Your Grace Still Amazes Me....

As I look back on 2007 the words that come to my mind comes from a song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean, "Your Grace Still Amazes Me." The words to it goes like this:


My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again

CHORUS:
Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour,
You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

It’s deeper, it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
It’s deeper it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
than anything my eyes can see (back to chorus)


This song speaks so amazingly of God's goodness to me this past year. His patience, his enduring love and support, His forgiveness of my sins, His comfort when I didn't think I could get past the pain, His healing power to make things new. In every way this year, in the good times and in the bad He has been there coaching me along, in the lonely times and in the happy times He has been seeking to teach me new lessons of His love. I pray that each of you have had a year full of His grace, full of His love. If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior I would plead with you to get to know Him. I can't imagine my life without Him. Am I perfect, no. Have I reached perfection, hardly, but I can see His grace in my life and I don't know where I would be this year without Him. Give him a chance, dear friend, invite Him into your life and watch how His grace becomes amazing to you.
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

More pics....

Here a few more pics from the wedding. I wasn't able to get any from the wedding itself but my Mom took some but it was dark in the church and they didn't really turn out but here is one of Ben (my cute brother!!) , best man, and Abby, maid of honor, that turned out nice.

Ben and Abby.

Is it for real?!?!?!?!

Me and my brother getting ready for the wedding.

Bethany, another bridesmaid.

Random pics from Mary and Rich's wedding!!!!!!!!

Groomsmen getting ready l t r- Ben, Jorine, Shane, Aaron

The beautiful bride getting ready!

It's time to turn you into Cinderella!

Mary peeking out of her room where she was to stay until the wedding :)

Abby looking on as Bethany gets her makeup done.

Feliz Navidad!

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad.

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

I don't know how much I'm going to be on here between now and Christmas with Mary's wedding and so much getting ready to happen in the next few days, so I thought I would just say Merry Christmas now!! Feliz Navidad!! This year has gone by so incredibly fast! I can't believe it! It seems like only yesterday that I got on a bus headed for Mexico to spend my Christmas last year on a mission trip and now it is almost Christmas again...Where does time go?

Wishing you all a very wonderful and full holiday season filled full of Christ's love and peace!

Feliz Navidad!! ;)

"I Will Listen"

I love adding song lyrics to my blog that mean a lot to me and here is a song that Twila Paris sings called "I Will Listen". The words are so full of meaning.....

"I Will Listen"

Hard as it seems
Standing in dreams
Where is the dreamer now
Wonder if I
Wanted to try
Would I remember how
I don't know the way to go from here
But I know that I have made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

This is the faith
Patience to wait
When there is nothing clear
Nothing to see
Still we believe
Jesus is very near
I can not imagine what will come
But I've already made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

Could it be that He is only waiting there to see
If I will learn to love the dreams that He has dreamed for me
Can't imagine what the future holds
But I've already made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

Pics of my Geo Tracker!!!!!!!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

I'm so happy!!! I was finally able to get my 4x4!!!!!! Driving in the snow all the time with my big old car was getting tiresome for me so I saved my pennies and bought a little GEO Tracker. I would have liked something bigger but with gas that just wasn't a good option so, I opted for a little GEO. They are really cute and so tiny! I found mine off of auto trader. I was browsing on line and found it and Shane and Ben helped me make the decision to buy it. Shane went with me to the car dealer and did all the negotiating. Thanks Shane!!! I really prayed about getting it. If it wasn't God's will for me to have it I didn't want it! I really prayed and thought about it and Friday I went to go see it prepared, of course, with some cash!!! To make a long story short I bought it! I'm going to include some pics that were on the website of the Geo until I can take a few of my own. It is a '95 and it only had one owner who took really good care of it. It has 78,301 original miles and it has a warranty of a month or 3,000 miles whichever comes first. So here a few pics!!!!!!!!!!

Wedding Shower

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”


Last night I attended Mary's wedding shower!!! I can't believe the time is ticking down to her and Richard actually getting married! It was a nice shower and she received many nice gifts. We also had a lot of fun! I just can't believe that she is actually getting married, and the closer it gets to the day the more I still can't believe it is actually happening. Yet, time doesn't stand still and last night was another little reminder, so to speak, that yes she is getting married!
I have been very grateful for Mary's friendship since she moved here to Country Life. We have been able to be there for each other through a lot of things this year and we've had a lot of good times as well. I hate shopping by myself and so I would often invite Mary to come with me and usually my brother Ben would come along with us as well. I remember one really nice warm day after work inviting Ben and Mary to go to the beach and we hung out at the beach until sun set. Those are great memories!!!! Then once Richard and Mary got engaged, Mary and I hit bridal shops! We had fun! The last dress she tried on was the dress she decided to buy. We talked about it and thought and talked some more about it. Two girls making the decision seemed almost overwhelming but in the end she decided to go for it and it was elating to finally take the dress out the door!!!
I wish you all the best Mary as you are preparing to enter a new phase in life! 16 days till the wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Waiting for the Sunrise..

I found this very encouraging and uplifting. I hope it blesses each one of you as you wait for whatever sunrise in your life that you are looking for....


Waiting for the Sunrise
by Karen

Have you ever had to wait for something you really wanted? I think most of us would answer "yes!" There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in a holding pattern. Everything is in place, the timing is perfect and yet God seems to say "not yet". One such time for me was when my husband and I wanted to start a family. We were ready, but God asked us to wait. This season was not an easy one for us. Little did I know, years later, a simple sunrise would finally help me see a larger picture on waiting.
My husband and I live in Portland, Oregon. It is a rare morning when you can open the shades and see sunlight. Most mornings the view is a very dull shade of grey. One particular fall day, however, the clouds had parted and I was determined to see the sunrise for myself.
I hurried outside and sprinted around the corner to my favourite viewing spot. When I arrived, I was surprised to see the sun actually was a long way from breaking the horizon. I settled in and began to wait.
It had to be soon
The evidence of the sun coming was all around me. Mt. Hood, a prominent volcano near Portland, was lit up as if it were erupting. I could see the sunlight beginning to sparkle off the windows of homes on the bank of the Columbia River. The wisps of clouds looked like bursts of lavender and fuchsia fire dancing in the sky.
I kept looking toward the horizon - it had to be soon. The sky above the ground was becoming brighter and brighter, yet the sun didn't come. I began to grow impatient. I just wanted to see that rim of light peek its head out!
"When they show a sunrise in the movies it happens faster than this!" I thought to myself. "What could be taking so long?" Everything was ready. The sky and the mountain were practically chanting, "Sun, Sun, Sun!" I had seen other sunrises before; surely they didn't take this long or move in such slow motion.
Then it happened. Not the sun, but the Son. God spoke to me as I sat there waiting. I remembered the time when we were waiting to become pregnant with our first child. I had stopped using birth control and we had made the charts. I even changed my diet. Yet cycle after cycle, there came the dreaded trip to the bathroom which confirmed, "Not this month."
As if my disappointment weren't enough, I had to endure the questions and comments of my well-meaning friends and family. They kept asking me, "How's it going?" Time and again I'd hear, "You're not pregnant yet! Maybe you should go to the doctor; there could be something wrong with you!"
What was wrong with me was not in my body, it was the aching in my heart every time I saw a mom holding a crying baby. I'd see her, tired and frustrated, and all I could feel was jealousy. And still I waited. Surely it had to be "soon". (I hate that word!) I learned quickly that soon in our timing, doesn't always match soon in God's timing.Waiting for God's timingSometimes, all the right signs can be around us, yet nothing happens -- the promotion doesn't materialize, he doesn't propose, the test comes back negative, again. In the physical realm, the stage is set! From our perspective the timing is perfect so why doesn't God act? It can be tempting to say to God "now would be a great time, see everything is ready!" But we can only see with our limited perspective. We see only a moment where God is looking at a lifetime. Part of the task of waiting is trusting, choosing to believe that God does have a schedule and that His timing is perfect.
There is always more going on than what we can see with our own eyes.
Psalm 130:5-7 says:I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lordmore than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing loveand with him is full redemption.We're told to look and wait for the Lord more than the watchman wait for the morning. We are more than just our bodies; we are body, soul and spirit. There are horizons even within our own heart where God is behind the scenes working to bring about a sunrise. He acts in His timing, with mercy and loving-kindness. If we get impatient and continue to focus only on one spot, the one thing we want, we can miss the glory and splendour of everything God is doing.
God was at work, all around me
As I thought about all of this, I began to look at the sunrise differently. I stopped focussing on the wait and took in the beauty of the morning. This was the reason God had brought me out of the house. This is what He wanted me to see. His purpose was not just to show me the split second when the sun peaked out over the horizon. He wanted me to experience the morning as a whole. I needed to see and experience it all from the birds' new song, to the fresh breath of fall air. I needed a new view of waiting and the reminder that I don't have to wait alone, I can wait in the presence of my King. God is always at work and we can see the fullness of His hand moving if we take the time to wait on Him.
The sun did break through that morning, and yes it was spectacular. More important however, was the awakening in my heart as I felt the warmth of His love even as I waited.
If you are waiting for the Son to break through in the horizons of your life, be encouraged that God is at work. Wait for Him, "more than the watchmen wait for the morning." Don't let yourself get distracted. Take time on a clear morning to find a special place and sit to watch the sunrise (or the "Son"rise).
Ask God to show you the full measure of your surroundings and to give you the strength to wait gracefully. Resist the urge to rush. Remember Isaiah 40:31 "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength". Ask for His strength and make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to wait.
Are you waiting for something today? Ask God to fill you with His spirit even as you are waiting. You can pray a prayer something like this:
Father in Heaven,The power of Your Holy Spirit in my life is the oxygen of my soul. Sometimes I want to make things happen on my schedule. I don't always wait to hear the voice of Your Holy Spirit. Help me not to put my timing ahead of Your timing. Today I want to make a fresh decision to allow Your Holy Spirit to be the Director of my life. Help me to spend time in Your presence. Help me to see not just the horizons in my life, but to take in the full beauty of everything you are doing around me. Fill me with the strength and power of Your Spirit to wait and draw closer to You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.


~Karen Wells resides near Portland, Oregon with her husband, Neal, and their three precious children; Caleb, Naomi and KariAnna. She provides encouragement, guidance and resources to new mothers as a Birth Doula and leader in Women's Ministries at City Bible Church.
--

Praise God For Life!!!!

My friend Mary and I went out Monday night to pick up bridesmaid dresses for her upcoming wedding and we were driving along in town and had just gone through an intersection when a car came from the center lane right towards my car! I slammed on the breaks and tried to keep from getting hit by their car! Their car was headed straight for mine! Thankfully no one was behind me because everything happened so fast that I would have been rearended. There wasn't a whole lot of traffic out thankfully! If they would have hit me it would have hit my side of the car and probably would have sent us spinning all over the road. I couldn't believe that they were running me over to get into the right lane! I just thank the Lord that Mary and I didn't get hit because we were inches from it. The angels kept their hand over the car and us! I make it a habit to pray when going places before I leave the driveway that the Lord will protect me. He does protect and answer prayers!!!!! Praise the Lord that Mary and I are not in the hospital over this Thanksgiving holiday!!

Wedding Season Begins!

We just kicked off our wedding season here with a beautiful wedding yesterday! At the place I work the store manager's daughter was getting married to the guy who works in our shipping department so that was the wedding I attended yesterday. Actually, I went Sat. night to the church and helped set things up. (bummer, I should have brought my camera!) Oh well, sigh.. Then Sunday, after the wedding I helped serve at the reception. I was dressed in black and white with a red silk scarf. I felt like I was a waitress dresses up to work in a steak house rather than attend a wedding but it looked more professional and formal to dress that way since I was serving. :) To top things off yesterday at the flower and garter toss I caught the bouquet (that was a first!!!!!) and my brother, Ben, caught the garter!!!! That was too funny!!!

Next month I have two weddings to attend. One of the is for Mary!!!!!! The other one for a daughter of a friend who works in the store. Then, my brother's friend John is getting married to his sweetheart, Linda, and that wedding will be Jan 1, I believe. So many weddings and not enough time to breath between them!! It's all great though! I wonder when Sarah & Brody and Shane and Rebeca will be next???!!!!!! lol

There were several toasts with our sparkling grape juice yesterday so I propose a toast to the wedding season just now upon us and for the couples joining their lives together that God will bless them and that they will be the better for joining their lives together. That God will use them in a special way and that they will grow closer to him together.

My Mamaw....

These are a couple of pictures with my Mamaw (the one who just recently passed away). The first one is the only recent one I have with her and that pic is actually a couple of years old, my brother Shane is with me in that pic. The second picture is of all 3 of us kids when were little with Mamaw. She was a special lady, I still can't believe she is gone....but we have the hope of seeing her in Heaven someday!

THE BEST CAROB CAKE IN THE WORLD!!!!

Hey Everyone,
It's so hard to find a yummy carob cake recipe that doesn't taste like carob! I got this recipe from my Mom who got it from a friend of ours in Arkansas, THANK YOU DELBERTA!!!! I have no clue where she found this recipe but it is SOOO GOOOD! My Mom and I have made it and our friends think it is Chocolate!! Here is the recipe!!! You HAVE to try it!!!!!!

Carob Cake

1 c. sugar (doesn't matter which kind, but we use the cane juice crystals)
1 1/2 c. white flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. carob powder (doesn't matter which kind either)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 TBSP. lemon juice
1/3 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. water

Mix all of the ingredients together. Double recipe for a 9x13 pan. Bake at: 350 degrees for 30-35 min. or until center comes clean when tested with a knife.

It's so easy and believe me it's soooo good!!!!

Some Recent Pics from Oct/Nov

Life's contrasting colors...

Sunday night I attended a beautiful wedding shower and Monday I attended a funeral. What a contrast! Life begining and life ending. The funeral I attended, with my family, was for my Mamaw. She and her husband were close friends of the family from when my brothers and I were really little so we adopted them as our Mamaw and Papaw. She and her husband were instrumental in my parent's becoming Christians so our family owes so much to them! They would come over to our house when my brothers and I were little and bring us song books and Christian books. In fact, when my youngest brother was born Mamaw was in the delivery room (ben is 18 now)! This past year her health had been declining rapidly. Even though it's so hard knowing that she is gone it is good to know that she is sleeping peacefully, waiting for the Lord to wake her up. It's hard knowing that she isn't there anymore, she won't be there when my brothers and I get married, or to hold her great grandchildren and she would have loved it all. She loved life and her friends and family. She never had any biological children of her own but she was every one's Mother.
This year so much has happened. I've never had a year so full of all kinds of things happening in my life. To be honest too much has happened this year but through it all God has been there. In fact I'm going to be honest with all that has happened. Earlier in the year we had to put our family dog to sleep. We had her for 16-17 years. She and Ben were babies together! Then a few months later a serious relationship I had been involved in suddenly dissolved right from under my feet with no prior notice in just one day, then not too long after that I attended the funeral of my 30 year old handsome cousin Jeremy who was killed in a motor bike accident, my grandpa has been sick and in and out of the hospital in Florida, Papaw had open heart surery, we then had the Shane and Beb's accident. Yesterday, I attended the funeral of my Mamaw. Yet in the midst of all this there has been joys as well. My close friend Mary got engaged, another friend Linda got engaged, and a guy I work with got engaged as well. Two of the three that are engaged have weddings coming up in November and December and the one in December I'm a bridesmaid for. In the midst of all this God has been teaching me about Himself, and drawing me closer to Him. I don't know how anyone can make it through life without God. I really don't know how and to be very honest I wouldn't want to know how because the love and comfort that God brings is so awesome and so real! We can let pain make us or break us. It's all up to us. We can let it bring us closer to God or we can let it accuse Him of wrongly treating us. Some might say how can a just God let bad things happen. But it says in Romans 8:28 that: " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Jeremiah 29:11 also says: "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." He knows what we need to shape our characters. He also knows that there are things that we cannot learn if everything is always going wonderful and happy. I can say for me personally the most painful thing was loosing my relationship that I had been in but I am greatful for the pain. I would never want to go through that kind of pain again but it brought me closer to God, it matured me, it helped me to grow. I want to encourage anyone that is in the midst of trials and pain to not give up and blame God but to make God your best friend, your closest companion, your most trusted advisor and confidant.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we are admonished that : "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." He knows why things happen the way they do, He doesn't make them happen but He allows life to happen. I'm grateful for His guidance and His leading in my life, His love and comfort in pain.

Praise God for Life!!!

Wow, has life ever been crazy...Last week I almost lost my brother and his girlfriend to a four wheeler accident. It was a total miracle that they didn't loose their life or break any bones. My brother was shocked that he lived through it and when they were air born the second time on the way down he thought that, that was the end for him. We have all been just praising God for another chance at life for these two very special people, Shane and Rebecca. I'm just so glad that they are alive, even though they are may have scratches and bruises they are ALIVE!!!!!! Praise God!!!!! It's so sad to think that at funerals some of the nicest things are said, the most beautiful flowers purchased, meaningful songs sang in their honor...let's do that today and not have any regrets. When they are dead they won't know what they meant to us. Live in the moment for this moment is all we are promised....

Camp meeting

I went on a nice vacation last week! My friends were going down to a family camp meeting put on by Restoration International and they invited me to go with them. I prayed about it and everything worked out for me to get the time off of work so I decided to go. I actually had 2 sets of friends invite me to go, so I rode down with one set and stayed in the cabin of the other set!! It was a nice time of spiritual refreshment and christian fellowship. I would encourage anyone who is interested in thought provoking messages, a closer walk with God and a deeper love and appreciation for family to attend. I have Restoration International's web site in my links section so check it out for sure!

"Praise You In This Storm"

"Praise You In This Storm" (by 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



Have you ever been in a situation that seemed so dark and gut wrenching that you didn't know how you were going to even make it past that hour, let alone that day? I love the message of this song that in the midst of rain, the rain of life, the sorrow, the pain, that God is there. In the last paragraph of the song it says "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." God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth is the God I can go to, sometimes He's the only one I can turn to, sometimes He may be the only one you can turn to, but He is there and He knows the problem we're going through, He knows the answer to the question, Why, and He knows that if we rely on Him that He will get us through. Awhile back I experienced pain like this and I chose to rely on God. I could have grown bitter towards Him but Praise the Lord I relied on Him and He got me through those dark minutes, hours, days, weeks! I can look back and say, that I could not have done it without Him. I couldn't have gotten myself past that situation but He did and He still is.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10 says:
"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
His grace is sufficient, He knows what your going through, He knows what I went through and if He is the Maker of Heaven and Earth, He knows how to help you because He has helped me...

A few more from my summer...

Ben...
Friends... (Meagan, (you just can't see her she's in front of Mandie, Mandie, and Ben)

A few pics from my summer...

Footprints in the sand (thanks Mary for pointing this scene out to me!!)

Sunset on the beach...

Being silly with Mary...

With my baby brother..

On the pier..

Awesome Poem....

"If For the Girls"


If you can hear the whispering about you
And never yield to deal in whispers, too;
If you can bravely smile when loved ones doubt you
And never doubt, in turn, what loved ones do;
If you can keep a sweet and gentle spirit
In spite of fame or fortune, rank or place,
And though you win your goal or only near it,
Can win with poise or lose with equal grace;

If you can meet with Unbelief, believing,
And hallow in your heart, a simple creed,
If you can meet Deception, undeceiving,
And learn to look to God for all you need;
If you can be what girls should be to mothers:
Chums in joy and comrades in distress,
And be unto others as you'd have the others
Be unto you - - no more, and yet no less;

If you can keep within your heart the power
To say that firm, unconquerable "No,"
If you can brave a present shadowed hour
Rather than yield to build a future woe;
If you can love, yet not let loving master,
But keep yourself within your own self's clasp,
And not let Dreaming lead you to disaster
Nor Pity's fascination loose your grasp;

If you can lock your heart on confidences
Nor ever needlessly in turn confide;
If you can put behind you all pretenses
Of mock humility or foolish pride;
If you can keep the simple, homely virtue
Of walking right with God - - then have no fear
That anything in all the world can hurt you - -
And - - which is more - - you'll be a Woman, dear.

(Wish I knew the author)

What is the shortest distance?

"The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything."
~Author Unknown

"You can trust the Man who died for you. You can trust Him to thwart each plan that should be stopped and to complete each one that results in His greatest glory and your highest good. You can trust Him to lead you down the path that is the very best in this world for you."
~Streams in the Desert, p. 295

Sometimes things in life like problems, discouragements, and pain, have a way making us feel like we can't trust anything or anybody. Sometimes the problems just have a way of sapping what little bit of life we thought we had left inside of us, making us feel less than capable to handle the situation. Whatever situation we find ourselves in the shortest distance between that problem and the solution is the distance of our knees to the floor. It's sad that when we finally hit the floor on our knees it is usually because that is the last option. We've tried to do everything else we can to make whatever we are trying to work, work. In reality, if we would just go to our knees in the beginning things wouldn't be so bad. I can trust Him to lead me down the path that is the very best in the whole wide world for me!

Where is September going?

I'm not sure why, but September is going by so incredibly fast! (and so is the warm weather!) It just seemed like it was Labor Day Weekend! It has been said that time flies when you are having fun but I think it flies just as fast when you are busy with life. My life is so full right now, thank the Lord! Happy September.. at least what's left of it!!

Since we are on the topic of weddings...

Since we are on the topics of engagements and weddings I thought I would share a link to a really neat website that I discovered. The web page is called: "Young Ladies Christian Fellowship" and it has different topics on their webpage including a page devoted to telling the love stories of Christian couples, of their courtship and marriage. It is always encouraging to read or hear of another christian young person and how God worked in their life to bring them and their spouse together. Just a side note, you don't have to be a girl to visit the web page!! The link is: www.ylcf.org/courtship-stories/index.htm
On one of those stories I found a beautiful poem that I am going to put on this post. It says:

Lord, let me be his sunshine when the skies are dark and gray,
Let me be his comfort when he's had a long, hard day.
Let me be a shelter when the wind is harsh and cold.
Let me be submissive when the rest on earth are bold.

Lord, let me be her fortress in the face of every storm.
Let me, in a calloused world; be sensitive and warm.
Let me be her leader when there's weakness all around.
Let me be her hero when all others let her down.

Lord, let me be a pillow when he's tired and needs a rest.
Let me be assurance when he's faced with some hard test.
Let me listen softly when the world is pressing in.
Let me understand when no one else can comprehend.

Lord, let me be her pillar when she needs somewhere to lean.
Let me be committed with a heart that's true and clean.
Let me be attentive when there's something on her mind.Let me lead her wisely when an answer's hard to find.

Lord, let me walk beside him when he needs to have a friend.
Let me be something real in a world of false pretense.
Let me sing sweet music when his heart's without a song.
Let me be his loving joy each moment, all day long.

Lord, let me leave the pressures of the day outside my door.
Lord, let me be unselfish always willing to give more.
Let my love be real to her each moment, all the time.
Lord Jesus, make me worthy of the hand I hold in mine.

More Weddings in the Air!?!?

Wow! Yet another engagment to announce! The other day some friends, John & Linda got engaged!( It's about time John!!!) Plus, I have another wedding to attend in November for a guy who works at the same place I do. I wonder who else could get engaged in the near future??

I'm an excited bride's maid!!!

Richard & Mary at the Valentines Banquet 2007

Richard & Mary..Engagement Picture 2007 Lake Michigan

I'm an excited bride's maid..... I just can't help it!! My friends Richard and Mary are getting married!! I've known about this for practically a few months now and Mary and I have already hit some bridal shops but I just got their "save the date" ecard and it's starting to hit me that yes, they are actually getting married!!! Mary and I have started playing around with ideas in our heads for the wedding but it seemed like such a long time away that we really couldn't do much else. The wedding date is July 13, 2008! I can't wait! We still have several months yet to plan but that is a good thing, because Richard is starting college here in a few days, and then in January I plan on starting college. Plus, Mary's Mom is out of state so I'm trying to be as much of help as I can to her...It's so cool because my brothers and Richard are all best buddies and and we all pretty much work at the same place...well, there aren't too many single girls around here and Richard wasn't sure when his princess was going to walk into his life.. Then, we heard that a girl was coming to work in our store here..hmm.... :) Well, to make a long story short she came in time for Valentine's Day just as there was a Valentine's Banquet planned... and the rest, as they say was history!!! Love you Richard and Mary!!!!!!

Pics of my cool baby brother on his birthday...

At the end of July my baby brother turned 18!!! Does that ever make me feel old or what?!?!
I wanted to post some pics on here for friends and family and give it more of a personal touch.
I just want to say that Ben is a very special baby brother and that he is a great guy. He is very easy going and his plans for college coming up here very soon is to get into Radiology (sp?). (He's going to be great at it, he has a very tender spot in his heart for animals and people) So here's a few pics of Ben...







Ben at the beach..

Ben with friends and family at a suprise birthday brunch...

Ben and his friends and brother....

Ben and his friend Bethany....

Me and my awesome baby brother ben on his 18th birthday!

"Do you love me because I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me?"

"Do you love me because I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me?" ~Cinderella



Relationships are an awesome part of God's plan and love is a beautiful gift that He created. Relationships can be more than romance, they can be deep friendships, brother/sister relationships with people close to us. I don't know that I have ever really appreciated the true love of friendship until now. I think, unfortunately, sometimes in life it takes tragedy, pain, and sorrow to bring about a true appreciation for the things that should mean so much like friendship. I don't know that I ever really valued friendship as much as I do now. When you are in a crisis it is then that you begin to realize who your true friends are..It's amazing! I found the above quote from Cinderella very interesting. I haven't watched Cinderella for years and years but I came across the quote yesterday and I just could not get it out of my mind. "Do you love me because I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me?" Am I loved by my friends because of what I may or may not look like or by what I do or don't have, or by the talents that I have or do not posses. Or do they love for me, for who I really am, an imperfect, human being? Does their love for this imperfect human being turn that imperfect human being into something beautiful in their eyes? When I love something it has value where before it didn't have the same value in my eyes. Hmm...something to think about. I can't help but wonder if that is the way it is with us and God. When God looks at me, He can see right through the nice person I try to portray that I am, the smile on my face, the courtesy I use on the phone in the office. He sees the imperfect person that I am. He sees the real me, the unworthy sinner, He sees everything that I try so hard to hide. How then can I become beautiful in His eyes? John 3:16 says it so incredibly well. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I like to break that down to my level.. "For God so loved me, that He gave His only begotten Son, that if I believe on Him I can live with Him someday forever." He gave His Son for me because of the deep love He has for me! I am beautiful because He loves me! It's so awesome to know that if not one person on the face of planet really loves me for who I am that I have a God in Heaven that knows how unworthy I am but loves me as if I was perfectly perfect. I'm so grateful for the love of friends and for the undying love that Christ Jesus has for me. It's when I accept His love that I am truly beautiful.

Apology...

Just wanted to take a minute to apologize about the commercials on the ClutsterMap that I had on my blog. For those of you that clicked on the little map that showed where on the planet my blog had been viewed from and was surprised at the commercials on there I apologize. I didn't realize those were there. :( I deleted the ClusterMaps from my blog so everything should be totally appropriate now. :)

Blessings..

...Help Me To Be Still...

...Help Me To Be Still....

Help me to be still enough to listen,
To your voice whispering in my heart
Help me to block out other distractions,
That would take Your place and part.

Help me to be still enough to see,
That You are God and I'm just me.
Help me to be willing to let You control,
What the future holds and to rest in Thee.

Help me to be still enough to hold,
You hand waiting outstretched for mine.
Help me to never let go when I think I'm okay,
For I will fall but You are forever divine.

Help me to be still enough to watch,
For your guidance and your care.
Help me to just let go and rest in You,
The One who knows the number of my hair.

Help me to be still enough to rest,
To rest, confidently in Your embrace.
Help me to never let go of Your hold,
Because You are my Amazing Grace!

~Jessica
July 25, 2007

Give It All Away

When I'm going thru really tough times in my life music has a way of speaking to my heart in such a huge way, bringing comfort and encouragement. There is a song by Aaron Shust called "Give It All Away" that is my prayer at this time in my life...Actually, I want this to be my prayer for the rest of my life.....




~Give It All Away~

Search my heart, search my mind, search my soul
Make me clean, make me new, make me whole

All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design
'Cause you are the one only one that give it all away for me
that give it all away for me

You are my strength, You are my God, you are my King
You make me laugh, You make me dance, You make me sing

All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design
'Cause you are the one only one that dared to give it all away for me
that give it all away for me (give it all away..)

Everything inside, everything outside, I give it all away
You never change, but You rearrange my heart more everyday

All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design

All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design
'Cause You are the one who can make my life complete
You are the one who can give light to my feet
You are the one, Only one who that give it all away for me
that dared to give it all away for me...
that dared to give it all away
that dared to give it all away for me...
that dared to give it all away for me...

Search my heart, search my mind, search my soul
~Aaron Shust

It's that time of year!!

It is definitely that time of year, the warm weather and sunshine are just begging for it, you start finding yourself thinking "I sure would like an ice cream cone!!!" Well, what do you do for those mid summer cravings when you want to keep healthy? I have a few suggestions that I have found so very delightful.
If you are needing to watch your diet or just want a fruity healthy ice cream you can freeze bananas and other frozen fruits of your choice and blend them together with a little milk in a blender or if you happen to have a champion juicer you can just run your frozen fruit through that. To keep a smooth and creamy consistency make sure you add enough frozen bananas. So yummy and so tasty!!
Another alternative that is absolutely delicious, mouthwatering, and delectable are the soy ice creams from Turtle Mountain and Tofutii. These are my favorites. You can check out their web pages at: www.turtlemountain.com and www.tofutti.com . There are also coupons you can print off or call in for so be sure to give these a try!! Another web site that is worth going to as well is: www.tastethedream.com . Be sure to check these sites out before the mid summer cravings begin!!!!! Eating healthy doesn't need to be boring!!!!!!!

Top Ten Fuel Saving Tips

GasBuddy.com Top Ten Fuel Saving Tips
1
Avoid High Speeds
As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.
2
Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard
By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.
3
Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.
4
Use A/C Sparingly
When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.
5
Keep Windows Closed
Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.
6
Service Vehicle Regularly
Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.
7
Use Cruise Control
Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.
8
Avoid Heavy Loads
Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.
9
Avoid Long Idles
If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.
10
Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle
When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.

So long..

Hey Everyone!
Sorry that it has been so incredibly long since I have posted anything to my blog. I couldn't resist sharing those comics about gas prices. It is funny but yet so sad and true. I've probably bored all of you with this blog but I will try to keep it more interesting and updated:)

I wonder if gas is getting a "little" too expensive??

So true.....