A Work of A.R.T.

Ecclesiastes 3. 1-8~ Read this, see what season you are in!

JULY:  I love the month of July as it reminds us of the freedoms we have been given!!!... as a nation and as individuals.  I am so proud to live in this free country.  We may not have everything right, but then again what country does?  All we can do is live, educate & vote in ways that we believe are right.  Many of you know that I believe in the Lord Jesus.  He has given me true freedom in so many areas of my life.  I was so bound by fear & anxiety even just a few years ago that I would've never sat down & wrote a blog, letting others know how I feel, believe, etc.  I would've been so completely absorbed in the worry of what others would think... & it would've never dawned on me that others may possibly agree & be blessed by what I/God had to say through me.  There were many nights I couldn't even take a bath alone due to anxiety.  I would have my sister sit in the bathroom & visit w/ me... I couldn't stand the terrors of my own thoughts.  This is not to say that I never have fears or anxiety now, but they do not plague my everyday life like they used to.  For that I am always greatful!  Thank You for the freedom you have given me Lord.  Do you have fears?  Anxiety?  Share them w/ me!... YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!  Don't let the enemy decieve you into believing you are.  I'd love to help you in any way I can.

This month has also brought some very sad moments.  July 2nd I lost my uncle Ron to a motorcylcle accident.  I was so blessed to be able to go Rapid City & help plan the funeral and his memorial.  I got to see him one last time before he was cremeated.  His wife & kids allowed me to be a part of their grieving & planning & for that I am honored.  I have so much to write about this, but feel the tears welling up inside & won't be able to see the screen soon, so I probably won't get much done at this time.  I just want to say, he lived his life as if there were no tomorrow & my prayer is that we would all do that too... always look for the positive in people & situations, keep smiling, treat others as you would want your children to be treated (sometimes we don't think so highly of ourselves, but we love our children... even if they are only our spiritual children, such as my own lol, & would want them to be treated Very well)... he always treated me as one of his own.  That means the world to me!  My dad wasn't always around, but God put people like Ron in my life to love me along the way.  Some may be offended by this, but I'd have to say too... keep riding!  He looked so peaceful when he left the earth because he was enjoying himself as he left (I believe).  He wouldn't want us to stop enjoying the small things in life, such as this just because there was an accident.  Honor our parents as he did... always helping them out around the yard, fixing things & he was grandma's favorite dishes partner :)  You get the point... MAKE THE MOST OUT OF EVERY DAY!

July 16th I lost my friend Jackson.  He had been having a hard time after getting out of rehab.  The months drug on for him as he tried to learn how to cope w/ life sober.  He was one of Dillon's (for those of you who dont' know, Dillon was a guy I dated off & on for 7 yrs.) best friends, so when God tugged at my heart to reach out to him after reading some of his facebook posts I wasn't sure that I should, but boy am I now greatful that I took the risk & did.  I am not usually bold & put myself out there like that, but God lead me to just love on him.  If you know me, I am not the "preaching" type, I just share what God has done in my life & hope it blesses you.  From our conversations, I feel God blessed Jack.  Who has God told you to reach out to lately?  Have you?Jack was a funny guy, who always wore a smile... and tie-die lol.  I'm missing our chats on fb friend.  It always meant a lot that you would still send me invites to concerts as well.  Some people treat me differently because a relationship ended, but you never did & I'm very thankful for that!!  (wow, am I really going to publish this?! lol, sure why not? lol)

Then a few days ago, I lost a lady I've known since I was in daycare.  The accident was due to drinking & driving.  This is tragic.  YES we should all learn from this, BUT we shouldn't be so quick to judge!  Have you ever drove drunk?  I know I have & am blessed that I never hurt myself or anyone else in the process!  Ok, maybe you've never done that, but I'm sure sometime in your life, you've done something foolish that could've hurt another, so quit pointing fingers & just learn from this situation.  I'm not saying everyone is judging this, but I am saying there are some & it completely adds to my heartbreak.  Judy was a bright & strong lady.  She had gone through a lot in her life & kept on pushing through.  She left 4 boys, so please be praying for them!  She'd appreciate knowing that we took the time to care for them in that way :)

Well I can't leave you on this sad of a note, so I want to say I love you!  I love you because you're you!  HONEST!  I challenge you to live today as if it were your last!!  I challenge myself to this as well. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog... it means a lot to me & I won't take it for granted!  God has a purpose for your life so seek Hiim as to what that is... He's anxiously waiting for you to ask :)  & I dedicate this song to you... my readers, my friends, my family...

As you can see I am not very good at this blogging thing haha.  I love all the social networks, but if I'm not careful they can take over my life.  Andy & I got an amazing deal on Droid's a few weeks back, so that has definately helped.  I don't spend nearly as much time on facebook & finally created a Twitter account :)  Welcome to 2010 Alicia! lol.  I enjoy being a blessing through each of these sources though, so I'd love to have you follow me on those.  There are links to the right if you'd like to follow me on facebook/twitter.  I'm definately going to try to do better at blogging by actually adding it to my calendar.  Let me know if you are reading these because then I'll definately be sure to write then!!