A Time for New Beginnings

.... well, it's been a while, a long while since I have posted ANYTHING! So much change has taken place in our lives, God has given us a clear direction, and now we are soaking it all in.

First.... Austin is STILL wrestling! Yes, still. He started in October, and will finish up the last weekend in March at the State Tournament. Craziness I tell you... it's been every Saturday we are at a tournament. I'm so proud though, he does really well, enjoys the sport, and above all, he has FUN! I love my Doodlebug do much and really enjoying the time spent with him cheering him on.

Brian and I felt the Lord leading us to a different church, so we started out 2011 searching for our new church home. It was a difficult decision, Selmore Baptist has been my home church all my life. I was one of the first babies in the nursery, have so many friends and family there. But, that doesn't mean that's where the Lord can use us best. Brian has been a great husband through this, very encouraging, strong and optimistic. It's hard. But, when you get that affirmation that you are where the Lord wants you.... OH what a feeling! We have been blessed.

So, 2011 for us, has started off differently than we would have imagined, but it's all good! There's a time for everything under heaven, and now is the time for us to spread our wings.

A Time of Rest.... NOT!

So, here we are, fall has arrived. I love fall. It's my VERY favorite time of year. The brilliant colors of the trees, the cool crispness of the air, football, and let's not forget... HOODIES! I love me a comfortable hoodie sweatshirt.

Fall is a time we can see so many changes around us. We've been studying about appreciating God's creations in Sunday School, and I know I don't often take the time to really see and admire what God has created. I can't wait for the leaves to turn and take a nice afternoon drive with the sista's and just "be".

Austin is playing football for the Jr High team and loving it, and I'm totally loving being a football player's mom. He makes me proud, and the energy and feeling in the stands, is like no other. It's been a season of change for Austin as well... a new world of Jr High. Dances, clubs, games and new friends. He is enjoying it and I am having a blast watching him grow. These next years will pass by me quickly, so I'm so relishing the hugs, goodnight kisses and "I love You's" while I have them.

With fall, comes what we call in my work world "traveling season". We start this coming weekend through the first weekend of December. I'll be making 5 trips this season....and I'm so THANKFUL that I have the opportunity. Is it tiriing? Absolutely! But feeling part of a team and doing my part to help the company be successful is like no other. God has been good.

With all that.... I think our weekends are busy throughout like next March... LOL! I'm kidding... but they are far and few between. However, Brian and I have made some changes in our lives recently, so that we can serve our Lord one inch wide and 20 feet deep rather than 20 feet wide and 1 inch deep. God is good, He is patient and so very wise!

In the meantime... I'm enjoying every day God is giving me to be a witness for Him, and not concerning myself about getting too much rest. I want to enjoy this life He has blessed me with.

My favorite verse: Lamentations 3:23 God's mercies are new every morning! Praise God!

Have a wonderful day.... enjoy God's Creation!

Lost Perspecitive....

Has that ever happened to you? I'm finding that's where I'm at right now in my spirtual walk. Am I too involved... meaning involved in SO many things that I can't give to any of them 100%? Am I working with the Lord where He would have me to be? I'm tired, emotional and busy... some of the business is doing the Lord's work, so why do I feel so blahhhhh?

I've been reading this week in Titus. Although we are to set a Christian example in everything we do, that doesn't mean we have to be involved in EVERYTHING at church. God blesses us and calls us to a specific area to minister and serve, sometimes in an area we least expect. We can get involved in many things, and not be able to totally commit and other area's in our ministry then suffer. So when we are that involved and add family obligations to that... life tends to become a little busy.

Lost perspective... what's important in life? God, my husband, Brian, Austin, extended family and friends. They deserve my time and my love, especially the Lord.

I'm making a committment to stop trying to tell the Lord where I'll be and what I'm gonna do... and ask Him where He is and what can I do for Him at this time. Maybe this will change my perspective on some things.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Celebrating our Lives!!!

Here we are almost to the end of July... summertime rolling to an end and school will soon be starting.

Last week on July 15th... Brian and I celebrated our 4th year being married. WOO HOO! Some of you may think big deal... it's only 4 years... it is a big deal. Every day that I get to share my life with the man I love is a big deal. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile.... and sometimes he even makes me angry. But, there's no one I'd rather share my life with.

We didn't celebrate big last week, we went to dinner, and then Brian went to work. He's working nights right now. I know... that's a whole different blog story.
But this weekend, we're traveling to Tulsa with some friends to see Rascal Flatts at the BOK Center. They are my all time favorite group in Country. We played "God Bless the Broken Road" at our wedding... and Brian still sings it to me today.

I'm excited about our trip and the concert. I'm glad that we are blessed and can take time to "escape" the daily grind and find time with one another.

Rascal Flatts... yep, we're Tulsa bound, not just to see a concert, but to celebrate the love we share and the life that we are continually building togther. God has blessed us and continually blesses us... Thank you Lord!

Summertime....

Summertime.... BBQ's, friends, swimming, ballgames, and being outside. Gotta love it! It's a time when if it gets too hot, we don't want to be outside and if we are we want to be by water to cool us off.

I don't know about you, but in the summertime my family stays quite busy. We swim at our neighborhood pool almost every weekend, Brian and I ride the Harley's, even if just to get ice cream, we grill most of our food and we stay up way later than we normally would just soakin' up all the fun times.

We've been busy this summer... at times a little too busy. Between BFC, my volunteering at PCC, working, teaching college kids in Sunday School, and helping in other areas... I have lost my focus what God's will truly is for me. So, I've started taking time each day to spend with the Lord... and seek His face and ask for His direction and blessing on activities. My days have been brighter, my focus has been better.

So, if summertime is keeping you busy, make sure it's not too busy to do the Lord's will.

Freedom isn't Free....

I always heard this growing up... "Freedom isn't free". I believe there is even a country song about this very thing. But, I'll tell ya, when I stop and think about all the freedoms that I have as an American and as a Christian I am humbly blessed.

First, I've been traveling alot for the past year. There is nothing like coming through DFW and seeing American soldiers come off a plane and walk through the airport and people standing applauding, saluting and cheering. That will make the hair on your arms stand up, let me tell ya! These men and women willing put down their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms of "life" here in the good ole USA. So, to all past, present and future military forces... THANK YOU!

Second.... Jesus Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice for each and every one of us. He left the kingdom of Heaven to come to earth, to be looked down upon, chastised, ridiculed, beaten, tortured and killed. All so that we may have eternal life through Him if we just accept Him as our Savior. All that I am, or ever will be, I owe to Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for giving the ultimate sacrifice.

As I celebrate this 4th of July.... I'll be reflecting on how blessed I am... and passing that on to Austin. Nothing comes without a price... especially freedom.

America... land of liberty... land of freedom.

Happy Independence Day!

Where does the tme go?

Wow... it's June. We're almost 1/2 way through 2010. Time really does fly the older you get. Grandma, you were right.

This has been a year of change for me so far. Brian and I teach the College/Career class at our church... we love the young adults so much. Who knew that they would bless our hearts as much as they do.... God sure did. We are entering into our 2nd year of teaching... and loving it. This has kinda pushed Brian out of his box... but God has a way of doing that.

I've had personal struggles this year.... old insecurities that hadn't been dealt with, past memories not laid to rest. So, I read Beth Moore's "So Long Insecurity"... that was the beginning of a whole new journey for me. After I pinpointed where my insecurities came from... I was able to deal with them... and allow God to take them from me. God is so good!

Austin... well, he turns 13 in a few months. I love my boy. He has a heart of gold, and a desire to learn more... about everything. He's all boy though. He enters junior high... for him.. it's growing up... for me.. it's a new chapter in our life. All the sudden it's not "cool" to kiss mom goodbye in the drop off lane at school. While Austin was ready for this... I was not! LOL! It all happened overnight. I'm proud of him though.

Austin and I will venture out to Chicago this next week on a mission trip. He will be working construction and evangalism, I will be cooking meals with a very dear sister of mine. It's all in an effort to share the love of God and win souls to His kingdom.

Our summer is filled with many activities and events and before you know it we'll be bringing in another year. My goal for July/August... to slow down and enjoy this ride called life. How about you?