I started to sit down and blog on Saturday, but got distracted. I've had a lot to say, but just haven't had a lot of time to sit down and organize my thoughts. Well low and behold I got a sneaux day today and tomorrow so I guess that gives me the time I was looking for! It's funny how things work out like that sometimes.
There has been a lot of stuff going on here lately. In fact, this past weekend was the first one that we've had totally free in a while. It's already the last week in February. I know I sound like an old woman when I say, "Look how fast the time is flying by", but it really seems like it is.
We made a quick trip to Dallas a week or so ago. Johnnie and I are such Gypsy's! All either of us has to say is.... "you wanna go?" and the other one of us is throwing stuff in a bag and loading up! I like that about us! We've purposely seen much of this great country. We have also stumbled on some pretty great experiences that we couldn't have planned if we tried! The good news is that there is still much to see and we have trips planned. I love this adventure that we are on!
We had a romantic dinner at a place called "The Melting Pot" in Dallas. We both consider ourselves to be "foodies", so with that I will say it wasn't the best meal we've had, but the experience and ambience was really nice. If you ever get a chance to go there, it's worth the money and time! We also stayed at a Hotel that was VERY close to where the Dallas Cowboys play football. The stadium was pretty impressive, even if I'm not a Cowboy's fan.
We are working on wrapping up the construction in our house in the next few months. I'm super excited about that because I am ready to see what this place will look like when we are done. I'm anxious to live in a real "grown up" house! I am so thankful that Johnnie is handy enough to undertake this kind of a project, and that he is dedicated enough to see it through to its completion. I'm ready to check the remodel off my list!
I want to talk a little bit about what else I am thankful for. First, I want to go back to the end of last year. As 2014 was coming to a close I set out on a mission. My mission was to grow in my Christian faith. I asked God to renew family relationships and friendships. I kinda had an idea in mind of what I wanted, but, oh, I had NO idea what God had in store for me. I was raised believing that it is necessary and important to ask God for the things that I wanted in life. I will admit that my prayer life was greatly lacking. That's one of the things I wanted to work on in 2015.
I set out, at the beginning of the year, with a plan. I wanted to start keeping a prayer journal and I also wanted to attempt to read the bible all the way through in a year. I have set out to do this before, but lost momentum and let life get in the way. Anyway, the good news is that God believes in 2nd chances and so I could begin again!
So, that's what I did. I set out with a prayer journal and hope. In my prayer journal I made a daily entry asking God to renew friendships and family relationships. I asked for other things and mention things I want to work on, but every day I ask for renewed friendships and family relationships.
Anyway.... somewhere around that time I got to visiting with one of my cousins via social media. In our talk we decided that we would set out to try to read through the bible again in the upcoming year. I love that we are all reading along together and that there are Christian sisters there to find answers or discuss things as we go along. Hmmmmm kinda makes me think God heard my prayer!
Then, I got an opportunity to attend a conference that was part of a ministry that I had wanted to be a part of for a long time, but I didn't think I could because the ladies met too far away. This was the inaugural conference. I still didn't know if things would work out for me to be able to go, but I kept praying about it.
Long story short..... God heard me! Not only was I able to attend the conference, but I was able to invite some of my life-long girlfriends to come and attend with me. We were able to spend time together praising God and being shown how important our relationships are. We laughed until our faces hurt and we lost our breath! We shared stories about our lives. We reminisced and even shed a few tears. We were reminded of the depth of our friendship. Though we hadn't been together in more than 20 years, it seemed like no time had passed at all. I think that's how a "meaningful" relationship is supposed to feel. I was amazed at just how everything fell into place.
Oh, not only did my girlfriends show up...... but remember about my prayer for renewed family relationships???
Well, God heard that part of the prayer too. Three of my cousins were able to come and be with us for the conference, and one of those was a total surprise! It was so good to be together for a happy occasion. As I drove home at the end of the weekend I couldn't stop crying tears of joy! I don't think I can ever remember getting an answer to a prayer so quickly. The lesson that came to me from all of this is that if my prayer life is lacking, it is totally and absolutely MY FAULT! God has never left me. He has always provided what I needed at the exact time I needed it. He has known my heart since he knit me together in my mother's womb. He has loved me through every season of my life. He loved me when I was at my most UN-loveable and never left me..... EVEN THEN! I can't count the blessings I've been given, although I am sure I have taken some of them for granted.
I will continue my prayer journal and my journey through the bible in one year. I will continue to be specific in my prayers. I am only two months into this year and already have so much to be thankful for. I will continue to nurture friendships and family relationships and ask that God bless all of that. I am just so thankful for the direct line of communication that comes from a healthy prayer life.
Here are some photos from our get together:
Did I mention we had some KINGCAKE??
