Day 1 of 366... No more shopping for me!

"We must want for others, not ourselves alone."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Shopping. Just when I say the word I get excited. There is just something so relaxing about it for me. In my opinion, clothes are pieces of art, a form of expression, and something I love. And what am I doing for the next 366 days (yes, of course I would choose a year that has a leap year in it)? I am not buying any clothes or shoes for myself, starting today, September 1, 2011. I'm sure this is probably baffling to some because as all of my friends know, I absolutely love shopping. It amazes me too that I am doing this! But in reality, this is not something I HAVE to do, but something I NEED to do.

Most are probably assuming right now that I am like that girl from the movie, "Confessions of a Shopaholic" who has a ton of debt on credit cards and clothes pouring out of her closets, but that is not the case at all (ok, maybe the clothes pouring out of my closet part is true for me). I am in good financial standing and still manage to save money each month. What prompted my decision to do this started a few months ago when I was actually cleaning up my room and sorting through my clothes. As the pile for Goodwill grew taller and taller, the pile of clothes I was keeping didn't seem to be shrinking at all. Long story short, I had to buy another dresser for my room. I instantly felt convicted because I probably have more clothes in my dirty laundry than most have in their entire wardrobe. The Lord really laid it on my heart that I don't NEED half of the clothes I own, yet it has become such a huge WANT in my life. I started thinking about all of the many people out there who actually NEED clothes, who NEED shoes, and do not have the luxuries I have of getting to stroll into my closets and "decide" what to wear that day. It also made me really think, "Why do I love shopping so much?!" when I looked at it from the perspective that God really never intended us to wear clothes and we wear clothes now because of a sin that was committed long ago when Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden.

So where does that lead me? It leads me to a year (366 days) of not buying clothes or shoes. To a year of finding joy in helping others get the clothes they NEED, instead of the clothes I WANT. This is not going to be easy for me at all and the selfish side is already thinking, "Well, I can just cut back a little on what I buy myself and I'll still have money to help others." That, however, is not what I was called to do.

To say I am not going to miss buying clothes is the understatement of the decade, but I know I am doing the right thing. Now that they day is here, I am actually getting kind of excited about going "shopping" in my own closet, about being creative with what I already have, and to make things work that I wouldn't normally want to wear. The Lord has given me more than I deserve and I need to learn to appreciate that a little more.

So check back because I will definitely be blogging about this crazy, yet exciting journey in my life! Pray for me! I'm going to need it

Best Friend

"A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, they key to sanity in a totally insane world."

Lois Wyse

So, I'm back! Clearly, it has been awhile since my last post. I have used writing as a source of self "therapy" and since the last time I blogged, I either really haven't needed therapy :) or else I just had to resort to my personal journal. This time, though, I feel like this is something I can share with everyone. We all have a best friend so hopefully you can relate to my emotion. So here it is...

It is with mixed emotion that I say this... My best friend is moving to souther California. Jess, her husband Eddie, and their precious son Bennett are headed to the west coast on, of all days, my birthday (April 7). Great birthday present, huh? Eddie has taken a job as a worship pastor at a church in Yorba Linda, CA and they both really feel that God is calling them in that direction.

So why am I not happy about this?

I hold my friendships very near and deart to my heart which is probably why this seems to be affecting me the way that it does and the fact that Jess is my best friend. My absolute, with a doubt, God sent best friend. She is the friend that I don't have to talk to everyday, yet I know she is there for me. Since being friends, she has been there for me through every traumatic life event and every happy one, as well. I could call her and tell her I really needed her and I have no doubt she would jump on a plane and be here within a couple of hours. She doesn't judge me or think I'm weird or crazy. As a friend, she loves me in the good, the bad, AND (insert big sigh here) she loves me and cares about me even though she knows I am not super excitedabout this. When Jess and Eddie were visiting California and this church, I was having serious anxiety about it, even unbeknownst to me. I had this dream that I went to visit her in California and when I got there she was like "Oh I'm sorry, I made plans with my new best friend. May you can come back another time." Clearly, this would NEVER happen, but it is scary because I don't want to lose the friendship I have with her.

You see, Jess currently lives in Murfreesboro, so I don't even get to see her as often as I would like; however, the option to jump on a plan any weekend and see her is there. That's not going to be so easy being in CA because that is definitely not a weekend trip. Does visiting less often mean a less of a friendship too? Probably not, but it does make me sad to think about.

What does this all lead to? Simply put... Me being selfish. I think that it is ok to be somewhat selfish in this situation because I think that it shows just how much the Harrison family means to me and how deeply I care for the, but if God is leading them there, then I need to trust God about this right along with them.

So, after a bawl fest yesterday and some healthy discussion with God and friends, I know it'll all be ok. Deep down I am SO happy for Jess and Eddie as they embark on this new adventure that God has placed them in. I pray that they find friends in their new town that love them and care about them as much as I do because if thats the case, they will be greatly taken care of. I know they wouldn't be going unless they were really meant to go which also gives me confidence that our friendship will not change. So whether 2 miles or 2600 miles away, I know in my heart of hearts that we will always be best friends.

So for any of you in the Lost Angeles area who need a church, check out:

Cross Pointe Church

If Jess and Eddie are there, I know it is a quality place...

Love you Jess, Eddie, and Bennett!

PAPA

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3

Death. What a terrible, terrible word. There is no positive meaning behind that word. It is a word filled with pain, heartache, loss, change, brokenness, love, bitterness, uncertainty, and confusion. Being the daughter of a preacher, I have been around death my entire life. I have been to more family nights and funerals than probably most people double my age. Unfortunately, my experience around death is still not one that could ever prepare you for losing a loved one. Whether known or unexpected, one is never ready to deal with the death of someone they love greatly. Yesterday, one of the most important and influential people in my life went home to be with his Savior. My grandfather was ready to meet his Maker, but I was not ready to let him go. I am still not ready to let go. More than that, I don’t want to let go. I do not want to say good-bye to the man who took me “minding” (mining) in Tennessee. I do not want to let go of the man who has comforted every one of my broken hearts and the whole time was crying with me. I do not know who I am going to sit with every Sunday morning at church and borrow pens from. He won’t be there to see me graduate again. He will not be there when I fall in love and get married. My children will never get to meet this amazing man. I do not know how I am going to say good-bye to him. It seems such an impossible task to do. I am overcome with grief and sadness. It seems my heart is broken beyond repair. We will cry. We will miss. We will hurt. We will also get through this because it is what that Godly, influential, funny, amazing man would want us to do. Papa is so happy. He is with my Nana again. What an amazing thing to think about. I have peace and comfort in knowing that I will see him again. I am so thankful I had 26 years to get to know him. He always told me he was proud of me but I hope he knew how proud I was to be his granddaughter. There will not be a day that goes by that my heart will not miss him.

Papa,

Welcome Home! I know you are so happy and so excited to see Nana and all of the other loved ones who have gone home before you. I miss you so badly and do not know what I am going to do here without you. I know you would not come back even if you could but my heart still aches. It hurts so much and the pain will just not ease. I cannot wait to see you again so when it is my time to go please be waiting with open arms for me. I love you.

Love your proud granddaughter,

Kara

Proud... What an understatement

"We make a living by what we get; We make a life by what we give."

-Winston Churchill

They did it. Yes, my amazing, beautiful, quirky, sometimes frustrating, loving and giving students did it. They raised the money for Franky the weiner dog and his wheelchair. Franky will now get another shot at life. He will be able to get around as fast as his wheels and two front paws will take him!

To say that I am proud would be an understatement. I do not even know what would go beyond the word proud, but whatever word that is, it describes me when it comes to my students. I'm not going to lie, I did not think that they would stick through with this whole project (see my other post about Franky the Weiner Dog if you don't know what I am talking about). It is extremely rare to see a class bond together for one common cause. They did it and I am proud. How blessed am I that I get to teach these wonderful kids every day? How blessed am I that I got to be part of this experience with them? How blessed am I that I got to witness a group of teenagers thinking about someone else other then themselves? Extremely blessed.

The story actually made the front page of our local newspaper. Check it out. It's pretty awesome.

http://www2.newsvirginian.com/news/2010/sep/21/franky-gets-his-wheels-ar-516153/

free jewelry anyone?!

Ok, so one of my best friends, Priscilla, is doing a give-a-way on her blog! The best part is... IT'S JEWELRY! She will be giving away this beautiful necklace below by Anne Vaughan Designs:

Of course I immediately went to Anne Vaughan's website and I am now officially OBSESSED! It is truly some of the most beautiful art I have ever seen! There are already some items on my Christmas list! You must check it out!

So first, if you would like a chance to win this BEAUTIFUL necklace, you need to check out Priscilla's blog. Just go to www.makeitbeautifultoo.com Even if you don't want the necklace, you should still go there because she is an amazing writer that shares so many inspirational things.

Then, you need to check out the rest of the beautiful pieces from Anne Vaughan Designs by going to her website: www.annevaughandesigns.com

Trust me, both websites are well worth your time!

Thanks for doing this Cilla!

Thankful

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thine ways acknowledge him, and HE shall direct thy paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

Yesterday when I walked out of the doors of the school I work at and headed to my car, this is what was waiting for me ...

For some reason when I saw this, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. This touched my heart so deeply and I just knew that I was supposed to be here, at Stuarts Draft High School, loving these kids. God led me to this school. He wanted me here. He placed me here for a purpose. A purpose that I still do not know. I fought with the outcome of being here for so long. But I think this was just another one of His ways of showing me that He loves me and truly does direct our paths, even when we can't see the good in the situation. I actually felt a stab of guilt for wanting to ever be anywhere else other than here. As simple as this may seem, this was a completely overwhelming moment for me. This was just another one of God's ways of showing His amazing, unconditional love. I am where I need to be.

FRANKY THE WEINER DOG

"Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others."

Danny Thomas

Ok, so I must say that I have an absolutely amazing 3rd block class this year. They are so sweet and caring and their newest venture is so cute and heart-warming. They have decided as a class that they want to save Franky. Franky is a cute little Dachshund whose back two legs are paralyzed. He came to visit our class today and we all just fell in love with him. Franky needs a doggy wheelchair to get around. His owners cannot afford one on their own and need some help. If Franky does not get this wheelchair, he is due to be put down sometime soon. I am so impressed that high school kids would take the initiative to help another family and precious little dog out. This was 100% their idea!

"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet" ~Edith Wharton

If any of you would like to contribute to help save Franky or if you have a place we could set a jar, let me know! I know that I couldn't imagine having to put my little Vinny down. I would love to see them raise this money, not only for Franky, but as encouragement for my students to continue to pursue helping others.