Some of my favorites - But first...

...may I ask for y'all to pray for a friend of Lyssa's family. Lys just found out that the lady has stage four liver cancer. From what I understand, she's had it for a little while, but Lyssa's family didn't know about it until now. I'm sorry if I have some facts wrong here... Lys was a little rushed when she called me to let me know. She will probably either update this later or inform me of what's going on and I can update it. Please pray!

Here are some of my favorite bloggers, in no particular order by the way. Oh and no offense intended to anyone. I follow a lot of blogs, so if you aren't in my list, I apologize.

Mary or Sue Sue from Sue Sue's Stories!

She never fails to amuse me with stories about her family and I love to just read the day-to-day goings-on at her house. She seems to love vintage-y pink and flowers... I love that she is willing to answer what must seem like endless questions about Mennonites and her beliefs. Thanks bunches Mary!

Hannah from Banana Blog. So she is from Canada, extremely fun! She used to live in Nova Scotia - which is on my bucket list! I love to read about her adventures in house living, boating, writing, cross stitching and so much more. I miss her posts a lot when she isn't able to post... I'm not going to let you get on another boat Hannah! I miss your posts too much when you're gone!

My very dear, dear friend Amber from Joy of Dawn. She is so unbelievably sweet. Besides being an amazing writer - both in letters and books - she is also a extremely loving and giving person. I value her opinion when we're talking about scripture or books or life in general. I enjoy getting her emails and letters and I love reading what she has written! I love you so much Amber!!

Bleah from The Daydreamer's Reverie. She is funny, loves Owl City and Ted Dekker and doesn't like Taylor Swift. She loves camp and photography. She stands up for what she believes in and isn't afriad to. I love reading her posts! Thanks for being so interesting Bleah! :)

Autumn from Storygirl. Well for starters she lives in AUSTRALIA! I know, that is so amazing! She has very cool posts, I love her "A Damsel's Daybook" posts. She comments the most and her comments always brighten my day, whether she knows it or not. Thank you for always giving me a smile!

And last, but certainly not least: Jocee from The Cupcake Dictionary. She loves all sorts of music and is possibly the biggest Narnia fan ever. And she IS the biggest William Moseley ever. She has what sounds like a very interesting little sister and she has very sweetly offered to teach me how to swim - sadly she lives way too far away, states away in fact :) She likes to come up with new trends and yes Jocee TYPING LIKE THIS DOES LOOK LOUD!

-Ri Chelle
*note: I can't figure out why it's spaced so much! Agh!!!
**2nd note: I tried to pick pictures that somehow fit the blog or blogger.
*** 3rd note: Thank you Jocee, I realized I worded that part about the cancer badly. Sorry!!!!! I fixed it!

To be remembered

"I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiles even when her heart is broken, and the one that could always brighten up your day even if she couldn't brighten her own." - Author Unknown (to me anyway)

I want to be remembered...

As a obedient daughter.

"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." Colossians 3:20

A kind sister.
"Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood." ~ Louisa May Alcott

As a bestest best friend.

"The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had." ~Author Unknown 
(that is totally me and Lyssa)

As a loving wife.

"Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave." ~ Martin Luther

"Immature love says, I love you because I need you, mature love says, I need you because I love you." ~Wiston Churchill

As a wonderful mother.

"The hand that rocks the cradle is the one that rules the world."

"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible." ~Marion C. Garretty

No painter's brush, nor poet's pen
In justice to her fame
Has ever reached half high enough
To write a mother's name.
~Author Unknown



This is what I wish to be remembered as. I may not seem important to many, but it is my prayer.

Riah

An email to me from Hillsong.

"What do you need to accomplish something extraordinary? Ambition? Money? Power? Or perhaps... supernatural power?


Do you realise that you have supernatural power at your disposal every time you connect with God in prayer? In fact, when you begin to pray, heaven begins to stir in response.

I really believe that.

I don't know about you, but there have been plenty of times that I haven't felt very extraordinary. There have been times that I have prayed, "God, this is too big for me. This is more than I can handle." But it's comforting to know that when we do that, when we confess our utter dependence on the Lord, when our God hears one of His children relying totally on His power, He responds.

The truth is, when ordinary people like you and me connect to the power of God through prayer Extraordinary Things Happen.

I want to share with you a glimpse of how you can trust and rely totally on God for your future. As you begin to place more of your trust and hope in the Lord you will start seeing amazing things happen in your life.

So, how do we pray with extraordinary power?

First , get real. If you want to be effective in your prayers, just be open and transparent. You don't have to hide your feelings from God. I love King David. Listen to part of his prayer from Psalm 13. ‘How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?' Do you see what David is doing? He is telling God exactly how he feels. David is praying honestly. That's exactly what we need to do. After all, God already knows everything that is going on in our lives, so come before Him every day, just the way you are. Be real!

Second, think outside the box. So many people pray safe. They're afraid to ask God for the big dreams and desires of their heart. Do you remember when God offered to give Solomon anything he wanted? With the en-tire world before him, Solomon prayed for wisdom to guide God's people! And what did God do? He granted him wisdom, but He also added riches beyond our imagination! When we pray unselfishly, God will do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask, think or imagine.

Finally, get your words right. Our words don't have to be high and lofty. The Word is Jesus. You don't need to pray, "I most humbly beseech Thee that Thou may truly impart Thy blessing..." Let me encourage you, just be yourself. The words you use are not as important as the heart behind them. Pray from your heart and pray in the name of Jesus. Jesus is the authority through whom all prayers are answered. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. You don't need eloquent speech, just an open and tender heart.

Friend, the only thing we need in order to do something extraordinary is to connect with God in prayer. The Bible tells us, "with God all things are possible."

The Lord's desire is that you live an overcoming, extraordinary life.

With love and appreciation,

Brian Houston"

 

???

I've noticed something about myself lately. I've noticed that I have been impatient. I'm not just talking about little things like waiting for dinner or waiting for someone to answer a question I ask, I'm talking about the big things. Things like deciding on if I want to go to a local college for a History major, or when I will find a job, or even for the year to go by quickly so my big trip will be here. I have been so consumed with my many thought and questions that I don't think I've really been giving God the chance to speak very clearly to me. I just need to be quiet long enough to listen.
Today, I was very angry. It was something small with Bee. Not a fight really. Just a change in plans. I was so angry! I went to the barn to get some things done before the show tomorrow, and I was grumbling to myself about how everything seems to be in a jumble. There was no one there except for my dad, and he was mowing. I finally paused in what I was doing and said, "God! I just want to know what to do! Why is everything so complicated?!" I went back to work, not as angry anymore, just impatient. I felt a small tug at my heart.
Patience.
I didn't really want to hear that, but I knew He was right, of course. He always is. I sighed deeply.
It still didn't change the fact that I wanted clear answers about what to do and when I'd finally find a job.

I continued to help my dad with different things on the property. Praying silently most of the time.

I'm still thinking and wondering. I'm still trying to be patient. There are so many things all of us would like to have clarity on when we want it, but we just need to have some patience...

Love,

Mid-week life.

Today was super busy. I was glad though, because yesterday we had nothing going on at work. And I mean nothing!
Today, however, from the moment I got to work (at 7:40ish) to the end of the day (at 4:30) there was work to be done. I actually worked over time by a little over ten minutes (that made the end of the day 4:40ish). I got in the car with my mom and had to take some deep breaths and try to calm myself because I was feeling stressed. I don't like feeling stressed. :( No one does though, I guess.
This evening was great! I listened to my new CD (Hillsong "Saviour King [live]"). I made banana bread and watched IHOPU Student Awakening, and then American Idol. Needless to say that I am no longer stressed. Far from it actually. :)
I do have something sad to share...
Riah and I have hardly talked for a few weeks. We have texted each other, and maybe talked on the phone a few times. We used to talk every day for an hour or more. We are both so busy now that we just don't have time to talk. It's sad. I don't wanna think about it.

I have been trying to remember to spend time with God too. It is amazing how sometimes we can let our lives get in the way of spending time with Him. We don't even realize it at first, but it doesn't take long to notice a difference. During the days when I am working on one thing or another I find myself praying softly. You don't have to pray loudly, or even out loud at all for God to hear your prayers. He knows our thoughts, so don't you think He can hear silent prayers too?! Something else to think about...

I will try to blog again tomorrow, but if not, I will ask Ri if she can! I sure that will be a very special treat!

I am off to sleep now. Got a busy couple of days ahead!


Serving God is not a job, it's an adventure! (a quote off of a t-shirt I have).

Love,

A Prayer for 2010...

I found this on http://www.emic.org/ - It is AMAZING!!!!
http://www.emic.org/pdf/2010%20Declaration%20of%20Faith.pdf
Read all the way through. It's a must!!! :D
Happy New Year!

Powerful. Amazing. Touching.

The precious blood of Jesus Christ redeems.

Forgiven, I'm alive, restored, set free. Your majesty resides inside of me.

Forever I believe - forever I believe.

Arrested by Your truth and righteousness.

Your grace has overwhelmed my brokenness;

Convicted by Your Spirit, led by Your Word.

Your Love will never fail - Your Love will never fail.

I know You gave the world Your only Son for us to know Your name, to live within the Savior's Love.

He took my place, knowing He'd be crucified.

You loved-

You loved a people undeserving!

(Hillsong CD "Savior King")

I couldn't think of a better way to say any of that!

Be blessed to overflowing!

Truly Amazing.

I was rereading a book called "The Inheritance" by Tamera Alexander, during the last few days. It is a wonderful book that I have read four times now.
The heroine had a lot going on in her life. Her prayer was mostly: "Break me, God, until I am wholly Yours."
When I read that single line, I paused in my reading. Break me, God, until I am wholly Yours. That is a truly amazing prayer. It is something that we should all want. To be wholly HIS! I can't think of anything better than that! God is truly amazing!
Tonight as Bee and I were doing dishes (again), we were listening to the music on our ipods. We didn't have them playing in sync, or even on the same CD. I was listening to an older Hillsong United CD called "King of Majesty," song "Everything to Me."
(You can look it up on You Tube or something.)
As I listened to this song, the lyrics changed from a song to a prayer for me. Jesus, You're everything to me! ... And I will never stop praising You for all the things You've done for me, and I'll be Yours forever - Jesus You're EVERYTHING to me!
Here are the two words in which I can describe this...: Truly Amazing!

Much love and knee-slappin' laughs,