It's true... I am a VIP!! (this one is late... .I know... and there is so much more to the story I will have to add later..)

Yep I am a VIP... at least in the Rodeo world I am... ok, ok, and I that I am a VIP in the Redding and Red Bluff Rodeos....
This last weekend was AMAZING and so what I needed. I have been swimming in my own thoughts for weeks, which can both be good and bad. Either way though I was in need of a good laugh.
I love rodeo, everything about it really. I know some of my friends won't agree and will even say that had an awful time this weekend... But, I am always so happy during rodeo season!! The horses, the music, the cowboys... There is just something about the energy of the crowd, and the fact that for Redding in particular it is a week long community event. Love love love it!
That being said, this year may have just been the best one yet. The final night of the rodeo (yes, I went all three nights... thank you Beck!)my good friend Becky and I were leaving the rodeo grounds after an already awesome night, of 90 point rides, Flirty camera men, and some of the best people watching EVER! Oh my word some of the outfits these girls wear... "even cowgirls can tramp it up" was one sentiment that I heard over the weekend... it's funny to watch these girls throw themselves at the rodeo talent and announcers... Here's the funny thing.. who got into the VIP room and had dinner with the big wigs??? YUP, me and Becky!!
It was some of the most fun I have had in a long time! Becky introduced me to Wayne and Will, who she had met the year before, I left a voicemail for my big crush "Crash" (he's a rodeo clown), and cinched the deal on some VIP treatment at both rodeos next year!! Oh man I can't wait!

Sometimes it takes me awhile... so what?

Well...after a year or so of trying to join the blogging revolution I have finally arrived... I guess it's just that I never had too much to say until now, well... ok, I always have something to say, but it's not always what I would want to publish to the masses...
So where to start, I am assuming that if you are reading this you are already a part of my life and know the basics, I love my family, I love my friends and I faithfully, fearfully, undeniably love the Lord.
As for the latter I have to say that I have come to a renewed passion for Jesus, he has pushed me further beyond the bounds of my little life than I ever thought he would. It all began to take full motion about five months or so ago when I joined a leadership training life group through the stirring. (Which if you haven't checked it out or know what it is, look it up www.thestirring.org)
Anyway, without having to go into ALL the details, I'll leave you with the synopsis (got good at writing those in college... thank you Phil Vaughn)
So, a few months back I joined the life group like I previously mentioned, that was the start to this snowball effect in my life... shortly after that a good friend of mine had asked if I would be a part of leading a small group of young women with her on Wednesday nights, I said yes, without knowing what would soon follow... The group ended up looking nothing like originally thought, the Lord had different plans and made it exactly what it needed to be.
I have been so blessed to be living in a great little house with an amazing roommate that puts up with my revolving door of a life lately. That first night I was able to welcome these girls into my home changed my life, forever... It may sound like an exaggerated comment to make, but let me assure you it is not. You see, I have been ignoring what is burning so ferociously now in my heart for quite sometime. The Lord has used each one of these beautiful young women to awaken in me a passion that I had all but forgotten, or believed that I had any influence in. My heart beats for young women, well women in general really. I so desperately want to see them come to know the Jesus I know, to live in the freedom, passion and love that I have discovered only comes from Him. To see women recognize their beauty, strength, talent, character and depth of love that we all too often forget, to see those same women not only begin to believe in who they are created to be, but to walk in it, own it, and accept it.
I can see now that the Lord had to walk me through some tough lessons to get me to believe it for myself before I could speak it to, or over anyone else. After eight years in total of lessons learned, re-learned and learned again, in these last six months the light finally went on.. I get it now... I am a women in need of her Jesus in order to walk through anymore days in this life with any impact, joy, strength or even success.
...see this is where I get stumped in writing blogs... there is SO SO SO much that could be said about the things I have learned, seen, heard in the last little while but then I would need a book to write it all in.. so maybe I will have to settle for letting bits and pieces come out here and there in the blogs to come.
Heather, I am so thankful that you even thought to ask me to join you during this last semester of life groups, you will never know how much that one invitation has forever changed the direction of my life...
Caitlin, Mackenzie, Jordyn, Jamie, Anna, Megan, Cassie, Andrea, Alia, I am so thankful for each one of you, you will forever hold a special place in my heart as the ones who "woke me up"... I love you.
So, there you go... that concludes article one of this new hobby. Stay tuned though, I have already promised Shelby that I will back to write about traffic tickets, failed court appearances, and sooo many other (non-fictional) stories...