Saturday, June 21, 2014

Truth from a coffee cup

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5,6

I now better understand why God desired the Israelites in the Old Testament to write His truths on the doorposts of their houses... we were created to need visual reminders of who God is and what He is doing.

  The above verse from Proverbs is on my coffee cup that I have been using while in grad school.  My greatest struggle this week has not been grad school related at all but trying to figure out what is after graduate school.  With each passing day of grad school the time draws closer to a whole bunch of unknowns.... and I don't do unknown real well!

Last night I went to bed praying for direction as to... do I go ahead and buy my airline tickets to Africa... then I get some info that throws a wrench in those plans.  In this process of trying to figure out what's next... I have been doing a lot of leaning on my own understanding... trying to figure it out in my own strength... and you know what... it is exhausting.

I woke up tired and fussy this morning with my mind whirling over all the unknowns and realized I seriously need to spend some time seeking His face and remembering what He has done in the past for me.  I would love to be able to say... I have answers as to what I am doing... but I don't.   However I do have a peace that only comes from Him.  Trusting that He will work out all the  detaills.

If you think about it... I would appreciate prayers that the Lord would reveal his direction  to me!

Tuning out the voices

Over the last month, I haven't done a whole lot of writing...working on my book has come to a stand still... blogging adventures has come to a halt...even papers for grad school have been put off.  The reason has more so been lack of time and no computer but it isn't for lack of inspiration.  There have been plenty of "voices" lately making comments... most well-meaning but some that leave me thinking "seriously, did you just say  that?". 

I am realizing I have no control over what people say...  but I do have control over my reaction. For way too long I have heard what opinions are said and thought "in order for that person to like/love me, I need to follow what they said".  Many things I took way too personally and would walk around for weeks with my head hung because I didn't meet someone's expectations.  Well I have come to the conclusion that life is too short to listen  to all the voices.

Ther is one voice I choose to listen too.... the voice of TRUTH... and TRUTH is a person...Jesus Christ.  God can use people to speak His truth but the enemy also uses people to discourage and tear down.  We need to  be able to discern the difference.  The only way of doing this is using God's word, the Bible as a filter.

So with allthat said... I will not be tied downto the voices of this world. I am free!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Raising the bar

Throughout the years... I have been told that my standards for my future husband are rather high... but I have to say over the past few months...that bar has been raised.

Thanks to many experiences with men that God has put into my path, I have learned numerous lessons that will be beneficial in the future...

Some of the lessons I have learned recently...

+When a man is interested... He will pursue... it is up to me to respond but I don't have to initiate and force the relationship.  It is also nice to be pursued!

+Friendship is the key to a long lasting relationship and marriage.  I want someone to partner with on grand adventures... to go on road trips with... and to share life with.

+There are men that take marriage seriously... and enter it humbly on their knees before God.

+Even with all my quirks...I can be loved for me.  I don't have to be somethimg I am not or act a certain way to be loved.

+Communication is the key to any relationship.  Men can't read a woman's mind so it is ok to share what our needs are.  When done respectfully and in their time, men are more than happy to meet those needs.

+Men are good providers.

+A real man is not intimidated by a woman seeking to follow the LORD.  He is intrigued and will join her for the adventure!

Now I am sure you may be wondering if these characteristics are from one certain man in my life.. and my answer is no.  They are a compilation of several that I have had the privilege of getting to know recently.   With each of these men... the bar has been raised!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Southern Charm

It has been a little over a week since I have blogged due to having way too much fun visiting family and friends in North Carolina.

After growing up in the south there are so many things I have taken for granted that I have truly missed after living over seas...

Like country music and how they can get chainsaw and ya'll to rhyme...

The smell of honeysuckle filtering through the windows as you drive down country back roads...

Speaking words like well...whale... and wail ... and they all sound the same...

Southern blue grass music as part of a church worship service...

Being addressed as ma'am and darling...

Having the ability to carry a gun and go target shooting and it doesn't raise any concern...

But I have to say after being in the United States for a little over a week...

I am enjoying the freedom of not being searched at every stop during a day out on the town. 
I  love being able to speak full speed in English and at least most people understand.
I have not had to worry about disease carrying critters... taking daily meds to prevent malaria... and the constant headache that goes along with the meds.
I have enjoyed being behind the wheel again and having freedom to go visit friends.
The endless invites for outings...whether shopping with mom...dinner with friends...hanging out at the zoo with a friend and her precious children...have not been taken for granted and they were thoroughly enjoyed.  Really liking the concept of drive thru windows and mail delivered to the house!

Well next stop... Phoenix,  Arizona.... more fun stories to come!