Lots of blessing and Thanksgivings!

Today was a wonderful day. My mom and I have been cooking a TON of food and last night by the time I went to bed my feet were throbbing from being on them all day long cooking. We enjoy our sweet fellowship together as we cook, and as we listened to Christmas music. Our family came over along with some other guys who couldn't go home for Thanksgiving so they were part of our family today. My aunt, Grandma and Uncle made a lot of food as well so it was quite the spread. Mom and I woke up at 5;30am to put 2 turkeys in 2 big crock pots. After that I spent time in God's word read from Daniel and was SO challenged on pride, and how the Lord will put down those who raise themselves, it was so convicting and wonderful! Last night as I wrote letters to my family and took a shower I was in tears many times thinking upon the wonderful goodness of the Lord and the MANY MANY blessings He has given me over the past year. He has been so faithful and good to me.

It was great today as we went around the table and talked about what we were grateful for as we reflected upon the past year. As my parents shared it was so sweet to see that through this trial God has blessed us and grown us SO much as a family and grown us together closure to HIM.

The top things (they have to be different every year and had to happen that year( dads rules)) for me that I was grateful for was for this financial trial the Lord has given us, He has taught me about dependency upon Him in everything- from future, to present, to housing etc. Without this trial I wouldn't have learned to totally depend upon Him, because I wasn't forced to before. What a sweet journey this has been! Its hard, but I am honored the Lord would take the time to work on us. The other thing I was grateful for was the opportunity to travel to China (with the precious Nolans) and to Jordan. God used those in great ways and it was an awesome experience! What are you grateful for?

Little Woman

Last night I took some of my incredible 11th grade girls, that I teach in sunday school, to go see Little Woman at the Town Lake Arts Center. My co-teacher was Mrs. March and did an OUTSTANDING job. I went not expecting it to be as wonderful as it turned out to be. That play has such great morals and life principles in it. I enjoyed getting to spend a little time with my girls and hearing more of their hearts and sharing some laughs and memories with them. I would have a picture but I forgot to charge my camera.

Hope you all are having a blessed weekend and are enjoying this beautiful weather! For the first time in a while, because of the weather, I was able to wake up and spend a long time with my Savior outside looking over the lake. I really enjoy spending time outdoors and hearing the sounds of nature. Its like nature is a music box playing music to the glory of God! It was such a blessing to me this morning, as I was reminded of the faithfulness and the beauty of God. Have a great Saturday!

A morning of dreams and plants

So last night I came home, and decided to watch the CMT awards with my family before going to bed. As we watched, Taylor Swift who is my age, won 4 HUGE awards, pretty much racking up for the night. As a singer, I left the room thinking about how I could get better, learn guitar, work harder singing and go somewhere with my life, and be someone. As I nestled in to bed I thanked God for the blessings of a wonderful day and went off to sleep.

My alarm sounded at 5:25am, saying it was time to work out, I was not feeling good (since I am still recovering from this cold) so I decided to go back to bed and give my body the rest it was craving. Thats when it happened. I had a dream that one of my friends was in a country where he was doing mission work incongnito but also working in loyalty to the king of that country. In my dream he was given physical and immediate gifts for being loyal to the King, while still working in the background for missions. I woke up and immediately began praying for this friend and his family. That the Lord would give him the strength to stand up for Christ, and that he would give his absolute heart, dreams and life to God no matter what the cost. That no matter the physical and immediate blessings the world has to desire, he would put aside and live ALL for the KING of KINGS.
As I was praying ( because I figured if I had dreamed about it, then the Lord must have wanted me to pray for my friend) the Lord began to speak into my heart. The Lord began to reveal that the dream was to show me how my dreams/aspirations were in 2 different places, just like my friends was playing the fence on both sides of the King and the LORD. God began to unfold an incredible word picture of my heart and life. I have been praying for years that the Lord would allow me to do HIS will and that as I delight in HIm He would give me the desires of my heart.

All of my life I have had a desire to - sing professionally, maybe be an anchor with broadcasting, and be a wife and be a mother, just to name a few. God showed me if I didn't remove my selfish and prideful plants (dreams) from the flower bed of my heart, then there wouldn't be any room for the Lord to plant HIS dreams and desires. One by one I began confessing my SELF dreams, and pulling those plants (roots and all) out of the soil of my heart. After confessing and removing them the Lord just swept me with a huge sense of peace. He showed me the new soil, and whispered in my heart that He is beginning to plant seeds of HIS dreams and will for my life, but it will take time and water (God's word) and sunlight (communication with HIM) for growth of those desires He is planting. I then was reminded that it won't be easy, each day I must check and make sure there are no weeds (pride,self sufficiency, sin etc) that are growing trying to take over the little seeds growth. But I was assured that over time there will be perfect beautiful flowers of His will planted and secured.
Another thing He revealed was that I had said I would be willing to be in the spotlight in the world and stand for HIM, but would I be just as willing to go to the ends of the earth speaking His name to those who have never heard? That is what truly would impact the world, making a mark for Jesus in the daily tasks of life, sacrificing comfort for companionship in HIM.

WOW! What conviction I was under, over a dream!!!! I couldn't believe all that went on in my heart, as I was cuddled up under my covers praying. Thank you Jesus that you are still alive and well in the hearts of believers! I couldn't believe how this one dream had effected me so much. It challenged me, revealed some areas in my life of sin and flat out self and pride. What are the plants that are taking over the flower bed of your heart, taking up all the room so the Lord has no room to plant HIS WILL?
Will you continue to pray with me that the Lord will reveal the bad plants and weeds that need to be removed and help us plant and nourish HIS seeds?

"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of HIs heart to all generations." Psalms 33:11

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalms 37:4-5

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in His way." Psalm 37:23

I continue to wait on HIM. Thank you Lord for growing me
While I'M Waiting

The Lord will be my Strength

This week has been a wonderful and busy week. Lots of ministry opportunities, jobs and good work outs. Even though I have been so exhausted, the Lord has woken me up every morning, with a sweet sense of "His mercies are new EVERY morning." I am so grateful for God who comforts my heart and refreshes my soul. This weekend I also was reminded of the blessings I have in the different mentors, influencers who invest in my life on a regular basis. Thank you sweet sisters in Christ who take time out of your busy schedules to invest in my life, just a few to mention are Tammy Nolan, Jennifer Hewgley,Elizabeth Stubblefield,Michelle Helms, my mom(my hero) and many more. I am honored to have such godly woman speak into my life.

Among this crazy season of life, the exhaustion and stress I am reminded how faithful and constant the Lord is to give me strength, send encouragement my way and give me rest as I savor His sweet word. Hope you all had a great week and can meditate on how good our Lord is!

"Come all ye laborers and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:18

Computer Crash

Sorry I havent been on in a while. My computer crashed therefore I was unable to have access for quite some time. Its been a crazy couple of weeks! Been enjoying this journey but longing for my bed each and every night. Excited for what this weekend holds. I will update more later too tired to type.