Breathing For The First Time

I didn’t know much about Christ growing up. I was 14 years old when I learned more about the man who died on the cross. Through various retreats I was convinced that I had “accepted Jesus into my heart” and that I was “truly saved.” But I was blinded by my sin and I had the idea that I was a good person who was even better because I believed in God. In my declaration of being a Christian, I was in sin. I was proud, self centered, boasting in myself and not in the cross. I was anything but repentant.

I was 19 when God opened my eyes to see my sinfulness in light of His holiness. I realized that if I died I would stand guilty before Him for breaking His law, and that nothing I possessed or did could save me from what I deserve which is: hell. Through that time of disgust and torment about my rebellion against God, He graciously revealed to me the beautiful and firm hope of this: the blood that was shed on Calvary in my place by His Son Jesus Christ. Today my hope is built on nothing less than exactly that: Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness. My father drew me to Himself through Christ the Son. He found me and lovingly showed me that I was made to glorify and honor Him, and by His grace I am daily learning how to do that. It began by His kindness leading me to repentance and to the cross where I died to my old self, and now live new in Christ. I praise God for His grace and for allowing my dead heart to beat in His Son. There is a song whose lyrics I think express what He has done and is doing through Christ:

I was dead and depraved, and I loved my sin,

I was lifeless in the grave of hopelessness

You in Your loving kindness healed my blindness and let me see

Now I can see and savor, enjoy forever Your majesty

I’m finally alive and have been made new.

The Song Behind The Name

The name of my blog was inspired by the following song:

The first time I heard it, I could not get it out of my head. Its words spoke to my heart for days on end. It brought tears to my eyes still after hearing it for the 15th time. It is so beautiful! Take a listen.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this

That caused the Lord of bliss

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down

Beneath God’s righteous frown,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;

To God and to the Lamb I will sing;

To God and to the Lamb,

Who is the great I AM,

While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,

While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.

And when from death I’m free

I’ll sing His love for me,

And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,

And through eternity I’ll sing on.

Old English

Well, I am officially sick of laying here. I have seen this movie one too many times in the last 2 days. I am pretty sure I know it word for word....

I recently had a Pilonidal Cystectomy done, so I can either only lay on my tummy or stand up. I really hope I have great posture after all of this laying down. I am still so surprised by how anesthesia works. My first experience started out well: one moment I am on the operating table  talking to the nurses about how they remind me of Grey's Anatomy, the next I am waking up and getting ready to go. But then came the nausea  for the following 24 hours. I did not like or appreciate that part. What I am loving, however, is the thoughtfulness of my husband, my mother-in-law Gail [who is very kind and helpful], and our friends. Some have brought me baked goodies, others have sent me cards, others have brought me meals, and word on the street is that I am being sent more movies [thank goodness!]. I am blessed and reminded of our good God through these kind gestures.

Tyler has been so helpful, loving, and caring. I am so grateful for him. He has slept on the recliner next to me for the past two nights, and has been catering to me. He woke up with me in the middle of the night even though he had work early the next day. He has read to me as I lay there zoned out and lethargic. He has even watched Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility with me. I <3 him.

I am on vicodin, so reading has been hard to do. I hope to do more of it as I slowly stop taking vicodin. The books I am working through right now are: 

                                     

They are great books, and both have a website! Just click on the book and it will take you there. 

Well, my arm is tired so I will stop here [I am currently laying on my stomach and typing with one hand]. Hope you enjoyed and have a great day!

The Start of Something New

The year 2011 was full of so many blessings. Like my bestie Yasmin put it, God is so good to have allowed us to experience so much great stuff in that year. I got engaged in January 2011 and got married in August 2011, not to mention I also graduated from Fresno Pacific University in between, in May 2011. As you can imagine, things got very very busy. I am not the most organized person, and sometimes I just play things by ear. Thanks to God, they always turned out just as they should.  Anyhow, I am now married, and what a big adjustment that was! There is still a lot of adjustment going on but it is so edifying and humbling. The past 4 months have been filled with so much, I don't even know where to begin. I am grateful for the husband I have been given, for my home, and for my job.

I am also grateful for this waffle mix recipe I found online. Tyler loves it, and I think it's way better than the stuff in the box you just add water to.I don't really like pancakes, but I will eat waffles! Something about their shape intrigues me...

Makes 4-6 Servings

1 3/4 Cups Flour
2 Tbs. Sugar
1 Tbs. Baking Powder
2 Eggs
1 3/4 Cups Milk
1/2 Cup Oil or melted butter
1 Tsp. Vanilla

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, beat the wet ingredients together then add it to the dry and stir until it is smooth.
(I personally prefer to use butter rather than oil, I think it tastes better.)

I hope you enjoy!