Goings On

We have had such a busy month this past month…PLUS, it’s my busy season at work! I call that DOUBLE busy! I have been jumping on to post other things and haven’t had a chance to share these. Sorry! Here’s what has been going on…

First, Matt had to travel to Annapolis, Maryland on business. He was in meetings most of the time, but he did get a chance to take a boat tour of the harbor and eat the most delicious crab cakes he’s ever tasted. Mmm! I wish he could have stuck one in his luggage for me! (Though I don’t think the people on his plane would appreciate crab cake smell all the way back from Baltimore!)

Next, I raced home to see sweet baby J and the rest of my family. I know I am utterly and completely biased, but she is SO PRECIOUS!!! Auntie Jilly loves you, J!

Next, over Labor Day weekend we travelled to Austin to celebrate Matt’s Grandpa’s 90th birthday! Hurray!!! I so adore Matt’s grandfather, and it was wonderful being together with all his family. We don’t see them much, so it was an absolute joy!

This past Friday was a dear friend’s birthday, and for her birthday (man, doesn’t it seem like all the birthdays recently have been activity birthdays…first, karaoke, now this. So fun!) she wanted to play bingo. Yes…I said bingo. And yes…she is our age. Believe me, we had ALL these conversations. So Matt & I hurried home from work last Friday and met our friends at the newly-opened bingo hall in our area. (I posted before that I am my Grannie’s granddaughter. Now I REALLY am!!!) Matt & I loaded up on multiple shades of daubers, got our cards, and went to the table to hang out with our friends. We just laughed and joked together, but let me tell you…bingo is SERIOUS business. People were there with 10+ cards each (Matt & I each had one) plus multiple computers playing 60 cards each; plus, many came with custom bags holding every color bingo dauber under the sun. If it wasn’t so hilarious, I’d want one. I still kinda do. So we played and played…but no bingo at our table. I suggested to my table that we should all get up and sing “B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name-o” during the “7th inning stretch”, but everyone...sans our table...was entirely too serious in their bingo-playing to even consider that. But we had a great time!!!  Here’s me & Matt from my camera phone. (Sorry in the one picture it looks like I am daubing him in the face!)

And finally, the last time I went home, I brought back a HUGE bag of pears from one of my Daddy’s pear trees. He picked some for me a little early so that they would last longer in the frig. I only had a few left, and this weekend, I made a pear tart for Matt’s grandfather who is in town. I had made one a few weeks back too, and Matt & I loved it, so I was so excited to make one for Grandpa Tom. And, per the sweet / hilarious picture Matt’s parents sent me earlier this week, he loved it too! :0)

Hope your end of summer has been great too!  :0)

God is Faithful & Loves You!!!

"He will send down help from heaven...

because of His love and His faithfulness."

--Psalm 57:3 TLB

God loves you, and He is faithful.  He will send down His help from heaven because He loves and cares for you.  What beautiful words to fill my soul.  :0)

I was reading the walk-down-faithful-lane the other day in Hebrews 11, and for the first time (don't you love how God makes things jump off the page at you at just the right time) I noticed that "Abraham...was enabled to become a father because he considered Him faithful who had made the promise."  Abraham became a father at 100 and the father of innumerable generations not because of His good deeds or righteous acts or loving heart, but because he believed God and believed He was faithful in the promise He had made.  Isn't that amazing? 

And just think...God says you are His.  Believe Him. 

God says you are loved.  Believe Him. 

God says He works for the good of those who love Him.  Believe Him. 

God says He is with you always.  Believe Him. 

He loves you and cares for you more than anyone in this world.  Believe Him.  He will send down His help, His love, His forgiveness, His strength, His protection, His peace, His joy, His comfort, His happiness from heaven, because of His love and faithfulness.  All you must do is trust Him and believe.

Love One Another

It's Friday.  TGIF!  I hope everyone has a FABULOUS Friday and a WONDERFUL weekend! 

Today's encouraging Bible verse is an oldie but a goodie.  Well, technically it's New Testament, so it's a newie but a goodie.  :0)

The message is simple...since God loves us, so should we love each other.

"Love one another"

--John 13:34

Love up on somebody today!

Praying for You!!!

"I remember you in my prayers."

--Philemon 1:4 NIV

Life is busy...and crazy...and hectic...and stressful...and sometimes downright scary.  I know.  But you know what's even more comforting?  God knows too.  I've heard Max Lucado say that Jesus could have just come down for a day, taught a lesson, died for us on the cross, and we still would have been saved.  But He didn't.  He was born a babe in the manger.  He grew up as a toddler and teenager.  He lived life on this earth for 33 years.  He knew stumped-toes and bad hair days; he knew bad colds and bad days at work; he knew stressful times and even downright scary moments.  He felt it all so that when we are having one of those busy, crazy, hectic, stressful, or scary days, we can completely turn to Him. 
 
Go to Him today.  He is ALWAYS there for you. 
 
I am praying for you today!!!

I Always Thank My God For You

"I always thank my God for you

and for the gracious gifts

He has given you."

--1 Cor 1:4 NLT

Each of you is unique and special, with many talents and gifts only YOU can do!  You are special to me.  You are special to God.  And I thank Him for you in my prayers.

You are Special!

"God has given each of you some special abilities;

be sure to use them to help each other,

passing on to others God's many kind blessings."

--1 Peter 4:10 TLB

God loves you!  He has given you talents, abilities, and opportunities that no one else has.  You are uniquely wonderful in His eyes and special in His master plan.  Only you can do the things you do, say the things you say, help they way you help.  You might think that everyone can do it and that you are not special.  Nope.  You are you, and you are unique.  The things that come so effortlessly and easily to you just don't come to the rest of us.  Use these talents.  Use this gift.  Use them to show His love and His blessings to those around you.  Not only will they be blessed, but you will too!!!  :0)

Take Courage to Heart

As promised yesterday, here is one of the encouraging Bible verses found inside one of the WONDERFUL Dayspring cards I received from (In)Courage.  Enjoy!  Be strong and courageous today...God loves you!!!  :0)

"Be strong and let your heart take courage,

all you who hope in the Lord."

--Psalm 31:24 NASB

Happy, Happy Day!

Today is DOUBLY blessed...happy, happy day!...for today is not only Grandparents' Day (see post below) but also the National Day of Encouragement!  Double yay!!!  :0)

The Bible tells us that encouragement comes from God:

"For everything that was written in the past

was written to teach us,

so that through endurance and the ENCOURAGEMENT of the Scriptures

we might have hope.  May the 

GOD WHO GIVES endurance and ENCOURAGEMENT

give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

so that with one heart and mouth

you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

--Romans 15:4-5

and tells us that encouraging others is one of the gifts God gives us with His grace:

"We have different gifts,

according to the grace given us...

if it is encouraging, let him encourage..."

--Romans 12:6-8

Thank You, Father, for Your amazing grace!!!  Here are some more encouraging verses on ENCOURAGING!  :0) 

"My purpose is that they may be 

ENCOURAGED in heart

and united in love,

so that they may...know...Christ"

--Colossians 2:2

"We believe that Jesus died and rose again

and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

Therefore ENCOURAGE each other with these words."

--1 Thessalonians 4:14, 18

"ENCOURAGE one another daily"

--Hebrews 3:13a

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith...

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess...

let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds...

let us ENCOURAGE one another"

--Hebrews 10:19-25

What a WONDERFUL day today...to have a day dedicated to encouraging one another in Christ Jesus!  Yay!!!

As I've posted previously, I LOVE the website (In)Courage.  Every piece of the website, every post on the blog, and every woman who shares her words / her life / her soul, is absolutely a gift of daily Godly strength, encouragement, example, and love.  I said it privately in the comments section of one of their surveys once, but I'll say it again, that even though I don't comment very often on their blog, I wanted them to know that I was ALWAYS there.  (You know, like in the movie "Julie & Julia" where Julie wonders if anyone was out there "listening" to her blog.  I wanted them to know that I was ALWAYS there and ALWAYS inspired, encouraged, and ever-grateful.)  And the women of (In)Courage did it again...as part of their celebration of the National Day of Encouragement and their one year anniversary celebration, they offered up ten free encouraging cards for us to use in bringing Godly encouragement to those in our lives.  What a sweet, sweet gift!  My ten-pack of cards just came on Friday, and I LOVE them!!!  Each one is more beautiful, more inspiring, and more wonderful than the one before.  Here is a pic of all the amazing cards:

I immediately knew the perfect person to send a few to.  And while they are just now in the mail and I don't want to ruin the surprise, I am sending a bit of beautiful encouragement to: 

• my wonderful twin sister who is an absolutely amazing new mom to precious 4-month old J
• my adorably sweet and strong and wonderful younger sister, K
• to my "bestest" friend from high school, N, who is a wonderful new mom to precious 9-month old A
• to my dear co-worker and Godly friend, W, for her Godly wisdom and encouragement this past Friday
• to my sweet and Godly co-worker, W, for her Godly words of encouragement each morning
• to my best friend in the big city, L

These ladies are so wonderful to me.  I am SO BLESSED to have them in my life and THRILLED to send them such a BEAUTIFUL card of encouragement.  Thank you (In)Courage!!!

And to continue the encouragement on, this week I plan to blog a different Bible verse from inside one of the cards each day...a little daily dose of Godly encouragement every day!  Woo hoo!!!  (Trust me...with this being my busy season at work, I DEFINITELY need it!  Thank you again, (In)Courage!)

So Happy Sunday, Happy Grandparents' Day, Happy Church Picnic Day to my family down home, and Happy Encouragement Day!  Go out, hug a grandparent, eat a yummy kolache, and give some encouragement today! 

Love up on others, for GOD LOVES YOU!!!  :0)

Happy Grandparents' Day!

Happy Grandparents' Day to ALL my wonderful grandparents!  I am SO BLESSED to have each of you in my life!  Thank you for ALL you have done for me and for ALL your love.  I hope we, your grandchildren, have (at least some of the time!) been a "crown" to you...because I know we have been SO PROUD to be your grandchildren!

"Children's children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children."

--Proverbs 17:6

 

With my Grandma on her 90th birthday!

With my Grannie & Granddaddy!

Us with Matt's MeMa this past Christmas.

Matt & Grandpa at Grandpa's 90th birthday party last weekend!

(More pictures to come!)

And Happy 1st Grandparents' Day to my Mom & Dad this year!  J is SO WONDERFUL!!!

The new and OVERWHELMINGLY JOYFUL grandparents

on J's birth day.  :0)

Happy Grandparents' Day! WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God."

--Philippians 1:3 NLT

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition

Tonight was the first class of my women's fall Bible study.  This study is entitled "Extreme Makeover" and is written by Gail Matthews, my church's women's minister.  She is such a wonderful, Godly woman, and I am so excited about this semester's study!

The theme of the study is to renovate our lives to live intentionally for Christ.  A girl in our group said that living intentionally to her meant that every day...and sometimes every hour...she makes the conscious decision to live her life differently and live her life for Christ.  Gail said that instead of living reactively (like a bunch of pool balls being hit and bounced and ricocheted around a pool table...which often leaves us feeling scattered and empty and spiritually-dry) living intentionally is living with meaning and a purpose.  I liked that.  :0)

Our study will focus on week-by-week lessons/renovations of getting rid of the bad stuff (guilt, worry, disappointments, bitterness, fear, pride, etc) and living our lives like Christ (Romans 8:29; II Cor 3:18) with Godly faith, hope, patience, meekness, gratitude, peace and joy.  Our first homework is tomorrow...and I can't wait to get started!  I'll try to keep the blog updated each week as things touch my heart...or as my makeover becomes extreme.  I might need Stacy & Clinton to makeover the outside of me after my inside (hopefully!) gets made over to a new, more beautiful me!  :0)

I'll close this post with what Gail had written on the marker board for us to read.  She said it was one of her favorite quotes:

"I am responsible for the purity of my motives and the integrity of my behaviors."

And the above Bible verses:

"For those God foreknew He also predestined
to be conformed to the likeness of His Son"

--Romans 8:29

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory,
are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
--II Corinthians 3:18

…And the Rain, Rain, Rain Came Down, Down, Down…

Tropical Storm Hermine hit today. It actually made landfall just south of the Texas/Mexico border, but her effects were felt all over the Lone Star state today. It made me realize that “T.S.” doesn’t just stand for “Tropical Storm”, but for “too soggy” and “totally soaking” too!

But as the “rushing, rising riv’lets” continued, I started thinking about how happy this was making all my plants outside. I bet they LOVED it! And it was nice to have a cooler day outside too. Thank you, Lord!

"[God] performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,

miracles that cannot be counted.

He bestows rain on the earth;

He sends water upon the countryside.”

--Job 5:9-10

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;

He does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'

and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

So that all men He has made may know His work,

He stops every man from his labor…

He loads the clouds with moisture;

He scatters His lightning through them.

At His direction they swirl around

over the face of the whole earth

to do whatever He commands them.

He brings the clouds to punish men,

or to water His earth and show His love."

-- Job 37:5-7,11-13

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power…

He covers the sky with clouds;

He supplies the earth with rain

and makes grass grow on the hills.

He provides food for the cattle

and for the young ravens when they call.”

--Psalm 147:5,8-9

"You heavens above, rain down righteousness;

let the clouds shower it down.

Let the earth open wide,

let salvation spring up,

let righteousness grow with it;

I, the LORD, have created it.”

--Isaiah 45:8

And last week while commuting home after a summer thundershower, I noticed a beautiful DOUBLE rainbow! I had never seen a double rainbow in person (only on the internet). It was BEAUTIFUL!!! God’s handiwork at its best. :0)

I took a quick picture with my camera phone. It’s hard to see, but there was the darker rainbow below and then a lighter rainbow a bit above it. So nifty!

“And God said…’I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth…Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’ "

--Genesis 9:12-16

“Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day,

so was the radiance around Him.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD…”

-- Ezekiel 1:28

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!  Though I am laboring in my office today, it's still a happy, happy day.  My sweet hubby is home having a relaxing day, as well as my sister and mom.  Woo hoo!  Plus, traffic was a breeze this morning and it's super-quiet in my office...the makings for a very productive day! 

Though I have lots of fun pictures to share from our weekend, just wanted to pop on and wish everyone a Happy Labor Day!  Have a grilled hot dog for me!!!  :0)

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men,

since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

--Colossians 3:23-24

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,

to mind you own business

and to work with your hands"

--Thessalonians 4:11

"But remember the Lord your God,

for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth,

and so confirms His covenant,

which He swore to your forefathers,

as it is today."

--Deuteronomy 8:18

The Girl Who Drove Down the Freeway & Went Up the Elevator

Last night I watched "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain" for the first time.  It was a really cute story...with a sweet Bible reference too!  (Don't you love little God winks like that?!!!)  The town loved their mountain and as they were trying to save it, the town's preacher quoted Psalm 99:9 (KJV):

"Exalt the LORD our God,

and worship at His holy hill;

for the LORD our God is holy."

I loved it!  And it got me thinking...I work in downtown in a building on the 38th floor.  The lobby is 2+ stories high but often buildings don't have a 13th floor due to superstition, so we'll say I'm 38 floors up.  If each floor is approximately 9 feet, that means I'm 342 feet up each work day.  And if, as the movie suggests, a qualification for a mountain is a height of 1,000 feet, that means I'm 1/3 of the way to a mountain!  But, also as the movie suggests, since I'm not 1,000 feet up, that means I'm a hill...which takes me back to Psalm 99:9. 

Now I know tax accounting isn't preaching the Word or saving souls, but I do pray every day that everything I do some how and in some way glorifies God.  I mean, He's 100% given me the ability and the opportunity to do what I do, so really everything I do and everything I am is completely His.  And since everything is His and He is holy, so too can everything (my tax work, this building, etc) be holy in His glorious name.

So, my prayer today is that though I walk through the valley of accounting workpapers and tax returns, I will exalt the Lord my God and worship at this newly-deemed holy hill, for I am His and it is His, and the Lord my God is holy. 

Hallelujah and Happy Friday!!!  :0)