Last Day as a Dallasite

I finally realized this morning why my allergies have been so bad over the past couple of days! Its got to be the dust from boxing up stuff and moving it around in my apartment! My nose is killing me here! It is official, today is my last full day as a Dallasite. I think that is what we are called here. My movers come tomorrow at noon, to move me on out of this town. I have to admit that I am so excited, yet it is sad at the same time. I have had a GREAT three years in Dallas. So much has changed during that time for me. I feel like a whole different person since the time I got here. I think going through counseling school had a lot to do with that, not to mention receiving my own as well. It really does change a person. I would be a hypocrite to get into this field if I didn't think so.

Besides all the psychology talk, I have made some of the greatest friends here. Adult friendships can be so different yet so the same as the friendships you have grown up with. It is interesting how communication is the glue that holds most people together. If there was only one thing I could say I was leaving with today, it would definitely be honesty. Most of the people in my life have called me a brutally honest person, but I would probably guess that my friends here in Dallas know this far better than anyone else. Well, besides my sister! :O) It is just too hard not to be 100% honest with the people you care about. Even when you know they don't want to here it. I hope the conversations I have had with you dear friends were graceful on my part, if not, sorry for my humanness.

I also went through a major spiritual change during my time in Dallas. I felt pretty lost with the Lord when I first got here. The good book, searching, finding a wonderful church and bible study, and being closer to my grandmother and Aunt Sharon helped me understand what all of us are really searching for. With out a real relationship with Christ, we are only lost souls always searching for that one thing to make us happy. CLUE: it has nothing to do with YOU!

I'm glad to be leaving Dallas at this time in my life, because I am still leaving with a good feeling in my heart instead of trying to run away from something. I have run from different places or people in the past, but I can honestly say that I am not doing that this time around. I listened to the whispers in my heart telling me that change was near. I prayed a lot before making the decision to move, because I know it is easy to make mistake our own thoughts for the whispers of the Lord. I'm not sure what the Lord's reasoning is behind it all, but through time and patience I'm sure I will understand. I know He had a MAJOR plan when he pushed me to Dallas.

Now I am going to be a bit materialistic, but I have to tell of the things I am going to miss about D TOWN!
My friends!
Snappy Salads!
North Park Mall... right down the street from me.
The runs around White Rock lake.
Thursday night dinner parties with my besties!
Trips to the close by wineries!
My favorite Star Bucks, where "everyone knows your name! "
Being close to my grandma and aunts and cousins
Watermark Church
All of the kids at Armstrong Elementary
Living with a best friend and being across the door from my other two best friends
Being a student
My hair lady
My chiropractor
The bike trail across the street
Driving in Dallas is easy compared to the other Texas cities
Snow at winter time
ALL and ALL its the people that I'm going to miss the most!

I know it is bittersweet to leave but I can honestly say that each day in my life has been better than the last. No matter what the struggle is that we go through during our lives, it is meant to make you a better person for God's plan.

Round Two

As I wait on the last couple of illustrations for Iggy the Iguana, I can't help but start the sequel. Yes, two chapters down, about thirteen more to go. Here's the thing, the process of writing a book and publishing has been a huge learning experience. When you learn things for the first time, it takes longer. Now that I have all of this under me, I know the exact order of everything to be done and can get through the process a whole lot quicker. I think because the pressure of not knowing what's next is gone, my creativity can be in full effect. It is so much fun to write this sequel. I have a feeling the book will be done by the end of the summer and will be published by June of 09.

It has taken Iggy about three years from start to finish to be complete. Hard to believe it took that long, but it did. If anyone needs advice on writing a book, editing, finding designers, or starting a publishing company... I could probably give a lecture on this stuff by now. Oh, wait I can not take that much credit. I would have been completely lost with out this little book here: The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter. And of course, it always helps to know people who have already done this themselves!

Idolization

I have been reminded that God is the only one worthy enough to be placed on a pedastal. In the Bible we find verse after verse warning us to not worship idols. We all think, okay I am good, I don't bow down to any statues or worship the sea. That is where we are all wrong. Idols can be anything. They can even be people. God does not want us to place other people's importance over Him or even ourselves. We all deserve the respect of a human being, but that is just it. We are all humans, the same, exactly equal, not gods.

With that said no one should allow any other human being to walk all over them as well. I'm sorry I am going off, but when I see this happen to people I care about, it truly angers me. When will we all wake up and realize that everything is temporary. Our thoughts, feelings, relationships, possessions, yes I said relationships, and the list goes on. God reminds us that our relationships are temporary, not to get too attached to ANYTHING. This does not mean to not love and respect and charish your family, friends, and significant other. What it does mean, is do not place anyone above the Lord, not even your partner.

Your permanent place is with the Lord in Heaven, so our mission on this earth is show our God to everyone so we all can enjoy a permanent relationship in Heaven, not earth. If you haven't noticed, this earth continues to prove that it is only a puppet to the greater God. Wow, I totally sound like a preacher right now, but sometimes if you feel really strongly about something you have to get it out. I'm not saying that I don't fall a victim to these idolizations, I mean I'm human, but when the Lord speaks to our hearts about something and wakes us up it is important to listen to Him.
Thats all.

The Iggy Bookmark

I wanted to share the new edition to Iggy's collection. The Iggy Bookmark. Free with pre-orders. In the next month or so I will send out an email to let everyone know how they can pre-order Iggy the Iguana. The publication date has been set for August 18th, 2008. Also, I have been working with a stuffed animal designer, so expect to see a stuffed iguana out this fall! Also, an update on the official website. I just received word that it will be up and running by the end of the week. It looks so fun for the kids. I can't wait!!!!

What Matters

I haven't had a chance to slow down since coming back from Europe. I had a birthday the weekend I was back in Dallas, a million things to do for the Iggy project, I moved stuff to Austin this past weekend and painted my wall. Obviously, I am still trying to get over a cold from all of the commotion and being in germ infested airplanes. Anyway, I will stop venting and get to the point now. First of all, I love the new place. I love Austin, the outdoors, the environment... I could go on and on. I am really looking forward to this change.

Now, I have realized that for the past three months, again, I have made everything about me. I'm sure others can relate, but when a lot is going on in life, I tend to put God on the back burner. I'm looking forward to finding a new church in Austin, but I have not been giving God the attention that He deserves from me. I know people always talk about the different seasons in their lives, well with the summer season soon approaching hopefully I can get myself back on track. I want to be honest about this, because I find that this happens to a lot of Christians. Some new, some old. I have come to know that things are never constant. For example, the honeymoon phase as a new believer, that high will not always be there. The downs of question and worry, that is never a constant either. I used to think that once something occurs, it will or should always be, but that just is not how this world works. I emphasize THIS WORLD. And boy do I get attached to this world.

Wow, I just remembered the dream I had last night. I was telling someone not to focus on the external when thinking about life and others. That only leads to temporary change. Usually the things we tell other people are also meant for us as well. Interesting that I felt the need to blog this morning. God is so mysterious.