It's hard to be thankful just on Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for so many things. How lucky for you to get to read about some of them! LOL
First there is my wonderful husband. He works tirelessly for our family everyday. He loves us all unconditionally, which I am so sure is hard some days. The poor man lives in the estrogen ocean and has the patience of Job! Not to many men I know can work on a remodel project with the help of two ADD women and never lose his temper!! He is my strength, my best friend, the man God designed just for me. He is the outward reflection of God's perfect love for me and I am so thankful for everyday we have together. I am thankful that we get to spend more time together than most couples and thankful that when we do have to be apart, my heart still flutters with excitement when he gets home. He is truly one of the biggest blessings in my life.
I am thankful for my beautiful children. They make life less serious. Now realistically everyone knows kids can be exhausting, challenging, and frustrating, but then they turn around and say those magic words "I love you" and BAM you forget that mess! I am loving seeing my oldest grow into the Godly woman she was ment to be. We always said she would be out spreading the Word of God one day, she sure seems on that path! Our youngest...well...she will be spreading cheer and humor, at least if she stays on the path she is on. She is a clown and doesn't really care what anyone thinks of her. She marches to the beat of her own drum, I love that!!
I am thankful for Audrey, aka Tini. She has been a joyous addition to our home and brought with her a wonderful Mom and Grandma to share. We have all taught each other, loved each other, lifted each other and cried with each other. She is truly family and we are blessed that she came to just visit one weekend, that seems like forever ago. God truly brought her here to share our lives and we couldn't have made it thru the past few years without her.
I am thankful for the special angels God has sent thru a series of unfortunate events. I have learned to view life from an entirely new perspective and can see the hand of God truly "working all things for His glory". I am thankful for following stories such as Alex (The Boy Who Went to Heaven) and Tripp Roth, these two amazing little men have shown the world the love of the Lord thru extraordinary circumstances. Courtney Roth, Tripp's momma, has shown the world the strength of a mother thru suffering. I truly can say, she is the first mom I can compare to Mary mother of Christ. Her demonstration of faith is amazing to me and I only pray I have that strength one day. These two special little boys have shown the world God's love. If you have never heard of them please search them out and read their stories, you will be blessed by them.
I am truly thankful for my inlaws. My father in law was a challenging person, to say the least, but he taught my husband strength, perseverance, and what it is to work hard. Not to mention when he was funny, he was flippin FUNNY!! I was never blessed enough to meet my mother in law, yet I feel I see her daily. The seeds of kindness she planted in my husband have grown into a mighty strong tree and she is looking down so proud of the Godly man he has become. Yet again, examples of how God can turn all things to work for His Glory, each step in my hubby's life has brought him to where he is now.
I am exceptionally thankful for my parents. They truly love me unconditionally, thank goodness because I have done some really STUPID things! LOL They have been the best parenting examples and I pray I can be as good of a parent as they were to me to my girls. They taught me not to judge others, that diversity is a good thing, that life takes work and to take things in stride.
I am most thankful for my Lord and Savior. He rescued me from the pits of Hell before I even knew Him. He guided me right where He wanted me, back on His path. Without Him I would still be lost in the world. My relationship with Him has been life changing and I am thankful my children have known Him from birth. I pray He keeps them from making the mistakes we have made, but I know that if they do He will guide them back on His path. He is my Rock, my Comforter, my Strength, and my Light in the dark world. I can't wait for the day of His return!! PRAISE HIM!!
May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving. Enjoy a wonderful feast and remember all the wonderful things you have to be thankful for. BE BLESSED!!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
We The People, Inc.
"WE THE PEOPLE" Ever stop to think of these words? I have been thinking about them a lot lately. Our elected officials seem to have forgotten them completely. I am sure that the internet as tons to do with the fact that almost daily we are bombed with an official gone bad. Sex scandals, theft, mail fraud, you name it its there.
In my opinon We The People cast the vote; We The People pay taxes; thus We The People sign your paychecks. In We The People's world he who signs our paychecks is called the boss! So, that being said, here is my message.
Dear Elected Offical,
You have been employed by us for quite some time now. You have seem to forget why we elected you. Remember your campaign? Remember those fliers, slogans, debate answers? Remember those babies you hugged, hands you shook, the donations to your campaigns? Remember those faces smiling up at you as you pledged to change our world for the positive? We do!
You are not holding up to your end of the job. We are disappointed in quite a few things, and frankly, if one of us "We The People" did even the smallest of things you are doing on our job, we would be unemployed.
Now don't get me wrong, I firmly believe that you deserve (and should have the right to) to have a personal life. I am not much concerned with what you chose to do in your personal life, off the clock. I do, however, not intend to pay for your meals, trips, ect. If I can't afford those meals or trips, I am not interested in paying for you to enjoy those things, use the paycheck we give you and pay for those yourself! When you are on the clock, you work for us, do your job. Most of us put in, at the very least, a 40 hour work week. This usually includes some sort of lunch. I think and hour for lunch is acceptable. Take two 15 minute breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Vacation time and sick time is allowed, but shouldn't be greater than what the general public would receive.
Please remember this, when you have a bill, law or ordinance to vote on and you represent 51,000 people (let me be clear, this is just an example, we elected you figuring you are smart enough to "get this") say 50,000 call you against said motion, use your head! Don't side with the 1,000, you were elected because majority rules around here, put that in motion. Quit siding with "he who offers you the most". We The People pay you handsomely to represent us, we EXPECT no DEMAND that you quit taking bribes, lunches, trips ect so that someones life becomes easier and you mess the rest of our lives up.
Quit taking advantage of the position we hired you for, do your job! Start practicing good work ethics, because when you come up for review you may very well find yourself out of a job. Trust me, out in We The People land jobs are hard to come by. Bosses don't tolerate the behavior you have been used to. The bills, laws and ordinances YOU passed because someone gave you a treat (sorry, just realized that made you sound like a trained pet) to vote for just may come back to bite you in the butt. If you need help filling out the 16 pages of information needed to get food stamps, I am sure We The People can help you out, after all by then you will be one of us again.
Sincerely,
WE THE PEOPLE
In my opinon We The People cast the vote; We The People pay taxes; thus We The People sign your paychecks. In We The People's world he who signs our paychecks is called the boss! So, that being said, here is my message.
Dear Elected Offical,
You have been employed by us for quite some time now. You have seem to forget why we elected you. Remember your campaign? Remember those fliers, slogans, debate answers? Remember those babies you hugged, hands you shook, the donations to your campaigns? Remember those faces smiling up at you as you pledged to change our world for the positive? We do!
You are not holding up to your end of the job. We are disappointed in quite a few things, and frankly, if one of us "We The People" did even the smallest of things you are doing on our job, we would be unemployed.
Now don't get me wrong, I firmly believe that you deserve (and should have the right to) to have a personal life. I am not much concerned with what you chose to do in your personal life, off the clock. I do, however, not intend to pay for your meals, trips, ect. If I can't afford those meals or trips, I am not interested in paying for you to enjoy those things, use the paycheck we give you and pay for those yourself! When you are on the clock, you work for us, do your job. Most of us put in, at the very least, a 40 hour work week. This usually includes some sort of lunch. I think and hour for lunch is acceptable. Take two 15 minute breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Vacation time and sick time is allowed, but shouldn't be greater than what the general public would receive.
Please remember this, when you have a bill, law or ordinance to vote on and you represent 51,000 people (let me be clear, this is just an example, we elected you figuring you are smart enough to "get this") say 50,000 call you against said motion, use your head! Don't side with the 1,000, you were elected because majority rules around here, put that in motion. Quit siding with "he who offers you the most". We The People pay you handsomely to represent us, we EXPECT no DEMAND that you quit taking bribes, lunches, trips ect so that someones life becomes easier and you mess the rest of our lives up.
Quit taking advantage of the position we hired you for, do your job! Start practicing good work ethics, because when you come up for review you may very well find yourself out of a job. Trust me, out in We The People land jobs are hard to come by. Bosses don't tolerate the behavior you have been used to. The bills, laws and ordinances YOU passed because someone gave you a treat (sorry, just realized that made you sound like a trained pet) to vote for just may come back to bite you in the butt. If you need help filling out the 16 pages of information needed to get food stamps, I am sure We The People can help you out, after all by then you will be one of us again.
Sincerely,
WE THE PEOPLE
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Oprah Says Goodbye
I know its been awhile since you have had the chance to hear my thoughts. That can be good or bad, you either didn't miss me or needed a good laugh at the crazy lady! HeHe!
My thoughts today are on Oprah. Yes, you read that right, Oprah. I have to admit that I rarely watched her show in the past years. I had seen them growing up, watched the Christmas give away show, but for the most part I didn't really give a second thought to watching. I am currently watching her last show on the DVR. I know, if I never really watch, why DVR the last one? Well, her show is part of television history and I wanted to see how she went out. So with that being said, here are my thoughts on Oprah, for what its worth.
Oprah has come under fire so often. I have to admit, she has said some things that made me turn my head...things that make you go "WHAT did she just say?" She has come under fire for such things as her public view on God (I say public because we all have to remember that she is broad-casted on Network TV and they have rules ya know), her clothes, her weight, her love life....oh heck I could go on and on. No one has focused on her positives. Not even me, until now.
Oprah has brought to mainstream life problems most if not all women have faced. She has given women and invisible support network. That warm fuzzy blanket of "I am not alone". From Post Postpartum depression to PMS she has exposed it to the world. From date rape to romance in your marriage, her road trips to her give aways, its been out there for the world to see. She has taught us that "you are responsible for your own life" no more blame, it isn't your parents, boss, husbands, or children's fault. She brought to light things that were shameful, embarrassing, and unspoken of. Women didn't feel alone, ashamed, afraid or embarrassed anymore. They reached out for help, became proactive in their lives. Many stepped out and went to school, got therapy, and improved their lives in some way.
She started a school for girls, ok so it was in Africa, but that was where the need was greatest. Some scoffed at her for this, "what about America?" they asked, well what about it? She reached out time after time to the people of our nation as well. The school in Africa was just hot news at the time, which overshadowed her local accomplishments.
So, I say farewell to the Oprah show. A woman, who based on her raising, should be grateful that she walks upright has become one of the richest women in the media business. No chump change there, that realm was dominated by men! She had climbed the corporate ladder one rung at at time, kept climbing even when she slipped back down and made it to the top. Can you imagine what the rest of us could accomplish if we put just a pinch of the umph Oprah has into our lives? If we take anything at all from her 25 years worth of shows, it is this...don't give up, don't discount yourself. You are somebody special, hold your head high and believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything!
My thoughts today are on Oprah. Yes, you read that right, Oprah. I have to admit that I rarely watched her show in the past years. I had seen them growing up, watched the Christmas give away show, but for the most part I didn't really give a second thought to watching. I am currently watching her last show on the DVR. I know, if I never really watch, why DVR the last one? Well, her show is part of television history and I wanted to see how she went out. So with that being said, here are my thoughts on Oprah, for what its worth.
Oprah has come under fire so often. I have to admit, she has said some things that made me turn my head...things that make you go "WHAT did she just say?" She has come under fire for such things as her public view on God (I say public because we all have to remember that she is broad-casted on Network TV and they have rules ya know), her clothes, her weight, her love life....oh heck I could go on and on. No one has focused on her positives. Not even me, until now.
Oprah has brought to mainstream life problems most if not all women have faced. She has given women and invisible support network. That warm fuzzy blanket of "I am not alone". From Post Postpartum depression to PMS she has exposed it to the world. From date rape to romance in your marriage, her road trips to her give aways, its been out there for the world to see. She has taught us that "you are responsible for your own life" no more blame, it isn't your parents, boss, husbands, or children's fault. She brought to light things that were shameful, embarrassing, and unspoken of. Women didn't feel alone, ashamed, afraid or embarrassed anymore. They reached out for help, became proactive in their lives. Many stepped out and went to school, got therapy, and improved their lives in some way.
She started a school for girls, ok so it was in Africa, but that was where the need was greatest. Some scoffed at her for this, "what about America?" they asked, well what about it? She reached out time after time to the people of our nation as well. The school in Africa was just hot news at the time, which overshadowed her local accomplishments.
So, I say farewell to the Oprah show. A woman, who based on her raising, should be grateful that she walks upright has become one of the richest women in the media business. No chump change there, that realm was dominated by men! She had climbed the corporate ladder one rung at at time, kept climbing even when she slipped back down and made it to the top. Can you imagine what the rest of us could accomplish if we put just a pinch of the umph Oprah has into our lives? If we take anything at all from her 25 years worth of shows, it is this...don't give up, don't discount yourself. You are somebody special, hold your head high and believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Learn Your Role, Know Your Place!
My heart is heavy when it comes to this subject. Why is it we choose to complicate God? Why is it that once we are saved, or rededicate our lives to the Lord, we feel the need to isolate ourselves from the unsaved? Why do we feel the need to ONLY associate with others in our church? Why do we feel the need to neglect, ignore, and not to be salt and light to a dark and lonely world?
Jesus came to save ALL of us. Let's think about the church for a moment. Not the church as a whole, I am talking about our individual houses of worship. MOST of us in our church are there because we have a relationship with Christ. Ok, not always is it a perfect relationship, some of us are working on it. We learn more and more daily! That is a wonderful thing. It is great to have a place of worship where we can bond with a church family, like minded, building each other up. We provide each other with accountably, love, understanding, prayer, and support. It is wonderful and we look forward to each meeting. Now, lets look at our church from a different perspective. Imagine if we could see each other like we REALLY are. Come on, admit it, it's Sunday morning, you are rushing to get the kids ready, running late, running out the house to get to service on time. Chances are you are yelling at everyone and everything in your path to get out the door. You dash into children's church, drop the kiddos off, dash into the sanctuary and BAM someone says "How are you today?" STOP, REALLY? What is your answer? Go ahead, be honest, no one is listening (well God is and He already knows the answer) "I am wonderful, it is a beautiful day in the Lord!" or something to that effect. Come on you know you do it! Inside you are thinking, I just ran a 40 yard dash to get here on time, I am starving, exhausted already, and just feel gross because I was rushing like a crazy person. Or, I have had a really cruddy week, nothing has gone right, I really need someone to vent to, but "I am wonderful" is your answer. REALLY?! If that greeter could see the real you they would see someone bandaged and broken who needs a huge hug and a warm cup of soul revival!!
Now...we stay entangled with our church family. Cutting off everyone who is not Godly. Everyone who does the "wrong thing", we get full of ourselves (cause we just have this Jesus thing going on ya know!) we preach at (yes I mean to say at not to) others that they are sinners! Some of us even look down at other Christians because they just aren't doing it right! REALLY???? Jesus didn't come to this Earth and hang out with only believers. He found the sinners, I know GASP right!! Yes, news flash, Jesus hung out with sinners!! He is called the Great Physician, sick people need doctors! If we don't associate with the ungodly, how will they ever come to know the Lord? Not to mention, the way some Christians act why on Earth would nonbelievers WANT to know your Jesus? You present him and mean and unloving!
"Hate the sin, Love the sinner!"...Jesus loves all of us, yes all of us. Not just you but the sinner down the road. He wants that sinner to repent and come to Him, curl up in His lap and ask for forgiveness. The sinner down the road knows the name Jesus, ok so that person might think that Jesus is just the pizza delivery man, but everyone certainly knows God. They might believe in God, they might not. Do you think that if Jesus, (the real Jesus, not the pizza guy) knocked on "sinner down the street" door and they answered with a cigarette in one hand and a Bud Lite in the other, would tell him ALL about himself? I think he would calmly befriend the man and in love (oh there is a novel idea) SHOW him what a relationship with Him would be like. If the man wasn't receptive to the teachings, would Jesus unfriend him on Facebook? Would he shut him out completely and give up on him? I doubt it!! He would (yep again) LOVE him! Not condone the sins but LOVE the man.
Be on fire for God! Love the Lord! Shout it to the roof tops!! But get off your high horse! You to are a sinner!! You too are the son or daughter of Adam!
"As the scriptures say, "No one is good, not even one." Romans 3:10
"For all have sinned,all fall short of Gods glorious standard" Romans 3:23
Remember ALL have sinned, ALL fall short. You are part of the ALL!! You were born a sinner, we ALL were!! Help bring the lost to the Savior in LOVE. If someone is messing up LOVE THEM!! SHOW THEM LOVE!!! SHOW THEM THE LIGHT SO THEY MAY COME TO KNOW THE LIGHT!! QUIT MAKING JESUS LOOK BAD!!
Jesus came to save ALL of us. Let's think about the church for a moment. Not the church as a whole, I am talking about our individual houses of worship. MOST of us in our church are there because we have a relationship with Christ. Ok, not always is it a perfect relationship, some of us are working on it. We learn more and more daily! That is a wonderful thing. It is great to have a place of worship where we can bond with a church family, like minded, building each other up. We provide each other with accountably, love, understanding, prayer, and support. It is wonderful and we look forward to each meeting. Now, lets look at our church from a different perspective. Imagine if we could see each other like we REALLY are. Come on, admit it, it's Sunday morning, you are rushing to get the kids ready, running late, running out the house to get to service on time. Chances are you are yelling at everyone and everything in your path to get out the door. You dash into children's church, drop the kiddos off, dash into the sanctuary and BAM someone says "How are you today?" STOP, REALLY? What is your answer? Go ahead, be honest, no one is listening (well God is and He already knows the answer) "I am wonderful, it is a beautiful day in the Lord!" or something to that effect. Come on you know you do it! Inside you are thinking, I just ran a 40 yard dash to get here on time, I am starving, exhausted already, and just feel gross because I was rushing like a crazy person. Or, I have had a really cruddy week, nothing has gone right, I really need someone to vent to, but "I am wonderful" is your answer. REALLY?! If that greeter could see the real you they would see someone bandaged and broken who needs a huge hug and a warm cup of soul revival!!
Now...we stay entangled with our church family. Cutting off everyone who is not Godly. Everyone who does the "wrong thing", we get full of ourselves (cause we just have this Jesus thing going on ya know!) we preach at (yes I mean to say at not to) others that they are sinners! Some of us even look down at other Christians because they just aren't doing it right! REALLY???? Jesus didn't come to this Earth and hang out with only believers. He found the sinners, I know GASP right!! Yes, news flash, Jesus hung out with sinners!! He is called the Great Physician, sick people need doctors! If we don't associate with the ungodly, how will they ever come to know the Lord? Not to mention, the way some Christians act why on Earth would nonbelievers WANT to know your Jesus? You present him and mean and unloving!
"Hate the sin, Love the sinner!"...Jesus loves all of us, yes all of us. Not just you but the sinner down the road. He wants that sinner to repent and come to Him, curl up in His lap and ask for forgiveness. The sinner down the road knows the name Jesus, ok so that person might think that Jesus is just the pizza delivery man, but everyone certainly knows God. They might believe in God, they might not. Do you think that if Jesus, (the real Jesus, not the pizza guy) knocked on "sinner down the street" door and they answered with a cigarette in one hand and a Bud Lite in the other, would tell him ALL about himself? I think he would calmly befriend the man and in love (oh there is a novel idea) SHOW him what a relationship with Him would be like. If the man wasn't receptive to the teachings, would Jesus unfriend him on Facebook? Would he shut him out completely and give up on him? I doubt it!! He would (yep again) LOVE him! Not condone the sins but LOVE the man.
Be on fire for God! Love the Lord! Shout it to the roof tops!! But get off your high horse! You to are a sinner!! You too are the son or daughter of Adam!
"As the scriptures say, "No one is good, not even one." Romans 3:10
"For all have sinned,all fall short of Gods glorious standard" Romans 3:23
Remember ALL have sinned, ALL fall short. You are part of the ALL!! You were born a sinner, we ALL were!! Help bring the lost to the Savior in LOVE. If someone is messing up LOVE THEM!! SHOW THEM LOVE!!! SHOW THEM THE LIGHT SO THEY MAY COME TO KNOW THE LIGHT!! QUIT MAKING JESUS LOOK BAD!!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Puppies and Other Insanity!!
I know it has been a while since my last blog. Usually it takes me getting stirred up about something to fire off a good one. Lately I think I have been to exhausted at the end of the day to get stirred up about anything worth blogging about. Or at the very least, getting stirred up about anything that is "bloggable"! Trust me, I still get bugged, but can't blog about THOSE things!
As I wrote before, we have puppies. Two very cute, about 10 week old, puppies. I forget that it is like having two two year olds running around the house. If there is a speck of paper around, they will find it, wires...yep those too! The things they find to chew are unreal! Shoes, they can sniff those out from someone else's house! There isn't a moment in the day when there isn't something to be cleaned up that they found! Oh, now don't misunderstand, as my darling daughter is pointing out; these little messes have an older brother doggie that is willing to help them find trouble!
Now, with two little puppies, (who I must point out DO NOT like to be confined and loudly protest when locked up) come not so cute little "messes". Our wood laminate floors don't like to be wet for any length of time, so we are constantly going through tons of paper towels. Personally, I am not liking my floors. They are beautiful, if you put them in a house no one lives in! I can't figure out how to really clean them (if anyone knows please share!), you can't mop them in the traditional sense. I do a lot of spray bottle cleaning with peroxide and a dry mop! (In case you didn't know this about me, I hate GERMS!!)
Lets add a new business going on around here, which is quickly becoming super successful! GOD IS SO GOOD! Which is causing scheduling issues, trying to get organized as everyday something new crops up! Now add homeschooling to the mix. Can you see why I am to exhausted at the end of the day to have the energy to let much make me go crazy!
Life is never boring, always GREAT, and each day brings a new blessing.
Well I am off to strip the couch to wash the cushion covers....I don't even what to know what is on them!!!
As I wrote before, we have puppies. Two very cute, about 10 week old, puppies. I forget that it is like having two two year olds running around the house. If there is a speck of paper around, they will find it, wires...yep those too! The things they find to chew are unreal! Shoes, they can sniff those out from someone else's house! There isn't a moment in the day when there isn't something to be cleaned up that they found! Oh, now don't misunderstand, as my darling daughter is pointing out; these little messes have an older brother doggie that is willing to help them find trouble!
Now, with two little puppies, (who I must point out DO NOT like to be confined and loudly protest when locked up) come not so cute little "messes". Our wood laminate floors don't like to be wet for any length of time, so we are constantly going through tons of paper towels. Personally, I am not liking my floors. They are beautiful, if you put them in a house no one lives in! I can't figure out how to really clean them (if anyone knows please share!), you can't mop them in the traditional sense. I do a lot of spray bottle cleaning with peroxide and a dry mop! (In case you didn't know this about me, I hate GERMS!!)
Lets add a new business going on around here, which is quickly becoming super successful! GOD IS SO GOOD! Which is causing scheduling issues, trying to get organized as everyday something new crops up! Now add homeschooling to the mix. Can you see why I am to exhausted at the end of the day to have the energy to let much make me go crazy!
Life is never boring, always GREAT, and each day brings a new blessing.
Well I am off to strip the couch to wash the cushion covers....I don't even what to know what is on them!!!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Anger, Hate and Forgiveness
Ever have one of those vine weeds in your garden? You know the ones that you try to pull and the weed actually has roots and branches that run under the ground from one end of the garden to the other and then some. No matter how much you pull that darn weed is still there. If you don't get every little piece of it out it comes right back, you have to get every speck of root out to get rid of the pest.
Anger and hate are just like that weed! Something gets to you, you stuff it down inside you and it takes root. There it grows, just like that weed. It begins to take over your body, your mind and your life. It makes you think irrationality, do things you wouldn't ordinarily do. Eventually it becomes your way of life, and you don't even realize it happened. You can't run from it, but you will try to share it with others. You are infected with it!
The only weed killer is Forgiveness. You have to forgive quickly before the roots take hold and it is to late. Well, I say to late, but really you can always forgive, it is just harder once that weed has consumed your life.
God calls for forgiveness. He demonstrates it throughout the Bible. It is so important to Him that it is talked about over 50 times in the Bible (the number varies depending on translation, but the topic is the same). He tells that if you want his forgiveness you have to forgive yourself. This topic is so important that the word "Forgiveness" is written in 14 verses in the New International Version of the Bible, but the word "Forgive" is written 64 times!! Over and over we are told we can't have what we can't give.
If you don't forgive that root that takes hold turns to hate. Hate...ah the Devils ultimate playground. He moves on in your life and gets comfortable. Your life begins to spiral downwards, your anger grows, everything reminds you of that one wrong that started it all. You can become someone no one wants to be around, that person in the neighborhood that no one wants to talk to because you are just down right cranky! Now don't think you can run from it, really you are just running from yourself. You can move to China, but hate and anger is just going to tag along. Life won't be any better for you there, you just take your baggage right along with you.
Now lets talk about forgiveness. As I said this is an important topic to God. I believe he has put this towards the top of His list because He doesn't what his children carrying around this weed with them. It ruins His beautiful creation, YOU! He knows that once that seed is rooted the chances of the Enemy taking over are almost a sure bet, at least for quite some time!! He put this act of forgiveness in place for our protection. Really, think about it, someone does something to you, big or small, they go about their life when they are done. You walk around angry, then hateful..remember where they are? Yep still going on with their life, oblivious to the fact that you are miserable. That anger and hate and forgivingness only makes YOUR life miserable, ok and those around you now aren't to happy either, but you get my point, right? The impact of that hate and anger doesn't ever reach the person that caused it, it just trickles down to those who had nothing to do with it!
So, how do we forgive? How do we forgive someone for something really awful? You just do! You ask God to help you. Trust me He knows all about it! Ok, you aren't comfortable with that, don't squirm, listen up. Then just do it! You don't even have to see that person face to face, you just have to forgive in YOUR heart. Let it go, write it down, burn it, yell it in the woods, but let it out and let it go.
There is a fantastic book on forgiveness. It is called "Forgiving the Dead Man Walking". It is written by Debbie Morris and is available on Amazon. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with this issue. Her story will shock you, her ability to forgive will astound you and truly touch your heart.
Its time to let things go and move on to the wonderful life right in front of you!!! Its time for a brand new day, a new start. Try it, the flowers will smell sweeter, the sky will be a more beautiful shade of blue, you will smile more, love more and most of all you will be happier for it!!
Anger and hate are just like that weed! Something gets to you, you stuff it down inside you and it takes root. There it grows, just like that weed. It begins to take over your body, your mind and your life. It makes you think irrationality, do things you wouldn't ordinarily do. Eventually it becomes your way of life, and you don't even realize it happened. You can't run from it, but you will try to share it with others. You are infected with it!
The only weed killer is Forgiveness. You have to forgive quickly before the roots take hold and it is to late. Well, I say to late, but really you can always forgive, it is just harder once that weed has consumed your life.
God calls for forgiveness. He demonstrates it throughout the Bible. It is so important to Him that it is talked about over 50 times in the Bible (the number varies depending on translation, but the topic is the same). He tells that if you want his forgiveness you have to forgive yourself. This topic is so important that the word "Forgiveness" is written in 14 verses in the New International Version of the Bible, but the word "Forgive" is written 64 times!! Over and over we are told we can't have what we can't give.
If you don't forgive that root that takes hold turns to hate. Hate...ah the Devils ultimate playground. He moves on in your life and gets comfortable. Your life begins to spiral downwards, your anger grows, everything reminds you of that one wrong that started it all. You can become someone no one wants to be around, that person in the neighborhood that no one wants to talk to because you are just down right cranky! Now don't think you can run from it, really you are just running from yourself. You can move to China, but hate and anger is just going to tag along. Life won't be any better for you there, you just take your baggage right along with you.
Now lets talk about forgiveness. As I said this is an important topic to God. I believe he has put this towards the top of His list because He doesn't what his children carrying around this weed with them. It ruins His beautiful creation, YOU! He knows that once that seed is rooted the chances of the Enemy taking over are almost a sure bet, at least for quite some time!! He put this act of forgiveness in place for our protection. Really, think about it, someone does something to you, big or small, they go about their life when they are done. You walk around angry, then hateful..remember where they are? Yep still going on with their life, oblivious to the fact that you are miserable. That anger and hate and forgivingness only makes YOUR life miserable, ok and those around you now aren't to happy either, but you get my point, right? The impact of that hate and anger doesn't ever reach the person that caused it, it just trickles down to those who had nothing to do with it!
So, how do we forgive? How do we forgive someone for something really awful? You just do! You ask God to help you. Trust me He knows all about it! Ok, you aren't comfortable with that, don't squirm, listen up. Then just do it! You don't even have to see that person face to face, you just have to forgive in YOUR heart. Let it go, write it down, burn it, yell it in the woods, but let it out and let it go.
There is a fantastic book on forgiveness. It is called "Forgiving the Dead Man Walking". It is written by Debbie Morris and is available on Amazon. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with this issue. Her story will shock you, her ability to forgive will astound you and truly touch your heart.
Its time to let things go and move on to the wonderful life right in front of you!!! Its time for a brand new day, a new start. Try it, the flowers will smell sweeter, the sky will be a more beautiful shade of blue, you will smile more, love more and most of all you will be happier for it!!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Well Now You Know......
Something has pumped my cookies. Aren't you lucky enough to get to hear my thoughts on it!
I know I promised you my thoughts on Political Correctness, so here are some of them.
Lets start with Kenneth Cole's "faux pas". Ok, so a bunch of Egyptians don't like their president (bear with me, I am NOT a big news watcher) and have decided to make a mess of their own country to let him know. Well, whatever works, hope they realize someone has to clean it up. So..Kenneth Cole (a big time fashion designer for those of you like me who are completely out of the loop) "tweeted" this: "Millions are in uproar #Cairo. Rumor has it they heard our spring collection was available online...." This set off people saying he was insensitive to what was going on and he removed the tweet. I say BLAH BLAH BLAH!! I mean really...REALLY? Why on Earth is this a problem? Did Kenneth Cole go out and tell these people to riot and act like fools just to promote his clothes line? Now that would be wrong. I am so tired of people getting in an uproar about things that are trivial! LET IT GO PEOPLE!!! There are more important things in America to worry about other than if everyone has selected the proper words when they speak as not to offend ANYONE.
Think about that, is it really possible to never offend ANYONE? There will always be someone who doesn't like something that is said. Especially when you are speaking to a large group. Haven't we learned that you just can't please everyone? Today everyone is so worried about offending people that they change words daily to where no one can keep up with what is proper to say anymore. Is there one person in charge of that task? I would like to have the "word chooser" job. What are the requirements for that position? I really don't think they would hire me!
Ok, on to the next topic! Did anyone see the story on the woman on Dr. Phil who put hot sauce in her sons mouth when he lied and made him take cold showers? In fairness I didn't see the show, I am not a fan of it, but I read an article on her. She is now arrested and charged with child abuse because PEOPLE were outraged and got the police involved saying she was abusing her son. Ok so I have to say cold showers are a bit over the top for my taste. We tried hot sauce, but my daughter liked it, so soap was our choice. Now here is what gets my cookies...we are not to correct our children for lying, how about stealing? Is that a correctable offense? Is there a manual telling us the legal way to teach our children to be respectable, responsible adults? Do people realize that these children will one day be leaders of our country? Wait, sorry I forgot that being truthful is NOT a requirement for that job.
So, we can't spank, use soap,or hot sauce so that leaves time outs. Well those work for toddlers (insert eye roll here). How about for older children, lets say 6 and up. Are we allowed to send them to their rooms? What form of punishment is allowed? Maybe if we went back to the day when you got soap or hot sauce in your mouth for lying and cursing and a spanking for misbehaving this world wouldn't be such a mess. Maybe, just maybe, the jails wouldn't be so full, kids wouldn't think they were above the law, and we just might raise decent, respectable children.....but I guess that wouldn't be politically correct!
I know I promised you my thoughts on Political Correctness, so here are some of them.
Lets start with Kenneth Cole's "faux pas". Ok, so a bunch of Egyptians don't like their president (bear with me, I am NOT a big news watcher) and have decided to make a mess of their own country to let him know. Well, whatever works, hope they realize someone has to clean it up. So..Kenneth Cole (a big time fashion designer for those of you like me who are completely out of the loop) "tweeted" this: "Millions are in uproar #Cairo. Rumor has it they heard our spring collection was available online...." This set off people saying he was insensitive to what was going on and he removed the tweet. I say BLAH BLAH BLAH!! I mean really...REALLY? Why on Earth is this a problem? Did Kenneth Cole go out and tell these people to riot and act like fools just to promote his clothes line? Now that would be wrong. I am so tired of people getting in an uproar about things that are trivial! LET IT GO PEOPLE!!! There are more important things in America to worry about other than if everyone has selected the proper words when they speak as not to offend ANYONE.
Think about that, is it really possible to never offend ANYONE? There will always be someone who doesn't like something that is said. Especially when you are speaking to a large group. Haven't we learned that you just can't please everyone? Today everyone is so worried about offending people that they change words daily to where no one can keep up with what is proper to say anymore. Is there one person in charge of that task? I would like to have the "word chooser" job. What are the requirements for that position? I really don't think they would hire me!
Ok, on to the next topic! Did anyone see the story on the woman on Dr. Phil who put hot sauce in her sons mouth when he lied and made him take cold showers? In fairness I didn't see the show, I am not a fan of it, but I read an article on her. She is now arrested and charged with child abuse because PEOPLE were outraged and got the police involved saying she was abusing her son. Ok so I have to say cold showers are a bit over the top for my taste. We tried hot sauce, but my daughter liked it, so soap was our choice. Now here is what gets my cookies...we are not to correct our children for lying, how about stealing? Is that a correctable offense? Is there a manual telling us the legal way to teach our children to be respectable, responsible adults? Do people realize that these children will one day be leaders of our country? Wait, sorry I forgot that being truthful is NOT a requirement for that job.
So, we can't spank, use soap,or hot sauce so that leaves time outs. Well those work for toddlers (insert eye roll here). How about for older children, lets say 6 and up. Are we allowed to send them to their rooms? What form of punishment is allowed? Maybe if we went back to the day when you got soap or hot sauce in your mouth for lying and cursing and a spanking for misbehaving this world wouldn't be such a mess. Maybe, just maybe, the jails wouldn't be so full, kids wouldn't think they were above the law, and we just might raise decent, respectable children.....but I guess that wouldn't be politically correct!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A Sad Day
On Sunday night we lost our sweet little dog, Azima (pronounced Ozzie-ma). She was the best dog I have ever owned, and trust me I have had a few! She got sick on Saturday and died in just over 24 hours. We have no idea what happened.
I blame the dog food (got to blame something right) so I have been cooking for our other two dogs for all of this week. I can honestly say, I love them, but this is getting old! Of course I won't feed them the dog food in question, I will buy new.
Our dear sweet little dog left behind 4 beautiful, healthy little pups. Three of which will make some family very happy pet owners. Yes, you read right three. Ok, so that runt is the one my husband is "undecided on keeping". Clearly we have all decided that keeping him is a good idea. I mean Azima would have wanted that, right? And certainly we can't have just two dogs! Our youngest isn't allowed to sleep in our bed yet, I don't want him to sleep alone. Not to mention we are insane around here and one more dog wouldn't be noticed...much.
We will all miss Azima very much. She was playful yet laid back, you could always count on her to give you loves when you needed it most. We rescued her and gave her a wonderful life.
My girls have learned to much about death in the past year. Time for a new lesson. Time to rediscover how wonderfully complicated life can be, yet simple at the same time. Time to notice the little things. Time to slow down and be thankful for everything, not just the good, but the bad to. Yes, that means thankful for even the pee on the floor that we have to clean up caused by the two healthy puppies we have. Going to pat their sweet little heads and clean up the trash they just pulled out now! =)
I blame the dog food (got to blame something right) so I have been cooking for our other two dogs for all of this week. I can honestly say, I love them, but this is getting old! Of course I won't feed them the dog food in question, I will buy new.
Our dear sweet little dog left behind 4 beautiful, healthy little pups. Three of which will make some family very happy pet owners. Yes, you read right three. Ok, so that runt is the one my husband is "undecided on keeping". Clearly we have all decided that keeping him is a good idea. I mean Azima would have wanted that, right? And certainly we can't have just two dogs! Our youngest isn't allowed to sleep in our bed yet, I don't want him to sleep alone. Not to mention we are insane around here and one more dog wouldn't be noticed...much.
We will all miss Azima very much. She was playful yet laid back, you could always count on her to give you loves when you needed it most. We rescued her and gave her a wonderful life.
My girls have learned to much about death in the past year. Time for a new lesson. Time to rediscover how wonderfully complicated life can be, yet simple at the same time. Time to notice the little things. Time to slow down and be thankful for everything, not just the good, but the bad to. Yes, that means thankful for even the pee on the floor that we have to clean up caused by the two healthy puppies we have. Going to pat their sweet little heads and clean up the trash they just pulled out now! =)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sorry, This is Just Plain Ranting!
Ok, I know I promised you all that I would post about my feelings on Political Correctness. I am sure you were all waiting on the edge of your seats for those profound words. Well something else is stuck in my craw and you will just have to hear a little about that.
So, Christmas has come and gone. School has resumed and brought the promises of L.E.A.P right along with it. For those of you outside of Louisiana, L.E.A.P is a standardized test that fourth and eighth graders take. If they don't pass this test they will fail for the year. Doesn't matter what your grades for the year are (I mean you could have straight A's and still fail for the year) you will not pass.
Now personally L.E.A.P makes me want to do just that LEAP and not in a good way, like in the abandon ship way! I really think that all the pressure and stress that is being put on young children is appalling. Really I think it should be considered a form of child abuse! So far I have heard "The teacher says the test is real hard." "We are practicing our essays for L.E.A.P." "Tomorrow we have to practice the math part of L.E.A.P" So, where is Art, Music, or heck Reading, Spelling ect.? Oh I know they are in there too, but right now its all about stressing our kids out beyond belief. Like they don't have a lifetime to experience stress, lets add some adult created junk to the mix. What happened to just being able to be kids? What happened to Reading, Writing and Arithmetic? Its gone, all gone. Now reading counts for something, math has all new definitions of its own, and writing...well writing is directed and prompted.
Now I understand bullying, they are taking their frustrations out on other students! Yes, I know that is not necessarily a fact, but think about it....
L.E.A.P needs to go. Plain and simple it needs to go. It doesn't create better students or better teachers or even better schools. Its all about Federal Funding, REALLY?!?!?! The government makes schools EARN money to teach our kids at the sacrifice of our children.
Now don't you just feel warm and fuzzy inside?
Oh, and don't worry I promise to enlighten you with my thoughts on Political Correctness one day soon! Just kidding....maybe?
So, Christmas has come and gone. School has resumed and brought the promises of L.E.A.P right along with it. For those of you outside of Louisiana, L.E.A.P is a standardized test that fourth and eighth graders take. If they don't pass this test they will fail for the year. Doesn't matter what your grades for the year are (I mean you could have straight A's and still fail for the year) you will not pass.
Now personally L.E.A.P makes me want to do just that LEAP and not in a good way, like in the abandon ship way! I really think that all the pressure and stress that is being put on young children is appalling. Really I think it should be considered a form of child abuse! So far I have heard "The teacher says the test is real hard." "We are practicing our essays for L.E.A.P." "Tomorrow we have to practice the math part of L.E.A.P" So, where is Art, Music, or heck Reading, Spelling ect.? Oh I know they are in there too, but right now its all about stressing our kids out beyond belief. Like they don't have a lifetime to experience stress, lets add some adult created junk to the mix. What happened to just being able to be kids? What happened to Reading, Writing and Arithmetic? Its gone, all gone. Now reading counts for something, math has all new definitions of its own, and writing...well writing is directed and prompted.
Now I understand bullying, they are taking their frustrations out on other students! Yes, I know that is not necessarily a fact, but think about it....
L.E.A.P needs to go. Plain and simple it needs to go. It doesn't create better students or better teachers or even better schools. Its all about Federal Funding, REALLY?!?!?! The government makes schools EARN money to teach our kids at the sacrifice of our children.
Now don't you just feel warm and fuzzy inside?
Oh, and don't worry I promise to enlighten you with my thoughts on Political Correctness one day soon! Just kidding....maybe?
Monday, January 17, 2011
The World and Discontent and Other Rantings!
Theory of Relativity: No two objects can occupy the same space at the same time.
In the same way, my heart, my life, my soul cannot be occupied by both the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world at the same time.
Technology, I LOVE it! I have to admit, if someone offered me unlimited spending at any store of my choice I would pick Best Buy! Everyone would have the newest electronic devices, my TV would be powered by Google, my appliances would be top of the line...then what? What would be next? Really those things would be out of date by the time we walked out of the store. Wow, technology moves fast.
Wants move just as fast. My children want all the time. One wants a Barbie Jeep, one doesn't really know what she wants, EVER! Contentment never seems to come. As a adult it took major life events to reach contentment. God won't give you more until you are content with what he has given to you. Just like as parents we try not to overload our children with things that they are ungrateful for, God won't overload us until we show gratitude. How do you get this thru to a 10 year old or a 6 year old?
The world tells them they have to have more and more and more. Their friends tell them they have the best of the best, making them feel inferior.
Ah to go back to the simple life! George Carlin said it best "Do kids even play with sticks anymore?" Society has created indoor kids that don't have to use their imagination anymore. Schools tell them what to learn, how to learn it, and when to learn it. They color in the lines are told what to write about in their journals and that what they wrote isn't long enough or good enough.
Society tells adults that they don't do enough, make enough, have enough. They measure success by the car you drive, the house you live in, the clothes you wear, where you shop, where you get your hair done, the job you have, oh the list could go on. Who is setting these standards?
The MEDIA! All over TV we are told we are to fat, not politically correct (don't get me started on THAT one, that is a topic for another post), we need to stop bullying (again don't get me started) we have to accept everyone and everything that they do (oh and we HAVE to LIKE it!), that the government is on our side (LOL)ect......this list could go on forever.
When did we stop thinking for ourselves? Society has taught adults to color in the lines right along with our children. They even tell us how we should raise our children and how we should take care of our pets!
You can't have two Masters. Even Christians fall into the society rat trap. They pretend to live to a standard that they really can't meet. We are to strive to be Christ like, we can't obtain that. God knows this, he knows your heart, he knows your thoughts before they leave your lips. You can't hide from those thoughts and you sure can't hide them from God! Presenting yourself to others as perfect because you go to church isn't realistic. You turn to God because you are not perfect! He created you, He knows you, He loves you in spite of yourself!!
Discontentment comes because we have strayed away from being free thinkers. We have lost sight of what is really important. I am NOT pointing fingers at anyone, every single one of us are guilty of it at one time or another. God recognized this when he wrote the Ten Commandments. You know the ones, Thou shall not Kill ect...have you ever thought about the last one:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17. We covet all the time! How do you avoid doing this? Is it even possible? Clearly God knows it isn't.
So, back to my original statement...its time to get rid of this stinkin thinkin that society has pushed on us. Time to truly get our hearts, lives and souls occupied by the Kingdom of God not the Kingdom of Best Buy, Walmart, Disney ect.....Will we be perfect at this, I doubt it, will our imperfection be forgiven, DEFINITELY!! Will God help us attain it, sure He will all you have to do is ask. Will you trip over the latest and greatest new thing you just have to have, yeppers! (just being a realist here)When you do, just ask again. We really have to get back to basics!
In the same way, my heart, my life, my soul cannot be occupied by both the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world at the same time.
Technology, I LOVE it! I have to admit, if someone offered me unlimited spending at any store of my choice I would pick Best Buy! Everyone would have the newest electronic devices, my TV would be powered by Google, my appliances would be top of the line...then what? What would be next? Really those things would be out of date by the time we walked out of the store. Wow, technology moves fast.
Wants move just as fast. My children want all the time. One wants a Barbie Jeep, one doesn't really know what she wants, EVER! Contentment never seems to come. As a adult it took major life events to reach contentment. God won't give you more until you are content with what he has given to you. Just like as parents we try not to overload our children with things that they are ungrateful for, God won't overload us until we show gratitude. How do you get this thru to a 10 year old or a 6 year old?
The world tells them they have to have more and more and more. Their friends tell them they have the best of the best, making them feel inferior.
Ah to go back to the simple life! George Carlin said it best "Do kids even play with sticks anymore?" Society has created indoor kids that don't have to use their imagination anymore. Schools tell them what to learn, how to learn it, and when to learn it. They color in the lines are told what to write about in their journals and that what they wrote isn't long enough or good enough.
Society tells adults that they don't do enough, make enough, have enough. They measure success by the car you drive, the house you live in, the clothes you wear, where you shop, where you get your hair done, the job you have, oh the list could go on. Who is setting these standards?
The MEDIA! All over TV we are told we are to fat, not politically correct (don't get me started on THAT one, that is a topic for another post), we need to stop bullying (again don't get me started) we have to accept everyone and everything that they do (oh and we HAVE to LIKE it!), that the government is on our side (LOL)ect......this list could go on forever.
When did we stop thinking for ourselves? Society has taught adults to color in the lines right along with our children. They even tell us how we should raise our children and how we should take care of our pets!
You can't have two Masters. Even Christians fall into the society rat trap. They pretend to live to a standard that they really can't meet. We are to strive to be Christ like, we can't obtain that. God knows this, he knows your heart, he knows your thoughts before they leave your lips. You can't hide from those thoughts and you sure can't hide them from God! Presenting yourself to others as perfect because you go to church isn't realistic. You turn to God because you are not perfect! He created you, He knows you, He loves you in spite of yourself!!
Discontentment comes because we have strayed away from being free thinkers. We have lost sight of what is really important. I am NOT pointing fingers at anyone, every single one of us are guilty of it at one time or another. God recognized this when he wrote the Ten Commandments. You know the ones, Thou shall not Kill ect...have you ever thought about the last one:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17. We covet all the time! How do you avoid doing this? Is it even possible? Clearly God knows it isn't.
So, back to my original statement...its time to get rid of this stinkin thinkin that society has pushed on us. Time to truly get our hearts, lives and souls occupied by the Kingdom of God not the Kingdom of Best Buy, Walmart, Disney ect.....Will we be perfect at this, I doubt it, will our imperfection be forgiven, DEFINITELY!! Will God help us attain it, sure He will all you have to do is ask. Will you trip over the latest and greatest new thing you just have to have, yeppers! (just being a realist here)When you do, just ask again. We really have to get back to basics!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
What a Day!
Well, I say "What a Day!", but really it started yesterday about 2:30pm. That was when I got the phone call from school saying my little one was running fever. I headed out and picked up both girls. We gave Magic Motrin and all seemed fine. Of course we woke up with fever again this morning. No big deal, fevers come and go, but this time it brought a rash! YIKES! What the heck is that? Of course I called the Dr.s office and went in. We are the proud owners of a virus. Yep, we are right up there with the rest of the world. Guess it was only a matter of time before something hit us. I will take it, so far its a mild little thing just causing us to slow down and get some rest. Rest is good!
Soooo, I come home to my poor hubby looking so sad sitting at the kitchen table. I tell you he had tears in his eyes. Did I mention that our 6 month old puppy was locked in the dog crate desperately pleading his case? Still not sure what happened, I hated to ask actually, but of course I went there. Hubby had come in and caught the puppy in the middle of the kitchen table. No big deal...right? Nope, he had knocked over a glass of Coke, which of course spread across the entire table top right under (here is the tears in his eyes part) my precious laptop!!! Bless my hubby's heart, right after disciplining the dog he took to drying my laptop for a half and hour. I could tell how much it pained him to tell me all of this! Well the dog was blessed with the grace of God and my laptop is just fine.
Sooo, I took out a pack of frozen pork chops to cook for dinner. Did I mention that something is wrong with our central heat, it just doesn't seem to be doing the best job in the world. Kind of explains the almost 300.00 light bill! YIKES! Ok, so I digress (get used to it, I do it often) Anyway, the pork chops, I come home from the doctors office and after the laptop fun, I realize it was time to start dinner. Now I am really trying to cook home way more often, no stop laughing, I mean it really! Can you believe it, they are still frozen solid!! Dollar menu here we come. I was so annoyed!
Ah so this day will pass. All the things that need to get done will get done, somehow. The list is long for this week and the week is running out. Somehow I have to get out back and help clean this nice new kitchen so we can get work started, however right now I am going to give this day back to the Lord and relax! I guess you could say I quit, at least for now! LOL
Soooo, I come home to my poor hubby looking so sad sitting at the kitchen table. I tell you he had tears in his eyes. Did I mention that our 6 month old puppy was locked in the dog crate desperately pleading his case? Still not sure what happened, I hated to ask actually, but of course I went there. Hubby had come in and caught the puppy in the middle of the kitchen table. No big deal...right? Nope, he had knocked over a glass of Coke, which of course spread across the entire table top right under (here is the tears in his eyes part) my precious laptop!!! Bless my hubby's heart, right after disciplining the dog he took to drying my laptop for a half and hour. I could tell how much it pained him to tell me all of this! Well the dog was blessed with the grace of God and my laptop is just fine.
Sooo, I took out a pack of frozen pork chops to cook for dinner. Did I mention that something is wrong with our central heat, it just doesn't seem to be doing the best job in the world. Kind of explains the almost 300.00 light bill! YIKES! Ok, so I digress (get used to it, I do it often) Anyway, the pork chops, I come home from the doctors office and after the laptop fun, I realize it was time to start dinner. Now I am really trying to cook home way more often, no stop laughing, I mean it really! Can you believe it, they are still frozen solid!! Dollar menu here we come. I was so annoyed!
Ah so this day will pass. All the things that need to get done will get done, somehow. The list is long for this week and the week is running out. Somehow I have to get out back and help clean this nice new kitchen so we can get work started, however right now I am going to give this day back to the Lord and relax! I guess you could say I quit, at least for now! LOL
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
UGH!!!!! Quit Stirring in God's Kool-aid!
UGH!!! Ever feel like that? That is exactly how I felt this afternoon. My poor, dear, sweet friend happened to call me during this UGH moment. Bless her sweet heart she listened to my ranting and raving and venting, I feel so bad that I still don't even know the reason for her call. (so sorry chickie!!) I can't tell you how thankful I was that she just listened to me!
Now I know that this UGH moment was just that feisty devil stirring in my Kool-aid. And, sadly, I let him stir away. I think he even tried to change the flavor!
Ever forget that God really is in control, that He set plans in motion and has the end of those plans in His hands. Ever try to take that mess on by yourself and forget to stop and ask for His help. I am so guilty of that this afternoon.
I am over it now, God will prevail, His plan will be unfolded and successful. I just have to remember to quit stirring in God's Kool-aid!!!!!
Now I know that this UGH moment was just that feisty devil stirring in my Kool-aid. And, sadly, I let him stir away. I think he even tried to change the flavor!
Ever forget that God really is in control, that He set plans in motion and has the end of those plans in His hands. Ever try to take that mess on by yourself and forget to stop and ask for His help. I am so guilty of that this afternoon.
I am over it now, God will prevail, His plan will be unfolded and successful. I just have to remember to quit stirring in God's Kool-aid!!!!!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
How Can You Not Be Proud of That!!!!
I was reading my dear friends blog this evening, with my two kiddos "helping" over my shoulder. On the side of her blog are buttons for an organization which helps families adopt children from overseas who have Downs Syndrome. It is called Reece's Rainbow. These adoptions are very expensive and RR raises funding for grants to help with the costs. Please check this out! These children need homes, there future is not a good one if they stay where they are, but I don't want to get into that now.
As I was reading I was sharing the cutie bug pics of these sweet babies with my family. I was saying how if I had unlimited funds we would have a huge house with tons of adopted babies to share our life with us. Now my girls fight, not all the time, but they do get sick of each other and would at times love to be an only child! I was so happy to hear them both say "that would be so cool!" My babies!!!
So...please check out the button to your left, no, no the one at the top left. You see it the one with the cutie bug kiddos! If you can't donate, please pray that others who can will. Pray for these babies and those God has chosen to bring them home. Or you can just pray I win the Power Ball and they would all have homes!=)
As I was reading I was sharing the cutie bug pics of these sweet babies with my family. I was saying how if I had unlimited funds we would have a huge house with tons of adopted babies to share our life with us. Now my girls fight, not all the time, but they do get sick of each other and would at times love to be an only child! I was so happy to hear them both say "that would be so cool!" My babies!!!
So...please check out the button to your left, no, no the one at the top left. You see it the one with the cutie bug kiddos! If you can't donate, please pray that others who can will. Pray for these babies and those God has chosen to bring them home. Or you can just pray I win the Power Ball and they would all have homes!=)
Friday, January 7, 2011
What a Great Idea!!!
I was just reading a short article in the "Focus on the Family" magazine called "thriving family". If you don't get this magazine, I highly suggest you start! They have great articles, wonderful age appropriate ideas for the kiddos and great info on sharing the Gospel with your children using teachable moments.
Anyway...they had a list of 50 unique New Years Resolutions. Everything from turning off the televsion one night and spending family time to writing last years resolutions on toilet paper and having a flushing party. Here is my favorite "have ice cream for breakfast and cereal for dinner"!
Thanks to my cousin (although my kids think it was my novel idea, all the credit goes to my cuz)my kiddos get to eat anything they want for breakfast on Saturday mornings. They love it! We have been doing this for about 8 years now. Ice cream, been there done that. My favorite breakfast was when B made Jo an Hershey's syrup and jelly bean sandwich! Clearly this was done when we were sleeping! They decided quickly that it was not the best sandwich in the world and haven't made it again.
Oh I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day...blah, blah, blah. Ice cream, candy, chips, left overs whatever it is they want its FUN!!!! For them Saturday mornings is the "coolest ever!" and they look forward to it. I have even heard them planning earlier in the week what they plan to find on Saturday.
So this week or next week, give it a try! Oh, but try to skip the Hershey/jelly bean sandwich!!
Anyway...they had a list of 50 unique New Years Resolutions. Everything from turning off the televsion one night and spending family time to writing last years resolutions on toilet paper and having a flushing party. Here is my favorite "have ice cream for breakfast and cereal for dinner"!
Thanks to my cousin (although my kids think it was my novel idea, all the credit goes to my cuz)my kiddos get to eat anything they want for breakfast on Saturday mornings. They love it! We have been doing this for about 8 years now. Ice cream, been there done that. My favorite breakfast was when B made Jo an Hershey's syrup and jelly bean sandwich! Clearly this was done when we were sleeping! They decided quickly that it was not the best sandwich in the world and haven't made it again.
Oh I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day...blah, blah, blah. Ice cream, candy, chips, left overs whatever it is they want its FUN!!!! For them Saturday mornings is the "coolest ever!" and they look forward to it. I have even heard them planning earlier in the week what they plan to find on Saturday.
So this week or next week, give it a try! Oh, but try to skip the Hershey/jelly bean sandwich!!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Insanity....nah! Just random thoughts
A dear friend of mine told me last night that "you remind me of one of those old ladies who goes to the grocery after church with a ton of coupons and makes 10 extra stops to save a buck!" Boy did she peg me. Ok, so I don't go on a Sunday, the stores are to crowded for me, but I do all the rest proudly!!
Call me cheap, thrifty or whatever, but I will save a dollar where I can! I scour sale ads, cut coupons or print them off the net, answer surveys on the back of receipts for free food..the list goes on! If its legit I am in!!! So far my hubby and I have eaten lunch at Burger King for $1.08 total, breakfast at Chick-fil-La for $1.42 total! I am have a code for a free chicken sandwich and will have a code for a free Whopper by tomorrow! Last month when I did my grocery shopping, between coupons and sales I saved roughly $80.00.
Ok, so did any of you see the crazy coupon people on TLC? I am not that bad. I only buy what I need, I don't stock pile stuff just because I can get it cheap. I have to admit if I was getting it free, I might think about it! I really couldn't finish watching that show, I don't know why, it was to much for me.
Oh, I do answer surveys and read paid emails. It only takes a few clicks and about an hour a day. It has taken me only a few weeks to earn money. I am realizing thru doing all of this that it isn't completely the saving of money that drives me to do it. It is the thrill of finding that really great deal.
So this was a totally random thought for the day. If you want to know about any of the survey sites or paid email sites, just ask! As for me I will continue to be the little old lady with coupons!
Call me cheap, thrifty or whatever, but I will save a dollar where I can! I scour sale ads, cut coupons or print them off the net, answer surveys on the back of receipts for free food..the list goes on! If its legit I am in!!! So far my hubby and I have eaten lunch at Burger King for $1.08 total, breakfast at Chick-fil-La for $1.42 total! I am have a code for a free chicken sandwich and will have a code for a free Whopper by tomorrow! Last month when I did my grocery shopping, between coupons and sales I saved roughly $80.00.
Ok, so did any of you see the crazy coupon people on TLC? I am not that bad. I only buy what I need, I don't stock pile stuff just because I can get it cheap. I have to admit if I was getting it free, I might think about it! I really couldn't finish watching that show, I don't know why, it was to much for me.
Oh, I do answer surveys and read paid emails. It only takes a few clicks and about an hour a day. It has taken me only a few weeks to earn money. I am realizing thru doing all of this that it isn't completely the saving of money that drives me to do it. It is the thrill of finding that really great deal.
So this was a totally random thought for the day. If you want to know about any of the survey sites or paid email sites, just ask! As for me I will continue to be the little old lady with coupons!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Thoughts on God
I have been thinking a lot about God and His purpose for our lives. Ok so to be fair someone put these thoughts in motion, I am just running with them. I hear all about God's purpose for our lives. We need to find His purpose and fulfill it. Here is my thought on that. What is the difference in us finding purpose in our lives that God has set for us and Oprah or Dr. Phil telling us we need to have purpose? Just because its used in a Godly sense the idea is still the same. What purpose exactly are we looking for and why do we HAVE to have one? The sense of having purpose is a comforting feeling that our lives have meaning. If you don't find your purpose does that mean your life had no meaning? NO! I don't think so!!!
As a couple we decided to have children. We didn't have a specific purpose in mind for their lives or existence. We are blessed with two beautiful children who daily give us joy. Yes, they sometimes give us grief, but how does their behavior differ from our behavior through God's eyes? As parents we love, teach and delight in our children. Doesn't God do the same with us? He teaches through His Word, loves us and delights in us. He created us to have relationship with Him. He didn't create us with a specific job in mind. What I mean is he didn't create me to specifically be a doctor. How do I know? Easy, He knew me before I was born, He knew me at the creation of the Earth. He created the Earth with no sickness, the fall brought that mess. There was no need for doctors or specific job titles in general.
So to say He has a specific job in mind for us baffles me. I believe he wants us to be successful (wouldn't you want that for your children), He wants us to show Him through our walk in life to others so they may choose to come to know Him. To have that relationship we were created to have with Him. I believe that He does open and close doors for us, but not to show us that path to our purpose, but to show us the path to His will. There is a difference between His will for us and His purpose for us.
I think that to often we make our walk with God hard on ourselves. God wants us to enjoy our lives! Don't you love watching your children enjoying life. Isn't it delightful to hear giggles of children blowing bubbles, or playing in the beautiful outdoors. Don't you think God smiles when we stop to watch a sunset He created or smell a flower? How do I know God wants us to enjoy His creation to the fullest.....ready....He created fire flies. Yep, fire flies. What purpose do fire flies really serve to the eco system. Ok, so don't go google it, I am just making a point. God took the time to create a bug who's butt lights up for our amusement. What a cool God! Come on, you know just thinking about them makes you smile, you can almost smell a hint of summer air. Oh and if you are lucky enough to live in the south you can even smell the night jasmine while thinking about it!!!
If fire flies, sunsets, flowers and many other things were created for us to enjoy in life. Why can't our God ordained purpose be to delight God in every way? It doesn't matter your job title, status in society, or any other social demand, if you what you do for the Glory of God, if your light shines bright for all to see, if you make one person smile because you were kind, did you not fulfill your purpose?
Wrapping up 2010
Wow, what a roller coaster of a year! Ok so every year ends that way doesn't it. Looking back at the past 12 months, thinking "Wow some of that was really hard! Can't wait for a new year to start!". Really is any year different from each other. Oh the events change, the scenes change and even the people in the story change, but in reality the mountains we had in January usually seem like mole hills in December.
Our year started out on a high, went down to what we thought was a low and is ending higher than ever. Our mountains aren't even mole hills now.
Our family lost some great members, we lost a great friend. All were welcomed into the arms of Christ. Our sadness in losing them selfish in wanting more time to spend with them here. I say selfish...oh to wake to the beautiful face of our Lord and Savior! Dancing in heaven, pain and sickness free, waiting for us to join them..now that's the life! We think of them often, very often. Donald duck on tv..yep that's my Uncle Donald. Poor man couldn't walk in the house when we were little without us (ok ME) wanting him to talk like a duck! He acted like he didn't want to, but did it anyway (shhh don't tell but I think he liked it too!) Man he could boil crawfish like no other! My Mamaw, now there is a woman of strength down to the end of her life. She taught us so much, things she didn't even realize she was teaching us. Now if she just would have taught us how to make her famous raspberry squares! Can't get them to come out the same. Funny the things that remind me of her...banana Laffy Taffy, dog treats (yes dog treats you read that right), paper plates, I could go on and on! Funny the things that bring back memories. Then there is Dr. Phil. Can't remember how we ended up calling him Dr. Phil, it just became his nick name. Wow he had a smile that could light up a room! Always a kind word, he just brightened your day by being him. Then there was Baby. I know most people wouldn't put their family pet right up there with loved one's but in our family pets don't know they aren't human and I am not about to be the one to let them in on that secret. Such a great dog! She was always so sweet to let my daddy use her recliner!
One business closed. That was a shocker to us. So many people poured their love out on us during that rough time. How many times did we hear "You will look back on this and realize it was a blessing!" I knew they were right, but in the midst of it all it is hard to see that far ahead. Well here it goes....they were right. We have been truly blessed by God to have the opportunity to work from home. We get to continue to spend all of our time together and love every second of it. No worrying about sitters for the girls when they are off of school! We have truly learned the value of family and spending time together. Yes that mountain is what it was when we were facing it...we just couldn't see around it. Funny I think we were just to close to it. God took us back and from here you can see it is a tiny little mound. Having that business brought us many dear friends. Some we are still close to today. Some came and shared a small part of our lives, many stayed and we are thankful to still have them in our lives. One of our dearest and oldest came back in our life and we are so happy to have regained that relationship, she is one of those that gives life that extra dose of sparkle. Not a glitter sparkle, a huge firework display sparkle, girl we love you and you know exactly who you are!!!!
New friends. Yep, gotta love new friends. Those that have their own special part in your story and you know that your story wouldn't be the same without them. Ok, some of them make life just plain interesting. Some add so much humor that you can't help but to love them. Some ground you and some give you wings, but each one is important, they make life so much sweeter!
On with the new. I am excited to see what God has in store for us in the coming year. I love that He is giving us hints that He is up to something. Little things that make us stop and think "why on Earth..." are His little hints of whats to come.
I am sure I have forgotten something, but hey I wouldn't be me if I didn't! May all my friends and family near and far look forward to an exciting New Year. Look forward to the speed bumps, and yes sometimes mountains, that life will throw at us all. Take the time to learn from each experience, embrace it, lean on you loved ones and friends and when its all over look back and praise God for carrying you through it. Blessings to you all!!!!!
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