Spring Break

It is FINALLY Spring Break!!!! It feels good not to have any major things going on this week! I made out my list this morning of both work-related and non-work related things I am doing this week, and though there is a lot, it's flexible and I don't have to wake up super early to do these things! I'm so excited!!! I'm also excited to see all the names of dear friends and kids I hope to get to see this week! My sister Tina is coming into town and I get to meet my baby niece, Allie Marie, for the first time, as well as see Katie, Michael, and Ethan! I also get to visit with my dear friend Christine and her two babies! Two more kids I get to see and spend a lot of time with are my friend Leah's kids. They lift me up every time I see them!!! I love how God always is faithful to place people in my life at the right time to love me and for me to love!

I have no idea what the next several months hold with all of the budget issues with schools, so I just want to enjoy this break as much as possible because I don't know what breaks would look like in the future if I'm no longer a teacher. I'm not worried though b/c HE has always taken care of me and is a good, sovereign, and faithful Father and Provider!!!

Please pray for those in Japan. My heart hasn't stopped thinking about the people there since I heard about this yesterday. Yesterday, my facebook status was that I felt helpless. However, this morning I woke up with the strong conviction that the GREATEST thing we can do is to PRAY. So, please pray unceasingly for them. The Holy Spirit is groaning for them as well (Rom. 8:26). I can't imagine what neat things could happen if we all were in urgent prayer for the people in Japan!

Okay, I'm off to mow the backyard! ;) Well if I can get away from this computer, I will be! ;)

Oh yeah, I'm back for something I forgot to post. I'm fundraising for March for Babies, in honor of all the kids that are born premature. I want them to continue to research and save the lives of precious babies around the world! If you are interested, please walk with me and/or donate.

for you Melinda!

I LOVE MELINDA DUMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She blessed me and I'm extremely thankful to have her in my life!!!

Question

Also, how do I get this to link to my facebook so that my fb posts when I update the blog??? I am so out of the technology loop! ;)

long time

I just realized it's been 6 months since I've posted, and it was since February of last year before that post. That's crazy. When I was in college I had a xanga account and I updated that almost too much and shared my heart so well on that. I don't do that on here for a few reasons I think. On here, I have no idea if anyone is reading it, whereas with xanga I knew I was writing to friends and so I was more motivated. Secondly, I feel more restricted in what I can write these days because anyone and everyone can see these posts and I would have to have too many boundaries to freely express myself like I would like. I also dno't get on the computer very often and apparently in college I was on it all the time! ;)

I hope I can get over these and post regardless, b/c I enjoy reading my friends' blogs and would like to update more often! I think most of my posts on this blog ave been about how I want to write more. Hopefully I will from now on!

Love you all!

Friend's Devotional

Okay, so my friend Rebekah shared a much needed devotional on facebook and so I'm sharing it on here too.

Eccl. 3:11 " God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end."

"If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth" -Eccl 11:3

"If we believe the message of this verse, then why do we dread the clouds that darken the sky? It is true that for a while the dark clouds hide the sun, but it is not extinguished and it will soon shine again. Meanwhile those clouds are filled with rain, and the darker they are, the more likely they are to bring plentiful showers.

How can we have rain without clouds? Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will, for they are the dark chariots of God's bright and glorious grace. Our God may drench us with grief, but he will refresh us with his mercy......so let us now worry about the clouds. Instead let us sing because May flowers are brought to us through April clouds and showers."

Revelation Song

Revelation Song from Northwood Church on Vimeo.

Need to remember this!

The last couple of days GOD has been CONSISTENTLY reminding me of his faithfulness, sovereignty, grace, love, and that HE desires to give us the desires of our heart! HE IS A GOOD GOD INDEED, and I LOVE walking in the Spirit and seeing and hearing Him speak to me so tenderly and lovingly. Right before I came across this via an email, I got a letter from Charles Stanley's ministry and it was ALL about trusting HIM to do what is of His character, and to REST IN HIM. http://www.intouch.org/atf/cf/%7B7048F59B-0DA1-4C33-B958-6A013BEDB8A7%7D/Feb10MiniLetterWEB.pdf

This is all in addition to amazing Scripture verses He has shown me lately, and the song yesterday in worship "It is well with my soul." GOD IS SO AWESOME AND MY WORDS CAN NOT ADEQUATELY EXPRESS WHAT IS ON MY HEART!I just needed to blog this b/c I so often need these reminders but I am amazed at how He has been reminding me the past few days, in many different forms!

Perfect Timing

As for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand. — Psalm 31:14–15

Do you have trouble resting in the fact that God is in control and that he knows the times and seasons in your life? Think twice before you are tempted to worry or force life to move at your pace. God moves according to his sovereignty, not according to our timetable, and peace will come only when you learn to trust his timing in every area of your life.

Resist the urge to constantly ask questions like, “When is Mr. Right going to come along?” or “When will I get the promotion I deserve?” or “What will happen if my biological clock runs out before I get pregnant?” When you grasp the truth that when he moves it will be according to his perfect plan, it makes a huge difference.

God is the God of all times, and to know him is to know faithfulness itself. He has the big picture in mind, and he knows the plans he has for you. Your times are safe in his hand. There is no need to be anxious about when God is going to answer your prayer or move on your behalf. You can relax in the certainty that his ways and his timing are perfect.

— Jan Silvious

Excerpted from Smart Girls Think Twice © 2007 Jan Silvious. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Used with permission. All rights reserved.