Shine Bright Like a Diamond

Since my little sister is having surgery tomorrow and we have a long drive to get there! I figured I would take some time to write a post about my sister whom also happens to be my best friend.

Me and Emily are 18 months apart. People always thought we were twins! I will tell you we are pretty close! Apart of her lives within me and vice versa!

Emily has always been known for her energetic spirit, carefree attitude, and her loyalty to those around her! She is a true blue kinda girl, humble, and full of life!

There were times when she was pretty rebellious however she learned most of her tricks from me! Ill never forget her covering for me when I took my moms car one night while she was sleeping. She got caught taking it out the next night and never said a word! Sorry mom!

There were also times when we wanted to kill each other and we even tried! We beat each other with newspapers at a very young age and then later upgraded to appliances, lamps, etc. ;)

She also was the one that got her belly button pierced because I was a big chicken and the one that listened to me cry when I got my heart broken for the first time. She was the one that took care of my newborn son when I was too tired to stand.

She has been my light.

When I think of my sister I always think of this bible verse. 

Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Go read the commentary to this verse, it is a great reminder for us christians and showing God's light and love to others.)

Anyways...  Back to Emily

Gods light lives in you! I KNOW God has amazing plans for you! We might not know what those plans look like, but I just know he has some Big big plans for you! It makes me jittery just thinking about it! Thanks for being a light to all those around! We love you!

Shine bright like a diamond sister!

Double Rainbow

Hello all! I haven't fell off the face of the earth, we have just had a crazy season filled with many crazy twists and turns!

When it rains it pours. Sometimes it seems like it will never stop, but sometimes you get lucky you end up with a rainbow! 

Corny I know... :-/

Cory's having to have knee surgery and it seems as if im just falling apart these days and have a few procedures in my future as well :(

Sad trombone... Wah wah waahh

As some of u know I'm a little bit of a control freak! I'm a planner and eventhough I'm very spontaneous at times, I don't enjoy these series of unfortunate events. But does anyone?

It's a change of pace to say the least, but one thing I have learned through it all is you have to let go and trust that the man upstairs has it under control. 

Life's not always lollipops and rainbows, but occassionally you get a taste and maybe a fantastic view.

I don't know what it is about May, but there always seems to be rainbows. I remember when I was little there was a double rainbow on my birthday one year. My cousin said it was God's birthday present to me! Ive had probably about 4 or 5 double rainbows on my birthday since then. 

That's me as a small child in front of a double rainbow...

 Joking... not sure why I think this is so funny... but i do! 

Maybe it is a present or maybe it's his way of reminding me that he is there... that he is my constant... and that he has it all under control.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. "

Psalm 9:10

"O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." Psalm 84:12

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 56:3

I think I need to have the last one tatooed on my forhead.

Watch this video and have a double rainbow kinda day! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI

Staycation

It has been a busy summer at the Yesel household! We have been going... and going... and going!

It used to be alot easier! I feel like when we go places that we are moving E out of our house! Highchairs, bouncers, and toys! Oh my!

I love vacation! The only issue that I have with vacation is that I usually end up more tired after the trip than I was before. Don't get me wrong, we always make WONDERFUL memories,  but we wear ourselves out by the time we get home!

Me and Cory love traveling, but I think I have about decided that the next vacation we go on will be a staycation and will entail one thing only... REST!

I remember fighting tooth and nail to try to stay awake when I had to go to sleep on my mat in kindergarten. I know you remember those days. Rest used to be more frequent, but these days is a rare occurence! 

I'm often reminded by my aunt that when I was in the 5th grade I wrote a book about my hobbies. Which at the time included: sleeping, watching tv, and laying on the couch! I was so interesting at such a young age, and not to mention adventerous!

Those 3 things sound AMAZING right now... Keeping up the kardashians here I come... Don't hate.

God wants all of us to get some rest.

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. - Mark 6:30-32

My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. - Psalm 62:1-2

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30

God wants us to meditate and rest our minds and spirit. I'm gettin better at this... Slowly, but surely.

"Whatever things are true... Noble... Just... Pure... Lovely, whatever things are of good report... Meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8

He wants us to find rest in him and thats exactly what I am going to do on my staycation.

Remember when

I've had a very tough couple of weeks. Writing and reading is very therapeutic for me. I pray my thoughts and experiences bring hope to others as well. 

I know there are many friends and family members that are having health problems, financial issues, heartache, problems on the home front, and are experiencing loss of some kind. I know alot of you have WAY more going on than I do...

One of my favorite things to do when spending time with my family is to reminisce, tell funny stories, and fond memories from my childhood or more recent events.

Remember when... 

We would dress our weenie dog Sadie up in the middle of the summer and push her in a carriage?

Or when Emily was jealous I learned to ride my bike and proclaimed "look mom I can fly," while running across the yard flapping her wings.

Or that I was obsessed with the ninja turtles (until the lifesize ones showed up at my birthday party) and then later Hanson (mmbop). Hey they were a pretty legit band... Not to mention very cute in a 3rd graders eyes..Lol

I think it's good to remember the tough times as well. I remember the heartbreak after my first love, my grandma being diagnosed with cancer and then later passing on to her eternal life. I can remember sooo many tough times in my life.

I have always asked my patients, when going through hard times, "have you had a difficult time in the past?", "what did you do to cope then?"

It's helpful and encouraging to remember that you got through difficult times in the past. Then you can reflect on what contributed to you getting through it.

 

God has delivered me out of darkness so many times in my life. I pray every night and I started keeping a prayer journal a few years ago. Sometimes I expect an instantaneous fix or an immediate feeling of relief. That's not usually how it has worked for me, but every prayer in my journal has been answered at some point. His timing is perfect. I know God still speaks, but he left his word to help us remember his promise and man does he have alot.

Remember all the way which the Lord your God has led. (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Remember... hold it fast. 

(Revelations 3:3)

 Remember and do all My commandments. (Numbers 15:40)

Remember the word... Of the Lord. (Joshua 1:13)

Remember his marvelous works which he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:12)

When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:6-8)

Remember that God is the one constant thing in your life. He will never forsake you. He will help you win the fight and finish the race.

"You may experience pain, but the Lord may use your resolve to strengthen another who doesn't have the will to go on. We can reject the opportunity to be used of God, or we can seize opportunities to impact others as a testimony to Him."

(Billy Graham- Nearing Home).

God loves you and so do I. We will prevail...

Ask, Seek, Knock

Not quite sure where my old posts went so I am posting again...

Me and Cory got engaged seriously 2 months after dating! Oh man... Did my friends and family think I was crazy.

We knew each other for about a year before we actually ever went on a date! So I'm breaking the news and bringing this skeleton out of the closet. We met online. Whew! That feels good...

Coryplantx and ranahope started with a "wink" from me on yahoo personals. Man did he look cute in that hard hat! Haha! I was so afraid people would think I was a lunatic if they found out.

Nowadays... I don't really care if people know because I am probably very far from normal and that is A Ok with me. 

I had dated a few guys here and there while at Tech, but nothing very promising. I was convinced that I would never find anyone because I wasn't pretty enough or skinny enough. Omg, did I have alot of pity parties!

I started reading a book called "When God writes your love story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1929125003/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

It taught me to literally give him the pen to write my love story! Knowing that God had created me in the womb, knew the desires of my heart, and also had created someone just for me was like an epiphany! 

So what did I do? I asked God for my husband. I started praying for my future husband everyday and even started a journal where I wrote to him. 

I knew I had to put in some effort and seek him in my little world. My mom met my amazing stepdad via internet and so that option had always been in the back of mind. I was going to sign up for one month only and I prayed that if God had someone out there for me that he would reveal him to me and connect us in some way! 

Oh did he ever! My husband was the first profile l saw! I asked myself, "am I gunna knock on this door?" "Well heck yeah, I'd like to talk to this handsome fella, he'd make me some pretty chillins." And just for the record my little E is as pretty as they come! Haha! 

And so God opened that door for me! We talked on the phone and texted, but were in different places in our life at the time so just agreed to be friends for the time being. About a year later he texted me to tell me happy birthday! We went on a date the next weekend and the rest is history! 

Ok you worry warts... I was safe about it. "The kitty litter is in the pantry" was my code sentence for when my friend called me about 20 minutes into the date just in case I got scared or needed to be rescued! 

I didn't have to use it. But I was rescued and it was by the grace of God with the help of my husband, Cory. 

He healed my heart when it came to men. After being raised with a somewhat absent father and having dating relationships that seemed to always end in heartbreak and fighting.

He even loved me enough that he married me twice! First at a small service with family on July 23, 2009 (I was in Grad school with little time and $$, but could NOT put off of marrying him any longer) and later in July 2010 where we had a large wedding! 

This scripture was one of the first things I read when I opened that book.

Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

I am proof...

The grass is always greener...

Not sure where my old posts went so I'm posting again...

Yes, that's my husbands lawn, and yes it is beautiful. It looks almost this good in the winter! Does it take ALOT of time, effort, and moola? You betcha!

When I was pregnant it drove me crazy that he was always fertilizing, watering, pulling weeds, and edging! I was not used to him spending so much time on it! When we first bought our house, he looked like pig pen mowing our dirt lawn. But now, wow! You would not believe how many people stop to compliment it and "ooo and aww" over it! It makes our faces light up like little kids on christmas morning!

Needless to say he enjoys it just as much as I enjoy working in the garden. Plants used to be a fire hazard while under my care. They probably could have burst into flames at any second they were so dry! Somehow through the years, I managed to inherit my mother's green thumb. 

Taking care of a garden is a ton of work! Deadheading the plants, covering them when mother nature decides to bring snow, watering, and keeping my crazy dogs from digging up every bulb or flower I plant!

Taking care of a lawn or garden is like taking care of a marriage or even your relationship with God. It takes alot of time and energy. Can be exhausting and frustrating at times, but is also very rewarding and meaningful. 

I used to tell my patients that if you think the grass is greener on the other side its time to start watering your own lawn. Because guess what? The grass is usually never greener! Things usually are never as they appear!

Proverbs 4:23

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

I love this scripture! Solomon is saying that we have to guard and tend to our heart like we would a garden. Human nature is always seeking to destroy our relationships and even our relationship with God!  If only we put the time and effort into it that we do into other things! 

When me and Cory got married we definetley did not have it all together! He probably did way more than me! He taught me that every relationship in my life is worth fighting for and now I have the marriage of my dreams! 

Needless to say he's very good at watering our lawn! We have water bills that prove it! 

Thank you hunny for having such a servants heart and loving me like you do! 

That's all folks...

Marriage Today really helped us in achieving the marriage we have today!

http://www.marriagetoday.com/

Facing the Giants

Omg! Yesterday was the worst day I have had in a long time! I started my new job and had to leave Easton! This is a heartbreak like I have never felt before in my life! I'm fearful of the unknown. It feels like I am facing a giant... Some of you are probably like really, a giant? But I know you moms understand.

I have faced ALOT and I mean ALOT of giants in my life, but God has always helped me defeat them one by one. 

I have heard the story of David and Goliath 100 times over, but yesterday at church it touched my heart and was exactly what I needed to hear.

You can read the story in 1 samuel 17. The philistines had gathered for a war against the Israelites. They camped for battle on opposite sides of a deep valley. Goliath was the Philistines reassurance that they could defeat Israel. He was over 9 ft tall and wore over 150lbs of armor. All of Israel was terrified and would run whenever Goliath stepped forward.

I have always invisioned him looking like the motorcycle man off raising arizona...

Yes, that's a rabbit he blew up on the side of the road with a grenade... SCARY...

I have always had a bad habit of running from giants in my life. My number one strength is positivity so I tend to avoid conflict. I internalize my fears and dissapointments. I go through great lengths to keep the peace and pretend I am A Ok.

So David, who was only a teenager was sent to the battle lines to bring food to his brother and bring back news of what was going on.

David was only a shepard, but was strong in his faith. With God's help in the past he had defeated a lion and a bear. He decided he would volunteer to fight Goliath.

 "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied ... today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel ... it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath's head. Finding a hole in the armor, the stone sank into the giant's forehead and he fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath's sword and killed him. The Philistines saw that their hero was dead so they ran, but were defeated by Israel.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

David defeated Goliath with the power of God. He gave him strength and courage to get the job done.

I know he will do the same for me and has helped me get through this hard day and will help me in the weeks to come.

As for Easton... here is a picture of him with his Papa today. He is smiling and is doing just fine without me. 

Keep the prayers coming people!