Caution Construction...

Last night on my way home I came to a the realization that I am under construction. For the last year God has been at work on my soul, building a stronger Christian day by day. First he lead my father, a man who had been out of church for at least 20 years, he was broken, and depressed, he never smiled never laughed and was truly unhappy; to a church that has fired him up. The Lord has brought my father back to the land of the living with renewed hope and faith. This was the first step in my construction as well, one Sunday, after he had asked many times, I decided to go to church with my father and step-mother. The message that day was about sitting at the Lords table, and what an honor that is, the music and the message touched me, brought tears to my eyes, that was the first chip away. After that Sunday I had the thought, I wasn't wide open for the Lord, but the thought was in my head, I began to see what affect my words and thoughts had on me and on other people. I began to realize that I was not a nice, or good person, not the kind of person a child of God should be. Then for Christmas my father and step mother bought me a beautiful bible, an awesome bible, trueidentity the bible for women! It sat next to my bed for months, never once leaving its protective box. I would think, If I knew what verse to read I would, but I don't know where to start, maybe tomorrow. Then one night in April I had this strong urge to read God's word, I hate to say but I don't remember what I read I just remember that it made me feel great. My husband and I had been going through a tough time in our lives, we only had one car and we were trying to share and no money to even think about buying a car and no way to finance one, and having to move back in with my Mom because of bad financial decisions on my part, so it was hard on us. The day after I picked up my bible, all day at work I thought about the way it made me feel, and how I used to be so fired up for Christ and then some how I just slipped into this world of darkness. I had to walk to school that day from work, which really isn't far, and it was a nice day. As I walked I thought about my life, and my husband, and the burdens that I have carried alone so long and I began to pray. I remember praying for safety for my family and myself, I remember praying for my husband and I and our marriage, and a little help with our current situation. I walked and prayed for everything I was thankful for I realized how blessed I am and thanked God for every ounce of it, and then it happened, the devil knew what was up and didn't like it, a car of teenage boys drove by with there window open and started yelling at me, just awful things. Now generally my reaction for this would have been to cry and take every bit of what they said to heart, the words would haunt me for days and I would cry some more, but something weird happened on this day, I didn't cry, I didn't take it to heart, instead I prayed for those boys. I asked God to forgive them, they didn't know any better. I asked God for the strength to let it go, and it was gone... Wow! was all I could think, I've gotta do this praying thing more often! So I began praying more and more, not just when I needed something like in the past, I began to open my bible more but I didn't know what to read so I decided that I wanted to buy a devotional journal. I talked to my friend Jennie about it and we decided that after work one day we would go up to the Christian book store and see what they had to offer. So, we went and we both found something that caught our eye. Now I had guide, alright, I began to study this little journal, and read the passages. I remember going to work one day and telling my friend Jennie that I wanted to be a better person, I wanted to be the kind of person that God wants me to be. A couple of weeks later my aunt offered me a pair of tickets to a Casting Crowns concert, she had a previous engagement and didn't want them to go to waste. I took them and invited my step mother, she loves concerts. So we went, right off the bat we had GREAT seats, the band came out on stage and began singing, the crowd was on their feet. I knew some of the words and I sang a long to what I knew, but something happened in this concert, all of those people praising the Lord. I absorbed the words to those songs like a sponge, they moved me and I felt the Spirit there, and again tears came to my eyes. The next day I told my friend Jennie all about the concert and how much I loved that music, she told me about a radio station that she had started listening to 106.9 the light, Christian radio, I started to listen to that radio station and I still haven't turned my dial. I listen to song after song, message after message and suddenly I couldn't get enough so I started talking to my dad and he brought me some recorded messages from his church. The more I listen the more I want and the more the devil tries to beat me down which leads me to doubt the word of God. Not to long ago the devil REALLY tried to take me down, and it almost worked, but I got in my car and I prayed, I prayed hard, then I turned the car on and the radio was playing "I'm in better hands now" by Natalie Grant, and I knew that song was just for me. The Lord has taken his chisel and slowly chiseled me out of the rock I've been under, I am on fire!!! I know that I can't go a day with out the word of God or I start to slid back a little, but honestly I don't want to go a day with out it. He has answered my prayers and has given me renewed hope and faith. God is at work in my life, and I am under construction.
Jen C.

Prayers

Howdy Internet people. So on to my second blog!! I know that I just started this blog thing and only have one friend so far, but I'm going to put in a few prayer requests...
1. I'm asking that everyone say a quick prayer for my friend Abby that I work with. She is out on maternity leave with a brand new baby. Monday night baby Aniston developed a fever and would no longer track with her eyes, Abby took her to the hospital, where Aniston was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis. (spelled that wrong, sorry) She is in the hospital still and the Doctors say that she could spend up to 2 weeks in there, and that baby Aniston will have to have neuro checks for the next year to make sure this hasn't damaged her. So please just think about that family before you lay your heads down tonight.
2. As you may have read in "my first blog" my husband has been out of work thanks to our economy. He has claimed the unemployment for a few months, all the while looking for a job here and there trying to decide which career path he would venture down, and now still undecided he is actively looking for a job, so I ask, please remember my husband, Shaun, in your prayers, that the Lord might lay upon him the path that he has chosen for my husband.
I thank you for your prayers, and will gladly return the favor anytime. Before I go I want to share with ya'll the verse's that have helped me through the day; Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessings be on your people. Psalm 3 verses 1-8; I read this Psalm on the day, at the exact moment I needed it! This speaks so loudly to me. I hope it helps you.
Jennifer C.

My First Blog...

Hello Internet people!! My name is Jennifer and this is my first blog! I'm pretty stoked about it. I guess my first blog should be a little about me...
Well, yesterday I was 12, then suddenly I woke up this morning and I'm 24 years old trying to catch up! At least that's what it feels like. I have a FANTASTIC husband, any man that would put up with my ever changing tides of emotions and still tell me every night he loves me more then a fat kid loves cake is a hero; and a hero he is. Shaun and I live with my mother and our two dogs, Soco and Izzy. Now before you judge me about my husband and I living with my mother, I know what your thinking, YES we do live in the mountains of WNC but it AIN'T like that!! lol My kind hearted mother has been ever so gracious to let us live here while I'm in school. I don't know what we would do without her, be homeless I guess, standing on the side of I-40 at an exit near Canton refusing bologna sandwiches. Nah... that's not true, I would never turn down a good bologna sandwich!!!
I work as a CNA at the hospital, and go to school. I will start nursing school this fall, AND I AM TO EXCITED!! Anyone who knows anything about trying to get into nursing school knows it's a lot like plucking butt hairs off a Rhino!! Thanks to the economy my husband is currently unemployed. This is a bit stressful for us but we're making it, and on the bright side he's getting a lot of quality time in with our TV. That poor thing I was really concerned about it for a bit, always alone!! lol
Well, that's my first blog... cool. I really look forward to using this new found technology as an outlet for the random ramblings that go on in my crowed little mind.
Jennifer C.