How to overcome...

I said I'd share how I overcome in my last post... since then I hit a mental block as to how I should put it into words. One of my best friends just sent these scriptures to me as encouragement. I found it very fitting to use this as my blog post as to "how I overcome". God blesses us with particular friends to help get us through difficult situations. Through His Word, His strength when we have none and His blessing of positive friends and family I overcome.

I hope these scriptures bless and encourage you as much as they did me:

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope
Psalm 147:11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Proverbs 24:14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Romans 4:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
1 Timothy 4:10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Hebrews 11:1 [ By Faith ] Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

(Love & appreciate you Angie!)

Do you struggle??

Ok, today is a let's get real day... A fellow blogger asked me when I first started blogging what I wanted my blog to be based on, what I wanted the theme to be, well I really want this blog to be about encouragement for myself and others. A place where I can go and share God inspired thoughts and stories with my friends.

I also want it to be about honesty...SO today I need encouragement! I'm putting this out there in the hopes that some of you will see this and realize that you are not the only one with struggles and that together, with God's help, we can get through. My husband said something on Sunday that has stuck with me this week, "God does not want to hurt us". That's SO TRUE! I have gotten sucked in recently to being all about me and my struggles and what's making me sad but God does not want to hurt me, He wants to bless me. If I can stay there in my mind, I'm at ease but is that an easy place to stay? (Feel free to comment about that!)

I truly feel like the Hubbard house has been under attack, the enemy found a few windows for a sneak attack but we are shutting those windows! I'm sure some of you are curious as to what our struggles have been, well we've been dealing with the loss of our cat, Downy, who was in my life for about fifteen years. She was my girl! We all loved her very much. She was very sick for months before we had to put her to sleep but the last few weeks were awful. I'm sure some of you do not connect with animals and I understand that, but the Hubbard family does so this made for a very sad and emotional time at our house. Another BIG thing that we are dealing with right now is our infertility. I've never blogged about this but to sum our situation up, my husband and I have been trying to have another baby for a little over three years. We conceived our sweet Abigail with no trying at all, we were off birth control for three months, did what we needed to do :-) and Abigail came into the world thirty-seven weeks later. We are considered an "infertility mystery", on paper we should be able to have as many children as we want. For the last three years I've found comfort in God's plan being perfect and have said over and over that we want what God wants, it's true - we TOTALLY want what God wants. But to be honest with you, I haven't been able to find comfort in that for the past month or so. I've prayed all along that I would not be the girl who couldn't go to baby showers or be happy for friends and family that were expecting. I'm sad to report that I am kinda that girl right now. It's awful, I feel guilty for feeling this way. BUT I know that I am human and that those feelings are normal and ok to experience. I have prayed for and been there for girlfriends going through the same stage, I receive that it is ok and in my heart of hearts, I do trust that the Lord's plan is perfect. I haven't really been mad through this wait but I am in a bit of an irritated state right now. My poor hubby and daughter, they have been dealing with an ill wife/mommy recently. Please pray for me and my family!

SO... those are two big things I've been dealing with, a death and not getting my way. Very normal things for any of us to have to deal with. But it's hard isn't it?!?! Let's stop here for today, I'd love to hear what your struggles are and what helps you overcome.

The next post will be how I overcome... God is ABLE, I'll start with that!

Proud Mommy

I fell in love with my daughter the second I found out I was pregnant. I have enjoyed watching her grow from infant to toddler to now a mature little four year old young lady. I find myself being more and more proud of her each day, I hear from parents of older children that it only gets better, I look forward to it.

My daughter decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love last winter when her Daddy explained that I donated my hair to the same cause after we were married. She expressed her desire to donate her hair so we ventured down the road of long knotty hair which included many impatient moments from Mommy, Daddy and Abigail as we used the dreadful hairbrush! Bless her heart, it was tough to brush her hair after bath time when it was wet but brushing it when it was dry after a long day at daycare was nearly impossible. Let's just say it was not her favorite thing to do! She wanted to cut her hair all summer but she remained patient until we arrived at the projected ten inches needed for Locks of Love. We made that long awaited trip to the hair salon last week where the famous Mrs. Wendy who has special lollipops cut Abigail's pretty blonde hair ten inches shorter and right in front of our eyes Abigail transformed from a child to a young lady - with the cutest new do I might add! She was so excited, thrilled might be a better word! I don't know if it was the cute cut or the sugar from the candy she was eating but she was a happy little girl.

This is one of the many things that impresses me about my daughter. Her willingness and desire to share with someone in need melts my heart. I am thankful for the caring spirit God blessed my Abigail with and know He's going to use it for His glory.

Check this link out if you would like to donate your hair to a great cause...

http://www.locksoflove.org/