Saturday, February 16, 2013

Patience...not my strongest quality...

When I decided to do this blog, I made a decision to be transparent and honest about myself and my walk through life...my feelings...it is my blog after all. These past few weeks have been rough...

First...we have made an offer on a house and after it was accepted by the seller, they informed us that it was a short sale, so we are waiting for their bank to approve our offer...

Second....Kaleb was bumped into on some stairs at school and lost his footing.  After two times in the ER (second time the nurse instructs us to go back due to consistent pain that should be better) and a visit to the Orthopedic...he was in an air cast after first ER visit, moved to a boot the second and at Ortho was put into a plaster splint that will take two weeks then back to the boot after that-he is on crutches, tired of resting and elevating it all the time and having to need help for everything...

Third...Michael was having some pain in what I will call a sensitive area and after a visit to urgent care, then going up to the ER and having an ultrasound, they found a cyst--more then likely not to big a deal but he will be seeing a surgeon on Tuesday to determine if it needs removed...

So, to say the least my past few weeks having been doctors, ER and constant maneuvering and planning all of this... Recently the doctor informed me that I need to work on some health issues-nothing that I didn't realize so I am determined to get healthier and lose weight...I am not in denial  that I have a weight issue and these issues have made me realize that it is about a lifestyle change...I am nervous that I will fail or not succeed but lucky because I have a lot of support around me...

Through all this, I have decided that He is defiantly trying to teach me patience...trusting more in Him for His plan and purpose and really showing me the people who really care for me and my family....who support us and care for us fully...it has been hard to constantly lean on Him...I have been frustrated with the house process...tired of all the doctor stuff and wondering why all at once this comes down... But like other times...I know I need to learn patience and be more trusting of what His will is and I know this is a constant struggle for me to do....it tests my relationship with Him, my consistency and strength...I wish I could say I don't question or ask why, but I do...I long to understand purposes and reasons, but I know it will be shown in His timing...I just wish it lined up with my timing... ;-)

Patience...it is not my best quality...not a spiritual gift...but a constant lesson...and if lessons bring growth then I know it is what I need...and sometimes our needs don't match the ones He has for us, but it is those needs that give us the most...so I will give all of this to Him and work hard to trust and have patience...I know He is for me and for my sweet sons and husband...I know that He will do things in His timing...trust and patience....

Monday, February 11, 2013

Book Review: I Still Believe by Jeremy Camp

I am lucky to be a part of a program with Tyndale House Publishers to review books...because of this program, I was able to receive a free copy of Jeremy Camp's "I Still Believe". 

I am so impressed with the true simplicity of the way this is written.  It is the first time I have really read a memoir that I felt you could tell was written by the author - the story of his coming to and falling away from Jesus...to falling in love and marrying his first wife Melissa - to the triumph and tragedy of her life and the loss of her four months into their marriage...to the power that a true testimony can be for future lives...to finding love again and not just any love, but one that understands and has so much love for the relationship he had with Melissa....this was a book that I had to read in one sitting because putting it down was not an option.

I love worship music and I love music that is filled with lyrics that reach into my soul and bring me back to Him.  To read the story of Jeremy Camp's conversion, calling and tragedy that turned ashes into beauty was beautiful....it gripped me, touched me and showed me that in the worst times, in the darkest times, when it feels like nothing make sense, listening for Him and following His requests can bring about amazing things, beautiful healing and start a revival in the hearts of many...

This was a beautiful memoir of a time of trial...the grace of God and His Mercies, flowed from the pages...it moved me, it made me think about the power of His love and I would recommend this book to anyone.

You can check it out here: http://www.jeremycamp.com/IStillBelieve

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Book Review: To Honor and Trust by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

I am grateful to Bethany House for the program that allows me to receive free books for reading enjoyment and to review.  This book is the third in a series and I have not read the previous two.

Like other books I have read by Peterson and Miller, I found this one to be a beautiful story of His love, grace, redemption and showing how He moves and works in lives. From a broken heart to a healed heart, from broken relationships, to ones that become richer and more full, this story takes you through the phases of hardship to full circle moments that teach us about the power of prayer, the importance of honesty and remembering that it is not up to us to understand His plan for us or in the lives of our loved ones, but to accept them and encourage with love and support.  

Callie and Wes are both searching and seeking for their life paths, healing from broken pasts and trying to find their way through the circumstances that are handed to them.  

The book was moving and spoke truth, gave life and helped remind me just how much He works, moves and is present in our lives.