Canon

This is Canon,  she is the most mellow dog.  I mean it, all she does is sleep and sneak around the house to end up by you and then lay down and sleep next to you.  Because of recent events she has been getting more time with the family, and I’ve noticed that this dog is an attention seeking, snuggle, ball loving maniac!  She cracks me up with her constant need to carry a ball in her mouth at all times.

When we’re bored in the house, we’ll play who will Canon go to.  My kids have tried their hardest to have Canon come to them.  They’ll bribe her with balls, peanut butter, bones, yelling Canon lets go for a walk, but (very selfishly) if I call her, she immediately leaves them and comes to me.
My ever faithful, loving pup,  I hope you all experience the love of a dog :)

Have a great night world,
Love,
The Jesus Book Girl

Shimmer

Hello World,
This morning started off with a rough start, the kids were grumpy.  Heaven forbid, I made them read!  Oh no!  I'm a horrible mother, to make them read!!!  The angry looks, the mumbling, and then I called my parents.  And like the child that I used to be, I grumbled and mumbled to them.  My kids are being mean, and you two have to start staying home, this is called a pandemic for a reason, and both of you are over 65!

It was a rough start to the day, and then my mom and dad prayed for me.  Such a simple thing, but after that like the beautiful sun that shone today for us, it broke through my mood and it got better.  Friends, do you have someone praying for you?  Even when you don't want them to?  Even when the clouds are covering everything that could be good, I hope you have someone in your life who will pray for you.  If not, let me be that person :)

So we ended the day with the kids playing in the sprinklers and begging to give the dog a bath :)  I'm blessed that the sweet light was pleasant to my eyes and that the sun was out.

PS Canon was not harmed or mistreated during the bath and she now smells like fresh linen, not really but she does smell better ;-)

Random

Hello World,
This may be the most surreal thing I've seen in a while.  If you don't know, my full time job is an orchestra director with a middle school here in Texas.  I teach four beautiful orchestras each day and I am blessed beyond belief by their bright intelligent wit and love for music.  Each day is new, and each day is a blessing to me because I get to do something that I love.

Today I packed up all my curriculum, instruments, and snacks and went back to my house to begin a new way of teaching.  To wait patiently while our school district works through the logistics of going online, and working remotely.  They have been doing so much, going above and beyond.  I'm grateful for all they've done, but the reality of it still hasn't settled in for me yet. 

As we all leap in to this unknown, I want to encourage you to look into the Word of God, the Holy Bible, the living breath of life.  I pray that you find hope, I pray that you look into this book called the Bible that gives you so much.  There is too much random things that are happening in this world for you to not search out the truth.  If you're looking for answers, I can guarantee the Bible is the one place that will give you them.

Struggle

Hello World,
Never in my mind would I have thought how changing each day brings.  I am that girl who is a planner.  I literally have three planners (thank you Erin Condren), I make one week plans, one year plans, five year plans, and ten year plans.  My teaching curriculum and concert pieces are set up the year before.  Every binder is printed out for the students, and songs are studied and ready to go for me to teach.   Yes, my friends, I am that type of person...

So when I read this verse in James, it is a curve ball to my whole being.  The Coronavirus is something that took my plans and threw it in the trash.  Not only my schedule, but my kids schedule.  This truly could be something that is detrimental for me, if I didn't realize who is control.  It's not easy, and by golly I'm going to have to remind myself that if the Lord wills, I will live, and do this or that.  So these last couple of days I have learned to be flexible, and to trust in the one who wills.

And do you know what I've seen?  Some pretty amazing things.  Like Drew's martial arts coach giving him a private lesson over FaceTime.

I've seen friends sending information to ballet instructors who are teaching online during this time.

I've seen the Bagel Place of Amarillo, TX offer fair priced essentials like flour and eggs to their customers because the grocery stores are out.  I've seen friends check up on each other and family message one another.  These are trying times, but I hope you're able to see something good, and if you can't know that each day is new.

Instead you ought to say, "if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."  James 4:15

Love,
The Jesus Book Girl

Beauty in the midst

Hello World,
When I look back during this time of uncertainty, I want to remember an earnest heart wanting to know God’s ways.  At the end of this, I want to be a better person, someone who is willing to help.  Someone who is able to see the good in a person.

This verse hit me today.  have I learned the Lord’s way, have I followed Him fully.  I pray that I follow my Savior’s guidance and ways.  That I seek His truth, because God is my salvation.  May I wait all the day long for what God has for me, because He is my steadfast love. For God has been and will be forever.

Today I hope you grasp on to the path Jesus has for you and that you find the beauty in the midst of this trying time.  Love you all.

The Jesus Book Girl

Mercy Me Oh My

Hello World,
What a different perspective one day can bring.   The week for me was a bit scary, I realized that I had not changed out of my pajamas for three days.  My mind was going into the worst case scenarios and it wasn't leaving.   Today I read in Daniel about Daniel's plea to the Lord.  These verses were like a bell ringing in my head, a light that went off saying "Breezy, stop.  God didn't give you a spirit of fear, but of love and peace."

If you're struggling like I was, I pray today for you all that God bends his head down to you, and that your voice is heard.  That our eyes are open to the desolation and that He hears our pleas.  He is a merciful God who is always there. 

As a city may our Father God hear our pleas, whether it is social distancing, losing a job because of stores closing, or tightening of the budget.   Whatever has you in a desolate place, I pray in all of this may God hear each of your cries and answer.  Not because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy Father God.

Love you all, let me know please what I can pray for, or how I can help.  I would like to try to not only give prayers, but help as well.

love you all,
The Jesus Book Girl

Daniel 5:17

Hello World,
I have to admit these last few weeks have been eye opening to me.  How does everything change in a blink.  Oddly in my daily readings I have been reading in Daniel and Revelation.  In the midst of this I found comfort in the fact that Daniel went through much more.  This is not to say that others are not going through rough times, but for me it's a comfort to know that God watches over His kids. 

This verse in Daniel is in reply to the King of Medes who had a riddle to solve and Daniel solved it.  He didn't care about the momentary reward, or the comfort of the Kings favor, he cared only for bringing glory and honor to His God.  Friends during this time I want you to try and find comfort in our Lord Jesus.  He above all else is something real that you can cling to. 

Know that my thoughts and prayer are with you at this time, know that I'm praying for you all.

Love,
The Jesus Book Girl