Find Comfort Here

I hope if you are in need of reassurance, comfort, support, strength or love today that you will find it in this video. Listen to the words for they have such a deep meaning.

Making the Heart Fonder

Last week, The Queen B was gone on a mission trip to Guatemala.

Now, most of you know or have learned through reading my blog that she is my BEST friend in the world (she might not want to admit that she knows me sometimes, but I claim her everyday of the week.)

And last week, that lifeline, that friend, that confidant was out of reach. And it was very hard. Knowing that I couldn't just pick up the phone and talk, or send an e-mail and get a pretty immediate reply made things weird.

But, it made me appreciate her more. And I'm happy to report that on Saturday, I got to talk to her!

She has some amazing stories to report on her trip to Guatemala. God used her, He taught her, He guided her...and you must read allow about it. May you be blessed by what she has to say and the faith and obedience that she had to follow God's will for her life. Be blessed today.

Change of Direction

Life has taken over...more specifically God's plan is moving me today.

I have to take a break from the blog.

Pray.

All in a verse

I am working on something new that someday soon I want to unveil to all of you. It's something very near and dear to my heart and it involves my FAVORITE subject, my Heavenly Father.

But I need some help from all of my bloggy friends...please, oh please don't fail me now.

What is a verse(s) that speaks to you? Is there a reason behind why this verse is so special (if you are willing to share this reason).

Thanks in advance for your help!

It makes me happy when...

...I wake up, look at the clock and realize I still have 2 hours left to sleep.

...D-Man says, "Mommy," while we are driving in the car and follows it with, "I love you."

...I find some leftover Valentine's chocolate I forgot I had.

...the weather is sunny outside and warm all at the same time.

...my jeans fit looser than the last time I wore them (even after washing and drying them.)

...I get to spend time with family whom I haven't seen in awhile.

...I get to laugh and laugh and laugh.

...I am reminded how great my Father in Heaven is!

Randomness is all I have

You are in for a real treat today. Well, not really.

I have nothing of importance to tell you today other than some more of (speaking in a loud, booming voice) "AMY'S RANDOMNESS."

Yes, aren't you so lucky?

You could stop reading now, if you wanted to.

But, then you might not learn any new strange or stranger things about me.

Here goes...

1. Husband is driving me bananas tonight. He is sitting next to me, catching up on paperwork, listening to music on his MP3 player and tapping his foot. Why does he need to tap his foot? Right next to me? So that all I can think about is his tapping foot? MEN!!!!!!

2. I don't think I could be a preschool teacher after helping at church in AWANAS each Wednesday night in the preschool division. Enough said.

3. The foot tapping has stopped. YES!!!!

4. Have I mentioned that I am slightly OCD and completely type A?

5. Number 4 would probably explain #1 and #3.

6. Is it me, or does anyone else feel like they are in hibernation mode? This cold weather does nothing positive for my waistline.

7. I really don't have a number 7, but felt I couldn't stop yet.

8. I need prayers today...I am completely serious. Today is a sad day of remembrance for me and your prayers are greatly appreciated.

9. Baby Harper is going home today! What a wonderful, miraculous Healer God is!

10. There's not really a number 10, but I felt it was a good number to end on.

Happy Thursday!

In a moment...

The Ice Storm of 2009 has been ever present on televisions around the state for almost a week now. It is hard to think at this time last week, we were wondering what kind of weather the storm system would bring, and now we've had our answer.



Our area did not get hit very hard (even though our kids missed 2 days of school). Northwest Arkansas (NWA) was another story. Trees down, ice everywhere, power out...you name it, they had it. My best friend in the world, B, and her family got hit very hard. Their neighborhood was one of the hardest if not the hardest hit in the Fayetteville area.



They lost power on Tuesday and hunkered down in the living room/kitchen area of their home to wait out the storm. As the minutes turned into hours turned into days, their house got colder and colder despite the constant fire they had burning. Relief came on Thursday when they were blessed with a generator and have since been keeping warm.



All the talks that the two of us have had since the storm hit have really caused my mind to wander and think about life and how in an instant things change.

One minute life rolls along smoothly and the next it is taking the biggest bumps imaginable. One minute everyone is happy and the very next, all might be sad. One minute there is heat, electricity and all the comforts of today's America and the next minute they are gone.

And so I ponder these things and think about what I am learning from these life changes. What is God teaching me, what is he telling me, what do I need to be hearing. And I've come to the same conclusion every time. It's what B and I talk about in almost every conversation that we have.

God is our provider, He is our shoulder, He is our refuge, He is our strength. It is He who will get us through any happy place or any struggle. He's constant during the changes...we can be so thankful for that.

"The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my Father's God, and I will exalt Him." Exodus 15:2.

Holiness.

When you hear or see that word what comes to mind?

Perfection, separation, mystery are a few that I think of.

But what does that mean when talking about our Lord?

For me, I've had a week or so to think about these questions as I've prepared for my Sunday School lesson. And what I've been reminded of is this.

God is God and NO ONE else will ever be. If God decides someday that He doesn't want to man this ship anymore, there is NO ONE else who can do it. God is separate from us and we will NEVER be able to measure up to even an ounce of who He is. God has told us so many things about Himself, but there are still some things that remain a mystery.

God loves us and wants a relationship with us. But, be mindful of the way you approach God on His throne. Approach with humbleness and meekness and reverence for He is holy and perfect and is separate from us.

This song from Mercy Me talks about God's reign and how wonderful it is. Always remember who is in control (not us) and who is driving the ship (not us) and who reigns (not us)...the answer is, has been and will always be, GOD!

Messages

Yesterday, D-Man and I suffered from a bit of tummy trouble, so all of our plans were put on home and we spent some quality time at home. Thankfully, all is well now and I hope we can return to normal life.

Anyway, keeping a 3 1/2 year old occupied for 11-12 hours a day is a full time job. One of the projects we did yesterday involved cutting with scissors. Safety scissors, I might add.

I like to give D-Man the opportunity to cut with his safety scissors from time to time because mastering scissors is something that takes practice.

So, he's cutting some paper into smaller pieces and he says to me, "Mom, this is a message."

"Who is it a message from?"

To which D-Man replied, "It's a message from the Lord."

Trying to hold back my laughter, "And what does the Lord have to say."

"Take me to the movies."

And there you have it, I always knew the Lord was the one driving this ship and apparently now, D-Man is his co-captain.

Hope this made you smile and makes your Wednesday a little brighter!

Being Still

I'm at a point in my life where this video speaks volumes to me.

And I know there are many out there who are at a similar place. Be still today and find solitude and peace in all God has in store for you.

A New Year, A New Me

WOW!


Has 2008 really come and gone?

Is it really already 2009?

It seems like I've been away from my bloggy friends for a very long time. But I have to tell you...it was good for me to get away.

Not that I don't love each and everyone of you, but I needed a refocus of all things in my life.

So, I began 2009 not with resolutions, but with "things I plan to do."

I plan to be with my family more and at the computer less. What that means for all of you out there is that like it or not, I may not post everyday.

I plan to exercise more and eat less. What that means for me is that hopefully my jeans will fit better or not at all because I've lost enough weight to go down a size. Wish me luck, and don't send food!

And, most importantly, I plan to spend more time in my favorite word, God's word. What that means for you and for me is that I know that God will give me insight to more of His wonderfulness and I can spread that to all of you.

What goals/resolutions/"to dos" have you set for yourselves this year?

It's good to be back...I'm glad you came by...come again soon.

There are many who still believe

The Rockette experience with D-Man was great.



The "ladies" (as he called them) kicked and danced and tapped and smiled their way into all of our hearts.



Santa was there...many santas were there and they even found a place to throw in the nutcracker.



But the absolute best part was this (please excuse the videography and concentrate on the song):

Towards the conclusion of the show, they sang "The First Noel" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" as the people came from near and far to observe the wonderful, miraculous happenings in the Inn. The Inn at Bethlehem. The Inn where Jesus was born.



How wonderful to see a show so wrapped up in the "commercialization" of our society, actually portray to tens of thousands of people what Christmas is all about. Isn't that great? Doesn't that warm and thrill your heart?



As you head into the weekend and gear up for Christmas in just a few days, dwell on the true reason we celebrate December 25th and find the joy and happiness in it...just as God intended for us to.

Unchanged

Have you ever thought about the world and how it always changes.

Our hair changes.

Our hair color changes.

The leaves change.

Cars change.

Schools change.

Doctors change.

Government officials change.

Our clothes change.

Styles change.

Change is such a constant in our lives.

The change can be good...but it can be not so good as well.

Often times change is not comfortable or fun or what we want, but God's plan takes us through it and we are better for having changed.

Today a new president will be decided. He may be who you wanted or he may not. Nonetheless, I've got good news for you, my friends, God doesn't change. He stays the same. He loves us regardless. He lives to be our Father. And He is in control.

Pray for our country today and remember no matter what the outcome is tonight, God is still the same; He is unchanged.

A Verse for today...

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

May you find peace today in Christ Jesus.

Giving Up Control

How many of you like to be in control?

Control of your day, your week, your month, your year?

How many of you like to give up control?

Control of your day, your week, your month, your year?

Romans 8:28 says, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Who is in control? God is in control and until we realize that, it is hard to fully understand the above verse.

This is something I struggle with daily. I like to believe that I can give God complete control of every aspect of my life, but I am so often taking back a piece here and a piece there, never fully releasing myself and my life situations to Him.

I know that God sees the whole picture...He sees the trees and the forest...and he knows how it is all going to play out. God is sovereign and I know that He is going to work everything out in His time, in His will and with His control.

So, I am challenging myself today (as well as you) to relinquish the control you think you have over life and it's circumstances to our Almighty Creator and find comfort, strength, peace and assurance that, "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all" Psalm 103:19.

That Day

Ok, my bloggy friends...I'm going to get a little deep today.

Have you ever heard the song, "There will Be a Day", by Jeremy Camp?


The chorus of the song reads like this...

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

Can you even imagine a day like this?

A day when we meet our Maker face to face and He takes us to that place in glory?

We won't have hurts...we won't have fears...we won't have pain...people can't say bad things...people won't commit crimes...finances won't matter...earthly possessions won't matter...government won't matter...all will be happy.

That's what I hold onto daily. That's what I have my faith in. That's where I know I'll be someday.

HE still is

I'm sure most (or all) of you have heard by now the mind-numbing tragedy that Steven Curtis Chapman and family have endured over the last couple of days. I ache for each member of this family as they deal with this tragedy in their own way. I especially grieve and pray for the brother whose life has now been forever changed. It has caused my thoughts and prayers to go into overdrive and from it, this is what I've determined.

God was, is and always will be.

HE is all-powerful, all-knowing and amazingly aware of each and every need we have.

And I am confident that HE is wrapping HIS arms ever so tightly around this family.

Please continue to lift this sweet family up in prayer.