change

updates and an announcement

February 7, 2012 By Mary Hess

So I’m breaking away from my normally scheduled Tuesday post to do an update of sorts for the Hess Family. Because I know you’re DYING, simply DYING to know all the stuff going on with us!

Ahem.

Liberty University – This time next year I’ll be graduating with my bachelor’s in Psychology – Christian Counseling (emphasis on Marriage & Family). Then next fall I will be starting my Master’s program – probably locally. I’m still undecided about that. But I am excited to have made the Dean’s List for the fall of 2011 – and am trying to keep that up for the Spring 2012. I say all of that to say this. . . .
I’ve quit my job with the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors – my last day is today – February 7th and have taken a new job with Oasis Christian Counseling Center. I’ll be managing their office and doing my internship there this fall! So I’m super stoked about that! Along with that job change I’m also going to be reactivating my real estate license with Ashley Cooper Real Estate Company. So for all you folks out there who need a Realtor: I’M BAAAAACKKKKKKKKK! Hit me up! And while we’re on the topic of jobs, I’m also working a day a week for my church as the Events & Communications Director.
Okay. Enough about jobs. I’m tired reading all of that. Let’s talk home – and kids – and all that jazz. Haley is about 2 months away from turning 16. And even as I type that my heart pounds, my knees feel weak and I want to shove her back inside of me where she was safe and protected and safe and protected for those 9 months. Gah. But, unfortunately, she’s too large for that and alas, I must allow her to grow up. Gah. Again. Colleges are already contacting her and she’s on the precipice of dating. DATING!!!!!! When did that happen?!?!? I’m not ready for it. She’s ready for it. But I’m not. I’m just starting to get used to her even driving, dang it. Gah. (That’s my new word, by the way -GAH. I love it – you will too) She’s also transitioning a bit in her routine at both our homes – she’ll now be staying with her Dad full time and hanging out with us once a week and every other weekend. I’m excited for her in this new phase of life as she is really connecting with her Dad and enjoying the season of Daddy/Daughter time. I mean, what girl doesn’t want to be her Daddy’s princess, right? (Great segue for Zoe. . . . ) And Zoe. Yes. There’s Zoe. Our little 5 year old who thinks she’s 25 daughter. She’s reading like a fiend. And she’s doing double digit math. And she’s dancing, singing and playing the piano. But boy is she a handful. She reminds me of someone, I just can’t put my finger on who it is . . . . . . .
Church – I. LOVE. my. Church. There. I said it. I love church! I LOVE CHURCH! I love our community and I love that Jesus is first and He is given room to move and breathe and love and heal and bless and there’s no “what’s in it for me” mentality and life is lived to the fullest and people communicate and relate and bond and hang out and gosh, it’s just great. GREAT. I love my church!
Writing – I’m writing a lot these days. And quite honestly, I’m loving it. You can read all of it by clicking that “Popular Series” tab at the top of my blog. (Go ahead. Do it. I’ll wait. . . . )
Personal – I have shared before so it’s no secret, but I’ve been on a quest to lose weight in a healthy manner and it’s taken me a while, but thankfully I’m only a few little pounds from my goal weight. I’m stoked – and once that happens, I will have lost a total of 21 pounds. I’ve been off the exercise wagon for a couple of months now, but that’s changing – a little 30 Day Shred and some running to not only exercise but just de-stress and have a few “me” minutes. We’ve really changed our eating habits and love the new lifestyle we’ve chosen. But for the fact that I just need to eat meat every so often, I would be tempted to go completely vegetarian. I know, right? I never would have thought that before. . . .
And I love my husband and our life together! I don’t say much about him on here, but I do. I do. I do. I love him. I love our journey, our marriage, our life. We are settling in to a nice groove and it just feels good. It feels good to feel loved, needed, secure. It feels good to love and to give and to listen and to just be. He’s an amazing man and I simply can’t imagine my life without him. Don’t even want to. I know that isn’t very poetic or smooth, but it’s me. He’s amazing. And he’s mine. All. Mine.

Well, I think that’s about it. If nothing else, hopefully you’ve gotten a good chuckle out of it. Prayers are always appreciated and leave a comment and update me on YOU!

What others are saying Filed Under: change, destiny, matters of faith, matters of family, matters of marriage, matters of writing

setting a goal | all about him

December 15, 2011 By Mary Hess

Pretty soon people all over the world will be setting their new year’s resolutions.

Goals will be set.

Some kept.

Some broken.

We’ll all start out with a renewed sense of hope, determination and faith

that this year will be different, even better, than last year.

For the last 2 years I’ve chosen not to set goals.

Some may disagree, and that’s okay.

But for me, setting a goal (or two or three or ten)

usually sets me up for failure and disappointment.

Why?

Because I tend to be an overachiever.

Ahem.

My brain makes promises my mind, body and heart

can’t always follow through on.

Oh, my intentions are always great.
(who’s isn’t, right?)

But the follow-through thing,

yeah, I’m um, not so good at that when

it comes to goal setting.

However, I must admit I’m a sucker

for new things.

New seasons,

New years.

Why?

Because they bring a freshness

to my sometimes not-so-fresh-life.

It’s a chance to believe you have

a clean slate, a new beginning,

a second chance.

And people, I’m all about the second chances.

I’m finding that as I grow older (and older and older)

my life begs to be more simplified.

I find myself longing for the basics that we all crave.

Unconditional love

Unmerited favor

Amazing grace

Second chances

Joy

Contentment in all things

And I’m discovering there’s only true place

that we can turn to find all of those things

rolled up into one beautiful package.

Jesus.

He has it all.

He’s just simply waiting on us

to turn to Him,

run with the excitement of a child,

and leap into His arms.

And He is more than willing to give it away.

So for me, 2012 can’t get here fast enough.

And while I’m not too thrilled with what my

#OneWord2012 is going to be

I’m more than excited to see what my

relationship with Him holds this coming year.

It’s going to be phenomenal.

I just know it.

::::::

Are you a goal-setter? Goal-keeper?
What are your thoughts about the coming year?
Leave me note! I’d love to hear about it!

What others are saying Filed Under: change, destiny, matters of faith, matters of the heart

goal setting | moving forward

December 10, 2011 By Mary Hess

Has anyone else noticed how fast this year has come and gone? How does this happen? How does it move faster every year? Can someone please just make it slow down?!?!

I guess it’s human nature, but I always grow reflective this time of year.

It was a big year in our home in more ways than one.

Haley got her learner’s permit
I turned 40
Our house came out of foreclosure
Shannon got a job
Zoe turns 5

And yet when I really reflect on this year, I can’t help but think of the deeper changes that happened in our family.

Our marriage was strengthened
Zoe asked Jesus into her heart
Haley is writing songs and psalms and dreaming more
We are more cognizant of listening for Him all throughout the day, not just in the big stuff
Learning more about how much He really loves me unconditionally.

Moving forward into 2012, I long to see so many things not only for me but for our family. I have this hunger inside of me to dive deeper into my marriage, into my relationship with my girls and into my relationship with Papa. I want to find that place – that place I know has to exist – where we move as one. I want to have that intimate, fulfilling relationship with Him that spills over into my relationship with others.

For so long I was so consumed with our destiny and what that looked like. And believe me, I still want that. But I’ve come to realize that it isn’t it. No. I have decided that the relationship with Him is it and out of that knowledge comes the peace and the assurance that destiny will come in His time. Even if I’m 80 when it happens. {please God, don’t let me be 80 when it happens. ahem.}

I used to quote this scripture a lot as a teen. But for some reason lately it has taken on a whole new meaning for me. And quite honestly, will be my key verses for the year 2012.

I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3:10-14 The Message {emphasis mine}

So I say all of that to say this.

I have one goal this year