Do You Listen When God Speaks to You??

**I can't begin to tell you WHAT a blessing it is to have so many amazing people traveling this crazy journey of life with me...And, yes, some of you I just know through the blog world, and others I've gotten to know in person...but either way...thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, your love and support as we bring another child into our family, and as I TRAVELED across the world recently!! So, the question of the day is: Do you listen when God speaks to you?? I'm continuously blessed by those listening to God speak to them. I like to think i listen a lot of the time..but I'm SURE i'm missing things left and right!! I'm always left with: What does God want me to hear that I'M NOT paying any attention to? Are there ways I could be blessing others and i don't have my heart and ears open enough to even hear God's voice?? So, there have been MANY times recently where I get a "random" text from someone "just at the right time" that states: "I'm praying for you and your family right now" I mean...just at the right moment!! Those are individuals LISTENING TO GOD!! Or it might be a sweet comment, emails sent to me, or even as simple as someone sending me scripture that is speaking to them!! And, I'm so thankful to have them a part of my life!! Well...I thought I'd share a couple of other things that have come my way lately...A sweet, wonderful friend SENT me this TODAY:

"I just had to take a picture of this street sign that I saw recently! I drove by it and thought to myself that I must go back and take a picture for you! I drove by it again this morning and stopped to snap a couple of pics of it! Enjoy! J"

Is that NOT the sweetest thing!! Just another reminder of the "good" people in this world TRYING to lift you up and bring joy to your life!! Some great advice I received from a friend early on was, "Kristi, stay clear of the JOY SUCKERS (those that want to steal your joy) in this world...there are enough good people that want to lift you up and want you to grow to your fullest potential that you can let the JOY SUCKERS go" !! Wow...Isn't that the truth!!! Now these days, I might add to that: "I pray that the Lord brings JOY to the "joy suckers"...but what good advice none the less!!! :)

And, finally....I received this THIS WEEK too:

"Hi Kristi - I opened a book this morning that I haven't looked at in a long time and a copy of this poem I wrote fell out and, this is so strange, but I immediately thought of you and to email it to you. I'm not sure why but I just need to trust God and send this to you. I looked at your blog and notice that you are adopting a baby boy! Congratulations. I pray that all goes well and quickly!! I wrote this poem before we went to pick up K.

God Bless you and your family! C"

Thousands of miles away your heart was drawn to me

Not a name or a face did you see

You listened to God when he said, "I have more for you to love,

Open your heart and receive"

You believed in me before I was

You prayed for me when I was hurting and alone

I needed you to come and hold me, take me home and set me free

Mom and Dad you were asked, and you did

Sometimes I'll ask, "why?", and I won't understand

Help me know that God has a greater plan

You didn't let fear take your heart away from me

You opened your heart and received

You believed in me before I was

You prayed for me when I was hurting and alone

I needed you to come and hold me, take me home and set me free

Mom and Dad you were asked, and you did

Thank you for bringing me home, holding me close and helping me grow

Showing me love - right from wrong, how to trust and how to be strong

You listened to God when he said, "I have more for you to love"

You opened your heart and received me.

***Yes, the poem made me cry!! And, both of these sweet blessings this week reminded me to always stay focused on those that God uses to bring JOY to your life...cause it's easy for us as humans to focus in on the 'negative' but then we'd miss out on all the blessings that are coming our way each and every day!! So, listen to God, stay focused and look for those blessings..and stay away from Joy Suckers !! :)

**thank you sweet friends for ALWAYS blessing my life!! And, I'm headed to the Created to Care Women's Conference thing this weekend in Atlanta...talk about being surrounded by wonderful women that bring you JOY...I can't wait!!! Anyone else going?? Happy Wednesday to you all, kj