The last Saturday before Christmas

I must say that this Christmas is turning out to be one of my favs. Nothing super special or particular, I just feel so wonderful So close to the Lord and the most grateful I have ever been for his sacrifice for me and for you. I feel so blessed to know that my kids know what Christmastime is all about.  The presents are fun and cool, but celebrating the birth of our savior is the focus.

As I was cooking dinner tonight I was pondering everything, my life, everything leading up to this moment.  I think most of it has to do with me being closer and having a relationship with the Lord and the the other part of it me being older and much more settled. Also my oldest is 13 and I love sharing so many conversations and memories with her.  And my youngest, well he will keep you in stitches. You literally never know what will come out of this mouth. 

God has been so good to me, to my family.  Jason recently had a biopsy done on his hand. We were concerned that it may be a form of skin cancer. Seeing how he works out in the sun all day everyday with no sun block whatsoever. When I googled the signs and symptoms, we were both panicked. After reading and looking at all that we were convinced.  Of course I made the appointment and prayed.  I have to say that the moment I prayed and laid it at his feet, I feel relieved.  I knew I had turned it over to the one who can see, control, and heal all. 

So off to the dermatologist we go... She said 10-14 days before the results. I was hoping sooner, but amazingly wasn't jumping every time the phone would ring.  And then there was a part of me that thought, well getting the call after Christmas might be better. The call came on (I think) Tuesday or Wednesday that it was harmless and no cancer. Praise the Lord.

I have been cleaning and cooking today. This morning I woke up and couldn't find Braden's medicine, as I looked and looked I kept hearing the Lord say, you threw it away, you threw it away. Jason had done took the trash out of the can and down to the dumpster, so off I go to dig in the trash. Thankfully it was right on the top and I didn't get to messy. I'll tell ya sometimes I don't know about me. Isn't it wonderful that the Lord will talk to us about the simplest things.

 The kids made a gingerbread train, which MacKenzie just informed me was an epic fail.  I said, did you have fun doing it? She said yes, and I told her that's all that matters. 

Jason has worked all day. He is still out. He just hates it when ppl can't flush. I told him to come on home.

It starts at home

Shooting sprees in our malls, schools, and other public places, murders everyday in every major city in every state.  What's the answer? Something has got to give.  That is what we are  all saying.

While I don't have all the answers and my opinion will vary slightly and largely from everyone, I do have my two cents I'd like to add.

Banning guns and abolishing our 2cd amendment rights is not the answer. It's not the people who have openly obtained a permit to carry a firearm, it's not even the people who like myself have yet to go get a permit.  You can't put a face with danger. We don't have a gun problem or a God problem, we have a people/parenting problem.

I am 100% for putting God back into every school in every crack and crevice of this world.  However, the schools removed him from school, not from your home or your heart. 

It starts at home. God and the Bible are things that should be spoken from the start. A lot of people that complain about religion being removed probably aren't attending church regularly. Oh what's that you say "I don't have to go to church to worship or know God" Ok, so then you have a relationship with Jesus? You pray to Him everyday? You read your bible and try as best you can to apply His word and the teachings to your life? To your kids?... "Well no, I know all about him though, I have read the bible. " I imagine these are the arguments many people have with themselves and to others. 

We have to restore the parenting and proper raising.  Unfortunately history does repeat its-self. Do you not see that no matter how much your kids tell you they'll never be like you, the fact is they will be very similar to you. They will take to what they are around. They will become like the people they are around.  

I see so many parents pity patting around discipline.

" No no, don't do that." " I am going to count to three.. ooonnneeee, twwwoooooooo, I mean it, Threeeee..." oh but what do the kids see, nothing, cause you didn't do anything.  Just a bunch of calm baby talk coming out of your mouth with nothing physical to back it up.  So from early on your words have no tone, no authority, no weight whatsoever.  You just have to get firm and show them who is boss. Establishing a pecking order of who is in charge early on and that what you say goes is vital. It shouldn't be optional, it's the way things are. They will go to school and guess what if they don't mind you, chances are, they aren't going to mind the teacher. Oh but those big eyes and pouty lips that you just can't seem to stand firm with grow up and become cold and mouthy. Yeap that's right they become teenagers whom you have convinced yourself that you are "the boss of," when in reality you have never had them under control.  Think about this, do you work with someone who is a slacker? You do a lot of their work for them, they get most if not all of the credit, they can't do their job properly, they are late, inconsiderate, lazy? Everyone complains about them. They job hop,can't hold one down. Oh and it's always the fault of someone else , never theirs. Do you really think they got that way when they came to your work place? Nope. They are that little bratty kid that would never mind. They belong to the parent that "didn't have the heart" to really get on them. So they have a kid and it's the same vicious cycle.

 I am telling you, discipline needs to be restored. Morals and values, right and wrong needs to be instilled in the kids. They need to learn that there are consequences to their actions. That nothing good comes easy. That you have to work hard, be honest, keep your word.They need to learn to have respect for themselves and understand that no one can give them what a relationship with Jesus can.  And no matter where God is removed from, it shouldn't matter to awfully much as long as you put Him there first and keep Him there first and always. Teach kids to be respectful, polite, well mannered, and responsible.  Nothing is owed to them. This generation and I suspect ones for years to come are a very entitled bunch. We all have the same opportunities. 

Before anyone goes to saying "she sounds all perfect and high and mighty, let me just say no, I am not. I am probably one of the most imperfect people, trying the best I can to raise my kids the best I can while serving the MOST perfect and high God.  No matter what society or others try and take away from myself or my kids, they can't take away our integrity, morals, values and ability to love, serve, and honor God.

 It starts at home and it starts with putting God first.

Naysayers of church

For all you naysayers of church, to you I say... I am surrounded by hypocrites & imperfect people weather I am sitting in a sanctuary with my fellow believers worshiping the one true Living God or if I am in line at the grocery store or sitting at home with family & friends. I hear people say all the time "I don't need to go to church to worship, I can do that at home." to you I say, why sure you most certainly can. However, there is something wonderfully amazing about coming together corporately  with fellow believers that are more like family and friends than strangers and together worshiping. How do I know? I have done both.

I was that woman who tried this church and that church.  Eventually exasperated by yet another failed attempt at finding a "home" church. And telling myself that I'll just sit on the couch and watch a local church that was being broadcast on tv. Two things with that, one I slept in and missed it and if I didn't miss it, I for sure didn't get anything out of it.

I was that woman who got into a car with a lady I had just become friends with and she wanted to go to the Christian store to get her girls the latest veggie tale dvd and listen to christian music on the way there.  Saying to myself the whole time, this could never be me, I don't even want to be this lame.  I'd have settled for oldies but goodies over gospel music! 

Now I am not only the women who listens to Christian music but I LOVE it. I live for it and couldn't go without it. I am the one buying tickets to see Casting Crowns and Tobymac! Ha! 

 I am the woman who goes to church every chance she gets, not because I feel I have to but because I want to.  Not for anyone, but for myself. Because HE is worthy! I don't go for the people, although they are quite a nice bonus.  

One thing the bible repeats over and over is to love one another.  Love Him and love them.  So yes, yes I love coming together with them.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

He didn't mean for us to be alone. He didn't mean for us to bear the burdens, trails, and hardships alone. He gave us one another to help encourage and to share the good and the bad.

Finally, 1 Corinthians 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers and sister? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

Now I don't know about you, but that verse speaks to me and it says, I have something to contribute and so do you. Think of what so many are missing out on because you are keeping yourself all for you. You to have something to offer.

I mess up all the time, how about you

What if every time a person fell or failed or messed up, what if it were all over facebook, the news, the cover of newspapers until the next person's latest, greatest failure was on display and highlighted for the world to see?  What if that happened to everyday ordinary people like you & I?  How many times do we mess up? How many times have we made a terrible decision? How many times has our vice gotten the better of us? How many times have we hollered at our kid because we were angry at someone else so we take it out on our kid? How many times have we promised something and not delivered?  How many times have we passed judgement and participated in gossip? How many times have we not been all that we could be? Looking around hoping no one sees. Oh but they do, and not only are they NOT praying for you, but they are on the phone, or on fb or texting..'"yeah she did it again, yeah she seemed to perfect, yeah I can't believe she says, does, etc... this and that... [ INSERT YOUR SIN RIGHT HERE] yeah she seemed to have had it all together, yeah, I knew something wasn't right, she seemed to good, to perfect. "On and on and on.

I know I do plenty.... I am fully aware of my shortcomings and working each day to correct myself and get better, to become a better person in Christ..

 It happens to famous ppl all the time. They have feelings too. They read what is written and if they aren't reading it you can bet someone is filling their ears with what has been said.  Remember they are God's child too. He loves them just as He loves us. 

 I feel sorry for ppl who are so consumed with judging that they can't even see that they've been forgiven.  And if they understood just how forgiven they are they would be in prayer instead of gossip mode. Sick of hearing about Lance Armstrong, get over it already.

 Common folk, and celebrities are all going to fall short. So do I and so do you. I think we are so amused and surprised because these celebrities have been put on a pedestal and so when we realize they are human it is a big deal.  Just remember you too have been put on a pedestal by someone,someone is watching. Guess who it is? Your kids, your grand kids.  Famous people are in the spot light, now remember our Father in Heaven God knows all and sees all, but He does not spotlight our faults for the world to see. The Holy spirit should be working in you and through you to keep you in check. But what if your mistakes were put on display as well, how are you going to feel?  Perfect example of this, two words for you Clinton & Lewinsky. Nuff said.

Read these verses and meditate on it... Matthew 7:1-5

HE uses the kids too

So in my last post I mentioned how I teach Sunday school at church. I enjoy it very much.  Now that's not to say that I don't have moments and times when I say, "God, are you sure you got this right, are you sure this is where you want me?"  Not because I don't enjoy it, but because often times I feel unqualified and I worry if the kids are interested or getting anything out of my lessons.  

Just this morning while getting ready I was doubting it all.  Just felt so unsure. See when I do things, I want there to be an end result, I want to make a difference in lives, touch them in some way, even if it's only one.  And today I just wasn't feeling that I was doing that at all.

I get there, we get our lesson going, we start the craft. As we are finishing it up one of the kids tells me that he is glad I am there and that he feels I was put there, that he is getting so much out of my lessons and that what I am saying and teaching them is as he put it "touching my heart" Y'all I felt so incredibly calm and relieved.  I was so proud and happy. Proud of me for saying yes, proud of me for trusting, proud of him for having the courage and consideration to give a compliment and convey his true feelings.

SO y'all God will most definitely use kids to speak to us.  Don't ignore the words of a kid, cause ya never know what the message is.

Transformation & Saying YES

The past two years have proved to be the most trans-formative than all the other 29 years.  When I think of how this is even possible all I can say is growing in Christ.  It was two years ago that I rededicated my life to Him.

It has been almost a year since I said yes to serving in the Children's ministry at church.  It has been one of the best things I have ever decided to do. Lord knows I have had my moments of doubt, not because of them, but there have been times when I felt like I really didn't have anything to give the kids, nothing to teach them.  It's is going great and so many cool things are happening.  Children's ministry is  lead by one of the sweetest, most Godly women I have ever met. 

It has only been a little over a month since I said yes to leading a connect group.  I am excited about this journey. Getting together with people who have become friends and sharing our lives. Amazing stuff.... 

God is showing me so much stuff and giving me revelations about things I have been avoiding. Very very recently He has told me that I need to consider how important my family is.  I get so busy with my three and me that I don't leave much time left for seeing family. I am in the process of changing that now. I have to make the time.  I really should be more thankful.

Also I am realizing that I have to make time to get healthy. I have avoided and put that off long enough.  There has to come a time when I decide to choose life, health, and feeling good over cokes, junk, and feeling bad.  So I say Yes to getting it together. 

Mackenzie said yes to main stream school, no more home school for her. She returned in January and has decided to go back 7th grade here she comes. Bittersweet.

Eyebrows, shaving, placement testing, new roof & 31

Yes my friends. All that in one week.

Let me start with the placement testing. My daughter has been home schooled since 4th grade. She has now decided in 6th grade that she wants to go back to school. After visiting the school she is sold. Tomorrow is her placement test. I know she'll do fine, but she is a nervous test taker. (like her mother) So prayers needed for smooth sailing & peaceful transitioning from doing her school work at home with mama to learning with kids her age.  I was talking to my daddy today and we both realized that this is the first time except for a 9 month period(pregnancy with Braden) that I will be home alone without a kid. MacKenzie had just started school when I was pregnant with Braden. He went to kindergarten this year.

Eyebrows, this comes into play because since she has been at school with kids her own age(apparently middle school means I am to cool to look uncool) she has realized that the uni brow she has been sporting must go. So we plucked her eyebrows tonight. OH and I gave her a lesson in shaving her legs. Whewww if these are the changes we are making for middle school I don't wanna know what I am in for the first week of high school.

So we ended up having to get a new roof. They finished up repairing the water damage on the inside yesterday. SO in a weeks time for two days all I heard was constant hammering. Then two more days the smell of paint fumes, my living room and kitchen torn completely apart. 

Lastly, I turn 31 in the morning. Seems like just yesterday I was turning 30. I don't dread turning another year older. I see it as a gift from GOD.He has blessed me with more time to enjoy all the people that HE has given me. Another year older means a little more wiser.

Did I hear that right?

It's those moments when I am not waiting on or even expecting an answer to a prayer that perhaps it's answered and I don't even realize it.  I can't tell you how many times I have prayed and told God, please give me an answer.  Sometimes I hear him right away and sometimes I am like well I reckon I'll have to wait until you are ready to tell me.  So then time goes by, I get busy doing paperwork or I turn the TV on to catch up on something. Then I hear something that speaks to me in a way I needed to hear it. immediately I am like "I wonder if that's my answer!?

Does this ever happen to you? 

Living life...

New Year......... I am sure so many great things are on the way. Last year was awesome! I'd say probably one of, quite possibly maybe even my favorite year ever.  The # one thing on my mind us usually losing weight, blah blah...not this time.  What is on my mind and has been on my mind for some time now is living life. 

I am so guilty of letting to much time go by without doing all the things I want and even need to do. I am even more guilty of not spending time with the people that mean so much to me. They probably don't even know how much they mean to me. Two things in life are certain, death & taxes. So this year, no scratch that, from this moment forward I want to live my life as if there were no tomorrow.   We aren't promised tomorrow, really, we're not even promised the rest of today.  Each morning I tell GOD how much I love HIM & how thankful I am that HE has given me another day. May sound habitual, but honestly it's sincere.

I realized just a moment ago when I was logging in to write this blog that I spend more time thinking about life, and all the things I wanna do & accomplish than I spend working toward them. Crazy huh. I spend more time dreaming of what it will be like when I get my life together and go and do and see all the things, and people I want . What's more precious than silver, gold and all the money in the world? Time! And here I am giving it away like 4o going north. Yeap dreaming about that life and mine is passing me by.

Three more things I wanna share. They keep coming back to me so I must share.

  Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  

(This speaks to me so much because I can't tell you how many decisions I have made and mistakes I have made due to the fact that I NEVER stopped to consult with HIM and ask HIM what do you want for me? What is your plan for my life? I love you, you have created me specifically for_______ ________. I am getting it now. HE is showing me and HE is blessing me immeasurably.)

  Romans 12 ^1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 

(This one speaks to me because it's for me about realizing that yes, this is MY life but it came from HE who created me, I should live it and honor it by living for HIM and Honoring HIM, and IF I do then I can't go wrong. He will work it all out for me.)

1 Corinthians 6 :19 Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. 

(This one speaks to me because well......... we only have one body. Once it's broken down and unhealthy that's it.  Also how can we (I ) function at the capacity I need to in order to accomplish what HE has called me to do? Run a business, be a mom, be a wife, take care of a home that HE blessed me with?  The list goes on....... You get the point.

I hope you all are having a lovely start to a fresh new year.