Sheltered Safe

Everywhere around me people are trying to rebuild their lives. Houses are gone. Family members are dead or missing. Property is destroyed.  Lives completely changed in an instant. I hurt for those around me, and praise the Lord for shielding my family from harm.  I rest in the truth that God is in control and He is always working out His perfect plan for our lives.  He is sovereign. He knows what He's doing even though we don't. He will comfort His people and He will be their all in all.

The Lord will give strength unto His people. 

The Lord will bless His people with peace. 

Psalm 29:11

Almost.....

My niece/nephew is supposed to be here in 2 weeks!!!!!  I am so ready!!!  I can't wait to snuggle with little Charlotte or Marshall (whichever she/he happens to be)!

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. Psalm 130:5

This may be my favorite flower. Indian paintbrushes. Soooo pretty.

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ps. 96:6

What Are You Thinking When You're Talking To a Guy?

I've had a mini-revelation lately that I think might help some of you too, so I'm going to share it.

I was thinking about how we relate to guys and how we are supposed to treat them as brothers in Christ. That's always confused me a little. I'm definitely not going to treat them as close as I treat my brothers, so how exactly do you treat a brother in Christ!?!? I do not have the answer. BUT! I have an idea. Or rather a question and then an answer.

Q: What are you thinking when you are talking to a guy?

A: You should be thinking about how to glorify God the most in your conversation.

Now, let me try to clarify my jumbled thoughts just a bit.

I've realized that most of the time when I'm talking to a guy I worry about what he thinks of me. I want him to think I'm intelligent, kind, funny and all around great, right?

For example: I have a bad habit of replaying conversations I have with people over and over again (not just guys, but everybody) and thinking about what made me look kinda goofy and immature, and wishing I could take it back. The root of this is pride. I am more worried with what people think of me than what God thinks of me. Harsh, but true.

Do I ever replay conversations and think, "I wonder if what I said was as pleasing to God as it possibly could've been"? NO! But, that is my goal from now on.

I want my motive behind every conversation I have to be: I want to please and bring glory to God in the fullest way possible. And not: I want to make me look really good.

I hope that this helped you gain a fresh perspective on pleasing God with your words.

The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom, but the froward tongue shall be cut out. Prov. 10:31

Photo credit: 123rf.com

Oh Dear, Oh Dear

It's been forever and a day since I posted! Woopsie.

Let's see..............since my last post I have found out that my brother James and his wife, Holly are having a baby!

Extreme excitement.

Now I may have a potential flower girl AND ring bearer for whenever I get married ;). Umm....there's been Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years...........can you believe it's 2011? Yikes.

Time to start over with goals, plans and dreams for this year!

I finally got my hope chest. I plan to paint it tomorrow, then burn my name and a Bible verse into the lid. Sounds cool, huh? I'm actually going to be able to put some of my treasured "for my house" items in it!

I can't think of anything to write!!!!! Sorry guys, I must be experiencing writer's block (is that what it's called?).

Well, I guess that's all till I can think of something else meaningful to write.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Everything Changes.......

Growing up is so strange. I can't get used to everything I used to dream about happening (you know.......wayyyyyy in the future) actually happening.

For example: 2 of my brothers are married.

Ben and Brittney are having a baby in May.

I graduated a year ago.

My parents 25th wedding anniversary is in June.

Sarah is in high school.

Next year will be 10 years since 9/11

See what I mean??? This stuff isn't supposed to be happening now. I'm supposed to still be a little girl whose favorite toys are her siblings, who loves playing blind man's buff, making huge tents in the house, eating sugar ants, writing on walls with feathers for pens and berries for ink, climbing trees, trying out roller blades for the first time, thinking I was a big kid if I stayed up till 10 o'clock...................*sigh*

Those were the days.........................and I do kinda miss them.

Those were my childhood memories, now will be my niece and nephews memories, then will be my children's memories.

Is this post too melancholy? I don't want it to be. I'm just in a reminiscing mood today.

My childhood days are over, so for now I'll remember the past, take joy in the present and look forward to the future. Knowing that my God is in control of everything and, no matter what changes, HE is the same yesterday, today and forever.

WOW

Benjamin and Brittney are having a BABY!!!!!!!!

I'm officially an aunt. Yeah. Still letting that one sink in.

Oh my........................I can't wait to meet the little one.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3

Thank you Lord, for blessing our family with a miracle.

Ta-Da!

After spray painting multiple times.................................................

I lurv it!

Evangeline?

I have been wanting a picnic basket TERRIBLY. So.................we went to a huge yard sale and I found this.

I wasn't very thrilled at first, so I just passed on and left. Then I got to thinking about it..............and I came back and bought it for $6.

I took it home and sanded it down. Then I took a can of spray pain to it................................

I'll post the results tomorrow. ;)

Mirage

I wish I were as nice as people think I am.

You know how when you first meet someone they don't know any of your bad quirks, moods or habits yet? Wouldn't it be great IF there was nothing for them to find out?! IF your family and closest friends said that you were as sweet as your acquaintances say you are? IF you were only nice, accommodating, selfless, helpful and loving all the time? If, if, if, if, if. Yes. Indeed, it would be wonderful, but perfection is not exactly feasible since we are fallen creatures. What is our goal then? It should be to try to prevent those mess-ups that will happen, and to repent quickly when they do happen.

Sometimes I do get depressed with how plain awful I am though. Do you? I think about all the mean things I've said, all the time I've wasted, all the laziness, all the sin, and think I'll never get it right. But! I know that there is still hope. Here's some inspiration for you and me:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5-6

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal. 6:9

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33

So, just for a little recap. We will make mistakes, but it is not hopeless. When we do fail we should look to the Lord for guidance and try to learn from our mistakes. Learn why we made that mistake, so we can keep from making the same one twice. Like they say, "If you fail the test, you'll have to take it again." Let's try to pass the test the first time, so we don't have to keep taking it over and over again.

P.S. Sorry that I haven't done a real post in a while. Forgive me?