#4 Scripture Memory Verse

I have loved this scripture for a long time. Especially when God made it so personal to me many times in my life. God's word is to be TREASURED! It is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY speaking to us! All my life I have grown up with the sense of knowing who God was in stories. But over the last several years I have learned to RESPECT God's word. It is never out-dated. It is the same as it was yesterday and today and forever. It applies to any situation or problem I face. God's word is my HOPE! I cling to it daily!! The beautiful thing about scripture is that it applies to what we need at the right time. I get so fired up when I read this one! So here it is:

"For the word of God is living and active,

sharper than any two-edged sword,

piercing to the division of soul and spirit,

of joints and marrow,

and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Hebrews 11:12

Emily

9 years ago God brought a very special gift into my life! I just finished my 1st Beth Moore Bible study on Paul. I met this energetic, beautiful, lively, and terriffic girl named Emily McCarron. She was a "light" in a room when she walked thru any door. She loved God so much that it radiated in her personality. We became fast friends! We were in charge of giving welcome baskets to new couples in our class. We had some great adventures! We also had the same pursuit for God. We did "A Heart Like His" on David together one summer. We got so close! Then she began to run w/ me! I was so impressed how this girl said she never ran and could run almost everybody in our running group into the ground. She was super fast! God knew what He was doing because He brought this strong beacon of light into my life. When my marriage ended 3 years later, she and Melinda were there to pick up the pieces of my life. She cried for me and with me, cooked me meals, helped me pack, prayed for me by laying her hands on me, cheered me up, and sent the best cards to help me feel I wasn't alone! Later down the road I met Benny. She and Melinda had to approve! And they did! We were on the same journey once again in life. BABIES! She was to have James Patrick in October and I was to have Kole in November. We were so excited! Melinda was to have Anna Kate in February! So when she had some complications in her pregnancy, we prayed. She did have a sick little boy, but we kept praying and JP was healthy! I love we have boys the same age. I hope they see in us the love we have for one another. After Emily had JP she began having complications w/ her health. These last 4 years she has endured lots of tests, traveling to docs to find a cure, lots of pain, tears, and disappointment. Thru it all, she has had to give up many things she loves like running, working out, and other events. She has stood strong in the Lord! I find so much strength in her b/c I know where her hope comes from: the Lord! Emily, on the eve of Valentine's Day, I want you to know you have my heart! I love you so much! I pray for your healing! And I know we are like David and Jonathan. "A chord of three strands is not quickly broken" Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 You are my strength and prayer warrior! I can count on you! Do you remember this song? You played it for me alomst 9 years ago? Yes, "something about being with you makes me feel like I have been near God" as Watermark puts it. Just wanted you to know I am always here! Love you! Love our time together this past weekend!

Celebrating!!

Me and Lauren
Me, Lauren and April

Lauren and her cake

Kole, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Luke

Lauren's cake!

We got to be a part of a wonderful event this weekend! My precious little niece, Lauren, got baptised this weekend! What a glorious thing to know she will forever have her name written in the Book of Life! When I watched her display her faith, it took me back to my own wonderful day and how I felt! Lauren is so special to me! She was so small when I first dated Benny. I would always like playing w/ her on Sunday nights. Now I have watched her grow into a young girl who loves the Lord. I know a lot of this is because she has a wonderful mom and dad! April, my sis in law, is an incredible mom! April, I am so GLAD God gave you to me as a sister-in-law! You encourage me and you are such a Godly women of the Lord! Lauren is so lucky to have you on her side! The day was perect and the kids got to play outside! Lauren, I am so proud of you! I will continue to pray for the Godly woman you will become! God has great plans for your life!! I love you!!

Random Thoughts

Art project!

Sally's turn to draw!

My sweetie's before church!

Look at little Sally's grin!

Our picnic at the park!

I love my kids so much! What parent or mom doesn't want to love and give everything to their kids? Today after putting them down for a nap I got outside and did my prayer time. I was reading in 1 Peter 1:6-9. Adversity is a part of life. And boy it is no fun! In my Sunday school lesson from Charles Stanley's "The Extraordinary Life", Dr. Stanley points out how we go thru our trials affects our children. How do they see us react? Do we buckle or do they see us standing strong in our faith, trusting God to teach us, love us, and strengthen us? I sure hope I can try and give them the latter. What I do and how I react affects them as well. Staying at home some days drives me crazy! I wanna scream and leap out the door into a sprint when Benny gets home! But really, I love these little souls with all I have in me! I miss them even when they are napping! I just hope I can slow down and just soak up every little detail of our days together. This week I have done more crafts, read more books, played chase till I almost suffocated from wearing that Batman mask, and hugged them a little tighter. God has truly blessed me and Benny. I hope we can model the hope that only God can grant us. Until then, we will keep those fun times coming!

February Memory Verse!

Thank God Beth Moore has encouraged so many women to take part in hiding God's word in their hearts! I am enjoying the challenge and love that I can now say 3 verses! More than that, they have penetrated my heart. I am learning to cleave to them and say them to remind myself who is really in control of my life! God's word is a beautiful love song to me in grief, happiness, and celebration! Here is my 3rd verse for the year!

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies mever come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness". Lamentations 3:22-23

I really love how God has revealed each of the verses to me. It has been like a gentle whisper in my quiet time. I am very serious to really ASK God which one he wants me to memorize. I feel it is also something I need at that time to claim and remember His promises. Great is thy faithfulness! Thank the Lord they are new every morning! And His mercy? WOW! I sure don't deserve it!