Well, another week has passed at what seems to be warp speed. In that time I have bought a REALLY CHEAP car that I am hoping will last me until I can get a full time job, have been put in the "loser" category by my father, his words not mine, have started working a second part time job while I am waiting on God to provide the right job, and have been greatly humbled by getting mad at someone who "sinned" against someone I really care about to have God gently let me know that only in my "self righteous" state would I get mad at someone for a sin when I am just as guilty of sinning every single day, it just might not be the same sin. Grace lessons...grace lessons...

[EDIT: I do need to clarify that I don't think it is wrong to be angry...b/c God says "in your anger do not sin." I think you all need to understand " Barbara angry" b/c I have realized this week I am not a very "godly angry" person. I have realized this week how poorly I manage my anger, on the occassion that it does surface. I did not handle my anger the way God would want me to this week... It was refusing to let it go and what came out of my mouth during that time of anger that was the sin of which I myself felt convicted of at this moment of realization, kinda ironic I think, ha ha. Anyway...I was mad at this person and appalled at how she DARED act tword someone in my life and I pretty much trash talked her gracelessly (only to my best friend and the person it happend to, in my anger) b/c she did not seek forgiveness from the person I am talking about, after totally trashing him, which I felt was wrong, and I still think is. So,  I was reading in Ephesians 4:29 about unwholesome talk and only letting things come out of my mouth that are edifying...then someone read the verse about "what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart,"  (gulp) and when I COUPLE my anger with letting the words come out of my mouth....that was the moment of sin. So I realize that sometimes it is ok to be mad at the sin but that I should NOT be mad at the sinner. I was harboring bitterness! And boy is that yucky...and the person that was treated harshly and un-justly to make me so mad? So un-humanly graceful!!!...that I could not help I falling to my knees. I really want to be more humble and see sin for what it is and be able to love and bestow grace upon people who mess up, b/c BOY I sure mess up A LOT and wouldn't want anyone to talk about me like I did this lady or be treated how I WANTED to treat this lady the next time I saw her...Don't worry, I think God kept her at bay until He could bring me to my knees! Ha ha. He is always perfect!  Life is all about the journey...and the transformation from the way of this world into His way. Walk on my friends, walk on...and for those of you who have already put words of encouragement here, THANK YOU! You have no idea how much I needed that! I am blessed.]

I am being challenged and God is faithful. I read in Joshua this week where God says He will never leave me or forsake me. THAT was a verse that hit home with me as I reflected on my own dad's less than encouraging words as to my life right now, or since I have become a Christian and followed God for what to do with my life, for that matter.

Children are a gift from God to parents...then why is it that so many parents don't see it?Why is it that the very people that are supposed to love you and teach you about life are the ones who can thoughtlessly utter words that you have to fight to over come, knowing they are not true, just because you choose to live your life different than they do...

A picture from a hike J and I took this week. The beauty God has surrounded me with is amazing...fall has arrived and the leaves are such beautiful colors right now...