GREAT ADVENTURE!!!

GREAT ADVENTURE!!!

I took a trip to Starbucks this morning not expecting anything to happen.  I wanted to observe people with hopes of gathering writing material. I heard woman discussing topics that sparked my interest so we arranged a later meeting. As I continued observing my surroundings, I began changing purses. Then it happened-- a lovely friend, Caroline stopped in and we began chatting. She agreed to join me on a trip to try appetizers.  

On the way to Applebee’s it dawned on me that I was on a going to go on a mission to find a suitable new purse-- all of mine that were once awesome had become unusable. With it still being pretty early, Caroline and I made a few stops looking at purses. The north Ross had nice purses and I did indeed find a different selection of purses but none that would work. We stopped in other stores and the purses were slightly too pricey ($200). We made it to Applebee’s where I found out that my friend didn’t want to eat she just wanted to join me because I had asked.  Thinking about how kind-hearted and selfless her actions were brings me to tears of apriciation (unique expression but the correct adjective has not entered my mind). THANK YOU God for putting people in my life who are examples of how I should act.

            After several hours Caroline had parted ways and I was headed home. I decided to stop at another Ross being that each of Ross has a selection that varies slightly from another.  Being my typical indecisive self, I had two purses picked out and was going to try to fit my purse contents in each to see which fit everything and seemed durable. I brought the purses to an empty counter (to avoid the possibility of being accused of shoplifting) and began to fill the least expensive purse with all of my necessary items.  The first purse would not fit everything and before I had the chance to try the bigger purse a lady walked over and talked to me a little, looked at the purses, gave me the difference and told me to get the larger purse. WHAT?!? A complete stranger just helped me buy a purse!  I looked at other purses but wound up buying the purse that was more suitable for me (#2 of the first 2 choices). Starting with my friend showing up at Starbuck’s and ending with a great new purse, Tuesday was a great adventure!

Not Just Another Haircut

Not Just Another Haircut

Before going to bed one night I decided that I would get my haircut (trimmed) the next day. Being one who pinches my pennies coupled with being on vacation from work, I knew I could compare prices in the morning. After processing this along with the enormous amount of new information a friend had introduced me to that and was researching and praying about, I was overtired and I went to bed earlier than normal.  

Waking up in the usual crazy confusion but like a robot headed for the shower. I remembered not to wash my hair and eventually remembered that I needed to compare prices and get my hair cut. Hair cut-- that’s why I did not wash my hair!!!  Soon I was on my way to check prices and get my hair trimmed. I emphasize trimmed because one time I went to get my hair trimmed and ended up with hair shorter than one of my nephews!  After comparing prices I was headed to Tony & Guy Academy. While waiting, thinking it was the 4^th of July I was frantically texting friends about plans. I had a new appointment and I hadn’t heard anything about the 4^th! As I sit there internally panicking, another customer enters. She glances at my chair, says “Hi” and we started talking. I think we know some of the same people and she is from the town of my childhood!

I spent the majority of the time getting my haircut trying to find a ride as my friend who likes to talk down about my short term memory has 0 long term memory. It shouldn’t matter that it was over a month ago that he agreed to go, it was after we had split ties and I was surprised—I thought one’s word was solid. Not in his world.  Thankfully talk-to-text doesn’t always understand me and threw some funny things in my messages causing silly responses from the other end. I threw out a mean comment (proof that you lie), and he threw out “Proof that you are mentally unstable.” Ouch! That would have hurt but he obviously forgets that I told him that! I love when this man partially educated in brain injuries feeds me my words because I first told him those exact words/. In the meantime, my student hairdresser had incredible patience! He told me about his time in Iraq, his injuries, and how he handles the results.  Surprisingly, the friend I had just made and I got done at the same time and we were able to re-connect (Jennifer I think you may know her) before parting.  Arriving home I was met by a friend who had just gotten off work. I explained my morning and was shaking, crying (inside) and wasn’t sure why I had allowed this to get to me.

God is in control ALL of the time!

I was once told in more or less words that always putting a "God label" on everything reduces the Power of His name.  At the time I agreed but I instantly prayed about it as I knew not to agree but didn't have the words to defend myself at that moment. Spending all day at work (PRAISE GOD FOR MY JOB!!!) wrestling over how to justify that God is always in control, God reminded me of a dear friend's recent testimony. I couldn't even remember the "punch line" parse, however thanks to the people who understand that my cell phone "Notes" feature is my memory and allow me to "text" during Church, I was able to refer to refresh my memory. I have this "Testimony was given and I was reminded to focus on fixing myself (my walk with God), that God will handle the hearts of others," and to put everything else in His hands.

Jeremiah 32:27(AMP)

27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?

Perhaps I was at a loss for words at the moment, but now I see

Do you have it?

Being disgusted with myself after missing both of the Bible studies that are taking place tonight, I was praying about a recent situation. I try to read Scripture in a predetermined, orderly fashion and was getting ready to read Proverbs 14 when I opened my Bible to Matthew 13. God steered my eyes to verse 58. 

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 13:58 - New International Version

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

After a recent conversation I was ready to chalk a man up as a lost cause-- someone who was too far gone for me. Then I read this and thought, "wouldn't I hate to be the reason that God's miracles weren't performed in someone's life?" That would be so terrible!!! What I can do now may seem to some as powerless, however it has proven powerful time and time again so I get to bring my concerns and worries to God and PRAY-- HAVING FAITH THAT IN his PERFECT TIME, (whether the answer is yes, no or wait) that His answer will come, I only have to have Faith!

GOD'S ALWAYS AT WORK!

GOD'S ALWAYS AT WORK!

Many things I've written explain the validity of hindsight-- when one is able to reflect on and evaluate events, more sound decisions can be made (this is all my opinion of course). I have been overwhelmed with peace recently. This is the strangest feeling I've had since my accident. Since my accident? That was over 13 years ago-- that is a long time!! It may be a long time to you, but in my mind it seems like just yesterday. I am not saying that I will not ever pout or freak out again, I'm just saying that I feel amazing! I imagine this may be what a person feels like when a person is doing drugs and/or is high, but I'm on a natural high and I haven't even started taking melatonin (a sleep aid) nor do I know if I have a job that I have applied for at a school. ß So I wrote that section this morning (10/2/14) THEN….i get a surprise visit from a man I met in 2011. You may be thinking "Kimi has a brain injury and has a hard time remembering 3 minutes ago MUCH LESS 3 years ago."

That my friends, is why I keep a Prayer Journal. A section of the entry from that day 3 years ago (the day I had met this man) is as follows “Lord, I pray for Adam Loehr—I don’t know if he is who he says he is or not but Lord I just pray that in me, he saw Jesus Christ.” Then yesterday I asked the Lord if we could meet with a person Adam knows (to make sure he wasn’t putting on a front) and with God’s permission I asked Adam the same. He mentioned going to Chadbourne Church.  I told him about Rocky Mountain Calvary and Spruce Hill Church (Churches I attend) when all of a sudden a lady walks into the restaurant we were in and says “Hey Adam!”  Oh my it was someone that known Adam! It was none other than the associate pastor of Chadbourne Church! That was an instantaneous answer to a prayer! When the associate pastor invited me to Church I explained how Sunday was typically the day Ma and I got together and went to the Cowboy Church (Spruce Hill). Although I thought about asking if we could go to both Churches, I didn't think I should however I asked him anyways (I'm a rebel...lol). I was a bit taken back, when he said “sure.”  This guy is a complete weirdo I thought. God, can this be true, somebody that actually wants to go to more than one church on Sunday with me?? We'll have to see if he will sit through 3 of the same services at RMC next week..no not really hahaha....okay maybe.

I've been given 3 years to reflect on meeting this man. When we had first met, it was on the bus and when he asked to continue talking I got off and went to Red Lobster and I made sure the workers knew that I had never met this man and to watch me carefully. Sadly the workers did kinda make him feel uncomfortable as he remembers that day quite vividly but he's very understanding because I was single.

So now I wonder, I have been told that not many people stick around for long in my life, if remembering the vicinity of where live without having contact for 3 years counts. In those 3 years God has done amazing things in both his life and mine. Although he told me about a few things in his life, I will only mention what has gone on in my life. I have been through a lot of college and a lot of Church. I partially made it through grad school, and God gave me a position with kids at Church!

          Today I finally started taking the melatonin so I am tired and I have next step of the hiring process for D-11 tomorrow (10/3/14). Please pray for this interview as I believe this is the final one.

Hindsight has not been validated yet, but so many pieces are fitting together. See you around!

Peace Be Still

Peace Be Still                                                 

What an exciting day today has been! When I first woke up I just didn't feel right and wasn't able to work out…. Okay I could have but I felt like there was a cold coming on and I would spread germs everywhere or get more germs. I had a lot of fun talking with Safawn and I hope she had fun as well. Then I took a trip to Dickey's and met Shaina where we were able to have such a WONDERFUL discussion and God showed me more reasons that we first met-- I am so blessed to have met her 2 years ago!  

I was able to get home just in time to be picked up and taken to the next part of my District 11 interview where the MD was a total highlight of my day :-). Although I am generally a positive person, my first D-11 physical interview went poorly hence why I do not have the job…. Okay okay in all fairness it was not a job I should've applied for as the physical demands were completely out of my ability range but I think I am he-woman! However, the reason I did apply was to get my name out there in hopes that a job like the one currently under consideration would come along. My hopes are so high for this job it's not even funny. I promise this new medicine is amazing… I totally feel like myself!

SIDENOTE: Some people have seen me in bad moods since I have been on this new medicine however overall my moods have been a whole lot happier and back to my old self. And if you want to talk psychology, to be diagnosed with anything psychologically the symptoms must occur consistently for a certain length of time.

Additional excitement! While I was waiting for the bus to go meet Shaina I received a call and I was asked to move from a substitute in child care to a permanent position. I was totally up front with her and told her what was going on but now that I am writing this I'm letting go of anything giving it all to God because I would totally love working in the children's ministry.

*If you are the praying type, please pray that the Lord’s will is done!

            God just reminded me to be still as I thought of my friend Amy as a child singing Peace Be Still.

An Exception

An Exception

I woke up this morning with excitement. One because it was Sunday and I love going to Church but  it was a different kind of excitement. I was shaking because I would get to hear my new friend (Jim Edwards) on the radio (103.9 fm). As I started getting ready the first college class I took in 2006 at UCCS, psychology of the exceptional child with Lynn Fitzgrew popped into my head. I remember the excitement I had about starting a UCCS, and that same time the sadness I had about having to take your class that again appointment to the fact, again that since my accident I was "exceptional." At the time I was focused on myself going down that I didn't want to take the class focusing on what else may need different, I was definitely not where I am now with God and did not even think about how God could be using what I learned the class in my life.

I went through seven years of college where my educational goals ranged from getting a degree in psychology to getting my teachers license. Let me remind you that those goals, the latter one has yet to be reached. Had his eyes still sit here and ask “God, what am I doing?” As I was applying for jobs in looking at my resume I was reminded of what I had done so far (since my brain injury and moving back out here). My mom and I started a brain injury support group for young adults as the brain injury sport group that exists (Headway) seems to be for older people and although some members are so much fun and completely young-at-heart, there are different focuses in life during every different stage of life.

Now that college is over (at least for the moment) attendance at Headway has started again. Although some weeks I'm not up for pizza or salad (as served at Fargo's, where Headway meets) a few of the other members and I have been discussing how going to the meeting is not always for our personal enjoyment. At least once a month the group’s leader Debbie is there anything gives us important information about beneficial events taking place around the community. Not only can we learn great information but as the group always offers, there is a great time of socialization. Okay it sounds like I'm trying to sell something, but I just want to explain how different things in life are connecting.

This is going to be a bit disconnected but I think most of my writing (blogging) is. So here we go: when I was in college after taking the exceptional child class I took statistics and the statistics professor was musician. Somewhere in there I was urged to listen to our RXP (103.9FM) but it just wasn't my kind of music so I didn't really do it much. However I didn't go to bars downtown to listen to my professor’s band often. When I went to listen to my professor I would often end up dancing and trying to bust a move with friends and classmates. I really had not been dancing that much besides at different weddings I've been to lately and most recently my sister's wedding. I was invited to go dancing for my aunt's birthday. At the beginning of the week when I had first been told about the celebration were having I mentally made a note that I wanted to dance with somebody random. I thought, first of all I won't be my wheelchair so people won't have any hesitations. When we got there the crowd was definitely not a crowd I would think of dancing with although they sure could dance!

[SIDENOTE:] Okay I totally forgot to insert one of the connections, at Headway I met an amazing man with a spinal injury. Although I had taken many classes about the human brain that were taken during a time when I was still learning about what my brain injury was much less focusing on a different kind of injury. I had no clue about how spinal cord injuries affected a person. That day I prayed that God would give me a greater understanding of a spinal cord injury. Although his mom told me I could ask anything you wanted, I still wanted to research and find out information for myself because it's fun.

I ended up dancing with a man who has a spinal cord injury and is in a wheelchair. I also found out is a radio personality on RXP…RXP??? Oh wow!! My statistics professor... My first years at UCCS…. My first class…. Psychology of the exceptional child!!! In this class the way "exceptional" was referred to was that a child has a disability that prohibited her or him from learning in a traditional fashion. Henceforth the child was exceptional. Not only am I exceptional, but most people with a disability are exceptional!

There are we go, I was able to learn about spinal cord injuries through someone else however I will to have to talk to Ace because every injury effects each person so differently and doctors give information from what has happened in previous cases. My first neurologist put it best when telling my mom what to expect after my brain injury, “Kimi will do what she can do when she can do it.”