Sacrifices! Pretty Much My Life Story!

Group at the Cropwalk!

My life is basically a series of being patient and making multiple sacrifices. Its horrible! Not only can I not get my computer when I planned (will take longer to post these than planned but who reads my blog anyway???) But also I have to give up my holiday! Other things? I have lost a LOT of friends this year... Many I guess I really don't care about, but some I thought were really good friends decided I did not matter to them anymore because of stupid issues. Its upsetting but I guess it really shows you who matters, and it makes me glad to have fake people out of my life. I don't need them. When I get married someday, maybe a small wedding is best, and I will only invite people who really matter.
I am also looking for a new job. I think it will be better for me, Chad, and everyone if I had one. Casey at work got fired, but Zach the mamager has already hired someone new so we won't be getting many extra hours. Pray to GOD I find something fast.
That's another thing I want to change! I want to grow spiritually and regain some happiness. I want to put more of my life into others and do some good. Much of this got inspired from seeing the film Jesus Camp which used to only make me mad. Some parts of the film still do make me mad, but it made me want to do better, and only with the help of God. The Cropwalk for Hunger is this Sunday with  the church! (Will add photo to this blog after)... Its a start! Please pray for good things!

RAYE

Updates and All That Stuff

One of Moe's new babies

I really need a new computer! I am sorry all my blogs have delayed postings to anyone who notices... The MAC computer will hopefully be mine November to January sometime... I hope sooner though!
Moe had her babies and I now have nine guinea pigs, and both Splodge and Moe are pregnant again since I confirmed Ginger IS a male! I still do not know if I can keep Ginger & I need to find homes for the babies. I may keep at least two! I am also looking for a teacup chihuahua. Those can be be expensive, but I hope eventually someday right?! If I want to take a holiday I should also quite often be able to take it with me! I can't wait for a new job, my MAC, and to move to Colorado... It will happen eventually, I just need to learn patience, keep working out, and work more on my wishlist/ bucket list... Progress is coming!

RAYE

Stepping Up: A Journey Through The Psalms of Ascent

Between 16 January & 13 February 2010 I worked through a six week Bible study book called Stepping Up by Beth Moore. (I sometimes skipped days or did 2 or 3 days work in a single day).The Book took a journey through the 15 Psalms of Ascent (# 120- 134) as the ancient Israelites took their pilgramage to Jerusalem. I have SO much to say about this study, but I could really keep it brief. This study I would reccommend to all women young or old that want to expirence a deeper relationship with God or are looking for a relationship with God. (I suppose a man could do the study but its directed towards women). This study was first reccommended to me by my friend Paige Johnson, but it was also a study my mum did a while back. It was on my list of things to do so I picked it up and did it. As a lot can be covered in 15 Psalms and 6 weeks I am only going to share a single little bit that I took from each Psalm. In the back of the book there is a stair graphic where you write in that stair what you want to take with you most about that psalm (after you write your own version of it in the book itself). So since we all can take different things from the study it is still good for you to do for yourself... And there is a lot more to be gained than a single point that I put in each of my steps on my stair graphic. So be sure to cheque out the psalms for yourself. These are my key points:

Psalm 120- We must heal from a lack of love. Let God love me so I can Love others better. (18 Jan 2010)

Psalm 121- God always protects and provides for me & hears me in a way no human can. (20 Jan 2010)

Psalm 122- Be content to serve God where you are now, not where you are going to be someday. (21 Jan 2010)

Psalm 123- God is here when we feel hurt or expirence contempt. (23 Jan 2010)

Psalm 124- Even though I have let the devil have part of me in the past, Satan didn't get all he wanted. (24 Jan 2010)

Psalm 125- God is present and protecting us even when we feel hurt or harmed. (25 Jan 2010)

Psalm 126- It takes patience to be restored to our gladness sometimes. (27 Jan 2010)

Psalm 127- Wait on God to stop labouring in vain. (28 Jan 2010)

Psalm 128- God blesses us when we perservere in him. (1 Feb 2010)

Psalm 129- God will give us all we need in due time (patience) just as he promised. (5 Feb 2010)

Psalm 130- God now has me fully redeemed from my past. He blesses me & makes me whole. (7 Feb 2010)

Psalm 131- God calms and carries me through difficulty. He is a bigger need than any physical need. (9 Feb 2010)

Psalm 132- When we ask God for something, he always responds exceeding what we asked for, even if our minds can not grasp the response. (10 Feb 2010)

Psalm 133- I need to forgive those in the church that hurt me to heal & love them to bring unity how God wanted it. (12 Feb 2010)

Psalm 134- God blesses me! Even when my mind doesn't initally realise it. (13 Feb 2010)

Overall the lessons I learned had to deal with patience (which I am still working on), moving on from the past (which I seam to get caught up in a different way around lately), and accepting the blessings God has already bistowed upon me (which is one of the few things that keeps me going).

Like I said, the study will teach each of us something different, so pick up the book if you haven't yet & try it. I hope sometime before the month is up to post my February book review on JESUS WANTS TO SAVE CHRISTIANS by Rob Bell. And hopefully get out those Christmas and Birthday cards... and find that job... Keeping fingers crossed... Til next time,

RAYE

Patience is a Valuable Trait...

If you were to ask me what I was worst at in 2004 I would have said patience, in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 I would have said the same thing... I used to always say "God's gonna have to strike me dead before I learn to be patient!!" Well since December 2009 my arm has been bent backwards until i can get the value of patience into my skull!! The lack of patience has gotten me into trouble before... I believe that played a large role in my lack of wanting to wait to finish school... Now I WANT to wait because I know its best!! Through the process of trying to look for a job, in my daily life with Chad and relationaships with others I meet... It always turns out the same... PATIENCE MUST BE THERE!! In order to stay sane and not get compleatly frustrated at life I need to be patient. I am no onto my final session of the Beth Moore Study & I must say that has pushed me to be learning to be patient as well as a number of other things I learned (I will post on the book soon when I finish it). I honnestly feel though now as if I CAN wait for what is to come. Everything will happen when & as it is supposed to!!

I got a lot done today... I got my Post Office Box finally so I can send out my Christmas cards etc as soon as my address labels arrive in like one week... (I have to print my newsletter to send with it and figure out how to do that still). I still don't have my gov't money but it is coming SOON I can feel it!! That, or maybe a job will come. Today I had TWO interviews... The first was with that Salon "Charisma" that I was told was not hiring AFTER I had the interview (who gives an interview when not hiring?!?) so needless to say that was not well. I later however applied to a resteraunt called Cheddars & I got an interview right after I applied because it was before 4PM. I actually feel like that interview went REALLY well. The interview went on for 20 minutes and I did most of the talking. The interviewer seamed impressed with my interview skills & said he seamed like he knew me already. He said he put me down as a server/host on his list & would call me after calling a refrence or two. I hope I get this job... It would be great to finally be employed. If I can work full time hours I will be even happier!! At this point a job is a job though. I have eaten at Cheddars SEVERAL times so I think that would be pretty good... and I like their outfits :)

It has been a productive day... We did get a bit more snow, I want even MORE!!! (Like my snow picture?!? hahaha) I Want a royal WINTER WONDERLAND!!! :) I am sooooo Bloody Excited that I can feel good things coming as I draw closer to God. The future looks bright despite all the difficult things I have encountered in the last 7 or so weeks. I can say that because I have learned to be patient... and I am still learning everyday!! And someday WAY down the road I hope to go back to Uni (when I am REALLY ready) and persue my degree... Things will only start looking up... Even if the job for some weird reason doesn't work out, God is still good & he is still teaching me patience... What a great SKILL :)

I plan to read more of My February book too... Look out for that blog prolly closer to the end of the month... And Smile... Its going to be a great year!!

RAYE