And then God Laughed.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

In the past two years of my life I have learned so many things. One of the biggest things I have learned is that God really is in charge and he really does have a plan for each and everyone of us. I have been taught this my whole life, but it wasn't until the past two years that I learned just how true this is. I bet the good Lord gets a big kick out of us trying to plan our lives and thinking that WE are the ones in control. I'm sure most of you have heard the saying, " If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans." Well as I sit here feeling and watching (yes, watching) my sweet baby boy move around in my tummy I can't help but to think about all of the times I made God laugh....

" I am going to move far away after college. I will move back when I'm thirty and old because I will probably want to have kids by then, and I want to raise them in Arkansas near my family."

God Laughed

"I will NEVER be pregnant in the Summer. I'm just way to hot natured for that."

God Belly Laughed

"I am not going to live with my parents after I graduate college."

God Laughed

"Dusty and I are not going to have kids for awhile. We want to wait until he finishes Med school."

God Laughed

"You like a guy named Dusty? That's such a weird name.... I would NEVER date a guy named Dusty!!!"  

God Belly Laughed and fell out of his chair!

 * Yes, this really did come out of my mouth. I said it to my friend Adrianne when she told me she had a crush on some guy in another town named Dusty. Oh, and for those who don't know, my husband's name is Dusty. :)

Well those are just a few times in my life that I'm sure I made the good Lord grin. Needless to say he had some tricks up his sleeve! I'm so thankful he did! Even though I have had some tough times and I may not always understand his plans. I now realize that he has a purpose for everything and that his plan for me is way better than what I try to plan myself! If God had not been in control of my life then I may not be where I am today. Feeling blessed, thankful, incredibly happy, and anxiously awaiting the birth of our little Summer Baby! :)   God is so good!!!

And because blogposts without pictures are so incredibly boring. Here is a little snapshot of our GROWING baby boy (and GROWING Momma too) all nestled in for a ride in the car.

Lot's of Love,

Allison

Footprints

I have loved this poem since I was a little girl. My Grandmother had a sand dollar with this poem written on it and I always thought it was so pretty...maybe because I gave it to her as souvenir from our beach trip when I was six! :) Either way I still love this poem!

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

At some point in your life you may feel mentally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually exhausted. During these times seek the Lord's strength! For while we are weak, he is strong and he loves us and will always be there for us. Sometimes it is at our weakest that our relationship with the Lord gets stronger. During the hard times when you  feel defeated know we are never defeated in Christ.  If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31. So, if you're feeling weak or defeated then pray for the Lord's strength. With God on your side you can get through anything!

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Happy Monday!
Allison

Ten Ways to Love

1.Listen without interrupting. (Proverbs 18)
2.Speak without accusing. (James 1:19)
3.Give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26)
4.Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)
5.Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)
6.Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15)
7.Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14)
8.Trust without wavering. (Corinthians 13:7)
9.Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)
10.Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)

Weekly Scripture

I planned on posting this yesterday but ended up having a crazy busy Monday. I guess it's better late than never?!?!

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,  he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Ephesians 1:7-10

We celebrated Easter this past weekend so my mind has been on Jesus and his ultimate sacrifice.
Through Jesus, and his painful death on the cross, we sinners receive forgiveness. It is more than we deserve, and more than we alone could have ever earned. But Jesus loved us all so much that he died so that we could live and receive forgiveness for our sins.  THINK ABOUT THAT.....Because he loves us all with a love we absolutely can not fathom, our perfect Savior was beaten, mocked, spit on, stripped naked and nailed to a cross. He did this for you! He did this for me! He did this because he loves us so much that he was willing to endure all of that pain and take on EVERY sin in the whole world so we could live with God eternally.
How amazing is that Love!?!

I am thankful for Jesus who paid the ultimate price to save a sinner like me. I'm thankful for a God who loves me even though I am not and will never be perfect. I am thankful that through them I may have eternal life!

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!
Love,
Allison

Weekly Scripture

Well I have been absent from blogging for a little while. I have had soooo much to say, but at the same time I have had nothing to say( Are you confused yet?). Today is Monday, which means it's time for me to pick out a scripture for the week.  I do this every single Monday whether or not I choose to post it on this blog. I always pray before I choose a verse. I pray for the Lord's guidance and that he will show me a verse that will speak to me. Now that I have started blogging and posting my weekly picks I pray that whatever verse is chosen will also help "my faithful followers" or anyone who may stumble across this blog. I also pray daily that the verse will strengthen my walk with God. Sometimes I think my verses are sooo incredibly random, but I always trust that the Lord is picking these verses for a reason.  After doing alot of thinking and praying, my eyes were opened! It was like Woah! I realized why these last few verses were chosen ( at least in my case).

*This may not make any sense to you, but I have never claimed to make sense.... so there!

Now back to my rambling...

It's aaaaaamazing how God answers prayers!!! I have been praying about so many things lately and asking God so many questions. It amazes me how the answers were right there in and a few of the latest weekly scriptures....

A wise man's heart guides his mouth and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:23-24

I have read this scripture so many times over the past few weeks. It reminds me that nothing good comes out of acting ugly or saying harsh things no matter what! I want my words to be pleasant, sweet to the soul, and healing. I do not want the things I say to be harmful, hurtful, or hateful!! If I can't say anything nice then it's best that I not say anything at all! Like I said earlier, lately I have had so much to say, but at the same time I have had nothing to say. I have tried to think about the affect of the words that come out of my mouth before I speak. This is sooo hard for me to do when I am angry!! In moments of anger and frustration I have wanted use my words as a weapon. I know that's not what God wants me to do!
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control
Proverbs 29:11
I pray that I can be the wiser and stay in control. I pray that I will think before I speak and remember that if I can't say something nice then I shouldnt say anything at all! Because no matter what the circumstances are I gain absolutely nothing from acting ugly!

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

The Lord has blessed me with some amazing friends! I am so thankful for the wonderful people he has brought into my life. Lately, it has become clear to me who God chose to be in my life and who I chose to be in my life. Unfortunately I have had to learn the hard way that some of  your friends are not your true friends. Thankfully, I have also learned that some of your friends are! :) Lately when I feel sad and disappointed about the actions of some I think back to this verse and it makes me feel thankful! I feel thankful that the people who do not belong in my life will be removed, but that the good people will remain. I want to focus on the good relationships in life and leave behind the bad ones! I'm so very thankful for the wonderful friends the Lord has blessed me with...I absolutely cherish them all!!

Lastly, A couple of weeks ago I posted an email that was sent to me. One of the last lines of the message really stuck with me.... God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. This reminds me that in life there will be good times, bad times, happy times , and sad times! Things will not always be perfect, but the struggles will make me stronger. As long as I have faith in the Lord and his plan for me I can overcome anything! Which brings me to my verse for this week...

Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

This verse has given me peace during trying times. I pray that it may do the same for you! I also pray that I will always trust in the Lord and his plans even when I do not understand them.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13

Like I said earlier this may not make any sense to you, but to me and my life it makes perfect sense. This was in my head and on my heart so I just had to say it write it.

Happy Monday!

My Weekly Scripture

" A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
     Proverbs 18:24    

*Proverbs has been good to me this month! :)

All of my life I prayed the Lord would bring a man into my life that I could trust with all of my heart. My prayers were answered when the sweet Lord brought Dusty and I together. It felt sooo good to finally be able(and still be able ) to trust my partner with everything and in everyway! I never have to worry or question anything with Dusty. I know him and his heart and I feel completely safe and secure in our relationship. I'm thankful that God brought him into my life and gave me the type of man I had been longing praying for! It is so amazing to me how much easier a relationship can be when you trust the other person! Through my life I have had friends and lovers (that's weird) boyfriends who have been untrustworthy. I also had plenty of drama with these same people. I finally realized that some people just do not belong in my life. I wanted people in my life that I could count on, trust, admire, love, and respect. I wanted to be around christians that would help my relationship with God grow, and that would hold me accountable for things in my life! I like(or try to like) everyone, but I am very picky about who I am friends with! I now can honestly say I have the most amazing husband and amazing friends( along with my amazing family duh!) to surround myself with. Hallelujah!!! I am so glad to have these wonderful people to surround myself with! I Love, Love, Love them all and would absolutely do anything for them!!!I am so thankful to know them and call them my friends( and husband in Dusty's case) and I thank God daily and nightly for each and everyone of them!!!!

I am so very thankful for the people in my life and I cherish each and everyone of them! I know good friends are hard to come by and I am beyond blessed to have so many wonderful friends! I love them all and will be by their side through good times and bad!


* Prayer Request


Do you have any prayer requests? I would love to add your prayer requests to my prayer list! I believe in the power of prayer!

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
      James 5:16
I hope everyone is staying dry on this rainy Monday!
Love,
  Allison

Weekly Scripture

A wise mans's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
    Proverbs 16:23-24

A few weeks ago I talked about the love of God and how we show our love for him by the way we love his children. This scripture goes right along with that. When you love someone you should speak to them and of them using kind, encouraging words. You should say things that make them feel good and feel loved! Sadly, at times in my life I have been guilty of doing the opposite. I have said negative things about another person because they hurt me, or my friends/family, or because they were doing something I didnt like. Since I am human with human emotions it is not always easy to say the right thing or to keep hurtful words out of my mouth, but I'm going to try my hardest! I think Thumper (the rabbit from Bambi) said it best when he said, "if you can't say something nice, then don't saying anything at all!"  Good idea!

I pray that I can take this scripture to heart! That the words I choose to use will be encouraging and uplifting to those around me. I pray that people will see my love for the Lord through my actions as well as my words!

Have a Happy Monday!
Love,
Allison

Weekly Scripture

Every Monday I pick out a new scripture to focus on during my week. I write it down on a card and put it on my mirror so I can look at it while I'm getting ready. I like to think about the meaning of the scripture and how it applies to my week or to my everyday life. This week I have chosen John 13:35.

Your love to one another will prove to the world you are my disciples.

 I feel like alot of times our love for another is conditional. Sometimes we love other people, or we say we love other people, based on feelings and emotions that can change from one moment to the next. God's love for us is not like that, it is UNCONDITIONAL! How great is that!?!? God is Love! He doesn't just love us because we're lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son to restore that relationship. I want to love God's children as He has asked me to do. I want people to be able to see how great His love is by how I love and treat the people around me. This is something I pray about daily. I know that I am not perfect, but God loves me regardless and I am so thankful for that!