31Jan10

A PLACE TO RUN TO

"Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses."

Joshua 20:2

God has told Moses to set aside six "cities of refuge" placed strategically throughout the land (Numbers 35:10-15).  These cities belonged to the Levites, who were the guardians of the law.  Refuge was offered to those who had caused accidental death (Joshua 20:3), not to those who had committed premeditated murder (Numbers 35:16-21).  Once in a safe cite, the man who had killed someone accidentally would stand trial by the community (Joshua 20:6).  Those found innocent were given a place to live among the people there.

What a picture!  There are things we do that we know are wrong, and there are sins we commit by accident.  When this happens, God is our just judge.  We may flee to him, for he has provided a "city of refuge" for us.  just before he died, Moses told Israel, "The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you" (Deuteronomy 33:27).  Psalm 9:9 tells us "the Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."  The prophet Nahum wrote "The Lord is good.  When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge" (Nahum 1:7).

Are you in trouble?  Are you the victim of circumstances?  Have you done something wrong by accident?  Then flee to your "city of refuge."  God himself is that city, and God himself is your judge.  Talk to him.  he may want you to right a wrong, to settle a misunderstanding, or to simply wait patiently with him for the storm to pass.

Today's reading:  Joshua 20:1-9

30Jan10

GOING AROUND JERICHO

"Your entire army is to march around the city once a day for six days."

Joshua 6:3

When I have a problem in my life, it can look as big as Jericho.  The walls may look formidable.  In my waking moments, I find myself going around and around my dilemma.

God told Joshua to go around Jericho once every day (Joshua 6:3).  I learned to discipline myself to go around my particular Jericho only once!  True, there was an appropriate time for Joshua and his men to circumnavigate the city seven times (Joshua 6:4, 15), and there is an appropriate time for me to spend special effort in focused prayer about my difficulty.  But I learned to wait for God to direct me into such a time.

The priests carried the Ark of the Lord representing the presence of Yahweh with his people.  Each day as I went around my own Jericho, I took "the Ark" with me, reminding myself of God's presence and his word that had the power to pull down strongholds.

The wall will crumple one day, and it will all be over.  God will get the glory, and the hard marches in the heat of the day will be forgotten in the sweet taste of victory.  Until that great day when our particular Jericho falls, God grant is the perseverance and the endurance to go "once around Jericho" with our God and fellow travelers in the faith-believing that however high the walls, fortified the gates, or strong the enemy, it's only a matter of time.

Today's reading:  Joshua 6:1-27

29Jan10

NOT JUST IDLE WORDS

"My teaching will fall on you like rain; my speech will settle like dew.  My words will fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants."

Deuteronomy 32:2

Doesn't that sound as though you are about to be so thoroughly soaked with satisfaction you'll never be thirsty again?  What beautiful words!  Those of us who teach must want to fall on our knees before this verse!  Moses had a message that would thoroughly refresh his hearers.  Part of this fresh message was the concept of God as our rock: "He is the Rock; his work is perfect.  Everything he does is just and fair.  He is faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!"  (Deuteronomy 32:4).

The picture of God as our Rock is firmly embedded in the ground of the Old Testament.  Moses says that God is a perfect Rock, a faithful God who does no wrong.  He is always right, and we must measure our little ideas of rightness against his eternal truth.

Moses mourned the times the children of Israel rejected the Rock, their Savior, and his ideas of rightness.  Deserting the Rock who fathered them, Israel became like other nations whose dependence on lesser rocks had let them down-nations whose rock had sold them.  "But the rock of our enemies is not like our Rock, as even they recognize," he reminded them (Deuteronomy 32:31).

Moses sang a fresh song, calling his people to a renewed commitment to the Rock of their salvation.  When he had finished he warned, "These instructions are not mere words-they are your life!" (Deuteronomy 32:47).  Have you deserted the Rock who fathered you?  Return to him.  You can depend upon his renewal.

Today's reading:  Deuteronomy 32:1-9

28Jan10

DOING RIGHT IN A WRONG WORLD

"When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do no be afraid.  The LORD your God, who brought you safely out of Egypt, is with you!"

Deuteronomy 20:1

The Iraelites were facing the biggest fight of their lives, yet there was a bigger conflict going on behind the one of the land of Canaan.  That conflict was a war between good and evil, and God was out to get the best possible army to fight it.  He was interested in spiritually powerful people-not just military might.  Those involved in this conflict could have absolute confidence in God's strength and ability to win any and all wars.

In the New testament the language of warfare is often used in a figurative sense (2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:12).  This otherworldly war is to be fought with otherworldly weapons.  Faith will embolden us to give ourselves fully to God's cause, knowing, as the Israelites knew, that we are on the winning side.  Through Christ's death and resurrection and our faith in him, we can disarm the principalities and powers of darkness in this world (Colossians 2:15).

What battle are you facing today?  Is it the battle to do right in a wrong world?  Are you fighting to save your marriage and your family?  Are you struggling to influence some hard-hearted you people in your Sunday school class?  Are you trying to change a crime-riddles neighborhood, a dishonest workplace, an anti-God college campus?  Do the "horses and chariots" appear formidalbe to you?  "Do not be afraid as you go out to fight today!...For the Lord your god is going with you!"  (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).  Take heart.  You are on the winning side.

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 20:1-9

27jan10

First...an apology...then a devotional...

I'm so sorry to everyone that I have been MIA...things have been kinda crazy here...I was sick, then I've just been kinda laying around.  I've picked up extra hours at work, and I'm just wiped out.  I'm not trying to make excuses, just explain to you what's been going on.  I feel bad that I've been missing posting the Devotionals...so, I'm going to post today's...I'll post the ones that I've missed as well...they will just be out of order.

So without further ado...today's devotional...I hope you enjoy...I also hope that you will choose to follow us in our Love Song...we are more then half way to our blog resolution to having 50 followers!  Please help us by following, and passing on our blog to others!

LOVE IS A DECISION

" And now, Israel, what does the LORD your god require of you?  He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul."

DEUTERONOMY 10:12

Wouldn't it be great id we could require someone to love us?  "But." I can hear you say, "how can you require love?  Love is a feeling-you can't require someone to have a certain feeling!"

If love were a feeling, I would agree.  But feelings are only a part of love-and a very unreliable part at that.  Jesus did say, "I command you to love each other the same way that I love you" (John 15:12).  Therefore, love has to be more then a feeling.

The love God requires from us for himself and for each other is the highest form of love-agape love-love like his.  It is love of the head rather then love of the heart.  A love that determines to be concerned, first and foremost, for the loved ones' well-being in every dimension of their lives-whatever the cost to ourselves and irrespective of their reaction.

So how can we know that we love God?  By being obedient.  Jesus said, "Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me" (John 14:21).  This relieves my anxiety, as I've always worried that I wasn't loving God enough.  My fears were based on my erratic feelings toward him.  These words of the Lord take the whole thing out of the realm of feelings and into the realm of doing.  Now that I can handle!  And what can I do to show God I love him?  I can do for others.  This is what he requires.

Today's reading:  Deuteronomy 10:12-22

18Jan10

FACE TO FACE WITH A FRIEND

 

Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend...And the LORD replied to Moses, "I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and you are my friend."

 

Exodus 33:11,17

 

Moses and God were friends!  Have you ever thought of your relationship with God in terms of a friendship?  What were the elements of this friendship  between God and Moses?

 

The first element clearly was determination.  Moses had a very busy schedule, yet he was determined to spend time with God (Exodus 33:7-11).  Cod watched over his servant Moses had been given the overwhelming task of leading an entire nation from one country to another!  God's people without constant guidance from the Lord.

 

Second, Moses did not exclude others from his friendship with God.  "It was Moses' custom to set up the know as the Tent of Meeting far outside the camp.  Everyone who wanted to consult the Lord would go there" (Exodus 33:7).  Moses knew that he was not the only one to whom God could speak.  Moses wanted others to know God's friendship, too.

 

Third, the phrase face to face gives us the sense of openness, honesty, and delight.  Moses was not afraid to ask God anything.  Moses spoke honestly, showed his true needs, and expected God to answer.

We need to nourish our prime relationship with God!  As we meet him regularly "face to face," he will fill our lives to overflowing, and out of that overflow our human friendships will flourish.

 

Do you lack friends?  Start with God, and he will show you how to be a friend to others.

Today's reading: Exodus 33:1-23

17Jan10

God's Top Ten

And the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain.  Stay there while I give you the tablets of stone that I have inscribed with my instructions and commands.  Then you will teach the people from them."

Exodus 24:12

In the Ten Commandments, God gave Moses a pretty substantial message for us.  On tablets of stone were written ten things he wanted us to do.  These laws were given to the Jewish people to give to the world.  While some in today's culture don't want to admit it, these Ten Commandments form the foundation of our society, the bedrock of our system of law and order.

The Ten Commandments are expanded and explained in the books of Moses that form the Pentateuch.  The statutes that Psalm 119 extols are the civil and religious applications of the Mosaic Law.

The Bible is a whole book.  The Old Testament is the preparation for the Gospels, which contains the manifestation of the living Word of God; the Acts of the Apostles, the propagation of his message; the Epistles, the explanation; and the Revelation, the consummation of all things.  The Bible is God's library, yet some don't even bother to join!  God in Christ intervened in human history.  The Old Testament sets the stage for it, and the New Testament describes it as it happened.

The Ten Commandments are not ten suggestions; the are the foundation of all the laws of life.  They have to do with our relationship to God, to other people, and even to ourselves.  Psalm 119 tells us that his laws are good, fair, and true (Psalm 119:68, 137-138, 151)  Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever" (Matthew 24:35)  Words that substantive are worth investigating, don't you think?

Today's reading: Exodus 20:1-18; 24:12-18

Just a quick note

I need to make a longer post, but it will have to wait till tomorrow.  For now I just wanted to let y'all know that I'm an Avon rep now!!  Feel free to check out my online store at www.youravon.com/amybrown  I'd love to have some of you as my customers...the beauty of the internet...we can live forever away, but you can still order from me!

Like I said...I'll make a bigger post tomorrow...right now, I just need to go to bed.

16Jan10

JEHOVAH-RAPHA

"If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you."

Exodus 15:26

If the name Jehovah-Jireh revealed God's concern for people's spiritual health, the name  Jehovah-Rapha  revealed his gracious concern about Israel's physical health.  Moses led the children off Israel to a place where they saw God heal bitter waters, making them fit to drink (see Exodus 15:23-25).  God then used this as a little object lesson, saying "if you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals (Exodus 15:26)

It was at Marah, which means "bitter," that God showed the children of Israel that he was the source of all health.

Does god really care if I'm sick?  Does he notice when my child's life is threatened by some dreaded disease?  Nowhere does Scripture tell us he will heal all people of all diseases; but that he will heal many people of many diseases.  There is no health without the healthy God.  In his wholeness, we find a measure of health on earth and a full measure of health in heaven.  Revelation 21:4 tells us no one is ever sick in heaven.

God heals, of that there is no doubt.  Sometimes he allows the body to heal itself, and at other times, he miraculously quickens the process.  Either way, he is Jehovah-Rapha, the healing God!  This should be enough to turn our bitter waters to sweet.

Today's reading: Exodus 15:22-27

15Jan10

WHEN TROUBLE TROUBLES YOU

Pharaoh quickly sent for Moses and Aaron.  "I confess my sin against the Lord your God and against you," he said to them.  "Forgive my sin only this once, and plead with the Lord your God to take away this terrible plague."

 Exodus 10:16-17

Does something really bad have to happen to you before you let God have his way in your life?  Sometimes plagues of trouble bring people to their senses, and they truly repent and come to the Lord.  Others repent for a moment, but when a reprieve comes, they, like Pharaoh, put the whole thing out of their minds (Exodus 7:23).

When God sent a plague of frogs on the land of Egypt, Pharaoh began to soften, so God removed the plague.  "But when Pharaoh saw that the frogs were gone, he hardened his heart." (Exodus 8:15).  When the next plague hit Pharaoh, he pled with Moses, "Now hurry, pray for me" (Exodus 8:28).  But after God had remove the plague, Pharaoh again hardened his heart.  Pharaoh was given many opportunities to deal with his sin, repent, and acknowledge the Lord.  But he was never sorry for his sin-merely sorry for himself.  He repeatedly hardened his heart, and in the end, God took over and hardened it for him.  God has warned us that his Spirit will not always "put up with" people (Genesis 6:3).  If we resist the promptings of God's Spirit pointing out our sin and our dire need of a Savior, there may come a time when it will be too ate.  If God has allowed trouble to trouble you, it may be a stimulus to let his Spirit do his convincing, convicting, and converting work in your life.

Daily reading Exodus 10:1-20

14Jan10

Our Borrowed Years

Jacob replied, "I have lived for 130 hard years, but I am still not nearly as old as many of my ancestors."

Genesis 47:9

In Old Testament times, long life was considered a sign of God's favor and was linked, very definitely, to obedience.  When Pharaoh met Jacob, his only recorded question was "how old are you?" (Genesis 47:8).  Pharaoh's query may have been prompted by appropriate awe in the presence of such an aged man.  Jacob answered Pharaoh's question saying that he was not nearly as old as many of his ancestors.

In the end, it's not a question of how many years Gos gives us but of how we live them.  A long life may not necessarily mean a good life or a happy life, even if we enjoy God's favor.  For Jacob it meant a hard life, but he did not allow his later years to be bitter ones.  When Jacob was 130 years old, he blessed Pharaoh.  Seventeen years later, as he lay dying, Jacob gathered his twelve sons around him and blessed them.

The Point is that Jacob's old age was crowned with blessing and worship.  Jacob used his borrowed years for God-he was a blessing to those around him.

So how do you and I live out our lives, whatever the years bring?  Do we seek to live them as Jacob did-growing our souls upward toward the light in the fertile soil of adversity?  Do we strive to be obedient enriching other people's lives?  Jacob was a blessing; we should be too.

Daily reading: Genesis 47:1-12

Daily Devotionals. 13Jan10

So, I've decided that I'm going to post Daily Devotional.  I post them on my forum For God and Country, so I figured...why not post them here too.  I hope that at least some of you enjoy them.  Each one will be titled with the date {military style} that way you know what they are, and if you aren't into that kind of thing, you know not to read them...but anyway...I hope you enjoy!  Comments/discussions welcome!

Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering"
Genesis 41:35

Joseph was in his thirties when he named his son Ephraim-a name that sounds like the Hebrew word for "fruitful." Joesph had experienced his share of suffering through his teens and twenties. He had suffered the spiteful jealousy of his siblings from his youngest days. He had been kidnapped and sold to slaver traders by his brothers (Genesis 37:28), then sexually assaulted by his boss's wife and wrongfully jail for a crime he hadn't committed (Genesis 39:11-20).

Yet God was not absent from Joseph's turbulent years. He suffered the pit and the prison patiently, but the God placed him in charge of the whole land of Egypt and blessed him with a wife and children. Joseph's life had been planted in the soil of suffering so that he might blossom into godly manhood.

The real fruit was seen in Joseph's character-evidence of the Spirit of God in his life. Joseph showed love for his enemies, self-control with Potiphat's wife, and long-suffering with people who forget all about him when they promised to help him (Genesis 40:23). God's Spirit bore the fruit of righteousness through Joseph in Egypt. Could such fruit have been produced without the soil of suffering? Probably not. As James says, "when your faith is tested, your endurance had a chance to grow. So let it character and ready for anything" (James 1"3-4)

Let God make you fruitful in the land of your suffering! Then you'll be ready for anything

Reading for the day: Genesis 41:37-57

Just my musings

*written in a note book, yesterday {1/12} while I was at work*

It's been an interesting day already.  Mom called to tell me that she was on her way to the hospital with my Uncle.  Turned out to be nothing, but still no the way to start off a day.  Even better then that, half way to work, there was something in the middle of the high speed lane of the highway.  I managed to swerve and miss it {Thank you Jesus!!}  Unfortunately, the car behind me missed it, but ended up spinning and into the guard rail.  I pray that they are ok.  It was really scary!!

Now I'm sitting at work.  My 10am didn't show, I did a passport pic on a screaming child, and my next appointment isn't until 4pm.  Of course the 6pm is booked.  I don't understand how they can tell us that we can't use over x amount of hours, yet we have to take a sitting in at the time that we close?  Does this make sense to anyone?  So worried about the bottom line, and how many hours we use, then why make us take in appointments when we are supposed to be closing??

I really liked this job when I started, but now I just feel like all of my creativity is being sucked out of me.

I'm on the job hunt again.  Be it for a second job, or a permanent replacement for this one.  I need more hours, and more money in order for us to be able to do the things we want/need to do.  I just can not fathom living in that house any longer.  I'm just totally at a loss as to what to do anymore.

"good things come to those who wait"  That's the saying right?  Well, we've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting.  Yes, I'm being selfish, and childish, as my loving husband is quick to point out, but...honestly, I don't care.  When is our dang turn?

 We have endured so much over the last 4 years.  When do we get a break?  Yes, I'm impatient, yes, maybe I act childish sometimes and yes, I know that a good Christian just goes with it.  And I'm trying, really, I am, but like I said, I'm impatient.

Ok so, I'm whining...what's your point??  This is as close to an out let that I have.  I have my husband, but all he does is get annoyed and irritated with me lately.  Then in turn I get hurt, upset, mad, whatever, and we end up going in circles for hours.  It's insane.

I love my husband more then anything.  I can't take the arguing, going around in circles, etc. anymore.  I'm sure that our environment isn't helping anything.  We just need to move on.  And I just need a break.

Whirlwind weekend

What a crazy weekend.  I went to NY to the funny farm family Christmas.  I went alone as TheBoy had drill.  It was a whirlwind trip.  I left here at about 9am Saturday morning, got to NY at about 2ish, and came back to RI at 2:30pm Sunday, and arrived at about 6:30.  So I was driving like a banshee a bit quickly.  I had had enough of being in the car.  Once I got home, we went out to dinner with friends.  That was fun.  But man was I beat.  Then off to Boston this morning for a Dr. appointment.  Not really the outcome that I had hoped for, but such is life.  It has caused TheBoy and I to fight almost non-stop since then.  I hate it.  I'm having a really hard time being a good Christian right about now.  I don't understand why the scum of the earth get stuff handed to them hand over fist, and we work our butts off, and get no where. 

I'm fed up.  I want a home of our own.  I want to feel like a newlywed for half a second before our 1 year anniversary in 6 weeks.  I want NORMAL.  Why can't we just have normal?  I need a new job, like yesterday.  I need more then 11 hours a week to get us out on our own, and more then anything we need to be out on our own. 

I'm at a loss, and I don't know where to turn...

Check it out!

We have a brand new look!  What do you think?  Like our little tweet button right there?  How about our picture way over there.  Then there's our BlogFrog community link down there.  And how about our pretty new button?  Make sure you grab one on your way out!  Hope you love it as much as we do!  Thanks again to Stephanie from Dirt and Lace Designs.

Just one of those days...

Combine my lack of cigarettes since last night {until about 3 this afternoon} with TheBoy's fowl mood, and we get one big homicidal happy family.  Don't get me wrong...I love my husband with all of my heart and soul, but man was he in rare {and nasty} form today.  As for me...I'm not the cold turkey kinda person.  Yes, I'm quitting smoking, but there is slim to no chance that I will be doing it with out the help of some sort of drug.  I wish I could just wake up one morning and decide that I was done, but it's just not me. 

So...the day started out with TheBoy waking me up when he got home at 0830ish...not a big deal, except, I hadn't gone to sleep until after 0400...about that.  He told me to go back to sleep, and I happily obliged.  We had made plans on his last day off to go check out a new breakfast place this morning.  Silly me, I thought that meant that, while I was going back to sleep, and he was going out to split wood, he would wake me up in time to go to said breakfast.  Nope, not so much.  And at the suggestion that he maybe should have woken me up...he was less then thrilled with that idea.  Ok, fine, I should have gotten up...but I didn't think it was the end of the world. 

We watched a movie, all happy happy, and then decided that we needed to go to base to get new stickers for my car, since mine expired last week, and I want to go to NAVSTA tomorrow for the commissary, NEX and maybe a nice H1N1 vax. 

In the process of getting ready I ask if he would be upset if we stopped at the mini mart down the road for a pack of smokes.  I brace for "the lecture."  waiting...waiting...and he says...I'd prefer that, you're kinda b***hy today.  Nice.  Real Nice.  Off we go.  TheBoy decided that I can wait for my much needed nicotine fix until we get to base...who's on edge?  This girl.  Whatever...we get to base, get said stickers, get much needed nicotine fix...all is well.  Fast forward to about 1730, and I find myself in the kitchen at WC making fajita's...my idea...I had a blast...seems that the way to TheBoys heart is really is through his stomach. 

I guess I should have gotten up for breakfast.  *shrugs*  Who knew.

Sleepless in Rhode Island...

I don't get it.  I take my meds, I do what I'm supposed to do, and here I am...still awake.  I know that it's because I'm subconsciously thinking way too deeply into things...but sometimes I can't help it.  I have all these things running through my head...what if we can never move out...what if TheBoy deploys again, and a most inopportune time?  What if, what if, what if??

I need to find another job...be it a full time replacement, or a part time supplement.  We'll never be able to move out with me working 2 shifts a week.  That doesn't even cover the gas that I spend to get there!  Don't get me wrong, I love it...I get to take pictures all the time...but...I have way more fun when I have creative freedom.  I don't like getting told that my photography sucks, I know it doesn't, it just isn't "corporate" photography.  I'm used to having my camera in my hand, and being able to move around.  Not attached to a tripod, and limited in what I can do.  It can be mind numbing, and boring.

I want my creative freedom back.  I don't want sales goals looming over my head.  I just want to be me.  In my own creative way, in my own time.  I wish I could just wake up one morning and have a huge clientele, and never have to look back.

I wish that we had the money that we need to get a place of our own.  I just wish and pray that things will start going right for us.  We deserve a break.  We've had so many more downs then ups...I think it's time for some ups.  I don't think either of us can take too many more downs.

Here's to hoping that 2010 brings the things that we are praying for every day.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15 

So here's a question?

I know quite a few of you follow Color Me Silly.  That brings me to my question.  Would anyone be interested in following a 365 blog?  1 picture every day, for one year.  So, Bloggies...what do you think?

Ok, so I missed one.

31 in 31.  I didn't post yesterday.  But that's easy to fix, I'll just post twice today!  Yesterday was a good day.  We watched Harry Potter in front of the fire.  Then we went shopping for our new baby cousin, and got some great deals!  Then we went out to lunch.  Came home and did some laundry.  And as soon as I made the bed, I promptly fell asleep, lol.  And I was followed closely by TheBoy.  We slept for a few hours, and off TheBoy went to Monday night training.  I spent the majority of the time he was gone talking to my new friend Korie.  I must say, she rocks.  We talked about work, and photography, and just everything.  It was fun.

Now here I am...it's almost 1200 and I've got a load of laundry going, and wondering what to do now.  I know that I have to clean my closet, but I think that's going to wait till later.

Would it be bad of me to take a nap?  I didn't think so either...it's cold, and our bed is soooo warm.

Oh, yeah...make sure you keep your eye on the blog today!  In just a few hours, it's getting a complete overhaul!  So, stay tuned!

Much Love!

A quick look back

As I sit here and think about all that has happened in the last few years, I am in awe of my life.  Don't get me wrong, we've had our fair share of ups and downs.  But when it comes right down to it, we've had a pretty amazing ride.

In the last 2 years, we've gone through a deployment, during which I lost my job.  We got engaged.  We got married.  We moved in with TheInLaws.  We celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple.

Now we are getting ready to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.  And hopefully we will be finding our own place soon, as well.

On a totally random note, I'm participating in NaBloPoMo.  31 posts in 31 days.  So far so good.  I posted on 1jan, and 2 jan.  And here I sit posting my 3jan post.  Now that I'm on the random stuff...have you heard?  We're getting a blog makeover!  That's right Bloggies, Stephanie, over at Dirt and Lace Designs is at it again.  I couldn't be happier!  I love Stephanie's work, and if you haven't checked it out, you should!  She has great prices, and is amazingly talented!  I will never go to anyone else.

So, being that this is a new year and all, I thought I would come up with some blog resolutions.  Just a few things I would like to see in the coming year.

1. Get 50 followers.

2. Average 10-20 page hits a day.

3. Hear more from my readers.  I know you're out there, show us some comment love!

4.Write about what you want to read about.

5. Blog everyday...or close to it anyway.

I know that there are many things that I want to do to improve my "blogpire"...and I'm sure we'll get there, I just have to be patient.  Oh, and I kinda need your help too.  Do you like us?  Pass us on.  Do you follow our blog?  Grab our button.  (although you may want to wait till the new one debuts.)  Do you read our blog?  Be sure to comment!!  We love to see what everyone think, but we won't know unless you tell us!

Oh, yeah, and I promise to respond to EVERY comment we receive!

So there you have it Bloggies, my goals, and promises for 2010. 

Here's to a great year!!

2009, A year in review

I got this from Tales of a Firedancer. 

Without further adieu, here is our 2009 year in review!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’ve never done before?
Got married to my best friend.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yup!  Our cousins had their second child, and a very close friend had their first!

4. Did anyone close to you die?


Yes, we experiences some losses this year.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just the US.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A home of our own,

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Our wedding day!
 
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

  Finally finding a job that I love.

9. What was your biggest failure?
That's a loaded question.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Always...but that's my life...TheBoy has managed to stay injury free this year!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
TheBoy's new truck...I LOVE that thing!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
TheBoy's  he's been amazing with me this year. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?


again...loaded question.


14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills.

15. What did you get really excited about?
Getting married.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
hmmm...I'll have to think about that one.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? happier...things are looking up
– thinner or fatter? about the same I guess.
– richer or poorer? the same as we have been...but at least now we have my income too.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Spend more time with TheBoy, and make more trips home to see my mom

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Spend money.  I would have liked to saved more

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Worked Christmas Eve.  Spent Christmas day with TheBoy's family, and then had a great night at a hotel!

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I fall more in love with TheBoy on a daily basis.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Anything that we watched together.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?


No...I don't really hate anyone...I dislike people...and the way they act, but not hate...

24. What was the best book you read?
The Lucky One was really good...I love me some Nicholas Sparks

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Casting Crowns
 
26. What did you want and get?
A Keurig coffee maker!  Thanks to TheInLaws

27. What did you want and not get?
not really anything that I didn't get...I'm perfectly happy with what I have.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Avatar!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I believe we went out to dinner.  I was 28

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I'm pretty happy with what we had for the year.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Jeans and a T...except at work

32. What kept you sane?
My husband, blogging, reading, and my amazing friends.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Amy Adams...I now want to do the Julie/Julia experiment.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?


The war...

35. Who did you miss?
My mom.

36. Who was the best new person you met?


everyone from western

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
That we can make the best out of any situation.


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.


I'm gonna have to think on this one too 

Happy New Year everyone!

Out with the old...

In with the new!  New Year that is.  2009 was a year of ups and downs.  The ups were AMAZING!  We got married.  We began our lives as Mr & Mrs.  Who could ask for more??  The downs were...well...discouraging to say the least.  Yep it's been a rocky year.  Best part?  {besides marrying my best friend}  IT'S OVER!

Here we are...not only welcoming a new year, but a whole new decade.  We are praying that 2010 is a year of ups.  We have so much to look forward to.  Our first anniversary is coming up real soon.  We're hoping for a place to call our own, too.  One never knows what the future brings.  The only thing we can count on is it will be full of surprises.

Make no mistake, Bloggies, it's going to be a wild ride!!  And I must admit...I'm looking forward to every second!

Here's to a new year & new beginnings.

Happy New Year!