The Plan I Have For You

It has been a while since I have published a blog.  It has been a pretty busy last few months with some amazing God inspired events I hope to share with you soon.  Until then, here is the very best of those. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13 This is a verse God laid on my heart about four years ago.  It was a transition time in our family.  I left my more than full time job and went back to graduate school.  It has been four hard years, full of plenty of life lessons.  Over and over, this particular verse has stood out.  It is posted above my desk.  It is highlighted in my Bible.  And it is branded into my heart. 9/11/16.  A Day to Remember In the 43 years I have been on this planet I had never given my whole life to Christ.   I've put him in a box, allowed him to work on my terms, and pouted as a child at the times when he didn't let things go the way I expected. It to...

It is hard to believe graduate school is over.  I've always enjoyed the challenge of learning, and as hard as the late nights, early mornings and weekends of pouring over material has been, a part of me will miss it. I'm writing this post today not to brag about the degree conferred upon me last Friday, but to brag on God for the past three years.  While I am extremely proud to have the book knowledge, and soon the piece of paper reflecting that, there were lessons learned that simply aren't reflected in the title I can now add behind my name. When God guided me back to school three years ago, I knew I could do it...the book work that is.  I've always done well in school.  I graduated salutatorian of my high school class, and magna cum laude in undergraduate.  Studying isn't a hard task, and I was taking classes in the area of my passion.  Sure it would take work and dedication, but the degree was something I was confident I could accomplish. It was...

I was just sitting here after church thinking about how incredibly blessed I am.  First Jesus died for a sinner like me.  The past few weeks have been hard but I know he has been pruning away things in my life that needed to go.  It has been an incredibly freeing experience. I've been reminded of what an amazing family he has given me.  They support me and love me.  He entrusted to me two amazingly talented children who love Jesus with their whole heart and aren't afraid to use their gifts for his glory. In less than a month I will walk the stage with my Masters and a 4.0 GPA.  He placed a team of physicians in place to handle two surgeries and to diagnose and treat a chronic illness so I could see my dream become a reality. And he gave me a supportive husband who has let me live out my dream.  Who made the commitment for better or worse, in sickness and in health.  We will celebrate 20 years together in a little over a month.  He has s...

Hope.  It is a huge little four letter word. Without it we live a life of darkness.  It is the ray of light that is able to pierce through places we cannot see. I am so glad to have the hope of Christ Jesus and his promise of eternal life.  It is so reassuring knowing the suffering and pain we have here on earth will be over, and one day we we will spend eternity in his presence. Even though I know I have this incredible promise, I am so guilty of selling short his ability to work in my day to day life. Friday was a road trip day.  I had the radio off, driving and following the directions of my little google app voice.  It wasn't the Google app automated voice that I heard most clearly.  It was the one who reminded me of the verses above, and how I so often settle for less than he wants for me.  Why?  Because I don't bother to ask. This girl has set some pretty lofty goals for 2016, and I am expecting it to be a year of change.   Howe...

Its hard to believe Christmas is over.  It seemed like I blinked and December was gone.  Saturday, I packed away the trees and decorations. The year we married, I started a tradition of purchasing one Hallmark ornament for each of us.  Four family members and 19 Christmases later, I now have enough to decorate an entire tree. Each ornament tells a story in our family.  There's "Our First Christmas" to celebrate the beginning of our family.  A silver tiara represents my "princess."  A red cardinal adorns the tree in memory of mine and Troy's grandmothers who loved red birds.  A little orange striped kitty is for the fluffy little pet who I claimed as my baby for 17 years, and an RV reminds me of the best family vacation we took. I smiled as I carefully wrapped each and placed it in the box. I have to admit I could use a "do over" for Christmas this year.  I spent December in a funk.  Friends around me were battling for their lives with...