joys of Sunday

Sunday is such a joyful day! I love getting to sleep in with Justin, waking up to Boone's sweet whine for attention and spending some quiet moments in my living room as the morning sun shines through our big living room window before going to church. Today was definitely no exception, especially with the gorgeous weather. Our previous pastor, Dr. Terry Farris, spoke this morning and gave a really encouraging message. He reminded us that as christians we must have the heart of a child, the mind of a scholar, and the skin of a rhinocerous. What a neat thought! He reminded us of the importance of laughter and that even in the midst of trials, if we can look back and laugh at the situation, we have victory over it. I love the thought of how important laughter is to God. He created us full of emotions, and we should praise Him through all circumstances in life and amidst every emotion we deal with. I am one that laughs so easily and at almost everything...I can't help it...God created me that way! :)

"Cure for the Common Life"

I have started reading an amazing book by Max Lucado, "Cure for the Common Life". After a year of insane stress and anxiety from my first year of teaching I found myself wondering if I actually was in the midst of God's will for my life. I just couldn't figure out how He could call me to do something that drained me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. After so many mornings driving to school last year completely handing it over to God and being positive that there were days where He just completely took over because I couldn't find the strength myself, I decided to take a lot of time this summer to reflect. (As we always hear...God is strongest in our weakest times.) Although there are not enough words to describe the awesomeness and faithfulness of our amazing Creator, over all of that time of reflection and prayer, I have a sense of peace.....something I have been longing for. I read a book this summer that really brought me back to reality on the importance of using the exact moment and place you are in as a learning opportunity for all God has in store for you in the future. I am so thankful to God for this peace He has given me and this new understanding of where He has me right now. I can say that my mornings are now times where I am thanking Him for the gift He has given me of this wonderful life I have. Althought teaching is stressful, my second year has already shown me His faithfulness. Even if it is not where God plans to keep me for my entire career(then again.....maybe so...who knows!) I know that I am exactly where He wants me in this moment and He is preparing me for my future. Whew...so that all leads me back to the Max Lucado book I am now reading. Lucado mentions that we all have a "Sweet Spot"....that exact place where God intends for you to be and live your life full of passion to glorify and praise His name. Although I feel I may still be in search of my life's Sweet Spot...I know I'm on the way! Lucado states that we should "use our uniqueness to make a big deal out of God every day of our life". Wow! How amazingly simple that seems, yet a truth we so often pass up. Life is not about stress...life is not about being anxious....life is not about dreading certain things. Life is about finding just what God has packed us to be...He has made us like noone else....and He LONGS for us to be in that sweet spot where we are passionate about our lifelong journey of praising Him. So neat!! God often whispers....and just as I often tell my kiddos to do when I am getting their attention in class...I am opening my ears in order to hear those directions. :)

Ahhhh! I am so excited to finally have my own blog up and running! I have been aching to do this since last year around this time. I have always said that I am much better communicating in writing than by speaking. My life is too filled with joy and blessings not to share. I praise God for the blessings He has provided me with, one being an ability to express my thoughts and emotions through writing. I literally ache when I have something on my heart I wish to share through writing. I journal in writing almost daily, but this journaling online thing is new territory for me. So here I go....into the world of blogging. Stay tuned. Although I can't promise to update daily, I will promise to update as thoughts are laid on my heart.