Hope is in what?

Whew...I am so worn out. Shopping, baking, sending out TONS of cards, parties, decorating, traveling. Christmas...what a great season but one heck of a busy one. I helped with a children's party today and oh to see their eyes light up when they learned about Jesus. Wow! I sure wish my eyes lit up like that. To have the faith of a child. I just hope that they know the true reason we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior.
I am studying my Sunday school lesson. It is from 1 Peter chapter 1. It is about having hope. Not the kind of hope people wish desperately for a favorable outcome but the hope that only God can give. The confident expectation that the promises God says he will do, will be done.
God has blessed me beyond measure this year. I don't deserve anything he has given me: a great job, faithful friends and family, a home, transportation, great church, good health. Everyday God gives me so much. I hope he knows that I am thankful, even though I sometimes don't show him.
From The Message
1 Peter 1:13-16 A Future In God
So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives.Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then, you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with hiliness. God said, "I am holy, you be holy."
Lord, let my hope be only in you. Amen.

BBBRRRRR

No not really. It was 75 degrees today and it is November. It is snowing in Montana so it is BBBRRRRR there. So I took a walk by the river for lunch. So very nice. The trees are so BEAUTIFUL! Fall is such a great season. The trees are in so many different vibrant colors. Then I BBQ'd for dinner....yummy! And now the stars are out in full force. What a great day! Such an awesome day. So much to be thankful for.

The Road to Unafraid

I love to read. I am actually reading a few books right now. I have a Chaplain friend, Jeff Struecker who has written a book called The Road to Unafraid. He writes, "the difference between being a coward and hero is not whether you're scared, it's what you do while you're scared." Jeff tells his story and WOW what a story. He is a man of God, a great husband, a great father and a fantastic Chaplain. If you want to be blessed, please get a copy and read it.

Are you kidding me?

I was just beginning to feel like my life was starting to make a turn for the better. I have a boyfriend who treats me like a queen. I am enjoying where I live and just love being at home in the evenings. I have a job that pays the bills.
And then on Saturday I get an email from a woman who claims she fell in love with my ex last year. She met him May/June of 2005, I am guessing when he got to Iraq and she says she fell head over heals for him. So sad for her & him. I wonder how many other woman Lance has all over the world? I really want the best for him but am so angry for what he has done to me. How embarassing this is. I want us both to move on with our lives and to be happy again. But then I get this news and I am beat down again. I am realizing I didn't know the man who I was married to for 11 1/2 years. How many lies did he tell me?
I am trying to concentrate on things I can control and will try not to worry about things that are out of my control. I have to believe I will get through this someday.

Vince & Nashville Photos

Here is Vince at the Grand Ole Opry, Deb at the Wildhorse Saloon & me

Support our troops

Our troops need to know we are behind them. The media never portrays the good we are doing in the war. Thank a soldier for what they are doing. I just recieved this link from a Chaplain's wife. WOW! It is amazing. I have so many friends that are in the military. I thank God for them and their service to God and our country. Thank you also to their families who are making such a sacrifice for our freedom.

Until Then

Nashville ROCKS

Deb and I had a great time. We ate at the Melting Pot Friday night and I must say it was one of the best meals I have ever had. We had a blast! Then we went to the Wildhorse Saloon. We laughed & laughed at a guy dancing that thought he could dance but all he was doing was shaking his bootie & had his arms in the air. It was quite hysterical. Sat. we took a tour & saw where a lot of the stars live. Then we went to The Hermitage. So interesting. We really enjoyed that. Then we went to The Merchant & had another great meal. Then we went to the Grand Ole Opry. WOW! You just have to go. We saw Vince Gill (such a nice guy & not bad to look at either :), Patty Loveless, Steve Wariner (such a cutie too) and a few others. It was great! I'll post pictures later. Oh and staying at the Opryland Hotel is a must. Such a classy place. Thanks Deb!

Winter clothes

I love FALL. That means winter is right around the corner so I am in the process of going through my winter clothes and getting them out. YEAH HOO! It is 42 degrees right now and I am loving that. Ray & I sat on my deck the other night. Such great weather. It was too cloudy to see stars but we still had a good time together. I am excited for this weekend. I have a friend flying to Nashville from Montana. I will be going to Nashville to stay with her a couple of days. We are planning on going to The Melting Pot for dinner. We also have tickets to see Vince Gill at the Grand Ole Opry. It will be a great ending to a long week. I found out Lance is getting married to his mistress Thanksgiving weekend. Geez. He didn't waste any time. I know he will be taking a lot of baggage into this marriage and that isn't good. I know it isn't any of my business but I am still concerned for him. I have learned a lot from the divorce. I wish he has. Anyhow, I am trying to move on with my life and thank goodness have found happiness again. Thanks Ray :) You are such a blessing!

Happiness found

It has been a busy few weeks. Many of you are asking about Lance. He is out of the military and I believe is working for the Phoenix police department. He moved to Phoenix right after he got out of the Army.
I am still working and getting through life one day at a time. I still long to be in Montana and am applying for jobs up there. And I am dating a wonderful man. Ray is 35 and treats me like a queen. He said his goal is to make me happy. And every day for the past couple of weeks I have had a smile on my face. He is so down to earth and such a breath of fresh air. It feels so great to be happy again. I didn't know if I could but I am happy. Ray is so easy to talk to and we have a lot of fun together. We have become good friends and I look forward to spending more time with him.
Last weekend I went to Memphis for the Extraordinary Women conference. It was a great conference. Then the people I went with (including 6 children) went to the Memphis Zoo. Wow! What a great zoo! My favorite part was the polar bear. He was swimming & playing in the water. So fun to watch.
Well that is all for now. Please keep the Sprayberry family in your prayers and Keri. They lost loved ones this week and they have been on my mind a lot.

Monthly blogging

Well I won't be suprised if no one is checking to see if I have blogged. I know...I know. It has been awhile since my last update. I don't have a good excuse. Well if you considering vacationing in Montana, I'll use that one. I had a GREAT time seeing family, friends, fishing, camping, touring Yellowstone National Park and trying to decide if that is where I should be. I think it is but no job has opened up yet. I am trying to be patient and not rush anything. I am applying for jobs there though. I have been away from family for 12 years and miss being them. I am doing fine here but just feel I would be happier in Montana. I love the outdoors and miss camping, fishing, hiking & watching the sunset over mountains. Wow! It is an incredible sight.
I am also starting to date again. It is so scary but I am taking the plunge. I have met a really nice guy but I am just scared to get hurt again and don't want to give my heart away again for it to be stomped on. So I am taking it so slow and hoping for the best. I just want to have fun.
Well I will try and post more often. No promises though. I am teaching Sunday school, helping with Awanas on Sunday nights and enjoying spending time with friends. Fall is here and I love this time of year. So I am hoping to spend more time outside.

Testimony

When you become a Christian, your testimony begins. You have a story to tell about your life before and after your relationship with Christ. My pastor is going through a series on how God brings you through struggles in your life. He said he thought I was ready to tell my story and asked if I would pray about telling it. So I did Sunday evening. Here is the gist of it.

I was 21 when I married in 1994. I just knew by the time I hit 25 years old, I would have 2 children and live in a home with a white picket fence. God had different plans for me. In Aug 1995 I became a Christian & moved around with my husband who was in the military for 11 ½ years. Life has brought me ups and downs but nothing compared to what I went through this year.

May 2005 we moved here from Ft. Hood, TX and joined First Baptist Church Oak Grove the day before my husband left for Iraq for 8 months. January 2006 my husband came home and told me he had an affair & decided to divorce me. I felt all alone. Not something I had planned. A friend told me a couple of weeks ago if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. He never gives you something you cannot handle. God knew this was going to happen to me and prepared me to deal with the situation.

Life can be so confusing when it is all about us. We need to keep our focus on Christ. We need to remember we are only here for a short time. I could become bitter. I could have a pity party, which I have had but I cannot continue to live that life. I need to choose joy. I need to choose to allow Christ to be my rock, my redeemer.

I have been going to a Bible study and we have been going through Beth Moore’s Beloved Disciple. She said Christ’s appointments are never haphazard. He can accomplish anything he desires by merely thinking it into existence. He assigns us to certain tasks because the experience is often as important as the accomplishment.

God could have made this all turn out differently. But He chose not to. I have to learn from this experience and find out what God wants me to learn from it. I have to be obedient to God more than ever and have been praying where He wants me to serve him. I don’t have children or a husband could and will serve God anywhere.

God promised that if I remain faithful to Him, He will bring blessings upon me. Blessings I could have never even thought of. I have to be patient and realize my life is in His time, not my own. Once I realized this and felt as though I wasn’t going through this alone, I began to heal and go on with me life. I also had to give my life to God and know that He is in control. I love being in control but in order for me to be happy, I had to let go of my entire life.

Isaiah 58:11 says And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give you strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail

Christ said Christians would suffer. Being a Christian isn’t easy but if we deal with our trials the way Christ did, we can and will get through them. Seek out people to pray for you. Christ asked his disciples to pray for him.

I am so thankful for my friends and family for being there for me even when I didn’t even feel like leaving my house. They prayed with me and made sure I was taking care of myself. We have a choice to live in the flesh or live for Christ.

Gal 2:20 says I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me.

MT Here I come

I just got done making travel arrangements to go to Montana in August. I am so excited! Fishing, camping, boating, seeing friends & family. I can't wait! I hope I remember my camera so I can post some photos.
I had a busy week but a good one. It seems whenever it is a short week, having Tues off from work, it feels like an extra long week. Strange how that works.
Well I am going to a BBQ tonight. Tomorrow we am heading to Nashville to get a friend from the airport. We may stop somewhere and have supper. Fun! Fun!
A friend just stopped by to deliver some veggies she got from an Amish farm. YUMMY! Fresh corn, beans, blackberries, tomatoes! Another friend is bringing me a homemade biscuit with bacon! I am so spoiled & love every minute of it. God has blessed me with so many great friends. I have such a great support system here. I am so blessed! I pray I can bless my friends as they so have blessed me.

My new home

Simba loves it here and loves to run around in the back yard. She has chased many rabbits but just can't seem to catch any...thank goodness!

Last June blog

Well I thought I would get one last blog in before I have to turn my calendar to another month. Where are the months going? Well mine are ticking away. I hope you are enjoying your summer. Well I am officially divorced, moved into my own place and trying to get moved on with my life. I am seeking where God wants me to serve. I am undecided what I am going to do for the rest of my life so I am just working at a friend's company and getting my feet going again. I have come to grips, sort of, with the fact I will remain childess for a bit longer. I know God will give me children when the time is right. Lance's sin got in the way of Gracie coming into our family but I was able to love her, pray for her for a short time. I hope I get to meet her someday, maybe here on earth or in heaven. She holds such a special place in my heart. I have a photo of her on my desk to remind me that children are such a gift from God and we should never lose sight of that. There are so many children that need to be loved. I am longing to be a mother and I had it in my grasp but Satan took that away. But God has better things in store for me. He loves me like no human can. I hold onto that and know I will move on. I am ready to move on and begin this new season in my life.

Sinks in

How many times do you have to read something in order that you understand what you are reading? Well I don't know how many times I have read through the Psalms but it seems as though I am beginning to understand what I read. I don't know if I had to go through a trial in order that my heart would be open to God to teach me something. To trust God with everything...what a feeling of relief. I give things to God that I don't have control over but I seem to take them back when God doesn't take care of it. But if I were to be patient, He will, in his own time, take care of it.
In Psalm 31: 14-18
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love (AMEN). Let me not be put to shame; O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly again the righteous.
I am still doing the Bible study by Beth Moore called Beloved Disciple. She has such a gift of showing what the Word of God says. So inspiring and hits home everytime I listen to her. God doesn't say our life will be easy. We will suffer. But if you stay faithful to him, he will bring you out of the suffering and will pour blessings upon you. He is so good and his grace is sufficient for me.

Still blogging?

Yes I am! I have been so busy though so I haven't been able to update my blog like I should be. So please forgive me. I have moved and am finally getting settled. It took me awhile to get my internet hooked back up and I just am not back into my routine yet. I am still unpacking. Oh and I got a job, which takes up a lot of my time as well. But I am enjoying my new place and also my new job. Well that is all for now. Keep checking back. I will try and do better. Hope you are having a great summer so far. Mine has been hot but enjoying it so far. Maybe going to a free country concert next week.

Spider web

During World War II, a US Marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific Island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades. Along in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed. As he waited, he prayed, Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen. After praying, he was quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, well, I guess the Lord is not going to help me out of this one. Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave. As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave. He thought what I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor. As the enemy drew closer, he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. Lord, forgive me, prayed the young man. I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall. We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget the victories that God would work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. As the great leader, Nehemiah, reminded the people of Israel when they faced the task of rebuilding Jerusalem, in God we will have success. (Nehemiah 2:20)
Remember, whatever is happening in your life with God, a mere spider's web can become a brick wall of protection. Believe He is with you always. Just speak His name through Jesus His Son, and you will see His great power and love for you.

Amazing things

God is amazing, isn't He? I am doing the study by Beth Moore called Beloved Disciple, which is about John's ministry. WOW! To learn to trust Christ in everything, everyday. It is amazing how I look back on my life and how I trusted in other things. I am praying about teaching this study at church. I believe this study will change my life and the lives of those who will do this study. In Joshua 3:5, Consecrate yoursleves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. He can and will use anyone. You just have to let Him and get in line with His will. Thank you for your prayers. They are being answered!

Tagged of sorts

I've been tagged of sorts. Play along if you like. Leave your name in a comment. No anonymous please. I got this off a friend of a friend's blog. It made for interesting comments since she has never met me.

1. I'll respond with something I like about you.
2. I'll tell you what song or movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll ask you a question.
4. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
5. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
6. I'll describe our final fight to the death.
7. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.

Oprah's take on a man

I got this in an email today. Thought it was worth sharing.

If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be.
Slower is better.
Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends".
A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle.
If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
Don't stay because you think "it will get better."You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.
The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?
Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.
If something bothers you, speak up.
Never let a man know everything. He will use it against youlater.
You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within.
Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has more education or in a better job.
Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
Never let a man define who you are.
Never borrow someone else's man. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.
A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
All men are NOT dogs.
You should not be the one doing all the bending... compromise is two way street.
You need time to heal between relationships... there is nothing cute about baggage... Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.
You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you... a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary... not supplementary.
Dating is fun... even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.
Make him miss you sometimes... when a man always know where Youare, and you're always readily available to him - he takes it forgranted.
Never move into his mother's house.
Never co-sign for a man.
Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
Keep him in your radar but get to know others.
Share this with other women and men (just so they know)... You'll make someone smile, another rethink her/his choices, and another woman prepare, and a man aware.