It's Christmas

It's Christmas I love Christmas, I love shopping for family and friends looking for the one thing I think they would want for Christmas. I love decorating I decorate inside and outside every room has some kind of Christmas decoration in it. I even made a shower curtain for the bathroom. I love baking cookies to give family and friends. I love going Christmas caroling and coming back for cookies and hot chocolate. I love the way the house smells of Christmas. I love watching Christmas movies. My every favorite Christmas thing is on Christmas eve with all the family here before opening gifts or eating of the wonderful snacks, we all sit around and Kandra (my oldest niece who is 28 and we started this when she was around 6) reads the Christmas story from the book of Luke.
But this year I just can not seem to get into the Christmas Spirit. I have done every little shopping, no decorations but a tree, no baking, no Christmas smells, I have watched 1 Christmas movie. We did take the youth kids to one home Saturday night to carol and came back to the church and have donuts (David our youth director is a state trooper, and hot chocolate. And I so loved it the kids just spend time together cutting up and having a good time.
This year I want Christmas to be different I just want to be surrounded by those that I love my family and friends, I just want everyone to be happy just being together. I want us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. That Jesus was born to die for us. That that little baby boy on the first Christmas held our live in his hands as small as they were. That God is love. I want to just have God moments were we can just feel God's presence all around us. I want to be like Mary in Luke 2:19 "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." I want to have times like those, where we can look back and say did you see how God moved, and wasn't it just wonderful that we got to just be together. I just want to be so focused on GOD these next couple of weeks.
I don't think I have every had such a time as this, that I so need to have GOD the center of my life. That I just want to be what GOD wants me to be. I want to do just what I Thessalonians 2:12 "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory." That is what I so badly want to just be worthy of GOD. I just want the name of my Lord and Savior to be glorified in me.

How Do I Do It

How do I do it, How do I return to normal, How do I get through the pain, When will the tears stop? These are all questions I have been asking myself and God for the last couple of months. As I look back I the hurts started the first of Oct. I was so excited about my Holy Trip, but I knew there were things I had to take care of before I when, things with my family. Things were said to me from family members that I still to this day can not believe they said. Before I left on my trip there were some very dear and close friends that I had to make sure I prayed with and told them I love them before I left. Someone very dear to me didn't return my call, in fact I send that person something very personal to me and after I got back it was returned to me unopened. Then we have had some issues going on in the youth, things that are causing them to hurt so in turn that makes me hurt. Then last week C. killed in a car accident, that pain to hard to bear. I keep telling myself you have to be strong for the kids, while inside I was totally crushed. Then this week S. goes home to be with GOD after a long illness.
Last night I read the Book Colossians, first time in a week that I have just sit down and really spend good time with GOD. In chapter 1 verses 9-14 is a prayer for strength I have prayed this for others so many times last night I prayed it for myself seeking wisdom from GOD. Chapter 3:13-14 says "Forbearing one another; and forgiving one another, if any man have quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all of these things put on charity,(love) which is the bond of perfectness." If there is hurt that means forgiveness is a must.
I then read Psalm 33 this, we saw a DVD Wed. in youth and the speaker used this chapter in his text. He talked on the greatness of GOD, how small we are how big GOD is, how much God loves and cares about us and what we go through. How God thinks we are special each and every one of us. I loved verses 20-21 "Our soul waiteth for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name." This is just what I have had to do wait on GOD and trust in his holy name alone.
I then picked up my book which I have not touched in a week "Next Door Savior"(just what I need a Savior). That is when it hit me the answerer to my questions. I DON'T DO IT I CAN'T DO IT. But God (love those words) he knew that I couldn't but he had already given me what I need, I just had to pull from it. It is the force with me that does it. When he died he told us John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." The force with me the HOLY SPIRIT will lead my life back to what he thinks is normal, he will bear the pain and take turn the tear into tears of JOY. He will suppy the forgiveness that I need to give and the forgiveness I need to heal.
Last night I let that force take over and do what I can't do. I let my Savior's love start the healing. Last night I just said here Lord you take it, you have wanted it all along, I just had to give it. That is what is so amazing about GOD'S love with each hammer of the nail he had already suffered my pain, with each drop of his precious blood he had already covered by hurt. And just as he rose victorious I too will rise, because in my weakness God shows his strength, through the HOLY SPIRIT.

Change of Plans

This weekend the big girls weekend away.

Thursday evening pack - Thursday night one of our youth had a bad wreck and was killed. Spend the next few hours on phone with D and M trying to find out what happen. Online with a youth they are starting to find out the news, hearts are breaking questions are flying. Around 11:30pm meet up with a group of about 25 older youth and parents just to be together remembering, praying and drawing strength from God and each other. Get home around 2:30 don't rest good wake crying.
Friday packed bag still sitting there - Go to work have to see L need to talk and request prayer. Leave work to go be with D praying help us LORD Satan working on feeling that are already on edge. Spend the day with D, E and O. D was making plans on what we needed to do for the youth that night. Phones ringing sometimes 3 phones at once. To take a break away from it all meet up with M and A for lunch at Chick-fil-A. Witness GOD work in a great and mighty way. That night we meet a large group of youth and parents just to be together another time of sharing memories, praying and drawing strength from GOD and each other. Get home around 10:30 to find my 10 year old nephew there to spend the night. We were up until 1am watching the Polar Express, normally J sleeps with me, but this time he said I think I will sleep in the other room by myself. Any other time I would have jump for joy to hear him say that but that night I was kind of looking ward to him sleeping with me, just to love on him they grow up so fast. I tried to talk him into sleep there, but it didn't work. Finally got to sleep wake crying.
Saturday packed bag still there - up and just spend the morning praying and seeking God. I ask God what was this thing waking up crying, I don't remember dreaming and I wasn't crying went I when to sleep. God in his tender way reminded me. When I am hurting and need a place to go to that I know I am loved and safe, I image myself crawling up on my Saviors lap and he just holds me and lets me cry, so that is why I wake crying its because GOD has taken me to my safe place.
Afternoon my great niece who is 4 comes to spent the night, so I take her and J to the Christmas parade and out to Bob Evans for supper that is J favorite place to eat. Starting writing this post and L is laying her and we are watching guess what the Polar Express. She is so excited she keeps saying look it's Santa, just what I need to spend time watching the delight of little face.
Sunday packed bag still there - By the strength of GOD we got through this day. Church was hard. I sit by myself a lot and that does bother me, but today was different just needed to sit with someone. My friend H let me sit with her and we just hugged and told each other that we love the other. The receiving for C is today.
Monday packed bag still there - Today is the funeral and the church was full. Preacher spoke and so did C's basketball coach, M, D, E all spoke. It was a wonderful time of remembering we cry ed and laughed. What a wonderful celebration of life I am sure that C was pleased. E got roses for the youth and others to have, they could keep them or give them to C everyone gave them to C.
Tuesday packed bag still there - Trying to get back into regular routine is hard. Got word today that the Lord took our precious angel Suzi home today, here celebration on life will be on Saturday.
These last couple of months have been months of pain and heartaches. Seems like none of the hurts are healing. Just so need God.

Who Do You Say That I AM?

I just started a new book by Max Lucado "Next Door Savior", because I am going through some stuff that I don't understand and yesterday I realize that was what I needed right now is a Savior. I have had the book for over a year and just not taken the time to read it, but really God knew when I would need it and that is now.

The first thing the book says is "Who Do You Say That I Am"? When I read that it just broke my heart because even in my quiet time, in Bible Studies and seeking GOD in this season in my life I never really thought about who GOD is to me right now. I think, no I know that somewhere I had lost sight of who GOD IS TO ME.

So who do I say GOD is?

The love of my life, the lover of my soul, my redeemer kinsman, the one who never leaves me, the one who takes my broken heart in his very own hands and ever so gentle puts the pieces back together seals it with a kiss (a kiss heals everything) and then puts it back and tells me that we will go on together, the one who takes every tear I cry and bottles them so that I know how much he loves me. the one who says I will never forget you I have your name engraved in the palm of my hand, the one who tells me I love you as if you where the only person I created. He is the one that forgives me when I sin and then cast those sins as far as the east from the west never to be remember again. God is the one who reaches down his hand and picks me up when I feel like I can not go on another day and says today I will carry just rest in my arms. He is the GOD that is the peace in the storms of life. He's the potter that is molding me into what he wants me to be. He's the one who blesses me with every good thing he has. Most of all HE IS MY SAVIOR the one who came seeking this sinner, saved me and gave me eternal life. He is the one who stretched out his arms and said I am dying for you because I love you that much!!!!!!!!!

Thank you my Savior that you sometimes you break my heart to show me who you are. That you take the time to be concerned about what is happening in every area of my life. Thank you that you remind me who you are. Thank you that you are the Savior who is ALL MINE.
Thank you that you are near enough to touch. Strong enough to trust, and always a next door Savior.

THE BiG DAY

OK this is it the big day. Today I start the journey of a life time. I still can't believe it is here. I am so thank that God has allowed me to go, because I know it is only by his grace that I am going. This morning I laid praying and asking God to just open my spiritually eyes and open my heart to see his life in a whole different way. Just to be on the same soil that he walked on is such an honor for me.

This last week has been a hard one for me. This past week has had sickness and hurt feeling by people that I love. My sister had a heartache and my best friend is down in the back going to have to have a MRI while I am gone. Satan has fought me in ways and used people that I still am totally blow away by. But I know that Satan is the enemies for my family and friends. Even up to yesterday Satan has been trying to defeat me. But greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. And the victory is GOD'S

I have had so many people that have prayed for me and with me that I feel so very special. Words can never express what a blessing they have all been to me. I ask that you keep me in your prayers.

Will post more I am sure when I return in 2 weeks

Steadfast In the Lord

I told you that I work with the youth in my church. On Wednesday nights we go the youth house for service. We have 3 male teachers that bring the lessons, and occasionally we have other speakers. Well, this week we had a lesson on being steadfast We were ask several different times What are we steadfast in? We were giving several Scriptures to turn to on different ways to be steadfast. On Thursday I was typing an e-mail to my friend D about it and I thought this might be a topic for a blog, so here goes.


I have been asking myself the question How steadfast am I in my walk with Christ and I am sorry to say no where as steadfast as I should be. To honor God, spend time with him, serve him, to just love him is the one thing that matters most to me and is the hardest thing for me to do at times. The one person My Heavenly Father that loves me so much and that I love so much is the one that gets pushed aside for other things and is the one person that I hurt so much. In my heart I don't want too, I so want to just be about my Fathers business all the time, spending time with him. I know how it hurts me to be the one always pushed aside by others, have them say I would spend time with you, but I have to do whatever, but I promise we will spend time together later. How many times do I tell God this, not right now God I will spend time with you later, I will read those scriptures you are laying on my heart later, I will spend time talking with you later, and yes Lord I will just sit and Be still and know that you are Lord, later. And yes I will get around to telling that person you laid on my heart about you real soon. I think to myself oh my gosh look how I am breaking the heart of GOD!!!! All he wants from me is to just spend time with him, he gave his life for me. And when I think about that it overwhelms me that he really wants to spend time with me, see I have a hard time thinking that anyone would want to spend time with just me. I have a big inferior complex I don't see myself good enough. But I have come to realize that the creator of everything, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings thinks I good enough for him and that's all that really matters

O God please forgive me, please help me to do what I say, to put you fist, not to break your heart not to think that I am to busy to spend time with you. Help me Lord to stand STEADFAST in you, in your love, in your word. Help me Lord to stand steadfast in starting and ending each day with you. Not to push you aside for other things.
Father there is a verse that you have put on my heart so many times lately.

"Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

This is so what I want Father to just be acceptable to you, just to be steadfast in your love, in your word. To be steadfast for you in serving and sharing your love with others. O GOD how I love you and thank you that you even when I don't put you first, Lord you always put me first. You put me first in front of your own life when you die on the cross for my sins, that I may have life eternal. Thank you Lord that sometimes you just walk all over my heart to remind me that you are MY LORD AND SAVIOR AND YOU WILL HAVE NO OTHERS BEFORE YOU.
Thank you Father that even though this was a hard lesson for D to teach he was steadfast enough in you that he taught it anyway. Thank you that it was a hard lesson for me to have to listen to because Father those lessons turn out to be the greatest blessings.
Thank you Father that as I sit and look out my window and ponder on the question you have set before me on How Steadfast I am, that your sweet holy spirit comes to bring me peace and joy. As the tears of joy flow from my eyes you remind me that you see my heart and that you are there working on me to make me steadfast in your love. Thank you that you love me so very much. And O GOD HOW I LOVE YOU AND JUST WANT TO SERVE YOU.

The Count Down Is On.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."Psalms 37:4




Two weeks from today I leave for my trip to the Holy Lands. I am so excited and also am a bit nervous. This trip is a dream no a prayer come true. All my life I have prayed that one day God would let me go the Holy Lands. I mean just think to walk were he walked and see the place he was crucified for my sins, to see the empty tomb, because Praise GOD he arose on the 3rd day so that I could live. Just to be going is unbelievable for me still at times. But to be going with Pastor Ralph Sexton Jr., that was just an extra blessing God gave. For me to be going is truly a blessing from God. Let me share my story with you.

This year I had to have some work done on my house and I knew that this year was the year I had to do it (so did GOD). I had when to revival services were Brother Ralph was preaching he told that he was getting up a trip to the Holy Land and I was like oh how I would love to go. But being single it was a little more money than I could afford. But then when I called to get estimation my room, I told GOD. I said God you know that I would love to go on this trip, but I have to have that room fixed, so here is the X amount of money I have. If you want me to go than I pray that the room comes in under this amount enough so that I can go. I at that time only told my Pastor and ask him to help me pray. I then when to my very faithful prayer partner and ask for help praying. Well, the room came in under the X amount of money, but you know how we are we don't just trust GOD with that simple answer. I said OK God I have the money what about a passport at that time there was waiting list to get your passport. I by now had shared my prayer request with a few close friend and had them praying. Well I mailed my passport papers off, paid extra to get them processed faster. The lady at the post office told me I could have them is 6 to8 weeks and that if I didn't I would need to start tracing them. Well God answered another pray I had my passport in less than 2 weeks. So I knew that it was GOD working out everything for me to go.

Today I shared with some close friends that I am wandering if I am doing the right thing and of courses Satan is starting to put questions in my mind and throw obstacles in my path. My mom is sick and having to have some test. I had to have brakes on my van today. But I know God will take care of all that.

My greatest prayer request is for my families salvation. I have sister, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews that are lost. I know without a doubt that if something was to happen to me while I am on this trip that I would awake in heaven in the arms of the one who loves me more than he loved his on life, and should he sound the trumpet to take all the saved to heaven I can think of no better place to go from. But, then there is my family yesterday our Associated Pastor Paul preached and he preached on hell. He made a comment about how God will one day wipe the tears form our eyes, but that will not be until after he cast the unsaved into hell. Preacher Paul said you know we the saved will be there present to hear God say to them Depart from me I never knew you, that breaks my heart because I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO HEAR GOD SAY THAT TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

God tells us in his word that "The effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16b


I know we all have lost family and friends, so I ask that you help me pray for them and I will pray for your lost ones. And we together will claim God's promise to hear our prayer.

What in the World do I Say?

OK this is my first time at blogging and I not sure I know what I am doing. I have a very dear friend that has been blogging for about a year and I have loved reading hers and other ladies blogs. So thought I will give it a try.

My mom who lives with me is gone to the beach with the senior of our church this week. I thought ok this is going to be a quiet week, in the evening I would just go home and chill. But no way I have something to do every night. Monday night we started the Bible Study by Beth Moore "To Live is Christ". I am so excited about it I love doing her studies. Tuesday nights I do BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) at a local church. This is my 5 1/2 years it takes 7 years to study the whole Bible expect for Revelations. This is sometimes a hard study sometimes the questions are very hard and you can only use your Bible to answer them. Wednesday is church night. I am on the Youth Ministry Team so we have the youth down at the youth house for service. I love working with the youth, I don't teach but am just there for support. Thursday I am taking one of the girls to the movies. There are some of the girls that I do things with outside of the regular services. Friday night is Ministry Team meeting this is a time that we come together to plan events, talk about things going on in the kids lives and pray. I love getting together with the Ministry Team they are the bestest friends that anyone can have and they all love the kids so very much. I know that anytime I have a need they are the first one I call on to pray for me.

More than anything though I love the Lord. Sometimes I just and look out the window at work and think Oh what an awesome God I serve and how much he loves me. There is a verse in Zephaniah 3:17 that I love it says

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

What a comfort that is to know that everything I do GOD cares about and is right there. For him to let me rest in his love and to singing over me, makes me think that you know he must really think I am special.

Well I guess I did have a little something to say.