I must say it’s been a refreshing summer being able to actually sit under the preaching and teaching of my pastor, and enjoy the fellowship of Sunday School. But I am so excited to get back to children’s ministry. Today was the kickoff to the new school year. I love coming to church and being greeted with hugs and enthusiastic “Hey Mrs Laura” Promotion Sunday is next Sunday and then the following week begins a new year of Children’s choir. I confess I have struggled this Summer to find a new musical and plan. But I realize I already have a wealth of music in my library and it’s a good time to being back some old favorites. What I look forward to most is hearing the children once again sing praise to God. Because when my spirit is discouraged there is something about their voices that remind me of why I do what I do in Jesus’ name. Another exciting thing this season is that I will also be assisting with the teen choir. I confess I never thought I would be working with teens, but you know so many of the kids I have graduated from Childrens’ choir are now in youth choir and I look forward to working with them once again. Yes I consider them all my babies. So once again I see where I may be barren but I am certainly BLESSED!
Healthier Happier July 8, 2011
So sorry I have neglected this blog. Got a comment today and was so excited to see a new reader. Ruth I hope you stop by and visit me often here and bring your friends. So what’s going on in my world these days. as always I stay busy. the one thing I’m really excited about is my recent decision to return to a healthier lifestyle. After seeing some recent photos of myself I realized I am not where I should be in regards to my overall health. So I cleaned the fridge, went shopping for healthier foods and off I have started on my journey towards a new me. I also made the decision to join my local YMCA. Can I just say BEST DECISION EVER! (well ovbiously salvation will always be the very best decision) I have started taking Zumba, Dance Toning, and Water Aerobics classes. Working out has never been so much fun. I start a program on the 14th of this month called Coaching Connections, its basically a 6 week training program to help me work towards my goal. I would like to loose 50 pounds. Who knows maybe just maybe as I get healthier I’ll see the reward not only of a better body image but a better chance at a child of my own. I’ve lost 3.4 pounds so far. My body may be sore but as they say no pain no gain So here’s to a healthier me! I also am working towards not only a physically healthy self but a spiritually healthy self.It is my goal to make Christ First in my life, His Word, His Will, His Way in my life. Anybody else want to join me on this journey?
what about the Men of the church April 22, 2011
I went out today looking for a gift for my husband for our 5th anniversary. I stopped at 2 local Christian book stores thinking I would find a good book for him. As I walked the aisles it saddened me when i realized there were rows upon rows of books for women but in each store I found a teeny tiny little section if the corner of an aisle of books for men. Where is the outreach to the men of the church today? what are we doing to build up the generation of men to come to lead and direct the church and their families? We wonder why so many of our families are in crisis today. I believe it is because we are not taking the time to build our men into all they can be in the Lord. Women for far too long have been doing the teaching in the church. but God intended men to be the head. Why are so many women hurting? Raising their children alone? Shame on the church of today. We allow women to boss and lead the men. I pray for my husband daily because I know it’s not easy for him in this world today. God I pray for the men to raise up to the Joshua generation they were meant to be. I pray that that tiny section of mens books in the christian bookstores would increase as Men hunger to lead and teach one another in the ways of the Lord so that the women don’t have to have so many books on what to do when the Men aren’t leading. It’s hard to walk alone with the Lord when God intended marriage to be a chord of 3.
A little weekend R&R April 11, 2011
Everyone needs a little R&R every now and then. I know I definitely did this weekend. So my husband and I planned a short trip up to Asheville to hear his cousins band play a concert. I love the mountains. If I could I would pack up and move there today. One of the perks to living where we do live though is it is a short drive to get to the mountains and a short drive to go to the beach. Anyways I love going to the mountains the best because to me it’s just my little heaven here on earth. I love getting up in the morning sitting on the porch at his aunts being able to see the majesty and beauty that is the Appalachian Mountains. Saturday morning I got a pleasant surprise when I got to watch a Hot Air Balloon land. So pretty! Some day I hope to be able to take a Hot Air Balloon ride, it is definitely one of those things on my bucket list. It was so nice to get away from the busyness that is my job right now (Praise God for a job!). I enjoyed seeing some talented young musicians play. Who knows I may be able to say some day I knew them when. What do you do for R&R when you get the chance? Where is your favorite get away spot?
Beyond what is familiar April 6, 2011
As A Christian I know that I am set Free in Christ. It is my own flesh that I allow to place me in the chains of bondage. I wrote to a sister in Christ today. I know that God did not intend for me to be chained. I long to break free and go beyond all that is familiar into all that is possible. God tells me in His word that He has plans for me Jeremiah 29:11 tells me this. He wants me to prosper. This does not mean that He wants me necessarily to be wealthy, I believe that what it means to me is that God intends that I should live a life of abundant joy. He rescued me from all that held me captive. He paid the debt I could not pay. He died that I might live. He came that I might prosper! What are the things then that I allow to hold me captive? I’ll tell you a few… Pride, you see when I look at my life thus far I don’t have much by worldly standards to be ashamed of. I have been a “good” person. But see when I start seeing myself as a “good” person I can sometimes become prideful in this and ignorant of others journeys. Pride is definitely one of my chains. Gluttony, Yes I love to eat and it shows… Overeating is clearly a sin I am guilty of, Yes Gluttony is one of my chains. Poor self image, definitely a chain. This is definitely a direct link to the previous chain. God has told me what He thinks of me in His word, as a woman I know the verses well, but I choose to call myself ugly, fat, worthless, this is a chain and a sin. there is no nice way to say it another chain I find myself ensnared in often is a loose tongue, I say so many things I shouldn’t. how many times have I drove the nails further in the Saviours hand by my own idle gossip or foul words. you see I have many chains and yet I long to Break free from all that is familiar into all that is possible with God. What chains have you placed into your life? Will you break free with me? It is the desire of my heart to dive into God’s wonderful Word and take it to heart. I know this is my lifeline, this is what truly sets me free and helps me to keep the chains broken. I long to pray more fervently. I know again that prayer is another think that breaks the chains in my life. God is so good! Will you choose to go Beyond what is familiar into all that is possible. remember all things are possible through Christ!
So here’s where I’m real March 28, 2011
I am Barren but blessed Yes. But that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with the barren part of that status. Every time I hear of one more persons joyous news of pregnancy I struggle a little. I wonder since children are an inheritance and a reward what haven’t I done to gain the reward? My heart sinks a little as I wonder when will my turn come. Where I really struggle is when I hear that news from someone who never wanted children, or isn’t married. But I am reminded the ones who don’t want children or are unwed are often the ones that often give those who can’t have children that ultimate blessing through the gift of adoption. SO who am I to judge? Who am I to question God? I’m so glad that He understands when my heart sinks and I question His plans for me. I know He hears the cry of my heart. it’s hard waiting but there is alot to be said for the period of waiting. There is a song that ministers to my heart and it is called “While I’m waiting” so if you’re like me strruggling questioning waiting, HOpe these words minister to you as well:
WHILE I’M WAITING
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve you while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord
Written by John Waller
Spring Has Sprung March 25, 2011
Spring has sprung at the nursery I work for. It’s not like it’s a surprise to me that at the first sign of spring it’s gonna get busy at work, yet it hits me hard every time. the past 2 weeks have been nothing short of crazy. I must admit my brain is so shot I am even having a hard time sitting here and thinking as I type this entry. No I’m not complaing, I praise God for my job, especially when I know so many who are without job, but it wears a body out working 10 hours a day. The one good thing is my work day sure does fly by. it’s times like this when I must admit however that I long for a simpler time, a time when women worked in the home and men worked to “bring home the bacon”. LOL yes I said it. When I was laid off right after my husband and I got married it was definitely a blessing. My house was clean and in order i was not tired, home cooked meals were often ready when my husband got home. it gave me a glimpse of what I long for. I know that God is able to grant me the very things my heart desires. For now I work, but I believe the day will come when I can stay home and be the homemaker my heart is called to be. I can still keep my home with joy even though I’m weary now.
Walkin barefoot March 21, 2011
Ok I admit it summer rolls around and I can’t wait to shed my shoes and sink my feet into the cool green grass. Still there is always the possibility of undesirable things crossing my path as I walk around. Just the other day I was meditating on the scripture in Ephesians 6:13-21 that speaks on the armor of God when it hit me, Often in my Christian life my feet are bare. The Bible clearly tells me to have my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel, and yet often I hit the ground running in my day without ever taking time to meditate on the very thing that would prepare me for my day ahead. I charge out the door shield of faith in hand but feet total exposed to the shards of the arrows being fired at me by the enemy, Helmet slightly cracked, breastplate tarnished, and feet sore by the end of my day. I come home feeling slightly if not totally defeated and say Tomorrow I will do what I should have done today. Then the alarm goes off, snooze once, snooze twice, Oh not I’ve really got to get up and get going. I get dressed take care of the dog, start the car, so a quick straigthen of the house and away I go. I say I’ll be sure to check out my online devotional as soon as I get to work. but I get to work just in time for the phone to start ringing and away I go……. By lunch I’ve definitely failed to be a good testimony. why? All because I haven’t taken the time each day to take at the very least 5 minutes to prep spiritually for the battles that await my flesh. So I’m learning albeit slowly Daily time with the Lord is the key to what I’ve been missing. Bare feet are not a bad thing when I am still. Tell me I’m not the only one who takes the opportunity on a nice day to shed my shoes find a quiet spot in my yard and sink my toes in the grass. but after I have taken that time and been that still the shoes always go back on as I continue the day. My feet don’t stay bare. Spiritually it should be much the same, As I leave my quiet time with the lord my feet should be shorn with the Gospel. So I ask you much as I ask myself Are you walking barefoot today or are you walkin fully prepared for all that the enemy will surely send your way today?
Barren But Blessed March 19, 2011
Hello Blog world! My name is Laura and this is the umpteenth dozen time I have attempted to start a blog. I must admit I have been a sort of blog lurker for a long time.I enjoy so much reading about other peoples journey through this life. So here’s my story for what it is worth. you may wonder what inspired my blog title. Barren sounds like such an awful word why pair it with blessed? Well I’ll tell you why in almost 5 years of marriage I am learning that there are so many blessings I can count in spite of the one blessing I so desparately long for, a child of my own. If I focused on my lack of that one blessing I would miss out on the countless others God has given me. A few:
“He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 113:9
and the promise that has become so dear to me:
“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 54:1
Now I know the above verse refers to the unmarried or widowed but I take it to heart as well. I’ll tell you why. God has given me many children, how you might ask. Through the wonderful gift of being a part of children’s ministry. I have been director of my church homes children’s choir for about as long as I have been married. Oh the joy that comes in hearing a child raise his or her voice to the Lord. Oh the Joy that comes in showing them the joy of knowing the Lord and praise his name! Oh the Joy that comes when those littles ones come up and give me a hug and show me God’s love unmerited to me.
I am barren in that I have no children of my flesh, but I am blessed because God has given me more children to nuture spiritually than I can begin to comprehend.
so Hello fellow bloggers. my name is Laura and I am Barren But Blessed!
