Jesus is the reason for the season

I have fallen miserably behind in keeping up with this, and while I feel bad for not posting, it's not as if my walk has been floundering as well. Several things have happened over the months that have driven me straight to the Word for encouragement, hope and mercy. I have relied heavily on the promises in the following scriptures:

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

~Isaiah 40:31

and

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, and a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."

~Psalm 9:9&10

I have talked about Isaiah 40:31 before, but it's such a great promise and I repeat it to myself daily, as well as the one from Psalm 9.

For those of you who read this, I have a prayer request. Please pray for a friend of mine who is going through huge life-changing events right now, and not in a good way. I know that's very vague, but He knows who it is.

On a brighter note, I am so excited for the holidays. Today is our last day of school, and I must say it's been rather difficult getting up these two days when I know pretty much every other school in Texas is already finished for the semester.

We will have Christmas with Blake's parents on Friday evening and then drive to my parent's house for Christmas with them and then we'll have another Christmas Saturday night at my grandparent's house where all of the Hagoods (my mom's family) will be. And THEN, when we come back to Lubbock on Monday, my cousin Emily will be coming back with us to stay for a few days. I just love her. We have many, many things planned for our few days, as some of you may have already seen from our facebook posts to each other. We have the best time when we're together. :)

"The angel said to them, ....'I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

~Luke 2:10&11

I'm Looking Forward To...

....FALL!

....getting out my fall decor for the house

....football season (high school, college & pro)

....relaxing weekends

....hearing high school bands playing as we drive through town on Friday nights

....all of my cute fall/cooler weather clothes and shoes

....watching the new babies in our life grow

....getting new neighbors

....the smell of my fall candles (Pumpkin Patch from Bath & Body Works is my fav)

....Blake being successful with his transition (which came with a raise!) at work

.....season premiere week of all my favorite TV shows

....Blake acing his classes this semester

What are YOU looking forward to?

Psalm 33:21-22

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name."

Again, just like I said in the last post, life has been a little tough lately. Without going into too much detail, I'll just say that God has been testing my faith in the area of finances. I am the one who takes care of all the bills so I am the one who always knows everything about the amount of money, or lack thereof. This month we were in the situation where if we didn't tithe, we could pay for everything and have some left over. If we did tithe, we would be down to our last dollar (literally) with 2 weeks left in the month. I'll just go ahead and say it: I did not want to tithe. I wanted to have some money left over to, I don't know...go to eat, rent a movie, etc. Anyway, I wrote the check to the church, but only after taking a step back and praying about it and making sure my heart was happy about it and I wasn't just doing it because we're supposed to. There is now a little less than 2 weeks until the next paycheck and I found this verse the other day. I love it because it is about hope and rejoicing and trusting and being joyful while we wait for his help.

Psalm 40:11, 12, & 17

"Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs on my head, and my heart fails within me. Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay."

I got upset a few days ago about a bunch of stuff and I knew I needed to pray and be in God's presence. I prayed before opening my bible and He put Psalm 40 in my mind. I read it and these 3 verses were what stuck out to me. What these verses say is exactly what I was feeling that moment. I have since memorized them and have repeated them to myself 2 or 3 times a day for the last few days. They have really helped in reminding me that no matter what troubles are around me, God will think of me and deliver me from whatever is troubling me; it just might not happen exactly the moment I want it to happen. Which is another area I am working on: waiting on the Lord's timing and resting in His peace.

101 in 1001

This is a jaunt from the posts I regularly create. Enjoy!

101 in 1001 days

Day Zero Project is the home of the 101 in 1001 which was made to inspire people by having them write down 101 goals and set out to achieve them.

(From the website)

The Challenge:

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:

Tasks must be specific (i.e. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e. represent some amount of work on your part).

Why 1001 days?

Many people have created lists in the past--frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a "Bucket List." The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing such tasks as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

I got this idea from Shari Henson {Shari Henson Photography}, a friend from high school. My list is in no particular order. I had so much fun making it even though it was harder to do than I thought.

Without further ado, here is my list.

If you make one, please let me know because I want to read it!

As I complete a task, it will be in bold and will have the date on which I did it.

1. Accumulate the equivalent of 4 mortgage payments in savings

2. Go to the drive-in with Blake

3. Get rid of all the weeds in our yard

4. Buy a new camera (a really good quality one)

5. Read 100 books (40/100)

6. Go to the midnight premier of Eclipse (7/10/10) {didn't make it to the midnight premiere, but did go see it with Kelley & Nicole}

7. Throw a baby shower for Kelley (6/6/10)

8. Hold Keylee June (6/29/10)

9. Make a dessert for a friend for no reason

10. Attend the AP Summer Institute at TCU (6/21-6/24)

11. Watch The Blind Side

12. Buy P90X (6/2/10)

13. Completely landscape the yard

14. Print pictures from Christmas to the present (6/7/10)

15. Label said pictures and put in albums

16. Give Blake prayer and support to finish school (He will graduate in Aug or Dec of 2014!)

17. Watch a fireworks show (7/4/10)

18. Finally get Blake a dog (6/25/11)

19. Take a ride in a hot air balloon

20. Go skiing in Colorado (3/5/11)

21. Visit Curt & Tosha (3/4-3/6/11)

22. Learn 10 new songs on the piano (0/10)

23. Have a baby

24. Go see parts I & II of the last Harry Potter movie (Part I - 12/27/10) (Part II - 7/16/11)

25. Vacation in Cabo (8/1/10-8/4/10)

26. Learn to snowboard (3/5/11)

27. Go horseback riding

28. Invite Cory & Karri over for dinner (7/16/10)

29. Attend a Mavericks game

30. Attend a Cowboys game

31. Go to the lake (7/3/10)

32. Have a deck built in the backyard

33. Have an arbor built over said deck

34. Attempt to water ski at least once

35. Go see Breaking Dawn (Part I - 11/19/11)

36. Get in shape for Cabo

37. Pay off Visa

38. Pay off my student loan

39. Start saving up to pay off Blake's student loans when he graduates!

40. Sing a song at church (10/24/10)

41. Go to Canton with Shanna

42. Memorize 40 scriptures (9/40)

43. Play laser tag

44. Take a yoga class

45. Jump on a trampoline

46. Finish our wedding album (8/12/10)

47. Start and finish a new scrapbook

48. Get a pedicure (5/24/10)

49. Send out Christmas cards (12/9/10)

50. Pick apples at the orchard in Idalou (9/26/10)

51. Float the river

52. Plant a food garden

53. Take a spontaneous road trip

54. Sing the National Anthem at a Mavericks game

55. Bake a real homemade apple pie

56. Learn to tie a tie

57. Make homemade ice cream

58. Throw a theme party

59. Buy a new computer

60. Buy a new pair of flip-flops (7/21/10)

61. Use the word "eschew" casually in a sentence.

62. Buy blinds for the kitchen/dining room windows (7/17/10)

63. Buy a new vacuum cleaner

64. Go through the clothes I don't wear and give them to Goodwill

65. Fly a kite

66. Do something sweet for Blake for no reason

67. Swing on a tire swing

68. Visit Boston in the fall

69. Learn to golf

70. Host a Joker tournament

71. Replace two of the rims on my car {traded car instead} (11/30/11)

72. Have a garage sale

73. Visit Las Vegas

74. See Michael Buble in concert again with Becca

75. Go bowling (11/20/2010)

76. Improve my Spanish

77. Learn how to score AP essays (6/23/10) {Not great yet; but know the basics now}

78. Acquire a bed for the 3rd bedroom (7/16/10)

79. Attend a Rangers game {World Series, baby!!!} 10/22/11)

80. Go to Six Flags in Arlington

81. Visit San Antonio (5/21/10)

82. Watch Avatar (5/16/10)

83. Finish writing novel with Kelley

84. Watch all the episodes of NCIS

85. Go to the ballet

86. Send a secret to PostSecret

87. Take my mom to see Josh Turner in concert

88. Go on a road trip to Kentucky to see Jenny

89. Learn how to play chess

90. Get a manicure

91. Play Dance Dance Revolution

92. Watch a sunrise (NOT while going to work--I do that every day)

93. Take Blake to the World Aquarium in Dallas

94. Take a photography class

95. Build a snowman

96. Install floodlights on the house in the backyard

97. Use the word "obstreperous" casually in a sentence.

98. Get a new hairstyle (yikes! That one scares me...)

99. Get Lasik

100. Find out my blood type (A positive) (9/30/11)

101. Get my teeth whitened

......To be completed by February 5th, 2013 :)

Hebrews 12:1-2

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

~Hebrews 12:1&2

Needless to say, I have been remiss. I'm more of a cucumber right now than a pickle. The world rises up and steals my time and energy and I forget to read and study. The part of the verse that says "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles..." makes me cringe. It definitely steps on my toes. There are sins that I choose to ignore and they continually take up my time and energy. It's so frustrating and yet I continue to give Satan that foothold.

At book club this week, Julie challenged us to memorize two scriptures. I know that memorization is a powerful tool in growing your faith. I know probably 8-10 scriptures and that is not nearly enough to help myself stay in the mindset of walking with the Lord and staying in His presence. Getting those 2 scriptures memorized will add to my list and it is up to me to keep the list growing! Even when I'm tired, I need to run with perseverance!

On another note, I wanted to try some photos. Here is one of Blake and me from a few weeks ago.

Here's our front flower bed after our attempt to make it look good....We'll see if everything lives!

Watch Your Mouth!

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

~Ephesians 4:29

It's so easy for me to tell my students one thing and to then be a hypocrite and ignore it in my own life. Example: I don't allow my students to say "shut up" in my class, as it is rude and an ugly thing to say, and yet I find myself saying it. Mainly to Blake when I'm in bad mood and don't want to talk about something. I know that it has hurt my feelings when I've been told to shut up, but I constantly forget how I make people feel when I say it.

I don't have a problem with cursing; it's not something I struggle with, for which I am thankful. However, I am constantly talking about my students and it's not always in a positive light. Sometimes I am just venting and other times I am complaining. I have also been a participant in gossiping about things that happen at school. I justify it by thinking that I just want to know what's happening, I just want to be kept in the loop.

But, it doesn't matter how I justify it, it doesn't work. God doesn't care what my reasons are. If what I'm saying is not encouraging or helpful, I need to shut my mouth. I need to stop being nosey and stop caring about what the latest gossip is. Whenever I have the urge to say something that I shouldn't, if I will just wait 5 seconds and say a short prayer and ask myself, "Self, do I really need to say this??", the answer will most likely be "NO" and I'll have to keep my thoughts to myself. Also, I love the end of this verse about people listening. I forget too easily how many people I am around everyday and how many of them hear what I say, even if I'm not talking directly to them. I need to be mindful of not only what I say but who could be listening. I might be the one of the only Christian examples some of the students ever encounter and I need to remember that. I need to strive to always be on my best behavior for Jesus. When people see me, I want them to see Him.

No Comparison

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

I love this verse. It's so simple in its message yet it speaks volumes to my heart. Our Sunday School class finished a study of the book of Romans a few weeks ago and I enjoyed learning more about Paul and the purpose of him writing this letter to the Romans. He was telling the people of Rome not to be discouraged and keep their faith strong and to not lose their hope. He had not met them yet. Their church had been started by Jews who had come to faith during Pentecost and they had spread the gospel on their return to Rome, and the church had grown. He sent this letter, the book of Romans, to introduce himself and to make a clear declaration of the faith.

In this verse, Paul wanted to assure the Romans that whatever struggles they faced, it would be worth it in the end because they would one day be in the presence of the Lord, forever separated from sin and suffering. That's an amazing thought. One I don't dwell on often, but definitely should. It's so important to remember that there's nothing I can go through that is worth comparing to how glorious it will be one day when Christ is revealed to me.

Matthew 25:14-30

For the past few weeks, our pastor has been preaching on parables that hold practical real-life applications. The one from last week was especially great for me. The text is Matthew 25:14-30, which is the parable of the loaned money. I read this in the footnotes of my bible:

The master divided the money (talents) among his servants according to their abilities. No one received more or less than he could handle. If he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed. Failure could only come from laziness or hatred toward the master. The talents represent any kind of resource we are given. God gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities, and he expects us to invest them wisely until He returns. We are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have, but how well we use what we have.

The part that stuck out the most about this sermon was the fact that we don't have any excuses. God gives us things according to what we can handle. If we don't do whatever it is He's given us to do, it's our own fault and that failure comes out of laziness or hatred. I don't like the thought of hating God, (because I don't!!) but I guess that's what it seems like when I fail at what He's given me to do. That gives me an extra push every time I think about a task or ability He's given me. I need to fulfill that assignment, whatever it is, or invest my time and gifts wisely for His kingdom.

I love the last line from my footnote. It doesn't matter what or how much I have, what matters is how well I use it.

No Rest for the Weary

The title of this post sure is the story of my life recently. This time last year I wasn't nearly as stressed or exhausted as I am now. Not only am I never sitting still at school, where I am the UIL Coordinator and also the Assistant Director for our One Act Play, (and while I love both of those jobs and the things that come with them, I have run myself into the ground in the last 3 weeks), but I hardly sit down at home as well. There's just always one more thing I need to do. And I've developed sinus congestion (thanks to our ever-changing weather) as well as an exhausted body.

I took the UIL kids to a practice meet this past Saturday (which required me to get up at 4:30 that morning) and we are now having play rehearsal 3 nights a week--Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays--for 3 hours at a time. Also, we go to church on Wednesdays. Needless to say, I need as much rest and rejuvenating as I can get on the few nights a week I get to relax.

While I am trying to go to bed a little earlier each night to help myself physically, I found myself needing some spiritual encouragement and reinforcement. Before I even opened my bible tonight, I found myself singing "Everlasting God." The first line of that song is "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord." How perfect was that, that God put that song in my head? While I can do everything I can to help my body rest, I need to put my faith in Him and wait for Him to strengthen me from the inside out.

In this post, I mainly wanted to share these verses from Isaiah 40 because they are now my mantra. I will repeat them to myself whenever I am feeling the least bit stressed or tired and remind myself that God is bigger than me and my tired body.

"The Lord is the everlasting God...He gives strength to the weary...Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ~Isaiah 40:28,29,31

The Inaugural Blog

Well, here it is. My first blog. I've been wanting to create a blog for some time now, but several things had stopped me.

1. I wondered what on earth I would write about. My life isn't extraordinarily exciting; I don't have children (yet) and although my career is never boring, it's not something I would want to have a blog about.
2. I wondered who on earth would read it. Who would care about what I had to say on whatever subject I decided to pick (besides my mom)? (Hi, Mom. Love you.)

3. I wondered what my true motivation was. Why did I really want to have a blog? Would it be a place for me to vent? A place to debate? A place to pray? A place to write down my hopes and dreams?

Well, all those wonderings have been silenced and here I am. If you're confused by the title, don't worry.
Here's my story:

Last weekend, Blake and I traveled to San Angelo to be leaders at Refuge Weekend at Paul Ann Baptist Church. (Refuge Weekend is what they call a Disciple Now.) Blake knows Jeff, the youth minister, because Jeff was Blake's youth minister when Blake was growing up in Seminole. Our purpose for going was to each have a small group of students and lead them through a curriculum starting Friday night and ending at Sunday morning worship. I thought I was going to light a fire under the girls who were in my group but it turned out that God lit a fire in me. I truly hope and pray that what I said during our sessions was effective to these girls and that it made sense because at times I was convicted by what I was saying to them as I was saying it. I was supposed to be "teaching" and "guiding" them, but really, what I was saying in those sessions was what God had just said to me. I was the one who was being taught and guided.I was especially convicted on Saturday night.

At worship on Saturday night, a man by the name of Ryan Dalgliesh spoke to us, all 280 students plus 24 leaders. Those of you who were there know how powerful this simple illustration was and how it spoke to your own heart. He told the story of Nicander's Pickles. Nicander was a Greek physician who lived way before Jesus and he had a recipe for making pickles. First you have to know that Ryan was talking about reading the Word on a daily basis and living by what it says. He said that we have to be immersed in the Bible in order for it to be effective in our lives. Then he told us about two words: "Bapto" & "Baptizo." "Bapto" means to dip or wash. "Baptizo" means to immerse. We can't just dip our lives into the Bible and expect it to make any difference. We have to completely immerse ourselves so that it's the most important thing in our walk with the Lord.

Anyway, back to the pickles.

Nicander's recipe for making pickles:

1. Bapto the cucumber in boiling water.

2. Baptizo the cucumber in vinegar.

If you refer the the definitions above, you see that while both directions involve putting the cucumber in a liquid, the first is only temporary. The second, the act of immersing (baptizing) the cucumber in the vinegar, produces a permanent change. Once a cucumber has been changed into a pickle, you can't change it back. The character of the vegetable has been so altered that it can't ever go back to being a cucumber.

I want to be a pickle. I don't want to just temporarily dip my life into the Word. I want to immerse myself so that I am altered to such a degree that my human, sinful nature falls completely away. I know that I will never actually achieve being a pickle here on earth. Only in the presence of the Lord, when He comes back or when I'm called home, will I truly be transformed out of my sinful nature forever. My goal is to strive to stay in the Word on a daily basis and do my absolute best to be a shining example of Christ. That's what this blog is for me. A place for me to write down what I've learned from scripture. I want to grow in my walk with the Lord and I want to hear your thoughts along the way. Please feel free to leave comments. What I write probably won't be anything extraordinarily profound or deep, but I feel like I've been led to do it. My goal isn't to preach to people or show off how much I know (or am learning). I simply want to read the Word and write down what I learn and I feel like this blog will help me do that. I want to immerse myself in God's Word and apply it to my life.

I want to stay in the pickle jar.