Smile!

Today started off very differently from most other days. My husband had to catch a flight that was to leave at 6:00 this morning. For some reason his alarm did not go off and he awoke in a panic. He was going to take himself to the airport, but since he was running late, he would not have had time to park and pay and all of that. So, he told me to get ready as soon as possible to take him. Have I told you that I am not a morning person? Ya. On my way back from the airport, I stopped to get some doughnut holes that I have literally been dreaming about for the past two nights now. I don't think any of that is really relevant to what I am about to say, but there it is anyway!

When I got home, I ate my doughnuts, played a bit on the guitar, and then was suddenly overcome with sleepiness. I took an hour nap (more or less) and then made a list of the things that I must get accomplished today. 

I was leaving the parking lot of my first stop of the day, and was pleasantly surprised by the homeless man that was standing on the corner. He was smiling as big as he could to everyone who passed by and was holding this sign (pictured). I smiled at him, and I thought that was all I could give him, until I looked down and saw a dollar. I told him he he had encouraged me, thanked him, and handed him the dollar. 

I drove off with the most blessed and humbled feeling. How often have I driven past those less fortunate and tried to ignore that they were there? This guy was giving what he could to those who passed- his smile. If we have nothing else in the world to give to someone, remember, we can always give a smile. It is such a small thing, but you never know how powerful it can be. It certainly brightened my day!

Forgiven!

I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. Usually, I do not fully awaken until 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. Before then, I am a walking, semi-functional zombie-esque person. Really, I hate mornings. Anyway, today I was up with the sunrise. And for some rather odd reason, I feel fully awake and cognizant, and it is only 8:00. What is going on?! (By the way, happy Friday the 13th!)

So, I had my coffee and God time, and I was reading in Leviticus (one of my LEAST favorite books in the Bible). If you have read it, you know why. So don't judge me! :) All I have to say is, I am SO EXTREMELY thankful that I live in this time period. As crazy as the world is now, I cannot imagine the stress that the children of Israel went through on a daily basis just thinking about whether or not they had sinned in some area. And then, when they realized they had sinned, the method of sacrifice was so specific! Depending on the sin, you had to sacrifice a specific animal in a specific location, and they had to be divided a certain way... I would have certainly messed it all up. And I would have run out of livestock rather quickly, I'm afraid! 

I am so thankful that Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. His work on the cross was perfect. There is nothing that I can do to make my atonement any more complete! I can enjoy the fact that all of my wrongs have been made right through his blood. I can enjoy getting to know the Lord for myself without having to worry about going through a priest or having to pay for my sins. I do not have to worry about my standing with God because I know I am his child and he loves me unconditionally. 

If nothing else goes right today, it will still be a wonderful day because I am reminded how great a gift I have been given! And not just me, but ANYONE who believes and accepts Christ as the payment for their sin can have this confidence as well!

Persevere

I was in my church small group the other day, and the lesson was on our mountains. The scripture that was used was Joshua 14:12a, "Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day." 

The application was that each of us have a mountain (or purpose) that God has intended for us. To some, their purpose is clear and others are on a journey toward figuring out that purpose. I personally, feel that I am on a journey toward finding and fulfilling that purpose. And that is okay! Sometimes the purpose is the journey itself. So whether you know your purpose or you are like me, on the journey, persevere! Keep going! Strive to be your best you every day! Know that wherever you are in life, God knows you are there. 

The little plant in the picture seems the most unlikely to break its way through the cement to the surface. But it did it! One day at a time, one small millimeter at a time, it broke through! Don't get discouraged! Be patient! Keep going! If this tiny, fragile plant can break through something as tough as cement, you can make it to your goal! And if you don't yet have a goal, keep going! Enjoy the journey! You never know where the journey will lead you!

A Full and Heavy Heart

I arose this morning from my sleep with this thought, "Today is what I make of it. I am going to have a great day!" 

And I have had a great day! I got to see some of my former co-workers, got my home cleaned, opened an online shop, and have a great feeling of accomplishment. 

Over my morning coffee and God time, I thought about all of the wonderful things that make up my life. I have a wonderful Savior that completes me and brings me peace no matter how chaotic life gets. I have the sweetest man in the world that I get to do life with. I have great in-laws who I love as my own family. I have an amazing mother who raised me right. I have the craziest, most dramatic and fun siblings in the entire universe! I have this great opportunity to travel and see new places and meet new people. I have a great church and great friends to come back to when we are home. 

Amid these awesome things and people are real struggles, real burdens and real pain. I find myself wanting to fix them. I know in my heart that I can't. Each person has their own path and has to make their own decisions. Each person has to work through their own pain. It is hard to watch. Sometimes it is hard to watch because I know how they feel. Other times, because I cannot imagine how they must feel. 

How much more, if I want to fix the hurts and the struggles, does the Lord want to fix each situation? He KNOWS every pain because he has felt it. He knows every struggle because he has been there. He wants to bring the peace, the hope and the love that some lives SO miss and long for. I rest in the knowledge that I  can pray for my friends and my family, and the Lord hears, understands, and acknowledges every single circumstance, and He will have His way in the end. 

Is Anything Too Hard for God?

"It's out of your hands, you've done all you can do 

You've given God the problem, it's no longer up to you 

You've prayed the prayer of faith, you're standing on God's truth 

While you're waiting on the answer, He has a question for you. 

Is anything too hard for God? 

Who's got a problem beyond His power to solve? 

Are there situations He's not the Master of? 

Is anything too hard for God? 

Only believe, trust His word, you'll see. 

His plans are now unfolding, performing perfectly. 

It's clear how much He loves you, look at all He's done. 

For all your questions, there's really only one. 

Is anything too hard for God? 

Who's got a problem beyond His power to solve? 

Are there situations He's not the Master of?

Is anything too hard for God?"

-Marcia Henry and Niles Borop

Intruder

During one of our family visits, we decided to leave our wonderful home on wheels at a friend's house to store for us. We had been away for approximately a week, and were so happy to be back in our own space! Little did we know, when we moved out, someone else moved in.

 As I was getting our little home back  in order, I found some clues that someone else had been there. First, he had eaten all of my stash of Whoppers, and part of my Hershey bar. Whoever it was clearly had impeccable taste. Then, I noticed the little gifts he had dropped in EVERY drawer. I took ALL of my dishes out and washed them, and then I bleached every surface I could find! I assumed he left when we came back, until one night as my husband and I were relaxing on our couch we heard scratching coming from beneath our kitchen sink. We thought maybe we were just hearing things until I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I looked, and there to my surprise (and his too) was a MOUSE! We made eye contact for a very brief moment, and he took off as fast as he could. 

The next day, my husband went to the store to get some traps. Just so my conscience is clear, we did get the humane mouse traps too. I really didn't want to kill the little guy. I just didn't want him to be our house guest anymore. Unfortunately, the mouse chose the wrong trap, and he died. I almost cried when I saw him. He really was very cute and looked like a sweet little thing. It really is unfortunate he went the way he did, but I am happy to say that as of now, we are rodent free! 

Travels

Wow! It seems like forever since I have been on here! I have been a nomad for the past month! The picture shown was taken on our way back home this last week.

 I must say, I am very privileged to have been able to visit both sides of our family during the holidays! We made so many wonderful memories and really enjoyed our time travelling all over the country. It was not my intention to neglect my blog over the last few weeks, but I ended  up leaving my dear computer at my inlaws' house after our visit there. I have just now reclaimed my trusty electronic device and will continue to share the astounding events of my life with you all as usual! :) Aren't you so excited?! :)