Shining Like Jesus

I love God's little surprises. My week didn't start like any other. I decided to take a week off after I took my certification test for Occupational Therapy. It is a 4 hour test comprising of 2 sections, one section including 170 multiple choice questions. I now wait for the results which will be in the mail in 4 weeks.


My Monday started with a five and a half hour drive to a place called Mason, Ohio. God graced me with safety and protection the whole way down, as I saw at least 4 accidents on the side of the road. The last accident I saw was about 20 minutes from my destination and had involved 5 cars. I felt so blessed to have made it safely and with no problems. Praise Him!


Tuesday, I spent the day running errands with my cousin. We ended up going to Lebanon, Ohio to the nearest Dollar Tree. One of my all time favorite stores. I got some supplies for the people who are going to Ecuador in a few weeks. It's exciting because I have been to Ecuador before and I love helping out my church family. Then I had dinner at my Aunt's and her new husband's condo. It was a good meal and then we played games afterward.


Wednesday, I played games in the morning with my cousins and then later went out to dinner with my Uncle and cousin at Olive Garden. I love pasta. Later that night we watched a movie, called, We Bought a Zoo, with Matt Damon. I have seen it before and it was even good the second time, and I didn't get emotional this time. After the movie, everyone departed for their rooms. I started to not feel right and I really couldn't put my finger on it. Ideas and thoughts swirling through my head. Very confused. Not knowing I really needed prayer at this moment, I went to sleep.


Thursday morning I woke up feeling uneasy and strange. I texted my friend immediately asking for prayers. This is the heart of the reason of today's post. I had scheduled an advanced horseback ride in Liberty, Indiana with my cousin. I have been to this place two times before this and I have been satisfied. You know it is never about the destination, but always about the journey getting there. The reason why I had spiritual warfare the night before because Satan did not want me to have a certain conversation with my cousin. Let me tell you. I am always amazed by God's love for the people of the world, even the ones who don't want to give Him a chance. The conversation covered my music which is worship music, which led to a conversation about HIM. Makes the whole trip to Ohio worthwhile. We talked about beliefs and even how she believes in science but has an open mind. I know the big reason she has had a change of heart has to do with the reason that her boyfriend took his own life almost 3 years ago. She told me that she wasn't right in believing that there was nothing more than being left in the ground. I love this, because I know there is hope. The whole way there made my heart so happy.


Then  we arrived in Liberty, Indiana to the state park, where there is a place to ride and many trails on this state park. I requested an advance ride so I can canter and be free. They bring out my horse, and its my dream horse to own one day. He was a buckskin gelding named Spirit, named after the movie, "Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron." Overall it was the best day I have had in a long time. We ran through creeks and got our pant legs all wet. I was laughing the whole time and I love the fact that there was a smile on my face. The scenery was beautiful. God was definitely there with us. My cousin even had a nice time too. She even got her horse to canter this time around. :)


Then we arrived back in Oxford, Ohio, which is where Miami University is located and to get to the horse place, we drive right through campus. We had an early dinner at Pita Pit. I love Miami's campus because all the buildings are so uniform and it is all so regal looking. Nothing like any campus I have seen in Michigan.


Then later my other cousin decided she wanted to watch this scary movie which I opted out of. So glad I did apparently she was so scared she stayed the night instead of going home to her mom's.


Friday, I ran to the store with my cousin and ended up getting supplies for her to make my uncle a carrot cake from scratch with homemade cream cheese frosting. After that we played a game of Phase 10 and then we went mini golfing. The mini golfing was located in West Chester, Ohio and it was also a indoor monster themed course, including blacklight/glow-in-the-dark. It was so much fun. I ended up coming in two strokes below my cousin. Then the evening was filled with a memorial for Alex who ended up taking his own life three years ago. He suffered with Crohn's. This fundraiser was the third annual event and has been raising money for research for a cure. The food was good and at the end of the fundraiser was a raffle. I didn't win anything. It's not about the prize but the overall happiness of where the money goes to in the end.


Saturday, I left around 1pm and after stopping in Ann Arbor for a couple hours visiting my family, I finally arrived at home at 9pm. It was so fun. I haven't seen them in a long time. We went out to dinner in Dexter, MI. It made me think of the time I visited some friends in Pinckney a few summers ago. On the way home I saw this license plate drive past me, it said {Psalm 61}. God moment? Wouldn't doubt that for a moment.

Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint. 

Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy. 

Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 

Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 

So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day. 

Psalm 61 (ESV)

Overall I had a great week. Spent it with much reflection and in conversation with God. Hope you all had a nice week as well. :)

May Brings Growth and Flowers

May was like any month busy but was full of promise. Promise of new hope and beginnings like budding flowers.


I have had this post swirling in my head for a long time. It always takes me a long time to interpret what has been going on in my life. I thank God for being different in that way.


I learned a couple lessons this month.

1. Some messages God sends are not just for others but also can be useful for yourself.
2. There is always something to be thankful for.
3. God made the good days, but also the bad days.
4. The fact that God knows everything and holds everything in His hands.
5. Everything is done in His time.

Let me explain more.

1. Some messages God sends are not just for others but also can be useful for yourself.
1. I had this situation with a friend that started awhile ago and it came to the peak in April. I just had enough. I was done getting played. Done expecting something and getting nothing. I was always so angry. I didn't really understand why. I thought it was just how she was and that I was getting upset over the little things. Or making things seem more than what they were. In all reality I was blinded by Satan. One April afternoon I receive this message from God telling me that I should rebuke Satan from my friend and attempt to tell her what Satan was doing with her other relationships. She didn't see it. Then God tells me that the relationship between this girl and I is not supposed to be broken, because we both have qualities that are important that the other needs in their life. He told me that I am a good encourager and she is a mighty prayer warrior. So in my blindness, thinking this was meant for just her, I dropped it. I knew where our relationship stood, that this message was never going to get told. But God always has other plans. He took the time to continue to persuade this message, by not letting Satan win this battle of tearing two friends apart. I met with my friend on May 16th, 2012, and I am proud to say we are still friends.
2. There is always something to be thankful for.
1. This shouldn't be a hard lesson, but sometimes it is. It's so hard to look for the good in things. I have always been more on the negative side. Jesus pretty much has changed my outlook on life and perspective on things/situations/people around me. It's hard especially when the world is such a frustrating place to live. Thankfully God holds new hope in every new day.
3. God made the good days, but also the bad days.
1. This was such a "light bulb" moment. He doesn't just make the good days, but also the bad ones. Interpretation can differ per person too. So what makes a truly bad day? I feel this one is hard to explain, because you have to live it. You have to take the time and let Him lead you to joy. I think I listened to a sermon or a speaker on a video or something that said the choice has to be daily. It's not the day that should make you happy or joyful, it's God. Coming to this realization, has made me so joyful, but how could it not? Even the classified "bad" days can just lead to good things later. Look towards Him, maybe in that moment He wants you to learn something. 
4. The fact that God knows everything and holds everything in His hands
1. He is the all-knowing and powerful Creator. The mere thought that He already knows what I am going to write before I write it. He knows everything and has a plan for every step we take. How amazing is that? Every situation I went through in May, He knew the outcome. I just can't explain how amazed and awed I feel at this moment. There are no real words to describe this feeling. It's like I want to explain it, but the words come out blank and I just stand there speechless. Have you ever been there? Just amazed by His glory? It is such an amazing feeling.
5. Everything is done in His time.
1. Its amazing to know that we have no control over what happens in the world. A good example of this, is that the time and day of the meeting I was supposed to have with my friend kept changing. She tried texting me a week before the actual meeting, but I never received any texts. Just proves to you that God had other plans for us. On the night when we met, my dog died, and I know in my heart that God had a reason for everything that happened that day. He knew that if things happened differently and if my friendship had ended, the loss of my dog, would have put me over the edge. God is a merciful God and he was able to mend a friendship and put that person in my life to help me with a difficult time.

May was such a good month. So much to learn and so much growth. Stepping in His footsteps and leaving Satan crying in the corner. God is so much bigger than what we give Him credit for. I love HIM so much!

I am so thankful for everything and blessed to be His child.