Listen to the Sound

I have listened to the song "Listen to the Sound" by Building 429 a "million times" but today on the way home, I actually REALLY listened to the words. It spoke to me. It can apply to so many people in different areas or trials of their lives. I attached the lyrics and the music. I love the song even more than I did before focusing on the lyrics.

"Listen to the Sound" by Building 429
Are you in over your head?
Are you on water so deep your drowning?
Do you think you've been left,
And there is no one to feel your hurting?

Well everybody has been there
And everybody's felt lost
If you're in over your head
Lift it up
Lift it up

(Chorus)
Oh, listen to the sound of hope
That's rising up
Over your old horizon
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound
And listen to the sound of a new beginning of
This is where the old is ending
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound
ooohh ooohh oohh

I hear you say your alone
I hear you sayin' that you'll never make it
I've got to tell you you're wrong
Cuz I have been down this path you're taking

You'll never know what Faith is
Till you don't understand
Sometimes it takes the silence
To finally hear His plans

(Chorus)
Oh, listen to the sound of hope
That's rising up
Over your old horizon
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound
And listen to the sound of a new beginning of
This is where the old is ending
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound
ohhh oohh ohhh

Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
I once was lost
But now I'm found

Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
I once was lost
But now I'm found

(Chorus)
Oh, listen to the sound of hope
That's rising up
Over your old horizon
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound
And listen to the sound of a new beginning of
This is where the old is ending
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound
ooohh oohh oooh

His grace is reaching for us
His grace is reaching out
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound
Wherever your are...

His grace is reaching for us
His grace is reaching out
Listen to the sound
Listen to the sound
Wherever your are...


-Lisa-

Happy Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! I grew up in a family where Valentine's Day was a big deal. I have fond memories of receiving my valentine's gifts at school from Mom and Dad. It was so cool to have those flowers and balloons to take home on the bus. I felt SO loved! I also have fond memories of watching my mom search around the house to find all of my dad's gifts for her. (Jeremy does the same!) There was so much love that day (and really everyday).

Valentine's Day quickly became my favorite holiday. I loved my family all year long but Valentine's Day was just another day to express that love to them. Poor Jeremy came into our relationship unknowing of my Valentine's Day expectations. He learned after the first year that he was expected to not only show his love, but write a card, give flowers, and preferably some chocolate. He has stepped it up since that first Valentine's Day!


I am going to have to now explain my train of thought. This happens often: my mind wanders from subject to subject until I arrive at a realization.

So...Valentine's Day makes me realize that God loves us no matter what day it is. His love is enough. His grace is enough. In fact, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (Corinthians 12:9).

So sometimes I don't feel strong, I don't know about you? I could easily believe that it is impossible to survive the sorrows of infertility. But I have endured...so have so many others. That is His strength being perfected in my weakness. How great is it that God gives strength in our time of weakness? He uses the trying times in our life to show us the beauty and purpose to our lives.

So on this Valentine's Day, I can have contentment to know that God loves me, gives me strength, and provides His grace for me. Just me! All for me! He helps me face distress, persecution, difficulties, insults, and even infertility!

What an awesome God?! Now, share your love for Him and your family...EVERYDAY! Not just today.

-Lisa-

"You look like one of the kids now."

Changing my way of life is EXTREMELY hard to do. I have been a lazy person for years so the idea of exercising, frankly, frightens me. However, I am making huge strides in changing not only the way I view food, but also how I view exercising.

A student I taught last year came up to me in the hallway today and asked, "Mrs. Sickel, are you losing weight? You look like one of the kids now." I jumped for joy inside and just wanted to pick him up and swing him around the hall. How sweet is that?! Instead, I jumped for joy inside and said, "Why yes I am...thanks for noticing."

I have a long way to go but I absolutely LOVE that people are noticing! This morning's scale showed 12 pounds down...only 38 more to go.

A part of this "Better Lisa" journey involves working out and getting fit. I had this crazy idea to train for a 5K so I had something to work towards. Now I have involved other people and am ready to take it on. So April 29 I will be running in the Trolley Run. It is a 4 mile trek through Kansas City. My goal is to be able to jog/run through the whole course. We will see how it goes but I am excited.

I actually did not want to be pregnant this month (as crazy as that sounds!). I have looked forward to the end of my cycle in possible hope that it may be THE month. But now, I know that I need to get my body and mind ready to be a mom. I think that a healthier me is better than a pregnant me. Selfish? Possibly. Necessity? I think so.

Thank you God for making my mind clear, my goals focused, and my strength in You to get through it all.

-Lisa-