Words...aren't they great!!!!

Wow...it's been a long time!

     It has been a long time since I have been on here.  I miss writing a lot.  I really like it, I love getting my thoughts down on "paper."  I have so many journals started and write in them when I can. It helps me to process things and be able to focus and most of the time that is a great way for me to hear from God.
     I don't know what this blog will look like or even what I am really going to write about.  I have to figure it out...it has changed a lot in the time I have been away.
     Stay tuned though...as soon as I figure things out I will be on here on a regular basis.

Recipe Thursday!

     A big part of being healthy is eating good for you foods!  Sometimes that is extremely hard especially when the world is throwing all this "quick, easy" simple meals our way.  But yet, these meals and foods have a lot of preservatives and processed chemicals and additives God did not intend for us to digest.  As easy as these things can be to buy and let ourselves/family eat them, they can often cause bad diseases/behaviors because we are comsuming chemicals.
So,  here are a few ideas for some healthy good for you snacks:

potato fries:
preheat oven to 400 degrees
slice a potato per person into thin slices
spray with olive oil and add salt/pepper/garlic powder/all seasoning
bake on a cookie sheet for about 20 minutes per side

I think there is around 100 calories per potato.


smoothie:
water or milk or o.j.
about a cup of fruit
1 banana
protein powder
yogurt
1 TBLS. p. butter
optional: oatmeal, ice cubes

*If you want less calories choose water as your base, milk or orange juice can add nice flavor.  And of course..the more liquid you add the thinner the smoothie will be, add less liquid it will be thicker  Watch how much you add to a smoothie, calories can add VERY quickly. 


Fruit:
This of course is a awesome choice for a snack.  It is also very nice to compliment a piece of fruit with some kind of protein(cheese, nuts etc.) 


Some of this can get kind of expensive, however, it is better than buying processed stuff!  Tomorrow I will try and post some breakfast/dinner recipes! 
Have fun and enjoy these yummy snacks!

Consistency is Key!

     Figuring out a schedule is the hardest, but best thing to do.  What is one reason we love summer so much?  It gets us into a new schedule for three months...something out of the ordinary.  We can do whatever we want, whenever we want.  That is why we love fall so much, as well.  It brings us back into a schedule, consistency, something new and some sacrifice.  As much as it's chaos, basically the whole month of September, it's really nice knowing what to expect everyday.  Not to mention the kids are a little more well behaved because they are back into a routine.
     Well, working out and getting into shape is the same way.  The ONLY way, besides diet, that it is going to work is if you figure out a schedule that works for you.  Some people like early morning workouts...I am talking like 5-6am!  If that is you...kudos times like a million:P Then stay consistent with it.  Some people like me, like the 8-10am time.  I do it about 5-6 days a week around this time.  If your schedule doesn't allow anytime in the morning, but the afternoon or evening work good for you, then awesome.  You may even despise routines...then set an alarm in your phone so at least you are doing some kind of workout at some point everyday.
     Now...some people don't fall into any of these catagories and they just hate working out all together!  I get that, it's not for everybody!  Then start out small and add more as you get more comfortable.  But the only way you are going to get the body and health you want is if you start somewhere.  30 minutes a day/everyday is all you need to do to see a change in your health!
    

Hydration is important!

     Dehydration can cause a lot of issues!  Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.  Dehydration is defined as: to remove water or moisture from, also to lose too much water.  Think about that...
     When you are in dehydration mode you are removing water and moisture from your body.  The body God intended for food AND drink.  I don't think God intended for the water our body is supposed to get, to be replaced by manmade things like soda,coffee, and energy drinks.  Now there is nothing wrong with these things, however, they are manmade...not created by God! Anything created by God is NOT bad, it was created because we needed it not necessarily because it tasted good.  How does dehydration effect you?
     1. Physically...not getting enough water can make you tired, really tired!  When I am tired that is the first thing I look at.  How much have I drank?  Also it can make going to the bathroom extremely hard..as water softens things up(gross, but the truth).  It can also cause mild to severe headaches...and who likes those?  It could also cause you to consume more calories, as hunger is often mistaken when you need something to drink instead. 
     2. Emotionally...not drinking water can make you irritable, crabby an explode over nothing...I think you get it.
     3. Mentally...I often feel scatterbrained, can't think straight and feel like I have a foggy brain when I need to drink something.
    
     It is so important to drink pure water everyday!  Start small and start adding bottles or cups slowly.  It may not taste good but it is so important to have more energy and to feel good about yourself!  God created this for a reason...just remembe that:) 
Enjoy the weekend and I write more on Monday!

CHALLENGE: Drink one more bottle/cup of water per day then you usually do! 

Getting to know me...

I have been active all my life, I started dancing when I was 7.  I was forced to go on bike rides while my dad ran...have to be honest, most of he time I enjoyed it!  In college I danced everyday and sometimes multiple times per day.  I started working out shortly before graduating college because I knew not dancing and only teaching would reek havoc on my body.  I started running and weight training in 2005 and have been doing it ever since. 
     Ever since I can remember I have had a very strong desire to eat and cook healthy things.  Even as a teenager, I wanted to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle.  Besides dance, I would get up before school and workout with my dad...TaeBo...it was the 90's;) I love cooking and making healthy recipes and dinners for my family and recommending stuff for others to try.  Now, mind you, my family and I do have our indulgences...just not all the time!
     I have been told in the past by several people that I should seriously consider getting my personal training certificate.  I have also been told that I should become a nutritionist because I am very good with food and knowing healthy options.  So in the last few weeks I have finally decided to actually do it!  I have to wait till next summer though, as we are working to pay some debt off. 
     In the meantime, I have decided to use my blog as an avenue to start giving advice.  I am NOT promising anything.  I do NOT have a license and I am NOT certified.  I am merely shooting out advice that I have learned over the last 9 years working out and running.  There are a lot of other great blogs/information out there that will be better and more up to date. 
     I am doing this blog because I have prayed and believe this is the avenue that God has opened up for me.  Also, because a lot of my friends have asked for advice and instead of telling the same thing over and over again..I would put it in one place!  Please don't be afraid to NOT follow my advice and please feel free to ask questions.  Anything you ask or discuss on this site will remain here.
     The last thing...if you have NEVER worked out or have any medical condition please check with your doctor before beginning anything.  Remember, I am not a licensed nutritionist/personal trainer, yet:)

*Look for a new post tomorrow!*

The right Spirit

     Well, I haven't posted in months...again!  That is because I have been extremely busy and preoccupied.  Our house finally sold and the 6 weeks in between accepting the offer and closing was crazy.  More to come on that as soon as I remember all the God moments that happened, lets just say, it's a miracle we are in a new house!
     As we approach the Christmas season, lets all remember to actually say "Merry Christmas."  No matter who you are talking to and no matter who it offends, we celebrate Christmas for one reason and one reason only...Jesus!  I am sure if he wasn't born, humans would have come up with another crazy holiday to celebrate.  We have to remind people, especially in today's self centered world what the holiday is all about.  Even if that means doing little things...paying for the coffee for the person behind you, letting the person behind you go first to pay because they have less items, or even donating a little extra to help teach the next generation to give.
     Not to brag or say you have to do this...but my family and I have started a "mission jar."  Back in the summer when Silena was in VBS she brought home a piece of paper saying $.07/day would feed a starving child here in America!  Isn't that crazy?  I approached my husband and we both thought it was a great idea to start that.  So every week, usually Sunday night, we all get together $.50 put it in the jar and then we all pray over it!  Then around Christmas we will decide all together to donate it to someone or a charity.  There was about two months, late summer and early fall, where we just completely forgot and then we finally remembered we owed the jar $16.00!  Between the change I had, Silena had and Craig had...we found exactly the right amount to put in the jar, I love when that kind of thing happens!  I love when God shows up right at the right moment...Silena still talks about that. 
     My point is this, find small ways to teach each other and especially the next generation that Christmas is truly about the Savior and not what you get:)

Pride got in the way!

Pride is defined as the quality or state of being proud.  It is something that God sees as a sin, but as humans it's something that comes up when we are overconfident and don't think we need help!  Let me explain:
As I am training for my 3rd half marathon, I decided to register for a 10 mile race this past weekend to help me get prepared.  My dad, who has been running for years, had me tapering my mileage last week and just resting to prepare my body for this long run.  I have run this distance before and I had checked the weather all week...sunny!  So my body was rested, and the weather was SUPPOSED to be sunny, however, all week I felt tension in my knees but just brushed it off and said they will be fine.
Here comes race day, we left on time and hit some rain on the way to Marshfield, it was nothing I was worried about and by the time we got to the race it had stopped.  I get dressed and put the brace on one of my knees and get my ipod prepared, I am set.  I kiss the family good bye and head to the start line...we sing the star spangled banner and guess what?  Yep, you guessed it!  Rain...first lightly and by the time the gun went off it was pouring.  I was soaking wet by mile 1, good thing I had a running hat on so at least the rain was staying out of my face.
So remember this is a 10 mile run...I have 9 miles left!  Soaking wet:P  Then because I was wet, by the time, I got to mile 6 I was cold and my knees and hips started to give me pain.  Remember the tension I felt in my knees?  Yep, should've gone to see the chiropractor...but that darn pride!  So I was wet, cold, in extreme pain, and it was still raining.  This is miserable, I thought.  I started praying like crazy and by the time I got to mile 8 the sun started peaking out and the strength I felt was very refreshing.  I had to walk run the last two miles because I knew my hips were out.  As I approached the finish line my legs felt like they were going to fall off...but my family was there and they gave me the motivation to run into the finish.  Well, I finished in a very decent time...1 hour and 45 minutes.  Not what I wanted for time, but for the conditions it was not bad!
Now, when I got the results I realized there was 76 people(who actually showed up and ran) the 10 miler...what place did I get?  71st out of 76..ouch!  This is where my pride got a kick in the pants, if I would've gone into get an adjustment like my gut was telling me...I wouldn't have been one of the last people across the finish.
God doesn't want us to have pride because he WANTS to help us!  He wants to lend us a hand and if we get too much in control and overconfident he will be like any parent and let us learn our own lesson.    He is there to lend a hand and as his children we need to accept his help and realize there is nothing we can do in this life without him....lesson learned:)  

Summer Ideas!

Well, stay at home moms...our hardest three months is upon us.  The 2012-2013 school year has come to a close and not summer vacation is here!  If your children are like Silena she wants to be outside and not stuck inside like it's the middle of winter....so here are some of the ideas I came up with to keep her and the little one busy during the summer:

1. I bought a treasure chest type box from Wal-mart and am working on putting some fun activities in their that can only be played with on rainy days(art projects, crayons and markers, and new books).

2.  I also came up with a bunch of "rainy day" field trips that we could take that doesn't cost a lot of money and they are in an envelope.  If we decide that we need to take a field trip then we reach in their and pick one out without looking and it's a surprise!

3.  I also have another envelope with a bunch of fun big activities that we can do at home(build a tent and fake fire with smores, go play in the rain, hide and seek, game day, movie afternoon, etc.).  We would reach in their without looking again and it would be another surprise.

4.  The other thing I do with her, and I have done this since she was 2, is summer school.  I choose not to send her to summer school, but I do it with her at home.  I choose what is done and then I will also throw in some educational field trips as well.  A faith lesson is also included in this!

5.  The last thing I do is have a schedule.  I know not everybody likes a schedule but I think it helps kids not to get bored.  If their activities are switched and then it works different parts of the brain as well.

This won't work for everybody, but these are just some things I came up with...not only to help keep the kids stimulated, but it keeps me from getting bored as well:)  Happy Summer everyone!

Aha moment!

It's amazing what can happen when you get a bunch of ladies together on a Sunday night!  I have been saved for almost 12 years and NEVER have I felt the holy spirit to be in one place more than I did last night.  Wow, is all I can say!  I have never felt so touched nor convicted then I did last night when I left bible study.
     We are studying the book of Ephesians, which shows us how we should act and how we should speak on a daily basis!  How many of us gossip, talk bad about our spouse behind their back, despise a neighbor or give into the politics at our job?  In our bible study we were mainly on Chapter 4 and verse 25-32 really just came alive to me.  Kind of like an aha! moment...

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor for we are all members of one body.  In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.  He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands that he may have something to share with those in need.  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.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

In my opinion these are the things he expects from us....

1. He expects us to speak in truth and love on a daily basis to whomever he places in our path

2. He expects us to only say things that breathe life into the people we love, and don't love, to build them up

3. He expects us to NOT sin in our anger...including saying or doing things we disagree with others.

4. He expects us to be kind and compassionate to everyone, because even though we may not understand it he LOVES everyone!  No matter what their story is.

     It just makes you think doesn't it?  Now of course, we all fall short of this perfection God expects and we can only hope to achieve a fraction of these things... but the cool part is he loves us despite our imperfections!  Thank goodness for the price he paid for each one of us...just gives us a taste of the mercy and grace he has:)

30 isn't so bad!

     As cliche as this is going to sound, your 20's is really about finding out who you are...trying different things, exploring who you are, finding out what you do and don't like and really figuring out your faith.  I turned 30 last year and finally feel like I am settling into adulthood and am comfortable with being who I am...a strong Christian women, wife, runner, dance instructor and a devoted mom!  I love who I am, who I have become and who God has shaped me to be.  I don't think I would be ready for this point in my life "the waiting room of life" without the last 10 years of exploration.

     I got saved about 2 months before Craig and I started dating...so in the last 11, almost 12 years that I have been a Christian, God has put several different women in my life, to help shape and mold me into who he wants me to be.  As sad as I am that I don't stay in touch with some of those women anymore, God used them to change me and make me into who I am!  Of course, I know God isn't done teaching me nearly what he wants to, is he ever?  

     I got asked a very interesting question a couple of weeks ago by one of those women:  What are my passions?  Besides, running, dance, being a mom, and a wife...what are the things that really get me excited.   I have spent some time really thinking about it and exploring what makes my heart happy.  I have come to two conclusions: reading and writing.  I have always loved to read...I have a collection of books and just love what it can do for the imagination!  Going somewhere, exploring different ideas, and living in someone else's shoes, just excites me!  And writing...just the thought of writing, getting my thoughts down on paper so I can see it and share it with others, again, just excites me.  

  I don't know what that is going to look like or how God is going to guide that, but I am excited to see!  I come from writers...my great grandpa was a writer and had one of his books published, and my mom used to write.  Right after I got saved I was prophesied over that I would write.  Now it's time to explore my writing and how that is going to happen...:)

Encouragement for a Monday!

So as I am making my way through the Old Testament I came upon some verses in Psalms that I thought were very uplifting for this Monday morning.  Hope you enjoy and they uplift and encourage you today:

Psalm 73:21-26
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. 
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 
And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 86:11-13
Teach me your way, O LOrd, and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your anme forever. 
For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Have a great week:)

Pinterest...need I say more!

     I really try to limit my time on the computer...really, I do!  But when it comes to pinterest I could spend hours!  I have to watch the time and limit myself when I am on there.  Besides the DIY stuff, holiday decor ideas, recipes, clothes...okay I could go on!  I love the quotes that I find, the sarcastic ones, the funny ones, and of course, the quotes from the bible.  The one I found yesterday rang true for me and so I wanted to make sure to share it: 
     "Because when everything else is chaotic and out of my control, my RUN is mine!"  I think it is important that we all have at least one thing in life that we can do when we are stressed or we need a "therapy" session.  For me that is either dancing and these days running.  When I was younger and was dancing 2-3 times a week, dance was my therapy.  If I was frustrated, mad or sad I would start class not knowing what to do, about the problem or situation, by the time class was finished I would have an answer.  For the last 5 years my therapy has been running, I know crazy! 
     In the last 5 years things at times have been very chaotic and out of control(to me, I know, not to God) but when I go for a run, for however long I am going for...life for me falls into place and it is peaceful.  I get to control how long I am gone, how long I go for, and how fast!  Not to mention, the time I am gone, I can talk to him and pray and listen to worship music that helps me to focus on what he would want me to do.
     I think that is the hard thing for Christians, yes, we gave our lives to Christ, but then to actually be out of control is hard!  Therefore, I believe God gave each one of us one or several things we can do to help us stay focused on him and his promises.  Sometimes, I think he even gives us things, like pinterest, just to make us happy!  If we find our, peace in the midst of chaos, it makes it that much easier to let go of the bigger things...the things HE NEEDS to control:)
    

Challenge Friday!

     As I make my second journey through the bible cover to cover, I realize how important it is to do it!  It is very important to know the morals and values which most christians base their life. 
     I am choosing to do this in three months...because I know me and if it takes longer than that, I will lose patience and attention span!  However, there is no designated time in which you need to read his book.  You can choose to do in 3, 6 or even 12 months.  My feelings are that God doesn't care how long it takes us or what we choose to read, as long as we engage ourself in his word and his promises.
     His word and promises are what is going to get us through those rough trials and rough days when we think we can't make it.  By reading and meditating on his word we will instantly be able to refer to that and we will be able to keep our eyes looking forward:)

Challenge: To pick a part of the bible and just start reading...Good Luck!

My new favorite...

I think every new fork in the road that God walks us through he gives us either a verse, song, quote or someone that is going to be our strength through that rough time!  It has been true for me in the last 11 years since I have been saved!  Usually it's a verse...however, this time it's a song and it's by Sanctus Real!  The title is Whatever You're Doing...
For this whole entire year our life has been a whirlwind...
1. we listed our house on the market in January
2. bought a new jeep in April
3. became licensed foster parents
4. had 4 foster children in one month(2 at a time, stayed for a week each)
5. got a full time foster child
6. have had tons of showings and open houses
7. found Silena's dairy allergy
8. medicine quite working for craig and I
....and I forgot to mention became youth directors!

This whole entire year has been nothing but a waiting game and a very uncertain waiting game!  But like the song says as much as I feel my world has been turned upside down I know God is doing something bigger than me, something heavenly.  I also know that he has a plan and all the things listed above will be worked out in his time...as much as my daily life is chaos right now...there is also peace! 
Some of you have asked how we are going to deal with the fact that our foster child may be reunified with his parents, my theory is, that is what he deserves!  Will it be hard...absolutely!  My family and I have fallen in love with this child and we feel he has become a part of our life.  If this happens God will be right there and he will offer us the grace and mercy to grieve the loss of this child.  I have definitely had my share of bad days the last couple of weeks, but I keep feeling God telling me this....We need to feel honored that he picked us, out of all the foster parents in portage county, to be a part of his story!
As we all go through different "forks in the road" God gives us whatever he feels will help us the most and the best way that he can let us know he is here guiding us through these situations:)

P.S. Please pray that the best decision is made in the case of our foster child

Food for Thought

     Did you know that the word Trust or a form of the word is mentioned over 100 times in the bible?  And out of all the books in the bible...it's mentioned the most in Psalm.  I thought that was very interesting!  It is said that the more one word is mentioned in the bible the more important it is...That makes you think doesn't it?
     The definition of trust is: firm belief in the honesty and reliability of another.  It had me thinking this morning during my very beautiful fall run, why is it so hard for humans to trust another?  For a majority of us our needs are meant from the time we are born.  We are fed, changed, held and loved by several people and anytime we cryed we were reassured that everything would be okay.  But where does that trust break down for those of us that grew up with a stable household?  Were we tramutized as a young adult, got a broken heart, had great loss or really let down by the people that supposedly loved us?  We trust those that we see and when that is broken we automatically put up walls and don't let anybody else near until we fully believe they are capable of handling all of us.  Why is it so hard to trust someone we can't see?
     Here's a thought: Shouldn't God be the one NOT to trust us?  We as humans screw up on a daily basis...and some of us royally!  We have made mistakes from the beginning of time and yet, he still loves and still wants us as his children.  He knows that it is hard to trust someone you can't see but that is why he forgives us everytime we cry out in frustration.  He understands that sometimes we need just to vent to him and he knows we don't mean it.  I think it is amazing that he sent his son for us when we really don't deserve his trust. 
     As hard as it is we NEED to trust him and believe in each situation he is going to work all things for our good!  Whether it's the answer we want or not it's what's best.  So even though it's a hard concept at times...think about it....he trusts us when we don't deserve it, shouldn't we be able to trust him?

A phrase I dislike!

     A post once every three months...wow, I am on a roll!  I have been so busy over the last couple of months, although writing has been on the back of my mind for that long.  I love writing...it allows me to vent without caring what anybody else thinks.  I hear this phrase a lot(not so much anymore) but I heard it the other day and it just got under my skin: Welcome to parenthood!
     Seriously, I have been a mom for 5 years...I am NOT a new mom!  To me this phrase almost makes the person sound better because they have experienced it before you did...so what!  Who cares when we experience different parent only things.  For example, I have been a mom for 5 years and I finally got a mom brain last weekend and completely got times wrong for a friends birthday party.  I was completely shocked, I am naturely a very organized person so I hadn't experienced that yet...but when I got to the party I was told "Welcome to parenthood"  like I was a new mom!
     If you think about it...everybody is a new parent several times in their life!  When your oldest starts walking, starts talking, goes to school, becomes a teenager, graduates and moves out!  All those experiences with your oldest child makes you a new parent.  After that with your other children your not a new mom anymore!  I don't think we should tell anybody that...even if they are brand new parents....they now they are inexperienced they don't need reminding.  We should be supporting each other and say "I just did that," or "you know what helped me, when I did that."  And when parents have child number 2 they are NO longer new parents. 
     It doesn't matter how adults become parents, if they have the desire in their hearts then God will help them become parents.  Just because some parents and children are not blood related that doesn't take away the different phases of being a parent.  Those of you who have never adopted...those children's birth certificates are changed the day the adoption is finalized!
     No one wants to hear "Welcome to Parenthood," people know the day they get pregnant or adopt a child their world has just changed...they don't need us parents shoving in their faces that their experiencing all these things.  I knew the day Silena was placed with us that my world had just been changed.  I loved having all those mom experiences...in fact I still cherish them...it reminds of the blessings God has given me:)
    

Since it has been almost exactly 4 months since my last post...I should catch everyone up with what has been going on.  We have been so busy since Feburary that is why I haven't blogged. 
We felt a strong tugging on our hearts toward foster care.  So we started the paperwok and application process again and will be official foster parents on Monday.  We just really felt that if God wanted to grow our family that way that we were stopping him from being able to do his work.  We are licensed for newborn-1 year olds.  We want to be able to experience what it's like to have a baby!  We are very excited to be able to minister to children through this way.
We also took over the youth ministry at our church.  Which, Craig has had a strong desire for since he was a teenager himself.  We absolutely love it and just completed a huge fundraiser for the youth that will help them go to camp.
We are getting over a VERY rough period with Silena(that is a post in itself).  Through prayer and therapy her behavior has done a complete 180 and I now feel like,for the first time, in a long time...we are connecting as mother and daughter.  She has become my favorite person(besides Craig) to hang out with. 
We also took the huge leap of putting our house on the market.  We would really like to move and get a little bigger of a house.  We have found one that we have completely fallen in love with and now all we need, to do, is wait for ours to sell.  We would really like to be able to take on multiple foster kids at once and the only way to do that is to have a bigger house.  This house was never our permanent plan and the house we are in love with, we can completely see ourselves in for a very long time.

So please agree with us in prayer for the following:
-youth group growth
-a foster child who needs our love
-our house to sell
-everything to work out with the new house
-continued guidance in parenting Silena

New Revelation from James!

     I have a week left in my study on the book of James.  When I read this book right before Christmas I don't remember looking at it with such clarity..it's amazing what God can and will reveal when the time is right.
     The lesson yesterday was on patience...something we all need constant work on!  Something I read really struck a chord with me: "You can't rush God. You can't push Him. You can't pull Him.  You can't tug Him or taunt Him.  If He has a mind to linger right were He is, you can't budge Him one inch.  You can, however, try to go without Him; but, chances are, you'll come back because, if you really have a heart for God, you'll be miserable beyond his blessing,"quoted from Beth Moore. 
     Wow, for some reason a light bulb went off when I read this(as much as it surprised me I know it didn't surprise God).   It doesn't matter how bad we want something or when we want it...it's up to God to decide when we are ready for those things to happen.  Everything has to fall in place at a certain time in order for his perfect plan to occur! 
     The other thing that really struck a chord with me was this: "A person has hardly begun to have a real fight on her hands until she starts serving in her full-throttle giftedness and effectiveness.  She who proves a threat earns an enemy you can bet will do everything he can to make her sorry," again quoted from Beth Moore.  Then the other thing that goes with that is this: "Here is the sobering truth about the nature of trials in the life of righteous persons, that God allows them to be tested in order to prove their faith...In some ways their endurance proves the Lord's boast in them,"quoted from Kurt Richardson. 
     Isn't that remarkable? What I got from this is the fact that we will face trials, when we are in the middle of that "fire" we can bet we are doing exactly what God wants us to do...keeping our faith and depending on him to get us through that fire alive!  But, isn't it amazing, that it seems that in the middle of that trial things seem to get worse?  That's because the enemy knows we are operating just the way God wants us to and he will do anything in his power to shake us from our rock!  In no way, can we let the enemy win...we must stand firm on our rock and know that God is doing this to refine us and develop our perseverance, patience and faith:)

James

     We went to an amazing church while on vacation!  It was a baptist church with an average membership of 14,000 people...yep, that's right!  While there they had a cute little book store and I found a new Beth Moore bible study.  It's on the book of James.
     Since starting the book of James it has now become my favorite book.  It has a lot of insightful messages in it and asks us to do some very hard things.  From my commentary in my bible: James 1 tells us to act out our faith.  James 2 reminds us to treat everyone the same and follow with deeds.
     Acting out faith can be a very hard thing.  For example, believing for more children when the doctors here on earth say it is not going to happen.  Faith says, it can, because God tells us to be fruitful and multiply, anything is possible and ask and you shall receive.  Part of faith is believing when you feel like everyone thinks your crazy.  Another example, believing that a house you fell in love with will stay on the market until your house sells!  Believing this, isn't not knowing reality, it's believing God for something and knowing that if the doors open then it's meant for you.
     In James 2 the first half of this chapter is on favoritism.  Which I didn't even know was here..even though I just read this whole entire book..I must have missed that point!  That we are to treat everyone the same, even if they just walked off the street or if they just donated a million dollars to the church.  It doesn't matter where they came from or what they look like, everyone deserves the chance to contribute and have a say.
     The second half of James reminds us that faith without deeds is useless.  For example, buying a bigger house when there are going to be 2 empty rooms, but knowing if that is the house you are meant to buy that God has a plan and you have to have faith for that plan.  Don't worry about the why or the how, but having faith for the unseen and following through with what God has laid on your heart.  No matter what we are having faith for we have to follow it up with deeds.  We can't believe God to provide for us and then go out and get a loan, or believe God for change and then say it's not going to happen.  It doesn't matter if our friends and family think we are crazy as long as we following through with what God wants and asks from us that is all that matters:)