Truths and Ancient Ruins...

(Before I posted this blog, I took a moment to review my last blog where I was talking about snow and Luke's books for this semester. Today I look out the window and all I see is Green with temperatures of 80+ and Luke is finishing up this semester. It is amazing how things change in a few months.)

**As I have been thinking about busy I have been, I have realized how little I have been focusing on the important aspects of my life. Many times over, I am so exhausted from not sleeping well, the thoughts of spending time writing down some genuine thoughts overwhelmed me honestly. I have been wanting to write, however writer’s block has seemed to invade my mind and my spirit.

I recently received a prayer request from Guatemala, which lead to me reviewing pictures of our trip back in 2008 and pictures of the little girl we “adopted” shortly thereafter. Looking at those pictures blessed my soul and helped me to regain focus and my perspective on life.

It seems that I have simply been floating along in this journey and taking little time to enjoy being young and ever so blessed. When we first moved to Lynchburg, I was so focused on God’s plan and wanting and praying for nothing less. Now, I seem to have gotten comfortable and have failed to earnestly seek God’s face. I am so guilty of having a back pocket relationship- on my behalf- with my loving Father. This revelation has been presented to me during a bible study that I have taken part in over the past few months- Breaking Free by Beth Moore.

Recently the truths presented in this bible study have helped me realize areas of my life where I have been consumed with ancient ruins and such heavy baggage. Going through this process of reflection and meditation, I have realized where I have been held captive.

I sometimes feel that we fail to notice how alive satan is. I think we just place him as this imaginary thing that we place blame on occassionally. I believe that it is extremely important to realize that he is real and he is set out to draw us away from our Heavenly Father. He is set out to distract us, deter us and remove us from spritually positive events. I have recently been battling issues within my life that seem to have tried to pull me away and hold me captive to the point that I want to give in.

I believe that in those moments that is when I realize how ALIVE God is in my life. Also, during this time, I realize how unworthy I am of the Father's love and how little I turn to him during times that are going well.

One of the many truths that was presented to me during this study is how I have been held in the strong hold of negativity with my relationship with my parents. It seems that I have been consumed with negative feelings and thoughts towards our relationship that recently started taking a toll on other relationships. I have now challenged myself to think of positive thoughts when a negative thought enters my thoughts. Without my parents, I would have not developed some of my characteristics that I have. While I have longed for a relationship with them, I have now started breaking those chains that have held me in bondage for several years.

This past weekend, also helped me regain my focus on my marriage. My best friend got married this past weekend. Seeing them take this step in their lives made me reflect on when Luke and I got married. It is hard to believe that was over 2.5 years ago already- then at the same time, it seems like it is longer. It is hard to believe that we have already been able to experience some great opportunities together. Owning our first house together, to selling that house, to moving to Lynchburg and now as we consider new living opportunities.

We have been in much prayer about our future and have initiated the search to find a new place to call home. The condo that we have been staying at, is a nice place to rest, however, we both feel that it is time to move into another place of our own. We enjoyed remodeling and fixing up our old house and miss doing that. Needless to say, we would like to have another house to fix up together! We are being very diligent in looking for our future home and ask that you be in prayer with us during this time.

****PRAYER REQUESTS****

~Please continue to remember Ann Simpson as she continues to battle cancer and will be starting a new treatment soon.

~Please remember Jose, the son of the Pastor that we built a house for in Guatemala.

~A young lady from Statesville that recently has been diagnosed with Melanoma, Christina. Please keep her family in your prayers.

~Remember all of those who have lost their jobs, who are sick, homeless and those who are lost.