Is it just a dream...?

For three years we have vacationed in the Appalachian Mountains. Just this past weekend, we drove up to the Blue Ridge near Charlottesville just because we were itching to be near the mountains once again. I am always excited as we head out and just as we reach Goochland, I am on the lookout for spectacular views and beautiful animals and wonderful people. Since we had to travel back the same day, we only went as far as 20 miles west of Charlottesville. I could have stayed there all day! I have no idea why I have such a fondness for these mountains. I am currently praying for clarification. Is this a vacation fondness or a permanent stay fondness?


We are a military family and have always moved to where duty has called us to serve. Now that we are facing retirement, we are actually entertaining the idea of moving because we want to. I like living in Virginia Beach and would actually recommend this as a great place to live especially if you love the beach. But there is something about those mountains that draws me! I love the laid back and slow pace. I love nature and I love country living, all the way down to the clothesline in the backyard and huge garden on the side. I love fishing –hmmm, well I love going with my husband while he is fishing! But canning, sewing quilts, gardening are my past time hobbies; and towards the end of the evening I would sit out on my porch and read while enjoying a cup of tea. I love the small but close knit communities that we come in contact with. In some of the small communities that are farther from the larger towns, there is poverty and a lot of living off the land. None the less, the people are beautiful and smiling.

One small community we visited during the Maple Fest boasted having an awesome Trout Dinner. You will never guess where it was served –the volunteer fire department! It was great and filled with local people. The desserts were made by the women of the community -it was totally awesome!! Around 5pm everyone helped to clean up and in record time, they we are all headed out to there perspective homes just over the mountain ridge. It was a strange sight seeing all the cars at once head over that mountain ridge but an experience of camaraderie and friendship that I admired.

I have done a lot of research, search property in many different areas. I am always looking at the job market and any news that I can get from that area. Although I truly love this place, I want whatever God wants for me. I am praying, listening and watching…

A love relationship with God is more important than any other single factor in our lives.

                                                                                                           (H. Blackaby)

Ahhhhh... Summer Reading.

At the end of the school year, I had my summer reading all figured out. I wanted to catch up on some the books that I quoted from but not read fully. One of the books I had to read for Organizational Leadership was Inspiring Leadership: Character and Ethics Matter by R. Stewart Fisher and Perry J. Martini which focused on accountability and responsibility and character. This is now a required summer reading for my 17 year old son and for my husband. My personal list included:

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The 8th Habit

Good to Great

The 360 Degree Leader

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

The Effective Executive

Water for Elephants

So far I have managed to read:

Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleezza Rice

Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices and Priorities of a Winning Life by Tony Dungy

Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith

Radical by David Platt

And I have just this morning started “If you want to Walk on Water you’ve got to Get Out of the Boat” by John Ortberg. I normally read two books at once so last night I started to read ‘The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership’ by John C. Maxwell. So far Mr. Maxwell has focused on effectiveness, influence, navigation and reflective thinking. I have only made it page 41 but lots of good stuff. I am thinking about listening to ‘Water for Elephants’ when I go for my morning walks! As the summer is almost half over, I am finally getting disciplined to get on the ball and lead myself!!

The Best Birthday Present!!!!

So, I had a birthday June 17th, but my daughter graduated June 16th and we had a house full of guest. Both sets of grandparents were here and we had a blast. So much so that the whole birthday thingy got lost in the mix. But a dear friend of mine was persistent and watchful. Among all the craziness, she waited for an opportunity to give me a gift she thought I would love. She was soooo right!!!! I have not put it down since she gave it to me. It is the complete works of Oswald Chambers! I really really love books and I love reading. Give me a book and your are considered a friend. Give me a book on something that I love or is dear to me and you are have moved to best friend status. She took notice of when I taught and when I wrote that I would quote Oswald Chambers. So thank you friend for thinking of me and blessing me in such a special way. I love you!

Taking a Break - Experiencing God

This summer I was going to take a few classes to ensure I would be done with my senior year in May instead of July. But I also had this unquenchable yearning to draw closer to God. So I began to pray for clarification to see where God really wanted me. I continued my journey and enrolled in summer classes but finances became tight and overwhelming and stressful. As I withdrew from my needed classes, I began to feel free and peaceful about withdrawing and the urge to spend time with God was growing greatly.

I had only shared this tidbit with my husband. I did not know where to start nor did I try to come up with a plan or a schedule. I just waited on God; something I learned to do while being a student here at Regent.

One day while browsing around Lifeway Bookstore, I was looking at the Experiencing God bible study by Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King. While I was in that aisle, a young woman said to me "Oh, that looks interesting. I am trying to narrow down where I should start as a new believer". A store worker happened by with the usual greetings and takes a survey of what we have in our hands. To the young woman in the aisle, he let her know that her items were good for someone who wanted to get familiar with the bible. To me he exclaimed, "Now that is an excellent study no matter where you are in your Christian faith". A woman that I had noticed in the store earlier peered over my shoulder and said "If you honestly open up and embrace God through this study (Experiencing God) you will have an encounter and never be the same again". Upon hearing this, the young woman in the aisle with me picked up the complete study of Experiencing God and looked at me with the sheer exhiliration and exclaimed, "I am soo excited! This is going to be great!" And my awesome and brilliant comeback was -I cannot afford the whole thing so I am just going to purchase the workbook (I have no idea what my problem was). This statement seems to have sent this woman's excitement through the roof because she immediately chimed in "GREAT WE CAN DO THIS STUDY TOGETHER THEN"!!!!!

By the time I left the bookstore, I had a new bible study and a new bible study partner and a hint that God was up to something. I told my walking partner about this encounter and she immediately wanted to join us. So the three of us are on this awesome summer journey learning to know and do the will of God. We are halfway through the study and it has been amazing to be able to look around and see that God really is always working. Blackaby and King give 7 points to experiencing to God. So far the second one is my favorite -God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal. I think this resonates with me because I felt God's urging to draw nearer to Him.

This study is very scriptural based and not a lot of opinionated fluff. It is actually like a class. There are 5 days of activity work to complete each week before our group meeting. We also have weekly scripture memorization, prayer, journaling, sharing and a video in each meeting session. We meet each Saturday morning at 7am. Initially we decided to be done by 8:30am but following the Holy Spirit we usually end by 11am. If anyone tried to get me to sign up with a bible study that lasted for four hours, it just would not happen. But we eagerly meet with our coffee and fruit and enjoy learning the Truth!

Show me Your ways, O LORD;

Teach me Your paths,

Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my Salvation;

On You I wait all the day.

Ps. 25:4-5, NKJV

Another Precious Memory

Prom 2011, another milestone complete and thoroughly enjoyed. High school graduation is in about three weeks. Almost time to let go. But to let go to what? It is time to let go to GOD. Just like he loves and cares for me, He can and will do the same for my child. I do not fear or worry for what could or may happen in the lives of my children. I believe and trust that God's grace is real and active in my children's lives.

"Fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong." Daniel 10:19

Fear hinders us and weighs us down and slows progress but Faith lets go.....

Summer Break

Another semester is successfully over and I am getting geared up for summer. No classes until August! So what will I do for approximately 14 weeks? Well business first,  -we will finish homeschooling for the year for Terrance who will be ending his sophomore year. Tia will be graduating in June from Landstown High School and heading to Johnson and Wales in Charlotte in the Fall. My parents and parent-in-laws are coming for a visit at the same time in June so we will count this as party number one. Perhaps two parties will be in order. We will have a shrimp boil one day and bar-b-que another day. Family, food and fellowship always makes for a great time.

I also have plenty of reading to do over the summer. I dare not bore you to death with the titles. But my projects are to build a new garden bed, take down the wall paper in my bathroom and to exercise as often as possible. I am off to a good start. I walk 5 days a week and zumba three days. I will just  keep you posted on my progress. But I think I will get to that wall paper before my parents arrive in  4 weeks!

My ultimate goal for the summer is spend as much time as possible building a deeper relationship with God. I have just started a new bible study called "Experiencing God". It is an awesome study. If you have not tried it, I encourage you to check it out. If possible, take this summer and just slow down and purposefully watch God. See if you can find Him everywhere you go! Then join in with Him in kingdom building.

Beginning the Journey

I fully realize that my body as a temple may not be God's most grand dwelling. However, I want to lift up to the Lord my willingness to dedicate my exercise as a gift to Him and myself. This one act un-divides my heart and reminds me of the deeper purposes for moving my body.                                               Craving God

So, hubby and I went for a bike ride today. The weather was great and we had a good time. We did venture out of the neighborhood and my comfort zone though. I was following his lead when he turned to go out of the neighborhood. Of course I could not ride in silence and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, I panicked! Not only was he heading out of the neighborhood, there was an incline I would have to consider. But instead of giving up and complaining, I decided to be silent and pray my way through this. It would take divine intervention to get me up that tiny incline. My graceful prayer began something like this:

O God help me climb this mountain, Ok here it comes, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....O God thank you! You are awesome!

Turns out my husband is blissfully unaware of my troubles and decides we should cross a major intersection! It was successful and turns out we were going to the bank by our house. While he was making his transaction I was trying to keep oxygen in my body. It was more of my fear than the exercise. I decided to choose a scripture from my memory bank and meditate on it to get me back home and the only one that I could pull to mind was "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks unto you, O Lord my God with all my heart" (Psa 86:11-12). Well I was so preoccupied on the way home with - why this verse? I failed to realize that we were not headed home, we were headed to the Food Lion on a TWO LANE ROAD!! There was no way to stop and freak out now! We made it to the store!! I was too petrified to yell at my husband who was just riding and blissfully whistling. When he emerged from that store, I decided that it was time for me to take the lead and get us home as soon as I could. Yep! That got his attention, I passed him and did not stop peddling until I got home!

Once we were home and I recovered, I began to realize that the reason I went for that bike ride was because he wanted to go and he said it was good exercise for him. I knew I should exercise in some kind of way so I figured I may as well impress him. My heart was divided between exercising for another person's reason or finding my own motivation. Funny the things we go through to realize something so simple.

But, this is a journey and I am a work in progress ... to be continued.

Reflective Evenings

Towards the end of each day, reflect back over the day’s activities. While you were going about your routine day, where did you see God? Did you intentionally look for Him?

God want us to see Him in everything and rely on His wisdom and power to face anything.

When we become active seekers and consistent reflectors, we become keenly aware of his presence in our lives. At any time on any given day, we can be pulled in many different directions –family, work, friends, self, church, organizations –God is there with us though each step and each decision.

Ponder over Psalm 25:8-15 (Amplified Version)

8Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will He instruct sinners in [His] way.

9He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way.

10All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

11For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity and my guilt, for [they are] great.

12Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose.

13He himself shall dwell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land.

14The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.

15My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

MADE TO CRAVE!

I am a part of a small group of Jesus-girls who are doing the ‘MADE TO CRAVE’ bible study by Lysa Terkeurst. In Lysa’s book she emphasis ‘satisfying your deepest desire with GOD, not FOOD. I did not realize that I was putting my food and food issues and all related to it ‘before’ God. How many times do we go throughout the day in whatever we do and ask ourselves, ‘are we keeping God first and center’? I try to do that consistently throughout the week; but I never considered that with food; and yes, I have a HUGE issue with food.


So this is what I gained this week, “He knew even before I was born that I could easily allow food to be an idol in my life, that I would go to food, instead of Him, to fulfill my needs. And in His great wisdom, He created my body so that it would experience the consequence of such a choice, so that I would continually be drawn back into His arms. He wants me to come to Him for fulfillment, emotional healing, comfort – and if I could go to food for that and never gain an ounce, well then, what would I need God for”? (Made to Crave, Chapter10).

Since beginning this journey, I have gained a stronger and deeper relationship with God. I am thirstier now than I have ever been. The only thing I have not gained is weight. I have actually lost 12 pounds. It is in my weakness that He is growing me building me for something awesome, to be used for His purpose! “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

By no means has this journey been an easy one but; with God it is possible. The next step is to exercise! Now that I am finally on the road to getting my craving under control and in proper prospective, now the issue of exercise! But you see my friend, it is the same process. I will take the lies and excuses and covering them with God’s truth and operate in faith out of those truths. So here is the truth that I am using to cover my excuses for not exercising, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor (glorify) God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

No more excuses!

Tell Me A Story ….

He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Luke 24:27

Children love to hear stories, even in this highly technological age we are in today. I recently got an ipad and the apps for kids on this thing are amazing! I have downloaded a few, although I do not have kids, I am always in the presence of kids. I find it the perfect opportunity to share stories about Jesus.


I challenge you to consider ways to be creative and to be excited about teaching your children or others biblical truths. Come on! Let your hair down and get innovative. Trust me; it is perfectly fine to turn off the TV.

Dramatizations are great; let me help you get started:

• Prepare dinner dressed like a biblical character – go all out – you know bathrobe, towel and headband for your hair, flip flops for the shoes and tell the kids a biblical story (truthfully) using a voice that you perceive that character would use.


• Get a children’s CD and act out the songs on them! They will laugh and get in on the fun or they will tell someone and have you committed to an asylum!


• Get out to a local park, take a picnic meal and talk about one of Jesus’ miracles.


Listen!! Don’t let Sunday school be the only Christian impact in their lives. Seriously take the time to reflect to see if you are doing everything possible to further your children’s spiritual training.


I want my children and generation to come to know that Nana was a Jesus-Girl. I think I would like this said about me by family:


• She loved and celebrated Easter like most would celebrate Christmas because she knew that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus were the cornerstone of her faith. She called Easter Resurrection Sunday!

Or how about this one …

• In the face of adversity, she prayed and she did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

But, in reality I think it will go something like this …

• “Do you remember that time she went into that dressing room at the store to try something on and when she came out to get a different size, she forgot to put her pants back on over her tights”?!


• “Do you remember the time Mom left the sandwiches for the homeless guy that kept coming around. He took the sandwiches and we never saw him again. I wonder if she killed the homeless guy with those sandwiches”?

Yes my dear friends these stories are true!! But my initial point was to let you know how important it is to provide our youth with sound, relevant biblical instruction and that you are allowed to have fun doing so!!

Blessings!

Spring Fever!!!!

Warmer weather and longer days means –IT’S PLANTING TIME!!

I still have the same small vegetable garden from last year that did quite well I might add. I do plan to expand and plant some new things this year. The problem is –not enough sunshine in the yard. There are pine trees on community property that the sun hides behind.

In the meantime, we enjoy our evenings with the firepit and some soft music. Lately the stars and moon have been amazing. I have two apps on my ipad that tells me about the deep sky objects overhead (constellations, stars, planets). After enabling this app, all you have to do is hold your device over your head or towards the sky and a lot of things we cannot see and many that we can see come into focus. It is totally cool.

The next time you are out, look up and be amazed!!

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

3 They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:1-7