Thanksgiving #4

I am thankful for the trials God brings into my life. At the moment, I am going thru another hard trial. They aren't fun. It seems like I have gone thru more trials than anyone else my age, but I'm sure that isn't true.
God uses trials to bring us closer to him, and all we need to do is trust him. But the only way we can trust him, is if he shows us we need him.
And this is harder said than done, I know, but speaking truth to yourself will help. One way I find to help with speaking truth to myself is writing in my journal or blogging.
The trial I am going thru at the moment, I can't see what God has for my life. I feel like my life is over, to tell the truth. But that's where trusting him comes in. If I knew what he had in store for my life, how could I worship him, how could I trust him?
He himself speaks to us in many ways. My sister on Saturday night texted me, blessed be his name, and once again I broke down. Sunday worship, the second song they did was Blessed Be His Name, and I broke down in church. I knew he was with me, and he will never leave. He gives, and he takes away, but I want to chose to say, "blessed be his name".
2 other songs I've been listening too aswell, Everyday by Sovereign Grace Music, along with Your Hands by JJ Heller.

Here are the lyrics to Your Hands
♫I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Prayers right now will be great! One thing you can pray for is that I will stop crying. But also that I will keep my eyes focased on him above, that he will give me peace thru this hard time, along with my trip up to VA. The people I love encouraged me to get away from life, and take a trip up to VA to be with friends and family. I leave Monday and return the following Monday. Pray that the trip will be smooth.
God is good all the time! ~Jeremiah 29:11~

Thanksgiving #3

I am thankful for my partents. Well, they did bring me into this world, but they also have tought me to have a relationship with my heavenly father. At times I didn't want to listen, and I know I gave them a very hard time most of the time. But I'm so thankful that they kept pursuing, and kept speaking truth to me.
And thru the past years, they have stood by me as I walked thru many hard things, and they continue to do so. Even tho I wouldn't share things with them, they always were there to pray for me, always there to speak truth to me, and always there to just give me a hug when I needed one.
Thank you dad and mom for always being there for me! I love you both very much.

Thanksgiving #2

I am thankful for my heavenly father. He has done so much for me. Everyday is filled with his amazing grace. The fact that I'm breathing right now... that is his grace. He also sent his only son to die on the cross in my place... something I don't deserve. And he has forgiven all my sins.
He has cared for me over the years... and at times I might not have liked it... but looking back now, and I am very greatful! Because he did it all for my good. It's all apart of his big plan for my life.
He is letting me live as I don't deserve. Praise God!

Thanksgiving for All of November

Some of you might have seen the invite on Facebook about putting something you are thankful for on your Facebook status everyday for the month of November. I thought that was a really cool idea, but thought to do it on my blog instead, and go into a little more detail about why I am thankful for that thing rather than just saying why I am thankful for it.

#1
I am first thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I cannot thank him enough for what he did in my place on the cross. He has taken the wrath deserved for me, where now I am forgiven of all my sins. What an amazing gift!

Epic Weekend

This past weekend (10/01-03/2010), my family, Mark and Sean all went to Jacksonville to see my Colts play the Jaguars.
Friday, we arrived at my aunt Kelly's at 2a.m.. I was to excited, that I was not able to sleep much. So Saturday had an early start.... It was a pretty chill day. Mark and I watched the Auburn game in the movie theater room. They won! 52-3. =D Jacob took Josh, Mark and I on a ride on the golf cart on the golf couse. There was also lots of pool playing. Later that night we watched the Florida vs. Alabama game. Poor Florida. 6-31. =( Sunday, was another early start... thanks to my excitment. haha But it never hit me that I was going to see my team till we saw the stadium. When we got to our seat (at the very, very top) it was amazing! Even tho we were at the very top, we really did have agreat seats at the 50 yard line.
When my team, in their white and blue uniforms ran out, yes... I started to cry. haha I was so overwelmed with joy! This site was something I never, ever thought I would ever see. It was amazing! haha One of the best moments of my life. haha Mom brought dad's hunting binoculars for us to see closer... and it was so cool! I was able to see their faces! It was such a close game... and the last few seconds of the 4th, Jacksonville kicked a 59 yard field goal. The ending score; Jacksonville 28-31. =( I was very bummed, but I was still very happy I saw my team!
It was an amazing weekend! Not only did I see my team, but I also got to spend time with my boyfriend! =)

Isaiah 53

I'm reading through Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney, and in chapter 3 he says "surprisingly, one of the best places in Scripture to reflect deeply on the meaning of Christ's death is not in the New Testament, but in the Old." Isaiah 53.

I have always heard what it was about, but never read it myself. This morning I did and all I can say is wow! I was so amazed! I then read it again, imagining I was reading it when it was written, not knowing what was to come. It was hard to do, and can't think what they must have felt! WOW! I find it interesting he writes it as it has already happened. 

A few verses stood out a little more than the rest. Verse 7 says, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." He knew he was here to die, and He still obeyed His Father!

And also verse 9. "And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth."  We are the ones that did the wrong, not Him, yet He took our place!!! 

This is something I need to be reminded... daily! I know for me, I get carried away with life, and don't stop to think about what He did for me! This is a great passage to read. I'd encourage you to! 

WE WON!

So, last Saturday, we were celebrating Kelsey's 18th.... Well, before everyone got to our house, Kelsey and her man, Sean... along with my man, Mark and me (hehe) wanted to play Nertz. If you don't know what Nertz is, it's a fast past card game. You can either play singles or play teams, and it's pretty much a intense game of Solitare, with a few different rules.
Every since the four of us started hanging out, we have played Team Nertz. Kelsey and Sean vs. Mark and myself. Well, for some reason, Kelsey and Sean ALWAYS win! I think the main reason is because we never have a set score that we play to... we always play till we are tired, or the guys have to leave.
This time, Mark and I won!!! The score was 281 and 279! Two point difference, but that's still a WIN!!!! =D YES!

Lately In My Life....

Lately in my life there has been either a lot going on, or big changes!!!
My family made the trip over to Jacksonville, to my aunts house, on Wednesday the 14th. Where GG and Popa Don, along with Kristy and the girls came down too. It was great seeing everyone and enjoying great times with cousins about my age! Played lots of pool... swam at their neighborhood waterpark, and went off the big slide like little kids about 20 times each time we were there... drove the golfcart everywhere, inculuding Walmart... played our own game of tennis... watched movies in the theater room.... And we did so much more in the 5 days we were there!
Tuesday the 20th, Popa Don, GG, Kel, Josh and myself all piled up in their car to head to VA! I must say that was the fastest trip I have ever taken!!! And I have taken a lot of roadtrips... from VA to Pcola a few times each year... and many more trips!
We had a great time while we were there! Did lots of shopping and saw many good friends! We had a great time spending time at GG and Popa Don's! They even gave us a beach party Sunday night so we could get together with close friends! Played Mafia most of the time... and I must say I have a new strategy. Mwahahaha!
On Tuesday the 27th, we were heading back home. But the night before GG called Kelly, and all the flights from Richmond to Atlanta were full. I was pretty upset, because I was ready to see my parents and Mark the next day. Mark kept telling me I had to come home. Well, we still got up at 4am, and headed to the airport. There were 2 seats left, and we decided to send Kel and Josh on. As I was saying my goodbyes, I was thinking that I might not be able to come home till next week. Because this was the best day of this week to leave Richmond to Atlanta. As GG was writing down the numbers to give Kel and Josh, she felt God was saying no. Well, the gate dude was sooooooo sweet and nice!!! He told us he could get us from Richmond to Orlando... then from Orlando to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Pcola. That is just what we did! On the plane to Orlando we were in business class (aka first class). That was really cool! The other two we were in coach. They were all relaxing to me, but the landing in Atlanta was a lil rough.
When we arrived at Pensacola, we saw our peeps!!! Mom was there with Diego, Lili and Sabrina... Mark and Sean... and Stacy and the girls were also there! It was great seeing everyone... lots of hugs!!! haha Mark and I got a great picture!!! (my profile picture! haha)
When we got home... Mark and I went to Starbucks where I thought we would be talking about our trips. After a while, he asked me if I would want to be in a relationship with him. I was speachless!!! I must say, I was hoping it would happen, but I was not expecting for few months. So when he asked me the day I got back from VA, I was so surprised!!!! I now have a boyfriend!!!! =D These are exciting times!!! I now know why he said I had to be home! =)
He is everything I ever wanted... and God has really blessed me!!!
God has been so kind to me this summer. Blessing me left and right. From opening my eyes to things I had never seen before to Mark. Even my relationship with my parents has grown! He is a great God!!! And I am very thankful for the gifts He has given me!!! My prayer is, I will glorify Him in all I do!

♫Grace Unmeasured♫

 Mom, GG, Popa Don and myself all went to the Sovereign Grace church in Jacksonville this past weekend while we were visiting the Elliott's. This was one of the songs they did, and God really spoke to me thru it. I was so overwhelmed I almost started crying... and all week it's been stuck in my head! It was one of my favorites we did at Kingsway, and I have not heard it since we moved away! What a great song, and how true it is!!! His grace is amazing!!!!

 

♫Grace unmeasured, vast and free
That knew me from eternity
That called me out before my birth
To bring You glory on this earth
Grace amazing, pure and deep
That saw me in my misery
That took my curse and owned my blame
So I could bear Your righteous name

Grace (grace, grace) paid for my sins
And brought me to life
Grace (grace, grace) clothes me with power
To do what is right
Grace (grace, grace) will lead me to heaven
Where I’ll see Your face
And never cease
To thank You for Your grace

Grace abounding, strong and true
That makes me long to be like You
That turns me from my selfish pride
To love the cross on which You died
Grace unending all my days
You’ll give me strength to run this race
And when my years on earth are through
The praise will all belong to You

 Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Worship God Live

Boy Meets Girl... First Post!

At the moment I have started to read "Boy Meets Girl" by Josh Harris. Very good!!! It's about how to handle a God glorifying relationship. Josh Harris calls it Courtship.
Most people freak-out when you tell them you don't really date, but rather Court. You normally get the response, "Isn't that what they did in the 1800's?" I'm not a big fan of the name either. Think about it! It does sound kinda funny to stay your in a courtship! haha I like how Matthew (the youth pastor at Kingsway) called it "dating with a purpose". That's exactly what it is!
One part in the book really stood out to me, I even underlined it! haha Chapter 4 is called "Tell Me How, Tell Me Who, Tell Me When!", and he is pretty much talking about that!
He says in a paragraph;
"Our mindset is: "God, tell me who, tell me how, tell me when -- and then I'll trust you." What God wants us to see is that if He did this, our trust wouldn't be real. We want a definitive answer so we won't feel vulnerable, weak, and dependent on Him. But guess what? We are vulnerable, weak, and dependent on Him."
This was very eye opening to me! I never thought that was not trusting God!!!!