HI peeps!

It has been two weeks since I have posted anything. Although I counted the post on the 17th, it really should not count since it barely had three or four sentences. Our Esther Bible Study is complete. Wow!!! What a neat take on Esther. The whole book from chapter one to chapter ten is a REVERSAL OF FORTUNE, a REVERSAL OF DESTINY. During the study I also began a reversal of Destiny. I am letting God do his work without a great deal of talk about it outside of the study. But WOW!!! This week I dropped another 1.5 lbs bringing the total so far to 20 pounds. Lately, I am learning that it is more about my destiny than a stopping point. Oh what a blessing that my clothes are fitting. More than layers on my body, it is about the clothing of my heart in His story. If I chose, He writes my life into His story. He will give His story with or without me, but I am so blessed that he choses to make my life part of His story. The last point in the study encouraged us that though on earth time diminishes beauty, in God's plan time perfects beauty. We are going to start the study of Daniel the second Wednesday in April. I can hardly wait. I hope I see you there.

Esther-Reversal of Destiny

Arg!!! This program does not let me copy and paste. Not good. I have just typed up what I have been going through the last 2 months, and I cannot copy to hear.

Fun, Freezing, Funeral, Family, Friends

My title sums up the weekend for me. Friday, I went to a yardsale and found quite the goodies, mostly books.

Saturday, I did a Senior Portrait Drape shot in the morning, and it rained the rest of the day. Saturday evening, we met our son, Jon, our daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Brian, at the mall for dinner at Max Orient. I have been dreaming of the tangy BarBQ chicken for about 2 months. I think they changed their recipe, or I just built the food up in my mind way too much. I think the leftovers are better than the fresh cooked taste. Maybe the flavors marinate in more after a day or two.

Sunday, I was blessed to be able to ride to Gadsden and do some engagement pictures for a friend. We froze on the streets of Gadsden, Alabama. After the shoot, I went over to the Green Trail, a Save-Our-Waters Project trail. I spent more time there than anywhere else in Gadsden.

This morning, Monday, I had mu husband wake me up since I will be going to a funeral at 11. I wanted to get some things accomplished around the house before I leave. The laundry is almost done, and I have sorted through and narrowed down the 400+ engagement pictures to less than 200. The bride will select her favorites tomorrow. Since I have not accomplished as much as I had hoped this morning, maybe one of the things on my list should be to make a list for tomorrow morning. Then, I should stay focused. Even this post was not on my to-do list today, but I am glad that I posted.

Yesterday, proved quite a test for me. I have been involved in a Bible study for about 5 weeks on Esther. It is written by Beth Moore. I am amazed at how much I never saw in this book. This week we are looking at Haman's attitude towards honor and praise, his hunger for it, and his drive to be lord over a kingdom. I aasked the Lord to help me pull out any wickedness in my heart that desires mans praise and AttaBoys. Not too long after that, one of my "friends," who I have been waiting on for such praise and adoration because I took pictures at her wedding, not only blows my bubble of expectation but shoots right through my heart with so many false accusations that I am still befuddled at the whole thing. The wedding was eight months ago. My son told me to examine the information to see if I can own any of it and work on those things. Everything in me wants to hold court, petition the experts, and help her to erase such ludicrous ideas from her head. I do take courage in the fact that most of what she said was outright lies and not misunderstandings. If it had been misunderstandings, then it would be my fault too for a breakdown in communication, but except for my take charge "bossiness" and "pushiness" it was lies. She accused me of purposely interfering with the main photographers ability to get good pictures, flash collision, and telling everyone things I never said. So here I am asking the Lord once again to pull out of me my desire to be a people pleaser, craving honor as Haman did, and seeking the praise of man.
My son says do not dwell on the lies but take truth, dismiss the other, and look for the higher ground.
My husband says she sounds like a friend not worth having.
It is true that the higher ground is not as crowded, but sometimes I get distracted by the lower roads forking off.
Then last night I hear this quote at the end of CSI. Two guys are talking and the one expresses a desire to have evil punished severly. I loved what the other guy warned, "Careful . . . evil has a way of making friends with the good and dragging them into the darkness."

What an awesome week spiritually for me.
A couple weeks ago, I envisioned this new woman because I got a haircut, my contacts finally came in, and changes in me because of Bible study. It's true; my haircut is shorter than it has been in a long time. My eyes shine more without glasses to hide behind. Most changes are inner workings that only I can see.

Another major thing not necessarily for me, but a dear, dear friend sits at the bedside of her dying grandmother. It could be any day. The pain of my friend's heart saying goodbye and not sure when the final goodbye will be is hard. I want to make it better, to hold them tight, but to hold her hand is all I can do. I know it helps just being there, but I want to do more. Two weeks ago our Esther study was about Esther's desire to ease Mordecai as he sat at the gates in sackcloth and ashes. Humans have a hard time looking into pain and suffering without desiring to ease or erase it.

Today is a new day. I still need breakfast and a walk. Goals today include cleaning my house and going through the summer clothes.