Blogging Flashback (Part 3)....

This coming week is my 1 year blogiversary!! This is a big milestone in a goal I made for myself almost 12 months ago, so I have some special things planned for you next week! 

I was thinking, however, that many of you have probably never read some of the first posts I wrote back when I had NO clue how big this blogosphere is! =) Over the next few days, I'll be re-posting some of those early posts if for no other reason than to praise God for the great things He has done since last November!! 

A Future and A Hope

When I was in high school, we were going to pick up my grandma from the Pensacola, FL airport. While we were waiting we checked out the airport gift shop. I came across some beautiful framed pictures, and several of them were of scripture verses. There was one that stood out to me, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope," Jeremiah 29:11. When I got home that evening I marked that verse in my Bible and have claimed it as my "life verse" ever since. I am still amazed at the content of this verse! Most of us would acknowledge that God has a sovereign plan designed for each of us. Oftentimes, we get the idea that He is out to make our life difficult or harsh. After all, we have to really prove our love to Him by surviving these trials. However, read those words again. He has thoughts of "peace and not of evil" and those thoughts include a "future and a hope"
I love to plan. I am one of those strange people who writes down everything on a list. I will even write down something I have already done, simply so I can cross it off! I'd like to think that I could create a great future for myself and my family. But, I've tried and it seems like God's plans don't exactly line up with what I would like to imagine. That's when I have to stop and remember this verse. Why would anyone want to create their own future when a sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, loving, just God has already made one for them??? It's both a challenge and comfort to know that my Lord is in control and has my life completely in His hands!

Blogging Flashback (Part 2)....

Next week is my 1 year blogiversary!! This is a big milestone in a goal I made for myself almost 12 months ago, so I have some special things planned for you next week! 

I was thinking, however, that many of you have probably never read some of the first posts I wrote back when I had NO clue how big this blogosphere is! =) Over the next few days, I'll be re-posting some of those early posts if for no other reason than to praise God for the great things He has done since last November!! 

The Greatest Gift

Well, we are still 36 days away from my favorite holiday of the year! I just love everything about Christmas ~ the music, the decorations, family, and of course the food! I am proud to be almost completely done with all my shopping for this year. The one person left on my list is the hardest, my wonderful husband. I can never keep a secret from him. He normally figures it out and I can only hope that he'll forget about it by the time December 25 rolls around. I, on the other hand, do everything I can to avoid spoiling his surprise. No matter how many times he offers, I don't want to know what he got me (not until Christmas morning, of course!).
With my thinking about gift giving, I started reflecting on all the many gifts I've received during my 26 years. There was the 10 speed bike I got when I was 12, the Brother word processor I got when I was in high school (Our family was the last on the planet to get a computer!), the clothes, books, jewelry, and myriad of other things. Unfortunately, I can only remember a fraction of the presents people have given me. There is one gift, however, that I have never forgotten, but often overlook. I received that gift when I was 5 years old, while sitting on my bed. I accepted the heavenly gift that would wipe all my past, present, and future sins completely clean. The gift also included eternal joy and life in the presence of my King in heaven. Accepting that gift impacted the rest of my life. I would never be the same. I'm sincerely hoping that those of you who happen to be reading this post have received that same gift at sometime in your life. It is a free gift from God Almighty to anyone who will accept it!! I hope you'll take the time to reflect on this awesome gift of love as we head into this busy holiday season!!

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Blogging Flashback (Part 1)...

Next week is my 1 year blogiversary!! This is a big milestone in a goal I made for myself almost 12 months ago, so I have some special things planned for you next week! 
I was thinking, however, that many of you have probably never read some of the first posts I wrote back when I had NO clue how big this blogosphere is! =) Over the next few days, I'll be re-posting some of those early posts if for no other reason than to praise God for the great things He has done since last November!! 

First Post

This past summer, my husband took me to seeJulie & Julia, which is a movie about a woman named Julie who decides to cook every recipe in Julia Child's famous cookbook in 365 days. During that time, she keeps a blog to record her cooking adventures. Unfortunately, I am not the best cook in the world, and could never picture myself writing a cooking blog. The movie did get me thinking, though. What if I could write a daily blog too? Not about cooking Mousse au Chocolat (although it sounds super yummy!!!), but about the blessings and joys I receive out of every day.
I have tried blogging in the past, but struggled to keep it updated. I tend to be a very goal oriented person, so I have given myself the goal to try posting something everyday for the next year. Since I'm a mom to a busy 18 month old boy, I am giving myself permission ahead of time to miss a day or two here and there! But the overall challenge remains to find something in each day that reflects God's amazing abundance in my life. Those blessings could be something that I read in scripture, a funny story (there are many of those with my toddler around), encouragement from music or nature, something I'm learning, or something I simply thankful for. I'm sure it will be much harder on some days than others. However, I think it is so important to remember the "Steady Rain" of God's blessing in our life even during the difficult times. We serve an amazing God who does amazing things in our lives. My hope is that over the next year, I will be able to document many of those amazing things, and that you will be encouraged to see those things in your life every day as well!