Why did the chicken cross the playground?

My husband is a sweet, sweet man. He's not romantic or mushy, but sweet. So imagine my surprise when he told me that he had a surprise for me at our wedding. I was excited, but I also cringed... what could it be? No bride really likes surprises at her wedding! I had visions of gigantic fish-lure earrings or smashed cake in my face, but he, once again, showed his sweet side by picking out the song for our last dance. It was The Luckiest by Ben Folds - a song I had on my iPod that I didn't even know he had ever listened to. The song is about being lucky to have your significant other even though you didn't have a perfect past... Here's the beginning of the song:

I don't get many things right the first time

In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here


And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know

That I am ... the luckiest ...

Once I heard the first few piano chords, I knew what the song was, and I immediately got teary eyed. The truth is, I am the luckiest. Not only because I'm married to the best man in the entire world (I know everybody says this, but really, it's true!) but because I have a loving family, caring friends, and an eternity in Heaven to spend with them all.

Now, I think, what about those people who don't believe in Heaven or that Jesus is the savior? What do they have to look forward to? Well, to be blunt, Hell. It doesn't matter how nice they are or how generous they are to the people in their life, they are going to be judged and sorted like the grain and chaff.

Again, to be blunt - that sucks!

That's partly why I want to be a youth pastor. To bring people to the Lord so that they can spend eternity (eternity = forever. A really long time. Infinity. You get the idea) not only praising God, but spending it with friends, family, and loved ones. With that being my future, it makes the past 25 years I've spent on Earth seem kind of insignificant. The best way to make a difference while on this planet is to bring people to Heaven with me. Then we will get up there and party like it's 1999 ... until forever. (And maybe not to that song. It's really a terrible song!)

But that was really just a totally different direction than I meant to go with this post. I really want to take a minute to remember how lucky I am to have everything and everybody in my life. So here's a look at all the things that make me the luckiest ...

1. I'm going to Heaven. (see 1999 song reference above)
2. I have a husband who loves me, provides for me, hugs me, and respects me.
3. I have parents who love and respect me not only as their child, but as a friend.
4. I have a brother and sister in law who are fun to hang out with and accept me for who I am.
5. I have a niece who is about the coolest, sweetest, funniest kid in the world.
6. I have a nephew who is almost tied for being the coolest, sweetest, funniest kid in the world (he will be tied once he's potty trained!)
7. I have a job working with babies that enables me to do my school work, eat my lunch, and occasionally watch Grey's Anatomy while the babies sleep. Awesome.
8. I'm getting an Akita. I don't know when, but that's pretty awesome.
9. I'm healthy. Not skinny. Not gorgeous. I am healthy, alive, and breathing. God has given me a new day. Again, awesome.
10. Cherry Coke Zero. Need I say more??
11. Low fat ice cream and popcorn.

Ok, so number 10 and 11 aren't as deep and meaningful as the first nine, but let's face it - they make my quality of life significantly improve!

So, no, I don't get many things right the first time. I stutter when I'm nervous, or I talk so fast you think I'm crazy (which was Chad's first impression of me). I say stupid things on a pretty regular basis. I procrastinate. I'm not famous, rich, or stunning. But I am the luckiest.

As a final note, I realized I used the word "awesome" a lot in this post. What can I say? This life God has given me is pretty awesome!!!