I was tagged by Kay and since I love these sorts of quiz, answers these questions kind of things, here goes:







Meme of Fives

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post the player than tags 5 people and posts their names, than goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they done got tagged and to ask them to play and read your blog.


What was I doing 10 years ago? 1998


1. I filed for divorce
2. I buried my father
3. I rededicated my life to Christ
4. I was a single mom to my sons, ages 3 and 5
   
5. I was working as a full-time office manager/paralegal
   


5 things on my to-do list today


1. Go to work
2. Pick up my middle child from school
3. Visit with my friend, Rach
4. Do homework
5. Workout

Snacks I enjoy



1. Ice cream
2. Hot cocoa
3. Hershey miniatures
4. Bananas
5. dried cranberries & almonds (mixed together)
   

Things I would do if I were a billionaire


1. Tithe on it!
2. Donate enough money to our church to pay for the addition we need
3. Buy a house
4. Put money away for my children's college education and/or downpayment on their first home
5. Travel to Europe, particularly Italy

Five of my bad habits


1. Biting my nails - this is why I have acrylics LOL
   
2. Letting clean laundry pile up - I hate putting it away
3. Not exercising regularly
4. Procrastinating
5. Putting off household chores like dusting so I can do something more fun - like anything else except household chores LOL

Five places I have lived

I've always lived right where I am


Five jobs I've had

1. Bank teller
2. Legal Secretary
3. Office Manager
4. Transcriptionist for a private investigator
5. Paralegal


I Tag ~

1. Sharon
2. Jenny
3. Greg
4. Kelly
5. Amy

Week 11 - LIVE

This word has lots of implications, particularly since it is Resurrection weekend. First, Christ LIVES. Because He LIVEs, I can LIVE, too.
Second, is the question that Patter (www.triplethescraps.blogspot.com) posed which in essence is do you live the Christian life or is it just something you do on Sundays or special occasions?

While I have a long way to go, I can say that I strive to LIVE a life worthy of my calling every day, not just on Sundays. But I still have a long way to go. I will never be fully alive until I am in heaven. Until then, I can LIVE every day just a little more faithfully, a little more passionately, a little more spirit-led than the day before. Until finally I will LIVE with Christ in glory.

Feeling Blah

Ever have one of those days (or weeks) when you're just feeling blah?

I'm tempted to blame my mood on the lack of sunshine and the endless of winter, but honestly that can't be it. I mean, sure, it probably has a little to do with it, but in actuality, this winter has not been that bad. I remember WARM days, and even lots of really sunny days, interspersed with some snow and cold. So, why am I feeling so down in the dumps? Why is it that Gloomius Maximus seems to be overstaying his welcome?

I wish I knew. It's time for him to go.

Week 10 - GRACE

Grace: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification; disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency

That perfectly described what God has done for us through Jesus - through Christ's sacrificial death, we are now under God's grace - we have UNMERITED divine assistance to be regenerated into the image of Christ. A lifelong pursuit to be sure, but so worth it! God's grace can also describe that aspect of His character. His disposition is to act in kindness towards us and by His grace, we are made new. Old sins are forgiven, present sins are forgiven, future sins are forgiven. ALL sin is forgiven. It's hard to wrap my mind around this concept of grace, but even harder to wrap my mind around the concept of forgiveness. Why would God want to do that for us? Because another of His traits, the very essence of Who He is, is LOVE. He couldn't NOT make a way for us to be restored to relationship with Him. The way is freely offered...salvation, forgiveness, new life in Christ. It's up to us to accept or reject the gift.

Thank God for His grace, for now I am made new.

In The Home Stretch

Well, I have officially started Week 9 of 14 in my Paralegal class at Boston University. I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown! I was so afraid that the workload of an online class would be overwhelming, but my dh convinced me that even if it was, I could do anything for 14 weeks! He was right. Some classes have been harder than others, but my experience in the field has definitely helped. I cannot imagine coming into all this information without any experience. Each module is covered in two weeks' time - that is a LOT of information to absorb and understanding in such a short time!

So, with that said, I am just so very grateful to God for His perfect timing with this coursework. I have wanted to get my certificate for YEARS, but just never did it. God knew that I would be ready NOW. The years of experience, together with my most recent participation in REAL LIFE on some cases that were perfect examples of the fact patterns used in class, have made this course so very enjoyable and manageable.

I am absolutely loving being back in school. My mind is already contemplating what I can study next. Alas, I could be a lifelong student if I let myself be. Maybe some kind of theology or Greek class is in order....hmm, I'll have to pray on that.

Week 9 - Prayer

Prayer


It is truly my lifeline. I find myself talking to God nearly all the time, not out loud mind you because then I would be certifiable.

Yet, I find myself often in dialogue with God about random things throughout my day. Then there's my special prayer time where I lay out specific requests.

Prayer is not just something to do when you have the time - it is absolutely essential to living the life God calls us to.

Words of hope for today's woman

Ok, I know that these lyrics aren't Scripture, but they make a good point. I, for one, often feel inadequate when measured against society's standard of beauty. I am constantly reminidng myself that GOD defines who I am - the standard to meet is HIS, not man's.

Anyhow, as I sit here at work, the song whose lyrics are listed below is playing and I am reminded again that who I am is not defined by what I see in the mirror. I am defined by God, and He tells me that I am precious in His sight, that He is enthralled with my beauty (found in my heart as I truly seek Him), and that He delights over me with singing (Zeph. 3:17). He loved me enough to let His Son die for me, while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me. Before I knew Him, before I was even a fleeting thought in my parents' mind, He knew me (Ps. 139:14-15) and knew the plans He had for me - plans to prosper and not harm me - to give me a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11)

I am reminded again that beauty to God is found in my heart - a meek and gentle spirit and a life that bears much fruit to HIS glory, not my own. (I Pet. 3: 3-4)

God's standard is high - higher than the world's - yet it is far easily more attainable then man's, ironically enough. He has given me everything I need to live life well and to live life HIS way (II Pet. 1:3-10)

So, here's some inspiration for today:

"Mirror" by Barlow Girl

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me

You don't define me, you don't define me