Esther 5

Today, we read about Esther taking the first steps of the plan and inviting Haman and the King to a banquet before she asks her favour.  

I found it very interesting how Haman boasted about all this to his friends and family: 

Then Haman gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, and boasted to them about his great wealth and his many children.  He bragged about the honors the king had given him and how he had been promoted over all the other nobles and officials.  

How often am I like Haman and boast about such little things in the eyes of God.

Little did Haman realize that God was moving through Esther in big ways, but he was too concerned about his wealth and promotions to see the big picture.  

It's also interesting how he goes on to say how this is all worth nothing since Mordecai was still sitting at the palace gate with no fear. 

The courage that Mordecai is showing is awesome and such a great example to live by.  

I pray that I will be able to live my life as Mordecai and trust God, and less like Haman- living only for the things of the earth.  

What have you learned in reading Esther 5 today?

Esther 4

In this chapter, Mordecai learns about the decree to kill all the Jews.

Esther asks about the decree and then is told the famous line from Mordecai: 

Don't think for a moment that because you're in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed.  

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. 

Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?

Though I have heard this line many times, the above lines really hit me today while reading them. 

I am learning more and more that God truly does place you in every small and big spot you are in for a reason.  It is my job to take advantage of the situations I am placed in and make the difference in the lives of those around me.  God puts people in my life for a reason, and though I am just one person, with the help of God I am able to do big things in my life and make a difference.

The even cooler thing about this though is that God uses us even when he doesn't have to
(if you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place)
though God doesn't have to use me, he choses to- and that is truly such a blessing! 

Esther 1,2,3

Today, I started my Blogging Through the Bible with Good Morning Girls. 

I had a bit of catch-up to do so I went through Esther 1-3.  

In these chapters, we are introduced to Esther and the situation she brings herself in.  

One thing that really stood out to me while reading this is how God's plans do not always make themselves known overnight.  

In fact, Esther had to wait over a year before she was even chosen to be a queen.  

A year of being away from your family without knowing how this was a part of God's plan. 

After reading through the "big person" version of this story, 

Peyton and I read through her version in her kid's Bible.  

I really want to be open about reading the Bible- especially in front of my daughter. 

I want her to grow good habits while she is young that will last the rest of her life.  

Well that was day 1 of the Blogging Through the Bible Challenge.  

If you want to join me, please feel free to email bkmarshall515@gmail.com 

and we can do this together and keep each other accountable. 

Today I Choose

Today, I came along a motto I once had memorized and would say to myself very often.  I first learned it while on a mission trip with Global Expeditions.  It goes something like this:

Today, I will live honorably through my thoughts, actions, and speech. I choose to be full of faith; I will not only be a hearer but a doer of the Word of God. I will serve before I demand, I will love and not hate, and I will give before I take. Today, I choose to make a difference in this world and to be a part of something bigger than myself. I choose to dedicate my life to prayer and ask God for His miraculous power and the courage to do the impossible. I will make Godly relationships a priority in my life as I esteem others higher than myself. Today, I will live my life in such a way that I Will Change the World.

My first GE mission trip in 2007- what a life changing experience
as I realized how God is able to work through somebody so insignificant
like myself.

These last few months, I have found myself more worried about the smaller stuff that I have forgotten my true reason for being here.  I have gotten in such a routine, and unfortunately I have not put time in that routine to let God take a hold of my life and lead me in his ways.  

I plan to change that. 

God has big plans for me each and every day he blesses me with while on this earth.  As he does for each and every one of his children on earth.  

Things are going to change these next few months, and I'm excited for these changes and to see how God will move in my life! 

Tea Parties and Fishing Trips

My mom took Peyton out to get some pictures done by a friend at church.  We started at the Tea Party but Peyton took a liking to the Fishing set up and ended up over looking at the fishing rods and fish.

Funny Story of the Day 

• While trying to get Peyton to smile, we handed her a flower and tried to get her to smell it and look at "how pretty the flower is".  Peyton then continued to put the flower in her mouth and eat it.  I have never seen her make such a disgusted face in my life.   

For more information on the photographer who took these cute pictures:

Click Here