Finding Atlas

On our last morning in NYC, my mother and I were explored Rockefeller Center. After "The Today Show" we went to the Top of the Rock and then walked around the block looking for Atlas. I couldn't remember exactly where Atlas was located, but I knew it was somewhere in Rockefeller Center. Everyone knows that. Or at least I thought. I asked about three or four people around the area one being a security guard,
"Excuse me, but could you tell me where the Atlas statue is?"

His response, "Nope." He wouldn't even look at me.
I had another lady tell me she had no idea what I was talking about even when I described the statue to her.

So I decided to walk into some clothing store on 5th Ave and 49th Street and ask again. (Keep in mind, I've been strolling down 5th Ave between 51st and 49th Streets this whole time. Ok?)

"I'm sorry, but would you happen to know where the Atlas statue is?"

With a expression of utter confusion, the lady looked at me and said, "The what?"

"Atlas. You know, the man holding the globe on his shoulders."

Still confused she said, "Ummm.... I don't... no, I don't don't know about that. You might want to ask her." pointing to a coworker. "Hey, Amanda, do you know where - Atlas? Right?" Looking at me and then turning back to her coworker. "Yeah... do you know where the Atlas statue is?"

"Of course!" Amanda said. "That big statue?!! Yeah! It's way, way, way down 39th Street. Almost to the end. Way down there." Amanda overly chipper today, just so you know.

"So... way down 39th Street?" I said. This seemed way, way, way too far from Rockefeller Center. "I'll just continue down 5th until I get to 39th?"

"Yeah! It's way, way, way down 49th!"

"Ok, so I'll go to the end of 49th."

"Yeah, go way down 59th!"

"So, it's on 59th? Not 49th."

"Yeah! Way, way, way down 59th. You can't miss it. It's all the way at the end."

"Ok, well, I'll try that. Thank you for your help."

"No problem! Have a wonderful day!"

I walked out to the sidewalk where my mother was waiting.
"So," she said, "where did they say it was? You were in there long enough."

I began telling her about the conversation I just had with Crazy Amanda. We both agreed to find someone else. Then I realized... this whole time I had my booklet with me with all the sites to see in NYC. I could have kicked myself.

Finally! Atlas was located just up the street in between 50th and 51st. The reason we didn't see it before was because they had it covered for cleaning. The box it was in blended perfectly with the other buildings, so if you just walked by it on the street you wouldn't know it was there. Pretty ridiculous, I know.... but then so was Amanda.

Faith, Hope, and Love

Last night I had the pleasure of spending time with friends (new and old) in Ada, Oklahoma, USA, the World.
I have been so blessed to meet every single one of them, and they have been such a testimony to me.

A message was shared during our visit about keeping faith even during difficult times. When God allows these things to happen, and we keep the faith and hope alive, the ending result will be good. We will be blessed.
Recently many spiritual and physical trials have come against my family and me. I can feel myself becoming bitter, which pulls me farther away from God.

God has been so merciful and patient with me. Why is it that I choose to lose hope when He has been so faithful and has proven Himself over and over again?

I want to choose life. I want to fight the good fight. I want to finish the course. I want to keep the faith through each moment of hardship. I constantly cry out for peace and strength to keep me standing during temptations, testings and trials. I know if I walk in His endurance and strength that there will be a good outcome. I don't always recognize it immediately, but there have been so many times where I've looked back later down the road and have seen the work He did in my life and finally understand why.

This has definitely been one of the reasons I've been listening to Robbie Seay Band so much lately. There's at least one song (if not more) on each of his albums that is constantly reminding us (or at least me) of faith, hope and love.

My faves:
Better Days - Better Days Album
Jesus Garden of My Rest - Better Days
Peace - (This on the Better Days, but I prefer the version on 10,000 Charms)
Song of Hope - Give Yourself Away
New Day - Give Yourself Away (This is my ultimate fave!)
Love Wins - Give Yourself Away
You are Good - 10,000 Charms
Hope - 10,000 Charms

There are so many more songs of his that are wonderful, but these truly speak to me in times I feel myself losing faith, hope and the greatest of all... Love.

Taking the Name of God

Everyone is familiar with Exodus 20:7 - "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." - NKJV
And of course, it's one of the Ten Commandments.

When I do my bible studies, I usually look up the simple definitions and synonyms of the words used in the verse.

This scripture, for most, has always meant something on the lines of - "Thou shall not swear or curse." When I was a kid I never understood where people came up with this translation. But then I read another translation of the verse that said, "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God." - and using God, Christ and Jesus as swear words are most definitely misusing Christ's name.

But...
I know several years ago, our pastor or one of the elders or just someone (I really can't remember) brought to my attention that this may have a different meaning. I remember doing my own bible study on it not long after that discussion and was just reminded of it recently.

First: Take - to hold, grasp, or grip, to receive and accept willingly, to carry, to occupy, to adopt...
Second: Vain - ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile; without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless, useless...

While I was studying this, I began thinking of a bride taking the name of the groom. For example, my sister is about to marry, Shay Hayes. She will no longer be Lindsay Faught. She is taking his name as her own, because they will now become one. Lindsay Hayes.
Everyday, we take on the name of Christ. How? It's simple - by calling ourselves "Christians." We are taking the name of our Father as our own.
Now... here comes the Vain part. When we walk in unrighteousness, we are walking in worthlessness. By calling ourselves sons and daughters of God, but treat His name as if it were nothing, He will not hold us guiltless.
What comes to mind now is that a covenant is made between the bride and groom to love, honor and obey. When a person in this kind of covenant turns to another outside of this covenant - to me, this is counting the unity and bond that was made, vain - worthless, futile, without importance.
So as we make a covenant with God, saying that we will love, honor, and obey - yet we turn to another (sin), that is counting the covenant we have made with Christ as nothing.

I don't know if this makes sense to anyone, but it does to me. It just shows me how important it is to take on the name of our Father, and how we need to strive to be just like Jesus - perfect and holy. I know we're going to make mistakes, but that's where God's love and forgiveness comes in, and we can be washed clean and began again. We need to consider the covenant we have made with God as of the greatest importance. No one wants to be in a one-sided relationship. So how do you think God feels?

Save the Bunny!!!

I was at my Dad's house this past weekend, and we all were enjoying a nice cup of java on the back patio. The dogs began to bark and chase after what we thought was a squirrel at first, and then realized was a rabbit. My sister, being the animal's rights activist that she is, jumped out of her chair, chased the dogs with her arms waving in the air, and yelling, "Save the Bunny! Safe the Bunny!" When suddenly....

She bit the dust.

This is a vision I cannot get out of my head.

Don't worry everyone, she was laughing the moment she kissed the concrete. She is alive and well. I love that girl.

Taylor and Celine 4EVER!

So does anyone remember Celine Dion's video to "It's All Coming Back to Me Now"?

I do. You want to know why? Because a particular family member loved that song. No - it wasn't my mother. Nope - not my sister. Oh yeah... It was my brother.

Every time the video was played on MTV, we would have to stop whatever we were doing and watch. Later the video of "Because You Loved Me" came out, and Celine was sporting a new and
much shorter hairstyle. Taylor would comment on how he liked her hair longer: "She looks like a mouse now!"

Taylor, this is for you. Celine and Taylor - 4EVER!

Another one of Taylor's faves was N'Sync's "Bye, Bye, Bye." I wonder if he still knows the dance moves... --->Check it Out


I remember listening to the Weekly Top 40 on our way home from a family ski trip. Taylor just knew that "Bye Bye Bye" was going to be the number 1 song, so we had to listen to every single song until he could hear N'Sync. Several hours later, they announced the number 1 song and sure enough, it was "Bye Bye Bye." Just as the song began, we lost reception. I don't know who was more upset: Taylor - for not being able to listen to his beloved song; or Lindsay, Dad, and I - for having to listen to 39 songs plus commercials just so that Taylor could listen to a song he had already heard a millions times before.

My Lindsay Lu

Today is my sister's 25 birthday. I'm so thankful to be blessed with such a beautiful person in my life, inside and out. I'm not just saying this because she is my sister, and I believe anyone who knows her would vouch for me when I say - she is a truly special person.

For the most part of my life, Lindsay's practically been a second mother to me. She's always been a shoulder of support in very way conceivable. I can't imagine life without her humor, her charm, her patience, her kindness, and most of all her love.

When we were younger, I hated the fact that she told me what to do all the time and was always
the leader in everything. "You're not my mother!", I would tell her. Looking back now, I wish I could knock some sense in that little punk of a kid. She was trying to protect me. Protect me from my own stupid selfishness which would eventually lead to heartache. Out of hope and love she's paved that rocky road smooth, just for me.

I want her to know I love and appreciate all her lectures and "talks," because I know she was helping me become a better person.

She is apart of me: My Mentor, My Confidant, My Sister, My Friend.

With all my heart, Lindsay Lu, I will love you until the day I die. -Your Ragie Baby.

Little Red What?

Jeff:
Reagan, those shoes look like Little Red Robin Hood's!

Me:
I believe you're thinking of Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ. And it's "Little Red Riding Hood" not "Little Red Robin Hood."

Jeff:
Yeah!

Me: Let's see Little Red Riding Hood kick butt with the bow and arrow! Woo-hoo!

By the way, here's my shoes...
You decided: Little Red Riding Hood or Dorothy?
I prefer Little Red Robin Hood.