Answered Prayers

It has been a blessing to watch God work in my life over the past year. Yesterday I spent all day out in the sunshine riding horses in 75 degree weather. I drive up in the mule and they come looking for a meal. I just throw a saddle on and go for a ride. That is heaven for me and after not being able to ride for 4 weeks because of being bucked off it it was really wonderful to ride without pain.

This week while I was talking on the phone to Bebo I challenged each of us to do a random act of kindness and then report back to each other. I was in Austin Monday afternoon for the Fire Relief concert when a young girl approached me and asked for money. I don't like admitting that I am conditioned to say no but I did. Then it was like my eyes were opened and I realized this was an "opportunity" and I turned around and went back to her and gave her some money. I have been praying that I would become a better encourager to others. A day later an acquaintance on Facebook sent me a message that she wanted me to call her. I haven't seen her in over 14 years and when I called we talked for an hour. I invited her out to camp to go riding with me Sunday afternoon and I hope I can be the friend she needs. I have been praying about my relationship with my boys since the divorce. I don't want them to loose the support and strength that being connected to God and family gives us. I attended a Native American Indian workshop on Saturday and was reminded of the "wisdom keepers" who remember the stories of the past and the lessons learned. I don't have a very good memory but God has whispered into my heart that this is a project He is going to help me with. I just keep a little notebook and He will whisper. He really does give us the desires of our heart when we line them up with His plan for our lives. Oh, and last but not least today at lunch I had to go to the post office - I have been wanting a bike rack for my car so I can start riding some of these beautiful hill country roads. I found one at a storage building sale for $5. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I pray God opens your eyes to answered prayers.

Intentional Prayers

I have been blessed with a busy & fun schedule the last few days. I spent Monday evening with friends in Austin at the Fire Relief Concert. It was a great to hear some Texas tunes by Willie Nelson, George Straight, Lyle Lovett and the Dixie Chicks. Yesterday I went to a fish fry with all the people I work with and we played washers and I got 3 sinkers! I work with some fun, positive and great people. I also went to a Young Life Committee meeting after the fish fry. I want to give back because Young Life has blessed me and my family. It was through a Young Life leader that Bebo was led to turn his life over to the Lord. He is a different person and I see that he is being molded into the authentic man that God is calling him to be. I am praying about what God wants me to do. I don't want to serve out of my own desires and agenda but according to His purpose and plan. I don't want it to be a waste of my time where it doesn't produce any fruit. This morning as I was praying God lead me to write out my prayers, to say them outloud and then to write what I felt like He was telling me. I think He is trying to teach me to focus on being more intentional. Don't just be wishy about praying. So I will pray as He teaches me. I am so thankful that He wants that for me so that it will come full circle and bring glory to Him, a blessing to me and to others FOR ETERNITY!

Trust is the lesson of a lifetime.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

The bottom line is this: I struggle with trusting God.

I have thought of myself as a woman of adventure but when I am honest with myself I see that I'd rather stay with what is familiar than trust God to give me a calling that I can’t envision right now. I don’t want to be short-sighted, dubious of God’s desire or ability to bless me, or resistant to the future He has for me. But my lack of trust, fear of the unknown, and reluctance to give up my planned life are threatening to hold me back from obeying Him. And that’s definitely not good.

So I have a choice to make. Will I believe that God’s plans are better than my own desires? Will I risk stepping out of my comfort zone? Do I believe the growing pains I’ll face will be worth the blessings that will come? Do I trust God to really take care of me? I have taken baby steps with His encouragement. Changing jobs, moving to Texas, leaving family and friends in another state, establishing new priorities, friendships, church, home. Many times I have woken up to the feeling of "Where am I?" and "Is this my life now?" All that is familiar is gone - my furniture, home, sights and sounds of family, traditions.

What changes I need to release? Do I believe the rewards are worth the pain? Do I trust God’s perfect plan is worth leaving my comfort behind?

Do I trust Him?

The unknown is scary. I do want to have the courage and trust to stand on His word and faith that He knows the Big picture. It’s scarier to think of what I might miss if I don’t let go. And so I say a prayer, open my hands, help me to stand with the power of the Holy Spirit, to seek the joy and peace that comes with each day.

Today let’s choose to trust God and not require that we like or even understand what He is calling us to do. Let’s submit to Him, believing that the path He calls us to take will always be worth the change, worth the risk, worth the effort, simply because He has chosen it for us.

Thankful and Grateful in ALL things

I took a spill off my horse Saturday evening. I was playing polocrosse at Camp Waldemar. The horses were running down the field and mine started bucking. The last thing I remember seeing was me going over my horse's neck. I landed hard on the small of my back. This Texas ground is rock hard in our current drought. Thankfully I didn't break anything and I am healing. I was able to get up and walk off the field. I must have strong bones, another thing I am thankful for. My Mom is staying with me for a few days and driving me to work. It is so good to have a helping hand. I have been forced to slow down and be still, allowing time to heal. Yoga will help when I can get back to it.
I saw a storm roll in last night. It is invigorating to feel the wind pick up, smell the ozone, see the lightening in the distance, to hear the thunder. I love storms, it is like God's fireworks. My house sits on top of a mountain and I can see for miles and miles.
It is my prayer that with each day I will have the eyes to see and understand the blessings placed before me. Every little one and the big ones too!

Tyler and Blake were here last week. Time flies when you are having fun. We packed in as much as you can in 3 days. I was so glad that they had the chance to see each other. As they get older and live all over the place it takes some effort and planning to stay connected. Blake is in Colorado and Tyler is in Kentucky. We had time to visit with family-the Baxters and my Mom, friends-Connie and Karl Akers, Jeremiah Sanford. We enjoyed an evening around the pool and grilling out. We went horseback riding at camp. They went to Austin for a night on the town. This picture was taken at the brewery in Fredericksburg, my favorite town in all the world. What could be better than to be there with my boys? Sharing in happy memories with the ones we love. What a blessing!

Seeking Him in the Silence

I can feel fall in the air. It was 58 this morning and that is cool in Texas. As the days get shorter I am missing my porchtime. I have been sitting in my rocking chair in the mornings and enjoying the sunrise and devotional time. Now that the sunrise is later I don't have as much daylight before getting ready for work. I know how easy it is for me to come home after work and the gym and just veg in front of the TV. I feel guilty doing this because I know I could be doing something creative, reading a good book, journaling or spending time with the Lord listening to Him. I know that it is important to constantly question myself and my actions to keep them in balance. We all need to have down time. God told us to honor the Sabbath because we need to slow down and remember to keep it all in balance. With that thought in mind I will take a two week break from Facebook, TV and other distractions to focus my time at home on more productive things. I am so thankful for the beautiful Texas hill country I live in. God has given me this honeymoon time to be with Him. He has given me this time to grow and heal. I want to be wise and obedient so I will be growing into the woman He intends me to be.

I am looking forward to a visit from Blake and Tyler next week. They will be here Wed. to Sat. The time will fly by. It always does when you are having fun.

Seven Days in Utopia

It was a nice Labor Day. A friend of mine from Dallas came for the weekend. We went to see the movie 7 days in Utopia. It was filmed in Utopia, Texas - just down the road from camp. Robert Duval is the star (he is one of my favorite actors from Lonesome Dove). It is a great film with a positive life lesson. It helps remind me that life isn't about what we do for a living or the success we achieve in the eyes of the world but about the truth. We have to experience God to trust Him. It has to be a deep rooted part of who we are so that what we say and do line up with His character. I have experienced that over this past year with many struggles and pain. I have had to reach out for help and survive day to day. I listened to christian music, read the bible, talked with other believers, listened to sermons, etc. The foundation is laid for my faith so that even in my dreams I find myself saying the lyrics to songs that heal my heart. When life shakes your foundation and you are faced with a fork in the road, which direction are you going to choose? I think choosing God to lead you by the right hand is the only choice that will give you peace. Sometimes our trials are really God's mercies in disguise. I want God's mercy to flow over me. Go see the movie Seven Days in Utopia if it comes to your town.