Plans

~"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11~

This has always been a favorite Bible verse for me. When W went through a big shake up at his former place of employment (and thank God was spared), it gave me comfort. When an amazing job opportunity opened up for him in September, it gave me peace. When I was struggling with my former job and how unhappy it made me and how much time it took away from my family, God provided it to me again. When we took a huge leap of faith and I went back to school, there it was again.

And now, when we are dealing with some other things, it is back again. God always seems to put it in front of me when I need it. Nevermind that it is printed out and taped to my dresser mirror, it was the Bible verse and topic of my daily devotional today.

Just when I think I need to do things "my" way, God reminds me to slow down and do things "His" way. To wait for him. To listen to him. To seek his guidance. To remember what HIS plans are. To remember that HE has a plan, and HIS plan is to prosper me and my family, to give us hope and a future.

Isn't it funny how God works sometimes? Just when you think you have it all figured it out, He throws in a wrench. Or he provides when you feel you are at the end of your rope and have no where else to go. I've often heard that if you want to hear God laugh, just tell him YOUR plans. Because most of the time, our plans aren't necessarily GOD'S plans. God is so good, all the time. We just have to remember to be still and listen. To be patient and wait for his timing. This is not easy for me as I am a "want it now" type person, but just when I try to get ahead of myself, God slows me down. God reminds me that HE is in control, not me. And isn't that just a wonderful thing? He provides, He loves, He gives. And He has a plan. It might not be MY plan, but that is not what is important. HIS plan is.

~He says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10~

Happiness Is. . . .

finding out that, this week at VBS, your daughter accepted Jesus Christ into her heart to wash away her sins.

Yep. That about sums it up. I am one very proud Momma right now.

VBS!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; You're works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:14

This week is Pandamania VBS at my church. Pandamania. Where God is wild about YOU. We are learning about how God made each of us unique. How he knows everything about us, down to the number of hairs on our heads. Even the little boy in my group who said "what about me? I don't have much hair!". See, he's got an adorable little crew cut going on. But yes, even you L, God knows exactly how many hairs you have on your head. And he knows everything about you! Isn't that great? Isn't that AWESOME? The premise behind Pandamania is Psalms 139.

I have an amazing group of soon-to-be first graders and an even more amazing youth helper. Thank God for her. I'm not sure I could wrangle all those kiddies without her! It is amazing to see God work through us (the crew leaders, drama teachers, craft workers, and snack leaders) to be a shining light to so many amazing children. I preay that they are learning something new about God, something that they can take with them.

I love Vacation Bible School. LOVE IT. Loved it when I was a child, love it as an adult. It has been (and still is) one fo the highlights of summer for me. And I love hearing all about A's day on the drive home. We do the same things, just not together, so I can ask her all the right "open-ended" questions. It is amazing though to see what she takes away from it. I love a child's perspective. I also love hearing the perspectives of my group. They are some precious babies!

So, tomorrow is another day at VBS with Pandamania! Another day of hearing how God knows each of us. Another AWESOME day of praise with some of the greatest kids on the planet!

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; your perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalms 139:1-2

**photo courtesy of Group.