Joyful moments

I had the priviledge of meeting some of my friends new babies this past week. Greg and I also had the joy of spending an afternoon with some dear friends of ours on Sunday. Thank you to the Essman family for a wonderful afternoon of food and friendly conversation. Todd, I still find myself wanting more of that scrumptous flank steak! And Shauna, I must have that salad recipe! YUM YUM!!

Fun with Family and Friends

Sometimes I know I take my family and friends for granted. I am so blessed to be surrounded again by so many people who I love and enjoy living life with. We have been busy the past week. We got to enjoy a camping trip with just our kids this past weekend in Port Angeles/Sequim area. It was wonderful. A good time was had by all. Then we got to have a playdate with some of our cousins and close friends. Then I got to have lunch with a dear friend of mine who is expecting her first baby in about 4 weeks. Today we got to celebrate my baby sisters 30th birthday and she and I had a wonderful time together.

I am blown away by the overflowing of blessings in my life. Thank you God for giving me so much and forgive me when I lose sight of things and want for more. Thank you that you are better at distinguishing between my wants and my needs than I am.

You never know!

You never know when God is going to use you to speak His truth to a listening ear. Don't ever decide not to encourage someone with God's word. It was just what I needed to hear tonight. So maybe you will be encouraged in your own way too.

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - Rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Phil 4:4-8

The Challenge

What is going on?!! I just was reading up on blog updates by friends. Two of those friends wrote specifically about what God has been doing in their life and how He is really speaking into and through thier lives and quiet time with him. There is a real relationship there. I have already told you in my last blog that God is calling me out and specifically seeking me right now. He has reminded me that I need to be growing and that I need to be DAILY in his word.

I am challenged in a way that is not comfortable to me. I am being asked to do more than seek him. I am being persued by the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. I want to grow but do not look forward to the growing pains that I know will come with that growth. And yet, my soul is excited to spend more time with him today. It's a joy and excitement I can not explain.

Thank you to Amy, Kristin, and Breanna for sharing your hearts today. God used you to encourage me. I thank God for you all and pray blessings over you tonight tenfold.