You can't run from God (Jonah 1&2)

Many times God will tell us to do something.  But, for various reasons we choose not to do it and flee and do something else.  Our disobedience to the Lord affects those around us.  Often when we see a person who is living a sinful life as beyond redemption.  But, we know that's not true, because God saved us.  God may tell you to invite your neighbor to go to church with you, but because we fear the outcome we don't do what God has laid on our heart to do.  Even though Jonah willfully disobeyed God, God gave him a way of escape.  He will do this for us too if we repent and turn back to God.  Sometimes God will allow things to happen to us that get our attention and draw us back to Him.  He did this with Jonah when the storm was brewing while he slept below deck on the ship.  Jonah did not go because he foresaw that the people in Nineveh would repent and God would forgive them.  Many times we think we can run from God, but we cannot and He knows all things.  Sin brings storms and tempests into the family, into churches, and into nations.  The wind was sent after Jonah to draw him back to God so he could do what God told him to do in the first place.  Many will not pray until they are scared to it.  Every man on the ship Jonah slept in began to pray, they were so afraid of the storm going on around them.  They were praying to pagan gods.  But there can be but on God.  God is to be prayed to when we are in distress and danger.  The storm was sent after Jonah, because God has work for him to do.  God has a variety of ways of bringing to light concealed sins and sinners.  God will find all his children that desert him.  The men on the ship perceived that God was angry; that God was angry with the one who feared and worshiped him, for running away from his work.  They asked Jonah "Why have you done this"? 

When we commit a willful sin we do not know how far the consequences of it may reach.  We must pray and believe when we  are in a storm and study to answer the end for which it was sent.  Jonah's experience encourages others to trust in God and do what he tells us to do.  In these two chapters of Jonah Jonah tried to run from his calling and God.  We can not run from God.  Obedience to God is always the best thing to do.  Jonah learned the hard way that God cannot be ignored nor can He be avoided.  There is always a chance to disobey God.  Those who run from God always find their efforts to be fruitless.  Many spend a lifetime buying passage to the "Tarshises" of the world, just like Jonah.  They will discover in time it it futile.  

God seeks to restore fellowship to all His children that stray.  All we have to do is honestly repent of the sin, confess it to God as sin.  He promises to forgive and help us keep from continuing that sin.  Man sees himself with a distorted view.  He sees his accomplishments and is lead to believe he is special and has great power. When faced with death, as Jonah was when he was in the belly of the big fish, man cannot help but see himself as he really is.  Man is nothing in comparison to God.  

Salvation was the reason Jonah had been called to go to Nineveh.  Man cannot work for his salvation.  It is the free offer of God.

Rainy weekend

This summer has surely been a wet one for my state.  I've lived here for the past 19 years and I don't recall a summer that was as wet at the one we've had this year in South Carolina.  It was only 63 degrees today.  That is highly unusual.  We usually have extremely hot summers here.  This is the last weekend before my children go back to school.  We will attend open house on Monday evening and the first day is Wed the 21st.  My oldest two say that they aren't ready to go back to school.  My youngest two are ready.  I think the youngest is eager to go because this will be her first time going to school.  I'm excited for them all as they prepare to begin the 2013-2014 school year.  I am considering going back to school myself to obtain my master's degree.

You are a writer, you just need to write

I am an avid reader with the dreams of being a published writer.  I was reading an article today and one line that stood out to me.."You are a writer, you just need to write"  So it's time for me to stop dreaming about being a writer and just write.  I have so many things to write about.  

Next week all my children will be in school.  Wow, I knew this day was going to come but it has really snuck up on me.  Time really does fly when you are raising children.  This summer has flown by.  We've traveled a lot this summer.  We went to a family reunion in Missouri and a memorial service in Philadelphia for a beloved family member.  

I'm excited about the upcoming year. 

New Year and Filled With Expectation

2011 is gone and 2012 is here!  I am so excited about this year.  I haven't felt that way in a long time about a new year.  I just feel like great things are going to happen in my life and in the lives of those around me.  I have some goals that I am aspiring to obtain this year.  Some of my goals are as follows:  to lose 30 pounds, clear clutter from my house, take more pictures, take a photography or writing class, further develop my relationship with God.  Overall I want to strive to be a better person each day.  I'm glad that 2011 is over.  I went through a lot of things and put up with somethings that I never should have put up with.  It's time for me to love myself enough to take care of myself.  As a result I'll be able to take better care of my family.  I must remind myself that no matter what anyone else says or things I am worthwhile and I matter.  I've decided that I will speak up for myself more and not let people run over me.  If some get offended by that so be it.  Last year I learned so much.  I also decided to transition from getting relaxers to my natural curly hair.  This has been interesting.  I'm 7 months out from my last relaxer.  It sure is an interesting journey.  But I didn't to just hack off all my hair since I'm used to having a nice length of hair.

My Children are growing up so quickly.  Soon I'll have a 8, 7, 5 and 3 year old.  In the fall all my boys will be in elementary school.  Just yesterday I was looking at my oldest son and realized that before I know it he'll be  as tall as me.  I am enjoying being a stay at home mom.  I know the time will soon come when I'll aspire to do something different.  I really want to go back to school so I'll need to get the ball rolling on that.

This year my darling husband and I will celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.  Where has the time gone?  It sure did fly by.  The day we got married seems like a lifetime ago. 

This year I am going to try to do more posts on this blog.  Since I started it I really haven't put much effort into it.  Maybe this will be the year that I finally get the ball rolling.

I don't know what this year will bring.  But I belive that good things will happen.

Beginning my journey from relaxed to natural hair

I have finally decided to stop getting relaxers and embrace my natural hair. I had my last relaxer at the beginning of June. I am five months into my transition to natural hair. In the last five months, I have learned a lot about my hair. I've expiremented with a variety of protective styles. The following are the styles I've tried out: braids, a straw set, pony tail, bun, roller set, braid out, and a silk wrap. Soon I will try a twist out with some flat twists. Thus far it has been a lot of work to take care of my own hair instead of going to a salon every two weeks. I do intend to find a stylist that can help with my transition. Granted there are days that I've thought about going back to a relaxer; but I've decided to stick it out. The possibilites are endless. There is so much to learn about taking care of my hair. This is an awesome adventure.

Reflecting on the past 9 years

I have grown and changed a lot in the last 9 years. So much has happened. I graduated from college, got married two months later. Then I embarked on my job search. I didn't find a teaching job right away so I decided to apply at a school district as a substitute; which was something I really had no desire to do. But I swallowed my pride and applied. When I was going through the substitute training I got an interview and was hired as a long term sub for a 4th grad class. This proved to be a very stressful experience. But I guess it was better than going from class to class or school to school. While I was teaching as a longterm sub a friend of mine told me about an opening the school she was teaching at. I applied for the job, went on the interview and a week later was hired. I finally had my first full time teaching job. I was stoked. It proved to be hard to take over a fifth grade class in the middle of the school year. But, I did very well and had a great rapport with the students.

In the years that followed I had 4 beautiful children. First my son Sean was born Feb. 2004. My second son was born the following year. I became a stay at home mom after I had him. 2 years later my third son was born; followed by my daughter 2 years after him. I've been a stay at home mom for 6 years now. I've had my ups and downs. I have four smart, well mannered children. I often get complements about how well mannered they are and how well they listen to me when I tell them to do something.

After I had my daughter 2 years ago I started to think about what I wanted to do in life, especially since soon all four of my children will be in school. I am seriously considering going back to school to work on my Master's degree. So now I'm in the process of researching schools and programs. This July my husband and I will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. Hard to think that so much time has passed.
One thing that I've realized that the only time I have is the now. It's funny how most people often spend their time in the future. I decided 3 years ago not to worry about anything. Especially things that are out of my control. I don't have to accept or tollerate the bad behavior and treatment of other people. I've grown a lot spiritually too. I am always reading something.

Tomorrow my son Tavean will graduate from Kindergarten. It's moments like these that make me to think about when he was born and his early years home with me. It also makes me feel emotional and a little weepy eyed too. But it's good to be able to see my children grow and accomplish new things. Tavean has learned so much this past school year. It has had it's ups and downs; but more ups than downs. I look forward to enjoying his day with him.

I'm know I've said it before but I'm going to try to do more of this blogging. It just seems like my busy life with 4 little ones keeps me from it. But if other people can do it I can too.

Here I am a blessed mother of 4

It's been two years since my last blog. Long time. I've been pretty busy. Since then I've had another baby. Finally had a girl. She'll be one years old next weekend on the 27th. My children are growing up so fast. My oldest is 6 and almost finished with his first year of Kindergarten. My other two sons are 2 soon to be 3 and 4 soon to be 5. Lately I've been thinking about going back to school and earning my master's degree. I'm thinking about becoming a reading specialist. Hopefully I'll be starting soon. I will do it online. I am so determined. Since the start of of the year I've been working out at least 3 days a week most week. Since January I've lost about 10 pounds. I'm about 20 -25 pounds from my ultimate goal but only 15 from my first goal that I set after having my last baby. Which to me is pretty impressive. I'm determined to be healthier. I'm so glad that tomorrow is the first day of spring.