In Transition

Well, this post is brought on by church on Sunday. We are currently in transition between our pastor who passed away last July and a new permanent pastor. Enter transitional pastor. This is a new term/idea for me, but I like it. Really this man is coming in and helping us get our lives in order so we can be open to God's leading for our new pastor. He will not ever be our permanent pastor, but it gives our associate pastor a break from being the leader until we find/decide on the permanent pastor.
This week, he spoke of things that could be hindering our prayer life. Well, as for me, I have major issues with my prayer life, so I felt it was important to listen up. I realized that there were several people I needed to make things right with and some I needed to stop holding a grudge toward. It is not easy going to someone and admitting that you were wrong, asking forgiveness and (especially for me) to stop holding a grudge toward someone.
I would actually like to thank a dear friend from my Sunday School class for opening this door a few weeks ago. He told me that no matter whether I wanted to hear it or not, GOD wanted me to truly forgive the people that have done wrong toward me (or at least that I felt did wrong toward me) and that God would never complete shut the door on someone in their life. Enter growing pains. The weeks between this conversation and this weeks sermon have brought a lot of thinking and questioning, a bit of crying, but in the end it became clear on Sunday what it was God was wanting me to do. Now, to find the courage to do it and the contact information for a couple of the people I'd like to speak to. I want to be right with God and my fellow man.
Please pray for me as I seek to do God's will and reach out to those I've offended. Praying especially that I speak peace and remember my life's verse. Micah 6:8

Ah, Life!

I was talking to one of my very best friends the other day and telling them all that was going on in my life right now and how (for the most part) I am completely happy with where my life is right now. There is a manager at work (that no one likes, btw) that I wish I could get rid of, but by and large my life is good. I have two beautiful girls, a great church family, a pretty great actual family, and good friends. Not that I have a ton of friends, I never have been a person that wanted a ton of friends. I am friendly, just don't let a whole lot of people in. Anyway, life is good! I have a friend of a friend that keeps asking me out and I just don't really want to go out with him, not because there is anything wrong with him, but I don't want to mess with what I have now. I really don't think I could handle trying to squeeze a guy into my life. It would take away from something else (probably sleep) which would just start the domino effect of unbalancing my life. Nope, don't think so. I am fine just being me and my girls! I even managed to make it through Valentine's Day without it bothering me. I was happy for all those that are happy in a relationship, but it didn't bother me not being in one. It was just another day (and another reason to make a dollar in retail world). March 19 is approaching and that's not bothering me either, probably won't even notice it come and go.
So, I know I don't post a whole lot, but just wanted to let anyone reading this know that life is what you make it. You can either live down in the dumps, sad/sorry about what you don't have or you can count your blessings and realize how much you do have. Thank God for all you have while you're at it, because you would have nothing without Him!

Listening to JJ

I just recently found this amazing Christian folk singer. I have one of her albums and really want to buy the rest, just because she's THAT GOOD! JJ Heller and her husband Dave put on an amazing show too (thanks to my cousin's wife for the free ticket to that concert)!
This is my favorite song! I am who I am!

True Things.


Also, the song that put her on the radar. Your Hands


And finally, another favorite about faith. Invisible Love

Enjoying a fresh start

I'm not sure why the New Year always feels like a fresh start. I'm also not completely sure why THIS year is so different from any other. I decided prior to the start of 2011 that I was going to give up soda, eat healthier, follow portion sizes even on the healthy food, exercise and in general make my family healthier this year. Now, I will tell you, I have probably said that every year for the last 5, but this one is different. I can feel it down in me. I am dedicated, I AM resolved to make healthy changes for life!
With this, I must say I actually started weaning off the soda before the New Year. I started just after Thanksgiving and, even though I hadn't had soda of any kind in almost a week, I had my last Dr Pepper New Year's Eve. It was just kind of symbolic for me. I will tell you I have had a drink of soda since then and gagged. I can't believe I drank that crap all the time for so many years. It was like drinking sugar straight after all the water I've been consuming. I would not sit down and pour sugar down my throat, so why did I drink soda for so long?!?!?! Ah, well, at least that's a thing of the past. After Sunday, when I ordered a soda just because I was out to eat, I will be sure to order a cup of water with my meals. Nothing is healthier for you and nothing else even tastes good to me anymore. Oh and on the super positive side of all this, I have dropped almost 15 pounds since Christmas! Now, as of January 1st I have added the healthier eating, the portion control, and the exercise at least 3 times a week. I am also encouraging my kids to exercise along with the healthy eating and portions.
This is the year to create a whole new me! A year for health, family and a year to get closer to God. The funny thing is, I haven't liked snow since growing up in the tundra of PA, but it snowed here in TX on Sunday and it felt to me like God was saying, "Look at how clean and white the freshly fallen snow is. I am behind you in this." Well, the words aren't coming out the way I want them to on that one, but I did really feel like he was just cementing I have made the right choices for this year! I'm loving it!

Merry (Christ)mas!

I have a shirt that has that on there. I love it! Christ and what he did by coming to earth, living a sinless life, dying on the cross and being raised on the 3rd day should be the focus of this day.  It's not about the bows and packaging, the presents and the food, not even about the family getting together. It is a day (most likely the wrong time of year even) that was set aside for us to celebrate the gift GOD gave us over 2000 years ago. A little baby, born to humble parents, in a "stable" in Bethlehem, who was to be the final sacrificial lamb. As one of my favorite songs this season says "He came like a winter snow. Quiet and soft and slow." He could have come as so many mighty things, but that was not the purpose for Christ's first coming. One day we will see His might, but I thank him for coming to save the souls of men!
So, as you head to get together with family, remember that Jesus is the reason for EVERY season!