TGIF TGIF TGIF

I really am VERY thankful it is Friday.
I am ready for the weekend. It's a long weekend too (mixed feelings about that).

This week:
Monday: Had a great time hanging with my Neesie while Dad was out of town Mon. night. We ate good food, chatted about girl things, worked on a long list, and played SkipBo. Neesie whipped my tail in ShipBo. It was really nice and fun to have some time.

Tuesday: They cut my departments hours at work. I am a bit mixed about it but my choice is to be Thankful that I have my job and a paycheck. That is the reason for the long weekend. I will have three unpaid days in the coming months. It totally could be worse. I am thankful the compay is trying to preserve jobs instead of simply eliminating them. And I am looking forward to have Monday off to work on my house some. It is in desperate need of cleaning and some projects being done.

Wednesday: I had lunch with my future Sister In Law. We talked Wedding of course. Her and my brother are getting married this December!! So exciting!! We talked school. She is so close to graduating and becoming an awesome teacher!!

Thursday: Slammed at work (slammed all week at work really). Helping several different departments. Got a wake up call about my horrible attitude and the horrible example I have been leading. Went and watched youth drama practice for fine arts. Laughed so hard my stomach hurt. I love those silly youths and youth leaders! Mr. Wonderful had a great time and was trying really hard not to jump in and give the kids pointers. I think he is in love with drama now!! How about that!!!

Today: 3 meetings already and lots of emails to answers. Projects coming as well. Gotta wrap up my desk for a long weekend. Lunch with one of my BFF's, can't wait. Tonight Mr. Wonderful is taking me to a new Japanese restaraunt to eat!! I am excited. We have been waiting for this place to open!!

This week I have really just drawn closer to God in faith and learning. I desire with all of my heart to be more pleasing to Him and to be gracious, humble, and lead a better example. I desire to seek Him more, to meditate on His Word more, to get alone with Him more, to worship Him deeper, I follow Him all the days of my life.

Be back on Tuesday. Wishing a GREAT weekend to you ALL!!!

Survey with a Twist.

I saw this on another great blog and couldn't wait to do it...

It was acutally up to Mr. Wonderful to present facts about me. He came up with 19. He is so fun, funny and cute I can't hardly stand it!!

Here is what he came up with...

1. You want to be a Children's Pastor so that you never have to grow up.
Does he know me or something hee hee. I can't wait to be a Children's Pastor!!!

2. You have a cat named Tater.
Yep he is sweet and orange so Boo and Carrie helped me name him Tater like Sweet Tater.

3. You're totally in love with God.
With all my heart. God is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cherish my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

4. You love kids, especially babies.
Kids are my heart!! MY HEART!! I just recently fell in love with babies. I am glad to have broadened my horizons!!

5. You have an incredible smile.
Aaawww. Be still my heart.

6. You have a great heart.
Aaaawww again. Thanks baby.

7. You drive a car named Hallie.
Ok this is true. I do name my cars. I have a Honda Accord and I named her Hallie. My last car was a Chevy Malibu named Mallie. See a pattern here.

8. You have the most amazing boyfriend in the whole world.
Ah! So true! (Isn't he too cute!!)

9. You're very ticklish.
Oh how I HATE that this is true. I am SO ticklish everywhere and once it's started I can't be touched without it tickling. Hate it!

10. You give very thoughtful gifts.
I think if you are going to give someone something it should be something they really love and appreciate. I do think alot about the gifts I give and I love love love giving thoughtful gifts.

11. You like to watch girly movies.
Absolutely! I love them!

12. You love DVR.
Best invention EVER! Especially for busy people!

13. You cry in every episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
I can't help it, that show just touches my heart SO much.

14. You can carry a conversation with anyone.
This is so a learned ability. (The secret is to ask questions about the person you are talking to, generally we love to talk about ourselves and you are bound to find some common ground somewhere.)

15. You like to take pictures any chance you get, even when someone doesn't want to.
Poor thing, he hates it. But hey gotta capture those memories!

16. You're favorite grocery store is Publix.
Oh yes! We have just recetnly discovered the wonder that is Publix and I am most certainly IN LOVE with it.

17. You really love your sleep time.
Guilty. I love to sleep in. What can I say, I need my beauty sleep. Really it's ture I get these hideious bags under my eyes if I don't.

18. You are a very good planner, sometimes too good.
Ha Ha, I plan EVERYTHING. I know it drives others crazy but I can't stop myself. I love to plan and I plan things down to the very smallest detail. I love to plan ahead, way ahead too!! Oh planning I love you so!

19. Did I mention you have the most amazing boyfriend in the whole world?
Yeah but I AGREE with it again!! I SURE DO!

Amazing Students!

It is my opinion that we have the most amazing students at our church.
Church last night went like this...
*Come into the Snack Shack and I hear this..."TTTAAABBBBIIIEEEE" and I get tons of hugs.
*I walk into the Game room and I hear..."Gaassppp" and immediately get hugged.
*I see students teaching each other to play pool.
*A minute later I get hugged.
*I see students greeting each other warmly.
*I see a student put toilet paper in another student hoodie...but it was nothing but love.
* I get hugged again.
*I see smiles on faces...well...most faces anyway...I saw some troubled faces and wanted to just hug them until it was all better but it didn't work
*I saw arms lifted high in worship
*I heard a truly amazing sermon last night by one of our college students - Incredible!
*I saw students and adults flood the alter to get closer to Jesus
*I felt hands on my back and words lifted to our Lord in prayer for me by a sweet young lady
*I saw students praying for each other fervently
*I get hugged.

**We have the most amazing students EVER! They are loving and joyful and seeking the Lord with all their hearts. I love them SO much!! I love them SO SO much!!

Good Looking Couple.

So yesterday Mr. Wonderful looked really Handsome. He wore his Christmas gift from me and I must say that he looked dashing in it. He looked so good in it and that I convinced him to take some pics with me real quick at work. Hee hee. He really doesn't like to take pictures but he is getting used to it. After seeing the pictures he said..."We sure do make a Good Looking Couple." I agree of course. Here are our snap shots from yesterday.

The Good Looking Couple.


Mr. Wonderful - Look very Handsome!


Me - Happy.

How I feel today...

The end.

Weekend Review...

Weekend are TOO short!!!

It was a good weekend...Here it is in review...

Friday Night:
*Ok you are all going to kill me...Mr. Wonderful and I went to visit one of my best friends who just recently had a baby. He is the most adorable baby and I did not get a single picture. I am so mad at myself for that. I did not even think about it. But we had a great time visiting with baby Logan and his wonderful Mommy and Daddy!!!

Saturday:
*I slept in until mid morning. I so love Saturday mornings when I can sleep in!
*Headed over to Mom's to work on decorations for our table for the Heartsong Banquet our church does every year around Valentine's Day. Our colors are Green, Ivory, & Black. Mom and I are making Cloth Napkins, Placemants and Small Decorative Pillows with Monagram cards on them. The pillows are gifts to our table guests. However I get to keep all the cloth napkins and placemats, and I am so excited about it!! It is going to look great on my table!!!
*We came back to my apartment and watched a movie with Mr. Wonderful.
*When mom left Mr. Wonderful and I headed down to our friends to have cake for her birthday. We sat and ate yummy cake and watched several episodes of The Office. That show is too funny!!

Sunday:
*Sunday School went good, we had discussion time with the girls.
*This Sunday I was scheduled out of Children's Church so that I could have some worship time in the sanctuary - Pastor Tim made me, it about killed me to miss Children's Church. Worship was wonderful. I sat with Mr. Wonderful and my parents.
*After church Mr. Wonderful went home and napped and I headed back to my parents house to eat lunch and then spend the afternoon writing human videos for Easter. We had a good time writing the videos and it turns out that I am going to be in one of the videos, a rather powerful video, a part that is very near and dear to my heart.
*After video writing I headed home to pick up my lil dirty apartment.
*Mr. Wonderful and I then headed out for our Sunday night date. We sat in the car and chatted and then headed in for Ice Cream and Cold Stone. Yum. We then headed on over to Wal-Mart and bought a paper. We have a new obsession for clipping coupns. We took our paper over to McDonald's and went through all the coupons pulling out the ones that we need. It was really fun. Hee hee.
*We headed back to then and sat on the porch outside my apt chatting for hours. Wrapped up in a fleece blanket. It was such a wonderfully sweet ending to the weekend.
*You see Mr. Wonderful and I do not hang out inside our apartments alone together. We set a high standard, one that has not been easy but we feel called to do so. We believe in fleeing the appearance of sin. We want to give noone cause to doubt our purity or our integrity. I cannot wait for the day though when we are married and we can just cuddle up on the couch together to watch a movie. The day is coming!

It was a great weekend. I was sad to see it end. But another week has come and Monday is now almost over!!! Oh how times flies when you are...

God's Word.

I have been praying for a hunger for God's Word and I am feeling it. I want to submerse myself in it. I want to feel closer to God through it. I want to gain incredible amounts of wisdom from it. I want to follow it. I want to crave it and hunger for it. I want it to renew my mind. I want it to renew my mind, heart, attitude, thoughts, spirit, life.


I am so thankful that God is answering my prayer for a renewed hunger for His Word. How awesome is our God. He hears our prayers and our hearts and loves us so much.

He is such an amazing Father and desires to give His children good things. Too bad we stand in the way of that most of the time.

A lil Friday fun...

This is me today...complete with pictures...enjoy...

* My desk has now been hit by the Lysol wipes in honor of all the rat dropping found. Tell me I dont work in a Disgusting warehouse office. I hate it. But look how clean it is now....

* How I survive my days... notice the circles...GOD'S WORD...it must be everywhere to encourage me...

* Got a new pen at work - I love it!...and I love my squishy too...

* I have a new addiction...it's my sweater shaver...I want to shave all the time now...ha ha...

* Me at work today...bad hair day & I need a necklace...

* My complete lack of purse organization...its killing me...

* What I was seeing as I was keying this post...

* My $4.00 desk calendar I turned into a wall calendar becuase I refused to pay $7.00 for a real wall calendar...isn't it CUTE...

Reflecting on God's Goodness...

Oh I needed a good dose of this today...


Here are some and I mean only some of the ways God has been SO good to me...this is going to be completely real...you may read some things you didn't know or want to know...


*All my life God has had his hand on me - even before I was in a relationship with Him. He kept me from dying on several occasions as a teen. Binge drinking, mixing drugs, drinking and driving(yes I was that stupid).


*He kept me from being an unwed mother when I was being stupid and making BAD decisions and thinking that was the way out of my pain and misery as a teenager.


*He made me different, and made me think differently. I grew up with an alcoholic father and though my siblings chose to take that road even at a very early age I knew I did not want to go down that road. I always had a desire to be different to be better. Some of my siblings do not have that desire. They desire to stay the same, they do not know the different.


*He brought forgiveness into my heart for my father and all he did to me growing up and all he did not do for me growing up. He brought that forgiveness before my father died.


*He gave me a strong mother that stuck by her children even when she wanted to run. Who worked hard all of our lives to provide for us and take care of us and give us the best life she could.


*He saved me and healed me and Redeemed me.


*He brought into my life a family that has stood in the hard places with me as I have learned and healed and grown. A family that took me in when others told them not to. A family that made me a part of them and showed me what it looks like to have a family that loves each other and seeks the Lord. A wonderful family.


*He brought the one He created just for me into my life and surprises me all the time. I could never have imagine it this good.

*He NEVER gives up on me or loves me like is Deserve. Never.

God is SO good!

My Heart, My Goal, My Prayer, My Proclamation.

Psalm 119

1-8 You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.

9-16 How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it.

17-24 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I'm a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions. My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!— insatiable for your nourishing commands. And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it! Don't let them mock and humiliate me; I've been careful to do just what you said. While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel. Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!

25-32 I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders. My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word. Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don't let me down! I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.

33-40 God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!

41-48 Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word. Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever— your commandments are what I depend on. Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed. I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!— relishing every fragment of your counsel.

49-56 Remember what you said to me, your servant— I hang on to these words for dear life! These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me. The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation. I watch for your ancient landmark words, and know I'm on the right track. But when I see the wicked ignore your directions, I'm beside myself with anger. I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way. I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God. Still, I walk through a rain of derision because I live by your Word and counsel.

57-64 Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise to do everything you say. I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile, be gracious to me just as you promised. When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed. I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders. The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out— but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me. I get up in the middle of the night to thank you; your decisions are so right, so true—I can't wait till morning! I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules. Your love, God, fills the earth! Train me to live by your counsel.

65-72 Be good to your servant, God; be as good as your Word. Train me in good common sense; I'm thoroughly committed to living your way. Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place, but now I'm in step with your Word. You are good, and the source of good; train me in your goodness. The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying; They're bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation. My troubles turned out all for the best— they forced me to learn from your textbook. Truth from your mouth means more to me than striking it rich in a gold mine.

73-80 With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you. When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad. I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right. Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight! just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel. Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance. And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.

81-88 I'm homesick—longing for your salvation; I'm waiting for your word of hope. My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise; how long must I wait for your comfort? There's smoke in my eyes—they burn and water, but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post. How long do I have to put up with all this? How long till you haul my tormentors into court? The arrogant godless try to throw me off track, ignorant as they are of God and his ways. Everything you command is a sure thing, but they harass me with lies. Help! They've pushed and pushed—they never let up— but I haven't relaxed my grip on your counsel. In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word.

89-96 What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered—you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I'll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words. Save me! I'm all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom. The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I'm only concerned with your plans for me. I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain your commands!

97-104 Oh, how I love all you've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long. Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete. I've even become smarter than my teachers since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel. I've become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me. I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word. I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life; that's why I hate false propaganda.

105-112 By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything's falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word. Festoon me with your finest sayings, God; teach me your holy rules. My life is as close as my own hands, but I don't forget what you have revealed. The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don't swerve an inch from your course. I inherited your book on living; it's mine forever— what a gift! And how happy it makes me! I concentrate on doing exactly what you say— I always have and always will.

*No more words from me today...Just HIS words resonating into my soul, transforming me.

Having...

Having a great weekend!
Laughing and Visiting with Family.

If only if only...I could get a handle on some things going on inside me...sometimes I really just need to get over myself.

What's so great though, is that God is so loving and Wonderful and loves me just the way I am. Yet He is always wanting to better me and my life. I get to follow Him for the rest of my life learning and growing and changing and well...Getting over myself.

Have I mentioned to anyone that I am SO EXCITED about this year.

I can't wait to see what God is up to this year. Children's Church is going incredible and the kids are getting comfortable in the presence of the Lord. Sunday School has been going really awesome, sadly it is almost over but we have had a really great time and will have a great banquet soon. Youth is just wonderful as well. We just revealed a new theme...Faultlines...Meaning we need to stay on the God's Faultline so that we can feel when He is shaking us and moving us. I want to stand right on the Faultline myself. I want to be shaken and moved this year. God is so Faithful and Wonderful and I trust Him and am ready for His Shaking.

I can't wait to see God's plan for the future unfold. My future, Our future.

Okay I am going now to watch Narnia on Blueray with my family.

Confession...

Ok so I have been avoiding this post ALL DAY!

I feel off the wagon. HARD!

I am so not posting my weight today. I feel off the wagon pretty hard last night and today so I am going to simply shake it off (I wish that could be literal), and climb back on the wagon tomorrow.

I will tell you that as of yesterday I had lost another pound. That was until our Women's Meeting last night. Sigh, I am still trying to change my eating habits. I am not giving up.

Phew, glad I got that out. It was weighing me down today. ;)

I went and got my hair trimmed and my eyebrows waxed today. Oh it feels so good to have shaped eye brows again!! When I put make up on later I will take a picture to post maybe Monday for you all too see my wonderful stray-hair-FREE brows!!

PS have I mentioned growing my hair out is difficult. I miss my short cute style!!

Ok enough rambling. I do have to say one more thing...

GOD IS SO GOOD. HE IS SO LOVING. HE IS SO GENTLE AND WONDERFUL. HE IS SO FAITHFUL AND AMAZING. JESUS IS MY LIFE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

It's official...I am ANCIENT and OLD!

I am so exhausted!

Tuesday night I stayed up too late and I am still playing catch up.

Here's how Tuesday evening went:
5:00 - Left work
5:35 - Scrounged for dinner
6:30 - Hunt for radio and sheet music for jail ministry
6:50 - Mom called to say her truck wouldn't start and she wouldn't make it to jail ministry
7:00 - Met Cris for jail ministry
7:05-8:05 - Had an awesome time with the ladies in the jail singing and praying
8:25 - Picked up Mr. Wonderful to head to mom's to help her with her truck
10ish - Mr. Wonderful finishes with mom's truck (he was so patient with my lil independant mom - and she was trying so hard to not control - it was such a God moment really)
10-20ish - Carrie & Boo(youth pastors) arrive and we begin watchin Biggest Loser and American Idol
12:30ish - We finish watching shows and I finally get to go to bed

Last night I got in bed a lil after ten but it just wasn't enough to catch up!!

So yeah it was just a lil after midnight but I am DYING I'm so tired. I must be ancient! I can't hang with the night crowd anymore.

LOL - okay so feel free to laugh at my ancient self. It's official I am an old lady who likes her sleep. I am so okay with that!!

Oh a second note, we no longer have coffee supplied at work so I was in a slight panic this morning when I got to work because we didn't have any coffee made. Of all days to have no coffee. But they my boss came to my rescue, she'd brought her spare coffee pot from home. I have since sucked down TWO cups of coffee. I feel a bit more awake, but my body is screaming for a NAP!! Yep, there it is another confirmation that I am an ancient old lady who needs naps.

HA!!

Father,
Thank you for this day. Thank you for funny times and sleepy eyes. Thank you for a job that even though they no longer feed my coffee habit still sees fit to employ me and give me a pay check twice a month. Thank you for an awesome awesome awesome awesome night in your presence. Thank you that though I feel I moved without waiting I know you covered my fault and spoke to a heart and life last night. Thank you for your love and your healing power. I know taht I can't heal but YOU can. Thank you for a burden to pray so diligently for those that are struggling and straying. I give you this sleepy day and ask that you would shine through me. I am standing on the Faultline so that I can feel your shaking and moving. I desire to feel your shaking and moving, I do not want to miss it. I love you with all of my heart. In Jesus name. Amen.

Things of the heart.

My heart =

Savior.Jesus.Father.Everlasting Love.Faithful One.Comforter.Victory.Life.Future.Strength.Joy.Redeemer

Mr.Wonderful.Supporter.Patient.Love.Gift.Partner.Gentle.The One.Funny.Intelligent.Future

Children.Teach.Healing.Guiding.Ministry.Sharing.Playing.Leading.Dancing.Singing.Giving.Reacing.Never-Giving-Up.Youth.Women.Ministry.Full-Time

Family.Love.Support.Loving.Standing.Sharing.Growing.Flying.Supporting.Hoping.Dreaming.Changing

BLESSED.LOVED.REDEEMED.HEALING.GROWING.CHANGING.LEARNING.SEEKING.HOPING.DREAMING.WAITING.FORGIVING.FLYING

Journaling.

My love for Journaling.

As I was thinking about what I wanted to write today I thought about how much I love to journal.

I have Always loved to write. I have love to write since elementary school. I have loved it loved it loved it.

Journaling took on a whole new dimension for me when I became a Christian. It was then that I began to write to God, my thoughts, desires, prayers, fears, hopes, dreams.

Journaling again took on a whole new dimension last year when I began asking God specific questions during my journaling time. One moment in particular, I was so hurt and confused and I sat and belted out an angry and specific question to God. I then stopped, listened, and wrote. I began to write what I heard my Heavenly Father say to me.

I will just tell you that Journaling in this way changed my life completely. I realized that God had things to say to me, He has the answers I seek. He is a personal God and wants to be a part of EVERY LITTLE thing.

Journaling that way quite literally changed my whole life. During one of my jounaling times God told me to speak His name boldly at work to my friends there about how He has changed my life.

A chain of events took place through my obediance:

*God opened the door for me to go to Thailand.

*I began to stand in a place of faith of which I would have never been able to stand.

*I shared some of my journaling with my parents and they stood there with me in Faith.

*I proclaimed the faith in which I was standing, I boldly spoke God's name and about the place of faith I was standing in.

*My faith was increased GREATLY.

*My mother prayed genuinly for me for the first time in my life.

*Mr. Wonderful, who was just a friend at that time, began thinking about this God that I believe so greatly in and questioning where his life was. He stopped partying and decided it was time for a new direction in his life.

*He questioned me about my faith, and God gave me the exact words to say to him.

*God prompted me to invite Mr. Wonderful to church. He gave his heart to Jesus that first Sunday evening he came to church.

*God showed himself mighty and sent me to Thailand against all odds.

*God delivered me of fear completely.

*My mother gave her heart and life completely over to Jesus.

*I began dating my future husband. I had not dated in 7 1/2 years as God had asked.

I love sitting and listening to words that are just for me from my Heavenly Father. He encourages me, corrects me, answers me, uplifts me, surprises me, reassures me, affirms me, stretches me, reprimands me, and Loves me bigger than anyone ever could.

I love my Faithful Heavenly Father. I love Journaling. I love my life that belongs to my Faithful Heavenly Father.

God Spoke to me while Journaling.

God sent me to Thailand.

God saved this Amazing Man.

God saved this Strong Woman.

This is just one example of how God has used journaling in my life. He speaks to me whenever I will sit and listen. He speaks to me about the smallest things and about the big things. I love that He is always waiting to love me and encourage me with His words to me.

Non-Stop Weekend Update.

Friday Night = Grocery Shopping
I have totally just discovered Publix...and...I love it!!!
Mr. Wonderful and I went over to Publix so I could get some appropriate groceries to eat healthier! We bumped into his best friend and it was fun to see him and chat with him for a bit. Then I dropped Mr. Wonderful at home and headed home myself to put away groceries and get in the bed. I received a call from my best friend who had gone on a lil date. She is such a wonderful friend and I love love love her!

Saturday = Junior Bible Quiz
I love JBQ with my whole heart, but Saturday that love was taken to a whole new level! Pastor Tim asked me to be a Quiz Master. I have to admit I was a bit nervous since I have never done that before and I was in the middle league instead of the beginner league. But I love love loved it. I had the best time greeting the teams that came into my room and encouraging all the kids and coaches. I had a great group of officials to hang out with all day and we just had the best time!! I had three former JBQers so that was very helpful when I had questions. The kids said I did good as a Quiz Master and that is important. If you don't make the kids nervous or frustrated then you have done well!! I can't wait to Quiz Master again! Both of our teams came in FIRST PLACE undefeated!! They did such an awesome job!!! It was a really GREAT day of Quizzing!!

Saturday evening/night = Bowling with the College Students
The evening was filled with gutter balls and amazing College Students. I am not a great bowler, try as I might, it just has never been something I am good at. I remember why I don't like it now. I think the Students had a great time though and it was good time together! Mr. Wonderful is a very good bowler and he had a great time bowling and hanging with the students! We actually got to Cosmic Bowl too. It was funnly to watch the students dance to the songs they played. Too funny! It was a good night with the students.

Sunday Morning = Breakfast w/ my Parents/Sunday School/Children's Church
I love Sunday morning breakfast with my parents. Dad cooks and we sat and chatted and enjoyed bacon & belgian waffels. Very yummy, even with low fat butter and syrup! I got to visit a little with my brother Jared too before he headed back out of town.
Sunday School was great, we had all of the girls there for the first time since the holidays!! It was a very good class! I am sad it will be over at the end of this month!
Children's Church was really awesome!!! I had the best time with the kids and cheering from them and singing with them and teaching them the memory verse!! We are doing a pirates theme and it is alot of fun. We said AAARRRGGGG alot!! I loved worship and then getting to pray for a few of the kids. I love the deep times with the Lord the MOST!

Sunday Midday = KOR(Children's) Workers Meeting
I love planning meetings. It was a great time of renewing vision and fellowshipping with all the Children's Workers. I can't wait to see what this year holds for Children's Ministry!! I love it so much. It is my heart, my passion, my life, my future!! I just love hearing thoughts and visions and ideas and plans for what we are going to do this year!! It just makes me excited and so blessed and thankful to get to be a part of such an incredible Children's Ministry!

Sunday Afternoon = Youth Scavenger hunt
I had the best time!! It was so much fun and so funny!! Mr. Wonderful's team came in First place, winning a whopping $5 for each team member! My team came in 5th! Hee hee, he is such a competitor. But we all had such a great time asking strangers for things, and taking pictures and videos of crazy things. I did not get any pictures, it was just too crazy and we had two cameras going already. We ran the whole time, in and out of the car and different places. It was just too fun!! By the end of the tallying of the scores I was pooped!! But the kids all had a blast and were all sitting around the youth room swapping hilarious stories. Mr. Wonderful and I just sat and watched and listened to them relaying their funny stories. It was a sweet moment.

Sunday Evening = Dinner & Ice Cream & WalMart with Mr. Wonderful
We chatted in the car a while before going in for dinner. What an incredible Man God has blessed me with. Sometimes I simply cannot believe it is real and I am really this blessed. We enjoyed our Subs, I really love Firehouse, very yummy. We both wanted something light. Then we headed over to Cold Stone where Mr. Wonderful used his prize money and we had a free ice cream on our punch card! I had my usual a "Like It" Peanut Butter Cup Perfection, oh so good. Mr. Wonderful had his usual a "Like It" Cake Batter with Peanut Butter. Yummy Yummy. Last Sunday we tried something different and neither of us liked it very much and did not end up finishing. So it was nice to eat up our yummy favorites!! We headed over to Wal Mart for our walk around. We like to just go in and walk around with no agenda or list. We did end up getting a Sunday paper because we discussed clipping coupons. We headed toward home and before I dropped Mr. Wonderful off at his place we sat in the car and looked through the paper together and picked out the coupons we wanted and needed. That was really fun! I am looking forward to making that a Sunday after Ice Cream routine. Maybe when we are married a Sunday afternoon thing. Then we chatted some more in the car before praying and I headed home to jump under my wonderful electric blanket. It was freezing outside. The temperature dropped so quickly yesterday!! It was a nice ending to a good weekend.

It was a Non-Stop Weekend! I ran from one thing right into the next all weekend. But it was a good weekend.

* Weekend revelation - Encouragement is HUGE. When you have it you may not realize it but it buids you up greatly. When you do not have it you may not realize it but it affects you greatly as well.
* I want to be an Encourager always. I try to alway encourage but I think I fall short alot in this area in many ways. Work being the main area that I am lacking to give encouragement. I want to always uplift and encourage those around me. Lord I make that my prayer. Help me be an Encourager always. Help me to build up those around me. In Jesus name. Amen.

WW Update.

I lost 3lbs this week!!

SCORE!!

I have gone from 177lbs to 174!!

(Oh my I totally just told everyone how much I weigh! Oh who am I kidding, I don't really care, you can look at me and tell I weigh too much, what does the number mean really!!)

I am very excited about being rid of those ugly three pounds let me tell you.

I have been counting my points very carefully all week long. I have done very well if I do say so myself. I actually really need to add a few more points this next week.

The thing I am most excited about is that it has not been hard. I was just ready to start. I think it will be hard when I start getting tired of this type of food and start really missing fried foods and chocolate. And when I am just craving convience instead of prepalnning and such. I just need to keep things new and fresh and keep finding new low point things to add to my life.

I am going to stop saying I am on a diet. I am not on a diet, I am changing the way I eat permanently. I don't fully believe that yet but I think that the more I say it and think about it that way the better it will be, and eventually it will be my though.

Mr. Wonderful and I discussed joining a gym together today. I am so excited. I can't wiat to get started. I think we are going to star the first of next month. We are going to budget the cost in then.

I loved working out at the gym with my friends in high school. That was also when I looked and felt my best. I think it will be a really great habit to start. I am really looking forward to it. I think it will really help me pull of the weight!!

So the facts:
Starting Weight: 177lbs
Goal Weight: 140lbs

I would like to be a size 8.

Onward and Forward! Pray for me!!

Ramblings.

Worship last night was really really good. I just so enjoyed soaking in the presence of God. Everything about God is so refreshing.

We made a trip to Wal-Mart after church so I could pick up a calendar for my desk. I was astounded at the prices. $7.97 is TOO much to pay for a wall calendar. So we went back to the planner section and I got the cutest desk calendar for $3.45, now that's more like it and it is so cute. I hung it on my cubbie wall even though it is a desk calendar. It's Chocolate & Purple with polka dots for this month. It makes me happier than one of those retarted $7.97 calendars would have anyway. Hmpft. Yes I sure did just sound like a silly immature little girl.

I am trying to make myself not go weigh. I feel like I have done really really well with my points this week and I am dying to know if I have lost any weight. But I decided that I would weigh in on Fridays, so maybe I will do a Weight Watchers update tomorrow. Cross your fingers for a loss.

Ok so there are some really exciting things coming up...
* Junior Bible Quiz match on Saturday!!! I can't wait to hang with the kids all day and encourage them. I hope it is not stressful though.
* Bowling with the College students Saturday night! I never really thought I like bowling. But it turns out it's not so bad really.
* KOR workers meeting Sunday! - I love planning meetings!! I am so ready to plan my year of Children's Ministry!!!!
* Scavenger hunt Sunday with the youth! This is always so fun and funny! Maybe I will get some great pictures to share!!
* Next Wednesday we are revealing the new two year theme for youth!! It is going to be so much fun!!
* Dicipleship Camp is coming up.
* Riverdance is the end of this month. I can't wait! It's going to be a date night out with my parents and Mr. Wonderful and me. We gave Dad the tickets for his birthday!! I think it is going to be alot of fun. And I look forward to going out with just the two of us and my parents!!

Well alright enough babble for now. I am loving 2009 so far!! I can't wait for the rest of this year!!!

A new Day.

Today is a new day.

God is so faithful and good. I feel Him close today. I feel the winds of change blowing about. I really believe 2009 will be an incredible year. I think 2008 had some really wonderful things and there have been some really hard times too, really hard times. But I think this year, this year is going to be different.

The winds are blowing. I want to stand in the breeze and soak it all in. God is good, He is faithful, He is strong. I am ready.

I praise Jesus and my Heavenly Father the Author and Finisher of my faith. The writer of my story, the illustrator of my life. I am in Good Hands!

Real.

Psalm 18:30-36

As for God, his way is perfect; mine is not
the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield the only shield our significant others or friends or family cannot be what God is to us and it is unfair of us to expect that from them or to expect ourselves to be that for someone else
for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord? Good question, it only has one answer NOONE
It is God who arms me with strength again not me not me not me and not others
and makes my way perfect. There is only one who is perfect or can bring about perfection and again its not me or those close to me ONLY God
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights. I might can get up there and stand a bit on my own but the climb would be excruciating and I would not stand long on my own before tumbling down to great pain and suffering
He trains my hands for battle; HE HE who has the plan, knows what's ahead, knows how I need to be trained
my arms can vend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great, We all want victory and to be great but ONLY God can bring that, we think we can get it or make it for ourselves but it is a smoke screen, not real.

Who am I? Why do I think I can get by without Him?
I am nothing without my Heavenly Father. With Him I can do all things, and my life is filled with Joy and Peace. why do I go days without listening to Him, Reading His Word, Being quiet in His presence, seeking Him? I feel different when I haven't been with my Lord. When I haven't sought His face and listened to His voice build me up. Why is it that I know that and still I go a week barely cracking open my bible or journal or sitting still long enough for Him to wrap me in His arms and send me soaring on His sweet words to me.

Father I love you, forgive me for not spending the time with you that I need to Daily. EVERYDAY. Forgive me for not starting my days out with You, submersed in YOU. I need you, I know I need you. It's not even that I forget. I just get lazy. Forgive me for allowing lazines to become my God. Oh Father forgive me forgive me forgive me. Help me to get into a routine that please You. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Weight Watchers

Of course one of my goals this year is to loose weight.

I seem to pack it on so quickly!

I have started Weight Watchers again. It is a fantastic program, it's not a diet, it's a lifestlye change. That is what I am praying it will be for me permanently this time.

I have done alright so far. I have got to get to the grocery store, I can't do this without being prepared and I am not yet prepared. (That's very frustrating to me right now - hee hee).

So this week my goal is to hopefully get to the grocery store and get pre planned and prepared for a new year of better eating and being healthier!!

Yay Weight Watchers!

Weekend Review.

I feel like I have already been slacking on my 2009 posts.

It has been busy since the new year rolled over but I will give you a review of the first weekend of 2009!

* Friday: Watched the Alabama game with my brother who left for college the next day. Ate amazing steaks by Chef Mr. Wonderful.

* Saturday: Little Brother left for college. Breakfast with Mom. Sewed some buttons. Reorganized the downstairs closet. Laundry. Took Mr. Wonderful out on a date. (Yes I took him. There was a moving coming out I knew he would want to see and he takes me out all the time. I wanted to treat him this time. We watched Valkrie. I know the movie had bad reviews but we really enjoyed it (minus the one f bomb dropped in it). We had a good time. We went to eat at Milos, then to Khols where Mr. Wonderful spent a gift card he got for Christmas. I loved shopping with him, for him. He got a nice pair of jeans and a nice sweater. Then we headed to the movie. We did not like that we had to pay more to watch a movie at this particular theater than we normally pay at the theater we love. Can I just say it is ridiculous to have to pay $9.00 to watch a movie. We generall pay $6.50 or $7.00 at our usuall theater. )

* Sunday: Mr. Wonderful and I rode to church together. Sunday Schools was great. Children's Church was so good. Yay BGMC!! Hobby Lobby was closed :( Zaxby's on the fly. Went to another movie - Bedtime Stories - very funny! Rearranged living room - love it! Quiet time while Mr. Wonderful went home to watch football. Ice Cream at our favorite spot on Sunday nights! Game with college kids and friends. BED!!

Happy New Year!!

It's 2009!!!

It's 2009!!!

It's 2009!!!

Welcome Welcome Welcome 2009!!!

I cannot wait for this year and what God has in store!!!

Father I give you praise for all the incredible thing that took place in 2008!!  It is all because of you and your great love. Only You get the glory and the honor for it!!  I so look forward to all the wonderful things you have in store this New Year!!  I trust you Father and will stick close to You!!!  I love you Father and I give you this New Year!!! In Jesus name, Amen.

Happy New Year!!