Weekend Getaway... sort of.

My little vacation-across-town was so relaxing, much needed, and a wonderful treat!  It was really fun just lounging around this Five-Star hotel.  I am a very fortunate little girl to be able to go on little get-aways like I do.  There is a downside to having a Dad who travels alot, but there are also upsides.  Some of the luxurious places I have visited would not have happened without such a hard-working father.  Since it was a conference he was attending - I was able to meet some of his colleagues and we had a wonderful time.  Plus, I got a super good tan going after 3 days of sunshine, mojitos, and cooling dips in the pool. 

Here are some pictures that I snapped to record this fun weekend:

Daddy and I are twinkies!

Always stay hydrated when the heat index is above boiling!

Hot is an understatement.

It is definitely the "Florida-version" of the original & iconic Waldorf Astoria.

I have never actually stayed at the NYC Waldorf, but it is so famous and always a stop to look around (and celebrity spy) when we visit the Big Apple.  This is the first W.A. to be built since the Manhattan landmark hotel was built.  There is one in Park City, Utah & Berlin, Germany as well.

Hope everyone had a beautiful weekend filled with good-times, sunshine, and lots of LOVE.

I almost forgot - this is pretty neat!!

This morning we received a message in the sky that was a perfect reminder for us who were skippin' out on worship this morning.  I loved it!

Remember that as you start your new week... trust in Him and He will do great things for you!

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Trust him - He already has it all worked out for you! :)

peace

&

love

BAILY

sunday love

I hope that everyone is having a fabulous Sunday full of peace and love - and if you are very fortunate, then I hope you are embracing the joy of being around the ones you love and/or fellowshipping with fellow believers and warm-hearted people.  That was the kind of Sunday that I had - family love, "How Great Thou Art," and a sermon that touched the soul - simply titled, HE IS HOLY. 

I really enjoy going to church with my Mom and Dad again - I was an inconsistent church-goer at school (which I wish wasn't the case but with the college life it semed pretty typical).  I was raised in a Southern Baptist church where I became a believer and baptized in 1999.  Before that, though, we had always called that place home.  When I left for college at the University of Alabama - after my 2005 high school graduation, that church had been my home for many years and was a safe harbor and a caring & safe place.  I know that the church still means well and I know that God works tremendously through the hands of its congregation, every single day, but over the past few years we fell distant to the things that big churches become.  Sometimes churches can be big and do amazing things, but sometimes churches can be on their way to being huge and hurt people along the way.  Everything is circumstantial, I believe, and I firmly believe that the reasons that my family and I are no longer members of the only church we have ever called "home" is circumstantial and individualistic.  Sure, it fell in a time when there was a gap and slipping church enrollment, but I know we wanted more than anything to do what God led us to do, and he led us searching for a new church home.  I have been visiting several different churches at night, but my morning service and worship time I want to be with my parents - it's one of the greatest things about being at home is going to church in my Sunday best with Momma and Daddy.  I pray every night that we find our current place of worhsip a nice fit and can soon call it home for good.
So many things have happened to me in the past year.  A lot of changes.  I lost life as I knew it - church, school, belongings to the fire, friends, relationships I put my heart and soul in, and A LOT OF PRIDE.  If I could only explain to you some of the ridiculous and life-challenging MESSES I got myself into then you'd be reading a damn near novel.  I won't go into the deets, but let's just put it in the words of one my main men: Bob Dylan.  "Chaos is a friend of mne."

Even though so many things have happened to me, I have realized a lot - especially during my few week blogging-hiatus where I just thunk and thunk and thunk ;)

For one, I consider myself majorly lucky to even be aware that all of this "stuff" has happened to me for a reason and that it wasn't just for shits and giggles and a bunch of April's Fool jokes being played on me - although April and I do have more of a hate/hate relationship with one another and she likes to screw me one good time during this month.  But, whatever she showers me with - I have learned to grow it in to a May flower.  Like for instance, a good friend of mine passed away on April 1 - about the same time I was hanging out with my good friend here in Orlando and in tears to him trying to explain my anxiety and constant worry during the month of April.  "Oh but bad things always happen in April for me - it's a curse," I'd say.  Even I knew that I was being slightly melodramatic (but remember, I cannot help who I am, ha) but wouldn't you know - I got a call that a buddy from Tuscaloosa who had just moved to Charleston to clean up his act, get his life together, move on from past mistakes and bad habits, was dead.  He relapsed.  And just like that, April took another friend from me. 

But I know that things, ALL THINGS, happen for a reason.  It's a hokie dokie saying that we brush off and say when the timing calls for it but it seriously all happens for a reason.  You stub your toe? Meant to happen.  Maybe it kept you from going on a jog that would have ended violently or traumatically?  You miss the school bus and when your Mom drops you off in the car-riders lane you learn that your bus was in a trauamtic accident.  Every little thing, if you think about it, happens for a solid reason.

I just think it's almost insane that God throws these details into our lives.  Like me not being in that fire, Millie not being locked up in that crate.  I crossed two lanes of traffic and hit a power pole, but no one was in the opposite lane - for a reason.  He crushed and shattered ever piece of my heart and it's been hell putting it back together - for a reason.  I have a really dark spot in my life's timeline, and I have really groovy colored spots on it too - because the darker spots make the colored ones even better.  How can you not love a God that spends so much time giving you a life of adventure, a riddle or rhyme or two to help you figure out the reasons He does things so mysteriously, but always in the end doing it for the sake of your good, His good, and His Gospel's good?  How can you not love that God?

I am just overcome with joy today because - I have to be honest, some Sunday's I get sad.  Some Sunday's I miss our old church.  I miss the friends, the people I grew up praying for and them praying for me, I miss my parent's little group of friends and how they always knew what was going on with me (and I hoped at least that they had compassion and understanding for me during my struggles) and I miss the church family belonging.  I really want to join First Baptist Orlando, but it is so overwhelming - the size of that church, sometimes.  I just have a calling - and I know it's a calling from God telling me that there IS a reason that my life has played out the way that it has - and I want to go serve in the mission field for a short time.  And First Baptist Orlando is the perfect place for service.  I would keep you here until Tuesday if I went into all the neat, Godly projects that is going on in that church.  I just love it.  And if you know me... then you can remember that "my word" is PASSION and I love when (so many) people tell me that I am a passionate person - I just loooove it because that is success to me, to be passionate - but anyways, the motto or mantra or whatever you wish to call it for the First Baptist Church of Orlando is PASSION FOR GOD.  It just screams.... "BAILY JORDAN JONES, THIS IS SO YOUR PLACE TO COME FIND YOUR PURPOSE!" 

I want to go on a short-term mission project, not sign my life away just yet.  But I have a zest for travel, a love for God, a yearning to learn more about the world, and a testimony and that I am SO not afraid to share.  I love the microphone!  I don't want to travel and see the world from one Hilton the next Marriott - I want to really see the world and give them something, I want to go over there and do it for Him, not me. I just have no desire, whatsoever, to go overseas to gawk and pretend to awe over arts and architecture that - no offense - I don't really give a damn for.  And I really don't want to go to London or Paris or anywhere and look at castles of Queens and Kings I know nothing about.  I want to go over to that part of the country and share the Gospel, serve under-developed children, bring creativity and the joy of arts and culture to their lives the way they bring it to our lives - I don't want to go play hoity toity Parisian... I want to get my hands dirty and prove that I may not have been ready to be a professional business-woman college graduate just yet, but I AM ready to serve, to share what I've learned throughout my own personal tragedies, and just love and dance and smiles and sing and give someone a hug. 

I know a lot of you don't know what it is like to be depressed - but I know that everyone suffers.  Whether you are like me and have an actual biological, chemical imbalance or not... there are times when you are sad, when you've lost, when you've mourned, when you've grieved - and in those times, you rememner the ones that were there for you to help you, serve you, be with you, understand you, pray for you, and give you hope.  I can do that.  I can do those things so well - God has shown me in multitudes of ways.  I've been moved, I am being changed - and this time: I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.  I am letting GOD control my path, because I want the destiny HE has planned for me - full of joy, peace, and love - the things I believe in. 

I'm not going to listen to anything but my heart and what the Lord convicts, sways, moves, and touches.  I know He dwells within me and will show me the right way.  I'm tired of my way - because it is soooo the wrong way.

Oh, and another reason I have no desire to go look at castles of Kings and Queens of another country that are rude to us, is that I'm a proud and loud SOUTHERN BELL and I ain't going to no castle being as I have never graced the gates of GRACELAND where my King lived and died.  Call me a redneck, but I've got a better name for you I bet ;)

Peace and Love
Baily

Pray for me that in this next year I find my true direction.  I am in no hurry, I am on God's time! Love you all!

"When I had nothing to lose, I had everything. When I stopped being who I am, I found myself."
-Paulo Coelho



My Weekend, so far...

Hello lovelies! 

I hope everyone’s weekend has been as delightful and relaxing as mine has!  The best part about it is that the weekend isn’t over yet.  So here’s to Sunday Fundays!

If your Sunday Funday includes sun-bathing,

this one has already beaten you to it.

I have gotten to spend a lot of time with some really awesome people this weekend.  I went to a nice dinner with my parents on Friday night at a local Italian restaurant, ‘Peppinos’.  It was so good & a nice change from the restaurants we usually go for.  We originally had in mind sushi and a movie, but we couldn’t get a table at ‘Sushi Pop’ so we settled on eating elsewhere and saving the movie outing for Tuesday.  Our local movie theater offers $5 movies all day on Tuesday – that’s a deal!!!  It is SO expensive to go to the movies as a family these days – geesh!

Saturday I got my new room looking a little more like “Baily” and I got some of my décor and accessories out of storage.  It feels nice to see my room start coming together.  It is especially great that I am back at home – the last place I thought I would want to be.  I am home under some pretty irregular circumstances – as far as how my life played out with school and stuff – but it is exactly where I want to be and even though I may “have it any other way” as far as the certain circumstances are concerned, but in regard to living at home right now in this phase of my life – I would NOT have it any other way.  I love it.  The neatest part is watching my sister’s room she grew up in (then Mom changed it into more of a guest room), become my own space, my area, and have it adorned in all things my style. 

I reorganized the beautiful oak bookshelf that was my great-grandfather’s and an original from the 1800’s.  It is so special, and I am glad that my mom is letting me keep it in this room.  I’ve grown quite attached to some of my great-grandmother’s quilts, as well.  I think it is because after the fire in April everything of mine was brand new… lots of things still have tags on them even, and I miss the feeling of comfort that comes from a worn pair of pants, a homemade blanket, and the smell of old books and photographs.  I have the perfect mix of my childhood, and my new life that I got to sort of “start over” with last year. 

After I got my room looking more like “me” and less like a guest room, I headed over to my friend Susan’s townhome.  I admire her so much and it’s comforting to be around these friends again.  Her boyfriend, Dean, was there and we were watching his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers play… and our other close friend Justine Positano (who I usually refer to on here as “Posi”) was there.  I loved the laid back hang-time with them… and Susan made some yummy nachos that I inhaled.  I even let Susan show me pictures of Tim Tebow in a pair of Jockey underwear… and if that isn’t a sign that I have changed my ways in some pretty drastic measures then I don’t know what will. ;)

After I left Susan’s, I stopped by Adam’s house.  He’s one of my very best friends and we have a pretty storied and special friendship.  I call him one of life’s rare gems!  I visited with him for a while, which means I laughed until it hurt, and then I went home and was asleep before midnight.  More good changes: I actually sleep since I moved home and I go to sleep early and get a healthy amount of rest - - - and trust me, my attitude totally shows it… I seem to sleep off a big chunk of “Bitchy Baily" most nights!

This morning, Momma & Daddy & I went to the 11:00 service at First Baptist Orlando.  I had mentioned in a previous post that we had visited there several times, but we felt a little young for the 9:00 service crowd, but Mom & Daddy feared the 11:00 would be too loud and contemporary for their liking.  So this morning when Mom came in my room to force a cup of coffee down my throat and get me up and in the shower, she said “we’re going to the ‘Rock n Roll service’ at First Baptist Orlando at 11:00.”  Haha… that’s what they refer to the contemporary music style – it cracks me up.  I don’t care for the real rowdy kind of praise music, but I do like a little something I can clap my hands to.  And boy did I get it…

The Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda celebrated in a high-spirited worship this morning.  The Watoto Children’s ministry is a place that rebuilds the lives and restores hope in the lives of the 50 million-plus children who are orphaned as a result of war, HIV/AIDS, poverty, and disease in Africa.  Twenty-two absolutely beautiful children of God sang to me “I Am Not Forgotten, Jesus Knows My Name” and “Nothing Compares to Jesus” and I fell in love with this ministry.  I am DEFINITELY going to put my researchin’ boots on and see how I can help make a difference for this awesome, awesome mission.  After church, I visited the Special Guests table in the lobby and purchased a beautiful, hand-made necklace from the children at Watoto.  I am in LOVE.  I wanted to buy it all!!!

Now, I’m going to rest a little and get ready for the ALL-STAR ACOUSTIC JAM tonight.  I can’t wait!!!  Michelle and I are going to have so much fun – I am so blessed to have a friend like her in my life!  As if her positive outlook on life, her Christianity, her shared love for the ‘blogging world’, and the fact that she lives in the same neighborhood community as I do weren’t enough – God went ahead and threw in the love for good country music, too.  Now that’s what I call a bLeSSiNg!!!!  

I forgot that a lot of people have a 3-day weekend this weekend, and aren’t going back to work/school until Tuesday.  So maybe this is the winding down and end to a great weekend for you, or maybe you are living up the fact that you don’t have anywhere to be tomorrow… but I hope you’re having a great Sunday and have had a great past couple of days – I sure have!  And like I said, it ain’t over yet…

I will be sure to take some pictures of our fun night at the Hard Rock tonight!!!

Can’t wait to see what all y’all have been up to this weekend!

peace and love

baily

Today's scripture was on giving to the needy.  This verse has always helped guide me in my passions for advocacy, children with disabilities, orphans, foster children, at-risk individuals, etc.

As a Christian, it should be natural of us to GIVE, to HELP, and to MEET THE NEEDS of people who need it.  The children.  The poor.  The weak.  The disabled.  And we are to do it to glorify God, not seek attention and praise from the world or others.  Our reward will be the blessings God pours down on us when we spread His love, FOR HIM. I was so excited to see this be the topic of today's sermon at First Baptist Orlando:

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Matthew 6:1-4

Something that the Pastor said that stuck out to me was this:

When you sew sparingly, you reap sparingly.  When you sew graciously, you reap graciously.  God is gracious in rewarding you with blessings. 

Is this not true???  I've found it to be very true.