song ~ there is nothing

There is Nothing

Laura Story

Lord I come before You
To honor and adore You
For who You are
and all that You have done
Lord I am not worthy
My heart is dark and dirty
Still somehow
You bid for me to come
So clothe me in humility
Remind me, that I come before a King
And there is nothing
There is nothing
More precious, more worthy
May I gaze deeper
May I stay longer
May I press onward to know You Lord 

May our time be sweeter 
May I be a keeper 
Of the promises 
I make to You in song 
Lord may I remember 
these moments of surrender 
And live my life 
this way from this day on 
So clothe me in humility 
Remind me, that I come before a King 
And there is nothing 
There is nothing 
More precious, more worthy 
May I gaze deeper 
May I stay longer 
May I press onward to know You Lord 
So clothe me in humility 
Remind me.....that I come before a King 
And there is nothing 
There is nothing 
More precious, more worthy 
May I gaze deeper 
May I stay longer 
May I press onward to know You Lord 
May I press onward to know You Lord

Quotes

"People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things. "

- Sir Edmund Hilary, First to reach the summit of Mount Everest

reflections on Gods Word...

God's Word is

• near to all
• brings wisdom
• illuminates
• endures forever
• is pure
• a shield 
• clean
• true
• perfect 
• effective
• will accomplish what He pleases
• is living
• brings growth
• is to be obeyed
• brings comfort
• provides hope
• sanctifies
• saves
• continual cleanses
• is a treasure

What is God's Word to you?

Quotes

“No great goal was ever easily achieved.”

― Margaret Thatcher

verse to reflect on...

I don't read much in other versions, but someone posted this on Facebook recently of Galatians 6:19 - 23 [in the Message version] and it got me to thinking and I wanted to share...thought it is a lot to absorb. 

It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness;trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.  But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard-things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.

thought for the day...

if we would only remember this.......

Quotes

It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not. 

– Heraclitus

verse to reflect on...

Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble.
I Peter 3:8

appreciate the prayers...

...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. -II Corinthians 1:4 


I am thanful for my friends, for doing your part and praying for me...the appreciate is beyond words! I know God is with me and I am glad to have you with me on this journey.

verse to reflect on...

Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
- 1 Samuel 12:24

need your prayers...

...would like to request YOUR prayers. Just like you, I have times in my life that things seem to be more than I can take. Just say a prayer for me. That is all I need, want or ask. Pray.

Quotes

"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things."

- Albert Einstein

consider what you say & how it might be taken

Today, I would like to get us to think about what we say.......


Let me preface:  I am pretty direct in how I approach problems.  I don't always think through what I say and the impact it will make.  I don't typically hide the fact I am not happy, bothered, hurt, frustrated, perturbed, irritated, at my wits end, etc.  However, I am learning to be constructive in those feelings and address them in communication.  I have always been a communicator, but there are ways that are fruitful in communicating and others that are not.  I have been told I am a very patient person, however that doesn't mean that patience is going on on the inside.


I was out on a Friday night a month ago, walking through the parking lot of the building where we meet for christian activities, and it was pitch black.  A little girl, probably about 9 or 10, on roller blades was behind me and said to me:  "Who are you?".  I realized it was dark and she probably didn't recognize me with my coat on and said, "It's Misty".  She replied: "Oh, I never see you any more.  You hardly come."  I felt like I had been slapped across the face. I was trying desperately to find air.  I needed to breath.  My chest felt tight.  I wanted to run.  I wished my car wasn't parked out by the street, wish it had been close to the building so I could escape quickly.  The pain of the comment hurt so deep.  It is a good thing it was dark because I have been told that even if I say nothing, my face shows everything.  I told myself "Be calm", though I was not.  I replied:  "I am not always able to be here, but I try to come all I can".  She replied:  "Yah, we can't come all the time either.  I hope you have a great birthday."  I told her thanks and was inwardly grateful that my comment diffused any further biting reply.  As I walked to my car, the tears started to overflow my eyes.  I couldn't help it.  Satan was battling with remarks in my mind.  "See, her parents are obviously talking about you and your lack of attendance."...
"Now you know the truth, you wondered if people were thinking you were going off the deep end because of your missing normal scheduled events, and look, they are!"...
"You thought some people understood what you are facing, but they don't."...
"Why are you bothering to come? If they are rating you on your attendance and roll call, then seriously, they don't care what you are experiencing do they?".......


I got in my car.  I sat in the dark. I prayed.  Prayed for strength.  Prayed that I not let this bother me.  Prayed that though many, many, many do not understand that you Oh  My God do, and that Only You will be patient with me, will help me, will encourage me, will guide me to the degree I need...and though I don't understand why you think I can handle this and everything else on my plate, why after all I have been through I must face more...you are the all knowing God and you know.  You know everything!  Though I don't know why, I can trust you because you have always guided me and seen me through everything I have faced.  Even when nobody else has understood, does understand or will understand...and even though people push me away, treat me differently, you truly don't.  


Did the tears stop? No.  Did I have peace?  Yes.  Do I understand these people I love much?  No.  


I need to have less expectations that they can or that they will.  I need to let them give me space because they are making terms of our relationship that God doesn't make.  Though it hurts, hurts deep, I can and will press on.  God will give me strength.


So, I share today...a true story...because I want me to stop and think when I have something to say...do I consider how it is taken?  

walking pays off!

I have been walking every morning (or nearly every morning) at a local track.  It is one of the things I do first thing after getting up.  I aim to walk 1.5 - 3 miles, depending on time, energy and inspiration, but generally walk 2 miles.  I started this routine back in May when I realized that I needed more exercise and was trying to help with some fatigue and insomnia that has lasted far too long.  The efforts have paid off, according to the weigh in at my doctor's office on Monday, I have lost 16 pounds since then!  Though I don't feel or to me look like I have lost that much, I am grateful for the fact that I have and I hope to add some more cardio routines if possible.  So if you don't think you can do something, don't have the time, energy or money...go for a walk.  Walking pays off!  2 miles takes me 25 minutes.

What form of exercise do you do?

some exciting news...

For the discreteness of my friend, I will not use names...but I am excited that her husband got parole for a crime he did not do. Now the waiting for when the event will take place, could be 6wks...or maybe even 4 months. This has been a long process and I know that there will be challenges in this bitter sweet news! However, I will miss my friend & employee!!!  But the truth is yet revealed, in God's timing, He works all things out.  God is good!

verse to reflect on...

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
   - Deuteronomy 8:18

why?

I get asked this question frequently..."Why aren't you married?"


How do you answer that???  
I have tried, but every time it seems to fail.


I get told, "I never would have thought you were not married." or "You just seem like someone who would be married." or "Don't you want to be married?"


I wonder why it matters? I wonder why we put such importance on being married, like if you are you have truly accomplished something and if you are not, well then something is wrong with you.  Why???  


I know I was raised that getting married was THE Goal.  I mean this huge thing that you lived your entire childhood for.  I realize that God created men and women and the idea is for both to have their half, I get that.  I have no argument with the fact that is the design.  When that card is not in your hand, how are you expected to play something you haven't drawn from the deck of cards?  


I just wonder why people rate you on this factor.  We all know that being married is not going to make you happy.  If you are content in your life I believe finding your prince will only make your life that much happier, but if you are not and you are focused on marriage as the answer to your life problems, you will only be more miserable.  I have been told many times that if you are not happy being single you will never be happy being married.  So when we all know this, why do we "rate" people on whether they are married or not?  You might seem to think it is a crazy question, but I don't.  I think we focus on too many things that are not where are focus needs to be and consequently we make battles for other people more difficult then if we had the vision where it should be.  


God wants me to serve Him with my whole heart, married or not.


God wants me to be loving to everyone, not just the man in my life.


God wants me to share his light with everyone, not just show off the shinning light on my ring finger.


God wants me to be content, whether I have a special someone in my life or not.


God wants me to be grateful for all I have, even if that means no prince came to sweep me off my feet.


How can we help people realize that they are rating us on the wrong terms?  How can we let people know we are content being single because we are!  How can we let people know that the love you show to us means more in a day then the man we don't have to snuggle with at night?  How do you tell someone that though you have been proposed to (not by a guy you were actually trying to get to know on that level) and that is not what you want?  How do you explain these things?


I try.
I fail.
I try again.


Maybe there is no way to explain because the foundation of the focus and rating is all on the wrong terms and until they realize you can be happy single, they will not understand you.


Maybe.


I can still have you over to my casa to entertain you with lovely food and conversation...even if the man of the house is not home.  So, please, don't rate me on the marriage card.  It is missing in action and hasn't been found.

Quotes

It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that maters, not the end.  
- Ursula K LeGuin

my thanksgiving staycation

This year, my Thanksgiving weekend was spent at home.  It is the only Holiday that is not booked with other christian activities (typically camps) and though one of my cousins wanted to make a trip with me to see our Granma & Granpa, I opted to skip that and do what is called the "Staycation".  Initially, I wanted to take off Wednesday through Sunday, but with some current work demands and important phone calls on Wednesday, that didn't happen...however I did take a 4 day no work spell, completely no business related work, though there were other tasks that were "work".


Thursday I enjoyed lunch and the afternoon & evening with Gilbert & Connie, Weldon & Lorrianne, Ronald & Shandy and families.  We had yummy food...lots of laughter (which I desperately needed) and sitting in the chairs being couch potatoes.  


Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I stayed home...almost completely.  I had very few expectations out of myself.  I slept in.  I ate when I wanted.  I stayed in my pj's.  I didn't comb my hair, if I didn't want.  I worked on completing two knitting projects.  I did some filing.  Some shredding.  Some organizing.  Some blog reading.  Some napping.  Some thinking.  Some walks...long walks.  The problem is it nearly took 3 full days for me to get to the point that I was enjoying not working, not even thinking about work, and really in the mood of enjoying the time off.  I guess that means I have gone too long not taking a break???  Yup, I think that is what it means.  Time to change some bad habits.


Here is a list of items I wanted to complete during my staycation:

• file all out of pocket RX claims to health insurance policy
• write a letter again to The Genie Company regarding garage door opener that has not worked since February 2011
• write a letter to American Honda Finance Corporation
• update mileage log
• finish all Birthday Thank You notes
• do weekly search online
• get finances up to date in Quicken
• register all new Starbucks gift cards online
• clean up my clothes closet
• download all health insurance EOBs
• request refund from Lab on overpayment
• finish knitted blanket for Lee (Jill's baby)
• finish knitted blanket for Jordyn (Veronica's baby)
• do some shredding
• do some filing
• file all receipts
• read some of my favorite blogs

Here is a picture of me on Friday playing "The Queen" with Gracie. I stopped by to drop off some things and we spent about an hour or so having fun.

Gracie & Misty
(wish I had taken the keys out of my left pocket so it wasn't bulging like that - ugh!)

Later in the day, I went and had frozen yogurt with Michelle, making use of the one day Groupon special for $5 worth at the cost of $3 of delicious Tart Frozen Yogurt! (my favorite...all I do is vary the toppings between fruit, coconut and pecans)!!!  I was still hungry after that so we went to Rosa's and split Beef Fajita Nachos.


Saturday I went and bought printer ink cartridges at 10% supporting the Small Business Saturday event...though I needed them regardless of the event.  I also stopped in Cato for a few minutes and found a much needed black skirt.


Sunday, I stayed home and in my pj's until almost 5pm...I went for my daily walk, very late and it was bitter cold.  I didn't accomplish much since I wasn't feeling well, but the knitted blankets for Lee and Jordyn are done!!! 


The weekend was needed.....and of the list of things I wanted to complete, I did nearly all of them but two...not too bad for wanting to do it at my own pace.


Now the important question...when will I schedule my next staycation?

Quotes

When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, it's called worry. When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, it's called meditation. The more you meditate, the less you worry. 
- Rick Warren

be thankful...

Today is Thanksgiving...and though I believe we should be grateful and thankful every day in our hearts and express it, today is a day many take the time to really do just that.  At the prompting of a friend, I am going to write down 25 things I am thankful for:

• thankful for God being my friend, walking beside me and giving me the strength to face the trials, difficulties, hard times, and press on in life
• thankful for true friends, the ones that still call, write and want to spend time together even if I don't do my part to respond
• thankful for the fill-in family I have, the ones that truly know what it is like to not have "blood family" and treat you like such
• thankful for the doctors I can see to try to figure out what is happening to my body and how to make it better
• thankful for the nights I do get to sleep and the feeling of rest it creates the next day
• thankful for having my own little place to call mine
• thankful for my clients and the opportunity to serve them
• thankful for the abilities to work and make money to live
• thankful for my morning walks each day that give me a fresh perspective and energy to tackle the tasks of the day
• thankful for the skills my parents gave me in discipline and a good work ethic
• thankful for the chance to begin new each morning with God's mercies
• thankful for all those who reached out to me September 1997 and encouraged me, helped me, and supported me in starting a new life here in Texas
• thankful for the memories I have with girlfriends who got married and moved on to other places
• thankful for my salvation and all the Lord did to save me
• thankful for Facebook and all the people I can stay in touch with and connect with through this social media portal that I would not be able to connect with as regularly
• thankful that I don't live on a farm and have to grow and harvest my own food, I am a city girl
• thankful for transportation that gets me to where I need to go so I don't have to walk there
• thankful for all the great tasting food we get to enjoy
• thankful to be able to pray anytime day or night to an all knowing God
• thankful to have people who will listen to my struggles, provide thought and help me work through issues
• thankful for networking friends who believe in me and my services and wish to support my business
• thankful for a few days off because I am in need of a break
• thankful for understanding employees who know that I am going through a lot right now and being patient with the stress I am feeling
• thankful for a loving Granma who still is generous, loving and kind in spite of not understanding many things that have transpired in my family
• thankful for Gods love to me

I know there are many more things to be thankful for, but today...these are the things I am grateful for!