A Thorn in the Flesh...

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, ^K)">for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

There could not be better verses to sum up a situation I've been dealing with for quite some time. I'm a relatively nice person, and get along with almost everyone I come in contact with. But of course there are some people I naturally connect with easily and others that are more work. However, I've been giving a THORN in my side. A thorn that has been very very very tough to deal with. It's caused so much distress in my life, that sometimes it makes me just weep. But I know that I have to believe that because I am weak, Christ is the only one who can make me strong. I spoke with a dear friend of mine today over lunch about this situation, and she spoke some really good truth into my life. She said, "Leticia, your identity will never be found in what others think of you, but only in Christ. People who know you, and know your heart would never be convinced otherwise." Those were words I absolutely needed to hear. It's just a tough situation when you hear over and over how bad of a friend you are, who how much someone "hates" you it gets so frustrating, especially when I've tried to rectify the situation and have gotten no response. Part of me has believed a lot of the lies I've been told.

Matt preached a sermon last year sometime and he said something along the lines of this, "You can't expect the lost to treat you how those who have the spirit inside them would. Just let it go. You have to quit holding them to the same standards of your Christian friends." I do need to let it go, but letting go is so hard when there is so much hurt.

Please pray for me! I'm sorry I can't be more specific, just know that I've been dealing with a lot and I just needed to get it out there.

where did May go?

Well it looks like I let an entire month pass without posting anything on this blog! I don't really think anyone reads it anyway, so I don't think anyone noticed.

This past month has been a whirlwind. Work has been NUTS as the last few weeks before summer are always crazy. I work in the summer, but even just trying to get the kids out the door is still alot of work for the entire staff. Graduation is on Saturday, and I'm so excited to see some of my favorites cross the stage! Our school is combining forces (downtown location & south location) next year all at the South Location where my office currently is. There are TONS of changes this upcoming year, and I'm not even sure what to make of all of it yet. We shall see...

Im so glad it's SUMMER! And even though i have to work, I feel like it's summer, and work will be much less stressful, even just in decreasing the amount of people that are around. I hope to catch some sun, hang out with friends, and figure out what the Lord wants me to do with my life.

anyway... I'll leave you with a picture. my dear friend, Candace got married in the middle of May and this is a pic with her. These three girls are three of the greatest girls I've ever known. I can't wait for Mandy (on the far left) to get married in October! Yay!

Over and out. Have a great weekend!!!!!!

P.S. Texas is playing in the Super Regional this weekend here at home against TCU. HOOK'EM HORNS!

My dear friend...

The Lord has really blessed me with a lot of good friends in my lifetime. One is pictured below. Her name is Tanya! She and I were pretty much instantly friends upon meeting in February of 2008, and have walked together through so much over the past 15 months. There have been many joyful times, and some sad times. I think we've both seen each other at our best, and our absolute worst. She's been a constant source of encouragement in my life, and I'm not sure what I would do without her advice. We are completely opposite, as she is a DIE hard aggie, and I bleed Burnt Orange, she's super girly, and I'm not, she could shop all day, while I'm content with finding exactly what I need :) But despite our differences, our common love of the Lord is what has made this friendship what it is today. I'm so thankful for many friends in my life, and I hope to post more about my great friends in the future.

How I love you...

My soul will forever sing how I love you, Christ.

Btw, I love that song. If you've never heard, you should download it.

I was reading in Philippians last night and came across this verse that I've been pondering on a lot today,

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all thing to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus MY Lord, fo whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, bu that which is through fiaht in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His ressurection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:7-11

I want this verse to be true in my life. I want the things of this world to be rubbish to me for the sake of knowing Christ. I want Him to be enough for me. But I know that often times He's not. I know that often times I fail Him, and chase after the desires of my own flesh. It's such an ugly thing to admit, but I know it's the truth. My prayer is that every day I would live for the sake of His gospel, for the truth found in this verse. I know it's easy to say, but it's often hard to live. It's hard to live for Christ sometimes. This world, America, has everything my heart could ever want, but has nothing that I need. I needed that reminder last night when I read that verse. This world can fulfill some of my "wants" for a short time, but Christ will fulfill all of my needs for eternity. I want to live my life living out that truth and know that Jesus Blood is the only thing that will never fail me.

Do you find it difficult to live out that truth at times? Am I the only one?

I hope you have a great weekend!

A glimpse of Heaven...

Every Sunday during worship at the Austin Stone, I feel like I get a small glimpse of what Heaven will be like one day. A glimpse where every hand is raised and in awe of our precious, Savior, redeemer, and lover of our souls... Jesus. The way the spirit moves in those services is like nothing that I have ever experienced. Last night was just ridiculous. I opened my eyes at one point and every single arm around me was raised. It was beautiful. The love of Christ that's poured into my life overwhelms me. Last night I had one hand raised and one hand over my heart and my heart was racing. His grace and love overwhelm me to a point that is indescribable. I'm so thankful to be a part of a Church that lifts his name above All names. Yesterday's message was amazing, and the video after was like nothing I have ever seen. I've already we watched it this morning, and it brings me to tears each time.

I love Jesus, and what He's doing through His people at the Austin Stone. May we give Him the glory today and forevermore.

Please take a moment to watch this:

http://www.vimeo.com/4125092

He is Risen.

Feels like Home...

This is the actual slogan for my hometown, and it could not be MORE fitting for what this place feels like. I'm actually headed out of the office here in a bit to hit the road to go home for the first time in 3 months. This is the longest amount of time that has ever passed in my time away from home, without going back for a visit (I left in August 2002 for college). It's so crazy! But I'm so thankful to go home... where the streets aren't busy, where it's quiet, where I can drink really good sweet tea, and listen to country music.

Brownwood, Tx.... truly does feel like home.

Over and out! have a great weekend!

NYC pictures...

Alice's Tea Cup. If you are in NYC any time soon, GO EAT BREAKFAST HERE. best tea/scones I've ever had!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Broadway!

Us hanging out in the City!

In The Heights

I went to the D.R. (sorta), I went to Washington Heights and ate a traditonal Dominican meal and it was fantastic.

Juniors Cheesecake. Yes please.

.... we are not "tourists". So we have no pictures of the Statue of Liberty, The Wall Street Bull, Rockefeller Center, etc. Hahah :) I love New York City.