November 3: Thankful for growth!

November 3: today I am thankful for growth. Im no heathen, but oftentimes it's hard for me to keep quiet when I feel as though I'm being mistreated. I will start by saying this...I am a firm believer that all should be treated with dignity and respect. I am so glad that my parents instilled this at an early age. I have yet to understand why we as humans treat others like dirt on the ground. I guess when I figure out the answer I'll be a millionaire. Yesterday I ran to a local store near my apartment. In a rush to finish packing for my trip, I decided to go and get a few last minute things.I quickly approached the check out line & politely placed my items on the conveyer belt. After the cashier announced my total, I pulled out my handy dandy MSU check card and proceeded to pay. For some odd reason, my card would not swipe. Now, don't joke me because it was NOT declined...the card simply wouldn't swipe. So after a few attempts, the cashier stated "Well, I guess the machine just doesn't like your card." I let out a nice little chuckle and asked,  "Well, can you type in the number?" She informed me that this was not possible. By this time I'm steaming hot because 1. You can't tell me she couldn't type in the number and 2.why couldn't she move to another lane and try that register? It's because she didn't want to. I was not worth her time. So, I had no choice but to leave my 5 items because I only had about $4 in cash. Don't ya know she held her hand out as if saying give my items back!...like I'm a thief!

After leaving the store I made my way to the ATM to check things out. Guess what? My card worked just fine. So, I headed to another local store to continue my shopping. Guess what? My card worked just fine! After thinking things over, I had my mind made up that I would go back to the first store and give that lady a piece of my mind. How dare you treat me like a peasant?! Would this change things? Of course not, but it certainly would make me feel better. A few minutes later I arrived at the store. Once I stepped foot inside I saw that the cashier had switched lanes and the card machine that worked just fine prior to my coming, was now down. Hmmm, what a coincidence. I was ready to bless this lady out! Instead, I walked around the store thinking about a respectful way to approach her. Deep down inside I knew I didn't have to say a thing, but a part of me wanted her to know that my feelings were hurt. So I proceeded to the checkout counter and she began to reach for my bag of unpaid items. I asked "Is your card machine down on that register?" She replied, "Yes, it is. I'm sorry do you want to check out?" Now. Is. The. Time. Let her have it Toy. Instead, I said "No, thank you. I bought items at another store where my money is valued & accepted." I could tell by the look on her face that she felt really bad. My intention was not to belittle her, but to allow her to see what she had done. She stereotyped me. She treated me less than because she felt as though I had nothing. I am not where I need to be, but I am thankful that the Lord is working through me. 

You see, growth doesn't mean always doing or saying the "right" things. Growth is taking steps forward and not backwards. Growth is when you realize that sometimes silence is the best answer. In my case, growth meant acknowledging the mistake or misfortune, and addressing it in a respectful manner. Growth my friends, is essential. You know the phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" we'll, Jesus probably would have let the situation go without addressing it. Perhaps I'll do that next time...He's not done with me yet :) 

Thankful for my baby brother, Braxton Avrie Curlee

November 2: Today I'm thankful for my baby brother, Braxton Avrie Curlee.  On October 1, 2003 at exactly 6:43 p.m. a handsome 8lb 11oz baby boy entered this world.  Words can not express the joy we felt to have a new baby boy in the family.  On October 6, 2003 our lives drastically changed.  We then became the legal guardians to this precious little boy.  There are no words to describe how we felt at this time...pain, sorrow, depression...then there's joy because we have a little brother. It wasn't easy, but with the help of God and literally the entire town of Corinth, we made it through this tragedy.  

It has been 9 years and we still don't know why God chose to take a loved one from us, but we find peace in knowing that He makes no mistakes.  There are days when I completely break down and I think that's perfectly fine. I'm not one to keep my emotions bottled in...plus it's not good for you :) I know there are days when my mom looks to heaven and asks Kim whey she had to leave because Braxton has set up some trap around the house! But through it all, I can now say we have peace. We will never understand why, but as Christians our job is to have faith that all things happen for a reason...no matter how bizarre those things may seem.

So today I am thankful for my baby brother. Sometimes I hate living away from him because I miss out on sooo much.  Other times I'm content because we would probably kill each other!  These past nine years have been full of love, fights, tears, bruises, and many firsts, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

Baby brother, please stop growing for just a few years so I can catch up with you! I want you to know that you have brought us so much joy.  I wish your mother was here to see all that you have accomplished in just nine years, but I know for a fact that she is smiling down from above.  I pray that you grow into a God fearing gentleman who always acknowledges Christ as the head of your life. I pray that others see the love of Christ through your actions. I pray you treat everyone with dignity and respect, knowing that God made us all equal.  Never take a day for granted, for we know, that tomorrow is not promised.  Mama Kim would be SO proud!

I have loved you since conception and I always will, 

Your big sister

Homecoming 2009, MSU

"You play for the Philadelphia Eagles? Can I have your autograph?"

We see ya, Matt Kemp!

Say hello to the next Jordan!

Oh hi David Beckham!

"No Toy, I did not eat your birthday cake!"

Silly baby boy!

First swim lessons

Toy Story 3D!

Thankful Thursday

I woke up this morning and realized it is already November 1st! Like seriously, where did time go?? Next month will be December and then it will be 2013...oooh my gahhhh this is cray! With November comes thanksgiving! Yummmm I can already taste mama's dressing! I can.not.wait.  I like November because it is a time to reflect on those things or people that you are thankful for.  Then, in December, you are able to show just how much you appreciate the special people in your life.

So, today is November 1 and I am thankful for a loving and faithful God.  I will TRY to right a small paragraph each day letting you know what I am thankful for. I encourage you to leave a comment and do the same.  My God has NEVER failed me.  There are times when I thought He had forgotten about little ole NaToya, but he always shows up just in time.  Over the years I have learned that it is so much easier to hand your problems over to the One that can make all things perfect.  God is practically begging us to give Him our problems and what do we do?...we continue (or try) to solve things on our own. Well Mr. & Mrs. Hardhead, continue doing things your way...you'll soon convert!

There may be someone reading this that is unsure about the love of God.  I want to assure you that he most definitely loves you.  Wanna know how much? So much that he sent his ONLY Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. Tell me that ain't love?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

What are you thankful for?