Been Awhile

It's been awhile since my last post, partly because the morale net was down and that is the only way I can post my blog. But the main reason, I didn't have much to write. Not much goes on when you are deployed. You work, eat, work out, and sleep. Sometimes you see your friends and get to say more than hi in passing and other times you get to settle down and read a good book. It is an exciting life let me tell you.

In the time that has past I've continued my quest through the NT and came across this which I find crazy cause I taught on this passage about 8 months ago and totally skim over this:

Ephesians 5:19,20 "addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Now I don't really get the addressing one another in psalms and hymns part, but bear with m e and if you do understand please help me to. The part of this passage that hit home is "making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and everything to God." This goes back to the heart issue I mentioned before. But am I giving praise to my lord with my heart? Granted I can't carry a tune to save my life, but I know my heart sure can. I am coming to the realization that "making a melody to the Lord with your heart" with then translate in how you speak Luke 6:45 "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Crazy how a heart issue becomes a mouth issue...

"Give Thanks always for everything to God.." Wow! How many times have I only thanked God for getting me out of the mess I put myself in, but throughout the whole ordeal I blamed him? Or if things are going great I take credit for it and not realize the blessings being poured into my life are from God? I find it very humbling that I tend to thank God when things go according to my plans and when they don't I complain and ask God why. I am pretty sure I am not the only one who has a hard time giving thanks always and for everything especially in the hard times. I got really frustrated when I found out I was deploying and for how long I would be gone for. In fact I dragged my feet because upon my return people who I care about would no longer live in Okinawa and I missed the past year with them. Looking back at the past 6 months I can see the blessings that this deployment has brought. I got to spend quality time with my good friends in Oklahoma, who I hadn't seen in 2 years. Spent Thanksgiving with my family and had the joys of spending time with my family besides my bro, who I will see when I get back. And even here in lovely Afghanistan I am building lasting friendships. So even though I wasn't thankful for everything in the beginning, I can see the melody in my heart changing and yes giving thanks always and for everything. I will leave you with this: How can my mouth/words worship and give thanks to God if my heart is not?

Song: Spirit Speaks-All Sons & Daughters and I wonder-Leeland

Boldness

I just finished reading through Acts and it is crazy how bold they were in the beginning of our church history. There was a real threat of life and death but they still shared the Gospel. Our threat now-a-days in most areas of the world is a matter of our friends liking us, or just people in general accepting us. Crazy how we as people would prefer the acceptance of those around us than God's. That blows my mind. On the day I will stand before God for judgement, which will happen. I don't want to hear you had a lot of friends or people in general like you, but way to run the race. This is something I need to pray about because I think when it comes to this area of my life I tend to keep quiet instead of speaking up. I need to be bold or as Beth Moore has said "Don't Wimp Out!"

I'm a lucky girl

I have to say I am truly blessed. I've been writing a lot about my struggles in my faith, but today I would like to share some of the joys that I'm also experiencing. Last night after my flight, I discovered that I had 2 packages. Let me tell you packages to me are like a little kid on Christmas. I get a big goofy grin and destroy the box trying to get to the contents. Thank you to everyone who has sent me a care package I truly am grateful. Back to the story, I received 2 packages. One from my friend Melissa with a variety of games, a 2011 calendar, and the Beth Moore book So Long Insecurity: You've Been a Bad Friend to Us, with the group guide so I can keep up with my community group back in Oki. The 2nd package came from my friend Rachel filled with noodles, Georgia Coffee, and letters from some of the high school students I work with. I laughed an cried as I read through them. The small things in life right now are the bright spot. Like clean sheets.

This morning I got to skype with my community group back in Oki. It was great to get to talk and laugh with those ladies. Totally brighten my morning. I have to say I was rude and didn't ask how I could be praying for them. So ladies if you read this, message me your prayer requests. I look forward to coming home and diving into the Word and going on crazy adventures.

The last 12 hours made realize that even though my current conditions kinda of suck...okay suck big time. I am truly lucky and blessed beyond belief by the good friends I am making here, the friends and family back home that are praying and sending me morale boosting letters and packages, and that I am starting to use my time wisely. Thank you everyone for your love and support. I look forward to the day I can thank you in person and worship together.

Resolutions

The ladies in my community group back in Oki, have written down their 2012 Resolutions. Seeing as it is a month into the new I decided to step it up and write out my resolutions. Here we go!

1. Stop Procrastinating, I'm still working on that

2. Read to soak in the word not to check off a box on my list

3. Conquer Angry Birds

4. Budget my money so it is less of me and more of Him

5. Work out on a consistent basis, lets be honest, I would never meet this resolution if I put work out every day....

6. Make meaningful relationships with the people around me

7. Find Sunglasses that fit me

8. Go on a mission trip

9. Be positive

10. Work on my resolutions for next year

11. Learn to play guitar

12. Write more letters

13. Run a marathon, this has been on my list for a few years.

14. Come up with a #14 resolution

15. Find a hobby

16. Eat healthy....when I get home

I think that's about it. Until next time