X-Files and Dreams

Dreams are answers to questions we haven't yet figured out how to ask. ~X-Files

That quote from X-Files plagued my mind last night. I know, I know the fact that I can quote X-Files in the middle of the night just shows what a strange gal I am. I'm cool with being a weird, nerdy lady because I like what I like and at least I know what I like.

Dreams....some are great, some are horrifying, and some are confusing. I think as extreme as all dreams can be, they usually do hold some kind of truth about us. Somewhere in the dream lies a strong emotion of how we feel about someone, something, or some event.  I probably tend to analyze my dreams too much, but I do like to ask myself what made my brain come up with that.  Do I really feel that way?  There have been times when I have examined myself, and I came to the guilty conclusion that is really how I feel about something or someone.  Of course, there are also amazing dreams that reveal what I really hope for.  It's fun and sometimes terrifying to see what my heart longs for.  I know someone out there is saying my dreams have no meaning, and they are random.  Maybe it's as Gail Godwin once wrote, "Dreams say what they mean, but they don't say it in daytime language."  Who knows?  But I to do believe there is some insight to be had from a dream. 

Last night, I had a reoccurring dream all night.  I was running and running....like Forrest Gump style.  I just felt like running.  I traveled through field after field.  Who doesn't like a nice run through the country!?!?  Eventually, I come to a field filled with cabbage.  Everywhere I looked there were big bundles of green leafy goodness.  As I looked closer, I notice movement in all of them.  Each one had a baby in it...like Cabbage Patch Kids.  Then they all put their right hand in the air.  It was like "Pick me!  Pick ME!  PICK ME!"  I caught in a dilemma of not being about to pick.

That's was my dream, and it's a pretty easy one to pick a part.  Ryan and I are adopting a baby (you can scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Brice Family Adoption if you want to read about it).  The process is like running.  It's an exciting yet long journey.  It fun to think about everyday of adding a child to our family.  There is also anticipation of what that child will be like and will we choose the right child referral from India. 

So what do you think about dreams?  Are they random or do they give us insight about our life?

Help Wanted! One Encourager...

Everyone needs an encourager in their life.  Someone who cheers them on in good times, but is also saying "hang in there" on the not so good days.  An encourager does not look at a person seeing all the faults in that individual, but rather looks at the person and sees what they could be.  It's amazing how positive words can change actions and personalities. 

A philosophy of mine is don't ever save anything for a special occasion.  Being alive is the special occasion.  I'm always looking for an excuse to throw a party, to break out the china, or to dance around a room.  Isn't it funny how some people save stuff or actions their whole life waiting on the right moment.  I think this applies to words too.  People often only say important things to someone on special occasions.  Why is that?  Wouldn't it be more fun to tell the people we love how we feel about them everyday? 

This week I have had many friends and family encourage me.  The encouragement has been through phone calls, texts messages, Facebook messages, and an awesome husband who knows I like hugs.  I have not felt well in weeks, but then I got the shingles which just knock me down.  I've learned that shingles are extremely painful.  Since this is one of Ryan's busiest weeks of the year due to 180 Weekend, I have to take care of Brody by myself.  Sunday Ryan was gone in the morning from 8:30 to 8:00 that night, and I was in horrible pain.  By late that afternoon, I had reach a huge low in life.  For those who know me, that's not my normal personality.  I love living life, but sometimes we all go through a hard time.  Lots of tears were shed that day so thank you to the man who invented tissues.  This is where all of my precious encouragers came to my rescue.  I needed to hear that I was going to get through that day.  It only took my loved ones a minute of their time to lift my spirits.  I needed to be reminded that people cared about me and my family.  It's impossible to feel lonely when people are encouraging you.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to give me a few words to help me push on through the pain.  It really meant a lot to me.  To my mom and brother who call to check on me often, I wished I had more words than thank you to tell you how much you have touch my heart. 

As great as getting encouragement is, it is equally important to give it to others.  As my mom used to tell me, "If you want a friend, you've got to be a friend."  We all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those around us.  I imagine there was someone in the world with a brillant idea who did not have the confidence to share it because he was never told "hey, you're doing a good job."   Everyone we know needs to hear something good from us.  We just need to make the time to do it.

So pick some people to be in your life who will encourage you on your life journey and make sure to encourage them back along the way. 

Life is in Christ

Life is intricately and intimately linked with Jesus.  In fact, Jesus is life--He said so Himself.  So when we look for life worth living, we must look for it not in happy or heartbreaking circumstances, health, or even relationships.  Life is in Christ.

In Amos 5:4, the Lord spoke to Israel and said "Seek Me and live."  The Lord's people could find life only by seeking Him, not by performing the prescribed ritual at traditional religious sites such as Bethel and Gilgal.  Those cities had become centers for idolatry.  As I look at the world around me today, it's just one big center for idolatry.  We may not be worshiping carved images, but we make many things and people more important than God.  Our spouses, children, friends, jobs, houses, cars, clothing styles, popularity, and desires become our ultimate treasure.  Matthew 6:19 says, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  So if Jesus is our treasure and He is our life, it should not matter if the earth falls a part around us because it is not our life.  Should we lose a loved one, lose a job, or lose material things, all is not lost because that is not where our hope should come from.  Yes, our hearts will be sad when we lose people and things important to us, but we should keep to the path and purpose God has called us to.  Not all days will be happy ones, but there is the promise of joy in all of them.  And Joy comes from the Lord, and there is nothing that can separate us from our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Many Christians need to stop walking around acting all defeated because if they have been called to salvation and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior then they can hold to Jesus' promise in John 10:10 when he said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  I'm ok with whatever happens today or tomorrow because my life is in Christ.  I will seek Him and live.

Snow Much Fun

I'm not a huge fan of snow because I just don't care to be cold.  However I can find something good about everything.  I like that snow makes everyone and everything stop.  It's nice for our busy little world to have to be still sometimes.  Plus I think it's funny how we don't even know what to do with ourselves when we are made to have to sit around the house.  What I like best about snow is how it makes my son Brody smile.  I will gladly brave any snow storm to see him smile.  It was amazing to see him run to the window yesterday morning to look out on the new fallen snow.  To him it was a blank white canvas full of all kind of wonderful possibilities.

Circumstances

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them. ~G.B. Shaw, Mrs. Warren's Profession

I believe that if you don't like your circumstances you should do something about it.  We can't just sit around and wait for someone to do it for us. Most of the time changing circumstances requires action.  But there are times when changing our circumstances means to change our way of thinking.  We just need a new perspective on the way we're looking at what's going on.  For example, Brody has been born with some special needs.  I cannot magically snap my fingers and make him unafraid of loud noises such as the vacuum cleaner.  I  also don't need to start the vacuum up suddenly and let him cry because it's something "I have to do."  It's ok that I don't understand why it upsets him although I do try to put myself in his shoes as much as possible.  So instead of getting all frustrated due to a simple chore becoming all complicated, I change the process of how I do it. I'm going to make sure he knows I'm getting it out of the closet.  I'm going to turn it on for a couple of seconds and then remind him it's not that bad.  Then I will offer to let him help.  It does not have to be my way or the highway.  I cannot change the way he is, but I can change the way I look at the challenges.  I can continue to encourage him, and maybe his circumstances will change.  When it comes to the people we love, we don't walk away because it's hard.  Since Brody has been born I cannot begin to count how many times I've said "It is what it is."  That doesn't mean I've thrown in the towel and claimed all is lost.  It means I've accepted what I cannot change and have mentally changed the way I look at it.  In every bad situation, there is something to be glad about.  Why can't I be a modern day Pollyanna?  A good perspective can be just as important as a man of action.  

A few video clips of Christmas

Brody and Cade rocking on the keyboard.  Happy Birthday Jesus!

This is Brody being silly and overstimulated on Christmas morning.  He asked for an aircraft carrier and a tiger shark airplane for Christmas.

Brody participated in his first school play this Christmas.  He played Joseph or as he called himself "The Daddy."  His class had practiced several times before the big day, and Brody did really well.  However on the performance day, they turned on the stage lights and Brody went into sensory overload.  He was not a fan of all the parents and cameras flashing.  He did manage to find some black tape on the floor and make a mustache for himself.  It was a crazy morning!