Anticipation

I feel like the word of the day lately for me is "anticipation".  When will the baby come?  Where will we all be when I go into labor?  How will we all get to the hospital?  Where will my parents need to meet us?  How fast (or SLOW) will everything go?  Will it be daytime or nighttime?  All of these questions and uncertainties lead to so much....ANTICIPATION :)

I will not lie, there is also anxiousness, a little anxiety, a lot of excitement, and many other emotions mixed in there as well.  It has become more difficult to be patient especially when 1.5 weeks ago the doctor is telling you that based on how things are progressing she will probably come early....and then next thing you know you've been working another week!

I have also found that I had great confidence about giving birth naturally/unmedicated the first time around, while this time I have more anxiety about it.  Sometimes ignorance really can be bliss.  However, I have been able to be a little more prepared this time knowing more of what to expect.  My poor husband listening to me talk about essential oils, birthing balls and using music to try to relax this time.

Again, more anticipation.

So last night I decided I need to slow down and lean on the Lord.  His wisdom is, of course, greater than mine could ever be.  I found great strength and comfort in these scriptures:

Isaiah 12:2 - I will trust in the Lord and NOT BE AFRAID.  The Lord, the Lord is MY STRENGTH and my song.

Phil 4:13 - I can do EVERYTHING through Him who gives me STRENGTH

Col 1:29 - To this end I will labor, struggling with all His energy, which so POWERFULLY works in me.

Ps. 29:11 - The Lord gives STRENGTH to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.

Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Col 1:11 - Be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great ENDURANCE and PATIENCE and JOYFULLY giving thanks to the Father.

Habb 3:19 - The Sovereign Lord is my source of STRENGTH.  He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.

Is. 40:29 - He gives POWER to the faint, and to Him who has no might, he INCREASES STRENGTH.

Ps. 37:7 - Be still before the Lord and wait PATIENTLY for Him.

John 16:21 - A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her JOY that a child is born into the world.

Is. 41:13 - For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear; I will HELP you."

I thank God for the encouragement of His word.  I know that whenever the time comes my God will be patient with me, strengthen me, hold me and love me.  Yes, every time I feel a pain or cramp I am still having moments of anticipation, but I am trusting in God and in His timing.

Gnome Bluetooth Selfie Stick Review

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Gnome Bluetooth Selfie Stick Review

This review comes to you from a first time selfie stick user.  First of all, it came earlier than expected which is always a bonus; and the packaging is nice and compact,  The stick itself is light but durable and actually a size that is easily portable for a larger pocket or small purse.

The stick comes with a plug to charge with your computer and a wrist strap (good for anyone with small children or with a tendency to drop things!).  One of the things that is most appealing is that it is a bluetooth selfie stick which connects to your phone directly from the stick by pressing and holding the camera button for 3-5 seconds (camera light will start flashing blue), then selecting the device from your phone.  I found the device pairs best when the phone is already in the holder; without doing that it kept asking me to put in a password.

My iPhone 6 feels very secure while in the holder, which is great since the device is made to turn up to 270 degrees and the pole extends upwards of 30 inches.  This selfie stick will be great for taking family pictures since we rarely ever get pictures of all of us.  My 3 year old is very amused and enjoys that she can push the button to take pictures herself.

You can purchase this product at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZZ4VQUY?keywords=gnome%20bluetooth%20selfie%20stick&qid=1453856607&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

#GnomeWorkshop

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The JOY of my SALVATION

The JOY of MY SALVATION

Create in me a clean heart, O God
and renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, O God
and renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from your presence O Lord
and take not your holy Spirit from me
RESTORE unto me, the JOY OF MY SALVATION
and renew a right spirit within me.

I remember the joy I had when I first became a Christian and thought that nothing could ever bring me down from that feeling of being so one with God that nothing could separate us.  Then years have passed, and I continued to allow the world to steal my joy, or, often times, I have allowed the things of the world to become my joy instead of God.

I have allowed myself to place the importance of worldly things above the joy and fulfillment I receive in Jesus.  Tonight at my Heartfelt group I was reminded that my joy is in the Lord, and in the salvation promised for those who live for Him.  We also talked about goals for 2016.  I pray that in 2016 I will prioritize my Lord and Savior above all, spending time with him in prayer and word, with the amazing church family I have been blessed with, and in renewing my joy in the salvation given to me through Christ Jesus and his sacrifice.