This and That

Please be patient with me--I am experimenting with my blog. Yesterday, I tried e-mailing my post directly to my blog, but for some reason the font is different. (I'm not sure what to do to correct it, other than re-type the post.)

Yesterday's poem is good reminder for me at this time. After going home over the weekend, I am trying to catch up on some of my school work. I have two tests to make up and one to take on Friday. I also have to write an expanded Bible lesson outline on the theology of Hosea. (I am actually looking forward to studying the book Hosea; it has always been an interesting--yet puzzling--book to me. Maybe I'll share some of what I learn later.)

My mom told me to focus on one thing at a time. Tomorrow, with the Lord's help, I will write my paper on the book of Hosea. After that is finished, I will study for my tests.

I'll be honest--I tend to get stressed and worry about things. I have to remind myself that I cannot do everything at once. All I can do is--do the next thing.

Do the Next Thing

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: "DO THE NEXT THING."

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

Family

Although the reason for coming home was a sad one, it has been nice to spend some extra time with my family! I have enjoyed talking and laughing with my parents, brothers and sisters. It's also been a lot of fun playing with my cute little nieces and nephews! :)

I love my family--it will be hard to leave tomorrow! (Thankfully, I only have a of couple weeks until Thanksgiving.) Please pray for my sister, Heather, her three little girls and I as we drive back down south tomorrow.

Four generations: sister, Heather;
niece, Abigail; MaMaw Hale & Mom

Elizabeth, Joanna, Denton, Isaac, Susanna & Abigail

Isaac

Joanna

Abigail

My siblings, nieces and I with our cousin,
Ryan, his wife, niece and cousin

What a Day Brings Forth

On Friday morning, I woke up to my cell phone ringing. I knew by the ring tone that it was my mom calling, and I was immediately concerned because usually one does not get calls at that hour unless it is bad news. My hands were shaking as I called my mom back, and she told me that my dad's brother had passed away early that morning.

Please pray for my family during this time. It is especially hard for everyone because it was so sudden. Of course, I know that nothing takes the Lord by surprise. Pray that the Lord will bring comfort to the hearts of our family.

Boast not thyself of to morrow;
for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
~Proverbs 27:1

Some "Snapshots" of my Life: Part 1

Since I have not posted very much lately, I thought I would post a few pictures from my life in the last couple years. (Also, I don't have a lot of time right now to write an in-depth post.) Hopefully, I'll get you caught up on the happenings of my life!

This past summer, my friend, Valerie, and I drove down to Charleston, SC to visit Fort Sumter. It was so neat! I love U. S. History (especially Civil War History), so I really enjoyed the trip!

The Fort as we approached on the ferry

Some flags at the Fort

My friend, Valerie--she's crazy! :)

Some of the cannons

Me standing by a cannon

Another neat shot of the flags

Valerie and I standing by the entrance to the Fort

Hopeful Praying vs. "I Hope So" Praying

Last night, I went with some friends to a revival service at a church in the area. The evangelist's message was about the very familiar story of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace. His message included three points about the faith of the three men, but I would like to focus mostly upon the second point of the message.

In great faith, the men said that God "will deliver us (Daniel 3:17)." The evangelist made the point that the three men placed total confidence in the Lord to deliver them from the fiery furnace.

The evangelist's words started me thinking--when I pray, do I really believe that God is able to answer my prayer? Too often, I pray,"Lord, please--please answer my prayer--Lord, I really hope that You will hear me." In all honesty, I don't really believe that the Lord is able to work in my life. In fact, instead of expectantly looking to Him, I come to Him in the spirit of "I hope so." Sometimes, I am even surprised when He does answer my prayer.

God is the almighty, unchangeable God. He is the One Who spoke the world into existence. Surely, He is able to hear me when I bring my requests to Him--whether big or small.

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee,
and show thee great and mighty things,
which thou knowest not."
~Jeremiah 33:3

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh:
is there any thing too hard for me?"
~Jeremiah 32:27

Wow! I did not realize that it had been so long since I made a post on my blog. Surely it hasn't been almost three years!

Life has been busy in the three years since my last post. Let's see. . . I finished three years of teaching at a local Christian school, I worked at a Christian Camp for a year, and now I am a graduate student working on my Master's degree in Biblical Counseling.

God has been good to me. He continues to lovingly guide me in my life. His love and sovereignty have been a constant comfort to me as I wait on Him to work in my life. Truly, "His compassions fail not. . . . Great is [His] faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22b, 23b)."

My friend, Jennifer, and I