Christmas time

         MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! =)

Don't miss out.

One of the greatest fears I face as a Christian is that due to not listening and waiting upon the Lord for guidance I will miss out on what He has planned for me in my life. I prayed and waited for years and years for God to show me what He wants me to be in life. Finally He answered me, and I honestly believe that He wants me to become a history teacher. However, I know that God expects much more from me than that. How God will provide the necessary funds for me to go to college I do not know. I am leaving all the planning to Him. Unbelief, worrying, and distrust hinders us from hearing God's answers to our problems. I have a really hard time relaxing and waiting patiently on God's replies, but I know that He holds my future in His hands. I often recite this verse to myself when faced with worries, "With men nothing is possible but with God all things are possible." Why worry when the ONE, who literally molded man from the dust of the ground, is watching over us. At the end of time, all of us will stand before God and give an account of how we lived our lives for Him. I would really hate for God to show me all the blessings and opportunities that I missed by not consulting before I made major decisions in my life. Just imagine Jesus speaking these words to you. "OH! look at how I wanted to use you in your school, but you did not stand up for me or your beliefs." "Look at where you could have lived if you would have just prayed before buying that house." "Look at all these different things I wanted to bless you with, but you neglected to tithe your money." Or maybe He will say, "look at what you could have became in life if you would have just talked to me more often, and quit repeatedly sinning against me." We should include God in all of our decisions because he knows best. Do you think Moses could have led the Israelites out of Egypt without God's help? Of course not! This coming week, I challenge you to start asking God for His advice in your decisions such as the following: where He wants you to attend college,  how many credit hours you think you can handle, or what your major should be. His answer may not come that day, week or even month, but believe me when I say that it will come in His perfect timing. Just remember, when waiting for God to answer, remain patient, calm and joyful.

What is your sweet spot?

A few weeks ago, I had to choose a book by Max Lucado to read for my grammar class book report. It took me what seemed like for ever to find the perfect book. I finally found a book by him entitled "Living in Your Sweet Spot, The Cure For The Common Life." As soon as I read the first page of that book, I COULD NOT set it down. Max Lucado's mission in this book was to help the reader realize what unique talents that God has given to the reader so that he can use them for God's glory. It was EXACTLY what I needed! I am a senior in highschool, and I have been praying and asking for God to reveal to me what His plan is for my life since I was in 9th grade. At this point in my life, I truly believe God is wanting me to teach history. History is the one subject that I excel in. So far, If my memory serves me right, throughout my entire high school career, I have retained an "A+" in every history course that I have taken EXCEPT for a "B" in a Tennessee history class my freshman year. By reading that book God revealed to me EVERY single gift that He has blessed me with. I highly recommend reading "Living in Your Sweet Spot." I felt so important and valuable while reading through it. I learned so much about my personality too. I learned that EVERYTHING that I can do a little bit better than others should be used for His glory. I love taking history courses and learning about different periods in time. What bores or confuses others in history usually excites and intrigues me. I honestly believe that I could serve God the best through having my own history class one day. God is so prevalent in history, and I would love to have the opportunity to show children/teens that America's success comes from the Bible and our Christian heritage. Also, the dangers of communism, humanism, and socialism need to be taught as well. Just the thought of being a history teacher excites me! What is your sweet spot? What can you do a little bit better than others? Can you paint or draw a masterpiece, take breathtaking photographs, figure numbers and decimals and percents like a human calculator, bake delicious cakes or cupcakes, fix almost anything on a car, lead a group or committee, plant a perfect garden, help lead your sports team to victory, lend a listening ear to a friend, give godly advice to someone, or maybe decorate a room so it looks like a professional decorator did it? What did you always love to do as a child because that can help you decide as well. What do you love to do now? What makes your smile? God is just waiting for you to exalt him through your talents. STOP wasting time and get busy! I challenge you (you knew that was coming didn't you!) to make a list of your sweet spots, and use of them tomorrow to help someone. It will definitely boost your mood and confidence. Most importantly, though, it will make God smile.Start using your gifts today!

Helping those who've helped you first.

          Today, I was blessed with the opportunity to help my homeschool teacher move her mother's furniture into her house. My teacher's mother, who is Rachel Edwards' grandmother (http://rachelisedwards.blogspot.com/ ) is moving into their home because she is no longer able to live by herself, and it was up to my teacher and her family to convert their house of 5 into a house for 6. She  and her husband with the help of family friends have spent weeks organizing time, money and the resources to make this move happen. Luckily, I got off work today at 2:00 PM and was able to help out all evening today. I looked around and was AMAZED at all the teamwork that was happening. Gran (Rachel Edward's Dad's mother) was taking care of their dogs downstairs while we carried all the furniture into Nanny's ( Rachel Edward's Mom's mother) new room, my teacher ( Mrs. Edwards) was cleaning out their garage to make room for some of the furniture upstairs, and Lacey was cheerleading for me and Jacob while we took over carrying the furniture inside because Mr. Edwards and Jacob and Lacey's dad took a breather from working. Rachel did help out later, but in the mean time, she was repairing a crack in her windshield. After we all got the U-haul unloaded, we had to drive down the road a ways and unload the remaining furniture and boxes into a storage building. We all formed an assembly line and got everything stored away in no time. It was great to able to help my teacher today because she has done SO MUCH to help me over the years that I have been a student under her. That's the important aspect that I want you to take from my experience today. Try giving some time to someone you know who could really use some assistance. Whether it be a friend who needs help with a homework assignment or a project, someone who just needs someone to talk to, or in my case, someone who means a lot to you that is in the process of moving another family member into their house. All of us are so tired and weary from today, but we wouldn't change helping out the Edwards family today for anything. We all bonded together like the huge adopted family that we are. Although I will be graduating in May and won't be able to see the Edwards and Powers almost everyday, We will always consider each other family and seek chances to fellowship. So! my challenge for you is to help someone you know out and/or schedule a day to get together with some friends you know and do something that requires teamwork. Remember, there is power in numbers! =)

Anti-Bullying

This evening, a movie entitled Contest was premiering on Cartoon Network. Although I was only able to watch about the first thirty minutes of it because I had to leave for church, it seemed like it was going to be an amazing film. The theme of the movie was “Anti-bullying”. I think all of us in our lifetime have been bullied. I was for a short time in my 7th grade year of schooling. I absolutely HATED it, but I knew that eventually it would stop! And, It did! Even Jesus, the creator of the universe, was bullied. If you see someone being bullied STAND UP! There is power in numbers. Pray for those who are bullied and those who bully. Who knows, you may be that one person that will make a TREMENDOUS difference in your school, workplace, or even sometimes your circle of friends. Don’t wait until tomorrow! Text, call, or facebook someone you know who has become a victim of bullying, and let them know that you are willing to stand by their side. I am sure glad Jesus stands by my side when I feel alone sometimes. One person can make a difference! =)