His Love Letter to You

My Child.

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.  I know when you sit down, and when you rise up.  I am familiar with all your ways.  Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.  For you were made in my image.  In me you live and move and have your being.  For you are my offspring.  I knew you before you were conceived.  I chose you when I planned creation.  You were NOT a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.  I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  I knit you together in your mothers womb, And brought you forth on the day you were born.  I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.  I am not distant or angry, but am the complete expression of love.  And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.  Simply because I am your Father.  I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.  For I am the perfect Father.  Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.  For I am your provider and will meet all your needs.  My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.  Because I love you with an everlasting love.  My thoughts toward you are as countless as the sand on the seashore.  And I rejoice over you with singing.  I will never stop doing good to you.  For YOU are my treasured possession.  I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.  And I want to show you great and marvelous things.  If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.  Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.  For it is I who gave you those desires.  I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.  For I am your greatest encourager.  I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.  When you are broken hearted, I am close to you.  As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.  One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes.  I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son Jesus.  For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.  He is the exact representation of my being.  He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.  And to tell you, I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.  His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.  I gave up everything I loves that I might gain your love.  If you receive the gift of Jesus, you receive me.  And nothing will ever  separate you from my love again.  I have always been Father, and will always be Father.  My question is... will you be my child?  I am waiting for you.

Love, Your Dad,
Almighty God

Fathers Day

My Dad.  Is someone I admire the most.  He is always there to hear my hearts cry, and listen to what I'm struggling through.  Steer me in the right direction, and correct me in a loving way when I am wrong.   I am who I am today because of him.

Some of my favorite things about Dad is his laugh, the way he is so involved in my siblings and my lives, and the way he loves Mom.

Today we celebrate him. 

My sibs and I have the best dad we could ever ask for.  <3

This is what we did for Father's Day. 

 By the way, Happy Father's Day to all the other Dad's out there!

We also played soccer, but I didn't take any pictures of that.  :)

I found a poem that I want to end with.

"Not many people can say

they have a true friend.

Someone that stands by your side

and shows devotion with no end.

The person that encourages you

to reach for your goals and dreams.

The one that understands the hardships

hidden deep within your soul.

That person that stays up at night

when you need a listening ear.

The only person in the world 

that knows your deepest fear.

That shoulder that you cry on

when life doesn't go according to plan.

They help you dust yourself off

and muscle the strength to stand.

That person you can count on

when times are good or bad.

Someone you're blessed with.

Someone, that I call Dad."

I love you Dad.  I am blessed to call you mine.

<3 Shayla

Saturday's Happenings

Today was slightly crazy. :)  This morning we realized, oh!  Tomorrow is Father's day!!  So Mom, my sisters, Coden and I went shopping for our dear father.  <3  Along with many other errands.

After lots of voting on what we should get, we made the purchase, and made our way home.  Chilled for the afternoon, and headed over to the community center in a village close by for an extended Thiessen gathering.  Now we are home, tired from the day, but looking forward to tomorrow. :)

Dad's Father's Day gift from all the kids, and mom!   He likes it. :)  #readingareafordad

 

In Wonder

When I see all that my creator has made, it leaves me in awe.  In wonder.  Something I think we need to do more often, (myself included!) is to stay in awe of the wonder of God.  Because he's so good.  So caring, and loving.  To think that he would pursue me, leaves me amazed.  I mess up, but he still comes for me.  Picks me up, and says, "Shayla, I love you.  You're made for me.  You will fall many times, but I'll always be here to pick you back up again.  You are never alone."  Nature reminds me of this.  That he still wants me.  Still wants a relationship with me.  And will never leave me.

Today, I am in wonder. 

Thursday Fun

Yesterday!  What a whirlwind!  (sorry y'all, it got too late to post this last night)  It was a mixture of driving, shopping, learning, and fun!

Mom and I went to the city first thing that morning for my violin lesson.  We drive an hour and a half  once or twice a month for my lessons, because I have an amazing teacher who is the principal violist in the WSO.  His wonderful gift for teaching, inspires me as a musician.

Shopping :)  and no, we did not buy this gigantic chair. ;)

 My dad's work was having a picnic at a place called Meadow Golf.

Waiting for the pizza to arrive!

Mini golf.  This was an adventure in itself!

  

  Pretty flowers along the way.  :)

Bumper boats.   People who didn't want to get wet, stayed away!

Lastly, but definitely not least, go carts.  Personally, my favorite. :)

That was the day!  :)

Cousins

I have an aunt and uncle, and 3 cousins, (on my Dad's side) who run an orphanage named, Ancla de Amor  in hot and sunny Mexico.  They have come back to Canada spend the summer here with family!  Welcome back to Canada Uncle Brian, Auntie Clarissa, Cole, Mason, and Leah!

My Week's Revelation

Have you ever been in a situation where you're looking forward to something, but then fear enters your head, and you can't seem to push it out of your mind?  Can't seem to get past that road block?   I have. 

For the past few months I've been somewhat living in fear.  Kind of like a caged bird.  And I could never put my finger on why this was happening to me.  Not until recently anyways.  Just the other day I was listening to a random playlist of music, and the new song "Not Today" by Hillsong United started to play.  It talks about telling Satan "no," and how we have the power of Jesus.  Which really inspired and encouraged me.

VERSE 1
Trouble won’t throw me
Won’t break me
Won’t scare me
No more
Fear must have thought I was faithless
When it came for my heart

PRE-CHORUS 1
‘Cause I got a song that will never die
I know Your love is the reason why

CHORUS 1
I’ll sing the night into the morning
I’ll sing the fear into Your praise
I’ll sing my soul into Your presence
Whenever I say Your Name
Let the devil know not today

VERSE 2
Tell me did the enemy panic
As You took up that cross
Tell me did the darkness cry mercy
As You rolled back that rock

PRE-CHORUS 2
‘Cause I know Your life is the life in mine
I know Your love is the reason why

CHORUS 2
I’ll sing the night into the morning
I’ll sing the fear into Your praise
I’ll sing my soul into Your presence
Whenever I say Your Name
Let the devil know not today
Whenever I say Your Name Jesus
Let the devil know not today
Not now not ever again

BRIDGE
Your love stood down death
Crushed the devil’s head
Fear is just a liar
Running out of breath
The fight beneath Your feet
I’m standing on Jesus’ Name
So let the devil know not today
Let the devil know not today No no
Not now not ever again Jesus
Let the devil know not today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm0_JkT0wSs

 As I was listening to this, it hit me.   I realized I'd been letting the devil steal my joy by using my circumstances to intimidate and push me farther into a corner I didn't want to be in.

During a certain situation I found myself in, I couldn't push the fear and doubt out of my head, but then I started saying this over and over in my mind, and declaring it over my life,"Not today Satan!!! Today, victory is mine.  The battle was already won, you are defeated, and you have no power over me."   

"And you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."  John 8:32

This is so true!  I declared the truth, and a peace swept over me that wasn't human.  It's a promise! God's promises never ever fail.

 Tell the devil to take the backseat, and speak victory over your life.  Because it is yours.  Jesus bought your freedom and victory at the cross.  It's time to claim what was given to us by our Heavenly Father.  It's time to spread our wings, and fly.