Feliz Navidad!

Today has been a lovely day celebrating Christmas with my family! I've spent a lot of it packing because I'm leaving tomorrow to go on a ski trip in Virginia with some friends from Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando, and North Carolina. Please pray for safety as we will be traveling all day tomorrow! Thanks!

“Let us be glad and rejoice today, because ‘He has come.’ And let us remember the annunciation of the angel, ‘Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”(Luke 2:10, 11) -Streams In The Desert

I pray your day (so far and the rest of the day :) ) has been filled with much joy and peace as we celebrate the birth of Christ and the wonderful hope we have in the gospel! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I’ve been so busy over the last week I haven’t had time to post anything but pictures so here is a quick re-cap:

Disney World: We had a blast! It is always a blessing to get away with my family for a few days! This was the first time we’ve ever been able to go to theme parks with our whole family being able to get on all the rides together. In the past Victoria and Karah were too young and scared. :/ (Well, there were a few rides they didn’t want to get on, but we’ve made much progress!) Dad is always very specific when planning out our days! He’s not one that enjoys crowds and waiting in line (not that many people do). In order to avoid waiting in many lines he was very strategic in deciding which rides/shows we were going to go to, when to get fast passes, etc. Though there were many times we were running around the parks like chickens with our head’s cut of, it was worth it because we got to do everything worth doing while there and didn’t have to stand in many lines.

Singles Christmas party: That was a blast as well! (For those of you who’ve asked) we played a gift wrapping game. To play this game two people partner up and put one hand behind their back and work as a team to wrap a gift in a certain amount of time against another team. You win by having the prettiest and neatest gift wrapping job. After that we did a white elephant gift exchange with a twist. A new way of playing was started in my home group. If you want to steal a gift from someone else you have to either dance or sing in order to get the gift. The person you’re stealing the gift from decides whether you will dance/sing, what you will sing or how you will dance (salsa, hip hop, ballet etc.) It is hilarious! THEN, I’m not sure how it started but we ended up dancing the rest of the night! =)

Today I thought it’d be fun to post some pictures of last year’s Christmas. I was just glancing through them and it’s really cool to see how much Josh, Victoria, and Karah have grown since then. (I sound like such a mom, I know! =) ) Josh is now taller than me and Amber! Victoria is as tall as my mom! My goodness they are growing up so fast! *sniff* *sniff*.

So here are some pictures of last years Christmas and hopefully I’ll have some to share of this years Christmas tomorrow! Merry Christmas Eve!

Singles Christmas Party

Disney Pictures

The Magic Kingdom

Stylin!

Splash Mountain!

Graduation Partay!

Here are a few pictures from a graduation party we threw for Kyle Glick and Nick Grande this past weekend. It’s hard to believe so many of the singles have graduated college this year and many more will be next year. It seems like just yesterday we were sitting in youth group meetings going through “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” (I think we went through that book about three times :) ) and after the meetings hearing dad say “guys you go do this and girls you go to that and in 15 minutes you'll switch” ha-ha those were the good ol’ days! Time flies by when you’re having fun! Congratulations guys!

Today Amber and I (and maybe Jonathan) are heading down to Orlando to join the rest of our family at Disney (They’ve been there since Sunday). If there's time I might post a few pictures while I’m down there! So check back! =)

Through Fiery Trials

Normally when we’re struggling with trusting God, anxiety, joy, or even waiting, it’s usually because we’re suffering through different situations that God has placed in our lives. I know this has been the case for me many times! This past year I’ve had to rely wholly on God for strength and rest in His sovereignty numerous times to get me through different trials. Finding that strength didn’t always come easy! It took a lot of work! There were many hours of crying out to God and reading scripture. There were many days of doubting that God was at hand and days when He brought much joy. All in all, by His grace He was faithful to help me grow in my weaknesses and draw me closer to Him.

Maybe today you are walking through a fiery trial and feeling like God isn’t at hand. It could be finances, a work or family problem, pain or sickness in your life or someone else’s life, or maybe even bearing the weight of someone else’s burdens. Whatever it may be, I pray you find the following scripture verses encouraging and they fill you with the hope that God is faithful in all things and through all things. Let’s remember that Christ died not mainly to make things go well with us, but to bring us closer to God! How exciting that we can have joy in our trials because no matter what comes our way, God is our salvation and strength!

James 1:2, 12- “Count it ALL joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Psalm 23:4- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Isaiah 41:10- “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will up hold your righteous right hand.”

Romans 8:28- “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18- “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory, beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are transient, for the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Psalm 18:1-2- “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 40:2- “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”

Romans 5:3-5- “…We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans 8:18- “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Romans 12:12- “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Colossians 1:24- “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”

Nahum 1:7- “The Lord is good, a stronghold in times of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

2 Corinthians 12:9- “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

1 Corinthians 10:13- “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Peter 1:6-7- “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 4:19- “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

1 Peter 4:12-13- “Behold, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

1 Peter 5:10- “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Philippians 4:19- “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 23:6- “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!”

Psalm 84:11- “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Romans 8:28- “For those who love God all tings work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Thank You for the trials
For the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained
Every day
- SG Music

I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.
-Sara Groves

Though trials come
And every one
Can take me further from Your truth
You calm my fears
Dry all my tears
And draw me closer, Lord, to You
-SG Music

“Two women looked through prison bars,
One saw mud the other saw stars”
-Linda Dillow

Where are you looking today?

I've got the wonderful love....

Of my blessed redeemer way down in the depths of my heart…. Where?! You all know the rest! =) As you can see I loved this song when I was little and maybe...just maybe... I still like it now ;) I can assure you all that this will be one of the first out of a few songs I will teach my kids. Now on with the post…

Recently I’ve become more and more amazed of God’s love. Not just what He accomplished on the cross for us, but the fact that He would choose ME! A wretched, undeserving sinner that deserves His wrath. Oh the grace that He has poured out! His love NEVER changes and we have the wonderful truth to rest in that our spiritual failures do not affect God’s love one iota. Amazing!

"The truly godly person never forgets that he was at one time an object of God’s holy and just wrath. He never forgets that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and he feels along with Paul that he is himself the worst of sinners. But then as he looks to the cross, he sees that Jesus was his atoning sacrifice. He sees that Jesus bore his sins in His own body and that the wrath of God- the wrath that he, a sinner, should have borne- was expended completely and totally upon the Holy Son of God. And in this view of Calvary, he sees the love of God. How much we appreciate God’s love is conditioned by how deeply we fear Him. The more we see God in His infinite majesty, holiness, and transcendent glory, the more we will gaze with wonder and amazement upon His love poured out at Calvary.” -Jerry Bridges

1 John 4:9-10- “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Psalm 40:2- “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”

Ephesians 2:4-5- “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… by grace you have been saved.”

Titus 2:11-12- “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly live in the present age.”

Lamentations 3:23-24- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”

Psalm 86:13- “For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”

Psalm 100:5- “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalm 103:8, 11, and 13-“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love… For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him…But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…”

Psalm 118:1- “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 138:7-8- “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever….”

John 3:16- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8- “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 8:38- “For I am sure that neither death nor life, not angels nor rulers, not things present nor things to come, nor powers, not height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see

I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart, where?...

Down in my heart, where? Down in my heart, I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my, where? down in my heart to stay. And I'm so happy, so very happy, I've got the love of Jesus in my hhheeaarrt...Ok I'm done! =) In doing all this meditating on joy, I got a flash back of pre school days in children's ministry. Oh what fun those days where! I pray wherever you are today, you are finding the joy of the Lord as your strength! Sorry for the length of this post, I just kept coming across more and more to share on this topic.

Nehemiah 8:10- “For this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm 51:12- “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Psalm 66:1-2- “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name.”

Psalm 92:4- “For you O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”

Proverbs 10:28- “The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.”

Proverbs 12:20- “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”

John 15:11- “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

“Spiritual joy, on the other hand, is not an attitude on chance or circumstances. It is the deep and abiding confidence that, regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, or disappointment, failure, rejection, or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of the eternal well-being established by God’s grace in salvation. Thus, Scripture makes it clear that the fullest; most lasting and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God. It is not based on circumstances or chance, but is the gracious and permanent possession of every child of God.”-John MacArthur

Galatians 5:2- “The fruit of the spirit is JOY!”

Philippians 2:2- “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and in one mind.”

James 1:2- “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”

1 Peter 1:8- “Though you have not seen him, you love him, though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with joy.”

Psalm 98:4- “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Proverbs 17:22- “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones.”

Philippians 4:4- “Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I will say, REJOICE.”

Habakuk 3:17-19- “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength…”

Psalm 37:4, 23- “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart…The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his ways.”

Psalm 5:11- “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”

Psalm 13:5- “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”

Psalm 35:27- “Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, ‘great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!’”

Psalm 70:4- “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.”

Psalm 119:15-16- “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Romans 5:2-3- "Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, know that suffering produced endurance."

John Piper say’s, “knowing God is the key to being happy in God.” We need to remember daily that to have our joy in the Lord is not just a gift, it’s a command!

Trusting God

“Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations”- Frances de Sales

Psalm 9:9-10- “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you.”

Psalm 25:1-2- “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust!”

Psalm 31:14- “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘you are my God.’”

Psalm 36:3- “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Psalm 62:8- “Trust in him at ALL times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

Proverbs 3:5-6- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Jeremiah 17:7- “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord.”

“If you are in deep shadows because of some strange mysterious providence, do not be afraid. Simply go on in faith and love, never doubting. God is watching, and He will bring good and beauty out of all your pain and tears.” –J.R. Miller

Psalm 13:5- “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”

Proverbs 16:20- “Whoever gives thought to the will of the Lord will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”

Proverbs 16:9- “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Psalm 37:3, 5- “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness…Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”

“Trust implies more than this, it sees and feels, and leans upon a person, a great, true, living heart of love. So let us “trust in him,” through al the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, in the face of all the denials, not withstanding all the seemings, even when we cannot understand the way, and know not the issue; still “trust in him, and he will act.” The way will open, the right issue will come, the end will be peace, the cloud will be lifted, and the light of an eternal noonday shall shine at last.” –Streams in the Desert

Jeremiah 29:11-13- “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.”

Isaiah 50:10- “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys that voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.”

“Trusting Christ today includes trusting Him to give you tomorrow’s trust when tomorrow comes. God will not let His children be tested in any given day beyond what His mercy for that day will sustain. God’s mercies are new [every] morning because each day has enough mercy in it for that day. This is why we tend to despair when we think that we may have to bear tomorrow’s load on today’s troubles. Today’s mercies are for today’s troubles. Tomorrow’s mercies are for tomorrow’s troubles.” –John Piper

The duty to trust God will never be out of season!

Anxiety

Matthew 6:34- “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

“It has been said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow but only empties today of its strength” –Charles Spurgeon

Philippians 4:5-7- “…The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 5:6-7- “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exult you, casting ALL your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Proverbs 12:25- “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Isaiah 35:3-5 –“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

I have a shelter in the storm
When troubles pour upon me
Though fears are rising like a flood
My soul can rest securely
O Jesus, I will hide in You
My place of peace and solace
No trial is deeper than Your love
That comforts all my sorrows

I have a shelter in the storm
When all my sins accuse me
Though justice charges me with guilt
Your grace will not refuse me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
Who bore my condemnation
I find my refuge in Your wounds
For there I find salvation

I have a shelter in the storm
When constant winds would break me
For in my weakness, I have learned
Your strength will not forsake me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
The One who bears my burdens
With faithful hands that cannot fail
You’ll bring me home to heaven

By Steve & Vikki Cook and Bob Kauflin

Diving Into Scripture

Over the last few days I’ve been spending quite a bit of time searching for scripture on certain areas. Some are areas that I’ve been struggling with in my own heart and some are areas that I believe the Lord has been drawing me to that I might be able to encourage others. I’m going to take some each day this week to share scripture on the specific topics of waiting, anxiety, trusting God, joy/delighting in God and His word, and God’s love. I pray you find this helpful and encouraging!

Scripture on waiting:

Lamentations 3:25- "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."

Psalm 37:7- "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…"

Isaiah 40:31- "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Psalm 40:1- "I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog."

Psalm 33:20- "Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield."

Psalm 62:5-7- "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God."

Psalm 130:5- "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord."

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!

Happy Birthday Colleen!

Dear Colleen,

Ever since I was just a little girl living in Atlanta I've always noticed you as someone who trusts in our Savior and has a passion to serve Him. Yes, when I was six years old I saw you as a godly woman of biblical femininity and now thirteen years later, I see an even greater passion!

Thank you for your example of trusting God through very difficult times and for being faithful to follow Him and His will for your life. When I look into your life, I see humility and joy. Thank you for being one who quickly confesses sin to others in your desire to seek accountability and grow in godliness. The joy I see in you is not only an outward joy displayed on your beautiful smile, but an inner joy. A joy that is found in the Lord and a passion to serve and glorify His name. What an example those godly traits have been to me!

Colleen, YOU my friend have been and continue to be such a gift and encouragement to me, especially in this past year. Thank you for constantly asking how you can be praying for me! You have no idea how much you praying and asking how I’m doing has affected my life.

I pray in this coming year you experience joy inexpressible and God’s grace in a new and exciting way! I thank God for YOU! You are a treasured friend!

Happy Birthday!!!

Love,
Candace

Lift Up Your Eyes

This past year the Lord has placed many challenging things in my life and I've had to learn time after time to rest in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. God has shown me that He is steadfast and that His love is greater than any trial or pain. Though it has been a hard battle and there have been many days of feeling downcast, I’m so grateful to God for everything! Just when I thought I was so deep in the water that I was going to drown, God came and lifted me up. I can't imagine where I would be in my relationship with God had I not gone through some difficult things this past year. I've learned numerous things! I know there will be many more circumstances/trials that will come up in my life, but I have hope (I know I’ve said this SO many times) because God has been faithful and he will be again!

This morning I came across the following quote out of a daily devotional titled, “Streams in the Desert” and I found it to be very helpful, convicting, and encouraging:

“We must remember that it is not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward, but downward. Heaven always is above us, and we must ever be looking up toward it. There are some people who always avoid things that are costly, that require self-denial, or self-restraint and sacrifice, but toil and hardship show us the only way to nobleness. Greatness comes not by having a mossy path made for you through the meadow, but by being sent to hew out a roadway by your hands. Are you going to reach the mountain splendors?”

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Chelsea Courson! :-p This is just too much fun!

This is sweet Lana and I outside The House of Blues in Orlando waiting to go in for a concert.

I tag: Allie Olsen, Shawna Crotsley, Lana Calabello, Damaris Wells, and Colleen Moore

The Rules? go to Your Pictures file go to the 5th folder open up the 5th picture and post it then tag 5 people when you are done. Happy Tagging =)

He's Always Been Faithful

I’ve had the tendency recently to worry and become anxious about many things, in particular things coming up in my family. Starting the first of the year, we will begin to prepare for another very busy season. Garden centers will be opening back up in Jacksonville and possibly North Carolina and Bruster’s will be in its peak season. This coming season will most likely be harder to get through than the one we just came out of. In His mercy, God has once again been showing me that He is faithful, His love will never leave me and He will never put anything in my life that won’t be for my good and His glory. I need to trust that He will lead my dad through it all and not worry about how it will affect me. Yes, it may mean that I will be holding down the fort again at Bruster’s by myself in the busiest season of the year, but God is Sovereign, He is faithful, and He will be guiding us EVERY step of the way. I don’t know what the Lord has in store for this coming season or my future, but no matter what happens today or tomorrow I have the truth to lean on that God has been faithful and He will be again!

Recently I haven’t been able to listen to Sara Grove’s song “He’s Always Been Faithful” without tears running down my face. It ‘s been bringing so much peace to my soul!

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.

I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful
He's always been faithful to me.

The following passage of scripture has been speaking much truth into my life lately that I’ve decided to memorize it. Just as it says, God has been showing me to be still before him and wait patiently for His perfect timing.

Psalm 37:3-7- “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit you way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”

Home again, home again, jiggety jog!

We are home!

We got home yesterday around 6:30. We should have been home by 2, but it rained the entire way and traffic was pretty bad.

Our trip to North Carolina was wonderful! We had a great time as a family. We laughed A LOT and made lots of memories! It was a bummer Jonathan wasn’t able to join us, but it is a blessing that Amber and I can still take trips like this with my parents and little siblings and have no issues with getting off of work. My grandfather did a great job of holding down the fort for me at Bruster’s so I could get away with my family (Though some days, I got up to five phone calls from him ;) )

I enjoyed posting while we were away! Thanks for reading!

Here are most of the pictures we took.. (you have already seen some of them)

North Carolina Day 7

Today we shopped until we dropped!!! That’s what we did all day (everyone besides my dad and uncle that is.) We got lots of great deals and started some Christmas shopping. It was crazy every where, but we still had fun!

We are heading home either sometime tomorrow or Sunday. I must say that I’m missing everyone at home so much (and out of town friends too!). I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen everyone. If I don’t make it home for church this week it will be three weeks since I’ve been there. Don’t get me wrong, we have had a wonderful time as a family together, but sometimes you are just ready to get home! Know that I’ve been praying for each and every one of you! Miss you all and see you soon!

North Carolina Day 6

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Psalm 118:1- “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 100:3-4- “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Give thanks to him; bless his name! Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

I pray you have all sensed the Lord’s presence today as we have celebrated all that we’re thankful for! Let’s continue to thank the Lord at ALL times for all He has done and given to us!

Today has been a wonderful day with my family! I’m so thankful we are able to be with family from out of town. Today would have been my grandmother’s birthday so it’s really cool that my dad and his sister can be together.

Today’s activities:

-Macy’s Thanksgiving parade
-Grocery store…again! Every time we turn around we need something else from the store.
-Cooking
-Looked over sale ads for tomorrow
-Watched football
-Played with four dogs outside…they just never seem to get tired of going and fetching a ball. It was a glorious day outside today!
-We stuffed ourselves until we about burst =)
-LOTS of dishes!
-Watched a movie
-Ate some more :)
-And now we are watching some basketball

Oh what a lovely day!!!

Cricket loves her daddy :)

North Carolina Day 5

Well, today the cooking and baking started! This morning my cousin Amanda and I headed to the grocery store and got some last minute items we needed to begin. A few of us girls spent most of the day in the kitchen baking for tomorrow and cooking dinner for tonight. Amanda made a bunch of chocolate chip cookies and cole slaw, I made four pumpkin pies and a big pot of chili, and my aunt made a pot of tortilla soup and sloppy joe. I just love Thanksgiving!

Dad and Josh took a trip to Costco and bought an apple pie and a coffee cake (We were planning on baking them, but he decided to go get them since we know they are really cheap and delicious!). He then took Josh, Victoria, and Karah to the movies to see Bolt while all the girls stayed home and cooked.

The cooking will continue tomorrow! I can’t wait! Though it’s a lot of work, it’s a blast being in the kitchen most of the day with family.

Until tomorrow, happy cooking!!!

More of The Biltmore....

The day I posted on the Biltmore Mansion my computer was acting up and wouldn’t let me post any more pictures from that day :( Or the user was just being pretty stupid and couldn’t figure things out =)

Soooo…. Here are a few more!

These ladies made Victoria and Karah sing with them... as you can see they were have a great time :/

All the gals :)

This was inside the nicest McDonalds that has ever been built. It's right outside the Biltmore Mansion and it was really pretty inside. The food was still the same though!