Thursday, December 20, 2012

Advent Week 3....Joy


This week the third candle of Advent represents joy. This week we remember that God sent Jesus so that we would always that God cares for us. We feel joy when we remember the love that God has for us. During Advent, we pray that we may remember again God's gift of Jesus to the world and know the joy that gift brings to all people.

Dear God, thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for the joy remembering Jesus' birth brings to us today. Help us to live in such a way that our words and our actions help others to know the joy you give.

Luke 1: 47-55

What does joy mean to you?


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Advent Week 2- Love


This week the second candle of advent reminds us of God's love. John 3:16 reminds us of the great love that He has for us. He loved us so much that He sent His son that we might know the height, depth, and width of His love for us.

This week we remember God's love for us and think about how we can show others God's love to other people in our lives. This week think about if there is someone you know who needs to hear the words of God's love. Then think about ways in which you can demonstrate the love of God to them.

Dear God, thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for the versus that remind us of your love and care. Help us to see how we bring this love to the people in our schools, at our jobs, and in our neighborhoods. Help us to be messengers of God's love for everyone.

Philippians 1-3:11

Friday, December 7, 2012

Friday's Letters



Dear Friday, boy am I glad to see you. It has been a really long week and I am so glad it is nearly over. Thank goodness for the weekend! Dear Winter, I am not ready for you to come yet. It would be nice if you stayed on the mild side this year. I am not in the mood for cold weather. Dear December, I cannot believe it that you are already here and that it is nearly Christmas. What the heck! Dear Husband, I am so proud of you for how well you are doing in school. I know that what you are doing is not easy and requires a lot of work. But I know it will be worth it in the end. Dear Self, only one more week of school before Christmas break. Whoohoo! You can make it.

Happy Weekend Everyone!





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Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Case of The Missing Husband

 
 
Has anyone seen this man? He has disappeared in his studies and I can't seem to find him. Lately he has been spending so much time at school and with his study group that I was about to put out a missing person report on him.
 
One thing I have learned over the past few months is that having a spouse who is working on a medical degree equals not seeing much of them at all. When my husband decided to get his degree in physical therapy I did not realize how much time and energy it would take. And it seems that as finals are quickly approaching I am seeing less and less of him.
 
I am so proud of him for sticking with it and following through with his goal of becoming a physical therapist. I know that he is going to make a fantastic therapist one day. But the road there has not been an easy one. I am jealous of the time that he spends studying his class material. And I feel selfish wishing that he would spend time with me rather than doing his homework. I am also jealous of the fact that right now his classmates see him more than I do. But I am slowly beginning to realize that this is just a sacrifice that we are both going to have to make in order to have a better future for our family. I just wish that the journey to get there was not so hard. But I know it will be worth it in the end.
 
Until then I will just be patient and know that the end is in sight.
 


Monday, December 3, 2012

Advent...Week 1


One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the lighting of the Advent Wreath each week at church. I love the whole meaning behind the lighting of each candle. It is a great reminder of the love that Christ has for us all. Each week I will be posting a devotional from the Advent Wreath Meditations. May we all remember the what this season is all about.

Week One:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
"Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, That I will perform that good think which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In those days Judah will be saved. And Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called. The Lord our righteousness."

The season of Advent is an invitation to meditate on the promises of God.
In these verses Jeremiah sees:
....a righteous leader will spring up
....one who will carry out justice and righteousness
....one who brings salvation and safety for the people

How then do we live as those who believe the promises of God will be fulfilled?
....as those who lift up their souls to God
....as those who walk a path of love and faithfulness
....as those who work for justice and righteousness
....as those who live in the light of hope

The days are surely coming, says the Lord when I will fulfill the promises I have made.
To you, O Lord, we life up our souls: In you, O God we trust.
The one who is coming will show us the path of steadfast love and faithfulness.
Teach us your ways, O God of our salvation.




Thursday, November 29, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness.....Day 29


During this past month I have tried to focus on something that I was thankful for each day. I have found it rewarding to sit and reflect on those things that I am grateful for. It reminded me of how truly blessed I am and how often I take many things for granted in my life.

One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn over the past couple of weeks is being thankful in the midst of disappointment. I have found that it is hard to focus on the positive when what you are going through something that is not easy. This whole 30 day journey of thankfulness has helped me to focus on the blessings in my life and has made my situation easier to deal with. During my journey this month I have been reminded of how thankful I am for my relationship with Jesus. He is the one thing that never changes. His love for me is always the same. Even when I am being ungrateful and having a pity party for myself God is still there right beside me. He is my rock and my salvation.

So I guess one of the most important lessons I have learned during my 30 days of thankfulness is to be thankful even when you don't feel thankful. There are so many things to be thankful for and to dwell on the negative is not worth it. God's plans are so much larger than what we could imagine. We just have to trust in Him and wait for his perfect timing.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness...Day 28


Today I am thankful for the fact that I am an American. I am grateful that I was born in a nation where I have many freedoms and privileges that other countries do not have. While at times I am not always proud of what our leadership does or says, I do take great pride in that fact that I am part of such a great nation.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness...Day 27



Today I am thankful for the beautiful earth that God has created. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy all the sites and sounds of His creation. I am so thankful to live in such a beautiful place.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Thanksgiving in the Mountains


This Thanksgiving we started a new tradition. We decided that since we did not have to be anywhere on Thanksgiving day we would go to the mountains and hike. Since my parents were not doing anything that day we invited them to come along. It was so much fun doing something different for a change. And it was nice to get out of town and spend the morning in the mountains. Here are just a few shots from the trail.

We found that the trail is actually more like three miles to the falls rather than 2.5.

Abrams Falls



My parents

Me and Robert 

A little bear we saw on the drive out. 

This by far was one of my favorite Thanksgivings. It was fun to do something different. And it was nice to have a day to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Hopefully we can do it again next year. 

Monday, November 19, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....Day 19


Today I am thankful that for the most part I am a very healthy person. I know that I often take this for granted, but I am so thankful that I have my health. I know there are probably things I could do to be healthier. And I try so hard to follow through. But more than anything I am grateful that I have no major aliments or diseases. Thank you Jesus for keeping me healthy!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....Day 18



Today I am thankful for my nieces and nephews. I am so grateful that God has blessed me with them. Each one of them are special to me and I cannot imagine life without them. I love you Nate, Anne, Avery, and Michael.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Friday's Letters



Dear Husband, I am so excited about date night tonight. It has been awhile since we have had a proper date. I can't wait! Dear Mountains, I am so looking forward to visiting you tomorrow. I look forward to spending the day with you. Dear Self, you successfully made it through another class. Only three more to go! Dear Blog Friends, can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week. Holy Cow! This year is flying by. I hope you have a great weekend!



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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....

Day 13...I am thankful for having a roof over my head. I know that there are many who do not have a home and I am thankful that I am blessed to have a place to call home.


Day 14....I am thankful for my two cats. I love them so much and they are truly my "babies." I love you Reagan and Darby.

Monday, November 12, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness.....Day 12

 
 
Today I am thankful for the little things in life. I am thankful for the peacefulness I find when spending time in nature. I am thankful for that cup of coffee that gets me through the day.
 
 
I am also thankful for chocolate. I do not know what the world would be without chocolate.
 
 
Last, I am thankful for shoes. I love shoes and I can't seem to get enough pairs.
 

 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....Day 11


Today I am thankful for the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. I am thankful for the sacrifices they have made for our freedom. I am most of all thankful for my husband and the his service for our country. He is truly my hero. Happy Veterans day to all who have served this country so bravely.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....Day 10




Today I am thankful for my in-laws. I thankful for the family that I gained when I married my husband. I feel blessed to have them as part of my life. I have enjoyed being a part of their family and I look forward to many more years with them.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Friday's Letters


Dear Husband, I am so excited that you get to start your clinicals today. I hope you have fun! Also I am so excited about date night tonight. Dear new iPhone, I love you so much! I think you are so much more cooler than my old phone. Dear Self, I cannot believe another semester of school is almost over. It is going by so quickly! Dear Husband (you get two letters today), thank you so much for being there for me this week. I have really needed you and you have been such a great support and encourager. Thank you so much for loving me and being there for me at times when I need you the most. Dear Blog Friends, have a great weekend!

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Thursday, November 8, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....Day 8


Today I am thankful for my job. I feel very blessed to have a job when so many people right now do not have a job. I know there are times when I take this for granted and I wish for something different than what I have. But I am truly grateful that God has blessed me with employment and that I am able to help keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....Day 7


Today I am thankful for God's beautiful creation that I get to enjoy. I am always so thankful that I live so close to the mountains and that I have the opportunity to get to go and enjoy the beauty it holds. Sometimes there is no place I would rather be then to be in the mountains. I love the peacefulness and serenity of the mountains.

And, since I missed yesterday's 30 Days of Thankfulness today I will mention that I am thankful for my blog friends that I have met. One of those is Kerrie from The Williams Post . I always enjoy reading about their mission trips to Mexico. Today I am doing a guest post on her lovely blog. Check it out!

Monday, November 5, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness...Day 5


Today I am thankful for my parents. I truly feel blessed that God gave me such a wonderful mom and dad. I have so many great memories growing up that I will treasure forever. They have been such a great Godly example for me and my sisters over the years. I thank God every day that He chose these two wonderful people to raise me, guide me, and lead me toward a life of righteousness. I love you mom and dad!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....Day 4


Today I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful everyday for this wonderful man that I have in my life. He is always there for me when I need him. And he has always believed in me and helped me to reach my goals. I feel so lucky to have such a great guy in my life. He truly is my best friend. I love you Robert!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness....Day 3



Today I am thankful for my sisters. I have two of the best sisters. I feel very blessed to have them in my life. While growing up we did not always see eye to eye, we are now friends. I am so thankful they are a part of my life. They have truly made my life richer. I am thankful God chose these two amazing young women to be my sisters. I love you Beth and Cheryl! 

Friday, November 2, 2012

30 days of Thanksfulness...Day 2

 
 
Today I am thankful for God giving me the breath to live.
I am grateful that He allowed me to wake up and enjoy another day amongst his creation.
Thank you Lord for the gift of life.
 


Thursday, November 1, 2012

Happy Birthday Robert





Today is my wonderful husband's birthday. I am so thankful for this amazing man God put in my life. He truly is my best friend. I don't know what I would do without him. He is so loving and supportive. He believes in me and encourages me to go for my dreams. I could not ask for a better husband. I am so glad that I married you Robert. What can I say....I love that man!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Trip To The Mountains


I had been dying to take a trip to the mountains but it seems like every weekend I have had something going and have not been able to go. So this weekend I was bound and determined to make it to the mountains. So I went knowing that there was rain in the forecast. I was hoping that the rain would hold off long enough before it rained. Well, unfortunately my trip turned out to be very rainy. The good news is I was able to get in a few good photos before the rain set in. I hope you enjoy.

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Lazy Saturdays


Sometimes there is nothing better than a lazy Saturday. Sitting out on the deck enjoying a nice cup of coffee and relishing in the peacefulness of the sounds of nature. No place I would rather be then to be at home with my wonderful husband and our two fur babies. That to me those are the perfect ingredients for a lovely Saturday.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Birthday Dinner

Last Wednesday was my birthday. So while I was out my amazingly awesome husband made dinner for me and had this wonderful surprise for me when I got home.



The menu was lobster mac and cheese, fresh grilled veggies, and garlic bread. It was such a great surprise to come home and see that he had set the table and lit some candles as well. Here are some pics of the dinner: 



I am so thankful for such a wonderful husband who does little things like this for me. I thank God everyday for bringing such a wonderful man into my life.