Happy November!

Happy November 2nd everyone!

May the Lord bless you abundantly this month!

May we be full of praise & thanksgiving, with our hearts yearning evermore for Him who created us!

Au Revoir...Until next time. 
Many Blessings!  =)
Tiffani



Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. You must ask permission before you use any part of posts or any pictures. 

You Are My All In All ~ Part 1

You are my strength when I am weak

You Are My All In All ~ Nichole Nordeman

I'm not sure if you remember my post about my wanting to do a 'series' of sorts based on Nichole Nordeman's song You Are My All In All.  It was a while ago...so here's the link in case you forgot or never saw it.

I haven't even thinking about the series lately, but a couple days ago my something happened to me (well, quite a few events happened) and when I started praying this song popped into my head again, and I began to understand the first verse even more.

So...last week was really busy for me. 

Trust me! 

It was busy, stressful, & most of the activities kept me from studying what I needed to for my next CollegePlus! coaching call.

I won't bore you with my entire schedule.  I will get to the point.  =)

 My point is that the only time I felt tired was the end of the last day, when I knew that was finished with certain commitments.  And knew that the next day I would be able to devote entirely to my studies.

I literally drove home from work on Friday (I had stopped at In N'

 Out on the way home, because I felt like I deserved it after my hard week  =P), took one step inside the house and felt like I could've collapsed if I had been next to something soft.  It was the first time I had felt the slightest bit fatigued since those commitments came up. 

I kicked off my shoes, grabbed a plate and went up to my room after saying hello to my parents.  They were on a date (yes, at home =) ) so they had no problem with me shutting myself in my room.

I ended up asleep by 9PM that night...which is early for me, because by the time I get in bed, pray, then finally fall asleep, its usually around 11, 11:30PM.

During that prayer time, (which I'm ashamed to say was probably cut short because I fell asleep,) was when Nichole Nordeman's song popped into my head.

I realized that my merciful Abba Father had given me the strength, energy, endurance & motivation to get me through the week.  And now He was graciously allowing me to be so tired that I would be sure to catch up on the rest that I'm sure I jipped myself of.

What really hit me was the thought that He had given me enough energy to drive home safely (even though it would've made sense for me to feel relaxed knowing that my hard week was over) & walk up the rather large step to the door into the house before the feeling of fatigue overtook me.

There was no way I could've made it through that week on my own.  There were times when I wanted to cry (and come to think of it, actually did), scream with frustration, just walk away, but He kept reminding me that He was with me.  That there were other people right at that very second who would much rather be in my shoes, than in their own trials.

That the sacrifices I was forced to make regarding my studies was still nothing compared to the greatest sacrifice that my Savior made for me. 

I got a very real experience of His strength last week.  Because I realized that He not only has the power to give me strength, He also has the power to allow weakness & fatigue to come over me, when it is necessary for me to rest.

I will probably dig deeper with a word study on "Strength."  I just really felt the need to share this (in my mind) amazing example of His hand in my life. 

It always amazes me when He reveals Himself to me like this.  It always feels like the first time...He is unchangeable, but never predictable!

I pray that He reveals Himself to you greatly in some way this week!  In a way that makes you stop & marvel at His amazing power.

Au Revoir...Until next time.

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  You must ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.

Tea For Two...

Pondering mysteries, with a girlfriend

Over tazzleberry tea

And an open Bible

Joy Williams ~ I Wonder

Album: By Surprise

A couple weeks ago my mom & I had a girls day out...and we went to this tea place called "Paris In A Cup".

It is soooooooooooooo cute & the food is excellent.  Love, LOve, LOVe, LOVE that place!!!!  I can't wait to go back!!!  Here are some pictures:

My Napkin

3 Chocolate Mousse

Moi et la Tour D'Eiffel

Pear Bread Pudding

...And Two For Tea 

To-Go Boxes

Muffins

We realized after we had eaten, that we didn't get any pictures of our actual food.   Oh, well, I guess we really have an excuse to go back now.  =)  *giggle* *giggle*

Au Revoir...Until next time.

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Moments

We laughed out loud til we cried

And the tears were sweet

Midnight melted to morning

A moment faded to memory

All these days just slip away through our fingers

Chorus:

So... Don't let go

Hold onto every moment

Always know

Hold on to every moment that you can

Joy Williams ~ Every Moment

Album: By Surprise

I told you I'd be back soon!  =)

I thought I'd just share some things that have been going on in "my little corner of the world".

Congratulations to my grandparents (in case you were wondering...it's my mom's parents).  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month.  But we just had the party for them last Saturday.  I'll post some pictures later. 

It was so much fun!  Hearing my grandparents reminisce about the "good old days".  Things like riding their bicycles for miles, (no cell phones, no predetermined destinations) & their parents-never for a minute-worried about where they were.  Seeing all their friends that they've had since junior high & high school.  It was fun to see my grandparents so happy.  =)  I don't know when I've ever seen them smile...or cry so much in one evening.

I'm getting excited for our Community Bible Study (CBS) to start again!  So far we have 13 (including me), 7-12 graders.  My mom is the teacher.  =)  It's going to be so fun to be in a group with people my own age again.
Last year I was a helper in the K-6th grade class.  I had a TON of fun...but it could never take the place of the fellowship, that I missed terribly from my old CBS...  With my all-girl group of sweet sisters.  (You know who you are =)  )
We are studying Revelation this year.  I've studied it before, but I'm excited to be studying it again, with a new place, new people, & new spiritual growth!!!  I'm just a little bit excited....in case you didn't already notice...  =P

I would LOVE to hear what you're studying right now....or if you go to a CBS, what you'll be studying this year!!!

Unfortunately I must go.... BUT I will return!!

Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings!  =)
Tiffani

I Refuse, Not To Move!

Sometimes I

I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright

When I know they're not

This world needs God

But it's easier to stand and watch

I could say a prayer and just move on

Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these

Crying out so desperately

And I know we are the hands and feet

Of You, oh God

So, if You say move

It's time for me to follow through

And do what I was made to do

Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost

Cry out for help

I refuse to turn my back

And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged

To wait another day, to die to myself

I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

I refuse

I refuse

Josh Wilson ~ I Refuse

Album: See You

So....yesterday was a pretty exciting day for me & my family... I GOT MY DRIVERS LICENSE!!!!!
I'm just a little excited!!!
My mom & I met my dad at a restaurant to celebrate & my dad told me that I could drive home by myself!!!

So here are a couple pics my mom took of me...driving...without anyone else in the car... =)



Moi, driving out of the parking lot...by myself.





Becaue you can't tell...that's moi in the white car...





Moi...driving...with no one else in the car.



So as I was driving home (by myself =) ) I turned on the Christian radio station... (It's called The Fish...isn't that cute!!)  Anyhoo, I was listening to some people talking about "adopting" orphans in Africa by donating money.  Then the above song started playing.  I was so moved by the song...I had to share it all, with all of you.  

This song really made me think about my life as I continue to grow, physically & spiritually... Because now that I can drive, in my mind it kinda makes me think ahead, to more possible opportunities to be a witness for my Savior.  And I don't want to be a chicken & not talk to someone, when I know the Lord is calling me to do so.

I was in a Theology Book Club for about 2 years...I just had to stop recently.  =(  Well, one of the books we read was Forgotten God by Francis Chan.  It's about the Holy Spirit...  One of the points that fascinated me, was that the Holy Spirit is the one who whispers for us to go & talk to someone. 

One of leaders in the CBS ((Community Bible Study) that my mom & I go to) had an experienced a little while ago that reminds me of this song.  She was running (on a hiking trail) & she saw this teenage girl sitting up a-ways on the hill to the side of her...she kinda waved to the girl & kept running.  But then she felt the Holy Spirit telling her to go back & talk to that girl.  She admits that she tried to get out of it...she was going to look so silly running back & then trying to clamber up the hill.  Besides the girl might not even be there when she went back.  Someone else would probably come along & talk to her.  BUT this lady is a woman of God, strong in her faith & in the end she decided to go back & talk to this girl.

She talked to the girl for a little while, nothing "miraculous" happened, the girl didn't ask to become a Christian....BUT!!  the Lord can use many different people in one persons life.  Maybe another person did end up coming by & talk to that girl & because a seed was already planted about our Savior, the girl asked to know more.  I can think of many more scenarios that could have happened.  But the main thing is, this lady was emboldened by the Holy Spirit & she refused, not to move.  Afterwards, even though she probably did look silly, she felt spiritually satisfied, because she knew she heard the Holy Spirit, listened to the Holy Spirit & acted on what He told her to do.

I pray that the same thing will happen to me.  That when the Holy Spirit whispers...or shouts for me to do something; that I will do exactly what He asks of me!

Au Revoir...until next time.  =)

Many Blessings!

Tiffani

Quiet Time...

This is the stuff, that drives me crazy

This is the stuff, that's gettin' to me lately

In the middle of my little mess...

I forget how big I'm blessed

This Is The Stuff ~ Francesca Battistelli

Album: Hundred More Years

I'm sad that I haven't been able to write for so long (over a week)...I've been wanting to...really I have...but I'm sure you all know how busy schedules get...so...

Why does it always seem like I'm "busy", but never seem to get enough done during the day.  My mom always says she can tell when she hasn't been spending her sit down quiet-time with the Lord.  I'm getting to realize the same thing.  I can tell when my flesh seems to be controling my emotions, thoughts &; actions.  It's hard to describe...for me something inside me just doesn't feel right...&; it doesn't start to get better until I stop, pray, & ultimately surrender.  I feel lost, uncertain, my head seems to be spinning in all different directions.  No, its not a pleasent feeling...it gets even worse when I try to fix things on my own.  Because I can do nothing apart from Christ. ("I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5)  Thankfully, our Father has given us the Helper...who is perfect at reminding us of this fact.

Au Revoir...until next time.  =)
Many Blessings!
Tiffani