When God Speaks Clearly

There are many times when I struggle with knowing if God is speaking to me clearly, or if I am just imagining it. You know, you think you are doing the right thing, but is it really the right thing in God's eyes? Or you think God is telling you something, but is it just your own wants and desires or your imagination getting in the way? It's kind of an abstract thought, but I'm sure most of you understand what I'm talking about. I really savor those times when God chooses to make His will and His presence clearly known. I'm sure if I would just be still and listen more often this would happen more frequently.

Well, a couple of nights ago He did just that. Don't get me wrong, I am generally happy and very content with my life just as it is right now; however, there are times (and this night was one of them) when I wish for things that I just do not have. I realize that it is very selfish of me to let my wants and desires get in the way of God's timing and plan for my life, but I guess I can just chalk it up to human nature (and that freakin' Satan guy...I'd like to tell him where to go sometimes!).

Anyway, I was driving home from work, and I was just overwhelmed. I began to pray that I would just be content with the Lord and where He is leading me in life at this moment. That He would be enough for me. I was basically sobbing because I have been somewhat unhappy lately. I have been wanting things and people in my life that I just do not have right now. So, as I was praying, I decided to turn up the radio. I've been listening to KLove, which is a great national Christian radio station, a lot lately. Right when I turned it up a new song had just come on that I had never heard before. It was like every single word was spoken directly to me. It answered every specific thing I was praying for. It is called "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North. I'll put the lyrics at the end of the post for anyone who hasn't heard it. This song came out in May, so it's been on the radio numerous times, but amazingly that was my first time to ever hear it.

OK, that was pretty cool, but it wasn't the end. I got home, immediately downloaded that song to my iTunes, cleaned up the house a little and decided to hit the sack early. I got in bed and began to read my devotional for the day. Of course, it totally did the same thing. It was all about being content with the Lord, as were the verses that came along with it. Thanks, God! That was 2 answers to one prayer!

THEN, (as if 2 answers were not enough) after I had been asleep for about 2 hours, I woke up to a text from a friend. This is not unusual, but this friend is usually texting about a meeting, plans for the weeknd, etc. This time it was a bible verse. First time I have gotten a bible verse as a text from a friend. Just randomly. It read: "Just wait upon God and be grounded in Him." Isaiah 50:10-11.

Needless to say, God spoke clearly to me that night. I think he might want me to be happy and content. So I will be! And my wants can wait until they are His desires for me as well.

By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

I'm alive! Barely....

I know it's been forever since I posted, so I wanted to update and let everyone know I'm alive...like I said in the title...barely. I have been pretty sick for the past week, and missed 3 days of work. That is totally not like me! Anyway, poor Rocky has been super sick, as well. He somehow contracted kennel cough and has been coughing almost non-stop for about a week now. We have both been absolutely miserable with upper respiratory infections, and I am totally worried about him. Poor little 6 pounder just can't take being sick very well! I just hope Max doesn't get it, too. They say it is extremely contagious, and I actually think I got sick from Rocky. :-(

Anyway, it's Christmas at my house! I managed to get decorated in the midst of all of this, so I wanted to share a few pics of what I've done. I also realize that I haven't posted any good pictures of the finished house, so these should give a little glimpse of what it looks like. I've still got a few things to do, but I'm pretty happy with the way it has turned out. I'm really enjoying it for the most part. Still can't decide if I want a roommate...it's nice to have the place to myself, but sometimes I think it would be fun to have someone to hang out with. I stay extremely busy, so it hasn't really been an issue, though!

My tree

Christmas card display...stole this little idea from a picture in a magazine

I made this wreath, and there is one just like it on my front door.

Yesterday I hosted a shower for Kelly Kirk at my house. Not a great idea to do this when you feel like you are deathly ill, but it turned out great thanks to the other hostesses who were able to pull it off with me! It was a holiday shower, and she got some really cute Christmas stuff so that she and Phil can decorate their apartment next year. Her aunt even went all patriotic and got her red, white and blue lights since Kelly & Phil live in DC! The pic below is of the other two hostesses, Susanna & Heather, me & Kelly. I miss these girls! We (well, they) are scattered all over the U.S. right now. Suzy is in Austin, Kelly in DC, and Heather just moved from Dallas and is about to go to Seminary in New Orleans. At least this means I've got great places to go visit!

I'll try to be better at updating, but I'm not making any promises.... :-)

New House Pics

I do plan on writing an actual post soon, but for now here are a few new pics of the house. Still a little boring, but at least there is now something to show on the inside. They are supposed to be installing lighting today. We're still on schedule to close on October 8th, and I can't wait!!! My interior paint colors actually turnd out to be a good bit lighter than I had wanted, so I'll probably be spending some time at good ol' Home Depot picking out new colors, but I guess lighter is better than darker. And, who knows? Maybe once the flooring and everything else is in I'll like it...

Front of the house (notice the SOLD sign!)

Front Porch

Back Patio

Den

Another view of the den

Kitchen

More kitchen

One of the guest bedrooms

Guest Bathroom

Master bedroom

Another view of master with my 2 walk-in closets...can't wait to fill them up!

Master bath

My tub...where I'll relax after an 11 hour work day like yesterday! :)

Another Door Opens!!!

Well, after one door closes, usually another one opens. That is what has happened for me over the past couple of weeks. I found out last night that the builder of the house that I wanted accepted my offer! I'm totally thrilled and freaked out at the same time! I'm now in the process of picking everything out...from paint colors, to hardware, tile, light fixtures, etc. I love to do that kind of thing, so that is the exciting part! The freak out part is just how broke I'm going to be after I gain this house note! Not exciting, but I think I can deal with it to be able to live somewhere that I feel safe and comfortable. The builder says it should be ready sometime around the second week of October. We'll see...

I'm going to try to keep this updated with pictures of the progress. Here is one (horribly angled) picture of the front of the house about two weeks ago. Not much to show of the inside, so I'll refrain from posting boring pictures of blank, unpainted walls with no cabinetry or trim. I hope to have a housewarming party sometime after I'm settled in, so y'all will have to come out to see me!

One Door Closes

I know it's been a while! I've stayed very busy lately with work, moving, etc! I don't have any really exciting news to share, but just wanted to update to let everyone know I'm still here. For anyone who doesn't know, everything was final last Thursday, so I am now a single girl. It's pretty strange, but I'm just ready to move on with my life and see what's in store for the future!

I've been looking at houses and also apartments. I'm having a hard time deciding whether to rent or buy. I know the market is great right now to buy, so I'm leaning more towards that, but I also might rent for about 6 months just to get everything in order. We'll see!! I'll keep everyone updated! I'm actually going to look at a pretty great house tonight after work. I don't have my hopes up though, because the last two that I did that with were pretty big disappointments. This one seems to have potential. It's pretty large and has 4 bedrooms, but it is a little older. I'm definitely considering getting a roommate or two, so if anyone knows of someone looking for a place to live let me know! (They have to like dogs!! I'll have my two little ones with me!!)

Anyway, other than that I'm just super excited that it's football season! I went to Starkville this past weekend for the big "W" against Southeastern Louisiana, and I'm going back this weekend for Bulldog Bash. Hope to see a bunch of you there! Also, I hope I remember my camera this time, so I may have some pictures to post! Have a great week!!

Happy Birthday Heather...almost!

I'm planning to post about my recent trip to the Neshoba County Fair, but I'm waiting to get pictures from Heather. My camera was dead, so I don't have any of my own.

So, in the meantime, I'm posting pictures from this weekend. One of my best friends, Heather, who is the one selling her house in the post below, is celebrating a birthday this Wednesday! So, this weekend was dedicated to celebrating with her. Beside that, there is no other point to this post. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Heatherly!

Me & Clare

The girls...Kate, Susanna, Clare, me & Heather

Kassi, me & Heather

Heather & Colbert

Edward & Clare

Movin' and Shavin'

One of my best friends and current landlord ;), Heather, is moving on up in the world! She has decided to leave her hometown and see what the Lord has in store for her elsewhere. All that is certain right now is that she is temporarily moving in with her sister and her husband in Dallas until she figures it all out. Please say a prayer for her as she heads off on this journey! I don't worry at all that she will not find the perfect opportunity. She is such a smart, fun and great girl, and she has a voice like no one else. I can see her going off to sing on Beth Moore's praise team or something exciting like that!

Anyway, what this means for now is that her cute house in Madison has just gone up for sale. It would be a great opportunity for a young single person, newlyweds or someone older who might be looking to downsize. I'm posting a few pictures below if you or anyone you know might be interested. The house is in Post Oak/North Place subdivision (it is on the edge of both) in Madison and she is asking $137,500. Comment, email or call me if you want more info!




Also, last Friday I took one of my babies, Max, to get his annual shots. His coat has gotten VERY matted up recently, so I asked if they could groom him while he was there. Groom him they did! They said he fought it so much that they had to gas him up and shave his entire little body, even his tail! Poor baby...his hair is just so fine that it has to be this way. They put a little bow in his hair even though he's a boy. I think he looks so cute! I don't know if it was the gas, or just the fact that I "saved" him from the vet that afternoon, but he was loving and kissing all over me on the ride home! What a sweet baby!