Slow Down Sista

Life can be hectic, full, busy, stressful.. need I go on? For some reason I thought that this summer I would take it slow and stay in town. Somehow working 10 hours a week, taking 2 summer courses,being in 2 weddings, and going on a last minute mission trip would be taking it slow and easy. Funny how things tend to sneak up on you and then bite you in the butt! Well, this month I have been really bad aboutblogging and this song pretty much spells out the problem. It's hard to find God in my day if I don't allow time to search for him. One of my favorite verses states, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans togiveyou hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11-13). I need to force myself to slow down and enjoy the little things because this is where I can find God.

"I Saw God Today" by George Straight
Just walked down the street to the coffee shop,
Had to take a break,
I've been by her side for eighteen hours straight,
saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk,
pushing up through the concrete,
Like it was planted right there for me to see,
The flashing lights,
The honking horns,
All seem to fade away,
but in the shadow of the hospital,
at 508,
I saw God today,

Chorus:
I've been to church,
I've read the book,
I know He's there,
But I don't look,
near as often as I should,

His fingerprints are everywhere,
I just look down and stop and stare,
open my eyes and then I swear, I Saw God Today,

Saw a couple walking by,they were holding hands,and she had that glow,
Ya, I couldn't help,
but I noticed that she was starting to show,
stood there for a minute,
taking in the sky,
lost in that sunset,
a splashing down from mounting in shades of red,
Chorus
Got my face pushed up against the nursery glass,
she's sleeping like a rock,
my name on her wrist,
wearing tiny pink socks,
she's got my nose,
she's got her Mama's eyes,
my bran new baby girl,
she's a miracle,
I Saw God Today

A Friend That Stays

Time changes everything. Buildings are torn down or erected anew. Cities expand or shrink. People come and go. Children grow up. Friends and family members get married. Through out all of this change in time, there is one thing that has never changed and that will never change. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. He is my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and FRIEND...

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

John 1:10-13

I believe in His name and His power. I received His gift, the Holy Spirit, that lives in my heart. Even though I mess up and fall down, I know he won't leave me. I claim that I want to be independent and do things my own way, but I know that is not His way. These past couple of weeks I haven't been putting Him first and then I heard this song on the radio. Lord this was the wake up call that I needed to hear.

"Please Don't Leave Me" by PINK

Ring, Ring, Rings After Spring

Well, June 4 will always be a special day for the recently married Pierce and Amanda Carpenter. My first time to be a bridesmaid is over and done with, but I still have a smile. The saying "Once a bridesmaid, always a bridesmaid" does not damper my spirit, even though I am blessed to be another bridesmaid in August. During the rehearsal dinner, they showed this cute little slideshow with pictures of Amanda and Pierce growing up accompanied with cute love songs.

It got me to thinking about how I am the bride of Christ. He is my best friend and I cant wait to spend eternity with him. This song reminds me of that special relationship I just described.

Photos done by Jennifer Nieland

"Lucky" by Jason Mraz (Glee Version)

Do you hear me? I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooh ooh ooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

Chorus:

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair

Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning 'round
You hold me right here, right now

Chorus