“Nothing Compares To The Promise I Have In YOU!”

For the past few months I’ve been telling myself “Christina, you really need to go to church.”  I would plan on going but then Sunday morning would come and my flesh would win every time! I would sleep in and say “well maybe next Sunday I’ll make it.”

This past weekend I was blessed with an invitation and tickets to the “Women of Faith Conference” at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.  I initially declined the invitation because I had homework to do and a class project I had to have ready by Monday.  With a little persistence from my friend, she finally convinced me to go.  I have to be honest my flesh did not want to go. I wanted to go home and relax start working on my project and do whatever else happened to come up.  Something inside me said “No Christina, you need to go.” So, I went and all I can say is WOW! God knows exactly what He is doing. I was blessed and encouraged with great messages from wonderful people God is using.  He used this conference to reach my spirit that had been slumbering for quite some time now. While I was sitting at this conference listening to these speakers and enjoying the praise music I said to myself “What have you been doing with your time?  You have so much more to offer. Why are you wasting your time on things that are not going to edify and lift others up?”  I realized right then and there I’ve been wasting such precious and valuable time slumbering in the flesh instead of awake in the spirit.  The second day of the conference I heard a worship song that has always been dear to my heart “Shout to The Lord” there is a line in this song that has been a comfort to me because it reminds me that no matter what or who may come and go in my life “nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU”, Jesus my Savior.

When you feel that things and people have let you down or not fulfilled a promise or commitment they said they would.  Remember that NOTHING COMARES TO THE PROMISE YOU HAVE IN HIM. Nothing or no one can ever fulfill your need or complete your life like HE can.

~An Awakened Diva~

"Such a Buzz Kill"

“Conversation between Chris and me this morning - Me: You tired? Chris: No, I'm ok. Me: Morning comes fast doesn't it? Chris: Yes, it’s like I get home and take a nap, wake up, eat and then go back to sleep and it’s time to go back to work again. Me: lol, now you know why I get irritated sometimes when I get home and still have stuff to do. Chris: Man, it’s such a buzz kill! Me: ha ha ha :-)  welcome to the real world.”

When we become parents for the first time we love our children, care for them, protect them and teach them responsibility so when they are adults they can take care of themselves.  It tickles me now that my second oldest son has graduated from high school and has joined the working world.  He plans on going to the Air force but in the meantime will be working for Mooring Recovery Services. The conversation we had this morning about work amuses me because he has gotten a dose of reality.  He is now realizing what it means to be an adult. I know he still has a lot of growing to do but he is well on his way and has made me proud.  He wakes up, eats his breakfast, makes his coffee and begins his commute to work.  I don’t think it’s the job that’s a “buzz kill” I think it’s the fact that playing Xbox in the evening no longer is the highlight of his day.  It’s the good nap on the couch that he now looks forward to. J

Chris, I love you and you make me proud! I can’t wait to see all that God has in store for you and all the wonderful things you are going to accomplish. Love, Mom

~A Diva~

The Only Thing You Have To Do Is Decide!!!

My excitement and anticipation grow each day as I prepare for another semester of school.  Over the years I’ve taken a couple of courses here and there but not consistently enough to feel like I was accomplishing anything.  After much encouragement from my family and friends I decided to return to school in the spring of 2010. 

When I started I only had 18 credit hours towards my Associates degree.  I couldn’t look too far ahead because I would get discouraged and think “it’s going to take me forever!”  So, I had to focus on the semester in front of me.  In the middle of my fall 2010 semester I was looking at courses I needed to take and saw I could take an 8 week business computer class. I thought well, if I do this then I will have 7 more credit hours toward my degree.  I stepped out on faith and made a few social sacrifices and took ten hours that semester.  I completed the semester with two A’s and one B.  Not bad for a person still getting into the grove of things. So, in the spring of 2011 I took on a full-time load.  I had friends ask me if I was crazy. I said “No, just determined!” J I was ready to get done.  Here I am, two years later and able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  After the 2012-2013 school year I will be graduating with my Associates degree and transferring to Tarelton State University, Fort Worth in the fall of 2013 to pursue my Bachelors in psychology.

The reason I share this is to offer hope to those who have considered returning to school, but still have reservations.  Don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing your education or dreams, whatever they may be.  The only thing you have to do is decide!!!

~A Diva~

First Born

Today is a big day for my oldest son. Like I've mentioned before he is at the threshold of his music career. He is living his dream and pursuing it with passion. I remember a time when he told me he felt like he was in a dry spot and his music career wasn't going any where.  I told him to hold on, this is probably just a character building time for you and God may just be testing you to see how badly you want it.  He kept plugging and this is where we are today.  He's performing at Fairpark in Dallas, TX.  


Our relationship wasn't always good.  There was a time we almost couldn't be in the same room or we would be at each others throats.  We just could not get a long to save our lives.  I take some of the responsibility.  He was my first born and I was so strict.  I had such high expectations and left little room for personal growth on his part.  I kept the reigns a little too tight.  I thought I was being a good parent by being overly protective, which in some areas of their life is necessary. The more I would try to control him the more rebellious he became.  Of course there was some interference with my parenting but it was out of love.  It did make it easier for Louie to be more rebellious and made me frustrated.  I myself could have done a lot of things differently but with the firstborn and being a young parent who at 18 years old was still maturing herself mistakes were inevitable. I used to beat myself up over these mistakes and would place blame on my Mom for "interfering" when I would parent this child of mine.  Now, I've forgiven myself for my mistakes and do things differently with my other two sons.  As for Louie, my Mom and myself, we have taken the past and used it as a learning experience.  Louie is now a parent himself and because of all we went through has become a wonderful father.  He makes me proud when I see him lovingly parent his son. I get emotional when I see him with his son and see him do things the way I should have. 


Despite how bad Louie thinks he had it. I guess my mistakes didn't have such bad repercussions after all. Look at him now!!!!


~A PROUD DIVA~

Life Is Good :-)

I look around and realize life is good! My kids are healthy and have grown to be wonderful young men.  My oldest son is at the threshold of his music career.  My second oldest is preparing for the Air Force and my baby who will be 14 years old soon will be a freshman. I have a beautiful daughter-in-law who is a great mother to my beautiful grandson, whom I affectionally call "Monkey Butt" :-)  I've been blessed with an angel of a Mom.  If it weren't for her and the faith in God she instilled in me I can honestly say my life would probably be in dismay. 

My little family has persevered through hard times.  I have people tell me "you are so lucky and so blessed".  I always thank them and receive the blessing but inside I'm thinking "if you only knew".  To be honest, had I not experienced those trying times I wouldn't be able to appreciate how good life is now. 

So, to my family, friends and people I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, if you are going through a storm or if feels like your life is in chaos...don't give up!!!! Take hold of God's promise and know that it will get better. 

Sincerely,

~A Diva~

Jeremiah 31:12 (Whole Chapter) They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem. They will be radiant because of the LORD’s good gifts— the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the healthy flocks and herds. Their life will be like a watered garden, and all their sorrows will be gone.

Started With Just a Thought...

This is something I’ve thought about doing for a long time. It first started as a seed that was planted in my heart by many family, friends and acquaintances. It’s finally time to take the thought and make it a reality. I’ve officially started my own blog which is affectionately named “A Diva's Diary” (thank you, E.E.) for the name idea, it fits perfectly! I’ve always enjoyed writing and started a prayer journal of “letters to God” years ago.  It has helped me get through some pretty tough times in my life. Being able to put on paper what was in my heart be it good or bad, was very therapeutic and healing. So, now I choose to share my thoughts and ideas, my struggles and accomplishments, my ups and downs and my joys and sorrows with you. In doing so I hope to give someone who may be struggling a glimmer of hope that things do get better. I hope to celebrate with you your joys and accomplishments and look forward to hearing about all God is doing in your life.

Please, feel free to comment, suggest and share my blog.

Sincerely,

“A Diva”