I Miss My Friend

They say that people deal with death in different ways. I have never really known whether or not that was true, until tonight. I am sitting here in my living room, feeling an immense amount of pain and sadness upon losing my friend. It was two weeks ago, January 5 to be exact. I did better than I expected at the visitation, even at the funeral. But today, two weeks after being at his memorial, it has hit me. He really has gone to be with Christ. For that I am so joyful. But for the fact that I can't email him right now, I can't text to see how he is doing, that makes my heart broken. On January 5th, the world lost one of the most amazing, kind and courageous people to an ugly disease. Craig Stephen Thomas was 34 years old. Eight years ago, he was given a death sentence... ALS. But the astounding thing that he taught me, a death sentence can be the call to an end or the call to a purpose. For Craig, it was the PURPOSE! He chose to take this opportunity to find the joy in everything, to live a life OUT LOUD!!! It was a beautiful and awe inspiring thing to watch. I met Craig Thomas when I was 5 years old, Kindergarten. We swam on the same swim team. I can remember even at that young age, I was drawn to him. We remained friends through elementary and high school and had a relationship that was electric. I am not speaking in the terms of romantic, but spiritual. It was the past 8 years that God used Craig to be so influential in my life. We shared the same faith... and he taught me what love for Christ was. He was a huge part of my life and I am better for knowing him. I miss him more than words... but I can tell you that I feel so much peace knowing that he is smiling, dancing with Jesus, and I choose to believe, that come those rainy days, he is smiling down at me, still reminding me to choose joy no matter what the circumstance. Love you Craig.

First Weight Watchers Meeting

Tonight was my first weight watchers meeting. It was good, I have my goal set, and by gosh darn, I am going to reach it this time. THAT, however, is not my reason for this post. It is about God ordaining moments, that is all I can say. When in fact, I sit here in my bedroom with little words. A woman at my school who I don't know well had to take a leave of absence due to medical reasons. I didn't know her well. I allowed that fact to not take the moments to check on her, to see if I could do anything. Around Thanksgiving, I thought about taking her family dinner, but then life got busy, and you know, I did nothing. I can sit here tonight and tell you that I am blessed that I have a God that is teaching me, that shows me Himself. Tonight when I walked into that meeting, there she sat. I have not seen or talked to her for probably 4 months. We got through the meeting and then spent close to an hour talking. She resigned today and is sad about it. She will miss her students, her faculty, and saying good-bye to 15 years of teaching. But God was there in that room tonight, nudging me, I could feel it. He couldn't physically put his arms around her, but sent me to do it. I don't know her well, but at that moment, she felt like family. Thank you God for teaching me another lesson. When I feel called to help someone, that is you calling me, and I need to answer the call, not get busy and forget. I was suppose to be at that weight watchers meeting tonight, and it was not for a weigh in. Now, I am going to quietly sit, and ask him to show me what to do to help her, to be her friend, to show her encouragement. God is good... all the time!

Choose Joy

One of my resolutions for the new year is to choose joy! My family has each bought a notebook of their choice for their gratitude journal. In these journals, we will write 5 things we are thankful for each day. My hope is that this will help me to look for the blessings that each day brings, instead of focusing on those negatives that steal my joy. My hope is for my children to start this early on in life so that it creates a lifestyle for them. I am looking forward to entering my 5 starting tonight.

A Look Back at 2011

This past year has been a exciting year for the Roberts. It has been full of wonderful moments and new chapters. As I look back, I am just so thankful. Above all else, I am thankful for my relationship that I have with Christ. It has changed me and I pray that I continue to change. Here are a few moments that marked 2011...

Visiting Sonoma, CA with my mom

Trip with Josh to Chicago

Our new home

Long friendships

New friendships

Doing the Jailbreak with my friend Dahlia

Visiting family ( Ava and Sawyer with their great grandparents)

Beach trip with family

Playing in the pool this summer

Watching Josh's spirit come alive through worship

Sawyer starting soccer

The cabin

My children

My husband

Running the half marathon in Dallas

Volunteering at Unity Park Shelter in Fort Worth

 As I look at the new year ahead, I pray that God will guide my steps. That he shows me more about myself, my weaknesses, my gifts, and that I am transformed to be the woman he designed me to be. I pray that His light will shine through me. Through out this year, I am living a life where I choose Joy... I hope that I am become more present in life... that I enjoy the moments... that I live a life out loud!!! Here is to 2012!

Surprise, We Are Going to Disney

For the last two months, we have been keeping the biggest surprise from the kids and let me tell you, it was hard!!! About two months ago, my mom surprised us by telling us that she wanted to take us all to Disney World for Christmas. We knew that the kids would be so excited but wanted to wait and tell them until Christmas Eve night. Santa came to our house while we were at church. When we got home there was a gift that said, " Open last". Inside the gift were Mickey shirts, and items that had Mickey on them. Wrapped was the can that they have been putting money in for four years. Inside the can was a note from Mickey. Here is the video of them finding out, it is priceless...

To say the least, we had a wonderful time. We got back late last night and I can tell you, it really is the most magical place on Earth. I will be updating my blog in a few days with pictures and details of our trip.

Praying For Our Husbands

My husband Josh just graduated with his masters degree in hopes of going into administration. Our family is so proud of him. He is hopeful that a job opportunity will become available for him. In the meantime, I am praying for God's will in my husbands life. He knows my husband more than I do, he knows our future, he knows where He can put Josh that will bring Him glory. I actually emailed Josh today and told him that I want us to pray together tonight about this... then an awesom email pops up. It is a beautiful step by step for praying for our husbands. I love it and wanted to share it here.

http://reneeswope.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/PrayingForMyHusband.Head2Toe.pdf

I pray that this will bless you and in turn bless your husbands.

A Child of God

The David study has touched my heart very much this week. The virtues that David possessed our some of the many virtues that Jesus Christ possesses as well.
1. He has shown me kindness
2. He has initiated a relationship with me.
3. He has accepted me completely.
4. He has shown me His calming Spirit.
5. He delights in my restoration.
6. He DESIRES for ME to be His DAUGHTER! Wow, me?
That is just so hard to comprehend, that God seeks you out in a crowd, yells your name and says, " Yes, you!!!! I desire for YOU to be my daughter."

This challenges me to also seek a heart like His. A heart that shows kindness, is an initiator of meaningful relationships, accepts others completely, shows a calming spirit, delights in the restoration of others and above alllllll else, desires a relationship with my Father in Heaven that calls me HIS.

I hope that you are blessed today by the video below. During this Thanksgiving holiday, I pray that you give thanks to the one that calls you "daugther".