20 Things I Learned in 2010
1. Finally, how to fry chicken, thanks to the Pioneer Woman.
2. That I really love babies now. I always loved my own, of course, and the babies of my friends. But, now, I love all babies and that surprises me and most who know me.
3. Our children grow up too fast. Blair moved out and Katie started wearing makeup and both things rocked me back just a little bit.
4. Our family court system really stinks.
5. Small acts of kindness make an immeasurable impact on the recipients.
6. Small acts of kindess make an immeasurable impact on the giver.
7. I still have the best sisters in all the land.
8. The more I pray, the easier it is to communicate with God in a real, meaningful way.
9. That my day is seriously affected by whether or not I spend time with God.
10. Compassion is never wasted and there are many, many who need it. It is something everyone can offer if they decide to do just that.
11. Reading is still my favorite past time.
12. Friends from my past still matter to me and make a difference in my life. I have Facebook to thank for that. I know that some people use it for gossip and ranting and put downs. I am happy that my friends, for the most part, use it for encouragement.
13. It's okay to say no.
14. It's okay to rest.
15. It's okay to retreat.
16. I need to reach out more, care more, do more, serve more.
17. Family is precious and should be treasured.
18. Forgiveness is not optional.
19. Every day has the possibility to be the best day you've ever had.
20. I can always do better and be better. It's a choice.
Happy New Year to you all.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Where's the Off Switch
I am sitting here tonight wishing that I was sleepy. I have to get up and go to work in the morning and need to rest. The problem: I can't seem to locate the OFF switch to my thoughts tonight.
I noticed that a couple of other people commented on Facebook that they were having the same dilemma. So, I thought maybe it would help me to shut down if I expressed some of the things swirling around my head.
My heart seems to be heavy for all the heartache and sickness I see within my circle of friends lately. Almost every day brings news of someone going through a trial or facing challenges they didn't expect to face.
*The friend who lost her mother to illness two days before Christmas.
*Our friends who buried their father in the summer and had to bury their grandfather yesterday.
*Long time family friends who face uncertainty as their mom/sister/daughter/wife/grandmother begins her battle with glioblastoma.
*Our brother-in-law's hospitalized father.
*Family members who are fighting to have their young daughter be a part of their family despite efforts by others to keep her from them.
*Sweet young friend battling cancer for the third time in 2 years.
*Friends who face financial crisis.
*The toddler daughter of a friend hospitalized tonight after a routine surgery because recovery is not going well.
And that is the short list. Is it any wonder that my mind is racing and reeling? I know that I need to release the burden of these things and let Jesus take over. Ask anyone who knows me, though. I am a control freak, emphasis on the freak!
I would do well to remember the words of the Psalmist"
"My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me."
I noticed that a couple of other people commented on Facebook that they were having the same dilemma. So, I thought maybe it would help me to shut down if I expressed some of the things swirling around my head.
My heart seems to be heavy for all the heartache and sickness I see within my circle of friends lately. Almost every day brings news of someone going through a trial or facing challenges they didn't expect to face.
*The friend who lost her mother to illness two days before Christmas.
*Our friends who buried their father in the summer and had to bury their grandfather yesterday.
*Long time family friends who face uncertainty as their mom/sister/daughter/wife/grandmother begins her battle with glioblastoma.
*Our brother-in-law's hospitalized father.
*Family members who are fighting to have their young daughter be a part of their family despite efforts by others to keep her from them.
*Sweet young friend battling cancer for the third time in 2 years.
*Friends who face financial crisis.
*The toddler daughter of a friend hospitalized tonight after a routine surgery because recovery is not going well.
And that is the short list. Is it any wonder that my mind is racing and reeling? I know that I need to release the burden of these things and let Jesus take over. Ask anyone who knows me, though. I am a control freak, emphasis on the freak!
I would do well to remember the words of the Psalmist"
"My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me."
Monday, December 6, 2010
One Thousand Gifts
26. Family who take care of me when I'm sick.
27. Friends who take care of me when I'm sick.
28. My pellet stove. Warmth.......awwww.
29. Psalms......what a treasure.
30. Answered prayer.
31. My sister Rhonda, celebrating her birthday today.
32. Christmas trees in three rooms of my home.
33. Crushed ice from Sonic.
34. My children.
27. Friends who take care of me when I'm sick.
28. My pellet stove. Warmth.......awwww.
29. Psalms......what a treasure.
30. Answered prayer.
31. My sister Rhonda, celebrating her birthday today.
32. Christmas trees in three rooms of my home.
33. Crushed ice from Sonic.
34. My children.
Monday, November 29, 2010
One Thousand Gifts
18. A great time with my family on Thanksgiving.....there is no blessing like a loving family.
19. Christmas lights.
20. A new magazine in the mail.
21. Naps.
22. Countdown to NG8. I love the anticipation of getting together with my sisters every April.
23. Old movies............1940s and 1950s.
24. Dennis' green thumb......all the beauty in our yard is his doing.
25. Carol King's Tapestry album....my all time favorite.
19. Christmas lights.
20. A new magazine in the mail.
21. Naps.
22. Countdown to NG8. I love the anticipation of getting together with my sisters every April.
23. Old movies............1940s and 1950s.
24. Dennis' green thumb......all the beauty in our yard is his doing.
25. Carol King's Tapestry album....my all time favorite.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
One Thousand Gifts
14. My wonderful friends from church. What a delight to go to a church full of sweet, funny, tender, loving women.
15. Anticipation! I love the "looking forward to" part of any adventure or trip or event. Right now I am anticipating Thanksgiving week with my family at Fin and Feather. They are the dearest in the world to me. What a blessing.
16. Newborn babies.......no explanation required.
17. Online Christmas shopping-shopping in my pjs!
15. Anticipation! I love the "looking forward to" part of any adventure or trip or event. Right now I am anticipating Thanksgiving week with my family at Fin and Feather. They are the dearest in the world to me. What a blessing.
16. Newborn babies.......no explanation required.
17. Online Christmas shopping-shopping in my pjs!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
You'll Drool
Go to my friend Erin's site and enter her contest. Be prepared to crave cake!
http://cakedbyerin.blogspot.com
http://cakedbyerin.blogspot.com
Friday, November 5, 2010
Therefore we do not lose heart
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
This verse from Psalm 34 has always been a favorite of mine. It's one of those verses that I figured was a comfort to people who needed it. Not me, of course. I am never brokenhearted or crushed in spirit! I am self-confident and optimistic and upbeat.
Wrong. That's what I thought. But, lately, I have become quite chummy with the "crushed in spirit" part. I just didn't know that was what it was. I have been feeling overwhelmed and discouraged at my job. I feel buried under a load that just keeps growing, with no end in sight. As my old boss liked to say "I'm covered up!"
Then, at Moms in Touch this week we read this verse. I was the one who typed it out and put it on our paper. But, it wasn't until we read it out loud in prayer that it hit me. That's me! I'm crushed in spirit! And the Lord is close to me; it says it right there in black and white!
Why is it that we so often think the scriptures are for someone else? They are mine to claim, too. I may have realized that just in time this week.
Reflecting on that reminded me of a another favorite passage in 2 Corinthians 4 that I hadn't visited in awhile:
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
All the promises in the Book are mine!
This verse from Psalm 34 has always been a favorite of mine. It's one of those verses that I figured was a comfort to people who needed it. Not me, of course. I am never brokenhearted or crushed in spirit! I am self-confident and optimistic and upbeat.
Wrong. That's what I thought. But, lately, I have become quite chummy with the "crushed in spirit" part. I just didn't know that was what it was. I have been feeling overwhelmed and discouraged at my job. I feel buried under a load that just keeps growing, with no end in sight. As my old boss liked to say "I'm covered up!"
Then, at Moms in Touch this week we read this verse. I was the one who typed it out and put it on our paper. But, it wasn't until we read it out loud in prayer that it hit me. That's me! I'm crushed in spirit! And the Lord is close to me; it says it right there in black and white!
Why is it that we so often think the scriptures are for someone else? They are mine to claim, too. I may have realized that just in time this week.
Reflecting on that reminded me of a another favorite passage in 2 Corinthians 4 that I hadn't visited in awhile:
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
All the promises in the Book are mine!
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