Ringing in the 2009

JANUARY 2008 started with a POOF, I was looking for a BANG but received a POOF!  I blamed everyone around me for the POOF and failed to realize I was about 93% responsible for NO BANG!! I found myself searching for unrealistic goals and trying to obtain the attention of unhealthy people! I knew I needed to BEGIN AGAIN! Then I found myself ready to make some major changes and I found myself succeeding at those changes!  FEBRUARY 2008 I noticed the changes were hard to keep but well worth the pain! I found new "friends" that taught me once again that few people are WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE! I caught myself jumping down memory lane only to find myself at a fork in the road and having to make a huge decision. And I saw God for the first time in my life! Real as he could be and full of grace!   MARCH 2008 my world finally felt like puppies and candy! I finally felt my dream and prayers coming true! I smiled more than I had in a long while and found a man that proved to me that not all men were out to hurt me, some were here to love and care for me as I deserved! And I found myself believing in the possibility of HAPPILY EVER AFTER!   APRIL 2008 I saw great things! I saw God save my sisters life and grace my family with the first baby! I saw my Dad for the first time be THE MAN of the family and embrace my mom and I as we cried in the hospital when the doctors told us my sister may not make it! I spoke to God and heard him answer my prayers!   MAY 2008 I saw my nephew play in the pool and love every minute of it! I saw my sister TRUST me! I felt compassion and love!   JUNE 2008 I fell in love deeper than I ever thought possible and I realized God had blessed me with the man I was going to marry when the time is right!   JULY 2008 I got to see my first Beach EVER!! I felt sand in between my toes, wind in my hair, salt water in my eyes, and one of the most beautiful peaceful feelings in my heart!! AUGUST 2008, Came and went but again I drew closer to God! I experienced the one year anniversary of still being given a second chance at life!   SEPTEMBER 2008  I felt God pulling me to get more involved! I took a part time job and starting getting more involved at LifeChurch.tv and other places! I started reading to 2nd graders at Celia Clinton Elementary School and getting closer with friends I realized were never going to leave my side!  OCTOBER 2008  I got given a bunch of clues for my 28th birthday and then got to go on an amazing trip to San Antonio with the man of my dreams!! I had someone steal from me only to find God's love on my heart more intense that ever before! I fell in love with Todd(my perfect 4 me) all over again, WOW what a great feeling! I listened to Gods whispers and followed what he was telling me to do!   NOVEMBER 2008 I met God half way on a decision and made a real change! I committed to lead others to Follow HIM!! I leaned on others for help and found out that eventhough it may be hard to do, if you pick the right people they will do it for the right reasons and not constantly remind you of it! I met Todd's dad for the first time and built my own opinion of him! DECEMBER 2008  I watched God's love pour out of a group of single women struggling to take care of themselves as the handed out money for a few people whom without their help wouldn't have had a Christmas! I watched my friends pull together and pour love out to one of our own who had just lost her mother! I watched 1300 people show up at LifeChurch to see what God had to say thru Craig G.  I felt Todd and I growing closer together in our relationship with each other and with our relationship with Christ! I saw God move mountains! I watched my father realize he wasn't the only person in the world and I watched him be overly generous and kind to my mother! I witnessed lives being changed thru the grace of God! I felt my faith grow stronger! AND I DROPPED MY "ROCKS" IN THE WATER AS I GOT BAPTIZED AS AN OUTWARD SIGN THAT I AM A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST AND NOTHING IS GOING TO MAKE ME GO BACK TO MY OLD WAYS! I AM KIMBERLY BUTTS GOD'S DAUGHTER AND I AM GOING TO MAKE MY FATHER PROUD!

Eyes are Everywhere....

When you take the role of leader you begin to realize the eyes that are everywhere and how closely they follow you! In the line at the grocery store when the cashier is slow and you are in a hurry they think, "How will she react?" At the gas pump when it is really cold out side and she just realized she forgot her gloves they say, "What will she say?" On the highway when traffic comes to an immediate halt and she is late to a movie they watch to see, "What finger is she going to extend?" When her good friends mother passes away and her friend is questioning God's faithfulness they think, "How will she comfort her?" When she goes someplace to watch a ball game or a UFC fight with friends they look to see, "Is she going to order a drink?" At work when things don't go her way they listen to hear how she speaks!  Everywhere she goes and everything she does people are watching to see if the transformation is real and if she really is going to be the leader they hoped she will be! Some watch to see of she is going to fail and hope that she will, some watch in awe of the amazing things that God can do and pry that she is successful, either way there is something to prove! But all in all the one person that I am doing this for is Christ! My amazing Lord and Savior who gave me a second chance at life and what an amazing life it is going to be!