Triumph thru trial

We usually don't understand why God has us in a certain place or a certain way at any given time. If you are a person of faith, we just know that God has us there for a "reason".... or that things happen for a "reason". Don't you hate that answer - I know I do. I want to know the "reason"! I like to ask Him "why?" - not that He has to answer me and I probably wouldn't understand the big picture if He showed it to me. But coming through that struggle, and seeing the things God sees in me and my ways of doing things, it truly makes you see things with a little different perspective. I have found out recently that my thoughts towards different things has changed quite a bit since I started seeing negative things in me..... the bottom line, I like, make that LOVE to shop, especially when things are on "sale" or "clearance". I don't consider myself a shop-o-holic, but I do like to shop. It's not that I "needed" anything. My "wants" overtook me and because I wanted it - I bought it. For several months there, we were very broke, I mean "broke". I couldn't go out and shop or even buy grocery items that we needed. But we managed and God provided for our "needs". He always seems to do that. During all this time of being broke, God had been revealing things to me. Contentment, a friendship with Him, my needs and wants, and what was most important. It's not important that I have a bunch of "stuff" - because I don't care about that (I don't like clutter!). I am actually going through my things to get rid of the "stuff" that I don't want/need. It may bless someone else. I have learned to start controlling myself, one of those nasty little fruit of the spirit that we love so very much - "self-control".

Learning through a tough time....to be grateful for what I have, because God is blessing.

A journey.... of weight loss

Today, was so glad to see results from calorie watching at www.livingstrong.com! I have started using an online calorie counter as suggested by a great friend - it's wonderful!!! I have lost 1-1/2 lbs since I started calorie watching 3 days ago. It really does help to track my calorie intake, it holds me accountable for what I am putting into my body. I can also see where I need to cut back or increase certain foods. I have my one daily thing I need... MY coffee with MY creamer - that is my crutch in the morning. I am really excited that my bloodsugar was good - 2 hours after eating my Kashi cereal - all 61 carbs worth, and it was 87!! I'm scared to death to get diabetes, since it runs in my family. I really hope that I can stay on track and lose more of this weight. Was 236, now 200.5! That's a total of 35.5 lbs lost. Walking was great this morning, it was nice to be out there by myself..... with God the Father and just enjoy the morning and the time alone. I burned 364 calories from doing that. My calorie goal I set for myself is 1700 a day. Wish me luck!

Seriously!

Why do we have to be sitting in a pit of trouble. What in the world happened, and why does it seem to happen so fast, before you even realize it. I am clinging to God and his promises and I know He is faithful. It's still hard to be going through whatever this is that we are going through. I know in the end it will be alright. But I sure hate the current situation we're in, it stinks! If God is testing us, then ok. Lord, please don't leave us hanging like this. I am trying to cling so hard right now and I feel my hand slipping. Things are about to go south. Not the direction I would like them to go. What can I do, except remain in prayer and remain faithful to Him. After all, he will only let this go..... so far. Right?

Things I miss....

I miss playing with teeny tiny baby frogs, dressing up in my grandma's clothes, making freshly made homemade french fries with my mom at 11pm, eating ice cold watermelon on a hot sunny day and flicking the seeds at each other. I miss jelly shoes, jelly bracelets and being able to eat jelly doughnuts without consequences :) I miss sneaking into my parents closet and finding all my christmas gifts. I miss my mamaw's smile. I miss being carefree. I miss middle school and going over to my friends house to listen to Prince and Madonna.
I miss dressing up like my idol Cyndi Lauper and not caring what anyone thought about my orange hair or my super poofy tulle skirt! I love Levi’s, Converse, Vans, sunglasses, funky shoes, hair colors, nail polish, pens, pencils and BOOKS and paint!

It’s funny how times change and rearrange and then things that once were come back again.

What do you miss?

Tangled up with Christ

I keep having this one thing happening over and over again.

Some may think it's pretty silly actually, but it made me think of something.

I wear a cross around my neck, with JESUS spelled out on it. Everything I bathe, I get my washcloth or scrubby all tangled up in it. And that's all fine and good, but when I try to get it loose from my cross, it tears the mesh in the scrubby, eventually it will leave a big hole.

In living your life without Jesus Christ, life seems tattered and torn, hard to live, without hope, without conviction, without direction.

With Jesus being tangled up in our lives, we don't forget him or try to live by own standards. We strive to live the way God would have us to live, becoming more Christlike. He's there, always present and always remembered, always in the forefront of our minds. We know whom we belong to. Remembering the sacrifice He made for us. He can be entwined in every situation, every thought, every action - if you let him ......

....or you can yank him right off your scrubby, and forget about Him,

leaving a big gaping hole in your scrubby.

Thanks for reading my thoughts. Have a God blessed day.

The Son Comes Shining Through

It's SO amazing to be part of a body of Christ who love each other, love the Lord and act as Jesus' hands and feet in the time of need of another. It's wonderful to see God move in the hearts of people, to compel then to open their hearts and move them in the direction of the Son. Every person rose to the occasion and saw a need and met that need. Realizing the need that a person has for a place to live and food to eat, the basic needs of life. I am glad to report that as of yesterday they were able to move in and have electricity and she even came to church last night, with a thankful heart. Such a lovely person. I pray that she and her family see and feel the love of Jesus in our church.

As I am thinking of them, I am thinking about me, about you, about my parents, about my family..... we are only a paycheck away from suffering from the same circumstances as they were. Being in a 1 income family, it's especially tough. If that 1 income is gone, due to job loss, laid off, cut-backs, etc.... then what do you do.....if you can't find anything else? I have learned that trusting in the Lord to provide is more important for the well-being of the body, mind and spirit. It's so comforting to the soul to trust in the Lord and know that He will provide for your "needs". In this case.... He provided bigtime - the son came shining through! I am so so very thankful to Jehovah Jireh for his provisions for this family and for mine.

I am in such a praiseful and worshipful mood - I just can't seem to thank Him enough. I never want to grow passionless in Christ. Praise Him for all he has done and is going to do!

Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! - 1 Chronicles 16:8

Oh! How I Love My Ian

There's just something about your eyes
The way they sparkle
The way they shine
The way they intently observe whats going on
All wide-eyed and attentive
The way they squint up when you laugh
How I love those eyes!






And OH the laugh!
that infectious laugh
the laugh that tickles my heart
a laugh that makes me laugh too
laughter that resounds joy
How I love that laugh!

You love life so much
You find everything fascinating
You enjoy everything
All things are new to you
All the time
How I love that you love life!

Superman is an obsession for you
You cut out supermans
every chance you get
You're so creative, all the time
I love the way your mind thinks
How I love that artistic genius in you!

You have your own language
Your own way to talk
A language that I can understand
That sometimes, other can't
A secret speech that we can share
How I love that talk!

Your smooth little tummy
perfect for raspberries
great for a belly rub
and little kisses
How I love to rub that tummy!

To love white donuts this much
has to be a crime
every morning you search
with that gleam in your eye
til you find the prize you seek
donuts in the cabinet, oh joy, what glee
How I love how you love donuts!

Your cute little toes
And your tiny feet too
ticklish to the slightest touch
just a touch curls up into a ball
just to get away from my hands
How I love those little tootsies!

Precious pouty little lips
lips that pucker-up for a kiss
lips that curl up when you get mad
a mouth that turns downward when you are sad
cute little lips that steal kisses
How I love those lips!

I'll love you forever
I love you for always
Forever my baby you'll be

love, Mommy