So much going on!

Wow everyone, so I'm extremely sorry about not updating more but things have been kind of crazy. I'm going to try and go over everything happening in my life, though not going into ALL of it...yet :).

First things first, the snow has been off and on so the "off" time has given me a chance to spend more time with the Faithbridge youth at my church. I found out I have common friends with a couple of them and I am getting along great with all of them from what I can tell. I finally was able to make it to a Sunday youth meeting last week, and it was great. We chatted over lasagna and then worked on Kyle's series about "working out." Had some great acoustic worship and I just see God wanting to do amazing things in the lives of these kids.

PJ and I have also joined a blended families small group through Faithbridge. It's hard being that kind of family, with me having children from a previous marriage. We missed the first meeting due to other circumstances, but today is the second meeting and so I can't wait to try and dig a car out of the snow and head over :). We're reading a book about step-families. It's going to be nice to be around people who can understand your situation. I've been in churches where if you were divorced, no matter what the reason (physical or emotional abuse, adultery, etc) you were treated like the scum of the earth. So glad my church is amazing and doesn't treat people that way!! Living as a blended family has it's own unique challenges and I'm happy to see a group addressing those challenges with full force.

PJ and I are also taking the Connecting with Faithbridge class, which is a 6 week class. It ends with us being able to decide to become official members. Well of course we already planned on doing that, so this is just a chance for fellowship and to learn more about our church. It's great seeing the different walks of life that people are coming from and being led to this church. I love it!!

Whew so last thing, on the job front. My friend had me turn in an application yesterday to work full-time at his convenience store. Not the most cushy job in the world, but when you need work you take what you can get! He hasn't called me yet about what hours I'll be having, so I'm still waiting on that. If by some chance he doesn't call...which would be odd...I have other options right now. I have an application in at a factory in Mountain City and that seems promising even though they won't be calling me back for at least another week or so according to the woman I spoke to.

The job I am really praying over, and everyone pray for me about it, is the job I applied for at Samaritan's Purse. It's basically similar to secretarial work and I want this job really bad. It could open doors for me to work more with Christian based services and better job positions.

Well everyone that's it for now, hope everyone is doing well :)

Everyone worships differently.

After talking with a friend yesterday I've been thinking a lot about worship. It's amazing how everyone worships differently and how each way is so amazing! Whether you choose to sit during worship and pray, raise your hands in the air in praise, dance, paint, sing OR not sing...it's amazing. We all lift up our talents and love to God and it's so beautiful. I'm learning more and more everyday to really value each person for what they bring to the proverbial "table" whether it be good or bad, because God has a plan for everyone and everyone is in your life for a reason. Your past molds your future. And with this respect for different ways of worship, I've thought more about those who aren't tolerant of other people's way of worshiping. In some churches you would be looked at with a glare if you were to stand and raise your hands to God and praise him, or heaven forbid you danced! At other places you're made to feel awkward if you DON'T do those things.

Everyone should be respected and loved for their individuality and bracing that individuality!

Touching Base

I have a lot of things I want to post blogs about, but I'm about to go to bed. I realized I haven't posted in almost a week, so I wanted to at least make a post to touch base and say I'M STILL HERE :D.

I had never seen the official music video of the song "The Lost Get Found" by Britt Nicole and just saw it on YouTube. I encourage everyone to watch this video. It really makes you think even more about the lyrics and makes you want to get out and do something!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO2prEoATH8

Day One...Again

Okay well today marks day one of my three days of silence...again. I've been praying about this like crazy for the past few days and I have all confidence in myself and God that I can do this. I've been reading my book again, unchristian by David Kinnaman. I was reading it intermittently, but I hadn't been making a point in my life to finish it. Now it's time for devotionals! Wish me luck everyone :)

Champions Centre Notes 1/9/2011

I want to thank my friend Demetria for sending me a copy of her notes from today's sermon. I accidentally closed the window and lost all of mine :(

___________________________________________________
If you have struggles: Read Romans 8:31
"If God is for [it] nothing will be against [it]."

Early Church: Act 2:46-47
God keeps adding to the church. Thank him for the favors.

**Help CC in 2011**
1. Be a bringer.
2. Reach out to people using social networking.
3. Inform people through our media.
4. Giving- partner with us in giving financially.

No matter what we do, finances are a tool of trade.

Forces That Form Your Future Part 2
My future is not something that happens to me, but it is something that happens through me.
Galatians 4:8-9, 18-19

Which thoughts, actions, etc keep me in God's plan/path?
Don't go back to old ways; find new ways to live your life.

Everyone is sowing something today that will show up in the form of a harvest tomorrow-- Galatians 6:7
--Teach your kids how to learn God.
--We can make our life better.
--Everything you need for a better future is in your life today, waiting for you to recognize it.

2 Kings 4:1-2
--We always have something we can use to create more.
--We have something in our life that God has given us to make our future better. We all have a seed to sow.

The Force of a Belief
--We all have opinions. We all have a Belief System (BS).
--No amount of good in your heart can make up for bad in your head.
--Ask God for a Belief System based around what God says is good and what God says is right.

Become what you believe-- Matthew 9:29

Different beliefs don't cause people to see different things; they cause
people to see the same things differently.
--Every losing team can be champions. (ex . football team)
--You will never overcome if you say you can't.
--Beliefs form and shape your future

:( Day Two :(

Day two of silence has been going...non-existent. I'm learning that not talking while living with a house full of people, looking for work, and having PJ's parents coming tomorrow just isn't working. But does anyone remember what I said in my blog entry about new years resolutions? Just because you don't follow your resolution for a day or two is no reason to completely give up, and I will not give up.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

I haven't been going about this silence thing in the way I originally planned. I wanted to use it as a time of spiritual growth and instead treated it as something I punished myself to do. I'm going to give myself the rest of the weekend to get my head on straight with this and try again. I want to do this and I feel God pressing it deeply into my heart, so starting Monday it's attempt number two. I CAN DO THIS.

Day One

It has begun :)
I woke up late and woke to the arrival of our new roommate. His mom was here with him so I didn't want to be rude and not speak to them when I saw them. So I talked to them for a few minutes, talked to PJ for a bit, and now it has begun...silence. Not that everything around me is quiet, but I'm working on getting my mind that way. I'm listening to some praise and worship music along with some amazing celtic music (I am so in love with Celtic Woman) and I'm getting the ball rolling.

It's going to be a long three days (^_^)