I think my eyes are playing tricks on me.

Check this out.

The other night, I went to Barnes and Noble to work on projects. As I walked to the door, I thought it said they close at 10. Wow, I thought, they must have changed the hours. I thought they were always open until 11 on weekdays.

I was totally bummed becuase I'd so looked forward to hanging out there and making some progress on my projects. Thankfully, I looked again. And a closer examination revealed the number 11:00, not 10:00.

Then the other day, getting back into my car after I checked my mail, I thought I saw a large doberman pincher. A closer look revealed it was a brown (or was it black?!) garbage bag.

Hmmm. Maybe it's time to think about getting my eyes examined. :-)

Wow. It has been such a good day. Looking back, I feel like someone was probably praying. :-)

Incredibly, all my projects that were due today came together. It was so much fun seeing how the Lord brought things together, and especially how He helped me to communicate a story that had touched my heart. I thought the story may be a good way to start out my article about women's ministry but wasn't sure how to go about it and in a way didn't want to go to the extra trouble at first.

But I'm so glad I did! :-) I guess this is a lesson to not give up and to persevere even in the hard things.

All the glory goes to God. I think about that sometimes, how I go about my daily business and eat and breathe and talk and laugh and write ... but yet really, it's not me. It's really HIM equipping me and working through me.

We are nothing without Him.

I had such a nice night last night.

After I prayed with my friend, I had chicken tacos at Chipotle and just sat there for a while, working on my projects for work. [Big deadlines Wednesday] It went so well and the time was so relaxing and invigorating.

Then I drove around a little bit, came home and got some things done around the apartment, read in some good Christian books and went to bed.

Today I have felt very rested and for the most part have had a good day, too. There were a few hard moments, and I know there are some "long-term" challenges that I still desperately need to hear the Lord's heart in and trust to Him.

But all in all, it was a good day. I am so grateful.

It was a rough day.

Yesterday was nice, though. Church, Sunday school, and then a nice time of relaxing in the afternoon by seeing a really cute movie at the dollar theater and then working at Borders on one of my assigned projects for work.

Then at 3:45 I went and played piano for our church senior home ministry. It went really well, and I enjoyed being there with everyone and getting to play! There is this one man at the home who has the sweetest smile. I saw him last week, too! He and his wife came by for the worship and devotional.

Last night was great! I went out to someone's home for a small group Bible study we're having every other Sunday night. We all had supper together and a nice time of fellowship! I love their house; it's back in the woods and up on this big hill, with a wrap-around baloncy. :o) And the father who lives there helped me with my tires, which was so nice! [One of them was super low, and I just noticed today!] He even checked it again before I left. Their family is so nice.

I may try to work on some more projects tonight. Also, I am praying with a friend of mine for our weekly prayer time. I'm looking forward to that!

God is good. Always. Even when we can't always see it. I am so grateful for the nice day He gave me yesterday, too.

I have realized that a lot of my posts this week have sounded like I'm going through kind of hard things. I won't deny that it was sort of a rough week. None of these things are major in the big scheme of things, just challenging at the moment. I know that as a Christian, we are not promised easy lives. In fact, we really are promised just the opposite! That there will be trials, struggles, hardship in our lives. But all these things are accomplishing a greater good, which is so encouraging to me.

And when I just stop and think about it for a moment, I really have much cause for rejoicing, and much to be grateful for. A place to serve the Lord and be used each day to further His kingdom. A wonderful, loving family. Plenty to eat, and plenty of clothes to wear. :-) A beautiful apartment and furniture that the Lord provided for me. A new church that I love, where the pastor's messages are always so encouraging and challenging in my walk the Lord. The beautiful Texas sunshine and sunsets. Laughter. Good times. Deep times of fellowship with other believers, praying for one another and sharing what God is doing in our lives. The beautiful birds outside.

And I could go on and on ...

I feel so much better now! :o) The song "Count Your Blessings" is way true.

God is awesome.

It is beautiful outside (even if very hot!) and I think I shall work just a little more on stuff around the apartment and then head out to Kohl's to make a return and look around. I'm looking forward to the rest of this day. :-)

It's the weekend! And I'm glad.

In some ways it hasn't been the easiest week ... as you could probably gather from some of my earlier posting. ;-) But all things considered, I'm doing pretty well at the moment [and looking forward to starting my weekend!].

God is faithful. This is something I've been reminding myself of quite a bit throughout this week. And you know, even if our lives on this earth were always hard, and "ALL" He had ever done for us was His death and resurrection to atone for our sins, He would still be infinitely merciful toward us. Something I heard at an RUF Conference years ago really grabbed me -

God is just as good to us on our worst day as He was on that monumental day when He died on the Cross for us.

So very true. And I feel encouraged just thinking about that. It all comes back to what I was sharing earlier this week from Romans 8:32, how if God provided for our GREATEST need [salvation], how will He not also provide for everything else we need? He is so good.

Well with that note, I'm off to start my weekend. Heading out to the Denton area for a girls' night with some friends from church. Pasta and garlic bread -- yum! Not to mention a fun night of female bonding.

Ever feel all huffy and out of breath because you just climbed a big mountain? Not literally, but figuratively speaking. Well, I've kind of felt that way the past couple days. This afternoon things were better, though ... and I went and ate at Quiznos with my good friend Shelley after work - good times!

The good thing through this all is that I have been driven to seek the Lord more passionately. My deepest desire, of course, is to know Him more and be transformed a little more into His image every day ... but how often do I "really and truly" live this out, moment by moment? When I really stop and think about it, He is so very patient with me.

It's not fun going through difficult times, but I thank God that He loves me enough not to let me stay where I am in my laziness and stubborness as sinful human flesh! That He deliberately orchestrates my life's circumstances in such a way that I am driven to my knees before Him. Truly He is water to my soul, comfort to my heart. He is everything. I want to forget that less often.

Something I have pondered a bit a different times and thought I'd throw out there to the "blogger world" of my good friends who frequent this blog, in the event that 1) You also struggle with these things and can relate and 2) The Lord has shown you things that have helped you in these areas ... :-)

How do you truly, fully, and joyfully trust the Lord for those things that are nearest to your heart, in all circumstances?

It seems that the Lord's really brought me a long way in this area, through various circumstances and has helped me in many ways to trust Him by faith, even when I don't always understand what He is doing! But it's definitely an area I still could stand to grow in ... and sometimes am just not sure how? I think sometimes I expect the growth in my Christian life to be practically overnight ... but I have to remember that He has a lifetime to work on me and that His timetable is not mine.
:-) [He's definitely been teaching me that on many levels throughout my life.] I take comfort in Philippians 1:6, that He will complete that good work He has started in me.

Also very encouraging in this whole area of trusting God for my heart's desires was yesterday's message at church. Pastor John shared how, in the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus first and foremost was meeting their deepest need, which was for God's Word. This was more important than their secondary, lesser need [for food], which nevertheless he still met.

He also mentioned how whatever is going on in our lives at this moment, God has us in a place where He can sow His Word into us. That was encouraging. Trials and difficulties are all for a reason! And also I think of Romans 8:32, which tells us that if God did not spare His own Son, how will not also with Him freely give us all things? He knows what we need, far more than we could ever. His view is unlimited, and He knows what He's doing!

I feel like I should also post something about a snake or something ... well, I did see a snake at Arbor Hills when I was walking there yesterday. Yikes -- two snakes in one week. That's enough for me! :-)

Story of the day.

Okay, I've got this great story. I may need to cut it short because I am wanting to head out and get some R&R before all-night prayer, but it's a classic!

Last night I reached my apartment to find a snake coiled around the porch railing outside by my front door. I was pretty startled, especially since a snake would have to climb the walls or stairwell to get up to the level of my 2nd story apartment! I promptly screamed [surprised my neighbors didn't hear me!] and then froze for a few seconds.

I then regained composure and knocked on the door of a young married couple on staff, who live across from me. Christie's husband would have loved to have helped us, she was sure, but he wasn't home! So, long story made short, we ended up calling another co-worker, Bobby, who lives in our complex.

This is where it gets good. Bobby immediately comes over, holding this broom. By now, the snake had slithered over to my kitchen window, precariously close to my front door and looking pretty content. Well, Bobby reaches his broom over and flings the snake so he falls down to the first floor breezeway.

We all run down the stairs, my friend Christie and I curious about what kind of snake it is and wondering if Bobby can give us some insight. [It almost looked like it could be poisonous, but really hard to say for sure.] But before we can say a word, Bobby proceeds to use the other end of his broom to whack the snake, flings him over to a bush and tells me he won't bother me anymore!

Christie and I look at each other still in shock from the whole experience, but about to laugh, and she says, "I feel like we're on National Geographic!" I kid you not, he had the khaki shorts, the hat, bright yellow t-shirt, and everything -- It felt like we were on the Discovery Channel. Or one of those reality shows like Survivor. :o) It was pretty funny. [We were very thankful for Bobby and his timely rescue; Christie says we should make him cookies as payment!]

Of course, needless to say, I will be watching my balcony railing pretty closely when I go home in just a few minutes. : ) My co-worker Bobby came by my desk this afternoon and told me he had thought about putting a black rubber snake near my cubicle but then figured I may not appreciate that too much. :-) We are still in shock that the snake slithered all the way up there. It was quite the adventure.

Okay, so, now I'm off to more mundane things like buying hamburger buns for tonight and walking at the nature preserve. :-)

God is so faithful.

Long story made short, He totally orchestrated an opportunity for my friend's two young boys to volunteer here. Perfect timing, and God is so faithful.

Her visit truly made my day! Hardly anything thrills my heart like helping to spread the word among other Christians about how God is spreading the Good News through GFA. And it was nice to see her and meet her two boys.

I can't believe how quickly this day has gone by! Something I am wanting to do more of is make time to read good Christian books. A good friend gave me John Piper's Let the Nations Be Glad. I have been so excited to read it and was reading in it some yesterday when I got home from work. The part I was reading had all these great verses about God's glory and how everything in life is all about that! Awesome.

One thing that really stood out to me was the reminder in that chapter of how it's all about God - how only HE truly satisfies. How wonderful He is.

Ever feel sometimes like life can get overwhelming? Like there's bunches of "loose ends" that need to be tended to, or projects, or just stuff to sort through? I definitely feel that way at times. But in it all, God is our dwelling place. And we can trust Him. Truly, God is good.

I am feeling a little tired. But it's been overall a good week so far! I have a local acquaintance visiting us here at the ministry tomorrow; I'm pretty excited about that! We met at a seminar my church was having when I first started going there, and she and her two young boys would like to come out tomorrow and check out the ministry and take a tour of the building. Yippee! I'm so glad they're coming by.

She would love for her 9 and 10-year-old boys to volunteer with the ministry (and I would love that and even suggested it!); it just may not work out quite as we were hoping it would. In other words, there may be some logistics to be worked out, or it may be that they would be more needed in a different capacity, such as representing us at local events. But God is faithful ... and I so much believe it's not by accident that He put me in contact with this family through a seminar at my church over a month ago.

Speaking of church ... just the other day I was thinking yet again about how grateful I am for this new church God has provided. Just thinking about it makes me happy. In so many ways it reminds me of my beloved college church back home, and I never thought I would be able to say that about a church here! It already feels like home, and hardly a sermon goes by that doesn't leave me feeling incredibly encouraged and challenged in my Christian walk.

God is good.

All in all it has been a good weekend. Busy, but good. Yesterday at the cookout Pamela, Joelle, Angela and I were able to laze around in the pool. At the end I swam some laps to be sure I got some exercise.

The message at church yesterday was great, and I really enjoyed getting to catch up with a number of new friends I've made. People are so friendly and nice; it's feeling like home already! :-)

My arms are still a little sore from helping people move on Saturday, but it was fun and well worth it! It has definitely been a "people weekend".

Left to my own devices, there are times when I am admittedly a hermit. Okay, so maybe hermit is way too strong a word for it. But I do like my "alone" time and often am quite content to just go for a nice walk, go grab something to eat at a fast-food place, or hang out around the apartment watching a movie or organizing. :o) But at the same time I am also in a lot of ways very much a people person who values all the friendships God has blessed me with and all the opportunities to hang out with people, and there are also those times when I get lonely when there aren't people around.

Anyhow, all this to say that I think this weekend was good for me, being with people so much of it! At the same time, it's also so important we spend those concentrated times away from the noise and bustle of life .... whether the noise and bustle of our own individual lives, or the noise and bustle from being with others .... those times of getting away from that to just spend time with the Lord in His presence. That's what the message was about yesterday. Our pastor shared about how so often we don't delight in and relish God the way we could be because we aren't spending those times with Him.

Yikes! It's going to be a busy weekend. But I'm looking forward to it.

Saturday:
8 A.M. Help move staff family, along with a bunch of others on staff.
11:45 A.M. Meet up with good friend to hang out for several hours or so.
6-9 P.M. Game night with the other young people on staff

Sunday:
9:30 Church
11:15 Sunday School
1:00 or whenever I can get there after church -- COOKOUT with friends from my the fellowship group at my old church.

Monday:
9:00 Meet up with friends from old fellowship group to help a friend move

Tonight? I'm just resting and making some returns, and maybe watching a movie at the apartment. Tonight's my "veg" night. [translation: rest and chill out :oD]

Okay, now I need to scoot so I can call a good friend I was s'posed to call right after work. Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Whew, it's been a busy week! But good. Work-related projects, helping out people from work, catching up with friends ...

And tonight some of us from my dept. are fixing to head out for our supervisor's house in Rowlett for a farewell party for one of our writers. [She'll be back, just not for a year!]

Our game plan, I hear, is to order pizza and watch the movie Apollo 13. I've never seen it but I'm up for just about anything tonight.

Then when I get back I need to call a good friend to hear a story that was too long to share over email. :o)

I had chicken pot pie for lunch. Downstairs in our Believers Cafe at work. It was so good. I also enjoyed my lunch because I got to eat with two friends, Steph and Maddie.

I am heading out now so I can go home and rest for just a bit before I head over to a staff family's home for a little while to help them pack.

Things are going well.

Yesterday was nice.

I met up with my sister and her family in Waco, to go to the zoo and eat together at McAlister's, one of hers and my favorites. :o) We also went to the mall, but just for a little bit.

It was a beautiful day out. Warm and sunny and nice. On the drive over there, I had some really good time with the Lord ... pouring out my heart to Him and surrendering things to Him. It was a special time.

On the way home, I swung by an outlet mall and found some great deals. God also gave me some divine appointments with people to share the ministry with!

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Another good day. This day flew by, too. I love when I have lots of stuff to work on and am able to focus on it; makes the day very enjoyable. :o)

I just got done praying with Tirina, a really good friend I used to room with. It was such a nice time of fellowship together. She and Dorie, whom I roomed with, too, are both such a blessing in my life! [Not only is Dorie a great friend, she also makes really yummy chocolate chip cookies. :o) When she published her awesome family recipe in our staff cookbook, I was very excited!]

Well, before I go off to enjoy this gorgeous weather by means of a nice, long walk at the nature preserve, I leave you with this quote:

“We settle for a cottage of faith, when we could be living in a mansion of grace and mercy.” --C.S. Lewis

So true. The riches of His grace are so abundant, most of us haven't even begun to tap into them. Oh the joys of those moments spent in His presence!

The day has pretty much flown by with projects and meetings. I enjoyed the various projects, and things went well. I like days like this.

As it was beautiful evening last night, I sat out on my balcony to eat cauliflower and ponder life's mysteries. Well, okay, my time was kind of cut short when my downstairs neighbor decided to go out on her balcony, too, as the smell of cigarette smoke strongly permeated the air. But I tried. Sort of.

Probably the most reflecting was done earlier, walking in a meadow at the nature preserve, with nothing but the gentle lull of frogs croaking and the peaceful sound of rushing water from the creek below. I thought about how there are many things I may desire or wish for in life -- or at least think that I wish for.

For one ... I would love to one day go back to Panama City for RUF Summer Conference. I have incredible memories of my time there. And there are times when I miss college since there was a lot that I really enjoyed about that time in my life. [At the same time, I think there were also some incredibly hard times and times of stretching, and when I'm looking back at a time in my life I tend to forget about those times. ;-)] But really, when it comes down to it, all that matters is what GOD wants for me.

During Sunday's message at church, my pastor mentioned how it's not about us and our comfort. It's about Christ. It was a blessing to me to hear that ... and it should be a huge challenge for me as well! Last night, walking in the meadow, I was thinking, Am I truly willing to live for only the sunshine of HIS face? Am I content with what He chooses to give me, or not to give me? Am I fully content in His timing? Do I truly find His grace sufficient?

I think it's a good thing I don't get everything I want or dream about ... for if I did, I would probably be spoiled ... and rely even more on myself instead of God! I already feel spoiled [and selfish!] in a lot of ways. ;oD

He has blessed me so much, more than I could ever deserve. Incredible.

6:33 A.M. I hear my alarm go off. I panic. Gotta get up and get ready. Especially if I'm going to wrap my saree. This weekend I found a really neat one at the Indian store, for only $7. It has bright pink, blue, green and orange in it. And I was really hoping to wear it to the office today.

6:51 A.M. I look at the clock. Auughh! Only a few more minutes before I can leave the apartment and, at least theoretically, not be late since I live less than a mile away.

6:56 A.M. I am out the door. And, somehow, amazingly, manage to make it to the office in less than three minutes. Wow ... I should even be a little EARLY to morning prayer today [uncharacteristic for me], and I had time to wrap my saree, too!

6:58 A.M. I pull into the parking lot. No cars. Zero. Okay, I think to myself, This is weird. This IS Monday. And as far as I know we were still having prayer today. Then I look down at the clock in my car. 6:59. OH. Then it hits me. Prayer starts at 8:00, not 7:00. And I know that, but somehow in my groggy state [I don't do mornings] I must have not made the connection that 6:33 A.M. meant I could still press my snooze button.

A few minutes after 7:00, I find myself heading down to Burger King. I virtually *never* eat breakfast out, but somehow today it sounds like a good idea. I'm ready early, and most of all, I'm hungry. So I order some food to go, and then come back to my apartment complex, meet my new neighbor who seems to be a Christian, and then head up to my apartment to eat.

Two things I've learned from this experience:
1) Burger King hash browns are actually quite tasty.
2) It won't hurt me to start getting up when my alarm first goes off ... and it is actually possible. ;-)

I am a friend of God,
I am a friend of God;
I am a friend of God,
He calls me friend.

Not only are these Philips, Craig and Dean (sp?) lyrics sung to an incredibly catchy tune, the words are pretty amazing, too, when you really stop and think about them. I mean, we are just finite, fallen mankind, yet the All-knowing, holy God of this universe calls us FRIEND? Incredible.

I am so thankful for the friends the Lord has given me. I am fixing to meet up with a few good friends from work for the evening, and really looking forward to that! And tomorrow my sister and I may be meeting up in Waco, the halfway point between us, to go to the zoo and eat together. [If we don't decide on tomorrow, we'll likely do next week. :o)]

And she's painting these really cool wooden crates and shelf I got at Wal-mart, so she basically rocks. Okay, so she rocks regardless, but I'm still excited.

It's been such a good day. And beautiful weather. I couldn't have asked for a better day.