So Tired...

I'm just wondering when all this is finally going to end... Probably when I'm dead...*grins* This whole "mothering" thing is a lot of hard work! And, with Kassia still not sleeping through the night...I'm just wondering if I'll ever know the joy of sleeping more than just two or three hours consecutively... I'm exhausted all the time... And, I know everyone says to just "let her cry it out" at night when she wakes up, but I can't do it and have a clear conscience until I know for sure that it's just "crying" and not something else relating to her stomach problems... The jury's still out on that - we had more blood drawn on Wednesday for running more allergy panels... I'm just not sure what's wrong... So far, all the tests have come back normal, which is a good thing...but, that means we haven't discovered yet what's causing all of Kassia's tummy issues... We meet with the pediatrician this coming Thursday to discuss the results of all the tests we've done recently... If she says that these tests have come back normal as well, I'm not sure exactly where that'll leave us... I'm praying that God will guide me, that He'll give me His peace so I'll know which direction to take - either to leave things alone and just see if Kassia outgrows all this stuff, that maybe it's just a phase OR to press forward and try and see a specialist outside the military who might be able to better figure out what's going on... Yeah, I just went from talking about being tired to babbling about all of Kassia's medical stuff...yep, but, with a reason - they're connected! The reason she wakes up all the time in the middle of the night has to do with all the gas she has...which comes from all her tummy problems...and which is why I don't get to sleep more than a couple of hours at a time... I know God has a plan... Please, Lord, help me to trust You more... Alright, time to see if I can take a short 45 minute nap before I have to get up and get ready and finish packing for our short trip to Ft. Worth this weekend for a family reunion... Good night! (or should I say, "Good morning?")

Saturday morning...

So, I guess Hurricane Ike was supposed to have hit sometime in the wee hours of the morning this morning, but I don't really see any signs that "he" came through...*shrugs* Maybe I slept through all the wind and rain... Or maybe there's some more rain on the way... Either way - some rain would be good...as our yard could really use it...

We all went to the "Team Connection" meeting last night at the Redland campus... It was interesting to see the changes that are going to be made concerning our mission statement and such... It'll definitely be much easier to remember! Even though Scott and I were exhausted...and would've much rather (in our "flesh") have just stayed home and been lazy instead...I was really glad we went and got to be a part of the fellowship and discussion... I'll also be praying now about where else God would like me to serve...

Speaking of "being lazy"...I think that's on the schedule for today! College football will be on...and we've rented several movies from Blockbuster as well...so we're set! And, to get the day started off right...(which always requires some sort of food)...I'm on my way downstairs in a minute to fix us some yummy omelettes for "brunch"... Here's to being the best "couch potatoes" we can be today!

"This Will Hurt Me More Than It's Going To Hurt You..."

I used to hear my parents say that phrase all the time...and I never believed it... But, now...being a parent myself, I sure do understand the meaning of those words... Like, this past Wednesday when I took Kassia for her 4-month check-up...and she received her second round of shots... Man, just knowing that she was going to have to get those again was killing me... I was apologizing ahead of time the whole way the we drove to the appointment... Apologizing while we waited beforehand to go into the immunization clinic... And, oh, did she scream this time when the guy stuck her with those needles! All of the air left her body...and I was like, "C'mon...breathe...breathe!" Her poor little face turned bright red, and she screamed and cried like I hadn't seen before... My heart was breaking!

I wonder sometimes now, if it's like that for God...looking down on us...as His children...and knowing what's coming in our future...things that are really going to hurt us...and cause us pain...and the whole time, He's thinking about how much it's going to break His heart that we have to go through them...

Lord, thank You for the many different phases of life that we go through... Thank You, that along each step of the way, You reveal different aspects of who You are...what Your heart is like...through the various relationships we have with others... Thank You, that as a parent, I'm beginning to understand even more about You and how much You love us... Everything's about YOU, Lord...and for You...

Contemplation...

It seems that I'm only getting around to blogging about once a week now...and that's so not my intention... I'd really love to blog everyday, but somehow, I just don't seem to have the time (or maybe creativity) to do it... So, once a week it is...for now...

I've really been feeling like time is slipping away from me lately...that each day is going by way too fast...that "time" itself is on fast forward... There are so many things that I need to do, want to do...and it doesn't ever feel like I'll get around to doing them... I struggle just to "maintain"... And, I want to do so much more than that!

I've been seriously contemplating the idea of going back to school in the fall... Scott and I are really praying about it... I know that I want to finish up and eventually get my degree...but is now the right time? I know a lot of things would have to fall into place for the whole school thing to work - a better schedule for Kassia (which would hopefully include her sleeping more through the night so I could sleep more through the night), someone to watch Kassia, classes that line up time-wise with someone watching Kassia...not to mention the extra gas money we'd need for me to get back and forth from campus...and the motivation I'd need to attend classes, write papers, study for tests, and still carry on my "normal" day-to-day activities... Hmmm... Writing it all out like that seems kind of overwhelming... Ah well... We'll continue to pray and if I'm supposed to go back to school in August, then I trust that God will work it all out...

On another note:

Contemplating something else - how can my sweet baby be 4 months old already today?! Photos to come... (and be praying for Kassia and I, as she has to get her second round of shots today...)

Small Group at the Ross Home...

Well, it went pretty well, I think... Kassia hasn't been feeling well, so it took a little longer than normal to try and put her down to sleep after feeding her...(and then, she didn't sleep for very long...but at least she didn't wake up till near the prayer time at the end...) It's still just us and the McCord's and the Wheat's, but I'm kind of glad there wasn't anyone new last night, since it was our first time hosting and we're still working out the "kinks"... God will fill the "open chair" with the right people at the right time... And, the whole childcare thing will get figured out eventually, too... The upstairs is still a LONG way from being presentable, but I'm making the loft/game room area my first priority (now that Kassia's room is finished)...so hopefully, I'll be done setting it up soon, and it'll be a fun place for the kids to play... All the adults got to share a little something during our discussion time...and there were plenty of snacks to eat and plenty of room to hang out and fellowship afterwards... So, overall, I think it's going to be a lot of fun and a really neat experience once things get smoothed out... And, I just have to remember to fix healthy snacks for the next few months for a few of our small group members who are on diets... (but when the diet time's over, we're going to have a "big ole' fatty and tasty" feast to celebrate!)

Saturday to Saturday...

Highlights from this past week:

-- Saturday, the 12th:

• Went to "Real Life Scrapbooking" and not only got to visit with friends I hadn't seen in quite a while, but also got to make a really cute clipboard that will eventually go in my new "craft room"

• Left the crafting party early to return home, since Kassia was hungry and refused to eat from a bottle...(it was Daddy's first time hanging out alone with Kassia at home!)


• Worked on straightening up the house

-- Sunday, the 13th:

• Went to church in the morning


• Took a long nap in the afternoon


• Worked on straightening up the house

-- Monday, the 14th:

• Had an appointment with GE to have someone come out and fix our dishwasher...(and I'm pleased to say, it works just fine now - Hooray for not having to hand wash dishes!)


• Had help from my "interior designer" (Mom!) and made the formal dining room somewhat presentable...(she even found a use for my old baker's rack so that it displays some of my Polish Pottery, and it looks great!) Thanks again for your help, Mammo!



• Learned that evening that the family dog, Duke, who was 14 1/2 years old, had passed away... Sad times! He was the BEST dog ever and definitely more a family member than a pet! He'll really be missed...

-- Tuesday, the 15th:

• Had a "girls' day" with Mom and Kassia... We ran a few errands, had a delicious lunch at Cracker Barrel (I had the chicken and dumplings - my fave! YUM!), and stopped by Linens'N'Things on the way home, where Mom bought us our "housewarming" gift - the bath set I'd been wanting for our guest bathroom! It looks so great in there! I love the colors and the overall style, too! (I still haven't painted yet, and there are still some decorative touches that need to be added...but it looks so splendid already that I just wanted to share it with ya'll!) Oh, and did I mention that I have the world's greatest "interior designer?!"


• Made a late evening run to the HEB for some much-needed, "essentials"...(stuff to hold us over till the "big" grocery shopping, which will have to happen soon, as we're almost out of everything!)

-- Wednesday, the 16th:

• Went first thing in the morning when Target opened to get Kassia's pictures taken...finally! They turned out SO cute! I can't wait to get them back and buy some frames for them! And, I know all the grandparents will be aching for their copies as well... Kassia did pretty well for all the camera-flashing and positioning and clothes-changing that took place...although, she didn't smile except for at the very beginning...(she didn't frown or cry, either...just didn't smile...which kind of stinks, because that doesn't really fit her personality at all - she smiles ALL the time otherwise... Ah well...) I look at her in those photos and can't believe how much she's grown and how quickly time has flown!


• Had lunch out with Scott at Panda Express


• Worked on straightening up the house (does anyone see a trend here?!) We actually got quite a bit done that afternoon, though...enough where you could tell that we'd made a difference...and I got 85% of my clothes stuff sorted and put away...


• Went to small group (week 2) over at Chris and Lynn's and had a good time discussing the sermon and fellowshipping

-- Thursday, the 17th:

• Had an appointment with KHH to have someone come out and fix the crack in the grout in our master bathroom shower...(and now, it's as good as ever!)


• Finished the other 15% of my clothes stuff, so it's all finished now - Yay!


• Cleaned up our bathroom


• Did the dishes


• Had a "date night" with Scott... We had pizza for dinner, so I didn't have to cook...and then dropped Kassia off with Lynn, so Scott and I could go out for dessert at Baskin Robbins... We had a really nice time, just eating ice cream outside and talking and relaxing for a little while... Kassia wouldn't eat from the bottle again, though...so I'm going to have to do some researching to figure out what's the matter...(my guess is that I need to switch up the nipple and try a different one...we'll see...) We were really grateful to Lynn (and Chris, too) for watching Kassia for us! Thanks, guys! (And, as an extra side note, ya'll should definitely check this out: Baskin Robbins is having a special, "one night only" deal, where you can get a scoop of ice cream for just 31 cents! More info here...)

-- Friday, the 18th:

• Spent almost the entire day with a guy from Ranger American, getting our security system installed... He ran into a few snags, so it took him quite a while to get everything figured out...(although, he still had to leave without finishing up part of it, due to the fact that he couldn't get one of the lines to work...he thinks it may have been cut before the house was finished or something) He was here for 5 hours! And, I know he hadn't eaten anything...so I gave him a Snickers bar for a snack and sent him off with a PB&J, some Cheet-os, and a root beer when he finished up... Nice guy...


• Enjoyed a lazy evening with Scott, sitting around watching TV and movies: "Juno" and "August Rush"...both really entertaining in different ways...

-- Saturday, the 19th:

• Yes, I'm up at 5am! I couldn't sleep... I finished feeding Kassia and tried to lay back down, but all the chocolate from the ice cream I ate during our movie-a-thon kept me awake so that my mind wouldn't stop thinking or be quiet! So, I decided I'd update the blog instead...which is all that's taken place so far on this Saturday... However, I do happen to know that we'll be "working on straightening up the house" today during the day...(imagine that!) And, that we'll be spending the rest of the afternoon and evening over at my parents' house, hanging out, relaxing, grilling, and enjoying each other's company, so I'm looking forward to that...(and hopefully, I'll have some great photos to post from it, too!)

Alright, well, I guess that about catches me up! I really will try to be better about posting more often...and taking more pictures, too... This past week was actually really busy for me... I even had things written down on my calendar... Glad it's time for the weekend again, though... Well, I'm going to go try and lay back down and sleep for a little while...before it's time for Kassia to eat again... Talk to ya'll again soon!

PS. I couldn't finish posting this without Kassia waking up and needing to feed first...*smiles*

Has It Really Been THAT Long?!...

Yep, I guess it has! Almost a month has gone by since my last blog post... (I suppose that's what happens with a baby that takes up most of your time...and a new house and other random day-to-day "stuff" that takes up the rest...) So, here's a glimpse at the highlights of the last month or so (and in no specific order):

• Kassia's grown and grown! I can't believe how quickly she's changing...it seems like she looks a little different and a little bigger every single day... How is that possible?! My sweet "baby" won't be a baby too much longer... She had her 2-month check-up on the 21st of March...(yep, that would be the "21st of March" that just happened to be Good Friday, so we spent Easter weekend at home, trying to recover from her 2-month shots and missed the Easter service that Sunday... Ah well, I guess there's always next year to take photos of her in a cute Easter dress...) At that appointment, she weighed 10lbs, 13oz and was 23 inches long... We went back to the hospital yesterday, because she has a yucky eye infection in her left eye...and when they weighed her then, she was 11lbs, 4oz! She's literally "growing like a weed!" The doctor prescribed her some eye ointment that we have to give her twice a day for the next five days...and see how she's doing... Let me tell you - putting that ointment on the inside of her bottom eyelid is NO fun...and even with Scott and I tag-teaming it, it's still quite a chore...(and it breaks Mommy's heart to see her so uncomfortable! I was in tears last night while trying to administer the treatment...) I'm hoping to finally schedule a time to get some professional photos done next week sometime, after she's feeling better... We'll see how it goes... I'm listening to her semi-cry/moan on the baby monitor right now, as she's in her room in the crib "trying" to take a nap... I'm trying to get her used to her bed now that her room is just about finished...so that we can make the transition from the pack-n-play... We'll also be experimenting with trying to sleep most of the way through the night over the next couple weeks... I'll keep you posted on that one... (Oh, and speaking of her room...the painting was a success! Everything looks so cute all put together...with the crib set and some of the decorations... We just have one last "project" to complete, and then I'll take some pictures of the finished product and post them here for ya'll to see...)
• A friend of ours from Germany was in town for a week back in March for a military training class at Randolph AFB...so we got to hang out with him on a couple of evenings... It was so good to see him! We've known Lindley for years now, and we spent a lot of time with him and his wife, Emiley, and their kids when we were stationed back at Spangdahlem... We miss them a ton... They're really wonderful Christian friends! We went to dinner with Lindley and some of his other friends from here in the area the first night...and it was a little "different" for him to see Scott and I with a baby... Lindley came over to our house the second night, and he was used to sweet Kassia by then... He used his video camera to record me showing off our new home...(even with all the piles of stuff and boxes everywhere!)...so he could show Emiley when he got back to Germany... I also recorded him playing with Kassia on his lap... She was really enjoying the attention...and I don't think Lindley minded playing with her, either... Even though the time was short, we really enjoyed getting to see Lindley and just hang out and chat and catch up... Thank You, Lord, we really needed that!

• We went to go see "Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre downtown...and it was spectacular! It was a combined belated birthday present for both Scott and I from my parents... We went to dinner at a restaurant on the Riverwalk beforehand, and then walked to the theater from there... And, yes, Kassia went with us! She was quite startled in her sleep by the pipe organ playing... And, she did really well during the first half... But, during the second half, she started to get hungry and needed a diaper change, so Mommy missed a little bit due to that... The whole thing was so amazing, though! We loved it! Thanks again, Mom and Dad!
• Kassia had her first "IKEA experience" last Thursday! Mommy was so proud! I had my mom snap a photo of us outside before leaving... I hadn't been to IKEA in what seemed like forever...(I know it was while I was still pregnant...) I bought a few new things for the house, mostly for the kitchen...like: a new tea pot, some "chef-like" cans to hold my cooking utensils, a couple of drawer organizers, some cutting boards, and some other odds-n-ends... I also got a cute new lamp that will eventually be sitting on the cabinet I'm hoping to return and buy for behind the new sofa... We're also going to eventually be getting a TV cabinet that comes from the same set, so we're excited about that... The living room's really going to look nice when we get everything all put together...
• And, on the topic of "living room" and every other room in our new house... Nope, we still haven't gotten everything unpacked yet! I have a feeling it's going to take quite a while... The weekends are really the only time we can fully devote to getting stuff settled in, since both Scott and I are home to take turns keeping Kassia entertained... We're excited for the plans we have for decorating, though... It'll just be a few weeks before we get to see them "in action"... And, I have high hopes for splitting the 3rd bedroom into a guest room/craft room... It'll be really nice to have all my scrapbooking and cardmaking stuff all organized and to have a nice space to be creative in...
• We got to spend a lot of time visiting with my brother, my mom, and our nephew, Caleb... He really had a good time coming over and hanging out with us...and we were so glad to see him! He enjoyed throwing the football around in the backyard, since there's plenty of space to play and run... He "helped" Uncle Scott with some boxes and played in the loft upstairs... He watched a little TV here and there to take a break from running around... But, the coolest part of the whole weekend was making tie-dye t-shirts! He asked Jeff, his dad, just what "tie-dye" was...so Jeff showed him some pictures of shirts on the internet...and that was it - Caleb said he just had to make some! So, Jeff, Mom, and Caleb all went to Hobby Lobby before coming over and bought a tie-dye kit and some plain white t-shirts, as well as some extra dyes that weren't included... And, we were off! Saturday afternoon was spent just trying to figure out the whole process, so we only finished three shirts...(two of which were Caleb's, so he really enjoyed that) Then, on Sunday afternoon, we finished up shirts for everyone else in the family and for a few friends as well... Caleb wasn't too interested in the actual process anymore, though, since he's only 5 and a half years old... All he wanted to do was just "point"...(tell us where the colors should go...) The rest of the time, he played outside with a toy car and some of our leftover bricks, making roads for the car to drive on...and he also had a lot of fun rolling down the driveway! We sure do love that little man! And, the t-shirts turned out awesome, too!
• We've been busy with the New Braunfels campus of RCCC... Scott's been helping out with the praise band by playing guitar for the service on Sunday's... He also sometimes helps to "set up" and "tear down" before and afterwards... And, tonight marks the first meeting of our combined small group with Chris and Lynn, so we're all really excited to see what God's going to do with that... For now, the McCord's have graciously decided to use their home for us to meet in until Scott and I have our house more "visitor-friendly"...then, everyone will meet over here... What a neat opportunity... It's definitely a "God thing"...

Other than all that, we've been: trying to grow our yard from dead and brown to green and thriving, trying to get some sleep when we can, trying to learn the "ropes" of owning a new home and having to pay all the bills that come with it, trying to spend time with family, and trying to relax every once in a while...

So, yes, it's been a very busy last month!

"Ch-ch-changes..."

Change #1: We have a new house!

And, the feeling is so very different...

It's been such a long time since we've had a place of our own...and it's kind of hard having to leave my parents all over again... But, what a blessing to actually OWN a home! God is so good to us... We're slowly but surely getting things settled in...(well, as much as can be expected until our shipment from Baltimore arrives...and still no word on that yet...) And, we're looking forward to decorating and making this new house a true "home"...

Change #2: We have a new baby...

Our sweet baby girl, Kassia, just turned six weeks old yesterday! My how she's grown! I'm so amazed at her everyday...always so patient with me...teaching me all kinds of new things about being a mommy... She's wonderful...and really, too wonderful for words... I never thought parenthood would be like this... I love her SO MUCH...

Change #3: We have a new church home...

We're so excited to be a part of the new satellite church and all the great things God's got planned for this new fellowship of believers... He's already moving and doing so many neat things, it's hard to keep up! We're looking forward to seeing how God's going to use us and the other people He's put into leadership positions to draw people to Himself...

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There's really so much I want to write about...and so many more things I'd like to say...but, I'll have to save them for another time... I sure do miss blogging everyday...just jotting down my thoughts...or writing about the happenings in my life... I'm hoping to do better about it now that we have the internet hooked up here at the new house...and now that Kassia and I are starting to get on more of a schedule...(sort of)... So, there's more to come! Stay tuned...

The End of the Year Already?!...

I can't believe that it's already December 31st...that 2007 is almost over... Where did the time go?! How is it possible that tomorrow marks the first day of 2008?!

As I think back on this past year, I realize there were so many changes that took place for Scott and I...and so much growing... And, then...I think about tomorrow...the first of January of a new year...and I realize how many more changes are going to be happening soon... January's going to be a BIG month for us! Scott and I will be celebrating 7 years of marriage on the 13th... Our sweet Baby Ross will be joining us sometime during the month... And, hopefully...(although, it's probably not likely)...we'll be closing on our very first house toward the end of the month... WOW... Plus, Scott will be starting to join praise band practice during January as well, preparing him for playing at the New Braunfels site soon... It seems like January is going to mark the "beginning" of lots of things for the Ross family! I'm looking forward to seeing how God brings everything about in the next month...and the rest of the year!

Thank You, Lord, that You have a plan...that nothing surprises You! Thank You that you knew January 2008 was going to be so busy for us...way before the beginning of time...and that You'll be with us as we experience all the changes that take place... Help us to see things through Your eyes...to be open to what You have for us...and to learn to love You and each other more and more with every day...

I Love It When God Does That...

You know, when He totally surprises you by taking certain ideas or events that have been happening around you lately...or taking things you've read in the Word recently...and making everything all tie together and make sense... Like, yesterday at church...when Sean was preaching about the Beatitudes...and including that as the second part in his "Pauper King" series about celebrating Jesus' birth... And, how I'd just happened to be reading and re-reading the Beatitudes at home myself...and researching different views and commentaries on the subject... It just amazes me at how the Holy Spirit makes the "light bulb come on"...and makes you say, "Oh, I get it!" And, how He can use everyday things around us to help it all come together in one big picture...all pointing always to Him!

Thank You, Lord, for leaving us Your Holy Spirit...to guide us...and impart wisdom to us...and reveal Yourself to us! Thank You that You never give up on us...that You're always ready to teach us something new...if we'll just open our hearts and humble ourselves and allow You to do Your work... And, thank You, for just how cool You are in working around us!

A "Pleasant" Thanksgiving...

Yesterday was so pleasant... I think "pleasant" is just the perfect word for it...

I helped prepare a few more dishes for our excellent feast, but other than that, I just ATE and relaxed for the rest of the day... It was really nice being around my family for this holiday... Smelling the yummy food cooking...hearing the familiar sounds coming from the football game on the TV...listening to my cute nephew giggle as his daddy tickles him...all these things and more make it just feel like "home"...

There are so many reasons to be thankful all year long, but especially on this day for "giving thanks," I just realize how blessed Scott and I really are... We're thankful for my parents' generosity in opening their home to us while we're still in such a transition period... We're thankful for the blessing of our sweet Baby Ross, who continues to grow (and bump around...and move...and poke...and stretch...) daily... We're thankful that my brother, Jeff, gets to spend time with his son this weekend and enjoy the holiday with us as well... We're thankful for all the many, many friendships God has blessed us with through the years... And, more than anything else, we're thankful for God's tremendous love for us...that He cares about the big things we're going through...and the little things, too...and that He has a plan for us... We love You, Lord...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving...and hope that ya'll all know how much we appreciate you...and how much you're loved...by us...and by our amazing God...

The Beatitudes and The Sermon on the Mount...

I just haven't been able to move past these first few chapters in Matthew... They're SO full of great "stuff" that I keep re-reading them over and over... I went to several sites to download commentaries on these specific sections, and the information that was gleaned by the authors was so diverse, even from what the Holy Spirit had been revealing to me in my own studies...I was amazed... God's Word is so powerful and awesome! And, His words have so many more meanings than just what you read at first... I think that's part of what is meant by the Word being "living and active" - the implications and perspectives on what is read are always changing to apply exactly to what you're supposed to learn at that time, to exactly what God wants you to know... How does He DO that?! He's just so cool...and BIG...

Lord, thank You for just being who You are...for being an amazing God...for knowing everything...all the time...and for desiring to share that wisdom with us, so we can grow to know You more... Thank You for leaving us Your Word...and that it IS "living and active"...that You're constantly revealing Yourself to us through it... Please, give us time to spend with You, reading Your Word, everyday, Lord... Fill our hearts with Your Truth...

Preoccupied...

Man, there's just been so much going on in everyone's lives lately... And, my mind...(although it doesn't get this way too often, since most of the time there's nothing going on up there...)...has been full lately of prayers for those around me...

- Ian's dad
- Melissa's dad
- Ryan, Kelly, and the kids
- Scott's back

Lord, You know about everything that's going on...with everyone...and You know exactly how every person is affected...and how they feel...and what they're thinking... Lord, please just help all these people to trust in You...that You've got a plan...that You know their hearts...and that You know what's best... Lord, let them know, especially in these times, just how much You love them! Thank You, Lord, that You're always there for us...

Morgan's Dedication Ceremony...

Congratulations again, JD and Barb, on having your sweet little girl! Morgan is so precious... And, thanks for recognizing her as God's gift and for dedicating your lives to being sure she knows Him...

Consistency...

It was so neat reading through the first two chapters of Matthew today and seeing how many times, just in those short chapters, the Old Testament was quoted! I loved being able to recognize the Scriptures...remembering that I'd read those words before from the different prophets when they'd recorded them many, many years before Jesus was even born... Here's a list of who was quoted:

- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Micah
- Hosea
- Jeremiah (again)

Thank You, Lord, that Your Word is true...that it's so complete...and that the message is the same all the way through the Bible... Thank You that You never change - You're always the same...that You and Your Word are so very consistent... Thank You that You had a plan for us all along...

End of OT...

And, by "OT" I don't mean "over-time" but the "Old Testament"... Yep, today marks the day when I finally finished reading through the Old Testament...all the way through...starting at Genesis and ending with Malachi... It was definitely an amazing journey! God has shown me SO much... I'm excited to start reading through the Gospels again and the rest of the New Testament afterwards now that I have all this background knowledge from what I've read previously in the Old Testament...so neat-o! God is good!

Something that stood out to me while reading through Malachi:

"My covenant was with him (Levi), a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin." Malachi 2:5-6

What beautiful words coming from God's mouth about a person! What compliments!

Lord, help me to be more like You... Help me to walk in "peace and uprightness"... Help my actions, thoughts, and words to be pleasing to you, Lord... So, that You'll be given the glory and honor You deserve...and so that I can one day hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant"...

Verses...

Here are some of the verses that stood out to me over the past few days, reading through some more of the minor prophets:

"The Lord is a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him..." Nahum 1:7

"Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!" Nahum 1:15

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14

"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:2

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Images of the Morning...

I like to take walks in the morning time...especially now that it's cool enough I feel like being outside... The physical part of the walking is really good for me...to help burn some calories...to get my body more ready for the intensities of labor...and to help the circulation in my legs...(since I just stand all day at work and don't get to move around much of the time) Plus, the fresh air is so lovely! But, the best part of my walks is the fact that, as I stroll around the neighborhood, I'm praying all the way... So, these walks are good for my spiritual health as well... And, I love just enjoying the cool morning breezes...the sunshine on my face...the sound and smell of sprinklers watering people's yards...hearing the birds singing...and everything I see seems to be that much more beautiful and crisp... Here are a few images of what I see as I walk:

Micah...

Some verses that stood out to me today from reading through Micah:

- "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

- "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." Micah 7:7

- "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18-19

A Nice Little Chat...

Yesterday, I sat and chatted with one of my dear friends, Pamela, on the phone for about 45 minutes...and it was wonderful! It's so nice to catch up with people when you haven't spoken with them for a while... And, it's especially nice when the person you're speaking with is a great Christian girlfriend with whom you've shared many laughs and experiences and prayers... Pamela and I were on the same reading plan, going through the Bible, so we used to meet once a week to discuss and share what the Holy Spirit had revealed to us as we read... What an encouraging time for the both of us! I was really so blessed by those "hour-or-so" meetings when I'd pick Pamela up from work, and we'd drive to have lunch and chat at the park nearby... Real fellowship...real fellowship...is so entirely sweet...especially when it's centered around God's Word... Thanks, Pamela, for sharing your time and heart with me!

And, thank You, Lord, for allowing Pamela and I to meet and encourage one another in that way... Thank You for the growth that I know we both experienced... And, thank You for leaving us Your Word to read and experience and live by...