Appalachian Mountains and my bday :)

Ah, what a breath of fresh air this past week was (July 21-26)!! It was so amazing getting to spend time up in the Appalachian mountains. Just me and God, well sorta... my brothers and others were there, but most of the time it was just me with God. Having been at home playing "mom" and helping my family out non-stop for the last several weeks, it was so nice getting to have some alone time and time to have some awesome adventures. It was also amazing getting to see how awesome and loving and wonderful my creator and heavenly father is. Being up in the mountains, I think, catches just a glimpse into the majesty and hugeness of Him ... and it always leaves me breathless and wondering more about him. It was one of the best birthdays I can ever remember.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ~ And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. ><> SLR

I dare you to ask God to show you He's real

I want to see Him be real in my own life. I want my desire to serve and love other people to overflow on others so that they can see just HOW real Jesus is. I know He is real; He's the cringe I get or the uncomfortable moment when I'm in a place unsuitablefor me to bring Him, for He is always with me. He is the smile on a needy person's face when they've been helped. He's the heavy burden and tears of compassion I have for those who are hurting.

He's that feeling in my stomach, that stirring in my soul, that melting of my heart when I know I've seen a person or a circumstance through His eyes.

Although this God is REAL and ALIVE, I often chose to believe many lies that keep me from following and living for Him. I've believed that by missing time that should've been spent with Jesus and instead seeking after my own personal pleasures, that Jesus is angry with me. So why have that time the next day? My enemy likes me to believe that after I sin, there's no turning around or way out. I often believe after following my own ways instead of Jesus' that I am worthless and out of luck.

BUT...praise the God of the entire universe, who redeemed us from the curse of sin and wants us to realize that guilt is a glorious thing. Own it. Wear it. Be gutsy in it!
"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Thought I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord's wrath, UNTIL he pleads my case and establishes my right. He WILL bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness." - Micah 7:8-9

Amazing Poem =)

You are the daughter of the King of Kings You too are special! Set your heart to live like a princess, a daughter of the King. You possess something to give the worlds that no one else has ever possessed before. God saw a need, and important need, that had to be filled. So he created you. He placed dreams within your heart which will be fulfilled when his plan for you is complete.