Year 30

Happy 31st Birthday to me...I have had a great birth"month", well "week" ok... Day!!!
Tonight I was able to go to dinner with my dear friend Stacey P and my momma!! We went to dinner at "On the Border" one of my favorite places!!! So we sit down and Stacey quickly says okay so "Happy Birthday" now I have a task for you....I thought oh no, but here is what she had me do. I had to think of 30 things I had done in the past year that I was proud of, she said I could have my whole life since I hadn't had to do it before, but I mostly stuck with the last year. So here is the list:

1-5 year cancer SURVIVOR

2-Chaired Cabarrus Co. Relay For Life

3-Maid of Honor in my best Friend's Wedding

4-Paid off Eddie

5-Went to the Dominican and planned a 2nd trip

6-Bought a digital SLR

7-Conqured my fear of driving in downtown Charlotte

8-Promoted to Teller Services Supervisor

9-Became a certified VITA tax preparer at work

10-Saved Money

11-Lived 30 full years

12-Bought an iPad

13-Did a thirty-one fundraiser for a friend who had a liver transplant

14-Worked on growing my hairout

15-Got a new tattoo and one touched up and added too

16-Went to see Courageous with my dad and other movies

17-Went to my first Panthers Football Game
18-Saw Clemson beat Auburn at Clemson!! Go TIGERS
19-Went to Florida 2 times, saw some cousins for the 1st time in years
20-celebrated 6 1/2 years at SECU
21-Seen Stacy P, 2 times in one year
22-Kept in touch with Amber
23-Took Olivia to her first concert
24-Got to watch a drag race from the Top of the Tower
25-Participated in UNCC's Relay For Life
26- Made New Friends

27-Sponsored RoElvis in the Dominian Republic

28-Went shopping at midnight

29-Made Home made macaroni and cheese

30-Went to a club and stayed till 2am when they closed down.

Then she made me make a goal for the next year. My Goal is to read more and travel more..

Here's to another Awesome year!! 

-Kim :)

Goals

Just a little post.

This weekend I met with a friend to catch up over Starbucks, not to really go into details and divulge all of our conversation, the topic of what am I going to do once I finish this.. Well , I said, you know I am almost 31 and I still don't completely know what I am called to do in this life and where I see myself in say 5 years. So as we were talking I said sit down and make short term goals, start with a week, a month, 6 months, a year, 5 years. I said you know you can make these goals, but you may not always succeed at keeping them. Although they are goals and we would normally like to keep the goals, you may not always be able to do that, but at least with goals we are not aimlessly going after something random. So where does God fit into all of this, He should be the center of our goals. To be completely honest, my goals this week consist of this... Pray daily, read my Bible daily, and read a book. Not that I need to be reminded to pray daily, but that is my goal to spend some quality time in prayer this week with my Savior, and for those that know me well, know I am not a reader so I am going to try and finish a book I have been reading for awhile and begin a new book this week..

So I ask what are your goals for the week??

Soli Deo Gloria

Kim :)

Photography

There are probably a lot of things you may or may not know about me.... Two things I'll share with you tonight are....:

One.. I absolutely love clouds and taking pictures of them and the sky when the opportunity arises.  I think it comes from Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."  

Two.. I enjoy taking pictures, and want to learn more about catching great moments so that people can hold on to them "forever" if you will. I by no means wish to do it professionally, but want to learn more!! I recently took a step in that direction and purchased a Nikon Digital SLR. Since then I have been taking more pictures trying to capture some great moments. This past weekend I went to a pool party at a friends house and took quite a few pictures, well over 100 of the kids jumping in the pool and other moments I thought would be fun to capture. I also was able to go out one evening and catch some neat pictures around our house of some plants, clouds, and flowers! I thought I would share a few of those here with you... 

Clouds at Sunset

Kate coming with a rock to clean off...

Will eating a pickle!

Will jumping in the pool off the diving board!

Will and Olivia on the diving board!

Just a neat looking picture, I thought!

I'm back....

So I am here again, I will try to blog more often, hopefully things have slowed down in my life just a little for now. I have finished another successful year for co-chairing Relay For Life in Cabarrus County. I have enjoyed doing this the past three years here. I will still definitely be involved in the event, because I absolutely love it and what it does. I cant help but think that I am one of the statistics that RFl raises money for. I have met so many wonderful people over the last few years that have now become lifelong friends!!!
This past year has been tough, with losses to cancer. I know of 2 ladies who were once on the committee who lost their battles with breast cancer, a very committed team captain lost her mom to lung cancer, just days after Relay, and our neighbor lost his wife to I believe ovarian cancer. There are so many in this world with cancer, this is why I RELAY so that we can put an end to this crazy disease that takes so much from each person who has eer been diagnosed. Although we talk so much about what we loose, I want to say what I have gained....

I have gained things that I would have never had I not gone through my trial with cancer. I grew closer to Jesus, my friends, and family. My zeal for life has also increased, meaning that I completely understand how quickly it can be taken from us, and we need to live each day fully.

So that's what was on my heart for tonight. Thank you Jesus for my trial with cancer and that i have such a passion to find a cure and to help those who are battling cancer now.
:) :)
Kim :)

Lala

Riding down the road heading to see family for the weekend! I am excited to see them. Its been awhile sad to say but I generally only make it down here 1 or 2 times per year.

It has been an interesting last half of the trip we stopped for a potty break @ McDonald's and I was gonna get a frappe dad a tea and mom a coffee... Well after standing thee in the chaos around me I asked when I may get my order and after the guy FINALLY started to make the coffee for the 3rd time I asked for my money back... When I came out empty handed we figured out we had been there for 17 min and still nothing.. I got my money back and we continued on our way..

Now were about 25 minutes away!!

Later..

Home

Well I am home. We got back to NC around 8 Sunday night an hour later than we were suppose to.. It was a mess in Philly, US Air was trying to get people to catch the next flight out so that some of the crew members could get to Charlotte. I am not sure of the reasoning, but I thought it was kind of rude and not very customer friendly.. But because of the mess we were late taking off and then we had to wait till there would be an opening for us to land in Charlotte, putting us an hour behind... Although, I wasn't really ready to come home till we were back in the US, after sitting on the plane for an hour waiting to take off I couldn't wait to land back in Charlotte!! Once we landed we unloaded and waited for the luggage, collected it and headed towards good Ole MP!! Dad picked us up, we dropped Alicia and Buddy off at their house, said goodbye and headed back across 49!! HOME finally!! Mom was happy to see me and I was happy to be home. I unloaded the dirty laundry and grabbed a nice HOT shower!!

The rest of the week was great and I am still trying to process all that I saw and had the opportunity to do while I was gone.. I plan to blog more about it as I do..

I did want to share a little more about the Dominican Church we went to .. Here is what I wrote in my journal. On the way to the church I shared my cancer story with Dr. Pons and those sitting around. She said she wanted to cry and then said "God is Good." I said Yes, He is!! Who would have thought 4 1/2 years later that I would be on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. It is still quite surreal that I am really here!! El musica es muy bonita!(The music is very beautiful.) We sang "Este Es El Dia", This is the day. It was wonderful hearing worship in another country and language. God is not the God of just the US but over the entire Earth. What an AWESOME GOD we serve!!! I wish I knew more spanish should I could understand the pastor. Looking around everyone is zoned in on him. He seems to keep everyone's attention, I have a feeling he is preaching Truth, all the people here seem genuine!! When they were singing praise to God, I felt like I could see their hearts on their faces, and it was a heart that loves JESUS!!! The pastor would ask questions and the congregation would respond, He preached from John 9:1-12, His first question was, What is the best gift someone can give you?
The closing song was "I am a friend of God" "Eres mi amigo fiel, eres mi amigo fiel, eres mi amigo fiel, tu amigo soy. The congregation was singing from their hearts, what a beautiful time of worship! Thank you Jesus for allowing me the opportunity to witness and be a part of this. I can still hear them singing in my head. They were so passionate about what they were singing...

More later..

San Juan Day 3...

Today was yet another great day! I am loving this even though it is hot, muggy, and not in great conditions. It is amazing how God can prepare you for things that you would normally have a hard time with...

Today we went to a place that was RIGHT on the Haitian border. It was poverty unlike I've ever seen before. I didn't go in the houses but I imagine that they quite possibly have dirt floors, no running water and their bathrooms are outhouses. The place we set the clinic up at was their church building. It did have a dirt floor and the "stage" was a mound of dirt with boards around it to make it stay.. It had 4 windows, 2 doors, and nothing other than the 4 walls. The drive up to the place took about 45 minutes on a dirt road that was in very bad shape. There were times that I wasn't sure the bus was going to stay on the road. Once set up we starting seeing patients. We broke for lunch and ate lunch and then played some with the kids. We did the "Hokey Pokey" with them in Spanish and the Chicken Dance. They liked the Hokey Pokey better. Juan Ernesto also preached and from what I was told 4 people asked Jesus into their hearts, they then sang a song, I'm not sure what it was though, but it was a special moment. We then saw patients until time to go and head home.

I'm still trying to process everything I saw and express how much it makes me thankful for what I have back in the states. But I know that God is completely sovereign and I am right where I am suppose to be and they are right where they should be. At day two of going out to the campo clinics I have been changed and been more blessed by these people than they will ever know. Every smile, sweet look and precious little child's face will be engraved in my heart for ever. Thank you to everyone who has prayed, sponsored, or encouraged me about this trip!!!

I will post more pictures when I have time.

Day 2 in San Juan...

Today was our first day going to Campo Clinic. It was a new experience for me. Basically we go into villlages and set up a clinic in a school, house, under a tree, wherever we can then the dr.'s see the patients, and then they are given vitamins, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and medication if they need it.. We carry a mobile pharmacy with us. I helped with the pharmacy. It was so neat to see the different ones that come in.. They stood around outside the room we were in and looked through the windows. All the children are so adorable, and they are so appreciative that we come! We saw over 100 patients today. I know that we made a difference in their lives.. When we left the "president" of their community came up and thanked us and gave us hugs. It was so nice of him..

So Far...

This has been a great trip. I am so thankful that I was able to come!!!

Friday was a long day. We got up at 2:00am and went to bed around 12:00am... In Miami we met up with Anna Blair and Andres who are also on the trip with us we rode from the airport to the hotel in a taxi van to say the least it was an experience...Whew.. Once we arrived in Santo Domingo and headed to the hotel. Relaxed for a little while then met a new lady named Jane who is amazing!! We met some of her clients for Dinner.. It was a great dinner, full 6 or 7 courses ... We were stuffed at the end.. Then we hung out for awhile outside..

Saturday we met for breakfast, then headed out to tour Santo Domingo. We rode their new subway up the city walked around that area and it was interesting the street vendors had everything out you would ever want. After that we rode the subway back to the hotel area. Cooled off and then met Father Phil, another of Jane's friends picked us up and took us the other end of the city and we walked along the road by the shore. We then went around the Colonial City "the old city" it was very interesting.. A lot of culture, we saw Christopher Columbus' brother house it was really neat and full of original pieces... We also went to the Cathedral it was gorgeous! After that tour we stopped at the Super Market to pick up a few items... Then we walked back to the hotel, which was quite a haul for me anyway.... Once back at the hotel the rest of the group was there we freshened up and headed to dinner..

Dinner was delicious at Adrian Tropical on the shore! Then back to the hotel, hung out and to bed!!!

I'll post more when I have time to..

Please pray for our group as we go out tomorrow for the first time.

Kim :)

We're Here

We arrived in Santo Domingo around 3pm. It is definitely a different world here.. I'll post more soon!!!

Goodnight

Waiting!

The day has finally come for our mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I am very excited that the day has come! I feel like I've been talking about it for a year and now its here!

We are here at the airport waiting at the gate to board the plane. Then Miami and then the DR!

Please keep us in your prayers that we will be safe and glorify God in all that we do and that we make an impact in their lives and they would impact ours as well..

Thank you! Love to you all!!

3 days...

3 days till Buddy, Alicia, and I leave for the Dominican Republic. For those who don't know that are reading this Alicia and Buddy are some very close friends of the family. Alicia has known me since I was born and is kind of like a big sister to me and Buddy is Alicia's husband so I have known him for a while I think 17 years, maybe a little longer... Anyway, we are going with a group to the Dominican Republic on Mission Trip on April 1st-10th. This will be Alicia's 3rd year, Buddy's 2nd year, and my 1st year.

I know we are all excited to be going and can't wait ill we are on the way on Friday. I am going to try and keep up with this blog while we are gone since I will have access to the internet. I hope you will follow along with us as we are gone to see what we are doing and what God will be doing in our lives and the lives of those who we have contact with.

Please keep our group in your prayers while we are gone!!
Thank you in advance!

Kim :)

Days 4, 5, 6, and 7

Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

I couldn't choose one person who has had the biggest impact on me. So I chose these people, and here is why, and these are not in a particular order.

1-My Aunt Faye, I promise she is one of the strongest women I know and trusts in the Lord for all her strength and has more love to give than you can imagine.
2-Dr. Schwartz he's my oncologist and put the plan together to rid my body of cancer along with God.
3-Wayne and Trina Patterson-this couple taught me how important my relationship with Christ was and gave me practical ways to show it and shared their love with us youth in ways they will never know they impacted us! Thank you. :)
4-My parents. What can I say about them... They have been with me through every up and down I have been through and have supported me in all my crazy endeavors whether I have succeeded or failed. I could not have asked for 2 better parents than these and I love them so much. Thank you both for all you have done for me!!!

Yes there are many others who have had major impacts on my life, these are just a few!!

Day 06 - A picture that shows your true self.
I think this shows me as my true self because I am happy and doing one of the things I am passionate about Relay For Life, with my momma!!!

Day 05 - A picture of somewhere you've been to

This is Siesta Key, FL in 2008. It was one of the prettiest places I have been. The sunsets were breath taking as you can see in the photo.

Day 04 - A habit you wish you didn't have

Simply put I have a slight addiction to Amazon, and have to control myself to stay away from it!

Day 2 and 3

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest


Kristin is my bff and has been for a long time! We have been through a lot together, but I know no matter what she will be there for me and I will be there for her too!! I ♥ you and I am super glad we are friends and are like little old ladies even at our a...ge :) ...


Day 03 - A picture of you and your friend(s)

This was taken on the last day of my chemo. I just love this picture.. These girls made my day! They came with a cake and soda to Celebrate!!!

I know its not a great picture but I love it!!

30 day Challenge....

On Facebook I am doing this 30 day Challenge. I thought I would carry it over to hear in case you aren't on my facebook.. So today is day 1!

Day 01 - A recent photo of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

1. My name is Kimberly. I go by Kim most of the time. Will my nephew calls me Kimmie along with a few others..
2. I love Amazon.com and have to control my habit, it's really bad since I have an app on my phone :)
3. I have 2 of the greatest parents and I could never thank them enough for all they have done for me in my life time.
4. I am going out of the US for the first time in April on a mission trip and I am super excited.
5. I am blessed with a wonderful best friend, Kristin, and some other great friends that I couldn't live with out!!!
6. I am Clemson Tiger fan, but didn't like them until I went to a football game @ Death Valley and I was in ORANGE HEAVEN!
7. Orange is my favorite color and always has been
8. I am a 4 1/2 year cancer SURVIVOR!!!
9. I love being a part of Relay For Life and I am the event Chair this year!
10. I am a facebook atic..
11. I enjoy blogging at www.glorifyinghim4ever.blogspot.com
12. I am a thirty-one consultant
13. I drive and explorer and I named it Eddie, and I talk about him like he's a person. IE "Eddie needs new tires"
14. I don't like watching live TV because I have to watch the commercials and can't fast forward.
15. I love my Job!!
Looks like this is going to be an interesting 30 days.. Wonder if I can make it!!

Dominican Repbulic

I received a Newsletter from Solid Rock Missions, the group that the Dominican trip is though and they listed some supplies they needed and some prayer requests. I thought that I would share them with you. If you have any of the things listed or know anyone who does please let me know...

Truthfully I don't know what they are but I figured someone out there would know..
We need contributions for the purchase of new machines for our medical laboratory.
Machines needed are: (email for more information on any of them)
-Portable ultrasound
-Hemotological Analyzer BC2800
-Analizador de Quimica (Biochemistry analyzer)
-Mini VIDAS Blue – automatic equipment for immunossasys
-VITEK 2 Compact – automated system to identify culture & sensitivity of microbiology


Then here are the Prayer Requests:
. . . for all of our Dominican Republic friends that allow us to work and minister with them
. . . for winter mission teams as they serve in so many ways
. . . the transition of Dan & Kari, Joe & Shannon, Rod & Sandy
. . . for funds to come in for the support of missionaries, Dan & Kari
. . . for a wonderful health report for Shannon in March
. . . for God to be glorified in all that we do!


Please also pray for the team that I will be traveling with and for our work as we minister to the Dominican People.

I am really excited about this trip, and thanking God for the opportunity!

Kim :)

Busy Busy Busy

I have been busy lately, but that is normal. Since the last post my flight has been booked, I have registered for the trip, and mailed in my registration fee for the Dominican Repbulic trip. It is getting closer and I am getting more and more excited!!! It is all becoming so real!

Last week was really busy I did something every night after work... One of the most exciting was the 2011 Relay For Life of Cabarrus County Kick-off. I am excited to see it getting kicked off and everything starting to fall into place.I think Relay is going to be awesome this year, with some changes being made and knowing a little more about how things need to run! The committee is great and they are all working to make it a wonderful event, which I am really thankful for. I am learning a lot about myself and a lot about keeping things organized, delegating, and that I can't make everyone happy. Even when we try our hardest we can't please everyone, and ultimately the only one person we need to please is JESUS.. He demands our ALL. Do you give Him everything that He deserves? I say all of that to myself, I know there are many days were I over look the little things in life that He has given me and brought me through.

I am reminded on a daily basis by something about the journey I went through just 4 1/2 years ago with cancer. Lately, it has been because I have been sharing my story with a lady that her mom is currently going through chemo and parts of her journey remind me of my journey and I am able to share what helped me get through, and hopefully I am being an encouragement of some sort to her and her mother. Please keep them in your prayers, God knows who they are without names.

Update

Good evening! I know it has been a really long time since I wrote. I really am going to try and be better at this. For a few reasons, 1 I really like to blog, and 2- to keep you updated on my life and things going on with me.

In my last post I wrote that I was planning on going to the Dominican Republic on a missions trip with some friends and a group that do medical missions trips. Well an update on that is... Flights are booked and I will be mailing a check next week for room and board while we are there. I will have internet access while I am there and I plan to update my blog when I can while I am there and a few pictures. The dates of the trip are April 1-10. I just feel this is all God me going. There have been a few things that have happened and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to go, but God has made Himself known and made it possible for me to go on the trip. I am so thankful for this. Chris Tomlin has a song called "I will follow you" and it just fits everything that is going on in my life right now. Here are the lyrics:

Where you go, I’ll go
Where you stay, I’ll stay
When you move, I’ll move
I will follow…

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I’ll go
Where you stay, I’ll stay
When you move, I’ll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I’ll love
How you serve I’ll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You’re the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there’s life everlasting
In you there’s freedom for my soul
In you there's joy, unending joy
and I will follow

I love all the words but this line always stands out "In you there's joy, unending joy" How true is that!!!
Please keep the team and myself in your prayers as we prepare to go on this mission's trip and as we travel and server April 1-10. All prayers are appreciated.

Stay tuned for more information..

Serving Him <><

Hello Again.

I have a few thoughts on my mind tonight and blogging seemed like a good place to write it all down...

1-I don't like cancer it takes so much away from everyone. Whether you have or had cancer, your a family or friend of someone who has or had cancer. Yes, cancer can change a lot in a person and I wouldn't trade having it for anything. Although, it is a horrible disease. When I was going through chemo I spent 5 months not doing the things I was use to doing, but learned a lot. It takes so many people that we love away from us. It takes our moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, children, friends, etc. away from us, way too soon.. This is brought on by loosing a friend who had been battling cancer for the last few years. She was such a sweet lady.

2- I am really excited about planning to go to the Dominican Republic in February on a mission trip. I have never been on an overseas mission trip and I can't wait. I have started to prepare. I have my passport and my immunizations and have started collecting some medical supplies to take with us when we go. I am going with some friends and it is a medical missions trip. I am not sure exactly what I will be doing, but I know that whatever it is I will be doing to the best of my ability, serving and giving God all the glory in it!

Lastly, I have been listening to a lot of praise music lately and today heard this song from Kutless, and it made me think... What are your thoughts? If you lost it all would your hands be lifted high to Him ?

I'm Still Yours
If You washed away my vanity
If You took away my words
If all my world was swept away
Would You be enough for me?
Would my beating heart still sing?

If I lost it all
Would my hands stay lifted
To the God who gives and takes away

If You take it all
This life You've given
Still my heart will sing to You

When my life is not what I expected
The plans I made have failed
When there's nothing left to steal me away
Will You be enough for me?
Will my broken heart still sing?

If I lost it all
Would my hands stay lifted
To the God who gives
And takes away

If You take it all
This life You've given
Still my heart
Will sing to You

Even if You take it all away
You’ll never let me go
Take it all away
But I still know

That I'm Yours
I'm still Yours

Oh, I'm Yours
I'm still Yours
I'm still Yours

Well Hello there!

So evidently I am not good @ blogging and forget all about it. Nothing has really happened since the last post.. Well not that I can think of.

I am done writing.. Goodnight.. :)