Friday, January 29, 2010
Random Acts of Kindness
Have you ever been the recipient of an act of kindness? Yesterday, I received many wonderful blessings! Glen cooked a delicious dinner - a pork roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and biscuits. Then, one of the young men from church, who was over for dinner, did the dishes and emptied the trash. He often does this little service for me when he is over. I didn't think much about it, except to say thank you. Then this morning, I looked at the kitchen counter and he had scrubbed my dish drainer clean! It is beautiful - almost like new! This little act of kindness has gone a long way. His work yesterday on my behalf was a beautiful start to my day today. So, thank you, Kitchen Angel, for your service - you know who you are! To my readers, what act of kindness can you show today?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Mixed Blessings
Have you ever experienced a mixed blessing? I'm in the middle of one right now. I went to work at Macy's for the holiday season looking to supply gifts for my children. In the back of my mind, I was looking forward to the day it would end. However, I was also open to staying on after the new year in order to help out here at home with finances - our goal is to be debt free (outside of our car payment) by the end of 2010. So it comes out that Macy's has extended my temporary status and has continued my employment...So now, in addition to all my other duties, I am adding a full-time job. I am no longer a Christian Stay-at-Home mom...I am a working mom. How do I balance it all? What priorities do I need to focus on? What can be cut out of my life? These are the questions I have been asking myself over the last two weeks. I have no answers yet. However, I know God knows and has set the path before me. I need to be thankful and joyful for my mixed blessing. God is providing. I will miss being at home all the time. I will miss my kids and the funny things they do. I also feel this is just for a season and I will return to full-time homemaking...Hang on for the adventure with me!!!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
An Awesome God
Okay, so now for what I really wanted to post three days ago. Glen and I are going through Francis Chan's book Crazy Love. To date I have only read the intro and chapter one. However, I did follow Francis' advice and go to www.crazylovebook.com to watch two videos.
When I try to think about how big God is, I can't. The first video - The Awe Factor - made me cry. The other day L and I were working on AWANA and I had to explain the second coming. As she points to a small spot on her desk, she says to me , "Mom, here I am. God is bigger than our room. How can He come back for me?" Then I go and watch this video. In her childlike way, she understands and I struggle...What an AWE!
Then I watched the second video - Stop And Think. This one is 15 minutes long, but you definitely get Francis' passion. After seeing the Awe Factor, to stop and think about what God has done for me, well, it leaves me speechless...
Take time to watch these videos for yourself. Get a copy of the book and join Glen and I on our journey through Crazy Love...
When I try to think about how big God is, I can't. The first video - The Awe Factor - made me cry. The other day L and I were working on AWANA and I had to explain the second coming. As she points to a small spot on her desk, she says to me , "Mom, here I am. God is bigger than our room. How can He come back for me?" Then I go and watch this video. In her childlike way, she understands and I struggle...What an AWE!
Then I watched the second video - Stop And Think. This one is 15 minutes long, but you definitely get Francis' passion. After seeing the Awe Factor, to stop and think about what God has done for me, well, it leaves me speechless...
Take time to watch these videos for yourself. Get a copy of the book and join Glen and I on our journey through Crazy Love...
Friday, January 22, 2010
Being Prepared
This is not what I planned on writing when I posted yesterday....that posting will come soon...this is what is occupying me today........
I have become a procrastinator. I have stopped following schedules and couldn't even tell you what time it is. Things pile up and get messy (especially with an almost 3 year old).
This past week, Southern California was hit with four major winter storms. My East Coast mind says, "It's just rain...don't worry." Well come Wednesday night and all the flooded streets and mess, my mind clicks - We have no flash lights or candles!!!! So, I trollop out to Target in the rain and the mud and purchase the desired flashlights, batteries, diapers, and other items for the rain. Mind you, now it has been raining for three days. There's water in the living room, the pantry cupboard, and outside. Here's a picture of my current pantry cupboard - a card table in the dining room. What a week it has been....
Then today, there are ants ALL OVER THE KITCHEN COUNTER!!! I hate ants. Despise. Loathe. Get the picture. Homeschool was cancelled on account of ANTS! L and I stripped the counters, scrubbed, and cleaned as if it was spring. Here she is on top of the refrigerator, cleaning the tops of the cupboards. As I said, we did serious scrubbing.
All this to say, I haven't been prepared lately. I've put things on hold. Then God, in His infinite wisdom, speaks to me as I review L's verses for AWANA. Here's the verse...are you ready?
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 -- For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
So are you ready? I've got to stop procrastinating in my spiritual life and get busy...maybe this does have to do with what I was planning on posting...until tomorrow.....
I have become a procrastinator. I have stopped following schedules and couldn't even tell you what time it is. Things pile up and get messy (especially with an almost 3 year old).
This past week, Southern California was hit with four major winter storms. My East Coast mind says, "It's just rain...don't worry." Well come Wednesday night and all the flooded streets and mess, my mind clicks - We have no flash lights or candles!!!! So, I trollop out to Target in the rain and the mud and purchase the desired flashlights, batteries, diapers, and other items for the rain. Mind you, now it has been raining for three days. There's water in the living room, the pantry cupboard, and outside. Here's a picture of my current pantry cupboard - a card table in the dining room. What a week it has been....
Then today, there are ants ALL OVER THE KITCHEN COUNTER!!! I hate ants. Despise. Loathe. Get the picture. Homeschool was cancelled on account of ANTS! L and I stripped the counters, scrubbed, and cleaned as if it was spring. Here she is on top of the refrigerator, cleaning the tops of the cupboards. As I said, we did serious scrubbing.
All this to say, I haven't been prepared lately. I've put things on hold. Then God, in His infinite wisdom, speaks to me as I review L's verses for AWANA. Here's the verse...are you ready?1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 -- For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
So are you ready? I've got to stop procrastinating in my spiritual life and get busy...maybe this does have to do with what I was planning on posting...until tomorrow.....
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Seven Times Praise
Psalm 119:164 - Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
The first time I quickly read this verse, my brain transposed "your righteous rules" to "your righteousness rules." Thank you my 21st century brain. What a difference that makes to the meaning of the verse. The psalmist praises God for God's Word seven times a day! When have I (or you) last praised God for His Word - much less seven times in one day?
For my Thankful Thursday's (Lynn's and Sonya's) posting, I'm going to praise God for seven items (and I will try to make them all about His Word).
The first time I quickly read this verse, my brain transposed "your righteous rules" to "your righteousness rules." Thank you my 21st century brain. What a difference that makes to the meaning of the verse. The psalmist praises God for God's Word seven times a day! When have I (or you) last praised God for His Word - much less seven times in one day?
For my Thankful Thursday's (Lynn's and Sonya's) posting, I'm going to praise God for seven items (and I will try to make them all about His Word).
- His Word is true.
- His Word is easily available (at least to me - pray for those who have to hide their Bibles and those who don't have one).
- His Word never changes.
- His Word always teaches me new things.
- His Word refreshes my soul.
- His Word offers peace.
- His Word is a beacon of light in a dark world!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
God's Word
I have been spending a lot of time in Psalm 119 the last few months. Each meditation brings me new light to God's Word. I try to take one verse each day and really focus on how it impacts my life. Today's verse is 154.
Psalm 119:154 - Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!
I am so thankful that there is one who pleads my cause before God Almighty! He redeems me and gives me life! I am so blessed!
Psalm 119:154 - Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!
I am so thankful that there is one who pleads my cause before God Almighty! He redeems me and gives me life! I am so blessed!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Lack of Commitment
One of my pet peeves is lack of commitment. I get very hurt, angry, and frustrated when others don't hold up to what they have committed. However, I find that I am exhibiting a lack of commitment to myself. I have overextended myself yet again which is causing me to be lacking in some areas of my life. A few weeks ago I shared a devotional at Ladies' Connection about Starting Over. I feel like I am starting over every day of my life. I feel like such a failure at times, especially when I don't live up to the commitments I have made for myself that day. Most of these commitments are ones that only my family sees - gotta put on that perfect pastor's wife face in front of everyone else you know ;)
I am thankful that God never lacks in His commitments. Psalm 119:140 states "Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it." His faithfulness has been tried and true. When examined God is always proven righteous and faithful. To be more like God is my desire. To be a woman of commitment is my desire.
My goal today is to prioritize my commitments and see where improvement is needed and what can be cut out. Gotta learn to say no sometimes.
I am thankful that God never lacks in His commitments. Psalm 119:140 states "Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it." His faithfulness has been tried and true. When examined God is always proven righteous and faithful. To be more like God is my desire. To be a woman of commitment is my desire.
My goal today is to prioritize my commitments and see where improvement is needed and what can be cut out. Gotta learn to say no sometimes.
Friday, January 8, 2010
A New Contest
One of my favorite blogs is The Preacher's Wife by Lisa McKay. She has written a new book which I can't wait to get my hands on - You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes. Her publisher is offering a great contest. Please enter it on behalf of your favorite pastor's wife! She'll appreciate - especially if it is me! I won't be offended if you choose another pastor's wife; I'll gladly accept it if you do submit my name. Visit Lifeway to enter.
Here again is the trailer for the book:
Here again is the trailer for the book:
Sunday, January 3, 2010
2010 is here!
2010 is here and where have I been? My postings have been almost non-existent. I have been so busy working full-time for Macy*s that very little else has been done. Glen did almost all of the grocery shopping, cooking, homeschooling, cleaning, and decorating this year. He is an amazing husband! Often, I felt he made a better stay-at-home mom than I do! Then, surprise of surprises, I get New Year's Eve and Day off! I was so excited! Then, my body chose to have the stomach flu. I haven't left the house since December 30th until today when I needed to go to the grocery store for bread to make the kids sandwiches. Glen caught my bug Saturday night and still got up to preach on Sunday morning! AMAZING! So now, that ya'll are caught up, I thought I share some of my 2010 plans with you.
In January 2006, I was very sick as well and started working out at Curves and watching what I eat. I lost 40 pounds that year! Well, I have fallen away from those good habits and will start again; I've actually gained 25 of those pounds back. Getting sick this week made me realize that I had fallen into my old eating habits and need to start drinking my water again and eating right. So yes, physical diet and exercise are part of my new plans for 2010.
I also desire to spend more time in the Word of God. Directly in the Word - not reading books that explain it but the actual text - another habit I fall into. My spiritual diet and exercise needs work too!
I want to play more with my children. I have found myself saying "I can't play now because I have to ___________" This playtime is vital for L with her Reactive Attachment Disorder. I've wondered why we fight so much and have come to conclusion it's because I don't play with her as much as I did when she first came to us.
I want to be a better wife for Glen. I want him to come home to a happy wife, not the screaming crazy woman who is there most of the time. I want to be completely supportive of all his endeavors - not just put the smile on and say okay when my heart is screaming "ARE YOU CRAZY?"
I want to stay in better contact with family and friends far away. With my brother and best childhood friend passing away this year, I really struggled with how I let my everyday life interfere with connecting with those who have been a big part of my life. One of my biggest regrets is that I can't tell you the last time I talked to my brother before he died. I can with Monica because she called me on my birthday and left a message; I still haven't erased it.
And finally, I want to blog more and Facebook less. Writing these things out have been a great help to me. I don't know how you feel about my postings, but it has been extremely helpful for me. And so, to my small following of readers, thank you for your support and attention to my wanderings and "talk" with you soon!
In January 2006, I was very sick as well and started working out at Curves and watching what I eat. I lost 40 pounds that year! Well, I have fallen away from those good habits and will start again; I've actually gained 25 of those pounds back. Getting sick this week made me realize that I had fallen into my old eating habits and need to start drinking my water again and eating right. So yes, physical diet and exercise are part of my new plans for 2010.
I also desire to spend more time in the Word of God. Directly in the Word - not reading books that explain it but the actual text - another habit I fall into. My spiritual diet and exercise needs work too!
I want to play more with my children. I have found myself saying "I can't play now because I have to ___________" This playtime is vital for L with her Reactive Attachment Disorder. I've wondered why we fight so much and have come to conclusion it's because I don't play with her as much as I did when she first came to us.
I want to be a better wife for Glen. I want him to come home to a happy wife, not the screaming crazy woman who is there most of the time. I want to be completely supportive of all his endeavors - not just put the smile on and say okay when my heart is screaming "ARE YOU CRAZY?"
I want to stay in better contact with family and friends far away. With my brother and best childhood friend passing away this year, I really struggled with how I let my everyday life interfere with connecting with those who have been a big part of my life. One of my biggest regrets is that I can't tell you the last time I talked to my brother before he died. I can with Monica because she called me on my birthday and left a message; I still haven't erased it.
And finally, I want to blog more and Facebook less. Writing these things out have been a great help to me. I don't know how you feel about my postings, but it has been extremely helpful for me. And so, to my small following of readers, thank you for your support and attention to my wanderings and "talk" with you soon!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)