There, this is the picture I wanted to go up last night but it wouldn’t upload for some reason. My sister took this one.
Things are a little rough right now, pray that I’ll yield my attitude to the Spirit’s control. God be praised for His mercies endure forever.
I love Valentines day! It’s so full of surprises and it’s a great excuse to make an extra show of God’s love.
My dad is so wonderful! We got a call from the front desk saying something was there from us. We arrived to find three yellow roses (it’s a Texas thing).
Several times throughout the day we would find something outside our door – always in pairs of three – thought, can you have pairs of three? Oh well, my brain doesn’t care to dwell on math related subjects.
My 15 year old brother sent the sweetest note, it made me cry. I love that boy so much! He is a rare jewel of a brother, he loves to tease at me, he’s a manly gentleman and has a very pure character. He’s a blessing to know.
Wearing pink and white was fun. My sisters and I dressed up and took pictures to send out to family and friends as our valentine to them.
God has been working on me to show unconditional love to those around me. So often I am selfish with my time and attention – saluting my brethren only, and overlooking those I haven’t taken the time know. I have been put to shame as those I have hung back from extend their friendship to me. God bless you, I love you my brothers and sisters.
Something rather interesting and amusing happened to me today. I went with Alex to the grocery store and when we were making our purchase the guy checking us out complimented me on how nice my smile was. I thanked him and he made some comment about hoping my “boy friend” got the same smile on valentines. I informed him that I didn’t have a boy friend and he asked me why not. I replied that I was waiting for the “right one”, to which he practically said look no further, you got it right here (indicating himself) I deftly deflected the pursuit towards my dad at which the guy was quiet for a minute as he sacked up our groceries. He then asked if my dad was a mean, tough sort of fellow and I said “not really, but he’s rather protective about me.” He didn’t say to much after that, he didn’t even ask for a phone number (which I would have gladly given – my dad’s number that is)
I fell into a short lapse of thinking about why I was smiling in the first place and suddenly realized that this was a good opportunity to witness. So I told him that I really was smiling because someone loved me and when he said “oh really?” I said that it was because God loved me. By that time we were finished checking out and we left, I felt like I had done a lame job at witnessing, boy do I wish I could have been quicker on my feet at turning that conversation towards the gospel. I should have been ready with an answer, I’ve had opportunity to work on it, this kind of thing has happened to me two other times. I guess I need a better pick up line than they have.
Oh Lord, please use my verbal fumblings start a work in this young man, I was insufficient but You are all-sufficient. Thank you for the witness of a smile.
Well, the weekend looms up on the horizon of tomorrow – one test down and one to go. This second test is sort of a God thing, it will be interesting to see how He will work this out. Oh well, pass or fail I know that He has some reason for me to take it and I am just to obey.
Mr. Winsor has really been a blessing this week, he helped explain out all that stuff about the silver coinage that had me really confused. Micah, Rebekah and I went over some of the power point with him, it’s good to have him there to explain and fill in the gaps. I found out that he is here on his vacation time, what a sacrifice. Well I’d better hit the sack, 4:30 comes really early.
Why learn self defense? Why learn to defend your faith? Some might argue that God is our defense, we don’t have to worry. In Matthew 10:19 The Lord promised to be with us in times of testing and speak through us; But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. Does that mean we don’t have to study scripture or learn how to defend our faith? No. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to ” Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks.”
So be proactive in your preparation to meet the onslaught of the world and those that would threaten you. And yes, I trust in the Lord to defend me; God is my refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble. But He also ” Teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” (Ps. 144:1) Therefore I train myself, in word and in deed that I might be prepared.
