Conviction

I'll admit it . . . I don't like keeping a Bible journal. I have started many, but they don't usually last more than a few months. Why is this? It shows me how unfaithful I am to studying God's Word. At first my journals entries were long and detailed. Now they are not quite so long. When I glance over my Bible journal and see days that have no entry, I feel ashamed. When I see entries day after day that only consist of the scripture reference, I realize that my Bible studies are not actual studies. They are just reading. Some times hurriedly.

Keeping a Bible journal is a good way to be accountable to yourself. It is a constant reminder of your study life and can show you where you need to improve. It is so tempting to just quit with the journal. Then I wouldn't be bothered so bad. But then I wouldn't see where I need to improve either. So what do I do? I keep writing in my Bible journal and try to do better so that one day I can be proud of what fills the pages.

A Recipe For a Good Day

from February 23, 2008 . . .

Last week was a very good one for me. Two days specifically, were two of the best days I have had in a long time. Life is so much easier when you are in a good mood and I believe it is easier for God to use you as well because your heart is open. You will have a better chance at having a good day when . .

Your heart is right with God

This is the first step. The Bible says inPsalms 43:5, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." When everthing is right with God I always feel so much better than when things are not. When it has been a while since I read my Bible and I only pray short prayers not from the heart, I start to feel sluggish or listless. But when I turn my heart back to where I should be I feel the life come back to me! Everything is always better when I have God by my side.

You get plenty of sleep

Last week I was . . . well . . .behind in my school. That means I had to work extra hard to catch up before my tests and homework assignments were due. Two nights before they were due I stayed up late to get everything done. When I was finally able to collaps into bed after 11 PM, I fell asleep with no problem and didn't wake up until the alarm went off the next morning. The sleep I got those two nights were so refreshing! I went about my day as happy as can be.

I think for some it is "cool" to go with hardly any sleep. They think that it is mature or adult-like to be so busy that there isn't enough time to get enough sleep that they really need. But when we have a good nights rest we will be able to get a whole lot more done the next day. In the long run, we will make more of our time if we take the time to rest.

You eat healthy

It was a Wednesday afternoon. After I got off work I had to run by the grocery store to buy some baking goods for mama. After I found everything I needed I slowly walked past the bakery section of the store. There were cakes, pies, cookies, cup cakes . . . a lot of deliciouse sweets! Yes, I knew that I had already had snacks the previouse Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, but I was craving sugar pretty bad! As I walked towards the checkout lane I thought I might find some kind of candy bar on the self. However, the shortest lane was the only one that didn't have any snacks in the isle. Oh well. As I drove home I considered stopping by Dairy Queen for an ice-cream. A cookie-dough blizard would be really good right now! But do I feel like spending all that time in the drive thru? (They are usually slow.) So I then thought about stopping at a convenient store for a Snickers Bar. That's when I realized just how much trouble I was in. I was addicted to sugar.

The next two days I didn't eat any sugar at all. Since then I have had a little bit on the weekends and maybe a bite or two of a snack durring the week, but not every day. I noticed right off that I had more energy and my mind didn't feel foggy. I was able to think clearer and I got along with everyone so much easier. Amazingly, I even talked slower! I always talk fast, and there are some words that I have tried to say slower but I really couldn't make my mouth slow down. After I (sort of) gave up on the sugar I was able to talk without people saying, "Huh?" This shouldn't be surprizing because sugar is known to cause hyperactivity in children. Now I know that it also makes your mouth hyper too! ; )

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These are a few things that I have been trying to do lately that have really made a differance in me. Of course I still have those days don't go very smooth to say the least, but I don't know if I will ever be rid of them. Other things that will help is exercising a few days a week and getting at least 15 minutes of sunlight every day. I have failed in fitting those two things back into my schedule. : ( But I'm still trying!

But above all, make sure your heart is where it needs to be. Even if you are the healthiest you have ever been, God can make you misserable if you are not obedient to His Word. God always comes first!

Revines in Florida

Phillip and Amy coming off of the suspention bridge. We all walked across in a march style (left, right, left, right) and made the bridge swing! What fun!

One of the many bridges.

Another bridge.

Bethany swinging on the monkey bars.

Water inside of a fallen tree.

Home Sweet Home

Vacation is always a lot of fun, but sometimes I think it is just as much fun coming home! It is so nice to once again be able to sleep in my own bed (in my own room), take a nice warm shower in my own space, and have room to move around! For those of you who have never camped in a pop-up camper let me go ahead and inform you: they are not THAT big. With 6 people and enough supplies to last 4 days, there wasn't a whole lot of room to move around in.

Still, it was so much fun! We rode bikes, went on lots of nature walks, sat by a camp fire every night, made smores, did a lot of grilling, had a few picnics, and relaxed . . . a little bit! It was fun being outdoors so much.

Monday we went to the Ravines in Florida, for the first time. They were beautiful! There are so many pictures I want to show you, so forgive me if you get board! The captions are for the picture above.

A tangle of roots! Did you notice the ferns? They were all over the place!

Amy walking down one of the trails.

A more "groomed" look.

A Must Read Poem

Today I came across the best poem on waiting that I have ever read. At first I wasn't to excited to read it because I have read so many articles and poems on waiting. But I am so glad I read this one! This poem explains the purpose of waiting without an answer so vividly! You can read it at Anne's blog.

We Are . . .

. . . going on vacation!!! Can you guess what we are going to do?

(No, that isn't our camper, but we do have a pop-up.) I have been so excited about this trip! Maybe it's because it's been a while since I've been on one with my family, or maybe it's because I will see a good friend I don't get to see that often. But whatever the case, I am still looking forward to it with much anticipation!

Here's food for thought while I am gone: How often do we let the Devil steal our joy after a great victory? Yesterday I had a wonderful night, yet this morning I felt like something was wrong or like God was displeased with me. After searching my heart I started to think that it wasn't God that was troubling my soul, but maybe the Devil! Satan never wants to see us win a battle, gain hope, or live joyously in Christ. It angers him when he sees God's plan for your life start to take action. So be very careful to guard your heart against Satan especially when you have just been through a victory or have found a new joy.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

I Know, I Know

It has been a long time since I have blogged. I was hoping that I would never have to give any excuses for why I haven't stayed faithful to the blog sphere. I was going to be a "good" blogger! But what can I say? Life doesn't always go the way you want it to, right? So here I am, telling you that the reasons I haven't blogged is because I've been spending my time:

with my family
doing college work
organizing my closet (you know how long that takes!)
going to work

yard saling

singing with my siblings

. . . and other things

Right now mama is finishing supper and everyone is starting to gather in the dinning room eager to eat mama's fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, and broccoli callarole. It smells Delicious! Every time mama fixes a big spread like tonight it reminds me of Thanks Giving dinner.

Tonight I will probably try to get some school done and then I might watch the Waltons with my family. Those are such great shows! I wish we could live like them. No TV, no video games, no telephone . . . no distractions. The Waltons look so peaceful when they are all sitting around in the living room gathered around the radio. Every one of them is there, even little Elizabeth. Mama and Grandma has taken a break from her continuous chores, Daddy is relaxing from a hard days work, and the rest are all tired from school and playing outside all day. (I really don't know what Grandpa does.)

Those are such enjoyable, simple pleasures that most people have never experienced. I have though. Maybe not in the same way, but similar. I'm glad my parents like spending time with us making peaceful, memorable moments in our home.