The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

My favorite part of the winter season...Christmas! Yes, it can get stressfull and crazy, but we are celebrating the birth of our Lord, who came to this earth to save us from our sins! What an amazing gift! I am not even sure what to say to do Jesus any justice...He is everything! I have found myself being tested a lot lately. It seems as soon as I have a couple wonderful days satan finds another way to try to break down my joy and take my focus off of the Lord. Sometimes I am able to triumph with a trumpet sound over the enemies efforts to derail me. Sometimes my focus is stolen from the Lord as I get distracted by worries and frustration. I am so thankful for good friends who listen and give sound advice as well as pray for me. Some friendships go back to grade school, some are just a few months old, but all are precious! Soon we will travel back to MN to visit family and old friends for Christmas. We are all very excited. Best of all, the man will be back from basic training for break. What a nice treat after 8 weeks without him. He will have to go back to finish up 4 more weeks in January, but then he is home for good. It will be nice to have him back, but this adventure has proven that we can do just fine when he is gone. We just need some extra routine and patience.

As I sign off for now, I wish all of you a fantastic Christmas! God is good!

Another reason to be thankful...

Hannah, Grandpa, Tony, Me, Essie at the county fair this summer, good memories...

From our most recent visit to the in laws in Cody. This was a great hike! Hard, wet and completely fantastic!

Here is a pic on the man when he got his uniform. He is a cutie!

Here we go...

Well, here I sit, with my man at basic training, being a single mom, but only for a bit. I will tell you...the first week the girls struggled with emotions (tears, attitude-not the good kind) and I struggled with frustration over their emotions and the pressure of doing everything myself. Since then we have found ourselves in a better routine. Doing chores and the never ending walmart runs on the weekend, not during the week. Each girl gets to sleep in my bed with me one night a week; non-school nights of course. I have also stopped trying to do a lot of extra stuff. I just can't get it done. The commitments at church are still hard at times when I end up there 4 days a week for services and such, but that is not the norm. Therefore I shall survive. I think what I really miss is getting out of town. (here is where I change topics...as my title says, "A Cowgirl's Ramblings") In town there is little to no connection with the nature God has created and that is a tough one for me. Although living in the mountains was stressful, with the commuting with children in the car and all, I sure do miss the peace God granted me as I sat by the creek, listening to the water come down the mountain, smelling the pine trees and fireplace all in the same breath and hearing "nothing" all night long. Man...I was not created for a love of town, that is for sure. God placed something in me that just longs to be in nature. I feel such a connection to Him there. I have just not felt wholly like myself since we have moved to town. I really noticed it when we went back to our little mountain town for trick or treating this year. It was like there was something of myself that I left there and just couldn't seem to pull back in. Someday, Lord, will I be able to find that again? As I write this it sounds like such a silly thing, but there is just something about nature. For those of you who understand what I am talking about...great. For those of you who don't, I just don't know how to explain it any better.
Well, thank you for letting me ramble tonight. I am getting ready to take my 9 year old (almost 10 if you ask her) to the J 12 conference at church. Gregg Johnson is a fantastic speaker that has a heart to reach kids for the Lord by the age of 12, before they need to be rescued! We will have a great time.

Lord, help me!

I am struggling with frustration... I am so tired of being micro managed and told what to do by people who should not be doing it. One or two situations are reasonable and I can usually blow them off. Recently I am finding myself at my limit. Usually I have great patience to let it go, but not this week. It is coming from different directions, all at once. I find it so hard to be a representative of the Lord when I am feeling this way. "Lord, help me to remain patient and to not let this affect my attitude. Give me peace and joy despite my situation." Thank you, dear friends, for praying for me.

Mommy time...

Well, it has been a while since I have written... I good sign that I am too busy. Tomorrow we are having a birthday party for my "baby". She is now 5! How did that happen??!!
We have taken up a new activity. Essie and I like to color together. What precious moments to sit on her bed or lay on the floor and color in the same book, sometimes the same page. I am trying to focus on the little things that touch my babies hearts. It is too easy to let the days fly by. I truly enjoy my job in the office. Which makes it easy to let the days fly by without good Mommy time with the girls. I have started to ask the Lord to help me to focus on having that time with them doing what they want to do. So often they are hauled around on my schedule and set of priorities. Of course, they need to know that the world does not revolve around them but, they also need to know that they are loved. If it takes dropping "my thing" to show them how important they are, which translates to how much they are loved, then it is worth having to stay up late to get "my thing" done or just not do it. We have also set up a "chore list" for each girl. They love it! They find great accomplishment in checking off their chores as they finish them. I have had fun "helping" them and working together to learn new things.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with such wonderful girls! How grateful am I for all the gifts You have given me. Help me to focus on what I have and find peace!

More on the Rock...

It seems that God is driving in the point to me... He is the Rock. This doesn't just mean that He is my shelter, He is the shelter for the person behind me in line, my coworkers, my friends, the gal behind the coffee counter. It is too easy to go about the day just worrying about what I am doing next and not about what God is doing next. How is He going to use me today? Whose life will He touch through me? We need to walk everyday in the thought of "What treasure to You have for me today? How do You want to help someone today? How can I "love on" someone in Your name?" Lord, use me today to touch those around me. Let me be a testimony to Your greatness. Let others see the Rock on which I stand and be encouraged by that today!

"My soul, wait silently for God alone,

for my expectation is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my defense; I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory;

the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, you people;

pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us!" (exclamation point mine)

Psalm 62:5-8

Living for Jesus today!

Angie

The Rock

I am so very thankful that the Lord is a ROCK! He is a safe place to fall, rest and find comfort. Life on this earth can really stink sometimes and sometimes it is downright awful. But, I find solace in the fact that my God is a solid rock on which I can stand (hold on to, cling to). Thank you, Lord, for loving me so much that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in order that my sins can be forgiven! You have saved me, dear Lord.

"Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

when my heart is overwhelmed;

lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been a shelter for me,

a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;

I will trust in the shelter of Your wings."

Psalm 61:1-4

Standing on the Rock!

Angie

Living a lively life

Some girlfriends are I were having a little discussion last night during our deep water aerobics class. (Which is a fantastic workout, by the way.) The topic was around how we act our age, or don't act our age. Whatever that means. I am often mistaken for being younger than I am, but so is my mother. That is more of an appearance thing. A friend and I have concluded that we should be mistaken for being younger based on our actions as well. I am not talking immaturity. I am talking about living a lively life. One with energy and joy. Now, we all know that there are places where you have to be subdued and controlled, but there are plenty of times you can let your hair down and have fun with life. I do not mean being crazy. Well, maybe I do. But, I am talking about having fun, wisely! I hope you are getting my meaning. This is also a reference to one of the topics that Beth Moore covered at the conference. We are to live livelier! We do not need to get boring as we get older!!!! We can still be fantastically interesting people, full of life and fun! So, my challenge for you is to let yourself be loud, laugh often and be a little crazy. It feels great to break out of the box of expectations that our society has put on us based on our age. Live livelier today!

Too funny!

I have got to tell you all about this one... Yesterday, Hannah and Essie were arguing, again. We sent them to their rooms for some quiet time and to think about how they can get along better. After a while Essie came down on her own and we sent her back to her room to finish her time. When I went up, about 10 minutes later, I heard her crying and yelling, "I want to go to Hawaii!" I am starting to chuckle, wondering what in the world she saying that for?! So, I went into her room and asked her why she wanted to go to Hawaii. She said, still crying, "Because I have never been there!" After a few more questions, trying so hard not to laugh, I explained that it is expensive to go there since it is across an ocean and you have to take a long plane ride. This brought more tears and the statement "I want to go swimming more... where it is warm!" Then she stated that she wants to move to Hawaii. I then explained that we are not planning to move to Hawaii but, when she grows up she can move there if she wants. This seemed to satisfy her and she moved on. The ideas inside the head of an "almost 5 year old".

Living in laughter,
Angie

Wisdom & Discipline

Discipline... I find myself uncomfortable with the thought. Discipline to me means that I screwed up and someone is disappointed with me, an awful thought. I hate letting others down. But, the Lord says we need to experience discipline.

Proverbs 4:10-13 says,

"Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,

and the years of your life will be many.

I have taught you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in right paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,

and when you run, you will not stumble.

Take firm hold of instruction (discipline), do not let go;

keep her, for she is your life."

We are to be comfortable with discipline or instruction, even embrace it. It is by the Lord's correction that we grow to be more mature. "Lord, teach me, show me, correct my wrong ways. I want to be more like You, Lord. I have so much to learn. Thank You for being patient with me. I can be so selfish. Help me, Lord."

Friendships

As time has gone on and I have mellowed (some of you are saying an "Amen" to that one...you know me so well and for so long) I have made a decision. I choose to love and accept my "sisters and brothers" for who they are. I choose to embrace their personalities, good and not so good traits and all! Good friendships are too rare to give away. I will love the people around me even when I don't agree with their actions or thoughts. I choose not to be offended by people being people. People are not perfect, only God is! He will not disappoint. What has brought me to this decision? Over time I have realized that I am not so easy to get along with. I know, that may shock some of you!! ;) I have a "bit" of an "A" personality that can be seen as harsh to some. Especially those who are more sensitive. (My husband being one of the sensitive ones, poor man.) I now make a point to have conversations with friends about this. It may seem weird but, it has proven to be a great conversation piece. It is the kind of conversation that people appreciate but don't know how to start.

Your Friend,
Angie

How big is our God?

Do you know the answer? Deep in your heart? Really? What fears grip your heart when you are tired, frustrated, hurt, etc? Do you know that God has you safely in His arms? When I say "know" I am not talking of a head knowledge. I am talking of a deep in the depths of your heart knowledge. I tell you, this is a question God is asking me also. But I choose to claim victory in Christ Jesus. I will NOT let the devil steal my joy or my peace! I WILL NOT! My God is bigger and more mighty than all my "issues". I have victory in Jesus!

"The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;

by understanding He established the heavens;

by His knowledge the depths were broken up,

and clouds drop down the dew.

My son, let them not depart from your eyes -

keep sound wisdom and descretion;

so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.

Then you will walk safely in your way,

and your foot will not stumble.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror,

nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

for the Lord will be your confidence,

and will keep your foot from being caught."

Proverbs 3:19-26

Living in victory!

-Angie

Lord, help me!

By the way...I am not going to drink soda anymore! Lord, help me!

Friends, keep me accountable! (I said nothing about coffee...)

"It's All True!"

I have got to tell you...I went to the Beth Moore Conference in Laramie this weekend. So fantastic! It was wonderfully deep. No milk fed, steak and potatoes is what we had!
Our text was Psalm 66. It will be difficult to describe the depth at which the Lord touched my heart and the hearts of those in that arena. I am certain that those 2500 ladies (& a few men) were challenged to run a race worthy of our Lord, to FOCUS on what it takes to become the person of God we are meant to be, to stay in our own lane-not try to be like others, to praise the Lord with our whole hearts-loudly, to live lives that are pure and free from addictions and sins, and that we need to follow through with the promises we made to God. (Wow, what a long sentence!) On top of it all I have found a new drive to share my love for the Lord with my girls more clearly and directly. Speaking to them of the things He has done in my life. My focus is to do all I can to help my girls find a passion for the Lord that is their own and comes from a deep place in their hearts! This is all supported with the FACT that God's love is loyal, that He will never leave me nor take His mercies from me! All that God says He is, IS TRUE!!!

"Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!

Sing out the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.

Say to God, How awesome are Your works!

Through the greatness of Your power

Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.

All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You;

they shall sing praises to Your name.

Come and see the works of God;

He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.

He turned the sea into dry land; they went through the river on foot.

There we will rejoice in Him.

He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations;

do not let the rebellious exalt themselves.

Oh, bless our God, you peoples!

And make the voice of His praise to be heard,

who keeps our soul among the living,

and does not allow our feet to be moved.

For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.

You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.

You have cause men to ride over our heads;

we went through fire and through water;

but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,

which my lips have uttered and my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.

I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals,

with the sweet aroma of rams;

I will offer bulls with goats.

Come and hear, all you who fear God,

and I will declare what He has done for my soul.

I cried to Him with my mouth,

and He was extolled with my tongue.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

But certainly God has heard me;

He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer,

nor His mercy from me!"

Psalm 66 (New King James Version)

In the name and power of Jesus!

-Angie