~Happy Pre-Birthday to Me~

Yesterday was countdown day #10 until my 31st birthday. I started off my day by doing a little shopping. I found some new items of my favorite makeup that I wanted to try. I was looking for a better color foundation and some lighter summery colors for my eyes. I was also interested in finding a better mascara for my lovely lashes. I'm all about the eyes these days because Joshua loves them. (I'm quite lucky!) I love Bare Minerals makeup! I do believe that I scored...
I was getting ready to check out and out of the corner of my eye, I saw there was a new perfume that I hadn't smelled yet. I walked over to the table and picked up this beautiful bottle and sniffed it. I loved it. It's MINE!

I went home to eat some lunch and clean up the place a little. Josh had a few meetings that kept him tied up for the morning but I scheduled him in with Mrs. Nancy for a delectable massage, which he GREATLY enjoyed! I saw him as I was headed in for mine and he was out of it! So cute. I had my massage and it was awesome. My girl Sharon did my hair... I was in great need of coloring for my snail paced hair growth. It had been like 4 or 5 months since the last time.



While I was at the salon, Mr. Joshua was at my house preparing our dinner. I was very excited to see what he had made since he hadn't yet told me. I had some messages on my phone of him telling me to make sure I called to let him know I was on my way. So I did. I also parked my car just before my place to touch up my makeup. As I pulled up to my place, there he was, standing on the stairs leading up to the place with the front porch light on. It looked so inviting. He was wearing a button up shirt and jeans, all gussied up for his lady. He came to my car and gave me a kiss and led me into the house. The lights were dim. So romantic. As I rounded the dining room, this is what I saw...

I hurried over to my purse to grab my camera so I could remember this day for ever. I have never had anyone take the time to prepare a meal and make it so beautiful. I am the luckiest girl in the world! I took the picture and just stood there with Joshua in my arms, hugging and kissing him, thanking him for allowing me to feel so wonderful.


We sat down and he prayed for our many blessings. For each other. Then we ate! He made marinated teriyaki salmon with rice pilaf and asparagus. YUMMY! We had great conversation about our last few days, our spa day and many other things. All the while, I kept hearing the song by Eric Clapton, Wonderful Tonight in my head. We picked up dinner and did the dishes.

The best part was later in the evening, we were hugging and talking and listening to Delilah. She played that very song. It was just for me, I know it! I giggled and told him of how special the night had been and that this very song was playing over and over in my head. He began to sing a little to me... *sigh*


Again, I am so lucky.


Thank you Father for bringing Joshua and I together at this point of our lives. Thank you for hearing our every prayer of how frustrated we were in life and in love, until you placed us together. I keep reflecting on your scripture in Jeremiah 29:11 and I could only imagine your smile as you keep saying to me, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Thank you for keeping this amazing man for me. I know he is a gift from you. Thank you.

Deuteronomy 10-12; Mark 16

~S~

"Remember my words with your whole being. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign; tie them on your foreheads to remind you. Teach them well to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on your doors and gates so that both you and your children will live a long time in the land the LORD promised your ancestors, as long as the skies are above the earth." Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NCV

~O~

While the Jews were in Egypt, they saw the mighty power of God unleashed against Pharaoh and the nation as God sent one judgement after another that finally led to Israel's release. God's power not only ruined the land and destroyed Pharaoh's army, but it demonstrated that Jehovah was the true God and that all the gods and goddesses of Egypt were but dumb and powerless idols. The Jewish people saw the power of the Creator as He sent fire and hail, darkness, frogs and lice and even death, proving that He was in control of all things. He opened the Red Sea to allow Israel to escape, and then He closed the waters so the Egyptian army couldn't escape. He gave water from the rock and bread from heaven.

~A~

Even tho I do not worship idols like the story tells us, idols appear in many different forms. My job. My finances. My time. My talents and my treasures. Anything that keeps me from walking with the LORD, that takes my time from him, I believe is idolatry. "Your heart will be where your treasure is." Matthew 6:21 NCV

It is so easy to find myself fretting about things that are completely out of my control... as it should be. Having FAITH in Christ does not allow me to have my thoughts wandering into whatever they do because 'unbelief is a sin of the will; it's tempting the Lord and saying, "I will not trust the Lord and do what he commands me to do!" The ten unbelieving spies walked by sight, not by faith, and saw only the problems in the land.' If we complain along the way, we're only giving evidence that we do not trust God but think we know more than He does about what's best for us. When we come to those places in life, when we must claim what God has planned for us and move forward by faith, we must not rebel against God and refuse to trust and obey. If we do, we may find ourselves wandering through life, failing to accomplish what God has planned for us.

~P~

Dear Heavenly Father, Today may have started off difficult for me, but I know it's because I hadn't spent time with you yet, and I allowed my flesh to worry about the twist and turns of life. I truly believe that YOU are in control and there is no reason for me to become emotional at all. You led me into the current chapter I'm in and I KNOW you will see me thru, all for YOUR glory! It is not for me to know why, how or when these things have or will happen but embrace your mighty work in my life. Help me to not even think about what other people's actions may or may not have done to effect me. YOU are BIGGER than them! Lord, help me to remember YOUR works you have done. How MIGHTY and STRONG you are in comparison to ANYTHING. No matter what happens, YOU are in control. You have my best interests in mind, I must learn to TRUST you completely. Help me to remember your word and understand it when I read it as I can't do ANYTHING without you anyway. I give my life to you, each and every day... Allow me to grow in You and be a mighty servant for you. Thank you for putting people in my life who help remind me when needed to keep my focus on YOU and not me. Amen.