How could I ask for more?

So I was inspired by a family member that enjoys sulking up the sun while laying on a comfi blanket in the soft grass...I tried it today and I'm HOOKED! I was sitting there feeling the warmth sink into me and the breeze carry me away, thanking God for such a beautiful creation He has made. A thought crossed my mind..."Lord, you do more than just sustain me, you amaze me!" Later on I read this chapter in Isaiah. It described all our Heavenly Father allowed his son, Jesus to go through. And I wonder with all this beauty, wonder, and loving sacrifice that's living in me...how could I ever ask for more?

Thank you Jesus for not only giving us what we needed, but unimaginably more!

"Despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief...we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. We all are like sheep that have gone astray; we have turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter...He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people...There was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief."

Isaiah 53

Love~Rebekah

"My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God my Savior has ransomed me!"--Chris Tomlin

Welcoming Espanol in my life...

I grew up in a small southern town and was taught French 30 minutes a day.
I went to college and tested out of foreign language so there was no need for me to take any more French classes.
I lived in Canada for a summer and had one friend who spoke French, Jasenth.

...So why am I in an Elementary school, teaching English to Spanish children and learning their language? why have we been based in Del Rio for flight training??
These are questions that have been going through my mind. The only thing I do know is my God is up to something cool! Do I know what he's preparing me for....um no, but what's new :)

I do however know that He has taught me through this experience many things that have changed my perspective on teaching and compassion for people that we may not always understand. We are called to love even those who we may not understand. Never has it been so challenging and rewarding to teach. It makes me want to do cartwheels down the hallway when a student said an English word, on his own, for the first time today!!! Or when a little girl finds the courage to walk down the hallway of this new big place, all by herself for the first time!! These experiences have become a gift that I will always cherish from God.

So whatever is to come, whether it is in Ingles or Espanol...I open my arms and say "lets go for it" because I know my Father is guiding me every step of the way.

Adios Amigos!
Rebekah

"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances!" I Thessalonians 5:16-17

Showers of Joy :)

The Showers have come and the joy is here!! The joy of our engagement has continued to grow as we have had our first two showers and have been able to see family and friends at them! We have been so blessed by wonderful memories and amazing gifts! It gets me so excited when I think that we get to use all our
wonderful things and start our exciting adventure in 2 1/2months!






I've also been able to have the fun and cherished experience of making my veil with my grandma! I can't wait to put it on and walk down the aisle to become Mrs. Rebekah Brazell :)

Thanks family and friends!! I love y'all and couldn't do life without you!!!

Love, Rebekah

***Plan B***

Mrs. Cofield once told me that "Life is all about how you handle Plan B". She told me this about 3 months ago and little did I know I would be sitting smack dab in the middle of that truth now. In the past few weeks I've had to explain my situation more times than I'm able to count...people wondering why I'm not getting my Masters, why I'm not teaching full time, why I'm still living with my parents and so on.
It's funny because a year ago I thought I would be teaching in Lexington for three years to pay off student loans and then go to get my Masters in Administration at USC. Um, yeah...little did I know I would fall in love. Just writing the words "fall in love" melts my heart. I think of all my plans and I think of how much joy, laughter, and fulfillment I would be missing if I hadn't moved to Plan B. AKA: meeting Mr. Right 8 years ago and having him stand by my side (sometimes being the only one keeping me from falling) and showing me true, untainted, unwavering love.
Justin and I are also at Plan B...no we don't know where we will be moving for flight training, we don't know when, and no we really don't even have definite plans of where we will be living while we wait....but it is still 'fine and dandy' with us. You know why??? Because we FINALLY get to be together. After 4 1/2 years of separation, even during 3 of the summers, we get to be with the ONE and ONLY ONE person on this earth that fulfills all our dreams and will be there for us during Plan B, C, D, and so on!!
So yeah, sometimes life throws you a curve ball, but I'm learning that God's plan is the faithful plan. He will provide and give you joy through all seasons of life, planned ones or not. I can honestly say I'm happier now than all 3 years of Plan A in college. My position as ESOL Sub has made me feel so fulfilled, and needed. I am able to impact students lives that may not feel welcomed at any other point during the day.

My God is so FAITHFUL. He has taken me from the miry pits of anxiousness, pain, bitterness, and distrust AND brought me to Himself - a safe haven of peace, comfort, strength, and guidance.

Please pray for us as we enter Plan B with "on the edge of your seat" excitement for the adventure to come :)

Love, Rebekah

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!" Zephaniah 3:17

A Sanctuary

A familiar hymn unveiled an unfamiliar feeling in me yesterday. As I was sitting in the old chapel of our church admiring the glow from the stain glass windows we began singing...

"Lord prepare me to be a Sanctuary

Pure and Holy

Tried and True

and with Thanksgiving I'll be a living

Sanctuary for You."

The word "prepare" brought my heart and mind to a standstill. So often we forget that this life is to prepare us for a Kingdom and a King not of this world. Sometimes I feel like I am sitting on the fencepost enjoying the ride and not pressing on to find more in areas of my life and become more in the areas of my being. That push, that strive is what I consider God's preparation for whatever is to come. By pushing me to go deeper I am able to look forward to where He will send me and what He will ask of me. When I have these intimate moments with my Creator, I find myself falling even more in love with Him and my desire grows to be a pure and holy sanctuary for the Holy Spirit to live.

100 and counting

My friend, Morgan, emailed me yesterday and reminded me that in less than 100 days Justin and I are getting MARRIED! We are so excited! Everything is really coming together and I couldn't ask for a better support group of friends and family members. We had a great summer together and Justin left Friday for Auburn. God has taught us a lot through our premarital counseling couple. I've seen Justin grow so much to a man that I can trust, follow, and love.
Please pray for us to have wisdom, growth, and joy the next three months as we prepare for life together :)

We love y'all!!
Rebekah

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You." -Psalm 56:3

***The Happiness of the Fourth***

The Fourth was full of happiness this year. Not only did my family have a fun-filled day together, but I was able to spend The Fourth with the Brazells for the first time, at the beach. This trip was extra special because we were able to see Dan for the first time since September '07! He was home on R&R - it was so great to see him with Erin and Baby Daniel. I'm so grateful for those who gave this country it's freedom and those who keep it free and safe.

This week was also the second week of a new Bible Study I've been doing..."Victoriously Frazzled Women". I have slowly learned how to relinquish control of my life and give it to my Savior. I have experienced the feeling of 'lingering' with God: being disinclined to leave His presence.

Justin and I have continued to enjoy our time as an engaged couple. Striving to please our Father by loving the way He loves: 1 Corinthians 13.

Overall it has been a fun and special week for all of us!

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres. Love never fails." -1 Corinthians 13:7-8