True Transformers

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

When I was a child "Transformers" were a really big deal, and as with all things they have now come full circle to become an even bigger deal. My son now likes them more than I did as a child (I was quite the tomboy!)...yes, I had a transformer when I was a little girl! But what exactly is the allure of Transformers? You have a vehicle/machine of some sort that has the ability to transform into something incredible - a giant fighting robot that can talk and shoot lasers; a transformation that is possible because the machine is full of LIFE.

Have you ever seen a "transformer"? Not a living robot, but a person who has been transformed by God, completely changed by the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE. If you have, it's not something you have to wonder about or question, it's unmistakable. And it is beautiful.

Sometimes you can know someone for long enough that you basically know what to expect from them. You see how they act, hear how they speak, and in some cases you know for the most part how they feel or what motivates them. And then, you don't see them for a while, or maybe you only get the chance to talk to them every once in a while, but suddenly out of the blue there they are...and you see the change. You will not forget it when you see it; to see how incredibly God has worked in the life of another sort of brands itself on your heart. To see a person transformed from who they used to be into someone full of the power of God, full of His glory, full of faith in Him, and walking upright in His power and might is such an edifying experience.

We are all a work in progress, being transformed daily into the image of God...IF we allow Him to change us. There have been many times that I have regretted things I have said and done or beaten myself up over mistakes in my past, but the truth is that everything in my life up until this point has helped shape me into the person I am now. All of the best things in my life, the best things I have done, the things that were not a step above mediocrity, the failures in my life, and the very worst of me - all fit together to make up who I am.

I am a transformer, constantly being changed into who God has made me to be...through my relationship with Him, through my experiences in life, through lessons learned (most often the hard way). I hope that when people see me they see a life transformed, a woman chasing after God with ALL that I am, and a heart that will never be satisfied with anything less than all that He has for me. I hope that when people see me, they see a transformer.

2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

The Road Before Me...

The other day I was out running errands which required me to drive in a really pretty area on a beautiful day with lots of time to...think. As I passed such gorgeous scenery and my mind began to wander, I found myself driving through a dense fog of memories. You may ask why I was driving through a "fog" of memories instead of dancing lightly on moss colored paths of rose strewn memories, and I will tell you.

When you are driving down the road where there is thick fog, it decreases your visibility. You are unable to see in front of you or around you effectively. You have to go slowly and your way is darker because of the visual obstruction caused by the fog. Well, memories can be like fog. Memories can be good or bad, but they are just that...memories. They are not forward motion, but a glance behind. And when our memories consume us, rather than being able to move forward, we find our path obstructed.

What the Lord showed me as I drove home that day was how our lives are very like our car driving down the road. He showed me how He has us on a particular path, going to specific destinations in life, and it is our choice whether we will stay on the path appointed for us and do all that He has called us to do, or whether we will choose our own way and allow distractions to pull our attention down the wrong road.

I saw lots of interesting looking paths off to the side of the road: country trails, side roads, beautiful fields...but none of these places were going to get me to my destination. And if I went the wrong way, I would simply have to backtrack and take longer getting where I was going because I got off the right road. It's so very important that we hold God's hand tightly and walk with Him, beside Him, allowing Him to lead us in the right direction. Our ways are not His ways, so trusting the direction we think we should go without first waiting to see if He is leading us there will sometimes set us back a long way or land us in an entirely wrong place.

One thing that God showed me so clearly was how important it is to look ahead. The dense fog of memories were behind me, and I could look in the rear view mirror to see where I had been, but He showed me that if we continue to look in the rear view mirror at what is behind, then we are no longer able to see what is ahead. If our focus is not set on the road before us, then we will not be able to go very far on it. Staring in the rear view mirror while trying to drive forward will almost certainly lead to a wreck. We have a choice to make...to hang onto the past and remain caught up in the "woulda's, coulda's, and shoulda's," or in the has been's and all of the good old days, or bad old days in some cases; OR we can set our eyes on the road before us, listen for the voice of the the Sovereign Lord who only wants the very best for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and follow HIS path into our future. The best is yet to come. Believe it, and let go of what is gone.

Finding Refuge

I love how God speaks to us in so many different ways. One tool that He has spoken to me much through is "The Hiding Place," the story of Corrie Ten Boom. She and her family hid and saved hundreds of Jews during the holocaust, and were punished severely when they were caught. I have been listening to a dramatization of the story on audio, and have found such wonderful wisdom to apply to my own life today.

One thing that has really stood out to me is the forgiveness displayed by Corrie's sister, Betsy, and how this affected Corrie...leading her to be able to forgive those who had done such great harm to her and her family. Betsy compared all situations to things that Jesus had gone through, and opened Corrie's eyes up to what true forgiveness and the undeserved grace and love of a holy God really meant for all people, not just for those deemed worthy to receive it. None of us are worthy in ourselves.

Another thing that I really grabbed onto in the story was a statement Corrie Ten Boom had made in regards to her sister's death. She said that "God was good...even when Betsy died." She knew that no matter what our circumstance, no matter what we face, no matter what we lose...God IS ALWAYS good. We don't always understand the reason why things happen as they do, and we don't always have the answers, but one thing never changes...God IS good.

The Ten Boom family offered a safe place for those who feared for their lives, those who had no hope, and seemingly no chance. God used them, as well as others, to make a difference when it seemed all was at an end.

And now, for all of us, no matter who we are or where we're from, God IS our safe place...He is our refuge in time of trouble. He gives us light and leads us when we can't see the path before us. He gives wisdom and peace. There have been many times that I have felt I had nowhere to turn or no one to talk to, no one who could help or understand. But my Lord and Savior is my hiding place, my refuge, my fortress. The enemy can stomp and storm, but my God loves me and holds me tightly in His hands. I have found the best refuge, a place where I am never alone, and it is in His arms.

It's Been a While...

Wow, this is my first post in such a long time! I have truly missed being able to blog, but am so very thankful for the many other things that God has done in my life in the time I have been off. Some people may think that blogging, or writing in general, is a waste of time and they don't have time for it, but even this morning I have visited three of my favorite blogs and God has spoken to me through every one of them! We are so often tools in the lives of others when we allow God to weild us in His hands. We are His mouth speaking truth to the right person at the right time. Always remember that what you have to say is so very important, even if you feel that it is incredibly insignificant! God knows what He is doing and He knows exactly when to work, and who He wants to work through.

I will post again later, but just wanted to encourage you to be a vessel that God can pour His love and light through.

Be blessed today and follow the Lord with everything you have and everything you are.

Deep Thoughts...

You know you have been texting too much, or perhaps just spending too much time on the computer, when the letters in the captchas start to seem like phrases and actual communication...LOL! Can anyone relate?

A Christmas Story...

Well, MERRY CHRISTMAS everybody!!! I hope that all of you have had a wonderful, amazing, warm and cozy, extremely exciting, fantastic, memorable Christmas!

This Christmas has been a bit different for us. We stepped away from tradition a bit this year (not by choice), and had a very different Christmas day than usual.

We go to my grandmother's house every year for Christmas on my side of the family. This year she is having some major problems with some vertebrae in her back, and she just could not have it at her house, and didn't feel like going to any other get-togethers either. So, our family, my parents, and one aunt and one cousin got together today. We had to try to decide on a meeting place, and it is very hard to find anywhere that is open on Christmas day! We ended up finding out that the China Pan restaurant was open three towns over from us. It is REALLY good. But, my hubby and my cousin both hate Chinese food! LOL! Well, as we got there today, we noticed that IHOP was open, but everyone was already at China Pan - hubby groaned... I completely and totally felt like we were in that movie, "A Christmas Story", only without the servers coming and singing carols at our table!

We ended up really enjoying the meal, even my hubby found plenty that he liked - while only biting into two things that he was appalled by. He left well-sated, and I think with a better view of Chinese food. It ended up being a really fun time...

I have posted a few pics for ya'll...

This first one is of our family at the restaurant...

This one is the pic of the kids that we put on our Christmas cards... :0)

Aren't they BEAUTIMOUS???

Jordan loves The INCREDIBLE HULK!!!

Noelle with her sweet baby Jane - thanks so much Tina!!! Love you!

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night..."

Blessed Beyond Measure...

Hi there! I'm back! YAY!

Finally, I have been able to get reconnected online. Things have been, and are still, quite crazy around here; so I'm still not sure how much I will be able to post until January. This week is particularly crazy. This past Saturday we had practice for our church musical, then Sunday morning, praise team practice for both church services yesterday. We practiced again yesterday afternoon for the musical. Today, I had to do some crocheting, and this afternoon I had to practice again for a different event. Back in September I was booked as the entertainment for a Christmas dinner for several branches of one of our local banks. I am very excited about it, a bit nervous, and completely surprised at how fast it has gotten here. I mean, they called me in September, and now it's already time for the dinner! CRAZY! Time seems to be flying by in an awfully big hurry! So, we practiced for a couple of hours this afternoon for that, then the dinner is tomorrow night. On Saturday morning we will practice again for the church musical, then Sunday morning, AND THEN...THE MUSICAL Sunday night! YAY!

Some of you may know I started a new job too. I'm working nights at the same store as my husband as a night manager. I have a great schedule - Monday through Friday, so weekends off with my family - God is good, but you all don't need me to tell you that. I feel so blessed to have a job, as they seem to be hard to come by these days.

So, homeschool mom by day, businesswoman by night, crocheting creatively after work, and spending time with my hubby and children and singing as much as possible on the weekends.

God has met amazing needs for us, partly through blessing me with this job, and I find my faith building day by day. God is good, so much more so than we will ever comprehend. I'm overcome and overwhelmed by his goodness, by his grace, by his compassion, and mercy.

I have missed all of you my bloggy friends, and I hope to hear from you all soon.

Much love,
Aprille :0)