Overwhelmed

Life has a way of getting your attention. This year has been a trying one. I have prayed, begged and pleaded to God that I can not handle anything else, that I am at my max for what I can take and more and more is being piled on me. I have reached breaking points, I have laid in my bed and cried and cried. I have felt defeated, OVERWHELMED, stressed to the max. I have lost faith a couple of times and have really acted like I do not serve a God that can and will. Jesus has never left my side though. He has been my strength when I thought I had none and he has done so many things to get my attention. One thing I love, is that when Satan is trying to grab me, JESUS steps in and defeats him. He is our conquerer. Recently I gave up, I just wanted to crawl in a hole and let everything consume me. God showed up in every conversation, every thought, every moment. He sent me little reminders of who HE is, what HE can do, how when I have little faith He won't leave me. He will pursue me even in my moments of doubts, even in those moments when I throw my hands up and give up.

I feel like so many points in my life I have said that I have never needed Christ more than I do now. He is showing me that I need Him every day, every hour, every minute, every second. Part of why I struggle, why He allows me to be overwhelmed is to remind me that HE CAN when I can't and I need to give it all over to Him. He is more than enough and I truly can't do it on my own.

I know I will struggle in the overwhelmed, I will have those moments when I loose site of Jesus and His promises, I will feel as though God has forsaked me, but He will never leave my side, He will never stop pursuing me and telling me to just have Faith. How awesome and wonderful is that.

I have one amazing Heavenly Father, what more could I need.

Traditions We ain't finished folks

here are more photos

Traditions at the Fud Part Deuce

And heres more of the good times and good grub!!

Tradition...Fudpuckers

Every year we have to make a trip to Fudpuckers when visiting the Beach. We love the fruity concuctions, the fried pickles and gator tail and a good ole burger. Photo opps are a must!! Here are some fudpucker pics throughout the years!! Enjoy!!

Piers and Sharks...OH MY Part 2

More of the fun in the Sunshine State...on the boardwalk

Piers and Sharks...OH MY

This year was a first for Troy, Kate and I. We decided to visit the pier on our Trip to Florida. After all these years, 20 plus for me, I finally ventured to see what the pier was all about. We really enjoyed ourselves and even got to touch a shark. The 3 amigos and our new adventure. I love that we all are so close and I got to spend quality time with both of my soul mates!!!

Two...Two..Two

Troy and I celebrated our two years anniversary back on the beach we got married on. It was so nice to be back there and see where two years have brought us. I still sometimes have a hard time believing I am married. I really didn't think I would ever get married or find someone I genuinely thought I could love a lifetime. God has truly blessed me with an amazing husband. We just go together and I can't wait to see what he has in store for us.

FaceBook Syndrome

I have heard so many people say recently that they are ok with where their lives but they can’t believe how far behind or how different their lives are from FaceBook friends.. In a way I can see where they are coming from but then other times I just want to scream are you kidding me. FaceBook is just like Hollywood, chances are it’s only the good stuff they show and there are a lot a fake people out there. Who really puts on their FaceBook wall, life would be better if my husband didn’t beat me every day, or so Happy my wife had an affair, or my child is a drug addict, or we are filling bankruptcy but still living as though we are keeping up with the Jones’s. Let’s get real, we put the things that are good, we put the things we don’t mind the whole world knowing, and there are a select few that put some hard realities on FaceBook. I have come to be happy where I am at. Did I get married at 28 and my husband was 38, yes. Are we now 30 and 40 with no children, yes. Do we live in a townhouse because we can’t afford to have a house in the neighborhoods we would prefer to live in, yes. Do I care that someone I went to highschool with has been married for 8 years and has 3 kids no, it’s not my life nor is it where I am supposed to be. If I had gotten married out of high school or in college, I would now be divorced or a single mom and I am not. I met my husband when I was 23, and I was in no shape to get married. Yes, sometimes we wish things were better, or certain life events didn’t happen but just because someone else “seems” to have it all together, you don’t know what they are going through or have been through. I am not trying to walk in someone else’s shoes, mine or worn and weathered but they are perfect. I had a rough road to where I am but my Lord and Savior rescued me and has blessed me more than I could ever ask or deserve. Even along the broken road I made some amazing friends and still have some great memories. I have a husband that is my best friend, someone I love with all my heart, but have had my own struggles with and vice versa and I couldn’t imagine my life with anyone else. People let’s stop comparing ourselves to others and learn to be content with where God has us. Even if you are in the middle of a storm right now, God is good, and who knows what the other side of it is going to look like. I got one of my greatest blessings through the storms of my life and that was my testimony and next my husband. I don’t regret what has happened in my life because God has taught me some amazing things and has given me a ministry out of my misery. I choose not to get swallowed alive by the FaceBook syndrome and accept things how they are in my own little reality. We are doing just fine!!!

All things really are possible

We fade away into life sometimes, disappearing in the everyday hustle and bustle. Some days I am so encouraged and step out in Faith and others I am defeated. My walk with God has been peaks and valleys, on and off but more and more I am learning how important the daily time with him is. Some recent events in my family’s life has brought me to a new place with God. He is showing me just how important my relationship is with him, and just how important being more like him is. I have heard him speak to me and think back and see how much I missed along the way. I know he has been talking all the while but my ears fell deaf to his words. He is stirring in my heart for preparation. He is reminding me that I need to be suited in his armor, and that though I don’t always realize that we are in a spiritual battle, the battle is swinging into full force and I need to be ready. He has reminded me to be thankful for where I have been and where I am now and that through Him ANYTHING REALLY IS POSSIBLE.
An old hymnal is playing in my head….Trust and obey for there is no other way to be Happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

God Speaks!!

GOD SPEAKS!!
Hearing God’s voice has been somewhat Foreign to me. But recently He has got my attention. I have realized what a blessing it truly is to hear from God. Some of the ways he has spoken to me have been interesting but others blow my mind. God you have my attention. I am completely humbled, though some of His words bring about an abundance of emotions, good and bad I feel so amazed. Some of his revelations have brought clarity and healing. Sunday at Church was very hard, the end of service brought me to sobbing tears, but God gave me major confirmation through Pastor John. I have been wrestling with what God has been telling me, part of it because it’s not my life, my issue but indirectly I know it affects me too. I thought I can encourage God, but I don’t want to be pushy, I can prepare God, but I don’t want to insist. But Sunday was the confirmation that this needs to happen and now is the time, that I have to pray that others will be open to being obedient and I have to encourage them to be obedient to what God is telling me for their life. That is scary to me, but I know why He is pushing me and whispering to me. I am just so grateful for His words, and I am trusting Him with what lies ahead.

As we sing in church, if God is for me than who can be against me