Monday, December 27, 2010

Almost 4 years!

I can't believe how fast the time went! It feels like I've had her for about a year now.
{ I've decided to do our "4 year anniversary post" early because I probably won't be home for the 'official' day. }
On January 20, 2007 at about 1:00 on a Saturday afternoon, I was given this beautiful horse... Shelby.  This was one of our first rides.



2007 Giving my nephew, Tyler, one of his first rides! :-)


Photo Credit: Caitlin Savino
2008
2009
2010

She was a complete gift from a family friend. She had originally wanted $3500 for her. There was no way I could afford her, I was only 14. So after a few months of NOTHING, she told my dad she'd give her to us for $1500. Still, I couldn't do it. More months past. Then, she spontaneously decided to just GIVE her to me! She said she had been praying for a girl who just wanted a horse to ride and have fun with........ :)


}God is so Good{

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

His love is unfailing...

I am so thankful for Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that He loves me even when it seems like no one else does. Even when it seems like I'm having a bad day or nothing's going "right", He's always there to pick me up and help me to 'start anew'. I am so thankful that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for me. To save me from my wicked ways. To give me a hope and a future. I am so thankful for His Word. I am so indebted to Him that I can never-ever repay Him for all He has done, is doing, and continues to do for me. He is amazing. He is my Savior. He is my everything. He is the Risen King. He is my Heavenly Father. He is God only wise. He is my Maker and Redeemer. He is the Everlasting Father. He is the Prince of Peace. He is the reason for the season. :-)


"He is teaching me to follow Him — joyfully, expectantly, hopefully, and faithfully."

Friday, November 26, 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

~Life Lessons from God~

Well... I'm back at HQ. I got here somewhere around 5:30 this morning and I'm super tired! And I have to be up by 5:30ish tomorrow morning. But God is good and I will survive. ;) I'll be going back home Wednesday night and then I'll come back here the following Monday. I kind of feel like I've had a lot of moving around and such lately but honestly, I don't really mind. That much. And besides, God's teaching me to be flexible! ;)

It's been really good for me here though. As much as I really, really want to be home, I know that God wants me here for a little while. I'm not really sure how long, but I trust Him with those details. ;) He's in control and He knows exactly what's going on and why it is. My job's not to plan, my job is to trust and follow His leading. It's extremely hard sometimes....okay, a lot of times..... but God is faithful, just, kind and loving. All I need to do is rely on Him completely. Which is easier said than done, but He's teaching me!! Actually, He's been teaching me a lot while I've been here. For example, a few weeks ago I was taking an order for a homeschooling mom over the phone and she was in her "nice phone voice". Ya know those voices mothers get when they're on the phone with someone outside of the family? ;) Well, she was in her super nice voice. And if there's one thing that sort of annoys me, it's a "nice phone voice"!
So, the whole time she's telling me which books she'd like to order I was thinking to myself how she should just talk in her "normal" voice. Well, right when we were exchanging our "have a nice day"s, she asked how to spell my name. I thought it was kind of awkward, but just thought she was taking it down just in case she'd call back asking questions about her order. Wrong. She was writing my name in her prayer book so she could pray for me! She then asked how she could pray for me. No, you can't even imagine the horrible feeling I had inside of me. That stunned silence for a minute made her ask if I was still there. I almost started crying right there on the phone! But I didn't. She then left me with a verse of encouragement and blessed me with joy and peace and then hung up. Wow.

God knows exactly how to get us. He knows exactly where it's going to hurt and exactly where it's going to help. He is always faithful in teaching me these "little" lessons. Daily.

God is amazing. He's becoming more and more real to me everyday. I love how He teaches me HUGE lessons in little things. I love the small things He does to show me that He loves me. Like the time I was sitting at my desk and it was the day God had "officially" told me He wanted me there (that's another story in itself!) for a little while longer. I had said a quick prayer in my heart saying, "Lord, I will follow You where you lead me. Just please help me to do so and be with me." Immediately after I was done saying that, my eye caught something in my Journal.... it was the verse at the end of the page that said, "Surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age." I mean, if that doesn't say "I love you", then I don't know what does!!!!

I love even the smallest of things to others is a huge mountain top experience for me! And personally, I like small, effective lessons. :) I like the little things.
For example, big, huge, hour long testimonies aren't as heart moving to me as the smaller ones on how people conquered the little "thorn". Now don't get me wrong, big, huge testimonies have their place and praise God for all that He has done in your life, but I just enjoy the testimonies that are about the one thing that meant so much to you personally.

Well, anyway.... yes, God has been amazing to me as of late, and I pray that He will continue to teach me His "little lessons of the day", and that I will stay faithful and not stray!



Many Blessings to anyone who reads this!!! :)


In Christ Alone,
~Gianna

Thursday, November 18, 2010

~Fall~

....beautiful fall. I love the colors of the leaves. Especially this............... :)