(Ice cream) Sunday and Babysitting Goodbyes

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This was going to be a long day...I got to bed really late after work as usual on Saturday nights aka Sunday mornings, but at least it was before 1 am this time! But I'm dead. All day I could not stay awake; my eyes and head were dropping at everything. Church was really good, but I was struggling. All day I just tried to keep myself occupied to stay awake. I didn't have time to take a nap, but I would've given so much for one...

Pastor Dean's sermon was about how God is the giver of all things new. He forgives our sins, makes the sun rise each new day, changes hearts and lives in ways that we never could imagine. Passages of scripture about "new" have been great encouragement to me when I have struggled in the past and/or am trying to make a change in my life. He can take any bad situation, any sin, any sinner, and make them new. One of my favorite verses on this is Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." 
Ephesians 4:24 and Colossians 3:10 are about putting of the old self and on the new self that God made to be righteous. 
In the passage Pastor Dean used in Luke 5:36-39 and another I love in 2 Corinthians 5:17, old can't stay with the new. You must let go of what is holding you back and work in the life ahead!

This is a recurring theme in my life, especially lately with the studies I have been in! Personally (and usually with most people whether we admit it or not), I know the old that I need to get rid of. But we can't just get rid, we have to replace. New and good!

in Sunday School, our contemporary worship leader and his wife came as guest speakers. I have always loved them even before I really knew them. Last semester I got to work with Brooks in the media department as an internship in place of one of my classes. There are just some people that have that "something" about them that others admire. That's a gift from God. It is great to hear from people in all walks of life and how they have seen God at work and the advice they can give. Fellowship is one of the most powerful tools that we have!

My little kids are moving this week! I met the Mom and son on a dog walk in the old neighborhood the end of last summer, and I babysat them a time or two a month most of this year! It was really nice since they lived just down the road. I had never babysat before, but I apparently did well because they kept asking me to come back! Almost a year later, we have moved and now they are moving, too. The parents were taking an afternoon to get outside themselves, so I came and occupied the kids! David and Svea have grown up loving to be outdoors, which is something I admire about that family. It is hard to find people "not of this world" anymore. It was always good for me to get out and away from the rest of the world when I was with them, too. Today I took them some little things and some cake, then we went to the park to enjoy the beautiful day! We rode bikes, kind of (we walked a lot for the hills and roots), but David wanted to take his scooter. Svea and I didn't think that was a good idea, but he insisted and learned the hard way. Scooters are not made for trails.

Dad has been working almost nonstop on our dock for a week now. He is almost done, but it is another one of those projects that once he finally gets going, he doesn't stop. Bless his heart, he is such a hard worker, it just drags out. I am usually okay huger-wise eating dinner really late (a bad habit I've gotten into), but I have really felt the affects of this over time now. I eat later, have a really long day, do more stuff later, then get to bed later, and I just can't seem to get back on track. I have to.

**SOS my family needs sleep!

Today's holidays are National Give Something Away Day, National I Love Horses Day, and National Ice Cream Day! I didn't have anything to do with horses except drive past them on the road, but I did give my little babysitting kids a gift, card, and slice of cake! For the ice cream, here are just some pictures of the best ones...and some Breyer's that got me to win some for free from a Twitter contest!

Here we have Cold Stone Creamery (my mix from the beach with strawberry cake batter and triple berry yogurt with strawberry wafers, brownie, coconut), Breyer's, Kirk's (also from the beach, pistachio, coconut almond, blueberry pie, banana pudding), Halo Top (most of the flavors that I have tried are amazing), Bruster's (some of the best creative flavors and a good price!), Clumpies (local to Chattanooga, creative flavors!), Foote's Rest Sweet Shop (the one and only in downtown Frisco, Colorado, homemade daily!), and another not pictured is the Comfy Cow!

JULY 1 it's a good day! And Dad's birthday!

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Not only is it July first, the start of a new month, a new section of summer, and a new week since it's Sunday, but it is my Dad's birthday! I was house and dog sitting all week, so I didn't get to see Dad but for a few minutes when he and mom came by on their way home from dinner out one night. I had to work really late both Friday and Saturday, so when I got home Sunday morning after work (around 12:30 am), Dad came to get a drink and gave me a hug! It felt so good; I just love my dad! Since it was so late/early, I got to be the first one to tell him happy birthday! No one can ever guess how old he is; he seems so much younger in both looks and how he lives.

Since I've been staying up so late all the time, and it was a holiday weekend that our church doesn't have normal services, I got to sleep in (relatively). Mom and Dad were up earlier and ate breakfast casserole and orange juice, one of Dad's favorites. After I got up and halfway awake, I took a bike ride around the neighborhood and up the big hill out. Biking is so refreshing! I was surprised that I was able to make it much farther up the hill this time than I did before! Almost all the way! It's so much easier to run up hills.

Even though it was a Sunday and his birthday, Dad had to go into work for a while to finish stuff for closing weekend. We had planned to take the boat out for a ride to relax and celebrate, but he decided not to jar Mom around with her arm, and we could just sit on the deck. It turned out to be cloudy and stormy all around us, and the water would've been rough. It was a good and relaxing family day, though! I finally got all my calendars for my phone and the wall all caught up with the things that I know of so far for everything from birthdays to holidays, to work and cross country meets. It's strange to see so few; in high school we raced multiple times every week.

I got to sit out in the sun and do a really good section of my Daniel Plan Bible Study! This chapter is on focus: your attitude, thoughts, mind. In Philippians 4:8, we are told to think about all sorts of good things, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy. Thoughts release chemicals from our brains to our bodies. Imagine how we would feel if we didn't have so many negative thoughts floating around all the time! Thoughts have such an impact on how we feel and live our lives. I can be one of the first to tell how our minds can be our own worst enemy. It is another scientific fact that in workouts or running, you can always physically go farther; your mind is what stops you. So in a race of two physically equally talented and trained runners, the one with the stronger mind and willingness to push through will win. Not only do we have to train our bodies for success in both life and sport, but we also have to train our minds. Thoughts just happen, and we can't help what comes sometimes. However, we have to stop and ask ourselves if that thought is really true. This reminded me of the song "Fear is a Liar." If you Google the lyrics, you may find that you have been filled with many of those same thoughts that you are not good or strong enough, troubled, alone, ashamed, and can never change. Then you lose sleep and happiness (and health). There are so many lies and ways that our thoughts flip things around that really throw us off even though they don't have much validity. It is so important to take time to pause, breathe, and think--no not that same bad thought, but think about that thought and get some truth!

"What truth?" you ask. God is the truth (John 1:14), and we were given truth through His Son Jesus (John 14:6). This truth can set us free from whatever lies and chains hold us back (John 8:32). All the Word is truth (John 17:17), and it says so many things we ought to believe! He loves us, forgives us, has a plan for us, wants us to live a full and joyful life (John 3:16, Colossians 3:13, Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10, John 15:11). Let your mind be filled with the good things of the Lord, and your life will take a great turn.

For dinner, Dad decided that he wanted Texas Roadhouse steak (I like his kind of birthday dinner better than mom's...sorry mom.) They aren't near as expensive as so many other places, but I think they have some of the best steaks I have ever had! Their service and atmosphere is great, too. If I have to look for another part-time job, that's an option I think I would enjoy. I would even get to dance! I also think it was too perfect that the name of the sirloin on the kid's menu is "Andy's Steak." It's the same as a 6 ounce on the regular menu, so I said I was eating an Andy's Steak for Andy's birthday.

I am trying to not eat much high-sugar, processed, "junky" foods with a lot of fake ingredients and all that jazz, but I am still going to eat the things I have already bought and enjoy new things when I want to try them. At the beach I found the Hershey's crunchers smores, and I LOVE smores, so I am trying it. It's so good! So, it is both good that it's tasty and worth it, but also bad that I want more. But there are also Luna smores bars and so many other things with a greater health punch for me!

Today is a pretty good and tasty holiday in my opinion! And one of my little fun project things.

1. National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day: you know I love my creative ice creams! I don't do plain Janes. No chocolate, vanilla, Neapolitan. You gotta have some mix-ins. These are some of the best places that I have been for kinds like this! Sugar Life and Kirk's at Myrtle Beach, The Fudgery, The Pied Piper in Nashville, The Comfy Cow, Bruster's, and Clumpies in Chattanooga.

2. National Gingersnap Day: not a snap, but these seasonal bars from Quaker made me so happy Mom bought me two big boxes at Target back then. Other brands have great protein bars in gingerbread, too! Like Clif and Fitjoy.

3. National Postage Stamp Day: I am sad that these are almost gone. Another thing Mom got for me that I love to use to personalize my cards and express myself!

Life-Giving Energy

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Strava:

I started out this day drained even though there were good things ahead. I had a lot to do before a wedding, grocery shopping, and work, but I ended up having a lot more time than I expected, so I took a devotion that I had gotten in an email out on the back deck. It was such a beautiful day that really helped set my mind and heart on a better track. God's Word has an amazing way of doing that.

I get the emails and follow on social media The Daniel Plan, because it is just so encouraging to living a healthy life for the glory of the Lord. This week's email was titled "Life Giving Energy" and that devotion was just what I needed! I have also been wanting to get my own health habits better, especially now that school is out, it's summer, and I'll be going away for school again next year, and running collegiality! I've always gone up and down with my health with a huge issue this time last year, so right now is a perfect time for God to really help me get it together. It's one of those inner motivations that you know can't come from anywhere else!

The opening verse was Genesis 1:29, "God said to them, 'I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food." Since the very beginning of time, God created the world for us to live in and live off of. He gives us all that we need. You think nature is good now? Imagine when it was perfect, and we were in perfect peace with it and God. Because of our own sins, trying to take things into our own hands (life and food), we are never fully satisfied, and our relationship with God isn't perfect (but that's why we get grace). To enjoy nature is to enjoy the simplest form of God's blessings.

This is why when you eat healthy, real food, you start to crave it more and more. It's satisfying. You feel good and good about it. Same with God. The more time you spend with Him, the more you want to and the more you learn. Just like with sin or any bad habit, with food, you have to take out the bad and replace it with good. You can't just get rid of something. It's always a struggle, but struggle is necessary to change, and it's necessary to grow closer to God. If everything was easy, we wouldn't need Him.

Change is a big fear of mine, and I have so many little habits. I like routine and comfort. But to better myself physically and mentally, I have to try new things. To be of better use to God, I have to go outside of my comfort zone, go new places, do new things, talk to new people, do things that I don't really want to but know that He is telling me to. One of the best things to keep me going is to remember that God has been faithful to give me success, safety, and joy in the past, and He will surely do it again.

I also have a hard time doing things just for me; I always want others to benefit too, so if I was going to do something to help myself just for me, I would usually put it off. To counter this, I remember that God knows our hearts and rewards accordingly. I need to take care of myself in order to take care of others. He wants me to be my best so that He can use me more and more.

"How abundant are the good things that You have stored up for those who fear You!" Psalm 31:19
He always provides! We don't have to worry. As long as we put in the effort to follow God's plans, He will fill in the blanks (or change things when we mess up because He's in charge anyways).

So now I am even more motivated to get and keep myself healthier! For myself, for God, for my family, for Chattanooga, to be a positive influence on all those that see me. I can't pour from an empty cup.
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So about this day ahead that I mentioned earlier! Turns out it could've been way different, but work is disorganized, so I never totally know until it happens.
I went to a friend's wedding at 2, and it was so great! I don't know how I am going to make it through my own wedding. The past few I've been to I almost cry thinking of walking down the isle with my dad. He has my heart already. I didn't get to go to the reception later that day, but I ran in the store real quick, grabbed something to eat at home, and went right back out the door to work. It was supposed to be at Mayo Garden Center in Knoxville. Long story short, the schedule got changed, no one told me, I was totally unprepared to take everything down there by myself, a relatively new employee was by herself in the shop on a hot Saturday night...you see many things wrong here?? So I stayed and worked the night shift with her. That was another little way God was at work. I got to help someone out, and we had a great time. That's one of the best things about my job; I get to connect with people.

Finally, there were some holidays today! National dog mom's day and national babysitter's day, and I am both! Two more things that give me joy, those kiddos and my doggo.

Unique Holidays: May

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 Lenny and Larry's Baked Nutrition

Since it was the end of school, May was cray, but I was so glad to finally be on the home stretch that I didn't care.  Things would be going on this month that I would never get to/have to do again, so I tried to make the most of it.

 

1st

loyalty
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments."  Deuteronomy 7:9
"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and wealth."  Luke 16:13
"You cannot drink of the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons."  1 Corinthians 10:21
 

chocolate parfait

 

This one was easy!  I always have some chocolate and vanilla stuff on hand because it can be simple, quick, and go with just about anything. For this occasion I threw in a little bit of everything: pudding, cool whip, frozen yogurt, granola, sprinkles, cookies, dark chocolate, etc 

 

mother goose
 

lemonade

I always drink water, but if I can get my hands on some flavored water, I won't pass it up. Our hotel in Colorado gives freebies at the front desk, so over the trip I grabbed a bunch of these to bring home. 

 

2nd

truffle

Truffles are a delectable dessert that have just become part of my menu in recent months, and I am so glad they have!  This is mostly thanks to mom who shared her Christmas treats with me and bought me some at the Godiva store over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now I have found all kinds of recipes for so many flavors, just waiting in my list for me to make them!

In the mean time, I've eaten the store bought ones, and truffle flavored things, like ice cream. 

 

3rd

chocolate custard
 

One of the places on my bucket list was Culver's, and I got that checked off after the state track meet!  Here I got both chocolate and vanilla custard, swirled with butterfinger, kit kat, and Heath. 

raspberry popover

Another one that I used what I had on hand to be creative. I used bread lining the muffin cups, filled with a mix of raspberries and a raspberry coconut Buddy Fruits squeeze and baked it til it looked done to me!

teacher appreciation

 

Teachers have it rough. I used to want to be one, but I feel like there are too many restrictions now that it takes all the fun away. So for those who are persevering to be a light into our school systems, I really do appreciate you and pray for you often!  My mom tells me lots from working in the office, too. There is so much that most people will never know. Thank you all for the extra time you put in outside the hours you are paid for. These kids need you. You are the only light some of them may ever see!
 

4th

 

bird

 That cute/crazy looking bird was one that had just hatched from my friend Julia's house, and she sent me a snapchat of it!  It's some kind of chicken thing!
Second is the most talkative bird I know...Robin, my mom!  I made her pose with those dark chocolate caramel robin eggs because they matched her, and I never knew when I may need it!
 

candied orange peel

orange juice

We had a breakfast party, and mom went a little overboard on the OJ.  This jug was huge, but there was anoter one in the fridge, too!  Oh well, it will be a treat for Dad!

 

bike to school day
I wish!  But that's okay...I'm taking my bike to Lipscomb!

 

5th

Cinco de Mayo

I'm not Hispanic, but I love Mexican food, so I basically celebrate this multiple times a week!

hoagie

Not my fav, but Dad has recently been picking mom up and taking her to lunch at a local business we have, The Hoagie Shop.
 

totally chipotle

This one was no problem to celebrate either!  I love adobo, chipotle peppers in sauce, kinda similar to a spicy barbeque. I also use chipotle chili powder to sprinkle on foods. 

Day of Prayer

Prayer is one of the best things you can do!  I love it so much!  Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, anything.  God wants to talk to you!  It's such a great way to connect and really get your mind and heart calmed.  It also works wonders encouraging others.
"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  James 5:16

 

6th

beverage

Some of my favorites that ice had this month...I can't wait to get to Lipscomb so I can have the Lifewater and Sunkist enhanced waters anytime I'm in the caf!  Panera's fruity green teas are also one of the few places I will buy a drink rather than get free water. And obviously coffee. No brainier.

nurses

 

7th

scrapbook

Mom and I used to be huge scrapbookers, always up to date throughout each year's main events. We haven't had time in u don't even know when, but I really miss it. I have tons to things piled up waiting to be matched with pages, but I still haven't gotten around to it. Instead I've made small ones along the way, like this one for my moms Mother's Day card!

birth mothers

Again, what mom wants for her special occasion is Little Caesars pizza. 

Mothers Day (Sunday, so date changes)

No matter the length or color of our hair, shape of our glasses, or year of our life, we love the summer sun, but more importantly, we love each other and love the Lord.  My mom and mamaw are just beautiful.

 

8th

coconut cream pie

 

9th

butterscotch brownie

 

Not a butterscotch brownie, but some butterscotch fudge ice cream is pretty darn close.
 

10th

shrimp

One of my favorite proteins!  I make it when I'm on my own for dinner and sometimes when we go out. 

 

11th

foam rolling

Considering I'm a runner, you would think this would excite me, but I'm not a roller.  

 

12th

nutty fudge

Homemade this with chopped cereal, nuts, and melted chocolate then let it cool in the fridge. 

 

13th

apple pie

Wish I had some pie, but instead made an apple pie dessert bowl with an apple pie yogurt and that other stuff up there!

 

14th

dance like a chicken

We had a race this day, so I suggested that we all do it on the start line, but that wasn't a very good idea. 

 

15th

chocolate chip

The best kind of chip is a chocolate chip and the best chocolate chips are dark. They should also always be in cookies. Like these!

 Lenny and Larry's Baked Nutrition

 

16th

love a tree

Why I love trees:  they are green and pretty, give us air, some give us fruit, shade, block the wind, help us celebrate Christmas, and are used in the Bible for some awesome parallels. 

 

18th

visit your relatives

Yes, these are from Christmas, but that's my favorite time to visit my relatives. We have such a great time!  Savor the memories...

I love Resee's

Why yes I do!  And every time I see Reese's I think of Jenna ever since I learned how much she loves them at Motown Madness several years ago. At our church senior night, we had ice cream sundaes with Reese's pieces as one of the toppings, so I had to tell Jenna about this holiday!

 

19th

devil's food cake

All these are basically Devils food cake (or the flavor). And how cute are those gift mug cakes!?  Get them at Rowena's!

 

20th

pick strawberries

I had been telling mom for a long time that I wanted to go pick some of our own strawberries at the local patch across from her school, and she finally took me! I had no idea how bright red they are when they are that fresh!  We got a whole gallon. 

bike to work
My dad actually used to do this when he worked farther away so he could get in a workout and get to work at the same time!
 

endangered species
I decided to go on the US Fish and Wildlife website to see some of these endangered species and refined my results just to Tennesse, surprised to see how many animals and plants that still included!  However, I shouldn't be surprised with the way this world is headed.
There were too many big words and abbreviations on there that I didn't understand.
However, on the World Wildlife Fund site (which I used to be a member of back in my childhood nature fanatic years), there is a great list that you can actually understand!
Here are some that I found and really appreciate:  species of lepards and tigers (I've always loved those big cats), lots of monkeys and their relatives (as I also used to be compared with a monkey), dolphins, pandas, sea lions, and more.
 

pizza party

 

In our family mom would be the champion of this one. However, Ultimate California Pizza at Myrtle Beach is pretty good since I can get mine personal size and with whatever I want on it!  Mom always wants pepperoni extra cheese, so I you want to make her day just take her some pizza.
 

21st

memo
 

strawberries and cream

S&C dessert blend

learn to swim

Who are we kidding I grew up on the lake. At the beach when I was teeny, my favorite thing to say was "play waters, play waters!"

 

22nd

vanilla pudding

The great thing about vanilla is that it can go with basically anything!  Sweet like with chocolate or fruit, or more savory like with sweet potato, oatmeal raisin, or carrot cake. 

 

23rd

lucky penny

Post-race with just one more high school race to go. 

24th

scavenger hunt

 

26th

blueberry cheesecake

No celebration here but in my imagination. Bring me some?

 

28th

hamburger

 

My favorite thing about hamburgers is finding new toppings for them.
 

31st

macaroon

I had never tried macaroons before because I didn't even think I would like them, but mom got a fancy and free box of them with a gift she bought at VS, so she gave them to me. They are actually really tasty!  I like how there was dark chocolate, cookie, and cream with them!

 

 

All Month Long

barbeque

What a great summer month meal!  Mom buys pork bbq to bake at home, we bbq chicken, and we get it out sometimes. Dickey's barbeque which has many locations and Martin's bbq in Nashville (and a few more) are my favorite!  (We went there while in Nashville after state most recently). But you also can't go wrong with our local favorites: Buddy's, and Weber (actually less than a mile from my house..always smells so good when I run by)

bike
 

chocolate custard

egg

The most impressive egg of the whole month takes this picture spot. The hotel we stayed at for track state my sophomore year, Embassy Suites, captured my moms heart with their huge breakfast buffet and made-to-order bar. So much so, that she booked her hotel there no matter where anyone else stayed!  But that meant that I got to stay there for one night, too!  Those chefs do a great job with so many pancakes, waffles, and omelettes.

 

 

hamburger

The best burger is a buffalo burger. Fuddruckers didn't have to tell me to try; I already know that's what I want. 

Mediterranean diet

I didn't even know what this was until I saw it on the calendar and looked it up. I think could qualify most of the time!  I love fruits and vegetables and meat, so that fits pretty well!

photograph

Well, this shouldn't be hard because I love to take pictures to commemorate everything, so here's a random one from May.  I saw my math teacher from first semester in Food City.  Mr. Hayes is a funny guy.

salad

It has been about a month now since I've had a salad, but there for a while I was on a roll! That happens when we travel more, but sometimes we make them at home. These were from various places: Chick-full-a, Panera, home, the cafe at the beach, and Chili's.

salsa

You bet I can celebrate some salsa! 

Moe's is my favorite restaurant to get it though because they have the bar where you get your own, some spicy and some seasonal!  I'll pretty much try any kind. Dad likes it, too, mild, for his chips. That personality picture was at my graduation dinner at Abuelos!

strawberry

May is prime strawberry time, as you can tell from all these strawberry-related celebrations this month. Let the fresh fruit and vegetable season begin!