Miracles Are Signs Pointing To The Future

"I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in Him.  Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13

So, I am back from my much needed "social media vaca".  It wasn't very long but it was definitely refreshing.  The last two weeks of life have been up and down but I have experienced God's touch in a deeper way than I have ever experienced.  He emptied me enough to where I could see Him in a way I never had before and for that, I am so thankful! 

Trusting God is critical, especially when it is difficult to have faith.  We see unanswered prayers where Jesus sees the answers.  Where we see and feel the absence of God, Jesus sees the plan of God.  I am learning to never underestimate God's power!  He can change everything in a matter of seconds!  He can turn a hopeless situation into a miracle! 

Over the last few years, I have often questioned my ability to have children.  I have always had a feeling that something just wasn't right with my body.  I have prayed and pleaded with God on this feeling since I desire so badly to one day have my own family.  I  have battled lots of female issues since I was 13 and I have felt the enemy try hard to bring me down.  I would be lying if I said that my faith never wavered.  Because it did.  However, I can tell you that even though I had doubts or wondered how this dream would come to pass, I always knew deep down that God would see it through, one way or another.

Recently I had surgery.  My doctor wanted to go in with a scope and see if I had endometriosis or some kind of scar tissue that would be causing the pain/cramps, contributing to ovarian cysts, and anything that might prevent me from having a child one day (whether it be conceiving or carrying one to full term).  Keep in mind, I always knew something was not right with my body but I had no idea what or why.  Long story short, the doctor removed scar tissue, a LOT of it according to what the doctor told my sister after my surgery.  The tissue was so bad that it had moved an ovary out of place and he had to move that back into place.  I talked to the nurse the following day and she said that they are confident that this will put an end to all of the pain (I mean, I had an OVARY out of place...uh, OUCH) and help eliminate cysts and will definitely help get my hormones back in balance (again, I had an OVARY out of place....wow).  It is crazy how just removing something like scar tissue will change my life so much.  He said, in a few weeks (after healing from the surgery), I will finally know what it is like to be a "normal" woman again. Wow!  I can't wait to be "normal".....what is normal any way?  ...... uuhh.....Anyway, needless to say, fertility is also A plus, which means, one day I will have a little Crystal junior running around! YIPPY! 

So, why am I throwing all of my business out there?  To maybe give somebody out there hope and to remind you to never stop praying!  I know I am not pregnant right now and I still have to go through the whole husband search and then actually getting to the time that my future husband and I are actually ready for a baby BUT I have so much hope now and I prayed and prayed and prayed for answers to my women problems and God delivered.  Not a day too early and not a day too late!  He delivered and not just gave me answers but handed me a miracle of new hope and new eyes!  I have battled women problems and He has delivered me from that.  I have heart disease but I believe I will continue to overcome that as well! He is so AMAZING and His miracles are perfect!

Miracles serve as signs pointing to the future..... 

This miracle gave me hope that I am on the right path and that my future IS in His hands and that He does intend on the desires of my heart to come to pass and not because I WANT these things but because HE wants these things for me!  I seek Him daily and so I trust the desires I have are from Him.

There IS purpose in pain and there IS purpose in difficult times.  We just have to keep holding on and trusting in Him.  We have to know that He is always there and always ready to walk us through the valley.  He will never leave us and in His timing, He will reveal His plan for us.  He will bring us through hard times and show us a miracle of life!  I'm so thankful that my Father is so perfect!  I am so thankful for this life He has given me.  It isn't perfect by any means but I know I am exactly where He wants me, even if I don't understand it or see it right now.  He has shown me what staying in prayer does and He has shown His faithfulness to me.  He has shown it to ME, somebody who doesn't even deserve it.... but that is how much He loves me! 

So, if you are going through a difficult time right now, please don't give up on Him.  I know that sometimes the pain is so real and so piercing that we ask questions like "why me?", "what did I do?", "why God why?" and the list goes on....but just remember that there ARE answers and there are reasons.  We might not understand them or see them while in the middle of the storm but just keep praising Him because I PROMISE, there are answers.  Even in our own mistakes, there are answers and there is grace!  He will never work something out that isn't for our good, even in our own mistakes!  He uses every opportunity for His perfect will for us, we just have to seek Him and ask for that perfect will and believe in Him.  We might get off track from time to time but keep seeking Him because He WILL get us back on track!  He will never fail you!

So, believe in miracles and never underestimate His Power!!!!! 

Taking A Break From Social Media

So, I have decided to take a break from social media and all it's "glory"!  =)

I have had a lot going on and after spending lots of time with the Lord, I have (clearing throat, HE has) decided that I not only need to spend much of my time fasting and praying but I also need to clear my mind of social media and all of the junk that comes with it, including my sweet little blog here!  I have lots of changes I need to make with my personal growth and I also need to really focus on Him and what He wants for my life!  Social media tends to sway my focus away from the important things, allows me to "snoop" on others, and I have found that too many "shallow friendships and empty relationships" keep on going in life because of Social Media.  Yes, I know that's harsh but.... true!  It takes real time to maintain a relationship/friendship with people and if the only connection I really have to somebody is through the facebook or twitter world then my everyday real life relationships are being cheated of having all of me! Just a realization I have currently come to realize, although, I have made some great friends through this sweet little blog here!   Whom most of you, we do talk via text or phone calls or emails every other day or so, so I am confident that my absence from spending time in social media world will not effect the true friendships I have made with some of you gals!

I am also having surgery on the 8th, so asking my blogger pals out there, please keep me in your prayers! =) 

I am honestly not sure how long I will be away from the social media world.  Honestly, I am not even positive that I will be back.  I think a lot of the personal changes I need to make for myself might find me getting rid of social media all together....forever.  We shall see.  I do enjoy keeping up with family and friends from back home and I do enjoy writing in my blog and I know I have a calling to encourage but I will allow God to work in me to determine how He would like me to encourage others.  I just know that right now, HE needs my focus more than anything else does and that once I give Him all of me, everything else will fall into place as He sees fit!

So, please keep me and my family and loved ones in your prayers blogger friends as I will you!

God Bless!  =)

What I'm Loving Wednesday ~ Simple and Sweet

I am loving that my Teal Toes still look amazing!

I am love love loving this little girl's smile!

I am loving fall!  I love love love fall!  Fall colors, fall fashion, pumpkins, pumpkin patches, warm apple cider!  LOVE IT!

Bikes Blues and BBQ 2012

I'm not generally a Bikes Blues and BBQ kinda gal.  The only time I had ever been before this year was a few years ago when I was a semi-pro cheerleader. 

We had a promotion there and I was only there for the promo and then I was OUT!  For some reason, I was always scared of it.  (P.S. - we probably look super tired and warn out, we were)

This year, the boy talked me into going.  I was very hesitant to go but I went because I knew it meant a lot to him for me to spend time with him and his brother, to get to know his brother.  So, the first day Ed was in town, just he and Michael went.  Then, I was asked to tag along, so I did and we really did have a GREAT time!  The motorcycles and the amount that were there were PHENOMENAL!  It's crazy how many bikes were there!  Here are a few pics from our Bikes And Blues adventures!

Life sure is good!  =)

Fall Fesitval 2012

We recently had our Fall Festival at the Wal-Mart DGTC building and I am very honored to say that I was asked to take photos for our Special Events team.  I have done this a few times for them and I am always just thrilled when they ask me to do this!  Always makes this little Texas photographer's heart jump for joy to see my work being used!

Even though I was working, I was able to play a little and see some of my favorite people! 

 

Cindy is one of my most favorite people in the world and just FYI, (not including the people in the background) there are really three people in this pic besides Cindy and April and THIS fact makes my heart happier than anybody could ever guess!!!!  I love my little munchkin!  :) 

 

Of course the Fall Festival is NOT a fall festival with out my favorite little set of twin girls!  I absolutely adore my girls!!!!

I am very thankful for having Michael in my life!  This year was the first Fall Festival since I have worked at Wal-Mart that my sister was unable to attend due to living in OKLAHOMA (yelling in anger), so I was a little sad but Michael came to the rescue and joined me for the festivities!  I cannot say how truly blessed I am to have this caring and thoughtful man in my life! 

P.S. I LOVE FALL!!!!

It's Ok Thursday ~ Beware, Negative Nancy on the loose...no seriously, enter at your own risk!

It's ok that I've had a very tough and emotional week....I have to tell myself that....that it really IS ok!

 

It's ok to be totally and utterly confused about life these days.  Wondering if the desires of my heart are ever going to pass and if not then why won't God remove them from my heart and if so, how much longer will I have to be patient?  I'm down to my last straw of patience, down! HE will have to be the one to get me through with patience because at this point, I'm done.  I'm drowning in my questions and confusion.  My faith seems to be somewhat non-existent at the moment.  I keep telling myself that this to shall pass.....but will it? 

 

It's ok that the Hunter Hays "Wanted" song makes me fall even MORE in love with love!  Such an awesome song!

 

It's ok that I'm so exhausted....mentally, spiritually, and physically and really, it's OK!  I'll be ok! I know I will.  I always am! 

 

It's ok that every ounce of my faith is totally buried by burdens and that any type of strength that I have right now is holding on for dear life to my amazing Father, my God!  If it weren't for Him, I would feel utterly broken and drained right now!  More so emotionally! 

 

It's ok that I'm being a negative Nancy right now.  I'm entitled to these days, right?  I'm so emotionally and spiritually exhausted that I can't even MAKE myself think positive.  I'm just TIRED!  This has been by far one of the worst years of my life and I'm so ready for a new season.  I'm tired of loss and tired of questions and confusions.  I'm ready for an amazing season of pure joy and love!  Crazy, ridiculous, AMAZING LOVE!  That's what I want!   That's what I WANT!

 

Even though my heart hurts right now, it's ok that I'm super ubber excited about being a "Celebrity Judge" for Wal-Mart's ISD wing challenge tomorrow!  YUM!  In case you don't know this about me, I crave wings on command! WORD!

 

See, there is always some sort of sunshine in the storms! ;)

Chapter 2012

I found this from my old blog. It was written December 30, 2009. Wow, I sure have come a long way! I love to look back and see where I have come from! Makes the growing process so sweet!

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Chapter 2010

It’s about to be a new year again! How exciting. Just like many of you, I am ready for a new year. A new year makes us feel like we can have a new start and a new life. Kind of like when we hand our life and our hearts over to Jesus. We get that new life…..that new start! His mercy refreshes our souls and our spirits and we are a new person.

I remember when I gave my heart over to Christ for the first time. I was in the 8th grade and it was the month of September. I was starting to FINALLY feel settled at Cooper and I felt like I was finally starting to make some friends but there was still that one little thing missing. It wasn’t by a specific friend or really a specific family member that pushed me to make that choice. It was just that feeling that there was a higher being and a purpose for my life besides just living it. I went to a Catholic Church with my family and obviously Church did plant the seed of Christ. I know I also had an amazing grandmother who would teach me the rosary in Spanish almost nightly and prayed for me nightly. Until this day, that is the only Spanish I really know. I also had some amazing Aunts who prayed for my sister and me and whom were great influences in our lives. I remember my Aunt Barbara taking care of us many of nights. She probably doesn’t even think I remember but I remember waking up early in the morning for school and for some reason when I think about those times, I think about her ironing our clothes and preparing us for our day.

Throughout high school, I pretty much continued my Christian walk. I never went out and drank with my classmates. I was pretty much a good kid. I was involved in extracurricular activities (the good ones…ha) and I pretty much lived a pure life. No, I was not perfect by any means. I stumbled a lot and made LOTS of mistakes growing up but for the most part I fed myself with scripture and read my Bible daily and listened to Christian music. I still remember the very first Christian single that grabbed me, “Thank You” by Ray Boltz. I remember my Uncle Don and my Aunt Luisa at our house one night and I asked them and my Mom to listen to it with me. We all stood in my mother’s kitchen and listened. Still not sure why I wanted that but I wanted it and being the loving Aunt and Uncle and Mom, they did it for me. Maybe it was my way of thanking them for roles they were playing in my life.

After my senior year in high school I started at Texas Tech. That is when I begin to wonder what it was like on the other side of that wall. I still wasn’t drinking and still wasn’t too far into the partying but I had started to go out to clubs and bars. I was engaged when I was 21 and went through a huge heartbreak with my ex. For some reason after that break up was when I let loose. I then started drinking. I drank a lot the summer I turned 21. Since then it has been an ongoing battle to not drink or bar hop or club hop. I loved to dance and boy would I go dancing. I thought I was living it up!

Several of you know the battles I have faced over the last two years and some of you do not. Perhaps those moments are meant for another blog as there is a huge gap between being 21 and 31. Right now, I just want to focus on that reconnection I have since then established with my God. I want to remind all of you that no matter what life brings us, He is always there. No matter what battles we are fighting or what heartaches we are enduring, He is there! I backslid for many years since I was that young girl in the 8th grade accepting Christ into my heart and into my life but I always still felt Him there, even when I knew I was a disappointment. He never ever left my side. He was still there when I wanted that pure and simple life back. I still fall short now and again but I know He will be there no matter what.

We are embarking on a New Year and I hope that within the New Year that many of you decide to give your life to Him or recommit yourself to Him. It is never too late and nothing we could ever do would change His view on us.

His view of me is so much more amazing than I could ever even imagine. I am the apple of His eye just like you are. It is not just a new year coming but a chance for a new YOU. A chance for that new or renewed relationship with your Savior that you are longing for. This is a perfect time to establish your relationship with Him and in Him. Don’t let another year pass by without really finding that purpose you were created for. Only He can guide those steps for us. I know when I tried to guide my own steps, I went in circles and got myself LOST. Anytime I begin to guide myself, I find myself going in a circle.

He’s the Author of our story and the leader of our steps; let Him start writing your 2010 Chapter. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

God Bless and Happy New Year! I hope 2010 will be the best thus far for you! 

Crystal

Sunday Social ~ All About Books

1. Favorite childhood book

Considering I was a book nerd growing up, I have a TON of favorite childhood books.  I had a hard time picking my favorite, so here are a few of my favorites....

2 . Favorite Book lately:

Reading this in my Women's Group with Church and it's been awesome!!!

I'm kinda a book nerd, so I am also reading

And Michael and I are slowly getting through....

3. Book you wish you could live in:

This would be freakin' AWESOME! 

Sure it might be creepy to fly around in a giant peach with dancing insects BUT it would be pretty cool after getting over the creep out of it all....haha

4. If you could be any character from a book who would it be and why?

Allie of course....I love her character in this movie!!!  Super precious love story!

5. Favorite Book turned Movie?

6. Favorite Magazines: