You know, I had a really good blog early this morning... I had typed alot and put in my thoughts included some famous quotes and had scripture to validate my point- and just when I hit submit, the message comes up "your text field is empty" - it had completely erased my blog. So, I tried to hit the back button, and the warning message comes on "are you sure you want to navigate away from this page...blah blah blah"  so needless to say... I lost what I wrote, and didn't feel like re-writing it again....but it was good. :)

Here's a brief synopsis

God is always at work.

"Take heart, God is in full control. Nothing is happening on earth that brings a suprise to heaven. Nothing is outside the scope of His divine radar screen as He guides us safely home.  Things that seem altogether confusing, without reason, unfair, even wrong, do indeed fit into the Father's providential plan." - Charles Swindoll (courtesy of my Little Blue Book)

God never wastes an opporunity. 

1 Timothy 1:17 " Now to the King eternal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.

Ephesians 3:20 " Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine- to Him be the Glory."

The other night, mom and I were discussing my "singleness."  I am so discouraged with young men today. Seriously.  I have yet to see a man that I would even consider dating let alone marrying...and since I'm one of those date to mate type of people- I don't take dating lightly- and if I do go on a date and I'm not feeling like you are a person I could possibly see myself marrying-- I'll say so and you'll most likely not hear from me again. (Tough love- yeah, but why waste your time or mine)

So, these are my specifics... this is what I'm looking for- spelled out. concise and clear.  If God should so decide to bless me- what a day of rejoicing that will be.  If he has other plans for me, then I know he will change my heart to align with his plans.  However- I've been praying for a long, long time and He hasn't changed my heart yet... so I'm going to keep holding out, keep hope, and press on until God brings it about.  He is faithful. 

  Now, I know I have high standards- (You better believe it.)  I refuse to settle for anything less than God's ultimate best for me.  It seems like the supply is so much smaller than the demand. I know a handful of amazing, young, beautiful, kind, sincere, Christian Young woman- all of whom I would classify as ' Proverbs 31' woman that are still single.  We all attend church regularly- we continue on in good faith, we use our gifts and talents for God- I honestly can say, any man that would date or marry these young woman would be richly blessed.... the sad part is... there are no Godly men to sweep us off our feet.  I am so discouraged with young men today.  Now Granite- I certainly know I am not without my flaws and faults- same with my single friends- but I can assure you I am one heck of a catch right along with my friends.  I am confident of this- not trying to brag or toot my own horn- but I know what I bring to the table.  However- the men- you have GOT to be kidding me.  Talk about a joke.  I dont want a sometimes Christian, or a luke warm Christian, or even a Sunday Christian. I want an all the time Christian that lives an honorable and pleasing life for God.  I want someone that will be a good leader at church, home, and work.  I want someone who will be protector and provider.  I also want someone who has integrity and compassion...let's add romantic in there as well.  honesty- is an absolute must... not to mention communicator- preferably one that can communicate clearly his thoughts and feelings, but doesn't drown me out in his constant ramblings,-so I'll add listener/comforter in there as well.   Don't worry- the list doesn't end here.... but those are key elements that I still have yet to find in a man.  

I used to be so certain I would marry a preacher- haha, maybe someday I will. God's got it all- I trust Him.  I would make an excellent preacher's wife. :)  I love the idea of it- it is a tough job.. I know- I have 3 uncles who are preachers, I have an aunt and uncle that are missionaries with the CMA, I know the life style and hardships leaders in the church have- God knows I am willing to take that on should he have that in my will.    I hope, regardless of what occupations my future husband and I will take on- that we will be a team for God no matter what.

Not only do I look for all of the above qualities in a man- but I look for these VERY specific traits as well.

NO drinking, NO smoking, NO swearing, NO drugs, etc.  I might as well rule out 'No sex before marriage' because I have not met ONE.. not even ONE man that has waited til he was married (after the age of 23).  Oh well, atleast I know that I am waiting and that will be the best gift I can give my husband.  I'm definitely looking forward to the honeymoon- I can tell you that much. :)

MUST be musical- preferably with singing, piano, and/or guitar.  Music is a HUGE part of my life and I honestly believe that God wants me to use that gift and talent with my future spouse some day- that is something I hope we can do as a team together for God.  Not only that- but my entire family is musical.  My siblings and I all play various instruments and sing- right along with my mom and dad, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins- seriously- we could make up our own choir. :)  LOVE IT!

MUST have a close knit family or strong family values-while some people are from broken homes- I get that- so, willingness to be part of mine :) Family is a huge deal for me. Both of my parents have large families- and I one day hope to have a large family of my own- so I think it is important to have that support, encouragement and comfort from loved ones and be around family (whether his or mine).

MUST be handy/manly.  Guys- this is a turn on.  Someone that can do ' fix-er-up-do-it-yourself' projects around the house or always make sure the car has oil/gas/ or windshield wiper fluid goes right along with the provider/protector aspect.  Someone that can nail with a hammer, chop wood, and mow the grass shows physical labor skills- I like.  I plan to hammer/mow/chop or atleast stack right beside you. :)  I also will have a warm dinner and dessert ready with a tall glass of sweet tea waiting. :)

MUST have meat on his bones and be taller than me.  I'm quite tall for a girl at 5'8"  so, I'm definitely not the average 5'5"  130 pound girl. I'm a big girl and I want a big guy.    I want to be able to wear heals and still be shorter than you.  I also want you to be able to wrap your arms around me and it not be awkard because you are so skinny that I could wrap my arms around you twice... I hate that.

MUST NOT EVER wear skinny jeans. eww.  TOTAL TURN OFF. I don't care if it is the new fashion trend-  it's just gross and should be reserved for woman only.

MUST be semi-coordinated and be able to toss a football/softball/frisbee, and enjoy family pick up games of volleyball, etc.

MUST be outdoorsy or atleast enjoy camping and hiking and sitting around the camp fire.

MUST like kids as I hope to have many-if God so decides.

While those are what I look for in a potential husband, I will also list...(at a later time).... 'what I bring to the table' - most of what I look for in a husband are because those are things that I am also capable of doing or enjoy and hope to share in them with whoever God so decides...

ANYway, back to the 'title' of the post.

I am discouraged because there are NO good guys.... I was reading in Amos about a famine in the land- but this wasn't a regular famine- it was a famine of Christians, and of God's word.  SEe below for the passage

Amos 8: 11-13

"The time is surely coming," says the Sovereign Lord, "when I will send a famine on the land- not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.  People will stagger everywhere from sea to sea, searching for the word of the Lord, running here and going there, but they will not find it.  Beautiful young woman and fine young men will grow faint and weary, thirsting for the Lord's word."

Hmm... I think 'the time' is now.  There is a shortage.

Oh, Lord, you're beautiful.

I am so excited to see the wonderful things you have in store for me.  I love you, Lord and I trust you. I pray YOUR will for my life. I've already shared with you my longings and hearts desires. I am not giving up, I am hopeful.... but I know that your will is better than my own. I want what you have for me.  I pray for continued strength, peace, comfort, and contentment until you bring the next season of my life into view.  Help me to always be the woman you want me to be. Help me to be kind always, regardless of the hurts, habits, and hang-ups of others.  Lord, you know me to the very depths of my soul. You know what I ask for and long for is not out of selfishness, but of sincerity.  I love the song I heard on the radio today... it talked about Faith.

I have always loved the verse in the Bible that says faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains and to pray continuously without ceasing... and I could go on. Your word fills me with hope and encouragement.  I know that I will have what I have asked of you...

Proverbs 23:18

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I LOVE THIS SONG.

What Faith Can Do -Kutless
Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Let me start off by tooting my own horn. :)

I am so proud of myself!!!!!

Today's classes seemed to last forever, however, I got out early.  I am proud of myself becuase when I got home. I hunkered down, pulled out my amounting pile of hospital bills from way back in May and June.  I sorted them, arranged them, and called on all of them.  Being a full time college student- with no income, paying thousands of dollars worth of hospital bills for emergency room visits, 2 emergency surgeries, liver enzymes tests,  jaundice concerns, not to mention pancreatitus, and gall stones...  I could easily buy 2 cars or a small house... either one.

So, I had applied for financial assistance way back when, because as a struggling college student living on school loans- spare cash is hard to come by.   So, I hadn't heard anyhting back and when I finally did, they only offered me a 40% discount... so..I still have to pay 60% off all my hospital charges and bills (Remember- I had one surgery in Ohio, and one surgery in Maryland) so- I am sifting through 2 hospital worths of bills.

Needless to say, I called, and hopefully got everything sorted out. From my Ohio hospital- they are awesome. They consolodated all of my bills (Physician bills, Surgery bills, Anethstesia bills, hospital stay bills, emergency room bills, etc) all into ONE lump sum. Instead of trying to figure out what bill goes with what affiliate- I only have to pay a set amount each month and it all gets taken care of. Yay.  Now, coming up with the lump sum each month- may be a challenge, but hopefully, I can do it.

Frederick hospital.... still working on them.. I turned in all my insurance info to them, and have not heard back on what all my insurance is paying.. so... I guess I'll wait and see, then apply for financial assistance if necessary. -It sure would make it much easier if I had a regular job and could pay bills. This whole college thing and no income is tough stuff. Especially when the bills are piling up.

OH well, I handled a ton of stuff today, and I feel like accomplished alot. Now, off to lesson planning for my students and writing papers for my classes.

Lord, thank you for letting me be able to call and talk to the necessary people in regards to hospital bills, and letting me get everything sorted out.  Thank you. You are my comfort and my help.

Church Sign of the day: 

Pessimists need a swift kick in the Can't s!

This is the day that the Lord has made. I will REJOICE and be glad in it!

Whatever you choose to do this day, do it with your whole heart, believing in all that you are...and in all that you may become.

He who promised is faithful.  -God, you are so good! :)

Your perspective on a situation is all dependent on your attitude towards that situation.

Keep positive- Give the benefit of the doubt and See that God always has something better than what you think is best.

EPHESIANS 3:20

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely

                                               ...think about such things. -Book of Phillippians

Hold Out. Keep Hope. Press On.

NEVER STOP BELIEVING.

 I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

 Because I knew you

 I have been changed for good

 And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the thing I've done you blame me for
 But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

 And none of it seems to matter anymore

 Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

 And because I knew you...

Because I knew you

Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good