Been thinking......

So, a good friend says to me, "God does not give us more than we can handle." Hmmmm. Been thinking about that. My conclusion is, "that's a bunch of bunk!" I have probably said that to others in the past and have made the commitment to never say that to someone EVER again! I don't know if my friend reads my blog, but if she does......sorry I didn't tell you personally about this "bunch of bunk" thing....but thanks for makin' me think!

Yes, I believe in God's sovereignty and I do believe that all things are filtered through His hands. So, God certainly has allowed things to happen in my life that he could have intervened to keep from happening. So, did he give me this thing that has been most heart-breaking to me in recent weeks? No. He has allowed these things to happen. I also believe that His grief is greater than mine! Back to that comment, "God does not give us more than we can handle." I already said I don't believe He has given me these things. I then think about what I can handle. The reality is that I can not handle the things that have happened in my life recently. I have had to come to the point of realizing that I can't handle it. It is only at this point that I come to the most important lesson and that is that I can only handle it through Him! I can't handle it! Through Him, I can. Freeing. Simply freeing.

I also have been thinking about each new "thing" that comes my way. I jokingly say to myself, "That didn't kill me," or "I'm still standin'," or "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!" I'm glad I couldn't foresee the things that were coming my way. That would so ruin how I handled things! Had I had some ability to see down the road, I may have rushed through to get to the victory or I would have recoiled as I would certainly have been fearful to even walk through the challenging times. Instead, I get to to be wowed by what He has done and continues to do!

So, will the "next" thing kill me? Highly unlikely. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Am I as fearful? No, He has not given me a spirit of timidity.

Been thinkin'.

3 1/2 months!

It has been a while since I posted! I returned from Vietnam in early September to have a few days to adjust before I started working full-time. I've learned that since I started working full-time there are several things that just don't get done as easily....laundry, taking of pictures, laundry, blogging, laundry, working out, laundry.....need I say more!?

The top photo is of the girls in the traditional clothing worn by women in Vietnam.
That's my September photo! I have no clue where October went, but I know the camera did not go with it! November we brought the camera out for Lily's birthday.....but not Tyler's.....terrible...I know! December brought a bit more camera action for us! We took the girls to see Santa on December 24th....I know...nothing like waiting until the last minute! Santa insisted on having a photo with TJ as well! We then have a photo of the "Fab Five" on Christmas morning followed by my favorite annual photo of the Alexander Family Cousins; TJ, Tosha, Lateria, Chantrelle, Brianna, Brandon, Britney, Alexis, Bridget, Tyler, Dane, Gio, Jonathan, David, Marcus, Josiah, Timothy, Lily and Sarah.

Beyond the typical things that have happened in our family, we have been faced with some really challenging times. I will share more when the time is right, but it has been tough, really tough. What I will share is that sometimes we get assignments in life that we simply do not want to have! I am in one of those places where I say to myself, "I don't want this assignment....I really don't want it!" God has brought me to a place where I know that there is nothing more for me to do than to accept the assignment and do my very best with what is in front of me....so I'm working on those things. I can only follow through on this assignment with a lot of prayer and a lot of faith.....trusting that God will move in a mighty way in my life and in the lives of those I love.

I am reading the book, "Shattered Dreams" by Larry Crabb. I'm not that far into the book, but am finding it to be meeting me where I am at and helping me get to a better place in dealing with the assignments in my life. I have dreamt many dreams for myself and my family....little dreams...although I may have thought them to be big dreams when I would first dream them! As challenges strip those small dreams from me I have come to realize the most important of dreams. For my loved ones, I want for them to walk in a close relationship with the Lord! This is the ultimate dream for them! I want them to seek Him with all of their hearts, mind and strength. Coming to that realization I know that this is the ultimate dream for myself. These times have brought me to a more intimate relationship with the God.....and I only want to know Him more. Good times are ahead as I know that He loves me, He really loves me!

Lastly, I have added a new blog that we will use when we travel to China in March. Be sure to check it out.

I hope we don't lose 3 1/2 more months before I blog again!

Entering Blogging World again......

Now that I have a new blog look, I will do better at blogging! If anyone is still out there following along, I'll make a pot of coffee and spend my afternoon snowed in sharing a few photos from the last few months.