Why Square one?

                During the last year or so I've really struggled with how to keep my blog up to date. Most of the things I've experienced in the past months have been things I cannot share in my blog. However, last week GOD brought my blog back to my mind with a new title, Faith at Square One. I cannot take credit for this at all because it pretty much sums up my year in a nutshell. In the past year my husband and I have experienced financial, marital, and spiritual struggles that could only be solved by GOD. Now looking back I can see his mercy and grace all around me. However, God is teaching me how to have faith from the beginning when there is no possible way I can do it on my own. He apparently knows how hard headed I am and has been teaching me patience and faith in the hardest way. 


            It amazes me that there are times when I literally lose my mind with worry and I admit I'm frustrated very easily by uncertainty but GOD always comes through. I know this may all seem very vague now but I know that God has a plan for me and this blog. He brings it to my mind at certain times for a reason. I've attempted a triumphant return to blogging many times. I've even made attempts in the past but soon lose track of it in my crazy daily life. My prayer with my new blog is that you are blessed. 


^{James 1:12}  Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

A New Beginning

    This week was very interesting. I continue to learn new things in my job, my marriage, and ultimately about myself. I'm beginning to feel like normalcy is becoming a part of my life again. I am also starting to be relaxed instead of on edge every second of the day and I love it. I'm still diligently working to learn how to trust God and not worry at the exact same time. I seem to be unable to do this for more than a few days at a time.

    My gallbladder is better this week than last. However, I'm still having attacks every few days. I went to the specialist this week and he is sending me for a second test. This test will tell us how much my gallbladder is actually functioning and solidify if surgery is the best option. I'm glad because I'm so tired of having attacks every few days. 

   I also made an amazing discovery this week. I'm beginning to get into a routine and I love it. I'm a creature of habit. In my life, nothing seems to go as planned. So, needless to say a routine is wonderful. I work the same hours every week, I have activities I'm involved in and I have time designated to spend with my sweet hubby and awesome family. I love it! 

     I am so thankful that God is transitioning my husband and I into a peaceful part of our life together. The last year has been so difficult. I truly did not know if we would make it through at many points. I am truly thankful to be the child of such an amazing God. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next. For now, I will continue to thank him, and keep up the hard work of growing spiritually as the Lord sees fit. I am not perfect but Jesus is more than perfect! Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement! Please keep it up. God is working. 

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS: The Job!

So, after many months of prayer and almost nonstop applications I was hired as a therapist for a local agency. I am so excited that I can barely hold it in. God is truly amazing and I am so glad that he has worked this out for not only me but for my husband, and my family.There have been so many prayers going up for me and I am truly humbled by the support I've received. The job is a great entry level job in my field and it is closed on the weekends, and by 6pm on weekdays so I can spend time with my husband!  Not being able to see my husband and family was a major issue when I worked retail. I cannot wait to begin. I will even be working with children.

Right now I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulder. I know that soon I will be able to pay our household bills, and I give all the praise to the Lord. Throughout the entire experience of being unemployed I've been learning patience and how to truly trust in God. I am thankful for each of these lessons and the lessons he continues to teach me. God is also working  in the life my husband and I. Each day things improve financially, relationship wise, and I see that nothing is impossible with God. Lord thank you for all your blessings. If you are reading this and do not know my amazing savior, please accept his free gift of salvation and accept a new life with him. He is always there even when times seem dark. I am so thankful that words cannot express. God is in control!

Luke 1:37
For Nothing is impossible with GOD!

Investing Incorrectly

This week I have refrained from blogging because of a strong struggle with a personal storm in my life not related to job searching.I've mentioned it in previous blogs but not in detail. Therefore I am going to continue with this motto here. My husband and I have had a rough week and instead of going to God at first I went to the world. I decided to run my mouth, spend money I really don't need to spend, sometimes just be lazy, and used every outlet I had to try and fix the problem. However, the whole time I was trying to avoid God and in some ways blame him for the situation. However, tonight my mom confronted me! Why is this happening, why are you going places all the time when you have no money? To be honest I was running, trying to escape our problems, trying to for one sec to pretend that they don't exist by going going going ? I am not one to throw away money and honestly I couldn't believe I was doing it in the situation we are in. However,I was. Dinner here,dinner there and an oh this is only 10 dollars. Granted, we only ended up spending about 60 dollars in all that we really didn't need to spend but with gas and all that turned into about a hundred. I cannot believe it. I am so thankful that God has provided us with enough this month to still have money for a date, and our bills through his blessing from our income from the VA.

Tonight, I made a change instead or running, being depressed, and feeling defeated I decided to be honest about how I was feeling and let my mom know. After a short phone conversation with her, I spent an hour playing card games with my hubby,and then we had a devotion time together. This was exactly what GOD wanted. I could already feel the peace creeping in as I read the devotion, and verses off the page. I could feel God in the room. The day started out disappointing and I definitely was not following God with my actions. I cannot believe I was wasting money but I also know it was the devil luring us into a bad situation. Every money situation we have ever been in has not been because we wasted money but because we just never had enough to begin with so this was definitely out of character for me. I am so thankful God has given me a new beginning tonight, and a new outlook. This week has been the hardest week I've experienced in a long time but I know that God is in control of my job search, my marriage, my situation, and everything in general. I am so thankful he woke me up before I spent the money we needed to pay bills. I definitely won't be doing this again!

Tonight, I am so thankful for my husband, my family, my puppies, my home, food, and I'm thankful that God is working. So, tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to share the love of Christ and I can't wait.

³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Six Flags, Noah, and Gods blessings!

Last Friday, I went to Six Flags as a chaperone for the youth. I had 4 amazing youth in my group throughout the day. We rode roller coasters, regular rides and even saw a show. It was a ton of fun to see how many different personalities are represented in the youth. Each one has a different gift and a different need. I love working with them. On Saturday I spent the day resting and recuperating from the whip lash, and exhaustion from the day before. Ashton joined me on the trip and was exhausted as well. I think we all were.

Sunday morning at church we discussed how to trust God with money,and trusting him to provide. I had no idea that God was preparing me for a rough week. So many things have gone wrong, tears have been shed, and frustration was back full force after over a week of peace. Last night, my devotion was about how Noah trusted ,obeyed, and built the ark. The world was going crazy and he stepped out in faith. God provided. Yesterday we received some unpleasant  financial news that made me feel extremely defeated. God is telling me he is still in control no matter what the circumstances.

This week has been difficult but God is still in control. I am blessed to have a home, a wonderful husband, a great family, food to eat, and so much more. I guess I needed a reminder.Thank you Lord for always having it under control. This post is all over the place today but I am so thankful to have a new day to praise the Lord.

 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him.
Genesis 6:22

This is no time to Panic!

For the past couple of weeks I feel like God is asking me to wait. However, while I'm waiting he already has ministry opportunities, family time, and blessings for me each day. I really feel like God wants me to be active in Bellview, as an adult, now that I have returned to my home church.Therefore, I've joined the choir and started working with the youth group when I can. I am not sharing this to brag.I am literally so excited that God is using me I can barely stand it. It is great to be back at my home church.

God has already allowed me to help with an event called Mystery Monday and this week we are going to Six Flags with the youth for a day trip.I am really interested to see what God has in store for these great teens.

The job search continues but with a little progress. It is June and as I've said before new jobs are available everyday. I am searching vigorously for the job that God has planned for me. However, I've decided to enjoy every free minute God has given me. I  try to use each day as an opportunity  to do something with family, my husband, my church,  my friends, relax or to run necessary errands. Basically, I've decided that being unemployed does not mean I need to be a hermit or  punish myself. I have not done anything wrong to be unemployed. I feel like this is an important lesson for me because I am extremely hard on myself regarding my lack of employment. However, I am beginning to realize more and more than God definitely has a job for me but it will be revealed in his time.  For now, he has a job for me to do.He has also provided me with an amazing husband, family, friends, and church to be there for me in my time of need.

I am extremely thankful and I am truly blessed.I have a meal to eat each day, my bills are paid (Whether I like having help or not), my husband and have been married almost 4 years, I'm seizure free, I have a bachelors degree, and most importantly I have Jesus with me every step of this journey. I am so thankful ! That thought leads me to this. I pray that someone out there as you read this realizes that Jesus is always with you. Even when the world seems hopeless and life is upside down. Call on him, accept his salvation, let him know that you need him and begin a wonderful new journey with him. I am so glad I did! :)

Verses of the day:
1 Timothy 4:12
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

	1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Memorial Day Week Blessings

       This week has been a blessing. On Sunday at church we discussed investing in Others as part of the Sunday School lesson. The lesson was about how when Saul became Paul he took on a new life and the old one was left behind. However, many people doubted if he really changed and many were still terrified of him. This lesson has been in the back of my mind all week as I've continued my bible study and seeking God as to what he has planned for me next!
 On Monday, we had our memorial cook out and the whole family attended. I also invited Kelly over for the festivities. We swam, relaxed in the pool, ate hamburgers and home made ice cream. It was a great day. Throughout the rest of the week God has really been speaking to me about how he has plans to use me to help a great deal of people and I just need to be patient and wait on his time. He has also used my daily bible study to allow me an insight into what he has planned. He has also opened the opportunity for me to sing in the choir and work with the youth in the mean time. God also placed a man in my dad;s path who is assisting me with my job search. My dad had to go on a business trip this week and during a long layover God allowed him to meet a career service specialist from a local college. After, a short conversation he offered to help me with my job search. Aden, also received his eligibility letter from Veteran's affairs for his GI Bill benefits this week, and has another appointment to help with his medicines next week. The job sites are booming more than ever since the beginning of June and I am filled with Faith that things are looking up. God is amazing and I am very thankful for his plan for my life. I am also thankful for the my husband's support and the support of my family and friends during this time. God is in control! I just have to keep the faith one day at a time.

Hebrews 11:1
 ¹ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.