I usually get inspired to write on my blog by things that are happening in my life, or things that I am passionate about.
Well, I guess you can say I am inspired. Right now, a big, dark cloud is hanging over our lives.
Wednesday, Dec. 9th, our lives changed forever. It's funny how you just go along living life and really don't think about it. Until something happens to stop you in your tracks.
Jason lost his job. First there is shock. I was speechless. I had no words to say. Many things were going through my mind. Are we going to have to move? We're going to have to take all our kids' Christmas presents back. Why is God doing this to us? Why at Christmas time? Why? Why? Why? Right now, I really don't have an answer to any of those questions....except the one about taking Christmas presents back. Friday morning, Jason and I dug out the presents, found receipts and headed to the stores where we had visited only the week before. What a humbling, horrific, sad day.
I remember last year standing in line at Wal-Mart to return something a week before Christmas and the lady in front of me was returning all the toys she had bought her kids and hearing her reply when the clerk asked her if anything was wrong with any of it, she said, "no, my husband just lost his job." My heart sank and I wanted to buy everything she returned and put it right back in her cart...for her to take home. Never in a million years did I think that lady would be me, this year.
Then there is anger. Anger at the company that hired Jason just 9 months earlier and then let him go...three weeks before Christmas. This was supposed to be a Christian company. They will be sitting by the fire on Christmas Eve opening lots of presents (oh, probably after they get in their private jet and fly to their vacation home in Aspen) with lots of food and laughter and not a thought of us, with our kids having no presents under the tree to open, and wondering if we should turn our furnace down one more degree because we won't be able to afford to pay it when the bill comes.
Then there is total, no-words-to-describe sadness that hits, more often than not. Just looking at my kids. Thinking of our amazing friends here that we could possibly be leaving in the near future, hearing Christmas music, watching the commercials that talk about buying gifts, hearing my customers say, "have a great day" or "Merry Christmas". Can I tell you, I've wanted to snap back at them and say, "Whatever!" or "yeah, right!"
There is panic. There is frustration. There is bitterness.
There is also small glimpses of hope. When I think about all the things that anger me, especially the whole "Christmas thing" I try to stop and remember that giving gifts is not what Christmas is about. It's about Jesus. Being born in a cave, surrounded by animals.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him John 3:17
This is the most amazing gift of all. Anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life! John 3:16b The gift of heaven, with Him!
I had turned on the music at work the other day, and for the first time, really listened to the words of the song by Steven Curtis Chapman called Christmas is all in the Heart.
No, it's not in the snow that may or may not fall,
And it's not in the gifts around the tree
It's in the love heaven gave, the night our Savior came,
And that same love can still be found wherever you are,
'Cause Christmas is all in the heart -
It hit me like a ton of bricks and right then I decided I needed to make this Christmas special for my kids, even if we don't have gifts under the tree. We have each other. We are all healthy. We have amazing friends that we get to celebrate Jesus' birth with.
I just finished baking sugar cookies. A Christmas tradition I've been doing since our oldest son was one year old.
Hope is also found in the words of Matthew 6:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
I am still very sad, very angry, very tired, very frustrated by our circumstances, but I know that God is good, and still works miracles every day. I will continue to look toward Heaven and trust in Jesus no matter what we are going through.
If you are reading this, and don't have a personal relationship with Jesus and don't know for sure you are going to Heaven, please think about it. It's a free gift! All you have to do is trust in Jesus, give your life to Him. Follow Him. It's not about being "religious". It's about giving your life to Him, who gave everything for you, died for YOU, so that you can live for eternity, in Heaven.
THANK YOU, GOD, for the PERFECT gift of your son this Christmas!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Gifts from God
As Christmas approaches we think of bright lights decorating the trees, shoppers out getting their last minutes bargains, cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, and wonderfully wrapped gifts under the tree.
When we think of gifts, most of us think of brightly wrapped boxes with big bows on top. I have to admit, I enjoy getting the beautifully wrapped gift almost as much as I enjoy opening it and seeing what's inside.
Some gifts are not beautifully wrapped. In fact, some are disguised in ugly wrapping, or no wrapping at all. I received one of these gifts about two weeks ago. I won't go into a lot of detail, because this was MY gift from God. Let's just say, when I "received" this gift, I was really bummed, did not want this gift at all, and down right frustrated about it.
As I think back on the past two weeks, my life has been very, very busy, but the deep dark valley that I was walking in seems to have some SON shine shining on it. This gift has been a blessing to me as I finally get a glimpse of what God intended with it.
As Thanksgiving has come and gone, have you stopped being thankful for the things (gifts) He has provided? Although we don't see the big picture, God does. He is in charge. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9.
So, this Christmas, remember that not all gifts are beautifully wrapped. They may arrive as an unwanted "speed bump" in your life. But God has the whole picture planned out....so climb up into His lap and trust in Him.
Also, remember that our most precious gift of all, hung on a cross, bloody, beaten and battered for us! Celebrate His birth this Christmas, but also remember the gift of the cross!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to my wonderful friends! I love you all!
When we think of gifts, most of us think of brightly wrapped boxes with big bows on top. I have to admit, I enjoy getting the beautifully wrapped gift almost as much as I enjoy opening it and seeing what's inside.
Some gifts are not beautifully wrapped. In fact, some are disguised in ugly wrapping, or no wrapping at all. I received one of these gifts about two weeks ago. I won't go into a lot of detail, because this was MY gift from God. Let's just say, when I "received" this gift, I was really bummed, did not want this gift at all, and down right frustrated about it.
As I think back on the past two weeks, my life has been very, very busy, but the deep dark valley that I was walking in seems to have some SON shine shining on it. This gift has been a blessing to me as I finally get a glimpse of what God intended with it.
As Thanksgiving has come and gone, have you stopped being thankful for the things (gifts) He has provided? Although we don't see the big picture, God does. He is in charge. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9.
So, this Christmas, remember that not all gifts are beautifully wrapped. They may arrive as an unwanted "speed bump" in your life. But God has the whole picture planned out....so climb up into His lap and trust in Him.
Also, remember that our most precious gift of all, hung on a cross, bloody, beaten and battered for us! Celebrate His birth this Christmas, but also remember the gift of the cross!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to my wonderful friends! I love you all!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Is Your Vase Full?
So, I'm lying in bed tonight thinking and having a little chat with God, and got a strong urge to blog! So here I am typing away when I could be sleeping. But this is much more fun.
Time to get personal. Life just seems unfair at times. We all have our days, weeks, or months when things just seem unfair and gloomy. This past month has been my dark valley. I won't get into all the yucky details, but because of some things going on in my life, I've just been feeling down. BUT, don't feel too sorry for me! Yes, it's been tough to get out of bed some days and go through the motions, but it's also brought me to my knees before God. I have had some really great moments reflecting on God's Word and just being still, knowing that God is faithful. I grew up memorizing and saying the 23rd Psalm, but until this week, I didn't really fully grasp the entire, deep meaning to it. I love how the song puts it.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
WOW! God NEVER lets us go. He's always walking with us. In every high, and every low.
It has really made me think. I really can't imagine going through life without His perfect love. I can't imagine the hopelessness that I would feel going through this dark time alone. Yes, my family and friends are amazing and I love each and every one dearly, but their love just isn't the same as God's perfect love. And to know that He knows what is coming next in my life and is in control, gives me peace. There is NO relationship here on earth that is like that. Not even your closest friend. God knows EVERYTHING and is in control of the whole earth, yet loves ME....and YOU!
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV.
That just overwhelms me when I try to wrap my tiny little human brain around that.
In our bible study this week we talked about being emptied, so God can fill us back up again. Think about it....when life seems perfect and things are going smoothly, do you find yourself kind of going through the motions and forgetting WHO is responsible for your wonderful life? I know I do. But when God has you go through tough times (when you are walking thru the valley of the shadow of death) it's comforting to know He is walking with you thru it. And we tend to turn to Him and really grow with Him in this time. Sometimes we get in His face and get angry with Him, but He can handle it!
So, when someone is hurting or going through a tough time, pray that they will turn to God and have Him fill the gaps.
Here's a picture: Think of a vase filled with rocks. The rocks represent "stuff" in your life. Job, friends, money, etc. Is the vase full? Some would say yes. What if we were to pour water in the vase. There are lots of empty spaces around the rocks for water. Let God be the water (the Living Water) and fill your empty spaces where the rocks can't fit. Let Him fill those empty spaces until it runs over the edge of your vase!
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Doesn't that verse just make you smile!
By the way, if you are reading this, and you are going through a dark valley, I am praying for you.
Time to get personal. Life just seems unfair at times. We all have our days, weeks, or months when things just seem unfair and gloomy. This past month has been my dark valley. I won't get into all the yucky details, but because of some things going on in my life, I've just been feeling down. BUT, don't feel too sorry for me! Yes, it's been tough to get out of bed some days and go through the motions, but it's also brought me to my knees before God. I have had some really great moments reflecting on God's Word and just being still, knowing that God is faithful. I grew up memorizing and saying the 23rd Psalm, but until this week, I didn't really fully grasp the entire, deep meaning to it. I love how the song puts it.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
WOW! God NEVER lets us go. He's always walking with us. In every high, and every low.
It has really made me think. I really can't imagine going through life without His perfect love. I can't imagine the hopelessness that I would feel going through this dark time alone. Yes, my family and friends are amazing and I love each and every one dearly, but their love just isn't the same as God's perfect love. And to know that He knows what is coming next in my life and is in control, gives me peace. There is NO relationship here on earth that is like that. Not even your closest friend. God knows EVERYTHING and is in control of the whole earth, yet loves ME....and YOU!
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV.
That just overwhelms me when I try to wrap my tiny little human brain around that.
In our bible study this week we talked about being emptied, so God can fill us back up again. Think about it....when life seems perfect and things are going smoothly, do you find yourself kind of going through the motions and forgetting WHO is responsible for your wonderful life? I know I do. But when God has you go through tough times (when you are walking thru the valley of the shadow of death) it's comforting to know He is walking with you thru it. And we tend to turn to Him and really grow with Him in this time. Sometimes we get in His face and get angry with Him, but He can handle it!
So, when someone is hurting or going through a tough time, pray that they will turn to God and have Him fill the gaps.
Here's a picture: Think of a vase filled with rocks. The rocks represent "stuff" in your life. Job, friends, money, etc. Is the vase full? Some would say yes. What if we were to pour water in the vase. There are lots of empty spaces around the rocks for water. Let God be the water (the Living Water) and fill your empty spaces where the rocks can't fit. Let Him fill those empty spaces until it runs over the edge of your vase!
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Doesn't that verse just make you smile!
By the way, if you are reading this, and you are going through a dark valley, I am praying for you.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Christmas
When is the "correct" time to start listening to Christmas music? I don't mean Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls or Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer. I mean the music that is all about why we celebrate Christmas. That sings about the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
I LOVE Christmas! I love everything about it. I love the music, the smells, the shiny ornaments and decorations. I love the mall when the fireplaces are going and Christmas music is playing and the "halls are decked" in red and green decor. I love snuggling together with my kids on the couch watching the fun Christmas movies like Elf, The Santa Claus, The Nativity, etc. I love driving around looking at all the brightly decorated houses, and seeing the Christmas trees lit in peoples' windows. I love baking Christmas sugar cookies with my kids on snowy days. I love snuggling under a big blanket on the couch with the blinds open reading a book while watching it snow outside. I love going to church on Christmas eve and being with friends and family all together worshipping and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Okay, I could go on and on, but I will stop there.
When I think of my past and growing up, it makes me sad. We went to candle light service on Christmas eve, but really didn't talk much about it being Jesus' birthday. When we went to church, it gave "Santa" an opportunity to stop at our house and leave presents. When my two older kids were small, we continued this tradition, except the candle light service part. We didn't go to church. We didn't talk about it being Jesus' birthday. We talked about Santa and all the presents he would bring. I think a lot of the world does this exact same thing. I'm not saying doing the whole "Santa" thing is wrong. I still love this part of Christmas. But the main focus should be Jesus! And it's our job as parents to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas.
About four years ago, we decided we were doing "Christmas" all wrong. There would be no Christmas if it weren't for God sending His Son for us. Thus, the meaning behind the saying, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season!".
This year, money is tight for us. In years past, we would get an "extra" paycheck towards the end of the year that we used to pay for Christmas. This year, with Jason's new job, we didn't have this. I usually finished most of my Christmas shopping by October or November. This Christmas, I haven't really even started. We've had some extra bills, doctor bills and dentist bills that have made it hard to save any money and since our insurance changed and we pay out-of-pocket instead of a $15 co-pay, we don't have extra money for Christmas. I'm not saying this to complain. I'm saying that God has used this as an eye-opener to us. It's made us think about what is really important about Christmas, and life in general. It's not about giving tons of expensive gifts to everyone on our list. Although it makes me extremely sad that I am unable to get my kids their dream Christmas gift, I'm thankful that we have a warm house, food on the table (even if it is macaroni and cheese), and loving friends and family by our side. And it has made me realize how many of our friends and family are going through this same thing. Let's face it, the economy stinks right now! Many of our friends are out of jobs.
I have always wondered why people went into debt putting gifts they couldn't afford on credit cards (I can honestly say, I have always paid cash for our Christmas gifts), going to parties that they didn't want to go to, baking tons of goodies that they didn't want to eat because of the weight gain they would endure.
So, back to Christmas music. I start listening to it in early November. It gives me the warm, calming feeling that I need to get me through the hustle and bustle of Christmas. It makes me focus on the real reason we celebrate Christmas instead of the stresses that can go along with it. This Christmas, I pray that we, and all those that desire a calm and peaceful Christmas, will focus on the true meaning of Christmas and not give in to the world's way of celebrating. To celebrate the way Jesus would want us to. By loving the people He has placed in our lives. Enjoying the things we already have. And being thankful to God for sending His son.
I know....it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but this is the beginning of the "holiday" season. And it's difficult to NOT think of Christmas when the stores all have their Christmas "stuff" out, Christmas music is being played everywhere you go, and the commercials are talking about Christmas present ideas. And shouldn't we be celebrating Jesus all year long anyway?!
Don't forget the reason for the season!
I LOVE Christmas! I love everything about it. I love the music, the smells, the shiny ornaments and decorations. I love the mall when the fireplaces are going and Christmas music is playing and the "halls are decked" in red and green decor. I love snuggling together with my kids on the couch watching the fun Christmas movies like Elf, The Santa Claus, The Nativity, etc. I love driving around looking at all the brightly decorated houses, and seeing the Christmas trees lit in peoples' windows. I love baking Christmas sugar cookies with my kids on snowy days. I love snuggling under a big blanket on the couch with the blinds open reading a book while watching it snow outside. I love going to church on Christmas eve and being with friends and family all together worshipping and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Okay, I could go on and on, but I will stop there.
When I think of my past and growing up, it makes me sad. We went to candle light service on Christmas eve, but really didn't talk much about it being Jesus' birthday. When we went to church, it gave "Santa" an opportunity to stop at our house and leave presents. When my two older kids were small, we continued this tradition, except the candle light service part. We didn't go to church. We didn't talk about it being Jesus' birthday. We talked about Santa and all the presents he would bring. I think a lot of the world does this exact same thing. I'm not saying doing the whole "Santa" thing is wrong. I still love this part of Christmas. But the main focus should be Jesus! And it's our job as parents to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas.
About four years ago, we decided we were doing "Christmas" all wrong. There would be no Christmas if it weren't for God sending His Son for us. Thus, the meaning behind the saying, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season!".
This year, money is tight for us. In years past, we would get an "extra" paycheck towards the end of the year that we used to pay for Christmas. This year, with Jason's new job, we didn't have this. I usually finished most of my Christmas shopping by October or November. This Christmas, I haven't really even started. We've had some extra bills, doctor bills and dentist bills that have made it hard to save any money and since our insurance changed and we pay out-of-pocket instead of a $15 co-pay, we don't have extra money for Christmas. I'm not saying this to complain. I'm saying that God has used this as an eye-opener to us. It's made us think about what is really important about Christmas, and life in general. It's not about giving tons of expensive gifts to everyone on our list. Although it makes me extremely sad that I am unable to get my kids their dream Christmas gift, I'm thankful that we have a warm house, food on the table (even if it is macaroni and cheese), and loving friends and family by our side. And it has made me realize how many of our friends and family are going through this same thing. Let's face it, the economy stinks right now! Many of our friends are out of jobs.
I have always wondered why people went into debt putting gifts they couldn't afford on credit cards (I can honestly say, I have always paid cash for our Christmas gifts), going to parties that they didn't want to go to, baking tons of goodies that they didn't want to eat because of the weight gain they would endure.
So, back to Christmas music. I start listening to it in early November. It gives me the warm, calming feeling that I need to get me through the hustle and bustle of Christmas. It makes me focus on the real reason we celebrate Christmas instead of the stresses that can go along with it. This Christmas, I pray that we, and all those that desire a calm and peaceful Christmas, will focus on the true meaning of Christmas and not give in to the world's way of celebrating. To celebrate the way Jesus would want us to. By loving the people He has placed in our lives. Enjoying the things we already have. And being thankful to God for sending His son.
I know....it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but this is the beginning of the "holiday" season. And it's difficult to NOT think of Christmas when the stores all have their Christmas "stuff" out, Christmas music is being played everywhere you go, and the commercials are talking about Christmas present ideas. And shouldn't we be celebrating Jesus all year long anyway?!
Don't forget the reason for the season!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Heaven!
I'll try to keep my excitement to a minimum, but this is exciting stuff!
This morning I was reading about God's Justice. Whew! That's a heavy, tough subject. I was taken to Revelation 20. I got so involved and excited while reading this that I just kept reading, and reading and before I knew it, I was dancing on the streets of gold, with JESUS!
Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Isn't that exciting? Well, for me it is, because I know for sure that I will be in heaven some day. If you died today, do you know that you are going to heaven? Do you look at people who follow Jesus Christ, who pray, who are involved in church, who do EVERYTHING for the glory of God and say, "those people are weird" or "they are just bible thumpers". Whatever you want to call me, go ahead. But I am on this earth to follow Jesus, my Creator.
I am so excited about one day being in Heaven (the New Jerusalem) with my Creator, and all the people who's names are in the Book of Life. But as I think of this, it makes me sad that people I love may not be there with me. They think as I did, before I became a believer. That they are Christian, because they believe in God, and they are good, most of the time. But they don't know true JOY in trusting, following, living for Jesus. When you turn to Jesus and decide that you are going to follow Him and Him alone, this is when your life will have true meaning...when you are born again.
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. John 3:3 & 5
When you are following Jesus, it will motivate you to do good, for Him. Not because it will get you to heaven, but because you want to please your Father in Heaven.
Imagine that, some day, your struggles, pains, fears, aches, and evil temptations will some day be gone. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Rev. 21:27
Isn't it exciting to live for Him? If He came today, would you be ready...and would you know that He is taking you up to Heaven to live with Him FOREVER!!!???? Hallelujah!
It is our duty, as a believer of Jesus Christ, to tell others of this wonderful news! To teach them to live for Him.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
This morning I was reading about God's Justice. Whew! That's a heavy, tough subject. I was taken to Revelation 20. I got so involved and excited while reading this that I just kept reading, and reading and before I knew it, I was dancing on the streets of gold, with JESUS!
Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Isn't that exciting? Well, for me it is, because I know for sure that I will be in heaven some day. If you died today, do you know that you are going to heaven? Do you look at people who follow Jesus Christ, who pray, who are involved in church, who do EVERYTHING for the glory of God and say, "those people are weird" or "they are just bible thumpers". Whatever you want to call me, go ahead. But I am on this earth to follow Jesus, my Creator.
I am so excited about one day being in Heaven (the New Jerusalem) with my Creator, and all the people who's names are in the Book of Life. But as I think of this, it makes me sad that people I love may not be there with me. They think as I did, before I became a believer. That they are Christian, because they believe in God, and they are good, most of the time. But they don't know true JOY in trusting, following, living for Jesus. When you turn to Jesus and decide that you are going to follow Him and Him alone, this is when your life will have true meaning...when you are born again.
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. John 3:3 & 5
When you are following Jesus, it will motivate you to do good, for Him. Not because it will get you to heaven, but because you want to please your Father in Heaven.
Imagine that, some day, your struggles, pains, fears, aches, and evil temptations will some day be gone. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Rev. 21:27
Isn't it exciting to live for Him? If He came today, would you be ready...and would you know that He is taking you up to Heaven to live with Him FOREVER!!!???? Hallelujah!
It is our duty, as a believer of Jesus Christ, to tell others of this wonderful news! To teach them to live for Him.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Scrapbooking as worship?
Another great evening spent with friends scrapbooking, quilting, embroidering, cross-stitching, beading, snacking, talking, listening to music and just being together.
I try to organize a "craft night" at church on a regular basis. Usually every couple of months. Everyone gathers their craft supplies and heads out to church for several hours of crafting. But it's not just working on your craft of choice, it's worship also.
God has really shown me how blessed I am this past week! I have some really amazing friends who are always there with an open ear and a hug, I have an amazing hubby and kids, I LOVE our church (they are like family to us) and we live in a beautiful place! Can't get a whole lot better than waking up to a beautiful sunrise on one side of the house and the majestic mountains on the other!
WORSHIP!
This is a word that gets thrown out there a lot.
The Webster’s defines it: 1) A prayer, church service, or other rite that shows reverence for a deity; 2) Intense love or admiration of any kind. As a verb transitive, the word can mean 1) to show religious reverence for; or 2) to have intense love or admiration for.
So when you really think about it, this is a HUGE topic. People worship idols such as money, popularity, material things, food, etc. We're all guilty.
God makes it clear in the Ten Commandments that we should not worship anything or anyone but Him.
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. Ex. 20:4-5 NLT
The topic of worship has been something I have really been studying lately and thinking on. We all know that we're guilty of worshipping something or someone other than God. That's between us and God and I pray that He will open our eyes to see those things, and show us how to enjoy the things we have, but not to worship them.
I want to concentrate on worshipping God! How do I do this? I can worship God in all that I do. I started this blog talking about our "craft night" and about how blessed I am with all that God has given me. For me, this is worshipping God. Remember that the definition is an intense love or admiration for. I have intense love for God for blessing me with all that I have; family, friends, His creation, etc. I also have an intense love and admiration for God, first of all, for allowing us to have nights like that at church. Close friends, good conversation, great food, etc. I am constantly amazed at the feeling I get when I am among others who love God. What a wonderful feeling! I also have an intense admiration for God for making me creative, and to see how He has made others creative also. Not just in the scrapbooking that I do, but the deep concentration and patience that it takes to hand-embroider or cross-stitch, or the way another puts fabric together to make a beautiful quilt, or the way one slowly adds one bead after another to create a piece of jewelry. When you put God in all things, the "things" become way more wonderful and amazing!
My mind is full as I think of the topic of Worship. But for now, I'll leave you to think about things you do or see, or people you have in your life that make you feeling that intense love and admiration for God. Add a comment, I'd love to hear the things that make you feel that intense love and admiration for God.
Until next time, I pray that you will put God in everything you do and see, and make them all the more amazing and beautiful!
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matt. 6:33-34
I try to organize a "craft night" at church on a regular basis. Usually every couple of months. Everyone gathers their craft supplies and heads out to church for several hours of crafting. But it's not just working on your craft of choice, it's worship also.
God has really shown me how blessed I am this past week! I have some really amazing friends who are always there with an open ear and a hug, I have an amazing hubby and kids, I LOVE our church (they are like family to us) and we live in a beautiful place! Can't get a whole lot better than waking up to a beautiful sunrise on one side of the house and the majestic mountains on the other!
WORSHIP!
This is a word that gets thrown out there a lot.
The Webster’s defines it: 1) A prayer, church service, or other rite that shows reverence for a deity; 2) Intense love or admiration of any kind. As a verb transitive, the word can mean 1) to show religious reverence for; or 2) to have intense love or admiration for.
So when you really think about it, this is a HUGE topic. People worship idols such as money, popularity, material things, food, etc. We're all guilty.
God makes it clear in the Ten Commandments that we should not worship anything or anyone but Him.
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. Ex. 20:4-5 NLT
The topic of worship has been something I have really been studying lately and thinking on. We all know that we're guilty of worshipping something or someone other than God. That's between us and God and I pray that He will open our eyes to see those things, and show us how to enjoy the things we have, but not to worship them.
I want to concentrate on worshipping God! How do I do this? I can worship God in all that I do. I started this blog talking about our "craft night" and about how blessed I am with all that God has given me. For me, this is worshipping God. Remember that the definition is an intense love or admiration for. I have intense love for God for blessing me with all that I have; family, friends, His creation, etc. I also have an intense love and admiration for God, first of all, for allowing us to have nights like that at church. Close friends, good conversation, great food, etc. I am constantly amazed at the feeling I get when I am among others who love God. What a wonderful feeling! I also have an intense admiration for God for making me creative, and to see how He has made others creative also. Not just in the scrapbooking that I do, but the deep concentration and patience that it takes to hand-embroider or cross-stitch, or the way another puts fabric together to make a beautiful quilt, or the way one slowly adds one bead after another to create a piece of jewelry. When you put God in all things, the "things" become way more wonderful and amazing!
My mind is full as I think of the topic of Worship. But for now, I'll leave you to think about things you do or see, or people you have in your life that make you feeling that intense love and admiration for God. Add a comment, I'd love to hear the things that make you feel that intense love and admiration for God.
Until next time, I pray that you will put God in everything you do and see, and make them all the more amazing and beautiful!
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matt. 6:33-34
Friday, October 16, 2009
Convicted!
If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
WOW! If that doesn't make you think!
What is the definition of a Christian?
Is it just to be a good person while on earth and hope you get into heaven? I don't see that in the bible. Is it to choose which verses to follow in the bible and not obey the ones you don't like? I don't see that either. It's also not about having to live by some boring rules and not enjoy life! God wants you to be happy and live in joy! The bible is God's Word to you! When you use the bible as your Life Handbook, life is not boring or unenjoyable! It's amazing!
A Christian is someone who has decided to entrust his or her life to Jesus Christ. A Christian trusts Christ for forgiveness of sin, a right standing before God, and guidance in life.
John 3:3-7 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
To be born again--born of the Spirit--a person must place his or her trust in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus Christ actually comes to dwell within the new Christian, giving newness of life--His life.
In sum, Christ makes a Christian a Christian. Going to church does not make a person a Christian. A special ceremony can't do it. And nobody can be a Christian by trying to be a good person. Only Jesus Christ can make a person a Christian:
John 1:12,13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
I am sad to know that so many people in this world call themselves Christians, and truly believe that they will some day live in heaven, but do not follow Jesus. They live for themselves, doing as they please, saying, "I'm praying for you." Are you really praying? Did you bow your head and talk to God, or is it just something that sounds good to say? Do you celebrate Christmas as Jesus' birth, or are you celebrating Santa and lots of gifts? Do you celebrate Easter as the time Jesus spread his arms wide saying, I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH, and died to forgive you of your sins? If you answered no to any of those, then maybe you need to think about what it really means to be a Christian.
Tell God that you want Him to be in charge of your life from this point forward. Prayer= a simple conversation between you and your Creator, GOD!
For those of us that have already asked God for forgiveness and placed our faith in Jesus, what do our lives look like? We should be striving to look like Jesus. For people to say, "Hmmm, their lives seem different. They have peace! They have hope! I want what they have!"
When I say, "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
That saying is my life quote! I want to look like Jesus....and strive for it every day. But I can't do it without Him being in charge!
Thank you God that you are Good, Sovereign, Holy, Wise, the Ultimate Judge and you are LOVE!
WOW! If that doesn't make you think!
What is the definition of a Christian?
Is it just to be a good person while on earth and hope you get into heaven? I don't see that in the bible. Is it to choose which verses to follow in the bible and not obey the ones you don't like? I don't see that either. It's also not about having to live by some boring rules and not enjoy life! God wants you to be happy and live in joy! The bible is God's Word to you! When you use the bible as your Life Handbook, life is not boring or unenjoyable! It's amazing!
A Christian is someone who has decided to entrust his or her life to Jesus Christ. A Christian trusts Christ for forgiveness of sin, a right standing before God, and guidance in life.
John 3:3-7 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
To be born again--born of the Spirit--a person must place his or her trust in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus Christ actually comes to dwell within the new Christian, giving newness of life--His life.
In sum, Christ makes a Christian a Christian. Going to church does not make a person a Christian. A special ceremony can't do it. And nobody can be a Christian by trying to be a good person. Only Jesus Christ can make a person a Christian:
John 1:12,13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
I am sad to know that so many people in this world call themselves Christians, and truly believe that they will some day live in heaven, but do not follow Jesus. They live for themselves, doing as they please, saying, "I'm praying for you." Are you really praying? Did you bow your head and talk to God, or is it just something that sounds good to say? Do you celebrate Christmas as Jesus' birth, or are you celebrating Santa and lots of gifts? Do you celebrate Easter as the time Jesus spread his arms wide saying, I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH, and died to forgive you of your sins? If you answered no to any of those, then maybe you need to think about what it really means to be a Christian.
Tell God that you want Him to be in charge of your life from this point forward. Prayer= a simple conversation between you and your Creator, GOD!
For those of us that have already asked God for forgiveness and placed our faith in Jesus, what do our lives look like? We should be striving to look like Jesus. For people to say, "Hmmm, their lives seem different. They have peace! They have hope! I want what they have!"
When I say, "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
That saying is my life quote! I want to look like Jesus....and strive for it every day. But I can't do it without Him being in charge!
Thank you God that you are Good, Sovereign, Holy, Wise, the Ultimate Judge and you are LOVE!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Who do you talk to when you pray?
I don't mean that you talk to someone other than God. I just mean, who is God to you? Is he just a giant "being" in the sky who you only talk to when things get really tough and you have no where else to turn? Or during family get-togethers where it's just the thing to do before dinner? Or is He your sovereign LORD?
Sovereign: above or superior to all others; the GREATEST; independent of all others.
When you bow your head to pray-when you're in a jam and you need to ask God for something-are you aware of who you're talking to? The one to whom you pray has power over the entire universe, over every single atom, and yet he is infinitely loving and he cares about you. That's who you're talking to. That's why we worship him. ~Chip Ingram from God As He Longs For You To See Him
I've asked myself the question many times in the past years. I did only know God as the one to whom I went when things got bad. Or when we had family meals and it was just the thing to do. WAKE UP! This is the God of the universe, who made ALL things, including you and me. He knows ALL things. He is in control of ALL things. He made you and me, He gave up His son for us, and we just give Him a few minutes of our time every once in a while?! WOW! I don't know about you, but that really makes me feel sad and awful!
In the bible study I'm doing right now by Chip Ingram, called God as He longs for you to see Him, Chip quotes A. W. Tozer:
"With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?
STOP! Go back and read that about 10 times slowly, and really let that sink in. God is not just some "being" in the sky whom you talk to or think about every once in a while. He is YOUR FRIEND, your Heavenly FATHER who wants the best for you. You are His child.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—(John 1:12)
The key is, He's not just a part-time God who you should call on occasionally, or when you feel like it. He is Omnipresent, ALWAYS there. He never leaves you, even if you walk away from Him for a while or if you just call on Him occasionally. But give Him the time He deserves, after all, you are in this world because HE created you! Talk to Him every day, all day. He doesn't care if you talk out loud, in your mind, with big words, with your eyes closed, etc. He just wants to hear from you. Praying is simply a conversation between you and God.
In youth group on Wednesday night, our youth pastor, Brian, explained it really well. He read a poem from John Piper's book Desiring God. I am going to summarize what it says:
A husband brings home roses for his wife for their anniversary. She says, "but why so much?" and he replies, "You know it is my duty that I go each year and buy what husbands ought to buy. I think I was well-taught that there are proper ways to do these things, and I just wanted you to know that I am duty-bound and that my character is sound." A question that I hope will show, the answer, folks, is clearly NO. How then shall she be honored more if not by duty at the door? To answer this let us return now to the scene and watch and learn. Noel swings wide the door. I say, while holding out the rose display, "A happy anniversary, Noel! " And she responds, "For me? O these are beautiful, but why so much?" To which I then reply, "It makes me glad to bring you things. In fact, Noel, I think it brings me more delight to spend this night with you than anyone I might. Why don't you go dress for a date and tell the boys it may be late. I cannot think of any way I'd rather celebrate this day than satisfying my desire with one that I so much admire."
This is how we should respond to God. Not out of obligation or "duty", but because He loves us and we love Him! How can you not love God with all that He has done, is doing, and will do for you?
John 3:16
Sovereign: above or superior to all others; the GREATEST; independent of all others.
When you bow your head to pray-when you're in a jam and you need to ask God for something-are you aware of who you're talking to? The one to whom you pray has power over the entire universe, over every single atom, and yet he is infinitely loving and he cares about you. That's who you're talking to. That's why we worship him. ~Chip Ingram from God As He Longs For You To See Him
I've asked myself the question many times in the past years. I did only know God as the one to whom I went when things got bad. Or when we had family meals and it was just the thing to do. WAKE UP! This is the God of the universe, who made ALL things, including you and me. He knows ALL things. He is in control of ALL things. He made you and me, He gave up His son for us, and we just give Him a few minutes of our time every once in a while?! WOW! I don't know about you, but that really makes me feel sad and awful!
In the bible study I'm doing right now by Chip Ingram, called God as He longs for you to see Him, Chip quotes A. W. Tozer:
"With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?
STOP! Go back and read that about 10 times slowly, and really let that sink in. God is not just some "being" in the sky whom you talk to or think about every once in a while. He is YOUR FRIEND, your Heavenly FATHER who wants the best for you. You are His child.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—(John 1:12)
The key is, He's not just a part-time God who you should call on occasionally, or when you feel like it. He is Omnipresent, ALWAYS there. He never leaves you, even if you walk away from Him for a while or if you just call on Him occasionally. But give Him the time He deserves, after all, you are in this world because HE created you! Talk to Him every day, all day. He doesn't care if you talk out loud, in your mind, with big words, with your eyes closed, etc. He just wants to hear from you. Praying is simply a conversation between you and God.
In youth group on Wednesday night, our youth pastor, Brian, explained it really well. He read a poem from John Piper's book Desiring God. I am going to summarize what it says:
A husband brings home roses for his wife for their anniversary. She says, "but why so much?" and he replies, "You know it is my duty that I go each year and buy what husbands ought to buy. I think I was well-taught that there are proper ways to do these things, and I just wanted you to know that I am duty-bound and that my character is sound." A question that I hope will show, the answer, folks, is clearly NO. How then shall she be honored more if not by duty at the door? To answer this let us return now to the scene and watch and learn. Noel swings wide the door. I say, while holding out the rose display, "A happy anniversary, Noel! " And she responds, "For me? O these are beautiful, but why so much?" To which I then reply, "It makes me glad to bring you things. In fact, Noel, I think it brings me more delight to spend this night with you than anyone I might. Why don't you go dress for a date and tell the boys it may be late. I cannot think of any way I'd rather celebrate this day than satisfying my desire with one that I so much admire."
This is how we should respond to God. Not out of obligation or "duty", but because He loves us and we love Him! How can you not love God with all that He has done, is doing, and will do for you?
John 3:16
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day Weekend
Does the Labor in Labor Day mean that you are supposed to be free from Labor, or are you supposed to be laboring? This is my question since our entire weekend was so busy it's now a blur.
Saturday was a really great day! We started the day off with a really long hike in Castlewood Canyon with our new puppy, Bella. She had a lot of fun, especially playing in the stream along the hiking trail. After our hike, we went and grabbed some food and took it to a great park hidden off the highway. (not sure if anyone knows it's there because there is never anyone there when we go there, which is why we go there). We decided to go home then. Everyone did their thing for a while and then Jason and I decided we didn't want to sit around the house so we drove up to Morrison and did some window shopping on their main street. Then we went to Colorado Mills Mall and walked the whole mall and did a little bit of shopping. After that, we drove down to Roxborough State Park and drove around on some country roads before ending up on Santa Fe headed for home. Whew! What a day!
Sunday (yesterday), we had church service in a park. It was really nice, followed by a picnic for those that wanted to stay. We came home after eating our picnic. I then got a call from my good friend, Stephanie who was headed to church to make copies, so I rode along and we just chatted and had a nice time. Last night we had a family movie night and watched Tale of Desperaux.
This morning I woke up around 8am and worked on the women's retreat until 1pm. Jason spent the morning getting two truckloads of sand and hauling them to what will be, some day, our new patio. So I went out and helped him level off the sand and lay pavers. It was hot, and very hard work. I was supposed to meet up with another good friend at 4, but realized at 4 that I was still sweaty and sandy and needed a shower. So, jumped in the shower and headed out the door to pick Patti up. Out to church, AGAIN, to make more copies and chat. When we finished we came back to our house. Her hubby and boys met us at the house, and we grilled burgers and hung out. After eating, Patti and I did some more work on the folders for the retreat until they needed to leave. *a little side not....Our friends, Brian and Patti and their boys are the bestest! I love them all soooo much! They are like family to us and I don't know what we'd do without their friendship and love!
After they left I decided to sit on the floor in our family room and fill some little boxes for the retreat. I had them all nicely lined up on the floor, filled and ready to put in a box...when in comes Bella, our new puppy and plowed right through the nicely lined treasure boxes! So, I had to refill each one. But, I got them done and am now sitting at the computer wondering how in the world did we do all that we did in only three days!
So, again, what is the meaning of Labor Day? I really don't care what it is supposed to mean. God blessed us so much this weekend. I had an amazing, long weekend spent with my family and great friends, grilling, hiking, shopping, playing, working, worshipping my Father in Heaven, driving, eating, cleaning, etc. And to end a perfect weekend....I'm headed off to have Calgon take me away! Good night, all! Hope everyone had a super Labor Day weekend, doing whatever makes you happy!
Saturday was a really great day! We started the day off with a really long hike in Castlewood Canyon with our new puppy, Bella. She had a lot of fun, especially playing in the stream along the hiking trail. After our hike, we went and grabbed some food and took it to a great park hidden off the highway. (not sure if anyone knows it's there because there is never anyone there when we go there, which is why we go there). We decided to go home then. Everyone did their thing for a while and then Jason and I decided we didn't want to sit around the house so we drove up to Morrison and did some window shopping on their main street. Then we went to Colorado Mills Mall and walked the whole mall and did a little bit of shopping. After that, we drove down to Roxborough State Park and drove around on some country roads before ending up on Santa Fe headed for home. Whew! What a day!
Sunday (yesterday), we had church service in a park. It was really nice, followed by a picnic for those that wanted to stay. We came home after eating our picnic. I then got a call from my good friend, Stephanie who was headed to church to make copies, so I rode along and we just chatted and had a nice time. Last night we had a family movie night and watched Tale of Desperaux.
This morning I woke up around 8am and worked on the women's retreat until 1pm. Jason spent the morning getting two truckloads of sand and hauling them to what will be, some day, our new patio. So I went out and helped him level off the sand and lay pavers. It was hot, and very hard work. I was supposed to meet up with another good friend at 4, but realized at 4 that I was still sweaty and sandy and needed a shower. So, jumped in the shower and headed out the door to pick Patti up. Out to church, AGAIN, to make more copies and chat. When we finished we came back to our house. Her hubby and boys met us at the house, and we grilled burgers and hung out. After eating, Patti and I did some more work on the folders for the retreat until they needed to leave. *a little side not....Our friends, Brian and Patti and their boys are the bestest! I love them all soooo much! They are like family to us and I don't know what we'd do without their friendship and love!
After they left I decided to sit on the floor in our family room and fill some little boxes for the retreat. I had them all nicely lined up on the floor, filled and ready to put in a box...when in comes Bella, our new puppy and plowed right through the nicely lined treasure boxes! So, I had to refill each one. But, I got them done and am now sitting at the computer wondering how in the world did we do all that we did in only three days!
So, again, what is the meaning of Labor Day? I really don't care what it is supposed to mean. God blessed us so much this weekend. I had an amazing, long weekend spent with my family and great friends, grilling, hiking, shopping, playing, working, worshipping my Father in Heaven, driving, eating, cleaning, etc. And to end a perfect weekend....I'm headed off to have Calgon take me away! Good night, all! Hope everyone had a super Labor Day weekend, doing whatever makes you happy!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
What is money really worth?
In my bible reading this morning, I was taken to Luke 12. I've read this many times before and love it, but this morning it really hit me. Every where you look, people are struggling financially. BUT, if you read Luke 12, and you trust in God alone, He will take care of you! He takes care of the birds, why wouldn't He take care of His people?
I am not much of a worrier. EXCEPT when it comes to snow. I have no idea why, but I hate to drive in snow, or slick roads. I grew up and learned how to drive in Nebraska, which usually has, first, a nice layer of ice and then snow on the roads. We usually take a trip to the mountains for a youth Winter Retreat in Feb. of every year. Sometimes, I'm asked to drive. A few years ago, I was really praying through the idea of driving in the mountains on snowy roads and I came across this:
"Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not!: Luke 12:24 & 25.
As we left for the winter retreat, I watched the snow clouds over the mountains and was really close to crying the closer we got. As we started up the mountain, it started to snow...HARD! The higher we got, the more snow was packed on the roads. By the time we got to the top, the roads were snowpacked and you could barely see the car in front of you. I really don't remember much of the trip, or what the teenagers were talking about in the back seat, because I prayed the entire way up the mountain. He got me to the top and we had an amazing weekend of worshiping and having a fun time together.
So, why worry! Just put your trust in God, ask Him to get you through whatever is worrying you, and "keep driving" and going forward, into His arms!
We were on our way to church the other day and as we were stopped at a stop sign, I read a bumper sticker on a teenager's car. I can't recall what it said, but it made me feel very blessed that I have Jesus as my saviour! I told my kids that I was glad to know that I'll be in heaven in less than 100 years because this world just keeps getting worse and I'll be living safe in the arms of Jesus. I also told them to be glad they have Jesus in their lives to help them in this world. I can't imagine going through some of the things this world throws at you without having the help from Jesus to get through them!!!
We all take for granted that God is in control of EVERY detail of our lives. Stop and thank Him for his many blessings in your life!
I am not much of a worrier. EXCEPT when it comes to snow. I have no idea why, but I hate to drive in snow, or slick roads. I grew up and learned how to drive in Nebraska, which usually has, first, a nice layer of ice and then snow on the roads. We usually take a trip to the mountains for a youth Winter Retreat in Feb. of every year. Sometimes, I'm asked to drive. A few years ago, I was really praying through the idea of driving in the mountains on snowy roads and I came across this:
"Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not!: Luke 12:24 & 25.
As we left for the winter retreat, I watched the snow clouds over the mountains and was really close to crying the closer we got. As we started up the mountain, it started to snow...HARD! The higher we got, the more snow was packed on the roads. By the time we got to the top, the roads were snowpacked and you could barely see the car in front of you. I really don't remember much of the trip, or what the teenagers were talking about in the back seat, because I prayed the entire way up the mountain. He got me to the top and we had an amazing weekend of worshiping and having a fun time together.
So, why worry! Just put your trust in God, ask Him to get you through whatever is worrying you, and "keep driving" and going forward, into His arms!
We were on our way to church the other day and as we were stopped at a stop sign, I read a bumper sticker on a teenager's car. I can't recall what it said, but it made me feel very blessed that I have Jesus as my saviour! I told my kids that I was glad to know that I'll be in heaven in less than 100 years because this world just keeps getting worse and I'll be living safe in the arms of Jesus. I also told them to be glad they have Jesus in their lives to help them in this world. I can't imagine going through some of the things this world throws at you without having the help from Jesus to get through them!!!
We all take for granted that God is in control of EVERY detail of our lives. Stop and thank Him for his many blessings in your life!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Peaceful evenings?
I remember the evenings when the kids would go to bed early on school nights and I would fall asleep in front of the tv or reading a book. I think back at how peaceful our evenings were when the kids were younger and after they went to bed. I have been teasing Jason that I wanted him to go out-of-town for business so the kids and I could have cereal for dinner and I could have the house to myself in the evenings. WHAT?!
Jason left this afternoon for a few days. This entire day has been one thing after another....why would I think this evening would be any different. The second he left I started making dinner, then I had to leave to go get Cody from soccer practice. Came home, ate, cleaned up dinner and thought, I'm going to sit down for a few minutes. Yeah right! Not with an 8 year old in the house along with a new puppy! Sam kept begging me to do something or to watch a movie, the dog was running around yelping and chewing on anything and everything and the kids running after her yelling very loudly, "STOP" or "NO!". It is now 8:30. Peyton has Bella outside to go potty, Sam is upstairs reading and Cody is in his room doing homework. How long will the quiet last? Probably until Peyton comes back in with Bella, Sam is done with homework, or Cody decided he needs to come upstairs to chew on ice. I think I will go run a hot bath, put in some earplugs and let Calgon take me away!
Jason left this afternoon for a few days. This entire day has been one thing after another....why would I think this evening would be any different. The second he left I started making dinner, then I had to leave to go get Cody from soccer practice. Came home, ate, cleaned up dinner and thought, I'm going to sit down for a few minutes. Yeah right! Not with an 8 year old in the house along with a new puppy! Sam kept begging me to do something or to watch a movie, the dog was running around yelping and chewing on anything and everything and the kids running after her yelling very loudly, "STOP" or "NO!". It is now 8:30. Peyton has Bella outside to go potty, Sam is upstairs reading and Cody is in his room doing homework. How long will the quiet last? Probably until Peyton comes back in with Bella, Sam is done with homework, or Cody decided he needs to come upstairs to chew on ice. I think I will go run a hot bath, put in some earplugs and let Calgon take me away!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Me time!
It's fall! Well, not yet, but kids are going back to school and that is how the saying goes, "the kids start school in the fall". We have had company for a week and they just left this morning. It's been a crazy few weeks with so much to get done, keeping up with housekeeping, errands, end-of-summer "stuff", concerts, company, etc.
I'm sitting here now, listening to my music, getting home-school stuff in order, invoices ready for work, but no one around to interrupt my thoughts and concentration. I only have one thing on the schedule today...Lunch with a great friend! Oh yeah, and early youth group tonight for the scavenger hunt. At least dinner is provided...one less thing I have to think about.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed having company, and I also enjoyed having the kids home for the summer, but it was time to get back into a routine. EVERY time I tried to have quiet time this summer, someone came downstairs to ask me a question, wanted breakfast, etc. I was feeling edgy and grumpy toward the end of summer and I finally realized last week that "things" were getting between me and my relationship with God. So, time to write down what I want in the next few months and really concentrate on them.
1. GOD first
2. Fitness (I really want to focus on feeling better).
The rest of the list I'll have to think on and write down for myself to review.
So, now to go work on these things!
I'm sitting here now, listening to my music, getting home-school stuff in order, invoices ready for work, but no one around to interrupt my thoughts and concentration. I only have one thing on the schedule today...Lunch with a great friend! Oh yeah, and early youth group tonight for the scavenger hunt. At least dinner is provided...one less thing I have to think about.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed having company, and I also enjoyed having the kids home for the summer, but it was time to get back into a routine. EVERY time I tried to have quiet time this summer, someone came downstairs to ask me a question, wanted breakfast, etc. I was feeling edgy and grumpy toward the end of summer and I finally realized last week that "things" were getting between me and my relationship with God. So, time to write down what I want in the next few months and really concentrate on them.
1. GOD first
2. Fitness (I really want to focus on feeling better).
The rest of the list I'll have to think on and write down for myself to review.
So, now to go work on these things!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Loving others as themselves
Here I go again. God has really given me a passion for this subject lately. I have been doing some studying and researching about this subject, and it's not a new subject. It's been going on for years....thousands of years. I found this great article on Christianity.com today saying that many Americans say the biggest sin is that of intolerance. And the ones committing this sin the most, according to many Americans....Evangelical Christians! This is so frustrating to me!
As one who didn't accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior until I was 30, I can see the side of those saying this. This was one of the biggest things that scared me off from wanting anything to do with being part of a church. BUT....as I have learned and what I hold on to every day, is that it's not about other people, it's about my personal relationship with Jesus and it's between God and me! Wow! What a wonderful thought that just makes me excited that He is part of my life! That gives me comfort when I'm feeling frustrated. I grew up believing in God and Jesus, but never had that personal, intimate relationship as I do now. I just thought that by being a good person (most of the time) would get me into heaven. I must have missed reading John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" or Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Boy, was I missing out on the most loving relationship a person can have...WITH GOD! I had the head knowledge, but not the heart knowledge. I'm also not saying good deeds aren't good. Luke 6:45 says, "A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say." When you are living your life for Jesus and He is in your heart, you will want to do good for Him.
I had a great conversation with one of my closest friends last night. We were talking about how people act one way while at church or around other Christians and then act totally different any other time. Let me just say, I know I am guilty of this myself. The reason I do this, is because I feel like I'm being judged/watched and if I say one wrong thing, people will judge me and think I'm a bad person. My heart and desire is for people to be more aware of this. I, for one, want to be myself and be accepted as I am. This gets difficult...on both sides. We are to be like Christ and act like Christ. The problem: we are human. If we didn't have this issue, Jesus wouldn't have had to die on the cross to cover our "human-ness". (or sins)
Whew! So what do we do with all of this? I pray that people would stop "acting" for other people, but strive to do the right thing because God is watching them and sees their actions...and their heart. On the flip side. I pray that people would stop judging others for their sins. We all have sin in our lives. “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matt. 7:1-5
I pray that all who live for Jesus can be encouragement to each other, love each other, and be light and salt to those that do not have that relationship with Jesus, so that they too will want to know Jesus.
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10: 10 and 13 NLT
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13: 34 and 35
As one who didn't accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior until I was 30, I can see the side of those saying this. This was one of the biggest things that scared me off from wanting anything to do with being part of a church. BUT....as I have learned and what I hold on to every day, is that it's not about other people, it's about my personal relationship with Jesus and it's between God and me! Wow! What a wonderful thought that just makes me excited that He is part of my life! That gives me comfort when I'm feeling frustrated. I grew up believing in God and Jesus, but never had that personal, intimate relationship as I do now. I just thought that by being a good person (most of the time) would get me into heaven. I must have missed reading John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" or Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Boy, was I missing out on the most loving relationship a person can have...WITH GOD! I had the head knowledge, but not the heart knowledge. I'm also not saying good deeds aren't good. Luke 6:45 says, "A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say." When you are living your life for Jesus and He is in your heart, you will want to do good for Him.
I had a great conversation with one of my closest friends last night. We were talking about how people act one way while at church or around other Christians and then act totally different any other time. Let me just say, I know I am guilty of this myself. The reason I do this, is because I feel like I'm being judged/watched and if I say one wrong thing, people will judge me and think I'm a bad person. My heart and desire is for people to be more aware of this. I, for one, want to be myself and be accepted as I am. This gets difficult...on both sides. We are to be like Christ and act like Christ. The problem: we are human. If we didn't have this issue, Jesus wouldn't have had to die on the cross to cover our "human-ness". (or sins)
Whew! So what do we do with all of this? I pray that people would stop "acting" for other people, but strive to do the right thing because God is watching them and sees their actions...and their heart. On the flip side. I pray that people would stop judging others for their sins. We all have sin in our lives. “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matt. 7:1-5
I pray that all who live for Jesus can be encouragement to each other, love each other, and be light and salt to those that do not have that relationship with Jesus, so that they too will want to know Jesus.
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10: 10 and 13 NLT
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13: 34 and 35
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Teenagers and Legalism
I'm going to start this one off by saying, if you are easily offended...stop right now and don't read any more. To the rest of you, I will probably step on some toes and I'm sorry in advance.
We just spent a week at StudentLife Camp in Durango with some AMAZING teenagers! We took 16 teenagers and there were 4 of us adults all mingled with over 700 teenagers and adults. As I sat and just took all of it in, I was humbled and amazed at how God uses teenagers! For those of you that think teenagers are rude, horrible creatures, shame on you! You don't have to necessarily like them, but God tells us to love them. Matt. 22:39 (and many other places in His Word) They are God's creation and YOU were once a teenager. They are in their prime learning/growing time and it is the responsibility of the adults in their lives to be examples of how to live a Christian life. Unfortunately, a lot of adults think teenagers are no good, and they blame them for every bad thing that happens. As a youth leader, this really frustrates me. For example, I have heard several comments in our own church lobby about the teenagers using the sanctuary for youth group and that they spill drinks all the time. I have been helping with the YG for over 3 years now, and I have seen very few spills. AND, when it does happen, I see about 4 teenagers come to the rescue to help the one who does spill clean it up. On the FLIP (this was the theme of the camp) side, I have sat through bible studies in the sanctuary where women spill their coffee. I have seen other women tell that person their coffee just spilled and then just sit there and wait for that person to clean up their own coffee. When that person cleans it up, they just get a few paper towels and step on it and hope that's fine. (I know, because I have witnessed or been on both sides of the this...both spilling my coffee and being the one to tell the other they spilled).
I sat and watched the worship of these teenagers and lead a group of them during bible study time. All I have to say is...WOW! These teenagers are on fire for God! Yes, there are some that mess around and really aren't interested, but isn't that the case for some adults in church? These kids are the next generation of pastors, missionaries, youth pastors, leaders, etc. and I'm excited and proud of that fact! So next time you see a teenager walking around your church (even if it's a boy with long hair or his pants sit a little low on the hips, or a girl wearing jeans instead of a dress or has a piercing in a place that you think is wrong) please don't judge them, you don't see their hearts! God is their ONLY judge and He sees the amazing things they are doing to further His kingdom and He doesn't care what they are wearing or how they look! Jesus was not worried about what the Samaritan girl at the well looked like. John 4
That leads me to the second thing that I really took away from camp. One word, LEGALISM. This is where I may step on someone's toes. Don't get me wrong, I understand that God gives us each our own convictions, but please don't judge others if they aren't convicted in the same way. Our speaker this week was Ergun Caner. This is a man who does a church service for the "least of these". The "freaks" is what he calls them. The ones with tattoos, long hair, holes in their jeans, piercings, etc. If you've been to the mall or the county fair, you know the ones. These people need saved and loved too! They are all God's creation.
HOLY: Ergun explained this: A Christian should define holy as being more like Christ.
Legalists define this as wanting someone to be more like them. This really hit me! This is one of my biggest turn offs about Christian adults. Wear a dress to church, don't throw balls in the sanctuary, you are a sinner if you have a tattoo, you must kneel to pray, etc. I could go on and on, but you get the point. And maybe you've been convicted by one of these things. PLEASE, please, please, don't judge others if they aren't. Guess what, I wear jeans to church, I've thrown balls in the sanctuary, I have two tattoos and want another one, and I pray wherever I feel like talking to God...whether it's standing at the sink washing dishes, lying in bed before I nod off to sleep, or sitting in my car driving somewhere. (and I didn't close my eyes while driving either!)
I know that our youth pastor and probably every youth leader out there, gets criticism for how he/they do things. I can only speak for our Youth Pastor, he loves these kids and would do anything for them. He takes time out of his personal life to show them God's love. He takes them to camp and gets buckets of water poured on him, gets little sleep, and puts up with loud music and loud kids the whole week and still loves them and would do it all over in a heart beat...and does do it again and again! I'm not saying he's perfect, he may slip and say something he maybe shouldn't have, or run a yellow light while on one of those many road trips he takes with the youth, etc. But none of us are perfect. The kids see that he is real, and he slips up in life, just like they do/will. THANK YOU, Jesus, for shedding your blood to forgive us of our imperfections and sins!!!
So please, next time you see a youth pastor, thank him/her for his/her dedication and commitment to teach and love on those teenagers who will be our next pastors, leaders, missionaries, etc. Also, take a minute to thank the teenagers for what they do. You may not see what they are doing behind the scenes, but they are there. Setting up the chairs that you sit on during Sunday morning church, picking up trash at the skate park and sharing the gospel with the skaters, putting out the tables that you sit at during church potlucks, their committment to God and eachother as they "give up" their Wednesday nights to be at church to learn and grow in God, and being the encouragement and light in my life! I just want to say, that I love and respect every one in our youth group; our youth pastor, the teenagers, and the adult leaders! You are all amazing, wonderful people....God's chosen people! THANK YOU to all of you!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Gotta love sunburns
Went to the pool today. 2 hours in the sun. Now I'm bright red. Which is a little strange considering I had a pretty good base tan started already.
While at the pool, a friend and I were talking about how now they are saying that sunscreen causes cancer more than the sun. Hmmmm. Is this true? I have been struggling with the fact that I go to a tanning bed to start my tan in the summer. There is research saying this is a healthy way for your body to get the Vitamin D it needs. I have also heard that Hawaii has very little cases of skin cancer because the people there stay tanned all year long and don't get sun burnt. So, what do you do? Do you stay out of the sun and have a Vitamin D deficiency, go out in the sun and get sun burnt because you don't want to use sunscreen, or do you use sunscreen? Oh the options. Personally, I like the "healthy" look I have when I have a tan, so I will continue to go to a tanning bed and sit at the pool and NOT put on the sunscreen. If it gives me skin cancer....it's just my weird way of getting to heaven sooner! Go enjoy the sun...however you choose to expose yourself to it.
While at the pool, a friend and I were talking about how now they are saying that sunscreen causes cancer more than the sun. Hmmmm. Is this true? I have been struggling with the fact that I go to a tanning bed to start my tan in the summer. There is research saying this is a healthy way for your body to get the Vitamin D it needs. I have also heard that Hawaii has very little cases of skin cancer because the people there stay tanned all year long and don't get sun burnt. So, what do you do? Do you stay out of the sun and have a Vitamin D deficiency, go out in the sun and get sun burnt because you don't want to use sunscreen, or do you use sunscreen? Oh the options. Personally, I like the "healthy" look I have when I have a tan, so I will continue to go to a tanning bed and sit at the pool and NOT put on the sunscreen. If it gives me skin cancer....it's just my weird way of getting to heaven sooner! Go enjoy the sun...however you choose to expose yourself to it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Rain, Rain, Go Away!
I haven't heard the official word on how many days in a row that we've received rain, but it's a lot. Every morning my son gets up and says, "can we go swimming today?" and my answer, "if it doesn't rain." How many days have we been to the pool? ONCE! We have had a few nice days that we didn't go to the pool because we were at friends' houses, church, out-of-town, etc, but the rain is really getting old.
Don't get me wrong. I love a great thunderstorm and the smell of rain. At the first sound of thunder or the first site of lightning, I immediately go around the house opening windows and doors. It reminds me of when I was a little girl we would go out on my Grandpa and Grandma's porch on the farm and watch the rain. My Grandpa would say, "More rain, more grass for the horses". Now, I usually stand at the open patio door or front door and watch as the rain comes. I watch the water as it gushes down both sides of the street and dream of floating paper boats, sticks, or anything we could find to float when I was a kid.
But, not this summer. The weather has been really strange. We've had hail a lot of days, and tornado watches and warnings. If not here, then one of the counties nearby. I've seen lots of great pictures of funnel clouds that friends have taken. (I'm really jealous, because I love tornadoes and love to go driving to find them) I've often wondered lately if we secretly moved to Seattle or somewhere in Oklahoma because this is just weird for Colorado.
Well, in all my thoughts (and frustrations) I've decided to make a Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Rain. So here goes:
1. Because it's one of my most favorite smells! (and if it doesn't rain, I don't smell it)
2. Because I've only had to water our lawn two or three times this summer...and it's more green than it has been since we moved here.
3. Because I love the sound of thunder and counting the seconds between when I see lightening to when I hear thunder.
4. Because it holds many memories for me and makes me smile.
5. Because it's a true excuse to not have to do yard work. (although I love yard work, I love the rain more)
6. Because I love the feeling of cold rain drops on a warm summer afternoon. (I'm usually the one in the parking lot walking slowly enjoying the rain, not the one running for my life to get into the store)
7. Because I haven't had to wash our vehicles once this summer.
8. Because it forces families to spend time together, either playing in the rain, or spending time inside together.
9. It remindes me that God is bigger than me and is in control, and my little plans that might have gotten changed due to rain aren't really that important.
10. It's God's creation, why shouldn't I like it?! Find the beauty in everything, instead of grumbling about the uncontrollable.
He Reigns!
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Psalm 97:1
Don't get me wrong. I love a great thunderstorm and the smell of rain. At the first sound of thunder or the first site of lightning, I immediately go around the house opening windows and doors. It reminds me of when I was a little girl we would go out on my Grandpa and Grandma's porch on the farm and watch the rain. My Grandpa would say, "More rain, more grass for the horses". Now, I usually stand at the open patio door or front door and watch as the rain comes. I watch the water as it gushes down both sides of the street and dream of floating paper boats, sticks, or anything we could find to float when I was a kid.
But, not this summer. The weather has been really strange. We've had hail a lot of days, and tornado watches and warnings. If not here, then one of the counties nearby. I've seen lots of great pictures of funnel clouds that friends have taken. (I'm really jealous, because I love tornadoes and love to go driving to find them) I've often wondered lately if we secretly moved to Seattle or somewhere in Oklahoma because this is just weird for Colorado.
Well, in all my thoughts (and frustrations) I've decided to make a Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Rain. So here goes:
1. Because it's one of my most favorite smells! (and if it doesn't rain, I don't smell it)
2. Because I've only had to water our lawn two or three times this summer...and it's more green than it has been since we moved here.
3. Because I love the sound of thunder and counting the seconds between when I see lightening to when I hear thunder.
4. Because it holds many memories for me and makes me smile.
5. Because it's a true excuse to not have to do yard work. (although I love yard work, I love the rain more)
6. Because I love the feeling of cold rain drops on a warm summer afternoon. (I'm usually the one in the parking lot walking slowly enjoying the rain, not the one running for my life to get into the store)
7. Because I haven't had to wash our vehicles once this summer.
8. Because it forces families to spend time together, either playing in the rain, or spending time inside together.
9. It remindes me that God is bigger than me and is in control, and my little plans that might have gotten changed due to rain aren't really that important.
10. It's God's creation, why shouldn't I like it?! Find the beauty in everything, instead of grumbling about the uncontrollable.
He Reigns!
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Psalm 97:1
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Scrapebooking with friends (and crocheting)
I put together a scrappbooking night at church last night. We put a little insert in the bulletin, but it seems that the same few always come, along with a few new faces. We always have so much fun sharing our memories, both in photos and through memories in our minds. But we make memories during these nights also.
We laughed until we cried, talked about things that we would never talk about in front of men (you know, typical "girl" stuff), scary stuff, serious stuff, had a few bloopers, and just had a great time being together as sisters in Christ.
For those of you that don't scrapbook, don't let the title of the event scare you! Bring your crocheting, quilting, stamping, cross stitching, etc and join us for an amazing night with friends.
Thank you girls for such a great night.
BTW....Yes I meant to misspell Scrapebooking in the title. Love ya Willo!
Until next time....remember to laugh and not look at life so seriously that you forget how.
We laughed until we cried, talked about things that we would never talk about in front of men (you know, typical "girl" stuff), scary stuff, serious stuff, had a few bloopers, and just had a great time being together as sisters in Christ.
For those of you that don't scrapbook, don't let the title of the event scare you! Bring your crocheting, quilting, stamping, cross stitching, etc and join us for an amazing night with friends.
Thank you girls for such a great night.
BTW....Yes I meant to misspell Scrapebooking in the title. Love ya Willo!
Until next time....remember to laugh and not look at life so seriously that you forget how.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Failing
A wonderful friend of mine has reminded me that I have neglected this blog, and she's right. I just haven't felt inspired to write anything lately. I love summer and having the kids home, but I am a schedule person and need structure. There doesn't seem to be any structure in the house with EVERYONE home, including the hubby. Everyone is doing their own thing and I'm trying to go behind them all cleaning up. I really need some advice on how to get my kids to be motivated to help around the house. I'm one of those that thinks it's easier to just do it myself than to hear complaining the whole time and then to not have it done correctly anyway.
I have commited to lose weight though and have been doing a pretty good job getting up and doing my 2 mile workout most mornings. I have lost a little weight and hope to have lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks. (short term goal) I have started a new program and hope to stay committed. Wish me luck...and pray. I am totally leaning on God's stregnth with this, because I've tried it on my own and failed many times.
My next project is to paint our spare room/scrapbooking room. I just can't seem to decide what color to paint it and how to decorate it. Which, if you know me, is very unusual. I've always said I wanted to be an interior designer when I grow up.
Hubby is gone fishing with the guys, left this morning at 5am. I love him to pieces, but I
secretly jump for joy when I hear he is going to be gone a few days. It's nice to relax and do my own thing and not have to think about preparing meals, dealing with his schedule, etc. (the kids and I love cereal for dinner while he's gone, at our convenience). So, now I'm off to do my 2 miles, clean up the house, put a load of laundry in and pack up my scrapbooking things for tomorrow's scrapbooking night with the girls at church. I love my scrapbooking nights with my friends!!!
I have commited to lose weight though and have been doing a pretty good job getting up and doing my 2 mile workout most mornings. I have lost a little weight and hope to have lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks. (short term goal) I have started a new program and hope to stay committed. Wish me luck...and pray. I am totally leaning on God's stregnth with this, because I've tried it on my own and failed many times.
My next project is to paint our spare room/scrapbooking room. I just can't seem to decide what color to paint it and how to decorate it. Which, if you know me, is very unusual. I've always said I wanted to be an interior designer when I grow up.
Hubby is gone fishing with the guys, left this morning at 5am. I love him to pieces, but I
secretly jump for joy when I hear he is going to be gone a few days. It's nice to relax and do my own thing and not have to think about preparing meals, dealing with his schedule, etc. (the kids and I love cereal for dinner while he's gone, at our convenience). So, now I'm off to do my 2 miles, clean up the house, put a load of laundry in and pack up my scrapbooking things for tomorrow's scrapbooking night with the girls at church. I love my scrapbooking nights with my friends!!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
James 1:2 Joy in Troubles
I love God's WORD! I just had to share an example of how knowing and reading God's Word can help us all while going through life.
5pm on Friday~ we leave to do a 30 hour Fast for Compassion. Spent the night at church.
2pm on Saturday~ we all come back to our house after walking the neighborhood collecting cans for the task force. We had about 15-20 teenagers in our house so I sent a few of them downstairs to get some games. One of them came back upstairs saying,"Your basement is flooded". So we went downstairs, moved furniture, found the leak in the pipe in the crawl space (thank you, Brian), sucked up what we could with the carpet cleaner and left the rest for when we got home that night after finishing our fast. (oh, did I mention that we hadn't eaten in 25 hours when we found the leak).
9:30pm~ on our way home from church, Jason went to one friends' house, I went to another collecting fans, dehumidifiers, and shop vacs. Got home, unpacked air mattresses, food, sleeping bags, shop vacs, fans, etc. Then we went down to the dreaded basement! We had to rip up our carpet and tear out and throw away the carpet pad. It felt like a sponge. We put all the fans and dehumidifier in place and left the rest up to time.
Okay....this is where God's Word comes in. We could have been completely stressed by this situation and had it ruin our weekend. But, the whole time I was sucking up buckets of water James 1:2-4 kept running through my mind.
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. NLT
I will admit, I was wondering what joy we were getting out of having water in our basement and having to do everything we needed to do to remedy that. But, remembering that verse kept me calm and focused on the task. Without having God's Word, I know I would have been very frustrated and angry and the many teenagers in the house would have seen a different side of Jenni! Thank you, God, for your Word and wisdom!
Psalm 119: 9 and 11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
5pm on Friday~ we leave to do a 30 hour Fast for Compassion. Spent the night at church.
2pm on Saturday~ we all come back to our house after walking the neighborhood collecting cans for the task force. We had about 15-20 teenagers in our house so I sent a few of them downstairs to get some games. One of them came back upstairs saying,"Your basement is flooded". So we went downstairs, moved furniture, found the leak in the pipe in the crawl space (thank you, Brian), sucked up what we could with the carpet cleaner and left the rest for when we got home that night after finishing our fast. (oh, did I mention that we hadn't eaten in 25 hours when we found the leak).
9:30pm~ on our way home from church, Jason went to one friends' house, I went to another collecting fans, dehumidifiers, and shop vacs. Got home, unpacked air mattresses, food, sleeping bags, shop vacs, fans, etc. Then we went down to the dreaded basement! We had to rip up our carpet and tear out and throw away the carpet pad. It felt like a sponge. We put all the fans and dehumidifier in place and left the rest up to time.
Okay....this is where God's Word comes in. We could have been completely stressed by this situation and had it ruin our weekend. But, the whole time I was sucking up buckets of water James 1:2-4 kept running through my mind.
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. NLT
I will admit, I was wondering what joy we were getting out of having water in our basement and having to do everything we needed to do to remedy that. But, remembering that verse kept me calm and focused on the task. Without having God's Word, I know I would have been very frustrated and angry and the many teenagers in the house would have seen a different side of Jenni! Thank you, God, for your Word and wisdom!
Psalm 119: 9 and 11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
God sends angels
I just had to share this little story with you. It made me smile this morning and hopefully it will make you smile also.
I dropped Sam off at school this morning and then ran to KingSoopers for some coffee creamer since I was all out.
So, I'm standing in front of the cooler where all the creamers were. SO many decisions and flavors! Fat free, sugar free, vanilla, cinnamon vanilla, creme brulee, etc. The list goes on. I was in my own little world trying to decide when an older women (not too old though) walked by me and layed her hand on my arm and rubbed it and just smiled and said, "so many decisions huh?". She continued walking toward the back room as she walked by with a big smile on her face. (she also worked there, I think in the deli or bakery) I smiled back at her and said, "too many".
Such a simple gesture, but what an impact it had on me this morning. A smile and a soft touch with kind words. Don't you wish people could slow down and do that more. We are all in such a rush as we walk past people who could just use a smile or a simple touch on the arm with kind words. Jesus was definately visiting KingSoopers this morning! :-)
Hope this makes you smile...and slow down to smile at someone today.
I dropped Sam off at school this morning and then ran to KingSoopers for some coffee creamer since I was all out.
So, I'm standing in front of the cooler where all the creamers were. SO many decisions and flavors! Fat free, sugar free, vanilla, cinnamon vanilla, creme brulee, etc. The list goes on. I was in my own little world trying to decide when an older women (not too old though) walked by me and layed her hand on my arm and rubbed it and just smiled and said, "so many decisions huh?". She continued walking toward the back room as she walked by with a big smile on her face. (she also worked there, I think in the deli or bakery) I smiled back at her and said, "too many".
Such a simple gesture, but what an impact it had on me this morning. A smile and a soft touch with kind words. Don't you wish people could slow down and do that more. We are all in such a rush as we walk past people who could just use a smile or a simple touch on the arm with kind words. Jesus was definately visiting KingSoopers this morning! :-)
Hope this makes you smile...and slow down to smile at someone today.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Aw, the signs of spring, or is it summer? Or maybe it's winter?
I love this time of year. I throw open the windows and let the cool breezes flow through the house (and blow my many piles of papers off my counters all over the floor). I listen to the birds outside and drink my cup of coffee early in the morning.
I went for my morning walk yesterday and today. Where else can you go for a walk on clear sidewalks in capris and short sleeves and enjoy both the birds singing and snow covering the grass! Love it! It's so pretty, but the snow is fading. Only to bring green grass, leaves on the trees, the smell of flowers and fresh air, children outside playing and SAND!
Yep, you know the weather is getting nicer when you come home from your morning walk, take off your shoes and socks and walk into the kitchen to make coffee and walk across the floor....covered in sand! Sam and his friend Joseph were outside on the trampoline last night and had to walk through the sandbox to get back in the house. 8 year old boys just don't think of shaking the sand off their clothes or dusting off their feet before walking through the house.
Can I tell you a secret if you promise not to tell Sam and Joe? I loved it! It's just a fun memory in the making of Sam with friends running through the house with sandy clothes and feet. Aw, summer! The important thing is that my kids are having a great time with friends...not "OH NO, there's sand on my kitchen floor!"
My greatest memories of my childhood is running on the hot pavement with barefeet and the feel of stepping into the grass and feeling the soft, coolness of the grass. Then running to the back yard and spending hours in the sand box digging and building castles and moats...flooding the sandbox trying to fill our moat. But wait, we were really thirsty so we needed a drink...Yep, up the stairs of the deck and in through the screen door to the kitchen. I was 8, did I think to dust off the sand? Nope! Did my mom get mad? NO! Her goal was always to make sure her kids were happy and having a fun time. She would happily get us a drink of Kool-Aid and off we went...leaving her to vaccuum up our sand throughout the house.
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10
Love life....God gave it to you as a gift!
You are my God, and I will give you thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118: 28-29
I went for my morning walk yesterday and today. Where else can you go for a walk on clear sidewalks in capris and short sleeves and enjoy both the birds singing and snow covering the grass! Love it! It's so pretty, but the snow is fading. Only to bring green grass, leaves on the trees, the smell of flowers and fresh air, children outside playing and SAND!
Yep, you know the weather is getting nicer when you come home from your morning walk, take off your shoes and socks and walk into the kitchen to make coffee and walk across the floor....covered in sand! Sam and his friend Joseph were outside on the trampoline last night and had to walk through the sandbox to get back in the house. 8 year old boys just don't think of shaking the sand off their clothes or dusting off their feet before walking through the house.
Can I tell you a secret if you promise not to tell Sam and Joe? I loved it! It's just a fun memory in the making of Sam with friends running through the house with sandy clothes and feet. Aw, summer! The important thing is that my kids are having a great time with friends...not "OH NO, there's sand on my kitchen floor!"
My greatest memories of my childhood is running on the hot pavement with barefeet and the feel of stepping into the grass and feeling the soft, coolness of the grass. Then running to the back yard and spending hours in the sand box digging and building castles and moats...flooding the sandbox trying to fill our moat. But wait, we were really thirsty so we needed a drink...Yep, up the stairs of the deck and in through the screen door to the kitchen. I was 8, did I think to dust off the sand? Nope! Did my mom get mad? NO! Her goal was always to make sure her kids were happy and having a fun time. She would happily get us a drink of Kool-Aid and off we went...leaving her to vaccuum up our sand throughout the house.
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10
Love life....God gave it to you as a gift!
You are my God, and I will give you thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118: 28-29
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter (Resurrection Day)
I some times feel very frustrated when we celebrate Christian holidays and non-believers are celebrating right along with us, but with Santa Claus and bunnies being their main focus. I also am excited that these holidays bring opportunity as Christians to share the true meaning of the holiday with those that don't know Jesus as their Savior. I look back at our family and how we celebrated those same holidays...as Santa and the bunny being OUR main focus. I thank God for showing Himself to us!!! What a blessing our church family is to us. They truly are our family!
Thank you Jesus for going to the cross and dying...and RISING AGAIN! Hallelujah!
I some times feel very frustrated when we celebrate Christian holidays and non-believers are celebrating right along with us, but with Santa Claus and bunnies being their main focus. I also am excited that these holidays bring opportunity as Christians to share the true meaning of the holiday with those that don't know Jesus as their Savior. I look back at our family and how we celebrated those same holidays...as Santa and the bunny being OUR main focus. I thank God for showing Himself to us!!! What a blessing our church family is to us. They truly are our family!
Thank you Jesus for going to the cross and dying...and RISING AGAIN! Hallelujah!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Decluttering the mind
We took a mini vacation to the mountain this past weekend. It was nice to get away with the kids and not have them distracted by their cell phones and computers. They were totally bored, unless we were constantly doing something, but it was still great to just be together. I took my scrap booking things and got several pages done. I am in the process of reading a Christian novel and got some of that read also. Our cabin was right along the river; we could hear it from our bedroom window. It had a big dining room table for me to do my scrap booking, a small bedroom with a queen size bed, a "cozy" kitchen, bathroom, living room with fireplace and a loft with two beds.
We did a little shopping in Estes and sightseeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. We also did some hiking by the falls, but it was still a little icy and snowy. Still a fun outing and we took lots of pictures with Jason's new toy...a new expensive camera.
Getting back into the groove of weekly demands has been a little tough, but we're getting there. I can't believe we are so close to being at the end of the school year. YEAH!
Tomorrow is Sam's birthday. Not sure what we will do to celebrate tomorrow, but he has invited a few friends to go bowling on Saturday...although it looks like we'll have to postpone until Sunday afternoon. SNOW!
It is supposed to snow today and Friday/Saturday so I guess I'll just work on getting the house back in order.
This past month, I have really been feeling blessed beyond measure and feeling very undeserving of it all. God is such a giving God, yet what have I given back? Not nearly enough!! Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life so that we may enjoy life to the fullest! I love you!
We did a little shopping in Estes and sightseeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. We also did some hiking by the falls, but it was still a little icy and snowy. Still a fun outing and we took lots of pictures with Jason's new toy...a new expensive camera.
Getting back into the groove of weekly demands has been a little tough, but we're getting there. I can't believe we are so close to being at the end of the school year. YEAH!
Tomorrow is Sam's birthday. Not sure what we will do to celebrate tomorrow, but he has invited a few friends to go bowling on Saturday...although it looks like we'll have to postpone until Sunday afternoon. SNOW!
It is supposed to snow today and Friday/Saturday so I guess I'll just work on getting the house back in order.
This past month, I have really been feeling blessed beyond measure and feeling very undeserving of it all. God is such a giving God, yet what have I given back? Not nearly enough!! Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life so that we may enjoy life to the fullest! I love you!
Monday, March 23, 2009
First week of school, finished
What a great week we had. We do have one slight little issue. We get finished with school around noon and then Peyton is terribly bored. I have been wanting to get "wife/mom" stuff done during the afternoon, but she wants me to entertain her, go somewhere, etc. We'll have to work on some ideas of what to do.
If nothing else comes out of the Home Schooling thing, I can say the greatest, most wonderful thing is that we have become closer. I love spending one on one time with her and giving her the attention she needs. She's such a beautiful girl, both inside and out.
I know that she still texts her "school" friends, but she doesn't mention missing them much. She has started being more interested in her YG friends and going to YG. (I think there is a boy, or two, or three that she likes to hang out with there that makes it more interesting.)
If nothing else comes out of the Home Schooling thing, I can say the greatest, most wonderful thing is that we have become closer. I love spending one on one time with her and giving her the attention she needs. She's such a beautiful girl, both inside and out.
I know that she still texts her "school" friends, but she doesn't mention missing them much. She has started being more interested in her YG friends and going to YG. (I think there is a boy, or two, or three that she likes to hang out with there that makes it more interesting.)
The last two days of the week, Peyton did a study and report on Buffalo Bill. We took a road trip on Saturday and stopped at Buffalo Bill's Grave on Lookout Mountain. The picture was taken on top of Lookout Mountain. 
On another note:
We took another load to the Goodwill. It took TWO of the Goodwill carts to take it all in to the building. Yeah. I feel so much better.
This week is spring break and my knee has been killing me...no idea what's wrong. So, this week I'm going to focus on getting some scrap booking done and staying off my knee as much as possible.
We are planning to take a little getaway family trip toward the end of the week. Jason said to work on planning where to go and the details so off I go to find somewhere to go. I think I'll find a little cabin where the boys can fish and I can take pictures and do some reading...I really can't decide if Peyton would rather fish or read....she likes both!
On another note:
We took another load to the Goodwill. It took TWO of the Goodwill carts to take it all in to the building. Yeah. I feel so much better.
This week is spring break and my knee has been killing me...no idea what's wrong. So, this week I'm going to focus on getting some scrap booking done and staying off my knee as much as possible.
We are planning to take a little getaway family trip toward the end of the week. Jason said to work on planning where to go and the details so off I go to find somewhere to go. I think I'll find a little cabin where the boys can fish and I can take pictures and do some reading...I really can't decide if Peyton would rather fish or read....she likes both!
Monday, March 16, 2009
First Day of Homeschool
It's official. Star Middle School has officially opened for school. (this is what we have been calling our homeschooling adventure.)
Day One:
Wow, God is GOOD!
I think Peyton and I are going to enjoy this home school stuff.
We started the day by seeing Cody off to school @ 6:40am. (well, just me, Peyton was still in bed)
I woke Sam and Peyton up @ 7:45am.
8:10am Peyton and I walked Sam across the street to school and then took a thirty minute walk through the neighborhood. Peyton listened to her iPod and I listened to a sermon from Chip Ingram, Balancing Life's Demands - Part 1. What a great lesson and very timely I might add! (funny how God has a way of doing that!)
We got home and Peyton made herself some French toast and I got prepared for our first bible study lesson. I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do for this, and after listening to Chip, it was clear. He suggested reading Mark and using PROAPT
P=Pray
R=Read
O=Observe
A=Apply
P=Pray
T=Tell
We read and then went through the Who, Where, When and What's of what we read.
It was good! (Where have I read/heard that before!) :-)
Peyton then went on to science. We soon realized we were learning about cavemen ~ so as she finished her lesson I got online and researched lessons on creation. Tomorrow we will combine science, literature, and bible study and read in Genesis and watch a video I found online called, "God's Story".
Right now I have no question God has lead us to this point, and our prayer this morning together was that He goes before us to lead our path. (reminds me of Chris Tomlin's song, "All the way my Savior leads me") GREAT SONG! http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f974580a5ade18f3ded2 I was really feeling lost and anxious about starting home school yesterday and wasn't sure what today would bring. What a difference it makes when the day is started off with praying and asking God to lead and be in control.
10:25am ~ I'm off to take a shower and Peyton is doing her literature. She is reading Twilight and will be doing a book report on it when she is finished.
We realized while doing our "where" of the bible study that we didn't have a good map of bible times. Our first field trip: LifeWay to get a map.
3:58 ~ School is done. What a great day. After Peyton was done reading and I had finished getting ready, we went and had lunch at Applebee's and then headed up to LifeWay. While I was in the shower, I thought that it would be fun, and a learning experience (in many ways), to bake some muffins for a family in our church who lost their wife/mother this past week. Tonight we will be baking the muffins for me to take to bible study in the morning so they can be taken out to the family. I'm thinking we will recruit Sam also as a lesson for us all.
Thanks to all who have been praying for our family and all the change that we have experienced in the past week! God is GOOD!
Day One:
Wow, God is GOOD!
I think Peyton and I are going to enjoy this home school stuff.
We started the day by seeing Cody off to school @ 6:40am. (well, just me, Peyton was still in bed)
I woke Sam and Peyton up @ 7:45am.
8:10am Peyton and I walked Sam across the street to school and then took a thirty minute walk through the neighborhood. Peyton listened to her iPod and I listened to a sermon from Chip Ingram, Balancing Life's Demands - Part 1. What a great lesson and very timely I might add! (funny how God has a way of doing that!)
We got home and Peyton made herself some French toast and I got prepared for our first bible study lesson. I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do for this, and after listening to Chip, it was clear. He suggested reading Mark and using PROAPT
P=Pray
R=Read
O=Observe
A=Apply
P=Pray
T=Tell
We read and then went through the Who, Where, When and What's of what we read.
It was good! (Where have I read/heard that before!) :-)
Peyton then went on to science. We soon realized we were learning about cavemen ~ so as she finished her lesson I got online and researched lessons on creation. Tomorrow we will combine science, literature, and bible study and read in Genesis and watch a video I found online called, "God's Story".
Right now I have no question God has lead us to this point, and our prayer this morning together was that He goes before us to lead our path. (reminds me of Chris Tomlin's song, "All the way my Savior leads me") GREAT SONG! http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f974580a5ade18f3ded2 I was really feeling lost and anxious about starting home school yesterday and wasn't sure what today would bring. What a difference it makes when the day is started off with praying and asking God to lead and be in control.
10:25am ~ I'm off to take a shower and Peyton is doing her literature. She is reading Twilight and will be doing a book report on it when she is finished.
We realized while doing our "where" of the bible study that we didn't have a good map of bible times. Our first field trip: LifeWay to get a map.
3:58 ~ School is done. What a great day. After Peyton was done reading and I had finished getting ready, we went and had lunch at Applebee's and then headed up to LifeWay. While I was in the shower, I thought that it would be fun, and a learning experience (in many ways), to bake some muffins for a family in our church who lost their wife/mother this past week. Tonight we will be baking the muffins for me to take to bible study in the morning so they can be taken out to the family. I'm thinking we will recruit Sam also as a lesson for us all.
Thanks to all who have been praying for our family and all the change that we have experienced in the past week! God is GOOD!
Basement storage...check!
Yep, you read that correctly. The basement storage area is officially clutter free! We got the whole family involved with this one. Jason was in the crawl space making room and organizing. I was going through boxes, shelves, bags, etc. The kids were our "gophers". We hauled out four bags of trash and loaded the back of the truck with LOTS of holiday decor, home decor, kitchen "stuff", etc to go to Goodwill. YEAH! We finally have a work out room where we can actually work out. The treadmill has been unburied and is no longer being used as a storage place to hang things or throw things on. Cody has already started using the bowflex and is really excited and Peyton walked a little on the treadmill this morning between "classes".
More on the first day of home school...coming very soon.
Until then....may God bless you today.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
It's Body Time
Yep, you read that right. It's body time! I have been focusing my blog on my house, but it's time to really focus on my body. There have been sooo many changes in the Staroscik household in the past few months/weeks/days! Jason, my wonderful hubby, got a new job working from home. His first day is tomorrow. I went on an extended leave from CCRFS (my job at the outlets), got a new job working from home part-time for a friend, and have decided to home school my daughter. WOW! Talk about a little stress. Peyton starts home schooling Monday.
So in all that chaos, I have decided to put a little more structure in our house since things are changing so much. Since Peyton is going to be home schooled and Jason will be working from home, I thought it would be fun to add some physical activity to our days. First step: clean out the storage room downstairs so I can get to my treadmill and BowFlex. So, I guess you can say this is decluttering the house too, but for the sake of working out.
I went and bought a new bathroom scale, one that tracks your weight loss. (not your's, mine):-D
(does that mean I have to get rid of something in order to bring that in the house???) I think I'll take care of that when we start going through the junk downstairs.
I had a long talk with Jason the other day about going out to eat. He loves to go out to eat and would do it every meal if I "let him". So I told him that it wasn't being very supportive of my trying to lose weight or the fact that we were spending way too much money on food. So, after we ate dinner (at home) he got up and said, "let's go hike the rock". So, we did! I made it to the top (a little out of breath)! BUT, then I RAN down! Boy did I feel good the rest of the night. I am attaching a few pics...from the top of Castle Rock. If you have never climbed it, I suggest you do so, it's so beautiful up there. (this wasn't my first time up there, but each time is so breath taking)
Hopefully next time I post I will have lost a few pounds along with a few pounds of "junk" from our house! :-)
So in all that chaos, I have decided to put a little more structure in our house since things are changing so much. Since Peyton is going to be home schooled and Jason will be working from home, I thought it would be fun to add some physical activity to our days. First step: clean out the storage room downstairs so I can get to my treadmill and BowFlex. So, I guess you can say this is decluttering the house too, but for the sake of working out.
I went and bought a new bathroom scale, one that tracks your weight loss. (not your's, mine):-D
(does that mean I have to get rid of something in order to bring that in the house???) I think I'll take care of that when we start going through the junk downstairs.
I had a long talk with Jason the other day about going out to eat. He loves to go out to eat and would do it every meal if I "let him". So I told him that it wasn't being very supportive of my trying to lose weight or the fact that we were spending way too much money on food. So, after we ate dinner (at home) he got up and said, "let's go hike the rock". So, we did! I made it to the top (a little out of breath)! BUT, then I RAN down! Boy did I feel good the rest of the night. I am attaching a few pics...from the top of Castle Rock. If you have never climbed it, I suggest you do so, it's so beautiful up there. (this wasn't my first time up there, but each time is so breath taking)
Hopefully next time I post I will have lost a few pounds along with a few pounds of "junk" from our house! :-)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Having so much fun!
The kitchen cabinets are done. Yeah. We took a giant load (filled the truck bed) of "stuff" to Goodwill this afternoon. Jason told me he was proud of me for getting rid of so much stuff. He knows what a pack rat I am.
WONDERFUL NEWS: Jason has a new job working from HOME. No more getting up at 4:30am with an hour commute to downtown Denver, working til 4 and then another hour commute home. He can get up and walk 10 steps to his new office (in his jammie pants) and go to work.
We were also talking about cleaning out our basement storage area so we can finally set up the treadmill and Bowflex! I'm so excited; we can work out together in the mornings! Decluttering both a place in the house and my body all at the same time. Not sure when we will start on this. I have been gone the past several weekends and leave again Thursday to be gone this coming weekend too. Maybe some night this week. Will keep you posted!
WONDERFUL NEWS: Jason has a new job working from HOME. No more getting up at 4:30am with an hour commute to downtown Denver, working til 4 and then another hour commute home. He can get up and walk 10 steps to his new office (in his jammie pants) and go to work.
We were also talking about cleaning out our basement storage area so we can finally set up the treadmill and Bowflex! I'm so excited; we can work out together in the mornings! Decluttering both a place in the house and my body all at the same time. Not sure when we will start on this. I have been gone the past several weekends and leave again Thursday to be gone this coming weekend too. Maybe some night this week. Will keep you posted!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
kitchen cabinets
Whew! That was fun, but a lot of work. I can't believe how organized my kitchen is now. AND, I got rid of a big box full of kitchen "stuff". I plan to print these pictures so who ever is emptying the dishwasher will know where to put the dishes. These are just two of my cabinets, I actually worked on several others, below my bar and the pantry. (I realized also that the pantry is REALLY empty and the kids are right, there's nothing in this house to eat) Off to Sam's today to get a few things and to fill the pantry back up! Today I'll finish cleaning up the kitchen and doing laundry.
The kitchen, or maybe the downstairs storage area, or maybe......
Well, I sit here on my couch deciding which area to tackle next. I have been so busy with work and activities that the house has really been neglected...and stuff piling up again. Funny how that does that! I work in a kitchen store and love kitchen gadgets and "stuff" for my kitchen. I have been really good though and haven't brought anything home for quite some time. But, I do know that my cabinets are bulging at the seams. You know the whole, throw it in and slam the door, holding your breathe that is stays? Okay, maybe it's just me that does that. BUT...today is the day that will change that. I'm going in! Wish me luck. Will post pics hopefully later today of the orphans (gadgets) that will soon be taken to the Goodwill for a new home.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Figuring out who I am
It just hit me while cleaning out my closet and thinking about all the clutter in my life, that that is what defines me. That is who I am. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying getting rid of stuff and getting my life, house and body more "organized", it definately needs to be cleaned out. I just think that God made each of us different; made us each comfortable in different environments. I have always liked the warmness of a house that is "lived in". I love knowing that people enjoy being in my house and feeling comfortable enough to put their feet up and relax without worrying about getting things dirty or breaking things. I don't like a messy house, just full of things that are part of our family.
It reminds me of 1 Timothy 4:4-5:
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
There is nothing in my house that I wouldn't give up, but since it's here, I am going to enjoy it and praise God for giving us a warm, happy home to live in and be comfortable in.
On the other hand, I am enjoying cleaning out the EXTRA stuff in our house that is not used or needed any more. Jason and I have been married for 15 years (Feb. 25th) and have moved 11 times. Needless to say, we have had to pack boxes and decide what to keep and what to pack. We have lived in our house now longer than anywhere else. We are finding that the moving thing has helped us keep the clutter to a minimum. So now we are in the process of learning how to do this without having to move...although we have joked that it's time to move so we can clean out what we don't need.
I think I have figured out the "magic" solution to this: TIME and ENERGY! If I had all the UNinterrupted time and all the energy, I think I could have an amazingly organized home. But, God has called me to be a wife and mother and I take my job seriously. Spending time with them doing what others enjoy is more important to me than keeping a very clean, organized home. I have other "jobs" and commitments also that keep me from this very clean, organized home. And guess what? I love my other "jobs" and commitments so for now, I will do this slowly and at my pace. Aaaahhh! To finally come to the realization that is doesn't all need to be done tomorrow....very freeing.
So today, it's the CLOSET. That is a six letter BAD word!!! I went shopping this weekend and bought 8 new shirts. I have heard about the buy...get rid of solution many have and have always struggled with that one, but since my closet will not hold any more clothes, I decided it was time to sort through the old ones and get rid of at least 8 items in the closet. Above is the picture of STUFF out of my closet I decided I didn't need or hadn't worn in a while and wouldn't miss...too much. More than 8! Off to Goodwill!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
How do they do it?
I just have a question for any of you mom's who work outside the home. HOW DO YOU DO IT? I have been working 9-5 this week and then usually run home, get some kind of food on the table (last night it was mac-n-cheese and hot dogs, tonight it's chicken in the crock pot) and then almost every night of the week we have some where we have to be. Of course, tonight is the only night we don't have to be anywhere, but I switched with a co-worker and am working 12-8:30. Either working moms don't have anywhere to go in the evening, or they are Supermom, I don't know, but if you have any suggestions let me know. I'm worn out. Three more days of work, Sunday off and then back to 9-5 for a few days.
I did work on some cleaning up and cleaning out this morning since I'm home. I started working on my closet (mostly because I couldn't get to the back of my closet without stepping on a bunch of stuff). I added to our ongoing Goodwill bag and have cleaned up our hallway, finally! I hear the dryer just finished so back to doing laundry and getting dinner in the crock pot for my family. Oh, and I seem to hear the vacuum calling my name. I guess my computer break time is over. Have a great rest of the week everyone! Check out this video...this is how I feel on most days! She's amazing.
I did work on some cleaning up and cleaning out this morning since I'm home. I started working on my closet (mostly because I couldn't get to the back of my closet without stepping on a bunch of stuff). I added to our ongoing Goodwill bag and have cleaned up our hallway, finally! I hear the dryer just finished so back to doing laundry and getting dinner in the crock pot for my family. Oh, and I seem to hear the vacuum calling my name. I guess my computer break time is over. Have a great rest of the week everyone! Check out this video...this is how I feel on most days! She's amazing.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
My Dream....well one of them!
Well, who knew that out of my husband potentially getting a new job and working from home that it would be the answer to me getting a new scrap booking room! Now that our spare room is on the main floor and the room is "cleaned out" (I use those words loosely) I have organized and with lots of resourcefulness, gotten myself my dream scrap booking room! I did have to purchase a few extra cubes to finish off my desk (THANK YOU Michael's for your 40% off coupons). We found an old wobbly shelf I had made stuffed in the garage and took it all apart. We used the wood to build some shelves in the closet and some old shelf paper was an extra touch of elegance! :-) Then I swapped around a few of my cabinet/book shelves and wa-la, my dream scrap booking room. I am so excited to get to use it next Sunday. We are having Super Bowl party: the boys will watch football and the girls are going to do some scrap booking. I plan to take the bed out of there for the day and set up a few extra tables. I'm SO excited! Can't wait to have some "girl" time with my friends AND scrap book all at the same time.
As for my goal for the week: I work Monday thru Saturday with my only day off being Wed. So, not much time to do any de-cluttering. I think I'll take the week off from de-cluttering and concentrate on at least keeping the house picked up and my family fed with clean clothes.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Had to share
I deserve a little play time, right? Yesterday I spent a little time in my scrap booking room creating some home-made index cards. I am so excited at how they turned out. I am using them for a gift (won't say who, in case he/she is reading this post). :-) It got me excited about using my Cricut again so I went online to their website. WOW! I am missing out on so many creative things! (I wish I had a person tutor.) So, among all my other "things to do" today I think I'll try out a few new projects. I'll add pics as I get around to it.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Short term goal
Thanks for the inspiration, Laura! I have now decided it's time to clean out my kitchen cupboards. I work in a kitchen store, for those of you who didn't know, so this is a BIG task. I love kitchen gadgets and fun kitchen "stuff". I'm sure there are some things lurking in the deep dark corners of my cupboards and drawers though that I haven't used in a long time or didn't even know I had.
My Goal for tomorrow: (among getting the oil changed, tires rotated, laundry, cooking, cleaning, making a stop at the bank, etc.) Get rid of enough stuff to be able to close the cabinet drawers without having to push and slam (I know some of you know exactly what I am talking about...right?) :-)
My Goal for tomorrow: (among getting the oil changed, tires rotated, laundry, cooking, cleaning, making a stop at the bank, etc.) Get rid of enough stuff to be able to close the cabinet drawers without having to push and slam (I know some of you know exactly what I am talking about...right?) :-)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Unofficially unemployeed
I was supposed to work Thursday evening, but was called Wednesday and asked if I could come in Friday instead. The truck was supposed to be there on Friday and they were going to call me when it got there so I could come in. I didn't want to be working past 5pm on Friday so I went in at noon. No truck, even though it was supposed to be there between 10 and noon. There were four managerial people working, with nothing to do. So I asked Trina, my boss, if she really needed me there or if she needed me to go home. She said she'd call the trucking company and see when the truck would be there. She came back and said it wasn't going to get there that day and that I could go home if I wanted. So after working two hours with nothing to do, I went home. But before I left, I talked to her about my hours. I have 4 hours next week and then 34 the following. It's really frustrating to have such a wide range of hours. She said when she gets home from vacation that she probably won't be able to give me many hours at all. So I told her I would probably quit. She said she didn't blame me and that she would keep me in the system in case she ever needed me to come back.
So, I guess I'm working the next three weeks, and then done...again. (this same thing happend almost a year ago).
I suppose you can say that by me not having a job...it's decluttering my life of extra responsibility and now can have more time to concentrate on what's more important: God and Family.
So, I guess I'm working the next three weeks, and then done...again. (this same thing happend almost a year ago).
I suppose you can say that by me not having a job...it's decluttering my life of extra responsibility and now can have more time to concentrate on what's more important: God and Family.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The first step
Well, my first step to decluttering our house began in Dec. of 2008 when my husband, Jason was told about a job he might be getting. We have been waiting patiently on God's timing to see if this was going to happen.
It was starting to look like things were moving forward so we talked about him needing an office in our home that he could work from that was quiet and away from "house" noise.
After returning home from Mexico on Jan. 3rd, we decided that we would move our daughter's room to the spare room, our spare room down to where our office was and the office up to our daughter's old room. WHEW! I get tired just thinking about it.
So, we dug in and began. It's been a work in progress, but we have gotten rid of over 10 bags of trash (along with some furniture and filing cabinets that were old and beat up) and probably about the same amout to take to Goodwill. It was fun to see the trash sitting out at the curb on trash day and also filling a huge rolling cart at Goodwill. I feel lighter already and it was so much fun!
Next step: Sorting through my now spare room/scrapbooking room, cleaning out the office and sorting through papers, and cleaning up our hallway where we threw stuff from the rooms that we didn't know where it should go. I hope to be finished with all this by the end of January.
Feb. goal: basement storage area.
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