//He is risen//

While we are ever so grateful for His suffering, His shedding of blood, and while the cross was necessary, today and the rest of our days, our praise, our rejoicing, our song, our LIFE is because of His resurrection. Death could not hold Him. He is risen!!! •Matthew 28:6 KJV [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. •

{New Chapters}

Things have kinda been changing here in life. 

Things are starting...

things are ending...

there's been so much going on.

I decided to wait a little to post about anything to make sure things were certain.

My family and I are in the process of moving about 50 minutes away from where we live now. We should be completely moved by 18th or 19th of this month. I'm excited... this will be my around my 12th move...the first time in about 7 years. I'd say it's about time to move :) 

My family is also continuing on with plans for Finish Ministries and is working with our church about that. Hopefully we will be going out and working on projects in the near future. 

As of next Friday I will no longer be working at Chick-Fil-A. My boss is all for me coming back, so I am considering working one long day a week. With moving it would be too far of a drive to work every day.

I'm trying to work on school, but it's been kinda crazy around here. School is also a new chapter since my first day of school this year, was also my last.

My violin student is doing so well. She just started her second book and she is getting ready to play in church for the first time with a group I got together. As a teacher I am super proud of her! I think she's learned that it's not really about talent, but about hard work! 

I think that about covers that main stuff... there are other chapters too, but not as big! 

God is so great... I'm thankful I don't have to go through all this alone... He's been leading all the way! 

(Psa 32:8)  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

{Navajo Trip}

 

 

 

good ole bus #1 at Shiprock

 

We just got back yesterday from New Mexico.

 

What a great week!! The Lord certainly answered prayer!!

 

There is so much I could say about this trip...

 

there were some highlights to the whole week though.

 

I had been praying for along time, that I would have the opportunity to lead someone to the Lord while on this trip.

 

The first time we went out on visitation I was able to lead a young lady, named Deanna, to the Lord!!!

 

What an answer to prayer...

 

but what does that Bible say?

 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above that which we ask or think...

 

Not only was able to lead Deanna to the Lord,

 

but America and Tanisha, as well!!

 

America and I

Tanisha and I

 

please pray for these three and for the others who accepted Christ as their Saviour this week!!

 

There are many stories to tell, but you'll just have to wait til I can tell them in person!! :)

 

For now just enjoy some pictures I got while on the trip!!

 

Bro. Jarvis

a favorite...two boys reading their J&R's

Bro. Hector speaking on the cross and Christ's blood.

accepting the Lord as Saviour

Listening from afar off

singing the Monkey Song with Bro. Chitty

Puppets

Aztec Ruins

Home again...finally :)

 

In closing, I'll share a verse that the Lord showed me at the beginning of this trip:

 

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

-John 17:3 

Completely Set-apart?

{1Peter 1:15}

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.


So What does it mean???
Holy→Set-apart
All→Complete,total,whole
Conversation→Lifestyle


Christ Jesus is holy and we are live in the image of Him. We are to be set apart in each and every aspect of our lives.


How set apart is your...
Music?
Dress?
Entertainment?
Speech?
Etc...

{Go}

I have been thinking about missions a lot lately...mainly on the impact of missions trips in the lives of individuals. 

I've been on 3 missions trips and have learned,enjoyed,grown,and changed because of them. I have seen God work in amazing ways on various missions trips. I believe each mission trip that I can take is a privilege from the Lord. I am excited to see where else around the world I can serve my Saviour-whether it be short-term or perhaps if the Lord leads this way...permanently!?!?

I actually studied why we should go on missions trips this morning in my devotions. 

There are several reasons...I won't go into them all.

But what is the point of missions trips?

If you asked most people what the point of missions trips was,you would most likely get an answer something similar to this:

"The point of missions trips is to tell people about Jesus and win them to Christ." 

Sounds like a good thing,right? 

But does it just stop there? 

Or are there really more reasons? 

I believe it goes beyond just reaching souls for Christ.

Believe me reaching souls for Christ is extremely important and should be a priority in every Christian's life,but I think there is something more.

Read your Bible- I think it gives another clear reason.

You see my good 'ole King James Version of the Bible,which is the Word of God, tells me that ...

Mine eye affecteth mine heart...

Lamentations 3:51

I'm speaking from experience,so just hear me out for a minute. 

I believe every Christian ought to be going on missions trips...

because once you go,

you realize that...

...your eye really does effect your heart.

Let Your Light So Shine

My pastor recently started preaching a series on Sunday mornings called "For God's Glory,By God's Grace."

 The messages have been really good. One of the verses that he used has been continually brought back to my mind. 

Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works,and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

One of the points in the first sermon in this series was this:

The Glory of God Includes Perception 

What kind of perception are you giving people of God? Is it drawing others to Him? Is it turning others away? 

This really challenged me...my response to circumstances can affect people's view of my God. Like at work. Sometimes there are problems that come up at work that I have to deal with. it would be extremely easy for me to just get frustrated and complain about it,but lately I have been watching how I respond to situations like these. I am constantly reminded of Matthew 5:16. Would I be setting an example that would draw others to Christ if I got upset just like the rest of them? 

During his second message in this series he made this point :

Your Righteous Fruit Will Plant the Gospel Seed 

He said that your life should be lived in such a way that others see it and want the same thing!! So again I am challenged this week to always be consciously aware of what kind of representation of my God I am making. I must be glorifying God even when the less-than-perfect circumstances come up. 

There is a quote and it goes like this:

Be careful how you live,you will be the only Bible some people will ever read. 

How are you representing your Saviour? 

Can others see Jesus in you? 

 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Nahum 1:7

{Sunlight}

Sunlight...

rays from the sun,filtering through our atmosphere,sustaining life on the earth. Without it we would die. 

Jesus Christ...

 Light of the world,Bright and morning Star, Sunlight of my soul. Without Him we would forever perish. 

For God,who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  ~2 Corinthians 4:6  

  

Thanksgiving

O give thanks unto the Lord;for he is good.

Psalm 107:1 

Happy late Thanksgiving!!

 I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
My family and I went down to my sister and brother-in-laws house in NC for Thanksgiving.It was so good to spend time with family,though I missed my dear sister and her husband. I am thankful that we got to talk on Thanksgiving. We ate,played games,ate,walked,ate,shopped,ate,made cards,and ate some more.Ate least it seems like we ate this much!!! Here are some pictures that I took throughout the time we were down there (mainly for my sister in Texas!!) ...

peeling apples for pie

making pie crust

rolling pie dough

Anna and Mom working in the kitchen on pies

we played Logo's and some how I ended up beating dad!! That was a HUGE,first time, accomplishment.

pumpkin pie

making pumpkin pie

Thanksgiving table

Mexican train dominoes

Dad,Matt,Josiah and I went shopping on Thursday night..and what did I get??? Skittles!! These were the dessert ones and they caused lots of laughter....we were eating them as we played dominoes and it made dad a little crazy...

Dad's skittles eyes...see I told you they made him a little crazy!!

dominoes

making cards

 I am so thankful for my family. The time we spend together and the memories we make! We missed you Liv and Trevor!!!!

What I've been doING

Hello there!

I am not sure if anyone is still reading my blog since I have been pretty terrible at updating it...my sister lovingly reminded me about this today. Things have just been busy! I feel like my sisters have been posting things with something to the effect of "Step into my living room","Step into my house",etc. Well dear reader...

{Step into my life}

So much has been going on. I am not even sure where to begin!! 

Grab something to eat and drink (I am drinking chai as I write this!) and relax. You are in for a long awaited post!!!

Where do I begin. Time has been passing by so quickly.

{Schooling}

School has been going pretty good. I have had some late night learning,lately. Trying to cram school in whenever I get the chance.

{Working}

Work is going good. We always say that "Everyday is a new adventure at Chick-Fil-A" and quite honestly,it is. There is always something out of the the normal that happens at work. My boss just recently pulled me into her office to talk. I think I can now sort of relate to what it feels like to go to the principals office. Thankfully, I have a great boss and she didn't pull me aside for any bad news. On the contrary. It was good news. She told me that the Grand Opening Supervisors evaluated how I worked and recommended me to be a shift leader. So Cathy asked me if I would be willing to take on the responsibility of being a shift leader over the kitchen. We talked about it for awhile and then she told me to go home and pray about. Like I said "everyday is a new adventure at Chick-Fil-A."

{Traveling}

I just recently had the opportunity to go with 10 other people from my church to The Loving and Leading Conference at a church in Ohio. I sat in 10 workshops and 6 General sessions. I have learned so much ... from how my heart as a teacher should be to how to manage a classroom,reach the soul of a child,make Bible stories meaningful to children,have an effective Jr. church program,work as a TEAM and so much more. I think my brain is still on over load from learning all of this wonderful.Useful.Helpful information.Besides sitting in on classes I got to make lots of good memories with friends.

{Sharing}

Last Sunday night I got to sit down and share the plan of salvation with a girl from my church. She got saved after talking to another girl and directly after that I had the WONDERFUL opportunity to show her verses from the Bible and answer her questions about Salvation. I can only imagine heaven rejoicing as another child was born into the family of God. I am so thankful that I had this OPPORTUNITY. I can't believe that God would first off save ME and then let me serve HIM!! 

{Helping}

Right now I am helping a girl at our church with violin. She is preparing to play a her first piece of music that she has ever played in front of the church. It has been a joy to help and teach her with her music and see the progression that she makes weekly. Hopefully she will continue to use her talent in church in the days and years to come. The church could never have too many violinists.

{Creating}

I have been working on creating a CD cover for the CD my family and I made back in October so that it will be ready by Christmas. I am almost done with the cover,and hopefully it will all come together soon! 

{Reading} 

Shocking,I know. Right now I am reading Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot. An excellent book. I will just share one quote from it. "The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian,but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different woman."

{Studying}

I am studying "God Created Man" right now to teach to the 1st to 4th grade kids in Junior Church. My mind has been going crazy with ideas on how to teach this...don't forget lots of visuals,mystery,and excitement!! I am excited to teach and I pray that I will present a very clear lesson.

{Playing}

I always make sure to spend some of my time playing my violin. I have about 5 different pieces that I am working on for church right now,plus some classical pieces that I am challenging myself to master...I know I will probably never be good enough to master the pieces,but it's a fun thought anyways. 

{Missing}

There is not a day that goes by that I do not miss my amazingly,wonderful,godly sisters the one in North Carolina and the other in Texas. I miss my brother-in-laws too...just not as much as I miss my sisters.There is just some unexplainable bond of love between sisters that makes being apart so hard. Like I said. Unexplainable.

{Talking}

Mainly to my sisters over the phone. While it's not the same as "Stepping into their living room" as they keep inviting me to do, and talking to them face to face. I still enjoy it. I just talked to my oldest sister this evening for the the first time in about 2 weeks. It had been way to long. 

{Sistering}

I just had to add this one. As busy as I have been I cannot forget that one of the most important roles I play in my life is being an older sister. And I try to be a fun one. Just ask my brother. We had a good time last night after church picking on each other,having fun,and talking.

I think that briefly sums up my life in a nutshell. I am sure that I am forgetting some things...everyday my "To-do" list gets longer,and it seems like the longer it gets,the less time I have in a day. One day....I will have everything done on that list.

I hope you have enjoyed stepping into my life for a little. I will try and be more faithful to blogging. I leave you with the most important thing that I have been doing and will continue to do...

{Pressing}

I am daily pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Though I fail Him regularly I am trying to do my best for Christ. Out of all things in my life I want to please my Jesus.

  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24

My Salvation Testimony

This post is a week late,but there wasn't much time to post last week.Last week at this time I was at the wedding reception of my sister.With all that being said...

Last Saturday was my 10th Spiritual birthday.

Wow.I can't believe that God would save me.

Indescribable.

I am so thankful that He loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die for the sins of the whole world.

Talk about A-M-A-Z-I-N-G  L-♥-V-E.

This is my story of how I came to Jesus.

On October 12,2003 we were riding in the car listening to Patch the Pirate Goes to Space.On this CD PeeWee realizes his need of the Saviour and then accepts Christ into his heart. It was at this point that I realized my need for the Saviour as well. Immediately after we arrived at home,I went straight to my room and right then and there asked the Lord to come into my heart and save me,so that when I die I know where I will spend eternity.

That is all it took,but oh how much it means to me.The fact that I KNOW that when I die,I WILL spend eternity with my Saviour gives me great peace.

For God so loved the world,that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven,that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:14

1 Thessalonians 5:24

 

  Faithful is he that calleth you,

 who also will do it.

Powerful Words...

 

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  "

1 John 2:15

She Hath Done What She Could

In the midst of the noise and the happy occasion
There was just one kneeling there in adoration
Tears softly flowed as the ointment she poured,
On His head,on His feet,of her Saviour and Lord.

chorus:
She hath done what she could,
And the work it is good.
Precious oil,pure and sweet,
She hath poured at my feet.
For my death she prepared,
In my sorrow she shared,
She hath done,she hath done what she could.

There were some that would scorn,
They would try to give her blame,
He spoke the Word,
She had come to praise His name.
Her worship went on
As the fragrance filled the air,
And the glory of God
Filled the hearts of each one there.

So,dear saint,as you walk
With this wicked world about,
Sin crowding in.
Many voices screaming out,
Be not dismayed,
Keep your eyes upon the Lord.
Let your life,pure and clean,
Praise our God,in heav'n adored.


Mar 14:8  "She hath done what she could"

BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD,AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS;AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.-MATTHEW 6:33

Wings as Eagles

1.When the race still lies before me,
And the wind is blowing strong,
When the witnesses surround me,
And my strength is almost gone;
When the valley plunges deeper,
and life shatters all my dreams,
Then I lift my voice to Jesus,
And He gives my spirit wings.

Chorus:
God gives wings,
God gives wings as eagles;
God gives wings to fly and strength to rise about.
God gives wings,
God gives wings as eagles.
When my feet begin to stumble,
And my dreams begin to crumble,
I mount up on eagles wings.

2.Let us run the race with patience,
Let us lay each weight aside,
Looking only unto Jesus;
He will be our faithful Guide.
He has run the race before us;
He has won the victor's crown.
And He calls to every Christian .
"Follow Me to higher ground."
(Chorus)
*Ron Hamilton

Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 4:4

Pictures...

Acts 20:24

 I will bless the Lord at all times:his praise shall continually be in my mouth.Psalm 34:1
I want to have the heart of David,I want to make the commitment to the Lord that I will bless him at all times.In the good and the bad times.Or the heart of JOb,who after everything was taken from him said "The Lord gave,and the Lord hath taken away;blessed be the name of the Lord."

The Lord has blessed me in so many ways:
 2,000 years ago when he sent His Son,to hang on a tree to pay for my sins,and for your sins too.
9 years ago when He made me recognize my need for salvation,and then so graciously adopted me into His family.
when He brought me into this world and gave me the family that I have,knowing that they would be the people that I would need the most-people to love me,correct me,and go on adventures with me.
when He put me in a church where I am learning,growing,and serving.
When He gave me the friends that I have,people that understand me,like me just the way that I am,and act crazy with me.
And each day as he supplies a place to stay,clothing,and food-physical and Spiritual.
"Lord thank you for giving me much more than I deserve!"