Remembering Africa

A local artist here in Monroe, friend of a friend, also went to Africa this summer. Just found out she is having an art show tonight to benefit her "children" in Africa. Looks like it will be fun times! Gotta support our "kiddos."

Can't wait to go. Is it 5 o'clock yet!?

Back in West Monroe...

My friend Shelly's dog - Bauer. He is quite the poser!



New additions (not mine) Mark Christian!! I love him!!




With my sis, Kati, at Louisiana College cheering on her husband, David!



My bestie, Robin's baby shower!


The new job!

Updates on Zambia...

Go here: www.zambiejourney.blogspot.com

"Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character." Psalms 105:19 NLT

Dear Dallas...

Im realizing this is going to be harder than I thought.
Leaving you is not going to be easy.
We've gotten so close and you've crept in
You've wrapped yourself around my heart.
Here all this time I claimed no home.
And here you are exposing these roots.
Here I am wondering what to do...

Today was a beautiful day

Is there truly a better feeling than sun on your legs...??

In the atmosphere...

In this atmosphere You are found
Bigger than all circumstance
High above all fear and regret
High enough these chains are broken
In the clouds of Your sweet assurance


In this atmosphere You are found
Noone else matters
High above their opinions are lost and fade away
All I hear is your sweet refrain...
"Be still," my dear



In this atmosphere You are found
High above - all I hear is You
Though the storms and rain fall below
High above I have no fear



Though I must go
It's in this atmosphere that I find my strength
To take my cross with confident hope...
That you aren't just in this atmosphere
You are a fire in my bones



...So I will just leave this doubt up here...

An Excellent Sunday

A new favorite: Vegetarian Migas and talks of starting a wine/cheese/bookstore with friends. Excellent sunday afternoon, indeed.

Superwoman

Was talking to a friend a few days ago. We were talking about our dissatifaction with the nation's current political state and he made the comment that he just wished that he could be Superman and fix all the problems of the world. I nervously laughed it off (and Im sure was like...uhhh...ok...weirdo...) But then it hit me....HOLy STInK...I don't just wanna be Superwoman I flippin am there...unitard and all.

Is this a theme in my life or what...Superwoman...here she is people (rather arrogant little b**** if you ask me):

Family strife - I'll fix it
Work issues - I'll fix it
Friend's relationship issues - I'll fix it
My relationship issues - I'll fix it
Church issues - I'll fix it...(oh and give you my opinion too)
Mending broken hearts - I'll fix it
Healing my broken heart - I'll fix it (then after unsuccessfully doing so...ignore it)
My student's behavior - I'll fix it
My student's family issues - I'll fix it


Amazing how much easier life is when we can just hand over this need to fix everything...it's a huge weight that we don't have to carry. Our heavenly father does...and He is just so much cooler than Superwoman could ever be!!

"Entanglements. Distractions will come and especially as My focus with you intensifies.
Have you noticed how many times when you are on the verge or cusp of a breakthrough or at the beginning of something important I have assigned, a distraction suddenly occurs?
If you choose to cooperate withthese distractions, entanglements result to interrupt or even thwart My direction for you.
Right now you are in the middle of such a distraction.
You have believed a lie that everything depends upon you.
You must take charge and you must get totally involved or else things will unravel andfall apart. I say unto you, examine your priorities.
Recall My directions.
Study the prophetic words you have received.
Get back on track.
Re-focus.
Entanglements."

Confident hope...

"What lies behind us and lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Shell Bell and Sabby Sue...

thanks dear friends for your heart and your wise counsel...

I love you so very much!

Sunny faces and bright spirits

"Arise, SHINE, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." Isaiah 60:1

What a wonderful thing to be a daughter of a mighty King!! To know He cares for me and will do whatever it takes to draw me close. What freedom from fear we have knowing our mighty King holds us so close.

Morning sunshine...

I have the the following verse taped to my mirror in my bathroom. On a weekly basis, I read the verse over and over again...nothing new. But this morning, after some qt with God, this verse almost literally jumped out and hit me like it never had before. Going through some serious seeking at the moment and this just brought a peace like no other. Good stuff...ya know...kinda like those sunday mornings when you can barely muster up enough energy to drive like 45 min. to church only to be hit in the face with the most appropriate sermon ever. anyone...? just me...moving on.

Seriously, God is so amazing. He knows exactly what I need...


"For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death." Psalm 48:14

I don't have to know how God is going to do something. I have to know only the one step that God is asking me to take.

Doesn't get any better!

bristow, pedis and pizza with good friends...ahhhh.

forced to rest...

its sleeting and im at home...stuck.

Journey to destiny...

When I moved to Dallas, I knew God had a reason for my move. However, I became so very eager to figure out what my reason for being here was... when I didn't get those answers right away....I was angry. I was hurt that He would bring me five hours from my home, friends and family and not give me a real reason why. West Monroe was full of people who got me. I didn't have to prove myself to anyone there. I served in a church where people knew my name and I had community. To sum it up...it was comfortable.

I was so angry at God that, eventually I just gave up. Spiritually, I fell asleep. Hurt and with feelings of abandonment I was more lonely than I had ever been in my life.

And my journey this year did not begin any easier. It was a road with bumps that have left me bruised and bloody. And one day, when I wasn't looking, I hit a road block. It hit me hard that I fell and landed on my face. Unable to move and pleading to God, I let go and did something so very simple yet very hard for me to do...I asked for help.

You see I had to let go of a load that I had been carrying for so long. It was a load so unique to me full of hurt, fear, insecurity, and pride. It was during this time of hurt and pain both spiritually and physically that I allowed God to begin healing me. I let Him love and care for me as only He can do. That time has been one of the sweetest of my life. For the first time,I began to know God not only as my Father but as my Provider. Its amazing how when we let go and give our hurts and fears over to Him...He fills us with the most amazing things.

I did finally realize why I'm here. It's simply to trust and take up my cross and follow Him. He led me to Dallas. He led me out of a comfortable place to an unknown place that was and sometimes is as scary as hell. Where fear and doubt once were have been replaced with boldness. Now confidence comes from the realization that I will NEVER go at it alone. He goes before me. And all I can do is follow...one step at a time. It took me falling on my knees and getting over myself that lead me to the cross. And no matter where I go or what I experience or who I experience it with...I will always know I am home WHERE EVER my Father is... and nothing beats that!


"destiny is not an arrival; destiny is journey to the arrival and in that journey our destiny is fulfilled."

"Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it." Hebrews 11:1