"When you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything"

I have been reading crazy love by Francis Chan.  It is such a good book and if you haven't read it- you should definitely check it out.  I am almost done.  It is all about how God is love and how He is calling us to passionately love Him back.  It has really opened my eyes to some neat things.  God wants us to crave a relationship with Him.  God wants us not to serve or love Him out of fear or obligation but because we DESIRE a relationship with Him.  Thinking about how much I love my husband- I would do anything and everything for him!  Do I desire God like I do Jonny?  That I would give up everything to follow Him??  "Anyone who does not not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:33)  Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up HIS cross (Luke 16:24-25)!  Psalms writes, "Because YOUR love is better than life, my lips will glorify YOU."  Do I believe this??  I have been thinking a lot about this and if my life reflects someone who passionately pursues the God of the Universe.  You know when you meet those people and the love of God just can't help but burst out of them?  That they are so in love with Christ that it moves you?  I want to be a person who is genuine about the Love of God.  This book has been a great inspiration and has taught me a lot.  I have been praying for a love like that.  Because of our sinful nature- I need His help to love Him and others.  God has been moving so much in my heart lately- I am amazed by Him!!             

"People who are OBSESSED with God have an intimate relationship with Him.  They are nourishing Gods word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.  People who are obsessed with God are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures.  People who are obsessed with God have eternity on their minds." - Francis Chan  

Waiting.

Well God has been working so much lately- its incredible.  A lot has been on our hearts recently as this semester approaches us.  Jonny will be starting school again in the fall and I will be working full time.  I have an interview on Monday with the Texas Rangers- yay!  Please pray for me- I am super nervous and really want the job but I know whatever happens will be the Lord's will!  I want so bad to be in the will of God and the direction He wants me to go so I pray that whatever happens, I won't lose sight of that.  I also have another interview that day to be a nanny- which is also something that would be so fun to do!  I have all these opportunities in front of me and I would love some prayer.  Bj's is going great and I love the people there (I am definitely a light in the darkness).  I am also going to start reffing youth volleyball as well...  I am so excited to see where the Lord puts me this semester- trying not to be anxious.  Whether its right where I am or at another job.  Also, me and Jonny are currently praying over where we are going to live this next semester.  Its been hard because we don't have much money but thankfully we are blessed by wonderful parents who give us way more than we deserve.  We spent some sweet time in prayer tonight and it is so neat how God is growing us closer to Him as we seek His direction.  I am so blessed by such a wonderful man of God.  We have been definitely heavy in prayer and are way excited for what the future holds.  As long as we got each other- its gonna be great.  The Lord is good and does what He promises for those who believe!  I read in Luke a couple of nights ago and this verse has been heavy on my heart these past couple of days- "And blessed is she who believed that there would be fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." (1:45)  I have been clinging to this promise.  I know that the Lord is going to provide and take care of me- I BELIEVE IT!!!  God is soo good!  Thats all thats on my mind right now!  Please continue to pray for us as we seek where God wants us!  God bless!     

Hope.

I have been feeling really drained lately!  Working, cleaning, taking care of dogs, and a husband can be very tiring.  I wouldn't trade my life for anything but I am struggling to get through the days lately... I have been reading a lot in Romans and been reminded that the JOY of the Lord will be my strength.  I have to spend time in prayer of everyday and remind myself to rely on the Lord's strength and NOT my own!  Its soo cool how much energy I have after giving my day to the Lord as opposed to when I don't.  God is good!  Here is what I read today (Romans 5:1-11)    

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

Grace.

I woke this morning so excited- I was going to get my car- FINALLY!  For those who don't know or forgot because its been so long, my brand new Mazda 3 has been in shop for 2 months after some guy ran into it in front of my house!  Well me and my mom woke up and drove all the way down to good old College Station to pick it up.  Man, I miss that place :(  I forgot how much I loved it and as soon as I got down there all the wonderful memories started coming back!  We went and picked it up and then stopped by the Brookside house to check and make sure the lawn was still alive haha (it was for the most part)... After briefly being at the house we went and ate at Blue Baker (yummy!) then headed for our journey home!  As we got on highway 6 we noticed that my car was making some very funny noises- NOT good noises.  You would think $11,000 and 2 months later- the car would be better than new... Anyways... Something is definitely not right with it.  We ended up just driving home anyways and tomorrow we are gonna take it to a Mazda dealership to have them check it out.  I was pretty frustrated- I want my car soo bad!  

As me and my mom were driving home I got a text from Maddie!!  I was soo excited- I miss her so much.  She is doing great.  She is having some trouble sleeping at night and its making her exhausted during the day so please be praying for rest for her.  She said that all the kids stories are pretty heartbreaking and her eyes are being opened so much!  It brought much joy to my heart to hear from her!  As I was sitting there praying for her and thinking about my broken car (I know- don't really go together)- I was reminded how we are all so broken.  We live in such a broken world.  We are all in need of a Savior and Healer.  And no matter how hard we try we will never be perfect enough but only by the GRACE of God will we enter His Kingdom!  I know these are things we all know and such simple truths BUT I have been thinking a lot about missions lately... And I think God is calling me and Jonny to go on a summer long mission trip next year.  I don't know the details or what that means but God has been really putting it on my heart lately.  RIght now we are being still and trying to listen to God's direction!  We have been praying about it a lot and would appreciate prayers as well!  Thats about all I have tonight... Good night ;) 

Here Comes Goodbye.

Sending Maddie off!  We dropped her off at the Airport @3... She has a nine hour flight to London and then a ten hour lay over then its another ten hours to Africa!  I miss her already!!  Praying hard!!  We love you!!!  

Afirca

Maddie leaves tomorrow for Zambia.  She will be there for two weeks investing in the lives of little children.  The kids are in an orphanage and have no family.  I am so proud and excited for her.  She is growing into such a beautiful woman.  Tonight, my family spent time praying over her and the team that is going there.  It was such a sweet time and neat to hear my family pray for her.  I am gonna miss her sooo much!  We are all so proud of her heart to serve!  We read Romans Chapter 10 and then took turns praying for her and the team.  If you think of her say a little prayer.  God bless!!!    

"How will they preach unless they are sent?  Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring GOOD news of GOOD things.'"  Romans 10:15 

 

Cary.

My cousin, Cary, from California is in town!  We are loving it- swimming, movies, Hurricane Harbor, and just hanging out!  Here are just a few pictures!!!

Heavy in Prayer

Some things that have been on my mind lately that I have been praying for and would like to share with yall.  If you think of it- say a little pray for me!  Love yall!!

1.  Maddie, my younger sister, is leaving for Africa in 2 days!!!  I am so very excited and proud of her.  She is such a beautiful and strong woman of the Lord.  I am praying for peace as she travels, strength to wake up everyday and share the GOOD news, love to overfill her heart, and for the joy of the Lord to be always in her heart.  I know God is going to work in amazing ways and she will be used for His kingdom!  I love her and joy over flows my heart!

2.  Youth Group- Our youth group is at camp this week!  Pray that the kids hearts will be moved.  That God will show up and change lives.  That it will be a lasting change!!  Pray for the leaders as well- they will have the energy and strength to get up and make an impact on the kids lives.

3.  Young life camp- I really wanna go and be a leader at YL camp next week.  Pray that if it is what God wants, that He will open the doors to go!  

4.  My family- just been hard financially lately.  Pray for wisdom and peace!  

God Bless!!!  "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  James 5:16

Independence Day!

Hope everyone had a great fourth!  Me and Jonny enjoyed are fourth with his family.  Friday, we went with Donna, Scott, Chris, Tracey, and the kids to Addison.  We parked and sat on the side of the rode and watched some pretty awesome fireworks!  There were people everywhere- it was pretty crazy!  Then Saturday we went out to Red Oak and spent the day with Jonny's family.  We celebrated Brock's 7th birthday.  After the swimming and cake, me and Tracey laid out for a couple hours- got a lot of sun!!  That night, Jonny had to work and I watched Brock and Witten while Chris, Emmi, Tracey, Scott and Donna went to a wedding.  They were great!  It was a wonderful weekend!  Here are some pictures- I didn't take a lot!

On another note- I got a job!  I am now working at BJs Restaurant in Arlington!  I started today- it was good...  I am still looking for opportunities in the Sport Industry where I really wanna be but I am very thankful for the job I have! God is faithful ALL the time and I know He will provide and open the doors that He wants open!  Jonny is still working at Papa Johns and Installing TVs and stuff so we are pretty busy right now!  Thats about all thats going on right now!  Have a blessed day ;)