Are You Who You Want To Be?

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them

not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to

those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all

vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked

speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward,

and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all

your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your

foot away fom evil.

Storing up God's word's in our hearts is of utmost importance for our very lives-Binding

them around our neck and writing them on the tablets of our heart's! We need relationship

with God! We need REAL friendship with the King of all kings! When we listen and obey,

when we desire and soak up God's word in our heart's, when we are growing spiritually

in our relationship with God, then it is healthy, it is life-it is GOOD! We need to be better

at guarding our heart's with all diligence, because what comes in-comes out of our lives!

Our thoughts should be focused on God's plan and purpose-on His Truth and Righteousness!

Our words should be uplifting and good! Our eye's should be focused on the goal-Jesus,

who is the Author and Perfector of our faith! Our feet should walk the narrow walk (even

when it is tough). When we follow God's path, things aren't always easy and happy, but

our lives are not our own, for we were bought with A PRICE-Jesus, God's only Son!

We need to guard our steps and only go down paths that God would be pleased with. Our

desire and our passion should be to please and honor God with all that we are! Now, we

can not do this alone-we need God! We need His guidance and His leading to direct our

lives! We need Him to write our life story!

We need to not just look at the here and now, but look into eternity's face and see if the

decisions we are making now will be the kind of results we want to live with and face in

eternity's view! We need to speak the truth while we can! We need to love Christ like this

is our last day on earth! We need to do things not to get rewards for ourselves only, but

mainly JUST because we love God and we want to reflect Him in our lives. We have such

a short life and if we just use our life to gratify the sinful nature/fleshly nature, what will

our life become with His ultimate glory and life flowing through our lives? Will making the

decisions you are having to face making right now build you up in the Lord, or tear you down

or stunt your spiritual growth? Are the friend's your making encouraging your walk with

the Lord, or destroying what relationship you might already have? Is "living on the edge" a

risk you want to take to live for God, or is "living on the edge" of the worldly desires and

passions a risk you are wanting to take that will soon destroy your life? Have you come to

a place where you feel there is no ultimate satisfaction in your life and your whole in your

heart not filled? If you are in that place or feel like you are not where you need to be in your

walk with God, I encourage you to SEEK HIM and DO NOT give up! There will be dry

season's in each of our lives MANY times throughout our life, but it is what we do and

how we respond to those dry seasons that will make us grow or shrink in our relationship

with Christ!

We have a choice today whom we will serve-God or man (ourselves or others) or even

Satan. The decision is YOURS and ONLY YOURS to make! No one can make that decision

for you or me! I encourage you to get this book and go through it! It is a great book and

a REALLY good video series! John Bevere is one of my most favorite author's and speakers!

He also made an allagory that is AMAZING!!!! The title of the allagory is called-Affabel, it 

is spectacular!

I encourage you (and myself) to be Driven By Eternity! Like Switchfoot's song says, "This

is your life, are you who you want to be?" Also, just know that Heaven is your home if

you have faith in Jesus and are REALLY His! That is your home! Like Switchfoot's other song

that says, "This is home." Christ and Heaven should be our ultimate goal!

The Majestic, Beautiful Representation of Freedom!

Horses are one of my most favorite creatures! When I see horses and the beauty and
majesty that God has placed in them, I am so amazed! Horses, I believe represent
freedom and color. Horses are exceptional characters. When they run like there is no
tomorrow and face the mountains running without stopping-they show true courage
in their being and the way God has made them. When I ride/or run on the horse,
there is so much beauty to notice, like it's strong muscles that hold humans on it's
back, like it's strong legs that run with stride and perserverence, like it's nobililty
in it's look-the way it was made to be!

Horses are pure power and represent pure freedom! I like to hope and dream
that someday I will be able to own my own horses and have the opportunity to
ride on the wings of the wind whenever I would like to. Horses are majestic in
the way God created them, don't you agree? Horses are stubborn and not wise
(which is mentioned in the Bible), but they are beautiful in what God has made
them to be! They are amazing creatures, I just love to dream about them and
think someday I can ride and run on one like that freedom I love to feel on
the inside of me!

I love the horse and the beauty God has made it to be! There is so much
color and variety in them and there are so many different types of horses
out there! The color of the horse is beauty! What beauty and majesty can
you think of that makes you happy and makes you feel freedom? For
me I must say it is the horse!

Two of my favorite quotes about horses:

The horse is God's gift to mankind. ~ Arabian Proverb

In riding a horse, we borrow freedom. ~ Helen Thompson

Babysitting-Oh the Joy!

It seems I have become very well known here in my town and the surrounding towns
as a really good babysitter (not to be bragging or anything). I just LOVE children!
Children are my heart's desire! They are so open to God and to a lot of life. They
are always listening to things that people say and want to do things that the "bigger
kids" do! They look up to me and many adults and teenagers. They want love and
attention. They need love and affection, they need correction and truth! They need
us!

It was so cute, a few weeks ago, I was babysitting a family of 4 boys. Their names
are: Laith (10), Ramsey (7), Rakan (4) and Metae (4). Rakan and Metae are twins
actually. Anyways, Rakan asked "Is God alive?" and Ramsey said "No, he died a
long time ago." I was listening to their conversation and thought "Now is my opportunity
to tell them about God and how he does exist. Who know's if this might be their
only time to know the truth of Jesus!?" So I decided to tell them that God does
exist and that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and for
everyone's sins! They were VERY interested in what I had to say! I think they were
starting to think that Jesus was like a super hero because they were SO open and
were like, "WOW! Jesus REALLY did that?!?!?" I said, "Yes! He did it JUST for
you too!" You also must know that this was my 3rd or 4th time watching them,
so I was pretty new to them and they keep asking me to come back and I am
SO happy God has given me such exceptional opportunities to teach children the
truth! I LOVE them all and work very well with them I have heard! I like to exaggerate
and be dramatic so I think that helps because they ARE children and they like to
dream and play! My ministry IS my life! My life and words are supposed to reflect
Jesus in all that I do!

I am so thankful for all of the children and parents in my life! I am SO thankful
to God for trusting me with them and allowing me to show them HIS Love that
Never fails!

Thanks Daddy God! You are truly a great God and I love You So much! Thank
You for everything You do and are! Teach me Your ways and live through me
God! :)

Mia-My Beautiful Sister!

This is my BEAUTIFUL sister Amanda! Several people call her Mia. It is her nickname.
She is such a good sister and I miss her SO much! You see, she is in college and she
doesn't live here any more. We are, I believe 5 1/2 years apart. When we were younger, we
would fight and argue ALL of the time! Now that we are both older (mainly talking about me
because I am younger and I am pretty sure I caused her to have a headache MANY times. I
was not nice to her very often and I was stubborn and hard to work with) we don't fight as
much. She is going to college to become a Director of Photography for films and movies. She
edited this photo of her actually. She is a wonderful sister and I just want you to know how
very proud I am of my sister-Amanda Michelle!

I love you sis, with ALL of my heart! I miss you LOTS!

My Heart Is Breaking

Jesus,

My heart is breaking God, can you please fix it? I need you God! I have sinned and have
done bad things, yet Your Love is still there and You still love me through it all! Jesus I am
so unworthy, yet so thankful for Your grace, love, forgiveness and mercy in my life. I love
You Jesus. Please hug me Jesus and give me strength, God I need You and want You! I
can't live this life on my own. Thank You for dieing on the cross for me and not just for me,
but for people everywhere all over the world. I live in this sinful world and do bad things,
yet You still see me as Yours and You call me beautiful! God, please forgive me for
not being kind to others? Please forgive me for not saying words that lift others up and for
when I disrespect and dishonor authorities in my life? Please Jesus, hold my hands and cleanse
my life of all the rotten stuff that is not of You!

Jesus, I look and see my friend's fall away and I just can't stop crying God...I want them to
come home to You! Jesus, please don't give up on them, draw them to Yourself and be God
in their life! Meet them where they are at and help them see Your light and life!

Jesus, please help me God...I am so hungry for You! Jesus, my heart is breaking, can you
fix it? I feel so low and so sad about many things. I am so confused with my life in this season.
God, You're all I want! Please take me to be safe in Your arms when the time is right! Jesus
I just want to be with You! I just want and need You to come save me and be my everything!

God, please be with my friends. Show them that You love them and that I love them! Please
show them Your plans! God, please protect them as this world is getting harder to live in, please
protect them from the enemy and his schemes and plans. Guide them into Your ways!

I love You Jesus...help me rest safe in YOUR arms as I seek You with all that I am! I love You
God! Help me love and grow in You more! Guide my life God! Thank You for Your goodness
and faithfulness in all of my life!

In Jesus Name,
Amen.

You Never Know What You Have Until It's Gone...

I along with many people don't know what they have until it's gone/taken away/torn away
from them or somehow out of their reach. I would say that during seasons of life we can
be so blind to what we have, wishing it was different or wishing we had a different result.
I can think of so many examples where I wished something away and didn't realize what I
had when it was originally right there in front of me, and now it's gone. I often just wish I
could have that thing, or person, or event, etc...back in my life. I am realizing as I am
getting older that there are people who come and go in my life and I love all of them dearly!
I often wish and dream about what life would be like with those people there, then God
tends to remind me that He has everything under control-my fears disappear (just recently
I think I have finally got a breakthrough with actually learning how to let go and trust in Him!).


I think of friend's of mine who were once Christian's and loved Jesus and who now have
fallen away and that just breaks my heart. I know it must really hurt God's heart to see His
children turn away and reject Him. I just feel so helpless and I don't know what to do or how
to help them, but I can not change them, ONLY God can change someone from the inside out!

I also can think of people who were in my life and who are friend's of mine and then when
something bad happened, they don't see that I am still here for them and they don't know what
they STILL have that is RIGHT in front of them! I love them like family, I just wish they would
see it that way...I am still me, I haven't changed into something bad, in fact I think I have
grown more, which is good, right?


I see things in my life like when I wish away my single years and eventually, I believe that one
day they will be gone and I don't want to waste these years just thinking about getting married
and to a place that I am not at yet. I want to use my single years to worship and serve Jesus
with all that I am! I finally got it-letting go of my dreams is one of the hardest things in the world
for me and getting married is a HUGE dream of mine. I can FINALLY say after all of these
years of dreaming and thinking about marriage and wishing I could be with people, that I have
FINALLY given it to Jesus and I have FINALLY let GO! God can do whatever He wishes.
It's hard at times, because I do cry thinking about what I feel that I have lost, but if things are to
be done in God's will and in God's timing, I HAVE TO LET GO and I have chosen that I will
and have FINALLY let go of this area in my life. It will not hold me down to the things God has
for me now! I trust God to do His will and have HIS way in my life! No more Traci in the way,
I refuse to not trust God! I refuse to live in fear! Jesus have your way in my life today!

Remember, value what you have, where you are at and with the people that are in your life,
because you never know what you have until it's gone!

Job's Life-Chapter Two

Chapter Two of Job's life starts out as Satan coming before the Lord and God
asks Satan "From where have you come?" Satan responded to God by saying
that he came "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and
down on it." God started questioning Satan by asking him if he had considered
Job-that there was NONE like him in all the earth. In my thoughts, it seemed that
maybe the Devil was sensing that he was "missing something good" or that God
knew that there was someone special, or maybe the Devil was just wanting to have
"more fun." I don't know, but whatever the Devil was doing, his plans were to
destroy someone's life, so God I think just decided to answer the question before
Satan could get it out of his mouth!

(v.3) God asks Satan if he had considered Job, who was blameless and upright,
who feared God and turned away from evil. How Job still held fast to his integrity,
although the Devil tried to encited God against Job to destroy him without reason.
Satan answered God by saying, "Skin for skin! All that man has, he will give for his
life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse
you to your face." At this point, I think Satan was telling God that if he withdrew
his protection and blessing on man (or in this case-Job), then man would turn against
God! So God (v.6) told the Devil that he could test Job (because he obviously knew
Job's character and his commitment to God to know that he wouldn't turn away
from Himself. God said, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life." God still
wanted Job to live obviously, even though he was allowing Job to go through this,
he knew that Job would not betray him even in the darkest days of his life.

So Satan went and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his feet to the
crown of his head...(v.9) Then Job's wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your
integrity? Curse God and die." WOW! I don't know about you, but if I had a
husband and he told me that (someone who REALLY, really knew me and I loved
them, someone very close to me), I would cry for them knowing that they did not
know what they were saying. Job's response to his wife was, "You speak as one
of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall not
receive evil?" It goes on to say that "In all this, Job did not sin with his lips." I think
what Job was telling his wife is that she doesn't understand that blessings come
from God, but as believer's, bad things will happen to us, because the Devil
hates us.

From v.11-13 show's how Job's friends came to him and from a distance didn't
even recognize Job. Job's friend's were weeping and wept for Job. They mourned
for Job's life. (v.13) They stayed with Job and sat with him for seven days and seven
nights. No one spoke anything to Job because they saw that his suffering was severe!

That is the end of Chapter 2 of Job.

This is amazing how Job did was hurting and very sad through all of this and he still
did not sin in what he said. He was blameless, he loved God more than we might ever
really understand! I encourage you to consider how you might make changes in your
life when bad things happen, think about how you respond to the situation. I know
I want to be like Job. He was a man of great character and love for the Lord!

(There are other things I have noticed about Job's life in this chapter and some more
detail's, but I can't write them all out. If you would like to give me your thoughts or
revelations, feel free to share them!)

Thanks for reading! Chapter 3 of Job will come shortly!

Rotini with Chicken and Pepper Medley!

This recipe is SO delicious! I love it! I had it one day and absolutely wanted more!
Tell me what you think!

Ingredients:

8 ouces of Reggano Rotini pasta
2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
1/2 green pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 red pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 yellow pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 small red onion, cut into thin wedges
12 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (or chuncks)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon of butter
grated Parmesan cheese
fresh basil leaves, cut up

(we put several herbs into our and we used differend noodles and added someother
things! It was deliecious!)

Directions:

Cook Reggano Rotini accordign to package directions, drain and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in large non-stick skillet. Saute pepper strips and onion
just left tender. Remove from pan and set aside. Stir fry chicken strips in the
remaining oil and butter until fully cooked and golden brown. Toss pasta,
peppers, onions, and crushed red pepper into chicken in pan. Cook and stir
unit hot.

Serve sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil (we put a lot of
really good herbs into the one we made and it tasted SOO good!)

If you like this, let me know! :)

What Has Happened To Our Nation!?

What has happened to our nation? We were once a God-fearing nation that desired to
live by His standards! We were once a people who wanted to be "One Nation Under
God!" Why have we become so lukewarm in our relationship with Christ? What has
happened to our country? As people we are okay and fine with things that are not right!
My heart aches and I cry as I think about what we have become and what we allow!
We allow abortions and say that life is not from God, the true Creator! We are "okaying"
gay and lesbian relationsips! We ignore the facts that people are depressed and commit
suicide all of the time! There are people who are okay with incest and rape! There is
human trafficking everywhere and as a nation, we choose to ignor it, we act like it doesn't
exist! Divorces happen all of the time and families are falling apart very frequently! We
"Christian's" play church and act like we have a real relationship with Jesus, when in all
reality, we are fakes and we don't! We pretend to be people that we are not, or we don't
care about how our decisions affect us and others! People ruin their bodies by doing drugs
and alcohol! People don't mind that they live IN SIN! Children disrespect and dishonor
their parents all of the time! Father's whip and beat on their family! Women look for love
in the wrong places! People are desperate for fame and attention and they can't get enough
of it, it eventually consumes their lives and they want more and more! People disrespect the
Bible (OUR FOUNDATION!) and want it out of our schools, work places and our
country! Many people are dieing for lack of knowledge! The list could go on and on! I could
write pages of what our country has turned into that God is against! Are we going to just
sit back and watch our nation fall apart right before our eyes!?

We have to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING at all will make a difference! God is calling us
(His son's and daughters and nation as a whole) to turn to Him! He desires us to come to
Him as our Father and giver of all good things! He wants a REAL relationship! He loves you
SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU WILL
EVER KNOW! God cares about every detail of our lives and our nation! We need to
seek Him with all that we are and not turn our back towards Him, but come running to Him
and learn to love and be with Him and grow in Him unconditionally! God love's you! He
REALLY does! When bad things happen, we don't need to wallow in it or blame it on God,
but seek Him and turn to Him as our strength! When we fall down and scrape our knee's,
He is right there holding our hand, ready to comfort and guide us! He is always there and
is always looking for us to turn to Him as King and Father!

I want to make a difference and I want to not live this one life that I have as a fake believer!
I want God to use me any way that He wishes! I want you to help me stand up for what's
right in our nation! We HAVE to speak the truth, because if we don't, who will? We have
an opportunity! Do you want to help me as we embark on sounding this Battle Cry! Who
know's that maybe you and I are the next Esther!? Who know's that maybe we have been
chosen for such a time as this?! God will use our voice and our actions as we follow after
Him! We just have to start somewhere and sometime and the time is NOW and the place
is here! Will you fight with me to save our nation?

~A True Prince~

To the guys out there-I am most definately NOT a guy and don't know a lot about you
as I would like, but I would like to give a Christian girl's perspective on what I think
and what I have learned about how YOU can be the Prince that we all know you are
on the inside to come out into the light and live it every day! To start off, I just want you
to know that most women and girl's love it when a guy treats her like royalty. I also
believe that it is the duty of a man (especially a man of God) to treat a girl like she
is his sister and God's daughter! Girl's look up and favor men of character and gentleness!
If women and men both want respect and honor from the opposite sex, then it has to
start somewhere, why not you? After all, you are the man, the leader! Girl's want to
follow (most of the time I think) the man and not vice-versa. Girl's need a man that
will speak the truth and not be ashamed of them! God is calling the men (I believe)
to a higher place. Girl's are not there for just objects of your satisfaction, they are
there to radiate TRUE beauty (which should and I wish more girl's helped you guys
out by being modest and honest!) from the inside-out, but they want to follow
someone who is stronger and loves her as God's child and as a Princess!

I have learned and read many books and heard many teachings about this kind of topic
and I believe women want men who will protect and cherish the woman she is on the
inside! We are your sisters! You are our brothers! Men need to not be afraid to be
men, because every girl is so desperately searching for a man who will be a MAN!
Often times girl's lack that fatherly figure in their life and are searching for that love in
other men. It would be nice if men would rise up and help the girl's see God as their
Father instead of using them to satisfy your wants! Be men of purity and dignity! Be
men of courage and strength! Be men of honor and love! Be men of Truth and men
of God! Be men who is a leader, not a wimp! Do not lower your standards just to
be popular. Do not set back and watch the world crumble and fall into the sea!

God is calling Men to be Men! If and when you might ever have a family or if you do,
be a good father to your children and a Prince to your wife! Love them and be there
for them, nurture them and lead them! Be a Prince! You are God's sons! You are
God's once you accept Him to be Lord and Master of Your life and surrender all
that you are to Him! Be a Prince of Christ! You represent Jesus WHEREVER you
go! I know there are Prince's out there! I just know it! Live out your love and Faith
for Jesus! He wants all of you, not just bits and pieces, the whole bit! Fall in Love
with Jesus!

Thanks for reading, I probably could go on a rampage on this topic, but I won't! lol!
I hope you were encouraged and uplifted! I hope this helped you in some way or
another! Thanks for reading part of a girl's perspective on "A True Prince!"

~A True Princess~

Do you know what a TRUE Princess is? A true Princess is royalty, honored and loved
by those around her. She is beautiful on the inside and it radiates from the very
depths of her hear and soul! A true princess is rare to find. A princess has virtue and
character, she is committed and she stands up for truth, she turns the other cheek when
someone mistreats her. A true Princess is noble, not because of her looks or her
class, but because of WHO she is! A Princess is a woman/girl of inward beauty and
a heart that respects and honor's other's, she treats others with dignity and honesty.
A Princess does not lower her standards to match those of ugly character and dishonesty.
A Princess is modest in all that she wears and in all that she does! A true Princess is
a joy to be around!

To become a true Princess though, one needs to follow the guidelines written out as an
instruction manual for us to follow-the Bible. If one can not follow what is written in
the instruction manual and grow to love and cherish every word, then she can not lead
others into the Truth! A true Princess know's her worth and know's that she IS beautiful!
Often times, we women and girls tend to look at oursleves and compare us to the
super models or the people we see as gorgeous! The problem is that once we compare
ourselves with them, we often look at ourselves as worthless and not good enough, or
that we don't "measure up" to whatever standard we have placed in our head as "THE
standard of real beauty!" God calls us beautiful! We are beautiful! Each one of us are
unique and if God created us all the same, then it would be a very boring world. God
loves you JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! When and if you say someone is beautiful in
your heart, it might very well be true, BUT you are just as beautiful, because you are
God's child-A Princess and an heir to the throne! He has given us everything we need
for life and Godliness...!

You are a Princess girl's! Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are not a Princess and
not beautiful! Do not let the guys in your life treat you less than what you are worth! Also,
encourage them to be true men of God! Encourage them to be gentlemen to not only you,
but to other girl's! You are a gift of God! You are Royal because of Jesus! Never think
of yourself as anything less!

Also, remember that to lead others into righteousness, we need to live lives set apart
and wholly devoted to Jesus! And remember that people will fail, if someone treats you
wrongly, just stand strong and that is now your chance to be a reflection of Jesus in You,
to truly let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good deeds and
glorify Your Father in Heaven! Be Sold out! Fall in love with Jesus! Let Him be
Your Prince, Your Knight in Shining Armor! He is Always there and He always
cares!

You are a TRUE PRINCESS and it starts from the inside-out, go ahead and live it out
day-by-day!

Why I Am Not Ashamed of My Testimony...

Many people may wonder why I speak so freely on the things of my past and the stuff that
has hurt me and I was wanting to tell you why I do it. I am not proud or happy of the things
that have hurt me in the past, by no means at all! I do know that I overcome by the blood of
the lamb and by the word of my testimony. My life is a testimony of God's love and mercies
and grace in my life! My life is not my own. The things that have happened to me have
happened (in different ways) to many other people around the world. God has given me a
splendid opportunity to use what He has done in and through my life to give hope to those
who don't have hope! I have something that they need-Jesus! I never, ever dreamed of
ever being where I am today! I have a LOT to be thankful for! God takes care of me and
all of His children!

The terrible family structure/life and history I had in my life is not apart of the person I am
today! I am a new creature, with a new future and a new life! The abuse and mistreatment
that was apart of my life is not what I am defined by. The things that happened to me were
out of my control. I was a child, living in terrible circumstances, but GOD used the things
of my past to create my ashes into something to bring glory to His name! The lies that I
believed are no longer there, the truth has set me free! I am able to live freely now that
Christ has done amazing things in my life! Without Christ, I don't know where I would be!
In all honesty, with the way I was heading and my family life, I can see the kinds of
choices I could have made. The life I could have had would have been dreadful, believe
you me!

We don't have to dwell on the things of the past. I make so many mistakes and will make
mistakes, but I know that God  is bigger and He is strong in my weaknessess! God has
forgiven those who have hurt me, so I have chosen to forgive those who have as well!
If we don't allow God to change us from the inside out, we can build up grudges and hate
in our heart, which causes us to not live a life of forgiveness towards others. We all deserve
death, but Christ has conquered the grave! We have a gift of eternal life once we accept
Him as our Savior and Lord of our lives!

I don't want the spotlight on me, I want it on Jesus! I give my testimony to others to show
others what God has done in and through my life! The things that have happened in my life
are a tool for me to use, given by God! He doesn't want me to live in the past, He wants
me to live in Truth, Love and in His perfect plan for my life. I am nothing without Him! He
gets all of the praise in my life!

I encourage you to speak and share what God has done for you, no matter the size! God
uses a life that is an offering spilled out before Him! He uses the broken lives and molds
them into something beautiful for Him! He uses everyone's life who gives Him the pen for
their story! Instead of taking the pen away, we have to learn to give it to the King, Creator
and All-in-All! It's an important step in being set free forever!


(P.S. I could talk a LONG time about this. lol)

Job's Life-Chapter One.

Chapter One of Job starts out telling us that (1) Job was blameless and upright.
Job feared God and shunned evil. That's pretty amazing! I think He was
truly pleasing in the sight of God! He had 7 sons and 3 daughters (side
note-that's almost as many and the same amount that is in our
family-WOW!) He was rich with 7 thousand sheep, 3 thousand camels,
500 yoke of oxen, 500 female camels and a very large household! It also
says that he was the greatest man of all the people of the East! He was rich,
not only in earthly possessions, but in heavenly possessions as we will see
later on...

Job's sons would feast and have parties at their houses on certain days. They
would invite their sisters to join them!! They were obviously able to have
frequent parties. When the feasts and parties had come to an end, Job
would have to cleanse and sanctify his children. He would rise early in the
morning and offer burnt offerings for each one of them. Job knew that what
they were doing was dishonoring to God so Job would make sacrifices in their
place to cover their sins. I think that is what parents should do for their children
when they are in sin-to intercede for them and pray for them, encourage them
to live Godly lives-set apart for God, etc...obeying God in all things!

(6) This starts out as Satan approaching God. Satan at the time was going
through the earth doing what He does-kill, steal and destroy, when God asks
Satan (the Devil) if he had considered Job's conduct and everything about Him.
God makes if a point to tell Satan that (8) "there is none like him on the earth, a
blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil..." The Devil begins
to tell God that Job is only doing it because of what God has given  and done
for Job. Satan persists in telling God that if he does anything to touch Job's
"way of life" (for lack of better words) that Job would curse God to His face!
Then God told Satan to "try it out," to test Job in his character and his
commitment to God, etc..but he is NOT to touch Job at all!

So Satan leaves God (12) and one day when Sebeans (a group of people)
came and raided ALL of Job's oxen and donkey's and they killed all of
Job's servant's with swords! While that messenger was telling Job this terrible
news, another messanger came and told Job that fire had come down from
heaven and burned up Job's sheep and servant's and consumed them, only
the messanger's escaped to tell Job. Still, while that messenger was speaking,
another messenger came and told Job that the Chaldeans (another group
of people) had killed the servant's and took all of his camels and only
the messenger had escaped to tell Job. (18) Still while that messenger was
speaking to Job (now there are 5 messengers in front of Job to tell all of this
horrific news!) another messenger came to tell Job that while his children were
having another "party," wind came and all of his children died because of
it.

(20) Job's response to all of this totally surprises and inspires me! Watch this:

"Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head. Job fell to the ground
and WORSHIPED! And he said:
                                        'Naked I came from my
                                           mother's womb,
                                         And naked shall I return
                                           there.
                                        The Lord gave, and the Lord
                                           has taken away;
                                         Blessed be the name of the
                                           Lord.'
In all this Job did NOT sin nor charge God with wrong."

The end of Chapter 1...

I think this is just amazing!!!! Think about it, when something bad happens do
we get mad at God or blame him for all of the terrible things that happen in
our lives, or do we worship Him in spirit and in truth? Do we push God away
or do we draw nearer to Him? Do we run the race even with obstacles in our
way, or do we just give up? Do we grow or do we faint in the weakness or
hard times in our lives? I want to be like Job and love and worship God in all
of the seasons of my life, not JUST in the good, but in the good and bad times!

When we are persecuted for our faith it is GOOD! When we are persecuted
or despised or rejected by men because of God, when the Devil throws
things at us, we don't have to put up with it! We can live in peace with our Savior!
One day we will get to see Him face-to-face! This is now our chance to be
everything that God wants for us in our lives! Don't back down from faith!
It's not always going to be easy, but God is there with us-helping us and
guiding us the WHOLE way! We just have to trust and believe and while we
are waiting and standing, we worship Him because He deserves it and we owe
it to Him! He's wonderful!

I hope this encourages you! I'll keep posting for each chapter! :)

Chicken Casserole

What you will need:

2 Cups of cooked chicken
8 oz. pkg. of cooked elbow macaroni
1 Cup of sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup of mushroom pieces.
1 Cup of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/4 Cup of finely chopped Onion
1/4 Cup of chopped Celery
1/2 Cup of Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

Grease 9 by 13" casserole dish. Mix everything together, pu in dish, and sprinkle
with Parmesan Cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

It's scrumptious and delicious-tastes like Chicken! lol...

Life Is So Short!

As I have been visiting with my grandmother, I have become more aware of the
fact that life is SO very short. My grandmother that I am visiting with is going to
be 83 really soon and she is still more active than most people her age are. We have
talked about many things and she has a big decision ahead of her about what she is
going to do when she comes to the place where she will need help from others. See,
she lives all by herself in Kentucky and we come to visit and my Aunt lives close to
her but my Aunt Carol is about to move closer to her son, my cousin-Micah and his
family. My Aunt is building a house down there and is going to try and make room
for my grandmother and my Uncle Sammy's (Aunt Carol's husband) Mother as well.
So as you can see, my grandmother has some big decisions ahead for her!

As we set out and talked on her swing in her back yard, Mema (who I am visiting with
and is my Mom's mom, my grandmother) began to cry and tell me her feelings about life
and about what she desired for her family-to live and love others and God above all.
She would tell me about people she knew who were in worse positions than her, people
I personally knew who were good friends of hers. She just wants the best. She told me
over and over "life is too short to be wasted." We had a devotional time together later
on in the day and she told me "Traci, you're growing up so fast! Before you know it,
you will be 25, then 40, and then 80. Enjoy this life and live it everyday to the fullest."
We talked for quite some time about this and one thing led to the next and before we
knew it, time had really flown by as we sat and talked. As I heard my grandmother's
word's and see her cry and tell me her feelings (which she says she doesn't normally
express them..and not that much when she does), I began to see the light of what she
was talking about. My life will be gone before I know it. I really don't have much time
on earth, so I need to make the most of it that I can to be all of who God wants for
me to be. I need to tell as many as I can about God's love and NEVER stop! I need
to stand up for truth and righteousness while I have the chance! I am not promised my
next breathe, but I am promised that God will and does take care of me! No matter
what happens I can grow and learn from experiences and times in my life when it's
bad. When it's a good time in my life I can be all the more thankful for those blessings
that God has given to me!

Life is so short! I don't want to waste my life on things that are not worth it. I want
to invest into people's heart's and lives! I want to be ALL that God has for me to be!
I want to love God, love people and live out my faith and my walk with Jesus every
chance that I get! I desire to leave a legacy of love, forgiveness and a surrendered heart
to God! I desire to leave the kind of legacy that Christ be lifted up, that children will
know that they are loved with an everlasting love! I want to leave a leagacy of hope and
courage, of faith and endurance! Everything that is right and good I want to grow and learn
and live free in all that God has called me to be!

What will you do with the time that is left? Will you use your words to tear down or build
up? To love or to hate, etc...? The list could go on...ask your self these kinds of questions.
We don't know the time we have left...we need to make the most of it with every breathe
in us! :)

Journey With Me-Job's Life...

I want to try and do what I have been wanting to start doing for a very long time! I am
going to try and journey through books of the Bible and do study's on them. I really
like the book of Job and I have learned a LOT from him, so I think I am going to start
out with his book first. I will do as many chapters as I can and hopefully get through them
all as quickly as I would like (which would be one chapter a day, at the most two chapters
at a time)! Pray for me as I embark on a journey of a life that I believe will impact and
change both your life and mine. I will start out by first giving you an overview of the book
of Job and that will hopefully help you to understand more about him and the book!

Overview of Job:

The Israelite author presents Job as a person living in Uz, which is outside the borders of
Israel itself. Job is a man who was obviously (as you will see in our study) very dedicated to
God and loved Him above everything in life. God told Satan that he could test Job and Job
would not turn against God even in the darkest and hardest times in his life. Job lost
everything he owned and even the one's he loved, but he still praised God through it all-he
loved Him through the hardest. Afterwards, Job still loved Him with all that he was. Job is
known very much for his suffering that he had to endure during the time of his testing. In
chapter 19, verse 25, Job says, "I know that my Redeemer lives." Job's love and trust for
God is very evident throughout the whole book.

Job struggled, but he always went back to the Rock-Jesus/God! He was firm in His love and
faith. He NEVER gave up!

Side Note-I hope to Journey through Esther, Ruth, Psalms, Proverbs and several more,
it will take lots of studying, prayer and time though-Bear with me! ;) The words that I
write are just what I am learning, so if you know something that maybe I didn't put
down in any of these studies, please feel free to do so! I want to grow in my walk with
Christ and learn as much as I can from others and their walks with Jesus. I always have
more to learn, as we all do! ;) So thanks for sharing-in advance!

I also will try and post recipe's I like on here so you know what kinds of things are good! ;)
I like to cook good food, so this will be a learning experience all around for me and I hope
for you as well!

Are you ready to learn? I know I am!

Anne of Green Gables :)

The Anne of Green Gables Series is one of my most favorite movies. Anne reminds me a
lot of myself AT TIMES... Anne is very stubborn and I can be quite stubborn if I put my
mind to it. Anne is also very childlike in many ways and I am that way a lot too. She is also
very dramatic, girly and a romantic, just like me. Anne is adventurous and I absolutely enjoy
adventures if they aren't extremely dangerous. I love nature and it seemed she loved to be
outside too. One thing though that I find interesting is the fact that even though Gilbert
and Anne showed that they "hated" each other, they really didn't! I noticed when Gilbert
called her carrot head and was always mean to her, she always tried to change it so she
wouldn't be as "bad" as what Gilbert was saying about her-because she DID care down
deep inside. She acted like she didn't like him and I am sure at times they both thought that
about each other, but Anne was persistant, just like Gilbert throughout their whole life!
Anne would run from people and things and they always seemed to be chasing her, Anne
would keep pursuing her dreams even if others didn't like it or agree to it. She had some
good and bad qualities like all of us, but I enjoy watching or reading the books about her life.
I feel like I can have that restlessness at times or be persistant when in my heart I REALLY
want or desire to do something. Although that can be good and bad depending on what it is.
Anne is a character, full of spirit and passion and that is what I like most about her. Anne is
unique and she always dreamed adn kept dreaming! I am much like that myself actually as
well.

Anne had some bad character qualities like being rude and mean when she was younger. She
was not very considerate of others' feeling's or thoughts as a child too. There are many others
as well, but I can see how I have many, terrible faults in my life like, I am bossy, too passionate,
not quiet as much as I would like to be, I'm dramatic and emotional and can be too sensitive
a lot of times. I am not very patient and I worry a lot. The list could go on for myself!!! I want
and pray that God will help me grow in my strengths and be strong in my weaknesses. I want
to get better at so many things, some things just take time, like character traits and friendships
and love and mercy and kindness and habits! A lot of things take patience...

If there is one thing I need more of it is patience! Some of the things that I have listed can be
good when used properly and others are not good at all. I need to grow in the Fruits of the
Spirit and grow in character to be all that God wants and desires me to be. I need to let Him
bring out the character in me, I don't need to do it myself, because when I try to do it myself,
I fail miserably and in the end cry out for God's help! Why not start out with crying out for
God's help and then let Him work it in and through my life!?

All in all, I have a LOT to grow and learn in! I want to grow and learn all that I can! Anne of
Green Gables is a great series though. I like the movies and the books a lot!!!

"Teach me Your Ways Oh Lord, so that I may walk in Your truth..."

Help me to live Free, Bold and Brave Jesus!

J.O.Y.-Serving...

"No greater love hath any man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Serving is one of my personal favorite things to do. I love to serve others, when I do serve
I feel so much joy and love on the inside of me! Jesus came to serve others, so in the same
way I/we am/are called to serve others. Serving is laying our lives down for others. It can be
anywhere from it being small-like doing to dishes, to large-like giving money or something of
value away. Serving can be a sacrifice, a lot of times it is a sacrifice! I believe serving helps
me grow and I hope it helps you grow too! When I help my Mom do the laundry, I don't think
it as a "chore," but instead as an opportunity, because what I do for others I am doing it for the
Lord as well. You know that verse that says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart
as working for the Lord and not for men." That is SO true, when I work and do things, I am not
doing it just for the people I am serving, I am doing it for God! God said "If I be lifted up I will
draw ALL men unto me." As we serve and glorify Him in everything we do and say and think,
we give God glory and when God is glorified He draws ALL people to Himself! That is so
marvelous!

I know many times when I do something or say or write something, many people will tell me
either "Good Job!" or " Thank you Traci, you're so sweet, nice, etc..." In my heart though I
might feel good (which I do!), but most of the time I just want to say "Jesus did it in me, not
me! Thank You Jesus for using my life to bring You praise, I don't deserve the credit-You do
and I thank You Jesus for all you have done for me! I love you!" That is my hearts prayer or
thought when someone tells me or congratulates me or praises me in any way! I am happy to
be used by God, but it's NOT ME! It's Him! God calls us as followers to serve those in need!

So many times I have thought of ideas or ways that I can serve, but sometimes what I want to
do at the time seems too big to do it on my own and I often give up, but that is a weakness I
need to conquer. Giving up is NOT an option! I HATE giving up-with everything in me, I hate
it! Serving is amazing. I actually have more joy and happiness and love inside of me when I serve
and give then when I receive! I am not putting down receiving things and gifts, I just LOVE to
give and serve. God blesses that heart. Believe me, I have seen it happen a lot-I will give away
3 HUGE bags of clothes to someone or just give it away and I ALWAYS receive something back,
whether it be clothes, time, love, money, etc...it varies, but I ALWAYS receive back. When I
receive back I just want to give more! The things and worldly "treasures" we may possess now
are not going to last, so why build up these "treasures" if they are going to fade? Why waste
what we have been given?

Actually in the past few weeks and days I have been given many opportunities to serve others!
I babysit a lot (most of the time I get paid, but I don't just do it for that reason-I LOVE KIDS!!!!),
I helped a wonderful lady with a beautiful baby girl move in last week into the town I live in. My
brothers and I helped as much as we could. I went to Benton to serve a lady by painting a room
for her with my 2 brothers-Trevor and Troy. She served us 2 years of our lives and now it is my
turn to serve her! I also have been able to serve my wonderful mother by helping her at home
and running errands for her as much as I can. I am now in Kentucky having an amazing
opportunity to serve my grandmother-Mema in any way that she needs help for a couple of days!
I continually, always have opportunities to serve. If I can't find the opportunity, I will search for
ways to serve-ask anyone I know, they can tell you! Serving is SO much fun!

I encourage you to serve any way that you can. Use this time in your life to serve and reach
out to those who need your help whether it be small or large or any size really! Every time you get
the chance is the best way to do it! I do it that way-just remember that you are doing it for
God...at times it may even be hard or difficult, but it is totally worth it!

Jesus
Others
Yourself

JOY!

Obedience

Obedience is: Doing what your told to do, when you're told to do it with the right attitude.
Obedience is walking in what God has called us to do even when we don't understand,
we do it without questioning Him. Obedience to God is one of the most important things
we should learn as followers of Jesus. If we can't obey Him, what makes us think that we
will be okay as we go about our daily lives? The choices we make builds habits and habits
build character and character builds who we are. The every moment-to-moment decisions
we make, make us into the person we will become. God even said that He desires obedience
more than sacrifice. He said, "Obedience is better than sacrifice..." When we do obey, it
is for our good and a lot of times it is a sacrifice just to do what He wants us to do. Life is not
easy-God never said it would be easy, but if we submit our life to Christ and build our lives
around Him and His will and purpose, then He can and will live through us and we can then
begin to live like Him...He is proud of us when we let Him live in and through us! He loves
that, He wants that to be! God loves it when we give Him control and grow in Him, when
we love Him with ALL that we are, not just bits and peices of our lives, but ALL of us!

2 Peter 1:5-11 talks about how if we add and build up our character and virtues in our lives
and if we grow in them, they will keep us from being ineffective or unfruitful in our faith in
Jesus Christ. Also, if we lack these qualities then we have become blind, but if we practice
these qualities (v. 10), then we will NEVER fall! We will then have an entrance into Heaven!
I notice and believe that it is very critical in our walks with Jesus that we grow in the fruit of
the Word of God, that we fall more madly in love with Jesus and let Him become our
All-in-All, our everything!

You and I can trust Him, it's true! God is our Father and Lover of our Soul, He is jelous
for us with a Godly jelous! He has promised us to one Husband-Christ! His love calls us
to higher places in Him, and that is where I want to be! I hope you do to!

~Obedience a lifestyle, love a commitment, unafraid-God living through me!~I made up this
quote...

James 4:17

So today God showed me something through my little brother that is so true and
convicting. Jordan left a note on my bed today that read,

"This is a scripture I learned, I hope understand it.

           Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to
him it is sin.
                          James 4:17"

I had just been having a talk to Jordan about something and this was a very mature
response out of my little brother! I love Jordan so much. He has such a sweet spirit
and is always wanting to learn more. He inspires me to have a childlike spirit and a
humble heart. Jordan is very compassionate and VERY smart.

This verse is so true! If you know the truth and don't do anything about it, whether it
is speaking the truth or living it out in some way, then it is sin! When I have the
knowledge of truth and I don't speak, it is sin...when I know the truth in any way and
keep my mouth quiet, I have sinned...

Thank you Jordan for your encouragement and truth and love in my life! I love you
buddy, with all of my heart!

A Prayer To Jesus...

Dear Jesus,

I wait for You and You renew my strength. I open my eyes to see what You see. I open my heart
to feel and want what You want. I open my mouth to speak Your truth and love. I open my hands
to give all I have and am for Your kingdom adn purpose. I lift my hands in surrender to You
and to praise and love You in all things and in all that I am. Where my feet go, there You're
guiding me, and where I step will be light and life to those around because of You in me. Let
the words I speak and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight Oh God, my
Savior and Redeemer.

God tell me where to go and I will go! Tell me what to say and I will speak it! Guide me Oh God!
I need You and Your guidance in my life! I don't know what to do with my life right now, or
where to go. Hold my hands in this world. I won't let go, but seek You and hold Your hands
firmly and never, ever let go of You! Teach me Your way Oh Lord and I will walk in Your truth.
I rid myself of all sin that is in the way of what You've called me to do and be. Tek this sin that
so easily entangles me and put it far away-I want nothing to do with it. Create in me a clean and
pure heart Oh God and renew a steadfast spirit within me! I love You Jesus! Help me to be
all that You have for me to be! Grow me up in You!

Waiting...

Habakkuk 2:1-3

Waiting can be so hard. I think it's especially hard when we don't know what the outcome
will be. I'm sure you and I both can think of times in our lives we waited (or are waiting right
now) for something and we didn't know what we were exactly waiting on. One simple example
is on Christmas Day. The presents are all under the tree and we know that we are getting
something good, but we don't know the details of that gift. We have to wait until the appointed
time to find out what's inside the gifts.
                -In our house on Christmas day, we don't even know which gift is ours. My Mom
                 doesn't put names on our gifts, but codes them so that the children won't shake
                 their gifts and find out what is inside too early. So every Christmas, it's a game
                 in our house to crack the code. Everyone loves to try and ask Mom if we got
                 it right, and when we don't have it right she says, " That's not it, but that's a
                 good guess, I might try that sometime!" Most of the time, except for last year,
                 we have cracked at least one code which helped us figure out the rest of them.
In saying this, I'm just making a point, that even though waiting is difficult, the best is yet to
come. Habukkuk 2 talks about waiting and living by faith. That is difficult to do if we don't
trust in God's timing of things. God has a time and place for everything (Ecclesiastes 3).
Recently, I have been able to "let go and trust God" in some areas of my life where I have
tried and have thought that I have before, but really didn't. The freedom I feel and have
when I let go and trust God feels so good!!! I really feel free.

It takes a lot of faith and trust to trust someone we can't see in the physical world right now.
It takes trust to give someone your life who you can't see like I can see people and things.
I can trust Him, we can trust Him. God has shown us that He is faithful in ALL things in
life. In my life, He has brought me from a home that didn't care about protecting me to a
home that does care and protects me and loves me. He brought Amanda out of the time
when she lost her memory. He also saved Joel when he drowned in our pond in our back
yard. The list could go on and on and on!!!!

God knows everything, we have nothing to fear. Our job is to trust God and grow in Him.
He will and does continually take care of everything else!

I will wait for whatever God has in store for me! :)
I hope you will too!