Victory...

With God, there is give and take.

I must give.
My self, my life, my regrets, my dreams, my past, my future.

He takes and in return gives me back His perfect plans. The plans I do not see. If I saw them all right now, where would the zest of life be?

People tell the story of the aggitated speck of dirt in the clam shell that with enough time and some pain, in the end a beautiful pearl is created. I remember and tell the story right now to awaken new hope in your life and in my life. Things will not always seem perfect in the beginning, they may darn well hurt for a time, but in the end it will all have been worth it.

Now is the time of reckoning. It is the time to take charge of the pain and give it to God.

I am giving it to Him in exchange for what He has in return...PERFECTION.

Today, I have just won victory for myself through my Lord Jesus Christ. It was not easy but He made the way.

I thank you God, with the sacrifice of my life, with my song of praise, and with all that I am.

Blessings~
Amber

Saying Goodbye to the Past...

I sit here at about 10:50pm on this 29th Wednesday of December and ponder the vast reality that there is a reason things must be let go of. "How do I do this?" I ask God. How? I have no clue sometimes yet deep down I know what I must do. It no longer becomes a matter of literally letting go of something, but it's more of the mind set that must be let go of. I HATE this! You finally think that for one second you have this under control then BAM! It smacks you right in the face and makes you question everything you have "leaps and bounds" grown away from for the past year and a half! How does this happen? Why does this happen? Why is it so hard? Why does it still hurt? Why do I feel broken? Will I ever be whole again? Will I understand? Will I be satisfied?

It terrifies me, I have to be completely honest.

I know that God hears every shudder in my heart. I know He is probably thinking, "Child, why do you do this to yourself?" I can't help but think that I can take all of the troubles in my world upon my shoulders...I realize I can't now.

So when does all of this turn from defeat into victory, sweet victory? That is what I am here to determine.

I asked God for the courage and strength to shut the doors of my past and to keep them shut to allow the new doors He has in wait for me to open up according to His plan.

I must say, it is a  work in progress. I know I have a  ways to go but with the steadfast remembrance of my Father's heart for me, I will not give up.

Today, I allow Holy Spirit and Father to write the newest chapter in my book. I wonder what it will be titled?

Fireworks...

There is one thing I know to be true, we are all made to be lights of Christ and I randomly happened across a Katy Perry song(surprisingly, her parents were preachers so she knows some truth) that is the perfect example of the life I want to lead. I want to be a firework for all to see.

Every year at Christmas time, my two best friends and I go out for dinner, look at lights, and exchange Christmas gifts. It is a special time for us 3 girls to spend some time remembering why we love each other so much....we get to ignite the sparks in our hearts for one another yet again, year after year.

So here's to the fireworks in my life.

I love you.

The 5 o'clock laptop.....

So, it is the day after Thanksgiving and my sweet little sister had the bright idea to go BLACK FRIDAY shopping! She is crazy! However, I did reap the benefits! On her way to Wal-Mart at midnight, she asked me if I wanted  a laptop. I pondered the thought and didn't honestly think she would beat the crowd of electronic hungry die-hards. Well, I was wrong and now I am the proud owner of a pretty sweet HP! I am not complaining! I have needed a computer of my own for quite some time but never broke and got one! Brooke did it for me. She waited until 5am to get our sweet little gifts and for that I owe her!

So here is a thanks to my little sister:

To Brooke, my sweet little dear.
How I am glad it was you that awoke this morning with cheer.
As I slept away, with warmth from a cover,
It was you standing on isle 9, with people all over.
I was dreaming about the things I possibly would like,
And it was poor you, who didn't get your griddle.....right?
Oh, maybe it was your waffle maker, that blasted 3 dollar steal,
If you'd only wait for Christmas, maybe you'd get one, for real!

So this is for you Brooke, the determined girl I know!
Thanks for my laptop, I owe you fo' sho!

Still More...

I feel like there are a million things to tell you but I keep forgetting! Just like me....to forget. It's funny that I talk about forgetting. I was just telling a friend the other day, " You know, I must be forgettable!" At work I get papers all the time that say, "Amanda".....for goodness sake, I AM AMBER! Something else happened and I can't put my finger on it right now but yet again the nagging sound of "Forgettable Amber" popped inside my head.

I rest in knowing that one day, yes one day, I will be unforgettable.
I know at least my Father in heaven knows exactly who I am and that's all that matters.

Anyways, it is officially HALLOWEEN and my family and I are sitting around watching Sherlock Holmes at 12:33am! We are suckers for LAAAAAATE night flicks!

I love it! The great thing is we sleep in every chance we get and no one is ever disturbed until 11:30 or later in the morning! Thank you Lord for sleep! :P

On that note, I will share a couple of pictures with you from Friday. My co-teacher and I were "Best Friends" at our Halloween party. The kids loved it and constantly asked us to connect to each other!

Allison and I

Our Kiddos

We had such blast! The kids had hot-dogs wrapped like mummies, yummy cake balls and monster apples! These moms were the greatest! They set up the party, provided the decor and foods, and cleaned up!

Hooray for being a teacher!

Blessings~
Amber

So....... I am still Miss. Palacios :)

Yes, I am!  I realize that it was just a dream to think I may actually be proposed to Thursday night from someone I barely knew! It's ok though, I am glad to know I am just not made for a "rock-star"! I learned alot about the artists I saw. God did so much in just those few hours to show me that His life and gifts are worth more than a concert everyday of the week. Not the life for me. There has to be more to true worship than a gig every other night.

God is not just a gig!

Anyways, overall the experience was one that I am glad to have had and I dearly love the music from these guys but I still want to know the heart of the matter, in their music and in their life.

I bet you are wondering, "Didn't she get to ask them?"
That's another story!

The woman at the front desk told me to arrive at the venue at the wrong time so I missed it!

Shucks for me but I have found that I probably wouldn't be any more accomplished had I got to ask.

As for you, here are a few good pics of Jars of Clay and Brandon Heath.ENJOY!!!!!

This very sweet lady took this picture for me while Brandon signed my stuff! I didn't even know she did this!

Welcome song

Both bands came out and sang the first song together!

I think I took this one while he sang "Love Never Fails"

PERFECT!

Right in front of me!

Bye Brandon

Hello Jars of Clay!

Jars

Brandon

What can I say, He is so cute!

Rockin Out!

Goodbye

Ashley, Shawn, and Me

Jars of Clay, Brandon Heath, and ME!!!!

Ash and the guys!

AHHHH !! It's been FAR too long!

Hi my friends!

Well, I write to say that it is almost the END of October and lots of new things have happened!

1) I have finally settled into a new school year! My class of 4yr olds are great and are learning so much already.

2) I sing on the worship team at my church, I never would have thought I would be helping out with lead and harmony vocals.

3) I have purchased a gorgeous white coat that I have had my eye on for quite some time.

4) I am writing new music.

5) I have not traveled back home since September 4. (That's a VERY LONG time for me!)

6) I have sold 3 items on my ETSY website......go check it out! www.amber33.etsy.com

7) I had a revelation of God's love in a different way that I am OK with where He has me and what He is doing in my life at the present moment and in the future.

8) I have a newly engaged little sister. Albert, you are a lucky man!

9) I went to a William's Ranch Party in Alpine, Tx! It was pretty nice considering the man owns pretty much every mountain there!

10) I am the owner of the 3rd Artist Circle ticket to see BRANDON HEATH and Jars of Clay this Thursday.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to know that if all goes as I think it will, I get 30 minutes of talk time with both bands, front row seats, and autographs!

I don't even care about the autographs, I just want to ask these men where their heart for Christ lies? I want to know the inspiration of their music. I want to know if God wakes them from their sleep and sings to them a new melody to bless the world with. I want to know what it is that God has charged them with and how they make it through everyday on the road.

I have so many things turning in my head it is crazy!

I like both artists but I really enjoy Brandon's stuff. His lyrics relate to me more I guess. He seems like a pretty cool guy and I hope to hear some amazing things from both of the bands.

I guess I will see in a few days!

So, to God I owe my greatest gratitude to bless me with this highly anticipated honor! For Him I will shine and let the world see.

$45 for Artist Circle Ticket =
30 minutes of QandA
Signed Poster
Front Row Seating

Possible shot at being the future Mrs. Brandon Heath...... PRICELESS!

Pictures later my friends!

Blessings to you!
Amber