Good morning, Ladies! Let me just say right up front that I'm a little bit discombobulated (is that a word?) this morning, because it looks like Baby Maeryn is going to be born VERY soon! A new life coming into the world is a huge thing, so it's hard to focus on just about anything else.
But if I can set my mind to anything, it's YOU. The goals you've set for yourselves are so heart-felt and God-filled, I just had to stop and applaud you, because you, too, are "giving birth" to new life.
RACHEL wants her prayers to be more like conversations with God. ANNABELLE's going to for a good Bible-reading plan. NICOLE, like me, wants a more trusting and conscious relationship with God throughout the day. EMII's thinking of reading the Old Testmament. ALY has three, one of which is to spend at least an hour on devotions everyday. MEGAN wants to go to God with everything. Even in the midst of a tough time, MELODY is holding onto that thread of wanting to trust God. ALISHA is going to fight her battles in a far different way from now on (she said it so much mroe eloquently than I'm paraphrasing). GOTHGIRL wants to shine for Jesus without worrying about what people are going to think. TORI TJ is all about not insulting and nit-picking at her siblings. In her effort to think more about God, JYLLENNA is going to try to see herself as God sees her. BETHANY's main goal is to be the best friend and witness to others that she can be (since as she points out, it's selfish to keep God to yourself!) . MARY CATHERINE would like to find a lot of passages in the Bible that she can really relate to as a fourteen year old girl living in the twenty-first century. As for KATE, even in the midst of a huge move (again!), she wants to renew her relationship with God by spending time with Him again. JESSICA is going to try to think more pure thoughts and have a postivie attitude towards all people.
Y'know what? I am glad my granddaughter is going to be born into a world that has all of you in it. Can you even imagine what that world would be like if EVERYONE set and stuck to the kinds of goals you've realized God has shaped for you? You CAN change things -- and you will -- starting with these not-so-small steps.
Speaking of which, our next step is to find a way to support each other as we try to weave our longings into our way-busy lives. We've talked about accountability groups, or even a pairing of people with similar goals. Here's what I'd like to do. Between now and Monday, see if you can come up with some approaches to this through our blog. I know I have as many different things going on here as I can handle (and by the way, look for a new post on THE BLESSING POOL momentarily! If you want to post today, over the weekend, and Monday, tell us your ideas. I'll look at them all Monday evening and see if I can put together a plan. Feel free to comment on each other's ideas (in your usual positive way). I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Now, off to the doctor with mama and soon-to-be-born baby!
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
I'm so excited for you and your daughter and her husband and her unborn baby! Congrats!
Posted by: Kate :D | 01/07/2011 at 10:16 AM
You girls are setting really great goals! Great job!! Thank you for putting the Blessing Pool post on! It's a really good one!! Thank you!
Posted by: Kate :D | 01/07/2011 at 10:27 AM
I'm so excited for you, Mrs. Rue!!!! So I guess if you don't post next week we can assume that Maeryn is here! By the way, your daughter's dachshund is SO CUTE!
Posted by: Tori Tj | 01/07/2011 at 10:55 AM
Congratulations Mrs. Rue! and also to your daughter! That's so exciting :] I look forward to seeing pictures of Maeryn.
Just thought I'd add mine to the list,.. not sure if I posted them on the other blog or not!
1) Cutting back on the computer use
2) No dating AT ALL this year.. (this is the one I'm really focusing on)
and 3) Read through the bible 2 times in a year.
Hmm.... I'll be thinking of ideas.
Posted by: Paige | 01/07/2011 at 11:22 AM
OMIGOSH!!
GUESS WHAT? OWL CITY IS GOING TO CREATION FESTIVAL NORTH EAST!
OH MY GOSH?!
That's so weird...
Posted by: Paige | 01/07/2011 at 11:29 AM
I am so happy for you and your daughter Mrs. Rue! Congratulations! :D
Posted by: Therese | 01/07/2011 at 12:34 PM
My ideas (this is actually using my resolution to 'use my creativity to help/encourage others and expand God's kingdom!). . .
- Create a different blog where each resolution has a post, and we continue to comment on our resolution's post about how we put our resolution into play.
- I like the idea of pairing up with ppl who have a similar resolution. We could even do groups of 4 or more:)
- I came up with the facebook thing, but I realize not everyone has a facebook, so my bad.:/ We can cross that one off.:)
That's all I have for now, but I'd love to hear what you girls have in mind!
Congrats, Mrs. Marijean and husband! And to you and Mr. Jim, Mrs. Nancy!
MLNX,
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | 01/07/2011 at 01:23 PM
Congratulations Mrs. Rue!
Posted by: ashley :) | 01/07/2011 at 02:11 PM
Congrats! Thank YOU Mrs.Rue for taking time out of your busy life to set time aside for us. You are a blessing!
It would be SO cool if we got to see a picture of baby Maeryn!
Posted by: Annabelle | 01/07/2011 at 02:59 PM
I'd love to post something positive today...but right now I am a little bit the opposite of positive. Negative. Or...just plainly, concerned, confused, ...confused, and confused!
I'm always talking about how to stay positive and trust God on here. But now I need some help.
Right now I have two options. And I feel like God has left it up to ME to decide! I was so sure I wanted to go to school. Now I'm doubting myself. So am I doubting God too? Because maybe God has trusted me to make this decision logically. But sometimes I lack logic. And if God trusted me to make it...and I'm doubting myself...that IS...doubting God.
I know I need faith and trust. But sometimes its so hard to believe in the things unseen. I have been doing WAY better at having trust in God lately, but when the futures uncertain...how do I know I'm making the right decision?
Hm. I've always felt secure at home, but now I feel it might be time to step out of my comfort zone, head to school, and show people God's love...but...what if it doesn't work out? It could change my college which could change my career which would change my life.
Sigh. I wish I knew what God had planned, but as hard as it is, I know I have to trust Him. How could I not? He created everything, so I must give my everything to Him..and hold on for the ride! I'm not sure where life is heading, but I know God's got it in control, I just have to TRUST.
Prayers are appreciated.
Annabelle
Posted by: Annabelle | 01/07/2011 at 06:29 PM
Congrats to your daughter and you Mrs. Rue!
Ideas for the accountibility thing, hmmm...
Well my first idea would be for Mrs. Rue to put us in groups according to our resolutions and such. Then, if everyone felt comfortable with it, she could give us each other's email address so we could talk to and check up on how our resolutions are going.
Or another idea is once we have our groups Mrs. Rue could post one group at the bottom of each blog post and we would use that time to post updates and such on how we're doing. That way everyones groups would come up a couple times a month so we could post about our resolutions without completely flooding the blog which could happen if we all commented about our goals at the same time.
Having a whole other blog would be great, but I doubt Mrs. Rue has time for that. Facebook would be great also, but not everyone has one. I'll keep thinking about it and see if I can come up with any other ideas.
Posted by: Melody | 01/07/2011 at 08:30 PM
Wow - I haven't been on here in several days, and there has been SOOOOO many comments!!! It's great, of course - it just took me a hwile to read them!! It makes me all the more thankful for all the time you put into this blog and into us, Mrs. Rue. :) I'll be praying for you and your daughter and your son-in-law and your unborn granddaughter!!!
I don't know about another whole blog for the accountibility group thing. I mean, it might very well work out, but like another girl said, it would be a lot of work...
OK, here's a few things I didn't get to say earlier:
Melody, you said you're worried about feeling depressed again, and you can't seem to be able to talk to people, or God, about things going on in you life (just restating it 'cause you typed it a while ago). Just something I was thinking: you seem to be able to talk about a lot of things on this blog. Have you tried typing to God? Or writing to God? It has seriously helped me many, many times.
Alisha, that was such an awesome epiphany-thing that you had about walking on the waves!!! Trusting God with everything is usually pretty hard (haha), and I have many times started sinking!
Rachel, I am praying for you and your Olympic Development team, that the girls will be kind, helpful, and friendly competitors. :)
Annabelle, I am so glad that God is testing you. (BTW, that was kind of weird, that's not what I was planning to type - that's just kind of where my fingers went - I'm pretty sure that was from God.) It's like the waves on the water. Peter must have been crazy ecsatic and scared - he was WALKING on WATER!! Of course, he had known Jesus for a while, but seriously?! Walking on something that there is no way scientifically you can walk on - water?? And when it's splashing my face and thunder is booming and lightning is blinding me and the wind totally messing up my tunic thing? How could I NOT be completely horrified - but I'm walking on stinkin' water!!! Jesus is - He's walking on water too - but, oh, man, I'm about to fall! Oh, Jesus, I'm gonna die! I'm dead. I'm drowning. I can't see. I'm flailing my hands - kicking my legs - there's no way I can swim in this crazy weather - I'm gonna die - did I hit something? Was that a hand? Jesus!! Thank You!! Oh, thank You, Lord! Oh, let's get out of here, please!! Wait - did You just ask why I doubted - no way. No stinkin' way. Did You REALLY expect me - oh, man, that was bright lightning - oh, Jesus, that was loud thunder - oh, Jesus, let's get out of here! Please help me, Jesus!
Wow. That was really ... from God. I completely felt everything Peter must have been feeling. Even though there's a bunch of people talking around me. OK, I gotta go. I'll be praying for y'all!!!
Posted by: Nicole | 01/07/2011 at 09:36 PM
Nicole, I soooo feel that that was God talking when you typed that!
I mean...like, I feel that paragraph has a purpose in my life. You made sense! God makes sense. HE will find a way to reveal His plan to me.
I never even CONSIDERED the story of Peter in this. It never came to mind. But through this blog and our AMAZING God, I am not scared anymore.
Thank you Nicole,
and thank you GOD!
I'll read that tomorrow when I am more awake, but for now it still made tons of sense!
Posted by: Annabelle | 01/07/2011 at 10:57 PM
Yay!!!!!!!!! I am very superly amazingly excited for your new grandbaby, Mrs. Rue!!! With you as a grandma, I know she will be an amazing, creative, totally unique young woman.
I really like the idea of accountability partners. I think that would be a totally cool way to just have someone that's going through the same sort of thing you are, and you can bounce idea's off of each other and stuff.
love you all like sisters
Posted by: Alisha | 01/07/2011 at 11:23 PM
Hey guys, can you please pray for me? My mom has the flu, and if I get it, I'll be in almost unbearable pain. Thanks, Lilly
Posted by: Lilly | 01/08/2011 at 01:03 AM
I hung out with Jesus today. I listened. I read, I talked. And this might sound weird, but I was sitting there, and the lyrics to Taylor Swift's song came to me. And it was like Jesus was saying, don't grow up, Em. Don't grow up. I read that verse where Jesus talks about it being children that make up heaven. I don't want to grow up. ♥ You know, it's like these days, everyone grows up so fast and teenagers act like they're...well, adults. But not the adults we want to be like. Not the way Jesus was.
And I opened my eyes, and I felt this peace I'd never felt before. Like I knew it was right. He really had spoken to me. I really had listened.
I started reading Hebrews today. It was like something totally new and fresh. I'd never read it before, and it all makes so much sense to me.
I decided the other day that, whenever I feel like going on the computer -- I'll read the Bible instead.
The sky outside is the most beautiful. It's pinky-orange-blue, and it's like God decided to change the contrast or something, like on a computer screen, because the world -- this part, at least -- has an orange tinge. And it is so beautiful. God is the most awesome God, and he is the Arist. And I just know, that I can do anything with Him. I'm not afraid anymore, of what people will think of me.
Posted by: Emii | 01/08/2011 at 05:07 AM
Wow, Sounds Awesome, and Emmi, that's great! Sounds like an amazing God-filled moment. Lilly, Praying you won't get sick :(, Annabelle, I think we all struggle with trusting God. I know I do, but you're definitely on the right path. :)
Mrs Rue, I'm so excited for your Grandaughter! what a little miracle she will be!! And thankyou so much for taking the time to read our comments! you defintely put a lot more into us than is required :)
PS: Can somebody please direct me how to get to the blessing pool? I'm a little lost...thankyou :D
xoxo
Posted by: Bethany | 01/08/2011 at 07:32 AM
Bethany: There's a link right below Mrs. Rue's picture that says "the new prayer and praise blog". If you click on that it will take you to it.
Nicole: Yeah, it's easy to talk about stuff to you guys and all that cause I don't really know any of you. With my friends, if I say something that makes them think I'm crazy I'll still see them all the time and stuff. If I ever said something that made you girls think I was crazy (which wouldn't happen anyway lol) I could just not come back to the blog and I wouldn't have to worry about it. I've tried writing to God, but since I already journal a lot, it's hard for me to keep my focus on the fact that I'm writing to God and not myself.
Posted by: Melody | 01/08/2011 at 08:50 AM
I'm totally agreeing with all of Melody's post. Haha that pretty much fits all my ideas [:
Emii- That is so great!! I'm so happy for you! I love the feeling of Him speaking to me(:
Lilly- I'll be praying for you!
Posted by: Paige | 01/08/2011 at 09:38 AM
Paige, on your blog, is your youtube muffinsatmidnight?!
Lilly, I am so praying. Flu's are terrible. I will pray for your protection.
Melody, I know what you mean about writing to God and not yourself. It's hard isn't it? And I know. It's like, I can leave the blog if I did something to make you think I'm crazy too(which obviously wont happen) but with friends you still have to see them.
I think it would be cool for us ALL to meet someday. I know that'll happen in Heaven, and that will be amazing!
Annabelle
Posted by: Annabelle | 01/08/2011 at 10:14 AM
I agree with Melody suggestions! :D
Praying for you Lilly!
Melody and Annabelle, I know what you mean. It is so easy to talk to you girls on here, but to my own friends It is harder because If I do something stupid they my think I am crazy, but with you girls on the blog, I am sure that wouldn't happen! :D
Love you all like Sisters!! :D :D :D
Posted by: Therese | 01/08/2011 at 01:39 PM
Lilly, I'll be praying for you and your mom and your family, for healing, guidance, and protection!!
Yeah, I agree with the fact that it's often easier to talk to you girls on here than many people I know in person. Even when my closest friend and I email back and forth, it's easier to say some things we might not say face to face.
Annabelle, you know what - I was thinking about this last night: Only a few minutes after I posted that comment, I realized something. I don't think Peter got angry at Jesus when Jesus said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When Peter was sinking, he realized he was going to die if he didn't get help. There's no way he could swim back to the boat when the salty water was smacking him on every side, blinding him, thunder booming, cracks of lightning in the not-so-far distance. He called desperately, screaming, flailing, "Lord, help me!!!!" Jesus saved him from certain death. Peter realized he was saved by this amazing Son of God even while Peter was walking on water and then was suddenly aware of the troubles going on around him, trying to attack him, and Peter doubted Jesus' strength and he started sinking - Peter was suddenly aware of Jesus' love. Jesus saved him when he totally didn't deserve it. I mean, he was walking on water, Jesus was smiling softly, encouraging him with unspoken kindness and guidance (kind of like what you're going through, Annabelle), but Peter doubted him and dropped away. When Jesus asked him why he doubted, he must have been feeling like, 'Lord, I never should have doubted You, not in a million years - I'm so sorry, Jesus. I'm so sorry...I love You, Lord, awesome Son of God!' And that's when he, along with the other disciples, started praising Jesus, thanking Him, worshipping Him, crying in joyful tears. :)
I was still trying to make sense of it all while I typed that. :) I think I'll be trying to do that for the rest of my life - trying to stay above the water, not by myself but calling out for help to God, and trusting, following Him. :)
Mrs. Rue, I just realized - I think, if all the girls are comfortable with it, we should each type a prayer for you and your family and your unborn granddaughter. Here's my prayer:
Jesus, thank You so much for Mrs. Rue's soon-to-be granddaughter, Maeryn! Please be with Mrs. Marijean and Mr. Brian and Mrs. Rue and Mr. Jim as the baby is born. Please especially be with Mrs. Marijean as this is her first baby; thank You again so much for new life and the blessing and joy of we women being able to have a baby. Please bless the doctor and nurses, and keep baby Maeryn safe. Please bless her and help her grow up into a young women that follows You and seeks You. Please bless Mr. Marijean and Mr. Brian with wisdom on the many years of parenting to come. In Your precious Name, Amen.
Posted by: Nicole | 01/08/2011 at 02:42 PM
Oh, and Annabelle, you said you wanted to know my email address - for safety reasons, I'd rather not post it here or on my blog. But, if you comment on my blog and include your email address, only I can see your email adress when I log on to post another blog. So, yeah. :) Then I'll email you, and you'll have my email address. :)
Posted by: Nicole | 01/08/2011 at 03:13 PM
Annabelle- Yes, that's my youtube (:
Posted by: Paige | 01/08/2011 at 05:01 PM
Thanks Paige and Nicole :D
Posted by: Annabelle | 01/08/2011 at 09:07 PM
Congrats Mrs. Rue! I hope your on-the-way grand daughter Maeryn arrives healthy and happy!
Posted by: Megan | 01/09/2011 at 11:41 AM
My idea is the same as Melody's. Pair each other up with e-mail addresses and get going.
Posted by: ashley :) | 01/09/2011 at 03:05 PM
Nicole: I had actually done this in my diary the night before you posted:
Jesus, I'm so excited about Maeryn's birth! Please guide the Dr.'s and nurses hands, let the birth go smoothly. Thank you so much for bringing this time of joy in to Mrs. Rue and her family's life. Bless them, bless Maeryn and let her know from her very first breath how very much you love her. Thank you for placing her in the perfect family, where I know she will grow up learning to know You. May Your perfect will be done. Amen!
Posted by: Tori Tj | 01/09/2011 at 04:35 PM
Congrats for you and your daughter, Mrs. Rue!
Arrgh...back to school tomorrow. Could y'all pray for me? Tomorrow's the day I'm giving my non-Christian friend the Bible I bought him over break! I'm so nervous.
Posted by: Katie | 01/09/2011 at 07:42 PM
I was going to write a long post but I don't have time,
so, in short, I feel like the most confused person in the world.
I know God's left this up to me...well I THINK. But if this decision didn't effect the rest of my life so much, I'd be fine. But the true realities of school have set in. What IF I hate it? Then my transcript will be all messed up when I come back home. But what if I love it? Then, I'll feel like God's got me in the right place.
The problem is...I am lacking trust in God. I trust Him, but not as much as I should.
I'll post more soon.
Annabelle
Posted by: Annabelle | 01/09/2011 at 09:06 PM
Oh my goodness girls I am so nervous right now! So I auditioned for this play called The Play, The Story of the Man Called Jesus. I was in it for a long time when I was younger, but then stopped for a few years because of conflicts. Finally I decided to audition again this year. I'm a dancer and there's a lot of dance in The Play. My mom talked to the choreographer about it and she said that I may be able to be a dancer without having to go to all the drama rehearsals. But, there's a new choreographer doing two special advanced dances and I would have to be invited by him. I went to the auditions today and just tonight I got a call from the 1st choreographer saying that the other guy wanted to see me at his ballet class tomorrow. I looked on the studios site and that class he wants me at is the most advanced level. So, I'm kind of petrified. It's probably going to be me with a bunch of other random strangers in a really difficult class. Eek! Prayer would be GREATLY appreciated!
Posted by: Melody | 01/09/2011 at 09:12 PM
Hey girls
I have an urgent prayer request. I was talking with my friend tonight, and he's into all this satanic, talking to dead people things. anyway, he was totally dissing God and what I believe, even though he claims to be a Christian. I had to leave the conversation, but I think both of us are really mad. Just please help me figure out what to do now, and pray for this guy, that God would open his eyes and his heart.
Posted by: Alisha | 01/10/2011 at 01:47 AM
NO! I had a great long post that I posted before but then my internet crashed :(
Here was the gist of it
Alisha: Praying for your strength as you deal with your friend's situation. Also praying for your friend that he sees God's light :)
Annabel: If God helped you to decide to go to school, he must of done it for a reason :). It's pretty hard to trust God in a situation that you've never been in before, especially one lots of other people have had their life to work with. But I think you have a real strong faith in God, and so you'll not only be okay, but will be blessed. I'm praying that you'll trust Godd
Melody: Thanks for help with the link. I'm praying that you'll gain confidence about your dance classes/rehersals, and that you'll feel good about being there.
Praying loudly and can't wait to hear about Maeryn when she is born!
Posted by: Bethany | 01/10/2011 at 07:08 AM
Just want to let you know that I'm praying for you,our daughter and her husband and baby! I'm thinking of you! Safe birth!
Posted by: Kate | 01/10/2011 at 12:07 PM
Sorry just have to erase my name from this computer
-kate
Posted by: no one | 01/10/2011 at 12:08 PM
Hey Girls, I have a question for you.
When do you think you cross the line with being "obsessed" with exercising? Or overworking yourself?
Posted by: Paige | 01/10/2011 at 02:08 PM