Giving Thanks

So, I know this might be a little cliche but I wanted to do it anyway.
First of all let me say, "Happy Thanksgiving". Today is going to be an amazing day. I just wanted to share a few of the things I am thankful for this year and then tell you why I am thankful for you!
-I am thankful for finishing graduate school with my Master of Science degree, debt-free I might add. :)
-I am thankful for God taking care of my every need even when I doubted that he could/would.
-I am thankful for the amazing people in my life including those that I met just 5 short months ago!

Mom-Really, this list could go on forever but I'll just say the one that comes to my mind right now. I am thankful that you sacrificed so much every day to help me finish school debt-free. You are amazing and the thought of paying you back for all you've done is a little overwhelming. Thanks for it all!

Daddy- Thanks for calling me always to check on me and making me "kiss" you through the phone even though it can get a little embarrassing. I love you!

Susan- Thanks for taking care of my Dad. You are amazing. I love you!

Abby Claypool- Thanks for being there if I need to chat. I love the fact that we can go a month without talking and then have a 30-minute phone conversation as if it was just yesterday when we last talked!

Adam- I am thankful that you are a man with integrity. God's light shines through you and it is so encouraging!

Ashton- I am thankful that you are continually praying for me and letting me know that you are. You are always looking out for me. Also, thankful that you were my first friend in Birmingham :).

Bonnie- I am thankful that you are such a good friend. Your sweet text messages always seem to come on just the right days, at just the right time. You are awesome!

Brandon- I am thankful that you are straight forward. A lot like me! I love that you will always say what you are thinking. Thanks for being awesome. Also, you have some pretty good fire-pit building skills.

B-rian- Hmm...you are such a good friend. I am thankful for our conversations that really cause me to stop and reflect on my life. Thanks for always letting me speak boldly into your life. You rock!

Britt- So much to say. I love that you have always been there for me since my senior year of high school. I know we have gone periods of time without talking but it is comforting to know that when I pick up the phone, you'll be there! I am thankful for you!

Bruce Neal and Family- Thank you for sharing the love your family has for each other with me. I am grateful for our friendships. I love each and every one of you! And Bruce, thanks for those good hugs on the days when I really needed it!

Gautreau- I am truly thankful for the words of truth you speak to me. It is always amazing to me that God gives you just the right words to speak. You have strengthened me more than you'll ever know. Thanks!

Chris- As I told you, I am thankful that when you say something I know that you absolutely mean it. I admire that quality in you. Thanks for letting God's light shine through you. Your patience is amazing.

Danielle- I am thankful for your friendship. I am thankful that you let me spend time with Gavin when I am at home. I enjoyed our week in Disney. You rock!

Deirdre- I am thankful that you are my sister. I love you lots!

Dustin- I am thankful for the love to show to those around you. You are so good with the patients that you treat and that is something I admire about you. I hope I can be just like that with my patients!

Greg- I am thankful that you are like my "big brother". I am thankful that you will listen to me blab about meaningless stuff! Thankful for you and your family! Love you guys!

JR- I am thankful that you remind me that God still uses me. I love the texting friendship that you and I have. You are such a nice guy and I am honored to be your friend!

Jeff- I am thankful that you listened to God's calling to start House of the Rock. I believe that was a catalyst for a lot of growth in my spiritual walk. Thanks for your obedience.

Jennifer- I am thankful for something you said years ago in small group. Something that puts things into perspective for me constantly. You were talking about how you got upset when the socks were turned inside out when you got them out of the dryer and you said that God spoke to you and reminded you that those socks should cause you to be thankful for your husband and kids. That has been monumental in my life. I love you!

Jeremy- I am thankful for your humor. Your joy is contagious!

Jill- Whoa, too many things to say. But for just one. I am thankful for you allowing me to take part in your big day. I am honored that I'll be able to stand by you on your "big day". I love you!

Pam- I am grateful for your wisdom. God uses you to speak to me so often. Thanks for your words. I hold them dear in my heart!

Rachel- I am thankful for your joy! You have such a sweet spirit!

Rebekah- Thanks for your selflessness. You are a humble person and I admire that about you!

Sally-Seriously, I don't know if there is anyone sweeter than you. I am thankful that God allowed us to be friends. I am forever grateful!

Tara- Your openness about what is going on in your life has always been a testimony to me. I am thankful that your life is a picture of God's power to change people. You are truly a reflection of who He is!

Twila- One word that comes to mind about you....Passion. I am thankful for your passion about everything in your life. You are a remarkably wonderful woman of God!

Val-Roomdog....You are such a great person. I am thankful for the bond that God created between us almost immediately. Your honesty and openness is something to be esteemed. I love you much! God is doing such a great work in you-don't forget it!

If I left you out, trust me it wasn't on purpose. I know there are so many more people I am thankful for. If you read this and don't see you, let me know. I want to tell you why I am thankful for you.

Most of all, thanks for God Almighty, who for now, has blessed me with you guys!

Quick Update

This past week ended well. With the help of Godly counsel, worship, time alone with my Creator and an honest and open conversation with him, things are looking up. I am reminding myself that this is a journey. Times will be tough but the spring is coming. I am forever grateful for God's gentleness. Just what we always need.

Until next time-
Les

Step by Step

This week has been an interesting one. I've struggled with how to really incorporate the revelation that God gave me into my daily life. For the first three days of this week, I basically sat silent, depressed sometimes, other times just unsure of what to do. Wednesday night church was a good refresher. During the service, I was really mindful of the ease that I have during worship and reminded of the verse in Isaiah that says, "They honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me" I asked God not to let me lift my hands if I didn't mean it in my heart and not to speak a word that wasn't coming straight from the heart as well. It was a quiet night for me. After church, I got to talk and pray with an amazing Godly woman and she really just reminded me that I have to go forward and use the teaching God shared with me; something I've been struggling with all week. I talked it out with her and then with another friend. After that the "task" didn't seem so daunting. One step at a time, constantly mindful of the teaching God gave me.
It's been hard but sweet at the same time. I'm grateful, no doubt!

The job hunt didn't take place at all this week and honestly, I'm not concerned. I just know that if I love God out of my heart and live from Him, He WILL provide for my needs. I'm looking forward to it.

Disney World next week. I'm super excited for some fun, food and fellowship with some AMAZING friends!

Until next time-
Les

Two in one night

I think I've realized that this might be the biggest revelation in my life. I have two choices....let God use it to change me....or continue doing what I've been doing which clearly was not working....

I'm in awe
I'm in shock
I'm thankful
I'm broken
I'm.....

Take that...and that....and that

I feel like for the last few weeks the devil has been working hard to mess me up and he has succeeded to some degree. I let him. I didn't use the tools given to me to fight him. I just laid there and took it like a wimp. I whined and cried but didn't fully ask God for help. I have not been bearing fruit. I am not happy about it but NOW I know what to do.
I am in the process of hunting for my first "Big Girl" job as many of you know. I have been consumed with this during the last week. I want God's best and I've said I'll go anywhere. But then I have only looked in a few places. So I guess I won't go anywhere. But really I'll go anywhere God wants me to go. Honest. 100% for real, I'll do it. Here's the disconnect...I haven't been able to find the way to listen to God regarding this situation and not let my flesh get in the way. I've been so out of tune to God's voice, especially in this situation that I don't know if He is speaking or if my flesh is rising up. I have been consumed with it. Down-trodden, defeated, whining, blah, blah, blah.
Well, just when you think you are at a loss, there He is...I am constantly in awe. At small group tonight, we were presented with the Tabernacle protocol for entering God's presence. It's short and quite simple, here it is...
1. The Gate-be thankful; praise God for Jesus and thank Him for what He's done and is going to do.
2. The Brazen Altar- acknowledge the Cross and apply the blood; accept the work of the cross and apply the blood of Jesus over every situation in your life
3. The Laver-be cleansed; ask forgiveness from your sins and get them out of the way
4. The Candlestick-wait on the Holy spirit; hmm....waiting...such a HARD concept in our society
5. The Table of Shewbread-meditate on the Word; call out to God with His holy Scripture
6. The Golden Altar of Incense-praying the names of God; remember and acknowledge who God is, our provider, our healer, etc.
7. The Holy of Holies-Enter His Presence

Through this I realized my whole problem. I have decided to go before God with my issue (currently the job hunt) and say "Here, fix this" but then I don't even honor him with my heart or rather FIRST I don't honor him with my heart. I make my current physical situation soooo big and I put God in a box....a little box....a very, small, tiny, minute box that He can't move in. Then, I expect Him to fix it....stupid, stupid plan. Praise God that He is ALWAYS right on time and He is always gentle with His love.
I am so pumped about this season of my life and I'm going to put into practice these steps and see what God does...it's going to be awesome, there is NO doubt!

Until next time-
Les

Pray....

So the infamous presidential election of 2008 is over and now everyone is like: Now what?

Pray...maybe you didn't vote for him (or maybe you did). Either way, Obama is now our president and we have the responsibility to pray for him and lift him up daily.

Honestly, I'm excited about the miracles God is going to do! It's going to be awesome!!!!

God is so good and EVERYTHING He does is good!