Hey Y'all!
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!
I have been thinking a lot about freedom lately. Not just because of the holiday, but more so because I have recently been set free from the bondage of un-forgiveness.
As we were driving to my parents house, I was brought to a renewed awareness of just how much freedom will aggrandize (increase to the point of praise) our pastures.
For the past year or more we have passed a horse on the way to my parents house. She had a small grass less pasture...and I do mean grass less. It was dirt, stubble and fire ant hills at its best and mud at its worst. This pasture was not very big...only about a house lot size at the most. We watched in horror as the horse's health declined in that little pasture. Soon she looked like only skin and bone. Zoie said she looked more like a camel than a horse. Several times my parents reported that they had seen animal services checking on the horse. But nothing really changed for the better. There would be a load of hay brought in but it was just stuck out in the pasture. Because it was not covered...it would soon grow mold and mildew. They had an old bathtub out there for water. That is until this hungry horse, started eating the fiberglass sides off in chunks. My family often talked about this poor horse and more than once my dad had talked to the family that owned her.
My sister's husband is a large animal vet who specializes in horses. One day about a month ago my sister was visiting my mom and had to drive past this horse. She was crying when she came into the house. She told my mom to ask the people if she could buy the horse from them. My dad talked to the family and they would not sell it...but gave it to her instead!
That was about a month ago. My family gathered at my sister's house on a Sunday a little over a week ago. As we drove down her long driveway with horse pastures on each side, we tried to pick out "Rosie." After all the hugs and greetings when we got there, I asked Amy about the horse. She grinned as I followed her out onto her porch. She walked to the end and whistled a loud Ellie Mae Clampet type whistle. Up from below a ridge came two horses. Both were beautiful! Both excited to hear the whistle, because they knew that something wonderful was in store from them from the whistler. Zoie and Amy walked down to the pasture fence and fed them carrot treats. Rosie's coat was shiny, she had filled out considerably and she was happy. She nuzzled Amy with love and gratitude as if she knew that this was the master who had been the one to save her and set her free. I believe she does truly know!
Driving past that once small pasture where Rosie had been bound to die of starvation, where she did not have room to run, was alone and unloved, where she had eaten dirt and a bathtub to survive, I realized that I too had been Rosie. Trapped in a too small pasture bound by un-forgiveness, starving my self of the trust and fellowship I often craved. Settling for dirt instead of the true food of freedom. Allowing the enemy to sting me like fire ants as I sought and scrounged for anything to sustain me. I too needed a rescuer a new master.
Thank you Jesus for rescuing me. Thank you for sending me to broader pasture, enough food and being a master who loves, cares and even gives me treats!
This week I will share the story....my own "Rosie" story. Only be preparred it is anything but rosey!
I am free like a horse named Rosie!
Pamela
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Hammers, Deep Fog, And A Loving God
Hey Y'all!
Keep praying for us. We are still healing, learning to share the stories, and wrestling with this world of flesh. We need your prayers concerning the Army. One of the next steps is for Mike to interview with a Commanding Chaplain ( I'm not sure of the rank, you'll have to forgive me I am still trying to learn the jargon.) Mike got an e-mail yesterday telling us that the Chaplain he was going to interview with is having surgery and will be out for 6 weeks. So now we will have to find another chaplain. Pray that we will listen, discern and trust God's steps here. I keep reminding myself...God's timing...God's timing.
After worrying about this interview this morning, God reminded me what happened last Thursday. I'd like to share it with you.
We sat together laughing over our country ham biscuits and a coke at McDonalds. She did not know the turmoil going on inside of me. My heart was unsettled. I had cried out to God all night asking why....why haven't we heard? Why does it feel as if you don't want us to serve you? I know you do...but right now it feels like you are saying no and rejecting us....just like others have. I know you love us....I know you have guided us....I will choose to trust you....but right now it is hard, because I can't see and I don't understand how I can feel you calling us to do something, but make the way seem impossible.
She didn't know. So we laughed about little things. Then she looks at me and asked, "Did I tell you about my trip to Asheville?" "No. Did you have a good time?"
She began telling me the story. They had went to Asheville on a weekend getaway. She plays the hammer dulcimer. A shop there had invited them to come for a concert and workshop from a champion dulcimer player. As she started telling me about the workshop, my mind drifted back to my worries. I forced myself back to listening...."The instructor told us that we needed to let go of our grasp of the hammers, in order to have control of them. Isn't that just like life?" My heart and spirit finally jumped together as one. That's what God is trying to get me to do...let go of the hard grasp of the plan and let Him control the music.
OK, God....I trust you even if you take us to a different song than the one we believe you are guiding us to play...even if it means starting over again...even if it means....well, whatever it means....I'm relaxing the grip and letting you have control of the hammers in my life. You play Your song.
She then went on to tell me that both her and her husband had felt impressed that they should hike to the top of the mountain, where they were staying, and worship God the next morning. They planned to sing together, play her dulcimer and have their own worship service at the top of the mountain.
As she awoke the next morning she was heart broken to find the whole area engulfed in a deep thick fog. She was stricken...."But God! I thought you asked us to come to the top of the mountain? We wont be able to see in the fog and the moisture will damage the dulcimer." After contemplating about whither they needed to wait until later or not go at all, they decided to follow the first directions...even though it made no sense. So they gathered their stuff and hiked up the mountain. What did they find when they got to the top? They were above the fog! Everything was beautiful and dry! They worshipped fully and completely the God who sees above the fog!
Again I heard the Spirit rejoicing with my heart...."I see what you do not. I see through the fog. Do you trust me?" "Yes, Lord completely!" I teared up and thanked my friend for her story. As I shared with her my worries and how God used her stories to speak to my heart, we both worshipped and rejoiced at God and His faithfulness.
I got home and began to go about my day. I sent Zoie out to the mailbox and there in a big envelope was the endorsement we had been longing for and desiring. The confirmation from our denomination that they believe we would make a good chaplain and wife team.
God saw above our fog and can see above this interview.
What has fogged you in? Release your grasp on the hammers, follow even through the fog to the top, where you can worship and play beautiful music with your life for the Lord who sees and makes it all clear!
Love you all!
Pamela
Keep praying for us. We are still healing, learning to share the stories, and wrestling with this world of flesh. We need your prayers concerning the Army. One of the next steps is for Mike to interview with a Commanding Chaplain ( I'm not sure of the rank, you'll have to forgive me I am still trying to learn the jargon.) Mike got an e-mail yesterday telling us that the Chaplain he was going to interview with is having surgery and will be out for 6 weeks. So now we will have to find another chaplain. Pray that we will listen, discern and trust God's steps here. I keep reminding myself...God's timing...God's timing.
After worrying about this interview this morning, God reminded me what happened last Thursday. I'd like to share it with you.
We sat together laughing over our country ham biscuits and a coke at McDonalds. She did not know the turmoil going on inside of me. My heart was unsettled. I had cried out to God all night asking why....why haven't we heard? Why does it feel as if you don't want us to serve you? I know you do...but right now it feels like you are saying no and rejecting us....just like others have. I know you love us....I know you have guided us....I will choose to trust you....but right now it is hard, because I can't see and I don't understand how I can feel you calling us to do something, but make the way seem impossible.
She didn't know. So we laughed about little things. Then she looks at me and asked, "Did I tell you about my trip to Asheville?" "No. Did you have a good time?"
She began telling me the story. They had went to Asheville on a weekend getaway. She plays the hammer dulcimer. A shop there had invited them to come for a concert and workshop from a champion dulcimer player. As she started telling me about the workshop, my mind drifted back to my worries. I forced myself back to listening...."The instructor told us that we needed to let go of our grasp of the hammers, in order to have control of them. Isn't that just like life?" My heart and spirit finally jumped together as one. That's what God is trying to get me to do...let go of the hard grasp of the plan and let Him control the music.
OK, God....I trust you even if you take us to a different song than the one we believe you are guiding us to play...even if it means starting over again...even if it means....well, whatever it means....I'm relaxing the grip and letting you have control of the hammers in my life. You play Your song.
She then went on to tell me that both her and her husband had felt impressed that they should hike to the top of the mountain, where they were staying, and worship God the next morning. They planned to sing together, play her dulcimer and have their own worship service at the top of the mountain.
As she awoke the next morning she was heart broken to find the whole area engulfed in a deep thick fog. She was stricken...."But God! I thought you asked us to come to the top of the mountain? We wont be able to see in the fog and the moisture will damage the dulcimer." After contemplating about whither they needed to wait until later or not go at all, they decided to follow the first directions...even though it made no sense. So they gathered their stuff and hiked up the mountain. What did they find when they got to the top? They were above the fog! Everything was beautiful and dry! They worshipped fully and completely the God who sees above the fog!
Again I heard the Spirit rejoicing with my heart...."I see what you do not. I see through the fog. Do you trust me?" "Yes, Lord completely!" I teared up and thanked my friend for her story. As I shared with her my worries and how God used her stories to speak to my heart, we both worshipped and rejoiced at God and His faithfulness.
I got home and began to go about my day. I sent Zoie out to the mailbox and there in a big envelope was the endorsement we had been longing for and desiring. The confirmation from our denomination that they believe we would make a good chaplain and wife team.
God saw above our fog and can see above this interview.
What has fogged you in? Release your grasp on the hammers, follow even through the fog to the top, where you can worship and play beautiful music with your life for the Lord who sees and makes it all clear!
Love you all!
Pamela
Friday, June 26, 2009
Pickle Juice Is Hard To Swallow!
Hey Y'all!
First let me tell you some exciting news. Mike got his denominational endorsement to become an Army Chaplain! We still have a couple of hoops to go through for the Army but this is a major hurdle. Keep praying for him as he finishes navigating his way through the process. We are still praying for him to be able to come before the Army boards in August.
God has been doing a lot of cleaning and healing in my life personally for the last 5 months. In February Mike and I started seeing a councilor. We initially went because when we were looking at the church planting field, we were advised to seek some counseling because of some past church/hurt experiences.
One of the first tasks we were assigned was to take an attitude test. As I sat with the councilor to hear the results, he solemnly looked at me and said, "Your hostility is off my chart." I was shocked. But down deep I knew it to be true. I had felt angry for a long time. There were many times that I found myself gritting my teeth over nothing. I have never hurt anyone or anything....not even myself. That is not how I display anger. I apparently had chosen some good outlets in which to release my anger...such as prayer, creativity and cooking (which might explain my weight a little more.) Yet there were still some not so good outlets...such as yelling at bad drivers that I had also adopted.. Not enough to be classified as road rage...the other drivers never knew I was yelling at them. But it bothered Zoie...a lot. I had tried controlling it, but without healing of the whole underlying anger, it was not very controlled.
Through the counseling, God revealed a hurt from my past. One I still can't share yet because I haven't been able to tell my sister...and she needs to know before the blogging world does.
God healed this hurt through a prayer that the councilor used, that I will share with you later also. It was one of the most powerful and spiritual experiences I have ever been through.
The best part is with the forgiveness of the person that hurt me and the healing from the spiritual lies that accompanied this hurt....I have stopped feeling angry all the time.
Zoie and I were returning home from her piano lesson this past Monday. A car pulled out in front of me and I had to slam on my brakes...I am amazed that I did not hit him. As we puttered along after him down the road I realized something, I had not yelled. In fact, not a single angry thought had come into my head. Fear of hitting him had, concern for him had, but not anger. I had not felt anger.
Now breaking old habits are hard and don't usually just disappear. This morning I left the house stressed over our finances and yelled at two people. But it hit me that I wasn't angry at them I was stressed about our finances. So I asked Zoie to pray that when I get stressed I will remember to not take that stress out on other drivers. She said, "I will pray and I will remind you. (Big Pause) But you can't get mad at me for reminding you."
We came up with a plan. If she notices that I am starting to take out my stress on other drivers she is going to ask me a question, "Pickle juice is hard to swallow isn't it?" This will be a funny way to remind me...without the words stress or anger being a part of the thought.
Pray for us both as we try this new technique.
Because: Pickle juices is hard to swallow!
Love Y'all dearly!!
Pamela
First let me tell you some exciting news. Mike got his denominational endorsement to become an Army Chaplain! We still have a couple of hoops to go through for the Army but this is a major hurdle. Keep praying for him as he finishes navigating his way through the process. We are still praying for him to be able to come before the Army boards in August.
God has been doing a lot of cleaning and healing in my life personally for the last 5 months. In February Mike and I started seeing a councilor. We initially went because when we were looking at the church planting field, we were advised to seek some counseling because of some past church/hurt experiences.
One of the first tasks we were assigned was to take an attitude test. As I sat with the councilor to hear the results, he solemnly looked at me and said, "Your hostility is off my chart." I was shocked. But down deep I knew it to be true. I had felt angry for a long time. There were many times that I found myself gritting my teeth over nothing. I have never hurt anyone or anything....not even myself. That is not how I display anger. I apparently had chosen some good outlets in which to release my anger...such as prayer, creativity and cooking (which might explain my weight a little more.) Yet there were still some not so good outlets...such as yelling at bad drivers that I had also adopted.. Not enough to be classified as road rage...the other drivers never knew I was yelling at them. But it bothered Zoie...a lot. I had tried controlling it, but without healing of the whole underlying anger, it was not very controlled.
Through the counseling, God revealed a hurt from my past. One I still can't share yet because I haven't been able to tell my sister...and she needs to know before the blogging world does.
God healed this hurt through a prayer that the councilor used, that I will share with you later also. It was one of the most powerful and spiritual experiences I have ever been through.
The best part is with the forgiveness of the person that hurt me and the healing from the spiritual lies that accompanied this hurt....I have stopped feeling angry all the time.
Zoie and I were returning home from her piano lesson this past Monday. A car pulled out in front of me and I had to slam on my brakes...I am amazed that I did not hit him. As we puttered along after him down the road I realized something, I had not yelled. In fact, not a single angry thought had come into my head. Fear of hitting him had, concern for him had, but not anger. I had not felt anger.
Now breaking old habits are hard and don't usually just disappear. This morning I left the house stressed over our finances and yelled at two people. But it hit me that I wasn't angry at them I was stressed about our finances. So I asked Zoie to pray that when I get stressed I will remember to not take that stress out on other drivers. She said, "I will pray and I will remind you. (Big Pause) But you can't get mad at me for reminding you."
We came up with a plan. If she notices that I am starting to take out my stress on other drivers she is going to ask me a question, "Pickle juice is hard to swallow isn't it?" This will be a funny way to remind me...without the words stress or anger being a part of the thought.
Pray for us both as we try this new technique.
Because: Pickle juices is hard to swallow!
Love Y'all dearly!!
Pamela
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Zoie Got a Blog Awared!
Hey Y'all,
Edie over at http://richgifts.blogspot.com just gave Zoie a Kreativ Award. Check it out, ain't it pretty!
Zoie has to say seven things about herself or me that y'all might not know....so I'm turning it over to her:
Hey Y'all
Its Zoie and these are my seven things:
1) I was born in Georgia....means I'm a cute little Georgia peach.
2) I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 4 years old. When my dad baptized me, I was so scared I dunked him with me. I came up out of the water smiling and he was soaked!
3) I had prayed for a dog all my life. In fact, my mom says the very first time I ever laughed was at a dog at my babysitter's house. As you can see I must love dogs! I finally got one for my seventh birthday. Her name is Keekee bear and I love her! She is a miracle dog because she had parvo and survived it! Thanks to my parents giving her medicine every hour on the hour for 48 hours and my Aunt Amy giving us the medicine...her husband is a vet.
4) My best friend's name is Sunni. We have been best friends since 2nd grade. We are two blond chicks who try to do everything together. I will miss her when we move!
5) I was in my school's production of "The Sound Of Music." It is the junior/senior high production but they needed someone small enough to play Gretle. ;) So they chose me! One cool thing, was that the actor who played Rolf in the movie came to see our production and gave me an autograph! Now how cool is that?
6) You guys know I like to sing...This year, my granddad's quartet got invited to sing a concert at a church in NC. When they called him, they also asked for me to come and sing for them too. It was my first concert.
7) Since none of you have ever seen a picture of me on my mom's blog, I have blond hair, brown/green eyes, and I am almost as tall as my mom. In fact, I wear the same size shoe as she does. I got my ears pierced last fall and having pierced ears ...ROCKS!
Thanks again Miss Edie for the award.
I don't know who to give this award to, so I want all my mom's readers to tell us seven things. OK? PLease, I want to see how many responses I can get. Don't let me down...I'm only 10.
Bye Y'all
Zoie
PS. Don't y'all think I need my own blog? Talk my mom into it! She doesn't think its safe for me now.
Edie over at http://richgifts.blogspot.com just gave Zoie a Kreativ Award. Check it out, ain't it pretty!
Zoie has to say seven things about herself or me that y'all might not know....so I'm turning it over to her:
Hey Y'all
Its Zoie and these are my seven things:
1) I was born in Georgia....means I'm a cute little Georgia peach.
2) I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 4 years old. When my dad baptized me, I was so scared I dunked him with me. I came up out of the water smiling and he was soaked!
3) I had prayed for a dog all my life. In fact, my mom says the very first time I ever laughed was at a dog at my babysitter's house. As you can see I must love dogs! I finally got one for my seventh birthday. Her name is Keekee bear and I love her! She is a miracle dog because she had parvo and survived it! Thanks to my parents giving her medicine every hour on the hour for 48 hours and my Aunt Amy giving us the medicine...her husband is a vet.
4) My best friend's name is Sunni. We have been best friends since 2nd grade. We are two blond chicks who try to do everything together. I will miss her when we move!
5) I was in my school's production of "The Sound Of Music." It is the junior/senior high production but they needed someone small enough to play Gretle. ;) So they chose me! One cool thing, was that the actor who played Rolf in the movie came to see our production and gave me an autograph! Now how cool is that?
6) You guys know I like to sing...This year, my granddad's quartet got invited to sing a concert at a church in NC. When they called him, they also asked for me to come and sing for them too. It was my first concert.
7) Since none of you have ever seen a picture of me on my mom's blog, I have blond hair, brown/green eyes, and I am almost as tall as my mom. In fact, I wear the same size shoe as she does. I got my ears pierced last fall and having pierced ears ...ROCKS!
Thanks again Miss Edie for the award.
I don't know who to give this award to, so I want all my mom's readers to tell us seven things. OK? PLease, I want to see how many responses I can get. Don't let me down...I'm only 10.
Bye Y'all
Zoie
PS. Don't y'all think I need my own blog? Talk my mom into it! She doesn't think its safe for me now.
Monday, June 22, 2009
A Poem For My Dad From Zoie
Hey Y'all!
I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day Weekend. We did. Mike got to preach yesterday at the church he did interim work at last Fall. It was so comforting going back there and seeing Mike back in a pulpit.
We then went to my Dad's for lunch with the Thrift family. We had hamburgers and homemade banana-nut ice cream. My mother's homemade Ice cream recipe is so fattening...but so good!
Zoie wrote her dad a Father's Day Poem that I, as a proud wife of said father and mother to the author, just had to share it with you.
Here it is (Zoie asked me not to edit it, so here is it just like she wrote it minus the art work)
How do you know if your dad loves you?
I know that he loves me because he cares
and talks to God in his prayers.
My dad is a God follower and worships God
in his own special way.
I'm glad to call you my dad because of who you are.
To me you you shine like a star.
You brighten my day as you smile
and when you go shopping you go down every aisle. (What? You try rhyming the word smile)
So I am happy to say thank you, thank you
for being the best daddy a girl could ever have.
I love you so much.
Thank you for being my daddy
Happy Father's Day
Love Zoie
Do you think she gets her writing skills from her mom?
Thank you for letting me share this with you.
I love each of you dearly
May God bless you today because you blessed me by stopping by and letting me brag on my husband and my daughter.
Love Pamela
I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day Weekend. We did. Mike got to preach yesterday at the church he did interim work at last Fall. It was so comforting going back there and seeing Mike back in a pulpit.
We then went to my Dad's for lunch with the Thrift family. We had hamburgers and homemade banana-nut ice cream. My mother's homemade Ice cream recipe is so fattening...but so good!
Zoie wrote her dad a Father's Day Poem that I, as a proud wife of said father and mother to the author, just had to share it with you.
Here it is (Zoie asked me not to edit it, so here is it just like she wrote it minus the art work)
How do you know if your dad loves you?
I know that he loves me because he cares
and talks to God in his prayers.
My dad is a God follower and worships God
in his own special way.
I'm glad to call you my dad because of who you are.
To me you you shine like a star.
You brighten my day as you smile
and when you go shopping you go down every aisle. (What? You try rhyming the word smile)
So I am happy to say thank you, thank you
for being the best daddy a girl could ever have.
I love you so much.
Thank you for being my daddy
Happy Father's Day
Love Zoie
Do you think she gets her writing skills from her mom?
Thank you for letting me share this with you.
I love each of you dearly
May God bless you today because you blessed me by stopping by and letting me brag on my husband and my daughter.
Love Pamela
Friday, June 19, 2009
A Nanosecond Later.......
Hey Y'all,
This week has been terribly busy. I've started seeing a chiropractor 3 times a week, we've had VBS this week and then there is trying to get ready to move...if we get into the Army.
Do you ever contemplate how quickly life changes? A nanosecond is one billionth of a second...quicker than a blink of my green eyes. An event happens and a nanosecond later...life has changed. I'm not talking subtle changes...more of the life altering kind. Those "I will never forget..." moments that we look back on and know that life before was sure different than life after that nanosecond.
Here are some examples from my own life...both good and bad.
The moment I took my first step....I would never crawl again.
The moment I realized that God was more than I could ever dream and gave my life to Him.
The moment I decided in second grade to never make a hundred on a test again, so the kids would stop calling me a cheater....boy, have I ever regretted that decision!
The moment a boy told me I was the ugliest girl he had ever seen in 7th grade... battle with my looks ever since.
The moment a revival pastor told my story without knowing it and I knew God was calling me to a Christian vocation.
The moment I accepted the call to go to Colorado as a Semester/Innovator missionary and work at a ski area with handicapped skiers.
The moment I decided to go to Seminary.
The moment My Granny died and my best friend Paula became my best friend as she and her, then boyfriend (now husband), drove me 9 hours home because I was shattered.
The moment I forgave my Aunt Dyan...we were both healed that day...her from 20 years of drug abuse, me from 11 years of hate.
The moment the man I believed I would marry betrayed me in the most heinous way ever.
The moment I saw Mike walking across the room at church and asking me if I was visiting....I was actually on staff at the church.
The moment Mike laid a piece of paper in my lap....it was pictures asking me to marry him.
The moment I said "I do."
The moment I screamed "Is it a Zoie or a Zachary" and Zoie let out her first cry.
There have been many more moments but I think I've given you too many to read so far.
We all have these moments. But blessed be the Name of the Lord....No nanosecond can change Him. He was there during each of those moments and will be for every other moment. We are never without His eyes on us...His hand shielding us...His heart loving us.
Thank you Lord for not even letting a nanosecond...no matter how life changing powerful it is, to ever surprise you or even make you blink.
I love you!
Pamela
This week has been terribly busy. I've started seeing a chiropractor 3 times a week, we've had VBS this week and then there is trying to get ready to move...if we get into the Army.
Do you ever contemplate how quickly life changes? A nanosecond is one billionth of a second...quicker than a blink of my green eyes. An event happens and a nanosecond later...life has changed. I'm not talking subtle changes...more of the life altering kind. Those "I will never forget..." moments that we look back on and know that life before was sure different than life after that nanosecond.
Here are some examples from my own life...both good and bad.
The moment I took my first step....I would never crawl again.
The moment I realized that God was more than I could ever dream and gave my life to Him.
The moment I decided in second grade to never make a hundred on a test again, so the kids would stop calling me a cheater....boy, have I ever regretted that decision!
The moment a boy told me I was the ugliest girl he had ever seen in 7th grade... battle with my looks ever since.
The moment a revival pastor told my story without knowing it and I knew God was calling me to a Christian vocation.
The moment I accepted the call to go to Colorado as a Semester/Innovator missionary and work at a ski area with handicapped skiers.
The moment I decided to go to Seminary.
The moment My Granny died and my best friend Paula became my best friend as she and her, then boyfriend (now husband), drove me 9 hours home because I was shattered.
The moment I forgave my Aunt Dyan...we were both healed that day...her from 20 years of drug abuse, me from 11 years of hate.
The moment the man I believed I would marry betrayed me in the most heinous way ever.
The moment I saw Mike walking across the room at church and asking me if I was visiting....I was actually on staff at the church.
The moment Mike laid a piece of paper in my lap....it was pictures asking me to marry him.
The moment I said "I do."
The moment I screamed "Is it a Zoie or a Zachary" and Zoie let out her first cry.
There have been many more moments but I think I've given you too many to read so far.
We all have these moments. But blessed be the Name of the Lord....No nanosecond can change Him. He was there during each of those moments and will be for every other moment. We are never without His eyes on us...His hand shielding us...His heart loving us.
Thank you Lord for not even letting a nanosecond...no matter how life changing powerful it is, to ever surprise you or even make you blink.
I love you!
Pamela
Thursday, June 11, 2009
I'm a Garbage Truck Princess!
Hey Y'all!
I looked at my blog and could not believe it had been so long since my last post! Time has whizzed right by me and I feel like a spinning cartoon character!
A little over a week ago Mike and I were in Atlanta for the Chaplain interviews with our denomination. Now it is wait and see time again. We will know something after the 21st. That is when they will decide for sure. Pray that the trustees will see the call we believe God has for Mike as a Chaplain and give us the endorsement. Mike still has some hoops to go through for the Army too, so pray that they will go smooth and get scheduled quickly.
My school let out last Friday and I am no longer a teacher there. It was my decision. I was only part-time and felt that since there is a high chance we will be moving either in December or March that it would be easier on the school to hire someone for a whole year and I could get us ready to move without worrying about having to work. So come next fall, I will be subbing and doing some testing for the school...but not teaching. It is bitter sweet. I love the school! I love the people I have worked with there! I will miss being a part of the everyday climate there. But it is right....hard but right.
Did you see my title today? No, my dad does not own a garbage trucking business. Neither does my husband. The truth is that I am a princess. Always have been ...always will be! However, (Big sigh......) I am also a garbage truck!
For years I have let the events in my life gather its stinking garbage in my truck bed. I have stuffed down offenses, I have sucked up hurts, I have turned my head to tragedy and heaped more and more of life's garbage on my back to carry it along. Only like a full garbage truck, it has sometimes been caught by the wind of life and has spewed out onto others that are passing by. Many times, I have flipped a little out on a passing driver who did not drive like my policeman daddy taught me to drive. Or better yet, it has spilled over onto my family since they are always around and don't seem to mind too much. I've rationalized this by saying, "Oh! They know me and know I didn't mean to hurt them. They are family and they are safe. They know I love them." But my garbage would spew or fly at them and anyone who got too close everyday until I have officially become a self proclaimed garbage truck princess!
AHHHH! But you see last Tuesday in counseling, I let the Garbage Truck King clean out my truck! He isn't like me. He doesn't keep heaping garbage on his back. His garbage doesn't even belong to him! He collects other's garbage and instead of carrying it around to dump someplace else...do you know what he does? He burns it up right there! There are not even ashes left! No remnants or even the odor of garbage! Truthfully, there is not even a smell of the smoke! Nothing! Well, one thing is left....can you believe this....bright white clean...with the fragrance of forgiveness and love.
Many times I have come and placed part of my garbage with this King. But this past Tuesday he wanted the hidden messiest stuff. He went after a memory...a horrible memory that I wanted no one to know about. A memory I didn't want to believe even happened. A memory I had buried in the darkest corner of my truck bed. I had covered it with years of other garbage. But the Garbage King wanted to clean that corner. And BOY HOWDY did He ever clean it out.
I will share this story with you soon. Because now that it has been cleaned, the King told me I had to share it with others so He can clean out theirs too. But first I want you to pray for me as I share it with my family first. They need to know first. Pray also that I will go everyday to let the Garbage King clean out more so that neither I or my spiritual enemy will try to fill it up again.
One last note....Thank you Jesus for being my Garbage King and cleaning out all the garbage in my life. Thank you for desiring your princess to be a Limo not a Garbage truck! I love You!
Pamela
I looked at my blog and could not believe it had been so long since my last post! Time has whizzed right by me and I feel like a spinning cartoon character!
A little over a week ago Mike and I were in Atlanta for the Chaplain interviews with our denomination. Now it is wait and see time again. We will know something after the 21st. That is when they will decide for sure. Pray that the trustees will see the call we believe God has for Mike as a Chaplain and give us the endorsement. Mike still has some hoops to go through for the Army too, so pray that they will go smooth and get scheduled quickly.
My school let out last Friday and I am no longer a teacher there. It was my decision. I was only part-time and felt that since there is a high chance we will be moving either in December or March that it would be easier on the school to hire someone for a whole year and I could get us ready to move without worrying about having to work. So come next fall, I will be subbing and doing some testing for the school...but not teaching. It is bitter sweet. I love the school! I love the people I have worked with there! I will miss being a part of the everyday climate there. But it is right....hard but right.
Did you see my title today? No, my dad does not own a garbage trucking business. Neither does my husband. The truth is that I am a princess. Always have been ...always will be! However, (Big sigh......) I am also a garbage truck!
For years I have let the events in my life gather its stinking garbage in my truck bed. I have stuffed down offenses, I have sucked up hurts, I have turned my head to tragedy and heaped more and more of life's garbage on my back to carry it along. Only like a full garbage truck, it has sometimes been caught by the wind of life and has spewed out onto others that are passing by. Many times, I have flipped a little out on a passing driver who did not drive like my policeman daddy taught me to drive. Or better yet, it has spilled over onto my family since they are always around and don't seem to mind too much. I've rationalized this by saying, "Oh! They know me and know I didn't mean to hurt them. They are family and they are safe. They know I love them." But my garbage would spew or fly at them and anyone who got too close everyday until I have officially become a self proclaimed garbage truck princess!
AHHHH! But you see last Tuesday in counseling, I let the Garbage Truck King clean out my truck! He isn't like me. He doesn't keep heaping garbage on his back. His garbage doesn't even belong to him! He collects other's garbage and instead of carrying it around to dump someplace else...do you know what he does? He burns it up right there! There are not even ashes left! No remnants or even the odor of garbage! Truthfully, there is not even a smell of the smoke! Nothing! Well, one thing is left....can you believe this....bright white clean...with the fragrance of forgiveness and love.
Many times I have come and placed part of my garbage with this King. But this past Tuesday he wanted the hidden messiest stuff. He went after a memory...a horrible memory that I wanted no one to know about. A memory I didn't want to believe even happened. A memory I had buried in the darkest corner of my truck bed. I had covered it with years of other garbage. But the Garbage King wanted to clean that corner. And BOY HOWDY did He ever clean it out.
I will share this story with you soon. Because now that it has been cleaned, the King told me I had to share it with others so He can clean out theirs too. But first I want you to pray for me as I share it with my family first. They need to know first. Pray also that I will go everyday to let the Garbage King clean out more so that neither I or my spiritual enemy will try to fill it up again.
One last note....Thank you Jesus for being my Garbage King and cleaning out all the garbage in my life. Thank you for desiring your princess to be a Limo not a Garbage truck! I love You!
Pamela
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