Well so much for blogging regularly this year. It is now December 28 and the last time I entered in entry in this blog was April. I don't think that counts as blogging regularly.
Here's for an awesome reevaluation and better meeting of goals next year. I cannot believe this year Is already coming to an end and soon it will be 2013. It is been a year… And that is saying a lot.
When I look back at my goals over the last year I realize that I've met a lot of them. I am a lot more fit, I'm exercising and working out 2 to 3 days a week if not more. I have run two races this year and I have improved on my time and gotten a personal record every race.
As for financial goals I didn't spend as much time focusing on those this year and haven't necessarily met them we did pay off a credit card and we traded in vehicles so technically we paid off Brent's car but we now have two new car loans.
I have much more to say however I will end this blog entry and attempts to write another one in the next few days there are many many other things that happened this year that I will share. Here's to hoping I can become more consistent blogging in the next year
Well so much for blogging every week, I'm not even making it to my blog every month.
I'm here now and I want to just share a thought and scripture for today...
I haven't been as faithful to my daily reading schedule as I need to be, and I'm now stating that as a goal to get back on track and continue forward from where I am...
Today's Reading was from Psalm 95 which is one of my favorite Psalms (I have a lot of favorite Psalms) I was just going to post a verse, however the first 7 verses stand out to me today:
Psalm 95
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. 3 For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. 4 He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. 5 The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.
6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, 7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care....
Whenever I read this Psalm I have a song come to mind, and it is a good reminder that we need to remember, He is a reason to be joyful and to constantly thank Him for all we have!!!
This post was scheduled to post in March and somehow it didn't make it...I will come back and add photos when/if I have extra time to come finish this blanket (maybe over the summer :-) )
I love crocheting and knitting and wish I were better at it and had more time.
Well I wanted to make a baby blanket, I have attempted it many times somewhat unsucessfully. The blanket I attempted before this one is still sitting in my unfinished project box, I ran out of the correct color of yarn and can't find the pattern I was using so I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do.
When I started this blanket I wasn't really planning on posting a tutorial, hense the lack of step by step photos...
However I ended up somewhat writing my own pattern (well making it up as I went) however it is pretty simple. I couldn't find a pattern for a one piece granny square baby blanket that I liked. So I made this one up...
I started mostly the same as a normal granny square,
Chain 5 and join in a circle.
Round 1:
Chain 3 (1st double crochet) do 2 more double crochet in the circle created by the initial chain, chain 2, (3 double crochet chain 2)...repeat ( ) until you have 4 corners.
Where I stopped with the first is where I started Round 2, following the same pattern in the corners I did two sets of 3 double crochet with a chain 2 in between them for a corner. (I started the first double crochet as 3 chains to start the next round)
After several rounds I realized that I was starting at the middle of the row instead of at the corners, so I slip stitched to the corner and then started the next round.
About the same time I realized it was going to be more square than what I was wanting, so I did a round where I slip stitched across one side in a couple of the stitches near the corners I would slip stich into the front and back of the stich so I didn't have the edges curling up, then ( 3 double crochet, chain 1 ) across the next, slip stich 3rd side, ( ) fourth side.
Then I did a couple normal rounds.
Then another slip stich, ( ) round to make it a little more rectangular in shape.
I also did a few rounds with 2 chain between all the 3 double crochets on the sides to make sure it wasn't curling up.
Sorry for the yucky directions, let me know if you have any questions and I'll see if I can answer them...
Well it's February 17th and I'm making my first blog entry of February...lets just say it's been a rough and crazy month so far. It has begun to look up, and God has never left my side.
When I looked back and thought I was all alone through this, I was really being carried in His arms and it was His footprints I was seeing behind me! So grateful for the LOVE of my Father!
Well this blog is actually meant to be a goal setting post for me, my weekends always seem so so short and I don't feel that I have any time to do the things that I really want to do so I'm going to post a few quick goals and then come back at the end of the weekend (or in the middle if I make it) and recap (hopefully show pictures) of what I got done.
I started a photo a day challenge at the beginning of February and have somewhat gotten behind, so tomorrow I'd really like to get caught up on that and post them to my pinterest and possibly here if I get that far. I also am going to go do a bit of yard sale shopping in the morning, maybe take my pup for a walk too.
I would really like to work on a couple projects that I've found on pinterest this weekend also, I found a really neat style of crocheting and knitting called "Entralac" and I want to try it, we shall see if I get any projects done or if I just add to my tote of unfinished projects :-) so fun... I need a new dish cloth, so I hope to finish one (or find one that's done already that I can use :-) )
I also have a rather large goal of getting all my Christmas stuff (I know I know it's February) organized and put in the closet.
I need a new vacuum belt so I can vacuum, so I'll be going to the store to get that (and possibly some yarn if I decide to make the blanket that I found the instructions for from Pinterest and youtube :-) LOVE video tutorials, I read the instructions and was SO confused, but I watched someone do it and was SO excited to try!)
And I'm a few days behind in my bible reading, so I'd like to read a couple days and spend some time journaling too, so I have large goals for this weekend, but if I shoot for the moon at least I'll land in the stars right!
Sorry I don't have a more exciting post, or any pictures for tonights entry, however if I make it back tomorrow I'll have some photos for you :-)
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
I start tonights blog with that verse because it's a verse the Lord gave me in prayer tonight. Had a discussion with someone tonight that I wasn't expecting, all I can say is God is good and He uses all things for His purpose.
He has removed our sins from us when we have repented and moved away from them as well, who are we to pick them back up and say, "But God I did this, how can You love me?" He loves us He forgave us, let it go and move on. AND church stop bringing it back up!
On another note:
We can learn so much from Him if we sit and wait. I so LOVE and appreciate my pastors, their words of wisdom give guidance when I would love to just take action before it is really time to take such action! There is wisdom in council. I LOVE my pastors did I say that already? Cause I do! I lLOVE LOVE LOVE them and consider myself blessed.
The way God would have to handle things is not always the way we would have to handle them.
God is SO SO SO good! I'm LOVING being in His presence, and spending time in His Word! He is a blessing, and I pray that God would richly bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you!
Well I was somewhat annoyed today when I realized that my goal post for 2012 was actually posted in 2011, so just for my reference I'm reposting my goals here for all to see :-)
I haven't been crafting much since the beginning of the year. I hope this will change soon. I've been working a lot, as well as having a GREAT time at church.
We had a youth encounter over MLK Jr. weekend, and it was AMAZING! I was blessed to meet some amazing brothers in the Lord from Michigan, and am still daily being blessed by their words of encouragement and prayer. Thanking God daily for them!
Well here is a recap of some of my goals for this year! Thank you for helping me to remain accountable:
Continue to read the bible DAILY
Spend more time with the Lord than I do on my computer (I worked toward this however did not achieve the goal as I would like)
Exercise regularly
Take the dog for a walk daily
Go to the gym every other day, or run, or do a routine at home
Find someone to keep me accountable and push me
Improve my piano skills
TUNE THE PIANO
Learn how to properly use the camera I was blessed with!
Blog regularly
PRAY AND OBEY
pay off chase visa
pay off Brent's car
create out emergency fund
put at least one months salary in savings
create a new budget & follow it
If you choose to follow me this year I hope I am able to stay true to my goals, better than last year, it is kinda frustrating to realize that I only really met two of my goals that I made for myself. Lets hope I have a better outcome this year!
Psalm 23:1-6ESV A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...
That may seem like a strange scripture to start a blog entry titled Lonely Places of Ministry, and 2 days ago when I started this blog entry I would have said the same thing, however since that time I have realized that I am never truly alone. NO matter how it feels, HE never leaves my side!
I have often found myself wondering why it seems that God has me in lonely places of ministry. It seems that I am the one that used to end up running the snack bar alone, or working in the gift shop alone during the slowest parts of the night; it seemed that no one would hang around and talk to me, whenever I was free I would try to go hang out but not when I was there. A more recent example has to do with meeting some AMAZING friends and brothers in the Lord. Well we had a Winter Encounter for the youth at our church and the youth pastor had a connection with a worship leader from Michigan and they ended up coming out to lead worship. Well in an attempt to make an AMAZING & long story short, we (Joe, Jen, Brent & I) made a life long connection with these amazing brothers in the Lord. Well they did have to go home to that other state (GO BUCKS!) and I was really feeling somewhat left out, because the guys were calling, skyping and chatting with them on a fairly regular basis, and I didn't really feel a release to do that. I was feeling alone like I wasn't able to keep that connection that had been created.
Part of the reason I began posting this was in hoping it will help me figure something out, sometimes by writing things out, they begin to make sense? Well through starting this post, and a brother in the Lord being obedient today. I have figured somethings out, I'm never really alone. Also God is faithful ALWAYS, which I knew but today was a reminder of this fact!
Another thing I was reminded of was memories of the book I read a while back titled Anonymous. It talked about Jesus' ministry and how the majority of His life was anonymous, what was happening in those years the bible doesn't share with us. He was being prepared for his future ministry that we do have the privilege of knowing about. I have come to realize there are so many things growing during this time of ministry.
Back to today though, today began as one of the roughest days I've had since the encounter. I'm still reading my bible, I'm still praying but there is a certain amount of that expectancy and God feeling that has diminished (and I don't want it to!). I have been having a rather hard time getting up in the mornings (however I still find myself here at almost 10 not sleeping yet) and this morning was one of the worst. I didn't want to go to work, I woke up barely with time to get ready, get coffee and get to work. At work it was okay, but I was definitely just pushing through, barely. I found myself frustrated with a lot of things that were going on this morning (and I complained about them, tried to go back later to the person I'd complained to and apologize however there wasn't a receptiveness, going to try again tomorrow) well I knew I'd gotten a text but hadn't checked because I was in the middle of lessons. I grabbed my phone real quick between things and had a bit of a God moment right there in my classroom, I really wished I could have just sent them out for recess right then and taken some time just me and God...well I couldn't so I continued and later responded to the message and I'd like to share it with you, because it not only addresses what I was dealing with today but it addresses those lonely feelings I've been struggling with:
May the rising sun of this new day kiss your face and remind you of how much God loves you and is proud of you...His daughter in whom He is well pleased! May the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit embrace you and fill you with direction as He reminds you...that you are never alone...He walks by your side through it all...be filled my sister with peace, love, joy, patience and understanding.......
WOW, it still just makes me say WOW! God used my brother to address the concerns and questions I have been having! I am so blessed to have a God who cares for me this much, and friends who are obedient!
I'm claiming the direction! One of the directions I know I'm being led is to memorize (and praying that the Lord would give me a song for) the armor of God which I'm going to share below. A new goal I have is to recite/put this on EVERY time I put on my clothes. I need to start proclaiming God's word over my days & the days of my friends and family! Thank you Lord for the reminder! Now help me do it! I will be back with another blog, soon (I hope)
So in closing I leave you with this "final word"...and a video, this is the song I found today when I was searching for somethings on the Armor of God. I claim that He has set my feet to dancing and filled me with JOY!
Ephesians 6:10-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b]16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c]17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[d]
So today is officially January 1st, the first day of 2012.
I heard it said in a sermon this morning and have heard it before; that it takes 21 days, three weeks to create a habit. To do something so much that it becomes patterned in your brain, so you enjoy it. To where it creates a pattern that is pleasant and regular to us.
Well today I continue the second day of blogging, and reading my bible.
I also am adding a few new goals to my list of goals for this year, I have several financial goals for the year that I didn't think of last night:
*pay off chase visa
*pay off Brent's car
*create out emergency fund
*put at least one months salary in savings
*create a new budget & follow it
