10 Fun Things

Lately I've had more tears than smiles. Keri suggested that I make a list of some fun things I can do instead of sitting around. So I'm posting them here so that you can keep me accountable and see if I have actually done them!

1. Ride my bike
2. Read in the sun
3. Swim
4. Watch a new movie with a friend
5. Find a yummy recipe
6. Make a meal
7. Go for a hike with friends
8. Fly a kite!
9. Do a craft
10. Plan my next trip to Spokane

Count Your Blessings

A very close friend of mine suggested since I was still awake to post something to my blog tonight. As I began to think about what to post I kept thinking back on my day. There were a lot of frustrations and things that just didn't go right. But I remembered the sermon from Sunday where Pastor Eric said to take every thought captive and say out loud "I'm Blessed."

The Lord gave me the words "count your blessings" so I chose to google it:) This is what I found...

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;
Love your neighbor as much as yourself.

So to get myself out of the rut from today I'm going to proclaim my blessings!!!

I am blessed with...
amazing friends who love the Lord and love me
parents who support me through every up and down
a job where I get to see blessings and miracles
my sister who daily sends me sweet messages
grandparents who continually pray for me
a church family who's always there
a body that can run jump sing and dance

Proclaim your blessings today...it might just change your attitude!

God answeres prayer!

Quick story...I went for a quick walk and decided to leave my phone and just grab the ipod and spare set of keys. When I came back I realized that the spare house key was actually with my spare car key that I gave to Heidi a few days ago. Awesome! I was locked out and had no phone to call for help. Well, Derek lives in the same apt places so I knocked on his door for half hour...obviously he was sleeping. So what did I choose to do? PRAY! I went back to my place to sit and cry when some guys walked by going to the pool. I asked if they had an after hours number for the apt place...they didn't but they were willing to climb to the second story of my place to get into my bedroom window...without knocking down my air conditioner! WOOHOO...God sure answers prayers...even the desperate "I need you now" ones. So blessed!

Thankful...

Last night God gave me an amazing opportunity to pray over a tiny preemie. Each night that I go to work I never know what I'm going to come across or who's life the Lord might give me the opportunity to bless. Each baby that I get to hold I always pray over. Whether it's changing a diaper or getting to hold them for hours, I always take the time to pray while touching them. Last night I floated to the NICU. A baby was admitted who was going through drug withdraws. She was screaming in pain. I was asked to just sit and hold her for the last three hours of my shift. At first I felt like I didn't have the training or tools to take care of this baby. I wrapped her in warm blankets and began rocking her. After attempting to feed her and her vomiting I began praying. The Lord began to give me worship songs to sing over her. It worked! She slept for two hours in my arms while I prayed and sang over her. I'm so grateful that the Lord trusted me and sent me to console that tiny baby girl. He speaks through the smallest little lives sometimes. Our God is so good!

Joy during trials?

Consider it pure joy, Lindsay, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

Does anyone else read this verse and think...seriously? How in the world do I have joy when I'm facing trials Lord? In the last month and a half I would say I have been facing trials. This season has been a season of testing, trusting and listening. I have spent more time rebuking the devil in these last months than I have in a long time. I have learned to anoint and speak over everything the Lord has given me. I am a warrior! But through all this it takes me back to this verse. All I can do is ask the Lord for help with this one. Lord teach me how to have joy in the midst of trials. What gives me hope and peace is that when we have joy (through him only) he develops perseverance in us!

So, next time I am facing trials I will make the choice to put on that worship music and choose joy. I have hope knowing that he will help me because I can't do this on my own, only with his strength.

Listen to Worship

To my friends and family

Welcome friends and family. I am so excited about having a blog to share life updates with you and to give you an insight on what's going on with me. I give you permission to tell me what you think or comment on anything I write. Each of you are truly a blessing to me!