10 Things Tuesday

It's still Tuesday, so it counts.

1. I went to the World Pulse Festival on Saturday with my one of my best friends, Shere and her gorgeous girls.  We got in free with VIP parking and food.

2. We had to go after I got off work, so we only got to see Need to Breathe and MercyMe. They were both great shows.

3. After the concert, us girls had a girls night in. We ordered a pizza with my 50% off coupon and played Scategorries.  Marcos pizza was yummy and the fun was even better.

4. I had Sunday off work, but Steve had to work. I got some of the house cleaned, the went shopping at Sears because it was Friends and Family Night and Steve was there.

5. I was really excited this weekend to see that the grass we planted is starting to grow.

6. Steve and I, after doing some math, realized that we are almost 4% of the way to raising our monthly support goal.

7. We need to be at at least 50% before we can register for GIAL, the school in Dallas. We have a ways to go, but I know God will provide.

8. We won at trivia tonight. Go team!

9. We met with a Realtor last week to find out what we need to do in order to sell our house.  We have some work to do, but nothing too major. Just a lot of de-cluttering and some painting.

10. This week in our Bible study, we are reading Philippians 2. It should be a great study of Philippians.

10 Things Tuesday: Prayers and Praises

Prayers:

1. Pray for the strengthening of our marriage as to everything that we have to do to get to Cameroon.
   
   
2. Pray for financial and prayer partners to join our team.
   
   
3. Pray that we are able to sell our house for a good price that will allow us to enter the mission field debt free with a "moving fund."
   
   
4. Pray for God to open up speaking opportunities in homes and at churches for us to cast the vision for our ministry.
   
   
5. Pray for a sense of peace in our house with all the extra medical expenses and extra house repair/tree expenses this year.

Praises:

1. Thank you for our amazing family and circle of friends.
   
   
2. Thank you for our new prayer and financial partners that have joined our team.
   
   
3. Thank you for the lessons that You have been teaching us through this journey.
   
   
4. Thank you for the continued healing of the young Zion Carlstrom.
   
   
5. Thank you for providing us with great jobs that we love.

10 Things Tuesday: My Week in Pictures

It's been a really busy few weeks at work. I know that I missed last week's 10 Things Tuesday and today is a day late. Let's call this 10 Things Tuesday - Wednesday edition.

1. 
   
2. 
   
   
3. A few weeks ago, I posted on 10 Things Tuesday how excited I was for a friend who after 2 losses and her husband beat prostate cancer, that they were pregnant with their "hopefully" rainbow baby.
   
   
4. Yesterday at their 16 week appointment, they couldn't find the heartbeat.  I'm so heartbroken for them.  It's just not fair.
 

4. When I think about the struggles that many people go through to have kids, my problems don't seem so big anymore.

5. I absolutely love the place I'm going for my massage therapy.  Everyone is so nice. If you make an appointment and tell them that I referred you, than I get a free massage!  
6. Tuesday is family trivia night at our friend Jean's house!
  

7. My husband had the whole day off from both jobs yesterday. I came home from work to find that he did laundry, dishes, vacuumed, cleaned the bedroom, and the kitchen.  He even did some Wycliffe work.  He had a productive day.

8.

   

9.

10.

10 Things Tuesday: My Thoughts Today

This is a slightly edited version of what I posted today on my online group's 10 Things Tuesday.

---

1. Tonight, my hubby and I are taking our nephew (and the rest of his family) to his first Minor League baseball game and they are showing fireworks after the game.
   
2. Our County Fair is this week too, so we might take them there too.
   
3. My friend announced on Facebook this weekend that, after having a husband fight and win a battle with Prostate Cancer, and two losses in the last 2 years, she is 14 wks pregnant with her *hopefully* rainbow baby. I am so excited for them.
   
4. I love my online Bible Study. I'm looking forward to studying Psalms 143 this week.
   
5. I hate when there is a Holiday in the middle of the week. It messes up my whole schedule.
   
6. This is the first week of our new Fiscal Year at work. 
   
   
7. I have so much to do at work because of #6, but no motivation.
   
8. Last week, I started going to a massage therapist twice a week for a total of 6 sessions to help me with my anxiety and stress.
   
9. We really need rain here.
   
10. My sister finally moved into the house my family bought this weekend.  It's gorgeous.
    Bedroom - Before                                      
    
    Bedroom - After
    
    I wish I had a picture of the new kitchen floor. My dad designed and cut all the tile. It looks great.

10 Things Tuesday: God's Promises

God has given us promises that we can rely on when we are in need of comfort and assurance. These promises were made by a loving Heavenly Father and it is very comforting to know that God loves us and He ALWAYS keeps His promises.

 
"Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Peter 1:4)

1. Jeremiah 29:11	"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
2. Matt 11:28-30	“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
3. Isaiah 40:29	"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
4. Philippians 4:19	"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
5. Romans 8:37-39	"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
6.Proverbs 1:33	"but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
7. John 14:27	"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
8. Philippians 4:7	"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
9. Romans 10:9	"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
10. Matt 6:30	"And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"

10 Things Tuesday: Colossians 1

It is interesting to me how God brings people today.

For today's 10 Things Tuesday, I am going to pick out 10 takeaways from this weeks Bible Study. We had our first online chat session last night and it was a great way to end my birthday. One of the members of the online group, decided last week that she wanted to start a Bible Study, so those that wanted to participate started studying Colossians. I'm so glad that she did.

These are a strong and exceptional group women with all different faith walks and similar but different life experiences. None of us know each other in real life, as far as I know, but we all came together. This is not an online group that one would voluntarily join, but together we are taking our next steps towards Christ.

The Christian walk is a journey with bumps along the way. God never promised that the Christian life would be easy. He just promised that if you trust in Him that He holds the future.

1. We are asking God to fill us "with the knowledge of His will" through "spiritual wisdom and understanding." (vs. 9)

2. Why was Paul thankful and praying for the Colossians? Because they had heard of their faith in Christ and their love for the saints. (vs. 4)  This is encouraging for me to think we belong to a body of believers that regularly prays for us and I hope they see "our great faith and love," even when it's difficult.

3. We need understanding, so we can "live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way." (vs. 10) How do we get "understanding?"  We have to wait until God reveals it to us.  There are things that happen that we won't understand until we get to Heaven.  I find comfort in knowing the God sees the future, but I find myself waiting to know NOW.

4. We are being "strengthened with His power...so we might have endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father. (vs. 11) When was the last time I used patience and joyful in the same sentence?  I want so much for things to happen on my time table.  I had a plan.  I can't do this without His strength.  I haven't' found complete joy, but have found joy in knowing God has a plan and His plan is better than mine.

5. I think that is really the summary of this whole chapter.  We need God's understanding and wisdom, so we can strengthened with His power when the troubling times come, so we can endurance them with patience and joy.

6. "For He rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the love." (vs 13) These past few months, I know that I felt the darkness and it does bring me joying knowing He "rescued" me and He continues to rescue me.

7. God created all things, "in Heaven and on Earth."  All things were created by him and for him. (vs. 16) Why would God create something, just to take it away?

8. There has to be plan. God knew before I was born everything that was going to happen to me. With God there are no accidents. Proverbs16:9 says In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

9.  He knew the hairs on our head, He knit us together, He knew it all, and I pray that I can look back one day and see how God used this group. What was the purpose?  What are we being prepared for?

10. "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery , which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (vs. 27)

Which joy of the spirit is your strongest? weakest? (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control from Galatians 5:22-23)

I know have room to grow in all of these. I don't any are particularly strong, especially right now. My strongest is probably faithfulness. I don't like to give up on people. My weakest right are definitely joy and patience. I want to feel joy knowing God is in control, but I want it to happen NOW, so patience is hard. I'm trying to find joy in ALL circumstances, (I Thes 5:18, James 1:2) but it is not always easy, especially when feel like you have nothing left.

Does having joy in all circumstances mean that you now happy about what happened and that you are no longer sad or hurting? No, because joy and happiness do not mean the same thing. Happiness comes and goes often depending on circumstances, but joy is from God. Even in the darkest days, when sadness, grief, and loss may threaten to overwhelm you, God’s joy is there.

10 Things Tuesday: My Favorite Foods

This weeks 10 things are my favorite foods.  Oh, the simple joys of life.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) 

 "And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food."Genesis 1:29 (ESV)

Here are just a few:

1. Corn
2. Frozen Yogurt
3. Fruit Strawberries/ Bananas
4. Chili
5. Fried eggs and Bacon
6. Milk
7. Lasagna
8. Cheese
9. Chocolate Cupcakes
10. Potatoes

10 Things Tuesday: What my Parents Taught Me

I've decided to borrow something from my online group.  I hope they don't mind. :o) Basically, you just list 10 random things about yourself.  It's fun to think of 10 random things and it's fun to read what everyone says.  Last week on here, I listed 10 people that are blessing in my life.  Here is this weeks...

10 Things My Parents Taught Me:

1. Thank you for teaching and modeling by example the value of work. For teaching me that work is where money comes from and that debt and borrowing are only for emergencies when their no other option.

2. Thank you for teaching me that I didn't always have to have the best and trendiest clothes or the newest electronic gadget to be important or loved.

3. Thank you for teaching me that the world doesn't owe me anything. I am not owed a new car, new house, great high paying job, or anything else. I am not entitled to anything. Nothing in life is free. If I want to achieve success, then I have to go out and earn it.

4. Thank you for teaching me the value of education, but that college does not guarantee to you a good job. Your hard work does.

5. Thank you for teaching me that working during college, making me pay own car insurance and car payment, and making me pay my college expenses was not child abuse and for not enabling me by paying for everything in the false sense that you were helping me.

6. Thank you for teaching me and my siblings by example what a solid, healthy marriage and family looks like.

7. Thank you for raising me with morals and values, so I didn't fall into the traps that so many in my generation have fallen into.

 8. Thank you for teaching me that have as little debt as possible and having a retirement fund is so much better than having a big house, a new car, or going on vacation every year.

9. Thank you for teaching me to never do or say anything while angry that you might regret later.

10. Thank you for teaching me personal responsibility and not to look for someone else to blame when I don’t get what I want.

10 Things Tuesday: My Blessings

There are things that happen to you in life that make you wake up and realize the things that are really important.  They  make you stand up and count your blessings.  I have so much to thank God for.  If I allow pain and stress to make me forget, then I've given the Devil a foothold in my life.  He would love that wouldn't he?
So instead, today I choose to count my blessings.

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
John 1:16 NIV

Here are just a few:

1. My Amazing Husband
2. My Mom and Dad
3. My Sisters, Erin and Melinda
4. My Brother, Andrew
5. My Aunt Honey, my Grammie, and my best friend, Shere
6. The best friends anyone could ask for
7. These precious girls make me smile.
8. These incredible people are my family.
9. Lizzy Ann Hostetler! The bestest friend in the world.
10. My Oasis friends.  I miss you guys!