Scripture Reading

Psalm 116:2 has been on my heart lately as I've spent so much more time in prayer.  I'm absolutely not bragging about that.  Honestly, it's a rare occurrence for me to constantly pray.  Not because I don't believe prayer is a powerful thing, but because I get so caught up in life that I put my conversations with Him on the back burner "until I have time".  It happens to all of us at some point, I'm sure.  So many things continue to happen in our world though that can only bring me to my knees.  I wake up in prayer these days.  I fall asleep in prayer.  And I pray as much as I can throughout the day.  And, actually, I love my days that I spend in prayer.  LOVE them.

This verse stuck out to me a few weeks ago when a sweet friend of ours went into the hospital with what we found out was a serious lung condition.  She's only 18 and has gone through an incredible amount of pain, surgery, PT, and so much more than I can ever imagine going through, especially at her age.  Yet her and her family have remained prayerful.  They've remained faithful.  They've remained close, if not closer.  They've clung to the cross and probably have also prayed more than ever before.  They've taught so many people, through their trials, that prayer is important.  Remaining faithful is important.  Even if we don't understand it.  They've truly amazed me and I've joined them in praying for Miranda as often as I can throughout my days, that God would breathe a breath of freshness and life into her lungs. 

I thoroughly enjoy my time in prayer now.  So much so that I want to pray for YOU too.  We all have something, big or small, that needs lifting up.  So, tell me ...

Just leave a comment if you'd like or send me an email if it's too personal for you to share.

Scripture Reading

Here's some honesty for you.  We haven't been to church in months.  We're in search of a new church home and simply feel lost in a town full of churches.  I know that it starts with a small step.  We just have to decide which church we want to visit first.  I'm not going to go into all the details about why we feel lead to find a new church home.  And I feel ashamed that we've put ourselves into this comfort zone of not going anywhere to worship in months.

I'm so thankful for a God who draws me back to where I need to be though.  He's put it on my heart greatly the last few weeks that I need to refocus.  I need to redirect my thoughts and my life.  I spend so much time on social media because my full-time job (other than taking care of my children) is network marketing.  But I spend all of my time with those 2 jobs and not enough time in His word.  And He's calling me back to Him so strongly.

BUT - I didn't know where to start.  Getting back into the Word is like riding a bike.  You just have to do it.  And then you remember why you loved it before.  I found a calendar from a Christian magazine that gives me a scripture a day to read.  The one on the day I started was Deuteronomy 31:6 and I think it's fitting for our struggles right now.  Not only have we lost a church family, we've lost FAMILY.  We've lost two parents in a matter of seven months, but God is calling me close to Him and telling me not to get so discouraged. 

I've started a prayer journal along with scripture reading and I'm loving it.  I miss writing with a pen and paper.  I miss jotting down my feelings, but I also want to share it with you when I feel lead to do so.  Yesterday, my prayer was this ... 

Dear God, Thank you.  Time and time again you show me that you've got this.  I need to put my full trust in You and be strong in You.  Although I drift, you remain steadfast and constant.  I cannot do this life without you and ask for you to help me stay focused on Your face and to be strong and courageous no matter what.  Thank you for guiding me.  For loving me.  

Some other things I'm praying for -
-for Him to lead us to a new church home
-for guidance in creating a Christ-like home full of prayer, forgiveness, and love
-for Miranda Nichols : a sweet girl who is very sick
-for patience, time, health, smart decisions, and healing

What are you praying for today?

. meeting pop .

david's dad has been in the hospital basically since february.  he is currently in the veteran's hospital in waco and we venture that way as much as possible to visit with him.  today was the first time though that jaxton got to meet him.  the first time he laid eyes on his grandson. 

he asks about him all the time and remembers that he was born, but since he has been tested positive for MRSA, we have been unable to bring jaxton to see him.  that all changed today.

his nurses wheeled him down to the bottom floor waiting room.  when his eyes met jaxton, he cried.  we all cried.  i actually don't think i've ever seen him cry before.  they were mixed tears i'm sure.  i know my tears were.  i'm so very happy that he finally got to meet my sweet boy, but my heart hurts that he may never get to know him or see him grow up. 

BUT .. our sweet boy is living proof that God is still in the business of performing miracles, so we pray constantly for Pop.  for healing.  for the drive to do his therapy.  not just so we can have him home, but so his grandchildren can know him more.

. oh glorious day .

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine
Living He loved me,

Dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

Our church service yesterday was a very emotional one.  Not only have we had several losses in our community this past week, but it was also 9/11.  I think I cried through the whole thing.  I can't help but think that our Lord is coming back soon.  There's so much turmoil.  So much sadness.  So much disaster.  I simply can't seem to wrap my mind around it all, so I'm trying my hardest just to turn to Him because I know that's where my future lies.

Tears were streaming as we sang songs such as "Oh Glorious Day" and "Because He Lives".  More tears as the flag was carried through the sanctuary.  More tears as I thought of a sweet friend who just lost her sweet mother.  It's just a sad time right now and I only pray that things either get better, or that Jesus returns soon.  And I still have so many things to be happy about and thankful for.  Being sad is not fun.

So I'm in constant prayer every day for loved ones and friends.  For strangers who have lost homes in the fires.  For our nation.  Goodness does our nation need prayers.  Please pray with me!

. praying for rain .

to me, it feels weird that life continues.  our state is basically covered in fires, but in the places there are no fires, life continues.  as i sat at mr. hill's football game last night, i thought to myself, "it just doesn't feel right that we are sitting here watching football, while homes are burning to the ground not too far away."  what else is there to do though?  life has to continue. 

i feel like i'm in constant prayer for rain.  please Lord, let it rain.  please Lord, hear our prayers for rain.  please Lord, let it rain.  constantly, which i know is what He wants, but i feel like it's not enough.  we need rain so desperately, but what else is He wanting from us besides our prayer for rain?  my mind can't help but to think that He's trying to get our overall attention, not just for rain.  not just for our government.  not just for the recession.  but for everything.  seems as though we've gotten a little greedy and have put God on the back burner and He's letting us know that He's not happy with it.  some say all of these natural disasters means that the world is coming to an end.   my mind can't drift that far.  i'm ready.  i know i'm ready.  but that's so huge.

right now all i can think about is rain to put out this blanket of fire and smoke that is on the great state of texas and the homes that are being destroyed.  to me, homes are not just possessions.  they are where families gather.  they hold memories.  they are where children lay their heads to sleep at night.  and, in the blink of an eye, thousands are lost.  it makes my heart so heavy.

so, my prayer today is ... God, i humble myself before you, begging.  pleading for rain for the state of texas.  please have mercy on us, Lord.