Siesta Memory Verse 14

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 NIV

The verse that I have chosen is one of three that Beth challenges us to put to memory in my current bible study: David: Seeking A Heart Like His. It is truly perfect for this season in my life.

Beautiful Baby

I finally got to go back to WV to meet my first grandbaby.  I was so excited I could hardly contain myself! I felt like a preschooler....lol The drive to West Virginia was so nice.....relaxing and beautiful.  I got to spend some very special quality time with my mother as well.  She ventured with me to meet my granddaughter (her GREAT granddaughter) for the first time.
It truly was hard to contain my emotion but I managed.  She is soooooo beautiful!!! She was much tinier in person than in all of the pics.  Once she was placed in my arms, she didn't come out unless I was going back to mom's. 

I had a terrific time with my son and his new family.  His fiance' also has a 2 year old son and it was so heartwarming to hear him call me grandma as well.  I took them shopping, to get their first family photo done, and even picked out little Aria's dress :o).  I can't say that I held back any....lol  I LOVE being a grandmother!!! It is such a wonderful feeling that is indescribable. 

I got to babysit the kids one Saturday night and of course, my little grandson fell asleep within 20 minutes in my lap and I held little Aria the entire time.  I just couldn't put her down since I am not there everyday to see her.  I had to get my time in. 

My visit with my mom was the most relaxing family visit I have had in a very long time.  We went on evening banana split runs and watched lots of Baggage until 2 am....lol  Oh, and most importantly.....played CANDY CRUSH!!!

Well, it's getting ready to storm here in good ol' Mayberry.  Much love to all!

First family photo :o)

 

Aria Rayne

 

Brady & Aria

Siesta Scripture Verses.....I'm Finally Catching Up!

Even though I haven't blogged my memory verses lately, I have still been incorporating them into my daily life.  It amazes me at how quickly life can get busy.  And then I get into moods where I know I need to blog, but have so much on my mind that I decide to just stay clear of it.  Every facet of my life seems to be being stretched, tied and knotted down.  So, here are the verses I had chosen to place in my memory.  Hope you all are still working hard on learning God's Word as well. 

Siesta Verse 10- "O Sovereign Lord, You are God! Your words are trustworthy and you have promised these good things to your servant."  2 Samuel 7:28 NLT

Siesta Verse 11- "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done."  Phillipians 4:6 NLT

And my current verse #12- "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  Psalm 139:23-24

Happy Mother's Day!

Today is such a special day! An exciting day for me because this is the first year I get to celebrate Mother's day as a grandmother! I wish that I was back home in WV to be with my mom and my granddaughter today, but I will be in less than two weeks.  I just can't wait!

No one has a more wonderful mother than I do though.  She is strong and compassionate; she is my hero.  She is the only person that I know that can keep it all together.  Lord how I wish I had inherited her gene of such strength and composure.  Happy Mother's Day mom!

Aria Rayne 10 days old

My Girl....Emory

No, this post isn't about my granddaughter Aria.  Although I do have many new photo's to share! :o) This is about a student so dear to me that I don't know how I'll ever function without her! We have been together for the past three years and I love her as if she were my own.  She adores me as well.....we are just bonded.  We are very much a part of each others life.  I love her so very much. 

Today, we had some fun after school.  She loves playing with my hair.  So here is my princess Emory.

Time to do your hair Ms. Rhonda

"I love you!"

Forever joined in our hearts!

Look, we can be silly!

Silly girls!

Baby Aria Goes Home

Mu sweet little granddaughter went home today. She drank 2 ounces of formula before she left. Praying mama will get some rest so she can heal from her c-section. I am still overjoyed by Aria Rayne's arrival. What a blessing God has given us!

My Granddaughter Has Finally Arrived!

Well, this morning at 8:06 a.m., I became a grandmother for the first time! Aria Rayne was born and weighed 6 lbs. 14.5 ounces and was 19 inches long.  Mom and baby are doing well.  I am so happy and excited for my son Ronnie.  He is going to be an excellent father.  Sadly, I didn't go to WV for the birth but I am going in after Memorial Day.  Here are a few photo's of my precious, beautiful granddaughter!

My son Ronnie and his firstborn, Aria

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 9

I have been very involved with Beth Moore's David Seeking A Heart Like His study.  During week 4 she challenges us to memorize Romans 6:6 so here goes!



^"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." Romans 6:6 NIV

How Smart Is That??

So, Brandon is sitting around watching Snow White and the Huntsman last night. Another one of my favorite films.  Well, he states that it reminds him of the Chronicles of Narnia.  I didn't quite see how but challenged him to explain to me how.  Here is the answer I received from him:

"So Brandon was watching Snow White & the Huntsman last night & stated it reminded him of the Chronicles of Narnia. I asked him how & this is the answer I got: Ok. The entire movie was a jihad (gee-hád). Refers mainly to the Apocalypse. Satan, the evil queen, takes over the "kingdom" and rules with darkness and evil. She uses methods of temptation and lies to get what she wants. Snow White (represents Jesus) is the PUREST of them all. Purity refers to lack of sin. She was kept hidden during the evil queens reign but when she escaped from the kingdom it represented Jesus' 2nd coming. She goes into the dark forest and survives fear and sooths nature. When she didn't have any armor she was vulnerable, but when she wore her armor she was powerful; the armor of god. She then starts her reign of goodness and purity. Just like Jesus will!"

I was literally blown away!!! What an amazing analogy! That is why we call him "Preacher Man"....lol  God definitely has a calling on his life and to come to that conclusion of a movie at the age of 16 is just amazing to me.

Siesta Scripture Memory 8

It's that time again! I had such an amazing time this week-end with Beth and the Living Proof Live team! God moved in such an incredible and outstanding way.  I didn't want to leave!!! It was great to meet up with old friends and celebrate our love of Jesus together. 

So, my memory verse is “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47 ESV

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 7

This entire Psalms has spoken to me during my study of David this past week.  So I decided to choose it to memorize.  Every verse I have selected through this journey has come forth each and every day in some way to remind me of God's grace and love.  It is so exhilarating to know and understand His Word personally.  What will you choose to focus on today?

"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken."

Psalms 62:1-2 NLT

Easter Blessings

Wishing everyone a very blessed and happy Easter! Praise God He is Alive!!

A Eye Opening Journey

Well, here it is the day before Easter, the end of this season of lent.  During the past 40 days I have reflected on many things in my life.  Along with my devotion to study God's Word more each day and grow closer to Him, I have most certainly had storms and trials.  But each and every memory verse that God has lead me to focus on during this year has shown it's purpose in my life. 

God is in control of all our situations and He desires us to trust in Him, cast our cares on Him and toss our discouragement and fear aside.  It's not easy to do, but there is such a peace and comfort once you "scriptually" redirect your thoughts.  Instead of being afraid of your situation, pray 2 Timothy 1:7.  When feeling tempted to please other people, pray Romans 12:2.  God will give you the power to part your own Red Sea if you just trust in Him.

This journey is one in which I commit to continue.  When I first decided to give up Facebook for lent, many giggled and said good luck (in the back of my mind I thought the very same thing!).  I won't say it was easy because it was my routine to get up and log on to see what was happening with friends and family over coffee in the morning.  I won't lie and say that I haven't missed it.  But I've missed it for different reasons......prayer requests, good news being shared, photo's of my students.  That should limit my time to 20 minutes a day.  And it will.

Waking up and immediately getting into a good devotional has made my days so much more meaningful than browsing Facebook statuses.  And running home and getting into my Beth Moore study first thing has given me such hunger and thirst for His Word.  I just can't get enough!!

So even though we are at the end of this season of lent, that doesn't mean we have to run back to the things we decided to set aside and let go of in lieu of spending more time with God.  So I challenge each and every one of you to think of one thing that you can give up each day to spend just 15 minutes in God's Word.  After all, He sacrificed His only Son for us.  

Happy Easter!

An Invitation to Imagine

I am loving Beth's blog post for today! I simply cannot wait to dive into the scriptures she has referenced and read it once again.  We all need to remember each and every day the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us.  Not just on Easter or Christmas but each and every day. 

An Invitation to Imagine

Empty

It's been a week of self-reflection and steadfast prayer for me.  I have been all wrapped up in my Beth Moore study of David and I am loving every single second of it.  But I've also had to call on every scripture that I've memorized this year to help lift me up each day. 

In the midst of all the family issues we've faced these past few months, I have found myself feeling pretty empty.  There's no other adjective to describe it. I've thought about it.....tried to change it but it all comes back to feeling EMPTY.  It's amazing how such little things make you feel whole and you don't recognize them in full until they aren't there anymore.  That's how I feel at this present time.  The only person who can relate is my sister who is feeling some of the effects herself.  I know I shouldn't feel this way but I do.  Maybe it's the weather affecting my "depressive mood".  All I know is that I miss my best friend.

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 6

So I'm a day early but I am so on fire for God right now that I just can't get enough! This week I picked a verse that isn't specifically about "renewing" to go along with my One Word theme, but one in which I can remind myself that I have nothing to fear with God.  So I chose 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  Good luck Sisters!

He Sought Me as Well

Wow! I have to say that during my first week of Beth Moore's bible study Seeking A Heart Like His: A Heart Like David's I haven't been able to get enough I have become more intrigued with this study than any that I have participated in before.  It has already truly opened my eyes to so many things that have been buried deep within me and brought them forward for confirmation.  He is so amazing......and to think, He sought ME out to be His daughter!

I can't ever remember a time when I didn't desire God to be in my life.  As a child, I remember arguing with my parents because I wanted to go to church.  I would find my own ride, walk to local churches when I couldn't get to my home church and try to make sense of the KJV of the bible on my own in my room.  I didn't realize until today that God has had a permanent place in my life ON PURPOSE.  Even in moments of being unfaithful to Him (which I straight up admit I've had....come on, we all have because there has only been one sinless person to ever walk this earth) He was still the one I turned too first thing in the morning and the last one I spoke to at night.  Even in my rebellious days when I walked away from Him, He was still the one I unconsciously sought each and every day. 

I have always known that He was with me....that He has had a special call on my life.  But today, it just became more real.  I can't give a reason for why that is, but I know that God will reveal it in His time.  I also know that because I am on such a spiritual High that I will have to hold my head up high and stay rooted in His word.  I trust in Him and in Him alone.  The enemy cannot place fear within me because it has no claim on me.....I trust God.  After all, He has sought me out just as He did with David.  I may not take down a giant, but I believe that if God told me I could....I would! :o)

Blessings to all!

Matthew West - Hello, My Name Is Lyrics

I heard this song this morning on my way to work on KLOVE.  It is amazing! It speaks to every single person in my opinion.

My Own Breaking Dawn Celebration

My week-end started out in a wonderful way.  I had received my Breaking Dawn Part 2 pre-order in the mail Friday afternoon and just couldn't wait to watch the new Extended Version of Part 1! Nothing like spending your week-end with a few hot vampires.  :o)  My poor husband was lost Saturday.  Around 11 am I put Twilight on and he knew what was coming....that's right...a back-to-back marathon!!!

I sat and watched all 5 movies.  It's not the first time.  After all, I sat through many marathons waiting for midnight premieres.  It doesn't matter how many times I see them, I still get excited and feel like a young girl again. 

I have always been Team Bella (and of course, Edward).  I have so much in common with her and I could truly BE Bella! lol  I guess now that the movies are done I'll have to sit back and re-read the books once again.  Funny, no matter how many times I watch Breaking Dawn Pt. 2's ending I still cry enough tears to fill a river.....until forever.

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 5

God has spoken to me through every single verse that I have memorized this year! I can honestly say that I am getting an adrenaline rush off of the memorization of scripture!! Then, he tied My One Word for the year in with my second memory verse of this year.  God is so good! 

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV