Seasons of life

Last night at church Brother Baker preached an awesome message about seasons. There are certain seasons we don't really like and others we really like, but all seasons are necessary; the rain must come so that the buds and sprouts can come up and then grow into something big and beautiful. It is the same way with life - We will go through dry spells and storms, but it is necessary for growth and blessings to come. We need to be careful about what we do in the seasons we don't like to be in, and stay faithful to God. You will reap what you sew, and if you plant lemon seeds you won't get peaches. What we sew in the off seasons of life is what we will reap! Don't be discouraged when hard times come and things aren't going exactly the way that you want them to; it is a season, a natural part of life. If you want a fruitful season in your life you're going to have to learn to praise God when it's not in season. Our praise to the Lord is not the fruit, but the buds and blossoms of that which is to come: Praise always precedes a miracle! It want to receive the benefits and blessings of God we must precede that with praise in spite of our circumstance.

Ecc 3:1-8: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

We go through climate changes in our lives, things don't stay the same. But in a way, it is the same, because seasons are a cycle. It does not matter what season you're in; if you'll look for it, you can always find something beautiful in every season. Even in harsh winters there are beautiful scenes.

Psa 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

If we'll just live for God and be faithful no matter what, we WILL bring forth fruit in our season, and will prosper. 2Timothy 4:2 tells us to be instant in season and out of season.

This message helped me a lot! I want to be my best no matter what. Life happens to everybody! We all go through different seasons at different times, good and bad. But God is faithful, and we need to be faithful. The good seasons will come again if we do the right thing!

Cupcakes

I am in a baking mood today and I think cupcakes are cute, so here we go. I'm going to make cupcakes today! I used to decorate cakes at another job I had a few years back and that was a lot of fun. I love to decorate and be creative so it's nice to make things that are edible and cute in one. I bought this little decorating kit today at target with the frost bags and cute little metal tips for the ends to make different designs and effects. I know, it's a female thing.

Did I make you want a cupcake? :)

Hanna

Hanna Hanna Hanna....here is a post just for you! I love you lots and I'm thankful to have a friend like you. You have been a big blessing to me and I'm glad you are my kindred! ;)

Hanna is:
Well, lots of fun!! She loves to laugh.

Always ready to grub - she gets it from her brothers.

She's a great friend to a lot of people and a big help to them...

She's a preacher of the Word...okay, well, not really. Hah!

Hanna when she was little....awww.

She is beautiful inside and out

Did I mention she is fun and loves to eat? Yeah... :)

Love you girl. Just couldn't help myself today. :)

Thankful

Today I am thankful that:

God knows exactly where we are at.

God hears us when we pray - and He answers.

God can use us no matter our background.

God desires to bless us and give us good things.

God always keeps His promises.

He's been good to me!

Funny Drive-Thru Experience

The other day I was early for work and knew I wouldn't have time to eat dinner before church when I got off. So, I went through a Drive-Thru. I pulled up and the guy said, "Hi, can I take your order?" I didn't know what I wanted yet so I said, "Yeah, just give me a second." He replied, "I'm sorry, we don't sell seconds here." LOL! I wasn't expecting it at all so it was pretty funny. I told him he was funny, then he told me to take my time. Just wanted to share. I was looking for a funny drive through picture to go with this post, and I came across this:

These guys made what looks like a cardboard car and went walking through the drive through. LOL! Sounds like something some people I know would do...

Do you have any funny drive-thru experiences?

Lols for the day

1. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

2. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

3. A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.

4. Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

5. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

6. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.

7. A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

8. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

9. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

10. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

11. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

12. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; To steal from many is research.

13. Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

14. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

15. I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.

Shelly

This is Shelly! She took most of the pictures for us at the lake the other day! Thanks Shelly! :) Love you!

Patience

"In your patience possess ye your souls."
Luke 21:19

Tantrums and Playdough!

Day 3 of shadow training, and I have already experienced some interesting behaviors, good and bad. My second session, one of my kids threw a big 10 minute tantrum - screaming, crying, throwing self on floor, kicking, grabbing. My my my. I also had another kid try to bite me, but I moved my hand away before he could. I guess they all have their good days and bad days. Many of the kids love Playdough! I still like it myself! :) And they absolutely love bubbles! One of my kids says "Ba-bow" for bubbles, and "bow" for blow. It's so cute!

I never really know what to expect when showing up to a new house, so it's been pretty interesting. God is good, and He is helping me get used to this! I love interacting with the kids most, it's just all the data sheets and programs that get my head all jumbled up sometimes! But I will get there. When God gives you something, He'll help you with it! I am learning more and more to really trust God and that nothing is impossible with Him. Sometimes we may wonder why we are in certain positions or circumstances where we don't know what to do, but many times, it's just God wanting to see if we will trust Him. He loves me, so I can trust Him. :) Off to my next session pretty soon, so hopefully no tantrums or bites today! More posts soon!

Having 'thought' trouble?

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

Having trouble thinking on true, honest, just, pure, lovely things? Things of good report? Proverbs 16:3 says,

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Keep on living for Jesus and commit your works unto Him. That means in everything you do, do it to please Him. Live for God 24/7 - and He will help you get your thoughts in order!

God is good!

We had 6 first time visitors in service this morning, and a baptism! Maria, who just received the Holy Ghost, got baptized today! She stayed in the water a long time just worshipping God! It's such a beautiful thing to see someone come to God with a hungry heart.

Check!

Yesterday was my last day of Pre-Cert training and I passed all my skills checks! Thank God! I am excited about starting shadow training next week, it should be fun getting first hand experience. I'm looking forward to seeing my kids make improvements and learn more. I know it is always exciting when they have a breakthrough and start catching on to things - this will be a very rewarding job. I don't just want to help these kids improve their skills, but I am praying that God would touch their minds and help me to be a help and witness to them and their families. We must always remember that everywhere we go is a mission field, whether we are at work, school, out running errands, or anywhere else life might take us. We are called to be witnesses above anything else and we all need to do our part - it is our duty as Christians. If we don't show them the way, who will? Hmm, maybe the kids will like action songs like "this little light of mine." :)

Anyhow, I am looking forward to what God is going to do in my life and in the lives of these kids. I will update more as I go through shadow training next week! Have a good weekend + church everyone!

Church update!

Adrianna and I after church Sunday

This Sunday my friend Adrianna came for her 2nd time to church! Her twin sister Gianna came with her last time. I am hoping to start a Bible study with them soon so please pray that God would work on their hearts and draw them to Him. I already sense a hunger for God and it is exciting to see. I'm believing God for great things!

By the way, the same service she came again (Sunday), my mom's Bible study, Maria, came and she got the Holy Ghost in the altar service! It was so exciting! Bro. Prado preached "And the waters prevailed," about baptism in Jesus Name! It was so good, and now Maria is getting baptized! Praise God for what He is doing here!