Reading my bible update.....

Sorry it has taken me a few more days to get to posting this....but you know, moving...keeping caught up with work....life....I just couldn't compose my thoughts!

Let me just say....Having someone buy you a book and mail it to you with the stipulation that you must read it everyday and tell someone about it......that is a great motivator for me b/c I honestly felt super guilty to not read it!! I did forget one night...and then I placed it by my bed...and I just couldn't say my prayer at night without having read my bible first. Now, I will honestly say that a few nights, my eyes were crossing as I was reading, and only had a quick thought before crashing...but it is such a great feeling to know I have read my bible every night. I will also honestly say this is the most consistant I have ever read it.

Now, my next goal is to make myself a time of quiet during the day so that I can really make myself study it, not just read it. Also, Jeff, thank you for the advice on reading Psalms/Proverbs. I do for sure need direction with my bible study.

Which brings me to another thought. As a teenager, and also in college, I was very devoted to attending church services. I attend almost every activity that was going on....I even remember the time I went on a mission trip harrassing many of our group until they agreed to go. I was right up in the middle of all that went on. I thought at the time that I was really close to God because I attended church so frequently. Most of my friends were from church, and that is who I hung out with. That is how Clay and I grew up together. After we were married, we both got discouraged, and quit attending regularly. This made me question a lot of my beliefs. I developed a bad attitude towards church, and was resentful that I didn't have the friends there that I used to....which I realize now was nobody's fault but my own. Now, as I look back on that, I realize that a majority of my church attending was socialization. For a few years now, I have longed to have that back...I feel that it is really missing from my life. But, I see now, that so much was missing from my relationship with God.

I have been blessed in so many ways in my life. I can see how God has worked in the friendships I have had throughout the years....also the relationship with my husband. I think it is so awesome to say that I met him at church when I was 11 years old....we were in the youth group together when I was 13...became friends....he is in so many of my memories growing up, and now we have 3 beautiful children together. I could go on and on about that.

But, I want to say, God really blessed me when he allowed my paths to cross with Becky Gustafson. I met her b/c she found my name in the phone book and wanted maternity pictures. I then later, when thinking about homeschooling, thought of her out of the blue and e-mailed her. She instantly became a friend. Invited me to join her cooking club. I met some of the nicest, most genuine people there....Rene & Brandy. I used to tell my friend that I loved cook group so much because it was a group of ladies getting together, and they never had a bad thing to say about anyone...but you could share how you felt, and they were so encouraging and uplifting. Also what caught my attention about all 3 women was their faith and love for God. It was honestly something I had never seen before in all my years of faithfully attending church. Or maybe I just didn't know how to look at the time...who knows.

Rene told me about play group...I only attended once, but met Suzanne (joyful chaos) and also K.T.....which I remembered her from school. Today my children and I went and played with Suzanne and her children and had the best time! I was so excited...through all of my struggles after moving....I have found a friend that has had the same struggles with moving. K.T. is so loyal to always comment on my blog....and says the nicest and most encouraging things. I have so enjoyed reading Shelley's blog.....I discovered it through K.T.'s site, and even though I knew Shelley, I didn't realize she now has a beautiful website for her photography, and I have really loved watching her family's "journey" as they have found their church home....and it is because of Shelley that I have my new Bible.

I was also so excited to see Lisa Burley's blog pop up one day through Brandy's. I have known Lisa and her family for a really long time, I just didn't know she had a blog. She has such a beautiful spirit....and I wish I had allowed myself to get to know her better when we attended church together. She is such an encouragement to me now...in seeing the great job she has done in raising her children, and by reading her blog and seeing the way she glorifies God.

Hmmm I have gone a long way around the world with this post huh?? I guess I am just trying to say, that through my struggles to figure out my relationship with God, I have met some of the most awesome people, that have taught me what true faith in God is....and the power of prayer. I pray in a different way now, and more frequently than I ever have in my life. Clay says I am obsessed with blogs...lalala.....but he doesn't realize the spiritual journey it has taken me on. Even as I have been reading my bible this past week....I am finding a new understanding of things.

So, Jeff wanted me to tell someone what I have learned from reading my Bible. Hmmm I can't think of a specific right now besides what I have posted before...I do know I have shared several things with Clay that I have read. And I intend on sharing things as I go along. But....as you see the journey my life has taken me on....to even have Jeff send the Bible to me......that has been a tremendous learning experience. I thank God so much for the awsome people I have met the last couple of years and the way it has encouraged me. I do remember when I was in college meeting Jeff one time and hearing the nicest things about him from A.J., one of my high school and college friends. I have a picture from graduation of A.J. and Jamie...K.T.'s husband. I can remember us all eating lunch together our Sr. year.

O.K....I guess everyone realizes by now that I am up alone, late at night writing this post. I will leave you with my reading for tonight. I thought it was the 17th, but I am a day early. (even though the post says Friday, it is now Saturday a.m.)Anyway, I read Psalms 17, and then skipped over to Psalms 37. Verse 39 and 40, the last 2 verses read.... " The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them: he delivers tehm from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." This verse reminds me of everyone I have mentioned in this post, and many more people I have seen through them. I encourage everyone reading this to read Psalms 37 to see how your faithfulness will be blessed.

Oh, and in reading the correct passage for the day, Psalms 16:8 says "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.