happen. And don't we all just love when I guy tells you "Your going to make someone a great wife and I will wish it was me." haha that's an even better one. And one that I heard not to long ago, "You should be grateful that you don't have all the baggage that comes with a bunch of relationships and when you do get into a relationship its going to be great for the both of you." You don't tell someone this when your trying to tell them that you don't want to be in a relationship with them. You know what I'm thinking, "If I'm so great and you still don't want me, you must be the best lair or the biggest dummy," neither of which helps me at that moment. It's like a band-aid, just be honest its going to hurt but just do it and get it over with. If were all adults we can all still be friends.

Stop, Yield, Go???

  
     Now guys in your defense I will say that we girls do sometimes take things the wrong way. Some of this is due to the fact we are maybe just a lil dumb when it comes to y'all.
Girls just because a guy text you all the time, stays up most of the night talking, and may even ask your advice about random things does not mean that he is interested in you, he may very well just be bored and have nothing else to do.
Just because he invites you to meet his parents does not mean that he thinks things are really serious, he may bring a lot of friends home and people going in and out of their house is not a big deal.
Also, if he ask you about engagement stuff it doesn't mean he's thinking about y'all getting hitched, no he may just be asking so you can give him advice on how to ask your friend or the girl he likes.
Oh, and if they want to get together with you they will! If they say they need to check their schedule... well they may really need to check it, but it doesn't take more then a few days to do so.
      So these are just some of the things that continue to make men a mystery to me. My sister says I could have learned all of this from watching a few movies...and one of my good friends believes that most of the life's lessons can be explained through Meg Ryan movies...maybe I should go watch "When Harry Met Sally" one more time??

Looking Forward to What April is Bringing

 
     The saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers." I'm looking forward to a great April that is showered with change, fun, and hopefully some new experiences. I looked over my today list for this year and I really need to get on the ball with it. I have done a few on the list and by far the one that I'm the proudest is getting down to a size 4!! I still need to get my butt to the gym this week and get to work on toning up.
     So I Seems I may be a bit of a travel jinx. I was planning a trip to Egypt and one week before sending in the money things got really crazy over there. Then I was looking at going to Australia and they got hit by a typhoon and record flooding, so I then decided to go visit my friend who is teaching in Japan and bought my ticket a week before the quake. (I also started thinking and remembered that in '08 when I went to China the quake happened two days after we got there) I just found out this week that they would refund my ticket and I canceled my trip. Thankfully my friend lives in Okinawa and was not affected. Everyone keeps telling me it may all be a sign that I just need to stay home this year. My uncle told me to do us all a favor and go visit Iraq or Iran haha! But tonight I filled out the paperwork to go on a missions trip to El Salvador. So I'm going to pray that they do not have an uprising or any type of natural disaster! So the El Salvador trip is not till the summer and I'm still working on Spring Break plans. I'm thinking a trip to the beach and then to TX. to visit some friends.
     So here's to a great April and hoping that it showers down good things on us all!

March Was a Bit of Madness

  
    Its been quite a while since my last post and March seemed to just fly by! It did seem like a month of some crazy madness. It was a very busy month with a lot of fun mixed in with a lot of work. Work is going great and the school is doing very good. We got our accreditation with the state, which required a good bit of work and what seemed a ton of observations. Seemed like the month of March was observation month, had people filing in and out of my classroom. Always fun when the school board comes in to observe my class and they ask one of my students why they are doing what they are doing and the student replies, "Because Ms. Latham told me to." Got to love that response! I was also honored to be chosen as SPHS teacher of the year! With this honor came the opportunity to do a lot of work to complete a packet that outlined the type of teacher that I was, this packet was then sent to the regional level. I did not advance, but was just fine with not having to do the additional work that would have come with that advancement to the next level. So on the work front things are good.
     Things have been busy, but there is always time for FUN! One of my favorite March events is St. Patrick's Day and the St. Patrick's Parade! It was a great time with the girls and we were all happy to report that we all came home having caught one of the prized cabbages.
I also learned a lot about myself and some very important life lessons in the month of March. I learned what I would stand for and what I wouldn't. That I'm really in a good place in my life and I'm ok with that. I also realized that I still believe that my convictions and beliefs are major guides in my life and I refuse to relinquish them for the very fact that society may not understand them or think that they are unreal expectations.

So this month I also got to see a lot of my family, and if you know any of them you know its always fun!  We all got to be apart of Braden's wedding and it was good to see everyone.

   Never realized how tall my Dad and his Bro were till this pic! They make me and poor Uncle Oscar look short.

I was going to post more pics of my nieces and nephew, but it seems I have not only not been in the blogging mood but haven't been in the picture taking mood as well.

I'm hoping to do better in April. :)

-Till Next Time