Snail Mail

Have a lovely Friday!

Vannah's track coach has been saying the girls should do some kettlebell classes, so we have been looking for some times that work well with our schedule to get her to class.  We figured out they have a class right at the same time as Karly's Thursday gymnastics practice.  I thought I'd try it too...haha...kettlebell is not a "maybe I'll try it" thing :P  OH MY GOODNESS....yeah, I tried going down to the basement after we got home and could barely make it back up the steps :) That made me feel really OLD until I heard Savannah grumbling about the steps too...ha!  She said, "Once I go up these stairs I am not coming back down!"

Hope I can walk tomorrow....I am supposed to escort visitors all around campus for an event :)

Hmmmm...I Wonder If....

....there was ever an animal slower than a snail?

Now there's a thought.

Last night's study in Nehemiah was perfectly timed for me.  We've learned that Nehemiah had a burden on his heart for rebuilding the wall, we learned that he was faithful in prayer, we learned that God gave him the opportunity to do the work, he assembled a team of builders....and last night we learned he encountered much opposition and struggles (on all sides and within) as he began the work God gave him to do.  However, we learned that he did not meet his opponents with retaliation, but by more prayer and hard work.  There is even an incredible speech in this section of scripture that sounds very "Braveheart-like".....and AWESOME!  Don't give up! 

Nehemiah and his team were literally building the wall of Jerusalem with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other hand.  That's still hitting me so hard.....that is how we are to live....our sword is God's Word and prayer and our trowel is the work he has given us to do.  We should never be surprised by trials....we have been forewarned that we will encounter many as we live for Christ, but we should persevere.

One In A Minion

It's that time of year.....valentines, market day crafts, planning treats for the parties, and designing a valentine's "mailbox".  Danielle was determined to make a Minion mailbox...using Duct Tape.

I saw it sitting on the kitchen counter this morning.  It didn't have a mouth yet, so I knew it wouldn't try to drink my coffee :P

God gives us GOOD things!  In the middle of my busyness, I know I forget sometimes how good life really is....it is too easy to get sidetracked by the things I wish I could change or that God would change for me....rather than receiving with joy the wonderful things God is giving me in this moment.

Brad wasn't able to be with us tonight for our devotional time....he had a couple church meetings.  It is so weird when life happenings fit so perfectly with spiritual happenings....they always do, I suppose, but we just don't notice them.  Anyway, our devotional tonight was about the sinful woman who wept over Jesus' feet, kissed them, and poured her perfume over them.  Not that Brad couldn't have been a part of this discussion, but it worked really well as girl talk tonight.

You can't really talk about the beauty in that story without pointing out her sinfulness and that she was probably a prostitute....so we talked about that....and why her perfume would have been very important to her related to her life of sin.  Once you connect those dots, I think it makes so much sense as to why this was a complete act of repentance, surrender, and a leap of faith for this woman.

After we talked about the story, Kassi said...."That is just like how God takes something meant for evil and makes it something good!"  YES!  It is beautiful that a prostitute's perfume used to tempt and entice can be completely surrendered and become a fragrant offering and anointing oil.

All That I Am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iucg_fLH68o

Impact

Happy Monday!  I got to start focusing in on some of my new responsibilities at work today.  I do not have an official start date....nor do I have an official end date for my previous role....and I know I will be training the person they decide to hire to take over my previous role....so that whole transition will likely take some time, BUT I am excited about this new venture.  Today, after all my other work was finished, I tried to think through organizing my new responsibilities so I can make the most impact with my time each day.  Tonight, I get to attend an event for international students who are currently studying in Jackson as foreign exchange students.

I am so thankful for answers to prayer and being able to tell faithful friends who have prayed for me that God has granted me this opportunity.