Pastor Said it best...

OK, so I'll be honest, I've had a really hard time finding the words to put the post on the Women's Encounter together. 
I FEEL so much on it, learned a TON, LOVED almost every minute of it.  But talking about it....that's really hard.
It's almost like I just don't know what to say.
Or how to say what I want to say.
It's been odd.  Because most of the time that's not an issue for me. 

Saturday night at church though we had what is best described as a move of God in our service, where we could really feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

And our Pastor Said at the end. 
Don't try to explain what happened in human terms,  Sometimes things happen that are of God and because they are of God there is no way to put it in human terms with out humanizing it.  And when we humanize it we often lessen what actually happened. 
(mind you I'm paraphrasing because I didn't get exactly what was said all down but it was something like that).

And largely I think that was what happened at the Women's Encounter, for me.  In me. 
See I've long since struggled with love.
Not loving others really.  I think that for the most part I can allow myself to totally love others. 
I'm just way more critical of allowing others to love me.
And more certainly of accepting the love that God has for me and the way he sees me.

I know with out a shadow of a doubt that he died for me. 
And deep down I know that he loves me.
But it's really the level of love that he loves me with that I have a hard time with.
And the forgiveness aspect.
I know he forgives me.  And I accept his forgiveness.
But forgiving myself.
Yeah, not so much. 
That's a really tough one for me.
REALLY REALLY tough. 
And I'm working on it.

Even though it's hard and I still mess up.  I'm working on it.
And I'll be honest, I feel much more peaceful these days.
Which is nice.
And I've ordered the book that the forgiveness teaching was done with.  I'm really looking forward to that. 

One of the other main things that I learned is this. 
We can either be a thermometer or a thermostat.
Meaning we can either reflect the atmosphere we are in or we can change it.
And I want to change it.
So even if someone else is in a bad mood, having a bad day, complaining or anything like that I CAN choose to not reflect that.  But instead help affect that "temperature" in the room. 
I want to be a positive influence on all. 
No matter where I am.
Home, Church, Work...heck even Walmart...because we all know in those daily little places and things, we can get most stressed and all that.  And that's where I can make the most difference. 
I think this applies to me too, in the area above as well. 
I can choose to love and accept myself, (not that I want to stay where I am in my perfections) I can choose to set the tone for the way I feel about myself and put a stop to all of this negativity I see in myself and change that as well.

So, Even though it's hard to put into words know that I had a GREAT time at the Women's Encounter. 
And I did infact make some new friends too....because you knew I was worried about that as well.

24 (or more likly 30) Days of Thanksgiving

(courtesy of Google Images)

I'll have that post about the Encounter soon. 
But before we get to far into the month I wanted to share what I'm doing with all of you. 
Maybe you've heard about it and maybe you're not. 
But here's the deal.
Many people are taking the days of November through now and Thanksgiving and listing one thing they are thankful for. 
Most are doing it via Facebook (which is how I'm doing it)  but I think even if we all did it on our own it would be a good thing.
So here's what we do (Oh yes I'm counting you to be in already)

Daily just tell, list or remind yourself of ONE THING you are thankful for.

That's all you have to do.  Now through Thanksgiving Day - though maybe you'll be like me and do it all month. 
It doesn't have to be  a BIG thing you are thankful for. 
For me TODAY'S was COFFEE. 
Because I'm really thankful for coffee this morning.  And really when I get down to it find it to be a blessing.  Is that silly, maybe but I think that God is ok with our delighting in the little things. 

Here was yesterday's as well though too in case you want to go into it more. 
YESTREDAY: I'm thankful most of all for a God who loves me enough to save me.
Loves me beyond my understanding and does it even when I don't think I'm love able myself.

I thought it was a good thing to start it all off with. Plus with the Encounter Experience it really fits in and hits home for me. 
So join me...let's all think of one thing (and share it) daily. 
Who knows we may rub off on someone else who really needs it. 
And we may create a habit of thankfulness in our own lives that extends far beyond the month of November. 

Something...

I know it's been a while since I posted something. 
I'm having a hard time gathering my thoughts lately. 
Not 100% sure why, maybe it's the weather, knowing that it will change soon.
And that the time will change soon.
Which means darkness will be around a lot more. 
Or it could be that things are getting busy.
The fall seems to mean photo season.
Everyone wants them for their Christmas Cards. 
So I've had my last free weekend on the 15th (not knowing it was the last free one)
Until after Thanksgiving.
Meaning that I'm working those weekends, and more than one of them working both days.

I don't even want to think of Christmas.
It's going to be crazy.
But I know God has a plan. 
And it will all work out as it should. 

And I promise, I'll write about the Women's Encounter soon. 
It was GREAT though!  Loved it!
God knew all along that I needed to be there.