Just an update.

Thought I would get back on here and give a few updates.

Work is... well....work :) There's always opportunities, just need to wait for the right one. Frustrations are continuing while I try to compensate for other schedules. Sometimes I feel so bad that Jackie is having to spend so much time with others because of our schedules. But then again, it's necessary. Hopefully it'll change soon, and we won't have to worry about it nearly as much.

Jackie is continuously growing and expanding her knowledge everyday, sometimes I feel as though I can't keep up with her! Our next big step is to try potty training again in a few weeks... she's showing more signs that she's ready, so hopefully it'll be better this time. :) She's speaking in sentences and shows me everyday how she takes after me and my stubborness :)

I'm still struggling with how I want to tackle this ministry that I feel has been laid on my heart. I'm hoping to spend some more time soon looking at how logistics would work, and who we can help soon!! I've also become very hard on myself to do better with what we have, so that we can succeed and be a happy family. It's going to be a tough road, but I know it is well worth the battle to get there.

Finally, I'm also looking into a new gym that allows for kids, and classes, and is still very affordable. It would give me the availability to get back into weights, and feel better about myself... I. Can. Not. Wait. :) Many many opportunities, and so many things to be excited about, I can only hope that I can contain myself :) I have so many things to be thankful for, and I don't say thank you nearly enough. Sometimes I feel bad, because I continue to say thanks to those who I feel I'm endebted to... but it never seem to be enough. I hope these people know the true gratitude I have for them being in my life.

Thank God for friends, family and taking care of my every need. Now to continue to become more of the person God sees me as, and less of what the world sees me as.

Know your place... betcha it's not what you think.

Something great was shared yesterday at church about our minds getting in the way of what we're supposed to be doing in our faithworks for Christ. It opened my eyes a little to where my mind might be getting in the way of my heart, and in the way of God doing good things through me. But it also got me thinking how often do we do things that we think are God leading us, but its really what we want. And, what if God calls us to a specific group of people, and not others? Is it up to us to feel guilty for where we feel we are called? Don't get me wrong... I think that there is always more we can do, but there is a specific purpose that God has for each and every one of us. We might not be able to help every hurting child, or sick person in the world. But God may call us to help just one portion of them. Whether it be the poor in your neighborhood, or a remote villiage in Uganda... They are all God's people. Who's to say that you're not meant to only minister to a select few to begin with? Your calling may change, as God places more of His plan in front of you, but I don't think we should feel guilty at all if we KNOW where God has put us. We DO need clarity to know that we are doing things for the right reason, however. Just because someone lives in a different part of the world doesn't mean that they are any less or more worthy of being helped than any other human being. Pray for clarity in God's plan for you, so that YOU understand it.. not the world. Pray for help in acheiving the goal, as anything in God is possible.

Just something that is on my mind today as I pray myself for clarity in where He is leading me.

Recoup time!

I'm back from a wonderful vacation to see my cousins who recently moved to Evansville, Indiana. It always does my heart some good when I'm able to spend time with them, not only as family, but as brothers and sisters in Christ. 

These cousins in particular have grown so much spiritually, and I can't thank God enough for putting them in my life. I have learned so much by what they've gone through, and how they chose to live their lives everyday, that I hope that one day, my life might be looked upon in the same way. It was "sorta" relaxing, as there were 4 kids under the age of four always running around entertaining us, and then us three adults. It was wonderful to see how "normal" life could be for people that strike me as "abnormal".... in the good way. 

There isn't the magic pill, spell, or action that makes life as a true Christian any easier. In fact, I think God knows far too well that it will be even more difficult than if we choose not to be. However, there is some comfort in knowing that there will be disagreements, crying children, frustrating bills and animals..... yet even in the midst of all of that... God is still there in the center, holding it together for us. 

Matthew 6:33 was brought up a few times during my visit. It's a scripture that has multiple meanings and applications, but to me, this weekend, it was about worry. It states to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." It says that there's no need to worry, because God has already provided for us, when He took our sins... When we became man and went through everything that we went through... so that we wouldn't have to worry. It's still difficult to make that conscious decision to put down the worry, and to pick up the Word. And to have total faith in God's timing and not my own. 

This is really a test of being able to put my own priorities, and timelines aside, for the betterment of myself, my family, and of those around me, if I'm able to proceed toward Him, and His Glory, and His timing. His plan WILL WORK!!! But, only if you allow yourself to be placed fully in it without trying to change the puzzle piece that you've become.