"I'm hopelessly flawed"

Listening to my "Little Women" soundtrack last week reminded me of some of my favorite lines from that movie:
"I'm afraid I'm hopelessly flawed" Jo to Professor Baer.
"It only takes one, if it's the right one" Amy's comment to Jo and Meg.
"My teacher said: It's as useless to educate a girl as it is to educate a cat" (something like that, it was Amy quoting what her teacher at school said...)

haha - I do love that last one. So girls...stop learning! It's useless! Isn't it crazy how some people's views cause so much distortion?
I love this movie and think about that statement from Jo: "I'm afraid I'm hopelessly flawed."
I suppose that is why Scripture is so life giving to those of us that have given our lives to Jesus Christ. We ARE hopelessly flawed, but praise be to Him, we are also granted grace, forgiveness, hope and the eager expectation of our eternal life with Him!

Hmmm...life is moving on at a steady pace these days, and we seem to experience joy and sorrow all the while. Please keep praying for Ginger and Sophia. If you have a facebook, Ginger (Thomas) is now on and she is posting notes about Sophia's updates. That sister has taught me more about perseverence in the past few months than I think I've learned in my whole life. The family is being sustained DAILY on God's grace and it is an amazing thing to witness. Today, Malia Faith (now in heaven) would be 2 years old. I bet she is having the best celebration ever! (here is a good example of joy/sorrow on a daily basis...my dear sister in law, Amanda, is also celebrating her birthday today! Happy Birthday!!!You know I love you!) I am so attached to the Thomas family and hope and believe with all that is within me that Sophia HOPE will be home soon, healthy and whole. Only God knows - it is comforting to rest in Him when we have questions that remain unanswered.

"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall,
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have HOPE:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!"
Lam. 3:19-23

I'm praying for our new president and his family too, as well as a blessing on former President and Mrs. Bush. Who on earth would want the responsibilities associated with being the president of our nation? NOT ME. Wow - lots of mixed emotions going on for me at this time. Instead of leaving a very lengthy opinion poll of my own, I'm going to just post a favorite Scripture passage of mine and ask God to enable us to seek Him each and every day for the future of our families, churches and our nation:
"Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long....."

"Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land."
Psalm 25:4-5, 12-13.

On a very trivial note, I am committing (once again!) to become healthier this year. I am trying for the next 30 days to make a habit of these things:
Exercise (3-5 times per week), Drinking enough water daily, Getting enough sleep and choosing healthier foods for my family and I. Anyone else out there working on these things? I'll pray for you if you are. I know I've been "hopelessly flawed" in these areas in the past, but it's never too late to try again. With God's help, we keep pressing on.

I'm so excited to begin our new Bible study this week! We're starting on the "Esther" study by Beth Moore. This will be our fourth study together now. Two very special women came into my life as a result of this gathering organized by Linda Goodwin a couple years ago: Ginger and Christine (Linda's Mom). Please pray for Christine too. She is battling cancer again, and isn't feeling well at all.
Oh sigh...life is challenging, isn't it?
Someday all the pains of this life will be over, and to that I say AMEN!!!

I'm going to end on a very happy note. IKIRU (the band consisting of Adam Langdon, Isaac and Ethan Barton) is finished with their "Job" CD's and they are available for sale! This is one of the most amazing CD's in our home. It chronicles the book of Job is such a passionate and profound way. It is WELL worth your $15! Over 2 hrs. of original music and lyric's. Great job guys...and kudo's to all the family members for giving up your husbands/sons while they were busy creating it. It is going to encourage many believers. If you want one, check out their website:
myspace.com/ikirutheband. They also have a page on facebook: Ikiru.

Love to you all -