Friends

How true is that!  I am so thankful for the friends God has placed in my life. I am blessed to have some pretty amazing people in my life.  I'm not always the most lovable person, shocking I know, so the fact that they stick around and love me is a miracle!

So, today I want to send a very special message to my friends. Thank you for loving me and always being there for me. Each of you hold a special place in my life, and I am so thankful for you!

Listen up! Challenge #2

Are you a good listener?

Over the last few days I have been examining, more like reflecting, on 2013 and what I want 2014 to be. One thing that I have pondered is my ability to listen.

Why listening? Listening leads to learning. When I listen, I learn God's will and direction for my life. Or, I hear the voice of correction that I so often need. The most important thing about listening is that it is a 2-way street. We don't want to carry on a conversation with someone who never lets us get a word in. What makes us think God wants to do the same? God is not Santa Claus, meaning he doesn't want us to always come to him with a long list of wishes and wants. Sometimes, he just wants us to be quiet and listen.

I know what some of you are thinking- awkward silence.  We are told in1Kings that God spoke in a still, small voice. That voice can't always be heard over the noise of life, i.e our cares, concerns, and desires.  I'm not saying God doesn't want to hear about your needs, because he does. But what if in this next year we strengthened our power to listen? It is okay to remain quiet, because part of doing something requires listening!

Proverbs 8:34 (MSG) 

Blessed is the man, Blessed is the woman who listens to me.

New year, new challenge

 While browsing Pinterest today I came across this quote:

So very true! So many times we are held back because we are afraid of what others will say or think.  Why? Well, if I knew the answer to that I would be famous or rich! 

I said I wasn't going to make a New Years resolution because I rarely keep them, so instead I'm issuing a New Years challenge. 

One thing I have discovered in the thirty something years of my existence, people are going to talk about you no matter what you do. So, you might as well be you!  We were each created with our own  unique personalities, like snow flakes, no two of us are the same.  So, in this new year, I am not going to be held back by what someone else may think. The only person I am seeking to please is my creator.  He has given me a purpose, and I will work to fulfill it, no matter what! 

Here we go.....

I have contemplated starting a blog for a long time, and decided that since we are starting a new year, it would be a great time to go for it. I don't know what I will post or how often, but hopefully someone, somewhere at some point will find it meaningful. I'll begin by introducing you to my world.

I am a Florida born and raised thirty something who married her high school sweetheart, who I am still hopelessly in love with. We have two beautiful children, a boy and a girl who keep us entertained.  These three individuals are my world!

My husband and I have been blessed with a wonderful church where we are honored to serve as Associate Pastor's and Youth Pastor's.  Next to becoming a mother, becoming a Pastor at Living Water Church is my greatest accomplishment.  I love The Lord with all my heart and have set out to do more for him in 2014. 

As this blogging thing continues, I'm sure I'll tell you more, but for now, that is my life as I know it!