Reflections of 2010

I have to be honest and admit I did not want 2009 to end and have a whole new year. But, a year has to end a new one must open. To me the open of the new year was like any other day. I didn't even make any new years resolutions last year. But, as I reflect and think back to the year I am amazed at what all the Lord has done in my life.

In winter, dad was out of remission for his cancer. I have to admit I was upset and did not look to the Lord at first. Thankfully, a very dear friend who lost her mother to cancer encouraged me in the Lord and helped me see that this is what the Lord wanted to happen. My attitude changed and every time someone said "Sorry about your dad" or "Praying for your dad" my reply was "Thank you the Lord is in control." In February, my best friend Amy called me (later than usual) to tell me some great news! She was going to marry Clay. I was "jealous" at first but very happy for her. I went down to Orlando several weeks later and she enjoyed getting her wedding planning book and we had a blast in David's Bridal looking at dresses...although Amy didn't try any on because she planned on wearing her mothers wedding gown. The months past and soon my class was busy preparing for kindergarten graduation! I was nervous and excited about my "first" graduation as a teacher that I went to the hair place and had them do my hair for me (talking about hair I had my hair past my shoulders and LOVED it but was frustrated with it that I went and got it cut). Graduation went well and summer came.

The beginning of summer was spent going to North Carolina then to Virginia to help Amy with her wedding. We had fun (and me trying not to stress) planning and preparing things for Amy's special day. The day before the wedding AMy and I went up to the mountains to meet Clay and Tim so Tim can take pics of them. It was fun, but as Tim and I were walking around with the happy couple taking pics my heart began to feel lonely...I felt as if my best friend were being taken away from me. Amy and I had many talks about this...Wedding day came and getting Amy all pretty for her wedding was fun. I do have to admit though I cried at the wedding... tears of joy of course! I also caught the boquet... =)

Summer was filled with working and trying to put food on the table. God was good once again and provided each need through friends. God is so good!

The end of summer/beginning of the school year I was told there would not be enough students to have a second K5 class. I was disappointed but prayed that I would still be able to stay and teach. The Lord worked it out and I now teach two K4 classes. It has been a very busy school year (and very tiring on top of that). I know each day the it is the Lord giving me the energy to get through a school day.

So much more has happened during the year that I cannot post on this blog. But recently the Lord has really taught about being the right kind of friend. There are times when I see sin in a friends life and I am too scared to say anything to them about it...then its too late. I am still wrestling with this but I know in time the Lord will help me get through it...

2010 the Lord taught me that He is enough for me. Yes it is great to have close relationships but it is more important to have a relationship with God first.

I am looking forward to 2011 and anticipate what the Lord has in store for me.

New Years Resolutions (Goals)

Well since I couldn't sleep...I thought I would write.

It is hard to believe that 2011 is coming upon us in just a few short days. It seems like yesterday that I was on my couch watching the ball drop (by myself) and shedding a few tears as the year came to a close and 2010 started. I will be writing about my year shortly...but right now I have New Years resolutions on my mind. I always make these goals stick with it for about a month or two then quit. My goals this year are:

1) Read the Bible more

2) Pray more

3) Eat better & Exercise more....even when I don't feel like it

4) Lose 35 pounds by June 20 (my bday)...note to self I am trying to get back down to where I was when I was in high school/ first entered college

5) Get my teachers certification (meaning I have to take some tests {ick})

White Christmas

Living in the south we do not get very many white Christmases. Living in Florid we do not get snow at all...except for on occasion for about 20 minutes. Every Christmas I go up "north" to North Carolina to visit my parents, sister, and my nephew...the dog. When I arrived dad told me "it might snow on Christmas day." I was ecstatic! One, I haven't seen snow since moving to Florida...Two, well I haven't had a white Christmas since I was 13 and was living in Indiana. Well later in the week the weather was saying "no snow" "snow later" "maybe." So, I began to pray for a White Christmas...posted my wish on face book for all to see! Around noon time I hear my sister say "Risby!!! Its snowing!!!" I ran downstairs and saw these beautiful white snowflakes! I was hoping it would stick and withing the hour we had a light dusting of snow. It snowed ALL day and by night time the ground and trees were covered in white. I woke up for church and first thing I did was look out the window and saw the beautiful white blanket of snow on the ground. Of course through all this I was taking pictures PRAYING that my camera battery wouldn't die until I got some good shots. I only fell once...and learned that high heel shoes ARE NOT for snow (I didn't have any other nice shoes for church). I threw a snowball or two at my mom...and one at Ribsy. I resisted making a snow angel or a snowman...and wished to go sledding. I am so thankful for the snow the Lord sent!!!

Charlie Brown Christmas

Okay, I am one of those Charlie Brown fans...I mean seriously... I wrote a research paper on Charles Shulz in high-school. Since last school year I have started my own tradition of reading "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to my students. I feel that the book "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is the perfect book to understand Christmas and see how many people commercialize the holiday..which to me is a special day to celebrate Christ's Birth and remember what Christ did for us. The story starts out with Charlie Brown frustrated that he does not understand Christmas. He asks his friends about Christmas and they could not give him a clear answer what Christmas was about. Lucy makes him the director of the Christmas play and Sally asks Charlie Brown to write a letter to Santa, and his dog Snoopy is decorating his dog house. Charlie Brown gets even more frustrated with his friends and frustrated that he couldn't understand Christmas...to him at the moment it was just one commercial hullabaloo. Lucy tells Charlie Brown to go and get a tree...not just any tree but a big gorgeous tree! Charlie Brown goes to the tree lot and sees this scrawny tree....Charlie Brown brings this tree back to the auditorium and every one laughs at him. Then Linus..(he is one of my favorite) gets up a shares with his friends what Christmas is all about CHRIST'S BIRTH!

All the decorations are fun, shopping is fun, getting presents is fun...trust me I love all that. But, the real reason we have Christmas is because of Christ. It makes me sad to see so many people commercialize Christmas. That there are more pictures of Santa and his reindeer, Christmas trees, ornaments and lights than there are manger scenes and reading from the scripture about the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. I am SO thankful that Jesus is the reason for the season!

Christmas Vacation

yay its Christmas vacation! That means lots of things to me....

One, I can catch up on all my sleep...or stay up late sleep in all morning....then take a nap in the after noon...and my favorite stay in my nice warm flannel pj's all day! =) Two, I can catch up on my blogs. What I do when it comes to writing I have my devotions and write down what the Lord teaches me in my journal and when I have time I will transfer some of what is in my journal on here. So since I have no lessons to prepare, grades to put in, school to go to and a house to clean I can catch up one this!

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Psalm 1

This past week I have been reading the book of Psalms trying to find attributes of God in each chapter. It has been such an encouragement seeing how God is described in each chapter. Thus far I have read chapters 1-3. Tonight, I will share with you what the Lord showed me in Psalm 1.

Psalm 1: 1-6

I am blessed. "Blessed is the man who..."

God will use me if I walk wisely with people. I need to go to godly counsel from my Sunday school teacher, pastor, pastor wife, and even my boss. These people are here to help me along the way. I need to check my life each day and make sure I am not hanging out with people who will cause me to sin....who will draw me away from the Lord. Last I need to make sure I do not complain about the things I do not like going on in my life. Whatever happens in my life God allows for a reason {chapter 1}. Each day I need to delight in God and need to study His Word daily not only study His Word more but make sure I am constantly thinking and applying in my life what the Lord teaches me. {chapter 2} God wants me to bring forth fruit in my life. The way I do that is planting myself in the Word of God~when I draw away from God's Word....when I do not plant myself in God's Word I can wither away{chapter 3}.

Now attention focuses a bit on the ungodly. I know for sure in my life I do NOT want to be know as ungodly. Ungodly people go by the wayside, they will not be able to have fellowship with God.

ATTRIBUTE OF GOD

God knows my ways {HE IS ALL KNOWING}.

Thank God that He knows everything...

Christmas Thoughts

Every once in awhile I get these really profound thoughts...=) Yesterday, while talking to my best friend I mentioned to her something about Christ and Christmas. Have you ever thought what Christmas would be like if Adam and Eve never sinned....if we were all perfect. Many years ago God told Adam and Eve that He would send a Savior to save people from their sin. This promise was told to Abraham (Father of a Great Nation), Moses, Jacob, Joseph, David, Daniel, and the list goes on and on. Isaiah says 'A virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son and shall name him Jesus." I imagine these people through the ages awaited the coming of the Savior. Years later Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she was to conceive the Lord Jesus. I am so thankful God kept His promise and did send a Savior. But lets back up to Adam and Eve. What if Adam and Ever never sinner? What would be the point to have to send a Savior? I mean we would be all perfect. If God never sent His Son we wouldn't have Christmas! Although at times I wish our world was perfect, wish there were no war, people didn't sin...I am thankful for Christmas and the fact that we can look back and remember the promise that God kept to send a Savior. Let us keep the Christ in CHRISTmas!

Do I REALLY Know God?

Those of you who actually follow my blog are probably glad I am actually writing on it again....

I have had this question in my mind during the past week..."Do I REALLY know God?" I mean REALLY know Him. I know Who He is, I know what He did for me but how well do I actually know Him. Do I know Him as well as my family, my best friend, or even myself? I have to admit I don't, which is disappointing. I have felt the I needed to get to know God more...on an intimate level instead if that "hey how are you" sorta level.

Mardi Collier wrote a book "What Do I Know About My God?" This has been on my shelf for years now and I have never read it. I have picked it up a few times but always placed it back on my shelf thinking I will read it later. I will not just rely on this book but read the book of Psalms. Now be patient with my blogs coming up because they might me random thoughts....But I really want to know my God.

God is REALLY Enough

I have been reflecting a lot this past weekend and today and keep on asking my self if God is enough in my life. I have come to realize that when I run to my friends, my parents, etc. about issues in my life first I am not making God enough in my life. When I look to other people and not to God’s Word I am not making God enough in my life.  To make God enough in my life I need to make sure that I look to God, go to Him first, read His Word, and talk {pray}, and make HIM my all in all in my life.