Mommy Accountability

New Year, New Focus

2010-01-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

Staring a New Year is always a good feeling because it is a fresh start and a chance for change. It is true that we can look at each morning as a fresh start and new beginning yet there is something about the years end that gets everyone going.

Last year the word SHINE was always popping up in my life and I worked towards shinning for Him always. I learned a lot about focusing on Him and NOT others actions or words. Which, might I add is very difficult.

As we move into 2010 I am not sure yet what my goals are but I know I want to focus on His purpose and will for my life and my families lives.

In May I will be graduating from college and I am thinking about attending Azusa Pacific here in San Diego to get my masters in divinity with the hopes of one day being on staff at our church (or a church of God's choosing).

Sometimes I wonder where He is leading me but most times I trust in the fact that he has the perfect plan for my life. This year I am not focusing on a resolutions instead I am focusing on living with purpose. Each and every day is a new start and a clean slate.

So, what are your plans for the coming year?

Looking forward to a new year of blessings and blogging,

Chaos into Bliss

2009-12-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

Mornings have been horrible in our house lately and I have been beginning to feel like I had no control over the situation. I didn't understand how my 5 yo could become such a bear in the morning. I began to think about adjusting his bedtime, taking away cartoons or just running away. It got so bad the other day that I put my hand up to his mouth (for a brief second) in order to stop him from talking back. I felt like I was going to loose my mind and possible never be able to be a calm and quiet mommy again.

Yesterday morning on the way to work it dawned on me that the only thing that has drastically change in our household was my schedule. I use to wake up between 430 and 5 am in order to get lunches packed and to start my quiet time before the boys woke up. Now that I have gotten lazier and stopped waking up early things have gotten crazier in the mornings. Instead of having everything prepped and ready to go before my little guy woke up I was rushing to get everything I use to do in two hours done in less than one hour.

So, my humbling moment came yesterday when I realized my schedule is the major factor causing my morning to be so horrible. I know from past experience the first step to solving any problem is admitting it is a problem but I still went to bed without setting my alarm (I know I know I should have set the alarm).

This morning as I was laying in bed I heard this weird noise and I wasn't sure if it was a dream or real so I hopped out of bed to investigate. I couldn't hear the noise anymore but I did notice the clock in the living room said 5 am so I thought I should just start my morning routine in hopes of it being a better morning. I am still not sure if the sound was real or God getting me up out of bed (lol I know I sound crazy).

This morning was beautiful and amazing... a gift from God. Noodle woke up and did all his stuff with little resistance (when he resisted I ignored) and we had a peaceful breakfast listening to worship music. All of his stuff was done when it was time for me to shower which meant he got cartoons. I was done getting ready about five minutes before it was time to get out the door which meant we had time to chat, snuggle and pray together.... I couldn't have started my day out better.

I learned a big lesson this week... I set the tone in my own house and if things seem off I need to look within myself before I start blaming others in my house because many times the problem could be solved with just me and God.

What lessons have you learned this week?

Blessings,

2009-12-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Okay so I have been a little absent from blogging and I had every intention of posting in December but due to sickness, life, school and oh my goodness Christmas... I am taking a little break. I will be back in a few weeks hopefully will tons to share. Until then I hope you enjoy this Hearts at Home blog post:

Everyone loves a good sale, Right? We'll let me tell you about a great one:

It’s a Hearts at Home
Black Friday after Black Friday Sale Dec. 7-11

Did you sleep in on Black Friday? Did you drag yourself out of bed, but still miss out on some awesome deals because you were standing in line too long at one store? Do you still have shopping to do, but dread the crowds, traffic, and cost? Let Hearts at Home help!

Their Black Friday sale has been extended to the week of December 7-11. Shop in the convenience of your own home and receive an unprecedented 25% off all of Hearts books and merchandise. They have great gifts for everyone in your family.

Find gifts for friends, teachers, bible study leaders, bus drivers, and everyone else on your list. You may even find something for yourself. This is a great time to stock up on all those Hearts at Home books you’ve been wanting to read.

Let your family know how much you would love a Hearts at Home gift certificate so you can use it for your Hearts at Home conference registration and/or Mom’s Night Out tickets.

Go to Heartshoppe.com, choose your gifts, and enter code “HEARTGIFT” upon checkout. You will receive 25% off your total purchase (before tax and shipping).

I also want to fill you in on a couple of other great opportunities!

Be sure to check out Jill Savage's blog this month (she is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home). She is doing one giveaway A DAY through Christmas.

And, if you stop by the Hearts at Home blog December 8 - 11, you will have an opportunity to win a Heart's at Home prayer journal. The prayer journal is a brand new resource from Hearts at Home.

Merry Christmas from Hearts at Home!

Blessings,

Holding On

2009-11-19T11:55:00.000-08:00

Can anything separate us for the love Christ has for us? Can trouble or problems or suffering or hunger or nakedness or danger or violent death? Romans 8:35

Sometimes when I get overwhelmed with life the first thing I do is distance myself from people and groups. I am not sure why this is my immediate reaction however I have learned this actually distances me from God. Many times when I am struggling I hide my feeling because of fear of judgment.

Have you ever felt like this or done any of these?

In God's eyes Christians are not guilty, Jesus' sacrifice removed our certain punishment.

We need to find a way to put God's plan for ourselves before our own plans. When we struggle or are feeling overwhelmed we should share our feelings and struggles because He has given us friends, mentors and fellowship to help us and encourage us through our "stuff".

We can turn these things around and use them to bring Him glory and bring hope to others. The reality is we all have struggles, worries and sometimes get overwhelmed. The devil wants nothing more than for us to wallow in our own sorrows and hide from others. Christ wants us to share so He can pour His love into us via our church family, friends or sometimes strangers.

Just this morning as I was listening to my favorite morning show (on the radio) one of the girls was talking about her years of infertility and struggles to get pregnant. She refused to talk about it outside of her marriage and she was suffering inside each and every month she wasn't pregnant. I noticed my eyes watering and my heart going out to her because I know those struggles. It wasn't until she released control and spoke about her struggle that God blessed her was a baby.

Holding onto our "stuff" can't be healthy for us or those around us. I am not sure what I would do if I didn't have my blog to write about my own journey but I know I will NEVER again hold onto anything because God wants to love on us especially when we feel unlovable. I hope if you are holding onto something inside that you will be able to share with someone else so that they may pray for you and encourage you through your struggle.

Life is too short NOT to live it to the fullest!!

Love,

Thankful Thursday

2009-11-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

After having a crazy day where I felt like I was being tested every step of the way I am choosing to look toward Him and not at the situations I am facing. I am choosing to be thankful for his mercy and grace because He is enough for me!!

1. I am thankful for friends who are willing to listen to me vent and then tell me to "let go" of certain things that are blocking me from growth or understanding.

2. I am thankful for God's word and how it is so refreshing and renewing each and everyday!!

3. I am thankful for my son and all his energy. I just love how God continually shows me and teaches me new things through the life of my little one.

4. I am thankful for His timing even when I may not understand I am reminded of Romans 8:28- And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

5. I am thankful for a new start each and everyday... we can begin fresh and new each morning with a clean slate, how amazing is your new day?

But if any of you needs wisdom you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people so he will give you wisdom.
James 1:5

What are you thankful for today?

Thankfully,

Veteran's Day

2009-11-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

Veteran’s Day Tribute

When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.

They left their friends and family;
They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife.

They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars.

Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought.

We salute each and every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave.

So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.

By Joanna Fuchs

Thank you to all the veterans, thank you for serving our country and defending our freedom! May God bless all those who serve and who have served!!

Happy Veteran's Day!!

Making it Last

2009-11-10T09:43:00.001-08:00

I can still remember being a newly wed and asking all the married couples around us how they have made it last for so long and how they have beat the odds of divorce. We got some good answers like; no tv in the bedroom, taking showers together and date nights.

I have noticed more and more lately how many friends are hurting in marriage and how I wish I could help them out. I can remember only a year into my marriage thinking it was too hard and I wasn't sure how we would make it to five years let alone fifty.

I have learned a lot about myself through my marriage and two things that stand out to me most are learning to step outside of myself in trying situations and also looking to God NOT my husband when I am frustrated and at my wits end. My Nana also recently told me a mutual respect for one another has been a huge factor in her 50 plus year marriage.

So as my wedding anniversary is rapidly approach I wonder what has helped your marriage last and what advice do you have for marriages?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Thank you for sharing,

Out Sick

2009-11-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

So, I am not sick but the bug has hit my house and I am feeling overwhelmed and tired. My working out has gone out the window. My tidy clean house is now nonexistent. Yet some how I have found peace in this chaos. I am learning that this little things don't need to push me over the edge. These little things I would have normally gone off on are no longer holding me hostage. It is a refreshing feeling yet at the same time I haven't had enough time to blog and that is a huge bummer to me... I haven't had time to catch up on others posts. So, I am taking a sick week and not going to try to get everything done all at once. I hope and pray you all have a fabulous week. For those with sick family members I pray they get well soon.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.-Psalm 31:24

Lovingly,

Renewed

2009-10-31T06:25:00.000-07:00

The freest woman in the world is the one who has an open heart, a broken spirit and a new direction to travel. It is time to come out of hiding and step into healing. - Deeper by Debbie Alsdorf

Coming out of hiding can be difficult because it may expose your vulnerabilities and struggles in life. I have caught myself editing my thoughts, actions and words so many times in life so not to hurt any one's feelings. As my faith has grown stronger and I have had to deal with certain areas of my life I have been slowly learning to lift the vial and expose certain things.... not to hurt anyone but to heal my heart.

Why are we so worried about what others will think about us?

Acceptance can be a huge struggle for anyone especially anyone who has ever felt rejection or has felt like they didn't belong. Being accepted makes us feel validated and sometimes loved. There was a period of my life in which I would make up things about myself and my life because I thought that is what I needed to do to be accepted. It wasn't until I began to realize I wanted more out of my life that I was able to stop and get real with myself.

No matter what we do or say there will always be people who don't like us or accept us. I have never felt more rejected or attacked since I have become a christian. We have to remember the more we SHINE for Him and the more He transforms our lives & the more we will be attacked... this is why we need to stay firm in His word and in our walks with Him.

As I begin to share my brokenness I am learning I am able to actually work through my feelings, grow from those experiences and eventually let them go. The healing process can be difficult yet it is rewarding at the same time. This past year has been an amazing growing experience for me and in hopes of continued success in being transparent my plan is to focus on His word and promises instead of focusing on the world.

I am amazed at how he uses our pain to help others heal. Debbie's book Deeper was an amazing journey that I am glad I embarked on. I will always remember "to live like it is real because it is!" and each and every morning I pray to be His "everyday vessel" because that is what He calls us to do.

May we all learn to go deeper with our walk and journey through life. May we all learn to let go of those deep dark pains that seem to continually creep up in our lives. May we all learn to look to Him and no one else especially in times of doubt, shame and pain. Lord, thank you for loving us enough to give us chance after chance to start again.

Renewed by His grace,

On Her Knees

2009-10-30T06:49:00.000-07:00

Over this past Summer break I came to the realization that I was no longer a mom a of preschool and with this change in my son there would soon be a change in my heart for ministry. About two and a half years ago I began hosting a mom's small group in my home. It was at times crazy because of all the kids running around but it was also a great time of fellowship and building new friendships. However the last session I began to feel the tug to move ahead instead of staying where I was at in ministry.

The first step was hosting Praise & Coffee Night yet I was still meeting with my small group the other 3 weeks of the month. I think I was holding onto my small group in hopes of having another baby and having all these wonderful mommies around to share in the joy. As I began hosting Praise and Coffee the tug to stop small group grew stronger yet I wasn't sure where I would go next until another mom's leader began sharing information about Mom's in Touch. I thought what a great idea to spend an hour a week praying for my son, his school, teachers and principal. Luckily for me there was another mom from my sons school who was looking to do the same thing.

I am so amazed how I feel each and every Friday morning when I spend an hour just praying for our children and their school. I think so many times as moms we think we need to do some many things in order to raise our children up to be followers of Christ yet many of us get so busy we stop praying (or never start) for our precious children. I feel a sense of peace about my son I have never felt before because I know God is watching over him and his whole school. I feel like I am giving him something that he will be able to take with him even after he leaves our home.

As I began praying for my son I also began spending more time in prayer for my husband. I quickly realized that many times when I should have turned to Christ in prayer I instead projected my fears and worries about my husband and his choices at him (which caused many fights). Now I am committed to praying for my husband which has completely changed my own heart. I feel more connected to God and more at piece with my boys since beginning this process.

So many times I have spent too much time looking at my boys critiquing them and picking them apart. Now I look to Him and pray for Him to guide, protect and lead them in all aspects of their life. I know He will never leave them and I know He has a plan for them and us as a family. I feel so blessed with this sense of piece it is amazing.

I pray you can turn to God with your worries, fears or opinions in regards to your husbands (and sons) so that He can work on them ... protect them... and lead them... because He has a plan and His plan is perfect.

Prayerfully,

The Tallest of Smalls!

2009-10-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the week I received Max Lucado's new children's book The Tallest of Smalls. I was excited and so was my 5 year old because we are huge Hermie fans however because Noodle is now in kindergarten he is beginning to out grow the cute little caterpillars.

This new book was amazing not only in story but in illustrations. What I loved most about the story was there was this little boy who thought he needed what everyone else had to be "good enough" yet once he got what they had he didn't enjoy it as much as he thought he would and then he fell and was made fun of.... wanting acceptance God came and showed Him what he truly is in God... His and that is the most important gift of all!! Noodle enjoyed the story and even shared the story with a few of his classmates... we will read this book for years to come!!

Happy Reading!!

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

1. I am thankful for my husband and all the help he has given me this past two weeks. School has been crazy and he has been taking care of Noodle and making dinner... such a blessing to have a loving husband.

2. I am thankful for my Nana and our relationship. I feel like she always takes the time to hear me, listen to my heart and then share wisdom about certain situations. I just love that God has allowed her and my Papa to have such a huge impact on my life.

3. I am thankful for friends that I can call on to listen to me and who care enough to take time to be there for me. I am especially thankful for my accountability partner and all she has taught me about marriage, friendship and life in the past year.

4. I am thankful for my mornings. I have been able to workout and have quiet time this week before the boys have gotten up which is a huge blessing and a great way to start my morning.

5. I am thankful for a fresh new start given to me everyday by God. He has given us the morning to start over and have a clean slate... I am so thankful He has given this to her and to us.

May you have an awesome day!!

Love,

Invictus Spirit

2009-10-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

I have been sick, overwhelmed and just down right tired with life in general this past week. Luckily for me I have been blessed with an amazing father who is there to help me with all my worries, doubt and struggles in life. I have also been blessed with an amazing group of prayer partners who are always willing to send up prayers to our Lord when I am in need... even if I am just struggling with sleepiness or being kind to others. God has given us an invictus spirit (which mean unconquerable spirit) and we should walk in that amazing light each and every day.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank (whatever gods may be) GOD
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus, William Ernest Henley

Please listen to this amazing pastor speak on the invictus spirit ... this really is an amazing teaching and I thought I would share it with you today.

Lord our lives can be a struggle sometimes and sometimes these seasons seem like they may never end. Lord you have given us an invictus spirit and for that we are thankful. Lord please stay close to us now in our time of need. Lord guide our way and help us get closer to you especially when we are going through tough times.

Blessings,

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

Even though this week has been so crazy that I sometimes felt like I was going to loose my mind I am still feeling very thankful and blessed!!

1. I am thankful for the community and friendship the internet has given me especially from friendship that have become so dear to me and my journey in life. This week I am so very thankful for Karen and her amazing words to me that seem to touch my heart in just the right spot. Thank you Karen for being my friend.

2. I am very thankful for my loving husband and all he does to help me stay sane especially on school nights.

3. I am thankful for the leaders of the mom's ministry and our time in fellowship once a month.

4. I am thankful for Mom's In Touch and praying for my son & his school with other moms from his school.

5. I am thankful for the book Power of a Praying Wife and all it has taught me about praying for my husband and his life.

Thankfully,

Redefining Beautiful

2009-10-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

When I decided to request Jenna Lucado's Redefining Beautiful book to read it was for many reasons. Personally I see so many young woman who are struggling with their earthly fathers and in turn struggle to understand their Heavenly Father's love for them. I was lucky enough to have an earthy father who showed me love and constantly told me how proud he was of me and I never realized how much this positiveness affected my life until recently.

Jenna discussed all the major issues facing adolescent girls today (and always really) especially our issue with beauty and who defines it for us. So many young girls deal with eating disorders and self image issues that this book is so relevant to young woman today.

What I liked most is how Max enters in the book to better explains definitions and gives you bible references for things Jenna is discussing in the chapters. There are also little beauty tips for young girls dealing with bad skin, style and embarrassing situations. My favorite tip is about all the different uses for vaseline bc I just recently began using it on my feet and it works great!!

I think this book would be helpful for young girls who have a dad involved and also ones who don't have a dad involved. She is so real with her own issues and insecurities that it really makes you trust her opinions and recommendations for your life. Even being a 30 year old lady I enjoyed reading this book because it was so real and truthful. The reality is that our relationship with our earthy father affects so many aspects of our lives as we get older especially friendships and relationship.

This would be a great book to give as a gift... I can think of two girls who would really benefit from this book and I think they would really appreciate Jenna's truth, understanding and loving heart.

Beautifully His,

Sharing & Shining

2009-10-14T06:36:00.000-07:00

Continued from yesterday:

To be honest it can be easy to lose your hope in Him especially today. With all the struggles we face in life it can be easy to forget about Him and his plan for your life.

After giving birth to my son I went through so many emotions that I couldn’t explain to anyone.. or even explain to myself. I became withdrawn and focused all my attention to my new baby. Little did I know that putting all my focus into my new baby would cause me to NOT care about God, my husband or myself….. I spent less and less time with my friends, I stopped going to church and I stopping caring about my health. By the time my son was two years old I was unemployed, my marriage was unstable, and my health was horrible… I had high cholesterol and was told I was borderline diabetic, my faith in God was almost nonexistent and I had no real friends because I had abandoned who I was for my precious gift God gave me.

It wasn’t until my husband moved to Palm Springs that I really began wondering what had become of my life. I wondered how I could have become so disconnected with life. How did God allow me to get so far from His grasp? Why was I stuck for so long without even knowing I was stuck? I had spent so much time in the dark keeping God at bay that He no longer had a grasp on my life; I in essence had lost my salt. I honestly think I may have given up on Him because I was so consumed with what I wanted in my life instead of caring about where He had me in life.

When my son was 5 months old I can remember me and my husband discussing having another baby. I was so excited to start a family and expand on what God had already given us yet my prayers hadn’t been answered and I got further and further from His grasp. I began to doubt His love for me because I was so consumed with what I wanted and NOT what He wanted for me. I had lost hope of every being me again. I had lost hope that I could have a solid marriage. I had lost hope that I would ever have a baby again. I just lost hope in Him!!!

I say this because I know what I am planning for you. Says the Lord I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me. And when you search for me with all your heart you will find me. Jeremiah 29:11-13

The Lords love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord your loyalty is great. –Lamentations 3:22-23

I didn’t know where to find balance and I wasn’t sure that I could gain my fire back…. I decided to go back to church and began working on my relationship with Christ because I had nowhere else to turn to… I felt all alone.

Slowly as I began to reconnect with Him and I realized that this thing we call life couldn’t be done alone. I needed to not only reconnect with Him but I needed to get connected with other Christians because I knew I couldn’t walk alone. I needed support, fellowship and true friendship. With His guidance I began connecting with the moms ministry, started my own small group, started working out and eating right…. I even began reconnecting with friends I had lost track of since having my son.

A few nights ago I woke up at 1am and was unable to sleep. I kept seeing a vision in my mind… I had a handful of unsalted peanuts and a handful of salted peanuts in the other hand. When I mixed the two handfuls of peanuts together I thought, “Do the unsalted peanuts remain unsalted or do they become salty because of the salted peanuts?”

I can remember lying in bed and thinking to myself.. I got it… I got it… In order to regain our saltiness we need to surround ourselves with other people who are salty especially while we are struggling no matter how big or small the struggle the salty will help us remain salty and when we lack salt they will share with us… because that is what He has called us to do… SHINE for one another.

All of us at one point in time with loose our salt. We will feel defeated and we will struggle in marriage, parenting and even in friendship but with each other we can grow and prosper for His kingdom. We can share our salt and SHINE for HIM.

His,

Lost Salt???

2009-10-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

One morning on the way to work I decided to call a friend I hadn’t spoken to in almost five years. I had been feeling a tug at my heart for a while and I finally picked up the phone to see how she was doing. As we talked about life she said something to me that had me wheels spinning. My friend told me she hoped I never lost my saltiness because she had. She then proceeded to tell me about how God talks about how once we lose our saltiness we can’t get it back.

This seemed so sad to me because this friend had been a light for me and my walk with Christ. I can remember going to see Billy Graham with her at Qualcomm Stadium in the spring of 2003. I can remember accepting Christ into my heart that night and then walking on the field with her to seek further guidance. This moment was the moment I was His and my true journey began that very night. Yet now she is telling me that not only has she lost her saltiness but she hoped I didn’t lose my saltiness because once you do you can’t get it back.

I struggled with these thoughts for days and I contemplating talking to someone about them but instead I began seeking him for answers. As I sat enjoying my coffee and quiet time one morning I picked up my daily bible verses and I came upon Matthew 5: 12-16:

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its salty taste, it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing, except to be thrown out and walked on.

"You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lamp stand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.

Once I found the verse I began to question the idea that once we lose our saltiness we are thrown out and walked on… now this picture wasn’t a good picture and it caused me to get angry at the mere thought because Our God is a redeeming God! Everything is possible through Him. Still no answered came to me so I left it alone AGAIN!!

Do you think it is possible to loose your salt?

Come back tomorrow to see what God showed me about saltiness and how we can SHINE for Him even during these difficult times.

Blessings,

Last Place

2009-10-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

"So those who have the last place now will have the first place in the future, and those who have the first place now will have the last place in the future."
Matthew 20:16

Do you ever argue with people who always think they are right? Does it matter if you are wrong or right in their eyes?

Why do we waste time arguing with people when it doesn't much matter if we are wrong or right in their eyes? We should rest in the fact that we are living right in His eyes. We should find peace in knowing we are living according to His plan for our lives. Sometimes this can be difficult to do when we face those "testy" people in our lives yet when I came across Matthew 20: 16 I began to rethink the idea of being in first place. I would rather be in last place now and first place later because that will mean I did the right things and lived according to His plan.

Do you spend too much time focusing on being right in the world? Maybe you should rethink what winner now really means to you?

Any thoughts?

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

1. I am thankful for my wonderful husband and all the help he has been giving me around the house this week. I started my second class last night and it was so nice to come home to a clean well lit house.

2. I am thankful for the marriage conference my hubby and I attend last weekend. It was a great refresher on some principles we had stopped practicing. So this week we have been getting some shoulder to shoulder time... this morning I asked for some face to face time and he agreed!!

3. I am so very thankful for Noodle teacher, not only is she amazing with the kiddos but she is a strong christian woman that shares the same values as we do... which is a huge blessing considering that we live in California with a bunch of crazy laws *sigh*.

4. I am very thankful for the ability to be an active member in my son's life. So many friends of mine are struggling to find a balance between work, school, home & kids... God has blessed me with an amazing schedule that doesn't take away from my duties at home.

5. I am thankful for friends especially all the kind, encouraging and loving sisters God has blessed me with... I have always had more guy friends than girlfriends until recently and now is the season for girlfriends and I feel so blessed to have them all in my life.

What are you thankful for today?

Look At Me

2009-09-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

So many times in life we look at what surrounds us and not what is within us or above us. This weekend as we attended the L & R Conference Emerson talked about looking to God instead of your spouse in the midst of a disagreement. When your spouse is doing something you don't agree with or don't like look to Him instead of getting frustrated and allowing the Crazy Cycle to spin.

I have taken this idea a step further in my life this week. When things aren't going my way or when I am facing difficult people I am looking to Him for guidance, strength and patience because He is the only thing that can keep me from loosing my cool. Whether we are dealing with a difficult child, crazy neighbor or mean co-worker we can look to Him for guidance in changing our reaction to these people. Just because someone else is in a foul mood doesn't mean we have to allow them to change us and what we stand for in life.

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
John 3:20-21

Sometimes we may want to be "right" and that is why we use harsh words or react to people in a negative way. Being right isn't always right in His eyes and it can usually cause us more pain and angst to try and prove we are right. Many times it is better to be quiet, kind and loving no matter how mean others are to us because we are called to be loving NOT right to man.

I pray we can call on Him for strength and discernment when dealing with the difficult people in our lives. May we turn to Him in order to be right and not worry about being right in mans eye. May we all find peace in knowing the rewards of being right in His eyes are way more important than being right to our fellow man.

Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!
Jeremiah 29: 12-13

Hopeful,

Love & Respect

2009-09-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

My husband and I had an opportunity to attend the Love & Respect Conference this weekend and it was amazing!! Not only did we attend but we also volunteered at the product table (which was a whole other blessings all together).

I was reminded of stepping outside of myself and focusing on God NOT my husband. It can be easy to pick each other apart and place blame on the other person. I know for myself I tend to NOT want to be the bigger person in certain situations (even in other relationship) however; having maturity in God makes these relationship better. I was also reminded that being a Godly wife isn't always a natural instinct and sometimes I have to fight my flesh in order to do the "right" thing.

How often do you feel like you don't want to do something even though you know you should?

For me I battle everyday with my flesh to be selfish and self serving especially when it comes to my husband. Sadly, this is where the devil likes to creep up and try to destroy my marriage. In order for me to be a Godly wife I have to stay focused on God in order to stay focused on my marriage. I notice as a mom I have to do this in the morning because my son likes to procrastinate and waste time. In order to stay focused on God I have to ignore certain behavior and just look to God for strength.

If you have a chance to read or attend a Love & Respect Conference, you should really do it because it is so worth the time and money. I felt very blessed to be able to share the experience with my husband and I hope and pray we are able to take what we learned in order to stay focused on doing what is right instead of doing what the world wants us to do.... which is FAIL.

May God continue to use Emerson & Sarah to bring His truths to marriage couples all around the world. May God use their daughter in law to spread the message to all the singles of the world so that our generation can have more fulfilling and successful marriages.

His,

Pieces

2009-09-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt so broken inside that you could look in a mirror and see a stranger staring back at you?

Have you ever searched long and hard for your true self and came up empty handed?

I have spent the majority of my short life lost and unattainable. I have & would reinvent myself a lot in my teens and young adult life. I would live lie after lie just trying to fit in to a society I didn't feel accepted by. Some how in those dark times I felt more accepted than I do today.

I have spent too much time trying to find my grounding in life to allow those who don't understand me to make me stumble and fall. I have wasted too much time living a lie to allow myself to be consumed by dysfunctional behavior.

I am choosing to live in the truth of His word and if certain people can't accept me or even take the time to get to know me then that is their loss. I will no longer allow these people to steal my joy and cause me pain. I am choosing to believe He has created me for His good and I will not allow stumbling blocks to stunt my growth.

I was lost but now I am found, I was blind but now I see!!

His,

DONE

2009-09-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

As hard for me as it may be to admit sometimes I don't have the right words or even say things in the right way. Sometimes I insert my foot into my mouth. So, are we guilty of hurting someones feelings when our intentions were harmless or deep down in side were our intentions hurtful in a sleigh kind of way?

I am beginning to wonder if certain friendships bring out the worst in me and wonder if maybe I should take a step back. The hardest part for me is when certain people allow the bus to run me over when they honestly know the truth of my intentions. Why do we do this to one another? Do we enjoy the drama of it or do we just not care? Why do certain friendship drain us to the point of exhaustion?

I have thought many times that it may be that I attract friends with the same issues as myself and that I need to learn something about myself that I would otherwise not know without that friend in my life. What happens when you are in the growing process and those around you are not?

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”- 1 John 4:16

Denying something that is real and true doesn't change the fact that it is real. Although it is not my job to point out the speck in others eyes I will not be apart of the denial or co-dependent behavior that has become so acceptable in our society.

I want to have true honest friendships that aren't filtered or fake. I want to have friends that will call me on my stuff so that I can correct or grow in those areas of my life in which I struggle with however; sometimes this isn't possible when we are surrounded by people pleasures. Is it politically correct to fake who you are or what you stand for? Is it impossible to have true authentic relationship where you make mistakes, ask for forgiveness and move on?

This is one of the moments in my life where I have to finally make a change and make it fast. I can easily get swallowed whole by drama and this is one time in my life where I sense a change needs to happen. I sometimes worry that I might not be able to shine for that persons to see yet I also know that no friendship should drain me and cause me to be so stressed out that I want to run and hide who I am.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."-1 Timothy 1:15

I have enough sin of my own to deal with so I am washing my hands of this situation. I have enough of my own issues to deal with and having my character picked apart is the last thing I need in my walk or life.

Lord please help me decipher what to do and say. Lord change my thoughts and words to match your will in my life. Lord guide my every action in order to bring glory to your name. I give all the praise to you Lord, my Heavenly Father.

His,

Hands Off

2009-09-14T11:42:00.000-07:00

When I am stressed out or having a tough day I tend to go for my cell phone to find guidance and redirection. I look for those friendship for encouragement, fellowship and sometimes just an ear to listen. I know these are good things to do but should they be the first thing I do or I should I run to Him to settle my troubled heart.

All too often I get so comfortable in friendship that I begin to spend less and less time with Him. This past weekend I was really struggling with some stuff and the only thing I could do was run to Him. So many of my friends are either dealing with the same trouble or they have been there done that... with not so good results.

So, as I opened my heart to what He needed to show me I realized that I need Him more than ever. I need to trust in His process and plan for my life. I need to fully surrender these issues to Him because as long as I have my hand on them He can not do His work in me.

When you feel lost and alone what do you do? Do you run and hide? Do you call a friend? Do you pretend it isn't happening?

My hope and pray is to fully let go of this issue and allow Him to teach me to trust and believe He can do a miracle and turn this situation around for His glory NOT my glory.

May we all learn to let Him work out the details and let him lead the way.

His,

HEALER

2009-09-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

I not only love this song but this story was an amazing story of God healing this little girl and if He is able to heal her from such a terrible disease He can heal us from all our worldly pains. I am so thankful we have a healing, loving and caring God.

His,