When things don't go our way

  I have been doing a read through the Bible in a year program; right now I'm reading about the children of Israel as they journeyed along. 

I noticed (like I always do when reading this part) how much they complain! It get on my nerves how they doubt God and turn from him so quickly and easily just because they are thirsty or hungry or whatever... Here I am complaining about their complaining :-) lol... Anyways this morning I was reading Numbers 21. 

In verse 4 it says, And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom:and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

That "much discouraged" stood out to me! First let me say that just a few verses before this one they had prayed for victory in a battle and God gave it to them. There was "utter destruction" at Hormah that day. Despite the victory somehow they became discouraged. They were tired, doubtful and ready to give up. Did you notice that they walked along the side of the Red Sea...that's the same Sea that God parted for them so they could walk across on dry ground, the same sea where God killed all the Egyptians who were after them. The Sea they traveled across the night they were freed from the bondage they had in Egypt.

It says they were discouraged because of the way. It says in chapter 20 they wanted to pass through Edom but the people of Edom wouldn't allow them so they had to go a different way around. 

We always want to take the easiest route. Be in the fast lane. Take the drive thru. We do not want to wait for anything. When we do we get upset. I know I would have been upset too if I were there. They had to turn around and go a completely different way. I'm sure it took twice as long if not longer. The bible says they were "much" discouraged. They forgot somethings... They got mad at God in the next verse. They blamed Moses. How often do we get mad at God and those who love us when things don't go OUR WAY?

If things aren't going the way you planned or the way you thought they would/should...ask yourself the next few questions.

How do we forget the blessings of God? How do we forget all the times he has provided? How do we forget all the times he has met the need? How do we forget his faithfulness? How do we forget that Jesus died for us?How do we forget all the times we have seen his glory? How do we forget all the victories he has given us? How do we forget that day he parted the Red Sea for us and we walked safely on the dry ground? How do we forget the "works of God" (Psalm 78:7)?

Psalms 103:2-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits:

 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

who healeth all thy diseases;

 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The truth is we forget. Just like the Israelites. We forget what God has done. We doubt God. We throw in the towel. We pout when things don't seem to go our way. We feel like God has forsaken us. All this happens because we put our eyes on the problem and not the problem solver. 

If we're going to make it in this world we have to keep looking to God! Everytime I do things my way, I fall. Everytime I put my eyes on someone else they let me down. We should strive to follow God so closely that when the WAY changes we don't even notice. Just keep watching those footsteps in front of you. If you fall get back up. Stop forgetting and start reminding yourself...Jesus always cares and he is always there! Remember his ways are not our ways! (Is 55:8)

I painted this a few months ago...I'm so glad He works in ways we cannot see ❤ it might seem like a crazy way to you, but Gods way is always the best way!

Happy New Year...Hello 2014!

Time seems to go so fast. This past year felt like a blur. A good blur but still a blur. When I was younger  a year seemed like forever, now it feels like just a few days. Each year we end one and start another...life is slipping away. Once it's gone it can never be brought back. Hannah Montana (hahaaa) says, "life is what you make it" and I believe this year will be what I make it. 

Each year we start with all these goals, hopes, desires and dreams of bettering ourselves in the new year. I start off good but quickly get lazy and give up. For 2013 our family's theme was "more of Him, less of me". As I look back over the year I can't truly say I got more of Jesus and less of myself everyday. That is the hard part about it...these hopes and goals have to be accomplished everyday. We have to work at it each day and that's hard. I wanted to give The Lord more but honestly I didn't give him what I should have. But inspire of my failures he is still good.

He blessed me so much in 2013!

 In January 2013 I became head Sunday school teacher of the primary age class at church. I totally loved it. My mom was my assistant and I had fun working with her. 

I got to be apart of POP (Power of Prayer camp) and I learned more about prayer and how to pray. That's one thing no one ever teaches...how to pray. Everyone says pray but no one tells us how. I, glad we got to learn more about praying. 

I got to spend a few days with my friends at myrtle beach in may. We had a blast ever though it was freezing! First time road tripping with friends :)

I got my first ticket ever...driving a golf cart (without head lights and without my license) lol. 

I turned 21 and became a legal adult (so weird to say). I can now own a gun!!! 

I got to help at Junior camp again and loved seeing little 6-12 year old kids out praise us adults! I'm glad it doesn't matter how old you are, God can be as real to a 6 year old as he can a 60 year old! 

I graduated from college! August 2nd and became an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant.

Passed all three of my certification tests and am now a DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

Got to have my pops from Oregon with us for sometime in July and August. So thankful he got to see me graduate from college just like he seen me graduate from high school. 

I went on my First ever date! It was fun but I sure was nervous...

I started running this year and had a few rough patches but I haven't given up and I hope to reach my goal of a 10k this year!

I started inviting people to church and desiring to see God bring in the lost! 

I got to be apart of the best revival I've ever been In at my church, Cannon Mountain Baptist church for 2 weeks in November. God moved in my heart and he let me worship him in a way I'd never worshiped before. It is amazing how God takes over when we yield to him. Yielding is so hard to do but once you start doing it, it seems so easy to let go and let God! 

We had an amazing Christmas...I got sooo much more than I deserved! 

Last night I was blessed to be at a watch night service from 6pm-about 1:30 am at Rainbow Baptist Church in Aberdeen, NC. I got to hear my Daddy preach like I've never heard him preach before. 21 years ago last night in the same pulpit he preached his first message. 

The best blessing was another year with my family! We are all still here and I'm so thankful for that!

The biggest thing I see is he made me wait...he made me wait another year for my Boaz. I remember laying on my floor praying and crying 3 years ago thinking it was so hard to wait and I couldn't imagine waiting another day. Somehow I did and 3 years have passed! I didn't want to wait, and I still don't. But I know that waiting isn't as hard as I make it seem. I can't focus on that, I need to focus on growing in Jesus. I'm not ready for my Boaz and he is not ready for me yet. God is preparing us right now. Over the past few weeks many people I know have gotten engaged, married, and are now having babies and I honestly sometimes feel like a failure. If you would have asked me at 17 what my life would be like at 21 the answer would have been completely different than it is. My mom tells me often that at 21 she was already married with two kids and here I am still living at home and i cant even find a job. Waiting is hard and to top it off there aren't many "Boaz's" left. I have some guys who try to talk to me but I'm just not interested in any of them. Sometimes i feel like I'm gonna get whats "left" and not whats "right". But I know I can trust Jesus and he blesses those who wait for his best. So I'm gonna keep on keepin' on and wait for my Boaz in 2014. 

In 2014 I'm looking for God to turn my "How into wow!" I know he will if I trust and obey. What I want from this new year is more patience, more power, and more peace...all from above. I am tired of the kiddie pool and im ready to go deeper with my Lord! I have some questions, fears, and doubts and I'm praying God will answer each and help me this year! 

My verse for the year is: Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  I want to be wise when I speak and show love with my words...this is ooooh soooo hard for me! I speak and don't ever think how it might hurt someone or affect them in a negative way. God showed me this verse a few months ago and I can't get it out of my head. I want that verse to be me in 2014!

Love,

May-may❤❤

On the 12th day of Christmas...Merry Christmas from the Roberts

Well Christmas has came! The presents have been unwrapped, the Christmas story has been read, Christmas dinner has been eaten, and it has been great so far!

 Some doodling I did last night :) the greatest gift is Jesus❤

Here's a recap of Christmas at the Roberts house: I woke up a little after 8 this morning...I was excited ;) I made waffles, ran to my parents room like 3 times trying to get them out of bed. Finally they did, then me and Manda had to get josh and Caleb up...lets just say teenage boys don't really care about presents when they're sleeping lol. By the time I finished the waffles everyone was awake {yay}.

 Took this when I woke up...so pretty! 

 I tried my best to do a Pinterest idea...the cute little green christmas waffles. Lets just say its harder than It looks lol. I made a few plain waffles, then added green food coloring and made a few of those and then added chocolate chips in the last few waffles. When you have a large family you have to try to please everyone. Some don't like food coloring, and some don't like chocolate chips...so I made some of each :) i made a huge mess and even got some of an egg shell in the waffle mix and my green waffles were (somehow) only green on the inside, but I thought they were really tasty. I even added some Christmas sprinkles on top! Sprinkles make everything better. 

 

Me and Manda watched some little Christmas nativity cartoon, soon after it was finally time to open the gifts! I handed mine out first. Although I don't have a job nor do I have much money, I wanted so bad to give each of my family a gift. I wasn't going to give anything and the other night I decided I really wanted to give what I could so to town I went. It's the thought that counts, right? I started handing the other gifts out.

Wrapping paper starts flying everywhere. I hear "yes!", "yay" and "thank you"...Christmas is so great. I deserve nothing but I received so much! My parents are so awesome and I'm thankful to God we had presents under our tree. Some people woke up to an empty tree. 

Please know whatever you were given today was undeserved. I don't believe in Santa Claus because if he was real no one would ever get any gifts. I've been given so much in my life...so many gifts. Gifts of love, grace, mercy, peace, faith, help, friends, family, breath, a Savior, a home, legs to walk with, food to eat, hearing, heart beat after heart beat, eyes to see with and so much more! It all comes from above {James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.} the greatest gift of all is Jesus. Like the verse says, he came down from the Father...I'm thankful he came. The world would be forever dark without him.

Here are some pictures from our Christmas :)

 

My brother might kill me but oh well. I told him he looked like Joseph from the Bible ;)

 He finally took a pic with me.

 Me about to look at what was in my stocking! So fun!

 That's a gallon sized bag full of candy!!! 

My fav gift from my parents...a Jane Seymour open heart necklace! I've been wanting one...my mom has a lot of the open hearts jewelry and I've always thought it was so pretty. Happy to join the open hearts world.

Here are most of my gifts. 4 shirts, a sweater, skirt, mascara, benefit concealer, eye shadow, hair straightener and spray, body wash, hello kitty pj pants (yay), hello kitty watch, 6 scarves (only 2 in this pic) a new devotional, new boots, socks, Vera Bradley Bible case, leggings, face wash, and lots of jewelry! Totally loving that pink chevron top!!

 Got another hello kitty watch! I now have 5

This happens every year...my mom forgets to give me one of my gifts. This year it was my blanket! For the record if you ever wanna buy me a gift but don't know what I'd like just get me a blanket ;)) seriously I get blankets for my birthday (which is in June) and Christmas. I actually use them all. As I type this I am snuggled up in my new super soft blanket❤❤❤

After opening gifts daddy read the Christmas story to us...the true meaning of Christmas.

 First Matthew...

 Then Luke.

 For dinner...We had deviled eggs, homemade mashed potatoes and Mac-and-cheese, and grilled chicken and pork loin. My daddy loves to grill us food on his awesome Traeger grill and it always tastes so delicious!

Soon after we ate most of my family took naps...I didnt. Instead I had a fashion show in the hallway. I was excited to try on my new clothes! I love everything I got.

Later we got in the SUV and drove around looking at lights. Somehow we ended up at Tiny Town in easley. It was soo cold! Thank The Lord for heat. Here are a few pictures.

 Blurry:/

 Santa taking a bubble bath😂😂

 Here's my mom and dad.

 My camera is broken...this is me and my mommy...love her!

 I thought this doll was cute lol

 Caleb didn't want to come so he's missing.

 Me, manny Kay and J (and uncle Si lol)

 Me and Manda 

We are back home and eating again...we eat a lot! Apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream 💛 

 My mom made this picture!

I hope all my readers have had a magical Christmas Day! Lets allow CRISTmas to live in our hearts all year long! I am so happy Jesus was born and to know he did it all for me❤ I could never say thank you enough or give him anything comparable to all he's given me...the only thing I can do is give myself. I love the song the collingsworth family sing called 'my gift is me'. 

 My Gift Is Me :

What I have to give to you

Can not be bought or sold

It can't be wrapped up in a box

Or tied with strings of gold

It isn't perfect and you'll see

It isn't even new

But Jesus, it's the only treasure

I can give to you.

Me...my gift is me

All I am and all I'll ever be

I'm not ashamed

For the world to see

That it's me, 

My gift is me.

Jesus, you're the greatest gift

The world will ever know

Coming down from heaven 

Just to leave your Love below

With all you have done for me

The least that I can do

Is give all that I know of me

To all I know of You.

Me...my gift is me

All I am and all I'll ever be

I'm not ashamed

For the world to see

That it's me, 

My gift is me.

Of all the gifts man could give

It's nice to know

That I can give His favorite gift

The one that thrills Him so

Me...my gift is me

All I am and all I'll ever be

I'm not ashamed

For the world to see

That it's me, 

My gift is me.

Me....My gift is me.

Jesus is the greatest gift ever...nothing down here could ever compare. I am nothing but he loves when we give ourselves to him. My preacher preached a message Sunday about what gift we can give Jesus for Christmas. The wise men gave frankincense, gold and myrrh when Jesus was a baby, but Jesus is no longer a baby and doesn't need that anymore...he wants: YOU.

Y-yield

O-offering(sacrifice)

U-use

If we are yielded and sacrifice for Him then he can use us. I desire God in my life and on my life.I know I'll never be content doing my own thing. I'm not perfect and I'm definitely nothing special but if I allow him to have his will and way he can make a beautiful masterpiece out of me. I want Jesus to use me. I dont want to put him in a box. Over the past month and a half I have seen God do some amazing things all because we let him. once we get out of his way He can do anything! I'm looking forward to what he has planned for the new year. He has been so wonderful this year. Good night friends! Merry CHRISTmas

Love,

May-May

On the 11th day of Christmas...Mary Ponders

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Jesus has been born, the shepherds just left to go tell others what they'd seen and heard and Mary takes some time to ponder in her heart what had happened. I'm sure it was very surreal. I heard a quote that went something like this, "he can turn your how? Into wow" I bet Mary felt like God had turned her how into wow! Mary had just seen and been apart of the greatest thing to ever happen on earth; the birth of the Savior! She was his mother. She was chosen by God and used in a way like no other.

She never wanted to forget! She wanted to keep it all in her heart. She didn't want to ever get over what God had done. She was not the same person, she had been changed. Everyone who knew her viewed her differently because of her calling. She was a virgin but had a son. When others found out she was pregnant they assumed the worst and no one believed her. But she went on for God and continued to be his vessel. He chose her because she was humble, available and clean. Now she sat and held the Son of God in her arms.

One of the definitions of ponder is to help. She began to think of all that had happened in the past 9 months. She remembered the night the angel came and told her God wanted to use her. The fear she felt was great but she yielded her body and obeyed. She couldn't forget the comments of all the people she thought had loved her. She remembered visiting Elisabeth and hearing her say the same thing as the angel, "blessed art thou among women." (Luke 1:28, 42)  I'm sure there were times where she didn't feel blessed but confused and alone...but at those times she remembered the angel telling her "The Lord is with thee"(Luke 1:28). She remembered Joseph standing by her side after the angel told him what she was saying was the truth. What she went through was long and hard but she could see clearly now it had brought her closer to God. It had made her better. She knew her tiny newborn son was born to die for everyone's sins including hers. Pondering all these things helped her that night and many more nights throughout her life. 

Sometimes we wonder what God is doing and nothing makes sense. This is when we need to stop, and ponder and remember all God has done for us! It seems easier to remember the bad but God has give me much more good in my life than bad. Romans 8:28 says, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Happy Christmas Eve!!❤ 

Love, May-May

On the 10th day of Christmas...Candy Canes and Christ

Tonight we had S.n.a.p. after church. It stands for Sunday Night at the preacher's house. It was for the middle schoolers and high schoolers but I got to help. I had a lot of fun eating, laughing, and playing games. One of the games we played was with cany canes. We had one in our mouth and had to pick up other candy canes from a pile. The catch was you could only use your mouth. It was harder than it sounds lol. This brace face actually got 3 so I was pretty proud!

Candy canes are a symbol of Christmas. When you start seeing boxes of candy canes in the stores you know Christmas is right around the corner! Back in the old days there was only one flavor...peppermint. Today there are all kinds to choose from. But it doesn't really matter what flavor or color it is whenever I see a candy cane it makes me think of Jesus.

Probably about 10 years ago I was at my papa and grandmas house in NC for Christmas and they had the Legend of the Candy cane book setting out. I read it for the first time and really enjoyed it. I wish I had my own copy because I'd probably read it ever year if I did :) Candy Canes have a sweet meaning and as well a sweet taste. 

"The story tells of a Candy maker in Indiana who wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about.  So he made a Christmas Candy Cane.  He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy.  White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus.  Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the name of Jesus.  It also represented the staff of the “Good Shepherd”.

The candymaker then included red stripes.  He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life."

I think my favorite part of the candy cane would have to be its shape! I love that J...it makes me think of Jesus. And the fact that he is my shepherd. When I looked this stuff up tonight to refresh my mind I found an article stating the belief that the candy cane has a Christian background is false, but I disagree. To much about it points to Him. It is sad how hard people work and maneuver things to constantly try to prove (normally to themselves) Jesus isn't real. It makes me think of what my preacher said this morning...all those who try to get rid of Jesus, take him out of Christmas, those offended by Christ in Christmas, the unbelievers, the God haters one day soon will all bow and proclaim with their own tongue that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. The bible says: Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

You might not want to believe now but one day you will. Bow now or bow later, either way you will bow. itmcomes dow. To where younwant to soend eternity...heavem or hell? Jesus was born and died for the sins of the world. If you're reading this than that includes you! Like the candy cane says he was and is pure, perfect, sinless, he is the rock and he never lies, he suffered and died so we could have a way to escape what we truly deserve...Hell. He is whatever you need and he never leads anyone wrong.

I hope everyone has a "Happy Christmas Adam" tomorrow! I can not believe there's only 3 more days til Christmas! I'm excited of course...but I hate when it ends. It comes and is gone too fast every year❤❤❤