"Yet faith must be tested and tried before it becomes real in your life. Faith always works in a personal way, because the purpose of God is to see that perfect faith is made real in his children. Faith is a tremendously active principle that always puts Jesus Christ first. The life of Faith says, "Lord, you have said it, it appears to be irrational, but i'm going to step out boldly, trusting in Your Word".
God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make the object of our faith very real to us."
October 30 some parts from My Utmost for His Highest
Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please Him....
I think what really hit home with me was the reminder that God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith- we go through trials to put ourselves closer to God. I think too often I forget that or wonder why I'm going through it when I just need to cling to Him and trust his love for me. His love is stronger than anything.
What are you going through right now that God could be using to bring you closer to Him?
I want to take a moment to remind everyone about the true power of prayer and tell you a little bit about a day I had last week. :) and how I was reminded... It's a reminder, as much for me as it is for you.
So lets begin...The week had been great, my family was fasting from TV, iPad, gaming and internet, we were spending more time together as a family, and trying to put our focus back on God and what He had planned for our day, but to be honest it was trying. If you have met our son you will know that he is high energy. He was into everything and running around like a wild man. :) I so wanted to put him in front of the tv for a moment or give him his iPad just so I could have a moment if peace and quiet. This week I couldn't do that, so instead of turning on the tv I decided to pray and ask/beg God to give me patience and peace to deal with our wonderfully hyper child. It went something like " Dear God, please don't let me lose it. Help me handle all this craziness. I need you now!" During this time of craziness and praying, I was also in the bathroom trying to get ready of our day. He had gymboree later and I needed to dry my hair and finish getting myself ready... this included putting in my contact lenses...This is going to sound funny- I'm 31 years old and just got contact lenses for the first time and every time I try and put them in it takes me 8-18 tries (per eye people!) it's very frustrating. :) So today, while stressed out and begging God for help, I added in a prayer for help with these contacts. Wanna guess what He did? He helped me! It took me ONE try, in both eyes! In that moment I had to stop and really think about how God helps me, even with the stupid, silly, small things. Because I sure needed His help in that moment. What power there is in prayer. Even with the silly, simple things that we don't think we should bother God with- He does care and He wants to help. We just need ask. And that was my moment I wanted to share with you all.... So don't be afraid to stop and ask God for even the little things today.
I pray you all have a wonder week, full of wonderful, small things God does for you to remind you He is there.
Update for us and our adoption journey: God is so good and I don't know why I ever doubt it! Here is the short version. My husband worked all year to hit his bonus goal and on Dec 28th he did it, he hit his goal and friday we received a bonus check we needed to start the adoption process, only being $200 short. It just amazes me (I guess it shouldnt) how God takes care of us and takes us where we are to go. We have been talking about adopting since the beginning of 2012 and now in 2013 we are finally moving forward!! I can't believe it! We still have a lot of money to come up with but after watching God provide this first check how can I doubt His power. Also, the $200 difference that we needed has come in through etsy orders, which I am sure is thanks to Christie from Satisfaction Through Christ! So I want to thank you!!! I am so blessed to have met you through the online world and one day hope to meet you in person. We are so excited to be sending everything in today!!! We have been telling Nolan about his brother in Africa. It is so cute to hear him say "broder in Africa".
I have been struggling with keeping up with my blog lately because everything I wanted to talk about, I wasn't able to... I want this to be a place I can open up and share my journey. For me to remember and hopefully a place where others (and myself) can find support. I made my blog private today so I can share my thoughts and later open it back up for others to see our journey as well.
If you don't know me yet, I'm Natassia. My husband and I got married in 2008 (8/8/08). After about a year being married we wanted to grow our family. In July 2009, we because pregnant. Unfortunately, God called our baby home before we were able to meet him/her. In September 2009 I had to have a DNE. A few months later we became pregnant with our now son. I will never forget my first child and I look forward to meeting my baby in Heaven one day! It was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through but I find joy in picturing my baby laughing and dancing with Jesus and my grandma Gigi. What a picture!!
Fast forward to 2012, I am quickly approaching 30 and I would still like a house full of kids, say 4. My husband and I have been under Gods protection, as we have been trying to get pregnant since March of 2011. I say protection because in December 2011, after a trip to the ER for a ruptured ovarian cyst, we found out we did NOT have maternity coverage. We were in shock to say the least. I am a c-section momma, so our pregnancy could have cost us $30k+. I look back and even though I was frustrated, God was looking out for us. On January 1, 2012, we attended church and I came out of it ready to move forward. This is where God changed my direction. I have ALWAYS had a desire to adopt, and it was something I spoke to my husband about before we got married. I felt one day God would call us to go bring our baby home... BUT I had "MY" plan. I always pictured having 2 or 3 kids and then adopting 1 or 2. I truly think God laughs when we make our own plans. Because on January 1, 2012, God pointed me in the direction of adoption, not after 3 kids, but now. Start now. Research now, and He will lead us where we are to go.
There is a lot of praying going on in this house and many emotions.
Fast forward 1 year later. We are now in January 2013. Things didn't move as fast as I thought they would and I can't believe a year has gone by. On December 20, 2012 my husband and I filled out an application to start the adoption process and we were accepted! We are heading to Uganda. We are both so excited to finally be moving forward but very anxious too. I get very anxious to hear from God and yet I don't think I give Him enough time to speak to me. I want to make God first above all else and sadly that has been harder done than said. Life gets crazy and busy and before I know it, God is lower on the list. He might not be on the bottom, but He isn't #1 anymore. With this new venture, I want to make sure I slow down, have patience and really listen to God and His timing in all of this.
I cannot wait to see what He does in our lives and I can't wait to move towards bringing our little boy home.
October 15th: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day
Will never forget ♥
“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” - John 16:22
In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan Proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn't a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes." (site)
I will never forget the day (August 17, 2009) we went into the doctors office to listen to our babies heart beat and heard nothing. The doctor didn't give us a lot, but gave us a small hope that I was just not as far long as we thought and we would check again in a week. Sadly for us, a week later when we went back in, our baby still had no heart beat. My DNC was schedule for September 9, 2009.
God is good though, trust in Him Always! On August 17, 2010 (one year later) I was in the hospital being induced to have our precious baby boy. He arrived one day later on August 18th. He is such a blessing. God had other plans for our first child, but I know one day I will meet my sweet baby. For now, God himself (and my grandma Gigi) is with my baby. What a thought!
It doesn't take a special day for me to remember our baby but it is special to have a day where families can unite and all remember.
God bless and be with you all!
AND I am so thankful for this reminder!
"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name
This morning while reading She Reads Truth, Day 2, they asked a good question...
What do you REALLY hope for? In the quiet recesses of your desires, in the loud screaming thoughts of want. What is it you want and yearn after? Is it Jesus?
Wow right?! What do I actually yearn for and want each day? Is it to be closer and have a deeper relationship with Christ? Wanting His glory to shine through in all I do? I think that most of the time, I want what I want without thinking about the plan God has for me. (I'm just being honest here) I do truly want to be in line with God's plan for me, but so often I find myself thinking "surely MY plan is a good one". If you haven't already, you need to stop over and check out the entire devotional for today. They are short, I promise, it won't take long. Click HERE. God has so much in store for us, it's such a great reminder of all he wants to give.
Prayer: Father, open the eyes of our heart. Give us a spirit of revelation and wisdom in the knowledge of You alone, for Your glory alone.
Can you believe its almost fall? I haven't been around here much I know...
What brings me here tonight are thoughts of persevering, pushing through when life gets tough- fully trusting in God to get you through. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball, just when you think you are strong and ok, life reminds you how weak you are without God by your side. (and friends who are there for you) Sometimes I just have to laugh at myself. I sure can look like I have it all together and even think I do, I can talk a big talk, smile through it and then BAM, I'm knocked back down. One little tiny thing and satan seems to be winning. However, God is truly stronger and I am so thankful for the ladies He has put in my life. Today while going through instagram I came across She Reads Truth and they just started a new series on Ephesians and I am so grateful for running across it. It was just what I needed to get myself back into God's word, and what a great reminder. Eph 1:1-14 is day 1 and Paul reminds us about God's true love for us, Here is some of what they had to say- We are.....
You are blessed (Greek, eulogeo: favored of God). You are chosen (v. 4). He has made you holy and blameless. You are adopted as children through Jesus Christ. (v. 5) Blessed, you were chosen before He created the world. Before time began, He knew you. (v. 4)
Can you just think about this?! HE KNEW YOU, We were chosen by God BEFORE time. He loved me for me (and all my stumbles) and has an amazing life planned for me. How can I not 1. be excited for whatever God has planned and 2. If God loves me for everything I have done, and has still forgiven and chosen me, how can I not get passed something someone else has done to me? (I feel a necklace coming :) )
God uses everything in my life to mold and change me into what He wants me to be. I am trusting that this is one of those times. I hope I am open to listen and learn from it.
These are my current thought, I hope I can help someone else maybe going through something similar.
This week this song has come on the radio a few times... just when I needed to hear it.
One was when my husband and I were having a fight disagreement and I just did not want to give in and get over it. It was crazy how, while I was out driving around, this song came on. I believe God uses people to speak to us and that day he used this song to reach me. Its such a powerfully true message. The act of forgiveness is for my benefit, it heals me, it brings me back to God. Just like the words in this song- "Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them, Cause I feel like the one losin'". I hurt myself most when I hold on to anger and choose to not forgive someone. And most importantly, the anger and unforgiveness keeps me from God and His work in me.
I wanted to share it with you because it was what I needed to hear and maybe its just what you needed to hear too.
I can't believe what she said
I can't believe what he did
Oh, don't they know it's wrong
Don't they know it's wrong
Well maybe there's something I missed
But how could they treat me like this
It's wearing out my heart
The way they disregard
This is love or this is hate.
We all have a choice to make
Oh, Father won't You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin'
Well it's only the dead that can live
But still I wrestle with this
To lose the pain that's mine
Seventy times seven times
Cause Lord it doesn't feel right
For me to turn a blind eye
Though I guess it's not that much
When I think of what You've done.
This is love or this is hate.
We gotta a choice to make
Oh Father won't You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin'
Why do we think that our hate's gonna break a hard heart
We're rippin' arms over wars that don't need to be fought
Cause pride wont let us lay our weapons on the ground
We build our bridges up but it's just to burn them down
We think our pain is own apologies and get them to stop
Well truth be told it doesn't matter if they're sorry or not
Cause freedom comes when we surrender to the sound
Of Your mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down
Oh Father won't you forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin'
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin'
I feel like I've been losing
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin'
God Bless
Have a wonderful week my friend
xoxo,
Natassia
This was the JESUS CALLING for July 2 - by Sarah Young and I really wanted to share it with you. It hit home for me today.
LET ME SHOW YOU My way for you this day. I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present. Living well is both a discipline and an art. Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist. Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life. Pray about everything; then leave outcomes up to Me. Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you. Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Me. Underneath are the everlasting arms!
Psalm 5:2-3; Deuteronomy 33:27
B.J. Hoff's Devotional - July 2
"I will pour out my Spirit on all people....
Your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
Acts 2:17
"There is much to be learned
from the wisdom and experience of age,
as well as from the boldness and zest of youth.
Let us recognize the value in each
and the plan of God for both."
B.J. Hoff
I wish you all the best this week. Take time to relax and enjoy Gods presence and beauty. Trust in Him
Lately I have been struggling to find peace. I have been trying to figure things out on my own. I have been trying to makemy own plans and do whatI think is best. This, as I am sure you all know, is a terrible idea. It leads to sleepless night, stressful days, all around unhappiness, fear, and yes, lack of peace.
So today when I read this and really wanted to share this all with you.
JESUS CALLING - April 2 - by Sarah Young
I HAVE PROMISED to meet your needs according to My glorious riches. Your deepest, most constant need is for My Peace. I have planted Peace in the garden of your heart, where I live; but there are weeds growing there too: pride, worry, selfishness, unbelief. I am the Gardener, and I am working to rid your heart of those weeds. I do My work in various ways. When you sit quietly with Me, I shine the Light of My Presence directly into your heart. In this heavenly Light, Peace grows abundantly and weeds shrivel up. I also send trials into your life. When you trust Me in the midst of trouble, Peace flourishes and weeds die away. Thank Me for troublesome situations; the Peace they can produce far outweighs the trials you endure.
Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17
In the end when I finally realized I was not living the way God wanted, by having complete and total faith and trust in Him. Only now am I able to start finding the kind of peace that comes from fully trusting God.
So here I am, working towards letting go. Letting go of my planning and giving into whatever God has in store for me. It is not going to be easy, but I am certain God will guide me through and give me the strength and peace I need. He is an awesome and powerful God- He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.
-Brian Tracy
Reading this prompt made me instantly think of my life and allowing God to be in control. Every day would require less energy, less stress, and less planning. Allowing me to go farther, giving me more peace and joy when I give each and every moment to God.
Like last night. We had quite the storm come through and usually I am pretty calm and unafraid but something in me changed when I became a mom. I felt I was in charge of keeping my son safe- ME and me alone. It was up to me to make sure that he was kept away from harm. I was a stressed mess. My husband found it rather funny, and my son didn't notice but I was living in fear.
Something I need to remember! Because even with the dark skies, rain and wind, God was and IS still in control. As a believer myself, I however still had fear. I wasn't trusting God to take care of us. I was relying on myself and my husband to "control" our outcome. There is NO reassurance in that! I was reading last night about being in constant communication with God so that in time of trouble we know how to talk to Him and give Him control. It made me ask myself...
Am I in constant communication with God, every day, in every way with everything? Will I hear God voice when He tries to speak to me? Have I given Him control of my life- completely!?
James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God” (NIV). Giving God control of my life. Stop trying to be in charge.
Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
We all long for peace and joy, and I truly believe we can all find it in Christ.
I don't know what this prompt makes you think of, but for me it was God and letting go, letting Him take control, allowing me to find peace in the plan He has for me and my family.
Linking up with
Stop by Love Feast Table and read the other prompts and gathered thoughts
Advocate, Altogether Lovely, Anointed, Amen, Ancient of Days, Apostle, Author, Beloved, Begotten, BRanch, Bridegroom, Bright & Morning Star, Bishop, Captain, Consolation, Chief Cornerstone, Chosen of God, Counselor, Covenant, Christ, Dayspring, Emmanuel, Everlasting Father, Faithful Witness, Finisher of our faith, Firstfruits, Fountain of Life, Friend, Gift of God, Glorious Lord, Horn of Salvation, Head of the Church, Heir of All Things, High Priest, Hell's dread, Heaven's wonder, Holy One of God, I Am, Inheritance, Image of God, Immortal, Invisible, Judah, Judge, King of Kings, King Everlasting, Life, Light, Lily of the Valley, Offering & Offerer, Offspring of David, Omega, Only Begotten of God, Passover, Righteousness of God, Rabbi, Prince of Life, Prince of Peace, Rest, Rock of Ages, Root of David, Ruler, Same yesterday, today, forever, Savior, Servant, Shield, Sinless Sacrifice, Son of David, Son of God, Son of Man, Stone, Sufferer, Tabernacle, Teacher, Treasure, Truth, Way, Wisdom of God, Witness, Word, Wonderful
This Sunday at church the pastor said something that really made me think. He told us to stop trying to be the person we think we should be, or who others think we should be, start being the person God made us to be. We are called Christian, Christ follower, even Saint. We need to start living up to that person! I am not someone other than myself. We compare ourselves so often and more times than not, I get discouraged by who I am not, rather than focused on who God wants me to be and who He created me to be. Like Nay said (from Cover to Cover and everything in between)- we need to learn to love ourselves!
I sat at the salon today listening to Brit Nicole "Walk On Water" and it made me think about all the ways I have held back from being the person Christ made me to be. I am better than this and I need to stop doubting. I hold back in so many areas because I am afraid, I am afraid to fail or be laughed at. I am afraid to step on toes, most often I am afraid of being me. But being me is who God wants me to be!
As this song plays over and over in my headset, these words hit me...
Another wave of doubt..
What if I never make it?
......
When you take that first step into the unknown , you know that He won't let you go!
......
What are you waiting for? What are you afraid to lose? Your insecurities try to alter you
You know you were made for more!
So don't be afraid to move!
Your faith is all it takes and you can walk on water too!
Do you ever struggle with something YOU don't know how to get passed? Maybe it is something silly or something someone has done that has hurt you... I am going through that now and it is hard! Idon't know howto get passed it on my own! Its times like this when I am so thankful for the amazing people God has placed in my life! Its things like this, a pin I found on Dorians board, that are just what I needed to read! thank you Dorian
I know I haven't spoken about this much, but my one little word for 2012 is Believe. I am holding tight to it this year. I Believe that God has a plan and that His plan is greater than anything I could ever dream of or imagine. I believe that if we listen to God's calling that He will provide a way! I have opened up and shared some deeper feelings and struggles lately (read about it here)
