A week "Unplugged!"

My Week Unplugged from Social Media

When I started out on this journey to "unplug" from Social Media for an entire week, I knew it wasn't going to be easy!  I'm sure I"m not the only person who checks Facebook multiple times a day to see the answer to one simple question:  What's on your mind?  Well, that one question that millions, even billions answer decided to take a spiritual turn.  I asked God, "God, what's on your mind?"  What He had to say caught me by complete surprise.

On the first day God gave me this verse, but I had NO IDEA why:  "The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on their way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day. Exodus 13:21.  Over and over again God reminded me of this verse literally ALL WEEK.  Did I go do a deep theological study of this passage?  No, not at all.  But I made sure to pay attention to what God would say was on His mind the rest of the week.

Here's what God had to say to me was on His mind on Sunday:  "You spend way too much time on Social media and other things that distract you away from time with me. Time with Me is the most important of them all.  You ought to be concerned about what's on my mind and not on the minds of others who flock to a Social Media site to vent, post their earthly drama and spend almost little or no time wondering about Godly things."  How's that for day 1 to find out what's on the mind of God?  A little scary huh?!!!  Yep, it caught me complete surprise, but He's God's Son and HE deserves even more of my time.  I still had that verse on my mind.  I knew He had more to say and if I'd listen He'd reveal more.

Now, being the happy person that I normally am, I thought, hey, this week without Social Media is kind of like a vacation!  What I couldn't see was just how tired I really was!  On day two I began to feel EXHAUSTED like never before.  I had to occupy my mind on this day in order to not log on to Facebook.  Work took a majority of my day then by the time I got home, completely wore out.  There at the end of the day was that verse again?  What did it mean?  Why that verse?  Why was God speaking that verse to me?  As I went to bed that night I caught a small glimpse.  God said, "Do things in my strength not yours.  I'll be your cloud by day and your fire by night so that you can see clearly to get through this week!"  What I couldn't see is how the week would take shape.  I was in for a surprise.  Unglugging isn't so bad after all!  

Tuesday came!  I was EXCITED about this day!  The temptation to log into facebook was fading!  I had to work and then I was going to a Bible Study that a friend of mine was leading!  I went to work knowing that I would hear from God again on what exactly was on His mind!  I thought this day couldn't get any better when I glanced down at my phone that I'd ignored all day too and saw that I'd received a message from my BFF.  I opened it up to read that Comedian Chonda Pierce's husband had been promoted to Heaven. My heart broke for her.  I said, "God, this was supposed to be a good day."  God said, "It is, it's the happiest day of David's life."  It was true.  When somebody who knows Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior gets promoted to glory it's the best day of their life.  No more sickness, no more pain or suffering.  They are in the presence of Jesus and it truly is a Happy Day.  However, for those left behind it's toughest because we will miss them.  I left work and went to a Bible Study.   It was after that Bible Study I learned that I'll be saying a VERY VERY HARD goodbye to one of my girlfriends.  I got in my car that night and tears began to fall.  I said, "God, this was supposed to be a happy day.  I had a great day at work but then the day went from great to grim at the news of David and now one of my dearest friends is moving?  How is this a happy day God?"  Then came the verse again.  Maybe it was His way of saying I'll get you through this tough goodbye coming.  Although it won't be easy, I'll lead you.  I wasn't sure and still 5 days later still am not sure how I will muster up the will power to say goodbye to my friend that I love so very much.  I've cried EVERY DAY this week over that.  

Wednesday came.  I woke up in a fog.  I'd cried myself to sleep over the news of my girlfriend moving.  I woke up in tears.  I felt like I needed to sit down and have a long, long chat with God.  Through tears I said "God this is devastating.  She's leaving and all I'll have are memories and a 3,000 mile distance."  He said, "Remember when Lazarus died, I wept too.  It's ok to cry and weep it's part of how I made you.  You'll miss her but remember I'm still God and I gave you this friendship.  She's still very much alive there's just going to be some distance between you.  Let me fill that gap!"  I didn't feel better right away but I knew that it would/will get easier. On this day I wasn't even tempted by Social Media at all.  All I could hear was what was on God's mind and how there are some things I still need to work on in my spiritual life.

Thursday came!  I felt like I had crossed a huge hurdle between Sunday and Thursday.  I was no longer tempted to even go near Facebook.  It wasn't really even on my mind.  I knew that I'd hear from God on this day too, I just wasn't sure what He'd have to say.  God showed up on this day and even on Wednesday through the power of friendship!  My baby's nursery was fully painted and baseboards were up by the time I got home on this day.  You see,  God knew I needed a pick me up and He sent just the right people to do it!  My BFF and another sweet, dear girlfriend!  Put the three of us in a room together and it's a riot!  We have a BLAST together!  They worked their hind parts off in that room along with my sweet hubby to get it practically finished.  At bedtime I prayed, God thank you for my sweet husband and girlfriends that you sent over today to be a blessing to me!"  Then God said one thing, "I am who I Am."  

TGIF!  I can see the end in sight on this week of being unplugged.  It's not been hard after all.  It's been a matter of just trusting God on the good and bad days and knowing that He knew what was best!!!  On this day, there was a HUGE ray of sunlight!  WE moved furniture into my baby's room!  It now looks like a little boy's room minus the mural and the pics on the wall that need to go up.  Other than that, it's a done deal!  OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!  You have NO IDEA how much I underestimated this nursery and how ELATED I am that it's practically done!!!!  At the end of the day God reminded me of the verse we began the week with.  It was HE who has guided me through this week.  Good days and bad.  It is He who will see me through the next two days.   

It's Saturday!  Today I've been a busy little bee!  The sun shines bright and it's been fun!  I've been cooking lots today!  Red beans and rice with cornbread and a chocolate cake!  Martha Stewart, step aside!  I'm knee deep in baby clothes to sort through and diapers to put away!  You'd think I am gonna have a baby or something!!!!  Facebook isn't a temptation today either. Tomorrow is my last day of being unplugged.  On Monday I'll post this blog and make it go public!  

I've just got one question for you.  Could you go unplugged for a week?!!!  Would you dare ask God the question, "What's on your mind?"  You might be surprised at His answer!  Sorry this was long, but I wanted you to see how it felt to go unplugged for one week.  The joys, the sorrows, and everything in between!  He's been my cloud by day and my fire by night!  He has led me through this week.  I've done NOTHING in my own strength!

Will I do this again?!!!  YES! YES! YES!  It's totally worth it!

Living Wonderstruck,

Alicia

Lent Challenge: I will never be the same again!

I'm simply captivated by what the Holy Spirit is teaching me through this Lent Challenge.  So far I've finished
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (known as the 4 gospels).  These men and their accounts of walking with Jesus daily are simply breath taking.  They saw Him perform miracles, walked and talked with Him, and learned from Him.  Then He was taken from them..Well, not completely; He left them the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them!

As I finished up the Book of John I noticed some things that I missed before.  Things that may not make you go wow but for me things I'd glossed over.  There's this one word in John Chapter 15 that is consistent throughout the chapter when Jesus speaks about Him being the True Vine and us being branches.  What is that word?  Remain.  It means to "Endure, abide, persist, stay."  It hit me this morning like a brick.  If I "Endure, remain, stay, and am persistent in my walk with Jesus I will bear much fruit that the world can see.  Remaining is sometimes tough especially during times of difficulty but those times when we stay in close communion with Jesus that we produce great fruit.  Oh, I can't tell you how sweet this experience is for me!
So it makes sense that if I stay away from reading God's Word, church, or fellowship with other believers that I produce little to no fruit.  It just makes sense!

This is just another thing that I missed over the years...In John's account of Jesus' burial Nicodemus shows up.  The guy who came to Jesus by night...remember him?  Yep, that guy shows up at Jesus' grave with about 75 lbs of embalming ointments made from myrrh and aloes. John  19:39.  I'd never noticed that before.  They bury Jesus with one of the same gifts presented to Him at His birth.  WOW, WOW, WOW!

Oh how sweet it must've been to walk and talk and learn from Jesus!  I'm so glad though He's left us the Holy Spirit to teach us until we get to see Him face to face!

This is truly leaving me Wonder Struck!

Blessings,
Alicia Roark

Lent Challenge...At the feet of Jesus!

Well, each time I finish reading for this Lent Challenge I'm always left with one word: WOW!!!  God is completely leaving me WOnder Struck through this journey and I'm only in John!  Oft I've asked myself as I've read, "How Did I miss.....?"  For instance, Jesus saw Pilot TWICE.  That's just one of what seems to be a gazillion things that I've glossed over because I had told myself, "I've read this before, I know how the story goes."  What I'm learning is that I haven't even scratched the scratch of all that Jesus wants to teach me.

In the four gospels I've learned about life's storms, marriage/divorce, what it means to truly follow Jesus and the cost that disciples paid to follow Him.  Something else that has stuck in my mind is the fact that the pharisees (dumb pharisees) kept asking Him for a sign.  No matter what they saw Jesus do they still questioned who He was, and were always there to try and trap him or correct Him for things like healing on the Sabbath.  Then it hit me, there are still people today walking the earth who still say they need a sign before they'll believe in Jesus.  I always want to ask, "Is an empty tomb not enough?"  I just don't get it.

The one thing  that I've experienced above all else so far is that I can't get enough of God's Word.  I mean I'm thinking about it ALL DAY LONG.  It's like water to my soul and it's refreshing.  I'm learning so much.  Oh if I'd not glossed over so many things before, but now is the time for me to learn at the feet of Jesus and what it means to be like Him, to follow Him, and to tell others about Him.

This truly is leaving me Wonder Struck!

Living Wonder Struck,
Alicia Roark

Margaret Feinber's Lent Challenge..Days 1-5......

Well, yet again I've been double dog dared to join  my precious friend Margaret Feinberg along with thousands of other people across America to join in on the 40 day Lent Challenge and read the entire New Testament through!  Challenge and double dog dare ACCEPTED sweet friend!!!

The first thing I knew when I started this journey is that there not only would be Jesus on this journey but satan too would be all to aware that I've decided to dive in feet first and let God do some soul work on me.  God is doing a mighty work in me.  Satan tried to have a hay day with me yesterday (the nerve he had on my birthday of all days...I think yesterday was Margaret's birthday too!).

So far, I've managed to only miss a day!  I caught up this morning though.  I finished the book of Matthew this morning.  I don't know about you but it was easy to try and gloss over those stories I've read time and time again, but each time before I've sat down to read I've asked God to show up and show me something new.  Well, He's done that time and time again!

There's one place that got me!  I read it this morning and I realized that I'd been glossing over 11 verses of scripture.  It's about the 10 bridesmaids.  5 wise, 5 foolish.  They went to meet the bridegroom, but the important part is that only 5 of them were prepared and brought extra oil for their lamps.  The bridegroom was delayed so they slept.    At midnight, the bridegroom shows up and they realize it and go to welcome HIm.  The 5 foolish asked the 5 wise for some oil for their lamps but they get turned down.  The 5 foolish go out and buy oil and while they were away the bridegroom invites the 5 wise into the marriage feast and LOCKS THE DOOR.  Matthew 25:2-13.  This is a perfect picture of what our lives as Christians should be like.  The 5 wise bridesmaids.  We should always be prepared with our lamps lit for Christ's coming.  We don't know the hour He will return.

I don't know about you but I want my light to shine BRIGHTLY for Christ.  I don't want it doing dim due to a lack of oil (time spent in His Word, Worship, helping others, witnessing.). I'm so thankful to be on this journey with Jesus, thousands of other women, and Margaret!  You should join us!    40 days can change your life!!!!

This truly is a Wonder Struck Moment and God is blowing me away!

Living Wonder Struck,
Alicia

Gut Check: You can't watch that anymore.

Everybody has their favorite TV show(s).  I'm right there with you!  I have a few that I enjoy watching and do so when I have the time.  What if God interrupted your day and informed you that you could no longer watch your favorite show?!!!  What would you do?!!!

There was such a time for me about 3 years ago.  I was a HUGE Grey's Anatomy fan.  I watched it religiously and knew pretty much all of the characters.  One night it was time for Grey's Anatomy and like each and every other time I watched the full episode but I GASPED HARD.  This was the first episode they introduced homosexuality into their show.  This was my favorite show!  I loved it, but I am a Christian woman who has stood and said that I would hold high the banner of Christ.  

The next morning on my way to work, God said, "You can't watch that anymore."  I should've known God would convict me like that.  I have to admit at first I was bummed out.  I was like what am I going to do with my Thursday nights?!!! What other shows will I watch?  After work I was driving home and I heard God say 1 thing and 1 thing only to me:  "Be ye holy as I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16.  I never watched Grey's Anatomy again.  

Living this Wonder Struck journey with God requires me to be very present and attentive for His still small voice.  It's convicting!  It catches me off guard, but obedience is what God requires of me whether I like it or not!

Last but not least, I'd like to address where I stand on the subject of homosexuality.  According to God's Word Homosexuality is a sin.  I do not hate people who live that lifestyle.  I treat them with the same love God has given me.  I'm currently witnessing to a girl who is gay and is an atheist.  My name is Alicia Roark, not Jesus.  I'm not perfect, can't walk on water, and didn't die for the sins of all men.  He's the judge not me.  I'm just here to share what God is doing in my life and what He says to me on this Wonder Struck Journey.

May God bless you and keep you today!

Living Wonder Struck,

Alicia Roark

It's a Good Morning-An Attitude of Gratitude

I am a morning person!  It's happy, happy, joy, joy from the word get up!  What do I love most about mornings?!!  Well, beautiful sunrises, hot coffee,and listening to the birds singing in the morning, and the fact that it's a new day! Did you know that God is a morning person too?!!!  I know you're thinking, Ok Alicia, where are you going with this?!!!  

I don't know about you but I do like my sleep! It just blows my mind every time I try to think about God never sleeping (Psalm 121:4)!  He's always awake!  Each new day/morning He's up ready to pour out His love, extend bountiful grace, and mercy.   Oh let me tell you!  I'm forever grateful for His mercies that are new each morning!  It  means we can begin each new day with a clean slate and a brand new outpouring of mercy.  Oh if it weren't for mercy and grace! Thank you Lord!

So, close your eyes, take a deep breath and thank God today for His mercies that are new each morning!

Here's a little song that will get you going this morning!  I LOVE this song and work out to it often!  It truly is a Good Morning!

Living Wonder Struck

Alicia Roark

A Wonder Struck Verse!!!

Over and over again God keeps bringing the following verse to me:

Psalm 23.  It's a very familiar passage to us.  It talks about God being our sheperd.  He's leading me and guiding me as I listen very closely for His still small voice.  I lean on Him for answers and He is collecting my tears in a bottle.  He understands.  Does that mean I currently understand?  No, but He doesn't ask me to understand, but just to follow Him.  He won't lead me astray.  He is ALL that I have.

If it were up to this stubborn sheep, I'd stray into other pastures where I'd either get lost, or bogged down.  He doesn't let me go there.  He leads me, guides me, and protects me.  He's my Shepard and I can tell you He's more than enough.

These days I'm feeling a little more like myself.  I'm not completely there yet, so I still covet your prayers.  What I can tell you though is that I have sight of the mountain and it's in sight!

Live Wonder Struck today!

Blessings,
Alicia

Going for Gold-Living Wonder Struck

I don't know about you, but I'm enjoying watching the Olympics.  I love the spirit of competition, and the sheer joy of the competitors when they when gold.  Just this morning God whispered, "Alicia, the journey I have you on is just like that. You're going for gold, and one day you'll win the prize but here on earth is where your training is."

What those atheletes don't tell you is that for 3.5 long years they train for long hours.  It requires endurance.  It requires time, pain, blood, sweat, and tears.  It requires dedication, and discipline.  It requires focus.  They train hard in order to win the prize.  

This Wonder Struck journey in 2014 is requiring lots of me early on.  It's exhausting currently, I won't lie.  I've had some big valleys lately.  I've shed enough tears over the past few weeks to fill a river it seems.  He sees, He knows and says, keep running this race with endurance.  It will pay off in the end.  You'll win the gold.    

You see to endure to the end (on good days and bad) I've got to wear the right training equipment.  The armour of God.  It will protect me from the devil and will keep my heart at peace and will lead me onto victory.  I can't do without it.  So I'm currently bandaging myself up from my wounds of grief and am picking myself back up.  Gold is at the end.  This is a life long race.  I must run it with endurance and so must you.

You see, I can't stay down but for so long and won't.  It just isn't in me.  I can almost hear my precious friend Margaret Feinberg say, I double Dog Dare you to find a Wonder Struck Moment and send it to me.  FInd me some sunshine in your clouds.  So, I might just do that.  I might just send my friend a picture of a God filled Wonder Struck bright cheery moment today!

This race we run isn't easy, but let me tell you when we win Gold it will be worth it all!

Running with Endurance,

Alicia Roark

God and Honey on Monday! Living Wonder Struck!

Recently God has been speaking to me personally about my responses to events, situations, and circumstances in life.  He's been using honey as a symbol for me.  I LOVE honey!  It's one of my favorite things...speaking of which I need to add to my grocery list!

When I go to work I pray out loud to God.  It's my time with Him to prepare my heart for the day and work day.  Well, just about a week ago I finished praying and didn't turn on the music like i normally do.  God said, "Alicia, your responses need to be as sweet as honey."  It isn't always easy to be sweet when somebody has offended you or something didn't go quite your way.  Even on Monday God wants us to be sweet!  Mondays get such a bad rap.  The weekend is over, the work work begins along with deadlines, challenges, and challenging people sometimes.  But what if, we all decided to be SWEET like honey in our responses to them.  TO truly show God's love no matter what.  Hmmm...don't know about you but that's a lot convicting for me.

God's Word says, "Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."  Proverbs 16:24 NLT.

So, I would like to challenge each of you today to let your words be sweet so they can edify others and glorify God in Heaven.

Living Wonder Struck,
Alicia Roark

In the Midst of Grief-Living Wonderstruck

I know I've said this several times, but God never promised me this WonderStruck Journey would always be a bed of roses.  Just last week, I got the message that my oldest brother Joey died in his sleep at the age of 48 of a massive heart attack.  I not only got that news, but along with it was the stark reality that there was no burial insurance.

I began to ask God some tough questions like:  "What am I going to do?"  "Where is the money going to come from?"  Then I began to pray and ask God to show up in a way that would leave me with no other explanation that it was Him so that HE could get the glory out of a very sad situation.

For all intents and purposes, God showed up!  It left me WONDERSTRUCK.  As I sit here typing this Joey's final arrangements are pretty much paid for in full.  People who had no idea who my brother was gave out of the overflow of their hearts.  They went out of their way to help when I was at my lowest.

My cousins let me stay with them for an entire week and wouldn't let me pay for anything.  They let me cry, talk, grieve, and sit in silence.  I'm incredibly thankful for my cousins Vernon and Lee Lantia, they are amazing people and I love them dearly.

Another Wonderstruck Moment came when we had a reception at my Aunt Velma's house where I gave a Eulogy and read a poem I wrote.  I had a house full of cousins show up!  There was reconciliation after years of hurt, pain, and disappointment.  We have agreed to keep in touch through email, letters, cards, and even care packages!  You want to talk about WONDERSTRUCK?!!! That too was it.

Last but not least, I would like to tell you about a young man God put in my path when I needed it most.  His name is Kyle Ardoin.  He's the funeral director at Lakeside Funeral Home in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  That young man did some extraordinary things to make sure my brother had a respectable farewell.  He told me he wasn't in business to take families to the bank but to be a small beacon of light for families in grief.  Well, this is very unusual for a Funeral Director to do anything like that.  However, Kyle did more than enough for my family and I will be forever grateful to that young man! Thank you God for putting Kyle Ardoin in my path when I didn't know what to do!

The only thing left to do is to take time to grieve, seek the face of God, and walk hand in hand with Jesus.  I can't do this without Him.  It's impossible, let me tell ya.

There is one verse that God gave me through this experience:

"I would have dispaired, unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living.  Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:13-14 NASB

One day from these ashes there will come beauty.  Until then I'll seek His face, trust His heart, and lean on Him with all of my being to get me through.  I will not question His ways for they are much higher than mine.

I journey on through this Wonderstruck life hand in hand with Jesus.

Living Wonderstruck Still,
Alicia

TGFS! LIve Wonder Struck!

I've probably already gotten your attention with the title!  What in the world is TGFS?!!!  Well, sit back, grab a cup of coffee and allow me to explain!

In my daily life I'm a wife, women's ministry director, and  a full-time employee.  My plate is overflowing and I am always on the go.  If I get to sit still for long it's a miracle.  Well, my Wonder Struck journey requires me to sit still, listen and take in the sweet whispers of God's Holy Spirit.

Just about 5 minutes ago, I was thinking about my work week (particularly this week).  It's been a long week.  We've all heard people say "I'm having a case of the Mondays."  What if you had a "Case of the Mondays" all week long?  You're searching for some good news, a ray of sunshine, a break in the chaos.  It's not been a horrible week, but it's just been hectic you could say.  There hasn't been enough of me to go around.

Not 10 minutes ago, the Holy Spirit whispered to me "Sunday is on it's way!"  I got quiet and began to think about that phrase.  Then came the picture of Jesus dying on the cross.  You want to talk about having a case of the Mondays?!!! Jesus had a case of the Mondays wrapped up in a week.  He was betrayed by His own, accused of things He didn't do and then crucified.  God quietly reminded me that earth's saddest day and gladdest day were 3 days apart!  You see, things might've seemed hopeless on Friday, but on Sunday when the stone was rolled away and Jesus rose victoriously from the grave, it was the gladdest day on earth!  Sunday brought new hope!  On Sunday life had new meaning!

So, TGFS (Thank God for Sunday!).  So when I'm overtired and my week gets hectic, He is my portion! (Psalms 142:5) He's more than enough to get me through every day of every week!  Sunday is on it's way!  Live Wonderstruck!  Live with anticipation that brighter days are ahead!

Living Wonder Struck,
Alicia Roark

It all begins with Him! Live WonderStruck!

My journey with God is beautiful!  He beckons me daily, "come spend time with me.  Watch for me throughout your day I am ever present."  You see, this journey isn't a journey at all without God by my side!

I've experienced God in brand new ways since reading "Wonder Struck" by Margaret Feinberg.http://www.margaretfeinbergstore.com/products/wonderstruck-awaken-to-the-nearness-of-god  God has shown up in big ways!  I've seen Him answer prayers in very unique ways.  He's revealed Himself lots through scripture.  There's one thing that's constant in this Wonder Struck journey:  A daily invitation to come spend time with Him!  Time to sit at His feet and worship, to lay down my burdens, to feast upon His Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12 King James Version).  Part of that invitation requires me to be still and know that He is God.  (Psalms 46:10 KJV)

Now if you know me personally, you know that sitting still is a challenge!  I'm a busy body, happier than a little bit, a beam me up Jesus girl indeed!  It's naturally difficult for me be down much less sit still for longer than 5 minutes unless you have my attention.  However, God invites me to be still and know that He is God.  It's there in the quiet moments that He shows up and makes known His majesty to me.  It's there He whispers, "I've heard your prayers for _____ but keep trusting me."  

Some days tears roll down my face in complete awe of who Jesus is!  He truly leaves me Wonder Struck.  His promises don't fail, He loves me unconditionally, and He's an amazing Heavenly Father to me!  His daily invitation to me to spend time with Him is priceless.  I can't wait to hear what He has to say, what He wants to show me, or what promises He wants to remind me of.

It's true, this journey is impossible without Him.  This invitation to live Wonder Struck by Jesus is one that I love to experience daily!

Please if you've not gotten a copy of "Wonder Struck" please go buy a copy from my precious friend Margaret Feinberg.  www.margaretfeinberg.com.  I know you could buy it elsewhere, but as a favor to me and my precious friend, buy it from her website please.  She's now cancer free and the medical bills are there to be paid.  All of the proceeds help pay her medical bills.  Thanks in advance for blessing my sweet friend!

Living Wonder Struck,
Alicia Roark

Unanswered Prayers...Praising Him still.

 Some days on this journey are tougher than others.  Jesus never promised me the Wonder Struck life would always be a bed of roses.  There is a bump in the road called Unanswered Prayers.  Prayers that God at this point in the journey has chosen not to answer.  Prayers that come from deep within me and cause tears to flow freely from my face.  However, He currently says no.

Some days in the Wonder Struck journey God can seem distant, uninterested, and quiet.  However, it's in these moments that I call on Him even more because He cares.  He knows where my heart is and the desires of my heart.  He knows what is best for me.  He's my Father and I just have to trust Him.  Unanswered prayers are sometimes the hardest but some of the most sweet times because it's in the quiet where I hear Him speak the most.

So today, in my Wonder Struck Journey, I'm praising Him still even for Unanswered Prayers.  WHy?  Because He's my ROck, My Comforter, My Savior, and My friend who still sticks closer than a brother. His promises never fail and all that stuff in His Word, you can take it to the bank...the maps included!

If you think about it today, would you mind lifting me in prayer?  It's an unspoken request.  I could use some encouragement today.  I'm not gonna lie.  I may not feel so Wonder Struck today but I know that He's enough...Answered or Unanswered prayers.

Prayerful,
Alicia Roark

Looking for God in the small things!

As I journey along on this Wonder Struck adventure, there's one thing that remains constant:  God's faithfulness!  You see, I must confess some days I don't feel like journeying.  I'm tired, or God might seem distant or silent on a particular day.  Some days I ask, "God are ya there ?"  Then in the quiet of the moment, I hear God whisper, "You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

You see, it's the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit that minister to my heart the most.  It's when I throw my hands up in frustration that He reminds me that if I seek Him with ALL of my heart and not just part of it, that I will find Him!  His Word refreshes my soul, His promises fill me to overflowing, and His love amazes me.

Each day I wait with great anticipation of what GOd will do.  HOw will He reveal himself to me today?  What promise does He have for me?  The only way to truly find out is to seek him with All of my heart then I will truly find Him!

So, I challenge you today to seek God with all of your heart! It's amazing what He says when after we seek Him we get quiet.

Blessings,
Alicia Roark

A New Year..Waiting with great anticipation!

It's a New Year!  Praise be to God!  I love New Years! Why?  They bring new beginnings, new adventures, and new ideas!  Now resolutions, not so much.  However, I've made a few!  One of them I'll share with you is that my husband Sean and I are going through 1 year of the 5 love languages!  Yes, 1 year of speaking the other person's love language!  It's only day 3, but so far so good! Want to learn more?  Visit this link:  www.5lovelanguages.com/‎

The one thing I desire more than anything else in 2014 is to continue to draw closer to Jesus.  I want Him to do great and mighty things in my life.  I want the things of God to stir in my heart like never before all the while leaving me completely Wonder Struck!  He truly is my everything and I'm not kidding you!  Being parentless has left me with no choice but to be 100% dependable on God.  Just the other day I was second guessing myself on what to do, so I prayed.  Imagine that right?!!!  I know! I should've done that FIRST!  Anyways, I prayed and asked God what to do and He answered.  Everything so far has turned out ok.

It has led me to a very hard question to ask myself.  Why is Jesus choice 2 instead of choice 1?  Why is He plan B instead of Plan A?  The answer is simple.  Pride.  Pride often gets in the way and because of my own human flesh I don't want to be wrong.  Well, guess what Jesus is always right!  He's the best choice!  He's the only choice!

I'll be continuing on this journey God has me on!  The Wonder Struck life is simply amazing! I wait with great anticipation of what God will do!  OH, Speaking of Wonder Struck, I've mentioned to you guys plenty of times about my sweet friend Margaret Feinberg who has been battling cancer. I've asked you to join me and thousands of others around the world to pray for Zero for Margaret.  Welll guess what?!!  The very first news I read on January 1, 2014 was that God gave Margaret ZERO!!!! SHe's cancer free! Praise the matchless name of Jesus!

Thank you so much for praying for my new friend!  Please visit her page at:  http://margaretfeinberg.com
Margaret is a dynamic speaker and will put you right at the feet of Jesus!  Seriously, check my friend's page out!  When you order books, please continue to do so on her page to help defray the cost of their medical bills.

Have a blessed 2014 and may God leave you Wonder Struck!!!

Living Wonder Struck,
Alicia Roark