J-Girl's Journey

Help!

2012-02-09T07:23:00.000-08:00

I chuckled to myself when I got home from Bible Study the other night and saw that one of my boys wrote a little note in response to my first note to him and the rest of my boys.

As I smiled and let the love of my boy sink in, I felt God whisper to me, "Yes, let My Love sink in."

I haven't always had a heart to ask for help...either from others, my boys, and especially not from God. But I am learning as I take little baby steps, what it means to walk humbly with my King. Hmmmm...we don't have to get it just right before we take those first steps, do we? We have the freedom in Christ to walk...to take those 'freedom baby steps.' (Want to be encouraged to take some FREEDOM STEPS...check out this album another princess is debuting soon).

Do you need help?
Do you ask others for help?
Do you ask God for help?

I have definitely been that kind of wife, mother and friend in recent years that did not need help, for I felt that I could take care of things best on my own. If I asked for help I used to feel that I was fully displaying all of my weakness and fraility for all to see--and who wants to display weakness. (Ah, yes, but when we are weak, You are strong (1 Cor 4:10).

Can you relate?

This week in my studying...please feel free to join me and others on the Princess Path and let me know if you want to join in on the studying 1 John, we are just beginning Chapter 2 and you can get my eBook here...we just talked about God being our help.

As I stare at the words penned by my boy, I also think of the words God inspired others to pen and I know God is with me in spirit and encouraging me to ask for help.

Do these scriptures stir your heart like they do mine?

"Now go, I will help you..." (Exodus 14:12)

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. (Numbers 33:26)

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13)

Who is your help? How do you ask for help?

Clean And Cute!

2012-02-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

Does your life look or feel messy? Yesterday was a messier day than usual for meand I even tweeted this picture of my son. I titled this picture of him and is smeared spaghetti tray, “It’s been amessy day!”

I thought a lot yesterday about how messy life can be. In the middle of the muck of life, it is easyto feel like we can’t get cleaned up—hopelessness can set in at any given timeand thoughts of change exhaust even the most driven princess.

I realized this morning that God was speaking to me throughmy messy day and He rocked my heart this morning as He breathed life into myheart. His words of truth are echoingnow as I type, “You are already clean.” Andas I work through my 1 John study He is highlighting this truth even more!

Click here

Are you studying God’s Word? Are you plugged in with a group of girlfriends? I encourage you to get connected and meetface to face with some gals around you; but if for some reason you can’t—I inviteyou to check out my study here and get connected with me and other girls on thePrincess Path. There are almost of adozen of us on this specific journey right now and I will be sharing more of my heart thesecoming weeks as I venture on this journey with some new girlfriends. Just click on the picture to the right and it will direct you to Amazon todownload my eBook. Then visit with me hereand let me know that you are studying with us—I would love to pray for you eachweek!

So, in today’s study we read Hebrews 9:14 and 22 and theword cleansjumped off of the page for me. I sharethe meaning of the Greek word in my study and write—“all the mistakes, all theregrets, all the dirtiness that life brings, He can wash away.”

I realize how much the world has taught me otherwise. Even the very people God has placed over mein my life, other well-meaning people just have managed to communicate eitherby their words, or lack of words and just their simple actions have left me with thoughts close to my heart, “Youare not good enough,” or “I see your messiness and until you get it together,you have no worth.” As a child Iremember feeling like my good always needed to be better when words ofaffirmation were often withheld. Overtime, my heart was left feeling dirty, inadequate and without hope and I couldn’treally explain these feelings--I just know I felt this way deep inside. I struggled with feeling cleanand good. Do you struggle with feelinggood enough in this messy world?

Remember this picture I said I tweeted, I got severalcomments back with just the word ‘CUTE!’ I haveto say, I agree with the comments, for as I snapped the picture of my messyboy, I was thinking about how cute he was and he was just so proudto be feeding himself and enjoying every second of messiness. As I glanced again at the picture I heard Godwhisper, “How cute you are in your messiness. And just as you are cleaning him up—I do the same for you…You are cleanand cute!”

You are clean and cute too girlfriend! I pray you make time to chat with our Kingtoday and hear His whispers for yourself. Feel clean and cute! Because He hasalready made us clean and cute!

Want to be inspired by another’s journey with God thatbrought about clean and cute amidst a messy life? Bryon and Julie Widner will be sharing theirredemptive story on Girlfriendit Radio today…can’t wait to hear from thisformer skin head and his wife and how God transformed their lives with Hislove. Come listen with me and then letme know what you thought of the show?

Linger

2012-01-31T07:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, life gets busy and things just kind of linger on my to do list? Anyone else still have their Christmas tree up?

I'm kind of chuckling...but kind of not-ha!

Another thing on my list is figuring out my blog and having it imported to my Princess Path Facebook Page again...anyone have any ideas?

I came across this link with some information about "Network Blogs" and now have the 'handy dandy' tab on the left-hand side of my Facebook Page...let's see if anything comes to fruition from this new tab.

And maybe, I'll get the tree put away this week too...YIKES!

A Splash Of Almond Milk

2012-01-30T10:21:00.000-08:00

Just a splash of almond milk. That’s what I began adding to my concoctionof coffee this past week after listening to some great tidbits about How toTransform It on Girlfriendit Radio. (Feel free to click on the link and download for free on iTunes)

I had to chuckle to myself after chatting it up with somegirlfriends online about it. Really, Godis transforming my heart BIG time right now and He is calling me to makesome changes in how I think and respond to some things in my life right now—but reallymy true emotions came out when I messed with and talked about my morning brew. Change can be delightful but hard to swallowsometimes. Do you agree?

Anyone else working through some change right now?
Are you being challenged?
Are you learning to look at your circumstances differently?
Are you learning to respond different?
Are you embracing a different attitude?
Are you being led by God to do something different?

As the seasons change, so do our minds and hearts transform as we agreewith God and walk with Him as His princesses down the paths that He has for us.

I was reminded also after listening to my pastor’s messagethis weekend that it is this transformation that God wants to use to bring usand others closer to Him. My pastortitled his message, Come and See…and these words from John 1:46 are resonatingin my heart today as is the story told in John 9.

So often I get snagged in thinking that mysad circumstances or past abusive situations occurred to punish or show me just how sinful and worthless I am—I knowridiculous…right?!?

As I even type thatI know how ridiculous that is; but the reality is that even if I don’t speakit out loud, my emotions and subconscious feel this to the core because of the situations that have been present in my journey.

Just as the disciples asked inverse 1, “…who sinned this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” I can so easily replace these words with myown situation(s)….and either feel I have sinned or point the finger at thegeneration before me or the other sinner beside me.

Yet, Jesusexplains, “Neither this man or his parents sinned…but this happened so that thework of God might be displayed in his life.” (John 9:3)

The work of God displayed in his life! Does your heart long for the work of God to be displayed in your life?

Those words ran right into my heart, covered the crackslike a medicating salve…and spoke volumes of hope! I see that things have happened in my life too and that God desires to transform myheart all so that God might be displayed in my life. It’s simple but complex isn’t it?

How can I more easily share this splendor andkeep it simple like the blind man who said, in John 9:25, “One thing I do know.I was blind but now I see!”

How do you keep it simple? Can you help me keep it simple? Is there one thing we know?

I want to share more of the changes that have occurred in my life andheart….kind of like the change to almond milk in my coffee--but beyond that; don't you?

I believe God has helped me create this simple list—what canyou add to this list with me?

*I was once feeling unloved and unwanted…now I am loved andcherished (Deut 7:9).

*I was once searching for purpose…now I know God has a greatplan and purpose for my life. (Jer 29:11)

*I was once broken and ashamed of my past feeling defeated…nowI am living…although not perfectly, but as an overcomer—more than a conquerorwith Christ. (Romans 8:37)

As we remember where we’ve been, may we stay focused onwhere we are going with Christ.

How do you keep it simple and stay focused on this ever transforming journey? Let's chat it up and laugh about our ways and keep going with our King...one step, one splash of almond milk at a time.

But seriously, I am asking for your input and help...please dare to go with me and respond below.

Never Stop Dancing!

2012-01-27T22:46:00.000-08:00

It's late...Mommy's home--thank you for your prayers--and the heels are off and the boys are in bed. I've decided to make a collage of the night...a night I will treasure FOREVER! First, I kind of felt like Cinderella today, taking care of a regular day of duties, changing diapers, running errands and even finishing up some work while the youngest prince napped...Mom was in sweats, hair pulled back and no make up for the majority of the day...and the rush of dinner time was in full force around 6pm when I grilled burgers for the family

(the Princes' choice dinner for the night).

Dad brought home a gift and the boys helped put it on...

The boys adjusting my corsage.

Prince JT-Princess Mom-Prince JD ready for the night

I never did think about dressing the baby for the night...what was I thinking, he is our biggest dancer yet!

Surprised at how many people there were--such a great idea!! And way to go Dad's Club! This picture shows just one of the circle of kids doing some dance activity with hula-hoops...my cool pre-teen was the COOLEST!

Some serious looks from the little j-man tonight...I think he was wondering what his brothers were doing with hula-hoops...

What? (Don't you just see the COOLNESS?)

This dancing dude

One is particularly, not shy and not lacking in dance moves....the picture just don't do it justice.

with his COOL bro

NEVER

STOPPED DANCING!

I don't want to stop dancing in this life...

I hope you don't stop dancing either...

But don't follow my moves...I don't know what I'm doing...just feel His heartbeat within you and follow Him...He will lead you into your own groove.

Let's not be scared to get out there and DANCE...our own gifted dance! I am choosing to forever remember this night, and just be...

THANKFUL!

Happy Birthday Mommy!
Thank you for encouraging me to keep dancing. I will push through the fears and keep dancing!

Time For A Ball

2012-01-27T06:15:00.000-08:00

A Ball and balling are what's on my mind this FUN FRIDAY! *Sigh*

Oh, I wonder how many of you have something heavy on yourheart this FUN FRIDAY—heavy hearts make having FUN a little harder.

I’mchoosing to keep walking and make the best of this Friday—and I sense my Kingsmiling.

I believe my King has arranged some things on the calendarfor me today. I find it a bitinteresting that on this day, I am thinking about being a princess and wearingmy tiara while my boys dress up in their finest prince attire to take me to theball...yet I want to just curl up into a ball and well--just ball!

It’s the Parent/Student Dancetonight…and I’ve dusted off my tiara, painted my nails and just written out abirthday card for my sweet mother.

Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday and her early birthday presentunfortunately is coming in the form of surgery today; as she ventures on this road to rid her body of breast cancer. Please pray for her andlift her up today. Because of the Ball tonight, I'm reminded of ourstatus as ‘princesses.’ And how oftenwe forget it—maybe because we don’t wear tiaras everyday…

I’m praying for my mom and praying for all princesses in mycircle—that we don’t forget Whose we are and Who we belong to—evenwhen situations before us don’t seem so favorable.

Renee Swope wrote about it in Chapter 2 of her new book thatI’m studying, Confident Heart. “My dad showed love by buying me things. So, if God brought good things in my life, Ifelt His approval. My dad showed disappointmentthrough withdrawal and anger. When lifewas hard and I was lonely, I wondered what I had done wrong and if God wasturning His back on me.”

Do you ever feel that way?

I know I am prone to get lost in this cycle of thinking andforget—I forget and I bet you may be tempted to forget that we are God’smasterpieces and His treasured possessions…we can’tdo anything to make God loves us more and we can’t do anything to make God lovesus less.

I just read a girlfriend’s blog where she touched on this abit too and she reminded me that we can feel forgotten too—but, as princesses ofa King, “…we get to hearthe whisper of the Holy Spirit in our ear each day.” (Feel free to clink on the link and read moreof what my girlfriend wrote).

Sometimes I know life tries to whisper louder than God’swhisper, so when we see disappointment happen in another’s life, we must prayfor them and remind them…remind ourselves!
We are God’s masterpieces and His treasuredpossessions
(Eph 2:10, Deut 7:6).

Just for FUN, I’ll post pictures of my sweet princes and melater, and I might just have to go pick up a tiara for my mom to wear on her birthdaytomorrow!

Beautiful eBook!

2012-01-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

Last night I was at church attending a leadership meetingand was delighted that they chose to begin the meeting with worship. The last song we sang, brought the Spirit of God close,reminding me of the magnitude of God’s love for me. This theme that I am loved, and WHOAHOW HE LOVES US, has been resonating in my heart these past few weeks and Iremembered quoting this song in my first eBook.

Yes, you read that right…my first eBook on the study of 1John is published!

As if that wasn’tenough, I’m so excited to be leading a group of women through the studybeginning next week!

Check out my page on Amazon and then click on thelink for my eBook “AJourney Through 1 John – See the LIGHT-Feel the LOVE- Live the LIFE!”

I first wrote this study on 1 John about 2 ½ years ago and led a group of almost 20women through the study and was blessed by giving both my time to studying andpraying with these women.

God continues to open my eyes and open my heart to His waysand His love; encouraging me to live the abundant life free from theentanglement of abuse and sin that I was accustomed to as a child. My life is not perfect, I am not perfect…butnone of us has to be…His love is perfect.

May we know and rely on the love that He has for us girlfriends! (1John 4:16)

Leaving the meeting last night, I chatted with three galsthat I have never met before; there are hundreds of leaders at our new churchand my family is still six months new to the church. Two of the gals were named Linda, and we madesmall talk about the name Linda; it’s my mother’s name (please continue to prayfor her—I will blog more this week about her and her journey) and then one ofthe gray-haired Linda’s spoke about a time decades before when she was a naïve teenagera casa-nova type gentleman told her that the name Linda meant beautiful. “It does!” I know that; yet this Linda was sharing how put off and offended she waswith this man’s context and attitude as he shared with her this truth.
I chatted with them briefly about how sad that the world maytry to bring us down and taint our ‘beautiful’—yet God has named eachone of His children after his own beautiful image….

I celebrate today this day that my eBook is published not toboast of what I have done or my own ‘beautiful,’ (truthfully: at timesmy feelings about ‘beautiful’ have waned)—No, it is God who captivated my heartand has transformed me from the inside out…and I pray that you too will see,feel and embrace your own beautiful!!

Praise the LORD, forthe LORD is good. I sing and write anthemsto His beautiful name!

(Psalm 135:3 The Message)

You are a beautiful princess, grab your tiara and join me onthis PrincessPath…and if you feel led, grab a copy of my eBookand let’s go down this journey together!

Would love to hearyour thoughts about the study; you can comment on Amazon or below on my blog.

To my King be ALL the BEAUTIFUL glory!

A Soul-Deep Beauty Tip

2012-01-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

Beauty Tubes Mascara…have you heard of it? It’s my latest favorite thing! I shared this mascara with my closest bestieslast month after my beautiful sister shared her latest beauty secret with me.

Do you share ideas andsuch with your girlfriends or do you keep them to yourself?

This mascara is so different than any other mascara that Ihave ever used…it actually comes off in tubes…rather than smudging into thecrevices around your eyes. I never usedto be able to get my mascara off completely and would have remnants of it on mypillowcase often.

As I was washing my face last night and the wet wash clothwarmed my face, I heard God whisper a cleansing message to my heart. “You have walked this week in freedom.”

I later saw these words in His Word as I read in Psalm 119the following morning!

When I was washing my face, I glanced at the wash cloth andsaw all the black tubes of mascara in the cloth and glanced at the mirror tosee my eye lashes were clean –you’ve got to try it if you haven’t…check it outonline here.

Apparently, this beauty tip that has me jazzed this monthisn’t so new—but maybe you haven’t heard yet either—so I feel compelled to share. God did the same for my heart. He didn’t speak anything new—but He feltcompelled to share this soul-deep beauty tip…and He encouraged me, andlet my heart know that He noticed and nudged me to see for myself!

God noticed that I did not allow the hurtful, wearisome actsof my week to hold me back and because I clung to Him and the truth of whom Iam in Him… I walked in freedom…holding onto my confidence! (Rather thanthrowing away my confidence for the day, which I have often done in the past(Heb 10:35-36).

I’ve mentioned on my PrincessPath Facebook Page, that I am partaking in Renee Swope’s “Confident Heart Online BibleStudy.” And this past week she askedus to think about and describe a woman with a confident heart; I wish I couldsay that I have felt confident this week. A lot of new projects and new challenges of the heart have come upon methese past couple of weeks; and lookingback, I believe God allowed these along with a series of hurtful situations tocome my way just so I could see that—yep…with Him I’m strong enough to stand…strongenough to stand in His love, not matter what life throws at me.

God showed me in the midst of my tubes mascara that by allowing His Living Water to continually wash away the junk of the world I lived confidently in Him...even during painful moments that made me feel less than secure. The key was He alone was mysource of Loving Water. I didn't rely on the comments of girlfriends or family to cheer me up this week, nor did I allow the hurtful moments to bring me down--at least not far enough down, where God could not nudge me back up.

For a confident woman plants herself by the Water. She does not fear or worry when heat from theworld comes. She just keeps going…knowingand relying on Love…the love God has for her. (Jer 17:7, 1 John 4:16)

Have you struggled with standing confident lately? Confidence can be a fleeting feeling if we are not tapped into the One True Source. We as fellow princesses must keep pointing each other to Him as the One True Source.

Turn your heart towards God…Turn your eyes away fromworthless things…He will preserve your life according to His Word! (Psalm119:36-37)

And don't forget to go checkout that mascara, girlfriend, and come back to tell me what you think!

A Score of Disappointment

2012-01-16T07:59:00.000-08:00

37-20! My boys had the yellow and green streamersready to decorate—already planning the Super Bowl Party, but to the surpriseand frustration of many—the Packers will not make it this season.

My boy studying plays.

To my eight year old, this loss is devastating; I saw it inthe tears he was trying hard to hold back. His passion for the game of football and the Greenbay Packers has beenbuilding this season with his own opportunity to play the role of quarterback on his flag football team.

As I read the pain in my boy’s eyes from the game lost itsomehow touched the tender spots of disappointments in my own heart—notfrom the game of football, but from the game of life.

Has disappointment hit your heart recently?

Just this week something triggered a past hurt and Irecognized that I must not allow this disappointment to throw away myconfidence. (Hebrews 10:35)

Some disappointments like losing the game or not getting theposition we applied for can take the wind out of us for a moment…or a few days. And there are some disappointments that touchthe heart even deeper, possibly even entangling the threads of previous hurts.

Right now I admit a memory of a past loss is weighing on myheart and taking up more action in my thoughts than I care to admit. I can’t deny the pain in my heart; it breedsdiscouragement in the recesses of my heart, like the leftovers breed mold onthe food misplaced in the recesses of the refrigerator.

Through the last week or so, I’ve had various conversationswith girlfriends about disappointments that seem to be looming in both my heartand theirs…I’m thankful for their experiences and their wise words. Maybe you need to hear these too:

“You don’t have to win to prove your value”

“Life is messy and dirty, shake it off; and then MOVE ON”

“Remember where you’ve come and where He’s brought you…thereis HOPE.”

“A new season waits.”

There is hope. Thereis a friend of all friends, who brings hope and His name is Jesus. He too has felt disappointment andfrustration. He has had friends betrayHim and life exasperated him at times too…Jesusgets your disappointment.

I’ve been walking holding Jesus’ hand while working throughmy own disappointments in life. Sometimes myfears and emotions get the best of me and my days are less than productive. But some days are awesome and full of hopebecause I am listening to Him breathe life into my heart that was crushed andmistreated.

I’m clinging to Him and the love that God has for me (1John4:19)and through the pain He is showing me that there is a new seasoncoming--this disappointment is not the end. (Packers fan, a new season willbe coming!)

When a disappointment hits and when I feel that the ones Godhas placed in my life to care for me and shepherd my heart are not making themark, He speaks louder with His love and encourages me to keep going—I’m notperfect either--and no on ever has to be. (Oh, the freedom when we get this--Jesus help me get this!)

I’m partaking right now in an online study by Renee Swope. Feel free to join me, and click here, I met Renee online when I first felt the nudgeto write and she was just beginning to write her first book. Without her knowing it, her journeyencouraged mine and kept me writing even when disappointments tried hard to keep mefrom writing.

With that, I can’t wait for my first e-book to publish this month…Iwill let you know more about this soon. Let’snot let disappointment breed doubt in our hearts. Let’s cling to God’s promises and Hisplan for our lives.

I’m thankful for those with courage before me who set anexample for me to follow and breathed fresh hope into my soul. There are many; for today on MLK day weremember one…but the greatest of these is my friend—and I hope yours too—sweet, loving JESUS!

When disappointment hits, remember whose you are, and whoyou are in Christ and have a confident heart. (Renee Swope)

Let's keep going! Get back on the field of life and keep pursuing God and the lives He has made us for!

Leaves Falling in January

2012-01-12T08:35:00.000-08:00

I stood there watching the breeze beckoning the leaves tofall; capturing the rare moment in Arizona. Our new community is full of trees and I’ve enjoyed watching the leaveschange this season and now it’s January and the last bit of leaves are being sweptaway.

I couldn’t help but stare into the moment and in a way feltGod staring into my heart…and there it was—my fear exposed. I recognized it as my heart crying out aprayer, “Please don’t sweep her away.”

I got a call that I was not expecting last week, and I thinkI am still numb from the news. My sweetmother is now embarking on the breast cancer road. We talked the other day about this scary road and my stomach feels like that leaf wafting from the heightsof the tree and landing shocked on the cold concrete.
So many emotions rolling through my head this week and Irealize how this recent devastating news causes us to think back and even touchpast devastations. Our family has notbeen immune to heartache, disappointment and hardship—and I admit I cannot helpbut ask why?

In the echo of my question, I hear the answer, “but thishappened so that the work of God might be displayed in your life.” (John 9:3).

My girlfriend captured this sunrise this week.

I’m anticipating the display…like artwork in the sky. Whether morning or night—joy or despair—my Godis with me. (Psalm 23)

Just as the wind beckoned the leaves to fall…the Spirit ofthe Lord beckons my tears to fall and draws me to rest in His arms—pray for meJesus…answer my mother’s prayer.

We’re clinging to truth that combats the fear, for Hisperfect love drives out fear. (1John 4:18) After talking with my mom about these fears, and one of them that thisjourney will mimic that of her own mothers’ who forty years ago was diagnosedin January with a life threatening illness and then left this earth five monthslater, missing my mother’s high school graduation.

Many seasons have past—many leaves grown and fallen…but it’sJanuary again and in five months my brother will graduate from highschool. Oh, to have a present woundtouch a previous wound—the fear is deep and entangled and I’m so proud of my motherfor tenaciously moving forward, expressing her feelings and courageously facingthe fears and leaning on God. God pleaseallow your comfort and peace to fall on my mother and her sweet, precious heartduring this time.

With leaves scattered along the grass, I’m thankful that thelandscapers are here to gather up the leaves…and my job is to gatherup the truth! I’m on a mission to gatherup truth for myself and my mother to cling to during this time on the road. These are a few scriptures I’m collecting andif you have others to share…we would treasure them and ponder them in ourhearts for this present journey. To HIM be the glory!

“Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the LORDyour God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.” (Zeph3:15)

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” (Hebrews13:5)

ThinGs!

2012-01-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

In the very mundane of my day, I sense my King speaking tome and these moments energize my soul. Iknow I am not alone in my desires to hear from my Father, for we are all wiredto hear from Him and I share not to boast and scream to the masses…look what I got—butmy heart is to make Him alone famous—famous and known everywhere--in everyheart…

God loves you…I pray that you hearing how He touches myheart will give you permission to see Him in your day too.

Just the onions beginning to sweat

I stood there in the kitchen preparing dinner just like anyother late afternoon, this time making some extra for my mum and the extrasdear to me under her roof. Somethingbeckoned my heart from the heat in the pot as the miriepoix simmeredbillowing waves of steam throughout the kitchen.

Memories of watching the Food Network and Rachel Ray came tomind as I remember her commenting on the onions sweating and how good it wasfor the flavor of the meal.

Sweating—eeeeww—it is a bit uncomfortable but yes, I know itis good for the heart.

I sensed God nudging me to see the miriepoix sweating in thepot and creating an aroma that made my mouth water, why? I sensed questions rise up in me as I believeGod was showing me how much my life is like this miriepoix—my calling—my purposein life is like this miriepoix.

On the brink of sweating it out, enduring each moment allthe while life is heated up around me I just stood there staring at the pot.

Things are good but I have to admit things are not easy nor arethey what I would call comfortable. Around me there are relationships that needtendinGto; hearts that need mendinG, health that needs improvinG,characters that need moldinG, habits that need breakinG,attentions that need focusinG…my life is good but thereseems to be so many different things—so much ‘inG’ that is piling upcreating a HUGE ‘inG’ mountainbefore me.

As I stir up the pot I recognize the mountain of carrots,onions and celery beginning to change a bit…slowly sweating, slowly changing,slowly creating a pleasant aroma.

“You are slowly smelling good—a fragrant offering! (Eph 5:1)”

I’m not quite sure how to accept it—somehow I guess I justdo—but I know there is purpose in sweating and having the thermostat of lifeturned up while God works everything out for His great purpose. We have to count on being refined and proven genuinein this life.

Soon the miriepoix will be added to other ingredients—andsoon we will find ourselves rubbing shoulders with other great fruits of life—greatingredients put together by the master Chef!

Are you feeling life is hard right now?

Let’s remind each other, it is not the end.

Don’t give up! Lookup and see what He is doing!

May you hear Him whisper to you too—and may you realize thatthe awareness of things in our life are sometimes there just so that we realize“ ineed God!”

QUIET!

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

My heart has yearned for some solitude and quiet moments andit's not just because the sounds of fireworks are still resonating in my head. Quiet has been hard to find these last couple of weekswith my husband and children off for the holidays. As much as the festivities of this time ofyear fill my heart with joy…it is not complete unless I consistently find solidchunks of time to be quiet with my best friend, Jesus.

I was reminded earlier in the week of how easy it is to misswhat God wants to show us when there is so much noise going on around us. I have a new path in our new neighborhoodthat I like to walk and it brings me along a little lake, actually more like alarge pond and one particular morning I was excited to see at least 100 ducksgathered. As I pushed my little boy inhis stroller towards the ducks, I noticed that his head was turned away, focusedon something else. He seemed fixated onthis giant box covering some sort of filtration system I guess for the lake andthe noise alone, I believe captivated my boy's attention.

Of course! Noise alwaystrumps the quiet moments, I chuckled in my mind and heard God whisper, “Thesame is true with you.”

Do you get distracted with the noise in your life?

I do—and noise isn’t always bad, but I do realize that mybody craves to get away to the quiet. Irecognize that in order to live the life that God wants me to live, I have toget away to the quiet.

It is here inquiet moments I can no longer hide from my thoughts, feelings and circumstancesand it is here that I can listen and iron it all out with God.

Having the entire family on vacation, it is so easy for meto spend 100% of my time with them. And late nights are just a given, making it harder to get up before the family for some quiet.

Yet, today as I did getaway, I heard loud and clear from God as I saw a hummingbird fly over my head , “Take what you need, so that you may helpothers…this is an act of love for all of you.”

As I sat there reading, the hummingbird flew over to aspider web and pulled off various leaves and debris which looked glued to theweb. A memory came to me of a time being with my boys about 7 years ago...oh look how little they were.

We played around in a creek one late spring and came upon two hummingbirds tending to their nest. I could not see this current hummingbirds nest, but I pictured him having one similar.

God wired this hummingbird like me and you to do certainthings. By these simple acts, thehummingbird was building a nest and thus helping his young and the hummingbirdby taking what he needed was inadvertently helping this spider clean up his web.

I know, so silly to think about, but isn’t it true?

When we take care of ourselves and receive the love from Godwe are much more ready to love those in our lives aren’t we?

Life is noisy—we need to cultivate the quiet moments.

This is what I’m striving for in this new year…more quiet moments withGod and my best friend Jesus.

With my focus already here and ramping up, ready for the new year; I was so excitedto hear that our home church is going to be studying from the book of John…itis in this book that I’ve been soaking up more of Jesus. In this book, I feel God gave me a themeverse for 2012:

“Look for Him to reveal His glory and put your faith in Him.”John 2:11

Do you have a theme verse? I’m not suggesting you have to have one, but if you do, share it withsomeone…it just might help them focus on Him rather than the noise.

I believe God used this site to give me the idea of a themeverse for the year and then my pastor’s message sent me reading "the book" in thequiet.

I’ll stop typing now and give you some space to be quiettoo.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

FUN FRIDAY- Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!....do something FUN like put on a pair of FUN Christmas socks today!

Thank you Mom for both the gift of you, and the gift of these socks...you make me smile.

Preparing to UNWRAP HIS PRESENCE

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Another last minute gift that I decided to box up and placeunder the tree! I know what you’rethinking—not another thing to add—really?

It’s simple—cost me nothing...

On my morning walk I was mulling over what I had read in God’sWord and in this blog postthat I read earlier. While walking I was reminded of God's whisper to me earlier in the week and I’m planning onposting next week about God’s whisper—be looking next week here and be looking for Himto speak to you during these next few days...He loves us so much!

With my heart desiring to keep the focus on Him this season, I've also read about things to do with my kids to help keep Godthe focus and I’ll admit some ideas are just not for me—some are just a littleTOO MUCH as I strive for balance in desiring to instill the meaning of thisseason. I don’t want my children to bepious, gimme brats—but I don’t want them to miss the point of RECEIVING God’slove either.

I'm not great at this but I'm always trying to do better--as a family we are behind on our advent devotions because of busyness, but I'm not throwing in the towel yet!

With God’s help, I want to love on my kiddos this season,everyday actually—praying and talking about Jesus and asking God to fill theirprecious hearts and protect them from being jaded or legalistic about love butto truly become vessels of His love and I just feel the best way is for them tobe loved first! How I love them will shape their ideas of God's love.

I love this idea and that’s why I'm sharing it…it’s a simpleempty box—with 3 note cards with scriptures on them for us to open, read and pray over on ChristmasEve when the boys also open their brand new jammies J A tradition every year so they have newjammies to wear for Christmas morning.

We will unwrap the presence of God the night before weunwrap the rest of the presents!

We willthank Him for guiding us this past year and literally breathing life into usand ask Him to continually fill our hearts with His love.

So how are you going to unwrap His presence this season?

There is still plenty of time and I love to hear your ideas!

12 Days of Christmas

2011-12-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

The HUSTLE AND BUSTLE! Canyou feel it?

The countdown has begun in our house—not a day has beenmissed counting the days until Christmas but I have to confess my December 1^stgusto of focusing on love has been distracted.

What do we do when curve balls are thrown and jumble up the plans of the day...month? —we persevere right?!?

As the days draw near I am thankful for an extra pair ofhands around my home helping me wrap and prepare for Christmas morning. And I am reminded first and foremost to loveand focus my time on those nearest to me.

So many things that we can choose to focus on and so manythings we can think about it. I’ve readabout the 12 Days of Christmas and even encouraged you to give and celebrateLove and I’m not going to stop now!

I came across some interested information online about the12 Days of Christmas and one of them being this video. I’ve encouraged those around me to givesimple gifts for the 12 Days of Christmas and my boys and I participated in avery simple way. We prepared a box of 12candy canes and gave them out to those around us. I showered some close friends and family withsome little gifts to make their day a little brighter and now I feel nudged tocelebrate and shower one person for 12 Days straight.

As I’ve thought about who to give out candy canes or who toshower with gifts and other random acts of kindness, I’ve thought about how overwhelmingit is to receive love. And the weird emotions even of extending love. I couldn't decide whether to gift just one person with 12 gifts or pick 12 people to gift--when thinking of one person and gifting them with 12 gifts...my first thought honestly was (now don't judge), "They are going to think I am NUTS!"

Aren’t we prone to question and doubt the motives behindlove? Isn't is a little scary extending love--with questions looming in our minds like, "Will they receive this?" Discouraging thoughts enter my mind all of the time before I feel compelled to love--"They will think I'm stupid," "They are going to think I want something," "They will think I am nuts!"

Oh, this makes me sadand I realize I want to make a difference—gift by gift—little act by littleact and fight through the discouraging thoughts that come with it.

I realize though, that upon receiving Love myself, the first acts oflove that I follow through with must be within my home.

Thus, the decision to shower my hubby of 15 years with 12gifts! 12 Gifts for the 12 Days ofChristmas! (Maybe he is the safest too--he won't think I'm NUTS! :)

Beginning Christmas day and 11 days after that I will plan to givehim little gifts.

Are you in this with me? Is there someone that you can shower with 12little gifts?

Let’s allow the Love to extend into the New Year!

Comment below and let me know that you are in—share any of yourgreat ideas and encourage us! Maybe we can remind each other that we are not NUTS! And maybe...just maybe our acts of love will ellicit such expressions as this one...out of the mouth and on the face of my babe!

Everyone who shares will be entered into the drawing, whichbegan December 1^st. Namedrawn will win their own special gift...”A Starbucks Gift Card.”

Drawing held January 1, 2012!

Can’t wait to hear from you!

Show Me Jesus

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

It’s Meet Jesus Monday and I can’t helpbut think about Jesus’ birthday coming up this week.

There were just plain folk like you and me during Jesus’ day,who were beckoned and prepared to visit Jesus for the first time as a newbornbaby in a stable. Luke 2 describes theshepherds living out in the fields nearby watching their flocks when an angelof the Lord appeared to them and told them what to expect and the shepherds setoff to Bethlehem to meet Jesus.

Something in me thinks we are given lots of angelvisits like these Shepherds to prepare for meeting Jesus; but we are often justtoo busy to hear or see them and thus fail to take them in.

—more on this another time.

Luke 2:17 struck my heart and I realize that this truth hasbecome a blazing spark in my efforts to love. Is love effortless? Do you feel urges to love and give come fromout of nowhere at times? Or is just theidea of loving and giving exhausting to you? I myself have experienced it all. Sometimes I even admit loving to receive love—Jesus calls us to love somethingdifferent and you will recognize the difference but most importantly, otherswill recognize the difference.

Will you join me this week?

Can we meet Jesus this week and will you say to Him,“Pleaseshow me how to love better.”

You can also go here anddownload free at iTunes the latest show from Girlfriendit Radio titled “Men ofHonor,” which aired last week. It’s notjust for men…but us women can learn to walk like Jesus too.

As I type thesethoughts it’s as if the sun is shining brighter and brighter in my living room-oh,how the stars must have been doing the same that Christmas night when Jesuswas born!

When the shepherds had seen Jesus, verse 17 says, “Theyspread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”

Isn’t that what we do…when we meet Jesus and receive Hislove—we can’t help but share what we’ve received with others?!?!

I read this blog this week too and itmight stir your heart like it did mine. May we encourage each other to run to Him this week—this season!

May we increase our understanding, our knowledge of who Jesusis—receive His gifts of love and mercy.

Then…then, we may just begin to understand and know Jesus alittle better.

I am always looking for great blogs/books and teachers to follow, please feel free to share your favorites that point you to understanding Jesus better...Share your comments below!

FUN FRIDAY- HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2011-12-16T10:05:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up and could not wait see my birthday boy break through this!

A girlfriend pointed me here for the idea.

We are celebrating him today and just got home from bringing his class donuts and later his favorite lunch "Taco Bell" at school!

As I think about making the day special and fun today for my son, I am also thinking about the balance of sharing what I do for FUN! I do not desire to boast or brag--or say, "Look what I am doing..." But truly my heart is to encourage FUN!

I am very aware, that my heart is able to go down the envy road just like anyone else's and I definitely don't want to breed such emptiness--I do believe there is something healthy in us sharing and encouraging FUN!

As a child, I have to say--the FUN department was lacking a bit in my home--and no fault to those around me; I just realize now that God's love is inside of me and there is a happy heart churning inside of me to enjoy life and have FUN!

My other son, who is NOT celebrating his birthday today reminded me this morning maybe just a little speck of why God has wired us for this? Why have FUN...why make the effort?

My son woke up and was at a crossroad...literally in the hallway this morning and seeing the streamers decorated for his brother, he could have chosen to frown and think or say, "I want that!"
(I know we've all been there.)

The first thing out of his mouth after screaming, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' to his brother was..."I love our family...we have FUN!"

"I had fun with Mom."

"YAY! Dad's home!"

He not only said it this morning, but wrote it on Dad's 'welcome home' banner we made last night for Dad as we welcomed him home from a week long business trip.

OH, it feels good to have everyone home...I'm ready to have some FUN with my family this weekend. Life is full of both up and down moments and I'm going to squeeze out every drop of FUN AND LOVE in my days!

What do you do to celebrate with your family? Hope my sharing just spurs you on to keep it up and squeeze out the FUN in your day!

Word Wednesday: STRIVE

2011-12-14T06:30:00.000-08:00

We were made to strive for something....

What are you reaching for?

Let's keep going and keep encouraging each other. (Heb 10:25)

Monday Meeting on Love

2011-12-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

Praise the LORD! It really didn't take long for my hubby to fix up my hard drive and I'm back up and writing! (I was expecting it to take longer..but God surprised me in a number of ways!)

Today's post is a little taste of my meetings with Him last week...grab your favorite cup of the season and take a short walk with me. I pray your heart will be smiling at the end :)

I read somewhere, either in one of the three books I am reading, or a blog, or a Facebook post, that stress is a choice! I had to chew on that for awhile and realized that yes indeed it is a choice! There are all kinds of things that the enemy tries to use to rob us of peace and he loves to see us stressed out and running after different things distracted from the Prince of Peace.

It is hard not to be busy this time of year, isn't it? We have two birthdays in our house on top of Jesus' this month and it is hard not to get lost in my to do list and how I "want" things to turn out. Even with the best of intentions of making this season wonderful and meaningful and full of love--I can so easily miss the boat and my vessel of love can sink in an instant.  God's timing of reminding me of this is impeccable...He spoke to my heart and as I type I am knee deep in stuff getting ready for my boys' birthday celebrations, finishing school projects, decorating, wrapping, cleaning...the list goes on.

So what do we do? We must ask Him to help us and...

MEET WITH JESUS!

I woke up this morning and these words rang in my head and the verse Jer 31:33 which I read that night came back to my mind.  It says that God writes on our hearts...His truths--His love! We must spend time allowing Him to do this and REMEMBERING Jesus throughout the day! Yes, the quiet times, the Bible studying, the memorizing of scripture all benefit us, but I've found that I need to open my heart and look for Him throughout the day in my everyday surroundings to see and hear God speaking to me...it's like getting texts, emails and phone calls from Him throughout the day.

Even with the hustle and bustle of the season and days with to do lists much to long, I noticed there are still plenty of opportunities to hear Him speak to us.   Have you attended any Christmas programs yet? This one here is one of my bestie's daughter performing "Seasons of Love." While watching this live, I felt God speak to me again the meaning of this season, "We must first receive His love--receive Love--receive Him for He is Love and then, only then can we truly love."

Go here to see video I posted on Facebook.

My own boy had his first band concert last week and as I watched him dressed in his finest playing proudly "Hot Cross Buns" and a number of other beginning songs his smile on stage melted my heart and I heard God whisper,"As beginner's you have the opportunity to shine for Me--you may be playing little notes and you may mess up these littlest notes, but your efforts do not go unnoticed...I see and use EVERYTHING!"

Joshua playing trumpet in his first band performance.

As I watched my youngest boy crawl over to the sofa and pull down every bit of laundry that I just folded and my heart partly frustrated because my work would have to be re-done but some how all I could do was smile and take a picture of him in the mound of laundry, I heard God whisper, "When you have gotten your hands in and messed things up in the past, this is how my heart feels about you."

Jacob helping with laundry.

As I watch him take off finding every obstacle he can in the house to crawl through just for fun, I hear God whisper, "You have learned so much and grown closer to me through each obstacle you have had to climb over with me."

Jacob overcoming obstacles.

With my boy's determination to hold and love on my friend's little guy while I took care of him for the day, I heard Him whisper, "You were wired for love just as JD can't help but love this little guy he just met, you can't help but love those I bring into your path."

JD with our new friend Cruz.

So who has God put in your path to love? Sometimes I know it can be overwhelming to think about loving all of those dear to us...especially if we do it from our own strength and if we think we have to do something BIG or be perfect at it. As I prepare my heart, I hear God whisper, "Be willing...I will show you...we will keep it simple."

I realized this week that I felt the most loved through whispers I was still enough to hear. My family this week is getting ready to celebrate two of the most precious gifts in our lives but we are also going to focus on loving those around us. I will post more about this later...

What are some simple ways that you are choosing to let your love overflow this week? Please share with us--not in a way to boast of course, but there is something healthy and contagious when we give each other ideas and permission to simply listen and love!

I'm encouraging girlfriends here to post their ideas and pictures. Join us as we encourage each other to meet with Jesus and love this week. Sunlight pours from His face (Matt 17:2)...let's seek His face this season; for someone is bound to see Him radiating from you and thus meet Him too!

Monday Meeting

2011-12-04T07:36:00.001-08:00

Well, this is not what I had intended to post...but with some minor hard drive issues on my laptop I'm needing to go with plan B this week and actually as I sense the nudge to focus on Jesus during this season and I see others around me taking a vacation. I'm going to take this Cyber Blog Sabbath (Sure is fun to write and make up words) and hault from posting here until 2012.

The New Year is coming soon!

Please continue to join me on Facebook (I can easily post there with my pad but my writings I have stored will just have to wait for the new year!)

Also, don't forget to check out my FB Page "Princess Path." https://www.facebook.com/pages/Princess-Path/131673090271327. Where I will be sharing some joys through this season and hope to see other princesses encouraging others to love during this Christmas season.

Looking forward to writing and chatting with you in the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

FUN FRIDAY

2011-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

This week I had some super girlfriends over to kick off someFUN this season. We gathered around myliving room with coffee mugs and sweets and ushered in this season of Love—thisseason that Love came down!

I’m encouraging all my girlfriends to spread some extra LOVEthis season…and spread some cheer for 12 Days! Check out the detail of the 12 Days of Christmas at the GirlfrienditFacebook Page. Then share an idea withus at the Princess Path Facebook Page and be entered in a drawing for aStarbucks Giftcard!

Have fun loving on those around you—and if you need someideas…just keep checking in and see what other girlfriends are doing. And most importantly, remember Him…remember God’slove! Know and rely on the love that Hehas for you—BELIEVE in the love that He has for you and then share it--you never know who just might need it!

Have FUN and if you haven’t listened yet, download thepodcast of yesterday’s Girlfriendit Radio Show…be inspired by hearing aboutother girlfriends who are believing in Love and applying it in their lives!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

2011-11-30T07:25:00.001-08:00

Meet Jesus Monday! (Belief & Perfection)

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

“Do you believe that I am able to dothis? Jesus asked. (Matthew 9:28)

Graphics created by Shazi Creation

Isn’t it awesome to have Jesus’s words written down?

I have to be honest,there are so many times that I have struggled to believe. I am thankful that others in the Bible have cried out to God asking them to help them with their unbelief. I've struggled multiple times...to believe that someone loved me—really lovedme. To believe that I could trustsomeone…truly trust someone. To believethat God not only loves me but is able to ‘do this!?!” (Whatever 'this' is at that moment.)

Growing up with a father that abused caused me to questionand quite honestly caused me to be confused about love. One of the hardest things for me to grasp still is how much my HeavenlyFather loves me and wants the best for me.

Why, I wonder have I had to suffer pain and loss and abuse? When the tears pile up—I sense a smile and simplewhisper, “It’s not ALL of the story…you’re not in heaven yet—this place isnever going to be perfect.”

I realize how much my heart longs for perfection and thebalance of still continuing to dream about perfection because that is what itwill be like in heaven, but keeping my mind at bay knowing perfection will neverarise here on earth.

I sense Jesus tugging on my heart—do you want perfectionor do you want me?

Do I believe that He is the answer to myevery need—my every desire for perfection?

Let’s not let anything or anyone stop us from reaching Him. Let’s help each other remember Him and believe!

This season is upon us—we’ve just finished mounds of turkey andstuffing and will probably continue to snack for days on the left-over’s.

As I look around my home and my neighbor’s home and thebeautiful things of the season to motivate or entice me—my heart is nudged to remember thereason that we even celebrate this wonderful time of year.

Will you help me remember that it’s not about perfection…butabout believing!

Say it with me, “I BELIEVE He is able to do this!”

FUN FRIDAY

2011-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Picture found here.

I love that you are checking in girlfriend.
But what are you doing online today--other than shopping?
Get shopping girlfriend...come back later and share your great deals...

hee hee :)

WORD Wednesday..."tHaNkFuL"

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

"Since we are receiving the Kingdom that cannot be shaken...be thankful..." Hebrews 12:28

"Devote yourself to prayer, be watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

"Be thankful." Col 3:15

thankful

Soak in the thankfulness around you and express it!

What are you thankful for? Who are you thankful for?

Meet with Jesus Monday!

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

Good Morning--Happy Monday and Happy Thanksgiving week!

I'm hitting the pause button this week! Reflecting and meditating on these words in Matthew 26:26

"Jesus...gave thanks..."

Will you join me in your own heart this week?

What are you thankful for?

FUN FRIDAY!

2011-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

It’s FUN FRIDAY and I am simply ready to halt the fingertips on the keyboard and just go have some FUN!

I was listening to yesterday’s Girlfriendit Radio Showtitled “How to Make a Sudden Impact,” and something that guest, Allen McCraysaid struck me about FUN. He said that in his earlier years, surrounded by legalistic viewpoints,he believed that if you were having FUN you must be doing something bad,evil or sinful. In order to be a good personor a good Christian, you must always be serious and Bible thumperish.

I have to say that this is what I grew up believing. Rather than dissect why I believed that—can wejust say it’s wrong! I believe Jesus hadFUNand our God has a FUN personality and we girlfriends are wired in His image ofFUN! (I like to remind myself about Jesusand we know He turned water into wine—at least He wasn’t a party pooper. He celebratedthe Passover with His disciples. Hewalked on water AND invited his friend to walk with Him….now doesn’t that soundlike FUN!?!)

Do you struggle making time for FUN in your day, yourweek, your month, your year?

My husband having FUN cheering on
his team this week!

For those of you FUN seekers…you princesses withpersonalities raring to go for every party and turning every gathering into aparty please be courageous and share some of you FUN stories. What do you do for FUN? Please share at least one FUN thingthat you have planned this weekend.

You never know what FUN may transpire.

Then, for FUN go listen to yesterday’sGirlfriendit Show and hear Sheryl Cooper share the fun ministry that her andher husband, Alice Cooper have created call Solid Rock Ministries. Be inspired to read Acts and recognize theHoly Spirit running through your veins to make a sudden impact in ourworld. Then also hear more about how AllenMcCray turned his own need into ministry. Be ready girlfriends, embrace the reflection of God in you andunderstand your God-given personality—then use it for His glory--you can count on it being FUN!

WORD WEDNESDAY Forgive

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Has the word forgive been popping up for anyone else? Such a process and probably the best description of forgiveness that I have ever read or heard explained to me was from the book Mending the Soul, by Steven Tracey--Chapter 10.

I woke up this morning with the lyrics from Chris August's song titled, 7X70 playing over in my head reminding me of both the wrong that I have endured and the wrong that I have also given in this life. Have you heard them?

7 times 70 times
I’ll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way
7 times 70 times
There’s healing in the air tonight
I’m reaching up to pull it down
Gonna wrap it all around

I lost count of the ways you let me down
But no matter how many times you weren’t around
I’m all right now

God picked up my heart and helped me through
And shined a light on the one thing left to do
And that’s forgive you
I forgive you

7 times 70 times
If that’s the cost I’ll pay the price
7 times 70 times
I’ll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way

7 times 70 times
There’s healing in this house tonight
Also, remember a couple of weeks back when we read that Jesus calls us 'friend?'

I'm smiling as I write and see the words in Luke 5 where some men carried a paralytic man on a mat through the roof to get to Jesus for healing. Jesus said in verse 20 after seeing their faith, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

Then again Jesus talks about a friend, a woman who has been forgiven in Luke 7:47...the shimmer of hope, the legacy that I want to leave..."her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much." A princess for sure.

Isn't it true, aren't the most loving people we know also the most forgiving people?

What about you...I'm curious if any other words have been whispered to you these past couple of days?

MONDAY MEETING with Jesus and forgiveness

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

It’s Meet with Jesus Monday let's get right down to business.

John 8:1-11 tells us that a woman stood thereamidst the circle of people and the darkness in her heart was revealed. I don’t know if I could bear to have my darkmesses known to the masses. I am ashamedat how many times I try to cover it up and as I think about Jesus and how hehandled this woman—this adulterer—my heart feels lighter.

Scripture says she was caught in the very act. I do have a hard time thinking of myself as this woman…seeing myself as a victim seems a little more comfortable. Yet, recently whilestudying the book of Hosea and re-reading the words in John 8, I see freedom again in admiting my wrongs and also the wrongs of another. Are you burdened with the realization of your own wrong?

Receive Jesus’ forgiveness and turn away from your wrong

As I lean into my friend Jesus I find peace in the middle of my circle,aware of my ugly tendencies and free from oppression. I can picture myself being this womanstanding there with Jesus and encircled by scowling men and I picture Jesus' kind, loving, accepting eyes.

Heknows my tendencies and He knows how to handle the judgment that naturallycomes from others when they are hurt and bothered by my ugliness.

Are there consequences for our ugly acts? …Ibelieve so

Will we be tempted to feel down because our ugly acts? …I think I can count on that

Can our ugliness be forgotten, pardoned, exonerated? …It already has!

Hear Jesus whisper this truth…see Him pointing out that NOONE is left encircling or condemning you—

Sometimes we cause our own circle of accusations and condemnation in our headand even imagine others pointing their fingers and scowling—all inside our own heads. If you are condemning yourselfinside your own head right now—stop it! Just stop it! Nothing is changed and it is not made right by you torturing yourself. Receive this free gift.

Hear what Jesus says, receive the love and forgiveness: ”Thenneither do I condemn you…go now and leave your life of sin.”

A princess knows that she makes mistakes and when she does make mistakes in her life she admits them and moves on—don’t let your tiara get caught in the snags of condemnation—and don't be fooled--a good princess is a repentant sinner, not a perfect anything.

See and accept Jesus and know that no one is pointing their finger at you, no one is condemning you--leave your sin behind and walk in His forgiveness. You are forgiven.

FUN FRIDAY

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Veteran's Day...11-11-11
Another Friday...another chance to have some FUN!

Actually in the process of FUN and don't have much time to write--will post a little later this weekend.

Go here to download podcast of yesterday's Girlfriendit Radio Show...and most importantly celebrate and have some FUN!

Word Wednesday

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

This has been a physical mountain before me this week with our washer out for a few days. Thought this was kind of funny and I would much rather focus on this mountain of laundry than some of the other mountains in my life. I definitely don't want to be a downer--but I know I am not alone in the sea of mountains from time to time. Any of these mountains sound familiar?

*Mount Baby Sniffles
*Mount Diagnosis
*Mount Finances
*Mount Discouragement
*Mount Fear
*Mount Location
*Mount Frustration
*Mount Hurt
*Mount Desire
*Mount Struggling
*Mount Don't Know Enough
*Mount Know Too Much
*Mount Stress
*Mount Don't Know What To Do
*Mount Lost

What's the mountain before you look and feel like these days?

How do you remind yourself that you are not alone?

How do you keep from being paralyzed at the base of the mountain?

Let's keep going-keep seeking the One who gives us strength to climb and the one with power to move the mountain!

Listen to a man named Paul's advice...He knew and loved Jesus too.

"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I ahve learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phil 4:10-13

Knowing that in this life we face mountains of many kinds, how can we pray and encourage each other to flex our muscles at the base of our mountains? Princess style of course!

Meet with Jesus Monday and MORE!

2011-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited girlfriends! Have you ever just been so overwhelmed by a friend's love and encouragement? I hope today's posts speaks to you about the truth that our friends really can bring life and encouragement to our lives...especially our friend Jesus! No doubt, have I been inspired by the love and encouragement found while spending time with my sweet friend Jesus, and today's blog post speaks to these times with Him!

I am both honored and humbled (yes these two feelings happened at the same time) to have this Monday's post published online at (In)courage. Don't you just love those friends who encourage you to keep going?!? Go here and check out my post! Stay a while and check out their wonderful encouraging website.

Then no matter what mountains you are facing this Monday...soak up the truth in these verses today:

"I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:14 NAS"

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Phil 4:13 NKJV

Please share your own encouragement or if you need prayer for the current mountains that you are facing in your life--comment about that too--I will lift you up and chat with Him about it too girlfriend!

FUN FRIDAY

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

So today is FRIDAY…well, not just FRIDAY, but...FUN FRIDAY!!!

I have to admit that this particular Friday, well doesn’tseem so FUN! I’ve got a sick little oneat home. I have to admit that on days like today, I am tempted to pull the covers over my head and hide-away. Do you ever waste the day away?

I am reminded today that not every day—notevery Friday can be a picnic. Yet, we dohave choices even deep in the muck of the worst of days, don't we?

Refusing to stay couped up in the house with a runny-nosed, feverish toddler I decided to go for a walk yesterday and I invited one of my neighbors. I am just getting to know her and I have to tell you she is FABULOUS! I am thankful for the short walk we had and it did not take long for me to recognize the FUN attitude she has about life...and let me tell you she is facing some HUGE things in her life right now--heart-breaking stuff that honestly, rattled me to the core when she shared her heart...but she is still choosing to have FUN!

Do you know anyone like that?

I also remember volunteering my time at a food mission a few years back and I remember being so blessed chatting with the people. I remember my heart and soul being impacted the most by the ones in line waiting for their food box who were smiling and encouraging those around them. Faced with a hard day and they were still having FUN!

We all desire to have FUN, but do we all choose FUN?

I see it every week, my young boys want to have some FUN to look forward to each week--even the biggest kid in our house makes sure there is some FUN in the week. Doesn't God have FUN planned for us too...YOU BET HE DOES!! So, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it...we work hard and we do the hard stuff--but we make sure to have FUN!

So, I hope you get my point and if today you are feeling a bit like it is no FUN FRIDAY at all...maybe you are tempted to sift through Facebook envying the FUN that everyone else seems to have this Friday--don't (I've done it and it's--well...NO FUN!). Maybe choose to do for yourself what someone else shares on Facebook...but the sulking and envious part--SQUASH that! Get out and have your own FUN.

Still not sure what to do? One great idea to get you thinking and out of a funk and into some FUN is download this week's Girlfriendit Radio show titled, "How Do You Fight Apathy?"

And you can read more about the great nuggets of information I got from the show here.

Have FUN girlfriends! And see you back here Monday...I've got some great news to share then!!!

*Oh, yes--we can have FUN on Monday too*

Word Wednesday

2011-11-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Did you read my post Monday? If you did, have you been thinking about Jesus being your friend?

Word for Wednesday just has to be FRIEND!

I keep hearing the word friend and each time I am remindingmyself that Jesus is my friend! Ihope you are doing the same girlfriend!

It’s weird getting to know a friend we can’tphysically see or touch though isn’t it? I was reminded of how God uses our other relationships in this world toshine His love and even though we don’t physically see God’s face, or see his ‘thumbsup,’ He allows me to see it from others. This morning after having some time to sit and be quiet with God I wastalking to Him about wanting to see Him and wanting Him to be real in my life…justwanting that nudge or “Atta girl—you know when you just need to hear ‘keep going!’”

I then went in to wake up my boy and to encourage him out ofbed; I told him what was for breakfast. His enthusiasm was quiet—this is what Igot.

It was enough to make me smile…and I just know Jesus isgiving me that same quiet enthusiasm.

How have you been intentional about seeing Him as a real livefriend?

Just throwing out some ideas:

*He is the friend calling you to do lunch nextweek.
*He is the friend taking the initiative togently wake you up in the morning wanting to talk to you.
*He is the friend texting you asking how yourday is going?
*He is the friend emailing you asking how Hecan help you out today?
*He is the friend nudging you to do the rightthing.
*He is the friend who gently tells you that yougoofed up and you should say, “You are sorry.”
*He is the friend high-fiving you andencouraging you to keep going.
*He is the friend who speaks highly of you in agroup of others.

All of this just compels me to embrace my friendJesus and isn’t it funny how having a good friend moves us to be a better friendourselves. Even though we arenot perfect, we can be good friends—I know I am far from being a perfect friend.

Sometimes I’ve gotten the thumbs down from my friends…and I’mcontinuing to learn and grow through those interactions and relationships. In this season when I feel I have less togive I am just seeking Him and giving it my best. I’m thankful for thegirlfriends in my life that have continually pointed me to my friend Jesus andwho model the way..

Are you the kind of friend you want to have? I know in my life there have definitely beenseasons where I got what I gave—and boy does our friend Jesus compel us togive what we get from Him!

I read over some of these truths since hearing the word friend…hopethey encourage you and inspire you to embrace your friend Jesus and be the bestfriend you can be too!

“Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! ” (Proverbs 3:3 NLT)

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John13:34 NIV)

“Each of you shouldlook not only to your own interests, but also the interest of others.” (Phil2:4)

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others” (Hebrews13:16 NIV)

Friend, do you have anything to share? What has a good friend taught yourecently?

Meet Jesus Monday

2011-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Aaaaah Monday...

A fresh new day, a fresh new week…I like Mondays for thisreason—yet some Mondays just get rolling out of control don't they? I struggled to find the refreshment in last Monday as I spent the day prior sick and did not have time to prepare for the week. Kids' lunches were not made and with my hubby just arriving back from a week long trip, his laundry andironing sat calling my name.

Yet even in the chaos, I heard Jesus whisper friend and I sensed His love and aid that day and the chaotic day passed. I didn’t notice His presence painted everywherein my day just like the colors of Fall are hidden in this desert; but I still found Him. I still found my faithful friend named Jesus.

He made mesmile this morning with this lone red leaf on the ground—most aroundmy walking path are green or scorched brown from the sun and heat. Just like Him sprinkling my chaotic day with his love and friendship, the trees are sprinkled with glimpses of the changing season even in the desert.

I was drawn to John 15 throughout my reading about Jesusthese past few days and when I read the word friends I seemed to also hear from my memory myson practicing his trumpet. It was as ifJesus was saying with such grandeur,
"Introducing, my friend [I heard my name and I encourage youto insert your name here.]”

Do you know that Jesus calls you friend? I encourage you to read John 15:13-17.

He layed down His life...He calls us friends...He chose us.

Can you soak in that He is calling your friend?

As women we crave friendship don’t we? I have been ever more aware of this as I haverecently moved and am now out numbered with baby# 3. I wish I had more time in my day and could rearrange another's day to match mine--just to sit with my dear friends.

I rememberd a new neighbor I met who did not yet know my name and called me friend…rembering it now makes me smile.

And as I remember this, I hear Jesus whisper, STOP, see mecalling you friend!

I challenge you as I sensed God challenging me to just sitand be still hearing Jesus call you friend.

Note that it’s not about us being a goodfriend or not….he still calls us friends even when we have bad days. That person who just annoys you…thatco-worker, that family member, that weird person down the street—Jesus callsthem friends too. Notice who Jesuscalled friend:

To the man who betrayed him, Jesus replied, “Friend, do whatyou came for.” (Matthew 26:50)

To the man needinghealing, Jesus said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20)

Last week in the text we read about His friend Lazarus whohad died but Jesus brought back to life. (John 11:11)

Let us not doubtthat Jesus wants to be our friend…for He has called us friends and He wants usto live our lives as a loved friend.

What does it mean to you knowing that Jesuscalls us friends?

How will a friend who knows she is loved--react today?
How will a friend who knows that Jesus loves her--respond today?
How will a friend who knows she is loved--love today?

FUN FRIDAY

2011-10-28T07:00:00.001-07:00

It's FUN FRIDAY again! woOT WOOT!

Can't help but have this thumbs up is on my mind again!

Lots to celebrate in my heart this Friday as I listened to Girlfriendit Radio yesterday and was motivated to make a list of the things I am passionate about. Read more here and click on the link to listen for yourself.
The Girlfriendit radio show and movement is close to my heart because they remind me of the kind of woman God has created me to be, the kind of girlfriends that I want surrounding me in this life, and also the kind of girlfriend that I want to be. One thing I am passionate about is encouraging others, and I do think that this passion was born out of the void I had as a young child who often lacked that encouraging word from those closest to me--especially my father. I am now on a journey of continuned healing with my Heavenly Father and seeking to understand more everyday just how much Jesus loves me and I'm passionate about all of my girlfriends embracing this love too! Look for more encouraging stuff coming from me--inspired by the love that I have found from knowing Jesus--it's gonna be FUN and no real tiaras are involved...but it's definitely all about walking down that princess path in this life!

Don't forget to listen to this week's show...it will cheer you on in your pursuit of God's plan and purpose for your life.

I am trusting and just taking one baby step at a time right now...very similar to the tiny steps my 10 month old is taking--small but HUGE at the same time.

I'm celebrating today because it's FUN FRIDAY, because I worked hard all week, because I'm choosing to embrace the joy in today. My boys reminded me this week that it is all in the choosing.

Last night I enjoyed watching my nephew sing with his entire third grade class and the theme was embracing the show biz--or the FUN of life! The chorus of kids singing or screaming at some points, jump started my thinking and reminded me that God is often reminding us to be present enough in our day and choose to have FUN!

My oldest son, chose to have FUN and actually ran in the FUN RUN at school this week.

And then my middle son chose to have FUN and be a crazy cheesehead fan for his favorite football team.

And then my youngest...well if you knew him, you would just know that he is all about FUN! This is his new wave...he extends his arm straight up in the air...looks like he is raising his hand to be excused from his seat so he can have some more FUN!

So what are you choosing to do for FUN today? Please share some of your FUN ideas...your great ideas might spur another to have a great FUN idea-AND I would like to post some applicable FUN ideas for us to implement in our days each week. What do you and your family/friend do for FUN?
And isn't it just so awesome that FUN FRIDAY precedes the weekend...have a great one girlfriends!

Word Wednesday!

2011-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've often felt like God has given me either a word or short phrase to focus on during a day or short season in my life. Some days are so full and busy that I think He knows this is what will keep me focused on Him. I will read some verses in the morning and a phrase might jump out at me and then get repeated by a girlfriend later that day, or it may be sung that day through a song I hear.

Today it is the word...MAKE!

I've read: "...make straight paths for him."
I've heard, "You make beautiful things."
I know God is going to make all things work out for His greater purposes...

No other great real thoughts--just gonna leave you with that and allow you to MAKE something of your own with it.

I will however leave you with this cool recipe to MAKE your own laundry soap. Click here it is so easy and kind to your grocery budget. A girlfriend shared it with me, so I just thought it might MAKE your day.

Please let me know if you have any other words to share this Wednesday--or recipes.

Monday's Meeting

2011-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's not just any Mondy meeting, it is "Meet with Jesus Monday!"

Back in the days when I was working full time out of the home; Monday meetings were always a time to get on the same page with everyone involved in the projects for the week--touch base before the week's appointments and tasks.

Well, I've decided to focus my week--my Mondays from here on out with Jesus. I have chosen to begin my days with Him, for it is His love that inspires and compels me to love. I've decided it best to touch base with Him and blog about Him to start off the week. I hope and pray that you will join me. I love to have girlfriends around to share in the FUN and we can learn together!

We learn about Jesus by reading about Him in His Word. Please don't just take my word for it, but read it for yourself. I would love to read to you, but my hands are full with reading to my 10 month old--yes, I am already reading to him about how much Jesus loves him with a little devotional and this is also one of his favorites...."Animal Sounds."

He loves to hear me say the animal sounds and tickle his belly when the bee goes buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Okay--back to our Monday Meeting:
I recently read John 11 and underlined the words "Jesus wept." Oh, how I long to see my Jesus weep or at least get teary-eyed over some of my heartaches in this life. Don't you just love it when a girlfriend feels your pain and she can't help but cry when you cry and hurt when you hurt.

The truth is--Jesus gets us and our pain, even better than any BFF!

So I read John 11:1-37 and like I said, verse 35 jumped off of the page,"Jesus wept." Then the two verses following it spoke to my heart, for just as I can tell that my girlfriends love me when they cannot hold back their tears, the Jews saw and spoke out loud, "See how he loved..."

Then there were those who chose to focus on what Jesus did not do...and pointed out that He could have stopped this painful act of death and kept His friends from experiencing this pain.

Many times I know I have sat confused asking God why He did not stop the pain from suffocating my heart. I did not feel love in those situations...I did not see that Jesus was weeping with me.

So often I want to ask God why? Why did you allow this?
You could have stopped this--why did you allow this pain to hit my heart?

Oh, I wish I could say I said more often, I see and feel Jesus weeping with me--He is sad that this is what is before me right now. I meditated on these scriptures a while and I believe God showed me something back at the beginning of Chapter 11 in verse 4...

"This sickness--this trial--this struggle--this pain will not end in death--no it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

I hope you can read this and take it as if Jesus is speaking to you too...
"[insert your name], this sickness--this trial--this struggle--this pain will not end in death--no it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

All I can muster in my heart is a great big THANK YOU JESUS!

I will not die--you sweet girlfriend will not die because of this--

because of the love Jesus has shown us--we will live!!

No matter what comes before us, may we choose to see Him weeping and see that He loves us!

Just as I type this I am at the park typing with my little guy and we are watching the ducks in the pond. These are the first real ducks that my boy has seen. Like I said, I have introduced them to him through the book, "Animal Sounds," which I read to him just about every day..."What do the ducks say? Quack, quack, quack, quack!" As he giggled seeing the ducks I sense God telling me in my soul that it is that easy...read about me in my Word and then look for me in your days. He will bring life to our days--and not just on Mondays!

Join me girlfriends--let's dare to see Jesus at least get teary-eyed over our heartaches and say without a doubt, "Jesus loves us!"

FUN FRIDAY

2011-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's Fun Friday again--but this time I missed the FUN girls from Girlfriendit Radio LIVE yesterday, so I am waiting for the podcast to be posted so I can listen to it. Otherwise, I would be telling you all about it.

You can read a bit more from one of the guests here and check the radio page here to listen to the podcast with me on this FUN FRIDAY!

And while you're at it, just in case they are having some technical difficulties...this is a great place to listen to some other great stuff Beth Moore...she is one of my favorite Bible teachers--and her study on Eat, Pray, Love is the BOMB--she is such a hoot!!

And then sticking with this FUN FRIDAY theme (I'm cracking myself up)...

Are you looking for something fun to do with your kids this FUN FRIDAY?

Go BOO someone...check out this website here. My boys and I had a blast making some treats and then had even more FUN being tricky with delivering them...it was FUN and a great time to talk about loving and not letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing (Matthew 6). We love often because we want something in return--but when we walk and love as God's princess we love for FUN....just like BOOing this Fall season--because He first loved us...right?! FUN!

Picture found here

Speaking of love and FUN...come back for some great things on Monday! Until then...go throw some confetti or something...
IT'S FUN FRIDAY!!!

Puzzle Pieces

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I enjoyed some extra quiet moments with my boys and we stayed up some late nights putting together a puzzle. So many things were shared as we sat quiet staring at the various pieces of the puzzle, first focusing on the border. The outer things are the easiest to recognize and place aren't they?

It took time--hours to decipher the rest of the puzzle. More quiet moments and lots of studying of the pieces.

When the time was done--when it was finished we realized that there was something missing. How frustrating, how disappointing to recognize the piece to the puzzle was missing and after looking around the table and under the table, the missing piece was no where to be found.

Oh, the void--the emptiness!

Makes me think of the times I was like this puzzle piece, lost and hidden--the times when someone did not recognize where I fit in--but more importantly the times when I did not see the place God had for me. Every time that I have felt sad and left out God had a different place for me and I just needed to keep going and see just where God had wanted to place me. I'm still constantly trying to figure this out and just trusting Him and taking steps with each moment of my day.

Do you ever feel left out?

Do you know where you fit in?

Could you be the exact piece for this void in this picture?

And maybe you see someone else that would fit right here, do you have the courage to speak up and point them there?

How do we figure it out?.

Our hearts are hopelessly dark and deceitful, like a puzzle that no one can figure out. (Jer 17:9).

May our hearts be like this puzzle piece--once missing and hidden pushed unnoticed under the closet door only to be found when looking intently by the hands of one putting the puzzle together.

Oh, there is One who is putting this puzzle of our lives together isn't there.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. (Jer 17:7&8).

Are you looking to Him to place you in the puzzle of your life? How has God been putting the pieces of your life puzzle together?

AWESOMENESS

2011-10-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

"I am AWESOME!" My boy emphatically stated after I asked him how it felt after he scored 20 points and won his flag football game. He is eight and hearing him state this made me both smile and cringe.

The truth is...I want him to be confident and know he is awesome. Sometimes I need a bit more of this myself not having a healthy relationship with my Daddy growing up and missing the dynamics of a solid healthy understanding of God-fidence. Yet, we are really not all that awesome are we? I know my life is messy and I am so imperfect even though my attempts at perfection are endless.

I enjoyed hearing my pastor speak yesterday and descibe that we are like sheep (Psalm 100 and 23)--we can be so skittish, fearful, stupid, fragile--scrambling in life to experience some sort of significance.

One week we are walking high and mighty because the favor we are finding in others and the bank account is full--and the next we can't get out of bed because the weight of the world is crashing down on us and our pocketbook.

We've seen it and read about it...one day the king is praised in the streets and the next he is being kicked out of his palace. One day our loved one is there for us and filling our love tanks to the brim and the next day they have absolutely nothing to give and leave us empty and dry. There are days to celebrate the positive pregnancy test and other days to mourn the loss.

There are good days and bad days...days we love to talk about and other days we would rather forget...days full of things to build our dreams on and others that tempt to bring the dreams crumbling to the ground.

What are we to do?

Whether we are having a good day or a bad day we need to remember where our 'awesomeness' comes from...for we are made in His image and whatever we do, we should do it all for the glory of God. (1Cor 10:31)

When we see someone do something great, or we ourselves are enabled to do something great--may we speak of the greatness giving the glory to Him..."WOW, God sure showed up there enabling you to ROCK IT!" And then even in the bad days, speak it to yourself if you have to, "I am His and even though ________, I will not fear, for You, God are with me and You will protect me and comfort me." (Psalm 23)

Often times it is the reminder of who we belong to that brings AWESOMENESS to our hearts!

My prayer is that those near and dear to me see this awesomeness from Him on both my good and bad days. Today is a good day and I am also prepared for the next bad day...thank you Lord!

FUN FRIDAY

2011-10-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

It's FRIDAY! WOOHOO! Come have some fun with me today girlfriends! Go here and download the latest Girlfriendit Radio podcast titled "Unstoppable,"and listen with me!

Are you unstoppable! Are you willing to go for it girlfriend? We know there is a God who is unstoppable. Do you BELIEVE that with Him you are unstoppable?

Will you be courageous and dare to look at your life's circumstances and ask both "Why me?" and "Why not me?" The stories that are shared are both eye-opening and inspirational--prepare for your heart to be rallied!

Amira Birger tells her story about coming out of a life of sex trafficking and hear how God is using her story to bring hope and healing to other girls through her work with Mending The Soul Ministries. Amira challenges us all to take a look at our own brokenness and do our own healing for it is there that the power to love and heal happens. Patty and Lisa celebrate Amira's upcoming anniversary with her--join us and celebrate too!Amira is a new dear friend of mine--and you will love her heart!

You also won't want to miss Judy Robles as she shares her journey with mothering her son Anthony Robles. Anthony was born with only one leg and Judy shares how God has used this great challenge in both her and her son's life--who won the 2010-11 NCAA individual wrestling championship in the 125-pound weight class. Check out the winning match here.

You will not be able to walk away from listening to this Girlfriendit show without seeing a glimpse of the love that God has for you! For, when we see that others like us BELIEVE in themselves, even amidst difficulties, we can't help but BELIEVE in ourselves too!

Join us girlfriends, download the podcast and then chat with God, ask Him what it is that He wants you to keep going with and let's not forget to take those moments to celebrate our victories and have FUN being UNSTOPPABLE!

As girlfriends we can share our journeys and the challenges we face and pray for one another in our various pursuits with God to be UNSTOPPABLE.

My current pursuit is to keep writing...and I would love for you to post and share a bit of your own journey with me here. May we continually point each other to God and His perfect plan for each one of us...for with God all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26)

Fun Lovin'

2011-10-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

"It's just fun!" My boy explained to me after I asked him why he bolts out the door at approximately the same time everyday to say goodbye to Dad. He waits until Dad shuts the front door and has just enough time to open up the car door before he tackles him with a hug and says, "Have a great day Dad--I love you!"

Such a simple act of love that has become to be so meaningful because he is intentional about sticking out. Makes me think about how I love.

Are my acts of love standing out?

Are my acts of love meaningful?

Are my acts of love intentional?

Loving is contagious...what are some fun ways that you are choosing to love?

Picture can be found online here.

Real Life

2011-10-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

It's Fall and It's Break Time...

Perfect time for some things to be changing a little around here...

With things changing and another blog in the works (look for joining me on the 'Princess Path' coming in just a few short months), I've decided to focus a little different around this here journey and you will hear a bit more of my specific life as a mother, daughter, sister, friend. The structure side of me wants to have a specific days to write with specific themes; but I sense the word FREEDOM coming from the bottom of my toes and we will just see what transpires as I just surrender to write again.e

Please feel free to come along with me and let's see what we discover in our lives together.

To jump start this adventure I just want to share a bit from our real life yesterday.

We visited the zoo yesteday and there is something about being surrounded by nature and animals...it makes you just feel basic and real.

I read this sign pointing to the truth that we gravitate towards 'real life.'

What do you gravitate towards in your life? What is real around you?

We watched as an ocelot ate his supper. The zoo keeper put out fruit, ground meat and inside a paper bag was a dead--but real life rat. We were surprised to see that the ocelot sniffed the ground meat first, but went to the paper bag and slowly began to open it to eat the dead--but real life rat. My sis even commented on the fact that it didn't eat what was easy...but what was most real.

Do we challenge ourselves to go for what is real rather than what is easy?

I know I often desire what is easy...but God brings what is real.
Something that is real right now in my life is DISAPPOINTMENT :(

Yes, God has stirred in my heart to write and I have a book--even edited by a former professional editor. Something I believe that God has given me that is real and by my sharing, I believe and pray that it has the power to change, inspire and encourage another. Yet, this project--this dream is at a standstill because it costs to have a publisher look at it. I even had a publisher contact me three times last week, (twice by phone and once by email), they are so willing and want to read it--but it costs--costs more than I can afford right now.
There I said it--there I shared it--and there it is freedom and peace in speaking the truth in my heart.

What about you? What is real in your life right now? Will you share it with me? Will you allow me to see what is real in your life right now too? If you are reading this on Facebook, please feel free to comment or email or even visit my blog directly at www.jgirlsjourney.blogspot.com and comment there.

In the midst of this disappointment I am encouraged and I read Kay Arthur's tweet this morning What if the things you call disappointments are really His appointments - events He is using to make you more...

Are there any disappointments that you need to see as appointments today?

I will leave you with my favorite pic from our family's outing...my favorite of my sweet little boy that God both surprised us with and graced us with almost a year ago.

In watching my boy get so excited to be in his Daddy's arms, something inside of me beckons me to see that my Heavenly Daddy is holding me too!

Three Times Is A "Charm"

2011-10-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

It’s rare that another man catches my eye, but I couldn’t resist checking out a cute grandpa-ish man walking in the store. He seemed gentle but grumpy…reminding me of my own grandfather. I felt the familiar nudge to approach him and speak to him.

I’ve felt this nudge before, and I have come to recognize that it is from my heavenly Father who wants to share the love that He has given me. I wish I could say I obeyed in this instance and that I said ‘yes’ to God and allowed Him to use me; but it pains me and I am ashamed to admit that I failed to let God move by loving this man for God in that moment. [Insert very sad, broken heart and facial expression]

I heard God’s whisper clearly, but I immediately questioned it.

“Did you really want me to approach him and ask him, ‘Where are you going?”

Fear instantly set in and my mind was flooded with thoughts as I walked through the store.
Will he be offended?...

Will he think I am insulting him?...

Will he reject me and think I am just whack-o?

I walked away with my heart ashamed, void and empty...I had missed it! Why? I knew the answer and the scripture came to my mind immediately, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

I immediately asked for forgiveness and asked God to heal me and fill me with His perfect love and help me to love others by allowing Him to love through me. I cried out to Him and asked Him to give me another chance, saying something like

“Please quiet my fears and give me the confidence to approach those next time with the love that you give me.”

I immediately sensed His presence and His peace and the words “Three times is a charm,” resonated inside my head. (I saw the grandpa in the store a total of 2 times before I left the store and failed both times).

I am deciding now that the next time I feel this nudge…I will act and obey and express love.

When I am afraid of being rejected and find myself paralyzed…

1. I will remind myself, “I am God’s servant, I am chosen and he has not rejected me, and I will not fear for He is with me.” (Isaiah 41:9-10)
2. I will be willing to share the love that He has given me. “Lord, please grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12)
3. I will love for Him with the love that He has given me. “Since God has so loved me and freed me, I will love for Him.” (1 John 4:11)

It’s been 5 days since I saw that old man and I have not ceased to see his face in my mind and each time I have prayed for him. I sense God nudging me with each prayer to keep going and that He will provide another opportunity for me to love. Rather than get down on myself for missing the mark this time, I am looking ahead at what He has for me.

For, “I know I still make mistakes, but You have new mercies for me every day.” (Your Love Never Fails Lyrics by Jesus Culture).

I am looking forward to sharing soon the opportunity He provides for me to share His love. Will you join me girlfriends and let us not focus on the past but press on toward the goal of loving in truth for the One who first loved us!

WOWSA!

2011-10-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

It is so clear to me that God has brought my family to a spacious new place and I love our new community…all except for the scorpions!
I don’t understand why God would make such creatures!
I am struggling with being fearful of their sting and paranoid that my busy 9 month old crawler will run into one of these creepy creatures. I have never been so aware and careful of where I place my feet in my own house and never did I know how cool my French twist pedicure looked under a black light.

WOWSA!

Why O Why Scorpions Abide

I don’t understand--just as I don’t understand why there are other creatures and circumstances that sting in this life. Um—I think I am a pretty normal human being that does not run after the pain found in various stinging situations. I know by experience thus far (and you probably do too), what my young boy found out by placing a scorpion’s stinger into the body of a pill bug,—get pricked in life and you are liable to start convulsing and then become paralyzed.

Why O Why God?

Why must we endure such fear of being stung or worse yet, the sting itself?

Rather than become bitter and risk being tangled in feelings of doubt when the pain comes; I have learned…

1. I have to lean into God and find strength in His truth found in His Word.
2. I have to stand in His love and remind myself that I am not defined by this sting.
3. I have to trust that God will work everything—even the painful stings for my good.

I find it very interesting that when God described the Promised Land to Moses in Number 34 we see in verse 4 that the southern boundary was Scorpion Pass. And again in Numbers 15 since Moses did not enter the promise land, God explained to Joshua in verse 3 that the southern boundary was Scorpion Pass. In this world we will have things...creatures that sting us. (John 16:33)

I guess it’s true that every rose has its thorn. Beauty from ashes…life from death…O the paradoxes of life! As tempting as it is to remain paralyzed after the stings of this world…something…some One nudges me to see a bigger picture. Sometimes I find myself wanting to put on a nice pair of heels to rise above the situation and see the broader picture.

May we strap on our heels together girlfriends!

Or maybe stay in our tennies and cry out together through the pain and declare the praises of Him who has brought us out of darkness and into His glorious light.

It doesn't matter what pair of shoes we are wearing and no matter what the sting...we just need Him who has overcome!

Girlfriends let encourage each other to seek Him with each sting that we face in this life.
”Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
Who is afraid of you now?” (1 Cor 15:55 NIV and the Message)

A Mess!

2011-10-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ha! Does this look familiar?

Or am I the only one faced with such a mess!

My life is full of clutter right now, both on my counter and in my mind. Yes—my life is messy! I can hardly think a clear straight thought and this morning my heart yearns to sit and be still and write…yet how will this come to fruition?

What do you do when your heart is full of longing?

I am asking the LORD to bring the time and doing my part to walk in step with the beat of this longing...

Off I go to clean up the mess and walk with Him. I will be strengthened in the LORD and in His name I will walk today. (Zech 10:12)

Shake Your Booty

2011-09-29T12:35:00.001-07:00

This is what I woke up to this morning…

Actually I have been waking up to this every morning for quite a while.

The picture does not do the display of excitement justice. Some days, I know he is up by the sound of the crib shaking. My 9 month old boy not only smiles from ear to ear but he has got rhythmic knees that know just how to shake.

So much has been filling my heart this week—and so much I want to write and share—but this picture says alot for me right now.

Let me explain first, that on Monday morning I woke up with a bizarre set of lyrics from a song in my head. “Shake Your Booty,” rattled in my head and Ihad this inclination to ask God..."Why?"

Sometimes when things just seem absurd, don't you ask Him, "Why?"

Having these lyrics in my head was just funny to me, because I don't watch much televsion, or even listen to much radio...and I don't remember hearing those lyrics recently. I also noticed that after settling my heart a bit with God in His Word before the Lane clan awoke and I went on to prepare breakfast and lunches for the day, I was filled with great inspiration for my busy week ahead. I even posted something on Facebook about it.

So, since Monday, the word 'Shake' has been on my mind!

I felt compelled to look up verses with the word 'shake' in them...I found myself in Isaiah 52 and was reminded of how dirty and dusty my feet actually were while meeting with some girlfriends doing ministry at the park. (Long story, but if you want to see some really awesome upcoming things happening check out Girlfriendit beginning October 1st!

Anyway...back to what's shakin...

Tomorrow I am off with one of my biggest loving cheerleaders in my life--my Mom! And we are off to a women’s retreat in the mountains. I just have a feeling that God is going to shake things up a bit, and bring smiles to our hearts and faces. I am expecting Him to do great things!

Here is one of my favorite pictures of my mom, it reveals her wild, adventurous side...

This adventurous side is so often overlooked in us women.

*Someone has to be the tamer amongst wild animals in life*

Will you join me in praying for this special time set apart for me and my sweet mother. And pray this verse over your own precious heart girlfriend! (Please insert your own name in place of mine and my mothers).

Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength.
Put on your garments of splendor,
O Julie and Linda, the holy ones of the Lord.
The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.
Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Julie and Linda.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive daughters of Zion.

Isaiah 52:1&2

WE ARE HIS DAUGHTERS!

Hallelujah! May He do some shaking this weekend and give our hearts peace and rest!

He will do this for all of us if we ask...don't you agree?

*This is me and my mom about 37 years ago...during the days she was greeted every morning with me shaking the crib. {INSERT great big God and Julie SMILES}

In The Waves of Life

2011-09-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like life keeps throwing you one monstrous wave after another? After reading Psalm 93:3-4 this week, I sank my body deep into the cushions of the sofa and let my thoughts go for a second. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I reflected on the recent waves crashing into my heart these recent weeks. The cares and concerns of my heart may be small to the next person but still pounding upon my tender heart.

Thank you Jesus that we can take the cares and concerns to You because you care for us.
(1 Peter 5:7).

As I sank deeper into thought, I found myself back at the beach with family and friends riding the waves. I almost felt the movement of the breaking waters again as I saw myself back upon the boogie board riding the surf with some girlfriends. After being pounded by the waves hours earlier many of the kids and dads were now resting their feet in the sand and it was now our turn. The waves of life do have a way of pounding down on us.

Many times, I glanced over seeing my girlfriends smiling, laughing, riding the waves with me. I remember then, and now again am praising God for enabling me to ride the waves of life and share the precious memories with dear friends. **Insert a sudden halt**—a pause to the television DVR—the sound muted for just a second, for as soon as we are wrapped up in something good we are reminded that not all waves are able to be ridden together. My thoughts immediately shifted to remembering many a waves I was left in the dust watching my girlfriend ride on ahead and some I plunged ahead on my own. My body language may not have demonstrated as such, but when I was left behind, there was a speck of disappointment—a speck of just plain, “Ahhh, I want to ride too!” I know I am not alone as I saw the body language of many young and old demonstrate this same emotion thorughout our time on the beach.

Life is much more than riding the ocean waves isn’t it? I am studying about David in 2 Samuel 6 right now and his time to boogie board with thirty thousand men. They were riding the waves to bring up the Ark. Celebration was in order until their feat was halted with Uzzah’s death. Devastation hit the heart of the men and David became angry and afraid and left the Ark with someone else. David sat paralyzed holding his boogie board watching another named Obed-Edom ride the blessing of a wave.

David didn’t ride those waves again for 3 months and how often do we stand paralyzed because of life’s waves and then even become envious of another riding a wave while we are stuck with our feet in the sand. I am thankful for David’s example, for it encourages me to keep going.
We see David choosing to see God’s love rather than become jealous of his friend Obed-Edom.

Are you ever tempted to get out of the game and cease riding the waves?

For me, it is tempting at times…yet, rather than be jealous of another’s blessing He is nudging my heart and yours to say, “Yay God! “ And just as God reminded David , He is wanting to remind us too...He loves each one of us.

What waves are you watching another ride?
Are you watching reminding yourself that God loves you too?

So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves!
(Psalm 107:21 The Message)

*This is dedicated to my girlfriends who not only rode the waves with me this summer, but continually ride the waves of life with me. I am so thankful for you and your encouragement. Thank you for continuing to point me to Him and cheer me on--I pray I will always do the same for you!

Finally!

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

“Finally, we can be out here!” A sweet woman riding her bicycle on the path next to me exclaimed and smiled. The cooler temperatures of this approaching new season are something to get excited about. I was thankful for her smile and comment as my thoughts were beginning to drift remembering the latest storm as I watched groundskeepers clean up fallen branches and debris.

As I watched them haul off large tree trunks I recalled the images seen on television from the devastation of September 11th, 2001 as we just passed the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Remnants of that particular storm remain in our hearts tempting us to be paralyzed with fear and forget that even in the storms of life God is near.

So often in my own storms I am tempted to doubt and fear. I am thankful for vows in the recesses of my heart to “NEVER FORGET” and for the simple smile, truths and prayers of girlfriends—sweet sisters who are tenaciously seeking a relationship with our Father. So many times God has used a girlfriend to remind me that He is near. And, today is no different as this woman’s smile and word “finally” resonates in my mind.

Later the same woman on the bicycle came up from behind me a little wearier from her ride and began to share with me the dysfunction and disappointment found in her recent spiffed up bicycle. Apparently, she has been preparing for this upcoming season and had her bicycle repaired.

I just loved that this woman who I had just met began to share her minor trouble. Are you courageous enough to share your struggles with another? I know I am often tempted to cover up the struggles in my heart.

I sensed God nudging me to remind her…encourage her just as she had brought my wayward thoughts minutes earlier… and I simply said "Praise God we are here! Finally…we are here!"

If God is currently still working on you and cleaning up some debris in your life…please join me in exclaiming…finally! It's by no means perfect, but we are riding in this journey...all of us are a work in progress.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Eph 6:10)

Finally, my sisters, rejoice in the Lord! (Phil 3:1)

Finally, sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think of such things. (Phil 4:8)

Finally, sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. (2 Thes 3:1)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as sisters, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)

Weeds of Discouragement

2011-05-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like God has made a way for you, maybe cleared a mountain flat or helped boost you right on top of it only to find that you are still right there in the middle of it all? I feel like God has actually just split open a huge mountain in my life, kind of like He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites yet, I am stuck—kind of paralyzed—right here in the middle.

Right here in the middle I have to admit, I am tempted to be discouraged and doubt in this place. Part of me wants to just run away…I guess—basically give up.

Yet, I know better than this and something in me causes me to remember!

Remember everything that God has done thus far; He has brought me right here-right now and He has not left me alone. Am I the only one who is tempted to think God has left me when something doesn’t go so smoothly?

I was comforted in God’s Word and wrote out some truths from 1 Chron 28:20:

“With God I am strong and courageous and can do this work! With God I will not be afraid or discouraged, for He is with me and will not fail me or leave me until this work is finished.”

I am so thankful for God and His willingness to help when we are humble enough to ask. I was pounding through these thoughts as I walked this morning and He reminded me of the parable of the weeds in Matthew 13 as I was walking. It was like God literally touched my face and steered it to focus on the weeds that had sprouted up along the road.

I came to conclude that God saw my path like this with weeds and He was choosing not to pull them. He has split the mountain, but He has not prevented weeds to sprout up on my path—the mountain is no longer an obstacle, but I am surely not on a pristine yellow brick road. Maybe it’s the royal wedding recently that has allowed me to take my own princess status a bit too far (SMILING!).

In Matthew 13:29 where Jesus tells the parable of the weeds the owner of the field did not want the servants to pull up the weeds because in doing so they may pull up some of the ‘good seed’ that was planted. Could there be purpose in standing along some weeds for a time? I somehow know that with God there is security in standing right here with this annoying weed.

I think I may be understanding a little more about what it means to have God teach me through His Word and walk with Jesus, and for this I simply say, “Thank you.” I’m laying down my desire for comfort and ease, maybe a little of my desire for perfection and trusting that God will do what He is going to do—even with the weeds right here.

I admit, the weeds bother me, and in reality some of the weeds in my yard will cause a letter to arrive in the mail from my HOA. And simply, I just don’t like them. Still, like them or not, I am choosing to trust God and I will let Him take care of them in His perfect time.

What about you girlfriend? Are there any weeds growing in your life that you need to be okay with just leaving there for God to take care of at the right time? I hope you talk to Him about them today and maybe even ask a girlfriend to pray for you.

All of us could use a prayer for strength to keep walking the path He has for us—especially when weeds sprout up!

P.S. I would both appreciate your prayers and also be honored to pray for you too girlfriend! May our prayers encourage one another to be brave and do the things we need to do!

Raising Expectations For A Boaz

2011-04-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

We’ve got some attitude growing in our house these days, attitude the size of a pre-teen young boy. I don’t know how, but I remember being a pre-teen and my mother talking to me about an attitude that I refused to own at the time. Me, a brat? Never! Raising responsible young boys is not easy and I’ll be honest it has been wearing me out lately! As I pray for myself (my own attitude and weariness), the pre-teen “attitude” in our home, I am also in prayer for some REMARKABLE ladies this morning. Some of who I know and some of who I don’t—some of who are walking with light and love and some who are desperate for love and walking in the dark—I am reminded of my own responsibility to shape this pre-teen attitude to have a keen sense of responsibility and integrity. “Lord, make him a Boaz and awake their desire for a Boaz in the night.” So interesting and not a coincidence that this week my studying brought me to, two wonderful stories in the Bible that are connected together and connected to you and me in Christ! So thrilling to read our history in the pages of the Bible and be inspired by them. As I pray for the hearts walking in darkness, desperate for love…I read about Rahab, the prostitute in Joshua 2 and the rescuing of her heart and loved ones tied to cords of scarlet. Recognizing that these cords of love are connected to another story of rescuing; my heart melts reading the story of this young, responsible man full of integrity—Boaz—raised by Rahab, the prostitute. (WOW!) As I read of this man…this hero, his words spoken to the woman (Ruth) in need made my heart melt and I asked God to not only develop this hero heart in my pre-teen boy, but to also bring this kind of hero to the many women desperate for love. All women deserve and need a hero like Boaz, one who will encourage us to stay (verse 8); one who will tell the men not to touch us (verse 9), one who will provide us food and drink (verse 9); one who give us work that allows us to keep our dignity and keeps us safe (verse 12); one who will give orders to other men not to embarrass us (verse 15). Lord help us raise such a Boaz in our boys and accept nothing but a Boaz to love our little girls. Bring a Boaz in the night for all that need one and help me shape a Boaz here at home. “May the Lord reward your work and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Ruth 2:12 NAS

Open Hands

2011-03-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

I know Valentine’s Day was last month, but I’ve been thinking a lot about love and the things we value and treasure. Also, how do we know we are loved and treasured? How do we communicate to others that they are loved and treasured? Do we believe it?

Both hearing and saying recently, “I love you. Love that! Love ya,” has brought forth questions in my heart. What does love really mean?

Kind of interesting, that a friend on Facebook reminded me today, that it is ‘Happy 3-16 Day’ by posting John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…”

I wonder if we get ourselves wrapped up in what we think love is…only to find out it really isn’t love at all. Do you think we can get confused about love and thus settle for less than love in our lives?

How do I know how to love? Did I ever take that class and did I pass?

Must we receive love in order to give love? I think so…

Last week I enjoyed a bike ride with my middle son. We were enjoying the warm Spring weather through our neighborhood; an when we got to a curvy part of the trail, my son asked if he could jump ahead for a little while. He disappeared from my eyes for a bit and when he reappeared I noticed he was no longer riding, but was walking his bike. I began to think of reasons why he was now choosing to walk his bike. For someone who so desired to get out and ride his bike, it made no sense. (Do we take the time to try and understand the weird/odd/different actions of others, or just presume they are strange? Hmmm…maybe a thought for another blog.)

Still from afar I was checking out his tires, his bike chains, his body language to see if there was any sign of bicycle mishap. No flat, no chains dangling and a perk in his step told me he was just fine—but still knowing there had to be a reason that he chose to walk rather than ride his bike.
When I caught up to him, I asked inquisitively, “What happened? Why are you walking your bike instead of riding it?”

He replied, “I didn’t want to lose my treasures, and I don’t have a pocket for them.” He pried his hand open to reveal his treasures…

Four small acorn shells rested in his small hands. I offered to put them in my pocket so he could ride. As he pedalled off again, I realized how quickly he "treasured" these acorns…just holding them for a matter of minutes and also how willing he was to give me his treasures because he trusted me. He knew that I would not just discard them but rather care for them and keep them safe. As I put his treasures in my pocket the word sacrifice seemed to come roaring up from my toes and then resonated in my mind for the rest of the ride.

Pure love is sacrifice and I don’t think we can fully embrace or understand it on our own. We need help…specifically God’s help to grasp this kind of pure love.

For our God who created us knows all about the ultimate sacrifice given fully in the name of love.
When left to ourselves, we get love all twisted up.

How can we unravel the mess and live with this healthy pure love?

Gonna ponder this some more, but I am thinking it has something to do with keeping my hands open.

What about you?

How do you receive and give love that is healthy and pure to those around you?

UNSHAKEABLE

2011-03-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Woosh! I was startled by a noise outside my baby’s window and realized that the wind is blowing all kinds of stuff around outside made me think about our lives and how often things may seem to be tossed around to and fro.

When I glanced through the window I noticed that the only things not moving around in the yard were the rocks.

Hmmmmm…to hold onto something unshakeable like a rock seems so comforting for my heart right now.

What’s unshakeable in your life? Do you have something solid to hold onto?

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.

(Deut 32:4)

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. (Psalm 18:2)

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

(Psalm 62:6)

But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

(Psalm 94:22)

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal.

(Isaiah 26:4)

Three Ice Cubes

2011-03-04T10:11:00.000-08:00

Sad, but I finally tossed it in the trash. The tag said my gorgeous orchid plant required just three ice cubes a week…seems simple enough. Yet, I’m a bit embarrassed to say that the last petal of the gorgeous amethyst colored flower dried up and fell off last week. I think it had something to do with the busyness in my home with a new baby and the storm of winter illnesses that rushed through our home these previous weeks. No big deal, right? I recognized this still as failure and I felt the thought begin to creep, “I am no good at this!”

I am snickering to myself, it is just a plant I know…yet I am so very inclined to think of life, which is much more complicated than remembering three ice cubes a week. I know I have struggled with these words in the recesses of my mind when I have felt inadequate, incapable, incompetent...just feeling,“No good at this!”

I am wondering how many other girlfriends out there have had similar thoughts…”I am no good at this!”

The thought seems to come from nowhere, yet I know this lie has roots much deeper than my orchid plant. Rather than focus on where the lies derived at this point, (there is a time and place for that and may we all take time to reflect on the past so that we can truly move on), I am thinking right now about how to replace that thought and others like it that bring such a death blow to our hearts and suck the life right out of us.

Who do we allow to speak into our lives…our minds…our hearts? We seem to create our own thoughts from others we have picked up along the way. I heard Patty Wyatt on Girlfriendit Radio yesterday say that we have “Balcony friends and basement friends.” She explained that there are friends we have in our lives that raise us up and encourage us and there are those people in our lives that tend to bring us down.

Don’t go calling out any names, but can you think of a few balcony friends and a few basement friends in your life.

What kind of girlfriend are you? Do you reside in a balcony or a basement?

We all need cheerleaders in the balcony to help us conjure up positive thoughts in our head. Thoughts like, “I am good at this,” need to squash and replace the negative thoughts that creep in the walls of our minds.

God intends for us to live with confidence and encourage one another.

As a Christian woman we are beckoned to pay attention and dismiss such negative talk, yet we are often timid to say out loud, “I am good at this!” We don’t want to come across as pious or conceited, do we? Where is the balance in this?

The Bible tells us that confidence is ours through Christ and that we are not competent to claim anything for ourselves or toot our own horn, but our competence comes from God. (2 Cor 3:4-5)
It helps to know that we are wired by God, worthy of great things, created to do something and be useful in this world.

We need to live like our lives matter. “Needing to matter does not mean you are self-centered and vain. It means that you are human. What you and I do with the need can become extremely vain and self-centered, the need itself is sacred.” (Beth Moore, “Beloved Disciple,” page 185).

So how do we live out a life that matters with such God-fidence?

Such a great question I think, and I have pondered it for a few weeks now and I do not proclaim to have the answers...but I am confident that God has shed some light in my heart to share.

As I look at my flower garden that is currently inhabiting some live and some dead flowers I see you and me. Some of us are flourishing and thriving—could be because of various reasons, (maybe someone remembered your three ice cubes…haha!)

And some are needing some tending to, maybe more water, a different soil, shade or more sun…there is a season for everything and maybe it is just not that flower’s season.

Flowers are only around for a short time, yet they do not need us to smell them every day in order to keep blooming competently.

Flowers just bloom because God made them to bloom.

Like the flowers, we don’t need someone sniffin’ us everyday to be competent with what God has wired us to do. Some people may think we stink and others may fall in love with our aroma, but we ought to just bloom regardless.

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to spend more time with those that like my scent, and I may just say out loud, “I can do this well because God made me this way!”

How about you? Are you going to keep blooming even if others don’t like your fragrance? Plant yourself alongside some friendly helpful soil and thrive girlfriend!

And for those of us flowers that are thriving, why not water that flower next to you…maybe they need just three ice cubes a week.

I'm in love...

2011-02-22T12:43:00.000-08:00

A girlfriend the other day asked me how I was doing and these words came rushing up and out of me before I had a chance to think about them..."I'm in love."

It's true, I am in love and I feel like young teenager trying to balance life with a new love. You know when a new infatuation takes time and energy away from those people and things that have been a part of your rhythm each day and you all together join in to create a 'new rhythm' that sounds a little awkward and weird at first...until a new rhythm with your new love is established.

I've taken a sabbatical from blogging because of this love...

I've had lots on my mind since away from this cyber blog space and will soon share the bits and pieces that have been floating around in the recesses of my mind about competency and confidence since I last blogged.

But, first I must share about my love.

Rather than share the ins and outs of everything that has consumed me these last few weeks(including our scare with RSV and weeks full of sick kiddos)I wanted to keep things light and positive and first share about my new love!

He's captured the hearts in my home and has brought many surprises.

Like this surprise my son found the week in January when freezing temperatures and snow dusted our city in the Arizona desert..."a baby ladybug."

My love fits right in the middle of the family sofa with the rest of my precious loves.

My precious loves watching their favorite show, "Wipeout!" My newest love had no interest in watching anything but the back of his eyelids...like a new baby should.

My precious love getting some special lovin'.

My boys smilin' with Grandma Kathy who blessed us with a visit and Grandma Linda giving some Christmas love.

Whether my love is...

sleeping...

dreaming...

posing... (do all baby's make the 'oh' sound while wearing a Santa hat?)

yawning...

or fussing... or screaming... (No pictures of this yet--way too exhausted to get the camera out for these precious moments of my love...but these moments have existed)

staring... (My love staring in amazement as he somehow managed to roll himself over from his tummy to his back at just 7 weeks)

playing...

smiling and waving...

We all have fallen in love with this precious love from God...we named him Jacob.

I listened to the two smallest Packer fans giggling all the way to school while cooing and gah gahin' over their little love today.

It's clearly not just mum who has fallen in love.

I'm also excited to share him with those I love...like my girlfriend Joey who was diagnosed with breast cancer at just about the same time I found out I was pregnant with Jacob. So thankful for this moment in January when she got to hold him.

Are you in love?
What a blessing to share love with the ones we love...
And extra fun to luv with an Irish accent!

One Month Into New Motherhood Again

2011-01-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

It's all coming back to me in the quiet and not so quiet moments....

Can't seem to gather up many words these days...but this new momma is embracing and holding on to the little things.

A summary of my days these last weeks...exhaustion, joy.

Where Does Your Competence Come From?

2011-01-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

Today is the day!

I am going solo...solo with my new babe today that is. After a week and a half of help from each grandmother, three weeks of my hubby being off of work and two weeks of support from some sweet friends making meals for us...it is just me today.

Although there may be no physical help today.

I do know where my help comes from...thank you Lord!

Aaaahhh...I seem to be vacilating between feelings of contementment and feelings of panic.

How can that be? I've done this before, I am capable...aren't I??

I'm thinking about competence this morning and wondering where we get this feeling...or this tangible thing called competence.

Is it a fake it until you make it kind of thing? Or is there a set way to acquire it?

Where do you acquire your competence?

Please tell me where you find it and post a comment below.

I have some ideas and am going to ponder this while I'm feeding, changing and cleaning today.

More Thoughts on Contagious Love...

2010-12-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Can you say? “I am loved!” “I am one who God loves.”

I am giggling a bit as I type this…picturing a little girl twirling about in her fancy dress proclaiming not only her beauty but how loved she is. Or in my house there are no little girls twirling in dresses; but little boys proclaiming their exquisiteness in their own unique ways.

Why do we sometimes shy away from proclaiming this? I’m guessing we either don’t feel loved and worthy or we don’t want people to think we are conceited and full of pride.

Where is the balance…the middle ground of proclaiming God’s gifts to us?

Can we all speak with such boldness and stoutheartedness like Mary when she said, “From now on all generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1:48) I love that my NIV Bible commentary addresses this stating,

"When Mary said, "From now on all generations will call me blessed," was she being proud? No, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. If Mary had denied her incredible position, she would have been throwing God's blessing back at him. Pride is refusing to accept God's gifts or taking credit for what God has done; humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God. Don't deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts. Thank God for them and use them to his glory."

I am also so tickled that one of the fisherman, Jesus’ friend calls himself, “The disciple whom Jesus loved.” (This is referenced 4 times in the book he wrote titled, John).
Do you know what it is to be loved? I thought I knew what love was…but it wasn’t until I met Jesus that I really knew what it meant to be loved.

Honestly, I sometimes think our culture is a bit twisted with the meaning of love…we can get so caught up in it…starved for it and even thinking that we don’t need it. All of these perspectives are unhealthy.

How does someone who knows and believes that he is loved act? If you are considered beloved, how do others describe you, but even more importantly, how do you describe yourself?
Acting out our belovedness (I know I just made up this word) is contagious!!! And this is the kind of fever I want to catch.

So to help catch this…I thought it would help to learn a bit more about John. I was recently reading what John, the beloved disciple had to say about Jesus and who He is to us and what His love really means. May you beloved, be blessed in what I found and reflected on:

John 6:35: He is the Bread of Life…say with me,

“My spiritual hunger is sustained with Jesus.”
John 8:12: He is the Light of the World…say with me,

“I will not walk in darkness with Jesus, for He makes any darkness I encounter full of light.”
John 10:7-9: He is the Gate for the sheep…say with me,

“I am safe and protected with Jesus.”
John 10:11-14: He is the Good Shepherd…say with me,

“I am known and loved by Jesus.”
John 11:25: He is the Resurrection and the Life…say with me,

“I will always LIVE with Jesus.”
John 14:6: He is the Way, the Truth and the Life…say with me,

“I have a secure path with Jesus.”
John 15:1: He is the TRUE Vine…say with me,

“I have a prosperous, fruitful life with Jesus.”

We will act what we believe and we will believe what we keep saying to ourselves.
Hoping you catch Jesus’ contagious love this Christmas.

And proclaim it…shout it out in your own way!

Contagious Love

2010-12-16T05:35:00.000-08:00

My husband picked out some new shirts for baby Jacob while we were shopping the other day, this is one of them.

The other is now packed and ready for Jacob to wear home from the hospital because Daddy picked it out with his older brothers in mind.

After showing the boys the new shirts for their little brother I couldn’t help but join their contagious giggles; as my boy uttered, “It’s so tiny!”

Later I caught my oldest son cradling the shirt and pretending he was holding baby Jacob in his arms. His actions were contagious and my other son joined in, pretending to rock and cuddle baby Jacob too.

I took a snapshot of the moment in my mind as well as captured the whisper from my Heavenly Daddy which said, “Just as these boys will love and cradle and encourage Jacob, I have and will continue to love and cradle all of you!”

I wanted to just sit there and snuggle and freeze frame the moment; wishing the moment could last FOREVER!

Hmmm….these are contagious moments of love.

What are we doing in this life that is contagious? I’ve been reflecting a lot this week about all of the great things that God has done for me. Specifically, how God has erased the shame which was burned on my heart during the days of my youth and my dad’s abuse; and replaced the void with His love, joy, hope and peace…and so many other wonderful gifts. Most importantyly the gift we remember this month which He sent to all of us—baby Jesus.

Today is my eldest son’s 10th birthday…he was due on Christmas day 2000 but surprised us all by coming early. With his birth and now my third son due just a week before Christmas, I have thought a lot about the birth of our sweet savior Jesus in some unique ways. Even though they are not my words, I have easily taken Jesus’ mother’s words as my own. I’m not pregnant with a savior, but I am pregnant with a son…a boy loved and cherished by God.

There was a time that I was afraid of having children, as much as I dreamed of having them, I thought the abuse from my past would ruin them and the skeletons buried in my generational closet would haunt them as much as they haunted me. I did not want to pass these horrors down to a precious child…

Since knowing God and His son Jesus, I have found healing and wholeness one piece at a time and I can claim Mary’s words as my own, for it is true….”From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me.” (Luke 1:48).

Do you know you can claim these same words? Do you know Jesus? His love is contagious. He has also done great things for you and He wants you to know both Him and these wonderful things. He is the reason for this beautiful season!

I have been thinking so much about Jesus and reflecting on both who He is and who He says I am.

You see Jesus too suffered great trials like abuse—first before His ministry even began Matthew Chapter 4 tells us how He was tempted and tried in the desert and after that He began to do some specific works and a few men began to follow Him. These average men, fishermen to be exact, were convinced that following Jesus would change their lives forever. Jesus did the work He was born to do…to teach and preach the good news; as well as help and heal. My heart just melts knowing that Jesus was there to teach and offer healing to those hurting and suffering.

Have you ever been sick? Has your heart ever been broken? Have you ever needed healing of some kind? I know I surely have and Jesus came to help us—to heal us—to love us.

Do you know how loved you are? Do you live like one who is loved?

I hope you have the opportunity to catch God’s contagious love this Christmas and then spread some around for those near you to catch as well.

Preparing To Open Gifts

2010-12-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

I thought the third time was going to be the charm when I was up late into the early morning hours with contractions keeping me from a blissful sleep. Yet, it’s just another tedious night of consistent uncomfortable contractions, the third false alarm. The contractions are consistent but they have yet to be painful enough to signal my cry towards the hospital.

God is preparing my body and family for the big day. My due date is now 11 days away and my mind is cluttered with various details pertaining to baby, the holidays, birthdays (my oldest son’s 10th birthday is just days away), and schedules.

To pass the time, I’ve been checking items off of my list left and right and slowing down the pace of my heart, body and mind. Partially due to the physical limitations with this expanding belly and also my own sanity, I’ve been saying no to that request, finishing this job, and wrapping up that commitment…all to prepare my heart, mind and home for our precious new gift.

It’s nice to have something concrete to release myself from all sorts of expectations; and the fact that I know God has prepared all of this in advance for me to do (Eph 2:10) drives my heart to be like Mary was described in Luke 2:19 “…treasure up all these things and ponder them in her heart.”

Slowing down to embrace the God given treasures of your life is good practice even when you are not 9 months pregnant.

I don’t want to forget this…not this moment and not this truth! For God, surely gives us one gift after another. (John 1:16) Surely there is a gift waiting to come forth once these contractions take over with gusto and there will be another and another until the final gift with Him for eternity. (Just to clarify, I’m not talking about more children—but one blessing after another which God promises).

I don’t want to sit here and whine and complain about the discomfort I am feeling for this short time, or be distracted by any other discouraging thought…but take it all in with great anticipation.

You may not be pregnant anticipating the day of your newborns arrival, but there is a gift awaiting you in the horizon too. Let’s roll up our sleeves, put our minds in gear and be totally ready to receive the gift…whatever it may be. (1 Peter 1:13).

Maybe we can open them together!

Uncomfortable Seat Belts

2010-11-17T12:52:00.000-08:00

I am feeling like a rookie juggler these days struggling with rhythm and balance. I'm pursuing my normal day to day duties as a mother and wife as well as working hard to use my God given gifts in this world to make a little extra money. As well as, preparing for my third son to come into this world in about 4 weeks.

Juggling along, I'm also noticing the seat belt I strap into each day is getting a bit snug and uncomfortable. I cannot deny it...my heart is overwhelmed and I ‘m struggling to not crumble as I want to utter the words, “What am I doing?” Stress.

Do you ever feel the same way? Does stress rise up in you as you seek to do your best each day?
Some days are just hard…some days are just so full of discouragement without even being able to pin point the exact source. Some days my head falls to the pillow in utter exhaustion at the end of the day and I am tempted to wonder what good I brought to the day. It’s these days I easily succumb to the lies and feelings of defeat, forgetting all the good God brought to me and all the ways He equipped me to succeed the hours prior to my slumber.

I’ve been struggling to keep the balance lately and have had some hard days…the days that I just want to cancel every appointment, every responsibility and hire it done while I take a long nap. I realize right there in my emotions my desire to give up and I know that this is not God’s desire for me.

His burden is easy and His yoke is light and He desire for me to not throw off my confidence and to find rest in Him.

My body is in need of rest and nourishment from Him continually, not just physical rest but spiritual rest and rejuvenation.

As I try to sort it out I hear and see things that I must only attribute to my Lord. He is beckoning my heart to cry out to Him….beckoning me to draw near to Him and ask for help…desiring for me to seek Him and rest.

I heard Him today as I stood in the grocery line watching another mother juggle her own tasks at hand with a little one in tote that was fighting to sit still in the grocery cart. The toddler sat buckled securely in the grocery cart and even though he was too young for words, he was communicating very clearly that he wanted out of his situation. He was tugging at the belt, looking with desperation at his mommy and then even pointing adamantly towards the strap of confinement.

I identified with the toddlers frustration and remembered what I pictured after reading in Genesis 37 and Psalm 105:18 about Joseph being shackled into slavery. Oh, how Joseph must have felt strapped in too and Joseph must have also struggled with emotions of wanting to give up.

I continued to watch this quiet spoken toddler fidget as the mother calmly put her hands on the child and snuggled and kissed him.

God must have done the same and comforted and snuggled Joseph when he was stuck in bondage and sold out by the very ones placed in his life to love him and care for him.
God must be doing the same for us!!!

Sometimes we are not ejected from our current uncomfortable situation as our desire for a remedy undoubtedly increases, causing us to fidget like this toddler. Just like this boy was not immediately taken out of the seatbelt, neither are we rescued instantaneously. Just like this toddler resolved to quietly sit through the moment, we too learn to sit still and endure.

During these times that we are learning to endure, may we see the loving hands of our Father reaching down to comfort us and give us the strength to keep going—to endure.

And when we can’t see or feel Him near, may we keep crying out and asking Him to reveal Himself and His love.

May we remember His miracles, and may this encourage us to keep living close to Him through whatever seatbelt in life may be confining us.

May we remember to “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (Psalm 105:4)

Do you see Him reaching down to snuggle you close today or are your eyes fixated on an uncomfortable seat belt?

FREEDOM

2010-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

I heard the stomping of his little feet come down the stairs just before I heard his little voice, “You forgot the medicine.” I was thankful my little guy reminded me and I just smiled. Taking medicine in our house is not something we have to do on a regular basis; but the medicine bottles have sure been cluttering the counter lately.

I was surprised at how willing and energetic my boys have been to take their prescribed medications; this week it is an antibiotic and last week it was ibuprofen for a bruised rib. When it tastes good, I understand—but showing such enthusiasm even when it’s just swallowing a pill, I was a bit perplexed.

Puzzled over the lack of struggle to give doses of medicine, I asked my son, “Why are you so eager to take your medicine?”

His answer was so simple and insightful. “Because the doctor said to take it.”

As the words left his mouth and my ears digested his wisdom, I heard the Lord whisper,

“It is that simple, I am here to help you.”

Then my boy, as if to make sure I understood what he said, added, “I want to feel better Mom, so I want to do what the doctor says.”

Do we do enough of what the “Doctor” of all doctors says?

I heard some other wise words while studying this week that anchored in my heart with Veteran’s Day approaching. I heard Beth Moore say something to the effect that we are all wired for a need to know that there is someone larger than us, someone that can SAVE US!

With Veteran’s Day this week, we are celebrating, remembering those who have exemplified such bravery and served and died for us. As we remember and say thank you, I’m also remembering another who has served and died for all of humanity to save us…his name is Jesus.

My thoughts have drifted more than once this week towards thankfulness and the freedoms we have not only in the USA, but in our hearts and lives for eternity when we choose to believe in Jesus.

As we say thank you to the men and women who have chosen to serve, may we also say thank you to our God and His Son Jesus who died for us.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. (Gal 5:1)

May we take our hearts of gratitude one step further and look intently into all that the Doctor ordered…Our God’s orders which gives freedom—not forgetting what we have heard, but doing it. (James 1:25).

Like my son said this week, may we desire to do what the Doctor says.
May we believe that it is that simple.

May we believe that He is here to help us.

May we believe that nothing is too hard for Him...Him who brings us FREEDOM!

Thank you Jesus.

And thank you to the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the spirit of freedom!

In memory of my grandfather, who served during WWII.

Still and Thriving...

2010-11-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

I’m glancing out my window and not a thing is moving. The stillness has captivated my heart.

I have to admit, nothing in my life these days seems to be still. Whether it is Jacob kicking and jabbing away in my belly (I rejoice in his movements), or the ever flowing to do list that unravels every day, if I was prone to motion sickness—I would have it right now.

Really though, when have I ever not felt this way? Okay, maybe on vacation or when I am intentional about scheduling in some still moments, but a mother’s heart, a women’s heart is rarely still on its own.

When the hand of God is on us beckoning us to be still do we listen?

I admit this is hard for me, I am doer and more times than not I could be characterized as an overachiever.

In my overachieving, I am often not able to hear His voice whisper, “Be still.”(Psalm 46:10)

I’m thankful for the still trees outside my window sill reminding me to be still. The still branches draw me in further as I reflect on the prior week, I was not very still. Rather the opposite seemed to occur, tempted to be shaken to and fro with things seen, heard and felt.

When Justin glanced my way, indirectly communicating that he questioned my comment sent my heart in auto-protect and my mouth opened with a knee jerk reaction which I later regretted. I heard God whisper then, “Be still.”

When a customer's frustration got the best of him and he let out an outburst of profanity, the blood went rushing through my veins and jumping to respond my mouth opened.
I heard God whisper then, “Be still.”

When my adolescent boys cried out with whines of their childish desires, I was quick to put out their fire and again opened my mouth. I heard God whisper then, “Be Still.”

I’m know this to be true, but I am learning that being quiet and still ushers in God’s divine work. And His work is always best.

But what happens when the wind blows? What happens when life around us is not still? I see the leaves and palm branches outside my window move then too in response to the wind. I noticed myself asking my God…"What then?"

I pictured instantly how the trees when rooted deep within the ground do not fall over and God's Word says they bear much fruit (John 15:5-8). Then I remembered the dinner conversation earlier this week with my boys.

Justin chaperoned a field trip with my son’s class to the Biosphere2, part of the University of Arizona's research center where they study the Earth, the Earth's living systems and the Earth's place in the universe.

Our dinner conversation one night was full of all that they had learned and experienced seeing the ecosystems under glass. One thing that captured my attention was when they described that trees were initially not doing very well in the Biosphere. They explained that scientists realized they were weak and began to topple over because there was no wind or storms present in the ecosystem.

In order to make the trees stronger, the scientists turned on fans to imitate wind for the trees.

“There is purpose in me allowing the resistance and storms in your life. Your learning to respond is character building…I am making your stronger. Be still and sway with the wind.”

I sensed the wisdom of the Lord filling my heart.

Could it be that the storms of this life are helping us to thrive?

I may need to sway a bit this week in response to any storms that God allows to come my way, but my heart wants to work on being still and knowing that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)

Remembering & Practicing What I Learned

2010-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

I’m eating a bite of my son’s Kit Kat bar (yes, I am one of those mom’s who raids the Halloween candy when no one is looking) and taking a break to remember.

I just learned how to load more than one photo to my blog. I feel like such a dork and know that I am revealing my naivety to this social media world. I’m hanging in there though…

These last few days and usually every weekend (sometimes my weekends are 3 and 4 days long) I try to take a break from the social media world and soak up the love in the physical world around me.

This past weekend called for my specific attention with Fall Festivities intermixed with 3 sick boys. Between batches of homemade soup, restful naps and doses of antibiotics we still managed to squeeze in some precious family time.

I can so easily succumb to confines of my laptop and get lost writing and networking abroad with other servants of the Lord that I admire yet barely know via Facebook and other mediums. I find time in the social media world so inspiring and great, yet I do know the importance of loving the little and big men right within the four walls of which I live…for God uses them to encourage and inspire me like no one else.

So, reaching outside the screen of my laptop I embraced these beautiful gifts these past few days. Before the illness began the boys helped me make pumpkin sugar cookies for their parties at school:

I love doing things like this with my boys!!!

They are still ALL BOY though…

The next day my son lost his tooth just in time for his costume ensemble.

Here my oldest is looking so serious…getting ready to carve the pumpkin after the boys sat around asking Dad what different weapons would do to a pumpkin. The conversation was so over my head and there was no way for me to add any of my girlie ways to the conversation…I just smiled and took in the way that God has wired my boys.

AAAaahh! Taking it all in, practicing what I learend and remembering it all. May we take time to do this more often and soak up the love.

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago."

Psalm 77:11

Something New...

2010-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am tempted to write a bit more about the water balloons…hee hee; for yet again this morning we opened the door to more latex debris sprinkled throughout the neighborhood lawn. It is clearly the latest neighborhood obsession…but I am choosing to move on.

I am thankful for the promises in God’s Word that encourage me to embrace something new!

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

What is God doing new in your life right now?

I am being challenged and stretched these days and I am not just talking about my expanding almost nine month pregnant belly. These past few months I have been taking on some new responsibilities for a ministry that my husband and I have been involved with these past couple of years.

Has anyone ever heard of a “Social Media Network Administrator?” That’s now a new hat I get to wear throughout the week. I am stretching it out for size these days.

It sounds so official and techno savvy—but really it's not. I am thankful for my husband’s training background and techno savvy gifts because he has been helping me embrace this new endeavor with great gusto!

Basically, I am beginning to use the gifts that God has given me to write, encourage, inspire and unite. I am learning new terms such as wiki tiki or tiki wiki and that’s not a childhood rhyme.

God is using this world of social media in ways I never imagined or thought possible. I’m grateful for God’s provision and the way He has orchestrated such a ministry to flow from His hands onto the key pads of my laptop.

Such a great thrill to learn something new and know that I will need to rely on Him to guide me every step of the way.

Are you using your God-given gifts? Do you need to rely on God for something new that is springing up in your life right now?

How are you surviving in this social media world? Am I the only one who sometimes feels like I am walking into a dark room with a tiny little flashlight trying to find my way?

I would love to hear what new things God is springing up in your heart and home.
Please comment below and if you are receiving this outside of my blog, come visit me at www.jgirlsjourney.blogspot.com and feel free to post your comment there.

Cleaning Up The Mess

2010-10-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Still at the hose filling up the water balloons was our nearly two and a half feet tall friend. I just smiled again and marveled for a second at the thoughts I had a couple of days ago.

I asked God a question, “Is there something else you want to say to me about these water balloons?”

As fun as our little friend was having, I still felt the message to me this morning was

"Let go…move on."

I read in Exodus 14 where the Israelites were beginning to grumble about their situation. Their fearful hearts desired to remain in bondage rather than be in the current situation, rescued and moving forward with God.

What a place to live...rescued and moving forward with God! Are you living this way?

The Lord’s words in Exodus 14:15 were resonating in my heart,”…move on.”

Moving on can be scary at times. Moving on or keeping ourselves in a forward motion leaves a lot of questions and unknowns in our minds…especially if we don’t have faith to believe that God is bigger than any of our circumstances.

Whether we are facing extremely high hurdles or little itty bitty ones today, I believe God wants us to trust Him to carry us over the hurdle.

When I came back home from taking the boys to school this morning, I saw my little water balloon friend’s Daddy cleaning up the yard. He was winding up the hose and picking up little pieces of latex balloon that had been sprinkled throughout the lawn.

I pictured, our Daddy….God cleaning up after us.

He brings people into our lives, those who bring knowledge and understanding.

(Jer 3:15).

He surely cleans us up our messes and blesses us!

(Jer 33:6-9)

Girlfriend, I’m thanking God for continually cleaning me up and for bringing you into my life to encourage and inspire me along the way.

May we hold onto these promises together and move on!

Let's go and do something outside of the social media world today and physically hug someone who has brightened up our path along the way...AND MOVE ON!

Water Balloons in October?

2010-10-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

I opened my front door this morning to see little guy’s bright eyes and adorable smile beaming with delight. He was proudly gripping a water balloon and the sun was just coming up beckoning him and the rest of the neighborhood kids to trot off to school.

Not knowing whether I or my own two boys needed to dunk, I just smiled back at him as I felt the cool Fall breeze against my face.

I felt God whisper to the recesses of my heart...

”Oh, don’t all of my children desire to hold on to something as I bring about change.”

My mind drifted to my heart’s cry earlier that morning beckoning me to embrace some change going on in my own home and heart. In addition, the wrestling match I had with one of my boys’ who desired to wear one of his favorite shirts that was clearly now too small for his sprouting frame.

We all have growth spurts from time to time. Are you in one now?

Don’t we sometimes desire to hold onto a season just a little bit longer?

What is God calling you to let go of today?

What does God want to clothe you with in this new season?

Is it time for swim trunks and water balloons or jackets and sweaters?

Do you need to lay down the water balloon and grab a hold of your sweater?

I am asking myself these questions this morning.

I’m ready girlfriend. Are you?

I'll see you girlfriend bundled up and ready to embrace this change…this new season.
For even if it doesn’t seem like it and even if our hearts desire to hold onto something good… God is surely bringing us to a place of abundance. (Psalm 66:12).

Even if it doesn’t quite feel like it yet...let's embrace the truth!
Let’s run with the new Fall breeze.

Victorious Movements

2010-10-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Wiggle, swoop, jab are the seemingly constant joyful movements occurring inside of me these days—and I LOVE IT!!

The motions remind me of the life God is growing inside of me and who cannot get excited about that. It naturally reminds me that everything is okay and progressing along as it should.

This pregnancy has also made me aware of how easily I can run down roads of anxiety and worry in my mind. Fearful of what might happen, and all too aware that I am ultimately not in control of this life.

I recognize that there are all too many things in this life that can happen causing the tides around me to rise. Causing me to fear and be anxious. Thoughts like these leave me feeling defeated at the end of the day.

God calls us to live differently.

I love what Psalm 44:4 says that God decrees, “VICTORIES!”

I’m choosing to remember this and when I sense worry or anxiousness rise up inside of me. This week I want to focus on laying down the anxious thought and grab onto His decree of VICTORY!

I’ve seen how quickly time flies by; with my oldest boys approaching 8 and 10 and my 15th wedding anniversary approaching next summer.

I do not want to waste one more minute doubting…one more minute fearful of what might happen.

I want to live every moment victorious in Christ.

I’m taking on the challenge, aware of the choices I need to make and also aware that there will be moments that I will fail and fall flat on my face…yet again. Just like, I did yesterday when I succumbed to the stress after my misjudgment of time and made my family late and the poor attitude of one of my adolescent boys sent a bit of rage erupting inside of me.

Oh, I hate it when I lose my cool and allow the waves around to sink this valiant vessel God created me to be.

Rather than get down and dwell on the past moment, I’m going to remember what God has decreed and know that He is here to help me.

Just as little Jacob stirs and jostles inside of me—so is God moving and grooving to the beat of His eternal drum!

For, it is God who is working in me…and I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
(Phil 2:13 & 4:13).

May we encourage each other to make the minutes of our day victorious!

Things to Treasure

2010-10-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

I just got back from dropping off the boys at school and had an unplanned impromptu coffee and prayer time with a couple of girlfriends.

So great to sit and chat and thank God with girlfriends and then to encourage one another through the daily grind of life. I was even unexpectedly challenged to take a look at my own heart and tendency toward waywardness because a girlfriend was brave enough to share her own challenges of the heart.

How often do we get the chance to be comfortable and genuinely share our hearts in this life?

My body craves this and desires to be a catalyst for environments like this…oh the things I treasure in this life!

In the same way I have been cleaning out junk drawers and closets this week and organizing and getting the baby’s room ready I want my life to be full of the same. Where I am constantly being challenged to allow God’s Spirit to clean out my heart and lead me, much like the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 139:23-24

“Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in a the way of everlasting”

In the same way that I sat soaking up the completeness of the work done in the baby’s room this week; may I sit and soak up the Lord’s work in my own heart and be brave enough to share it with those around me.

May I be ready for not only baby Jacob to occupy his room;
but ready for any good work that the Lord has for me to do. (2 Tim 2:21).

Like I plan on teaching my sons…may I first take it to heart and welcome you girlfriend as well…

We are loved, we are precious and we are treasured.

May we not fear a little cleaning up around our home or heart…but treasure them!

Remember When...

2010-10-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

I forgot something important the other day. At a time when I was younger I would have had to run home to do what I forgot to do…or my day would have been ruined for sure.

Not sure what to think of the fact that I felt more inclined to keep going than risk being late.

My forgetfulness was not something that would cause great upset for anyone else. It definitely was not going to disrupt anyone else’s day on the planet nor keep the earth from spinning in orbit as usual.

Still…forgetting to brush my teeth is pretty profound. Can I blame it on pregnancy?

It was well into the afternoon and I was out of the house and a sense of panic came over me.
My anxiety was quickly replaced with laughter as I pictured God allowing me to forget to brush my teeth.

He often reminds me of a lot of things…don’t forget to write that note to your little guys or call that girlfriend or send that text to your hubby…certainly He had purpose in allowing me to forget to brush my teeth.

Was this a funny way to remind me of what’s ahead with a newborn again?

I remember being a brand new mom a decade ago and there were days when jumping in the shower or grabbing my toothbrush was not even possible until I was ready to get into my jammies for the evening…only to realize that I never got out of them all day.

Please tell me that some other mother out there can relate.

As I was driving fully aware of the fuzz on my teeth and anticipating a run into my children’s school to excuse them for doctor’s appointments I was distracted by the DJ on the radio. She mentioned something about a good way to show love and appreciation to someone is to say

“I remember when…” and then share a memorable moment you had with them.

She explained that this was a good way to communicate that you genuinely care about someone…your spouse, a co-worker, a friend, a family member.

The idea was to communicate that you care about them and appreciate them and you remember the moments you shared together.

Really, haven’t we all at times gotten caught up in our own busyness that we forget to make deposits into the relationships that brighten our lives everyday? Speaking words of love can so easily be silenced and forgotten in this fast-paced, social-media-soaked world.

I had to chuckle to myself again thinking that a great way to show love to those around me would be to surely remember to brush my teeth. (tee...hee...)

Because there was no time to run home, I ingested a few mints and kept a safe distance as I talked with those beloved people I ran into at the school, the doctor’s office and the grocery store before I made it back home for a good brushing.

This idea of remembering is sticking with me; as I know that God calls us to remember. I actually found that the word: remember is in the Bible 162 times and the truth of Psalm 143:5 resonated in my heart….

The words of the Psalmist David speaking to God,

”I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.”

May we start our days communicating our love…telling God that we remember when…

Oh, and remembering to brush is always good too.

Steps

2010-10-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

WOW!

Where has the time gone?

I’m about 32 weeks along in my pregnancy and I have to say I really thought I would have written and blogged so much more about it along the way.

Rather than look back and be sad that my time was spent on other things
(some necessary and some other not so necessary);

I’m going to choose to look ahead. I don’t want to dwell on the “could have been,” “should have been” or” what might have been.”

I’m not going to wait for the perfect writing piece to come to my mind before I share and publish it on my blog. I’m going to just do it! Just write and reflect and continue to make my joy complete!

So here goes nothing...
Back at it and I am a little perplexed this morning thinking through some thoughts, some ideas for one of the last chapters in my book that I just feel led to alter and change drastically.

I am trusting that God will reveal the specifics to me at the just the right time.

Today my thoughts match the weather and mood depicted in the sky. Literally while driving down the road there was sunshine and blue sky to the East and dark storm clouds to the West.

I sensed the heat from the sun rising in the East and the coolness from the clouds in the West moving closer, encroaching to meet the sun in the middle. It was a bizarre sight with the road I was travelling on seeming to divide exactly the two scenarios in half.

Bizarre seems to sum up my life these days.

Do you ever have time to stop and think about your day and your life? Do you ever feel that you are living in your own realm of bizarre? Are you ever confused about the direction of your life?

These feelings are rising up inside of me today.

I'm feeling a bit confused about where God is taking me in this journey we so creatively call life. I feel a bit of His warmth and love and peace like the sun to the East and yet the thrill, anxiousness of a unknown storm approaching from the West.

I know and sense life in J-girl’s home is about to change in a matter of just a few weeks. In more ways than just embracing our new bundle of joy. I’m just waiting on God to reveal the exact place for me to stand in His love through it all.

Basically preparing myself to hold on tight for the ride! I know it's going to be good!

Do you ever feel that way…I mean, are you ever unsure of where life’s next turn will be; but still sensing a major shift in the road up ahead?

As I sit reflecting on this day, and all the things that are before me to get done today, I’m thankful for God’s truth that He upholds me with His hand and He makes my steps firm. (Psalm 37:3)

Blessed

2010-09-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

So thankful for God’s gifts. I was reminded this week of how God desires to continually do new things in our hearts and lives. As I turned the calendar this week to a new month and enjoyed a walk realizing the temperatures are dropping a bit (at least in the morning) to usher in a brand new season.

I spent some time reflecting on my walk this week thinking about all of the new things God is doing in my life ever so quietly at this time. I recognized that the new things…a new job, a new baby, a new passion, a new thrill….were all things that were birthed of old. They were new, but not really. For instance, a job…I’ve had one before; a baby…done this before; a passion…felt this stirring for awhile; a thrill…clearly been thrilled with life before this particle moment (thank you God for newness AGAIN & AGAIN).
Do you ever feel this same newness stirring in your own heart? Do you hear the Lord’s words, “See I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:19).

It is springing up in you and I pray that you perceive it; as I never want to miss something new from the Lord. That is what good friends do; they help us notice the things that are springing up in our lives…or bursting forth. I am so thankful for the handful of encouraging friends that God has blessed me with; for they speak truth and encouragement continually in my life. These special girlfriends gave me this necklace a few weeks ago; reminding me to see what God is springing up in my heart and life. What a treasure…I continually see glimpses of my loving God through the kindness and love of my dear girlfriends and I am forever greatful that they encourage me to ‘put on my new self!’

Thanks girls for continually reminding me of His love and that we are created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24). I feel so undeserving of such friendships; for I know I can always love better and when showered with such love I am reminded of it even more. Yet, I accept this gift from my Lord and I honestly pray that every girl in this world may experience this treasure of friendship; I know I cannot be this kind of friend to all (as much as my heart wants to...it's just not possible).

Yet, all of this is possible with God and a little choice of our own--may we be the type of girlfriend we want to have; for someone else in this world is also in need of a girlfriend.

Can't help but humbly whisper...I am blessed.

Ouch!

2010-08-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

Ouch! I don’t know if it was a result of just my clumsy self or the fact that my belly is beginning to protrude past the line of sight to my toes that I did not see the 10lb weight jump out and attack my pinkie toe…nonetheless I felt pain. I continued to hobble to the fridge for some ice and watched as my pinkie resembled a bit of the growth of my expanding belly as it began to swell and turn a nice shade of red.
Later that afternoon as I walked by the same 10lb weight I remembered the pain and from the recesses of my mind I heard God whisper, “Yes, slow down.”
That whisper quieted my soul to hear further, “I want you to rest, I want you to see that yes, I have things for you to share at times and now I have quiet moments reserved for just you and me.” I knew God was referring to my writing because I had been talking and praying to Him about my desire to finish this writing project. I have been a little frustrated with the lack of time I have had to write on my blog and edit my book since last May when the completion of my rough draft coincided with a positive pregnancy test.
I knew I was going to have some time off for summer with the boys home and it being the early part of my pregnancy I was really too exhausted to think much about my writing. Yet, now school is back in session and I’m now in my 2nd (also known as my get-up-and-go) trimester and I am ready and raring to go with my writing.
Looking back and realizing how long it has been since my last writing time; I was sad and questioned if I took too long of a break. I am so thankful for the painful moment which still leaves my pinkie toe bruised and sore which preceded the loving reminder from my Lord. Rest is good and necessary.
I definitely need my share of loving reminders and I get them from reading in His Word and quieting my mind to be aware of what is going on around me throughout the day. Just like my son communicated to me yesterday that he wants to save all of his lunch napkins with notes from me so that he can read them again and again; I too want to capture all of these ‘love notes from God’ so that I can read them again and again. And because I know that God loves all of those around me; I want to show them too…see “He loves…this is what He spoke to me and He is speaking to you…be watching so that you can see it too!”
When we are faithful and watchful we can see that God is watching and He is faithful to guide us. When I clearly needed time to rest and spend with my boys He guided that time for me and now that I am needing guidance on not ‘neglecting my gift’ and being ‘diligent in this matter’ (1Tim 4:14 & 15); He is also guiding me.
I am so thankful that I can relax and trust that God does everything just right on time. (Ecc 3:11) And I am so looking forward to moving forward…trusting that as this baby grows, the swelling in my toe will subside but the swelling in my heart to write will increase and Lord willing, I will finish and publish this book!

Chillin' with my 3 1/2 Inch Company

2010-06-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

“I know who is going to keep you company this week Mom!”
“Who?” I asked my little man who was staring right into my blue eyes just a few inches from my face.
And he exclaimed gladly, “The baby!”
The boys left just a few hours ago and will be gone for four days camping deep in the woods. And my son is right; just as baby is a big reason why I am choosing to skip out on this trip; he/she will be keeping me company this weekend.
Snug tight in my belly for another 5 ½ months me and baby are spending lots of time together. We spent the first minutes napping and then watching a movie. It was nice to just lounge and do nothing!
I’m taking advantage this weekend and doing lots of that. In addition, to a couple of other things, we are going to do some editing; I’m anxious to read and re-write the chapters of my book and yet I’m finding that now I am pregnant I’m a little extra emotional and I’ll need to run to the store for some more Kleenex before I begin.
I get teary eyed and overwhelmed with emotion when I think about how much my God loves me and all that He has done to demonstrate His love—but I know I don’t normally shed these many tears; so I am choosing to blame the added tears on pregnancy hormones.
Next, this baby is demanding a little bit more space and I had to break down and buy some maternity clothes and so we are going to spend some time re-organizing my closet. Putting away all my pre-pregnancy clothes for a few months in this very antique wardrobe treasure chest my husband bought me a few years ago and hanging up my new blossoming wardrobe. (It won’t be so glorious when I have to still wear it the weeks after baby arrives…I am not one of those women who bounces right back into her skinny jeans).
Then baby and I will be heading for a date with Grandma—my mom! We’ll see where baby wants to eat and then maybe some shopping and the theatre. Oooooo I can’t wait!!!!
In between that I am hoping to catch up on some phone calls and read some more of my new Francine Rivers book. I’m reading “A Lineage of Grace,” and it is FANTASTIC!!! I love how captivating eachstory line is—there are 5 stories and they are right out of the Bible….God is a great author and Francine does a wonderful job adding details that make you think deep.

So me and baby about 3 ½ inches of he or she will be chilling in the AC this hot summer weekend in AZ...keeping each other company. Between this growing belly and the occasional flip flops and poking sensations that I feel I can’t deny that he/she is here with me. As surreal as it may be and as tempted as I am to doubt that I am going to have another baby after all these years of questioning/praying/hoping…I am not dismayed.

You see, this past January I asked my close girlfriends to pray for me and our family; I knew that time was changing this late-20's body of mine that first bore children. I knew that I was content being a mother of two boys but Justin and I were praying about making things final after 7 years of trying to have a third baby. I burst into tears in front of my dear girlfriends as I spoke of the finality of this hope and realized that deep inside I did still indeed have a desire for another baby; yet I told God over and over that I never wanted to long for something that He did not have for me-so if the answer is no, I will accept it with joy!
Now 6 months later, and there is no denying that I am with child. As I lay quiet and resting this week, I heard His Word which spoke as a whisper in the deepest recesses of my mind and heart and I’m declaring this baby a miracle of God's power and love…
“This miracle will bring great honor to the LORD’s name; it will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.” (Isaiah 55:13)
Makes me ponder the things in our minds that we try to deny or cast away in unbelief…never allow yourself to fall into the temptation of unbelief. For Jesus told his friends how NOT to fall into temptation; and His words are intended for us as well today…pray! (Luke 22:46).

Continue to forgive us Father for our sin of unbelief and help us to BELIEVE.

Fingerprints of Love

2010-06-10T14:55:00.001-07:00

Nothing too exciting here…just cleaning up around the house and beginning to edit chapter 1 of my book while the boys are away with Grandma and Grandpa for a week. I knew the editing process would not be as much fun as the initial brainstorming and writing has been. It’s funny how freeing it is to write and not worry about mistakes and concerned whether your thought was clearly stated and understandable; especially when a gal like me can tend to want to have everything as perfect as possible.

My husband and two boys have helped me break the perfectionist mold; but I can’t deny the fact that it likes to creep up every now and then. I’m left right now pondering just what exactly in life we have to get ‘just right.’ My new job, I know I need to be on time; they are big sticklers about timeliness but even with that you are given some grace. When my boys are in school we have to leave at the same time everyday give or take five minutes to get them there on time.

I’ll be honest if there are any stresses in my life they are wrapped around in some way shape or form my attempt at getting things ‘just so.’ Frankly, I’ve learned that God is the only One who can get things just so…the One who “churns up the sea so that its waves roar…who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth.” (Isaiah 50:15-16) The only One who does everything just right and on time is my loving God!(Ecc 3:11)

As I wipe up dirty fingerprint murals from my walls; I’m not sure if my boys lose their balance in this particular area of our house, and consistently plant their beautiful, grimy prints for support or if they are practicing their Picasso talents and attempting to paint a picture with the dirt and grime. All the same, I am just thankful for being reminded that although I can clean up this wall and make it look clean and new again—my God is at work completing all kinds of works inside of me.

One of these works that I know I need His help with is this book writing; but even more important than that is this little life growing inside of me that now has fingerprints of her own (or his own). As I am keenly aware of this life growing inside of me now; along with all kinds of other changes to my body right now I am also aware that my God…my heavenly Daddy is in control of ALL of it!

As my own fingerprints type away I can’t help but smile and rest in the glory of His presence for I know that I am sheltered by the fingerprints of God’s own mighty hands! (Isaiah 51:16)

And all who seek Him and acknowledge Him as God may see these same fingerprints too. Please feel free to email me if you want to know more about how to see these fingerprints in your own life...I promise I won't have you come help me clean my walls. The more I grasp how much my God loves me...the more I just desire for someone else to hear. God loves you!!

Movin' and Groovin'

2010-05-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

About the size of a plum...that's how big he or she is growing inside this belly of mine. I'm just about 11 weeks and just earlier this week I felt him or her movin' and groovin'. It was a swoosh-flip-flop kind of feeling and thinking about it again just makes me smile.

Before I found out I was pregnant I wrote Psalm 84:1 on my bathroom mirror and I haven't erased it yet!

How I long and cherish for the moments in my day where I am able to get away and be at home with my Lord...in His dwelling place. (His dwelling place, I know is anywhere and anytime; thanks to my sweet friend Jesus). In the same way I am looking forward to the moments I will have with this precious child. What a joy and privilege it is to walk this 9 month journey once again. And it always help to embrace this journey when the haze of nausea and exhaustion begins to lift.

Hands and Feet

2010-05-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

WOW! It’s not even lunch time and I just woke from a little morning nap. I’m baffled by this incessant need to rest and sleep that has overcome me this week. I’m thankful that I am sleeping so wonderfully at night; but this 8-10 hours just doesn’t seem to be enough. I was in my comfy jammies and ready for bed before the sun went down last night and I could not wait for my nightly motherly duties to be complete so that my head could hit the pillow.
This morning I asked God for energy to get some things done that I have put off this week because of my sleepiness. His answer in the moment was no as I couldn’t fight the urge to rest this morning after breakfast and my workout.

I exercised a bit thinking that would get me going and while I was riding my exercise bike I felt the Spirit nudge me to notice these finger paintings on the wall…they are quite a few years old…at least 5 or 7 years ago when my boys hands were much tinier and much more fascinated with finger paints and I was into the delight on their faces as they got their fingers in the gooey paints.

The finger paints reminded me what I read earlier this week about this growing baby inside of me. God is developing his or her hands and feet in my womb this week. As I try to wrap my mind around this marvelous wonderful act, tears fill up my eyes.

To fully realize that God is doing a miracle inside of me right now is both humbling and inspiring. God knows exactly what these hands and feet will soon be getting in to and I pray that they become vessels of His love and Kingdom work.

Oh, Lord, may the light of your face shine upon us—specifically this precious new life you are weaving inside of me. I surrender to your work yet again, laying down my desires. The chores of this day will wait for Your proper timing. “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8) Obviously, you desire for me to rest while you do your wonders creating some precious hands and feet!

Surprising Expectations

2010-05-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

Oh, I can’t believe I missed a whole month of not posting on my blog.

April was a busy month full of lots of writing and preparation. I was able to complete quite a few chapters from my book and now I only have 5 more to piece together (praying May will be the month to finish these up so I can edit over the summer). This month I also prepared for a conference with MTS (Mending the Soul Ministries); not to mention I started up an aerobics class 4 days a week…all of that led up to me being able to say… “I’m expecting!”

Expecting specifically baby #3 this coming December. The big news was found out first on Saturday, April 17th and I just had my first OB appointment this week; and so amazing to see this little tiny seed already have a heartbeat of 120bpm. I got teary eyed and filled with such joy as this little light shown right from the center of the sweet pea in my belly…thumping away exemplifying every bit of life
I’ve embraced a whirlwind of emotions since first realizing I’m pregnant, and I admit the least glamorous mood that reared its ugly head and tipped me off first to take a pregnancy test was a heightened awareness of my irritability. I tried to keep this ‘ugly head’ under wraps between God and I…and laugh about it whenever I could…hormones are really strange and unpredictable and if I could escape them right now I wouldJ
With God’s help, exercise, eating right and enough rest I know I can keep these mood swings at bay.
The same way I am keeping these moods under control by surrendering them to God—I am surrendering my fears. I am a bit older this time around than I was when I was pregnant with my boys. The risks of the baby having chromosomal problems increased when I skipped over that age of 35. As I listened to the doctor rattle off all the ‘could happens’ and all the tests to verify the chances and all the risks…the verses from Philippians 4 came to my mind….and as I’m typing this up right now; I got on www. Crosswalk.com and typed in the chapter and had to chuckle because 2 verses were highlighted in pink and 1 verse was highlighted in baby blue. (I’M NOT LYING!)
When I clicked to copy and paste it HERE in my writing, it would not carry over the highlighted part…so weird and I just have to think that God is speaking these verses over me and this precious baby: First highlighted in pink was this: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4:8-9) Then highlighted in baby blue was the following scripture “I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)
I’m clinging to God’s truth again and again; as baby and I rest in His loving arms. Pink-blue-boy- girl…I entrust these emotions and the health of this baby to God…He will meet all of our needs. (Phil 4:19)

Critters are Hungry

2010-03-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

Clickity, Clack—slurp-chomp! My quick strokes on the key board were interrupted by noises coming from—my not so little any more—kitty, who was devouring my lunch that I left sitting on the table. Ugggh!!!
I quickly jotted on my grocery list “kitty food,” and proceeded to finish writing and then was reminded of what we thought this little kitty might have eaten…
Oh, the drama in a house with critters and boys full of wild imaginations. And the bigger the critter the louder their jaws go a smackin--why can't they eat like cute little ladybugs? Furby, my boys’ pet hamster was quite the escape artist in his early days and low and behold he was missing again…
My boys quickly came up with the culprit in his escape and investigated the cat’s belly…surely our cat who loved to lounge like Jerry next to Furby’s cage all the while staring and salivating at the hamster's every move.
I didn’t tell my boys; but I actually prayed silently that Furby would be found soon or if we did not find him--he would be dead in kitty’s belly. Now, don't send the pet police to my home please--I only don't want to find him dead in the corner of some dark closet space--I don't think I could handle the order or the sight.
Then to our surprise this morning…noises were coming from the cage. An unharmed--tail and limbs intact Furby was playing and eating safely in his cage. Dad must’ve found him I thought to myself but the boys mustered up again an epic adventure of Furby finding his way back home to eat. “He must be hungry!” My boys exclaimed.
All this drama made me actually grin a little and led me to ponder the question, "What am I hungry for?"
Now that I’ve retrieved my lunch back from the cat (yes, I still did eat what was left…I too was hungry). I chomped and chewed--like a lady of course-- and thought a little deeper beyond the food I was enjoying. I realized that down somewhere in my bones there was a deep-seeded hunger for healing, restoration, and redemption!

In my life right now, so many are having to endure--endure chemotherapy…endure emotional pain from the loss of a loved one-loss of a relationship…endure stresses from financial hardships.
As I reflect on these trials that all people endure during this lifetime, I am also nudged to remember...especially during this week leading up to Easter, the particular hardships and pain which Christ endured.
I’m clinging to Jesus’ words…and finding such comfort—such food for my hunger…”Yet, I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33).
I feel a question rising up inside of me..."What are you hungry for?" And my sweet Jesus's words come to mind again, these words in ways I cannot explain...bring me peace and satisfy.

“Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” (Luke 6:21)

When I find myself running either free in a spacious place or in my own hamster wheel of life, I will remember where I call home and embrace my Father's Words!

Just In Time to Dream

2010-03-26T00:47:00.000-07:00

“God does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what He is doing.” (Ecc 3:11 NCV) This promise I've read in God’s Word, written in my journal, and now tonight at just the right time- they fill my mind and bring peace.
It's late...late for me to be writing; but the week has been full with my boys on Spring Break-in other words my writing time has been squeezed out by games, legos, baseball practice and more games-and I need to get this post written in time...I will tell you why in just a bit...

If you know me, you know that my God given passion is to connect women both to the heart of God and with one another. At first, God showed me this as I taught Christian aerobics classes, then by Mom’s groups and Bible studies and now there are all kinds of ways God is opening the door for me to utilize this gift of connecting and inspiring women towards the heart of God and the heart of other women.

In addition to speaking at various functions to encourage and inspire women with the redemptive life story God has given me, I also teach an Elementary Sunday School class with my husband; serve along side other servants at Mending the Soul; I have written 2 Bible Studies, and am now halfway complete with a book which God has placed on my heart titled “Ladybugs On the Beach.”

God has placed this book on my heart…a book inspired by my search of God through the scriptures and finding Him everywhere…including on the beach where I received the gift of many ladybugs. My desire is to be transparent in this life and allow people to see both the highs and lows of walking this life holding Jesus' hand. It all came together for me one spring day when God brought many ladybugs along with whispers of His love to me on the beach…and it ends—well you will just have to wait and find out!

When can you find out? I wish I had a date for it to be published but I don’t have the details yet and that is where I feel God reminded me of She Speaks; when I saw this scholarship opportunity offered by Cecil Murphy.

I first heard of SheSpeaks Conference a few years ago and dreamed of attending with a friend of mine who also enjoys writing. And then again last year I was reminded of it and could not find anything like it closer to me and asked the women who were attending my Bible Study last year to pray with me about attending last year and well—dare I use the phrase which seems to be becoming a cliche…’this economy.’ The amount for the conference plus airfare for me to get there is a hefty amount for my one income family right now; but I trust that if this is the next step…God will provide.

The She Speaks Conference is for speakers, writers and women ministry leaders and equips them to do the work God has placed on their heart. I am interested in all three aspects of this conference with recent doors opening to speak, write and cultivate a cohesive God-fident team of women which God has called to “bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted.” (Isaiah 61:1) God has wired me for this and I am so hungry for the tools to propel me forward.

God has brought me to a spacious-wide open place where I have been free to dream…I am

trusting that He is leading me to paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3) and maybe…just maybe this path includes She Speaks 2010.

I encourage you to do the same...dare to dream and embrace whatever it is that God has before you...He does everything just right and on time! Speaking of time...I need to get to bed...and if you want to join me and enter to win 1 of 3 scholarships just click here. Hurry the deadline is NOW March 26, 2010!

J-Girl's Journey

Help!

Clean And Cute!

Linger

A Splash Of Almond Milk

Never Stop Dancing!

Time For A Ball

Beautiful eBook!

A Soul-Deep Beauty Tip

A Score of Disappointment

Leaves Falling in January

ThinGs!

QUIET!

FUN FRIDAY- Merry Christmas!

Preparing to UNWRAP HIS PRESENCE

12 Days of Christmas

Show Me Jesus

FUN FRIDAY- HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Word Wednesday: STRIVE

Monday Meeting on Love

Monday Meeting

FUN FRIDAY

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

Meet Jesus Monday! (Belief & Perfection)

FUN FRIDAY

WORD Wednesday..."tHaNkFuL"

Meet with Jesus Monday!

FUN FRIDAY!

WORD WEDNESDAY *Forgive*

MONDAY MEETING with Jesus and forgiveness

FUN FRIDAY

Word Wednesday

Meet with Jesus Monday and MORE!

FUN FRIDAY

Word Wednesday

Meet Jesus Monday

FUN FRIDAY

Word Wednesday!

Monday's Meeting

FUN FRIDAY

Puzzle Pieces

AWESOMENESS

FUN FRIDAY

Fun Lovin'

Real Life

Three Times Is A "Charm"

WOWSA!

A Mess!

Shake Your Booty

In The Waves of Life

Finally!

Weeds of Discouragement

Raising Expectations For A Boaz

Open Hands

UNSHAKEABLE

Three Ice Cubes

I'm in love...

One Month Into New Motherhood Again

Where Does Your Competence Come From?

More Thoughts on Contagious Love...

Contagious Love

Preparing To Open Gifts

Uncomfortable Seat Belts

FREEDOM

Still and Thriving...

Remembering & Practicing What I Learned

Something New...

Cleaning Up The Mess

Water Balloons in October?

Victorious Movements

Things to Treasure

Remember When...

Steps

Blessed

Ouch!

Chillin' with my 3 1/2 Inch Company

Fingerprints of Love

Movin' and Groovin'

Hands and Feet

Surprising Expectations

WORD WEDNESDAY Forgive