A Few of my Favorite Things

Some of my favorite things:

1)

I went to a Women of Faith conference last weekend and Karen James spoke. Her husband was one of the three climbers on Mt. Hood in 2006. They had a tragic accident and Karen's husband was found in a snow cave dead on Mt. Hood. The other two climbers were never found. Anyway, this is a book she wrote after that happened. It tells about their experience during the tradegy and life after it. It is SSSSOOOO good. It will make you cry and also bring you happiness. It is a must read!!!

2) Reese minatures! I have at least 2 a day. I LOVE them. I like to let the chocolate melt in my mouth and then have just the peanut butter left. I then love to drink a cold coke zero or diet a & w after

3) The burn of coke (soda) going down your throat as you drink it.

4) Fall smells! Pumpkin, spice, cinnamon, anything fallish. I LOVE IT!!!

5) Christmas season! I LOVE IT. Oh my word. It makes me so happy. I love the decorations, the shopping, the family time, and so thankful for Jesus.

6) Black Friday!! Literally, one of my favorite things to do with the women in my family.

7) My husband - i know it sounds cliche and corny. But seriously - i just love spending time with him. He makes my heart so happy.

8) Kirklands and Hobby Lobby - such good stuff to decorate with!!!

9) PEANUT BUTTER - i could eat peanut butter everyday and on so many things! (bread, bananas, graham crackers,apples,celery,crackers,waffles, pancakes - oh the list could go on!)

10) Relationships - i treasure all my relationships - with God foremost, with my husband, my family, and friends!

11) Pictures! i love taking them and just having them.

12) Longhorn Football and Ranger Baseball. Longhorns have not done well this year but I still love them! Rangers are in the World Series!!! Go Rangers!!!

Well thats just a few of my favorites! :) Hope you enjoy!

Held

My life has been hectic (to say the least) lately. I teach Special Education math and I teach 6-8 grade all in one period. I have to create all 3 lessons for everyday of the week and it is a lot of work. I also have to keep up with my case manager kids. I am also the cheer sponsor for 7th grade at my school. With Aaron's job as youth pastor, I try to participate in everything with the youth. So, I am very busy. I don't say this to complain. I say this because sometimes I get so wrapped up in my life I forget important things.
I forget to thank my husband for being so wonderful and perfect for me. My love for him goes so deep I cannot put it in words. He means the world to me. Lately, I have been trying really hard to make sure he really knows how much I love him. I am not promised a tomorrow with him. I take life for granted so often when it was never promised to me for any time at all. I am really trying to make sure he knows I love him everyday. I love you Aaron!! I am really going to work on this with friends and family as well!!
I went to a Women of Faith conference this last weekend with my mom and some ladies from her church (the church I grew up in). I was reminded of no promises of tomorrow when Karen James spoke. I do not remember this but her husband was one of the 3 men lost on Mt. Hood in December of 2006. It got national coverage. (i am not much of a news watcher :)) Her husband was the only body found. In a matter of days, her life was turned upside down and crushed. Luckily she got to tell Kelly she loved him one last time - some are not so lucky. I am reading her book now and I LOVE IT!! You need to read it if you have not. It is about the accident and about how she handled it, etc. It is called Holding Fast by Karen James - A MUST READ!!! BUT having tissues near by (I am almost in tears just thinking about it)
I also heard from Michelle Aguilar (season 6 Biggest Loser winner), Shiela Walsh, Marcus Buckingham, Lisa Harper and Luci Swindoll. All were amazing but my favorite was Shiela Walsh. She hit home on a lot of things. Some pretty amazing things she said were the following: "Sometimes you have to go to prison to be set free" (prison can be anything for you, depression, loss, addiction, etc), "There are no suprises for God. There are things that break the heart of God that you go through. But your situation never surprises Him. He has already provided enough grace for you to get through your situation.", "If something is unexpected, expect God." These were only a few things. If you ever get the chance, go hear her!!! She also talked about trust. Sometimes we almost trust, but there is a little veil, a little disconnect. What is in that veil or disconnect for you. Really search your heart and soul.
I am so thankful and grateful for such a refreshing weekend with the Lord. He is so near to all of us. He is waiting for you though to reach out to teach Him. He is a gentleman and won't push himself on you. Search your heart, do you truely trust God with everything? Chances are all of us have a veil somewhere. Where is your veil? Remember, God is never early and never late with timing. He is always right on time!
Tell those around you how much you love and care about them. We are promised only now. Never more. Choose to live your life!

One last thing: Natalie Grant was there and sang her song held - i love the words.
The chorus is: "This is what it means to be held, How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life, and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know, that the promise was when everything fell, We'd be HELD"

Let the Lord hold you today.

I love fall! I love all the pretty colors. I love all the smells - pumkpin, cinnamon, spice, cookies, all the "warm" smells. I love my house to smell like this all day everyday. I love all the decorations. I love the weather. I love the atmosphere. I love that football is in full swing. I love that is is close to Thanksgiving with family and then BLACK FRIDAY! I love that it is getting me closer to Christmas season. i just love fall.

with all the new things of the season, i started thinking about myself and my life. it made me realize with every new season we need a refreshing of our spirit. i have thought about what I do to let others see changes in my life. do they see a new season in me and a refreshing in my soul? Or am i just another person that claims to be a Christian but doesnt live it?

I really hope those around me see Jesus and the change He has brought in my soul. I hope when people read Bible verses on my facebook wall or encouraging words they see them as encouraging and beneficial. I want to always be approachable about my faith and not someone who people view as someone unapproachable. I hope people can see the new season in my soul and want what I have. Not because I am greater than anyone, but because the One who lives in me is the greatest possession you could ever possess. I hope i live a life that makes others want Jesus and not turn from Him. How do you live your life? Would others want Jesus because of you or turn from Him. Let your light shine so that people want what you have. They may never know the blessing, life, joy, peace, and freedom they could have if you dont show them.

Enjoy this new season of weather, life, and all other blessings.