View from the front row

Up close and personal

The view behind us..The majority of the LSU fans were in that top deck.

We looked so "hot"....haha...NOT! We were soaked at this point!

Right at the end

The huge jumbotron screen...it was ridiculous!

Such a blast!

Until next time-
Les

P.S. Random fact: This was my 5th SEC campus to visit

1. LSU

2. Alabama

3. Vanderbilt

4. Auburn

5. Mississippi State

LSU vs MSU

Today I headed to Starkville, MS with my friend, Abby, to watch LSU play MSU. This is the pre-game picture before we got out of the car into the rain.

It started pouring on our way to the game. We thought we were prepared but as you can see, my poncho was useless. Apparently, water leaked through the zipper and by the time we stopped, I was soaked!

But we still looked pretty and all that mattered was that we were about to sit on the very first row in the stadium to scream "Geaux Tigers".

After walking around in the muddy grass for an extremely long time and constantly getting stuck in the mud, I just decided to ditch the shoes. Here's the result of that. It was kind of fun. Just praying I don't get an infection!

The girls after the game...Abby, Les, Brittany, Kristy...We had such a blast!

Until next time-
Les

Immanuel

Immanuel-God with us.

God promises us that he is always with us.
Psalm 139:7-12
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand with hold me fast. If I say "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you"

Praise you Lord that you are always with me. Thank you for consistently pursing me. Forgive me where I have sinned and continue to sin against you. I pray that you would increase my confidence in Your desire to be with me. I am grateful that you long for a deeper relationship with me. You are truly incredible and my soul thirsts for you. Thank you that you are Immanuel-God with us.

Neat prayer "St. Patrick's Breastplate":
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, King of my heart; Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me, never to part. Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me, shield in the strife; Christ in my sleeping, Christ is my sitting, Christ in my rising, light of my life. Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, King of my heart; Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me, never to part.

Until next time-
Les

A washing machine, jaw locking pliers...not a moment too soon

Today was the big day for the washing machine delivery...well, washing machine pick up from Home Depot by my super awesome friend, John Michael (Montgomery) Walker. Here is a picture of this amazingly beautiful (and expensive) piece of machinery!

Here's how I feel about this new purchase and how I feel about being able to wash clothes any time I want to.

Also, I purchased my first pair of jaw locking pliers today in order to tighten the hoses attaching the washing machine to the wall. I am pretty sure every 25 year old woman needs to own a pair of these. It's so exciting...and I'm being so sarcastic.

And yes, this purchase came just in time because I was about to have to start re-wearing clothes :)

Until next time-

Les

Discipleship and A washing machine

Thursday night I went to a ladies' gathering for church. It was refreshing, renewing, and eye opening! Several women shared testimonies of when God took care of them when it seemed that the bottom had fallen out. I was extremely encouraged by each story. One thing the Lord reminded me of during the night was that I really need and want and desire to be discipled. I know that discipleship is important but since moving from home nearly 3 years ago, I have not had a mentor that I met with on a regular basis. I have longed for that discipleship relationship for a very long time but it just hasn't been developed. So after this reminder, I'm praying hard. Praying for a mentor relationship. A relationship with an amazing Godly woman who can pour into me because she's been poured into. Someone who can help me to become a Proverbs 31 woman. Someone who can help me to draw nearer to the Lord in a new way. Someone who has been there, done that, and gotten the T-shirt. I long for that relationship. Lord, hear my cry.

On a lighter note, I made a very big purchase today. I feel like it is my first "big girl" purchase. Praise the Lord that it wasn't a car! It was a washing machine! Since moving here, I have not had a working washing machine and dryer. The washing machine was working for a short time but then the spin cycle quit or something ridiculous. The dryer has always worked but the cord had to be changed. I've had the cord for 6 months but I just haven't changed it. Last night, I decided I was going to attempt to change it and made it most of the way through and got tripped up right at the end. Thankfully, I have some capable friends who are going to help me finish the job. :).
I woke up early this morning and headed to Home Depot to make the big purchase. I had done a little research this past week so I kind of knew what I was looking for. When I got there, I saw the one I had researched but then I saw that they had a better one on sale for a less expensive price than the one I had looked at. I searched for an associate for a while and finally found one. Just as I was asking my questions, his little (annoying) walkie-talkie thing started talking. The lady on the other end said "I'm sending someone your way about an ice machine". Instead of telling the new customer to hold for just a few minutes, he looked at me and said "I'll be right back". I was thrilled about that (insert sarcasm). I wanted to leave right then but then I remembered what the Lord has been trying to teach me about pride and being offended so I waited, and waited, and waited and waited. And then precious sweet Home Depot worker came back. He had no idea how to answer my questions. I was attempting to grant grace since it was early in the morning but I was struggling. He made some calls and finally "they" said I could have the discount even though they had no idea why they were giving it to me. Whatev :). I attempted to befriend Mr. Home Depot man during the transaction that took a while and it turns out that he is pretty nice. I don't think he realized that I was flustered at first. Thank God! An hour or so later, I walked out of Home Depot with....A RECEIPT! Going to pick up the washing machine later this week.

Until next time-
Les

Continually Amazed

The Lord has been teaching me a great deal about pride, the reasons for my sufferings and trials, and his power in my life.

Pride is such an awful thing. My goodness, it is at the root of SOOOO much stuff. This week at my friend Adam's small group, we learned about offense. The Lord really showed me through the teaching that pride is totally at the root of offense. We raise ourselves up to a place that we should not and then we get offended because people "Don't know who they are messing with". I mean, seriously, it's so ridiculous. If we constantly remind ourselves that we are nothing without Christ, offense would not come nearly as easily. John Bevere said Offense leads to betrayal and to the putting up of walls or strongholds. This morning as I was driving to work, I was thinking about those walls. If we get offended and throw up walls around our lives, it is nearly impossible to get to God. We have got to humble ourselves and stop getting offended and let the Lord move in our lives. How else is the world ever going to see a difference in us?!?!

About sufferings: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows"....There are sufferings that I went through nearly 9 months ago that the Lord gave me comfort in and just now I am having the opportunity to share that comfort with someone who is going through the same sufferings. I'm so pumped because it's giving me a sense of renewed purpose for this season of my life. God is always right on time.

As for power, the Lord reminded me that the enemy can only have as much power in my life as I allow him to have because my life was bought with a price and Christ dwells within me. I've been waking up for the last few days just reminding the enemy that he can just go ahead and leave because the Lord is in control. It's been fun. It's been real fun.

One last note, if you are reading this on Facebook and commenting. Thanks. But I am fasting from Facebook for now so I can't see your comments. I definitely appreciate them though. Much love!

Until next time-
Les

Maybe it's because I was sick...

Maybe it's because I was sick this week but I assure you this weekend was one of the most awesome weekends I've had in a long time. Let me just tell you about it.

I got off on Friday afternoon and went to eat pizza at Cici's. Such a much deserved treat for myself after eating soup, crackers, grits and mashed potatoes this week! Then late Friday night, Keisha and I went to see the latest Tyler Perry movie...AMAZING! I have loved every movie that kid has ever made and this movie was no exception!

Saturday morning and slept in til about 10:00 and then went to Starbucks for some much needed Jesus time. I got some great prayer time in and then I met up with Matt to prepare for Sunday School.

After that, I went grocery shopping and I also bought some new books for myself using some gift cards I had been given for my birthday. That was such a treat!

The rest of Saturday afternoon was spent with just me, myself and I...and the Lord of course. I rested and read and just chilled. I loved every moment of it.

Sunday brought sweet Sunday school time and some amazing worship time at Gateway in which the Lord confirmed some great things in my heart. A little birthday lunch for a sweet friend and some awesome girl time. To top it all off, I met a new friend and got to attend an awesome wedding. A wedding that was a true reflection and testimony of the Lord's continuous work in the lives of his children. As always (at weddings), tears were brought to my eyes and I was overwhelmed by the goodness that comes straight from the Father's hand.



Bits and pieces of what the Lord's shown me this week:
---God will help me become the person I was meant to be, if I only ask Him!
---Pride is at the root of SOOO many things that take place.
---God is my heavenly Father, He loves me with an everlasting love. The proof of that is the Cross.
---I must make every effort to allow God to move in my heart and allow Him to show me times when I can minister to the body of Christ.
---Under grace, it isn't the Christian's duty to find God's will, but rather God will reveal His will to the one who rests in Him.

Until next time-
Les

Feeling Better and A Time Machine

Praise the Lord! I am feeling tons better. The Lord is so good! Thanks to so many of you for your prayers. I was able to work all day today and have even managed to stay up a bit since I got home.

A Time Machine....
My friend, Matt, and I were talking about manna from heaven and we decided that it must have been like ice cream and maybe even some chocolate chip cookies. He said "We should build a time machine and go find out" :)...A funny thought, I know, but it got me thinking...If I were going to build a time machine and travel in time where would I go and why?

1. I'd definitely think I'd want to spend at least a few days living during the Depression because I think it would help me have a better appreciation for what I have now. (not sure how I'd do with the whole non-air-conditioned house thing)
2. I'd spend a few days with Paul while he sat in prison and ask him how in the world he was still able to have so much joy!?! (Although, I know it's because of Jesus).
3. I'd want to meet Rebekah because I think I could learn a lot from her. (Even more than I've learned just from reading about her)
4. I might go back to high school for a bit and try to have a better hairstyle (WOW)
5. I'd try to meet David (because who doesn't want to spend some time with the man after God's own heart)

Where would you go? Why?

Until next time-
Les

Things learned from the flu

1. I am not a very good patient.
2. I really think this would have been better if my momma had been here.
3. Lysol is not my favorite scent.
4. I am not a big fan of quick changes in body temperature.
5. I have always said that I loved to sleep but after sleeping most of the last 28 hours, I'm not so sure anymore.
6. You can only watch so many movies...
7. God is totally in control.
8. God is teaching me about waiting and being patient.
9. I really do love ice cream :)
10. My friends are amazing!

Until next time-
Les

The Flu

Today, I found out that I have the flu...I'm looking forward to what the Lord is going to teach me in this...
So far, I've learned this: I can rejoice because I have amazing friends who are praying for me and lifting me up. I can also rejoice that the Healer knows my name!

Until next time-
Les

Day #4

Lord, What is it that you say about me? Who have you created me to be?

- A woman like Rebekah who seeks you whole-heartedly and serves you diligently, waiting for your timing on everything.
- A woman of noble character, honest, dependable, free from gossip or slander.
- A woman who fears you, constantly going to you for strength, focused on you and not making a move until you say it's okay.
- A woman who brings good not harm to others.
- A hard-working woman.
- A woman who helps the poor and those who are in need.
- A woman who takes the place of a servant and serves.
- A woman who respects authority.
- A woman who looks to you, her husband, before anyone or anything else.
- A woman of dignity.
- A woman who laughs and finds joy in life.
- A wise woman who shares the wisdom you have given her.
- A woman whose beauty is found in the character you have given her.

God, thank you for showing me these qualities. Please move in me and make me more like this woman. I absolutely can't do it on my own strength, nor do I want to. Grant me wisdom and favor.

God, also, thank you for the opportunity you give me as a child of the King to come before you with prayer and petitions. I want to present my future husband to you. I thank you for burdening my heart for him and helping me to see that it's just as important to pray for him as it is to pray for myself. Please, Lord, grant him wisdom right now. I have no idea where he is or who he is but you know the path my life will take and you know him by name. Bless him supernaturally right now. I pray that he is seeking you with his whole life. I pray that his daily desire is to praise you and honor you with his life. Lord, give him strength to push through any tough situations he may be going through. Give him courage to stand up for you. Bless his relationships with his family and friends. May he be a light in the darkness. Pour out your spirit on him in such a way that he can't contain it all! Protect him, Lord. Protect his emotions, his heart, his mind, his physical body and keep him safe. You are so good, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen!

Until next time-
Les

Day #3

Wow! I'm only 3 days into this "thing" and I have already been shown so much!

1. Satan is STILL out to steal my joy (Must mean the Lord is doing a big work, right?)
2. Gossip has a total foothold in my life (this has to stop)
3. Pride is so easy to fall into (Yuck!)
4. The Lord desires for me to be satisfied in Him and Him ALONE! (All relationships will be easier when this occurs)
5. I don't yet have a full understanding of God's grace and mercy. Therefore, I can't offer it as freely as I desire. (Sorry friends)
6. He is Jealous for me! (How He Loves Us, Kim Walker)
7. Pride and Self-righteousness have a lot in common (Is one the root of the other?)
8. God is totally good and EVERYTHING He does is good. (Everything)
9. My Father is SOOOO gentle in "chiseling" away the funk in my life (God Chisel on youtube)
10. The Lord has some amazing things to teach us through Luke 15 (It's insane!)

Hmm.....

Until next time-
Les

I sooo should have known!

I should have known that when I made such a strong commitment to seek the Lord over the next 2 months that all of HELL was going to come against me! And it totally has! Satan didn't even give me one day to get going before he jumped all over my back! Praise the Lord that "greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world!" (1 John 4:4). I am more than a conqueror!

Until next time-
Les

Day 1 of the 61 day Challenge

A few weeks ago, I really felt a stirring in my spirit to set aside some time to really sit at the Lord's feet. I wrote down several things that I felt like the Lord was speaking to me and I decided that this time would be from September 1st through October 31st. Today is day number 1 and here is what is driving me: "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him". Simple, pure, contented satisfaction in the Lord alone. That's the goal of this next 61 days. There are several premises and "guidelines" if you will, that the Lord has placed upon my heart but it pretty much boils down to that one statement "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him"

Looking forward to sharing the next 61 days with you via my blog! It's sure to be a life-changing time for me!

Until next time-
Les