Transition Time

Transitions and changes sometimes can be fun.  I have had so many in my life that were so much fun.  I am a person that loves change.  I'm not afraid of change in church, in my home, in my faith walk...but I will be honest.  Hanging in a place of unknown change can really stink.  For two years now we have been in a "waiting on God time."  Ever wait on God for something in your life?  Ever feel like your waiting forever?  Yup, I get that.  Some days I walk confident and other days not so much.

There are quite a few people in my circle of family and friends that are in a place of transition along with unknowns ahead of them.  I was praying for a friend just yesterday who sees this going on within her family.  I see it in mine.  Transition and change can bring stress and it certainly can make you feel down.

But you know what?  I will not stay in that place for long.  WILL NOT!  Because it is the enemy, Satan, who wants me/you to stay there.  He is the one who wants to even make you feel incapacitated and worried.  The TRUTH is that God is for us, that God does have a plan for each of us.  Even when we don't see it.  My mind and my heart know that what awaits on the other side of what I see right now is amazing.  "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen in eternal."  1 Cor. 4:18  I could not face a challenge in my life without Jesus.  No way, no how...he is my strength and I am so grateful for him.

Transition time here ----------

That word eternal at the end of the bible verse is a huge word.  Eternal - Do you know without a doubt that you will be in heaven when you die?  Do you know that Jesus died for your sins and rose again so you can be in heaven with him?  Do you know that he loves you no matter what you've done?  Do you know that he wants to have a relationship with you?  A personal one?  

A relationship with Jesus is simple.  Ask him into your heart.  Tell him that you need him.  I sat down to write and started listening to this song.  I love worshiping him.  Just take time to pray this song to Jesus.  He loves you so much.  

If you would like me to pray with you or you have questions just message me.

My View - His View

I am loving watching God move in my life.  I am loving the change that I see in myself.  I am loving that when I asked God to change me a month ago when I started a 30 day devotional on "joy" that he has.  I love that when we ask God to shape us that he will.  When we face hard times, when we face challenges that seem too big for us - God can and will step in to change our view of it - just ask him to. 


"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."  2 Cor. 3: 17-18


My view of our challenging circumstance was veiled - UNTIL - I asked God to change my view.  And I meant it from my heart.  God honors our prayers, he hears our desire to be lke him, to be willing to be shaped.  Let me just say that I would not change my circumstance at all - despite the challenges - this transformation was worth it.



Are you facing a circumstance that seems out of your contol?  You don't even know where to turn?  You feel alone?  Oh my friend - you are so loved - Jesus loves you so much - you are his son/daughter.  He has not left you - he is right by your side - rest in him - soak in his presence!!

Super sick - and Super Changed!

As I sit down to write right now I pray that God would lead all my words.  That he would open things up in my mind and in my heart.


As I look back on the last half year I can hardly believe what God has done in my life, in me personally.  It all began with the thought of going to school to become a Nursing Assistant.  Fear crippled me - God pushed me through.  Kept opening up doors for me and speaking to me direction.  Studying and exams were a huge challenge to me.  I finished the class with an A and soon began my pursuit for a job.  I must say that along the way I kept thinking "I cannot believe that I am going to be doing some of these things.  They are way out of my comfort zone."


In November I landed my first job.  Got my new scrubs. (So easy to get ready for work. :)  Once I was on my own, day by day, I became more efficient on the job.  Getting to know each of the residents and them getting to know me has been awesome.


Last weekend I was horribly sick with the Norovirus.  I got this from work - basicly acute onset of nausea, vomitting and diarrhea.  Add to mine the chills and dehydration and I was pretty much a mess.  I am better now and back to work caring for more residents who too now have it.  It is really going around with employees getting this too.  I found myself yesterday needing a breath of fresh air outside and the feeling of "I cannot wait to get home" after cleaning up so many.  But at the very end of the day God blessed me as I had opportunity to pray with a woman.  The complainer of the facility - the one most people would rather not be around.  You see, I realized that I had asked Jesus for his eyes, for me to see people as he does.  He gave me his eyes with her.  She knows I am a Christian and I know she use to go to church, just never read her bible.  As she was complaining I simply told her that I would pray for her.  She thanked me.  As I was going to leave her room I was compelled to ask her if she would like me to pray with her before I left.  She quickly said yes.  I laid my hand on her back and prayed.  When I finished she seemed "softer" and she thanked me for praying for her.  I thank Jesus for these opportunities and thank him for using me.  I am loving my job more and more.


BIG BONUS - Since I started working I have lost 10 lbs.  Here that?  10 lbs.  That's 2 bags of flour. :)  That's alot.  You see, this is what God has taught me on this subject.  For a few years now I have been working so hard to drop some weight.  Exercise, diet...you name it, but barely anything comes off.  I would beat myself up, get discouraged and even cut myself down.  (You must know what I mean.) - Well after meeting, I will call her Paula, an 80ish year old woman, my perspective has completely changed.  You see Paula calls herself ugly almost every day.  She thinks people will laugh at her.  Some days she cannot even get out of bed to face herself.  Over time God began to show me a deeper understanding of inner beauty.  


1 Peter 3 says this about wives/women.   "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."  You see what God has showed me is that when a woman speaks beauty about herself, when she is happy the way that God has made her, when her joy comes from within her - THAT IS WHAT BEAUTIFUL IS ALL ABOUT.  When we women speak poorly about ourselves that is what is unattractive.  Satan has really contorted beauty in us.  Let us all reclaim the truth.  We are his bride!!!  That should make all of us smile.


As for me, the weight fell off without me even realizing it.  Till one day I put on a pair of shorts and thought, "wow, my legs look thinner."  God needed to show me a deeper understanding of beauty and through it I feel so much healthier.  Healthier and a deeper love in my heart and confidence in the woman that he has made me.  I spoke something negative today about the way I was and it felt really weird.  I'm not sure why it came out but it tasted bad in my mouth.  I am so grateful to my heavenly Father for what he has done in me.  This is the best change a woman could ever ask for.  Not the weight loss but the change in my heart.


Oh, and by the way, a few weeks ago God opened up the door for me to tell Paula about Jesus.  It was the most exciting moment ever.  She asked me why I was working there, said I should be in some kind of ministry.  I simply told her, "well maybe I am here so I could tell you about Jesus."


Can I just say that I am blown away at how much God has shaped me!!  He is a good God!!
You are beautiful - THAT IS THE TRUTH!

I am back - for now at least!

It has been a long time since I blogged.  A long time.  But here I am tonight, sitting home alone after a long day of work.  Work - well that is a whole story in itself - as is my life.  Someone once told me that I am brave.  Well I can tell you that I don't feel very brave.  With a life that is walked daily in faith and some days a lack of the faith that I carried the day before.  Such is life I suppose.  Each day bringing something different, even different feelings, emotions and experiences.


My job as a nursing assistant is a tough job.  One of those jobs that pays little, your overworked, and you just plain work your butt off.  Some days I wonder why I am doing it under all those circumstances then God gives me a moment at work to remind me why I am there.  Yesterday there was a man who had just the day before returned from the hospital.  He is in rough shape, oxygen 24 hrs. a day and just alot of health issues.  I was walking past his room and noticed him sitting in his wheelchair and just felt compelled to stop in.  I knelt next to his wheelchair and asked him if there was anything that I could do for him.  He looked at me and said, "I am ready to meet the Lord."  Thus he opened the door and we began to talk.  He told me that he knows his Savior.  I asked him if he had a favorite bible verse and he said The Lord's Prayer.  I asked him if he knew Psalm 23 - he said not by heart - so I began to say it.  Tears filled my eyes as he began to say it along with me.  When we finished he said that he felt like I just prayed with him.  That night he was returned to the hospital.  I don't know how long he will live but I do know this - he will be in heaven and God placed me there to speak comfort to him.  So when I look at my meager paycheck I will remember moments like this.


Have you ever not liked what God was doing in your life?   Be  honest.  You know that God is working but it's just not the way you planned or anticipated.  Letting go of your plans is so hard to do.  You know the old saying "Let go and let God."  Easier said than done, right?  I wish I could say I had the answer all figured.  I ask you the question.  Has God EVER left you alone?  Is there a time when he would ever leave you?  God cannot leave his children.  He just cannot do it.  His promises throughout his word are true and he is faithful even when we are not.  I love Jesus.  I love him so much.  His love filling me up and I want more and more.  We can never reach the limit of knowing Jesus.  We can never get to a point when we have received all that he has to give.  We can never reach a point when we have experienced all his love, his kindness...his presence.  Sometimes when I am spending time with him, when I put everything else aside to just be in his presence I begin to just want more and I don't want to leave to do anything else.


You are loved more than you can imagine.  He will NEVER leave you.

The Perfect Day

So today was just a great day.

This morning I woke up and took an exam for my online class.  I am getting way more layed back about these exams.  100%.  yea!  I stepped outside to feel the weather and knew that I wanted to take advantage of the great weather while it was here so I again went for a walk/run along the trail.  Pretty awesome.

Got home and decided to get some yard work done before I showered.  Pulled some dead plants, raked some leaves and started a bonfire to burn up alot of shrubs and branches that my husband has cleaned up.  (He was at work.)  As I walked back and forth between the bonfire and the pile that needed to be burned I would get this feeling - let me try to explain it.  The sky was blue, crisp, clean and the air was perfect.  The kind of temperature where you just need a thin long sleeve shirt.  No chill in the air, just a freshness.  I would breathe in the air into my lungs taking in the beauty around me.  I had the feeling of the perfect day. 

You see, my life has been in such transition for the past six months I can hardly put it all in to words and feelings.  I just got a job yesterday as a Nursing Assistant at an Assisted Living facility about 10 min. from my house.  Pretty awesome.  My husband just finished a week long training on Rescue.  (Don't ask me to explain his training, it's alot. :)  God is moving in our life and I love it.  Some days I am still left "wondering" but don't we all?  I cannot imagine being in this day without the presence of Jesus in my life.  He is all I need - he is my guide - and he does know all the plans that he has for my life.

He knows you too.

So today, I just breathed in his freshness in my perfect day!
As I was working this is the song that I was singing and it made me smile.  I hope you smile too.

This walk we call life!

This morning when I went out to get the mail I knew that today was the day for an outdoor workout.  It is beautiful.  So off I went for a good long walk with a little running along the way.  I love walking the trail along the river that flows across the street from our house.  It started out as just a good walk, enjoying walking in short sleeves and breathing in the fresh air.  As I started to pray I ended up being blessed by the most amazing prayer walk I have ever experienced and ended up walking way longer than I ususally do.  I have always loved nature and today God was using the nature all around me to speak to me.  I love that about God, that he will always meet with you.  All you have to do is come.  So simple, but we make it so hard sometimes.

Two things stand out to me.  This first picture speaks to the first one.  God made this.

 

He made the blue sky, he made the colors on the leaves, he made the beautiful fall smell in the air.  As I looked up and saw this I was so overwhelmed by the majesty of God.  I was reminded that I cannot do this.  I cannot put such a soft blue color in the sky.  I cannot make the leaves change colors and gently fall to the ground and crinkle under my feet.  I am in awe. 

The second was this image.  The barren tree with the blue sky.  Just cool.  Just because the tree is barren does not mean there is no beauty.  I use the word "cool" for this image. 

Both of these were reminders that in this walk we call life we will see many things along the way.  Take in the beauty that is around.  And do not look down, keep your eyes up.  I observed how easy it is to look down when your walking.  But also noticed what I see if I am just looking down.  The cement or the gravel, but when my eyes look up I can see all the beauty around me.  I can see others walking past me, I can see the river flowing and would have missed out on the beauty that was all around me.  I am so glad that God reminded me of this.  When the path seems scary, different or unknown just keep looking up for when you look down you miss out on what is all around you.

A few days ago I read this verse in Proverbs 15:13 and I just fell in love with this.  "A happy heart makes a cheerful face..." 

As I came around another turn in the trail I noticed two hawks soaring above me and felt like God was saying "just soar with me, enjoy the ride, follow me, I know where we are going to land."  As I came to last leg on my walk the words to this song popped into my head.  As I say this I speak it as a reminder to me and to you.  ENJOY THE RIDE!

Thorns

The other day I went for a much needed walk.  After spending the morning studying and preparing to take an online exam I just needed some good fresh air before the exam.  I love walking here because just down the road from our house is the river with a running/walking/biking trail that goes for 8 miles.  It's pretty in all seasons.  As I was coming near to were the trail begins I was struck by this tree on the side of the road.  I stopped and just looked at it.  (You can click on the image to enlarge it.)

I thought about Jesus - the crown of thorns that was put on his head.  I have never seen a tree with such big thorns.  Jesus endured this crown made out of thorns for me - for you.  Matthew 27:29 "and then twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on his head...they mocked him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews."

I cannot comprehend his love for me.  I cannot comprehend that he thought of me as he endured the suffering.  I cannot comprehend that he took all of my sin on himself.  I can only imagine the pain of just one of those thorns in my head.  Because of what Jesus did the following verse tells us what we receive.  Wow!

Isaiah 61:10  "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Lets live today claiming the truth - that we are forgiven and free. 

Fight - Fight

Have you ever been concerned about money/finances?  Have you ever been at a point in life when you didn't know how you were going to pay your next bill?  Have you ever been or are you at a point in life where finances are not a concern?  I've been on both ends.  I bring this topic up because I was reading in 1 Timothy this morning.  Paul is writing "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." 

I found myself thinking that I don't desire to be rich so I'm ok.  NOT!  I felt convicted that even spending too much time focussing on money, even the basic needs and wondering where it will come from is harmful.  It can take my focus off what's important.  The next verse says that "many have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."  Wouldn't that make sense that the more you give money much of your attention it often becomes a distraction and begins to become more of a challenge?  The definition of pang is 'a sudden feeling of mental or emotional distress or longing.'  One thought can lead to the next and pretty soon it has become monumental.

Here is where our attention should be.  A few verses later: "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith."  Those in battle do not shrink back.  I want to fight the good fight of faith. 

Due to copyright I couldn't post this clip, only the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUFJ30_Y0EM

You have a friend

I feel honored that my daughters call me their friend.  What greater gift could a mother receive.  I feel honored that they want to talk on the phone with me (even though I am not a fan of talking on the phone. :)) and that they want to hang out with me.  This past week I have been able to do this more as we have had both of our cars in Michigan for some much needed car repairs.  Our son in law works for a tire/car company and the discount is worth the drive.  Thanks Eric! 

My grandson is 2 1/2 and has discovered make believe play.  It's fun to play with him or just watch and listen to him in the next room.  He is happy to play with little characters and have conversations with them.  If one of them falls on the floor he quickly picks it up followed by "he's ok."  When we were getting ready to come home last night my husband picked up his shoes and began to untie the knots in the laces.  He looked at  him and said "no tie shoes."  He didn't want him to leave.  Why would he really - grandpa had time to sit on the sofa and play make believe with him.  They are buddies and it's the cutest thing ever.

 

Me and my grandson watching a duck.

As we spent time hanging out with our grandchildren (others to be featured in future blogs) and grown children, I was remined this morning of our friendship with Jesus.  I was reading John 15 this morning. "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I call you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me but I chose you..."  I am humbled that Jesus would call me his friend.  And I am even more humbled to know that Jesus has told us what he heard from God the Father.  Think about that.  All that Jesus heard from his Father he has told us.  WOW! 

I love that he is my friend.  He is yours too.

Empty handed but Alive!

Do you ever feel empty handed? 

Today I am winding down from my first day of clinicals yesterday at a skilled long term care facility.  This is completely a new work experience for me.  Completely new!!  A few things stick out in my mind from ladies in their 80's and 90's - "I'm sorry that you had to clean me up, I am so sorry; thank you so much, thank you so much." - "I like you." - "I have 5 children but 4 of them have died - why did that happen to me?" - "When you are 94 years old you just can't do things anymore." - "I use to tell my son what to do, now he tells me what to do."

Needless to say it took me a while to fall asleep last night.  I am processing the path that God has me on.  Not in a bad way, just processing.  I don't know if I will work in this type of facility or a hospital, but wherever it is God is definitely shaping me. 

I see God working in the life on my youngest daughter, now a freshman in college.  I see how much she is growing and learning.  Kinda blowing me away actually.  She is awesome.  I love hearing her tell me this morning how she was talking with another friend and telling him how thankful she is that we moved to Ohio.  She can see God's hand at work.

And I have to add my husband here.  He has been working at an inner city ministry and growing and experiencing ministry in a way that he never has.  Praying with men, teaching them how to communicate with others, talking about Jesus with them, talking men down from fighting...etc.  He is pretty beat when he gets home. 

The three of us living in this house are definitely facing some new ventures in life.  Change can create tension, tears and even fears.  But change creates joys, growth and new life.  Think about the changes in your life.  Can't you see how without that change you may never have reached the point in life you are at?

I love being in worship to Jesus through music.  I love just opening up my hands and being completely open and vulnerable before him.  Holding nothing back.  As I was blogging I was listening to a Pandora station and the following song came on.  Take a moment to just worship your creator.  He loves you and he is calling you to him.  If you have felt far off from God lately, remember he is right there, hands outstretched for you, hands reaching to take hold of yours.  Close your eyes, open your hands, open your heart and worship him.

The definition of Majesty is supreme greatness of authority; sovereignty.

"Empty handed but alive in your hands!"

Do you understand?

It's been a long time since I have blogged.  Why?  I went back to school and have been non-stop for the last 5 weeks.  This morning I sit in the living room listening to a worship song and am just blown away as I think about what he has done in my life.

I had a long talk with my sister last night.  It was awesome to catch up and share life with each other.  After I got off the phone tears filled my eyes as I came to this realization of how God has been moving in my life.

I begin with the huge gift of my new friends that I have met through The Daughter Project.  It started out with becoming involved in this non-profit organization that is building a recovery home for girls that have been rescured from sex tafficking.  It turned in to more than that.  It turned out that I would meet some of the most amazing women.  Some of the most vulnerable women - broken - freed - redeemed - and I love them all so much.  Then a few months ago I began to pray about going back to school and become certified as a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant).  I had two options - a 2 week intensive course, full time OR a 5 week class twice a week at Owens Community College.  I didn't know which course to take but I wanted to take the class that God wanted me to take.  So Tim began to pray and asked God to shine a light on where I should go.  As soon as he finished praying I happened to look over the bookshelf that was filled with Tim's books and saw the words on these books.  4 times!  Not only that but notice to the left the "student" bible.  I had my answer.

I have completed my couse, besides my clinicals and my state exam.  I don't know where or what kind of facility I will work in but I will pray and ask God to show me.  I am also completing another online class that will run the full semester. 

Sometimes God confuses me, sometimes I wonder what he is doing, sometimes I am just blown away how he takes my confusion and shows me the next step, shines a light so to speak and takes away my confusion.  Then the next unknown place in life comes along and we become stronger, sure we will still "wonder" and may even begin to doubt again, but if we take the time to stop and look back at how God has taken care of things we can know that he has a plan for our next step.

I was reading in John 13 when Jesus washed the disciples feet.  "He poured water in a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and wipe them with the towel.  He came to Simon Peter who said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"  Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand."   Something is going on in life and we are wondering why it's happening, what God has in mind - let's remember Jesus words here. "Afterward you will understand!"  God has had me in many circumstances where he wants me to just trust him when I don't understand.  How comforting that he says to me that afterward I will understand.  The definition of an aha moment is "a moment of clarity."  I think God does that with us.  We all of a sudden have that moment when we get it.

Thank Jesus today.  Run to him.

Don't have a title for this one.

I love worshiping God in church.  I love singing songs of worship to him, it's one of the ways that draws me near to him.  I also love being in nature and worshiping God on a good hike.  I love sitting on the sofa with my bible in hand when a scripture jumps out at me and stirs in my heart.  These are times of worship for me.

This morning I was reading John 4, about the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus talked with her about living water, he talked with her about her life.  The Samaritans followed their own traditions rather than the Word of God.  Jesus said to her, "But the hour is coming and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."  So if the hour was here for this Samaritan woman it is certainly here for us.  What does this mean?  I am not a bible scholar but I do know this.  He wants you - just you - to come to come to him, to worship him, with all your heart.

I was imagining what this woman at the well must have felt.  After the above words she said to Jesus, "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ.) When he comes, he will tell us all things.'"  Jesus said to her, "I am who speak to you am he." I feel like I would have broke down in tears.  Now she could understand worship.  The one to worship was standing right there next to her.  And you know what?  She didn't feel condemned either by Jesus.  He knew the sin in her life but he just loved on her.  That is what he does for you and me.  Blows my mind!

Last week we were at a family reunion.  About 60 of us gathered together for fellowship, games and devotions.  If your that family reading this, I love you all.  I want to share the following clip with all of you.  This is my father in law.  One of the most humble and gentle men I have ever known in my life.  A man of God, a sinner, a retired pastor, a father and a great grandfather.  This was his time of closing for the reunion.  May you be blessed.

Keep those promises alive!

It has just been way too long since I blogged.  I've been missing my quiet time in the word lately in the mornings.  Something that had become such a part of my morning coffee for years now has started to slip.  Time to get back into the rhythm.  I love this about mistakes - we don't have to beat ourselves up about them, we just have to turn around and start over again.

Lately I have been feeling really discouraged.  Looking at the life situation around and allowing every doubt or fear from the enemy to slip in.  Sometimes we need someone from the outside looking in to speak a word that helps you put things back in to perspective.  As church had ended on Sunday, the pastor shared just a few words that I so needed to hear.  He had been in a similar situation as us before so he understood.  He reminded me/us to just - "enjoy the ride, it may feel like you are free falling, but God knows where you will land.  He is laying the foundation."  Seemed to be just what I needed.  When you are "inside" a challenge it makes it harder to see the whole picture. 

Then tonight someone had a facebook post that read, "Never ever let the words of men, steal the promises of God."  How often don't we do that?  We are walking along confident that God is leading us then - bam - somebody shuts it down, throws into question the path you are on, the job you have, the move you made and you begin to doubt that God lead you in the first place.  Makes me think of Adam and Eve in the garden.  "Did God really say?"  Satan putting the question out there.  The promises of God - LET'S KEEP THEM LIVING IN OUR LIFE.

Today I was blessed to bring a lunch meal to the volunteer workers who are working on the home for The Daughter Project.  An organization that I am volunteering with.  They are building and operating a recovery home for adolescent girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking.  I was blessed to bring them a lunch - those guys working out in this unbearable heat, giving freely of their time to build a home, a place of healing for these girls.  The many volunteers who will still give of their time blows my mind.  It is a rather emotional work site to be at.  And those promises of God - may those girls be filled to overflowing with the promise that God loves them so much and that he does and will heal their wounds.  He will heal yours too.  Just ask him!

His love is marvelous.  The following song (a demo) was written by my son (in law).  He is working on a worship CD.  Copy and paste the following link into your internet browser.  Close your eyes, listen, and meditate on the one who loves you more than you can begin to imagine. 

http://www.facebook.com/lagodmusic?sk=app_178091127385

Siblings and Heaven

So this past weekend I drove for 24 hours in 4 days.  All by myself - my niece was getting married in Omaha and we were unable to attend until a few days before I got this feeling that I really needed to get there, somehow.  Knowing that my husband and daughter both needed both of our cars I called around for a rental and a few hours later I was on the road to my brothers house, then the next day to finish the drive to Omaha.  I was so happy that I went - all 6 of us siblings were together for the weekend.  It was such a blessing.  We are all so different and some of us don't know each other that well since we haven't had much time together in the last decade.  We had time to talk and share life and relationships are growing.  I will say this - we are so nice to each other and we treat each other with respect.  I hope my siblings don't mind that I put this picture on my blog but it's just too great not to share.  My sister sent it to me and when I looked at it I cried.  I love them all so much.  Isn't God just so great?!!  I can't wait for the next time when all the in-laws are there and we can have a picture with all of our spouses too.  They are my sisters and brothers too and I just love all of them.

You know, life is short and we never know when God will bring us home to be with him.  So I treasure my family - right now.  In a blink life here on earth can be done.  I heard the most beautiful analogy last week.  Think of what it feels like when you get home after a long vacation or trip.  You walk in the door and just breathe a sign of relief or you lay down in your own bed and just breathe that sign of relief.  I usually say "wow, it feels so good to be in my own bed and to be home."  Now think of this - when we get to heaven I think we will just breathe that sign of relief, that feeling of peace and rest will overtake us.  That thought makes death seem so much more peaceful.  We will at last be really home.

So for now, as long as I live on this earth, I want to live my life to bring glory to God.  I want to love my family and tell others about Jesus.  Relationships are what will matter in the end.  It won't matter the money we made but the relationships we had, the love we shared and most importantly - Jesus my Savior!!!

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

How about some encouragement!!!

This morning in church we were asked to look at the person next to us (which is usually your family) and tell them what you are thankful for about them.  It was actually really neat to look at the person in the eyes and speak truth to them.  I happen to be in the middle of my husband and my daughter.  I looked at my daughter and told her I was thankful for her testimony of God's faithfulness, to which I then turned to my husband who looked at me with a few tears in his eyes and told me; "I am thankful that you are walking this life with me, you are so brave."  Being the woman that I am, I too shed tears, partly because of his words to me and partly because I don't feel very brave.

I have a dear friend who began going through some tough medical issues about the same time we began this unknown leap of faith we are on.  I have found that many times we have called each other, or chatted on facebook, at times when each of us needed it.  Maybe she was scared and God had given me the peace I needed that day to help her.  On rough days for me she ended up being there to encourage me.  I would be blown away that she could lift me up when she was facing upcoming surgery.  Encouragement!  Isn't it just the best?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Don't you find yourself drawn to people that just care about you or your situation without passing judgment?  There is an older couple at the church we have been going to that do just that.  We have talked maybe 4 times, they have prayed with us 3 of those times, prayed for open doors, provision and much more.  This morning we talked to them for a while and he said, "God has really had you guys on my heart this week, I would like your address so that I could send you some support."  I knew the love in his heart when his eyes filled with tears as he looked at us.  I feel drawn to people like this.  They have been such an encouragement to us and I will always be thankful for them. 

Lord, may we all be encouraging to those around us, to our family and friends and those we meet along the way.  Help us not to pass judgment on them, but to love them as they are, sons and daughters of the Almighty God.

Do you know Jesus?  He knows you by name.  He died for you and rose again to give you eternal life.  He is the son of God, your Savior!!!  He is the only way to heaven.  Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  It's as simple as that.

What are your plans?

"There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death."  Proverbs 14:12

I have learned this in many ways the hard way.  I have come to the point in my life when I don't want to plan out what my future should look like.  I have learned that it actually is a waste of valuable time.  If I took off running with a direction in my life that looks good to me it would fail miserably.  God already has a place for us - God already has our next steps prepared - God already knows what is best for me.  As soon as I begin to plan things out and try to take control is when anxiety begins to creap in. 

There is another Proverb that says "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's will that will prevail."  This brings comfort to me.  So I will continue to bring my prayers to him.  I will continue to seek his will.  Our youngest daughter is registered for her first semester of college classes for the fall.  She will live at home.  I am excited for her and it leaves me also with "God please keep us living here" feeling.  Those are my thoughts, those are my feelings, but that's all that they are - thoughts and feelings.

I can tell that my husband needs to preach.  I believe that he has been annointed for this.  So I will continue to pray for him.  Right now he is working a job at Cherry Street Missions Ministry in Toledo.  It has been a hard transition for him as it is an area of ministry that is completely different for him.  Working with the homeless, the drug addicts...etc.  This is where God has him now and I believe that he will grow in ways that will blow him away.  And when God opens up the next door - well I think that will just be fun.

Are you waiting on some life plans?  Are you wondering what might be next for you?  Wondering about a decision you have to make?  Keep praying and rest in his hands.  Just rest there.  And when you have those moments, those days when you've taken it back on yourself, give yourself some grace - and bring it back to him.  He is already holding it.

Please pray for a clear direction for us.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated.  

Don't lose heart

Sometimes I pray so long for clarity, for an answer, for a direction and when I don't feel that I am hearing from God I begin to wonder.  Not that he heard me, but if he will answer me, or how long will I have to wait.  This morning I read Luke 18 "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."  I needed to read this today.  Not lose heart.  He told the parable of the persistent widow who kept coming and kept coming with her request to the judge.  He finally gave her justice so she would stop bothering him.  Jesus said "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?  Will he delay long over them?  I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.  Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

I am reminded to just keep on coming with my prayers.  Have faith that he hears me and will act.  I can be persistent with my prayers.  I am reminded of the scripture that says "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you."  I can easily be seeking what I need in this life and forget to seek Jesus, my friend and my companion.  Just to be with him.  I am sitting here this morning and looking around outside at all the beautiful trees around my house.  So high, so deep green from the rain.  I hear the birds singing together, and once in a while I hear the sound of the Mourning Dove.  A choir of birds singing for the Lord.  Then I hear the sound of the cricket and once in a while a car drives by.  A cool breeze with some humidity is blowing.  I can't help but think about how God has all of this under his care.  It is all his creation and I matter more than all of it.  I am just a speck in this great big world but I matter to our heavenly Father.  He loves little ole me.  Hard to even get my hands around such a thought sometimes.

So today, remember to keep praying.  He hears you, he has not forgotten you.  He loves you.  Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus.

Italian night

Last week my daughter told me about a website to go to where I could get $25 gift cards to some area restaurants for only $2.  Wow, so cheap, so I bought a bunch of them.  $250 worth for only $30.  Awesome right - until I found the details.  Dumb me got them so fast I didn't even take time to read the details.  With minimum purchase of $35 or $45 - and on top of it The Melting Pot is a minimum of $75 per couple to eat there anyway.  What a waste.  We felt like eating Italian last night and started looking online for area Italian restaurants only to find that to order simple spaghetti it was $15.99 a plate.  I then suggested we have our own romantic italian dinner at home, in our sunroom, with candles and music.  So, off Tim went to Kroger for a bottle of wine while I prepared homemade spaghetti sauce.  We were home alone, so that topped it off.  Found a nice Italian music station on Pandora, and the weather was perfect.  Amazing meal, glass of wine and even a little dancing.  So much better than eating out and feeling guilty for spending $40 bucks.  My spaghetti was way better anyway.

This morning I woke up to children playing in another yard.  At first I was bummed it woke me up until I saw that it was 10:00.  I NEVER sleep that late.  I think I had some serious sleep to catch up on.

Last night we prayed and asked God to open the doors soon so we know where to step next.  Plus I let God know that I am tired of thinking about all the "what if we..." and "maybe we should..." or "let's just go to..."  After a while we can just tire of all those thoughts and a clear direction would be awesome.  Yes, in God's time - we feel ready for some clarity.  I wonder what God thinks!!!  But in the meantime - God is amazing!  The peace I feel is incredible.  He does know the plans he has for us and I cannot forget that - ever!!  Anything other than that is a lie and I will remember the truth.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Celebrations!!!

So I am not usually up this early in the morning.  The house is quiet and will be just my husband and I until this evening.  We are hoping to accomplish some serious prayer and job searching today.  Praying for clarity today!

As I was reading the scripture this morning I was struck by a few parables, the ones most of us know all too well.  The one about the lost sheep and the lost coin.  The 1 lost sheep out of 100, and how you go and look for the lost one and then rejoice when you find it.  Or the lost coin, when you search and search until you find it, then rejoice when you do!!  Both of these end with the same thing.  "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents..." and "there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  Do you think that your sins are just too big to forgive?  Do you ever feel ashamed by them that you don't even want to talk about them with God?  Remember the TRUTH!  Heaven rejoices when we repent.  God doesn't condemn us or look down on us but celebrates with us when we repent.  How cool is that?

When I was reading again the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) I caught some words that I hadn't before.  This son, took his inheritance and spent it all in wild living.  He lost everything and was feeding the pigs when verse 17 says "But when he came to himself..."  He must have had a moment when all of a sudden he thought "what am I doing?"  He must have thought he had been out of his mind.  So he went home to his father hoping to be treated as a servant but instead his father celebrated his return with a feast.  The father said "for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.  And they began to celebrate."

No matter what you have done Jesus loves you.  He wants to celebrate with you a free life.  A life that embraces his forgiveness - a new life.

We are so free!!!

Re-learning how to ride a bike!

Do you ever feel defeated?
I do - I have.
I watched the clip below (don't watch it till your done reading. :) and I was overwhelmed with, well, I'm not sure exactly how to descibe it.

When children are little they work so hard to learn things.  As a parent, aunt, babysitter, grandparent or however you interact with children don't you notice how hard they try to learn a new task.  When a child is learning to walk they fall so many times, banging their head even, but they still get back up and keep trying.  When my girls were learning to ride the bike the same thing happened.  And sports - mistakes made, game play improves.  The list can go on.  Do we teach children to quit?  No, we cheer them on to keep trying, to not give up.

Now watch this clip.



I couldn't help but think about this little boy inspiring adults.  How often do we, as we get older give up and feel defeated.  Situatations in life seem so hard, they get so hard, and we just give up. 

I want to re-learn to ride a bike, with this boy cheering me on. :)

Romans 12:11-23 "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervant in Spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."