Happy Monday morning!! I hope your weekend was a good one, that you enjoyed the sunshine that was out! I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed that its getting lighter in the mornings, I LOVE driving to work when its light!, AANNDD....its staying a little bit lighter into the evenings! I love it! So just a few things we can start our Monday out with to just give God a big Thank You!! Sometimes, its easy to get caught up in the what is wrong or what we don’t have, or even just the blahs and we forget to give thanks. We forget that God has a plan, a bigger plan for us than we could ever imagine, sometimes to get to that plan we’ve got to walk through some yuck, that’s never fun and its never easy, but if we can keep holding on to Him, if we can keep remembering He’s got us-the situation-whatever it may be-getting to where we need to be, will be so worth it!! Pain stinks, there’s no way around that, even healing can be uncomfortable. You know how when you get a scratch or a cut, and it hurts, so maybe it bleeds-you clean it, put some medicine on it, a bandaid and you just take care of it after that. Then it starts to scab, you don’t want to pick the scab because then you’re right back at the start, so you keep taking care of it, it might even start to itch, which is good, b/c that means its healing, but you’re not supposed to itch it b/c again, you’ll be back at beginning. Finally it does heal, there might be a scar, but its just a reminder of what you went through and how you got to the other side of it all. You can look at it and say, “YES! That hurt, it was painful, even the healing wasn’t the easiest, but its gone! I’m better!!” You can get to the point of even saying, “Thank you God for getting me through that!!” That’s exactly what He does...He’s with us through it all. He gives encouragement, comfort, guidance and direction. He reminds us that through Him we have hope!! We always have hope when we trust in Him. Our faith might start out a little shaken, but as we pray and read His word, get with others who love Him and love us, He reaffirms us and continues to make us stronger even when we don’t think we are! When we get through the other side, we’ll be able to say, “Thank you God!!” Maybe not for the hurt, but that through that hurt and doubt and whatever it is, He was and continues to be, with us always!! I have to remind myself of that sometimes. When I’m at work I have a lot of time to “think” and that’s good but sometimes my mind gets off and it gets crazy and sometimes it makes me mad or even sad, but in those times I try to pray, nothing big, just maybe a little, “okay God, I think I’m getting off track!” And I know He doesn’t want me in a off track kinda way, so He redirects my thoughts and He gives me new things to think on. He does that for us all! He is a good good Father and He takes care of you and I, His precious kids!! So I don’t know where you are today and I certainly don’t have too, God sees you and He knows, He “gets it,” and He will always take care of you right where you are!! Go to Him, pray to Him, read His word, let Him love on you through His people and always remember that He says to us...Hebrews 13:5b-...because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” I love you all and am praying for you! I hope your Monday is a magnificent one!! =-))

Good morning! Happy Friday and Happy Valentines Day!! I thought I would end our week with some verses on God’s great love for us! Verses that we can keep in our heads and hearts and that will always remind us of the great love the Father has for us, His children!! Have a fabulous Friday, a wonderful weekend, and a very valued and vibrant Valentine’s Day!! Love you all. =-)) Psalm 86:15- But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 1John 3:1- See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 4:7- Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Jeremiah 31:3- The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. 1Cor 13:1-3 & 13-If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing...13) And now these 3 remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love!!

Don’t you love when you get to chat w/ a friend? You just sit & talk about life. Nothing major, neither one is looking for solutions to anything, your just sharing. I love it, I got to do that last nite. We see each other a couple times through out the week, but to just really catch up, we only get that here & there. So it was nice. On my way home I even said, “thanks God!! That was refreshing!!” I felt like He smiled. Like He would’ve said to me, “I got you girl!! I know when you need a little boost!!” And He does. He knows when we need encouragement—He knows when we need to just be still—even when we need some discipline (ouch! never fun!) so He knows us & He takes care of us We are His children & He is our good good Father!!! We can trust in Him, in His plans for us. I was reading in Psalms the other day & chp 10-verse 17 says, “you put your ear to their lips.” Can’t you just picture God leaning down & getting so close to us, that we just whisper in His ear!!??!! I love that picture in my head. I love that He loves me that much, that no matter what it is I’m asking or saying He wants to know—wants to hear!! He does that for all of us. He loves each & everyone of us in that way!!! I hope that brings you encouragement-comfort-& peace. That whatever it is you may need right now, God is here, ready & able to give it to you!! Go to Him, speak to Him, & excitedly wait for Him to put His ear to your lips!! That will truly be the best part of our day...chatting w/ our Father!!! Jeremiah 1:5- Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart...” Don’t you love when you get to chat w/ a friend? You just sit & talk about life. Nothing major, neither one is looking for solutions to anything, your just sharing. I love it, I got to do that last nite. We see each other a couple times through out the week, but to just really catch up, we only get that here & there. So it was nice. On my way home I even said, “thanks God!! That was refreshing!!” I felt like He smiled. Like He would’ve said to me, “I got you girl!! I know when you need a little boost!!” And He does. He knows when we need encouragement—He knows when we need to just be still—even when we need some discipline (ouch! never fun!) so He knows us & He takes care of us We are His children & He is our good good Father!!! We can trust in Him, in His plans for us. I was reading in Psalms the other day & chp 10-verse 17 says, “you put your ear to their lips.” Can’t you just picture God leaning down & getting so close to us, that we just whisper in His ear!!??!! I love that picture in my head. I love that He loves me that much, that no matter what it is I’m asking or saying He wants to know—wants to hear!! He does that for all of us. He loves each & everyone of us in that way!!! I hope that brings you encouragement-comfort-& peace. That whatever it is you may need right now, God is here, ready & able to give it to you!! Go to Him, speak to Him, & excitedly wait for Him to put His ear to your lips!! That will truly be the best part of our day...chatting w/ our Father!!! Jeremiah 1:5- Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart...”

I never thought I was a routine kinda girl. I always thought of myself as a go w/ the flow type of person & maybe for the most part I am, but ever since we’ve come back from Christmas break I can not get things done, especially in the mornings, that I used too. It’s frustrating to me. At one point I thought maybe I should get up earlier, well I already get up at 5, 4:30, even 4:45, just doesn’t sound appealing in the least. So I’m struggling to figure out what I should do—need to do. Like what can I move around or change so that I’m not rushing & anxious in the mornings? I’ve prayed about this b/c it’s really important to me that I don’t give up on anything or go the opposite direction of what God is asking of me. So I guess I’m saying all this to tell you all that the devotions might start coming in the afternoon & to ask that maybe you could just say a prayer for me. Pray that I can get this thing figured out, & I won’t give up anything, just put stuff where it needs to be. I thank you all, I love you all, & I’m sorry for some of my weird craziness spilling over to you all Lol!! I hope your Tuesday is as terrific as you all are!!! Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

1John 1:5- This is the message we have heard from him & declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all....I don’t know about you all, but I needed to hear this verse. I needed that reminder that no matter what it looks like around me..I am a child of light. That there is always joy that comes from being in His light. Darkness might be here for a little while, but it doesn’t stay, He doesn’t let it stay!! He calls us out of it, He walks w/ us & protects us. I just find that so encouraging & I pray that you do too. Whatever it may look like around you, always remember God is here!! He will protect & take care of you & if your feeling the weight of darkness....keep clinging to Him & know that His light will shine on you once again!!!

Test

Sometimes when I'm reading a book in the bible I like to put myself there w/ the people. I think it helps me sometimes to understand what's going on. It was no different as I was reading Esther!! I've read the book many times, I'm sure even talked to you about it...many times, but this time it was different. As I'm picturing myself there watching this all unfold, Mordacai finds out Hamans evil plot to have all Jews killed, which he & Esther are one of, he, of course is beside himself, he's torn his clothes, put on sackcloth & ashes, & is now wailing "loudly & bitterly" in the streets. So anyway Esther finds out what's going on, Mordacai says go talk to the King, she says she can't & he says these words: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this!!" Powerful to me everytime I read it, but this time even more so. I told you about my story w/ Gods silence last week sometime, well when I first started hearing Him clearly it was as I was reading this book during VBS week!!! Now I'm not in a "royal position" but God is asking me to do something..to serve Him. I, of course ignored Him, but as I did He just kept saying, "and who knows that I haven't called YOU for such a time as this!!! Just b/c I was quiet doesn't mean I wasn't working on you. You had to experience what you did so you could be here right now!!" Oh my gosh, excitement is bubbling in me. We had a few more conversations & I did what Esther did, I called my girls!!! She told Mordacai she'd have hers fast w/ her, I asked mine to pray w/ me!! Esther answered the call that was given to her & I will do the same!!! I've talked to Him a couple times about how this would all work out & guess how He answered? Yep, through His word!!! I'm now reading in Romans & it's Pauls writing, but of course, I'm there listening too & he says: Romans 1:5- Through him we received grace... Through Him I have received grace!!! So on my own this will never work out, but through Gods grace & His strength it's going to be just fine!!! So keep listening for Him. If you think it's been quiet to long, maybe you've been in "the rabbit hole" (as one of my girls has said) to long & it's time to come out & hear, listen, & obey. Whatever God has planned for you, in His timing it's going to be good!!!!

My anniversary is tomorrow...28 years!! WOW!! How did that happen? I'm sitting here thinking of these 2 young kids (he was 20 & I was 19..young!!) and we thought we had it all together. We thought we knew everything, knew how it all went & was supposed to be!!! Boy were we wrong. These past 28 years have brought many joys (4 to be exact) some disappointments along the road, & numerous times of me telling Monte that I could no longer be friends with him, I'm pretty sure that happened earlier this week, if I really think about it. But God laid His foundation 28 years ago in this marriage & even though the storms have rocked it & at times put a crack in it, we have held tight to the One who brought us together & to each other. One of the things I've thought about for my kids is that they would know their dad & I loved each other. That the legacy we leave behind would be a legacy of love!! That they would see our faith & know there is no other way. A friend of mine asked me a few years ago, at our 25th I think, "how do you do it?? I've been married 10 & I feel like I'm sinking sometimes." I've felt that way many times, but the only way is through prayer. Lots & lots of it!!" Lol. So this text would just be a huge shout out to God for bringing us together, blessing us enormously, & sustaining us always!!! And thanks Mon for 28 years & here's to 28 more & more & more!!! Phil 1:3&4- I thank my God everytime I remember you. In all my prayers...I always pray w/ joy.

Well this was a bit of a hard morning for me. Lambeau & Ringo are getting "fixed". Which is a good thing, but the process leading up to it was traumatizing for all 3 of us lol. They were very excited to be going for a ride, although, I feel like if Lambeau could talk he would've said, "why are you taking us this early for a ride into town?" So we get to the humane society & they are still relatively excited, other dogs, cats, Ringo is thinking, "WOW!! This is awesome!!" Then they call for Lambeau. Luckily, a friend of Matts was there getting his cat fixed & so he held onto Ringo for me. Now they have this travel cage they want me to put him in. Have you ever tried to squeeze a polar bear into a hamster cage?? No! Well next time I'll call you...no fun--for him or me. I finally get him in & he turns around as the lady is putting a lock on his cage, & puts his paw up to me. Oh the guilt I'm feeling for making him go in there. I tell him I'm sorry & promise him he's going to be fine & I'll see him tomorrow. He gives a little whine & puts his head down. I take Ringo from Chase, Matts friend, & he's still pretty good. A new cat has come into the circle & he's prancing around. He just knows he's going to be able to chase him up the tree in the yard. They call his name. Here we go. She opens the travel cage door & he looks at me like, "yeah it's nice but that cat is waiting on me!" I said, "come on my precious boy-you have to get in there." You all know how I feel about that dog...I'm stupid when it comes to him!!! So he goes in, with quite a bit of coaxing & turns around & just looks at me. He's shocked that I'm doing this to him & he starts, not just whining but crying!!!! Guilt is washing over me & I feel terrible!! I know this is good for them both & it needs to be done, but I feel awful. I whisper to them both that I have prayed for them & they're going to be fine. I know the people waiting are looking at me like I'm nuts. I've declared my love for them both & told them maybe they'll even meet some new friends. The lady standing by her car, waiting her turn is looking at me w/ confusion & shaking her head. I tried to explain that I love them like my kids & if she was around them enough she would see that they even have human tendacys. She obviously didn't believe me & I think she even pulled her phone out to call for some "help" for me!! I left & went to McDs to drown my guilt & sorrow in a large cup of coffee & wait for work to start. So I know your probably thinking, "okay...& the point!" Well sometimes there doesn't seem to be a point & then God gives this verse to me...Isaiah 43:2-"when you pass through the waters I will be w/ you & when you walk through the rivers they will not overflow you...." And yes, Missi, even your dogs!!! "Thank you Father for knowing the things & people I love & always taking care of them!!" He gives me His peace, even when it's my sweet Lambeau & precious Ringo!!! Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!

We were studying about Martha in bible study last nite. You know how Jesus was at her house & she was busy working, trying to make things perfect & get everything done & her sister was sitting, listening to all that He was saying. She was taking it all in. Well Martha was getting upset & she finally said something to Jesus & here's what He said: Luke 10:41&42- "Martha, Martha," The Lord answered, "you are worried & upset about many things, but few things are needed--or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, & it will not be taken away from her." It kinda reminded me of Snoop (my 1st lab) which then reminded me of me, but Snoop, when we 1st brought him home, used to bring me "presents" all the time. Dead deer carcass, other peoples shoe (I say shoe-as in 1 b/c I never got a pair) buckets, blankets & towels. It got to where the neighbors would call & say, "did Snoop happen to take my beach blanket off the line? I can't find it." I'd go on the front porch & find the pile of "gifts" by the door. The vet said he was trying to please me--show that he was glad to be where he was. So I said, "okay Snoop, you don't have to bring all these things to me. You are my favorite dog ever & I am so glad your here!!!" I like to think it was my talk w/him that stopped the gift giving, Monte seems to think he just grew out of it. Either way, he became comfortable w/ his spot in the house & the gifts stopped. So all that to this....I can be like Martha & Snoop. I'm trying to "do" all this stuff for God or "bring" Him all these gifts, "look God!! Look what I have for you? Isn't it nice? Look what I did? Don't you love it?" Yes, of course He does. He wants us to serve Him, but He doesn't want that to be all we do. He wants to spend time w/us!! He wants us "to be still" (remember that verse?) to be like Mary & just take Him in, listen to His teaching, get our fill of Him & not what we do for Him or bring to Him. So think about that this morning...are you more like Martha & so busy working & trying to get it all done, that even though what your doing is for Him, your missing out on Him? Or are you like Mary & sitting w/ Him, taking your time w/ Him, listening to Him!!! Let's do our best to make sure we're being like Mary & taking time to be w/ Jesus & get our true identity in Him & not just in what we do!!! Because losing ourselves in Him & then finding who we are in Him....that is the best way to be always!!!

I've kind of gone back & forth on what to write. I feel like I've had a couple things going on that would, hopefully, give you encouragement. But everytime I go to say something the thing that seems to be the strongest on my mind is Peace!! I went to the movies last night & saw The Shack, wonderful movie!! I read the book years ago & it also was wonderful & so the movie followed course. I cried & cried, just about from the moment it started. I guess because I kinda knew what was coming, but when it was over I just felt peace. I thanked God all the way home, into the night, & this morning for that peace. The verses that kept coming to my mind were John 14:26&27- But the Councellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things & will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave w/ you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled & do not be afraid. Aren't those such wonderful verses to have in your mind!? We are never ever alone. God has given us the Holy Spirit to remind us of the things He teaches us, of the things He's said. I'm glad He doesn't give like the world gives...superficial & only looking out for it's self. God gives so that we have strength, courage, that we feel His love, & that we have His peace. There are going to be things that come up in our lives that we're not going to understand or that there isn't any good answer for, but we don't have to be stuck in confusion. We don't have to let those things consume us or define us. What we need to do is keep going to God, let Him be what comforts us & consumes us. As we do that He just covers us. His love is mighty & He gives us His peace, & those are the things we need. Those are the things that are going to get us to the place God wants us to be. Not stuck in despair, but going forth w/ encouragement. So if your feeling like a hot mess, remember God has not left you alone. He's given us His Holy Spirit to remind us to not be afraid. I hope that this gives you the peace that it has truly given me & you will go forth today filled w/ the Holy Spirit & ready to do what God has asked!!!

In Sunday school we were talking about how important the bible is. I was supposed to be the teacher but I'm telling you the girls taught me way more than I ever did them!! They're teenagers, 17, juniors in high school. I've had them for many many years in youth group, well 1 of them I'm raising lol. But you know how it is w/ that age. They may know stuff but you wonder how much is head knowledge & how much is heart. So one of the questions is: "what's your favorite bible story & why?" I thought I'm not telling them mine b/c they'll just be like, "oh yeah, mine too." Well 1 of the girls says, "I like the book of Job. My favorite part is in Chp 39 where it talks about all God does for the horse & I know if He does that for the horse He's going to do way more for me!" Oh Wow!!! Okay, I was not expecting that. The other 1 liked the book of Ruth. The way she followed & trusted & waited. She said, "but my favorite verse is Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. I like that. I like to think about that." Wow, wow, wow. That's all my mind kept saying. I honestly thought I was going to be met w/just your typical teen answers or lack there of, but no!! These girls know God. They don't just know "of" Him--they know Him!! With their hearts. They may not always understand, which at 47 do I always understand His answers or His leading? No. But they know His works are good & His plans for them are great. I walked out of Sunday school, reading that chapter in Job & looking at it the way she did. Thinking of the book Ruth again & thanking Him for the example that not only she was but Naomi too. God is so amazing the way He works & the way He teaches. I pray that we can all take time to get away & read His word & apply it to where we are right now in our lives. That's why we have His word...so He can speak to us. Let's take time & really listen & then as we hear...obey!! Psalm 119:9&10- How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

2Samuel 6:14 & 23- David was dancing before The Lord w/all his might. "I will become even more undignified than this, & I will be humiliated in my own eyes....this is one of my favorite stories. David was excited!! He was bringing up the ark of God & he was rejoicing!! He didn't care who was around or watching he was filled w/ Gods joy & he didn't care who knew or who saw him. Of course when his wife found out she scolded him for how he acted & that's when he said, "I can get EVEN MORE undignified!! What happened there...that was nothing!" He loved The Lord & he was going to celebrate & he did!! Well as I'm waiting for my mom to get out of surgery, there were quite a few different people also waiting. Well this one lady was very animated in a lot of the things she talked about & did. But all the sudden the news came on & she stops what she's doing & is listening intently to the story. Well she got so excited b/c of one of the stories. She was praising God--with hands raised!! She was thanking Him for answering her prayer for this situation. Thanking Him for watching over & taking care of the people involved. She probably told me 4 or 5 times how she was praying for this boy. It was starting to get to the point that others were looking at her--she didn't care. She kept saying, "thank you thank you thank you!!! You are good!! You are so good!!!" As I'm watching & listening to her I thought, "well she's a little over the top." Then, of course, God reminds me of this story. I sat there for a few minutes just thinking about David, thinking about this woman that I will never see again & thinking, "we should all become undignified for God." When our prayers are answered--why not say, "YYEEESSS!!!! Thank You Father!!!" Why not dance before The Lord, uninhibited. Okay maybe we don't do it right there in the hospital waiting room, especially if your a little funny about that kind of thing, but why not, atleast, be thankful right there--where people might see. God is good--so good!! He answers prayers & He takes such good care of us. He is "a good good Father. That's who He is & we are loved by Him--that's who we are!!" Let's celebrate Him! Let's become undignified & tell of His great works & love!! I'm thankful for that woman & her love for the Lord & that she didn't care to share it & let those around her know of Him. I think....I know we'll never ever be sorry we shared that great news!!

I'm sitting here this morning trying to drink my coffee & wake up & there is this fly that will not leave me alone!! Now this isn't any ordinary fly--it's HUGE!! I'd say the size of a baby chick!!! Okay, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but it's not like a small fly that bugs you when your trying to have a picnic outside in the summer. At first I thought it was a wasp, but it landed & stared at me & I realized it was just a fly!!! So I'm looking for something to kill it with & I'm thinking, "why did God make him? He's annoying & he's getting on my nerves!!" I was so afraid he was going to land in my coffee and that would have been the worst!! Wasting a perfectly good cup of coffee over this dumb fly!!! So as I'm asking God what the purpose of this fly was, the chorus, "You make everything glorious, You make everything glorious, & I am Yours..." kept playing in my head. And I thought, "really?? It's a fly & it almost got in my coffee!!" So I looked up the verse & here is what it says, Ecc 3:11- "He has made everything beautiful in it's time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Wow, okay so maybe it's a little more than this fly bothering me, it's about God reminding me of who He is, all He's done & continues to do, & most importantly how He feels about me!! He loves me, created me to do good works, & I am His!!! My heart has been in a weird place for a little while, nothing concerning just trying to figure things out, & I've cried out & cried out & don't you know God used this annoying fly to remind me of...Him!!!! To quiet my loud thoughts & calm my aching heart. To bring back to me the peace I've been missing, longing for. He's so good the way He takes care of us!! And for some reason I'm now thankful for this fly--again, God changing my thoughts!! So this morning if you've got something annoying bugging you remember this verse, keep it close & maybe look at what's going on & really see all that God is doing around you & most importantly in you!!!!! Oh & the fly--well I'm pretty sure when I picked the swatter up, he went somewhere else!! So no flies were harmed in the writing of this devotion!! Lol

Yesterday a friend of mine said, "I'm going to tell you something b/c I need you to pray." So of course I said yes & I knew that also meant don't ask to many questions b/c they couldn't really say. Which is fine, I just really need their name & I'll pray. They were saying that their friend was going through a hard time & in that time had made some choices that weren't necessarily the best & definitely weren't God lead. So anyway I said yes I would be praying. Well I couldn't get them off my mind. I kept thinking how often I've made almost the same mistake. I've been caught up in peer pressure or my own selfishness & have made not so good decisions. I'm sure we all have been in similar situations. As I was praying I thought, "what would I say to encourage them?" God said, "my grace is enough!" What!? So I went to 2Cor 12:9 & this is what it says, "But he said to me, ' My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" Yes, we mess up & we (as my good friend says) are knuckleheads at best, but we don't have to stay there. God offers His love, His forgiveness, & His strength. We can know that on our own things are bad & can get worse, but w/ God all things are possible & He will provide exactly what we need. So that's some of what I would say to my friends friend & as I was praying that God would let them know that, I had to just thank Him, b/c I most certainly needed that reminder too. I was thankful to go to His word & at the very end of the chapter, v.10, read these words, "For when I am weak, then I am strong!!" Remember His word always & when mistakes are made don't beat yourself up, go to God, go to His word & let that be what helps & encourages you. His grace is always enough for each of us & He offers it so freely!!!

We were talking in Sunday school about how important it is to look at ourselves the way God looks at us. I never really thought about how important that is. He created us in His image. He loves us, cares about us, & he died for us, then He rose again...for us!! I know it's easy to get caught up w/ how others think or w/ the images we constantly see on tv or magazines, they tell us we aren't good enough. But we've got to remember we have control over it--we can keep things in perspective w/ Gods help. So let's know that God created each of us w/ potential & He will use us if we let Him--if we give our lives to Him. He loves us as we are, not for what we think we should be. So let's go forth w/Gods mindset being what pushes us forth!!! Psalm 139:13&14- For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully & wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Trevor, Britney, & Kynlee came over yesterday & of course Monte & I stop what we're doing & we do whatever Kynlee wants to do. She jumped on the trampoline, rode her quad, & played sword fighting w/ all the sticks in the yard. Ringo joined in the sword fight. The one, though, who enjoys the visits the most is Lambeau. He loves when Trev comes over, because, even though he's a dog, he loves Trev!! He usually knows they're coming long before we see him, b/c he hears his jeep. He gets here & he jumps all over him. He comes inside & Lambeau does all he can to sit on his lap. If you've ever seen Lambeau you know he's not a lap dog, he weighs about 120pnds. Trevor talks to him, pets him, brushes him, gives him extra treats & spends as much time w/ him as he can. Lambeau is happy. Or atleast it seems that, for a dog he is. After everybody was gone & the ones that live here were in bed I went to make sure Lambeau was not tangled up & was ready for bed himself, yes I know I'm weird--I treat these dogs like they're humans, anyway, he was on the porch, laying on a blanket. He seemed very content. When I opened the door he raised his head to look at me & I said, "are you happy? You like when your person comes & sees you!" He layed his head back down & I never heard another thing from him. Which is a miracle b/c I promise you--he is nocturnal & barks at every little thing, especially at nite. So anyway I'm thinking about how we should be like Lambeau w/ Trevor. In John 10:27 it says, "My sheep hear my voice, & I know them & they follow me." Jesus calls to us-we hear Him & we should be excited, we should follow Him. He loves us & has good plans for us & that should make us content & satisfied. We chase & run after things that mean nothing, that sometimes are even no good for us. We need to be listening for our Saviors voice & then obeying what He's saying. We need to spend time w/ Him & be content in & w/ that time. Let's try & do that today. Let's start looking forward to time w/ our good shepherd, hearing His voice & getting excited about what He says!! And let that just flow through out the rest of our day. Following after Jesus is way better than anything we could follow after on our own. He'll never lead us astray, never contradict what He says, & His promises are true!! What great hope that should give us today!!

I've been having trouble sleeping lately, well since about November, it stinks!!! Part of the problem is temperature. I go to bed fine, pajamas, blanket, sometimes socks on-depending how cold it is or I am. I wake up....beyond hot!! I'm ripping blankets off, socks off, whatever I can get off. Well then it's hard to get back to sleep for me. So you know how it can be when your tired, it effects everything else in your life. Well it has mine anyway, the only thing I think of is sleep, I might be a little dramatic but you get the idea. I get up in the morning get done what I need too & sleep till I have to get ready for work. I come home from work & think, "maybe I can nap for half an hour." I feel grouchy & hateful. I don't like it, it's not who I want to be. Then I was talking to somebody about it & I know their intentions were good but they said, "oh your just getting started!! This could go on FOR YEARS!!!" WHAAAAT!!!!! I can't do this for years!!! Well this morning when I woke up, for the 2nd time, it was b/c I was freezing!! Are you kidding me!? The 1st time I'm sweating like a politician in church & the next time I couldn't get enough blankets on--frustrating. Well it brought this verse to my mind: Revelation 3:16- So, b/c you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. I thought, "well, yes Lord, I am either hot or cold--doesn't seem like there's much in between." But that's not what He's talking about--I know that & I'm gonna be honest w/ you all....spiritually---I feel like maybe God would spit me out. I don't want that--I want to be on fire for Him. I want my daily routine to get back to it's normal routine. I don't want to be tired anymore. I know a lot of this will pass. I know that God sees way beyond my upfront self. He knows the desires of my heart & sees what's going on in my mind, He will do in me what needs to be done to give me a revival of the heart & a renewing of the mind. I know His work is being done even as I write this. So I guess I want to encourage each of you, that if you've been feeling "lukewarm" don't give up. Don't just think, "I'm going to be spit out & that's it!" It's not it. Go to God, tell Him what's going on. Let Him do the healing in you, before we all know it, He's going to set a Holy fire in us all that cannot be contained & how wonderfully great that will be, for Him & us!!!

Isaiah 58:9- Then you will call, & The Lord will answer; you will cry for help, & he will say; "Here am I..." I came across this verse last night & I was just so excited. I read it over & over & over again. For me, it's so encouraging--when I call out God says, "I'm right here!" He here's me!! We all want to be heard, we want to know that what we say is important & that somebody is listening. Well God couldn't be any clearer....He says, "Here am I!" I hope this gives you encouragement also. I hope that you'll continue to go to Him & talk to to Him, pray to Him & seek His answers!! He's available, He's listening. His answers are always for our good. There is hope in Him always!!! Don't give up & don't stop calling to Him. That would be my encouragement to us all today. I pray you find your hope in & through His word!!

Isaiah 55:1- Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters....I started thinking about this verse when I woke up & my throat was so dry & all I wanted was water. As soon as the water hit I was like, "aahhh--better!! Much better!" Thats kind of how it is for us when we're not soaking ourselves in God!! When we're ignoring our quiet time w/ Him, it will make us dry & parched. It will make us want something-anything to take that dryness away, to quench us. I love coffee but when I get so thirsty coffee doesn't help, I need just water. That's how we are spiritually, we're dry, so we pour all this stuff in us trying to take it away & nothing is going to work but just getting w/ God & letting Him pour Himself in us--on us. So if spiritual dryness is something your dealing w/ right now, do the only thing that's going to make you thirst no more...go to Him & let Him just pour it out on you like rain!! I promise you will feel so much better, you'll be saying, "aaahh! Much-much better!!"