Some Thoughts

1. The wedding was great! I was so tired and sore after it was all over, but it was so much fun! I really felt like I was in the movie The Wedding Planner! It was so funny. There were a few times when I was needing to get from the front to the back and I was trying to hurry without looking like I was in a hurry. I ran around with a clipboard in my hands, and my emergency kit close by. I can't wait till my next wedding!
2. I am really missing my Jennie in Namibia! We get to talk, but that seems to make me miss her more. God has done so much in her life! I have seen her grow into such a godly young lady, and I am so proud of her! She is trying to get over here to the states. We are just praying the Lord's will over her! Jennie, I can't wait to see you!! The trampoline is waiting!
3. I am also relly missing my niece Abby. I feel like I have not seen her forever! She is the cutest thing in the world!! I must admit! She talks all the time and she loves her dogs. She is 4 going on 16 Pretty scary!! I do miss her tons!!
4. I am excited yet nervous about teaching a new small group. These are women that I have been in a small group with, and learning from. Now I have to help lead them. I am use to teaching teenagers. Which is no problem! We are going to be going through Tommy Nelsons Song of Solomon series. I have taught this series twice, but again it was to teenagers. I am just trusting the Lord to speak so loud that no one hears me!
5. My wonderful friend Kathy!!! Whom I love so dearly! Not only has she decided to move back to California, but she wants me to move with her! Very tempting!! I promised her I would pray about it. But the coolest thing is she bought a Hummer!! We test drove it a week ago, and got hooked. She bought it this past weekend. It is the coolest thing! I must say she looks pretty hot driving it around! I love her!!
More later...

Lasting Friendships

So I am coordinating the wedding this weekend of one of my oldest friends. Her name is Ann and I have known her since 5th grade. We were cheerleaders together, we went to Jr. High dance parties together (where we stood with a guy and turned in circles, and called it dancing). We've been through the divorce of her parents, the painful break ups of our own, planning class reunions, and now her marriage. I can't tell you how much I praise the Lord for her friendship! She is one of those people that when they say they are praying for you, you know they mean it! We have shared so much over the last 20 years. God has always seemed to have us go through so many of the same things at the same time. We could sympathize with yet encourage each other. "As Iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another" That is us! I love her so much and I am rejoicing with her over her marriage to a wonderful, godly man who has and will continue to make her dreams come true. Last night we were decorating the church and Ann and Ben couldn't stop looking at each other, and smiling. I have never seen her so happy! Hopefully I can post some pictures of the wedding next week! There are around 500 people coming!!! Crazy!! I can't wait!

Praise Him In The Storm- Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
That you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find you

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of heaven and earth

A Woman Deeply Troubled

So I have been praying about what I should read devotionally. I kept feeling led to 1 Samuel. So this morning as I read I felt overwhelmed with peace. Mostly because I know God is there listening and talking to me. He knows that I need to hear the message of 1 Samuel. (God, thank you for speaking to me not only through prayer, but through your word.)

So 1 Samuel starts out with Hannah unable to conceive children. Her husband Elkanah has another wife Peninnah who has given him many children and she says a lot of hurtful things to Hannah. So how does this apply to me… My desire to be a Mom and wife. Part of God’s plan for Hannah was postponing her years of childbearing. It was not because Hannah was sinful or unworthy. It was just God’s plan for her. She was struggling with God’s timing and just needed people to come along side of her to encourage and comfort her. She had that in her husband. Well, I don’t have a husband, but I do have wonderful people who come alongside of me and encourage me. Especially Kathy Clark, and the ladies of my Monday night small group. Wow, I am so blessed to have them!! So in chapter 1 starting in verse 10 it shows Hannah weeping in her prayers to God, (which I have found myself doing at times) so much so that the priest Eli thought she was drunk. She did something that has always been looked down on by believers, but she made a deal with God. She said vs.11 “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life…” The Lord gave her what she asked and she kept up her end of the deal. Be careful what you ask for cause you just might get it! In verse 16b she says to Eli…”I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief” Honestly, I felt such comfort in reading that cause I have felt like my prayers have been that way quite often this past year. I am just so thankful that I know the Lord hears my prayers. I can feel free to show my emotions to God. He knows I am feeling them anyway, so why not show them when I talk to him. Why do we try and hide things from God? That is impossible! Anyway, I am thankful also that the Lord has led me to read 1 Samuel again! Hopefully I can share more insights down the road!

God, thank you first for the beautiful sky, and warm weather today. Thank you for loving me through my emotional, rough days when I don’t understand your leading. Thank you that no matter how rough it gets you always hear my cry and prayers. Give me patience to wait for your timing. Help me to live for today and not concentrate on the future. Amen.