Just Hold On!

How often do we tell people that? How easy is it for us to tell other people to "Just Hold On!"

Working with preschoolers has just taught me so much about a lot of different things.
I find my self many times through out the day telling these kiddos to hold on. When they ask to go to the bathroom. When they ask if they can switch centers. When they ask if they can have a hug. etc...

I have been thinking about why my answer is "Hold On" and not just "Yes" or "Sure! Go ahead!" Well my conclusion is, that I know the best timing. Obviously when we are in the middle of the pledge of allegiance, its not the best time to go potty.

Well, in thinking about my sweet little preschoolers and their lack of understanding the appropriate time for things, it got me thinking about when we ask God for things and he says "Just Hold On!" It's not necessarily a "No!" It is just that he knows the best timing for us!

There have been a couple things in my life recently that I have been asking God " Okay, What about NOW?" and His answer is "Just Hold On!"
Can I just say that I am SOOO thankful that he has said that!? It is so hard sometimes to wait for God's timing but if we can Just Hold On, then what He has for us will come at the perfect time and fall into place better than when we thought it should. Praise The Lord!
Let me just speak from experience that when He says " JUST HOLD ON!", He knows what He is doing! Let him lead. Enjoy the fact that we have a God, who knows what is best for us!
He makes all things beautiful in HIS time!

Blessings,
Taylar

My Summer Adventure.

My Sweet Friends and Family,

If there was a post that I could say that I have been THE MOST excited to write about, I think this one would be it. God has just been doing some amazing things over the past couple of months, or, over the past 21 years but it is just now starting to come full circle.

Some of you already know that I have accepted a summer job postion with Horn Creek Family Camp in Westcliffe Colorado. I am very confident in saying that this is my MOST favorite place on earth. Some of you know that while I was growing up, this place was a very special place to me and my family. So last year when my family and my mom's brother and his family were trying to decide where to go on vacation, this was an obvious first choice for many. We rented a

B-E-A-UTIFUL vacation rental home in the Valley. It truly was an AMAZING trip. Our trip was full of memories: hiking, singing, white water rafting, laughing and soooo much more. ( That's what she said! According to the prophecy).

On our way to Westcliffe, I think I was worse than our little ones traveling, as I was the one asking "UMM... are were there yet?" lol. ( For those of you that know me, patience is definitely not a virtue that I posess) haha. Anyway, like I said, we had the chance to go to this place that so many of my families memories were created. While we were in Westcliffe we had the opportunity to go walk around Horn Creek. While we were walking around this place, I was overwhelmed with floods of emotion. I was overwhelmed by God's presence. Looking all around me, I was surrounded by God's creation. When I was at Horn Creek walking around, I felt a peace. A peace that can only come from the Holy Spirit. I felt God tugging on my heart. I felt him saying " This is where I want you to be." I had to ask " Umm now? or When?" Well at that point, it was already too late to apply for a summer position for 2010. So, back to Kansas I went. I had thought about applying for summer 2011 and there were some things that I thought were just not going to make it possible. One of the biggest ones being Fear. I have never lived away from my family for more than a couple of weeks and so I was deciding whether or not I was going to apply. So, me being the stubborn person that I am, ( Now I won't say which side of the family I get that from), said "Okay Lord, show me that you want me there. Prove to me that this is where you want me to be." And I didn't hear anything and didn't hear anything and still, I didn't hear anything for a while. For about 8 months. (Side Note: I remember having a chat with a dear friend of mine. I was talking with her about a different situation and I remember asking her "How do I KNOW that this is what God is calling me to." She then said to me "Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you just have to make a decision and pray that you made the right one and that the Lord is going to bless the decision that you made because all you want to do is please Him and bring Glory to Him." Wow! She is such a smart cookie! Another friend I have said " Just put on your big girl panties, stop being a chicken and just do it." )

So, as scared as I was, I put on my big girl panties, filled out an application, got my references and sent in my application. The next thing that I did was pray, pray, pray and then pray some more. I have a heart for ministry and I knew that without a doubt this would be more than just a summer job for me. This was experience for me in ministry.

Well, about a month later I heard back and they wanted to set up and interview. The Interview was only one week away from the day that they emailed me, BUT, that one week seemed like FOR-E-VER (said like the kid from the sandlot haha). Well obviously the interview went well because I am going to Colorado this summer. I am so way excited about all that God has in store. His plan and timing is perfect. Even when it doesn't seem like it or is a huge step on our part. I could not ask for a bigger blessing. I don't know how much access to the internet I will have in Colorado BUT, I will be getting on here to update my blog. This is the first of MANY MANY MORE to come. I will also have my phone with me and my email is taylarjoy_01@hotmail.com . If you would like my phone number to text, then email me and I will give it to you :) I am going to miss my Family, my church family and my youth peeps, but I KNOW with out a doubt that what God has lead me to, he will bring me through and guide me the WHOLE way. Praise Him, Taylar

A few of my favorite things...

This morning as I started my fingers to the keyboard, I was determined to write something profound and life changing. I wanted for once to just write something that would "strike a chord" in someone. However, since nothing I write this morning seems to be coming together, I figured I will just share a few of my favorite things since 'tis the season for such things. :)

1. Chai latte's from starbucks.
2. Comfy clothes.
3. Laughter with friends and family.
4. Driving.
5. Snow Falling and Fireplace's.
6. Christmas lights on people's house.
7. Karaoke with my amazing aunt and uncle. *side note: let me just tell you that they can definitely rock it*
8. Nail Polish.
9. Thanksgiving festivities.
10. Road Trips.

Be blessed on this Friday.
Taylar

Say hello and feeling alone.

Tonight was one of those nights where I just wanted to stay home, curl up in a ball and cry. Just to be completely honest. However, I didn't get such a privelage. Instead, I had an even greater one. I got to hang out with some pretty awesome teenagers known as the Grace Baptist Youth.(Side Note: They make me smile). Anyways, tonight we were chatting about God and how to get to know him and hear him. We watched a clip from the movie "I am Legend." We watched a scene where Robert Neville (will smith's character) walks into the store after everyone on earth (including his dog a.k.a his Best friend) dissapears. When he walks into the store, he sees the mannequin standing there. He says to it " Just say hello, I am talking to you and I just need you to say hello."

When you watch this scene, you can see his state of loneliness, and hear the dispair and the desperation in his voice. The desperation to know that he is not alone. To know that SOMEONE is there to talk to him.

There are SO many times when we feel alone. There are so many times when we act that way towards God. The way that Robert did towards this mannequin. We get to a point where we feel alone and we just cry out to God "Please just say hello, Just let me know that you are here."

I will admit that this past week I have been feeling that way. I have been crying out to God in desperation. However, I have been constantly reminded that in Hebrews, God says, "I will never leave you NOR forsake you." I love that when we cry out to Jesus, he ALWAYS makes himself known. Sometimes in a gentle reminder like this verse, and sometimes in a more abrupt way. Either way, God meets us where we are at. Even if that is in a state of complete loneliness and total desperation.

What an awesome God we serve.

Love and Hugs,
Tay

Starting Over... and the Power of prayer.

Here it comes. A new blog. A new Journey and Just starting over. Sometimes, that is JUST what people need. God has put soo many things on my heart lately. I have been thinking about prayer and living my prayer life in the attitude that Jabez did in 1st Chronicles. Jabez's prayer was simple but no Doubt powerful and in return God blessed him. A lot of times we get caught up on how to pray, what to say, how to even start the prayer ( Dear God, Heavenly Father, Father, Jesus, etc..) that we miss the point of the whole concept that it is simply spending time with the Father. The God who created us and knows us inside and out. So the past two mornings I have woken up and prayed the prayer and was expecting God to do something huge. Well to my knowledge, I was going to say these words and poof God was going to show up and do something huge. This morning as I was sitting and writing out some of my thoughts and prayers, I had this question pop into my head. It was, "Are you sincerely praying this prayer or are you praying it because you think God is going to bless you because you say these words that Jabez did"? Snap and Burn. I knew that it was God talking to me and saying," Girl! You need to be doing this because you want to surrender your life to me and allow me to do great things through you." WOW!!! after that, I felt about an inch tall. I know that God has laid this prayer on my heart for a reason!!! I just really have to remember that it is christ who is going to work through me. He is going to answer my prayers and show up but we have to be sincere!

And Jabez Cried out, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." 1Chronicles 4:10
Father this is my prayer. Sincerely :)!!

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen",
and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember whenI stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

This song is the song that puts perfectly into words the state that I feel my life is in right now. Thank you Casting Crowns :)
-Tay

Come Home Running

"Come home running, his arms are open wide,
His name is Jesus and he understands
He is the answer you are looking for
so Come home running just as you are."

These words that you just read, are from a song that Chris Tomlin wrote. I tried to attach the file that allows you to hear it but didnt know how to. So if you want to listen to this song, you can to go projectplaylist.com and type in the song called Come Home Running.
Anyways, the reason that I chose to write about this song, is because this weekend, I was at the FIRST ever At His Feet Ministries Ladies Retreat in Niagara Falls ( previously known as Tulip). This song was one of the ones that we played as a worship team. Kimberley was teaching me this song and while I was learning it, I was thinking to my self I like this song its got a nice tune and the lyrics were powerful, but thats all I really thought about it. All day saturday, I couldnt get the chorus out of my head. The words were playing over and over and they just wouldnt leave.
All through the day, I was really looking forward to doing that song. We had dinner and then came to session, Come home running was part of the worship set. It was a good time and the words were powerful but when I was up there singing and playing, I was so focused on the words and making sure I played the right chords that I really didnt focus on the words.
Anyways, My mom got up to speak and she did an amazing job (as usual). When she was done, there was a time of comeing to sit at his feet and just deal with what is going on in your life. Kimberley and Jason played and sang during this time and I swear that when they sang the chorus, that the words were changed around. I heard a sound of almost someone singing this to me and I know exactly that it was God. He was singing over me and This is what I heard,
"Come Home Running, MY arms are open wide,
MY name is Jesus and I understand,
I AM THE answer that you are looking for
Come home running just as you are."
These words spoke louder than anything I had heard that weekend ( yes, even louder then Tania's scream). It seemed to hit me like a 2 by 4. I knew then that HE WAS CALLING ME. Honestly, when i heard those words, I wanted to get up and leave the room but it felt like physically wasn't capable of doing so.
You know, there are so many times when God is speaking to us and that we get up and leave or walk the other way to avoid what he has to say to us.
I am a very stubborn peron ( now i wont say who i get that from hehe) And have so many times, got up and walked away when I knew that God was calling me. It seemed this time that he was saying, " NO, I am not letting you get up, I am calling you. Let go of all the hurt, worrying and doubt, and Come Home running."
This weekend was hugely refreshing for me as it probably was for everywoman *and man* in that room.
Thanks mom for that reminder that God is calling out for each and every single one of us and please remember that...............

GOD IS CALLING YOU
Love,
Taylar <3