A trip to the L.L.O.K.

ilikeiwishiheart.blogspot.com

The L.L.O.K. affectionately named for my local locus of knowledge...aka the library.  I LOVE LIBRARIES.  Period.  If my local library had a love seat in the middle of the stacks, I'd really be IN LOVE. All started when I was 4 years old and my mom saw a little girl of age 3 in the library reading a book.  My mom was determined to teach me how to read before I began kindergarten and took me to the library often to obtain new books.  And the rest...is history. ha-ha-ha.  But really, I LOVE books and magazines.  Not such a fan of periodicals or news sites but I do like to read things that catch my interest (like most people. lol).  Lately I've been on a relationship tip and have been reading multiple books by Christian authors about dating and marriage so that my relationship(s??) and possibly future marriage (Lord willing!) will be God-glorifying.  And I wanna take some time to work through some things in my own life and heart before I begin sharing my life with a man.  Take a look at my bookshelf.

Hardships

hardtimesnewsletter.blogspot.com

... no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages. - Nichiren Daishonin

Ok so the guy I got the quote from (only took half of his quote) was a Buddhist monk but he makes a good point.  No matter how "good" we are or how much "good" we do, we can't avoid hardships.  I'm sure you've heard that trials come to make us strong but I know I sure feel weak when I'm going through 'em.  I've decided to have an "attitude of gratitude" and remember that no matter what, things could be worse! I want God to be glorified by the way I respond to hard times.  Even though things will be tough at times (or maybe a lotta times), we gotta trust God! 

Some Scrips fo' da hard times:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

psalm 46:1 esv

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

isaiah 41:10 esv

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

philippians 4:6-7 esv

This little light of mine..

4shared.com

*singing...I'm gonna let it shine.  Let it shine.  Let it shine. Let it SSSHHHIIINNNNEEE! Everywhere I go.  I'm gonna...*

WHOA! Everywhere?!  Hmm...maybe at church but everywhere?  Like in my attitude at work when my boss asks me to spend the shift in the station I don't particularly like?  Or with a customer who seems to be spilling their guts?  Will I share with them the Truth that I cling to?  Will my light shine at home in front of my family?  Lord, have mercy!!!!!

2012 is here BABAYYYY!!!

So, I really like lists…

Here’s a personal list of “Memorable Things from 2011.”

1. Late night chats with friends.

2. Graduating from college!

3. Parades with my mother.

4. Visiting old friends at the nursing home only to realize that the visit blessed me as much as (if not more than) it blessed them. (Nursing Home Shenanigans)

5. Seeing growth in my relationship with the Lord (Progress in Humility).

6. Hosting sleepovers with beloved friends and even younger cousins.

7. Realizing that I’d already accomplished things I wanted to accomplish on another list of mine.

8. Finding a man who had the qualities I was looking for but hadn’t yet realized.

9. Surprising friends with fun, creative gifts! (And I thought I wasn’t creative!)

10. Sharing the Gospel with people and beginning to see them the way the Lord does.

What memories do you cherish from 2011?