the "roundabout" way.

Even though we may know and believe that God speaks to us through His Word- we are often still surprised when He actually does. This morning as I spent some time praying, I really felt like I needed to hear something from God. As I opened my Bible to Psalm 105 in The Message version (part of my daily reading for today), I read something new. I would encourage you to do so as well.

At times I wonder if I should continue my involvement with worship team and choir because of my time commitment to youth. As I read that God instructs me to give Him praise and tell everyone of His goodness, it said one of the ways is through song. Even when we feel like we aren't doing something of eternal impact or significance, we actually may be. When people see me singing on the stage, I pray that they will see how much I love God... and that every word I sing is telling of His goodness. What a neat opportunity!

God also commands us to keep our eyes open to see God at work and His miracles. He has been true to His Word for generations. This SO goes against the grain in our culture. We have become so "Me" centered that throughout the day- that may be all that we think about... leaving no room or "margin" in our day to see that God is in fact working on our behalf or a reminder of how near He is... because we simply keep blinders on our eyes.

No matter who we are, He can choose to use us for His purposes. When His hand is upon our lives, there is no limit to what He can do. God sent Joseph ahead to prepare the way for the Israelites. Humble and hard beginnings led him to a place of honor and ultimately being used to carry out God's greater plan. God then used Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. He worked many miracles as they were on their way and provided for their every need: cool for the day, light for the night, food and water to sustain them- in ways that only He could provide.

In the end- God's people were singing for joy. Every single step of the journey was so that they could accomplish all that He had told them and promised. This goes to show that God's ways are not our ways. Sometimes it truly is the roundabout way. Yes, His people had moments of doubt, complaining, and frustration, but they continued to follow Him.

As long as I'm committed to following God, I can trust that He will provide for my every need, equip me regardless of my inadequacies, and use every step of my journey to accomplish His purpose. That's the most important thing. The tough part is when the steps of the journey seem so contrary to the direction we feel like we should be going... the "roundabout" way. But, I'm okay with that... makes for one great adventure. :) His ideas are definitely best.

{kinda vague- but how I felt God was speaking to me today}

Jesus loves me, this I know...

This is the view from my seat tonight and the sun sets... feeling like I have the best seat in the house... listening to the sound of the crashing waves and looking at the vast expanse of the ocean... in absolute awe... there is something about the ocean that makes you feel so near to God... and stand in such awe of Him at the very same moment. You guessed it... I'm on vacation... spending 10 days of relaxation in Florida. It's easy for one to feel guilty for taking time off... but, as I shared with a friend just the other day... I believe that vacation is absolutely necessary. And as I sit here at the ocean... I am reminded that some of my greatest vision and dreams for life have been the fruit of times away from the hustle and bustle of life.... when there is no agenda... nothing preoccupying your thoughts... and there is opportunity for sleep, rest, and refreshment... It brings clarity. And, I think that sometimes you don't realize how much you needed a break until you get one. These past couple of days have been incredible. So- I was walking by myself along the beach yesterday afternoon... splashing along and letting the sand squish beneath my toes.... when I said the silent prayer, "Lord, teach me something new about You... and I'll tell the world what I find." Now that seems like kind of a bold prayer... then, I go pick up the book "Love Beyond Reason" by John Ortberg... this could be a pretty neat journey... I'll let you be part of my "world". :) Yesterday my sister and I saw dolphins off the coast, and today we saw about 50 cownose sting rays [come to find out- they are migrating to Mexico and there could have been thousands of them!] and we didn't even have to go to sea world. :) I'm excited for the new things God is going to teach me this week, the visions and dreams He will place in my heart, and the rejuvenating He will give my body, mind, and spirit.

Signing off for now... here's what I've been up to as I've been writing... green tea in hand. :)

miracle moments.

It's the most incredible thing to make it to the other side of a trial to look back and see all of the miracle moments that happened each step of the way. This was the case for me about a week ago. It was one of the most trying times I have had for a long time... but, I was convinced that God would see me through... after countless prayers... and trips to the computer repairmen... read on... :)

It started on Saturday... I was taking photos at an engagement session... getting out of the car with my camera and accidentally hit it on the side of my car... I didn't think anything was wrong with it until I tried to take a picture and a piece fell out of it... nice lens too that I needed for sessions this week! Praise the Lord that I had another lens with me to finish the session... took the lens to Lawrence, and they sent it in to Canon for 3-4 weeks to see if they can repair it... in the meantime, I purchased another lens that was a step below the one I had to hold me over til the other one is repaired.

Then, on Saturday afternoon, my external hard-drive all of a sudden wouldn't connect to my laptop or any computer for that matter... I was hoping for the best that it was just the connection... but, trying not to panic because of the thousands of photos that were on it... like my whole business... I wasn't able to take it in to the computer store until Monday morning... first store told me they couldn't do anything to help me and that it looked like nothing was there... I didn't even know what to do... [some of the photos were backed up... but not some of my most recent work... hence all of the thoughts going through my mind] The computer store said that my only option would probably be to send it off to a drive-saver place that starts out at $5,000. I left and took it to COMPUTER RENAISSANCE [where I would recommend taking any computer problems or purchasing equipment]. I left the computer with them... [Monday was my sister's birthday, and my mom, sis, and I were supposed to spend the day together... so I felt terrible that I had all this other stuff going on.] I was able to do some shopping and a movie with Hona and mom. During the movie, I got a phone call that it looked like my hard drive had crashed and that it was blank....but they needed me to bring in my laptop to check for sure. I went back into the movie sobbing... my mom and I prayed... my dad had been home sick and prayed all day too... we left the movie and my dad was waiting for me... to go with me to the computer place. When we got there, the tech said that since he had talked to me.... things had gotten... long pause... "better!!" I think he was as surprised as we were... we said we had been praying... I believe it was truly a miracle. Last week was a long and uncertain waiting process as they have retrieved one file at a time from the hard drive. But, PRAISE THE LORD... I now have the hard drives with all of the files... MIRACLE. This was a very costly venture... but, the next Tuesday, I made a deposit into my biz account from photo work for the EXCACT amount I had paid for the hard drive recovery... MIRACLE.

Then, on Wednesday, I was driving home from a photo session and the steering wheel just dropped to one side with a thud... I was driving into my neighborhood thankfully!! [I laughed a little to myself... I just couldn't believe it.] So, I just slowed down and made it to my house... we got it to the repairman... they had never seen anything like that happen before... we PRAYED. Two days later, the car was repaired with a salvaged part that cost 1/2 of the price of a new one... MIRACLE.

WOW. I have learned a lot. I know that God has set me up to have this photography business, and I know that He has taken care of me... I've been reminded that He is my source... even if I lose everything... and that I can only depend on Him... not myself and what I am capable of doing... without Him I am helpless. I have learned valuable lessons about data backup-- I now have 4 external hard drives and online backup. :) [word to the wise!] I never want to have a day like that again. I will praise Him in the good and the bad though. I am thankful that it was technical things that can be replaced, etc.... rather than sicknesses, etc.

OTHER COOL THINGS THAT GOD DID THAT WEEK:

I met and sat across from the editor of Metropolitan Bride magazine at the Realife leader banquet on Friday night... she invited to me to a wedding vendor lunch group. I went to this on Tuesday where I met some really great people and met one of the area's premier wedding photographers... had a good conversation with her in which she gave me some good advice for my photography biz. :)

I had a lot of quality bonding time with my Dad especially... I have been reminded of how much wisdom he has to offer... and how wonderful my family is... when something happens... we are all in it together. :) So thankful.

One of my dearest friends, Sarah, was in town for the week from Minnesota to sing in A James River Christmas... we had a wonderful coffee date. :)

I have received a lot of calls this week to schedule future photo sessions... even for April!! :)

I sold over $100 more of my jewelry I make... going toward my Speed the Light goal! :)

And, now I REACHED my Speed the Light goal (money for missionaries)... and the students at Realife raised over $220,000 this year for missions as of Wednesday night. INCREDIBLE.

GOD IS GOOD.

I am more convinced then ever that He cares about every detail of our lives and is capable of more than we could know.
Just had to share. :)