so you had a bad day...

listening to: "Sway" by: The Perishers
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As most of you know I had one of the WORST days I've had in a long time. I spent most of the day crying to Wynnde about my chinese food that I spilled all down the front of me and didn't get to eat any of... the guy in the 15 passanger that tried killing me... or the exit I knew was there but missed cause I was too busy crying.

But then Wynnde did something that reminds me of why she is one of my best friends. So I go to dropp of my last two barrels for the Class Act Back Pack Drive at Lake Michigan Credit Unions around Grand Rapids with my chinese food covered WCSG polo and favorite jeans. My cell rings and I look down seeing the word "Pearson" staring back at me.

That in itself almost made me cry. Why is it that when you're at your worst the greatest things happen??? God is truly amazing. Anyway. So I'm having this horrible, terrible, no good, very bad day (Hey that's a book!) and then Pearson calls.

So we talked for a while and he was a sweet heart as usual. We talked about Amy. We talked about my moving and of course, my bad day. Basically he told me that they (being the Nevertheless guys) called just to say hey.

Well after I got off the phone I talked to Wynnde and she told me that she called Pearson cause she knew AJ's minutes were up for the month and that hearing from the guys would cheer me up. Pearson totally played dumb. He acted like he didn't know I was having this aweful day. He just let me vent.

I heart my friends. But my day is so much better now. Hearing from Pearson really helped. Wynnde knew it would. Wynnde really cared that I was having this aweful day and she tried to take some of the weight on herself so I wouldn't be so saddened by it. She also cheered me up a bit by telling me she's gonna be 15 minutes from my house and 20 minutes (TOPS) from the station on Wednesday. Brandon called just to make sure I was ok and to let me know he was praying for me. THANK YOU WYNNDE, BRANDON AND PEARSON!!! It really means a lot to me to know I have friends like you.

Well I have to stop now. I haven't been sleeping well lately... ok ever... but it's been worse lately with the move and job hunting and all... and I promised a few friends I would go to bed early tonight... SO MUCH FOR THAT! They're actually telling me THEY'RE going to bed before me!

WHOOPS!!!
- Stacey -

God And Saying Goodbye

Watching: Sweet Home Alabama
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You know those moments where God reminds you how precious life is... just how scared you can get... and show you what is truly important... all in a moment?

Today I was visiting my sister, Anisa along with her husband, Josh and my three beautiful nieces, Kendra, Emmalee & Joslynn.

I had been acting and feeling weird all day. But while we were just sitting there reading a book my heart started acting up again. But this time it affected my lungs... I really thought that maybe today was the day that I was going to die.

I began thinking about all the things that mattered to me. The things in my life that I say mean so much to me that in all reality.. I hardly give a second thought. I began thinking about the 'what ifs'. Like "what if I never see Emmalee turn 4"... "What if I never hear Joslynn say 'I love you, Aunt Stacey."... "What if I don't get to interrogate Kendra's first boyfriend."

But then I began thinking... I'm going to miss those things anyway. Because when I move to Tennessee finally... it's sort of like the Stacey from the middle of nowhere, Michigan will die. Because it's not like I'll be a few towns away. I'll be a few states away... a few... long... hours away. I wont get to see those girls all the time.

I'm really going to miss those three. But there are things you have to let go of when you have a dream like I have my whole life. I'm going to try to be a better Aunt to those girls... A better sister to my sisters... a better daughter... a better friend. Cause you just never know... cause no matter if I die tomorrow... or move to Tennessee... I'm going to have to say good-bye.

Amazing Stories: week 2

listening to: Jerry cutting into the groupnd to put in patio stones, mom & Jen being Mom & Jen, the pool filter, & the wind

reading: The Ishbane Conspiracy
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Today was one of most powerful sermon's that I have ever experienced. We're in our 2nd of 5 week "Amazing Stories" Series. Last week was all about Isaac & Abraham and laying down the "Isaac" in our lives. This week the amazing story we focused on was Moses and the Red Sea. About how when we get to the moments in our lives when there's no way out... look to God and see the path he has created. It's there... it's just may be at the bottom of the sea.

After the sermon, Pastor Joel asked those of us who are in a 'no way out' point in our lives for an altar call. It was a really emoional time as the congregation watched our friends and family take their place at the stage. There was hardly an empty space along the front of the stage and not a dry eye in the sanctuary.

After a prayer for those who were dealing with thier "Red Sea" the service was dismissed and something called me up front to comfort a friend of mine. I didn't ask questions. I just hugged them and cried with them. They asked if they could talk to me. I of course agreed and we sat down. It took at lot for them to open up and let go of what was troubling them. I'm greatful that this person could confide in me. I only wish I knew how to help. I gave the only advice that I knew since I have never been in that situation. And I couldn't help but feel guilty.

I felt guilty for being as happy as I have been over the past few months. I felt guilty that things are going so well in my life. That things are falling into place when it comes to my moving to Tennessee.

Then as we cried together a little more and began to pray together. A "Miracle" happened... I have a certian friend that every time I'm having a bad day or something bad happens just happens to know or something. He's always there. We were praying and I heard the guitar into to one of his band's song playing on the PA. It was the first time I had ever heard him play at my church. I looked up, knowing people were thinking I was insane... most people think that anyway... and said something along the lines of "Now is no the time to be funny up there!" Leslie, my friend and I all laughed and I just had to call my friend whom was playing. I got his voicemail. But I had to let him know that he was not only there for me as I comforted a friend, but he was there for my friend who needed it and he didn't even know it.

This was the point in my blog where I was going to try to be all wise and junk by quoting "My Savior, My God" by: Aaron Shust. Teling you, my dear reading friend, that I was at one of the "Red Sea" moments in my life not 2 months ago... wait... it was... 2 months... today. well the last day of it anyway. God speaking to me telling me "You're not supposed to understand, you're supposed to just do as I tell you." and using the lines from that song that say "I am not skilled to understand what God has willed what God has planned." and reminding myself of that daily was my path through the Red Sea.

Anyway... now that I have done my daily rambeling... As I read the lyrics to the rest of Aaron's songs I found one more suiting. So I will just leave you to ponder this. And I hope it will help you to look to God and find your path through the Red Sea. In his song "More Wonderful" he says...

"When the world crashes down around me
I know You'll be there to pull me out from the rubble
When my enemy surrounds and I call on Your name
You'll be there to deliver me from my troubled soul"

amen.