Never in a million years did I ever think that I would ever get along with my sister. Growing up 3 years apart from each other, we were constantly annoyed with each other or fighting with each other. Seriously, from what I can remember. I remember my mom would make her take me wherever her and her friends were going for some period of our lives. I was happy to go along and give my sister a hard time.

Once she moved out of the room we had shared our entire lives, I think we both started realizing that we could actually get along and even found that we shared some common interests. Little by little we were becoming real sisters.

Today, she is my best friend. I think she is an absolutely awesome person (perhaps, because she reminds me of...well, me :p). I love the way we can talk about something serious, something completely retarded, or just nothing at all.

Thank you God for Erica.

Lesson #26

I've always struggled finding a job that I felt good at and even finding a job that I really want to have. I've been a cashier, server, teller, teacher, and accountant (3 different types). I graduated from college 6 years ago and am at my 4th job :) I guess I've always wanted to be the best at something...anything, really.

I hate learning curves, I really do. I am totally impatient and if I try something that I am not automatically good at...I lose interest fast.

But not so much anymore...

Surprisingly, I've learned to be satisfied with myself when it comes to jobs. I've always had a desire to "want to make a difference". Who doesn't? I tried teaching, and that obviously did not work out:).

I have learned that no matter what type of job I am doing that I am working for God. If I can put into practice what I believe no matter where I am at or what I am doing...isn't that kinda making a difference?

I read the following verse a while back, and since then I always remember this while I am working...

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." Colossians 3:23-24

Hi, my name is Lanie and I am a GOD-a-holic.

Here is my favorite drinking-related verse, "Mark my words - I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom." Matthew 26:29

Jesus said that during the last supper. I found that to be very cool.

Lesson #25

You can't live your life trying to please people.

Well, you could, but what kinda life would that be? A frustrated one, a resentful one? We watched Alice in Wonderland today, and Alice was told that she couldn't live her life trying to please people. She had a choice - what was she going to choose?

I had always thought that I did things because other people wanted me to. There were expectations that I felt I needed to meet. Now, whether people saw that or not, I'm not sure. But that's how I felt. And at one point in my life, I completely stopped doing what others wanted me to - they were trying to help me, but I, like a child, ran in the completely opposite direction. I was at point that I would not listen to a single word because I had always done what everyone else wanted. That's the funny thing - they were trying to help me, guide me in my choices, but it was time for me to start doing what "I" wanted no matter what the cost. I, selfishly, followed not God's ways, but my ways. I was done pleasing people but in a completely wrong way.

Now knowing God, knowing Him more than I ever have in my life - I don't want to please people. I want to please God. I want to do things that please Him. I want to live my life for Him - no matter what the cost.

"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" Matthew 16:24-26

Lesson #24

I was really confused for awhile...about thankfulness and about being thankful to God for everything. Nowadays, I just can't be thankful for everything. Lots of things, yes, but not everything.

A wise person told me this... "God tells us to give thanks IN everything. But he doesn't say we have to thank him FOR everything." Can I just tell you how relieved I was to hear this? :) I learned that even though you might not FEEL thankful or grateful, it's ok. God doesn't ask us to feel it, just to choose to thank him in the middle of the storm.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7