Atlanta Botanical Gardens

John took me to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens today to celebrate my upcoming birthday. It was a much needed trip and excuse to get away. With everything that's been going, Heather is right, it's time to make new traditions, have new memories, to be renewed.

The Cascade Garden:
The Great Lawn:

Looking back over the Great Lawn from the Conservatory:In the Orchid Room:

The Edible Garden: The flowers in the pond and the fruit above the garden are all glass. They also had what we called "The Great Wall of Herbs" where they had a vertical wall of various herbs planted into the wall, held in place by some fabric.

Me in the Rose Garden:

Overlooking the formal seasonal garden with the signature fountain:

John with the largest palm leaves ever in the Conservatory- the pic does not do the leaves justice:

More giant palm leaves:

Here's where we sat, eating a snack. It was so peaceful, it reminded us of our trip to Charleston and great classic movies like Lawrence of Arabia- one of my fav places in the garden:

John in my fav place in the garden- the Japanese Meditation Garden:

Meditation garden:

Meditation Garden:

Me and the frog that greeted us:

We had a fantastic time- I can't wait to go back.

We finished up our outing by eating my b-day dinner at Bahama Breeze. We have never been, but will definitely go back. It was delicious and a wonderful way to end such a perfect day. I know it was a bit early to celebrate, but it worked out perfectly for us. I am so thankful that we had the opportunity and such a wonderful time. One of my best days ever, hands down.

His Name Is Jehova Rapha

Amazing things. That's what He's been doing for me. Healing me from the inside out. With a tough weekend ahead of me I went for a double header at yoga on Thursday night. It was a wonderful time that I got to spend with friends and in prayer and meditation. I had a traditional vini yoga class first that where we pushed ourselves and each other while learning some new things about down-dog. Heather was so proud of my Chattaronga Dindasana (?sp). It's an advanced yoga pose where you begin in a push up position (at the top of the push up) and then slowly lower yourself down to the floor as far as you can and hold it. We've only tried it in class a few times because it is so difficult and in the past I've only been able to lower myself down a couple of inches. Not yesterday. Through the work of yoga, regular push ups, and CrossFit training, I am now able to lower myself just to the point where my nose is about to touch the floor. And remain there. Heather was floored that I was able to lower myself with such control, since she has known my struggle with upper body strength. Needless to say, we had a small celebration in class.

After the first class was over, we waited for the yogi's to show up for the second class, the restorative and meditation class. No one else showed up, so it was just me and Heather. Thankfully, I was able to get Heather to practice with me (she has been going through a rough time on her own and needed the practice bad). It was a wonderful time of deep relaxation and prayer with God, both of which I needed badly.

Through my time of prayer, God showed me the most beautiful image. I have been struggling with some issues from my past that always seem to creep and gang up on me this time of year. Memories that I have trouble "putting behind me and straining forward to what lies ahead". Yesterday, I came to yoga seeking restoration and healing; and that's exactly what I got. God began by replaying images of my past as if He were showing me a movie. Strangely, when the images flashed before me, I no longer felt the hurt feelings that I have before. When the images were over, He showed me a picture of myself, lying down in a beautiful white garment. Leaving from my heart was a series of little white hearts, some large and some small, others where medium sized. They left my heart in a row, each coming from my heart one at a time. I knew instantly those were the feelings that I have been dealing with. The hearts then floated away gently, like they were on a breeze and drifted through the sky into space. God then spoke to my heart and told me that He was taking them away and placing them on an island far away. I then saw the hearts float through the universe to another planet and then onto a beautiful tropical island, more beautiful then I could have ever imagined with my own mind. Palm trees, white sand, with the most crystal clear blue ocean water ever. Then God told me that I couldn't have the hearts back because they belonged to Him. He said He took them when He died for me on the cross and He won't let me have them back; they were His. I was at such peace then, knowing that the feelings that have been plaguing me for so long are going to be taken care of by God Himself. Oh what a wonderful God I serve. With the image over, God then comforted me with His Word. During my time of meditation, scriptures came flooding back to my mind. He is the Great Reminder because many of these scriptures I have not committed to memory, but He recalled them back to the forefront of my mind. Comforting me with their strength and power. Praise be to God that He is the Divine Healer. Breaking me free of bondage and healing my deepest wounds. I have not felt the same since. I have a peace about me, a lightness to my body. Praise God.

Healing Times

It's been too long since I've made a post on here. I've been soooo busy running here and there, doing this and that. I figured that it's high time I update everyone on what's been going on.

Beth Moore the weekend before last was FANTASTIC!!! It was amazing to have the opportunity to listen to her speak on her book. She pulled the scripture of the day from Ephesians 4:24 (ironically, the date was 4/24- lol! God's so funny- I guess he worked it out like that so we can always remember the date and what we learned). She gave a list of descriptions of how a secure woman in Christ looks. And let me tell you, she is gorgeous! I am so thankful that I am a new creation and that God is forming me to look more like her everyday. Again I was reminded of how I need to choose to put on the good clothes that He has given me, just like I'd pick out any other outfit I would wear. He's been really on me about that one. So much so, I've felt compelled to make a sign to put in my closet where I get dressed every morning that reads "She is clothed with strength and dignity". The message of the day and the praise songs we sang left me in tears for most of the day. Amazing. That's the only way to describe the work that He's completing in me. Absolutely amazing.

The fun times didn't stop there. The following day in church our youth praise band led the musical part of our worship service and then our youth pastor, Brian, preached about hurting people and where the hope for all situations is found. It's like he was preaching just to me. So many things he said resonated perfectly with the work that God is performing in me. The sermon haunted me for days, until I finally found the courage in Christ to hit the release valve and share some stuff that kept coming up in my memories for the last couple of months on my insecurity journey.

Hindsight is funny. This weekend is Mother's Day. It's proven to be a tough time for me over the last few years. Too much history. Too much hurt. I am so thankful that God has been working so diligently on me the last few months. Really, over the last year. I'm glad that He knows what I'm up against. The things that few people know with what I'm dealing. But healing is a slow process. Sometimes you may think that you're healed, but really it's not a scar, it's still a wound. I'm so thankful that He is the great and mighty Healer and is binding up my wounds to they will no longer fester, but become scars, just reminders of my past.