Sorry it's been a while....

Wow what an amazing and exciting year. It's so hard to believe that we are saying goodbye to 2006 and ushering in 2007. As I look back on this year I am so thankful for so many things. First and for most I'm so proud to serve the one who saved me, my God who brought me out of the dark and gave me life. I and happy to be married to the most awesome man on earth and blessed to have two kids that are serving God. I also am so blessed to have the most amazing exchane student that anyone could ever ask for. I can't even imagine any more from God than he has already given me. But that's what is so great about God...we don't have to imagine or plan because it's all his hands anyway. God has really been speaking to me about this-"The Providence of God". It's so great to just look around and really see how God is working in our lives.
One of the things that God has been showing me and teaching me about is his providence. At One of our family Christmas parties there was about 60 people. As I looked around the room in a quiet moment, I wondered just how many of them really knew Jesus and if they really live their lives for him. I began to feel somewhat overwhelmed with this thought. Even though I know that the decision is theirs to follow Christ , I just felt such a sense of urgency. So as the night progressed, one of my cousins came to me and said, "I went to your church for a chick night." She began to tell me who had asked her to go and that she liked it. Right then and there, I felt such a relief. I began to meditate on "The Providence of God," how he is always working and planning each interaction for his glory. Whether it's in the work place, our families, sporting events, workout facilities or I guess pretty much anywhere people are, he's at work. It is so neat how he has different believers strategically placed in the lives of those who don't know him yet. So I guess what I'm saying is we can never underestimate the power and providence of God. He is an awesome God!!! I love the way he has little irons in the fire everywhere.

He also has been speaking this word to me quite often. I was working out when God spoke the word "fingerprints". I was thinking God is that you? Why am I hearing this word. So as I continued to worship, (that's what I do on the tread mill so the the time passes faster and it's a great use of my time) , he spoke to my heart but much more detail..."You are leaving fingerprints everywhere you go." And wow how many questions and thoughts began to run through my mind. As a leader at Refuge, am I leaving fingerprints of God on our students? What kind of fingerprints am I leaving for Jordan , Ashlyn and Julia to see? Am I seeking God enough that he may leave his fingerprints on my life? Are there some fingerprints that I wish I could erase(like on CSI)? So I really began to think about actual fingerpainting and how it can work in my life. I love that with fingerpainting there are no boundaries. You have the ability to think big or think small. You can think inside the box or outside the box. You can paint with bright colors or dark colors. And I think the same goes for us in our lives. How will we live? I don't know about you but I want to think big, think outside of the box , and I won't God to be the only one who sets the bounaries. I want to fingerpaint his purpose for my life.

So as God works and put his fingerprints on my life, I pray that I would leave his fingerprints on those around me.I want to live 07 with more passion and zeal for our Lord. I want to sacrifice and give more of my life to God than ever before. I asked God to show me what I need to work on in 07 and boy, you gotta be careful what you ask. Because he will surely answer you. I got some real honest anwsers. So here they are for all to see that you guys may hold me accountable...OUCH

1. Attitude and tone of voice
2. Compassion for all
3. Being a good listener
4. Not have a critical or blaming spirit(wow that's 2 things)
5. Selfishness
6. Let go of finances
7. Be a better mentor
8.Spend more time with extended family

And I'm sure he's not finish answering me but that's quite a bit to start with.
So that's all for now. I love you guys and look forward to a great new year. Oh and one more thing that I need to work on is more post( see he's already got me on something esle :)

mamma P