Please Pray

I have never more sensed the fragility of life as I have after watching the devastation and destruction my state has experienced the past 24 hours.  I feel guilt as I sit in my home, my family and friends safe and sound in their homes, as many go without this very night.  My heart feels heavy and my mind can't fully grasp the enormity of this tragic event.  I'm praising God for sparing me the sorrow, but petitioning Him on behalf of the ones that are in very midst of it.  Join me in this, please.

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now

God You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

 

And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to you

And you raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

URGENT

BREAKING NEWS: The neighborhood snake has made its presence known once more.  It seems as if it has come out of hibernation and is ready to play.  How do I know it's the same one?  I don't.  Humor me, people.  My neighbor just broke the news that she saw it yesterday.  I am now terrified to enter or leave my own dwelling place.  Something must be done.  Pronto.  Seriously.  I'm scared to death. 

New Favorite Things

Here are a few things I've come to love recently. 

1.  Zagg Sheild-

Just today, I had this put on my phone.  It is an invisible protective screen.  I hated the screen protectors I had before because they seemed to never stay clean and they peeled off really easily.  This shield is strong enough to resist scratches from keys or anything else your phone comes in contact with in your purse.  You can't even feel it on the screen, either.  It's awesome!  Get it at Best Buy.

2- Snuggle Exhilarations- Blue Iris and Bamboo Silk

I am a sucker for some good smelling laundry detergent or dryer sheets.  I actually bought the Blue Iris and Bamboo Silk Snuggle dryer sheets and they.are.amazing!!!!  My clothes smell so fresh and clean when they're dried.  It's definitely worth the extra money to buy a product that works so well. 

3. Comcast's ON DEMAND

I put my DVR to the test by recording about as many shows as it can tolerate.  I'm a reality tv junkie and not a bit ashamed to admit it.  However, over the weekend I realized that for some reason Survivor hadn't been taping.  I checked ON DEMAND and there they were...the last four episodes, three of which I missed.  I was able to completely catch up on what I missed!  There are free movies, as well as the latest releases you can purchase with the click of a button.  It was niiiiice!

4.  Last but certainly not least...PINTEREST.

My awesome cousin Brooke told me about this website.  It's the greatest thing, ever!  You have to request an invitation and it takes a few days to be accepted, but it's completely free.  Basically, when you read new recipes online, see something you'd like for your home, or find a new craft, you can "pin" it to one website.  Pinterest allows you to create "boards" to save your favorites.  I have boards for new crafts, books I'd like to read, my personal wish list, etc.  It's fantastic!!!  All my favorites are in one place.  It's genious!

Have a great week, friends!  I'm still searching for April's book. I will let you know when I decide.  Happy Spring!

What's YOUR Favorite?

Okay my friends, I am continuing my new year's resolution with reading one book per month.  I just finished Heaven is for Real.   All I can say is.....WOW.  It truly changes your perception not only of heaven, but of the purity and innocence of children.  I definitely recommend it. 

Here's where I need your help.  I'm not up to par on my authors.  If it's a novel and not written by Nicholas Sparks, I most likely haven't read it.  I loved the book I read by Emily Giffin, and have thought of reading another of hers but am not sold on a certain one.  I am pleading with everyone that reads this blog to comment and tell me what YOUR favorite book is.  I am looking for my April Book of the Month and I am depending on your input to help me make a selection!!!  If I choose your book, you will receive....ummm....well, a shout out on my next post.  Sorry folks, I can't do much else.

Let me hear your thoughts!  Happy Hump Day!

Overwhelmed

I really don't have the energy to go into detail about what has transpired since Thursday around 4:30.  One of my best friends in the world, one in which I call my sister, lost her home and all her belongings in a fire.  Their family of five has been displaced and overwhelmed at the tragedy that has taken place, but I would venture to say that they have even moreso been overwhelmed at the number of people that have taken on the nature of Jesus and been His hands and feet the past three days.  Food galore, money, clothes, shoes, toiletries, you name it...all delivered within hours of the first flame.  I will never, ever look at situations like these again.  I have learned many things, most of which is the call we have to get off our feet and move into action when God's children are in need.  Please remember the Wilsons in prayer.  Their days ahead will be difficult but their burden will now be much lighter thanks to the help of so many. 

"But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. -Psalm 71:14

He Spoke to Me

Some of you will read this post and immediately think it sounds hokey or unrealistic, uncharactistic, etc.  You are free to believe what you want, but what I experienced was real, and I am convinced it was straight from my God.

Those that know me find it no secret that I'm a worrier.  I worry about many things, but most of which is myself.  I don't mean that in a selfish or narcissistic way.  I mean that at times the worry and fear I experience regarding my health can be consuming.  Some would say I'm a hypochondriac.  I admit it, I am.  I will say it has gotten better as I have chosen to allow God into my struggle and invite Him to fight this battle with me.  I have decided that I must depend on him to speak to me through His Holy Spirit and show me what needs to be given attention and what needs to be dismissed.  That has and will always be my greatest weapon.  Thankfully, my bouts of hypochondria are becoming fewer and farther between.  It still rears its ugly head, but not as often. 

There was a time a few months back when I couldn't shake the worry.  I didn't believe God was telling me I was unhealthy or needed to seek medical attention, I just believed Satan wouldn't leave me alone and was revelling in the fact he was consistently stealing my joy.  I fought as hard as I could and do what I typically do when I search for peace....call my closest friends and family.  "Mom, I'm feeling this way.  Do you think it's okay?"  Friend #1- "Have you ever felt this? Is it okay?" Friend #2, 3, and so on.  Many times, all I need to let it go is for someone to tell me it's okay.  This particular time, the fear kept coming back.  I was in the car alone so I decided to pray.  I prayed again.  And I begged God for a sign.  I realize He doesn't always answer prayers by sending us a visual representation of His presence, but knowing He could do anything...I asked anyway.  I needed to know, and I quote, "everything was okay."  I promise, no longer than I completed my earnest prayer, I looked up and in front of me was a car with a license plate similar to this....

Unbelievable?  Almost, but not in regards to the God I know.  That was all I needed.  And I praised Him.

There have been times when I've worried since then. They usually subside after countless friends and family members tell me I'm crazy and shouldn't think another second about it.  Until last week...... I felt the fear beginning to overwhelm me again.  I won't go into detail as to what specific ailment I feared I had, but it was a scary one.  I used every tactic I knew to escape the fear, and even realized I had Satan to thank for the power it seemed to have over me.  I prayed.  I prayed more.  I do as I typically do and picked up my phone to start the "YOU'RE OKAY" phone tree.  But I stopped.   I realized that if I'm pleading with God for peace and assurance, what does that say to Him when I search for it from someone else.  I put my phone down and committed myself to wait on Him.

I woke up the next morning and was still plagued by worry.  I couldn't get it off my mind and was terrified of going to work consumed with fear and doubt.  I've spent too many days that way and the feeling it gives me makes me physically ill.  I prayed again.  I needed a sign.  I felt bad for asking but knew the way I felt would only be healed by confirmation from my Father.  I needed to know I was "ok."  I listened while I was getting ready for school for any word on the television that would be sent from God.  I hoped the OK produce truck would be visible at school when I arrived-anything to allow me to let go of my worry. 

He did it again, friends. I walked out of my house to get into my car.  I had noticed days prior that some sort of construction was going on in the culdesac on my street. I had noticed spray paint on the pavement but couldn't have recalled what it was.  I looked down to open my car door and saw this....

Amazed?  Me too.  Should I be?  Of course not.  He is present and HE HEARS US!  Peace doesn't even begin to describe what I felt after seeing this.  My father cared enough about me to send me this message- not one "ok"...but two.  I felt a sense of relief that I haven't felt in a long time, not only about my health, but my life in general.  He told me He hears me, which I always knew but am eternally grateful to be reminded of.  I am more in love with Him than I ever have been. 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!  Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

—Psalm 105:1-2

New Layout!

I'd like to give a shoutout to Haley Morgan!  She designed this super cute layout for my blog.  All I did was send her pictures, my favorite colors, and my blog title, then...BAM- THIS! If you'd like her to do one for you, email haleymorgan82@yahoo.com.  She's really, really inexpensive and gets them done very quickly!  Click on the link above to visit her blog and see her awesome layout, too.  Thanks, Haley!!!