tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18512545641140990072026-10-24T05:46:07.933-04:00God's glorious grace and majesty never cease to amaze me!! Check out how He is working in my life and my observations of His work around me!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-33460626723313044492011-03-17T23:11:00.002-04:002011-03-17T23:52:29.842-04:00

Not only so, but we also glory (or rejoice) in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame (disappoint us), because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.Romans 5:3-5 (NIV, emphasis mine) I am

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-41030830031564090042011-03-12T23:03:00.007-05:002011-03-13T00:00:25.224-05:00

Driving back from a birthday party with my little fella today, I decided to go out onto the busy roadway to make a stop at the local Target. Mind you, this was not my normal route and I routinely avoid this busy road at all costs. But, there at the corner of Insanely Crazy Blvd and What Was I Thinking Road, there was a man standing on the corner in a white dress shirt, tie and dress pants all

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-66510716492774508572010-06-02T10:55:00.004-04:002010-06-02T11:13:30.278-04:00

I did not have access to the Internet while I was gone so I took the old fashioned pen and paper route to capture my thoughts. Now that I am home all of 24 hours, I have just begun to process all that happened; all that I was a part of; and everywhere we went. What speaks to me is that I hope that I ministered to those wonderful people as much as they ministered to me. God met me in the middle

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-2413432175686281032010-05-22T16:12:00.003-04:002010-05-22T16:34:49.233-04:00

I can't believe it's already Saturday night here in Gaborone. It feels like I just left home in so many ways, yet feels like forever. In reality, it seems like one long day since I really didn't sleep much on the plane. Haven't done anything "mission-like" yet -- just traveling. The cultures are different and it is really odd to see so many passport control areas and customs officials just

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-30832800723077263302010-05-14T05:16:00.003-04:002010-05-14T05:32:48.895-04:00

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. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV) Dealing with a lot of outside stressors right now that involve innocent children. It appears that many folks, including those in my very own extended

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-62028338532250609252010-05-01T09:53:00.003-04:002010-05-01T10:19:27.896-04:00

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:31 (NIV) To date, I have been pushed, pulled, flattened, fried, smashed, you name it into a mixed bag of emotions. My hopes have been dashed by legal wranglings and dead ends. I have come to the end of my rope trying to do for others and "help" in my own way. I am by nature a

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-50884329227814354292010-04-21T19:07:00.010-04:002010-04-22T08:56:06.895-04:00

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-46023320377198930092010-04-19T23:32:00.005-04:002010-04-20T00:27:26.011-04:00

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. "Jeremiah 29: 11-13 (NIV) Right now I feel like one of those little

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-1482841234971298412010-03-21T02:28:00.005-04:002010-03-21T03:15:45.518-04:00

"Simon, Simon, (Paula, Paula or insert your name) Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon,(Paula) that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 (NIV) parenthesis mine What a week my family has had. Ironically, this passage of scripture came up in my Bible study on Wednesday of this past week and I earmarked

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-57415652859107017652010-02-25T12:46:00.007-05:002010-02-25T14:55:23.788-05:00

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Where has the time gone??? I think I ask myself that question almost daily -- when I am running errands; when I am talking with a friend; when I look and see that my

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-55946402780620554872010-02-04T09:43:00.003-05:002010-02-04T10:25:17.446-05:00

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8 (NIV) I am about to embark on a calling that is WAAAYYYYY outside my comfort zone and it all began about 2 years ago. During that time of our life, Hubby's job was full of uncertainty and we cringed with each phone call from his boss, thinking is surely the

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-90026784831837560122010-01-21T16:54:00.005-05:002010-01-21T17:47:19.605-05:00

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 (NIV) I am a perpetual list-maker. I have lists for lists and sub-lists within those lists!! It really has become a sickness. As a matter of fact, I need to write down "update Blog" on my list just so I can mark it off. I really am that compulsive about my list making. As I peruse my many

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-1595830984634301622009-11-12T08:33:00.003-05:002009-11-12T09:20:03.311-05:00

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26 (NIV) Doing the laundry at my house is always an adventure for me. Having a precocious 6 year and a forgetful hubby around proves to be profitable at times but also a little perplexing. Checking the pockets for

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-52755436302644921602009-11-02T02:22:00.005-05:002009-11-02T09:15:00.631-05:00

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Matthew 11:25 (NIV) I had the honor of taking my son out for Halloween this year. We don't do the "normal" door-to-door type of collection, we typically go to the mall for a mosquito-free and climate-controlled experience.

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-25580274838771330462009-10-23T00:09:00.001-04:002009-10-23T00:10:37.786-04:00

I haven't abandoned my blog (AGAIN!). I have been busy working on some other writing projects. I will be posting some new stuff shortly!

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-43926183969066342052009-10-14T04:18:00.004-04:002009-10-14T08:53:57.397-04:00

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) I must admit that I am a bit of a quirky individual. The vastness of my nuances can't be that different than anyone else - can they?? Unbeknowst to me up until hubby pointed it out a couple of

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-509190070813300412009-10-09T16:05:00.004-04:002009-10-09T17:57:02.901-04:00

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles Hebrews 12:1b (NIV) Last month I set the goal for myself to clean out our spare bedroom and then move onto my son's room and have it completed by the end of Oct. At the time, my goal seemed very doable and not all out of the realm of possibility. I also made this goal when I was already neck deep in other

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-54849100652667684872009-09-30T15:56:00.003-04:002009-09-30T16:40:33.210-04:00

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. Psalm 66:10 (NIV) I was pondering the title of my blog the other day and trying to determine the exact weight it bears on my own life. To be honest, when I initially chose the title -- it was because it was pretty much all that was available on blogspot.com. I tried "refined by fire," "God's girl, " "blessed by God" and the like. I

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-73655866964191165342009-09-29T18:22:00.003-04:002009-09-29T19:05:00.249-04:00

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. 2John 1:6 (NIV) I took a little break from blogging. For that matter, I took a significant break from writing and any type of mental and to an extent spiritual exercise. It really boils down to a defiant (although passive) stance that I chose to take over the last couple of months. I must go back to explain my current stance and

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-20336104742772638962009-07-10T06:24:00.003-04:002009-07-10T06:39:25.407-04:00

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV) This morning I am beside myself with emotion... unwarranted and unexplained emotion. It teeters from downright sadness to fear to anger... All unprovoked and definitely not understood. I did not sleep well last night and was awake off and on throughout the night. Again, for no discernible reason. Not sure

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-72757741643492755612009-06-29T22:57:00.005-04:002009-06-29T23:40:09.326-04:00

Haven't blogged in awhile...it's been an unintentional break I guess you could say. My last post was about taking time to play in the rain...which I also took to heart and took more time to do more than just play in the rain.. I've been taking time to enjoy the basics of life and what God has gifted to me. In the month of May, I had high aspirations for writing and really devoting myself to

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-72407516788499190522009-05-28T06:08:00.004-04:002009-05-28T09:26:25.820-04:00

A couple of days ago, Little Man and I had the opportunity to visit a local amusement park. We went in the afternoon in hopes of seeing the night parade. We were prepared....had a plan...even added an umbrella and rain slicker to our bag of goodies "just in case." Thirty minutes after our arrival at said park -- the proverbial bottom dropped out of the sky. I am not talking just a drizzle

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-24686121261260314882009-05-15T02:50:00.004-04:002009-05-15T03:36:56.223-04:00

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:...." Eccl 3:1 (NIV) "Ping-Ping-Splat", "Ping-Ping-Splat" -- It's Florida in mid-July -- no wait --it's only mid-May, (I digress)... Anyway, it's HOT with a capital H!! -- It hasn't rained in ages, our grass is brown like desert sand (wait -- has it turned to actual sand??), our plants have shriveled to "

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-41400447309764891982009-05-04T23:25:00.003-04:002009-05-04T23:50:24.193-04:00

The past couple of weeks has been a virtual roller coaster ride for my family. I must say that I am one with a proclivity towards motion sickness so the ride has been none too friendly for my tastes. Well, last week we finally reached the station with a direction and clear path. After being rocked by the actual ride, the destination nearly did me in. It may have been from the exhaustion of "not

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851254564114099007.post-21258743031198007272009-05-01T02:23:00.004-04:002011-03-12T22:56:50.886-05:00

God said "no" Now I want to hide Instead upon His knee I climb God said "no" I begin to cry Yet He still doesn't tell me why God said "no" I'm too tired to fight But now His arms hold me tight God said "no" I don't understand "Be patient child - I've got a plan" God said "no" Still I weep "Promises still do I keep" God said "no" Why oh Why?? "Oh my child - not this time" God said "no" I

Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03399234388183477706noreply@blogger.com0