Go VOLS!

We just got back from Knoxvegas! We worked Thursday and Friday, then enjoyed the weekend relaxing. We even got to have dinner with my friend Jon and his new fiance Whitney on Friday night. They were in town taking their engagement pictures.  We had a blast and Jon, we approve!  Saturday it rained all day, but cleared up right before kick off.  The VOLS played Ohio University and somehow pulled it out!  It was a blast to be back in my alma mater singing Rocky Top all night long!  We even got to have Gus’s Good Times Deli! My favorite…steamed sandwiches! Yumm!!

Here are a few pictures from the game!

Jay & I at the game

Big T

Running through the T

Protecting the door

I was forwarded a poem today that went a little like this:

SO I STAY NEAR THE DOOR 

I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out….it is the door through which men walk when they find God. There is no use my going inside and staying there, when so many are still outside and they, as much as I, crave to know where the door is…So I stay near the door…

There is another  reason why I stay there. Some people get part way in and become afraid…somebody must be watching for the frightened who seek to sneak out just where they came in to tell them how much better it is inside…I admire the people who go way in. But I wish they would not forget how it was before they got in. Then they would be able to help the people who have not yet even found the door or the people who want to run away again from God….You can go in too deeply and stay too long and forget the people outside the door…

We must NOT forget to “protect” the door too!  What a concept! I think some of us Christians are so busy standing by the door to wave new people in, that we FORGET about those who are already inside and let them “slip” out the door.  Do we not care about our own people as much as we do the non-believers??? It makes you think.

We must protect our own people from the Devil’s temptations and let us not forget where we came from and where we’ve been. It’s those memories that remind us 1)how to relate to the non-believers and 2)provides a reality check to remind us of how much we need God on a daily basis.  So please, I beg you, do not forget to keep our fellow Christians engaged.  We do this by being engaged in each other’s lives.  So next time you walk by that person’s cube/office/house….will you stop to ask how they are doing?

Choosing to be content

Content. This has always been a word that has stuck out to me.  Many people perceive it as a negative connotation. However, it has great meaning to me.  It’s how I feel on a daily basis since I found God.  What does being content mean to you? Is it good or is it bad?  It is defined in the dictionary as, “being satisfied with what one is or has;  not wanting more or anything else;  the state or feeling of being contained.”  So I ask you, “are you content?”

During our bible study on Sunday, we discussed the difference in Christians and non-believers.  The biggest difference was the overall perception of Christians on their outlook of life. Meaning we (Christians) always seem happier than non-believers. Their reactions to situations are much more positive than non-beleivers.  Christians tend to find joy even in the worst of situations because they have God to head them in the right direction.

To me, that is what “being content” means to me…..”to be a Christian.”  Therefore, I am “content” because I’m a Christian.  Just as love is a choice,  so is happiness. You have to choose to find the joy in your situation, rather than to dwell in the negative aspects.

Before I found God, I became “paralyzed” by life’s little bumps in the road.  When a problem would arise, I found myself completely devastated to the point that I couldn’t find anything good to be happy about, as if nothing else was going on in my life.  I began to lash out at people, instead of allowing myself to be vulnerable enough to just be hurt.  I over reacted and became angry because  I didn’t have God in my life to help guide my emotions and direction.  It didn’t happen over night and I’m NOwhere near perfect, but now, as a Christian, I find myself more content in life’s unexpected moments.  I say moments because a typical day is full of good and bad moments, it’s just the ones you choose to dwell on that determine your happiness. 

I’m not saying Christians don’t have problems…absolutely not true! But what I am saying is that they choose to find the joy, no matter what their circumstances.  Rather than dwelling in the bad, they try to find the lesson that God is trying to teach. “What God, do you want me to learn?” versus “Why did you do this to me?”  Life’s tribulations are God’s tests.  He is testing your faith when times get rough.  He tests you to see how you’d react.  Are you prepared? Would you lean on him to find answers or would you become “paralyzed” by your situation? You have to prepare yourself for anything. Always lean on God to direct your path and give you wisdom to make the best choices.  Next time you are faced with life’s up and downs…How will you find your joy?

“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your fatih is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything”  James 1: 2-4.

Loving Twitter

Well, I just couldn’t resist.  I signed up for Twitter today, so if you are on Twitter, look me up! It’s my new favorite toy.  Even better, I can post my “tweets” on my blog! Yieehh!  They are posted at the very bottom along with our wedding videos and if you havent’s seen those…well you are missing out on a few tears and laughs!  I decided against Facebook.  I just couldn’t do it.  I’m a Twitter fan now though. Can you believe it?  I know, I know, I’m almost ashamed, but not enough to keep me away! 

Well, I’m also trying out a new theme for the blog.  Let me know how you like it…the search option, links, calendar, and TWITTER updates are at the very bottom now!! : ) 

We are going to the Fair tonight with Aydin.  Last weekend for those of you who want to go.  Mom, we had a great time at dinner with you last night.  Hope you girls had fun afterwards and I love you!  Sunday night we are eating with Dad.  Jay and I are also on baby duty. We get to watch my little brother, James, while Dad visits with a friend who just had a…guess what? Baby.  Surprise! We will have to update you on how the baby duty goes.  It will either encourage us to have babies or wait it out for a while.  Stay tuned…

Oh and I just have to say congratulations to the love of my life….”Jay baby congratulations on your sell today! You deserve it and I’m so proud of you!! I hope I was your good luck charm today!” … Jay and I got to eat lunch together today and I had a chance to meet a few of his co-workers.  They are all very sweet and I can tell they love Jay.  It makes me feel good.  Well off to see my other baby…Aydin.

Have a great weekend!  ~ Dana

Lazy Labor Day

 

Jay & I at the pool on Labor Day

Charlie, me, my sister and mom

My little Charlie posing

Me & Jay at Linda’s Wedding

Linda Phan & I at her Wedding

Me and my new nephew

Jay & Marshall

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Well we can honestly say a “lazy” labor day.  We were very chilled this weekend with no plans what so ever, except a friend’s wedding Sunday night.  It has been a nice change of pace.  But if you ask Jay…he’d say it’s boring.   LOL!  I say… I think we needed it.  We have been overwhelmed with work and wedding plans that we finally have “free” time.  It’s almost as if we didn’t know what to do with ourselves!  Quiet time? WHAT? : )

Our pastor has been preaching on “taking quiet time with God.”  He said this was one of the hardest lessons for people because they freak out when there actually IS quiet time.  We are constantly “connected” either by phone, computer,  activities, work or socializing that we do not know how to “connect” with God. 

My question for you is,  ”what do you do with your quiet time?”  Do you know that prayer is just simply…talking to God? This is taken from our pastor, so I can’t take credit. However, I love it.  It’s so simple.  I find myself talking to him constantly.  I talk to him in my car on the way to work, on my way home from work, before I go to bed, in the shower, when I go for a run or work…etc, etc.  Point is, every second I get a few minutes of quiet time, I talk to him.  Sometimes, I don’t really know what to say, so I just start talking. I talk and talk and talk until I get all my worries out, thoughts, hopes and dreams.  At the very end, I feel better knowing I left all my worries with him, so I don’t have to worry anymore.  I leave it in his hands to decide what is best for me.  But if you want answers…all you have to do is ask.  If  a new baby name is what you need…ask.  If you are worried about getting a product launched on time…ask.  If you are moving and don’t know where to live…ask.  Whatever your worry, just ask God to help guide your path. Tell him you’re worried and need help.  Then just ask him to lead you in the right direction.

It works, but I warn you….just remember that when you ask, be sure you are ready to listen.  And remember it’s a whole lot easier to listen when you have quiet time!  “Make quiet time to listen as God whispers and the world is loud.”  That’s one of my favorite quotes.  God will answer you, but if you’re not taking the time to listen, you will never find your answers. So when and what will you ask?

Lesson for today:

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”   Matthew 11:28

“But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you.”   James 1:5

Babies

Babies, babies, babies…everywhere!!! No not ours! All of our friends and family are having babies! Starting in March, we were blessed first with little Gaston Galjour (boy).  Then my new little brother, James, in June. July was Madden Thie (girl), parents of Michelle and Matt Thie.  August was a blessing with 2 babies…our new nephew Marshall Whiteaker, to (Jay’s sister) Kelly and Travis Whiteaker. Then little Hayden Diaz (boy) was just born last Friday to proud parents, Renee and Chris Diaz. We even had to rush Cal (from work) up to the hospital today because his wife was having a baby and don’t forget, Michele Buring is due with her second little boy this month. Whewwww…that’s a lot of babies. Aren’t they cute?!

Gaston T. Galjour

James Hanlon (my new brother)

Madden Michael Thie

Marshall David Whiteaker

Hayden Foster Diaz

Our “Baby” & Cousin Marshall

My Dad, little Brother James & Aydin

Aydin watching the Polar Bears

Simpson’s at the Zoo

I have to admit, it’s tough not to think about having some of our own little ones when all your friends are having babies, left and right, but…we are going to wait! We are loving being married and do look forward to having a few of our own one day. Until then, we are just enjoying our time with our other “baby” (shhh…don’t tell her), Aydin, but she says she’s a big girl now.  She told us that she would always be our little girl last weekend. It was so cute.  She really reminds me of myself.  I can really see myself in her because I have been in her shoes.  I was the exact same age when I met Dad and I know how hard it can be to go from home to home.  You always feel like you are missing out on something, somewhere.  So, I always try to make sure we all do something fun when we have her. We get her every other weekend and she is the life of the party when she’s here.  I always want her to have her own room because it’s important to me for her to know she is home when she is here.  We took her to the Zoo last weekend and had a great time, not to mention perfect weather!  Here are some pictures of her at the Zoo and with her new cousin, Marshall, and new uncle, James.