Blessed and grateful

I am having a day where I just feel blessed! I really have a great life! The first reason I feel blessed is thinking about all the places I have been...funny this was brought on by a Facebook application where you choose the type 5 places you have been. Mine were: Puerto Vallarata, Mexico (been here twice and the second time was probably my favorite vacation); St. Thomas and Puerto Rico- on the same trip we also went to St. Martin and St. Croix. This was a Caribbean cruise with my family. I think I saw the most beautiful water and beaches on that trip. I also had down Guatemala which wasn't a vacation but a mission trip. It is a beautiful place! The 5th location was Hawaii. I went at a time of record rainfall so I didn't enjoy it as much as the average person but it was still beautiful.





Besides thinking about all the places I have been blessed to visit...seeing God's BEAUTIFUL creation...I feel blessed by the people in my life. I love visiting with friends...I went over and saw my friend Jaime's 5th child and first son last night. It was refreshing just to be with her kids and talk with her for awhile about life. I have so many great friends!

I also am really grateful for the home God entrusted me with 3 1/2 years ago this weekend. It is AMAZING to me time and time again that he saw it fit to give me this blessing.

The weekend ahead looks really open but I am excited to do one of my favorite things (weather permitting)...garden! I took up this hobby last year and really enjoy it. It is relaxing...I love to see things grown...I have a deeper appreciation for creation...and I just really enjoy it! I might do some decorating which has been a hobby of mine for years. Time to take down all the wintery things and bring out the summer stuff. Fun!





What are you grateful for?

Give me Jesus...

I am listening to Jeremy Camp's song "Give me Jesus". It is a refreshing song that brings perspective..."you can have all this world...give me Jesus...". I wrote a post last week that never got published. I could publish it but it seems sort of outdated. One thing I was writing about, though, was the recent loss of a student (if you live in Portland you might have heard about it on the news- rockclimbing accident...her brother-in-law died, too, and was a Gresham Police Officer. That week was really sad around here and the funeral extremely sad. But I realized for me life goes on. Her husband stopped by last week to ask a question and I was really sad for him rest of that afternoon. But I woke up the next day not thinking about it anymore. They do come to my mind often and I pray for them...but for me the sadness is mostly gone. What is my point? Well, I have realized a couple of things through this tragedy...the biggest thing is to LIVE life to the fullest. Not "eat, drink and be merry"...but living a life of purpose. A life I would be proud of when I stand before my Maker. A life that if I died a premature death others would say the nice things they said about Laura Silva. A life that leaves a legacy... I have been trying to find ways to do this...my first step is "risking" more in ministry and relationships. I like to play it safe most of them...because of past hurt and because I am not much of a risk taker... I want to spend more time with my Lord. I have been actively trying to do that...acknowledging His presence throughout my day...asking Him to be glorified through me today...

I also realized that for me the sadness might be gone...but for their families and close friends it will linger for a long time...maybe forever. It makes me realize how each of us have some level of pain in our lives...some more than others...I don't understand fully why some of us are given more than our share (like the Silva family) but I do know that pain can lead us several ways...to bitterness OR closer to the Father. Longing for Heaven...to be free of pain and tears and mourning. I realized on Easter sunday that Laura and Tony are in a better place and they were celebrating our Risen Lord in person!! This gave me chills to think they could go up to Jesus and see his scars and know He sacrificed so they could live eternally!! WOW!

So all this to say...the past few weeks my prayer and my desire is for more of Jesus!

The sun will come out tomorrow...

This has been one of the biggest weeks in a long time. Big is the only way I can describe it I guess. I have had some really cool things happen...and had to do one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Let's start with the cool stuff :) I had this realization this week about how we as humans want to be believed in...need it really! I have struggled off and on in life with confidence. In certain situations I am confident and sure of myself. In others, I want to crawl in a hole. Have you ever noticied in a situation where you don't feel confident if someone BELIEVES in you it makes you suddenly able to do it? I know for myself, the words of someone who is instilling hope and confidence in me is HUGE...One example of someone who does that well in my life is our children's pastor. When I agreed to move to the 2's ministry the words she spoke about me to others instilled confidence in me. Not confidence in my own ability...but what the Lord could do through me if I was a willing vessel. I have had some really cool things happen in my heart through her and through this ministry.

I also had a divine appointment this week. That's another story that is still unfolding but the Lord clearly put this person in my path at the exact moment I needed it. I am still smiling that the Lord loves me so much He does these things...little things...but important to my growth and confidence.

The hard thing is too tender and private to share here but I will say the Lord works in ways we don't understand. He uses us in ways we would NEVER want to be used but I can see on this side of the week a little of why He wanted me to do what I had to do. I don't believe in coincidences...I do believe in honesty and truth...I do believe there is a battle going on around us that we are not always aware of but it is very real. I am confident that "his mercies are new every morning". I wish I could take away pain from those I love...even though I am unable...I know the ONE who is able!

Friends and a long weekend!

After being sick SO much this winter I have needed some good friend time! I have much to look forward to in the next couple of weeks :) This past week I had a few fun things as well. First was a surprise 30th birthday for my good friend Bec! It was so fun- I did have a cold then so would've enjoyed it even more without it- but still had fun celebrating her! I'll add a few pics to this from that night (you can see more on my Facebook). The first pic is Jessica her sister-in-law with week old Titus, her mom, Nikki and me. The second is Bec when she walked in- SURPRISE!

Last weekend my sister, her boyfriend and I went to spend a night at the beach with my grandparents. It was fun to window shop, relax, eat yummy food and play games. I LOVE the beach rain or shine. It was nice most of Saturday which was unexpected! We had a nice view of the ocean from our room.

I have realized how much I need friends in my life this winter! Having to cancel my plans too many times makes the times I do get with friends even more special :)

Prayer requests

I know a couple of babies who are fighting for their life right now. One is the daughter of a guy I grew up with. They thought she would die at birth from Trisomy 13 but she is alive still (I think she was born last Thursday). They haven't confirmed yet if that is what she has. Also a blogging friend's baby is in the hospital. He was a miracle baby- they thought he would also die at birth from heart conditions. He was born healthy but now is having problems. Her blog update was really good about trusting God even when things don't go our way! Really inspiring as she is going through a huge trial and so much truth to what she says... I would recommend reading it and saying a prayer for her little one!

Praises!!

I am a loyal reader of a blog I found from a friend. It is a fun blog and she puts up prayer requests for people which can get really heavy. I found myself almost brought to tears (which is hard for me since I'm not very emotional) by one of the stories she asked us to pray for. So when I read her entry today I was inspired and realized I need to do this publicly and with my time with the Lord more often.... PRAISE HIM for all the blessings in my life!!

PRAISE the Lord I have a job...a job that I actually love and a job that pays the bills. This is something I try not to take for granted as I know many people are out of jobs or are at jobs they don't like!

PRAISE the Lord for my family. My parents and sister love and support me even when I don't deserve it! Rarely do I go a day without talking to my mom and sister on the phone!

PRAISE the Lord for the friends I have- both near and far. It has been a hard 6 months for me with friends moving (esp. since quality time is huge to me in a relationship) but I am so thankful for my friends who are still here and miss those who are far!

PRAISE the Lord for the blessing of my home. I know without a doubt that it is ONLY because of Him I ever bought a house or still have it. I can speak many praises to Him about this story in my life and His provision.

PRAISE the Lord my grandpa is still alive and doing well. When he was first diagnosed with cancer they didn't give him a very good prognosis.

PRAISE the Lord for my puppy...I seriously think I would be depressed without her to come home to...she is always happy to see me, shows me tangible love all the time and cuddles with me when I'm sick or tired!

PRAISE the Lord for my overall health. 3 viruses in 1 1/2 months is frustrating but I am extremely thankful I don't have something serious!

PRAISE the Lord for sunshine today!! I seriously needed it after the past few days of dark skies/rain/hail...thank you, Lord, for a break in the weather!

PRAISE the Lord for 2 days off during Spring Break and a beach trip!

And everyday things that I enjoy and don't always praise the Lord for...sunshine, Spring flowers, coffee, having the resources to decorate my house and make yummy food, chips/salsa/guac/nachos, Jamba juice, watching movies, taking a walk in the sunshine, encouraging notes, jewelry, organic makeup, Creme Brulee or Tiramisu dessert, waking up to sunshine and having it last until bedtime, the beach, seeing Mt Hood as I drive to work, sunrises and sunsets, holding babies or playing with little kids, gardening...and the list could go on and on!!

So if you have a blog I officially tag you to do something similiar...I think we all need to stop and praise the Lord publicly! He is GOOD...and even when things seem to be out of control in the world around us we KNOW He is in control! Praise you Lord :)

Thoughts...

I have several thoughts circulating in my mind right now :) I am not sure who actually reads my blog since I never have comments- if you do would you mind leaving me a comment? I am just curious...

Anyway, one of those thoughts is about contentment. A good friend of mine once told me (paraphrase) "If you cannot be content single, you will never be content married. If you cannot be content married, you will never be content as a parent..." This has stuck with me and encouraged me time and time again. It is okay to have desires and dreams and to fervently seek the Lord for them. But we are asked to be content in all circumstances. I have realized by watching friends and "blogging friends" go through trials that life is not fair. I can become upset when I see someone who doesn't "deserve" blessings to have them...I know that sounds really selfish and I admit that it is! But I see friends who are wonderful, godly people who DESERVE to have kids and cannot get pregnant...I see myself and others who want to find "the one" and haven't yet... So how do we move past this and learn to be content? I am not completely sure but I am trying to seek the Lord in my frustration...I am trying to remember that no one has a perfect life (even if they appear to)...even those who deserve every blessing under the sun don't have it all...I realize daily that this is part of life on earth...we live in a fallen world and there will be hurt, disappointment and pain. Only when we meet Jesus will the disappointments of this world fade! And what hope there is in that promise!!