Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."



Sunday, January 22, 2012

Weekend with the Farish's!

This weekend was a good one -- one that was not planned and unexpected plans made the weekend even better!

Friday night, we had a yummy Mexican dinner with my parents and it was so nice to just unwind with them after a long week.  It is so good for me to see my dad's spirits lifting since his accident.  Prayers that he just continues to heal!
Since being back in San Antonio, we have fallen in love with Mexican food to a new level... real Mexican food is delicious and something we definitely missed while we were away so we are making up for lost time (but just on occasion though, because if I ate as much Mexican food as I would like I would EXPLODE)!!!

Saturday, we (Reagan and I) both reached new levels in our cardio workouts and were pretty excited for each other!  We went to the grocery store -- something we are loving to do together (makes it go by faster and is just fun to have someone with you) ... we have some yummy healthy meals planned for the week!
Here is the fun part of our weekend... We got invited by a friend to go to a friends and family 5 star restaurant tasting for a new french restaurant that is opening here in San Antonio.  We jumped at the opportunity and were so grateful that our friends thought of us! It was a blast to get all dressed up (dressy cocktail) and go out and wine and dine at such a fancy restaurant for No Cost!  One of the Best dates ever!  We had delicious food and enjoyed getting to give our opinions on all the yummy plates we tried!  We definitely enjoyed this experience more than we should have, but it was a once in a life time experience and it is ok to indulge every now and then, right?!  We cannot wait for the restaurant to open and see how wonderful it does!! It was a wonderful evening and I was glad to spend it with my handsome husband!

Sunday, we went to church and then to the first part of the membership class for our church.  It was great to hear the solid/Biblical beliefs the church is founded on and how real and upfront the church staff is... and they are all sweet people... so that makes it even better!  We really have a peace about being here and feel that God is going to use us in great ways... cannot wait to see what is in store.  Next week is the second part of the membership class and where we get to ask all our questions to the staff.. excited to take the next step.  Oh, and we ended our Sunday night on a great note.  We went to a wonderful life group tonight.  The couples were fabulous and we had great fellowship... I look forward to see how God leads us in this part of life and if this ends up being the right life group for us! We shall wait patiently and see!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Get ready for another week!!!


I will leave you with this sweet picture of me and my hubby on our fancy date!  

Love this man to pieces :) 



Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Canvas

The sermon series at our church (Crossbridge) has been incredible and at times left me speechless at how our preacher has allowed God's truth to be spoken through Him so that we as a church can hear the words and scripture God needs us to hear.

The sermon series is called Canvas.  Our preacher has been talking about allowing God to paint our life story and how we can align our lives as Christians with how God is trying to move in us instead of taking control.  It has been powerful and words I have needed to hear.

The first sermon, our pastor (Kirk) started off by having a painter come and paint this elaborate picture and towards the middle of the sermon he filled his hands with black paint and smeared the picture and said that the black paint represented our sin and how are sin messes up the plans God has for our lives.  Though, because of Christ and the price He paid on the cross we find life and hope through Christ and can be reconciled to Him and yield our life to God and the plans He has for us.  WOW!!! ... my God did that all for ME, all for US.  When Kirk described the sermon that way and lined it up with an illustration I was amazed.  I was amazed that God can love me that much (faults and all) and still use my life to tell a beautiful story.  It is incredible knowing that no matter what life you have lived or the sins you have committed, God wants to use each one of us... we just have to give ourselves to God and become His child so that the Spirit can move in and through us!

During this sermon series, I have been reflecting on times in my life when I have tried to paint some of my canvas and only give God certain parts He can paint.  I know this brought sorrow to God because I was not releasing my whole life to Him, but it is hard to let go (at least for me).  Though, even when I held on to parts of the story God still gained greater glory and showed me that He can paint a way better story than I can ever fathom.  SO... with all that said... this sermon series has caused me to reflect and try the best I can to give everything over to God.  Because I want to allow God to transform me to be more like Him; I yearn for God to shape my character to be more like Him.

I am tired of worrying (especially right now with all the uncertainties in my life). I want God to paint so that I can just step back and smile at His magnificent work -- because in the end His picture will always be more beautiful than mine.  So I am going to try my best to give it all to Him because trying to paint a couple strokes and allowing God to paint a couple is getting exhausting and I am tired of trying to out paint God because in the end He always knows best for me and my life.

So, I write this on here to keep myself accountable and to share how God is moving through me right now because I do not want to forget.  I want to remember how this sermon series has made me feel and made me realize to step back and just allow God to paint and stand in awe of the magnificent plans He has for my life.

This is just where I am at and I hope this causes people to stop and think...

God is painting a picture on a canvas larger than the universe, and I am allowing myself to align my life with it and the plans God has for me.

I pray that I do not paint my own canvas any longer, but I allow myself to be reconciled to God so He can paint my canvas for me.

What are you painting on your canvas -- are you painting or is God?

Romans 11: 33-36 -- "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever. Amen."'

Thursday, January 12, 2012

We are Family

I think the best thing about being back in San Antonio is Family.  I love that we are no longer 4 1/2 hours away; we are about 5 minutes from my parents and about 10 minutes from Reagan's dad and stepmom (depending on how fast you drive).... it would be awesome if Reagan's mom and stepdad and sisters would move here this summer then everyone would be in the same city!! I love being able to care for my dad during his healing process and be his driver :).  I love that we can go to dinners with family and just laugh about nothing.  I love that we can go to sporting events for our brothers and cheer all we want.  I love that the people that love us the most are the ones that live so close.  Family is everything to us and I think living close to them again has shown us what really matters in life.  Because at the end of the day, friends will come and go but family will always be there no matter what.  Just feeling grateful tonight for our families and the little family Reagan and I have together; it is nice to be around everyone and then also be able to come home and be our own little family.  Makes me smile and my heart is just so full.  Tell your family how much you LOVE them today, because everyone needs to hear those words EVERYDAY!




Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”


Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New Beginnings in 2012

Let's just say that I think 2012 holds some pretty great things for the Farish family... things that may be expected and those unexpected.  We have only been in the New Year for a couple of days and I feel as if God is already turning our world upside down... in more ways than one. I wish I could elaborate on all the great things, but nothing has fallen into place yet and there is still much praying to be done.  I just know that the more I give myself to God, the more God is growing me and opening my eyes to endless opportunities.  I just pray that over the next couple of weeks and months that I will be so in-tune to God that I will know exactly what He is leading me to do... and leading us as a family to do!

Disclaimer: the great things to come is NOT a baby, for all you sweet/crazy friends out there that the thought might cross your mind!  Do not get me wrong, I would love a baby and would cherish that beautiful gift, but Reagan and I are still loving life and it just being us and the quiet time we have with each other.  SO NO, my great news is not that I am expecting!

Reagan and I are doing well. Busy. The New Year started off quicker and at a faster pace than we expected.  Though, we are finding time to spend with each other, which was difficult towards the end of 2011 and going out of our way to spend time with one another... love being intentional with my hubby... shows that spending time with him is more important and way better than anything else.
 Also... I came across this awesome Chrisitian couple blog that my friend Jen told me about.  It is amazing... like seriously I want to meet these people.  It is called, "Today's Letters" and it is under my blogs that I love to read and probably couldn't live without if any of those blogs were taken away from me.  So, anywho, go and read their blog... their cute ideas will make you want to be giggly and lovey with your husband and make you fall in love with him all over again.  Let's just say in 2012 we will be using a lot of the ideas that they have shared on the blog because we just loved them all that much! So seriously, read it!! Their blog will make you smile and your life better... it has already started our 2012 off in a great way :)

Follow up: My dad is in a slow recovery process.  Though, I cannot say thank you enough for all the emails, texts and phone calls to check on him.  Definitely warmed my heart to see how much our friends and family care about us.  He is doing as best as could be expected of him right now (since he did just shatter all the bones in his right arm).  The surgery went better than the surgeons expected (even if it did take them 5 1/2 hours) to get his arm back to a workable/normal looking state.  He is still in a lot of pain... so just continue praying!  Physical therapy starts next week (which is going to HURT so dang much) but the surgeons want him to start moving his right arm so that they can get him back to full mobility (they are not sure at this time how much movement and motion he will have in his arm).... so with that being said--- PRAY PEOPLE!  Pray that Physical therapy works miracles because my dad is right handed... and he has already had some crazy sad moments with tears that he is afraid he won't be able to do things he once could do before the accident.  For this girl, daddy's one and only princess, it is hard to see my daddy cry for fear of what may lie ahead and be in such immense pain.  SO, with all that info out in the open... please. please. please keep praying... we all (our whole family) will covet your prayers so incredibly much!

Love to all. dinner is calling...Greek grilled chicken with grilled asparagus and lemon butter pasta... I know your mouth is watering...whose wouldn't?!

Psalm 143:8- "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the 
way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."