Cheer

16 days. 16 days until I am a married woman! Even though I know Jordan never reads this blog, I still can't chance saying what his wedding present is on here. (I want to scream it to the world though... I think it's the sweetest thing!!)
I put my Christmas lights up on my porch today, and even though it doesn't feel like Christmas yet, I am constantly reminded of Christ's love for us! He is so gracious to even come to Earth... much less sacrifice Himself!

Yes, He loves us!
Oh, how He loves us!!
How He loves us so!!!

Light

The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?

Well, there wasn't much light today... At least not when I stepped outside. To watch from a purely physical point of view, you wouldn't realize how much "light" I truly saw. No matter how dark and rainy the weather turned, I was blessed by God being with me today, and He definately was my light in showing me His will. He is so good!

Even though I walk
Through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
You're perfect light is casting out fear.
And even in the midst of these troubles
And the hardships of life,
I won't turn back.
I know You are near.
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear??

Cares

There is one verse that has been getting me through the past week... 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."
I remember my dad singing this verse to me when I was little, and as I sit in my apartment worrying about wedding plans, invitations, flowers, a job interview, my current job, birthdays, supper, schedules, sales, my dress, the weather, traffic, bills and a cold, the song runs through my head over and over. God cares for me. I can give Him all my worries, and, once I place them in His hands, I know that He will take care of me! I don't have to worry anymore. God has it under control.
How many times in my life will I have to struggle with handing control over to God? Cuz it is not easy at all. I know it will be hard for my whole life, but I also know I would be a fool not to give my worries to God! Do I really think I could handle the situation better?!

Be bold
Be strong
For the Lord, thy God, is with you.
I am not afraid.
I am not dismayed.
For the Lord, my God, is with me.

Hope

I am so excited to get married!!!!!! Part of me wishes Jordan and I would elope so we could hurry up and be husband and wife, but another part of me wishes the wedding was far far in the future. I remember when I was little making mental lists of everything I was going to accomplish before I got married. This was also the time when I envisioned myself getting married at 40-something! I have not accomplished most of those things, but I have no regrets going into this marriage :)
I'm really struggling at work. I keep trying to maintain a positive attitude. I mean, I should be thankful that I even have a job, right? I'm facing two 45-hour weeks in November (including Thanksgiving week) along with the normal two 38-hour weeks. My coworkers are fighting, constantly gossiping about each other, and disrespecting everyone around them. I don't understand. Do they realize how ridiculous they look to a believer? Selfishness, petty grumbling, and dishonesty galore! These actions do not honor God, they do not get you ahead in life, and they do not make friends.
Craziness. Hopefully, I'll survive until my wedding!!!

Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

Patience

Wow, God has been stretching me a lot lately. But, I've realized that He has been doing so much than I ever dreamed! Today, I was put in several situations where, 5 months ago, I would have lost my temper, cried, blew up at people, or taken out my frustration on someone I loved. But today, I handled it with grace (which came from God) and total patience with the people who hurt me.
I am so happy to see that I am growing spiritually. After I graduated high school and moved out of my parents' house, it became harder and harder to maintain and strengthen my relationship with God. I've been working hard to stay on the right track, and it is so encouraging to see some progress!

Morning by morning I wake up to find the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch Him, amazed, in awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.

"Mine"

Wow, I'm all moved in to my own apartment and starting my new job!! And it has been... crazy. However, I do love my own space. For the fist time in nineteen years, I have my own bathroom... and I'll only have it for another four months! I don't have a roommate for the first time in six years. It feels great! I love being able to decorate my living room, cook my own meals in my own kitchen, and organize my own storage. I am so blessed!

However, all this new stuff of "my own" makes me think of the people who don't have homes. They don't have a roof over their head. They don't have food to fix for dinner or a kitchen to cook in.

I am so fortunate. God has blessed me enormously! I have such a great fiance, family, friends and such a big, loving, powerful God!

Whirlwind

Wow so much has been changing in my life over the past month! The biggest news is that I am engaged! I am so blessed by God and thankful to Him for the amazing fiance He has given me. We are tying the knot in December, and ever since he proposed last month, time has been flying. There is so much planning that goes into a wedding!

I am also transfering to another city with my job, and I move into the apartment tomorrow. Timing could not have been better, and I will be closer to my fiance! :)

This blog looks a little dated, as I haven't written in quite a while! But I am working on that, and hopefully, when I don't have to visit Starbucks to get internet I will be able to update it more often!

Our God is greater,
Our God is higher.
God you are higher than any other.
Our God is healer,
Awesome in power,
Our God.
Our God.