Lucky or Blessed

**This post is long, but I'd like you to take the time to read it and let me know what you think.**

While I was in my hometown for Christmas, I attended a Christmas Eve service at the church that I grew up in. The preacher preached about grace, but he said a couple of things that stood out to me. The first thing that he said was when it comes to God, you aren’t lucky, you are blessed. That got me thinking about a few things. How many times have we said, about ourselves or others, “That was lucky.” I know I have thought it and heard it many times. Webster defines luck as a chance happening in which one has no control. Webster defines a blessing as a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness. When I stop to think about it now, I must ask myself is the luck I talk about really a blessing from God.

Who are some people that you may consider “lucky?” One person that comes to my mind, especially since I’m a huge SEC football fan is Tim Tebow. Florida has a great football team, and that guy is really talented. He is also a Christian who serves others. You can often see Phil 4:13 written in the eye paint under his eyes. He also does mission work. It is noted that each summer, Tebow returns to the Philippines, where he was born, to lead evangelistic crusades and minister in orphanages. Though I don’t know the guy, I honestly believe his belief and conviction. The preacher at my home church also said that if you seek out His purposes, God will honor you. I truly believe that, even though Tim Tebow is talented, his winning is not luck, but a blessing from God. I do believe, after hearing his story, that Tebow seeks out God’s purposes. I believe God uses him and his success to bring others to Him

Another person that comes to mind is Carrie Underwood. Now I know many of you will laugh at me for saying this because you know I’m a huge fan, but I really think it’s true. Like with Tebow, I don’t truly know Carrie’s heart, but I believe you can see her faith in her actions. She doesn’t get out there and preach, but she lives it. She always thanks God when she wins awards. When she sings songs like “Jesus Take the Wheel”, “How Great Thou Art”, “So Small”, and “The First Noel”, I truly believe she is worshipping the Lord. Just watch her…just download any video of those songs from You Tube and see for yourself. Another reason I believe she is totally grounded is because of her lack of drama and trouble since she has become a “celebrity.” You don’t hear about her getting arrested or sleeping with this guy or that guy, or any other typical celebrity drama. It has been over 3 years since she won American Idol, and she is only in the news and known for positive stuff. How many of us could say that we are only known for positive things and we don’t have the pressure of being famous! I think human nature without the control and conviction of the Lord, would lead us into the negative things. I have had the opportunity to meet her and have brief conversations with her a couple of times. If you’ve ever done that, you know she is a genuine person and is not just putting on a show. Now…I tell you all of that to say that I’ve read and heard interviews where she says that she’s lucky. But knowing what I know, I must say that I think she is truly blessed! I don’t think you get to be the top female vocalist, sell as many albums as she has, have 10 number one songs in 3 years, have as many fans as she has, and touch as many as she has touched just off of luck, a chance happening. She had a fan attendance of 1.2 million people over this past year. She had the opportunity to come into contact with a lot of people! I believe that God used and is using her and her success, as with Tebow, to not only bring honor to Him, but to bring others closer to Him, while blessing His followers along the way!

I tell you all of this because I want to live 2009 in a life full of blessings. I know that means that I must seek out His purposes and follow His ways for my life, but I believe it’s the blessings that make life full. A wise friend of mine, Cynthia, told me “In a book I’ve read there is a line in there that talks about people praying that God will bless what they are doing. But, what if people prayed, "God, let me do what you are blessing”…that would be a completely different prayer. God will never bless what is outside of His Will for you, but He WILL allow you to do what He is blessing for you, if you follow His Will.” I know I won’t be famous and will never be able to sing, but it’s the simple blessings that others may call luck that I’m hoping for. I pray that my life will be one in which brings honor and glory to Him! I want to pray as she stated, “God, let me do what you are blessing.”

I know there are many stories of blessings from ordinary people like me and you. I just used the famous ones to make my point; however, I’d love to hear your story! I hope you all are blessed as we start 2009!

Merry Christmas to all!

Before Ben was in the States, as his godmother, I bought him things all the time. I saw a Santa outfit at a consignment sell one time and had to buy it....even before I knew his size. It is a 6-9 month outfit...and he is almost 15 months old. He tried it on for the first time today, and it's a perfect way to say Merry Christmas to all of you!





I hope Santa brings you just what you want!

A Carrie filled weekend

WARNING: This post will be long, mildly cheesy, and picture heavy....just forgive me!

I know you all read my previous post and know that I saw Carrie Sunday night in Nashville. I then went to Chattanooga on Monday night to see the same show, and I'm so glad I did. I had a BLAST this past weekend. Celia, my sister, and I went to the Nashville show. I didn't have the best tickets...lower level skirt, but I was able to see the "big picture" of the show. I stood, sang, and danced most of the time. Like I said in my previous post, Little Big Town opened for Carrie, and boy are they good! I can't wait to see what else is coming from them. Carrie seemed a little nervous throughout the show, but I found out after that there were many important music business people there that night. She put on a heck of a show even if she was nervous. Like I said previously, the coolest thing about the night outside of the concert was seeing Kellie, Katherine, some of the song writers, and some of the fan club members. Here are a few pictures from Nashville. These are nothing compared to my Chattanooga pics because of my seat location.

This is the only paparazzi like picture that I let myself take of Kellie and Katharine....notice their backs are turned because I didn't want them to see me take it.



Little Big Town




Carrie doing her thing!


I know this is a weird picture but the silhouette make her look like a princess.


Carrie through confetti


Now on to Chattanooga...I met up with Cynthia from the fan club around noon on Monday. I had tried to get meet and greets through connections that I had, but to no avail! However, I told Cynthia that I had a feeling that something good would happen to us. She and I decided to go wait by the buses to see if Carrie would come out. For you non Carrie fans...Carrie will sometimes come out and sign or chat depending on many different factors. We stood outside in the COLD for a couple of hours with other fans, and had a blast just hanging out. As we were about to give up hope and freeze to death, Carrie and her bodyguard came walking towards us. There were about 10 of us out there. She signed and chatted a minute before a mob of people headed toward the concert rushed down. I did manage to get my ticket signed and talked to her a second, but didn't get my picture taken because one of the "mob" insisted that her child have a picture taken...oh well! At least I got to meet her again. She is so awesome to do that because she doesn't have to. I think it just shows her appreciation for her fans!

I had second row tickets for the show in Chattanooga. We ended up being able to stand on the front row with a couple of other people I knew. Little Big Town is even more awesome up close. They really engage the audience...especially those standing up and singing along...which of course my section was doing! I even caught a pick that Jami, the guy from Sumiton, threw out into the audience. Let me say again, that they harmonize beautifully!

Then out comes Carrie....WOW....she was relaxed and ready. It is truly an amazing experience being on the front row. She and the band can see you and interact with you. I think her bass player is hot, and she knew it. She told him "I think you have a few fans on the front row." He played it up to us all night! I got MANY amazing pictures from last night, but I will try to only post a few! For those of you who might care, I was able to get the set list taped by her microphone after the show!! What more could I have asked for...I met her briefly, had front row seats, was acknowledged by her, got amazing pictures, hung out with great people, got the set list, and saw an awesome show!! I say this everytime a post about her concert, but if you have never seen her, you need to go. Her tour is ending in a couple of days, but the next time she comes around, you really should go. I promise she won't let you down...and you might even get to meet her and see what a truly sincere person she is. I can't believe it will be a while before I get to see her again, but at least I ended my Carrie concert season on a high note! Enjoy the pictures.

Carrie walking to us before the show


Carrie signing my ticket



Mark, the bass player that I think is hot!


I have taken so many pictures at the concerts that I've been to that I try to catch her making different faces.






I will leave you with my amateur video of "Go Your Own Way" that she performed with Little Big Town in Nashville. I always love it with the headliner brings out the opener for a song. It always makes for a special moment in the show.

Paparazzi

I will be the first to admit that I am easily star struck. I don't know why I get that way....celebrities are people just like me and you except they make a lot more money! I think they probably put their pants on like you and I...one leg at a time! However, though I am easily star struck, tonight I played it cool and didn't act like the paparazzi. I went to see Carrie Underwood in Nashville tonight. (Pictures and videos will be in the next post because I am seeing her again tomorrow night in Chattanooga!) Between Little Big Town's opening set and Carrie, a guy walked Kellie Pickler and Katharine McPhee less than 5 feet from me. I think he was gonna sit them in seats that were exactly 2 rows in front of me, but Kellie decided to sit in one of the suites versus the seats in front of me. (I think Kellie and Katherine made a smart decision because as the guy walked them back out, tons of people rushed to them to try to get their picture/autograph.) I had my camera in my hand as they stood there making the decision, but I just couldn't bring myself to take a picture of them 5 feet in front of their faces. I just sat there, star struck, but not paparazzi like...you should all be proud! After the concert, I saw some of the songwriters that wrote some of Carrie's number 1 songs...again, I just walked by without interrupting them or snapping a picture!

With that being said, the concert was amazing as usual. Little Big Town is awesome. One of the guys, Jimi, is actually from Sumiton Alabama.....I thought it was pretty neat that a guy from such a small spot in the road in Alabama could be part of an awesome band! They harmonize so beautifully! Carrie, of course, did her thing, and I had a blast. I took Celia with me tonight, so you'll have to get her reaction, but she did say after that she thought that Carrie really could sing! This comes from someone who has rolled her eyes about Carrie since the beginning!

Stay tuned for photos and videos. I got a video of Carrie and Little Big Town performing "Go Your Own Way" together...very nice...you'll have to wait a couple of days to see it!!

I hope you all have a great Monday. I'll be seeing Little Big Town and Carrie again from the second row!! Until then, I hope you play it cool if you run into any celebrities!

Will blog when not sick....

Daphne, Ben and I got home from Ethiopia last night...a day early...and thank goodness! As soon as I arrived in the Birmingham airport, I started vomiting and had diaherra! This lasted for several hours until I got some medicine in my system. I still feel pretty yucky, but haven't had any vomiting today...thank goodness. I have a couple of long posts coming about the trip. I will write one for people who will be traveling to Ethiopia with all the details. I spent hours the couple of days before we left looking for some information like I will post. I also want to do a general post all about the entire AMAZING experience. However, I feel too yuck right now to wrap my brain around everything. I will leave you with a couple of pictures of my precious, smart, handsome godson that came home from Africa until I feel better! Stay tuned!

Look at this smile!


Already a Tiger fan!


An amazing African sunrise that I got to see 2 times (because I was off schedule but who else can say they've ever seen an African sunrise!?! WOW!)

Happy Birthday Little One!

Yesterday was Kate's 3rd birthday. I cannot believe that she has been in this world for 3 years! For those of you who don't know who Kate is, she is a daughter of a very good friend of mine. I play Auntie to her too! Here are a few pictures of her small birthday gathering. She will have a big party this weekend, but since I won't be here, a few of us got together on her real birthday to have a little party.

Kate with the Cinderella doll that Daphne gave her. The kid loves princesses!


Opening presents


The aftermath


Blowing out the candles...hope you made a great wish!

Happy Halloween