Run to Him

Ever have one of those mornings where every little thing gets on your nerves and frustrates you? Today I experienced one of those mornings. I've had a very annoying cold for the past couple days that has made me very sleepy- but not during the night. After tossing and turning for most of the night, I was rudely awakened by my alarm clock at 6:15 AM alerting me that I needed to get ready for work. Of course, I was now having absolutely no problem with staying in my bed and getting some much needed rest. It was a struggle dragging myself out from under the covers, but I managed. Still half asleep, I read my devotions, ate a quick breakfast, and quickly got ready for work.

Once I warmed up my car and headed down the road, I realized I couldn't remember much from what I had read in my daily devotional book- not a good start to the day. Also, it seemed as if nearly EVERY car behind me was following only a couple inches from my bumper. I always get irritated when other drivers do that, because I don't want to speed up for them, and I don't want them following me so close in case I have to brake suddenly. As I started to think not-so-nice-thoughts toward the driver behind me, ironically my car radio was playing Twila Paris's song, "Run to You".

Even on the sad days, I run to You
Even on the good days, too, I run to You
Even before all else fails, You know it's true
You are the wind in my sails, I run to You.

As I heard that first line (I felt like replacing the word "sad" with "bad"), I really didn't feel like running to God or praising Him. I was grouchy, tired, it was early in the morning, and that person behind me was getting way too close for comfort. It's so easy to talk about having patience and being full of love, but when it comes to applying it to my life, it can be quite a different story! I am just so thankful that God is a forgiving and patient Father. He never grows weary or faint, and He gives this same beautiful promise to His children.

But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

A Sweet Farewell

I saw this today on the web and was very touched by it. I'm not sure if all of you have seen this, but it is a reading of the letter Jenna and Barbara Bush wrote for Sasha and Malia Obama. It is so beautiful. Please enjoy! (And once again, turn my music off on the side) =)

Birthday Celebrations

It was my 20th birthday on Monday!

My oldest brother Chris had his birthday last Wednesday, so we celebrated his on the weekend. Yay for birthdays!

Chris wearing the special birthday hat that Rachel made for him. =)

Chris's birthday pie. It is sooo good, but very filling and rich!
The pretty birthday flowers my mom got for me. It was such a nice surprise. =)

Rachel, the reader in our family, is patiently waiting for my birthday dinner- New England clam chowder soup.

Rachel thinks it was worth the wait and that Mommy did an excellent job. =)

This belonged to my mom when she was a young girl.

My sister Melissa has a birthday coming up next week- she'll be 14! As you can see, January is a VERY busy birthday month for us.

My birthday cake!

My mom made a delicous strawberry cheesecake.

One of my favorite birthday presents-I LOVE taking tons of pictures, and I've been looking for a big photo frame to hang in my room. My mom surprised me and found a beautiful (and very large!) photo frame.

And I know it's a bit bold, but I love the color red, so I was very excited to get this purse.

It was such a special day and weekend to spend time with my family. I am so thankful for the twenty years God has given me with them.

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.~Lamentations 3:22-23

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.~Psalm 139:14

How Can I Keep From Singing

I've had this song in my head for the past couple of days.

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives
And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there

I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne
~Chris Tomlin

Never Forsaken

And they that know Thy name
Will put their trust in Thee:
For thou, Lord,
Has not forsaken them that seek Thee. ~Psalm 9:10

"Fellowship with Christ is so honorable a thing that it is worthwhile to suffer, that we may thereby enjoy it. To die with Jesus makes death a perfect treasure; to be a follower in the grave with Him makes death a pleasure. Moreover you and I might be taken for cowards, although we may have fellowship with Him in His glory, if we had no scars to prove the sufferings we had passed through and the wounds we had received for His name. Thus again you see it is for our good to be here; we should not have known fellowship with the Savior if we had not stayed here a little while. I should never have known the Savior's love half as much if I had not been in the storms of affliction. How sweet it is to learn the Savior's love when nobody else loves us! When friends flee, what a blessed thing it is to see that the Savior does not forsake us but still keeps us and holds us fast and clings to us and will not let us go."

~Charles Spurgeon

Happy New Year 2009!

Glory to God in highest heaven,

Who unto man His Son hath given;

While angels sing with tender mirth,

A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

2008 seems to have flown by, but God has shown me so much this past year. He has been making me aware of my growing need of Him. I've found myself worrying so much about my future, especially these past few months. God has continued to yank at me to get my attention, and I've been reminded that I can fully trust in Him to guide me. He has everything under control, even when nothing seems to make sense. Even through tears, pain, and confusion, the Lord has given me peace and strength which surpasses all understanding. I pray that God will give you this same peace in the coming year.

Happy New Year, dear friends.