Sunday, January 31, 2010

Week in Review


Welcome back! I think I've decided to do week in review to upkeep this sweet little blog. I don't know if any of you cats are actually reading it..but I will try to share my life all the more. :) I need to start writing down funny stories that occur with me being apart of story line, b/c I can never remember those when it's time to blog. :) Oops!


This week has been interesting. I think on the whole the Lord has given me great strength and determination..thus, I've been very physically and spiritually disciplined. But along with that, the devil has just really been getting me down! I mean, my attitude at work at the beginning of the week was quite poor. I don't know why I was so bothered. The only thing I can whittle it down to is the devil's trying to steal my joy! Well, since I've risen out of the funk I was in pre-Wednesday..the rest of the week has been quite nice.

I have enjoyed seeking to cultivate community within my bible study and today I visited Northwest Bible Church with a friend. I am seeking to find a church home. I would covet your prayers in this search, as it is very overwhelming and I know it's going to be a process. But I feel as if I'm cheating on people, as I visit different ones. Ha ha! I know that is crazy. But I'm excited about where the Lord has prepared for me and how I can further grow as a believer and seek to be more like Him. I was quite encouraged by my time in worship and in the word this morning. I have been challenged to spend time daily in the word, in prayer and just being quiet before the Lord. I have devoted myself to be open and available to God this year (i got inspired with this concept, as I'm reading Sacred Rhythms: Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation) I highly recommend, if you're looking for something to read. :)

This weekend I have seen several movies. I love movies! When in Rome is a romantic comedy, but it's just bubble gum for your mind. It's cute and predictable, not anything more or less. But I did get to enjoy it with some dinner before with friends and that made it worth it! And tonight I went and saw Up in the Air with George Clooney. Not a romantic comedy, but good. My other super fun thing of the weekend was the painting class at Painting with a Twist..it was 3 hours with a little painting, a little wine, a lot of laughs and good friends.

So I"m doing the biggest loser on the Wii and it is fun. But today was weigh-in and my little girl was sad b/c the scale didn't say plus or minus, which I guess is a positive thing. Next week starts elimination, so I guess I better work hard, so I don't get eliminated! Ha ha!

Well, here's to working hard to keep physically and mentally fit!

Peace and Joy,
T

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

That's what friends are for


Well hello, big world! I have been a bit delayed in this commitment to 2010 and blogging. But I have been a tad busy..just keeping up with my sweet life and friends. At the beginning of this fine month, one of my dear Dallas friends, Kacy, got married! :) I had the absolute privilege of doing her hair, which was not the higlight of her decor. She was gorgeous alone!

I am now, this week, coming back from a quick trip to visit one of my best friends, Lauren and her new husband, John ED. As you all know, I love to travel to visit friends. This trip made me realize why. Hands down..I love to be inspired. Traveling and getting away, even for a few days..allows me to clear my head, set my priorities, gain inspiration from friends and then come home renewed! :) I made a ridiculous list of tasks that I need to do upon getting home, in effort to get my home organized, get my life organized..ha ha..are you sensing the theme? Thus, I will try to share these projects with you over the next few months. I sense it will be a busy and fun time to try and improve things. I also have many creative projects I've gotten ideas for..

I am so thankful for my wonderful job and the station (singleness) the Lord has given me! I am able to so freely enjoy life and what He has given me. I"m seeking to engage in meaningful community and relationship. I feel a renewed zest for life and I'm excited about what the Lord has in store for 2010! I"m thankful that He has enabled me the means to take care of myself and enjoy life. :) (However, I am still hopeful and prayerful about the fine specimen of man that He has created for me..let's be honest..i doubt somedays there is a man strong enough to reel me in..but we shall see. :) ) I"m not unreasonable. :) :)

The picture at the top is Lauren and I at Avatar 3D. I must say..I had a bad attitude about it after being subjected to months of previews that made it out to be very comic-booky and all animated, etc. Well, after the golden globes on Sunday, Lauren and I were intrigued. Thus we went and saw it Monday at 11 am with her sweet husband. WELL...it was the best movie I've ever seen in my life. Hands down..there is no other movie you've seen like it! You must see it in 3D..the effects are incredible. I loved it! Glad I didn't listen to people's opinions.. :) b/c I almost let certain peoples lack of enthusiasm about it sway me to miss out on it! It was so worth it! :)

Ok I"m making up for lost days, but making this post unbearably long. I am having a great week so far, filled with commited time to prayer, working out, eating well and spending time with friends. I"m so thankful for this week! My bible study starts back tomorrow night and I'm excited about studying Corinthians this semester.

ALSO..I am going to be visiting a new church on Sunday and possibly joining a community group. ALSO..taking a painting class next weekend..STAY TUNED!!

See I"m fighting for those 2010 goals..are you fighting for yours?

Peace and Joy,
T

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

I love my job...

Well, today was quite a challenge I must say. The Lord has an eye on my goals for 2010..in order to love better than I have before..I had to experience a sad loss today. I prepared for, drove to and got to work like any other day. But we received a call early afternoon, that my favorite baby in Dallas was sick in the emergency room. I know you're thinking..favorite? can you have favorites? I only have 5 favorites from my charleston days..and they are fantabulous! :) (wink wink)

Ok disclaimer **** i do love all of my patients and treat them equally and fairly..but when I care for you for extended periods..you can work your way into my heart as a favorite..

Anyway, well, this precious sister, is a big favorite here..she has been my personal patient, object of my love and affection for 12 months. All of which were primarily in my ICU. She loved me too. :) Really..she would smile, light up when I came in the room. It was a running joke with the family because they were bilingual and I never spoke espanol to her..so I was like..oops! she might not speak spanish. :) and they would laugh! I got to experience her first smile, first laugh. She loved the high pitch baby voice that I have mastered (if you know this voice..you know it is so great.. :) :) I spent many a hours reading to her, singing to her, talking to her and my favorite, snuggling her.

Anyway, i'll spare the details, but the Lord called her to be home with Him this afternoon. I am so thankful that I could be there to support her sweet mom and spend some time with her, as her final minutes on this earth passed. What a hard day. Man, I had great plans today of working, eating well, then going to work out after. Hum..so I have a confession, I didn't go work out. :) I left work at 7pm and headed straight to chick-fil-a to get a quick bite and come home to relax. I figured I deserved that tasty treat. Days like today, make my desires and plans seem meaningless.

I think that days like these just really have a great way of straigthening out my priorities. I am so thankful that the Lord enabled me to love this baby and her family throughout her sweet life here on this earth. When things like this happen, I am all the more reminded to long for heaven. This earth is not my home. I cannot wait to dance around in heaven with my sweet little friend. She will have no more limitations. I cannot wait to see her smiling with our Savior when we are reunited!

So back to the title of my post..I do indeed love my job. I am able to love, be loved, care and to be cared for..in a way that is not possible anywhere else. I am thankful for the highs and lows and so grateful that the Lord is the mighty Physician..and I am simply his hands and feet.

I'm going to go and watch the biggest loser..that always makes me shed a few tears. :) I am thankful for each of you and want you to take this opportunity to love the ones you're with.

Much love to you!

T

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Oh hello friends!

So I know what you're thinking..a blog? Well, I have been thinking of starting my own blog for quite some time because I do always enjoy following the lives of some dear friends virtually. Several years ago, I sent a weekly email to friends and family and really enjoyed writing them. I also continue to get lots of people begging me to do that again. So here is my solution.. :)

At this time, the Lord has called me to be farther away from friends and family, thus I think this will be a fun way to share my life with you! I hope I can share stories to make you laugh, inspire, encourage, share my joy and possibly pass along some of my kitchen fun!

The past few days I have been actively reflecting on this past year. 2009 was a big year for me. Just to name a few: finished graduate school, moved to Dallas TX, started my first nurse practitioner job, joined a bible study, made new friends, bought a new house, traveled around the country visiting friends, finished my 3rd half marathon. One of great accomplishment and blessing! I look forward to sharing 2010 with you!

I make a list every new year..never really resolutions. But I do always make a list of things to do. I write them in my planner and always enjoy meeting them throughout the year and then at year's end, celebrating them! Well, for 2010..here are a few of my things to do for this year...

1. Fall more in love with my Savior
2. Pray more, be less self dependent.
3. Eat healthy. Experiment with food.
4. Buy a Mac (yes, i do make financial goals too. :) )
5. Run a half marathon.
6. Finish my second bedroom. (if you want to visit, you should encourage this one! )
7. Start a blog--check. :)
8. Take a painting or sewing class.
9. Attend my 10 year high school reunion.
10. Travel to see friends.
11. Save more, spend less.
12. Join a church.
13. Find community group.
14. Get a dog.
15. Love better than I ever have before.
16. Ride my road bike. :)

What is on your list of things to do for 2010?

Love and Joy,
Taylor