Is God Calling?!?!

How do we know when God is calling us to something specific?  Does God really talk to us? Are His answers really clear?  I ask questions like this all the time! How do I know what God wants me to do with this decision.  When faced with  an important decision, there are three things I usually do.  First, I pray! I don't just pray for a specific answer or a sign, I pray for God's will in the situation.  I  pray that when I make that final decision, God will direct my words and/or actions so that it is His will for my life.  I also talk to other Christians and ask for prayer as well as their advice on the situation. And last I seek God's will by digging into His Word.  I read and study His Word.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6  Every time I am faced with a big decision, this verse comes up! I know that if my heart is for the Lord then He will direct my paths!

Right now, I am making one of those big choices in my life.  As I have been praying on what to do, I feel God has given me some answers.  I met with a young girl that used to be in a youth group that I helped out with when she was in 6th grade.  She is now a senior in high school; therefore, it has been several years since we have been able to get together. (I pray we meet up a lot more and not wait that long again!)  As she talked to me about her life and the young woman she has become, I started getting emotional realizing how parts of her life has been shaped by me and advice I had given to her several years back.  She even made the comment to me, "Don't ever think your advice doesn't mean anything." I have not stopped thinking about that part of the conversation.  She told me that when she gets herself into certain situations, she thinks about me and what I would think about the situation and if I would be ok with it. Would I approve?!?! On my way home from meeting with her, I got choked up because little did I know, God made a difference in her life through me.  He used me for a specific purpose.  He is still using advice I have given her several years ago to direct her paths now.  I knew that night, what I was supposed to do and the choice I should make.  As to how far I should take that choice and to what extent is still in God's hands...praying God will direct me and lead me in the path that I should go.  I do know that God has and is still using me for His purpose! I pray that I can continue to trust the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, but instead acknowledge Him so that He will direct my paths!  "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen." Jeremiah 29:11-12  Wow!!! I love that verse!!! How awesome is it to know that God's plans for us are for good...not for bad!?!?!?  They will give me a future...a hope!!!  WHEN I PRAY, HE LISTENS!!!! I love knowing that!!!!  His timing just may not always be my timing and His answers may not always be my answers!

Ten Tips for the Newlywed: Keeping Your Husband Happy in Your Marriage

After much thought about what to get for my soon-to-be sister-in-law, I decided to put together a creative, unique gift that would be one of a kind, just like she is!  I decided to buy her ten items that would help her remember how to keep her husband happy!  After all every sister wants their brother to be happy...right?!  ;-)  So here's the list! Enjoy!

Ten Tips for the Newlywed:

 Keeping Your Husband Happy in Your Marriage 

         1.Taco Seasoning:  A reminder to cook for him often.  He will love you for it!

    2.Gain Softener:  Remember to do his laundry often.  He will always be out of underwear and socks!

    3.   Scope: Keep it by your bed for bad breath mornings! He will kiss you more often with fresh breath!

    4.  Magnetic Notepad: Keep this on your refrigerator for important reminders, grocery list, etc.  It will make both your lives easier!

    5.  Reese’s Cups:  Remember to be sweet to him always! He will annoy you! He will get on your nerves, but remember to continue being sweet! It will pay off in the long run!

    6.Sewing Kit:  It won’t be long before he is asking you to sew on a button for him.  Impress him by doing it!

    7.Cup: Stay hydrated! He will want you to workout with him! And trust me, his workout is a heck of a lot harder than a typical girl workout!

    8. Gift Card: Buy you some inexpensive but sexy lingerie!  He will love it on you; however, after the newness wears off, you won’t wear it much!

    9. Baby Toys:  If you wear that lingerie for him and do it often, you know one is coming soon! That baby will for sure be an enjoyment to you both!

  10. Picture Frame:  To remind you of all your great memories! There may be rough times, but remember there are always lots more good times than bad!!!

Verses on Marriage

My husband's and my family has been going through a rough time right now; therefore, my husband and I decided to start a devotional that would help us stay positive and keep God #1 in our marriage.  Below are some verses that have really stuck out to me as well as is now hanging around our house to remind us, we are not perfect, we will go through rough times, our spouse is not perfect, and that we must strive to work through tough situations.  I have learned so much from this devotional on how to handle conflict with my husband as well as how to respect him and show him that he is important to me.  If you are looking for an amazing devotional that is husband friendly that you will love as a wife "The Love and Respect Experience" is the one for you!  It is truly a blessing for both of us as we continue to go through a time of testing.  I know that through this all, we will not lose faith and will grow stronger as a couple as well as as a family! I also believe that through it all, we will learn to forgive, love a little harder and stronger, and grow closer to the one that really matters, our Lord and Savior! God will bring us through this...He has a purpose and plan!  He does not give us more than we can handle! For nothing is impossible with God! Letting go and letting God take control!!!!!! 

"But those who marry will face many troubles in this life." 1 Corinthians 7:28

"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:6

^"But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. ³⁴ His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband." 1 Corinthians 7:33-34

"For a righteous spouse falls seven times, and rises again." Proverbs 24:16

A Change in Heart

So many things have become a distraction lately for me from my daily readings.  With work, family, and other issues, I have been pushing God to last instead of first in my life.  I put a reminder on my phone about my daily readings on marriage and committment; therefore, have been spending a little bit of time with the Lord, but not like I should or like I used too.  It's crazy how satin takes every day life situations to distract us from spending time with God.  I thought being married to a man that loves God with all his heart and having a step son who reminds us to pray before meals or when a storm is about it hit, spending time with God would be so much easier.  Boy was I ever wrong...dishes, laundry, house cleaning, figuring out where to eat for dinner or if we have food in the fridge for dinner, etc. has really distracted me and taken my attention away.  (I even have a husband who tries hard to help around the house...can't imagine working full time and having to do all the household chores, I would never survive.)  Anyway tonight after a wedding shower, finishing up lesson plans, cooking, and doing dishes, I decided to take my pastor's advice and lock myself in a room with no distractions and just spend time with the Lord.  (That's so hard to do when I have a husband and son who are constantly knocking on door or walking in to ask a questions...I'm trying and maybe some day they will realize that this is my time with just me and the Lord.)  My original plans were to study up on Moses because this week in my class is M week and we are learning about Moses the baby.  I like to read over it and study it a little before teaching about it.   However, God lead me in a different direction.  I was looking for a notebook when I came across a Woman of Faith devotional, my friend and I had given out at a teen girls' retreat several years ago.  I opened it up to where I left off and began to read and look up scripture.  It was all about God's will for my life.  (ironic?!?! No, it was all God!) It's funny how God always seems to speak to us by finding several different ways to get across the same lesson.  Anyways as I was reading, a verse really stuck out to me, and I felt like I needed to share it with you! Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will." Do not be conformed to this world...how easy it is to conform to this world even when you are surrounded by a family who loves Him.  Life takes control so easily and satin loves distracting us from our magnificent God.  However, I am determined to stop letting him get the best of me and from stealing my time! I'm going to set my thoughts and time on the Lord and think about what is right and pure.  Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.." So many times we become of this world and fall into what it says in Galatians 5:19-21 "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God." How easy is it for us to fall into this...I know for me the easiest way I fall into one of these is by gossip.  How easy is it to listen to someone talk about someone else or even to start saying things as well.  I hate gossip and I hate that it's so easy to fall into it.  My sister-in-law has helped me so much with this issue...not so much with me doing it, but the way she would handle it when others started talking about someone else.  It was so encouraging and made me start realizing when I was doing it myself.  My heart's desire and prayer for this week is Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."  Oh how I hope to someday have David's heart! What a man of God!

"Becoming like a Child"

Genesis 28:16 “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”  As I was sitting at the doctor's office today, I was reading a book called, "Five Star Families. Moving Yours from Good to Great!"  (A book I highly recommend to anyone with children especially young children or children on the way.) As I was reading I came across the verse Genesis 28:16.  After reading that verse, I couldn't help but pause and just look around and wonder.  How is God in this place?  I first glanced at the computer and thought, "Wow! What an amazing machine! It can do so much and to think that when I was little, computers were so much less and really just becoming popular.  Then my eyes drifted out the window, and I started wondering like a kid.  The chapter I was reading was all about gifts and how gifts remind us of the giver. I started thinking about the verse in Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."  "Become like little children" really stuck out to me.  I let me curiosity began as I looked out that window amazed at God's creation and started thinking like a child.  "Why is the sky blue?" "How does a car really work?" "How could someone think of the idea to make a vehicle?"  "Why are there so many different colors in the world?"  "Why do people get sick?"  etc.  So many thoughts started coming through my head as I sat in that small doctor's office room.  I couldn't help but praise our giver...our Lord! All we have come from Him above!  I began thanking Him for my week, for my day, for Jason's job offer, for my raise, for Jason, for Eli, for a loving family and in-laws...so much He has given me, and yet I don't deserve any of it.  How can someone not see His glory! We are spoiled children of God! He treats us way better than even our earthly fathers do.  The rest of this summer, I hope to become a little more like a child...maybe play hide-and-seek or throw the ball with Eli, enjoy another mud/water fight with the girls, laugh, giggle, and enjoy time with the children in my life...be all that I can be for them...be the role model God has called me to be, but to have fun and take the time to 'become like a little child' as I watch and hangout with the children/teens God has given me the opportunity to spend time with this summer. I hope to also wonder about questions that Eli is constantly asking "Why?' about and to learn from him.

Message to my Husband

A message to my husband when he was trying to decide what job he is called to do.  He has the opportunity to stay where he is comfortable or leave and try something new.  After reading through some Bible verses and writing this to him, a thought popped into my head.   For awhile now, Jason has wondered about applying for other jobs and even applied for a couple as well as talked to other customers about working other places.  While all these jobs, the door was closed right away with either a job Jason knew he wouldn't enjoy, the pay was too low, or someone else was hired for the position, this job is wide open with exactly what Jason is wanting to do, with pay that is right, benefits that are great...nothing looks like a door closing.  I had this thought and think it is God giving me peace about the new job offered to him.  Maybe that will be encouragement to him as well. 

"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." Psalm 16:9 All of this may not have been your plan for your life, but just remember God has a reason for all this. He is determining your steps. I know he doesn't close one door without opening another. In your case, he opened another without closing the other. Follow your heart and "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5
Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you today and praying for you. I wanted to send some encouragement your way and wanted to let you know whatever decision you make, I will be by your side supporting you! I know God knows the plans for your life...for our life. They are "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Whatever you decide I know you "can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you."
"The LORD will guide you continually..."Isaiah 58:11
Love you babe and praying for you! You're awesome and just remember whatever decision you make, it's a good decision. Either way God has blessed you with a new opportunity. I'm excited about the changes and give God all the glory!

It's Summer!

I can't believe it's already June!!! And I didn't post a single blog entry in May.  For all of you that are school teachers, you know that May is a very busy month for teachers...not to mention, I had my preschool graduation program to prepare for, my youngest two brothers' graduation, our school's 8th grade graduation and Eli's preschool graduation to attend.  Needless to say, it was a very busy month for me; however, that is no excuse.  I try to stay focus on what is important in life and keep my focus on the Lord, but sometimes it gets so hard to keep that focus.  I am always feeling guilty for not spending enough time with the Lord. I wish I could spend so much more time with Him and I know I can. I just have to pray for motivation and dedication.  I have recently realized how low my self esteem gets when I am not focused on the Lord.  I want to be there for others and say the right things and be an encouragement for them when needed, but sometimes it's so hard when I don't have a high self esteem and the courage to say the right things.  I know it would be so much easier if I focused more on the Lord and spent more time with Him daily.  One thing I love about working and the school year is routine.  I have my daily routine planned out and usually stick to it.  I know my time with the Lord is in my car on the way to school.  I can pray out loud and talk to the Lord as if he is seated right next to me in my passenger seat.  Then I am refreshed and ready to began my day at work.  This summer, I feel like I have lost that connection and am trying to get it back.  I wake up in time for Eli and then usually fall back asleep for awhile when instead I could be spending that time with the Lord.  I pray and hope that I will find the time to spend with the Lord daily as well as intentionally bring Eli up in a home that is glorifying to HIM!!!  I want my home to be a home where others feel comfortable coming to and where others see Him in our lives.  I want my home to be comfortable for others and a joy to be in.  I pray that this summer, I will focus on the important things in life and the fact that I am on a break...I am taking this break for me...for Eli...and for the Lord.  This is my time to not only get in shape physically, but spiritually as well!  Summer is my motivation to be the best wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend that I can be.   I want others to know that when I say I will pray for them, I AM PRAYING FOR THEM! I want others to know that Christ lives in me and that I am on fire for HIM! I pray that God will use me this summer and this coming school year! I pray that I can be all that I am called to be and that God is my focus all day, throughout the day.  I pray that Eli will grow up to be the man God has called him to be.  That I can teach him the things that are important in life, the right morals, and beliefs.  I pray that mine and Jason's relationship will be one that he will look up to, a godly relationship that he will someday strive to have.  I pray that my nieces and nephews will see that in our relationship as well.  And most importantly I pray that each one of my siblings will see that in us and that God will send someone if not us to show them to Him! I pray that each one of them will accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior! I pray that God will use me...and help me to make an impact in all the lives that I am around this summer and school year!  "Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering, Here I am, Lord send me, Somehow my story is a part of Your plan, Here I am."

Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Smile...it's spring time!

So today I decided to read from "Around the Campfire" a devotional for sportsmen.  It is actually one of my husband's devotional books; however, I love the outdoors! I love fishing, camping, hiking, and just being outdoors even if it is just to take a walk. Nature, sunlight, warm weather makes me so happy and cheerful! I love how beautiful God created our world! It doesn't matter where I go out of town, I am always amazed with my surroundings and God's creation! I love it! And now with the warm weather and so much sunlight lately, I can't help but take advantage of being outdoors.  First, shroom hunting and walks and now fishing and baseball games...I love the spring!!!! Anyways I was reading this devotional and read Psalms 15:13, "Happiness makes a person smile, but sadness can break a person's spirit."  Reading this verse reminded me of when I was back in high school, and we had a sub for our AP English class. I remember her reading to our class a poem.  It was a very emotional, somewhat sad poem.  It was about a girl sitting on a bench that no one noticed.  They never stopped to say hi or to ask how her day was or to even give a smile.  I don't remember exactly how the poem went; however, I do remember the reasoning behind why she read this poem to us.   I remember several of the other students in my class laughed at the poem and said this girl should have said hi to others or gotten up and stopped feeling sorry for herself, etc.  I remember feeling sorry for this girl....thinking how I wished I could have walked by her and said hello.  After discussing this poem and why we thought it was written our teacher went on to tell us she had written this poem describing how she felt while she was in high school. I couldn't believe it! After all the negative comments made, it was by our teacher.  Now she didn't write it so we could feel sorry for her.  We all loved having her as a teacher! She was very influential and down to earth, but taught us a lot and made us think.  She's the teacher that made me love writing! I enjoyed every paper I had to write in that class! She read this poem to us to make us aware of all those students within our high school that were students like her.  She wanted us to be aware of how others feel.  I remember getting out of that lesson that a smile goes a long way...a simple hello could make a person's day.  Isn't it crazy how we get so caught up in our world, we don't take the time to stop and say hello to an old friend or give a smile to an elderly person as we  walk into the store or say thank you to the cashier in the check out line.  I know, I am usually really shy and have troubles starting a conversation with a stranger; however, I do know I can give a smile to someone walking next to me or I can say thank you to the cashier, etc.  Just think our smile may be the only Jesus some people may ever see.  Give a smile, a simple hello or thank you the next time you are at a store...you never know maybe you may plant a seed.

I am significent

^"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." -Romans 12;4-5

I love these  verses! They remind me everytime that I am important to God.  No matter how I am involved in with my church family, I am significant and important in God's eyes! I am a part of the body of Christ, and I am working for the Lord.  


This past Sunday during children's church, we talked about missing the target God has for us.  We allowed each student to shoot at a target with a Nerf gun.  Everytime a student missed the target, we yelled "Sin!"  We then went on to explain that everytime we sin, we miss the target God has planned for us.  The target we are aiming for is to be more like Jesus.  
Romans 3:23-27

^"23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ²⁴ Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares us not guilty. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. ²⁵ For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, ²⁶ for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
²⁷ Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. ²⁸ So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law."

 After reading these verses and trying to explain them to the students, we had the students act out a court scenario.  We had each student acting out an important role in the court system.  After doing this, Jason, the judge, declared the little boy guilty for not being nice to his sisters; however, after assigning his punishment, Jason took away the punishment and said he would do it for him.  It was our way of getting across that God declares us not guilty.  Just like Jason took away this little boy's sins by taking his punishment,  Jesus Christ took our punishment for our sins by dying on the cross.


The students enjoyed acting out this scenario so much that after having the students explain to us why we did this, we allowed them to act out another court situation.  This time, Jason was being charged for eating all the ice cream without asking me if I would like any.  I laughed hearing what our 'lawyers' discussed and debated about this topic and thought you would enjoy it as well.  I can't remember word for word what was said; however, they were such good debaters I had to write it down as they were debating because it was cute and funny listening to these little girls debate such a funny topic.  Lawyer 1 is a fifth grader and Lawyer 2 is a first grader.  However, I think they both proved great points!


Lawyer 1:  "I don't think he ate the ice cream because he has no evidence of eating it.  There is nothing on his face or clothes."


Lawyer 2: "I think he is guilty.  He doesn't have it on him because he wiped it off to hide that he ate it."


Lawyer 1: "He did not do it.  Kristina ate it and is putting the blame on Jason to keep from getting blamed for it."


Lawyer 2: "I don't think Kristina ate it because her belly is skinnier than his."  (At this point, I decided I loved this little girl and gave her a hug for saying that!) 


Lawyer 1: "He did not do it.  There is no evidence.  Besides he doesn't even look like he could eat that much."


Lawyer 2: "I know he did it. I have ice cream on my shoes with his germs on it! I have video of him eating it."  (As she says this, she takes out her phone and pretends to show us the video.)


I enjoyed this court scenario and thought you could use a smile that would come from reading all about it!

I am content right where I am in life

So often, I compare myself to others or think they have it easier or someone is way prettier than me, etc.  There are times I wish I had what others had.  However, lately I have had a feeling of content with my life.  I know God has this magnificent plan for my life. He has so much planned for only me...things that only I can accomplish. 2 Corinthians 5:9 says "So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him."  Our goal should be to please Him in everything we do.  We don't have to please others or try to impress others or live up to what they expect out of us.  Our ultimate goal should be to please Him!   Recently, I can honestly say I am content with where I am in life.  I have a job I enjoy, a husband who loves me more than anything else and think I am incredibly beautiful and tells me that often, and a church family who I can count on thru life's ups and downs.  Yes, I still sometimes wish I was prettier or more in shape, or have what others have, but overall, God has helped me be content with my life.  He has plans for me, and I am right where I need to be for Him! I pray that He can continue to use me and that I can be all I can be for Him!  My goal is to please HIM!!!

I Will Not Worry!

^{Matthew 6:27-29
"}Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are."

 I read these verses twice today.  One from a friend's blog, and then from my daily devotions.  Isn't is crazy how God seems  to use the same verses over and over to get it in our heads!!! It seems like he tends to do this often for me.  I'm not really one to worry a lot; however, certain things tend to make me worry.  God doesn't want us to worry.  Worrying doesn't add moments to our life. If anything, it brings us down.   One of my all time favorite verses is Philippians 4:6-7 "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  I love this and use it as my own reminder to stop worrying and instead pray about everything.  Really we should have no reason to worry if pray and trust God to take care of us! God is an amazing God, He will provide! In my devotional, "From the Inside Out" by Gregory Dicklow, it says, "When a thought of worry comes into my head, I use it as a sign to stop and pray."  I think I am going to start doing this!! I know I pray constantly when I'm nervous or worried, but I don't always let it go and take a deep breath and just do my best.  The next time I'm in front of a crowd, speaking in front of grown-ups, I plan to stop, pray, and let God take that worry from me!!!

Trusting God!

I read Psalm 91 today and have been challenged to trust God! Trust God with my life, family, and friends! God is in control of our lives and if we trust Him, He will protect us. Believe something good will happen instead of thinking something bad  might happened.  I hope Psalm 91 will encourage you like it has me.

Psalm 91 (NLT)

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
³ For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.
⁸ Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.

⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
¹¹ For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
¹² They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

Wow! I know God sends angels to watch over us.  I have witnessed so many miracles in my life, it would take me all night to list them all.  However, I would like to share a story that happened recently that I know God had to be there! A friend of my sister's has a 1 year old little girl.  She was playing when a 6ft tall mirror fell on her.  When the parents saw her, she was covered in blood.  I'm sure there was no doubt in their mind that she was really hurt.  After being taken in an ambulance to the hospital, she came out with only 3 stitches, a bump on her head and some scratches.  How could anyone say God wasn't watching over her that day! She is a living miracle! God was there and was watching over her and her family! When I heard this story, it gave me chills.  I don't see how a one year old could have survived something so heavy, especially glass, falling on her! God is amazing! "For all things are possible with Him!!!"  

Nothing is too difficult for God!!!

Nothing is too difficult for Good.  Think about how many times you have heard that! I know I hear it all the time; however, how do I still feel overwhelmed, stressed, or too busy for life??? Life gets the best of me and sometimes I feel overwhelmed. It's those moments, I let go and let God.  I think of the many times I lose something and can't find them, and I am lost as to where it could be before I finally realize I haven't prayed for it.  And almost every time God shows me to it after I take those few seconds to pray.  It's amazing how taking a couple seconds to stop and pray helps out the smallest moments.  Just think if we took those couple seconds and added a few minutes, hours, or days with Him!!! Think of the miracles we would see happen in our life. This past summer, I remember thinking I had no clue what I was going to be doing in the fall or where I would be working.  My husband felt like he needed to fast and asked me if I would like to join with him in this journey.  The first week, we fasted, I had four interviews in the same week as well as four job offers.  You can't tell me that wasn't God!!! God truly is amazing...ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH HIM!!  The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, over-committed...take a moment to pray, a minute to spend time with Him.  Don't be afraid to ask him for help. FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH HIM! My challenge tomorrow is to remember to take a moment to pray for the small things...or the big things, but to spend some time with Him and not be afraid to ask Him for help! After all, He knows all!!!

"I do have enough!'

My challenge today goes along with mine from yesterday.  I want to focus on having enough time rather than not having enough time.  Philippians 4:19 says, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."  Most people may be thinking about this verse as God will supply all their financial needs.  Most people struggle with having enough money.  How often do we say, "I don't have enough money for this or that."  However, God provides enough. He has so much that eventually their won't be enough room for all his blessings. Luke 6:38 "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." Malachi 3:10 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" In John 6, God provided more than enough bread for Jesus to feed the 5000 even when there were doubts in the crowd about not enough!!!   God provided for these people and God will provide for us.  For me right now, my struggle is having enough time.  I always think there is not enough time in the day.  I feel like I can never get ahead in time.  However, God will provide that time!!! My challenge today is that God will provide the time I need to get house cleaning finished, lesson plans finished, time to spend with my husband and Eli as well as time for myself and time with the Lord.  He will provide!! I know He will!!!! In Exodus, He provided for the people of Israel for forty years even when most doubted, He provided! God will provide__________! Fill in the blank whatever it is that you are saying, "I don't have enough of," Remember God will provide it!!!!

"I can!" Philippians 4:13

Ok so my 40 day challenge was a flop, and I haven't blogged since January.  My life has been crazy and honestly I can't even remember what book I was reading when I was doing the 40 day challenge.  I know there were several days I read and just couldn't blog due to time or internet and computer. Then I lost my book that I was reading so I started another. I decided to read up on ideas to improve my marriage not that my marriage is bad; I just know there's always room for improvement.  Then, I got too busy and geared away from reading at all or just reading small daily devotions.  I know that's no excuse especially when it comes to spending time with the Lord; that's why I decided to do another challenge for myself this time. I am challenging myself to change from the inside out.  For the next 90 days, I want to change my attitude, ways of thinking, time management, and the things I put first on my to do list.  It's going to be hard, but I'm tired of falling out of routine with Bible reading due to going through the motions with my every day routines.  My challenge for today is telling myself "I can!"


"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."-Philippians 4:13
This has always been one of my favorite verses as well as one I have used in my classroom the last couple years to remind my students that they "can" with Christ!  Tonight and tomorrow I am challenging myself to saying "I can" instead of "I can't!"  The biggest challenge for myself is "I can" find the time in my day to spend with the Lord, exercise, to spend with my family, and time to devote to my job.  "I can...I can! I can get done with things around the house.  I can find time to keep the house orderly.  I can find time to spend with my husband one-on-one.  I can find time to spend growing closer to the Lord.  Have I mentioned I love spending time with our Lord!  I love opening up to Him when driving to work or before I go to bed. I love praying throughout the day and every chance I get! However, when it comes time to open my Bible, that's where I struggle.  It seems so hard to find the time, but in Philippians, He reminds us that we "can do everything through Christ." This week I challenge myself to believing that I can!!!!!!!!!!  Because I know that "I can" through Him!!! I am changing from the inside out...changing my attitude to be more like Him.  I know I fall short every day...I know I am not perfect...no where close to perfect; however, this week I am going to pray daily that "I can" do my best to be more like Him on a daily basis, throughout the day...all day!!! "I can" and I will! How do I know that?  Because "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." 

Day 6-Encouragement

Encouragement is contagious! I have to be honest, I have slacked on my daily devotion over the weekend.  It seems like that is when I get out of my routine and get off track with life; however, Sunday morning at church, Pastor challenged us to get into the word more, worship more, and spend more time in prayer.  He challenged us not to say we would do it, but rather ask God to help us do it.  This week, I am asking God to help me spend more time with Him.  Today, being off work, I was able to read more than just my daily devotion.  I felt led to read Ephesians 4 because my devotion was all about encouragement.  What better book in the Bible to read?!?! Below is Ephesians 4 with a couple key verses highlighted as well as some of my feelings toward this chapter.  I hope reading this chapter will encourage you as well...after all God's word is the real thing. 

Ephesians 4

Unity in the Body

 ¹ Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, (Are you living the life that you are called to?  So often we get caught up in life and take for granted who we are.  I know I have really been struggling with living my life all for Him...One day when I meet the Lord, I want to stand before Him and be proud of the life I lived...I have a lot to more to live for to be able to do that!) for you have been called by God. ² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (We need to be patient and gentle with others especially non-believers.  Sometimes I think that is one of the hardest things for us to do as believers. For me, my family will call me out on it a lot thinking that I am judging them or others.  I know I don't purposely try to judge but I think a lot of times, Christians come off as being that way.  I am making it a challenge to genuinely love others by showing patience and love.) ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (My challenge this week and for the rest of these 30 days is to be united in the Spirit. Giving Him all the glory as well as my time.) ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.  ⁷ However, he has given each one of us a special gift^[a] through the generosity of Christ. ⁸ That is why the Scriptures say,
   “When he ascended to the heights,
      he led a crowd of captives
      and gave gifts to his people.”^[b]
 9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.^{[c] 10} And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
 ¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (Am I building up the body of Christ like I am supposed to?  This has been a struggle for me lately...am I doing all that I should be for the Lord? for our Church family? I love working with our Sunday School class, but at the same time I feel like I should be focusing on the middle school and high school students at our church and trying to build up those students.  I know we don't have a lot in that age range, but I know there has been a couple I see every Sunday that have been on my mind lately.) ¹³ This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
 ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. ¹⁶ He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.(I love these verses!)

Living as Children of Light

 ¹⁷ With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ¹⁹ They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.  ²⁰ But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
 ²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”^[d] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (One of the biggest marriage advice I have heard given is exactly this: don't go to bed angry! I believe this is very important in a marriage, and my husband and I make sure we do not leave or go to bed upset with one another.)
 ²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (This is the key verse that lead me to read Ephesians 4.  "Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words be an encouragement to those who hear them." That is my challenge this week...to be careful what I say about my family, friends, students, and coworkers.  I may not say things that purposely hurts others, but I know I sometimes say things I probably shouldn't to someone else.  I challenge myself to be really be careful to not say anything that could be hurtful if that person heard me saying it.)
 ³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,^[e] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
 ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. I challenge you to give yourself a challenge this week...what will it be? To grow closer to God by spending more time with Him? To watch what you say to others? To be an encouragement to one another? To get active in your church family? To not go to bed or leave angry? There are so many challenges in this one chapter of the Bible! Pray that God will help you get back on track this week.  I know I am praying for His help this week!

Day 5-Placing your hopes and dreams in God's hands

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen." Jeremiah 29:11-12

My challenge today is to place my hopes, dreams and future into God's hands. Sometimes I feel this is one of the hardest things to do. Sometimes I feel my hopes and dreams are slipping away, but when I turn to God...study God's word, seek His will, and spend time praying with God daily, God will pull you back in, bring you to his will and let your dreams be fulfilled.  God's will for our lives are far better than our own hopes and dreams! We must never lose hope because God promised us peace, joy and eternal life! God always keeps his promises!!!! Always!

Day 4

Day 4-Worship Him
 "You must worship the LORD your God
      and serve only him." Matthew 4:10


Today, I am challenging myself to worship my Heavenly Father, not just with my words, but also my deeds.  I must honor Him, praise Him, and obey Him with my whole heart.  As I try to find purpose and meaning in my life, I am seeking Him and his will and purpose for my life.  I have to remember that no matter how busy life seems, I must first seek HIM and HIS will for my life.  

"Worship is not taught from the pulpit. It must be learned from the heart." Jim Elliot

100 Day of School

So the 100 day of school is fast approaching; therefore, I am already starting to plan for it.  I want to make this day a special day...a  fun day of learning that the students will remember. Working with young kids, I have to be fast paced or they will get bored and into trouble.  Below is some ideas I came up with that almost any age group can do. 

I plan on starting my day out with the following:

100 exercises-10 jumping jacks, 10 toe touches, 10 twists, 10 claps, 10 slides, 10 high fives, 10 jumps, 10 tippy  toes, 10 bows, 10 arm stretches

100 seconds of silence-yoga style

100 seconds of dancing

100 chant-students repeat after me.  I will saying it like a cheer to get them excited!

Then my students will go into stations. I plan on doing stations two different times throughout the day...once in the morning and once in the afternoon; therefore I have ten stations.  I plan on having them work in each station for 10 minutes.  (This means they will work with 100 stuff for 100 minutes)

100 day stations-I am going to mark arrows with tape on the floor to show where they rotate to, play music during work time, when music stops and bell rings, the students move to the next station by following arrows on floor

Stations

Station 1:Practice writing and stamping the number 100.

Station 2: Paint 100 fingerprints

Stations 3: Put together a 100 piece puzzle

Station 4: 100 chart picture-The students will color each number on the 100 chart as I say the number.  When they are finish, they would have colored boxes to look like the number 100.

Station 5: 100 cutout picture-I plan on using our die cut machine and cutting out a 1, 0, 0 for each student. Each student will turn these three numbers into a picture of their choice.

Station 6: The students will build something out of 100 legos

Station 7: Make 100 day necklaces by stringing 100 fruit loops on a piece of yarn

Station 8:  The students will try stacking 100 coins or blocks without letting them fall

Station 9: The students will link together 100 unifix cube and measure to see how if something in the room is that length

Station 10: Students will each bring in 100 snacks in a ziplock bag. (100 skittles, 100 goldfish, etc.) They will combine all their snacks together and eat their snacks.

Before our 100 day of school, we will make hats to wear along with our necklaces.  

Along with all of this, our students will also join with the other classes at our school for a piece of 100 day cake, 100 day songs, 100 day questions, and get a picture with Zero the Hero (Our principal will be dressed up as Zero the Hero!)

Day 3-God's Word

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."

"Nobody ever outgrows scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years." C.H. Spurgeon

"When you meet God, open your Bible.  Don't rely on your memory; rely on those printed pages."-Charles Swindoll

So today is day 3-all about reading God's word.  Really this isn't anything new for me lately.  I know God is telling me to spend more time with Him! To pick up His Word and just read! Now that's a challenge.  I can pray in my car, at work, in bed, with others, etc....but reading His word?!?! Now that takes time, energy...sometimes I get so caught up in life I forget what is really important.  This week, a long with it seems like every week, I am challenging myself to read, read, and read some more! Honestly, we shouldn't rely on memory or the thought that we already read that book of the Bible before...we need to be willing to read and spend time with Him over and over again.  Because "the book widens and deepens with our years."

Day 2-Prayer

Day 2-Prayer
"We must leave it to God to answer our prayers in His own wisest ways. Sometimes, we are so impatient and think that God does not answer.  God always answers! He never fails. Be still. Abide in Him." Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Day 2-PRAYER! What a powerful thing! I can't imagine my life without it! There are so many times in my life where I had to lean on were prayers to my Lord!  When all else failed, I was able to have my faith in the Lord and my relationship with Him to lean on.  I know life throws us ups and downs all the time, but sometimes it really throws us down.  In my case, I am reminded of the day I found out my mom was going to have to have a quadruple bypass.  First, I remember eating at a small pizza place in Oakland City...the day before my college graduation.  I get a phone call from my mom telling me she is going to the hospital for chest pains.  At this point, I am worried, but don't it's very serious.  That night, I find out my mom has been emitted into the hospital for tests and will be missing my graduation and my graduation party.  After my graduation party, I visit my mom before heading off to Florida with a group friends for my very first interview for a teaching position.  As I cross the border into FL, I get a call from my sister telling me my mom is going to have open heart surgery.  Upset, scared, nervous...all the uneasy feelings overwhelm me.  My dad and sister tries to comfort me, making it sound like it isn't a big deal.  When we arrived to where we were staying we stopped for lunch.  At lunch my friends decide to pray for my mom.  We pray that the doctors would have to hold off on the surgery until I get back.  As we were paying, I receive another phone call from my sister, telling me that due to my mom's diabetes and white blood cell count, they would have to wait a couple weeks!!!! RELIEF!!!  Wow! Talk about the power of prayer! God knew how important it was for my whole family to be there together!! Another example...my younger brother was in California for military training when her surgery was scheduled.  The head guys got wind about our mom and sent him home...told him that was a family emergency and that he needed to be there with his family and to top that off my brother who lives in TN was also able to make home!!! God is good all the time! He hears and answers our prayers.  Those answers may not always be our answers, but God knows what is best! He never fails us.  It may feel like it at the time, but trust me this is only one example of all the times that He has answered my prayers in unusual ways! So when in doubt, when you have no where else to turn, turn to prayer! Turn to God! Other answers to prayers:

***I lost my memory card that had pictures of my college graduation, my brothers' high school graduation, and my sister and I fixing my mom up after her surgery-I went to pick up my pictures after having some of them developed.  I couldn't find my card.  I asked the guy working the photo booth.  He hadn't seen it.  He called the guy from the night before.  He hadn't seen it.  I had went through every picture and even cut each apart.  (I had gotten smaller prints.) I said a prayer to God...at this point it was the only thing I could do.  That card was stuck at the bottom of the envelope  the whole time.
***I lost my job.  After church one Sunday, a few weeks after our wedding, Jason told me he felt like needed to fast one meal day and asked if I would like to join him during this time.  I chose to do so feeling I needed to get closer to the Lord and find more time to spend with Him. We decided every night for dinner we would pray...not just pray, but really pray...really give our heart up to the Lord.  That week we decided to fast, I got called for four interviews, got a call back from my old job wanting me back, and a couple other offers after not having a single call all summer! Tell me God isn't good! One of those interviews was for the place I am working at now which is a job I love and enjoy!
***Red eyes! So a couple years ago, I had this red eye problem...not sure what caused it or how to get rid of it...the eye dr didn't even know what it was. I had it for a good 2 months or longer.  He had given me several different types of eyedrops...none that were working.  He finally told me if this last type didn't work, he would have to send me to a specialist. That weekend, I went to a youth convention with the youth at my church.  I remember hearing a song about healing...I remember asking God to heal my eyes...nothing else was working and honestly I hadn't thought to pray about it until that moment.  It was almost as if God was telling me in that song, "Ask me to heal it."  I gave it up to the Lord during that song.  I woke up the next morning, my eyes were clear!!!!!! And they stayed cleared!!!! Crazy how God works! Trust me, it would have been easier for God to have cleared it with those first $80 dollar eye drops that I cried about having to spend money for! However, God had his own plan, his own way of healing...and it wasn't just my eyes...it was a reminder to seek Him for my everyday needs.  It reminds me of mine and Eli's talk that one day on our way to Poseyville...God is every profession...even a doctor, an eye doctor at that!

Ok so these are def not even close to the prayers God has answered for me!! These are only a small few.  God has answered so many small prayers and now when I can't find something, I stop and say, "Ok God show me where this is, I have no clue where else to look!" Why can't I remember to just stop and ask Him in the first place?!?!