A Blessing a day!

So I won't take a picture a day- but I will write almost a blessing a day!
I started out writing them on a calendar- because I'm kind of lazy.
But not on a Friday night- when I took a break from studying. I have created a great use for all my scrapbook paper and stickers!
My blessings from the month are now written on cards!
God has been working in my life in so many ways- I started journaling those blessings, but this is going to be a great review of my 2013 life. Thank you to a friend for encouraging this. And I am so thankful for friends, and the fellowship I am receiving in the Church body.

Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship

My Identity is in Christ.

keep walking

I've been waiting 7 years for my teaching certificate- Test after test, paper after paper, test after test.. How do you keep walking. I've been told I'd never make it to college. I've been told I'd never finish this degree- and yet I feel that is becoming more real each passing moment. 
Just after sacrificing so much in 3 weeks- I think that I've accomplished that great goal in life. The goal of finally achieving a career of my life. At 32 years old, single, mostly living and holding myself accountable on a day to day basis of work- financially-spiritually. It's been a journey. A journey I will not forget. The many tears, and sleepless night, will someday be worth it. Now is the time to keep moving. I can overcome the overwhelming feeling because God died and gave himself. He gave us hope and his grace helps us endure these hardships.

Gingerbread and holiday cheer

The day after Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year. All the holiday cheer for hot cocoa, and cookies, and Christmas decorating. Yep- that's how I am spending my day. 4:00pm and my room is finished with light blue colors and snowmen on my tree. All the holiday mugs are now up and I'm excited to stare at the snowmen for 4 weeks!!!

But as I remember the past year and reflect on God's blessing, I am reminded of the great joy He has given to me. I am blessed to say that a Master's degree has been accomplished. I'm still praying God works in miracles, and my certificate will be here for Christmas!
The peace that I have after many friends reminding me of truth! His Grace is Enough in all circumstances. I am overjoyed by the warmth and love I have received from my church family.

And of course, you will have to wait to see what this year's make gift brings. It's really cool! I just need on more material, and I'll be on my way to make it! But Christmas Eve pictures will be posted of our annual traditions since 1989. 


 

Blessings

Sometimes the wait is so long. I've been praying for good news for over a month.

I've needed to preach truth in my life and stop listening to myself. But day after day I sat in pain alone hoping that in the pain I would see God's blessings in disguise. I doubted God's goodness and love.
Prayer after prayer I know God heard my need. So many sleepless nights but through the raindrops Friday he heard my plea.
I don't want to doubt your word God. Hear my desperate plea and help my unbelief. God please draw me near to you in my weakness. I see a rainbow at the end of this trial. There is grace and strength to fight.
The trials of this life are my mercy in disguise- Thank you Lord!

Truth

Our Victory in Christ

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; ²⁷ and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the ^[d]saints according to the will of God.
²⁸ And we know that ^[e]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; ³⁴ who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was ^[f]raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of ^[g]Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written,

“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-A special friend encouraging me tonight in a tough trial

One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture (lyric video)