Blogaversary, 200 posts, and much much more!!

One year ago today I published my first post!!! (check it out: Sweetest Moment of All) This is also my 200th post. I have been a busy girl this year!! More accurately, I am just addicted to blogging now. (thanks Gabe!!) This whole blogging thing started when Gabe kept bugging me to start my own. He was convinced I would love it. I didn't think so. You can see who was right on that one!! Other than using this blog to keep in touch with family far away, it has surprisingly been quite an outlet for me. So here's to you "Sweet Moments", thanks for helping to keep me sane!

So what to do to celebrate?! I could post a year in review of slide shows and pictures. Ummm, nope. I am sure you have had your fill of those! I could recap all our wonderful adventures from this past year. Don't think so. That would be boring. What to do?! What to do?!

Seeing that this blog started with my "Sweetest Moment of All", I thought it only appropriate to spend this time with you sharing how God has molded and shaped me this past year. A continuation of sorts of my first post.

A favorite verse of mine is Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God". (NIV) Here are some other translations of that scripture.....

"Cease striving and know that I am God" (NAS)
"Let go of your concerns and know that I am God." (GOD'S WORD)
"Be at peace in the knowledge that I am God." (Bible in Basic English)

I like to be in control of things. I know... go ahead and laugh. Believe me God has humbled my attempts at taking and holding onto the reigns. This past year God has challenged me to let go of my concerns, my wants, my needs and to simply rest in the peaceful knowledge that He is God.... He is in control. The being "still" part is especially difficult. For whatever reason, our family has been haunted by a continual, unrelenting busyness. We can't get away from it long enough to take a breath. This seriously clashes with my personality. I need a slower, more controlled state to my life. I honestly admit that I allow the urgent to shut to the door on the stillness. No matter what has been put on my "plate" to deal with, God still beckons me to "Be still". Sometimes I feel the strong desire to run off to a high mountain top to just sit in the quietness and soak in my Lord's glory. The thing is, as much as I want to escape to find that intimacy and stillness with God, He is here ready and willing to give that to me no matter how the world is swirling around me. I don't need to "get away" to see and experience His glory, I just need to clear my vision and stop focusing on the "to-do" lists and responsibilities. I just need to go before Him and simply be still. He will take care of the rest. He will bless me with a "mountain top" of peace and the beauty of rest in His embrace.

Thank you God for showing me how much I need You. You have created in me a thirst that is only quenched by You and a hunger that is only satisfied by You. You are the only true God and I humbly come before You and rejoice that You chose me. You love me. You are for me. God, continue to teach me what it truly means to worship You, to trust You, and rest in You. You are God and You are never changing. Your love is everlasting. I praise You.

"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100