memory verses and a few things.

1. I feel like my blogging is not up to par lately because of my new job situation. I'm working for the company I was certified through: Interactive Fitness Trainers of America (IFTA). And I've been on constant learning mode since I'm just beginning. Thus the lack of blogging time. But I am very thankful for the awesome opportunity and am loving it so far! Praise the Lord!
2. Speaking of getting certified, I passed my group certification with a much higher grade than I expected - a 95! This calls for another PRAISE THE LORD! (But what shouldn't call for that?) There are IFTA events all over the country if you are interested in getting certified in group fitness, personal training, cycling, kickboxing, yoga, pilates, aqua, senior fitness, youth fitness, and more! So either visit IFTA's website or just talk to me about it if you want more info. :) For my NC peeps - there's one in Raleigh next month!
3. The Rangers made it to the World Series again! Why does this matter to me you may ask - it's not the Red Sox. BUT it is my cousin Josh Hamilton! I encourage you to read about his story and how the grace of God has changed his life in amazing ways. GO RANGERS!
4. I have to confess - I haven't completely mastered the Scripture passage memorization that I wanted to have completely memorized by now. But I plan on working on it tomorrow and saying it to my friend Lindsay tomorrow night at Bible study - she always asks me about it and keeps me accountable! Love her!
5. The new passage of Scripture that I want to memorize is Isaiah 43:1-13. Yes, I know it's a lot, but it's SOOO GOOD. I have got to have this in my mind. I just have to. Anyone want to join me in the undertaking? :)
What's crazy about this is that I was meditating on this passage literally a few minutes before our crazy - scary - Jordan losing his wedding ring - ocean incident. Little did I know how verse two would speak to me personally veryyy soon!
¹ But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
      O Israel, the one who formed you says,
   “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
      I have called you by name; you are mine.
 ² When you go through deep waters,
      I will be with you.
   When you go through rivers of difficulty,
      you will not drown.
   When you walk through the fire of oppression,
      you will not be burned up;
      the flames will not consume you.
 ³ For I am the Lord, your God,
      the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
   I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
      I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
 ⁴ Others were given in exchange for you.
      I traded their lives for yours
   because you are precious to me.
      You are honored, and I love you. ⁵ “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
      I will gather you and your children from east and west.
 ⁶ I will say to the north and south,
      ‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
      from the distant corners of the earth.
 ⁷ Bring all who claim me as their God,
      for I have made them for my glory.
      It was I who created them.’”
 ⁸ Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,
      who have ears but are deaf.
 ⁹ Gather the nations together!
      Assemble the peoples of the world!
   Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?
      Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?
   Where are the witnesses of such predictions?
      Who can verify that they spoke the truth?
 ¹⁰ “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
      “You are my servant.
   You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
      and understand that I alone am God.
   There is no other God—
      there never has been, and there never will be.
 ¹¹ I, yes I, am the Lord,
      and there is no other Savior.
 ¹² First I predicted your rescue,
      then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
   No foreign god has ever done this.
      You are witnesses that I am the only God,”
      says the Lord.
 ¹³ “From eternity to eternity I am God.
      No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
      No one can undo what I have done.”

That's the NLT if you're wondering. How amazing is that passage? I love how it expresses our salvation and what God has done for us. We are so unworthy and He is so merciful. I will never get over it.

6. Sweet Holly from Perfectly Imperfect gave me a blog award today! I'm so honored! But I'll talk about that tomorrow and award some other people. Get pumped for that. :)