Where in the world did 2009 go?

I just can't believe that we are looking at the last few days of 2009. I hardly know where to start, when reminiscing about this past year. There is so much to say about all that has occurred this year. Here are a few things to note:
a number of my friends had healthy babies this year- Williams, Akins, Deffenbaughs, Williams & Moffitts!
My nephew learned to say my name- definitely worth mentioning! :)
Learned that my office was closing down, so I found another job...at AchieveGlobal. So I returned after 4 years.
Working with Mona in an office setting for the 1st time in my life.
Moved out of my mom's house for the 2nd time in my life!
Ventured back to Cusuna for the 1st time since I left back in 2008. Loved reconnecting with my friends.
A cell tower was built in Punta Piedra, which means cell phones are all over Cusuna now-a-days.
Ran my 1st 5K...what an adventure. I have never been so happy and tired at the same time.
Ran/walked my 2nd 5K at Animal Kingdom- it poured rain the entire time. Not my favorite moment.
Abby learned to sing "Rudolph the nose red reindeer!" It is so funny.
Attended my first USF football game (went to 3 in all w/my friend Corrine)
Have my first pair of Burkenstocks
Learned so many details about Auburn football all season long- Thanks Keith!
Went to Tybee Island with a group of gal pals and ate at Paula Dean's restaurant. YUMMY!
Spent tons of time with my Mom, Kristen, Katie, Andy, Abby & Zac filled with fun & laughter.

These are just a few things that happened in 2009. I am looking forward to what 2010 holds in store for me.

Be Blessed...Happy New Year!

My mind is a thinking...

It's Thanksgiving once again...I'm not exactly sure where this year has gone. I feel like it has been so long and full, yet I also feel like it is flown by.

Well, yesterday I watched a special called Heroes on CNN. They were honoring "Heroes" who have made a difference in this world. It began a long trail of thinking that is still going on in my head currently. What am I called to do in this lifetime? I know that I want to make a difference in this world and feel like the location has been solidified for me...CUSUNA, HONDURAS. Now it's just a matter of what to do? There is so much that needs to be done and I need to start brainstorming on how to raise money for this mission.

Through studying the culture of the Garifuna peole, I have learned that their heritage is extremely important to them. That is no different than each of us...where we come from is always going to be a part of who we are. I think about a friend of mine from Alabama who sometimes wants to forget about his past. Well, where he came from makes him who he is today; something that I try and remind him. Recently, who wrote a paper describing the change in his life that was needed by getting out of the place where he grew up. I challenged him to describe some of his background to paint a true picture of the place he was trying to leave behind. Not so that he could receive sympathy, but the paint a realistic picture of this past.

Well, as I think about the needs of the Garifuna people in Cusuna, there are many resources that they do not have (i.e clean water). What if I use my connections and resources to bring some needed help to the village? Not just talk about it or even just dream about it...but actually do something about it. Every little bit helps and the dream becomes a reality with the first step.

So, I've got a lot of thinking, brainstorming and planning to do. But I am extremely for the opportunity to do something for my friends that live there and look forward to seeing what the future holds for us. I hope to update you soon on this project.

Hope you and yours had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!

Be Blessed,

BB

Kitchen Sink Is Down...

Now you know when it comes to me, there is ALWAYS a story. Well, here's the lastest in the crazy adventures or me...

On Friday, our office received the following email: This e-mail is to let you know that the kitchen sink is down for repairs. Please do not use the sink for anything. We have a repairman on the way. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Now one may think, that's no big deal. Well, here's the story BEHIND the story...

I had an 18 pack of Diet Pepsi left over from an event a few months ago that has been sitting in the church office. Seeing as we recycle cans here, I brought in the 18 pack, poured the soda out and recycled the cans. While pouring the cans out, Jillian (our receptionist) walked in and were just chatting. WELL, she stepped in a puddle and said, “I wonder where this came from?” To my horror, I looked down and saw a puddle of soda on the floor. It kept coming out from underneath the cabinets. I could only imagine that there was a huge leak inside the wall. NOPE, we soon determined that the overflow drain (who knew we had one) was plugged up and now the soda was coming right back out…all 18 cans of it! We went through 3 rolls of paper towels. Once we cleaned up most of it, Jillian went to get Clorox wipes so we could clean up the stickiness from the soda. On her way out, she noticed a large wet spot in the hallway. The soda has leaked all the way through the wall and out to the hallway. We now don’t have access to the kitchen sink and they are wet vacuuming the hallway.

Seriously, a person can't make this crap up!

Oh well...I only get one life to live...so I'm livin it...spilled soda and all!

Happy Turkey Week...I'm sure there will be a new adventure soon!

BB

New Adventure...

I am getting ready for my new adventure...which starts tomorrow! I finished my time at Apria today and am launching into a new career with AchieveGlobal tomorrow. I am thoroughly excited and nervous all at the same time. I've got my work cut out for me, but I think it will be a really good change for me.

It was hard to say "See you later" to a number of my friends today. But, when one journey ends a new one begins. So I am lasing up my boots and looking forward to the journey. I have been blessed with some GREAT pals at Apria. I have learned so much and been stretched beyond what I could possibly imagine. I have walked a faith road there that some days seemed more than I could handle. Yet, I walked hand in hand with Jesus every day. Hoping that I would learn along the way, and I have. Learned to give...learned to listen...learned to serve...learned to sit quietly...learned to lead...and learned to follow. Through it all, I have learned more about what God wants for me in my life. What a journey this walk has been for me. I have found friends and made friends that have impacted my life.

Thank you to everyone that has challenged me, loved me, supported me and even pushed me to be better that I was. I truly owe a lot to you and look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds...

Here goes nothing...

Another year older and hopefully wiser

I recently celebrated my 28 birthday. It is difficult to believe that I have come this far in life. I remember just yesterday I was a much younger Becky, but how time flies. I find myself still awaiting a number of things, yet content with who I am and a mountain of experiences to lean upon. I have wondered numerous times if I have taken the best road in life. Am I where I am supposed to be? Have I journeyed more paths than were required of me? Have I answered the call to live life to the fullest? What will the next 29 years be filled with? I have hopes and dreams, but I also understand that I want the best. I recently read "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews (highly recommended by Keith). The theme of the book is "Sometimes all one needs is a change of perspective." Isn't that true? We can be overwhelmed by life and the situations that is throws at us. However, let "Jones" come by and paint a different picture and the entire outlook is different. Well, I have decided to paint my picture differently. I want to think deeper and respond slower with my words. I want to love more intensely and life life more freely.

Can't wait to see what type of artist I turn out to be...

Why you tripping? All I did was fart...

What's the big deal about farting, anyhow? You know that EVERYONE does it...but AJ does receive honorable mentions. He rarely does it and my friend Rocky swears he never does in front of his wife...is this still true dude?

Well, here's my tale (you know I always have one).

We had a food cook-off day here at Apria that I crashed (because it wasn't my team that was having it). They had so much yummy food...you would have LOVED it. :) Well, afterwards I had some gas, so I excused myself to take a quick walk outside to release it. Well, a group of gal pal smokers were outside smoking and Arloa asked me what was wrong. I said, "Nothing, I had to fart so I just walked over there to let it go." They roared laughing and said, "I just didn't expect you to say that!" A roar of laughter exploded among us!

Hey, at least I didn't shart...:)

What does it mean to wait?

Patience is a virtue...but what if you don't have any. I've been thinking about this very thing for the past few weeks. How patient am I? If you know me at all, you know that I am not very patient...but God is teaching me to be patient. It takes an ENORMOUS amount of energy for me to be patient. I just want to jump the gun and go. But, there are moments where He simply states "...to be still and know that I am God."

Here I stand knocking on the door of my 28th birthday and I think, have I reached my potential? Have I achieved everything set out before me to accomplish? I unfortunately have to say no. Yet, I find myself asking for other things in life. I want to embark upon the marriage and family trail. I want to live in Cusuna, Honduras for a while. I want to live out my life to the complete fullest. What will this take? What can I still offer? Am I truly open and ready to jump? Well, right now He is calling me to be still and know that He is God. Now this takes patience...

What is He calling you to be still about? Things that make you go hmm...