a ray of God's goodness.

my 8 year old sister. oh, how i miss her.

"and this is my prayer..."

God has brought me to so many things in my life right now. some i don't always understand. some things i want to take the easy route on. some i am overjoyed. some i am in awe. and some are just plain hard for me. but through all things i can still see Him. in a different way than before.
one song makes my heart beat for Him. listen. and listen again.

baby girl is 25.

thoughts from a 25 year old and one day.

overwhelmed by God.

faithful. that is what God has been to me. faithful. like a good father. maybe there have been things along the way that i didn't like in my life. but. that's not important. what has been important is the amazing and beautiful hand of God that has brought me through everything. through things i didnt know how i would get through. i always thought. where was God. silly question that crosses my simple human mind. it's then that God questions me. Where were you when I created you?

all that being said...God has given me a wonderful life in Him. a wonderful life to love and serve Him however He sees fit. and moving....two words, God's Grace. He has given me a wonderful husband. wonderful isnt the right word. i can't really find one that fits. he has brought me to a church where He is glorified and where the people love Him and His gospel. he has given me amazing support through my family back home, especially my mother. she has always supported me. he has given me grace for everyday. he has given me friends from kentucky. more than i think i have had in a long time. more than i can count on both hands. and when i say friends. i mean friends that care deeply about you and your spiritual life. more like family. he has given me a job. and wonderful inlaws and a brother. through it all i am learning to trust. how could you not trust God. how could i not trust Him. it doesnt mean that i will always get what i want but it does mean i will get what i need. it does mean that even though i may have questions He still is good. He never changes. and i want to thank him for 25 years on this earth with life in Christ, breath to breathe, and all that he gives.

i had a good birthday. thanks for everyone who made it special.

maybe there's a reason i teach "first" grade.

there have been lots of firsts in my life lately.
first time to get married (and last) :)
first time to move away from home.
first time to be away from my family for more than 2 months.
first time to teach somewhere new.
first time i haven't seen my family at church every single sunday.
first time to have a new church.
first time i haven't seen my sister at school.
first time making new friends in years.
first time being the "new one" in town.
first time wearing a ring chrissy gave me. :)
it would be a lie if i said it wasn't hard.
i miss so much about my home. my first home. my first everything there.
but there has been grace in this first time. this first time has come with change.
so is it my first?
i guess you could say, i could have started all over. i could have been someone i am not.
i could have pretended that i was perfect in every way and had it all together.
i could have, but i'm not.
there is something that is not my first.
it's knowing God's promises.
it's seeing then fulfilled in small ways in my life.
it's trying to rely on God's grace moment by moment and not for the next day or next hour.
so this could be a first.
a first lesson on something God wants me to unlearn.
unlearn relying on myself.
relearn trust.


ps.
i love teaching here. it's been more than i could have asked for.

something to dance about.

Grace...what does it mean to me, to you, to anyone who believes that Christ is who He says He is and is covered in Jesus's blood? do i take it forgranted? does God's grace and love have anything to do with the way i view others? do i believe that anyone and anything can be redeemed? because He can do anything He chooses and give grace to anyone he chooses. do i try to work for grace? do i rely on Christ everyday for grace? am i use to guilt or grace?
oh happiness. grace is new every morning. grace that never lets go. a grace that loves. a grace that is alive. a grace that doesn't demand. a Father that knows all things but still chooses to give it. grace. what will it mean for me today? can i rest in it? there's a song that says "grace for today and bright hope for tomorrow. great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me." that's the thing. there's grace not because i am faithful or deserving. but because God loves me enough to give it to me for every trial, everything, everyday. just grace through his Son Jesus Christ. because of that I can live for Him they way I should, especially when i view grace and his Love the way God intended it.
i've just been thinking about God's grace lately....
just push play.

i miss....

more than are shown here...but here are a few....