Priceless

messages heard = 3
hours spent in the car = 4
women gathered together = 14,500
revelation from God @ Beth Moore live conference = PRICELESS

I had the privilege to see Beth Moore live on Friday night and this morning. I got to go at the last minute when a friend had extra tickets and offered me one (for free).

I am still thinking about all that she said and all that God spoke to me through her. So, for now, a picture will have to suffice until I have the words to express what happened this weekend.

The Greatest Commandment

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22: 34-40

In the last week I have devoted much time to thinking about the development of character. More specifically, the character I want to be known for among my colleagues and peers. What I have discovered is a desire to be known as a person that has no unkind word to speak to or about anyone. I imagine this is something many people aspire to, but not many attain. Perhaps this is a result of the ease and familiarity gossip and the old saying that 'misery loves company'. What then should I do when I'm upset with people? The men and women in the Bible first went to God, and then, if need be, spoke directly to the people causing the frustration. It's easier to talk to my friends about the people or situations that have upset me, but it is not right to gather people against one another. Jesus clearly states in Matthew 22:34-40 that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord God with all my heart, soul and mind. Believe me, I have not fully attained that, but am working on it. The second greatest commandment is to love my neighbor as myself. In light of the greatest commandment, the second commandment should easily flow out of it. Here's the kicker, people who don't love themselves in light of God's love, cannot love another person well. How am I loving someone by gathering people to see the bad in that person/situation? I'm not. So, how do I begin to build character? First, by loving God fully with my heart, soul and mind. Through that I will learn better how to love people how God loves people, and I will then be able to love my neighbor as myself. It will be a moment by moment choice to speak only encouraging words...God help me.

W/ Absolute Purity

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 1 Timothy 5:1-3

Recently, I was talking to a couple guy friends about male/female interaction and how our Christianity and relationship with God should alter those interactions. It was an open and candid conversation about frustrations, ideals, hopes, hurts and confusion. Without going into too much detail, both men and women have dropped the ball in friendship. How do we pick it back up? By treating each other in absolute purity. Purity of heart, purity of mind, and purity of intentions. This is even true for dating relationships. If we treat each other in the same manner that Christ treats us and filter every action and word through purity, then I think we will find much healthier guy/girl relationships. That short conversation made me examine my motives and actions in relating to men, and I found that I could make some adjustments. Hmm...still thinking, actually.

Promised Pictures

I spent this morning with my adorable nephew, Alex!

We went to the library, and practiced counting and addingNext, we were off to the park!

Beautiful boy on the jungle gym

so handsome...

He insisted on wearing his shoes on the wrong feet...4 year olds lol

I was taking so many pictures of him, that he wanted to take one of me!

Alex & Auntie Alison

He should be a child model...

seriously.

We couldn't leave without a turn on the carousel!

Alex and Auntie dates are about to become a regular fixture in my life...I LOVE that!

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow will consist of...

Adventure

The Toaster

Carousels

Playground fortresses

Slides

Swings

Laughter

Alex

Running

Skipping

Singing

Talking

Brilliance.

Pictures to come.

G...R...E...

The GRE appears to be a lot tougher than I first imagined. I took the diagnostic quiz to find out which areas I need to focus on, and lets just say that every area will be receiving mass amounts of my attention! Algebra and geometry are much more difficult after several years of no use in my daily, weekly or monthly life. Oh, and analogies...riiiiight. Pointers? Anyone?

This face...

This is my favorite face...

Book Club!

I love my book club!

Caroline Grace

Caroline Grace Bell has finally arrived, and I am very excited for my friends Clayton and Kelly Bell! After many years of hope and prayer mixed with disappointment, their little girl was born, and will have impact on our earth like no other before her. Check out Clayton's website www.claytonbellonline.com for pictures and details! I love you Bells!

Lesson of the Day

Always make sure you have your house key BEFORE you close the front door behind you.

Auntie

To my 4 year old nephew I'm 'Auntie Alison', and that is the best name I have ever been given.

I need to not waste my time and spend more of it with him while we live in the same city.

One of my hearts desires is to know him and for him to really know his Auntie Alison.

Free

Last string cut,

last knot untied.

Free.

This evening I experienced a heavy load lifted from my shoulders.  The last string, that officially tied me to a past life, was cut.  It is a life I've been trying to shake the remnants of for a while, and now I am free.  FREE!

I am grateful for all that life provided for me now, but I am thankful to start anew again.

Praise!

I love my friends...

I FINALLY got to see my beautiful friend Michele on Saturday! Let me tell you about Michele. She is one of the most loyal, real and down to earth people I know. You can always count on Michele telling you the truth about yourself too....that's one of my favorite character traits.

Check out her blog at http://michele-kenyette.blogspot.com