Joy at work

Since I began working last January, we have been putting our paperwork into a computer system. In September of last year we were given another computer system to put information into as well. This has caused a bit of stress and frustration as the systems are often.....uh...temperamental. Today, we found that we don't have to use the most difficult of the two systems anymore. Let me just say, "PRAISE THE LORD!"

Joy at work...HOLLER!

Until next time-

Les

Friday!

Wednesday night, I was preparing to begin the last three days of the fast, days where I have chosen to consume juice and water only. I've been reading through the Psalms during the fast and Wednesday night was no different. I had really just asked the Lord to give me something to help me during the last three days of the fast. One of the last verses I read was Psalm 73: 26: "My flesh and my heart my fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever". During the last three days, there is definitely opportunity for my flesh to fail me. In fact, every day there is opportunity for my flesh to fail me. How encouraging to know that MY GOD IS MY STRENGTH! I've been extremely blessed during these last two days already. Finding joy and laughter in most things. Clinging to God's truth.

Lord, Thank you that you love me so much. Thank you that you look at me and smile because you see the righteousness of your son in me. Thank you that you have given me life and allowed me to live it for you. I love you...Amen!

Until next time-

Les

Another death

Today began the last 3 days of the 21 day fast. I expected it to be hard but I wasn't expecting the first thing that I heard about this morning to be death. I arrived at work this morning feeling great. The other SLP met me in the office and told me that one of our newer residents, who I had become attached to already, had passed. It knocked the wind out of me. It's funny to me how it happens that way with some residents and not with others. She was so precious and I just adored her.

The rest of the day was great. I'll share a verse that God gave me last night. He is so good (but you already knew that).

Until next time-

Les

Jesus, your Name is Power

Lord, How in the world can I doubt that you are there for me in all things? It's really just ridiculous when I think about it! I am not worthy yet because of your Son you count me worthy. I am righteous because of Christ. I am holy because You are holy. WOW! Thank you, Lord. Use these next three days of my life to completely expand my view of who you are. I can't wait for you to rock my world. I adore you. Amen.

Until next time-

Les

From Mark Batterson

One of my favorite blogs is www.evotional.com. Today I dropped by there and read some back blog posts that I had missed. Here is what caught my eye....

The only applause we are meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands.

Uh...wow....just, wow!

Until next time-

Les

Day #? and New life

Babies, Babies EVERYWHERE!!!!

I love babies and I can't wait to have my own when it's time. Right now, I am just thrilled to know that so many people that I love and care about are having their own bundles of joy!!!! Blessed to be a part of those new stories.

Thank you, Jesus, for new life. Thank you for the miracle of life. Thank you for the excitement it brings. May these new lives glorify you to the fullest. We are blessed to experience your goodness. Amen.

Until next time-

Les

Lost track!

I guess I've slacked off a bit this week. Let me just say....

God's Good.

I'm Blessed.

God's faithful.

I'm growing.

God's teaching.

I'm learning.

God's speaking.

I'm listening.

Enjoying His presence.

Until next time-

Les

Days #9, 10, and 11

Words to describe these last three days....

Tired

Anxious

Joy-filled

Rainy

Busy

Exciting

Full

Revealing

I could go on and on....Honestly, I'm too sleepy. I'll blog more tomorrow :)

Until next time-

Les

Day #8...Perry Stinkin' Noble

Today.....South Carolina, NewSpring Church, Perry Noble, Jesus...enough said.

Excellent road trip. Experience of a lifetime.

Blessed beyond measure.

Until next time-

Les

Day #7...a road trip and tiramisu

On Saturday, Rachel and I woke up and headed to morning prayer at Highlands before getting on the road to South Carolina. Prayer was incredible. It's amazing to see how many people are calling upon the name of the Lord and seeking his face. It was an excellent time. Rachel and I set out on the road about 10:15 or so. We were in light rain for the entire trip but it didn't steal our joy! We arrived safely and rested for a bit before heading to a local Italian restaurant for dinner. The hotel clerk recommended it. The atmosphere was incredible and we enjoyed an amazing meal. We even got free Tiramisu, which was funny because we are both fasting sweets. We decided to see it as a gift from God rather than as a temptation from satan. We ate it and it was wonderful. After a bit of random shopping, we headed back to the hotel where we just enjoyed some downtime and more excellent conversation before bed. God blessed us with an incredible day.

Until next time-

Les

Day #6...the Blindside x 2

On Friday, I went to Birmingham after work to see my friend, Rachel, and stay with her so we could leave on Saturday to go to NewSpring Church. We went to see the Blindside. It was my second time to see the movie and it was even more inspiring the second time. Rachel and I got to have some excellent discussion regarding life after the movie. It was an incredibly bless time with her.

Until next time-

Les

Day #5...Wow, it's been three years

Day #5 of the Fast and I'm sure you've already guessed this but God is continuing to blow my mind. I've so enjoyed diving into the Psalms. I've been reading them mostly on YouVersion on my phone when I'm sitting in the parking lot at work in the morning. I'm just fired up about the promises that are there and the things God says about me there as well.

Today is the 3 year anniversary of when I first moved away from Fluker/Amite, LA. In a way, I can hardly believe it and in another way, it seems like it has been a lifetime. Just a recap, I moved from Fluker to Monroe where I started graduate school. I didn't know a soul in that city and God gave me life long friends on my second day there. I am forever changed from that 1 1/2 year experience. From there, I moved to Birmingham to complete my internships for graduate school and I was there for 7 months. Again, God showed up and rocked my world. I met new lifelong friends on my second day there. God used Birmingham to mature me, teach me, strengthen me and just love on me. My plan was to stay in Birmingham even when I got the job in Prattville last January but God just had other plans. I'm so glad He did! I've been here in Montgomery for 1 year and 8 days. I can't say that I've loved every moment of it but I can say that the Lord has used the challenges I've faced in this city to move me closer to Him. I don't know that I'll be here forever but I do know that God is in control and when He is, I don't have to worry about a thing.

Three years...Three cities....Amazing.

Lord, Thank you that you have continuously provided for me in ways that I never imagined. Thank you that you have my best interests at heart and that you are ALWAYS in control. Thank you for what you have done, are doing and will do in my life, especially over the next 16 days. I am loving every moment of it. I love you!

Until next time-

Les

Day #4...A pedicure and conviction

Day number four is a juice and water only day and let me just say....OMG! The Lord has definitely been my sustainer because a few times I have felt like I might just fall over!

Today was a good day at work. I was excited because on the way to work this morning the Lord reminded me of something that could potentially pull us closer together as a therapy team. Everyone on the team gets a bucket for their desks and then there are numerous copies made of a raindrop template. The raindrops are written on when someone on the team feels the need/desire to encourage, thank, bless someone else on the team and then the raindrop is placed in the bucket on that person's desk. The idea is that it's just a 'drop in the bucket' but that it can obviously make an impact on someone's day. I'm excited about it. You know how I feel about encouragement!!

After work today, I treated myself to a pedicure. I don't usually get pedicures during the winter but I just wanted one today. The place was empty and I was completely relaxed. It was such a blessing.

Tonight is Wednesday night Bible study at church. I haven't been going for the last several months for various reasons. However, the Lord just spoke to me on Sunday and sweetly convicted me about it. I realized how much I have potentially missed out on because I haven't been a part of that fellowship and teaching. I'm excited to hear from the Lord tonight.

As a side note, I'm going on a road trip this weekend with my dear friend and accountability partner, Rachel. We are going to drive to Anderson, SC on Saturday and spend the night and attend NewSpring church on Sunday. We have both been blessed by their ministry and have talked about going to visit in past months. The perfect time presented itself and so...we go! I'm sure there will be pictures and good stories to tell.

Until next time-

Les

Day #3...locked out

Let me just say....Wow, again. Just when I think it cannot get any better. God proves me wrong and I'm grateful that He does. I spent some good time with the Lord this morning in the car and the Lord is just allowing joy to overflow from my heart. It's insane!!!

This morning, I went to see one of the new patients we have and I was giving her a test. One of the questions we ask is "What was the first thing you did this morning?". Her response was "I tried to pray a little bit. It just helps so much!". Wow, God. Thank you for confirming your presence in my life again and again and again.

I just had a day that was blessed beyond measure with several amazing phone conversations and face to face conversations that were challenging and thrilling at the same time. Old friends, new friends, exciting things going on in the lives of people I care about.

As an aside, my roommate left tonight to go to class and I told her to leave the door open for some company that I had coming over. My company came and went and I went to my room to chill and was talking on the phone. All of a sudden, I hear this loud banging noise that seems almost frantic. It was sort of surreal almost like a dream. Then, all of a sudden it hit me! It was my roommate banging on the door!!! Turns out she left her key at the apartment thinking she didn't need it because I told her to leave the door unlocked. I was frantic when I realized it was her and I immediately started hugging her once I opened the door! Thankfully, she had only been outside for a few minutes because it was freezing! We had a good laugh on that one. Interesting way to top off day#3.

Thank you, Jesus, for your divine hand of provision in my life. Thank you that you are never early, never late but always right on time. I am blessed beyond measure.

Until next time-

Les

Day #2 and death

Wow....I woke up this morning (after only sleeping less than 6 hours) and I was jazzed about the day. I can't explain the joy that God has placed within my heart yet I am so grateful for it. I couldn't stop smiling. Everything was going smoothly with my residents and things were just moving along nicely until about 1:30 or so. About that time I went down the hall to see a new admit and I saw the curtain pulled all the way around the bed of one of my residents. I walked past the nurse and she stopped me and told me that he had passed away. I can't explain the sadness I felt. He had only been my patient for less than two weeks. He had only said 5 words to me the entire time he was there but we had a connection. He always made eye contact with me every time I was in his room. He was always smiling when I would say something. I would make jokes about being an LSU fan and that being the reason why he wasn't following my direction or whatever I was asking him to do. We just had a connection. My heart broke when I found out. There was a part of me that felt like I could be the "thing" or person to make him live longer. I don't know how to explain it. I'm grateful that the Lord allowed me the opportunity to care for him. I prayed when I first evaluated him that the Lord would just give me the ability to help him in some small way. I'm not sure if I did or not and I'll never know this side of heaven. But I can say this, my life has been blessed tremendously for having come in contact with him.

Thank you, Lord for giving me such amazing opportunities in my job to care for people. Thank you that you sustain me during the hard times. I pray that you are glorified in my career. I love you!

Until next time-

Les

Day #1....Already?

Wow...So I'm not even 24 hours into this fast and God has already shown me something new about one of the situations I was fasting about. I don't know why I'm shocked. I know that's how he works. So blessed!

Until next time-

Les

Day #1

Today is Day #1 of a 21 day Fast for me. I am fasting along with over 1,000 churches across the world. Check out awake21.org. I am SOOOOO excited about this time in my life. I've decided on several specific things to fast from. I have also written down some specific things that I am believing God for during these 21 days. I know He is going to rock my world and I'm so pumped about that, it's just not even funny!!!!! One of my goals during this fast is to read through the Psalms. I wanted to pick a section of the Bible that I could completely focus on during these days. I'm thrilled to see the new things that God shares with me during these days.

Please be in prayer during this time and Please pray about joining in. I can't tell you all of the incredible things the Lord has taught during times that I have prayed and fasted.

Lord, During these 21 days and I sit and wait for you to speak. Show up and show yourself HUGE. I want to draw near to you during these days. I love you so much!!

Until next time-

Les

P.S. Please let me know specific things I can be praying about for you. E-mail me: slpleslieanne@yahoo.com or text me: 985-517-1319. It would be my HONOR!

Yes!

My friend, Rebekah, recently got engaged to the love of her life and today I got this in the mail.

...of course I'll be one of your bridesmaids!

Until next time-

Les

Passion Twenty Ten

First, let me just say "WOW!". Seriously, this conference was incredible and God used it so much to speak directly to my heart. I'll share some things about Passion here:

-Louie Giglio and the entire Passion team are just incredible. They themselves are so passionate about Passion and seeing God be glorified in all things.

-The first thing Louie said that really stuck out to me was that he didn't want anyone walking away from the conference focusing on any one person that was there. While it was awesome to hear from all of those speaking and leading worship, I really tried to allow God to speak directly to my heart no matter who was speaking and I think that really made a difference in the outcome for me.

-The theme of the conference was "Awakening" and it was neat to see and hear how God awakened each person there to something totally different. For me, an awakening to some ministries God wants me to get involved in. Very pumped about that.

-Our goal should be association not accumulation, about Jesus not knowledge.

-God's will for me is good; good means "to be beneficial"; God's will is for me to be beneficial.

-Everything we go through equips us. If not, it would have gotten a "NO" from God. That just blew me away. Everything I go through has a purpose which leads to the fulfilling of his will. If that wasn't true, God would have just said "NO" to it. Takes the pressure off!!!

-Until I am in a position for people to bring out the worst in me, I am not in a position for God to bring out the best in me.

-The Holy Spirit is our GPS-recalculating calmly when we mess up.

-The priority of our life is proximity; sometimes we run past Christ to get our treasure and don't realize that Christ is our treasure!

-Always a mistake to decide what you want to do before you decide who you want to be.

-God seeks our praise not because He is not fully God without it but because we are not fully happy unless we give it....WOW!!!

-It doesn't matter when we became a believer; what matter is "Are we serving Christ now?"

Funny things that were said:

-Francis Chan said "You don't get an "F" in school if you are Asian!"

-"We got distortion in Uganda!"

-"BTDub"

"LBH"

"Dude girl"

A huge part of Passion was "Do something Now" There were 12 organizations that were a part of it and the goal was to raise $500,00 over the 4 days to benefit each of the causes. As of early Tuesday morning, we had as a group raised over $668,000 but some of the causes were over funded and some were underfunded. Louie was praying at about 8:00 that God would just make something happen so all causes were fully funded. He walked about 15 feet and got a text message from someone asking his to call immediately. He did and the guy said "Louie, I've got a couple here that wants to match what the people at Passion have given!" One couple who had seen what was going on at Passion and was so impressed with the people participating and leading gave $668,000. SHUTUP!!

Enjoyed every single moment of it!!

Until next time-

Les