losing things...

So the title doesn't really make sense, but I was never a good title-maker...

I don't lose things that frequently... ok, maybe that's a little too relative, but I don't lose things as often as the other females in my family :P .

However, if I do lose something... here comes "terrific" (as in terrifying) frenzy.

I look EVERYWHERE for that one object... notebook, nail clipper, guitar pick, special eraser, ... occasionally my cellphone or permit, etc., whatever.  It's awful.  I look in every place possible... even the places impossible.  At least, that's what it feels like.  And it often happens when I most need it (of course, that's because you only find out when you need it).

And I've noticed, my problem with losing the object wasn't as big a deal as getting upset about HOW it got lost.  I would always try to figure out who was the culprit of misplacing my necessity, why did they misplace it, and of course, where did they misplace it.  Sometimes, I made the mistake and sometimes others and sometimes no reason could be found for its disappearance or misplacement.  Regardless, I got upset.

Honestly and shamefully, I confess I showed my frustration in an un-Christ-like manner.  In fact, it has happened soo many times, I got fed up with myself.  It's obnoxious to both me and those around me. I wondered how in the world I was going to stop sinning in this area.  Kind of hard when I can't force myself not to lose things.

*ding ding* Why not just ask God to help me find my things?  He never said we couldn't do that!  It would save both me, the innocent bystanders, AND God, the aggravating grief.  

And what do you know?  When I started asking God to help me, HE ANSWERED.  That's not to say, I sat back and waited for my lost things to come floating into my hands, "Ooo, thanks God, that was easy."  No, I still did my part, but calmly asked Him before I started searching, "God, please Please PLEASE, help me find ----. I need it pretty soon but I have no idea where it is.  I'm sorry if I misplaced it and I'm sorry I wasn't more careful, but please help me!"  And I knew I would find it.

Sometimes, within 5 minutes I will find that "thing".  It's amazing, I didn't even have to ask every single person in the house if they had seen it.  Nope, God knew where it was and helped me find it. It saves time and effort.  Other times, I realize in a couple minutes, "Ok, this isn't working, but I don't have to worry.  I'll find it later."  And on my next attempt, I will find it in <30 seconds, or even maybe "chance" upon finding it.  It's so amazing, it's weird.

It's mind-blowing to think, "Wow - God just stooped down to help me find my guitar pick... the little plastic chip no bigger than a memory card... why in the world did You do that, God?"  Why? Because He is faithful to His promises.  He will never back down on His Word:

Mark 11:24 (ESV)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Soli Deo Gloria,
~CJ

Internet

This morning my dad worked from home, and it was a crazy morning - he was on the phone a lot helping people fix problems. In the middle of one call with a lady, our internet died. From past experiences - when our internet dies, it won't come back on right away, it will stay down for hours. I knew that would make my dad have to drive into town (he can't work without internet) and it would be an unnecessary trip (plus gas is expensive :P ) So I just prayed and prayed that the internet would come back on soon... and in about 2 minutes IT DID!!! Halleluyah!!! (and thankfully, the internet company is coming to fix our internet - hopefully for good - this afternoon :D )

Shalom,
~India

It's RAINING!!

:D :D
*is dancing with joy*
It's raining, praise God!  And it's a nice slow steady rain, that won't wash away all the good dirt and mulch we just distributed.

Here are some pictures! :)

Sorry it isn't that good quality... I don't know how to take pictures of rain :P .

Soli Deo Gloria!
~CJ

Sunday Morning...

A lot of you know that I usually play the organ for church. Well, this Sunday, my brother who usually plays the piano wasn't going to be able to attend the morning service due to work... So the pastor's wife began to practice with me, but was/is not feeling well at all and couldn't make it through the first song. Her son took her home. That left me to play the piano. O___O Now I've played the piano for around 9 more years than the organ... But I find it much more difficult to play for church services.

So the pastor and I started practicing the songs. We both messed up here and there. He asked me if I was okay, and I replied I was - just really tired. The feeling was mutual. My cup of coffee-mixed-with-an-entire-packet-of-hot-chocolate-mix didn't seem to be extremely helpful.

Finally, as we stumbled to the end of a song, he set down his hymnbook and said, "We haven't prayed yet, let's go do that now." Whoever happens to be at the church early enough usually meets in the pastor's office and prays sometime before the service. My brother was there as he didn't have to leave till after Sunday School, so the three of us went in and gave it all to the Lord.

The rest of the practice went comparatively well.

And the service was noticeably better than practice had been. :)

It is my prayer that my actions, such as playing instruments for church, will bring glory to God and not myself. The answers to those prayers are seldom visible - But I know that God has everything orchestrated perfectly, and He can and does use everything for His glory. So I can know for certain that my prayers are being answered!

God Bless,

Essie