End of the Weekend

Hi,
     So I know it has been a while since I last wrote. This last week was way crazy and I had to do one of the things I dislike which is leave a messy desk for more work starting Monday. Yes, unfortunately that is tomorrow and the work is still sitting there. O well, my boss says there is always another day. I think it is a bit funny it bothers me more than him (-: I guess that means I have a great boss. This weekend has been good. I didn't quite accomplish as much as I wanted, but I do believe I am moving in a positive direction so I would rather have some progress than none at all. I think sometimes I expect to much from myself now and want the project completed now instead of when is really realistic. (-: Maybe by just realizing that is a step in over coming (_:...lol...My silly mind sometimes...I can crack myself up... Lets see, I figured out more of my plans for my friend Stacy's bridal shower, I am really getting into it. I got some of the decorations this weekend which is very exciting. I know what I am making for the shower, but I need to pick the exact recipes and then buy the stuff to make them and plan out the baking schedule. I got the flower for my hair that matches the dress for the wedding. Still can't seem to find shoes that are purple and in wide, but I will check with her tomorrow to see if I am looking in the wrong place. I did get all my music picked out for my first performance at the Spring Meadow Retirement Center. That should be fun. My friend Tom is letting me use his amp and my wonderful friend Alex is going to handle sound for me. If makes me breath so much easier knowing he will be there, because when it is all said and done I know he will give me an honest and knowledgeable opinion on everything and I will know that the people listening and actually here me properly...lol...I was picturing me trying to adjust sound and play at the same time....didn't work... (-:  I got my check book balanced and still actually have money in the bank..That is a nice feeling..Though, I do need a new timing belt and tires for my car and I have to figure out why my break light keeps coming on. I have even talked to dad about just getting a more fuel efficient car since gas prices are going up. We shall see....Today, after church I got to hang out with Kolten, Karissa, and Esther Anderson..They are such a blessing and so much fun to be with. (-: Tomorrow, Lord willing I get to spend some time with Dottie, Tami Goldman, Liisa Anderson, and Jodi Kruse to celebrate Jodi's birthday. That should be a delight. I am also going to get some sewing projects to Destiny Kruse since I don't have the time to do them myself. She really is good at sewing so it will be a blessing to have her work on them. My o My... I am sure there is so much more running around in my head, but I am thinking it is time for me to shut down my mind and hit the hay so to speak...One thought I want to leave you with if you are reading this is... We were put on earth not to serve ourselves, but our heavenly Father and those around us to bring glory to the Father. We are to build into the body of Christ and that means we must fellowship together. It is very very important.

Ephesians 4

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

 ¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
 ⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:
   “When he ascended on high,
   he took many captives
   and gave gifts to his people.”^[b]
 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
 ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

 ¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
 ²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
 ²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
 ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

A lot to think about, but o..if we could just grasp these truths...What a life it would be and how much happier and fulfilled our lives. By doing what God has called us to do He blesses us even more. Die to self today and live for Christ alone.