A chance...

Sometimes life is good...

Sometimes, not so much. 

Sometimes we win...

Sometimes we fail.

Sometimes things are exciting...

Sometimes, things are pretty lame.

Sometimes we feel loved...

Sometimes we feel alone.

Things are always changing and nothing on earth is predictable. There are good days and there are bad days. Laughter and tears... But there is always hope in each new day. Circumstances change and people change, But the love of Christ remains the same. His promise is true and his love never ceasing.... He gives the hope of a new day.

With each new day, He gives new opportunity. Each new day is a fresh start. A chance to forgive. A chance to grow. A chance to encourage. A chance to renew. A chance to help someone. A chance to smile. A chance to make the most of it. A chance to go for it. A chance to learn. A chance to persevere. A chance to love. A chance to work it out. A chance to achieve.  A chance to make a difference. A chance to create.  A chance for laughter. A chance to decide. A chance to live for today. A chance to hope. A chance to embrace all that is good.

Sometimes we just need to believe He has a plan for us.... and take a chance on Him. 

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” -Galatians 6:9

Africa Bound...

No, not me... my little brother Timmy (16 yrs. old) will be traveling to Uganda, Africa in March on a mission's trip with a church in Anaheim.  I am extremely proud of my little bro for all his hard work, dedication, and passion behind Invisible Children Aside from raising money for his trip, he has been working hard along side many of his peers earning money and bringing awareness in the desert to help these children in Africa. 

Check out these photos from a walk-a-thon he did a couple months back at :

mtaylorphoto.blogspot.com

Please join us in praying that God would continue to spark a passion in Timmy's heart, and that he would continue to seek God's will in his life... and also for his protection while in Africa.

Desert Snow...

Here are a few more pictures of the rest of our family enjoying the snow....

My dad finally made it home in time to see the snow.

Lee and Dom in the Rhino.

Broc and Grandpa!

Broc loved the snow!

Our Clark/Potter Family.

I'm dreaming of a white... desert?

I wanted to post a few pictures of the outrageous snow we had today. 8 Inches is alot for the desert. My mom wanted to make sure my aunt in Colorado, my brother in Arizona, my dad down the hill today (still stuck in Rancho) and everyone else out of town could see for themselves how much snow we got!! Oh and I'm sure my friends in West Virginia will not believe their eyes (they too, were once desert dwellers!) Here is a glimpse of our winter wonderland...

I'm sure this will be my dad's favorite photo... leave it to Marcos!

It was such a fun day! No work, school got out early, we got to build a snow man, Marcos ran out in his undies, and we ate Chipotle. Sweet. I just wish my Dad could have been here! Praying he gets home soon!

End of the year reflection...

I have been studying my brains out this week so I thought I would take a little break to focus on all of the blessings in my life and the amazing things God has done this year. I think it's easy to forget to stop and smell the flowers when things seem so hectic. 

Well I am just about finished with fall quarter, which means I only have two quarters left before I graduate! I am so excited yet kinda sad that this chapter of my life is approaching it's end. I have been in college since high school and after this it's time to move on to more "grown up" things =) Instead of being anxious, I am finding myself embracing and really enjoying my time at CSUSB. It will be over before I know it! I also got a part time Job at Starbucks since I will only be going to school two days a week next quarter. I am really excited and I have always wanted to work there!

Marcos and I have been so blessed by God's grace this year. He has given us a beautiful little home that I am so thankful for. It is amazing to me how God does things that we wouldn't think are possible... at least right now. We have gotten into the routine of lots of bargain shopping and coupon clipping, but it makes grocery shopping that much more fun and challenging =)

We have had our fair share of car trouble (with me stranded in the center divider of the freeway trying not to cry while really fast cars zoom by me!) Some days Marcos was forced to listen to my oh-so-amazing voice singing him christmas carols at 7 AM on his way to work because we only had one car. (That was normally his quiet time... poor guy!)  Things were a little uncomfortable for awhile but we made great memories out of them and it is very humbling. 

I am amazed how God really does pull through and continue to provide even when we don't see extra money in our bank account. I feel so blessed beyond words to think that I have a warm bed to sleep in, warm water available anytime I want to shower, a refrigerator to keep our food from spoiling, a wash machine so that we don't have smelly clothes =), and vehicles that get us to where we need to go...  It is so easy to take these everyday things for granted when in many parts of the world, they are absolute luxuries! We are so well taken care of!

I am so thankful for our parents and families who are always there for us and go out of their way to help make life a little easier. Honestly, my parents and Marcos' parents are the most selfless people I have ever met. They are givers from their hearts and love us more than we could probably even understand. I am so thankful for the family God has given us.

I am also very thankful for our small group and the rest of the amazing friends in our lives. It is so nice to have people that will hold you accountable, and be there for you when you just need someone to talk. I miss my best friends in West Virginia but I am excited to see them this summer! I miss my brother Billy and am really excited for him to get married in Mexico next October! Our nephew Broc is getting so big and each time I see him I just want to squeeze him! I also think about how he is going to need a cousin here pretty soon =) All in God's timing.

And most of all, I am so thankful for my best friend Marcos. He is a good man. I learn something new from him everyday and I admire his hard work and determination. I am so thankful that he has provided for me more than I deserve. He loves me even when I am moody and tells me I'm most beautiful right when I wake up. I am so thankful that it is his desire to see me achieve my dreams, and more importantly, to see us both grow closer to the Lord each day. He is my most precious blessing and I love him so much more today than when we got married. 

I thank God today for making my life so rich in blessing. He has given me more than I deserve and I appreciate every single person he has brought into my life to make it so meaningful. 

We look forward to seeing all that God has for us in 2009!  Blessings to you all!

"Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind. Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny." -Ecclesiastes 6: 9-10

Thank you for being a part of my life and for all your prayers. God amazes me!

Everyone....

 

Everyone has a struggle. Every person who has done things "the right way" still have something that God is calling them to give up to him. Every Christian and non-Christian alike is tempted by sin daily. You are not a Saint by stepping in and out of a church service every Sunday. 

  "You seem like everything is going good... it must be because you go to church.... I really need to get back into religion".           

 Ever heard this?--  Or said this?

Each time I hear this, I am reminded of how the word "Religion" has skewed the true meaning of what a Christ follower really is. For years, people have judged each other, pointed fingers at one another, and convinced themselves that if they go to church and read their bible enough, they will get into heaven.

  Instead of accepting each other, helping each other, and walking alongside them in life-- Religion chooses to push things under the rug and not face the fact that believers do struggle with adultery, pornography, alcoholism, jealousy, abortion, etc. People need help getting through their struggles, they don't need to be kicked while they are down. 

There is nothing magical about being a Christian. You do not suddenly stop sinning. The impure thoughts do not automatically leave your mind. You won't suddenly be able to quote bible verses and you won't walk on water. But when you do accept Christ,  your mind and heart  will be transformed. You will leave your old life behind and become a new creation in Christ. 

The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

 You come to a point when you realize that no matter how many empty traditions you follow, how much 'stuff' you have, how many repetitive church services you attend, or how much you try to make your life look perfect-- nothing can fill the void that will only be fulfilled by a relationship with your Savior Jesus Christ. 

A parent will not fill it, a spouse, a child, a boyfriend or even your best friend will not replace your need for Christ's presence in your life. 

Don't let people's judgements and stiff traditions keep you from knowing Jesus Christ-- that's what Religion does. Stop trying to fix yourself. Stop trying to "clean your life up" before you can decide to become a Christian. Such perfectionists we are. That is God's job. 

 The Holy Spirit will enter your life and give you the strength, the wisdom, the compassion, and the confidence that you will never find on your own. You don't have to be perfect, because God does not expect us to be. In fact, he knew we wouldn't ever be perfect.... that is why he sent his son to die for us. 

"The spirit will always triumph over the flesh-- And relationship will always triumph over religion" - Tom Mercer.

Check out the "Vote No on Religion" series at http://www.highdesertchurch.com/

and join us at HDC, where you will experience Relationship, not religion.