Its a new year!

Hello Friends, It is a new year! 

As I reflect on the lessons I learned this past year. The theme seems to be Peace. I have become more aware and more exposed to the peace that comes from getting intimately acquainted with the Holy Spirit. This has been such a great journey. It started in January when I came across the SO LONG INSECURITY by beth moore material. I think I might have blogged on this topic but in a nutshell--I began to find peace in the great relationships I had right in front of me. Rather then look at what I wanted to be better in my friendships, marriage, etc I found myself thankful for what was good. I have learned that what you stare at grows--what you focus on is what you see! So if I focus on the bad--I am disappointed but if I focus on the good then I am grateful! The peace came when I began to let God influence the expectations I had for my relationships. Bottom-line I have a great marriage, I have great friendships, I have people who pray for me regularly, I have people I pray for regularly, I have people that I am invested in, I have people invested in me! ...This was only the beginning of my journey of peace...

Isaiah 26:3 YOU WILL KEEP IN PERFECT PEACE HIM WHOSE MIND IS STEADFAST,  BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN YOU. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you...You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! A few different translations..

This verse came to me mid-year and I spent a lot of time soaking(by soaking I mean memorizing, praying for a deeper understanding of it etc) in this verse.  At the Flipside Women's Ministry Retreat weekend in September I had a "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR MOMENT" when Dante had a terrible mtn bike riding accident and basically went blind for 3 days. During those three days I was filled with an indescribable peace that I will never fully understand...I was beautiful and I cannot put words to the encounter I had with peace but it left me wanting more... when that weekend was over and Dante's eyes were healed I knew that would not have been able to feel His perfect peace without a huge trial. It is a scary tension to live in...Do I really want more of his peace? ...The reality is no one wants more trials right? So maybe I should not seek this perfect peace...

where I land with all this is Yes I want more of His peace and I TRUST the journey that God has carved out for me so I will seek it and remember that God is victorious!

I finished off the year reading everything I could that would help me get a deeper understanding of the peace that lives inside me...1,000 gifts by Ann Voskamp, Sanctuary of the Soul by Richard Foster, Too busy not to pray by Bill Hybels, Teresa of Avila's autobiography, just to name a few! 

I wish I could fully explain what I am learning but for 2 reasons I cannot--1. I don't have that much time(gotta pick up my beautiful daughter from pre-school) 2. I don't think I have found the words yet to fully explain what is happening inside of me.  It is really good and as I reflect on all I have learned and look to what this new year will bring. I find myself recognizing that I have only just begun this journey. . . So I will continue to seek more of His peace ...

The scripture I have been lead to this NEW YEAR is Psalm 23 --I plan to memorize it...

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want, He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me beside quiet waters  He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

peace be with you, It is my hope to write again soon! 

MOMMA AVILA