Verse Mapping John 1:12

I love how God continually teaches us throughout our life....

High School: Learned I could have a personal relationship with Christ...I could talk to him as I would a friend.

College: I learned about Quiet Time with God...taking time to dig into the word and to take time to listen to what God to say to me.

Adulthood: Through my time at Palm Valley Church in Goodyear Arizona I learned a practical application I could use while reading the bible called S.O.A.P (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) below is a link if you want to learn more:
http://www.palmvalley.org/nextsteps/study-tools/

Now through my Online Bible Studies provided by Proverbs 31 Ministires I have learned how to verse map. As an educator I love how verse mapping allows you to take any verse and really dig deep into the meaning and what it is saying. I love how you can make it your own. I have noticed depending on what is going on in my life I verse map with different perspectives. Below is a link if you want to learn more about verse mapping:
http://heatherbleier.com/2012/06/13/a-day-with-jesus/

This week our memory verse is John 1:12
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"

Here is my verse map this week: 

 Some take aways: 
Believe: means to have confidence. I have confidence in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I have confidence that God has great things in store for my life. 

Accepted: to receive. I receive the Grace that God freely gives. The sacrifice God made so that we could be FREE of sin and suffering is unimaginable to me. 

Children: Because of Gods love for his creation he calls us His children. I have two young girls of my own and my love for them is unfathomable. If I love my own children that much how much more does God love me! Through a commentary I learned that because of Christ we were predestined to be ADOPTED by our PAPA. I am adopted not only in Christ but in real life as well.  I am confident that God knew before my own mother was even born that he would conceive me for my mother to raise, love and cherish.

In the Valley of Sheep

I am currently in my 7th Online Bible Study through Proverbs 31 Ministries entitled "Limitless Life" by Derwin Gray. Just like the previous studies this is impacting and changing my life in a powerful way. 

In the first chapter Derwin recounts the story of David and how when everyone else was trembling in fear, David stepped up to confront and insurmountable foe Goliath. It was through David's faith in God that he was able to defeat this foe and stand strong to defend name of God. 
In my own life the devil has sought to be a thief that "seeks and destroys". 

 For those of you that don't know I was born in 1983 in a small fishing village in South Korea on a small hut on a dirt floor. Shortly after my birth I was left at an orphanage in a sense abandoned. Yet I live by the promise that God gave us that "He has a plan for our life..". The definition of "orphan" was not going to stick. God placed me in the loving arms of my forever family and no longer did I not have a family but placed me in the loving arms of my parents and I had a name "Kerr" and I became a apart of the "Balyeat" family and now through marriage the "Corradi" family. I have more family than one person could ever dream of. Family that loves me unconditionally, that accepts me as theirs whether it be through adoption or marriage. And yet...the devil whispers in my ear "you were unwanted, abandoned, not good enough to be kept." I have never really spoken of this to anyone because anytime this small seed creeps into my heart God reminds me how loved I am. Not only by my family but by Him. 

I have always been one  to hate change..yet I think God sometimes chuckles about this because change is a part of my every day life. I have gone through great change in my 30 years and each time God has shown me that he has so much good to come out of the change. Here is a short overview: 
1. Born in South Korea but adopted into a loving family halway around the world here in the United States. 
2. Moved throughout my childhood each time to a better place where God would lead me to grow in my faith and find foundation that impact my life in major ways. (One of those being my Dad, my father figure who is there for me in thick and thin who will always be my side. (I used to have some daddy issues)). 
3. Feeling alone and afraid of being alone forever: I didnt have a first date until I was 18 years old and that was to my forever soul mate my husband who God knew he had waiting just for me. 
4. Inadequacy: Not knowing how to be a wife, or new teacher thinking I could not be either. Yet God placed a patient, loving husband who still reassures me to this day that I am enough. My first principal who had faith in me..not allowing me to quit and give up. Who through his faith I am now the teacher I am today. (I have found my true calling in life, or at least one of them). 
5. God placing amazing people in my life to support and sustain me in every trial and change. (Forever friends through each stage of my life, bible study and small groups that have changed who I am and made me a seeker of the Word). 
6. Recently God answered my cry and prayer and moved me back to family reminding me that everything is in His time. (I moved back just in time to spend quality time with family prior to the death of my Grandfather, my children have been able to develop close relationships with family just as I grew up doing). 
7. Dreams that God fulfills giving me a job that I had prayed and dreamed about working for Mason City Schools..even though I sometimes wonder if I am good enough to truly teach in this amazing school district. 
I could go on and on but it would take quite awhile. 

In Chapter one of "Limitless Life" Derwin states "fear paralyzes us from acting on behalf of God's glory, but faith mobilizes us to live courageously for God's glory." pg. 11 Wow! That is how I am trying to live my every day life on FAITH. Faith allows me and gives me the strength to feebly attempt to fulfill Gods plan and His purpose. Faith gives me the will to open my eyes each morning and welcome the new day. 

Although I walk through the valley God will lead me to the promise he has for me that one day I will see Him face to face and I hope I hear him say "well done my faithful servant".  

3. WRITE IT: In the Valley of Sheep ~ It is here David learns to depend on God. Are you here now? Do you feel unnoticed and like your assignment is not important? After reading this chapter of Limitless Life, how has your perspective changed? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/page/2/#sthash.phT1s2Ec.dpuf

3. WRITE IT: In the Valley of Sheep ~ It is here David learns to depend on God. Are you here now? Do you feel unnoticed and like your assignment is not important? After reading this chapter of Limitless Life, how has your perspective changed? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/page/2/#sthash.phT1s2Ec.dpuf

3. WRITE IT: In the Valley of Sheep ~ It is here David learns to depend on God. Are you here now? Do you feel unnoticed and like your assignment is not important? After reading this chapter of Limitless Life, how has your perspective changed? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/page/2/#sthash.phT1s2Ec.dpuf

3. WRITE IT: In the Valley of Sheep ~ It is here David learns to depend on God. Are you here now? Do you feel unnoticed and like your assignment is not important? After reading this chapter of Limitless Life, how has your perspective changed? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/page/2/#sthash.phT1s2Ec.dpuf

Changed & Transformed

I am currently in a new Online Bible Study entitled "Living So That" by Wendy Blight...and boy is it impacting my life in powerful ways, I started Online Bible Studies through Proverbs 31 ministries a little over a year ago and with each study I have found God speaking into my life at important life changing moments. A year ago my Grandfather had quadruple bypass surgery, as a family we gathered by his side, prayed, and had faith that Gods will would be done. He successfully came out of surgery and spent the next year of his life changing every person he came in contact with. Gods plans for him were not over yet! That summer we did a study "When Women Say Yes to God"....God shocked me with his amazing plans when he dropped an amazing opportunity in my lap one that was also an answer to many years worth of prayer. Still although it was clear I was hearing Gods voice speak to me I was unsure, I had reservations, the devil laid doubt heavy upon my heart. But this study helped give me the push I needed to say YES...YES!

This point in my life I have felt a void like something was missing. I believe, I have faith, but I couldn't figure it out. This bible study has changed and transformed my life one chapter at a time. I never really understood what it meant to take the next step in my spiritual life. To take God and truly make him a priority and thirst for his word and what he has to teach me. With each chapter I learn more and more about what God desires for my life as his follower, how I can learn, pray, and deepen my relationship with God.

This is life changing, never again will I be content with a surface level relationship with God. One where I can just attend church or attend a bible study here or there. I want to dig into his word daily, pray all the time, and share this great news with others. There is so much more then just believing, of asking the spirit into your life. Not that these things are not important they are a great foundation. But once that foundation is firm it is time to take the next step in your relationship. This study is doing just that...helping me take baby step after baby step to learn what it means to not just believe but to be a follower of Christ.

Soul filling Satisfaction

 “For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9). As I continue on this journey of "Made to Crave" some of my biggest take aways are that my focus and passion needs to be for Jesus. How my cravings, desires, wants, and needs to be to be for Him and not food or material possessions. By doing this I can truly have effective life change.
The promise given in Psalm 107:9 gives me a pace that I don't have to find ways on my own to satisfy my thirst...God will satisfy these needs. He is enough. If I could ask God for one thing I would ask for peace. For so long I have felt that I have a big empty hole that I cannot fill. In the times I have turned to God I have notice a peace that has washed over me. During this adventure God has shown me how he will provide for my every need if I only relay on Him. When I wanted to buy snacks in the store I knew would not be good for me...I prayed and strength was given to resist my temptation. When we went out to eat and I had a choice between a salad or a juicy burger...I prayed and God gave me the strength to make the right choice. To conclude this post I will end with a SOAP...(Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer)
S:“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9)
O:God fills us with GOOD things...not bad things..not things that will make us fat or unhealthy but Good. God desires us to want this for ourselves and I believe with prayer he will help us change our desires to GOOD things.
A: I need to turn to God to satisfy my every need..not food, or material possessions. I also need to trust that God will meet my needs.
P: Dear Lord help me to turn to you in every moment of every day. You meet my every need and care for me beyond measure. Thank you for your love and guidance. Amen.

Peace

Currently I am going through the study "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst as well as participating in the 24 Day Advocare challenge. This has been an interesting journey causing much reflection and thought about how I view myself and how much I value the opinion of others when it comes to my physical appearance. I have found myself turning more to God and more to his word as I work on this journey of making my body a "temple to the Lord..". As I do this I find a inner peace that I have not had before.

In Chapter 6 Lysa asks us to reflect and choose if 1. We would rather have your physical body altered to be more in tune with what we desire or 2. Have a deep sense of beauty about who we are no matter what shape or form. This question really caused me to pause and think which I would desire. My first instinct was to have my body physically altered and fixed just like that. The area I would want fixed is my tummy...I have thought about a tummy tuck many of times.

I was always the skinny girl the size 00...but then I got older my metabolism changed, I got pregnant and had to have an emergency c section, then I got pregnant again and had another c section. These things change your body and especially the tummy area. Since then my weight has climbed and my belly has gotten bigger and flabbier.  A tummy tuck would be really tempting but would it really change anything other than my appearance?

After much thought and prayer I decided I would rather option 2...to have a deep sense of beauty and peace because that is eternal. More than a cute tummy, or jeans that fit just right I think having a peace bout you does not go unnoticed. Having a deep sense of contentment is what I would desire it spills over into so many other areas of your life. I want my girls to grow up knowing and thinking that they are beautiful no matter what and I can teach them this by feeling this way about myself.
This journey is more than just becoming healthy, losing weight, or looking better. It is about growing closer to God and coming to the realization that I am beautiful just the way He made me.

#Determination

Everything is in God's timing. For the past six months I have been determined to eat healthier, exercise and lose some of this weight I gained since having two kids. I say "having two kids" like it is an excuse and at first 2 years ago maybe it was a valid reason for weight gain...but now it is a result of laziness, and lack of commitment. I didn't realize how much my physical appearance was a part of my identity  until I started gaining more and more weight, my face became more full, my pants larger and larger. I started to have pain in places I had never felt pain before such as my knees, hips, and back.
This past fall through prayer and time in Gods word it weighed heavily on me that if I was bothered by my weight gain and appearance change I needed to make a personal choice to make changes. I started out in November on the 24 day Advocare challenge and was not successful I blamed poor timing but really I just was not determined...I gave up too easily.
The biggest factor missing in my first attempt was God. I wasn't really praying about my goals, I was including God in the equation of change in my life. I decided to try again and this time I am doing it along with the "Made to Crave" study. It has totally changed my outlook to one of feeling isolated and  alone to being with thousands of others on this journey.
I still have my good days and bad but this time when I am struggling or I am feeling tempted I pray about it...I turn to God and it has made all the difference. As of right now I have lost 3 lbs and have already noticed a improvement on my energy and stress levels. I cant wait to see what God has in store for me as I continue this journey more determined than ever!

A Raging Battle

My two biggest issues are material possessions (the need to spend money) and food. It has taken me many years to realize I have a "spending" problem. I have a hard time figuring out needs verses wants. To take money and spend it on clothes, food, "stuff" gives me an emotional rush where I feel good for a while. Then my emotions fall down when I realize I have spent the money I needed for bills and other necessities. I have been on this vicious cycle for years and have made a choice to stop! I have found something that can give me an emotional "high" that will last for days, even weeks....GOD!

It has been a roller coaster, I say I will change and fully intend to and then fail. I get up one day planning to do better and Don't. But this time I am doing something radically different. First my husband and I are going on this journey together...we are talking, praying and supporting one another. Second we are consulting financial coaches through our church to guide and pray for us. We have tried to change on our own countless times and failed...we knew we needed to do something different this time. Third I am praying ALL the time and reading my bible. When I have a desire to spend money or I am not sure I should spend money I am going to God and asking Him in prayer...I am going to the word of God and consulting what the book of truth has to say.

This process is drawing me closer to God and I pray will change me in radical ways. IN ways so evident people will ask and I will be able to share my story one day. I know there will be good days and bad....but I am not trying on my own this time. I have the power of God standing behind me.

A Place of Surrender

Throughout my adult life I have struggled with feelings of failure and defeat. I always look ahead at life.."when I get married...", "when I live on my own...", "when we have more money...", "when we have a house...". Over time I have accomplished many of these goals but never find myself satisfied. I turn to God and ask "Why am I such a failure?" "Why can't I just be happy?". Then I would turn to guilt over these feelings, "I know I am blessed...". This study has helped me to realize I am not alone, nor am I a failure!
When doubt and fear starts to creep in I think about my "I can/am" statements...
1. I am a good mother
2. I am a good wife
3. I do a good job at my career.
I have also started backing these statements up with Gods promises.

"For I know the plans I have for you..."

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well."

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—"

I also look at my past to see how God has fulfilled the plan he had for my life. I have gone places and experienced things I never could have dreamed of.

I became and wife to a wonderful man...
I became a mother to two beautiful girls...
I have my dream job of teaching...
I lived in Arizona establishing myself as an adult and realizing how valuable and important family is...
God blessed me with a move back close to family....

Lord,
 I surrender my fears, anxiety and worry to you. I know you want what's best for me and although I am not in control you are. Thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me.
Amen.

Isaiah 49:23

I learned to S.O.A.P from Palm Valley Church in Arizona. I had never heard before how you could dissect a scripture verse and really dig into its meaning..I love it. Also through my OBS studies I have learned about verse mapping. Today I am going to S.O.A.P our verse of the week.
S: Scripture, O:Observation, A: Application, P:Prayer

S: "Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

O:If we put our hope in the Lord he will not disappoint us. Hope for a better tomorrow, a better world, hope for healing for those that are afflicted by illness, hope that we can full fill the plans the Lord has laid for us.

A: I want to make sure I am careful about this verse, we could easily read it as if you hope in the Lord he will not disappoint meaning you will get what you hope for, but this is not always the case. The Lord knew the path of our life before we were even conceived. Our "hope" is not always the same as Gods plan for our lives, but His plan is so much greater than anything we could ever "hope" for. I believe that we will not be disappointed because although we cannot always fathom God's goodness, grace and mercy, his love for us is unfathomable. When we are able to look back one day although we may feel disappointed that life didn't work how we wanted it planned we will see how Gods glory is so much greater.

P: Dear Lord, Allow me to always have "hope". Not to give in to the devils thoughts of "I cant..I'm not good enough..". Nothing is impossible for the Lord, if you want to heal the ill you can, if you want to save a struggling marriage you can. But I also want to trust in your judgement and follow the path you have laid for my life. I never could have imagined the great life you have planned for me. Thank you for staying by my side each step of this journey. Amen.

Keep Calm Study On!

Wow so excited to be starting my 3rd OBS "A Confident Heart"! I have gone kind of bible study crazy lately I am doing a total of 3 bible studies! In the break between "Saying Yes" and this upcoming study I have been doing:
1. Financial Peace University: This is more of a course than a bible study, but it really is teaching me biblical principals toward my finances and strengthening my marriage. If you have never taken it I highly recommend it!
2. Love Does: I am doing a book study through my church entitled "Love Does". It is about a man who lives and practices Jesus's principal on love. Really inspiring great read!
3. 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue: What You Say (and Don't Say) Will Improve Your Relationships: Wow is this a powerful study I am doing with a group of women through my work. As I first glanced at the chapters I thought "this doesn't apply to me, I don't do this" but as I began reading I quickly realized how wrong I was. None of us our perfect but this study has made me so aware of how powerful our words really are.

As I grow closer to Christ I desire more and more to know and understand better the principals of the bible and the lessons he wants us to learn. I am going through a lot of changes in my life right now many as a result of our last study "Saying Yes to God". I cant wait to see how through my choices I can have "confidence" to follow through with the choices I have made.

Dear Lord,
 Allow me to seek you always, and grow closer to you through this study. Thank you for all the leaders who are willing to accept your call.
Amen.

Wholly Committed

Wholly Committed – Is God calling you to a deeper level of commitment?
I am currently doing two studies... one through my online bible study group "What Happens When Women Say Yes" and "The Resolution for Women". God is amazing me through the message He is giving me. I even heard the message this past Sunday at church.
God has been questioning where I spend my time, who do I spend it with? Where are my priorities and is God the center of it all? I don't spend my time with too many frivolous things as I don't have time for it...most of my time is dedicated to: Parenthood, being a wife, My job, My church/faith, and friends. It was hard for me to look at these things and figure out where to cut back.
Over the past year not only has God been telling me I am spread too thin but I have had family and friends suggesting I cut back, and not try to be "perfect". So I have re looked at my priorities, and realizing if I don't get to everything and do everything and be with everyone God is OK with that. God is OK as long as I am fully committed to Him and His will for my life.
What is my goal? Is it trying to make others happy, to look good at my job? Or am I committed to God, is my life dedicated to him. I made the choice that God is not a priority he is not on my list but rather God is at the center, I am putting God all throughout. Not just my priorities, but my daily life.I have made the choice to be wholly committed to God. I cant wait to see how God will use me for His good works.

Say What!!!

God knew I would need the Study "What happens when women say yes to God" right at this specific moment in my life. I read the book back in June when God placed an opportunity for huge change in my life. For the last five years there have been moments throughout the last few years where I have been praying for God to give me the opportunity to return back to Ohio close to family. Five years ago the Lord answered my prayer to become a teacher with a job opportunity in Arizona where I said "YES to God". From that obedience five years ago I feel God blessed my life with friends, learning opportunities and a chance to touch others lives in ways I never could have done on my own. Only by Gods will could I have become the teacher I am today and had the amazing adventures he allowed me to go on.
This past June God answered my prayer with a job opening in my alumna mater teaching middle school social studies right where God had placed me. When I went to college and recieved my Secondary Education Degree I had the intention of teaching high school...but God knew the plans He had for me when he placed me in a Middle School position in Arizona. I love middle school students and the teachers who have a passion for this age group. And the Lord knew that years down the road by giving me the experience in Arizona it would open the door for me to teach in Mason where I dreamed of teaching through my college years.
Although this was a dream come true it was a major "Say What!!!" moment in my families life. We were established in Arizona with two good, steady jobs, a beautiful home, and an amazing church family. It wasnt as easy to say "YES" as I anticipated it would be.  Taking a job and moving within a month and a half along with saying Goodbye to all these relationships God had brought into my life was no easy task. There were moments of great anxiety where the devil attacked...tears, and times of doubt. But through prayer and conviction I kept hearing God say this was His will...that this was what he was asking me to do. God was asking me to be obedient.
So I have said "Yes Lord!" and here I am in Ohio about to start a new school year teaching 8th grade social studies at an amazing school with amazing people. I have been made to feel welcomed with such support and caring people. I still am thinking "SAY WHAT!!" But I know by following Gods will amazing things will happen through my obedience.

With All My Heart

So I am currently doing an Online Bible Study entitled "What Happens when Women Say Yes To God". It is powerful...and boy is God speaking to me through this study. I read the book ahead of time and it was right in the middle of God dropping the bomb in my lap that it was time for me to return to Ohio. So what else could I do but say ok God this is your doing..."YES GOD..I will go here you tell me, YES GOD..I will take this dream job...YES GOD I will trust in your provision".
This week after reviewing chapter one Lysa asks us to: Read Deuteronomy 6:5 and answer how we can love God with our heart, soul and strength.... this took me some time to reflect and think but here is what I came up with.

I can love God with my heartby simply spending time with Him. The more time you spend with someone the greater the relationship becomes. We love God with ou soul through the choices we make. (Boy have I made some bad ones this week but am I ever so grateful that I have been saved by Jesus ultimate sacrafice!) WE are not perfect (that is or sure!) but we can strive to make the right choices. Follow Gods word...THe word is truth and leads to a living soul for eternity.

We can love God with our soul by our actions...do we live a life negative all th time? Or do we try to have a positive attitude and be contt with the blessings God has given us?

Loving God with our strength means to love God withour "resources, abilities and time".
"Love Him with what our hands do...
Love him with our eyes what they see...
Love Him with our ears to hear...
Love Him withour feet to go...(wherever you may send me Lord...)
Love HIm with our mouth to speak...


Credit to:http://gregsimas.org/how-to-love-god-with-all-your-heart/

As I was writing this blog this song kept going through my head so I had to share it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek__Gdw9TOs

Little Seed

http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/2013/08/07/a-message-from-lysa-terkeurst-2/
CHeck out the above link and watch the video to understand what I am talking about...

Wow what a great video message today!!! I was that seed! I felt like she was describing my life...I was comfortable in Ohio with all my friends since high school with all my family surrounding me..but called me this little seed to leave the "packet" and move to Arizona this "dark, messy place". I didnt know anyone I didnt know how to do the job God had called me to do (teaching). But God watered me and I grew..and he blessed me in ways I could never imagine. I had two beautiful girls in Arizona, I purchased my first home in ARizona, I made life long frinds I never would have met had I not said YES to GOD. Wow...God is so amazing and yet it is so hard to trust in Gods plan!

Overcoming Fear...

As I prepared for my next Online Bible Study.."Saying YES to God" I first prayed.."Lord let me hear your voice"...be careful what you pray for! I have heard the Lords voice as I read this book and I am doing my best to say "YES" Lord...but a big part of that is overcoming my fear and anxiety when it comes to change...especially major life change. 

I have been praying for years for an opportunity to move closer to family, especially after having my two sweet girls. But I always felt as if Gods answer was "wait, or not now..". I really felt that answer every time my husband would question why I would ever want to move back, or would list all the reasons why we shouldn't move away from all of the blessings we currently had. My husband's reasoning always made sense, and out of respect for Him I would never have seriously considered moving back since he did not feel it was God's will. However at the begining of this summer everything changed. 

A major change occurred for my husband..his little sister his best friend (other than me of course) got engaged to a wonderful Godly man. My husband has always been very close to his sister to the point where he knew a lot about her and her daily life. Once we moved thousands of miles away their relationship was not as close as it once was. Dont get me wrong they both loved each other and cared deeply but distance can cause division in a relationship, and when his sister got engaged that was the very first time he had met the love of her life. After that Mark gave me his blessing, he said "If you can find a job we can move back!" That is all it took to spur me to action but I knew it wouldnt be easy. 

Our first order of business was to pray...we prayed individually about Gods will for our families life, we prayed together, we asked others to pray for us. And God answered about what direction we should take...

My dream job became available at my former school and I applied and got an interview...that was the first miracle. There were thousands of applicants and out of all of those I was selected for an interview. You would think ok she interviewed and then got a job...oh no again it was not that easy. To make a long story short it was a 5 interview process and after two weeks, tears and a whole lot of prayer I found out I got the job. But to make matters even more complicated I found out this position was only going to be for one year...so we prayed and prayed. And together we decided I should take the job and we as a family are going to trust God and his will for our lives. 

I have been so fearful over this whole process, applying, interviewing, making the huge decision about whether or not to take the job. And then once the decision was made, moving across country and figuring out all the logistics within the matter of a month and a half time! But when it is within God's will he provides..things came together and although there have been many stressful tear filled moments we have been so blessed. 

Now I need to remember that God has a plan for me and through prayer and my faith in God...and the fact that I know God has my back I can get through the any moment that comes my way. These next few months are not going to be easy but I am going to choose to trust in God no matter what. 

Change

So much change is going on in my life right now. Just a month in a half ago I made the choice after much prayer, and discussion with my husband to accept a job across the country that will bring us closer to family. At the time of the decision it was very hard to make...I really wanted to make sure this was God's will and not my own emotions making the decision. Up until the job was offered to me I had not made up my mind but I vividly remember when the superintendent called me to say she wanted to offer me a job at Mason City Schools my responses was YES!. In that moment I felt confident that this was what God wanted me to do.

In a very short period of time many decisions have been made, many changes going on. And boy has the devil been trying to derail me, to make me question myself and the choices I have made. I have experience extreme anxiety and fear. So in this weeks lesson when asked to use God's word to pray for a specific situation I chose "change" and "worry". These are my prayers:

Worry
Dear Lord help me to stop being in constant worry about life, work, money, marriage, etc. You state in Matthew 6:25-27 "Doesn't God take care of the birds? Are you not much more valuable than they?" Remind me to look at the birds and not worry so much. Amen.

Change
Dear Lord you state that change can be good in Jeremiah 7:5 you state "If we truly change our ways we can live int eh promised land." In Matthew 18:3 "For those who change and humble themselves is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Help the anxiety I feel over the change going on in my life to diminish and to focus on your great plan for my life. Amen.

Although change brings about worry, I am excited about the adventure I am about to go on, and the things God will do through and in my life according to His great plan.

Pursuing Jesus

I have found when I actively pursue Jesus I manage to see Him more in my day to day life. I see him in the trees, birds, the people who just smile and make my day. I see Him in the little things like the slight breeze that cools the day down, or the fluffy white cloud that rolls by. In the last few months I have truly tried to actively pursue Jesus...to take time for him. Within the last few weeks I have really attempted to make Jesus a priority in my life not just an after thought. Through this daily time with Jesus I have witnessed his blessings and heard his still small voice speak to my heart. It is amazing how the word speaks to me as I read it on the pages of the bible where before when I would try to do my daily reading at the end of long day they were just words on a page that I felt obligated to read.
As of late I have been pursuing Jesus by saying a prayer as the very first thing I do after I wake up...I try to make it my very first thought of the morning. Then I have been opening up the word and doing my daily assignments as soon as the fog of my mind has lifted (I am not a morning person). I have felt such peace since starting to do this...
Prayer is huge in my life...I really believe in the power of prayer. Prayer is something that through the years I have found to be simple and something I can accomplish throughout my day. As I am driving or stuck in traffic...I can pray, when I want to just scream and pull my hair out, I pray for patience and understanding. Prayer is essential to my walk with God and my efforts to full out pursue God with a passion.
I encourage you to pray and to daily get into Gods work, It truly opened my eyes and amazed me when I started doing this. My spiritual goal at the moment is to continue digging into Gods word and taking time at the start of my day instead of the end to give it to God. Give God the best of me.

Martha v. Mary

Mary and Martha...I had never really thought about this story in depth until the last few weeks as it has come up multiple times in my online bible study. We have Mary who is enthralled with Jesus and taking in his teaching..Mary who is not concerned about the things going on around her...what happened yesterday, the stresses of the day, or what the future might hold. Her focus is on Jesus..isn't that where every one's focus should be? I have to reflect on that a moment and really ask myself "Where is my focus?" I can state right now it is not always on Jesus or his plan for my life..I let stress and worry and planning take over.   On the other hand we have Martha...who is busy planning and preparing and creating this meal for a KING! The time and thought that Martha must have spent in preparation for their honored guest! How often do I get put out when my husband comes home from  a long day of work to rest. How dare he! I have been home all day trying to take care of two small children and he rests when we have so much stuff to do? Ha...I need to be a bit more like Mary who takes time for what is important.   Instead of being worried about planning this and doing that I need to take time to focus on the truly important things in life. God, my family and friends and my health. I need to take more time to simply just play with my children not worrying about if the laundry is folded and put away, or the dishes cleaned. I need to spend more time with my husband simply enjoying life rather than stressing over finances, and decisions that always need to be made. Most importantly I need to spend more time with God. There can never be too much time with God. Quiet time is essential to my life at this point.   Saying all of this does not mean things don't need to be planned or accomplished at certain times. However the issue arises when it consumes your life as it does mine. I can't truly enjoy all the blessings around me nor do I let those close to me enjoy the blessings of the day either. It is always go here or do this, or we need to be there. My goal in the next week is to find a day to just let go...let everything go and just enjoy the blessings of my life.

Pop Beads

Sharing this story from Summit Church blog:
This illustration is truly fitting to my life right now and how I need to trust God even though I cannot see the big picture!
A little girl wanted some pop beads. All of her friends had necklaces made of pop beads, and she longed to wear a pop bead necklace too. She begged her parents for some. They told her that she would need to earn the money to buy them and gave her some chores to do around the house. Within a few weeks, she was able to buy the pop beads.




The day that she got them, she was ecstatic. That night after dinner, she sat on her father’s lap and couldn’t stop staring at the pop bead necklace around her neck. Gently, her father asked, “Do you love me?”



“Of course I do!” she replied.



“Give me your pop beads,” he said.

The little girl laughed and said, “Daddy, you’re silly!” and ran off to bed.



The next night, the little girl sat on her father’s lap. Again, the question came. “Do you love me?”



“Yes,” she answered.



“Give me your pop beads.”



The little girl was very confused by this, and went off to bed with the pop beads still around her neck.



This went on for several nights. Soon, the girl began avoiding her father. She did not want to face him because he kept asking for her most prized possession. Finally, one night her father called her over and sat her on his lap. “Do you love me?” he asked.



The little girl broke down into tears. “Yes, I love you Daddy, and I know you want my pop beads. I don’t understand why you want them but here…take them.”



The father took them and immediately threw them into the fire that was crackling in the fireplace. The little girl was mortified.



But then the father took out a beautiful pearl necklace and handed it to his daughter. “A real princess deserves real pearls,” he said.



Sometimes we need to give up smaller dreams to pursue God’s bigger vision. The little girl clung to her pop beads because she didn’t think there could be anything better for her, but there was.



I’ve been challenged this week to think about what “pop beads” I’ve been holding on to, and I can think of a few… Do you have any? It’s my prayer this week that we all trade in our pop beads for pearl necklaces

Priority Shift

Time....it is my worst enemy. We hear it all the time and it is so true there are just not enough hours in the day! Where does time go it seems to fly by...this saying is true as well the older you get the faster time goes! I cannot believe my two sweet angels are already 3 and 1 years old! I just watched a video of Evelyn walking for the first time and the memory feels like it was just yesterday not 2 years ago!
 I reflect on a regular basis and pray about where my priority's truly lie. Here is my most recent list:
1. God
2. Family (immediate: husband, girls)
3: Extended Family and close friends
4. Work
5. Health...the list could go on and on.

I watched a sermon recently that discussed how God should not be a "place" on your priority list but should be all encompassing. He should be a part of each priority listed. God should be in your family, with your friends, at work, in your health life. This message in some ways was life changing for me. God in everything All the time.
There are many ways you can go about doing this for me the easiest and most natural way is by praying. I pray when I first open my eyes, I pray before I close them at night, I pray while I am driving. I pray when my patience is almost gone and a child is screaming...I pray, pray, pray.
I have also made it a priority in my to always learn and grow in my faith and I have started to become involved in the online bible studies offered by Proverbs 31 ministries. What I love about this is that it is not overwhelming or difficult to do, if I miss a week or day that is OK, no one gets on my case about not doing the homework, or fulfilling a blog. I can do it as time fits, for instance here I am blogging at 12:38 at night when the kids are in bed.
Something I want to work on is taking a few moments each morning and really devoting them to God..this is a huge struggle for me as I am not a morning person, but I truly feel my day would start off a whole lot better if I did this.
Another way I make God a priority is by being involved in my local church. I do this in a few ways:
*Attending church on a regular basis...hearing Gods word is a great way to get fed.
*Serving: Serving is a way to give back to feed Gods people. I serve every weekend in the preschool department.
*Small group: Being involved in a small group has been such a blessing to my life. It is a christian family of itself. WE are there for each other to support and meet each others needs.

All of these things help me to keep Christ the center of my life not just my number one priority but a part of Everything!