When It Rains, It Pours!

Its amazing how it isnt ever just one bad thing that happens at once, but rather, a whole storm of things that go bad.

I am certain that in my life right now i am surrounded by Spiritual warfare. I mean, as Christians one is always caught in the middle of a battle but sometimes they are harder to see. You seem to have moments of peace where your walk with God is going well for you and everyone else around you.

Lately, this is far from the case for me. In all areas of my life i hear of trouble and stuggles. It makes me cry that the areas that seem to be the most apparent are legalism and rules. Didnt Jesus speak to everyone about this? That it isnt about the rules we follow or the things we do but about love and faith and grace....? I mean, why do people have to make a free life one that is lived in chains?

I wish i could be less criptic but i cant. But my heart is heavy for things that are happening all around me. I am learning to be in prayer like never before... Its where the power is. God hears and answers. The best thing to do is know that and do it.

The thing that burdens me the most is that rather then people sharing the Love of God, they are passing judgement. And on silly things that ultimately dont matter. Why do people have to sit and judge others when they ahave things to fix in their own life? And when something needs to be dealt with it can be done with love not judgement... I just dont see it. Lets exclude people because they dress differently or lets not talk to this person any longer because their child did something wrong... Sure, thats gonna make God shine through you.

I am passionatly upset about all these things. I understand that there are problems that need dealing with but not by passing judgement and holding grudges. we all need to love a whole love more. At least, if we want people to see who God really is that is how we should act. Otherwise we are simply showing people who dont know God a life that they would much rather live without since they think its all about rules and being like everyone else.

When it rains, it pours. I just wish it could pour good news sometimes.

It's Worth the Pain

I went skiing for my first time ever on Monday. It took me one full hill of falling to make me realize I had no idea how to ski but then only the beginning of the second time down to figure out how to turn. So i made it down the hill the second time without falling once.

Dave was my instructor. Im pretty sure the first time down the hill he was thinking, "how on earth am I suppose to get her to stop falling?" But when i made it down the second time without a fall he turned to me and said "what, did all of a sudden you just decided to ski?"

Accidents can sometimes be the best teachers. See, Dave was trying to explain to me how to turn and i wast getting it. But when i accidentally turned trying not to fall i understood what he was telling me and turns were no longer hard to do. Once i had turns, stopping was easier too.

By the end of the day i could feel some of the muscles in my calf hurting me. I knew they would because of how awkward it is to stamd and walk in ski boots. But man, when i woke up yesturday morning i had no idea i would hurt inthe places i did. My neck, for one, was barely able to move from side to side and the muscles in my shoulder and chest were also killing me. Either way i got out of bed, walked around a bit and decided that i could help clean with my mom. So I did. It wasnt toobad, i just couldnt carry anything too heavy.

after cleaning, i went to and Alpaca farm with my sister and the kids and Elaine. Getting out of the car after we were finished... agony. I hurt more then then i did in the morning and i though it was suppose to get easier. Next i had to go to work. Now, try hanging coats when your arms are not working. Its interesting. I made the other girl hang while i talked but having to give coats back at the end was even worse then getting out of the car. I could barely walk to get the coats let alone reach all the bags that were on the rack above.

I explained my pain to a few friends and they laughed and said, it will be worse tomorrow (today). I was hoping they would be wrong, but they werent. i am just hoping that right now is the worst so that by 12 i can walk for an hour without pain. I have to get to the embassy of Chile and i really dont feel like looking stupid when i arrive unable to move properly.

All of this to say, however, that i had an awsome time skiing. I was with the best company and it was so much fun. I will do it again... just, when i can move again. Thanks Dave, for taking me and having the patience to teach me.

babysitting

I Love to take care of children. They say things that shoke you and make you laugh...

This morning, im have to babysit my moms dog. I cant say this is any fun at all. The moment she was dropped off in my tiny apartment, she was crazy hyper. SHe had to see all of it ( which doesnt take long) three times over. Unfortunately, Rachele was still in bed with her door closed likely sleeping. Arwen didnt like that she couldnt see the room so she sat there sniffing at the door. I kept trying to call her away but it wasnt working. Eventually she started scratching and thats when i had to physically pull her away from the door.

Now she is sitting by the apartment door ( Rachele has since woken and left her room, to no surprise of mine) crying and fussing. Id let her check out the halls but there are two other places here and they each have two dogs. ANd i know it would just start a bark fest... Id rather deal with the whining.

ANyways, thats my annoyance this morning.

Welcome to the New Year!

Certain celebrations seem to me as a little weird. Everyone gets very excited about celebrating New Years and having it be the time to remember how the year as passed and what you did with that time and mostly what you plan on doing differently this new year.

Why? Shouldnt we have that attitude every single day? Should we not celebrate every new day we are given? Should we not strive to do what must be done NOW, instead of what we didnt do or what we should do later?

New Years day landed on a Sunday this year and i was so happy that it did. My pastor gave a wonderful sermon that pulled me o ut of a sleep that i had been in for much too long. It was a simple message too. One that i already knew all about yet... it spoke to me. God is amaziong that way. He knows when we need to hear what we need to hear. Rich ( my pastor) spoke of the NOW and how living in the past as well as the future is wrong. We need to give God the NOW.

Knowing this is great but practicing it is hard. Im sitting here unemployed and not hearing from anyone who i have contacted and I feel just a little overwhelmed. But it is a comfort to kow that God is there and that he is always with me, until the end of time. I dont have to go through any of this alone. I have a lot of support from people but they arent and cant be my comfort. They are a blessing that God has given me. it all goes back to God. It all MUST go back to God.

Whats my new years resolution? To live in the NOW and to live every new day as a celebration which it deserves. What comfort I have in the Lord most high.