Something I read a few days ago...

I was reading something in a daily devotional from missionaries around the world the other day and came across something that was pretty interesting. Basically it said that we shouldn't just read the Bible as something we have to do, but read it searching for what God has for us that day. It was pretty neat and exactly what I needed for that day. Last year I tried to read the Bible through with a plan my mom printed off the computer. I didn't succeed. :( So this year I am trying it again with a different plan that I think I like better...so far. Last years' plan skipped through the Bible. For example, on Monday I would read a couple chapters in Genesis and Tuesday I would be reading a couple chapters in Matthew. Anyway, I didn't like skipping around because I always forgot where I left off and such. So this year I am like going straight through the Bible, Genesis to Revelation. To be honest, it gets pretty boring reading about everything that happened with Moses and how they where delivered from Egypt and all the plagues, then about everything God told Moses about how to make the tabernacle...especially for the third time. So I was at that point in boringness when I read that thing out of the daily devotional.

Living a Life that is not yours...

I'm not going to say that nothing has happened with me lately because that would not be true. There is always something happening whether I choose to acknowledge it or not. Recently I have had look at myself a lot and have been coming away not fully satisfied. I have been in a lot of unreality lately with everything. I have not been taking responsibility for my actions. Instead whenever someone says that I did something wrong (again), I just blow them off by saying, "well, everybody has problems". I've been thinking a lot about myself and what would make my world just wonderful instead of trying to make everyone else's world the best. I've tried to get a job and fulfill my needs first, but God has stepped in the way every time. It makes me mad when I look at my friends and see how their lives seem so amazing with their jobs and everything they have. I've tried to push past God to get my way but, thank God, He hasn't let me. He has been trying to tell me something but I haven't been listening for His voice so it gets lost in with my daily hectic routine of selfishness. I think finally I've caught a glimpse of what He's been trying to say. I have been reading some George MacDonald books lately and there was something in there that made me really stop and think. I can't remember what I read, but I do know that I came away with something. I have been asking God to help me do what I want to do and getting frustrated when He doesn't do what I ask of Him. Meanwhile, God has been asking me to do somethings and I'm sure getting frustrated because I haven't been doing anything He's been asking me to do. Why in the world do I expect God to do something for me when I'm not doing anything for Him? It probably seems like such a simple little thing to you, but it hit me hard! I have been so stuck up in my own little world that I have had no time for God, unless, of course, I have something I need to pray for! Me and my selfish little self. I haven't been able to see the needs around me. God said that we are to take care of everyone around us and not worry about our needs because someone else will take care of them. 

I've been thinking also about the time I got baptized. I haven't taken it seriously. When I got baptized, my life died, and Christ's began in me. My life is not my own anymore! I am a tool in the hand of the Father. Wow! That's just awesome!! Think about it. Christ living inside of you, being able to use you to bring more people to Him and to do His will! I am finally excited about this Life and I don't want to keep it for myself anymore. God has given me an incredible opportunity to be with some of His people who are hungry for Him, just like me. There are two girls my age, one who is 17 and the other, 18. Both are quiet and caught up in themselves. I know how that is. I am still, everyday, struggling to get out of myself and see others. I may not have everything for them, but obviously God thinks I have something or else they wouldn't be in my path. Maybe it's just a little encouragement or a friend. Both girls are very lonely with like no friends. Maybe I can be that one for them! I don't want to pass up this opportunity to do God's will. I don't want Him to turn to someone else to do it because I was just too caught up in self. 

All this is still a working process and will always be. I need everyone to be with me. I know I'm not the most friendliest person to be around or the most happy at that, but I want all that to change. I want people to go away from me happier than when they came to me. I want my life to be His to do with as He wants. I know I have hurt some people, my friends especially, and I am so sorry! I haven't had time to see them. I want my life to be given to everyone around me. The Messengers get together every Thursday night to talk about God. I want to be an asset to that meeting instead of a hindrance. 

Birthday party

Autumn turned five January first but her parents didn't get the time to celebrate her birthday until last weekend. She invited out her best friend Audrey and they had a little tea party. Her older brother Gavin was the usher/butler guy. They had fun dressing up and being together.

  

Memphis today and a story...

Memphis hasn't really changed much since the last time I blogged. We are still doing our Tuesday and Thursday night meetings along with ladies meetings every other Thursday morning, men's breakfast every other Saturday morning, and Gatherings every Sunday morning. All the meetings are going good. God is really moving in the Tuesday night meetings. He is bringing everybody closer in Him. Things are being brought to the light and things are getting discussed that people don't agree on. We are really seeing everybody's hearts there. I don't know what's happening with the Thursday night meetings because I am not there. I'm lost when it comes to the men's breakfasts too.

So lately, other than meetings galore, we have been doing school and the norm when it comes to house work. One funny story that happened this morning was when my brother went next door to watch some kids while the ladies had their meeting. He was trying desperately to entertain them and decided that it would be fun to have them tie him up. So he got out a rope and had the little three year old boy try to tie him up. My brother helped him by pulling tighter on the rope to tighten the knots and such. When the three year old was done, my brother couldn't move his hands because they were tied to his legs. He baby stepped around the house, and with each step the ropes got tighter, and tried to find someway to either cut the rope off or untie it. Nothing worked. Finally he decided to baby step outside to get some help. By then most of the blood was out of his hands and they were looking more and more rainbow like! He found someone and finally was free! It was actually pretty funny when he told us. If you know him, he likes to exaggerate to make it more interesting! Just the picture of a three year old boy tying up his babysitter makes me laugh!!!

Walking on water........Literally...

Today we went on a little adventure out on a frozen pond near our house. It was fun sliding on the ice but not too fun when you are freezing cold!!! :( Everybody else seemed to be fine with the weather. Anyway, I managed to snap a few pictures before I lost feeling in my fingers.




Micaiah sweeping a runway to slide on.

    

 I was standing in the middle of the pond...

Gavin looking through the ice for frozen fish. (like in Ice Age) :)

Gavin's little guy.

Gavin's snow angel.

She was not supposed to be on the ice because of her ribs...

Yes, I was freezing!!!

Everybody watching Mic fixing to slide down his run way.

Running...

Sliding...

Micaiah's drawing...

Snow!!!

We finally got snow yesterday!! Only about half an inch though, but still, it  makes the cold weather worth it! There isn't a lot of snow to have fun in...yet, but I did go out yesterday morning for about five minutes and snapped a few pictures. After that my fingers were like frozen solid!

Banana bread recipe

My house now officially has the stomach flu...well, Autumn does but it won't be long until the rest of us get it too. :( Ayala isn't feeling too good either but doesn't have the flu. Next door has it really bad. So with all the sickness coming and going all the time, it is a good idea to stay away from sugar. I was in the mood to make some banana bread today that everybody could eat, whether they are sick or not, so I searched around and found a recipe and added a few things to it. I made it and it turned out really good! Everybody loves it!!! (that's what counts)

Here is the recipe I used...

~Sugarless Banana Bread~                               Makes 1 loaf

2c. flour

1tsp. baking soda

1tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2 ripe bananas

1 (6oz.) can frozen orange or apple juice concentrate (I used apple)

2 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup nuts

Stir together first six ingredients in bowl. In a different bowl, mash bananas then add next three ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients along with the raisins and nuts. Mix until just blended. Spoon into a greased 9x4 inch loaf pan and bake in 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes.

Note: you can take out the nuts, raisins, and any of the spices if you prefer. It is all a matter of preference.

This is how my loaf turned out!

  Enjoy!!! :)