Five Minute Friday: Be Still

Yay its Friday (jump and down with happiness)---end of the work week for me and time to link up with Lisa-Jo in Five-Minute Fridays. I love this time of the week because I can stop, breathe, and write---during my student's nap time, while dinner is cooking, or when I am just taking a "breather."
This weeks topic is Still....
The first thing that came to  my mind was the passage “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) and the song that goes along with it (which I will post when I get home from work tonight). It is hard at times to "be still." Something in my life happens and I get bent out of shape--sometimes spazzing out about a situation. Thankfully, in the midst of the confusion...sometimes a few days later I calm down and think through what just happened---I wasn't "still" in my heart and soul--I was wrestling with what was going on in my life. I realize every day that I need to stop (be still) and see that what is going on is God's doing---God is in control so why wrestle?

I think it our human nature to wrestle and to get bent out of shape--I imagine at times even the greatest preachers in the world struggled. So friends, and (I am even talking to myself) BE STILL....Gos is there and He will help you {and I} through what we are going through.

Blessings

I like this song too! Had to share it. 

Grace

I heard this song on Pandora today and had to find it on YouTube to share--beautiful song!

Hope it blesses you as it did me.
Love,
Rebecca

Five Minute Friday: Loss

Loss...when I think of the word loss I think of the friendships that have broken and the loved ones who have passed on the Heaven. Its hard to really now how to begin on this post---so please excuse my ramblings. The first time I ever remember losing someone I loved was in 1994, when my Aunt Theresa came to visit. I really do not remember much about her...expect that she loved God, sewed, played the piano, drew, and had the voice of an angel. She came to visit almost a month before she passed away. What a wonderful time it was with her. My aunt was the once that gave me the love for music and there are times I dream of singing like her. She drew me the following picture. My mother framed it for me when I was 13 and I will always treasure it---more than any picture that hangs in my house. My Uncle David was a second instance, he passed away when I was 13 from hear failure. I prayed for months that he would be able to get a new heart so he can take me hunting. I remember his smile and his hugs. We both had open heart surgery around the same time and we would compare our "zippers" (scars) to see whose would heal quicker. The third, was several years ago, when my assistant pastor and work supervisor took me aside after school..my mom had called me to tell that my precious Aunt Phyllis had lost her battle from cancer and was now in Heaven. My heart was broken and I couldn't stop crying (even as I am writing this I am beginning to tear up).My Aunt Phyllis gave me my love for books and for reading them. She took the time to braid my hair and to read to me growing up. When I was older and my family moved away, she came to both my high-school and college graduation. My college graduation was the last time I saw her. I was unable to go to her funeral because of living in Florida. Its so hard to say goodbye to those you love....especially those people who mean the world to you. I still get sad when I think that it may be a long time until I get to see them again...but I am thankful to know that someday when the Lord returns I will get to see them ---I will get to meet the grandmother I never met, I will get to give the family members I lost a hug---I even like to think that they are looking down at me seeing what I am doing today.
(and as I was writing this the song Christmas Shoes came on my Pandora radio)

Aunt Theresa

Aunt Phyllis

Five Minute Friday: Grateful

So I know it is not Friday...its been a crazy and tiring week. =) But I wanted to get my post up before tomorrow. This past week's post was on "Grateful." I am the first to admit that I am not always grateful the way I should be. I tend to complain about being too tired, about what I have (or don't have) to eat,  and the clothes I have. But what to I have to be grateful for. When I look at it the things I am grateful for outweigh the things I complain about.

* I am grateful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave His life for me. He provides my every need. He loves me.
* I am grateful for my plastic surgeon/doctor for the work he did on my nose. In March he contested the insurance company, and it worked out for insurance to cover the surgery. The work the doctor has done is amazing--
* I am grateful for technology. I love skyping with my friends all in different state and different countries.
*I am grateful for life itself and to be able to enjoy the simple things around me
*I am grateful for my friends--the TRUE ones who always stick around
* I am grateful as my ministry as a school teacher and all the students and parents I come into contact with

Three weeks later....

                           THE PIC ON THE LEFT IS BEFORE AND THE RIGHT IS AFTER


So I am finally getting around to posting a few pics on my blog from my surgical procedure/transformation. Lets say the past three weeks have been interesting watching the right side of my nose "shrink" down. The picture on the left is two days before my surgery. I am all smiles because my parents are there with me AND they are taking me to one of my favorite places to eat---Sweet Tomatoes. The picture on the right is three weeks after my surgery. Its still big on the right side due to swelling. I asked my doctor how much longer until all the swelling is down and he said a few months!!! Wow I can only imagine what its going to look like!
God has been so good with the events of the past months and even weeks with my surgery. He sure did give me the right doctor (see mom and dad this why I needed to wait all those years), worked out the insurance....and for the first time in my life (although people tell me I am beautiful) I am feeling that way. I am having more self-confidence and feel good about myself.
God is good!!!!

Five Minute Friday: Welcome

So many things comes to my mind and heart when I hear the word "welcome." Its a simple word that means a great deal. Its so hard to know where to even begin writing...but since its five minute fridays and I am random I am going to run with it....

1) I want people to feel welcome in my home. To be able to come and sit at the table or couch with a cup of tea (or coffee in my case), to be able to chat and feel at home. I want to be able to connect with people not worrying if something is out of place. I want them to be able to feel as if they can kick their shoes off and make themselves at home. I want to be able to be a blessing to them and serve them with a servant's heart.

2) Seeing a military man coming home from duty overseas is a humbling experience. Seeing it for myself is much different that seeing it on TV. Several months ago, a man in my church had gone over seas. The church prayed earnestly for him and that he would return safety and also that the Lord would use him. He came home late one night---his precious family, some friends, and the assistant pastor of my church were there at the airport---I even had made a sign that said welcome home, a friend bought balloons, and we stood there anticipating him coming. Seeing him walk into the waiting area brought tears to my eyes---and hearing the people around us clap, hoot, and holler to welcome someone they didn't even know.

Well times up =(
Good night folks