A New Small Group

About a year and a half ago I registered for GroupLink at Buckhead Church, completely unaware of just how strange of an experience it would be, in the hopes of joining a women's small group.  After possibly the most uncomfortable night of my life, I left feeling unsure of what would come of the group I'd formed with some other women.  We didn't have a leader and none of us knew each other.  Then, after about a month, I was chosen to lead the group.

To be honest, I would have to tell you that the group experience wasn't everything I'd hoped it would be.  Please don't get me wrong, the girls in the group were amazing.  Only when God's in control of forming groups is it possible for 12 20-something women to all get along and genuinely enjoy each other's company.  Am I right?  So the group was made up of some [12] incredible ladies.  As we each shared our stories, we learned that we're all from different places and in various stages of life.  It was great.  We'd meet on Wednesday nights for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer.

I said earlier that this group wasn't everything that'd I'd wished, so let me tell you why.  It wasn't because of the girls in the group, because I can't say enough how wonderful they were.  I truly love each of them and loved getting to have discussions and grow with them.  I think the issue was just the number -- 12.  

12 is a lot of people.  It's almost how many students I teach.  How can you meet for 2 hours, once a week, and have 12 people equally join into a conversation?  How can you grow close to 12 people?  We tried and tried, but it just wasn't working.  Intimacy with 12 people is really difficult.  Vulnerability with 12 people is almost impossible.  So, although I met some wonderful friends in our group of 12, I don't think the group flourished as it should have, and our group ended up dissolving.  

So why do I think I should lead a new group since my last group dissolved?  

Well, for one, God is asking me to do it.  To open our home to a group of women for fellowship.  [Do I need any more reasons after this one?]  If God wants me to do it, I will.  I am trusting that He will lead this group from our very first meeting.  I know that He has great things planned for this group.

When I led my last group, I went into the whole experience blindly.  I was completely unaware that I'd be chosen to lead the group I formed at GroupLink.  This time, though, I made the decision for myself.  So I think from the beginning this time, we'll be off to a better start.  We will set norms and expectations.  I also think that since I've led a group before, I will learn from the past experiences and allow them to help me in the future.  One of those things is not allowing 12 people to form a group.  I have learned that with 12 women, intimacy, trust, and vulnerability are unlikely.  Accountability is easily swept under the rug and it's easy to remain anonymous.

So, that being said, I am excited to begin a new group.  I am eager to make new friends.  Close, real friends.  I am looking forward to having real, intimate conversations, and getting to know the hearts of these women.  

I am praying that God uses this group to grow each of us closer to Him.  To grow in truth. To grow in our faith.  To become better examples of who Christ is.  To sharpen and support each other.  I am praying that this group will bring glory to God, while we are meeting, and as a result of our meeting.

just like the song goes: make new friends & keep the old

I grew up with an incredible group of friends.  There's no doubt that God strategically placed them in my life.  These girls were who I depended on, laughed with, and knew my secrets.  We spent the weekends together, served on mission trips, and unconditionally loved each other.  We had a strong foundation built on trust, Christ, and similar interests, with countless shared memories.  After graduating from high school, most of us went to different colleges where we began a quest to make new friends.

At Georgia College and after graduating, I quickly learned that all girls are not like my friends from home.  I can't remember ever fighting with the girls from Lilburn.  We never had a falling out.  We didn't have drama.  And although most of us still live near Atlanta, we don't see each other that often, so I need to make some new friends.  Not to replace the 'old' ones, but because you can never have too many friends, right?  And it's just time for that.

 Needless to say, finding good, genuine, Jesus-loving [new] friends proved to be rather tiring. . .which is exactly why I joined small groups.  [I'm doing a women's group and Byron and I are in a newly-married group!]  In a previous post I mentioned just how awkwardly it began, but I am more thankful than ever with the way they've turned out.

Yay for our new friends Adam and Alicyn!

After spending months praying for God to put me in a group, I am certain that He's handpicked these new friends for me.  We've only been meeting in our groups for about 6 weeks and I am already loving the people.  I am excited we are building our friendships with Christ as the foundation and making it a priority to meet each week.

It's neat to think that I've made so many new friends in the past 6 weeks and I already feel like we know each other so well.  I can't wait to see how the friendships evolve and relationships grow as we individually grow closer to God in the process.  

I know that God created us to be relational beings.  Sometimes, especially when you don't know many people where you're living, it's easier and more comfortable to continue to seclude yourself and veer away from and new community of friends.  There is no doubt, though, that with a little courage and God's placement of new people into our lives, great relationships happen.  I couldn't be more thankful.

God works in a public school

Most teachers will be honest and tell you that sometimes we get children in our classes that we wish we could trade.  They're disrespectful and distracting and their parents are unreachable.  They're the students that can change the whole dynamic of a classroom.  They're the children that, by the time the morning announcements come on, put you at your wit's end.  They're the hardest to love. 

Yet, they need your love the most.

Their parents are unreachable because they aren't involved...in or out of school.  The children misbehave because they don't know any other way to get attention -- and positive attention??  That exists?! They talk back and argue with you because they don't know any other way, and shy away when you ask for a hug because they're unfamiliar with affection.

Yet, they need your love the most.

So as a teacher you pray for patience and for God to speak through you because you may not always speak words of love.  Instead of groaning at the sight of them traipsing down the hallway in the morning, you great them with a smile.  Instead of getting angry when correcting that same student for the 500th time, you take a deep breath and repeat your instructions once more.  Instead of sending the child home in with crocodile tears streaming down his face because you've expressed how angry you are with him, you pull them aside, discuss how tomorrow will be better, and wave good-bye to a tear-free 6 year-old.  

And as you consciously love them, things begin to change.

Their pace quickens in the morning as they walk to your classroom and greet you with the most genuine, beautifully crooked-toothed smile you've ever seen.  Their excitement for learning grows and and they begin to follow directions.  Their behavior has improved and before they leave your classroom each day they stop to give you a big, sincere hug.

And as you consciously love them, things begin to change.

You realize that God placed this child in your classroom because that is exactly where He wanted him.  You realize that while this child may not experience any of Christ's love at home, he gets to experience it for 8 hours each day in your classroom.  You realize that even though you haven't spoken a single word about God, you've loved this child as God does.  You realize that this child has changed because of how you've loved him and because of what God's doing through you.

It's funny how sometimes it's the most unexpected students that grow into your heart and impact who you are.  They're the students you were so reluctant to love at first, but you can't seem to get out of your mind once they leave your classroom.  The students you specifically pray for each night.

I always thought it would be too difficult to work in a public school where I wasn't able to talk about Jesus with my students.  And while it is difficult, I think it's pretty incredible how God continues to work and reveal himself in a place where the His name can hardly be spoken.  

sometimes awkward is good

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

I grew up in a community with a wonderful church I was proud to call home.  My best friends and I grew as friends as we grew in our faith.  Our friendships were built on a foundation of worshiping, reading the Bible, and serving together.  I loved my church and the people there.  But as with most things, it no longer is what I need what Byron and I need.   After not really settling anywhere for over a year, Byron and I decided it was time.  Although we aren't in a house and our living situation is still up in the air, we agreed to start actively searching for a church.  We ended up at Buckhead Church, and although we still aren't sure if that's where we want to call home, we felt like God wanted us in small groups.

Let me just explain this process to you.

In August they have this event called GroupLink.  I imagine it's just as awkward, if not more so, than Speed Dating and Sorority Rush combined.  All of the un-grouped women met in the sanctuary and were given time to mingle and meet with girls in their same age groups.  From there you form a group.  You meet all these girls you've never seen before and decide to do a group with them.  Not really knowing anything about them.  Hardly even remembering their names.  It was really uncomfortable.  But I went through it.  Twice.  [once for a women's group and once for a couple's group]

I left after finding my women's group completely overwhelmed and apprehensive -- 100% unsure about the process and 80% positive it was not going to work and I was going to drop out.

"I won't have anything in common with these girls," "They all seem so different than me," "I don't think this is going to work,"  I told Byron.  Still I prayed.  I've been praying for a group for a while -- long before GroupLink or we even stepped inside Buckhead Church.  So I continued talking to God, and did my best to trust that He had some reason for placing me in this group of girls.

We all got together for pizza a few weeks later.  I was nervous before dinner, sure it was going to go terribly.  Man was I wrong.  My nerves were immediately calmed and I left Felini's feeling much more confident in our group.  I've only known them for a month and I already love them.  We meet once a week and I couldn't look forward to it more.  I love learning about them and building our friendships.  I honestly couldn't be more thankful.  I'm excited to see what God does through the girls in our group and within the group itself.

After months of praying for this group to come together, I'm sure that God had it mapped out for it to happen just as it did. In the best timing, when I'm able to commit to this group and in need of friends with the same love for Jesus.  I have a good feeling about this!

reaping a harvest

I look forward to and pray for middle school camp all year.  [I'm pretty sure I anticipate it as much as more than the campers.]  It's week away from home spent with middle schoolers and adult staff at Woodland Christian Camp, where we sweat through the hot temperatures of June in a variety of activities and delve into God's truth about how great He is, how much He loves us, and how to better serve Him.

Above all, love each other deeply, 

because love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

During my quiet time on the first day of camp I read 1 Peter 4:8, which reminded me of Romans 12:9 -- Don't pretend to love others.  Really love them.  Those verses immediately became my prayer for myself and fellow staff for the week.  It's hard to fathom that some children arrive at camp unknowing what it means to be loved, and then there's other kids who can tell you exactly what it means to love and be loved.  Regardless of the students' understandings of love though, they're middle schoolers who we shared cabins with, sat at the breakfast, lunch, and dinner table with, brushed our teeth with, tossed frisbees with, worshiped and prayed with, followed everywhere, and were followed everywhere by for a week.  It'd be easy to pretend to love them as our patience grew thin, which is exactly why my prayer was for our love to be deep and genuine for these children.  After all, if the kids can't understand what it means to be loved by another human, how can they begin to grasp the love the Lord has for them?

Working with kids can be difficult, especially when they're stubborn and already know everything there is to be known. [haha] It'd be easy to wave your white towel in surrender, thinking that all the camp food, lack of sleep, and moody pre-teens are just too much to handle.  On Wednesday, Craig shared a verse he'd been praying over us:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time 

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

God works in wonderful, miraculous ways, and sometimes the campers get worn down, too. They let their guards fall for just enough time for God to work in them.  He's able to get into their hearts and minds, and then through conversations and prayer, the students are able to make confident decisions about their lives.  Deciding to accept Christ as Lord.  Deciding to rededicate their lives to Christ.  Deciding make changes in the ways they're living and how they're loving others.

10 middle school students were baptized by the end of the week [and many, many more were interested and making plans for baptisms when they returned home] -- Talk about reaping a harvest!  Praise God!

sweet, sweet Easter

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. . . and not just because of the jellybeans and egg hunts!  What’s not to love about celebrating our risen Savior?! 

Passion Good Friday

We attended the Passion Good Friday service again this year.  There is just something powerful about worshiping under the stars with a large group of believers.  Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, and the rest of the Passion team do a splendid job using their talents to bring glory to God.  It was a great service with the message focusing on Jesus died for us, the unrighteous, to bring us to God.

For Christ died for sins once and for all, 

the righteous for the unrighteous, 

to bring you to God.  

He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.

1 Peter 3:18

Dark and early on Easter morning Byron and I, as well as my incredible mother-in-law and father-in-law and our friend Katrina, climbed Stone Mountain for the Sunrise Service.  Although the clouds were heavy and the rising sun wasn’t visible, it was a great morning to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on the third day.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, 

going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, 

and his clothes were white as snow. . .The angel said to the women, 

“Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here,

he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."

Matthew 28:2-3 & 5-6

Sunrise Service

1st Married Easter

We spent the afternoon with our families and after 40 days without sweets, I was finally able to enjoy some strawberry cupcakes and goodies from the Easter Bunny!

I stayed up until midnight baking fresh strawberry cupcakes with homemade buttercream frosting
so I could eat one first thing on Easter!

Happy Easter!

better & sooner than I'd hoped

One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to stop worrying, remember?  A resolution that seemed impossible has actually been working out quite nicely.  More and more frequently, I find myself questioning why I ever spent my time and energy stressing and worrying instead of praying.

For most of the school year, thoughts and doubts of next school year ceaselessly remained. What should I do for next year?  Should I apply other places even though I know this is where I want to be?  Will I have a job?

I spent the first semester letting those thoughts drag me into doubt and worry.  I wasn’t praying for God to give me peace, or for faith in his plan, or for anything along those lines.  Until January 1st when I decided that I wasn't going to stress, I wasn't trusting that God was working it out for me.  [Isn't that the main reason we worry?!]

Since January, I counter my ‘doubt-attacks’ with immediate prayer, asking the Lord to strengthen my faith in Him [and all the work He’s doing that hasn’t been revealed to me yet].  I’ve been trusting the Word of God and relying on it.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  

Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.  

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

And whatta ya know?!  He does answer prayers.  The Holy Spirit has comforted me over the past few months and given me an indescribable sense of peace and my faith’s been strengthened.

A week ago Monday, God revealed to me [much sooner than I’d expected] that I have a job next year!!  I spoke with the administrators and I will be a fulltime teacher at Knight come August.  I am overcome with joy and thankfulness. My prayers have been answered better and sooner than I’d hoped.  We have such an incredible God, who knows the desires of our hearts and works for the good of those who love Him. 

difficult times

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him . . .

the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Psalms 37:7&28

Every now and then it feels like the odds are anything but in my favor.  Unfortunately that is now.  I feel like I've got jabs coming at me from multiple directions and it's all I can do to make it home at the end of the day.  [Quite literally -- traffic has been horrendous this week, doubling my commute time] It's been a rough few days to say the least, [Don't worry, I'm finished whining.] but I am so thankful for my husband.  

At the end of long days that leave me feeling defeated, I get to walk in the door to be greeted by my best friend.  He goes out of his way to love me and take care of me, cleans the kitchen and gets dinner started while I sit in the parking lot the Holcomb Bridge becomes at five o'clock.  In the mornings he wakes up early to prepare my coffee and write me sweet notes.  He never opposes cuddling on the couch smooshed between the dogs and graciously lets me fall asleep on his lap in the midst of grading papers.  

There's no one else I'd rather come home to [shhhhh...don't tell Bridget!], and although fancy dinners and vacations are nice, this is what I like most about being married.  I have someone who's on my side all the time and loves me better than anyone when I need it most. 

Sometimes it's hard to understand what God's got in store, especially in the midst of trials.  His plans are unfathomably better than my own [being married to such an incredible man is a constant reminder of that].  I've been blessed more than I deserve and I'm especially thankful for my husband, who does all that he can to encourage me.  The Lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle, and since things seem to be getting more and more difficult, I couldn't be more thankful for him to bless me with Byron as my husband.

the fattest of tuesdays

I've been thinking about how I can live in conscious pursuit of becoming more like Christ.  We're created to be his representatives, right?  Examples of Jesus.  

And whatever you do or say, 
do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks through him to the God father.

Colossians 3:17

So shouldn't we constantly push ourselves to become more and more like him in specific ways?  It's easy [sometimes a little too easy] to get down on ourselves when we feel we've failed at portraying Christ.  I mean, it's not a simple thing to do.  To encourage myself, I've decided to focus on the fruits of the Spirit for a while.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: 

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

Begin: Lent.

Today marks the first day of Lent.  Now I'm not Catholic, but I like Lent because I like a good challenge.  I like to push myself and I like to practice relying on the Lord in times of temptation or struggle.  Not to mention, it's a great opportunity to work on self-control.  That being said, this Lent will be a little bit different than the Lents of the past.

Self-control is a HUGE playing piece during Lent.  If you decide for the days of Lent you will give up chocolate but lack the self-control to stop unwrapping Hershey's Kisses and placing them in your mouth, your 40 days won't be so successful.  For everyone partaking in Lent, it's a definite chance to practice self-control.  But what about the other fruits?

Here's the game-changer for Lent 2013 for me: I'm incorporating the other fruits as well.

I've decided to give up sweets for Lent [which stinks a LOT since Valentine's Day is 2 days of fierce temptation right at the beginning. . . disclaimer: I had a very fat Tuesday baking cookies for my students].   

sugar cookies.  frosting.  sprinkles.  wine.
some of my most favorite things.

I came home from work to find these on the counter.  My sweet husband gave me Valentine's candy early since I won't be able to enjoy them on Thursday.  He's the best.

I'm not a serial sweet eater, but I do enjoy some treats every now and again.  Obviously, I'll constantly focus on self-control, but I'll be adding to the other fruits .  [Byron says joy might be a struggle without my sweets, haha] To embrace Valentine's day, this week I'm choosing 'love' as my sweet-accomplice.  

I'm hoping that by Easter I'm seen as a better example of Christ, and through my actions and words others are able to have a better understanding of how great he is.

What about you -- did you give up anything for Lent?

   

Christmas Gifts

How crazy is it that today is Christmas Eve!?  Where did December go?  Having had such a fast-paced month, it's nice to take a few moments to sit in front of our Christmas tree to relax.

Although there is a blanket of presents with bows under our tree, let's not forget the reason for this holiday.  The best gift we've ever/will ever receive has already been given to us. And it wasn't wrapped in pretty paper, but in cloths and placed in a manger.  And that precious baby wasn't sent to live a glamorous life.  He came to die for us so that we might have eternal life.  Whoa.  Talk about an undeserving gift!

So even though Christmas morning is exciting and we all love giving and getting those sweet gifts, remember that they're only things, and that you've already been given the greatest Christmas gift.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; 

he is the Messiah, the Lord.  

This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:11-12

Merry Christmas!

crazy & unexpected

Life is crazy.  It'd be a misleading statement if I added "right now" to the end of that sentence [Is right now not the only time life is crazy?! Whattt?].  I'll be honest -- "and unexpected" is a more-appropriate ending.

Life is crazy and unexpected.

Can anyone honestly disagree with that? [no, you can't.]

We plan for things to go a certain way, and they never turn out as we thought they would.  Our schedules are jam-packed with times to be places and see people, and somehow those don't always work out either.  The items on our to-do lists we that write and re-write, sit impatiently waiting to be marked off.

And then there's the things we don't plan for at all.  The things that come out of the blue without us having any awareness that they might happen.  Things like your my transmission deciding it needs to be replaced unexpectedly.  And events like the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday.  We don't plan for those things.  In fact, we hope and pray that they never happen.

But, unfortunately, they do happen.  Because we live in a fallen world and because God has blessed us with the gift of free will.  And the combination of the two can be devastating.  So we get sad, angry, and upset when bad things happen.

Satan has a tight grasp on our world: influencing the flimsy in faith to act against the One who loves them; manipulating our minds to believe things lies that aren't true; festering insecurities in our hearts; whispering in our ears that Sunday mornings are for sleeping in and that getting on Facebook is more important than spending time in God's Word.

So what do we do in these times when Satan is attacking us from every angle?  There are a lot of options.  Here are the two I find most beneficial:

1. Cling.  [to God and to what is good]

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  

I cling to your right hand, for it upholds me.  

Psalm 63: 7-8  

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Romans 12:9

2. Pray.  [always and about everything]

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.  

Romans 12:12  

Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything.  

With thankful hearts, offer up your prayers and requests to God.  

Philippians 4:6

Although we may not ever understand why things happen the way they do, we can always rely on the Holy Spirit to comfort us with unmatchable peace.  When all we want to do is cry our eyes out, Jesus waits with open arms to comfort us.  Our God is great, and although the world we live in does not always reflect His glory, His love for us is  unsurpassable and He waits for us to run to His embrace.

I couldn't have planned it better myself

It's funny and humbling to realize how silly our plans our in comparison to God's, isn't it?  When after all the time we've spent trying to piece details together and stressing about the incoherence of it all, God steps in and shows us what actually happens.  Everything we've planned is washed down the drain when His plan for us is revealed, and suddenly, the details we worried endlessly about fall right into place.  Do ya know what I'm talking about?

Many are the plans in a person's heart, 

but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

After months of praying, Byron and I joyfully waved goodbye to our plans as God overwhelmed us with His:

1. Byron was offered a job (one better than the one we've been praying for since before the wedding, which he had to decline). 

2. We found an apartment in the middle of our 2 jobs with a unit becoming available this Friday!! which is great because . . . [#3 & #4]

3. Byron's new job start on October 1st!

4. Our lease in Macon ends on October 11th.

We have an exciting few weeks ahead, filled with packing, moving, unpacking, a new job, and living together again!  Amped does not describe our feelings right now.  We are so thankful for God's faithfulness and His love for us.

But you, Oh Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, 

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15

Hope.

There is one thing Bridget really looks forward to all day long.  From the time she wakes up, she anticipates it.  For the entire day, she tries her best to patiently wait [somedays she’s not so patient, though].  What is it?  A walk.  It’s something so small, yet means so much to her.  Every night she sits under the dinner table hoping that once the dishes are cleared I will lace up my sneakers and reach for her leash.  She hopes.  (I know, I know, she’s a dog.  But trust me, you can see it in her eyes!)

Can we go yet? Come on, I'll lead the way!

Hope.  What does that word even mean?

hope: verb 

1. to cherish a desire with anticipation; 

2. to expect with confidence

What do you hope for?

A boyfriend?  To pay off your student loans?  For the rain to hold off until you make it home from work?  A job?  A new car? That your mom will be healed of a life-threatening disease? 

We all do it… we have big and small hopes.  Hopes for material things and for God to make things happen, in the way only He can.  And it’s frustrating as all get out when what we’re hoping for doesn’t happen when or how we think it should. 

Right now, I’m hoping and praying for my husband to find a new job.  That we’ll be living in the same city again.  For God to show us where he wants Byron to work.  For it to happen [soon].  And right now, I’m frustrated.  A month has gone by and we’re still living apart.  I know and trust that God is in control of the situation and has something in store for us, but it’s challenging to be hopeful when the only thing I can do is wait.  And when, from my perspective, I can’t see anything in motion.

I could do different things:

1.     be angry with God because His plans aren’t aligning with mine, or

2.     humble myself, and continue to pray with hope for our situation.  

I choose the second. 

I trust that His plans are better than mine and know that He loves and cares for me. I’m working on my patience and trying my best to stop planning my life and let the Lord have control.  My prayers are heard and God knows my heart.  He does know what He’s doing, after all.  So, until His plans for me are revealed to me, I’m determined to stay hopeful for the future.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, 

and his ears are attentive to their cry; 

the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

 he delivers them from their troubles.  

Psalm 34:15 &17

answered prayers . . . but that's no need to stop praying

Isn’t it interesting how we seem to talk to God more when we need something from Him?  Comfort, guidance, strength, peace, understanding…there’s an endless list of things only He can provide for us.  And as soon as you I feel like the world’s about the come crashing down or I’m at the end of my rope, all of a sudden I find myself on my knees praying.  A lot.    

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Then the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-8

All summer long I worried and stressed about work, wondering if I would even have a job for the new school year.  The summer was exhausting…After spending months praying for a teaching job, I was officially offered one last week.  I am the newest member of the third grade teaching staff at Knight Elementary!  I could not ask for a better school or with more incredible teachers.  It is such a blessing that I truly enjoy spending time and working with the ladies of third grade. 

I never cease to be amazed at just how wonderfully God’s plan works.  It’s like He knows what He’s doing or something! 

But now that God’s answered my prayers and led me to the school I thought was out of my reach, is a hiatus of prayer in order until my next breakdown?  No. No. No. Absolutely not.  I am probably guiltier of this than anyone else and I am determined to change that. There will always be uncertainties, and without a doubt there are even more reasons to praise God.  Lately I’ve spent a lot more time in prayer – praising God for how great He is, giving thanks for the great works He’s done in my life and how graciously He’s blessed me, and presenting my worries and requests at His feet before I’m unhappy and unable to sleep.

Never stop praying.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

didn't we just get rid of all the boxes?

Byron and I have been married a little over 2 months and it literally seems as though we just finished unpacking our last box.  All of our items have found ‘their place’ in the apartment, and then, as soon as everything is settled, what happens?  It’s time to pack them up again.

“Haven’t you only just moved in? Why are you moving out already?” you might ask.

Well, the story goes something like this:

Byron began working in Macon as soon as he graduated college in May 2011.  When Byron and I married, we knew Macon wasn’t the place we wanted to call home, but since his job was here, so we landed.  Last week I was offered a job teaching at the most marvelous school (more on that in another post), and Byron insisted I take the job…in Gwinnett.  Byron cannot transfer to the Atlanta area, so we have been praying like madmen for God to lead us to a job for Byron.  As of now, our plan is for me to move back to Gwinnett and live with my gracious parents while Byron continues to work in Macon.  Hopefully he won’t be here long. 

This is most definitely not the ideal situation, especially for a newlywed couple.  If you read my last post, you know it’s difficult for me to say this, but we’re trusting that God’s got something great in the works.  He’s in control and fighting for us to be in the same city.  We just need to trust His timing. 

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is 

the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  

Proverbs 19:21

This has been the theme of the summer for me.  Regardless of the plans I make for myself, the Lord’s plans prevail. Instead of planning and worrying so much, my energy should be spent seeking and growing closer to Him. Praising Him in all circumstances.  God’s plans are better than mine and He is faithful. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, 

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 15:13

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, 

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  

Jeremiah 29:11

I'm memorizing these verses and praying that sooner or later I'm going to stop doubting so that I can really believe and trust in what they say.

God's plan for me & my faith in it.

a Pinterest find

Faith is a constant struggle for me.  I don’t fight with whether or not Jesus is who he says he is or if what’s written in the Bible is true.  That’s not what I’m talking about here. 

My struggle is having the faith to trust that God is in control, that He has a plan for me, and that He will make His plan prevail.  I grew up hearing these statements and memorizing the Bible verses that support them.  I know it in my heart, but do I believe it?  Truly believe it?  With my whole heart? 

Most of the time.

Other times, I do all that I can to avoid God because I’m upset that my plans aren’t following through the way I’d wanted.  My Bible basically calls my name [and if it had eyes they’d stare at me] as I walk past it and refuse to pick it up. 

Side note: I am a planner.  Byron jokes with me because I have to plan in advance to be spontaneous.  I like to know what’s going on and when it’s going to happen.  I just can’t imagine why letting God have control of my life is so hard for me…  {incase you didn’t pick up on it, that last line was sarcasm}

from one of the blogs I follow

Last week was one of those ‘other times.’  I was upset about everything.  Literally.  And when I’m upset I do a whole lot of nothing.  And you know what’s funny?  In the times I was trying my hardest to avoid talking to God [which is just silly because I should seek Him in these circumstances . . .], He was trying even harder to talk to me.  I kid you not.  With church signs, songs, Facebook, Pinterest, and the blogs I read, God revealed Himself to me through my friends, calmed my heart, and brought me back to Him.  

from another blog I read

Then, to put icing on the cake, His plans were revealed.  And yes, they are better than what I was anticipating, like always.  I imagine God saying to me, "One day, young grasshopper, you will learn. . ." Haha.  [but really.]  

Thankfully, my faith in His plan waivers less and less.  I do believe it’s growing me into a less controlling, more humble person, for which I am grateful, but it’s still a tough learning experience for me.  

and another Pinterest find

I guess God's using social media for His benefit.  Who woulda thought?

Understated, Overlooked, Everyday Blessings

Our weekends have been crazy!

Breaking in Brad's new board [literally, apparently] on Father's Day weekend.

After spending Father's Day at the lake, and every other weekend since we've been married doing something other than staying put, we finally stayed in our new city for the weekend. It was nice to just sleep in and relax.

It's no secret to Byron that our current location isn't my favorite place in the world, but in the past week I decided that I would stop being such a Debbie Downer about it all, and actually try to enjoy it.  And whatta you know?  It's been great!  I hate it when I single-handedly ruin things for myself, simply because I'm unhappy about where God's placed me.

Always be joyful.  Be thankful in all circumstances, 

for this is God's will for you who belong to Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 & 18  

Am I ever going to realize that He has it under control and there is a reason for where I am?  Because He does and His plans for me are better and much more interesting than my plans for myself.

In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9     

Understated, Overlooked, Everyday Blessings:
- Saturday brunch dates.
- Walks in the river with the pups.  Mook killed a bird and Bridget actually swam --and LOVED it!
- Monday night home-cooked dinners with my husband.

Hawaiian pork chops with brown rice & sugar snap peas, Mmmm!

- Meeting for lunch with college friends.
- Shopping with our wedding gift certificates.

Did you buy this new pillow just for me?! 

- Late night cooking!

- Runs along the river.

- Delicious summer desserts breakfasts.

Fresh Fruit Parfaits, Yummy!

- Mid-week trips home to spend time with my family and friends.

Rachel's 1st time climbing the Mountain of Stone!

Byron and I are headed to North Carolina this weekend [to see my brother, Stephen!!!], so I decided to come into Lilburn early to spend some time with my sweet family.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful family and I absolutely love them.

Rescue is Coming

Waiting for Canteen on the first night.

I love camp.  Even as an adult I get excited about it.  What’s not to love about sleeping in bunk beds, playing outside all day, making new friends, and worshiping the Lord each night?  Last week I had the privilege to go to Woodland Christian Camp with Northridge [the church I attended when I was in college].  

How staff feels about camp.

I spent the week in a cabin with one other adult and 11 middle school girls.  Each morning we had the opportunity to spend time in the Word as a cabin.  We talked about how God was working in their lives, clarified questions, and prayed together.  I feel incredibly blessed to have had such a great group of girls.  I really enjoyed the week with them.

The theme for the week was ‘Rescue is Coming.’  Each day focused on a different aspect of rescue.  For some reason, I’m always surprised that God speaks to me when I'm a leader on youth trips . . . it’s like I think He’ll put me on hold for the week, when in reality, He’s speaking directly to me. 

I call to you, God, because I'm sure of an answer.

So -- answer!  bend your ear!  listen sharp!

Paint grace-graffiti on the fences;

take in your frightened children who

Are running from the neighborhood bullies

straight to you.

Psalm 17: 6-7 [MSG]

Sometimes, you have to be rescued from yourself – I have to be rescued from myself.  I tell myself lies that anchor themselves so deeply in my heart that I can’t believe anything else.  In my heart I know God is powerful, but doubt that He will do anything.  I forget about grace and that my Heavenly Father loves me, regardless of the sinful things I’ve done and the lies I repeatedly tell myself.  I serve a loving, forgiving God who is mighty to save -- now, only to remember that!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- 

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. 

Ephesians 2: 8-9 

 The campers wrote the names of people in their lives who don't know Christ --
the people they are focused on sharing Christ with. 

It was a powerful week for the campers and the staff.  The adults I served with were awesome.  It was such a joy to spend the week with such Spirit-filled men and women -- laughing, dancing, playing sports, and becoming closer friends.  Why isn’t there a summer camp for adults?  

Incredible lady-folk staff.

 

Answered Prayers at the Rehearsal Dinner

The week before the wedding was somewhat stressful.  It would have been 100 times worse had my mom not been so helpful.  Mid-week Stephen was informed that he would not be released for the weekend.  How could I get married without my brother there? Infuriated and upset, I cried for the rest of the week.  In between sobs I prayed.  I asked God for understanding and faith that He is in control.  I prayed for Him to make a way for Stephen to be at the wedding.  I told God I was mad and upset: that I didn’t understand.  I prayed for Him to speak to the heart of the person in charge.  He is All Powerful and for the first time in my life I asked for Him to do something for me requiring His power.  By Friday, though, I’d accepted Stephen wouldn’t be there and we made arrangements to Skype the ceremony so he could watch it. 

We started off the weekend with the rehearsal dinner on Friday night at Parker’s on Ponce.  The food was delectable and I was thrilled to spend our last un-wed evening with our closest friends and family.  In the midst of dinner, Stephen sent a text message saying he’d been released for the weekend and was on his was home.  Tears immediately burst from my eyes in joy and I thanked God without hesitation.  Stephen wouldn’t have been able to come home without the Lord working in hearts and changing decisions.  I know that for a fact.  There is no other way he made it to the wedding.

Listening to my sweet Grandfather's toast.

Rehearsing. . .

It’s crazy how God works.  He is always in control, presents Himself to hardened hearts, listens to prayers, and does the unfathomable.  We have a great God.  I entered the wedding weekend with a heart of greatest thanks and in awe of our powerful, loving Creator.  What a way to begin our wedding weekend.   

He is the one you praise; 

he is your God who performed for you those great 

and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.

Deuteronomy 10:21