That's right! I am finally moving out on my own and I could not be more thrilled. Never moving away and going to college I've never had the "living on your own" experience.
During the whole process of looking for something in Tyler my mind has constantly been focused on "finding somewhere closer to town". Once I did that, got all the papers signed and deposit in, I think this is when I have finally hit the "super excited about living on my own/oh crap what am I doing?" moment! =)
Absolutely excited about not having to drive nearly an hour to be in town or hang with friends. This DEFINITELY ranks in the "convenient" category! I am also realizing all the things that come along with living on your own. I like to think that I've thought of everything, but lets be honest I realize there is much that I have not thought of!
So, May 15 is the big move in day. Thinking that I can get it all done in 2 days and NOT having it done in 2 days is not an option. Too much goin on for that!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
In a Year.....
It's been a long road. As I look back at all the God has brought us through and look into the greatness that He has placed before us, I am amazed by His works once again.
One year ago this Sunday Dad and I made the trek to Texas after Easter service. Lots of mixed feelings. Wondering where God was leading us, but knowing that He did indeed have something in store. Never would've guessed the connection that he would make that week with his now pastor. God is so gracious and surprising all the time.
Everyday that I look down and see the word tattoo-ed on my foot "Carried" I am reminded that is was through the desert that God carried me and brought me to where I am. St. Louis was not an easy eight years. There were many tears. Many trying times. Many nights of wondering where God was in all of this. Many lunches with Dad trying to make sense of it all. Tears still come to my eyes when I think of those long conversations about Where God's hand was in all that was going on.
As I sit here tonight. IN TEXAS! =) Knowing that God brought me through everything that He did for the ultimate goal of bringing Him Glory, I can see that it truly was for a reason! God has
stretched beyond measure and challenged me more than I thought I ever would be. God is continually growing me and changing me. I pray everyday that I am transforming into the person that he has called me to be. The thought of disappointing Him, or not doing him justice with the position I have been given scares the mess out of me!
I am so blessed to have walked the path that I have and grateful for the story that I can tell of God's grace and mercy every step of the way.
One year ago this Sunday Dad and I made the trek to Texas after Easter service. Lots of mixed feelings. Wondering where God was leading us, but knowing that He did indeed have something in store. Never would've guessed the connection that he would make that week with his now pastor. God is so gracious and surprising all the time.
Everyday that I look down and see the word tattoo-ed on my foot "Carried" I am reminded that is was through the desert that God carried me and brought me to where I am. St. Louis was not an easy eight years. There were many tears. Many trying times. Many nights of wondering where God was in all of this. Many lunches with Dad trying to make sense of it all. Tears still come to my eyes when I think of those long conversations about Where God's hand was in all that was going on.
As I sit here tonight. IN TEXAS! =) Knowing that God brought me through everything that He did for the ultimate goal of bringing Him Glory, I can see that it truly was for a reason! God has
stretched beyond measure and challenged me more than I thought I ever would be. God is continually growing me and changing me. I pray everyday that I am transforming into the person that he has called me to be. The thought of disappointing Him, or not doing him justice with the position I have been given scares the mess out of me!
I am so blessed to have walked the path that I have and grateful for the story that I can tell of God's grace and mercy every step of the way.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Some Thoughts on Worship from Piper - Desiring God
"Worship is a way of gladly reflecting back to God the radiance of His worth."
"Where feelings for God are dead, worship is dead."
"Worship is authentic when affections for God arise in the heart as an end in themselves."
"The real duty of worship is not the outward duty to say or do the liturgy. It is the inward duty, the command "Delight yourself in the Lord!" (Ps. 37:4). "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice!" (Ps. 32:11)
"Don't let your worship decline to the performance of mere duty."
"The irony of our human condition is that God has put us within sight of the Himalayas of His glory in Jesus Christ, but we have chosen to pull down the shades of our chalet and show slides of Buck Hill - even in church!"
I have nothing to add. Some sobering thoughts to think about!
"Where feelings for God are dead, worship is dead."
"Worship is authentic when affections for God arise in the heart as an end in themselves."
"The real duty of worship is not the outward duty to say or do the liturgy. It is the inward duty, the command "Delight yourself in the Lord!" (Ps. 37:4). "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice!" (Ps. 32:11)
"Don't let your worship decline to the performance of mere duty."
"The irony of our human condition is that God has put us within sight of the Himalayas of His glory in Jesus Christ, but we have chosen to pull down the shades of our chalet and show slides of Buck Hill - even in church!"
I have nothing to add. Some sobering thoughts to think about!
Friday, February 20, 2009
A Desire to Know More
So I've been learning. This may not be a shock to you, but to me I feel like it's just another layer of the veil pulled back. I've begun to realize, my God is BIG! Not just big, he's HUGE!!! I cannot even begin to learn all about Him and His greatness, and majesty, and splendor, and glory! But I want to! I want to learn so much more about Him!
So I've been reading Piper! HUGE FAN! I've read Piper before, but never have finished a book. I would much rather someone else read it and explain it to me! That's definitely easier right? I get so frustrated with his huge mind and tired of grabbing at every thought that goes right over my head!
I was challenged a couple of weeks ago by my pastor, to read "Desiring God." A-mazing. I have pulled out several great and amazing points, but aside from all of those one main theme strings them all together.
God is sovereign! In His sovereignty He demands our worship. Worship is not a mere duty that we do as Christ followers, however, worship is a way of gladly reflecting back to God the radiance of His worth!
I have shared before how God in His creation have begun to open my eyes over the past several months. Every single morning I look forward to getting in my car and driving across the lakes and watching the sunrise. God is B-E-A-UTIFUL! His creation is astounding. I am completely blown away that there is not one morning where the sunrise looks the same. They are all unique and all glorify and magnify MY GOD in a different and amazing way.
I pray that my life will be a reflection of the glory of God. It is my great desire that as I learn more about my creator that I will ooze it out of every pore and every word that is spoken. I pray that people are encouraged by my life and that I may glorify God in my everyday walk! I am completely in love with my creator and I am striving to make that known!
So I've been reading Piper! HUGE FAN! I've read Piper before, but never have finished a book. I would much rather someone else read it and explain it to me! That's definitely easier right? I get so frustrated with his huge mind and tired of grabbing at every thought that goes right over my head!
I was challenged a couple of weeks ago by my pastor, to read "Desiring God." A-mazing. I have pulled out several great and amazing points, but aside from all of those one main theme strings them all together.
God is sovereign! In His sovereignty He demands our worship. Worship is not a mere duty that we do as Christ followers, however, worship is a way of gladly reflecting back to God the radiance of His worth!
I have shared before how God in His creation have begun to open my eyes over the past several months. Every single morning I look forward to getting in my car and driving across the lakes and watching the sunrise. God is B-E-A-UTIFUL! His creation is astounding. I am completely blown away that there is not one morning where the sunrise looks the same. They are all unique and all glorify and magnify MY GOD in a different and amazing way.
I pray that my life will be a reflection of the glory of God. It is my great desire that as I learn more about my creator that I will ooze it out of every pore and every word that is spoken. I pray that people are encouraged by my life and that I may glorify God in my everyday walk! I am completely in love with my creator and I am striving to make that known!
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Encouragement I need
Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction.It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction.It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
God's Will
Jeremiah 29:11-13
I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."
I love reading scripture that we all know by heart in The Message. I feel like it's more real. It's kinda like, okay, you know this. You've heard it a million times. Why are you worried? What were you stressed out about?
Why do we so often stress about things and THEN go to God? He's sitting by us waiting for us to call on Him. Waiting for us to say "Dad, I can't do this without you. I need your help!" That's all he wants. For us to admit that we are nothing and that we can do nothing without Him! Why is that so hard? I often make life more difficult and drawn out than it really should be.
I am striving to be serious about finding God and seeking His will above anything else in my life. With my whole haeart I want to know GOD!
I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."
I love reading scripture that we all know by heart in The Message. I feel like it's more real. It's kinda like, okay, you know this. You've heard it a million times. Why are you worried? What were you stressed out about?
Why do we so often stress about things and THEN go to God? He's sitting by us waiting for us to call on Him. Waiting for us to say "Dad, I can't do this without you. I need your help!" That's all he wants. For us to admit that we are nothing and that we can do nothing without Him! Why is that so hard? I often make life more difficult and drawn out than it really should be.
I am striving to be serious about finding God and seeking His will above anything else in my life. With my whole haeart I want to know GOD!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
My New Favorite Psalm
Psalm 51:7-15 (The Message)
Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise.
Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise.
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