I just don't understand!

Hey everyone! Everything is going really good right now! I really like my new job and everything seems to be on the up and up! Thank goodness!! It does feel alot better to be able to tell people how God is working in my life. I have started feeling more comfortable telling alot of this to my ladies sunday school class (I hate talking in front of large groups!!). They are so awesome and understanding and I am really thankful to have them as a part of my church family!! I often do not know what to write about and I don't want to put anything on here just to be doing it. I would like for my blog to be meaningful and helpful to others. Then God inspires me....

Sometimes, I just don't understand why things happen the way they do. I know that it's not for me to understand, but I still wonder and sometimes things bother me. It's just the devil trying to weasel his way into making me doubt God and second guess everything that God has done for me. It is still so hard to not feel some resentment sometimes. I guess instead of beating around the bush, I just need to say it. I don't understand how some people can be so unhappy when they have so much to be thankful for. I don't understand how some people take for granted everything that they have and don't appreciate where they are in their life. I don't understand why some people are so wrapped up in themselves that they don't even realize how their actions are effecting other people. And there are some who just have no clue!! It's really sad. I know I'm not perfect and I don't know everyone's situation but I pray that God can soften my heart in these instances. As much as I want to just say "Are you kidding me?!?", I want God to put the right words in my mouth to encourage everyone. It's not for me to judge, but God.

I understand that God has a specific plan for everyone and I believe that we go through hard times to become stronger and closer to God. If you are having a hard time, you just need to know that God is there. His word provides many comforts and I am thankful that God does care all of us. For every time I feel down and wonder why..... (even when the devil is trying his best) I just have to remember God is always there. Hope you have a good weekend!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Potholes

Hey everyone! This week has been a huge adjustment! As you know, I am now a working woman and have not got a routine down yet! I have been thinking of a blog topic for a couple of days (I started writing this post on Thursday and here it is Saturday and I am just now posting!!!) but I just have not had the time because (as always) I take on more than I can do! It's not any ones fault, I just really like to help people or do things for others most of the time at the expense of my sanity!! Ha ha, so here is my dilemma....

A couple of weeks ago (when I was jobless!! : ))I saw this really cute bag made out of felt and automatically tried thinking of an occasion I can make where I could make one. Well, halloween is coming up and I offered to make my nephews second grade class a pumpkin bag. I was excited and bought all of the materials and got started. Here is a photo of one of the completed bags. Their names are embroidered on the back! So cute!

Long story short, they proved to be a lot harder than I thought and now I have a job so I am working on them in the evenings! Not to mention the other "little things" that come up during the week like going to the gym, meeting friends to hang out, oh yeah and work! Ha ha. So, needless to say I have gotten a little stressed. As I said earlier, I started trying to think of a topic for the blog and I thought of talking about being stressed and overwhelmed. Obviously God wanted me to share this because He has brought alot of things to my attention in this area.

Wednesday at work, I got a Dove caramel chocolate out of the candy bowl and they have the Dove Promises message on the inside of the wrapper. Mine said (and I'm not kidding!!) "Forget the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey instead." That is exactly the advice I needed! I tend to get wrapped up in the everyday, NEED to do things (I have several "To Do" post-its, and then I lose them!) and I don't focus on the big picture, let alone enjoy it because I am so worried about it!! I don't want to miss out on the fun because I am focusing on getting it done. Today as I was sewing, (I have 14 bags done, 6 more to go!) I thought about how excited my nephew and his classmates will be to get a personalized bag with treats for their halloween party. That is what is important. So what, if I have to sacrifice watching the game on Monday night or zumba on Thursday, I am making memories for him and I am so glad that I am able to do that. I love him with all my heart and I hope by doing these little things for him that he knows it. That is what is important!

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all of these will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. For each day has enough trouble of it's own." Matthew 6:33-34

Happy ---> mad. All in a day!!

Hey everyone. What a week!! I'm sure everyone has had a day like this. You wake up feeling that today is going to be a good day. Something good does happen, making you feel on top of the world. You couldn't be more happy! And then a few minutes or hours later, you are as mad as a hornet! How easily we can go from one extreme to the next! Looking back it is pretty funny, but at the time I was serious!!

When the day began I was waiting to hear about my job offer. I haven't heard from them and was starting to get nervous and of course my mind was going through 100 scenarios a minute! I was trying not to be worried, but I was! And then when I was cooking lunch, the doorbell rang. I froze, thinking is this it?! I went to the door and on the doorstep was a FedEx package with my job offer! I was so excited, words can't explain what went through my mind at that moment. I immediately called my parents, brother and other family members then I sent a text to a couple of friends (And put it on facebook!!). I was so ecstatic thanking God the whole time!

Then, a little while later, I was trying to respond to some texts and my phone wouldn't work. Then I tried calling someone and it wouldn't call out. Frustrated, I turned off the phone and took the battery out to reboot it hoping it would work. And it didn't. So for an hour, I tried everything under the sun to get my phone to work with no avail. Of all days!! The next day I needed my phone to contact my NEW employer and my phone just wasn't working!!!! I was SO mad, it was ridiculous (especially looking back now!!) After visiting Verizon (and waiting 20 minutes!!), they told me that 2 towers were down near my house and cell service was not working during that time but everything is up and running now. So there was absolutely nothing I could've done, but not knowing that I got myself all worked up. So then, I should've calmed down and realized there are more things to be thankful for, but did I?? Nope, I am WAY too dependent on technology!!

God is always ready to teach us a lesson, right?? That night after I came home I started doing my bible study homework and you'll never guess what it was over... Esther 5:9-10. This is the passage where Haman leaves an special royal banquet so happy (the bible translates to glad in his heart!!) about being important enough to attend and then sees Mordecai (a Jew who wouldn't bow to Haman) and is immediately filled with rage. I could instantly relate to a story that happened in Old Testament times!! It just showed me that God back then is still God today and to be happy and content with what I have. So, I am now praying that I won't make the small things SO big. It's really hard to do, but we don't need to let the devil steal our joy. It's amazing what the devil can do or use to get under our skin where we can "forget" about the blessings God has provided for us. Amazing. Hope you have a good week!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Gaining Muscle

Well, I'm sure that everyone has heard by now but I going to say it anyway! God has finally blessed me with a job!! Woo hoo!! If we had mountain tops in southeast Texas I would shout it from there!! After many months of prayer and wondering what am I supposed to do with my life, God has blessed me in more ways than I can name! I want to thank everyone who prayed for me too, because without all of the prayers I am not sure I could've handled this. I can't lie, the last couple of weeks have been very stressful but I just think it is the Devil trying to rain on my parade!! (That is the beginning of another post!!) So I want to praise God for my job and thank all of my friends and family who have been there for me!!

Lately, (since I haven't had anything to do) I have been going to the gym trying out different classes to get in better shape. So far, my favorite is pilates because it isn't strenuous and provides a good core workout that I need. I have tried others that I do NOT like!! I'm not a fan of spinning because it doesn't keep my attention long (and the seat hurts!) and there was some interval training class that was horrible! But as I say that, each class has helped me build muscle and get in better shape. After the workouts I am sore for a day or two, but the positives outweigh the negatives (hopefully!!). I read in my bible study last week that the same could go for gaining spiritual muscle. I have never thought about it that way, but it is so true. The trials that we go through can strengthen us to have more faith and be stronger when the next trial comes along. It's not fun frantically trying to keep up with the step class instructor, but in the end my body will reap the benefits or just give out(whatever comes first!!). Trials aren't fun either, but hopefully through them it will bring us closer to Christ!

Of course, during a trial, you could turn away from God and I have been there. Looking back, it's not a pleasant place to be. Using worldly things to bring you joy and happiness doesn't work for long. It is your choice on how you deal with your problems. I am so thankful that God never left me and that He was patiently waiting for me to return to him. Trials aren't always easy but we have to stand strong on what God's word tells us and believe without a shadow of a doubt that God is who He says He is. Hope you have a good week!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

Friends!

Hey! I wanted to take some time to thank my friends who are always here for me. You may not realize how much you impact my life, but you do. It's always nice to hear words of encouragement and laughter that only friends can share (and stories that we have to keep to ourselves!!). I pray that I never get too busy for friends or focus on myself more than others.

It's amazing how helping someone who is in need is so fulfilling. It can be a friend, family member or a stranger but just the fact that you reached out to them may make their day, week, month or even their year. (The Friends' theme song is running through my head now!!) By your acts of kindness, God is using you to show them Jesus on earth. Especially if you have been through something that they can relate to, God can use you to help others in need. I am not very good with emotions and words so I like sending cards to people if I can tell they need them. I hope it brightens their day and lets them know that someone is thinking of them.

I want to be better in this area and think of others more often than myself. It is so easy to get in a rut and feel sorry for ourselves or that our problems are so big, but by helping others it gets us out of the "Me" mentality. Let me know if there are any creative ways you brighten someone's day. I need to expand my horizons! Hope you have a good week!

"A friend loves at all times" Proverbs 17:17a

Wow! Speechless....

Ok, I actually don't even know where to begin except for God is awesome! It is so great when you are praying for something and God gives you a word or in this case, blatantly shows me He is in control! For the last couple of weeks, God has shown me through small words and readings from various people that He is with me. Being an engineer, I am a very literal person and it has taken me years, and I do mean years, to "hear" God speaking to me. I have come to realize that it isn't going to be a godly voice from the heavens proclaiming what I need to do (but if it did that would be awesome!!) but more or less words from a sermon, a bible study or a song on the radio. We have to look for God in every part of our lives. I am so thankful that I have learned to look for the little things that God can use for the big things in his plan.

Last week in my bible study homework, God used Beth Moore to confirm what I already knew in my heart. I am doing the Esther bible study with a really good friend and I am so glad that she invited me because it has really been a blessing! As you all know, the man who plead guilty to murdering my fiance got 10 years probation two weeks ago. It is a bittersweet ruling, but I believe God is in control. Wednesday night, I was completing my homework for the study and wow, I am still getting goose bumps! Beth was talking about how even though things on earth aren't always fair, God is the ultimate judge. (She actually used the verse in Daniel 7 calling God the "Ancient of Days" and we actually practiced that song Wednesday right before I did this day of homework. But that's another God moment!) That in itself was great hearing, but I want to add the exact wording from the bible study. "No one who refuses the payment of the cross will jump bail in heaven even if he or she got away with murder on earth. I need to know that. I think perhaps you do too." Holy moly! It was right there on the paper!! This study was published in 2008 and who knew I would be doing week 3, day 5 right now, the very week when I needed to hear it?? God knew! It's amazing how He plans everything for our good! He is so awesome and I hope that you can look for the awesome God moments in your life, even if it is something small like your favorite song on the radio. God knew! Hope you have a good week!

Heather