Category: Gratefulness

Faith Walk

I’m finding that God is guiding me on a faith walk.

A walk where He leads, and I follow. A walk where He instructs, and I obey. A walk where He directs, and I trust. Or at least I try to – on all three accounts!

I’m beginning to hear His voice more. As I go throughout the day, I realize that I am looking to Him for help, for encouragement, for strength, for wisdom. For so many things. And I am very humbled and grateful that God has brought me to this point.

Even though I have a strong tendency to be anxious, the Lord is showing me that I can have a place of peace in Him. It certainly is a struggle to find that place often times, but still it is another area in which He is helping me to take baby steps.

And with the faith that God gives me, I will continue to take one step after another in my walk with Him. ❤

Photo Credit: Mariona Campmany

Three Prayers Answered

So my last post was about unanswered prayer. Right on its heels comes this post, which is about three prayers that were all answered in the same day. God definitely works in mysterious ways. 🙂

Monday I began my first day of school at a local Institute to learn Microsoft Office and Quickbooks. It was the culmination of months of prayer and hard work. I had sought direction for a viable career plan, along with financial assistance to achieve that plan, through an agency for vocational rehabilitation. However I met with a lot of red tape in the beginning, instead of the progress that I was hoping and praying for. But thankfully, my counselor and I decided on a career plan and she was able to get my schooling funded! I was ecstatic, but still nervous about actually starting school. Well, I had a great first day of class, and I’m looking forward to the rest of my training. Prayer number one: answered.

The second prayer involved my Steeped Tea business, A Heart for Tea. I had been very anxious about how everything would work out, but Monday there was a mini breakthrough. I was able to complete an online “ParTEA” and submit an order through which I actually made a commission, along with earning free products! The process of getting to that point was not easy, and I know that I will need to continue to take small steps forward…but it’s a little victory, and for this answered prayer I am grateful!

Lastly, our church hand-bell choir has been practicing a more difficult song to play for Easter services. I had been attempting to focus on having fun and allowing myself to make mistakes, which was helpful. I practiced at home to try to learn my part better, but I still had difficulties at our practices. Monday afternoon I was able to find a way to get my part down, and I did fairly well at our practice! I was so proud of myself – but the credit really goes to God, who enabled me to play to the best of my ability and to play well.

I know these may seem like small things, but to me they were huge. I’m also learning that just because a prayer isn’t answered right away or “just the way I want it to be,” doesn’t mean that it won’t be answered. God has His ways and He has perfect timing. I’m just blessed to be a part of His lovingly orchestrated plan. ❤

Photo Credit: Aundre Larrow

Forward Progress

It’s been a while since I’ve really shared about the specific circumstances going on in my life. Thankfully, right now, there seems to be forward progress.

First of all, things have moved ahead in my attempt to get help from the DVRS. They are going to fund my going back to school! I will be attending an Institute where I will study Microsoft Office applications along with Quickbooks software. My goal is to get a job working at a small store (preferably an art store), assisting them with their financial records. My first day of class is actually this upcoming Monday! I am nervous and excited at the same time. I’m hoping that I will be able to keep up with the pace of learning and to comprehend the material. Prayers are much appreciated! 🙂

Secondly, I’ve started a little side business with Steeped Tea, a company that originated in Canada and has now moved to the US as well. Steeped Tea sells delicious loose leaf teas along with adorable tea accessories – and I have the opportunity to share these products with my friends and family. I have to say, it’s been a challenge with my social anxiety, but I am taking it day by day. I’m hosting an “Online Party” right now, and hope to hold an in-home party sometime soon, so that people are able to taste the teas and learn more about their health benefits. If you enjoy tea and would like to learn more, I would LOVE for you to visit my personal Steeped Tea website, A Heart for Tea. Here you will be able to view an online catalog, get to know more about this wonderful company, and make a purchase if you see something that you like!

A third area in which I have made positive strides is my involvement in the Handbell Choir at my church. At first I was SO anxious and perfectionistic, making it quite difficult to enjoy the actual art of making music. But God has been teaching me to let go of the desire to not make any mistakes, and to try to focus on having fun. It is not easy, and I do not always succeed – but I am doing better, and for that I am thankful.

The point of this post is to share my gratefulness to God for answering my prayers and for giving me some forward direction. It’s been a long struggle, but my Lord is faithful – and He is unfolding His plan for me little by little.

Be encouraged! Even if you feel “stuck” where you are right now, change could be right around the corner. ❤

Photo Credit: Amanda Sandlin