Then a Hero comes Along...

There's a hero, if you look inside your heart,
You don't have to be afraid of what you are.
There's an answer, if you reach into your soul,
And the sorrow that you know will melt away.

And then a hero comes along,
With the strength to carry on.
And you cast your fears aside,
And you know you can survive.
So, when you feel like hope is gone,
Look inside you and be strong.
And then you'll finally see the truth,
That a hero lies in you.

It's a long road when you face the world alone;
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold.
You can find love if you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt will disappear.

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive.
So, when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you.

Lord knows dreams are hard to follow,
But don't let anyone tear them away.
Just hold on, there will be tomorrow,
In time you'll find the way.

And then a hero comes along,
With the strength to carry on.
And you cast your fears aside,
And you know you can survive.
So, when you feel like hope is gone ,
Look inside you and be strong.
And you'll finally see the truth,
That a hero lies in you.
That a hero lies in you.
Ohhh that a hero lies in you.

This is one of my very favorite songs... but why?
I believe the basic of this song is to remind us that NO ONE is too weak to be defeated! I have been through some pretty hard things in my life as I know others who have been through much worse and back. In those moments a song like this may make me cry, but it also brings light to reality. The reality is that if we search into our soul, we find our deepest connection to the meaning of our life, and we realize hey you know what I can do this... I am in deed not just a survivor but a hero.
Of course this song can also be a reminder of all the hero's in our lives, I was supposed to dance to it with my big brother at my wedding. In my life, when I define Hero it is with names like God of course, Bob, Mama, Daddy, Amanda, Kelly, my husband..... many many many more. The significance here is that none of these people nor myself wear spandex and have super powers, except God of course, but rather they are just people. Broken people at that, with struggles of their own and their very own demons fighting inside of them. But, at some point and even numerous points they were there with an open heart and the right words of encouragement and love and they helped me find my inner hero.
I do think that Mariah Carey is referring to self heroism in the song. She is encouraging us to look at our selves to realize that when we look into our hearts and souls.. the sorrow that we know will melt away. We will meet our own hero that lives within us, the hero that God placed so delicately in each of our hearts to give us the strength to survive. The one who gives us the strangth to not lose focus of our dreams and our purpose.
So whether you take this song and look for the hero that lives within your own soul, or you take it and turn to all the other hero's in your life, I encourage you to just listen to it and be moved by it. Simply, a song of great encouragement and truth. And, it has been a favorite of mine since my dog charlie died and my big bro that was away at college stepped up and became what I then thought to be my hero. Then when I was 21 my world crumbled from around me and I didn't care much for who I was, I didn't think there was much to me. And, then I met Jesus and he sent me hero's from all different walks of life, and together with this song as the background music, I found that hero in my own heart. The one that said... I will not be defeated, I am loved and I have purpose, and that is the hero that still to this day keeps me moving.

Just listen..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWlS8Oerx8o

the messages we send...

I will be writing this as if it were yesterday because I wrote it yesterday just never got the chance to type it.. ok just making sure that's clear. So, today I was walking downtown to lunch with a couple good friends of mine. We were just talking and laughing, and in a joking manner I brought up the subject of stupidity. I suggested making a scarlet letter style "s" to slap on the forehead of stupid people. I was reflecting on someone in my literature class categorizing George Washington with the Civil War. No, George Washington wasn't President during the Civil War, NOT even close.. how about the American Revolution! I laughed out loud because this was either a moment of obliviousness or just flat out idiocy. Then in the afternoon I was in Pysch class listening to the Professor ramble on about developmental stages. Today we discussed emotional and social development, an area I'm actually very interested in. I even believe it to be the up most important stage in development. Hear me out, if you are malnourished there is still hope and possibility to recover with ample food and rest, you can still grow and development healthy. (physical development) If you are deprived educational resources and intellectual skills you can still live in a functional manner. It may not be easy but life can still be fulfilling. (Cognitive development). However, WORDS and the lack of emotional support can DAMAGE a person for Good. Emotional development affects social development and together those can make or break a person. In the early years the messages sent to children can form their life long self image and worth. Therefore we should be sensitive to all developmental disabilities indeed. We need to realize that yes developmental stages occur in our younger years, but the HEART and the brain endorphins that control self image and perspective are ALWAYS delicate. Therefore, we even as grownups need to be careful with our words and actions, and realize that the messages we send to others do affect them deeply.
I AM very blessed to have parents like I do who were aware of all my developmental stages, sensitive to the person "they" were molding. Of course they fed me well, offered numerous educational tools, adamant about providing me the appropriate opportunities and tools to enhance my cognitive development and desire to learn and do my best. But MOST importantly they offered sincere love, and support, encouragement, and discipline. They allowed me autonomy while teaching me respect and dignity. They allowed me the chance to initiate my own interactions with others but with boundaries and guidance. In other words my parents expected/ expect the best out of me and they do get discouraged when we don't succeed. They let me know that they expected better without labels of negative messages, such as " you deserve an "S" for stupid". Granted I'm thinking most of us had parents who did not call us stupid, however, I think A LOT more often then not parents FAIL at expressing love and self worth. It some how or the other is not taught in a proper positive manner that you should respect yourself and love yourself. The point of this is not a pyschology paper or to brag on my parents effective and awesome ability to raise strong, functioning, children but rather to make myself and others aware of our very own messages.
The message we send to preschoolers can immobilize them or mobilize them for a lifetime even as college students and adults. So it is evident the messages we send to everyone does take affect on their livelihood. I am aware that most of you reading this don't have a 3 year old, but I'm sure as I do myself, we know and love someone who has been paralyzed or severely crippled by inadequate caregiving and love during not only the developmental stages, but along the course of their life. And, still to this day scars from messages that have a lasting effect on everything else's potential.
Doesn't this kinda sound like Satan? He feeds off conversations such as the Scarlet " S" in which I pick fun of someone Else's mistake, and others laugh at it. Isn't that Satan? Isn't it like Satan to keep parents and friends from sending positive messages of love to others. Isn't like Satan to deprive someone of their own self worth, and to not offer the appropriate praise, support and encouragement to others. It's just like Satan to take a conversation with friends on the way to Cubbies and use it to potentially damage someone else. We, especially myself, need to be more sensitive to others hearts even in our jokes. Quite often my jokes or sarcasm spurs from pride, and further damages my honest humility. Because one bad joke could ruin not only someones day but their own lasting self esteem. Not to mention it shuts them off from you and from me. Even though I think this mornings rip van winkle discussion made others look and sound really silly, I had NO right to make a joke out of it, especially not at someone else defense. And, really how often do we do that... we do it all the time!
In all honesty, once my guard is down I'm such a softy... filled with humility through God's grace and discipline. I am the kind who just sits and cries over others pain, I do care about what happens to Gods people. And there is no doubt in my mind if I had of walked out of class with the same girl the joke was on, and saw her about to get hit by a bus, I'd do my best to save her. Because that is my call ... that is what God has told me to do... not make clever Satan like jokes. My point with this is to use my/ our hearts to guide us. To be sensitive and empathic without being doormats of course, but with integrity and love send messages that we really mean.
God gave me a strong heart and awesome parents who did their best to raise me in a healthy and positive manner... and now it is my DUTY to take that combination and live it out. I need to guard the hearts of all people and love others in the way I am loved. I need to relay the messages that I have never been denied!!

My Wedding Day

So as most of you know I got married September 20th and that little cliche is true.... it WAS indeed the BEST day of my life! Everything about the days leading up to the wedding and the BIG day was just perfect. We'll start with Thursday... I went to Kay to pick up my band because it was initially to small, and I thought for sure they were not going to let me get it because Shayne's name was on the receipt. But as I thought a little harder about that ... I was like " well I signed it too" and after we spotted my little microscopic signature they turned the band over to me! Stress number 1! Then Thursday night was very delightful.... and a little stressful at the same time. We were making programs with a printer that printed slower than slow, but it was me and a few great friends... so it was worth it! Then the people started to arrive.. the out of town guests. These were families who drove miles and miles just to watch us get married. And, as we were sitting around visiting I began to get a little overwhelmed with the blessing of friendship and unity. Friday morning I received some awesome news... God had yet again answered a prayer. My cousin decided to take part in my big day, and in all honesty it was the highlight of Friday. Friday was great!... Shayne and I went and applied for a marriage license, and picked up the cakes. Then we came back home to a yard full of friends and family decorating for the big shin dig. That night.. was rehearsal and I got to meet some of Shayne's childhood buddies I'd never met before that were groomsmen. I had my favorite teenagers agree to do all the favors asked of them. Luke is in love with Blake and that is just precious to Shayne and I. We rehearsed and laughed and had a good ole time... then it was over to DEADWOOD.
When we arrived at DW the entire dancehall was full of guests, family and friends laughing and enjoying themselves... it was more than delightful it was a blessing. We made our rounds to the tables passing out SW²
magnets and conversing about the trip and travels. As my father in law gave his welcome speech, we establisehed that we had guests from 9 different states and Canada all gathered to celebrate us. That sure brought a smile to our face. The kids loved it at DW as they had endless train rides, roller coaster and putt putt... and I'll say its fun riding the roller coaster with little people. We got the chance to eat the amazing food prepared by DW and were giving a couple more than meaningful speeches. My sister in law is the BEST sister I can ask for .... she made us a video that had the whole room crying and laughing. It was a great night! Then Shayne and I told each other goodnight one last time.. and 8 hrs later I was waking up to my BIG DAY!!!
As I woke up to Rudy and Dani.. haha that's a combination.. I said well guys here we go! We had breakfast cooked up for us, and then I was off to get my hair done. Where not only did I get my heair done but I was granted the opportunity to recieve encouragement and love from John... my favorite hairdresser. We went to pick up the flowers and they were breathtaking... I REALLY appreciate a beautiful flower. The florist told us my fiance was just in there buying me flowers... the gorgeous ones that were in my room when I got home. The sweetest little note simply said... "we're getting married today.. I love you". The time just flew.. it was time for pictures soon there after.. and dodging Shayne and the boys as they hung out at Aunt Dots. Luckily we took pics first... so I was able to watch State DEFEAT ECU!!! And, then it was time to get ready ... like for real this time. And the next hr was the most overwhelming... I had Kristi and Amy hopping! "Make sure they all get their flowers, where are my shoes?, I can't find my necklace, can you touch up my hair"..I sure do love those two and all my bridesmaids that kept me sane that last hour. Luke got cold feet ( it was precious ) .... and my daddy and I cried on each otehrs shoulders. But then ... it was time. We opened the garage door arm in arm.. and saw all those people and both looked at each other and said "crap"! well we probably actually used a nother version of that word.. hehe. Then Taylor and Jamie played Amazing Love and I made my grand entrance.. as soon as I saw Shayne's face .. everything else subsided. It was just him and I. I know I was surrounded by 100s of special people... and my family but all that mattered was him and I. We went through the most special ceremony.. that I can't even completely recall. All I know is that he was standing there holding my hand.. talking about not getting any sleep the night before and making me laugh the entire time. The songs and words were beautiful and God had the sky just right.. it was every bit of PERFECT!
The reception was AMAZING!! I never realized how long Feels like Home to Me is until we danced to it... Shayne bless his heart can't dance!! hehe. There were soo many people there that I was just stunned. My daddy loved the song I chose for him.. as I am his little girl. Ava shared our dance with us.. it was so adorable. Shayne and Blake entertained us all with Soulja Boy, and all the speeches were amazing. I gathered that Shayne's from those speechs that Shayne is a lucky guy!! hehe There are so many details of that day that I'd like to share.. but to sum it up. We wanted to do it again on Sunday it went by way to fast. It was more than perfect, God's hand was in it and we are LOVED. We were blessed with so many special guests and words and songs that made us cry with joy. It was the best day of our life! However, its just the beginning to very many perfect days together.
After we drove off in the Wrangler.. we went to Sonic for slushis and wal mart... then back to my parents to pack. We didnt make it home to Knightdale til after mid night and then made steak sandwiches and dug into ALL those gifts.... and the rest ... well you know how it goes!

Here are a few pics: http://watermelon.smugmug.com/gallery6012758_Zz8fo#375963613_LSKGY

The BIG day: http://watermelon.smugmug.com/gallery/6030112_99aT6#377447673_ozkvS

More to come later!