Spring

SONG OF SOLOMAN 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Spring has to be one of my favorite seasons. I love seeing the bare trees spring back to life after months of being bare. I love seeing the brown grass turn a lush green. The popping up of daffodils and flowers in the grass make my heart smile. It blooming of trees, the cool air, the smell of grass, and the twittering of birds. Spring reminds me of how great of a God we have, and seeing the earth being painted with new things. It reminds me of the Resurrection of Jesus after He died on the cross for our sins. It reminds me of new things to come. Spring is a beautiful time of the year. 

Five Minute Friday: Plan

I have always been a planner...have had my mental to do lists, reminded myself of things via my phone...had my own little plan for my life. When I was in high-school my plan was to go to college, and study Elementary Education and minor in missions. The Lord had other plans for me...I did go to college, but studied Practical Christian Training {a.k.a full time Christian ministry} and minored in child-care. My desire at the time (and still is) was to go to the mission field and teach...I graduated from BJU, and moved back home in January 2007. My plan was to stay home, live near my parents, and get a job near home. But, the Lord had yet another plan for me...to move to Florida, live there for seven years and to teach in a small Christian school. Those were the best years of my life, although there were many years involved--years of heartbreak and homesickness. My plan in January of last year was to stay around Jacksonville, and teach...but yet again, the Lord had another plan, and I felt the push to move back home. The Lord put me in a place that has been a whole different world for me, a place that I really have had to learn to show Christ in my life. I now work in a secular daycare--and I enjoy it. I miss teaching my kids Bible stories and singing Bible songs. But I am learning the way I live my life shows my kids, the parents, and my co-workers Christ. I feel like at times I have failed...but yet with the grace that God gives He has helped me. He has placed several Christian co-workers in my life, many who have been an encouragement. 

My plan when I went off to college was to meet my Price Charming..my Mr. Darcy {or my Jane Austen hero}...my knight and shining armor. I had several guys that I "went out" with, but nothing ever came from hanging out with them at artist series and dinner. I thought by the time I went through school I would meet him..that was my plan...I wanted to be married by the time I was 25. I am now 31 (32 in three months) and haven't had a date in 12 years with a guy...a guy hasn't shown interest...and that is okay because at this point in my life it isn't God's plan for me to be with someone yet. I much rather be in the center of God's will than with the wrong person.

With all that said...I have learned through the years that my plans are not always the plan that God has for me...and that the plan that God has for me is far more amazing than my own. He has written each chapter of my story...He is the author of my life and I am excited about what each chapter holds!

P.S. I took longer than five minutes...(so sorry) but I had so much I wanted to write and couldn't stop....:) 

A Fault in Our Stars {Movie Review}

The romantic sappy side of me is always a sucker for a good love story. It takes me out of the reality that in my non-romantic life and puts me in a fictional story filled with flowers, romance, and a first kiss...you all probably didn't know I once wanted to write a book on "Different ways to propose" thinking of romantic scenarios...yeah that never happened. But this post is not about be used to wanting to write a book, or on my lack of a love life...(I am okay somewhat with the lack of having a guy like me...I think}. Now that is said and done, I recently just saw the new movie "A Fault in Our Stars." I have heard about this movie all summer long, heard about the book and all the raves and hype about it, and I wanted to see the hype about this popular movie about two star-crossed lovers with cancer, fighting cancer, and meeting each other in support group, and falling in love. Saying that just makes my heart go pitter-patter. But sadly the movie wasn't what I expected....some parts of it was good...others I was like "What?!" Not I am not writing this to start a debate...this is a matter of opinion. 

I first started listening to the book on audible, because I wanted to "read" the book before seeing the movie. The book has so many curse words in it, I am embarrass to say I just kept on listening...oh and I never finished it. Take the curse words out and then it would have been better. The same with the movie, like anything take out the bad language and the movie would have been better. There was a surprising scene that was filled with bad words that I wished I had a censor on my DVD player to bleep them out. At the beginning of the movie they talked about the "literal heart of Jesus." I kinda took offence over this because Jesus in in my heart...and saying the "literal heart of Jesus" didn't sound right for me...kinda felt sacrilegious. Now, I know this whole scene of these kids going to a counseling/support group may have seemed helpful, but with the support group being in a church setting it certainly wasn't Biblical. 

Last, near the end of the movie it shows this couple sleeping together--it was very much implied. 

Now I won't tell you the end of the movie...or the book for that matter...but it is sad...very very sad

I can't really say if I liked this movie or not...I liked the story line...but I didn't like the language of the movie. I didn't like the reference "literal heart of Jesus" This is definitely a movie for older teens/adults. I will most likely not watch it again...for me its one of those okay I've seen it once and I don't want to see it again.