YES to GOD: Chpts: 8 & 9

UPDATE BELOW 8/6/08


Hello Friends!! Welcome to

If you are visiting for the first time we are discussing the awesome book by our friend/sister in Christ, Lysa TerKeurst called "What Happens When Women Walk in Faith."

We read 2 chapters a week and gather here every Tuesday and share with each other what God showed us and how we are striving to live a faith filled life. We'd love to have you. Join us anytime. This book is an "easy read" and will take no time at all to play catch up with us. If you're not reading the book, join us anyway and feel free to share on the topic of faith.

Okay, first of all. I am SO excited!!! My son Aaron comes home today from Florida and I have not kissed his face or hugged his neck for two whole weeks!! That is 14 days. That is 336 hours!! I miss my man-child and I know he misses me although I'd probably have to bribe him with a box of Whoppers to get him to admit it in public. Note to self: stop at Walgreens and purchase a box of Whoppers before heading to the airport.

I think his dog Kane understood me this morning when I told him his boy was coming home today. His tail started wagging and he licked my neck. Sure sign that he knows the one who buys the meat covered dog bones will soon be returning. He is in the air right now so I am just praying God brings him the way he left me.

Okay, I have to confess something to you. Your Tuesday leader needs to be beamed up because she has not done her reading. "Scotty, beam me up." would be so nice to have happen right now, but then my son would be sad when his Dad showed up to the airport solo. Without Whoppers. So, I must stay and just be honest with you all.

Those of you that gave me great advice (that I am following) on the Desperate Housewife post would be so proud that my home is getting cleaner everyday. Last night I cleaned the bathroom while telling the Lord I am doing this for Him. Let's just say, I've never had such a clean bathroom! If you came over for lunch today we would be eating off the floor in there. With no plates and we'd be dipping our cups in the tub to get our water because it is just that clean!

Now, I'm not using my cleaning kick that I'm on as an excuse. I'm sure if I really think about my week there have been moments I could've been reading but instead I chose to waste my time. Like when I had the TV on and Marie Osmond was boasting about the 40 pounds she has lost on Nutri-System and my sweet 7 year old Alivia said, "Mom, you should really get on that." Total Time Waster.

Anyway, I have no excuse good enough for not making the time to keep my commitment, but I will be reading it on the drive to KC and will post later tonight after I tuck my boy in. BUT you still share what God has showed you in these 2 chapters and if you have more to share on your own blog sign up under Mr. Linky.

So, please forgive me for my lack of being faithful to our faith study this week. You all are such a blessing to my life. I just don't think you have any idea. Let's just say if you were flying in to see me, I'd have your favorite candy in my hand. xoxo

Love you much,

UPDATE:

Here is my YES to GOD study thoughts:

First of all, picked the man-child up in Kansas City. He professed how much he missed me. In public. I was happy. Teary eyed even. Whoppers were handed over. He was happy. Teary eyed I do believe. Dad wished he would've thought of the chocolate malt balls.

We got back in town and ate at a new restaurant that just opened in Lincoln called The Texas Roadhouse. It was awesome! Very happy reunion. He's already planning for next summer's stay.

OKAY...remember anything in blue is a quote from the book.

Chapter 8: Refusing to Get Bogged Down

This is a season of learning to depend on God. As a result, things will be stripped from you that hinder the relationship He wants to have with you.

This time of loss will lead to a time of great celebration one day.

This especially touched my heart because I am having to let go of some tough stuff right now. Things I don't want to part with, but feel real strong that God wants me to. I don't believe I'll be struck down by lightning if I hang on to these things, but I might as well be if I choose to have a heart of stubbornness versus obedience. The life I'll miss out with from choosing God's way will outshine a life trying to maintain the control I don't have.

So, I'm giving in and am so excited!!

I loved Lysa's view on Joseph and what a model of a life totally surrendered to obey no matter where he woke up and found himself. On page 81 Lysa states: The effects of their bad decision haunted generations who came after them. As we make ordinary decisions on ordinary days, do we, I wonder, have any idea of the impact and influence those decisions have on the people around us and the generations to come?

Oh this just spoke so loudly to my heart. Today my teenager is moving out. Found an apartment in a not so good part of town. Amiyah will be staying with us. The car we just co-signed for her at the beginning of June will be staying with us due to decision of inviting alcohol into her life. So she leaves. Thinking she knows it all. Thinking she has a plan. Unwilling to listen to anyone who has been down this hard path of living unprepared, paycheck to paycheck just so you don't have to answer to anyone but yourself. I have wondered does she have any idea how her choices affect many? Her parents, daughter, siblings, grandparents and aunt? Jesus? The rebellion in this child had just about did me in. What Joseph's brothers did doesn't sound so bad right now. I'd sell her in a heart beat and smile all the way to the bank. Forgive me Lord...

CHAPTER 9: A Most Unlikely Path

Oh, so far this is probably one of my favorite chapters. There's 11 more to read, so I'm sure I'll say that again before closing this book.

God knows best.

I know HE is so much wiser than I am so why don't I trust Him all the time with every situation that arises in my life? Jeremiah 32:17 says that Nothing is too hard for Him. So why do I always try to take control of stuff in my life?

Right now I am trying hard to let this rebel in my life called my teenage daughter/teen mom just go live the life she thinks she wants. I really think in her mind that she thinks she is doing what is best. I am losing sleep over her meeting the land lord tonight at 5pm because I know she is not following or even interested in God's best for her life. God's way isn't even a map she wants to look at. So, I release her into the wild and pray harder. Lean harder on Him because you know what? GOD, not Alyssa is in control.

The end of the chapter was awesome of how Lysa responded to God in how she loved on her husband Art. How easy it would've been for her to tear into him. Years of me standing at this very fork in the road of choice and choosing my way on how to treat Gene flashed through my mind. Failed opportunities to glorify my Savior, but many more to come. How will I choose to react?

Such great stuff we're learning ladies. Remember, that God is so worth all the hardships and pain we endure in our pursuit to just get close enough to hear His heart beat as Lysa described.

Alyssa was my firstborn and I had her natural. No pain meds, no epidural just pure pain. She was worth all of that pain though and I still look at her and think the same way. God is worth no meds, no epidural and just pure pain. He is. I know this and that's why He still can look over His shoulder of grace and see me chasing after Him.

~Love you~

See you next Tuesday for chapters 10 & 11. I promise to my part this week on time.