Thanksgiving

Hey everyone. Hope you have had a wonderful thanksgiving. I know I did. It was so nice to be able to sleep in! But then I had to rush because I was told lunch was at 1:00 when it was really 12:00. But that's ok, I was only 30 minutes late! I really enjoyed this lazy day of visiting with family and eating till I couldn't eat anymore!

I just wanted to write about some things I am thankful for... my relationship with Jesus. It is amazing how God created the heavens and the earth and He still cares and loves me, even though I am a sinner. I am so thankful for his grace. I am thankful for my family. They are all awesome and I love them all dearly. For my friends, who are always there for me and know what to say. They are all so special and I am glad they are in my life. For my job, God has provided and I am thankful that I trusted him because it has worked out for good. My health and just every day! It is also a blessing to be able to live the life that we live, without persecution for our beliefs. I thank God for everything He has given me! And I thank Him for you too!!

"In everything give thanks" 1 Thes 5:18

Memory Verse

Hey everyone! I hope you are having a good week. I had some down time after work today and it was really awesome. Just lounging around catching up on my TV shows (thank God for DVR!!), reading a book and not having to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off was really nice. After spending a weekend with some family, I just want to take some time to say that I am so thankful for all my family. Even though we are crazy and sometimes moody, at the end of the day we all love each other and would be there if anyone needs it. I am so blessed to have my wild and crazy family!

I have been memorizing scriptures along with Beth Moore and all of her "Siestas" this year. (see http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/ to find out more about "Siestas" & the Scripture Memory Team) Ok, I have to admit that I had real good intentions when I started. I bought a cute spiral, found a scripture that really spoke to me and I was off... but I memorized only 3 scriptures and then I fell off the wagon!!! I still kept up with the blog (Beth and her two daughters started the blog) but I just didn't participate in memorizing scripture. I guess I am more of a slacker than I realize and I need some motivation (obviously more people are like that than they like to admit), and Beth provided the it. She is having a Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration in Houston, the only stipulations are that you have to respond to the Memory Verse blogs 20 out of 24 times (it's twice a month) with your memory verse and be able to repeat 10/24 of your verses at the celebration to someone there (she said not on stage, so that was a relief!!). So, I have rededicated myself to memorizing scripture (thank goodness she is letting us catch up if we started late OR if we were just a plain slacker). I am really excited and hope that I can make it to the celebration! Please pray that I can be diligent and that my little brain can actually memorize this scripture!! : )

Why am I telling you this you are probably asking?? I just want to get more people involved in memorizing scripture and if you are in my ladies sunday school, I'm gonna talk to you about this in person!! So be ready! Ha ha. I believe that Beth is going to be doing this again next year and I feel it is an awesome opportunity with an awesome motivation. I have memorized 13 verses as of today (I'm working on #14) and yes, I may need a little reminder of how they start but it is 13 more than I knew at this time last year. This way is really neat too because you memorize scripture that is relevant to you and it makes it really personal with God. Just remembering all of his promises is really amazing.

So hopefully you can join me in 2010 and in January 2011 we can fellowship together at a Scripture Memory Celebration knowing 24 more scriptures than we do now. And don't try to tell me you can't do it because...

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:1 (NKJV)

Have a great day!!

Hopes & Dreams

Hey everyone! It has been awhile since I have wrote. I have been very busy since starting my job and haven't found the right schedule or balance to get everything done that I want. It's a work in progress!! : ) I wanted to take some time to thank all of the Veterans who have served their country for our freedom. Alot of times we forget how big a sacrifice that these men and women make for us. We need to thank them more than just one day a year, they are truly heroes!

The other day I was thinking about where I want my life to go, such as my next plan or goal to acheive. If you know me, you know that I am a planner! I am NOT a girl who can fly by the seat of my pants because it induces a panic in me like no other. I don't like the unknown. It's just how I am. Ever since I can remember, I've always had a plan. I planned to go to college, get a good job, get married to my high school sweetheart and have kids. When I finally graduated college and got a great job, my plan was on track. Then, one night, it was all gone in the blink of an eye. Everything as I had known it for many years, was gone. And as you can imagine, I panicked! Not being able to envision what my future would be like was horrible to me. And even thinking of it now gives me chills!! I went through a season of being scared to even hope for normal things, of not trusting that God was good enough to handle my problems. Of course, I believed in God but I was hurt, confused and not sure what to do now. When in reality, I should've turned to Jesus. Recently becoming more dedicated to him is the best thing I have done. I now know that He is with me and He knows all of the desires of my heart, I just have to realize that it is on his time schedule, not mine. And that is so hard for a planner like me!!!

It was and is still a journey, a learning process. I have to choose to "let go and let God" work his will in my life everyday. It's really hard but when we bring the focus on Jesus, and not the troubles of the world, it makes it alot easier. I have learned I need to lean more on Jesus to get through this crazy ride we call life. He can provide more comfort and protection than any earthly person and He has our best interests at heart. He knows exactly what he is doing and it is all for his glory. Thank you Jesus... hope you have a good weekend.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perserverance." James 1:2-3

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