BRRR!

Just got back home from going sledding at the Prims! It's been years since I went sledding, and I must say I had forgotten exactly how cold you get when you do not have on proper winter attire. My frozen butt and toes are encouraging me to invest in some bibs and proper snow boots before going out to play in the snow again. Jeans, regardless of having 3 layers beneath, simply do not cut it when faced with a sea of frozen white powder. Now I'm drinking hot chocolate and thawing out.

Hooray!

I finally got a little table and chairs for the kitchen! Daniel put it together for me last night. I love my place mats too :-D Hooray for Daniel and World Market!

Church

This Sunday will be my pastor and assistant pastor's last Sunday at Freedom. I'm going to miss them both so much! Pastror Byerly is the only pastor I've ever had; and I could not have asked for better preaching to grow up under. Our church family is heartbroken and feeling a little apprehensive about the search for a new pastor. My grandpa has the huge responsibility of taking all the recommendations and calls from those who want the position and presenting them to the deacon board. He needs a lot of prayer right now. It's going to be sad going to church and not seeing Pastor Byerly and Doug. Our church has grown and been abundantly blessed under their leadership. I know that God has great plans for the future of our church. He already knows who the next pastor will be. We just have to trust Him fully, follow His leading, bond together as a church family, and not let Satan work his way in.

Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth all knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exeeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

~Ephesians 3:13-21

In an aside, I'm really excited about the new bible I ordered last night! I needed a new small one to use on Wed. nights. :-)

Ready?

Life doesn't always give you what you would consider ample time to adjust before plunging you headfirst into the "next big thing". When you find yourself about to enter the pool of change, there is nothing you can do but raise your arms and complete the dive gracefully. Depending on how prepared you were to hit the water will determine what kind of splash you make. Now, I wasn't prepared, so I'll be making waves; however, since I'm good at recovery, they will not be as big as they could have been. Nevertheless, I will most likely cause a disturbance in the water. There is nothing I could have done to prevent my being in this pool, and I couldn't come up thrashing and sputtering because of those in the pool prior to my arrival. I think I handled the state of affairs fairly well, considering. I took a deep breath and decided to play around a bit to make light of my floundering. When at last I made it to the shallows and was able to really take stock of my position, my heart broke and tears poured out. I clung to my float and prayed for help in understanding my new place. God handled everything beautifully, as His omniscience made unnecessary the need to adjust to anything. He gave me strength, hope, joy and peace; and helped me to find my feet; to stand. What's next? I think I'm ready.

Thankful

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Too often I take for granted the blessings heaped daily on my life. A family who loves me unconditionally. Friends with listening ears, laughing lips, and honest hearts. God, who made the ultimate sacrifice in His Son to provide eternal life and adoption into His royal family for all who will receive Him. A strong, healthy body to work and play. A mind to fill with vast amounts of knowledge, and the ability to retain information. A job to earn a living and to feed, house, and clothe myself and my family. Having the means to give gifts to others. Creation, so beautiful in its complexities that fill me with wonder.
So much of the world survives on so much less than we do here in America. Just last month I was witness to a slideshow given by some men at my church who had taken a trip to Honduras. The poverty evidenced in those photos is unimaginable to those who have not seen it. I have no right to complain about anything. I am richly blessed beyond anything I deserve, and I thank my heavenly Father for all He has done in my life.

Contentment

I love...

Spending time with the ones I love.

Smiling at the ending of a good book.

The spray of a hot shower on a cold day.

The sun on my face and the breeze in my hair.

The feel of soft sand 'tween my toes as I listen to waves rolling onto the shore.

The words "thank you" after helping a patient get comfortable in a hospital bed.

Sighing with pleasure from touching my head to my pillow at the end of a long day.

The way smelling a bonfire in the fall makes me want a marshmallow.

The sparkle of the sun shining through ice-laden trees.

The quiet of a snowfall.

Rain lulling me to sleep.

Laughing out LOUD.

Hearing a good story.

The word usage and insults of Jane Austen and Shakespeare.

Knowing that I am loved, that there is someone on my side.

Arms to hold me when I cry.

Color: vibrant and happy, cool and calm.

Good music that inspires me to love, to dance, to sing along.

The smell of laundry being done.

Dark chocolate truffles from Godiva.

Being able to go barefoot.

Going to church.

Knowing that I married the right one.

Walking through a door God has opened for me.

Living my life, learning lessons, and being able to change for the better.

De-stressing with a massage.

Having someone play with my hair.

Being at peace.