Praise Him in the storm....

Within the last few days there have been several things happening to people close to me that I cannot explain....health concerns, death of a loved one, the loss of a job...
With so many uncertainties in this world, I am reminded of how blessed we are to have a God who never changes, is ALWAYS there, and knows every step we take before we even get up to walk. Although it might seem like the world around us is falling apart and He is far away, we must always remember that He is just a prayer away, is all knowing, all powerful and always in control. In times like these I catch myself falling on the verse..."For we know all things work together to them that love the Lord", Romans 8:28...
For all of you who are going through a difficult time, please know you are in my prayers and know that God will carry you through....as much as I love music, I couldn't help but think of a song that always helps me in difficult times....Casting Crowns, "Praise You in this Storm"

He Understands My Tears....

Sometimes it's hard to explain how we feel....sometimes it's difficult to find just the words to say...there are times when I find I don't even know what to pray....but I so thankful that God's word promises that when we don't know what to say, He will interceed for us.

Romans 8:26
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

For even when the tears fall from my face and I can't explain them, even when I have no one to go to....HE is always there and understands every teardrop, each and every heartache, worry and concern. I'm so glad HE decided I was worth it....

a favorite song to leave you with....The Isaacs, "He Understands My Tears"

How Could I Ask for More?

God has given me so much in this life....I am so blessed and have so much in my life to be thankful for....for even on the darkest of days, I know HE is with me and keeps me safe. Yet why is it, especially at the beginning of the week (lol), I still find reasons to worry, complain and forget ALL HE is to me and has done for me? I'm human, I guess....just like all of us, we sometimes forget the little things that make life so precious. The tiniest of moments that make life more special and complete are the moments I want to cherish and never take for granted....

Here's a song that reminds me of how grateful I am for all those little things HE has done....as Cindy Morgan sings in this song....my prayer today remains..."Thank you God....How could I ask for more?"

The LOVES of my life....

My best friend posted a blog about all of the “loves” in her life.....and it inspired me to do the same. Love is a word that many people throw around like it’s just the word “a” or “and” or “the”......but when you travel down a broken road in life that was once what you felt to be love, you learn to use it only as necessary, but at the same time....start noticing all the “little things” you really have loved your entire life, but never really thought about it before....so here goes my rendition....Ash-pash....this is for you =)

I love how God sees me as beautiful each and every day.....how He loves me unconditionally..... how my mom and I talk everyday and how she wants to know I am ok.... how my brother loves his wife and his new little baby.... how my daddy pretends not to show his emotions, when deep down, his heart is about to explode....getting mail and email from people I care about.... how my doggies are always tickled to see me and prove it my “shakin’ their tail feathers!”.... how my best friend of 26 years and I can pick right up where we left off....how my daddy always drives his women around in the snow....my mom’s homemade chicken soup.....my aunt Donna’s sweet tea....how my little Landon smells after a bath....wearing my pjs and camis more than any other clothing.... fresh clean sheets.....every pair of merrells I can afford....playing the piano with my eyes closed....soaking in a bubble bath.....getting my hair washed....sleeping in on Saturdays.....seeing my pastor tear up during one of his sermons.....listening to the rain.....having my back rubbed....the smell after a hard rain on a summer afternoon....the smell of fresh laundry out of the dryer....the little things people say that make them who they are, like my mom saying “I said a prayer for you today”, or my daddy saying “what’d you do that for?” or Tara sayin "you get yo nail done?".....laughing at old memories of family and friends.....singin’ with the radio....dancing when nobody’s watching....wrapping up in my grandma’s old quilt....lazy afternoon naps....hugs that are unexpected and don’t let go right away....slow kisses in the dark....my mom’s sourdough bread and chocolate chip poundcake......summer trips to the beach....dreaming about the future....making a difference in the life of a child....lazy days spent in pjs.....hot showers......extra large towels....my church family and their love for me....fireflies at night......going barefoot in the summer.....being so in love you can hardly breathe....watching my daddy work.....listening to children on a playground.....hot chocolate that’s extra sweet....feeling the sand between my toes....watching waves leave the coast....praying in my car out loud....crying from the words of a song....laughing so hard I snort or just about pee my pants....being held....being loved for who I am....being so blessed you feel your heart’s gonna explode.......

WOW....I think I could type forever...I think like Ash I’ll keep adding and reading these so I never forget....