Do you ever have trouble trusting that God knows what He's doing?
I do. More often than I care to admit.
I've been thinking a lot over the last week or so about one thing in particular. Something God brought into my life unexpectedly. Something definitely outside of my comfort zone for several reasons.
Sometimes God asks us to do things that we don't understand. Sometimes He asks us to do things that we're afraid of. Sometimes He asks us to do things that scare us. Sometimes He gives us the opportunity to do something that will grow us and stretch our faith in ways we didn't even know we needed.
God knows what He's doing. Even when we don't.
Recently God has given me a blessing that was (1) VERY unexpected, (2) VERY much outside of my comfort zone, and (3) VERY {potentially} exciting!
God knows what He's doing, and I guess for now, my only responsibility is to trust Him!
Stay Tuned! :)
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Patience Practice
Isn't God amazing?!
I love how He always knows just exactly what we need and when we need it. Always.
I started out the summer wondering how on earth I was going to survive the three months when the college kids would be gone. Helen was planning on moving home. I was feeling lonely.
Then, Helen decided to stay. And the Petersons decided to adopt her. And let's be honest here... Helen and I are kind of a package deal. So in adopting her, they (unknowingly) adopted me too! I can't thank God enough for them! They really do love us! And we love them! Pastor Dad & Mamma P get excited with us when big wonderful stuff happens in our lives, and they comfort us when big BAD stuff happens. God knew I needed a local (and sometimes loco) family!
Anyhow...
Saturday morning, I woke up thinking I knew exactly how my day was going to go: Summer of the Gospel car wash from 10am-5pm, then family time with Helen and the P's from 5-?. I knew what I wanted out of life, and I knew who I wanted to hang out with all day.
And then... right there in the middle of the day... God changed my direction. Just randomly and (for the most part) completely unexpectedly. God dropped a blessing in my lap about 2:30 in the afternoon, and suddenly I no longer knew what life was supposed to look like! You know the feeling... it throws you off completely and, even though you're totally fine with this change of direction, you still walk around kind of dazed and stunned... and totally in awe of the Creator's sense of humor.
One of the things I've really been struggling with this summer is patience. I just didn't know it. Well, apparently God decided it was time for me to get clued in to His summer lesson plans for me.
Lessons A, B, & C: Learn to be Patient.
Patient in waiting for God's plan to be revealed.
Patient in waiting for God's perfect timing.
Patient in learning how to love others.
A wonderful person who is quickly becoming like a brother to me challenged me to memorize 1 Corinthians 13:4. The first three words are these: Love is patient.
That's it.
Just three little words.
Love. Is. Patient.
And since Sunday night when he challenged me (and the entire Summer of the Gospel group) to memorize this verse, I have had these three words on a constant replay in my mind.
Love is patient. Love is patient. Love is patient.
Monday afternoon, God chose to surprise me yet again. And, just like the Saturday blessing, this surprise also requires a bit of patience.
And now, here I sit... just waiting. Patiently waiting for God to show me what HE has for me. Patiently waiting for God to show me HIS perfect timing. Patiently waiting on God to reveal to me how HE wants me to love others.
At least God provides encouragement during this waiting season! My mother for instance, who said to me yesterday (after hearing about my second "patience practice" blessing), "Honey! I don't even know how to pray for you anymore. I just get started praying for one thing, and then another thing comes long... I guess I'll just keep praying for it ALL!"
So... I bet several of you are now wondering with piqued curiosity what these two "patience practice" blessings are. Well...
You'll just have to be PATIENT! :)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Don't Blink
Last night did NOT go as planned. I was supposed to go over to the Yellow House to watch a Christmas movie with my favorite Helen.
BUT... when I texted her to verify this plan about 3pm, she informed me that instead of a nice, quiet movie night, we were having nice, chaotic video game night. Now before you start thinking that I was upset and not ok with this, I must tell you that this little tid bit of information actually excited me!
You see, our summer brother couldn't believe that we'd never played video games ever before in our lives, and he insisted that sometime before the summer was out (at which time he will be leaving us to go... well... far away... to college... like that's important or something...) we would play video games. So last night was the night.
When I arrived at the Yellow House, game-mode was in full swing. It was a full house! Summer brother Caleb, his friends Patrick & Matthew, and our friend Fogell were all present. I found my sister sitting in a chair working on some crazy little gameboy-type thing (probably it wasn't a gameboy, but... how would I know!), and Carah had Brooke over. So much fun!
Since I didn't actually get to play anything until about 10pm, I just sat on the sofa and observed. And as I sat there, it hit me: this won't last forever. In a few short weeks, Caleb will leave for college, and Helen will be back in school. Shortly thereafter, Fogell will leave for basic.
And where will I be? What will change in my life?
Nothing. I will go back to being the responsible adult I pretend to be. My evenings will be *hopefully* filled with letter writing and skype dating and phone calling and texting, trying desperately to hold on to these newfound friends who are like family.
As I pondered these things, beginning to feel sad and depressed, I took a good look around me. I realized that NOW isn't the time to feel sad and depressed. No! NOW is the time for me to soak in all these precious little moments, the sweet memories of summer and friends and family and fun. NOW is the time to burn all these moments into my memory so that in a few short weeks when life does a 180, I will still have these memories to keep me company.
So for the next few weeks as life goes on around me, I have determined to not focus on what's coming, but rather to focus on what IS... to make memories- good ones- and to write it all down so I don't forget.
We all have moments such as these in our lives. Don't let the "what's next" make you miss out on the "what's now."
Oh, and by the way: although Helen did a pretty fantastic job of holding her own in the video gaming against the troop of guys, I... didn't fare so well. As I told them all last night, "I have many talents... and I'm pretty sure this just isn't one of them!"
BUT... when I texted her to verify this plan about 3pm, she informed me that instead of a nice, quiet movie night, we were having nice, chaotic video game night. Now before you start thinking that I was upset and not ok with this, I must tell you that this little tid bit of information actually excited me!
You see, our summer brother couldn't believe that we'd never played video games ever before in our lives, and he insisted that sometime before the summer was out (at which time he will be leaving us to go... well... far away... to college... like that's important or something...) we would play video games. So last night was the night.
When I arrived at the Yellow House, game-mode was in full swing. It was a full house! Summer brother Caleb, his friends Patrick & Matthew, and our friend Fogell were all present. I found my sister sitting in a chair working on some crazy little gameboy-type thing (probably it wasn't a gameboy, but... how would I know!), and Carah had Brooke over. So much fun!
Since I didn't actually get to play anything until about 10pm, I just sat on the sofa and observed. And as I sat there, it hit me: this won't last forever. In a few short weeks, Caleb will leave for college, and Helen will be back in school. Shortly thereafter, Fogell will leave for basic.
And where will I be? What will change in my life?
Nothing. I will go back to being the responsible adult I pretend to be. My evenings will be *hopefully* filled with letter writing and skype dating and phone calling and texting, trying desperately to hold on to these newfound friends who are like family.
As I pondered these things, beginning to feel sad and depressed, I took a good look around me. I realized that NOW isn't the time to feel sad and depressed. No! NOW is the time for me to soak in all these precious little moments, the sweet memories of summer and friends and family and fun. NOW is the time to burn all these moments into my memory so that in a few short weeks when life does a 180, I will still have these memories to keep me company.
So for the next few weeks as life goes on around me, I have determined to not focus on what's coming, but rather to focus on what IS... to make memories- good ones- and to write it all down so I don't forget.
We all have moments such as these in our lives. Don't let the "what's next" make you miss out on the "what's now."
Oh, and by the way: although Helen did a pretty fantastic job of holding her own in the video gaming against the troop of guys, I... didn't fare so well. As I told them all last night, "I have many talents... and I'm pretty sure this just isn't one of them!"
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Up Close & Personal
I recently came across this post at Princess of Something (a blog I follow), and I really enjoyed reading it. So... I stole it so I could catch you all up on what's new and exciting in MY life... not just what's going on in my life! :)
Current Books: I just finished Finally & Forever by Robin Jones Gunn. I didn't even know this book existed, although I was sincerely hoping she would eventually finish off this series with something a little more final. Great book! I'm currently reading Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury (which I must say was titled and published LONG before...other... books with similar titles...). Great book about a couple that overcomes tragic life choices (abortion) and finds the redeeming love and grace of God to change their lives. I'm also eagerly anticipating reading Coming Home also by Karen Kingsbury, which is the final book in the Baxter books.
Current Playlist: Well... since it's July, and it's a million and seven degrees outside, I'm listening to a lot of Christmas music. Seriously. It's one of the quickest ways to cool off! I'm also listening to Mandisa's new cd & Jamie Grace's new CD. Oh, yeah, and I'm also listening to Some Nights by Fun. Because it makes me smile... :)
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Hmmm.... Shame-Inducing? Well... I can't say there's any of THOSE... but I have been eating a larger portion of ice cream lately due to the previously mentioned weather issue... Like the other night when Helen and I ate almost an entire 1/2 gallon buy ourselves... yeah.
Current Colors: Brights. Anything that is bright and bold that goes well under a black dress or shirt. I almost ALWAYS wear black. Oh! And bright pink or yellow sandals! :)
Current Fetish: Pinterest. Just like everyone else out in the cyber webs.
Current Food: Fresh garden veggies! Cucumbers, Squash, & Greenbeans. Soon, I'll add tomatoes, too!
Current Drink: LOTS of water. It's rediculous how much water I've consumed lately. Also, anything iced. Iced coffee, Iced tea, Iced Grape Koolaid... just make sure you serve it over ice.
Current Favorite Favorite: My new family. The one that lives at the Yellow House by the airport. I love them!
Current Wishlist: Enough money to afford my own place.
Current Needs: None. All I have need of, God has provided!
Current Triumph: It should have worn off by now concerning the "triumphant" feeling, but sticking with my June Cleanse for two whole weeks (mostly the excercising) still makes me feel like a winner.
Current Bane of my Existence: Hmmm... I would tell you, but I can't. Anyone that has spent much time at all with me over the last month and a half knows the name of this person...
Current Indulgence: Iced Coffee. If I make it at home, I either a) make chocolate macadamia nut coffee & add White Chocolate macadamia creamer or b) make regular dark roast coffee & add Almond Joy creamer. IF I treat myself to Starbucks, I either do the Mocha Coconut OR the Peppermint Mocha. Or sometimes I treat myself to a Caramel Mocha Frappe from McDonald's and think of my daddy while I drink it!
Current Mood: Honestly? Bored. But also relaxed! It's a 3-person day in the office! :)
Current #1 Blessing: Two families that adore & love me! Couldn't ask for more than that! Also that I didn't get headlice... That almost trumps the two familiy thing... LOL
Current Slang or Saying: Saying "Can I get the bugspray on that?" when asking for the details of something.
Current Picture: from this weekend...at the park... with part of my adopted family & my for-real sister... and also, I didn't center it very well... hence my missing chin... :P
Current Books: I just finished Finally & Forever by Robin Jones Gunn. I didn't even know this book existed, although I was sincerely hoping she would eventually finish off this series with something a little more final. Great book! I'm currently reading Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury (which I must say was titled and published LONG before...other... books with similar titles...). Great book about a couple that overcomes tragic life choices (abortion) and finds the redeeming love and grace of God to change their lives. I'm also eagerly anticipating reading Coming Home also by Karen Kingsbury, which is the final book in the Baxter books.
Current Playlist: Well... since it's July, and it's a million and seven degrees outside, I'm listening to a lot of Christmas music. Seriously. It's one of the quickest ways to cool off! I'm also listening to Mandisa's new cd & Jamie Grace's new CD. Oh, yeah, and I'm also listening to Some Nights by Fun. Because it makes me smile... :)
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Hmmm.... Shame-Inducing? Well... I can't say there's any of THOSE... but I have been eating a larger portion of ice cream lately due to the previously mentioned weather issue... Like the other night when Helen and I ate almost an entire 1/2 gallon buy ourselves... yeah.
Current Colors: Brights. Anything that is bright and bold that goes well under a black dress or shirt. I almost ALWAYS wear black. Oh! And bright pink or yellow sandals! :)
Current Fetish: Pinterest. Just like everyone else out in the cyber webs.
Current Food: Fresh garden veggies! Cucumbers, Squash, & Greenbeans. Soon, I'll add tomatoes, too!
Current Drink: LOTS of water. It's rediculous how much water I've consumed lately. Also, anything iced. Iced coffee, Iced tea, Iced Grape Koolaid... just make sure you serve it over ice.
Current Favorite Favorite: My new family. The one that lives at the Yellow House by the airport. I love them!
Current Wishlist: Enough money to afford my own place.
Current Needs: None. All I have need of, God has provided!
Current Triumph: It should have worn off by now concerning the "triumphant" feeling, but sticking with my June Cleanse for two whole weeks (mostly the excercising) still makes me feel like a winner.
Current Bane of my Existence: Hmmm... I would tell you, but I can't. Anyone that has spent much time at all with me over the last month and a half knows the name of this person...
Current Indulgence: Iced Coffee. If I make it at home, I either a) make chocolate macadamia nut coffee & add White Chocolate macadamia creamer or b) make regular dark roast coffee & add Almond Joy creamer. IF I treat myself to Starbucks, I either do the Mocha Coconut OR the Peppermint Mocha. Or sometimes I treat myself to a Caramel Mocha Frappe from McDonald's and think of my daddy while I drink it!
Current Mood: Honestly? Bored. But also relaxed! It's a 3-person day in the office! :)
Current #1 Blessing: Two families that adore & love me! Couldn't ask for more than that! Also that I didn't get headlice... That almost trumps the two familiy thing... LOL
Current Slang or Saying: Saying "Can I get the bugspray on that?" when asking for the details of something.
Current Picture: from this weekend...at the park... with part of my adopted family & my for-real sister... and also, I didn't center it very well... hence my missing chin... :P
Monday, July 2, 2012
#4 & A Little Confetti in My Pillow
Some people will think this is cheating, but I think it's genius!
I took #4 on my 2012 Bucket List and turned it into the perfect Father's Day gift.
#4- Fly a Kite with my Daddy
So what did I do? I bought six el cheapo kites from Wal-Mart and prayed for wind! It was SUPER fun! We sang the song, and we flew kites, and we enjoyed each other's company. Best Father's Day I can remember.
Here is a picture of us with our kites, and I promise that my dad really DID like the gift... even if this picture may lead you to believe otherwise...
Last weekend, Laura and I kidnapped Caleb & Carah (Laura's Summer brother & sister) and brought them to the land of Nowhere. Needless to say, we had WAY TOO MUCH FUN!!!
We ate food.
We took them outside to listen to their echoes (which was very popular), to the Dutchman's Store (not quite as popular), to play on the new "furniture" at the park in Keo, to Misty's for ice cream, and to little Podunky town's fireworks spectacular.
And we ate food.
We educated them on the finer points of old school television with I Love Lucy reruns and the Lawrence Welk Show. We took them to church and introduced them to people. We played barbies (Caleb was SUCH a trooper), baseball, and Sorry.
And we ate food.
Oh, yeah! And I also learned that the reason my pillows are NOT filled with confetti is because of my unbelief... and that apparently it's a biblical concept.
I also learned what a good thing it is that Caleb isn't planning on being a preacher.
'Till Next Time! :)
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