Dirty Dishes

It amazes me how many times a teen has to be reminded to do something.

Here is an example: on several occasions, my 16 year-old daughter, Breeanna, has been left to her own accord while her father and I are out shopping or working.  When we leave the house we try to make sure things are in order so that we don't have to worry about dirty dishes or laundry when we return.  In almost every instance that we leave her at home with a clean sink, we inevitably return to a sink full of dirty dishes.

Now, I can honestly say that Breeanna has been told on more than one occasion that if you dirty a dish you should clean it.  She has also witnessed me throwing a huge, hollering fit when I come home from a long day of work to find HER dirty dishes in the sink.  So, what I'm trying to say here is that Breeanna knows that Mama don't like to come home to no dirty dishes in the sink!  I've yelled and I've threatened.  I would go into more about how I should have punished her more severely to change this behavior but this blog is not about that it is about this...

In my adult mind, I do not understand why when she puts a dirty dish in a clean sink or when she walks by the pile of dishes building up she does not think to act upon her love for me and DO THE DISHES!???  That's how I feel about it!  I feel like when she completely ignores something I've already discussed with her SEVERAL times before, then she is just purposely choosing not to love me when she chooses not to do the dishes!  As you know, it is not just the dishes, it's the hamper full of dirty clothes or the hamper full of clean clothes that she hasn't put up since last week--the list can get quite long but I'll spare you the details.

So the question is; Is my daughter purposely choosing not to love me, is she just ignorant of her surroundings, or is there something more going on here?

When I really think about it and put myself in her shoes, I realize that she is busy with the things on her mind.  Her priorities are not the same as mine; so, even though she may get reprimanded for her ignorance it is not enough to change her priorities.

So, now the question is: well, who determines our priorities?

The answer is: We do!

I am a person who likes to make lists and so is my daughter (go figure).  If it is not on our lists, then it probably is not going to get done.  When I make Bree a list of things to do for the day, including doing the dishes, it usually gets done.  Now, this doesn't mean that Breeanna's priorities go undone.  It just means that she will have a better experience when I get home from work if she takes care of my priorities before hers.

During my quiet time this morning, I was able to read three chapters in a book I just started.  The first chapter was about putting God first, the second was about how important prayer is. and the third was about the freedom of choice God gave us.

In Chapter One, it's about learning to put God and his ways as a priority in our lives.  One of my favorite verses (that I have a hard time living by) is

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  Matthew 6:33 KJV

In Chapter 2, it talks about how important communication with God is on a daily (multiple times daily) basis.

In Chapter 3, it reminds me that God gave us free will and the power to choose how we will live and what will be on our "lists" for the day.

AND THERE IT IS!!!!

Now, let me compare myself to my teenager....

What does God have on his priority list that is not on mine?  What do I spend my time thinking about?  What do I spend my time doing?  Am I purposely choosing not to love God when I ignore his list for me?  Am I purposely choosing not to love God when I ignore sharing his love with others?What is God's TOP PRIORITY?  (See The Greatest Commandment)  So, as we can see God's top priority is that I love him with everything that I am and love my neighbor as myself.  Ouch!  You got me!  All I can do at this point is say, "I'm sorry Heavenly Father that I have ignored the dirty dishes, even though you have told me time and time again, even though you have shown me how to wash the dishes, even though I love you, I'm sorry that I've chosen to not make your priorities mine.  I ask in Jesus Name that I will see the dirty dishes, that I will not ignore them and that I will do the dishes gladly because I love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength."  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

Living Loved by You, Living Freely by your Son and Dancing because your Holy Spirit Moves me, your daughter, 

Elizabeth

P.S.  Thank you Lord for giving me a list to follow, thank you for your blessings, thank you for giving me free will, thank you for my ability to make lists and prioritize things in my life and please help me put your list ahead of mine because, as we both know, I cannot do it without you!  

Purple diamond

What am I?
I am rare
I am precious
I am unique
I am beautiful
I am flawed
I am unusual
I am shinny
I am sparkly
I am radiant
I am edgy
I am fancy
I am twinkling
I am curvy
I am bright
I am loved
I am desired
What am I?
A purple diamond (Me!)

Faithful to the Dream

I always tell people that we are in our house because of God.  Where we are not faithful to our dream, he was!  This is a blog about how God guided us and prepared us to obtain our home.  We were living in a 2 bedroom/2 bath mobile home.  We sold our house that we lived in because we purchased 25 acres of land and was planning on building on it one day.  I've been journaling for quite some time and what I love about doing so is that when I look back I can see how God has been guiding me along the way...

May 25, 2011:  "We have talked about buying a mobile home on credit so we can move out to our property. God, please guide our paths.  Please do not allow us to go down a path that is out of your will for us."

June 1, 2011:  "We were very close to getting a mobile home on our property but we do not have enough equity in our property to pull out an acre.  Obviously, it is not the time to do this.  I am a little disappointed."

June 3, 2011:  "We found out that the house across the road from our property has been foreclosed on and has sat empty for at least 2 years.  It is our dream home, view, the lot, everything.  I really want it bad!  But if it is not in God's will forget it.  I HAVE to remember God loves me more than I love myself.  I believe this house/property is better than what we have now."

We traveled to Atlanta, Georgia during this weekend for me to become a certified Zumba instructor. We met my parents at a nearby restaurant as they were in the area waiting for a flight.  We talked to them about finding this house.  Mom asked if we had "Jerichoed" it.  I said, what?  She said, you know prayed and then marched around it 7 times like what they did in the Bible at Jericho.  So, with our friends in tow, on the way back from Atlanta we stopped by the house, stood in a circle, prayed and marched around it 7 times.  Now back to my journal entries...

June 12, 2011:  "God, ......I'd also like to ask that you hold that house for us if it won't hurt us in any way in the future.  I believe that your timing is perfect Father.  Please have me continue to follow you, hear you, and give me the courage to do what you are asking me to do."

July 28, 2011:  Been reading a book called God winks...been praying.  We are very interested in a house in Altha.  Do not have a clue when it will come available.  Praying about the house, I want a sign! Opened up "Knowing the Heart of God" devotional book.  It said how mystery is a part of God's design and how the flesh fights it.  We want a detailed laid out plan.  It also talked about Jericho.  It's not ironic to me that Mom told us to walk around that house 7 times like Jericho.  God made me and he loves me.

September 12, 2011:  Read a little bit in Job-God owns everything including that house in Altha.  God loves us more than we love ourselves.

Sometime in October a friend of ours offered a mobile home to us.  The person was going to finance it for us and give us a really good deal.  We just had to figure out how to move it to our property and he was even going to help us get a septic tank and well put in.  Sounds perfect!  and so I prayed on October 3, 2011:  "God, if it is your will so be it!"

10/13/11:  Your will be done on a bigger housing situation for us.  Thankful for this place!

10/20/11:  Mom and Dad are back from New York.  We ate dinner with them and showed them the trailer we might buy and the house that we love that still has not come open yet.

12/22/11:  Found a big 4000 square foot house in Marianna with 10 acres for $275,000.  It is a short sale.  We went and looked at it.  Nice, big, can't afford it.  I am torturing myself over this house.  We can't afford it with our land payment.  I do believe the devil is tempting me.  I keep going back to when Jesus was tempted.  No one is exempt from being tempted.  Sometimes it is not necessarily sins but things that would eventually destroy us.  A house is not worth the struggle financially.  Our goal is to build a house one day.    Dear God, help me to be content with our living situation.  I want to trust you in this and have peace.  Actually opened my Bible today.  Why? Desperation-wanting a sign from God!  Job 23:  He controls my destiny, this is why I am fearful.  Job 22:28:  You will succeed in whatever you choose to do.  The light will shine on the road ahead of you.  Job 22:27:  You will pray and he will hear you.  Psalms 62:10:  And if your wealth increases don't make it the center of your life.  Ecclesiastes Chapter 3,4  Don't have idols!  I feel like this trailer on our land is a blessing.  It will not strap us financially!

12/23/11:  Text to Daniel, "I am happy and content with getting trailer...it keeps our dream "alive", and "mysterious" and "unknown"...which makes it our adventure.  Plus....we could put in a pool:)  Then I wrote "I love you and our dreams!"  Maybe I need to be Faithful to the Dream!

The same day we went to our property to pick a good spot for the trailer.  Took pictures, etc.

12/30/11:  Daniel and myself bickered about moving out west.  I am frustrated with our living situation.  God, I'm almost ready to beg, I'm ready for a little bit bigger place.

12/31/11:  Decided to pay off as much debt as possible over the next 3 months and go to Iowa for Spring Break to look around.  We decided to not get that trailer.  God, we need your help!

1/3/12:  Prayed that God would help us pay off Best Buy debt.

1/11/12: We paid off Best Buy today.  Yay God!

1/15/12:  Daniel and myself talked about our dreams today.  Decided to stay here and continue what we are doing.  Going to continue to work on becoming debt free.  We want to build a house, God please be with our dreams.  Don't allow others to ruin it for us!

1/22/12:  ....looked at more house plans today.  God, help us get/build a house soon.  Help us to make the right decisions for our family.

1/23/12:  I want a house...or at least I think I do.

2/18/12:  Looked at some houses for sale yesterday.  One of the houses we looked at last night is one Daniel has been looking at for a while.  89,900 for 1500 square feet. It needs a lot of work.  God, if it is your will.  Someone already has a cash offer on the place.

2/20/12:  I looked at pics of master bedrooms, we want a house with a fireplace, sitting area, storage, a place to get away and escape.

2/22/12:  Daniel got a call from the realtor.  Cash offer did not go through.  We are going to look at it on Thursday.

2/23/12:  Met Daniel at the house, I like it.  Especially master bathroom.  The closet is a good size.  we made an offer of 67, 300.  If it is God's will, they will take it.  God, please do not allow us to do something stupid.  Let it benefit our family. (For some reason I keep seeing 137, 5 in my head...)

2/24/12:  They turned down our offer.

We went back and forth with the company and we finally agreed on a price for the 1500 square foot home.  It is about 1 mile from that other house that we really want but we have no idea when it will come up for sale.  This seems like the right thing to do but if it isn't, God please stop us from getting it! We prayed off and on about the purchasing of this house.  We ended up being unable to get it due to it needing a roof before we could get insurance on it and without insurance, we couldn't get a loan.  We were very disappointed but my Dad made the comment, "who knows maybe that house down the road is going to come available soon!"

3/30/12:  Paid van off today!  Woo Hoo!  Praise God.  Thank you, Father!

4/3/12-4/9/12:  Interesting week....hot water heater in our trailer busted and water was everywhere.  We were already planning on moving from trailer 41 to trailer 47 because it is bigger so we went ahead and moved everything because that trailer was already available.

4/16/12:  Went to look at a modular home today.  It's an idea...

4/18/12:  The house in Altha...the one with the view...hit the market today.  What is crazy is they didn't even put a for sale sign next to Highway 71.  They just put one down at the house.  I'm very apprehensive and nervous about it!  We were to meet the realtor there at 6:30 p.m.  When we arrived we decided to pray and walk around it again 7 times hoping that we could do that before the realtor arrived.  We did and our last lap around the house is when the realtor pulled up.

4/19/12:  We put an offer in on the house.  Now we have to wait 10 days to see if anyone else beats our offer.  This is very nerve racking.  We have no idea what the offers will be.

4/21/12:  Thinking about the house.  If we get it, it will be a blessing to not just us but our children and grandchildren.  I'm ready to know one way or the other!

4/30/12:  HUD did not accept any of the bids.  Back to the drawing board.  I told Daniel I wanted him to make sure he put a 3 in the price he bided for us.  He made another bid and he did not put a 3 in it.  I was not very happy.  He said "whats the big deal with the 3?"  I said, I just have this feeling...

5/2/12:  Proverbs 16:9 We make our plans but God directs our steps.  Well, they countered with 5 thousand more than our bid but what is funny about it is that at the end of the price was $3 dollars.  We spoke with our financial advisor and he said that we could afford it so we went ahead and said we wanted to sign a contract.  If it is God's will...it will work out.  God, I really mean this!  You know my fears, if this is wrong for us or our marriage, please stop it from happening.  If this will be a blessing to us and our family please allow it to work out!  I heard God say, "I DID!"

5/3/12:  We got Hardees on the way back from Marianna and was going to sit out back of the house to eat.  We checked the back door and it was unlocked so we went inside and ate.  Thank you, Father!

5/5/12:  Stopped by the house to walk around outside.  We sat on the back porch and walked around listening to the birds sing and watched the sunset, then walked to the front of the house and saw the full moon rising.  Beautiful.  I had tears in my eyes.  I also saw a butterfly!

5/25/12:  Interest rate for the house is 3.75.  Wow!  Praise God.  Well, there is my 3.75 I was feeling...

5/31/12:  I realized last night that God has been faithful to our dream but we were not!

6/14/12:  I am there God!  I am already owning that house.  Please finish this paperwork today.  For your glory, Father!  I praise you for this opportunity.  Please do not allow this to bring my family any harm.  I ask for your favor!  Thank you for being more faithful to our dream than we were!

6/22/12:  Closing on the house today.  Can't sleep.  Up at 5:30a.m. this morning.  I'm ready to get started!  I do not find it ironic that I quit smoking 10 years ago today!  Thank you, Father!  Read Isaiah 30:18-33...."This is the way you should go, whether to the right or the left....in that day, when your enemies are slaughtered and the TOWERS FALL, there will be streams of water flowing down every mountain and hill..."

As we pulled up to the house I had waves of emotion.  We wanted to have a house by the time Breeanna entered the 9th grade...she is entering the 6th grade, we wanted a brick house with a view...we now have one, we wanted to live near open planted fields...we now do.  I had tears running down my face.  Thank you, God, for directing our steps, allowing the towers that were around this house to fall, for the streams of water running down my face and for being faithful to our dream!

Before and After pics of our Home.

Replacing a hole in my heart...

Dogs!  What is it about dogs that can fill our hearts!

When we first purchased our home in June of 2012 our 11 year old daughter really, really, REALLY wanted a dog!  We kept telling her once we got a house we would EVENTUALLY get a dog!  So, we set out to find a puppy to give to our daughter for Christmas in 2012.  We did a little bit of searching around and found a shorkie puppy that was available from a place called Dream Puppys in Dothan, Alabama.  I received a picture of her and from that moment on we knew that we needed to prepare for our new pup!

On December 24th we told our daughter that we needed to go to Dothan to pick up something for her Dad's work.  We traveled to Dothan and started video taping when we arrived.  Breeanna had no clue what was about to take place!  We walked into the, unbeknownst to her, pet store, and received, whom we later called, Raisen!  The cutest little puppy you've ever seen!  Right from the get go she was a little hypoglycemic and had to be fed by hand.  Needless to say she became an extremely spoiled little girl.  She literally ate out of my hand for the 1st year of her life until....we got another dog!

Cotton was a surprise to us all.  Breeanna and myself just happened to stop by Dream Puppys during Thanksgiving break of 2013.  He was barking, barking, barking and a fluffy, fluffy, fluffy fur ball!  I asked if we could hold him and the rest was, as they say, his-story!  Cotton is a maltese and a very happy go lucky little boy!  So, our little family has grown, we now have a girl and a boy, what more could we ask for?  Apparently, for another dog!

Watson came to us from a friend of ours!  Watson, other wise known as Ringo, is a Rat Terrier mix.  He has one ear that stands straight up and one ear that flops, he sheds, he licks but he is very loving and sleeps like a baby each night smack dab in the middle of us, his Mom and Dad!

So, we did it!  We are now a family with dogs!  Everything was going pretty great until one night when Raisen was whining to go outside.  It was at 1:08am in the morning.  She has been outside at night several times before so we let her and our other two dogs outside.  Two came back and one did not.

My husband and I both went outside and started yelling the missing dogs name, but nothing, silence, quiet, stillness.  My husband got his spotlight out and started shinning everywhere, seeing nothing, hearing nothing.  But then!  Wait.  What is that?  He saw a pile of dirt out in the field in front of our house.  He walked toward it cautiously.  I stood in the yard watching him and then heard him say, in the most tender voice I've ever heard him use, "Raisen, oh Raisen!"  I saw him as he picked her up and how her body was limp.  All I could say over and over again was, "I just can't see her, I just can't see her like this, is she alive, is she alive?"  My husband said, "Yes, but she has been bitten, she is bleeding."  I said, "What do we do, what do we do?"

To make a long and sad story short, we took her to the animal hospital an hour away for them to tell us that they may or may not could save her for about $2000.00 and we had to leave her there so they could begin treatment to see if she would respond.  She did not respond and died around 5:00am on November the 13th of 2015.  A night I will never forget!  You see, I mentioned that we bought her for our daughter but because Raisen was slightly hypoglycemic when we received her I nursed her to health therefore making her MY dog and MY dog she was!  Time heals you but slowly!  The first couple of weeks everything about our house reminded me of her.  I was so upset and didn't know how to respond to this or how to get over it.  Then a friend of mine said to me, "are you going to get another one?"  Actually, the thought did not even cross my mind.  This thought eventually turned some of my grief to anticipation!

I started looking at puppy pictures!  Of course, I started with Dream Puppys website!  I had purchased two dogs from them and loved them both!  I looked on Pinterest to see what kind of puppy I wanted.  After a few months of searching I decided I wanted a Morkie, which is a maltease and yorkie mix.  There were several morkies available for purchase along the way but I needed to wait until summertime to purchase one due to being a teacher and wanting to be able to bond with the puppy while off during the summer.  I contacted the owner of Dream puppies on February 12th letting her know that I was on the search for a puppy that was similar to Raisen but more golden then she was. I was constantly looking at pictures of puppies on pinterest and on Dream Puppys facebook page. I was stopping by Dream Puppys store every time I went to Dothan.  I was even trying to figure out what I was going to name this new unknown puppy.  I knew that I wanted a name that would end with a "n" because we had Raisen and we have Cotton and Watson!  Some of the ideas were, Pumkin?  No!  Craisen?  No!  Button?  No!  Nothing seemed to work.  Then, on May 6th when I was in the stage of coming out of deeply sleeping all night I heard someone say "Muffin!"  I woke up with excitement and said, Muffin? Yes!   I decided to send a text to Mrs. Williamson from Dream Puppys again to let her know that I was in the window to purchase a puppy from May 27th on if she could be on the lookout for me.  On May 18th I woke up feeling lead to read Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  I later that morning wrote this journal entry, "Searching for a replacement dog for Raisen has consumed my thinking!  I do want another dog!  I really don't even care if it sounds ridiculous.  I don't like that she was just "taken" from us so viciously.....grrrrrrr!  God, please provide a replacement for that loss in my life!  Please!  Thank you! (from daughter to heavenly Father kinda plea!)"

I decided that I needed to text the Dream Puppys owner again to see if she had had any luck.  She said that she did and she would send pictures soon and that I need to let her know as soon as possible if I wanted one.  In the meantime, I called my husband to tell him that she was going to send me pictures.  He said, "Just remember sweetie it may not be what you want but it will be what you need."  For some reason, that statement really stood out to me.  Later on that evening, I received two photos of two available puppies.  I immediately became upset and disappointed.  It was not was I was looking for.  I went to bed that night upset and did not sleep well with thoughts of one of the puppies in mind.  I decided to go ahead and ask to see one of them.  When we set up a time for me to go see the puppy she called me and started to give me directions to the puppies breeder.  When she was telling me we both realized that it was the same breeder that Raisen came from!  I was thrilled.  Of course, the 1st time I laid eyes on her I knew she was the one. Matter of fact I told the breeders that she already had a name!   She was only 5 weeks old and I had to wait until 3 weeks to bring her home.  She still did not really look like what I thought I would get, but I believed she was what I needed maybe not necessarily what I wanted.  I received a couple updated pics of her over the past couple of weeks but what really got me is the updated picture I received of the week I was to pick her up.  So stinkin' cute!  She started to fill out and get really fluffy!

The day has arrived!  We were not going to head to pick her up until my husband got off of work which was not until 2:00pm.  So, I kept myself busy with visiting my new grandson and doing some school work at home.  Nervousness, excitement, anxiousness and thrills are some of the feelings I had on the way there.  When we walked in and looked at all the puppies, I knew which one was mine, Mrs. Williamson had put a purple bow in her hair (my favorite color and she did not know that but God does!) and she was the smallest, cutest puppy in the store!  As soon as I picked her up and said her name, she immediately licked my nose and my face (something that only Raisen did!)  I knew at that moment that God gave me EXACTLY what I NEEDED to fill that empty hole in my heart!  Not a Raisen Bran but a Bran Muffin:)



Video in memory of Raisen
Video of Muffin!

Attitude is how you behave towards "it."

Attitude?

What does that word mean to you?

Definition: the way a person views something or tends to behave towards it.

What is "it."

I guess "it" could be many things whether positive or negative like divorce, marriage, school, work, life, freedom, America, God, exercise, diet, food, love, etc. As I mention each one of those things different feelings are evoked within me, some negative and some positive.

One of the things I go back and forth on is exercise. Sometimes I have a positive attitude and sometimes not. It would be a good time to mention that I am a Zumba instructor. Sometimes I love doing it, sometimes I don't.

I had a unique opportunity recently because of Zumba.

I was invited to do a two hour Zumba class for approximately 100 women! I was so excited. In a normal Zumba class for me I have approximately 8 to 12 women.

I was a little nervous when I got there. I was greeted by women of different shapes, sizes, color and age. They had one thing in common though...they were ready to do some Zumba!

I was a little nervous when I first started the class but very quickly I could hear the women behind me laughing, shouting and having a blast! There were at least 50 women there, smiling, laughing and having fun.

The women were so talented that I had some of them come up and help me lead the class. They were awesome! I don't think they realized how much fun I had and how much they had inspired me!

So, you may be wondering, "What was so inspiring and so great, women are women, right?"

Wrong! What made these women so inspiring is that these women are in prison. This Zumba class was held in a recreational center inside a women's prison. Some of these women are sentenced 10 years or longer. They have husbands and children on the outside. I was blown away by their positive attitudes in what should be a negative situation.

We have two options when bad things happen to us. 1. Take it for what it is, have a positive attitude and make the best of it or 2. Be bitter

The women that I met during the Zumba class were choosing to take option 1! They were all extremely happy and had positive attitudes. I was so inspired and excited. I have freedom right now that they don't have but they have one thing that I don't usually have, a positive attitude!

They are taking the time that has been handed to them and they are making the most of it. Some of those women exercise for hours at a time. They made me realize how weak and lazy I can be and how a positive attitude can make even the most negative of circumstances be beneficial.

I'm sure that each one of them has had bitter days in there and I know I have a hard time being positive in the face of negativity but what I witnessed that day inside those gates of iron were women that had positive attitudes and they inspired me to not complain, be thankful and do the best with what you have!

One more thing. I don't know if any of those women have decided to believe in Christ or not but, from what I saw, there was a definite light shinning in that facility. The women were beautiful, encouraging and lovely and I'm thankful for the opportunity and looking forward to my next visit to exercise with positivity!

So, what is your "it," and do you need an attitude adjustment?

Living Loved, Freely and Dancing

Elizabeth

Bennett Spring Break 2011

When there is an opportunity for a week off in your near future you spend alot of time trying to figure out the "perfect" thing to do.... or at least that's what we do.

It starts in January, after the Holiday season. We start thinking about "Spring Break" and "What are we going to do?" We make a mental list of the things we'd like to do and start to make more permanent plans a couple of weeks beforehand. This year was exactly like any other year in that area.

What we usually do for Spring Break is go to Orlando and visit one of the many theme parks. We get hot, mad at people and spend alot of time waiting. Waiting to park, to ride, to eat, to sleep, to rest.

For some reason we decided to NOT go to a theme park. We decided to do some things locally instead. The first night of our Spring Vacation we got dressed up and went to the High School's Prom. I get to go because I'm a teacher. Just a perk for me, not necessarily for my husband!!

Saturday we went with our family Golfing at Indian Springs in Marianna, Florida. This is the place where 10 years ago I married the love of my life!! Our daughter, Breeanna, went with us. This is the first time she has ever golfed with us! We had a great time and didn't get too frustrated considering we haven't been in at least a year.

Sunday we had a nice family ride to Tallahassee and visited Maclay Gardens. Very beautiful time of year to visit. The flowers were in full bloom! Afterwards we visited the mall.

Monday we drove to Destin, Florida and hung out at Henderson Beach for a couple of hours. There were some jelly fish along the beach. Very cool. Perfect beach weather.

Afterwards we went to the Bass Pro Shop. My husband had a blast! We went to an outside mall and Breeanna got her first Build-A-Bear. She was too cute and too excited about that. We walked the Destin Outlet Malls from one end to the other to realize that most of the stores there, even though half the stuff is half off, is still too expensive for us!

Tuesday we spent some time with Mom and Dad and went shopping in Marianna. Got some good deals and had a good time.

Wednesday we went to Mexico Beach and Breanna had her good friend Ariana go with us. Again, another beautiful day for the beach. Not too hot, not too cold, just right!

Wednesday evening we ate dinner with my parents and were there rather late. At 9:00p.m. my daughter, her friend and my grandson were dancing around the living room to Christmas music. Oh what fun on Spring Break. On a normal weekday night I'm in bed by 8:30!

Thursday we stayed at home for most of the day and traveled to my brothers to watch Wipeout together. We both love that show so it was fun to share watching it together. Again, normally wouldn't do this on a day of work.

Friday, just the 3 of us went to Bear Paw canoe livery and they took us to Spring Creek. It was an awesome experience. The water was not too cold and it was so clear you could see the shells, bass, brim and sand. Very peaceful trip for the 3 of us.

Friday night Breeanna packed up and went and spent the night with her friend Ariana and Daniel and myself got a date night. We went to Ruby Tuesday's in Marianna. It was nice to dress up and go out to eat!

Saturday we met up with friends and went to see the movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid-part 2. Very funny. We were about the only row laughing out loud the whole time!

Sunday. Last day of Spring Break. We went to the Layfield's to celebrate a birthday. Got really full on Pork Steak, Fettucini, Birthday Cake and rolls! Good time with friends.

As I look back on this past week we didn't really wait for anything. God showed my husband and myself how relaxing Spring Break can be. We took time to enjoy Spring (the beaches, the creek, the flowers) and the people in our lives (family and friends)! All of what I experienced this week was peace, joy and thankfulness for rest, family, and spring! I hope you too got a chance to soak up Spring to it's full potential. I know we did and it was one of the best Spring Breaks we've had in a long time.

Here is a video of our week!

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

Eric Michael's 2nd Birthday Party

Becoming a Grandmother has added many things to my life.

Excitement

Joy

Laughter

Tears

Work....

I've become quite creative having a Grandson in my life. I love making movies of his life and I've added making cakes too.

The things I want to remember about his birthday this year.

~I want to remember that both of his parents were there.

~I want to remember that all 4 sets of his Grandparents were there.

~I want to remember that when he was taken away from his Cars 4-wheeler he cried and when he saw his "basketball" cake he stopped crying and said, "ball!"

~I want to remember that when we sang "Happy Birthday" to him he had the sweetest look upon his face.

~I want to remember that when I gave him the "ball"-- he realized it wasn't real and he didn't want any part of it.

~I want to remember that he didn't eat any of the cakes I made but ate a sucker in the shape of a soccer ball made out of marshmellow that I bought at Walmart for a $1.

~I want to remember the line of people to kiss him goodbye when he left.

Very thankful for my Grandson and all of the people in his life that love him so much!

Here is a short video called Ermi's Jam

Here are the pictures from his party.

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

4th grade Writing

Bree took FCAT writing today... She said she wrote about how one of the reasons she likes the sunny weather is because it's "happy weather" then she quotes the song lyrics..."You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray" She circled the word "happy" and continues to write, "You see, it talks about sunshine happiness. Great, now that song is stuck in my head. Bum, Bum Bum, Bum, Bum, la, la, la, la, la, Bum, Bum, Bum, Bum, Bum, la, la, la, la. It's probably stuck in your head too. Don't blame me, blame the pencil or the paper."

Whoever grades her paper ought to get a good laugh!

I know I did!

This time of year as a teacher is a stressful time of year.

After panning over my mid-term results and some other student data I've become discouraged and wondered if what I'm doing day in and day out in my classroom is even worth it! I have a feeling, after speaking with a couple of you, that I'm not the only one feeling pressured, overwhelmed, tired and distraught over the job of teaching.

I'm a believer in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. So, on Thursday morning I was praying to my Heavenly Father and telling him exactly how I felt about my job, my worries over my students needs, and was pretty much screaming for HELP!

Felt the need to go to Isaiah and this is what I believe God gave me!

Isaiah 41:10

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Isaiah 49:4

"But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord's hand: I will trust God for my reward."

In each moment of my day at school I wonder if what I'm doing is making a difference. All I know to do from this point is keep doing what I believe is going to benefit my students and trust God for my reward. We cannot please everybody but we've already pleased the ONE that is the most important and that is God. What is so cool about God to me is that he loves and accepts me already and I don't have to prove anything to Him!

I know that we are all rushed around in the mornings to get to school and get our plans ready for the day, if we could all just take a moment and say a prayer for our students, each other and ourselves I believe that God will bless our efforts, us, and our students!

Here's an idea: partner with a teacher that works beside you and say a quick 30 second to 1 minute prayer each morning.

It's nice to know that God's got my back and it's a nice reminder that He is in control!

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

Unconditional love when I've done something stupid!

Every now and then I do something stupid. Well today's stupid thing was to watch a "how to" video on you tube and then attempt task. The task: cutting my 20 month old grandson's hair.

Yep, It looked easy enough. Except. The lady was cutting her son's hair and he was probably 16 or 17 years old. My issue......my grandson is 20 months old!!

I decided to try it anyways. Needless to say he wouldn't sit still. I tried with the scissors and gave up. But then I got to looking and thought....wait, I can try to fix it with the clippers. I hope you are laughing out loud at this point.

I tried with the 1/2 inch clippers and needless to say did some serious damage. I was pretty upset about it when I looked at him and he had a big gap in the front of his bang area.

Now what do I do?? Well, I certainly didn't stop there. I put him in the tub and decided to finish the job while he was wet! Maybe he would stay preoccupied in the tub!

So, what did I learn from this experience?

1. Never do what a professional should do.

2. A 20 month old will not stay still even if he has an oreo in his hand.

3. Oreo cookies look nasty with hair on them.

4. My grandson doesn't care what his hair looks like.

5. My grandson loves me unconditionally.

6. Hair will grow back.

Last but not least.....as I was crying because I felt like I did my grandson a total injustice today he looked up at me with that great big smile of his and I was reminded that when I screw up... God, just like my grandson, still looks at me and smiles!

Living Loved,

Elizabeth

Walk Your Child to School

Sometime last week we received a phone call from the school letting us know that the upcoming Tuesday was walk your child to school day. Never heard of that before. Do you think that I remembered this morning? No.

I don't know what it is like for you in the mornings but for me it is craziness, to say the least. I should also mention that I am a very task-oriented person. I have a list when I wake up and I need to get that list done in 24 hours.

On my way to drop of my 9 year old daughter this morning we passed by the area that parents were to park so that they could walk their kids to school for the walk your child to school day. I was thinking....Crap, I forgot about that. I glanced at the clock and it said 7:25. I looked at my daughter and said, "I'm sorry, I just don't have time plus we talk every day on the way to school."

I turned to pull down to drop off my daughter and to make myself and her feel better about the situation I said, "See, we are not the only ones not walking to school today." There was a car pulling out of the school. I proceed to drop off my daughter, tell her I love her and then pull off looking back noticing that the kids that had their parents "walk them" to school were in a line to receive a free backpack and a water bottle.

As I was leaving I looked down at the clock and it said 7:28. I should mention here that I am a teacher at a near by school and have 1st period planning and I have to be there by 7:45. I immediately called my husband and started telling him what a terrible parent I was......but wait....I told my husband, "I've gotta go", he said, "What's wrong." I said, "I gotta go."

I pulled down into the elementary school, called them and had them have my daughter come to the office. I walked into the front door and saw her and she looked at me and said, "What are you doing Mom?" I said with tears in my eyes, "I am making time for you. You are important to me and I DO have time to walk you to school." So, needless to say we went to the place where all the other parents were parking and I walked my child to school today. I saw parents, grandparents, aunt's, etc. walking children to school. This might not be a big deal but my daughter was really excited to get that backpack and water bottle. That might be the only thing that she got out of the experience but it taught me something very important. If I don't make time for what is important to me then the time won't be there.

I was about 2 minutes late for school but nobody missed me and I felt like the best Mom in the world!

I've always wanted to be a leader. When I realized that leading meant being others focused I realized that I was never going to be a leader. I've been praying lately that God would help me to be more others focused. To me this story is proof that God answers our prayers sometimes in the most subtlest manner!

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

The Search for Significance stops here!

I had a friend over for coffee the other morning and she posed a question to me about a blog that I recently wrote and this is my response:

Question at hand: Are you searching for significance in this?

I believe that God has placed desires within me. I believe that when God is gracious enough to give me a passion and a gift for something that I should share it. Therefore, I share!

I have found my significance in Christ. I am a child of God. God breathed life into me. God sent his son to die on the cross for my sins. God has a plan just for me. God has a purpose just for me.

All of the above makes me very significant to one. The ONE called I AM, I am trying to please!

Thank you God for making me significant to you!

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

Birthday Present from.....

“...the door flew open, and he was looking directly into the face of a large beaming African-American woman....she engulfed him in her arms, lifting him clear off his feet and spinning him around like a little child...But something in the way that she looked at him and yelled his name made him equally delighted to see her too, even though he didn’t have a clue who she was. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed by the scent emanating from her, and it shook him. It was the smell of flowers with overtones of gardenia and jasmine, unmistakably his mother’s perfume...Meanwhile, this woman stood there with her arms outstretched as if they were the very arms of his mother. He felt the presence of love. It was warm, inviting, melting.” (The Shack, pg 80-81)

I love the picture I get in my mind when I read the above from the book called “The Shack.” It makes me remember a person in my life that makes me feel that way when I think of him. That person is my Grandpa Pelton. He was a very friendly, warm, strong, loving, and fun man of God. He passed away March 31, 1989. I was 18.

When someone you love very much dies there is a part of you that feels abandoned.

Today is my 40th birthday. A couple of months ago my mother gave me something that she found while she was cleaning out my grandparents things. It was a necklace that my Grandpa gave to my Grandma on their 40th wedding anniversary. It has an E on the front (because my grandmother’s name was Esther) and it has an inscription on the back. I left it in a drawer until today. I pulled it out of the drawer this morning and as I put it on with tears in my eyes it was like my Grandpa was wishing me a Happy Birthday. It was a huge reminder of my Grandpa’s warmth and a huge reminder that God will never abandon me.

I know that God loves me unconditionally and I’m so thankful for his love. People come and go and I’ll go one day too. I love how God has reminded me today through the gift of my Grandfather that he will never abandon me. This gift comes from God and this gift comes from one of the men that I viewed was as close to God on heaven as there will be.

Thank you God

for creating my Grandpa

Thank you God

for creating me

Thank you God

for giving me

Forty Wonderful Years

so far!

Living Loved andFreely,

Elizabeth

Fear, because of his Love for you

I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

This is what happened at the beach. Her children were swimming out in the ocean.

She called them so often to come back in because they were going too far out.

So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you--when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.

She saw her children getting too far out in the ocean again and now there is a decision to make.....

When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. (The ocean current).

They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. (Their mother's warning)

Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me--to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. (Her children did not realize how small they were compared to the ocean and it's strong current)

But wait....there's more. Perfect loves drives out all fear. The decision was "I must save my children."

In a moment, a mother's love for her children overcame the fear of the oceans current, overcame the anger towards disobedient children, and she overcame the fear of loosing her own life.

Didn't God do this for us? his children. God came in human form. His name was Jesus. He overcame the fear of loosing his own life to save us, his children. He overcame his anger towards his disobedient children, because Jesus took our punishment for our sins.

Just like the mother in this story. She wanted her children to Fear the ocean and it's current for their own protection. God wants us to fear him so that we will listen to his wisdom. God wants us to know his love for us and know that what he is telling us is for our safety and protection.

But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.

All Scripture is italicized above and listed below:

Scripture used Proverbs 1:24-33

Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 9:10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom, Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement.

1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

Never Alone Again

The moment you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart is the moment when you no longer had to be alone again.

When Jesus died on the cross for your sins and was raised from the dead that meant that he was who he said he was. He is the son to the Father, God. When Jesus left this earth after he was resurrected from the dead he promised us an Advocate once he was gone. This Advocate is called the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit lives within you if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Therefore, the moment you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart is the moment when your life became no longer solo.

As I was riding my bike today I was alone. Matter of fact from 6:45a.m. to 11:30a.m. this morning I was alone. Alone by human standards.

In reality I was not alone because I have asked Jesus into my heart. He is always with me!

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, he is with you too! Amazing and Awesome and not Alone!

Thank you Father!

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

I'm a butterfly

This time of year brings about butterflies which have always been a neat thing to me.

When I was a child I remember catching caterpillars and then putting them in a jar and waiting and watching them build a cocoon around themselves then all of a sudden after about a couple of weeks there would be a butterfly in the jar and I'd release it outside.

Now a days you don't have to catch your own caterpillar. You can actually order them here. We did this one time with our daughter.

What I just realized is that the transition of the caterpillar to the butterfly resembles accepting Jesus into my heart.

When I asked Jesus into my heart I was reborn. Like the butterfly. New creation in Christ.

Now I can fly and I sure am alot more prettier too! Not on the outside but on the inside which should reflect on the outside too.

So, from now on when you see a butterfly. Remember this, you too are a new creation if you've ever asked Jesus into your heart! You ARE a beautiful butterfly and you ARE being carried by the wind (the Holy Spirit) and you ARE allowed to flap your wings and fly!

Have a happy day through Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!

Dear God,

Thank you for making me brand new and beautiful like the butterfly. Thank you for creating the caterpillar and transitioning it into a beautiful butterfly that can soar and remind me of what you did for me when you sent your son to die on the cross for me.

Amen

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

What?? You're not going to church anymore?

Why is it as Christians your either going to church and being good or not going to church and being bad. There seems to be no inbetween for most people.

I've attended church off and on since I was a little girl. I got baptized when I was 8 and went to church most Sunday a.m., Sunday p.m. and Wednesday p.m., plus VBS during the summertime, visitation on Tuesdays, etc., etc.

When I entered my teen years I started to fall away from Christ. I'd have to say that most teens do unless they are just smart.

I was out of church for quite some time and yes, I was not going to church and I WAS BEING BAD! I ended up a divorced, single mother who smoke and drank most of the time. I was, to say the least, pretty miserable and selfish back in the day.

God wasn't finished with me yet. I ended up marrying a great guy-yep, Daniel, and started going back to church and started being good again. I got soooo goood that I started really judging those that didn't go to church and judging those that didn't follow the rules that I was following. I know, real good huh?

I was just like most people who go to church. I was doing my part in the Christian walk and I was better than anybody who wasn't doing theirs.

Let me just say that no church is a perfect church. Churches are full of imperfect people. Seriously wacked out people at that! I was one of them.

About 8 years into Daniel and myself attending church we started to get very critical of things. Let's just say that we saw the imperfections of things. (Did I mention I'm very judgmental...I didn't claim to be perfect!) We both started to feel the pull to pull out of church. We, both of us, felt the Holy Spirit leading us out of church.

So, your question is like it was mine..."Why would God want you to stop attending church?"

#1. Hindsight is 20/20

#2. Church is not God

#3. Leaders are not God

#4. Church cannot be my savior

#5. I became part of God's church when I asked Jesus into my heart

#6. Church is not a building

#7. Trust God with your next step

#8. Too much influence is not good influence

#9. Time to focus in on what we need to focus on (be Holy Spirit led)

10. This is the next season for us

#1. Hindsight is 20/20: Wow, what an understatement. I didn't realize the bondage that I was in until I stepped out of church. I've felt more freedom in Christ since I've stepped out. I'm more Holy Spirit driven rather than rule driven. (Being rule driven made me very judgmental)

#2. Church is not God. I was very afraid to stop going to church. All my life I thought that going to church was just what good Christians did. Not if the church has become your God.

#3. Leaders are not God. Some leaders can be viewed as Gods. I was unhealthy as I entered church and I was looking for 2 things-- significance and security-- and I found those things in the leadership and just by attending.

#4. Church cannot be my savior. As long as I was attending church and doing what I was supposed to be doing I felt safe.

#5. I am a church. When Jesus entered my heart I became part of his body. All believers are part of the body of Christ whether or not they attend church on a regular basis or not. I can serve others, love others, etc. without having a church to call home because Jesus is home in my heart!

#6. Church is not a buildling. goes with #5.

#7. Trust God with your next step. This was so HUGE for me. Church brought so much significance and security to my life that I doubted the Holy Spirits calling for me to step out of church. I fought God on this for at least 6 months. The next step for me was to trust that God would be with me if I came out from underneath the umbrella of the church.

#8. Too much influence is not good influence. We had so much influence and advice we didn't know what to do with it. It almost drowned out what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell us as a couple and as individuals.

#9. Time to focus in. As a couple and as individuals we needed to know what direction God wanted us to go in for our marriage and ourselves. We want to know what God has intended for us, not what humans have intended for us. We needed to learn how to trust the voice within, the Holy Spirit.

#10. For a season. We feel like not attending church is for a season for us. If you were to ask either of us if this is forever we'd probably both say, "No, just where we need to be right now." Neither one of us feel spirit led to attend anywhere specific or anywhere at all. We are focusing in on hearing God's voice, the desire to follow his voice and the courage to do what it is he is asking us to do.

Some of the people I used to attend church with have made comments like, "I miss you.", "Hope everything is okay?" , "Did something bad happen?", "Are you going to church anywhere?"

Hope this blog answers those questions.

I must also say that the church we attended for 9 years of our marriage taught us many great things about God and ourselves and we are thankful. We met many brothers and sisters in Christ there and even though we no longer attend there we still view you as our brothers and sisters in Christ. We hope that you view us the same as well. No matter what, if you claim to be a Christ follower and I do too then we are related through Christ!

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

Happy 21st Birthday Dianna!

Your Impact!

21. Your friendship (because your no longer a little girl)

20. Your love for your son (because you became a mother this year)

19. Your jazzy dance moves (at Chipola)

18. Your laziness (in sleeping in until 12 or 1 or 2 or 3)

17. Your determination (graduation from BHS and getting scholarships)

16. Your drive (I ain't talking about your driving abilities either!)

15. Your cry (relationship heartbreak)

14. Your laugh (always brings me joy)

13. Your love (started for more than just Mom and Dad)

12. Your jealousy (new step-dad and sister)

11. Your stage presence (when you won your first pageant title)

10. Your smile (always happy to see this)

9. Your beauty (everyone said so)

8. Your forgiveness (you suffered and forgave)

7. Your support (when I made a difficult choice)

6. Your fun side (when we'd go to White Springs)

5. Your talent (when you sang, "Hello Operator")

4. Your intelligence (when you'd outsmart me to get a toy)

3. Your thick hair (that I would brush and blow dry)

2. Your temper (Got me upset many times)

1. Your brown eyes (Like Grandpa Pelton's)

0. Your a girl! (I wanted a girl)

21 years ago I didn't realize all the joy having a daughter would bring. I'm so thankful and blessed to have you in my life. I hope you have a great 21st birthday! Looking forward to the ways that you will continue to impact my life as my daughter! Love you Nanner!

Love,

Your Mom!

...And we are witnesses of this fact!

In the book of Acts Peter and John heal a crippled man. The only reason they are able to do this is because Jesus gave them the power to do it. (Acts Ch 3)

What about my life is a witness of the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead?

I don't think I can tell you. I think that people that knew me before and know me now could tell you how my life is a witness for Christ and what he has done for me.

What I see is different about me is that I no longer smoke, I'm not quite as selfish as before, I'm getting to be other's focused, I'm more willing to admit that I'm wrong.

I just think that it is so amazing that Peter and John were able to heal a lame man because Jesus gave them the power to do it so that their actions could be a witness to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah and he died on the cross and was raised from the dead.

How are my actions witnessing the power of Jesus lives within me? Am I even tapping into that? I know I haven't healed a lame man recently or ever.

I guess reading that this morning made me ponder that question of how is my life a witness of that fact? Maybe you can ponder it too about your life and let me know your thoughts.

I want to be limestone and/or sandstone.

On April 18, 2010, my husband, daughter and myself went on a canoe trip together. I've never been canoeing before. It turned out to be a very relaxing and fun time for us all.

We canoed on what's called the Econfina creek. What I can now tell you about this creek is that it has a couple of natural springs. Matter of fact, there is a bottled water company created from this creek.

I've never seen a bubbling spring before. My husband pulled up to a spring so that I could look down into it. The water was extremely clear and as I looked down from the canoe it looked like diamonds were popping out of nowhere. It was really dark underneath those diamonds. You could also see that the water was slowly bubbling up to the surface. Beautiful! Breathless!

I got fixated on this bubbling spring for a couple of weeks. Woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it. Took a walk thinking about it.

I'd like to think that I'm a thinker. I can think about one little thing for a long time and just tear it apart (or analyze it to death)! I'm also a believer and lover of Jesus Christ.

In John Ch 4 there is a story told about a woman who goes to a well to try to get some water out of it. She runs into Jesus sitting there. Jesus asks her for a drink of water. The woman is shocked because this jew shouldn't even want to talk to her because of who she is. Jesus says to her, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me and I would give YOU living water."

Her reply, "But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?...."

Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will NEVER be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

So, what exactly is the water that Jesus gives? It's living water like a bubbling spring. Did you know that water that comes out of a bubbling spring is pure and drinkable? Basically cleaned up rain water!

So how do we get the water in? Well, where does the water for the spring come from? First, it has to rain! I believe the water that Jesus gives comes into our lives like rain. It's either by one sprinkle, a few drops or a bucket at a time.

One sprinkle could be a kiss or a kind word from someone, either a friend or foe

A few drops could be a sermon, a good book or advice from a friend

A bucket of water could be a painful experience that you've come out of, a healing touch, laughter

Here's the question? How much rain does it take to become a bubbling spring?

Well in John 7: 37 it says..."Anyone who is thirsty may come to me. 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink for the Scriptures declare, "Rivers of living water WILL FLOW from the heart of anyone who believes in me."

According to this scripture as long as we believe in Jesus then living water WILL FLOW from us. Sounds to me like we don't have to "do" anything to get this flow of water. We just need to accept Jesus into our hearts and wait for the rain. This verse is a promise and guarantee that if we believe we will be a bubbling spring. Bubbling spring= beauty, diamonds, overflow, pure, fresh.

Did you know the process that rain water has to go through to become a bubbling spring? Well, I didn't either so I googled it. Check out this video.

So, rain comes down like I said earlier, then we have to be permeable (or weak) to allow the rain water to seep deep down into us. If we are impervious like asphalt then the water just evaporates. Have you ever seen pavement when the sun is beating down on it after a rain? The water just evaporates and it looks alot like steam! So, if the rain water doesn't have time to go beyond the surface then it just looks like steam. Mmm?

How many times have I received some rain from God and attempted to do too much and then I ended up letting out alot of steam? Got burnt out (not by the sun in the sky), angry and tired. Help me count the times!!

When we wait and have patience then it gives the rain the time to seep in and go beyond the surface. The deeper it goes the purer it becomes. I like the fact that Mr. Jones said in the video that rain water is full of impurities. That is so true. We get alot of our rain from others and unless it is coming direclty from Jesus Christ then it is going to have some impurities in it. Jesus has to take it and make it pure and the only place to do that is deep within the heart, once it has passed through all of our imperviousness and into the permeable parts of us. I think the impervious parts of us are the parts of us that still believe in many of the lies that the serpent has fed us over our lives.

As humans we are way more likely to be impervious because of past hurts and fear. After seeing the bubbling spring and how beautiful it was I want to pray that I will from now on be permeable. I want the living water to seep deep down into my heart so that I can be beautiful and bubbling from within. I can be pure because Jesus Christ lives within me and he is pure living water!

For me sometimes the overflow or the bubbling spring is tears. Because tears for me means I let go of all control and allow the Holy Sprit deep within and it cleanses me.

In the video Mr. Jones also says that Temples were built around springs. This means that people were drawn to the spring because it was pure and drinkable. I believe the more we allow the living water deep within the more people will want to be around us because we are giving off an air about us that others want to share in. Plus, if we are not bubbling over then people can drink from us and then comes the steam again!

Can we deplete our bubbling spring? Of course, we are afterall human. This is why we have to depend on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for more rain water each day. There is a promise for more when we are dry.

Isaiah 48:11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an every-flowing spring.

So, yet another promise to fill us up again and again!

You want to be a bubbling spring? Pray this with me!

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to you because of what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross. I thank you for the water cycle and what it means to me. I pray that I will be permeable and allow your living water to reach the depths of my heart and that you will cleanse all of my impurities so that I will be a bubbling spring for you. Thank you for your love for me!

Amen

Living Loved and Freely,

Elizabeth

P.S. Why does God use water to describe things? Because it is very adaptable. It can be a liquid, solid or a gas. More stories to come on water and walking with God.