I can sleep well tonight because...

I was able to be a plain old monkey today and it was just an ugly freckle! :)

I'm very thankful!

What I did on my Summer vacation... Day 1

It's Memorial Day!

I'm well into my 49th year on this earth and I'm finally becoming wiser to some things. From my earliest memories of being a child I remember feeling disconnected during the Summer, so I am going to take a stand against it this year. I decided I'm going to commit to doing a Bible study I've wanted to do for a long time.

This morning I opened up the study book and started doing my homework. I was immediately frustrated by my lack of ability to "get it." It bothers me when I don't understand a question and have to skip over it. Anyway... when I was about a quarter of the way through it I realized I was trying to answer the questions from 1st Chronicles when they should have come from 2nd Chronicles. It's amazing how much easier it is when you are in the right book!

I just thought about something. There are so many self-help books out there and believe me when I tell you I have purchased many many of them over the years. They have left me confused and have exaggerated my over-analytical brain tendencies. I've come to realize it only makes sense when I'm reading the right book... His Word. My Bible.

The theme of my homework today was PRIDE. Satan is sneaky with this one. What it does is makes me the center of my life where Jesus deserves to be. I'm going to give God the Glory for getting my attention this morning and nudging me to spend this Summer focusing on Him instead of me.

Since I'm done with my homework for Day 1 it's time to go play. The sun is out after many rainy days. What to do? Walk to town for the parade? Golf? Cook-out? Beach? Swim? I can be free to enjoy it now that my priorities are straight!

xoxo

I can do all things

It's Memorial Day weekend. In Michigan it is the official start of Summer. I'm excited to play golf this year since I got my new clubs! A friend shared this video with me. She is an avid golfer who has had to battle some major health issues this past year, and so have a lot of her golf buddies. When she shared this link with me I couldn't help but think of this Bible verse:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)

It really put things in perspective. For me Joy comes in the Summer and I'm looking forward to a great one!

Watch this and be encouraged, especially if you are in a tough season...



Make it a memorable weekend!
Love,
Angie

lilacs

Since I already put this on facebook and twitter I thought I might as well add it here. Lilacs are my very favorite flower. You should have smelled them on my walk this morning! Michigan has some beautiful Spring flowers. 

xoxo

"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ..." (2 Cor 2:15)

Happy Saturday, friends!

It's time...

I saw a movie with my sister-in-law last night and it made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt... on so many levels! I could relate more than I'd like to admit. Maybe it's just me, but you should really see Bridesmaids if you haven't already. Parts of it were distasteful but I think you can handle it.

Afterwards I did some major soul-searching. There are some things I need to break free from in my life and to surrender because it's making me a mess. I'm afraid I'm starting to make a total idiot out of myself.



I'm going to start the Bible Study that has been sitting on my shelf upstairs for too long:
Breaking Free.  If I didn't already own the study I would love to do it on my iPad.

things I love on vacation

I love offering to take pictures for other people, especially if they seem too shy to ask. I love to wake up early and sneak out by myself for coffee. I love getting recommendations for restaurants from locals. They never let us down. I love when it's real warm first thing. I love continental breakfasts. I love the freedom of riding a bike, especially the kind that have baskets on the front, no hand brakes and you can ride with flip flops and cut off jeans. Jazz music and white wine by the glass. The smell of the flowers in this garden. I love driving the rental car and being in control. I love freshly squeezed orange juice and the smell of bacon. I love bagels with too much cream cheese. I love taking pictures so I can take home the memories. I love that my husband loves to be around me constantly; When I need my alone time as much as he needs to be with me! God is so funny to bring two totally opposites together. I love my iPad, the internet and a cell phone in my back pocket that sends pictures! I love the sun; only wish it loved me back! More later.

Linc NEEDS me and breakfast is served!

Whispering... "Thank You, God."

His Love is for REAL.

I can honestly say that I am "in love" with my husband and I love my kids, my family and my friends.

But... the Only Love that never lets me down is God's love and I'm forever indebted to Him.

I love this song. It's my favorite these days. When hear it, I put God's name in where he says...

"When a Woman Loves!"

Have a great weekend, my friends!
I love you for real!
xoxo

It Stinks

Well, almost a week after my hearing I still can't believe how naive I am at my age. I seriously didn't think people could lie under oath. I thought they would get zapped like a dog crossing their electric fence. The other day somebody told me that everybody does it.  I was shocked!  That doesn't make it right. At the very least I thought (or wished) their noses would grow when they didn't tell the truth.

I also can't wrap my mind around the fact that someone (very important) left her cell phone turned on during the whole thing.

I shouldn't be surprised by what a woman will do to get the approval of a man, especially when it's her boss.  I find it very sad. I wouldn't have wanted to be in her shoes last Friday and I really wouldn't want to be in hers today... or on the day I receive my decision.  I don't mean to sound so vague, but I think it's best that way.

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Gal 1:10)



Lord, please help me to take the log out of my own eye so I will stop focusing on others. And please forgive those who hopefully don't know what they do.

shaking like a leaf

Thank you, Annette for sharing this song with me. It is perfect!

a good Word... "unswervingly"

Christian and Aunt Annie

I will be meditating on this verse these next few days and nights as I have a few things on my mind. Some questions will finally be answered by the end of this week.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

"Unswervingly." I love that word. When my nephew and his son, Christian and I went to Jeepers this past weekend, they played a motorcycle race video game.  Christian (5 years old) could hardly reach the throttle and he was supposed to lean from side to side to stay on track. If he didn't he would swerve and hit the side. He was not strong enough to lean the heavy motorcycle so his dad stood by his side, took control and did the tilting for him. It got me thinking how much help I need to stay on track, especially when life feels heavy. I need to remember that God is faithful to His promises and I must hold "unswervingly" to the hope that only He can give. I don't want to get off track and lose my focus. Everything will work out according to His plan and it is good! It's one of those weeks I'll be taking one day at a time.

So glad I'm not on my own. He'll be with me to fight my fight.