"When you love a woman, you tell her that she's really wanted."
25 years later... and my dad looks so proud to be married to my mama. =)
Happy Birthday Mommy! & Auntie Ressie & LoLo Mars. =)
God has blessed me with an accounting job at the luxury hotel, Captain Cook. I like it. =)
Show us whatever it is that makes you happy.
Quality Time =)
"Sympathetic dialogue where two people are sharing their experiences, their thoughts, their feelings, and their desires in a friendly, uninterrupted context." - Gary Chapman
*acutally. it's glorifying God. but this is a close second. =)
- As I prayed to know God's sovereignty, last week I woke up unable to breathe. My brother rushed me to the ER, speeding through lights... afraid for my life. On the way, breathing through a paperbag... fearful and praying to God... I felt as if my breath smothered, chest pains, and impending death. Though... I realized halfway to the hospital... that I was at peace if this was God's will. I never felt so spiritually awake... to know I had heaven waiting after this life, blessed assurance to be with the One who loves me most. I thanked God for showing me His sovereignty and I prayed not my will, but His will. At Providence, I got hooked up to an EKG.. and was diagnosed with a Panic Attack. =) I felt ridiculous as the doctor asked me if I had a "bad dream" that may have onsetted it, but also thankful that God had taught me something valuable spiritually. I shared with my brother and cousin the peace I felt... I thank God for that opportunity.
- I brought my brother to the ER the past week as well. All is well, praise God. God gave us the time to talk about spiritual things. As we waited for the doctor and ultrasound... my brother turned to me and said, "Ate.. can you pray for me?" =) Afterward, he asked me questions about the bible and we discussed all sorts of biblical topics. When the nurse aid came in to ask him his religious beliefs: "christian or catholic?"... my brother looked at me and said... "Christian." (Thank you God.)
- My dad referenced Genesis, the story of Cain and Able, the other day. He enlightened me about the care between siblings, applying it to modern times; how Cain was, in fact, his "brother's keeper." I was so humbled and happy... me and my dad talking about the bible. & today.. My dad told me to remember chapter 6 of Ephesians. =) So awesome.
- On Friday, God provided the opportunity for my two girl cousins to willingly come to evening service. Praise God, it was a strong salvation message too. =)
- I've been attending a Women's small group. We're currently doing a transformation course (The Miracle of Life Change), and it's been a huge blessing having encouragement from these women, and growing alongside of them. It's an answered prayer.
- Looking back, I remember around the same time last year. We started a bible study at the dorms at UAA. From our small group there, three have claimed the Lord Jesus as their savior (that I know of), and those three have also been baptized and following Christ. =) God IS AWESOME.
Fabio's Baptism:
"In Christ." - those two words have given me a new meaning to life; given me life. Each day God blesses me with... I understand what He has done for me; the more I continue to love Him with all of me, and with each step, each forward movement, I grow in His righteousness. I am so humbled to know that I am nothing, and everything I am depends on my Father's grace. I thank God for giving me the free gift of salvation, despite my wickedness, despite my failures, and despite my sinful nature. I knew this before, but as I continue to learn His word, hear about His Love, it sinks in even further. I love Him more and more each day, with all of me... feeling the shame of my past melt away, and the self-adherence of myself to Christ... being stuck, permanent, bound, sealed, and born of incorruptible seed, knowing I am not a slave to guilt, but a slave to righteousness. I know what it means now, in giving to God all our doubts, all our misgivings. I can do nothing. Only God has all the power to do all that He does, to give us revelation, to change us, to save us. I breathe because of Him. How dare I be ashamed in thinking that my past isn't conquered and therefore hindering me from sharing the gospel of Christ! How dare I not give Him glory!
Act in Faith. I don't need acceptance, nor to be needed by anyone. I am in Christ and there is nothing better than being His child. When I feel handicapped by my relationships with people, I pray I would realize the spiritual warfare that is occurring... that God is revealing the "unloveliness" of other people to me because I've been that "unlovely" before... that I need to pray for them... as Christ prayed for me, despite my grotesque character. I pray that I would love God with all of my heart, and all of my soul, and all of my mind. I pray that I seek His approval with every waking moment, and I pray... that one day God can say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant,".. just knowing that my Father acknowledges that I loved him too because I invited Him to be the good and faithfulness in my life...humbles me greatly. I am in Christ....
I look at my life before. My idolizing heart was so wicked, and God was jealous for me. And I thank Him for every trial He put in my life to jerk me out of desolation into everlasting life. Now, nothing is better than His lovingkindness.. so consistent, so pure, and so righteous. I can't count how many nights I've felt so alone, when no one else could understand my inward pain, and my longings... but then peace washes over me, and I thank God for being with me, never leaving, and at my side. What more can I want... need... but that? I look at my life now... and everything is beautiful. Myself, included. I never thought I could be beautiful in God's eyes... a woman to be praised, to have beautiful character... I had fear of myself, fear that I was a woman who "never learned"... who repeats the past... and a hopeless case. Yet Grace.. truly amazing Grace.... tore me down and renewed my mind, made me whole again. Now I have hope and a future... living my life for the One who gave it to me. I am "in Christ."
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil 4:13) Only by that, and none alone.
Praise God.
somedays... I feel like Katie. The weird one... in her own world, with strange imaginations and perceptions. =) haha.
Perserverence is prized.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
I need you Father.
