When I got there I could barely believe how perfect the setting was. There was only two people there and the life guards. The water was completely calm, the sand so soft against my feet, and the sun was shining ever so brightly. I gazed at the water as it glistened underneath the sun’s rays. Oh what a day!

As I did some reading I came across a quote from Elisabeth Elliot’s book…

Let not our longing slay the appetite for our living. – Jim Elliot

It reminds me to be joyful in any season where I find myself. If I am in trial or success, sadness or joy, blessing or lack, I must be able to live that moment and embrace where I am.

Today Lord, I choose to embrace where I am standing. :O)

Thank you for giving me strength and for giving me vision!

For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

-Proverbs 5:21-23

Happy Monday! The Word of the Lord is powerful. Sharp like a double-edged sword. It can penetrate into the deepest parts of my heart.

1. A man’s ways are in full view of the Lord- The Lord knows all the details of my life and He knows who I am. He knows of all the thoughts I think. I can fool man, but I cannot fool God. He created me and sees me completely. He is El Roi, the God who sees.  To recognize God is viewing all I do motivates me to make correct decisions because I ultimately want to please the Lord above pleasing myself.

2. He examines all my paths- {examine(v) which means to inspect closely.}

My God inspects my paths closely. He is concerned about the way I go and what I choose to do. My decisions are what matter and the Lord is expecting me to make the right decisions.

3. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.

It is the very decisions and actions of a man that can harm him or  and makes him captive. The wrongdoings from his heart are the chains that enslave him causing a cycle of repetitive sin. He is his own enemy. Repentance is the only thing that can release the captive from himself.

4. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

{Disciple(n)- training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.} Discipline has the power to bring you life.

To not create a life of discipline will take me nowhere. A price has to be paid. But the great thing is that life can still be enjoyed along the journey. No discipline draws you to the path of ruin.

What have I been doing in the space between?

Let’s see, I began uni again. I just finished taking a course titled Foundations of Adult Learning and next week Wednesday I begin Interpersonal Communication.

Today is my day OFF! But I am still ON. I am ONto organizing myself, my life, and trying to be a good steward of all the little seeds my God has placed in my hands.

I am happy to find myself in a “quiet room” @ the library facing a gi-normous window overlooking tall palm trees, freshly cut green grass, and cars driving past as I sit and dig into myself.

I had a thought just now which inspired me to begin thinking about my blog again.

As I sat here, after being marveled by litlle bright yellow butterflies outside the window, I opened my journal. For days I have wanted to journal about some significant things in my heart. The ideas were based on the vision I see for my life, the dreams I have hidden in my heart.

There are times where I find myself burning within me, for something greater, for something meaningful, for something outside “myself.” Those moments come and go in between my struggle to stay vision driven and the weakness of becoming a prisoner of the urgent things that try to suck the very life I live.

The page for today’s journal entry was titled “A Place for Dreams.”

{How my God knows where my heart is standing.}

I was really excited to begin journaling. As I tried to gather the dreams I held in my heart I began to feel a bit odd.

At the start, there was a struggle, I could not concentrate and put  my vision into words. However, I as I wrestled through, I felt myself getting closing to my dreams. And then my dreams came alive again!, even bringing birth to a newer dream, one I’d never dreamed before.  –{The power of finding time to rejuvenate oneself. }

Even at this very moment, I feel that a process of dreaming has initiated within me. I don’t feel I am quite finished with today’s journal entry.

Therefore,I feel the need to dedicate myself to days as today.,

where I can sit…,

appreciate the beauty of God’s creation…,

ponder…,and

listen to what God has placed within me.

“We must must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

And I know that some dreams can overwhelm me… so I chose to take it a step at a time.

Dear Lord, teach me to be patient with myself as I rest in you knowing that I can trust you for all things.

Today has marked another special day in the History of my Life.

I <3 you Lord.

I currently find myself at the Townhouse. I woke up early and got here to go workout a bit. I want to establish that routine from now on. My goal is to wake up around six thirty-ish and head out by seven, be at the Townhouse by seven thirty and work out. The workout routine will consist of a mixture of swimming and running. For a nice dose of motivation John and Ramses will join me as well. After working out I’ll cook and eat breakfast. YUM!

Today I had one egg, oatmeal, salmon and then finished it off with a blueberry smoothie. It may sound like a wierd combination but TRUST me it is delicious!!!!

I can’t wait for lunch!

I have to work on my homework now, so I’ll be back later.

Blessings,

Steph

It is about time for me to sleep now but before that…

Today has been quite fun. At church we completed our 21 day fast and celebrated with a cookout by the pool side. We all went over John and Natis’ house to enjoy a great time under the sunny sun. We enjoy a lumpious supply of chicken,  chish-cabobs, chicken dogs, corn, potatoe salads, avacodo salad and much much more.

It was truly a delight to spend time with my friends all together as family. We celebrated Cristy’s, Agus, and Marioguenia’s birhtday. It was so sweet. Although I didn’t dare for cake.

After watching hilarious pranks from Colombia at John and Natis house, going to Publix and shopping, and finally getting home Cristy and I watched alongside my parents Miss Venezuela get crowned for Miss Universe 2009. She is beautiful.

And right now everyone is asleep as I type away my day. And I am anxious to finish. I am actually going to continue reading Irrestible Revolution. It’s a MUST READ on my list.

So without furthur adue I shall depart for a little while and soon I will return.

Dream Sweets. Night Good. Blessings,

Steph

He says He has plans for me. He says they are good ones that include prosperity and blessing, hope and a future for me.

This morning when I awoke I felt so displaced, burdened, and alone. I was trying to force myself to enjoy the day for it was Cristy’s special day. I truly don’t know why I felt so bad as I did. But as the day continued I tried to understand what was going on within myself. My mood was terrible and I felt so bad inside for being such a party pooper. Although I did my best to distract myself in conversation but I continued to feel so empty at heart.

After enjoying time at Connect group and parting I tried to find something to do. I texted the guys but they didn’t text back so I headed home. All the while trying to take control of my thoughts I began to worship and love on the Lord. Tears flowed down as my hard heart released the saddness. Soon enough a song came on about a revolution and changing this generation with God’s glory and power. At that instance my attention drifted from my self-pity point of view to a generation that is lost. Oh God forgive me for such wickedness. How I pray you would rid me of all selfishness, ungratefulness, and influence of today’s culture!

I did a u-turn and headed over to one of my favorite places Barnes and Nobles. I remember a book my friend David picked up titled “Irrestible Revolution.” It’s a story of a guy who goes to search out true believers and to really live as Jesus spoke we should.

I figure and I know that’s the answer. I’ve got to get up and going. I’ve got to start contributing. The world needs to know about Jesus. There is no way I am going to stay in the trap the enemy has set up for me. Self-pity, complaining, sadness, lonliness, and emptiness. NO WAY!!!

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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD,.. Jeremiah 29:11-14

I just enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast.

Earlier this morning while it was still dark we sang ”happy birthday” to Cristy. She is my sister. She turned 29 today.

Life is moving fast. I’ve got to get working on my homework today. I just cannot procrastinate any more. I’ve got a paper due by Wednesday night. If I get started now I’ll have hope for a good one.

I really don’t know what else to tell you so I umm…oh wait

So my website www.stephieblogs.com is up and running!!! Well not really running per say… more like standing for now. I am pysched about working on it. Let me go now so I can play around with my new toy.

Blessings,

Steph:)

This is my “personal” blog. Today has indeed been a long day working to convert the Townhouse into the CN offices. I feel as if I am going to faint anytime soon. Haha. Just kidding.

GREAT NEWS!! I bought my domain www.stephieblogs.com. I really cannot wait to get it up and going. John A. has helped me a lot. ‘Thanks John.”

So far so good. I am new to WORDPRESS and I’m hoping it doesn’t take me long to get used to.

It’s time for me to eat, go swimming and enjoy what’s left of today!

Yep, Steph’s my name.