TREES

Patch and I went to my Dad and Cathy's last weekend and on the way we were able some of the tornado and wind damage from this past spring's storms. I was more into than Patch was:) It was mind blowing to me to see one tree, in the midst of a whole bunch of others, blown over and the rest of them fine. And other areas totally destroyed and few yards later nothing was touched. The trees that were hurt or destroyed reminded me of  John 15 and Isaiah 61:3. Mainly John 15:5-6, which says, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned." The trees died within 2 days of being blown over. 2 DAYS!  The symbolism for me is that if we are not grounded (we're talking roots going down really, really deep) in Christ and we are "blown over" by life, stress, family, kids, work, school, relationships, pick your stress, then we will suffer spiritually or even die spiritually. This may be a no-brainer for some of you but it has really laid heavy on my heart since I saw that. It was good for me to have a visual for these verses. I love when the Lord shows me things like this so I had to share.

Bittersweet

As most of you know, I have been volunteering at the Central Arkansas Crisis Pregnancy Center. I counsel girls that come in for pregnancy tests, but I also mentor those that want it, by taking them through an 8 week Bible study (HUGS, Helping You Grow Strong) or parenting classes. I started volunteering there thinking that counseling would "my thing", but it has actually been the mentoring that I've enjoyed more and have been challenged more. Today, my  first girl finished her HUGS program! As I was driving to the center this morning, I found myself a little teary as I was thinking about "Sherry" and how far she has come in 8 weeks (actually 5, we crammed the last 3 lessons in today) in her thought process and her relationship with God, even more so, I was feeling a little sad thinking that I wouldn't see her next Wednesday. Soooo, it felt a little bit like the momma bird letting her baby bird fly (cheesy, i know, but that was hard today). She is going to be a good momma. I am honored and privileged to have been able to walk a little bit of this road with her.

JOY comes in the morning......or out of obdience:)

Patch and I started the weekend off with sushi and while we were at dinner he asked me what the Lord was doing in me. I told him that I had a lot of JOY and not for any particular reason. I feel like you get joy from being obedient in what our character should look like (Christ-like). Patch asked what I meant and I said, "You know like when I'm at work and I don't join in gossip or tearing someone down, or  in my attitude in general. It's up to you whether or not you will have a good day or not".
I also told him about volunteering at the Crisis Pregnancy Center and how I LOVE being there with the other girls there (clients and volunteers). I never really want to go, but am always so glad I did. I think of a million things I need to do or just want to do instead. It is definitely one of the hardest things I have done, but it is also one of the most rewarding. I absolutely love the clients there, my girls, in particular, are sooooo special to me. It hard to always know what to say, but I trust that the words will come when they need too:) (that does not come natural to me at all)
The joy that I have is unexplainable, but I like it and am so thankful for a God who loves me enough to refine my character. Painful, at times, because I definitely feel my flesh wanting to give in and gossip or tear down with the rest. Working in a spa, the gossip, critical spirits, and comparison find their way in easily. I have found a lot of freedom from that as well lately.
I will end with this, after dinner we ran by Target to take something back. As we drove through the parking lot I saw a little boy (2ish), holding his dad's hand, standing off to the side and when he saw our car (having no idea who we were) waved his little hand and smiling from ear to ear. The joy on his face? I LOVED it! I turned to Patch and said, "Aw, did you see that little boy?" he said, "No I didn't." I said, "The joy on his face was awesome, just standing there waving to everyone who went by". He loved just being with his dad, holding his hand and waving at people and making them smile, at least that's what he did for me. I want the joy in me to be that evident that when people driving by will see joy in me and smile but for that to happen I need to stand with my Father and wave!

starting out

I'm not a writer, but I thought I would try this anyhow:)