Faith Unchallenged is Faith Unchanged

We got a call yesterday after lunch that some members from our church had been evacuated from their home. They watched from the church windows as fire flirted with their house. It had already destroyed the horse pasture, a barn, and several small storage buildings that they owned. 17 years ago this same family lost everything but the clothes on their backs because of the same devistation.

Over 55 homes in this area were destroyed including a kennel housing over 40 animals. The stories are heartbreaking. I watched my oldest daughter sob because she said, "My heart just hurts for these families." It was a lot to process for all of us. I can't imagine the fear my babies had going through their minds. We watched and waited at the church as more homes were evacuated. Hours later we would find out just how much damage had been done. We watched and prayed as the electricity flickered and sirens blasted.

Today, I am again amazed by God's mighty works. I was able to see aerial photos of our friend's home. It looks as though God just placed a hedge of protection around it. Literally! There is a perfect circle around their house. The fire made a b-line for their house from it's starting point. Firefighters and Insurance adjusters say there is no explanation. I think I can explain. There were lots of prayers and lots of faith.

Tonight I tucked my babies in their beds and breathed a sigh of relief. The fires around us have finally subsided. My dear friends are safe. And once again, I am reminded of how Great and Mighty our God is.

"The Lord your God is with you. He is MIGHTY to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

I don't know for sure, but I think God is showing His great delight that he takes in us.

Guilty Pleasures and Stubborn Disobedience

The winter blast hit early yesterday and school was released at 1:30. I went to bed thinking classes were delayed until 10 today but then to my excited surprise, school was cancelled for me and all three girls. We had a day snowed in. It was exactly what my body and soul needed. An un-planned day at home. I stayed in my pajamas all day. I finished reading my book and look forward to starting on my next one. "Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner. I love her books. Her writing is my guilty pleasure. ahhhh..........we all have 'em.

One of my goals for the year was to memorize 2 scripture verses a month. I am also in the process of looking for my next scripture to memorize.

So far the ones I have memorized are:

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you Oh LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

"Many, Oh Lord my God are the wonders you have done. The things you have planned for us, no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5.

"How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your Word. With all my heart I try to obey you. Don't let me break your commands. I have taken your word to heart so I would not sin against you. LORD, you should be praised. Teach me your demands." Psalm 119:9-12

I look forward to seeing what scripture God leads me to next. I wonder if it will be something about positive attitude. To be honest I don't know what to expect. I won't know for sure until the 15th. That's my chosen date. The 1st and the 15th of each month. I do know however that over the Christmas break, God and I had a long talk about my move here to Canyon. If I have ever hated anything, I was coming pretty close to absolutely hating it here. God opened my eyes to the fact that my attitude had a lot to do with my happiness. I was believing Satan's lies and allowing myself to believe that I could never be happy here. Luckily, I had an attitude adjustment and things are slowly getting back on track. I think I was making storms for myself. I hate when I do that! Thank you God for being merciful and loving me even in my stubborn disobedience.

Tuesday 2~8~11

More snow headed our way today! I sure wished I could be at home finishing "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks! I am almost done and left off at a spot that is so unsetteling! I dreamed about it...woke up thinking about it and now I'm worried about my friend in the book! :)

I got a phone call late last night that the dad of one of my little guys in my class was hit by a truck while working on their farm. He is in ICU this morning. Just another reminder that life as we know it can change in the blink of an eye.

What was so ironic to me was that the little guy in my class seemed so distant yesterday. I checked him 3x for fever. I even asked him once if he felt bad and he nodded his head. I asked him what was hurting and he shook his head and said, "I mean no, I feel fine." Premonition???? Kids amaze me. My thoughts and prayers go out for this family.

I am looking forward to Tuesday with my great group of kiddos. Then going home to my warm house with my sweeties, finishing my book and eating cheese and potato soup!

Winter Wonderland

The girls spent the weekend in Lubbock with Gran and Paw-T and came home to 3 inches of snow. After watching Kate and Macy try to roll the bottem third of the their snowman from the kitchen window, I decided to go help. We laughed so hard watching them try to maneuver the huge snow balls. I thought for sure they could use my input and muscle. :) I was a much better snowman builder when I was their age. Why does everything have to get so hard with age? Now I think of snow like I think of dogs. I love to look at it...don't really like to touch it.

Moving Mountains

Last night in the snow and windchill of -35, my girlfriend Kari got her car stuck in the snow after our Bible Study. There are no coincidences with God, but the neat thing was, the study was mainly about us seeing so little because we believe so little. God wants us to come to Him with our requests and BELIEVE that He will take care of things, not always how we expect, but He will. We have to BELIEVE that our 'mountains' will be moved. Anyways, back to Kari, her car was extremely stuck. While my first thought was to call one of our husbands, another friend wasn't worried. She just started digging snow out from under the tires with her hands! I am such a whimp! I just stared in amazement! She got in the car and rocked it back and forth going in reverse and drive over and over. I helped dig some but mostly was the cheerleader and prayer warrior. With all 4 of us ladies digging, driving, pushing, cheering and praying, we got Kari's car out of the muddy snow drift!!!! I was so proud of God I almost had to cry!!!! Then I realized my ears and fingers had frostbite. I have never experienced such pain to my ears and fingertips! I thought my ears were going to break off of my head. Crazy!!!! I tell you, sometimes I think we moved to the Arctic.

So, my mountain today, God, is for there to be heat in my house when I get home from school. Waking up to a 55degree house makes me a little grumpy. It makes my kids grumpy too. I wanted to stay under my electric blanket all day. But here I am at school with sore fingers and ears. Guess some days you just have to be a soldier. My 6 kids that are at school today are in PE now. They'll be back soon and we can be soldiers together. :) Earning green and shiny stars.