New Year Wishes

What an amazing year this has been.. reflecting back over 2007 it's been full of laughter, tears, grief, fear, joy, praise, healing, restoration, love, blessings, forgiveness (after overcoming unforgiveness)... and a multitude of other things equally as wonderful... I must say that I am looking forward to what the Lord has instore for me in 2008... everyday is new and a mystery.. a true gift from our gracious Father in heaven!!! For 2008 I wish peace, prosperity, healing, growth, love, laughter, hugs, kisses, joy, restoration, forgiveness and a abundance of blessings from the Lord upon you .... we will encounter pain, sorrow, grief, struggles, sin, anger...true troubled times... I pray that in the midst of these times, the Lord is ever present in our minds and hearts.....I pray in those time we can rise up and praise Him still! I pray that we enter every day with a renewed sence of thanksgiving for the air we breathe and the lives we have. I love you all very much and thank God for the gift of your friendship and sistership... Happy New Year Sisters!

The Father's 'tough' Love

Today I'm grateful that we serve a Father that loves us so much that he will reveal our transgressions to us and give us the strength to overcome those and get back on that solid ground he promises...I am grateful for the 'counselors' he's put in my life to help guide me, pray for me and point me to the truth (even if it hurts!). I'm also grateful for my husband, for his unique heart and personality. I believe the weary and heavy feeling I've been carrying around is no less than my lack of participation in the Word... and I can tell you first hand that will effect all the area's of your life. The enemy loves when we are distanced from God, our spouces, our friends and our family... but I am claiming my position in Christ today and will not give the enemy one ounce of victory over me today!

1 Peter 3:1-6 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourself instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gently and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

OUCH!!! This has NOT been my heart attitude toward my husband lately and Praise God for revealing this to me !!!! Humility is difficult and pride is hard to swallow... but, by the grace and mercy of a loving Father... he took my hand and led me.

Weight Watchers is looming!!!!

This year I am on a mission... I'm going to loose my extra weight !!!! (or give it a good try)... My goal is to get down to my size 6/8 that I was when Darren and I got married... I'm needing prayer cover...and accountability support... and encouragment... I'm asking my blogging sisters to keep me in their prayers... prayers for strength..and will power... And for my blogging sisters to call me out every once in a while... and to give me that tough love encouragement that is so important... I will be jumping on this WW bandwagon with a couple of my bestest buddies...so I won't be alone...but I need all the extra help, support and prayers I can get!!! I love you all and thank you in advance for your support... I am in 'pre-weight watchers' mode this week...and beginning the points counting the first of January!!! Wish me LUCK... oh yeah...prayers for Darren too!!!

Birth of a King

Luke 1: 30-33

"Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Isreal forever, his Kingdom will never end!"

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Broken Homes

I have been thinking lately about my very unique and unusual family... those of you that know me... know exactly what I'm talking about...I come from what society would call a 'broken home'... this is not a negative in my life.. I have to say, if my mother would not have married three times in her life... I would not have half of the blessings I do have... I would not have the family.. the circle of friends... or even live in Aroostook County... I am sure I would have had other blessings in my life if my mother and father had stayed married... but I would not have changed a thing about my upbringing and my family... the past hurt/anger and pain has all brought my family to where we are today... and that is a big, wonderful and unique circle of family memebers that are just as different as they are unique..... I love them all dearly and cherish every memory I have with all of the pieces of my "broken family puzzle"

7 random Shelly-ism's

Ok Heather... you asked for it!!! 7 random things you and my blogging pal's might not know about me......

1. My favorite candy bar is a Recee Cup...I poke the center out and eat that first...then eat the outside circle of chocolate.

2. I have seen the movie "Gone with the Wind" about a million times (my favorite!)

3. Darren is my second husband... I was married for 10 1/2 years the first time.

4. I am not a real red head

Man ...am I boring or what!!!!! 3 more to go

5. I love to fly ..I love airports.. ...I would love to get my pilot's license. Too bad you need all those classes and schooling... BUMMER...

6. Both of my pinkie fingers are slightly bent in ...

7. I LOVE to have my feet rubbed...and the awesome husband that Darren is... does it for me on que.

PHEW... that was hard... I am not as interesting as I thought... but God did have to create some slightly boring creatures... we can't all be quirky!!! Thanks for the challange Heather... it was fun...

Weary and Floating

I'm not sure how to put into words how I'm feeling lately. I don't know if the events of the last month or so has just finally caught up to me or what...but I'm just feeling rundown, tired, weary and like I'm floating. I am so unsure of many things..... I feel like I'm having an inner 'pity party' ... and it's just not how I want to be. How do I get out of this funk?

Saying 'Good-bye'

Romans 8:6 The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life & peace.

Contorlled by the spirit.....That is the kind of mind and life my friend Dan had. Through his passing we will grieve...but his life and death will speak on...live on... and the Lord in his wonderful wisdom will use every detail of both for good. Dan's passing will not be in vain...but it will speak to a multitude of believers and non-believers and draw both to a deeper understanding of the truth and closer to Jesus. How very difficult to say 'good-bye'...but for those that know the Lord...like Dan did... will be reunited again with Dan... so it's not really good-bye, it's 'until we meet again'. I am truley blessed to have known Dan for the short time I did... He was strong in his faith, humble in spirit and a more attentive, loving, dedicated, hand's-on, caring husband and father you'll never find. As a friend...he made you feel special, loved and important to him. Bigger than all these amazing and wonderful things about Dan was his love and committment to the Lord.. What a role modle for other believers... and a witness (even in his passing) to non-believers.

We will be heartbroken for a long time to come... we grieve for our loss, but even more for his wife and two small boy's... I pray the Lord gives us strenght and wisdom in the following days, to know how to rally around Liz and her boy's...to give her what she needs, when she needs it. Lord, help us be your hands and feet for Liz, Isaac and Tyler.

Today... as I reflect on this passing week... the amazing journey it's been..sorrow, grief, thanksgiving, rejoice, comfort, and love.....I thank God for my friend Dan... I thank God for his life and his testimony... I thank God for my beautiful friend Liz and her wonderful children. I thank God for revealing his greatness, strength and love to us in this time of saddness..... And I thank God for my own life and look deeper into my relationship with Jesus and seek to know him more. Thank you Dan!

Fear

That is a scary word all in itself... I find myself struggling with that right now... I trust in my Fathers perfect will for me... I trust His way's are right...I rejoice that I'm alive and He ordained the accident down to the smallest detail...and I was spared..... but the fear that is wreaking havic with me right now is terrible... it seem's so silly when I just think about it...but when I get in that car... and I'm driving... it's a feeling like I've never had before... I don't ever remember being 'scared' of anything before...or at least not on this level... I can barely handle being the passanger ... especially in the dark...I cry and can't breathe normal.... and tonight is the first time I'll be driving...by myself...in the dark...since the accident... please pray for me...and any advice is very welcome...

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was that holiday typically surrounded by family, good wishes, laughter, turkey and 'What are you thankful for this year?' asked around the dinner table. It was a quiet one for Darren and I... we ended up staying home just the two of us ... Darren got called out at 3:30 am to plow and was gone for 7+ hours... and I was not traveling on the snow covered and icy roads by myself... (We were suppose to go to Washubrn to my brother's house with the rest of my family)... I missed the hugs and the sound of the children playing... I missed my families faces and their laughter... BUT... they all called me, checked in with me.. made me feel connected, even though I wasn't physically with them... we are always together in my heart... so.... I spent some time in the very early morning hours talking to God...and thanking Him and praising Him for all I have...and all He's done in my life... in my marriage...in the lives of those I love...in our church... and for what is yet to come. This past year has been so amazing and I'm so in awe of my Lord and how I can look back and see His plan and how it unfolded... Trust is the key word... coming to a place in my life where I trust Him completely! That is what this past year has been... a journey toward trust. A journey toward knowing no matter what...He's in control...and I am looking forward to another year of watching His perfect plan for me unfold.

Psalm 28: 6-8 Praise the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust in Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives his people strenght. He is a safe fortress for his anointed King.

Car Vs. Moose

Proverbs 30: 4,5 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name- and his son't name? Tell me if you know! Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

Monday night on my way home, I hit a moose..... My first accident ever... It was one of the scariest moments of my life... but by the grace of our glorious Father in heaven...he spared me and ordained every detail of that accident. From the weight of the moose to the speed my car was going... every second planned out in his perfect will, and here I am to live and testify about it and about HIM! I know I was not alone in that car and I know I was being surrounded and protected. My time here on earth is not done, He has a plan for me and it's more evident than ever to me today. The Lord has also reminded me how blessed and loved I am... I have the most wonderful group of friends and the best family a girl could ever ask for. In the last two day's I have had an out pourning of love and prayers to cover me. By the time the police arrived on the scene...I had my husband, sister, mother, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and a close family friend (who was the car right behind me) all there with me... it might have been just a small accident... no one hurt...but for me, it was quite scary and overwhelming. I am blessed beyond measure and I thank all of you for your prayers, concern, love and support. I love you all!!!!

Friendship

I've always been blessed with a great circle of girlfriends/sisters.... this morning as I'm reading 'blog's and emails.. and checking my "wall" on my facebook... I realize just how awesome this circle is... friendships that are new and growing to 'sistership'... a sister that is amazing... and old friends I've known my whole life... God is good... He knows my needs...(before I ask)... and has surrounded me with the 'sisters' I need for laughter, tears, prayers, support, advice, counsel and sometimes just a smile and a hug.... So...for all of my 'SISTERS' that read this blog... I love you and I thank God for you!!!

Awestruck

Psalm 51:7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Looking out the window this morning at the light snow falling and the inch or so on the ground... I am reminded of God's ultimate gift he gave me. The gift of salvation and a cleansed life, by sending His only son to die for ME! Awestruck at His great mercy... love... grace... and forgiveness.... The ultimate sacrifice... Thank you Father for the hope that lives within me and the promises you restore with every new day!

New Beginnings

Ephesians 5:21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.

I think Darren and I have come to a turning point in our marriage... it's been a very rocky road and but by the grace of God we are still holding on... God has just blessed us with restoration and healing like I've never witnessed before in my life...... Today we spent about 2 hours in conversation about heart stuff... not the typical 'how's the weather going to be today' stuff we usually talk about... I would say in our relationship, that is the one thing we haven't built.. or that is still very much a work in progress... deep conversation... I have a wonderful circle of 'sisters' that I go to in time of distress, hurt, anger, frustration...etc.,and if not them, I go to my King, but I never seem to run to Darren... that is not my desire...and not God's design for a healthy and thriving marriage... Today I had to humble myself and submit to my husbands authority about a 'blessing' I was asking of him.... long and short of it... I believe God was glorified in this situation because not only did Darren and I have a 'heart to heart' about many things... and talked things through without yelling.... but I think Darren finally (maybe even for the first time) saw past his own attitude and judgements and into my heart. It took a few minutes to accopmlish this...we had to walk away for a bit... (Pastor Doug's famous advice)...I believe he is at a place of willingness to see another view besides his very own... Praise God for the work he's doing in my husbands life and heart.. I am always proud of Darren and proud to be his wife...but today, I'm rejoicing too!!!

The past

Today I'll be attending the funeral of a long time family friend... actually the mom of a couple of childhood friends.. I know it will be like 'old home week'... and in turn I'll be seeing my ex-husband today...as our familes share this long time friend... bitter sweet ...sadness and grief are all a part of my heart today.. and praise covers them all... Praise that I've given my heart to the Lord, that I can rest in His arms for comfort, counsel and support today... bitter sweet is the ex-husband part... we were always more like best-friends ..and it's always sad to loose a close connection with someone .. I am grateful and thankful that neither of us have now...or ever had any hard feelings or anger toward each other...and still remember each other fondly and care about one another...divorce can be messy and bitter...and I'm so thankful that is not a part of my reality.... grateful that the Lord took me down the path I was on with Michael (the ex) ...to bring me to where I am today... grateful for my new love...Darren... and the life we have together, centered in Christ! ... and the grief is for all the 'old' friends I'll see today that are heartbroken over the loss they are suffering...and grief that most of them don't know the Lord like I do... I pray the Lord opens doors today ...that I might be a witness today and a light into the truth to those that don't know Him... 2 Samuel 22: 29-31 O Lord, you are my lamp. The Lord lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection."

Rejoice

Blogging... who ever thought I would be savvy enough to create my very own blog 'website'... I guess I was selling myself a bit short on the computer knowledge... but they (whom ever 'they' are) make it really easy to create this stuff...

Today I am rejoicing for some very dear friends that the Lord has just washed blessings upon today. They have been faithful and obedient in their prayer and in their heart attitude in a very difficult situation that could have very easily turned nasty and hardened their hearts. I am so in awe of the Lords mighty hand... of His grace and mercy... I am proud to be a daughter of the King... Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour!