October 9th, 2011. It has been two years.

Tomorrow will be mine and Jason's second anniversary. How blessed am I to have such an amazing husband. God continues to delight our hearts by new revelations and truths we must hold on to. Happy Anniversary baby.

As everything else in life, marriages aren't perfect but as Christians we must thank our Lord when He whispers truths to our hearts. If my life was perfect it would be pretty boring. I know we have those days where we fantasize of a perfect life. As women we wake each day with perfect hair and makeup, non burnt toast, and a totally productive day. I hate to say that this will never happen. However, isn't it refreshing knowing that we can make things new each day. For instance if we burn toast yesterday, we can hope with a new day we will not burn that toast. It is a funny example but very truthful.

Being completely honest I will say the Lord has stirred a lot in my heart. The Lord has stirred a lot in mine and Jason's marriage as well. I love that the Lord tells us when to "step it up."

Recently I came to a point in my walk where I knew that things were going to be different. I had asked God to show me things in my life that I needed to change. Boy did He. Refusing to be a "luke-warm" Christian, I dove in and I have been swimming ever since. This was not easy for me to do. You see God had been speaking to my heart for several months if not years regarding being a "luke warm" Christian. I can only assume I just thought I was doing enough in my life and then I suddenly realized that I would never be who God intended for me to be if I wasn't living 100% for Him. Understanding that, I began praying that God would show me things that were keeping me from living 100%.

It would take probably all night for my to write what God has shown me in this week of revelation. As long as I am living this revelation will never come to a close. As humans we are not perfect but as Christians we can work every day at being who God intended us to be.

I hope tonight's blog is seen as encouragement. It is my belief that we can use things in our lives as a ministry of encouragement to others and I pray that this blog is just that.

I will end with a few Bible verses that encouraged me this week. I can not tell you how freeing it is to one by one release things from your life that hold you back. Again this process never stops but our Lord is so faithful and I know He is walking on this path with me.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of the things [we] hope for being the proof of the things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.

Matthew 15: 8-9 These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men.

My prayer is that each of you greet tomorrow with a thankful heart and a desire for God to change your life.

God Bless,

MR

September 19th, 2011. I'm getting better at this.

I am not new at being a "blogger" but as I said in my last post, it had been a while since I last blogged. None the less, I am getting better at blogging weekly.

Even though my calender says that summer ends and fall begins at the end of this week on Friday September the 23rd, there has been a slight fall-chill in the air. I love this time of year!!! I remember being little and very excited that Halloween was getting close. There was something so exciting about falling into the mystery of Halloween , even though you knew there was nothing mysterious and certainly nothing be scared of. The cute tv shows on Nick or the Disney Channel that broadcast the same Halloween specials each year but you were so excited to catch it every year. I get that same giddy feeling every year and I am not a kid anymore. Ha! I can however, transition that feeling by decorating my new house in cute Fall decor and of course having a pumpkin carving get together. The giddy feeling of Halloween and Fall isn't lost when you get older. I'll make sure of that!!!! Yes, I'll be setting my tivo to catch those Halloween specials as well.

As this new season approaches I am so thankful to our Lord. I have been on a journey of sorts. Nothing too major outwardly but the internal change God has stirred in me is huge. I am learning from all that I can and I am blessed to be on this path God has laid for me. Some things I am learning are simple but others are a bit more difficult. I am learning to live my life based on what God's plans are for me and no one else's. Sounds simple enough but if you have been on that particular path you will know that it is quite difficult. Abandoning so many things that prior you never thought was a hindrance but God shows you one day so clearly what a stumbling block those things are in your life. Once God revealed that to me I feverishly began to pray and ask that God prepare my thoughts, body, and Spirit for that journey and battle that awaited. As Christians we come to a certain point when we realize that we can't but God can. I knew that I would not be able to move those stumbling blocks on my own, but I knew God could. Stumbling blocks are anything that keep you from being used by God 100%. Think about what is in your life whether it is your language, thoughts, actions, habits, or addictions. All of those are stumbling blocks. Some harder than others but they all do the same thing. They all keep you from totally being at service to our Lord. I tried to removed those blocks in the past but my mistake was trying to do it on my own. I needed God's help.

There will always be stumbling blocks in our life. It will be a constant battle to fight them. As long as we aren't doing it on our own and seeking God's help we will be moving forward.

So I guess Fall has become my "moving forward" season. May we all keep up the movement!

I receive morning and evening Spurgeon Devotional. Charles Spurgeon was an inspired man who was a brilliant writer and a courageous man of Christ. I will expand on Spurgeon a bit more in another blog but for now let me include a devotional from him that I received when I was beginning this journey not too long ago. Oh how the Lord is so sweet to us. He brings us comfort and peace in so many beautiful ways.

Mark of Divine Approval "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the Crown Of Life, which the LORD hath promised to them that love Him" (James 1:12). Yes, he is blessed while he is enduring the trial. No eye can see this till he has been anointed with heavenly eye salve. But he must endure it and neither rebel against God nor turn aside from his integrity. He is blessed who has gone through the fire and has not been consumed as a counterfeit. When the test is over, then comes the hallmark of divine approval -- "the crown of life." As if the LORD said, "Let him live; he has been weighed in the balances, and he is not found wanting." Life is the reward: not mere being, but holy, happy, true existence, the realization of the divine purpose concerning us. Already a higher form of spiritual life and enjoyment crowns those who have safely passed through fiercest trials of faith and love. The LORD hath promised the crown of life to those who love Him. Only lovers of the LORD will hold out in the hour of trial; the rest will either sink or sulk, or slink back to the world. Come, my heart, dost thou love thy LORD? Truly? Deeply? Wholly? Then that love will be tried; but many waters will not quench it, neither will the Roods drown it, LORD, let Thy love nourish mine to the end. -C.H. Spurgeon I hope you enjoyed that devotional as much as I did. By the way, if you are on Twitter, follow me at MReynolds03 Blessings, MR

September 8th, 2011. "Wow"

I have definitely neglected my dear blog in this past year. I must say a lot has happened! One of my goals through the rest of this year and certainly next, is to post my blog weekly. Well lets get to the news shall we?

So....

God has truly blessed Jason and I not only through our marriage but also through the progression of life. We recently bought our first house!!! After months of looking and praying, the Lord lead us to a home we love dearly. The house just spoke to us, ya know? We saw ourselves there and knew we could start a wonderful journey here. We are almost a month in and loving it more everyday.

Secondly, I just started a new job. Again, a blessing because I had been praying that God would lead and use me as He saw fit. Lead me to a place that He could use me and a place were I could give what He gives me daily. I really don't post names or personal info but lets just say it is in an amazing Christian/Christ-filled environment.

With all of that said I am still in school finishing up my Psychology-Specialty in Christian Counseling degree. I love that so much and I pray God continues to use me in this field.

With saying all of this I must say it isn't the good things in life that should make us value what God is in our life. I can honestly say it has been through my hardships that I grow to trust Him more. I could lie and say that I am this amazing person and my faith is "on-point' everyday but I won't. Being a Christian is more than just doing what God would have us do. Its growing your spiritual faith daily. Its not easy but we must strive for that every minute!

Sadly this weekend we must look back at the tragic event that was 9/11. It pains me every time I think of it. I remember where I was, what I was doing, and the people I spoke with when we watched the news that morning. We were all struck stiff glued to the tv crying, praying, and asking so many questions. It is important that we pray for those that lost loved ones and that we pray for our country. Please give thanks to all the service men and women, they are heroes. I can't even continue thinking I could give any amount of justice to this topic but none-the-less I felt I needed to speak of it in this blog.

I will end on this note. Love each other and continue to give each other grace, as the Lord gives us each day.

Blessings,

MR

December 15th, 2010: "Holiday Post"

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU!!!

I hope all of you are having a BLESSED Holiday season.

We are so excited to celebrate our second Christmas together. In my last post, I mentioned we had moved. Finding a place for all of the decorations is no easy feat but they look great and this placed is filled with Christmas cheer. Take a look...

No Fireplace here but the breakfast bar is a good substitution.

Please, please, please snow!!!
Our mini Christmas Tree
Our main Christmas Tree

I love this next photo because its a stuffed bear my mother made all of us when we were little. Every Christmas she would place 5 little bears under the Christmas Tree for each one of us girls. I have mine now and it is so dear to my heart. My mother always made each occasion so special for each of us. She continues to do that to this day.

So that covers all of my decorations.

This season is my favorite. Not only is it a time when people come together in the holiday spirit, but most importantly, the birth of our SAVIOR. GOD sending his SON to pay the ultimate price for me and all others. We should all take a step back. Away from the presents, decorations, and food and truly understand the seriousness and importance of Christmas, for us as Christians. Our SAVIOR came to this world and it was forever changed.

PRAISE BE TO THE KING OF ALL KINGS.

I hope in this last week before Christmas that everyone has a chance to relax and enjoy the Christmas spirit around them.

Next week is my birthday!! Yes, a birthday blog will follow. Pictures and details will be included. I can not wait!!! My twin sister and I will be celebrating with family over the weekend and with friends the night of our birthday.

Sharing my birthday with my amazing twin sister just makes it that more special.

Hang in there through these Holidays and take time to think of the true meaning.

Merry Christmas,

MR

November 29th, 2010: "Catch up"

Wow! It has been such a long time since my last blog. A lot has happened. I will clue everyone in with pictures! First off as you can see from the picture above Jason and I are fabulous. We recently moved into a apartment. We love it there and yes, the doggies came too!

I love this picture because it was taken when we were vacationing in West Palm Beach. We had a wonderful time with my sisters, Lora and Beth, and Beth's husband, Brice. Fun was had by all! Here are a few pictures of our trip.....

I love the ocean. Its probably my favorite place to be to date. In the ocean I feel I'm at many different places around the world because the water touches all parts of the world. I know it may sound silly but I really feel that way. I feel like I'm in many places at once. Thats just another wonder of the LORD. His many creations are so majestic.

The pups are doing great. Besides, Kahne eating all the Halloween candy and Avery swallowing a tac, they're great. Kahne is still an old soul and Avery is as feisty as ever, growing every day.

The LORD has blessed me in many ways this year. Jason and I are so grateful to be where we are. Living every day walking closer to the LORD. With that attitude, we have found, life is a lot less stressful and you begin to see things for what they are. Through ups and downs (and every one has them whether you see it or not) Jason and I have stood together supporting one another. One decision that took a lot of prayer was me transferring schools. I love Psychology, I could read about all the studies and the history behind them all day long. It is a genuine interest and I can't get enough of it. I took a couple of months to pray about this, asking that the LORD would direct my studies where HE saw fit. I came across some literature from Liberty University. A phenomenal Christian University. I know many people who have attended Liberty and people rave about this school within the Christian community. My sister Lora, attends for her Masters within their seminary program. They have a psychology program with a specialty in Christian counseling. I knew when I read about the program that this is what the LORD had for me. Jason was so supportive and we knew this was something I needed to do. I start classes in January and could not be happier.

Thanksgiving went off without a hitch. We stayed in Columbus and celebrated the Holiday with Jason's family. It was so nice spending time together, when everyone is so busy. Great memories were made of laughter and a blessed time spent together.

Christmas is right around the corner and my birthday too. I love this time of year.

Needless to say I will be blogging about all of that soon.

As of now, I hope to have caught everyone up since being away. A long absence from my blog will not happen again. As we get into the holiday season, I encourage we all remember what this season it truly about, our Savior's birth.

Take Care,

MR

May 24th, 2010: "Being Free"

So much has happened lately I have been bursting to blog but have been unable to contain it all in one way. I knew I had to blog but only now have I wanted to take the challenge to articulate it all. Here we go...

With so much going on its easy to become very stressed. I knew that stress was my pattern and I could no longer live my life that way. I began to dedicate time at reading my Bible. I read Paul's letters. Through many books and chapters I have read his struggles,and witnessing GOD's faithfulness. HIS faith to HIS people is astounding. The more I read, I wanted to understand, the less and less stressful life became. It wasn't about my life's stresses anymore, it was about what GOD was doing and wants to do in my life. That is the most freeing feeling. I have been living a peaceful life since. Bumps will always be in the road but your mindset approaching them is what turns it all around. GOD is what turns it all around. GOD brings such clarity into one's spirit and it must be worked for daily. I will say that I just found myself in this place and knowing who GOD was, I was able to understand how my spirit became this way.

Only now am I able to clearly write what has happened in my life. Some may read this and say "So what, she found peace". I would say no, its not that simple. This peace I have now, is just the tip of what God wants for me and all of HIS people. That right there, is amazing and energizing. I am truly on my path of Finding my Movement and on that Movement GOD is taking me on an incredible journey. A journey of truth and knowledge and I'm taking in all that I can.

GOD's words are so powerful and one must not take them for granite. Find a time to be with your Bible and let GOD speak to you. You will find yourself in a place you never dreamed of. Yes, I'll say it again, life happens and its tragic and horrible sometimes. But wouldn't it be so much better if you knew your were living something so much bigger than just your life? Wouldn't that make all the tragedies less tragic? It has for me.

Thank you for being loyal readers and enjoying my blogs. I wish GOD's blessings upon you and a peaceful night.

MR

April 19th, 2010: "Setting it Straight"

So far so good. Thats what these last couple of weeks have been.

Spring Break was last week, so no subbing for me! I spent my days hanging out with my sister and enjoying care-free days with my wonderful husband (when he gets off work).

I bought paint supplies, including three canvases. Right now I am working on technics and learning what colors compliment each other and mixing colors as well. It has been so much fun, and I must say, I have been impressed with my work so far. I am in no rush to start my art project I had talked about in my last blog. I want to keep working and get a real vision of what I want to paint.

Now that catch up is over, I wanted to clue you guys in on my thoughts lately.

This year has been different on many levels for me. Both personally and publicly. When people let me down or forsake me, its easy for me to put walls up and block further pain from anyone ever again. I didn't realize that until I looked back at my actions. I didn't realize the impact those things had on me until I saw my actions steaming from that.

I will tell you right now, that the LORD does not want us to put up walls. He does not want us to block people from our lives. I had cocooned myself and didn't even realize I had done that.

After great thought and prayer I saw this and knew I needed to stop this behavior. I have a few great friends, an amazing husband, and the best family in the world. The LORD has blessed me with those things and HIS desire is to bless us with more. If I had continued this behavior, I would not have been able to accept the LORD's blessings for my life.

People will always let you down or be plain out mean. But its life. This life is the only one I have and I have a lot of dreams I'm in close grasp of reaching. I can't block myself out of life, I've got to live.

I love blogging about my experiences both as a woman living life and as a newlywed sharing my wonderful life with my husband. All these experiences have taught me amazing lessons, all of which are from the LORD. It is my prayer that we realize what the LORD has blessed us with and we forget the lil "let downs" in life. Our successes are so short lived and our mistakes live forever. That will not be my life! Will you stop this pattern too? Lets set things straight starting today!!!

Like I said above, I love blogging my life and my thoughts with all of you guys! Many of you message me, telling me how you have enjoyed reading it. I encourage you all to follow my blog. To put the always asked question of "do you have to be a member of blog spot to follow you?" to rest, no you do not have to be a member to follow my blog and it is a easy process. So I hope all of you who enjoy reading my blog will click the button above which reads: "follow" (:

On to exciting news, I'm getting more followers on twitter daily and I'm so excited about that! Again, my twitter name is : MReynolds03

I love to twitter and hopefully you all will look for me!

Well that is all for now, I hope you all seek GOD's grace and HIS blessings for your life.

May GOD bless and keep you all!