Our Little Bird

Well, our little bird died. I was so sad when my Mom told me today(Joseph and Zach are visiting her and took the bird with them). I think that I have been more upset than Joseph. They are having a "memorial" service today. I hope that when we get to Heaven we get to see him flying around all grown up and beautiful.

Another New Pet

The other day Joseph found two baby birds lying on the ground. One had already died but one was still alive. He brought the live one in the house and put it in a box. He has been feeding it and giving it water with a dropper everyday and changing it's box when it gets dirty. He has been so sweet and caring it makes me want to cry. We have now had it for four days and it is alive and seems to be doing well. We pray for it everyday. I hope it lives.

Dieting Update

I've been on my diet for about 2 months now and I must say that I am REALLY TIRED of dieting!!!!! I have lost ten pounds and my clothes are feeling loose but I want to go on a binge and eat a big fat cheeseburger and large fries and then have a coffee caramel milkshake from Chick-fil-a for dessert. But, I will not do this because I want to loose weight more than going on my binge even though every McDonald's calls my name as I drive by!

One Down, Lots More To Go

Yesterday God taught me a gentle lesson. I really was not in the mood to go to church and wrestled with whether or not to go all morning long. It really was a situation of the angel on one shoulder and devil on the other. After a couple of hours (I woke up at 5:30) I finally had a "heart to heart" with God and told Him that I really did not want to go and through alot of tears told him the reasons why. Even still, I felt compelled to go but did not. Instead, I logged on to our church's web site to watch the service online. It wasn't very long until I realized why He had wanted me to go. Pastor Tom's question was, "what is your heart's song?". As soon as he spoke the words more tears came to my eyes. My heart's song hasn't been one of redemption or restoration, not even peace and happiness, but rather one of rejection and defeat. Songs of feeling not good enough or pretty enough, that no one really likes me, that no matter what I do, I will always be stuck in the cycle of dysfunction and issues from my childhood and even the disappointments of my adult life. But as I sat there and listened to Pastor Tom, I realized that it is my choice what song my heart sings. God doesn't want me to keep singing the same song that brings all the negativity that hinders my realtionship not only with Him, but with my family and friends. I watched him call on several people in the sanctuary and ask them to sing their heart's song and I really began to think about what mine should be. So, my heart's song today, and for however long God speaks to me through it, is Rescue by Newsong. This is the first song on the playlist on my blog. I chose this song because of how strongly it says, "I need you Jesus to come to my rescue". Thankfully He is able to rescue me. All this to say, my lesson was this, that God doesn't prompt us to do things because He wants us to be miserable or uncomfortable or even because something bad might happen if we don't do what He says, but He leads us to a place where He can give us rest and be exactly what we need, to a place where He can reach way down and heal hurts that we didn't even know we had or have refused to acknowledge. He does rescue us even when we don't want to be rescued.

New Pets

I was going to label this blog "New Additions to Our Family" but I changed my mind lest anyone think that I meant a baby!!!

Last weekend Joseph came home from my parent's house with two little frogs which had to live in a plastic container until yesterday. Of course when we went to the pet store to get a box for them Zach had to have a fish. He started out wanting "Nemo" but Nemo cost $20 plus he has to live in a salt water tank which we do not have and I don't even know how much that set up would cost much less how to even set it up and maintain it.

So we settled for a beta fish that cost $5 and a beta starter bowl kit for $10...still less than what Nemo himself cost. When we got home we asked Zach what he wanted to name the fish and he said "Reba" but Joseph talked him into naming him Van instead....yes, we watch too much Reba!!!

Now our family consists of Daddy, Mommy, Joseph, Zach, Patches the cat, two frogs who remain nameless and Van the beta fish! I must say that this fish seems to want to eat as much as Van does :o)

What's Happening Now

Well, I have officially started work at the Hampton Inn in Gatlinburg and it is a BIG adjustment in every way, but I want to share what I have been meditating on lately....Romans 5:1-5

Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in the tribulations, kowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Although I don't necessarily want to persevere, I know that God has a plan and am (trying) to stand on the hope that He has promised.