It's Official!!

It's official, we signed papers this morning! We sold our beautiful home :( God is faithful and has already shown us how he is in our every step up to now! I look forward to today and everyday after... His ways are so much better than my ways and his thoughts are bigger than mine. He is after all, the God who tells me in his Word that he can do over and above all I ask or even imagine!!! Wow! That's big stuff. 

I think about how good He's been so far- its about to get SO SO much better! I am blessed!

I want to encourage you to take some time today to thank God for his goodness in your life.
-Missa

Wow! I live for this

We just got home from Disciple Now Dallas 09'
It was such a great trip! I am convinced our youth are the best anywhere!! These are the moments I live for, when God touches the heart of a young person and changes their life!

A special thank you to Dallas & Veta Taylor!! Each year they are our home away from home for this trip. Each year the youth comment on how nice it is to be in a "home"!

Thanks for investing in XYC we love you and appreciate you for all that you are!

Update on our move:
We moved some of our stuff this morning before work - the last of it will be moved tonight. We close tomorrow morning.
Wow! That was a quick work.
-Missa

PS-> Once life returns to a somewhat normal pace I will be able to blog regularly again, sorry for the gaps.

Fun in the Sun

Among the busyness we took some time out for some fun!

So much fun!

Dont forget to take some time out for fun today!

-Missa

amazing grace... give it away

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.......

Receiving grace is great when we've done wrong but, what happens when we've been wronged? What do we do?

Well the definition of grace is: mercy; clemency; pardon

I don't know about you but, I fall short all the time and if your human so do you.

Each day we are faced with opportunities to receive grace and that we freely take but, what happens when you are in the position to show grace to someone? 

You know, that person who lied about you or to you, that person who hurt you or someone you love, that person who you really aren't too crazy about!

What do you do? Do you walk in un-forgiveness, do you get revenge, do you talk bad about them or take it to the Lord and through his power - extend grace?....... I challenge you to learn (as I am) how to continually give grace.

I heard a minister say one time: "Hurt people, hurt people". How true is that? You never know why someone hurts you or others. You never know what another person is going through in their life. Is it worth hurting them more? Is it worth holding on to hurt? NO NO NO!

Forgiveness, Grace and Mercy are such a vital part of your walk with God! Since we are all born into sin and made of flesh - giving these things do not really come naturally, it takes work and it is a choice! Remember, you did not deserve it either and the Lord freely gave.

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psa 84:10-11

So, I challenge you today to show some grace and mercy to someone undeserving - do the right thing! 

-missa

Song of the day number #4 / Right now

Over the coarse of the weekend Scott and I went from one side of Austin to another going to activities, meetings, parties... etc etc . It was a fun weekend but we had way too much time in the car.

First we started off Saturday going to the soccer game of our niece Emery; she is a super star- then we went to a graduation party/BBQ in Manor- then back to Round Rock for 40th bday party....

On Sunday morning Scott and I filled in driving the van for the church pick up at Thurmond Heights (the original van drivers were sick) then we taught XYC Small groups discipleship class and after church I had a greeter meeting (I head up the greeter ministry).

After our meeting we headed downtown to the Frank Irwin center for one of the youth High School graduation (Leander). After the graduation we headed back to Cedar Park for another dinner with a couple from our church and the other geniuses (Jess G, that is for you girl). It was an outdoor bbq. I ate brisket and mesquitoes had me for dinner :) I have bites all over me!!

Anyways, as I was saying before; we had way too much time in the car so we make the most of it by really letting our hair down/cutting loose (not too mention shameing our families in the process). Scott and I always seem to start entertaining each other through songs, dances and cutting up when we get in the car! I dont know what it is about that sensible gray sonata that brings  out the clowns in us.

So here is a product of our time together..... 

Our families must be so proud!

Aim for the fences- forget curve balls

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball so what do you do then? I will tell you!

You brush yourself off -pick the ball back up and get back in the game. The worse thing would be to give up and just watch life go by from the dug out.

I was encouraged to read my devo today in Heb 10;

Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, nor forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Heb 10: 19-25

It really is about not operating in our own strength and abilities! Take a sec to ask yourself, What is it that I trust in? Where is your confidence placed? I have news for you; "girlfriend, you ain't all that!" So, save yourself the hard ache. Know that in hard times, He is our strength and even in our weakest moments we CAN draw near to the Lord. And because our confidence is in Him we have full assurance that we have access to the throne of God anytime we need it. And at the throne is where we find grace and mercy we need for life and again we are stabilized and refreshed. Who needs gatorade right!! Yes, sometimes it may look crazy from the outside when life is falling apart you can still fight, you can still smile but in the power and strength through the holy spirit in you- you will begin to see that without a doubt HE is faithful. 

It is a process of pulling out the weeds of doubt and fear that seem to poke through every now and then. Then planting our feet and our words as well as our actions on the truth of God's word. Yes sometimes its hard my friend but when all is said and done- it is soooo worth it! Be encouraged that as you stay in the game, trust God with each moment -> regardless of curve balls and you will find yourself strengthened; soon you will find that you are no longer wavering - you will find that; at some point you begin to focus on life and on the victory that Christ has already set before us!

Here is another GREAT song; it is a fast song but, it brought me to tears when I hear it! It's another confession of mine before such an amazing savior. (Thanks Jess for another amazing song recommendation).

Keep aiming for the fences everyone, the score has been settled. I know the outcome:

We Win!!! Christ has given us the Victory!

-missa

are Wii offended?

For my birthday a very dear friend bought me a Wii Fit. I love it! It is a fun start to get me into working out again. I admit it is not for the triathletes or olympians but, for those like me who do everything from laundry to grocery shopping and cleaning house at strange hours, it is going to be a boost and an encouragement. For instance, it is 10:48 and I just finished a yoga session. And Im sure I will be able to do a little jog in the morning. I actually feel like i am getting a bit of a workout and I'm not by myself.......  The wii gives you instructions on what to do and then it times you and it calculates how long you go for, your balance and stuff like that. Then it encourages you or tells you how much of a novice you are. I think I may the first person to get offending by an animated personal trainer! I actually found myself saying "take it easy lady" at the tv.... so I ask myself, "are wii offended?" I think so! Im sure she will be nicer to me over time though.....

Here are a few of the messages I received: hehe!

That one is my personal favorite! 

And YES, I DO find myself tripping when I walk but only when I'm awake so, thanks for your concern Bertha-Conchita-Guadalupe! 

Bertha-Conchita-Guadalupe is what I named my Wii personal trainer. Conchita for short.

Who's laughing now my friend, who's laughing now???

Have a physically fit kinda day!

-missa

Deep in Love and it stopped my heart!

A precious friend of mine shared this song with us at the Womens Retreat (thanks Jess G) and I tell you; listen to the words, watch the video. My heart stopped! Have you ever had one of those moments where time just seems to stand still? As I listened to this it seemed that way for me. It was just me and the Lord.

This song has captivated me and turned my focus onto a loving and gracious Father whom I love:

We had our Womens Retreat this weekend and it was amazing! I say it again, I am surrounded by AMAZING women who love God and genuinely love each other.

Here is a picture of the group of women who went:

Have a great day everyone!

-missa