Jeremiah 29:11

I am thinking that this is my scripture to stand on this year. Have you ever been at a place in life where you are not completely comfortable? Well, that is where I am right now. I am excited about all the opportunities that have come my way, but a little nervous as well. God has put me in places I never would have dreamed that I would go.

It is hard to describe what I am feeling about all the changes. This year I started teaching high school, and Josh and I have moved into the youth pastor position. Both of these things are completely strange to me. Had you told me three years ago that I would be doing this, I would have laughed and then ran away scared that it might actually happen. I don't typically like to be in front of a group of people, I am more of a wall flower. I am completely content in the background. Here I am teaching high school students every day. Strange what God does.

With all the nervousness comes an excitement that I cannot even explain. I am so excited to see what God is up to. I am so excited that I get to be a part of His plan. I am humbled that He even wants to use me. These past few months, I can almost feel the heart beat of God within me. In my quiet time with Him, it is like I can feel a drum on the inside of me. Like God is putting his rhythm within me.

Even though I feel unsure and excited about what God is doing. I know that whatever it is He has planned it is for my good. Because, He knows the plans he has and they are for a future and a hope.

I hope that this post made some sense. It is just a little glimpse into me. I just pray that everyone starts feeling the rhythm of God - it is an amazing experience!!

Just Because Love

I was posting a comment on Angie's blog, and that really got me thinking. Have you ever loved someone for no reason. You loved them just because of who they are. I personally don't have any kids yet, but I assume that is how a parent feels about their children. That is how I feel about my mom. I love her just because she is my mom. If she never did another thing for me, I would still love her - just because of who she is to me. That is how God feels about us. He loves us Just Because. Truthfully, that Just Because Love is the best. It makes me feel very safe. If God's love was determined on works or attitudes, I would never have it. He loves me even in my darkness, Just Because. I am lovely to Him, Just Because. It is a wonderful feeling!!

The same is true for how we should love God. Just because. I love Him for who He is. I think that is God's favorite kind of love. Just Because. So, my goal is to stop searching for His promises, and love Him just because.

You know - when you fall in love with the promises you miss out, but fall in love with the Promisor and gain everything.

So remember - Just because really is the best kind of love!!

New Year

Happy New Year everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I haven't sat down with my computer in quite some time. I hope that everyone had a blessed holiday.

I was thinking back over 2006 and I realize how many blessings God has given me. Lots of things happened over the past year. I graduated from college and Josh and I bought our first house. I feel so blessed and I cannot wait to see what new things will come our way with the new year. I have to agree with Pastor Jay "God is up to some BIG things!!", and I cannot wait to see what they are!

My Mom

My mom is my best friend. She has always been there for me. I would not be who I am if it wasn't for her. She has taught me to always go after my dreams, and she honestly believes that I can achieve all of them. She never thinks things are to hard for me to accomplish. She is ok with listening to me complain when things are going wrong. I value her opinion above all.

Mom, if you are reading this, thank you for all that you have done for me. I love you so much! Thanks for being my best friend.

Love is a decision

After leaving One Night with the King, my mom and I were discussing love. Ester saw the king once and loved him, or did she decide to love him. Is love something we have no control over or do we have to make an effort to love someone. I think it is a little of both. We might love someone, but we do have to make an effort to really LOVE them. Am I going to show love with my actions, or just with the words that I speak. It is easy to tell someone that you love them, but much harder to show it. Am I going to lay what I want aside to make someone that I love happy? This is true both in our relationships with one another, but also with God. Do I love God with my words, or do I show it with my actions. Do I lay what I want aside to do His will and make Him happy? My life is no longer my own. Am I living a life of Love that is pleasing to the King?

Wow - Too much at one time?

A few Saturdays ago, I awoke expecting nothing out of the ordinary to happen. Josh went to work just like every Saturday and I began to clean the house. After I was finished, I took a shower just like always. Then the fun began. The bathtub would not drain so I new something was wrong, but I figured something like liquid plumber would fix it. As I am walking out of the bathroom the toilet starts to bubble and so does the kitchen sink. So I run to the laundry room to turn off the washing machine thinking too much was running. Well, I sit on the sofa to call Josh to ask him what I should do, and as I am on the phone with him water drips on my head from the ceiling. That is when I broke down. I didn't know what to do. I thought our house was falling apart. I even thought, "God, I can't handle all of this- what are You doing?"

Well - as everything was falling apart great friends came to the rescue. Grant Gondron came out on his Saturday off to fix our plumbing. He is a great friend, and he has blessed Josh and I so much. I don't think we could ever repay him. Then, Mr. Ricky Bougeouis came and fixed our air conditioner (that is what was leaking from the ceiling). Both of these guys completely blessed us. They turned a horrible day into something great.

So, I feel so blessed to have great friends and to know that God always does take care of us. Even when it seems that it is too much at one time.

Positive Thoughts

This week all the LCA teachers had to type and submit a paper on an effective teaching method we are currently using in our classroom. This is going to be used to make a booklet to give out at our next staff meeting. It will give all of us new ideas to make our classroom better. Well, I thought and thought and thought about an effective teaching method that I have in my room. Hmm... still thinking....still thinking....still thinking.

Have you ever noticed that it is easier to come up with bad qualities that you have and harder to come up with good ones. At least it is for me. Had the assignment been type up something that you have done wrong - NO PROMBLEM. I think that is the enemy working in my life. One negative comment (maybe even a comment not meant to be negative but that is how I viewed it) will stick with me a long time. I have to constantly make an effort to get it out of my mind, but if someone says something positive it's in one ear and out the other. It doesn't stick in my head for the next few days. Here is my goal - No more dwelling on negative thoughts, but more importantly no more speaking negative thoughts. I say alot of things about myself that I would never say about someone else. Well, I am going to be guarding my mouth a little more, that way I am not the one speaking death into my own life. I am worth as much to God as everyone else - sure is time I started feeling that way.

By the way - I did finish the paper.