An Oasis in a Martha world (women's retreat update)

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a women's retreat at my church. It was fantastic! Our theme for the day was: Recipie for Life-feasting on God's Grace. We had speakers come in talk about gardening and keeping the first thing first. It was such a blessing just to be with other women and fellowship with them. I don't know about ya'll but I feel like women as a whole, myself includeded, never take time for ourselves! There's always something that needs to be done or we think that needs to be done and we never take time for ourselves or our Savior.

We  need to be need to be Mary instead of Martha! Spend time resting or doing something that you love. Most importantly of all spend time with our Lord. I love what our devotional book from the retreat says, "The message of the cross must remain the "main thing" in our lies. And the main thing-the main ingredient-in our forgiven, abundant, and eternal lives is Jesus' death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Yes, the main thing is to keep the main thing!"

This was truly an awesome day! I can't wait for the next retreat. I think that they are going to make it an annual event at our church. I will be sharing more in the coming weeks from the retreat. Stay tuned! :)

A ++

Today ends Teacher Apperication Week. Teachers are some of the hardest working people I know. I know they've been getting a bad wrap lately. It's sad that a few rotten apples are spoiling the whole bunch. Teachers are educators, parents, secretaries,friend, and so many other other people rolled into one. They never realize how many lives they truly touch. I'd like to tip by to some teachers who made a difference in my life.

• Mrs. Adcox-"Mrs. A" was my senior English teacher in high school. She encouraged me to keep writing despite my numerous spelling and grammatical errors. More importantly she saw and nurtured my potential even when I didn't see it myself. 
• Mrs. Bordelon-5th grade U.S. history. She opened my eyes to how fascinating history is! I am history buff and I owe it all to her.  She also taught me the importance of learning from others mistakes so history doesn't repeat itself. 
• Mrs. Curry-my math teacher. She never got frustrated with me when I had such a hard time with math. She just taught me a different way. I'm disgraphic so I have a very hard time with math. She helped me see that it was okay to be different. That everyone is different in some way or another. It's not a bad thing
• Mrs. Broom-High School Home Economics- She taught me important life skills like how to cook and sew. She also taught me what it ment to stand up for what you belive in. 

Have you had any teachers who impacted your life? How?

A to Z Challenge Relections Mega Post.

A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

• What attracted you to the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge? I thought the challenge would be a great way to streach and challenge myself as a blogger
• Did you feel intimidated by the Challenge? Oh yeah! I didn't think I would be able to do it.
• Did you ever feel like quitting? Yes, when I started not feeling well.  What kept you going? The thought of being a quiter. I don't like to quit.
• What do you think was your biggest contribution to the Challenge? I don't feel like I contributed at all. I feel that my post were not up to par with everyone elses.
• In finishing this challenge, will you be more apt to try other blogging or writing challenges (e.g.--NaNoWriMo)? Yes but I don't know about right now. I am very frustrated with my blog and my post. I need to regroup and get it together.
• Do you feel you did your best in the Challenge? Up until my health problems started acting up again.   What could you have done better? Stuck to my blog topics and planned ahead.
• What did you learn from the Challenge? There are lots of great bloggers out there and that I need to do better or give it up.
• Will you be blogging any more now than you used to? I dont' think so. I think I am going back to three or four blog post a week. Quality over quanity. 

Arlee, you did an excelent job of coming up with the idea for this challenge and organizing it. I would definately do another challenge you created. Excellent job!
 

Life Before and After

Life Before and After

During this Holy Week as we remember Christ death, burial and resurrection. I‘d think back to before I knew Christ as my Savior. I grew up in the Baptist church. In fact I go as far as to say that I was even conceived Baptist. I remember church being just a place that we had to go. Just like going to the grocery store, or gas station. I heard people talk of Jesus and life and death on the cross but I didn’t think that was real. That some how Jesus was just some story that grown ups told. In junior high I went down the pastor and making a profession of faith because my mother wanted me to not because I asked Jesus into my heart. I would act like a Christian- praying, being kind, inviting other to church and all the other things believers were supposed to but it was all a fake. I went on with this pseudo Christianity until college. In college, I was blessed with some wonderful Godly roommates. Living with 3 other girls you get to know each other really well. They had such a genuine love for God and a peace like I had never seen before. I had to find out more about it. It in my dorm room, my first semester of college that I genuinely asked Jesus to come into my heart.
Now I can’t imagine life without Him. . I am still amazed by His love and by the fact that God sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins. Every day with Jesus is sweet and precious. Yes, I still have struggles and trials but there is such comfort in knowing that I am not alone and that He is leading and guiding me. How has Christ impacted you life?
If you like to know more about Jesus I’d be happy to tell you more about Him. Just contact me.

Prayer

Prayer

Prayer has been coming up in my mind a lot this week. There are so many things going on these days. From the changing American society, health concerns of loved ones and friends, uncertainties about the future and so much more. I think we often forget the power of prayer. We get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget who is the source of life. There are so many passages in the Bible that talk about prayer. One verse in particular that keeps coming to my mind is I Thessalonians 5:16-18. “16 -18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” From the Message. I will be the first to admit that this passage can be a challenge-especially for me. I am a natural born pessimist. It is much easier for me to assume the worse than to be cheerful.-let a lone thank God-no matter what. Thankfully God has placed me with an optimistic husband and friends. Slowly but surely God is teaching me to thankful despite circumstances. Now does this verse mean to literally stay on bended knee 24-7? I think not. I believe it means to stay in a state of prayer all the time. Keep the line of communication open with the Father. I find it easiest to communicate with Him by short simple phrase. Just whatever is on your heart-tell God about it. You will find Him listening.

Update/ I need Thee Every Hour

I would like to think everyone for their kind words and prayers as I went to the doctor Tuesday. Here's what happened. My liver enzyme levels are through the roof. He wasn't sure why that was till I talked about having green bathroom moments (stool ect.) and now he thinks it's my gall bladder. I go to the Medical Center in Houston tomorrow for a sonagram on my gall bladder, liver, and pancreas. That will tell him if I need to have surgery or not. I will be driving to down town Houston to the Medical Center. Please keep me in your prayers. I am nervous about driving down there.
 I am trying really hard not to worry out about this. You think that growing up in a Christian home and making Christ my Savior when I was a teenager would make you better to handle these "bumps in the road" but that doesn't seem the case. Thankfully God is a God of Grace and Mercy. The song "I need Thee Every Hour" keeps playing in my head. What a wonderful reminder how much we need our Savior and wonderful fact that He is always there! I especially like the version of the song by Selah. I pray that this ministers to you as it does me.

7 Quick Takes

1. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON! I mean it! Today I was running late to work. I don't like being late-at all!  Well I was on the freeway and I came up behind this bus. I was going to pass it but something said "DON'T PASS!" It sounded like an audible voice. Looking back in retrospect I believe it was the Holy Spirit trying to warn me. Not even a couple of minutes later the bus and a couple of cars directly in front of the bus were in an accident. I couldn't tell what exactly happened from where but I vividly remember seeing the rear axle and tires flying off the bus. Thankfully everyone in the accident was ok. Just remember all things work together for GOOD! 
2. Birthday-Yesterday was my hubby's birthday. We had a wonderful evening together. I painted a picture for him and gave him the first season of "Lie to me." Matt loves that show. We are going to Outback today! I can't wait to sink my teeth into some "Chocolate Thunder From Down Under!" It's gluten free! I'm so happy about that. I'll post some pics soon of the birthday celebration. 
3. Lent-2 days down and so far so good. Giving up facebook was really hard at first. My phone kept sending me all these facebook messages! I thought I was gonna go crazy before I turned the phone messages off.  I haven't had any conversations hearts either.  I think the fact that I have to go to the doctor next week is helping me say no. hehe. The Beth Moore book I am reading is fantastic. See #5
4. Camera-My camera bit the dust this week. Well it had a little help. Hopefully Nikon can fix it and get it back to me soon. Thankfully it's under warrenty. 
5. Beth Moore- I am reading So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore. I've only finished the first chapter but it's so eye opening. I thought I was alone in my struggle with insecurity. Turns out I am not! I think this book might be a good thing to use at our women's retreat later this year. 
6 wedding- I can't believe that my nephew's wedding is in two weeks! Time to finish the last minute cleaning and declutter. My mom, dad, sister will be staying  with us. I hope my camera is back by then. If not I may have to go get cheapie digital camera.  I know the disposal digital camera will not satisfy a photo bug like me. 

7. Blog- I made some changes to my blog. I would love to hear what you think of them. Any ideas, tips, and suggestions would be greatly appreicated. I want share a Bible verse. My friend over at http://www.extravagantgrace.net/ posted a lovely verse and made it into a book mark. I wanted to share it with everyone. Have a safe and blessed weekend. 

Conversation Hearts, Facebook, and Lent

Matthew 16:21 - From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the Law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  


Lent starts tomorrow. I've never participated in Lent before. No I am not Catholic I am Lutheran. I just think it is a good idea to give up something for God. I have decided to give up Facebook and conversation hearts.What better way to break (or at least curb)  a bad habit than to give it to God. I also hope by observing the season, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ becomes even more precious and meaningful to me. 
  Conversations hearts you say? I know, I know it, sounds silly but I am SO addicted to them! They are one of the few candies that are gluten free! I buy the bags right after Valentine's Day (when they are on clearance) and make them last till the next Valentine's Day. I just eat 3 or 4 hearts a day and I'm good.  Some times on bad days I might grab a handful though.  I especially love  the new Necco flavors Strawberry, Green Apple, Lemon, Grape, Orange and Blue Raspberry! Bad huh? 
As for Facebook-well I've been cutting on it so it should be no big deal.  Hopefully
I think while I am having Facebook with drawl I am going to start reading So Long Insecurity  by Beth Moore. It should help keep my on God and less on what I am giving up.  
If there is anyone else out there participating in Lent this year I would be interested to hear what you are giving up - I always find it neat the different things people find hard to let go of for a bit. 

Blogger's Blah

I have a bad case of the blah's today. Blogger's Blah. Blah because I feel that no one reads my blog. I look at other's blogger's follower's and  to quote one of my favorite books and movies, "I turn pea green with envy." (The quotes is from Gone With The Wind in case you are wondering.)
What does it take to get people to read your blog? Am I making a big deal over nothing? I mean I do feel better after I blog. It's like therapy to me. I always walk away from my posts feeling released in a sence. So why am I making a big deal over nothing!?! Has anyone else ever felt this way? Is it normal?
Well followers or not I am still going to blog. It has become part of my life now.  Now to get outside and enjoy some sunshine!
Have a blessed day everyone!

I've come to realize......

I saw this on my friends facebook page and thought it was really good. Sometimes it's good to stop and think back on what one has realized.

1. I've come to realize.... that my attitude affects everything. Whether positively or negatively. It's up to me to choose.

2. I've come to realize that my job...should not be brought home with me.

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving... I despise tail gaters.

4. I've come to realize that I need...to sometimes just take a step back and just breathe and that things usually look better in the morning.

5. I've come to realize that I have lost..precious loved ones in my life but I will never loose the memories I have of them.

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...people are only nice to you when they want something.

7. I've come to realize that when I'm drunk..I become very somber and serious.

8. I've come to realize that money is not everything but it pays the bills.

9. I've come to realize that certain people..will never like me. It's their loss not mine.

10. I've come to realize that I will always...put God first.

11. I've come to realize that my sibling(s)mean more to me the older I get.

12. I've come to realize that my mom...is usually right-even though I don't like to admit it.

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone...is always by my side. I feel "naked" without it.

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning..my day went better when I spent time with God.

15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep..That I forgot to lay out my clothes for the next day.

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking...about how I am hungry am.

17. I've come to realize that my dad...is a good man and has the patience of a saint.

18. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook...I really should be doing other things b/c I spend way too much time on here.

19. I've come to realize that today...has been a great day! :)

20. I've come to realize that tonight...that the first week of school is over and before we know it Christmas will be here.

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow... I need to start my Christmas shopping. I like to shop early, I know, I know, but I hate last minuteness and crowds!

22. I've come to realize that I really want to...go back to college.

23. I've come to realize that the person who is most likely to repost this is...?

24. I've come to realize that life.."ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride."-Gary Allen

25. I've come to realize that this weekend...I need to get a lot done.

26. I've realized the best music to listen to when I am upset...classical. It helps me calm down.

27. I've come to realize that my friends..may live all over the world but we are still close to each other. Thank God for email and the Internet!

28. I've come to realize that this year...has been interesting and challenging. I can't wait to see what happens next!

29. I've come to realize that my exes...are exes for a reason and remain in past.

30. I've come to realize that maybe I should...relax more and stop worrying so much.

31. I've come to realize that I love...my husband with all my heart...he is my true love and best friend.

32. I've come to realize that I don't understand...why people do the things they do

33. I've come to realize my past..is just the past and it needs to stay there.

34. I've come to realize that parties...are times to relax and hang with friends.

35. I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified...tall bridges that I have to drive over.

36. I've come to realize that my life...is what I make of it and I try not to live in the past but look to the future.