Trusting in God

 This beautiful piece of wall art hangs above the entrance to our kitchen.  

Someone had gifted our church with a bunch of handmade wooden pieces and the church had a sale for anyone to purchase.  We browsed the display and my husband pointed to this one and said he really liked it.  I wish I knew who to give credit to but they were kept anonymous.  So, we have a new piece of art for the dining room and a good reminder to trust in God, even in situations I do not understand.   

I've really felt a conviction lately to focus on my faith and the best way to do that is spending time in God's Word.  My pastor gave everyone in Sunday school this book called God's Got This by Paul Chappel that works with our current lesson in the book of Esther.  Each day there is a devotional and a page of questions for us to answer.  I really like how this helps me to stay intentional.  

Yesterday's page was about the importance of forgiveness and today was about the importance of not getting even with the people who hurt us.  Such a wonderful message and reminder for someone like me; a person who was once taught it's okay to be angry and retaliate against the one who did me wrong.  Instead, the Lord has taught us it's better to turn the other cheek, show kindness back and allow God to be the one to do the judgement on them.  

I also felt a conviction to get back into journaling in my notebook.  Starting with a Bible verse and explaining what the Holy Spirit is teaching me through that.  A friend once read this blog of mine and said she was given a feeling that I should write a devotional of my own.  At first I thought I'm not one capable of doing such a thing but the more I write in this journal and feel God speaking to me the more I feel the urge to do so.  I've been working on a fictional book for quite some time and have even gone back and forth with other story ideas that pop in my head, but to be able to use my own experiences and lessons to help others is all I've ever wanted to do.  

I love my time with God and it's even sweeter when He reveals something that increases my wisdom and faith.  

Oh, but then I take a moment for a bathroom break and my seat gets stolen.

It's okay.  She's upset about the rainy day outside.  Also, she's cute and gets away with anything.  

You know, it feels as though this world is going crazier and crazier by the day but the Bible does warn us of that.  The uglier life gets the more I feel compelled to consume myself into the Word and I believe that is one of the reasons why God does allow bad things to happen - to draw us closer to Him.  I trust in that.  

And now that I look at the time, I have to get ready for work.  I spent the entire morning studying and wanted to take some time to write this up on the good ol' blog.  Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you on here. 

A Sunny March Monday

 What is this I see?

Sunny skies and warm weather!  After many days of rain last week I am so happy to see the sun shining.  

The weather will be warm in the next few days before dropping again.  I'll take what I can get.  The back door is open and the dog is sunbathing.  Time to let those winter germs out of the house.

The weekend was busy.  On Saturday we went to my parents' house where my sister and her family visited from Long Island.  We met my nephew's girlfriend from Bangladesh.  She's really sweet and seems to fit right in with us.  I do hope this lasts.  My nephew looked really happy.  

On Sunday we went to church for Sunday school, service, lunch together in the church cafeteria, and then another service.  My son had to stay for orchestra practice and then he took his sister to the movies to see I Can Only Imagine 2.  They really liked it.  While they were out I vacuumed the school van and then relaxed.  

Today we are back to Monday.  I picked up the three teenage boys to take to their school and then received a text that my elementary school girl didn't need picked up because she's staying home with the flu.  I took my son to his chiropractor appointment and then went home for some morning housework while listening to the Bible app.  I'm putting my feet up for a moment while writing this and waiting for laundry to finish.  It's going to be a busy week of work, more homemaking, and waiting for my kids to get home from track practices after school.  What is so great about having a child that drives is not having to rush around to pick them up.  He's got it now.  

And look at my basil plants.  They are growing nicely.  So is my mint.  The oregano has failed and I'll have to start that over.  

Enjoy the second week of March, friends!  Time is flying by fast.  

March Goes In Like A Lion ...

 "March goes in like a lion and out like a lamb"

Happy March everyone!  Yes, we are experiencing both the lion and the lamb of March and it's only the second day.  We've had days this weekend of pure sunshine and warmth and it was wonderful.  This girl loves sunbathing on the back deck.  

I even cooked dinner on the Blackstone griddle.  Smashed burgers, anyone?

But today it's cloudy, dark skies and chilly air.  Rain, freezing rain, snow is forecasted for the rest of the week and then sunshine and 70+ degrees for Saturday.  It's a long month ahead of us but we will put one foot in front of the other and get through it.  

My daughter participated in the high school's musical this year Annie.  I loved the movie Annie when I was a child, so much that I drove my family crazy with how much I watched it.  I was excited to see the school was doing this musical this year.  Brianna was in the ensemble so she had a small role here and there of being a homeless person, NYC dancer, and a chef for Mr. Warbucks.  The play was great.  Even my son enjoyed it and he does not like musicals.  Bri isn't sure if she'll be participating in anymore school plays but I hope she does.  It's a lot of work.  4 shows - one Friday, two Saturday and one Sunday.  Daily practices beforehand.  Her feet are sore and she's tired but she made it to school today.  

Today starts track season and both kids are participating in that.  It will be bittersweet watching as Matthew enjoys his last season at the high school level.  Bri is giving it a try.  I'm proud of them both.  

We're winding down on the colder days that are keeping me indoors and there's so much on my list of indoor projects still to do.  I guess a rainy week makes a good excuse for getting it done.  Today is dishes, laundry, grocery shopping and vacuuming the school van but now is a good time for a quick lunch break and a blogger hello.  

Enjoy the week, friends!

I saw a reel online today with a guy that said for this week let's challenge ourselves not to complain about anything this week.  I'll give it a try ... let's go! I'll let you know on Friday how I did.  

Five For Friday: Bye-Bye February

It's the last Friday of February so I'd decide to do a Five for Friday with questions that will talk about the month and what I look forward to in the next.  

 1. Favorite moment from the month.

Attending the Elevation concert in Hershey with my son last Tuesday.  It was so spirit-filled and a great opportunity to get my son around like-minded believers and an escape from what he's been facing in school.  

2.  A challenging moment from the month.

Helping my son navigate through some of the things that have been going on in school.  There's a group of kids who have been spreading rumors about him.  Even though he shows kindness in return, I know it's been weighing on his heart.  It elevates my regret of sending them to public school.  

3.  Something God taught me this month.

In these circumstances, God reminds me that He is in control and will lead where He wants us to go.  In my son's situation at school I can hear the Holy Spirit tell me that He is allowing this to help him for what He has planned in the future.  I'm trusting that.  

4.  One thing I love about February.  

I love that it is a short month with Valentines Day thrown in the middle.  

5.  What do I look forward to in March.

Hopefully some warmer weather and sunshine as we get closer to welcoming Spring!