Christmas Eve services

I was debating on even going on to services yesterday for Christmas Eve at Cross Timbers as holidays really are tough for me and I was not going to get to hang out with my church kiddos but what a great day it was and even got to see some of my 6-8th graders who have moved on up and such a great joy that they recognized me and even got hugs from so many of them. God truly knows our needs and reaffirmed that I am where I am supposed to be at this time. What an amazing sight seeing all those kids at each service on stage with Toby. One parent told me her daughter did not want to go because she never sees anyone she knows in the main service. Well as they walk in I'm one of the first people she sees and her whole attitude changed. I am still dealing with how (if) I get past some people from my past (still) but I know God is faithful to HIS word and I do know He has me there for a reason and I do know who originally brought me there. It would be so great if those worlds would meet again some day....

My kids amaze me

Sunday morning we were in small groups and I loaned my phone to one of my kids so she could look up Bible verses. I almost forgot she had my phone when we were done haha. I did not notice it until later that night at work but as she had my phone she decided to put a sticker on it for me. I was at work and pulled my phone out and felt something on the back of the phone and what a sweet surprise to see an " I Love You" sticker attached. I am so blessed to get to share part of my Sunday mornings with these awesome and loving kiddos. After service was done we (volunteers and leaders) were to meet up at RG Burgers in Denton for lunch. These lunches are soooo much fun getting to hang out with some wonderful teens and adults. I wish we could do it more often. I look forward to them each month. I am also looking forward to Sports camp in July for a week with my kids!!

God hugged me Sunday

Before church services started Sunday morning as I usually do I prayed a little prayer in the Sprung. Tis day I was feeling a bit down and I simply asked God to allow me to lay back in His arms and relax in Him. For Him to wrap His loving arms around me. I felt better instantly but was unprepared for what was about to happen AFTER the 9:30 service as I made my way down to Argyle West to serve my 1st-5th graders. I had barely got inside and talked to Miguel for a few minutes when a young lady I had never seen before came up and hugged me.....no words, just a hug and she walked back to her seat and sat down. This was repeated about 10 times in the next few minutes. It took me a little while before I realized what was happening. I had asked for God's embrace and He gave it to me through these kids. Every time I turned around I was surrounded by kids I don't normally spend as much time with and it was like how I can picture Jesus feeling when surrounded by the kids He loves so much. Not comparing myself to Jesus but He does ask us to be like Him....to do His work. There were SOOOO many prayers answered this Sunday and I am so happy to have my time in God's arms. I have NO doubt that I am where God wants me, with my kids at Cross Timbers Argyle :)

Rain rain go away...

Looking forward to our Easter celebration this Saturday and Sunday at Cross Timbers Community Church in Argyle. Last year at Easter I was really just getting to know more of the kids but now I have been serving them about 15 months and its so nice to see ones who have moved on up that still recognize me and getting to chat with them in the lobby or even out and about around the area. I am so glad God gave me this "work" to do for my church. I think I have missed one sunday with them in 15 months :) I feel I miss out if i am not there with them. God sure knows what he is doing!! I hope the 30-40% chance of rain holds off until Saturday night anyway so the kids (and us volunteers) can enjoy the festivities of our Easter celebration outdoors :)

What are dreams anyway?

Why do we dream? I had a very cool dream where I was at a public function that seemed almost like a family gathering but it was in a public place. I saw someone from my recent past there and after passing by several times she finally walked up and asked if I had time to walk with her. We proceeded to walk to a more remote part of the area and had a great heart to heart talk and got a lot of stuff out in the open. I had not felt this at ease towards this person since very early on in our relationship after meeting her so needless to say it was very nice. On a possibly related note, our church, Cross Timbers Community Church in Argyle is having our Easter celebration in just over a week (public place with my church family) and I am looking forward to serving and fellowshipping with our kids and their parents. Its always great to see them having fun! I am also getting to help with a local mission trip this weekend doing cleanup and maintenance at a local mobile home community in Denton or Keller. Our mens group "UpRising Men of Action" is joining up for this cause. I am so glad my work schedule allows me to do this type of stuff. I have my first official massage appointments scheduled for the coming week also, so I will need to get my stuff moved to All About You salon so I can be ready to start making some extra $$.

it keeps coming back....

I had a fun day volunteering this morning at my church as they simulcast a marriage conference featuring Jimmy and Karen Evans. Started out the day filling up about 8-10 coffee containers and then helped to put together hundreds of breakfast burritos. Met some new people who i have seen many times but never talked to. Funny how God brings people into our lives at certain times. Had a nice chat with a dear friend about a couple of people from my past andwhile I got no answers I did learn a little. I am not sure how God will use this information through me but I know He has a plan and I hope to not get in the way of it. The ways this church has helped me are sooo many and I wish I had opened up to this way of life years ago. No telling where I might be now or who might be in my life. God is amazing and He knows my heart. I really enjoy serving these wonderful people and I hope a few people understand WHY i am there now. I will admit I was there for God but for myself originally but God has shown me how to set myself aside and just serve. I am soooooo blessed when I just let that flow forth. --------- I am awaiting my actual massage license and may check into a few places in the area to start massaging part time on the weekends so I can hopefully transition into the life I have been seeking and feel God is leading me to. I have a few massages to do in coming weeks already and looking forward to getting back to healing what ails people :)

Rangers win and Brad wins :)

My view from section 47 row 1

Dutch and Napoli making their way in from the bullpen before the start of the game where they meet "sheriff" Robbie Ross and his new deputy Martin Perez.....love this tradition of hazing (so does Robbie Ross)

Just a few seats down from the bullpen.....love to hear the mitts pop when the pitchers start warming up in late innings. Plus we were seated by two lovely young ladies who LOVED Robbie Ross so they kept getting his attention ......lots of fun

Mike Napoli headed down from the bullpen about to step through the outfield wall to make the trek to the dugout.....pretty cool "behind the scenes" shot _________________ My nephew and myself attended the Rangers next to last game before the all star break on Saturday and were treated to a 4-3 10th inning walk-off win. Great way to break a losing streak up. We had a lot of fun. :) _________________ I had another awesome Sunday at my awesome church....Cross Timbers Community Church in case you are wondering. Each week it seems my volunteer role expands somewhat and i feel so blessed to serve alongside some amazing people. It has brought about some great friendships and gives me the opportunity to open in ways i normally would not be doing. One of my volunteer friends and myself have been chatting quite a bit and i hope to be able to come down and help her out on Saturdays some with her volunteer work she does outside the church. Its funny how someone I did not even know a few months ago can just "click" so well and our strengths and weaknesses compliment each other very well....she is very extrovert to my very introverted side. Some are surprised when I tell them I am introverted but they just see the "strong side" God has brought out in me through my serving. I love to do it but it is "draining" but in a good way. Its funny though that it is coming a lot easier each week. Thank you Lord for allowing me to serve Your people in this small way!!

Fun day Sunday

Getting ready to head out shortly to deliver my 2001 Z28 to a guy to remove the drivetrain....just a part of prating one out haha Anyone needing any parts for a Z28? Had a wonderful day at church Sunday. Meeting a few more people each week and making some hopefully good future connections. Mr Blake , one of my fellow small group leaders, had a neck/shoulder muscle problem and I had just spoken to Angela about going to school for massage therapy so of course I get to diagnose him haha. On my way home on the bike I stopped at QT on 380 in Denton to fill up and get a bottle of water. Right as i was coming into Mckinney (only 25 miles aw) started getting very thirsty......odd I thought since i had just drank 20 ounces of agua....As I pull in to the convenience store to hydrate again, I see a young lady who had a frazzled look on her face as I walked by....almost asking for help but no words were spoken. As I came back out I asked if she was ok (same look on her face) and she told me her car had gotten hot on her and she was waiting to pick up her 10 month old son shortly. She had just started a new job and was NEEDING much work on her car or a newer more dependable one. We got her car topped off on antifreeze and brake fluid (another of many problems with her car) and we talked for probably 30 minutes. Told her about my awesome church and how i would ove to have her as my guest sometime. She is originally from Denton and had heard of Cross Timbers before but never been, but she lives in Plano for now. She said she may move back to Denton once she gets some money saved up to fix her car. I told her I would be praying for her situation, her young son and for her and she seemed so very grateful just to know someone even a stranger could care enough to take the time to help out so hopefully we will see her smiling face inside my awesome church some day soon. Its funny sometimes how God will "pull us into a spot" and just see if we recognize WHY He stopped us from our destination.....furthers proves its the journey that counts, not the destination :)

Loving life

Had another great Sunday with my Cross Timbers family. Attended the early service (9:30) then worked with my 4th and 5th graders in the 11:30 service.....ok ok Claire did most of the work in the small group setting but it was a good morning for sure. Went to Buckle (that place will break my account if im not careful) and got a few new shirts, then headed back to Highland Village for a burger from Red Robin. I must say the Sauteed shroom burger is my favorite of all i have tried so far. I then headed back towards Argyle on some back roads looking at the beautiful houses and mini ranches. I must admit I have been looking at for sale signs more and more lately when I head down that way. Made it back to church around 4:15 and visited with Ashley for a little bit before the crowd slowly started rolling in. Its such a pleasure to be able to greet and hand out programs in the evening service. Get to see a lot of people i normally would not see and starting to get to know a few more of them!

Big change ahead....

Big changes ahead and quite possibly a move in the coming year. I do not see myself living in this area 12 months from now. I keep praying about where God wants me and i keep coming back to the Argyle campus of Cross Timbers Community Church. I have not volunteered there yet but I do feel at home there. Another awesome message yesterday and I really have grown to love that area.

The most difficult thing I have ever had to do is follow the guidance I prayed for.
-Albert Schweitzer
-----

Never Let Go

One of my favorite songs I first heard while going to Cross Timbers Community Chruch in Argyle. "Never Let Go" by Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back, I know you are near

I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear
*WHOM THEN SHALL I FEAR*

OH no You never let go through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go in every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see the light that is comin' for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be *AN* end to the struggles
But until that day comes, we'll live to know You here on *THE* Earth

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear
*WHOM THEN SHALL I FEAR*

OH no You never let go through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go in every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me


*You keep on loving and you never let go*

OH no You never let go through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go in every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me



And i can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
and there will be and end to the struggles
but until that day comes
*STILL I WILL PRAISE YOU
STILL I WILL PRAISE YOU*

Divine intervention!!

Ive been struggling with some issues from my past..... I know I need to let it go and move on but i keep looking back and wishing.......well todays sermon at Cross Timbers Community Church just put it all in perspective. Pastor Toby preached on looking ahead to what God has in store for us and not looking at the past. He used the example of Moses leading the group to Canaan and keeping focused on that and not on where they had just left. They were hungry and thirsty and were starting to wish they were back in Egypt but God provided for them in HIS time. I just have to remember to keep my eyes on where I want to be and God will provide the way and it will be far better than I ever imagined. I love pastor Toby's messages. What was really "cool" about hearing the message this week was I was planning on driving home after my internship was done on Saturday night. I had to go to Grand Prairie to sell some wheels i had and planned on driving back but about time I got to Denton I got so sleepy i decided to just stop for the night and go ahead and attend church the next morning......divine intervention at its finest there....God laid the sleepy head on me to make me stop MY plans so i caould follow HIS plan!!!