I'm moving!!!!!

And so are YOU!

I have decided to try something new. I am going to use WordPress. The new site name is as easy to remember as this one. http://theresagarcia.wordpress.com/

I needed a change of pace and a little more variety. So, here we go! You can subscribe to my feed and I am working on setting up a following. I am still trying to figure it all out, so bear with me!

Song of the day.

All My Loving

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you

I'll pretend that I'm kissing
The lips I am missing
And hope that my dreams will come true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you

All my loving I will send to you
All my loving, darling I'll be true
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you
All my loving I will send to you
All my loving, darling I'll be true
All my loving, all my loving ooh
All my loving I will send to you

Very Thin Ice

To Do Today...

1. Call a Plumber.
2. Call the sign people.
3. Drink more coffee.
4. Get a vacuum cleaner.
5. Stay dry.
6. Drink more coffee.
7. More phone calls.
8. Study for my Education Mid-Term.
9. Do a little facebook stalking.
10. Try to figure out how to be at 12 million different places at one time on the 20th.
    

Purpose.

Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

Saturday with Seuss...

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind.

Dr. Seuss

Heaaded to A-town.

Oh yes, today I am headed to Athens to see my sweet Kathryn and Georgia and LSU play one another Saturday. While you all know that I am a HUGE Georgia Tech fan, who turns down a free ticket to a college football game? Not me.

I will, however, be cheering on the Jackets as they play Mississippi State (my friend, Bill's-and apparently Dean Slay's-, favorite team). Pretty excited to see/hear the Jackets pull this one out!

On running. And running. And running.

During small group last night, we talked about the ways in which we take time out to consider God and His awesome glory. Everyone had different answers. Nathan remarked that he saw God while he was overseas fight for our country, that while he was in these third world countries, there were moments in the dirt and grime that God revealed Himself and His beauty shone through. Kristin remarked that her grandfather once said that he knew for sure and certain that there was a God when he saw the Grand Canyon for the very first time. Chelsey said that she was in awe of God's detail in the process of pregnancy and birth (especially in light of all the pregnant women in our group.)

For me, it is when I run. Not that He doesn't reveal Himself in other ways and not that I only contemplate His glory when I run, but there is something about running that is so incredible. God designed my body to be able to persevere and push through 1, 2, 3, and 8 miles. He made my muscles strengthen and gave my lungs the capacity to fill and empty as I take each step. The fact that my body responds to the activity is amazing to me. Everything changes. Weight, muscle mass, the percentage of fat, etc.

I love that God is a God of detail. I love that He made my body to work the way that it does on purpose. He knew exactly what He was doing. I love that He created a beautiful world for me to observe while I am running (and an iPod to listen to courtesy of Anthony).

I want to be better about meditating on God's awesomeness. It is what we (I) are (am) called, as Christians, to do.

Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

This week I learned...

• I love organization (although the back seat of my car does not accurately portray that).
• Golden Girls is a must see before I go to bed.
• God's plan is beyond me and my job is to live it out the way He intended me to.
• Next semester is going to rock.
• This Half Marathon is going to be challenging.
• Massive amounts of fat are justifiable after Looooooonnnnngggg runs.
• Young Life in D.C. just might be my calling.
• I l-o-v-e being southern. (Not really something I learned this week...just a thought)
• I have now memorized the theme song to Golden Girls.
• Legal pads are the key to my sanity.

On Running a Half Marathon.

So, I am super crazy and I am planning on running the Augusta Half Marathon. In all actuality, it's not so crazy. I love to run and I have lots of friends running it. I am excited about girl time and the fact that we are doing this together. Yesterday's run was pretty awesome, but short. Four miles and I needed to do eight. We'll try again today.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

On not being perfect.

I am not perfect. Not by any stretch of the imagination. I struggle with sin on a daily basis. I struggle with big sin. I struggle with discontentment, even though I have the world's coolest job, a fabulous school schedule, a family who is awesome, incredible friends, and all the other niceities. I struggle with lust, lack of temperance or moderation, doubt, and selfishness. I complain, whine, and speak without thinking. I struggle with consistency in the word and time in prayer.

So, again, I am not perfect. I find it hard to say which one I am struggling with the most right now, but the one I am feeling the most (which I am sure can be contributed to the lack of consistency in the word and in prayer) is discontentment. Not discontentment with being in Columbus or my job or my general situation. Mostly it is with my lack of a significant other. This might sound like the most ridiculous thing ever, but it is oh so very true. I find that it doesn't so much help when three of your friends get in engaged in the span of two weeks, all of your past serious relationships (with the exception of one) are all in committed relationships (if not already married), and seven couples in your small group are preggers. Not that I want a kid right now and not that I want to get married right now, but I want/desire someone to talk to and go to dinner with and be a couple with. It sounds so silly when I start writing it out. But, I know that God has placed these desires in me for a reason. They are good in moderation and in perspective of God's sovereignty, but out of context and dealt with the way that I have been dealing with it, it is not healthy and sinful.

After a minor meltdown and some tears this afternoon, my mom reminded me of one of my absolute favorite passages in the bible and I want to share them.

Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. -Psalm 37:3-5

I love every part of that passage, but my favorites are "dwelling in the land and cultivating faithfulness" AND "Trust also in Him and HE WILL DO IT." I l-o-v-e that! Trust in Him and He will do it. Do what? Make my righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of my cause like the noonday sun. He will use me to glorify Himself.

The next part of the passage says to "be still and wait patiently on Him" and to "not fret when men succeed in their ways." So difficult, but with His help, we (I) am able to succeed in both. He is so faithful!

I am all about short term goals, so this week I am committing all my to Him. I am committing this week to the idea of dwelling in the land and cultivating faithfulness. This week I will trust in Him, knowing that He will DO IT. I will find moments to be still and wait and know that He is God. I will commit this week to Him, knowing that His plan for me is great, that His love endures forever, and that He loves me beyond anything that I can begin to comprehend. I am His and He is mine. What joy belongs to me!

Happy Birthday!

My sweet baby sister is turning 11 years old today! I can vividly remember the night she was born and the days leading up to it. Mom went to the hospital on Saturday afternoon and was sent home because she wasn't far enough along. After six babies, she thought she knew that it was time, but Katie (and God) had other plans. Over 24 hours later, Katherine Suzanne Garcia was born and cuter, sweeter, funnier little girl has never existed. I may be a bit biased, but I am telling you, this chick is awesome.


Happy Birthday, lovie!

Love,
Deedah

Also-Happy Birthday to Sally VGB! Love you so much!

Life to the max!

Psalm 139:1-6

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I'm never out of your sight.
You know everything I'm going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you're there,
then up ahead and you're there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can't take it all in!

You asked for it...

Per request of readers, I have done some research and found clinics and individual healthcare professionals that provide affordable healthcare in the state of Georgia.

1. Georgia Free Clinic Network
2. St. Francis Hospital
3. Columbus Regional
   

There appear to be four clinics (see numero uno) in our area (Greater Columbus) that provide free healthcare or care on a sliding scale based on your income.

There are also various institutions that provide thousands of dollars of free healthcare through out the year. Keep an eye on your local news for events like the ones below.

1. United Concordia
2. Flagler County Free Health Clinic

Also, in addition to the fact that there are affordable healthcare options available if you look, there are also groups that work together to help each other pay for medical costs. My family has been apart of one of these groups for years. It is not insurance because no one is assuming financial liability. Instead, it sharing the gifts that God has given us. It's called Samaritan Ministries.

If you need more, just let me know and I will work on researching it some more.

**As a side note, in regards to the President's remark about car insurance, let me just point out that while it is the law to have car insurance, everyone has to provide it for themselves and the government has nothing to do with it. Just pointing that out...

Quote of the day.

So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.

Dr. Seuss

This week I learned...

1. The definition of "Tax Increase."
   
2. Driving for six hours by yourself can be lonely.
3. Sharing Young Life with my sister, Mary Lou, is a sweet, sweet thing.
4. I hate homework. (again...something I knew before...just throwing it out there.)
5. I L-O-V-E my job.
6. Relationships only go as deep as you want them to go.
7. Good old fashioned manual labor is a good feeling.
8. Home is where the heart is.
9. Sometimes, Anthony wakes up super smart.
10. Meghan Doll is a super good friend.

**Small Shout Out**Happy Birthday, Pops! Love and miss you!!!

Barack and George-101

I can't make this stuff up...still don't believe me?

You can watch it here:

BFFS (Best Friends Forever Sometimes)

After about five and a half hours on the road today, I am home from spending the weekend at Windy Gap. I thought my heart was going to stop working from going so fast as I drove up Coles Cove Road on Friday night. I was thrilled to back "home."

My reason for going up was to train to wrangle for weekend camps. I worked with the horses and spent all day Saturday outside; riding, mucking stalls, brushing horses, and learning the ropes of the barn. It was fabulous.

It always amazes me how quickly you become friends (or enemies) with folks that you are literally living on top of, even just for the weekend. I felt that way this summer after just a few days at Windy Gap doing summer staff. I felt that way again this weekend as I met folks who were also training. I met some great folks this weekend and had some great adventures.

Friday night was spent catching up with friends from Summer Staff. It was good to see "old" friends. Saturday was spent in the barn and Saturday night was spent exploring downtown Asheville with my new friends, Hannah and Doonie. We had dinner at camp, but ventured out on the town afterwards. We heard all sorts of music, varying from Regge, blues, jazz, and an old-timey Russian vibe. Pretty cool. We stopped at a local Cuban restaurant for some chips, dip, and RC Cola and then drove back to camp. What a night! Lots of laughter, good music, and yummy food.

Overall, it wasn't easy leaving this morning in the pouring rain to drive back to Columbus, but it's comforting to know that I will be back sooner, rather than later.

One of those days.

Today has been one of those days. You know the days. There are ups and downs and seems like there are more downs. It all seems to pile on at once. And then you find this:

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
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Philippians 4:6-8

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding [the wonders of His Person] more strongly and more clearly, and that I may in that same way come to know the power out- flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers]; and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death.

Philippians 3:10 AMP

Hehehe.

(404): i hope kanye doesn't show up to patrick swayze's funeral. " i'll let you get back to your funeral in a minute...but michael jackson had the best death of the year. just sayinnn ".