Discipline

It's been a rough couple of weeks for me spiritually.  Because I was sick and such, it was really hard to read the Bible consistently and pray without falling asleep because of the medication.  I was reminded of my spiritual disciplines today from teaching Sunday School, and how I do need them.  However, I have not been able to open up my Bible or pray consistently even after I was healed a few days ago.  But, today was a good reminder.  I was also reminded about it in my conversation with Kev tonight.  Thank God for he has put people in my life to remind me of such things.

Cards

The last few days have been filled with two very fun card games.  Oh, the things that amuse me!

I was introduced to "BANG!" after Christmas dinner at the Li's and we had lots of fun playing with the cousins and BFs.  My cousin is so funny, she made it totally obvious that she was the renegade when she could have taken a lethal gun away from the sheriff and instead decides to take a horse from someone else.  I really enjoyed the time we had together as a family.  I do not think that we have really hung out like that in a long while, if at all, and now with busier schedules, significant others, and the such, it makes it even more difficult.  But that night was definitely fun!

Last night I was introduced to another game, "Dutch Blitz", where Kelly has already renamed it, Double Blitz, and she has brainwashed everyone into saying it.  It is pretty easy to pick up and can get quite intense when people snip you.  Lots of fun indeed, except when you get a ton of negatives!

Tired

Not enough sleep.  Fighting illness.  Tutoring in the mornings.

Results in a very tired girl that just wants to sleep.  Maybe I will take a nap when I get home.

Irony

Who said our God isn't funny?

Today after coming home from shopping with my dad, I go to check the mail and guess what is in the mailbox?  You guessed it, my police check that I have been waiting for!

Oh the irony, the first day of Christmas holidays for the kiddos and I can only email my teacher contact and see how we can proceed in the new year.

God was definitely teaching me patience.  But now I don't know what to do except wait once more.

Thoughts

I am up at this hour because of the bbt that I drank at 10pm.  This is utter destruction.

However, I am also inundated with thoughts, about an array of subjects that is also keeping me up.  Lots of things that have happened in the past few days, lots of things that have been talked about, things from the past weeks that resurfaced and requires attention once more, just lots and lots of stuff.  From one thing to another, there is just a lot to think about and mull over.

Further, this results in even more things to pray about and to lift up to God because although I am not necessarily worrying about it, it needs to be prayed about, and needs to be put into my daily prayer life.  God answers in his time, but I have to do my part as well.

I am excited and anxious for next year, as I reflected back upon this year, and how much God has pruned me, shaped me, moulded me, disciplined me, challenged me, and blessed me.

Battle

It seems to have always been a battle.  However, it is even more evident now.  What can we do to stop this from happening?!  I believe that God has been preparing us for this--and now we just have to use what God has blessed us with and endure.

Satan has been blinding us, to the people right in front of our eyes.  We have to open our eyes and see the damage he has caused and is still reaking on people all around us.  We have to continue arming ourselves for this battle that we seem to keep losing.  What is God preparing us for?  He has been telling so many of us that He has great things planned for us, but the plan has yet to unfold.  In the mean time, it seems like we are fighting an uphill battle.

Reunion

Yesterday there was a CCF reunion at Christine's house.  Lots of food and fun to be had!

I really enjoyed the conversation that I had with a brother in Christ about recent developments in CCF.  He seems to still be in the loop whereas I am not so much.  It was interesting to hear his take on some things and to find out what there is to be prayed for.  I think what I really liked most was that we were able to talk openly and such, so quickly even though we had not seen each other since the summer!  I know that this only occurs with specific people, based on where I am with God, where they are with God, and the rapport and relationship we have with one another.  He has always been one to share openly with me though and very bluntly at times, without abandonement.  It was definitely good times.  Too bad our conversation was cut off because dinner had to be served.

I was thinking on the way home, while driving, that in the past year and a half since we left MAC, there has been a lot of growing, spiritually and through life stages.  I could hear it in our conversations.  The conversations that I overheard which dealt with God and their spiritual lives, made me smile.  For some, when we had graduated I wondered how they would do, without the consistent support of the brothers and sisters at CCF, because really, some had had some rollercoaster rides in terms of their spiritual lives.  However, I was happy to hear about an upcoming baptism, new relationships that are definitely centred around God, individuals trusting in God's providence, and so much more!

When I responded yes to going to the potluck/reunion dinner, I really didn't really think much about what God wanted to happen.  However, last night, so many conversations were about Him and how he has affected some of my friends recently.  One thing last night did concern me, which is something that I have pray about more before addressing it.