Reflecting,,,,

Aaahhhhh...I love the sound of the waves....the smell of the ocean....the breeze.... I have looked forward to this week with much anticipation. This past year, actually two years, have been tough. But God is faithful and once again HE has shown up. Ask and HE will answer. This week at the beach, I took with me two books, Nightmares Echo and Beauty for Ashes. God spoke to me through both books. I keep letting my past hinder my present. But I am thankful that I am on the road to recovery. Part of the healing is realizing and then with much prayer God will bless. Even as I was reading this week, I came under attack by a previous oppressor in my life. My initial response was the same fear and paralyzing of my brain. I could not even respond but just went into withdrawal. God has blessed me with such wonderful Gigs(girlfriends in God). I called one on the phone and she was in the perfect place to pray with me over the phone. As she prayed, the curtain of fear was lifted and I realized that the enemy was gaining ground with my fear. It was not the appropriate response. God is bigger than my enemy and HE will prevail. In the book, Beauty for Ashes, Joyce Meyer talks about all of the doors we pass through during our period of oppression and how God has to take us back through those same doorways to deliver us from their hold. So I know which door this one is and I want victory, not revenge. As I continued in my other study, God spoke about letting HIM vindicate. So I've given it to HIM and am trusting HIM to deliver and work. His peace is flooding my soul. What a wonderful way to end a vacation...and I still have a three day weekend! Thank you Jesus!

I want to stay here...

So I started this new bible study a week ago with a group of ladies at church. It is a Beth Moore study, Stepping UP. And to quote Beth, "The way up with GOD is DOWN". To explain this, we have been encouraged to find time EVERY DAY to go down on our FACE before God. What an experience! The difference in perspective...who HE is and who I am in HIS sight. What a change! I love JESUS!
I also have a new motto that I want to hang on my wall.....a friend had a baby and she has this painted and hung above her daughter's bed..."I've met my Prince and his name is Daddy" I thought that was pretty cute but during this study we were reminded what a Prince we have in Jesus. I want to paint it and put it there to see every day....I've been searching and searching and my Prince has been there waiting all along.....you see, I've met MY PRINCE....and HIS name is JESUS!

It's time...

We leave Saturday for the annual pilgrimage to the BEACH. I personally can not wait. I think I feel the closest to God there with the sun, sand, and waves. I have a lot to process from this past year and am just looking forward to the God time. I am at such a wonderful place in life right now and I thank GOD for all that HE has done and continues to do for me.
Mother's Day was wonderful. I have so much to be thankful for. We enjoyed family dinner together Saturday night and then Sunday with more family. Shanna and Kylea got me a beautiful necklace with their names and birthstones. We spent time together. Both are doing very well in college! I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters of which I could not be more proud.
Life is so good!

Behind The Scenes

Mom never updates on here, so I feel like this is my second blog. Haha!
-Shanna

Be Careful What You Wish For

Be careful what you wish for
It just might happen you know
For God above loves you so much
And wishes for you to grow

He listens to each prayer you speak
And those hidden in your heart
He wants to bless you with all you seek
That your joy may never depart

Some prayers are granted in pure delight
While others concern Him so
He knows the outcome each will have
And desires your good you know

So be careful what you wish for
Consider with the utmost care
Your purpose should be to glorify Him
The rewards will not compare.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

By my beautiful daughter Shanna

http://www.shannalane.blogspot.com/



Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Write six random things about yourself. (See below)

4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them. (See further below...)

5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.



6 Randon Things about ME

1. The apple didn't fall far from this tree. Shanna is so much like me. It is really funny to watch her and know that I did/would have done the same thing in the same situation. My prayer is that she can learn from some of my mistakes and not make them. I can honestly say that I am proud to be her mother!

2. I am equally proud to be Kylea's mother. She has helped me to lighten up a bit and not be so serious all the time. We have a lot of fun together.

3. I am not a very good blogger. I love to write and have kept a journal for several years now. I like to keep my thoughts more private so I have trouble posting them in a place where anyone could read them!

4. I love to cook and enjoy trying different recipes. My family knows if they don't want to have it again they had better NOT say that it was good!

5. My favorite place to vacation is the BEACH. I love the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand under my feet. Some day I would love to retire to the beach....

6. I am definitely a MORNING person all of the way. I generally fall asleep around 9 p.m. and wake with the sun. I often wake around 4 or 5 a.m. and go ahead and get up because I always have things to do. I have a hard time watching tv or movies because if I get still I will fall asleep.



So I am tagging Doug Pruitt, my pastor at Midtowne Church (http://dougpruitt.blogspot.com/) and Blake Welch (http://arkansastoafrica.blogspot.com/). Blake will not be able to respond until after November 21....

Update on Shanna

Shanna just finished her first Fall rotation (Med-Surg) on the urology/transplant floors. She didn't like the clinical part of the rotation so much, since this is not where her heart is. Her youngest patient was 60 years old, and she'd much rather work with children or babies. She will be starting her OB rotation very soon and is very excited. This could make or break her idea of a future career. Lately, she has been torn between pediatrics and labor and delivery. OB and Pharmacology will finish up in early December and she'll get a much needed 1 month Christmas break. She earned an "A" in the Med-Surg rotation. I've seen so much growth in her confidence in God and herself this semester. The best part was the day she had a test and she texted me and specifically asked that I pray for her regarding the test. In mid-January the Spring semester will begin with half being Pediatrics at Children's and the other half being Psych-nursing. She is really not looking forward to the Psych so much! That's all for now...continue to pray for her as she journeys through nursing school.