Joy

I don't know why I put a charlie brown picture up, i just
thought it was so simple and cute

David and I are away from both our families this holiday, but we are hosting a "family of friends" at our house instead. Despite the fact that i'm a tad nervous about cooking a turkey by myself for the first time without my mom, I'm so excited to be surrounded by these lovely people.  When I think about all that I have to be thankful for, the joy of the Lord overwhelms my soul :)  Hope everyone reading has a joyful day!

No people on earth have more cause to be thankful than ours, and this is said reverently, in no spirit of boastfulness in our own strength, but with the gratitude to the Giver of good who has blessed us. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Redemption

Sorry that i've been absent from posting.  Despite great visits from family and friends, there are no words to describe what has happened to me this past month.  Seemingly unsurmountable stress in all areas of my life...stress from school, on my marriage, on my relationship with God.  Anxiety that has affected me both physically and mentally more than I ever have experienced before.

As God is slowly bringing me out of the valley, i've already seen the work that He has done.  Going through the day-to-day process of healing is painful...extremely painful.  But when I think about the end result of all this, and what i've already learned from Him, it's an incredibly beautiful thing.  God has been merciful enough to open my eyes and point me towards Him.  He has shown me a deeper understanding of His love and forgiveness.  I still have more healing to do, and my prayer is that I will be able to praise Him not only on the good days but on the bad ones too.  I pray that when I feel helpless, that I will trust that He is close to me.

I hope that this is an encouragement to those that read.  That this will be a reminder that no matter how difficult, turning to God and being obedient to Him is always the best answer.  That no matter how wicked our hearts are, He still loves and forgives us for all things.  That He will never let go of us.

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain