Hello, my name is Cassidy and I'm addicted to Facebook. There, I said it.

Maybe you're like me and will find comfort from this post... or maybe you'll just enjoy laughing at me for the next four minutes. Either way, the first step to recovery is to admit. So I've decided to list ten embarrassing facts about this (oh, so painful) addiction.

• I have a Facebook (FB) app on every electronic device I use and check it daily. Ok, hourly.
• I refer to FB with sayings such as "so-and-so liked my status" and "so-and-so left me a comment" when engaging in normal conversations with friends.
• I have the hardest time denying friend requests on FB. Sometimes I accept the request and then remove them later.
• I consult FB for birthday, anniversary, and event reminders.
• If someone adds their middle name to their FB profile name, I need to hear them referred to by all three names for my brain to recognize who they are.
• I FB chat my husband when he is sitting in the same room as me.
• I am an administrator for over 10 FB pages.
• I saw The Social Network and went home brainstorming ideas for a new FB app/function.
• I have 90 photo albums on FB and participate in the 365 project (uploading a picture a day for a year).
• I play mindjolt games on FB in my free time.

Ok, I feel a lot better letting that all out. If you'd like to add a few of your own, feel free. I would love to know I'm not alone on my journey to recovery.

:)

I'm very excited. For the next two Sundays, Josh is preaching at Watermark Church while our pastor is on a mission trip to Israel... and I am very excited about what he is going to be speaking on! One of my favorite parables that Jesus shared, is the parable of the sower. I think one of the reasons I love it so much, is because Jesus actually explained this one to us! Haha. :) Tomorrow Josh will elaborate more on this, but I thought I would just share some of my thoughts from this revealing passage.

"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” - Matthew 13:3-9

Now, sometimes we can walk away from parables (and a lot of Scripture, actually) and wonder, "What exactly is He trying to tell me here?" We may probe the passage searching for answers. In this case, Jesus explains to the disciples just exactly what is meant.

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” - Matthew 13:18-23

Wow! How can we walk away from that and not consider our own hearts and the seed that has been sown within us? I would bet that there is not a single person reading this right now that has never heard the name of Jesus. I say that with such boldness, because for one, there are probably only about three of you that are even reading this (hey Josh, Court and Cindy!). And secondly, I'm American and I'm guessing that you probably are too. America was founded by Christianity.

Saying all that, I think it is important to realize something - knowing the name of Jesus... and knowing Jesus, are two completely different things. And I believe that the American culture has more seeds that fall into hard, shallow and thorn-infested soil than anything else. Some hear the gospel of Jesus and just don't understand it (hard soil). Some hear the message and receive it with joy immediately; but when their joy fades, so does their faith (shallow soil). Some hear from God, but are too distracted with the worries and concerns of this life to do anything about it (thorn-infested soil).

The seed that we should pursue, is the seed that gives evidence of fruit! The seed that is hungry for more rain and sunlight to produce more and more. I love seeing a true seed grow. It is probably my favorite thing in the world. And when that seed begins to multiply into a harvest... it is a beautiful sight.

What kind of seed are you? Have you fallen on rocky soil and just never understood what following Christ is all about? Did you once get excited about the possibility of following God, but fell away as soon as you ran into a problem? Have you just been more wrapped up in the concerns of this world and never been able to really grow? Or is your seed rooted so deeply, that you are now investing in others and planting seeds of your own? I pray, that today your heart is one seed closer to the right soil.

I officially despise driving. Yep, I said it. When I turned 16 (almost a decade ago!) I never thought I would say that. I absolutely loved driving. Even if that meant driving my mom's minivan... I didn't care. I enjoyed the freedom of going where I wanted, when I wanted to.  :) But now, I'm tired of it. Probably because the roads are way too crowded and I'm tired of being so tense that someone is going to crash into me. But if I'm being honest, it's probably because I've realized that I'm just really not that good of a driver. I get bored and tired and sleepy and wish I was doing something else. I think I need to convince my husband to ditch the idea of buying a new car... and get an affordable airplane. You heard it here first... cars < airplanes. Just think about how much easier, faster and ultimately more affordable (without having to pay for gas every 300 miles) it would be to fly.

Ponder on that awhile.

On to my main reason for all of this driving nonsense.

This weekend I drove to Jacksonville, FL. to visit with my sis and mom! It was my sister, Courtney's, 21st birthday on October 15th, so we had a little birthday celebration for her on Friday night. Then my mom joined us on Saturday and Sunday. We had lots of fun and shared many laughs. It was a much needed visit. It was also worth driving 800 miles to visit them (although, I still wish I could've flown).

Then, earlier this morning Josh had a procedure done in Birmingham. It was a same-day procedure, so we drove up there yesterday and returned this afternoon. Thankfully, everything went really well and the doctor gave us great news! He said that it looks like the ulcerations and bleeding that were found in his small bowel nearly two months ago are now gone! Healed! It's a miracle! We are praising the Lord for this.

Now, I am so ready to enjoy being home. For a little while, at least. Thanksgiving is coming soon and that means more driving (bleh!) but, more time with family... which equals awesome!!! But, I am secretly praying for the day that we are traveling Jetsons' style. One can only dream.