Whirlwind....

I know, I know... It's been quite a while since I've blogged. I really am rather terrible at this. So I'd like to take this time to update you on the events of my 'whirlwind' life...

So much awesome stuff is going on right now. I'm still keeping extremely busy serving in the Jr. High Ministry at church. It's a big time commitment, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I LOVE my Jr. High Girls, and I'm thankful for having each of them in my life. God is doing so much in their lives and I'm being blessed through it. We are having a Mother/Daughter Tea on May 15th, so a couple of us leaders, and about 10 girls will be getting together and making a 'music video' to announce the tea. It should be a lot of fun! I'll try to post it once it's done. We also took them to Winter Camp the last weekend of February -- talk about a humongous blessing!! So many awesome decisions were made for the Lord, and we (leaders) were able to connect with a lot of them on a much deeper level. It was amazing. God was truly working in that camp... What an honor to be a part of something so great.

As far as my 'home life' -- I moved again! Suprise, suprise... I'm extremely happy where I am, now, though! God has brought an amazing couple into my life, for me to live with and we have a beautiful house in the French Valley area of Murrieta. They also have four awesome children: Kierstin - age 10, Joe - age 7, Hannah - age 3, and Baby Dylan - age 1. As you can imagine, it is an extremely busy and active household, but I absolutely LOVE it, and thank God every day for my 'family'. His faithfulness in providing for me, has been more amazing than I could have ever dreamed.

I'm also still working full time @ UCSD. The commute is long, but well worth having a job, AND a nice place to live. I'm also still going to school part-time online, as well. Yes, I stay rather busy...

I also decided that this year was my year to better myself all the way around: spiritually, emotionally and physically. So I joined a gym and have drastically changed my eating habits. It's hard at times, but I know it's good for me, and well worth it in the end. So far I've lost about 10 lbs. Not too bad of start, but I have a long ways to go. Just pray with me, that I'll continue faithfully in my new endeavor.

More exciting news is that 2 of my wonderful 'sister-in-laws' are pregnant!! YAY for more babies!! I'm SOOO excited for them... Jessica is due July 3rd and will be having her 4th baby - another girl. That makes the score: boys - 1, girls - 3 in that household. Then Christine is due September 23rd with their 3rd child. We're not sure what she's having yet, but I think everyone is leaning towards boy #3 .... we'll see!!

And I think the last piece of exciting news is that my parents are officially in escrow on their first house!! They have decided to buy a house up north, only about 15 mins from where I live. They will still be commuting to San Diego for work, like I do, but I think that the beautiful house they can afford will make it worth it... I'm so excited for them! Home ownership is such a blessing and privilege, and my parents have worked so hard to accomplish this. I'm thankful that God is blessing them abundantly... It will also be nice to have them close finally! And, if they like my church, we might be able to attend as a family again... :)

I think that's it as far as exciting announcements. But I'd like to leave you with a little 'food for thought', if you will...

I attended a funeral on Monday, for a dear man - Pastor Don Hamer of San Diego. Pastor Hamer had approx. 2500 people attend his memorial service (or so I heard)... The place was packed, though! I could not believe how many people showed up. And it really made me stop and think: What kind of legacy am I leaving?! Will there be this many people at my funeral... most likely not. The thought really challenged me to step out and make a difference in the world. I need to be molding my character after the character of Christ, and stamping my mark on the world - a mark that reflects the love God has for each and every one of us... I hope that all of us are leaving legacies that will be remembered long after we are gone...

Hope this finds you all blessed...

♥ Beth
2 Timothy 4:2

2010 - Time to heal..

Wow, it's 2010 -- So hang on tight, and here it goes!

I was sitting in Church on Sunday, thinking back over the past year of my life. The only word I could utter was 'WOW'.... SO much has happened, so much has changed! We were having communion and Pastor Brian was prompting us to reflect on all of 2009. I sat there, and I couldn't help but ball my eyes out. My heart cried out to the Lord, expressing everthing that just seemed to jumble through my mind at that moment... Hurt, pain, laughter, forgiveness, anger, lonliness, excitement, contentment, awareness, peace, spiritual hunger, longing, separation, depression, joy, sorrow - it was all there, everything I'd felt this last year, and it was flooding over me, and I knew I couldn't bear it alone. I've been trying to give it over to the Lord, but I think I also keep fighting myself and taking it back. But this year, I resolve not to take back these thoughts and feelings, but to give them straight to Jesus, who IS the GREAT I AM! HE is my hope, HE is my husband, HE is my best friend, my strength, my joy, my comfort... Then we sang the most perfect song. A song that blessed me beyond measure... I cried even harder, but not out of despair, out of hope that God had great things in store for me. All I have to do is make HIM my everything...

'Be My Everything'
by Tim Hughes

God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping

God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything

God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting

God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything

I challenge anyone who might read this, to make Christ your everything. He is the only one that can strengthen our resolve, and make us happy... HE loves us more than any one person ever could. He has sacrificed more, and hurt more than we could ever imagine... He knows where we've been, and He knows where we're going... So as I sit here, writing this, I am determined to make 2010 a year of healing - emotional, spiritual, physical...

'Thank You, God, for your never ending love and mercy. Thank you for understanding what I'm going through, and for never forsaking me. Thank you for the friends and family You have strategically placed in my life. I want this year to be 100% devoted to You and the perfect plans You have in store for me. I want you to be my everything, and heal my broken heart... Love, Beth"