Friday, October 29, 2010

Captured by Me

Just sitting here enjoying this beautiful fall day and daydreaming (and being totally envious of all who live there!) about NYC...

Thought I would share some of my favorite pics from our last trip up north...







LOVE the Big Apple!


Friday, October 22, 2010

Do the Work!

Had to share this incredible devotion from one of my favorite sites, Proverbs 31.

Enjoy!

Do the Work
Marybeth Whalen

"Then David continued, 'Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the temple of the Lord is finished correctly.'" I Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)

I pushed the computer aside, convinced that the task I was attempting was impossible. I couldn't fathom completing the work I had ahead of me and I needed a mental break. Picking up a Christian book I was reading, I carried it upstairs to the treadmill, deciding to pound out my frustration and read at the same time. I had no idea I was about to have my own personal revival.

Several pages into the book I read today's verse. Have you ever had a verse jump off the page at you? Well, this one did. I thought back to my frustration with the work I was facing earlier and felt God speak to me through this verse. Quit telling me how impossible the task is and just do the work, He said. Don't forget I will show up each time. Not so you can boast about your abilities, but so you can boast in Me.

After my time on the treadmill, I raced downstairs to email a friend of mine who I had complained to earlier that day. I told her how the verse had ministered to me, and how I was going to simply do the work. She wrote back that she had been praying for God to speak to me about the task that was overwhelming me. I had a new motto as I recommitted to the task at hand: Do the work. Whenever I started to get discouraged or overwhelmed by the hugeness of the task, I reminded myself: Do the work—three little words that got me through one of the biggest challenges of my life. Perhaps you need to hear those three little words today.

Are you facing a challenge in your job? Do the work.

Does your marriage need to be rebuilt? Do the work.

Are you worried about your ability to be a good mother? Do the work.

Are you dealing with a personal hardship that just seems too big to overcome? Do the work.

Are you struggling with debt and financial issues? Do the work.

Do you want to eat healthier, commit to regular exercise or lose weight? Do the work.

Is there a dream that God has planted in your heart that seems too big for you? Do the work.

Make no mistake: sometimes the work will be hard. Note that our verse today didn't say "Lay around and hope things get better." The challenge we face is not in focusing on how hard the work is, but in seeking the God who has promised to show up as we work. We offer our best efforts and trust that He will multiply them. We will see Him supply the words, the resources, the energy, the time, the patience, the grace we need. But first we must do the work. Just like the priests had to first step into the water before the Jordan could part in Joshua 3:15-16, so we must begin working before we can see the solution appear.

What work do you need to start doing—or keep doing—no matter how discouraged or disheartened you feel? I pray that you will see Him at work on your behalf today as you do the work He has called you to do. Do the work, and He will be with you.

Dear Lord, help me to look to You and not to the hugeness of the work I have ahead of me. Help me not to be afraid or discouraged. I thank You for Your promise that You are with me and that You will not fail me or forsake me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TGIF

Yay yay yay!!

One of my best friends is coming in to KY for a visit....

so so SOOOO excited :)


B and I are looking forward to a fun weekend with Shawn!!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Hmmmm....

Currently suffering from severe writer's block....
Be back soon...

PS....is it Friday yet?!?!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Had to Share...

(Photo by Brooke Slezak)

"Chaos is a friend of mine" ~ Bob Dylan

My daily thought from Real Simple Magazine...

This week has been full of chaos and I'm looking forward to enjoying a beautiful, crisp fall day...

Happy Friday!!!!


Thursday, October 14, 2010

Captured by Me

This is one of my favorite shots from our CT trip....
So peaceful and serene.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Captured by Me

Ok, well...not really captured by me but by our tripod!
This was on Bayview Beach in Milford, CT.
It was chilly and windy but it was still a gorgeous setting in a quaint town.

We feel so grateful that were able to have a whole week to explore our new "home", Connecticut. It was absolutely stunning up there....changing leaves, water surrounding you, apple orchards buzzing with locals.....great trip!

More pics to be posted throughout the week....

Monday, October 11, 2010

Back to the Grind

Last week was spectacular!

B and I enjoyed an entire week together...just the two of us.
Details (and pics!) coming soon about our trip....for now just trying to get back in the swing of the things.

I definitely have a case of the Monday's!