without struggle...we could not appreciate the good things in life.

I find it interesting that all through life, the greatest strength is forged in broken places. The same is true in dealing with difficult people. God is not committed to our comfort. God is committed to creating His character within us. One way He accomplishes that goal is through the abrasive and coarse work of sandpaper people as th...ey grind off and sand away our rough edges, even to the point of breaking. Suffering comes in many ways, but always with the purpose of making us strong enough to endure pain and weak enough to rely upon God.

Many times, it is through difficult relationships that we experience the most pain. Peter writes that God will "make everything right" which indicates the promise that He will take our circumstances and relationships, adjust them and make the broken pieces fit together in order to equip us for service. "Making everything right" can also be translated in the original language as "mending nets." A fisherman's net was a vital part of his livelihood and a broken net meant no fish. Even one broken net affected the fisherman's ability to make a living and provide for his family. It was imperative for the fisherman to keep his nets in working condition, constantly mending the broken places.

Every time we are broken but allow God to do the mending, we become stronger and new life is provided. Paul was certainly no stranger to trials, pain and broken nets. "We know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4 NCV) I must admit I have been known to insert the name of my current sandpaper person into that verse so that it reads, "I know that my sandpaper person produces patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope." What an amazing progression, from a difficult relationship to Godly character and then on to hope. Hope follows pain because pain forces us to trust God and rely upon His power to mend a broken life. It is in that abandonment to God that we find hope.

Difficult relationships and the brokenness they bring can make us either bitter or better. It is our choice. We can insist on comfort and forfeit character or we can embrace the brokenness, knowing that God will use it for our good. Sandpaper people are grindstones. Whether they grind us down or polish us up depends on what we are made of. Harry Truman said: "Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow and only one thing endures - character."

I believe sandpaper people voice the silent prayer that someone will be strong enough to stop their vicious cycle of offensive behavior. God calls us to be that strong someone. I also believe God allows difficult relationships to form within the realm of our daily walk in order to strengthen us for the very task of life.

Let's Pray

Lord, please fill my heart with Your love for the sandpaper people in my life. Please let me see them as You see them. Use them, Father; to refine me to the place that I am the woman You created me to be. I choose to thank You for the difficult relationships in my life, knowing that through these abrasive people, Your work is accomplished in me.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Mary Southerland ~~Jennifer~~
Sisters In Christ (Women's Fellowship)

girls, i need some advice...pllleeeaasseeee!

i have absolutely no friggin' idea what to pack for my trip.

this never happens to me.

NEVER!!!

i've been mentally packing for weeks now, so you'd think i'd have no problem.

 but, now i'm struggling with what to bring. ughhhhh!!!

yes, i'm literally pouting like a five year-old.

i just hate traveling a million miles away and than thinking...

"dang, i should have brought that jacket or dress"...

i've been stalking the weather in Chicago like all week...

i've pretty much memorized the weather forecast for the next week or so. so sad.

any suggestions?

also, anyone ever been to Chicago?

i'm trying to get a list together of things i'd like to do or see.

all suggestions are welcome and very much appreciated.

thank you :)

lemme get...

If you could take certain body parts of any celebrity, model or athlete

 and build your own “perfect, dream or ideal” body…

Who’s what would you steal?

For some reason this popped in my head this morning while i was

getting ready for work. Yes, I’m strange and think of odd stuff like this.

Any, woo…let begin building my dream body…

 adriana lima's lips

who else can make a seductive pouty look like her?

kelly ripa's rip, yet sexy lady-like arms

 halle berry's perky and decent size breasts

jessica alba's washboard abs 

jessica biel's booty

jessica simpson's musclar legs

if i could just borrow them for the summer...totally kidding! ha! 

yeah right! off to the gym i go :)

 I’m very content with my own body, but of course as a woman living in our society and the struggles we endure with our bodies…it’s only natural to admire someone who gets to work out for 5 hours each day! :)



911.

hope you guys had a wonderful weekend :)

countdown till my Chicago trip officially starts!!!

Woo Hoo for a four day work week :)

Oooooh, baby baby...

have you seen something borrowed?

its soooooooo cute!

 i read the book last year and was super excited to find out that this movie was coming out.

i saw it last weekend and of course, love it! duh!

 this is my favorite scene. there's nothing like being at home and dancing with your best friend.

meet John Krainski.

i don't wanna spoil anything for anyone, so i won't reveal too much.

this guy...love 'em! his character is so funny.

 like the natural kind of funny.

if a guy can make me laugh. like really really really laugh.

like turn red, shoulders bouncing up and down,

holding my stomach kinda laugh...

game over. he's not going anywhere. lol :)

call me john! :)

i loooovvveeee Gennifer Goodwin's short new hair cut!

super cute!

wish i had enough balls to do that and a face to pull it off!

hope you guys have a great weekend!!!! :)

good thing about god-children...you can give them back after you finish playing with them :)

i get to see my gorgeous god-children this weekend! ugh!

i can hardly wait! its been wayyyy toooo long since i've seen them!

happy thursday dolls!!!

dear one.

a dear friend sent this to me. it made me go hmmmmm and smile :)

Dear One,

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone, to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively, but I say “No.” Not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being alone, with giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me, will you be ready to have the intensely personal and unique relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with anyone or anything else until you are united with Me. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and start allowing Me to give you the most thrilling plan in existence – one that you cannot even imagine. I want you to have the best. Please, allow Me to bring it to you.

You must keep watching Me expecting the greatest of things. Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I AM. Keep listening and learning the things that I will tell you. Just wait. That’s all. Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. Don’t look around at the things others have or that I have given them. Don’t look at the things you think you want. Just keep looking up to Me or you will miss what I want to show you. And then, when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you have dreamed of.

You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working even at this moment to have you both ready at the same time), until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me. This is Perfect Love.

And Dear One, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love that I offer. Know that I love you utterly. Believe it and be satisfied.

Love,
God

pose for the camera. now...click...click.

i've been inspired.

Ashley over at run with me shared some gorgeous pictures taken of her.

{check out her blog. she rocks!}

I’ve always wanted to something like this, but have never been

bold or confident enough to go through with it.

after seeing Ashley’s beautiful pictures...i think i may just try it.

I've never done anything like this before, so it maybe a little challenging getting

comfortable in front of the camera. help please! ladies, any tips?

a co-worker of mine does some photography work on the side and she has mad skills.

we may just hook up and do a photo shoot of yours truly...

maybe after a shot or two, i'll be able to work the camera like a pro! kidding!

i need some ideas though...

what to wear.

how to pose.

funny or serious.

sexy or girl next door.

I’m an amateur...can't ya tell? lol

i kinda like these pictures below...

now if only i could be as fierce as beyonce...

she knows how to work the camera!

what do you think?

 

should i try it? hmmmm.....

make today a good day :)

Why do positive people, words, & smiles...make us feel good & think more positively?

 

Because moods are contagious.

 

We mentally absorb words, body language, facial gestures, tone of voice, etc.

 

They "affect" us!

 

With out even knowing, we tend to auto mimic these actions which affects our thoughts/mood!

So surround yourself with positive people, &, be positive &  smile to affect others positively!

 

Build up the positive energy around you. :)

what i wore.

 {dress: White House / Black Market - shoes: Nina - Jewelry: Cache}

yesterday, i attended a beautiful wedding and wore this sexy little number.

you can't see my shoes in the above pictures, so take a look at the one below.

i hardly ever dress up this much, so its okay to brag about how nice i look :)

{the whole outfit}

thankful thursday.

i am so thankful for...our Savior. not just today, but everyday. His presence in my life makes it that much better. His love for me is something i will never begin to understand, but i am so grateful for that love.

i am so thankful for...my biggest fans...my parents. they inspire, motivate and love me like no other. they are truly ideal role models and i hope to have a beautiful marriage like the one they have one day.

i am so thankful for...my running group. i am truly blessed to call these ladies my friends. they motivate me to become a better, faster and more consistent runner.

i am so thankful for...our troops. they all are truly one of kind...a special kind, to be so brave and fight for our freedom, and sacrifice being away from their loved ones.

i am so thankful for...cold weather...it makes me appreciate the sun, flowers, green grass and everything else spring brings sooooooo much more. :)

Happy National Prayer Day & Cinco de Mayo :)

what have you learned?

I felt the need to write down some of the things I’ve learned recently…As I’ve aged and evolved, so has my attitude…towards myself, life, God, health, love, family, friends, etc. I sit here, writing down all of my thoughts and I’m overjoyed, and feel truly blessed. Everyday is a new day to start over…Although, certain parts of my life aren’t where I always envisioned them to be at this point…I’m still thankful for being here and know that sometimes things fall apart, so they can be put back together. I no longer dwell on what’s not and only focus on what is. Part of me wishes...I would have learned all of this a long time ago…but, I guess that’s life for ya…

I’ve learned…to be content with me.

I’ve learned…to forgive.

I’ve learned…to be a little more patient.

I’ve learned…to be comfortable in my own skin.

I’ve learned…to appreciate each day I’m given.

I’ve learned…to trust Him more and have faith.

I’ve learned…the heart wants what it wants.

I’ve learned…to truly value the people close to me.

I’ve learned…to just show up...everyday!

I’ve learned…to stop making excuses and just do it!

I’ve learned…that sometimes we have to go through growing pains in order to learn and evolve.

I’ve learned…having a positive attitude is contagious.

I’ve learned…that true and real love always wins.

I’ve learned…to block most of the negative chaos in my head.

I’ve learned…certain people are placed in our lives to help us grow.

I’ve learned…sitting in silence is the most relaxing thing.

I've learned...sometimes God uses people to deliver His messages to us.

I’ve learned…not everyone is your friend. This is unfortunate, but true.

I’ve learned…to listen more.

I've learned...to smile before I get out of bed each morning.

I’ve learned…to stop letting every little thing get to me.

I’ve learned…to choose my battles.

I’ve learned…I actually like running and get better at it everyday.

I’ve learned…to be more confident and love me.

I’ve learned…having a variety of friends is the spice of life.

I’ve learned…to stop comparing my life to others. Certain events will happen at the perfect timing.

I’ve learned…when you can’t physically change something…prayer is the answer.

I’ve learned…God loves me so much and He shows me everyday by revealing Himself in such beautiful ways.

I’ve learned…to spend more quality time with my parents.

I've learned...my fairy tale is in the making. It won't be perfect, but it will be perfect for me!

I’ve learned…words are deadly weapons and sometimes people forgive you, and sometimes they don’t.

I’ve learned…I am the co-creator of my life.

I've learned...to cherish and be grateful all the good memories I've experienced.

I've learned...just to love a person for who they are and don't try to change them.

I’ve learned…everyday is an opportunity to be grateful for something new.

I’ve learned…what you think about, you bring about.

I've learned...to live life like a child.

I've learned...missing someone is the best feeling in the world...knowing you have someone to miss...is priceless.

I've learned....to laugh at myself and not to take myself so seriously.

I’ve learned…people are always going to have something to say, but I don’t have to listen or believe them.

I've learned...when things look bad...a miracle is about to happen.

I’ve learned…to take others opinions in consideration, but to make decisions based on my own.

I’ve learned…when you’re continuously given chances to make things right…that’s God’s doing. Only He gives us as many chances as it takes.

I’ve learned…to speak from my heart.

I've learned...to be a kinder than necessary to the people who challenge you or rub you the wrong way...clearly, you're being tested.

I’ve learned…to be a little more social and stop being socially awkward.

I’ve learned…to take better care of my body and health.

I’ve learned…to take compliments.

I've learned...to speak to everyone...having manners isn't rocket science.

I’ve learned…to pray for everyone…not just myself and my family/friends.

I’ve learned…if you want something; keep trying till you get it. And, if you don’t get it right away…its means, He’s up to something. So, get ready!

He makes me look at myself differently.

"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives: Be kind anyway. What you spend years creating others could destroy overnight: Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it may never be enough: Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God: it was never between you and them anyway."

- Mother Teresa