It's Been Quite Some Time!

Hi All:

Just thought I would let you know that yes...... I am still kicking. Life has been pretty stressful here lately, even though we've had some snow days off. I am juggling my last 2 classes, work, after school tutoring, planning for a unit review at work, helping my hubby get better, and communing with God. Amazing how 24 hours never seems to be enough.
I found something very cute on Kristi's page. Click here for the Top Ten Reasons to Quite Your Job. Her added comments are adorable also! So many times people dismiss the duties of a housewife/mother. Hats off to all of you who are! My mother was a stay at home mom until about 3 years ago and I know she worked a lot harder than some people do at their outside jobs! I admire the fact that she was able to do that because I love that we spent all that time together and I know my brother does, too. Now, she works outside the home just because she wants to. I am so proud of her!
I also wanted to take the time to remind everyone to visit Hannah's Hope, the new ministry for Hannah Sobeski's Hope, Jesus Christ! This is a new site and is great. You can also order cds, bracelets, etc. I urge you to read the blog. It never ceases to touch my heart!
I will do my best to post again asap. I miss my blogging, however, I am so sleepy that I can barely form sentences. God Bless you all!

A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES...... *WAVING TO EACH OF THEM* HI GUYS!

Hebrews 12:1-2 King James Version

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Wow! This is today's verse on my www.myway.com page. Amazing! This is the exact verse that Danielle's mother and I look to when we ache to know what she is doing in Heaven. Look at this verse in break down with me.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
THINK ABOUT IT. ALL OF OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE US ARE WITNESSING OUR LIVES. THEY ARE WATCHING US RUN OUR RACE. SOME PEOPLE ASK IF THIS IS SO? IT'S IN PLAIN TEXT RIGHT HERE IN THE KJV OF THE HOLY BIBLE, GOD'S WORD. HOW AMAZING IS THAT? THINK ABOUT THE TIMES THAT YOU ARE FEELING SO HEAVY WITH BURDENS AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CANNOT POSSIBLY MAKE IT THROUGH, THERE'S YOUR BEST FRIEND, YOUR PAPAWS, YOUR MAMAW, YOUR SISTER, YOUR CHURCH FAMILY, ETC CHEERING YOU ON FROM HEAVEN. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WORKS, GOD'S MIND IS SO COMPLEX THAT HE CAN CREATE THINGS FROM NOTHING, HE DID WITH ME, BUT HE HAS SPOKEN THIS INTO ORDER AND HERE WE HAVE OUR LOVED ONES, PRECIOUS SAINTS WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE US, CHEERING US ON EACH MOMENT!

let us lay aside every weight,

THIS PART SAYS TO LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT. OK, IS THAT TALKING ABOUT OUR BODY WEIGHT? HOPE NOT! HAHA NO, IT'S ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT THE WEIGHTS THAT WE CONTINUALLY ADD ONTO OUR SHOULDERS AS WE WALK THROUGH EACH DAY OF OUR LIFE IN THIS WORLD. WE PLACE THE WEIGHT OF GUILT, THEN A COUPLE OF POUNDS OF SHAME, A POUND OR TWO OF SORROW, 5 POUNDS OF GRIEF, ETC. HERE WE STAND ON MONDAY, AND BY FRIDAY, WE ARE SO DISCOURAGED AND WEIGHT BEARING THAT WE CAN BARELY STAND NO LONGER. NO WONDER FOLKS DON'T WANT TO BE CHRISTIANS! IT'S EASY TO DO! I DO IT MYSELF. BUT THIS PART OF THE VERSE IS TELLING US TO STAND UP AND SHRUG OFF THOSE WEIGHTS. WE HAVE THE GREATEST PROMISE POSSIBLE! NO MATTER WHAT WE GO THROUGH HERE, IT'S ALL GOING TO BE BETTER IN HEAVEN. WE SHOULD WALK WITH OUR HEAD HELD HIGH AND A SMILE ON OUR FACE. WE WANT PEOPLE TO WANT WHAT WE HAVE! BEING A CHRISTIAN IS A BLESSING, NOT A BURDEN!

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

OOOOOOH...WE ALL HAVE 'EM. THIS PART SAYS FOR US TO LAY ASIDE OUR BESETTING SIN! MY PASTOR PREACHES ON THIS A LOT! A BESETTING SIN IS ANY SIN THAT YOU ASK FOR FORGIVENESS ABOUT AND THEN CONTINUALLY PICK BACK UP AND CONTINUE TO SEEK PLEASURE IN DOING SO. IT MAY BE DRUGS, LUST, OR SOMETHING THAT SEEMS BARELY WORTH WORRYING ABOUT LIKE CURSING OR BEING HATEFUL ALL THE TIME. WE HAVE TO GIVE THESE TO GOD AND DO OUR VERY BEST TO NOT INTERFERE AND PICK THEM BACK UP!

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

I LIKE THIS PART. RUN WITH PATIENCE. IT SOUNDS LIKE AN OXYMORON DOESN'T IT? WHENEVER YOU ARE RUNNING YOU ARE USUALLY TRYING TO HURRY WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT YOU ARE IMPATIENT FOR THE GOAL. SO, GOD IS TELLING US, YOU'LL REACH YOUR GOAL IF YOU JUST STAY THE COURSE. BE PATIENT, RUN AS HARD AS YOU CAN NOT TO HURRY AND FINISH, BUT SO THAT YOU WILL BE BLESSED WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID ACCOMPLISH DURING YOUR RUN!


Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

LOOKING UNTO JESUS! HOW BEAUTIFUL. NEVER HAS THERE BEEN A MORE BEAUTIFUL NAME! IT SAYS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH..... HE GAVE US A START AND HE WILL OPEN HIS ARMS TO US AS WE CROSS OVER JORDAN TO BE WITH HIM. LOOK TO HIM IN EVERY SITUATION. DON'T THINK EARTHLY! TOO MANY OF US DO THAT TOO MUCH OF THE TIME. THINK HEAVENWARD. 93 AND A HEART ATTACK ISN'T GONNA BE MY END, BUT MY NEW BEGINNING (HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING THAT IS!)

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

HE ENDURED THE CROSS. FOR OUR JOY TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH HIM! WE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN IF HE HADN'T HAVE DONE THIS!

despising the shame,

HE DESPISED THE SHAME THAT HE WENT THROUGH. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO HANG NAKED IN FRONT OF YOUR MOTHER OR FATHER? NOT ME. JESUS DID THAT. IT EMBARRASSED HIM. HE HUNG THERE IN PAIN AND IN SHAME, HERE'S THE BEST PART, FOR YOU AND ME!


and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
BUT THE BEST PART IS THIS.... HE DIED YES.... BUT HE AROSE FROM THE GRAVE AND HE HOLDS THE KEYS TO DEATH, HELL, AND THE GRAVE IN HIS NAIL SCARRED HANDS. HE IS SITTING AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND ON HIS THRONE WHERE HE DESERVES TO BE!

TO FINISH, I'D LIKE TO ASK ALL OF YOU TO KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS ALL THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE. EVEN IF IT'S BEEN YEARS, I CAN PROMISE YOU, THEY ARE STILL HURTING. I PRAY THAT THEY EACH HAVE GOD TO TURN TO. SEND THEM ENCOURAGEMENT AND PRAYERS. TAKE TIME OUT TO TALK WITH THEM ABOUT THE LOVED ONE IF THEY SO DESIRE. HOW BLESSED OF GOD ARE THOSE THAT CARE FOR THE GRIEVING HEARTS! I ASK THAT ALSO READ HANNAH SOBESKI'S WEB JOURNAL WHICH IS BEING CONTINUED ON AFTER HER DEATH. THERE'S SOME BEAUTIFUL WORDS FROM A GRIEVING MOTHER THAT TOTALLY RELIES ON GOD THERE. HER AUNT IS PRETTY AMAZING, TOO. CHECK OUT TODAY'S ENTRY FROM HER MOTHER. IT SO REMINDED ME OF WHAT MY BEST FRIEND DANIELLE'S MOTHER VERNA MUST FEEL DAILY. GOD BLESS HER HEART! SHE IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF JESUS TO ME.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

***THE PICTURE ABOVE IS OF HANNAH WITH A COUPLE OF STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL I TEACH AT! AMAZING. I NEVER MET HER BUT WE HAD CONNECTIONS. THE LITTLE GIRL IN ORANGE KNEW WHO SHE WAS IMMEDIATELY AND TOLD ME OF HANNAH'S EXPLANATION OF GOD TO HER:

"HE'S LIKE A GREAT WIND, YOU CAN'T SEE THE WIND, BUT YOU CAN FEEL IT AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT IT DOES!"

THIS SAME LITTLE GIRL HAS REQUESTED THIS PICTURE FROM ME (I FOUND IT ON ONE OF THE REMEMBERING HANNAH SITES) BECAUSE HANNAH MADE SUCH AN IMPACT ON HER! GOD USES THOSE WHO ARE WILLING AND HANNAH WAS WILLING! I WANT TO WILLING, DON'T YOU?

Welcome Home My Child .... A Tribute to Hannah Sobeski

http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewMyStory.do?method=executeInit

This afternoon, I read the news of the passing of Hannah Sobeski on Thursday at 4:30pm. It shocked me first and foremost. I could not get over the fact that she was gone. I have never met Hannah, nor have I met any of her family; however I was connected spiritually because she IS my sister in Christ. I never really even thought about her passing away because in my heart I knew God was going to heal her.
The more I sat in silence in my quite apartment, the more the puzzle pieces began to fit together. Hannah had went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, the same day that I had felt led to talk about her inspiration in my life as a teacher sponsor for our Christian Club 1st Priority. That same day I had students coming to my classroom to use my computers during their recess to leave Hannah a message. That was only an hour before she left this world of sorrows.
Wow! How amazing! God was using Hannah even as she was nearing her last breath! This 18 year old girl, 7 years younger than me, was providing me a life lesson even with her death. God uses those who are willing. That's all that it takes for us to be used of God, just an eager willingness for His work to be done in our lives. Hannah was eager to let the world know about God and what He had done for her.
Some of you reading this may question, "What exactly did He do for her? She died. She wasn't healed. She believed God would heal her and he didn't." But that's the amazing part friend! God DID heal Hannah! He healed Hannah spiritually. She blossomed into a Saint before all those who were by the wayside watching and she was healed of any kind of worldliness and the effects thereof. She suffers no more, cries no more, worries no more, feels anxious no more, grieves no more, and most importantly she DIES no more! God healed Hannah in the best way possible! A physical healing, though wonderful, eventually is overshadowed by later physical death; but a spiritual healing is ETERNAL!
Hannah was at a crossroad when she was told she had sarcoma in May. She could either be depressed and negative, or she could be faithful and obedient. She chose obedience and for that reason, dear friends, she is kneeling at the feet of Jesus worshipping the True King.
I encourage each of you to read Hannah's journal entries, especially the last 3 entries by her mother and aunt. The story of Hannah's homecoming is very touching!

May you be encouraged by this wonderful, beautiful Saint of God!
MAY YOUR LIGHT SHINE, JUST LIKE QUEEN HANNAH'S!

I want to be like Hannah!

Good evening to all:

I sit here in my bed, pretty much well relaxed and rested after a whole day off here at home. I have been working on my online tests and measurements classwork since last night and I am almost finished with the exception of one lesson assignment. I decided to clean off some of the old emails on my computer and now that I have finished with that, I decided to go to my MyWay.com page and visit my daily links. I visited Kristi's Blog and I was welcomed by a billboard picture of Hannah Sobeski. (Kristi, if you are reading this I am copying that picture and link from your page!)

I clicked on the link that was provided in Kristi's entry and was directed to Channel 7 WSPA news in Spartanburg, SC. The news website contains an interview video clip with Hannah. I am requesting that all that read this entry check this clip out! http://www.wspa.com/midatlantic/spa/home.html and click Hannah Sobeski interview. Please watch this clip if for no other reason but to honor this courageous, young girl.
I cried as I watched Hannah discuss her cancer in the interview. She spoke with courage and with firm faith. I was amazed at her strong composure. She stated that she would like to graduate from Clemson in 4 years, get married, and have children. BUT, she made sure to add that if that was not God's will for her, that she would be fine with that.
I sit here in awe tonight. I complain all the time about staying so busy and never getting to take a break. Today, I've had a peaceful break. I have enjoyed it! However, how ungrateful of me to complain about a full life when there are others, like Hannah, who aren't getting to do the things that I am doing. Do I really need to complain at all? And I know, we are all human. Females, at least my female friends, love to complain a bit here and there, we call it "VENTING." I realize that it is good to talk and get things out of your system, however its moments like these, people like Hannah, that make me reevaluate my entire life.
With that said, please don't think Hannah is lacking in anyway. She is probably closer to Jesus right now than any of us. She stated in her interview that her priorities had changed alot since she had been diagnoised with cancer. She talked about the importance of relationships with family and friends, and most importantly God. Hannah is not missing out on anything that could ever mean more than what she is being blessed to experience.
I pause momentarily tonight to ask myself a question, are my priorities in order? Simple answer, no. Yes, they are more in order now than they have been in a long time. Yes, I do my best to put Jesus first in EVERYTHING that I do. However, I fail quite often at that. And sometimes satan uses that to try to push me further away. I'll admit, sometimes it works. So many people laugh when I say that I should be living a better life for God. They tell me that if I am doing such a sloppy job, they must really be bad off. But, its a personal thing. My best attempts may seem wonderful to some people, actually they would seem wonderful to me a few years back if I could have glimpsed into the future, but the closer you get to God, the closer you want to be.
I have always been known as "a good girl" and you know what, that has never bothered me. I have always had 100 pairs of eyes watching me to see if I really am living this life with Jesus that I speak of. I'm not perfect, I've made mistakes. I continue to make mistakes daily. However, I have had Jesus through all things that I have been through, and He has pulled me up when I have fallen and helped me get started on the right path again.
I look back at my high school and college years and I am so thankful to God that he preserved my testimony. I am glad that I wasn't swayed into attending weekend parties or sharing intimate moments with random guys. I always had people telling me that I would regret not "living", but that's what they didn't understand, I was and still am "living!" Survey most adults in the world today and rarely will you find any that can say that they have never touched alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc. Most can't say that they have only been with their husbands. That's the easy way out. It's easy to get drunk or high. It's easy to be "well known" with guys. It takes integrity to NOT do those things. And those who don't are extremely unique.
Do I say all this to toot my own horn? Nope. I give God the glory for the preservation of my testimony. I pray continuously for Him to continue preserving it. I could make a bad decision right now and have to live with the consequences forever. But by God's grace, He sustains me and helps me to be a light to my family, friends, students, etc. Its nothing about me that is good, its only Jesus that is in me that is good. I say all these things to open the eyes of those of you reading. Young or old, male or female, good past or not so good past; Jesus died for you, too. Turn from your sin and depend on Him. Don't try to fix yourself, instead give yourself to Him and let Him do the fixing!
I've said all of the above to say this, I want to be like Hannah Sobeski! I am 8 years her senior, but she is at a spiritual level of maturity far greater than mine. What a light for Jesus! I want to be like Hannah... now the accountable question for my readers, Do you?

Thoughts Of Others ... Please Pray For God's Will in the Life of Hannah Sobeski

Hi All:

I am sitting here at 1:34am thinking about Hannah Sobeski. Hannah is a girl I have never met and I have never even heard of until about 20 minutes ago. She is a girl that lives in SC and is in high school at Dorman High. The only reason that I came across her is because of Vacation Bible School taught by the awesome folks at First Baptist of Spartanburg. I always loved this ministry and have made a lot of lasting friendships through it.
One friend that I have on my facebook friend's list had a message on her status for people to please Pray hard for Hannah Sobeski. I was curious so I clicked and skimmed her page for more information. I ran across the link above and was so touched by what I found.



This beautiful, teenage girl has been fighting sarcoma, which from my understanding is a form of cancer, and has stood her ground faithfully throughout the entire battle by giving God the the praise and glory for everything that has occured as a result. It is so empowering, as a Christian, to see this young lady stand so firm in the face of adversity. It's so easy to talk the talk when you aren't having to walk the walk. Hannah is a girl who is speaking out of true faith from her heart as she stands in the midst of a continously, brewing storm.
Hannah was crowned homecoming queen last night according to her website. Throughout the entire event, she gave all honor and praise to God. Her story was on the news and in the papers and nothing she said was edited to take out Jesus' name. This morning, Hannah awoke to learn that her tests show that her tumor has doubled in size since she began her chemo. The decision was made for her to go home and to end further treatment.
My heart just aches for this young girl and her family. How hard must it be to learn that you are given no hope from the medical world? Especially as an 18 year old girl. But as much as my heart aches, it also rejoices. Because, though medically all hope has been dismissed, Hannah and her family have hope in Someone much greater than any earthly doctor. Jesus Christ is their hope and as they stated on their website:
"We will continue to pray that God will kill this tumor, He doesn't need chemo or any other drug. We know He is able. And we also know that He is soveriegn and His plans and ways are always right, whatever happens. We will not give up!"

I urge you to click the link above and read about Hannah. Most importantly, I urge you to Pray for this Faithful Servant of God. Pray for His will to be accomplished in her life!

With that, I offer up my own prayer for Hannah:

GOD BLESS THIS PRECIOUS YOUNG GIRL AND HER FAMILY, DEAR JESUS. PLEASE JUST BATHE HER IN YOUR BLESSINGS FOR HER CONTINOUS EFFORTS TO BRING PRAISE AND HONOR TO YOUR NAME THROUGHOUT EVERY PHASE OF HER BATTLE. LORD, REACH DOWN AND TOUCH HER FEEBLE BODY AND MAKE HER PHYSICALLY WHOLE AGAIN, IF IT BE THY WILL. JESUS, I KNOW SHE WILL REMAIN UPON THIS EARTH UNTIL YOU ARE READY FOR HER TO ENTER INTO YOUR KINGDOM AND BE WITH YOU. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL TOUCH HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND COMFORT THEM. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL LET HER LIGHT SHINE EVER SO BRIGHTLY IN THIS DARK WORLD SO THAT OTHERS CAN ALSO HAVE THE FAITH THAT SHE HAS. I KNOW THAT NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT MEANING AND I KNOW THAT, AS HARD AS THIS SITUATION IS FOR HANNAH AND HER FAMILY, YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR THE WHOLE THING. LORD, HELP ME TO OPEN MY EYES AND REALIZE ONCE AGAIN THAT WE ARE NEVER PROMISED TOMMORROW. HELP ME TO BE A WILLING VESSEL FOR YOUR WORK. JESUS, PLEASE JUST WRAP YOUR STRONG ARMS AROUND HANNAH RIGHT NOW, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, AND WHISPER SWEET PEACE IN HER EAR. LET HER KNOW IN HER HEART THAT YOU WILL BE WITH HER NO MATTER WHAT AND LET HER FEEL A PEACE THAT IS UNSPEAKABLE. LORD, JUST LET THY WILL BE DONE AND LET ALL THAT IS ACCOMPLISHED BY IT BE USED TO GLORIFY YOU. I LOVE YOU PRECIOUS SAVIOR AND I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY SOUL SO THAT I CAN PRAY THIS PRAYER FOR HANNAH.
IN YOUR PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME I PRAY,
AMEN