Wow - I can't believe I haven't posted since the end of Aug....  Well, this is actually a real quick post to say that I'm still alive and well, praise God!, but I'm back in school - yeap, working full time, trying to keep up with the fall clean up and winter prep, and taking three college courses.  So, most of my time on my pc is spent doing research on project, assignments, and the like....and as they say, 'the rest is gravey'....except the Lord of course, He's still the center of my heart and soul!

For the life of me, I can't figure out why He is mindful of us....but I sure am glad that He is! :O)

Wishing you buckets full of blessings, joy, peace, and laughter (it's good for the soul)!

From my heart to yours.  ~ Barbara

Wow, can't believe I pulled off two, back-to-back Sweet Fifteen's this year!  Wooohooo!  I'm delighted cause my family is so happy with everything!  ;O)  I love crafts and all but it took a great deal of time and sacrifice to pull this off.  You know, that's what I've been contemplating a lot lately.  Isn't that what 'walkin' the walk' is supposed to be like.  OK - maybe I go overboard, but it's just that 15 only comes around once in a life time, so I put all of myself into it in order to realize our Quinceaneras 'dream day' as much as is in my ability to do.  I thank God sooooo much for the gifts He has given me to serve others, especially my family!  It is truly greater to give than to receive!  :O)  While receiving can make you happy, it is giving that satisfies the soul.  I've been thining a lot about life - and the end of life - and what it is I want to be able to look back and rejoice in having accomplished.  Many ideas fill my mind as I contemplate how I could best live out the rest of my life.  While some accomplishments may gain respect, puff up pride, and even usher in great happiness, truth is,the thought that stirrs my heart is to love and serve others mightily.  Isn't that what Christ said, 'I have not come to be served but to serve.'  Wow - ok, He's King of Kings and Lord of Lords, yet He came to serve....to seek and save the lost....to give Himself a randsom for many....to lay down His life.  As I seek to 'be the body,' to 'be a witness', and to 'reflect the light and love of Christ'....as I seek His heart in my life, I can't neglect to see SERVICE standing out at every turn.  After all, if I am saved, then why am I still here on this earth, but to serve others out of the overflow of His love, that they may see and desire God in and thru my life.  Yeah.  Been thinking a lot.  Haven't been carrying out my 'religious' duties these past few months too well, but I believe I've been 'in the mission fields', humbled by His generosity, in awe of is greatness, and blessed by His immeasurable love!  Ahhh...now THAT is satisfying indeed!  Been listening to an audiobook called, Cure for the Common Day Life - Living in your Sweet Spot, by Max Lucado.  Great stuff.  Causes a searching soul to reflect deeply, purposefully.  Yeah, I believe I've found my 'sweet spot'.  Serving.  Nothing blesses me more than to witness the joy in the life of another, knowing God has used me to touch their heart - if even in some small way.  Hmmm....lots to think about.

Anywayz - gots'ta go cause now that the 15s are behind me, I need to get my house back in order and get ready to return to college! Wooohooo....yet another adventure!

Life is my classroom & this world is my stage - may God grant me the wisdom to perform, unreservedly, from the heart, in service to others, and for His glory, until he takes me home!  ~ Be blessed!  Barbara

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus... Hebrews 12:1b,2a

Been a while and just wanted drop a quick note to say hello and wish God's richest blessings to each and every one of you! :o)  Yeap - still in love with Him! 

Been super busy with my niece's sweet 15s.  Insanely busy!  I've pretty much got my hands in just about everything...from...invitations, custom-made masquerate masks, pace cards, 15 candles embelishments & texts, souvenirs, programs, to choreography & practices with 20 teen's, theme decorations for the hall (Royal Masquerade), music editing/mixing, videography, and photography....whew!!!....and the party's just 5 weeks away!  sooooo much to do, soooo little time.  It's been a blast - I love making things! :o)  Everything is coming along nicely.  I'm having a wonderful time with my nieces and nephew and all the teens! :o) Nice bunch! :o)

 I pray everyone is doing well!  Please remember 'Erin' in prayer.  She is serving the Lord in Israel right now.  XXX/OOO

~ love in Christ, Barbara

Just thought I'd post some thoughts...I have a lot weighing heavy in my heart and mind - nothing I really want to get in to - but God is just so faithful to water the seeds of His word which He has planted in my heart all these years - since He saved me - from myself!  Even as I contemplate my woe's, He floods my mind with His promises!  Sometimes my body and soul almost feel like 'an observer' of the spiritual warfare storming within me!  It blows my mind!  But the realization of the 'action verbs' all over the scriptures leaves me with this, I still have decisions to make and act on concerning the condition of my mind, body, and soul.  Praise God that He is with me, that His love covers me, that though the war rages on and I feel like I've had the wind knocked out of me and two big, black eyes, yet I STAND on The Solid Rock!  ...not by power, nor by might, but by His Spirit.  Though the enemy may knock me to my knees - and even to my face- in anguish over my trials and tribulations - yet my spirit KNOWS GOD - and the enemy is a defeated foe.  My life is but a vapor - a brief snap shot in time.  My eternal spirit will persevere!  My flesh is beaten and my soul is broken...truly, it is not I who lives - but Christ within me!  
 
It's times like this that teach me how incredibly easy it is to give God all the glory and praise - in good times!  Though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death....I CHOOSE CHRIST!  Yes, though He slay me - I WILL PRAISE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Better is one day in His court - than a thousand elsewhere!
 
To live is Christ,
To die is gain,
I want to LIVE and DIE
Praising His Name!

~ all my love, Barbara
 
ps  Be of good cheer!  :O)  The joy of the Lord is within me - even thru my tears!  :O)

pss Eternally thankful for the prayers of my family in Christ!!!!

it blows my mind that we all KNOW without a doubt that we will die --- but for some reason, we live like we have forever on this earth and death is so far away.  just watched on the news about two boys playing around on an empty, parked school bus...that ended up running over and killing an 8 year old girl...and then there's the hit and run that killed a 5 year old and her 'even younger' baby brother and injured the mom...all children - just barely beginning to live....may God bring hope and healing to their loved ones....my heart hurts just thinking of their immeasurable pain...

life is so fragile....things like this make me stop and consider just how fleeting it is...and what I might do differently if I knew I only had a few years, months, days, or hours to live....how precious time would be then, huh???  if only we could realize how precious time is RIGHT NOW - every day.....making a difference with the gift of the present.... 

hmmm... 'but a vapor'.... wow.... really gets me thinking .....

God's richest blessings to you and yours!  ~  Barbara