Someone who...

Someone Who I Used to know

The Story

I recently lost someone I care very much for. Someone who knew all of my secrets, weaknesses and strengths. Someone who changed me. And even though I lost a friend, someone I loved, I learned something about myself, it's not my plan.

When I was in high school I had a very calculated life plan. At 11 I knew I wanted to be a teacher, at 16 I started working toward that by working with children and organizing VBS at my church. At 18 I went to Auburn to be a teacher. At 20 I declared my major for Middle Childhood Education and at 23 I graduated from college with my degree in MCED, lastly at 24 I accepted my first teaching job and rocked it!

The Problem

But what about the rest of me? What about the rest of my life plan? I was supposed to be married by 23, have my first child at 25, second at 27, third at 29 and last at 31. I was supposed to be young wife and mother. Someone who could keep up with their kids. Someone that had it all. How can I not be successful in love? How am I losing this battle? Why can't I find someone to live out my life with?

The Solution

Sometimes it seems like I failed and sometimes it feels as if it will never happen and then I see things like this:
"For I know the plans I have for you"
Says the Lord
"They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope"
Jeremiah 29:11

So it's not about me and my life plan. It's not about what I want to happen and what I think I need. It's all about what He has planned. About the plan He made for me before I was even thought of. The life He expects me to live. My plans mean nothing. My future is out of my control and my hands. To know that my life is being taken care of, that I am being taken care of, is freeing, and relieving. 

That "someone who I used to know" is someone in my past, the old me. The person that believed that I could change my destiny. The person who didn't think she deserved the world. I can say that even though it still hurts, everything happens for a reason and sometimes it takes losing someone to realize how truly great you are. I know, I know, cliche. 
Get over it :)

Fashion Fun! 

This past weekend some of my great friends and I went to Pittsburgh to see Shania Twain in concert. I have been to many concerts before, but this was the best one yet! I spent it with some awesome people and Shania ROCKED that place!

I wore my friends plaid shirt, my new BKE shorts from the Buckle and my most favorite cowboy boots from the Boot Corral. 

anddddd I had to add the puppy I rescued, Grigio, because on most days, he rescues me. 

Be a Blessing

Miss Goff

The Names People Call You...

How Do You Brush It Off?

The Story

Throughout the years I have been called many names. From good to bad, great to degrading. At 26 I have learned to accept what people think of me and what they call me. At this point in my life what people believe about me is not worth trying to change. There are some people in my past that will always see me the way I was in the past. There are people in the present that will always see me the the I am now. Lastly, there are going to be people in the future who decide for themselves what kind of person I am, either by their insecurities or own person issues.

The Problem

People have their opinions, but it's up to me to decide if I let those opinions bother me. Just like everyone, I don't want to be a disappointment. I don't want to let people down. I never want be judged by a stranger, an enemy, a friend or a foe. In realizing this, I realize that I am the most judgemental of them all. I am my biggest enemy. Girls in general have a hard time with judging people. A complete stranger walks in an we criticize her hair, nails, make up, clothes, shoes, weight, height and who she showed up with. Why? What do we get out of it? Self conviction? Reassurance? The only real thing we get is intimidation because as much as we criticize, we are actually just jealous. There is a real underlying problem behind what our "comments" mean and that problem isn't with the pretty, tall, skinny blonde with the hottie on her arm, no, it's with us. 

The Solution

"Mean Girls" is one of my favorite movies, I know, I know, that is the problem, but if you actually watch it there's more of a life lesson to it than one would think. The title itself speaks volumes. Mean--cruel, conniving, backstabbing, judgemental, nasty, the list goes on but they all mean the same thing. And the movie doesn't apply to just girls in high school, it applies to all ladies, women, and young girls. The cruelty starts younger and younger each year. It needs to stop. The premise of the movie is a girl, Caty, moves into town and two people befriend her. They give her the run down about "who is who" and what cliques to avoid. Caty decides to pose as a stuck up, sexy, self centered girl to be part of a popular group, The Plastics. She tries to take down their leader and while doing so becomes one of them. In the end of the movie she realizes that she doesn't know who she is anymore and decides to conquer the cliques head on. All in all everyone ends up friends and moves on. In real life, it's hard to just let go. People hurt you and things you say can never be taken back. So why say mean things about someone you don't even know? Everyone is facing a battle, it's not our job to be the judge of whose is worse.  

James 4:12 says

"There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"

Why do we think we have the right to judge others? It's not easy to do but it is something to work towards. We need to be better, all of us, you too boys. 

Another note:

My favorite name people call me is "Aunt Ruby" it is the most rewarding, exciting, encouraging name. My nieces and nephews really make me want to be the best ME!

Fashion Fun!

The reason I didn't blog all of June was my brother, Stephen, was in town from Australia with his expecting wife, Toni, and 1 1/2 year old daughter, Evelyn. He was here for 3 weeks and we had a blast! One night we enjoyed a "dance party in the barn", something we used to do almost every weekend. Below is a shot of my siblings and I and my brother in law

I am wearing my favorite BKE shorts from The Buckle, a flannel mens shirt from American Eagle and a smile that you can only find when the people you love most are around.

This is the brother from down under!

In our small town we have something called "Founders Day" it's an annual event that honors are recognizes people in our community for all they do, have done and will continue to do. This year my grandpa was honored. He was a WWII vet who was MIA and a POW. He was honored for all he did for Burton and for our country. 

Above are the people who mean to most to me in this world, my family. All my siblings, their spouses and children were together on this day to honor our grandpa.  

Fashion wise, I wore my Maurices jeggings and a comfy flowy red top that I borrowed from a friend.

These are the minions that call me by my favorite name, Aunt Ruby. I was able to wear my tank from Texas and that smile again, a girls greatest accessory. 

Last but not least! My besties birthday celebration! Love this lady! 

Here I wore my BKE shorts, again! An awesome Brina Box flowy top in my favorite color and braided brown flip flops from maurices.

Be a Blessing

Miss Goff