Seafood, Suntans and a Banana Split

There are always those moments that redefine our lives.  For me, traveling to Brasil, my dad's death, and the pregnancy and birth of my son Nathan have had a large impact on how I view life and how I live.  And now I would have to add going to the Branson Victory Campaign to that list.  

I first heard about Kenneth and Gloria Copeland when I was younger but really started to listen to them when Jerod and I started dating and even more so right after my dad died.  I know many people (Christians included) who don't like to listen to t.v. ministers or view them as the "name it and claim it" bunch.  But I don't see them like that, I see them as taking the Bible for what it is and living life as it should be.  If we're supposed to "Be Like Christ", then why are we sick in bed, worried about how we're supposed to get the bills paid and spend too much time wondering what to make for supper?  And I know I am guilty of all.

During the 3 days of listening to Kenneth and Gloria last month, I prayed that the Lord would show me areas that I needed to change that might be putting a hold on His blessings for me.  Very clearly, He showed me 2 things that I needed to do with our finances.  One of those things was pay money to someone that I owed.  Now, this individual had not been asking me for the money, nor do I think they even had expected its coming.  But the Holy Spirit had been reminding me of it for some time (like for 2 1/2 years) but I hadn't followed through with it.  So when Jerod and I arrived home, I sent the money off to that person.  I also acted on the other thing that needed changing and when the time is right, I will share that story also.  

Since I have obeyed, blessings have been coming in...  

Jerod and I went out for lunch a couple weeks ago and we just happened to run into my Uncle and my cousins wife.  I hadn't seen them for about a year now.  It was a nice surprise to the day and Jerod and I joined them at their table.  It was good to visit with them and they were glad to see Nathan.  They finished before us and went on their way.  When Jerod and I were ready to go, the waitress informed us that our bill had been taken care of.  :)  (Thank you Uncle Steve!)

A couple weekends ago, I found out there was free tanning for the weekend at the place I've gone to.  So I went, wanting to get a little color added to this pasty skin that had only seen light from the computer screen this past summer!  While I was waiting I signed up for their prizes, not know what they were.  A week and a half after that, I got a phone call saying that I had won free tanning for a year!

One of my favorite foods is ice cream and I am so glad to know that Frosties opened yesterday!! :)  For some reason I had been thinking about a banana split 2 weeks ago and how good it would taste.  (Yes, I'm one of those that dreams about food!)  Last Saturday, Jerod and I had a late supper after watching Mariah's dance competition.  We ended up stopping at Culver's on the way home.  They have some of the BEST ice cream and we decided to get some after our meal.  Well while we're eating, one of the workers walks up to us and asked it we'd like a free banana split since they had made an extra one!  Of course, I put my not-even-close-to-being-done hamburger down and dove into the split!  

I'm thankful that I decided to obey the Lord this time instead of put it off.  And I know that this is just the beginning of more blessings to come!  And so I'm asking you, are there things that you know you should be doing but are not?