Like We're Dying

So I am sure most of you have heard the song "Live Like We're Dying" sung by Kris Allen. Now I have heard this song many times, and I got to thinking.
It's not easy to live like your dying if you have never been there. I don't know about you, but I don't think about this being my last moment in life, but if it were, I hate to say it, but I would be regretful, and if you know me, I try not to regret anything in life.
This then brings up another idea. What does it mean to live like you're dying? There are stories, people who have the "bucket list." Sky dive, run a marathon, things that you never did. But maybe it should be a little simpler. Talk to people, make an effort to be a friend, tell people how much you appreciate them, and love them.

I know this is kind of a weird topic, but there is a reason I am writing this. I am going to try and live more like I'm dying, because the truth is I don't know when God has planned to call me to Him. I don't want to find out that I missed out on something that He put in front of me, and I don't want anyone left here to wonder what they meant to me. I know if you really follow this it is selfish. But were this my last post, I hope people would not say what a hypocrite I was/am, but how loving I was, how thankful I was for my friends and family.

Now I am not saying I am going to go out and do all the things I want to do, because not only would it be a long, expensive, and sometimes dangerous list. bungee jumping, skydiving, get a tattoo, etc. Instead of that I am going to try and live without fear to tell the guy I like, that I like him. I'm going to try and live without fear of rejection, and for me this is a huge mountain to climb, not just from the guy, but from letting people see me. The real me, the one God has made, and not hide that. I don't want to be the light under the bowl.

So here is what I ask of you. If you see me doing something that you think I will be backstepping let me know. Don't be afraid to be honest, but don't be afraid of an honest reply. I'm asking this because I cannot do this alone, and one person won't be able to be around me always, and it would be a little creepy if they were.

I also challenge you to live like this as well.

well I should be off to bed soon.
Goodnight friends.
~D

The Amazing

I was at my sister's house this weekend, I played cars with my nephew, and ran around a mall. All in all it was a good weekend, thanks to a cool boss who gave me those days in a row. Sure last week started out badly, but this week it will go better, not much can darken my mood, although I am running on what feels like little sleep (I actually got quite a bit,) and just drove for the last 3 hours, ohh the joys. Then off to work my 9.5 hour shift at MckyD's, no stopping at home, no getting a hour nap.

Well it's okay, I will survive, and so will my crew, they have seen me through worse.

But what are the three things that have made my weekend?
One: Spending time with my sister, something that doesn't happen as much as I would like. She is one of those people that seems to know me without trying, even if we haven't been close are whole lives.
Two: My nephew Dominic, the coolest 2.5 year old I have met yet. Though he is in his terrible twos, he still is adorable, and lovable. He played cars with me, let me hold Kitty and Teddy, and played UNO with me. He rocks, especially since he will fight about who loves who. "I love you," "no I love you." and so on.
And of course Three: I felt my unborn, un-named, nephew kick, or really my sister thinks it his elbow or hand. It was soo cool, because when she was pregnant with Dominic he wouldn't kick. What makes this even cooler for me; Beth said he usually stops moving when someone besides her and Jon feel for him, but he sure moved for me. Yay!

When these things happen I cannot not believe that God is there watching everything, and orchestrating it all. So we have some bad days, think of all the small things God does. When a little flutter tells you there is a baby. When a family member calls even when you didn't know they would, and your having a bad day.
All these things, every little thing that is still working, how can I not want to worship the One who makes it all work. The one who paints the sky when the sun goes down, made up colors to put on trees, and who breathes life in all living things.

~D

Crazy McDonalds Rants,,, and others,

Most days I will tell every one I love my job, and I am not lying. I love working with people and with all my crew members. I am, and proud of being, a Certified Swing Manager, meaning I can run a shift, open, and close my store.
But then there are the days when I am not doing a good job at keeping patience, and am continually asking God to help me love His people, even though I just want to start explaining to them about common respect, and decency. So for today I will Rant to anyone listening and let you know some things you should do and things you should NOT do.

In drive-thru,
1 if the auto greet says order when ready, please order, do not say "Hello?", "Are you there?", or any kind of phrase like that, We are ready to take your order, so please order.
2 Please do not be on the phone when you get up to the auto greet, get off the phone before you get in the drive-thru lane. This is for two reasons, one, we never know who you are talking too, well at least most of the time, you are also saying that we, the drive-thru staff, do not deserve your respect. Second, we can hear your conversation, really we can, once you are at the speaker we can hear everything you say, so if you are going to a persons house for dinner, a party, are giving directions, or any other thing, remember there are at least three people who now know that information.
3 Don't smoke while going through, not only is it disrespectful to our staff, it is also illegal to smoke withing 10 feet of any opening, this includes the drive through window.
4 if we ask you to repeat yourself it is not usually because you are not speaking loudly enough, it is because the passenger is ordering, your truck or the one behind you is to loud, there was a loud noise in the store (example someone dropped a tray, or yelled to another worker,) or even that we have trouble understanding you because of an accent or something of the kind.
5 Please remember that not only is the person taking your order, but they are also taking the money of the car in front of you, and sometimes fixing the other customers order or adding to it, be patient with us and we will be more then willing to be patient with you.

I know these seem silly, and most people do not do these things, but enough do, to the point where we feel like we are going crazy. especially when people look at us like we are stupid, or since we work at McDonald's we couldn't do anything better.
Sorry for the rant, or drive-thru tutorial.
~D

You know its crazy, I am 21, it's 2010, and my family is in balance for the first time in a long time. It's amazing to see what God can do in a year. It sure has been a big year. And I am thankful for so much, confused as ever, and curious to know what He has in store for this new year.

Last year I was sent to Alaska with 6 others from my church, and 4 more that have been apart of our church through their mission work for a long time. I learned that my life is to help others, how I haven't quite figured that out yet. While there I met so many people who taught me so much, Dan and Barb, and their children, Caleb and Audry. They showed me how to love God and those around me even when you fear for your life, or the life of your family. Barb taught me just how important it is to hold onto His hand when you are uncertain of your future. Dan taught me that no matter what you can make it to the top of a mountain (well technically a glacier,) when you think you're at your end keep pushing, because He will give you strength.

I have found that God provides, even when you think He will leave a prayer unanswered, He has a way of making it work out to His will, and I am thankful that that includes a bedroom. (No more sleeping on a couch!!!) I have also found that when you follow Him you can find joy in the painful times.

Through this last year I have learned that having friends means you have to work at it. Now I knew this before, but I wasn't the best at putting this into action, but I hope all my friends know how much I love and appreciate them. How thankful I have them to pick my spirits up when they fall.

Through this last year I have realized how precious my family is to me. I hope you all know how much I love you and will always love you!

I guess you could say this year was another year, but for me, it was an amazing year that opened my eyes, heart, and mind. I may not know what I want to be when I grow up, what to study in school, and where I will be in 5 years, but I'm okay with that. I know I am Me, I still have growing to do, and things to learn, and I am ready to embark on this adventure, with Him by my side.

I look forward to what this year will bring.