As I look back on 2008, my year of new beginnings, I think of the top 10 things God has done for me:

1.  He has provided for me in more ways than one.

2.  He held my hand and pulled me through the most difficult year of my life when I actually questioned if teaching was for me.

3.  He gave me a new beginning in my teaching career.  He did not allow me to stay down, but picked me up and gave me strength to make a fresh start.

4.  He has given me joy and contentment in being single knowing that He has a plan in this area of my life since He is after all the one with the plans.

5.  He has shown His love to me through family and close friends.

6.  He has worked out all of the little things in my life that often consume my thoughts.

7. He has protected me while I am on my own away from home and everything I know.

8. He has given me strength and faith to not live in my comfort zone.

9.  He has blessed me with not one but two great churches; one in Phoenix and one in San Diego.

10. He has allowed me to be involved in people’s lives as he is teaching along with preparing me for the next part of this journey called life.

I am so forever blessed!!!  Thank you LORD Jesus, help me to never forget!!!  I Love you!!!

What happens when people die without Christ

I think I already know

and it scares me

it is not your will that

any should perish

but that all would come to repentance

in the midst of so many nice people in the world

who think they are ok

who think they will be safe

it breaks my heart that

when they leave this earth

they will not be in a better place

rather one

of eternal torment

this makes me cry

it is not the image

I want people to have of their loved ones

but what is a life without Christ

everything you do

is here today

and gone tomorrow

then you die

and stay in the ground

and wrought

this breaks my heart

I do not want to see anyone end up

in that place of torment

but it is their choice

this is my mission

while I am on this earth

I need to live like Christ

I need to live like I will live eternally with him

but how will people see the difference

when there are so many nice people in the world

who think they are ok

what happens when we die

well, that depends on your life

while you are alive

Did you live for Christ while it is today

or

for yourself

and expect to be ok

I do not mean to be harsh

but this is the truth

if you are living like there is no Christ

you better be right

and I mean it

because hell is a scary place

you will never be united with your loved ones

you will be separated from all that is good

Do you want death after death or life after death

Do you want to live in darkness or eternal light

Do you want to be reunited with loved ones

or never see them again

the choice is yours

how will you live your life

It seems so simple

but we make it so complex

we make it so hard

we do not want to change

we are stubborn

we are negligent

but do not let this

affect your eternity

Choose today

and

live for Christ

for one day you will reign with him

and enjoy the party of the century

and connect with your loved ones

who lived for Christ too

Though life may be hard

He will never leave you neither will he forsake you

So, spread the word

For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)

What will happen when you die???

Sounds kind of morbid

don’t you think

but really

we never know when

our time is coming to an end

but I hope I have

many more years

because I know I am so far from being done

since my life has barely just begun

Nevertheless,

I want to be remembered as one who

unashamedly shined for him in everything I did

I want to leave a lasting legacy

that declares your name!!!

…we must be reading each other’s thoughts, but I guess that is what friends are for!!!

There is just a slight problem. I am driven. I love to work hard and know what is going to happen.  I hate the unknowns because I hate the lack of control when I do not know!!!

AHHH! I’ve been waiting- silently – waiting-and it seems like forever!!!

my mind:

Mare, it’s a journey – relax! You’re facing the right direction, you’re being faithful, you have great friends, a good life… relax and enjoy the calm, enjoy my rest…let me hold your hand and lead you beside the still waters.

my spirit:

are you kidding? but i have all this energy – I don’t want to settle, unless that is truly what you want, but I still have so much energy-but I am not sure where to go or where to stay or what to do.  There are so many possibilities…I do not want to miss out!!! I want to be where you want me to be, but where exactly is that…over the high seas or in the land of familiarity or back where I started only with new eyes….where God where, when will I just know???

the end result:

I cry-I talk with my trusted friend and sister in law-I most importantly dive deep into the WORD-PRAY and repeat the process…I will keep on until the answer is secure and I know down deep what I am to do.  I will keep waiting, doing what I can…and letting God prepare me as I end one season of my life and enter the next…

this is it – an opportunity to wait, to pray and to learn to become more of the person and teacher He wants me to be!!!

what’s that truth again?

Waiting is not passive, and that’s good, because neither am I…