Today is a very special day for me. It is a birthday and an anniversary all in one. Sixteen years ago today was the day that I heard JESUS knocking on the door of my 12 year old heart, and opened it up and asked Him to come in and dine with me. It is the day that my need for a Savior became real to me, and I repented of my sins, and accepted His proposal, and became betrothed to the Lover of my soul. I was born again of the spirit, and He made all things new. Oh, what a day!

I had been in church since I was 5 weeks old. I knew the Gospel well. My mother read Bible stories to me every night and I would always say my prayers. I knew how to pray, and I did often. I believed in Jesus. I knew He was for real. But, I suppose that because I had not committed what I saw as any “horrible” sins, I didn’t think I had to “do” anything to belong to Christ. That all changed on a chilly evening in March 1993. There was a revival at a near by church. My mom’s friend invited us and even offered to pick us up. I can still remember what I wore that night. I was so excited to go because a little fellow was going to be there that I had a “crush” on. I was so young and foolish and thought this might be a neat way to get to see him. Granted, this was before God renewed my mind and placed His convictions of saving my heart for future husband within me.  Things turned out a lot different than I had planned. I went there looking for a boy, of all things, and I left with a burning hunger for Jesus. It had never dawned on me that this Jesus, this God-man actually wanted to come and LIVE inside me and walk with me and satisfy all my longings. I never really dreamed He was a relationship God! I was intoxicated with the thought that God would seek me out, that He desired me. I don’t even remember what the pastor preached about that night. I just remember that God revealed Himself to me in a way I had never seen Him before. When I went home, I began to talk to Him in my room. “Lord, please forgive me of my sins. I’m so sorry”. I actually prayed that prayer for several days to come, as the enemy would come in with doubt. I remember collapsing in tears one day over the washing machine asking God to forgive me.  And it wasn’t long until I KNEW He had!  He filled me with JOY overflowing! I could barely concentrate on my school work for writing prayers and love letters to Jesus in the back of my notebooks! I couldn’t stop smiling. I had to tell everyone I saw about Him! I was floating on a cloud of peace. I had never experienced such joy in my entire life! I was in love! Utterly smitten and lovesick with a God who called me out of my sins to live for Him… a God who came down to my level in order to capture my heart… a God that became flesh and suffered that I may go free. Nothing ever came of the boy I went to church to see that night, by the way. It was all just a “set up”. God knew exactly what He was doing! I began the day of March 29, 1993 excited because I thought I would get to see someone special at church, and I went to sleep that night with the eternal Bridegroom forever reigning in my heart. Isn’t God amazing? He gives us SO MUCH MORE than what we are looking for or even ask of Him. He always gives what’s best and perfect, better than we could ever imagine.

Today, I stand humbly thankful to God for keeping me under His wings of protection and grace for 16 years! More than half my life!  Life has not always been easy. In fact, it has rarely been easy. Jesus never said it would be, but He is has been SO INCREDIBLY FAITHFUL every second of every day. He has been so steadfast and constant, full of love and grace! Praise His Name! The darkest days with Jesus are 100 times greater than the sunny days without Him. Oh, how true it is!

As I reflect on the day that I made a vow to follow Jesus forever, and I remember the indescribable joy that overwhelmed my heart, I am convicted to chase after His heart even harder today, to live daily in His presence, to be open to all of Himself that He has to pour inside of me. I must continue to decrease, that He may increase. He always fills the hungry if they ask Him. If we diligently seek Him, we will always find Him! As I look ahead to my future in Christ, my prayer is a lot like a worship song I happened to hear a few days ago:

I want to be unmovable and unshakable, so that my roots go down deep.

Unmovable and unshakable in You.

And I want to be like a tree, planted by the streams of Living Water.

I want to be found faithful.

I want to be found steady.

I want to be found faithful until the end.

I want to live before Your eyes.

I want to stay before Your gaze.

Just keep me steady here for all my days.

Do you remember your “honeymoon days” with Jesus? It’s so easy to become complacent and stale. But Christ desires a Bride that has a heart of passion for Him and His ways. I want to be that bride today. A heart of passion will not tolerate compromise. A heart ablaze with love for God will loathe disobedience. Oh dear Lord, please come and set our hearts on fire for You again. May we be smitten with You and all that You are all over again today!

Last night, God gave me a really precious “birthday” present. I hosted a baby shower for some dear friends expecting their 10th, and a dear sister that I had never met before said something to me that really touched my heart. We had only just introduced ourselves to each other, and she asked me how many children I had. I told her that I was not yet married, but waiting on God’s perfect way and time. A look of shock came on her face and she said, “You’re not married? I can’t believe that! You just look married. You have that “married” look. You don’t look available. You look taken…” My heart was about to burst! Then, she said, “I guess it’s because you’re just so married to the Lord.” Wow! What a BEAUTIFUL gift from God on the eve of my 16th birthday in Him to allow a stranger to tell me that I look married! I didn’t dream that I “looked” married or I didn’t, but the conversation caused me to think even deeper and ask myself a question. Am I so in love with Jesus that people I see and talk with and interact with every day- family, friends, strangers, can see His love on my face? This is a question I purpose to ask myself each day. And dear readers, I ask you to do the same. Because truly, when our hearts are right, our countenance reflects that. From this day on, I want to always “look” married, because I am! I am betrothed to the Lamb of God, and you are too!

Thank you for sharing in my celebration.

Blessings to you today!

. . . captured by my camera.

 I thought you may enjoy some sweet moments from my side of the mountain today.

Since he’s been in the hospital, my dad has really been into holding hands…tightly! He doesn’t want to let go. It’s a sweet change. Today, in the hospital room, my dad, my mom, and I all had a cat nap. He was holding onto her hand with all his might. He held mind earlier. He was more awake today than yesterday. He said “yeah” weakly for us several times in response to questions, winked a lot, answered, and repeated what we asked him to. I’m thankful that today, I still have him.
 

It’s planting time again! Finally, after 6 weeks of ups and downs with my dad’s health (and believe me, there are still so many uncertainties. We received more bad news again today.) and an unusually bitter cold and snowy, icy winter, I was able to squeeze in time to go and dig a few rows to plant my lettuce, onions, and peas this evening. I was later than I had hoped this year, but it should be okay. It was so nice to get outside and be in the garden again! It was such a beautiful day! What a gift to be able to plant and tend “organic” crops!

A friend of my garden, Mr. Earthworm

Ready to throw out some lovely pea seeds. I’ve already set up the trellis for them to climb.

Onions lined up and ready to be “buried” so they can live!

Yes, it’s true. I’ve always liked going bare foot! It was so warm today I couldn’t stand to wear my garden shoes. The rich garden soil is the one thing that I permit my otherwise girly toes to get dirty in. Size 6.5 with long bony toes, I inherited my toes from my Grandpa and both my parents have small feet. I know some people aren’t very fond of  feet. I kinda like them

My darling cat Charlie comes to check out what I’m planting this year. So curious!

What do you see when you lie down in the grass and look up at the sky? I snapped these while taking a break in the back yard after planting.

I love making bread! I haven’t made it in awhile, but recently I finally got my Challah bread just right using fresh ground wheat. Challah is a Jewish egg bread, for those who may not know.

Charlie has had a hard day, and is all “tucked in” in his little bed. He loves for me to play with his feet when he’s sleeping. God made him so adorable!

Thanks for letting me share my ”precious moments” with you!

“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever”.

Isaiah 16:11

Because of Jesus,

Candace