"Chick-fil-a, I could eat there seven times a day.." :)

Today the my nieces had off school, so I took them to Chick-fil-a for a special treat. We had fun taking pictures, and I thought you might like to see some of them. :)

We had beautiful weather today! After we got back from Chick-fil-a, we went on a long bike ride. We've had some fun bonding times while I've been visiting. :)

"I Want A Hot Cup Of Cocoa, With A Marshmellow Or Two...."

I am up visiting my older sister and my two neices; and we got snow here! It was only about an inch, but it's still lovely! I went out on the balcony, last night, to get something, and there was a soft blanket of white, fluffy stuff. I didn't even know it was snowing! :) 



You'll never believe what my neices brought out to sled on....baking pans! Now, that's what I call ingenuity. :) It actually worked pretty well.



We had fun frolicking about for a bit. I hope we get some back home soon!

Good times, wonderful friends, and a great weekend!

Last weekend, I was able to go visit my dear friends, the Hertzler family. Michelle, Bethany, and I always have so much fun together, and I am so thankful for their friendship! Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Here we are after church Sunday morning




Michelle and I share so many laughs! But we've also cried together, and that's what friendship is all about; sharing the good times and the bad times. We keep each other sane sometimes. :) I love you girl!





We both wore our plaid skirts and boots



Pictures were taken by the lovely, talented Bethany Hertzler! (except, of course, the one with her in it. :)

God Speaks To Women Today

...." I believe[God would prepare us sooner if we were] less opinionated, less obstinate. Isn't is true that many of the bumps and jolts in a woman's life are direct consequences of her own self-centered decisions, her own actions and reactions? All understandable, perhaps, but our responsibilities, just the same. " I know the thoughts I think toward you," God said. "They are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." The "end" God expects for us is one of inward peace. Our external circumstances will not always be peace-inducing, but we can live adequate to them, if we have begun to cooperate with God in the midst of them.
 We often think of Abraham as a man of great faith, of Sarah, as the first woman of great faith. They were. And yet, God had to bring them both to a still deeper place of obedience. They both came to that place at last, and their remaining years were peaceful. Our's can be too, if, like Sarah, we move toward full cooperation with the Lord God."
 This is an excerpt taken from the book, God Speaks To Women Today, by Eugenia Price. I have been reading it for my devotions recently. It is so rich, and full of great truths from Scripture. She has a section on each woman from the Bible, and the lessons we can learn from their story. I have found it most interesting, and beneficial. The above excerpt is from the chapter on Sarah. I love the part about having an inward peace, despite the fact that our external circumstances might not be "peace-inducing". I'm sure we can all relate to that at sometime or the other. The biggest thing that struck home to me was being "less opinionated, less obstinate", and cooperating with the Lord. :) I can totally relate to this. How many times do I try to push what I want, instead of surrendering my will to what He knows it best for me. I'm thankful that He keeps working with me, and gives grace despite my opinionated, obstinate self! :)

When God Ran

This song has meant so much to me since I first heard it. What an incredible thought! I love it because it reminds me how much we are loved by God! The One who created the universe wants a relationship with us! I love the line, "My God calls me son!" How awesome is that!! And no matter how often we fail Him, He still "runs" to us! I hope it blesses you as much as it has blessed me!

Resolutions anybody?

 I don't usually make resolutions. That word just seems to lend itself to being broken. :) But I usually take time to reflect on what God has done in the past, and think about what I need to work on in the coming year. I guess you might say I make goals. But I always want to make sure these are prayed over, and done in Christ's strength, knowing that I can do nothing without it.

 One thing I want to do better about this year is giving myself ample time for preparation. I feel like I need to take more time to prepare for things, so I'm not rushing around, last minute, looking for that item that is hiding from me, then, running out the door, and rushing to make it wherever I'm going on time. :)  It's cool if that happens once in a blue moon, but since it seems to be a regular occurrence, then I have issues. :) So, with the Lord's help, my big goal for this year is to remedy that problem. I am going to try and do what I need to do in order to be ready to depart earlier, and not have to stress about making it somewhere on time. I hate being late, and am rarely tardy, but I stress myself out making sure I'm not. :) I just need to start laying out my clothes the night before, or whatever it takes, so I'm not running around like a crazy person in the morning. :)

 Anyone have any goals or resolutions for the new year to share? Also, feel free to share any tips on preparing ahead of time so as not to stress out! I hope everyone has a blessed year filled with God's presence and grace everyday!

 

Looking Back

 I have been in denial about the new year coming, and now here we are, three days into it already. 2012! It seems unreal that 2011 is gone and put behind us. I have been reflecting on the past year's events, and find that I have a lot to thank the Lord for.

 In some ways, the past year has been a hard one. I've had many lessons to learn, and I still haven't learned them all. :) But, as I reflect, I find that the Lord has been so gracious to me! He has walked with me through all the hard times, and has continued to guide me through each twist and turn. I'm so grateful that He cares about me enough to teach me the hard lessons.

 I have a testimony of God's protection over me in 2011.  In June, my mom and I were in a bad car accident. Thankfully, The Lord protected us, and we are both OK. I know that He was watching over us that day, and if you had seen my totaled car, you would know it too! It's a miracle that we weren't critically injured!

 I guess the thing I see most, as I look back over the year, is God's Amazing Grace! He give so much grace to us. Oh the thought that Jesus loves me! It is still astounding that the Lord continues to care for me, despite my many failures. He has been so faithful to me in 2011, and I know He will continue to be in 2012! So, I don't fear what may come my way this next year, because I know that my Lord is with me, and He will guide me through!

 This is one of my favorite songs, sung by The Collingsworth Family, and it's a great song for the new year!

 "In this age of uncertainty, questions come to my mind. What is waiting ahead for me, and the rest of mankind?
Fear not tomorrow! God is already there. He's charting each course you take, He sees each hidden snare. He's waiting to guide you through each burden and care. Fear not tomorrow, God is already there!
Are you troubled o'er things to come, is your future unsure? Are dreading the coming dawn, a long day to endure?
Fear not tomorrow! God is already there. He's charting the course you take, He sees each hidden snare. He's waiting to guide you through each burden and care. Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.
Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.
Fear not tomorrow, GOD IS ALREADY THERE!"