To Be Needed

You see them everywhere you go. Everyone has one and are usually using them. You can make calls, send text messages, check your email, take video and pictures, figure a tip- there isn't much that a cell phone won't do these days. I can't remember my life without a cell phone and feel very naked when mine isn't near.

Why? What is our obsession with cell phones, email, text messaging and instant messaging? Why do we feel such a strong pull to be connected and stay connected? What is it about this little machine that has become more addictive than caffeine? What? What? What?

In my opinion, it is because we all (as humans) desire to be needed and wanted. That phone call or text message is a communication that someone needs you or wants your opinion. It has become our link to other people, allowing us to communicate (in numerous ways) with people sitting right next to us or 2000 miles away. Whether it is a simple text message saying "I miss you" or "Call me" or a 2 hour conversation as you are driving home from work, cell phones have given us the ability to be reached 24/7.

As humans, we feed on that accessibilty and get down when no one calls/emails/text messages or when they don't return your communication. Is this healty for our pshyche? Good question. This technology is a part of our world and we have all embraced it (even Arynda finally broke down and bought a cell phone). I couldn't imagine being stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire and no way to communicate my need. Maybe I take it too far, though, but having my phone by my side at all times. At least I haven't graduated to a blackberry aka crackberry (but honestly I would get one in a heartbeat).

As long as we keep our usage in check and do not neglect the person sitting across the table from us at a restaurant in order to carry on a conversation via text messaging, then I think we will be able to survive. We also must learn not to determine our self worth by the number of phone calls, emails, text messages, etc. that we receive.

(I would write more, but the battery on my cell phone is about to die and I wouldn't want to miss an important call...)

Vegas or Bust (A Review)

What do you get when you take one single girl and two married (& pregnant) women, strap them to an airplane and send them to Sin City? You get an excellent adventure!!!

This past weekend, I had the joy of traveling 2000 miles to meet up with S & A in Vegas (baby). We had a blast with seeing the sites, going to shows, shopping, and maybe a little gambling (those nickle slots were hot).

What is my opinion of Vegas? Hmm, let's see. About 20 minutes outside of the city, all you could see for miles were mountains and desert. The mountains were unlike the Smokies, in that there was no lush, green vegetation, but dirt and sand, everywhere. Then, all of a sudden, there it is...Las Vegas! There are slot machines as soon as you step off the plane. You can always tell those arriving and those departing at the airport- those arriving start gambling immediately- trying to check our their luck. Those departing are cursing the slot machines, wishing they had never seen one.

The hotels are amazing and the newest with the greatest gimmicks wins!!! It is interesting to drive down the strip and see the new hotels beside the older ones like the Tropicana and the Flamingo. Those hotels hold such history housing performers such as Elivs, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire. I hope these hotels will remain so the history of Vegas will not be lost.

After walking around the first day, I determined that Vegas was the west coast version of Gatlinburg with all the junk shops and trinket stores. The only difference is that Vegas has gambling and strippers. You take that away and you get Gatlinburg! :)

The saving graces for Sin City are the shows, food and shopping. I realized quickly (after I lost a cool $5 at the slot machines) that gambling wasn't for me and if I was going to drop some serious cash, I would rather do it shopping!!

Overall, it was a fun weekend. I had a great time spending time with the girls and laughing about all the little things. That's what makes a trip, doesn't it? Its not about where you go, but who you go with!!!

Would I go back to Vegas? Probably but not for an extended amount of time. What would be fun would be to fly into LA and spend some time there. Then drive to Vegas for the weekend, do the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam thing and then drive back to LA.

Any other tips? The city is very much geared toward men, so be prepared. I also think we were the only non-smoking people there (I guess everyone from California and New York that got kicked out of public places for smoking comes to Vegas). There is a lot to do without spending a dime in the casinos. Enjoy observing all the different people that are there (a true melting pot) and all the different personalities of each casino. Vegas is certainly not a place for children.

But alas, I cannot share anymore, because you know what they say about what happens in Vegas...

Memory Verse- January 12th

The Lord's lovingkindnesses never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

GOD's loyal love couldn't have run out,
His merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness! (MSG)

Great is thy faithfullness, Oh God my father.
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
All I have needed, thy hands have provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!!!

Israel

With the sudden, massive stroke of Israel's Prime Minister, Sharon, the question facing our world is what will happen to the Israel's leadership? Sharon has been a long time friend of the United States. If he dies, will the new Prime Minister maintain such a close relationship with the US and other countries? Will improved relations with Palenstine come to a halt? Does this emminent change bring us one more step closer to Christ's return?

We live in interesting times...Only One knows what the future holds.

Friends

I had such an awesome weekend over New Years. I got to spend time with my friends in Knoxville. I felt as if I had never left. Thanks for making me feel welcome and included. To my girls, thanks for all the girl time and talk time (about God).

Memory Verse

Here is my memory verse for the week... Very fitting for a new year...

"For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:11-13

I like how it is written in "The Message"-
"Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. "

It is not my job to worry about the "things" God has filled the hands of my friends with, but rather to be content with what He has placed in my hands and has filled me with because Christ is the one who makes me who I am.

Update on Being 30

Okay, so I am not 100% thoroughly convinced that I like being 30. I think it is more the stigma attached to the number than anything else. I have had several friends turn 30 over the last few months and one of them enlightened me about her take on turning 30. I like it so much that I decided to embrace this philosophy and pass it along to you.

What does being 30 mean to me? Well, the most important thing (thanks to Amy) is that I know who I am and where I fit into the world. I'm not in that "still trying to figure out" stage. I am confident in who I am- Memphian, single, singer, friend, sister, daughter, banker, etc. Although we all want to be accepted, I have figured out the type of people I want to seek acceptance from and those I don't. I have realized that I like people that are confident in themselves versus those that are self-depricating. I know how I like to dress and what I want my clothes and my appearance to say about myself. I'm not ashamed to admit that I like Tiffany's jewelry but also love to buy cheap, trendy jewelry too. I love bargain shopping and hate paying full price for anything!! I dye my hair blonde and splurge on going to a good hair salon.

Being 30 is about celebrating who you have become and about using the gifts and talents that God has blessed you with 1) for His honor and glory, 2) to continue in your own self development (and not self determination), and 3) to give back to your community.

Thank you, Amy, for giving me a new outlook on being 30. If only we could convince people to call it 20-10!!!

Sisters

I love my sister and have truly enjoyed living with her over the past few months. Our friendship has strengthened and I look forward to it continuing to deepen. Over Christmas, my grandmother's sister's husband passed away. He had been sick for about a month and passed away on the 26th. I went with my grandmother to see my great aunt. I watched my 86 year old grandmother walk into her house and embrace my great aunt with only the type of embrace that a sister could give. I watched them share a connection and was reminded that not only is my grandmother my grandmother and my mother's mother, but she is also a sister. I looked at Cindy and prayed that when I am 80+ years old, my sister will be there to hold my hand and embrace me when my husband passes. I also hope that I will be able to do the same. Family is so important and there is nothing like the relationship you have with your sister and brother.