tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42530677163963885032024-03-13T12:52:41.677-05:00Live Like You're DyingFollower of Christ ❤ Wife 💏 Mom 👶🏻 Booster Team Member 🚀Men's Stylist 👔 Defiant Hope ❌ Mrs. Texas International '18 👑 TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-73338015868442277302012-06-19T11:52:00.003-05:002012-08-05T20:46:38.144-05:00Friends aren't always right..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This past weekend three of my friends got engaged, yes THREE!! And I couldn't be more excited!! I have to say I truly love weddings and couldn't be happier for them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the girls that got engaged is a great friend of mine, and one of my bridesmaids, Becca. I actually got to be a part of her proposal and witness it! It was so emotional and amazing! But one of the things that hit me the hardest was the fact that when they first started dating, I was totally against this guy. I can't say she and I got in a huge argument about it, but we definitely got into a disagreement. She basically told me that she knew more than I did and that this relationship was the right decision for her. So I kept my opinions to myself and supporter hers.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Flash forward two years to when I started dating Cale, my now fiance, and I was put in the same place I put Becca. My then so called best friend didn't agree with me dating Cale for various reasons: she thought it was too soon since my last relationship, thought our pasts were too different, thought he was "too nice". But the problem is she never got a chance to know him. She never gave him the chance to realize the type of guy I had described in all our years of friendship as the guy I wanted to marry was Cale. We stopped being friends for lots of reasons, but that was definitely a big one.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In my opinion, as a best friend, you absolutely have the right to tell someone, "I don't think this is the right guy for you". However, after that, you don't need to keep hounding them. It's their relationship; it's their life, not yours.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So with that, I can say, I was wrong. I was wrong that Ryan wasn't the right guy for Becca. Talking to him about the proposal and seeing how happy my friend is made everything feel right. I can't imagine a better man for Becca and I know she is the perfect girl for him too. I'm happy I was wrong, and so excited for their marriage! It just goes to show you shouldn't always take your friends' advice :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Colossians 3:12-14 </strong><em style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.</em></span>
</div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-69404866029160989752012-03-14T15:24:00.000-05:002012-03-14T15:24:52.134-05:00An Abundance of Blessings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg0KbUxgkD1_A4lHHrh0mkWBGdCeioBK-bxl9ni7qeQXY745N7gRJkMFEVGfnAR2euROTyWwST3HUrwxfU6wPxEoMs7HqG3LpmCW9_vtEO2YtoXiQPMZxCCK_kaM3bilYPxrH5zsaBxE/s1600/Wedding-Blessings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg0KbUxgkD1_A4lHHrh0mkWBGdCeioBK-bxl9ni7qeQXY745N7gRJkMFEVGfnAR2euROTyWwST3HUrwxfU6wPxEoMs7HqG3LpmCW9_vtEO2YtoXiQPMZxCCK_kaM3bilYPxrH5zsaBxE/s320/Wedding-Blessings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Being engaged is supposed to be one of the happiest times in your life right? But not with out a little bit of stress... SO I'm writing to remember the many blessings Cale and I have received while planning our wedding. Because regardless of how much money you spend on your wedding, at the end of the day you're still going to be married and THAT'S WHAT <b><u>SHOULD</u></b> MATTER :)</span><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many of my friends know my mom and step-dad lost their jobs as part of the Continental/ United merger, and before Christmas, my dad faithfully quit his position at his church. So when Cale and I got engaged, we knew that we would be fronting the cost for the wedding. The GREAT parts about this are that we were forced to have those difficult money talks before we were married, and (Dave Ramsey would be so proud) we are paying for our wedding in cash so we won't be in debt as we start our marriage!</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now the best part has been watching God move and make things happen! Here are just some of the ways Cale and I have been financially blessed! I mean the whole wedding was planned in 10 days- how is that not a blessing right there?</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- 3 days after our engagement, Cale and I went to lunch and ran into a family friend who used to work at The Woodlands Church (formerly Fellowship) and he was able to get us a discount at the chapel where I wanted to get married </span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- our engagement pics are free</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- my wedding dress was free (well of no cost to us thanks to the generous donation of what I'll call an angel on earth)</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- all my reception decor was donated from a friend who just got married last September</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- my wedding invitations are being done by my soon to be sister-in-law (seriously one of the nicest people ever)</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- our DJ is a friend and our wedding present is his talents (and he IS talented- just wait)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: white;">- my photographers are friends that do AMAZING work at a fraction of the cost of most photogs Check them out</span> <a href="http://www.mhoganphoto.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a></span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- and a silver lining to my dad not having a steady income is he is moving and giving all his nice furniture to Cale and I for our new home*</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't wait to decorate</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: white;">- my girl friend is an amazing make-up artist who thought she was double booked, but it turns out she's able to do hair and make up the day of my wedding Check her out</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeautyandtheBlush?sk=info" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a></span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- I feel like I'm missing so much more but that's a start for you!!!</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just want to say a big thank you to all the friends and family who have supported us in our wedding endeavors. And there are no words to our friends and family who are helping us pull this off with in our budget.</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*I just have to brag on God a little bit more here. My dad's house sold with in 24 hours of him deciding he should sell it WITH OUT it EVEN being listed. And we're talking about Arizona here, where the economy and number of foreclosures far out weight that of Texas.</span></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">GOD IS GOOD!!</span></div><div><br />
</div></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-67214433129163864022012-03-06T11:51:00.000-06:002013-06-26T10:38:05.983-05:00ENGAGED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't believe it has taken me so long to write about the happiest day of my life (to date). I got engaged to an amazing Godly man! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVp9I4AghsN3L7WbzM3OKQIhYci1DsB6ZfWOctggAovJprOivuR_NRHEVn_BCZWZExqmq1A5oero-1hmX7kb92hFYK9qIUqfunUMiNaR9bTn92yVWirD5bJin1C9gtx-ypDD3VD8UY-s/s1600/i-do2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVp9I4AghsN3L7WbzM3OKQIhYci1DsB6ZfWOctggAovJprOivuR_NRHEVn_BCZWZExqmq1A5oero-1hmX7kb92hFYK9qIUqfunUMiNaR9bTn92yVWirD5bJin1C9gtx-ypDD3VD8UY-s/s320/i-do2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ask any one who knows me and they'll tell you am passionate. Two things I'm passionate about are my faith, and Texas A&M. Cale combined the two of them into the best proposal I could have ever asked for!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, I thought Cale and I went up to A&M for the weekend to celebrate with two of our friends for their birthday and to go to eat for our 5 month anniversary (for the record, Cale has celebrated every month anniversary). So we packed up and left Houston Saturday morning for College Station. Lucky for him, I accidentally played into his plan because I told him earlier that week I wanted to make sure I spent time with my girl friend, Shaye, for her birthday. I called Shaye Thursday night to see what her plan was for the weekend and she said she just wanted to be lazy Saturday so we went up there and I had no makeup on...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cale went to "run an errand" to get his friend, Colby, a little something for his birthday.. As Shaye and I were watching a movie and having some girl time, the doorbell rang. Shaye answered and I heard this voice ask, "Is Lynne here?". I got up to see a guy I've never met before. He had a dress of mine, leggings, and a letter from Cale that told me to get ready, put that dress on, and be ready by 3pm sharp because a limo was going to pick me up. *I knew here what was happening..</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The limo came right at 3pm and Shaye told me that people were getting out of it. Two of Cale's friends, Ryan, and Ben (the guy who dropped off my dress & leggings) showed up with the limo and gave me another letter from Cale. This note was simple, referenced the fruits of the Spirit, and said he was forever mine.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Limo stop 1: The first place the limo stopped was Cafe Eccell, the place of our first REAL date. There to meet me were 3 of Cale's friends. Natalie read another letter from Cale. And then Natalie, Bryan, and Johnna read me a bible verse that correlated to the fruit of the spirit they gave me. Each handed me a card with either "Self-Control", "Gentleness", and "Faithfulness" after they read their Bible verse.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stop 2: The next stop took me to 'the ring'. It's a giant replica of the Aggie Ring outside the Association of Former Students. There waiting for me was my friend Amber and her husband, Shawn, and Cale's friends Nathan and Colby. Colby read another letter from Cale. Then each of them presented me with "Goodness", "Kindness", and "Patience" printed on a card after reading the Bible verse Cale picked out for them that correlated with their fruit of the Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stop 3: The Century Tree. Now, a lot of Aggies propose under this tree but I knew Cale wouldn't be there. Instead, my friend Amber Gillespie was there. Cale's friend, Ryan joined her as they presented me with "Peace" and "Joy". Ryan read another letter from Cale, and both read a Bible verse to compliment their fruit of the Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the fourth and final stop: Kyle Field!! Waiting for me at Kyle Field were Cale's brother and his wife (Will and Allison), and my sister and her husband and my niece (Bridget & Bric, and Brynleigh). They presented me with "LOVE". There was another letter from Cale and each couple had a Bible verse for me. (this stop is where I cried the most because I love both of these couples for different reasons and I know Cale and I will learn so much from them). Will and Bric walked me out to the South End of Kyle Field under the bleachers and the rest was up to me. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Cale proposing</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I walked out to the 50 yard line where Cale had a whole set up for me. There was a trunk and on top of it was Cale's bible, opened to Galatians 5:22 (where it talks about the Fruit of the Spirit); a sign that said "I love you to the Moon and Back"; and a seventh letter telling me to opened the trunk.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I opened the trunk there was every letter Cale had ever written me including when we were friends; every cork from any bottle of wine we ever opened; "Our Adventure Book", a replica of Ellie's 'my Adventure Book' from the movie <em>Up</em>; and the final letter from Cale telling me when I was ready to take a deep breath and turn around.<em></em></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I stood up and turned around to see Cale walking towards me. Once he got to the 50 yard line we hugged and he asked me to sit down on the trunk. He proceeded to take off my shoes and he washed my feet. During so, he talked about the significance of feet washing in the Bible and why Jesus humbled himself to wash the feet of those He loved. When he was finished, and on bended knee he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I said YES!!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Some of the Guys who helped make that day special :)</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10101513687589814.3445830.8309592&type=1" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">Photos of the proposal</span></a><br />
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TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-11255548268847865672012-01-04T12:05:00.000-06:002012-01-04T12:05:53.150-06:00Blessings in 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span lang="en-us"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” </span></i></span><span lang="en-us"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">--John 14:7</span></span><br />
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<span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Last year, I made a New Year's resolution that I was going to spend more time with God. In 2010 my spiritual grade was around a D; and this past year, I can honestly say it was more of an A or a B. (See my <a href="http://lynnesully.blogspot.com/2011/01/saying-goodbye-to-2010-and-hello-to.html" target="_blank">post</a> last year to know what I mean by my spiritual grade). But that grade didn't come easy...</span></span><br />
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<span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Last year I moved to Houston, started a new job, and left a lot of things that I loved in Dallas because I was being obedient to God's calling for me to move to Houston and be here for my family. With in a month of moving to Houston, my grandmother passed away, and I moved into a new house with a new room mate (I was living with my parents when I first moved here). Then the hits kept coming... a bad relationship, my aunt died, my friend and father to my best friend's baby died, another aunt died, we had lay-offs at work, lost some friendships, and I moved again because my previous living situation just wasn't working.. For a while in all that I struggled with why God would allow me to have so much suffering after I obeyed Him.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Then, I realized I was being tempted, just like Job, to turn my back on God.. to blame Him for all these things happening to me. Instead, I turned to God- to thank Him for fighting along side me. Serving God doesn't mean we'll no longer have difficulties. We're still on the battlefield, but we don't have to fight alone. I just had to face a lot of trials to remember that!</span></span><br />
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<span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So this year, my New Year's Resolution is going to be to LEARN more scripture. My boyfriend is so good with being able to spit out scripture to encourage or help a situation and although I can tell stories from scripture I can't tell you the address (book, chapter, verse) where it's located like others can. So this year, I am going to really try to focus on the scripture I am reading and take it to memory! And thanks to <a href="http://www.thevillagechurch.net/the-village-blog/scripture-memorization/" target="_blank">this website from The Village Church</a>, I have a great tool!</span></span><br />
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<span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm also claiming God's blessings in 2012. Last year had so many bumps and hurdles and I just know God is going to bless this next year! And I can't wait to see what He has in store!</span></span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-65070729661646324672011-12-09T11:05:00.000-06:002011-12-09T11:05:30.877-06:00I have found the one whom my soul longs for..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I know it's been a while again... My life has been amazing but also a whirlwind and I just haven't set aside the time to write. But today, today I am inspired!</div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you've read my previous posts, you've heard me talk about this mythical creature that seems to rarely exist in our society nowadays. It's called a gentleman. Wow, what is that you say? Believe it or not, they actually exist! In honor of this post, I saw this picture on pinterest and had to include it.</div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGlgA4KupGNb3C3hNbRfihKm9kqNGUYbiHPQNEMqIBOf0O-rzsd-UcSXr5byeh-d1fZ9IqRxR6V9XiHlXaxm7O3ihwDYUboghak-etveceQhVqdTlYXh_5HsYmyhhHSD8osZpsHNLHvI/s1600/men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGlgA4KupGNb3C3hNbRfihKm9kqNGUYbiHPQNEMqIBOf0O-rzsd-UcSXr5byeh-d1fZ9IqRxR6V9XiHlXaxm7O3ihwDYUboghak-etveceQhVqdTlYXh_5HsYmyhhHSD8osZpsHNLHvI/s1600/men.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debonair used to be sexy and now idiots are paid for reality shows</td></tr>
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</div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But ladies, guess what? They do exist!! I've seen other friends with them and just thought all the good ones were taken, but no. At 28, I can finally say I've found him! You know that saying? "Every woman deserves a man who calls her baby, kisses her like he means it, holds her like he never wants to let her go, doesn't cheat or lie. Wipes her tears when she cries, doesn't make her jealous of other women, instead makes other women jealous of her, is not scared to let his friends know how he really feels about her, and lets her know how much he really loves her." That's my boyfriend! </div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course, I brag at all the sweet things he does for me and my girl friends are always asking if he can teach lessons to their husbands and boyfriends. My friends are always like "I'm so jealous but I am so happy for you". </div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He makes me a better person.. He holds me accountable.. He never stops trying to show me how much I mean to him. I believe Frank Sinatra said it best, <i>"I may sound old-fashioned, but I want to think all women should be treated like I want my wife, daughters, and granddaughters to be treated. I notice today that good manners—like standing up when a woman enters the room, helping a woman with her coat, letting her enter an elevator first, taking her arm to cross the street—are sometimes considered unnecessary or a throwback. These are habits I could never break, nor would I want to. I realize today a lot more women are taking care of themselves than in the past, but no woman is offended by politeness." </i>THAT is my boyfriend. He treats me like he would want a man to treat his mother and believes EVERY woman should be treated that same way. He opens my door, opens the door for others, helps me across the street in heels and helps others too. When I meet him some where, he and his friends stand up to greet me. </div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And to think I pushed him away at first.. To think I said "this isn't a good time" and I thought he deserved better. <u>Then I realized being afraid of happiness is complete nonsense.</u></div></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-24977730455753764992011-09-28T16:58:00.000-05:002011-09-28T16:58:20.983-05:00New Beginnings!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy New Year!! For those of you who think I am crazy, Rosh Hasannah begins today at sun down. Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a new year in the Hebrew calendar. </span></div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've written in a past post that 2011 has not been a good year for me, but today, in the name of the Lord, I am declaring this the start of a New Beginning! I recently bought myself a new bible and put in there "A New Begins", Today I moved into my new place (praise the Lord), I have a new boyfriend (and for the first time in a long time, a healthy relationship), and I got a raise at work!</span></div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So here's to a New Beginning.. May I continue to run the race and lean on God for guidance in this crazy thing called life! Amen.</span></div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things</span></i></div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">-Philippians 4:8</span></i></div></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-90088514027819390122011-09-15T11:36:00.002-05:002011-09-15T11:36:47.454-05:00Wise Words<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Being Christian doesn’t automatically make you sinless or without flaws. Being a Christian means you choose to follow in the steps and teachings of Jesus Christ, who is God’s son and who is perfect. But just because you choose to follow Jesus, doesn’t make </span><em style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">you</em><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> perfect. Human perfection is impossible. By claiming to be a Christian you are acknowledging the fact that you </span><em style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">are</em><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> imperfect—that you are a </span><strong style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">sinner</strong><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. In this acknowledgement you are also implying that you are turning away from sin. Christianity is not a characteristic of an individual; it is a lifestyle choice. It is the decision to turn away from the sinful desires of this world and to willfully pursue righteousness and a godly life. </span></span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-16023765453819091262011-09-06T13:55:00.000-05:002011-09-06T13:55:07.910-05:00Planting Seeds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do you know as Christians that we are supposed to share our faith with others? I'm sure many of you do, but do you know what that looks like? Part of our purpose as a Christian is to expand the Kingdom of God. That doesn't just mean witnessing to other people. That means living a life like Christ and showing His love to those around us. <i>Matthew 5:16</i> tells us to let our light shine before men so that they may see our moral excellence and out praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify our Father Who is in Heaven. They should see Christ in us. </span></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God is not interested in saving people just to mark it off His checklist. As you read through <i>Luke 10</i>, you will see that we are called first to bless other people and to live along side them so that they can see we are different. Evangelism is about more than witnessing, it's about being a witness.</span></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm a wreck.. I'm not perfect and I make a ton of mistakes all the time! And you know what? God is still able to use me to work in the lives of others. I don't really understand it all the time, but we don't get to choose how God uses us. In the last month, I've had several people thank me for helping them in different aspects of their spiritual walk. And I say that not to my glory but to God's. He allows me to pour into other peoples' lives just as others have poured into mine. and in doing so, I recognize areas in my own life that I need to work on.</span></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the parable of the sower, seeds are dropped <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seed" title="Seed"></a> on the path, on rocky ground, and among thorns, and the seed was lost; but when seed fell on good earth, it grew, yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. </span></div><ul style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The seeds represent <i>the word</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The seeds falling on the road represent those who hear <i>the word</i> but dismiss it straight away - then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The seeds falling on the rocks represent those who hear <i>the word</i>, but only accept it shallowly - the synoptic state that these sorts of people reject <i>the word</i> as soon as it causes them affliction or persecution; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The seeds falling on <i>thorns</i> represent those who hear <i>the word</i>, and take it to heart, but allow worldly concerns on their way to choke it with worries and riches and pleasures of this life and bring no fruit to maturity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The seeds falling on <i>good soil</i> represents those who hear <i>the word</i>, and truly understand it, in a honest and good heart. They hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. </span></li>
</ul><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">I've had plenty of people who completely seem to disregard anything I say and that's ok because I'm going to keep loving them like Christ loves and pray that some day something I've said or done takes root and grows them to be more in love with Christ and on a more spiritual path. I encourage you to do the same (: </span><div style="color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-66528343920884193802011-08-30T10:02:00.000-05:002011-08-30T10:02:55.935-05:00Adjusting to Houston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT a WHIRLWIND the last 8 months has been:</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Moved to Houston</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Started a new job</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Grandma passed away </span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Moved into a new house</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- 9 weddings in 4 months</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Broke up with my boyfriend</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- My aunt passed away</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Death of a high school friend (and my best friend's boy friend)</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [I think that's about it.. not a whole lot though right? JK]</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In that time, one of THE most important lessons I've learned is God is in control. I've never considered my self to be prideful, but this past week the sermon was about humility. And I can truly say the year of 2011 has been a year of humility. God has consistently and conscientiously reminded me that I can't do it on my own. In the past, I feel like I've gotten by being "happy" through friends, life, and external things of this world. It's almost like until we are broken, our life will be self-centered, self-reliant; and our strength will be our own. It's in that time of brokenness we remember we need a savior.</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I felt so broken and lonely after breaking up with my ex and it was through that time that I really began to heal from everything else I had gone through. I ran to God for guidance, for peace, and slowly it has come around. Through out this 8 month journey, I've also learned to accept Houston and that's a pretty bold feat if you think back to my feelings and attitude towards moving to this city and the resentment I had after being here: I've found a great group of friends to hang out with; I have a group of Bible study girls that I'm fervently in prayer with; I'm getting acclimated to my new church; I'm getting ready to move into a new home and a much more peaceful environment. </span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm finally beginning to see what I like to do around Houston, where I like to eat, go out, who I want to surround myself with.. I've connected with old high school friends which has been a BLAST! And most importantly, I'm learning to be comfortable in my own skin. The past two weekends I've had low key nights in with friends and great convo and nights out to connect with other friends I just don't get to see enough.</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I can only imagine what else is in store for me, but I know I'm in a much better place to handle what life throws at me than what I was 8 short months ago, even 4 months ago. Remember Faith in God also means Faith in His timing.</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance to the full, till it overflows".</i> John 10:10 AMP</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" </i>John 16:33 AMP</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-82249040919122969032011-08-16T17:02:00.000-05:002011-08-16T17:02:45.613-05:00The "why" of life<div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Joyce Meyer had a good sermon the other day about “why”. WHY - is there child sexual abuse? a young woman at 25 who passes away unexpectedly? a child is born disabled? What Joyce says is we are not able to answer those questions – only God knows. But Joyce says what she does know is that God gives us grace and strength to go through these situations. </span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well here's another one. Why does a 27 year old man die one week after taking his bar exam; 3 months after graduating law school and why did his girl friend, one of my best friends, have to be the one that found him? I don't know the answer to any of those questions and I won't know on this side of heaven- I'm sure of it. But I know God has a purpose and a plan and I know that He is going to heal my girl friend through this difficult time. And I'm writing this to ask you to join me faithfully in prayer for healing and comfort for my friend, Michelle, and for Ryan's family. Thank you!</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>“For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” </em>(Lamentations 3:31-32 NIV)</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My friend Michelle and her boyfriend Ryan both grew up with me in The Woodlands and we were all in the same grade. About 3 years ago, Michelle and Ryan started dating.. Two years ago this November, they had a sweet baby boy named Jameson (that we call J for short). The first weekend of August, Michelle was supposed to come out with me, but because Ryan was sick and her parents were out of town, she had no one to watch lil J. Saturday morning I texted her to tell her a group of us was meeting at 4 before heading to White Linen Night. She said Ryan was still sick and didn't know if she'd be able to make it... Three hours later she asked me to pray for her..</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michelle went over to Ryan's house after not hearing from him all day to find him dead in his bed. She had been over there Saturday morning and left around 7:30 or 8.. It was the last time she heard from him.. She went back over around 2.. She said he was pale and cold, so he had been gone a while and despite that she started chest compressions.. Michelle is understandably beside herself right now and I think the hardest part for her is lil J growing up with out knowing his dad. Ryan had just graduated law school in May, and took his bar exam the previous week. After a congrats dinner last Saturday with friends, Ryan woke up feeling sick on Sunday, and it got worse as the week went on. Wednesday he went to the doctor and again on Friday. He had been prescribed a Z pack...</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I spent the following day at Ryan's mom's house with his mom, step-dad, dad, sister, sister's boyfriend, Michelle, Jameson and our other friend Sabih.. It's been a really tough time for all of them. The autopsy results came back as inconclusive so they are left with a lot of questions still.</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thank you so much for praying.. and if you have any advice or scripture to pass on, I'd appreciate that as well. Be blessed! </span></span><br />
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TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-90868260063272568752011-08-09T12:13:00.000-05:002011-08-09T12:13:12.453-05:00The "Friend-Zone"One of my guy friends asked me the other day, "Lynne, why is it that you're friends with all the good guys but you never date them?" To which I responded, "I guess it's because the good guys never pursue me." The next day, one of the people I follow on twitter wrote: "To all the single women wondering where all the decent guys are: they are in the friend zone- right where you left them."<br />
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So it really got me thinking about the guys that I am friends with versus the guys I date. Why am I attracted to the guys I date versus these amazing guys I call my friends? I mean, clearly whatever I've been doing hasn't been working out.. It's not like I'm dating these horrible guys- I'm not. I've <u><b>definitely</b></u> had my fair share of bad apples but not all of my exes are like that.<br />
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I guess my purpose in writing this is just to tell other women to really evaluate what you want in a relationship and don't budge. If you are ABSOLUTELY single, make a list of 4 things you want in a relationship and if a guys doesn't meet those four things, then don't date him. I say you have to be single because if you aren't, you'll tailor your list to fit the guy you like. On the flip side, if a guy is interested in you and you're not feeling it, you'll tailor the list to make sure he doesn't fit.<br />
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And to the guys. If you have a girl that you are friends with and you have different feelings for her; Tell Her. Don't assume that she knows how you feel, and girls the same thing goes for you. You have to take a chance, you have to tell a guy how you feel. A sweet girl friend of mine is going through this right now. Personally, I can admit, I don't see myself ever outright telling I guy I'm interested in him. But going back to my last break up, I'm learning to communicate more how I feel and talk about my feelings so I told her to go for it!<br />
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I'll keep you updated on what happens (:<br />
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TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-88271270015031680912011-07-27T16:40:00.000-05:002011-07-27T16:40:05.570-05:00Friendship<div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">Thanks to a friend, I read this fabulous <a href="http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/07-26-11-trimming-the-friend-fat-at-25-when-friendship-is-about-quality-not-quantity/?utm_source=CultureMap+Houston+Daily+Digest&utm_campaign=99d3ca802a-Daily_Digest_Houston_2011_07_27&utm_medium=email" style="color: cyan;">article</a> about trimming people out of your life that aren't really "friends". I told her how much I absolutely loved it because there comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy.</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">Recently, I did a lot of what this article calls "trimming the friend fat" and I can say I have never been happier (in Houston at least) then what I am right now. I still have a ways to go, but I'm beginning to find 'me'. Let me share part of a letter my best friend, Chelsea, sent to me:</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"I just wanted to let you know that you are an amazing person. I am so happy to have found a friend like you. You have one of the most generous, non-judgmental hearts of anyone I have ever met and that truly endears people to you quicker than anyone I have ever known.... If a genie found me today and offered me 3 wish's, anything in the world, any amount of money, property, or power I wouldn't want any of it. The only thing I would want would be something that he couldn't give me. I would wish for your happiness, for the ability to take away the pain and suffering that is stopping you from being the amazing wonderful light radiating person that I know you can be...I love you, I worry about you, and I think it's time to rip off the band-aid and heal the sore underneath. Because just trying to hold it together isn't working anymore. You need to heal."</i></div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">There was a lot more to that letter, but let me just say that is ONE AMAZING FRIEND to write everything she did. I'm blessed beyond belief to have a friend that loves me like her other half. And it gets better!</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">Saturday night I had a church event at my house. And afterward, went to another one of my best friend's house (Amber). I get there and she says she has a surprise for me! She lied- she had A LOT of surprises for me. She and Chelsea plotted together and Chelsea drove in to surprise me!!!</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sDjxjPef8o4CrXFPY6Y9AXZkcrU9sKvoeszlSfWnQTVbkBhtmexc8oEEVjmmh2fttDT0vTRlDl7uExSM4jtL22cVQfpEVEtpBiyzGxc0oCiU4lNRo1rY-uAbpBA8VWgimQBQVxTJL-E/s1600/surprises.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sDjxjPef8o4CrXFPY6Y9AXZkcrU9sKvoeszlSfWnQTVbkBhtmexc8oEEVjmmh2fttDT0vTRlDl7uExSM4jtL22cVQfpEVEtpBiyzGxc0oCiU4lNRo1rY-uAbpBA8VWgimQBQVxTJL-E/s320/surprises.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">They then had gifts: roses, Champagne, Chelsea's sweet puppy, and cupcakes!!</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q41tEcn8KGN1EsDCYHIN2uxHHXcvvtodxbXc9MN-GnlaQIkvBzWBDT-EiaAc7ez3Ao9f7WCznQE8nhkcui5kqM7ahoDEvdEhxK8JogoOtLr1M4SCbA-0kYgWdJsx-v_W4Y9Ap6inBNY/s1600/besties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q41tEcn8KGN1EsDCYHIN2uxHHXcvvtodxbXc9MN-GnlaQIkvBzWBDT-EiaAc7ez3Ao9f7WCznQE8nhkcui5kqM7ahoDEvdEhxK8JogoOtLr1M4SCbA-0kYgWdJsx-v_W4Y9Ap6inBNY/s320/besties.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">I have two of the BEST friends a girl could ask for!</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">These are the types of friends people should surround themselves with and keep close. These are the friendships you should fight to keep; these are the ones that really matter!</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIvrUU74AWQk4AIbYIKNs2YrZuFQzw9p4r43CdtJTQ7jZyhqWdy4QY5tCPnY-ID_hVL2JZ_S9gwVLoxbQojXf5puLlEaH5FRPh6_rfHlEdZXv0nqvIorI2AmDfqzyY01bpvjyJ2xYT3Y/s1600/art.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIvrUU74AWQk4AIbYIKNs2YrZuFQzw9p4r43CdtJTQ7jZyhqWdy4QY5tCPnY-ID_hVL2JZ_S9gwVLoxbQojXf5puLlEaH5FRPh6_rfHlEdZXv0nqvIorI2AmDfqzyY01bpvjyJ2xYT3Y/s320/art.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-45852435654157948712011-07-20T11:40:00.001-05:002011-07-20T11:42:10.745-05:00Loving God<div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A girl in my Bible study painted an incredible picture of faith last night during study. She said faith is like standing at the top of a 10 meter diving board and looking down at a waterless pool. God says "jump and trust that I will fill the pool with water before you get there."</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Would you jump? To be honest, I don't think I would. I get scared jumping from the 10 meter when <b>there is</b> water below me! And asking me to jump with no water?!?! I just don't think I could do it. </div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That fact, that feeling is hard for me to deal with/swallow, because I know I've trusted God in the past and He has been faithful. But have I really said, "ok God I trust you COMPLETELY. Where you lead I will follow"? No, I haven't. You know why? Because I'm afraid of where He'll send me. What if He says "Go to Haiti and be a missionary", "quit your job and go work with the homeless"? The truth is I trust God just enough to follow His path as long as I like how it aligns with my plan, and that's not really faith or loving God at all...</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><i>"When you are truly in love, you go to great lengths to be with the one you love. You'll drive for hours to be together, even if it's only for a short while. You don't mind staying up late to talk. Walking in the rain is romantic, not annoying. You'll willingly spend a small fortune on the one you're crazy about. When you are apart from each other, it's painful, even miserable. He or she is all you think about; you jump at any chance to be together." </i><u>Crazy Love</u> p.100</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How many of you have acted that way for a boyfriend or girlfriend? I know I have.. But I've never done that for God. I mean, I've complained after 15 minutes of quiet time/devotion because I was "in a hurry".</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last night I prayed to really see the areas I need to slow down in my life so I can focus more on God and my relationship with Him. I really asked Him to change my heart because I can't do it on my own. I long to genuinely enjoy Him, to celebrate 15 minutes with him, and set aside more time for Him. The fact is, I need God to help me love God (:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jUGFc3kuAao" width="425"></iframe> </div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">LOOK BACK AND THANK GOD - LOOK FORWARD AND TRUST GOD, LOOK AROUND AND SERVE GOD, LOOK WITHIN AND FIND GOD. May you continue to feel God's presence, God's guidance, protection, and His BLESSINGS ALWAYS!</div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-88493871443088778222011-07-18T13:53:00.001-05:002011-07-18T13:55:12.385-05:00Addictions<div dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us"><i>Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. </i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us">1 Peter 5:8 </span></span><br />
</div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<div dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us">My parents' pastor shared a story about back in the late 80s, when he was in Dallas, Texas a group of about 50 ministers met to talk about the war on drugs. One minister’s wife stood up and spoke to all of us about her own story. She told them about her addiction to Valium and prescription drugs and how it almost destroyed her marriage and her husband’s ministry. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us"> </span></span></div><div dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us">Addiction can happen to anyone. And as I look around today, I see so many people with so many addictions. There are drugs, yes. But there’s also addiction to work; there’s addiction to social media; there’s addiction to pornography; there’s addiction to sports, to name just a few. Addiction can be to anything that owns you and owns your affections. And today’s passage tells us that addictions that steal away our rational thoughts are evil and cripple us in spiritual battle. </span></span></div><div dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<div dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us">If there’s anything you have to hide about your behavior from those who know you, that’s addiction. If you’re not honoring God in the way you spend your money by blowing it on a habit, that’s addiction. Or, if your relationships with God and people are suffering because you have to make time for this one thing, that’s addiction.</span></span></div><div dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<div dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us">When it comes to any habitual behavior you have, ask yourself, “Could this behavior potentially possess my life?” If it can, leave it alone. When you own your behavior and are in control of your actions, you’ll be ready for the spiritual battle of life.</span></span></div><div dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<div align="CENTER" dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us"><b>YOUR ADDICTIONS CAN OWN YOU AND POSSESS YOU. SO MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN CONTROL OF YOUR BEHAVIOR SO YOU CAN FIGHT LIFE’S SPIRITUAL BATTLE.</b></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-us"><b>**Thank you to Doug Parsons for the above wisdom** </b></span></span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-32064961233324261742011-07-13T11:24:00.001-05:002011-07-13T11:51:46.621-05:00Death is CertainThey say two things in life are certain: death and taxes. And yet, when some one dies, even when we know it's coming because of something like cancer, it doesn't make it easier. My good friend reminded me that<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> "Death will be a celebration for those who believe." I have no doubt my Aunt Pat is celebrating with our maker in Heaven right now, but I'm still upset that she is gone. I'm still in mourning. This has been a tough year, and it's hard to see people hurting like my family. Praise the Lord I'm in such a better place right now than I was two months ago when I first heard about my aunt's diagnosis because I know that this too shall pass... </span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><b>WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>Cancer is so limited...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot cripple love </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot shatter hope</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot corrode faith</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot destroy peace</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot destroy confidence</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot kill friendship</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot suppress memories</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot silence courage</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot invade the soul</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot steal eternal life</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>It cannot conquer the spirit</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Author Unknown</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNhBWePsxtKKeSr6DpXIVN5joYDlqo_BZAnaCWuGoFePfM3U6xfsNxwCmyhb5RuYGX4eNd1-O5FRUXDgDzO2OHTdGSPiKx6OnmZYuu9MfLraS_qxGO_of27Dek6fspGvChu_zQSUsL7Q/s1600/aunt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNhBWePsxtKKeSr6DpXIVN5joYDlqo_BZAnaCWuGoFePfM3U6xfsNxwCmyhb5RuYGX4eNd1-O5FRUXDgDzO2OHTdGSPiKx6OnmZYuu9MfLraS_qxGO_of27Dek6fspGvChu_zQSUsL7Q/s320/aunt.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> My Aunt Pat, Dad, Aunt Mary, Aunt Cece, and Aunt Kitty</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But I am not alone in this. Most of you will by this time have lost a parent, a spouse, even a child. Your hopes for your career have not panned out. Your health has given way. Relationships have turned sour. We all know the dilemma of desire, how awful it feels to open our hearts to joy, only to have grief come in. They go together. We know that. What we don't know is what to do with it, how to live in this world with desire so deep in us and disappointment lurking behind every corner. After we've taken a few Arrows, dare we even desire? Something in me knows that to kill desire is to kill my heart altogether. (<i>Desire </i>, 22-23) <span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i> </i><b> </b></span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-61090614646890845512011-07-12T15:31:00.000-05:002011-07-12T15:31:13.331-05:00things work out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsySFm7h4IA8mvVDL7EVl0woRYW6GignV9hvhsZAe6nr1YcbGlqpAdA3AqsjnkvVek8eGyXsBPQ3jMGCZah9ize3qaipujdyYPpmKGYOWb8AOrXRPcxK227PmqHffkQVnSIHHYkNVpxvU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsySFm7h4IA8mvVDL7EVl0woRYW6GignV9hvhsZAe6nr1YcbGlqpAdA3AqsjnkvVek8eGyXsBPQ3jMGCZah9ize3qaipujdyYPpmKGYOWb8AOrXRPcxK227PmqHffkQVnSIHHYkNVpxvU/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Live life to the fullest, whatever it brings you.</span></span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-46188616648447591662011-07-12T13:12:00.000-05:002011-07-12T13:12:40.204-05:00Love is Not Enough<div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've said this before, and I'm saying it again, "Love is not enough to make a relationship last".</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I never watch the Bachelor or Bachelorette, but last night some of my girlfriends got together to watch it, so I joined. They were sweet enough to fill me in on everything that has happened this season since I don't watch. And then I saw that Emily was coming back to speak...</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My room mate also loves the Bachelor/Bachelorette so last year I heard Emily's story. I was interested having lost my boyfriend my freshman year of college in a car accident so I wanted to watch her interview last night. In her interview, you could tell she genuinely cared for Brad saying that she still loved him but that it just wasn't enough to make it work. It takes respect, honesty, and time combined with that love. What she said is true, no matter how much two people WANT to make something work, sometimes, that is not enough.</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spend time appreciating your partner for the unique individual that they are. Don't try comparing them to other people, or comparing your relationship to other peoples relationships. A relationship may look perfect on the outside, but only the two people involved in that relationship really know how things are. Instead, look for each and every little thing that attracts you or makes you admire your partner, remember these things day in and day out and in arguments as well. Also, recognize things you don't like, red flags that may tell you this person isn't for you.</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Honesty is an essential <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">building block</span> in a relationship. Being honest allows room for building a solid relationship that's built off of truth. Not only that, but think of you and your partner as one; think of it as each of you are halves of a whole. In that context, wouldn't you want to be honest with yourself? Of course you would, you wouldn't want to lie to yourself because that doesn't allow you to grow as a person, same goes for a relationship.</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spending time together is important as well. How can you truly become closer if you don't spend time with your partner, talking and getting to know every little detail about them? Also, when you are talking to your partner take that time to come forward and be honest with anything that may be bothering you. This includes something they do that either annoys or upsets you. It's best to let this kind of stuff out instead of holding on to it which could only cause you to explode or lash out when you don' mean to react that way. Speak about the issue in a calm manner. </span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's also important to spend some time away from your partner- for each of you to have your own lives, your own friends. The two of you will never truly be happy if you don't both have your own 'me' time.</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let your partner know that you support them and have their back, even in public, stand up for them. They need to know that even if no one else in the world supports them they will always have you, and you will always be there encouraging them no matter what happens. Also, take time to do something special for your partner. You love them, so don't hesitate to show it. It can be simple expressions like writing a love note, or cooking them a great dinner and offering to give a message after a hard day of work. Little gestures like these can go along way and your partner may really appreciate them.</span></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bukisa.com/articles/42804_what-it-takes-to-make-a-relationship-last#ixzz1Rup4Ee5Z"></a></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Lastly, this is very important because it can really ruin relationships, and that is to not be jealous. If you see your partner talking to a member of the opposite sex, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">smiling</span> and laughing with them it can be easy to let those feelings of jealousy and anger flare up. However, those kind of feelings can make you seem insecure and lacking <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">confidence</span> in your partners eyes. If you are such a great catch in the first place, then have the attitude that there's no one better that your partner could have. You are the best, and the rest are second <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">rate</span>. Think of it that way, don't get too much of a big head though (there's a thin line between having lots of confidence and being conceited).</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.bukisa.com/articles/42804_what-it-takes-to-make-a-relationship-last#ixzz1Rup4Ee5Z" style="color: #003399;"></a></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-60084664319874005662011-07-11T11:51:00.001-05:002011-07-11T11:53:24.929-05:00Parenting..<div style="color: magenta;">Ok, I have to say this past weekend was the first time I had a REAL glimpse at what it means to be a parent. I had the chance to see my sweet baby niece, Brynleigh and I just can't describe HOW much I <b>LOVE</b> that little girl. It's scary to think that if/when I have become a mom myself that I am going to love my child more than I love her. It also helps that she is an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING baby! She didn't cry once!!! In fact, I loved her so much I'm switching part of my schedule around to go back there and see her again soon!</div><div style="color: magenta;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta;">Enjoy pics below! </div><div style="color: magenta;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24fQwrw7w4tyBfv-Cz8AAa5yEQqER4LrmKDZyutIk86mKUnpAjcxzP7sqtCIcLj2urMqkeii6hLwq9lfPXpirbw6BJpvNMpm8bjRnr8MVSWNCpaV_HbykagsJP_iTcu0tyJ1-rfNPUwA/s1600/blue+eyes" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24fQwrw7w4tyBfv-Cz8AAa5yEQqER4LrmKDZyutIk86mKUnpAjcxzP7sqtCIcLj2urMqkeii6hLwq9lfPXpirbw6BJpvNMpm8bjRnr8MVSWNCpaV_HbykagsJP_iTcu0tyJ1-rfNPUwA/s320/blue+eyes" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"> Car ride to the baseball game!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-DU28THsSbBg1ad4qZ4fY-Q4uQBmNFLAJCy-TBiVqT4RgBJz4IyZSnT_A-sO7Uz-kcp4fkijvAqHmjuyS6IAfj4tcWO6MTB1qqeRn0qgmwvGuX7bGDP3zT93dUJEj8Y_RaYXV2CR6XI/s1600/DSCN4565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-DU28THsSbBg1ad4qZ4fY-Q4uQBmNFLAJCy-TBiVqT4RgBJz4IyZSnT_A-sO7Uz-kcp4fkijvAqHmjuyS6IAfj4tcWO6MTB1qqeRn0qgmwvGuX7bGDP3zT93dUJEj8Y_RaYXV2CR6XI/s320/DSCN4565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"> Definitely my sister's baby!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovMr0I5AAHajQNZyHv_1D8Rf-B01J7KKzA31rLuisMbPtih-44Ewzt28RJ04u7244c3-eqz8cYRjcE5FbNWHesn5zE6PatPk-usd57RyzesK90HaDt_RiU8EGRVb9IRIRBxNIKW9KE4A/s1600/DSCN4566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovMr0I5AAHajQNZyHv_1D8Rf-B01J7KKzA31rLuisMbPtih-44Ewzt28RJ04u7244c3-eqz8cYRjcE5FbNWHesn5zE6PatPk-usd57RyzesK90HaDt_RiU8EGRVb9IRIRBxNIKW9KE4A/s320/DSCN4566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"> Just chillin'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2Fr-Gf8A9Ok5mOsNjhr4XxdrbVFZxKl_zhdeXqEH0aYakGRSJP15_M3z2inckuZnLQyP6Lv52O1MI51RPi_8hG7YY3-IVyp25yAIP9KK0XNBKFqm3dnHKw_zEirttYsQjEhJiQ-Qox0/s1600/instaphoto" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2Fr-Gf8A9Ok5mOsNjhr4XxdrbVFZxKl_zhdeXqEH0aYakGRSJP15_M3z2inckuZnLQyP6Lv52O1MI51RPi_8hG7YY3-IVyp25yAIP9KK0XNBKFqm3dnHKw_zEirttYsQjEhJiQ-Qox0/s320/instaphoto" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"> Not a baseball fan (: at least not yet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ_m8gED-mbi0JrcaZrLK3RQ4_XuD2lDE_UtuCgEdFggJedMWBQ5zsEJPdF4zooLLPfAJlGduBL9cY5ZawE4H7h3Pnahyphenhyphen9AHrvn_MYDEVDruN1y1Xo-gXUHmbwxwataThSyDfO94jPK4/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ_m8gED-mbi0JrcaZrLK3RQ4_XuD2lDE_UtuCgEdFggJedMWBQ5zsEJPdF4zooLLPfAJlGduBL9cY5ZawE4H7h3Pnahyphenhyphen9AHrvn_MYDEVDruN1y1Xo-gXUHmbwxwataThSyDfO94jPK4/s320/photo.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"> Laughing at Aunt Linnie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4CkWtfezzXlLUnp5vhZwPS5BEjFHAoQ59ojxzE8yrPfmNjqFDxUacKgOg43p44XsVHta6Sn9-hKDnhwQuy0dUeT0Zjustx1NiQNQd-A3OO8OnCr7SokqDkeKqwtvEEzwyo3kwzBXioc/s1600/sleepy" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4CkWtfezzXlLUnp5vhZwPS5BEjFHAoQ59ojxzE8yrPfmNjqFDxUacKgOg43p44XsVHta6Sn9-hKDnhwQuy0dUeT0Zjustx1NiQNQd-A3OO8OnCr7SokqDkeKqwtvEEzwyo3kwzBXioc/s320/sleepy" width="239" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">Love her more than I could have ever imagined!</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: left;">It takes a special person to be a parent. I have so much more respect for them after this weekend! What an honor and special gift from God. <i><strong></strong>"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."</i> <strong>Proverbs 22:6 </strong></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-85151021240819256082011-07-08T10:43:00.000-05:002011-07-08T10:43:35.689-05:00Don't Assume<div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A friend of mine forwards inspirational emails to me from her AA group. If you know me, you know I love reading daily affirmations, Godly inspirations, things of that sort to start my day. This is the one she sent me today and I LOVE it!</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I don't make assumptions. Assumptions are nothing more than lies that I'm telling myself. Not making assumptions gives me immunity in the interaction that I have with myself, with my own voice of knowledge.</span></i></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-54822630122370240042011-07-06T13:15:00.000-05:002011-07-06T13:15:37.031-05:00Convicted<div style="color: cyan; text-align: center;"><pre><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="color: cyan;">"It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism,
not agnosticism, that in our day and in this land is likely
to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous,
selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity."
</span></span></span></pre><span style="color: cyan; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Frederic D. Huntington </b></span><br style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: cyan; font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Forum</i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> magazine, 1890 </span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This past weekend was A) <b>ABSOLUTELY AMAZING</b>!!! God could not have blessed me more at a more perfect time. He knew exactly what I needed and the people that I needed around me. B) it was also very convicting of where I fall short as a Christian.</span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">First off, my girl friends Lara and Lauren are two women that God brought into my life for a reason. I am better for knowing them. And the two of them truly blessed my life and gave me so much joy! We had intellectual talks about God and the way he uses people and circumstances in our life to show His love.. We prayed together.. Cried together.. and had tons of laughs. I can not wait to see these two women again in the near future and know that they are my family that I will never be able to replace. I say that friends are the family you give yourself and it is SO SO true!</span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And now to the conviction part. This weekend in my travels and down time I read the book <i>The Christian Atheist: Believing in God, but Living as if He Doesn't Exist</i> I read that after I finished Chapter Four in <i>Crazy Love</i> about being a "Lukewarm Christian". You know one of the hardest hitting points is when it said God would rather take a cold person who knew nothing of the gospel than a "lukewarm" Christian. And of course He would!! The "cold" Christian doesn't know any better! We "lukewarm" Christians do! All the girls and I have several different lukewarm points we could relate to. For me the hardest hitting is the idea of putting things on the earth as more important than the things of Heaven. Do you know how many times I have said "I want to be married and have children before I die. I want to be a mommy."? Really Lynne? You'd rather have a husband or be a mom over being in Heaven with your Heavenly father who loves you infinitely with no pain? Am I crazy?!? </span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, marriage is supposed to me an image of Christ's relationship with the church and His people. But the love of an earthly husband is SO minute (small) in comparison to the love of Christ! I felt like the book, <i>The Christian Atheist</i> was literally an expansion of chapter four from <i>Crazy Love. </i>So many of the same points were touched upon, but given in so much more detail and scripture reference! Both spoke about relationships vs. God; having faith in other things vs. faith in God; holding on to money vs. honoring God with money; comparisons to other people who are "less Christian" than you are... Simply Amazing!!! I recommend both books to any believer or non-believers looking to ask questions.</span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: cyan;">And remember God is Good. ALL the Time! </span> </span></span></div><div style="color: cyan; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: cyan;">Isaiah 40:31</span></span></span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-23811792780842903242011-06-30T12:37:00.000-05:002011-06-30T12:37:56.240-05:00His Delight<div style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In my bible study we have girls reminding the other girls of God's love for them. These girls are REALLY blessing my life and surrounding me with encouragement!! Thank you for all you do!</span></div><div style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<i>In the multitude of his anxieties within me, His comforts delight my soul.</i>" Psalm 94:19</span></div><div style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not only can God comfort us to neutral but He can delight us with His comforts. May your day be filled with His Delight!!</span></div><div style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Don't strive "to be happy". Strive to be <b style="color: #990000;">JOYFUL</b>. No one can steal that from you! "The Joy of the Lord is my strength!"</span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-56975437926390959682011-06-30T12:32:00.003-05:002011-06-30T12:33:19.362-05:00What Matters?<blockquote style="color: #999999;"><i>“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress ….” </i>Hebrews 12:1b </blockquote><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No matter how hard we try we cannot win <u>every</u> race we enter, but it’s a certainty that if we don’t <u>enter</u> the race, we will absolutely never win. It is just as much a certainty that if we enter the race and give it our utmost effort, then we may not win, but we will never be defeated. If you want to finish the race of life, if you want to make it to the finish line, you’re going to have to let go of some things that may be holding you back in the race. Call it de-cluttering; call it simplifying; there are some things that need to be laid aside in order to finish well.</span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What kind of things am I talking about? Any thing that holds you back from ABUNDANT JOY. The things that cause you to get discouraged. Think of it this way. If you attach one light bulb to a battery, the battery will run for a long time. If you attach 100 light bulbs to a battery, it will go dim and dark really quick! When you keep adding things to your schedule and your life, you will quickly become discouraged and tired. </span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In today’s verse from Hebrews 12:1b, I want to focus on two words, “weight” and “sin”, because these are the two things that hold you back in the race of life. A weight is anything that slows you down. It could be a relationship, a job, an activity, or a sport. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing. A weight can be a good thing, but if you get too many good things in your life, you’re going to collapse because you don’t have time for all of them. You need to learn to say no to grow. God doesn’t expect you to do everything. I have a girl friend who LOVES working with other people and is CONSTANTLY volunteering for different non-profits and charity work. All good things, but never leaving time for herself.</span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A weight can also be an unrealistic expectation that comes from peer pressure or the need to please someone, or it can be a memory. You might be stuck in the past, holding on to a happiness or hurt. The problem is that you can’t live in the past or even in the future; you can only live in the now. Trying to do anything else will weigh you down. Whatever the weight is, if it isn’t working in your life, if it’s dragging you down, you need to let it go.</span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Identifying sins are easy, right? Sins are the things that you know to do but you don’t do them. You know the keys to living a healthy lifestyle or keeping your finances in good shape. But do you do them? James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (NIV). So if you know that you should spend less than you make to stay financially healthy, don’t go on a spending spree that puts you further and further in debt. You don’t need to keep up with the Joneses or the Smiths or whoever you’re comparing yourself to. You don’t need to use the charge card. Live within your means so you can lay aside the weight of financial debt and run your race well.</span></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most from Pastor Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Connection </span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-19564502364941332362011-06-29T15:48:00.000-05:002011-06-29T15:48:36.366-05:00He Died for You<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Blaming God for evil is like blaming the sun for darkness.<br />
-Pastor Rick Warren</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="color: cyan;">Just like one of my previous post when I talk about how God doesn't put obstacles in out path, the evil one does, God also brings you out if you are faithful. I have been doing so good lately. God has truly drawn me in closer to Him and comforted me. Monday my counselor told me she can even see an huge improvement in my feelings towards Houston and this light from with in me!! [side bar: I think everyone should try counseling, even if it's once a month. It is SO SO healing!!] Since then it's been a little bit of a speed bump, but like my friend Brian said, can't let it steal my joy.</span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="color: cyan;">God loves you SO much!!! He is there for you! He loves you SO much he died for you!! I'm reading <i>Crazy Love </i>in my Bible Study right now and it is <u>amazing</u>. Francis Chan in the coordinating DVDs talks about the first time he really got the Gospel. Picture this, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane crying, pleading with God</span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> 'My Father, if it is possible, do not let this happen</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: cyan;">' </span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Matthew 26:39. He sweat blood in fear of what was ahead of him! Can you imagine a father seeing his son crying, pleading, sweating blood. "Father please save me from this, father help me." The men I know who are parents would absolutely die for their children and if their children were pleading, crying begging them, they would absolutely keep them from the pain ahead. But God loved you more! </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He comes to bring you JOY!! And if you're patient enough it comes! I have been blessed with great friends in Houston to keep building me up and reminding me of this truth. I will look back on this difficult time in my life and eventually say, "that's what God was teaching me". (: Praise God that He is Faithful!</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span id="ps-extra-desc" style="display: inline;">And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></h6>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-25147278499537668162011-06-28T16:58:00.000-05:002011-06-28T16:58:22.653-05:00Weddings AKA ReunionsThis past weekend, I got to be a part of one of my best friend's wedding! It was beautiful!! Amber has never really had a serious boyfriend, so when Shawn came around, I knew he was something special, and I was right. The two of them make each other better people. They are loving, great spirited, kind-hearted people, that have different personalities that compliment each other. And as Shawn describes her, she just understands him (:<br />
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I was blessed to get to see the card he wrote to Amber for their wedding day and how he felt about her. He's been holding out and waiting for the right girl and when God introduced the two of them, he knew he'd found her. He is just so sweet.<br />
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I have to say THE BEST part of the wedding was the reunion of my friends!!! Some of my best friends from college and Dallas were in town and it was perfect timing for me to be around my girl friends! I will post pics soon but just have to say how much I love Mr. and Mrs. Cox and I'm so excited to see what God has in store for them in the future!TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253067716396388503.post-86998405681549528402011-06-28T16:06:00.011-05:002011-06-29T10:25:49.986-05:00You Are More<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." We all heard that growing up and we all know it's not true. Words can pierce your heart like a dagger and bring you down. And Ladies, we especially have a hard time with this. So let me just encourage you and say, you are more.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IwtcwQwgdsA" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have had people say things that preyed on my own insecurities and brought me down because I re-evaluated my self-worth. Then there are times some mean things are said that I know absolutely aren't true and those don't hurt. It's because I know that's not who I am. I know I am daughter to a Holy King who loves me and sees everything about me before it ever happens. I know when people judge off a perceived image it's usually based on other factors. So I say to you, do not lets words dictate how you see yourself or worse yet, how you feel about yourself. Worry about what God thinks. The opinions of other people have no eternal consequences. The time when the opinion of others is most useful is when it prevents you from doing something foolish.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">People may never let you live down a mistake, may hold it against you in the future when you haven't messed up, but God is quick to forgive and forget when you ask Him. <i>"I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 56:11</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stop worry about what others think: about you, about your life, about your problems. The only result that brings is counterproductive. Instead, remember that God is on your side. And in Him and Him alone is where you will find ultimate comfort and resolution. We are all sinners. We didn't nothing to deserve the gospel and we can't do anything to take it away.<i> </i></span></div>TexQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04101863819506807816noreply@blogger.com0