Obedience.

A couple months ago I found out that a guy I grew up with (his name was Troy) was killed. I was at my friend's house, and I read Troy's sister's status, which said that something about how sad she was because her brother was gone. I started tearing up. I began looking at other people's statuses, and realized that Troy was killed. I didn't know for a couple days how he was killed, though. I kept googling his name to try and find some sort of newspaper article or SOMETHING that explained what happened. A couple days later, I found an article that said that he was stabbed to death one night. I knew Troy ran with the wrong crowd, and just reading that he was stabbed felt like I had a knife go through my heart.

The night that I found out, I messaged Troy's sisters, just to say that I was thinking of them and that I was praying for them. I didn't hear anything for over a month, but just a couple weeks ago, one of them got in touch with me and thanked me for my message.

Since the day that I found out, I wanted to message Troy's mom, but I didn't know what to say. A couple times I felt God saying "Just send her a message. Even if it's just a couple words. Send it!" But.... I never did... until this afternoon.

I felt like I just needed to sit down and type a message. As I began, the words just started flowing. It turned out to be MUCH longer than I was expecting! I just wrote what came to my mind, and I shared the lyrics of a song I felt I needed to share.

I quickly got a reply back, and I was just amazed at God's timing! She said that I sent the message at the perfect time. She said that she was falling apart, and she needed to be reminded of God's love, and know that someone was there. She then said that she was just sitting at her computer, thinking of deleting many of Troy's friends because of their vulgar language and the profanity that is on their pages, but then she got my message, and she was amazed at how a young adult is reminding her of God's power, and His never ending love.

I am just SO amazed at God's timing, and my obedience to following His call! I keep thinking that, yes, I could have sent a message earlier, and maybe I should of just to let her know that I was thinking and praying for her family, but I sent it just today, and today is a day that she needed the reminder of God's love. Maybe she just needed that reminder today to get her through another day. But I am so thankful for my listening ears and obedience.

I encourage each of you to pray for this family! They really need it, especially during this Christmas season... this is the first "big" holiday without Troy.

The music of Christmas

Two of my favourite Christmas songs are "O Holy Night" and "Little Drummer Boy".
I find "O Holy Night" to be an extremely powerful song. Have you ever thought about the lyrics?

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. (The past 3 lines really make me think of what is was like before Jesus came, and for those who don't know Jesus as their King! It is in Jesus that we find hope and we are able to rejoice, and see the world through His eyes!)
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night whenChrist was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradlewe stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger, ("In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger" - WOW! Jesus is our friend, and He knows EVERYTHING about us, and YET He still loves us unconditionally!!!)
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease. (The past 2 lines give me shivers when I hear or read them! "Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease." AMEN! In Him; everyone is equal; everyone is a prince or princess of The Most High; EVERYONE is loved unconditionally! Wow! I love it!)
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name. (Don't just give a part of you to Him. Give Him your ALL! Everything you have! He wants is all! He doesn't only want the "good" but He wants the "bad" as well!)
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

I love that song! When we sing it at the Christmas Eve service, I always get goosebumps, and can't help but close my eyes, raise my hands, and worship The One Most High!!!! I love it!!! There's something about hearing a group of people singing to God. It's SO powerful!

And "Little Drummer Boy"... I just love it! I don't really know why to tell the truth. I don't think I've ever heard a version of it where I haven't just gotten into the song. Maybe I like it because it talks about how a boy, who had nothing, just played his drum for the King, and that was alright, because he gave what he could, and he made a joyful sound unto the Lord. And sometimes I feel like I havenothing to give, but the smallest thing will please the Lord.

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I have a love-hate relationship with winter... I like the snow, but I don't like it to be too cold. I like the snow when it's not on my car or the roads. I like playing in the snow, and skiing, and taking pictures of it, but I don't like when my mitts get wet.

I do love how photogenic winter is though!! Snow and ice fascinate me!

Getting back.

It has been years since I've blogged. A friend told me not too long ago that I should get back to blogging, and I was hmm-ing and haw-ing about it, and I decided to finally sit down and just do it.

I did miss it, but I felt like the world didn't want to hear about what I had to say, but you know what? Whether they want it or not, I am going to do it, because I know I at least have one follower (Psst*Erica*Psst).

For the past couple of months I have not been as strong in my faith as I was just a couple months ago. I felt myself slipping, and I knew I had to do something about it, but life happened, and next thing I knew, I was at the bottom of a cliff, looking up at the mud trail that I left as I slipped down. So here I am, standing at the bottom, wiping the mud off my shoulders, and on my way up the wall of mud.

The other day I was reading Proverbs, and these are the verses that stood out to me for one reason or another:

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" - 19:21

"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine" - 3:9-10

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet" - 3:24

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble" - 4:11-12

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" - 16:3

"The Lord works out everything for his own ends" - 16:4

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" - 16:9

"Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all" - 22:2

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" - 22:6

"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor" - 22:9

"Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future home for you, and your hope will not be cut off" - 23:17-18

"If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength" - 24:10

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heartreflects the man" - 27:19

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These 2 little ones are blessings!! I can't even begin to share in words how much these 2 children mean to me!! They are not only my niece and nephew, but they are also my 2 Godchildren!

I love these 2 with all my heart! <3