Motherhood is all about encouraging her independence, while nurturing and offering a helping hand when needed. Buckle up...it's going to be a long ride.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Low Rider
Baby Girl got a new tricycle and now she zooms around the house...sometimes giving her babies a ride. Of course it had to be pink and purple! At three years old, she wants to be both a big girl ("I want to do it myself!") and a little girl too (notice that is her "night-night" blanket that she drags around with her).
Motherhood is all about encouraging her independence, while nurturing and offering a helping hand when needed. Buckle up...it's going to be a long ride.
Motherhood is all about encouraging her independence, while nurturing and offering a helping hand when needed. Buckle up...it's going to be a long ride.
Live
I shared with a friend this week that one of my biggest fears is waking up one day to find myself an old woman, nearing the end of my life, and regretting all of the things that I wanted to do, but never found the time or motivation to do them.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. " Mark Twain
Thursday, February 7, 2008
What Can We Do?
My friend Elysa just returned from a short-term mission trip to Swaziland, Africa. She served there when she was in her early 20s and still has a heart for the people there. Swaziland is full of orphan children, some being raised by widows who take them in, some are raising themselves...and many children are dying from lack of food and medical care.
A whole team of folks went on this trip. I will list some of their blogs in case you want to check them out. They have not been able to write much since the returned because their hearts are so full. I believe that they have been forever changed. I pray that as they are able to share with us, that we will be changed as well.
Subjects like this often bring feelings of being overwhelmed to me...after all, it's a big world and there is much suffering. We often think "what can I do?" and then do nothing. There is something we can do. We can make a difference. I fully believe that.
Don't be intimidated by the great need. Don't be afraid to read the blogs and look at the smiling faces of the Swaziland children. Let's ask God what he would have us to do...and then for goodness sake...let's do something. If we don't, who will?
Elysa's blog: http://elysasmusingsfromgraceland.blogspot.com/
Other blogs from the missionary team:
http://tomdavis.typepad.com/
http://kblog.kevinjbowman.com/
http://ragamuffindiva.blogspot.com/
http://biscotti_brain.blogspot.com/
A whole team of folks went on this trip. I will list some of their blogs in case you want to check them out. They have not been able to write much since the returned because their hearts are so full. I believe that they have been forever changed. I pray that as they are able to share with us, that we will be changed as well.
Subjects like this often bring feelings of being overwhelmed to me...after all, it's a big world and there is much suffering. We often think "what can I do?" and then do nothing. There is something we can do. We can make a difference. I fully believe that.
Don't be intimidated by the great need. Don't be afraid to read the blogs and look at the smiling faces of the Swaziland children. Let's ask God what he would have us to do...and then for goodness sake...let's do something. If we don't, who will?
Elysa's blog: http://elysasmusingsfromgraceland.blogspot.com/
Other blogs from the missionary team:
http://tomdavis.typepad.com/
http://kblog.kevinjbowman.com/
http://ragamuffindiva.blogspot.com/
http://biscotti_brain.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Free Rice
Want to try a new computer game that is highly addictive and helps to feed hungry people around the world? Check out http://www.freerice.com
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Free To Be
I have started participating in the First Place Bible study at my church. For those of you who do not know, First Place is a weight-loss program and its goal is to encourage a balanced life. Even though I'm only into week two of the program, I have realized something about myself...it is very easy for me to slip into a legalistic mindset.
I am normally a follow-the-rules kind of person, so it is very easy for me to get caught up in things that I "have to" and "must do". The First Place leader encouraged us this week to put the Lord first in everything we do and make our relationship with Him a priority. She reminded us that as we do this, He will change us from the inside out. Do I have a responsibility in all this? You bet. But it is not all up to me...the freedom comes from Him.
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NIV)
I am normally a follow-the-rules kind of person, so it is very easy for me to get caught up in things that I "have to" and "must do". The First Place leader encouraged us this week to put the Lord first in everything we do and make our relationship with Him a priority. She reminded us that as we do this, He will change us from the inside out. Do I have a responsibility in all this? You bet. But it is not all up to me...the freedom comes from Him.
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NIV)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
A New Beginning
It's late...so this will be short. Just had to share that my church called a new pastor tonight and I am so excited about what God has planned for us. This man has such a love for Jesus...an awe and respect for God and His Word...and he seems to be so open to the things of the Spirit. This is the pastor that we have been longing for. God is so good!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Snow Day
What a treat to wake up to snow this morning! BK had a ball making snowballs and throwing them at her daddy. By the way, she didn't have mittens...so, yes...those are pink socks on her hands. Oh well...whatever works. : )
Monday, January 14, 2008
Birthday Thoughts
Today is my birthday. Those who love me remembered. I was taken out for lunch by my sisters...out to dinner by hubby and daughter...received a sweet card from a precious friend that moved out of state last year...and also a few email greetings. It was a good day.
So I'm now one year closer to being old enough to join AARP...even though I do have a few years left before that milestone.
Hopefully I'm not just another year older, but wiser as well. Some things a person just doesn't learn until they have walked down the road a while...you know?
There is the temptation to be blue...to lament my youth and the years that I will never see again. But I am choosing to be thankful...
for yesterday...the lessons learned and the memories that fill my heart with joy
for today...for everything that makes my life so full...
for tomorrow...and the hope of growing in love, as I grow closer to the One who IS love
Happiness is fleeting...but joy is eternal...I choose joy.
So I'm now one year closer to being old enough to join AARP...even though I do have a few years left before that milestone.
Hopefully I'm not just another year older, but wiser as well. Some things a person just doesn't learn until they have walked down the road a while...you know?
There is the temptation to be blue...to lament my youth and the years that I will never see again. But I am choosing to be thankful...
for yesterday...the lessons learned and the memories that fill my heart with joy
for today...for everything that makes my life so full...
for tomorrow...and the hope of growing in love, as I grow closer to the One who IS love
Happiness is fleeting...but joy is eternal...I choose joy.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Great Pirate Movie
We took BK to the theater yesterday to see the new Veggie Tales movie The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. It was really a cute movie...from frolicking cabin boys to crazed Cheetos and dancing rocks...it's filled with kid-friendly songs and laughs. As with all Veggie Tales productions, there are also lessons of Truth sprinkled throughout. Grab a kid and head to the nearest theater...you will enjoy it as much as they do.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Could Be
I read a quote tonight that made me think about how I treat people.
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. ~James D. Miles~
After I thought about this for a while, I realized that these days the people I find myself drawn to...caring for...treating the best...are the ones who love me and love my daughter. For better or worse, that's the truth of the matter.
I wonder if that's how God feels?
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. ~James D. Miles~
After I thought about this for a while, I realized that these days the people I find myself drawn to...caring for...treating the best...are the ones who love me and love my daughter. For better or worse, that's the truth of the matter.
I wonder if that's how God feels?
A Little Something From Zig
The Failure Event
I want to remind you that failure is an event, it is not a person.
Yesterday really did end last night.
Today is a brand new day.
That simply means that you can fail in an event, but by no stretch of imagination does that make you a failure as a person.
~Zig Ziglar~
I want to remind you that failure is an event, it is not a person.
Yesterday really did end last night.
Today is a brand new day.
That simply means that you can fail in an event, but by no stretch of imagination does that make you a failure as a person.
~Zig Ziglar~
Friday, January 4, 2008
Special Day
Three years ago my life changed when I watched my baby girl take her first breath.
She is such a wonderful gift of God.
She is a miracle…there is no doubt of that.
I am so thankful for the privilege of being her mommy.
Happy Birthday sweet girl!
She is such a wonderful gift of God.
She is a miracle…there is no doubt of that.
I am so thankful for the privilege of being her mommy.
Happy Birthday sweet girl!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Believing
In our Sunday School class we are beginning a new Bible study this Sunday...Believing God by Beth Moore. I am excited to see what God has planned for us during this time. To be honest, I have not felt that excitement...or expectation...for some time. If you have ever wandered around for a while in the desert, then you know what it's like to feel like you are finally getting back on the right track.
I have some tough stuff going on in my life right now and I am learning (again) that believing God requires action. The Bible says that faith without works is dead. We never really know how much faith we have until it is tested.
I think that sometimes the best thing we can do is tell the Lord that we want to believe...but that we are struggling with doubt.
In Mark 9, we see a father who brings his son who is plagued with convulsions to Jesus. Basically, he said "Jesus...if You can do anything to help my son, please do it."
23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (NKJV)
That was all Jesus needed to hear. He spoke to the evil spirit and it came out of the boy and he was healed.
We only have to start with mustard-seed sized faith. He does the rest.
This is the year that I will learn what it really means to believe.
I have some tough stuff going on in my life right now and I am learning (again) that believing God requires action. The Bible says that faith without works is dead. We never really know how much faith we have until it is tested.
I think that sometimes the best thing we can do is tell the Lord that we want to believe...but that we are struggling with doubt.
In Mark 9, we see a father who brings his son who is plagued with convulsions to Jesus. Basically, he said "Jesus...if You can do anything to help my son, please do it."
23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (NKJV)
That was all Jesus needed to hear. He spoke to the evil spirit and it came out of the boy and he was healed.
We only have to start with mustard-seed sized faith. He does the rest.
This is the year that I will learn what it really means to believe.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Compass Pointing In The Wrong Direction
The Golden Compass is an evil movie that is being portrayed as a children's fantasy classic in the making. I know that some will probably read this and think "Oh no...here we go again with the right-winged, Christian censorship." But I believe that it would be irresponsible for me to not speak up when this movie is clearly targeting innocent children. Please take a moment to read the Focus on the Family article and tell your friends: http://www.pluggedinonline.com/thisweekonly/a0003516.cfm
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