My Neighbor the Hawk

A hawk lives in this tree, in the field right across the street from my house.  Actually 2 hawks.  For those of you who do not know, I am absolutely fascinated by these birds, really any big birds of prey.  I recently moved to this city, where everyday, a lot of places that I go I see these amazing birds.  Many times I have been made fun of by my excitement over them.
Well, I'm going to tell you why, if anyone is reading, I am so excited every time I see a hawk.  Shawn  and I have been experiencing a new chapter in life.  Good and hard things, when I remind myself hard is not bad it's just hard & good is not always easy but it is good (thank you Carrie).  Ways in which the Lord is growing us in trusting Him, I am thankful.
Whenever I see this hawk, or any hawk.  I am reminded of the most comforting 2 chapters in the Bible to me- Job 38-39.  Every time I think- "Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars?" Job 39:26.  I am in awe that this amazing creature soars by the Lord's understanding, and I am reminded again just who my Lord is.
Thank You Lord for being Almighty God.  The One I will rest in for all eternity.

Christmas at the Wilhite's

The Lord has provided in so many ways this year.  We have a tree.  I just love Christmas!!!! This is our little fireplace and tree.

Hakan and Turan

Praise the Lord!!!!  After long years of trial, H & T have been found innocent of insulting Turkishness.  For those of you who still read my blog.  Thank you so much for your faithfulness in praying for these wonderful brothers.  Thank you for your prayers.  Please continue to pray for these 2 and all our other brothers and sisters in this land. 
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33895

Need or Want

I have been reading this book that is great. It is called "Instruments In The Redeemer's Hands." Tonight the chapter I read was about understanding your heart. About how we have desires, and are desires are constantly in a war with the Lord for rule of our hearts.
It talked about how when our desires rule our hearts we can begin to see our wants as needs, and as a result we get angry, hurt, or whatever when people are insensitive to our "needs." This is the source of fights, it's not that people are frustrating it is your own heart having sin. Also when our desires rule our heart we actually don't want God to be God, we want Him to just be our waiter and give us our "needs."
I have been babysitting these two cute boys, the other night one of them was crying because it was bath time and saying "But I need to play hide and seek, I need to!" Now I know he didn't need to play, he just wanted to, but he absolutely thought he needed to play hide and seek.
How many times do I do this? - I need my husband to...or he can be so frustrating when... I need her to understand this... I need God to... - How many times has the Lord looked at me and said "No Allyson you don't need that you just want it, I know what you need." Do I really not understand that He is the Giver, He gave me true Life.
James 4 is basically what the chapter of my book was talking about.
I pray that I would fight with all that I am with my members (or heart) to be totally and completely desiring Christ. That I would desire to serve others, and put them and their needs and wants first. That my desires would not rule my heart. Humble my heart Lord. Give me strength to not be deceived by my wicked heart, and to live in the grace Your Son gives to be ruled by You.

I know probably no one reads this anymore. But if anyone does, I hope this encourages, and challenges like it did me.

Moving. Bittersweet.

Tomorrow morning we are moving. Which we are totally excited about, especially what this means for a new time in our lives.
The sad part is we are leaving our first apt. We have lived here for 2 years. We have also been married for 2 years in a week.
We have so many wonderful memories here. We started our marriage in this little place. So tomorrow I am going to be sad leaving our little apt. I might shed a tear. I will also be very excited to continue life with my wonderful husband right beside him. As our lives change.
Thank you Lord, that you are always the same and everywhere we are. Thank you for bringing me this man to share life with. I know that I do not deserve it, and I am thankful.

So Others May Live

So I just watched a movie, that I have wanted to see for awhile. "The Gaurdian" great movie. One thing hit me hard. It wasn't the story which was a great one, or the emotional ending. It was the motto of the Coast Guard "So others may live."
It just made me think. These men and women everyday put their lives on the line, work, and train harder than most jobs in the world so others may live. They go out into the raging sea even when the US Navy doesn't go out.
Do we as Christians understand that we have the only true Life? Jesus! Do we understand that to live is Christ?
So I'm sitting here asking myself. Is my life so others may live? Will I go where even the "US Navy" will not, will I go where ever, whenever So Others May Live.
Will I give my life to the ends of the earth in training, working, serving, loving, and sharing So Others May Live?
Will I understand that to Live is Christ, and truly understand that I can live So Others May Live- because to die is gain.

The Golden Arches

Well Amy you are right I am an international blogger.
I went in search of food today walked a few blocks in this really interesting city, and you know what the absolute first place to eat I came across. Yes, that is right McDonalds.
Now I have to say there is something quite comforting in those arches, and the fries. Don't get me wrong I love trying new food, and tasting all of the different country specialties. But... When you have been ordering food that you don't really know what you are ordering, and sometimes its great, sometimes not. Every once in awhile nothing hits the spot like McD's.
What can I say fries are one of my comfort foods.