Wow it has been over two months since I last blogged...that's a long time! It has been a busy few months! School, of course, is always busy so that has been normal. I started going to a new church and not long after that decided to join Crossgates Baptist in Brandon. I have really enjoyed getting to know people there and getting involved. I get confirmation after confirmation that Crossgates is where I am supposed to be. Spring Break consisted of making a lot of stuff so that was quite nice and therapeutic! :)
The biggest news lately is that my house in NC is under contract....hallelujah! After 11 months of being on the market!! I have also found a house in Brandon that is now under contract! My prayer is now that God would allow everything to go smoothly with the closing in NC and here! I am ready to have that off my back and really feel like I am a part of the community here.
God has been teaching me a lot lately. The two big things He has been showing me are that He is more than enough and all that I have is His. First, He is more than enough....in some bouts with loneliness and struggling to understand the road He has taken me down, He consistently reminds me that He is my sustainer and my redeemer. He is all I need. If everything in my life was stripped away, He is more than enough.
Secondly, all that I have is His. There is nothing that I have that is mine anyway. My money, my house, my family, my friends....none of it is mine. It all belongs to God and He has allowed me to experience it. I know some of you know this and practice this so easily but not me. I hold things tightly...especially people. But it's not mine anyway. This realization has allowed me to be a more giving person that doesn't worry as much. (At least I am trying!) My money is not my own so I need to be giving to those in need. My time is not mine anyway so I need to be giving it away. The people in my life are not mine anyway so I need not worry about them. God holds His children in His righteous right hand and I certainly can't do better than Him.
They have been some good lessons that relieve a lot of my stress. Yeah, I am still going to worry about the people that I love. Yeah, money issues are still going to stress me out. It's a process but it is a journey that I am excited to be on! I will keep you posted!
So my life doesn't offer much excitement but it is the life God has blessed me with. I am enjoying myself and feel blessed with the people and things God has put in my life and I just hope I can be a good steward of it!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Perspective
I have a tendency to get a little "woe is me" attitude. I don't always share those thoughts with others but I often think about ways that I need God to move. I want my house to sell. I want my stress level at work to decrease. I want to find a place to get involved in ministry. I want to buy a house. I want. I want. I want. I specifically prayed this morning that I wanted to see God move today. And there is nothing wrong with that. I believe God delights in my prayers.
Over the last few days God has really put some things into perspective for me. I know of several people and families really going through some serious trials. A family whose house burned down. Two families whose young children are having surgery. A couple who is saying goodbye to their daughter. God is using these things to bring me to a place of humility and thanksgiving for the blessings that I have.
I am blessed beyond measure. Wow, I am blessed beyond measure. May I always remember His blessings and His hand on my life. May I always have this perspective to get me through the small stuff of my days. May I always lean into Christ when trials come my way. No matter, big or small, may I live my life for His name and His glory!
Over the last few days God has really put some things into perspective for me. I know of several people and families really going through some serious trials. A family whose house burned down. Two families whose young children are having surgery. A couple who is saying goodbye to their daughter. God is using these things to bring me to a place of humility and thanksgiving for the blessings that I have.
I am blessed beyond measure. Wow, I am blessed beyond measure. May I always remember His blessings and His hand on my life. May I always have this perspective to get me through the small stuff of my days. May I always lean into Christ when trials come my way. No matter, big or small, may I live my life for His name and His glory!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Time
I have not blogged in a while. I guess I have been pretty busy or maybe just not inspired to write my thoughts. Either way, I am back with a few things to say for anyone who wants to read them!
So this week is full of important dates. Important to me anyway....
Today, my house has been on the market for 8 months. I never thought it would take this long to sell! However, it has worked out pretty well living with my mom. She likes to cook for me and take me out to dinner so I would say it's a pretty sweet deal. I also feel like I am reconnecting with her. We have always been close but now we are getting really good at being friends and I like that.
On Thursday the 27th I will have been in Mississippi for six months. It is hard to believe it has been half of a year. In so many ways it seems like just yesterday that I was in Asheville packing my car. And then in so many ways it seems like a lifetime ago. I am so blessed that I got to visit over Christmas break. It was so much fum and so nice to be there with people I am familiar with. Honestly, if home is where the heart is, mine beats in two places! I am blessed.
I am still trying to find my place here but I know it is happening and will continue to happen the longer I am here. I was reading Mark 2 today. It is a really good chapter that teaches a lot about the heart of Jesus. One is the story of the four friends bringing the paralytic to Jesus. I love that story and was reminded, this morning, that I want those kinds of friends and I want to be that kind of friend. I think it is rare but I know that it can happen and that is my prayer.
And lastly, this week seven years ago was the last time I talked to my dad. When I hung up the phone with him that last time he said he would call me soon. Seven years later I don't know where he is or what he is doing. I don't know if I will ever see him again. I know that he has missed seven years of my life (and then some). I would like to just be able to say "his loss" but it's mine too. Every girl wants their daddy. I am no different even after seven years without him in my life.
So this week holds a lot of emotions for me. I am still in a waiting stage in my life. Through all of this God has really shown me how blessed I am. God has shown me how He has held my hand every step of the way in every situation. He has truly blessed my life and I know that He will continue to walk with me through these things too!
So this week is full of important dates. Important to me anyway....
Today, my house has been on the market for 8 months. I never thought it would take this long to sell! However, it has worked out pretty well living with my mom. She likes to cook for me and take me out to dinner so I would say it's a pretty sweet deal. I also feel like I am reconnecting with her. We have always been close but now we are getting really good at being friends and I like that.
On Thursday the 27th I will have been in Mississippi for six months. It is hard to believe it has been half of a year. In so many ways it seems like just yesterday that I was in Asheville packing my car. And then in so many ways it seems like a lifetime ago. I am so blessed that I got to visit over Christmas break. It was so much fum and so nice to be there with people I am familiar with. Honestly, if home is where the heart is, mine beats in two places! I am blessed.
I am still trying to find my place here but I know it is happening and will continue to happen the longer I am here. I was reading Mark 2 today. It is a really good chapter that teaches a lot about the heart of Jesus. One is the story of the four friends bringing the paralytic to Jesus. I love that story and was reminded, this morning, that I want those kinds of friends and I want to be that kind of friend. I think it is rare but I know that it can happen and that is my prayer.
And lastly, this week seven years ago was the last time I talked to my dad. When I hung up the phone with him that last time he said he would call me soon. Seven years later I don't know where he is or what he is doing. I don't know if I will ever see him again. I know that he has missed seven years of my life (and then some). I would like to just be able to say "his loss" but it's mine too. Every girl wants their daddy. I am no different even after seven years without him in my life.
So this week holds a lot of emotions for me. I am still in a waiting stage in my life. Through all of this God has really shown me how blessed I am. God has shown me how He has held my hand every step of the way in every situation. He has truly blessed my life and I know that He will continue to walk with me through these things too!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Abundant Life!
Thanksgiving is once again upon us. It really doesn't feel Thanksgivingish! There may be a couple reasons for this. First, it was about 80 degrees outside today. I wore flip flops. Not that I am complaining...I love it!!! Another reason might be that I am not making the nine hour drive from Asheville to Mississippi this year. Nothing says Happy Thanksgiving like sitting in Knoxville traffic the day before Thanksgiving. Again, I am not complaining. I won't be missing that drive this year!
So, in honor of Thanksgiving, I thought I should give you a list of things I am thankful for. Not that anyone really cares but it's always fun to remind yourself of all the blessings that God has poured on you! Here is my thankful Thanksgiving list:
1. Salvation. I am thankful that Jesus rescued me from myself and my from my sin some fifteen years ago. I honestly wouldn't be here without His love and that loving rescue.
2. My family. It's cliche, I know, but I am so thankful for the people that have helped shape me and loved me and supported me. I am excited to spend the next few days with most of them. I will be missing my sister and her family! I like to say that my family puts the fun in dysfunctional and in a lot of ways it is true but I love them so very much!
3. My friends. New and old. I am thankful that God has blessed me with many meaningful friendships in the past and I can see that He is deepening many for the future. I am even thankful for the friendships lost over the years because I know God has used them in my life to teach me many things!
4. My job. Yep, for as much as I complain about it at times, I am thankful to have a job that I enjoy (most days) and one that pays the bills. I pray that God would use me to make an eternal impact on the students I get to work with.
5. Comforts. I am thankful for the comforts of a home (of which I sorta have two...anyone want to buy a condo?), a bed, food on the table (most of which my mom is cooking for me...again not complaining), nice clothes, a car....the list goes on and on but I am thankful for the material things God has blessed me with. I hope I can be a good steward of them.
6. My girls. Yep, they are all in college now and I live too many hours away from them now but I am still so thankful for them. I am thankful that I got to be a part of their lives. I am thankful for the growth that I have gotten to witness in them. I am thankful that I still get phone calls or texts or skype dates asking for guidance and celebrating victories. I am thankful that I have gotten to walk with some through intense trials and walk with others to a moment of salvation.
7. Lola. It may sound crazy but I am so very thankful for my dog. She is my baby. She is precious. She is spoiled rotten and I love her so much!
I am sure there is so much more I have to be thankful for and I am. These are the highlights. I have, without a doubt, been blessed beyond measure and have been given the abundant life God promises!
Happy Thanksgiving!
So, in honor of Thanksgiving, I thought I should give you a list of things I am thankful for. Not that anyone really cares but it's always fun to remind yourself of all the blessings that God has poured on you! Here is my thankful Thanksgiving list:
1. Salvation. I am thankful that Jesus rescued me from myself and my from my sin some fifteen years ago. I honestly wouldn't be here without His love and that loving rescue.
2. My family. It's cliche, I know, but I am so thankful for the people that have helped shape me and loved me and supported me. I am excited to spend the next few days with most of them. I will be missing my sister and her family! I like to say that my family puts the fun in dysfunctional and in a lot of ways it is true but I love them so very much!
3. My friends. New and old. I am thankful that God has blessed me with many meaningful friendships in the past and I can see that He is deepening many for the future. I am even thankful for the friendships lost over the years because I know God has used them in my life to teach me many things!
4. My job. Yep, for as much as I complain about it at times, I am thankful to have a job that I enjoy (most days) and one that pays the bills. I pray that God would use me to make an eternal impact on the students I get to work with.
5. Comforts. I am thankful for the comforts of a home (of which I sorta have two...anyone want to buy a condo?), a bed, food on the table (most of which my mom is cooking for me...again not complaining), nice clothes, a car....the list goes on and on but I am thankful for the material things God has blessed me with. I hope I can be a good steward of them.
6. My girls. Yep, they are all in college now and I live too many hours away from them now but I am still so thankful for them. I am thankful that I got to be a part of their lives. I am thankful for the growth that I have gotten to witness in them. I am thankful that I still get phone calls or texts or skype dates asking for guidance and celebrating victories. I am thankful that I have gotten to walk with some through intense trials and walk with others to a moment of salvation.
7. Lola. It may sound crazy but I am so very thankful for my dog. She is my baby. She is precious. She is spoiled rotten and I love her so much!
I am sure there is so much more I have to be thankful for and I am. These are the highlights. I have, without a doubt, been blessed beyond measure and have been given the abundant life God promises!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Reasons....
I have been thinking over the last few weeks that I am starting to understand, partially at least, why God brought me to Mississippi. I guess it become clearer with every day. The more I understand, the easier this transition becomes.
I always knew family was the main reason I moved here but I am beginning to see that play out. It's funny. I moved here thinking things like, "I can be there for my mom." "My mom needs to have someone around." "I can help my grandparents as they are getting older." But the truth is, I need my family.
Because of this move, I get to be a part of my grandpa's last memories. See, Tepaw (that's my grandpa) isn't doing so well. Every time I see him he is a little worse (or a lot). I can't imagine being in Asheville worrying that my next visit at Christmas or Spring break would be too late and he would no longer remember me. So now I get to see him and he still remembers me. He may not remember that I am not in college anymore and he may not remember that I have moved back to Mississippi but he knows me. He even knows when I am upset and it still upsets him to see his baby granddaughter upset. That means something.
Because of this move, my mom gets to come to my classroom. She came to my school a couple weeks ago. She didn't stay long but my kids got to meet her and she got to meet all the babies I talk about. That hasn't EVER happened before. Because I am their "mama away from their mama" she became their Grammy and that's what they called her! That means something.
Because of this move, I get to have Mother/Daughter dates. Yesterday, my mom and I went to Mistletoe Marketplace with my friend Kristi and her mom. We walked around and shopped with about a million other people. We had lunch and talked. For the last eight years I have been a third wheel on Mother/Daughter dates. I am not complaining. I have several other mothers now because of it and they all took very good care of me. But nothing compares to your own mama! That means something.
So things are becoming clearer. I am starting to make friends. No, they aren't my Asheville friends, but we have fun and we laugh. And I know God will build those friendships. God blessed me pretty quickly with a friend at school because God knows what I need way better than I do. I probably would not have made it without Kristi! He knows what we need when we need it! That means something!
I am sure there are other reasons I am here. I am sure many of those reasons won't be revealed to me for a while. For now, I will just cling to the ones I know and hope God uses me here!
I always knew family was the main reason I moved here but I am beginning to see that play out. It's funny. I moved here thinking things like, "I can be there for my mom." "My mom needs to have someone around." "I can help my grandparents as they are getting older." But the truth is, I need my family.
Because of this move, I get to be a part of my grandpa's last memories. See, Tepaw (that's my grandpa) isn't doing so well. Every time I see him he is a little worse (or a lot). I can't imagine being in Asheville worrying that my next visit at Christmas or Spring break would be too late and he would no longer remember me. So now I get to see him and he still remembers me. He may not remember that I am not in college anymore and he may not remember that I have moved back to Mississippi but he knows me. He even knows when I am upset and it still upsets him to see his baby granddaughter upset. That means something.
Because of this move, my mom gets to come to my classroom. She came to my school a couple weeks ago. She didn't stay long but my kids got to meet her and she got to meet all the babies I talk about. That hasn't EVER happened before. Because I am their "mama away from their mama" she became their Grammy and that's what they called her! That means something.
Because of this move, I get to have Mother/Daughter dates. Yesterday, my mom and I went to Mistletoe Marketplace with my friend Kristi and her mom. We walked around and shopped with about a million other people. We had lunch and talked. For the last eight years I have been a third wheel on Mother/Daughter dates. I am not complaining. I have several other mothers now because of it and they all took very good care of me. But nothing compares to your own mama! That means something.
So things are becoming clearer. I am starting to make friends. No, they aren't my Asheville friends, but we have fun and we laugh. And I know God will build those friendships. God blessed me pretty quickly with a friend at school because God knows what I need way better than I do. I probably would not have made it without Kristi! He knows what we need when we need it! That means something!
I am sure there are other reasons I am here. I am sure many of those reasons won't be revealed to me for a while. For now, I will just cling to the ones I know and hope God uses me here!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
All the Places to Love
At least once a week I have to drive across the spillway. For those of you that don't know, it's a road that goes beside the reservoir. Every time I look across the reservoir it makes me want to be on the lake so so so badly! I decided a long time ago that Lake Keowee is one of my very favorite places in the world.
This lead me to think about all my favorite places in the world. So I decided to list them out. As I was thinking about where they were I realized it was so much less about the place and so much more about the people I get to be there with.
So here it is...no particular order! :)
1. Lake Keowee: A lazy Saturday (sometimes Sunday) with my five favorite lake buddies. John's famous nachos, wings, cheese dip, and ribs. Skiing. Swimming. Ryan scaring Lora EVERY TIME. Relaxing in the boat. Man, I LOVE the lake!
2. My grandmother's house on Christmas day. We eat brunch. We open presents. We have a good time and I get to be surrounded by a house full of people that I love SO much and that love me too!
3. Worship with my girls. Any worship service that I get to stand beside one or more of my girls. Any worship service that I get to see one or more of my girls engage in worship....LOVE IT!
4. My living room (the one in Asheville). Sitting on the floor surrounded by my girls (again) talking about the Bible and often times other things very off topic.
5. The beach. I love being at the beach in general but I especially love laying on the beach for hours at a time with a good book, good music, and a good friend.
6. Moe's. Now this might sound a little crazy but I really, really love Moe's! I love any Moe's but of course the ones in Asheville hold a special place in my heart!
7. Another country, on a mission trip. Love being in another culture serving Jesus and loving on people. The country doesn't much matter but I am a pretty big fan of the entire continent of Africa! Oh yeah, and being on the mission field with my girls is especially awesome! :)
8. Pigeon Forge. Cheesy, maybe but for the last few years I have gotten to go PF with the great family at Glen Arden. We get to eat and shop and sleep and eat and sleep some more! Now I also get to go with a great group of friends in the fall! It's just so much fun to get away, stay in a cabin, and enjoy the people I am with! Oh yeah....I get to do this one in about two weeks! :)
Well there you have it. Not that anyone cares. I was thinking that maybe I shouldn't always have such a serious, heavy blog. So this one is fun....for me at least. I have added some pictures from some of my favorite place with some of my favorite people
Last year's Pigeon Forge/Dollywood trip
The crew at the lake! :)
Guatemala this past summer (before we realized how hard we would work)
The beach with Bonnie....too many years ago!
One of my favorite pictures of me with my girls!
Worshiping with Jen and Caitlin at Hillsong!
This lead me to think about all my favorite places in the world. So I decided to list them out. As I was thinking about where they were I realized it was so much less about the place and so much more about the people I get to be there with.
So here it is...no particular order! :)
1. Lake Keowee: A lazy Saturday (sometimes Sunday) with my five favorite lake buddies. John's famous nachos, wings, cheese dip, and ribs. Skiing. Swimming. Ryan scaring Lora EVERY TIME. Relaxing in the boat. Man, I LOVE the lake!
2. My grandmother's house on Christmas day. We eat brunch. We open presents. We have a good time and I get to be surrounded by a house full of people that I love SO much and that love me too!
3. Worship with my girls. Any worship service that I get to stand beside one or more of my girls. Any worship service that I get to see one or more of my girls engage in worship....LOVE IT!
4. My living room (the one in Asheville). Sitting on the floor surrounded by my girls (again) talking about the Bible and often times other things very off topic.
5. The beach. I love being at the beach in general but I especially love laying on the beach for hours at a time with a good book, good music, and a good friend.
6. Moe's. Now this might sound a little crazy but I really, really love Moe's! I love any Moe's but of course the ones in Asheville hold a special place in my heart!
7. Another country, on a mission trip. Love being in another culture serving Jesus and loving on people. The country doesn't much matter but I am a pretty big fan of the entire continent of Africa! Oh yeah, and being on the mission field with my girls is especially awesome! :)
8. Pigeon Forge. Cheesy, maybe but for the last few years I have gotten to go PF with the great family at Glen Arden. We get to eat and shop and sleep and eat and sleep some more! Now I also get to go with a great group of friends in the fall! It's just so much fun to get away, stay in a cabin, and enjoy the people I am with! Oh yeah....I get to do this one in about two weeks! :)
Well there you have it. Not that anyone cares. I was thinking that maybe I shouldn't always have such a serious, heavy blog. So this one is fun....for me at least. I have added some pictures from some of my favorite place with some of my favorite people
Last year's Pigeon Forge/Dollywood trip
The crew at the lake! :)
Guatemala this past summer (before we realized how hard we would work)
The beach with Bonnie....too many years ago!
One of my favorite pictures of me with my girls!
Worshiping with Jen and Caitlin at Hillsong!Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Waiting....
This weekend I had a very lovely conversation with one of "my girls" (via Facebook chat)! She asked me about life and wanted updates on different things. When I answered all her questions and such she said, "wow, you are really in a season of waiting." Ahhh the teacher becomes the student. I just love it when they speak truth into my life.
Ever since she said that to me I have been thinking about it. And yes, I am in a season of waiting in my life right now. Waiting for my house to sell. Waiting. Waiting to make friends here in Mississippi. Waiting to understand God's purpose in my move to Mississippi. Waiting. Waiting to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Waiting for reconciliation with my dad. Waiting for reconciliation of a lost friendship. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
As I was thinking about this it occurred to me that I have been waiting a lot over the last few years of my life. I have felt that God was preparing me for something for several years now. So I have been waiting for Him to reveal it to me. But if I look further back into my life, I think I have spent a good portion of it waiting for something.
I don't think that is a bad thing. I actually think waiting can be a beautiful thing. Isaiah 26:8 says "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." Waiting is most often an act of obedience. It's what we do in the times of waiting that makes us or breaks us. In the waiting, we are called to be still before God. In the waiting, we are called to serve and worship the Lord. The waiting is a time to lean into God and become more in tune to Him and His Word. Because God chooses to reveal things in small portions, we will be waiting. We will be waiting for the next step to take. I guess you should always be in some form of a season of waiting in your life. (Truthfully, that thought doesn't really excite me at all!)
Over the last few months I have not been a good "waiter!" I have had a little bit (or a lot bit) of the "woe is me" attitude. I can't say that I am a patient person at all! Patient with people, yes. Patient with God...not so much. There have been times that I have sought after God intensely but, more times than not, I longed for the waiting to end on so many things yet didn't lean into the comfort, protection and peace that God wanted me to claim. I also think God has kept me in this season until I was truly able to be still (and quiet) and listen for that still small voice. Now I am not saying I am there yet. However, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of some of the things.
In the Bible, Jesus called people to a time of waiting. In every situation, the end result was Christ receiving glory and His name and fame being proclaimed. That is my prayer for my waiting.
Ever since she said that to me I have been thinking about it. And yes, I am in a season of waiting in my life right now. Waiting for my house to sell. Waiting. Waiting to make friends here in Mississippi. Waiting to understand God's purpose in my move to Mississippi. Waiting. Waiting to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Waiting for reconciliation with my dad. Waiting for reconciliation of a lost friendship. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
As I was thinking about this it occurred to me that I have been waiting a lot over the last few years of my life. I have felt that God was preparing me for something for several years now. So I have been waiting for Him to reveal it to me. But if I look further back into my life, I think I have spent a good portion of it waiting for something.
I don't think that is a bad thing. I actually think waiting can be a beautiful thing. Isaiah 26:8 says "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." Waiting is most often an act of obedience. It's what we do in the times of waiting that makes us or breaks us. In the waiting, we are called to be still before God. In the waiting, we are called to serve and worship the Lord. The waiting is a time to lean into God and become more in tune to Him and His Word. Because God chooses to reveal things in small portions, we will be waiting. We will be waiting for the next step to take. I guess you should always be in some form of a season of waiting in your life. (Truthfully, that thought doesn't really excite me at all!)
Over the last few months I have not been a good "waiter!" I have had a little bit (or a lot bit) of the "woe is me" attitude. I can't say that I am a patient person at all! Patient with people, yes. Patient with God...not so much. There have been times that I have sought after God intensely but, more times than not, I longed for the waiting to end on so many things yet didn't lean into the comfort, protection and peace that God wanted me to claim. I also think God has kept me in this season until I was truly able to be still (and quiet) and listen for that still small voice. Now I am not saying I am there yet. However, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of some of the things.
In the Bible, Jesus called people to a time of waiting. In every situation, the end result was Christ receiving glory and His name and fame being proclaimed. That is my prayer for my waiting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)