Grace & flip-flops

I am sitting here eating a toasted cheese & tomato sandwich, sipping Calm Tazo tea and thinking about the past week.

I have honestly been amazed at the difference one week can make. How my attitude can change in life. How God can do an incredible work in a person's life. I am so thankful for it! I was concerned that tonight would be a hard night. God was so gracious and the night went so smoothly that I forgot that I was concerned about it :P I have so far to still go, but I am thankful for the progress God has allowed in my life already. :)

Yesterday was an amazing day... I had it off and because of the warmth outside, I cleaned my car as noted earlier and I also went to town to do some chores... BUT the chores aren't the exciting part... I wore flip flops and didn't wear a coat... it rained all day and by this morning it turned into snow.. and got chilly out tonight :( I guess it was a brutal reminder that we are STILL in February.. not in April :P haha

Today I worked at Reitmans & Tim Hortons... not bad..... I get paid tonight from both jobs too.. so that's um... exciting?! :D

I listened to Casting Crowns today.. and I know this is a song that is shared alot.. but I want to share it again :)

East to West by Casting Crowns

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other


AMEN!

For Him,
Ruth-Ann

" In the morning..."

"In the morning, when I rise, in the morning, when I rise, Give me Jesus!"

May God's name be praised. Another day has come... and is swiftly closing... it amazes me how much his grace sustains me and how much His love upholds me. I am so thankful for His wonderful work on the cross...

Today I had the opportunity to clean my car.. it was so warm outside that I couldn't resist.. man am I glad I did.. I love LOVE the feeling of driving in a clean car (I just wish it were clean outside :P) ... That took most of my morning, but that's ok...

This afternoon I am doing some chores in town... I love how I come into town on my day off.. but o well.. it's good... I am going to go shopping after I get some things done online ... :D

So last week I had a scare... I got my cell phone bill and it was over $700. I have NEVER in my entire life had such a huge bill... I started wondering how on earth I was going to pay for it... anyways, I called Bell yesterday and talked to the girl. Apparently, I thought I had unlimited nights and weekends... and I only had 1,000 minutes on nights and weekends... hence every single call that came in and that I had made during that time cost me $.35/min... talk about a big OOPS... so the lady kindly upgraded my plan so that I had free minutes during that time... and then made it so that I didn't have to pay that huge bill... thank the Lord! :)



In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

When I am alone
When I am alone
When I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

When I come to die
When I come to die
When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

*sigh*

wow.. it feels like this week has been going on forever.. and it's only Tues... I am already ready for Sat... BUT tomorrow is one of my days off and I'm quite happy for that :) I know I wanted to say something.. but now I can't remember what it was! lol So maybe I will post some lyrics...

Slowly by Avalon

Maybe it’s been to long for me
Maybe I’m too far gone
I’m not looking for sympathy
But I know something’s gotta be wrong
Remind me now what it means to kneel
Get me out of the way
I’m learning still that Your love is real
You’ve proven it’s not a charade
I don’t know how much I can take
Mighty fences are slipping away

You slowly break me down
You slowly turn me around
I’m learning how to live
I’m learning how to love
Now that You’re here slowly showing me how

How do You say the things You say?
Do You really think I can change?
You love me with so much abandon
And You move in me with such grace
I am finally coming awake
Mighty fences are fading away

What I would be if I never let you in
What I would be if I am giving up my skin
What I would be if I let you in

O! and now I remember what I wanted to post :):)

Carry You by Amy Grant

Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child, my child
Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child, my child

If I can walk on water
And calm a restless sea
I've done a thousand things you've never done

And I'm weary watchin'
While you struggle on your own
Call my name, I'll come

Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child, my child
Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child, my child

I give vision to the blind
And I can raise the dead
I've seen the darker side of Hell
And I returned
And I see those sleepless nights
And I count every tear you cry
I know some lessons hurt to learn

Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child, my child
Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry carry, my child, my child

I will carry you, my child, my child
I will carry you

Ok so words can't quite describe today. Happy, joyful, free, amazing, spectacular... why? well ... :)

- God's grace is overflowing.. in my last post you can read some of why I say that...
- the weather outside is indicating Spring. I left the house without a coat on ... and wore summer shoes today (HOW exciting is that! :P)
- I got to Timmies this afternoon and was surprised with flowers from my boss for my b'day!!! how exciting :)
- I bought clothes with my Reitmans gift card (love u Dave!)

Overall, it's been a good day.. but one thing has stuck in my mind. God is good. I honestly wouldn't be where I am today without Him... and as cliche as that sounds... it's TRUE. Don't ever doubt His kindness, goodness and grace. If you are a child of His, He loves you more than words can express.. and let's say I have experienced that love this weekend.

For His glory

~ RA

A day of rest

The Lord is so gracious and kind. Yesterday was a day of rest and conviction for me. I am so thankful to Him for His mercies and grace.

This morning I read in Matt 9:12,13
"it is not those who are healthy who need a physician , but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire compassion, and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." I have always viewed this verse with the thought that, yes, Christ came to save me and sinners like me. I saw it in a different light this morning... how many times have I become impatient and frustrated with people because they have gotten themselves into messes and situations that will only in the end hurt them? Have I shown compassion towards them? No.

God is working. He is moving and making changes. The next few weeks will be very painful and difficult for me, but I know that in the end, God will have done a beautiful work and I can't wait.

May HIS name be praised!

the beginning of my 25th year :O

So today was a relief. I am thankful that I had the day to be distracted by my friends. It was a welcome relief. I didn't think. I didn't wonder.

Now that it's all over... I still wonder. I still long. I still desire. It's fresh in my mind. Tomorrow is the Lord's Day... I'm not sure how to face it. I need to go wanting to worship the Lord and that is just going to be so hard...

Today was a blast though... we went bowling.. 8 of us.. and honestly, it was filled with laughs and tons of fun... pictures will come later... either here or on facebook. (check Morgan's, Shayne's & my profiles!) After bowling, Morgan, Dayna & I made a quick stop to the flower shop to grab Mom some flowers and to Tim Hortons to get Dave a gift card (he fixed Morgan's flat tires... ooo what a story hehe).

Once home, Mom & I got the dinner on the table... and everyone chatted.. dinner was excellent and the dessert was so good :) haha then came the presents.. honestly, I have not been so excited to open my b'day presents in a long time.. it was better than Christmas for me this year...

Ok... so I have to tell what I got...

- a $50 gift card for Reitmans from Dave (yeah!)
- a $30 gift card for Suzy Shier and earings from Sarah
- two boxes of Sleepytime tea (mmm), two fancy mugs for ME hehehe (you'd understand if you saw them!) and a punchbowl set from Mom & Dad
- a $25 gift certificate to Mariposa Market (the best lil cafe downtown) and a marshmallow hot chocolate thingy from Dan & Stuey
- hor'doeves from Luc's mom :) (MM MM good)
- a Tim Card and painting done by Shayne... from Shayne
- a smelly thing for my car as well as a cell phone holder and deer warning thingys AND Turtles from Morgan :)
- Dayna's presence was her present to me.. :D

I have to say, I'm pretty happy... :)

After presents, we played "Four on a Couch" and Pictionary... it was a total blast and by the time people left, Dad was so tired he was telling joke after joke and he wouldn't stop talking hehe... and I was ready to fall into bed...

Well... I am still very tired... so I am going to bed!!!!!!!!

~ Ruth-Ann

ready to leave....

When you come to a place where your life feels drained from you... when you feel lifeless... you don't want to carry on... that's when you need God most. It's also when you want to run in the opposite direction. It's easier to live in solitary or to be ignorant towards others.

Right now, this is my tendency. I don't really want to keep on living. I have come to the end of a very VERY bittersweet week. There have been such wonderful moments that I would want to live over again... and then moments of horrible anguish that I would rather forget.

I'm not sure what to say, and yet my heart is overflowing. I want to care and yet I don't see how I can right now. I am sad and angry and frustrated and upset. It's my b'day tomorrow and honestly, I wish it wasn't. I'd have more of an excuse to remain sad...


Stars by T.A.T.U.
How did we ever go this far?
You touch my hand and start the car
And for the first time in my life
I'm crying.

Are we in space? Do we belong
Someplace where no one calls it wrong
And like the stars we burn away
The miles.

How did we ever get this far?
It shouldn't have to be this hard.
Now for the first time in my life
I'm flying.

Are we in love? Do we deserve
To bear the shame of this whole world?
And like the night we camouflage
Denial.

How did we ever go this far?
You touch my hand and start the car
And for the first time in my life
I'm crying

Are we in love? Do we deserve
To bear the shame of this whole world
And like the night we camouflage
Denial.