2012 WILL NOT kill me!

Oh my poor little neglected blog... I can't believe I haven't been on here since January! I tried so hard to get into blogging. I really wanted to, I just haven't caught on yet!

It seems I am always reading someone else's blog...hmmm

Well I have been thinking a lot lately about publishing an e book but I wonder if I should even attempt it if I can't even keep a blog flowing!

This has been without a doubt the hardest year of my life and I've got a lot to say about it. Well, enough for an e book anyway. Just wanted to get at least the thought out...

Miss Me?

Well, since I don't have very many followers yet, that's probably a no. I admit it has been a long time since I've even read a blog. 

So I get on here today and I find so many changes! Took me a while to figure out a new template but I think I've got it down.

I wanted to share with you the lessons I learned in 2011. God had to stop me dead in my tracks because I was not listening when He asked me to slow down.

I hope my lessons will help someone out there.

1. You are replaceable to everyone except your family.

2. Being a control freak is a form of pride. You are not in control, God is. It is not your job to take care of everyone and everything, it's His. No matter how much you worry about your plans, He can always change them so why stress?

3. God is all you need even before He is all you have.

4. God is ALWAYS faithful!

And finally, Satan uses the spirit of lack, your fear of not having enough money against you. God has not only promised to take care of you, He has proven faithful OVER and OVER so get over that fear already!! 

I've been so blessed by the ways God has spoken to me over the last few months. The way He will send a friend my way to tell me something only God knew I was praying about just fills me with joy!

Looking for the open doors

so I am officially "unemployed" and I am loving it! I still don't know where the time is going and how I can still be so darn busy. I am getting some books read and getting back in touch with some people I met in the writing world. I am so excited to be part of some new ventures I am finding to help me with my new business. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me. I am looking for the open doors and I just can't wait to get to know the new people that will be behind them all.

Thank you all who are part of my life and who are so willing to share your knowledge with me.

"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

Tyler Perry

I just had to jump on here (yes I know its been forever) but I wanted to share how wonderful I think Tyler Perry is. I just read his interview on Oprah and after watching his interview then finding out he supports his father and gave him a mansion to live in after all he did to him....I picked my jaw up off the floor and I thought, if that's not Jesus on earth I don't know what is.

I pray Tyler finds 100% total healing and God continues to use him.

His mama gave him Jesus....I love it!

Grateful

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18 (nlt)

I have a sad heart today. I shouldn't but I do. You know when you feel bad for feeling bad? That's me. I am so blessed and there are people in the world who have real problems compared to mine.

My children are healthy. We are fed and warm. I have a job when many do not. I am so grateful for my life. Sometimes I guess you have to count your blessings in order to see how they truly overpower your trials.

"Father thank you for your blessings beyond my worth. Please forgive me when I seem ungrateful. In Jesus Name Amen."


God Works All Things Together. And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Romans 8:28 (nlt)

Thursday May 27th 2010

Yesterday was such an emotional day! Anyone who knows me already knows I am a crier but all Lifetime movies aside- yesterday was a kicker.

The day started with Sierra's graduation from 5th grade. I personally think these are crazy because the kids are not done with school yet and aren't they expected to pass 5th grade in the first place? It's not like they are old enough to drop out so yes while we are proud they passed another grade we can't be acting like they are done. Ok, whatever it was my baby's last year of elementary so that in itself was a little sad. I told myself I was not going to cry. I did really well during the speeches and only teared up a little. Then when it was all over I went to find her and she was crying!! She is not a crier, so that made me cry!

Then later on in the day, I got a verbal confirmation of something I already knew but still to be told took my breath away for a moment. Don't worry it was a good thing....

Then, they called and said they wanted to close on the house I just bought yesterday instead of today and asked if I could come in. I was nervous because I am buying this house all on my own etc etc but God blessed me with it so I know he will help me with it as well so WHY was I nervous??? Anyway then God came through for me AGAIN... I was expecting to have to write a check for almost $300 for last minute inspection things etc etc but not only did I NOT have to pay anything, but I am getting money back!! Praise God! Here came the tears again.

So just when I think the end of the day has come, my 15 year old son writes in his sisters yearbook. Of course I read it. I was so happily surprised the tears flowed AGAIN!! As they are now just thinking about it.... He told her how proud we are of her and we are both always here for her!!

Aww what a blessed day!

COURAGE

So I wrote about fear and now I want to share a little about courage.

So I found myself in an unexpected situation. By the time I realized what was going on I was already right in the middle. No quick turn around happening now. Either I can turn around and walk right back where I came from or I can keep going forward and see where I come out. Either way, I have to walk through something. Either way I will be changed. Once the realization hits, the panic starts. White-hot-panic.

I cried out to God for wisdom and guidance. He gave it to me. "For the LORD giveth wisdom; out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV) I knew what I had to do, but then I froze. I didn't think I could do it. I knew I had to but a selfish little part of me didn't want to. What if the outcome wasn't what I wanted? Then where would I be? Did it really matter? No, because God will still be with me.

So this morning, it just happened. No planning, no thinking, I just did it. And it turned out ok! In fact better than ok. Then I came in to read my sweet friends blog and this was her quote today:
"The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

WOW!! What powerful words. What a powerful realization. That is where I was without even knowing it. However God has given me the courage to blossom, and that's just what I'm gonna do.

*fear*

~Diary type entry for the purpose of venting~

When I wrote for Take Root and Write, Shona, editor extraordinaire, would get so flustered with me because I don't like to capitalize satan. Bless her heart :) I know it is proper and all but I just don't like to do it. I don't think he deserves it. Another word I don't like to capitalize is fear.

Boy when God wants you to deal with something, it pops up all over the place doesn't it? This foul FOUR LETTER WORD fear keeps coming around. It seems everything I read about lately or hear about is telling my to face my fears. It is such a tiny little word but it is so huge in our lives. God told us time and time again "fear NOT!" in His word so why is this still so hard for us to obey? I tried to blame my latest fear on confusion but God was having none of that. He told me, "You are not confused. You know exactly what you want." I don't have to tell you He was right- you already know He was. I just had to admit it.

Ok so why is this so darn hard? Why am I holding on to something that is gut wrenching? Why...why...why???? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. RRRR It's not like I haven't done this before, it's not like I haven't already ended up on both sides of the situation, and look I'm still here! It will not kill me. So again, what's the problem??

On the other side of the FOUR LETTER WORD coin there is Love. Love is on the other side of every four letter word. If we flip the coin over we will see love. God is love. God is on the flipside of every situation. Which side are you going to look at today?

I'm back! Well kind of....

Not only did I quit my column I forgot about my poor little blog! If I didn't have face book on my phone I would really feel out of the loop! I hope you all are well. I just have the most amazing praise report I want to share.

I have been wanting to buy a house for about a year now but the timing was never right. Well I met some wonderful agents through my church and after talking to them about it decided I should start looking. Well easier said than done when you have two or three income taste on a one income budget.

I looked for what seemed like FOREVER. Of course everything that had 1. what I wanted and 2. what I could afford was either a short sale or bank owned. This meant if they did not have a bank negotiator in place the houses are sitting on the market for months some even a year. Well I had to get this done by April 30Th to get the rebate so I didn't have that kind of time!

Making a long story short, I wanted at least 4 bedrooms because I would much rather have an office than my mail all over the kitchen table. And I wanted at least 2.5 bathrooms so if I have company over they don't see Dominic's clothes all over the floor! Fast forward to April. Not finding anything within my price range with all the things I wanted. OH! And I REALLY wanted a laundry room because now the washer/dryer are in the garage and it drives me crazy!

Anyway, so for times sake, I started settling. I started putting in offers on 3 bedroom, two bath homes. Not really what I wanted. My prayer always was this:
"God, if this is not where you want us, if the kids won't be safe here alone, or if we won't be safe at night while we sleep, please stop this offer." Well He stopped 5 offers! I know God always comes through, in His time. So I was getting ok with the idea we might not move after all.

Until two weeks ago. A house bigger and better than anything I would have thought for us came on the market. A FIVE bedroom, THREE bath, foreclosure in my price range became available. AND there is nothing wrong with it! AND it has refrigerated air which is something I have always wanted. Not only did God say "No, you don't have to settle." but He blessed us not only with everything I wanted, but everything my little Sierra wanted too. She wanted stairs and a kitchen island (no idea why).

Delayed is not denied. God is so good it takes your breath away!

I have a blog!

Oh my poor little neglected blog... I will come back to you soon I promise! I hope you all had a very blessed Christmas!

License to have children

So random thought: I just wonder why you have to have a license to drive, to get married, to hunt, even to fish but anyone can have kids!
I realize all the politics involved in taking away someones rights to have children. Really, it would only be suspending their rights until they are proven fit (mentally, financially stable).
But seriously:

Police: Mother Stabbed 2 Young Daughters, Herself at Their Home

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

WESTMINSTER, Calif. — Police say they suspect a mother stabbed her two young daughters and then herself at an Orange County home.
Commander Bill Lewis says 911 calls sent officers to the home shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday in Westminster and found a woman and her two daughters, ages 3 and 5, had been stabbed.
All three were hospitalized. Lewis says one of the daughters is in critical condition while the injuries of the mother and the other girl are not considered life-threatening.
Lewis says several knives were recovered from the home.
There's no immediate word on what might have prompted the attack.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,550801,00.html?test=latestnews

Just the latest in MANY! License to have children...I'm just sayin!

Black List Abercrombie & Fitch

Not that many of you shop there anyway, but maybe your teens do. If you are involved in a youth groupf of any kind pass it on. You can email them and let them know you are not shopping there until they clean up their act.

Abercrombie & Fitch pitches new trashy T-shirts to America's youth:

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) continues its pattern of pushing pornographic-themed material into mainstream America. Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has just begun offering their "New College" line of T-shirts.

The first A&F t-shirt pictures a young girl opening her blouse - exposing herself. A&F titles the image: "Show the Twins".The second picture is of a female running nude. A&F titles it: "Female streaking encouraged."The next Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt is entitled: "Female Students Wanted for Sexual Research"

Abercrombie & Fitch does not merely sell a popular line of clothing – they sell a lifestyle. And because A&F clothing is popular among teens and college kids, the influence of their sex-as-recreation lifestyle is widespread.The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reports that Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. CDC estimates that approximately 19 million new infections occur each year— almost half of them among young people 15 to 24 years of age.

You can send them an email here: https://secure.afa.net/afa/activism/TakeAction.asp?id=358

Additional information:

Michael Jeffries, Chairman Abercrombie

6301 Fitch PathNew Albany, OH 43054

Phone: 888-856-4480, opt. 2 or: 614-283-6500

Fax: 614-577-6710

E-Mail: Michael Jeffries, at abercrombie@abercrombie.com

Hello friends~

I am such a bad blogger. I have not written anything for a long time. I don't know where the days go anymore. The last couple of days I have been on myspace since my son got an account and I am now a monitor even though he is only friends with people from church so far I am still gonna have to get on there to monitor every now and then. Then he went to church camp and they shaved their hair into mohawks (no kidding). They did this the day before they left not at Desperation. Then soccer has started back up and it will be a LONG tryout week then school starts again. It seems like it just ended. I feel like I am wasting my life because every time I turn around its another month! Anyway I hope you are all well. Still reading everyone from my phone but can't blog more than a few sentences. OH! went to Beth Moore on the 10th and she was awesome! She is pretty funny. She taught on Hannah and how she waited year after year after year to have a baby then when she finally got up and did something God answered her prayers. What are you waiting on? Get up!

Beth Moore

I am off to go see Beth Moore with my good friend and editor of TRW Shona!! Woo hoo should be so much fun. Pics to come!

Happy Birthday TRW!!

Take Root and Write is one this month! I am so excited to be part of such an amazing ministry. I just found out our digital magazine is read in Pakistan, China, Iran, and Indonesia!! How cool is that! I need to way step up my game!

You can get the digital magazine sent directly to your email or you can just go to the site and click on the columns the "old fashioned" way ;)

Harder for mom to let go....?

Sierra, Emily, and me

Emily has to take a picture by herself too ya know. Here she is posing on a rock in Vail Colorado.

Best friends.

So in the last few months I have noticed Sierra not dragging Emily everywhere she goes anymore. I have also noticed she does not sleep with her every night either. Emily, has been her best friend for almost 4 years now. She still has to sleep with her blanket but Emily is no longer the other MUST have. I know she is growing up but it still makes me a little sad. (Can't you just hear my eyes swelling with tears?)

Do all Dogs Go To Heaven 2?

Thanks Tracy for pointing me to:

Passage Ecclesiastes 3:19-21:
19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

But I still don't get it 100% lol! I always need everything explained.

Do all Dogs Go To Heaven?

So I just read the cutest little article on the Internet cafe about cats going to heaven. This is something I think about a lot too because I hear it debated a lot. Some people say animals don't have souls and therefore will not go to heaven. Others say all creation praises his name so in the end they will. Why would God create animals that show us such love then not take them with us? I think this is such an interesting topic and would love to hear your thoughts and be pointed to scripture about it.

(this is a pic of my friends dog enjoying her last sunset before she passed on)

Random thoughts

Happy June everyone!

Well just to throw out there what I think about a lot, cuz I've got nothin else to talk about.... I think about the rapture and how much time we have A LOT. I just wonder how financially responsible I have to be. HA HA yes I am serious. I know His return is near. I just don't know how near. I am such a planner to a fault. I really do try to let that go. But I was always a saver. Now I sit on the fence. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I mean we could have 2 months or 2 years left. So I know God will always take care of us but I also know I can't be an idiot either and spend every dime I have then wake up one day and go now what. HA HA hmm just some random lunch time thoughts.

My mommy

Today is my mom's 80 th birthday! Wow huh. I wish I could see her more but I had to get out of that town! I feel guilty a lot leaving her there. She always wanted to be with me (Yes I'm the baby). She has a lot of medical needs and is confined to either her wheelchair or bed so it's hard for her to travel plus I don't like my dad driving the 2 1/2 hours anyway he is 80 too! I just feel so guilty for leaving them sometimes.

Wow now I feel really bad because these pictures are from 2005! Dom still had braces and Sierra still had bangs! We stopped through her town I think for Mothers Day from yes another soccer tournament.