Embracing New Adventures!

Each day is a new adventure! Sometimes the ground beneath us is lush and soft, sometimes prickly and a bit shaky. GOD promises to complete the good work HE began in each of us. HE is faithful to see us through! I pray each of us would have the heart of a little child. My grandson, Elijah has no fear of what lies ahead. He is eager to see the great big world and explore each part of it. Let us have the heart of a little child and "Go With GOD!"

Are you ready for what GOD has for you?

Are you embracing what lies ahead with eager expectation?

Embracing new adventures with a smile and a heart for what God wants,

Andrea

Arise With Confidence And Love

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 NLT

As I contemplate the cross and all it means to me, I am drawn back to the scripture God impressed upon me when I began raising my children. Simply put, if I love GOD with all I've got and I share HIS love with everyone all the rest falls into place. I remember telling a friend once, if I could teach  my children to "love the Lord with all their hearts and their neighbors as themselves" I will have accomplished the most important lesson in this life. My children are grown, now and I still pray GOD continues to mold each of them into the people HE created them to be. I pray HE gives them loving hearts, both for HIM and for others.

Now, as I cradle my grandbabies, Savannah and Elijah, I pray the same prayers for each of them. I am more determined than ever to pass a heritage of love to each of them. I pray each of them will arise with a heart full of love and confidence each day, knowing their LORD loves them and has a special plan for their lives. Indeed, HE is faithful to feel in the gaps and make a way where there is no other way.

Praising HIM who loves us most,

Andrea

Conversation With Savannah

Savannah: "Nana, Guess what?"

Nana: "What Squeaky?"

Savannah: "I have taste bugs on my tongue!"

Nana: "Don't you mean taste buds?"

Savannah: "No, Nana! See these little white dots on my tongue! They are taste bugs!"

Nana: "Why do you have them?"

Savannah: "My taste bugs tell me when I like what I eat!"

I am blessed to be Nana! I love the conversations I am able to have with Savannah, aka Squeaky as she grows and matures.

Blessings and prayers,
andrea

Wilderness WIth God

For the last few weeks I have been working my way through 1 Samuel 15-31, watching Saul chase David in the wilderness. With each encounter David sought God's direction while Saul went about doing things his own way. No matter how bad things were, God never left or abandoned David. He was with him every step of the way.

Many of us are in our own wilderness, now. Some are experiencing devastating disease, some family crisis, others financial crisis. The list goes on and on and does not seem to end. We must cling to GOD like never before and patiently wait on HIS lead in each situation. Clinging, no problem for me. Patience, well that is another matter all together. Clearly, I, with most of you, am still a work in progress. Oh, how I long to be a woman after God's own heart. Each of us must examine our own hearts. Will we be found to be a David or a Saul?

With many things on my heart during this study, God gave me a prayer:

Father, please be with all my friends, their families, and my family, immediate and extended....those I know and those I don't know....those who love me and those who don't. Bless each of them and draw each one of them into your good and perfect will. Do whatever it takes to for them to surrender to your good and perfect will. Please do not allow me to be a hindrance to their faith and please forgive me if I have caused harm to anyone in any way. Father, please mold each of us into the people you created us to be. Let us be men and women, like David, with hearts for God and God alone!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

Storming The Heavens In Prayer

This view is beheld each time the members of Rileyville Baptist Church attend services. Astounding beauty and a vast reminder of GOD's power and strength encourage each of us. I can not see this view from where I live and likely the view out your window is not as magnificent, but let us remember HE is faithful to see us through the difficult times in our lives.

As my prayer list grows and nearly every friend and family member struggles with something, I am reminded the battle belongs to HIM who loves us most. We are to lay it all at HIS feet and leave it there! If you are like me, I often pick those requests back up and try to fix them or I senselessly worry about them. Let us stand together, binding our hearts in agreement to leave each and every need at HIS feet.

Storming the heavens in prayer,

Andrea

Mountaintop Blessings In The Valley

This picture was taken on Saturday while standing in the valley of Luray, Virginia. I spent Friday and Saturday in Luray attending a Woman's Conference at Rileyville Baptist Church. The picture does NOT adequately capture what is happening. The Luray valley is surrounded on all sides by the mountains. I could do a complete 360 and never lose sight of the mountains and all their glory.

As I snapped pictures, I was overcome with emotion realizing  I was witnessing a snow storm on the mountain. Through the lens of my camera I could see the snow swirl around all over the mountain. As God rolled the clouds and snow over the mountain all I could do was watch and smile. A fresh blanket of white snow laced the mountain before me.Truly a mountaintop blessing experienced from deep within the valley.

Many of you know how much I love the mountains and snow. For those who don't, let's just say I never tire of seeing the mountains or a beautiful snow storm, no matter how deep the snow gets. God certainly cares about the desires of our heart. I drove to Luray with much on my mind. Many friends and family have endured serious illness and other tragic events over the last few months. God knew I needed a fresh word from Him. I would like to share His lessons for me from this snow storm with each of you.

~It is deep within the valley GOD often reveals HIMSELF and all HIS beauty!
~Slow down and look! Do NOT allow the world or your problems to hinder your view!
~Focus on HIM who loves you most! He is faithful to see you through the valley of your affliction!
~Don't miss any blessings while you are in the valley of your affliction!

By HIS mercy and in the very grip of HIS grace,

Andrea