Christmas and the New Year

I have been thinking about Christmas and the New Year (2007) recently. It is amazing how much has changed since last year, and how far I have come. It was wonderful getting to spend time with my family this Christmas, and what a joy to see how excited my nieces and my nephew were for the holiday as well. It reminded me of how joyful it must have been for all who heard of Jesus and his birth on that Christmas day. This is what we celebrate on Christmas, and it truly hit home for me this year.

I also have been thinking about what I want to accomplish in the year to come, and what changes I need to make within myself. One thing I know I would like to do is become more organized. I feel like this year, organization has been hard for me. It has been a bit overwhelming at times. Also, I want to not worry so much. I have a tendancy to worry about things that are beyond my control, or things that have already happened. With God's help, I am going to work on casting all of my cares to Him, and giving up control of certain areas of my life that I have been trying to control myself.

Lord,
Thank you for my family. They are such a blessing! Thank you for taking control of my life, and for guiding me in your perfect will. Grant me the strength to obey where you want me to go, and to be a light to others through you. Lord, I also ask for your protection as my dad and I travel to visit family in Kansas tomorrow. Be with us and just pour over us your presence and your Love. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

Clarity and Patience

I feel like I am learning so much right now, especially about my relationship with the Lord and where He wants me to be. Lately, I have felt so unbelievably blessed at work and feel more than ever that my spritual gift is teaching. I can't see myself really ministering in any other way right now. God reveals himself daily through the children I work with, and it is so amazing to me.

Now, when it comes to other areas of my life...like finding my future husband...well...that is not so clear to me. I know God is working in every aspect of my life, but patience is one thing I struggle with daily. I am working on having patience as far as who that man is God has planned for me to meet, and patience with myself and who God is shaping me to become. This means that I am not in control...and that is so hard for me.

It is so exciting to think about the future and what lies ahead. Will I have my own children someday? That is something I have actually dreamed about on a couple of occasions. Perhaps I am going to adopt a child from another country. Perhaps I will have my own children someday. I have also wanted to sing on the worship team at church. Is that something God is calling me to do? I am so worried about not being good enough...people not liking my singing voice.

Lord,
Continue to do your work in me. Thank you so much for your many blessings as I teach my kindergartners. Thank you for your presence each and everyday in the classroom, and thank you for revealing yourself through these beautiful children. Guide each one of my students and allow me to be a light to them, that they may come to know your unconditional Love. Lord, even though there are many things I am still unsure about, I know that You will always be there to protect me and lead me with each step I take. You are such an awesome God. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Life

Life has been pretty crazy lately. I have been dealing with a health concern. I recently had a spot removed from my head and it ended up being a form of skin cancer. It has been extremely difficult to keep this in perspective, and to trust that God is going to heal and protect. It made me feel better to finally get an appointment with the dermatologist because he can tell me exactly the steps I need to take to protect my skin from the sun. The amazing part is, through all of this, I have been able to spend some quality time with my parents, my sister and her family and also friends. It has reminded me what is truly important in life.

Lord,
Thank you for your healing power in my life. Continue to watch over me and my family. Thank you for reminding me of the people in my life who are consistently there for me. Thank you for reminding me that I need to show those people more often through my actions and words how much I care about them and love them. You are so merciful and so great to me. Thank you Lord.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Boldness!

Today after church there was a man standing waiting for prayer from someone on the ministry team. I, still feeling unsure about praying outloud for people, sat for a few moments watching this man. Then, something (probably God), told me to step out of my comfort zone and go up to this man and pray for him. Well, it ended up being an amazing experience. For the first time, I was able to go up to someone I did not know and to listen to them and pray with them. This man and I ended up talking for a while and I was able to share some with him about what is going on in my life as well. He also expressed that he is going to start going to this church on a regular basis! Praise God!

Lord,
Thank you for the boldness to follow your calling into ministry. Thank you for using me to further your Kingdom through my gift of listening. Continue to use me in this way and to reveal my spriritual gifts more to me Lord. Lord, you have never forsaken me and I just praise you. Be my strength and my guide Lord. All of this I pray in Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

Mothers

I heard a story at church about a mother during the period of Nazi concentration camps who chose to die with her son so she could comfort him and he would not be scared of dying himself. This is such an amazing Love that reminded me of God's Love and also the unconditional Love I receive from my own mother every day.

Lord,
I just thank you today for the message that was shared at church. As I gather with my family today to celebrate the mothers, please just bless the time we have together and help me to show my mother the same kind of Love that she has shown me. Lord, help me to appreciate my mother each and every day...thank you for her. She is the most hard-working, caring mother a daughter could have. I am truly blessed!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Overwhelmed

WOW! This week has been extremely hard and extremely draining. Teaching is going well, but I am so overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done by the end of the school year. Personally, I am also struggling with some issues as far as priorities and relationships. It has been amazing though getting to talk to my sister on the phone, because she is great at just listening and then giving advice where it is needed. I have also received some prayer, so that helped as well.

Lord,
I just need your strength this week to continue to do what you have called me to do. Lord, please refill me with your holy spirit so that I may be a light and guide to others in your name. I am feeling spiritually bankrupt right now, and this feeling is terrible! Help me to understand relationships that I have formed, and to make sure I do not take for granted those relationships that are important...especially my family, Lord. Thank you for time with my family this week, my sister, her husband, and my amazing nephew and two nieces. They are so important to me Lord, help me to show them that they are a top priority. Thank you for your continued work in my life. Please don't leave me alone...I need you now more than ever.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Blessed

Lord,
I just thank you so much for this day. Thank you for time with my sister and my two beautiful nieces, a reminder of the gifts you have given me in an amazing family. Thank you for the message that was shared today at the women's breakfast at church.

It seems this weekend Lord that you are trying to tell me that I am a worthwhile person in your eyes, and that your Love is more fulfilling than anything else I may need or want. Lord it is so amazing that you seem to always comfort me and are there for me whenever I need you and especially in times of loneliness.

I have been feeling lately that I am not a worthwhile woman without a man in my life, but I know Lord that you are going to provide that for me in your perfect time.
Lord, grant me patience and wisdom when it comes to relationships with men. Thank you Lord for friendships and for your unconditional Love.

In Jesus Holy Name,
Amen