Amy and her Homemade Items!

I don't know about you, but I like homemade things. I have one friend who makes homemade things and she does a GREAT and fantastic job! Here is her website! She has some really great things. Some items she has made are: liquid hand soap, homemade goats milk soap, healthy meals and foods, and so much more! She's really a great blogger too! I encourage you to check her blog out! I really like her stuff! I have personally learned how to make the soap and have tried it and it's GREAT! I really, really like it and she is a nutritionist and knows a lot about being healthy! I encourage you to check it out!

This is how I feel

This is how I feel most of the time! I just want to be with God, in God's gorgeous creation!

How do you feel most of the time? :)

Wait For Me

I think I might have posted this song before, on another post in the past, but here it is again! I really like it! I hope you enjoy it! I drove to school today and this song came on and I just started crying because that is what I pray a lot and this song really is my prayer and my heart! Enjoy!

I encourage you to wait and pray, not only for your future spouse, but also for your Heavenly Father! Also, this song is one of my favorites as well! I sing this and pray this a lot too! My prayer and heart is that I would remain faithful to Christ until the very end of eternity! Also that I would always remain faithful to my future husband and wait for him as I hope he does the same for me! "While I'm waiting I will serve you..." I will wait and pray and be faithful with the little things that He has given me and the big things! Faithfulness and patience are good character traits and something worth learning and becoming! :) :) <3 <3 <3

It's a Huffy!

SO, I've been meaning to get these pictures out for a while now and haven't been able to, so here ya go! These are pictures of the bike I asked for for Christmas! I really, really, really wanted this bike! The hair accessories and necklace are from a friend of our families who makes and sells jewelry and hair things. If you are interested in her stuff, you can order from this website or you can visit her facebook page and order. She has some REALLY cute things and I think you will be VERY satisfied with what you order and her business, I know I am! I absolutely adore her things! I want them all really! lol! You can buy me some too if you want! lol!

Well, here are a couple of pictures! I took them today! :)

(Above) I am on my bike

(Below) Just my bike

Fun with PJ's!

Here are some pajama pictures that I took just randomly, while playing with my webcam. Thought you might like a laugh or two... :)

This one, even though it's colored weird, is one of my favorites because Boden Bear/Joel is in it!

Hope you enjoyed them!

Making An Author Of Me!

I have been wanting and trying to write a book for a very long time! Just recently I started and I'm not that far in my book, but I am getting somewhere. It's a lot of work that's for sure. The hard part will be editing it a million times, but right now the hard part is putting the correct information in the correct chapter. I am just on my rough draft and now I am on my second chapter of writing. I don't know if you have ever tried writing a book, but it can take a lot out of your day, that's for sure! I am hoping and my goal is to get it into the publishing process by the end of the summer. I know I have a lot of work ahead, but in the summer I probably will have more time. I will still have to work at my job obviously, but I won't have school over the summer so I am pretty excited about that! I have one more year left of college and then I am off! I hope to become a well published author, not because I want to be famous, but because I want to help others and the more people that buy my book, I know will be reading a story that I hope impacts their life. My book is about my life and the "before and after" of my adoption and before and after I came to really know Jesus. So many people have told me that they were impacted by my story and so many people have told me that I should write a book. Well, that's what I am doing and the reason I want it done by the end of the summer is because I do have one more year of school, so I won't have much time to write again, so I just want to get it done and into the publishing process and out in the world's hands!

Please pray for me as I am embarking on this adventure and if you have any pointers or have published or are working on a book yourself, please feel free to say something that has helped you and what you do and what you have learned about writing and publishing a book! Thanks for you help and please comment! Thanks!

Sincerely,
Your Future Author (I hope)

Humble Amish and Denominations...My Thoughts

I watched a documentary on the Amish last night and I really enjoyed it, but it also got me thinking "Are we doing something wrong in the way we live? Are they? Or does God consider all of hearts when they are humble and all of our lives when they actually do follow after Him, a good thing and not sin, etc...?" Cause I want God to guide and move my life to honor Him. I want to do the right thing...As I thought about it, I have realized that God has many colors of worship, many different styles of people who love and honor Him and not one of them is "wrong" necessarily, or within reason, but I believe that He enjoys our lives to reflect Him in the way we live our lives and the way we think and what we do and say-that it does reflect the awesomeness of our Creator! People love God in different ways and to have different denominations and say that ours is "the correct/right way" over another form of love and worship to God, is not our place. Only God can do the judging, we just have to follow where GOD leads us in our lives, not where man or ourselves lead us and then I believe and know that God will honor us as we honor Him and put Him and others above ourselves!

I remember that God does say in His word that He hates it when we bicker and fight and argue with one another. If we are truly humble we wouldn't say we are, because that could be pride if we say "Ya! I'm Humble! I've learned it..." That's the whole point of humility, we are all growing and learning and changing. We are not perfect and in our imperfection and in our pursuit and love towards God and in our daily lives of worship, we can see and know that our lives will be Holy and Pure and Humble as we pursue our God-the God who made us and forgave us even when we fail and mess up, the God who is our Father and still speaks to us even when our righteousness that we try to do is like dirty rags to Him, but He is ALWAYS there and ALWAYS loves us and is pursuing our hearts. He wants all people of all races, of all backgrounds, of all denominations and all non Christians to love Him and to really KNOW HIM! He is a God of love and a God of mercy, but He is also a Righteous God who loves us and corrects us to help and lead us into the right direction for our lives!

So are the Baptist wrong? no, Are the Pentecostals wrong? no. Are the Jews wrong? no. Are the charismatics wrong? no, Are the non-denominational wrong? no. Are the Catholics wrong? no. Are the Presbyterian's wrong? no. Are the denominations of Christianity all wrong but the one you are in (it would take a LONG list and a LONG time to write them all out, so just add yours in your mind that that list..)? I believe that they are not, I think that every denomination and every church has a point where they struggle and are not "perfect" or are not 100% right on all things, but I do know that it is not my place to judge if someone is in the wrong or a denomination is in the wrong, but it is my job to look at the fruit of their lives and be the light that Christ has called me to be based on the Bible! We are in pursuit of GOD, not the pleasing of man. I know we all have our own issues with other denominations or even other church's within our denomination or people group, but we grow and learn and become all that God has planned. Now, I am not saying that ALL of them are right because there are Muslims and Buddhist and even Mormons who I think do not believe and follow after God because they (Muslims, Buddhist's, etc...) worship other gods that is not the TRUE and ONLY God. The Mormons have taken our of the Bible and have added things to it as well and if you read the last few verses of Revelation and several other verses throughout that BIBLE it says "Do not add or subtract...." and if they have, then that means that they have sinned and are not following in the Way, Truth and Life of God's word, but they all need to be reached and as a body and as followers of Jesus, we have to tell all about our marvelous Creator and God and Father! They need to know!

That's just my thoughts, what are your thoughts on this sensitive? Now, I am just learning about this and don't really know a lot and I am interested in what is right and what is true and I want to know what others have learned in this subject and if you have any wisdom or think I might be a little off, post a comment and help me! I want to learn and if I am wrong in this, then please use scripture of GOD'S WORD and show me what I am missing...Thank you! It's much appreciated! :) God Bless!

Money in the Economy

 

Money in the economy right now is not good. It seems the prices just keep going up and people keep buying less. As people buy less, the prices will go up more and as the prices go up more, people will buy less. This is a cycle and I have no idea how our world is going to get out of the mess that they have put themselves in. I do know though that we can find practical ways to save money. It will take time and effort, but if it's something we need and should do, I believe it's worth it. One thing I do to help me save my money is I get the check that I get paid with and put most of it into my savings account, except like some money I use to get gas with for the week or two, then I will later in the next week I will set aside some money I get paid to help me pay for the other things I do, for example: I support a little girl with Compassion International and that's $38 a month, so I set that aside and I pay my phone bill. The rest in my savings I am saving up for my last year in college. After college I will still be saving and save up to buy myself a car, then save for my future home. Now, God can change my "savings account" and He can change my life around and let me save my money for whatever He wants. I only use money that I have to on these things and sometimes food, but I try to eat or bring a little snack with me to school so I don't spend a lot of money on going out to eat and buying things that I don't need and aren't healthy for my body or for my life. 

There are some things that we just have to say no to and as a world, we can pay off our debt if we would set aside money and save it and use a little at a time to pay it off, instead of buying more things that we don't need or don't have to have in our world. I truly believe that we would save a lot of money if we wouldn't put our money to no good of use, on cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol, food that is unhealthy for our body's and tried to become a healthy nation physically and how we spend what God has given us-in a wise way, saving and paying what we need to. At this point in our economy people aren't really thinking about the future, they are thinking about how to get out of debt NOW, but that is really unrealistic to get out of debt NOW. We need to save and save and pay off debt, not keep buying and spending on things we don't have to have. We also need to seek God as #1 in our lives and get His wisdom. We need to give up of ourselves to those who are in need and pray for them to do the right thing and make the right decisions. God is our Father and if He ran our country then I believe He would do whatever He wanted and it would be the best decision ever. BUT NO, we as a country are trying to take the name of Jesus and trying to take "God" out of everything. I believe that God is omnipresent and He said that He would never leave nor forsake us-His children, so if our nation would realize that God is not blessing us for the stupidity and unwise decisions we have made that have gotten us into this mess then if we would turn from our wicked ways and repent of our sins, then God would forgive our sins and heal our land. We need to do the right thing, no matter the cost. Going in debt as much as we are in our country is not good debt, we need to save for the future and pay off debt as we go and spend and use the things God has given us wisely, and make Him #1 in our lives! :)

That's just my thoughts, what are your thoughts and why?

Do Hard Things

Everything God ever asks you to do, even if it’s difficult, He asks because He has something great in mind for you. ~Joyce Meyer~

Doing hard things are never easy obviously, but there are times in our lives when they must be done. They are there to help us in some way. When we do things that are difficult, but are right, it will be painful at the time but the reward will be greater. Sometimes pain can feel like it's too much to bear on our own, but that's the thing about being made Holy and pure in the sight of God. We have to be refined like gold and silver, we have to be moldable like clay and we should be easy to use, like water. We should have our foundation in Jesus, knowing that wherever He leads us, we will follow, no matter the cost. Recently this is something I feel like God has been speaking to me about-do hard things! There are things in this life that may even seem hard at the time, but really they aren't, but are instead just character building. 

 I have recently had to make a hard decision about whether or not I should switch my small group for different reasons. Small group is where people from our church of about or around 2,000 or more become members and are to join a small group to help them grow in their walk with God. Well, I had really thought that the small group I was in was what God wanted for me. But things have changed and things are happening and now I had to make a hard decision, even after starting to really feel connected and when I felt like I was growing I, just today had to chose that maybe it's just not what God wanted right now, because my circumstances at this moment are pointing me towards leaving their small group. It's a great group, but sometimes we don't understand why thing happen, we just have to step out in faith, knowing and trusting God to take care of our situations.

 Another hard decision my parents made about a little over a year or so was to switch church's. This was REALLY hard for me especially, I just cried and cried and cried and never stopped crying. See, I had gone to this church for 10 years and switching church's was like leaving my family. It was a hard decision and even though I don't really know everything about it and all of the details, I just have to trust that God will grow me and guide me where He wants me to be. This did not make sense to me and sometimes I still get sad if I think or remember something from this church. I know though that God does things and we as humans do things, but no matter what we do, God is always there. If I make a wrong decision or my family or friends I have to remember that nothing is too big for God and all things will work out for His glory. I am His child and I know that God has things in store for me, I just don't know what they are. Sometimes doing hard things opens doors and windows to things that God wants for our lives that we would have never received if we were at the place we were before.

 There is nothing too big and nothing to hard for God. When I think about my future and if I will ever get married or any wrong thoughts of if I am ugly or stupid, etc...I have to be reminded that God has one very special man for me and he will be beyond my wildest dreams and beyond any person I have ever thought could be the one for me! My King has someone for me and He is preparing him right now for me and to be my lifelong partner. There is nothing I need to worry about! God has everything in His hands, I just need to have childlike faith and believe that every day-God is ruler and I am not. No matter what I do, I can not earn His love and grace and forgiveness, it has already been given before I ask it.

 So I encourage you to step out and obey God in whatever He tells you to do and DO HARD THINGS! :) I am and will not stop-even when I feel like giving up!

Update....

So recently with school and things, I have been pretty busy. Life is really changing for me. I will be 20 years old next year and it seems every day is a little different. I seem to be getting older and it's really a weird feeling. Ya know as a little girl we always dream of what it will be like when we become an adult and wonder how things will change, and I can honestly say that I can feel the difference in my life. Being an adult is interesting and it's all up to you when it comes to making the right decision. I fail at times and sometimes it's "big" things that I fail at making the right decision, but a lot of times in my head I just imagine it bigger than what it really is. I am getting better at not being so dramatic in life, but I still tend to lean towards that at times.

I know that in all of my mistakes I have to remind myself that it's not the end of the world. I over analyze things in life and I make things bigger or smaller than what they really are. When I do that I have to think things back down to a "normal" level and remind myself that it's okay and I will fail and mess up and do things wrong, but I have to not give up and learn more to let Jesus live through me. So in the small and big things in life I will have built a foundation to not rely on myself, but on God to live through me. It's not in my own strength that Christ is glorified, but it's when Christ lives through me that He is glorified.

Ever Wonder?

This is the church I go to. They are GREAT! This is a little thing they put together as a joke to say "this is what the church's staff does when the lead pastor is gone." Take a look and just so you know, this is not REALLY what they do! lol.

Click Here To Watch!

Fall Apart

Being an adult is very interesting and fun and even scary at times. As an adult people expect more out of you, they don't take "I didn't know" or "It wasn't my responsibility" and all of the other little puny excuses. As an adult there are many responsibilities a person has. If anyone messes up they have to show that they are sorry by their words and actions, but as an adult, if someone messes up in a big way, they can't just say "I didn't mean to" or "I will try not to do that again." There is so much more to being an adult. Since I still live with my parents, I don't have as many responsibilities as someone who doesn't live with their parents. It's different, but since I am home, it's like I still can learn how to become a better adult before I make decisions that I will regret for a long period of time, for example: missing a bill or something like that.

Also, when it comes to being an adult many times it is hard just because the adult is very responsible for the lives that they have to take care of. I'm not a parent, but I do know that even in my friendships I have said things I shouldn't have said and done things I shouldn't have done and now I am responsible for every one of those choices. They were choices I made for whatever the reason. I know that as people's lives are involved it can be hurtful and/or dangerous depending on what the situation is. Parent's can sometimes forget or leave their children places, they say things and do things that they regret. The best thing a person  can do to show change is to live differently and to repent-turn the other direction.

In all of my mistakes that I have made I have felt bad for all of the one's I know that I have done. If you are my friend/family and are reading this post, I just want to take a moment to apologize and ask for your forgiveness. I am so sorry for the words and actions I have done against you in any way. If I could go back and make things different in those situations I would, but out of those mistakes I have made whether in the past or recently, I am praying and growing in Christ and naturally I am maturing day by day and I am asking you for another chance to show you that I don't want to say/do those things again. Please forgive me and pray for me. I can't live this life on my own. Without Jesus, I fall apart. Please help me grow in Christ and don't give up. From now on, I purpose to be different in many areas. Thank you for being patient and understanding towards me and giving me another chance that honestly I don't probably deserve.

Repentance comes from the heart and through the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. With my words and actions I can either bless or not bless. I can show love or show selfishness. I can be cruel or kind, etc...Every decision I have made and will make is my responsibility and that is one tough thing as an adult. I am growing in Christ and will not be perfect in every area, but in my weakness, Christ is made perfect. In my mistakes, He makes all things new. SO from this moment on, I chose to seek Christ before saying or doing anything. I want to do the right thing and to show you that, I will be different.

Please forgive me?

Faithfully I am Yours-A Letter To My Future Husband

My Love,

    I so wish to know what you are doing at this moment. I wish to know what you life has been like, where you have gone, what you have done and what you are doing! Oh Dearest, oh, how I wish I could see you. I know God has great things in store for us and I am waiting for that beautiful story to unfold. People say it is silly to be in love with someone I do not see at this time, but isn't that what love is? Love is faithful. It even says in Proverbs 31 that "she does him good, not harm ALL the days of her life." I am waiting and loving you now Sweetheart. I write this letter on here for others to know that it is nothing to be ashamed of-waiting on their spouses. I know that God works all things out for the good of those who love Him and I know that as you wait for me and I wait for you that we are growing closer to Jesus than ever before. Dearest, I just love you so, so much! I want to hold your hands and give you a hug and a kiss. Oh how I wish we could watch each other grow in Christ right now! I know though that no matter where you are, you are safe in God's hands. I pray for you almost every night before I go to bed. I watch the stars and dream of my wedding day with Jesus and my thoughts wonder and dream of you at some point in there. I love you Knight in Shining Armor and when you wish to take me up on your mighty steed and sweep me off my feet, I know that I will be ready because that is my prayer-to prepare right now for when you do come into my life and also, most importantly I want to fall so in love with Christ and His will and purpose for me that nothing in this world will matter. I don't care what others say, I am in love-in love with Jesus and in love with you! Just know that you are loved. When you read this someday, you will know that I would do anything for you and I will love you until death do us part. You are my gift from God when you come and when you do come, I won't let you go-you will be mine FOREVER!! :) You are SO SO SO SO loved! Here is a song for you written by Eric and Leslie Ludy that I want you to know that that is what I say for you! "Faithfully I am yours....." This song is one of my favorites and I LOVE YOU Prince on this earth, but I LOVE PRINCE JESUS SOOOOOOOO MUCH MORE, which I am sure that is one thing you would want for me-to be in love with Christ, before I fall so madly in love with you, am I right?! :) <3

All my love,
Traci Elizabeth <3 <3 <3

Here is the song for you:

A Child Called It

 This is one very sad, but true story. It is a story that will change you and make you cry! It is so terrible what the mother did to this young child. I cried and could not put this book down. People need to wake up and help the children. We all need to be alert and watchful, watching for any signs of abuse and do something about it. What this child had to go through is like Hitler's concentration camps in my opinion. It is terrible! He was so young and it should never have happened to Him, being burned by his mother, being choked and being told that you're just an "it" that you are nothing. Being forced to eat your own vomit and being forced to through up on a daily basis. Being stabbed and the mother not caring to help the child. Being treated like a slave, or actually lower than a dog or a rat. One of the worst storied I have ever heard or read and it is still so inspiring because it makes me love children even more and makes me want to rescue and help the children who are hurting. This story made me realize how devastatingly real this stuff actually happens. Yes, I was abused, but nothing like how this little boy was. He was forced to be in the bath tub with his head under water for hours. He went 10 days with no food. This is a dreadful story, but worth reading! This who once was a little boy and who is now a man and has a family of his own is spreading his story to help stop abuse and make people aware of what's going on in our America and around the world! All abuse HAS and NEEDS to STOP!!!! I encourage you to read this book and really think about how you can help.

Who or What Do We Worship?

Things in this world do not matter. Everything that we all get will be gone one day, eventually our lives will face judgement. Everything will be accounted for. What do you think we should do and live for, since everything is passing away? Well the answer is Christ and His Heavenly Kingdom. He has plans for our lives and He has given us a choice to follow His heart and plans. He will not force us to do things. He is a gentleman and He has not made us His robots. Everything we do in this world is our choice. We have to admit that we do mess up and sin, but by God's grace and love for His children, He gives us new life and a new hope, only if we believe and put out trust in Him. Everything that I have is not mine, I would be willing and able to give all I have away. Whatever God wants to do in my life, I say "yes" to. I will not put things ahead of God in my life. God is God of my life, not things. You or I can always know if things of this world have become a god in our lives by several signs. Some signs that should tell you if you have made something other than God a god in you life is by: 1. What are you thinking about? If your thoughts are focused on a thing you like or want to get or something you have and that is where almost all of your thoughts go, then there is a big sign that you are making the wrong choices and that thing or even person in your life could take the place that your Heavenly Father is supposed to have in your life. 2. What do you spend your time doing? If you spend and focus your world around 1 thing or maybe even two things in your life, then maybe those things have taken God's place. We are to worship Him in spirit and in truth, not along side other things. Something that people tend to put ahead of God is not only things but people. 3. So, are you thinking about someone all of the time? Do they consume your thoughts? If the answer to one or both or all of these questions is yes, then you probably have made something a gods in your life. If Christ is not the center of our world and how we make our decisions and how we use the things God has given us i.e. money, then it's about time that we confess to God that we have sinned and need and want God to tear down the gods in our lives. Many people in other countries worship false idols or images, and that is a god as well. We need God's help and guidance and mercy to tear down god's in our lives. He can and will do it. We just need to turn our focus to God and pray instead of thinking about that thing or person all of the time. After you pray, then get prayer, then decide to use your money, if it's money for God's kingdom and find the joy in giving and helping those in need. God loves us and He wants to be the love of our lives! There is so much joy and fulfillment when we worship and love God, the only one true God! He's amazing! :) Tear down idols and god's and let's worship the TRUE, ONE AND ONLY GOD TOGETHER, IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!! :)

Homework...

Since school has started I have been doing LOTS of homework and I am working 2 jobs. I have been pretty busy; if you don't hear from me over a period of time, just so you know that is why! When taking five classes, I really  have to focus, although I am working ahead on as much work as I can. I like to get things done, instead of just waiting around and rushing at the last minute. Procrastination is not my thing and if I did procrastinate at times, it's because there was something going on that caused me to not get things done. Anyways, my homework is crazy! For one of my assignments I have to create lesson plans for different subjects for preschoolers and/or kindergarteners. I have to turn in 1 creative lesson plan and 4 Language Arts Lesson Plans. I worked really hard last night and got about 4 lesson plans done: 1 science lesson plan (There is many other subject lesson plans later that are due and I just got the science one done already) and 2 1/2 Language Arts Lesson Plans done. Another assignment I have to do is write a children's book with illustrations in it. I am excited about this and nervous because I'm not quite sure what I'm going to write about yet. I really want to get this one started asap because it is one of those things that takes awhile to do, but I am looking forward to it. Another assignment I have to do is write a paper on visual disability. It doesn't have any requirements really, except that it has to have sources and they have to be cited in our paper. The next thing I have to do for homework is make a portfolio of children's drawings and evaluate them and put them in a binder with some other things in it. This will take time!!! I might try to do this assignment on Sunday if I can. I also have to get writing samples of children's drawings of different ages and do pretty much the same thing, just not with a portfolio. I also have to do an online class, but I am already really ahead on that, I just need to do one more thing that is due in March. Lastly, my goal for the rest of this weekend is to study for a Psychology test that I have to take next Wednesday, which I also hope to do on Sunday because my other days are already really full!

That is my homework and I know I have already worked ahead a lot, but I really think it's important to get things done and move on. I like to get homework done so that I can enjoy other things in this life! :)


What kinds of things do you have planned and are working on this week?

Was it Right or Wrong?

Last night before I came home I did something that I will NEVER, EVER forget. I was at a Walgreens close to where I live. I had just driven up and parked the van when a random woman stranger ran up to me and begged for money. It wasn't just $5, but $60. I really felt in my heart that this woman was serious and really needed the money. I was also thinking "I can bless someone that I don't even know and when I give to her, I know it's giving to God." So she said I could take whatever she had just for this money. She said she needed it for gas to get to a city (disclosed information) that was pretty far away. She said her little sister was in the car and anyways, she gave me this LONG story of why she needed the money and what was happening. Well I decided to give it to her. I never really carry around that much cash, but I went to an ATM and retrieved the money, but by this time I had already told her that my father was an attorney and that my name was Traci. I told her that my father was an attorney, so in case she had a really bad trick up her sleeve, she wouldn't pull anything stupid on me. Also, it is the truth, my father really is an attorney. Well anyways, when I gave her the money she asked for $20 more and I gave it to her for food. Now it was $80!!!

Since the moment I dropped her off I have felt terrible about the decisions I had made all through out this experience. In the moments and times that I am sincerely trying to be nice and giving, it turns into something foolish. I know now that I was wrong and that I should have thought it through. I should have remembered that it was also a Friday night. Now I feel like I have supported whatever she may be doing right now if not really using it for gas. I feel like it could very well have been for drugs or cigarettes. I'm not sure, but I have been praying a lot and I can't go to sleep very well because of it.

I know that I was foolish in what I had done and now there is nothing I can do to get the money back. This was really the first time I had done this before and she caught me off guard as well. I wasn't really thinking about anything besides going into Walgreens to get something and I had not even opened the door yet and there this woman was standing, me being nervous and didn't really want to say no to her because I was thinking that she really needed it! I don't know if she did or did not, but I do know that those memories will be with me next time and next time I definitely won't give money at all and if I do it will be like $1 or something, especially on a Friday night when those are normally the nights that everyone drinks and parties! I just feel terrible!

When I told my mother about it, she felt bad that I had given that much money and she had also told me that it was a learning experience and what I should do next time something like that happens. Sometimes there are legit people who are really in need and some times it is REALLY hard to tell. All I know to do now is pray for her to be saved and convicted if she has done something other than get gas and feed herself food. I have to trust God and I know I will not see this woman again probably my whole life. I will never forget this moment.

Even in my own heart of giving and thinking "if I give to this woman in need, I am giving to God," it was still VERY foolish to give that much. I am telling you this story so that maybe it will help you when something like this happens in your own life. I have done many things without thinking everything through and normally when I do it, I feel terrible afterwards. I know though that God can save her and melt her heart and make it his. God can help me learn from this experience so that I won't make the same mistake again.

Will you pray for the homeless and those in need? Will you give all you have for Christ? Sometimes situations can be hard to determine if they were right or wrong and this is one of those cases. It was right that I was willing and had the heart to give everything to this woman who I think was in need, but it was wrong and foolish to give like I gave to someone I don't know on a Friday night when I never know what she will do or has done with that money.

I am now asking for wisdom and understanding for situations like these and for all situations. That I would do as Christ would have done with wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

One Hundred Years From Now...

One Hundred Years From Now

"It will not matter what my bank account was,

the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove,

but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."

This poem hangs up in the office at my work place and it's SO true and inspiring that I just had to share it! How do you make a difference in the lives of the children around you?

My Life Right Now-BUSY!!!!

So I am excited and nervous about my schedule this semester of school and life. This is what my daily schedule looks like:

Monday- 
devotions
School: 
Child Psych 8:00-9:15

Lit for Children 12:00-1:15
work in preschool at College 1:20-2:50
Characters and Methods of Exceptional Children 3:00-4:15

pick up Johnny from Mon. Soccer after school,
take John to Gymnastics
go to small group
go home have my devotions and SLEEP! :)

Tuesday-

devotions
School:
Curriculum Development 9:00-10:50
Lab 12:00-2:50

Work at Gymnastics after school
babysit for Mom's small group at church
go home have my devotions and SLEEP!

Wednesday-

devotions
School:

Child Psych 8:00-9:15
Lit for Children 12:00-1:15
work in preschool at College 1:20-2:50 
Characters and Methods of Exceptional Children 3:00-4:15

Work at Gymnastics after school
go home have my devotions and SLEEP!

Thursday-

devotions
Catch up on homework and do online class-Language and Literacy Development every day.
Work at Gymnastics
Nanny for April
go home have my devotions and SLEEP!!

Friday-

devotions
DO ALL HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEK
Nanny for April
go home have my devotions and SLEEP!

Saturday-

devotions
Work at Gymnastics for as long as I can! ;)
go home and finish any unfinished homework and then have my devotions and SLEEP!!

Sunday-

spend time with God all day! :)
Church
relax (sometimes have friends over if I can and have time too)
every other week volunteer at the church children's program! :)

What is your schedule like?

Epecting the Unexpected

I have been so, so, so blessed in my life. As I went to sleep last night I really began to pour out my heart of thanks to God. Every single thing (from small to big things) I have received, I know I did not deserve. I have an amazingly beautiful, wonderful, loving mother and a good father; I have lots of brothers who would fight for me if anything were to happen to me and I have a sister who pursues her dreams and does not give up, even when things don't look the way that she would like them to at the time for going into the film industry can be very competitive and stressful at times, but she is determined and has passion to keep going! I also am so blessed with all of the friends that God has placed in my life, every single one of them are wonderful in their own special way. God sends me people in my life to help me grow closer to Him. Every single gift I have is from Him, the list could go on and on and on and on! My life is just a miracle. I never expected any of the gifts I have to be given to me. I have SO many things to be thankful for and when I did not expect them, it made it all the more wonderful and beautiful. I encourage you to just let go of your life and your plans and give them to God without a worry in the world, He knows what is better for you than you do! :)

Expecting the Unexpected and praying for God's will and loving Him with all of me is all that I do.


Every good and perfect gift is from God! :)

When life gets tough-thank God in it. Thank God in all of the seasons of our lives for every season of life is just one way to love God more! When things seem hard-seek God and pray for His will to be done and not your own. Pray for guidance and direction and wisdom in every situation. God has it all under control-DON'T WORRY! :)

Pedicure with Jessica!

Today after church I went with my boss and my friend-Jessica for a surprise birthday present that she wanted to give me for my birthday (that was on the 12th). She gave me a pedicure and it was so relaxing and so nice to have some special girl time with a wonderful, uplifting woman of God and so precious! I had never had a pedicure and never really had a special girl-to-girl time with her before like I did today. She is one amazing person, not just because she took me to have a pedicure, but because she sincerely cares and really loves those around her. She has been through a lot and is so passionate and such a hard worker. She gives of herself a lot and hardly complains. She is very driven and very pretty. She is just all together pretty awesome! I feel like we really bonded today and I hope we can become closer. I know God gives me amazing friends because of all of the one's that He has put in my life in every season. We had a good time and I hope to treat her to something special next time! :)

Here is a picture of my pedicured feet, lol. They feel AMAZING now-so soft and wonderful! Thanks Jessica! :)

First Kiss

I believe the first kiss is a very special moment. It is something that one shares with the person that God has made for them to be with from the moment they get married, until death. It is something beautiful and something God created for His purpose and His glory, as well as the wedding night and all that is held in it. As a girl, I can tell you that it is so special to be able to watch weddings where the couple has never been kissed before and this is their first kiss ever. It is truly amazing! I have never been kissed or even had a boyfriend before because I am waiting for the one God has for me. I know that when he comes into my life I will be ready, until then I am learning and preparing to be a good wife and mother. I know that when I do get married I will be able to tell my future husband that I have saved all that I am for him, that I have waited patiently and have not given up. Even in my weak moments of thoughts, I have kept pure-God has helped me to be faithful to the man He has for me!

When someone gets married, it is a commitment, it is something that should last your whole lifetime! Every good and perfect gift is from above and marriage is apart of that gift. Marriage should not be solely based upon looks-outward beauty fades, but inward beauty should be nourished and kept growing.  Every person has a gift and that gift is given to all and is only to be given to one person-the man or woman they marry! God forgives and He heals, but He also hates disobedience and sin. God restores and makes all things new, but He also has laws that must be kept. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

I encourage you to wait and pray for your future spouse. Some days in our lives it feels as if the day will never arrive and that there is no hope, but there is and it is Christ who guides us and leads us along the way. If we follow Him, He will lead us to the right person at the perfect time! So here I am waiting and growing-not giving up and staying faithful until the end. Will you wait and pray for your future as well? Don't just look to the here and now, but see the future and all of the wonderful plans God has for you! For the Maker is our Husband-God! :) Wait on Him! Save your kiss and all that you are for the person you marry in Heaven-God and on earth-your future spouse! It's the second best decision you will ever make! :)

Fasting-The Truth

Recently I have been reminded to fast. I haven't done very well doing it and it is apart of the Christian walk with God. The purpose of fasting is to die to our fleshly desires and wants and let the Holy Spirit lead us. As humans we let our flesh be in control of what we say and do and react, we let our flesh control every decision we make. The purpose of fasting is to make our flesh line up with the Holy Spirit. Actually fasting is VERY healthy if done properly.

People often think that fasting is just not eating, but there is so much more to it. For one, no one HAS to fast from JUST food, it can be anything that is holding you down from growing in Christ, for example; television, games, books, cell phones, computers, facebook, anything that draws your attention away from God or anything that you feel you are spending most of your time on that is not directed and turned towards God and His kingdom.

"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Sometimes people try to get attention when they are fasting. I remember a time when I tried fasting from one meal when I was younger, about 12 or so and I would go around telling everyone how great I thought I had done in fasting for just one meal, I was excited because I felt like it was a grown-up thing to do and I wanted all of the grown-ups to know that I was growing up now that I had fasted. After I had been telling everyone I saw, I don't remember who it was, but someone told me, "I'm SO HAPPY that you have been fasting Traci, but I need to tell you something. When you fast, it's not good to tell every one because it's supposed to be for God and to help you grow closer to Him, not so every one can see how good you have done. You have done a good job, but God helps you fast for Him! (paraphrased)" It was at that moment that I started understanding the purpose of fasting. It really has helped me in realizing that fasting when it is hard and you really want to give in to the temptation of whatever you are fasting from, but it is in that moment of temptation that the breakthrough is JUST around the corner, DON'T GIVE IN! If you do give in, don't just give up all together, but keep pressing on towards the goal and ask God to give you the strength to go on.

One book that I have bought and read is called "Fasting." It's a REALLY good book and I believe that if you would read it, you would understand SO much more about fasting and the healthy aspects and the good and bad to it and the different kinds of fasts there are. Here is the book:

I encourage each one of you to get this book and tell me how it has helped you! Thanks and I hope that you grow more closer and more in love with Jesus EVERY DAY of your life! :)

Truly His,

Traci

Totally True Girls, Don't Be Deceived!

Girls, this is what the world tries their best to make us believe, but it's NOT true! You are beautiful, JUST the way you are and NO one is like you! :) Be inspired by this truth! :)

WATCH THIS!

There could NEVER BE A MORE BEAUTIFUL YOU!

Top 60 Ghetto Black Names-FUNNY! lol

This is funny and it gave me a good laugh! Thought I would share it with you too!

Learning

                              Let's climb the mountain with our Heavenly Father, not on our own!

Learning is apart of growing up. We all grow and we all experience things in this life that we can either use to help us grow or to hinder our growth. Growth is good in a person's life. In the trials and hard times in our lives we have to remember that this hurt will help us be a better us and we have a choice to either acknowledge our problems and accept correction and growth, or we will continually keep going around that same mountain over and over and over and over again until we finally "get it." It's better to learn and change our lives now while we have the chance and get over the battle than just wallowing in the mud pies that life throws at us sometimes. Every trial is really a gift! Each trial builds character and strength and the character that we need to grow in us. Each moment is a gift and if we would remember to not rely on our own strength, but on the Lord's strength we will conquer and we will feel so much better about our learning experience. I know that I still struggle with this daily, but over the years I have improved tremendously and it is something that I am continually learning-to wait and rest in Him! If we try to live this life on our own, we will fail miserably, but if we trust Him and ask Him for His help and guidance and direction for our lives, we will conquer and the enemy will not win this battle over our lives! Remember Christ already paid the ultimate price for our forgiveness of the sins WE committed! He gave HIS ALL for us! The least we can do is give Him our lives-trusting Him, even in the small trials in life. He will trust us with much if we can be trusted with little. We can show we are worthy of God's trust by living for Him and giving HIM EVERYTHING in us! That's really all Christ wants-our hearts! Learn and Grow everyday-every trial is a gift! :) 

Christmas in the Smokey's!!!

For this Christmas our family is in the Smokey Mountains in a Wyndham resort with an indoor water park. We went up the mountains yesterday on Christmas Eve and we went through town and saw some pretty cool things. Here are some pictures of what we have done and what we have seen! It's really gorgeous here! I really enjoy being in the mountains of Tennessee!

This is the water park that is part of our resort that we are staying in. It is an indoor water park with part of the slides (pictured above) that go outside and inside! :) It is fun to go in!