Frozen

Yesterday I had to be at work by 6 a.m.   It was dark, cold and frozen.  The ground had crunched beneath my feet as I walked to the van.  As I drove to work, the streets hardly had but a few people out on the road.  My head lights would shine on the dark black frosty road.  The trees that I past were so frozen looking.  I couldn't help but feel cold through and through.  My mind started to wonder to the dark cold shadows that lingered in the cold frosty morning.  I couldn't help but think about how many people are hurting, suffering from loss.  My heart hurts.  I think about how their Christmas will differ from mine.  This world is not only frozen to look at but it is numb to all the bad, hurtful, horrible things that have gone on.  Senseless, painful loss in this world.

I pray that God will shine down his powerful warmth--His love and peace to thaw out the frozen world.  To bring peace and harmony to all the people around us where ever they may be in their walk of life.

God will love the frozen, he will discipline the cold hard evil.  He will bring healing to the ones that suffer loss.  He will restore hope as His warmth will warm up this frozen world.

My Snowy Drive to Work

Snow snow and snow!  Yep today is the first snow of the season here in Flagstaff.  You know I wasn't really sure if I was ready for it but who ever is....but once its here you can't help but look at it awe...in wonder and think how beautiful it really is.  A blanket of white on the ground, frost tipped green pine trees, children bundled up excited and ready to go play in the snow since they have a snow day from school.  Drinking hot coffee, snuggling up watching a movie or staying in bed to read a good book.

While all that sounds good, it will have to wait for me tomorrow.  I had to go into work today.  I awoke to an empty spot next to me in my bed.  Micah was called in at 5 a.m. to start snow plowing.  I immediately started to do my little worry bit of.....how will I get to work...I don't want to drive in this....the kids are home, I wish I could stay home...I wish Micah would drive me to work....but he isn't here right now...

Silly me I called the on call number for my work just to talk to someone and get my fear out and get some words of encouragement.  I know....crazy uh?

Well that is what I needed.  So I go ready for work.  Went and shoveled some of the snow out of the driveway to pull the van out of the garage.  This is all out of my comfort zone.  In the past when it snowed if I didn't have to go anywhere, I wouldn't or I'd go with Micah.  But I work now and people are counting on me to be there to help the.  Its not like in the past when having a desk job and being told not to come in...these people are elderly in their homes and they need help.  I need to go to work.  So I need to be a big girl and suck it up and get over my fear and get to work!

So I said good morning to the Lord and asked Him if He was ready to go with me.....and then I pulled out of the driveway.

I drove slowly, especially before coming to a stop.  About half way there I was feeling okay about it all.  I decided to stop and treat myself to Starbucks then proceeded to work.

I threw my camera in the van.  I couldn't help it.  I got to my clients safely.  Discovered she was sleeping and took a few moments to go outside and shoot some pictures.  Behind the house at the neighbors were bird feeders.  So I focused on the birds in the snow.

I think I'll be alright driving around as long as I go slow and easy and have God right beside me.   :)

Thank you Lord for getting me to work safe and sound.

Thank you for the pretty snowy landscape around me.

I will hope. I will trust.

I don't have to trust___________ 's actions and words.  I don't have to believe __________ inorder to not give up and have hope.

I only need to trust in you Lord.  Trust in your plan.  It allows me to have that same hope that you have in us because you gave us your only son.

I can hope that _________'s actions, thoughts, words and heart will change because you are my Lord and Savior.

I will hope
I will trust

In a hurry

My little girl turns 10 years old on the 8th of Dec.  My little muffin is in such a hurry to grow up.  She sees her sister coming and going and doing that she wants the same things.  I try to remind her to enjoy being little and know that she has so many things to look forward to and to make the most of her time right now.

She just smiles briefly and says "I know but..." then hangs her little head down and walks out of the room after I give her a big hug and kiss.

God's timing....not ours....

She continues to ask for a makeup kit.  I continue to say no.  She even has tried to talk me into giving her a gift before her birthday....now that is acting like a little girl :)

It's that time of year

It's the time of year where you'll see lots of people all over the place.  Some shopping for their loved ones.  Some traveling to see their loved ones. 

It's the time of year where people go to the grocery store to buy holiday goodies to serve at dinner or a party.

It's the time of year where people are dressing up and going out to dinner or holiday parties.

It's also the time of year where you will see people with less living on the streets.

People who count their pennies to get one small gift for each of their children.

People who carry away food boxes from the community food pantry.

People who are all alone in their rooms at an elderly assistant living center.

People who sit in their chair or bed by the window and just sit there as life goes on around them outside those 4 walls.

Many people do not know Christ.  If they knew Christ their lives would be different.  I know mine is different.  I pray that the Lord places me in someone's path during this season of so many people that I can be used some how to share His word and be a shining light to them in their moment of need.

Let God Raise Them

Our children are gifts from Him.  He didn't just give them to us.  He loaned them to us so that through Him the gift is shared and grows as they grow up.  The children are each a gift and they don't even know it.  It is through the caring of this gift that we learn to not be selfish.  We learn to love others.  We learn to accept and forgive.  We learn things that brings smiles, laughter and sometimes tears, loss and heartache.  But these "gifts" help to create more Christlike in each of us.  I'm thankful for my three "gifts".I also have the opportunity to nurture a gift that really is just on loan to me, since he is my step-son.  I'm also thankful for the opportunity too. Looking at it like this helps me get through the hard moments and cherish the good moments.

Reflecting

It is amazing how many bumps in the road come and as I make my way over each of them.  But the road continues and the bumps that develop from wear and tear of life can be small or big but it never ends and just knowing God helps to keep moving forward.

I have learned over and over each bump to not give up.  So thankful that I haven't given up.  So much more strength to move forward....His strength.

New refined character qualities and a closer relationship with the Lord along with more joy and peace in this life where I'm waiting until I see Him.