Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Beach & Blogs

We are headed to the beach! Woohoo! I can hardly wait! We are going to be awfully close to some of my favorite blog readers but we've decided that we need to have some time with just the four of us. No cell phones, no blackberry, email, blogging (I know...very sad...I'll be going through withdrawal and missing all of you) no texting, or visiting with friends (even though I really, really want to), we just need to have some family time. So I'm planning on lathering up with sunscreen, digging my toes into the sand, building a few sand castles, eating out, and I might even get to read a little (and I do mean something other than Thomas the Tank Engine books).

And what are all of you going to do without me for a week??? I'm being sarcastic of course :) But I do have a great plan for all of you to keep you occupied!!! I want to share a few blogs with you that have literally changed my life. Yes, I'm actually being serious now.


God has been teaching me some rather life changing lessons through these blogs. I have come to realize that most things that God calls us to are rather uncomfortable and difficult. That sometimes God works in ways that will break our hearts, but that he's still worthy of our praise. Scripture is not full of promises of an easy and fun life. On the contrary, the Bible is full of stories about hardship and trouble. I think we, especially as Americans, want life to be easy and comfortable. We focus on our own pleasure and then when things don't go our way we cry out to God wondering what happened. But God never promised a suffering-free life (as these blogs will show you). Just because something is hard or challenging doesn't mean God isn't in it. This has been very thought provoking for me. So I'd like to introduce you to a few women who have either taken on some incredible challenges or who have been handed tremendous grief. Their stories have brought me to my knees. Their stories have inspired me to pursue my relationship with Jesus with all my heart. My faith is stronger because of their testimonies. They are ordinary women who, like me, are just trying to know God and love Him.


Angie

Jody

Jen

Kenzie

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."- Psalm 126:2

3 comments:

the*4*of*us said...

Have fun!!! Soak up some sunshine for me!!!
I read all of those except for Jody's (but I added it to my list). I love, love reading Angie's...she is an amazing writer!
Thanks for sharing those!

Katy said...

Are you coming to MY beach?????? Okay, I totally understand the need for family time, but PROMISE me that if you change your mind and want to come have dinner you'll call!!!!! Oh - I'm going to try to show restraint and be patient, but I would LOVE to see you!!!!

Anonymous said...

Have a restful time with the family. Enjoy the sun!
=Laurie