Mini Vaca taught me this... my husband is too nice.

Jake and I started our week in Orlando at a Timeshare, just for two nights.. it was short but kind of FREE so we weren't complaining! It's nice to get out of town and enjoy each other's company outside of the normal routine. Sunday started with Sunday School and Church at Westside, then we headed to Chobee to drop off the dogs.. Well two of them. Our big guy is spending the week up in TN with his "Grandparents" - they were kind enough to take him along and we're quite sure he's loving life. His Uncle Nic was excited that Hank was able to hang out with his son, Moose on Father's day weekend.. ha! (I assure you we do know that they are in fact dogs, but they're family.)

     

ANYWAY - After dropping off the crazy little white faced ones at my parents we were off! Once to the hotel we got up to our room to get settled. We scoped out the pools and then got ready for dinner. With the NBA championship on TV we opted for the Ale house down the road to enjoy the game. Jake can talk to anybody and made friends with the guy sitting next to him at the Bar. Jake is nice. I saw this at dinner, but I also saw it the next morning. 

You see the reason our two night vacation was "free" was because we had to sit through a ninety minute presentation about why we should buy this timeshare... we are in no position to buy a timeshare so we went in with the mindset of NO we are not interested but give us your best pitch, we'll give you our best "no thank you", and be on our way $175 dollars richer... Our ninety minute presentation turned into a 3 hour presentation as my husband is just TOO NICE. It was quite funny and by the end of it I was so ready to sit by the pool that I looked at Jake and very nicely said "SHUT UP" when the salesman walked away. When we left with our gift card in hand I told Jake that I knew who would do the negotiating next time we went to buy a vehicle.. and it didn't rhyme with rake..

We enjoyed the rest of our day by the pool and then showered up and headed to a restaurant that Jake has been raving about since last October when he visited while at a school conference. It's called  The Pharmacy, and had a real 1930's speakeasy feel. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was just as awesome. We got two different meals and shared them, and I ate an oyster for the first time!!

This was the entrance.. So cool!!

That night we slept like babies with full tummies and got up early to pack and head to Seaworld the next day.. We rode every roller coaster sitting on the front row and most of them twice! We watched my favorite show with the Sea Lions and Otters, and ended the day with a Shamu Ice Cream bar. 

This weekend away was just what we needed after a pretty stressful first few weeks of summer, thank you Jesus for blessing us with the opportunity! 

What kind of people get married twice?! Us. We did that.

Getting married in front of a Cross was something I always wanted, and we got to do it twice!

  

               

  

                    

  

Seriously, God? Throw me a bone here!

YOOO!

I'm coming at you this morning after church, farmer's market shopping, family lunch, and before heading to life group... it's been a busy Sunday.

Headed home from church Jake and I were talking about our finances, and we were frustrated. We both seem to ask the same question, "Where does the money go?!" We're young, and we're paying off the mistakes of credit card mishaps now as we are married. Much of that credit card expense was not spent carelessly but provided fixing of a vehicle when needed, an emergency c-section for a dog we didn't know was pregnant, a truck payment when Jake's surgery cost us more than what we had, and a few other things that were out of our control..but we're still paying them now nonetheless.

We are not frivolous spenders, and we feel like we are trying our hardest to get ahead the right way. We haven't walked away from any debt, and are really working hard to pay it off as quickly as we can. Both of us are working beyond our full time jobs to make some extra money to try and speed that up, we are extremely open with each other and are constantly communicating before, during, and after we spend any amount of money. And yet, we still feel like we can't get ahead.

Obedience. God calls us to obedience. And he is faithful. So faithful.

As easy as it is to look at our finances negatively, we are trying to look at the upside. EVERY bill, debt, and need was met that needed to be met for this pay period. (And has been met for every pay period before..even when we didn't know how it would, it got covered.) We didn't have to put anything on credit and we were able to buy our plane tickets to Wisconsin at an AWESOME price (366 TOTAL round trip) without putting them on a credit card. We filled our gas tanks and our fridge and freezer are full of enough food to get us through until the next check rolls through.. We are taken care of. We have been provided for. We are okay.

Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has it's own worries.. (Matthew 6:34)

In Matthew 6: 25-24 Jesus teaches about worry, and it comes down to seeking first HIS kingdom, and HE will give us everything we need. He knows our needs, he knows the status of our debts, he is aware of our bank accounts and how much or how little we may have. It's no surprise to him. He asks us to focus on today, and to seek Him first above all else.

God is good. He provides.

It's hard when you want so much, but feel like you're never going to get there.

BUT, perspective...

Jobs? We have those. Ones that provide health benefits, PLENTY of vacation time which means opportunity for more schooling or other jobs and hobbies for added income and fun!

Cars? Two that can reliably get us where we need to go!

House? One in a prime location with a fantastic yard and so much potential. We've had so much fun updating it together. Plus in a few years we'll get to buy it!

Each other... yeeeeah it's sappy. But it's true. I've got a husband who loves me more than I could ever fathom, who encourages me and forces me to see the bright side of everything. Even on the dreary days, he provides all the smiles.

And the most important thing.. Jesus? DUH! And he meets EVERY need!


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So I wrote that last Sunday, and never posted it. And since that Sunday God has blessed us even more so than just covering our needs, he went above and beyond.

God is good, and oh so faithful.

Seek HIS Kingdom first, and the he will provide EVERY need and many of the wants that are best for you.. ;)

God,

Thank you for consistently meeting every need. You know the number of hairs on our heads, you knew what we'd struggle with before you created the Earth, and you love us with an immeasurable love. Help us to trust you in every circumstance, no matter how desolate some may seem. You are good, all the time.

Amen!

Full Circle(s)

This past weekend I got to spend some time with AWESOME women of God, one of them being my own Ma :)

I had been on one of these Encounters before, and it was equally as awesome. But remember the new name of this blog..Padrick in Progress... since my last encounter, a lot has changed. It's been 3.5 years since the last time I went. I didn't want to go, but knew I needed to. You see the last few months I've felt a stirring in my spirit.. one calling for more. But I've been scared. Scared of what "more" looked like. 

During the first session of worship before we got started on Friday evening, I couldn't even sing through the last 2 songs. I was so overwhelmed.. HE loves so greatly, and I was wrapped in it. As the songs filled the room I was reminded of all that has transpired since the last time I was there.

You see, the last time I was standing in that room, I was battling some issues that left me without any peace. Unforgiveness, insecurity,  and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. But Friday I stood with hope, appreciation, and a thankful heart for all He's given and continues to provide. I stood with a full trust that God is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He will do.

As I stood enraptured by his presence, I kept thinking "Full Circle, I've come full circle"...When I sat down after worship I jotted down what the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart.

"Full circle, and there are multiple circles - like olympic rings they bind and are stronger. He brings us around and links us to another. People, experiences, strength, a deeper rooted trust in his goodness and his faithfulness. He BREAKS our steel chains of bondage - anger, depression, fear, selfishness, lust, inferiority... and he links a GOLD, royal, unbreakable ring of His grace, unconditional love, peace - His Holy Spirit." 

Life is hard. BUT GOD gives us a way to face it with our heads held high. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Stresses bind us BUT GOD says that he leaves us with a Peace that the world cannot give. (John 14:27)

Our families seem to crumble BUT GOD brings beauty from ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)

Sickness and infirmity run rampant BUT GOD bore the whip so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

In all things.. BUT GOD.

He brings us around our circumstances no matter how hard, into the deep and out to the other side. And through that we see that there's so much more that God has for us. And then He wants to use us to bring freedom to those still living in the circles of bondage - fear, anger, bitterness, and just the hurt that comes with living in a broken world. 

Jesus makes us whole. He doesn't just allow us the opportunity to "get into Heaven".. but HE MAKES US WHOLE. When we choose to hold onto the baggage that is no longer bound to us, it's like saying his death wasn't enough. But it was. That death covered ALL... and his resurrection brings healing. He wants us to walk in freedom. He'll bring you full circle, over and over and over again. He'll teach you how to hold your head high and he'll hold it for you when you just can't seem to pick it up yourself. That's all He wants, for you to trust in the love that He has for you, and to live in the freedom that has come through the cross. 

Freedom. BUT GOD. Full circle. Trust. Insane Love. 

"I'm just doing the last thing he told me.."

I don't know if I've shared it on here before... but I have a serious love for Joyce Meyer. - If you don't know who she is, google her. She's a mighty woman of God who speaks TRUTH - and she's one who for the last two years has touched my heart greatly with the words God speaks through her.

Today I've listened to her sermon "What do you know?" 3 times! I highly encourage you to listen here's a link to Part 1 and Part 2.

ANYWAY - This whole act of "knowing" is something that God has been working with me on for the last few years - Joyce talks about how it's important that we not only take in knowledge but that there is divine revelation when we KNOW something - to know something so well that it changes our behavior and the way we live. (And by 'something' I mean God) She discusses how in the Greek language the word we use for "know" is translated into many different words.. like there's different levels of knowing. When we know that God loves us, and I mean REALLY know it, down in our core, we will live differently, we will treat people differently, we won't complain or grumble, we will be thankful 99% of the time, and we won't allow our circumstances or feelings dictate our behavior negatively or allow them to deter us from God's will for our lives.

This is something that I have learned through many trials and heartache - regardless of my circumstances God is good. No matter how I may feel, HE has plans to prosper me, plans to give me hope and a future. (Hebrews 9:11) - I know this, down to the deepest part of my core, I know this. Realizing this got me through many rough tear filled nights. NO MATTER WHAT I may be thinking or feeling, God is GOOD. HE will NEVER leave me nor forsake me. He LOVES me with everything. - Knowing these things changed my entire outlook on life. It erased every worry and fear for my future, it allowed me to be joyful even when I was angry or sad. Doesn't really make sense, huh?

Joyce mentioned the importance of setting aside time with God.. that even when we feel like we don't know what to do in that alone time, even if we just SIT there and wait for God to speak, that is enough for the moment.. and it's important. - Joyce said that it had been a while since she heard a SUPER direct word from the Lord about her Life.. she said people might say "Well then what are you doing if you're not hearing from God?" her response "Well I'm just doing the last thing he told me!"

"I'm just doing the last thing he told me." - Hmm.

This hit me. Hard. There's a certain situation in my life that is a good one, but it's been one that has been fought for prayerfully and ever so vigorously. And in the midst of the fight, I knew that it was worth it, I knew that it was for a much greater purpose than just for me to live out those "good" plans God has for me.. so many will be impacted if I am obedient to what God has asked.. When you get the thing you've been praying about, it's easy to rely less on God to handle that thing because now we have it! Why do we need to pray anymore? Right? WRONG! - It's the exact opposite, and I lost sight of that. Even though right now that thing is here - God hasn't told me to pray any differently.. so why did I stop? I stopped because the thing I was praying for was now tangible... so why pray for it? I could use my own hands and my own words to speak to it myself. Where as before, I was trusting God to handle it, HIS words to speak to it.

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Okay so I wrote that many months ago...maybe even a year or more ago.. and I never posted it.

But even now that word remains ever true.

To KNOW something in our innermost being allows our lives to be different. To KNOW that God loves us with a fierce, everlasting, unconditional love.. changes our outlook, builds our faith, and brings joy in every circumstance.

"I'm just doing the last thing he told me to..."

God has been on me about writing more, digging, into him more, and sharing more of what he puts on my heart. I have used every excuse to deter this, but it's time to do what he told me to do. I've been praying to see God's vision for Jake and I's life more clearly.. to get more of an idea as to where we will be in the next year, two years, five years....But what God keeps telling me, is to do the last thing he told me to. To seek him first, and to pray without ceasing. So I'll do that.

This new blog revamp - "Padrick in Progress" is pretty much a journal that I'm sharing with whoever wants to read. God asks us to "Be Holy as I am Holy" - and being human, that will always be a process. I will not reach perfection until I am standing in Heaven with Him...but on Earth, there should be progress.There should be revelations, realizations, and life changes that happen as I strive for Heaven.

As you follow, I pray that whatever you read would direct you to the one who's love covers ALL and abounds much.

-Taylor

Speak Life.

It's hard to take any type of criticism. It's hard to believe that anyone would disagree with you when you feel you've done your very best in that situation... The thing is, there will always be someone. Someone who feels you could have done better. Someone who feels you didn't do enough. And that's hard.

Growing up, I've always been a people pleaser. I wanted to do things the "right" way - so people would see that I was good, and that I would feel as if they appreciated me because I was good. As I've gotten older I've come to realize more that because everyone has an opinion, it's impossible to please them all. Someone is always going to disagree. Someone will always be there to criticize. Someone will get the wrong idea about you, based on an opinion they have or anger they've allowed to fester. It's disheartening, to know you've done all you could, but to someone else, it wasn't enough.

Bottom line, the most important being I answer to, is Jesus. - If I'm doing my best to seek his face, and to live out a life that brings glory to his name, showing his love unconditionally all the time, the opinions of other's don't matter. It's so cliche - we say it all the time. "Do what you want! People will think what they want!" There's a balance though, you don't want people to see you as someone who disregards every opinion, because God does speak through different people in our lives. I think it's important that we think about criticism when it comes, analyze where/who it came from, and decide whether it's something we need to address with ourselves or not.

It's important to think about where it came from, how was this person effected by me, positively? negatively? Is there an ulterior motive? Is what they said something to help better myself? Or were they tearing me down? - Just as God uses people to speak to us, Satan does too. He will use people to tear us down. - We've got to know the difference. We've got to be able to strike down any negative word from the enemy, as not to let it simmer and take root in our hearts. If that happens, we become the negative influence we don't want to be.. the same one that came down on us.

Something that has really stuck with me is our ability to speak life or death. It's amazing how a sentence that takes nothing but air and vocal chords to produce, can be more painful than a literal knife in the back. - I've made it my goal to speak life, be positive, and encourage with my words.

• 1 Peter 3:16 (NLT)

  But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

That verse pretty much says to "keep your head up" - Show love, and be kind. People will notice.