Faith-filled Speech

I'm tired and busy and wonder how it's all going to get done, but "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." And it won't be the end of the world if I don't get everything done. :) God is good. Be "estatic in Christ" (borrowed from M.M.).

Philippians 1:6 NIV

Fa La La La La

Christmas Music is uploaded for yours (and my) listening enjoyment. Right now all I have is Jim Brickman and Mannheim Steamroller. M.S. brings back such great childhood memories. It was (is) our favorite Christmas music. But I also enjoy Jim Brickman too. Enjoy!

P.S. We might be putting Christmas up next weekend, so I'll put up a "Christmasy" picture.

Olio* of Thoughts

Hmmm...
I just printed off all the issues / candidates that will be on my ballot. Since this is my first election to vote in - I have a few questions. Can anyone shed some light? Some of the lingo has lost me. For instance this is a proposed tax levy:

"An additional tax for the benefit of (yada yada - school) for the purpose of Current Operating Expenses at a rate not exceeding three and five-tenths (3.5) mills for each dollar of valuation, which amounts to thirty-five cents ($0.35) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2008, first due in calendar year 2009."

So what does that mean for me? or my parents? What does "valuation" mean? And voting "for the tax levy" means I'm voting for the tax increase?

Also, I noticed that on my ballot there are municipal issues, a lot of which is similar to this:

"Milford City F - Local Option - Rooster's - Sunday Sales"

Now what does this mean? I'm guessing that it has something to do with liquor / wine sales on Sunday, but I really don't have a clue. If my dad were home, I'd ask him. :)

So I'd appreciate some knowledge and help if you can! :) I want to vote knowledgeably.

Switching subjects~

Today was absolutely beautiful! I sat out on my front porch/stoop in the sun and looked at books full of ideas/curriculum for my kid's class. That was really an answer to prayer. I forgot that the GBS library had books like that! I've been working off of no curriculum; just my mind - and have been feeling frustrated. Now I feel like I've got lots of ideas!!

Anyway - God is good, all the time. I was able to work on my Bible study for Herm. this afternoon in the library. I've been looking at Eph. 6:10-20. I found something interesting in Clarke's Commentary. I guess when the Greeks and Romans fought: they went constantly armed; before they fought, they ate together, and they began every attack with prayer to their gods for success. While Paul I don't believe mentions eating together, he does show us that God has prepared full armour for us and in v. 18 says "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV)" Cool, huh?

Well, I want to put some Christmas music on my blog, but I think I need to get to the homework! Don't forget to "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4 NASB)

Also - Happy Birthday (yesterday) to Rachel! Love ya girl!

*Olio - "a mixture or medley; a hodgepodge." I have no idea if I used this correctly - I was just looking for a synonym for conglomeration. lol

I've been wanting to post for a few days now, but haven't allowed myself the time. I just want to unload about the last few days, but I don't think I have enough time. :) And also because a certain secret lurker said that he likes to read my blog because I'm not all negative and depressed and discouraged (or something like that). lol So because of you, secret lurker, you'll be spared. :)

Actually, there are so many things I want to do (things I need to do) but I'm just getting through each day - doing what has to be done (and sometimes not doing it my best) and I'm not sure how to right my world right now.

I need God's joy, my strength. Meredith and Sam's words in Hermeneutics were very timely for my thirsty soul. I need to rejoice, pray continually, and give thanks - for this is God's will (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

Father - I need you right now. My life is so busy and cluttered right now and I'm not really sure what to do about it, frankly. But I will rejoice in You - in who You are. You never grow weary, faint, or stumble. Be my rock and stronghold. Keep me from falling. Help me to cultivate a subconsciousness of prayer - so that I'm always relying on You. Thank you for salvation, love, grace. Thank you for being my Father, and knowing all about me, and still loving me. Help me to reflect and magnify You. I need you Father.

JESUS

was whose name I cried as I opened my eyes and saw that I was nearly in the path of an oncoming car. (Sigh) It shook me up a bit. I've got to do better. I have to get more sleep.

A Diversion

Well, I was typing notes for Christian Beliefs, but I had to ask: Anybody out there enjoy crackers (like Ritz or Saltines) with mustard on them? This was a snack I grew up on. Mom would always write little letters, shapes, or curlie-cues (sp?) with the mustard and that would be my after-school snack. Just curious if anyone else enjoys this snack?

Ok, back to my notes. :)

Life is a little off-kilter right now! :)

Wilberforce: Billy, no one of our age has ever taken power.

Pitt: Which is why we are too young to realize that certain things are impossible, so we will do them anyway.

I've been meaning to post this quote since I saw Amazing Grace the Movie. Powerful quote and powerful movie.

One more powerful thought. God's gift of salvation is so simple. I was watching the Open Campaigner's doing the academy's chapel today and was struck by how simple salvation is. Not cheap, that is not what I said - simple. Not complicated, not mysterious, not sophisticated - simple enough for children to understand. Wow.

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15 NIV

This Week in Words

Monday - (not necessarily in chronological order) - traffic. fruit. laughs.biology. library. late meeting. sleep. homework.

Tuesday - classes. car. Panera. disappointment. tears. resolve. God's strength. peace. help. change. sleep.

Wednesday - flute. classes. long nap. Queen Esther. forgotten leaves. precious kids. help from above. my passion.

Thursday - big day. stress. Hector & Evangeline. inspiration. goal. vision. 1:30p.m. spraypaint. construction paper. styraphoam. Chipotle. sugary tea. chaperones. exhaustion. the Boss. cotton. hot glue. decisions. direction. teamwork. sore. clothes. sleep.

Friday - judgment day. flute. smiles. Eden park. bugs. choir. lunch. Oswald Chambers. Hollywood. lost. Grapes of Wrath. corner. library. bean bags. sleep. clothes. tuner. frustration. baton. rhythm. proud. examples. yo-yo. people. walking taco. money. familiar faces. longtime friends. dress-up. a glance. cleanup. recycling. tallying. exhaustion. drive. stars. hot shower. sleep.

Saturday - muffin. Panera. strawberry smoothie. library. Chipotle. Ephesians. magazines. sleep. textbook. Stuart Little. Red Robin. Florida. soon sleep.

Musings on this Week

This week has been crazy. I've been running almost non-stop. Been going to bed way too late, so consequently I can't think right. Struggled with feelings of loneliness, discouragement, inadequacy -- all that stuff. I know it's just because I'm super tired and stressed and don't see how it's all going to work out in the end. Work has been stressful - new manager - too many hours. It's just been a weird week.

But, you know, God has still been incredibly faithful. I was feeling pretty down Tuesday morning, and I just cried out to Him and praised Him for all He's done, and shared with Him my struggles, and He came in such a sweet way reassuring me of His love and mercy and grace.

And today, God enlightened me on an issue. Perhaps my discouragement is because my expectations and wishes - don't seem to be getting met. And God seemed to say, "What if this isn't what I want for you right now?" And it just hit me like a ton of bricks - duh - yeah, this is what I'm dreaming/hoping might happen, but what if it is totally not in God's plan? This may seem juvenille, but it was very eye-opening to me. I need to work on aligning my thoughts/wishes/dreams to God's will, whatever that might be, and trusting Him because I know His ways are higher than my ways, and He is eternally looking out for my good. Wow! What an awesome God!

So, God is helping me out of this hole. Need to put some order back into my life. Focus on my priorities - things are looking up.

P.S. One bright spot of this whole week: I'm going to Ireland by God's grace and help!

Mountains

Who: Frank, Charlotte, Alanna, and Andrew and Marty (dad's brother), Tammy, Leanna, Emily, and Abby
What: Family Getaway
When: Friday, September 19 - Sunday, September 21
Where: Smokey Mountains, TN
What happened: Galavanting around Cades Cove, wading in the creek, some hiking and walking, playing games, chatting, playing music, eating, enjoying God's nature, and just being together.
The evidence: See pictures below :)