Me: My computer is not working properly.
D: What kind of computer do you have?
Me: An HP
D: Really? I had you pegged for as a Yoshiba girl.
Me: Haha. Like the song by The Flaming Lips?
D: What?
Me: Oh wait. That's Yoshimi.
D: I thought that was a type of sushi.
We were just way way off.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Aussie Aussie Aussie. Oi Oi Oi!
This post has nothing to do with football.
It does have to do with me saying "I" all the time. Writers especially in a collegiate setting are discouraged from starting their paragraphs or ideas with "I". There's always a better way to show the reader what you are saying rather than telling them. And showing and telling have to do with this post as well I guess.
I am super hard on myself. I'm mean to myself and constricting. I have strict ideas that I want to adhere to when it comes to me. Me. Me. Me.
I forced myself into a meditation. I totally felt God's presence as I was flooded with only thoughts for a sermon in my heart. In my life. I was in worship and it was like a workshop for me. I was taking notes about what I was hearing and making notes of how to do things differently. I wasn't focusing on what I was hearing but how I could swirl it into my actions.
Gah. So I tried to swirl it toward a positive plan of action. You know me, I always have a plan. If I don't have a plan in my head, I panic and everyone gets to hear about it.
So I was trying to take some meditation notes/reflections about this time of mediation and I wrote:
My testimony:
My wants:
My plan:
My (thinking what should go here):
and then my brain went silent. For like three seconds. A white pause of air in radio space of Amber thoughts.
"When are you going to stop saying 'My'?"
Boom.
Oh. I guess you are right huh Lord? I am saying MY MY MY. ME. ME. ME. I. I. I. and not in a chanting football way. In a how can I gain glory or attention from this way? Golly. I could picture God in my head chuckling at me. Oh Amber, you think you are so powerful. It's cute. I definitely needed the humility. Step down a notch. I should be in the crowd listening to the sermon, not the commenter on the side. (I think I'll have more words about that later and as to why)
It's because I am self lead out of fear. I have a tight grasp on my fears and insecurities and I push and rule from that.
But I need to push and rule and seek love.
I need to trust HIM and obey HIM. And lean not on my own understanding. (inhale.....exhale.....)
Why should I have to follow any different of a direction?
Didn't Jesus have to trust HIM and obey HIM too?
To his death?
Three cheers for you King Jesus. Aussie Aussie Aussie. YOU. YOU. YOU.
It does have to do with me saying "I" all the time. Writers especially in a collegiate setting are discouraged from starting their paragraphs or ideas with "I". There's always a better way to show the reader what you are saying rather than telling them. And showing and telling have to do with this post as well I guess.
I am super hard on myself. I'm mean to myself and constricting. I have strict ideas that I want to adhere to when it comes to me. Me. Me. Me.
I forced myself into a meditation. I totally felt God's presence as I was flooded with only thoughts for a sermon in my heart. In my life. I was in worship and it was like a workshop for me. I was taking notes about what I was hearing and making notes of how to do things differently. I wasn't focusing on what I was hearing but how I could swirl it into my actions.
Gah. So I tried to swirl it toward a positive plan of action. You know me, I always have a plan. If I don't have a plan in my head, I panic and everyone gets to hear about it.
So I was trying to take some meditation notes/reflections about this time of mediation and I wrote:
My testimony:
My wants:
My plan:
My (thinking what should go here):
and then my brain went silent. For like three seconds. A white pause of air in radio space of Amber thoughts.
"When are you going to stop saying 'My'?"
Boom.
Oh. I guess you are right huh Lord? I am saying MY MY MY. ME. ME. ME. I. I. I. and not in a chanting football way. In a how can I gain glory or attention from this way? Golly. I could picture God in my head chuckling at me. Oh Amber, you think you are so powerful. It's cute. I definitely needed the humility. Step down a notch. I should be in the crowd listening to the sermon, not the commenter on the side. (I think I'll have more words about that later and as to why)
It's because I am self lead out of fear. I have a tight grasp on my fears and insecurities and I push and rule from that.
But I need to push and rule and seek love.
I need to trust HIM and obey HIM. And lean not on my own understanding. (inhale.....exhale.....)
Why should I have to follow any different of a direction?
Didn't Jesus have to trust HIM and obey HIM too?
To his death?
Three cheers for you King Jesus. Aussie Aussie Aussie. YOU. YOU. YOU.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
I've Got This Friend
Oh, I have got this friend
I don't think you know her
She sings a simple song
It sounds a lot like his
I don't think you know her
She sings a simple song
It sounds a lot like his
Oh, I've got this friend
Holding onto her heart
Like it's a little secret
Like it's all she's got to give
Holding onto her heart
Like it's a little secret
Like it's all she's got to give
(The Civil Wars. Album: Barton Hollow)
I've been thinking about friendship a lot this week. I recently diagnosed myself as an ETSJ on the Myer Briggs Personality Scale. It identifies with me so much. They put God first, Family second, and Friends third. But if you know my life, you know my friends are my family. And I have to brag on two friends, on complete ends of the spectrum. I won't name names. But two friends in the Bible came up in my mind when I have been meditating on the acts of friendship and their identity in the Christian religion roles this week. The first one is Mary Magdalene. I know I know. I'm obsessed with her. But in the Gospel of John, Jesus first witnesses his resurrection to Mary. John 20:14-16 says, 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
I have this friend that I would not know what to do without. She has seriously been my teacher and since my mom and I have difficulty conversating sometimes, I constantly run to her in my weakest moments for guidance, and affirmation. I am thankful for her to call me out on myself and make me look at myself.
Then I have another friend. We are not close by any means, but she has taught me a great lesson about what the "church" means. When I was in my last relationship, I loved the church that we attended. I would attend it now if not for awkwardness and the fact that it is four hours drive away. haha. I met some great people there that would become my church family if this relationship were to continue. When the relationship ended, I decided it best to separate myself from those friends I had made. I didn't want to seek their attention or be an awkward acquaintance or for there to be a side to be on. So I ended my ties on fb with them. And I had one woman who messaged me and was like, Um, why are we not friends on facebook anymore? And I explained to her, hey I didn't mean for that to be snobbish. I just didn't want there to be awkwardness or hurt on my end and she responded NO! We became friends in church and in Christ and that's what we are going to be! No one drew a line. In my mind, I was like, "Wow." What a true church embodiment. We are all in the church of Christ aren't we? No matter what is going on or what we think of each other.
That was a great lesson in my heart about what I should be conveying towards others as I "WALK" with Christ or try my best to follow him and RUN as hard as I can to catch up with him. Some of us are proud lions as guardians on his trail. Protecting his word and have his back as He has ours. And some of us are snails and slugs. We are trying to go in that direction and goodness do we have some JUNK we are dragging along behind us.
So the friend in the bible that I was thinking of with these friends were the disciples with Jesus in the boat right after the beheading of John and right before the loaves and fishes. My thoughts went to Mark, (although the story is in Matthew and Luke too, I like Mark's telling). After John the Baptist's beheading and burial, Jesus and the disciples loaded up in a boat to go to a secluded place and to rest and to get away. Like a biblical boys weekend (Just kidding). Once I heard a pastor say, "Why did Jesus get in the boat?" Ummm DERRR. It just SAID they were going to get away and get some R&R in. Scoff. And the pastor said, "I mean here Jesus is sitting with these guys and they are ye of little faith (particular to Mark's version- maybe that's why I prefer it) and like oh no. How are we going to feed all these people you just preached to (another love in this as Jesus was seeking seclusion with his disciples and people still wanted to learn from him so he ends up teaching to them. Love that. Like volunteering on your day off.) and Jesus is like, Do ya'll not know who I am?" And the pastor says, "Jesus is probably thinking why did I ride with ya'll in the boat? I could've just WALKED. It's enlightening right? Jesus walked on water and so could have just gone out and walked to wherever he wanted to get away from the stress they all just had to deal with. But it's like he needed his boys.
I really like that aspect of Jesus. Being with his friends, his disciples, when he didn't have to be, because He's JESUS.
It's like he took the bus when the Ferrari broke down with his friends and he could've just rented another. (Work with me here.)
And what a friend we have in Jesus right? There are hymns and poems and icons dating back to forever ago about the relationship with Jesus as friend. One I am surely working on.
So what I'm trying to say is, I'm so grateful for these friends I have. I don't know what I would do (or not do) without you. Ateam plus all of my second Moms. You know who you are.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Funny Story 2
In my Infant and Toddler Development class this summer, the professor has chosen to say "eliminate" instead of "pooping" or "bowel movement" and I gotta tell you: it CRACKS ME UP. It is sooooo much funnier to me than "poop" it's like the proper form of poop. I know it's awful and I'm pretty certain I'm the oldest person in this class minus the professor and I really struggle not to CHORTLE when she says "eliminate". And I've tried to go home and say it out loud over and over and over and I just can't not LAUGH. I have to sit in the back and bite my tongue and lips and put my hands over my mouth so that I don't SNORT when she says "eliminate". I know. It's so immature. I can't help it. It makes me laugh.
Funny Story
I have a funny story to share with you. It's not 100% appropriate, but what the hay.
I had a little break between lab and class this week on campus so I went into Subway for lunch. I was eating my lunch and a man of a certain ethnicity walked in and ordered a sandwich. Nothing out of the ordinary, but the sandwich artist asked him if he wanted it, "for here or to go". He says, "yes". So she asks again. "Do you want it for here or to go?" And he says, "Huh?" So she asks differently, "Do you want to eat it now or take it with you?" And he says, "Now." So she wraps his sandwich once and puts it on this little platter like you get fries in at a diner and slides it across the counter to him once he pays. Then the guy obviously confused, picked up the tray with the sandwich and walked out the door. With the tray! Hahahaha. I looked at the lady and she said, "Well, oh well." And went back in the back. I had to laugh.
I had a little break between lab and class this week on campus so I went into Subway for lunch. I was eating my lunch and a man of a certain ethnicity walked in and ordered a sandwich. Nothing out of the ordinary, but the sandwich artist asked him if he wanted it, "for here or to go". He says, "yes". So she asks again. "Do you want it for here or to go?" And he says, "Huh?" So she asks differently, "Do you want to eat it now or take it with you?" And he says, "Now." So she wraps his sandwich once and puts it on this little platter like you get fries in at a diner and slides it across the counter to him once he pays. Then the guy obviously confused, picked up the tray with the sandwich and walked out the door. With the tray! Hahahaha. I looked at the lady and she said, "Well, oh well." And went back in the back. I had to laugh.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
It's as if
I kinda got some confirmation from the Good Lord above this week. I have really wrestled with the idea of marriage and children in my life the past few years. It's no secret and it's no secret that it has torn apart some really tender relationships. But I believe I have to be happy number one and not settled and not settle for happiness. For a while now I have absolutely dreamed of being called to missions. To start a girls school to advance typical and impoverished girls. I have prayed for God to give me this in a blessing. And to put on my heart what he wants for a family in my life. I have very mixed emotions about marriage. For one, haha, I have never done it. I don't know what marriage is like at all. I do want children, but not biologically, and truth be told, I'm not sure that's even a biological option for me. So I really want to adopt. And as soon as I have my teaching license, a job, and a decent place to raise a child, I plan on putting in for fostering and adoption. With or without a marriage or significant other. The advocacy for women and children are laid on my heart daily and twist through my mind so often that sometimes I can't even sleep from torment of guilt of the wonderful life that I already have. So why would I want more when I can help others that have none?
I've talked through things with my friends and family, and especially with my mom and I really want to go ahead while I am in the line of education, to get my Master's and then work on a seminary degree. I feel these are things that I need to be prepared WHEN my prayers are answered and I am called to do the LORD's work. Not my own.
I have always felt that I have wanted the wrong things out of life.
So discussing things with my mom today, she says, "ya, you've never wanted that and I guess that's just ok. As long as you are happy and know what you want." This is the only thing that I know what I want. And in my Family Relations class I am taking the first session of summer classes, my professor announced that women that have a higher education are less likely to get married and the first female in the family are less likely to get married. I had to stifle a chuckle in the middle of class but made sure to highlight it in my notes. Telling my mother this, she said "It's as if God has spoken." Haha.
I don't know what else I want in life (other than allergies to be wiped from my body, that would be glorious), so I'm not actively pursuing it. I'm never going to be super skinny or have my hair done the same day I have an outfit together and my eyebrows waxed and my makeup done and out the door on time. I am never ever ever going to get that down. I may always be bitter towards things that have hurt me or forget to take care of myself and get rundown. I may forget many invitations and showers and parties and get togethers because it's just me getting everything done. And I'm great with it being just me. And Jesus. Because I have very hard and holy things to do. So I'm getting to work.
All that love and stuff,
Amber D. Tyree
I've talked through things with my friends and family, and especially with my mom and I really want to go ahead while I am in the line of education, to get my Master's and then work on a seminary degree. I feel these are things that I need to be prepared WHEN my prayers are answered and I am called to do the LORD's work. Not my own.
I have always felt that I have wanted the wrong things out of life.
So discussing things with my mom today, she says, "ya, you've never wanted that and I guess that's just ok. As long as you are happy and know what you want." This is the only thing that I know what I want. And in my Family Relations class I am taking the first session of summer classes, my professor announced that women that have a higher education are less likely to get married and the first female in the family are less likely to get married. I had to stifle a chuckle in the middle of class but made sure to highlight it in my notes. Telling my mother this, she said "It's as if God has spoken." Haha.
I don't know what else I want in life (other than allergies to be wiped from my body, that would be glorious), so I'm not actively pursuing it. I'm never going to be super skinny or have my hair done the same day I have an outfit together and my eyebrows waxed and my makeup done and out the door on time. I am never ever ever going to get that down. I may always be bitter towards things that have hurt me or forget to take care of myself and get rundown. I may forget many invitations and showers and parties and get togethers because it's just me getting everything done. And I'm great with it being just me. And Jesus. Because I have very hard and holy things to do. So I'm getting to work.
All that love and stuff,
Amber D. Tyree
Monday, March 30, 2015
Daughter,
I love when reading gives me goosebumps. This was an assigned reading from a couple weeks ago, but I read it again and it gave me goosebumps again, so I am sharing.
" I have also, daughter, chastised you with the fear of my God- head, and many times I have frightened you with great winds and storms, so that you thought vengeance would have fallen on you for sin. I have tested you by many tribulations, many great griefs and many grievous sicknesses, so that you have been anointed for death, and entirely through my grace you have escaped. Therefore don't be at all afraid, daughter, for with my own hands which were nailed to the cross I shall take your soul from your body with great joy and melody, with sweet smells and fragrances, and offer it to my father in heaven, where you shall see him face to face, dwelling with him without end.
"Daughter, you will be very welcome to my father, and to my mother, and to all my saints in heaven, for you have given them drink very many times with the tears of your eyes. All my holy saints shall rejoice at your coming home. You shall be fulfilled with every kind of love that you desire. Then you will bless the time that you were made and the body that has (dearly) redeemed you. He shall rejoice in you and you in him without end.
-Jesus speaking to Margary Kempe
Source: Book: Medieval Writings on Female Spirituality.
Daughter First and Foremost.
Do you know a woman that does NOT need to hear this?
~Amber
" I have also, daughter, chastised you with the fear of my God- head, and many times I have frightened you with great winds and storms, so that you thought vengeance would have fallen on you for sin. I have tested you by many tribulations, many great griefs and many grievous sicknesses, so that you have been anointed for death, and entirely through my grace you have escaped. Therefore don't be at all afraid, daughter, for with my own hands which were nailed to the cross I shall take your soul from your body with great joy and melody, with sweet smells and fragrances, and offer it to my father in heaven, where you shall see him face to face, dwelling with him without end.
"Daughter, you will be very welcome to my father, and to my mother, and to all my saints in heaven, for you have given them drink very many times with the tears of your eyes. All my holy saints shall rejoice at your coming home. You shall be fulfilled with every kind of love that you desire. Then you will bless the time that you were made and the body that has (dearly) redeemed you. He shall rejoice in you and you in him without end.
-Jesus speaking to Margary Kempe
Source: Book: Medieval Writings on Female Spirituality.
Daughter First and Foremost.
Do you know a woman that does NOT need to hear this?
~Amber
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
What's in a name?
Juliet:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
So then, do you think if I were any other name than Amber, would I be the same?
Do you think I would be sweet?
Ha. Probably not.
So when this semester started, one of my class professors (Women and Christianity) wanted to learn all of our 35 names and so for her and kinda everyone to get to know our name and remember it she asked us to tell our name and tell how we got our name. Oh boy. Have you heard this story? It's about as long as I am.
First of all, I was supposed to be born at the end of August and I was born in the middle of August, and they didn't know my gender until I was born. If I was a boy, I would have been the Robert E. Tyree of the group. But I wasn't. So my mom and dad say that they could not agree on my name. Lots of names that my mom liked, well it's not that my dad didn't like them, it's that he had dated someone with that name and that wouldn't be appropriate or good for me. And I'm told that it took a long time to name me. They joked they could give me a funny name: Gertrude Fayrine. Call me Gerdy Faye for short. And sometimes they still do and sometimes in High School, it would be funny to call me that.
I embraced it. I had it stamped on my yearbooks. I still sign all my artwork with a "GF" which you will have noticed if you ever took art with me or have gone to "Painting With A Twist" with me. For a while after high school, working with an Amber everyday, I considered going by Trudy. Why not. Kinda cute right? Trudy Tyree. There are worse things to be called, or named ....but don't get me on that subject, it doesn't end well for many a person in today's world. But my mom also told me that she really liked the name Julie. And I think it's beautiful as well. But my dad had a mule named Julie and that took it out of the running, as well as the name Kate, the dog (I think blue heeler) they had when they were first married.
So a week after class starts, and I'm out to eat with the family, I retell the story of how my professor wanted to learn all of our names and how we had to tell her the story. Well, this story obviously isn't climactic as we all know my name. But there is, as always with me, a funny bit.
My dad asks if I was brave enough to tell them about my Gerdy Faye fate/option. Yes, I did and also how Mom wanted Julie but you had a mule named Julie so I couldn't be Julie. Do you see where this is going?
What? I never had a mule named Julie. OH. Ha. I just never liked that name.
What a long joke in the making.
But here I am. Amber. Amber Dawn.
In case you didn't realize it, all of my names are nouns without being proper nouns. Amber, a color or gem, dawn, a time of the morning, and Tyree (Tyre) a (sinful) city in the bible off the Jordan River.
So if I was another name- would I still be me?
Probably not.
But I won't apologize for it ;)
~Amber
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
So then, do you think if I were any other name than Amber, would I be the same?
Do you think I would be sweet?
Ha. Probably not.
So when this semester started, one of my class professors (Women and Christianity) wanted to learn all of our 35 names and so for her and kinda everyone to get to know our name and remember it she asked us to tell our name and tell how we got our name. Oh boy. Have you heard this story? It's about as long as I am.
First of all, I was supposed to be born at the end of August and I was born in the middle of August, and they didn't know my gender until I was born. If I was a boy, I would have been the Robert E. Tyree of the group. But I wasn't. So my mom and dad say that they could not agree on my name. Lots of names that my mom liked, well it's not that my dad didn't like them, it's that he had dated someone with that name and that wouldn't be appropriate or good for me. And I'm told that it took a long time to name me. They joked they could give me a funny name: Gertrude Fayrine. Call me Gerdy Faye for short. And sometimes they still do and sometimes in High School, it would be funny to call me that.
I embraced it. I had it stamped on my yearbooks. I still sign all my artwork with a "GF" which you will have noticed if you ever took art with me or have gone to "Painting With A Twist" with me. For a while after high school, working with an Amber everyday, I considered going by Trudy. Why not. Kinda cute right? Trudy Tyree. There are worse things to be called, or named ....but don't get me on that subject, it doesn't end well for many a person in today's world. But my mom also told me that she really liked the name Julie. And I think it's beautiful as well. But my dad had a mule named Julie and that took it out of the running, as well as the name Kate, the dog (I think blue heeler) they had when they were first married.
So a week after class starts, and I'm out to eat with the family, I retell the story of how my professor wanted to learn all of our names and how we had to tell her the story. Well, this story obviously isn't climactic as we all know my name. But there is, as always with me, a funny bit.
My dad asks if I was brave enough to tell them about my Gerdy Faye fate/option. Yes, I did and also how Mom wanted Julie but you had a mule named Julie so I couldn't be Julie. Do you see where this is going?
What? I never had a mule named Julie. OH. Ha. I just never liked that name.
What a long joke in the making.
But here I am. Amber. Amber Dawn.
In case you didn't realize it, all of my names are nouns without being proper nouns. Amber, a color or gem, dawn, a time of the morning, and Tyree (Tyre) a (sinful) city in the bible off the Jordan River.
So if I was another name- would I still be me?
Probably not.
But I won't apologize for it ;)
~Amber
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Validation
Have you ever gone on living for a little bit of time and thought, "Man, does no one like me anymore"?
When I separated myself from facebook, I purposely took myself out of daily spotlight. I didn't need hundreds of people checking in everyday or a couple times a day even to see what I was up to and what I was not doing. But now that I am out of that light, and I'm going on and trying to live a simple life and live for God, and seek God, and have God check in on me a couple times a day to see what I'm up to and what I'm not doing and what's going on in my head, I'm like, do people I know even like me anymore?
It's funny -maybe. Those "Likes" and "Comments", although I craved them when I was actually participating in Facebook, are now missing from my life. Do people not "like" my everyday scrambles? Do they not have a thought they care to share? Are people saying things about me? Am I not validated? Am I not thought well of? Am I not affirmated?
Does that matter?
Maybe it's a girl thing. Maybe it's a silence thing. Maybe I'm paranoid.
Do rockstars feel like this? They must- they do shows and display their lives and talents, and it's exhausting and they love it and everything suffers. And fans scream "we love you" "I love you" and they say back, "Oh I love you too. Believe me I do."
And then they take a break. And they go home and they spend time with their families and on themselves and live simpler, live healthy, take care of themselves, and it takes them a while to get back out there on the road, to produce another cd, to write something they think someone will care about. Because no one is screaming in their face, "You are good at what you do and you are liked".
But that's on a grand scale. I'm like 1/100th of that kind of following.
But if you're out there, and your feelings have not changed, will you tell me?
And basically, I just calculated, as you can see that I am indeed:
1/100th Rockstar.
Hugo agrees.
Per ardua.
Amber
When I separated myself from facebook, I purposely took myself out of daily spotlight. I didn't need hundreds of people checking in everyday or a couple times a day even to see what I was up to and what I was not doing. But now that I am out of that light, and I'm going on and trying to live a simple life and live for God, and seek God, and have God check in on me a couple times a day to see what I'm up to and what I'm not doing and what's going on in my head, I'm like, do people I know even like me anymore?
It's funny -maybe. Those "Likes" and "Comments", although I craved them when I was actually participating in Facebook, are now missing from my life. Do people not "like" my everyday scrambles? Do they not have a thought they care to share? Are people saying things about me? Am I not validated? Am I not thought well of? Am I not affirmated?
Does that matter?
Maybe it's a girl thing. Maybe it's a silence thing. Maybe I'm paranoid.
Do rockstars feel like this? They must- they do shows and display their lives and talents, and it's exhausting and they love it and everything suffers. And fans scream "we love you" "I love you" and they say back, "Oh I love you too. Believe me I do."
And then they take a break. And they go home and they spend time with their families and on themselves and live simpler, live healthy, take care of themselves, and it takes them a while to get back out there on the road, to produce another cd, to write something they think someone will care about. Because no one is screaming in their face, "You are good at what you do and you are liked".
But that's on a grand scale. I'm like 1/100th of that kind of following.
But if you're out there, and your feelings have not changed, will you tell me?
And basically, I just calculated, as you can see that I am indeed:
1/100th Rockstar.
Hugo agrees.
Per ardua.
Amber
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Kickstarter
Hello my cyber family of followers.
I am still enjoying my hiatus from Facebook and haven't really missed it. I've been posting to Instagram once in a while and checking my twitter when I think of it, but mostly I have been reading, relaxing, talking to those who come to me first, trying to get a head start on school, working, digging into bible study, being a hermit, watching Netflix, researching scripture for my prayer journal I want to start, cleaning, trying to be a much healthier version of myself. And it's very peaceful to know that I don't have eyes on me all day long. Ah serenity. It's actually 5:50 am (Saturday) and I have had a rough cough and on and off low grade fever today. Right now I am listening to "The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo (on youtube) and I'm wondering where this has been my whole life. Especially when I was putting dozens of small toddlers down for nap for two plus years. Ha! And I'm drinking coffee out of my new favorite coffee mug that Dolly Parton herself gave to me! You'd have to see it to believe it.
I decided to get back into blogging, because I like to post but don't like the criticism Facebook brings, and let's face it, I'm funny. And several people like my updates on my "this can't be my life" life.
Hopefully I can keep an online record of some prayers that I will be praying and some scripture to keep me focused on the need in the prayer. I've been working on this for a couple of weeks as well as preparing for classes at UofA that start in just a couple of weeks! Also, I would love to tell you some of the stories that come my way when I substitute and encounter those hilarious things God made called children.
So as I put together and do some final organization of my Prayer Journal, I wanted to start off with some scripture...about prayer. Did you see that coming? Here goes:
1) 2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV)
I am still enjoying my hiatus from Facebook and haven't really missed it. I've been posting to Instagram once in a while and checking my twitter when I think of it, but mostly I have been reading, relaxing, talking to those who come to me first, trying to get a head start on school, working, digging into bible study, being a hermit, watching Netflix, researching scripture for my prayer journal I want to start, cleaning, trying to be a much healthier version of myself. And it's very peaceful to know that I don't have eyes on me all day long. Ah serenity. It's actually 5:50 am (Saturday) and I have had a rough cough and on and off low grade fever today. Right now I am listening to "The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo (on youtube) and I'm wondering where this has been my whole life. Especially when I was putting dozens of small toddlers down for nap for two plus years. Ha! And I'm drinking coffee out of my new favorite coffee mug that Dolly Parton herself gave to me! You'd have to see it to believe it.
I decided to get back into blogging, because I like to post but don't like the criticism Facebook brings, and let's face it, I'm funny. And several people like my updates on my "this can't be my life" life.
Hopefully I can keep an online record of some prayers that I will be praying and some scripture to keep me focused on the need in the prayer. I've been working on this for a couple of weeks as well as preparing for classes at UofA that start in just a couple of weeks! Also, I would love to tell you some of the stories that come my way when I substitute and encounter those hilarious things God made called children.
So as I put together and do some final organization of my Prayer Journal, I wanted to start off with some scripture...about prayer. Did you see that coming? Here goes:
1) 2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2) The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
3) In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)
4)In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
5) I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. (Psalm 138:1-2)
6) But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)
7) In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)
8) I urge you, brothers and sisters, but our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to join me in my new struggle by praying to God for me. (Romans 15:30)
9) And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, (Phillipians 1:9)
My intention is to not only ask, but to praise! I often forget to sit down and "butter up the king" as it is in my head. Have a laugh in my thinking of how I ask and ask from Him, and rarely stop to say, "Daddy, you know I love you right? You are mighty and wonderful and the only one worthy of praise. And I know you love me because of all your blessings and your daily account in my head and my heart." Sometimes I just get stressed about what needs to be prayed about because it's out of my hands and I can't switch to talking to daddy mode quite so efficiently. I'm working on it.
I may put together something cute that I can share with everyone so they can stay organized in their prayers and needs. I have a schedule, as follows:
Monday: Family, Friends, Relationships,
Tuesday: God's Will, Spiritual Life, Church and Ministry Growth
Wednesday: Work, Home, Finances, School/Education
Thursday: Praise and Blessings, Health, Strength, Peace, Healing, Comfort
Friday: Our Nation and soldiers, Those who don't know the name of Christ, Peace
Saturday: Forgiveness, Humans in poverty, hurting, unfortunate, world hunger and health, Human trafficking.
I may tweak this some and of course I will have some very specific situations every day to pray for. My goal is to have a resource of verses of what the bible says about these situations to give focus and standing to my prayers. Should be coming together nicely, and soon!
Hope all is well and all is bright as we ring in a new year :)
Per ardua-
Amber (and Hugo)
2) The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
3) In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)
4)In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
5) I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. (Psalm 138:1-2)
6) But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)
7) In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)
8) I urge you, brothers and sisters, but our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to join me in my new struggle by praying to God for me. (Romans 15:30)
9) And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, (Phillipians 1:9)
My intention is to not only ask, but to praise! I often forget to sit down and "butter up the king" as it is in my head. Have a laugh in my thinking of how I ask and ask from Him, and rarely stop to say, "Daddy, you know I love you right? You are mighty and wonderful and the only one worthy of praise. And I know you love me because of all your blessings and your daily account in my head and my heart." Sometimes I just get stressed about what needs to be prayed about because it's out of my hands and I can't switch to talking to daddy mode quite so efficiently. I'm working on it.
I may put together something cute that I can share with everyone so they can stay organized in their prayers and needs. I have a schedule, as follows:
Monday: Family, Friends, Relationships,
Tuesday: God's Will, Spiritual Life, Church and Ministry Growth
Wednesday: Work, Home, Finances, School/Education
Thursday: Praise and Blessings, Health, Strength, Peace, Healing, Comfort
Friday: Our Nation and soldiers, Those who don't know the name of Christ, Peace
Saturday: Forgiveness, Humans in poverty, hurting, unfortunate, world hunger and health, Human trafficking.
I may tweak this some and of course I will have some very specific situations every day to pray for. My goal is to have a resource of verses of what the bible says about these situations to give focus and standing to my prayers. Should be coming together nicely, and soon!
Hope all is well and all is bright as we ring in a new year :)
Per ardua-
Amber (and Hugo)
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