My weekend

Hello All!

I thought I would take a break from studying and finishing the 5 million things I need to do for school and write about my weekend. Friday I had school and then worked. I really did not want to go to work but really needed the money. I had to stay until like 12 (which is WAY past my bedtime) but God blessed me with being able to make some money- more than I expected. It alwasy amazes me how God provides for me. I don't know why I ever worry about my finances.. I tithe and pray for them all the time. I get worried at times but then here comes God and I 'll go into work and make really good money just when I need it. God always has the perfect timing. After work, even though it was late, I went to the mont to visit with Carmen and a friend from work that I don't get to see very often. IT was nice to spend some time with them and to vent about work stuff and school and what not.

Saturday was a jam packed day! OF course I didn't get home from the mont the night before until like 2 (got lost in conversation) and then Jack Jack (one of my dogs) woke me up at 7:15 when I had my alarm for 8... so I got up early. Aaron and I went to church that morning because this weekend was Big Event for OU so they sent some of their law students to help us around the church with all the trees blown every where and to help redo our gardens and just other yard stuff. Aaron and I have been going to Go Church for a while now and have been members for about a month now but yesterday, we officially met people from our church and got to know them better while making a difference around our church. I am not going to lie- I was exhausted from working (I had the special priviledge of working in the meditation garden- which is beautiful- but i didn't realize HOW MUCH work maintaining a garden was) but was so thankful for that time. That night was the monthly meeting for SEEDS our young adult group. We all met at Hey day to play some laser tag. We had so much fun. Laser tag was a blast and I was really surprised at how good some of the people were! I beat Aaron 3 out of the 4 times so I was pretty happy with that :). That was the first chance that we actually got to talk and get to know these people around our age from the church that just walk by at church every week. I loved talking with all of them and really look forward to getting to know them more.

Today at church was awesome. It was my second time to sing with the worship team and I had a blast- i really felt like God was moving in that room today and it's such a blessing to be apart of that because I know that I felt God in me. I was really happy to have Eden singing with me this week. I love singing and don't mind doing it without someone close to me but EDen is my best friend- I feel like she brings out the best in me so getting to sing with her and do harmonies was really great. The band was just awesome today. Today's message at church was really great. Some things I got from Chad today- 1) girls are crazy and boys are lazy, 2) don't start anything defeated, 3) Live a life oft possibilities, 4) don't get bitter, get better, 5) At your greatest breaking point, God will show up and give you the greatest break through, and 6) (my fav) If you want more of God, you must seek more of God because he will not force himself upon you.
It happens to us as christians- we go through stages where we are really high on God and thank him for all the blessings and then just get stuck in a rut- wondering what's next- is God still here?- what am I supposed to do? One thing we know for sure is that God is ALWAYS with us. I have grown more in my relationship with God since I have come to Go Church than I ever have before. The more I read my bible and start applying it to my life, the more I start to notice my life change. I am always in a better mood, i don't sweat the small stuff, I am just happier- and I know that when I am following God more closely, people start to notice me in a different light. We all go through times where we doubt and just wonder am I doing the right thing or think I have been faithful and praying for this one thing and I haven't gotten it- God is always there- the times you need God the most is when you first need to get on your knees and tell him. We all need to humble ourselves and just show love to each other. We serve a God who LIVES- who has never and will never be defeated. He loves us more than we can possibly imagine and I don't know about you but that's overwhelming to think about. We are so blessed beyond belief- we just need to give it back to him. TEll God how much you love him and how thankful you are. And then- start telling other people about God and the things that he has done for you. There are too many people in this world without Jesus and have never felt his love.  It is our job to bring the good news. I have really enjoyed having guests come to our church but truth is- our church is pretty small and could use some growth. We have such a wonderful pastor whose vision changes lives. WE have a wonderful staff and such a great body to our church but we need to expand. I am ready for God to use me. I want to go out there and bring more people to church and not just that but to Jesus. I want everyone to feel the peace joy and love that he has to offer. I say the word Joy- if you don't have a relationship with Jesus- you haven't experienced pure Joy. This overwhelming feeling of happiness and Peace- like every thing just fits together perfectly.

I challenge everyone- stop being stagnant in your church, in your relationship with God, and get out there and tell people the good news. Satan is out there causing a mess- having people believe lies- that people have to live in a state of chaos when it's so simple. Let's all Go Grow and Give together. I encourage you that if you haven't been to church in a while - GO. Don't let that one time you went to church and this happened or not feeling connected or not knowing anyone stop you from experience everything that God has to offer you. I invite you to come to Go Church- we would be so HAPPY to have you.

I had a really great weekend and look forward to where the future takes me and Go Church. I will leave you with this...

"finally, my brethen, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand aganist the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle aganist flesh and blood, but aganist principalities, aganist powers aganist the rules of the darkness of this age, aganist spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod you feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" Ephesians 6:10-17

Trouble will come our way and Satan will test us but as long as we have the word of God in us and are faithful- we can conquer anything!

Thoughts for today.

Hola! Sorry it's been a while since I last posted. My schedule with school and work and trying to fit in some sleep and social time in is pretty crazy! So what's new... well today at church was really great. Today was my first day to join the worship team! I was super nervous. I mean i knew that everything would be fine and that i could do it but still, nerves take over! But it was really awesome getting to see things from a different perspective. I really enjoyed singing and look forward to singing again next week. I feel like i have a strong connection to Go Church and i don't really know why. We really don't have very many people, and we have guests every now and then. Some people could get discouraged by this but I feel like I am in the right place at the right time. Church is supposed to be a place that is spreading God's love- accepting everyone for who they are and loving them for that. I will continue to do my best at spreading God's love and mercy and inviting as many people as i can to church. But you know what, it is not always about church. There are so many things that you can do- help someone pick up knocked over trees out of their yard, give someone a ride somewhere, help someone with their homework, do the dishes for your significant other or your family, or just smile at someone and give them a kind word. You would be amazed at how much you can impact someone's day just by being nice. I work as a server in a restaurant and I tell you what, most times, i will take someone who is friendly over someone who tips well. A- because I know that God will take care of my finances as long as I am faithful and B- because my whole day can be turned around by someone being nice or giving me a simple compliment like- you do a great job, or thanks for getting that for me, or it's nice to see you. Because I enjoy hearing these things, I try to remember to say these things to other people. I am not perfect and there are times when I get angry, or upset and I probably get snappy. I am sorry If i ever get snippy with anyone, lol but i am human and i really try to keep a positive attitude about everything because when it comes down to it, you choose how you react to things and what you say to people. You can NEVER control other people (how they feel, what they say, what they do) but you CAN control yourself. When someone puts you down or doesnt tip you or never tells you the good things you do but are quick to tell you the bad- just turn around with positivity. I know that things can always be worse and that I am so blessed to have all the things in my life that I do. I do not thank God enough for all the blessings. So something else I try to go by- Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. :)

After church today, Aaron and I went and saw Titanic in 3D at the imax. I love that movie anyway and seeing it back in the theater was amazing. I realized something during the movie, the last time I saw that movie in the theater, was with my dad. It just shows you how long that movie has been around. It was kind of bitter sweet to see that movie- but it is a great movie and I went with Aaron so I wouldn't have had it any other way.

So those are my thoughts today- nothing crazy inspirational but to ask that you always try to keep a positive attitude and to show kindness and love. My first priority will always be to God but he says it himself to love one another...

Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22: 37-39