Worth Repeating

My mother was in a workshop the other day and they were asked to imagine a safe place. Well, she came up with a place but figured out all sorts of reasons why it wouldn't be safe; wild animals could get in etc. So then after thinking about more of the workshop she remembered they talked about putting things in bubbles. She told me tonight
" so in thinking about all the dangers in my safe place I decided to just put it in a bubble and now it's safe!"

Too funny mom!! I love you Cupcakes!!!!

Amy

A Fresh Word for a Hurting Heart

Psalm 3:1-3

O Lord how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
Many are saying to me, "God will not deliver him"
But you are a shield around me, O Lord, you bestow glory on me and lift up my hand.


David felt like he was in the minority. There may have been as many as 10,000 soldiers surrounding him at this time. Not only did David's enemies view him differently, they actively sought to harm him. As king, David could have trusted his army to defeat Absalom, instead, he depended upon God's mercy; therefore, he was at peace whatever outcome occurred, knowing that God's great purposes would prevail. We can overcome fear by trusting God for protection in our darkest hour.

I have seen many dark hours over the last 4 months, and last night was truly dark for our family. We will have victory over the power of Satan. Satan is strong, BUT GOD is stronger!
Fear is not from God. Fear is terrible. It's awful to be fearful. It's oppressive. OVERCOMING is hard. I feel as though I'm walking in sand up a mountain. I'm tired, I'm discouraged, I have to work at every step I take. BUT GOD is a God of peace, and courage, and strength.

I keep saying I'm relying on God to get me and my family through this. Rubber meets the road. I have not been relying on God. Talk is cheap. I HAVE to rely on God and I will. I have tried this on my own, and guess what? I am failing miserably. BUT GOD doesn't fail at anything!

So here is my commitment to you. This is a big step for me, but I will be posting what God has shown me on this blog at least once a week. I need accountability. I need to rely on God. Right now there is only one set of footprints in the sand and for that one set I am thankful and will praise Him!

Amy

Finding the Silver Lining

Hmmmm, what to say. I have so many feelings running through my heart right now; it can be difficult to put it all into words.

I guess I'll start with this. My God is bigger, my God is stronger. This world is temporary and we are just passing through. I am clinging to that. I have seen so much pain and hurt over the last 4 months. I've personally been through things, and watched those I love go through things that humans just aren't equipped to handle. Thank you Lord that we have you to carry us when we just can't walk any further.

A couple of days ago my sweet husband left me a note on facebook and he'll never know how much of an impact it had on me.
He told me that sometimes there is only one set of footprints in the sand. How true that is hubby. I'm not going to go into details about what all has been happening, but you need to know that your prayers are needed and appreciated.

What am I getting from all that God has allowed to happen since last spring? I am learning to lean on Him. I am learning not to lean on my own understanding. I am learning that it's all going to be okay.

Children will be children. I'm learning that. They hurt you just as much as the world. I have good kids, I really do, but they are human and they will and do make mistakes. What I'm learning from that is that I can't always fix them. Sometimes, as bad as it hurts me as a mother, I have to let them fall. They have to learn that there are consequences to their actions; not just from us, but from life in general.

Family is family no matter what. You may not agree on things, you may get hurt by them, but they are your family and they are a gift from God. Anger and bitterness are tools to hurt you, not to help you. If you can't seem to agree, or see things together, then you just have to learn to get around it somehow.

Find what makes you happy and do it. Me? I love to have a clean, comfortable, pretty home. Can I afford to do what I want in my home, no. But what I can do is take care of what I have, and be creative with what I want. For example, as you know we bought a new home last year. I have always wanted a pretty front porch that when people come to my door they can hardly wait to get inside to see more. I have been eyeing these big brick red ceramic flower pots for some time now. The problem is they were $50 a pop. Well, the other day I just happened to be up at the hardware store and low and behold there were my pots on the clearance rack! $12 each!!! YAY! I bought 2, filled them with cheery fall flowers, and pretty wreath (my birthday present), and now I have a front porch I adore. That makes me happy. It's nothing fancy, but it reminds me there is hope, and something to look forward to.... like going inside to see what else might be waiting! In my home I have lots of 4 legged friends, 2 very vibrant children, a loving husband, and a sweet and wonderful mother. I have colorful cheery curtains, I have high ceilings, I have scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and new house. I have crystal and candles and red toned woods. I have pictures and plants and cozy blankets. This makes me happy. My refuge from the world.

The silver lining can be so hard to find. It can be hidden by the smog, so be sure to look a little harder when you find yourself surrounded by smog. The lining is there somewhere, you just have to look.
Amy

Pros and Cons

Life in the south. It has it's pros and cons. I'll give you my list.

Pros:
The football is so fun. Hot at first, but man these people love some football!
The food. Oh my goodness the food!
It's so easy to relax because everyone is relaxed!
The beach, need I say more?
The fall, ahhh it feels so good after 1000 degree summers!
It snows just enough for it to be fun.
Cheaper!
I can dress like a girl year round.
Fixin, ya'll, and yonder are accepted vocabulary.

Cons:
It's so stinking hot!
Although relaxed sometimes it's just a little to slow.
The food. Oh my goodness the food!
I miss the snow.
Rednecks with monster trucks driving by your house at 3am.
Can't see the stars at night, too many big city lights.
Kudzu and fire ants

Amy