Putting up your dukes

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.Romans 2:29

I am very encouraged by this verse, in so many ways. Just desiring to please God, that's what I live for daily. I think in life we can get so easily distracted or caught up in : whose wearing this, who did this, who said that. Gossip is everywhere and no lie I've been apart of it on more than one occasion. Yet there's so many verses to flee from that, which I want to apply. As hard as it friends, lets build each other up in Christ. I read this verse this week which is how I feel for everyone that is in my life. It's so essential to our friendships that they encourage us and help us grow closer to Christ. This verse is an example of the person I want to be to others, and an example of the people I put around me.

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:10-12

Did you just read what I read? How true is that, all the things that I have been wanting to say are right here in the word. But true to form they are so much better written than I could put into words. We have been venturing into the land of potty training with thing 1. It happened kinda randomly, I just didn't feel like putting on another diaper so took him and was like here pee in my potty. It's been a couple of weeks of random encouraging and whenever he wants to use the potty that's cool. It was going okay until he started pooping in his underwear-Ewww Trust me I know. I think it's one thing to expect that with the diaper, but if your the lucky winner like me and you unknowingly stick your hand right into it. It's a whole other ball park, one that you really never wanna be invited to! I am proud to report that since those incidents we've moved forward. Almost to a light at the end of the tunnel. Like most days its so hard to see the light, when your in the tunnel. I have just found trusting in God's timing to bring me there is incredibly hard and challenging, yet completely perfect. It reminds me actually of having Samuel, the hubby was suppose to be back for R&R, yet had not returned. If you ladies know about the military you know, you really know NOTHING. Everything you think you know, gets thrown into the trash because lets face it we all fly by the seat of our pants. Well Praise God he got home on a Wednesday evening like 9 or 10 o'clock. Ladies from the moment the man stepped off the plane which his words were "Boy you've gotten Big"- I know he's winner! Up until we were at the hospital he asked me " when's the baby coming? You know I only have so much time, I have to be back in 2 weeks, I don't want to have been here and the baby not come." I turned to the only thing that gives me relaxing in this time- A nice hot shower and intense prayer with God. I remember just crying out "Lord, you know this baby is going to come in your timing and I trust that, but to be frank the man is driving me INSANE" I went into labor Friday morning and finally went to the hospital Friday night, delivering a beautiful baby boy-Thank you Jesus Saturday around 3am. God's timing is perfect, far superior to our own.
"We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps.Romans 16:9" In my daily chaos, which I sometimes refer to as my life. It's incredibly delicious to know that I am not in control and that Jesus has got me today, tomorrow and yesterday.
To finish I'll share this song- I'm gonna fight for you- Kathy Troccoli
Prayers and Blessings on your weekends to come. S.

Taking away the IM

Let me just say there is no other way to start out then by saying.."wow". It's been crazy not blogging, and I'm glad I have this brief moment to share what's been up. These past couple of weeks have been nothing but trudging through the valley. It has felt like all the lights have shut off consistently. I'm not sure how you feel when you are overcome but sometimes its easy to just give up right? For my life I wanted to, it seemed over and over that I was just 40 miles behind everything. So I'll begin by telling you , On the day after Christmas my phone slipped through my fingers and fell into the gravy. -It was fried so I had to get a new one. After driving to Sprint and them telling me they can't help me and call this number I was like "okay I can handle this." Two days of getting no where I was feeling completely overwhelmed. My hubby made the account before we were together so I knew none of the pass codes or security answers. After trying over and over to get through to someone to help me it seemed IMPOSSIBLE. Finally I got a hold of the hubs and he helped me by giving me all the answers, Having all the answers I felt confident I could go through the right channels to get my phone. When you call the assurance it says the fastest way is online-IT LIED I had the online running and I was on the phone (going in slow motion on both areas) I try really hard to remain calm after all this I was livid. So that's where I am at with the phone.Pausing from the phone to move on... 2 days later so the 28th I was driving with my mother in law home when out of no where we get rear ended. I guess the person wasn't paying attention because we were almost completely stopped and they hit us. Now I don't know how you would be feeling at this point , I just looked up and said.. "You've got to be kidding me,Lord." Praise God everyone was okay, no one was hurt and it was just the cars that needed some TLC. That's a blessing, my kids were not in the car they were at home so really I can't complain. It just has felt like there's always something, after been a completely loopy loop with the car and getting a rental, getting it towed, talking to the insurance. God placed a song on my heart. You can always look it up but I'm gonna copy and paste some of it so you can read it now.

All things possible-Mark Shultz I will call on Your name For there’s always a way When You lead me And when life knocks me down I am not counted out For You’re with me And You’re with me [Chorus:] Even when it feels like the light is fading And I’ve lost my way Still I’m holding on to the One who’s making All things possible Even when it feels like my heart is breaking Hold on, there is strength Knowing I belong to the One who’s making All things possible

Did you read that, God is so wonderful, He gave me the perspective I needed. I wanna bring glory and honor to the one who makes all things possible. Things have felt completely impossible, everything impossible. Yet God has made it all possible. Without even trying He makes mountains move. I can't imagine my life without him because I would still be back at the start. Trying to push boulders on my own and moving no where. The scripture for me today was Romans 10:13 For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

I still have lots going on, it just doesn't seem half as overwhelming. In fact after bidding my in-laws farewell. I felt God hugging me and just being like Everything is going to be okay Sarah. :) Thank you Jesus for all you continue to do for me. Have a blessed start of your new year everyone!! S.