Moving Forward

Psalms and Patience

I've got a lot in my head, but it's jumbled tonight. I'll do my best though for those that have asked for an update. PS since I just wrote last week, not much has happened.
I babysat a 9 year old all last week and it was pretty entertaining. She had so much energy, it's insane. The only day we weren't outside running around I was inside cleaning and such... anyways the week flew by. Trent came on thursday night and hung out til today which was fun, but that's all thats really been going on.
The sermon at church was awesome this morning and I think I'm gonna get it on cd. The title was "why do you believe" and he talked about seeing and believing and how we need to work towards being at a place where we believe therefore we begin to see. We need to move from believing because we see, or seeing because we believe. I'm not going to be able to do it any justice here, so I'll stop, but ask me about it some time and I'll try to tell you what I learned. Pastor Steve is just great.
After church I went and saw the movie Disturbia... overall it was a good movie. Kinda slow for the first 30 minutes, but it was super intense after that. I wouldn't say it was a scary movie though, more suspense/thriller. The kid thats in the movie got his start on the Disney Channel, but surprisingly he did a great job. I think he's gonna do well for himself.
Let's see... I just started reading a book that Trent gave me to borrow called Just Give Me Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz. I'm not very far into it, but I'm realliy liking it so far. It's about our Savior's life as recorded by the Apostle John. It takes you through eye witness accounts of His life and relates them to issues that we face today. I think the title says it all... Just Give Me Jesus. I'm excited to see what I learn from this book... especially since I've always favored John's Gospel and I just got done reading through it again.
So anyways. I started reading through the Psalms today and I planned on just reading a few, but I read through 33 of them because I just couldn't stop. See, my heart's been real heavy with lots of stuff lately and David captured a lot of what I've been thinking and he brought it full circle with his attitude of praise. It's been easy for me to sulk in my persecution and lay wounded, but that's not what the Psalms promote. I don't know. It's ok to lament, but not to wallow in it. David's words about the Lord come back to lifting Him up. And praising through the storm.
I'm frustrated right now. How do I explain without laying my whole life out for the world to read? Hmmm... well something you should know about me if you don't already is that I have a very active thought life... my mind is always swirling and racing with thoughts and ideas, and problems and solutions.
I have a desire to reach the wounded and the hurting. I'm called to work with youth. With kids who have emotional problems or behavioral problems. or with kids who "don't have any problems". I'm called to use my talents and skills to reach the youth whether it be through music, or just my ability to sit and listen and guide. I guess my communication skills may come in handy after all. :) I'm frustrated though because I'm not sure what this means for my life. I've turned down a youth pastor job already because I didn't have confirmation from the Lord, actually it was far from it. It wasn't the right time to work there in that particular church and thats fine. I've been in contact with another church, I've met with the pastor for an initial interview. since then we've been communicating by email which is not my favorite thing... I'd rather talk on the phone. But nothing seems to be moving forward. My desire is to serve the Lord in whatever way He wants. I just want to do that. I'm like a child in that way I guess. I just need to continue to be patient and continue to work and grow in my own life and relationship with God while I wait.
That's the hardest thing for me. Like, there's so many things I desire from this life, like marriage, missions, and other HUGE things, but I've just gotta wait. Patience is a challenge when you think you're ready to move forward. It's a challenge when you think you know what you want. When your desire is God's desire for you it's much easier. That is my desire.
So, this was going to be short and sweet, but oops... I'm long winded right now. :) Be blessed this week.

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 17:6-8

posted by Moving Forward @ 8:45 PM 0 Comments

a little add on

I went to the Good Friday service tonight which was awesome because I didn't think I'd be able to, and it was incredible. It was so simplistic, but you couldn't help have all your attention on Jesus. We just read through the death of Christ in Matthew and sang like 6 or 7 hymns... but I love singing hymns. It's one of my favorite things to do during a church service. They're just so simple and the focus isn't on how it sounds at all. I've talked before about worship and stuff and I really do love contemporary worship, but there's something about a good old hymn. I just love it.

On top of a wonderful service I had a chance to meet with my bff, Carley and she's always encouraging to be around. We've been bff since 5th grade, so we go way back and I just love her to death. She's such a rock, because God gives the faith and belief. Beautiful.

That's it. Be encouraged.

posted by Moving Forward @ 12:44 AM 0 Comments

New life

Hola friends. I hope you are all blessed and doing well these days! So here's a quick update of the past few weeks for you guys... sorry for those of you that read this to stay up to date, I know I've been a slacker, but again I haven't been in the writing mood.
Last time I wrote that the new baby will be here on May 2nd, well yesterday they moved her up again and she will make her debut on April 30th! I just can't wait! Other than that news nothing is new with me really. Like last time, I've seen a few new movies (including TMNT, Blades of Glory, and Shooter) and they were all entertaining. Shooter was really good though, and no, not just because Mark Walhberg is in it!
I was on spring break a couple of weeks ago, so I spent some time Illinois hanging with family and friends. I went fishing with my brother and we rode some 4 wheelers. It was cool just to hang out. Then Trent came again that thursday through saturday because he had an interview, so that was fun times. Then I had to go back up to IL for my sister's baby shower which was a good time of course.
Since then I've been working again, finally. I've also started packing up my stuff and getting ready for the move. My room is so sad right now. All my pictures, candles, and decorations are gone. We just went through the movies and divided them up. We also went through all our pictures to ensure we had copies of each other's pics. It's just been really sad. I've been really sad. But it'll all be ok... and I'm REALLY excited to see what God has for me. There's a possibility of a trip to Russia which is exciting. There's just so much I can do right now, so we'll see!
I'm excited that it's Easter weekend. I love this time of year. It's such a triumphant time! God knew what He was doing when He conquered death through Jesus in the spring time... I just think it's beautiful. The weather might not reflect new life right now (stupid cold coming back!), but that's what spring brings... new life, just as Jesus brought life. Very simple, but so amazing, yeah?
If you would, please be praying for a smooth move and just that opportunities would be presented in the job search. Thanks so much!
I hope you have a great Easter and get to spend time with your families. I can't wait for Kayla to do the Easter egg hunt with my dad's side of the family this year... she's finally old enough to contend on her own. All of my cousin's kids are older than she is, so she always gets shafted... not this year, I'm gonna show her how to do it! Only pick up the eggs that don't rattle, go for the ones that feel empty, that's where the money is! Nice, I know.
Oh, sidebar, I just remembered...I'm going to a memorial service for my Uncle's father (obvouisly not my grandfather) today, so pray for healing for his family. He suffered for a long time, so it's good that he's at rest now, but that doesn't make it easier on their family, you know?
Let me know how I can uplift you right now. Blessings!

"This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10b

posted by Moving Forward @ 2:40 PM 0 Comments