Why Was I So Reluctant Again?!?!

Two years ago today....yes Valentine's Day...I reluctantly followed the Lord from Tulsa to Oklahoma City.

It was a rough transition. I had recently been laid off from what was my dream job,
had to pack up all my things and move away...
from my friends, my family & my church....
all of which I loved!

The one bonus I had was that I would be living near
one of my best friends from college....
however, she has her own family and friends
so I knew I couldn't expect her life to stop or to easily fit me in.

Even though it was hard and I frequently asked God
"why?"...I trusted Him.
I knew He had a purpose for this move and season of my life.

My cousin Rhonda, who is like a big sister to me,
could tell just by our phone conversations that I wasn't doing very well....
needless to say she was concerned for me....
rightfully so...I was concerned for me!

Time went on....I visited a few churches and finally settled on Bridgeway.
This was the BEST decision I could've ever made!

Since I've been at Bridgeway the Lord has blessed me with
the most AMAZING friends...
they love me well...
they point me to Jesus....
they fight for my relationship with Him....
they encourage me....
AND....we have LOTS of fun!!!

I've also been going through a season of healing...
It's painful at times and hurts but it's a good hurt...
you know what I mean?!?!

The Lord has been working in my heart...
He's been revealing areas that need to be addressed...
that I didn't even know where there to be addressed!
He's been revealing Himself to me in ways I've never seen Him...
He's producing new fruit and giftings in my life like never before...
I'm humbled by His love for me and I do believe He had to bring me
here...to OKC...for this to take place.

For that....I'm truly grateful and wonder....Why did I reluctantly go?!?!
Hind sight is always 20/20...if I knew this was ahead I may have jumped on board!
Who knows really....when I know something is going to be painful...
I have a tendency to avoid it...so maybe I wouldn't have jumped on board.
All I do know is that I've been thankful for the Lord and
all that He's been doing the past 2 years...
My life is better...
My heart is better...
My relationship with Him is better...

Thank You LORD for all that You've done
All that You're doing
and all that You're going to do...
May You always receive the glory!

The following passages are ones the Lord used to speak to me
during this hard transitional period…
I knew He brought me here to draw me closer to Him…
THIS comforted me and helped me to stop asking….
Why?!?

Hosea 2:14-15
Hosea 6:1-3
Zephaniah 3:17

My sweet discipleship group

Moriah & Ashley

John & Susan

They have been so sweet to

have me in their home

and love on me.

Some of the many amazing women

that are now in my life!


My dear friend Kristi...
she & her husband Ty have been such
a blessing to me.


More of the amazing ladies in my life.

Snowmageddon!

Apparently we're in the middle of a record breaking snow storm

it stretches for 2000 miles...and apparently it's headed your way...

So....stock up on your favorite things you like to

have when you're snowed in...

sit back, relax and enjoy the Thunder snow as it rolls in..

Happy Snow Day Everyone!!!

Meet Alecia...

Hello Kelly's Korner Readers!

I'm Amy, with permission, I'm hijacking Alecia's Blog

to introduce her to you and to YOU single guys!

Alecia's in her mid 30's and FABULOUS!!!

She lives in Oklahoma City and works at at non-profit organization.

She's been a great friend of mine for over 10 years. We went to OU

together and she loves her Sooners, especially some Sooner football.

Music is a big part of Alecia's life.

She loves to listen to all kinds of music and will never pass up

the opportunity to see her favorites in concert.

She has a HUGE heart for the Lord and for serving others.

She is very involved within her church. Alecia has traveled the world

on missions trips. She'll go anywhere the Lord leads...let's be honest,

she'll go anywhere for that matter!

LAUGH...the girl loves to laugh and she'll make you laugh

as well...Alecia is super fun!

If you or your guy will appreciate Alecia's fabulousness,

leave a comment with a way for her to contact you.

You don't want to miss out on her!!

I LOVE MY HOBBY!!!

I LOVE photography....
I'm still working on angles, editing and staging
but I'm having a blast!
Praying for the Lord to provide me with a camera
so I don't have to borrow from friends anymore...
I'm editing in Picnik right now....one day
I'll upgrade to PhotoShop!

I'm thankful for the friends that trust me
to take their pics.

The family in the above picture are dear friends of mine...
they asked ME to take their family pics this year...what an HONOR!
They were in Tulsa for Thanksgiving so we headed out
to Woodward Park...it was PACKED with people
taking their family pics...
We had a lot of fun and the kids got Slushees for smiling! :-)
Good call Mom & Dad!

The kids did a great job and they're stinkin' CUTE!!!
Thanks for letting me take the family pics this year
and giving me an opportunity to learn more.

Ariella asked me to take her senior pics....
We did 2 different sessions....
One in the summer and one in the fall...
For the summer session we spent some time
in Downtown OKC...
We hit the railroad tracks, Automobile Alley
and downtown...
For the fall pics...we found an open field with
flowers and a pond..

She's absolutely BEAUTIFUL on the inside & out...
AND you should hear her sing!!!

A couple of these aren't edited but they're
still beautiful...

I would love any feedback....or suggestions for editing, tools, camera equipment, etc...

Christmas is HERE....HE's Here!!!!!

This Christmas the Lord has put a longing in my heart like never before....
This song is "Mary's Song"



I can't imagine looking into the sweet face of baby Jesus...
knowing He was here....
knowing He came to save us....
knowing that meant He was going to die....
right before her very eyes....

My heart is longing to see Him like never before....
it ACHES...but in a good way!

Thankful for His PERFECT Gift....
Jesus....
Thankful that He didn't leave us alone...
Holy Spirit....
Thankful that the longing in my heart will one day
be fulfilled!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
May your heart be filled with His presence!

Nichole Nordeman - Every Season (with subtitles)

Sooo....I've never been a fan of Winter...I LOVE Summer, Fall & Spring tie for 2nd...Winter...I could do without.

I've been thinking a lot about the Lord and how He purposly made 4 seasons...that's beyond me because I would have 85-90 degree weather year round if I could :-) My roommate fully embraces all of the seasons....she talks about how in the winter....roots go deep.

There's a significance to each season and I desire to embrace them for what the Lord does in each. We all go through different seasons of life, as well, and the Lord continually works in us and grows us to be more like Him in each of those seasons of life.

A new friend heard this song on her way to work this morning and I LOVED it! It talks about the way the Lord is in each season and what takes place in each...it's really beautiful...and the funny thing is...I LOVE the verse about WINTER!!! It's giving me a new perspective of winter and I may actually look forward to it this year! :-)

I hope you Enjoy it as much as I do.

Blessings

An Offer....or Giveaway I Couldn't Refuse

I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY!!! I've stumbled upon a couple of lovely sites that have decided to have a REALLY GENEROUS giveaway!!!

Florabella has beautiful shots and nice action & textures to purchase to edit photos. She is giving away $250 to shop for these beautiful Actions & Textures.

A Workshop Workbook plus free posing guide with a value over $500- From Skye Harwick

A phone consultation with Skye Harwick Valued at $350

Here's hopin' I'm one of the Lucky 6 that is chosen! Say a little prayer & keep your fingers crosses.

This is the jump start I need to grow my talents of photography....I have a LOT to learn and would LOVE the opportunity to win such a beautiful package from these talented ladies!

Don't Play With Your Food....Maybe You Should!!!

I know they say not to play with your food...

But I just couldn't resist it this evening...

I was in a creative mood!

~

So, I decided to spruce up one of my favorites...

Chicken Salad

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The Cast of Characters:

1 Lg. Can White Chicken

Dill

Mayo

Red Onion

Red Grapes

Craisins

Sea Salt to taste

~

I buttered two slices of Wheat Bread

Dusted with Garlic Powder

Topped it with Parsley Flakes

Turned the oven on Broil and put the bread in

until lightly toasted

~

Placed some Shredded Cheese on one slice...

added the chicken salad on top...

garnished with some Red Leaf Lettuce...

Mmmmm...mmmm...GOOD!!!

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Had Cottage Cheese with sliced Grapes on the side

& Some Raspberry Lemondade....

Sounds like Summer!

Check out this GORGEOUS Collection!!!

I love blogland...I find so many talented people out there with beautiful things they make...I'm totally impressed...probably because I can barely sew 2 squares together to make a pillow and then, I need someone to help me stitch it closed by hand once I've stuffed it! LOL I'm always blown away at the things people come up with...their creativity is something to be admired...and I DO!!! Check out A Bushel and a Peck then visit her Etsy shop for more beautiful, one of a kind items you might like...I know I've found LOTS that I like...below are just a couple of the items I'm lovin'!

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Ruffle Tote

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Ruffle Apron

Aren't they beautiful and girly?!?!

I GOT A BIKE!!!!

Ok...back in September I moved into this gorgeous neighborhood with tree tunnels, hills, lots of flowers and streets marked with Bike Lanes :-) The weather has just been amazing so thanks to my awesome friend, Ty lending me his bike, I've been riding through the neighborhood and really loving it. It has been YEARS since I've ridden or even owned a bike. When I was younger I used to spend hours with my friend & neighbor, Dara. We would spend the days and nights of our Summer riding around the great town of Jenks, America. We had some laughs too, thanks to me and my clumsiness! Note to self...next purchase...HELMET!!!

All that to say...I've really missed biking and when I found out I was getting a decent tax return, I thought...Let's give Ty his bike back and get your own! Sooo...I started shopping on the net and trying to get an idea of what I would want. I stopped by a bike shop yesterday on my lunch hour and narrowed it down even more, however...they didn't have what I wanted. So, I got on-line and looked for a dealer that carried the specific brand of bike I was looking at and found Schlegel Bicycles!

Enter Cliffton Hays. This guy was so nice and helpful on the phone (far different than the experience I had at the other bike shop on my lunch break). I told him my price range and the type of bike I was looking for. He asked all the right questions to make sure he could help me find just what I needed. I went in to the shop right after work...I was on a mission...I wanted to buy a bike TODAY! Cliffton showed me a few bikes in my price range and fit me to make sure I had just the right size. He went across the street to their warehouse to see if they had what I needed in stock. While he was checkin' things out over there Christine came to keep me company and make sure I wasn't just sitting there alone...great customer service & teamwork.

Photo provided by Schlegel Bicycles

Cliffton came back with this bike...the TREK 3500. They didn't have one in my size assembled yet but he wanted to make sure I liked the bike...even down to the color scheme...He knows...even the color scheme matters to this girly girl!! Have I mentioned that Cliffton was really helpful?!?! He told me when I pick up my bike they'll make sure the handles are right where I need them for a comfortable fit and everything!

He even knew, since I'm just getting back into cycling after several years, some trails at Lakes Hefner & Draper that I can do as an amateur. When all was said and done...I was able to stay within my price range, get a great bike and have an incredible experience. I was pretty nervous to be quite honest. I don't know a whole lot about bikes but everyone at the shop made it a fun and relaxed experience...they have me as a customer for life!

Photo provided by TREK

Tomorrow is the big day...I get to pick up my new bike...unfortunately the weather is supposed to be crummy the next few days so I won't get to break it in right away...but I can't WAIT!

Thanks to Schlegel Bicycles & their amazing crew!!!

Now....I can't wait to start posting pics of my rides :-)