American PABI Heroes Tour!

The J.Co Project is competing with 5+ bands to possibly continue touring (to New York on June 5th) with this foundation to help raise $$$ for babies. Come and support them and this amazing cause! Bring your friends, it's only $10 per ticket. What a great way to help others you guys! I have attached the link that will direct you to the event so you can see where it will be, so if you're in the Springs or Denver area - you have no excuse! ; ) THANKS!!!!!

http://profile.myspace.com/Modules/Applications/Pages/Canvas.aspx?appId=119211&appParams=%7b%22rt%22%3a%22%2fEvent%2fView%2f191897%22%7d&g=1

Crossing bridges

As I think about my life with Derek the last year, many things come to mind. I left a lot of family and friends in MI, but I knew what I was doing was for the better of my future family. Left a career that I was lucky to have, but still unhappy doing it. A fresh start and an open road ahead. One thing that never did come to mind however is the crossing of a bridge, the one way kind. Making decisions that can lose you friends, however better for you the choice to move on may be. It doesn't make it any easier to deal with the pain of possibly losing friends you so much have come to love. Also there is the wise-old choice of going back to school. You can't come back from that the same person! You learn things you never knew before, start speaking a brand new language of the program you chose. Not to mention making new friends and trying to remember the ones you had before. Houses and babies come into your mind, teasing and taunting you with the if's, and's and but's of the matter. Not to mention the "what if's". Those are the worst! All this comes to mind in the one year that I've been in Colorado, and that's not the half of it! Visions of mission work and youth are dancing in my head constantly. Where does life end anyways? HA! Life as we know it doesn't last nearly as long as we think, but eternity is forever. I'm so glad that eternity doesn't involve stress, sore backs and homework.

Goodnight.

A new life

I'm about 2 weeks into my schooling at Pima, and I just wanted to shout from the rooftops. Er, type from the tips of my fingers.... I AM LOVING IT! I have never felt so complete in a classroom before. Watching videos of teaching autopsies and seeing pictures of things I never thought I would.... it's breath-taking to see the variations of life. Life I can help heal, life I can serve. I know, I know. I'm only 2 weeks into it, give it some time you say. I've given it enough time, and I've thought about it enough. Isn't it just about time for my life to start? What exactly has been holding me back all these years? F-E-A-R. Learn the word folks, it just may be holding you back too.

I'm jumpin' in... FULL STEAM AHEAD!

This may seem a little sudden to all of you, but for me it's been in the works for 6 years! I've never really had a passion for any CERTAIN profession, nothing to go to school for anyways. I've never really felt complete having not going, and actually I feel - very incomplete. As a person and a whole. If that doesn't make sense I apologize. So on to it: I'm going back to school! There's this little college of about 400 students called PIMA Medical Institute about 25 minutes from where I live. In 8 short months I will have my certificate in Dental Assisting and will have hopefully found the completeness of a degree I've so longed for. We shall see....

Wish me luck!

Let down, but I won't fall.

It's another week here on Earth. As I go about my day to day activities, I can't help but realize just how lucky I am. I feel so let down about a great job I didn't get recently, yet there are those I see on the streets wearing the same clothes day in and day out. It makes working fast food a luxury and a privilege. And I even know that when the economy picks up again, I too can have the "closetoperfect" (I say this because there is NO perfect job) career I've so been longing for! One that is custom made for me.

As I write this my thoughts keep going back to Cindy, a homeless woman I met one cold fall night when she applied at Good Times. She had been homeless since April, when family kicked her out for who knows what. She filled out an app, we gave her some food and sent her on her way. Her application pushed aside, obviously. I wish I was store manager at that moment. I wonder if she scraped up enough money for a hotel room that night, like she said she was trying to do (and I believe her). I gave her all I had on me, which was pennies. I've never given $ to a homeless person before. I always had the feeling that they would spend it on drugs or alcohol. But this woman was actually applying places. "According" to her; she had a job for 3 days, but lost it when the manager found out she was on the streets. Can't be trusted. How then, can she be trusted if you will never give her a chance? I saw her again one night at the gas station, but she left before I could talk to her.

I pray for her. I pray for me. That I will become the woman God meant for me to be. Not feeling sorry for myself because things aren't "perfect". But happy that I have eternal life waiting for me, and happy I have food, family, friends and a life. Thank you!

It's a new year already...

Well this is just a little update from the last time I blogged (which was WAY too long ago, I know!). Life is crazily, intensely, INSANELY busy. Derek is working a lot, volunteering at the Church a lot and has 2 band side projects going also. I'm working a lot, volunteering a lot and spending a lot of quality time with my girlfriends. Recently a newlywed couple Chad and Michelle have moved here (from Michigan!) and they are great fun to hang out with who are now attending Community Church of The Rockies with us.

Derek and I are feeling a little overwhelmed at just how busy we are. For instance, we haven't hung out with each other alone not once in the past 2 weeks. Some sacrifices are going to be made in order to work on that. I won't allow my marriage to strain from the lack of saying "no". SO: excited to see him more!

Deleting AOL e-mail addy

Hey all, just wanted to let you know that I'm no longer using my AOL e-mail address. You can e-mail me from now on at faithrickett@yahoo.com. Thanks! Hope everyone's week went well!

Good Times.... or not?

As you all might know, I'm working at a little fast food joint called Good Times. As you also probably know, it's not exactly like the name. It can be slow, busy, drama-ridden (most of the time) and frustrating. I leave there feeling like my IQ, age and maturity has dropped 10 points/years. I've only been there since August and it's sucking the life out of me. I got the job to get our debt paid off so we can start to build our credit once again. But now I'm thinking that a car comes first, then a better paying/better all-around job comes second to help get stuff paid off. I'm tired of being treated like a 16 year old... not that there's anything wrong with being 16, but when you're 23, there is! Plus when you came from a job that paid twice what you make now... it's dis-heartening. And breaking my pride, which is the only good thing about the situation. So I will keep on keepin' on, hoping and praying I'll get a car soon so I can get a career in focus. Not just a j.o.b.

"Unstoppable"

This morning in Church, we started a new series called "Unstoppable". I had no idea how much it would relate to me, and my life. As you all know, I've recently decided to devote my life to mission work. I have no experience, no degree, and I'm young. What do I have going for me exactly?!?! That's what I've been struggling with. I know I'm passionate about being a missionary, and sooo excited too! BUT, the major question is... how do I get started? I went to Mexico with the youth group and we built a house. That's fine, and it was life-changing. But, that's a once a year trip. I don't want to base my life on youth group trips (even as WONDERFUL as they are :-). I want to find a missionary-based company and thrive. While also doing the wonderful youth group trips! Any school I have found recently requires a 1-2 year internship across seas. That's fine and dandy too, accept that I won't leave Derek for that long. I'm determined I can find a way to do what I'm called to do, and still have a great, healthy marriage. ANYWAYS....This morning my pastor said something that stuck out. And that is, "if you aren't doing something supernatural, then you're only doing something superficial.". Now, that is in context to those who going out and doing mission work. Here I'm worried about how to get started when all God wants is for us to GO! Just take the leap of faith and listen to what He says. All else will fall into place. You must be unstoppable! Because it says in the good book that we are all to be a witness. He has called each and every one of to be. So instead of worrying about how, when and why..... I'm just going to leap and I know who will catch me if and whenever I fall.

Thailand here I come.

I AM UNSTOPPABLE.

What troubles me most is....

....people who upset my husband, family and friends. By judging them and ridiculing them for the choices they've made. I want to live, laugh and learn my way through life. Enjoying every second, being forgiven for my past. I'm not perfect, and neither is anyone that I know. Why can't we just stop the drama and love each other?

I've got all these random thoughts and feelings going through my brain right now, so this blog has to come to an end.

For now, I'm gonna go watch T.V. and cuddle with my hubby - a wonderful man who deserves so much in this life.

I'm out.

Sorry for the wait!

I know it's been a while folks, but I am back at it again! Blogging, that is. We've been in Colorado and settled now for a while. Since my last blog, lots has happened! We've made some wonderful new friends here, and are getting very involved in our Church - which we LOVE! I have gone on a missions trip with the youth group and we went to Juarez, Mexico. If you haven't heard all about it, let me know and I'll be happy to fill you in! I can sum it up in one word (or rather, 2 hyphenated ones...): LIFE-CHANGING. AnYwAyS, we are hiking, camping and off-roading a lot in our spare time. FUN stuff. I have recently decided to be a missionary for the rest of my time here on Earth. So keep an ear open for those updates! Thailand may be next, but don't quote me on that. Anyways, I just wanted to let everyone know I haven't lost touch - just temporarily misplaced my Blogspot password in my brain!

XOXO,
Faith

We made it!

Well Derek and I are all settled in our new apartment in the Springs. It's a mess, but we're settled! We just got the computer & internet up and running, but it's running slow so there may be few posts for now. But I wanted to let everyone know we made it! Pictures will be up as soon as I take some :-). It is even more beautiful than I remember it, and I'm hoping to lose those pesky 10 elevation lbs. soon ;-). Derek's job is going well, and good things are coming! I will do my best to keep everyone updated as things happen. Much love!

The scars I bear are a sign of a competitor

I love that quote. I heard it on one of my favorite T.V. shows, Grey's Anatomy. And I think it is soooo true. It relates to everything, including my situation in life right now. Bad things are actually good. Because in the end, something good ALWAYS comes from something bad. So I won't lie in a corner licking my wounds, but will showcase them for the world to see. Everyone will know that I am a strong woman for going through what I have, and what I will. Because in the end.... I MADE IT. And that is good :-)
This is the weekend for a MAJOR change... as you all know. Derek has a gig tonight, then is trekking back to Michigan to pack me up and take me away. If all goes well, I will be in Colorado by Monday morning. Wish me luck and send up a few prayers while you're at it (pretty please?)....

Scarred and strong,

Faith

The big move

Most of you already know that I'm moving to Colorado - this weekend! Derek has been there for 2 months working and getting things ready for me to join him. Let me tell you, it's been a crazy ride! This week has thrown me the biggest loop in the ride, which I knew it would. Packing, saying goodbye.... not the fun part of moving whatsoever! But this incredible feeling of starting over is starting to tingle, starting in my toes and working it's way up to my heart and mind. I am more and more excited for this new chapter and what it will bring!! We have an awesome apartment (WHICH has a FREE tanning bed. Seriously!), breath-taking views, and a new lease on life just waiting for us there. So many opportunities and life-changing events are in store. I'm not at liberty to share at the moment, but if all goes well... this summer will prove to be the biggest yet of our marriage! And please, you all THINK you know... but you have no idea (I've always wanted to say that...) ;-) .

Faith

My first blog!

Blogging seems to be the very "it" thing to do now-a-days. Everyone is so eager to share their life with family, friends and even the public. I have no room to talk! I am a part of "everyone" (obviously...). It's like we are creating our own circle of "celebrity" status by blogging. I am a huge fan of writing, especially about my feelings and life. You'd think it's strictly a girl thing, but that's not the case anymore - more and more guys are realizing that it's ok to have feelings! So anyway, this is my very first blog on this forum. Wish me luck in my life adventures! :-)

Faith