We can be faithful to God and still....

be attacked by the enemy.

This morning, Day 4 of Beth Moore's Breaking Free Bible Study, I learned A LOT!

She has such a way of making you see things through scripture that I am unable to on my own. I am thankful for God's calling on her life. As a woman I know she has helped me tremendously!

"We can be faithful to God and centered in His will and still be attacked by the enemy. Sometimes our enemy attacks the weak and wandering believers because they are easy prey. Other times he attacks competent, fully surrendered servants of God for the challenge and the possible contagious effect of a fall. Let's not be fooled into thinking we can somehow avoid all Satan's attempts to take us captive. We are wise never to consider ourselves invulnerable, so that we stay alert and aware at all times. Satan cannot force us to go where he leads, but he can certainly choose a scenic route for a lure."~Beth Moore

Powerful, true, scary. I don't know where you fall: weak and wandering or competent and fully surrender. I do know that we must always be on our A game, guarded and ready to fight off an attack that may come our way. It may be as small as a negative or jealous thought towards something or someone or as big as (you can insert what you think could be considered big).

My prayer for myself and others is that we never let our guard down, we remember who gave us life and everything in it, and that we encourage each other in our christian walk.

Blessings

I love the space God has blessed me with to study His word and coffee!



The start of something new

As most of you knew we were gone to Puerto Moreles Mexico (right past Cancun) for a glorious 8 days. The much wanted and much needed (If I can say so selfishly) time away was just what we both needed. From the time the plane took off and the time it returned home 8 days later was complete paradise. Never a dull moment with the two of us. And no we didn't get tired of one another. At first we would be laying out and we barely talked. I thought...ummm why aren't we talking? Then God helped me discovered we don't always have to talk. We can lay and enjoy the silent presence of one another. When the talking times presented itself we dreamed, reflected, planned, laughed, and encouraged one another in our dreams. That in itself was perfection. One of the best parts of the vacation was coming home knowing it was completely paid in full with no debt to worry about. While we were there we celebrated our 2nd anniversary. The past two years really flew by. It's crazy to think about it, really!

Coming home has been an adjustment. Starting Monday we began P90X, it is challenging for sure especially the 4:30 a.m. part of it. We have found that evenings are a no go for us. Something always comes up or we talk ourselves out of it due to exhaustion from the day. So that means we wake up early and get it out of the way. We need the accountability of each other. That is why I am sacrificing and getting up with him. It's not to bad, but the vacation kind of got us a little lazy so that is the difficult part. Also for me...I don't have to get up that early, so I end up taking a nap at some point. I cook breakfast for Ryan and send him to work then it's me time. I spend time with the Lord then start my organization plan for the day. I have completely cleaned out the office and am working on making the guest room part of my sewing room. I have moved furniture...etc. With that I have purged a ton of clothes and books and even some small furniture items. In fact, I have a small end table and storage ottoman for sale if you're interested. As well as books!

I am so thankful for the summer to get things in order and the time to spend with family and friends!

A sewing machine and a serger

I've been busy lately, but it's a good thing.
I made a dress that I posted on facebook thanks to the help of Angie Cole (a wonderful teacher who you should all go to her class at The Shops Above Memory Lane). I will be wearing it in Mexico! I have also been busy with onesies. Some I have remembered to take pictures of some I forgot! If you need a customized gift please let me know. I would love to create something for you!

sail boat, airplane, initial B

My dress, upside because I can't get it to flip!



The new serger that Ryan allowed me to buy! Huge sale!





My good ole sewing machine





3 days

Gonna put the world away for a minute
Pretend I don't live in it
Sunshine gonna wash my blues away
Had sweet love but I lost it
She Got too close so I fought it
Now I'm lost in the world tryin to find me a better way

Wishin' I was
Knee deep in the water somewhere
got the blue sky, breeze and it don't seem fair
the only worry in the world
is the tide gonna reach my chair
Sunrise, there's a fire in the sky
never been so happy
never felt so high
and I think I might've found me my own kind of paradise

Wrote a note, said "Be back in a minute"
Bought a boat and I sailed off in it
Don't think anybody's gonna miss me anyway
Mind on a permenant vacation
The ocean is my only medication
Wishin' my condition ain't ever gonna go away

Now I'm knee deep in the water somewhere
Got the blue sky breeze blowin' wind thru my hair
Only worry in the world
is the tide gonna reach my chair
Sunrise, there's a fire in the sky
never been so happy
never felt so high
and I think I might've found me my own kind of paradise

This champagne shore watchin' over me
It's a sweet sweet life livin' by the salty sea
One day you can be as lost as me
Change your geography and maybe you might be

Knee deep in the water somewhere
got the blue sky breeze blowin' wind thru my hair
only worry in the world
is the tide gonna reach my chair
Sunrise, there's a fire in the sky
never been so happy
never felt so high
and I think I might've found me my own kind of paradise

Come on in
the waters nice
find yourself a little slice
grab a backpack
otherwise you'll never know until you try
when you lose yourself
you find a key to paradise

The last day of school

The last day of school is always bitter sweet. Some you hate to see go, others not so much (just being honest). Graduation, the parties, and goodbyes all went well. The saddest part of the day as knowing I wouldn't be teaching with my dear friend Alisha Mize next year. We're great together. I am very excited about the future, my new team, and grade level...but I will miss her being across the hall. Love you Lish!

Can I get a witness?

Acts 4
This morning I dug into Acts 4. It continues on with Peter and John witnessing. Take a minute to read it!
Anyways, they got arrested, went before the council, and got out because God is...well God and awesome.
Before I get to the part I want to focus on I want us to stop and think...It is not very often if at all anymore to get arrested for sharing the good news...but there are still risks involved. I think we'd all be willing to spend a night in jail if we knew 5,000 people (more or even less) would come to know the Lord. But the thought to ponder is, shouldn't we be willing to risk SOMETHING to see one person come to know Him? I think the main thing that has held me up lately is one, probably laziness and two what I am going to lose? Selfish-I know, but I have to be honest. We all know it is a risk, but we all should also know that anything we do for the Lord is not wasted! But do we is the question!
I am the one hindering my selfish self, because honestly whatever it is I am holding onto I know the Lord has something far better for me. It takes me back to the verse Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 3:5, there are many more to back up the fact that God has my best interest in mind and wants to bless me more than I can even imagine. Yet I sit stuck, holding on to nothing, not ready to let go. Sad. Pathetic. Me. I know.
Scard of rejection? Yes I am.
Then I am reminded of this verse. "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32
Ummmm HELLO! And I am scared of rejection-whatever! NO more. The absolute only one I need to be acknowledged by is my Savior!

As my dad says every Sunday..."Go and be the church!"
Yes sir!

Lately

• Summer is here, Praise the Lord
• I am now a 3rd grade teacher, rather than 5th
• We leave very soon for our 8 day vacation in paradise
• I have been getting up every morning (well at least 4 times a week) to run with my husband! Even though it's summer I want to keep it up. Getting up with him makes it easy :)! We cook breakfast, drink coffee, and have our quiet time. I couldn't ask for a better way to start the day!
• I have been sewing like crazy...pics to come on the dress I am making for our trip!
• I am reading 2 books: Quitter and Water for Elephants (I need to just pick one and finish it!)
• I really want to write my own book, it's on my mind a lot but there are several ideas going on in my mind and I can't narrow it down!
• I am getting ready to grow in my walk and break free from some bondage with Beth Moore's study at Jenny Childress's house!
• I have not had to take an allergy pill the whole month of May! I feel such a difference taking Juice Plus and my energy level is way up!!! You really should check it out, you're worth it! www.asnelljuiceplus.com
• I have enjoyed hanging with friends and building our couple friendships!
• My nephew came this past week and we went to Sea World! My favorite phrase was, "Ashwey what's Shampoo doing!" Sweet boy! I can't believe he is almost 3 years old!

Me, Lala, E, and Lish at the Round Rock Express game on Monday

Look at that devilish face....TROUBLE but oh so cute!

Jumping to Acts

For some reason I randomly decided to switch to the book of Acts. If you follow you should know I was in Exodus, but here we go with Acts.
I have already read Act 1-3. I am learning a lot about witnessing and how the church should be. I am only going to focus on a couple of lessons today.

1)
"They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their groups those who were being saved." Acts 2:46-47

It's clear what we as Christians are called to do. A healthy Christian community will attract people to Christ. Are we is the question? A loving church will grow in numbers....are we? What am I doing, what are you doing to make the church the kind of place that will attract others to Christ? How am I, how are you hindering those from walking through the doors? It's kind of scary to think about!

2)
"The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. But Peter said, "I don't have any money for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" Acts 3:5-6

The lame man was asking for money, but instead he got something much better...the use of his legs! I know this is true in my life...I often ask God to help me with small problems. However, He exceeds my expectations by helping with ALL my problems, giving me a whole new life. I think so often we don't even know what we need and God is sitting back saying "I've got something far better for you...more than you can even imagine!"

Question: When is the last time you witnessed to someone (like Peter was doing in Acts)?
My answer: I have no idea!