god is faithful

I have a few praises and God moments I would like to share.  The first one I will be very vocal about.....the second one I would prefer not to get into specifics but will share high level.

My first 1/2 marathon went amazing!  I really couldn't put it any other way.  I felt fantastic....still do....and it was one of my most amazing experiences thus far.  I could feel all of the prayers and support and am so thankful God was with me every step of the way.  It was almost as if He was carrying me because I never really got tired and I felt no pain throughout the entire race.  It was pretty cool too because one of the last songs that came on my ipod was such an inspirational Christian song and it fully reminded me of how faithful God is and how He truly is with us all the time.  It was God and my race ---- and we did fantastic :) Thanks God!

God is so funny with His timing.  Sometimes I pray about things and forget that He really will always answer in some form and at some point in time... I think what happens is that we tend to be so narrow minded so if we aren't seeing the answer to the prayer how we expect it, then God isn't hearing us or isn't answering.  Well all I can say is that His timing is perfect and sometimes it sneaks up on you like a sweet, fresh breath of air.  In this situation, Ryan and I had been praying about our current circumstances and asking for guidance. In the mean time, we continued on with life seeking answers and direction from several "sources."  Well just when we were about to proceed with one direction, God placed a very mature Christian in our path to stir things up a bit.  It was almost as if we were praying to God for help but then proceeded not to open our ears to hear His answer. Key takeaway is that when you ask God for help or guidance, not only give it ALL to Him but also open up your ears and eyes...meditate on His word, seek Wise counsel, and sometimes just "sit still" to allow Him to truly reveal His perfect plan.  Thanks God!

god give me strength to endure

A year ago, I would not have been able to run longer than 3 minutes at a time.  It's amazing how you can train your body and your mind to do wonderous things.  I ran my first 10k in October in about an hour and will be running my very first 1/2 marathon this Sunday.  I am nervous, estatic, anxious, determined all rolled up into one!

I am extending deep prayers, God, for safety, strength, determination, energy, painlessness, power, and endurance for the big race.  Please be with me on game day and run every step of the way with me.  I am running for you Lord.  As Dad reminded me the other day in 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."  My prize is you Lord, you are my prize and I run for you.  I acknowledge there will be times in the race that will be difficult and I may grow weary.  I look forward to the times in the race where I am running strong and on fire.  Just like our growing relationship, Lord, please help me hold fast to you and remind me that you will be with me every step of the way .... all the way to that finish line!

To those reading this post, please be praying for me this Sunday and send positive thoughts and energy my way!  The race starts at 8:30am Arizona time!  Thank you :)

my anchor...my safe place = true contentment

EMDR testing began in therapy this week.  I was asked to envision a safe place where I can escape to in my mind.

Here are a few things about the place.........

It's completely beautiful....serene.  Waterfalls everywhere.  Very peaceful....Lots of green and blue - probably every color imaginable.  The smells are amazing ---- lilacs and orange blossoms.  I hear singing ....worshipping.  There are clouds everywhere.  Then I see Him....My Lord and Savior Jesus.  He is there and so are several of my family members and friends.  There are a lot of other people there too ---- I see Kate McRae.  She is healed and playing in the field.  There is no fear, no sorrow, no pain.  Everyone is happy and just want to praise and worship.  I keep wondering if there is something "to do" ....something that needs to be done.  And then I hear Him tell me to Rest.  "It has been finished."  There is nothing more to do.  ....................... It is simply "True Contentment"

simple terms....big meaning

From my Sunday School lesson material this week :

"If you want to know God better, remember His words. God’s words are so important that we need to think about them every day. Knowing and remembering God’s words will help you know Him better. You can know and remember God’s words by: reading them, understanding what they mean, and memorizing them.

Memorizing and obeying Scripture helps make you stronger because it helps you know God better, but can also help you avoid doing wrong or unwise things. That’s what Jesus did when the devil tried to get Him to do the wrong thing: He remembered and quoted Scripture. We can do like Jesus did. Remembering God’s words can help us make wise choices instead of giving in and doing the wrong thing.”

fasting and praying for kate mcrae

Only by God's strength........

Today's fasting journey has been a true test of my reliance on God.  As well, everytime I felt the pain of hunger, I was reminded of the need to pray for Kate and lift up my hands.  Not about me....about Him and little Kate today.

More about fasting......

Some of you have made it known that you are interested in fasting but have never done so, and going without food sounds a bit frightening. For some people, fasting from food is not he best method for health reasons. If this is the case fasting from things like technology (TV, internet, social media), sleep, or going out are among many other options that are available. The point is withdrawing from something you usually do, and rely on, in order to devote yourself more wholeheartedly to God and depend (rely) on Him. Here is a link to an incredible ministry that is calling Christians to fast and pray to start out this year. I am planning to participate and they have multiple resources provided on their web-site concerning fasting.



Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?.


Joel 2: 12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing—

Source: http://www.aaronmcrae.wordpress.com

More about Kate.......

http://prayforkate.com/

cupcakes

how cute are these cupcakes?

http://www.sprinkles.com/

release

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne." Rev 3:21

"Jesus invites us to overcome everything with which the enemy tries to defeat us. He is the ultimate overcomer, our finest example. Through Him, nothing is impossible.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sins and generational iniquities to you.  Then break agreement with those issues and ask Jesus to help you walk in His freedom, discipline, and blessings."

What is holding you back today? 

Source: crosswalk.com/devotionals/a_womans_walk/

hand it over

Questions: What are you doing with your burdens? What does God promise us in regards to our burdens?

Carrying burdens can be so overwhelming and yet we are so quick to carry them and deny from handing them over. I know I do this too often than I would like.  God promises we'll always have victory in Him (1Corinthians 15:57) and He works all things out for the good of those who love Him in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:28)... so why do we refuse to surrender?  There have been a few times when I have truly surrendered a burden because I thoroughly understood I could not fix the situation on my own and needed God's help.  Although I wanted so bad for the situation to be fixed immediately and in my time, I knew only God could work on the heart of this individual. And He did! In His perfect timing and in His perfect way.  In order to hand it over, I needed to "trust" in God and His will.  Trust does not come quickly.  Like any relationship, gaining trust in another takes quality time to learn about that individual.  Trusting in God is remembering His promises especially in times of hardship.  Spending quality time getting to know Him will allow us to develop our relationship with Him and build the trust we need to surrender. When I truly surrender, God is given the ability to work His true wonders and turn any situation into beauty.  God...please help me to remember that there is nothing that can happen to me today that you and I can't "bear" together........

Reference: http://powertochange.com/blogs/experience/devotionalforwomen/

time with jesus in 365 days

One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2010 is to get closer to God than ever before.  This has always been a goal of mine each year but for some reason life continues to get in the way and I find myself living in the world and putting God second....when I "have time."  I hate that..despise it.  I really want to make an effort to spend time with God at least 1x a day for the next 361 days whether it be in prayer, in His word, volunteering, etc. to turn my goal into a reality.   I hope to be able to reflect on each day's experience and express my thoughts in this blog. 

How neat that the following key message is my first daily devotional?  God's timing is always so right on.... 

"If you feel overwhelmed with life, take a moment and set your eyes on Jesus. Ask Him to help you believe His promise to never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Ask Him to help you believe that He has a future and a hope for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) Ask Jesus to fill you with His peace that He promised to leave with you (John 14:27). Stop trying to work it all out for yourself. And if you are having trouble believing, ask the Lord to help you even to believe (Mark 9:23-24). We spend so much time on other things; why not spend some of it with the Lord today?"

dream if you wish

Ever since I can remember, I have held a dream of owning my own chic boutique someday.  Although very analytical and process oriented, I have a creative side dying to come out.  I was able to express my hidden creativity when planning my wedding in 2009.  I had so much fun!

I recently saw the movie "It's Complicated" and was inspired by the Bakery the main character owned.  It was so classy and warm...the colors amazing....everything I would want in a bakery.  I am not much of a cook as most can attest to but I have found just this year that I L.O.V.E to bake sweets. I do not have much time for it but I love learning about new recipes and trying them out on my families and friends. 

I had a lot of fun making cookies for the holidays last year. And I love to make cupcakes and am quite good at it too! :)

Yes I am uncertain of what the future holds but I can't get these visions and aspirations out of my head. I would like to go back to get my MBA to learn even more about business and operating my own firm. I would also like to gain as much experience as I can working in Corporate America. It is so easy to get discouraged and fearful of turning a dream into a reality. Fear of what others will think...fear of failure... Ultimately I need to keep praying about it and see where God leads me to uncover what doors may open. For now, I will keep dreaming :)

kiki's girl

This is my first niece, Trinity.  I found these pictures last night when starting my blog.  She is one of my favorite people in my world....she brings pure joy to my life.  She reminds me so much of me in so many ways...she looks like me, she acts goofy like me.  I hope she truly knows how much I love her.  She couldn't say my name when she was little so she has called me KiKi for as long as I can remember.  It has stuck even now with her being older and I don't want to be called anything else :) She has recently moved away to California with her parents but my heart is still with her.  I can't wait to see her ---- she is my little Trinity Angel.