Ready for a New Year

Hard to believe that another year has gone by. I wanted to take a moment and jot down some of the things from is year. Mainly so when I look back I can see the good and bad and how we have survived it all. This year has bee a year of change, challenges and loss. We started our year in OK and are now ending are year in NC. God was leading us to a new place. In most moves it is not clear to us why, but the longer we are in a place the more I can see how God is working. We sold our house in OK, even in a bad market we were able to walk away we a decent offer. We purchased a home 3 miles from the beach. So pretty much every day I get to see one of Gods most beautiful creations. I have to say when I am on that beach I feel so close to Him. I have a deeper understanding of just How great He is. My oldest brother lost his fight with brian cancer. This was the most heart breaking time of the year but realize now that with our move to NC it allowed us to be closer to the rest of my family and this has been good as we all work through this loss. Katie and Bree both started a new school and have adjusted well. They are making friends and LOVE being close to the beach and Nana and Papaw. We have found a new church home. Making new friends and getting involved. Even though this year has been full of new adventures, loss and challenges everything we have gone through has been to build our character in some way. There is a saying I heard the other day that I like " God won't save you from what He can perfect you through" so just know that when trails come you way God is using this In a big way to help perfect you. As the new year starts tomorrow take this verse to heart: " for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and to not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Happy New Year!

Blessing 21: Light at the End of the Tunnel

As some of you know, my work life has been more than crazy. The project that the team I am on has been working on is finally coming to an end. The past two months have been beyond stressful, along with everything else on the to do list each day. Also why my thankful list has been missed the past few days. I try to keep my mind focus on being thankful for a job that allows me the comfort of working from home and not on how crazy it has been. As in everything, with prayer and relying on Jesus to get me through each day...He carried me through. I have been able to take a few days off over the holidays which I am thankful for and I am thankful that things are wrapping up and will hopefully get back to normal. I know I am also thankful for a wonderful husband, mom and dad who helped me out tremdously over these past two months. Thank you so much for all that you did and continue to do. Love you!

Blessing 20: Mind that Won't Turn Off

You know that sometimes dreadful thing of your mind not being able to shut off at night when you are trying to go to sleep....well that can be a blessing, at least tonight it was. As my mind wondered over many things, I realized in my thoughts that God was speaking to me about something....reminding me of the importance of putting Him first no matter how crazy busy life can be. If you are anything like me, I can always find a reason or something that seems to interfer with my time with him. Tonight He wrestled with my mind....I am thankful for that Lord. You know my heart and where I struggle. Thank you for your never failing me and always being the faithful one.

Blessing 19: Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-14
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

I hope during all the December chaos that you found time to stop and think, to meditate, to see the blessing in how the world changed the day Jesus Christ was born. Think about it, God, the creator of heavens and earth of all things around us wanted a way to reconcile us with Him. To close the gap that sin had put between us and God. He sent Jesus to take on our sin so that we could chose to have an eternal life with Him.

My prayer is that if you really don't know and understand the reason Jesus was sent to this earth, why he was born, why he was crucified, why he was raised for the dead, that you will seek answers to those questions so that Jesus my speak to your heart. Because you can't really rejoice and be joyful of this season if you don't understand the reason!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Blessing 18: Ah Ha Moments

Have you ever had a moment when something hits you and your basically say "ah ha".  I had one of those moments today. A true understanding and blessing from God at church. We have been studying the life of Jesus, to better understand Him so we can improve our friendship with Him. Today we were finishing up a discussion on Peter, Jesus' "main" disciple. We were talking about what must have been going through Peter's mind when he was denying Christ and when he realized that Jesus' prophecy of Peter denying him three times before the rooster crows comes true.

We talked about how alone Peter must have felt at that time, Jesus was taken away from him about to be crucified and when he denied Christ I believe he was scared and unsure of what to do. He had never been on his own, he always had either other fishermen with him or Jesus. He was without his friend. Because Jesus was not there with him, Peter made the wrong choice. Just like we do when we don't keep ourself close to Jesus. He can't guide us in our daily lives if we are not letting Him. Also, this was a pivotal point in Peter's life, if he didn't deny Christ three times he wouldn't have been molded into the bold speaker he came to be in Acts chapter 2. Jesus told him he would be fisher of men.....in Acts over 3,000 people became saved because of what Peter stood up and said on the day of Pentecost.

To some, this may not sound like a "ah ha" moment, but for me it was. I never looked at Peter's journey in this way. I never realized how Christ was molding him to be this bold person, which is really what he is doing for all of us as Christians. We just have to allow it to happen and be willing to follow where it takes us.

Blessing 17: Staying Strong in Faith

This year I have noticed that a few football guys have gotten attention for standing firm in their faith as Christians. One is Tim Tebow who used to play for University of Florida but is now moved on to the pros and UGA head couch Mark Richt. Both of these guys I have admired for how they chose to live out their faith especially in a sport that is centered on anything but that, except for maybe a pray at the beginning of the game.

There have been articles that I have read on both guys and it is always encouraging to me to see stuff like this printed, even it they may get some negative backlash for stating what they believe. It is a good reminder of what we are called to do...to stay strong in are faith and not to waver from that because it may be uncomfortable or not seen as "normal". God's promise to us is that He will never leave or forsake us...and that is just one of the blessing we get for staying strong in faith.

There was an article that has been passed around and when I read it, I thought this is a great explanation as to why Tim Tebow is not ashamed of his faith or giving God the glory every chance he gets. The article was in response to someones comment about how he just needs to tone down the Jesus talk.

Click here to read the article.

You can google articles on Mark Richt and can find in just about any article they will reference his faith and how it the most important thing to him. He just doesn't coach football and try to win games, he his teaching his players how to be leaders, to be honorable and how to live a life that would be pleasing to God.

Blesssing 16: Laundry

I am sure if you are reading this, you might just be curious as to why I put laundry as a blessing. To be honest, I abolutely hate laundry. It is a chore that is never ending around here. I feel that as soon as I get it completed...or at least think I do....the baskets are full again and on and on it goes. I find myself complaining about laundry more than I should. So....I am trying to turn a new leaf and look at laundry in a new light.

So here it goes....and I will do my best to resite these thankful items when I find myself getting unthankful for the chore of laundry. I am thankful and very blessed that we as a family are able to have so many clothes, that make the laundry piles. Thankful for having a washer and dryer in our house so that I don't have to lug my laundry all they way to a laundry mat and then back home. I do get to do my laundry in the comfort of my home. So there are ways to view laundry as not a bad thing. I just pray that there is no laundry in heaven. :)

Do all things without grumbling or questioning. Philippians 2:14

Blessing 15: Church

I love Sundays....a day where we get to go to church to worship and spend time with our Heavenly Father and to learn and hopefully grow in our walk with Him. I won't lie that there on some Sundays that it would be nice to just stay in bed or just be lazy at home, but when I get there and get my heart ready to be with Him I am so thankful I did. Doesn't matter how bad my week may have been or what troubles are going on it all just seems to go away when I am at church, well really any time I stop and just spend time with God. He makes it all better. :)

I am also thankful for friends I have made through the churches we have attended. We are making new friends at our current church, getting involved and it such a blessing to have those connections with other believers.

Blessing 14: Feeling Better

Today is the first day in these week that I have woken up with less back pain then the previous mornings. I didn't' have get up last night and take pain medicine or did I have to put a icy hot patch on my back at all today. Today has been much better and so thankful that my back is getting better and I am able to move around. Lots to do before Christmas and having back pain was not in the plans.

Thank you Lord for answered prayers and for healing in my back. I just pray that my ortho appointment soon will help me understand what caused the pain so I can avoid it in the future.

Blessing 13: Helpful Husband

I am so thankful for a husband who is willing to pick up the slack when I am not 100%. The past couple of night I have taken my "drugs" and have been out by 7pm. He has taken care of the girls both nights and made sure the house was picked after they went to bed. All of this after his very long day of work. Thanks babe for all the extra help these past couple of days. Love you!

Blessing 12: Drugs

The past couple of days I am beyond thankful for good medication. I have somehow hurt my back and have been in some really bad pain. The good doctor gave me muscle relaxers and codeine to help with the pain until they can find out why I am all of the sudden in pain. I have had xrays done and waiting on the results. Hopefully by end of the week I will be able to know what is going on.

Bleassing 11: Wonderful Weather

Today was such a beautiful day. The weather was like a spring day. It was sunny and in the high 60's. After church we spent most of the afternoon outside and even grilled out for dinner. I love that even though it is December we can still wear short sleeves and go without coats on most day.

Blessing 10: The Weekend

So thankful for my weekends and the family time we get to spend together. :)

Blessing 9: My Dad

Today is my dad's birthday. I am thankful for the dad he has been and continues to be. Even though at times, I am sure I thought he was ruining my life. :) He is one of the most patient men I know, he is hard working, and always made sure we knew that God come first in our lives. I am lucky to have him and thankful that God has given him so many years with us. Happy Birthday Dad and to many more birthdays!
Love you!

This verse make me think of my dad!
 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Proverbs 17:27

Blessing 8: Bus Stop Pick Ups

Thankful for one of my favorite parts of my day, picking Katie up from the bus stop. Seeing Katie b-bop off the bus and run to the car always makes me smile. She just looks so cute in with her backpack. When she hops in the car it is pretty much non-stop talking for the next 30 minutes as she tells me all about her day. Yesterday she got to pick a piece of candy before she left because she did so good on her work that day. When she got in the car she handed me the piece of candy and said she picked it just for me. It was one of my favorites, Reese's PB cups. Yum! I love my girl and her sweet heart. :)

Blessing 7: Healthy Kids

There is lots of fundraising going on right now for St. Judes and I have seen several post in the last few weeks from friends who either have a child at St. Judes or know of someone who does. As I tucked my healthy little girls into bed  tonight I had to stop and just be thankful that my children are healthy and alive. They don't have to go through what those sweet children go through and as a parent I don't have to go through the unthinkable. My heart truly goes out to all of the parents who are sitting with a child that is struggling with a possible terminal or terminal disease.

Dear Lord, please just bring a peace and comfort to each of these parents that only you can. Give them the reassurance that you are God and you are in control and that if they just lean on your son Jesus, He will carry them through this. I pray for their children who are sick and having to go through the day to day of their illness. Be with them and give them the strength to fight and just place your healing hand on them. In Jesus name. Amen!

So tonight and every night be thankful for you healthy kids....even on the days they drive you crazy.