Time. . .You are spending it somewhere!

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything on here. . .sorry about that. Here are a few pics from the last couple months! So many good times~

It's always said, that "time flies", so maybe it does but the question is, where are you spending it? We are always investing our time into something and there is nothing greater than investing our lives into Christ Jesus and furthering His eternal Kingdom!

Seth came back with me after Christmas!! It was great to have him up here and spend the week with him! 

My Parents came up to visit me for a few days, in January! We had several LATE nights talking which was really great!! I'm so blessed to have godly parents!

Christine and Rachel both moved away! They are such a blessing to me!

Our winter was quite delightful. . .and it's probably not over yet! LOL, We had a ton of fun sledding, ice skating and snow mobile riding! It was great!! But I'm sooo ready for summer!! :)

To many memories. . .how can I even begin to describe this! I'm blessed to be able to have friends who always point me towards Christ!! Thanks guys! Joy moved to TX this past week. . .which is so sad but thankful that the Lord allowed our paths to cross! Joy you've encouraged me in my walk with the Lord and pushed me towards Him, over and over again. . .always turning my attention to Jesus! Thank you!!

So there you have it. . .a VERY brief overview of my life for the past two months! 

But can I just say that Jesus is so very patient with me! Wow, he never ceases to draw me to himself. . .but in my self-centeredness, I find myself resisting Him. What? Why would I be resisting my King, who does all things well and wants what is best for me. My desire is to always trust in Him no matter what and to never doubt His goodness. Yet, I find myself rejecting Him and doing it my own way, telling Him that I know better and struggling to answer His call with a "yes". 

"Sometimes our hardest battles are not against the devil but with the Lord" 

Oh! He is so patient with me and even in my own weakness of pleasing myself, He turns my attention to gaze upon His beauty, to exalt Him as King, and to abide in His presence. We are frustrated when we don't here the voice of the Lord, when He seems so silent and yet, when He is speaking and prompting us to do something specific, we turn around and lean on our own understanding and act as if we know better. What is this? Rejecting the One who works all things together for our good. Our self is one of our greatest enemies but I find that as I meditate on God's word, He renew's my mind and gives me the power to say "yes" to Him! There are so many examples in the Bible of men and women choosing their own way and not receiving the great blessings and promises that God had for them. Just think, every time you choose your own way. . .is the little pleasure to serve the desire of yourself worth giving up His incredible blessings? 

There's just a few thoughts that I've been thinking about!

Cherishing the Moments!

I just wanted to say, Happy Birthday to the greatest Dad in the world! 

I wouldn't be who I am or even where I am today without him. It's not necessarily what he said but how he has lived and loved me, that has changed me forever! I know he loves me not for what I do but for who I am. He is always there to advise me, protect me and lead me in the way of righteouness. You've showed me what it looks like to lay down your desires and set aside yourself to invest in our lives and love us unconditionally. You are always there for me and you are constantly encouraging me! From the times when I was a little girl riding on the lawn mover with you to running into your arms when you got back from work, I reminisce those precious memories. Now I get to enjoy taking walks with you or going to breakfast and just talking together and I love every moment! Thank you for taking the time to invest in my life and caring about me. I'm always challenged by your steadfast love for the Lord and teaching us to walk in the truth of God's word and honoring and upholding His ways above all else!

Daddy I know you've loved me as long as I've lived; but I've had the privilege of loving you my whole life!

I Can't wait to see you and I hope you have a wonderful birthday! May God bless you with deeper knowing of Him and greater wisdom for the many things He has placed in your trust! Love you!

Skiing With Friends!

I went skiing for the first time on Friday! We had a blast and I can't wait to do it again!! It was so much fun and I was so blessed to be able go with these awesome friends!

 

Sorry, I should have taken more pictures! LOL :)

Seeing Life From His Perspective!

Goodbye 2014

Well, another year has gone by and what an incredible year it was! 

I'm looking forward to all that God has for me this next year!

"Just because we can!"

Christmas Family Photo 2014

Downtown Chicago!

Our downtown Chicago adventure! So many fun times!!

We went to the creation museum after Christmas, they had a big lights display that was pretty awesome!  

Merry Christmas

He ALWAYS Supplies My Needs!

I faced the frustration of another car not working again... Why does this happen? One car after another just kept falling through, nothing was working out and it's getting colder and colder up here. As I cried out to the Lord, all I could hear was "trust me, I have a plan." I was trying but my faith is so weak. He showed me that even through all the "no" answers that I received, He kept saying "I have something better, wait and be patient." Words are really indescribable as to how the Lord provided it. WOW, I couldn't have even dreamed that He would really provide this for me. His peace is incredible and His Joy is immeasurable when we take our eyes of the circumstances of life that doesn't seem to be working out and focus on the ONE who is working! I'm so blessed to be able to trust and rely on my God who has and will supply my needs! 

I'm overwhelmed by the goodness of God! He's showed me that He gives good gifts to his children and not just to random people He chooses to bless, but seeing Him provide for me in my life was incredible....He has strengthened my faith and trust in Him in so many ways. After looking for a car for almost a year and so many good cars that seemed perfect kept getting direct "no'" answers. I knew He would provide but "when" was the question I kept asking myself. I was so amazed at his guiding hand as He worked everything out for this one! It seriously is everything I dreamed of and more! (Like heated seats and a sun roof!) :) Ahhh guys, I'm so undeserving of the unconditional love and goodness of my Savior as He leads me to Greener pastures, not only with the blessing of this car but He totally deepened my trust and reliance on His leading. He always know what is best, even when we can't see what's on the other side He knows what lies ahead. Thank you Jesus!!!

My sister and best friend forever!

We had so much fun this weekend: Shooting skeet, four-wheelers, zip-line, cooking, baking, pictures, friends, memories and more memories!

My amazing Dad and sister!!

It was great to spend time with my family over thanksgiving!

God is Moving Right Now!

The Father has a plan. Though it's hard to see it now
You feel you're walking all alone.
But He is there no doubt
When the storm around you rages,
And you're tossed to and fro
When you're f aced with life's decisions,
Not sure which way to go

Stand still and let God move,
Standing still is hard to do
When you f eel you have reached the end,
He'll make a way for you
Stand still and let God move

When the enemy surrounds you, And the walls
are closing in
When the tide is swiftly rising, And you wonder
where He's been
Friend, there never was a moment, That His arms
weren't reaching out
You can rest assured and be secure, God is moving
right now

Stand still and let God move,
Standing still is hard to do
When you f eel you have reached the end,
He'll make a way for you
Stand still and let God move

 
When you feel you have reached the end, He'll make a way for you
Stand still and let God move
The answer will come, But only in His time

Stand still and let God move, Stand still and let God move

I Can't Imagine Life Without Them!

"Best friends make the good times better and the hard times easier!"

My best friends make me laugh louder, smile brighter, and live better!

Love you guys!

I Am Determined!

I was reading I Corinthians 2 this morning and was really encouraged by the whole chapter but especially this verse! May our ONE desire be; to know Christ, and to make Him known! We cannot even know the things that God has prepared for us that love Him but we must focus on Him alone. He will reveal to us His perfect plans in His time.