Welcome!!!!

Hello,


Welcome to the new SC Belles blog.  I have had a craving down deep in my soul to begin a blog for my sisters in Christ.  I am on a new adventure with Jesus and He is leading me and guiding me in new directions every day. 


 You know, I learned a long time ago to be very careful about what you pray for.  That being said, it is not a good idea to pray for patience, attitude, or humility.  Jesus makes sure it comes your way :)


Two years ago I consistently and earnestly prayed for Christ to do whatever it takes to draw me closer to Him.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  That is definitely one way to draw closer to Jesus.  We walked that road together and I learned so much about Him and a few interesting things about me.  He brought healing to my body and my soul.  


In May of this year, those same yearnings and desires began to stir in my soul once more.  I thought, "Oh no -- here we go again!" I promise I will always be completely honest with you and it starts right here -- right now.  My first thoughts were not very Christian.  I began to wrestle with God and exclaim that I can not and will not go through that again -- especially not this soon.  


Within a few days -- ok probably like a few weeks -- I quietly became submissive to His will.  I surrendered my will -- once again -- and offered it to Him.  With that submission -- I felt Him wrap His loving arms around me and tell me -- "No, that's not what I want -- I just want you to do whatever I tell you to do."

James 1:22-25

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  If anyone who listens to the word, but does not do what it says, is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does.

I realized that He was calling me to Women's Bible Study -- again (YAY, YAY, YAY).  I was so thrilled.  I was jumping all over the place like a giddy school girl.  It didn't take long for me to find out that He wanted us to study the book of James -- ouch!!! That is quite a book -- with quite a few black and white directions for Christians.  


Now -- here is my God.  The next day -- after Wednesday night service at Renfrew -- some of the ladies who are working as care-group leaders in our youth department approached me and asked me to pray about leading them in a Bible Study.  God is so good!!!! I think I scared them as I almost jumped off the podium I was standing on.  I agreed to pray but I knew what the answer was.  


We have started the Bible Study and I can honestly tell you that there has NEVER been a time in my life when He is constantly and consistently on my mind.  I pray constantly, I meditate on His word, I am actively memorizing scripture, I sing praise songs constantly (my family loves that part), I am reading everything I can get my hands on.  It is like a spark that is growing within me and it gets stronger each day.  


Earlier this week, I was exploring the internet for some Christian material.  Specifically material for women -- ok specifically for Southern Christian women.  I read a few established blogs and even left comments on a few.  That night -- Jesus woke me up.  He sometimes likes to do that because there was one time I told Him to please always make sure I know it is Him speaking to me.  


He was leading me to begin a blog.  I have no idea how to begin a blog.  I thought I must have heard wrong.  He woke me up the next night.  I told Him, ok -- but you will need to show me how to do this.  In walked Elizabeth.  I asked her if she knew how to begin a blog and set-it up.  She grabbed the computer, hit a few keys, and asked me, "What do you want to call it?"  So here we are.


I am interested in sharing my heart with you ladies.  I want to have a forum where we can talk each day and share our desires and our disappointments.  I want to know what is going on in your life and how I can specifically pray for each of you.  This is the beginning.  


I don't know how often I will be able to post.  I don't know what we will talk about each time.    I do know that God knows and here we go.  Please join this adventure.  I am excited and I hope you are as well.  


I love you dear Sister in Christ.


Love,
Bonnie O