A lil humor needed

We all need laughter and humor in our life. So I thought I'd tell you what I did the other day.

Friday night at work, I was on the patio so I was wearing my sunglasses most of the night. When I was done on the patio I put my sunglasses in my shirt but they kept falling as I was working inside so I put them down. Don't remember where I put them though. When Nathan came to pick me up I threw my stuff in the backseat and drove home. All of the sudden at one in the morning or so I realized I left my sunglasses at work and texted a friend to look for them when he got to work at ten because I was in at four and I didn't want anyone to take them. No one could find them by the time I got to work. I looked everywhere once I got there. I just had no clue what in the world I did with them???? I asked everyone and no luck. I was not going to be able to work til I had them. It was driving me nuts. So next step was checking the car if for some reason I did actually have them when I left the night before. Well guess what.........looked where I always put my sunglasses and they were there! They had been there the whole day and I drove around with no sunglasses on, on a very sunny day. Grrr

In Christ Alone-The Solid Rock

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

An Adventure

As humans we can all become complacent and just keep doing the same thing day in and day out because it's easy or comfortable. It's hard to get out of your comfort zone and do something different or risky. Sometimes though we don't have a choice and we're thrust into it.

My mom recently got laid off at a job she has worked at for over 20 years. Talk about nerve-wracking, having to find a new job in this economy. But I believe everything happens for a reason and we're never handed more than we can handle. In my opinion most people are capable of doing more than they are doing now but they keep doing the same thing because it's less scary than switching things up. God wants us to do more and be more and sometimes He won't give us the option. I'm sure I would be as nervous as my mom is if I was in her situation BUT I see this as an adventure. The door is open and she can pursue different avenues and do more than what she was doing. She is capable of much more and this is her chance. Sometimes what looks like a disappointment is really God setting you up for something great!

If I had to tell people one thing that I'm passionate about, one of those things would definitely be to not settle when you're capable of so much more. Don't settle because it's good money or because that's what your degree is in or because it's comfortable and less scary. Do something that you love and fulfills you and you're passionate about. Don't worry when life turns upside down, this is your chance to pursue something you've always been interested in or to find that thing that fires you up. Look at it as a second chance or an adventure.

Psalms 34:17-19

Yes, the Lord hears the good man when he calls to Him for help, and saves him out of all his troubles. The Lord is close to those whose heart is breaking; He rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins. The good man does not escape all troubles - he has them, too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one.

To Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To expose your feelings is to risk rejection.
To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ridicule.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds
is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken,
because the greatest risk of all is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing,
has nothing and is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but he cannot learn, he cannot feel,
he cannot change, he cannot grow
and he cannot love.
Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave.
Only the person who risks is truly free

Who can I encourage today?

Our lives can become so busy and crazy that we forget we should be helping others. I don't believe we were put on this Earth just to look out for ourselves. We were meant to have relationships and care for others. So I think everyday a goal of ours should be "Who can I encourage today?"

This doesn't have to be time consuming or hard. I'm sure we all know people who are going through tough times. Send them an email or give them a call or write a letter and just let them know you're thinking about them and will do whatever you can to help their situation. Or maybe it's complimenting a coworker or friend on their hair, clothes, or a job well done. We all like receiving kudos but why don't we hand them out too! Be a team player and help your coworkers. Stop thinking of it as "It's their job, why should I help? They never help me." Sometimes it takes one person to be nice for more to follow. Be a leader, not a follower. Volunteer your time with an organization that interests you. Use your skills to make a difference and at the same time doing something you enjoy.

Our world is full of sadness, depression, illness and some people don't have the support they need but we can help. One act of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life. Who knows, whoever you help may just be there when you need help next time.

Love your Enemies

Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that is was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

There is no doubt it can be extremely hard to love your enemies. People who have said rude things or done mean things or just aren't nice people. Why in the world would you want to love them? Do they deserve it? Do you "owe" it to them? Probably not BUT does two wrongs make a right? Life is hard and some people have had very tough lives. Some people have never experienced love and forgiveness before so they have no idea. Think about it, if you never experienced love would you know what love is? Would you know how to show it or what it looked like? If you never experienced forgiveness could you forgive someone? Would you know how or what it looked like? If no one ever said to you "Hey no big deal man, it's in the past" but instead said "You owe me for this and that and until you pay me back your life is going to be hell" what would your life be like? How would you treat others? Would you think someone always owed you something? Wouldn't it be wonderful if by showing someone love and forgiveness over and over again even when they didn't deserve it, it helped that person to become a more loving and forgiving person. You changed that person's life because you chose to help the situation instead of keeping the cycle going.

God's word tells us to love our neighbors and our enemies. He says that even pagans love those that love them. To be Christians then we need love those that don't love us. Examples; when someone is rude to you for no reason, don't be rude back, instead be the bigger person and show kindness. Or if someone isn't a team worker at work, help him anyway. When someone does something that isn't right, don't retaliate. Repaying evil for evil won't make our world any better. God's advice is great because if we can follow it, it could lead to world peace and a much more loving and kind world.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is a very intelligent and compassionate man and our world has been greatly enhanced by his actions and his words so I thought I'd share what he has said.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right

When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat

Appreciating our Past

It is easy to be negative about past mistakes and unhappiness. But it is much more healing to look at ourselves and our past in the light of experience, acceptance, and growth.

Our past is a series of lessons that advance us to higher levels of living and loving. The relationships we entered, stayed in, or ended taught us necessary lessons.

Some of us have emerged from the most painful circumstances with strong insights about who we are and what we want. Our mistakes? Necessary. Our frustrations, failures, and sometimes stumbling attempts at growth and progress? Necessary too. Each step of the way, we learned. We went through exactly the experiences we need to, to become who we are today. Each step of the way, we progressed. Is our past a mistake? No. The only mistake we can make is mistaking that for the truth.

Today, God, help me let go of negative thoughts I may be harboring about my past circumstances or relationships. I can accept, with gratitude, all that has brought me to today.

Gratitude to our Military

I pretty sure we're all thankful for what our U.S. soldiers do for us everyday. To live in a country that protects it's citizens is an amazing gift and something that we shouldn't take for granted. I don't have any military in my family so it doesn't hit close to home. Of course I'm thankful and appreciative of our soldiers but it's not something I think about or worry about everyday. I watch Army Wives every Sunday and yes it's only a tv show but it still shows what it's like to be part of the military life. The men and women who live it, soldiers, spouses, children, are amazing. I don't know how they do it! I think I would be constantly worried and afraid. But without these brave men and women I wouldn't live in such a safe country. So today I just wanted to say THANK YOU because without them life wouldn't be as fantastic or safe or enjoyable. They sacrifice A LOT to keep us safe.

Trust

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff,
trust Him fully and let go.
Only 1 or 2 things will happen,
either He will catch you when you fall
OR
He will teach you how to fly!

God closes doors no man can open
AND
opens doors no man can close!

Fallen Soldier Artist

Most news we hear or see is sad and depressing. We don't hear good, positive, happy news very often but today I did.

There is a artist in Utah, Kaziah Hancock who paints portraits of fallen soldiers free of charge for their families as part of Project Compassion. She started doing this when the first soldier from Utah had fallen and then it turned into 50 potraits, 10o and now over 200 from almost every state. She refuses to take any money from the families and has lost quite a bit of income. She used to paint landscapes and potraits that sold for thousands. She says though she's working with friends, these are her buddies and it's a team. She's not sacrificing.

What a wonderful and kind hearted person to want to help these grieving families. To want to bring that child back home to their family in a different light. I just googled her and her story is amazing. When I have more time (b/c some of us do have to go to work to make money) I will write more about Kaziah.

-Psalms 62:5-8-

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

-Proverbs 3:1-10-

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

We are where we are

We are where we are because of the decisions we have made. Have you ever thought about what a decision has done for you? I mean where would it take you and how would it affect your life? For example I was hired by Norwegian Cruise Lines Hawaii and went through the training but long story short I didn't go. I worked on a steamboat on the Mississippi river instead. My life would probably be very different from the life I have now since I met my husband on the steamboat, if I went to Hawaii instead. Or what if I went to a different college then I did? I went to a business college in Indiana and was done is two and a half years. What if I went to a different city and went for four years? Also I moved to Florida and worked on an island, where I got my brother a job and now he's dating his future wife (probably). We are where we are because of the decisions we have made.

Really think about your life. Do you see the starting point? Maybe you're overweight now? Do you see where your problem started? Where you started making bad decisions and eating just one more of this and one more of that and stopped exercising. What about debt? Can you think about where you started thinking you need this or that or maybe got that extra credit card just in case of an emergency? We've all had decisions to make but did we pick the right one? Sometimes we did and sometimes we didn't but either way we are where we're at because of that decision we picked.

I can look back at my life and see how different life would be if I went another way. I'm happy to be where I am but I'm becoming more aware of how the decisions I make affect my life. Everyday I try to improve my life in some way. I try to learn something new and this is one of them.

Beauty

Sunrises and Sunsets on Useppa Island are some of the prettiest you will ever see. So relaxing and beautiful, it can take your breath away. Useppa is definitely a treasure on this earth. I was very fortunate to live and work there for a year and a half and have my friends and family visit.

-Completion?-

It breaks my heart when I see girls who think that finding that "perfect" someone will make their lives what they want it to be. I don't know where as women we got the idea that we needed a man to complete our lives? Maybe because back in the day men took care of the household and women stayed home? I'm all for finding your best friend but why rush it?

To be the best spouse for your mate you need to know who you are and what purpose you have. Being in a relationship won't fix your problems with feeling worthless, unimportant, lacking self-confidence, or having no self esteem. You first need to figure out why you have these issues. Is it because your family isn't loving or accepting? Is it because you don't think you're intelligent or pretty? Whatever the reason you have to fix it, not your mate.

I believe your twenties are a fantastic time to find out who you are and what you want in life. Go to school, learn new things. Try different jobs and find out what you like and don't like. Date different people to learn what you want in your spouse. Travel and meet new people. Try different foods. Have different friends with different personalities. When you come into a relationship as an individual with different ideas and different life experiences, you bring something to the relationship. I wouldn't want someone who was only interested in what I liked or only did the things I did. How boring. Yes, you do want to relate but not in every aspect.

Don't get tied down, have adventures. You only live your 20's once. How do you expect someone to love you IF you don't love yourself? You have your whole life to be married and have children. Don't rush to grow up so fast.

Lucky

When I was planning my wedding I wanted to find the perfect music for my ceremony. I looked at thousands (well at least it felt that way) of songs and this is one that I really liked. I'm in love with my best friend and I'm so lucky.

Do you hear me,
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair
though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooooh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

-Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat

Scripture

-But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.-
Isaish 40:31

Spiritually Prepared

If you're an athlete you train everyday. If you're an actor or musician you practice everyday. You get ready for that big game or upcoming gig. You want to be prepared. Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you'll get, so don't you want to be ready for life?

I was isolated on an island for almost a year and a half and the real world didn't really affect me. The world kept moving but I wasn't aware of it. Now that I'm back on land and in the "real world" I see many people hurting. I see people struggling with debt, illness, job loss, and family problems. I struggled for a couple months and I'm now getting back into the swing of things. It's not easy to be "prepared" for life or even completely "prepared" but I'm certainly going to try.

When I say "prepared" for life, I mean knowing God's word and trusting Him. I've found that the more you know about the bible and God's promises the easier it is to get through whatever it is you're going through. For example Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." God tells us to not to worry but instead pray and give thanks and present our requests to Him. If we do then we will have peace that transcends all understanding. Sounds pretty good to me! I know I could use some of that peace. Romans 8:28 says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." He's telling us that whatever we're going through He'll use it for our good according to his purpose. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." God comforts us so we can help others! What a wonderful thing.

There's many, many more scripture that can help us when tough times come. The more we read our bible and learn the verses the easier we'll handle those problems and concerns that come our way. Train your spiritual side just like you train your physical and mental side.

*Smile*

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song!

You´re better then the best
I´m lucky just to linger in your life
Cooler then the flip side of my pillow that´s right
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where you send me
Lets me know that it´s ok yeah it´s ok
And the moments when my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed
Sing like a bird
Dizzy in my head
Spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold
Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh you make me smile

Even when you´re gone
Somehow you come along
Just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack and just like that
You steal away the rain and just like that

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of
bed sing like bird
Dizzy in my head spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold
buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh you make me smile

Don´t know how I lived without you
Cuz everytime that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold
buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed
sing like bird
Dizzy in my head
spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold
buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh you make me smile
Ohh you make me smile
Ohh you make me smile

-Uncle Cracker

Trusting When Its Hard

A friend of mine is stressing right now and my advice has been to give it all to God and to trust Him with her concerns. The bible tells us to cast our concerns on God because He cares for us. When we trust God to lead our lives, then we know that everything will work out according to His plan. I can testify first hand to this.

In January my car got hit right in front of my parents house (while I was living in Florida). And long story short, to top it off my insurance had been canceled and I only had three payments left! I had planned on selling my car but now it was almost totaled! There was no way it was worth it to fix it. Then one night a man stopped by and asked my mom if the car was for sale. We agreed on $500 and my payoff was $567, so I was out $67 but at least it wasn't $567.

In March Nathan and I had taken a good job but it fell through and we had already put our two weeks in. We decided we would go to Ohio (where my family is) and figure things out though. Columbus sounded good to us; bigger than Lima but still close to home. We didn't have any luck finding jobs and we couldn't get an apartment until we had jobs so now it looked like we'd be in Lima for a while. Nathan found a job in May. It wasn't his dream job but it helped pay the bills. I however wasn't having any luck. We got to Ohio mid March and I didn't get a job until mid July. I was blessed to get a job where Nathan is working because we only have one car since mine got hit in January. That makes our life so much easier to be going to the same place. Those last two months were stressful however we made it. We somehow got our bills paid and we were fortunate to be able to stay at my parents house and my sister helped a bunch.

When I finally got a job we could start looking for our own place. We were really wanting a duplex and two bedrooms and a place that would let us have our dog, Skeeter. Then one day it just fell into our lap. Exactly what we were wanting and what we could afford. We move in, in about a month.

While I was on "vacation" I was trying to figure out where I was going and what I wanted to do. I didn't figure it out but I did start this blog. I don't know what this blog has to do with the rest of my life but I feel a purpose with it. When I was down and frustrated this blog kept me looking at the positives in life and gave me something to do each day. If I had been working I probably wouldn't have started this blog. I would have been too busy. I also got more involved in church and closer to God while I was on "vacation." I can see how these things wouldn't have happened if I had been working because right now I struggle to fit them in. When I had all day to myself it was easier but not anymore.

When I look back at these stressful couple months I see God's hand in them. I see Him bringing everything together. All my needs have been met. I still don't know where Nathan and I are going BUT I'm happy and I trust God.

Perspective

The way we look at things determines if we're going to have a happy life or a disappointing life. Are you a half full glass person or a half empty glass person? In the last two days I've talked to friends who were struggling or stressing over what is going on in their lives. The thing was, they didn't need to be worrying. They were looking at things with the wrong perspective.

Nathan and I will be moving into our own place in a month or so and we have almost nothing to move in with. We've been traveling the last couple years and so we've sold or given away most of our furniture. I could be stressing about this but instead I choose to look at what we do have, like a tv and tv stand, a bed, maybe a couch and a roof over our heads and running water. We will slowly get the things we need but it's not life or death. It's not something we need to get upset about. I know in my early 20's I would probably have been stressing but I've learned to take things in stride and not let the "little things" in life get to me. My mom always said "In the scheme of life, it's not that big." It drove me nuts when she said this when I was upset about something because she was minimizing what I thought or felt. At least that's how I felt. But really she's right. Look at your situation and ask yourself "In the scheme of life, is this really a big deal?"

A friend on facebook had commented that her car needed worked on and how aggravated she was. I totally agree that car repairs are frustrating but try to look at it as, at least you have the money to fix it or at least you have a car to fix and you're not walking everywhere. There is usually a way to look at things in a better light. If you have to work 7 days in a row, at least you have a job and you're making money to pay your bills. If your children are acting up, at least you have children to love and care for because another family may not be able to have kids. If your spouse is working overtime for the third weekend in a row, at least he's providing for your family. If you just can't seem to get ahead, at least you're not behind. Try to find the silver lining.

Life isn't easy and tough times will come but how you look at your situation determines how you'll get through it and how you'll bounce back. Look at what you do have and be thankful for those things. There is always someone out there with less.

Amazing Gift

How many of us truly realize how amazing it is to pray? I didn't know until maybe the last year or two. I've always prayed since I was a kid but it was mainly when I needed something. I didn't do it just to praise God and thank Him for all He's blessed me with. I didn't do it just to talk to our Heavenly Father. I am just now realizing what a gift it is to be able to communicate with our God.

The more I learn about God the more loved I feel. I don't have any children yet so I don't know what it's like to be a parent. But God is our Heavenly Father. He loves us more than ANYONE loves us. He created us so He could have a relationship with us. God wants to be apart of our lives. He wants us to talk to Him and to lean on Him and to trust Him. We are His children. If you're a parent isn't this what you want your children to do!?

When Jesus died on the cross he opened the door for us to go straight to the Father. We don't need anyone going to God for us. We can do it! This is amazing. We have a direct line to our Father. Jeremiah 33:3 says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." God is telling us to call to Him and He will answer us. His word is truth and we can trust it.

God always answers our prayers. It could be Yes, No or Wait. The last couple months have been a struggle for me and I've prayed a lot and He's answered all my prayers. They may not have come as quickly as I would have liked but still He answered them. I encourage you to start a prayer journal. Write your prayers down and when the answer comes write those in there too. Then you can go back and see how God is working in your life. I am amazed at how things are coming along for me. It isn't how I thought it would go but it's all coming together and all my needs are met for. There is truly a peace that will come over you when you trust God to answer your prayers.

Prayer doesn't have to be elaborate. Just speak from your heart. God wants an intimate and personal relationship with you. Talk to Him like you're talking to your best friend. Sometimes I think we hold things back because we don't want God "knowing" what we're thinking or feeling but He already knows! We don't need to hold anything back. We can tell God anything and everything and He won't judge us. All we have to do is ask for forgiveness and He'll do it! How awesome is that?

The apostle Paul encourages us to "pray continually." (1 Thess. 5:17) The great thing about prayer is it can be done anywhere and anytime. In the car, at work, exercising, cooking dinner. You have nonstop conversations in your head all day long, why don't you talk to God? I pray when we're in the car to get where we're going safely. I pray at work to do a good job. I pray when I see an ambulance drive by. I always try to turn to God when I'm trying to figure something out instead of turning to Him when I've exhausted all my ideas. God wants to be the the little details just as much as the big details.

In conclusion, don't take prayer for granted and what it's about. Talk to God about everything and realize He wants a relationship with you just like you want with your children!

Ethiopia

In the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan he talks about people who have done amazing things and I thought I'd share one of the stories.

Nathan Barlow

A medical doctor who chose to utilize his skills in Ethiopia for more than sixty years. Nathan dedicated his life to helping people with mossy foot. Mossy foot is a debilitating condition primarily found in rural districts, on people who work in soil of volcanic origin. It causes swelling and ulcers in the feet and lower legs. The subsequent deformity, swelling, repeated ulcerations, and secondary infections make people with mossy foot social outcast equivalent to lepers.

His daughter moved him from Ethiopia to California when his health started to fail. After only a few weeks, he couldn't handle being in the states. The people he loved were still in Ethiopia, so his daughter flew him back home so he could spend his last days there.

Once, Nathan got a toothache, the pain of which was so intense that he had to fly away from the mission field to get medical attention. Nathan told the dentist that he didn't ever want to leave the mission field for the sake of his teeth again, so he had the dentist pull out ALL of his teeth and give him false ones so he wouldn't slow God's work in Ethiopia.

This amazing man was the first to help these outcasts, and he spent his life doing it. Yet he died quietly, without a lot of attention; no one really knew about him.

The work Nathan started continues through his web site, www.mossyfoot.com

When I Say “I Am A Christian”

When I say…”I am a Christian”

I’m not shouting “I am saved”
I’m whispering “I get lost!”
“That is why I chose this way.”

When I say…”I am a Christian”
don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I’m loved.

-by Carol Wimmer-

It's in the Valleys I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It’s then I have to remember
That it’s in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it’s in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan’s loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it’s in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it’s in the valleys I grow!

Be done

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Better Home Life"

"Instead of wondering when you next vacation is, maybe you ought to set up a life you don't need to escape from."

When I read this I just fell in love with it. Since I can remember I've always believed that no one should settle in any part of his life and this quote goes perfectly with that idea. I'm the first one to admit I love vacations and traveling. Heck I even went to school for travel and hospitality. But why can't we set up "home lives" that we enjoy and love?

Vacations are just little escapes from the real world. They don't fix problems and they don't make your problems go away. Whatever you left will still be there when you get back. The job you don't like, the debt you have mounting up, the unhappy marriage. I see so many people who aren't happy with their life and they just live with it because it's "easier" than trying to change it. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions to be happier in the long run. Sometimes we have to face things we don't want to, to make our life more enjoyable later.

I know how scary change can be. New jobs, new relationships, moving. But isn't it worth it if it means more joy and happiness in your life? If you don't like what you're doing, go back to school. It's never too late to be trained in something else. If a friend's attitude is bringing you down, stop hanging out with her. If you're fighting with your child or spouse, seek counseling. If debt is adding up, get a second job and watch what you're spending. There is always a solution or a positive step to take. And of course there is always God and praying. (Which I highly recommend)

The thing to remember is that nothing can change unless you initiate change and take that first step. You are the only one that can change your life and make you happy. I'm all for vacations but why don't we make our day to day lives happy first so we don't need to "escape" from them.

Day Brighteners

I read this in the Guideposts Prayer Companion and think it is a fabulous idea.

A woman found this story in a old farm magazine. A wife wrote that, at supper, her family constantly argued or dwelt on unpleasant experiences from the day. One morning she suggested, "Let's each watch for the nicest thing that happens today. Write it down and we'll share it at supper."

Some of the things they recorded? Sunlight making rainbows on dewdrops in a spider web; an unexpected shower when the fields needed it most; a woman in the laundromat quickly emptying her dryer and saying, "Use this one. It's still going"; and a tiny red flower in the lane.

They were simple everyday things but yet such day brighteners that the family continued the game. The farm wife reported increased awareness of God's gift and happier days for everyone.

Poet Sara Teasdale wrote: "Life has loveliness to sell, All beautiful and splendid things..." And the price is simply awareness. We find what we're looking for. And when we're looking for lovely things, including kindness, we find them all around us.

Inner Light

Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You

There comes a time when you must stand alone.

You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.

You must be willing to make sacrifices.

You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.

Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.

There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.

Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.

Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.

Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.

Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.