He Prepared My Heart

(I have not blogged in a LONG time. 1. because my life has been out of control 2. blogspot locked me out of my account)

Over the last few months so much has happened. I have learned a lot of great life lessons as "life" itself has slapped me in the face.

One Monday afternoon I led a bible study at this cute diner in downtown Raleigh. We even dressed for the occasion. As requested by a peer, at the diner I led a study of 1 Corinthians. As we went chapter to chapter we pulled out teachings applicable to our life.

Us girls at the Diner

Applications of chapter 10 went on and on... but one verse struck us all the most.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says,  "No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it."

Wow! How comforting to know this truth. We began to discuss times in our lives that bad things happened, and though they were hard, God provided us with a way to endure it.

That night when I got home this same scripture was posted as someones status on facebook. The next day I read it in a tweet on twitter. That following weekend I attended a retreat where I would be hearing several testimonies. Two girls included this scripture in their testimonies. That night the praise and worship leader introduced a song by using this verse.

Later that evening I told a dear friend of mine that I was worried. I knew this scripture was the truth, but the fact it was reappearing in my life so many times made me think something bad was about to happen. This was not the last time I would hear this verse that night. I remained slightly frightened, but prayed that God would continue to prepare my heart, if in fact that was what He was doing.

Sunday we returned from the retreat, and that night I got a heart breaking phone call. Someone very important to me had been diagnosed with cancer, and it wasn't good.

The week to follow would be a long, confusing, and worry-filled week. That Saturday, Ms. JoAnne Croix  went to be with the Lord. It was probably one of the hardest realities I have had to face.

Ms. JoAnne

Through the pain... 1 Corinthians 10:13 remained in the back of my head.... actually the front of my head, and on the tip of my tongue, and in the depth of my heart. It truly did comfort me.  What is most amazing is God is right...He did not give me more than I could handle, and He did provide me with the strength to see this trail through. Not only did God comfort me, but I watched in comfort so many people around me.

Not only is scripture the truth, but it is alive, and this experience was confirmation to me. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

"Fall" in love with pumpkin spice rice krispie treats!

About this time of year anything pumpkin sounds good....lattes, pies, and here is a new one for you. It was a big hit in our house. Pumpkin spice rice krispie treats.

Ingredients:

•  3 tsp's of margarine
• a bag of jiffy pumpkin spice marshmallows
• 6 cups of rice krispies (I used walmart brand)

Real easy!

• put the margarine and marshmallows in a pot on medium-high and stir until completely melted.
• add the rice krispies and stir
• dump them in a pan and flatten......that's it!

You can find then at Walmart

It is the cheapest, fastest, and easiest desert you could possibility make. SOOO good! Perfect for a fall or Thanksgiving party!

JoAnn Croix.... a mother to us all!

Twice today I have heard the mention of a strong women of the Bible, Hannah. Hannah was unable to bare children, which was the deepest desire of her heart. She prayed earnestly and believed God would provide. Hannah is known as a women of great faith.

Ironically, this story reminded me of my dear friend JoAnn Croix who passed away this past Saturday at a very young age from a sudden sickness. One of the many things I have weeped over the past few days is the fact like Hannah, JoAnn's greatest desire was to have children. After many many years of not being able to have children of her own, her and her wonderful husband Gary went through the adoption process and were currently awaiting a child. In there house is a nursery ready for the delivery of a child.

Psalms 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Many people would say that God did not give her the desires of her heart, and that her life was never completed. It seems unfair that a women with such a passion for a child would not be blessed with one...why would God not hear her cry like he heard Hannah's?

Today, while hearing multiple times about Hannah, I realized that GOD DID ANSWER HER PRAYER. God did not bless her with one child, two children, three or four.....He blessed her with many. I am a living example of this.

From a young age Ms. JoAnn treated me as her own. As a Godly example in my life, she began to shape who I am today. Her faithfulness to God and steadfast prayer encouraged me from a young age. Recently, she showed me what Joy in Christ looks like as she remained joyful through the death of her mother.

JoAnn did not just shape my life, but tons of young peoples. I have great memories of sleepovers, fair trips, Sunday School classes, shopping, good meals, and more. I like hundreds of young girls were ministered to by her at youth camp every summer. She was like a "mom" to us all.

Hannah said in Samuel 1:27, "For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him." Maybe God did not bless JoAnn with a blood related child, but God blessed me with JoAnn.

I can't even fathom the joy she must have had to hear the words, "well done my good and faithfull servant." I look forward to the day I hear those words and can praise my Lord with my momma-JoAnn!