Hearing His Voice

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

Something that has been on my mind recently is how closely am I really listening for the Lord's voice? If a decision were to arise, would I know how He wants me to go?

This came about even more so just over the past few days as I thought of my new job, which I started in August. I have been praising the Lord for providing a sweet new friendship through this job, and that that is, from what I can see right now, the primary reason why the Lord provided this job. But back in May, when I applied for the new position, I didn't have an overwhelming feeling from the Lord in which I knew without a doubt to apply and take the job.
I applied for worldly reasons- a shorter drive to work each day and a pay raise. When I got the job offer, I praised the Lord because it was a great blessing for sure and a surprise that I got it. I knew the Lord provided it 100%.
Now, on this side of the job change decision- I see what other great blessings have come along with it. My question to myself is- would I have taken the job back in May if the Lord would have said "Trust me, take the job. There is someone you'll work with at this school I want you to meet."? Was He leading me like this but I'm not listening to Him enough to hear? Do I need enticing with convenience and money to get me in the right place? What other things am I missing out on because I'm not walking closely enough with my God to hear His voice leading in everything?
But just think- I applied for the job for convenience and money. And through God's grace I got those things but SO much more- relationships/people/friendship/camaraderie trump money by a million. HIS GRACE is so GOOD!
I am reminded of Phillip in Acts 8:26.
"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. And he rose and went."

Lord- may I hear your voice and rise up and go- wherever you lead- knowing that your thoughts are so much higher than mine and you plan to accomplish abundantly more than I ask or imagine!

Striving to be Thankful

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The holiday, that is. But as a believer, I'm called to be thankful all the time. To exude in thanksgiving to my Lord. This month, as kids are writing reasons why they are thankful on leaves of orange, red, and brown paper, I'm finding it harder to be thankful in all things. I am so abundantly blessed, and so I wanted to make sure that I'm not just thankful in all the "high points" of my day, and just pass over the "low points" without stopping to praise the Lord for them too. Praising Him in all circumstances- that is my desired heart-attitude.

Continuing in my list- my ever failing, oh-too-narrow list of what I'm praising the Lord for today.

74. A heated house when the weather turns nippy.
75. Clothes to wear. Though I currently desire to buy some new clothes, I am so very grateful to have an abundance of good clothes to wear.
76. I am so thankful that yesterday, when my car died while driving, that I did not get in a wreck, get rear ended, that I was not on the interstate or in downtown Louisville, and that the Lord was so gracious to actually let me be able to coast into our neighborhood, so that I was close enough to walk home. Praise Him!
77. Thankful for a precious friend who served me by picking me up for work and taking me home afterwards- and that this amounts to more time to chat!
78. Praise the Lord that my identity is in Christ! I am hidden in Him- though I stumble with this, my identity is not in how I look, how I do in life, ect. It is in Christ alone! Amen!
79. Praising God for seeing fit to bring the Cantwell's back to Louisville- Praising Him that I got to see sweet Emily last Sunday!
80. I am So grateful to have felt peace with buying plane tickets to Colorado for Thanksgiving. Thankful for my husband's leadership on this decision.
81. Praising Him for providing our place to live through dear friends, and that the Gibson's came to visit last weekend. Praising Him for their encouragement and their continued generosity.
82. The blessing of getting to meet Celia's family and spend time there!
83. Praising the Father for pastor Jeff King and his preaching of the Word last Sunday.
84. Sweet potato casserole
85. Nutella

Ok, so I digressed at the end. But I AM thankful for those last two. seriously.

Praise the Lord, oh my Soul, and all that is within me, praise His holy name!

From the Squalor

Squalor- isn't that a word that provokes mental visualizations? (at work, in my 2nd/3rd grade class we've been learning about text visualizations, so that is on my mind :)

Dictionary.com defines squalid this way :
"foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or cleanliness; neglected and filthy.wretched; miserable; degraded; sordid."

If you knew a hotel room was described as squalid, you'd flee from even one night there, right? Well, Christ CHOSE to come from His throne to our squalor. He came here, not for one night, not just as a baby, but stayed here, until His work on the cross was accomplished. Read the lyrics of this beautiful song, meditate on the deep Gospel truth. Allow your soul to rejoice in it today!

Verse 1
From the squalor of a borrowed stable
By the Spirit and a virgin's faith
To the anguish and the shame of scandal
Came the Savior of the human race
But the skies were filled
With the praise of heav'n
Shepherds listen as the angels tell
Of the gift of God come down to man
At the dawning of Immanuel

Verse 2
King of heaven now the friend of sinners
Humble servant in the Father's hands
Filled with power and the Holy Spirit
Filled with mercy for the broken man
Yes He walked my road and He felt my pain
Joys and sorrows that I know so well
Yet His righteous steps give me hope again
I will follow my Immanuel

Verse 3
Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal
He was lifted on a cruel cross
He was punished for a world's transgressions
He was suffering to save the lost
He fights for breath He fights for me
Loosing sinners from the claims of hell
And with a shout our souls are free
Death defeated by Immanuel

Verse 4
Now He's standing in the place of honor
Crowned with glory on the highest throne
Interceding for His own beloved
'Til His Father calls to bring them home
Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds
Hope of heaven or the fear of hell
But the bride will run to her lover's arms
Giving glory to Immanuel

Breakfast....

My mornings usually amount to me stumbling around half asleep, going through my morning routine. I always eat breakfast, and usually get on a breakfast kick, where I eat the exact same thing every day until I'm tired of it and pick something new to eat for 2 months.
The past two weeks, my new kick has been something entirely new for me, except for this one occasion:

I know this picture is a blur but I like it- it speaks to the occasion. Which was.... the morning of Alyssa's wedding! Amidst the busyness of the morning, we all ate bagels with cream cheese and Nutella. Delicious and nutritious (HA!) but this breakfast will forever be connected in my mind to these precious Sisters of mine.
And that is what I've been eating this week.
One half of a bagel with Nutella and cream cheese. Tea. The Word. At 6:15 am.
Would LOVE to share it with my bosom friends- miss you girls!

A Few Weeks of Life

Wow- I can't believe October is already over and we're on to a very rainy start of November. I feel like I haven't had anything to write about, though I've been busy and blessed.

Since Fall Break my life has basically consisted of work for the majority of my day, with a bit of Seminary Wives class, Zumba, house work, walks with Piper, laughter with husband, and church to fill in the rest. Work has been crazy this week with Halloween parties on Monday, a field trip with Kindergarten and First graders to a pumpkin patch on Tuesday, early release day on Wednesday. Love those Punkins' but I do come home tired!

Last weekend Cody and I were blessed to have a few married couples over to share dinner, worship and games together. It was great fun! I didn't get hardly any pictures, but here are a few:



Yayee- look at my favorite, super cute newly-weds! With my favorite new-friends couple on one side and half of my favorite new-parents couple on the other :)

Cody with sweet Eli Viola, glowing from the fire!

Piper was a party animal! HA! He and Tim are close buddies.

Then, on Halloween night, Cody and I went to U of L School of Music's concert, which is always a fun time. They different sections of the orchestra dress up and perform skits as they come on the stage. Cody and I sat with Celia and her mom, and Celia's husband Felix played Cello in the concert. The music was great and the skits were pretty entertaining too!

Now- Halloween is over, and Thanksgiving it right around the corner!

Giving Thanks

66. A sweet and encouraging phone date with my mentor and friend Regina.
67. Hearing the sweet little voices of her two children in the background while we talked.
68. Thankful for grace when I run a bit late for work.
69. I love when kids are excited to learn to sign! I was blessed today by 26 kids practicing a Christmas song in sign language at performing arts club.
70. Thankful for the treat of a less demanding work day today and time to serve other teachers.
71. Leftovers in the fridge!
72. The Truth of God's grace, and that He constantly sanctifies me into the image of His Son.
73. I am thankful for text messaging. Sounds a bit petty? I really am thankful that I can be in contact with more friends across the world because of it.

IBC Women's Fellowship

Yesterday was the first ever Immanuel Amazing Race, planned by the women's ministry team. There was a great turn out. We all met in a parking lot on Seminary's campus and divided into car loads. There were maybe 9 or 10 teams of about 5 ladies per team.

Celia accompanied me and we were on the lovely Heather and Baylee Young's team, along with a young lady named Lynette (spelling?) who I met last night. There were various tasks at different stops along the way. I didn't get pics of all of them, but here are a few....

Our first stop was at the Hanson's house. Three team members had to score 5 goals each in a hockey net. Baylee went, then Heather, then me. Notice the teams just arriving :) We thought we were doing pretty good!
Also at the same stop, one team member had to open starburst candy with thick gloves on. Something typical to Canada, I guess?? Celia rocked it!

Build a pyramid with a Seneca Park sign visible in the photo. Ask a stranger to take it. Check.

Whole group photo in a Target shopping cart. Check. (notice we found one with two extra seats!)


Also had to recite a very interesting poem at a church member's house and then....

The whole group had to rap part of a Flame song to several of the husbands of women's ministry team leaders. sigh. Rapping is not my forte. Fun, nonetheless!

The night ended with (after coming in next to last, when we thought for sure we were first!) hot chocolate and homemade goodies and visiting with everyone together. A fun, fall night!