THaNKFuL

This week hasn't been the best, but in the midst of everything I've tried to think of some things I am thankful for and here we go:

1. My amazing family (immediate & extended). I am blessed to have parents that are still married for more than 30 years, an incredible sister, brother-n-law, and nephew. I feel so lucky to have Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, & cousins that I love keeping in touch with... Extremely blessed!

2. My faithful friends. It is the best feeling in the world to know that I have friends who are there to listen, pray, be honest, and support me.

3. My precious nephew. When he says "Love you Aunt Ally" I melt and it is the greatest thing in the whole world.

4. ATM Direct deposits. I love being able to drive up & just put my check into the machine. So much easier!

5. Good food. Enough said. Blessed that my mom brings homemade gumbo etc, and Fernando brings homemade tamales!

6. My generous friends who give me tickets to games because they know that makes me the happiest girl & my friends with cute clothes who like to swap with me =)

7. The awesome high school kids that I get to hang out with through Young Life.

8. and MOST importantly I am thankful for a perfect, loving, and merciful God who has blessed me more than I could ever dream of or deserve.

WeDNeSDaY WoRD

I send out a weekly news letter to my young adults church group and decided to share this weeks with you all:

After last Tuesday I couldn't stop thinking about this...

Luke 15:21-24

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."

All of us have sinned against heaven & against the ones we love, BUT...


"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Luke 15:7


Rejoicing? Celebrating? How humbling is that. We have a Father who loves us unconditionally, loves us in a way that we can't even imagine. All He wants is for us to come home to him with humbled hearts...

The Bible clearly states:

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11

But let us not forget that Christ humbled himself first.

"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:8

Humbled by God's grace and love...

Check out this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJIG8PswugM&feature=player_embedded

True Story Thursday

I was at the office and heard on the radio that Denny's had FREE Grand Slam Breakfast for everyone! I immediately went into my bosses office and asked if I could go get some free food. (My boss is also my mom) She said that would be ok, so off I went!



Anyone who has been around me for any extended part of time knows that I am HORRIBLE with directions. I depend on the sweet lady inside my Garmin to tell me how to get anywhere and everywhere.



I plug Denny's into my GPS and start following the purple line. I was so focused on which way it was telling me to go that I was not paying attention to my speed or the officer on a motorcyle up ahead. I fly by him. OOPS. Lights come on and here we go.


I pull over so depressed that this free breakfast was about to cost me a speeding ticket. The police officer gets off his bike and comes to my window.


He ask: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"


I say: "Yes sir, I'm pretty sure I was speeding."


He ask: "Why were you speeding?"


At this point I literally have a little debate in my head about what response to give. Make up something? Cry? Smile real big? Beg for forgiveness?

I say:" Well sir, Denny's is giving away free Grand Slams today and I really wanted to go, but I am horrible with directions and was concentrating so much on my Garmin that I honestly was just not paying attention."


I prepare for him to go ahead and write me a ticket.


He says:"Well all you have to do to get there is stay straight about a mile, turn right, and at the next light turn right again and you'll see it. Turn off your GPS and watch your speed. Have a good breakfast."

Seriously? Did that just happen? A police officer pulls me over for going more than 10mph over the speed limit and gives me directions to Denny's instead of a ticket??!!?

True Story. Can't make this stuff up.

(I got to Denny's and the line was wrapped all the way around the building. So I left and went to Ihop and bought the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity)