I believe it is not easy to be a kind, caring, good person in our society. People so often use, abuse and mistreat other people that it is a difficult feat to make it through this life without becoming hard hearted or begin to look out for only number 1. That said, there are a few women in my life that I continually find my self in awe of and truly blessed to know and I would like to honor. I realize that few read this blog and those who do probably don't know them so consider this honoring them before god.
Krista Gayle Rustin. From the day I met krista ten years ago I loved her. There has not been one day in my life since that I have not. She has the most gentle heart, the sweetest spirit and has unending, genuine, humility. Just having her in my life is such a blessing and I am humbled and inspired by her everyday.
Chante Fiamengo. I met Chante in the most random of ways, in my coffee stand. I also knew we were meant to be together. Chante is such a good friend. Always caring and encouraging even when the complaining is so trivial. She is such a positive person as well. I went through a time in my life when I wanted all the negativity and drama out and I realized that Chante was always such a breath of fresh air. She is also an amazing mother: loving and patient. Chante embraces the seasons of her life and lives like she wouldn't change a thing. I adore this woman.
I love that the Lord has blessed me with remarkable women in my life that I continue to be encouraged, inspired, blessed by them. (More to come)

Isolating Silence or Dividing Words

I have noticed that I have become silent. In the last ten years I have been through a very difficult process of redefining myself and growing. I have learned a lot and I have changed a lot but no matter how much I learn and I grow, I always feel like being honest about who I am is going to offend someone. I love people and I think that is a good characteristic but I have noticed that I keep so much inside now because of what everyone else thinks and feels that I have withdrawn into myself. I think it is important to have grace and know when to not speak but I feel like I have been slowly bound by my fear and silence. I am grateful for a certain few who don't just "accept me for who I am" like they are doing me a favor but truly believe that I am an amazing person and trust that I can hear God for myself. A friend like that is more valuable than a million who just "love you anyway." I want to feel free to speak what I believe is the truth and is MY TESTIMONY whether it fits other peoples ideas of what it should be. It is me and I have no regrets.

Folly

Sometimes I feel like such an idiot. Is it that I am just really stupid or is Murphy's Law ruling my life? Perhaps it is some cosmic Karma (I know dad...you don't believe in Karma). No matter what it is, I have had a wretched couple of weeks. First, my keys fell out of my pocket on the bus which made for a complicated evening after work. Then last Sunday as I was putting trash into my trash can (which I keep on my deck), my door that only locks from the inside magically locked behind me leaving me stuck out there (on the 3rd floor) with no phone or keys. So I decided to put my old rock climbing skills to use and scale down the wall. I made it half-way and then realized there was nothing more to hang on to and fell about 15 feet onto pavement. I still can't put any weight on my heel and the scratches and bruising have yet to heal. That's not the end folks! I received free tickets to a Sounders game and was so excited to go with my little sister and actually get out of my house but when I got downtown to pick her up, I got in a car accident...and yes, it was my fault. So there is my hat trick of moronic behavior. I have nobody to blame but myself. I am so ready for this week to be over.