all in a day's gift.......

Today,I got ALOT accomplished at work.I was sooo glad too as i need several more days like that.For those of you who pray,please ALWAYS make that a prayer priority.
I'm only going to be good at my job with God's help.I'm really coming to realize that.Perhaps that's why He hasn't seen it fit for me to leave DHS yet.He wants me to REALLY understand true dependence on Him.I've been reminded lately that each day is a gift from God.Also,we can only handle one day at a time.That doesn't mean we don't plan ahead,etc.However,we should ALWAYS wake up thankful for the gift of that day and go to bed knowing we made the most of the time that day.
tonight,i helped my mom babysit my two nieces.Madelyn is 2 1/2 and Anna is 4 1/2 months.Madelyn is such a little lady and just loves life.she loves music and is happy doing just about anything.She's a little jealous of me when it comes to Anna.I think that's cute personally :) I think we have a bond like no other.She looks and acts like me in ways and she'll always be my first niece.She wants attention and she knows what she likes/wants. She's also very polite and is overall a VERY sweet child.
she's my pride and joy.Anna is rolling over from front to back and back to front.It was sooooo neat to see her tonight.mom had put her on a mat and she was just rocking and rolling :) Anna has got the most beautiful eyes and smile.It just melts your heart.She so far seems to be much more laid back than Madelyn.I think that's part of being a little sister.I see her being a little more on the quiet side than madelyn as they grow. i see such a peaceful spirit in her and I believe she's going to be a very wise creative young lady.
i just had a great time with them tonight.I always love seeing my mom and just hanging out with her too.So,tonight i go to bed grateful to Almighty God for my blessings and family.I look forward to 2008 where I anticipate spiritual growth,financial gain and lots of great memories !!!!!

Can I help you?

Lately,I've been privileged to talk with some people about my battle over worry.It's soooo neat to see how God has given me this opportunity. I've come to realize that this is a big problem that ALOT of people deal with.It's mentioned alot in scripture too so God must have known it was something humankind would struggle with.So,I thought it was blog worthy to share some things i've learned about worry that might help someone else.
Let me say that I do believe some people are more predisposed to it than others.It's just the way God made us.Thanks be to God too for His creation !!!!So,don't feel like you're weird,crazy,impulsive,immature,etc just because you worry. Also,it's something that you won't ever be able to completely control.You will always have times of worry or have thoughts creep back up in your mind.However,you can live victorious and learn that God's grace is sufficient for you. Below,i'm going to list some important things about worry that I think are important.............

1)worry in itself is not sin. Don't think something is wrong with you because you worry.EVERYBODY has something that "torments" them as worry torments you.Also,worry is a natural part of human life.It's what you do with those "worry" actions and thoughts that lead to sin or lack of faith

2)talk therapy is HUGE in conquering worry.Ask yourself "why I am I worried?" "What will I do if this happens and what will I do if that happens?" "What's the worst that can happen?" "What can my worrying do about the situation?"
Seriously,these questions were HUGE in helping myself. I would lay in bed worried about things to happen the next day when I started realizing that I was only making things worse.I couldn't control anything from my bed and me staying up worrying only would make me sleepy the next day and not best prepared to face whatever was going to happen.Also,use talk therapy as a "reverse psychology". Tell yourself positive things
or happy things if you start worrying over "stupid" self.Our brains are wonderful things but they can play havoc with us too.We have to sometimes feed our brains with the things we want in it.

3)journaling is a big help too. Worry can come along because someone hasn't expressed
their thoughts,feelings,emotions,etc. It helps to write out your thoughts even if you don't feel that you need to.I can promise you that you don't want to let things bottle up until they explode. It's just messy :) believe me !!!!!

4)seek professional help. There are times when your worries are not rational and you may need therapy or medicine. You'll know if/when you get to this point. It's probably a temporary thing but is still VERY serious and needs expert advice.Give yourself some slack and don't be prideful. ALOT more people than you realize take medicine or have professional help.

5)take care of yourself.Diet and exercise REALLY REALLY are an important part of your mental health.Even short walks,having plants in the house,yoga,running with your dog,playing kickball with your niece (my personal favorite) can make a BIG difference.Take time out for yourself and drink lots of water.Avoid the sugary caffeinated stuff if you can.It just makes anxiety worse.


I hope this helps you ! It's not complicated and doesn't require much.BUT,it'll help you more than you'll ever know


NO WORRIES,
Alicia

Giving and Giving and Giving and Giving !!!!!

I've heard 2 stories this week about giving that I thought were neat and just had to share.First story is at starbucks.I heard about this on Good Morning America. Apparently at a drive thru Starbucks,someone pulled up and paid for thier drinks.Then,they said that they wanted to pay for the person's drinks behind them.Thier only request was that they "pay it forward". So,the receipient of the free drinks decided to pay for the person's behind them.This went on and on at the Starbucks drive thru for over 100 people before someone broke the chain. Isn't that neat? 2nd story is about a local soldier here in JAckson.he was surprising his parents and returning on furlough.He got to the airport in Texas on the last leg of his trip.First of all,he was greeted there by a group of vietnam vets with goodies,posters,cheers,etc. Apparently,a vietnam vet close to that airport does this whenever he hears a group of soldiers will be coming through.Then,he was sitting down at the back of the waiting area just relaxing before boarding his next flight.All the sudden,Lee Greenwood came up to him and started talking to him.He told Lee Greenwood he'd always been a fan of his.Lee said "well I'm a fan of yours" and thanked him for his service,etc.They took pictures and got autographs,etc. A little while later he got ready to board his plane and was called to the ticket counter.The agent told him that he and his friend had been upgraded to first class seats.When he asked how that had happened,the agent told him that Lee Greenwood and his companion had switched seats with him and his friend so that they could ride first class.

These are 2 simple but classic examples of giving and being a blessing.They were a neat reminder to me and thought you might enjoy them too :)

Twas the 'Nite Before Christmas........ (texas style)

(I stole this from a fellow blogger.I have a few Texas readers who I thought would appreciate it !!!)






'Twas the night before Christmas, in Texas, you know.
Way out on the prairie, without any snow.
Asleep in their cabin, were Buddy and Sue,
A dreamin' of Christmas, like me and you.

Not stockings, but boots, at the foot of their bed,
For this was Texas, what more need be said,
When all of a sudden, from out of the still night,
There came such a ruckus, it gave me a fright.

and I saw 'cross the prairie, like a shot from a gun,
A loaded up buckboard, come on at a run,
The driver was "Geein" and "Hawin", with a will,
The horses (not reindeer) he drove with such skill.

"Come on there Buck, Poncho, & Prince, to the right,
There'll be plenty of travelin' for you all tonight."
The driver in Levi's and a shirt that was red,
Had a ten-gallon Stetson on top of his head.

As he stepped from the buckboard, he was really a sight,
With his beard and moustache, so curly and white.
As he burst in the cabin, the children awoke,
and were so astonished, that neither one spoke.

and he filled up their boots with such presents galore,
That neither could think of a single thing more.
When Buddy recovered the use of his jaws,
He asked in a whisper, "Are you really Santa Claus?"

"Am I the real Santa? Well, what do you think?"
and he smiled as he gave a mysterious wink.
Then he leaped in his buckboard, and called back in his drawl,
"To all the children in Texas, Merry Christmas, Ya’ll"

sowing with tears

Tonight,on my way home from work,the tears just flowed. I realized that I had been holding some feelings in for a while.I didn't even really realize they were there until they were brought to the surface today.I'm so thankful they were too.I already feel better but the healing's only begun. I believe that as a christian there are moments that we're called to be "raw",heart wide open,vulnerable,grieved and burdened.However,these moments have a purpose.The social worker in me thought that it was just because we all know what stress and stress relief,techniques can do for a person.However,I read in the bible Psalms 126:5
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
The picture of this is amazing.First of all,we have to sow in tears.That means that tears are expected and even required.They are a perfectly natural part of a christian life.So,we should not be ashamed of tears or feel weak because of tears.We should be thankful for them as the "seeds" to great things. Then,we reap joy from tears.This amazes me too.Tears are used to produce joy ! I think this is because tears cause us to be "raw",heart wide open,vulnerable,grieved and burdened.Out of this,God produces peace,joy,dependence,wisdom and love.All that out of some tears? Seems like a pretty good deal to me :)
I shared this with you as I sense maybe you needed to hear this.Maybe you need to know you're not alone in your tears,tears are actually good things not to be ashamed of.Perhaps you need to be convicted of not having tears in your life.I can tell you it's the greatest thing ever ! Please be open before the Father and allow Him to show you some areas in your life that need some "tear" sowing.Remember,joy comes from those seeds.

I don't want to need a Savior

(I got this from a fellow blogger.I can battle worry at times too so I thought his words were wise.Also,I never thought of the root of it.I'm just like Danny (the blogger) in that I don't want to need a Savior.How awful of that is me.I think being a christian so long sometimes causes me to forget the most important aspect of my relationship with Christ.He is my Savior first and foremost.We entered our relationship because of my need for Him.I recognized that at the ag of 8 so why is it so hard for me now at age 30?)






It’s pretty obvious that worry for a Christian stems from a lack of trust in God. I’ve known this, of course, but changing my own heart about something (like fear) can be difficult. Well, no, impossible.

The other day, I was entrenched in worry again, which so often spirals itself down into depression. Laura saw it.

“What’s wrong?” she said.

I told her. We talked.

“I just don’t really think you believe that God can and will take this away.” She said. And, like many times, she was right. Not that God just “takes things away” all the time — but he does work in his children. He changes hearts; using means often (such as Bible study, prayer, and loving Gospel community). But, still, he changes them, and I so often do not believe that God will change me from a worrier to a more-consistent-truster. Welch himself says, “Unlike the rest of the world, we are not going to assume that fear and worry are staples of human life. Instead we are going to set out on a path to trust more and worry less” (Running Scared, 121). That’s a biblical mindset — not passive, but not a personal sovereign — following a God-ordained pathway to change.

But, the problem is that I so often (even in recent days) have not believed that God will change me.

Oftentimes, I’ll have sinful or worrisome thoughts come into my head for any number of reasons, and the thought will set me into worrying and then into depression. Laura knows this, and offered a suggestion for dealing with it. Pray that God will take the thoughts away — that I would be able to focus on whatever I should be doing. I have functionally disbelieved that God would take these thoughts and allow me freedom and purity in my own consciousness. But I want to believe better.

The other day something happened. I was thinking and then worrying, and I tried praying. A light bulb dinged. The problem, often, has been that I hate the fact that I need to pray or trust God. I want to not have wicked thoughts, or a worrying heart, and that — the fact that I do have these things within me — distresses me. I don’t want to need to commit myself to my savior God in Christ. I don’t want to need a savior.

Now that is wicked, man. Rebellious. The desire for bird-flipping autonomy poking through the malaise of my heart’s desires. I don’t want to need Jesus, and, in many ways, I think that is why I don’t easily trust him. I want to save myself. Or, more often, to not need saving in the first place.

Of course, I do need a savior. No — I need The Savior. The all-sufficient and perfect Lamb who now intercedes for me. Who sent his heart-changing and regenerating Spirit from on high.

I need him. So often I don’t want to.

Lord, I am so sorry for this wickedness in me. Please help me to trust in you and you alone; to revel in your saving work. Change me, Lord, please. And bring yourself glory.

Godiva

I'm a chocoholic anyway but Godiva is my absolute FAVE !!!! So you can imagine how excited I was when I got this Godiva chocolate oversized coffee mug along with lots of Godiva chocolate :) It always brightens up a girls day when she gets chocolate.It's even better that I'll get to keep the mug and have Godiva with me at all times :)
I know you readers can relate out there.So,share with me your favorite kinds of chocolate and the best chocolate gift you've ever gotten

Lots of chocolate hugs and kisses,

Alicia

The Scrooge,The Grinch and the Prince of Peace

It has already started this christmas season. I've been battling a cold for a week now,I've only just begun on my christmas shopping,it's hit me how FAST christmas is approaching,I've got enough on my mind to think about without christmas interferring and I have a full time job to go to.Not to mention my niece is old enough to want certain things that have caused a slight stressor for aunt "sheesha" who has to be the cool aunt who will give her stuff she likes.Fortunately,I've found what I think will make her happy :) But,not without a little worry and some savy shopping skills.So,why is this so important to me? Why am I so focused on the presents,trees,wrapping paper,christmas cards,etc? Why do I feel like Scrooge who just wants to forget about christmas? Or better yet the Grinch who was miserable and wanted everyone else to be miserable too?It's craziness to pretend like christmas is the "most wonderful time of the year" or "it's a wonderful life"."Silent Night,holy night" does not exist at my house currently and I'm not even going to try to pretend like I'm all cozy and warm like the christmas cards and commercials depict.To be honest,I feel alot like the Grinch.I can let envy creep in so I turn green like him.
I like knowing that others feel like I do too.So,me and the Grinch have alot in common these days.I'm like Scrooge too in that part of me detests christmas.I don't see the point of making everything so glittery,pretty and bright when that's not reality.I think about better ways my money could be spent than on christmas presents,card,paper,etc.
But,then I think of my favorite christmas character,the Prince of Peace.I'll never forget the first time I heard about him.It was just a few years back at my church.My pastor,Chuck,talked about him in great length.Oh,I'd heard his name before.But,I didn't know him and I couldn't picture him.That day,however,I got a real sense of the Prince of Peace.I knew the Prince as my savior,friend,redeemer and Lord.But,I didn't know about the peace He had to give me.I didn't think about his birth as the birth of peace.I learned that day that He could give me peace.Peace eternally that would never be based on my circumstances.Peace that only He could give.That's the greatest christmas present I could ever hope for :) It was around that same time that I heard the song "breath of heaven".I can so relate to Mary in this song.She's been called by God for a purpose.She's scared,excitetd,anxious and humbled all at the same time.What should be a GREAT time for her is a time of anxiety. She has no one to turn to except God.Joseph couldn't possibly understand her emotions.She also seems to be in need of peace.So,I've introduced Scrooge and the Grinch to the Prince of Peace and Mary.That's how I'll get through Christmas.That's how I'll remember what christmas is truly about.It's how I can remain peaceful during this crazy time.