Looking Forward ~ updated

*updated below!

I just know 2011 is going to be an amazing year! How do I know this?

Because I serve an amazing God! He is able and willing to do far more than I can imagine.

But I know that 2011 will be nothing more than turning the pages of a new calendar unless I am willing to let Him change me. Even new habits may be meaningless absent a new heart.

So daily I seek Him. I invite Him to use me, wherever, however would glorify Him. We are blessed to be surrounded by folks being molded by Him - what an inspiration. May we never tire of change!

Looking back can often strengthen us in times of struggle, remind us of God's faithfulness, shed light on His purposes...but it is never where we should dwell. Today in church Kambry started a deep conversation involving the word "experience." Yes, she's 4, and yes, it wasn't the best time for her to whisper her wisdom to me, but the Lord spoke even in those moments.

He reminded me that even though my testimony is peppered with experience (through trials, hardships, fear and loss), the experience is NOT my testimony. My testimony is in my relationship with Christ; not my experience.

One of Webster's definitions of experience is ~ a particular instance of personally encountering or undergoing something.

Those 'particular instances' are the moments and circumstances that cumulatively make up my lifetime, but I can't place my hope in any of them. Nor can I rest in them, thinking God will use the 'same old, same old,' to bring new light. What happened yesterday is old news.

I don't want to experience Christ once; I want to relate to Him every single day.

But how often do we do that? We accept Him as Lord and Savior, then settle into an eternal security that renders us useless here and now.

I'm not on some self-righteous high horse; I'm holding myself accountable.

Lord, help me to never become settled into a comfortable existence. Let me never count on my experience, but rather glorify You by loving others with the very life you give me every single day.

In looking forward, I'm excited to read through the Bible again, this time in three months.

I'm also stepping up my effort in prayer. These are some of the most meaningful moments of my day, spending time communicating with my Father.

Along with that, I'm starting a new prayer journal, and I want to include YOU!

How can I pray for you?

If you're comfortable doing so, please leave a comment with your request, and I will consider it a privilege to pray for and with you.

Looking forward to all He has for us in 2011!

*UPDATE~

Should've turned that picture before I posted it - rats! Thank you for allowing me to pray for you! If you've left a comment or emailed me, you're in the 'book.' I consider it my privilege to daily lift your requests to the One who hears our prayers, and even knows our petitions before we speak them.

This is my opportunity to pray for you, but some have asked to pray for us (thank you!). Here's a short list :)

1.Our "Both Hands" Project through LifeSong

2.That the following grant apps would be prayerfully considered~

A Brother's Love

LifeSong Matching Grant

God's Grace Adoption Ministry

Show Hope

3.That God would be glorified in our fundraisers~

Squeaky Shoes

Wild Olive Tees

Hairbows

Kandles

Scentsy by Becky Bilby

Our New Adoption Decals (coming soon)

Every creative fundraiser He places on our hearts

4.That Kasidi's foster family is encouraging her physical development, despite her medical need; and most importantly, instilling a desire to receive and give love in a family setting

5. A business decision

6. An unspoken decision weighing heavy on our hearts

Sorry you asked? :)

I'm on day 2 of reading the Bible through in 90 days, and I LOVE it! I have to get up even earlier to do it, but I get so much more out of reading so much in one sitting.

I'm still taking those requests, so please allow me to pray for YOU! May you cling to God's renewed mercies today!