Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Trust

From a friend's blog. I feel like its universal. It meets me where I was yesterday! I hope it encourages you!


"But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10). All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come (Job 14:14b). [So with that being said] Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. (Job 13:15a)

I have a sneaky suspicion that once you let God know how you feel, He will let you know how He feels and that is, Woman of God, daughter, just trust me. I know what Im doing. If you can just endure a little while longer, you will have the last laugh. Dont faint. Dont get despondent along the way.

Yes, your heart hurts but I couldnt allow this door to open because it was a smoke screen, it wouldve been what you wanted and not what I wanted for you. It would have been an Ishmael (what the flesh wanted) and not an Isaac (what is ordained in the Spirit).

Hold on woman of God. I havent forgotten about you. I know it seems like its taking a long time but everything is going according to my divine plan and will for your life. Youve got to trust me. Even when you dont understand it or what Im doing, you must trust me. Can you do that for me? Can you trust me with your life? Better yet do you trust me? Do you trust that I have
your best interest at heart? Do you trust that I can come through for you? Do you trust that I know what Im doing? Do you trust me to bring you out of this trial? Do you trust me? Do you? I cant hear you?!!! Do you trust me?

Then if you do, let me handle this thing. Let me handle it! I know what Im doing. Do you think I want to see you hurt? Do you think I like watching you suffer through the afflictions? Do you think I like watching you agonize over things when your breakthrough is coming? What kind of Father do you think I am?

Believe me, I want to come to your rescue, although its very tempting, but I cant because if I do, the blessing wont last; you wont get all that Ive ordained for you. Youve gone through too much
emotional damage, youve cried too many tears, youve been through too much these past few years for me to just let you settle for anything. Ive got to let you endure until the end. I cant allow you to give in now.

Trust me,it will be worth it. But you have to trust me.

I know your heart aches. I know youre confused but daughter, the end is nigh; your breakthrough is imminent. I wouldnt be a just God if I didnt allow you to enter into the Promised Land after all this time in the wilderness. Trust me. I need you to trust me. So just trust me. Please trust me. I will not let you down. I promise!!!! "

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Pray for the Daniel Family

So I stumbled upon this blog and feel like I know this couple.... They could really use our prayers today.

Long story REALLY REALLY short (goto the blog if you want to get the long version) is Brittany's water broke at 24 weeks, & 1 Day. She's been in the hospital in Washington DC (they are from Alabama) since that day on bed rest. God has kept the baby "Gaines" healthy and safe and both of them without infection for 5 weeks! A total Miracle! She's having contractions this morning though and so today might be delivery day. Pray for them!!

If you goto the blog- start from the bottom and go up.

http://beauandbrittanydaniel.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Moxie Girls!

So our "Running Team" (which has only done one race) FINALLY has our SHIRTS ordered!!




What do you think?



On the front it says: "Team Moxie" w a running girl in the middle and underneath gives the definition of Moxie:


[mok’-see] n. slang. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.



On the Back, it has our names all off center and then at the bottom our Team Verse:


Let us throw off everything that hinders ...
and let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us.
- Hebrews 12:1


It will be HOT PINK! :) ya ya!! (no idea why it turned purple in the picture...)




Thursday, April 16, 2009

Where Have I beeN??

Well... here, there and everywhere. Unfortunately- not really doing too much on the exercise front.... doing more on the spiritual front. So I sent an email to some people yesterday and I feel like sharing it w the Blog World. NOt totally related to why I've been out but really related to the title of my blog: Who I'm Becoming.

Check it out. (its LONG) Let me know your thoughts if you make it through!!

Hello friends! A lot of you have been involved in my life at various levels and seen the various financial and car troubles I have experienced over the years (really- my whole life!). I'll try to make a long story SUPER short! I felt in June that God promised financial Freedom to me! Let me give you a Timeline of the events/progress thus far and how God is blessing me!!

I was struggling in my commission-only job (that i really liked... but wasn't doing well at) and my spirits were low. In August I got a job that I LOVE at my former church. Salary isn't high, but I felt a peace and its a STEADY, dependable, unchanging amount and includes a daycare discount (BIG ONE!) and medical cov'g! FIRST BLESSING!

I had a hard time paying my car payment during the months on Commission, so in early Aug, it got Repo'd which was actually more freeing than depressing. 2 days later- I was GIVEN a FREE car- 95 Volvo!! Second HUGE BLESSING!!

November- was going to move into a small 1 br apt on my own unsure of how I was going to handle the monthly bills/budget and the space issues w a 3 yr old but still felt Peace. WheN I was getting ready to move, My dad and his wife, Mary, decided they wanted to give me $100 a month to cover Nate's part of the rent and the increase in utility bills(allowing me to get a little bigger place w 2 br!) They volunteered this out of no where and have been faithful to send me that money at the beginning of every month! THIRD HUGE BLESSING!

January- After Christmas, Jan was a bit tight... then around the first week of the month- I get a check deposited from my former commission only job of $700!!! It was a surprise (while i usually get a check each month, the amounts vary and had usually only been around 2-400 depending on the month) FOURTH BLESSING!

April- it was a fairly tight month after investing in Running Shoes and paying some bills early. I had a flat that week and was really stressing a bit. I was literally left w like $200 in my account and deciding which bills could wait till after I got paid the following Wed. and which should be paid w this $200.

I went to hang w friends at a Poker night on April 11. So, its 1am... I'm inside my apt complex driving home when all of a sudden a car has backed out in front of me. There was no time to stop, so i SLAMMED into him. I initially thought it was my fault- but said nothing other than to exchange ins. My back hurt instantly and I cried when I got around the corner to my house bc I could only afford Liability ins and just knew my free car would be broken forever. PLUS my apt tows cars that are 'visably damaged' so I wondered where I was going to park since I wasn't going to be able to fix my car! I honestly doubted God and wondered what I was going to do! I felt him say "Tiffany, Do you not trust me yet as your provider?!"... and I'm like "Yes... but... it was my fault and now I'm hurt and I dont have any extra money to fix things and... (the list went on and on)." I finally went to sleep TRYING to believe He was going to provide somehow - but secretly honestly thinking I'd "used up" all my blessings and that he really wouldn't! I mean he'd already given me a FREE car... and I wrecked it! Why would he trust me w something else? Why would he help ME?!?

The pain in my back continued the next morning and was pretty bad. Nate was also mildly hurt. My car looked so sad as I went to it on Sat Morning before Bible study. The girls at the study prayed for me and my car/back. Later, I called my dad and asked who's fault he thought it was and told him about the damage. He volunteered to take a look at it if I had time on Sat afternoon. He ended up spending 8 hrs and $200 working on my car with a few breaks here and there for lunch, dinner, a trip to the junk yard, and an easter egg hunt w Nate. I know he was exhausted, but really, it was a great day! We had fun in spite of all the work he was doing (at least I know Nate and I did!) It was just such a sweet and selfless time my dad gave me. As I helped him finish checking the air on my tires, tears came to my eyes as I realized my Heavenly father had provided for me through my earthly father. And that He's been working to restore our relationship to completeness/wholeness. Its sooo good! And I felt more loved and protected and provided for than ever before. Praise the Lord! FIFTH BLESSING!

At that point, I didn't even care if it was my fault. My car wasn't so bad anymore thanks to my dad the Mechanical Miracle Worker and I learned I would be able to seek Med Treatment under my PIP ins for Nate and I. Had an appt on Monday and already felt a little better on Tuesday when I woke up. Nate got treated and I learned he had minor damage and wouldn't need many treatments. The 2500 PIP would surely cover it! SIXTH BLESSING! While I was at the Chiropractor- i got a call and learned that the wreck was the OTHER guys' fault!! SEVENTH BLESSING! Also, they said they would pay for ANY and ALL medical bills for both Nate and I related to this claim when we had completed all treatments!!! (So that means that if my PIP pays 2500, then they will write me a personal check for 2500 also!!!) EIGHTH BLESSING!!

Also, I have an Aflac Accident plan which means that I get additional money IN MY POCKET for accident treatment!! I'm guesstimating that it will end up around $500!!! NINTH BLESSING!

Tuesday, the adjuster came out and said he thought it might be totalled! I was a little scared bc I figured that would mean they woudln't give me much to fix the car and they'd want to take the car- then I'm stuck trying to find something to drive that's reliable! Ugh! I searched Blue Book value for the car and it ranged from 1500-3300. I guessed I'd get around 2000 for the car. Wed I learn that they did total the car- but they think its worth 4749.06 if they total it out and take it. WHAT?! Did you say 4 THOUSAND dollars!?! (but that means I"m Car-less!!) And then I asked- well what if I dont want to give you the car... and they said they would pay a little less... 4299.06!!!!!!!!! "wait- so you're telling me the minimum you will settle for will be $4300?!?!? for a 95 VolvO? SERIOUSLY? TENTH BLESSING!!

So.. to sum up- GOD is SOOOO my Provider!!! I repent for EVER doubting that he wants FINANCIAL freedom for me!!! Praise the LORD for blessings in disguise! I never knew I'd be sooo glad to have had a car wreck! This is INCREDIBLE!!!

And also- I had been feeling like I was supposed to do the Discipleship Training School at our church starting in August. It is $900 and I wasn't sure how I was going to pay for it, but just started the application this week! I read the line that said 'you may pay in advance" and almost laughed out loud! Ya RIGHT! Like I"D have 900 EXTRA dollars!! SOooo joke's on me I guess!!! :) I think I'll be able to write a check for the full amount now!! God is SOOO good!! Its really humbling and amazing!!

Please pray with me that I would be a good steward with the extra funds. That I would listen to wise council and that I would make progress on my debt!! I will have financial freedom!!! I can TASTE it!!! ANd its SOOO worth it!! :)

Hope you have a blessed day!! And that you BELIEVE that HE loves you!! And that He wants the BEST for you!! And that He will be your provider too!
Love, Tiff

Friday, April 3, 2009

Sick Sick Sick

In case you were wondering if I'd picked up the pace a little this week...

I haven't! BUT... not bc I'm being a bum!! I've been WAY sick all week! I didn't even get to play in the MOOSE game on Sunday!! Bummer!!! I haven't been able to eat ANYTHING (still managed to get to work each day but an hour (or 3) late usually). I"ve had incredibly low energy... bc I haven't been able to keep any food down... So ya... Its been an off week!!

BUT- I'm working on designing the "Moxie Girl" shirts... (with the help of a REAL graphic designer- Maggie) so we can all have them for our June 7th Race (that I'm still going to attempt to run!)...

I'm also planning on walking (maybe running a few minutes here and there) the Victory Over Violence 5k in Ft Worth. A few of the girsl are coming and it should be a good time!!

I kinda feel like my knees are better (but then again i've done NOTHING For 2 wks)... i guess we'll see after the walk and after Softball on Sunday if I am recouped or not... hopefully I'll be good as new and can start over on my interval training.

I think I still want to be a runner... and I KNOW i definitely want to be more active as a lifestyle... but man- sometimes its exhausting!!

I'll let you know how I do this weekend!

BE ACTIVE!!!

Tiff