Jus okay with' 2 leaves on my tree?? Heck no.

So a lot has happened in my week already since I've posted that last one. Randy spoke at church this past Sunday and I was extremely encouraged. I don't think I have any fancy, life-altering "formulas" to living the Christian life but I know something's mysterious and real and amazing about submission put into action. It's a mightily powerful thing.
I'm not saying anything in the message Randy spoke was bland, boring and repetitive, but it was intrigue-ing, enCOURAGE-ing and uncomfortably close to what God's been speaking to me lately. Some of the stuff he said was even stuff I hadn't heard before. We read through Hebrews and a lot of the words my eyes came across jus jumped out at me. (Hebrew chapters 5-10 actually if you wanna read).
Jesus prayed honestly, but he also submitted honestly... were words that caused butterflies to overcome me. The fact that Jesus prayed in all honesty for the cup, the wrath, death, to be passed by him so he couldn't go through it tells us of a real man with real feelings and emotions and all. The fact that in all honesty he also submitted when God didn't take the cup, wrath, death, away tells us of our Saviors loving heart that even to death, Jesus gave his life for us.
Holy smokes.
That's heartaching, persevering, commited love.
All along, as Jesus prayed, it was encouraging to read that God the Father was listening. As it brought tears to Randy's eyes talking about the Father listening to his son's request to be "saved" from death, it brought tears to well up within me too. Jesus didn't want death. But he was willing to do what God wanted him to do and so to death he went.
Truely this showed the greatness of Jesus above all others. Above the angels, above prophets, above the leaders of this world.
He has a better ministry, better covenant, better sacrifice, and a better destination. A single life erased all people's eternity of sins.
So into detail Randy encouraged of the hope this gives us and the staying power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He encouraged practicing the Presence of God and we will find that
confidence,
acceptance,
mediation,
and affection
to surely pour into our lives and unto other peoples lives.
New covenant/promises is lifelong obedience.

This is all primary and basic to ppl but... I've got my life to live out these truths and I'm making sense of things.
I've had such a headache over knowing God's work and abilities beyond jus what I can do. I jus know I can't do anything apart from Him. I'm still tryin' to make sense of this at a deeper level.

Okay, so the happenings in my life that has to do with this "new" strengthening power I'm drawing near too, Marilyn has been in prayer about this dream she has for the youth in Williams Lake for some time, we been talking and she believes that I have a part in this dream of hers as well!
It was strange in listening to her talk about the plans she's mapped out to make this dream a reality cause it was uncomfortably close to what dreams been whipping in my mind as well for the youth!
Right now we're working on a youth outreach program with the church 'n it involves everything from empowering seminars, activities, adventures and mentorship.
I love that when God gives you a dream, He's involving chosen people to help out so it doesn't feel so lonely! The truth "where 2 or 3 gather in my name, I am there also" is sweet to the soul.
Whispers of Hope is what the program's called. Hope spells out Helping Our People through Empowerment.
So that's what I'm doin, dreaming up all the details of this dream with Marilyn and running with it;)
Plus, I've got my girls back, Kayla 'n Cheryl! My partners in crime 'n I went grocery shoppin yesterdee, majority of it was spent goofing off 'n forgetting our list of things we've needed. 'N Cheryl 'n I jus spent a few hours talking about everything 'n anything.

Oh yea, the subject titled "Okay with 2 leaves???" has to do with drawing near to God 'n not cutting ourselves off from His life-abundent-giving power 'n not to be okay with selling ourselves short 'n settlin' for a 2-leaf faith.

Jus a lot of random pictures...

And we start with Jesus! It's the bright light...

LOL Cheryl, if you're checkin' these, ya know what I mean.

Sorry everyone, I'll include you on the inside. Simply this: every bright light we see is... Jesus!

You'll have to go on Cheryl 'n I's adventures around WL.

AnyWHO is this? Some gorgeouseses lady anyway.

Whew, hotness.

This was part of my summer. Well... when I was off work, I was the driver for April 'n Catlin. We went to Tsuniah. Didn't we have fun makin' the video?

Whoa, take a look at thatl tupe, tupae, whatever, that's what I got!

oh, gee...

My girls, I miss 'em too. Well I'll introduce you to my Small Group in Abby. GRITS Church. We all got the cravings for candy 'n chocolate. So we listened to our urges.

My awesome people: Emily 'n Mirandah!

My awesome people: Jen 'n Melissa!

My awesome people: Steph 'n Julia

Sandwiched between us is Jess 'n Hattie.

Love ya long time!

The cool spinner in the kids jungle gym close to the climbing gym in Abbotsford during one of our all-nighters that was a lot of fun *takes a breath*

Miss Yoyo. And our many cruisings up to the Lifers.

In the back you'll see the Haven, Lifeteams home. It's gorgeous up there, call me 'n I'll have to take you there!

Yep, that's me. When I had my long hair.

Oh how I miss my long hair. Not the most stunning picture of my hair down, but it was up 'n I took it down 'n took a "before" picture. Then my hair got chopped. Into bangs at least. It was hideous. To me. Never again.

The beautiful snow falling unto the streets of Abbotsford.

On our way back to Abby, one of the stops

with Amanda Yoyo 'n I!

K, this is my cousin's graduation, Kimmy!

Far wiser to descend the mountian than fall from it

Those are words from Max Lucado's devo. He was talking about climbing too high for our own good. Pride. Has an ugly face.
Many ways I got a lot of pride. Even to prideful to let God help me. A lot of the time I feel like my soul is in mourning. Led myself astray and can't find the way back. I'm trying and trying.
I jus don't know how or where I'm lost.
It's frustrating to a point where sometimes I want to give up. But my conscienceness grips me so hard, that I don't give up. And I won't give up.
Trust is simple, but so hard.
Been learning more about what humility is. Still don't understand it at the same time. I'm trying hard to be humble. Trying so hard to be "good".
Think there's a key word in there, "trying", jus trying too hard.
I feel tired. Spiritually. Energy is kicking at 1.
Well, keep me in your prayers.

Who should paint you

"Open and raw, you would let your true self

show for your portrait.And even if your painting turned out a bit dark,

it would be honest."

So I was taking a quiz, I was curious as to, if I ever got a portrait painting of myself, who should be the one to paint me.
Turns out it is M.C. Escher.
Who is he? I'll look up this dude.
K found him, here's the speel...

Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) is one of the world's most famous graphic artists. He is most famous for his so-called impossible structures, such as Ascending and Descending, Relativity, his Transformation Prints, etc etc. But he also made some wonderful, more realistic work during the time he lived and traveled in Italy.

Some of Escher's paintings:

Hmph, cool. I love black and white photography and paintings.

A peak at my Christmas Holiday so far...

This crazy lil girl is...

my adorable god-daughter JAEL!

Jael took 3 steps yesterday!

The mother of da babbah! Miss Hattie Tanis!

And guess who came out to Nemiah all the way from Victoria?

JESSIE! Jess quit her job so she could join us, we missed you Jess!

And here, Jael decided to get into the gift we gave her.

HA! Look at these shortys...

That's better:) *tweet tweet*

Here's the beautiful "gramma" with the babe. Lookin' hot Trace!

I tried to get Billy to carry the baby but.. Jael was intrigued with the reindeer.

The lively peop's at the par-tay..

Kung fu!

After we got food in our tummies, chill time...

Kaleena's got quite the voice:)

And finally, ending this picture story with a 'pow';)

Catch ya later, I'll see what I have for picture stories for the new year!

Children in church are funny...

I been tasting the real fruits of joy. Jus thinking of the fact that God knows me.

And I know Him.

That He loves me.

And I truely love Him.

Forever, I get to dwell with Him. Forever is a good long time.

The trials I know I face right now, this past Sunday crazyness at work for example, seem shortened and it's "sting" is not so unbearable...

And God is with me. That truth's joy never fails to lift me. My everyday here in Williams Lake God whispers to me "I'm here".

Freak, I love it so much.

And... 1000000000000% His, the Lord's, affection goes out to me, there's not a part in my life that He doesn't miss or ignore, but I'm in full complete focus to Him. Not sure focus is the right word..

A song jumped out at me today, one by Starfield, as I was washing the much-needed-a-wash floors. The words "misplaced affection" (referring to our affection being misplaced) and I started chewing... on how I've been "misplacing" my affections, turning my devotion/time/affection towards other things than God.

The past month I always been hearing "first to the Lord, then all else". And I found in me that, that's all I really want to do right now, devote my affection soley to God. I want to! It's an exciting feeling. I was contemplating that yesterday on my walk down to work (it was a gorgeous sunny day) and today as I was on the transit (another gorgeous sunny day).

And when those cloudy days come, I still want to push through and press into God. God tells me He's a God of all seasons, He's my strength in everything, He's not phased by the ever-changing winds of this desert-like world. Like the dunes in the deserts, shifting, swerving, moving always, that is this world, but God, He's the steady, firm, never-changing ROCK. His face, His presence, His truth, His promises, His life, His love, He stands firm and secure in absolutely everything.

And as His affection reaches out to me and holds me, He tells me so can my affection can reach out to Him. He gives me the Spirit that enables me. To follow Him, to live, to love.

And I love. Oh how I love.

"Seasons of the Soul"
Painter: Rasoulli
SiziKri, I am learning to trust you more. Everyday you find a way to make me fall in love with you. How merciful you are, Your hand extends out to me. I am in a season now where I'm understanding the need to have family, my close ones and the church family. I need help, I need prayers. I need to pray. Lord salt my conversations and in my time of need, help me to share my story of your love poured out in my life so that it will touch their hearts and see the good work you are doing in me.

Bestill me, calm me and hold me.

Amen.

Some ADORABLE pictures...

that I stole from Jackie's profile:)

The adorables, Jackie and baby sis Lucinda!!!

So cute I could eat her...

Awww!

That's it... I'm stealing the baby!

Brotha Trev and our cuz buddy Lashway!

Lashway is Jackie 'n Lucinda's bro.

Check this out...!

Our YOUTH ViDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Click it*

I've yet to figure out

how to actually put video on here:)

But...

check it out anyway,

it's a sweet video with

my Beautiful people on it.