Hi, I'm Angie and I'm...

insecure.

Yes, I'm going to be brutally honest with you. The older I get, the more I learn that as women, we are all just like middle-schoolers. More times than I'd like to admit, I feel like an insecure 12 year-old girl trying to fit in. We all long to belong. I'm in the phase of life where there are many social events that require lists. Am I on the A list, the B list? Am I even on the list? It can feel very awkward since we all want to be chosen. I know in my head that as a Christian I'm not supposed to want to "fit in" this world, but it's not always easy to get the message to my heart. I know I can only be secure in Him! Most days I'm okay with it, but other days it just feels lonely and uncomfortable. I have always had a special place in my heart for girls in middle school.

I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I'm just sayin'... A friend of mine reminded me of Beth Moore's New Year's Eve. I linked to that evening where she chose to spend her night with the solo sisters. You can read it here at the bottom of her post about the Scripture memory verses. You should read the comments! She is such a blessing!

What would we do without Jesus and His Word?

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.
(Acts 10:34)

Have you ever felt this way? If you can relate at all, I hope you'll listen to this song. It's true. God does not show favoritism! I believe He's more than enough for me and you!



Thank you for Accepting me, even if it's just through a computer screen! I bet this why I like blogging!
Love,
Angie xoxo

p.s. By the way... You are on my A list! :)

Her legacy.

Yesterday we had a surprise party for my mother-in-law, Marie's 80th birthday! A fun time was had by all! It brought her to tears. This is an amazing woman who raised 9 children whose names all start with the letter "L' (not to mention two sets of twins, one being my husband)! I wish I could tell you all of her good qualities.

Let me just tell you the verse that comes to mind when I think of her...

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13).

I should say, she lays down her life for her family. She's so generous and has made many sacrifices for them. Her priorities are in the right order!



And... if you know me, there is always a song.


Happy Birthday, Mom!
Love you,
Angie xoxo

Have you seen this yet?

I love it!
Angie xoxo

Upward I look...)

Sometimes when words don't come I need a song! Today this is it!
Have a great weekend!
Love, Angie
xoxo

My first hole-in-one!?

(wink, wink)




Good Morning!

I just had a dream that I had a hole-in-one! Does that count? It was just before my alarm went off. I used a pink ball and my pitching wedge. I have no idea who I was playing with or which golf course we were on, but it was with a bunch of women.

I'm not sure what that means, but...
I think it's going to be a good day, girls!! :)
Love,
Angie xoxo

p.s. Only in blogland :)..................

He is the answer

Have you ever wanted to run away from home? When times get tough, doesn't it seem easier to run away from our problems than deal with them head on?

I know someone who gets real mad (hurt) and runs away at the first sign of trouble. They avoid conflict at all cost. I've noticed a pattern. No matter where they run, the problems seem to follow them! Trust me, they keep running here, there and everywhere! It really bothers me. Can you tell? I guess it's because I have been the one left behind to pick up the mess after they've gone. One day, I'd like to talk with someone who ran away, and was honest enough to say it was the biggest mistake of their life. Relationships are hard, even exhausting... No matter who we are in relationship with (parents, children, spouses, siblings, co-workers and friends). Every time my husband and I make it through another fight (by putting our selfishness and pride aside), it is most rewarding. We seem to grow closer! I believe we are put on this earth to learn to love each other.

This is so complicated and every story is different, but I know there is only one way to solve the problem. It's running as fast as we can to Jesus! I'm not a know-it-all, but I believe with all my heart that only with Him can we possibly get along. Only with His help can we let the other person be right. I've learned I'd rather get along than be right. I've also learned this...

Hurt people...hurt people!

I have a heavy heart about so many people who think running away is the only answer. I wish I could stand on a street corner with a sign saying, "Go home and work it out"! Who am I kidding? The reason I am so touchy about this topic is because I used to be that person. I thought there was no other way besides leaving... and running. I am thanking God right now that He caught me before I left again. He is the only answer to any problem or conflict!

I'm thanking God for His Word. It's in there. Look for yourself...
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph 4:2)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

Dear Lord, I want to first thank You for having Your arms open when I've been smart enough to run to You. Thank You for understanding. I pray for all of my loved-ones who may be tempted to run... again. Please give them strength and courage to do the hard work. Make these words more real today than ever... "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint". (Isaiah 40:31)
In Jesus' name. Amen.



Grateful for knowing ...He is the only answer.
His daughter,
Angie xoxo

Memory verse #8

This picture says it all. I'll never forget taking it when Lincoln and I were on our honeymoon in July 2001. We were in Hawaii on Kaanapali Beach outside the Sheraton Resort on Maui. Do you notice a man jumping off the famous Black Rock? Yes, that was my new husband of less than a week. If I only knew then what I know today. :) When he told me he was going to jump off (to impress me), I remember telling him he should think about it first, because I was worried he would get hurt. You'll have to ask him if his shoulder has ever been the same since the jump.

My natural tendency has always been to worry. I worry about what might happen and what might not happen. Until I started reading the Bible I never knew it was a sin. I simply thought it was a personality trait. These days it seems there is always something to worry about if I choose to.

This morning in Bible study I was reminded that I am not responsible for "how" _____ turns out (and worrying won't change it anyway). I am only responsible for "what" God asks me to do (by being obedient) in the meantime. I could spend my time worrying about what might happen tomorrow, but then I would miss out on the Joy He has for me today! And it will be a lot easier if I take one day at a time!

Much love, from this wife, mother, aunt, daughter, sister and friend who would feel a load taken off if she gets this one!
Angie xoxo

I know

...I over-do it with videos, but this one is the most important!



Happy Easter... Have a great day!
Love,
Angie xoxo

I'm just thinking about...

John 3:16 and this song...



Have a nice Saturday preparing for tomorrow!

Love,
Angie xoxo

Perfect Love

Speechless for the rest of the week...



Do you know- that you know- that you know- that you know- that you know- that He did it for you, personally?

In His Amazing Love,
Angie xoxo

It's in the waiting...

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

What are you waiting for?

I never realized until this morning how exhausting it is to wait. I'm probably the most impatient person I know. In these times when we are waiting for college acceptance letters, our daughters and sons to meet the right guy or girl (praying for their spouses in the meantime), the right job to come along, our economy to improve, the snow to go away, our marriages to improve, lose those couple of pounds, getting in shape, our houses to sell, etc... we might as well just give it up to God. He knows the perfect timing for everything in our lives. It takes discipline to wait upon the Lord. When we wait on Him (not the event) our strength is renewed!

By faith...
Angie xoxo

(Thanks to Beth Moore for pointing this out in Session 5 of her Esther study!)

Palm Sunday

I went to my old church this morning for Palm Sunday. Some days I just need a little tradition and this was one of them. The Priest talked about the alabaster jar of perfume the sinful woman brought to Jesus and reminded us that she gave everything she had to buy it. It would have cost a year's salary. She cried her tears on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. As I sat there listening to the gospel being read, I held back the tears. I listened to every single Word as it was being read. I really listened. I am that sinful woman. I was just that sinful woman this morning. I was having a pity party. I was feeling jealous of my ex-husband and his ability to win my kids over by being the "Disney Land Dad". He gave my son tickets to the final game of the Final Four College Basketball Tournament that MSU will be playing tomorrow. (Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for him. I really am!) On top of that, he's on his way to go down to see The Master's Golf Tournament. For a little while I was jealous. Believe it or not I was about to cry until Jesus reminded me...

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world.

I am so grateful for my life in Him and for understanding His Word in a way I would have never understood if He hadn't found me and wrapped His arms around me all those years ago (and this morning). I'm praying I can be fully present this Holy week. He went through the pain and torture for me and for you. He would do it again if it were for just one person. He'd do it again for you. I'm so thankful He found me. I want to give Him everything I have.

In His Love,
Angie xoxo

Please pray...

If anyone happens to stop by here... please do me a favor and pray for a friend of mine. (Actually she is a friend of a friend, so that makes her my friend, too!) Please pray for C.H. who got some news today that no woman wants to hear, especially if she's already had breast cancer. Please pray she feels God's peace and His presence tonight. Please pray she knows she is not alone. I pray God reveals Himself to her in a way she's never felt before!

Thank you so much!
Love,
Angie xoxo