As I sit and reflect back over 2010-and think of all the things that have happened in the past 12 months of my life-I can truly say I am in a much better place now than I was at this time last year. The greatest thing that has happened is that I have a deep settled peace within. Even though there are many things I would like to see change, or continue to change-I am truly confident that no matter what/who comes or goes-I'm going to be just fine.
In the year 2010-I traveled to Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama. I had many great experiences. Made new friends and bonded deeper with old friends. I spent Thanksgiving with family, and reconnected with them in a very special way. Overall-my family has become even more precious to me than before. I have learned a great deal about myself. Who I am and who I want to be. I have learned to forgive easier, and to love deeper, and to have more compassion. I have determined within myself never to forsake those I love no matter what they do, or become.
I have faced temptations, and I have overcome them. I have faced discouragement, but I have found courage. I have been sick, but I have found healing. I have known pain, but I know the comforter. I have been afraid, but I have found peace. I have lacked, but God has provided.I have known sorrow, but I have found pure joy. I have realized that I am truly blessed.
I do not know what 2011 may bring, but I know that with Jesus holding my hand-I am not afraid to face it!
Blessings to all and a very HAPPY New year!!!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
My favorite things....
I LOVE the Month of December! It's a time to reflect back on the past year, and think of all the things the Lord has brought me through! I also love the cold weather. I love wearing sweaters, scarves, boots, and gloves. I love fires in fireplaces, and outdoor fires where hot dogs, and marshmallows are roasted. I love hot chocolate, and veggie soup, and popcorn. I love wrapping up in a blanket and just relaxing at home. December is also the month of my birthday. This year I will celebrate the fact that God has kept me for 31 years!
When I reflect back to how I felt last year about this time-I can truly say...God has brought me a mighty long way! Last year about this time-I felt desolate, discouraged, disappointed, and I had very little peace. I had been sick for the previous 2 years, and it seemed there was no relief in sight. I felt lonely, and was somewhat afraid to face the future. Although I believed God's hand was upon me, and that He was able to see me through-I was afraid of what I would go through to get to where He wanted me to be. My strength indeed was small. There was one particular situation that had me deeply disturbed, and I was in almost constant anguish over it.
This year, however, God has given me the most amazing peace. Even though many situations are still not what I would like to see them be-God has given me Peace in spite of it. My health is much improved, and I am defiantly back on the track to other improvements. I am no longer afraid to face the future. I am not alone. He is always with me. His strength is perfect-when my strength is gone. I am so thankful for how far He has brought me, and I am counting on Him to take me all the way!
My faith is in the Lord. He knows what's best for me.
Blessings to all this December!!!
When I reflect back to how I felt last year about this time-I can truly say...God has brought me a mighty long way! Last year about this time-I felt desolate, discouraged, disappointed, and I had very little peace. I had been sick for the previous 2 years, and it seemed there was no relief in sight. I felt lonely, and was somewhat afraid to face the future. Although I believed God's hand was upon me, and that He was able to see me through-I was afraid of what I would go through to get to where He wanted me to be. My strength indeed was small. There was one particular situation that had me deeply disturbed, and I was in almost constant anguish over it.
This year, however, God has given me the most amazing peace. Even though many situations are still not what I would like to see them be-God has given me Peace in spite of it. My health is much improved, and I am defiantly back on the track to other improvements. I am no longer afraid to face the future. I am not alone. He is always with me. His strength is perfect-when my strength is gone. I am so thankful for how far He has brought me, and I am counting on Him to take me all the way!
My faith is in the Lord. He knows what's best for me.
Blessings to all this December!!!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Bandana Blessings!
Greetings!
I hope you all are enjoying this chilly Fall weather! I am totally loving it! Hot drinks, warm blankets, camp fires, roasted marshmellows, chili, veggie soup, scarves, jackets, gloves, and boots are just a few of my favorite things during this season. In addition to all these wonderful things-I really enjoy the beautiful fall colors. I love the leaves scattered everywhere.....God is such a PAINTER!!! =)
Recently, while in prayer-the Lord brought to my mind a story that my mother told me about something she did years ago. Our family had grown from three children to five, but our home was still only 2 bedrooms. My mother/father had tried to add two rooms on to the back of the house, only to barely get up some frame work....when the money ran out. For a while-my mother accepted the fact that the rooms may not get completed for a long time-if ever. Until one day-something rose up in her spirit! She remembered how the Apostle Paul sent out aprons and handkerchiefs that were anointed in order to see miracles and wonders performed. She decided to act on the word of God, and so she went to find some cloths to anoint. The first cloth she found was a red bandana handkerchief belonging to my father. She anointed it, cut it up into several small pieces, and began tacking those cloths to the unfinished boards and walls of those rooms. Believing God to perform miracles! She later went on to pass those cloths out to other people she knew, and encouraged them to expect blessings!
Some time passed and not only did all of the people she gave cloths to receive miracles and wonders in their lives, but also the rooms in our home were completed just as she asked of God! When the builders came in to complete the work-she told them to put the walls up over the cloths. I beleive that those walls are still protected by the power of God!
As I was remembering this story-I began to think about how so many people's lives are like those walls were that my mom was looking at. Too many times-we accept "unfinished walls" in our lives. Believing that things will never change, but God wants us to understand that just as he completed natural walls-he is STILL able to fix all things in our lives. So, as a leap of faith-I went and bought some red bandanas and anointed them just as my mom did. I put them in every room of my home, in my car, in my fence post outside, and in my purse. I even hung one on my clothes line outdoors! =) Some of my friends heard about this....and began to step out on faith with me. Some have brought me cloths to anoint. I have already mailed some out to people who live in other states as well as given cloths to a number of people at school and church. This has caught on! People are continuting to request these cloths and to step out on faith beliving that God is ABLE to complete things that are undone, to protect, to provide...to work all sorts of miracles!
If you read this and you too would like to excercise your faith-email me, or post a comment with your contact info, and I will send you some cloths too! There is NO telling what will do-IF we'll just believe!
Bless u all!
I hope you all are enjoying this chilly Fall weather! I am totally loving it! Hot drinks, warm blankets, camp fires, roasted marshmellows, chili, veggie soup, scarves, jackets, gloves, and boots are just a few of my favorite things during this season. In addition to all these wonderful things-I really enjoy the beautiful fall colors. I love the leaves scattered everywhere.....God is such a PAINTER!!! =)
Recently, while in prayer-the Lord brought to my mind a story that my mother told me about something she did years ago. Our family had grown from three children to five, but our home was still only 2 bedrooms. My mother/father had tried to add two rooms on to the back of the house, only to barely get up some frame work....when the money ran out. For a while-my mother accepted the fact that the rooms may not get completed for a long time-if ever. Until one day-something rose up in her spirit! She remembered how the Apostle Paul sent out aprons and handkerchiefs that were anointed in order to see miracles and wonders performed. She decided to act on the word of God, and so she went to find some cloths to anoint. The first cloth she found was a red bandana handkerchief belonging to my father. She anointed it, cut it up into several small pieces, and began tacking those cloths to the unfinished boards and walls of those rooms. Believing God to perform miracles! She later went on to pass those cloths out to other people she knew, and encouraged them to expect blessings!
Some time passed and not only did all of the people she gave cloths to receive miracles and wonders in their lives, but also the rooms in our home were completed just as she asked of God! When the builders came in to complete the work-she told them to put the walls up over the cloths. I beleive that those walls are still protected by the power of God!
As I was remembering this story-I began to think about how so many people's lives are like those walls were that my mom was looking at. Too many times-we accept "unfinished walls" in our lives. Believing that things will never change, but God wants us to understand that just as he completed natural walls-he is STILL able to fix all things in our lives. So, as a leap of faith-I went and bought some red bandanas and anointed them just as my mom did. I put them in every room of my home, in my car, in my fence post outside, and in my purse. I even hung one on my clothes line outdoors! =) Some of my friends heard about this....and began to step out on faith with me. Some have brought me cloths to anoint. I have already mailed some out to people who live in other states as well as given cloths to a number of people at school and church. This has caught on! People are continuting to request these cloths and to step out on faith beliving that God is ABLE to complete things that are undone, to protect, to provide...to work all sorts of miracles!
If you read this and you too would like to excercise your faith-email me, or post a comment with your contact info, and I will send you some cloths too! There is NO telling what will do-IF we'll just believe!
Bless u all!
Playground duty!
Often times as I supervise my students playing outdoors...I watch as they run, swing, go round and round on the merry-go-round, and up and down the slide. Within 20 minutes of recess time-more than one of them will usually fall down, fall off the playground equipment, and get covered in dirt/leaves/grass. Occaisionally, the fall will hurt them and tears will fall down their faces. Sometimes, things are said to them by their classmates that hurt their feelings. No matter what the situation-I always go to their rescue, wipe the tears, brush the dirt off, and encourage them to get back to the playground. After I do this...It is as if they immediately forget all of the discomfort of what just happened and they run right back to the playground, and get back to the task of the moment.
This reminds me of how we, as children of God-run, swing, go round and round, up and down....in our spiritual walk. Sometimes we fall, sometimes other people offend us, sometimes tears roll down our faces......but through prayer we can run to God! HE will brush the dirt off, dry the tears, and his spirit will encourage us to get back to the "playground", and accomplish what we have been sent to do for such a time as this!
However, just as I have one or two students who may at times.....pout, sit under a tree with their arms crossed and refuse to get up again.....so are we like that at times. There are some falls, some offences that just seem impossible for us to get beyond, or bounce back from. Still....His love is never ending. His power never fails. So, no matter where you are on the "playground" of life-never forget-God is ALWAYS on playground duty! He is there....he sees the first tear, he feels the first pain, he cares more than u can ever imagine....fall into his arms today, and allow him to brush the dirt off your garment, and send you on your way with joy in your spirit!
This reminds me of how we, as children of God-run, swing, go round and round, up and down....in our spiritual walk. Sometimes we fall, sometimes other people offend us, sometimes tears roll down our faces......but through prayer we can run to God! HE will brush the dirt off, dry the tears, and his spirit will encourage us to get back to the "playground", and accomplish what we have been sent to do for such a time as this!
However, just as I have one or two students who may at times.....pout, sit under a tree with their arms crossed and refuse to get up again.....so are we like that at times. There are some falls, some offences that just seem impossible for us to get beyond, or bounce back from. Still....His love is never ending. His power never fails. So, no matter where you are on the "playground" of life-never forget-God is ALWAYS on playground duty! He is there....he sees the first tear, he feels the first pain, he cares more than u can ever imagine....fall into his arms today, and allow him to brush the dirt off your garment, and send you on your way with joy in your spirit!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Let the blogs begin!
So, I suppose this is very much like the electronic version of the diary I used to keep when I was but a teenager. The only difference being-that version was LOCKED, and this one is out here for the WORLD to see! Who knows? perhaps no one will be interested in this in the least....then again....maybe I will have LOTS of followers who will hang on my every word....=)
The thing about blogging that appeals to me...is that it provides me with a "soap box" opportunity!
I will no doubt blog about a variety of topics...so, check with me often to see what crazy thoughts are rolling thru my head.......
The thing about blogging that appeals to me...is that it provides me with a "soap box" opportunity!
I will no doubt blog about a variety of topics...so, check with me often to see what crazy thoughts are rolling thru my head.......
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