Inspirations that just keep going..

My week ended last week with a retreat to West Chester University with the older youth group from my church. Besides listening to powerful inspirational stories, I found myself closer to God and learning what my purpose is here on earth. The kids were amazing, the food was amazing, the music was amazing....it was all so wonderful. My purpose is to help others....adults, children and animals. I do have this burning desire to make other people's lives better. So, with God's help I am going to pursue this.

My birthday was awesome. The girls at my store celebrated with me by buying me lunch and hanging out at my store. Shawn surprised me while I was there with a dozen roses. Erika made me a giant chocolate chip cookie.....so yummy. Later that night, Jeremy came home with Chinese food for dinner and my family came over for cake. It was a good time.

Yesterday, Jennifer took me to the Lilith Fair. We had a chance to see Missy Higgins, Sarah Borellis, The Court Yard Hounds and Sarah Mclachlan. Of course when Sarah played In the Arms of an Angel tears streamed down my face. It was definitely happy tears though. That song will forever remind me of my grandmothers passing. I know she was with me last night.

Tomorrow, Friday, Heather has surprised me with a trip to Longwood Gardens for my birthday. It is a place that has been on my goal sheet for about 2 years. Finally I am getting the chance to go and, take my children.

Everyone in my life has been so giving, so kind and very inspirational. This past week has been one of the best weeks of my life. I have accomplished some things on my goal list such as:
attending more concerts
getting a closer relationship with God
participating in a service project
seeing Sarah Mclachlan play In the Arms of an Angel
going to Longwood Gardens
spending more quality time with my friends
attaining new customers in my store

Life is good.

What I am thankful for today:
achieving my goals, big and small
the concert
the youth retreat
Agape
Rachel Kurtz
my friends
my family
celebrations
the couple who handed Jennifer and I tickets that got us off the lawn and only 15 rows from the stage!!
knowing what great things positive thinking can do to ones life
the youth group for being so wonderful!
my church
flowers
sunshine
learning what my spiritual gifts are
Shawn
Chinese food
ice cream cake
laughter
new music
old music
my children
time
laughter
hope
love
faith

A Wonderful Day

Today was a wonderful day. At church my family and I became members, even though we already felt like we were. We wanted to make it official. Because I have committed myself to the Lord, I decided to reaffirm my faith by getting baptized. Almost everyone that I love deeply was there. Those who weren't were there in spirit. My Uncle sang a song for me in which I picked out of the hymnal. It is a song that I had never heard before until I attended the church. I am not sure why the song hits me like it does, it always brings tears to my eyes. It is called, I the Lord of Sand and Sea. When I hear the song, I picture myself singing it to the Lord. My calling is to spread the word of Him and to let his love shine through me onto everyone who comes into my life. What better person to sing it other than my Uncle? It was amazing.

After work today Shawn and I went for an hour and a half walk on this trail right here in Hellertown. It is along Saucon Creek. We walked in the creek, saw a few fish, and got a great work out. Our goal is to one day be able to run the entire trail. We have agreed to start running for 5 minutes at a time since neither of us enjoy running that much. I love that him and I set goals together, even if they seem small. He got me over my fear of the water when we went kayaking last weekend. There is something about lakes that I cannot see the bottom of. I used to have panic attacks at the thought of getting in a small boat and getting into the middle of the lake. When Jeremy and I went kayaking in Aruba it was different. I could see the bottom of the water AND we were on a double kayak. This time with Shawn, I was in my own kayak. Being that he is so relaxed, so patient and understanding, he was the best teacher. He took away my anxiety immediately. We started out gliding near the edge of the lake where the water is shallow. Then slowly, I managed to get myself all the way out in the middle of the lake like it was nothing. I cannot thank him enough for helping me get over one of my biggest fears. He really does help me in so many ways. Shawn has taught me patience. He has taught me not to sweat the small stuff. And, he is so genuine. He pays attention to detail constantly. If he sees me shivering, he covers me up before I even have a chance to say anything. If we are going on an outing, he always makes sure I have everything I need and gets it ready for me. One of the things I love about him is how grateful he is and how he makes sure I know it. I can honestly say that I even enjoy grocery shopping with him. We go in, get what we need and leave while making it a fun experience. Every once in a while he comes out with a compliment which is so random. He looks at me like no one else ever has. We really do compliment each other very well. I am so lucky to have him.

What I am thankful for today:
everyone who came and supported me and my family today
my children
my pets
quality time
getting to watch a movie with Gavin tonight
my family
my friends
the teachers at my store
my store
Shawn
patience
overcoming fears
kindness
gratitude
my church family
laughter
the power to change our lives
God
positive attitudes
loyalty
a good nights sleep
backrubs
compliments
goals
hope
faith
love

Wow, it's been awhile!

So many times in the past few weeks I have wanted to get on here and blog. However, busy schedules and lack of free time have kept me from doing it. I figure, I have been on the computer all day working on stuff for the store, I may as well stay planted and write on my blog. Here I am!!

My life has been incredible in the past month pretty much in every aspect it. How lucky am I? Walking through Dollar General I was looking for markers for my store and happen to stumble across this book titled "Unlocking the Secrets to Living Your Dreams." I noticed that the two Authors were Authors in which were featured in The Secret, and decided to purchase it. There was only one there. Yep, it was obvious that I was in the right place and that book had my name ALL over it. I love that it breaks down The Secret and actually gives you questions to answer broken down in every aspect of ones life. Already I see a great improvement in most areas of my own life.

One of the ways you can achieve your dreams (without it feeling like work) is creating a team of people who want the same things as you do. Thankfully that was one thing I already had, without realizing it. All I had to do was spread the word. Erika and I have the same dream as far as our businesses go. The best thing is that we are totally on the same page, helping each other out in the areas that we are not willing or able to do well. She is now my retail buyer for the store and has taken that entire responsibility off of me. Jennifer G and I are on the same page as far as creating fundraisers to help out those in need. She also helps me come up with crop ideas and stepping up to the plate at the store when I cannot be there. Now there are lots more sharing my dream and the responsibilities of it which will be mentioned in other blogs. My 'dream team' came together before I even read this new book which stated it is the first step to being successful. How cool is that?

As well as business boosting, my personal life has improved greatly. My respect for Jeremy has totally increased. We really do get along well and thankfully parent the same way. It makes life easier since we have to live together for the time being.

Shawn and I have actually been able to spend quality time together for the first time. We went hiking at Glen Onoko Falls about an hour from Hellertown. I never realized how much I love hiking. I went once before (a long time ago) during fall, which was amazing, but this experience was different. It was nice to have someone who shares the same passions as I for nature, being outside, and taking in God's wonderful world. We could have sat there all day and just enjoyed the waterfalls. Being with Shawn is peaceful and that is the only way I can describe it in one word. He is the most humble person I have ever met.

In the spiritual aspect of my life I am totally complete. It is as if God took me by the hand and just ran with me. He has shown me a life of simplicity, peace, happiness and everlasting love. At this point in my life I could not ask for anything more. The best things in life are free.

What I am thankful for today:
every moment of my life
rainbows
sunshine
my children
my pets
The Center for Animal Health and Welfare
my store
my 'dream team'
nature
love
laughter
hugs
my church
my neighbors
my friends
creativity
time
energy
my health and the health of my loved ones
peace
hope
faith