Worth It

     I love to help people achieve their dreams.  One of the ways I have done that is by weight loss counseling.  Actually, that was the first place that I learned that I loved to help people figure out what they want and how to get there.  I met with hundreds of people.  That job was when I learned to help people dream their dreams and break them into doable pieces.  It was awesome.  I am excited because I am getting to work with someone again to help this person see dreams come to life.  I want to help people breathe life into their dreams.  Let them see the great big things that God has. 
     After meeting with the person the first time, I drove home in the clouds.  I love to help people dream.  It is the best feeling to see that spark in someone's eye that tells you maybe, just maybe, they believe what you are saying.  They believe this dream that they have had for such a long time, this dream they had hidden in the basement of their life somewhere, a long time ago, could actually happen.  They are worth this dream.  You are worth it.  Dust off that dream you had.  Go find it.  Hunt for it until you know what it is.  Then tell yourself, "I am worth it."  You are worth the sacrifice that it might take.  You are worth the hard work.  You are amazing and you have fabulous things to give to the world.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

What's Happenin'?

     I really cannot believe how much harder it is to blog three times a week instead of everyday.  When I was doing it everyday, I just knew I needed to make time to do it.  Now, I just think, "Oh, I will do it tomorrow."  So...sorry.  I need to figure out a better way, maybe everyday again.  I'll see.  How are your goals for the year or month going so far?  It is the first post of the month, so I want to check in.  Remember, now is a great time to start again or start something for the first time.  Or like me, try to figure out what works and what doesn't.
     I have been having an awesome time with my kiddos.  I have made sure that each week, for the past month, that we have a day at the house.  No running around.  It has been great for all of us.  Yesterday was a very exciting day at home.  We got a new washer and dryer!  They are AMAZING!  We rent, so I didn't pick them out, but they are sooooo much better than our old ones.  After they were installed, I started jumping up and down.  I realize that seems kinda crazy, but I really love them.  It made me wonder, when did I grow up?  At some point, I become the girl who is excited by a new washer and dryer.  I'm ok with that.  I like that I growing up.  It's weird, but I like it. 
     Another event that is strange is that my son is turning five on Sunday.  How can he be growing up too?  Where is the time going?  Next week, I am giving a talk about time budgeting.  All of these things happening are making me ask myself even more, "What am I doing with my time?  Am I making memories that I want to have?  What is important to me?"  I know I blogged about that last time, but it's so important.  As I prepare for the talk, I know that I will be thinking about it even more.  Go make some great memories.  Thanks for reading.  :-)
    

Legacy

     I know I have gone a week without a blog.  Sorry, but I am here now.  :-)  Last week would have been my mother and father-in-laws' anniversary.  My father in law died in 2007.  Their anniversary day got me thinking about legacy.  Even though my mother in law is still with us, I feel like I can talk about some of the legacy that she and her fabulous husband left to the world.  Their legacy to their children was demonstrating a God centered marriage.  I am sure they, like all of us, had their off days.  But they always showed one another love and respect.  My husband and I lived with them for six months and they were some of the most fun six months ever.  We played cards with his parents multiple nights a week.  I loved watching my in laws interact.  Sometimes my father in law would get this gleam in his eye.  We would know that he was about to do something that would make my mother in law laugh or something that she would joking tell him he shouldn't do.  They had one of the best marriages I have ever seen in my life.  I am so glad that not only did I know them, but I am in their family.
     They have left a legacy of good marriage to their kids.  Because when their kids were growing us they saw what an awesome marriage looked like, they are more easily able to walk that out in their own lives.  I am blessed that I married one of their sons.  Because we can walk in a Godly marriage, I pray that our kids will be able to too and so on through the generations.  So the legacy from my father and mother in law will touch generations that are not even born yet.  People that they will never meet this side of Heaven will be positively impacted by them.
     They also showed what it was to love your kids.  This too will, I pray, be passed from generation to generation.  My kids get to know the love of the Grandpa they will never meet here on Earth through the love of their Daddy.  I am so excited I am able to already see some of the legacy from my father and mother in law.  What about you?  What is your legacy?  Our legacies are what is left behind after all the material stuff we had is gone.  Looking at your life now, will your great great grand kids be glad that you were who you were?  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Balance

     If you have been following my blog for a while, you may have noticed that in the last few weeks I have not been blogging everyday.  I have been learning more about blogging the last few months.  What I have discovers is many bloggers do not blog everyday.  I think one of the reasons is so people who are reading the blog, don't feel like they are behind if they miss a few days of reading.  So, I have been keeping a few days in between blogs.  I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but I am trying it.  So I will still be blogging regularly, at least three times a week, I will not be necessary blogging everyday.  I might blog for a few days in a row...or not.
      So, on to life.  I have been trying to spend some days at the house with my kids not having anything to do except be at home.  I realized a few weeks ago that almost everyday for the last nine months, the kids and I have been out of the house for part of the day.  A lot of that was going to the gym.  I am still going to the gym, just not almost everyday.  Balance. 
     I have been thinking about how the way that you spend your time tells people about you.  I want people to know that I want to be healthy and that working out is important to me.  But I want my kids to know that there are times I just want to be with them.  We don't have to do anything else, but be together.  So I am making some more margin in my life.  I want to continue to look at what I am doing with my time and ask what it is saying about me and my priorities.  What about you?  Would people know what you would SAY is important to you by looking at how you spend your time?  Thanks for reading. 

The Sweatshirt on the Floor

     At the retreat, the Saturday morning session was about Fear.  One of the Bible readings was when the men dug through the roof so their friend could be healed.  Can you imagine being there and watching a man being lowered through a roof?  That takes commitment.  Our speaker said, "We don't have to act like we have it all together.  When we act like we have it all together, we miss the healing."  If that guy or his friends had acted like the guy was alright, they wouldn't have taken him to Jesus to be healed. 
     It sounds so easy doesn't it?  Just be honest.  We all know that no one has it together, but it is so hard to really put yourself out there.  To really say, "Yep, I have had a rough day."  Or "I made a horrible choice."  Or "I have absolutely no clue what I am really doing in this situation."  The joy comes though, when we can say that to each other.  When we can really be our true selves to those around us.  But we don't open up.  Why?  Because we are afraid.  Fear has us.  We are afraid of what people think.  Or of ruining the image we have going. 
     The speaker talked about how the enemy wants us to be comfortable with fear- to be used to it, not notice it hanging around.  She compared fear to a sweatshirt that is laying on the floor.  You walk by it the first time and think, "Someone should pick that up."  And then you walk right past it.  (Which made us all crack up.)  Don't we do that do?  Walk by the sweatshirt once, twice, three times...an hour.  And we keep thinking that some one should do something about it.  By the third day, you stop thinking about how someone should do something and now the sweatshirt is just part of the floor.  :-)  How many things in life do we do this with?  I know that I do it with things around the house.  (When I got home from the retreat, I went around picking up a lot of things that had just started blending into the landscape.) 
     But, I know that I can do it with fear too.  I get so used to thinking that I can't do something, I stop trying.  I don't want to do that.  I don't want to "trade abundant life for a mundane one" as the speaker said.  I want to be all that God wants me to be, not just what I think I can be.  I want to be ready for God's best for me.  One of my favorite verses right now is Ephesians 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."  God can do IMMEASURABLY MORE then WE can ASK or IMAGINE.  Isn't that great?!?!
     When that fear comes back, I want to tell it to go away.  I want to have the abundant life that God has for me.  Is there anywhere that fear has become part of the landscape of your life?  Are you walking in the abundant life that God has for you in every area of your life?  What can you do to team up with God to grab a hold of all He has for you?  Thanks for reading.  :-)

I've had it!

     I am taking a little break from the retreat sessions.  We will return, but I wanted to blog about something else, so I am.  :-)  On Tuesday night, as I was sitting eating chocolate chips, raisins, and teddy grahams, I realized I am eating this and I am not even hungry.  In the last week or so, I have eaten 2 1/2 bags of chips, a TON of cookies and cookie dough, just junk.  Some of the stuff I don't even really like that much, I just keep eating it.  I don't know what happened.  I did great with food while I was visiting my family.  Most of the time, I gain 5-10 pounds when I am visiting there.  This time, I was up like 1.5 pounds (some of which was water weight from flying) and I lost that in a few days.
     But, once I got home, I went nuts.  I do not know what all was going on; well, I think there were lots of things.  I was glad to be home.  Traveling had been stressful and I didn't want to have to think about my food once I got home.  The problem, though, is my "not thinking about it" means just eating all the junk I want.  Why do I do that?  It seems silly to me as I sit and eat stuff I know is going to make me feel yucky and bloated in 30 minutes and still hungry, that I keep eating it.  After doing that for almost two weeks, I was just feeling not great.  And I have gained over 6 pounds in the last two weeks. 
    My husband and I watched a movie and one of the people said that when we are trying to eat healthy, "We need to stop thinking, I WANT that but CAN'T have it.  And start thinking, I CAN have that, but I DON'T want it."  Wow...that seems so easy.  I was trying to do that, the problem is I do want a bunch of chocolate.  But what I realized Tuesday was that, yes, I do want to eat it, but I HATE how eating everything that I WANT makes me feel so bad.  So, Wednesday, I actually stopped eating the junk.  It has been a good few days.  I am feeling better.  I wish that it would keep being as easy- trying to remember how yucky I felt will help me I think.  I know that it usually does get harder, but I just want to remember that I don't want to feel gross.  How about you?  Is there a part of your life that you keep doing something that you know is silly?  What step(s) can you take today to change that just a little?  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Faith Walk: Station Five

     As we walk to the final station of our faith walk from the retreat speaker, we share about a time we felt alone.  The feelings that come up are so real, so raw. Then the group gets to the gazebo.

                                 I AM Here

Consider: God chose you before the beginning of time, relentlessly pursues you, calls you and woos you.  He promises to never leave you.  He is with you when life is great and on your darkest days. 

 Psalm 139:1-18 “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.”

 

Challenge: Take turns slowly spinning in a circle.  As you spin, pause and read each sign.  I AM Here!

Reflect: Pause for a moment of silence and acknowledge God’s presence.

 

 

 

     When we felt alone, we weren't.  He was really there.  Even if it didn't seem like it.  Even if we didn't see where He was, He was there. 

     Which of the stations has been the best for you?  Why?  Which was the hardest?  I hope that these last five days have impacted you.  If you would like to share any stories, please feel free.  :-)  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Faith Walk: Station Four

     As we leave the beach and the fire, we walk back the way we came along the shore.  As we walk, we talk about, "Is it easy or hard for you to receive help from others?"  We continue walking until a HUGE tire swing comes into view.  The following is the section of the faith walk written by the retreat speaker.

                    You are part of God’s Family

 

Consider: The moment we believe and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become part of God’s family, His body in Christ.  We were created to be totally dependent upon God and one another.  We were never meant to do life alone, but in unity together. 

 

Ephesians 4:11-13, 15-16 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ… speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

 

Romans 12:3-8,10, 13, 15,18 “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (mutually dependent on one another). We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully…Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves…Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality…Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn…If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

 

Challenge: Push 2 ladies on the swing.  Each person has to participate and can only do 1 part.  (Example - 2 on swing, 2 lift and help down, 2 hold flashlights, 2 push, etc.). 

 

Reflect: Whether you realize it or not, God has surrounded you with women to encourage and help you and women you are to encourage and help in this journey of life and faith.  Take a moment to think through your answers to the following two questions: What area in life do you need help?  Are you willing to invest in relationship and help someone else?



     I love this!!!  We are not meant to be alone.  We are meant to be surrounded by community, by those who love us.  We are designed to grow closer and closer to each other.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Faith Walk: Station Three

     We are leaving the sound of rushing water behind us.  We are walking on a gravel road toward a dirt path along the lake.  The sound of the lake over the shore is peaceful.  On the way there we talk about "What stops you from fully receiving God's love?"  (The following material is from the retreat speaker, not me.)

                               You are Loved by Jesus

Consider: Close your eyes and picture a man – perfect, tender, strong and head over heels in love with you.  He delights in all of you – He’s not appalled by anything you’ve done or will do, or scared of your deepest longings, in fact, He is able and longs to satisfy all your needs.  He’s the lover of your soul, captivated by your beauty.  He watches over you while you sleep, never leaving nor betraying you.  He defends and fights for you.  His sole desire is to be with you now and forever.  This perfect man, your beloved, is Jesus.  Is He enough for you?

 

Song of Songs 2:10, 7:10 “My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me…I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me.”

 

Romans 8:35, 37-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

Hebrews 13:5 ^“[God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]”

 

Challenge: Sing Jesus Loves Me, Father I adore You, I love you Lord.  Before leaving, put a log in the fire for the next group.

 

Reflect: Take a silent moment to receive God’s lavish love for you.    

 

 

 

    

 

     His love from us is perfect.  He will not let us down.  He knows what we need.  Ask Him to show you more and more of His love for you.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Faith Walk: Station Two

     Remember, this faith walk series was from the speaker of our retreat.  She listened to what God wanted her to do and AWESOME stuff happened.  The faith walk was one of those things.  Please take the time to just sit and read through each part.  If you were at the retreat, do it again.  Let God remind you of what He said or listen to Him speak something new.  If you were not on the retreat, ask God to speak into your life and what He has for you. 
     We are walking to Station Two of our Faith Walk.  Remember, it is very dark.  We are heading toward rushing water and there are trees around.  On the way to the next stop we discuss, "What would you do in life if you knew that nothing was impossible and you could not fail?"  A slight breeze is blowing.  It is cool, not too cold, but getting there.  We stop right before a small wooden bridge. 

 You are Here for a Purpose: To Go and Share God’s Love


 Consider: We can choose to stay in the safety of the lives we create or we can step out into the dark, uncertainty of faith, offer our lives to God, and arise to live and love through Christ.  

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

John 14:12-13 “ Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Isaiah 61:1-4 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

 

1 John 3:16-18, 4:7-12 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth…let us love one another, for love comes from God...This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him...Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

Challenge: Hold hands and walk single file onto the bridge.  Once everyone is on the bridge, stop.  

Reflect: Be still and listen to God’s voice inviting you to step out in faith.  What is God inviting you to?  Whom will you serve, where, and how? 



     Are there things that are stopping you from stepping out?  Ask God to take those things away and make His voice clear to you.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Faith Walk: Station 1

     After listening to the first session of the women's retreat, we had a faith walk around the camp.  It was DARK outside.  We did have three flashlights in each group, but it was still very dark.  On the way to each station we would talk about the discussion question.  Then at each station we would read scripture and do an activity and reflect on it.  I am going to list each station and the scripture we read and the activity we did and what the reflection part was.  I think that I am just going to do one station per day.  I want you to really take the time to think about each of these answers for yourself.  I know that this is longer than most of my other posts, but PLEASE read it.  God did great things through this faith walk.  I know that He can use it here on this blog to really change people too.  It was written by the speaker of the retreat, so it is her and God, not my thoughts, until the break at the end.   


     Station 1:          You are fully forgiven & free to forgive

Discussion: Share a sin you need God to forgive or one needing your forgiveness.

Consider: Sin and unforgiveness are a burden we were never meant to bare.  They weigh us down and stop us from moving forward in life, love and faith. There is no sin so grave that the Lord’s grace cannot remove and fully forgive or empower us to forgive as He forgives us.

Scripture: Read

1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 103:1-12: ¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Ephesians 4:32:  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Challenge: Harness one person to the rock.  Once harnessed, try to move/climb the wall.  (We were harnessed to a VERY HUGE rock!  You could not move at all once you were attached to it.) 

Read Hebrews 12:1-2:  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflect: Take a silent moment to release your sin or unforgiveness to Jesus, lay it at the foot of the cross, and receive God’s full forgiveness, forgive yourself, or make the choice to forgive another. 



Wow...How freeing is that?  Jesus died so we didn't have to carry a burden that we were not meant to bear.  Allow His loving sacrifice to cover you and those around you.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Live Big!

     This blog is based on the teachings of the speaker at our women's retreat.  She described how in life, we all have a "plate."  When we are first starting out in life, it is mostly our self and God on the plate.  She had a plate with different fruit.  She and God were both big apples.  Then she got married- add an orange.  She got a job- add a lemon.  She had five BOYS- add five oranges.  She has friends- add some limes.  She does ministry- add a few tangerines.  Then she has to do things like housework- add a bunch of grapes.  You can see that soon, there is not enough room on the plate for everything.  So, she makes herself a little smaller-a tangerine.  Then later, she needs to be a little smaller- a grape.  She makes God a little smaller too.  Because, you know that He understands.  He won't be mad.  He WANTS us to do all this stuff right?!?! 
     Even with making herself and God as small as she can make them, there is not enough room on the plate.  The awesome thing is, God's power works best in weakness- He tells us that in the Bible.  So, HE can take all of our stuff- our relationships, ministries, tasks, all of it.  Instead of us trying to fit it all on our little plate, we can give it to Him and He is our ginormous fruit bowl.  He can take it all- IF we actually give it to Him.  So, give Him all of your life, every bit of it, even if you think it seems like He might not want it, He does.  Give it all to Him and LIVE BIG!!!!!  Do NOT shrink yourself anymore.  Our Heavenly Father loves you and knows that you are important.  Come to Him.  Let Him hold all of the things of your life that seem to just be falling uncontrollably off of your plate.  He can handle ALL of you.  He WANTS all of you.  You are not too much!!!  He is more than enough.  Let Him love you well and let Him allow you to LIVE BIG!!!!!  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Warrior Women

     The women's retreat this past weekend was about being Warrior Women.  Our speaker described how we can make our life fuller and fuller and fuller until we become less and less.  And sometimes we can make God less in our life too.  We looked at the fear that we have in our lives.  Talked about being tired and weary.  Then we looked at who God really wants us to be, what He really has for us.  It was an awesome weekend.  I am going to be blogging more about it, but I just wanted to give you a little time to think first.  Do you feel like a warrior for God?  Or are you hiding under the covers, afraid?  Are you making God bigger in your life or smaller to make room for other things?  More tomorrow.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Checking In

     Sorry that it has been a few days since I have blogged.  I was on a women's church retreat this weekend and had no internet.  Then yesterday, I felt like the jet lag was finally catching up to me.  Anyway, I'm back now.  :-)  Since this is the first post of the month, I wanted to check in to see how you were doing with your goals for the new year.  Remember, we don't have to wait for January 1st to make new goals.  Look at the goals you set for this year.  Are you a sixth of the way done with them?  When you look at some of them, do you think, "I have not worked toward that at all, but I'm ok with that"?  If you do, let that goal go.  Probably it wasn't really your goal in the first place then. 
     It's ok to change your goals.  We want to continually evaluate what we want our life to look like.  As I live each day, I try to look and ask if this is the life I want.  If a part of it is not, then why?  What can I do to change it?  If so, what can I do to make it even better?  Keep making your life more and more what you want it to be.  The way to do that the most effectively is by setting goals and then actually working to make them a reality.  I hope that you are achieving or closing in on some of your goals, but if not, today is a great day to start!  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Home Sweet Home

     Back to my regular life.  Today I did laundry at my own house, loaded my own dish washer, and cleaned up my own house.  There is something really nice about that.  I love being on "vacation," but there is a great quality about being in your own home.  It is enjoyable to see my kids playing with their friends and my friend drinking a Starbucks with me here in my home.  I know I have written this before, but I want to make each moment that I have count.  I want to enjoy each moment that I have with my husband, kids, and friends.  I feel like that has been a theme that I keep seeing.  Thank you to everyone who is helping to teach me that.  My parents and sisters when I am able to be with them.  My mother-in-law when she shares from her love, her life, and her loss.  My son's preschool teacher who tells me not to worry about what it will be like when I have to send my baby to kindergarten next year, but to enjoy each day as it comes.  My friends when we get time to connect and laugh with each other.  My kids when I watch them grow more and more everyday.  My husband when we talk about how crazy it is that we have been married for almost nine years already.  How did that happen? 
     I want to make each day count.  I saw this quote on a friend's Facebook post, "“Harold Hill: You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering.”  ― Meredith Willson, The Music Man: A Musical Comedy.  How about you?  Are you making today worth remembering?  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Finally!!

    Note:  I wrote this yesterday and it didn't get published.  :-)   I am at my home!  Our flight last night was so delayed that we would have missed our connection and would have been stuck at the Chicago airport for 24 hours.  So, I had my parents come back and get the kiddos and I from the airport, after we had already been there for over 2 hours, and we stayed at their house again last night.  Then this morning, about 12 hours from when we were at the airport, we left again to go back to the airport.  We went to Washington DC on an hour flight, had a 3 1/2 hour layover and then a 5 1/2 hour plane ride home.  The kids did really well, but I am still VERY tired.  Thank you all for your prayers.  Tomorrow, I hit the ground running into "normal" life again.  :-)  Thanks for reading.  :-)

On the Road Again....

     I can't wait to be OFF the road again.  Traveling will start when we leave my parents' house at 3:45pm eastern time to go to the airport.  Then we will leave on a plane at 6:25pm and have a short ride.  We will get on a plane for a longer ride (after perhaps jogging through the airport).  Then by 1:37am we will be home.  Please pray that the trip is good for the kids and I and that they sleep on the long flight.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Family Time

     I have had a lot of sister time the last two weeks.  I have three sisters.  They are 6, 7, and 10 years younger than me.  It has been fun to get to do the things that they like or talk about their lives.  My middle sister is getting married in July.  We went wedding dress shopping, talked about the wedding, reception, pictures, and tons of other things.  We also played games together (with our Dad and her fiance) and talked about tons of other stuff. 
     I have another sister who has a little baby girl just four and half months older than my two year old.  It was fun to watch the kids play together and to talk about what was going on with the kids.  Also, we bonded over an iPhone game.  You know those ones that you play and there really isn't a point.  Well, she has one on her phone because her little girl likes to watch it.  I played on her phone some while she was at my parents' house.
     My baby sister is in college.  I got to learn more about her classes.  Tonight she baked cookies for us.  The kids, my Mom, my baby sister, and I went shopping today.  It was tons of fun to just hang out with her and learning more about who she is.
     I love hanging out with my Mom and Dad too.  They are my friends.  I enjoy seeing how my kids light up around them.  My kiddos want to play with them all the time.  I enjoy talking with them about little things that are going on in life and big things too.  I talk to them often on the phone, but there is something different about being in the same room.
     I know that we are coming back in four months for my sister's shower and her wedding, but it is still hard to say goodbye.  I know there will be tears at the airport.  I try to teach my kids that it is ok to be sad that we are leaving-we will miss PaPa and Mima and their Aunts, but also we are going home to Daddy.  So, we can be excited about that.  Emotions are weird, aren't they?  Learn about those around you.  Be joyful when you are around them.  But, it's to be sad sometimes too.  Tomorrow I have to remember that it's ok to feel all the emotions that the kids and I are feeling as we travel.  I want to do a good job of letting them feel.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Time

     Time is funny.  Why do the last few days of my trip to see my family seem so precious?  It's not that all of the time isn't special and important.  When you live as far away from family as we do, any time together is life giving and treasured.  With that said though, when you know people are leaving soon and you won't see them for months, or when we are driving to the airport, I want to breathe in every minute.  Not waste a thing.
     Why don't we always live like that?  Treasure the people we are with when we are with them?  Enjoy where we are while we are there?  I know that I am better at it now.  But i could be better.  i want to actually engage. I want to be making memories.  Go make some memories with the people around you.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Nerd

     I am a mega nerd.  It's true.  I just helped my sister with her taxes and I loved it.   I really like to do taxes.  My father in law would be so proud.  He used to do our taxes, but when he passed away, I started to do the taxes for my husband and I.  I love doing it.  I look forward to tax time.  I think of it as a  challenge.  I know that I can defeat them.  Also, I have found the IRS people to be nice and helpful if I do have questions.  But, just so you know.  I am a mega nerd.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Memories

     Today I had one of my favorite kinds of pizza.  It is from a small pizza place from where I grew up.  I love having the pizza when I am in town.  My sister loves to get it when she is here too.  I think it is because it reminds us of growing up.  You know those tastes and smells that just trigger good memories?  This pizza is one of those.  Both my husband and my sister's fiancé think the pizza is fine, but they don't love it.  My husband is not excited to get it when he is in my hometown, but he eats it because I like it.  But the guys don't have the same great memories associated with it.  They weren't there when we would get two trays of it and go to Gram's house and hang out with our cousins.  They weren't there for the birthday parties and late nights eating that pizza.
     We can tell them all abut the memories and they can appreciate that we like the pizza, but they will never like it the way we do.  And that's ok.  :-).  I will still love my pizza, even though some people might not ever understand.  So, what are your things that bring back good memories?  A favorite food?  Song?  Movie?  Share the experience with someone you love, just so you can tell them the stories about it.  You will love it and they will love learning more about you.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Great Things

     Today my fabulous son told my sister that he is going to do great things with his life.  I love that he knows that- he knows he was made for great things.  I want to always remind him of that.  I want him to remember that God DOES have things that are better than he can even think or imagine.  I too want to remember that I am going to do great things with my life.  Even on my bad days, I need to continue to tell myself TRUTH.  You too are going to do great things with your life!  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Oops!

     My baby girl accidently broke my parents' glass top coffee table.  :-(  It was really scary- huge bad chunks of glass broken all over the top of the table.  She didn't get hurt at all, which was a miracle, given that there were glass slivers all over.  My sister was over with her kids too, so she took all four kiddos down stairs to keep them from getting glass in them.  It was scary.  I kept looking for little glass pieces everywhere.  It was a little while before I actually felt good about letting the kids come back upstairs. 
     After the kids were back up, my baby princess was so sad that the glass was gone.  I kept telling her it was broken.  She got really sad.  I thought she was going to cry.  She just did not understand that her accident had consequences.  Again, it makes me think of life.  Sometimes, I make mistakes.  I really didn't mean for anything bad to happen, but it does.  Then people might be scared or hurt or angry (none of us were angry with her though).  When something is an accident, it isn't like I could have necessarily done anything to prevent it.  But, I have to look at when happened and talk to the people I should about the outcome. 
     After a little while though, my baby girl was ok.  She didn't hold onto the sadness.  I know, she is only two, so she doesn't necessarily get it, but the point works for me too.  Once I have talked to those I should, I need to not keep beating myself up over things.  I cannot prevent every accident (like a glass coffee table top breaking), so once I have done what I can- I need to let it go and move on.  What about you?  Are there things that you are claiming responsibility for that you don't need to be?  Forgive yourself.  :-)  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Patience

     You know the days you have that are just long and hard?  Today wasn't totally like that, but a lot of it was.  My kiddos are both tired and sick from having bad nights last nights.  My baby girl didn't really get her nap and neither did I.  :-/  Little princess does not like to take medicine.  At. all.  I tried to give her some tonight and she spit it all over herself.  Twice...  Grr......  At that moment, I did not have the patience that I should have.  I know it.  Which is then even more frustrating.  I know that God can give me His patience, I don't ask for it enough.  I want to come to Him.  I want to ask Him.  Why don't I?  I wish I knew.  It's just a reminder that I need to call on Him always.  Ask the Holy Spirit to be working in and through me always.  These cranky moments of mine do give me a chance to teach my kids about saying sorry and forgiveness, so I guess there is an up side.  :-)  But, I know they will have enough opportunities to learn that other times, so I really want them to know that Jesus is in me because I do what He would do.  I have His fruit.  Pray for me and you and all of those you love that we can all show each other and everyone else around us the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Snow Day

     Today my kids , my Dad, my sister, her fiancé, and I got to play in the snow.  My baby girl has never played in the snow before and my son has only played a few times in his four and a half years.  I don't think he has ever been sledding.  It was so fun watching them enjoy the snow.  :-). They might not get to play in it for a while again, but today was awesome.  I asked my son, after having sledded down the hill a few times, if he wanted to play in the snow.  He asked me, "Mommy, how do I play in the snow?"  I loved that he asked.  He didn't know what to do, so he asked.  How many times in my life do I not know what to do, but I just try to fake it?  Wouldn't it just be better to ask those people around me who actually know?  Ask those who have the answers?  I love my kids.  They remind me of the way that I should approach life.  They also make me laugh and smile and help me enjoy this fabulous life I have!  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Game Night

     Tonight some of my family sat around and played a game.  It is so fun to be able to just spend time with family.  I really love being with family.  I enjoy having the shared experience and the quality time together.  My husband's family plays game when we are visiting them too.  I really enjoy playing games.  :-)  So, if you like to play games, make some time to play with the people you love.  Have a fun day!  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Words of Affirmation

     The final love language is words of affirmation.  These can come in several different ways.  The first is verbal compliments.  An example of this would be telling someone how good her hair looks or the accessories she is wearing or her smile.  Encouraging words are another form of this love language.  These words will inspire people to be what they can be.  It can encourage them to do more than they think they can.  The words will inspire courage in the one you love.
     An important part of words of affirmation is HOW you say something.  What does your tone sound like?  Does it seem irritated?  Or can the person hear that you are being loving toward them?  Also, it is important to use humble words- to request things from those you love and not demand them.  So ask, "would you please...," instead of rudely telling someone to do something.
     Remember, if words of affirmation are a person's love language, words that are mean or not encouraging will hurt them WAY more than someone whose love language is not words of affirmation.  As you have read through the five love languages, what stuck out to you?  Are there ones that you know are your spouse's and you have some apologizing to do?  Do you know what yours are and you might need to explain the idea or love languages to those around you?  Do things to fill the love tank of those around you and see the difference that it makes.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Acts of Service

     The fourth love language is acts of service.  Acts of service are when you do something for someone else.  It might be something you like to do, like bake cookies.  Or it could be something you don't necessarily like to do, such as the dishes or scrubbing the floors.  This love language, like all of them, are not about what YOU want to do, but what the other person wants.  It could be that you think vacuuming is an awesome thing to do to show your love.  When in reality, your spouse would rather you fold the mountain of laundry to show them you love them.
     If your spouse keeps asking you to do things, like cleaning or other things around the house, or washing the car, his or her love language is probably acts of service.  Listen to what they ask you to do and DO those things, even if they are not the things you think should show love.  If acts of service are the love of language of someone you love, do what they are asking to fill up his or her love tank.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Touch

     Happy Valentine's Day from Ohio!  We made it across the country in one piece.  :-)  Thanks for your prayers.  Now, back on topic.  The first two Love Languages we talked about were quality time and gifts.  The third is touch.  This can be holding hands, rubbing someone's feet, letting your kiddo sit on your lap, lots of things.  If you have a spouse or kid who is always snuggling up next to you, then one of his or her main love languages may be touch.  This is another major one for my son.  The other day I told him he could sit on the floor or on the couch beside me to play a video game with his friend.  Where does he sit?  My lap.  :-)  Which did not surprise me at all.  And just reaffirms that one of his love languages is touch.
     If your spouse has this love language, or if you do, the touch does not have to be sexual at all.  It could just be holding hands at the mall or having them touch your back.  It is about touch conveying love.  I hope that this information is getting you interested in The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman.  Are you beginning to see what your love language(s) might be?  What about the people that you care the most about?  Thanks for reading.  :-) 

Leaving on a Jet Plane

     We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog about the Love Languages to make an important announcement.  My kiddos and I are going to Ohio to visit my family for two weeks.  I am going to try to blog, but I don't know if I will every day.  Please pray for our travels there and back.  Also, pray that my kids can adjust to the time zone change.  And that we all get great family time.  :-)  Hopefully, tomorrow we will be back to the Love Languages.  Have a fabulous day everyone!!  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Gift Giving

     In review from yesterday, Dr. Gary Chapman wrote The Five Love Languages.  He describes how we can show each other that we love each other.  For more info, read yesterday's post.  :-)  Today we look at gift giving as a love language.  With gift giving, it is not the cost of the gift that matters.  What is important is that you thought of the person.  You saw something they liked and got it.  It can be tic-tacs.  It shows that you were thinking of them.  Surprise them with a card.  With a candy bar.  It really is not about how much you spent.  That is hard for me to wrap my head around, but I have had years to keep trying.  One of my husband's main love languages is gift giving.  This was hard for me at first.  I (still sometimes) get stuck on the idea that the higher the price, the higher the amount of love shown.  Which then, makes it so I didn't buy things as often.  Really, it is better for me to get lots of inexpensive things and surprise him often.  I am learning.  :-)   
      Another problem with me and gifts.  Sometimes, my husband would give me a gift and I wouldn't respond well.  My negative response, really hurt him.  It hurt him more because gifts is one of his love languages.  I didn't know this information at the time, or I would have responded differently.  So, remember, whatever some one's main love language is, not responding to that well to that will really hurt them.  Be careful how you respond.  Apologize to someone if you have reacted badly.  I had to.  :-/  Keeping loving well.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Love Languages

     Today at MOPS we talked about love languages.  Dr. Gary Chapman wrote The Five Love Languages.  The idea is that we all have a "love tank."  When we feel loved, our tank fills up; when we don't, it gets empty.  Different people feel love in ways.  We all know there are multiple, multiple languages that people speak all over the world.  There can be miscommunication if someone who is speaking English is trying to talk with someone who only speaks Japanese.  In the same way, just because you feel loved when someone gives you a gift, doesn't mean that those around you feel as loved when they get a gift.  Miscommunication can occur when two people speak different love languages.  By learning what your love language is and what the love languages of your spouse, children, and loved ones are, you can help one another to feel loved.
     So, for the next few days, we are going to look at the different love languages.  There are five: quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, and acts of service.  Each language has different dialects, so even if two people have the same language, they could speak it a little differently.  Like how Americans and Australians both speak English, but it can sound very different.  Today's language is quality time.  One way that quality time as a love language can be expressed is that someone would want a person to be around them- to be close.  They may not have to be doing the same activity, just be together. 
     Another way that quality time can be conveyed is that you may want to be engaged in quality conversation.  One person wants the other to actively listen and talk about feelings they have about situations in life.  This situation is about connecting and talking and understanding each other.  It is not about trying to fix whatever the problems might be.
     Thirdly, it could be that a person wants to do a quality activity together.  Maybe a puzzle or a game.  A person wants all of the attention when the activity is taking place.  This is not a time to multi-task.  Just DO the activity.  Don't try to watch TV and do the puzzle.  Just do the puzzle together.  It is a time to share an experience and to connect with one another. 
     Quality time is my main love language, so I like this one.  :-)  You would think that would mean it is super easy for me to speak.  And it is often times.  However, it is also one of my son's main one's too.  Sometimes though, I still don't get it right.  I sit at the computer as he asks me to play with him.  In the last few months, I have been trying really hard to actually making sure that I am filling his love tank.  I am getting better, not perfect, but better.  I want him to know that he is loved.
     As you read through the last few paragraphs, did you find yourself relating to any of them?  Do you think quality time might be your love language?  Or your spouses?  Or your kids?  Take some time and think about it.  Join me tomorrow for more on Love Languages.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

The Long Haul

     Sometimes I don't want to have to wait for things.  I want to see results right now.  With losing weight, saving money, or running, I don't get to see immediate results most of the time.  I want to be able to run as fast as I want to right now.  I want to be at my goal weight now.  I want to have our emergency fund saved already.  I like to check things off lists.  I have been feeling like I can't check these long term things off.  I know, I know.  Babysteps.  Reward yourself along the way.  I know all the right things to say.  But, sometimes I just want to see the results right now.  That's how it is, right?  Sometimes we need the people around us to tell us it is ok that we don't get to check things off.  That babysteps are really worth it.  I am thankful that I have those people in my life.
     But really, when I think about it.  Most things that are really valuable to us are things that we are in for the long haul.  Things that we can't easily cross off of a list.  Love my husband.  Build my marriage.  Love my kids.  Teach my kids.  Love my family and friends.  Build relationship.  Wouldn't it be weird if we checked those off the list and moved on?  We can't.  Everyday we continue to work on the things that are important to us.  So, when I need a pep talk about being healthy or saving money, I can remind myself of all of the things in life that I will never really "check off" but love doing every day anyway.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Baking

     I love to bake.  Anytime I get a chance to bake for something, I do.  Today, I baked a lot of cookies!  Tomorrow is the cookie sale at my church.  All of the money raised goes to the women's retreat.  Baking the fifteen dozen or a little more cookies was so much fun.  It was a great day to relax with my family and have fun.  And I got to do a hobby that I enjoy.  :-)  Make sure to take time to do the hobbies that help relax you.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Play

     I have recently decided I want to play more.  I have played board games with my husband, lots of stuff with the kids and then things with friends.  But, I really do want my life to have more play.  I have been trying to play more board games with the kiddos.  More coloring.  More video games with my son.  More board games with my honey.  Sometimes, when life is going crazy, it can seem like coloring with my baby girl is a waste of time.  Or that I can't stop for a few moments and ACTIVELY BE with my family.  I want my family to remember that I played.  I want my family to remember that they were more important to me than the laundry or the dishes or a meeting I needed to get ready for. 
     It's hard for me sometimes, because I want those tasks to get done.  But, I need to remind myself that I will get stuff done, but it doesn't necessarily need to get done right this moment, some things maybe, but not most.  Playing is important too.  When my son wants to play video games, it is not a waste of time.  That is speaking love to my wonderful son.  When my baby girl wants to color. I am telling her I love her.  Playing a game with my husband shows him that he is loved.  These are things that are important.  I want to make sure they are a priority.  How can you play today?  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Grace and The Law

     I just started reading Leviticus in the Bible in the last few days.   It is a book about the law for the Israelites.  God told Moses what sacrifices the people should make.  There were sacrifices for thanksgiving, repentance, festivals, atonement and they just keep going.  The people had to offer sacrifices because they did not have Jesus as their Savior yet. 
     It is hard to read Leviticus.  I keep thinking, "If I read about lobes and kidneys and fat of one more sacrifice..."  I am pushing through.  As I read though, the thing that I keep thinking about is how I am glad that I have Grace.  I don't have to atone for my sins because Jesus did it for me.  He was my Sacrifice.  He was your Sacrifice.  Once and for all.  We just have to ask Him to cover us and forgive our sins.  Then, we are forgiven and clean.  That's it.  We don't have to bring any lambs, or livestock, or birds.  We just bring us.  And He loves us.  I am so thankful for Grace as I read through Leviticus.  I pray that you know Jesus' Grace today.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Trust

     There is a story in the Bible in 1 Kings 13 about two prophets, an old one and a young one.  The young one had been told by God not to eat or drink food on a journey that he was on.  A King offered him food and he told him that even if the King gave him half his Kingdom, he could not eat or drink with the King because God told him not to on the journey.  As he is headed home, an old prophet goes after the young prophet and tells him that God said to the old prophet the young prophet could eat and drink with the old prophet.  It was completely a lie.  But the young prophet didn't know that so he goes and eats with old prophet. 
     As they are eating and drinking, the old prophet gets an actual word from God telling the old prophet that the young one will be killed by a lion because he disobeyed what God had told him to do.  Wow!!  Doesn't that seem crazy?!?!  For eating and drinking, the prophet of God gets killed by a lion.  The point wasn't the eating and drinking, it was that he disobeyed what God had told him to do.
     He trusted the wrong person.  He knew the King was making evil choices, so he didn't trust him.  But the old prophet?  The young prophet trusted him because he was another prophet.  But, the young prophet KNEW what God had told him.  But he listened to someone else and not God.  He should have checked this new message with God.
     He trusted someone more than God.  The main take away that I get from the story is be careful who you let into your sphere of influence.  Be cautious to whom you give your trust.  I am not saying I shouldn't be friends and acquaintances with lots of people, but I need to watch who I let into my inner circle.  I want to make sure they are telling me things that line up with the Word of God.  That they are pushing toward God and not away from Him.  I want to use wisdom.  I want to seek God and check what others tell me against what God is telling me.  Who are you letting into your sphere of influence?  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Cereal For Dinner

     I admit it.  I let my kids eat cereal for dinner.  Not every night, but maybe once a week or so.  They love it.  I like it too actually.  Cereal is yummy and it reminds me of my father-in-law.  He would eat cereal for dinner too.  :-)  He was so amazing.  Really.  He was.  He was a fabulous husband for my mother-in-law, dad for his three kids and three kids-in-law, and friend to loads of people.  I loved being around him.  He loved Jesus with all his heart.  And I know that he is in Heaven with Jesus now worshipping until we all get to see him again.
     I wish that I would have gotten more time with him.  I know that everyone that knew him wanted more time too.  I wish he would have known my kids.  He never got to meet them.  I got pregnant a few months after he passed away.  My kids would have loved him.  Since they won't get to meet him this side of Heaven, my kiddos get to know about their Grandpa by learning things about him and hearing stories about him.  Things like that he liked to have cereal for dinner.  Or that he had birthday Pop-Tarts with his kids on their birthdays.  :-)  Or by listening to my husband tell stories from when he would play with his Dad. 
     So, I know that the nutritional value of cereal for dinner isn't awesome, but the emotional and relational value is soo worth it.  Do you have things that remind you of the people you love?  Go ahead, do them.  Don't worry that the things might seem funny to other people.  It's ok.  They are for you and the people around you.  Tell stories about those you love and loved.  Then live parts of those stories again.  Have fun!  Make memories.  Thanks for reading.  :-) 

Thankfulness

     Sorry for the super late post.  My baby girl has been part of a study since she was six months old.  She is in the control group for an autism study.  In the last eighteen months, we have gone to the University for visits multiple times, I have filled out loads of questionnaires, and she has had three MRIs.  Tonight was the third MRI.  They are trying to figure out when they can see a difference in the brains of babies with and without autism.  They have made some progress, so they are now going to start looking at babies who are three months old.  Since the kids don't medically need the MRIs, they do not use anesthesia.  So, we do them past her bedtime, hoping she falls asleep in my arms quickly.  This is an interesting process given that she NEVERS falls asleep in my arms except for these MRI nights.  Normally, she lays down in her bed awake and then falls asleep by herself.  Well, tonight it took her less than an hour and a half.  The best yet!!!  I love having her sleeping there in my arms.  Then,  I have to lay her down on the MRI machine which makes CRAZY loud noises. 
     Each time I see her like that, I am so thankful she doesn't actually NEED this.  I am reminded to pray for all of the kids there at the Children's Hospital.  I am so happy to be a part of the study.  Hopefully, they will be able to use this information to help kids with autism in the future.  And it reminds me to be thankful for the health of my fabulous kiddos.  That is something that I sometimes take for granted.  I want to remember to thank my Heavenly Father for all that He has blessed my family with each day.  What about you?  Are there things that you could be thanking God for that you forget about sometimes?  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Like My Mom

     You know how people say that you turn into your Mom as you get older?  Well, I really think there is truth to that, which is great because I think my Mom is great.  And tonight I was totally like her.  :-)  Before I can tell you about tonight, let me give you a little back story.  The elementary school version of me would come home and tell Mom, "Tomorrow is rubber ducky day (or insert some other random theme) at school."  Then Mom awesomely, cool Mom would make me a handmade outfit to go with the day.  She did this so many times, I can't even remember them all.  And I knew that she would come through for me.  There was no doubt.  Or I would tell her we are having a contest and I knew she would help me win it.  She had my back all the time.  I also didn't realize until I was older, she would stay up most of the night making my clothes for the next day, so I could have a shirt and/or accessory to go with the them.  As a side note, one time she made me a slap bracelet to go with a Christmas dress.  She is fabulous.  :-)
   Ok, back to present day.  My son's preschool teacher (who is so crazy good) tells us on Friday that Monday is hearts and hats day and that we are going to see who has the most hearts.  So, tonight I made him a heart necklace with 150 hearts.  It's not a homemade outfit, but I still felt like I was bonding with my Mom as I strung each of those beads.  There are some ways I am turning into my Mom and I am proud.  Thanks for reading.  :-)

Love and Whimsy

     I saw Bob Goff speak tonight.  He wrote the book Love Does, which I have talked about a few times.  One of the things I just keep coming back to, after finishing the book and hearing him speak tonight, is that I want to act out of love and not out of obligation.  Sometimes the results would be the same- the task gets done.  But when I am acting out of God's love, my attitude and motivation are different.  For example, I want to start serving in the nursery at church because I love kids and I love their moms and I know that Jesus loves them too.  I don't want to show up anymore because I have too.  The way I interact with people will be different if I am motivated by love. 
     This book is awesome!!  Please read it.  Each chapter only take about 10 minutes to read and they are fun, so it is easy to read in little chunks (important for a mom with two little kiddos).  It will change the way you look at life.  It kinda freaks me out a bit because he talks about "whimsy" often.  How love involves "whimsy."  I am not really a person of "whimsy."  But, I think that maybe I should, be a little; maybe more, we'll see.  :-)  I want to work in whimsy into my life.  I want to love like Jesus loved.  He didn't love out of obligation and He also didn't have a detailed 64 point plan.  He did things.  He fed the people who were following Him with what they had.  He didn't have the disciples bring enough food for everyone they expected to be there.  He didn't make everyone RSVP.  He just had some whimsy.  Weird, right?  I know that God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Eph 3:20)."  I have been trying to live out that verse the last couple of years.  I think this new insight from Bob is going to help me a ton.  So, now I am going to act from love and add a little whimsy in my life and see what God does with it.  Thanks for reading.  :-)