Just a few Brene Brown quotes that I love

"When we don't give ourselves permission to be free, we rarely tolerate that freedom in others. We put them down, make fun of them, ridicule their behaviors, and sometimes shame them. We can do this intentionally or unconsciously. Either way the message is, 'Geez, man. Don't be so uncool'."

"Before the breakdown, I was sweeter--judgmental, resentful, and angry on the inside--but sweeter on the outside. Today, I think I'm genuinely more compassionate, less judgmental and resentful, and way more serious about boundaries. I have no idea what this combination looks like on the outside, but it feels pretty powerful on the inside."

"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do."

"We are biologically, cognitively, physically and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick."

"To be nobody-but-yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody but yourself--means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight--and never stop fighting."

--Brene Brown

Well, it has been a little over three years since my last post, but I am going to give this blogging thing another chance! Since my last post, we have lived in 3 cities in Northern California and NYC. Last week we moved to Southern California and we are hoping to be here at least five years--but obviously you just never really know these things!

It took us about 12 hours to load our 24 foot moving truck. We definitely have too much stuff!











We drove south and when we were around LA, a nice fellow was hocking and pointing at us with a look of desperation. We got off the highway and discovered this:




We did eventually make it to our destination--but much later than we anticipated. Dave started his new job about 7 hours after our arrival.

This is the first vacation I have had in quite some time. As most of you know, I can't sit around for longer than about five minutes. So, I started to think that maybe it is time to start a blog.

I am visiting my parents in TX and we have really had a great time together. Both of my sisters are home as well, which adds a lot of joy and craziness to my day!

Unfortunately, Dave had to stay in Ca. We are going on a mission trip to central america in a few months and he has to be able to accumulate enough vacation days to go. I sure have missed seeing him!

I don't know how how often I will write, but it probably won't be a whole lot :) I definitely enjoy reading blogs though!

Joy introduced me to this song at the gym yesterday. You should really check it out!

These two paragraphs are my favorite:

The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run

And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me

God's love and forgiveness always amazes me. There have only been a few situations that have ever caused me to wonder if I could ever truly forgive. I often decide to "forgive" but never see the person the same way again-- that is obviously not genuine forgiveness. I am really glad that God forgives me and continues to see me with the same love he always had. I hope to be able to love, forgive, and embrace the way that Christ does.

I am glad I serve a God like the one described in the song.


Here is the entire song:

Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run

CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran

The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run

And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me

BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day

I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran