Great Study.

Practicing living it instead of just believing it. Taking on new roles and stripping myself of what I've been holding onto.  Praying for fruits of the spirit and hope of the cross. Praying for gusto and courage, self control and passion - living for Jesus, today and everyday.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

 ¹ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”^[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’^[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
 ⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. ⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

I hear you.

“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” 

[Song of Solomon 2:10-13]

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

[1 Peter 4:8-10]

a-e-p-a, what a fantastic saturday!

Saturday 1/8/11 changed Tucson forever, and I was studying for a test while it all happened.  Amidst the chaos of events, that Saturday I passed the AEPA (Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment) with flying colors.  Is it some miracle that I have suddenly become a great standardized test taker?  I think so.  I still won't tell you what I got on my SAT's.

So, "Thank You GOD!"All praise goes to you sir. 

However, this leads to another question - Will God use me in Arizona for another year?

Stick with us (Me and God) in the next couple of months as we unravel that answer through prayers and heartfelt reflection.  Influences always welcomed.

All I know today, and I am certain you can tell by the number of times I texted you this weekend, is that I miss you all.  Yes, I mean the 11 of you that read this!

Last week was filled with the welcoming of Ruby Sue, two Wedding save-the-dates, heartfelt e-mails and lots of GREAT phone/skype conversations with my beautiful friends and family.  God used all of you.

I have high hopes for the ways God will work through and in my life this week.

Cheers from a rosy-cheeked and tired chica who feels abundantly blessed today and everyday. I'm heading home with the hopes of reading some realities about Jesus and snuggling until the alarm beeps tomorrow.

Arizona kisses and hugs (watch out they are PRICKLY!),
- - -
Lauren

What God Does.

God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives— a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God's; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle! God's enemies will be blasted out of the sky, crashed in a heap and burned. God will set things right all over the earth, he'll give strength to his king, he'll set his anointed on top of the world! 

SAMUEL 2:6

[Thank you for the reminder dear friend.]