Filed under: prayer requests
So much has been happening in the world these last few weeks. I'll start with the prayer requests:
Bruce: The perserverance, that no matter what happens, he keeps plugging away with his music. That God's blessings follow him to the top. That he sees God at work in his life.
Revelation: that our church stays in God's will and that none fall away when things get tough, but that we grow in our faith and compassion.
The Kids: that Jennifer and I lead them down the right paths to knowing God, trusting Him, and growing to be pillars of the community.
Myself: Not to lose focus, not to let the things of life bury me, as my faith grows, and not to let anyone come between me and God. I also pray for strength through temptations, for I know that I am weak and the attacks will not slow down as long as I keep fighting. I just need to keep fighting. Life is hard, but Godis good. That my relationships be strong and that I never become a fairweather friend. As i have the next couple of weeks off, that my last paycheck keeps me afloat until my first one from the AFA comes in.
Jeremy and Nikki: that God keeps their bond strong as they nurture and teach Benjamin and each other a love that stands.
Annette: my mom, though she has her own ideas of God, that He will lead her.
Bob: my dad, to stay a man of God, even if he never gets into office, or has some obstacles along the way.
Ken: I pray he will let go of the fear and trust God more fully.
Felix and Angelique: their five kidsand baby on the way will each know that they aare loved and that their family blends well together.
Gabriel: that he comes to know God as I do, and loves Him as much as I do.
Aron: either reconciliation with his wife or, just Gods will for him to happen.
Lisa: baby sis. a strengthened faith in God, the one who will never leave her or forsake her.
Jennifer:older sis. to not let her anger get the best of her at any time and a stronger bond in er marriage.
Martha:since I'm gonna be home a lot this next couple of weeks, that we still can appreciate each other despite our differences.
Mark:As he grows, I have become so proud of him.God, keep him and show him the way.
The Hopkins: that they return soon to Revelation, but mostly God's continued blessings.
I have been reminded what faith is this week:it is the belief that God is in control and everything will work out for good, as He sees fit. As I reflect on this past week, with my car having had issues and me overbooking my schedule, everything still fell into place.
At Felix's birthday party, I had a chance to get to know others a little more and hope we can all stay friends thru the years. As hard as it usually is for me to be comfortable around new people, we had a blast. As the night wore down, I realized that it just all fell together, even though it was difficult. In Charles and Cherra I saw what long term commitment is. In Felix, what a serving husband looks like while being a man with a backbone. In Gabe, time will tell with him, although so far he seems to be a very caring person.
In closing, I just hope to stay focused on the important things, and let things happen in God's time.
Filed under: Angela's Journal
I found a few spare moments to track my progress, which means I've been reading past entries. I believe I have reached some growth. It doesn't bother me much that the circumstances aren't getting much better; I am more patient than I have been; I am able to count my blessings more quickly. I am so thankful for everything. God has blessed me with contentment and peace, so that I may encourage others.
I witnessed an elder frantically racing around to get ready for a party, and I wondered if it's considered working out of love if you're stressed out about what you're doing. Should you agree to cook for someone if you know it ups the blood pressure, causes you to yell and push others around, etc.? What causes the stress?
I remember conceding to Erin's every whim when I was first saved, because I thought that's what I was supposed to do as a Christian; it was my duty. I hated her for it, I hated me for it, most of all, I hated God. I had no life, no friends, and I wouldn't let myself feel anything aftre awhile. I fooled everyone else and I felt so fake.
Then, I found out that the more we try to be perfect, the more judgeMENTAL we are. So, given these discoveries, I decided to only do things because I wanted to or out of love for the other person. What did I find? The more freedom you give yourself to say "No", the freer you are to say "Yes" and enjoy it. My new mission is to do new things that will be fun, and focus on the fun, not the newness{is that a word?} including the Walk for Life. I get to paint faces.Woohoo!!!Let the fun begin.
We had our drive for the Pregnancy Center today. I also got to speak a little more in-depth with one of my fellow warriors;and the world gets smaller and smaller. We spoke of his unwillingness to be out from behind the table, and in between handing out lists, we talked about stereotypes. It seems the past has been forgiven, once again. I have to say I am proud of him for stepping out of his comfort zone, and it was also nice just to chat with him, as we didn't get started off on the right foot. More interesting things happened than I counted on.
For example, I bought some earrings not too long ago, the chinese symbol for love. How odd that someone at church would have a tattoo of it on his arm. I get to be a face painter for the Walk for Life this year, also. The pregnancy Center has openings for volunteers as well as for paid work.
Mark and Ken cleaned out our garage,for which I am so proud of Mark for getting past the laziness thing. As for Ken, well, he's still Ken. It seems he's still concerned with my opinion of him, for whatever reason. Their are few things sadder to me than a fear of others' opinions of you, especially in guy-girl relationships. Even if the guy is not really interested, for the most part, he's literally afraid of what the girl thinks of him. This leads me to believe that most "serious" relationships are sadly built on familiarity and not too much on love. "He was there, and I was there, so…" Ooh, sounds like fun all around.
Not that I have a lot of room to talk. Miss "Been on one date since moving out here", and coming out of a long-term brain fart, oh, I mean, relationship. And the fact that the people I live with are the least familiar with me, and also afraid of what I think of them. Ugh. It can't just be me. Seriously, what makes me so scary? Because I don't keep my thoughts secret , ro take a poll? Have mercy.
Anyway, blessings are coming at breakneck speeds, including the numerous donations today, meeting new people, getting to know others better, seeing God at work in my life, and His work in others' lives as well. That's it for now.
Filed under: prayer requests
We lift him up to the healer of everything, and ask for wisdom and discernment on what he's going through. Hang in there, Bruce. Also, for patience on the journey.
Filed under: prayer requests
T his is more of a praise report. It's not often that you find someone who has a genuine interest in helping others, especially those they don't know. God has blessed me with a chiropractor that does jst that. Though he gets a bit impatient with me when I talk in sickness terms instead of wellness terms, he's pretty cool. Remember me asking for a stronger back.HAHA
I must also mention Mark's part in this, as he shelled out the down payment for my care, which isn't cheap, but well worth it. I have an amazing plan to pay him back.
Well, since I'm here, I might as well continue.
Martha: she blesses me by showing me where I might be at 50.
Christy: Awesome person who helped me handle going back to Red Lobster, and opened my eyes to my blessings.
Bruce: Always a listening ear, a true friend, and most talented musical genius I know. I'm so proud of the growth I've witnessed in him. I rather miss the constant barage of loss of oxygen thanks to his hijinx.
Joe:Odd as it is, barley know the guy, although midget guides are a great idea.
Zoie and Zaida: my reminders of my sister. Stay young always.
Ryan and Jen:master prankster marries master lover.
Jen H:A friendship bound for greatness
Jen R: The sister I never wanted becomes a huge blessing
Lisa:My sister, my baby. Kindred Spirit
Mark and Susan:M pastors, leaders, counselors, and friends.
Deanna: Mom to all at the church
Hopkins clan: Yes, sarcasm is a love language.
Mom: The nut of our trail mix, God bless her and bring her to you.
Dad:My fellow barbarian. Showed me what faith in God looks like:Love
God:Provides me all these blessings, a place to live, and growth.
Praise God that he has comforted me thru these last few weeks, when I felt there was no hope. The week that our entire Children's ministry team left, minus me, we got a new Leader. Awesome blessing already. She's a former teacher and just an xciting person to work with. Not that I don't miss the Hopkins clan.
Pray for open communication between us to keep a strong ministry going, and the Hopkins to find what they need.
At home, Something has changed in Mark and in Martha. It seems Mark is in better spirits, and this makes me oh-so-joyful. Doesn't change the fact that I'm moving out. Martha just seems more distant and anti-social. Didn't even get to tell her Happy Mothers Day.
Pray for communication to be more open in this house between everyone, even after I leave.
Job front.I'm trying not to get too excited, but I got a tentative job offer from the Academy, which pays more, but also gives me more hours. Also, deciding whether or not to stay at Wal-Mart;If so, for how long.
Pray for God's wisdom in knowing what's led by greed and what I should do just to get the bills caught up.
Friendships. Obviously, trying to work them in. Funny thing is that I seem to manage better when I'm busier.We'll see this time around.
Pray for me to do my part in them, and that the other sides participate.
May God protect and keep you always.
