::Yawn:: I'm not real sure why i'm still yawning I got an amazing 10 hours of sleep last night I went to sleep sooo early :) It felt wonderful this morning waking up so perky-I'm typically not a morning person, but yesterday I was so busy at work I was really tired at the end of my shift. The hubby knew I had a busy day so he went home picked up the house, had me some dinner started when I walked in the door and snuggled with me at 8 pm. Great evening I must say :)
**Oh I almost forgot-I had a lunch date with a co-worker/Friend yesterday at Logans, she is so funny, probably the funniest girlfriend i've ever had. Love her to death. She happens to be my mentor at work and I just learn so much from her everyday. I just know God put her in my life for good reasons! So Gina if you're reading this you better quit working out so much & eat out with me more often ;)
Did I mention that my 3 year anniversary is coming up this monday? Yup, October 5th 2006 I married the love of my life, Stephen. He is absolutely, by far, my biggest fan, best friend, and let me just mention cutest little thing ever! I am so in love with him. But..I won't get too far into that because helllllo, I have to blog on that on our anniversary day! He is actually taking me out to a romantic getaway to Marble Falls, they have this restuarant on a lake that he mentioned, but we shall see where we end up :) don't worry, i'll keep ya'll updated!
So far this has been the busiest week ever! I have 3 amazing students that i've enrolled and have more student meetings this week-Lord, help me lol no just kidding I really enjoy my job, I love the people I work with and my students are great! I have a little dentist appointment today that I must get to, but check back in for more blogging later, I love you guys, but above all-I LOVE MY SAVIOR!
Jesus, you are my everlasting King-Thank you for all my wonderful friends, family members, students, co-workers, and new sisters in Christ! You are AMAZING! I love you sooo much!
Your daugher,
Estie <3
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
I hate Goodbyes
I can't believe the weekend is almost over, only a few hours left until the work week starts up again..time flies! Speakin of time, I got to spend a little of that with my big sister, Eunice this weekend. I love visiting her, my brother in law and her kiddos, they are great. She is married to Jerome and he happens to be a medic in the Army...well as you know the Army sends you here and there..nothing you can do about it, but enjoy the time you do get at your duty station. I wonder sometimes how soldiers cope with coming & going? Like, for us we've been stationed in Ft. Hood for the past 3 years (besides his 15 month deployment) but for the most part the friends he has made they've all stayed together...but what about soliders that make friends and within a couple years, leave & start all over..I wonder if deep down it's an emotional ride for them or if they become immune to that part of their job?
So this weekend was fun, except for my horrible tooth ache I had going on. I went to a dentist the other day & he gave me 2 options-extraction or a root canal-they both have one thing in common ::RELIEF:: but a major difference-$$$ Lets just say a few hundred dollars in difference-it's amazing the kind of money people make on a 30-hour session digging in your mouth? But God bless them cause when you find yourself in a situation like me- they are much needed!
My sister goes to a big church called Victory Assemblies of God. The music is amazing and the pastors gives messages that pull at my heart strings every single time I go :) So anyhow-my little niece Gracie was dedicated at Church today, she looked like a little angel I tell ya, she is so beautiful! Such a good baby rarely cries and my sister often giggles at how different she is then her bigger sister Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn was a good baby as well, but a little on the moody side, she's grown outta it and is a little sweetheart! Addie, my daughter absoultely loves Kaitlyn she actually calls her KK, but they are like peanut butter & jelly! It just so happens that this was the last weekend I was going to be able to visit my sister and her family because they are headed to South Carolina in a couple weeks, so as great as it was hanging out with them, it was so hard to say goodbye :( Remember the thing I said about being in the Army? Ya duty calls, sad stuff. My parents live about 9 hours from me and so she was the closest family I had near by...ya..I'm bummed. God has lead them to South Carolina for a reason & I like to think that they are being called to reach more souls somewhere else.. I mean, they were in San Anotonio for a while they did their job but God needs mobile people, willing hearts, and obedient souls, so it makes me feel better to know that they are not being taken away from me, just called to a higher purpose :) Cheesey? Ahh I don't care I like my thought process it helps.
I am a bit shy when it comes to others seeming me cry so as she closed the door and as I walked away from her home to my car the tears just came. It's hard on Addie as well, with her and KK being such buddies and all :( AHH, see this is why I hate being a girl, we're sooo emotional lol-Lord help us. Either way, I love my sister, she loves the Lord with all her heart and I just know she is going to be a blessing in South Carolina. May you continue to reach many souls for His Kingdom sissy, may those people be as blessed as you've blessed us. I love you.
Lord, thank you for a good weekend. I give you my burdens, may your hand guide my sister and her family as they travel to their new destination. I plead the blood of Jesus over each of their life and Lord, may you continue to anoint them and bless them to further your Kingdom. In Jesus MIGHTY name I pray, Amen.
I love you Jesus!!
You are my all in all.
So this weekend was fun, except for my horrible tooth ache I had going on. I went to a dentist the other day & he gave me 2 options-extraction or a root canal-they both have one thing in common ::RELIEF:: but a major difference-$$$ Lets just say a few hundred dollars in difference-it's amazing the kind of money people make on a 30-hour session digging in your mouth? But God bless them cause when you find yourself in a situation like me- they are much needed!
My sister goes to a big church called Victory Assemblies of God. The music is amazing and the pastors gives messages that pull at my heart strings every single time I go :) So anyhow-my little niece Gracie was dedicated at Church today, she looked like a little angel I tell ya, she is so beautiful! Such a good baby rarely cries and my sister often giggles at how different she is then her bigger sister Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn was a good baby as well, but a little on the moody side, she's grown outta it and is a little sweetheart! Addie, my daughter absoultely loves Kaitlyn she actually calls her KK, but they are like peanut butter & jelly! It just so happens that this was the last weekend I was going to be able to visit my sister and her family because they are headed to South Carolina in a couple weeks, so as great as it was hanging out with them, it was so hard to say goodbye :( Remember the thing I said about being in the Army? Ya duty calls, sad stuff. My parents live about 9 hours from me and so she was the closest family I had near by...ya..I'm bummed. God has lead them to South Carolina for a reason & I like to think that they are being called to reach more souls somewhere else.. I mean, they were in San Anotonio for a while they did their job but God needs mobile people, willing hearts, and obedient souls, so it makes me feel better to know that they are not being taken away from me, just called to a higher purpose :) Cheesey? Ahh I don't care I like my thought process it helps.
I am a bit shy when it comes to others seeming me cry so as she closed the door and as I walked away from her home to my car the tears just came. It's hard on Addie as well, with her and KK being such buddies and all :( AHH, see this is why I hate being a girl, we're sooo emotional lol-Lord help us. Either way, I love my sister, she loves the Lord with all her heart and I just know she is going to be a blessing in South Carolina. May you continue to reach many souls for His Kingdom sissy, may those people be as blessed as you've blessed us. I love you.
Lord, thank you for a good weekend. I give you my burdens, may your hand guide my sister and her family as they travel to their new destination. I plead the blood of Jesus over each of their life and Lord, may you continue to anoint them and bless them to further your Kingdom. In Jesus MIGHTY name I pray, Amen.
I love you Jesus!!
You are my all in all.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Religion Vs Relationship
I feel sometimes that religion is killing people. There are so many precious people who are seeking to have a relationship with God, and the religious community continues to tell them something else they need to "do" in order to be acceptable to Him. But that is not what God says!
2 Corinthians 3:6 says "IT IS HE, who qualifies us to be fit, worthy and sufficient as ministers and dispensers of a new convenant of salvation through Christ. " It is not up to anyone but God to decide who he sees as worthy, as someone fit to do his work, he sees our heart but the world sees all our imperfections. I once used to be that way. I thought well i'm dropping all these things to be closer to God shouldn't everyone else? Why isn't everyone doing what I'm doing? I was in the wrong. God convicts us all on different levels. My struggles and not everyone elses. Now obviously doing things like watching what you say, how you dress, what you act like are the basics of showing you are a Christ follower and showing the fruits of the Spirit, but i'm talking on a deeper level. I have began to understand that God's grace is more than anyone can imagine, we ALL have things that keep us from being rigtheous so I refuse to protray i'm any better than the next guy. When I get to thinking about sin I think well, I struggle with this, but he or she struggles with that-and it has come to me that no sin is greater than another! Sin is sin is sin is sin, it doesn't matter. So how can I say i'm any holier than someone else? Jesus is and will be the only perfect being that has ever walked this earth, all we can do is strive to be more and more like him eachday. God speaks to me and says, "Esther, do your best because you love me. I know your heart. Admit your faults, repent of your mistakes, and just keep loving me." And i'm thankful for His voice because that's all I can do. The bible says we will all fall short of His glory. I only wish to do the best I can to represent Christ and not judge others. I made a friend recently who has a heart of gold. He happens to have a different lifestyle and is gay. It saddened me so much when I was talking to him because he desires a relationship with God and knows he has an uphill battle but every Christian has shunned him and made him feel like he was too far gone to recieve God's forgivness or love. Is that the Christian I want to be? Never! I instantly prayed God help me talk to him and show him you do love him, cause you love the sinner not the sin. I found myself talking to him one afternoon, and he just mentioned that his whole life he had struggled with not feeling anything for women. I've never understood homosexuality, but I tried to be opened minded in order to be effective in my talk with him. I placed myself in his shoes and thought, wow, what if there was something exterior that people noticed about me that would keep me out of Church? How awful would that be to be looked funny at Church or walk around feeling rejected from the Christian community and society in general. I felt for this guy so I simply said, Jesus loves you. He does desire a relationship with you and everyone. Come to Him and allow him to cleanse you, to guide you, to convict you, to love you. I could see the knot in his throat and with that he walked out. That night, He sent me a text message saying, thank you-you've stirred something in my heart again, please keep me in your prayers. People that taught me something HUGE. Why are we scared to tell people God loves them? Why are we afraid of witnessing to people most wouldn't? They are the ones that need to hear God loves them the MOST! It just opened my eyes to see that God's grace is more than we think-we put a limit on God and his mercy. He can reach the people we think are so far gone, if only we too would give them some mercy, give them a little of our time, opened our arms to them and made them feel welcome. For that's what Jesus does everyday to each and every single life. He stands there with arms wide open, when we are full of filth. God forgive me for being so unaccepting to others and being quick to judge. Thank you for opening my heart and my mind to see it is YOU who changes lives, it is YOU who has changed mine. I love you Father, you are truly amazing. Thank you for sparing my life and those that have been given chances time and time again. Let us in return give others those chances too.
I love you,
your daughter
Esther
2 Corinthians 3:6 says "IT IS HE, who qualifies us to be fit, worthy and sufficient as ministers and dispensers of a new convenant of salvation through Christ. " It is not up to anyone but God to decide who he sees as worthy, as someone fit to do his work, he sees our heart but the world sees all our imperfections. I once used to be that way. I thought well i'm dropping all these things to be closer to God shouldn't everyone else? Why isn't everyone doing what I'm doing? I was in the wrong. God convicts us all on different levels. My struggles and not everyone elses. Now obviously doing things like watching what you say, how you dress, what you act like are the basics of showing you are a Christ follower and showing the fruits of the Spirit, but i'm talking on a deeper level. I have began to understand that God's grace is more than anyone can imagine, we ALL have things that keep us from being rigtheous so I refuse to protray i'm any better than the next guy. When I get to thinking about sin I think well, I struggle with this, but he or she struggles with that-and it has come to me that no sin is greater than another! Sin is sin is sin is sin, it doesn't matter. So how can I say i'm any holier than someone else? Jesus is and will be the only perfect being that has ever walked this earth, all we can do is strive to be more and more like him eachday. God speaks to me and says, "Esther, do your best because you love me. I know your heart. Admit your faults, repent of your mistakes, and just keep loving me." And i'm thankful for His voice because that's all I can do. The bible says we will all fall short of His glory. I only wish to do the best I can to represent Christ and not judge others. I made a friend recently who has a heart of gold. He happens to have a different lifestyle and is gay. It saddened me so much when I was talking to him because he desires a relationship with God and knows he has an uphill battle but every Christian has shunned him and made him feel like he was too far gone to recieve God's forgivness or love. Is that the Christian I want to be? Never! I instantly prayed God help me talk to him and show him you do love him, cause you love the sinner not the sin. I found myself talking to him one afternoon, and he just mentioned that his whole life he had struggled with not feeling anything for women. I've never understood homosexuality, but I tried to be opened minded in order to be effective in my talk with him. I placed myself in his shoes and thought, wow, what if there was something exterior that people noticed about me that would keep me out of Church? How awful would that be to be looked funny at Church or walk around feeling rejected from the Christian community and society in general. I felt for this guy so I simply said, Jesus loves you. He does desire a relationship with you and everyone. Come to Him and allow him to cleanse you, to guide you, to convict you, to love you. I could see the knot in his throat and with that he walked out. That night, He sent me a text message saying, thank you-you've stirred something in my heart again, please keep me in your prayers. People that taught me something HUGE. Why are we scared to tell people God loves them? Why are we afraid of witnessing to people most wouldn't? They are the ones that need to hear God loves them the MOST! It just opened my eyes to see that God's grace is more than we think-we put a limit on God and his mercy. He can reach the people we think are so far gone, if only we too would give them some mercy, give them a little of our time, opened our arms to them and made them feel welcome. For that's what Jesus does everyday to each and every single life. He stands there with arms wide open, when we are full of filth. God forgive me for being so unaccepting to others and being quick to judge. Thank you for opening my heart and my mind to see it is YOU who changes lives, it is YOU who has changed mine. I love you Father, you are truly amazing. Thank you for sparing my life and those that have been given chances time and time again. Let us in return give others those chances too.
I love you,
your daughter
Esther
Monday, September 21, 2009
God is moving.
Lord, I love you. You are my King and forever will I worship you.
So, this weekend went by so fast! I got off work Friday and drove straight into Longview, Tx. It was like a blink of an eye and we were already headed back home. Nonetheless, it was a great time. My daughter Addie got to spend a lot of time with her Aunts and her Uncle Adam. I really love watching Adalie interact with them. They spoil her to pieces, in a good way though. Adalie happens to be the only grandchild on my husbands side of the family so you can imagine the attention. Vikki (stephens step mom) is doing better. She is gaining strength day by day, Glory to you Father! I hope she will find herself back to normal this month!
Stephens dad grilled out for us Saturday night, It was delicious! He made his own recipe beans that he calls "wagontrain beans" haha, it makes me laugh cause even he has no idea why he named them that. Either way, they are sooo good! I never thought beans mixed with meat would taste as awesome as they did! I'll have to remember to call him for that recipe ;)
Well today work has been fast pace! (Which I love) makes time go fast so I can hurry home to my loves. Eating dinner with my husband and baby girl might seem like a nonchalant thing, but I adore that time with them. I do not like eating without one another or eating in the living room-I guess I cherish our dinner time :) Hmm, speakin of, wonder what i'll make tonight for din din.
At lunch today I had the most wonderful phone call. I love my big brother to pieces. God is doing wonders in and through his life. He has made me proud today. God bless him & his family! Lord, may you continue to stir your mercy and grace in him. Thank you for allowing him to open up to me God, may it be your words that flow through my lips, not mine, in Jesus wonderful, powerful name-Amen!
I love you Father
Your daughter
Esther
So, this weekend went by so fast! I got off work Friday and drove straight into Longview, Tx. It was like a blink of an eye and we were already headed back home. Nonetheless, it was a great time. My daughter Addie got to spend a lot of time with her Aunts and her Uncle Adam. I really love watching Adalie interact with them. They spoil her to pieces, in a good way though. Adalie happens to be the only grandchild on my husbands side of the family so you can imagine the attention. Vikki (stephens step mom) is doing better. She is gaining strength day by day, Glory to you Father! I hope she will find herself back to normal this month!
Stephens dad grilled out for us Saturday night, It was delicious! He made his own recipe beans that he calls "wagontrain beans" haha, it makes me laugh cause even he has no idea why he named them that. Either way, they are sooo good! I never thought beans mixed with meat would taste as awesome as they did! I'll have to remember to call him for that recipe ;)
Well today work has been fast pace! (Which I love) makes time go fast so I can hurry home to my loves. Eating dinner with my husband and baby girl might seem like a nonchalant thing, but I adore that time with them. I do not like eating without one another or eating in the living room-I guess I cherish our dinner time :) Hmm, speakin of, wonder what i'll make tonight for din din.
At lunch today I had the most wonderful phone call. I love my big brother to pieces. God is doing wonders in and through his life. He has made me proud today. God bless him & his family! Lord, may you continue to stir your mercy and grace in him. Thank you for allowing him to open up to me God, may it be your words that flow through my lips, not mine, in Jesus wonderful, powerful name-Amen!
I love you Father
Your daughter
Esther
Friday, September 18, 2009
New day, New me!
Hooray today is a new day! Yesterday was a wild one. Do you ever have days where you literally don't know where it went? That was the kind of day I had yesterday! I'm so glad was able to write in my journal, but after my love note it was crazzzy. So-I love my job and everything about it, well mostly everything- The people are so amazing, so helpful, but truth be told it's not an easy job. It comes with great dedication and a lot of hard work to be successful. I am an admissions counselor so trying to enroll students into college is a fun experience yet i'm busy busy busy! First thing this morning I clocked in, and bam got a phone call from a student wanting to sumbit an application, we were on the phone for over two hours! He is wonderful and such an inspiring young man. I learn a lot about my students and it's funny the way it works, I give them a chance to earn their degree and they give me a chance to make each new day a new me (you'll get it in a minute) My students challenge me, they all have a story that's lead them where they are- they pour out their lives to a stranger (me) and yet i'm their hero at the end of the day. I love counseling it's so rewarding, but i'm so nurturing sometimes their problems make me sad. I have to be careful not to get so deep into my emotions because i'm the counselor. I'm the "strong one" in their eyes, but in mine they are stronger and you'll see why. Going back to this young man that called me today, boy he blew my socks off! Oh my stars, he has been through everything imaginable yet is zealous about life and enpowers the world around him i'm sure of it! His character is out of this world-I almost think he is inhuman! From battling cancer to transitioning foster home after foster home, I sit back and think, wow God had to have been with him every step of the way. Sometimes we need to hear others obstacles, when we think our life is so awful or hard because then we put into perspective just how hard life can really be. When you compare the pile of problems those around us have-you really see the depth of your blessings-- i'm guilty at times of still complaining. Lord, help me.
I am excited to see my in laws this weekend. It's friday woohoo-They live in Longview and are the sweetest little people :) I love them. My step-mom in law has been dealing with some health issues so my desire is to pray God's healing over her! She needs a touch in her life so I pray God's hand goes before me. Well that's all for now, stay tuned for more :) Be blessed!
Lord, with your strength, help and guidance- my prayer is to make each new day and a new. Transform, mold, and stretch my faith.
I love you Heavenly Father-
Esther
I am excited to see my in laws this weekend. It's friday woohoo-They live in Longview and are the sweetest little people :) I love them. My step-mom in law has been dealing with some health issues so my desire is to pray God's healing over her! She needs a touch in her life so I pray God's hand goes before me. Well that's all for now, stay tuned for more :) Be blessed!
Lord, with your strength, help and guidance- my prayer is to make each new day and a new. Transform, mold, and stretch my faith.
I love you Heavenly Father-
Esther
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My first blog "Encourage"
So today is my first blog. I am very excited about my journal. I love writing, expressing my thoughts, feelings & above all glorifing my God in everything I do. I dedicate this page to my Jesus, my awesome savior! He is the reason to my exsistance and I am forever grateful for this life I live.
The word of God is such a blessing and one of the things I've really put into practice in the last few months is 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing"-I am so moved to share the love of Christ with others, to inspire those that feel hopeless, those that are shunned, those that feel they have no one to turn too. We serve a mighty, forgiving, loving God, Amen! He is so accepting, so warm and welcoming that I sometimes feel overwhelmed at how I committ sins over and over; yet, my Father is faithful, He is always available with his arms wide open. Lord, purify me! I ask that you empty all that I am and be filled with everything you are. I want to shout from the mountains how AMAZING Jesus is and what He is capable of. Brother and sisters, this race is hard, but endure for our God will return one day and what a moment that is gonna be huh? Man, I can't wait to meet my Lord face to face and tell Him how much I love him..and to hear His voice..wow what a moment to live for! I pray peace and joy over all the eyes that view this, in Jesus precious name, Amen.
Father-I love you!
Your daughter Esther
<3
The word of God is such a blessing and one of the things I've really put into practice in the last few months is 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing"-I am so moved to share the love of Christ with others, to inspire those that feel hopeless, those that are shunned, those that feel they have no one to turn too. We serve a mighty, forgiving, loving God, Amen! He is so accepting, so warm and welcoming that I sometimes feel overwhelmed at how I committ sins over and over; yet, my Father is faithful, He is always available with his arms wide open. Lord, purify me! I ask that you empty all that I am and be filled with everything you are. I want to shout from the mountains how AMAZING Jesus is and what He is capable of. Brother and sisters, this race is hard, but endure for our God will return one day and what a moment that is gonna be huh? Man, I can't wait to meet my Lord face to face and tell Him how much I love him..and to hear His voice..wow what a moment to live for! I pray peace and joy over all the eyes that view this, in Jesus precious name, Amen.
Father-I love you!
Your daughter Esther
<3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)