Coffee and Caramel

Moving to a new site!

2011-08-30T20:12:00.000-05:00

In order to gain a little more freedom and creativity, I've moved to WordPress.

Please redirect your bookmark here: http://coffeencaramel.wordpress.com

31 Days to Build a Better Spouse

2011-08-29T06:57:00.094-05:00

Today I'm reviewing Ashley Pichea's new e-book, 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse, which is officially available today. (You can also join in the Twitter discussion using #31DBBS.)

One of the things that really struck me was the very first paragraph of Day 1 {emphasis is mine}:

Before I can begin to ask God to change my spouse – to pray for his godly character to be developed and matured – I must be willing to be changed myself. I must humble myself before God, submitting to His sovereign will, and allow Him to use my prayers to change my own heart.

Pichea, Ashley. 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse (Kindle Locations 134-136).

As I began praying for my own husband a couple years ago, I honestly didn't understand why God kept pointing all my prayers back to myself. It took me a while to figure out that God was going to change my heart in preparation of changing my husband's, but I'm so glad he did. It's a wonderful thing to know that Manny and I are on the same page in how to manage our household and raise our boys. I know this would not be the case if God had changed him without changing me first!

Each day starts with a short quote or song lyrics that are relevant to the daily topic. Good, solid advice is then interspersed with and backed up by scripture. The day's reading wraps up with a brief prayer to get you started. From salvation to strength, and humility to respect, I honestly think Ashley includes all the topics that we would normally thing of to pray over our spouse, and a few we probably don't.

31 Days to Build a Better Spouse touches on all the characteristics God wants us to have. Characteristics that, with His leading, will help us become a person after His own heart.

I really enjoyed the topic of Obedience:

It is not enough to know what the Bible says – we must also allow it to change how we live.
Pichea, Ashley. 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse (Kindle Location 559).

How true this is!

Folks, we can talk and talk and pray a thousand times a day, but if we aren't modeling Godly behavior in our own life, what incentive is there for our spouse to be obedient to God's will for his or her life?

I have really enjoyed my time with this book and look forward to being able to go back and read it through one day at a time when I can focus on each prayer topic daily. In fact, I'm going to share my book with my husband and ask him to pray these prayers over me as I pray them over him.

This is a great book and I highly recommend it for anyone with a spouse or spouse-to-be, regardless of gender. So go get your own copy and start praying!

PDF / Kindle / Nook

#3in30 August goals - Week 4 update

2011-08-26T06:32:00.000-05:00

You can read about my other goals for August here.

Goal #3 - Reclaim my mornings.

I have not been good about getting up this week, often dragging myself out of bed at 545 or later. But I have still spent time in prayer ~~while I'm getting dressed~~ and I've still be fixing breakfast for my kids. Most days.

We've had breakfast tacos once, oatmeal twice, and cereal/smoothies once. Today's another cereal today.

I think I'm just getting to bed too late and that's what is making it harder to get up in the morning, but I'm not positive. SleepBot says I'm 4:33 hrs behind on my sleep, although it certainly feels like it's more than that. {Today is a bad allergy day, which doesn't help.}

I need to work on my September goals today. I have so many ideas floating in my head that I'm going to have to write them out and prioritize them.

Waiving the White Flag

2011-08-22T06:37:00.000-05:00

Are you the mother of boys who often finds herself ready to waive the white flag in defeat?

Do they drain you, overwhelm you, steal your heart, break your heart and cause you more anxiety than you ever dreamed possible?

Maybe you only have one boy amongst a sea of estrogen and you just can’t figure out how to respond to him in a way that affirms all that is good about his masculinity.

You're not alone.

Last May, over 1300 women and a few dads in SEVEN different countries joined together to pray purposefully and passionately for the hearts of their sons in a challenge called 21 Days of Prayer for Sons. 21 Days is based on the best-selling eBook Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most.

Even our best parenting efforts don't come with a guarantee. As much as we might wish we could change their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), we can't. But we serve a God who can. Knowing this, it becomes quite clear that there is only one thing we can do…

Plead with God.

Pray.

“The fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:17.

It’s our hope.

The next 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge starts September 6 and ends September 26, 2011. How can you participate? Easy!

Purchase your own copy of Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most (just $5.97 as a PDF download or on Amazon Kindle!) You could, in theory, participate in the challenge without a personal copy, but your experience will be much deeper and richer with it.
Commit to praying for your son(s) or grandsons 10 times a day for 21 days straight. This is a huge commitment, so if you feel God leading you to participate, pray and ask Him to give you the strength and endurance you need.
Consider leading your own group on your blog or in your community!
Sign-up HERE!

Get inspired by recent participants!

“This challenge…has given me my joy back in mothering” ~LaToya

“Thank you for giving me a tangible method for transformation in my family!!” ~Anne

“Thanks, Brooke for your help. I’ve always known that God was listening; I just didn’t know what to say!” ~Laurel

“So many heart changes are going on in our home and I’m just so thankful…” ~Ashley

************************

Brooke is a mom of two young boys who leave her desperate for God’s grace. Her pursuit of being a better mom has left her at the foot of the cross, knowing that if God doesn’t show up … nothing happens. This dependence upon God to turn hearts of stone to hearts of flesh leads her to her knees in prayer. She’s the author of the best-selling eBook Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most, creator of the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge and co-founder of the well-loved online community for mothers of boys, the M.O.B. Society. She offers hope for change to the hearts of women at her main blog, A Life in Need of Change.

#3in30 August goals - Week 3 update

2011-08-20T12:21:00.000-05:00

Wow. I can't believe it's already time for my 3rd week update, but it is. School starts on Monday and my hubby is so glad! haha

~~Goal #1 - Clean out and organize the bathroom cabinets.~~
~~Goal #2 - Finish my Good Morning Girls book study.~~

I am still working towards finishing up all the SOAP scriptures for the GMG study before the 1 John study starts on 9/19. So far I've been doing one a day, right before bed, but I may sit down this weekend and try to get a few weeks worth finished.

Goal #3 - Refocus myself to #hellomornings and getting up early enough for exercise and quiet time.

My Sleep Bot app says I only had 2 late days this week, which is better than last week. I've made it a point of getting my QT and worship time in regardless of what time I got up. Exercise is somewhat limited right now. I strained my upper right arm somehow, and being the relatively same location as a 5-year old recovered tear injury, I'm being very cautious until I know it's fully healed. I do not want a serious injury like that again! Officially, #hellomornings is between sessions but the fall session starts 9/15. Head over to Inspired To Action and keep an eye out for her sign-up post if you want to join us next time!

I'm loving that I find myself now thinking ahead for future goals and projects that need to be done. It's funny when I come across something and I catch myself thinking - oh, that'll be perfect for next month or that'll work better scheduling wise if I wait until October. LOL And to think back in April I gave up so easily!

Going traditional

2011-08-20T10:26:00.001-05:00

After a lot of research, discussion, and prayer, Hubby and I have decided that we will begin transitioning our family to a fully traditionally prepared diet. Meaning cultured dairy products, fermented veggies, soaked and sprouted grains, and *gasp* even raw milk if I can actually find cow's milk down here.

I laughed as we were talking about it last night. Who would have thought I, of all people, would turn into a crunchy momma? But I have and there is a peace to our decision that I've never had before. :)

Today, for the first time ever, I made a sourdough starter. I followed the directions from Kitchen Stewardship's post on sourdough starters, except I stirred the flour and water together. Katie didn't say whether to do this or not, but I figured it didn't hurt and the worst it could do is ruin it and I make another batch. I'm hoping it turns out because I'd really like to try other sourdough recipes! I think first up will be the sourdough crackers b/c the kids need something to snack on with their lunches.

Sourdough starter day 1: 9am 8.20.11

My guys aren't found of sourdough bread (although I love it) but Manny agrees with me that the health benefits are more important and they'll learn to like it. My concession is that there are plenty of other foods I have to learn to like, and a lot more that none of us have ever tried. Would you believe I actually ate green onions on cheese fries last night? Willingly??? I can't say I liked them, but they weren't all that bad.

Another thing I started this morning is my kefired water. I really hope this turns out well. I have lots of plans for it, and I'm still on the hunt for a natural cola recipe.

Water kefir day 1: 9am 8.20.11

Of additional note, and my bestie Eryn will be so happy with me, I bought some unrefined coconut oil yesterday. I haven't figured out what I'm going to make with it yet though. {Of interesting note, it's so warm in my kitchen the oil liquefied within 30 minutes of adding it to my pantry. I hope that works in favor for my fermenting and not against it.}

Boys need lots of prayers - and so do their moms!

2011-08-16T21:27:00.001-05:00

As a momma to two teenage boys, I can attest that boys need all the prayers they can get, and then some more! And then when you think you've prayed all you can for one day, you need to pray some more because you know that in the next 10 minutes - or 2, if they're like my boys - they'll have done or said something that will leave you praying not only for your ~~self-control~~ sanity but their ability to learn self preservation skills as well. By the end of the day you're tired and frazzled and begin to count the minutes until they go to bed. Unless you can make it to yours first.

But there's hope because you're not alone, and there's help for you.

The Lord in all His awesome wonder, laid it on the heart of a wonderful woman and fellow boy mom, Brooke, to share her heart and His words in the form of her e-book, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most.

This wonderful book contains 21 dedicated prayer topics chosen specifically for boys. Brooke even gives you 10 scriptures for each topic that you can pray over your boys. See how easy it is? You buy the book {available in PDF, Kindle, or Nook versions; it's very inexpensive and more than well worth it}, you read it, and you pray for your boys.

And if you're boys are anything at all like my boys, you'll read it so many times you'll eventually start to memorize those scriptures. ;o)

Want to know what makes this oh-so-wonderful book even better? The fall session of 21 Days of Prayer for Sons runs Sept 6-26 and you can sign up here. There are even groups for all kinds of different boy moms, no matter what stage in life your boys are at. {I've joined FB groups for middle school, high school, and working moms. I figure between the 3 groups, someone will understand my frustrations!}

This will be my 3rd session, but not just my 3rd time reading it. :o) Make the time to pray for your boys. You won't regret it.

Disclaimer: Although Brooke is giving away a free copy of the Leader's Guide to those that blog about the book and the fall session, I was going to do it anyway so the guide is just a bonus. I'm not ready to lead a session yet, but hopefully soon.

#3in30 August goals - Week 2 update

2011-08-13T21:43:00.000-05:00

This week has been incredibly hectic for me. Monday I was off work for a dental appointment and Friday I was off so I could help chaperone Andy's orchestra camp field trip. So work was hectic cramming 5 days of things into 3, including the effort of scheduling 80+ people for software testing. I love my job though and I'm so glad God put me in a position where my skills are both useful and appreciated.

Home has been just as hectic though, but it too has been productive.

My last July goal - to purge the boys' unused clothing - is complete. To the best of my knowledge anyway. I admit that I have not entered their rooms to actually confirm that only the things they routinely wear remain. That will be projects for another month. ;-) But I dropped off 2 bags of clothing in the donation box on my way home from the grocery store tonight with a sense of satisfaction.

My 2nd August goal - to finish my Good Morning Girls book study - is also complete. I'm still about 6 weeks behind on SOAP scriptures, but I'm going to make it a priority to do one scripture every night before bed until I'm done. My goal though was to actually finish the book, and with 8 chapters to go, I spent the majority of my evening doing just that. I'm not going to blog on the last 2 topics - Training and Service - because the answers to the study questions are ones that are more introspective to me and require thought and prayer. Maybe someday you'll get to read my answers. I do want to share with you though my favorite quote from what I read today:

Sin in our lives makes us resist responsibility. (The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson, p. 191)

I can't explain why this one little sentence resonates so deeply with me, but it does. My own conviction perhaps?

Goal #3 - Refocus myself to #hellomornings and getting up early enough for exercise and quiet time. Only 2 days this week did I actually get up at 5am and exercise, but I did work in a 20-minute Zumba session this morning before I had to get ready for breakfast with our friends. I whined a little bit Friday to my online friends about not having enough time for everything, but I think I've figured it out since then.

If I actually get up at 5am, I have 45 minutes to myself before Alex's alarm goes off. That's plenty of time as long as I get myself into a regular morning and evening routine and get to bed on time. Keep praying for me my friends. LOL
I did decide I'm going to do Good Morning Girls' Fall Bible Study on 1 John. It's SOAP format and I'm going to keep up with it a journal rather than online. My mornings will be much smoother if I keep exercise short and QT simple. Trying to fit time for actual #B90Days reading into my morning is too stressful, and often leaves me feeling slightly resentful that my time is not my own. So my bible reading needs to remain something that I do in spare moments throughout my day and finish up with at night. Lately I've taken to reading in bed until I fall asleep and I love it. It's such a wonderful way to end my day.

However, I'm happy to say that I'm holding steady with the #B90Days reading. I did fall a little behind earlier in the week when I was just so mentally exhausted from work I couldn't comprehend what I was reading. But I made the most of my off-time Thursday night and Friday and on this lazy Saturday, and caught up. Tomorrow's reading is Day 35 and the start of Nehemiah. I think it also makes us about 40% complete.

On that note, I'm calling it a night my friends. Even though all I've done is read all day, I'm tired. Have a great night a blessed Sunday!

#3in30 August goals - Week 1 update

2011-08-07T22:13:00.000-05:00

Goal #1 - Clean out and organize the bathroom cabinets. Complete!

This was a time consuming task, even more so than I thought it would. Our recent acquisition of a mirrored stand for our bedroom meant I could move my things into the bedroom.

I was beyond thrilled since we only have 1 very poorly ventilated bathroom and it's always a hassle to share it with the boys in the mornings. Moving my things was going to be part of my clean out process. ~~Unfortunately~~ Fortunately, that meant I had to first clean off my dresser in order to make space for the new stuff.

My make-up bag, the rest is not mine.

The white pail, peach soap, and purple/orange hair products are mine. The rest is not.

I claim only a few things from down here too.

Only the socks on the left edge belong to me.

As you can see, everything was cluttered and just tossed helter skelter and never really put away properly. {Most of the mess isn't mine though.}

After several hours of sorting, tossing, scrubbing, and organizing, it's done. And it'd better stay nice and neat or heads will spin. ;)

Scrubbed clean except for things to be relocated to the bathroom

Done! My stuff on the right, sunscreens and aloe in the middle, extra bath products and lotions on the left.

It looks so much better now! {The blue container is homemade face wipes.}

Nice and neat and organized! Lotions, perfume, nail polish, makeup. {The brushes will get a good cleaning tomorrow.}

With the lotions now on the dresser, my hanging organizer is only for hair products and accessories!

Goal #2 - Finish my Good Morning Girls book study. I have a dental appointment tomorrow, so it'll be a good time to get caught up since they don't like you on your cell phone in the back.

Goal #3 - Refocus myself to #hellomornings and getting up early enough for exercise and quiet time. This has to become a priority. I've got 2 weeks until school starts, and the boys have to start getting up early this week too.

Coffee Mugs

2011-08-07T21:41:00.000-05:00

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I'd won 2 coffee mugs from Coffee Lovin' Mom's giveaway. The designs come from JAG III. Amy picked them out just for me!

Purple for home...

Green for work

I've gotten some strange looks and second glances as I wander through the office halls or set my mug down on a conference table, but nobody has actually said anything about it yet. I think it's just a matter of time.

Cooking things up!

2011-08-06T16:52:00.000-05:00

I've been on a roll this weekend. Last night I ordered the books Nourishing Traditions and The Body Ecology Diet, along with water Kefir grains. The Kefir grains we're going to use to try to make homemade soda and as a smoothie base.

Today, I started putting together my smoothie bags. I measured 1 cup of frozen mixed fruit (strawberries, peaches, mango, pineapple) and 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries into freezer bags. The bananas are cut into 1"ish chunks on waxed paper and popped into the freezer. Then Andy and I washed, de-stemmed, and steamed fresh kale and spinach, along with half a cucumber.

Andy helping to de-stem the kale

Steamed spinach and cucumber

Kale in the steamer

The greens were poured into ice cube trays and are freezing with the bananas. Once everything is frozen, each bag will get a banana and green cubes added to it. All I'll have to do is add milk, coconut water (or kefir water once I've got some made!) and whey protein in the Ninja with a smoothie bag and blend for an easy breezy meal on the run. :)

Tray of freezing banana chunks, the first batch of green cubes, and the start of my smoothie bags

I think I need more bananas and more greens and more berries so I can make more smoothie bags. Although what I really need is a deep freezer!

Once I try my recipe and tweak it to near perfection, I'll post it to share!

Reading lists

2011-08-03T21:45:00.000-05:00

I'm a huge fan of books. Maybe you didn't know that about me, or maybe you did and you're rolling your eyes at the obvious. {You know you are.}

My bookshelf overflows with them, my PCs and phone are filled with e-books {some of which get printed b/c I *need* a hard copy too}, and I've just discovered why the Kindle is such a huge seller {thanks to the free Kindle app on my new phone}.

If you keep up with the lists in the sidebar, you'll notice they're both pretty long and they're about to get longer.

I've decided this weekend I simply must order a copy of Nourishing Traditions and The Body Ecology Diet. Hard copy of course b/c I need to be able to share them with the hubby, and he's not getting my phone to read them on. {Love you, baby!}

I've recently read Is Your Flour Wet?, an e-book by Kitchen Stewardship, and I'm really thinking there's something to the whole concept of soaking and fermenting grains. Now I need to know more. And I really really want to make a sourdough starter this weekend. Even if I don't manage to get bread to bake right in this house, I can at least use it for biscuits or pancakes or tortillas.

Know what I really need though? Enough time to read everything on my lists!

Bible in 90 days - week 3 update

2011-07-31T22:52:00.001-05:00

Today ends day 21 and week 3 of the Bible in 90 Days (#b90days) reading with Mom'sToolbox. I've read 22.7% of the Bible - almost 9 entire books - in just 21 days. I'm only half done with today's reading as I write this, but I'll get it finished before bed tonight. This amazes me because I've never read so much straight through without taking a break or falling behind or giving up.

I love Joshua's story of leading the Israelites into their Promised Land. God was so prominently with them, even they they clearly were not 100% obedient to His commands to wipe out and destroy every living enemy. I must admit to being perplexed at their method of staking out land and casting lots to see who gets what. Someday when I'm able to ask Joshua to explain it to me in person, do you think he'd remember? LOL

Judges spoke to my heart and showed me that in all these thousands of years, human nature has not changed very much. We fall away from God, He sends help for us and we pick ourselves back up and promise to not do it again, but slowly over time we fall away again. Two steps forward, three steps back. 'How often have I done this myself,' my heart cried out. I found myself praying often that He'll give me the strength and the guidance to stay focused on my course and not waver from it. Oh how much He must truly love us to be this patient with us!!

Ruth... How I've always loved the story of Ruth. She must truly have loved Naomi with all her heart to follow her to a foreign land when she had the opportunity to return home to her family. Her love for Naomi and commitment to her family, even after her husband had died, served her well for the blessings she received later.

Then she said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” (Ruth 1:15-17, NASB)

That brings us to the story of Samuel. I cannot imagine the grief Hannah experienced, first in not being able to have a child and then when blessed with one, she stayed faithful to her promise and gave him back to the Lord! I'd like to talk to Samuel someday too. The things he saw and the stories he could tell!

Saul though, I'm just not sure about him. Every time I read his story I find myself wondering just what God was thinking when He chose him to be king. Tonight the answer seems simple - to save David, the true king of Israel. If Saul hadn't been king, then Jonathan and David would likely never have met and it would have been more difficult for the people to accept David as eventual king.

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. (1 Samuel 18:1, NASB)

I also love the relationship between these two men. The Bible implies that they are closer to each other than to their flesh-and-blood brothers. They're brothers of the heart, brothers that God put together and that cannot or will not be separated no matter the circumstance. I have people like that in my life, my heart sisters, a handful of the awesome-est ladies that God has brought into my life when I needed them most and now nothing can ever remove them.

I can't wait to wrap up 1 Samuel and delve into next week's reading. We'll cover the stories of kings David and Solomon, and prophets Elijah and Elisha; four of my favorite biblical people. I can't wait to see what newness I find in the words of their lives.

Loving Him,

Hello Boy Moms!

2011-07-30T20:29:00.000-05:00

Today I'm finally linking up to the The MOB Society's First Annual Boy Mom Blog Hop. I'm thrilled you took the time to stop by my little home on the web and pay us a visit. :)

<-- That's me, Bobbey, owner of this blog, wife to my soul mate, and mom to two wonderful teenage boys. I love coffee and caramel and chocolate, Doctor Who, my kitties, most anything purple, and time spent hanging out with good friends. You can read more about me by clicking that page link over there on the right.

God is leading me on a journey into the unknown, one where I'm meant to be an inspiration to other women through His work in my life. I'm trying my best to be obedient and let myself be guided, and you'll find the majority of my posts are about what He's doing in my life and the life of my family around me.

These are my boys. As I've already said, they're wonderful but they do their best to try to drive me crazy most of the time.

Alex is 17 and going into his senior year of high school. He has a steady girlfriend, my someday daughter as I like to call her, and aspires to be a graphic artist of some sorts. Yet I STILL can't get him to redesign my blog for me.

Andy is 13 and going into 8th grade. He's now a 3rd year violinist and extraordinarily gifted in music. He's also my mini me, right down to his preference for unsweetened ice tea and caramel or mocha coffees.

As odd as it might seem for a Christian family, sci-fi, fantasy, and cartoons, and video games are big in my house. My boys' favorite books include the Harry Potter series, Eragon triology, and a score of others that I simply can't remember the name of. We allow it because they have a good grasp on the difference between reality and fiction and it makes it easier to witness to their friends when they have good comparisons for reference.

#3in30 July goals - Week 4 update & August goals

2011-07-29T23:45:00.002-05:00

**Edited 8/1 to include pics!**

It's so hard to believe that July is almost over. Where did it go? While I don't feel my month was nearly as productive as it could have been towards my 3in30 goals, it's been much more productive than past months have been.

Goal #1 to clean out my rolling cart was finished, leaving behind a lovely box full of stuff that falls into August goal territory.

journals and study books

exercise equipment

cross stitching projects and supplies

box of misc stuff - lots of CDs, cables, and lotions

Goal #2 to create a new filing system, location, and actually file my papers is partially complete. Alex fixed the filing cabinet the other day; I simply haven't had enough time at home to go through what's in there and straighten it up. I'm planning on doing that in the morning, in between morning Zumba with Alicia and our late lunch meet-up with Twitter friends Jenn and Heather. I don't expect it to take me long to clean things out once I get started, it's just making the time to actually sit there and do it.

Last used in 2005 - now it's clean and relabeled

the school supply crate

crammed full and there's still more to get

Goal #3 to purge teenagers' clothes is going slowly, mainly b/c it's a task that I have to actually get them to do. I'm hoping to get them to finish it tomorrow, but it's realistically going to be Sunday afternoon before it gets done.

the start of a pile

I will get them done, and I would dearly love to get them all finished this weekend before July officially wraps to a close. If not, then I'll just wrap them up in August BEFORE I start on my August goals. :)

So here are my August 3in30 goals.

Goal #1 - Clean out and organize the bathroom cabinets. I already have lots of cute little baskets ready and waiting to be filled.

baskets are my friend

Goal #2 - Finish my Good Morning Girls book study. I know I won't finish with the group by August 12 because I got behind on reading again after starting #B90Days. And I'm not really sure how I'm going to juggle both reading projects unless I can get several days ahead in the Bible. Sally Clarkson's The Ministry of Motherhood is a good book and I've enjoyed what I've read and learned so far, and I really do want to finish reading it.

Goal #3 - Refocus myself to #hellomornings and getting up early enough for exercise and quiet time. Getting to bed too late and subsequently being too tired in the morning when my alarm goes off is not working for me. Starting Monday I'm going back to my 9:30 bedtime with a goal of being out of bed by 5:30 and working towards a 5:00 wake up again.

So there are my goals: practical, spiritual, and physical. Check back next week to see how it's going. :)

Different Does Not Equal Bad

2011-07-28T21:02:00.002-05:00

Back in the Spring we stopped attending a church we'd been at for many years. It wasn't intentional at first, just a hodgepodge of events and illnesses that kept us away. There were already some things going on in the church that we were uncertain about, but when we were gone for so long and only 3 people took the time to contact us to check on us and tell us we were missed (none of them being anyone in a leadership position), we decided maybe it was time to go elsewhere. To us it was obvious the people we thought were friends were just being friendly all that time.

I didn't feel led to break away from our church, but I didn't exactly get warm fuzzies at the thought of going back.

There was a non-denominational church not too far away that had always intrigued me. I did some research and liked what I found. The church has significant community involvement and is much larger with two youth groups (jr/sr high are split). There are 2 Sunday morning services plus live streaming online, and a true Bible study/group discussion on Wednesday nights (plus dinner). An added bonus is that the youth meetings are on the weekend so the kids aren't missing the main services but still get the youth interaction they need. And they're both decently sized youth groups. Did I mention that? An even extra bonus - the church runs a coffee shop and sells used books.

From the beginning my goal throughout this has been to be obedient to God. I want His will for my life, for our life as a family. I want to follow where He leads.

Since we started attending the new church, I've been struggling with whether this is the right church for us. I've been trying to focus on the "I likes" and not the "I dislikes" but, of course, I'm human and they creep in. My two biggest dislikes so far are the music and the preaching. I know church isn't about the music, but I'm realizing how big of a role music makes in my own worship and by not knowing the music I find myself frequently distracted from my worship. Probably not the right way to be, but I'm trying.

I love the pastor's teaching method on Wednesday night. He does a short breakdown discussion (we're working on parables right now) and then we break up into little groups at our tables and discuss some follow-up questions based on the scriptures we studied. My struggle is where this method crosses over to Sunday mornings. From what I've experienced so far, he teaches, not preaches. I've been telling myself it isn't bad, it's just different. I think it's wonderful that there are still pastors willing to give practical, apply this to your life Bible based, bullet point teachings; it's just not what I'm used to coming from almost 8 years of Pentecostal style sermons. And so I keep reminding myself: different does not equal bad. Different is just different, and I just need to give myself time to adjust to the difference.

I know God has a plan for me, a vision for my life and how it will be used for His glory. I'm receptive to that plan and I don't want to be held back by my own fear, something I'm extraordinarily good at doing.

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7, NASB)

All day long yesterday I debated this issue with myself as I thought about how to best make this make sense blogged. I certainly didn't want to come off as negative when I'm really just uncertain. I thought maybe this time it's not about me. Maybe it's about what my boys need. The Lord knows I've certainly been praying for them often enough this year. (Side note: The next Warrior Prayers session starts in September. Go sign up!) Either way, it's still about being open and receptive and following where I'm led.

However, it had been a long day and I was tired and not feeling very social. As a last minute decision, I drug myself away from the computer and off to church. I admit - I only went b/c I wanted to know what parable we would be breaking down this week. During dinner, I found out we had a guest speaker. I sighed. I typically dislike guest speakers and by then I was really doubting whether I should have even gone. Had I known in advance we had a guest speaker, I'd have stayed home. But then I'd have missed a wonderful message and an awesome outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I'd also have missed receiving the confirmation that we are in the right place for this season of our life. There are people we need to meet, things we need to learn, and growth that is needed to take us to the next level in our relationships with Him. As I basked in the presence of the Holy Spirit, tears streaming down my face as I felt just how much He loves me, I was so thankful that obedience won out over flesh, and that different does not equal bad. Sometimes different can be a very good thing.

Image: Bill Longshaw / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FB Fan Pages

2011-07-27T06:30:00.000-05:00

On the advice of fellow bloggers, I'm thinking ahead of the game and I did something unexpected. I created a facebook page for my blog! I'm working on getting things shifted over but I'm finding it a confusing task.

I've liked a few of my favorite pages, ones that would be relevant to my blog of course, but the wall looks so empty. I linked the page to my networked blogs account so my posts will transfer over to it, but I don't think I'm going to import any posts. Seems to me that defeats the purpose of getting more traffic to my site.

If you have a blog page on FB, would you please mind leaving me a comment and a few tips on things I should or shouldn't do with new page? I promise if you like me I'll like you back. ;)

You can find the new Coffee & Caramel page here and I hope you'll stop over to LIKE it. :)

Saturday Recap

2011-07-24T09:10:00.002-05:00

It's been such a busy week that I decided it was easiest to squish it all together into one multi-subject post. I promise it shouldn't be hard to follow. ;)

Bible in 90 days - week 2 update...

I've pushed myself hard and made my #b90days reading my priority above everything else with much success. I'm on track with Day 14 and have read 13.6% of the Bible (4 books) in just 2 weeks! I'm super excited about my progress; I feel like I really can do this. :) I'm also loving the friends I'm making, the conversations we're having, and the knowledge I'm gaining.

#3in30 July goals - week 3 update...

I haven't made any new progress on my goals, but I haven't fallen behind either.

~~Goal #1 - Clean out and organize rolling cart. Repurpose drawers.~~

I've thus far managed to not rejunk my cart. School supplies continue to be purchased and put in their new crate. (In fact, all I have left to buy are binders, pens, and spirals.) I do still have a stack of new organizer trays and baskets sitting on top of my cart, but some of those are for an August project and some are for the kitchen and 31 Days to Clean.

Goal #2 - Create new filing location and system. File papers.I'm still waiting on Alex to straighten my filing cabinet if he can. I've been telling him all week and it's obviously not done. I'll be sure to make it get done today. I want to get some progress done on this task one way or the other.

Goal #3 - Purge teenagers' clothing items and identify what needs to be replaced.
This hasn't been done either and will be this week's project for them.

Coffee...

New phones...

For the past few week's I've been participating in Coffee Lovin Mom's Coffee Trifecta giveaways. I was absolutely THRILLED Thursday night when she DM'd me to tell me I'd won the 2 bonus mugs she was giving away. They haven't arrived yet, but I'll share a picture when I get them. I love following Amy's coffee-related tweets throughout the day. Sometime's they're the caffeine-free inspiration I need. :)

My old G1 finally decided to die last weekend. It's been acting up for a while now, but while Manny and I were out with friends he saw first-hand what it was doing. Since T-Mobile no longer carries batteries for it, he went ahead and upgraded me. I got the Samsung Galaxy S phone and I LOVE IT! I have everything I need and more at the swipe of my finger. The screen is larger and clearer than on my G1, and makes it an absolute breeze for bible reading. I also love that I have a Kindle app on it, because I can buy Brooke's Warrior Prayers for Kindle now. (On a side note, I can't believe how easy it is to read on the Kindle app. No wonder people love it so much. I might have just been converted!)

Fitness...

I'm holding steady but I'm tired of it. I've been tracking my food and exercise for a while, but I've been lackadaisical about exercising enough to make a difference. But now I have an even better form of motivation - my bestie Alicia is getting married next summer and needs an extra big push to stay motivated and drop a few pounds before the wedding. And so we decided it's time to get real and do this thing right. Teaming up with another of my best heart sisters, Vickie, we've got a plan for 3 days of Zumba together (it's always more fun with friends!) and I created a shared spreadsheet where we can track numbers and goals. I can't wait to report on our progress! Since I'm not squeamish about sharing my own weight loss information, you can expect to hear more on the subject in future posts.

Current weight: 193

Final goal: 140

Mini goal: <189

2 week maintenance reward: Mandisa's new CD

I realize my mini goal may sound odd, but I was at 186 in May, went up to 191 post-vacation, and have been bouncing back and forth between 191-193 ever since then. I'm tired of it, so I decided that if I can just get into the 180s and stay there for 2 weeks, then I'll reward myself. Then I decided that all rewards will be based on a 2 week maintenance cycle b/c it syncs up with my paydays and makes it easier to budget in rewards but it also means I have to work harder to earn the goal. It's a lot harder to maintain a goal weight than it is to reach it, IMO!

Bible in 90 days - week 1 update

2011-07-17T22:53:00.000-05:00

Last week I started the Bible in 90 Days reading again. This is my second time to try it; the first I made it to Isaiah 13 before giving up (and even that was well after the 90 days was over). So when I signed up again, it was with a bit of hesitation. Could I do this? I'm still struggling to get and keep caught up with my Ministry of Motherhood book study. Getting up at 5am for the Hello Mornings challenge has been proving a difficult enough task the past few weeks. How could I possibly take on more, especially something that would require such a significant time commitment as a 90 day Bible reading plan? I prayed. I listened. I really felt that God was telling me that I needed to do this. And so I am.

Until now, I've strictly been a NIV/NLT girl, but last weekend I realized that my easy-to-read NLT actually left out key scriptures (only including them as a footnote) and that the NASB is the most literal word-for-word translation available to me. Knowing those two things, I decided I was going to read the NLT since "I was only reading and not studying, ya know" but He had other plans for me. He put a conviction on my heart so deep that I understand there is no such thing as "just reading" the Bible. You are always studying it, even if it's not purposefully, and therefore I needed to properly know what He was telling me.

Today is day 7 of 90, and I'm on target. I've read all of Genesis and Exodus in 7 days following the NASB version. There's been some days where I didn't get the entire day's reading done, but I pushed on and kept reading. I've had some interesting discussions with other #B90Days readers, and I've seen some interesting things on my own.

Genesis 8:6 Then it came about at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made;

This verse made me wonder about the biblical significance of the number 40. We always hear about 3 and 7 being God's numbers, but what about 40? This thought kept coming to mind throughout the week of reading: it rained for 40 days/nights, the Israelites ate manna for 40 years, Moses spent 2 rounds of 40 days/nights alone with God, and he was 80 years old when he led them out of Egypt. Looking much further ahead into the Bible, we know Jesus spent 40 days/nights fasting in prayer. Without getting deeply involved in biblical numerology, several websites I researched were in agreement that 40 is the number of probation and trial. I think I need to remember this the next time I feel I'm facing a trial. Maybe it only only last 40 days?

Exodus 34:14 --for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God--

Exodus 23:13 "Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor letthem be heard from your mouth.

God tells us so many times and in so many ways that we are not to have another God, we aren't to make idols, that we are to worship Him and Him alone. Yet we continually do this. In today's culture, a relationship with God is not something people is important to have, and if you do feel it's important, you're probably tagged as one of those "crazy Christian people". It's nice to know we aren't alone though. Even the Israelites waited less than 40 days before they were demanding of Aaron make them a new god.

Exodus 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."

A new online friend and fellow reader, @ImaBLeever, made a great point on this matter: When you see that God says He is a Jealous God, remember too this means that He will NOT share His people with Satan, as well.

Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Exodus 33:11 Thus the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.

These two verses fill me with joy at the same time that they sadden my soul. How awesome it must have been for Enoch and Moses to have such a close relationship with God. I don't even think "close" describes it accurately enough, but I don't have any better word to use. ;) Today though, I doubt there are many people that could truly say they have the same kind of relationship with God. Certainly we may walk in His Will for our lives, but probably not to the degree that Enoch did. And certainly we are not honored enough to have Him speak to us face to face as friends, or to go with us by cloud or fire day or night. Granted, we have the Holy Spirit to do something similar in His place and it gives us something to look forward to when we do finally get to meet Him in person. I can tell you that I truly hope to be blessed enough to chat with Enoch!

Here's another thing that @ImaBLeever mentioned as a find during her reading time that really stood strong with me: At the giving of the law, 3000 people lost their lives and souls. On the day of Pentecost, the beginning of Grace, 3000 were saved. Somehow I don't think that's a coincidence. ;)

One other thing I really liked about this week's reading is the chance to share my discoveries with my hubby. We've had a few interesting talks, especially about the concept of firstborns and first fruits, but I'll share those later when I've done more research.

Tomorrow I delve into Levi again, and I'm not worried about it this time. Having successfully read through these next 3 books makes it so much easier to do it again. Besides, it's only 8 days and those will fly by. Hopefully I'll be able to take better notes to share in next week's update.

Happy reading,

#3in30 July goals - Week 2 update

2011-07-16T06:54:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to be able to say that I finished one of my #3in30 goals this month!

~~Goal #1 - Clean out and organize rolling cart. Repurpose drawers.~~
Goal #1 is done. Complete. Accomplished! I took everything out of the cart, putting school supplies in their new crate, papers that need to be filed and the miscellaneous assorted CDs and cables and lotions in a filing box until they can be put away properly, wiped down inside the drawers, and then put the stuff that belongs there back. The bottom drawer is restocked with my cross-stitch supplies, the top drawer is journals and bible/book study supplies (including the unread books), and the middle drawer will be for my small exercise equipment. It feels so great to have all that done though, and I really really want to get that box of stuff taken care of so it doesn't just sit and accumulate more junk. LOL

Goal #2 - Create new filing location and system. File papers.
I still have to get Alex to straighten out my filing cabinet if he can, and if he can't, I'm going to go buy a 2nd black crate and use that. It's got little ledges inside so it can easily be used for hanging files and the crates would stack together nicely in a corner.

Goal #3 - Purge teenagers' clothing items and identify what needs to be replaced.
This hasn't been done either, but at least I think they've gotten everything washed. I've decided that anything not worn in the past 6 months gets tossed, handed down, or donated. That should eliminate about 80% of the "extra laundry" I always end up doing. I'm not kidding when I say that Alex probably has 2 drawers crammed with t-shirts that haven't seen the light of day since we moved into this house 3 years ago. Once that's done, they'll be better prepared to take inventory of what they have so I know what they need.

Giving Your Children the Gift of Faith

2011-07-12T06:22:00.000-05:00

**It's a little bit past the weekend, but I did it. I got caught up on my book reading and am ready to delve into the beginning of Training, which is our week 9 reading. I'll start on it later today, after I finish day 2 of Bible in 90 days. I'm really glad I pushed myself to catch up and not give up! **

Faith is defined as:

Confidence or trust in a person or thing.
Believe that is not based on proof.
Belief in god or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.

Dictionary also refers the reader to the definition of “confide”, which means:

To impart secrets trustfully; discuss private matters or problems.
To have full trust; have faith.

It might seem silly that I'm starting each of these blogs with a definition but I'm loving the intricacy of the words. I think it brings an entirely different level of understanding to what ever it is I'm talking about.

I love that faith is linked so closely to confide, because that is what God wants us to do. He wants us to put our faith in Him and His Word; to trust Him, to rely on Him to meet our needs, to confide in Him with our problems, our worries, our secrets.

When I started thinking last night of what I was going to write about faith, I thought it would be such a difficult topic. Faith is something so internal, so deep, that you have it or you don't. There isn't a happy medium – either you believe in God or you don't, plain and simple. It's always seemed that way to me anyway, but I'm starting to think that maybe there is some middle ground in there somewhere and that's why so many people have so many problems giving their life over to Him.

When I was 6 or 7, a Catholic nun from my private school decided she was fed up with all my assorted questions about God and how He works, and told me, “If you have to keep asking all these questions about God then you must be incapable of having faith.”

Can I just beg you to please, NEVER EVER tell anyone that?? I cannot tell you how much it messed with my mind, with my spiritual journey, and how much longer it took me to find my way to Him because those little words, spoken by someone so important in my life at the time, were never far from my memory. I know now it was the enemy that constantly whispered those words in my ear, bringing them fresh to mind anytime I got to close for his comfort to discovering God. What a joyful, life changing moment it was that September day when I finally did ask Jesus into my heart, but oh what a journey to get to Him!

So as I started to explain earlier, I thought this topic on faith would be difficult. How do you teach someone something so intricately internal?

Sally says it best in chapter 11 of Ministry of Motherhood:

Through His Word, God had given me all I needed to live productively through the challenging circumstances he brought my way. He will do that for my children, too, which is why the Bible must be at the center of all do as parents. One of the central ways we give our children the gift of faith is to base everything we do on the Word of God.

How simple is that? We do what God wants us to do – we live our life faithfully to Him, learn to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us and give the “patience, love, faith, strength, perspective, and understanding we need” (MoM, p. 131) and by modeling that behavior to our children, they in turn learn to put their own faith in God and the Holy Spirit. And by living a faithful life, we are also deepening and strengthening our own relationship with Him at the same time.

How wonderful that He gives us moms such an easy way to help us raise our kids!

1. Read Psalm 119:105. According to this verse, what will give our children a proper foundation and guidance on their path of life? In what ways does this apply to our calling as ministers to our children?

His Word will be the lamp to their feet and the light to their path. His Word should also be the lamp to MY feet and the light to MY path. My children will see this and desire to do the same.

2. Make a list of five things you could do to incorporate God’s Word more effectively into your everyday family life. Pick one item from the list and commit to applying it faithfully for six weeks.

Family prayer time
Reading the bible together
Sharing moments of God's faith in our life
Talking simply about why we need God's faith
??

3. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. What circumstances has God recently allowed in your own life that call for faith? In what ways are you modeling faith before the eyes of your children so that they are learning how to have faith in God?

We've had some financial struggles lately and have really had to rely on God to know that regardless of the numbers, it's all going to work out the way it should.

4. Think of a time in the past when you have had to walk by faith but now look back to see what God has done. Tell your children about this experience in the form of a bedtime story. (If you can’t think of a time in your own life, look for a children’s book about faithful people. Or tell them the stories of Abraham and Sarah or Joseph in Egypt.)

5. According to Ephesians 2:8, what does God say is the source of our salvation? What does faith have to do with this? Do your children understand that God’s love is a free gift with no strings attached? Plan out how you can communicate this principle to them.

The source of our salvation is God's grace. I do think my children understand that God's love has no strings attached, but I'm not sure they actually truly believe that yet.

Even little accomplishments boost the spirit

2011-07-10T22:26:00.002-05:00

Just a short post before I head off to get ready for bed, but I wanted to share my accomplishments from the weekend.

Goal #2: Filing - Yesterday we went shopping and I decided to hold off on buying anything new for filing until I can determine (a) what all we'll have that needs to be filed and (b) whether my current filing cabinet can be fixed to work properly. Ultimately I'd like to get a small portable locked metal box that we could grab and go in the event of an emergency, but that's something for a future purchase.

Goal #1: Cart Clean-Up - On a later shopping trip, I did buy a crate type box that I decided would be perfect for storing the extra school supplies in. I have a ton of them in various locations around the house, although I think I've maybe consolidated the majority into my craft cart. I want to pick up a few of the oddball extras like protractors and such since those are cheap right now and not so cheap 6 months from now, but inevitably will be broken by the time my child actually needs them. I also plan to pick up a small plastic pencil box to hold the extras once the package has been opened. My kids love to take 2 pencils out of a package that is then put down and never found until after another new package has been opened. LOL Hopefully having all the open extras in an easy to grab spot will make the homework battles and 6:30am oops, I forgot I needed more of this situations less prevalent.

A few weeks ago, one of my best friends emailed me her 31 Days to Clean Mission Statement. I decided that I was going to come up with mine that very day, and I did. Although I didn't think mine was as good as hers, she reminded me that it doesn't matter! You can view my final Mission Statement here, but it says:

I want my home to be a warm and inviting atmosphere.
I don’t want to be embarrassed to have visitors over.
The Lord is directing me to step up to my duties in my home and I want to be obedient to him.
I want my kids to learn good cleaning habits and they need to see me cleaning to do that.

It was several weeks ago that I finished my Day 1 task, but I can happily say that today I finished Day 2 (cleaning inside the fridge and freezer). I had originally only intended to cut up the fresh veggies I'd bought this weekend, and dump the assorted fruits out of their bags and into the fruit bin, but when I pulled open one of the drawers and saw again how icky it was inside with dried bits of this or that veggie, I decided it was well past time to get to cleaning. We won't even discuss how icky the bottom of the freezer looked once I took everything out. Suffice it to say that both are cleaned and deodorized and everything was restocked nice and neat where they make sense to be. I'm sure it'll look totally different by the time I get home tomorrow. LOL

I did manage to get almost all the veggies sliced, and tossed the celery tops and wilted carrots into a freezer bag for future stock use, which is an entirely different accomplishment. :) The only things that didn't get done were lettuce and strawberries, and that's b/c Alex had already started emptying containers and I no longer had any room to work. By the time he was done washing everything, I was too.

I'm going to make it a goal to do those in the morning but that means I've gotta get to bed NOW or I'll never get up on time in the morning!

Giving Your Children the Gift of Inspiration

2011-07-10T00:07:00.003-05:00

**I've been so busy this weekend that this is the first chance I've had to sit down long enough to type clearly. Although I did manage to read and highlight 1.5 chapters of Faith while we were at the eye doctors earlier this afternoon. :) My goal is still to be completely caught up by the end of the weekend, so expect another post on Faith sometime later tomorrow night. **

Inspire means:

to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.
to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.).
to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc.

Jesus inspired his disciples so much they gladly left everything and everyone behind in order to be with him. He inspired people to have faith that even the simplest of his touches would cure all illnesses and raise the dead. His last instructions to them was to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” He wanted them to teach everyone in the world about him and to love him and follow him, and because he'd inspired his disciples so greatly, they did what he asked and became inspiration to thousands, perhaps millions, of others during their time.

In her book, Sally writes:

Giving our children the gift of inspiration – helping them understand their spiritual purpose, which is to glorify God and to make him known – is one of the most crutical tasks of Christian parenting. … Each of our children has been given a specific personality and a particular set of circumstances that will give shape to God's purpose for his or her life. It is our privilege and responsibility as parents to help our children understand their particular fit in God's plans. … In other words, we are to help them see themselves and their potential and then to inspire them for God's purposes.

I desire to inspire my children, and to inspire them to live their life in God's will, and for the most part I feel I'm successful in this task at least.

It's easy with Andy. He's a gifted musician, a natural comedian, a social bug to the utmost extreme. He thrives when he's surrounded by people and his heart for God has been obvious from a very young age. He's indicated time and time again his desire to go to a Bible college, and he's received visions from the Lord for his life and sometimes for things for people around him. The Lord has even gifted me with glimpses of the things He has planned for Andy – wonderful, life changing things. It pains me though to see the spiritual battle – so strong it's often physically visible – he's going through to reach where God wants him to be. I know this is something he has to go through on his own. I can provide help, support, encouragement, inspiration, hugs, and prayers, but I can't fix it.

It's harder with Alex. I missed out on having a close relationship with Alex, and now it's difficult to develop one as he grows closer and closer to adulthood. Alex perplexes me; he always has. I've never been able to get inside his brain and understand his way of thinking, his way of looking at the world and I think that's always been a big part of the why we're not as close as I'd like. He's an extremely talented artist with a desire to use his skills in the media world. I know God has plans for Alex, but He hasn't chosen to share them with me. My prayers for Alex are often that he'll grow closer to the Lord, that he'll desire to know Him more intimately and stretch himself to use his skills however God directs him to use them. I pray that he'll be a Godly husband, the spiritual head of his household, a strong prayer warrior for his children. God has reassured me that this will be so, but I still struggle to inspire Alex spiritually.

1. For each child in your household, write out a list of characteristics (personality traits, skills, interests, etc.) that you believe God can use for his purposes.

2. Referring to the lists you just made, write a letter to each child expressing what you see in him or her and affirming that God has a special place for that child in his kingdom purposes. Whether you share the letter with your child now or save it for a future time depends on your circumstances. Don’t forget to commit this list to the Lord in prayer and specifically ask him for help in inspiring that child to use his or her gifts to help bring about God’s kingdom.

3. Read Matthew 6:33. This passage is clear about what our priorities should be, but priorities easily become skewed in the course of daily life. Consider the way you spend your time and your money. What does this say to your children about what is most important to you, and is this the message you want to send? In light of this verse, should a mother’s children be her first priority?

Jesus clearly tells us that we must first seek God's kingdom and God's righteousness. In light of that, our children should not be our first priority; to make them that would contradict God's word. I think our children should actually be our third priority – God first, husband second, children third.

This is really an issue that is close to my heart. I spent a lot of time where God was not my first priority – my computer was, or my books were, or {insert name of worldly object here} was. It took some major shakeups in my life and some serious time spent alone with God and his sledgehammer for me to realize just how messed up my priorities were and the impact it was making to my life.

I've spent a lot of time trying to make God my first priority, although I'll admit I don't always succeed. Some nights it's so much easier to just vegetate in front of a movie or a video game instead of having to try to think about that particular bit of scripture. At the same time though, I know that it's when I really don't want to delve into His word that I need it the most. I'm still working on it. ;)

4. Read Matthew 6:25-30 and Psalm 19:1. Then think of a time and place where you really felt the power and magnificence of God as displayed in the works of his creation. In the coming few weeks, be on the alert for opportunities to look, observe, ponder – and point out God’s wonders to your children. Set a goal of saying, “Come, look!” at least once a day.

Honestly, if I started telling my kids to “Come, look!” at something every day they'd probably think I'd lost my mind. LOL We do point things out when we see them, but since we don't live anywhere spectacular, I think we miss a lot of opportunities because we don't expect them to happen here.

5. Read Matthew 9:36. Can you think of some fears or prejudices in your life or your particular culture that might keep you or your children from seeing people as Jesus did? What kinds of people do you tend to shy away from or find it hard to care about? What might help you overcome these attitudes?

I'm ashamed to admit it, but homeless people give me the creeps. I'm getting a lot better about it though. Even though I don't always make eye contact with the person standing on the corner looking for handouts (and really, when said person is wearing expensive clothes or accessories, it's hard to consider that they may truly be homeless, especially in a big city like Houston). I've learn to just let the Spirit lead me. If He puts someone on my heart then I'll respond as I'm able, but I'm not going to go out of my way. Yes, I know that's the wrong attitude to have, but I haven't gotten past the flesh yet so it is what it is.

My July week 1 progress for #3in30

2011-07-08T23:04:00.000-05:00

I'm hoping that if I make a focused effort to link up weekly to #3in30, maybe I'll actually make some decent progress this month. One can only hope, right? haha

Before I go visit my fellow #3in30'ers, I'm going to post my own update and remind myself that there is no comparison. God made me who I am and He loves me for me, even with all of my imperfections and procrastination tendencies. I will not compare my progress with someone else, but they're not me. :)

Clean out and organize rolling cart. Repurpose drawers. I looked long and hard at my rolling cart, previously used for craft work and now filled to the overflowing, can't cram the drawer shut brim with a hodgepodge of assorted items. I told myself last weekend I was going to do it over the holiday weekend so I could feel good about having gotten one of my goals - probably the simplest of them all - knocked off the list. A week later, the cart hasn't been touched, except for when the kids piled more stuff on top of it. Maybe tomorrow...

In all seriousness though, I have been giving it a lot of thought as to what all is in there and where I'm going to put it. Right now I have a major lack of storage in my house, so some plastic tote boxes would be needed most likely. I just hesitate to buy them without knowing exactly what I'm going to use them for since I don't want to get something I won't end up using. I thought about using my laundry baskets to temporarily hold everything while I sort it out, but I know how I work and if I didn't go immediately to the store for boxes, sooner or later everything would get dumped back into the drawers in order to do laundry. At minimum, I think I'm going to pick up some bankers boxes in the morning while I'm out running errands. I know some of the things in there is stuff that needs to be donated, and that would at least be a good start.

Create new filing location and system. File papers. My filing situation is similar to my cart. We have an old beat up 2-drawer filing cabinet right now and I don't have a clue what all is in there. I know the boys' baby books are in there, and a ton of really old bill statements from before we went electronic are in one drawer, the bottom drawer mostly has spindles of CDs and a handful of new-ish appliance manuals. The top of it is a major hotspot and so it'll also need a new home. I think I have a corner in my bedroom that would fit it perfectly if I can get one of the guys to undent the drawers enough to make it useable. I do have hanging files already in there, so if I can fix the cabinet it'll be a cinch to get stuff cleaned out, relabeled, and filed.

Purge teenagers' clothing items and identify what needs to be replaced. Somewhere I have this great list I made last year that lists every category of clothing my children own. I added a blank line next to each category and made them count everything they had. I need to find or recreate the list, but first I have to get them to do all their laundry. I know both boys have a ton of things they haven't worn in months, and as far as I'm concerned it's time for it to go.

Giving Your Children the Gift of Grace

2011-07-07T17:30:00.001-05:00

**I’m very behind in posting for The Ministry of Motherhood reading, but I’m working to get caught up. This is the first of 3 discussion posts to come (my goal is before the end of the weekend).**

Dictionary.com defines grace as:

elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
favor or good will.
a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior.
mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied (aka, grace period)
Theology:

the freely given, unmerited favor and love of god.
the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
a virtue or excellence of divine origin.
Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.

A derivative of the latin word gratus which means pleasing, grace is such a small, simple word to have so many meanings. Used in 159 different scriptures in the KJV Bible (but only 92 in the NLT version), certainly God means for this little word to have a big impact in our life.

What jumps out at me from the above definitions are favor and mercy. God’s Word promises both favor and mercy to us, His children, and I can’t for a moment believe that there isn’t something spiritually deeper in the fact that grace is defined as both favor and mercy. Again, both are small words that have big impact on our life.

In The Ministry of Motherhood (p.28), Sally says:

Each of them for us, like Jesus, to extend to him or her the gift of constant love, grace, and forgiveness. And we can only do this by relying continually on the grace of our own relationship with the Lord.

I’m struggling to understand where it went wrong though. Why is it so hard for parents to show grace to their children? It’s not just in my household, it’s all around us, and it’s contributing to the social problems of the current and future generations. Where in history can we stop the timeline and mark the dot where it all started to go wrong?

Time is a precious commodity in our busy, media-intense and material-consumed world. We think we give our children grace by giving in to them, by buying them what they want or signing them up for a dozen different activities, when we best show them grace as we live our lives by example. How much time do we spend with them? How much do we allow ourselves as a parent to have a willing heart to take the time to life our children up in encourage and support rather than expecting someone else to do it for us?

I’m not perfect; I’m certainly guilty of putting things before time with my children and I’m ever so thankful to know God extends His grace to me because of that. And now with God’s convictions on my heart and teenage boys in my house, this is something that weighs heavily on both my heart and my soul. How many times have I cried out to Him during my prayer time, “How do I fix what I’ve spent so many years done wrong?”

And now my soul hears a whispered answer. With grace. With mercy and favor; with kindness, and patience and tolerance. You take each step at a time, start each day fresh and new, look with My eyes.

So that’s what I’m trying to do. When my boys drive me nuts, I take a few deep breaths and try to change my perspective of the situation. I try to figure out the source of the problem – is it a communication issue, confusion, a lack of something, a simple bout of laziness?

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes I feel we give them too much grace and not enough loving discipline. It’s a fine line in the sand and the more I look the more it seems like it changes daily. I just have to put my faith in my God and trust Him to guide us all through.

Ministry of Motherhood Study Questions, Ch 1-4: Grace

1. Read Romans 2:4. According to this verse, what leads us to repent? How specifically does God want you to extend his grace to your children so that his kindness, through you, will lead them to repentance?

We repent because of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience with us, and he wants us to grant those same things to our children.

2. Read Mark 14:66-72 and then 1 Peter 4:8. Knowing that Christ gave Peter grace after he failed so miserably, how would he have you extend this kind of grace to your own children? What would this look like in your daily interactions?

Not be so harsh with then when they make a mistake. Be more forgiving, more patient, give them more time to do what they’re told.

3. The last night Jesus had with his disciples, he called them “little children” (John 13:33). Does this tell you anything about his attitude towards these grown men who were his most devoted followers?

He loves them as if they were his own children.

Read John 14:1 and see what his continued response was to Peter after he had confronted him with the fact that he would deny Christ. How does this show the loving grace that Jesus extended to his disciples? How does he want you to extend it to your children?

Jesus didn’t want him to worry, he wanted Peter to continue putting his faith in Jesus and in God. He’s demonstrating the kindness and patience referred to in Romans 2:4.

4. The Bible makes it clear that we are to disciple and correct our children when they do wrong. How do you do this faithfully while still giving them the gift of grace?

With love. I think we have to step back and look at the situation more calmly from an outside perspective, or the perhaps the child’s perspective. We have to take the time to speak lovingly and kindly to them, to show them again how to properly do whatever needs to be done or said. We have to give them the kindness and grace that God shows us.

5. Write down what tends to irritate you about each of your children and sometimes keeps you from showing God’s gracious love. Pray for each child he has given into your hands and make a plan for how you will respond more graciously to him or her, especially in those irritating situations.

I haven't written anything down, but I am praying for my children and me.

Good morning!

2011-07-06T06:54:00.000-05:00

I don't have much to say this morning, mostly for lack of time.

I'm really struggling to get back into a normal routine so I have my quiet time in the mornings. Mostly though it's my own fault; I'm not settling down for bed until well after 9:30 and then I lay there reading, which usually just keeps me awake if I'm not already exhausted.

I think I may just need to push through it and drag myself out of bed at 5:00 no matter how tired I am tomorrow. If nothing else, maybe I'll want to go to sleep early. Oh wait - can't do it tomorrow b/c I gotta Zumba with my heart-sisters and I don't want to be too tired to miss that. It's already been over a week since I've seen them and I miss my big sisters!! {Love you Z & V!! I wish I could tell you just how much I cherish our time together, but there aren't words in the English language to cover it!}

And of course we can't possibly wake up early on Friday, or Saturday, right? LOL I just love how those excuses come so easily all the time. *sigh* Really gotta work on this b/c there should be NO EXCUSE to having my quiet time with God. Right?

In other news, I'm participating in the Seeds of Faith iFellowship and welcome all the new soon-to-be friend to my site!

Small Town 4th of July

2011-07-04T10:49:00.000-05:00

{This post is picture intense!}

The boys and I met up with my friend Alicia and her boys for the local parade on Main Street. We were a few minutes early but got a really good spot.

I can't imagine how hot these guys must have been standing there. At 10am, we already have a heat index of 95*!

Old time fire truck. I love this one!

I think they must have had half our fire trucks in the parade.

Ladder truck from our next door neighbor city. I'm pretty sure Andy's been on this one before.

Local and state officials. I don't play the political scene, but I think it's good that they come out for this kind of stuff. Or maybe it's just a representative for them?

Cool cars - take your pick!

WOW - Broadway sure got crowded!

The Chocolate Truck!

Lots of local groups showed up to participate. This one is a church group!

4 wheeling on the 4th!

Boy scouts!

Cool Jeep!

Buggy!

And now for the Cub Scouts

We have a plethora of golf carts in LP. They're street legal. :)

More local groups...

FEZ!

Small tall parades are never complete without the obligatory John Deere.

Still more small groups...

And the Girl Scouts wrapped it up this morning.

Coming up next is grilling {of course!} yummy food, concerts this evening, and fireworks over the Bay tonight. Stay tuned!

July challenges

2011-07-01T07:19:00.000-05:00

Since this is the first week of July, I'm claiming today as a fresh start. I'm not looking to the past, I'm looking ahead to the future. May I present to you my July #3in30 goals.

Clean out and organize rolling cart. Repurpose drawers.
Create new filing location and system. File papers.
Purge teenagers' clothing items and identify what needs to be replaced

‘Fess Up Friday

2011-06-17T18:59:00.000-05:00

I was reading a new post from Fitness Cheerleader earlier, who shared a link to Running Rachel and her calling for bloggers to ‘Fess Up and Keep It Real on Fridays. I thought it sounded like a great idea, fun and ...not inspiring, but honest maybe?

I 'fess up to being lazy and sleeping in this week. I'm not sure I've actually left my bedroom after no less than 5 pushes of the snooze bar, although I must 'fess up that more often it was more like 7-8 snoozes.

I 'fess up to eating a ton of junk food and take out, and hardly exercising this week. It shows all too well in the fit of my clothes. So not cool. :(

I 'fess up that I've been very selfish this week, wanting me time and not wanting to deal with anything. It's been fun to crawl into bed at 9:30 or 10 and read myself to sleep.

I even 'fess up that I do not want to be up at the crack of dawn on a saturday morning just to have breakfast. I don't mind being up early on saturday if my body wakes up, but as tired as I've been (due to the junky food and no exercise), my body is wanting to recover. Can't we please do brunch instead??

Okay, so those are my major 'fess ups for the week. What are yours?

Motives for motivation

2011-06-15T22:13:00.001-05:00

After months of putting off finishing up a project and weeks of not doing the mundane tasks I dislike, not to mention the subsequent 'Lord help me focus' statements that went with my delays, I finally shut down the computer and did the mundane.

What gets me is my darling husband questions about why. While it bothers me on a higher, in general, level, it also bugs me that I so rarely do things around the house that when I do it bears questioning. :(

All the more reason for me to get off my bum and get busy, right?

So at least clothes are bagged for donations tomorrow (3 bags worth), old shoes and trash are trashed, bags are nicely repacked and ready to store, and Mt. Laundmore is put away. I even replaced lightbulb s in the ceiling fan because I found them. LOL

Now I'm going to enjoy some coffee and my book before bed.

posted from Bloggeroid

The Ministry of Motherhood - week 1

2011-06-06T21:39:00.001-05:00

**Disclaimer: I know I am waaaaaay behind on my reading and my blogging and my SOAPing. I had it in my head that I needed to type out all my study questions and wasn't able to get them finished before we left for a Memorial Day weekend out of town. Then we came back and I was just too lazy to get back into a routine right away, so here I am today, trying to start catching up. I decided that I'm not typing up my study questions, but I will be journaling them in my binder instead. I'm also not going to be posting the missing week of SOAP scriptures but I'm sure most of you will survive. ;)

(Originally typed 5/26-5/27 but not posted until 6/6)

As I've mentioned, I'm read The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson with the Good Morning Girls summer book club. So far I'm loving it and I think I'll get much more out of this book than I did Sally's Mission of Motherhood. Each week I'll be posting and linking up the study questions, so be sure to look for them. :)

I've shared before my struggles and fears that our late entry into the Word of God will have a detrimental impact on my kids. God has shown me glimpses of the lives He has planned for them, and how dearly I want to see those lives lived out! But he's also shown me that I have a very large role in those lives, and until I get my act together, my inability to show a serious commitment to my faith, and thus to my Lord, will continue to have a negative impact on my kids. I have to stop the "do as I say, not as I do" parenting and turn to Him to be the mom he's called me to be.

Sally hit on this concept very well in the book intro when she's talking about what children need.

They need the authentic strength that comes from the true foundation of a biblical world view and a proper understanding of the real Christ who is worthy of their worship. They need an unwavering, internal moral and spiritual compass that will help them weather today's storms and tomorrow's and will guide them for the rest of their lives. They also need to see what real faith looks like when lived day in, day out, so they will have a pattern to follow. (p3)

How can my boys see what real faith looks like, learn to have that unwavering compass, if they don't see their parents modeling that type of behavior?

Many times in the Bible, Jesus tells us to drop everything and follow him. In Matthew 4:18-22, he calls his disciples to drop their fishing nets and follow him, for he will teach them to fish for men. In Matthew 19:21, he tells a rich man to sell his worldly possessions, give the money to the poor, and to follow him. But we're not just supposed to follow him. Oh no, he expects much greater things from us. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says:

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.”

As Sally talks about our mandate to do as Jesus does, to reach out and be a disciple of all men, I realize that I don't do a very good job of this. Sure, I share my faith with others; they see my sorrows and my struggles, storms and blessings, but I don't really talk to them about Jesus or why they need him in their life. I don't even do this in my own home for my children, not to the degree that it's needed so it shouldn't be any wonder we have the issues we have!

My children are a precious gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). He entrusted me with their care and upbringing, and oh how I have seriously been remiss in my duties thus far! Sally spoke my feelings for me when she wrote:

I sometimes feel I was digressing in my life instead of becoming more productive. My mother heart wanted so much to give my precious children the best in life - even to disciple them the way I had been discipled. Instead, I felt I was actually loosing ground. ... Effective spiritual, emotional, and social training in the lives of my children would have to be both intentional and planned.

This is exactly how I feel these days, and now it's time to get intentional and start planning.

Luke 6:40 says "A student is not above his teacher, but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher."

Lord, as I continue to delve further into your Word and train myself to your ways, help me learn to be a student like my teacher. Help my children learn to be students like their teacher.

GMG W2D4-5

2011-05-27T03:00:00.003-05:00

Thursday - Proverbs 14:1

S - A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

O - We are wise when we build our home on God's word; foolish when we focus on the world.

A - Practice the word of God in my home so my kids will grow up in it and do the same.

P - Lord, help me be wise and build my home and my children on your word and your promises.

Friday - Proverbs 31:26-28

S - When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.

O - God says we are to speak with wisdom and kindness to build up our family. We should keep ourselves busy in our home and not be lazy. To be lazy is to be disobedient to God's will for me as a wife!

A - Think before I speak. Start 31 Days to Clean when I get back from vacation. No more excuses!

P - Oh God, you know this is an area I struggle with greatly. There's always something better to do than clean! But this is against your plans for me as a wife. Help me, Father, learn to be obedient and care for my family and home the way you call me to.

Packing for Vacation

2011-05-26T23:14:00.000-05:00

Ever have one of those days where you're exhausted but too excited to sleep? That would be me right now. :)

Almost all of tomorrow has been devoted to shopping, cleaning, visiting, making final plans, and lots of driving. Tomorrow we pack the last minute stuff, load up the car, and head for the New Braunsfel area for a long weekend with friends.

Right now though, I need some down time to settle this overloaded brain. I've got Randy Travis on my playlist, Ministry of Motherhood and my Bible beside me, and I'm ready to spend some quiet time with the Lord, thanking him for the opportunity we've been blessed to have.

Follow me on FB if you want to see our vacation pictures. :)

GMG W2D2-3

2011-05-25T05:40:00.002-05:00

Tuesday - Matthew 28:19-20

S - Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

O - Jesus says we're to disciple everyone, everywhere, but we can't do it without a relationship with the Lord and having accepted Christ as our Savior, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. He's always here for us. We need to do what he says to do.

A - Make my relationship with the Lord my #1 priority. Pray for a refreshing of the Spirit within me. Study God's word and obey his commands.

P - Father, I pray for repentance of anything I did yesterday not becoming to your name. Lord, I pray you open my eyes and soften my heart to your desires in my life. Open my soul to the Spirit, Lord, and grant me wisdom to understand your word. Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse
To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

Wednesday - Luke 6:40

S - Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

O - We'll never be as perfect as Jesus, but we can be like him to others.

A - Study and know the word! Learn 1 new memory verse each week. Keep up with my daily readings.

P - Lord, I thank you for the promise I can be like you! Help me remember that promise when worldly things distract me. Help me teach my boys to follow you, for you desire our obedience.

Awake my soul prepare an entrance for Your glory
And let my heart become a throne for You to dwell
And when I need Your Holy Spirit more than life itself
Then Christ is formed in me

GMG W1D4-5 & W2D1

2011-05-23T05:34:00.002-05:00

I really struggled last Thursday because I felt I didn't get anything close to what my other GMG friends got out of the day's passage. I had to remind myself that there are no wrong answers. Well, okay, maybe if I was an atheist there could be wrong answers, but I'm not, so there aren't. ;) I just struggle with the depth of insight that other moms are getting and I'm not getting that. I desire it and I know I need to push forward and ignore the enemy's whispers in order to get there.

Thursday - 2 Timothy 1:5

S - I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother and your mother. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 2 Timothy 1:5

O - I share faith with my ancestors. God believes in me. I have faith to share with those that come after me.

A - I will seek out a mentor; continue to look to others for guidance and support. Stay strong in my faith and grow my children up in it.

P - Lord, help me a strong warrior for you, Lord, that my children will see it and seek out a similar relationship with you. Help me share my faith with generations to come.

What I really felt strongly about this passage was that we need mentors. I didn't have a grandmother and mother that shared their faith with me. I desire to have that now that I'm searching to be that kind of mother, and eventually that kind of grandmother. The Lord reminded me though that I am that kind of mother, and I'm that kind of Auntie as well, and if I stay strong all will end up okay in the end.

Friday - Proverbs 6:20-22

S - My son, obey your father;s commands and don't neglect your mother's instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.

O - It's important to pay attention to our parent's advice. They have knowledge we need in order to grow, and that knowledge will be with us always.

A - Pray I give godly council to my children. speak words of love and wisdom instead of anger and frustration.

P - Lord, guard my tongue. Let it be a tool of love, not anger. Let everything otu of my mouth glorify you that they will see the change in me and be encouraged.

And now it's Monday. The start of a fresh day, a fresh week. A day and a week to make a change. Today we start reading the intro to our book. Mine came in the mail Saturday and for once I'm really excited to be part of a book club.

Monday - Psalm 127:3

S - Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

O - My children are a precious gift, given to me by the Lord because of His love for me.

A - I must always remember how precious my boys are, even when they drive me absolutely crazy.

P - Father God, thank you for the wonderful gift of my sons. Thank you for loving me, for trusting me enough to raise them up to become the Godly men you've called them to be. Lord, you've shown me glimpses of what is to come, and I must have faith in this. Your word is never wrong. No matter how long it may take them to get there, no matter what bad choices they make until then, they have always belonged to you. It's my job to help them see that and to desire that, and I thank you so much for giving me this chance.

GMG W1D3 & Wednesday Link Up

2011-05-18T06:19:00.003-05:00

S - Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

O - If I desire to have a relationship with God more than anything else, nothing else will matter b/c he'll provide for me.

A - Make a conscious decision to always put God first and foremost in my life. Stop & think whether my actions and words glorify Him.

P - Lord, I bow humbly before you this morning. I repent all those times you've been second or third or tenth in my life and ask your forgiveness. Be my strength Lord as I work to overcome and help me remember you are first in everything.

Today is day 3 of Good Morning Girls summer book club and the Maximize Your Morning challenge, and so far I'm off to a good start. I'm enjoying my quiet time in the mornings, even if it's not always as quiet as I'd hope it to be. Aren't iPods great for those times? LOL

God is really moving in my heart right now, showing that I have to build everything on Him, on His promises, on His word, or I'll fail in all my endeavors. A new friend's comment yesterday showed me that if we allow our relationship with Him to be severed, then we will not be able to produce fruit. We need that fruit - we need to be healthy, productive Christians that always put God first in order to reach other lost souls. I know I certainly need it!

This all feels so new to me right now, and I think it's because I haven't really taken time to delve deep into his word and what it means to me. I struggle to find the right words, the right way to interpret these scriptures I'm reading, only to remind myself there is no wrong. However I interpret it is however the Spirit wants me to interpret it on that particular morning. I have to remember that and not stress over it, because next week I may go back and reread week 1 and find all new meanings in these scriptures. I KNOW as time goes on and we move closer to the end of the summer session that I will have grown in my faith, grown in my relationship with the Lord, and grown in my knowledge of His Word. I desire that, and I will do whatever I need to do to make it happen.

GMG Week 1, Days 1-2

2011-05-17T22:17:00.002-05:00

Week 1, Day 1 - 5/16

S - Write out the scripture passage for the day.

Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. Psalm 127:1

O - Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.

1. Our efforts are pointless without the Lord behind us.

A - Write down 1 or 2 applications from the passage.

1. I will let the Lord be the foundation of my home.
2. I will pray for His protection over my family and all we do.

P - Pray over what you learned from today's passage.

Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing me with a home, a husband, and children. I pray that we will desire to build our foundation in you, Lord. Put a hedge of protection over all we do Lord, and remind us that we do it all for you. Amen.

Week 1, Day 2 - 5/17

S - Write out the scripture passage for the day.

Remain in me and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

O - Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.

1. I am like a fruit.
2. We need God in our life in order to be fully productive.

A - Write down 1 or 2 applications from the passage.

1. I must share my faith with others.
2. I must remain dedicated to a daily focus on Him.

P - Pray over what you learned from today's passage.

Father God, I pray you watch over me today and help me to be the fruit of your tree. I pray to be reminded to be quick to repent when I mess up today, that all may see I owe it to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Time to get serious

2011-05-17T06:03:00.001-05:00

I decided it was time to stop making excuses. It was time to be serious and start taking action. Faith without good deeds is useless. I'm not saying I've lost my faith, or that it's slipped, because it hasn't, but my actions certainly don't reflect that. Although real life events and situations have kept us out of church recently, I shouldn't let those things impact and interfere with time spent alone with God, and I have.

So I decided it was time to get serious. I signed up for the Maximize Your Morning challenge (#hellomornings, #mym3) to help me get up early and voice my concerns with the Lord each day.

I signed up for the new Good Morning Girls summer session. Between the daily SOAP readings and the book study (my copy of Ministry of Motherhood will be here by Thursday), it gives me something to focus on when I'm up before the crack of dawn trying to spend time alone with the Lord.

I made a special playlist of my top praise/worship songs - those that I know I can listen to over and over because they have the most impact to me. It consists of:

Awake My Soul by Phillips, Craig & Dean (my 5 min workout song)
How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin
I Refuse by Josh Wilson
Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin
Take Me In by Kutless
We Give You Glory by Jeremy Camp
Hungry (Falling on My Knees) by Kathryn Scott
Saviour King by Hillsong Church
Here I Am to Worship by Chris Tomlin/David Crowder Band

I'm also doing a re-reading of Warrior Prayers because my boys need the Lord in their life and it's part of my responsibility as mom to pray scripture over them each and every day. Today's prayers are on submission, something I struggle with myself. It's so hard to pray something for someone else when you don't even feel you have control over it yourself, but I pray that by doing this for my boys, that I'll gain from it as well.

So there you have my plan to put my faith into action, at least on a personal level. I need accountability though. If you don't see regular updates coming from me, if I get through a week of blogging SOAP, or 2 weeks of the book club and stop posting - won't you please call me out on it?

Doctor Who returns tonight!

2011-04-23T12:10:00.002-05:00

I am so excited! The season 6 premiere of Doctor Who is only hours away!! WOOHOOO!!

I've read some not-very-spoilish blurps and watched teasers and trailers and interviews over the past few weeks, but stopped this past week because I don't want to see or hear or read something that gives too much away. This is the only show I watch that I prefer to watch untainted. Although I will say that everything I've seen so far says this is supposed to be the scariest Doctor Who episode ever yet made. haha

We have plans to go visit with some new friends, toss some food on the grill, and watch The Impossible Astronaut on a big screen. :)

I was afraid we might have to cancel because I was feeling so horrible when I woke up this morning, but I was able to get in to see my own doctor (who, sadly, isn't Ten or even Eleven) but he gave me strong meds and I'm already starting to feel a little bitter.

Except we're watching The End of Time and I'm trying my hardest not to cry (thus making the sinus congestion worse) as we say good-bye to Ten and hello to Eleven.

David Tennant in The End of Time. Photograph: BBC

Feeling very stylish

2011-04-15T20:50:00.000-05:00

I feel so special this week. Amy over at Coffee Lovin Mom picked me as one of her 10 for the Stylish Blogger Award.

It's been a rough week and I'm not feeling very stylish these days. I'm still annoyed at myself that I completely forgot to go pick out my prizes for the UBP11 so I totally missed out on any chance of winning those, and I still haven't had gotten around to visiting all the nice ladies that stopped by and left me notes. I'm way behind on blogging pretty much everything, and way behind on getting stuff done around the house. So it was really nice when her email came in the other day with such a sweet surprise.

In keeping with the program, here are my 10 sites that I think deserve the award. (In no particular order, other than how they're listed in my bookmarks and g.reader.)

The goal is to pass this award to 10 or so blogs that you enjoy. Link back to them as well as the person sending you the award. Then have some fun telling your readers 7 random things about yourself.

Seven totally random things about me

I've broken the middle and ring fingers of both hands at least once (and I think more).
I once spent the entire summer, from the weekend before Memorial Day to the weekend after Labor Day, in a walking cast.
I've been a Doctor Who fan for more than 30 years.
I love natural scents like lemon, vanilla, cinnamon, and sandalwood.
I blame my internet addiction on my younger son because there was nothing better to do at 1am when your newborn has his days and nights mixed up.
I think white is boring unless it's an accent color.
Of my 5 closest friends: 2 I've known half my life (since high school), 1 I met online but never IRL, and 2 are the big sisters I never had.

The dangers of fluoride poisoning

2011-04-13T21:11:00.001-05:00

Manny and I have been saying for several months now that we strongly feel his medical problems are linked to fluoride poisoning. A lot of reading over the past few days has shown us that there is widespread documentation and scientific research that strongly links fluoride as a culprit to a number of illnesses, with Fibromyalgia itself being a severe form of fluoride poisoning.

Below are links to what we have found to be one of the best put together, easy to understand websites for causes, questions, historical background, and natural detox methods.

http://www.earthclinic.com/fluoride_questions_and_answers.php

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/fibromyalgia.html#cause

“…you really only need to know one thing about the connection between fluoride & fibromyalgia, and that is this: if fluoride is indeed the cause of your condition, you will see a dramatic improvement in your symptoms simply by minimizing your exposure to fluoride. In this way, you can not only prove or disprove the cause of your condition, but even potentially make yourself better at the very same time. “

Once thing that is of great interest to me is an emerging link between hypothyroidism, fluoride poisoning, and FM. Every time we visit his FM doctor, she tells Manny that his thyroid levels are good. His PCP says the same thing (and mine too) but still we both have many of the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism. There is some evidence that suggests the current levels used to identify hypothyroidism is much too high, which would also be supported by our own personal lab results as stated by our MDs. In addition, women need almost twice as much iodine as men. I’d almost guarantee that if Manny’s iodine levels are lacking, mine most definitively are! Ironically though, instead of treating hypothyroidism with iodine, physicians just prescribe more chemically-created medications. Since iodine can easily and safely be absorbed through the skin this is one thing we'll be trying. Of added benefit, iodine also leeches fluoride and other heavy metals out of the body.

Anyone want to take guesses on how long before we feel better?

So what are the quickest ways to decrease fluoride intake? Go ahead and roll your eyes at me, because it’s the same thing we’ve been saying for months now, and with good reason.

Stop using tap water – especially to cook! Two mg/L of fluoride is known to cause cancer in lab animals. EPA regulations call for 0.7-1.2 mg/L in water; La Porte’s 2009 water quality report indicates the highest sampling level at 0.92 mg/L.

Switch to bottled spring water (make sure it says it’s actually sourced from a spring; Kroger’s is NOT, despite the label!) or water that was filtered using reverse osmosis for all drinking and cooking needs.
Get a reverse osmosis water filter for your tap, your shower (you absorb fluoride through your skin too), and your fridge. R/O purification removes ~90% of fluoride from water.
Invest in a multi-stage water purifier. (Berkey is a great brand used world-wide, and we will be investing in one w/ the fluoride filters and a showerhead just as soon as my tax refund comes in.)
Fluoride doesn’t evaporate in cooking, it concentrates.

Avoid foods known to be high in fluoride: green & black tea, grapes/raisins, processed foods (esp. sodas, bottled juices, soups, etc.).
Shop organic and cook at home! Most commercial pesticides (which are typically not used in USDA certified organic food items) include some of the most toxic types of fluoride.
Check the chemical makeup of your prescription drugs. Many current and common medications now contain fluoride. If the chemical makeup includes “FL” it’s probably fluoridated. This site gives a very detailed list of meds by drug category:http://www.slweb.org/ftrcfluorinatedpharm.html
Change your dental products. Toss the fluoride-laden pastes, gels, washes, rinses, and flosses and find ones that are fluoride free. Tom’s of Maine makes a decent tasting no fluoride toothpaste, but we prefer the Desert Essence Tea Tree line. (Tea tree oil has incredible antimicrobial properties that can be used to treat just about everything and is a staple in our house – just don’t drink it.)
Do your own research. Pray over this issue, asking God to grant you wisdom and knowledge of the truth as you read both “propaganda” and “conspiracy” sites. God started us on this path and continues to lead us to more in depth information with the obligation of sharing this information with those we can. Some of you can even attest that He started me on this path almost 1.5 years ago because I had to slowly become adjusted to the concepts and lifestyle I’ve now embraced wholeheartedly. LOL
Spread the word. Tell others in your circle of influence, tell your doctors. Convince them they need to do their own research and take this seriously.

A few more interesting links

http://food.vegtalk.org/minerals/vegetables/fluoride.html: Some vegies, fruits and nuts have naturally occurring fluorine in them and there’s nothing we can do about that other than avoid them completely or at least make it a very-once-a-while food. Some foods are more susceptible to fluoride accumulation from the water and pesticides that are used. That salad spinner just made it to the top of my “must buy” list and *everything* is going to have to be washed first.

http://www.health-science.com/fluoride_toxicity.htm The body can clear up to 3mg/day of fluoride through urine and sweat. Levels of 20-40mg/day start to inhibit calcium absorption, and levels 40-70mg/day can cause heartburn and extremity pain.

Interesting link: http://www.fluoridealert.org/f-sources.htm Of particular note - Teflon is made with fluoride and leeches into cooked food.

Praying for my sons - week 1 link up

2011-04-10T13:51:00.000-05:00

This week has been a challenge for me. I have been challenged at work by an extremely busy scheduled that left me little time to stop and pray. I have been challenged at home with disobedient and neglectful children that leave me tired and frustrated. I have been challenged by my own problems, by situations not entirely within my control that pull my focus to myself instead of my responsibilities.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thes 5:16-18

But in this, I have been disobedient and neglectful. I must stop letting these situations interfere with time spent on my knees in prayer for my boys. It is my duty to them and to my Lord as their mother.

Hope sings within my spirit

2011-04-10T13:20:00.001-05:00

A few days ago I was so down and out I couldn't see the Light, even though I knew I needed to be reaching for it anyway. The following day, I read this post by Ann Voskamp and it all clicked together. Her words inspired me, made me fell less alone in my little corner of the darkness. The Lord spoke to me through her and for that I am extremely grateful.

“And the tune resonates in the open space, To show us how emptiness sings.”
Singing truth to myself: stay open to His will, lay the hand open, always be an open space, surrendered to His sovereignty.To take Christ-courage and bare the empty places, because like the inner hollow chamber of a guitar, it’s only when we stand in our own interior emptiness that we can become an amphitheater of God song.

God is opening my eyes in so many ways, my ears and my heart as well. There is disenchantment in some areas of my life; hope for growth and change in others.

I know, I know. How odd it is to hear me speak of hopeful change when only a few days ago I was bemoaning it. Isn't God just awesome?

Unchangeable, unshakable, unstoppable, that's what You are

God emphasized those words in our worship this morning because He knew I needed the reminder. He knows where I am right now, where I'm going. He knows my struggles and my fears. He knows where and when my valley will become a mountain moved out of my way.

God tells me, "Hold on. Be patient, my child, for it is not yet time."

And so I will wait. I will allow God to have control over every aspect of my life because that is what He desires of me.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy. Col 1:11 (NLT)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NLT)

I will set aside the things of this world that serve as distractions. I will focus my eyes on Him in words and praise and prayer. I will remember that I need not worry how this situation will play out because He already knows the end and cannot be surprised. I will cling to my faith and obedience and wait it out. I will cherish the knowledge that the hope I find in my spirit is a sign of what I know to be the next step in my relationship with the Lord.

That, more than anything, is reason to have hope.

Searching for something

2011-04-07T21:44:00.001-05:00

After much prayer and some discussion with a few of my closest friends, it was with a sad heart that I emailed my pastor and his wife Monday night to let them know of my intent to step down from teaching and the worship team.

The Lord has been preparing me for something, and I don't know what that something is. I have inklings of ideas, glimmers of wisdom, bits and pieces of what He has in store for me. I'm excited at what I've seen so far, inspired by kind words from friends that tell me what an encouragement I have been to them.

There are already so many changes happening in our life right now. Our quest to live healthy, BE healthy, continues and as it does, so do the complications that come with an ever changing family dynamic. I don't do well with change, and I don't like going somewhere without a map on how to get there.

I'm tired though. I'm tired of being attacked and beaten up. I take 2 steps forward and the enemy pushes me 5 steps back. I'm tired of the arguments, of the disrespect and rudeness coming from two teen boys that need major attitude adjustments. I'm tired of feeling guilty for voicing thoughts of things that may possibly happen just b/c they don't like it, when I didn't have to ask for the opinions in the first place. I'm tired of the stress, the chaos all around me. It's weighing me down and I'm starting to feel like I can't function normally anymore. I have no energy, no desire to do the things I need to do. I know in times like this, I should turn even more to Him, turn to my Bible and to prayer, but even those things require focus and concentration I just can't seem to find this week. And I don't like it.

I hate this. I hate being like this. I hate what it does to me, to my family, to my friends around me. I don't like the person I turn in to, but I feel helpless to fight it off. I feel weak when I know I shouldn't. I could post scripture after scripture but I know it wouldn't help right now. I've given these situations, these circumstances over to Him, yet my spirit remains heavy. I should feel strong and victorious b/c I know He is right there beside me, or perhaps in front of me, fighting my battles for me, but I don't feel that way. I should feel strong because these attacks are confirmation that I'm going in the right direction; I'm preparing myself and others in my life for something better. Except I don't. I'm facing the unknown; lost in the middle of the woods seeking the road that always remains just out of sight. And I don't like it. But I feel powerless to stop it, powerless to do anything other than let it run its course.

I know this is part of my test. It will strengthen my faith, my trust in Him, and it will help me to go deeper into my relationship. It will make my marriage stronger, my family stronger, myself stronger. It will be a testimony of trials and encouragement to others that will someday hear it. But I fear that someday is still far off. And I still don't like it.

Fit 4Faith

2011-04-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Another recent site I've stumbled upon (finding lots of those thanks to UBP11) is Julie's Fit 4Faith series on Come Have a Peace. Although her challenge just ended, I've decided to incorporate it into my own lifestyle because it's a perfect fit. :)

To start off, here's Julie's 24 Point Self Check for Fit 4Faith and my answers.

Do you often wake up and think, "I can't wait to go to bed tonight" or "I hope I can take a nap"? Sometimes
When you hear how much water we should drink daily, do you count coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper ;) & tea? Coffee yes, but I know it really shouldn't
Does your diet include all of the food groups, and not just in "shake" form? Now it does, mostly anyway
Do you find yourself eating often from the "fast food" food group? Not so much anymore. Non-GMO and Organic doesn't mesh well with fast food. LOL
Would you describe your breathing as deep and even, short and tight, or panting and panicked? If you answered the 2nd or 3rd ... go lay down! :) Somewhere in between all those. It's not deep, but it's not short and panting either, except when I'm exercising
When was the last time you had an hour to do something that rested your body, mind, and spirit? Without having to deal with outside factors? I don't even remember.
Look at your planner (do you use a planner?); when is the next time you see a time to rest? (You can't go into 2012. :) ) My calendar doesn't incorporate rest times
How many times in a month do you go for a walk? Shopping doesn't count. :) Does walking around at work half the day count?
Have your tennis shoes lasted longer than two years? A decade? My current pair is probably at least 6 months old. They only get worn evenings, Fridays, and weekends.
Would you describe your posture as strong and straight or tense and tight? Relax ... :) Slouched and really bad
Do you often eat while driving, standing up, or walking around (grazing)? Not so much anymore. Again, that kind of eating doesn't do well with our new food choices.
Would someone watching you say your shoulders are more hunched over or pulled back? hunched, definitively
Do you spend most of your grocery shopping time in the inside or around the outside of the aisles? outside aisles, and the shop in bulk aisle b/c that's where they keep the honey and maple sugar and fresh ground peanut butter, and my seasonings and spices and flour
Back to the water question ... are you trying to count what you inadvertently drink in the shower? ;) nope
When you go to the doctor for an annual exam and have to answer if you exercise, do you say something like, "My whole life is exercise!" (My doctor doesn't accept this anymore.) hahaha no. i just tell him i'm working on it.
Have you been to the doctor for an annual exam? not yet this year.
As you read God's Word, do you let yourself reread passages, think, and reread again? yes, but it's not always intentional. sometimes i let myself get distracted and then i have to reread it anyway.
When you pray, do you get up and feel refreshed? usually yes, but i'm really bad about praying regularly
Do you find yourself stuck in a chair long enough to need to apply new lipstick or warm up your coffee? yup
How do you decide what you're going to eat? Coupons? Leftovers? Cravings? Beat the kids to it? depends on whats in the pantry. we're working towards a meal plan but we're still learning to shop organic and cook at home so it's difficult some days.
When you look in the mirror, do you ever wonder who that exhausted woman is looking back at you? Sadly, yes. Some days I think I look way too tired and worn to only be 37.
Do you feel like you have to pray to God in morse code or short hand? Sometimes
After reading God's Word, does it go in one ear and out the other, or does it linger in your mind and come back often? Depends on how much attention I'm giving to God when I read
Is your idea of a well rounded meal accomplished by visiting the sample station at Sam's Club? Nope, but I don't shop at Sam's. ;)

April 3in30 Goals

2011-04-03T20:58:00.003-05:00

Earlier today I stumbled upon Ashley's 3in30 post challenging readers to pick 3 goals each month to tackle. Since it sounded like a great way to get some things done around here with a little more focus than normal, I signed up for April.

I now give you my April goals. Come back each Friday for an update on my progress.

Finish cleaning closets and dressers to weed out the things that are unworn and then donate them to charity.
Clean out my craft cart and rid it of the junk so I can use it for crafts again.
Identify favorite recipes and get them typed up so we can work towards meal planning.

Day 90 Update

2011-04-02T15:14:00.001-05:00

Today is day 90 of the Bible in 90 Days challenge hosted by MomsToolbox. Congratulations to all those that have finished! I currently happen to be on day 50, but one of these days I'll finish it.

I started the 90 day read because I really need to read the bible all the way through for a change. I thought 90 days was a good challenge and I had every intention of keeping up with it. But then one day was extra busy and I didn't get all my reading done, and the next was busy and I got further behind, and then because it was busy and I was tired, I played a game instead of reading, and before I knew it, I was a good week behind. Oh, I put forth the extra effort to get caught up, but then I let the things of this world get in the way and fell behind again. Rinse and repeat. That brings us to day 90 and I'm still on day 50.

But that's okay. I'm perfectly okay with being on day 50 because I know I will finish it. I'd like to say I've set my own goal date to finish by, but I'd be lying if I did. I'll get there when I get there and I refuse to allow myself to feel bad over it. I know there will be a day where I can pick up my bible and all on my own finish it in 90 days, and I'll be overjoyed whenever that day arrives. In the meantime, I'll just be overjoyed to say that for the first time ever I'll have read the entire bible straight through.

In the meantime, I plan to join MomsToolbox for Blogging Through the Gospels, which starts Monday. Figured I might as well since I'm going to be reading the Gospels anyway, right? LOL

I'm also participating in the "Try It" challenge from Peak313. She's challenging everyone that joins to try a new food each week. Who knows, maybe we'll find something we really like!

Also ongoing is the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge, where we're reading Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most by Brooke McGlothlin. Each day for 21 weekdays, we pray for a specific area of our boys lives. Day 1 started off with obedience. I've gone ahead and started praying day 2 (submission to authority) today b/c my boys need A LOT of extra prayers in those two areas. Only have little girls in your house? Then join us anyway and pray for your future sons-in-law!

I'd love to see you join us on one (or more!) of the challenges!

Ultimate Blog Party 2011

2011-03-31T22:22:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party here in my little corner of the world!

I'm delighted you stopped by. We're starting two new chapters in our life - a all organic lifestyle and a 2-teenage boy household. EEEK! I'm having lots of fun finding and experimenting with new recipes, and I can always use more Mom-support when my boys drive me crazy.

I'm a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. I believe in God and strive to live my life in His will, but I'm human and I struggle. I love chocolate and coffee and caramel, kitties and pit bulls, turtles and lizards. When I have spare time, I like to read and someday I'll get back to my cross-stitching and crotchet. You can read more about me here, or you can just follow me and enjoy what looks to be a wild and crazy ride. :)

I'm heading over to 5 Minutes for Mom to sign up, but please stick around a while. I'm looking forward to making a ton of new friends this week!

P.S.: If you're not sure if you should join the #UBP11, you totally should! There's lots of great folks to meet, blogs to find, recipes to try, and PRIZES TO WIN!

Parents - beware the books "Conversations with God"

2011-03-30T19:20:00.001-05:00

Today I received the following email, forwarded to me by one of my dearest Sisters.

Most of you have gone past the stage of worrying about your children but remember the next generation are your grandkids so please don't drop your guard. They have taken God out of our schools and now are trying to replace Him with false writings in His name, be aware.
----------------------

To all my friends who have children and grandchildren.

Beware of this book! Oprah is pushing it. It is scary that someone would be bold enough to write a book from God's point of view contrary to His Word. Please send to all with kids or grandkids.

If you have children or grandchildren, work with children at church, or you have neighborhood children whose parents you know, please take note of the information below and pass it along to others. Schools are distributing this book to children through the Scholastic Book Club.

The name of the book is "Conversations with God". James Dobson talked about this book twice this week. It is devastating. Parents, churches and Christian schools need to be aware of it. Please pass this information on to church/e-mail addresses, Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends.

Two particular books are, Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale D. Walsch. They sound harmless enough by their titles alone. The books have been on the New York Times best sellers list for a number of weeks, and they make truth of the statement, "Don't judge a book by its cover or title."

The author purports to answer various questions asked by kids using the "voice of God". However, the "answers" that he gives are not Bible-based and go against the very infallible word of God. For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "Why am I a lesbian?" His answer is that she was 'born that way' because of genetics (just as you were born right-handed, with brown eyes, etc.). Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences.

Another girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is, "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong."

Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive... There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because the rule is "'judge not lest ye be judged."

Not only are these books the false doctrine of the devil, but in some instances quote (in error) the Word of God.

And the list goes on. These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children through (The Scholastic Book Club), and we need to be aware of what is being fed to our children.
Our children are under attack. So I pray that you be sober and vigilant about teaching your children the Word of God, and guarding their exposure to worldly mediums, because our adversary, the devil, roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey.

Pass this on to every Believer you know. God bless. And, if you are in doubt, check out the books yourself.

I have personally never even heard of this book even though it has 3 sequels and has been around for decades. I did my research though and was appalled by what I found. It’s a book that is purported to be answers directly from God but that is in reality a small amount of truth interspersed with twisted lies. From my own research, the majority of the positive reviews are all from new-age spirituality, prosperity preaching websites. BTDT, NEVER GOING BACK!

This book “teaches” that we are all pure gods and goddesses from the moment of creation, equal to God. There is no heaven, there is no before or after, there is only now, and thus we can’t ever be on an incorrect path. There is no right or wrong; they are relative terms we place on things. IMO, this is a great example of that little truth with big lies – while technically correct, where did the original terms come from? GOD told us way back in the beginning of Genesis! According to these books, we are not bound to obligations, situations or circumstances, rules or restrictions, nor are we punishable for offenses because nothing is offensive to God. ????!!!!

I think one of the points that really got me was the whole restrictions thing. It talks about how nothing is really restricted from us, and that placing a restriction on something gives it life. I can see that as another technical truth. Being restricted from something makes us want it even more. I get that. But while God is probably not going to personally punish me for playing FarmVille every waking hour, God is still displeased with me because (1) I’ve idolized something and He hates idols and (2) I’m neglecting my spiritual relationship with Him, which eventually will hurt me and everyone I come into contact with. I think I’ll stick with my restrictions. The rewards more than make up for the sacrifice.

After reading several pages of quotes from the books, I’m left with a very strong feeling that this is one of the enemy’s most successful attacks and we need to be very weary of it. I just couldn’t believe some of the stuff I was reading. I kinda feel like I should read the book so I’m more aware of the lies the enemy is using, but I think I’d only end up screaming at the book and throwing it across the room in frustration. I don’t think it’s going to make it on my list of future reads. ROFL

Parents, read about these books. Pray about them, and how God can use you to spread the word that these books are not of God and should be avoided. We have an obligation to fight the enemy and preach His Word to everyone that can hear.

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:13-15 (NLT)

Triple Blessed

2011-03-28T22:39:00.000-05:00

Our day started extraordinarily early with a knock on the door by Alex and a frantic cry of "Ginny just had a baby!"

We rushed out of bed and into his room and sure enough, there was our almost 4 year old female cat and a brand new and still wet kitten. I rushed back into the room to find a box big enough to keep the new Momma in while Manny grabbed for towels.

After getting them situated and instructing Alex to pet her and love on her and keep watch over her, I heard Manny mention it was 4:00am. *sigh* No point in going back to bed now, as I headed into the kitchen to start coffee. Google is my friend, especially in the early morning hours when I have no where else to go for advice on laboring cats (which are called Queens, in case you ever wondered).

Ginny and her early morning surprise baby ~ 4:30am 3.28.11

Two pots of coffee later, Manny was waking Andy up (he sure got up quick at the thought of a new kitten!) and I was hopping in the shower to get ready for work. We were concerned about Ginny, even though she seemed to be doing okay. She was our bottle-fed furbaby when she was barely bigger than this one and is precious to us. We didn't have any idea she was expecting, and didn't have any idea of how many kittens we could be facing. It looked like it was going to be a long day ahead.

Just before I left for work, baby #2 arrived. After this one was born, Ginny was laying with her back legs on the placenta and couldn't get a good enough grasp of the baby because the first one kept getting in the way. We moved #1 out of the way long enough to get the new baby and the placenta in a better position for Momma. That's all it took and she took over from there.

Baby #2 cleaned and nursing for the first time ~ 7:15am 3.28.11

A few hours later, I got the phone call... Number 3 was here. This one was even more of a difficult birth - the placenta hadn't been delivered and Manny had to take over and help Momma out. All was successful in the end though, although I worried for the health of this baby b/c it looked so much smaller than the first two.

Baby #3 being cleaned by Momma just after birth ~ 9:00am 3.28.11

In the end though, all the kitties are doing just fine. God heard our prayers and we have a healthy Momma cat and 3 beautiful little babies. All 3 kittens have Momma's coloring and Daddy's white markings, although none of them have his cute little black nose.

The new family ~ 6:00pm 3.28.11

Rory, the presumed Daddy

My wonderful big Sister Zee has claimed the oldest baby. Light gray and white, it's already a very pushy cry baby. That is one little kitty with a very big personality. God certainly had a purpose for putting the desire for this one on her heart this morning.

Manny's claimed the second baby, the brown and white one. He said there is something just so sweet about the little blonde one, and has already chosen to name it Sam - a name of honor among our kitties as this will be the third Sam that has graced our family.

The third baby is darker gray and white, and is quiet and docile right now. It just seems to go with the flow, whether it's Momma rolling from one side to the other taking it with her or the oldest always trying to take over whatever place this one happens to be in. I don't have a taker for this one yet so if you're local and interested, let me know! LOL (I do have someone that my gut instinct says may want it, but the person hasn't spoken up yet and I'm not going to say who it is until/unless they do.)

Today has been a blessing. God has reminded us that no matter how big the storms may seem, no matter what our struggles and trials are, there is always something good just around the corner when we least expect it. Tonight, I got to witness God first hand as I watched my sweet Ginger pull her sweet new babies close to her and wrap them up safe in her arms, close to her heart and under her protection.

I felt God wrap His arms around me Sunday morning, as my heart was torn by the grief I feel for my boys, the uncertainty of their future, but the knowledge that someday they'll find their way into His arms where they belong.

There is a God who loves me
Who wraps me in His arms
That is the place where I'm changed
And that's where I belong

Lord, I pray that I never lose sight of this special moment - this tangible love that You have for me, Your daughter. When doubts creep in, when worries work free, when all seems dark, You still love me. You are still there for me, and all I have to do is allow myself to be wrapped in Your arms once again.

Purging clutter from our lives

2011-03-27T20:03:00.001-05:00

One of the projects I set for myself this week was to clean out my closet and dresser and get rid of everything I don't wear anymore.

Then I came across a blog that linked to a weekly challenge at A bowl full of lemons. This week's challenge is to purge the unnecessary clutter from our lives. How lovely that I've already started this challenge and didn't even know it!

Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time hanging up the clean laundry, taking out what is no longer needed, putting away the winter clothes, and reorganizing the rest. Then, because I was tired, I decided to take a break and get back to my work later. It's now 24+ hours later and still the rest of the work remains to be done. None of the dresser drawers have been cleaned or sorted, nor has the clutter been boxed up to be given away.

As I sat down to write this post, I realized how much we need to purge our spiritual life as well as our physical life.

Purge is defined as to rid of whatever is impure or undesirable; cleanse; purify. A quick google search of the King James Version reveals the word purge is used 16 times, cleanse 34 times, and purify 13 times. That tells me this action should be a very important part of our life.

The Lord purged the Promised Land of their enemies when they remain faithful. Priests had to cleanse themselves, purify themselves before they could enter into the Holy Place. Jesus Christ gave His life for us, allowed His blood to purify us - purge us - of our sins. Why then do we insist on keeping all this junk in our life? Why do we hold on to the spiritual clutter that we know separates us from God?

He wants to heal us of our pains. He wants to have a deep and loving relationship with us but time and time again we deny ourselves of the joy that only He can provide by keeping the clutter close to us. I don't know about you, but I'm horrible about moving clutter from one spot in my house to another, and I'm realizing I do this with my spiritual clutter too. I sacrifice one thing that is cluttering up my relationship only to pick up something else that quickly becomes clutter. As soon as I rid myself of the second clutter, I pick up a third. When does it stop? What has to happen before we say enough is enough?

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. 1 Chronicles 29:17 (NLT)

The Lord knows my intentions are good. I don't mean to pick up a new game when I just got rid of one. I don't mean to put a tv show in place of time reading Your Word, even though my intent was to give up that game to catch up on my Bible reading. It just happened, and like I always do, I shrugged it off and said I'd do better tomorrow. That was a lot of tomorrow's ago, but little by little I'm getting better. I'm focusing more the Word, I'm studying it, researching it, not just reading it. I'm searching out new sources and new studies that can be shared with my friends and family. I'm leaning on my husband more, relying on him to be the spiritual leader God says he is. I'm learning that he has to grow and mature in his relationship with the Lord just as I do, and that it's okay if his relationship doesn't look much like mine. I'm realizing that it's a good thing that our relationships are different because it gives us more to share and talk about, and I know he can always make me see something from a completely different perspective. Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. Psalm 26:2 (NLT)

Life certainly isn't picture perfect though. Our struggles with Andy continue on into the weekend, not very different than they were before the mid-week episode, but he is a little more respectful and a little more willing to do things without as much complaining as before. We found out Friday that Alex's grades are very low, something that isn't acceptable because it means he's simply not doing his work. As a mother, my heart breaks for my boys. From where I stand, it appears that they are so wrapped up in the things of this world that they're not listening for God and they're not hearing Him when He calls to them. I feel lost for a solution and know all I can do is keep letting them see me live my life for Christ and keep praying for them. My faith is my only fortress right now; God will give me the strength to get through the struggles of the day. I have taught my children to love the Lord and to walk in His will for their life and I have to trust in His promise that they will not depart from that, even when it doesn't look promising right now.

In the meantime, I'll continue to efforts to declutter my spiritual relationship and my home, even if I can only manage a little bit each day.

The worst night of my life

2011-03-24T10:49:00.002-05:00

Last night was the absolute worst night of my life. Rather than take responsibility and face the consequences of his actions, my 12 year old son chose not to come home from school.

He should have been home around 4:30. When he hadn’t made it home by 4:45, we started searching for him. Alex rode his bike up and down the streets of our subdivision and the one next to us. He searched the library and the tennis courts, the parks, and the local shops where Andy might have gone. I drove around the back streets of the neighborhoods, checking the beach and the skate park, and double backing to them later when I got there again. I called the transportation department to see if Andy had been on the bus that afternoon. I went to the school in hopes that he’d stayed late for tutoring – without our knowledge – only to find out he’d told them he had his bike that day and would ride it home.

He’s not allowed to ride his bike to school. It’s old and rusty and doesn’t have reflectors, and it needs to be replaced. He’s not even allowed to ride it anywhere by himself in case something happens.

The transportation department confirmed he wasn’t on the bus, Manny confirmed the bike wasn’t at home. By then it was almost 5:30. Where ever Andy was, he had almost 1.5 hour head start to get there.

By 6:00, Alex was home waiting while Manny and I sat in an interview room with a photograph of our youngest son, listening to a very nice police officer explain that our son would be listed as a runaway, and he’d most likely show up when it got dark and we should just go home and wait. We listened as he explained they really couldn’t escalate it to a missing person case unless he was still missing today.

With family and friends praying and asking what they could do to help, we left the police station and drove around some more. Further than I thought it was even possible for him to have gone but I had to check anyway, just in case he was there.

We drove until it started getting too dark to easily spot him, and then returned home as we’d been told. I gave Alex his brother’s cell phone and told him to start calling everyone in the phone book. I pulled up our cell phone bill and started calling the most frequent numbers. I prayed we’d reach a friend that knew where he was, or could tell us he’d said something about going somewhere after school. Most numbers were not working or not answered. I got on Andy’s facebook account hoping some of his friends were online and could help. Two of them were online and did help, but they didn’t have any better luck than we did.

Two police departments were looking for him as they patrolled the city streets. His principal called together a group of her staff and teachers and they started driving around looking. Our church family was on the lookout for him as they headed home from the Wednesday night meeting.

I wanted to be out there looking some more, but knew I needed to stay put just in case. I wasn’t in any real condition to safely drive anyway. I was worried about my boy, scared for him to be out there after dark by himself, not knowing where he was or who he might be with. Was he safe? Had something happened to his bike and we didn’t know? Even worse, had someone snatched him? I was sick to my stomach with fear and terrified I’d never see him again. All I could do was keep praying. God, protect him and keep him safe and bring him back to us. That became my mantra as I watched the clock keep ticking away. I gave myself a deadline of 10:00. If he wasn’t found by then, I was calling the very nice officer and doing whatever was necessary to escalate the search.

Just before 9:00 the call came in. “We found him,” they said. “Thank you, God,” I said. He’d been spotted by a teacher a nearby pizza place and they were keeping him there until we arrived. Five minutes later, my boy was safe and sound in my arms.

We talked with the junior high staff for a little bit. They talked to Andy for a little bit. Andy said he was at a friend’s house – he never left our little part of town – but admitted he didn’t plan on going home. He knew Dad was angry and he didn’t want to face him. I called and texted pray-ers and searchers to let them know he was safe. Then we headed back to the police station. The officer met us there and, with our permission, read him the riot act. He explained to Andy the potential impact this could have if he has further negative issues with law enforcement, that we have the legal right to discipline him as severely as we wanted as long as it was justifiable – and that this certainly fell within the realm of that justification.

I think Andy was just as scared as we were. Some part of me hopes he was because I hope it will ensure it never happens again. I pray he fully understands his actions were not the right ones to have taken. I pray he understands it’s better, and easier, to be truthful and take responsibility from the very start. I pray this will be part of his “rock bottom “and he’ll only go up from here.

He was honest with us when he got home. He admitted he’d found the lighter, taken it to school, and burnt the paper. He has 2 days of out-of-school suspension which translates to hard labor at home under Dad’s supervision. Right now he should still be cutting grass with scissors. I don’t know what else is on the agenda but Manny’s very creative when he wants to be.

We’re still waiting for a decision from the school on whether this most recent act, combined with several other acts of insubordination earlier this school year (the most recent one just 2 weeks ago), will result in him being recommended for alternative school placement. We’re still in prayer over our response, should that recommendation be made.

Part of me thinks the more rigid, formal structure might be good for him for a few weeks; that he’ll see the other kids there and realize his life and his problems aren’t as horrible as he thinks they are, and it’ll give him the self-encouragement he needs to change things for the better. But part of me thinks it could have a negative effect on him; that if he goes there he’ll decide that since he’s already there, what’s the point of even trying anymore. Homeschooling may also be an option.

I told my best friends this morning that everything at work is so normal but I still feel like my world is upside down, and it’s really weird. One said it was such a terrifying situation for us that we may feel like this for a while. The other said it was a huge scare and a reality check, that our time here is fragile. She pointed out that this is one of those things that happen to OTHER families, and she’s right. I thought about this morning. I sympathize with the parents on the news when their child goes missing, but I never dreamed one day it would be MY child and MY family. But it was, and there was nothing I could do but lean on my faith in my Lord and pray for my son’s safe-keeping and return.

I thank God we strive to live our life in His will, and to raise our boys to do the same, because I know it was His power that kept me sane last night and that is keeping me strong today. It is His power that will give me strength in the days to come as we pick up the pieces of our messy life.

I thank God for watching over my son, His adopted son, and keeping him safe and sending him back to us.

I thank God for whatever purpose these trials have and that someday we will see and understand the fruits of Andy’s testimony.

I thank God for family and friends that love us and that prayed for Andy, believing He would watch over my child.

I thank God for living in a small(ish) community where a missing child, even a willful runaway, is a priority.

I thank God for police officers that look for a runaway child on their patrols.

I thank God for teachers and school staff that care enough about their students to take time from their evening and their family to help find my child.

I thank God for loving me, because without Him I do not even want to imagine how last night could have turned out.

In the words of one my favorite artists, Francesca Battistelli:

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

Three weeks and counting...

2011-03-21T14:14:00.002-05:00

We are now 3 weeks in to what I’ve lovingly decided to call our “birthing pains of a new lifestyle”.

In other words, now that Manny is feeling a zillion times better with an all-organic diet (to the point that we cleaned out the cupboard and donated 3 bags of non-organic food to the church, along with an apology for giving it to them LOL) his eyes have been opened so-to-speak and he’s seeing what’s really going on around him. And it’s not been entirely pretty or pleasant as he realizes how much the boys take advantage of us and his inability to do/react to stuff going on around him. I’m just trying to go with the flow because I understand what he’s doing and why, and most of the time I’m in agreement. (Yes, I do tell him when I think he’s gone too far.)

It’s not entirely backfiring on us though because the boys are starting to listen a little more and mind just a tad bit better, esp now that they have a better understanding of why he is the way he is. They’re fully on the organic bandwagon with us and our kitchen gets really crowded with 4 people in there trying to cook or make something, so it’s a good family time.

God is taking us to an entirely new level in our relationships with Him and in our family relationship, and the enemy is trying to take advantage of the changing dynamics to attack. As long as we see it for what it is and don’t let him take advantage of us, we’ll be victorious.

My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies. (Psalm 25:15, NLT)

Do you know what you're eating?

2011-03-02T17:24:00.000-06:00

The link below is an up-to-date guide that gives quick facts and figures about the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) manufacturers are putting in our food.

http://www.againstthegrainnutrition.com/newsandnotes/2011/02/25/what-you-need-to-know-about-gmos-hidden-in-everyday-foods/

There’s a link at the end to another site where you can download or view online brands that voluntarily participate in the Non-GMO Project as well as a list of the “invisible ingredients” that GMOs may be called on food labels.

http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/download.html

As a personal testimony, I can honestly say that just with the few things we’ve changed to organic sourced foods has already had a significant improvement in how Manny feels on a daily basis and a significant decrease in my allergy/sinus problems. Bad days for both of us have been directly traced back to times where we’ve frequently eaten out (esp if it’s fast food) or have been eating higher amounts of processed and junk foods. I will gladly trade a higher grocery bill for the improved health of my family. Don’t just take my word for it though. Do the research and inform yourself, then help spread the word.

Rebellion - a Bible in 90 days post

2011-01-22T14:46:00.003-06:00

I'm well behind on my reading, both because of my desire to not read Deuteronomy and just life in general, but I'm determined to keep chugging along and not to give up.

Duet 1:37, 3:26, 4:21 - But the Lord was angry with me because of you...

I found it really interesting that 3 times Moses told the Israelites this, yet it was his own fault that he wasn't going to get to go into the Promised Land.

Numbers 20:7-11 says and the LORD said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”

So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the LORD. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

I can't help but feel he struck the rock out of sheer frustration. How difficult it must have been to know these whiny, ungrateful people were the reason they'd wandered for 40 years, and yet nothing had changed in their hearts. They were still just as whiny and ungrateful 40 years later as they had been the first year! So he struck the rock to get their attention, not realizing how severe the consequence of his action would be.

Deut 9:23b-24 But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God and refused to put your trust in him or obey him. Yes, you have been rebelling against the Lord as long as I have known you.

How often do we, God's children, do the same thing? How often do we do something when we know God has told us to do otherwise, just because we're frustrated or angry or want to take the easy way out of a tiresome situation? When we do that, we've just struck the rock, instead of speaking to it. We're being just as disobedient as Moses was and the consequence of our behavior could be severe.

Deut 8:5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.

Reading the Bible in 90 Days

2011-01-16T20:54:00.001-06:00

Just after Thanksgiving, I came across the MomsToolbox website, where she (Amy) had just wrapped up a 90-day Bible reading challenge. I admit it; I was impressed. I've tried the 90-day reading challenge before and don't remember making it past the first week. In fact, in any type of Bible reading plan I've started, I've never finished. On the website was a link to sign-up for the next session, scheduled to start Jan 3rd. I signed myself up, committing myself to being faithful in my task and completing it, no matter how many days it took me to get through.

At that point in time, I wasn't in a really good place. I was coming out of a multi-year, multi-phase project that had just wrapped up a successful implementation of an EHR in 3 public hospitals. Months of preparations and planning led into months of extremely long workdays and go lives spent in command centers. I was tired and frustrated, out of sorts and very much out of my normal routines. I was missing church services, time with my husband and sons, time with my friends. I was even missing my quiet time and worship time with God.

I knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be, where I wanted to be; where God wanted me to be. I felt myself slowly slipping off the precipice. I hadn't quite lost my grasp, but I wasn't quite ready to cry out for help.

Throughout December, Amy kept posting session updates, encouraging people to pray about it and if led by God, to sign up. It kept it fresh in my mind, not that I even needed those reminders. God reminded me of my commitment to read His Word, and I shared that with people as often as I could. Accountability helps, and I know for myself, it can sometimes be the make it or break it factor.

As January drew close, my reservation to get myself back on track became stronger than ever. January 2nd found me on my knees at the alter, repenting of my sins, crying out to God for His strength, and basking in His love and glory. January 3rd found me cracking open my Bible when I had longer moments of time to read, or following the reading plan on a mobile app for those shorter bursts - like waiting on the microwave to cook lunch or standing in a busy grocery line. I shared my progress and my findings with anyone that would listen, and probably more than a few that don't really care. LOL I was doing good, staying caught up, until a week later when I got sick.

All of us got sick. Horribly sick, with bronchitis. It kicked me upside down and every which way sideways. I slept more than I was awake for several days, lacking the energy or desire to do anything but to get better.

By Friday, I was feeling a little more normal, except now I was 4 days behind schedule on my reading. I was determined to catch up, but it was such a daunting task. I managed to get through the last few chapters of Leviticus but by then it was the Saturday and I was still 4 days behind.

Today as I prepared to sit down and spend the rest of the evening reading, it just didn't seem possible. Can I really manage to read all of Numbers and Deuteronomy in just a few hours and a day? YES, I CAN! I firmly believe the Bible is God's One True Word, and He wouldn't have gone through the hassle of getting men to write it all down if it wasn't information He didn't want us to have.

A few things from my reading so far that's jumped out to me.

(Day 10) Numbers 1-2 lists Judah as being the largest of the 12 nations and one of the most important, since they were camped east of the Tabernacle and were first in the procession when traveling. This would probably also put them first in a battle. To me this is relevant as the Messiah would come from the line of Judah.

In Numbers 17, the Lord causes Aaron's staff to sprout into almond blossoms and ripe almonds. I remember reading in Leviticus the Lampstands of the Tabernacle were covered in almond blossoms. There's obviously something special about almonds but I don't know what it is. (Yet.)

In Gen 9:24-27, Noah curses Ham's son Canaan, saying his descendants would be servants to Shem's. Here in Numbers 21:1-3 we see the curse start to play out as the Israelites (aka Shem's descendants) first conquer Canaanite, before moving out into other areas settled by other descendants of Canaan. I've looked forward to this section of scripture, although I didn't know exactly when I'd come across it, but that could be b/c Noah's curse was the first "new" thing I've caught during my reading.

Praising Him in the Storm

2010-09-22T00:12:00.001-05:00

Over the past several days I've been coming across two consistent and related themes: that no matter what circumstance we find ourself in, we must always remember to live our faith obediently and praise Him above all.

It's been a hectic week recovering from a week-long illness, financial struggles, trials with difficult teenagers, backed up plumbing problems, rainy days that make for a rough day on the husband, and finally culminating tonight in an unfortunate accident involving Andy and a broken kitty tail. So my quiet time with God didn't happen until late this evening after the day's drama was over.

As I flipped through my Bible uncertainly, I found myself in Psalm 28, where I am reminded that God will hear my cries for help and listen to my prayers for mercy, that he is my strength and my shield, he will help me and fill my heart with joy, as long as I trust in him. That took me to Psalm 31, where I am again reminded that he is my rock and my fortress, and will pull me safely from my enemies' traps and protect me.

Ps 31:14-16 But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, "You are my God!" My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.

Saturday Stumbles

2010-09-18T18:57:00.001-05:00

Today I set out to find some new Christian blogs to add to my reader. Here's what I've stumbled upon that made the cut.

Prayer Plain and Simple - http://blog.beliefnet.com/prayerplainandsimple/

Shaun in the City - a blog written by a pastor. http://www.shauninthecity.com/

Arms Open Wide - written by a wife and mom - http://www.shelleyabreu.com/

Boundless Webzine - resources for Christian singles and young adults - http://www.boundless.org/

Deviant - think outside the box - http://www.bedeviant.com/

Reader's Cove Book Reviews - http://thereaderscove.blogspot.com/

The path of confirmation

2010-08-14T08:10:00.001-05:00

As I've mentioned previously, I'm participating in the Maximize Your Mornings challenge (#HelloMornings). The first week was difficult; this second week has been much better. My alarm goes off at 5AM but I snooze it until 5:30 before dragging myself out of bed and take 30 minutes before my day starts to spend some quiet time reading my Bible and in prayer/praise. I'm absolutely LOVING it. That feeling of prayer & praise stays with me through my commute into work and into my work day. What a blessing it's been having it with me all day long!

Yesterday Andy woke up extra early and I didn't get my quiet time in. I was honestly surprised at how much that little bit of quiet time threw my entire morning off kilter. This morning when my alarm went off at 5AM, I turned it off and turned on the weekend 630AM alarm. I figure since I don't normally get up on Saturday until I wake up naturally, getting up at 630 is early enough! :)

As part of this, I've started reading a chapter each of Psalm and Proverbs every morning. I've stumbled across so many words of wisdom and advice and confirmation that I'm finally allowing Him to lead my steps. I'm afraid my words my seem random or jumbled, but please bear with me. It's all about the things He's putting into my path as the confirmation I'm seeking.

Psalm 2:11-12

Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities - for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Psalm 5:3

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

My bible notes for this verse says we should seek Him in the mornings when our minds are more free from problems and we can commit the whole day to the Lord. I liked that.

Proverbs 1:7

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:8-10

My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don't neglect your mother's instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!

I've always understood this passage from a parent's perspective. This past week when I was reading it, God showed it to me from a child's perspective. I don't listen when He corrects me. I cry out to Him over and over and over to break these strongholds, to take away the temptations, to set me free of these addictions. He hears my cries and tells me what to do, but do I listen? Nope. Well, maybe for a few days but then I tune Him out and do what I want, only to end up on my knees at the alter crying out to Him again. That is not how I need to be!

Proverbs 1:23-27

Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise. I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you wouldn't pay attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you - when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.

I don't want that to be me! I don't want Him to not listen to me, to not be there when I need to rely on His strength! I don't want to walk alone! But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm. (Proverbs 1:33)

So I will cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. I will search for them as I would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then I will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and I will gain knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:3-5) If I (we!) seek out God's wisdom, He will keep us from temptation!

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:11-12

My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Proverbs 4:10-13

My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won't be held back; when you run, you won't stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

I cannot tell you how many times I have read those passages of scripture and missed the message!

Proverbs 5:25-27

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

I'm finding that as I make this ~~sacrifice~~ effort of getting up early to spend time alone with Him, I'm not tempted to seek out fanfiction and I'm spending less time playing FV. It's easier now to do what needs to be done and turn FB off. Thank you Father!

During these past 2 weeks, I've also been reading The Mission of Motherhood. That's always been an area I struggle with. Not on being a mother in general, but how to be both the sole income provider and a Godly wife and mother. I'm currently in the middle of Chapter 3 (The Undivided Heart) and there's one passage where God really spoke into my heart and gave me clarity.

A divided mind that comes from a lack of wholehearted commitment to the home, as well as the simple time pressure that comes from supporting a dual career of home and family, tends to rob mother and children alike of the freedom they need to grow and thrive. (p.47)

I realized it's not that I can't "do it all" but rather I haven't been making motherhood a wholehearted priority in my life. My mind was set in a pattern of work and me-time, and my husband and children only got the leftovers. Oh my! I sure felt convicted when I received that bit of Godly wisdom!

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.

Proverbs 14:1 and 14:11

Those two verses were from my reading this morning, and lent further confirmation that I'm starting to walk where He's leading me. It's not just His word though that is being used as confirmation. Songs, messages from my Pastor, from the Youth Pastor that spoke at the Rally last night... Everywhere I've turned this week, every day I've given up to and for Him to work in my life, He's spoken to me through other sources. I keep praying that I'll keep earnestly seeking His wisdom and correction.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

lyrics, Better Than a Hallelujah by Amy Grant

Up early and strange dreams

2010-08-09T09:51:00.001-05:00

I woke up sneezing at 4:15am, which was odd enough in itself. After crawling back into bed, I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to fall back asleep. I know I'm wanting to get up early, but not that early on my day off. LOL

Once I fell back asleep about 20 minutes later, I had the strangest dream. People I knew were dancing with their loved ones, but the loved ones (some that have already Graduated to Heaven, some that haven't) were all skeletal zombies. As I tried to wipe the zombie images from my mind with pleas to God, the scene shifted to me and the zombies in a cemetery. They wanted me to tell them why they all died -- on the same day. It was then I realized the day they had died was the day the world ended as we know it - the day the Tribulation started. I freaked out. Was I wrong - was I not Raptured with the rest? Then I realized some of those closest to me were still here and there is NO WAY they would have been left behind. As I was brought to that moment of clarity, the scene shifted again to a third person POV, and suddenly everyone I was standing with flashed out of existence in little puffs of white light. Including me.

Then I woke up to my alarm going off and it was 6:30, time to get up.

I've had some really strange dreams before, but I think that one gets the blue ribbon.

Blog Hop '10

2010-08-07T18:49:00.002-05:00

Being new to blogging, I had no idea they had blog conferences or carnivals or anything of that sort. I love the idea though! What a great way to make new blogger friends!

Blog Hop '10 is hosted by Pensieve, although I found my way to her from Inspired To Action.

Welcome to Coffee & Caramel, home of myself - Bobbey. I'm a Christian of 7 years, a wife of (almost) 18, and raising boys ages 16 and 12, as well as an assortment of furbabies, on the Texas Gulf Coast. I struggle daily to walk the path God has set before me and know I need to share share my trials and tests with like-minded ladies in order to be victorious. I absolutely love coffee, chocolate, and caramel - preferably mixed together to create something tasty - and spend my time reading, listening to music, or playing computer games. I also cross-stitch and crochet and keep saying I'm going to finish those WIPs soon... LOL

I can't say that my blog will always be witty or funny or graceful or spiritual, but it is real and I hope God will use it to reach other ladies facing struggles similar to my own. I hope you'll take the time to look around my site (also a WIP) and come back to visit with me. You can also follow me on facebook and twitter (@bobbeym).

One more thing before I hop back over to the party to meet some more ladies. If you're an experienced user of Blogger, I would dearly LOVE some assistance in better customizing my site. I know HTML but I feel much to restricted by these templates and can't figure out how to do what I want to do.

Have fun at the party and I hope to run in to you again soon! Feel free to subscribe me!

M.O.M. - Chapter 2

2010-08-07T13:35:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday, our pastor shared a story about his oldest son (age 8) catching his 1st catfish. This was a reminder from God that we must enjoy our children and these special moments with them. I'm trying to learn to make special moments with my children where I can, even if it's as simple as running weekend errands.

My child, listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
Proverbs 1:8

Last Tuesday I started reading a chapter of Psalm and Proverbs each day. This verse of Proverbs 1 stood out to me. Like all children, my boys sometimes need extra disciplining when they don't listen to dad or disrespect mom. But at the same time, God spoke to me that I must remember to mind HIM when he corrects me. Often I do things that I know I've been convicted by the Holy Spirit of doing, yet I make excuses just like my boys do to justify my behavior. This has to stop. Until I respect my Heavenly Father's instructions, it'll be more difficult to garner that same respect from my own children.

Chapter 2 - Beautiful by Design: Exploring the Meaning of Biblical Motherhood

See to it that no one takes you captive
through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the tradition of men,
according to the elementary principles of the world,
rather than according to Christ.
COLOSSIANS 2:8

Some things I underlined while reading...

The heart of motherhood has been broken by sin's perversion of God's design throughout all history. Families have been broken apart. Parents have failed in their calling, and children have rebelled. Men and women have demeaned and mistreated each other and their offspring, and those offspring have passed along the painful results to their own children. (p.20-21)

God's Word gives us the map or plan for the family so that we might better understand what he had in mind for us. ... Exploring his design for families and for motherhood cannot only help us understand what has gone wrong, but also how, with God's help, we can move closer to the joyful, fulfilling, and vitally important role he intended for us from the very beginning. (p.21)

These statements resonate with me because of me own childhood. My parents were "there" for me, but were so preoccupied by their own issues and careers (and my younger brothers) that I often felt pushed to the wayside. I rebelled. Once I became a mother, I struggled to identify with how what my beliefs of an "ideal mother" should be since I felt I never had that. I often see myself following the direction my mother did and I don't like it.

Originally, each of us was given the purpose of partnering with God to rule over the world and make it productive. Each of us is created with a capacity and purpose to be productive and creative in life - according to our drives, gifts, and strengths. Each of us will be required to give an accounting of how we handled this responsibility. (p.24)

This is what I need to get a handle on. How to subdue my own little corner of the world while still being a respectful and submissive, Godly wife and mother.

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
Psalm 127:3-5

When God chose to bring Jesus into the world, as a full reflection of his glory and being, he chose to bring him into a simple family with a mother and father, and eventually, siblings. It was within the context of this home that Jesus was trained and instructed and loved and nurtured, both protected and prepared for his ministry ahead. Jesus upheld and affirmed the original design of marriage and family and stressed the needs and concerns of children. (p.25)

God equipped a woman from the very beginning to bring life into the world from her own body and to nurture growing families. ... He even structured our brains to make it easier for us to handle several tasks at once - as the tasks of caring for a household and small children demand. (p.27)

Maybe if more of our husbands understood this, they'd complain less? LOL

A woman's primary responsibility in a family, especially if she is blessed with children, is that of establishing and maintaining a home. (p.28)

Ahhh, here we have the crux of my ultimate struggle within my own life. Circumstances not within our control have resulted in a role reversal within our home. Manny has primarily been a stay at home dad since Alex was born, while I'm the sole income provider. I would love to be the Proverbs 31 / Titus 2 wife, but I just don't know how to do it when I also have to hold down a full time job. I simply can't do it all myself, and with his FM sometimes leaving him in bed all day b/c of the pain, much of the typical household chores fall on to the boys to complete. Being teen/pre-teen boys, however, things are often not done correctly (or at all); Dad gets angry b/c he's hurting and can't do it himself as much as he'd like to; I get angry b/c I don't want to come home from a busy day at work to a messy house, no dinner, and yelling. It leaves all of us tired and frustrated and nobody wanting to interact much with anyone else. I certainly don't feel like I'm being a Godly mother on those days. :`(

Many in our culture today look at the biblical view of family, children, and gender roles with much disdain and difficulty. When God's commands are obeyed, people flourish because they are living in harmony with the way they were designed - and the One who designed them. (p.29)

Loving my children and nurturing their hearts and minds while training their characters and leading them to know the Lord and his purposes has satisfied my soul's need for purpose. (p.29)

I do feel like I've satisfied my purpose in being a wife and mother; it was the one thing I've always wanted to be more than anything else. I don't feel I've done an adequate job in nurturing their hearts and minds, nor do I feel I've done a good job in leading them to know the Lord. I was 30 before I myself gave my life to Christ, making them 4 and 10. I feel like we definitely missed that prime window of opportunity with Alex and now we struggle even more hoping that he'll get the message now before it's too late.

The common purpose for all women is to glorify God in whatever circumstances and boundaries of life we find ourselves, trusting him to show us how we can best use our gifts for him. (p.29)

Our mutual commitment has provided us with a strong emotional glue that has given our marriage meaning in the midst of life's inevitable ups and downs. Our vision of serving the Lord together through our family keeps us ever moving forward. (p.30)

I strive for this!!

Destroying the foundation of the family, which was designed by God to be the stable foundation of life, is a natural place for satan to attack. (p.31)

When the biblical mission of motherhood is devalued and disappears from culture, the whole next generation suffers morally, emotionally, and spiritually. (p.34)

The most important factor in being successful as a mother is to turn our hearts to God, to seek his will, and to allow him to begin making sense out of the messes we've made of our lives. ... For it is in finding God and submitting to him that we will find the purpose and meaning that he designed us to experience. As we learn to fulfill the design for which we were created, we will find the love, peace, and freedom that we long for. (p.37)

Saturday Stumbles

2010-08-06T22:43:00.001-05:00

I saw the idea for Saturday Stumbles (#SatStumbles) posted by @itscome2this who I follow on Twitter. I thought it was a great idea and since I've been doing a lot of googling and reading blogging beyond my normal confines these past couple weeks, I decided to share my finds. :)

Every day LivingSocial.com sends you an email offering a significant discount to a local business. A few weeks ago I got a 50% discount to the chocolate bar. Premium chocolate goodies @ half price = a very happy me.

Trying to save some money? Check out The Saved Quarter. I spent hours in there reading through her blogs about boxed vs. homemade recipe comparisons, extra money making jobs (mystery shopping anyone?), and lots of other good tips for frugal living. Another one of my favorite frugal living sites is Frugal Confessions. I'm not very good at living frugally just yet, but we're working on it.

Dealing with food allergies are a way of life for me, but I'm forever searching for a good, tastes like white bread, alternative to wheat-based white bread. I stumbled across this recipe for a Millet Oatmeal bread that sounds like it might actually be something I'd eat on a regular basis. Now I just need our finances to straighten out a bit so I can make a trip to the health food store to get the supplies.

My favorite find this week is this free audio book website. I've already DL'd the entire Little Women series to my iPod and will start listening tomorrow while I dig my way through the mountain of laundry in my room.

Tuesday night update

2010-08-03T21:01:00.001-05:00

Woohoo! My 4-day work week is half over. Gotta love vacation days -- esp when they fall on a go-live weekend. :)

Manny decided we'll start our 90-day Bible Challenge this Saturday. I guess he figures it's a good day to do it since he's trying to incorporate a Saturday Sabbath into our household routine. I strongly feel that in the culture we've evolved into, the practice itself is what is important, not whether it occurs on Saturday or Sunday. He's not convinced of that yet, but neither is he putting forth significant effort into ensuring the house is cleaned up and chores are done and meals are cooked before Friday night. As a SAHD, I feel that's part of his responsibility, esp since he's expecting me to essentially give up my entire weekend. If he drove, or once Alex has his driver's license, it may be very different b/c they can go run errands after school. Right now though, I've got enough on my plate with a FT job, an hour commute (if I get out on time and traffic cooperates) and church activities Wed pm and Sun am/pm.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm all for the concept of practicing Sabbath as we're commanded to. I just feel very strongly (and after a lot of prayer and my own research) that God won't mind what day we practice it on - just that we DO set aside a day devoted to him. Besides, I think it completely and totally defeats the purpose of a Sabbath (even on Saturday) if you only sit around watching TV/movie marathons from morning to night.

Time for me to start planning for tomorrow and get to bed. Hoping to get some reading in on my MOM book too before I fall asleep. :)

Night!

Maximize Your Mornings Challenge - Day 2 prep

2010-08-02T21:54:00.001-05:00

Today I drug myself out of bed at 5:15am with the sole intent of getting some bible reading in. I read Psalm 1-2 and Proverbs 1-2, with the intention of reading a chapter of each daily. Together as a family, we're also starting the 90-day bible challenge but Manny's taking the lead.

Earlier today I noticed a tweet about a Maximize Your Mornings Challenge and only now got around to reading it. It's perfect for me!

Although I'm pretty sure this is geared more towards SAHMs, I think once I'm successful it'll make the mornings of this working mom much simpler, or at least less stressful - especially once school starts in a few weeks.

My biggest temptation is to play FarmVille in the morning - gotta harvest those crops ya know ;) - but I know I really need to cut that out of my morning routine, or let Manny harvest for me after I've left for the office.

Complete These Action Steps Before Bed Tonight! (p. 5/6)

1. What time will you wake up? I'm starting at 5:45a, hoping to work back to 5:00a by the end of the month.

2. What time do you need to go to bed to make sure you still get enough sleep? I know I need 7-8 hours to really function well and even now I'm good if I manage to get 6 hours since I tend to stay up much later than I should. I'll am for 10:30p now, with a goal to be in bed asleep by 9:45p by the end of the month.

3. Collect all the items you need for your morning time: Bible and notebook are in my tote bag next to my chair. I'll go set the coffee to auto-brew as soon as I finish this post. iPod is sync'd and contains my full worship playlist plus 2 new genius mixes based on a couple favorites.

4. Set your alarm clack (and a backup clock, if necessary). My alarm is always set to go off at 5a but I normally snooze it until I finally get up and stay up.

5. Find an accountability partner. Going to use my best friends, although they don't know it yet. I figure if I text all 3 of them, at least one of them will be up by then. LOL

My goal for Tuesday

Worship & prayer time
Read Psalm 3/Prov 3. I'll incorporate longer daily readings once we get that started but right now I just want to get it set as a habit.

Future mornings will include some exercise time but I'm not in the mood to plan for any of that tonight. LOL

Mission of Motherhood - Chapter 1

2010-07-31T21:37:00.001-05:00

As a child, I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, and later as an older teenager, an architect. Through it all though, what I wanted most was to be a wife and a mother. While my career path changed drastically (I'm an administrative assistant in IT/Healthcare), I have been a wife for 17 years and a mother for 16.

When my oldest son was born, I quickly realized motherhood was not what I expected it to be. Alex was most definitely his own unique person even before he was. (Having to be induced TWICE should have clued me in to that fact, but alas it didn't. LOL) With Alex, nothing even remotely "normal" applied. He ate way more than the parenting books said he should, and slept when he wanted to. The concept of a schedule was far removed from our days. Alex ate table food at 5 months, preferred a cup to the bottle by 7 months, and walked shortly after -- then went back and learned to crawl. His vocabulary was voluntarily limited to a few basic words, until he was 3ish (we were convinced something was wrong of course).

My favorite story of Alex's early childhood is the day we realized just what type of person we were dealing with. As odd as it sounds, Alex disliked any type of fried potato, so dinner out was always challenging. After asking for ice cream, we told him to eat half his french fries - which he did, in the form of half of each fry on his plate. Manny and I shook our heads -- how were we to argue with that logic?   More than 13 years after the fry incident, his black-and-white analytical thought process continues to confound me.

Manny was hurt in a work-related accident when Alex was only 6 weeks old, forcing me to return to work earlier than I'd anticipated while he stayed home with the baby. I was already dealing with undiagnosed PPD and we had very little support to lean on, and the circumstances we found ourselves in did nothing for the positive.   I felt withdrawn from life, from my husband, and never truly bonded with my baby.   GOD has long since healed me of the depression, but I've never managed to fully feel like I have a strong relationship with Alex.

When Alex was 4 1/2 yo, his little brother Andy was born. With Andy, it was entirely different. I was in a better job and was able to work part time from home while on maternity leave. Manny was working again, although we didn't know then how short our time as a two-working parent household would be.   I was able to nurse Andy (something I couldn't do with Alex) and we developed the mother-baby bond I'd longed for.   Andy is my mini-me, which at age 12, isn't always a good thing. More often than not he drives me nuts and because I can identify with his thinking, I give in far more than I should.

When I read about the start of a book club to read The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson with the ladies at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee, I quickly ordered a copy for myself. I thought maybe reading about God's vision of motherhood would better enable me to be the type of mother I long to be before it's too late and my boys are grown.

Chapter 1: A Journey Like No Other - Discovering the Mission of Motherhood

But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.
PROVERBS 31:30-31

Some things I've underlined while reading...

"Children...need not only the gentle touch of a mother's hands, but her focus and her attention on a daily basis. They need a champion and a cheerleader, someone who has the time and energy to give encouragement along life's way and comfort in dark times. They need a directive voice to show them how to live. ... Meeting those needs is not an option or a sideline for mothers." p.2

"The fundamental mission of motherhood now is the same as it always was: to nurture, to protect, and instruction children, to create a home environment that enables them to learn and grow, to help them develop a heart for God and his purposes, and to send them out into the world prepared to live both fully and meaningfully."   p.3

"... the child's heart is naturally open to the mother. Children automatically turn toward their mothers as their first source of protection, love, and spiritual, emotional, and mental support." p.8

"As much as I loved my children, I often felt like a failure. Surely someone else could do a better job with these precious ones than I." p.13

"God designed motherhood to be a deeply meaningful role. We mothers have the opportunity to influence eternity by building a spiritual legacy in the lives of our children. ... The real ability of a mother to secure such a spiritual legacy is based on the strength of her relationship with her child." p.13-14

"Following God's design for living is the true key to finding myself... I will grow into the kind of person God wants me to be as I live out my life in faith and seek to be faithful in my walk with God; as I nurture and honor my commitment to my husband and children and family and home; as I exercise my skills, training, and gifts toward those whom God has placed on my path; as I seek to give to the poor and minister to the needy and those in my neighborhood and church while living a life of bold faith in a great and wonderful God." p.15

"Being a mother encompasses all that is best within me." p.15

"The mission of motherhood is strategic in providing the next generation with wholehearted, emotionally healthy, and spiritually alive adults." p.16

"My influence on my children is limited only by the smallness of my dreams and my lack of commitment to the Lord and his purposes." p.16

My children are blessings and I must always remember that, even when they drive me beyond insane and I want to lock them in their rooms permanently. Our family must strive to build personal relationships with God in order to strengthen our relationship with each other. I must become more diligent in following the path God has set for my life so that my boys will yearn for the same type of relationship with their Heavenly Father. I need to spend more time in prayer for my husband, my boys, and our family. I need to pay more attention to them and less to the computer. I need to respond to them joyfully instead of being appearing unapproachable or seeming to be put out because they were talking to me while I had headphones on. I have a lot of work to do.

Good morning world!

2010-07-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

links to the old blog --> http://livingintherain.webs.com/apps/blog/