Change of Circumstance

Well, I finally got out of Isaiah (but I'm sure I will go back) :-)

I was reading in Esther last night and was reminded about how God changed the circumstance that Mordecai was about to face (Esther 6:1-11). I was first introduced to this thought a year or so ago when I was doing Beth Moore's study on Esther, but had forgotten about this passage.

Haman was plotting against Mordecai and was going to have him hanged. But God had other plans. Who but God could have caused King Ahasuerus to not be able to sleep? Who but God could have caused him to want to read (or have read to him) the "book of records..."? It was not a coincidence that the king was reminded of Mordecai, nor that it was that particular time that the king would choose to honor Mordecai for his good deed toward him. And isn't it just like God to use the very one that is plotting against us to bring blessing into our lives?

When you are facing a trial, don't give up. You never know who God is waking up to come to your rescue. Every circumstance can be changed. Just because we don't see what is happening, doesn't mean that God is not calling out the things that can change what we are going through.

Trust Him today, believe Him today. There is a King who does not sleep and works everything for good to those that love him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Father we thank You because You are the King who does not sleep. You always have our best interest at heart and will work to bless us even when others want to curse us. You are holy and You are Lord of all. We rest in Your presence today and give every circumstance and situation to You. Help us to trust You and believe that Your word is true and alive in our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

My Ways

I just can't seem to get out of the book of Isaiah lately. Especially chapters 54 and 55. Today my heart is on Isaiah 55:8-11.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts higher than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth and it shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

I have so many plans. Plans for my career, plans for my kids, plans for my personal life (that I hope includes at least a boyfriend in the near future), plans for everything! I am very much a planner and do not deal well with the plan falling apart.

But through some circumstances lately (and me looking a little foolish), God has reminded me that my plans are NOT His. I have always felt a call of God on my life. I haven't always known what that call is (was) but I have spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. "It could be working in this area or doing this thing or how about I try this for a little while".....are all things that I do/think rather than sitting still, asking God where He wants me and then listening for His answer.

Lately I have been listening and while I still don't know exactly which direction to take, this is what I do know, God is calling me to teach. I'm not sure what capacity or who He wants me to teach (other than my boys and that is my first priority), but I know that, that is my calling. In order to do that I have to know His word and spend more time with Him. That is the season I am in right now, and I feel filled up with Jesus and can't wait to see what is next.


I also know that somewhere there is a godly man that is made just for me, and that he and I will minister (maybe even teach) together. I'm not saying I'm called to be a Pastor's wife, just that there will be some sort of ministry we are supposed to be involved in.


So while I wait for more direction (and Prince Charming) I will praise Him and serve Him and remember that His plans are not my plans, but unlike my plans, His plans won't bring hurt and disappointment or void in my life but will bear much fruit and return to Him the purpose that He created me for.

Father thank you for every opportunity that Your plans give to me. Help me make the most of them and to give you glory in all things. You know the plans that you have for me and for whoever may be reading this blog. They are plans to prosper us, to give us a future and a hope, not to harm us. We know that You are greater than any thing or circumstance that we face, and if we trust You, You will not only see us through those things but You will bring forth many blessings in our lives and Your will, will be carried out. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Isaiah 54

The boys and me have been praying about having peace in our home for a couple of months now. Not because there is a lot of continuous turmoil, but because it just seemed that we were so busy all the time, exhausted and things were becoming chaotic. We want, not just peace between us and others, but peace in our hearts and minds so that we don't become consumed with a never-ending to do list, or overwhelmed by whatever life is throwing at us at a particular moment.

After a couple of weeks is us praying this way, I picked up my Bible (already opened....sometimes I will just open my Bible at no particular spot and leave it lying on  the table or desk. Not out of some sort of religious ritual or anything like that, just because it comforts me to see God's word so close, and reminds me when I'm not spending enough time reading it :o)) that was opened to Isaiah 54. This is what it says (vs. 11-14:

"O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, and your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies and your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace. In righteousness you will be established....."

There are many other things that spoke to me in this whole chapter concerning my own thoughts and struggles, but the words I put in bold jumped off the page at me. God's promise, His answer to our prayers. His word at just the right time, in the right moment as confirmation to our hearts' desires.

Father, I thank you that Your word is alive and lives in us. I thank You that You give us confirmation and that You are faithful to us in every circumstance. Your peace does pass all understanding, and we accept that peace today. We move forward standing on Your word and resting in Your peace. Amen

School is out...almost!

The boys' last day of school is Friday and I am very glad. This will give me a little extra time in the mornings and a whole lot less stress of trying to get Zachary (definitely not a morning child) up and out the door! I have been trying to prepare them for their responsibilities this summer....things that involve more than eating junk, watching tv and sleeping all day....I'll let you know how much of their chores that they actually get done. Happy summer everyone!

The Rest of NYC

I had every intention of writing about NY everyday but after Tuesday things just became a blur! Tuesday night we ended up at the Empire State Building. I am so glad we decided to go at night (even though I am sure that during the day it is just as beautiful).....I don't even know how far you can see but it seems almost as far as Tennessee!!

Wednesday we got up and headed to Central Park where I got into an argument with a street vendor who tried to charge Joseph $7 for a hot dog....it was not a pretty sight but we did end up with a snow cone and a hot dog for $7. Thankfully all of the other street vendors only charged $1 or $2 for a hot dog. Since that is the only thing that Zach wanted to eat while we were there it ended up pretty good for me....that is the least expensive thing that I bought the whole time. After Central Park we walked and walked and walked looking for the "Hello Deli" that David Letterman talks about on his show....we wanted to eat there but found that it is a tiny little place with hardly any seating and was packed at lunch time....we settled for another little restaurant around the corner from there...we then took the subway down to Ground Zero. I was surprised at the amount of construction...there really wasn't much to see except a lot of equipment. There was still a feeling to it...just being there, I'm not really sure how to describe it. After that we hopped on a bus and went down to the ferry....we took a ride over to Stanton (is that right??) Island and got a great view of the Statue of Liberty and great pictures of the city from across the river. Then back to Times Square.....after we got back to the hotel we prayed for our family and friends in the path of those horrible storms....I even called Granny at 11:15 because I was worried when the weather channel said a tornado touched down east of Knoxville (which is where Sevier County is...where I live)....Thankfully she, Woody and Patches were OK but it had been scary!

Thursday we headed out to Macy's where you really need an entire day! It is 10 floors (I think the map said) and has everything that you can think of! Zachary made friends with the women in the children's department and kept picking things up for them....it drove me crazy because I had to keep chasing him all over the place instead of shopping but the ladies LOVED him and offered him a job ;o) Actually, Zach made A LOT of friends in NY....he talked to everyone and they all entered into a conversation with him....it was so funny, he cracked everybody up! Thursday afternoon Sherri and Jan got in line to buy tickets for a show and me, the boys and Uncle Clay took a trip to the Museum of Natural History...to our dissappointment, the museum closed 20 minutes after we arrived....I should have checked the hours before we hit the subway. But, we did get to see the dinosaurs which were really cool!

Joseph and Uncle Clay went to the movies Wednesday and Thursday nights. They weren't ready for bed when we were (11pm)....after Zach had been walking all day without a nap....we both needed to be put in timeout!

Friday morning we finished packing and made one last trip to Times Square and then headed to the airport. We were all sorry that our time had come to an end but glad that we might actually get to rest when we got home. What a fun trip...I'm so glad I decided to take the boys...I hope we get to go back soon!

Here are a few more pics.....there are lots more on Facebook.

Chinatown

Today we ventured onto the subway and into Chinatown. It was an experience to say the least. When we got off the subway and started walking down the street a girl asked us if we were interested in purses. Sherri told her yes and we started walking....we stopped where a couple of other girls were and they handed us laminated cards with pictures of purses (think Coach, Prada, etc...). They kept asking us what we liked and when we didn't seem interested, they asked us if we wanted to see the store. We said yes. Well, we followed the first girl a couple of blocks down where she handed us off to another girl who took us down a street that was getting a little creepy looking. We finally got to this dark little store and went inside (all seven of us, not just Sherri and me). After we went in she opened the "wall" and led us to the back room where there were rows of "name brand" purses and wallets.....I'm not kidding.....we ended up buying two "Coach" purses and a "Coach" wallet. I have two Coach purses that I bought at the Coach store....I can't tell the difference.....only instead of hundreds of dollars, these were $30.....lest you think we spent all of our time in the "dark", there were shops in broad daylight which we bought items from :o) However, people running one of the stores where we declined to purchase sunglasses told us to "get lost"..LOL....they really did....we are still laughing about it. Anyway, we have been to Chinatown and survived.....

Our First Day in NY

We had a fun first day in NYC! It started off a little slow with a short delay because of fog, but that quickly cleared and we were on our way. We walked up to Times Square and ate dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. Then we took Zach to Toy R Us where he bought a lego airplane. Yes, I know he could buy that in TN, but the Toys R Us in TN is DEFINITELY not like the one here!! Actually, I don't think that there is anything in TN like here :o) A lot of people is an understatement and I couldn't imagine ever driving here......this is a fun ecperience, though, and I realize how blessed we are to get this opportunity! Stayed tuned for more fun from the Big Apple!!!